US08163944B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for achieving the efficient allylic oxidation of organic molecules, especially olefins and steroids, under aqueous conditions. The invention concerns the use of dirhodium (II,II) “paddlewheel complexes, and in particular, dirhodium carboximate and tert-butyl hydroperoxide as catalysts for the reaction. The use of aqueous conditions is particularly advantageous in the allylic oxidation of 7-keto steroids, which could not be effectively oxidized using anhydrous methods, and in extending allylic oxidation to enamides and enol ethers.
US08163930B2
The present invention relates to an improved process for the synthesis and purification of 3-chloro-N-(3-chloro-5-tri-fluoromethyl-2-pyridyl)-a,a,a-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-p-toluidine (fluazinam) and other pyridinamines, which implements methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) as the reaction solvent. The process of the invention overcomes the drawbacks of prior art methods, by reducing the side reactions such as hydrolysis, eliminating the need for difficult and labor-intensive purification methods, and providing pure products in higher yields. The present invention relates to novel crystalline polymorphic forms fluazinam, and to mixtures of the polymorphs. The present invention also provides methods for preparing the novel polymorphs, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising same, and methods of using the polymorphs as pesticidal agents for combating noxious living organisms on agricultural and horticultural crops.
US08163926B2
The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a compound of the Formula IIa: wherein R is a suitable sulphonate ester; from a (C1-C6)alkyl-4-piperidinecarboxylate compound of the Formula III:
US08163913B2
This invention relates to novel crystalline forms of tiotropium bromide, processes for preparing them, and their use in pharmaceutical formulations.
US08163911B2
The invention relates to substituted arylsulphonylaminomethylphosphonic acid derivatives of general formula (I) wherein the groups Ra to Rf, A and Z are defined as mentioned in the specification and claims, which are suitable for preparing a medicament for the treatment of metabolic disorders, particularly type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus.
US08163908B2
Provided herein are novel sirtuin-modulating compounds and methods of use thereof. The sirtuin-modulating compounds may be used for increasing the lifespan of a cell, and treating and/or preventing a wide variety of diseases and disorders including, for example, diseases or disorders related to aging or stress, diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, blood clotting disorders, inflammation, cancer, and/or flushing as well as diseases or disorders that would benefit from increased mitochondrial activity. Also provided are compositions comprising a sirtuin-modulating compound in combination with another therapeutic agent.
US08163905B2
The present invention relates to pyrazinone derivatives of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are as herein defined; processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in therapy.
US08163902B2
The present disclosure provides prodrugs of biologically active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds, salts and hydrates of the prodrugs, compositions comprising the prodrugs, intermediates and methods for synthesizing the prodrugs and methods of using the prodrugs in a variety of applications.
US08163901B2
Compounds are disclosed that have a formula represented by the following: The compounds may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions, and may be used for the prevention and treatment of a variety of conditions in mammals including humans, including by way of non-limiting example, pain, inflammation, traumatic injury, and others.
US08163899B2
Disclosed is a method for producing laurolactam from cyclododecanone and hydroxylamine in a simple process and with high efficiency. The method comprises the following steps (a) to (e): (a) reacting cyclododecanone with hydroxylamine in an aqueous solution in the presence of an excess amount of cyclododecanone or a solvent to produce cyclododecanone oxime; (b) separating the reaction mixture obtained after the oxime-forming step into an oil and an aqueous phases and collecting a solution of cyclododecanone oxime of the oil phase as; (c) removing dissolved water from the solution of cyclododecanone oxime which is collected as an oily phase in the oil/aqueous phase separation step; (d) producing laurolactam from cyclododecanone oxime by rearrangement reaction using an aromatic-ring containing compound as a rearrangement catalyst; and (e) separating the produced laurolactam from the reaction mixture after the rearrangement step and purifying the laurolactam.
US08163897B2
5-bromo-2′-deoxy-uridine (BrdU) labeled nucleotide triphosphates and nucleic acid probes are described herein. The BrdU labeled nucleotide triphosphates include a linker between the nucleotide triphosphate and the BrdU moiety. The linker can be cleavable or non-cleavable. The nucleotide triphosphates can be a ribonucleotide triphosphates, 2′-deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates or 2′,3′-dideoxyribonucleotide triphosphates. The nucleic acid probes can be used for in situ hybridization.
US08163896B1
The present invention relates to a first group of novel genes, here identified as genomic address messenger or GAM genes, and a second group of novel operon-like genes, here identified as genomic record or GR genes. GAM genes selectively inhibit translation of known ‘target’ genes, many of which are known to be involved in various diseases. Nucleic acid molecules are provided respectively encoding 200 GAM genes, and 1096 GR genes, as are vectors and probes both comprising the nucleic acid molecules, and methods and systems for detecting GAM and GR genes and specific functions and utilities thereof, for detecting expression of GAM and GR genes, and for selectively enhancing and selectively inhibiting translation of the respective target genes thereof.
US08163886B2
The present invention relates to a selectively soluble polymer capable of binding to one or more constituents in a mixture containing various biological materials and the methods of using such a polymer to purify a biomolecule from such a mixture. The polymer is soluble in the mixture under a certain set of process conditions such as pH or temperature and is rendered insoluble and precipitates out of solution upon a change in the process conditions. While in its solubilized state, the polymer is capable of binding to a selected entity within the stream such as impurities (DNA, RNA, host cell protein, endotoxins, etc) in a cell broth and remains capable of binding to that entity even after the polymer is precipitated out of solution. The precipitate can then be filtered out from the remainder of the stream and the desired biomolecule is recovered and further processed.
US08163885B2
The present invention provides humanized anti-human IFN-α monoclonal antibodies useful for therapeutic applications in humans. Preferred antibodies are humanized versions of murine antibodies ACO-1 and ACO-2, as well as variants thereof.
US08163884B2
The present invention provides binding proteins and antigen-binding fragments thereof that specifically bind to the human interleukin-21 receptor (IL-21R). The binding proteins can act as, e.g., antagonists of IL-21R activity, thereby modulating immune responses in general, and those mediated by IL-21R in particular. The disclosed compositions and methods may be used, e.g., in diagnosing and/or treating IL-21R-associated disorders, e.g., inflammatory disorders, autoimmune diseases, allergies, transplant rejection, cancer, and other immune system disorders.
US08163880B2
A fusion protein that is expressed in a recombinant protein body-like assembly (RPBLA) in host eukaryotic cells and organisms is disclosed. More particularly, a biologically active polypeptide fused to a protein sequence that mediates the induction of RPBLA formation is expressed and accumulated in host cells after transformation with an appropriate vector. The eukaryotic host cell does not produce protein bodies in the absence of the fusion protein. Methods for preparing and using the RPBLAs and the fusion protein are also disclosed, as are nucleic acid molecules that encode the fusion proteins.
US08163877B2
The present invention relates in part to isolated nucleic acid molecules (polynucleotides) which encode Dermacentor variabilis ligand gated ion channel proteins. The present invention also relates to recombinant vectors and recombinant hosts which contain a DNA fragment encoding D. variabilis LGIC/GluCl channels, substantially purified forms of associated D. variabilis channel proteins and recombinant membrane fractions comprising these proteins, associated mutant proteins, and methods associated with identifying compounds which modulate associated Dermacentor variabilis LGIC/GluCl, which will be useful as insecticides and acaricides.
US08163868B2
This invention relates to a process for producing non-whitening molded articles of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) with reduced whitening by treating the articles with heat.
US08163867B2
The complex of the present invention containing an onium salt and a central Lewis acidic metal has a high catalytic activity at a high temperature for the copolymerization of an epoxide and carbon dioxide to produce a high molecular weight poly-carbonate.
US08163866B2
An aromatic polyester resin composition, including: a melt-kneaded product of 99-70 wt. parts of an aromatic polyester resin and 1-30 wt. parts (providing a total of 100 wt. parts together with the aromatic polyester resin) of a polyglycolic acid resin, wherein the aromatic polyester resin is an aromatic polyester resin polymerized with a germanium compound (catalyst), and the polyglycolic acid resin is a polyglycolic acid resin obtained by ring-opening polymerization of glycolide. As a result, gas generation during the melt-processing of a composition obtained by adding a relatively small amount of polyglycolic acid resin to an aromatic polyester resin is effectively suppressed to provide an aromatic polyester resin composition with a good gas-barrier property.
US08163865B2
Biocompatible amino acid anhydride polymers for use in tissue engineering, and methods for their preparation and use.
US08163864B2
The invention relates to the field of polymer chemistry and relates to sulfonated polyarylene compounds such as can be used for example in ion exchange membranes in fuel cells, as well as a method for the production thereof and the use thereof. The object of the present invention is to disclose hydrolytically and thermally resistant sulfonated polyarylene compounds with a defined degree and position of sulfonation, from which membrane materials with an improved resistance to hydrolysis can be produced. The object is attained through sulfonated polyarylene compounds according to at least one of the general formulas (I)-(IV).
US08163850B2
Disclosed are polyester resins and solvent borne thermosetting coating compositions that include these resins in combination with at least one crosslinker. The polyester resins contain 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and exhibit a combination of good solubility in organic solvents and high hardness with good flexibility in a coating composition.
US08163847B2
A thermoset composition exhibiting reduced water absorption in the cured state includes an olefinically unsaturated monomer and a capped poly(arylene ether) prepared by the reaction of an uncapped poly(arylene ether) with an anhydride capping agent. The capped poly(arylene ether) is isolated and/or purified by methods that reduce the concentrations of polar impurities that contribute to water absorption by the cured composition.
US08163841B2
Polyethylene naphthalate fibers that are characterized in that the fibers have a crystal volume of from 550 to 1,200 nm3 obtained by wide angle X-ray diffraction of the fiber and a degree of crystallization of from 30 to 60%. It is preferred that the fibers have a maximum peak diffraction angle of wide angle X-ray diffraction of from 25.5 to 27.0° and a melting point of from 285 to 315° C. The production method thereof is characterized in that a particular phosphorus compound is added to the polymer in a molten state, the spinning draft ratio after discharging from the spinneret is from 100 to 5,000, and the molten polymer immediately after discharging from the spinneret is allowed to pass through a heat-retaining spinning chimney at a temperature within ±50° C. of a temperature of the molten polymer, and is drawn.
US08163840B2
Disclosed is a heat-fusible electrostatic image developing toner which has an excellent balance between fixability at low temperatures and grindability and is excellent in glossiness after fixing. Also disclosed is a resin for toners. A polyester resin for toners which is obtained by polycondensing a polyol component and a polycarboxylic acid component is characterized by containing 20-100 weight % of one or more polyester resins (A1) having a storage elastic modulus from 2.5×103 Pa to 5×106 Pa at 150° C. wherein the molar average cohesive energy of the polyol component is between 7.0×104 and 1.4×105 J.
US08163838B2
A process of producing an artificial latex, comprising the steps: (a) cement formation, wherein a rubber is dissolved in a suitable hydrocarbon solvent; (b) emulsification of the cement formed in step (a), together with an aqueous soap solution, thus forming an oil-in-water emulsion; (c) hydrocarbon solvent removal, resulting in a latex of the rubber having particles of a median particle size in the range of from about 0.5 to 2.0 μm, and optionally (d) latex concentration, forming an artificial latex with a higher solids content, characterized in that in step (b) a premix is formed first, which is subsequently homogenized into an oil-in-water emulsion, and wherein the premix is formed by mixing the cement with the aqueous soap solution at a volume ratio of 1:1.5 to 1:3 using at least one homogenizer comprising a stator and a rotor, that is operated at a tip speed of the outer ring of the rotor in the range of from 8 to 16 m/s, and wherein the premix is subsequently homogenized in a rotor/stator homogenizer operated at a tip speed of the outer ring of the rotor in the range of from 16 to 35 m/s.
US08163826B2
A composition is formed from a polymeric acid precursor, such as polylactic acid (PLA), that is a least partially dissolved within a polymer dispersing solvent. An emulsion may be from polymeric acid precursor that is at least partially dissolved within a solvent and a liquid that is substantially immiscible with the solvent. In certain cases, the molecular weight of the polymeric acid precursor may be reduced in forming the solution. The solution may be used in treating a formation penetrated by a wellbore.
US08163821B2
The present invention provides: a rubber composition for a tire that achieves both good fuel economy and abrasion resistance, and also achieves good degradation resistance and processability; and a heavy-load tire having a tread produced therefrom. The present invention relates to a rubber composition for a tire, comprising a rubber component that contains a modified natural rubber having a phosphorus content of 200 ppm or less and a butadiene rubber, wherein the amount of the modified natural rubber is 60 to 95% by mass and the amount of the butadiene rubber is 5 to 40% by mass, based on 100% by mass of the rubber component.
US08163812B2
The present invention relates to a method of making polyacetal compositions and molded articles of these, which comprise at least one mineral filler that has not been previously coated before being mixed into the compositions.
US08163810B2
Disclosed is a method for substantially diminishing or essentially eliminating a visible knitline in an article derived from a resinous composition comprising at least one thermoplastic resin and at least one special visual effect additive, which comprises the steps of (i) including in the composition an effective amount of at least one chemical foaming agent, and (ii) forming the article in a process that produces a knitline, wherein the article exhibits a substantially diminished or essentially no visible knitline compared to a similar article prepared without chemical foaming agent. Also disclosed are resinous compositions related thereto. Articles made from the compositions are also disclosed.
US08163805B2
The present invention relates to naturally occurring and chemically synthesized small molecule antagonists of Bcl-2 family proteins. In particular, the present invention provides gossypol compounds (e.g., isomers, enantiomers, racemic compounds, metabolites, derivatives, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, in combination with acids or bases, and the like) and methods of using these compounds as antagonists of the anti-apoptotic effects of Bcl-2 family member proteins (e.g., Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, and the like). The present invention also provides compositions comprising gossypol compounds and optionally one or more additional therapeutic agents (e.g., anticancer/chemotherapeutic agents). The present invention also provides methods for treating diseases and pathologies (e.g., neoplastic diseases) comprising administering a composition comprising gossypol compounds and optionally one or more additional therapeutic agents (e.g., anticancer/chemotherapeutic agents) and/or techniques (e.g., radiation therapies, surgical interventions, and the like) to a subject or in vitro cells, tissues, and organs.
US08163794B2
The invention provides a crystalline hydrochloride salt of (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine. This invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the crystalline salt, processes and intermediates for preparing the crystalline salt, and methods of using the crystalline salt to treat diseases.
US08163788B2
The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition and the use thereof, wherein the pharmaceutical composition contains compounds selected from a group of general formulas (5), (6), (7) and (8) and/or enantiomers, diastereomers or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The pharmaceutical composition is used for treating autoimmune and tumoral diseases and/or for immunosuppresion.
US08163785B2
There are described 4-difluoromethoxyphenyl pyrazolo[5.1-b]oxazole derivatives of Formula I: which are useful as corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) receptor antagonists and as pharmaceuticals.
US08163782B2
Novel 1,2,4-oxadiazole benzoic acid compounds, methods of using and pharmaceutical compositions comprising an 1,2,4-oxadiazole benzoic acid derivative are disclosed. The methods include methods of treating or preventing a disease ameliorated by modulation of premature translation termination or nonsense-mediated mRNA decay, or ameliorating one or more symptoms associated therewith.
US08163771B2
A compound according to Formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, R11, L1 and X are as defined in the specification, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of use thereof.
US08163768B2
This invention relates to compounds of formula (I) to processes for the preparation of such compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and to methods of treatment comprising administering of such compounds.
US08163761B2
Compounds and compositions for treating disorders related to TRPA1 are described herein.
US08163752B2
Compounds of formula I: wherein variables A1, A2, B, m, n, J, R4, G1, G2, G3 and Y are as described herein, which are antagonists of CGRP receptors and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases in which the CGRP is involved, such as migraine. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which CGRP is involved.
US08163730B2
Compounds of formula 1: are disclosed, wherein V is CH2; W is S(O)m; m is the integer 0, 1 or 2; U is O, C(O), CR13R14 or NR15; where R13 is H, alkyl; R14 is H, OH, OR13 or OCOR13; R15 is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, C(O)R13, C(O)OR13 or alkylaminocarbonyl; R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are as defined herein. These compounds are inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and are useful as medicaments for the treatment and prevention of disorders caused by increased TNF-α activity, in particular inflammations.
US08163729B2
The present invention provides compounds of formula (I) and compositions thereof, methods of making them, and methods of using them to modulate alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and/or to treat any of a variety of disorders, diseases, and conditions. Provided compounds can affect, among other things, neurological, psychiatric and/or inflammatory system.
US08163726B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting unwanted angiogenesis, particularly those of ocular tissues. The treatment, inhibition, and/or prevention of choroidal neovasculature (CNV) is provided, along with an animal model for CNV and imaging techniques that permit the screening of potential agents as anti-angiogenesis and anti-CNV agents.
US08163722B2
The present invention provides slow release estradiol-progesterone formulations that can be used in either contraception or hormone replacement therapies. The formulations comprise shaped particles of estradiol that is in a hemicrystalline form that exhibits especially low dissolution rates. The shaped particles comprise estradiol compounded in a 1:1 molar ratio with cholesterol, and are administered in combination with progesterone. The slow release formulations of the present invention afford the dual advantages of a low dose estradiol formulation with a low frequency administration regimen. The formulations can be parenterally administered once a month or less often.
US08163718B2
Novel compounds having structure (1) wherein Z, is N or CH to form a purine, Y, R1, R2′ and R2 are defined in the specification, are provided for use in the treatment of tumors and the prophylaxis or treatment of viral infections.
US08163712B2
Aspects of the present invention relate to the discovery of a novel hepatitis C virus (HCV) isolate. Embodiments include HCV peptides, nucleic acids encoding said HCV peptides, antibodies directed to said peptides, compositions containing said nucleic acids and peptides, as well as methods of making and using the aforementioned compositions including, but not limited to, diagnostics and medicaments for the treatment and prevention of HCV infection.
US08163702B2
An immunomodulatory compound is administered to treat, prevent, inhibit, or reduce melanoma in a subject.
US08163701B2
Disclosed herein are prodrugs of active agents which contain at least one amine, phenol, carboxylic acid, or thiol functionality. Also disclosed herein are methods of making prodrugs of active agents, pharmaceutical compositions of prodrugs of active agents and methods of using prodrugs of active agents and pharmaceutical compositions.
US08163682B2
(EN) The invention relates to a polymer comprising 50-100% by weight, with regard to the weight of the polymers, of repeating units, which are derived from one or more ethylenically unsaturated ester compounds of formula (I), in which R represents hydrogen or methyl; R1 represents a linear or unbranched alkyl radical with 7 to 30 carbon atoms, and; R2 and R3 independently represent hydrogen or a group of formula —COOR′, wherein R′ represents hydrogen or an alkyl group with 7 to 30 carbon atoms. The polymer is a star polymer with 3 to 21 arms and at least 3 of the arms consist of at least 40% by weight, with regard to the weight of the arms, of repeating units, which are derived from one or more ethylenically unsaturated ester compounds of formula (I), in which R1 represents a linear or unbranched alkyl radical with 7 to 30 carbon atoms, and; R2 and R3 independently represent hydrogen or a group of formula —COOR′, wherein R′ represents hydrogen or an alkyl group with 7 to 30 carbon atoms. The invention also relates to oil formulations comprising the inventive polymers. The inventive polymers having a high thickening action can be used, in particular, as viscosity modifiers, pour point depressants, dispersing agents and/or friction modifiers.
US08163679B2
A cement composition and method of applying remedial cement to a downhole perforation is described. The method involves the sequential delivery of a phosphate acid activator and a silicate suspension to the perforation to allow in situ reaction of the activator with the binder within the perforation, thereby forming a phosphosilicate plug.
US08163675B2
The present invention generally relates to a polyamide emulsifier, to a drilling fluid composition that comprises said emulsifier and to a method of drilling a borehole into a subterranean formation utilizing the drilling fluid composition of the invention.
US08163665B2
An optical glass having refractive index (nd) exceeding 1.85, Abbe number (νd) of 36 or over, comprising SiO2, B2O3, La2O3, Gd2O3, Ta2O5 and Li2O as essential components, being free of Pb and As components, and having glass transition temperature (Tg) of 630° C. or below.
US08163663B2
The invention provides a conductive powder composite including a bamboo charcoal powder pre-processed with a pulverizing procedure and a refining procedure of 900 to 1500° C. and a conductive carbon black powder, wherein the bamboo charcoal powder and the conductive carbon black powder are blended by a high speed mechanical granulating machine to form the conductive powder composite. The conductive powder composite can simultaneously and effectively improve the poor conductivity of the bamboo charcoal powder and the embrittlement characteristic of the conductive carbon black powder in the conventional technology. The invention also provides a conductive masterbatch and a fabrication method thereof, and a multifunctional antistatic non-woven fabric and a fabrication method thereof.
US08163659B2
In method and apparatus for oxide film formation, light in an ultraviolet light range is irradiated on a substrate, a starting gas of an organosilicon and an ozone gas are supplied to the substrate to form an oxide film on a surface of the substrate, and the ozone gas is mixed with the starting gas at room temperature and a mixture quantity of the ozone gas with the starting gas is set to be equal to a chemical equivalent or more necessary for totally oxidizing the starting gas.
US08163658B2
A method of double patterning a semiconductor structure with a single material which after patterning becomes a permanent part of the semiconductor structure. More specifically, a method to form a patterned semiconductor structure with small features is provided which are difficult to obtain using conventional exposure lithographic processes. The method of the present invention includes the use of patternable low-k materials which after patterning remain as a low-k dielectric material within the semiconductor structure. The method is useful in forming semiconductor interconnect structures in which the patternable low-k materials after patterning and curing become a permanent element, e.g., a patterned interlayer low-k material, of the interconnect structure.
US08163653B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a compound semiconductor layer formed over the substrate, and a protective insulating film composed of silicon nitride, which is formed over a surface of the compound semiconductor layer and whose film density in an intermediate portion is lower than that in a lower portion.
