US08164085B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed that is able to suppress a short channel effect and improve carrier mobility. In the method, trenches are formed in a silicon substrate corresponding to a source region and a drain region. When epitaxially growing p-type semiconductor mixed crystal layers to fill up the trenches, the surfaces of the trenches are demarcated by facets, and extended portions of the semiconductor mixed crystal layers are formed between bottom surfaces of second side wall insulating films and a surface of the silicon substrate, and extended portion are in contact with a source extension region and a drain extension region.
US08164081B2
A method includes forming an electrical insulator material over an integrated circuit having a metal-containing conductive interconnect and activating a dopant in a semiconductor material of a substrate to provide a doped region. The doped region provides a junction of opposite conductivity types. After activating the dopant, the substrate is bonded to the insulator material and at least some of the substrate is removed where bonded to the insulator material. After the removing, a memory cell is formed having a word line, an access diode, a state-changeable memory element containing chalcogenide phase change material, and a bit line all electrically connected in series, the access diode containing the junction as a p-n junction. A memory device includes an adhesion material over the insulator material and bonding the word line to the insulator material.
US08164075B2
A treatment apparatus using proton includes a proton generation unit and a magnet. The proton generation unit projects proton into a tumor site of a patient, and the magnet forms a magnetic field around the patient. The proton conducts a spiral motion due to collision with atom of the tumor site and Lorenz force generated by the magnetic field.
US08164068B2
In an ion implanter, an ion current measurement device is disposed behind a mask co-planarly with respect to a surface of a target substrate as if said target substrate was positioned on a platen. The ion current measurement device is translated across the ion beam. The current of the ion beam directed through a plurality of apertures of the mask is measured using the ion current measurement device. In this manner, the position of the mask with respect to the ion beam as well as the condition of the mask may be determined based on the ion current profile measured by the ion current measurement device.
US08164057B2
An interface, a scanning electron microscope and a method for observing an object that is positioned in a non-vacuum environment. The method includes: passing at least one electron beam that is generated in a vacuum environment through at least one aperture out of an aperture array and through at least one ultra thin membrane that seals the at least one aperture; wherein the at least one electron beam is directed towards the object; wherein the at least one ultra thin membrane withstands a pressure difference between the vacuum environment and the non-vacuum environment; and detecting particles generated in response to an interaction between the at least one electron beam and the object.
US08164056B2
In a three-dimensional Paul RF ion trap the ring electrode and end cap electrodes are formed from pairs of pole rods. This multipole rod system is then operated as a linear ion trap with a constant field distribution along the multipole rod system. While the system is operating as a linear ion trap, analyte ions are introduced and stored within the linear ion trap. After the ions have been stored, a single-phase RF voltage is supplied to all rods of a middle segment thus forming a three-dimensional ion trap, thereby collecting the ions in a spherical cloud within this middle segment. The collected analyte ions can then be reacted in the three-dimensional ion trap and the product ions resulting from the reactions can be ejected for mass analysis.
US08164053B2
There has been a problem that both detection sensitivity and throughput cannot be improved simultaneously by a conventional MS/MS analysis method.A mass analyzer having an ion trap for ejecting ions in a specific mass range, a collisional dissociation part for causing ions ejected from the ion trap to be dissociated, a mass analyzing part for performing a mass analysis of ions ejected from the collisional dissociation part, and a control part including a list in which measurement conditions for each ion are stored selectively resonance-ejects ions introduced into and accumulated in the ion trap based on masses. A scanning operation is a repetition of an operation of ejecting specific precursor ions in a direction of the collisional dissociation part and an operation of ejecting nothing, and each ion can be measured under optimal measurement conditions by controlling an output voltage of each part with reference to list information, realizing a mass analyzer that can perform an MS/MS measurement with high throughput and high sensitivity.
US08164046B2
An illumination system for illuminating a mask in a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes an array of mirrors or other beam deflecting elements. Each beam deflecting element produces on the surface a projection light spot at a position that is variable by changing a deflection angle produced by the beam deflecting element. A spot shape measuring unit measures the shapes of spots which are produced on the spot measuring unit by the beam deflecting elements. The spot shape measuring unit is arranged outside of every possible path projection light is allowed to take between the array and the mask. A control unit controls the beam deflecting elements such that, at a given instant during an exposure operation of the apparatus, at least one beam deflecting element directs projection light exclusively on the spot shape measuring unit, and at least some beam deflecting elements direct projection light exclusively on the surface.
US08164045B2
An optical system and method for controlling light propagation along a light path. An optical element such as a lens is formed of a first light transmitting material and has a surface finish effective to scatter light impinging on the surface. Index matching material contacts to a portion of the surface so as to reduce or nullify the scattering effects of the surface finish within the portion. This allows the first optical element to have surfaces that have been generally prepared for scattering light and then later selectively negate the scattering effects of the surface finish by contacting portions of the surface with index matching material. As such, light in the optical element directed toward a surface or boundary within selected portion propagates into or out of the optical element. Light outside of the selected portion is scattered. Such an arrangement helps to reduce image degradation due to light outside of the light path being reflected about within the optical system.
US08164036B2
A cooking apparatus is provided. The cooking apparatus includes a cooking cavity, an upper space formed above the cooking cavity, lateral side spaces formed to at opposite lateral sides of the cooking cavity, a rear space formed behind the cooking cavity, and a lower space formed below the cooking cavity. A fan provided in the rear space generates a cooling flow that cools components housed in the rear space. A cooling flow path extends from the rear space and into the upper space and lateral side spaces. Flow from the upper space enters the door to cool the door and is exhausted through a lower portion of the door. Flow from the lateral side spaces, which includes an exhaust flow from the cooking cavity, is guided to the lower space and exhausted. In this manner, the cooking apparatus can be completely cooled and cooking odors and heat appropriately exhausted by the cooling fan positioned in the rear space.
US08164027B2
A laser processing system and a laser processing method that can highly accurately and efficiently specify a focus position of a processing laser using visible lasers are provided. For that purpose, a laser processing system includes a processing laser oscillator, a condensing optical system including a condenser lens, two visible laser oscillators and, a movement adjusting unit that adjusts the condenser lens and the visible laser oscillators and to move forward and backward in synchronization with each other, an imaging unit that images spot lights of the visible lasers on a workpiece, an image processing unit that subjects an imaged video to image processing and displays an image after the processing, a calculating unit that calculates, in a state in which the respective visible lasers are focused on a focus position of the processing laser, center of gravity positions of spot lights of the respective visible lasers formed on the surface of the workpiece according to the movement of the condenser lens and calculates a distance between centers of gravity, and a control unit that controls the movement adjusting unit such that the distance between centers of gravity is adjusted to zero or substantially zero.
US08164026B2
A method of drilling through a wall of a hollow component in which a high energy beam is directed at an outer surface of the wall and emerges into a cavity from an inner surface of the wall, comprising the step of providing in the cavity a medium comprising a ceramic dispersed within a silica sol.
US08164025B1
A laser marking system for marking a length of material includes a laser device for emitting a marking beam. A motor moves the length of material relative to the laser device. A sensing system detects a predetermined movement of the length of the material and provides a speed signal and a distance signal, and a controller is provided in operative communication with the sensing system and the laser device for receiving the speed signal and the distance signal and responsively directing the marking beam of the laser system onto the length of material in a predetermined pattern.
US08164022B2
Disclosed is the design and working principle of a welding monitoring system that can monitor the spectra of zinc and iron in the plasma generated during a welding process involving zinc-coated steel. The monitoring system is capable of monitoring multiple parameters, including spectral line intensity, electron temperature, and ratio of zinc and iron composition in the plasma. The results can then be used individually or in combination to predict resulting weld quality and generate appropriate feedback control signals.
US08164018B2
Embodiments provide arc chambers, and methods adapted to rapidly extinguish arcs in circuit breakers. In one aspect, a circuit breaker is provided having first and second electrical contacts, wherein at least one of the contacts is movable and has a maximum contact face transverse dimension (d), and an arc chamber including first and second sidewalls spaced by a transverse spacing (Ts). The sidewalls are provided in close proximity to each other providing a transverse arc compression ratio (TACR) less than or equal to about 2.0, wherein TACR=Ts/d. According to another aspect, an arc chamber including one or more recesses formed into a transverse sidewall is provided, as are other aspects.
US08164017B2
A key structure and a keyboard including multiple key structures are provided. The key structure includes a keycap, a base plate and a scissors-type support member between the keycap and the base plate. The scissors-type support member includes an inner frame having a convex part and an outer frame having a recess. The convex part is accommodated within the recess. By controlling relative positions between the convex part and the recess, the keycap is stably moved in the vertical direction.
US08164002B2
A wired circuit board includes a metal supporting board, an insulating base layer formed on the metal supporting board, a conductive pattern formed on the insulating base layer, a first semiconductive layer formed on a surface of the insulating base layer exposed from the conductive pattern, an insulating cover layer formed on the conductive pattern and the first semiconductive layer and a second semiconductive layer formed on a surface of the insulating cover layer. The first semiconductive layer is electrically connected to the conductive pattern and the metal supporting board, and the second semiconductive layer is electrically connected to the metal supporting board.
US08163992B2
A device for digitizing a series of notes to be played on a pan instrument includes a processor and software installed on the processor that has a code segment adapted to display a virtual keyboard on a display device. The keyboard has a plurality of pianistically arranged keys, each key having a note name corresponding to a pitch represented by the key imposed thereon. A code segment can receive a user selection of a pan instrument for which music is desired to be entered, retrieve a note range for the selected pan instrument, and electronically mask the virtual keyboard to exclude keys outside the retrieved note range. User input can be received for a series of notes to be encoded for playing on the selected pan instrument.
US08163986B1
A novel maize variety designated PHWNS and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PHWNS with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHWNS through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PHWNS or a locus conversion of PHWNS with another maize variety.
US08163984B1
A novel maize variety designated X1102K and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety X1102K with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X1102K through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X1102K, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X1102K. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X1102K and to the maize varieties derived by the use of those methods.
US08163981B1
According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated XB38Y09. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety XB38Y09, to the plants of soybean XB38Y09 to plant parts of soybean variety XB38Y09 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety XB38Y09 with another soybean plant, using XB38Y09 as either the male or the female parent.
US08163975B2
The present invention provides a method for disrupting pollen development in a plant, the method comprising inhibiting the expression of an endogenous nucleic acid molecule which is, under normal conditions, detectably expressed in anther tissue of a plant during pollen formation, and which codes for a protein belonging to the MYB class of DNA binding transcription factors. Particularly, the nucleic acid molecule whose expression is blocked encodes MYB 32 or MYB 103. The invention also provides nucleic acid molecules for use in the method, use of the method in producing male sterile plants and transgenic plants produced in accordance with the method.
US08163974B2
A multi-layer reduced pressure delivery apparatus is provided for applying reduced pressure tissue treatment to a tissue site. The multi-layer apparatus includes a tissue contact layer, a release layer, and a manifold layer. The tissue contact layer includes a scaffold adapted to contact the tissue site, the release layer includes a water-soluble polymer and a plurality of flow channels, and the manifold layer includes a distribution manifold. The release layer is positioned between the tissue contact layer and the manifold layer to allow easy release of the manifold layer from the tissue contact layer following the administration of reduced pressure tissue treatment.
US08163973B2
An integrated wound dressing system and method including a bandage and a self-contained receptacle that stores treatment material for the care and treatment of wounds. The treatment material is easily accessible and can be removed from the receptacle through an exit. The treatment material can then be used to control bleeding and/or clean the wound before dressing. The bandage may include a layer of plastic that acts as an occlusion barrier to reduce heat loss and maintain moisture levels at the wound site. The occlusion barrier also acts to prevent the passage of air into or out of the wound site. The bandage also includes fasteners that act to prevent unintentional unraveling and to secure the bandage during final packaging. These fasteners help facilitate the wrapping of amputations, stumps, and extremities. The integrated wound dressing system provides an all-in-one system for treating and dressing wounds and reduces the time required to do so.
US08163971B2
A method and system for providing heat to a chemical conversion process is advantageously employed in the production of olefin by the catalytic dehydrogenation of a corresponding hydrocarbon. The catalytic dehydrogenation process employs diluent steam operating at a steam to oil ratio which can be 1.0 or below and relatively low steam superheater furnace temperature. The process and system are advantageously employed for the production of styrene by the catalytic dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene.
US08163960B2
Disclosed is crystalline R(+)-N-propargyl-1-aminoindan containing water at an amount of less than 0.5% by weight and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same, and the process for the manufacture and the validation thereof. Also disclosed is a process for the preparation of solid rasagiline base.
US08163953B2
Compounds useful for promoting lysosomal processes and thereby ameliorating the disruption of cellular and functional integrity induced by Aβ and other protein and glycoconjugate species are provided. Methods for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases that involve protein accumulation and aggregation in the brain, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's Disease, are also provided.
US08163949B2
A method of electrochemically preparing a crystalline, porous, metal-organic framework material comprising at least one at least bidentate organic compound coordinately bound to at least one metal ion, in a reaction medium comprising the at least one bidentate organic compound, wherein at least one metal ion is provided in the reaction medium by the oxidation of one anode comprising the corresponding metal.
US08163947B2
The present invention can provide a cyanation catalyst represented by the general formula (I): (in the formula (I), R1 through R4 are each an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group; R1 and R2 and/or R3 and R4 may form an optionally substituted carbon chain ring; R5 through R8 are each a hydrogen atom, or an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group; R5 and R6 and/or R7 and R8 may form an optionally substituted carbon chain ring; R9 and R10 are each a hydrogen atom, or an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group; W, X and Y each represent an optionally substituted binding chain; X and/or Y may be non-existent; M represents a metal or a metal ion; and ligands of M may each be located at any position).
US08163946B2
A method of forming a biodiesel product and a heterogeneous catalyst system used to form said product that has a high tolerance for the presence of water and free fatty acids (FFA) in the oil feedstock is disclosed. This catalyst system may simultaneously catalyze both the esterification of FAA and the transesterification of triglycerides present in the oil feedstock. The catalyst system according to one aspect of the present disclosure represents a class of zinc and lanthanum oxide heterogeneous catalysts that include different ratios of zinc oxide to lanthanum oxides (Zn:La ratio) ranging from about 10:0 to 0:10. The Zn:La ratio in the catalyst is believed to have an effect on the number and reactivity of Lewis acid and base sites, as well as the transesterification of glycerides, the esterification of fatty acids, and the hydrolysis of glycerides and biodiesel.
US08163941B2
There is provided a method for industrially producing optically active epoxy compounds by asymmetrically epoxidizing prochiral unsaturated compounds with an oxidant using as a catalyst a single substance or a di-μ-oxo dimer derived therefrom represented by any of the following formulae (I), (I′), (II), (II′), (III), (III′), (IV), and (IV′): [wherein R1s are independently an alkyl group or an aryl group; R2s are independently an alkyl group or an aryl group; R3s are independently an alkyl group or an aryl group, provided that two R3s may be bonded with each other to form a ring; R4s are independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, a nitro group, or a cyano group; M is TiY2 (Y is Cl, alkoxide, or a μ-oxo ligand)].
US08163938B2
Aminocyclohexyl ether compounds are disclosed. The compounds of the present invention may be incorporated in compositions and kits. The present invention also discloses uses for the compounds and compositions, including the treatment of arrhythmia.
US08163937B2
The present invention relates also to a process for the preparation of intermediate compounds useful in preparing the compounds of Formula (I) using the process of Scheme (II).
US08163935B2
There is provided a CRF receptor antagonist comprising a compound of the formula (I): wherein R1 is an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, an optionally substituted C-linked heterocyclic group, an optionally substituted N-linked heteroaryl group, a cyano or an acyl; R2 is an optionally substituted cyclic hydrocarbyl or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group; X is oxygen, sulfur or —NR3— (wherein R3 is a hydrogen, an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl or an acyl); Y1, Y2 and Y3 are each an optionally substituted carbon or a nitrogen, provided that one or less of Y1, Y2 and Y3 is nitrogen; and Z is a bond, —CO—, oxygen, sulfur, —SO—, —SO2—, —NR4—, —NR4-alk-, —CONR4— or —NR4CO— (wherein alk is an optionally substituted C1-4 alkylene and R4 is a hydrogen, an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl or an acyl); or a salt thereof or a prodrug thereof.
US08163932B2
Disclosed are substituted indolealkanoic acids useful in the treatment of chronic complications arising from diabetes mellitus. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and methods of treatment employing the compounds, as well as methods for their synthesis.
US08163931B2
The present invention provides indole derivatives that antagonize prostaglandin D2, and that can be used to treat inflammatory diseases mediated by prostaglandin D2.
US08163928B2
The present invention relates to novel heteroaryl substituted benzothiazole derivatives, precursors thereof, and therapeutic uses for such compounds, having the structural formula (I) below: [Chemical formula should be inserted here. Please see paper copy] and to their pharmaceutically acceptable salt, compositions and methods of use. Furthermore, the invention relates to novel heteroaryl substituted benzothiazole derivatives that are suitable for imaging amyloid deposits in living patients, their compositions, methods of use and processes to make such compounds. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of imaging amyloid deposits in brain in vivo to allow antemortem diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease as well as measuring clinical efficacy of Alzheimer's disease therapeutic agents.
US08163922B2
8-hydroxy-5-[(1R)-1-hydroxy-2[[(1R)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-methylethyl]amino]ethyl]-2(1H)-quinolinone monohydrochloride of formula (I) may be conveniently prepared in a diastereomeric pure form from optically pure precursors that are readily available by simple resolution and asymmetric reduction.
US08163919B2
Compounds useful for treating cellular proliferative diseases and disorders by modulating the activity of one or more mitotic kinesins are disclosed.
US08163917B2
The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of protein kinases, particularly of JAK family kinases. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders.
US08163915B2
The invention relates to compounds that are 4-substituted azaadamantane derivatives, compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of using such compounds and compositions.
US08163904B2
Salts of 4-methyl-N-[3-(4-methyl-imidazol-1-yl)-5-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)-benzamide are prepared by various processes.
US08163891B2
A process for the preparation of a poly(alkoxylated) oligonucleotide is provided. The process comprises reacting an oligonucleotide which has been purified by ultrafiltration with a poly(alkoxide) thereby to form a poly(alkoxylated) oligonucleotide. The poly(alkoxyalted) oligonucleotide may be separated from non-poly(alkoxyalted) oligonucleotide by ultrafiltration under denaturing conditions, such as the presence of organic solvents, for example, ethanol; the presence of urea; the addition of chaotropic salts, for example perchlorate and guanidinium salts; the presence of formamide; and the application of heat, for example a temperature of up to about 70° C.
US08163887B2
Humoral and cellular immune responses against tumor cells and infectious agents are induced in a mammal using a vaccine comprising immunoconjugates that comprise antibodies and anti-idiotype antibodies that mimic an epitope of an antigen that is associated with a tumor or an infectious agent. These immunoconjugates also comprise a peptide that contains an epitope of a tumor associated antigen or infectious agent antigen, a peptide that contains a minimal recognition unit of an anti-idiotype antibody, or a peptide that induces a strong major histocompatibility complex-restricted immune response. Antibodies and cytokines also may be used to amplify the immune cascade.
US08163876B2
The subject invention provides novel amino acid sequences (including a consensus sequence) of the Avian Influenza A virus hemagglutinin protein. These newly constructed genes are designed to provide a broader spectrum of activity across the serotype family thus providing a basis for a vaccine that has broad heterologous disease protection. The novel genes have been further improved by the addition of strategic glycosylation sites into the amino acids sequences that they encode. These genes can also, optionally, be codon optimized for plant expression, inserted into the appropriate vector and cloned into plants for expression. Polypeptides produced by recombinant host cells or transgenic plants can also be used as source of antigen for the formulation of vaccines for the control of influenza in susceptible individuals. Additionally, transgenic plant material may also be used as source of antigen for the formulation of vaccines for the control of influenza in susceptible individuals.
US08163869B1
An object of the present invention is to provide a purification method of separating impurities from a carboxyl group-containing polyoxyethylene derivative having a molecular weight of 2,000 to 100,000.The purification method according to the invention includes the following steps.The polyoxyethylene derivative is dissolved to form a solution using toluene, xylene, benzene, ethyl acetate, or butyl acetate in an amount 5 times by mass or more the amount of the polyoxyethylene derivative. A slurry is formed by adding to the solution an inorganic adsorbent containing at least one of an oxide and a hydroxide of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of magnesium, silicon, and aluminum in an amount 0.5 to 10 times by mass the amount of the polyoxyethylene derivative. The slurry is stirred at a temperature of 25° C. or higher. Toluene, xylene, benzene, ethyl acetate, or butyl acetate is added to a filtration cake obtained by filtration of the slurry, and further filtration is performed. Methanol, ethanol, or 2-propanol is added to the filtration cake in an amount 5 times by mass or more the amount of the polyoxyethylene derivative, filtration is performed, and the polyoxyethylene derivative is recovered from the resulting filtrate.
US08163860B2
The invention relates to a norbornene copolymer having excellent properties such as transparency, heat resistance, low water absorption and electric insulating property, which copolymer comprises a monomer unit represented by formula (1) and formula (2) and having a number average molecular weight (Mn) of 300,000 to 2,000,000. (In the formulae, R1 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and R2, R3 and R4 independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms.)
US08163854B2
A method for the preparation of olefin polymerization catalysts that are the reaction products of the catalytic reaction of surface hydroxyls of a support with a trialkyl silane to afford hydrogen and the corresponding surface bound alkyl silyl ether and at the same time with a strong Lewis acid which support is converted to a silica bound anion that in a second step is fully converted by reaction with QM2 to the desired catalyst. Catalyst compositions are disclosed herein. Processes disclosed herein include processes for the polymerization of olefinically unsaturated monomers comprising contacting a plurality of one or more of the monomers with the catalyst.
US08163852B2
Solving problems in the prior art, provided are a resist polymer which is small in lot-to-lot, reactor-to-reactor and scale-to-scale variations, and contains no high polymer, is excellent in solubility and storage stability, and is suitable for fine pattern formation, and a method for production thereof. The present invention provides the resist polymer at least having a repeating unit having a structure which is decomposed by an acid to become soluble in an alkali developer and a repeating unit having a polar group to enhance adhesion to a substrate, characterized in that a peak area of a high molecular weight component (high polymer) with molecular weight of 100,000 or more is 0.1% or less based on an entire peak area in a molecular weight distribution determined, by gel permeation chromatography (GPC).
US08163843B2
A description is given of the preparation of high molecular mass, crystalline copolyesters with high solubility in non-halogenated and non-aromatic solvents, and of their use in adhesives.
US08163831B2
Methods of preparing conductive thermoset precursors containing carbon nanotubes is provided. Also provided is a method of preparing conductive thermosets containing carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes may in individual form or in the form of aggregates having a macromorpology resembling the shape of a cotton candy, bird nest, combed yarn or open net. Preferred multiwalled carbon nanotubes have diameters no greater than 1 micron and preferred single walled carbon nanotubes have diameters less than 5 nm. Carbon nanotubes may be adequately dispersed in a thermoset precursor by using a extrusion process generally reserved for thermoplastics. The thermoset precursor may be a precursor for epoxy, phenolic, polyimide, urethane, polyester, vinyl ester or silicone. A preferred thermoset precursor is a bisphenol A derivative.
US08163828B2
The invention concerns a process for preparing an additive for polymers, the additive itself and the use of the additive for improving the surface properties of polymers.
US08163824B2
Multipurpose hot melt adhesive compositions which are suitable for use as both a construction and elastic attachment adhesive for disposable soft goods, such as disposable diapers, feminine sanitary napkins, surgical drapes, hospital pads, and adult incontinent products. The multipurpose hot melt adhesive compositions have a high level of creep resistance, high bond strength, and relatively low viscosity, and are composed of endblock resin in combination with a linear styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) copolymer wherein the copolymer has a styrene content greater than about 35% by weight, and preferably about 38% to about 50% by weight.
US08163819B2
Adhesive compositions, micro-fluid ejection devices, and methods for attaching micro-fluid ejection heads to devices. One such adhesive composition is provided for use in attaching a micro-fluid ejection head to a device, such as to reduce chip bowing and/or to decrease chip fragility upon curing of the adhesive. Such an exemplary composition may include one having from about 50.0 to about 95.0 percent by weight of at least one cross-linkable resin selected from the group consisting of epoxy resins, siloxane resins, urethane resins, and functionalized olefin resins; from about 0.1 to about 25.0 percent by weight of at least one thermal curative agent; and from about 0.0 to about 30.0 percent by weight filler, and exhibit a relatively low shear modulus upon curing (e.g., less than about 10.0 MPa at 25° C.).
US08163817B2
An aqueous ink to be used together with a pigment ink containing a pigment and a polymer, wherein the aqueous ink contains a reactive component for destabilizing the dispersion state of the pigment, the dynamic surface tension of the aqueous ink at a lifetime of 30 milliseconds is 41 mN/m or more, and the dynamic surface tension of the aqueous ink at a lifetime of 500 milliseconds is from 28 mN/m or more to 38 mN/m or less as determined by a maximum bubble pressure method.
US08163816B2
A process for producing a liquid composition including a pigment and a stimuli-responsive dispersant, the pigment being contained in the liquid composition in a dispersed state, the process including (1) obtaining a solution dissolving the pigment in a first solvent and (2) mixing the solution with a second solvent, wherein the stimuli-responsive dispersant is contained in at least one solvent of the first and second solvents. The first solvent is an aprotic solvent. The second solvent is water or an aqueous solution.
US08163815B2
Disclosed herein are curable (meth)acrylate resins for dental compositions obtained by reacting an anhydride with an alcohol or an amine to obtain a carboxy ester or a carboxy amide and reacting the carboxy ester or carboxy amide with a (meth)acrylate monomer comprising an epoxide group or an oxetane group.
US08163814B2
Azidoaryl-substituted cyclooctene monomers and synthesized and used in the preparation of various copolymers. Among these copolymers are those prepared from ring-opening metathesis polymerization of cyclooctene, polyethylene glycol-substituted cyclooctene, and azidoaryl-substituted cyclooctene. These copolymers are useful in the formation of crosslinked films that reduce fouling of water purification membranes.
US08163804B2
There is a harmful organism that cannot be controlled or is difficult to be controlled with the use of a single agent of a compound represented by the general formula (1) according to the invention, an insecticide, a miticide or a fungicide. Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a composition for preventing harmful organisms for efficiently controlling such a harmful organism.That is, the invention is directed to a composition for preventing harmful organisms, characterized by comprising the compound represented by the general formula (1) and other insecticides, miticides or fungicides as active ingredients, wherein, in the formula, A1, A2, A3 and A4 independently represent a carbon atom, a nitrogen atom or an oxidized nitrogen atom, G1 and G2 independently represent an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; R1 and R2 independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C1 to C4 alkyl group; Xs may be the same or different and represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a trifluoromethyl group; Q1 represents a substituent such as a phenyl group or a heterocyclic group; and Q2 represents a substituent such as a phenyl group or a heterocyclic group.)
US08163796B1
A novel treatment regimen is described for the control and elimination of cancer cell populations including cancer stem cells. The disclosed protocol consists of a pretreatment step followed by a treatment step. The pretreatment step sensitizes cancer cells to apoptosis by altering their intracellular oxidation-reduction state via reduced glutathione depletion. The treatment step involves the sequential administration of a cancerostatic dicarbonyl compound to induce apoptosis. The use of nanoparticle delivery systems further enhances both the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the pretreatment compounds and the cancerostatic dicarbonyls. Since the pretreatment and treatment compounds are carefully selected and delivered, normal cells are not affected and side effects are kept to a minimum.
US08163792B2
Disclosed herein is an isomer, enantiomer, diastereoisomer or tautomer of a compound represented by Formula I: or a prodrug, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or labeled with a detectable label or an affinity tag thereof; wherein R1, R1a, R100, R100a, R2, R200, W, B, and W1 are defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of using compounds of Formula I to treat proliferative disorders such as cancer.
US08163781B2
The invention is concerned with the compounds of formula I: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof, wherein R1-R5, A, B, Q, W, and X are defined in the detailed description and claims. In addition, the present invention relates to methods of manufacturing and using the compounds of formula I as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds. The compounds of formula I are antagonists at the CRTH2 receptor and may be useful in treating diseases and disorders associated with that receptor such as asthma.
US08163772B2
Solid forms of N-[2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-5-hydroxyphenyl]-1,4-dihydro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxamide are described herein, including crystalline forms thereof.
US08163770B2
Disclosed is a compound represented by the formula (I) below and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. This compound is useful for treatment of obesity, diabetes and the like. [In the formula (I), Ar represents a benzene ring or the like; X1 represents a nitrogen atom, a sulfur atom or the like; R1 represents an aryl group or the like; X2 represents a group represented by the following formula (II): (wherein R4 and R5 respectively represent a lower alkyl group or the like, and m represents a number of 2-4) or the like; one of X and Y represents an oxygen atom and the other represents a sulfanyl group or the like; and X3-X6 respectively represent —CH—, a nitrogen atom or the like.
US08163757B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (IA) or (IB) or pharmaceutically or veterinarily acceptable salt thereof:
US08163754B2
Compounds of formula I in free or salt form, wherein R1, R2 and R3 have the meanings as indicated in the specification, are useful for treating conditions mediated by activation of the adenosine A2A receptor, especially inflammatory or obstructive airways diseases. Pharmaceutical compositions that contain the compounds and a process for preparing the compounds are also described.
US08163753B2
The present invention provides a 2,3-dihydro-6-nitroimidazo[2,1-b]oxazole compound represented by the following general formula: (1) in the above formula (1), R1 represents a hydrogen atom or C1-C6 alkyl group, n represents an integer of 0 to 6, R1 and —(CH2)nR2 may form a spiro ring represented by the formula (30) below, together with the adjacent carbon atom (in the formula below, RRR represents a piperidyl group which may have substituents on the piperidine ring), (30) and R2 represents a benzothiazolyloxy group, quinolyloxy group, pyridyloxy group or the like. The present compound has an excellent bactericidal action against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, multi-drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and atypical acid-fast bacteria.
US08163749B2
The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I): or a stereoisomer, tautomer, pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate form thereof, wherein the variables A, B, R3 and R11 are as defined herein. The compounds of Formula (I) are useful as selective inhibitors of serine protease enzymes of the coagulation cascade and/or contact activation system; for example thrombin, factor Xa, factor XIa, factor IXa, factor VIIa and/or plasma kallikrein. In particular, it relates to compounds that are selective factor XIa inhibitors or dual inhibitors of fXIa and plasma kallikrein. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and methods of treating thromboembolic and/or inflammatory disorders using the same.
US08163746B2
Provided is an agent for treating or preventing urinary frequency, urinary urgency and urinary, incontinence which are associated with overactive bladder, a lower urinary tract disease such as interstitial cystitis and chronic prostatitis accompanied by lower urinary tract pain, and various diseases accompanied by pain. A novel azolecarboxamide derivative in which an azole ring such as thioazole or oxazole is bonded to a benzene ring, pyridine ring or pyrimidine ring through carboxamide was confirmed to have a potent trkA receptor-inhibitory activity and found to be an agent for treating or preventing lower urinary tract disease and various diseases accompanied by pain, which is excellent in efficacy and safety, and thus the present invention was accomplished.