US08163643B1
A semiconductor device is disclosed that has a die and a substrate having a die attachment area with a perimeter. A layer of solder connects the substrate and the die, the solder layer having at least one vent channel connected to the perimeter of the die attachment area, wherein the maximum distance from any point in the solder layer to the nearest free surface of the solder at a vent channel or at the perimeter of the die is less than the distance from the center of the die to the nearest edge of the die.
US08163637B2
First, a first layer made of Ni or an alloy including Ni may be formed on an upper surface of a semiconductor layer. Next, a second layer made of silicon oxide may be formed on an upper surface of the first layer. Next, a part, which corresponds to a semiconductor region, of the second layer may be removed. Next, second conductive type ion impurities may be injected from upper sides of the first and second layers to the semiconductor layer after the removing step.
US08163624B2
A discrete semiconductor device has a substrate with a first conductivity type of semiconductor material. A first semiconductor layer is formed over the substrate. The first semiconductor layer having the first conductivity type of semiconductor material. A second semiconductor layer over the first semiconductor layer. The second semiconductor layer has a second conductivity type of semiconductor material. A trench is formed through the second semiconductor layer and extends into the second semiconductor layer. The trench has a rounded or polygonal shape and vertical sidewalls. The trench is lined with an insulating layer and filled with an insulating material. A boundary between the first and second semiconductor layers forms a p-n junction. The trench surrounds the p-n junction to terminate the electric field of a voltage imposed on the second semiconductor layer. The discrete semiconductor device can also be a transistor, thyristor, triac, or transient voltage suppressor.
US08163623B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device which previously form sidewalls between lower electrodes to prevent bunkers and leaning phenomena during a sacrificial layer dip out process, thereby improving characteristic of the device, is provided. The method includes forming a mesh pattern defining a storage node region over a semiconductor substrate, forming a lower electrode over the semiconductor substrate and sidewalls of the mesh pattern, forming a dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate including the lower electrode, and forming an upper electrode over the dielectric layer.
US08163621B2
An LDMOS device includes a substrate having a surface and a gate electrode overlying the surface and defining a channel region in the substrate below the gate electrode. A drain region is spaced apart from the channel region by an isolation region. The isolation region includes a region of high tensile stress and is configured to induce localized stress in the substrate in close proximity to the drain region. The region of high tensile stress in the isolation region can be formed by high-stress silicon oxide or high-stress silicon nitride. In a preferred embodiment, the isolation region is a shallow trench isolation region formed in the substrate intermediate to the gate electrode and the drain region.
US08163618B2
This invention discloses a new switching device supported on a semiconductor that includes a drain disposed on a first surface and a source region disposed near a second surface of said semiconductor opposite the first surface. The switching device further includes an insulated gate electrode disposed on top of the second surface for controlling a source to drain current. The switching device further includes a source electrode interposed into the insulated gate electrode for substantially preventing a coupling of an electrical field between the gate electrode and an epitaxial region underneath the insulated gate electrode. The source electrode further covers and extends over the insulated gate for covering an area on the second surface of the semiconductor to contact the source region. The semiconductor substrate further includes an epitaxial layer disposed above and having a different dopant concentration than the drain region. The insulated gate electrode further includes an insulation layer for insulating the gate electrode from the source electrode wherein the insulation layer having a thickness depending on a Vgsmax rating of the vertical power device.
US08163611B2
A resist pattern (5) is formed in a dimension of a limitation of an exposure resolution over a hard mask material film (4) over a work film (3). The material film (4) is processed using the resist pattern (5) as a mask. A hard mask pattern (6) is thereby formed. Thereby a resist pattern (7), over a non-selected region (6b), having an opening (7a) through which a selection region (6a) in the mask pattern is exposed is formed. Only the mask pattern (6a) exposed through the opening (7a) is slimmed by performing a selection etching, the work film (3) is etched by using the mask pattern (6). A work film pattern (8) is thereby formed, which include a wide pattern section (8a) of a dimension width of the limitation of the exposure resolution and a slimmed pattern section (8a) of a dimension that is not more than the limitation of the exposure resolution.
US08163609B2
A method of making a semiconductor device using a semiconductor substrate includes forming a first insulating layer having a first band energy over the semiconductor substrate. A first semiconductor layer having a second band energy is formed on the first insulating layer. The first semiconductor layer is annealed to form a plurality of first charge retainer globules from the first semiconductor layer. A first protective film is formed over each charge retainer globule of the plurality of first charge retainer globules. A second semiconductor layer is formed having a third band energy over the plurality of first charge retainer globules. The second semiconductor layer is annealed to form a plurality of storage globules from the second semiconductor layer over the plurality of first charge retainer globules. A magnitude of the second band energy is between a magnitude of the first band energy and a magnitude of the third band energy.
US08163599B2
A flip-chip mounting apparatus has a shield film (18) on the side of a pressurizing film (10b) of a tool protection sheet (10). When a semiconductor chip (1) is heated and pressurized via the tool protection sheet (10), the pressurizing film (10b) is released from a mold by a sheet fixing jig (9), and is expanded by a pressurizing/heating tool (11) to abut against an insulating resin film (5) protruding from the periphery of the semiconductor chip (1) and cure the insulating resin film (5) with an external pressure being applied.
US08163596B2
An apparatus comprises a first chip layer comprising a first component coupled to a first side of a first flex layer, the first component comprising a plurality of electrical pads. The first chip layer also comprises a first plurality of feed-thru pads coupled to the first side of the first flex layer and a first encapsulant encapsulating the first component, the first encapsulant having a portion thereof removed to form a first plurality of cavities in the first encapsulant and to expose the first plurality of feed-thru pads by way of the first plurality of cavities.
US08163590B2
Disclosed are an image sensor and a method of manufacturing the same. The image sensor includes a substrate including a pixel area and a logic circuit area; an interlayer dielectric layer on the substrate and having a trench in the pixel area; and an insulating layer microlens formed in the trench of the interlayer dielectric layer. According to the method, a substrate including a pixel area and a logic circuit area is prepared; an interlayer dielectric layer is formed on the substrate; a first microlens pattern is formed on the interlayer dielectric layer on the pixel area; and a second microlens pattern is formed by etching the interlayer dielectric layer on the pixel area using the first microlens pattern as an etch mask. During the etching, a second photoresist pattern, exposing the first microlens pattern, can be used to protect the interlayer dielectric layer on the logic circuit area.
US08163589B2
A method for manufacturing an active layer of a solar cell is disclosed, the active layer manufactured including multiple micro cavities in sub-micrometer scale, which can increase the photoelectric conversion rate of a solar cell. The method comprises following steps: providing a substrate having multiple layers of nanospheres which are formed by the aggregated nanospheres; forming at least one silicon active layer to fill the inter-gap between the nanospheres and part of the surface of the substrate; and removing the nanospheres to form an active layer having plural micro cavities on the surface of the substrate. The present invention also provides a solar cell comprising: a substrate, an active layer, a transparent top-passivation, at least one front contact pad, and at least one back contact pad. The active layer locates on a surface of the substrate and has plural micro cavities whose diameter is less than one micrometer.
US08163586B2
A method for producing a device with at least one suspended membrane, including the following steps: Producing a trench through a first sacrificial layer and a second layer deposited on the first sacrificial layer, the trench completely surrounding at least a portion of the first sacrificial layer and at least a portion of the second layer, filling all or a portion of the trench with at least one material capable of resisting at least one etching agent, and etching the portion of the first sacrificial layer with the etching agent through at least one opening made in the second layer, the portion of the second layer forming at least one portion of the suspended membrane.
US08163585B2
A method for manufacturing a capped sensor element by providing a substrate with a sensor structure, the sensor structure being produced in the substrate using a sacrificial material, applying a cap made of zeolite to the sensor structure and the sacrificial material, and removing the sacrificial material, the sacrificial material being removed through the cap made of zeolite. A sensor element having capping is also provided.
US08163578B2
A light emitting diode comprising an epitaxial layer structure, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first and second electrodes are separately disposed on the epitaxial layer structure, and the epitaxial layer structure has a root-means-square (RMS) roughness less than about 3 at a surface whereon the first electrode is formed.
US08163576B2
A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided which enable reduction and enhanced stability of contact resistance between the back surface of a nitride substrate and an electrode formed thereover. A nitride semiconductor device includes an n-type Ga—N substrate (1) over which a semiconductor element is formed, and an n-electrode (10) as a metal electrode formed over the back surface of the GaN substrate (1). A connection layer (20) is formed between the GaN substrate (1) and the n-electrode (10), and the connection layer (2) is composed of a material that is other than nitride semiconductors and that contains silicon.
US08163572B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device forms the semiconductor device in a device region of a semiconductor substrate simultaneously with forming a monitor semiconductor device that includes a gate electrode made of silicon containing material arranged on a gate insulating film in a monitor region of the semiconductor substrate, a source electrode and a drain electrode formed on the semiconductor substrate on corresponding sides of the gate electrode. The gate electrode is removed without removing a gate insulating film by applying pyrolysis hydrogen generated by pyrolysis on the monitor semiconductor device in the monitor region, and the gate insulating film is removed by a wet process. Impurities distribution of a silicon active region appearing after the gate electrode is removed is measured and fed back to a semiconductor manufacturing process.
US08163567B2
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for detecting a substance using mixed or multiple element capture agents (MECA). The affinity of a MECA for a target is produced by the concomitant binding of at least two low to moderate affinity capture agents providing a high affinity interaction with a capture target.
US08163564B2
A computer for receiving first and second sample attribute information regarding attributes of a sample, for determining parameter identification information for identifying a smear control parameter on the basis of the first sample attribute information, for generating first and second instruction to make a smear preparing apparatus prepare a smear of a sample, the first instruction including the parameter identification information, and the second instruction including the second sample attribute information, for transmitting the first and second instruction to the smear preparing apparatus is disclosed.
US08163560B2
The invention concerns coated test elements and in particular test elements comprising a capillary gap which have a hydrophobic structured coating at least in the area surrounding the capillary gap.
US08163559B2
A reagent for four-part differentiation of white blood cells is provided. In one embodiment the reagent has an osmolality below 50 mOsm/kg H2O. A method for differentiating white blood cells using the reagent is also provided. The disclosure provides for a rapid lysis of red blood cells and four-part differentiation of white blood cells. The reagent may be simple in components and a surfactant is not necessary, but optional. A wide range of pH values may be suitable for the reagent.
US08163554B2
The present invention relates to an engineered biological material comprising or enriched for tissue of intervertebral disc; tissue derived from an engineered biological material; constructs comprising one or more tissues from an engineered biological material; methods for producing the engineered biological materials and constructs; and methods of using the engineered biological materials and constructs.
US08163552B2
A purified polypeptide that binds to neoplastic cells, which may be an antibody, is produced by the hybridoma SAM-6, a method for its production and use in the treatment and diagnosis of neoplasms.
US08163546B2
Disclosed are mammalian cell surface display vectors for isolating and/or characterizing immunoglobulins and various uses thereof.
US08163529B2
A nicking endonuclease is described which has an amino acid sequence with at least 70% identity to SEQ ID NO:6 and comprising a mutation at least one of an arginine or glutamic acid corresponding to position 507 and position 546 respectively in SEQ ID NO:6.
US08163524B2
The invention provides methods for detecting tumor-associated RNA in plasma, serum, and other bodily fluids. In particular, the invention provides methods for detecting translocated gene RNA, including fusion gene RNA, in plasma or serum or other bodily fluids.
US08163514B2
Rationally-designed LAGLIDADG meganucleases and methods of making such meganucleases are provided. In addition, methods are provided for using the meganucleases to generate recombinant cells and organisms having a desired DNA sequence inserted into a limited number of loci within the genome, as well as methods of gene therapy, for treatment of pathogenic infections, and for in vitro applications in diagnostics and research.
US08163512B2
A method for determination of sdLDL-C in a reaction solution containing a surfactant that preferentially inhibits the reaction of sdLDL-C with enzymes for cholesterol measurement such as cholesterol ester hydrolase. In the method, the enzymes for cholesterol measurement act on a sample to eliminate HDL-C, VLDL-C, CM-C and LgLDL-C. A reagent that causes the reaction of sdLDL-C remaining in the reaction solution to form hydrogen peroxide or reduced coenzyme is then added, following which the formed hydrogen peroxide or reduced coenzyme is measured. The sdLDL-C concentration in the sample may be determined by comparing the measurement value with and a previously-prepared calibration curve.
US08163504B2
A method of identifying a subject having or at risk of having or developing a cardiovascular disease and/or a cardiovascular event, includes: measuring, in a sample obtained from the subject, at least two cardiovascular risk factors: a) sPLA2 activity and b) oxidized phospholipids on apolipoprotein B-100 particles (OxPL/apoB), combining the measurements, the combined value of sPLA2 activity and OxPL/apoB being indicative of having or a risk of having or developing a cardiovascular disease and/or cardiovascular event.
US08163500B2
The present disclosure relates to proteins derived from OspC from bacteria of the genus Borrelia, in particular a protein which comprises a first OspC polypeptide, wherein the first OspC polypeptide is linked to a second OspC polypeptide via a disulphide bridge. The disclosure also relates to a method for the detection of antibodies against OspC and a method for the detection of a Borrelia infection, wherein a protein according to the disclosure is employed, and also to a diagnostic kit and a vaccine against Borrelia.
US08163494B2
Methods and compositions suitable for modulating angiogenesis in a mammalian tissue are provided. Further provided are methods suitable for inhibiting metastasis and fibrosis in a mammalian tissue and for assessing the malignancy of colon cancer tumors.
US08163493B2
Provided herein are targets that can be used for the diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of a variety of cancers.
US08163487B2
The present invention provides methods of extending primer nucleic acids and sequencing target nucleic acids. The methods include the use of 2′-terminator nucleotides to effect chain termination. In addition to related reaction mixtures and kits, the invention also provides computers and computer readable media.
US08163484B2
The present invention relates to methods and reagents for modifying the emission of light from labeled nucleic acids for the purpose of real time detection, analysis, and quantitation of nucleic acid sequences, e.g., using singly labeled probes. These methods and reagents exploit advantageous properties of thiazine dyes and diazine dyes. Furthermore, the use of these light emission modifiers in background reduction, nucleic acid duplex stabilization and other uses is also described. Related kits, reaction mixtures and integrated systems are described.
US08163481B2
Methods are provided for isolation of chromatin fractions of nucleoproteins containing histone H1, H2A, H2B, H3 and H4 proteins and/or histone H1, H2A, H2B, H3 and/or H4 proteins, from intact cells. The methods preserve original patterns of covalent modifications of the histone proteins.
US08163479B2
The invention relates to substrates for O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferases (AGT) of formula R1-A-X—CH2—R3—R4-L1, wherein A is a group recognized by AGT as a substrate, X is oxygen or sulfur, R1 is a group —R2-L2 or a group R5, R2 and R4 are, independently of each other, a linker, R3 is an aromatic or a heteroaromatic group, or an optionally substituted unsaturated alkyl, cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl group with the double bond connected to CH2, R5 is arylmethyl or heteroarylmethyl or an optionally substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl or heterocyclyl group, L1 is a label, a plurality of same or different labels, a bond connecting R4 to A forming a cyclic substrate, or a further group —R3—CH2—X-A-R1, and L2 is a label or a plurality of same or different labels. The invention further relates to methods of transferring a label from these substrates to O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferases (AGT) and AGT fusion proteins.
US08163478B2
A Brassica plant comprising a unique recombination event resulting from a break at a position along a nucleic acid segment derived from ogura Raphanus sativus between the restorer locus and the glucosinolate locus and subsequent rejoining to produce a new recombination event, BLR1. The BLR1 recombination event expresses fertility restoring resulting from expression of the restorer gene derived from Raphanus sativus and a GSL content no higher than normal double low open pollinated varieties. The Brassica inbred line BLR-038, Deposit Number NCIMB-41193, is one example of a plant that contains the BLR1 recombination event. The BLR1 recombination event is introgressed into different Brassica genetic backgrounds using breeding techniques known to those skilled in the art. For example, the Brassica inbred line BLR-038 or another Brassica plant containing the BLR1 recombination event may be crossed with male sterile inbreds to produce hybrids expressing low GSL content and superior agronomic traits.
US08163477B2
A method for quantitating an oligonucleotide in a sample of bodily fluid and/or extract is provided. The method provides for the detection and/or localization of oligonucleotides, including administered modified oligonucleotides, for therapeutic and/or pharmacokinetic purposes.
US08163473B2
The present invention presents a method for using DNA repair capacity (DRC) as a blood biomarker to calculate the risk of a female subject developing breast cancer obtained from a blood sample by using a luciferase reporter gene method that permits calculating a percent DRC for the subject. A subject with a percent DRC below 3.1% is considered as being at risk for breast cancer and a subject with a percent DRC above 3.1% as being at low risk for breast cancer. This method comprises a further estimation of an adjusted risk of the subject to develop breast cancer using a logistic regression equation in which the DRC value is included as one of the variables.
US08163471B2
A reagent for measuring basophils and/or nucleated red blood cells in a sample, which comprises at least one fluorescent dye defined in the formula (I) or (II) is disclosed. Also disclosed are a kit and method for measuring basophils and/or nucleated red blood cells.
US08163467B2
A dummy light-exposed substrate used for dummy light-exposure in an immersion exposure apparatus which exposes a substrate to light via a projection optical system and a liquid, comprises a lyophilic region, and a liquid repellent region surrounding the lyophilic region.
US08163466B2
A method forms a first patterned mask (comprising rectangular features and/or rounded openings) on a planar surface and forms a second patterned mask on the first patterned mask and the planar surface. The second patterned mask covers protected portions of the first patterned mask and the second patterned mask reveals exposed portions of the first patterned mask. The method treats the exposed portions of the first patterned mask with a chemical treatment that reduces the size of the exposed portions to create an altered first patterned mask.
US08163455B2
Provided is a toner for image formation, granulated by dispersing, emulsifying, or both dispersing and emulsifying an oil phase containing toner constituting materials in an aqueous medium. The toner constituting materials contain a binder resin, a colorant and a pigment dispersant which is a polyester derivative having an acid value of 28 to 50 mgKOH/g and an amine value of 1 to 50 mgKOH/g, and satisfy the following Expressions 1 and 2, where Expression 1 represents a mass ratio, α is a glass transition temperature of the binder resin, and β is a glass transition temperature of a mixture of the binder resin and the pigment dispersant in the ratio of Expression 1. Binder resin:Pigment dispersant=100:5 Expression 1 0° C.≦α−β≦10° C. Expression 2
US08163452B2
A developing agent includes a carrier; a toner in which an inorganic oxide external additive has a coverage of from 60 to 120% relative to a core toner; and a charging auxiliary particle having charge properties of a positive electrode and having a volume average particle size of from 5 to 15 μm in an addition amount of from 0.5 to 6% by weight relative to the developing agent.
US08163445B2
An EUV mask comprises a multi-reflecting layer is formed over a substrate and reflecting EUV light; an absorber layer pattern defining a sidewall formed over the multi-reflecting layer formed and selectively exposing a region of the multi-reflecting layer; and a reflecting spacer which additionally reflects the EUV light at the sidewall of the absorber layer pattern.
US08163441B2
Separator-electrode assemblies (SEAs) comprise a porous electrode useful as a positive or negative electrode, in a lithium battery and a separator layer applied to this electrode, the separator layer being an inorganic separator layer comprising at least two fractions of metal oxide particles different from each other in their average particle size and/or in the metal, and the electrode having active mass particles are bonded together and to the current collector by inorganic adhesive; and a process for their production.
US08163438B2
A composite electrolyte membrane uses a metal-oxide hydrate which has a number of hydration water molecules of 2.7 or more and 10 or less and/or which is in the form of particles having a particle diameter of 1 nm or more and 10 nm or less. The composite electrolyte membrane exhibits its expected original performance, has both a high proton conductivity and a low methanol permeability, and provides a high-output membrane electrolyte assembly for a fuel cell.
US08163436B2
Solid oxide fuel cell stack obtainable by a process comprising the use of a glass sealant with composition 50-70 wt % SiO2, 0-20 wt % Al2O3, 10-50 wt % CaO, 0-10 wt % MgO, 0-2 wt % (Na2O+K2O), 5-10 wt % B2O3, and 0-5 wt % of functional elements selected from TiO2, ZrO2, F, P2O5, MoO3, Fe2O3, MnO2, La—Sr—Mn—O perovskite (LSM) and combinations thereof.
US08163433B2
A plurality of integral bundle assemblies contain a top portion with an inlet fuel plenum and a bottom portion containing a base support, the base supports a dense, ceramic air exhaust manifold having four supporting legs, the manifold is below and connects to air feed tubes located in a recuperator zone, the air feed tubes passing into the center of inverted, tubular, elongated, hollow electrically connected solid oxide fuel cells having an open end above a combustion zone into which the air feed tubes pass and a closed end near the inlet fuel plenum, where the open end of the fuel cells rest upon and within a separate combination ceramic seal and bundle support contained in a ceramic support casting, where at least one flexible cushion ceramic band seal located between the recuperator and fuel cells protects and controls horizontal thermal expansion, and where the fuel cells operate in the fuel cell mode and where the base support and bottom ceramic air exhaust manifolds carry from 85% to all of the weight of the generator.
US08163427B2
A non-aqueous electrolytic solution is advantageously used in preparation of a lithium secondary battery excellent in cycle characteristics. In the non-aqueous electrolytic solution for a lithium secondary battery, an electrolyte salt is dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent. The non-aqueous electrolytic solution further contains a vinylene carbonate compound in an amount of 0.01 to 10 wt. %, and an alkyne compound in an amount of 0.01 to 10 wt. %.
US08163420B2
A battery system has a battery block with a plurality of battery cells that are rectangular batteries stacked with intervening insulating separators, and that battery block is held by fastening components. The fastening components are provided with a pair of endplates disposed at the ends of the stacked battery cells, and metal bands on both sides of the battery block connected at both ends to the endplates. An insulating separator has an insulating plate section, which intervenes between adjacent battery cells, and insulating walls, which cover both battery cell side-walls, formed from plastic as a single-piece. In this battery system, insulating plate sections are sandwiched between battery cells, and the insulating walls are disposed between battery cell outer side-walls and metal bands to insulate the battery cells from the metal bands.