US08163742B2
The present invention comprises a new class of compounds capable of modulating the c-kit receptor and, accordingly, useful for treatment of c-kit mediated diseases, including various fibrotic and mast cell related diseases such as mastocytosis. The compounds have a general Formula I wherein R1-6, X and Y are defined herein. The invention further comprises pharmaceutical compositions, methods for treatment of c-kit mediated diseases, and intermediates and processes useful for the preparation of compounds of the invention.
US08163737B2
The present invention relates to CGRP receptor antagonists, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods therewith for treating CGRP receptor-mediated diseases and conditions.
US08163735B2
The present invention is directed to compounds of formula (I) that are inhibitors of cysteine proteases, in particular, cathepsins B, K, L, F, and S and are therefore useful in treating diseases mediated by these proteases. The present invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and processes for preparing them. Wherein R3 is -alkylene-SO2NR5R6.
US08163733B2
This invention comprises the novel compounds of formula (I) wherein n, m, t, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, L, Q, X, Y, Z and have defined meanings, having histone deacetylase inhibiting enzymatic activity; their preparation, compositions containing them and their use as a medicine.
US08163732B2
The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of protein kinases, particularly of JAK family kinases. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders.
US08163720B2
The present invention relates to phenyl sulfonamides useful as inhibitors of ion channels. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disorders, including for example the treatment of pain.
US08163714B2
The invention relates to the use of implantable microcapsules, or microparticles or gels produced from alginates that are crosslinked with bivalent or multivalent cations or that are uncrosslinked, for the treatment of skin defects such as e.g. wrinkles, for the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux, urinary incontinence and vesico-ureteral reflux.
US08163705B2
The present invention provide a compound represented by the following formula (1) wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, or a salt thereof. The compound of the present invention and a salt thereof can preferentially induce production of IL-4, which is one kind of cytokines that control action of immunocytes. Therefore, it is useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases and the like, and prophylaxis or treatment of diseases caused by functional promotion of Th1 cells.
US08163696B2
GLP-2 analogues are disclosed which comprise one of more substitutions as compared to [hGly2]GLP-2 and which improved biological activity in vivo and/or improved chemical stability, e.g., as assessed in in vitro stability assays. More particularly, preferred GLP-2 analogues disclosed herein comprise substitutions at one or more of positions 8, 16, 24 and/or 28 of the wild-type GLP-2 sequence, optionally in combination with further substitutions at position 2 (as mentioned in the introduction) and one or more of positions 3, 5, 7, 10 and 11, and/or a deletion of one or more of amino acids 31 to 33 and/or the addition of a N-terminal or C-terminal stabilizing peptide sequence. The analogues are particularly useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of stomach and bowel-related disorders and for ameliorating side effects of chemotherapy. Also disclosed are methods and kits for selecting a patient from populations suited for treatment with GLP-2 analogues.
US08163695B2
Formulations of modified human growth hormone polypeptides are provided.
US08163694B2
The present invention concerns improved osteoinductive materials comprising matrix materials and morphogenetic proteins, wherein depending on the subject matter the proteins may be dimeric or monomeric proteins. The osteoinductive materials according to the present invention have improved properties. The invention further concerns methods for producing the respective improved osteoinductive materials.
US08163690B2
A laundry treatment composition comprising from about 1 wt. % to about 90 wt. % of a mono-hydrocarbyl amido quaternary ammonium compound comprising the structure: wherein R1 comprises a C12 to C22 hydrocarbyl amido chain, preferably an alkenyl chain, R2, R3 and R4 are individually selected from the group consisting of C1-C4 hydrocarbyl, C1-C4 hydroxy hydrocarbyl, benzyl, —(C2H4O)xH where x has a value from about 1 to about 10, and mixtures thereof, and wherein X− is a anion; and from about 1 wt. % to about 90 wt. % of an anionic surfactant, wherein the laundry treatment composition provides sufficient softness and anti-static benefits without minimized formation of non-soluble flocs.
US08163688B2
The present invention relates to a storage-stable fluorescent whitener formulation, comprising a compound of formula 1, a process for their preparation and their use.
US08163671B2
The present invention relates to a dye receiving layer composition for thermal transfer image-receiving sheets which includes a resin containing a polyester produced by using an alcohol component containing 50 mol % or more of an alkyleneoxide adduct of 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane and an oxazoline group-containing compound. There are provided a composition for a dye receiving layer of a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet which is excellent in not only dyeability upon thermal transfer but also releasability from a transfer sheet, and a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet having a dye receiving layer obtained from the above composition which is capable of obtaining transferred images having excellent properties.
US08163657B2
In accordance with the invention, a lateral dimension of a microscale device on a substrate is reduced or adjusted by the steps of providing the device with a soft or softened exposed surface; placing a guiding plate adjacent the soft or softened exposed surface; and pressing the guiding plate onto the exposed surface. Under pressure, the soft material flows laterally between the guiding plate and the substrate. Such pressure induced flow can reduce the lateral dimension of line spacing or the size of holes and increase the size of mesas. The same process also can repair defects such as line edge roughness and sloped sidewalls. This process will be referred to herein as pressed self-perfection by liquefaction or P-SPEL.
US08163645B2
A system and method is disclosed for providing a redistribution metal layer in an integrated circuit. The redistribution metal layer is formed from the last metal layer in the integrated circuit during manufacture of the integrated circuit before final passivation is applied. The last metal layer provides sites for solder bump pads used in flip chip interconnection. The redistribution metal layer can be (1) a flat layer deposited over the next to last metal layer through an opening in a dielectric layer, or (2) deposited over an array of vias connected to the next to last metal layer. Space between the solder bump pads is deposited with narrower traces for connecting active circuit areas below. A final passivation layer is deposited to ensure product reliability.
US08163635B2
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes preparing a semiconductor substrate which is a base substrate of the semiconductor device and which is formed with a concavity and convexity part on the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The method further comprises depositing on the surface of the semiconductor substrate an impurity thin film including an impurity atom which becomes a donor or an acceptor in the semiconductor substrate and performing an ion implantation from a diagonal upper direction to the impurity thin film deposited on the concavity and convexity part of the semiconductor substrate. The method still further comprises recoiling the impurity atom from the inside of the impurity thin film to the inside of the concavity and convexity part by performing the ion implantation.
US08163630B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device by thinning a substrate by grinding, and performing ion implantation. In a diode in which a P anode layer and an anode electrode are formed at a side of a right face of an N− drift layer, and an N+ cathode layer and a cathode electrode are formed at a side of a back face of the N− drift layer, an N cathode buffer layer is formed thick compared with the N+-type cathode layer between the N−-type drift layer and the N+ cathode layer, the buffer layer being high in concentration compared with the N− drift layer, and low compared with the N+ cathode layer. When a reverse bias voltage is applied, a depletion layer is stopped in the middle of the N cathode buffer layer, and thus prevented from reaching the N+ cathode layer, so that the leakage current is suppressed.
US08163629B2
In one embodiment, a method for forming the semiconductor device includes forming a first trench from a front side of a substrate. The substrate has a front side and an opposite back side, and the first trench having sidewalls and a bottom surface. A insulator layer is formed over the sidewalls and the bottom surface. A first conductive layer is formed over a top portion of the sidewalls of the first trench. The substrate is separated along the first trench.
US08163616B2
Nonvolatile memory devices and methods of manufacturing nonvolatile memory devices are provided. The method includes patterning a bulk substrate to form an active pillar; forming a charge storage layer on a side surface of active pillar; and forming a plurality of gates connected to the active pillar, the charge storage layer being disposed between the active pillar and the gates. Before depositing a gate, a bulk substrate is etched using a dry etching to form a vertical active pillar which is in a single body with a semiconductor substrate.
US08163614B2
A method for fabricating a NAND type flash memory device includes defining a select transistor region and a memory cell region in a semiconductor substrate, forming a tunnel insulating layer, a floating gate conductive layer, and a dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate, etching the dielectric layer, thereby forming an opening exposing the floating gate conductive layer, forming a low resistance layer in the opening, forming a control gate conductive layer over the semiconductor substrate, and etching the control gate conductive layer, the dielectric layer, the floating gate conductive layer, and the tunnel insulating layer to form gate stacks of memory cells and source/drain select transistors.
US08163612B2
Methods and heterostructure barrier varactor (HBV) diodes optimized for application with frequency multipliers at providing outputs at submillimeter wave frequencies and above. The HBV diodes include a silicon-containing substrate, an electrode over the silicon-containing substrate, and one or more heterojunction quantum wells of alternating layers of Si and SiGe of one or more electrodes of the diode. Each SiGe quantum well preferably has a floating SiGe layer between adjacent SiGe gradients followed by adjacent Si layers, such that, a single homogeneous structure is provided characterized by having no distinct separations. The plurality of Si/SiGe heterojunction quantum wells may be symmetric or asymmetric.
US08163607B2
In a method of the present invention during a salicide process, before a second thermal process, a dopant is implanted at a place located in a region ranging from a NixSi layer at meddle height down to a front thereof, or before formation of the NixSi layer, located in a region ranging from a silicon layer at a depth ranging from a half of a predetermined thickness of a NiSi layer down to a depth where is a predetermined front of the NiSi layer. The dopant is allowed to be heated with the NixSi layer together during the second thermal process to form a Si/NiSi2/NiSi interface which may reduce SBH and improve series resistance to obtain a semiconductor device having an excellent performance.
US08163602B2
There is provided a UV energy curable tape comprising an adhesive material including a UV energy curable oligomer, a UV energy initiator, and a material which emits optical light when the tape composition is substantially fully cured. A semiconductor chip made using the tape is also provided.
US08163600B2
A bridge stack integrated circuit package-on-package system is provided including forming a first integrated circuit package system having a first substrate, forming a second integrated circuit package system having a second substrate, and mounting a bridge integrated circuit package system on the first substrate and on the second substrate.
US08163594B2
In a semiconductor device, a through hole via extending through the substrate of the device may be formed on the basis of a carbon-containing material, thereby providing excellent compatibility with high temperature processes, while also providing superior electrical performance compared to doped semiconductor materials and the like. Thus, in some illustrative embodiments, the through hole vias may be formed prior to any process steps used for forming critical circuit elements, thereby substantially avoiding any interference of the through hole via structure with a device level of the corresponding semiconductor device. Consequently, highly efficient three-dimensional integration schemes may be realized.
US08163580B2
A light emitting device includes a number of light emitting diode dies (LEDs) mounted on a shared submount and covered with a single lens element that includes a corresponding number of lens elements. The LEDs are separated from each other by a distance that is sufficient for lens element to include separate lens elements for each LED. The separation of the LEDs and lens elements may be configured to produce a desired amount of light on a target at a predefined distance. In one embodiment, the lens elements are approximately flat type lens elements, such as Fresnel, TIR, diffractive lens, photonic crystal type lenses, prism, or reflective lens.
US08163575B2
A photonic crystal is grown within a semiconductor structure, such as a III-nitride structure, which includes a light emitting region disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region. The photonic crystal may be multiple regions of semiconductor material separated by a material having a different refractive index than the semiconductor material. For example, the photonic crystal may be posts of semiconductor material grown in the structure and separated by air gaps or regions of masking material. Growing the photonic crystal, rather than etching a photonic crystal into an already-grown semiconductor layer, avoids damage caused by etching which may reduce efficiency, and provides uninterrupted, planar surfaces on which to form electric contacts.
US08163557B2
A method for producing a chimaeric human papillomavirus (HPV) L1 polypeptide containing a heterologous peptide, and in particular, a HPV L2 peptide comprising the steps of introducing a DNA sequence coding for the heterologous peptide into a DNA sequence coding for the L1 polypeptide; introducing the DNA sequence including the sequences for the L1 polypeptide and heterologous peptide into a host cell in which the DNA sequence can be expressed; causing expression of the DNA sequence; and recovering the resulting chimaeric L1 polypeptide which includes the heterologous peptide. The invention also describes a vector for use in the method, a host cell containing the vector, and a vaccine including the chimaeric HPV L1 polypeptide produced according to the method.
US08163548B2
The present invention provides recombinant bicistronic flaviviruses, particularly live attenuated recombinant bicistronic flavivirus, which comprise, in order from 5′ to 3′, a viral 5′UTR, an ORF encoding all viral proteins, an internal ribosome entry site, an exogenous nucleotide sequence that encodes an exogenous polypeptide, and a viral 3′UTR. Infection of a host cell with a recombinant flavivirus provides for expression of the exogenous nucleic acid in a host cell. Such recombinant flavivirus are useful for delivering a protein to a mammalian host; and for eliciting an immune response to the exogenous polypeptide.
US08163540B2
A petri dish includes a cover and base, the cover having at least one circular opening in the top of the cover. A number of securing members are connected to the underside of the cover around the opening to secure at least one filter under the opening, the filter(s) being used to prevent any contaminants from the air from entering the petri dish. A guard member such as a plastic disc is disposed under the filter(s) to prevent any oil in the base of the petri dish from contaminating the filter(s). A sealing member is provided on a peripheral edge of the base to seal the petri dish when the petri dish is closed.
US08163539B2
A bacteriorhodopsin based chemical sensing architecture based upon the collective response of bacteriorhodopsin and a number of its mutants; the wild type protein and a selection of genetically-engineered variants was able to respond differentially to a selection of amines. The observable response to the presence of a target chemical was manifested through a modulation of bacteriorhodopsin's photokinetic properties, which are monitored through pump-probe techniques using a custom prototype flash photolysis system. Differential responsivity exists at two levels; (1) bacteriorhodopsin proteins (wild-type and genetically-engineered variants) respond differentially upon exposure of a target chemical, and (2) the response pattern exhibited by the proteins differs from chemical to chemical. This dichotomy forms the basis for a BR-mediated chemical sensing technology that is highly sensitive and selective and may therefore discriminate between different chemicals.
US08163525B2
The present disclosure describes a method of producing a long-chain prenyl diphosphate synthase (in particular decaprenyl diphosphate synthase and solanesyl diphosphate synthase) using a gene and a protein which are required for enabling or enhancing the activity expression of a eukaryote-derived long-chain prenyl diphosphate synthase as well as a method of efficiently producing a coenzyme Q having a long-chain isoprenoid in its side chain (in particular coenzyme Q9 or coenzyme Q10) using a microorganism. The present disclosure also describes a DNA having a base sequence shown under SEQ ID NO:1, 3 or 5 and a DNA sequence derived from the above base sequence by deletion, addition, insertion and/or substitution of one to several bases thereof, and coding for a protein enabling (functioning) or enhancing the activity expression of a eukaryote-derived long-chain prenyl diphosphate synthase in a cell of a host organism.
US08163522B1
The present invention is concerned with non-soluble proteins and soluble or insoluble fragments thereof, which bind TNF, in homogeneous form, as well as their physiologically compatible salts, especially those proteins having a molecular weight of about 55 or 75 kD (non-reducing SDS-PAGE conditions), a process for the isolation of such proteins, antibodies against such proteins, DNA sequences which code for non-soluble proteins and soluble or non-soluble fragments thereof, which bind TNF, as well as those which code for proteins comprising partly of a soluble fragment, which binds TNF, and partly of all domains except the first of the constant region of the heavy chain of human immunoglobulins and the recombinant proteins coded thereby as well as a process for their manufacture using transformed pro- and eukaryotic host cells.
US08163521B2
The present invention provides user-directed construction of novel specific homo- and hetero-dimeric, and multimeric assemblages of proteins. The present invention is comprised of gene sequences that transcribe peptide sequences that form links between proteins, where the peptide sequences produce a hook or loop which supports specific self-assembly of homo-dimers, hetero-dimers and multimers of the proteins to which they are attached. The hook or loop may have a short aliphatic repeat sequence and a metal binding loop. The present invention also provides a method of constructing a hook motif of metal binding loop sequences that may be attached to at least one aliphatic repeat sequence to produce the assemblages of proteins. Also provided are protein structures produced by the methods of the present invention.
US08163515B2
Disclosed are compositions and methods related to eukaryotic microorganisms that can produce unsaturated fatty acids which can be purified and use.
US08163508B2
The present invention provides a method of predicting pregnancy outcome in a subject by determining the amount of an early pregnancy associated molecular isoform of hCG in a sample. The present invention further provides a method for determining the amount of early pregnancy associated molecular isoforms of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a sample. The present invention also provides a diagnostic kit for determining the amount of early pregnancy associated hCG in a sample. The present invention additionally provides an antibody which specifically binds to an early pregnancy associated molecular isoform of human chorionic gonadotropin. Finally, the present invention provides methods for detecting trophoblast or non-trophoblast malignancy in a sample.
US08163499B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for detecting the activation states of components of signal transduction pathways in tumor cells. Information on the activation states of components of signal transduction pathways derived from use of the invention can be used for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and in the design of cancer treatments.
US08163496B2
Methods and kits for measuring levels of von Willebrand factor function in a sample without using a platelet aggregation agonist, such as ristocetin, comprising recombinant glycoprotein Ibα having at least two of a G233V, D235Y and M239V mutations and an agent to detect a complex between the recombinant glycoprotein Ibα and von Willebrand factor.
US08163495B2
The present invention concerns antibodies produced from hybridoma cell lines chosen from the group comprising W8B2, W1C3, W7C6, W5C4, 24D2, 28D4, HEK-3D6, W4A5, W3D5, W5C5, 9A3G9, 58B1, F9-3C2F1, 39D5, for isolating and/or identifying homogenous mesenchymal stem cells. Furthermore a method is presented with which mesenchymal stem cells from adult primary tissue, for example bone marrow, can be identified and isolated with a high level of purity.
US08163492B2
A variety of elastomeric-based microfluidic devices and methods for using and manufacturing such devices are provided. Certain of the devices have arrays of reaction sites to facilitate high throughput analyses. Some devices also include reaction sites located at the end of blind channels at which reagents have been previously deposited during manufacture. The reagents become suspended once sample is introduced into the reaction site. The devices can be utilized with a variety of heating devices and thus can be used in a variety of analyses requiring temperature control, including thermocycling applications such as nucleic acid amplification reactions, genotyping and gene expression analyses.
US08163476B2
Disclosed is a novel human gene designated CUDR. Provides is also a CUDR gene as a biomarker in the diagnosis of human cancers and a cancer therapy.
US08163459B2
Disclosed are amorphous polyesters that contain only renewable resources designed for emulsion aggregation toner fabrication. The amorphous polyesters may be obtained from the mixture of three different monomers: 1,4:3,6-dianhydro-D-sorbitol (isosorbide), nonanedioic acid (azelaic acid), and butanedioic acid (succinic acid). Different polymer properties may be achieved depending on the ratio of these three monomers. By altering the ratio, polymers of high to low acid value can be obtained, as well as different ranges of glass transition temperatures.
US08163458B2
A toner capable of forming high quality images of excellent image reproducibility at high definition and high resolution, being decreased for the bleed-out of a wax ingredient to the surface, causing less filming to a photoreceptor and offset phenomenon in a high temperature region, is provided. The toner is manufactured by a method including a preliminary pulverizing step of pulverizing a melt-kneaded product of toner raw materials in a liquid to obtain a coarse powder slurry containing a coarse toner powder, a finely pulverizing step of passing the coarse powder slurry through a pressure resistant nozzle under heating and pressurization thereby further pulverizing the coarse toner powder to obtain a fine powder slurry containing a fine toner powder and in a heated and pressurized state, a cooling step of cooling the fine powder slurry, and a depressurizing step of depressurizing the fine powder slurry.
US08163453B2
Disclosed is a toner which can be charged at a designated level even when a lot of print is carried out with severity of charging by stirring and when the printing is carried out under the low temperature-low humidity or the high temperature-high humidity condition. A toner comprising (a) a particle comprising a resin and a colorant; and (b) a titanate compound on the surface of the particle, in which the titanate compound contains iron in an amount of from 100 ppm to 1,000 ppm.
US08163434B2
A method of preparing a solid oxide fuel cell is described herein, as well as the fuel cell itself. The method comprises forming a cathode layer comprising a strontium composition on a ceramic electrolyte layer; and forming a barrier layer between the cathode layer and an overlying interconnect structure comprising chromium, so as to substantially prevent the formation of strontium chromate.
US08163429B2
A fuel cell comprises an anode comprising an anode catalyst, a cathode comprising a gas diffusion electrode and a cathode catalyst on the gas diffusion electrode, a microfluidic channel contiguous with the anode, and a liquid comprising fuel in the channel. The concentration of the fuel in the liquid is 0.05-0.5 M.
US08163428B2
The invention relates to a fuel cell system and method comprising a reformer with a thermal starting device, at least one gas processing stage downstream of the reformer, at least one fuel cell disposed downstream of the gas processing stage and a plurality of bipolar plates, the fuel cell having an inner region of a reaction with anode, cathode and electrolyte, and an outer region with at least one cooling channel permitting a coolant to flow through the cooling channel, wherein the outer region is not in fluid connection with the inner region. Upstream of the fuel cell, the fuel cell system has a switching device, which is switchable between a start-up position and an operating position, wherein in the operating position the product gases from the reformer and/or the thermal starting device are guided to the inner region of the fuel cell.
US08163423B2
Gas generation of a non-aqueous electrolyte battery having a negative active material that intercalates/deintercalates lithium ions at a potential not lower than 1.2 V relative to the potential of lithium as negative electrode is suppressed.A non-aqueous electrolyte battery comprising a non-aqueous electrolyte containing an electrolyte salt and a non-aqueous solvent, a positive electrode and a negative electrode is characterized in that the main active material of said negative electrode is an active material that intercalates/deintercalates lithium ions at a potential not lower than 1.2 V relative to the potential of lithium and the auxiliary active material of said negative electrode is an active material that at least intercalates lithium ions at a potential lower than 1.2 V relative to the potential of lithium and that there exists lithium showing a spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) of not less than 1 second as determined by a solid-state Li—NMR measurement in the main active material of said negative electrode. A method of manufacturing a non-aqueous electrolyte battery containing a non-aqueous electrolyte, a positive electrode and a negative electrode (a main active material and an auxiliary active material of the negative electrode) is characterized in that the negative electrode potential is lowered to not higher than 0.8 V relative to the potential of lithium at least once in the initial cycle.
US08163421B2
A rechargeable battery and a method of fabricating which includes stacking a plurality of electrode pages having an uncoated portion between portions coated with an active electrode material. The electrode pages are arranged in a stack and an overall current collector is connected at the uncoated portion in order to form an electrode booklet. The overall current collector maintains the arrangement of the electrode pages and electrically connects all of the uncoated portions of the electrode pages. A tilted stack of electrode pages is utilized when a large number of electrodes are desired to result in a battery cell having a vertical orientation.
US08163416B2
According to one embodiment, a battery unit comprises a plurality of cells and a case to contain the cells. The case includes a first part to contain at least one cell, a second part to contain at least one cell, and a third part to connect the first and second parts. At least a portion of the third part is made thinner than the first and second parts.
US08163409B2
A method for evaluating the safety of a battery under an internal short-circuit condition. The method for evaluating an internal short-circuit of a battery is characterized in that a short-circuit can be caused at a desired location inside the battery. According to the evaluation method of the invention, the evaluation result is not affected by the constitution of the outermost part of the battery unlike nail penetration tests which are conventional evaluation methods. Also, unlike crush tests which are conventional evaluation methods, the locations of short-circuits do not vary among tests and the safety under an internal short-circuit condition can be evaluated accurately.
US08163403B2
This invention disclosure describes methods for the fabrication of metal oxide films on surfaces by topotactic anion exchange, and laminate structures enabled by the method. A precursor metal-nonmetal film is deposited on the surface, and is subsequently oxidized via topotactic anion exchange to yield a topotactic metal-oxide product film. The structures include a metal-oxide layer(s) and/or a metal-nonmetal layer(s).
US08163388B2
A composition comprising particles with a transition metal imbedded therein is disclosed. Specifically, the mole ratio of transition metal to particles is from about 25:1 to about 50:1. The composition is prepared in the presence of ultrasonic energy. The particles are selected from the group consisting of organic particles, inorganic particles, and metal particles.
US08163381B2
Provided, are multi-layer chip carriers comprising an asymmetric cross-linked polymeric dielectric film, and processes for making the chip carriers.
US08163380B2
Compositions for damping the vibration of mechanical components, such as those used in vehicles, are disclosed and described. The compositions comprise a water-based polymer resin and a drying control agent. The drying control agent minimizes the occurrence of cracks and swelling in the damping coating films when the coating films are baked and dried.
US08163377B2
Thermal insulation comprises sol-gel formed fibers comprising 10 to 99 mol % of a refractory base composition, and 1 to 90 mol % of a component selected from earth metal oxides, alkali metal oxides, and mixtures thereof, and wherein said alkaline earth metal oxides if present comprise one or more of calcium oxide, strontium oxide, barium oxide or a mixture thereof. The refractory base comprises SiO2 and Al2O3.
US08163370B2
A buffer device providing reliable buffer effect includes a channel-shaped buffer member and at least one first reinforcing tubular member. The channel-shaped buffer member is a substantially U-sectioned hollow member and includes two facing inner sidewalls, two opposing outer sidewalls, an inner bottom wall, two outer top walls and an outer bottom wall to enclose a third buffer space therein. The first reinforcing tubular member is received in the third buffer space and encloses a first buffer space therein. The first reinforcing tubular member includes at least one normal-direction supporting wall extended between and pressed against the inner and outer bottom walls and provided with at least one second curved buffer section. The normal-direction supporting wall and the second curved buffer section thereof not only give the channel-shaped buffer member an increased normal-direction supporting strength, but also buffer impact force and compressing force applied normal to the outer bottom wall.
US08163365B2
A method for forming a sheet of label material is provided. The label material is used to form a label for placement on an object and for subsequent removal from the object without damaging the object. The method includes providing a paper substrate that has an adhesive receiving face and coating an adhesive on the adhesive receiving face of the paper substrate using a gravure coater to form a repetitive pattern of adhesive areas. For example, repetitive dots of adhesive assure a uniform, discontinuous coating of adhesive that allows repositioning of the label, that prevents tearing of or damage to a substrate when the label is removed, including from a newspaper, and that maintains sufficient adhesion to adhere to difficult substrates such as textured surfaces. The adhesive is a water based adhesive. In alternative embodiments, the adhesive is coated on an adhesive receiving face of a release liner, and the adhesive receiving face of the paper substrate removably adheres to the release liner. The label material may include ink printed on a print receiving face of the paper substrate. The sheet of material may be die cut to form an irregularly shaped label.
US08163352B2
A vibrating smoothing device or plate transverse to a direction of travel of deposited gypsum-cementitious slurry and embedded chopped fibers. The plate is used to smooth the top surface of the slurry panel as it exits a first fiber embedment station and a second slurry depositing station before passing through a second fiber embedment station of a structural cementitious panel production line to remove grooves and other non-uniform surface imperfections to have the slurry cover the embedded fibers. The plate is designed to float over the surface of the formed slurry without tearing or otherwise damaging the surface of the heavily fiber reinforced surface layers of the formed slurry before it sets. The vibrating plate is pivotally mounted on the web production line so it can float over the panel surface during use, but be raised off the line when not in use.
US08163351B2
Method for coating substrates with coating systems containing reactive hydrophobic inorganic fillers
The present invention relates to a process for coating substrates, which comprises the steps: a) provision of a substrate which is not natural stone and/or natural ashlar, b) application of a composition comprising a silane of the general formula (Z1)Si(OR)3, where Z1 is R, OR or Gly (Gly=3-glycidyloxypropyl) and R is an alkyl radical having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms and all radicals R can be identical or different, oxide particles selected from among the oxides of Ti, Si, Zr, Al, Y, Sn, Zn, Ce and mixtures thereof, with bound organic radicals SiR′3 being present on the surface of the oxide particles, where R′ has the general formula CnX1+2n where n=1 to 20, X=hydrogen and/or fluorine, all radicals R′ can be identical or different and the organic radicals SiR′3 being able to be split off, and an initiator to at least one surface of the substrate and c) drying of the composition applied in step b), and a coated substrate which can be obtained by the abovementioned process.
US08163350B2
Processes for fabricating selectively permeable laminates are provided. In one process, continuous chitosan film is prepared by casting a chitosan solution directly onto a substrate that will be incorporated along with the film into a laminate. Alternatively, the chitosan solution is cast onto a work device (for example, such as glass or a polymer film), dried, detached, and then incorporated into a laminate in a separate step. In various embodiments, the laminates are useful for fabrication as a protective article and are substantially impermeable to hazardous chemical and biological agents, but sufficiently permeable to water vapor that, if worn as protective apparel, it is both protective and comfortable to wear.
US08163347B2
Disclosed are metal oxide-polymer composites having a substrate comprising a metal oxide component, an aluminum oxide component, and a metallocene olefin polymerization catalyst component coupled to the substrate. The compositions can be used as thin films in an insulator device. Also disclosed is a method of preparing such compositions.
US08163341B2
Some embodiments include methods of forming metal-containing structures. A first metal-containing material may be formed over a substrate. After the first metal-containing material is formed, and while the substrate is within a reaction chamber, hydrogen-containing reactant may be used to form a hydrogen-containing layer over the first metal-containing material. The hydrogen-containing reactant may be, for example, formic acid and/or formaldehyde. Any unreacted hydrogen-containing reactant may be purged from within the reaction chamber, and then metal-containing precursor may be flowed into the reaction chamber. The hydrogen-containing layer may be used during conversion of the metal-containing precursor into a second metal-containing material that forms directly against the first metal-containing material. Some embodiments include methods of forming germanium-containing structures, such as, for example, methods of forming phase change materials containing germanium, antimony and tellurium.
US08163337B2
In a vapor deposition method which can be used to deposit mixtures of materials in progressively varying amounts on a substrate (1) and which can be used for a variety of purposes, but is of especial value in combinatorial chemistry, the path of the vaporized material from the source (3) to the substrate (1) is partially interrupted by a mask (5), the positioning of the mask in a plane parallel to the plane defined by the substrate (1) being such that the material is deposited on the substrate (1) in a thickness which increases substantially continuously in a direction along the substrate (1).
US08163332B2
An electrode manufacturing apparatus comprises a conveying section for conveying a current collector sheet having a plurality of through holes; a backup roll for guiding the conveyed current collector sheet; an applicator for supplying a coating liquid to the current collector sheet on the backup roll; and a nip roll for pressing a part of the current collector sheet where the coating liquid is not supplied yet from the applicator against the backup roll.
US08163319B2
The present invention provides a method of producing an alcohol-dipped material or a food or drink using the same which includes the following steps: (a) freezing one or more fruits and/or vegetables employed as a raw material; (b) micro grinding the frozen matter; and (c) dipping the micro ground matter in an alcohol having a concentration at which one or more components of the raw material can be extracted (preferably a 15% to 100% alcohol). The alcohol-dipped material thus obtained can be suitably usable as a starting alcohol drink for producing a low-alcohol drink. According to the method of the invention, the alcohol-dipped material or the food or the drink thus obtained can contain a sufficient amount of an efficacious and effective component contained in the vegetable(s) and/or fruit(s), for example, vitamin P.
US08163313B2
The present invention features compositions comprising at least one compound of the formula I or formula II: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 independently, are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 hydroxyalkyl, or a cosmetically acceptable salt thereof, and the use thereof.
US08163306B2
An oral drug delivery system comprising a coated tablet having one or more surfaces. The coated tablet further comprises a core and a coating surrounding the core. The core comprises an active ingredient composition comprising at least one active ingredient and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and a composition selected from a swellable composition and a reactive composition located in an immediate vicinity of one or more preselected surfaces. The coating is operable to be reliably removed fully from the one or more of the preselected surfaces of the tablet upon contact with an aqueous environment, but not removed from at least one of the surfaces.
US08163298B2
A personal care composition in the form of an aqueous gel may comprise an alpha-hydroxy acid, wherein the pH of the composition is less than about 4.5. The personal care composition comprises a gelling agent and an aqueous solvent. The personal care composition further comprises particulates and an effective amount of suspension agent to suspend the particulates. The personal care composition exhibits a consumer desired viscosity and translucency.
US08163297B2
The present invention relates to live attenuated bacteria for use in a medicament. The invention also relates to vaccines based upon such bacteria useful for the prevention of microbial pathogenesis and to the use of such bacteria for the manufacture of a vaccine. Finally, the invention relates to methods for the preparation of such vaccines.
US08163295B2
The present invention discloses a Gram negative bacterium in which the expression of a protein involved in LPS transport to the outer membrane is functionally down-regulated such that the level of LPS in the outer membrane is decreased compared to a wild-type Gram negative bacterium. Down regulation of Imp and MsbA proteins can result in such a bacterium. Outer membrane vesicle preparations derived from the Gram negative bacterium of the invention can be used in vaccines to provide protection against bacterial infection.
US08163292B2
A herpes simplex virus is disclosed in which the herpes simplex virus genome comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding an ING4 polypeptide.
US08163290B2
This invention relates to immunogenic compounds which serve as ligands for NKT (natural killer T) cells and to methods of use thereof in modulating immune responses.
US08163288B2
The invention relates to antigenic polypeptides expressed by pathogenic microbes, vaccines comprising said polypeptides; therapeutic antibodies directed to said polypeptides and methods to manufacture said polypeptides, vaccines and antibodies.
US08163272B2
The present invention provides a sunless tanning substrate having one or more sunless tanning enhancers, which adjust the rate of color development and/or adjust or customize the color developed on the skin. The present invention further provides a method of sunless tanning comprising the step of using the sunless tanning substrate of the present invention either prior to application, simultaneously with application, after application, or any combinations thereof, of one or more sunless tanning actives or agents to the skin. The present invention also provides a sunless tanning kit that includes one or more of the sunless tanning substrates.
US08163266B2
α-Alumina powder having a purity of at least 99.99% by weight, a specific surface area of from 0.1 to 2.0 m2/g, a relative density of from 55 to 90%, and a closed porosity of 4% or less, wherein in a weight-based particle size distribution obtained by the dry sieving test according to JIS K0069 (1992), an amount of particles having a particle size of less than 75 μm is 5% by weight or less; an amount of particles having a particle size exceeding 2.8 mm is 15% by weight or less; and at least one frequency maximum peak appears in a particle size range of 100 μm or more and to less than 850 μm. This α-alumina powder can be charged in a crucible at a high bulk density, from which sapphire having a few voids can be produced without causing the oxidation of a crucible in a heat melting step.
US08163264B2
An expanded graphite is derived from a graphitic or partially graphitic starting material selected from the group consisting of natural graphite, compressed expanded graphite, partially oxidized graphite and/or graphite fibers having a BET surface area of >30 m2/g. The expanded graphite is obtained by reaction of the starting material with substances capable of intercalation or mixtures of substances capable of intercalation to give a compound designated as an intercalation compound and subsequent expansion in plasma.
US08163263B2
Methods and processes for synthesizing single-wall carbon nanotubes are provided. A carbon precursor gas is contacted with metal catalysts deposited on a support material. The metal catalysts are preferably nanoparticles having diameters less than about 3 nm. The reaction temperature is selected such that it is near the eutectic point of the mixture of metal catalyst particles and carbon. Further, the rate at which hydrocarbons are fed into the reactor is equivalent to the rate at which the hydrocarbons react for given synthesis temperature. The methods produce carbon single-walled nanotubes having longer lengths.
US08163249B2
A multiple-stage granular moving-bed apparatus comprises a first integrated moving-bed unit, a second integrated moving-bed unit and at least one granular material. The first integrated moving-bed unit, having a first inlet part for providing a raw gas flowing therein, a first outlet part for providing a partially-cleaned gas flowing thereout, and a plurality of first flow-corrective elements disposed therebetween for defining two channels. The second integrated moving-bed unit, coupled to the first integrated moving-bed unit, having a second inlet part for providing the partially-cleaned gas flowing therein, a second outlet part for providing a completely-cleaned gas flowing thereout, and a plurality of second flow-corrective elements disposed therebetween for defining two channels. The at least one granular material flows through the two channels respectively and then passes through the two channels respectively.
US08163247B2
A process is disclosed for contacting feed with mixed catalyst in a secondary reactor that is incorporated into an FCC reactor. The mixed catalyst used in the secondary reactor is regenerated catalyst from a regenerator that regenerates spent catalyst from an FCC reactor that is mixed with spent catalyst from either the FCC reactor or the secondary reactor. The mixing of spent and regenerated catalyst reduces the catalyst temperature and tempers catalyst activity to inhibit both thermal and catalytic cracking reactions.
US08163246B2
An olefin polymerization reactor according to the present invention comprises: a vertically extending cylinder; a decreasing diameter portion on the cylinder, having an inside diameter that decreases progressively downward, and having a gas inlet orifice at a bottom end thereof; and a plurality of through holes passing through from an outside surface towards an inside surface of the decreasing diameter portion. Inside a reaction zone enclosed by an inside surface of the decreasing diameter portion and an inside surface above the decreasing diameter portion of the cylinder, a spouted-fluidized bed or a spouted bed is formed.
US08163239B2
The sample analyzer comprises a transporting device for transporting a rack for holding a plurality of containers containing samples respectively and having a recording part in which identifying information has been recorded that identifies the rack, a reading device for reading the identifying information from the recording part of the transported rack, an aspirating device including an aspirating tube for aspirating the sample from the container, a controller for controlling the operation of the aspirating device based on the identifying information read by the reading device, and an analyzing device for analyzing a measurement sample that includes the aspirated sample.
US08163237B2
A vascular access device for communicating with the vascular system of a patient may include a status indicator. The status indicator may detect and signal that a pathogen is in communication with the vascular access device.
US08163235B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing chemical sterilant molecules from a medium, such as a carrier gas. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing that defines an internal cavity. The housing has an inlet and an outlet fluidly communicating with the internal cavity. An electrode is dimensioned to be received in the internal cavity of the housing. The electrode is made of a material that is chemically active with respect to molecules of a chemical sterilant and conductive to electricity. The electrode is connected to a source of an electrical charge such that an electrical field gradient is formed in a region of space surrounding the electrode. The electrical field gradient is operable to force the chemical sterilant molecule toward the electrode.
US08163232B2
A method for manufacturing functionally graded cemented tungsten carbide with hard and wear-resistant surface and tough core is described. The said functionally graded cemented tungsten carbide (WC—Co) has a surface layer having a reduced amount of cobalt. Such a hard surface and tough core structure is an example of functionally graded materials in which mechanical properties are optimized by the unique combination of wear-resistance and toughness. WC—Co with reduced-cobalt surface layer may be fabricated through a carburization heat treatment process following conventional liquid phase sintering. The graded WC—Co thus obtained contains no brittle η phase.
US08163229B2
A continuous-casting-nozzle support apparatus capable of enhancing sealing performance between a continuous casting nozzle and an SN device. The continuous-casting-nozzle support apparatus comprises: a holding mechanism 40 disposed to extend from a stationary column 10 fixed onto a supporting surface, and adapted to be turnable in a horizontal direction and swingable or movable in an upward-downward direction; a lifting mechanism 70 provided on the side of a distal end of the holding mechanism 40; a supporting mechanism 80 provided on the side of a distal end of the lifting mechanism 70, and adapted to support a continuous casting nozzle 100; and a hooking device 90 provided in the lifting mechanism 70, and adapted to allow the lifting mechanism 70 to be hooked to a first engagement portion 111a formed on a sliding metal frame of a sliding nozzle device 110, wherein the lifting mechanism 70 is adapted to lift the continuous casting nozzle 100 through the supporting mechanism 80.
US08163223B2
When controlling each operational process in a molding cycle by variably controlling the number of revolutions of a drive motor 3 in a hydraulic pump 2, a hydraulic pump 2 where at least multiple fixed discharge flow rate Qo and Qs can be set is used as the hydraulic pump 2. At the same time, the fixed discharge flow rates Qo . . . are set corresponding to operational processes based upon predetermined conditions in advance, respectively, and the hydraulic pump 2 is switched to the fixed discharge flow rates Qo . . . by corresponding to each operational process at the time of molding. At the same time, each operational process is controlled by variably controlling the number of revolutions of the drive motor 3.
US08163217B2
This invention relates to a method of making a heat-resistant transparent container which involves the steps of: a primary stretching and heat-setting process wherein an amorphous polyethylene terephthalate sheet is heated, primarily stretched and then primarily heat-set and a secondary stretching and heat-setting process wherein the sheet treated in the primary stretching and heat-setting process is molded with heating in a mold of a thermoforming machine while secondary stretching is performed, followed by secondary heat-setting in the same mold.
US08163208B2
A thermoplastic injection molding system and method of use is described for molding parts from heated plastics and other organic resins. The machine uses heat sources located along the barrel to heat the source material while an auger screw transports the source material in the barrel. This transport step does not shear the source material, nor does it use friction to produce the heat necessary to melt the source material. The material becomes substantially liquid or melted during the heating process, and the melted material is forced, by the auger screw, into a chamber whereupon a plunger, situated concentrically with the auger screw, injects the material from the chamber into a mold. Sensors located along the barrel and in the chamber ensure consistency between mold cycles. The controller dynamically adjusts the injection molding process to achieve more consistent and reliable molded parts.
US08163204B2
A nanoporous polymer electrolyte and methods for making the polymer electrolyte are disclosed. The polymer electrolyte comprises a crosslinked self-assembly of a polymerizable salt surfactant, wherein the crosslinked self-assembly includes nanopores and wherein the crosslinked self-assembly has a conductivity of at least 1.0×10−6 S/cm at 25° C. The method of making a polymer electrolyte comprises providing a polymerizable salt surfactant. The method further comprises crosslinking the polymerizable salt surfactant to form a nanoporous polymer electrolyte.
US08163202B2
Provided is an (oxy)nitride phosphor, which is a compound represented by Formula 1 below: {M(1-x)Eux}aSibOcNd
US08163200B2
The invention relates to liquid-crystalline compounds of the formula I in which R1, R2, A1, A2, A3, A4, Z1, Z2, Z3, V, a, b and c have the meanings indicated in Claim 1, and to liquid-crystalline media comprising at least one compound of the formula I, and to electro-optical displays containing a liquid-crystalline medium of this type.
US08163195B2
An additive of the formula (1) for use in electrolytic solutions wherein A is —CH(X)— or —C═C(X)—, X being hydrogen, halogen, alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxycarbonyl having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, benzoyl or alkoxycarbonylalkyl having 3 to 9 carbon atoms, Q1 and Q2 are the same or different and are each alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxycarbonylalkyl having 3 to 9 carbon atoms or amino having as a substituent alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and A, Q1 and Q2 may form a ring structure.
US08163192B2
An application for a substrate for mixing with other ingredients such as water, seeds, fertilizer, wetting agents and dye, to produce Hydroseeding slurry. The substrate includes cardboard (e.g. double-line, Kraft fibers), paper (e.g. recycled newsprint) and a material known as diaper fluff that is created during the production of products such as disposable diapers. The diaper fluff improves moisture retention, improves viscosity and reduces friction, improves coverage.
US08163177B2
A multi-column packing system and packed bed assessment system for producing small bore LC columns of superior quality, improved column-to-column reproducibility, and lower cost than current commercially available columns. The process utilizes an automated multi-column packing system with an integrated sensor that detects when the slurry-packed bed has reached the desired length. The optical packed bed assessment system examines the packed bed within the column and detects any packing inconsistencies or voids within the column. The multi-column packing system makes automated connections to tubes via an automated compression mechanism.
US08163176B2
A continuous sludge decant system and associated methods are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment an apparatus for decanting sludge includes: a decant vessel configured to receive sludge influent, to contain the sludge to be heated and decanted, and to discharge the sludge and a decanted liquid from the sludge, and a heating/directional grid disposed within an interior of the decant vessel and around which the sludge is circulated, mixed, and stirred, the heating/directional grid comprising a plurality of heating coils and configured to circulate heat from a heat source through the decant vessel to decant the sludge. The vessel and the heating/directional grid are configured to contain, heat, mix, and decant the sludge without shearing the sludge.
US08163175B2
A method and apparatus is provided for conveying lime slurry, removing and controlling the amount of grit, and feeding lime slurry, wherein the lime slurry moves through a recirculation loop, and wherein gravity removal of grit from the lime slurry takes place.
US08163172B2
Installation for treating a biological liquid, including a circulation pump (5), a filter element (9), a container for collecting treated liquid, a first circuit section connecting a source of said biological liquid to an inlet orifice of said filter element (9), including a circuit element adapted to cooperate with said circulation pump (5); a second circuit section, connecting an outlet orifice of said filter element (9) to said treated liquid collecting container; characterized in that said treated liquid collecting container, said first circuit section and said second circuit section are disposable and said installation further includes a first cart (1) carrying said pump (5) and a second cart (2) including a housing (14) for said collecting container, separable from the first cart (1) and adapted to be at least partly nested in said first cart (1).
US08163170B2
Randomly packing with filler material at least part of a pass in a coil used in a system for pyrolyzing hydrocarbon feedstock to lighter hydrocarbons. Randomly packing increases heat transfer and decreases the rate of coke build-up within the coil, yielding an improvement in overall system efficiency. Packing material can comprise or be treated with a suitable catalyst for increasing the rate of chemical decomposition, thus further improving system efficiency.
US08163158B2
An electrolysis cell is controlled for operation under varying electrical power supply conditions. A flow of feed stock to the cell includes an electrolysis reactant at a controlled concentration. A varying amount of electrical power is supplied to the cell to produce an electrolysis reaction that generates a first reaction product at a first side of the cell and a second reaction product at a second side of the cell. The reactant concentration is adjusted as the electrical power varies to substantially maintain the cell at its thermal neutral voltage during cell operation. The cell may be used in an electrolysis system powered by a renewable energy source with varying power output (e.g., wind, solar, etc.).
US08163154B1
We report unique findings on the voltage dependence of protein exclusion from the pores of nanoporous polymer exclusion membranes. The pores are small enough that proteins are excluded from passage with low applied electric fields, but increasing the field enables proteins to pass through. The requisite field necessary for a change in exclusion is protein-specific with a correlation to protein size. The field-dependence of exclusion is important to consider for preconcentration applications. The ability to selectively gate proteins at exclusion membranes is also a promising means for manipulating and characterizing proteins. We show that field-gated exclusion can be used to selectively remove proteins from a mixture, or to selectively trap protein at one exclusion membrane in a series.
US08163151B2
Methods of analyzing the electrophoretic mobility distribution of von Willebrand factor (vWF) multimers include providing a sample medium comprising a plurality vWF multimers. The vWF multimers are electrophoretically separated by electrohoretic mobility in the sample medium by subjecting said sample medium to an electric field to provide separated vWF multimers. The separated vWF multimers in the sample medium are exposed to a light source to produce scattered light. The scattered light is detected, and the electrophoretic mobility distribution of the separated vWF multimers is determined from the detected scattered light.
US08163150B2
A method for dispensing liquid for use in biological analysis may comprise positioning liquid to be dispensed via electrowetting. The positioning may comprise aligning the liquid with a plurality of predetermined locations. The method may further comprise dispensing the aligned liquid from the plurality of predetermined locations through a plurality of openings respectively aligned with the predetermined locations. The dispensing may be via electrowetting.
US08163149B2
The present invention relates to a gas-monitoring assembly (100) and method for selectively determining the presence of a target gas in a gaseous environment that potentially comprises one or more interfering gases. Such gas-monitoring assembly and method specifically employ one or more gas sensors (S1) one or more getters (G1) arranged and constructed to reduce cross-interference caused by potential presence of the interfering gases in such gaseous environment to be monitored. The gas-monitoring assembly and method of the present invention are capable of monitoring a gaseous environment with respect to potential presence of multiple target gases that may interfere with one another.
US08163142B1
A hydrogen system for internal combustion engines, comprising a housing assembly having at least three internal chambers divided by at least two dividing plates. The two dividing plates include a lower dividing plate and an upper dividing plate. Each comprises a plurality of through holes to allow aqueous solution to flow and circulate through the three internal chambers. A hydrogen generator is mounted onto the housing assembly at a predetermined angle. The hydrogen generator comprises a first predetermined number of negative charged plates, a second predetermined number of neutral plates, and a third predetermined number of positive charged plates. The hydrogen generator generates oxygen and hydrogen gas for use in an internal combustion engine to improve combustion efficiency and to decrease emissions. The hydrogen generator serves as an electrolysis cell to generate the oxygen and hydrogen gas with electric current from a power source being passed through the aqueous solution.
US08163141B2
An improved chlorination system for pools, spas, potable water supplies, and the like, provides a vertically oriented electrolytic cell connected between a pump and a lightly salinated pool. The cell preferably contains a metallic electrode, such as titanium, and a precious metal coated titanium electrode, and has means for passing an electric current through the cell. The present invention further provides a novel electrode stack design, conducive for forming an efficient chlorinator comprising a plurality of interconnecting electrode stacks of separate electrical cells.
US08163137B2
An apparatus for cleaning and cooling a liquor nozzle, the nozzle including at least a liquor tube for feeding liquor and chemicals into a furnace of a recovery boiler. The apparatus includes an outer casing tube, which defines a space whereto conduits are provided for introducing water and steam to generate an emulsion or a conduit for introducing emulsion generated by the water and steam and the surface of which is provided with openings, such as pores or holes, for discharging the emulsion formed by water and steam through the outer casing.
US08163134B2
Methods for making a heterogeneous polymer blend comprising one or more anionic polymers, one or more cationic polymers, and one or more non-ionic polymers, which method comprises (a) adding to a non-neutral solution a first amount of polymerization initiator and one or more anionic or cationic monomers, wherein each monomer has the same charge; (b) adding a second amount of the polymerization initiator and one or more non-ionic monomers; (c) adding a third amount of the polymerization initiator and one or more ionic monomers that are oppositely charged from the monomers of (a); adding stepwise, a fourth amount of the polymerization initiator to react any residual monomer, and (e) neutralizing the resulting polymer blend. Also claimed are heterogeneous polymer blends containing polymers formed from one or more anionic, cationic, and non-ionic monomers, either polymerized in situ or separately and then combined. Also claimed are methods for increasing the filler content of paper or paperboard, which methods comprises (a) combining the heterogeneous polymer blend with a precipitated calcium carbonate filler; (b) combining the resulting mixture with a pulp slurry; and (c) processing the resulting slurry mixture to form a sheet of paper or paperboard. Finally, also claimed are methods of increasing the filler content of paper or paperboard, which method comprises (1) combining either the heterogeneous blend or the precipitated calcium carbonate filler with a pulp slurry, (2) combining the remaining component with the pulp slurry; and (c) processing the resulting pulp slurry mixture to form a sheet of paper or paperboard.
US08163125B2
The present invention is premised upon a multi-layer laminate structure and method of manufacture, more particularly to a method of constructing the multi-layer laminate structure utilizing a laminate frame and at least one energy activated flowable polymer.
US08163121B2
A resin impregnated overlay sheet is laid atop a wood veneer to create a concrete form. At a pre-press station, pressure is applied to a veneer assembly having an overlay sheet laid atop it. Thereafter, the pressed overlaid assembly is transferred for final hot pressing. The pre-pressing of the overlay sheet onto the wood veneer ensures the static adherence of the overlay sheet to the veneer prior to final hot pressing.
US08163113B2
A cast aluminum alloy containing up to about 0.35% by weight chromium is heated to a first elevated temperature to homogenize the casting and dissolve the chromium content in an aluminum-based matrix phase. The alloy is then heated at a lower elevated temperature to cause the precipitation of a portion of the chromium as an aluminum-containing and chromium-containing intermetallic compound. A suitable amount of chromium is retained in solid solution in aluminum. Thus, the concentration of dissolved chromium in an aluminum alloy may be controlled to fall within specified ranges which result in improvements in both the strength and ductility of the alloy. Impurity amounts of iron may also be precipitated as intermetallic particles from the aluminum matrix to enhance the ductility of the aluminum-based alloy.
US08163112B2
Methods of fabricating a uranium-bearing foil are described. The foil may be substantially pure uranium, or may be a uranium alloy such as a uranium-molybdenum alloy. The method typically includes a series of hot rolling operations on a cast plate material to form a thin sheet. These hot rolling operations are typically performed using a process where each pass reduces the thickness of the plate by a substantially constant percentage. The sheet is typically then annealed and then cooled. The process typically concludes with a series of cold rolling passes where each pass reduces the thickness of the plate by a substantially constant thickness amount to form the foil.
US08163107B2
The present invention provides a high-strength steel material capable of suppressing formation of blowholes during welding even if the strength thereof is improved by nitriding, and a method of manufacturing such a high-strength steel material by using a low rolling force. A high-strength steel of the present invention contains 0.05% (percent by mass unless otherwise specified in describing chemical composition) or below C, 1% or below Si, 1.5% or below Mn, 0.05% or below P, 0.05% or below S, 0.05% or below Al, 0.02 to 0.3% Ti, and 0.020% or below N. The high-strength steel material has metallographic structure of a single phase of ferrite and contains Ti nitride grains having a maximum size of 20 nm or below and coherently precipitated in a density of 250 grains/μm2 or above. In the high-strength steel material, the ratio of the number of Ti nitride grains having a maximum size of 6 nm or below to that of Ti nitride grains having a maximum size of 20 nm or below is 80% or above.
US08163102B1
A composition is provided for use in cleaning a surface of a cementitious material. The composition includes HCI, urea, complex substituted keto-amine-hydrochloride, an alcohol, an ethoxylate, and a ketone. A method of using the composition includes applying the composition to a surface from which it is desired to clean a cementitious material and removing the composition and released cementitious material from the surface. Methods are also provided for performing hydraulic fracturing of an oil or a gas well; for adjusting a pH of a drilling fluid; for adjusting and maintaining a pH of a process fluid; for solubilizing calcium carbonate in an aqueous suspension or dispersion of calcium carbonate; for removing a foulant in a fluid-handling element; adjusting a pH and lowering a salt level of turf.
US08163094B1
A process for removing indium oxide from indium bumps in a flip-chip structure to reduce contact resistance, by a multi-step plasma treatment. A first plasma treatment of the indium bumps with an argon, methane and hydrogen plasma reduces indium oxide, and a second plasma treatment with an argon and hydrogen plasma removes residual organics. The multi-step plasma process for removing indium oxide from the indium bumps is more effective in reducing the oxide, and yet does not require the use of halogens, does not change the bump morphology, does not attack the bond pad material or under-bump metallization layers, and creates no new mechanisms for open circuits.
US08163090B2
A process and apparatus which form a solar cell absorber on a surface of a workpiece as the workpiece and a carrier are advanced through a rapid thermal processing (RTP) chamber. In one embodiment, the surface of the workpiece includes a precursor layer and an absorber constituent is disposed on the carrier. Initially an absorber constituent vapor can be formed in the RTP chamber by advancing the carrier into the RTP chamber to vaporize the absorber constituent from the carrier. The workpiece with the precursor layer is then moved into the RTP chamber to react the absorber constituent vapor and the precursor layer to form an absorber layer on the workpiece.
US08163087B2
A plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) method and system, the system including a process chamber and a substrate holder provided within the processing chamber and configured to support a substrate on which a predetermined film will be formed. A first process material supply system is configured to supply a first process material to the process chamber, and a second process material supply system configured to supply a second process material to the process chamber in order to provide a reduction reaction with the first process material to form the predetermined film on the substrate. Also included is a power source configured to couple electromagnetic power to the process chamber to generate a plasma within the process chamber to facilitate the reduction reaction, and a chamber component exposed to the plasma and made from a film compatible material that is compatible with the predetermined film deposited on the substrate.
US08163083B2
A silica glass crucible causing fewer pinholes in silicon single crystals is provided by a method of preventing pinholes by performing the pulling up of a silicon single crystal while restraining the dissolution rate of the crucible inner surface to 20 μm/hr or less, using a silica glass crucible for the pulling up of silicon single crystals, wherein the area of crystalline silica formed by crystallization of amorphous silica is restricted to 10% or less of the crucible inner surface area, or the density of pits formed from open bubbles on the crucible inner surface is restricted to 0.01 to 0.2 counts/mm2.
US08163077B2
The invention relates to an ink-jet ink composition for printing on a ceramic substrate comprising: (a) a liquid vehicle; (b) sub-micron particles of binding composition having a melting point below 6000 C; and (c) sub-micron particles causing an etch-like effect, said sub-micron particles are selected from metal oxide particles, high melting point frit particles, and a combination thereof, said sub-micron particles causing an etch-like effect have a melting point of at least 500 C above the melting point of said sub-micron particles of binding composition. The invention further relates to a printing process using such ink and to a ceramic substrate printed with a pattern or image having an etch-like effect, by means of the printing process.
US08163073B2
An alkalescent chemical silver electroless plating solution, which comprises: 0.01˜20 g/L silver ion or silver complex ion, 0.1˜150 g/L amine complexing agent, 0.1˜150 g/L amino acids complexing agent, and 0.1˜150 g/L polyhydroxy acids complexing agent. The alkalescent chemical silver plating solution provided by the present invention is able to overcome problems existing in acidic chemical silver plating processes commonly used at present. These problems include gnawing and corrosion of copper wires, lateral corrosion and difficulty of plating silver in blind holes, presence of solder ball voids and low strength of soldering. The silver layer plated by said silver plating solution possesses characteristics of high corrosion resistance, low contact resistance, no electromigration, high welding strength, and avoidance of bubbles produced in the solder when the plating pieces are being welded.
US08163072B2
A filter system for an air inlet of a gas turbine engine. The filter system may include a number of filters positioned about the air inlet and a water spray system positioned to spray the filters. The filters may include a hydrophobic or an oleophobic filter media.
US08163069B2
An article comprising a substrate; and a carboxylic acid alkali salt disposed on the substrate, wherein the carboxylic acid alkali salt is derived from a carboxylic acid having at least one dissociation constant greater than or equal to 5. The article may be useful, for example, in the removal of an acid gas component from a gas.
US08163062B2
A method for operating a hearth furnace encompassing a furnace chamber heated by at least one burner, including: a) introducing metal-containing material into the hearth furnace, b) melting the metal-containing material in a first melting phase until a melting bath surface has formed, c) melting the metal-containing material in a second melting phase after the melting bath surface has formed, d) removing and/or holding the melted metal, characterized in that the at least one burner is operated during the phase (b) such that a larger portion of burner capacity is emitted in convection rather than in radiant energy, and that respective portions of convection heat and of radiant heat emitted by the at least one burner are adjusted specifically via adjustment of brightness and/or size, in particular length of a flame of the at least one burner.
US08163051B2
A dust collector of a vacuum cleaner is provided. The dust collector includes a dust separation part that separates dust from air, a dust collecting body having a dust storage part that stores the dust separated by the dust separation part, and a division part that closes an inner space of the dust separation part and includes an opening through which the dust is discharged into the dust storage part.
US08163047B2
A method of cooling hot fluid flowing through a chamber is provided. The method includes channeling cooling fluid through at least one cooling tube that extends through a passage of the chamber, and circulating the hot fluid flowing within the passage around the at least one cooling tube using at least one fluid diverter.
US08163046B2
The invention relates to a start-up process for a unit for producing highly thermally-integrated hydrogen by reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock that comprises a stage a wherein a burner whose purpose is to ensure start-up is supplied with a mixture of hydrocarbon feedstock and air, a stage b wherein a water stream is evaporated by indirect heat exchange with at least one of the hot streams of the process, a stage c wherein the hydrocarbon feedstock to be reformed is evaporated and heated and then introduced in gaseous form in a reforming reactor, and a stage d wherein the start-up burner is shut down, and a burner that is in permanent operation is lit.
US08163045B2
Methods and systems are disclosed for direct conversion of a used or waste material into a burnable fuel and to burnable fuels derived therefrom.
US08163044B2
A fuel additive is disclosed which comprises a suspension of nanoparticle oxides in a fuel miscible liquid carrier, which suspension may be colloidal or otherwise. Methods for enhancing combustion and fuel economy and reducing emissions by employing said fuel additive are also disclosed.
US08163043B2
Palm-based biodiesel formulations with enhanced cold flow properties are provided including the following: (I) A biodiesel formulation comprising not more than 40 vol % palm-based biodiesel and not less than 60 vol % petroleum-based file 1 oil; (II) A biodiesel formulation comprising not more than 20 wt % palm-based biodiesel and not less than 80 wt % alkyl ester of C6-C18 saturated or unsaturated fatty acid, or a mixture thereof; (III) A biodiesel formulation comprising approximately 0.1-1.0% (wt/vol) of a polyalkyl methacrylate (PAMA) additive and a palm-based biodiesel blend comprising i) not more than 40 vol % palm-based biodiesel; and ii) not less than 60 vol % petroleum-based fuel oil; (IV) A biodiesel formulation comprising approximately 0.1-5.0% (wt/vol) of a polyalkyl methacrylate (PAMA) additive and a palm-based biodiesel having unsaturation level of not less than 60%.
US08163039B2
The invention relates to methods and apparatus for drying [18F]fluoride which comprises (i) passing a [18F]fluoride solution comprising water, a solvent, [18F]fluoride, and a cationic counterion through a narrow bore vessel at elevated temperature such that the water and solvent are vaporized forming a vaporized component, and (ii) collecting the resulting vaporized component by condensing into a collection vessel.
US08163032B2
An implant for deployment in select locations or select tissue for regeneration of tissue is disclosed. The implant includes collagen and or other bio-resorbable materials, where the implant may also be used for therapy delivery. Additionally, the implant may include, or have blended in, an additive, such as an osteoinductive factor, for example biocompatible ceramics and glass.
US08163029B2
An acetabular shell for use in a hip prosthesis is provided. The shell includes a body having an inner periphery and a convex outer periphery and defining a cavity of the body. The outer periphery has a first portion defining a hemisphere and a second portion extending from the equator of the first portion in a converging direction. The second portion forms a rim opposed to the equator. The cavity is positioned within the rim.
US08163022B2
This disclosure presents methods and devices for treating a tear, rent, incision, defect, aperture or delamination of the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc. The methods and devices can employ fixation delivery apparatuses, fixation apparatuses, patch delivery tools and patches positioned, at least in part, in or on aspects of an intervertebral disc for treatment of the intervertebral disc or its components. In some aspects, these techniques include the use of this includes a fixation apparatus that includes at least one bone anchor connected to at least one disc anchor by a shortenable elongate member.