US08163412B2
A battery cell interconnect and voltage sensing assembly and a method for coupling a battery cell assembly thereto are provided. The battery cell interconnect and voltage sensing assembly includes a frame member holding a plurality of electrical interconnect members and a circuit board with an electrical connector. The assembly routes an electrical current from battery cell assemblies through the electrical interconnect members and can allow a voltage at each of the electrical interconnect members to be sensed at the electrical connector.
US08163410B2
A battery management system includes one or more lithium ion cells in electrical connection, each said cell comprising: first and second working electrodes and one or more reference electrodes, each reference electrode electronically isolated from the working electrodes and having a separate tab or current collector exiting the cell and providing an additional terminal for electrical measurement; and a battery management system comprising a battery state-of-charge monitor, said monitor being operable for receiving information relating to the potential difference of the working electrodes and the potential of one or more of the working electrodes versus the reference electrode.
US08163405B2
Multiple anisotropy layered magnetic structures for controlling reversal mechanism and tightening of switching field distribution in bit patterned media are disclosed. The invention extends the exchange spring concept to more variable and sophisticated structures. Three or more layers with different anisotropy or anisotropy gradients increase writeability gains beyond the simple hard/soft bilayer exchange spring concept for BPM. The structures have a thin very hard, high anisotropy center layer that acts as a threshold or pinning layer for domain wall propagation through the entire media structure. In addition or alternatively, a thin very soft, low anisotropy center layer in between the commonly used soft surface layer and hard media layer allows quick initial propagation of the domain wall into the center of the media structure. Various properties of the media structures can be tuned more independently for optimization if using more advanced multi-anisotropy layer stacks.
US08163402B2
The invention relates to a polymer comprising structural unit of formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are independently at each occurrence a C1-C20 aliphatic radical, a C3-C20 aromatic radical, or a C3-C20 cycloaliphatic radical; a, b, d, e and f are independently at each occurrence 0, or an integer ranging from 1 to 4; c is independently at each occurrence 0, or an integer ranging from 1 to 3. In another aspect, the invention relates to monomers for preparing the polymers. In yet another aspect, the invention relates to an optical electronic device comprising a polymer comprising structural unit of formula I.
US08163392B2
The method for producing glass-coated electronic components includes processing a lead-free glass with a liquid to form a suspension, applying the suspension on an electronic component body and subsequently sintering the component body with the suspension on it. The lead-free glass contains, in % by weight, SiO2, 3-12; B2O3, 15-<25; Al2O3, 0-6; Cs2O, 0-5; MgO, 0-5; BaO, 0-5; Bi2O3, 0-5; CeO2, 0.01-1; MoO3, 0-1; Sb2O3, 0-2 and ZnO, 50-65. The method can be used to passivate electronic components.
US08163390B2
The invention relates to radiation-curable compounds, to processes for preparing them, to their use, and to coating compositions comprising them and featuring high scratch resistance.
US08163389B2
A conductive roll having at least one conductive elastic layer on the outer periphery of a core bar, the conductive elastic layer being granted conductivity by carbon black, is provided. The conductive elastic layer is prepared by reacting at least a polyol consisting essentially of a polyether-based polyol with a diisocyanate with the use of a tetravalent organotin-based compound having a tin content of 18.7% or less by weight as a catalyst. A method for producing the conductive roll is also provided.
US08163376B2
Provided are a shape memory polymer composition, which comprises a bifunctional isocyanate and/or a trifunctional isocyanate, and a polyol having an average molecular weight of from 100 to 550, with a molar ratio in terms of functional groups of isocyanate:polyol=0.9 to 1.1:1.0; FRP having the shape memory polymer and a fibrous material; and a production process of the FRP comprising impregnating the fibrous material with, as a matrix resin, the shape memory polymer composition and curing. According to the present invention, the shape memory polymer composition has an extended pot life and FRP has excellent inflatability.
US08163371B2
An improved mat is disclosed. Long and short legs support the mat and cause it to feel resilient although it is fabricated from hard rubber. The mat has drain holes on vertical surfaces. Ribs prevent the mat from embedding within grating. Grit is selectively placed upon the mat and physically supported. Adhesive for bonding the grit is retained by retention lips. Also disclosed is a process for creating drain holes on vertical surfaces of mats by attaching a grooving tool to a robot and programming the robot to cut through molded mat channels to create the desired drain holes. An additional process uses the robot to selectively place adhesive upon the mat. An adhesive dispenser is attached to the robot and the robot is appropriately programmed.
US08163364B2
The present invention relates to a flexible unbonded pipe comprising an inner liner capable of forming a barrier against outflow of a fluid which is conveyed through the pipe, and one or more armouring layers on the outer side of the inner liner. The flexible unbonded pipe comprises at least one polymer layer and at least one film layer, the polymer layer being bonded to the film layer via one or more bondings selected from the group of chemical bondings and physical bondings. The film layer may preferably be a metal film layer. The polymer layer may preferably be cross-linked polyethylene. The interfacial bonding between the polymer layer and the film layer should preferably be sufficiently strong to prevent creation of gas pockets between the layers when subjected to an increased pressure of aggressive fluids on the film side of the pipe.
US08163363B2
A dunnage platform is in the general shape of a rectangular slab with legs extending form one side. The dunnage platform is made from an expanded polystyrene core. A chemical combination process is used to chemically combine portion of the core proximal to its surface with high impact polystyrene. In a first of two parts of the combination process, the core is placed in a forming mold with one of its two sides and two thirds of its thickness extending therefrom. A heated sheet of high impact polystyrene is brought into contact with the portion of the core extending from the mold. In a similar manner, the other of the two sides of the core is made to extend from the forming mold for contact with a heated sheet of high impact polystyrene.
US08163360B2
The present invention relates to a pigment dispersion having an inorganic pigment dispersed therein, characterized in that a metal compound adheres to the inorganic pigment and a metal ion concentration of the metal compound in the pigment dispersion does not exceed 0.05 mol/L.
US08163346B2
Both a system and method for marking honeycomb structures is provided. The system includes a printing station having a print head moveable relative to a log that prints an identification mark for each structure to be cut from the log; an elevation mechanism that positions the log relative to the printing station, sensors for determining a distance between the print head and log; and a length measuring sensor. A processor is connected to the printing station, elevation mechanism, and length measuring sensor which (a) associates an identification code with the log, (b) generates a separate identification mark for each honeycomb structure to be cut from the log, (c) controls the elevation mechanism to place the log at a desired location relative to the print head of the printing station, and (d) receives length data from the length sensor. The processor then determines cut locations for the log that define the ends of the green body honeycomb structures to be cut, and directs the printing station to print one of the identification marks on a location along the length of said log corresponding to one of said structures defined between the cut locations. A method of associating the honeycomb structures with manufacturing data is also provided.
US08163342B2
A low-resistivity, doped zinc oxide coated glass article is formed by providing a hot glass substrate having a surface on which a coating is to be deposited, the surface being at a temperature of at least 400° C. A zinc containing compound, an oxygen-containing compound and an aluminum- or gallium-containing compound are directed to the surface on which the coating is to be deposited. The zinc containing compound, oxygen-containing compound, and aluminum- or gallium-containing compound are mixed together for a sufficient time that an aluminum or gallium doped zinc oxide coating is formed on the surface at a deposition rate of greater than 5 nm/second.
US08163336B2
Layers of a passivating material and/or containing luminescent centers are deposited on phosphor particles or particles that contain a host material that is capable of capturing an excitation energy and transferring it to a luminescent center or layer. The layers are formed in an ALD process. The ALD process permits the formation of very thin layers. Coated phosphors have good resistance to ambient moisture and oxygen, and/or can be designed to emit a distribution of desired light wavelengths.
US08163330B2
The present invention provides a method of making back side contacts and back surface fields in photovoltaic devices such as silicon solar cells. According to one aspect, the process of the present invention is a non-contact process, overcoming many of the problems of the prior art. According to certain aspects, molten aluminum is used to form the contact regions as opposed to the screen printing process of the prior art. According to additional aspects, the process can be used to form the distributed point contacts and localized back surface fields for dielectric passivated back surface. According to still further aspects, molten aluminum spray and/or atomization is used for the back side metallization.
US08163328B2
Compositions for marking objects with DNA and methods for marking and linking an object to its owner
The invention can be summarized as follows. There is provided one or more DNA coating compositions that comprise one or more polymer compounds, water, and optionally one or more non-water polar solvents. The DNA coating composition may also comprise DNA. Also provided are methods and kits for marking objects with a DNA coating composition comprising DNA.
US08163327B2
The invention provides a durable, lubricious coating for a medical article that can be prepared from a first polymer that is synthetic, soluble in a polar liquid, and having first reactive groups, and a second polymer that is synthetic, hydrophilic, and that includes second reactive groups. The first reactive groups and a portion of the second reactive groups react to bond the first polymer to the second polymer. A portion of the second reactive groups remains unbonded which, upon neutralization, provide lubricious properties to the coating. In some aspects the coating is formed using a crosslinking agent having latent reactive groups. The coatings provide particularly long dry out times and are very useful for catheterization processes. In addition, the coatings can be subject to sterilization with ethylene oxide and retain very good durable and lubricious properties.
US08163325B2
Methods of making acid and rennet-based cheeses include processing a previous lot of milk to produce curds and whey from the previous lot of milk, and removing the whey from the curd. For cottage cheeses, curds are washed with a wash water. Whey and wash water (when used) include fine particles of curd, which are collected, added, and mixed into a subsequent lot of milk preferably using a mixer such as a homogenizer or colloid mill. Mixing preferably reduces the fine particle size of at least a plurality of the fine particles and increases the total amount of surface area thereof. Fine particles are reincorporated into the matrix of the curd made from the subsequent lot of milk, which increases curd yield. Also provided is a higher yield cheese that is made from a subsequent lot of milk that includes fine particles of curd from a previous lot of milk.
US08163324B2
An extruded, directly expanded, high fiber reduced calorie food product, such as a ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal or sweet or savory snack, is produced at high production rates without substantial loss of extrusion functionality and extrudability by replacing a substantial portion of at least one flour with a gelatinized, enzyme-resistant starch type III ingredient or bulking agent as a reduced-calorie, high fiber flour replacer. The resistant starch type III ingredient or bulking agent contains an enzyme-resistant starch type III having a melting point with an endothermic peak temperature of at least about 140° C., and may have a water-holding capacity of less than 3 grams water per gram of the starch-based bulking agent. The total dietary fiber retention of the gelatinized, starch-based bulking agent may be at least about 90% by weight after the extrusion using a die temperature of least about 100° C., and a die pressure of at least about 150 psig.
US08163323B2
A method for preparing bread includes forming a dough billet and providing a frame including a sling of flexible cloth material secured between two cross members, the sling defining an elongate trough sized to receive the dough billet. The dough billet is disposed in the elongate trough such that the dough billet has a predetermined orientation and the dough billet is moved into a cutting station using a conveyor. The dough billet is scored in the sling at the predetermined orientation with an automated cutting station. The dough billet is removed from the elongate trough by raising the dough billet by pressing a contact element against a bottom of the sling and taking the raised dough billet from the frame. The dough billet is also cooked on an oven floor.
US08163321B1
A food product including a potato substrate having less than about 6% moisture content that is at least partially coated with a coating composition having a food starch component is provided. The at least partially coated potato substrate contains at least about 20% less fat content (adjusted to an about 1% product moisture basis) after thermal processing as compared to a substantially similar thermal processed uncoated potato substrate.
US08163318B2
Capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage machine comprising an enclosure (20) containing one or more beverage ingredients, filtering means (22) delimiting at least one filtering side of the enclosure, beverage flow guiding means (40) for guiding the beverage to a beverage outlet (41b) of the capsule, a shell (21) and a protective cover (4) that is attached to the shell in order to form a gas tight container for the beverage ingredients. The capsule further comprises an overflow wall (3) that is positioned in the path of the brewed liquid after the filtering means (22) and comprises at least one overflow aperture (25). The capsule further comprises opening means comprising an opening element (43) configured to open the gas-tight container in order to create the beverage outlet (41). The beverage flow guiding means (40) and the opening element (43) are integrally housed in the gas-tight container.
US08163311B2
Compositions and methods for inducing hair growth and improving hair quality utilizing extracts of Cotinus coggygria in an amount effective to induce hair growth when applied topically to an area of the skin on which hair growth is desired.
US08163304B2
An oral composition for oral cleansing, breath freshening, and anti-microbial benefits includes Magnolia Bark Extract in combination with a surface active agent. The effectiveness of Magnolia Bark Extract in inhibiting biofilm formation in the oral cavity is increased by a synergistic combination of the Magnolia Bark Extract with a surface active agent in an oral cavity delivery agent, such as chewing gum, a confectionary, a lozenge, a compressed tablet, and an edible film.
US08163296B2
GPC (gel permeation chromatography) and size exclusion chromatography with detection by multi-angle light scattering photometry (SEC-MALS) can be used to accurately measure molecular size and molar mass, respectively, of saccharide conjugates. The invention provides (a) a process for measuring the molecular size of a conjugated saccharide antigen within a sample, comprising a step of analyzing the sample by GPC, and (b) a process for measuring the molar mass of a conjugated saccharide antigen within a sample, comprising a step of analysing the sample by SEC-MALS.
US08163294B2
Immunogenic compositions comprising growth regulatable recombinant attenuated intracellular pathogens that have been transformed to express recombinant immunogenic antigens of the same or other intracellular pathogens are provided. Exemplary immunogenic compositions include, growth regulatable and growth limited recombinant attenuated intracellular pathogen immunogenic compositions.
US08163293B2
The invention concerns the use of a virus for the preparation of a medicament for the vaccination or treatment of a neonatal or prenatal animal, including a human, wherein the virus is capable of infecting the cells of the neonatal or prenatal animal, including a human, but not capable of being replicated to infectious progeny virus in the neonatal or prenatal animal, including a human. The virus is preferably a Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara. In particular, the invention concerns an attenuated virus, which is derived from Modified Vaccinia Ankara virus, wherein the MVA-BN virus, or a derivative thereof, induces at least substantially the same level of immunity in vaccinia virus prime/vaccinia virus boost regimes when compared to DNA prime/vaccinia virus boost regimes.
US08163291B2
The present invention concerns methods and compositions for stably tethered structures of defined compositions, which may have multiple functionalities and/or binding specificities. Particular embodiments concern homodimers comprising monomers that contain a dimerization and docking domain attached to a precursor. The precursors may be virtually any molecule or structure, such as antibodies, antibody fragments, antibody analogs or mimetics, aptamers, binding peptides, fragments of binding proteins, known ligands for proteins or other molecules, enzymes, detectable labels or tags, therapeutic agents, toxins, pharmaceuticals, cytokines, interleukins, interferons, radioisotopes, proteins, peptides, peptide mimetics, polynucleotides, RNAi, oligosaccharides, natural or synthetic polymeric substances, nanoparticles, quantum dots, organic or inorganic compounds, etc. Other embodiments concern tetramers comprising a first and second homodimer, which may be identical or different. The disclosed methods and compositions provide a facile and general way to obtain homodimers, homotetramers and heterotetramers of virtually any functionality and/or binding specificity.
US08163285B2
The present invention provides a binding molecule which is capable of binding to the human NogoA polypeptide or human NiG with a dissociation constant<1000 nM, a polynucleotide encoding such binding molecule; an expression vector comprising said polynucleotide; an expression system comprising a polynucleotide capable of producing a binding molecule; an isolated host cell which comprises an expression system as defined above; the use of such binding molecule as a pharmaceutical, especially in the treatment of a disease of the peripheral (PNS) and/or central (CNS) nervous system; a pharmaceutical composition comprising said binding molecule; and a method of treatment of a disease of the peripheral (PNS) and/or central (CNS) nervous system.
US08163278B2
A method of determining the efficacy of secretin, neuropeptides, peptides, and/or digestive enzymes for treatment of an individual diagnosed with a pervasive development disorder, such as autism, where the individual has an abnormal fecal chymotrypsin level and exhibits a lack of protein digestion. A sample of feces is obtained from the individual in order to determine a quantitative level of chymotrypsin in the sample. The quantitative level of chymotrypsin is used to determine the efficacy of treating the individual with secretin, neuropeptides, peptides, and/or digestive enzymes. If it is determined, based on the individual's fecal chymotrypsin level, that the individual would benefit from the administration of secretin, neuropeptides, peptides, and/or digestive enzymes, then the amount necessary to effect a change in the individual's autistic behavior is determined by the individual's fecal chymotrypsin level, age and weight.
US08163273B2
An improvement of a process for permanently reshaping keratin fibres, comprising the application to the keratin fibres, before the reducing operation and/or after the fixing operation, of a pre-treatment and/or post-treatment cosmetic composition comprising, in a cosmetically acceptable vehicle, at least one aminosilicone microemulsion, the number-average primary size of the particles in the at least one microemulsion ranging from 3 to 70 nm.
US08163262B1
Presented is a method for Batch or continuous production of nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) using direct fluorination of organic solution of trimethylsilylamines at low temperatures. Fluorine gas reacts with a solution of tris(trimethylsilyl)amine or bis(trimethylsilyl)amine in a suitable reactor to produce NF3 in a continuous flow process. The crude product can be purified by a channeling the crude process flow through a scrubber to remove reactive byproducts and by cryogenic trapping of other non reactive byproducts in the process flow. Temperatures in the reaction and storage vessels are maintained to control the reaction products based on thermodynamics of the process and products. NF3 is liquefiable at −126 degree Centigrade, and may be collected and used in other processes. The method also produce NF3 as a continuous gas flow process where fluorine is channeled to contact micro droplet suspensions of bis(trimethylsilyl)amines in sulfur hexafluoride.
US08163261B2
A method for making a higher silane from a lower silane comprises heating a lower silane containing stream without exposing it to temperatures more than 20° C. more than the maximum temperature of a first reaction temperature range. The heated lower silane containing stream is introduced into a first reaction zone and allowed to react. The method further comprises mixing a first gaseous mixture from the first reaction zone with a higher silane containing stream and introducing the mixed streams into a second reaction zone operating within a second reaction temperature range. A second gaseous mixture exiting the second reaction zone is separated into various streams. One stream containing unreacted lower silanes is recycled to an earlier heating step and first reaction zone. The higher silane containing stream is mixed with the first gaseous mixture. Average residence time is low to prevent decomposition and formation of undesired silane byproducts.
US08163260B2
The present invention relates to processes for the production of monodisperse SiO2 particles by hydrolytic polycondensation of tetraalkoxysilanes and/or organotrialkoxysilanes, in which the hydrolytic polycondensation is carried out in a medium comprising water, one or more solubilizers and one or more amines, and in which highly monodisperse, non-porous particles are obtained. The present invention likewise relates to powders obtainable by the processes, and to the use thereof.
US08163259B2
A molecular sieve comprises at least one intergrown phase of an AFX framework-type molecular sieve and a CHA framework-type molecular sieve and is conveniently synthesized using a combination of N,N,N′N′-tetramethylhexane-1,6-diamine and N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine as organic directing agents.
US08163258B2
A method of removing lead sulfide contained in refined molybdenite powder concentrates (major component; MoS2) is provided. More specifically, in order to solve the problems associated with a leaching method using a leaching agent that is employed for conventional hydrometallurgical process, oxygen-free inert gas is circulated in a furnace for pyrometallurgical treatment to evaporate lead sulfide at high temperature, followed by condensing process to recover lead sulfide at low temperature. The method is characterized in that, it can reduce environmental contamination and can easily recover sulfides of valuable metals such as lead, indium, zinc and the like.
US08163255B1
A device for opening medicinal ampules is an apparatus to protect oneself from injury and prevent possible waste when utilizing injection medication dispensed in ampules. The device has a box type assembly with approximate dimensions of four inches wide, two inches deep and two inches high. The interior of the box is capable of holding up to three ampules at one time. The ampules are simply placed in their holding holes, and the lid is lowered. A sharp smack, administered by the user's hand and cushioned by foam padding, is adequate to snap off the neck of the ampules. The invention then serves as a holder for the ampule body while removing the medication with a syringe and for safe disposal thereafter.
US08163254B1
A micromanifold for connecting external capillaries to the inlet and/or outlet ports of a microfluidic device can employ a ferrule/capillary assembly that includes: (a) a ferrule comprising an elongated member and having a bore traversing from a proximal end to a distal end of the member, wherein the bore has an inner surface and wherein the distal end of the ferrule has a tapered, threaded exterior surface, and (b) a capillary that is positioned within the bore wherein the capillary's outer surface is in direct contact with the bore's inner surface. No mating sleeve is required for the one-piece ferrule. Alternatively, the capillaries can be bonded to channels that traverse the manifold and therefore obviate the need for a ferrule.
US08163244B2
Provided is a device for generation of cyclopropene compounds which is capable of achieving direct in situ preparation and application of cyclopropene compounds inhibiting the action of ethylene which accelerates the ripening process of plants, the device comprising a first storage part for storing precursors of cyclopropene compounds (“cyclopropene precursors”), a second storage part for storing reaction reagents which convert cyclopropene precursors into cyclopropene derivatives via chemical reaction, and a spray part for spraying the cyclopropene derivatives produced by the chemical reaction between the cyclopropene precursors and the reaction reagents.
US08163243B1
The system that operates in a zero gravity environment and has an integral ozone generating capability is disclosed. The system contributes to the control of metabolic water vapors in the air, and also provided disinfection of any resulting condensate within the system, as well as disinfection of the air stream that flows throughout the disclosed system.
US08163241B2
An optical probe for detecting luminescence emitted by a sample is disclosed. The optical probe includes a parabolic optical waveguide and an outer housing having a detachable component configured to hold a transparent sensor substrate that can be coupled to the optical waveguide. The optical probe also includes a sensing material for detection of at least one specified analyte. An excitation source is configured to excite the sensing material. The optical probe also incorporates a measuring photodetector that detects emitted luminescence.