US08163019B2
An implant retention device is provided to assist in restraining movement of a nuclear implant and to assist in preventing expulsion of the nuclear implant through an incision portal or defect in the annular wall. In general, the implant retention device blocks or obstructs at least a portion of an opening in the annular wall, thereby keeping the implant from exiting the nuclear space through the annular opening. In one form, the implant retention device comprises an expulsion prevention member positioned adjacent the nuclear implant and configured to transition between a compressed position and an expanded position. In another form, the implant retention device may comprise a mounting portion to be positioned adjacent one of the vertebral bodies, a blocking portion for at least partially obstructing the annular opening, and an end projection at a terminal end of the blocking portion to resist expulsion of the implant through the annular opening. In yet another form, the implant retention device may include an elongate blocking member having annulus connector portions extending from each side of the blocking member for engaging with an annular wall.
US08163007B2
The present embodiments provide a stent for use in a medical procedure that comprises a series of proximal apices disposed at a proximal end of the stent and a series of distal apices disposed at a distal end of the stent. A trigger wire is adapted to be coupled to at least one of the proximal apices to restrain a proximal end of the stent during delivery. In a first embodiment, a first proximal apex comprises a bore for receiving the trigger wire, and a second proximal apex, disposed adjacent to the first proximal apex, comprises at least one barb. The trigger wire therefore is only coupled to selected ones of the proximal apices. In an alternative embodiment, a first proximal apex comprises a first bore and a second, adjacent proximal apex comprises a second bore, such that a single trigger wire may be disposed through the first and second bores to restrain the first and second proximal apices during delivery.
US08163000B2
A guidable catheter for heating or cooling fluid in a feeding vessel in a vasculature of a patient includes a heat transfer element having exterior surface irregularities to create turbulence in a surrounding fluid. A supply catheter delivers a working fluid to an interior of the heat transfer element, and a return catheter returns a working fluid from the interior of the heat transfer element. A guidewire tube is provided adjacent one of the supply catheter or the return catheter and runs substantially parallel to the axis of the guidable catheter to receive a guidewire disposed within the guidewire tube. A temperature-monitoring device is disposed at the distal tip of the guidewire. Feedback is provided to control the temperature of a source of working fluid.
US08162997B2
A surgical fastener system for acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocations, includes a first fastener having an elongate body, and an inner pair of openings centered on the long axis of the body. A closed loop stitch passes through the openings, and the length of the stitch corresponds to the depth of a passage defined between the top of a first hole bored through a patient's clavicle, and the bottom of a second hole bored through the coracoid in axial alignment with the first hole. A second fastener has an elongate body arranged to slide under a portion of the loop stitch that protrudes from the top of the hole in the clavicle, after the first fastener is set beneath the coracoid and the stitch is pulled upward through the passage. In an alternate embodiment, the second fastener also has an inner pair of openings for passing and engaging the loop stitch.
US08162996B2
A compression plate kit that allows for manual compression of a bone discontinuity includes a bone plate, two or more reduction screws, and a compression clamp. The compression clamp can include engagement members configured to engage the reduction screws, thereby allowing a practitioner to compress a bone discontinuity by manually closing the compression clamp. One or more implementations of a kit of the present invention can provide a practitioner with physical or tactile feedback during the compression of a bone discontinuity, and thus, provide the practitioner with the ability to better control the compression and spacing of bone portions during a reduction.
US08162995B2
A bone plate having a rear face and opposing front face, adapted to be abutted on a bone, and a through hole extending between the front and rear faces, and attached to a bone to be set by applying the bone plate to the bone, and by screwing a screw into the bone through the through hole. The bone plate has a blind first dimple provided in at least one of the faces thereof other than the rear face. One acute gripping tip of a pair of bone forceps may be abutted on the bone, with the other acute griping tip of the bone forceps being engaged in the first dimple. The first dimple is configured so as to converge from an opening portion thereof on the dimple-provided face toward a bottom portion thereof, whereby the other acute gripping tip of the bone forceps can slide toward the bottom portion.
US08162992B2
Described are interbody spinal fusion methods, and kits useful therefor, in which a barrier material is interposed between an osteogenic material and an opening in the disc annulus providing access to the interbody space, wherein the barrier material is effective to inhibit migration of the osteogenic substance to the opening.
US08162990B2
A spinal fixation system includes an elongated rod sized to extend between at least two vertebrae and a number of anchor devices for anchoring the rod to the spine. The anchor devices include a bone engaging fastener having a head defining a spherical socket. A ball insert is configured to be placed within the socket and rotated so that a spherical surface of the ball insert is juxtaposed with the spherical surface of the socket. The insert has a first dimension less than the socket opening and a second dimension that upon rotation causes the insert to be captively retained in the socket. The anchor device further includes a yoke defining a yoke channel for receiving the rod and including a stem that is engaged to the ball insert when the insert is captured within the socket. A sleeve is disposed between the yoke channel and the fastener head for supporting the rod thereon. A set screw is threaded into the yoke channel for clamping the rod against the sleeve. The set screw further operates to draw the ball insert into clamped engagement within the socket.
US08162988B2
An osteosynthesis device is proposed, particularly for spinal support or correction, enabling easier and compact implantation, that can be particularly used in the case of implantation via the anterior approach, and a preassembly method for such a device. In various embodiments, the device comprises implants screwed into two vertebrae (0) and a plate (2) used to hold and displace the spine. In various embodiments, the plate (2) comprises on at least one of its ends at least one longitudinally elongated opening, the opening having firstly at least one part opening onto an edge of the plate, or one part of a sufficiently large size (s210b) to be able to be inserted without disassembly in the fixation means of an implant (1) already screwed into the spine when the fixation means are already assembled.
US08162986B2
A vertebral column implant includes a connecting element, which is insertable in the vertebral bodies of a vertebral column via several bone screws. The screws are each provided with a head part for receiving the connecting element, by means of which a firm connection is achievable between bone screws and connecting element. The connecting element is composed of rigid sections and elastic sections. The rigid sections are connectable to the elastic sections via connecting devices. The connecting devices are designed such that the rigid sections and the elastic sections, in each case connected to one another, are aligned substantially coaxially, and their connection is form-fitting.
US08162980B2
Methods and apparatus provide for: coupling an elongate guide substantially at a first end to at least one vertebral body of a spinal column of a patient; and extending a second end of the guide to a structure of the patient spaced in an anterior direction away from the at least one vertebral body towards an entry incision.
US08162975B2
A system and method for closing a percutaneous vessel puncture at the conclusion of a vascular catheterization procedure includes placement of an intravascular closure device having a radially and axially expandable tubular membrane and a radially expandable anchor at the distal end of the membrane. The closure device is placed, by a delivery catheter extending through the puncture site, with its anchor radially expanded in a location upstream of the puncture site to enable the force of a patient's blood flow to deploy the tubular membrane to a proximally extended configuration closing the puncture from within the vessel.
US08162970B2
An inferior vena cava filter (340) for use in the inferior vena cava (4) to capture thrombus (8) passing through the inferior vena cava (4) towards the heart and lungs to prevent pulmonary embolism comprises a proximal support hoop (302), a distal support hoop (312) and a plurality of support struts (303) extending between the proximal support hoop (302) and the distal support hoop (312). The filter (340) also comprises a plurality of capture arms (121) which are movable from a capturing configuration to an open configuration. The capture arms (121) are biased towards the open configuration. A biodegradable suture holds the capture arms (121) in the capturing configuration.
US08162968B2
A lancing device is used with a lancet for lancing body tissue to result in a wound for bleeding. The lancing device has a cantilevered priming arm having a first arm portion that is generally parallel to an internal channel of the device and a second arm portion that is generally perpendicular to the internal channel. The second arm portion is connected to a lancet carrier and movement of the first arm portion toward the internal channel draws the lancet carrier to a primed position and stores energy in a lancet driver.
US08162965B2
A forceps that includes a housing, a cutting assembly, and an actuator. The housing has a shaft attached thereto that extends therefrom and is configured to support a pair of jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable to grasp tissue therebetween. The cutting assembly includes a spring element that has proximal and distal ends. The proximal end of the spring element is fixed to a boss disposed within the housing and the distal end of the spring element includes a cutting edge. The spring element is coiled at a proximal end thereof to create a spring bias against the boss. The actuator is operably coupled to the spring element and is configured to selectively advance the cutting edge of the spring element into the jaw members against the spring bias to sever tissue disposed therebetween.
US08162960B2
A radical prostatectomy anastomosis device including a cartridge having a plurality of anchors slidably disposed in a plurality of distally angled radial channels formed in the cartridge and a pusher assembly operatively coupled within the cartridge. The pusher assembly being configured and adapted to push each of the plurality of anchors out of the angled radial channels of the radial cartridge. The device further including a fitting removably coupled to a distal end of the cartridge. The fitting including a flange having a plurality of holes formed radially around the flange, wherein each of the plurality of holes includes suture locking means configured and adapted to permit a suture to be drawn distally through each of the plurality of holes and to prevent the sutures from being drawn proximally through each of the plurality of holes. The device further including a plurality of sutures secured to an inner surface of the cartridge. The sutures passing through the fitting, through a respective hole of the plurality of holes formed in the fitting and secured to an outer surface of a respective anchor.
US08162950B2
A drill guide for a bone plate which has holes therethrough for receiving bone screws. The drill guide includes a guide block having drill guide bores alignable with at least two bone screw receiving holes in the bone plate. A first locking element in inserted through a guide block drill guide bore. The locking element has a tip for engaging a bone screw receiving holes in the bone plate, the tip being selectively expandable to engage and disengage from the bone plate hole. A second locking element is mounted on the guide block and is engageable with a bone plate hole. The second locking element also has a tip for resiliently engaging walls of the bone plate hole wherein the tip of the first and second locking elements has a split portion. The first and second locking elements include an axially moveable rod for expanding the split tip portion to engage the plate
US08162934B2
A medical catheter assembly includes a deflectable catheter shaft, a distal tip with tip element and a mounting shaft, and a pull ring assembly, the distal tip defining guide channels through which pull wires of the pull ring assembly pass such that the pull wires will initially extend from the pull ring toward the tip element and then loop back toward and through the catheter shaft and to a handle actuator. Pulling of the pull wires by the handle actuator to tilt the pull ring and deflect the catheter shaft will cause the pull ring to move toward tip element. The pull ring and tip element are thus interlocked. Stress forces on the connection joints between the pull wires and the pull ring will be dissipated, reducing the incidence of failure of the pull ring assembly. The medical catheter can be a non-irrigated ablation catheter wherein the tip element is a tip electrode, or an irrigated ablation catheter wherein the tip element is a tip electrode and a fluid manifold.
US08162932B2
A method for controlling an electrosurgical generator configured to apply energy to tissue as a function of a detected tissue property is contemplated by the present disclosure. The method includes the step of applying energy to the tissue in a first state, wherein the first state is configured to adjust the power output of the generator to continuously achieve peak tissue conductance as a function of the detected tissue property. The method also includes the step of monitoring a trend of the at least one detected tissue property indicative of a bubble field formation during a second state, which is running concurrently with the first state. The second state is configured to interrupt the bubble field to collapse the bubble field based on the trend of the at least one detected tissue property.
US08162928B2
An eye surgical instrument, comprising at least one optical fiber for lighting of the interior of the eye, which at least one optical fiber, at a free end thereof, is provided with a light exit and with a stop situated at a distance from the free end, which stop defines an insertion part situated between the end and the stop, and at an other end is connectable to a light source, while the stop forms a separate element which is arranged so as to be slidable along the at least one fiber.
US08162927B2
A method of replacing a natural lens in an eye is presented. The method includes removing the natural lens while leaving the capsular bag substantially intact, removing a portion of the capsular bag along the main optical axis, and placing biodendrimer within the capsular bag. Placing biodendrimer within the capsular bag can include placing a mixture of biodendrimer and at least one other material within the capsular bag. Biodendrimer can be approximately fifty percent of the mixture. The method can also include inserting an artificial bag within the capsular bag, injecting a synthetic material into the artificial bag to form an artificial lens, the synthetic material having loose monomers and a polymerization initiator so that the synthetic material changes its volume when exposed to an energy source, and selectively exposing portions of the artificial lens to an energy source to alter the refractive properties of the artificial lens.
US08162919B2
An ophthalmic surgical system utilizes a needle through which fluid is aspirated from a surgical site, and a sleeve coaxially received over the needle to define a flow passage between the sleeve and needle through which fluid is communicated to the surgical site. The system further includes a container that provides an adjustable infusion pressure for urging the flow of irrigation fluid to the surgical site. An aspiration pump urges aspiration of fluid from the surgical site, and a sensor detects the rate of aspiration flow. A controller is configured to calculate an intraocular eye pressure based on the infusion pressure and a pressure drop due to a resistance to the flow rate, which flow includes the sensed flow rate and a predicted leakage selected from a look-up table based on a size of the needle, a size of a sleeve, and a size of an incision through which the needle and the sleeve are placed.
US08162918B2
Gel compositions with adjusted conductivity are disclosed which compositions are used for directing reversible electroporation and irreversible electroporation of cells and tissue. The gel compositions are also used in a similar manner in order to carry out thermotherapy on cells and tissues.
US08162917B2
A device for delivering buffer solution into a buffer cartridge comprises a needle assembly and a pusher. The septa of a buffer cartridge and an anesthetic cartridge are advanced onto a transfer needle, and the pusher advances a plunger into the buffer cartridge to deliver buffer through the transfer needle into the anesthetic cartridge. A separate exhaust needle allows excess anesthetic from the anesthetic cartridge to be exhausted. A compression member is usually provided to maintain a force against the plunger on the buffer cartridge to pressurize and stabilize the contents during sterilization and/or storage.
US08162899B2
An intravascular port access device includes a first component having a chamber configured to attach reversibly to an intravenous line port. A second component reversibly attaches to the first component and contains a disinfecting agent and an applicator material. The second component is configured to be reversibly received over external surfaces of the intravenous line port. A method of cleansing an intravenous line port includes providing a port cleaning device having a first component includes a second cleaning agent. A third component has a microbiocidal agent and is reversibly attached to the first component. The second component is removed from the device, the external surfaces of the port are contacted with the second cleaning agent. the first cleaning agent is ejected from the chamber into the port, and the third component is used to cap the port.
US08162895B2
A surgical access apparatus for providing access inside a body includes a housing having a first port, a tubular member extending distally from the housing and defining a longitudinal axis therealong, wherein the tubular member includes a lumen extending therethrough. a shaft insert disposed in the lumen of the tubular member, wherein the shaft insert forms first, second, and third passageways extending along the lumen of the tubular member, wherein each of the first, second, and third passageways is adapted to receive a surgical instrument; and a first seal assembly covering the first port of the housing and defining a first passage disposed in communication with the first passageway defined by the shaft insert in the tubular member, wherein the first seal assembly is adapted to form a seal around the surgical instrument inserted through the first passage of the first seal assembly.
US08162888B2
Examples disclosed herein include methods and systems for automatically estimating the length of an implantable catheter by measuring the pressure decay response to pumping fluid through the catheter. The decay time for a unit fluid pressure pulse generated within the catheter is proportional to the length of the catheter, i.e. as the length of the catheter increases so does the decay time. The catheter length can therefore be estimated based on, e.g., the decay time of the pressure pulse. The estimated catheter length can also be analyzed to determine if it is representative of the actual length of the catheter, or, e.g., is affected by one or more catheter malfunctions including cuts and occlusions. Systems for automatically estimating catheter length include an implantable catheter, a pumping mechanism, a pressure sensor placed in a location to measure pressure within the catheter, and a processor that calculates the length of the catheter from a pressure pulse measured while fluid is delivered through the catheter.
US08162886B2
An injection device that comprises a chamber configured for containing a substance to be injected and a needle operatively associated with the chamber and having a length sufficient to deliver the substance to an intradermal injection site. A collar surrounds the needle, defining a collar cavity. The collar also has a peripheral forward skin-contacting surface that surrounds and is radially spaced from the needle and injection site by an area that is sufficiently large to allow a patient's skin to move into the collar cavity to properly position the needle for intradermal delivery of the substance to the injection site to allow spread of the injected substance under the skin while inhibiting or preventing backpressure within the skin from forcing the substance out through the injection site.
US08162882B2
A single-use needle cover configured to obscure, protect, or hide at least a portion of a needle from view before, during, and/or after an injection and/or aspiration procedure is disclosed. In some embodiments, the cover includes a housing at least partially containing the needle and configured to couple to a syringe, wherein the housing includes an axis and a guide member. In some embodiments, a sleeve has a plurality of tracks configured to slidingly receive the guide member, wherein the sleeve is configured to retract, extend, and rotate with respect to the housing. In some embodiments, after the sleeve has been retracted and extended one time, a first locking member inhibits further retraction of the sleeve and a second locking member inhibits rotation of the sleeve.
US08162877B2
An enhanced cross stream mechanical thrombectomy catheter with backloading manifold having a distal end with outflow and inflow orifices at one side for producing concentrated cross stream jet flow for selective and concentrated thrombus ablation during thrombectomy procedures. The invention provides for suitable distancing of high powered ablation or suction forces from the near walls of the vasculature. Cross stream flow emanating from the one side of the distal end of the catheter resultantly urges the distal end of the catheter and thus the opposing non-orificed side of the distal end of the catheter toward and against the vascular wall to inhibit contact of the inflow orifice with the vascular wall. Features of the invention include a geometrically configured insert to facilitate the backloading or exchange of guidewires.
US08162876B2
An infusion set is provided for use in delivering fluid through a cannula, which is housed on a cannula housing, to a selected subcutaneous infusion site on a patient. The fluid is generally a medication, for example, insulin. The cannula is in fluid communication with a fluid passageway surrounded by a projection on the cannula housing that includes one or more rail-like extensions acting as connection guides. A connector connects the cannula housing to a fluid delivery system, such as an infusion pump. The connector includes a connecting needle and one or more guide arms that slide over the rail-like extensions to guide the needle into the self-sealing septum. The connector includes one or more locking arms, with barbs at the end, to connect with one or more recesses that are provided in the cannula housing.
US08162874B2
A method comprises measuring a volume of fluid delivered per pump stroke for each of a plurality of substantially identical medical pumps. The substantially identical medical pumps each have a fixed stroke length. The method further comprises: storing indications of the measured volumes on one or more data storage mediums; and for each of the plurality of substantially identical medical pumps, generating a separate therapy control program based on the indication of the measured volume associated with that one of the plurality of substantially identical medical pumps.
US08162873B2
An apparatus for administering a therapeutic agent is provided. The apparatus, in an embodiment, includes an ozone generator connected to a scavenger and an ozone administrator via network of tubing and valves. When activated and the valves placed in the proper position, the ozone generator will fill the ozone administrator with ozone. The ozone generator can then be turned off and the valves moved so that the administrator can be disconnected from the remainder of the apparatus. The administrator is typically in the form of a syringe and needle. Once the syringe and needle is filled with ozone, the needle can be inserted into a tissue and the ozone expressed therefrom into the tissue. Various other apparatuses and methods are also contemplated.
US08162864B2
A hip orthosis, provided with a trunk engaging part and an upper leg engaging part which are intercoupled by coupling means, wherein the coupling comprise at least one resilient element for operatively preventing an adducting movement of an upper leg engaged by the upper leg engaging part by means of spring force.
US08162858B2
An ultrasonic medical treatment device takes the form of an elongate probe having an elongate wave-generating concave surface with a longitudinal axis and ultrasonic electromechanical transducer elements for vibrating said concave surface to generate ultrasonic pressure waves focused along a linear locus extending parallel to said longitudinal axis. The probe may include a monolithic piezoelectric crystal element and electrode pairs provided along the unitary or monolithic element in a spaced array.
US08162855B2
A medical guide wire (1) is made in which at least a fluororesin coating layer (13) is formed on the surface of a metal wire (11), wherein particulate matter is present in the fluororesin coating layer (13), and the fluororesin coating layer covers the particulate matter and at least some of the particulate matter is formed in surface protrusion-shaped projections (14). It is thus possible to provide a medical guide wire that is inexpensive to manufacture and whose strength is unaffected and frictional resistance is low, and manufacturing method for the same.
US08162852B2
A device and method for aligning medical devices is disclosed. A biopsy device having a handpiece, an elongated hollow needle with a lateral tissue receiving port, and an apparatus for providing a guide path, such as a light apparatus, is described. The light apparatus can provide visible light in a generally planar form, and the hollow needle can be aligned with the plane of light provided by the light apparatus. The light guide path provides a visible path along the skin of a patient, and the path can be used to align the needle of the biopsy device with a separate, hand held probe, such as an ultrasound probe used in ultrasound imaging.
US08162851B2
A biopsy needle system includes a cylinder with an open end and a cylinder wall. A piston is inserted in the open end such that a cylinder interior volume is defined between the piston and the cylinder, the piston being movable in the cylinder. A biopsy needle is connected to the cylinder. A ventilation groove is established in the cylinder wall only to a depth of a portion of a thickness of the cylinder wall. The ventilation groove is positioned such that the cylinder interior volume of the cylinder communicates with the ambient atmosphere when the piston is displaced to a position in the cylinder so as to establish an airflow through the ventilation groove past the piston.
US08162850B2
A biopsy device includes a body having a cannula, a cutter positioned at least partly within the cannula, a tissue collection chamber, and a vacuum source. In one example, the biopsy device includes a cutter loader for rotating the cutter into a loaded position (e.g., open position). A trigger is engaged with a portion of the cutter loader and may be activated to allow the cutter to rotate back to a closed position. During this rotation, the cutter severs a tissue sample, which may thereafter be drawn through the cutter lumen into the tissue collection chamber under the influence of a vacuum created by the vacuum source. The vacuum source includes a piston configured to be operated by squeezing a scissors grip. A user may apply a single stroke or successive strokes to the piston to produce the vacuum.
US08162846B2
Structure and methodology involving mountable and head-wearable frame structure which is positionally stabilized, during use, relative a human subject's head, and which carries a selection of positionally anchored data sensors, and stimuli deliverers, that are relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of vestibular disorders. Special configurations are provided for two types of stimulators, one for sound application and air-pressure modification, and the other for the introduction of fluids to the ear. Stabilization enables tight and accurate correlation of data which is quickly analyzable by a connected, properly algorithmed computer, which can also be used for feedback control in a designed “expert” system. The invention enables, among other things, practical and significant differentiation between physiological and pathological nystagmus.
US08162841B2
Certain embodiments of the present invention are related to an implantable monitoring device to monitor a patient's arterial blood pressure, where the device is configured to be implanted subcutaneously. The device includes subcutaneous (SubQ) electrodes and a plethysmography sensor. Additionally, the device includes an arterial blood pressure monitor configured to determine at least one value indicative of the patient's arterial blood pressure based on at least one detected predetermined feature of a SubQ ECG and at least one detected predetermined feature of a plethysmography signal. Alternative embodiments of the present invention are directed to a non-implantable monitoring device to monitor a patient's arterial blood pressure based on features of a surface ECG and a plethysmography signal obtained from a non-implanted sensor.
US08162839B2
A protected resonating sensor may include at least one resonating sensor unit. Each sensor unit has one or more vibratable members. The protected sensor includes a compliant member that forms part of one or more chambers. A first side of the compliant member may be exposed to a medium in a measurement environment. The sensor unit may be any resonating sensor unit having a resonance frequency that depends on the value of a physical variable in a measurement environment. The protected sensor includes a substantially non-compressible medium disposed within the chamber(s). The substantially non-compressible medium may be a liquid or a gel. When the medium is a liquid, the chamber is sealed. When the medium is a gel, the chamber may be sealed or non-sealed. The medium is in contact the vibratable member(s) and with a second side of the compliant member. The medium may have a low vapor pressure. The protected sensor may also be attached to or included in or formed as part of any suitable device or sensor anchoring device and may also be implanted or inserted into a body or an organism. Methods are described for constructing the protected sensor.
US08162828B2
A capsule employing components for detecting blood content or hemoglobin concentration within tissue forming a lumen in vivo advantageously permits screening or diagnosis of certain diseases. In one embodiment, the capsule includes a light source for intermittently illuminating a region of tissue and a light detector for receiving interacted light from the tissue and hemoglobin therein. Methods of validating data of interacted light signal are also disclosed. A power conservation method of detecting the blood content values at different rates is further disclosed.
US08162815B2
A blood vessel preservation device is disclosed comprised of a vessel cannister, cannister cap, vessel alignment insert, pulsatile pump and both inlet and outlet tubing. The vessel canister is advantageously configured as a hollow tube-like structure with a central bore having one open terminus—the proximal terminus—and a closed distal terminus—similar to a large test tube—. Integrated embodiments of the device are disclosed wherein blood is provided from natural circulation and returns thereto. Non-integrated embodiments are also disclosed wherein sufficient blood is provided to the device and thereafter the device functions separate and apart from a patient's circulatory system.
US08162814B2
The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for treatment of male incontinence and a method for female cystocele repair in which a sling material is positioned between the descending rami of the pubic bone. In such an operation a “hammock-like” sling material is positioned below the urethra in males, or below the posterior bladder wall in the case of cystocele in females.
US08162812B2
Combined brachytherapy and ablation devices and methods. A combined brachytherapy and cryotherapy method, includes: inserting an ablation device into tissue of a subject; ablating tissue within an ablation zone of the device; detaching and removing a first part of the device while leaving a second part of the device in the tissue, the first part contacting the ablation zone; and inserting a brachytherapy rod into the second part of the device when the second part is detached from the first part, the brachytherapy rod connected to base at one end and retaining at least one radioactive seed at an opposing end, the brachytherapy rod configured and dimensioned so that when it is inserted into the device up to the base, the at least one radioactive seed is in the ablation zone.
US08162802B2
The invention relates to a method for exercising muscles with the aid of an exercise apparatus and, where appropriate, for measuring exercise conditions, where the person exercising loads the relevant muscles by increasing or decreasing the rotational energy (E(kin)), kinetic energy, of at least one rotatably mounted flywheel, by means of a traction element which is wound up and designed for acting on the flywheel, the flywheel being braked in a controlled manner by means of a brake element. The invention also relates to an exercise apparatus for exercising muscles.
US08162801B2
A control system includes an auto-stop module, an auto-start module, and a starter module. The auto-stop module stops an engine when a brake pedal position is greater than a threshold position and a transmission is in a drive gear. The auto-start module starts the engine when the brake pedal position is less than a minimum position and the engine stop is initiated. When the engine start is initiated and an engine speed is greater than zero, the starter module engages a pinion gear of a starter with a ring gear of an engine by reciprocally actuating the pinion gear N times between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein N is an integer greater than two.
US08162799B2
A method of monitoring a hydraulic or pneumatic transmission control system, which comprises a pressure supply unit with a conduit directing a pressure medium under a supply pressure, and an actuating member for a clutch control element of a friction clutch. The actuating member has a pressure space which can be connected by a clutch control valve to the conduit, and in which the supply pressure is determined by a pressure sensor that can be connected to the conduit. The method includes the steps of determining the supply pressure by the pressure sensor, given that briefly opening the clutch control valve produces a pressure increase and/or a pressure gradient of the control pressure in the pressure space, and the currently existing supply pressure can be calculated from the control pressure, the pressure increase and/or the pressure gradient.
US08162797B2
Systems and methods are provided for heating transmission fluid in a vehicle, the vehicle comprising an engine and a transmission, the engine including a heat exchanger. One example method comprises, during a first engine running condition, operating an auxiliary transmission fluid pump to generate pressure in the transmission fluid and pump transmission fluid to the heat exchanger, and during a second condition where the engine is not running, operating the auxiliary transmission fluid pump to generate pressure in the transmission fluid and pump transmission fluid to the heat exchanger.
US08162795B2
In a driving force control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle, it is configured that an engine ECU (22) can set a target engine rotational number by using a fuel consumption optimal operation-line based on an operating state of the hybrid vehicle, a main ECU (28) can set target output torque of an engine (11) and an electric motor (12) based on the operating state of the hybrid vehicle and the target engine rotational number, and the engine ECU (22) and a motor ECU (27) can control the engine (11) and the electric motor (12) based on the target engine rotational number and the target output torque, and when there is a torque down command in the main ECU (28), the engine ECU (22) sets the target engine rotational number to be higher than the target engine rotational number set by using the fuel consumption optimal operation-line, thereby improving followability of torque up control after torque down control to improve controllability.
US08162791B1
A compact transmission for use in radio controlled model electric vehicles which includes a differential assembly and a slipper clutch assembly in combination with a drive means in the form of a spur gear, all contained in a single compact unit. The unit occupies substantially the same space as the differential assembly alone and does not add any significant weight to the transmission. The differential assembly is rotatably mounted within the spur gear. Clutch pads are disposed within the central opening of the spur gear and are in slippable contact with a clutch plate which is adjacent to and prevented from independent movement by one end cap of the differential housing. The slipper clutch assembly includes an adjustment nut easily rotated to adjust the compressive force of the clutch pads against the clutch plate and fixed in place when the desired compressive force is attained. Means interposed between the adjustment nut and the spur gear enable the adjustability of the compressive force. Any adjustment can be made without having to take the mechanism apart or to remove any parts. The clutch pads and spur gear can easily be replaced as needed. In use this transmission significantly reduces damage to the motor and drive train of the model vehicle even when undergoing the most rigorous trials.
US08162781B2
A system and training method adapted to assist an individual in improving his or her basketball shooting skills and accuracy. The system includes an apparatus and glove that can be used independently or together. The apparatus is adapted for mounting to a basketball rim and includes flexible paddles for mounting to the rim so that the paddles project upwardly from the rim. The glove is adapted to be worn on the shooting hand and includes fingers, wrist and backhand portions. The fingers portion has three separate sleeves interconnected by elastic webs therebetween. The backhand portion interconnects the fingers portion to the wrist portion. The glove is configured so that the three middle fingers of the shooting hand are individually inserted into the sleeves and elastically held together by the webs, while allowing the thumb and outer finger of the shooting hand to spread outward and support the basketball during shooting.
US08162776B2
A golf club head system and a golf club head for inclusion into a golf club are provided. The golf club head includes a main body member and a secondary body member. The main body member has a striking surface, a sole portion, a crown portion, and a rear face substantially opposed to the striking surface. The main body member defines an at least substantially enclosed main body cavity. The secondary body member is attached to the main body member and extends at least substantially over the entire rear face of the main body member. The golf club head system includes two or more secondary body members, each configured for interchangeable attachment to a main body member. Each secondary body member defines an internal concavity, has a different external shape, and has a different combination of center-of-gravity and moment-of-inertia characteristics.
US08162774B2
A golf club includes: a head, formed with a hosel insertion hole, including: a female screw, formed in an inner peripheral surface of the entrance portion of the hosel insertion hole; a hosel, formed with a shaft case insertion hole and mounted on a deep portion of the hosel insertion hole; a shaft case, formed with a shaft insertion hole, a leading end portion of the shaft case being mounted into the shaft case insertion hole; a ring holder, fitted with an outer surface of the shaft case; a screw member, fitted with an outer surface of the ring holder in a peripheral direction of the ring holder; and a male screw, formed on an outer peripheral surface of the screw member so that the screw member is engaged with the female screw; and a shaft, inserted into the shaft insertion hole of the head.
US08162764B2
An object of the present invention is to ensure the miniaturization, strength, durability, load-carrying capacity, and an operating angle of a constant velocity universal joint. Six balls 3 are disposed in the constant velocity universal joint. The ratio r1 (=PCDBALL/DBALL) between the pitch circle diameter PCDBALL (PCDBALL=2×PCR) of the ball 3 and the diameter DBALL thereof is set in a range of 1.5≦r1≦4.0. The ratio r2 (=DOUTER/PCDSERR) between the outside diameter DOUTER of an outer member 1 and the pitch circle diameter PCDSERR of serrations (or splines) 2d of an inner joint member 2 is set in a range of 3.0≦r2≦5.0.
US08162747B2
A game control program is provided to improve user convenience of a game. A game control unit executes a game program, and records a history into a history holding unit while controlling progress of the game. When an operation instruction to pause the game is accepted from the user, a pause control unit stops the progress of the game with the display screen at that point in time displayed. When a request to resume the game is accepted from the user, a resume control unit resumes the game after display screens and sound are reproduced from a point in time which is a predetermined period before the pausing point up to the pausing point.
US08162746B2
A gaming system and method that enables the odds of obtaining a winning outcome or a designated outcome for a play of a game to change without modifying the paytable of the game. The gaming system makes a first determination using a first processor based on a paytable of a game. The gaming system makes a second determination using a second processor, where the second determination may be based, at least in part, on the wager amount. The gaming system displays a single game outcome to the player and either provides the player with the highest award resulting from the determinations or any awards resulting from the determinations.
US08162742B2
A gaming device including an interface unit configured to accept game play data from a player and a controller coupled to the interface unit. The controller includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores payback data. The processor is configured to receive, via the interface unit, the game play data for the player playing a game, evaluate the received game play data based on predefined criteria, determine a level of skill of the player based at least on the evaluated game play data, and adjust the payback data based on the determined level of skill of the player.
US08162737B2
A gaming system that is compatible with photonic-powered card devices is described. The gaming system may comprise a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines. The gaming machines may be operable to provide wagering on an outcome of a game of chance, display the outcome of the game of chance, accept cash or an indicia of credit and dispense an award, such as cash or indicia of credit, to a player utilizing the gaming machine. The gaming machines may be configured to accommodate a photonic-powered card including communicating with these cards via an optical communication interface. One or more transactions on the gaming machine, such as a transfer of cash or indicia of credit on or off the gaming machine or an initiation of a player tracking session, may be enabled using photonic-powered card devices and associated hardware/software.
US08162717B2
A toy vehicle includes a body supported by a plurality of wheels. The body also includes a roof and rear window supporting a plurality of user inputs. Within the toy vehicle body, a microprocessor controller drive and steering mechanism is operative. The operation of the microprocessor is set by the user inputs. The body further supports a movable bumper mouth and movable eyes and eyebrows behind the windshield.
US08162712B1
A personalized doll kit with computer generated photograph face which comprises a transfer paper having the computer generated photograph face printed in a mirror image thereon which is transferred to a piece of fabric by ironing. An interface sheet has a large circle and a concentric inner small circle. The transfer paper, fabric, and a padding member are stacked to form a face assembly. The face assembly is secured together at the large circle of the interface sheet. Excess material of the face assembly is cut away from a stitch line at the large circle, while the inner small circle is removed to form a circular aperture to expose the photograph face. By manually urging the bottom of the padding member upwardly the photograph face on the transfer paper on the piece of fabric will go through the circular aperture on the interface sheet to reverse the interface sheet.
US08162708B2
A marine propulsion system includes an engine, propellers arranged to be rotated by the engine, a transmission mechanism arranged to transmit a driving force of the engine to the propellers with a speed thereof shifted to at least a low speed reduction ratio and a high speed reduction ratio, a GPS sensor arranged to detect a position of a hull propelled by rotation of the propeller, and a control portion and an ECU arranged to control a shift between the speed reduction ratios of the transmission mechanism. The control portion is arranged to calculate a speed of the hull based on positional information of the hull. The control portion and the ECU are arranged to control a shift between the speed reduction ratios of the transmission mechanism based at least on the speed of the hull. This arrangement provides a marine propulsion system in which both acceleration performance and maximum speed can approach specific levels desired by an operator of the boat.
US08162706B2
A watercraft can have an electric motor mounted on a screw bar extending in a right/left direction. The electric motor can move along the screw bar in the right/left direction to steer an outboard motor, or another part of a different marine propulsion system. One or more springs can be provided at the ends of the screw bar. When the outboard motor whose steered angle exists in a predetermined angle range including the maximum steered angle is steered back to a neutral position, either one of the springs presses the electric motor toward the center of the screw bar to assist the steering torque of the electric motor.
US08162703B2
A marine vessel power supply system supplies power to a plurality of propulsion devices each provided with an engine. The system includes a plurality of switching units arranged to turn on and off power supplies to the propulsion devices individually, an operation judgment unit arranged to judge whether the engine of each propulsion device is in an operating state or in a stopped state, and a power supply control unit arranged to turn off a switching unit of the plurality of switching units, when a switching unit is in the ON state and if the engine of the propulsion device corresponding to the switching unit is in a stopped state for not less than a predetermined time.
US08162696B2
A dongle is formed by a module having an integrated circuit chip which is connected to contact pads which are flush with the surface of the module. The dongle is intended to be connected to a port of a telecommunications device, having electric connecting pins. The contact pads correspond to the electric connecting pins in such a way that the pads can be directly connected to the pins.
US08162688B2
Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, and have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing.
US08162687B2
A connector guide mounted in front of a receptacle connector is provided. The guide may include a press arm that helps urge a mating connector into a desired alignment. The guide is separate from the receptacle connector and serves to align contact surfaces and provide strain relief to the receptacle connector.
US08162680B2
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing and a plurality of terminals secured in the insulative housing. The insulative housing defines a front face and a rear face opposite to the front face. The housing further includes at least one tongue portion extending forwardly from the front face. At least one receiving space is recessed in the rear face and corresponding to the at least one tongue portion. Each terminal includes a retention portion secured in the insulative housing, a contact portion extending forwardly from one end of the retention portion and a tail portion extending from the other end of the retention portion. The contact portion is located on the at least tongue portion. The tail portions bend toward the front face and are received in the receiving space.
US08162643B2
The present invention provides apparatus and methods for growing fullerene nanotube forests, and forming nanotube films, threads and composite structures therefrom. In some embodiments, an interior-flow substrate includes a porous surface and one or more interior passages that provide reactant gas to an interior portion of a densely packed nanotube forest as it is growing. In some embodiments, a continuous-growth furnace is provided that includes an access port for removing nanotube forests without cooling the furnace substantially. In other embodiments, a nanotube film can be pulled from the nanotube forest without removing the forest from the furnace. A nanotube film loom is described. An apparatus for building layers of nanotube films on a continuous web is described.
US08162641B2
A blow molding machine for producing hollow bodies from heated preforms has at least one blow mold and at least one blow nozzle which can be moved vertically relative with respect to each other via a drive. To design the drive more flexibly, an electromagnetic drive is employed.
US08162625B1
A pump, reduction gear, motor combination wherein the reduction gear and pump have nesting shafts internal to at least one of the housings of the pump and reduction gears. The housings meet at cooperating front and rear flanges having a plurality of bores therethrough, and selection from a number of orientations is possible whereby a pump outlet can be selectively oriented at a number of predetermined orientations relative to the reduction gears. The reduction gears also preferably provide a base spaced from the front flange which provides for mounting to a support to thereby suspend the motor cantileveredly from the reduction gears.
US08162608B2
Wind turbine, yaw system controller and yaw system for a wind turbine and method of reducing the loads on such a yaw system.A method for reducing the loads acting on a wind turbine yaw system (19) due to yawing moments which are induced to the yaw system (19) by a rotor which comprises at least one rotor blade with a pitch control system is provided. In the method, the yawing moment which is induced to the yaw system (19) by the rotor is determined and the pitch of the at least one rotor blade is set based on the detected yawing moment such that the determined yawing moment is reduced.
US08162607B2
A rotor blade including a rotor blade profile including a profile tip region, a profile trailing edge region including a trailing edge and a profile body having a profile core. A covering skin including an upper skin and a lower skin encase the profile core. A reversibly bendable flexural actuator including a first actuator end disposed at the trailing edge region of the rotor blade profile and a second actuator end projecting past the profile body toward the trailing edge. The second actuator end forms part of the trailing edge region and forms a movable rotor blade flap, the movable rotor blade flap being deformable into an arc-shaped rotor blade flap deflection upon a bending of the flexural actuator.
US08162604B2
The guide device for the diffusor at the compressor impeller outlet of a radial compressor has guide blades with stepped inlet edges. The step is implemented by setting back the hub-side inlet edge. This meridional stepping divides the guide blades into two component blades, of which the first component blade is made longer than the second component blade. The set-back of the inlet edge of the hub-side component blade and the associated superposition of the noise fields which are produced on the front and rear inlet edge of the diffusor leads to improvement of the acoustic properties of the compressor.
US08162602B2
A cylindrical casing for a turbomachine that is suitable for receiving a rotor fitted with at least one bladed wheel is disclosed. The casing includes a device for preventing instability during contact between the casing and the bladed wheel. The device includes a succession of elements disposed around the circumference of the casing, and presenting different stiffnesses between two adjacent elements. The number of elements having the same stiffness not being equal to a multiple of the wave number of the vibratory mode of the bladed wheel that is to be inhibited. The invention is applicable to a compressor, a turbine, or a fan.
US08162598B2
A gas turbine comprises forward and aft rows of rotatable blades coupled to a disc/rotor assembly, a row of stationary vanes positioned between the forward and aft rows of rotatable blades, and rotatable sealing apparatus. Each of the stationary vanes comprises an inner diameter platform having first sealing structure. The rotatable sealing apparatus comprises seal housing apparatus coupled to the disc/rotor assembly and has second sealing structure adapted to engage with the first sealing structure.
US08162594B2
A cooled blade forming an upstream guide vane element for a turbomachine is disclosed. The airfoil includes a longitudinal cavity with a first opening at one end and a second opening at the other end, a tubular sleeve being housed in the cavity with a first end in the first opening and a second end in the second opening, first spacers on the side of the first end, and second spacers on the side of the second end of the sleeve making a space between the outer face of the sleeve and the wall of the cavity. The blade is arranged so that the sleeve is inserted into the cavity through the first opening. The first spacers are secured to the sleeve and the second spacers are secured to the wall of the cavity of the airfoil. The invention makes it possible to mount the sleeve despite an accentuated curvature of the profile of the airfoil.
US08162592B2
A heat dissipating module includes a rotational member, a stationary member and a driving member. The rotational member is provided with a first air outlet and connected to the driving member. The stationary member is provided with a second air outlet and has plural flow passages. Each of flow passages has an air inlet at an end thereof and a third air outlet at another end thereof. When the driving member actuates the rotational member to rotate, air enters the flow passages of the stationary member via the air inlets to gather at the third outlets. Then, the air is guided outward via the first and the second air outlet for concentrating the air to cool the heat-producing object.
US08162586B2
A loader parking stand includes a support leg pivoted to a loader arm which is movable between an extended and a retracted position. A retaining latch can releasably secure or lock the stand in the extended position and the retaining latch can be unlocked or released to unlock the support leg by motion of or engagement with a movable portion of the loader.
US08162582B2
A threaded connection piece, e.g., a connection piece of a sensor, includes a cylindrical base body that is able to be at least partially introduced into an accommodating opening, which is provided, at least over a part of its longitudinal extension, with a threaded section and, at its end face, with a sealing surface. In order to improve the sealing properties of the threaded connection piece when it is screwed into the accommodating opening, the cylindrical base body is developed to be elastic between the threaded section and the sealing surface.
US08162579B2
A plastic, undetachable anchor (10) to affix a component (52) to a support (54), comprising a rectangular affixing aperture (56), the anchor comprising a resilient, flange-like head (12), a hollow shank (16) subtending an axis and connected at one end to the head (12) and receiving an affixation screw (20), further resilient detent arms (40,42) connected to the shank end away from the head (14), where the detent arms (40,42) running obliquely outward toward the head (14) are fitted at their free ends with a detent shoulder (44) engaging {in the assembled state—an edge of an affixation aperture (56) facing them in order to secure the anchor (10) against being pulled out of the affixation aperture (56).
US08162568B2
A remediation system for decontaminating a polluted site that delivers a remediation fluid to the polluted site and receives a contaminated effluent from the polluted site. The system includes a reactor that receives the contaminated effluent and generates an exit fluid stream and a first flow control mechanism coupled to the outlet of the reactor that releases a controlled portion of the exit fluid from the system, and delivers the remaining portion of the exit fluid as the remediation fluid, or delivers the remaining portion to a second flow control mechanism for combination with a controlled quantity of the second reactant to form the remediation fluid.
US08162550B2
A camera apparatus and a camera system of the present invention are configured so that a lens unit is attachable/detachable. The lens unit contains at least a lens and an iris, and contains a memory storing setting information required for operating the lens and the iris. When a camera microcomputer checks detection information stored in a memory in a sub-microcomputer at a time of start-up of the camera apparatus, and first detection information is stored in the memory, the setting information is acquired from the lens unit. When second detection information is stored in the memory, the setting information is acquired from another memory in the camera apparatus. Due to this configuration, the time for shifting the switch-on to a photographable state is shortened, and the ease of convenience can be enhanced.
US08162533B2
A mixer of the present invention includes an outer cylinder into which powder material is loaded, a rotational axis which is located coaxially with the outer cylinder and discharges liquid material while forming the liquid material to fine particles, and a fin which has a rectangular shape and is disposed along an inner wall of the outer cylinder. The fin is independently revolvable around the rotational axis. The fin has side faces in a direction of revolution of the fin, each of which forms an inclined face such that a width of the fin becomes wider from an inner surface to an outer surface of the fin.
US08162532B2
A multi-component coating spray application system comprises: a source of a first coating component, a source of a second coating component, a dynamic mixer in fluid flow communication with the sources of the first and second coating components, wherein the dynamic mixer comprises a mixing chamber and a movable stirring member in the mixing chamber, and a spray gun in fluid flow communication with an outlet port of the dynamic mixer.
US08162526B2
Light emitting devices, and related components, processes, systems and methods are disclosed.
US08162513B2
An exemplary illumination device includes a solid-state light source and an anti-glare plate. The solid-state light source is configured for generating light, and the solid-state light source defines a central axis. The anti-glare plate is arranged correspondingly generally adjacent to the solid-state light source. The plate includes an incident surface and an output surface at opposite sides thereof. The output surface has parallel micro-structures each have a length parallel to a first reference axis, and the micro-structures is arranged in two groups at opposite sides of the central axis. The micro-structures are configured for contracting a radiating range of the light entering the plate. Such contraction is along respective opposite directions of a second reference axis, and the second reference axis is substantially perpendicular to the first reference axis.
US08162509B2
An industrial lamp fixture employing a high intensity lamp and suitable for use in a hazardous location or atmosphere includes a system for replacing the lamp without having to disassemble the front framework which protects the glass lens and prevents it from breaking or cracking. The fixture includes a shell having a boss extending from the shell along the direction of an elongated lampholder when placed in the operating position. The lampholder is easily removed through the boss, by hand, thereby permitting and facilitating lamp replacement without disassembly of the protective grid or lens. A tongue-in-groove arrangement both aligns the lampholder to insure proper forward orientation of the lamp in use, and fixes the position of the lamp laterally relative to the shell.
US08162503B2
A portable lighting device has at least one LED light source (2). Associated with this light source are a voltage supply (3) which can be switched on and off and a light distribution device (4) for varying a luminous intensity distribution of the light source (2).In order to improve the light distribution device in the case of such a portable lighting device in a simple way in design terms and without a considerable amount of space being required, it has a lens system (5) which can be varied in its distance in relation to the light source (2).
US08162501B2
A display device including a plurality of light sources spaced apart from one another, a refracting plate disposed over the plurality of light sources, and first and second refracting surfaces formed at both surfaces of the refracting plate to allow light emitted from the light sources to be scattered plural times by passing through the refracting plate, the first and second refracting surfaces having different shapes from each other. With the display device, light emitted from the light sources can be uniformly diffused, whereby high brightness uniformity can be accomplished even at positions relatively close to the light source, resulting in a reduction in a thickness of the display device.
US08162493B2
A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a circuit board disposed in a mirror casing rearward of a reflective element. A plurality of light emitting diodes is mounted to the circuit board for providing backlighting for a display element disposed rearward of the reflective element. With at least some of the light emitting diodes electrically actuated to emit light, light emitted by actuated light emitting diodes passes through the display element and through a partially transmissive and significantly reflective region of the reflective element for viewing of displayed information by the driver of the vehicle. Individual light emitting diodes are aligned with respective openings through a light reflecting element disposed between the circuit board and the display element. To the driver of the vehicle viewing the reflective element, the presence of the display element is substantially not apparent until at least one of the light emitting diodes is actuated.
US08162490B2
A projection type video display apparatus includes a projection lamp and a video signal processing circuit which performs video processing to an input video signal. The projection type video display apparatus includes means for performing an initializing process of the video signal processing circuit in a period until brightness of the projection lamp reaches brightness enough to project video since the projection lamp is lit and in a period except for a period during which lamp lighting noise is generated immediately after the projection lamp is lit.
US08162481B2
A method for static visual field scanning apparatus including: a step of visual field scanning screen generating means; step of scanning region setting means; step of fixation image displaying and controlling means; step of scan line setting means; step of scanning point setting means; step of visual target displaying and controlling means; step of the first detection means; step of the second detection means; step of visual field mapping screen generating means; step of immediate post first detection scan continuation means; step of immediate post second detection scan continuation means; step of visual target display coordinates storing means; step of visual target perception inability symbol mapping means; step of the first completion judgement means; step of the second completion judgement means; step of post first completion judgement the next scanning point calculation means; and step of post second completion judgement the next scanning point calculation means.
US08162457B2
An ink supply device includes a cartridge mounting portion for an ink cartridge. The ink cartridge includes: an ink chamber including a hole; and a cover configured to cover the hole. The cartridge mounting portion includes a cylinder extending in a horizontal direction and is configured to mount thereon the ink cartridge while opening the cover by the cylinder. The cylinder includes a tip surface including: a first contact surface provided in at least an entire first region of the tip surface and configured to contact the cover, the first region being located above an upper end of an inner surface of the cylinder and; a second contact surface provided in a second region of the tip surface other than the first region and configured to contact the cover, and a passage provided in the second region of the tip surface to extend in a radial direction of the cylinder to allow an inner space of the cylinder to communicate with an outside.
US08162453B2
The inkjet recording apparatus includes: print heads each of which has ejection ports through which ink is ejected; main tanks each of which stores the ink; ink supply channels which respectively connect the main tanks with the print heads; subsidiary tanks which are arranged in the ink supply channels and each of which includes an external case and an ink accommodating member that is flexible and arranged in the external case, the ink being supplied from the main tanks to the print heads through the ink supply channels and the ink accommodating members in the subsidiary tanks; a pressure buffer which is connected to spaces in the subsidiary tanks between the external cases and the ink accommodating members; a pressure reducing pump which reduces a pressure Pb inside the pressure buffer; differential pressure valves which are respectively attached to the subsidiary tanks so as to connect the spaces in the subsidiary tanks with an atmosphere; a first pressure gage which measures the pressure Pb inside the pressure buffer; and a second pressure gage which measures pressures Ps inside the spaces in the subsidiary tanks, wherein an operation of the pressure reducing pump to reduce the pressure Pb inside the pressure buffer is performed and the differential pressure valves adjust the pressures Ps inside the spaces in the subsidiary tanks so that the pressure Pb inside the pressure buffer and each of the pressures Ps inside the spaces in the subsidiary tanks have a relationship of Pb
US08162452B2
A liquid discharge device may be provided with a discharge head, a sub tank comprising a first member; and a liquid replenishment device comprising a second member to be connected to a main tank. The second member is capable of being connected to and disconnected from the first member. The liquid within the main tank is supplied to the sub tank when the second member is in a connected state with the first member. The first member comprises a first liquid path and a first valve biased in a direction where the first liquid path is closed. The second member comprises a second liquid path and a second valve biased in a direction where the second liquid path is closed. The first member and the second member may be configured to open the second liquid path first, and then open the first liquid path in a case where the second member is to be connected to the first member. The first member and the second member may be configured to close the first liquid path first, and then close the second liquid path in a case where the second member is to be disconnected from the first member.
US08162450B2
For printing, the principle of the continuous deflected jet is used: a device discharges a continuous stream of a liquid, which is deflected by an electric field created by a plurality of deflecting electrodes and directed toward a gutter. The printing of drops is performed by fragmenting the continuous jet into a segment formed opposite a shield electrode upstream of the deflecting electrode, so that the segment is not deflected and can be directed toward a substrate.The deflection electrodes are separated by an insulator and a variable potential is applied to each electrode; the potential for the entire set of electrodes cancels out such that the jet is not charged.
US08162448B2
A liquid ejection head includes a flow channel-forming substrate having a plurality of pressure-generating chambers communicated with nozzles for ejecting droplets, the pressure-generating chambers being arranged in parallel with each other; a plurality of pressure-applying units for applying pressure to interiors of the pressure-generating chambers; and a joining substrate joined onto one surface of the flow channel-forming substrate. The flow channel-forming substrate includes a silicon single crystal substrate having a (110) plane orientation and has a side surface extending in a longitudinal direction of the pressure-generating chambers, the side surface being composed of a first (111) plane perpendicular to a (110) plane. The joining substrate includes a silicon single crystal substrate having a (110) plane orientation and is joined onto the flow channel-forming substrate so that a first (111) plane of the joining substrate perpendicular to the (110) plane intersects the first (111) plane of the flow channel-forming substrate.
US08162442B2
A recording apparatus includes a head set lever which fixes a head cartridge to a carriage section. The head set lever is movable between a first position at which the head cartridge is fixed to the carriage section and a second position at which mounting and removal of the head cartridge on and from the carriage section is permitted. Attachment of an ink tank to the head cartridge is inhibited when the head cartridge is mounted on the carriage section and the head set lever is arranged at a position other than the first position.
US08162437B2
An ink jet printer for printing on a substrate comprising a first print head outputting ink and defining an ink meniscus; a platen operable to carry the substrate; a support structure; and a print head mechanism coupled to the support structure and carrying the first print head. The print head mechanism moves the first print head relative to the platen. A controller controls the print head mechanism such that at least one of a predetermined acceleration and predetermined deceleration of the print head mechanism is achieved such that the ink meniscus is operably maintained.
US08162429B2
An image forming apparatus includes a formation unit that forms an image on a recording medium by inkjetting, a suction conveyance unit that conveys the recording medium to the formation unit while adhering the recording medium by suction onto a guide surface which is a conveyance path, and a conditioning unit that conditions one surface of the recording medium before feeding the recording medium to the suction conveyance unit, wherein the conditioning unit controls a rate of moisture absorption of the one surface of the recording medium and causes the recording medium to bend such that the center portion of the recording medium separate from the guide surface of the suction conveyance unit.
US08162424B2
An ink-jet recording method includes: determining an aggregation degree G (AB) brought about when the ink A and the ink B are brought in contact with each other, at least one of the ink A and the ink B containing a pigment; judging, based on the aggregation degree G (AB), whether or not a boundary portion PC is to be formed at a boundary between a recording portion PA of the ink A and a recording portion PB of the ink B by using an ink C; forming the recording portion PA; forming the recording portion PB; and forming the boundary portion PC if it is judged that the boundary portion PC is to be formed. In the ink jet recording method, the cost is low, the recording quality of a recorded matter is excellent, and the bleeding can be effectively avoided.
US08162418B2
A door for closing a washing machine which can be loaded from the front or a tumble dryer of this type is connected to the housing by means of a hinge in such a way that the door can be pivoted over a great opening angle and terminates flushly or approximately flushly to the outside with the front face of the housing. To this end, the door-side hinge part is installed and fastened in a recessed receptacle between the frame parts and of the door. The hinge parts and each have a crescent-shaped base plate and which extends along the door frame and reaches beyond the lateral apertures and the bearing blocks which are provided in the frame.
US08162412B2
A dispenser (1) for hygienic products, has a main portion (2) attachable to a wall. The dispenser includes a door (7) pivotally mounted to a bottom portion (3) of the main portion (2). The door (7) is operable at a top portion (4) of the main portion (2) and swung out from the main portion (2) in a rotational movement upon opening. The door (7) is pivotally mounted to the main portion (2) via a pair of first and second link arms (10) describing a trapezoid arrangement when the door (7) is closed, and the trapezoid arrangement is arranged to balance the rotational movement of the door (7).
US08162409B2
A system (10) and method for automatically controlling braking of a train (38). The method includes applying a first degree of braking to the train during a first period of time, and then applying a second degree of braking to the train during a second time period following the first time period so that the train is slowed in a manner effective to limit a peak deceleration rate experienced by the train. The system includes a sensor (36) providing a signal indicative of an operating condition of a locomotive of the train requiring braking of the train, a memory (22) storing a braking schedule, and a processor (18) comprising logic executable for accessing the braking schedule stored in the memory responsive to the signal to automatically control braking of the locomotive according to the schedule.
US08162398B2
A lumbar system for use in a seat includes a frame having a first side and a second side substantially opposite the first side, a pump mounted to the second side of the frame and operable to pressurize air, and a control module mounted to the second side of the frame. The control module is in communication with the pump to receive pressurized air. The lumbar system also includes a plurality of air cells mounted to the first side of the frame. Each of the plurality of air cells individually communicates with the control module to receive variable amounts of pressurized air provided by the pump such that each air cell is independently inflatable. The frame, the pump, the control module, and the plurality of air cells are installable in the seat as a single unit by coupling the frame to the seat.
US08162393B2
A headrest includes a base member assembled to a seat back; a support plate assembled to the base member by a link mechanism; a lock mechanism which operates along with the link mechanism, whereupon the support plate springs out, a return prevention mechanism configured to prevent the support plate from returning to an initial position by a load imposed during the support plate springing out. The return prevention mechanism includes a ratchet including a step at an outer peripheral surface thereof, and a stopper rotatably attached to the base member to be capable of engaging with the step of the ratchet. The stopper is provided to be switchable between a first state in which the stopper is urged in a first rotating direction to engage with the step and a second state in which the stopper is urged in a second rotating direction opposite to the first rotating direction.
US08162389B2
A folding chair including a seat frame, a leg frame hinged to the seat frame, a hinge mechanism between the seat frame and the leg frame, a quick-release locking mechanism for releasably locking the seat frame with respect to the leg frame, and a supplemental locking mechanism including an orifice in one of the seat frame and the leg frame, an opening in the hinge mechanism aligned with the orifice when the chair is unfolded, and a fastener extending through the opening in the hinge mechanism and into the orifice to secure the seat frame to the leg frame.
US08162387B1
Disclosed herein are embodiments of a body structure of a vehicle incorporating a body panel support bracket. In one embodiment, a body structure for a vehicle comprises a first body panel having a cantilevered portion and a second body panel adjacent the first body panel. A panel hinge has a hinge arm attached to the second body panel and a base portion. The cantilevered portion of the first body panel extends over a portion of the panel hinge. A body panel support bracket is attached to the base portion of the panel hinge and comprises a body panel support portion configured to support the cantilevered portion of the first body panel.
US08162378B2
The invention relates to a motor vehicle with a roof, comprising a moving flexible roof region, provided with a cover, embodied such that the roof comprises a further roof region separate from the flexible region and divided into rigid roof sections, whereby in the fully open roof position the flexible roof region lies below a rigid roof section extending over the same in the form of a cover.
US08162373B2
A mounting system for a seat of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The mounting system includes a sliding rail, a mounting foot member and a covering member. The covering member includes a covering portion and an attachment portion. The covering portion may cover the mounting foot member. In some cases, the covering portion may cover the mounting foot member mounted in a recessed groove in a floor of a motor vehicle. The attachment portion may engage the sliding rail of the mounting system.
US08162364B2
A hooking device for moving systems of rolling cylinders includes a load-bearing lifting structure of a cylinder provided with a gripping structure and an upper hooking structure suitable for keeping the device in a raised position. The device also includes a non- load bearing tilt compensation structure. The tilt compensation structure includes a series of guides, where each guide is provided with at least one mass element. The at least one mass element is moveable along the guide.
US08162358B2
A lock device includes a casing formed in a housing for rotatably receiving a rotary member which has an actuating finger and which is coupled to a handle with a driving shank, and a spring biasing device attached to the housing and engaged with the actuating finger of the rotary member for biasing the handle back to an original position and for biasing the actuating finger of the rotary member back to an original position when the handle is released, the spring biasing device is locked to the housing with a fastener to disengage the follower from the actuating finger of the rotary member when a spring biasing member is engaged between the handle and the housing to bias the handle back to an original position.
US08162355B2
An inflatable safety system for a vehicle, the safety system including an inflator assembly and an airbag assembly. The safety system further includes an airbag inflator connector securely connecting the inflator assembly to the airbag assembly. The inflator assembly and the airbag assembly may be connected to one another at a connection in which a male portion that includes a first exterior projection extends into a tube having a second exterior projection. The airbag inflator connector has, among other elements, a first and second reaction surface, such that the first reaction surface is positioned adjacent a surface of the first projection, and the second reaction surface is positioned adjacent a surface of the second projection.
US08162352B2
A travel trailer configured to be coupled to and towed by a vehicle is provided. The travel trailer has a compartment that is attached to a chassis which includes a front end and a rear end. A plurality of wheels are attached to the chassis adjacent the rear end, and a hitch assembly is attached to the chassis adjacent the front end. The compartment at the front end of the chassis forms first and second corners. A recess, directed inwardly toward the interior of the compartment, is located at each corner of the compartment. Cavities formed by each recess may receive a portion of the vehicle while the vehicle is engaged in a turn.
US08162349B1
A collapsible carrier having four corner post members. Framing assemblies extend between adjacent corner post members and form collapsible “X” shaped assemblies. A storage container is suspended within the carrier and a central bracing assembly is disposed above the container. The central assembly includes four rigid members and a centrally located bracket. The carrier can be easily deployed by pressing the centrally located bracing bracket downwardly to lock the carrier into an expanded configuration. The carrier may also include a collapsible shelf. Another collapsible carrier having a hand truck configuration is also disclosed. The hand truck carrier includes a pivotal support structure with hinged cross members. A linkage member extends between the hinges of the cross members to facilitate the collapse of the carrier.
US08162346B2
A mobile chair assembly includes a pair of wheels rotatably supported by a frame, a seat assembly mounted to the frame; and a transfer board assembly movable between a first position and a second position. The transfer board assembly includes a rigid transfer board and an attachment assembly. In the first position, the rigid transfer board and the attachment assembly are disposed under the seat assembly and in the second position, the rigid transfer board extends laterally from the seat assembly. The seat assembly includes a seat support pivotable relative to the frame; and a back support pivotably attached to a back of the seat support. In a folded position, the seat support and back support form an acute angle to one another and the seat support is inclined relative to the frame.
US08162344B2
The present disclosure describes an axle and hub structure for attaching a wheel to a bicycle or motorcycle, where the bearings for rotationally supporting the axle and hub are positioned on the frame, and the axle rotates relative to the frame. In one embodiment, a structure for attaching a wheel to one of a motorcycle or bicycle includes an axle having opposing end portions and supporting a wheel, at least one left axle support collar, at least one right axle support collar, a bearing in the left axle support collar and supporting one end portion of the axle, and a bearing in the right axle support collar and supporting an opposing end portion of the axle. The axle rotates relative to the frame.