US08163240B2
A detection device and system are provided. The detection device includes a detection capacitor and a Field Effect Transistor (FET). The detection capacitor has a reactive material layer reacting to a specific functional group in a fluid, and first and second electrodes disposed on the both surfaces of an insulating layer, and the FET has a source electrode connected with the second electrode, a gate electrode connected with the first electrode, and a drain electrode. Here, the insulating layer of the detection capacitor is thicker than a gate insulating layer of the FET.
US08163231B2
An apparatus and a method for tapping molten metal from below a molten electrolyte layer less dense than the metal is described. The apparatus comprises a pipe comprising a protruding enlarged wall portion at an operative end which is immersed in the molten electrolyte and metal during tapping operation. The enlarged wall portion helps to minimize entrainment of electrolyte residue from the electrolyte/metal interface during tapping. The orientation of the enlarged wall portion may be in the general direction of the crucible.
US08163225B2
An apparatus and a method for manufacturing plastic containers, where the plastic containers are produced from aplastic material such as recycled plastic. The plastic preforms are heated in a heating unit and expanded into plastic containers in an expansion device. An infrared absorption degree of the plastic material or of the plastic preforms produced from said plastic material is then examined at least once in the course of the production process. From this examination conclusions can be drawn with respect to the quality of the preforms and their behavior when they are being heated.
US08163222B2
A machine head for producing a surface relief on a substrate, the machine head comprising a flexible stamping element having a curved profile and an inverse of the surface relief on its convex side; and the flexibility of the element being such that the inverse of the surface relief can be pressed to become flat and in planar contact with the substrate being pressed.
US08163216B2
The invention relates to a method for producing a film web during which an initial film web made of thermoplastic polymer material with a polyethylene matrix, in which 1 to 70 parts by weight of polypropylene, with regard to 100 parts by weight of polyethylene matrix, are contained, is, after being heated, guided through a cooled roll gap (7, 8), whereby the initial film web is heated only until the polymer matrix material melts but not to a temperature at which the polypropylene melts.
US08163214B2
A thermoplastic endless belt has a smooth outer surface substantially free of discontinuities and an inner surface with a plurality of teeth at a given belt pitch. The teeth are adapted to engage a sprocket with circumferentially spaced sheaves at a sprocket pitch greater than the belt pitch. The belt is slightly stretchable so that the sprocket can drive the endless belt when engaging the teeth within a range of load on the belt. The belt is preferred for use in conveyors in food processing industries where the smooth outer surface can transport food items and is easier to clean and keep free of impurities.
US08163201B2
Disclosed are photoluminescent formulations, comprising an effective amount of photoluminescent phosphorescent materials, which exhibit high luminous intensity and persistence. Also disclosed are photoluminescent objects formed by applying at least one photoluminescent layer, formed from photoluminescent formulations, to preformed articles. Further disclosed are methods for creating photoluminescent objects.
US08163198B2
A process for producing a lithium-containing composite oxide having a large volume capacity density, high safety, excellent durability for charge/discharge cycles, and excellent low temperature characteristics. An oxide of general formula LipNxMyOzFa (wherein N is at least one of Co, Mn or Ni, M is at least one of Al, an alkali earth metal element, a transition metal element other than N, 0.9≦p≦1.2, 0.97≦x≦1.00, 0≦y≦0.03, 1.9≦z≦2.2, x+y=1 and 0≦a≦0.02) can be produced.
US08163193B2
A modifier of a lithium ion battery includes a mixture of a phosphorus source having a phosphate radical, a trivalent aluminum source, and a metallic oxide in a liquid phase solvent. A method for making the modifier of the lithium ion battery. In the method, a phosphorus source having a phosphate radical, a trivalent aluminum source, and a metallic oxide are provided. The phosphorus source, the trivalent aluminum source, and the metallic oxide are mixed in a liquid phase solvent to form a clear solution.
US08163189B2
Nanoporous substrate with fine pores having a diameter from 3 to 40 nm arranged with less than 60 nm periodicity is prepared by a method comprising the steps of coating amphipathic block copolymer on a substrate, forming a film containing hydrophilic cylinders aligned perpendicularly to the surface of the film on a substrate, and immersing the substrate into a solution containing an etchant.
US08163185B1
A method of lifting off photoresist beneath an overlayer includes providing a structure including photoresist and depositing an overlayer impenetrable to a liftoff solution over the photoresist and a field region around the structure. The method also includes forming a mask over the structure and ion milling to remove the overlayer in the field region not covered by the mask. The method then includes lifting off the photoresist using the liftoff solution.
US08163173B1
A well water treatment system includes a first ozonation tank that receives pressurized well water and introduces ozone into that well water. The ozone causes impurities to precipitate, which settle to the sides and bottom of the first tank. Remaining water is delivered by gravity flow to a second supply tank wherein the ozone is allowed to largely if not entirely dissipate from the water. When a household or other destination requires treated water, a pump in the supply tank operates to deliver water from the tank to that destination. The pump is operably positioned within the supply tank at an intermediate water level below precipitates floating on the surface and above precipitates that have settled in the tank.
US08163171B2
The invention relates to hydrocarbon fluids having high purity with respect to at least one of sulfur species, nitrogen species, oxygenated species, and unsaturated species, particularly hydrocarbon fluids low in aromatics, a method of making said hydrocarbon fluids, a catalyst for use in said method, an apparatus whereby said method may be practiced, and uses of said fluids.
US08163167B2
A process for the deep desulfurization of a heavy pyrolysis gasoline to very low levels of organic sulfur, e.g., 30 ppmv or less, with minimal octane number loss through aromatics saturation. The deep desulfurization is accomplished by contacting the heavy pyrolysis gasoline feedstock, partially in liquid and partially in gaseous phase, with a hydrogen treat gas containing a minimum H2S level in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst in a one or two reactor system operated in trickle flow, using a low temperature, moderate pressure operating condition.
US08163157B2
In a through hole closing process, a metal plate is attached to one surface of a conductive base member having a plurality of through holes by the use of a magnet, in a copper plating process, a copper plating layer is formed on the conductive base member and the metal plate exposed within the through holes, from the side of the conductive base member where the metal plate is not attached, thereby to fill up the through holes, in a film forming process, a Pd alloy film is formed by plating on the surface of the conductive base member after removal of the metal plate, and in a removal process, the copper plating layer is removed by selective etching, thereby to produce a hydrogen production filter that is used in a reformer of a fuel cell so as to be capable of stably producing high purity hydrogen gas.
US08163148B2
A gas sensor element including: a sensor layer in which at least one pair of electrodes are provided in a solid electrolyte for measuring an electromotive force based on a difference in an oxygen concentration between atmospheres; and a heater layer which includes a heater element with a heat generating portion and an electrically insulating layer disposed so as to enclose the heater element and which is configured to heat, by an electric current supplied to the heater element, at least a portion of the solid electrolyte at which the at least one pair of electrodes are provided, the sensor layer and the heater layer being laminated integrally on each other, wherein the electrically insulating layer contains at least one metal oxide selected from the group consisting of alkali metal oxide and alkaline earth metal oxide.
US08163145B2
An improved method of controlling topographical variations when milling a cross-section of a structure, which can be used to reduce topographical variation on a cross-section of a write-head in order to improve the accuracy of metrology applications. Topographical variation is reduced by using a protective layer that comprises a material having mill rates at higher incidence angles that closely approximate the mill rates of the structure at those higher incidence angles. Topographical variation can be intentionally introduced by using a protective layer that comprises a material having mill rates at higher incidence angles that do not closely approximate the mill rates of the structure at those higher incidence angles.
US08163144B2
The present invention relates to a magnetron sputtering device and technique for depositing materials onto a substrate at a high production rate in which the deposited films have predictive thickness distribution and in which the apparatus can operate continuously and repeatedly for very long periods. The present invention has realized increased production by reducing cycle time. Increased coating rates are achieved by coupling a planetary drive system with a large cathode. The cathode diameter is greater than the diameter of a planet and less than twice the diameter of the planet. Lower defect rates are obtained through the lower power density at the cathode which suppresses arcing, while runoff is minimized by the cathode to planet geometry without the use of a mask.
US08163132B2
An absorbent paper product is disclosed. The absorbent paper product has an MD modulus of less than about 20,000 g/cm at a load of about 15 g. The absorbent paper product further has indicia provided by five or more process colors. The process colors have L*a*b* color values. The a* and b* values are outside the boundary described by the following system of equations: {a*=−29.0 to −5.2; b*=14.0 to 49.5}→b*=1.4916a*+57.2563 {a*=−5.2 to 35.3; b*=49.5 to 38.9}→b*=−0.261728a*+48.139 {a*=35.3 to 38.3; b*=5.3 to 38.9}→b*=−11.2a*+434.26 {a*=38.3 to 36.3; b*=5.3 to −0.70}→b*=3a*−109.6 {a*=36.3 to 11.3; b*=−0.70 to −26.0}→b*=1.012a*−37.4356 {a*=11.3 to −20.0; b*=−26.0 to −29.3}→b*=0.105431a*−27.1914 {a*=−20.0 to −29.0; b*=−29.3 to 14.0}→b*=−4.81111a*−125.522 wherein L* is from 0 to 100.
US08163131B2
Processes for producing a filter material which contains heatsealable, biodegradable and compostable polymeric fibers and is characterized in that it additionally contains a lubricant in an amount from 0.5 to 5.0% by weight, based on the paper weight of the ready-produced filter material.
US08163130B2
A paper product having a plurality of tessellating unit cells forming a pattern is disclosed. Each unit cell has a center and at least two continuous land areas extending in at least two directions from the center and a plurality of pillow areas each surrounded by at least one of the continuous land areas. Each of the continuous land areas at least bifurcates to form a continuous land area portion having a first width before bifurcation and at least two continuous land area portions having a second width after bifurcation. The first width is greater than the second width. Each of the continuous land area portions having the first width has a first number density and each of the at least two continuous land area portions having the second width has a second number density. The first number density is less than the second number density.
US08163128B2
A plasma processing apparatus includes a chamber for containing a substrate to be processed, a gas supply unit for supplying a processing gas into the chamber, and a microwave introducing unit for introducing plasma generating microwaves into the chamber. The microwave introducing unit includes a microwave oscillator for outputting a plurality of microwaves having specified outputs, and an antenna section having a plurality of antennas to which the microwaves outputted from the microwave oscillator are respectively transmitted.
US08163124B2
A method for manufacturing a sheet-shaped body in which a powder particle layer is sandwiched between a base sheet to which a bonding agent is applied and a covering sheet so as to be bonded into an integral body, is provided with the steps of: shifting the base sheet, the powder particle layer and the covering sheet, with each of the sheets and the layer being held on the respective roller face, and after the powder particle layer has been transferred onto the base sheet, bonding the base sheet, the powder particle layer and the covering sheet into an integral form. Thus, the powder particle layer can be fixed to a predetermined position in a stable manner.
US08163120B2
A process for producing an IC card comprising: an application/bonding step of applying an adhesive having a curing rate ratio (80° C./40° C.) of 30 or more on the surface of an inlet film, on which a number of IC modules are mounted, and/or a skin film for covering at least one surface of the inlet film, and bonding the inlet film and the skin film together to form a laminate film; a curing step of curing the adhesive to form a cured resin layer between the inlet film and the skin film of the laminate film; and a card forming step of forming a number of IC cards by dividing the laminate film for each IC module.
US08163119B2
The present disclosure pertains to composite articles, and in particular a composite face plate for a golf club-head, and methods for making the same. In certain embodiments, a composite face plate for a club-head comprises a lay-up of multiple, composite prepreg plies. The face plate can be made by first forming an oversized lay-up of multiple prepreg plies having a central portion and a sacrificial portion surrounding the central portion. The lay-up is at least partially cured in a mold under elevated pressure and heat. The lay-up is then removed from the mold and the sacrificial portion is removed from the central portion to form a composite part that is substantially free of defects.
US08163116B2
Joints are formed for articles of manufacture such as transportation vehicles (e.g., automotive vehicles). The joints typically include a connector that is adhered to a first member and a second member with a structural adhesive, which may be a foam.
US08163111B2
A process of forming a prosthetic implant component, such as the femoral component of a knee replacement prosthesis. The process comprises the steps of: (i) forming a prosthetic component having a shape at least approximating the desired final shape of the component from a metal alloy; (ii) subjecting the component to a relatively elevated temperature and pressure followed by a cooling regime; (iii) machining the surface of the component; (iv) polishing the surface of the component.
US08163108B2
This cold-rolled steel sheet includes, in terms of mass %, C: not less than 0.05% and not more than 0.095%, Cr: not less than 0.15% and not more than 2.0%, B: not less than 0.0003% and not more than 0.01%, Si: not less than 0.3% and not more than 2.0%, Mn: not less than 1.7% and not more than 2.6%, Ti: not less than 0.005% and not more than 0.14%, P: not more than 0.03%, S: not more than 0.01%, Al: not more than 0.1%, N: less than 0.005%, O: not less than 0.0005% and not more than 0.005%, and contains as the remainder, iron and unavoidable impurities, wherein the microstructure of the steel sheet includes mainly polygonal ferrite having a crystal grain size of not more than 4 μm, and hard microstructures of bainite and martensite, the block size of the martensite is not more than 0.9 μm, the Cr content within the martensite is 1.1 to 1.5 times the Cr content within the polygonal ferrite, and the tensile strength is at least 880 MPa.
US08163100B2
Synthetic microgel polymer compositions are useful for treating and/or modifying hard surfaces, in particular by promoting the hydrophilization thereof, notably in cleaning or rinsing operations.
US08163095B2
The present invention provides a stripping composition and a stripping method capable of easily stripping a color resist or an organic insulating film formed on a substrate to reuse the substrate when defects are found during a process of forming the color filter or organic insulating film on the substrate. In one embodiment, the stripping composition includes about 0.5 to about 45 wt % of hydroxide compound, about 10 to about 89 wt % of alkyleneglycolalkylether compound, about 5 to about 45 wt % of alkanolamine compound, and about 0.01 to about 5 wt % of inorganic salt compound. Advantageously, the stripping process can be performed without damaging a thin film transistor of a bottom substrate while removing the color resist or organic insulating film.
US08163093B1
Methods of cleaning one or more workpieces are described. A method includes oscillating workpieces while performing a cleaning operation (e.g., sonication, rinse, etc.) and dwelling the workpieces at one or more oscillation positions (e.g., an upper oscillation position, an lower oscillation position, or an intermediate oscillation position) for corresponding one or more dwell time periods.
US08163091B2
The present invention relates to an improved method for isolating ingredients from biological material, in particular from sugar beet (Beta vulgaris).
US08163085B2
An apparatus for forming a protective layer of magnesium oxide on a front glass substrate (11) in an evaporation chamber (201) includes the following: oxygen outlet openings (222) for introducing oxygen into the evaporation chamber (201); water vapor outlet openings (210) for introducing water vapor into the evaporation chamber (201) from the downstream side in the transfer direction of the front glass substrate (11); a mass analyzer (224) for measuring the ionic strength of hydrogen and the ionic strength of oxygen in the evaporation chamber (201); and mass flow controllers (215) and (221) for controlling the introduction amount of the water vapor and the introduction amount of the oxygen, respectively, by the ionic strengths measured by the mass analyzer (224).
US08163084B2
The invention relates to nanostructure and its manufacturing method. In the manufacturing method of a nanostructure, first anisotropic crystalline particles, connectors having end to be connected to a specific crystal face of each of said crystalline particles, and second particles to be connected to the other end of each of said connectors are prepared. First ends of the connectors are connected to specific crystal faces of the first crystalline particles, and simultaneously or before or after the connection, the second ends of the connectors are connected to the second particles. A nanostructure formed by this method has a three-dimensional structure which does not have a closest packing structure.
US08163082B2
Manufacturing methods and plants for carrying out methods of manufacturing cement clinker including diverting gases from a separation cyclone for a calcined cement material. The diverted gases are cooled to a temperature of 850° C. or less by introducing raw cement materials into the diverted gas stream.
US08163079B2
Platelet-shaped, copper-containing, metallic effect pigments which have a copper content of 60% to 100% by weight, based on the total metal content, the metal pigments having a thickness distribution as determined via thickness counting by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and represented as cumulative undersize distribution, a) with an h50 of 10 to 50 nm, and b) with an h90 of 20 to 70 nm, the platelet-shaped, copper-containing, metallic effect pigments being produced by milling a copper-containing metal powder with lubricant. The disclosure further relates to a process for producing these pigments, and also to their use, to a printing ink comprising the pigments of the invention, and to a coated article comprising these pigments.
US08163076B2
An ink-jet recording method includes ejecting a droplet of an ink composition containing a metal pigment and optically transparent spherical particles with an ink-jet recording apparatus, the ink composition having an optically transparent spherical particle content of 0.5% to 5% by mass, and attaching the droplet to a recording surface of a recording medium having an average surface roughness Ra of 3 μm or more, thereby recording an image.
US08163070B2
A method for removal of CO2 from a gas stream by anti-sublimation, comprising the steps of: a) introducing a gas stream containing CO2 into a frosting vessel; b) reducing the temperature of at least a portion of the gas stream in said frosting vessel to a temperature at which solid CO2 is deposited by anti-sublimation; c) discharging the gas stream depleted of CO2 from the frosting vessel; and d) recovering the deposited solid CO2; wherein the pressure of the gas stream in step b) is higher than atmospheric pressure. An anti-sublimation system for removal of CO2 from a gas stream, comprising: a frosting vessel configured to receive the gas stream, said frosting vessel comprising a low temperature refrigeration device configured for reducing the temperature of at least a portion of a gas stream in said frosting vessel to a temperature at which solid CO2 is deposited by anti-sublimation; and a compressor configured to increase the gas pressure of the gas stream which is fed to the frosting vessel.
US08163061B2
A granulation method for granulating a (CuX)6Sn5 compound by passing a composition comprising a (CuX)6Sn5 compound and tin through a multi-perforated plate to granulate the (CuX)6Sn5 compound wherein X represents an element which is solved in Cu but forms a precipitate with Sn.
US08163060B2
The heat conductivity of an aluminum composite material containing a fibrous carbon material is enhanced. In order to realize this, a spark plasma sintered body having a fibrous carbon material compounded in a metal matrix powder of aluminum or the like is fabricated. At the time of fabrication, an aluminum powder serving as a matrix mother material is compounded with an Al alloy powder such as an Al-12Si powder having a melting point lower than the sintering temperature of the mother material. During the process of sintering the aluminum powder, the Al alloy powder is melted, whereby the heat conductivity between the aluminum powder particles and between the aluminum powder particle and the fibrous carbon material is improved.
US08163055B2
A filter housing structure adapted to a projector having a first encircled hook-and-loop fastening layer, a housing, a filtering layer, and a second encircled hook-and-loop fastening layer is provided. The first encircled hook-and-loop fastening layer is fixed on the casing of the projector and surrounds the openings arrayed on the casing. The housing has a central portion and a boundary portion. The central portion has a plurality of through holes thereon corresponding to the openings of the casing. The boundary portion surrounds the central portion and is corresponding to the first encircled hook-and-loop fastening layer. The filtering layer is assembled in the central portion and is disposed between the through holes and the openings for shielding the through holes. The second encircled hook-and-loop fastening layer is fixed on the boundary portion for fastening the housing to the first encircled hook-and-loop fastening layer.
US08163041B1
A method for producing and using a duckweed bio-synthetic fuel suitable for co-firing with gaseous, liquid as well as solid carbon based fuels.
US08163034B2
A localized pleurodesis for lung devices created utilizing a combination of a mechanical component and a chemical component. The chemical component is utilized to create an acute adhesion between the visceral pleural membrane and parietal pleural membrane while the mechanical component is utilized to create a chronic adhesion.
US08163028B2
A prosthesis for replacing a knee joint between a femur and a tibia can include a femoral component having a first condylar portion, a second condylar portion, a first sidewall and a second sidewall that collectively comprise a first hinge portion. A tibial component can have a first engagement portion formed thereon. A bearing can have an articulating inferior surface adapted to articulate along the bearing. The bearing can have an opening. A yoke can have an inferior portion and superior portion, the superior portion having an axle that comprises a second hinge portion. The inferior portion can have a second engagement portion and be configured to at least partially pass through the opening. The femoral component is operable to rotate relative to the tibial component about a superior/inferior axis a first rotational distance until the first and second engagement portions engage each other and inhibit further rotation.
US08163021B2
The invention includes a system and methods for performing surgery on a spinal disc. The system includes an implantable bone plate with an access port to accommodate a bone cutting device, a spinal repair device insertable through the access port of the bone plate configured to occupy a surgically-formed vertebral channel from an anterior surface of the host vertebral body to a site central to an end plate of the host vertebral body, a trajectory control sleeve engageable to the bone plate to direct the trajectory of a cutting device, and a cutting device engageable within the trajectory control sleeve. Methods are directed to forming a vertebral channel and restoring the vertebral body and disc with devices that both repair the bone and the disc.
US08163020B2
The invention relates to an assembly comprising: an implant (18b), the two ends of which are equipped with plates (19, 20) which are provided with slots (28); and a distraction tool consisting of blades (2) which are intended to co-operate with the slots (28). The widths of the slots (28) correspond to those of the blades (2), but the depth of the slots (28) is greater than that of the blades (2).
US08163016B2
A ligament incorporated into a prosthetic joint exhibiting a plasticized, elongated and deformable material. A fibrous material is internally disposed within the deformable material, the fibrous material terminating in first and second enlarged bead portions arranged in proximity to enlarged pocket defined ends associated with the deformable materials. First and second bones define a joint region therebetween, the deformable end pockets and bead portions being inserted through associated holes defined in joint proximate locations associated with the bones, so that actuation of a projection location of the fibrous material causes the bead portions to outwardly deflect the end pockets, resulting in the ligaments being anchored in place between the bones.
US08163005B2
A vascular band (1) comprises a biocompatible flexible material (2) and a plurality of radiopaque bars (4) extending transversely across the width of the material and spaced apart along the length of the biocompatible material. The bars provide some rigidity to the flexible material in the width direction thereby preventing buckling of the band in use and the radiopaque nature of the bars enable visualization of a landing zone for a stent graft during deployment thereof. The bars can be crimped or woven into the material. The band can be stitched, stapled, or hooked around a vessel.
US08163004B2
A stent graft for reinforcement of a vascular abnormalities and an associated method are provided. According to one embodiment, the stent graft includes a flexible tubular structure comprising a proximal end and a distal end and having an expanded heat set configuration. The tubular structure is configured to be constrained to a smaller diameter than the expanded heat set configuration, and the tubular structure is heat set such that at least a portion of the proximal and/or distal ends is configured to fold over on itself when unconstrained.
US08162999B2
A method of eliminating an ectoparasite infestation is disclosed that may include steps of defining a target area on an animal having an ectoparasite infestation, heating a volume of air to a temperature to form heated air, applying the heated air to the target area with an airflow such that the heated air impinges directly on substantially all ectoparasites located within the target area, and maintaining the heated air at the target area for a period of time sufficient to affect an ectoparasite mortality rate of at least 50%.
US08162993B2
Methods for spinal stabilization operative to prevent lateral bending, extension, and rotation across two or more adjacent vertebrae are described. Broadly, the method includes placing two or more anchors at each vertebral level, passing one or more sutures through each anchor at each level, applying tension to the sutures and joining the sutures in a cross-braced arrangement over the disc space between two or more vertebrae to prevent lateral bending, extension, and rotation of the spinal segment. The sutures can be welded in any combination of diagonal and vertical patterns across the adjacent vertebrae. In some embodiments, two or more sutures can be threaded through some of the suture anchors such that multiple vertebral levels can be joined in a cross-braced arrangement. Two or more sutures can also be used in multiple anchors in two adjacent vertebrae to provide additional reinforcement or stabilization across different portions of the two vertebrae. The sutures reinforcing different portions of the vertebrae can have different breakage strength and different elastic properties. The invention may be used on the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions of the spine.
US08162991B2
Provided is a novel multi-planar taper lock screw for connecting a connecting rod to bone. The screw is capable of multi-directional articulation while the connecting rod position can remain stable and aligned as needed. After the screw had been articulated and properly positioned, it can be locked such that the screw and the connecting rod will remain in relative position to the bone. The screw is configured for easy insertion and connection as well as easy removal and disconnection from the connecting rod. Also provided is a system for fixing two or more bones or bone fragments and a kit for fixing bones or bone fragments. A method of fixing bones or bone fragments is also provided.
US08162985B2
Systems and devices for dynamically stabilizing the spine are provided. The systems include a superior component for attachment to a superior vertebra of a spinal motion segment and an inferior component for attachment to an inferior vertebral of a spinal motion segment. The interconnection between the two components enables the spinal motion segment to move in a manner that mimics the natural motion of the spinal motion segment. Methods are also provided for stabilizing the spine and for implanting the subject systems.
US08162984B2
A forced growth axial growing spine device includes a central body portion having opposing ends. At least one housing is disposed at one end of the central body portion. The at least one housing includes a locking mechanism. At least one rigid member is coupled to the central body portion. The locking mechanism allows the rigid member to translate in one direction and inhibits translation of the rigid member in an opposing direction. Additionally, the central body portion includes a cam and at least one port. One or more ball bearings may be inserted into the ports. Operation of the cam in conjunction with the ball bearing urges the rigid member away from the cam, thereby increasing an overall length of the forced growth axial growing spine device.
US08162972B2
A vessel filter having a first region and a second region, the filter movable between a collapsed position for delivery to the vessel and an expanded position for placement within the vessel. The first region has a filter portion having a converging region to direct particles toward the center of the filter and includes a plurality of spaced apart filter struts. The struts each have a strut height defined as a distance between a first wall and a second wall. A plurality of hooks are at the second region, the hooks having a vessel penetrating tip and a width greater than the width of the strut from which it extends such that the penetrating tip portion of the hook extends beyond the first wall.
US08162969B2
An implant configured for ingestion by a patient. After the implant has been swallowed by the patient and is disposed within the target location, e.g. the patient's stomach, an inflation subcomponent causes the implant to expand from a compact delivery state to an expanded, volume-occupying, deployed state. In the deployed state the implant creates a sensation of satiety in the patient stomach and thereby aids in limiting food intake and obesity. After a predetermined time a deflation subcomponent is actuated and the implant reduces in size so as to allow it to pass through the remainder of the patient's digestive track. The device may further incorporate tracking and visualization subcomponents, as well as pharmaceutical delivery subcomponents.
US08162964B2
The invention provides a rotational atherectomy system, device and method having a flexible, elongated, rotatable catheter tube that is split into two elements, a biasing element and a cutting element, distally and wherein the biasing element and cutting element are capable of forming a first and retracted position for insertion into a lumen and a second and expanded position for ablation. The biasing element is biased in the expanded position, thereby placing a biasing force against the lumen wall and pressing the cutting element against the opposite side of the lumen wall for directional cutting and/or grinding, either by rotation, axial translation, vibration or a combination thereof.
US08162951B2
A femoral tibial spreader (100) for spreading adjacent bones includes a radial measurement gauge (111) for providing incidia corresponding to an amount of force being applied to the forward ends (105,106) of the femoral tibial spreader (100). The femoral tibial spreader (100) may be used, for example, to separate the femur (301) and tibia (302) during knee surgery. The radial measurement gauge (111) may be used to determine an amount of force being applied to the femur (301) and tibia (302), for example, by the medial and arterial ligaments. Two handle members (104,109) are squeezed together, which causes the forward ends (105,106) to open. A biasing member (110) allows a measurement extension (108) to pivot towards a handle member under tension, thereby providing a measurement of force applied by the ligaments.
US08162946B2
A surgical system for stabilizing at least a portion of a spine is provided. In at least one embodiment, the system comprises a spinal rod, an implant, and an instrument. The instrument comprises a shaft, a moving part, and a holder. The implant comprises a flexible tie and may further comprise a bearing for bearing against the rod. The tie has at least one end that projects out from the implant. The shaft comprises a distal end configured to bear against the implant. The moving part is configured to move in translation with respect to the shaft and comprises an anti-return system. The holder is configured to hold an end of the tie and is connected to the moving part. The anti-return system engages the shaft for temporarily preventing the moving part from moving in translation relative to the shaft.
US08162942B2
An intramedullary nail (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610) suitable for insertion in a fractured elongate bone (12), of the type comprising a stem (14, 114, 214, 314, 414, 514, 614) extended between a proximal end (16, 116, 216, 416, 516, 616) and a distal end (18, 118, 218, 418, 518, 618). The nail comprises a plurality of elements (20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620) realized with at least one shape-memory material, a plurality of seats (19, 119, 219, 319, 419, 519, 619) formed in the stem (14, 114, 214, 314, 414, 514, 614) for housing the elements (20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620). The elements (20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620) are suitable to take a first shape wherein they are retractably housed in the respective seats (19, 119, 219, 319, 419, 519, 619) and a second shape wherein they project from the respective seats (19, 119, 219, 319, 419, 519, 619).
US08162935B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for assessing electrode-tissue contact for tissue ablation. An exemplary electrode contact sensing system comprises an electrode 10 housed within a distal portion of a catheter shaft 14. At least one electro-mechanical sensor 20 is operatively associated with the electrode 10 within the catheter shaft 14. The at least one electro-mechanical sensor 20 is responsive to movement of the electrode 10 by generating electrical signals corresponding to the amount of movement. The system may also include an output device electrically connected to the at least one electro-mechanical sensor 20. The output device receives the electrical signals for assessing a level of contact between the electrode 10 and a tissue 12.
US08162929B2
An applicator for cryoablating tissue to form linear (i.e. straight line and curvilinear) lesions in targeted tissue includes a fluid refrigerant delivery system having a source of a fluid refrigerant and a tubular cryoablation segment. Structurally, the segment has an open proximal end and a distal end, and is formed with a lumen. Also, the segment is formed with at least one distal port and at least one proximal port, with each port connected in fluid communication with the segment's lumen. The proximal end of the tubular segment is operably connected in fluid communication with the source of fluid refrigerant. For the system, the ports can be selectively sized to outflow liquid refrigerant through the distal and proximal ports at a substantially same mass flow rate.
US08162925B2
Rather than trying to immobilize a living, moving organ to place the organ in the fixed frame of reference of a table-mounted robotic device, the present disclosure teaches mounting a robot in the moving frame of reference of the organ. That task can be accomplished with a wide variety of robots including a miniature crawling robotic device designed to be introduced, in the case of the heart, into the pericardium through a port, attach itself to the epicardial surface, and then, under the direct control of the surgeon, travel to the desired location for treatment. The problem of beating-heart motion is largely avoided by attaching the device directly to the epicardium. The problem of access is resolved by incorporating the capability for locomotion. The device and technique can be used on other organs and on other living bodies such as pets, farm animals, etc. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used in construing the claims.
US08162915B2
A connector for packings containing medical liquids, particularly infusion, transfusion or enteral bags, comprises a connecting part (1) for accommodating a spike for drawing out the liquid and comprises a closure part (3) that closes the passage (2) inside the connecting part (1). The connecting part (1) has an elastically deformable pinching off part (4) provided in the form of a tubular section with a non-circular cross-section. A base part (5), which widens on both sides is adjoined to said pinching off part (4) and can be integrated in the packing. During manufacturing, the packing is filled with liquid via the connecting part. After filling, the pinching off part is pressed together whereby preventing liquid from escaping. Afterwards, the closure part is placed onto the connecting part. The manufacturing of the packing is simplified by virtue of the fact that an additional tube for connecting the connector and packing is rendered unnecessary.
US08162910B2
An absorbent article having colored regions. The absorbent article has at least three colored regions. The colored regions are spaced apart from one another. Each colored region has a major axis. The major axis of each colored region converges towards a common focal region on the longitudinal centerline of the absorbent article.
US08162897B2
A rotational locking mechanism for securing a catheter to a surgical implant is disclosed. The locking mechanism includes a deflectable extension extending from the surgical implant about the catheter attached to the surgical implant. The shape of the deflectable extension defines a slot therein. A connector having at least one tab extending therefrom is placed about the catheter at the point of attachment to the surgical implant. Rotation of the tubular connector brings at least one tab of the connector into contact with the slot in the deflectable extension and deflects and releases at least a portion of the slot as the connector rotates from an unlocked position to a locked position within the slot. The rotation motion secures the catheter to the surgical implant, and produces a feedback detectable by a surgeon rotating the tubular connector.
US08162894B2
A medical introducer apparatus for use in inserting an interventional device into a body vessel of a patient. The apparatus includes a housing having a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a chamber positioned between the openings. A hemostatic valve system is provided in the housing chamber. The valve system includes a plurality of generally elastomeric valve members axially arranged in the chamber. The valve members each have a generally circular hole extending therethrough, which hole is sized for substantially leak-free passage of the interventional device. The valve members are aligned in the chamber to be sequentially penetrable by the interventional device, such that a hole in one valve member is covered by an adjoining valve member. A valve opener having a tubular body with a curved portion penetrates the hemostatic valve system to aid in the positioning of the interventional device. The curved portion maintains the valve opener stationary within the valve system.
US08162893B2
A stability assembly for a trocar cannula includes a conical stability member, a base, and a cannula retention member. The base has a passage defining an inner surface, and a constriction in the passage. The cannula retention member is rotatable within the passage, and advancement of the cannula retention member over the constriction reduces the inner diameter of the passage to restrain a cannula in the passage. Various latch mechanisms including interface surfaces on the base and the cannula retention member can be used in the stability assembly to secure the stability assembly around a cannula. Various conical stability members can be used in the stability assembly.
US08162891B2
A support catheter for stowing and exchanging guidewires and other working elements comprises a catheter body having a proximal region and a distal region. A single, contiguous lumen is formed from the proximal region through the distal region and has a larger proximal cross-sectional area than distal cross-sectional area.
US08162885B2
A device and method for making an injection with a short needle, which includes a needle cannula and a limiter surrounding the needle cannula and includes a skin engaging surface on the limiter. The limiter is moveable from a first position in which an elongate portion of the needle cannula is exposed for access to a medication vial, to a locked second position in which the limiter is not movable from the second position to the first position. In the second position, the needle tip extends beyond the skin engaging surface a distance which is ordinarily unable to access the vial.
US08162880B2
A balloon catheter is formed with a plurality of depressions. The balloon is coated with a matrix incorporating a therapeutic substance, which additionally fills the depressions. When the balloon is expanded within a body lumen, the therapeutic substance may diffuse into the lumen wall, or all or a portion of the coating transfers to the lumen wall. A lattice frame may surround the balloon, applied prior to coating if the coating is to transfer, operative to maintain a more linear balloon profile during inflation, promoting more even transfer pressure. A contrast dye is incorporated into the transferred coating, enabling ready location and inspection of the treated lumen area. Projections may alternately be formed in the balloon surface, operative to urge the coating and therapeutic substance between cells, or past cell layers of the lumen, to the interior of the lumen wall. Prior to transfer, an extended inflation period, possibly including the use of perfusion ports to maintain blood supply, enables a larger initial quantity of therapeutic substance to diffuse into the body lumen, prior to transfer of the coating and withdrawal of the catheter, balloon, and frame.
US08162871B2
Method and apparatus for limiting absorption of food products in specific parts of the digestive system is presented. A gastrointestinal implant device is anchored in the stomach and extends beyond the ligament of Treitz. All food exiting the stomach is funneled through the device. The gastrointestinal device includes an anchor for anchoring the device to the stomach and a flexible sleeve. When implanted within the intestine, the sleeve can limit the absorption of nutrients, delay the mixing of chyme with digestive enzymes, altering hormonal triggers, providing negative feedback, and combinations thereof. The anchor is collapsible for endoscopic delivery and removal.
US08162863B2
A compression foot cuff includes a counterforce component adjacent to a first impermeable layer of an inflatable member. The counterforce component includes a generally rigid sole for applying a counterforce to the inflatable member and an anchor member extending outward from the sole. The anchor member is secured to or formed as one piece with the port to position the sole with respect to the inflatable member.
US08162861B2
A compression sleeve includes an inner layer, an outer cover and first and second bladder layers. The layers define adjacent, generally flexible sleeve sections, where each section includes an inflatable bladder. The inner layer, outer cover and first and second bladder layers are joined together at a plurality of discrete spot welds within an outer perimeter of the inflatable bladder to provide further structural integrity to the sleeve.
US08162859B2
The system for treating an internal organ has a generator source for producing a shock wave connected to a portable shock wave applicator device, wherein the shock wave applicator device has a side-firing shock wave head having a variable angle adjustment relative to a release and lock connected handle or holder means for holding said device. The inclination of the shock wave head can be set to a fixed inclination to reach the organ at various locations or surfaces or can be pivotally inclined continuous to vary the treatment surfaces area.
US08162856B2
Improved wiring arrangements for sensor catheters are provided to reduce wire-to-wire cross-talk wherein wires connecting the sensor of the sensor catheter to a processing unit are divided into a plurality of wire bundles contained within respective sheaths, with the wires in wire bundle twisted together reduce electromagnetic signal interference among the individual wires, or between wire bundles.
US08162854B2
Body fluid sampling device comprising a skin-piercing element (10) having a fluid pathway (11) for receiving body fluid, at least a portion of the fluid pathway is open to the environment and further comprising a fluid receiving element (40) being spaced from the fluid pathway so that fluid in the pathway will not contact the fluid receiving element initially. The fluid receiving element may have a test zone (45) for performing an analytical reaction. Fluid from the channel is contacted with the fluid receiving element either by bringing the fluid receiving element and the fluid into mechanical contact or by electrically transporting fluid from the channel onto the fluid receiving element.
US08162837B2
Systems and methods for processing echo signals in a Doppler ultrasound system from a region of interest. An ultrasound beam is electronically steered to deliver ultrasound to and receive echo signals from a plurality of sample locations in the region of interest. The echo signals for each sample location are processed to extract Doppler shift signals and Doppler shift data representing the Doppler shift signals are generated. The Doppler shift data accumulated for the sample locations can be used to detect the presence of blood flow in the region of interest, and identify the location in the region of interest at which the presence of blood flow is detected. The blood flow can be tracked by updating the location of the detected blood flow in the region of interest. The blood flow can be further monitored by combining the locating and tracking functionality with an m-mode ultrasound image.
US08162835B2
An ultrasonic image generating method for generating an ultrasonic image based on ultrasonic echo data obtained by transmitting/receiving ultrasonic waves to/from an inspection object, according to the present invention, includes reference position setting steps for determining the reference position on each image with respect to a plurality of consecutive two-dimensional tomograms; correction steps for obtaining regular and consecutive two-dimensional tomograms-by-correcting irregularity of the reference position of each of the two-dimensional tomograms determined by the reference position setting steps; and an ultrasonic image generating step for generating the ultrasonic images based on the regular and consecutive two-dimensional tomograms corrected by the correction steps.
US08162834B2
A novel contrast mechanism for diagnosing diseased tissue using Ultrasound, Doppler Ultrasonography, Optical Coherence Tomography, or optical Doppler tomography coupled with an externally applied temporally oscillating high-strength magnetic field.
US08162831B2
A hand scanner according to the invention may obtain an image of the hand and fingers including the bracelet crease/carpel delta area and palm surface regions up to the tips of the fingers using ultrasound measurement techniques. A hand scanner according to the invention may include a movable arcuate platen and an energy transducer. In a method according to the invention, the transducer may be moved back and forth while moving a platen surface in order to advance the hand and thereby produce a raster type scan image. In this manner, the image of the hand print may be collected as a raster image representative of the scanned surface of the friction ridge skin.
US08162824B2
The illumination system is a cannula comprising a transparent or semi-transparent material capable of carrying light from the proximal end of the cannula to the distal end of the cannula, thereby illuminating a surgical field. The surgical field is thus illuminated through components that do not occupy space that may otherwise by used for optics and or surgical tools. The illumination source may be optically coupled with the cannula at any appropriate location. The cannula comprises a sterilizable polymer which functions as a waveguide. A waveguide is a material medium that confines and guides light. When in use, the light source connected to the hub provides light which may be guided to the distal end of the cannula or any other suitable location. Thus, the sheath provides structure-guided illumination resulting in the illumination of the surgical site.
US08162821B2
An object of the present invention is to actively control at least one of the position and direction of the imaging field in a subject and to observe a desired observed region in the subject certainly in a short period of time. A body-insertable device system according to the present invention includes a capsule endoscope 1 introduced into a subject and a permanent magnet 3. An imaging unit of the capsule endoscope 1 for taking an image inside the subject is fixed in a casing. The capsule endoscope 1 includes a drive unit for changing at least one of the position and posture of the casing in the liquid 2a which is also introduced in the subject 100. The permanent magnet 3 controls the operation of the drive unit for changing at least one of the position and posture of the casing in the liquid 2a.
US08162807B1
An exercise machine has a main frame and a user support movably mounted relative to the main frame for movement between a start position and an end position during an exercise. At least one multi-function user engagement device is movably mounted relative to the frames for engagement and actuation by a user during an exercise, and a connecting linkage translates movement of the user engagement device to movement of the user support. The user engagement device has two different modes of operation selectable by a user for performing different exercises which exercise distinct muscles or muscle groups. A load provides resistance for both exercises.
US08162804B2
Systems and techniques for the collection and display of athletic information. Athletic data relating to a single person or group of people is collected at a central location, and subsequently displayed at a desired remote location so that the person or people can review and critique their performance. In addition, athletic data for multiple persons can be collected at a central location, and subsequently displayed to a user at a desired remote location, so that the user can compare his or her athletic activities to others.
US08162803B2
A magnetic resistance trainer includes an electrically conductive disk configured to rotate in response to power provided by a user of the trainer. The trainer further includes a magnet creating a magnetic field. The magnet is configured to be positioned proximate the disk such that the magnetic field induces eddy currents in the disk when the disk is rotating. Also, the trainer includes a sensor system configured to detect the change in the magnetic field caused by the eddy currents induced within the disk. The trainer additionally includes a processor configured to receive input from the sensor system reflecting the detected change in the magnetic field. The processor determines the power provided by a user of the trainer based on the input from the sensor system.
US08162796B2
A method for operating an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, in particular a variable-speed automatic transmission. The automatic transmission has five shift elements and for transferring torque or force in a forward gear and in a reverse gear at least three of the five shift elements are engaged. In a neutral position of the automatic transmission, to prevent torque or force flow at least one of the shift elements that are engaged in the respective forward or reverse gear is fully disengaged.
US08162789B2
The manufacturing process of a reduction gear box in which a rotation direction converting part and a reduction part are joined together is simplified by unitizing both the rotation direction converting part and the reduction part and by manufacturing the reduction gear box by assembling the rotation direction converting unit and the reduction unit.The rotation direction converting unit is provided with a first pedestal having a first flat face, an input shaft supported rotatably in the first pedestal, an intermediate shaft substantially orthogonal to the input shaft, a first gear that rotates integrally with the input shaft, and a second gear that engages with the first gear and rotates integrally with the intermediate shaft. The reduction unit is provided with a second pedestal having a second flat face, an internal gear, an external gear housed within the internal gear, and a crank shaft having an eccentric cam that engages with the external gear and causes the external gear to revolve orbitally in the internal gear by revolving eccentrically. The rotation direction converting unit and the reduction unit are fixed while the first flat face and the second flat face are in a surface contacting state.
US08162787B2
A new asymmetrically damped tensioner is provided utilizing a roller clutch engaged with a tensioner arm through a frictional contact. During normal operation, the roller clutch enables the tensioner arm to pivot in a first direction to take up belt slack with negligible frictional damping applied to the motion of the tensioner arm. When the tensioner arm pivots in a second direction, away from the belt, however, in a condition commonly known as wind-up, the roller clutch engages and creates a frictional linkage between the tensioner arm and a fixed surface. This frictional linkage provides asymmetric frictional damping to the tensioner to limit movement in the second direction and combat wind-up.
US08162777B2
Golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a thermoset rubber center, a thermoplastic intermediate core layer, and a thermoset rubber outer core layer.