US08162341B2
Disclosed is an attachment structure of a steering damper for a vehicle. The steering damper is provided between a top bridge and a head pipe. The top bridge rotates about a steering stem in conjunction with the operation of a handlebar, while the head pipe does not rotate in conjunction with the operation of the handlebar. In the attachment structure, in a state where the steering angle of the handlebar is zero, the axis of the steering damper forms an obtuse angle with the axis of a bolt to which an upper portion of the steering damper is attached.
US08162333B1
An apparatus that combines the functionality of a high chair and a child walker into one integral device is herein disclosed. The frame extends upward using a tubular structure which allows the apparatus to raise from a lower walker height thereto a high chair height. The apparatus provides an interchangeable seat system comprising a textile walker seat and a semi-rigid high chair seat with a footrest. Additionally, the wheels lock into place to prevent the apparatus from rolling about while in the raised high chair position. The overall tray area surrounding the child then serves as a table upon which the child can eat.
US08162331B2
A utility cart assembly comprises a shopping cart, a storage unit, and at least one coupling strap. The shopping cart includes a basket and wheels positioned below the basket. The storage unit is coupled to and extends substantially entirely outside the basket. The storage unit defines a first panel positioned adjacent the basket, a second panel opposite the first panel, and a compartment defined between the first panel and the second panel. The second panel defines an opening and the compartment is accessible through the opening. The at least one coupling strap facilitates coupling of the storage unit to the basket. The storage unit is configured to customize the shopping cart for non-consumer use within a retail store. Other product, cards, assemblies and associated methods are also disclosed.
US08162328B2
By bending and stretching a link mechanism, both left and right wheels of a vehicle can be inclined toward inside of cornering to generate a camber thrust as a lateral force, i.e. an increase in cornering force. Further, by bending and stretching the link mechanism, the passenger compartment can be inclined in accordance with inclination of a connecting link, and thus the center of gravity of the vehicle can be moved toward its inner wheel during cornering. By preventing lifting of the inner wheel during cornering, cornering performance is improved. Because the passenger compartment is inclined toward the inner wheel during cornering, centrifugal force is less likely to be felt by the occupant.
US08162326B2
The invention relates to a flat gasket, having at least one metallic layer in which at least one port is formed, the metallic layer or at least one of the metallic layers (1) being formed at least in regions in the form of an undulating and/or serrated profiling (2) around the port(s).
US08162322B2
A seal assembly which operates efficiently at high altitudes and low surface speeds includes a first seal ring, a second seal ring, and hydropads. The first seal ring is of a generally annular shape and defining radial and circumferential directions. The second seal ring is positioned in facing relation to the first seal ring and rotatably mounted relative to the first seal ring about an axis of rotation. A plurality of hydropads formed on one of the first seal ring and second seal ring provides a lift force that varies about the circumference of the mating ring.
US08162321B1
A bullet trap is provided having a housing, a plurality of downward sloping ramps, and a bullet receptacle. The bullet trap may provide a low cost, easy to maintain and effective bullet trap solution for firing ranges.
US08162320B2
A target stand providing improved adjustability is provided. The target stand is suitable for use in reality-based training methods and may advantageously position a target holder in realistic settings for an improved training experience. The target stand has at least one target holder for securing at least one of a target and/or target trap, may be height adjustable, may support the target holder on flat and non-flat surfaces, and may allow for adjustment of the target holder in at least two axes of rotation.
US08162316B2
A game system is provided that includes at least one game device and at least one game piece. The game piece includes game information, which is not readily legible to the naked eye, and is projected onto a game surface. A device is also provided for playing a game that is configured to receive a game piece that is at least semi-transparent and contains information thereon not readily legible to the naked eye. Also provided is a game piece that is at least semi-transparent that includes game information that is not readily legible by the human eye that is insertable in a game device for projecting or viewing the game information. A figurine is also provided that includes a plurality of semi-transparent game pieces containing indicia or images thereon. The figurine also includes a rotatable portion and an aperture configured for viewing or projecting the indicia or images.
US08162312B2
A sheet pick-up device of an automatic document feeder is provided. The sheet pick-up device includes a two-way clutch transmission mechanism, a sheet pick-up arm, a stopper and a linking assembly. When the two-way clutch transmission mechanism is operated to have the sheet pick-up arm move to a standby position, the stopper is moved with the linking assembly to be in a stopping position. Whereas, when the two-way clutch transmission mechanism is operated to have the sheet pick-up arm move to a sheet pick-up position, the stopper is in a non-stopping position. The sheet pick-up device has enhanced operating stability.
US08162304B2
A sheet finisher of the invention includes a saddle stitch unit configured to stitch a center of a sheet bundle in which printed sheets are bundled, a fold unit configured to fold the center stitched by the saddle stitch unit and to form a fold line, a fold reinforcing unit that includes a reinforce roller, moves the reinforce roller along a direction of the fold line while applying pressure by the reinforce roller to the fold line of the sheet bundle transported from the fold unit, and reinforces the fold line, and a control unit configured to transport the sheet bundle from the fold unit to the fold reinforcing unit and to control to stop the fold line of the sheet bundle at a position of the reinforce roller, and the control unit changes, according to a thickness of the sheet bundle, a transport distance from a specified position in the fold reinforcing unit to the position where the sheet bundle is stopped.
US08162303B2
A sheet processing apparatus includes a folding roller pair, a sheet pushing member, and a detection unit. The folding roller pair folds a sheet or a sheet bundle by a nip portion. The sheet pushing member results in a tip pushing a portion between two ends of the sheet or sheet bundle into the nip portion and then performs a tip returning operation. The detection unit detects whether the tip reaches a predetermined position within a predetermined time. When the tip does not reach the predetermined position within the predetermined time, the sheet pushing member retries the pushing operation after performing the returning operation. When the tip reaches the predetermined position within the predetermined time, the sheet pushing member stops the pushing operation and controls rotation driving of the folding roller pair such that the folding roller pair starts to convey the sheet or sheet bundle.
US08162300B2
A clamping device has a top part (1) provided with an adjusting mechanism for a clamping arm that can be pivoted into a clamping position and an opening position on the top part (1). A housing (7) carries the top part (1). The housing has an inner region to receive a linearly mobile adjusting rod that is connected, at one end, to the adjusting mechanism (3) and to a drive, at the other end, arranged in the housing (7). The housing (7) has an extruded hollow profiled element (8). The inner region of the extruded element (8) has a uniform inner cross-section over its entire length.
US08162299B2
A vibration isolator system for attaching a payload to a supporting base is provided, the payload having a center of mass and the system consisting of at least three vibration isolating pods. Each pod has two associated, non-parallel, elastic struts. A first end of each strut is attached to the supporting base and a second end of each strut is attached to the payload at a respective mounting point, and the a projected elastic center of the system is substantially co-located with said center of mass. The vibration isolator system is operable to substantially prevent translational vibration of the supporting base from inducing angular rotation of the payload.
US08162295B2
A reaction vessel assembly achieves enhanced aeration or gas exchange in its gas-in-liquid multiphase mixing reaction through the use of its mixing energy and gas-lift venting, and without the traditionally practiced external line gas sparging. It combines the best of both shake flask and stirred tank reactor vessel and possesses some of the key generic features like cost and parallel experiment advantages of the traditional flasks and shaker hybrid but without their shortcomings like limited gas exchange and uncharacteristic mixing.
US08162294B2
There is described a water carbonation apparatus in which two carbonation units (10, 11) are linked to a volumetric control unit (9) which stores a volume of carbonated water ready for use. When carbonated water is to be discharged, the stored carbonated water from the volumetric control unit (9) is discharged, while simultaneously carbonated water from one of the carbonation units (10, 11) is discharged into the other carbonation unit (11, 10) is filled with uncarbonated water from the volumetric control unit (9), and a volume of uncarbonated water is drawn from a water supply (2) into the volumetric control unit. The volumetric control unit (9) in one embodiment comprises a pair of piston and cylinder assemblies which together define four internal chambers (21, 22, 23, 24), the pistons being linked together such that the volumes of the four internal chambers vary at the same rate.
US08162292B2
An animal barrier device comprising one or more rotating bodies and fixture structures, in which in use the fixture structures, rotatably support the one or more rotating bodies on a construction with which the animal barrier is used, in which each rotating body is an elongate body which rotates in use about a longitudinal axis, and in which the longitudinal axis is located at any point on a line between a center of the rotating body and a point below the rotating body.
US08162287B2
A valve assembly for modulating fuel flow is disclosed which includes a valve housing having an inlet section and an outlet section, at least one valve rotor disposed between the inlet section and the outlet section for modulating fuel flow through the valve housing, wherein the at least one valve rotor is formed from a ferritic magnetic flux permeable material and is mounted for rotational movement within the valve housing, under the influence of a torsion spring, between first and second magnetically latched positions, and a pair of electromagnets means for alternately latching the at least one valve rotor in the first and second magnetically latched positions.
US08162286B2
Stable flow control is made possible even under high-temperature environments by relieving tensional force applied to a piezoelectric element when a piezoelectric actuator is retracted. Thus, a piezoelectric driven control valve includes: a body having a valve seat; a metal diaphragm to contact with and separate from the valve seat; an actuator box supported ascendably and descendably on the body; a split base fixed to the body; a disc spring pressing and urging the actuator box downward to bring the metal diaphragm into contact with the valve seat; and a piezoelectric actuator housed inside the actuator box and that extends upward with application of voltage to press the actuator box upward against the elastic force of the disc spring, and a precompression mechanism, for applying a compression force constantly to piezoelectric elements in the piezoelectric actuator, provided between the split base and the piezoelectric actuator.
US08162284B1
A warning flag deployment system includes a mount having a closed bracket having a contact wall. A rod positioning member has a stowed retention wall and a deployed retention wall angularly oriented to the stowed retention wall. An open bracket has an open bracket leg and a standoff leg spacing the open bracket leg from a surface of the mount defining plane. A flag support rod is connected to the mount and is rotatable between a stowed condition and a deployed condition. The stowed condition has the flag support rod positioned between the contact wall and the stowed retention wall of the rod positioning member. The deployed condition has the flag support rod positioned between the rod positioning member deployed retention wall and the standoff leg and at least partially in a cavity defined between the plane and the open bracket leg.
US08162281B2
A folding presentation pad easel, particularly suited for a classroom or teaching environment, utilizes a support spine and a leg element with additional legs to form a rigid triangular base, a supporting column, and a telescopic support, with pivotal supports therebetween. Superior stability is provided as well as a minimum required floor space to the rear of the easel, a feature which is particularly desirable in a classroom. When the easel is folded it has a set of wheels and a handle in which can be used for mobility.
US08162279B2
A mount structure includes a base and a bearer. The base has a slot, and at least one combining block is disposed protruding from the slot. The bearer has a bearing portion and a combining portion. The bearing portion is connected to a display, and the combining portion is installed in the slot through hooks, buckles, latches, screws, or other combining methods, such that the bearer is fixed on the base. Moreover, the combining portion is provided with reinforcing ribs for enhancing the structural strength of the bearer.
US08162262B2
A reconfigurable aircraft and associated methods. In one embodiment the reconfigurable aircraft comprises a plurality of payload retainers. The payload retainers are configured to receive and retain payloads, including fuel, armaments and sensors. The aircraft is configured to cooperate in flight with an airborne supply vehicle to receive the payloads from the supply vehicle.
US08162256B2
A launch and capture system for capturing a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicle having a thruster and a duct configured to direct airflow generated by the thruster includes a capture plate and an extension. The capture plate is configured to alter the airflow and generate a force attracting the duct to the capture plate. The extension is coupled to the capture plate, and is configured to at least facilitate holding the VTOL vehicle against the capture plate.
US08162255B2
Apparatus and methods provide for the use of a lift-producing body with a landing gear assembly in order to provide a lifting force during landing gear operations that reduces the load on the landing gear actuator. According to embodiments, the lift-producing body may be configured for attachment to the landing gear assembly. The lift-producing body may be reconfigured while the landing gear assembly is being retracted or deployed in order to maximize the aerodynamic lift created by the lift-producing body or to minimize the drag induced by the lift-producing body.
US08162249B2
A chipper knife that is adapted to be mounted in chippers which have a rotatable tool, in the form of a disc, drum or frustoconical member, on which a plurality of such chipper knives are mounted has at least a first side having a raw, unworked surface or working stripes extending in the longitudinal direction of the chipper knife, substantially parallel to the cutting edge which also has a cutting edge portion extending inwardly from the cutting edge and terminating in a shoulder extending parallel to the cutting edge to provide a clearance step on the knife behind the shoulder with respect to the adjacent knife surface, which edge portion also has working stripes formed therein transverse that cutting edge portion and at an angle to the cutting edge.
US08162247B2
A grinding system includes a mortar container having an open top portion and a bottom portion having a first interior grinding surface and a wall portion interconnecting the top and bottom portions for defining a hollow interior collection chamber, a modular pestle assembly including a universal pestle shaft having at its proximate end an actuator portion extending above the top portion and at its distal end a mounting portion for receiving one of a set of pairs of matching tips and pestle collars, the pestle tip having a second grinding surface for engaging the first grinding surface, and a closure device sealingly engageable with the pestle assembly and the open top portion for sealing the container and the collection chamber between the grinding surfaces and the top portion of the mortar container.
US08162242B2
A method for the removal of wood pulp and other adhering substances from waste plastics in the recycling of all types of waste plastics, of mixed plastics (MKS) in particular, in which foils and pieces from thicker plastic parts of if necessary pre-sorted waste plastics are mechanically pre-shredded into flakes or particles up to a preset size, wherein oversizes are sorted out, the shredded product is charged into a disc refiner together with water, wherein the proportion of flakes and other particles is at least 10% of the total volume, substances adhering on the flakes are rubbed down by the co-operating discs of the refiner to a large extent, and are then present as separate substances, and the substances rubbed down are separated from the plastic particles by a suitable separation method.
US08162239B2
A nozzle that produces an outlet velocity air, or other fluid jet, is provided with safety passages which achieve the safety requirement of automatically reducing the local exit pressure “dead end” limit to 30 psig or less when the nozzle outlet is partially or completely obstructed. The safety passages do not reduce the effectiveness of the normal function of the air, or other fluid, jet through the provision of a check valve to block undesirable reverse flow in the safety passage(s) thus avoiding ambient fluid flow to the nozzle exit that degrades the nozzle's normal operating air, or other fluid, jet. This is especially useful for supersonic air gun nozzles which have been adapted to digging in the ground, and other purposes, but it is also useful for sonic and subsonic nozzles that are used for other purposes such as cleaning, and other applications.
US08162234B2
A nozzle arrangement for generating a water jet has a nozzle plate having a nozzle opening. In order for the nozzle arrangement to be able to generate a water jet that provides improved utilization as a light guide also in bodies of water with wave motion and that is constructively simple and producible in an inexpensive way, it has a nozzle sleeve that surrounds the nozzle opening at least partially and is arranged on the nozzle plate and is provided with an inner sleeve wall surface that surrounds a water jet exiting from the nozzle opening at a safety spacing. The safety spacing prevents unwanted contact with the water jet.
US08162225B2
There is described a data collection device that can incorporate an encoded information reading unit that can operate within a system including an access point that is wireline connected to a server. The encoded information reading unit can include at least one of a bar code reading unit, an RFID tag reading unit and a credit/debit card reading unit. Further incorporated in the data collection device can be dynamic access module. The dynamic access communication module enables the data collection device to participate in a self organized network that supports multi-hop data packet transmissions between data collection devices and which further enables the device to transmit data received from a peer device to the system access point.
US08162220B2
A product and method for decoding information is provided. The product includes a sensor for detecting a plurality of marks on a surface to obtain associated mark location data, at least a first group of the plurality of marks being arranged on the surface so as to define an invisible raster with predetermined dimensions and marks in at least a second group of the plurality of marks are displaced from raster locations in a manner encoding information, and a processor for receiving from the sensor at least some of the mark location data, the processor determining, using the received mark location data, a position of the invisible raster on the surface, and decoding information based on positions of at least some of the marks in the second group of the plurality of marks relative to locations on the invisible raster.
US08162218B2
A method of operating an optical reader having a 2D image sensor array having an array of rows and columns of pixels comprising the steps of: (a) configuring the image sensor array to output a select set of pixels; (b) capturing an image; (c) outputting the pixel data from the select set of pixels to memory; (d) processing the pixel data for information bearing indicia (IBI); (e) reconfiguring the image sensor array to output a different set of pixels; (f) repeating steps (b) through (e).
US08162217B2
A magnetic head is held by a side wall through a head fixing fitting so as to freely advance into and retreat from a card sliding groove. First and second head urging levers are swingably supported through a pin. In a standby state, the magnetic head is away from the card travel groove, and card engaging sections of the first and second head urging levers are staying in the card travel groove. When a magnetic card slides in a card sliding direction, the magnetic card makes contact with a card contact section to push the card contact section away from the card travel groove. This causes the first head urging lever to push out the magnetic head into the card travel groove so that the magnetic head makes contact with the magnetic card.
US08162213B2
The present disclosure includes methods and systems for identifying articles. One method embodiment includes positioning a number of movable Faraday screens in particular locations relative to a number of different stages in a laundering process, and moving a mobile electronic identification device (EID) reader past the locations.
US08162197B2
A surgical device is described herein that can be used to fire different types and sizes of disposable loading units. In a preferred embodiment, the device applies parallel rows of surgical fasteners to body tissue and concomitantly forms an incision between the rows of staples during an endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical procedure. The device can be utilized with disposable loading units configured to apply linear rows of staples measuring from about 15 mm in length to about 60 mm in length and can be used to fire disposable loading units containing surgical clips and individual staples.
US08162182B2
A bar gun handle having a housing assembly including an inlet in fluid communication with a valve bore, an outlet in fluid communication with the valve bore and in further fluid communication with an output nozzle, a valve element operatively mounted in the valve bore to control the flow of fluid from the inlet to the output nozzle, with an actuator coupled to the valve element, and a cladding layer disposed on a side of the bar gun handle that substantially covers the side of the bar gun handle. The present invention also includes a kit used to provide a protective cladding to a bar gun handle.
US08162174B2
This is an improved retrieval mechanism for vending machines that includes a sophisticated positioning system, gripper and trays for improved efficiency in product retrieval and delivery. Following product selection, the positioning system quickly transports the gripper through the X-Y plane to the front of a tray queue containing the selected product. The gripper is extended in the Z-direction, and its fingers grasp the foremost product container in the queue. The gripper is raised in order to clear a retaining lip in the queue and then retracts, and the positioning system transports the gripper carrying the product container to a delivery port. The gripper then releases the product which slides down a chute into a delivery port for customer pick up. Unique product storage trays are provided which work in conjunction with the gripper to allow only the foremost product to be removed from a tray queue. Related methods are also disclosed.
US08162169B2
A paint tray includes a cavity defined by a bottom wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wall, and a second sloping end wall. Each of the first side wall, second side wall, first end wall, and second sloping end wall inclines upwardly and outwardly from the bottom wall. The cavity terminates at a top edge. The paint tray also includes a top tray rim adjacent the top edge of the cavity, a perimeter rim that inclines downwardly and outwardly from the top tray rim, a handle disposed at an edge of the perimeter rim proximate each end wall, and a leg panel extending downwardly and outwardly from each of a first side and a second side of the perimeter rim proximate the second sloping end wall. The leg panel has a bottom edge that is co-planar with the bottom wall.
US08162166B2
A hole plug comprising: a main body part including a cover flange portion for covering an opening, an insertion portion extended from a central portion of a back surface of the cover flange portion to be inserted into the opening, and an engaging portion formed on an outer periphery of the insertion portion to be engaged with a back side peripheral edge of the opening; a thermo-softening resin member mounted on a peripheral edge of the cover flange portion and allowed to flow into a clearance between the cover flange portion and an opening peripheral edge of the plate-shaped member, thereby fixing them together; and an elastic flange portion extended in a skirt-like manner from the back surface of the cover flange portion toward the peripheral edge of the opening and elastically contactable with the peripheral edge of the opening of the plate-shaped member.
US08162159B2
The modular garage storage system includes a geared retraction system that allows a storage platform of the modular garage storage system to be lowered for easy access to loading and loading the storage platform, and that allows the storage platform to be raised up to be completely out of the way.
US08162149B1
Disclosed herein are methods and devices utilizing a fluid displacer in a closed-loop fluid circuit.
US08162140B2
A container and method of using the container to maintain an excised tissue specimen in a fixed orientation during transport and imaging is described. The container includes a body, a flexible, soft retainer capable of holding various sized specimens, an adjustable soft retainer that interacts with the body to retain the specimen against the soft retainer without significant compression or distortion, and a lid that snaps tightly to the body reducing bodily fluid leakage when the container is placed in a horizontal position, and preventing contamination of the specimen.
US08162133B2
A support device for conveying heavy loads includes a support body and a roller body which revolves around the support body, wherein the roller body includes a series of support rollers and distancing rollers, the distancing rollers have a smaller diameter than the support rollers, and the distancing rollers in each case space consecutive support rollers from one another, and the support device is provided for supporting a load which moves along a support region, and the roller body at least in the support region is covered in its whole width by a belt, and thus in the support region, the support rollers roll on the support body and on the belt.
US08162128B2
A component mounting apparatus includes: a load area to load a substrate; an unload area to unload the substrate; a main area interposed between the load and unload areas, including a first area including a first mounting area, a second area including a second mounting area, and a third area interposed therebetween; two mounting units to mount, on the substrate, first and second components in the first and second mounting areas, respectively; a conveyor group to convey the substrate, including first to fourth conveyors, the second and fourth conveyors being capable of receiving the substrate from the first and third conveyors in the first and second areas, respectively; and a driving mechanism capable of moving at least one of the first and second conveyors between the first and third areas and moving at least one of the third and fourth conveyors between the second and third areas.
US08162127B2
A dynamic storage for objects having an endless conveyor chain equipped with receptacles for the objects and having at least two contrarotating upper pulleys that are adjustable in height such that the conveyor chain forms two essentially vertical loops whose variable lengths are defined by the upper pulleys, the stationary lower pulleys rotating in essentially horizontal planes and being connected to the essentially vertical loops by curved guides for the conveyor chain.
US08162122B2
A drive disconnect device for releasably connecting an electrical generator to a drive shaft, the drive disconnect device comprising an output shaft and at least one drive transfer element movable from a first position where it drivingly connects the drive shaft and the output shaft to a second position where the driving connection is removed, wherein operation of the disconnect device causes the electrical generator to become electrically isolated or excitation for the generator to be inhibited.
US08162109B2
In an elevator system, a group supervisory control apparatus selects a car responding to a destination call registration performed on a landing destination operating panel. A limit value of the number of destination call registrations for stop floors existing in the same direction from the same stop floor is set in the group supervisory control apparatus in a manner corresponding to the stop floor. The group supervisory control apparatus counts the number of destination call registrations for the stop floors existing in the same direction from the same stop floor in response to the destination call registration performed on the landing destination operating panel, and limits the number of destination call registrations to be allocated to the single car according to a limit value corresponding to the stop floor.
US08162105B1
A fire escape device featuring a housing mountable outside windows, the bottom panel of the housing is pivotally attached to the back panel, the bottom panel can move between an open position and a closed position; a collapsible chain ladder attached to the back panel of the housing, the collapsible chain ladder can move between a rolled position an unrolled position wherein the collapsible chain ladder hangs downwardly from inside the housing; and a securing mechanism that can move between an engaged and disengaged position, when the securing mechanism is in the engaged position the bottom panel is in the closed position and the chain ladder is in the rolled position, when the securing mechanism is moved to the disengaged position the bottom panel is moved to the open position and the chain ladder can move from the rolled position to the unrolled position and fall downwardly from the housing.
US08162095B2
A vehicle by-wire steering system includes a hydraulic default level. A hydraulic feed unit and a hydraulic actuating unit can be connected together by two hydraulic lines such that when an actuator is non-functional, a steering wheel rotational angle is transformed into a corresponding wheel steering angle by the hydraulic feed unit and the hydraulic actuating unit. The hydraulic lines can be connected together by a switchable steering valve, which is designed as a proportional servo valve, of which the flow cross section can be adjusted in essence continuously between the two extremes of completely closed and completely open.
US08162089B2
The present invention discloses a human powered and electricity balanced personal vehicle, which comprises: a main body for bearing a driver; a set of powered wheels being two coaxial wheels; a manpower inputting device being provided for the driver to input manpower into the personal vehicle; an electricity converting device for converting electricity to power and inputting the power into the personal vehicle; a transmission device for receiving the manpower inputted by the manpower inputting device and the power inputted by the electricity converting device, and inputting mixed power of the manpower and power into the powered wheels; an operation device being provided for the driver to control the moving state of the personal vehicle; a plurality of vehicle movement detecting devices for detecting the moving state of the personal vehicle and the operating condition of the driver; and a control unit for receiving and analyzing the signals of the plurality of vehicle movement detecting devices and controlling the electrical output of the electricity converting device.
US08162083B2
ThemeTo provide a small-sized crawler device that can stably ride over bumps or steps or stairs.Means to SolveThe crawler device includes a device body (1) having main crawlers (20) on its left and right and auxiliary crawlers (30) provided as auxiliary members at one end portion of the device body. Before the crawler device ascends a step or stairs with the auxiliary crawler (30) positioned backward, the controller (65) brings the auxiliary crawler (30) into a preparatory state in which the auxiliary crawler (30) is freely rotatable with respect to the main crawler (20) or the auxiliary crawler (30) is maintained in a position above a line extending longitudinally from the main crawler by a predetermined angle. After the main crawler (20) starts ascending the step or stairs and when a tilt angle of the device body (1) detected by a tilt sensor (60) reaches or exceeds a threshold angle, the controller (65) controls the auxiliary crawler (30) to be rotated downward to reduce the tilt angle of the device body (1), thereby preventing the crawler device from toppling backward.
US08162081B2
A force balanced asymmetric drilling reamer comprising a plurality of blades, each blade having at least one cutter section and a gage section. The cutter section is designed to have a plurality of cutting devices for cutting through swelling formations and cutting free sloughing formations. The gage section has a full bore diameter with gage elements flushly coupled to gage section's outer surface. The blades may be curve/concave shaped or boomerang/chevron shaped, which thereby agitate the cutting beds. At least a portion of the drilling reamer's diameter is incrementally force balanced, starting from the outermost diameter, so that the net radial force is less than 10% of weight on bit with respect to the center of rotation. This balancing allows a greater cutter longevity and provides for a better wellbore condition. Optionally, at least a portion of the drilling reamer's surface may be treated by nitriding for repelling the cuttings.
US08162079B2
A system and method for excavating a formation according to which at least one vessel that is selectively pressurized from a first pressure to second pressure to inject a suspension of liquid and a plurality of impactors into a formation to remove at least a portion of the formation.
US08162076B2
A system and method for downhole measurement for use with drill strings to reduce the borehole gap with respect to sensors carried by the drill string. In one embodiment, the sensors are mounted on a surface of the directional drilling hinged pad that comes in contact with the borehole wall. The hinged pad is pressed against the borehole wall as contact is made with the wall, thereby keeping the sensors at a minimum gap with respect to the wall. In another embodiment, the hinged pad is not used for directional drilling. Therefore the hinged pad is extended outward to the wall with the minimum necessary amount of force. Activation of the hinged pad can be initiated, for example, by flow of mud in the annulus of the string or through a user-provided command. The sensors can include resistivity, density, neutron, electromagnetic, acoustic, seismic, and NMR measurement sensors.
US08162056B2
A method of treating a subterranean formation includes pumping into a cased, perforated wellbore that intersects the formation an invert emulsion kill fluid, the invert emulsion kill fluid comprising: an oleaginous continuous phase; a non-oleaginous discontinuous phase; an emulsifier; at least one degradable material; and at least one bridging material; contacting the formation with the kill fluid; and allowing the degradable material to at least partially degrade.
US08162055B2
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for managing cement in a subterranean zone. In some implementations, a method of cementing in a subterranean formation includes positioning a cement slurry including a plurality of activation devices in a wellbore. The activation devices configured to release an activator that increases a setting rate of the cement slurry. A signal is transmitted to at least a portion of the cement slurry to activate the activation devices. The activation device releases the activator in response to at least the signal.
US08162047B2
An apparatus for reverse circulation cementing of surface casing in subterranean formations and associated methods are provided. One example of a method may involve a method of reverse circulation cementing a surface casing in a well bore with a conductor casing positioned therein comprising: providing a tool comprising at least one isolation device coupled to the surface casing; positioning the isolation device in the well bore to isolate an annulus between the surface casing and the conductor casing; flowing cement through a port in the conductor casing in a reverse circulation direction; and allowing the cement to set therein.
US08162038B2
A heat sink assembly includes a base, a fin group located at a top of the base, a heat pipe connecting the base with the fin group, a fan mounted on a side of the fin group and a supporting bracket mounted on the base and supporting the fan. The supporting bracket includes a mounting portion secured on the base and a pair of supporting arms extending from the mounting portion and fixed to the fan. Four screws extend through the fan to threadedly engage with the fin group. Lower two of the screws also extend through the supporting arms of the supporting bracket whereby the supporting bracket also connects with the fan.
US08162034B2
An elongated structure (100) for the transmission of fluid-based compositions at non-ambient temperatures comprising a first conduit (130) for the transmission of a fluid-based composition, at least one flexible, elongated and inflatable temperature control conduit (110a, 110b) for the transmission of a temperature control fluid, the temperature control conduit (110a, 110b) having a relatively rigid elongated reinforcement member (116a, 116b); and elongated cover (140) holding said temperature control conduit (100a, 110b) in thermal communication with the first conduit (130).
US08162030B2
The invention relates to a mould for casting metal, having a plurality of temperature measuring devices (300) that are arranged in a wall (100) of the mould in order to detect the temperature distribution at that location. In order to make it easier to install the plurality of temperature measuring devices in the wall and in order to increase the reliability of the measurement results from said devices, it is proposed according to the invention to arrange the temperature measuring devices (300) such that they are positioned fixedly with respect to one another in a module (400), such that the temperature measuring devices together with the module form a structural unit which can be preassembled before the mould is installed. The structural unit is then fastened in or to the wall of the mould as the mould is being assembled.
US08162022B2
A method of applying graphics to a set of articles with a graphic transfer assembly is disclosed. The method includes a step of selecting an article from a set of articles comprising different types of articles. After selecting a last that may be associated with the article, the last may be attached to a last assembly of the graphic transfer assembly. With the article attached to the graphic transfer assembly, a deformable membrane may apply graphics to curved portions of the article.
US08162020B2
A thermal imaging system for a battery module enclosure that includes first and second battery module enclosure components between which a weld is formed includes a thermal imaging camera that focuses on the first and second battery module enclosure components within a predetermined amount of time after the weld is formed and that acquires a thermal signature. A control module includes an image processing module that receives the thermal signature and that locates a predetermined reference point in the thermal signature. An image comparison module receives the thermal signature and uses the predetermined reference point to compare the thermal signature to a template signature in order to verify structural integrity of the weld. The image comparison module computes a relative measure of deviation of the thermal signature from the template signature and identifies the weld as defective when the relative measure of deviation is greater than a predetermined value.
US08162017B2
Revised tire chain attachments and mounting methods, for use on an otherwise typical, presently marketed link construction, ladder pattern, truck tire chain, to reduce chain slack and increase chain tension, from mounting, and increase the feasibility of one stop mounting for a broader range of tire sizes and truck loading conditions, by providing a better fit of the chain to the tire footprint, as affected by the specific tire size and truck loading.