US08162769B2
An amusement ride system and method are described. In some embodiments, an amusement ride system may be generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. Further, the disclosure generally relates to water-powered rides and to a system and method in which participants may be more involved in a water attraction. An amusement ride system may include system for conveying a participant from a first source of water to a second source of water. The system may include one or more fluid jets. The fluid jets may function to produce a fluid stream having a predetermined velocity which is selectively greater, less than, or the same as a velocity of a participant at each of the fluid jet locations and are oriented tangentially with respect to the surface of the source of water so as to contact a participant and/or participant vehicle. An amusement ride system may include a system for controlling a participant flow rate through a multi path water amusement ride system. The system may include at least one gate mechanism which functions, upon activation, to inhibit a participant from entering one or more path choices. An amusement ride system may include a system for facilitating entry of a participant on a floatation device. The system may include one or more portions of water including a depth of water which allows a participant to more easily enter a floatation device.
US08162765B2
In a fixed type constant velocity universal joint, a center of each of guide grooves of an outer joint member is offset to a position of being spaced apart from a joint central plane to a joint opening side by an axial distance, and is spaced apart from a joint central axis line to an opposite side in a radial direction with respect to each of the guide grooves by a radial distance. Further, a center of each of guide grooves of an inner joint member is offset to a position of being spaced apart from the joint central plane to a joint innermost side by the axial distance, and is spaced apart from the joint central axis line to the opposite side in the radial direction with respect to each of the guide grooves by the radial distance.
US08162745B2
A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a game display and a controller. The game display is operable to display a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game in response to receiving a wager from a player. The wagering game has a game-play progression that includes a plurality of game episodes, at least one of the plurality of game episodes having a plurality of episode features. The controller is in communication with the game display and is programmable to cause, in response to a manual selection received from the player, the start of the wagering game from any previously played feature of the plurality of episode features.
US08162739B2
The gaming device provides a number of selections. When the player chooses a selection, the gaming device randomly generates a value and randomly places the value into one of a number of adjacent slots. When the bottom of each slot is covered with values, the game removes the values and provides an award to the player. In one embodiment, the award includes a value from each slot and in a preferred embodiment the award includes the smallest value from the slots. The gaming device subtracts the lowest value from the remaining values and the player chooses another selection. The process continues until one of a plurality of possible endings occurs.
US08162730B2
A ventilator device for a freight container configured to prevent the ingress of water into the cargo tank interior. The ventilator device comprises a floatation-based valve configured to shuttle backwards and forwards in response to contact with water. The valve acts to open and close the air flow passageway through the device and is mounted over the air flow vents of the container. A manual override actuator may be provided to manually open and close the valves.
US08162727B2
A motor-driven machine tool, in particular a hand-held power tool (1) includes a rotatably driveable tool (6), a drive shaft (4) which is driven by a drive unit (2), and an output shaft (5) on which the tool (6) is mounted. It is possible to transfer the rotational motion of the drive shaft (4) via an eccentric coupling device (7) to the output shaft (5). A mass-balancing device (10) provides for oscillation compensation and is operatively connected to at least one of the shafts (4, 5) and implements a compensation motion counter to the eccentric coupling motion.
US08162724B2
A surface treating apparatus treats a substrate surface by rotating a cylindrical polishing member in a state where the polishing member makes contact with the substrate surface. A polishing liquid is supplied to a polishing liquid passage that is provided in a central portion of the polishing member, and the polishing liquid is supplied to the substrate surface by rotating the polishing member while filtering the polishing liquid by a foam member provided on an outer periphery of the polishing liquid passage. Aperture diameters of the foam member are larger on the side of the polishing liquid passage than on the outside of the polishing member.
US08162713B2
The invention provides a leg member for a transformable toy which prevents impairment of the aesthetic appearance even if the range of motion of a shin section relative to a foot section is increased. A first link member 29 is shaped and configured to cover a circular plate portion 31b constituting the main portion of a second link member 31. When the second link member 31 is rotated about the rotation center (axial center of a shaft portion 29i) of the second turning pair, portions (31c and 31d) forming a third turning pair in the second link member 31 are exposed to the outside of the first link member 29. The structure of the shin section and the structures of a third link member 33 and a fourth link member 35 are defined so that the rotation range (a second angular range θ4) of the shin section in a state where the shin section is spaced farthest from the foot section is larger than the rotation range (a first angular range θ3) of the shin section in a state where the shin section is brought closest to the foot section.
US08162707B2
A propulsion system of displacement or semi-displacement ships, includes one or more propellers of semi-submerged type, arranged with a partial immersion of the sole bottom blades and with the top blades emerged, regardless of the state of motion and the trim of the craft. The propulsion system allows, employed power being equal, a higher propulsion efficiency and allows to keep the driveline of the propellers entirely above water level, wherein the semi-submerged propellers are arranged at the transom, the ratio of diameter (D) or sum of diameters (Np×D) of the semi-submerged propellers to craft width (L) at the water line (3) is greater than 0.50.
US08162704B2
Amphibious vehicles, control modules, and methods are disclosed in which engine output power is adjusted based upon whether an amphibious vehicle is traversing land or is not traversing land. Some embodiments determine whether the amphibious vehicle is traversing land based upon a speed differential between an engine speed of the vehicle and a turbine speed of the torque converter contained within the power transfer module/transmission assembly.
US08162699B2
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a bracket for mounting a vertical cable manager to a rack. The bracket includes a first portion extending in a first direction, a second portion extending from the first portion in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and a third portion extending from the second portion in a third direction substantially perpendicular to the second direction and substantially parallel to the first direction. The first portion of the bracket is adapted to snap-fit to the vertical cable manager.
US08162691B2
A modular electrical connector includes a base and at least one adaptor. The base is provided with at least one first assembling port and an insertion port. An insertion slot is provided between the first assembling port and the insertion port. The insertion slot has a plurality of insertion holes. Each of the plurality of insertion holes is provided with an electrical-conductive pin extending into the insertion port. The adaptor has a rear end with an insertion pin and a front end with a connecting port. The connecting port has a tongue therein. The tongue is provided with a plurality of electrical-conductive terminals. One end of each of the electrical-conductive terminals is electrically connected with the insertion pin. The adaptor is assembled in the first assembling port. The insertion pin is inserted into and electrically connected to the insertion slot. The electrical connection between the plug and the electrical-conductive pin is achieved once a plug of a flat cable is inserted into the insertion port of the base.
US08162678B2
An electrical connector assembly includes a first electrical connector and a second circuit board mounted with a second electrical connector which is intended to mate the first connector, the first electrical connector further includes a recessed cavity to receive a board edge of the second circuit board when the first electrical connector is mated with the second electrical connector.
US08162676B1
An electronic device includes a shell, a connector, a PCB and a pin header. The connector is mounted on the shell and includes an external connection terminal inside the shell and an internal connection terminal inside the shell and connected to the external connection terminal. The PCB is received in the shell and defines a number of vias. Two ends of the pin header respectively detachably fit into the internal connection terminal and the vias.
US08162675B2
A shield for a connector that can provide a card-receiving slot is disclosed. The shield includes sides that provide an enclosure. The shield includes a fastener that is held in place by a retaining notch in a bottom of the shield. The retaining notch is configured to support the fastener in place and restrain it from unintended translation or rotation.
US08162674B2
A backlight assembly includes a first substrate, a first electrode disposed on the first substrate, a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate, and a connector. The connector is disposed on the second substrate and includes a second electrode connected to the first electrode, and an elastic member which applies a force to the second electrode. The connector increases a contact force between the first electrode and the second electrode by applying the force to the second electrode.
US08162667B1
A method comprises: i) presenting to a subject a training stimulus, the training stimulus eliciting from the subject a desired response; ii) presenting to the subject a diffuse visual stimulus along with the training stimulus; and iii) repeating the presenting to the subject of the training stimulus along with the diffuse visual stimulus sufficiently many times so that subsequent presentation of the diffuse visual stimulus to the subject without the training stimulus elicits from the subject the desired response. The diffuse visual stimulus is arranged so as to be perceived by the subject only at a subliminal or near-subliminal level. Another method comprises presenting to the subject the diffuse visual stimulus in order to elicit the desired response, the subject having been conditioned according to the previous method.
US08162654B2
Apparatus for feeding molten resin includes a holding unit that moves on a track and at least a pair of holders capable of holding and releasing the molten resin accompanying the opening and closing of the holding unit. A base portion is utilized for supporting the holders so as to be opened and closed and for holding the molten resin together with the holders. The molten resin discharged from an extrusion-forming machine and cut by a cutter is held by the holding unit, and it fed from the holding unit to a female mold of a compression-0molding machine. At the time of cutting the molten resin, a cutter mark is formed by the cutter on a cut surface of the molten resin.
US08162652B2
A forming tool (100) for and a method of making a three dimensional composite component using double diaphragm forming. The forming tool (100) comprises a forming side having two or more regions of changing profile and one or more through holes associated with each region, the through holes exit on the forming side and are connectable to one or more vacuum sources such that vacuum can be selectively and discretely applied to each region.
US08162636B2
A scroll type compressor has a fixed scroll member, a movable scroll member, an oil reservoir, a back-pressure chamber, an oil extraction passage, a flow passage, and a partition wall. The back-pressure chamber disposed behind the movable scroll member is in communication with a discharge chamber. The oil extraction passage having a regulating valve or a throttle connects the back-pressure chamber to the oil reservoir. The oil return passage and the flow passage connect the oil reservoir to a suction chamber, respectively. The flow passage introduces excess lubricating oil into the suction chamber when the level of lubricating oil in the oil reservoir becomes higher than a predetermined level. The partition wall disposed between the openings of the oil extraction passage for restricting lubricating oil from the oil extraction passage other than the excess lubricating oil collected in the oil reservoir from flowing to the flow passage.
US08162629B2
A piezoelectric pump includes a pump body with a pump chamber, and a piezoelectric element that closes the pump chamber. The central area and the peripheral area of the piezoelectric element are bent in opposite directions by applying voltages to the piezoelectric element so that the volume of the pump chamber is changed. The piezoelectric element is a laminate including a plurality of piezoelectric layers with electrodes interposed therebetween. The central area and the peripheral area of each piezoelectric layer are polarized opposite to each other in the thickness direction, and the electrodes are formed such that voltages in the same direction in the thickness direction are applied to the central area and the peripheral area of each piezoelectric layer. Since voltages at the same potential are applied to the electrodes formed in the same planes of the piezoelectric layers, short-circuits caused by migration can be prevented.
US08162623B2
An object of the present invention is to reduce the pressure loss in a relief valve employed for a high-pressure liquid supply pump. Disclosed is a high-pressure liquid supply pump for pressurizing a liquid and supplying the pressurized liquid from a low-pressure side to a high-pressure side. The pump includes a relief path which releases the pressurized liquid from the high-pressure side to the low-pressure side, and a relief valve which is positioned in the relief path and equipped with an intermediate chamber, a valve seat positioned toward the high-pressure side of the intermediate chamber, a ball valve that is attachable to and detachable from the valve seat, and a ball valve retainer for pressing the ball valve against the valve seat. The relief path is configured so that an inflow path to the intermediate chamber and an outflow path from the intermediate chamber both produce a restriction effect. The ball valve retainer has a pressure reception surface for receiving the pressure from the intermediate chamber. A first pressure reception area, which detaches the ball valve from the valve seat upon receipt of liquid pressure of the pressurized liquid from a high-pressure section when the relief valve closes, is smaller than a second pressure reception area, which lifts the ball valve and the ball valve retainer upon receipt of liquid pressure from the intermediate chamber.
US08162622B2
A compressor apparatus (20) has a housing (22) having first (53) and second (58) ports along a flowpath. One or more working elements (26; 28) cooperate with the housing (22) to define a compression path between suction (60) and discharge (62) locations along the flowpath. A check valve (70; 170; 270) has a valve element (72; 172; 272) mounted for movement between a first condition permitting downstream flow along the flowpath and a second condition blocking a reverse flow. The valve element includes a resonator (112; 174; 274).
US08162616B2
A turbomachine fan including blades and inter-blade platforms having radial flanges fastened to flanges of a rotor disk by threaded rods inserted into bushes mounted in orifices in the flanges of the platforms is disclosed. Each bush includes at least one deformable part interposed transversely between the threaded rod and an edge of the orifice in which the bush is mounted. The deformable part is intended to allow the platform to pivot in the event of an impact of a blade against the platform and to absorb some of the energy of the impact.
US08162615B2
A split disk assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a forward disk section and an aft disk section, the aft disk section engageable with the forward disk section to retain a multitude of rotor blades therebetween.
US08162613B2
An angled fan blade extension includes an attachment portion and an angled portion. The attachment portion is configured to facilitate securing the angled fan blade extension to the distal end of a fan blade. The angled portion is configured to extend from the distal end of the attachment portion, creating an angled extension relative to the fan blade. Adding angular fan blade extensions to fan blades may improve the airflow control, and thereby increase the utility and efficiencies of a fan.
US08162609B1
An air cooled turbine airfoil includes a multiple pass serpentine flow cooling circuit formed from a metallic printing process in which the blade can be printed from different materials as a single piece blade. The blade includes a multiple pass serpentine cooling circuit in which the channels include ribs and pin fins that are formed perpendicular to the airfoil wall. The inner chordwise extending rib, the ribs and the f[pin fins and the outer airfoil wall call all be printed as a single piece but all with a different material in order to control the metal temperature of the blade. a seven pass serpentine flow cooling circuit can be formed that flows along the pressure side wall and then the suction side wall and use low flow cooling amount.
US08162600B2
A two-phase, homogenizing or mixing stage for a centrifugal pump assembly homogenizes the fluids being circulated therethrough. The mixing stage produces high shut-in head pressure and a very high maximum flow rate. The mixing stage has a diffuser with fixed diffuser vanes that extend radially or tangentially at acute angles. The vanes may be curved in both the axial and radial directions to force fluids impinging thereon to have a radially inward component to create turbulence. The turbulence mixes and homogenizes the gas and liquid fluids to improve the overall performance of centrifugal pump assemblies that operate in two-phase fluids. The mixing stage also has an impeller adjacent the diffuser. The impeller vanes likewise extend radially and tangentially therefrom at acute angles and may be curved.
US08162596B1
An improved method and apparatus for supporting and adapting high pressure pumping apparatus for use on or in a marine vessel subject to direct dynamic motions imparted to the marine vessel without damaging the pumping apparatus to thereby extend the useful life of the pumping apparatus. For this purpose the method and apparatus is designed to prevent the deflection of the bearings by providing an axial support and radial damping to vibrations resulting from the motions imparted to the marine vessel. In addition, the pumping shaft is protected when inoperative by preventing the pumping shaft from rotation. Specifically the method and apparatus provide the suction vessel housing the high pressure pumping apparatus to be secured to the marine vessel's deck at all times along with the provision for absorbing the vibrations and stresses due to the marine vessel's movements imparted thereto by being subjected to the direct dynamic motions. The suction vessel for the pumping apparatus is relieved of the stresses at the head plate for the suction vessel by securing the bottom of the pumping apparatus to the suction vessel at all times. The pumping shaft is supported from the bottom of a vertical shaft for axially moving the shaft upwardly to keep the supporting bearing out of deflection so no forces are transmitted to the bearings when the pumping apparatus is non-operational and also prevents the pumping shaft from rotating.
US08162589B2
A moving fluid energy recovery system for generating electricity through rotational motion produced by positioning the present invention in a fluid flow produced by nature or a moving vehicle. The moving fluid energy recovery system has first and second end plates, a plurality of elongated inner vanes, a plurality of elongated outer vanes, and shaft to drive an electricity generating device. The inner and outer vanes each have a substantially curved profile featuring a curve side and an open side. The first and second end plates each has a central bore defined therethrough, a plurality of inner vane slots each shaped to receive a corresponding inner vane, and a plurality of outer vane slots each shaped to receive a corresponding outer vane. The inner vane slots are orientated with the curve side toward the central bore, and the outer vane slots are orientated with the open side toward the central bore with the free ends of adjacent inner vanes positioned in the open side of the outer vane slots.
US08162585B2
An article storage facility includes a storage rack that includes a plurality of storage units that store articles; a first article transport that includes a first vertically movable body guided by a first vertical guide and a first transit body configured to move along a path defined along the storage rack, the first vertical guide being provided in the first article transport so as to be positioned on one side of a lateral direction of the path; and a second article transport that includes a second vertically movable body guided by a second vertical guide and a second transit body configured to move along the path, the second vertical guide being provided in the second article transport so as to be positioned on the other lateral side of the path. The first transit body and the second transit body are configured so as to be able to pass each other.
US08162583B2
Methods and devices for positioning a group, array, series or arrangement of plumb poles in a specific relationship relative to each other, whereby a first pole is inserted in a horizontal clamshell attached to a moveable platform, retained and raised to a vertical position and plumbed. The moveable platform is positioned over the pole insertion location and the pole is released. The process is repeated at as many holes as needed. Other embodiments are used to set the poles at specific heights, or angles.
US08162578B2
An adjustable fastener includes a main body and an elastic portion. The elastic portion is connected to an end of the main body. The elastic portion is deformable thus changing a total length of the adjustable fastener.
US08162577B2
The invention relates to a fastener assembly 1 for use as a slave bolt. The fastener assembly can be tightened and released from the same side and comprises: a) a shank 2 having a bolt head 3 at one end; b) a sleeve 7 slidably arranged on the shank 2; c) a spring 6 to bias the sleeve on the shank 2; and d) an expander stem 9 which can be screwed into a threaded bore 4 which runs the length of shank 2, the stem 9 having an enlarged portion which spreads the fingers 8 of the sleeve so that they engage and clamp the articles to be fastened.
US08162555B2
A method of forming a printing pin includes providing a printing pin having an exterior surface and an interior surface that defines a lumen or capillary tract. The pin is treated to render the exterior and interior surfaces hydrophilic. The lumen or capillary tract is filled with a blocking material. The exterior surface of the pin is coated with a hydrophobic material. The blocking material is then removed. The method produces a pin with selective wetting properties. The modified pins reduce solution or reagents use because no excess liquid is picked up on the exterior surface during loading. As a result, no pre-printing operation is needed to remove this excess liquid. Because no pre-printing operation is needed, the pins produce shorter printing times. In addition, due to improved control of liquid loading volume, it is possible to obtain smaller spots as well as more spots in a given run.
US08162554B2
A writing implement is provided including a knock mechanism, in which, without obstruction of normal operation, impact can be cushioned by a damper space that is sealed off from the outside. The writing implement (10) including the knock mechanism capable of advancing a writing tip (11) by push-out operation, includes: a holding section (12) for holding the writing tip (11); a shaft tube (20) for containing the holding section (12); a knock section (30) for covering a rear end portion of the shaft tube (20); a push-out section (13) for pressing the holding section (12) toward a front end in operative association with push-out operation of the knock section (30); and the damper space (40) provided between the knock section (30) and the shaft tube (20), being sealed off from the outside, and changing its volume by push-out operation of the knock section (30).
US08162547B2
An optical subassembly manufacturing method includes forming connecting electrodes and a piece of high-melting-point glass on a wiring substrate; positioning on and connecting to the connecting electrodes, an optoelectronic converting element; disposing on the piece of high-melting-point glass, a piece of low-melting-point glass having a melting point lower than the piece of high-melting-point glass; and fixing to the piece of low-melting-point glass, a protruding portion of a lens member further having a lens portion. The protruding portion has a shape matching that of the piece of high-melting-point glass, and relative positions of the protruding portion and the optical axis of the lens portion are determined to correspond to relative positions of the connecting electrodes and the piece of high-melting-point glass. The fixing includes fixing the protruding portion of the lens member to the piece of high-melting-point glass via surface tension generated by melting the piece of low-melting-point glass.
US08162543B2
An image intensifier system has an image converter tube to convert incident x-ray radiation into visible light and a digital camera system optically downstream of the image converter tube. The camera system has an image sensor to convert the incident, visible light into digital images, and an electronic image processing unit is provided for post-processing of the digital images. In such a system and a method for correcting image distortion errors that occur therein, characteristic data of a magnetic field present in the image converter tube are determined with the aid of a magnetic field probe arranged within the image converter tube or in its environment, an imaging error resulting from the presence of the magnetic field is quantitatively defined using the determined characteristic data, one or more parameters of a correction map leading to the correction of the imaging error are determined based on this, and the correction map that is established in this way is applied to the digital images in the electronic image processing unit.
US08162538B2
The surface density of projections formed on a thin metal film of a temperature-measuring member having the metal film having been subjected to a temperature profile is calculated with a number-calculating section according to image data fed into an arithmetic processing unit through an optical microscope, CCD camera, and I/O board. The maximum temperature of the object is determined with the temperature-calculating unit according to the surface density and data on the maximum temperature and surface density previously stored in memory. Furthermore, a temperature-measuring member constituted by a thin aluminum film arranged on a substrate is used. A reduction in the reflectivity of the film due to projections formed on the film surface according to a temperature profile to which the member has been subjected is measured. The maximum temperature in the temperature profile is estimated according to the reduction in reflectivity.
US08162536B2
A method of manufacturing an exhaust temperature sensor is disclosed. It includes forming a green ceramic substrate; and printing an electrical circuit on the green ceramic substrate. The method then contemplates trimming the electrical circuit to a predetermined resistance prior to firing the green ceramic. Finally, the method contemplates firing the green ceramic substrate with the electrical circuit thereon.
US08162534B2
A ground-contacting component of a vehicle, consisting partly of polymeric compounds, in which at least one wireless temperature measurement system 7 based on surface acoustic wave or bulk acoustic wave technology is embedded in a region of a polymeric compound liable to reach temperatures above 100° C. and/or to be influenced by a surrounding region of a polymeric compound liable to reach temperatures above 100° C. during use of the vehicle. Also disclosed are a tire 1 and the use of a wireless temperature measurement system based on acoustic surface wave or bulk acoustic wave technology.
US08162522B2
The invention relates to a lamp (10) comprising at least one base (11) which is joined to a light, comprising a dome-shaped, in particular dish-shaped, essentially rotationally symmetrical reflector (13), wherein a light source is arranged in the focal point (32) or focal point area thereof in order to produce an oriented, e.g. narrowly emitting, light distribution from said lamp (10). The reflector is provided with an opening (15) which comprises a light exit plane (E) for the lamp (10). The invention is characterized in that the light source is formed by at least one LED (20,20a,20b,20c) and is arranged at a distance from the inner side (14) of the reflector, and that a least one functional element of the LED, in particular at least one voltage supply line (21a,21b,21c,21d) of the LED and/or at least one cooling body (29,30a,30b,30c,30d) for the LED, extends at least partially essentially, along the light exit plane (E) or is arranged at least partially on the side of the light exit plane (E) which is oriented away from the reflector (13).
US08162517B2
A lamp including a base, a bendable neck and a lamp head, an outer surface of the lamp covered by a pliable sheath. The lamp further including a plurality of switches and a plurality of light sources, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The plurality of switches are visually concealed by the pliable sheath. A first actuation of at least one switch of the plurality of switches activates a white light mode of operation and a second actuation of at least one switch of the plurality of switches activates a color-phasing mode of operation.
US08162515B2
A lighting device (10) for use within a light box or light panel and comprising a housing with generally parallel upper and lower walls (11, 12) and diverging side walls (13, 14) with one or more LEDs (18) disposed within the housing on a back wall (15) thus to project light outwardly from the housing. Several such devices may be disposed within a light box or light panel to project light across the latter which light is then diffused before exiting from a front display panel or the like. The diffused light conceals the lighting devices within the light box or light panel. Such devices are intended to replace conventional fluorescent or neon lighting tubes or tungsten lights to produce substantially uniform light distribution by diffusion within the light box or light panel and incorporating low voltage and low power consuming light sources.
US08162514B2
An illumination device with a fire-fighting function includes a transparent hollow casing, fire-fighting water, a light-emitting unit, and a light-guiding unit. The transparent hollow casing has a receiving space. The fire-fighting water is filled into the receiving space of the transparent hollow casing. The light-emitting unit has a plurality of light-emitting elements disposed beside one or more lateral sides of the transparent hollow casing. The light-guiding unit is disposed over the transparent hollow casing. Hence, when fire accident happens, the transparent hollow casing will melt and crack due to the developed over-heat, and the fire-fighting water is sprayed out from the receiving spaces in order to extinguish one part of flames. Therefore, the present invention can be used as a lighting device or can be used as a fire-fighting device when fire accident happens.
US08162508B2
An LED substrate comprises holes having an elliptical shape through which fixing screws are inserted. The fixing screw has a head portion, an unthreaded neck portion whose diameter smaller than that of the head portion, and a threaded shaft portion whose diameter smaller than that of the neck portion. A major axis of the hole is larger than the diameter of the head portion, and a minor axis thereof is smaller than the diameter of the head portion and larger than the diameter of the neck portion. The LED substrate further comprises counterbored recesses to which anchoring claws provided in a cabinet are fitted. A width of the counterbored recess in a direction of the major axis of the hole is larger than that of the anchoring claw. The counterbored recesses are formed on both of two sides of the LED substrate facing each other in a first direction.
US08162499B2
A backlight unit includes: an arrangement surface on which a plurality of light sources are arranged; a plurality of reflection surfaces which are erected from a plurality of edges of the arrangement surface and reflect a light from the plurality of light sources, wherein the light emitted from the light sources and the light reflected from the plurality of reflection surfaces irradiate to an irradiation area surrounded by the plurality of reflection surfaces; the plurality of reflection surfaces are each inclined at an inclination angle smaller than 90 degrees with respect to extension surface of the arrangement surface which extends toward the outside of the reflection surface; at least one reflection surface of the plurality of reflection surfaces includes a large inclination area inclined at a large inclination angle and a small inclination area inclined at a small inclination angle; and the light source arranged close to the large inclination area is disposed closer to the outside frame of the irradiation area than the other light sources arranged close to the small inclination area in plan view from the irradiation area.
US08162495B2
A tracking system for reflecting electromagnetic radiation from a source to a target area, having at least one reflecting surface or mirror mounted to a support that fixes the reflecting surface orientation to focus electromagnetic radiation on the target area when the reflecting surface is at a first location at a first predefined time. The system has a path with at least the first location and a second location. The reflecting surface is movable along the path to maintain focus on the target area. The reflecting surface may have an orientation with a fixed declination angle and fixed hour angle. The source may include a moving source such as the Sun.
US08162487B2
A video projector includes a display device which receives an image signal and generates image light projected onto a projection surface. A scaling processor scales the input image signal. An OSD processor generates and corrects an adjustment pattern image in accordance with a correction instruction on the projection surface. An image signal synthesizer combines the image signal processed by the scaling processor with an OSD image signal generated and corrected by the OSD processor to generate a combined image signal. A trapezoidal distortion corrector performs trapezoidal distortion correction on the combined image signal from the image signal synthesizer based on the correction of the adjustment pattern image on the projection surface. The adjustment pattern image generated by the OSD processor includes a reference quadrangle pattern and downsized quadrangle patterns, which are reduced in size from the reference quadrangle pattern.
US08162472B2
An apparatus (100) and method that meters fluid film in an ink jet printing system is disclosed. The apparatus can include a source of fluid film (110) and a source metering assembly (120) rotatably supported in the apparatus. The source metering assembly can have a source metering assembly surface (122) coupled to the source of fluid film and the source metering assembly surface can be configured to transport fluid film from the source of fluid film. The apparatus can include a donor assembly (140) rotatably supported in the apparatus, where the donor assembly can have a donor assembly surface (142) coupled to the source metering assembly surface and the donor assembly surface can be configured to transport fluid film from the source metering assembly surface. The apparatus can include an ink jet printhead (195) configured to emit ink and a print assembly (170) rotatably supported in the apparatus. The print assembly can have a print assembly surface (172) coupled to the donor assembly surface, where the print assembly surface can be configured to transport fluid film from the donor assembly surface and the print assembly can be configured to receive ink from the ink jet printhead and produce an image on media using the ink.
US08162471B2
An image forming element includes an image drum including a plurality of ring electrodes and a slot. The plurality of ring electrodes are formed to be spaced apart from one another on a circumference of the image drum. The slot is formed in a longitudinal direction on the image drum. A connecting member includes a plurality of connecting electrodes and is disposed inside the image drum so that an end of the connecting member is received in the slot. The connecting electrodes are electrically connected with the ring electrodes one to one on the same line.
US08162470B2
An inkjet printer includes a printing head configured to eject solvent ink from nozzles of the printing head on a medium at a printing position. A medium is made of a polyvinyl chloride film. The solvent ink includes an organic pigment of from 3 to 7 weight %, a resin of 15 weight % or less, and solvents. A print heater is configured to heat the medium at the printing position. The print heater is arranged separately from a pre-heater. A temperature controller is configured to control a pre-heater heating temperature of the pre-heater and a print heater heating temperature of the print heater such that a surface temperature of the medium at the printing position becomes within a range of from 30° C. to 70° C.
US08162468B2
Printing systems including top registration plates and electromagnetic-curable inkjet print heads are described including methods for setting the intensity of the related electromagnetic sources. The printer includes a top registration plate that includes a plurality of registration plate print head openings, each opening adjacent to the registration plate. The transparent area is downstream of a UV light source and located above a media ski. In an alternative configuration, the top registration plate includes a transparent area that is adjacent to an opaque area of the registration plate. The transparent area is downstream of the UV light source and located above a media ski and below a light catch used to prevent the UV light from reaching the print heads in the printer.
US08162460B2
An inkjet printing cartridge capable of ejecting miniaturized ink droplets in a stable manner while avoiding the complexity of the structure and control as well as suppressing the cost rise. For this purpose, the inkjet printing cartridge is formed of a material having the permeability to liquid and gas, and the ink supply path for supplying ink to the ejection opening having a relatively small ejection amount is arranged adjacent to other ink supply paths via walls.
US08162454B2
An ink jet recording apparatus supplying ink from a main tank to a head via a sub tank. The sub tank has two flow paths communicating with the main tank, an atmosphere communicating part, and a liquid exit part to the head. The liquid in the sub tank is maintained at a constant liquid level position by selecting, between the two flow paths, the flow path having a lower flow path resistance. Thus, the ink jet recording apparatus can store a predetermined amount of liquid stably in the sub tank. The ink jet recording apparatus and the liquid supply apparatus are capable, even when the main tank is detached or the ink therein is exhausted, of continuing the recording for a predetermined time or number of sheets, utilizing the ink in the sub tank.
US08162431B2
A method detects weak or missing ink jets in an ink jet image generating system. The method includes generating a digital image of a test pattern of line segments in a process direction on an image receiving member with each line segment corresponding to one ink jet in a printhead, generating a response profile for a portion of the image receiving member on which the test pattern was generated, measuring the response profile, comparing the measurement of the response profile to a predetermined threshold, identifying missing and weak ink jets in response to the measurement of the response profile being less than the predetermined threshold, and moving the support member transversely across the process direction to a second position that enables each light sensor to image another portion of the image receiving member.
US08162426B2
A recording apparatus includes a calculator, a predictor, and a head controller. Assuming that first ejection signals are supplied to a recording head, the calculator calculates variations in total amount of liquid to be ejected, for respective constant periods of time. The predictor predicts, based on one or more calculated variations, whether a pressure difference between the atmosphere and liquid falls below a threshold value, the atmosphere and the liquid sandwiching a meniscus formed in one of the ejection openings. When the predictor predicts that the pressure difference falls below the threshold value, the head controller controls signal supply to the recording head so that second ejection signals are supplied to the recording head, the second ejection signals having a lower frequency than first ejection signals.
US08162420B2
A slide assembly having an adjustment mechanism includes an inner rail, an adjusting lever, and a guide block. The inner rail includes a first slot, a pivoting portion, and a second slot thereon. The adjusting lever includes a first hole, a middle section pivoted to the inner rail, and a second hole. The first hole corresponds in position to the first slot, and the second hole corresponds in position to the second slot. The guide block is pivoted to the second hole of the adjusting lever. A protruding portion is eccentrically disposed on the guide block. The protruding portion is moved to lean against a portion of the second slot by turning the guide block. The adjusting lever deflects and the first hole slides in relation to the first slot. A fastening member penetrates through the first hole to connect a drawer or similar object so that the drawer can be tuned fine for a higher or lower position.
US08162415B2
A household appliance is provided that includes a first and a second housing which are disposed next to each other such that one sidewall faces another sidewall and which are attached to one another. A seal is elastically compressed between facing outer surfaces of the sidewalls. At least one shoulder that is rigidly connected to the outer surface is provided on each housing. The shoulders of the two housings face away from each other while being flush with one another in a direction that extends essentially perpendicular to the outer surfaces.
US08162413B2
A cover for a merchandising display unit (1) disclosed. The cover of the rectangular top opening of the storage compartment includes displaceable lids (9) arranged in two rows along opposing longer sides (2,4) of the storage unit so that access is provided to the storage compartment from both sides of the storage unit. The cover has a stationary cover plate (6) along a mid section of the storage unit and a rail system (5) with a number of parallel transverse rails between the two longer sides, and the lids (9) mounted between separate tracks in adjacent rails and are displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the longer sides (2,4).
US08162396B2
A modular, multiple-seat chair includes a main chair having a primary seat and a back. The main chair is adapted to support a single person thereon. Secondary seats are conveniently stowed beneath the primary seat and are removable therefrom to provide additional seating when desired. Each secondary seat incorporates a foldable leg and has structure for removably attaching each secondary seat to the primary seat.
US08162391B2
There is disclosed an insert suitable for use within a seating system of an automotive vehicle.
US08162390B2
When a supporting frame is assembled to a seat, the child chair is used as a high chair. When the supporting frame is detached from the seat, the child chair may be served as a booster. The seat includes storages with straps connected. Each storage is covered with a cover selectively configured between a closed position and an opened position. When the supporting frame is detached from the seat, the covers may be moved to the opened position, covering coupling sections of the seat so that the supporting frame is not permitted to assemble to the seat; the straps are reachable outward the storages to secure the seat to an adult chair. When the straps are stored in the storages, the covers may be moved to the closed position, covering the storages and the coupling sections are exposed. The supporting frame is then permitted to assemble to the seat.
US08162384B2
A side underride cable system configured to be coupled to a trailer includes a front mounting bracket assembly configured to be coupled to the trailer, a rear mounting bracket assembly configured to be coupled to the trailer at a location spaced-apart from the front mounting racket assembly, and a plurality of cables configured to extend at least partially along a length of each side of the trailer between the front mounting bracket assembly and the rear mounting bracket assembly.
US08162381B2
Inflatable drag reduction device (20, 22) for vehicles, comprising an inflatable bag of a durable, flexible and generally air-tight material, arranged for attachment to the vehicle. The bag comprises of a plurality of conjoined panels and an air duct arranged for allowing the inflow of air into the interior of the bag when the vehicle is in motion. The bag further comprises internal ribs of a generally non-elastic material attached to the internal surfaces of the panels, that assist the bag in assuming a predetermined geometrical shape in which the panels are prevented from billowing outward.
US08162377B2
A tarp bar may be an alignment member, a reinforcement member, and a furling control member, without adding substantial weight or complexity to a rolling tarp system. The tarp bar is fixed to the tarp a significant distance from the drive bar and is not motorized or otherwise powered, and is preferably attached only to the tarp material, parallel to the length of the tarp and the bed/trailer. The tarp bar is recessed or otherwise-concave along its length to allow cradling of, and hence parallel orientation of, an already-rolled portion of the tarp. The tarp bar is preferably broader than said already-rolled portion, so that two opposing edges of the tarp bar extend out beyond the diameter of the already-rolled portion so that the combination of the already-rolled portion received in the tarp bar is a non-cylindrical unit. Subsequent rolling-up of the tarp tends to occur in incremental, partial-rotation steps in a cam-like action that maintains more consistent tension all along the length of the tarp, to form a tighter and more even roll along the entire length of the roll.
US08162376B1
An electrically-deployable sun visor system for use on motor vehicles wherein the sun visor retracts upward and deploys downward upon a track system, are located on the front windshield and alternately on the side window. The sun visor is operated by a motor-operated gear system wired into the electrical system of the motor vehicle. The sun visor is operated by a dash-mounted switch. The amount of deployment is controlled by holding the switch in either an up or down position for the necessary period of time similar to an electrically operated window.
US08162368B2
A reconfigurable vehicle console having two substantially rigid end panels, wherein at least one and optionally both of the two end panels consist of a molded material. A pair of substantially rigid side panels are interconnectable with the two end panels. A plurality of face plates are securable with the side panels.
US08162367B2
A rack with retractable drawers for the bed of a pick-up includes a rack adapted to be supported by the side wall; a drawer brace held by the rack above the truck bed; and a drawer attached to the drawer brace. The drawer extends from and retracts into the rack so as to be accessible from outside of the truck bed. One or more drawers may extend out the sides of the pickup or out the tail gate area.
US08162359B2
A pushbutton mechanism includes a case member having an operation surface with a button hole and a pushbutton having an upper surface to be pushed inside the case member in a pushing direction. The upper surface includes a first portion at a front side of the operation surface and a second portion at a rear side of the operation surface. The first portion is formed in a first shape, and the second portion is formed in a second shape different from the first shape along the pushing direction.
US08162354B2
A twistable hydraulic hose joint basically has a hydraulic hose, an O-ring and a fixing bolt. The hydraulic hose includes a connectable end, a distal end, a center passageway extending between the connectable and distal ends, and an abutment part extending radially from an outer surface of the hydraulic hose adjacent the connectable end of the hydraulic hose. The O-ring is disposed on an outer surface of the hydraulic hose between an end face of the connectable end and the abutment part. The fixing bolt includes an external surface with an externally fixed portion and an internal bore. The internal bore has first and second bore sections disposed around the connectable end with the second bore section being smaller than the first bore section to form an abutment surface that faces in an axial direction of the internal bore to abut against the abutment part of the hydraulic hose.
US08162353B1
Postage stamp assembly includes a backing substrate having a front face and indicia relating to a game of chance on the front face, a postage stamp having a printed postage value thereon, and adhesive for removably adhering the postage stamp to the front face of the backing substrate. The indicia relating to a game of chance is exposed only when the postage stamp is removed from the backing substrate. The postage stamps are sold at a price higher than the printed postage value and money from the difference between the printed postage value of the postage stamps and the price thereof forms a pool, at least a part of which is used for prizes for the game of chance. Part of the pool might also be used for a charitable purpose or societal benefit, and an indication to this effect printed on the postage stamps.
US08162345B1
A foldable bicycle includes a frame, gears and two wheels. The frame includes a front vertical tubular portion, a front horizontal tubular portion, a hinge, a rear horizontal tubular portion and a seat-supporting tubular portion. A lopsided portion is disposed above the front fork. One piece of the hinge is welded to the rear end of the front horizontal tubular portion, and another piece is welded to the front end of the rear horizontal tubular portion. The seat-supporting tubular portion is positioned by a positioning rod. Therefore, the foldable bicycle of the present invention may be folded up into a smallest volume and then may be stored away easily through its positioning unit, hinge and positioning rod. Also, its two small wheels fitted to the rear rack enable the bicycle in a folded condition to be moved around easily.
US08162338B2
An apparatus including a frame with a pivot axis defined thereupon, a crank arm bearing at the pivot axis; a first and a second crank arm coupled to the crank arm bearing; at least two wheels coupled to the frame, at least one of which is a drive wheel; a first and a second foot link, operably coupled to drive wheel to transfer power to said drive wheel so as to propel the apparatus, each foot link including a foot receiving portion for receiving a user's foot, a first end coupled to the frame, and a second end coupled to a respective one of the first and the second crank arms, wherein the foot receiving portion is movable along a generally elliptical path having a stride length greater than 17 inches.
US08162337B2
An apparatus including a frame with a pivot axis defined thereupon; a drive wheel coupled to the frame; a first and a second foot link operably coupled to drive wheel to transfer power to the drive wheel so as to propel the apparatus, each including a foot receiving portion for receiving an operator's foot, a front end, and a rear end; and an adjustable stride length mechanism coupling the rear end of the foot link to the pivot axis at a radial length, the adjustable stride length mechanism including a plurality of attachment points for adjusting the radial length.
US08162313B2
A method for aligning a media sheet in a media path of an image forming apparatus includes aligning the media sheet against a first reference edge of an input tray. The media sheet may then move through an alignment nip which is constructed to laterally move the media sheet against a reference edge. The media sheet moves along the reference edge and becomes aligned prior to moving to a transport belt. The media sheet may then move through one or more transfer nips to receive one or more images.
US08162309B2
A first convey roller conveys a sheet in a sheet conveying direction such that a leading edge of the sheet passes through a nip of a second convey roller disposed downstream from the first convey roller. The second convey roller rotates in a reverse direction by a first rotation amount corresponding to a first linear distance to convey the sheet in a direction opposite to the sheet conveying direction, such that the leading edge of the sheet is released from the nip of the second convey roller. In response to the rotation of the second convey roller in the reverse direction, the first convey roller rotates by a second rotation amount corresponding to a second linear distance in the reverse direction to convey the sheet in the direction opposite to the sheet conveying direction, such that the leading edge of the sheet contacts the nip of the second convey roller when the first convey roller has rotated by the second rotation amount and the second convey roller has rotated by the first rotation amount.
US08162308B2
The present invention avoids a problem in that wound-up banknotes are located unevenly on substantially the same position on a winding drum. The paper sheet processing device is configured to process paper sheets. The paper sheet processing device includes: a receiving unit configured to receive paper sheets one by one in a predetermined receiving cycle; a transport unit configured to transport the paper sheets received by the receiving unit; a storing and feeding unit including a winding drum that winds up the paper sheets together with a tape, the storing and feeding unit being configured to receive and feed the paper sheets transported by the transport unit, by winding up and winding off the tape; a drive unit configured to drive the receiving unit, the transport unit, and the storing and feeding unit: and a control unit configured to control the drive unit to maintain a tape winding amount per receiving cycle, such that a storing pitch of the paper sheets wound up by the winding drum deviates from a predetermined range relative to an outer peripheral length of the tape wound up by the winding drum.
US08162301B2
A construction kit for a manipulating system, includes at least one first and one second element that are located parallel or at an angle to one another and are connectable to one another, at least one centering element that is located between the first and second elements, and at least one securing element for connecting the first element to the second element. The construction kit has a centering element, which has an outer circumferential surface that is provided with at least one form-locking means.
US08162297B2
Method and apparatus for producing a bubble curtain with a diversity of bubble diameters for purposes such as suppressing surface-related multiple reflections in marine seismic surveys. Bubble generating elements are used that combine porous wall material with discrete holes.
US08162290B1
The hitch mounted jack adapter device provides for removable insertion into an existing receiver hitch. The device receives the jack I-beam of an existing hi-lift jack. The smooth use of the device is provided by the spaced apart first rollers and second rollers that guide the existing jack I-beam through the I-shaped jack notch of the device. The vertically spaced apart first rollers and second rollers further provide defined vertical guidance of the jack I-beam. By negating binding and significantly reducing friction, combined with the gusset disposed between the hitch insert and the riser of the jack receiver, the device further provides for safe operation through strength coupled with frictional reduction. Of importance is that the device provides for easy, uncomplicated use.
US08162277B2
Mounting brackets for mounting microphones, lights, video, audio and photographic tools and accessories utilized in the audio/video industry to a variety of support structures or fixtures. This invention provides quick and effective attachment of numerous audio/video devices and other paraphernalia onto a wide variety of fixtures. Convenient clamping and mounting mechanisms are disclosed, as well as a kit of such mechanisms.
US08162269B2
A cable support system has a base that adhesively adheres to an attachment surface. Telescopic segments connect to the base and extend and retract in length. A cable receptacle attaches to an end portion of a final segment of the telescopic segments. A control system wirelessly receives instructions from a portable communication device, and at least one mechanical drive mechanism connects to the final segment of the telescopic segments and responds to the control system to extend and retract at least the final segment.
US08162267B2
The embodiments provide a barb assembly for use with a cable duct component to oppose removal of a cable duct section from the cable duct component. The barb assembly and/or cable duct component can comprise one or more barb arm supports, which can increase the ability of the barb assembly to oppose removal of the cable duct section from the cable duct component. The embodiments also provide methods of installing cable duct components and systems with the above-described features.