US08162013B2
This document provides connectors such as a connector for enabling fluid transfer between a first fluid container and a second fluid container, which connector comprises a first component that is arranged to be connected to a first fluid container and a second component that is arranged to be connected to a second fluid container. The first component can be non-rotatably connected to the second component before a second fluid container is connected to the second component and/or before a first fluid container is connected to the first component. The connector can comprise a locking and rotation-enabling element that is arranged to be activated once a second fluid container has been connected to the second component, and/or once a first fluid container has been connected to the first component, which locking and rotation-enabling element enables the first component and the second component to rotate freely with respect to one another.
US08162008B1
A rug, a loom for making a rug and a method of making a rug are various aspects of this invention. The loom for weaving a rug includes a frame defining a workspace for weaving the rug in which the frame includes a first, a second and a third frame member with a number of warp yarns extending across the workspace. Each of the warp yarns is coupled to the third frame member and a first set of the warp yarns is coupled to the first frame member and a second set of the warp yarns is coupled to the second frame member. The loom also includes at least one rod adapted to extend within the workspace to receive a first yarn pile thread looped thereon and about the first set of warp yarns to form a first yarn pile. The rod also receives a second yarn pile thread looped thereon and about the second set of warp yarns to form a second yarn pile. A method of making a rug as well as a rug itself is a further aspect of this invention.
US08162007B2
A method of constructing an industrial machine such that, in operation, a supply of a fluid coolant through a hollow passageway is delivered at a reduced temperature, the method including the steps of: a) identifying at least a section of the hollow passageway that transports or is meant to transport the fluid coolant through a space that resides at a temperature that is significantly higher than a desired temperature of the fluid coolant; and b) through at least a majority of the identified section of the hollow passageway that transports the fluid coolant through the space that resides at the temperature that is significantly higher than the desired temperature of the fluid coolant, constructing the hollow passageway such that the outer surface of the hollow passageway has an emissivity coefficient less than about 0.1.
US08162003B2
A fuel valve includes a housing defining a ported standpipe portion for extending upwardly into a fuel tank at a bottom opening thereof. The standpipe sealingly receives a ported and relatively rotational valving member, which also carries a respective resilient sealing collar aligned with and sealingly cooperating at each of the ports of the valving member. The valving member is selectively rotational and may be positioned relative to the standpipe portion in order to stop fuel flow through the valve, or to selectively allow fuel flow through the valve from one or more separate levels of fuel in the fuel tank. A handle on the exterior of the fuel valve provides for selective rotation and positioning of the valving member, and the fuel valve itself may be selectively and conveniently rotated relative to a fuel nipple attached to the fuel tank.
US08161999B2
A swing valve includes a body having an inner surface defining an opening, a plate positioned substantially within the opening of the body, and a pivot rod coupled to the body and the plate. The pivot rod defines a pivot axis. The plate is pivotable about the pivot axis relative to the body between an open position and a closed position. The swing valve also includes a locking mechanism coupled to the plate. The locking mechanism includes a member that is movable relative to the plate between a first position, in which the locking mechanism engages the body to lock the plate in the closed position, and a second position, in which the locking mechanism disengages the body to allow movement of the plate relative to the body.
US08161995B2
Gravity and flow operated diverter valves are disclosed for diverting liquid flow from one source to either of two output destinations, the valves including a housing defining an inlet opening through a base wall, a first outlet opening through a first upper wall and a second outlet opening through a second upper wall. The housing is operable in a configuration with the base wall arranged vertically beneath the first and second upper walls. A valve member has a first end, a second end, and a central portion, the valve member being movably suspended within the housing by the first end when no liquid is flowing into the inlet opening. The valve member is pivotable in a first direction to seal the first outlet opening and pivotable in a second direction to seal the second outlet opening. The housing interior and the valve member are cooperatively configured so that on successive liquid flows into the inlet opening the valve member automatically and alternatingly seals the first outlet opening and the second outlet opening. Related dishwasher designs are also disclosed.
US08161984B2
In an example embodiment, a device for generating a cleaning foam includes a female housing and a male plug. The plug includes an aperture into which a fluid flows from another component of the cleaning system. The plug includes a premix chamber which receives the fluid from the aperture and into which a gas is injected to form a foam. In an example embodiment, the chamber is a hollow cylinder and the gas is injected into the cylinder through channels which are tangential to the cylinder. The plug also includes a solid cylinder with a continuous helical indentation on the outside of the solid cylinder. When the male plug is inserted into the female housing, the continuous helical indentation and the inner surface of the housing form a helical channel through which the foam flows and is further mixed on its way back into the cleaning system.
US08161981B2
The present invention relates to a hairstyling apparatus for styling hair comprising: a first element, where said first element includes a first front portion and a first rear portion, where said first front portion includes a first heatable plate; a second element, where said second element includes a second front portion and a second rear portion, where the second front portion includes a second heatable plate, where the first element and second element are connected to each other at one end and the first heatable plate and the second heatable plate are in facing engagement with each other; and a power supply mechanism where said power supply mechanism supplies electrical power to the hairstyling apparatus. The first element and second element are pivotally attached to each other and may be attached via a hinge mechanism or a snap fitting.
US08161979B1
A finished tobacco product is formed by an inner shell and attached outer pre-rolled sheet where the inner shell has a means to open an interior volume to add selected tobacco filler material.
US08161953B1
Devices and methods for removal of condensed, blow-by contaminants with small molecular dimensions from the circulating lubricating engine oil of internal combustion engines, including automotive engines, with a positive crankcase ventilation system are disclosed. These condensable blow-by contaminants include water, alcohols and hydrocarbons with preponderantly seven or fewer carbon atoms. A macroporous structure comprising alumino-silicate particles with micro-pores is at least partially immersed in the circulating oil. The micro-pores are sized to adsorb the small, condensed, blow-by, contaminant molecules but not the larger oil molecules. The particles may be multi-layered, with an inner layer adapted for adsorption of polar molecules. Adsorption is most extensive at lower oil temperatures and decreases as the oil temperature increases. Thus at low temperatures the contaminant molecules may be adsorbed, removed from the oil and temporarily stored in the micropores. At high temperatures some of the contaminants will desorb and be re-incorporated in the oil. The desorbed contaminants will be carried with the higher temperature oil into the engine crankcase where they may vaporize and be removed by the engine positive crankcase ventilation system.
US08161950B2
In an exhaust gas recirculating device for an internal combustion engine, an EGR gas introduction port (32) for feeding EGR gas to an intake passage (20) includes an inlet end and an outlet end, and has a cross sectional area progressively increasing from the inlet end to the outlet end, the outlet end (49) opening out at an upper part of the intake passage. Because the EGR gas introduction port has a cross sectional area progressively increasing from the inlet end to the outlet end thereof, and the outlet end of the EGR gas introduction port opens out at an upper part of the intake passage, even when an intake flow is blown back from the engine main body, carbon and oil that may be contained in the EGR gas can be prevented from being deposited in the EGR gas introduction port, and this prevents the clogging of the EGR gas introduction port.
US08161949B2
An exhaust gas recirculation cooling system for an internal combustion engine that has an exhaust system is provided. The exhaust gas recirculation cooling system comprises a cooling fluid circuit, an exhaust gas recirculation cooler, a turbine, a condenser, and a compressor. The cooling fluid circuit has a quantity of fluid that circulates through the exhaust gas recirculation cooling system and receives heat from the exhaust gas recirculation cooling system. The exhaust gas recirculation cooler is disposed in fluid communication with the exhaust system to receive engine exhaust gas from the engine and to remove heat from the exhaust gas. The exhaust gas recirculation cooler additionally disposed in fluid communication with the cooling fluid circuit. The cooling fluid within the cooling fluid circuit receives heat within the exhaust gas recirculation cooler. The turbine is disposed in fluid communication with the cooling fluid circuit. The turbine converts heat energy within the cooling fluid circuit to mechanical energy. A condenser is disposed in fluid communication with the cooling fluid circuit. The condenser cools fluid within the cooling fluid circuit. The compressor is also disposed in fluid communication with the cooling fluid circuit. The compressor pressurizes the fluid within the cooling fluid circuit and circulates the fluid within the cooling fluid circuit.
US08161939B2
A vehicle power control that includes a throttle mounting portion and a throttle that is movably mounted to the throttle mounting portion and configured for manipulation and operation by a rider. The power control also includes a sensor in contactless association with at least one of the throttle and throttle mounting portion. The sensor is configured for sensing a position of the throttle with respect to the mounting portion, in the contactless association, and generating a signal based on the sensed position for controlling motive power of a vehicle.
US08161938B2
In a method for operating an internal combustion engine (10) having a plurality of combustion chambers (12), wherein the combustion chambers (12) make moment contributions during operation of the internal combustion engine (10) to the resulting engine moment of the internal combustion engine (10) and each combustion chamber (12) is assigned at least one inlet valve (14) which is actuated on the basis of a predefined valve lift cam which can be selected from a plurality of valve lift cams, the moment contribution of each combustion chamber (12) is selected, in the case of a valve lift switchover from a first valve lift cam to a second valve lift cam, for a following ignition cycle in such a way that a deviation of a sliding mean value of the moment contributions of all the combustion chambers (12) over a plurality of consecutive ignition cycles from a predefined moment setpoint value is minimized.
US08161926B2
If it is necessary to rapidly change a phase of an intake camshaft and an intake VVT mechanism relatively slow in responsiveness as it is associated with an “A” bank of a V-type, 8-cylinder engine is in operation for at least a predetermined period of time, an ECU executes a program including the step of controlling intake VVT mechanisms to operate those associated with both the “A” bank and a “B” bank.
US08161925B2
Proposed is a valve drive for an internal combustion engine, having a gas exchange valve (11) and having a valve actuating element (4) which has a contact face (8) for an end face (9) on a valve shank (10) of the gas exchange valve (11) which is actuated in the opening and closing direction by the valve actuating element (4). Here, the contact face (8) and/or the end face (9) should be provided with a wear prevention layer (12) which is composed of at least one metal-free amorphous hydrocarbon layer with sp2 and sp3 hybridized carbon.
US08161924B1
A combustible fluid operated orbital engine has plural sets of cooperating cylinder and piston members with respective parallel axes of rotation, respective cylinder and piston carrier wheels with respective axes of rotation parallel to the members' axes of rotation carrying said members circularly and orbitally and at all times in opposed relation on a common longitudinal axis along intersecting counter paths. Respective gearing structures supported by the cylinder and piston carrier wheels rotate the members counter to their circular motion direction to maintain their opposed relation for their periodic interfittment when their respective paths intersect. A combustible fluid supply is provided to the cylinder member for combustion coincident with the periodic interfittment in engine operating relation. The common longitudinal axes of the cylinder/piston sets are at all times parallel with each other.
US08161914B2
A edible rawhide-based molded chew with a hollow core is described. The chew is formed by cutting a rawhide sheet into multiple small rawhide pieces. The small rawhide pieces are mixed with a binding agent and water to form a rawhide-based mass. The rawhide-based mass is introduced to mold with a pin to form a molded chew having a hollow core therethrough. The molded chew is removed from the mold. Finally, a flavor basting is applied to the hollow core of the molded chew. The flavor basting provides a smell and flavor to entice a dog to begin and continue chewing on the chew. Thus, the resulting item is a rawhide-based molded chew with a hollow core that is coated with a flavor basting.
US08161909B2
An aquarium wall cleaning device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The device may include a first flexible member including a main body formed from a flexible buoyant material, a first magnetic or magnetically attractable element disposed within the main body of the first flexible member, and a first layer attached to the main body of first flexible member and having an abrasive surface. The first flexible member may be substantially neutrally buoyant or negatively buoyant in water. The device may also include a second member including a main body, a second magnetic or magnetically attractable element disposed within the main body of the second member, and a second layer having a soft surface attached to the main body of the second member. At least one of the first and second magnetic or magnetically attractable elements may include a magnetic material. The other of the first and second elements may be magnetically attracted to the magnetic material. When the first flexible member and the second member are placed on opposite sides of an aquarium wall and the first and second magnetic or magnetically attractable elements are attracted to one another, the abrasive surface and the soft surface contact respective inner and outer sides of the wall to allow cleaning of at least one side of the wall.
US08161907B2
A device and method designed to provide a continuous supply of liquid to livestock is presented. The one-piece device comprises a storage tank and a drinking bowl. The storage tank can have a filling access hole for filling the tank. The tank can have at least one drinking bowl access hole which allows access from the tank to the bowl. Both the filling access hole and the drinking bowl access holes can be opened and closed. While filling, the drinking bowl access hole can be closed. After filling, the filling access hole can be closed and the drinking bowl access hole can be opened allowing liquid to flow from the tank into the bowl. Gravity and air pressure within the tank maintain a constant liquid level in the bowl while simultaneously preventing liquid from overflowing the bowl. A heating element can be placed into the tank to prevent freezing.
US08161890B2
A foldable table for a notebook computer comprises a table top (1), a cross beam tube (4) and a pair of foldable supporting frames (2, 3) provided at left and right ends of the cross beam tube (4). The cross beam tube (4) is movably and co-axially connected to a pair of lugs which are fixedly connected to the table top (1) through a pair of knobs provided at ends thereof, so that an angle of the table top (1) relative to an axis of the cross beam tube (4) can be adjusted. Each of the pair of foldable supporting frames (2, 3) comprises a foldable side, a telescopic side and a bottom tube.
US08161888B2
A car wash roller and a manufacturing method are provided. The roller includes a body with first and second apertures and a shaft disposed in the first aperture. The body further includes a third aperture extending from a top surface to the first aperture. The shaft has an aperture that is aligned with the third aperture. The roller further includes a locking member disposed in both the third aperture and the aperture of the shaft that prevents the shaft from rotating relative to the body. The roller further includes first and second plastic sleeves that are disposed on the shaft, such that the sleeves do not rotate relative to the shaft. The roller further includes first and second plastic wheels that are rotatably coupled to the first and second plastic sleeves, respectively.
US08161885B1
A bullet or a cartridge containing a bullet having an elongated body with a forward end and an opposed rear end. The body has an intermediate cylindrical portion between the rear and forward ends, and the front end of the body defines a cavity. A resilient nose element is received in the cavity. The nose element may be an elastomer, and may be a cylindrical body. The cavity may be a cylindrical bore, and the nose element may be closely encompassed within the bore. The forward end of the nose element may be flat, and may be flush with the forward end of the body.
US08161884B1
A selective fragmentation pattern of explosive material is applied to a surface of a munition. None, some, or all of the explosive material in the selective fragmentation pattern may be detonated, selectively stamping the surface of the munition with the detonated explosive material. The portion of the selective fragmentation pattern selected for ignition is determined by lethality requirements of a target of the munition. Upon detonation of the munition, fragments are formed based on the selected portion of the selective fragmentation pattern. Consequently, igniting all, some, or none of the selective fragmentation pattern may vary lethality of a munition and one munition may be used for a wide range of lethality.
US08161877B1
An electronic firing system comprising a control system, a charging system, an electrical energy storage device, a shock tube firing circuit, a shock tube connector, a blasting cap firing circuit, and a blasting cap connector. The control system controls the charging system, which charges the electrical energy storage device. The control system also controls the shock tube firing circuit and the blasting cap firing circuit. When desired, the control system signals the shock tube firing circuit or blasting cap firing circuit to electrically connect the electrical energy storage device to the shock tube connector or the blasting cap connector respectively.
US08161875B2
An apparatus and method for changing printing plates is disclosed. A printing plate cartridge for a printing press has multiple cases for accommodating printing plates to be removed during a printing plate change and for accommodating printing plates to be installed during a printing plate change. The printing plate cartridge is mounted in such a way that it may be moved in a rotationally pivotable fashion and in a linear fashion relative to a printing group of the printing press, such that the printing plate cartridge is able to service multiple printing units of the printing group during a printing plate change.
US08161874B2
A variable cutoff printing press is provided. The variable cutoff printing press includes a first plate cylinder, a second plate cylinder, a continuous belt blanket contacting the first and second plate cylinders and a movable support cylinder supporting the belt blanket. The first and second plate cylinders, the continuous belt blanket and the movable support cylinder form a first print section and the movable support cylinder is movable to change the print length of the first print section. A method of printing images with a printing press is also provided.
US08161869B2
A press cleaning device and method are described for removing coffee grinds from a French or coffee press. The device includes a stem having a handle and a circular disk-shaped declining plane ramp disposed at different ends. The circumference of the ramp is substantially the same as the inner circumference of the press. The ramp includes a radial cut running diametrically from the center of the ramp toward the outer circumference. The cut is fabricated to provide a lower or leading edge paralleling the horizontal floor of the press and trailing the leading edge an upward slanted ramp that follows like a circular inclined plane to an upper or ending edge. When rotated, the lower edge, which parallels the floor of the coffee press while slicing and shoveling, transfers the grinds from the bottom of the press up the ramp whereupon the grinds are stacked and can be removed.
US08161867B2
An automatic dispenser for ground coffee composed of a reservoir for grounds, the reservoir having a bottom provided with an outlet opening, rotatable dosing paddles at the bottom of the reservoir for dispensing a predetermined quantity of ground coffee through the outlet opening; a drive cone having rotatable blades disposed above the dosing paddles and adapted to be rotated about a vertical axis by a motor assembly, and a mixer in the form or a pyramid disposed above, and forming an extension of, the drive cone. An automatic coffee maker equipped with this dispenser.
US08161866B2
A method for producing a capsule containing beverage ingredients designed for insertion in a beverage production device in which a liquid under pressure enters the capsule in order to interact with the ingredients in the capsule and to form beverage. The method includes preforming the capsule body and at least a portion of said flange-like rim, placing a premade sealing member on the flange-like rim, crimping a portion of the flange-like rim on a portion of the sealing member so resulting in the sealing member becoming attached to the flange-like rim.
US08161863B1
A recoil-actuated gun scavenger for a gun having a bore, a breech, a recoiling mass, and a non-recoiling mass. The scavenger may include a pneumatic cylinder and a piston translatable therein. A rod may be fixed to the piston. The cylinder and rod may be fixed to respective recoiling and non-recoiling masses, or vice versa. The cylinder may include intake and exhaust ports with check valves, on both sides of the piston. The exhaust ports may communicate with an accumulator. The accumulator may discharge compressed air to jets located at the open breech end of the gun.
US08161858B2
One aspect of the invention can include a cutting machine having a table, a cutting machine body supported by the table via a sliding mechanism to allow movement in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction, the cutting machine body including a fixed cover positioned around an upper side of a rotary blade mounted to a rotatably driven spindle, the rear edge portion of the fixed cover is recessed upward to enable a large cutting depth. The sliding mechanism includes an intermediate stopper mechanism that can be operated to switch between a state where the cutting machine body can slide within an entire slidable range and a state were the cutting machine body can slide only within a partial slidable range at a midway position.
US08161851B1
A method and device for trimming components may include mounting a component in a fixture and providing a cutting tool having a cutting portion, wherein the cutting tool is displaceable in at least three axes relative to the fixture. Gas may be supplied through a supply tube to the cutting portion of the cutting tool and the supply tube may be cooled to a first temperature. The component may be cut with the cutting tool while supplying gas to the component.
US08161848B2
A screwdriver is convenient for changing driver heads. A button is released to drive an arm of the screwdriver in a first position to grasp a fixing portion of the driver head. The button is pressed to drive the arm to rotate from the first position to a second position to deform an elastic member, with the arm releasing the driver head to make the driver head drop out of the handle. Each of the driver head can be easily mounted to the screwdriver, and detached from the screwdriver.
US08161837B2
An emergency release device for manual actuation of the parking lock of a shift-by-wire transmission. The emergency release device comprises a mechanical transfer device located between an emergency release actuator and the transmission and engages a pivoting lever mechanism arranged on a transmission shifting shaft. A characterizing feature of the emergency release device is that the pivoting lever mechanism comprises a primary pivoting lever connected to the transfer device, a secondary pivoting lever connected to the transmission and a unidirectional coupling element located between the primary and the secondary pivoting levers. The advantage of this device relates to reduced susceptibility to corrosion, wear and noise emission and easier correct adjustment of the transfer device during assembly, while a separate prestressing mechanism for the cable of the emergency parking lock release can be omitted.
US08161835B2
An automated multi-group standard transmission, for a utility vehicle, and a process for changing gears in the multi-group transmission. The multi-group transmission includes at least two multi-speed transmission groups arranged one after the other, such that a multitude of gears can be shifted. A transmission input shaft that can be connected to an engine, via a startup element, is associated with a first transmission group and a second transmission main shaft is associated with a second transmission group. Load shifting mechanisms produce a temporary direct connection between the transmission input shaft and the transmission main shaft such that an intermediate gear can be shifted during a gear change from an original gear into a target gear. The load shifting mechanism enables gear changes that are virtually free of interruptions in load transfer during a gear change from a lower to a higher gear, thus increasing a high operational comfort.
US08161834B2
In a motor vehicle transmission with a power take-off drive, an auxiliary drive clutch in the form of a jaw clutch is arranged in the torque flow downstream of the transmission input clutch for coupling the power take-off drive to the transmission input shaft under the control of the drive motor clutch while the transmission is disconnected.
US08161824B2
A multilayer flow path member of an ultrasonic fluid measurement apparatus and an ultrasonic fluid measurement apparatus capable of enhancing the measurement accuracy of the mean flow velocity are provided. When a multilayer flow path member 30 placed in a measurement flow path 14a shaped in a rectangular cross-section pipe of an ultrasonic fluid measurement apparatus 10 is partitioned into a plurality of flat flow paths 14e by partition plates 32 attached to a frame 31 along a flowing direction, the partition plates 32 are provided so as to face inner faces 15f and 17a of the measurement flow path 14a. Thus, the partition plates 32 are exposed and face the inner faces 15f and 17a of the measurement flow path 14a and thus the space between the exposed partition plate 32 and the inner face 15f, 17a of the measurement flow path 14a becomes the highest-stage or lowest-stage flat flow path 14e. Therefore, a problem of degrading the measurement accuracy as a fluid flows into the space between the frame 31 forming a part of the multilayer flow path member 30 and the inner face 15f, 17a of the measurement flow path 14a as before does not occur and accordingly the measurement accuracy can be enhanced.
US08161821B2
A conductor track carrier, particularly a leadframe that is preferably insert-molded with plastic or a rigid/flexible circuit carrier, includes one or more conductor tracks, which are received and held at least partially by a conductor track carrier component designed in one piece. The conductor track carrier component is designed such that it receives and holds furthermore at least one component of one or more sensors. A method of producing such a conductor track carrier is also provided.
US08161810B2
A syringe imaging system for a syringe infusion pump is provided. The system comprises an imaging device configured to capture one or more images of a syringe, and a processor, which is configured to determine, based on the one or more captured images, an internal diameter of the syringe and a distance between a bung and a bottom of the syringe, and to calculate a remaining volume of the syringe based upon the determined internal diameter and distance. A syringe infusion pump is also provided. The pump comprises a housing having a bracket configured to receive a syringe, a syringe driver configured to actuate a plunger of the syringe, an imaging device configured to capture one or more images of the syringe, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine, based on the one or more captured images, an internal diameter of the syringe and a distance between a bung and a bottom of the syringe, and to calculate a remaining volume of the syringe based upon the determined internal diameter and distance.
US08161800B2
A method for simulating a compressor valve leak is described. The method includes inducing a flow of gas past a compressor valve that is coupled to a bypass block, wherein the bypass block defines a first passageway and a second passageway therein, and wherein the bypass block is also coupled to a bypass valve that is in flow communication with the second passageway. The method also includes measuring a first temperature and a second temperature. The first temperature is the temperature of the gas flowing through the first passageway of the bypass block and the second temperature is the temperature of gas flowing within the second passageway. The method also includes adjusting the bypass valve to divert a portion of the gas flowing through the second passageway to create temperature conditions substantially similar to conditions that are created due to a compressor valve leak.
US08161799B1
The invention relates to an apparatus for evaluating energetic materials for ignitability, flamespread, pressure and thermal characteristics, energetic material interaction, and other properties. The invention is directed to an apparatus for analyzing the suitability of energetic materials for interactions with other energetic materials, explosive or non-explosive. The invention includes a vented combustion chamber, an ignition tube and a firing mechanism. The invention also includes methods for using the apparatus. For example, the apparatus of the invention may be used to analyze energetic materials for their use in destroying rubble which may contain explosive material.
US08161791B2
A prover includes a piston supporting rod extending longitudinally through a cylinder, which cylinder receives and discharges a fluid to measure the volume and flow rate of the fluid by translation of the piston from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end. Motive means includes at least one element for drawing the rod and piston toward the fluid receiving end of the cylinder. Travel of the piston in the direction from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end of the cylinder is sensed at discrete locations to provide an indication of the quantity of fluid therebetween and the related flow rate. Each of a plurality of switches, linear encoder or laser detector provides position sensing signals reflective of the volume and rate of fluid flowing in the cylinder. These signals, representative of this volume and flow rate, are compared with preset parameters to determine the degree of equivalence. Thereby, self testing and validation occurs.
US08161790B2
A measurement system for a dry powder agent includes a sensor system which includes at least one sensor head at least partially within a powder calibration column and a control system in communication with the sensor system.
US08161788B2
A method for producing workpieces wherein a generally cylindrical preform (8) is formed by at least one pressure roller (7) into a finished workpiece (8.2). The method includes slidingly placing a portion of the preform (8) on at least a first mandrel (3, 4′) which is slidably mounted in parallel with the longitudinal axis (A) of the preform (8), aligning the mandrel (3, 4′) such that the surface (3b, 4b, 4b′) thereof disposed within the preform (8) substantially defines a negative profile of an inner surface to be formed in said preform (8), and performing a relative movement between the preform (8) and the pressure roller (7) in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (A) while pressing the pressure roller (7) against the preform (8) such that material of the preform (8) is displaced by the pressure roller (7) in such a way that the mandrel (3, 4′) is moved by the displaced material.
US08161780B1
A thumb operated door latch and lock assembly has an exterior grip and thumb lever, a motion converter, a key cylinder, a strengthening plate and an interior latch lever and locking knob. The thumb lever moves the converter which turns a latch tongue that extends through a receiver in the latch assembly. The interior lever turns a limited engagement interior hub collar. A figure eight opening in the collar turns the latch tongue to withdraw the latches. Turning the interior lever upward disables the thumb lever. Turning the lever to withdraw the latches moves a slide upward within guide plates. The slide turns an interior lever and an extended tongue on the key cylinder to withdraw the dead bolt simultaneously with the latches.
US08161774B2
A crochet galloon machine needle (26) in accordance with the invention is provided on its hook outside (39) with a guide projection (40) having a tip (43) that is preferably located above the center axis (A) of the needle (26). This needle (26) has an enlarged weft thread capture range and is thus particularly suitable for the manufacture of dense knitted goods. In addition, said needle enables the operation with reduced take-off tension and, optionally, also with reduced weft thread tension. This helps increase the service life of all system components.
US08161768B2
A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining an open storage space and including a door having an interior side adapted to receive a modular component. The modular component has a base removably connected to the interior side of the door. A component door is hingedly-connected to the base and includes a viewing area. The component door is operable between an open position and a closed position and the base and the component door define a sealed compartment when the component door is in the closed position. An air hose extends from the modular component. The air hose has a proximal end and a distal end. A fastener system is disposed on one of the component door and the base. The fastener system is adapted to engage with the first fasteners to create a seal between the component door and the base. A heat sealer is disposed on one of the base and the component door.
US08161758B2
A method of defrosting a eutectic plate of a refrigeration system involves activating a defrost system when a power source is connected to the refrigeration system. The defrost system is operated for all or a portion of a defrost cycle and is then deactivated. The initiation of a subsequent defrost cycle is prevented until the power source has been disconnected from the refrigeration system for at least a selected amount of time. A defrost system may include a controller programmed to carry out the method and automatically initiate a series of defrost cycles.
US08161753B2
An assembly including a stack structure made up of the following elements assembled together by brazing: the titanium-based metal piece; a first intermediate piece suitable for deforming to accommodate differential expansion between the metal piece and a piece made of ceramic material based on silicon carbide and/or carbon; a second intermediate piece that is rigid, having a coefficient of expansion close to that of said ceramic material piece and made of aluminum nitride (AlN) or of tungsten (W); and the ceramic material piece is disclosed.
US08161748B2
This invention presents improved combustion methods, systems, engines and apparatus utilizing H2, O2 and H2O as fuel, thereby providing environmentally friendly combustion products, as well as improved fuel and energy management methods, systems, engines and apparatus. The Water Combustion Technology; WCT, is based upon water (H2O) chemistry, more specifically H2O combustion chemistry and thermodynamics. WCT does not use any hydrocarbon fuel source, rather the WCT uses H2 preferably with O2 and secondarily with air. The WCT significantly improves the thermodynamics of combustion, thereby significantly improving the efficacy of combustion, utilizing the first and second laws of thermodynamics. The WCT preferably controls combustion temperature with H2O and secondarily with air in the combustion chamber. The WCT preferably recycles exhaust gases as fuel converted from water. The WCT minimizes external cooling loops and minimizes exhaust and/or exhaust energy, thereby maximizing available work and internal energy while minimizing enthalpy and entropy losses.
US08161745B2
The invention relates to a turbocharger (1) having a turbine (2); and having a compressor (3) connected to the turbine (2) by means of a bearing housing (4), the compressor comprising a compressor housing (5), which has a reference surface (BF) perpendicular to a turbocharger axis (AL), and a valve flange (6) equipped with a valve seat (11) for a wastegate valve and a connecting channel (9) to a compressor inlet (7), wherein the valve flange (6) has a flange surface (8) that is disposed at a calculable angle (α) to the reference surface (BF) in a tilted manner, and wherein the connecting channel (9) has a channel axis (AK), which is disposed at a calculable angle (β) in a tilted manner.
US08161743B2
An intake air flow rate detection device for an internal combustion engine (100), including a sensor (61, 63) that detects an operating condition of the internal combustion engine (100), an air flow meter (21) that disposed in the intake passage (20) upstream of the supercharging device (41), and a programmable controller (60) programmed to calculate a measured intake air flow rate from a detection value of the air flow meter (21), calculate a calculated intake air flow rate from the operating condition of the internal combustion engine (100), and employ either the measured intake air flow rate or the calculated intake air flow rate as an intake air flow rate of the intake passage (20) on the basis of an air flow rate of air that is circulated to the intake passage (20) between the air flow meter (21) and the supercharging device (41) through the bypass passage (51).
US08161727B2
A device for, in a gas turbine engine, braking a turbine including a rotor driving a shaft capable of rotating with respect to a stator in the event of said shaft breaking is disclosed. The device includes a first braking member provided with at least one abrasive element and a second braking member including a ring-shaped element (120A) made of a material capable of being eroded by the abrasive element. One of the two braking members being secured to the rotor and the other of the two braking members being secured to the stator. The braking members come into contact with one another through axial displacement of the rotor once the shaft has broken. The abrasive element of the first braking member eroding the ring-shaped element of the second braking member.
US08161718B2
In a self-propelled agricultural working machine having working units whose working parameters are adjustable, moving at a ground speed that is regulated automatically as a function of at least one crop-material parameter and/or one working parameter of the working machine using a forward-travel regulator, and having at least one control, operating, and display unit, with which the crop-material parameters and/or the working parameters of the working machine may be adjusted and displayed, the operator of the working machine has access to information regarding the state of the forward-travel regulator when the ground speed is being regulated using a forward-travel regulator. For this purpose, the crop-material parameter and/or working parameter of the working machine that currently limits the ground-speed control via the forward-travel regulator is displayed directly to the operator of the working machine in the control, operating, and display unit.
US08161717B2
An erectable and/or collapsible floral easel for holding a floral object is disclosed. Methods of use of the erectable and/or collapsible floral easel are also disclosed.
US08161711B2
A partition system may include one or more panels. A panel may be constructed using blow-molded plastic. A panel may include one or more depressions, which may be aligned with one or more depressions on an opposing side of the panel. The depressions may provide additional structural integrity for a panel. The depressions on opposing sides of the panel may extend toward and engage each other. The panels may include patterns with which one or more depressions may intersect. The panels may include symmetric patterns on opposing sides. The partition system may include one or more connectors adapted to receive a portion of one or more panels. The partition system may include one or more feet that may be attached to one or more panels. The panels may include one or more reinforcing members of various shapes disposed proximate one or more edges of a panel.
US08161701B2
Method for manufacturing floor panels, wherein is started from panels (1), these panels (1), at their lower side (9), are provided with at least one guiding groove (22) and these panels (1), at least at two opposite sides (3A-3B/4A-4B), are provided with profiled edge regions (5A-5B) that comprise coupling parts (17A-17B), characterized in that at least one of the aforementioned two profiled edge regions (5A-5B) is formed such that this region, seen in a cross-section of the panel (1), transverse to the guiding groove (22), extends at the lower side (9) of the panel (1) at least up to the guiding groove (22). Further, the invention also relates to still other methods, for manufacturing as well as packaging of floor panels, and also relates to devices used therewith, as well as to floor panels.
US08161699B2
The present invention relates to a structural insulating foam core wall that is versatile to be used as an independent framed wall, combination of an independent wall and Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) wall, in conjunction as part of a precast wall or as part of forming system to form a concrete beams and column structure, and modular units with concrete beams and columns. The structural insulating core wall, can also be used as individual foam spacer blocks, with or without brackets and horizontal bracing channels. Various types of flanges extensions are added to form different support channel flanges. The interlocking foam spacers and support channels which can be glued or screwed together to form structural insulating panels (SIPS), independent walls or as part of a precast wall with columns and beams integrated within the wall panels.
US08161694B1
An improved burial crypt for cremains designed to be placed below grade within a standard cemetery burial plot, suitable for containing a plurality of burial urns; the crypt comprised of a container, an access means, and a support means, with the container being sealable, substantially water tight, and fabricated of precast concrete walls, the access means being located within the interior of the container and suitably adapted to allow a human to descend into and ascend out of the container, and the support means being located within the interior of the container and suitably adapted to support a plurality of burial urns; and a method of fabrication of same.
US08161692B2
An apparatus attached to the roof perimeter to mitigate wind-generated vortices and uplift loads on the roof perimeter area of a building, applicable for both new constructions and retrofits of existing buildings. The apparatus comprises at least one face portion having face perforation and/or edge serration for increasing small-scale turbulence entrainment, equalizing pressure and disorganizing edge shear layer vorticity, and thus disrupting vortex formation. A roof edge vortex suppressor is preferably mounted along the entire circumference of a roof perimeter.
US08161690B1
An interlocking portable rollout attic flooring having a plurality of planks laid in a mutual abutting relationship of side edges of the planks, to define a common longitudinally extensive top and bottom surfaces, the common bottom surface having longitudinally directed notches oriented orthogonal to the side edges. The longitudinally directed notches engaged with spaced apart beams for support and stability of the flooring. The side edges of the planks configured in a mutually overlapping relationship wherein each plank supports a portion of weight applied to each adjacent plank. At least one longitudinally directed flexible strap fixed to the top surface of the flooring to secure the planks in the abutting relationship while allowing the planks to be rolled into a cylindrical configuration.
US08161687B2
Disclosed is a support structure comprising a tension-compression element (1) which is composed of tension-compression bars (2) that are connected in real joints (3) as well as tension straps (4) that extend from one joint (3) to another (3). The outermost tension-compression bars (2) are connected in one respective knot (9). Two pressurized hollow members that are surrounded by a cover (6) are arranged on both sides of a plane that extends through the tension-compression element (1) such that the linear tensions σ generated in the cover (6) preload the tension straps (4) on the plane of the tension-compression element (1), secure the tension-compression bars (2) against bending, and stabilize the joints (3). The linear tensioning components that extend perpendicular to said plane of symmetry strut the tension-compression element (1) against lateral bending. Air-tight, optionally elastic pneumatic elements (7) can be inserted into the hollow members (5).
US08161685B2
A draft excluder for excluding drafts between a door and the floor. The draft excluder is made up of an elongated angled bracket, at least one clip, a flexible covering, and an elongated weight. The flexible covering can take the form of a cloth covering. The elongated angled bracket defines first and second sidewalls with an interior angle there-between. The first and second sidewalls respectively define first and second elongated terminal edges. During normal use the at least one clip holds the first sidewall of the bracket to the bottom of a door such that the interior angle faces downward and towards the floor beneath the door. The flexible covering defines a cover portion that extends between the first and second elongated terminal edges. The cover portion defines an interior surface and an exterior surface. The elongated weight is affixed to the interior surface of the cover portion.
US08161684B2
An assembly for securing a hinged building window (11) in closed position relative to an aperature defined by a main frame (12). The assembly includes a compressible gasket disposed between the hinged building window (11) and the main frame (12) defining the aperature. The hinged building window (11) and the main frame (12) each includes a respective portion (20) of a magnetic means for securing the hinged building window said (11) to the frame (12), where the magnetic means for securing includes a two magnetic magnets that are magnetically attracted to one another.
US08161683B2
A metalwork for a window having a fixed frame and a leaf. The metalwork also includes a control which enables opening and closing of the leaf so as to turn around vertical or horizontal axes depending on the position of the control.
US08161682B2
A shutter having a rectangular frame, and louvres, and with a side pull bar located along one edge of the frame and connected to the adjacent ends of the louvres, the louvres being pivotally mounted in the frame in parallel relation to one another, and being rotatable between open and closed positions, and having a pull bar having a plurality of hinge assemblies, a hinge sleeve member at one end on each louvre, each respective hinge assemblies being engaged with a respective sleeve member, and an anti rotation formation on each sleeve member engaging the interior of its respective louvre so as to retain said sleeve member in its respective louvre.
US08161680B1
The current device will enable the plant owner to protect a plant during the winter months from the extreme cold and at the same time protect the plant from birds and insects during the summer months. This device can be easily opened to cover the plant and can also be easily collapsed when it is no longer needed. At least two different types of material can be used: one of colder weather and one for warmer weather. Different choices of material may be used depending on the particular environment. The device will be lightweight and extremely portable.
US08161677B1
A bite-signaling device comprises a clamp member securing the device to the rod of the rod and reel combination. A linear support member is pivotally connected at a first end to the clamp member. The second end of the linear support member includes a perpendicular section with a linear signal member rotatably attached thereto. The linear signal member includes a weighted first end and a signaling second end. A line attachment member is secured to the signaling second end of the linear signal member and releasably secures a fishing line attached to a reel of the rod and reel combination. The fishing line secured to the line attachment member maintains the weighted first end of the signal member elevated relative to the signaling second end thereof. Releasing the fishing line from the line attachment member causes the weighted first end to rotatably descend and elevate the signaling second end of the signal member.
US08161664B1
Improved foot-receiving apparatuses that may include: a housing somewhat defining an interior (16) for receiving a foot, and having an external periphery; and at least one Pant-Leg-Cover (XX1) disposed substantially outside of the external periphery of the housing, where the Pant-Leg-Cover (XX1) extends upward from a fixable lower portion (A1) joined to the housing to a free upper portion (D1) movable relative to the housing, where a pant leg (99) can be at least accommodated, secured, and utilized between the housing and the Pant-Leg-Cover. The consumer may have the option to freely join or un-join the Pant-Leg-Cover with the housing to at least change the aesthetic appearance of the apparatus, e.g. depending on personal preference. This specification describes numerous embodiments that will create a sustainable competitive advantage for a select corporation.
US08161659B2
The disclosure provides a measurement device for measuring a work piece defining a first circular hole and a second circular hole. The measurement device includes a base, a location member fixed on the base, a fixing pin fixed on the location member, and a measuring pin slidably positioned on the location member. The fixing pin and the measuring pin are configured for being received in the first circular hole and the second circular hole of the work piece, respectively. A diameter of the measuring pin is substantially equal to a standard diameter of the second circular hole minus doubled tolerance. The distance between axes of the fixing pin and the measuring pin is substantially equal to a standard value of the distance between centers of the first and second circular holes of the work piece.
US08161657B2
A position controller provided in a controlling module obtains a difference between a detected rotation angle of a stylus and a target rotation angle, and determines an energization amount to a voice coil motor so that the difference becomes zero. A variable limiter circuit limits a driving current, which is supplied from the position controller, to a limitation value so that a rotation force applied to the stylus from the voice coil motor is constant. A target rotation angle issuing portion switches over the target rotation angle based on a relative position of a contact portion of the stylus.
US08161646B2
In a method of manufacturing heat radiating fin, the technique of plastic working, such as stamping, is employed to apply an external force against a sheet metal material serving as a raw material for forming the heat radiating fin, so that the sheet metal material generates plastic deformation to form a plurality of recessed portions on a front side thereof. Meanwhile, a plurality of protruded portions is correspondingly formed on a rear side of the sheet metal material behind the recessed portions. Any two heat radiating fins so manufactured may be easily stacked and connected together with the protruded portions on a rear or higher heat radiating fin partially extended into the recessed portions on a front or lower heat radiating fin.
US08161645B2
A vacuum solar thermal panel including a vacuum envelope defining a sealed volume and able to withstand atmospheric pressure when evacuated, at least one heat absorber being disposed inside the vacuum envelope, a pipe entering and exiting the envelope and being in contact with the heat absorber, the vacuum envelope including a first plate made of glass, a peripheral frame, a metallic peripheral belt being joined to the first plate by way of a vacuum tight bulk glass-metal seal, including glass material and obtained by fusion and subsequent solidification. The metallic peripheral belt includes at least one elastically deformable portion that prevents the bulk glass-metal seal from getting damaged and is no more vacuum tight when subject to the evacuation process of the envelope and the thermal treatments of the panel and the potential reciprocal displacements of the glass plate and the joined metallic peripheral belt.
US08161641B2
A preform includes an airfoil stub and a dovetail hub. The hub first undergoes electrochemical discharge machining to form a rough dovetail. The airfoil stub undergoes electrochemical machining to form an airfoil. The rough dovetail then undergoes electrochemical discharge machining to form a rough tang. The rough tang is finish machined to form a dovetail extending from the airfoil in a unitary rotor blade.
US08161635B1
Novel methods are provided that results in the formation of single-cap VIPs in a substrate are described herein. As a result, fine pitch trace patterns may be formed on the substrate. The methods may include initially providing a substrate having a first and a second side, the first side being opposite of the second side. A via may then be constructed in the substrate, the via being formed within a via hole that extends from the first side to the second side of the substrate, the formed via having a first end located at the first side of the substrate, and a second end opposite the first end located at the second side of the substrate. A selective deposition may be performed of a conductive material on the second end of the via to form a conductive pad directly on the via on the second side of the substrate without depositing the conductive material onto the first side of the substrate.
US08161630B2
A rotor attachment apparatus for attaching a rotor of a motor coaxially to a crankshaft by inserting the rotor into a rotor housing that is attached to an engine, including: a rotor support member; rotor positioning members that engage some of a plurality of bolt insertion holes provided in the rotor, to thereby position the rotor; a temporary fixation bolt that temporarily fixes the rotor on the rotor support member; a drive shaft a tip portion of which is engaged with a shaft end portion of the crankshaft, and which supports the rotor support member movably in an axis direction via a screw mechanism; a base member that moves the rotor support member toward and away from the rotor while rotatably supporting a base end of the drive shaft; base positioning members that engage the rotor housing; and a fastening mechanism which engages a head of a coupling bolt inserted into at least one of the bolt insertion holes, and which is supported by the rotor support member so as to bias the coupling bolt toward the rotor.
US08161622B2
A riveting tool for placing a blind breakstem rivet includes a body; a nose casing securable to the body, the nose casing having a nose tip having a nose tip; a jaw housing inside the nose casing, the jaw housing containing jaws for gripping and pulling a rivet stem in use, the jaw housing having an end which incorporates an aperture through which the jaws are urged towards the nose tip by resilient biasing means; and adjustment means configured to adjust a distance from the end of the jaw housing to an inside of the nose tip. Also provided is a nose casing for a riveting tool and a method for altering the jaw separation distance of a riveting tool prior to gripping a rivet stem.
US08161621B2
Fastening plastic drivers in a washing machine drum having at least two domes on the inside, which comprise a cavity extending along its center line, and are oriented perpendicular to the sheet casing of the drum and which serve to fasten the driver. A hole pattern corresponding to the arrangement of the domes of a driver is punched into the sheet casing of the drum. The driver is placed with its dome ends, which project beyond the contact surface of the driver with the sheet casing, onto the sheet casing so that the dome ends pass through the holes of the hole pattern. Counter holders are inserted from the opposite side into the cavities of the domes. From the fastening side, hold-down elements are driven against the sheet casing. Heated form punches are driven against the dome ends until the dome ends have mushroom-shape ends.
US08161603B2
A hinge according to the present invention includes: a housing; a shaft received in the inside of the housing; a guide member linearly moving along the shaft; and a first elastic member compressed and expanded along the movement of the guide member, wherein any one of the guide member and the housing is formed with a track groove and the other is formed with a guide projection moving the track groove and, the track groove is formed to move the guide projection to different paths according to a forward rotation and a reverse rotation of the shaft.
US08161602B2
A hinge assembly includes a mounting sleeve defining a pivoting hole, a fastening seat, an elastic member, and a right side cover. The pivoting hole is enclosed by an interior peripheral wall. The interior peripheral wall defines a stopping slot. The fastening seat defines a fastening hole. The elastic member is received in the mounting sleeve. The right side cover includes a pole. The pole includes a first resisting bar and a second resisting bar. The pole is received in the pivoting hole and the fastening hole. The first resisting bar is slidably embedded in the stopping slot. The elastic member compresses the first resisting bar to abut against the fastening seat. When the first resisting bar slides out of the fastening hole and abuts against the fastening seat, the second resisting bar is slidably embedded in the stopping slot.
US08166567B2
A high-bandwidth SPM tip scanner is provided that additionally includes an objective that is vertically movable within the scan head to increase the depth of focus for the sensing light beam. Movable optics also are preferably provided to permit targeting of the sensing light beam on the SPM's probe and to permit the sensing light beam to track the probe during scanning. The targeting and tracking permit the impingement of a small sensing light beam spot on the probe under direct visual inspection of focused illumination beam of an optical microscope integrated into the SPM and, as a result, permits the use of a relatively small cantilever with a commensurately small resonant frequency. A high-bandwidth tip scanner constructed in this fashion has a fundamental resonant frequency greater than greater than 500 Hz and a sensing light beam spot minor diameter of less than 10 μm. Images can be scanned on large samples having a largest dimension exceeding 7 mm with a resolution of less than 1 Angstrom and while scanning at rates exceeding 30 Hz.
US08166566B2
A method and apparatus for enabling a licensed end user to record digital data as described is particularly useful to the music industry as it enables them to make audio data available over the internet but to retain control of the uses to which that audio data can be put. Thus, upon completing a financial transaction to pay for the required audio tracks, the end user is enabled to download and decrypt encrypted music tracks and to play them on the end user's personal computer. The end user can also be allowed to burn a CD including the downloaded music tracks. However, the end user is only enabled to decrypt and record the music tracks onto the CD if the music tracks are recorded together with copy protection.
US08166559B2
Methods and apparatuses for accessing documents in a multi-security domain environment are described herein. The novel methods may be processor implemented methods and may include saving by a processor from a first to a second security domain a version of a document, e.g., a wiki webpage with multiple tear portions, wherein the first security is a higher security domain than the second security domain. As part of the saving operation, a determination may be made as to whether the document includes one or more components not to be accessible through the second security domain, and writing the components of the document excluding the one or more components determined not to be accessible through the second security domain into the second security domain. The methods may further include opening the document through the security domain by determining whether a version of the document has been saved to the second security domain, and if so, merging a copy of modifications made to version of the document, if there are any, into the document being open. In various embodiments, a domain specific document server and a cross security domain trusted services are employed to enable among other things, reduction of number of storage devices needed.
US08166557B1
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates dynamically providing privacy-policy information to a user to facilitate compliance with privacy laws. The system operates by receiving a request from the user to access digital content at a client. Upon receiving a request, the system sends a notification to a server, including information about the request. Next, the system receives a response from the server at the client, wherein the response includes privacy-policy instructions. Alternatively, the response could include the entire privacy policy. The system then allows the user to access the digital content at the client in accordance with the privacy-policy instructions.
US08166548B2
According to the present invention, a timeout caused by executing a virus scan is avoided. A computer system has a first computer, a second computer coupled to the first computer, and a storage system coupled to the first computer and the second computer. The first computer receives a request to write data, writes the requested data in the storage system, and sends a virus scan request of the written data to the second computer. The second computer receives the virus scan request from the first computer, reads the written data out of the storage system, and partially executes a virus scan of the read data. After the partial virus scan of the read data is finished, the first computer sends a response to the received write request. After the first computer sends the response, the second computer executes the remainder of the virus scan of the read data.
US08166547B2
A method and apparatus for managing a transfer of data in a data network identifies data associated with a communication session between a first node and a second node in the data network. Further processing of the communication session occurs when a portion of the communication session meets a criterion and the communication session is permitted to continue when the portion of the communication session does not meet the criterion.
US08166544B2
Host malware (or change) may be detected by (1) receiving baseline set of response time information for each of one or more transactions involving (A) the host and (B) at least one peer of the host, (2) determining or receiving a later set of response time information for each of the one or more transactions involving the host and the at least one peer of the host, and (3) determining whether or not host slowdown has occurred using the baseline set of response time information and the later set of response time information. The execution of a host malware (or change) protection policy may be controlled using at least the determination of whether or not host slowdown has occurred.
US08166539B2
User authorization and access information may be stored in a remote assistant card or chassis management module (CMM). The CMM may be in communication with each baseboard management controller (BMC) in a blade server system. Each BMC may authenticate its authorized users from the CMM using a simple user authorization retrieval command, e.g., IPMI Get Auth Code command. When an administrator wants to add or delete a user, the CMM may be updated instead of having to update each blade BMC. Each user may have a privilege list for any or all of the blades in the blade server system. This privilege list may define which user(s) apply to which blades, input-output (I/O) modules, and/or blade server system chassis.
US08166537B1
In a telephony communication system, an operator network provides access to data networks through gateways. The gateways provide access in response to network access requests from equipment such as mobile devices. The mobile devices and gateways providing access to the networks support service-based network access requests. These service-based network access requests permit networks to manage user access based on particular services requested.
US08166528B2
The present invention provides a technology of effectively avoiding tracing on a terminal performed with an identification number being a target and DoS attack without making any significant changes to a communication system.In the wireless communication system of the present invention, under a control of a control communication processing portion 113 of an access point, a hash function arithmetic operation processing portion 112 generates a third identification number to be updated using a current identification number, hash key and random number for any wireless communication terminal, a control communication processing portion 113 sends an update instruction signal containing the random number to the wireless communication terminal and updates the current identification number stored in the identification number storage portion 121 to a second identification number. When the wireless communication terminal receives an update instruction signal, the current identification number is updated to the second identification number and the hash function arithmetic operation processing portion generates a third identification number using the current identification number, hash key and random number stored in the self number storage portion.
US08166527B2
Techniques for security association management on a home and foreign agent are described. In one embodiment, in response to a first mobile network registration request from a mobile node, a remote authentication facility is accessed to retrieve a security association for the mobile node for authenticating and providing a first network connectivity to the mobile node, wherein the security association is associated with a lifespan. The security association is inserted in a local security association database (SADB) to create a security association entry, wherein the security association entry includes the lifespan. A second mobile network registration request from the mobile node after the first connectivity is terminated is received and the security association entry in the local SADB that corresponds to the mobile node is used to provide authentication of the mobile node without having to access the remote authentication facility again if the lifespan associated with the security association entry is valid.
US08166523B2
An authentication device that the user wears reads biometrics information and executes individual authentication by verification. Only when the individual authentication has been successfully performed, authentication with an external unit (such as a server) can be started. Then, only when both the individual authentication based on the biometrics information and the mutual authentication between the external unit (such as a server) and the authentication device have been successfully performed, subsequent data processing, such as payment processing, can be executed. Therefore, even if a fraudulent third party uses a stolen authentication device, because the party cannot satisfy the start condition of authentication with the external server or a PC, fraudulent transactions and other illegitimate behaviors are effectively prevented.
US08166516B2
Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to determining effective policy when more than one policy may be associated with an entity. In aspects, bindings associate policies with target groups that may include one or more entities. The bindings are ordered by precedence. When properties of two or more policies affect an entity, properties of policies in higher precedence bindings control (e.g., override) properties of policies in lower precedence bindings. When a property of a policy is not included in other policies that affect an entity, the property is retained. A policy resolver determines disjoint target groups and a resultant policy associated with each disjoint target group. The resultant policy associated with a disjoint target group represents a combination of the original policies according to precedence.
US08166514B2
A set-box (SBB) is advanced into a receptacle on the rear of a TV to add functionality to the TV. Digital video information is conveyed from the SBB to the TV using respective HDMI connectors on the SBB and TV that mechanically engage each other, whereas bi-directional control information is passed wirelessly between the SBB and TV.
US08166512B2
A mobile communication terminal equipped with a broadcast program information roaming function and a roaming method for use in the same are disclosed. The mobile communication terminal equipped with a broadcast program information roaming function includes: a Radio Frequency (RF) receiver for receiving information of a metadata interface for broadcast program information conversion from a broadcast program information mapping service provider, and receiving broadcast program information from a broadcast transmitter; a memory for storing the information of the metadata interface for the broadcast program information conversion; and a controller for analyzing the received broadcast program information, and converting the broadcast program information into a schema of a roaming region using the metadata interface for the broadcast program information conversion.
US08166509B2
Method and apparatus for optimizing network bandwidth utilization by delivering to users only the minimum number of programs required by service provider policies. In one embodiment, the method comprises switching some users from lower quality versions of programs to higher quality versions of the same programs, and removing those lower quality versions of programs from a given service group. In another embodiment, some users are switched from higher quality versions of programs to lower quality versions of those same programs, and the higher quality versions of programs removed from a given service group.
US08166497B2
Example methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to collect metering information associated with media presented media presentation devices are disclosed. A disclosed example system for collecting metering information includes a media meter to generate media monitoring information in response to media presented by a media presentation device. The example system also includes a peripheral memory device removably couplable by an audience member to the media meter to receive the media monitoring information.
US08166492B2
A hybrid environment may be used for addressing application compatibility between a host operating system and one or more application(s) optimized to run on a different (“guest”) version of the host operating system. A thunking wrapper consisting of a native thunking layer, a service thunking layer, and a subsystem thunking layer provides translation between the guest application and the host operating system for a seamless interface. Multiple thunking wrappers may be included to support application compatibility between multiple guest operating systems and the host operating system.
US08166485B2
Methods are disclosed that dynamically improve soft real-time task performance in virtualized computing environments under the management of an enhanced hypervisor comprising a credit scheduler. The enhanced hypervisor analyzes the on-going performance of the domains of interest and of the virtualized data-processing system. Based on the performance metrics disclosed herein, some of the governing parameters of the credit scheduler are adjusted. Adjustments are typically performed cyclically, wherein the performance metrics of an execution cycle are analyzed and, if need be, adjustments are applied in a later execution cycle. In alternative embodiments, some of the analysis and tuning functions are in a separate application that resides outside the hypervisor. The performance metrics disclosed herein include: a “total-time” metric; a “timeslice” metric; a number of “latency” metrics; and a “count” metric. In contrast to prior art, the present invention enables on-going monitoring of a virtualized data-processing system accompanied by dynamic adjustments based on objective metrics.
US08166484B2
For a resource reservation in a distributed resource system, a tentative reservation request and a job reservation request are issued from a job scheduler to a resource management unit. The tentative reservation is valid for a short time period, and cannot coexist with another tentative reservation or the job reservation. In order to actually use resources, a job reservation must be issued after registration of the tentative reservation. If a tentative reservation request is received for a resource to which another tentative reservation request is already accepted, the tentative reservation request is stored in a wait queue, which is successful if the another tentative reservation is cancelled or failed due to the expiration of the validity time period.
US08166480B2
Illustrative embodiments provide a computer implemented method, a data processing system and a computer program product for lock contention reduction. In one illustrative embodiment, the computer implemented method provides a lock to an active thread, increments a lock counter, receives a request to de-schedule the active thread, and determines whether the lock is held by the active thread. The computer implemented method, responsive to a determination that the lock is held by the active thread, adds a first pre-determined amount to a time slice of the active thread.
US08166461B2
A system/method for profiling a sequence of values from a range to determine a frequency of occurrence of a subrange includes, for a current block, determining whether cells of the current block include a count cell or a pointer cell. If the cell includes a pointer cell, follow an address that the pointer makes reference to and designate a new block as the current block and repeat the determining step for the new block. If the cell includes a count cell, increment the count cell and compare the incremented count cell to a threshold. If the count exceeds the threshold, convert the count cell to a pointer cell, which points to a newly allocated block. The newly allocated block is made the current block, and the steps are repeated until count cells do not exceed the threshold or a limit resolution is achieved.
US08166459B2
In one embodiment the present invention includes a computer-implemented method of self debugging a computer program operating in a distributed processing environment. The method includes detecting a fault in a plurality of processing devices and classifying the fault according to fault classifications. The fault classifications have corresponding responses. The method further includes executing one of the responses in accordance with the fault having been classified. The method further includes revising the computer program according to the response. This method may be embodied in a computer program or executed by a computer system. In this manner, the computer program performs self debugging.
US08166456B2
A programming language type system includes, in a memory, a set of numeric type including integer types, fixed-point types and floating-point types, a set of type propagation rules to automatically determine result types of any combination of integer types, fixed-point types and floating-point types, constant annotations to explicitly specify a result type of a literal constant, context-sensitive constants whose type is determined from a context of a constant according to the set of type propagation rules, an assignment operator to explicitly specify a type of a value or computation, and operator annotations to explicitly specify a result type of a computation.
US08166453B2
A method and system for inconsistency resolution in a model-driven software development environment are provided. A method includes performing a safety analysis for resolutions in response to detected inconsistencies to determine whether the resolution, if implemented, will lead to a resolution cycle when applied to a given inconsistency. The determination includes processing a resolution tree for the inconsistency and, using a resolution strategy tree, for each resolution that resolves an inconsistency, analyzing whether beginning with the resolution, it is possible to resolve all the inconsistencies subsequently introduced as side effects without a resolution cycle occurring. The analysis includes traversing the resolution strategy tree, whereby all resolution strategies derived by traversing the resolution strategy tree lead to a resolution cycle if the resolution strategy tree is infinite. The method includes categorizing the resolution that resolves the inconsistency and applying a resolution for the inconsistency based upon the resolution category.
US08166444B2
An initial clock gating function is introduced to an original circuit design. Using abstraction-refinement, the initial clock gating function is modified such that the gated circuit design is equivalent to the original circuit design. A model checker, such as a SAT solver, may be utilized to determine equivalency of two circuit designs. A counter-example may be determined by the model checker to negate equivalency. The counter-example may be utilized to modify the initial clock gating function to determine a modified gated circuit design that is equivalent to the original circuit design.
US08166433B2
A floating net inspection method includes: providing a netlist which describes a circuit structure of an application circuit, the application circuit including a plurality of transistors; coupling a power supply port and a signal input port of the application circuit to voltage sources, respectively; generating test voltages respectively through the voltage sources, such that the test voltages are applied to the transistors, the test voltages being larger than a reference voltage; and determining whether a connecting node of one of the transistors is floating on the basis of whether a voltage of the connecting node is larger than the reference voltage.
US08166432B2
Timing verification method includes processes wherein timing analysis is performed taking voltage drop of a laid out circuit into consideration and a changing instruction list for changing the laid out circuit is produced based on a result of the timing analysis. Then, in a first-time timing verification process, voltage drop analysis is performed for the laid out circuit so that a voltage drop list is produced based on a result of the voltage drop analysis and timing analysis is performed using the voltage drop list, and, in a later timing verification process, the voltage drop list is updated based on the changing instruction list and the timing analysis is performed using the updated voltage drop list.
US08166429B1
Apparatuses and processes for distributing signals in an integrated circuit are disclosed. An embodiment to use a custom layer together with a base layer on an integrated circuit for testing the integrated circuit includes having a structured network on the base layer. The custom layer connects the network to logic elements on the integrated circuit. The network may be evenly distributed across the base layer of the integrated circuit. Even distribution of the network may reduce skew of the test signals. Buffers are also placed along the structured network. The buffers may be placed to ensure a deterministic test signals distribution. Unused buffers in the base layer may be tied off to reduce current leakage.
US08166428B2
Disclosed is a method of improving a synthesized circuit design comprising searching the synthesized circuit design for a first instance of a first pattern of gates. The first instance is removed from the synthesized circuit design. The first instance is replaced with a non-synthesized cell. A method of altering a multiplexer implementation comprises receiving a netlist that describes a synthesized logic circuit design. Parsing the netlist to detect a first instance of a first pattern of gates that implements a first multiplexer. The first instance is replaced in the netlist with a technology implementation of the first multiplexer.
US08166422B2
The system enables a user to select and order media objects, such as sound files, image files, animations, and text into a media presentation. The media presentation is then associated with a trigger or other interrupt event. Upon an occurrence of the event, the system plays the media presentation on system output devices. In one example of the system, the selected media files, ordering information, and other properties are assembled into a media package. The media package may be published to a remote device so that a remote device may play the media presentation.
US08166420B2
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus displays face images in each column of a plurality of face image display areas arranged in a matrix based on time stamp information, and displays thumbnail images in time-series in a thumbnail display area arranged at one side of a lower side or an upper side in the two dimensional display area. The apparatus displays one of the thumbnail images with a normal size and displays the others such that the lateral direction sizes are reduced in comparison with that of the thumbnail displayed in the normal size. And, the apparatus performs display control of the plurality of thumbnail images such that a thumbnail image corresponding to a section to which a selected face image belongs is displayed with the normal size, when the face image in the two dimensional display area is selected.
US08166419B2
A display device is provided for selecting a plurality of selectable symbols on an electronic display. The display device comprises an electronic display that displays a plurality of selectable symbols, a user input control device, and a processor coupled to the electronic display and the user input control device. The processor is configured to select one of the plurality of selectable symbols based on a comparison of at least two of the plurality of selectable symbols according to a predetermined priority scheme in response to a single activation of the user input control device. In addition, the processor is further configured to select an additional selectable symbol from the plurality of selectable symbols in accordance with a predetermined sequence upon further activation of the input control device.