US08162265B2
An airfoil wing system for releasing air from an airfoil wing for an inflatable airfoil is provided. The airfoil wing is secured to the inflatable airfoil. The airfoil wing system has at least two wing panels connected together and an opening formed between the two wing panels wherein the opening automatically moves from a closed position to an open position to release air from beneath the airfoil wing thereby allowing takedown of the inflatable airfoil.
US08162264B2
The present invention relates to a method and an associated device for automatically jettisoning an external load (4) that is reversibly suspended from a release-hook (12) of an aircraft fuselage (2) by a sling (13), which method comprises: measuring the angle (θ) between said sling (13) and a vertical axis in elevation of the aircraft; and activating automatic jettisoning when firstly said angle (θ) exceeds an upper limit (LSUP), and secondly said sling (13) is directed towards the rear (4′) of the aircraft, thereby making it possible, optionally, to proceed with jettisoning said external load (4).
US08162254B2
An aircraft engine assembly including an engine, an engine mounting structure, and a nacelle surrounding the engine and including an air intake and fan cowls. The assembly further includes a cradle supporting the fan cowls, fixedly mounted on the mounting structure or else on an entity including a fan case and the air intake attached to the case. The engine assembly further includes a junction aerodynamic fairing including a first mounting mechanism mounted on the cradle, and including a second mounting mechanism mounted on the other of the elements from among the mounting structure and the entity.
US08162252B2
An automated dispenser includes a rotatable carousel including a mounting station for a primary roll of sheet product and a mounting station for a reserve roll of sheet product; mounting brackets configured for mounting the carousel such that it is movable between a locked, rearward position for dispensing and a forward position where the carousel is rotatable for reloading; a drive system including a motor coupled to a drive roller and control circuitry; a transfer mechanism adapted so as to be operable to urge a tail of the reserve roll toward a dispensing nip of the drive system upon depletion of the primary roll; a housing; and an auxiliary access aperture fitted with an access door, the auxiliary aperture and access door being configured and adapted to be manually operable to expose the reserve roll for manual dispensing.
US08162245B2
A compact modular mobile aggregate processing system configured with no stand-alone inter-plant conveyors for decreasing the footprint of the system and an infinitely adjustable flow diverter(s) for increasing the control of and variation of output characteristics of the system; the system further including specialized folding conveyors.
US08162244B2
A shredding machine for domestic or office use having a feed passage 3 leading to a cutting mechanism 10, 11 powered by an electric motor, has a thickness measuring device 15 for measuring the thickness of bundles of paper fed through the feed passage and the machine is controlled by a microprocessor which receives signals from the thickness measuring device and prevents the cutting mechanism from being energised if the thickness measured is above a threshold determined by the microprocessor. The microprocessor varies the threshold in accordance with electrical supply voltage, the electric motor temperature and the electric current drawn by the motor during a previous shredding operation, so that the maximum thickness the shredder will accept can be reduced automatically when motor temperature increases or as the effectiveness of the machine deteriorates throughout its working life.
US08162238B2
A spray liquid pressure head has a main head body containing a suction body, a suction pipe and a container locking ring. A pressing member assembled over the main head body has a pressure head and horizontal expansion pipe. A directional jack is assembled at one end of the horizontal expansion pipe. Two reinforced costal margins are integrally formed at both sides of the horizontal expansion pipe in a vertical extension state. One end of the reinforced costal margin is integrally linked to the pressure head, and the other end integrally linked to the directional jack. The pressure head has a combined directional sprinkler head containing a labyrinth connecting pipe, a vertical terminal pipe and a spraying guide assembly.
US08162227B2
A storage device contains a smart-card device and a memory device, both of which are accessed though a controller. The storage device may be used in the same manner as a conventional smart-card device, or it may be used to store a relatively large amount of data in various partitions corresponding to the protection level of the data stored therein. The smart-card device stores critical security parameters that are provided to the controller to protect access to some or all of the partitions of the memory device. A host connected to the controller issues commands, and the controller analyzes the commands and responds to them in various ways depending upon the nature of the command. In particular, depending upon the nature of the command, the controller may either pass the command to the smart-card device, or ignore the command either indefinitely or until a predetermined event has occurred.
US08162226B2
A method for receiving and presenting user-generated designs and sets of terms for portable consumer devices. The method provides for allowing a first person to create a customized design for a portable consumer device, and share the design with other consumers via a host site. Similarly, the method provides for allowing a first person to create and share a customized set of terms for the portable consumer device. Methods for receiving and distributing feedback for customized designs and sets of terms are included.
US08162215B2
A paper-ballot voting system is disclosed in which voters can retain symbols printed adjacent to the particular candidates or ballot question positions that they mark. Including ballot serial numbers on the forms allows voters to check online the symbols recorded for their ballots while maintaining ballot secrecy. In case of dispute, a physical resolution procedure lets voters establish whether the recorded symbols are correct with respect to the actual physical ballots. Some examples allow forms to be obtained online and voted by physical or facsimile delivery. Voters who cannot read ballots or cannot mark ballots can nevertheless vote while maintaining ballot secrecy. The overall integrity of the outcome is provided transparently.
US08162211B2
A wireless device may alert a wireless smart card reader that communication of data between the wireless device and the wireless smart card reader is probably imminent by sending an activation alert. Upon receipt of the activation alert, if the wireless smart card reader is in a low-power state, the wireless smart card reader may enter a higher-power state. If the wireless smart card reader is in the higher-power state upon receipt of the activation alert, the wireless smart card reader may remain in the higher-power state until a timeout period has expired. The wireless device may instruct the wireless smart card reader to enter the low-power state by sending a deactivation alert if the wireless device detects that communication of data between the wireless device and the wireless smart card reader is not likely to occur within a specified period of time.
US08162205B2
The present invention is directed toward a polygonal container having at least five interconnected body panels and a blank for making the polygonal container. The ends of the polygonal container are provided with a plurality of pie-shaped triangular sections that can provide unique decorative experience to the user of a consumer product contained and dispensed from therein.
US08162202B2
In a method of manufacturing an article (28) by diffusion bonding and superplastic forming stop off material (122) is applied to prevent diffusion bonding in a predetermined pattern on a first surface (106) of a first metal workpiece (100) and the predetermined pattern is spaced from the edges of the first surface (106) of the first metal workpiece (100). Stop off material (124) to prevent diffusion bonding is applied in a predetermined position on the first surface (106) of the first metal workpiece (100) and the predetermined position extends from the predetermined pattern of stop of material (122) on the first surface (106) of the first metal workpiece (100) towards one edge of the first surface (106) of the first metal workpiece (100). A recess (130, 132) is provided in a second predetermined position on the second surface (108) of the first metal workpiece (100) or a fourth surface (112) of a second metal workpiece (102), the recess (130,132) extends towards the same edge of the first metal workpiece (100) or a corresponding edge of the second metal workpiece (102). The first and second metal workpieces (100, 102) are diffusion bonded together. During superplastic forming the recess (130, 132) and the stop off material (124) in the predetermined position define an inflation passage (148) for superplastic forming of the metal workpieces (100, 102) to a hollow article (28).
US08162194B2
A backpack includes a stabilizing and ventilating side bolster assembly coupled to a frame. The side bolster assembly includes breathable side bolsters received in breathable sleeves that cooperate with the frame to stabilize the backpack under load while providing improved ventilation between the backpack and a back side of a wearer of the backpack. The side bolsters may be customized for a particular environment, for a particular body type, or for particular loads to be carried in the backpack by changing the stiffness, density, material, dimensions or other aspects of the side bolsters.
US08162193B2
The present invention relates to cargo carrier. The cargo carrier attaches to a vehicle and includes a platform, an upper frame, a plurality of vertical supports, a support sleeve and a support beam. The platform itself is constructed from a plurality of longitudinal support members and a plurality of cross members that interfit with each other via a channel design and/or a shoulder and notch system. The platform is then mounted to a vehicle by attaching the support sleeve and support beam to an existing vehicle hitch. Once attached, the platform may be loaded with heavy items for transport.
US08162191B2
A bicycle battery holder for retaining a battery is basically provided with a bracket member, an engaging member and a lever member. The engaging member is movably mounted to the bracket member and configured to selectively retain the battery to the bracket. The lever member is movably mounted to the bracket member and operatively coupled to the engaging member to move the engaging member in a first direction with respect to the bracket member when the lever member is moved from a first lever position to a second lever position.
US08162188B2
A stocking take-off assistance device suitable as aid for taking of stockings, particularly elastic support stockings, the stocking take-off assistance device including at least one substantially annular inner device suitable to be arranged around a leg and to receive the turned upper edge of a stocking, a substantially annular outer device matching the annular inner device, suitable to be arranged around the leg and around the inner device such that an upper edge of a stocking folded around the annular inner device can be clamped between the annular inner device and the annular outer device. The annular inner device is not completely closed but extends over an angle (α) smaller than 360°. Likewise, the annular outer device is not completely closed but extends over an angle (β) smaller than 360°.
US08162186B2
A refillable bottom dispensing package forming a closed space in which fluid material can be stored and from which such material can be dispensed, the package having a rigid wall adjacent a bottom thereof, the wall having a hole, a resilient valve regulating dispensing of the fluid material contained in the package through the hole, the valve being closed to the passage of fluid material through the hole when the contents of the package are substantially at atmospheric pressure and being opened by pressure on the contents when the pressure is above atmospheric pressure, the valve forming a flap seal against a surface of the wall, the sealing action of the flap seal against the wall surface being free of influence from structural elements of the package while being directly responsive in its sealing force against the wall surface to the pressure level of the contents in the package space, the inter-relationship of the flap seal and the wall within the package being arranged to avoid impeding removal of the valve from the wall and the package.
US08162184B2
An improved follower packing unit for a grease gun is disclosed. The unit includes a hollow annular body of elastomeric material having a front wall, an annular side wall and a rear wall defining a cavity in the body. Rigid front and back structural supports rigidly support the front and rear walls of the elastomeric seal. The elastomeric seal and the front and back structural supports are fastened together to prevent separation and to form a unitary follower structure movable as a unit on a follower rod. The annular side wall of the elastomeric seal is resiliently deformable under pressure in a radial direction for sealing tightly against an interior surface of the barrel of the grease gun or against the interior surface of a tubular cartridge loaded in the barrel of the gun.
US08162181B2
The present application describes a product dispenser. The product dispenser may include at least one macro-ingredient source, at least one micro-ingredient source positioned about the dispenser, a diluent source, a dispensing valve, a number of pumps or metering devices, and a user interface. The user interface receives a request for a product type and instructs the pumps or metering devices to dispense a predetermined type and ratio of macro-ingredients, micro-ingredients, and diluent to the dispensing valve for a predetermined flow rate.
US08162178B2
A fluid dispensing device, in at least one embodiment containing medication typically have a shelf life and separately an expiration date after first being opened, as this exposure created by opening or sing the container for the first time raises the chance of contamination dramatically. A time indicator is situated so that as the container is opened for the first time, a timer displays the expiration date and time of the container. The time indicator can not be reset once it is triggered. In one embodiment, the indicator is triggered as the container is actuated by a rotational movement.
US08162163B2
This invention is aimed at material saving and cost reduction. A technical problem to be solved by the invention is to provide a light-weight Y-shaped handle without impairing injection moldability and the functions of the handle. The principal means of solving the above-described technical problem is an injection molded handle used by being fitted and secured firmly to a rear portion of a body of a synthetic resin bottle by an insert molding method. The handle comprises a pair of fitting bent beams disposed in parallel in an upright posture and fitted by an undercut engagement to a rear portion of a body of a bottle, a grip plate in a vertical and long rectangular shape disposed between the pair of the fitting bent beams, and a circular gate area disposed at a center of the grip plate, wherein the thickness of the grip plate is reduced on both sides thereof in a certain height range to form thin plate portions, while leaving, as thick portions, a near-gate area including and surrounding the gate area in a concentric manner and vertical slip portions extending up- and downward from the near-gate area.
US08162162B2
The object of this invention is to provide a container having a reduced area of vacuum-absorbing panels and thus acquiring improved appearance and having strength against a pressure drop, i.e., the strength enough to retain the shape of the container even when there is a pressure drop inside the container.A shoulder portion or a bottom portion of a resin-made storage container is molded by aligning one or two groups of three corners and one or two groups of three pillars vertically and in parallel to the central axis of the container. Each group of three corners is a part of the corners forming a cross-section of a regular enneagon and being connected to either the shoulder portion or the bottom portion, and the lines connecting these three corners form a regular triangle. Each group of three pillars is a part of the pillars belonging to the body and forming a cross-section of a hexagon, and the lines connecting these three pillars form a regular triangle.If there is a pressure drop inside the container due to a decrease in the temperature of the contents, stress builds up inside the body of the container in such a way that the body deforms into a regular triangular prism, with vertically aligned corners/pillars serving as the three angles. As a result, the container has an enhanced level of strength against the force coming from any direction. With the shape stabilized, the container has also high resistance to buckling.
US08162160B2
A large mobile crane includes a revolving superstructure, a main boom hinged to the superstructure, and a derrick boom hinged to the superstructure. A modular counterweight system includes a traveling counterweight and a non-traveling counterweight connected to a crossbeam suspended from the distal end of the derrick boom so that the non-traveling counterweight is activated before the traveling counterweight.
US08162157B2
The present invention provides a unique compound bow stand and quiver holder which is quickly collapsible and stored and transported in an easy manner for persons in the archery industry and field.
US08162154B2
A gravity feed dispenser (50) for containers, in which the dispenser (50) carrying the containers includes a pair of longitudinally extending stringers (80) engaging with shelf rack (20) in snap-fitting relation to secure the dispenser (50) to the rack (20). In another embodiment, the dispenser (50) has sidewalls (52) of transparent plastic for product visibility and is provided with a glide strip (100) which is attached to the floor (54) of the dispenser (50) by hooks (102) temporarily, and permanently by fusion of the glide strip (100) to the dispenser (50) as by sonic welding.
US08162150B2
A grading apparatus for grading objects such as in particular fish or shrimp in respect of their size, comprising a plurality of juxtaposed substantially parallel endless conveyor belts (27), wherein the width (9) separating adjacent conveyor belts is larger at the unloading end (29) than at the loading end (28) of the belts and define sorting channels through which the items fall down when the channel width corresponds to the width of the item, each conveyor belt comprising a plurality of hinged segments with a sloping cross-section such that in between each adjacent pair of belts is formed a V-shaped valley with substantially continuous sloping sides (2), each side being at an angle in the range of about 70-85°.
US08162142B2
A package for a paper slip stack, which can steadily and stably store the paper slip stack bundled by a packaging sheet and can be easily released from the packaging sheet after being contained in a paper holder. The paper slip stack is formed by alternately interlocking half parts (5a and 5b) of twofold paper slips (5) with one another oppositely in their folded directions so as to stack the paper slips in piles in their mutually interconnected state. The slips are bundled by a packaging sheet (3) which is provided with a tab (4) that protrudes outward from one side of the paper slip stack. A frangible part is formed anywhere in a longitudinal direction of the packaging sheet so as to be broken or cut by a tensioning force produced by pulling the tab.
US08162138B2
A universal surgical screw caddy. An enclosure includes a cover secured to a frame. A flexible sheet is located between an affixed to the cover and frame. A plurality of holes formed in the cover allow the surgical screws to be inserted into the caddy past a plurality of movable portions of the flexible sheet releasably holding the screws in the caddy.
US08162136B2
A package comprises a first unit for a smokable tobacco product and a second unit for a smokeless tobacco product. In one embodiment of the package, the second unit is of a material suitable as a barrier material for moisture and/or aroma related to the smokeless tobacco product.
US08162130B2
The method of the invention comprises immobilizing the queue on its entire length using flaps (10, 11) for creating a gap between two consecutive objects and for isolating downstream from said gap a group of objects defining the batch; inserting into the gap thus created a first cleat (39) having a longitudinal advance speed Vt lower than the running speed Va of the conveyor belt (3); releasing said immobilized queue and making the cleat in charge of it; starting a new temporary immobilization of said queue; and so on. The device for implementing the method comprises: on the one hand, means in the form of flaps (10, 11) for immobilizing the queue on the length thereof by clamping in order to define a gap between two consecutive objects in said queue, and on the other hand, a means in the form of cleats (39) that can be inserted in and take in charge the immobilized queue. Each cleat (39) is associated with a roller-shaped member (38) for maneuvering the flap (10). The reactive flap (11) is submitted to the action of spring means (16) for automatically returning the flap (10) into place.
US08162124B2
A currency changer device is adapted to be used with a point of sale terminal and includes a housing, a coin accepting tray carried by the housing for accepting a plurality of coins in bulk, and a bill accepter carried by the housing for accepting and sorting a plurality of bills in bulk. The currency changer device may also include a respective plurality of first and second currency changer device hardware components. The plurality of second currency changer device hardware components are identical to the respective plurality of first currency changer device hardware components. Both the first and second plurality of currency changer device hardware components include a first and a second coin sorter each in communication with the coin accepting tray, a first and a second plurality of respective coin bins in communication with the respective first and second coin sorters, and a first and a second plurality of bill cassettes in communication with the bill accepter. The currency changer device may also include a coin dispenser and a bill dispenser. The currency changer device is adapted to accept a plurality of unsorted coins in bulk and a plurality of unsorted bills in bulk for a cash transaction, and to dispense change in a cash transaction responsive to commands received from the at least one point of sale terminal.
US08162119B2
A friction clutch includes a clutch cam which is movable with respect to a clutch hub in a center axis direction of a transmission shaft. The clutch cam has a release rod which penetrates through the clutch hub and is extended toward the pressure plate. An adjustment bolt which is provided at the pressure plate and is configured to restrict a moving range of a clutch cam in the center axis direction is disposed to face an end portion of the release rod which is closer to the pressure plate.
US08162115B2
An actuator arrangement for a clutch of a drive train for motor vehicles. The clutch is prestressed into an opened position and can be activated electromechanically. An electric motor can be coupled to the clutch in order to activate it. A control unit actuates the electric motor. The actuator arrangement has a safety device which is connected to the electric motor parallel to the control unit. The safety device is configured, in the case of a fault state, to supply electrical power to the electric motor independently of the control unit in order to open the clutch.
US08162113B2
A clutch control system for a vehicle includes an actuator which is configured to control a hydraulic pressure. A timer is configured to measure a time period from a timing at which a hydraulic pressure supply source starts supplying hydraulic oil to a hydraulic clutch to a timing at which the hydraulic pressure reaches a predetermined value. A clutch control compensator is configured to calculate a control compensation value of an amount of operation of the actuator based on the time period measured by the timer. A clutch controller is configured to control the actuator based on the control compensation value and the amount of operation of the actuator using a deviation between the hydraulic pressure detected by the hydraulic pressure detector and a target hydraulic pressure set according to a condition of the vehicle.
US08162111B2
An exemplary embodiment of a brake caliper has a housing with a first chamber and a second chamber. The brake caliper also has a first piston that moves in response to fluid pressure in the first chamber and has a second piston that moves in response to fluid pressure in the second chamber. A brake pad has a leading end portion that is acted upon by the first piston and has a trailing end portion that is acted upon by the second piston. A fluid passage leads to the first chamber. The trailing end portion contacts an associated rotor before the leading end portion contacts the rotor.
US08162108B2
The elevator has a car movable vertically within a shaft between lower and upper end positions and a drive system coupled to a traction system for controlling movement of the car. A limit switch which is open when the car is in a selected distance range from one of the end positions. The limit switch forms part of a power line supplying power to the drive system for controlling movement of the car in a direction towards that end position in an inspection operation. Thus movement of the car is prevented only in that direction when the car is in the selected distance range in an inspection operation.
US08162099B2
A vehicle interior structure that may realize a more amenable vehicle interior space by making communication between occupants sitting on a pair of vehicle seats easier. The vehicle interior structure includes: a pair of vehicle seats; and a sound-reflecting communication unit for conveying a sound produced from occupants sitting, respectively, on the pair of vehicle seats to the other occupant, while reflecting and converging the sound. The sound-reflecting communication unit forms a concave shape along a virtual ellipse, focuses of which are respectively at positions of heads of the occupants.
US08162098B2
An acoustic reflector suitable for use as a reflective target for navigational aids and for location and re-location applications. The acoustic reflector comprises a shell arranged to surround a solid core. The shell is adapted to transmit acoustic waves incident thereon into the core. Within the core the acoustic waves are focused before being reflected from an opposing side of the shell to provide a reflected acoustic wave. The shell has at least two areas of transmissibility such that the waves incident on the shell follow separate paths within the core before being re-radiated and combining constructively to provide an enhanced reflected acoustic wave at one or more pre-determined frequencies.
US08162096B2
A wheeled vehicle (10) has a power steering assembly. The vehicle can operate in an AWD mode and a 2WD mode. The degree of steering assist provided by the power steering assembly is determined from one of various steering maps (8A-8D; 114A-D). The steering map is selected based on whether the vehicle is operating in the AWD mode or the RWD mode and on a steering mode selected by a steering mode control switch (100) on the vehicle. A method of controlling a power steering assembly is also disclosed.
US08162094B2
A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine configured to power a hydraulic pump to pressurize hydraulic fluid, which is used to power the vehicle directly or is stored in an accumulator. A drive module, including a hydraulic pump/motor and a multi-speed mechanical transmission, is operatively coupled to drive wheels of the vehicle to provide motive power to the vehicle. The drive module can also include a second hydraulic motor (or multiple hydraulic motors) configured to provide motive power. The transmission is configured to progress through its gears at ratio shifts of no less than 2:1 between adjacent gear positions. The transmission is configured to place the hydraulic motor in neutral during some portions of vehicle operation, and to engage the motor during other portions of vehicle operation.
US08162093B2
A body for a motor vehicle comprises a frame, a bonnet connected on a first side to the frame by a hinge and on a second side by a bonnet lock, and at least one actuating element which can be extended in the event of an accident in order to raise the bonnet. The actuating element comprises a movable part acting on the first side of the bonnet. A catch of the bonnet lock is coupled to the movable part in order to release the bonnet lock (when said actuating element is extended.
US08162088B2
A speed control device for motor vehicles, having a controller and a user interface. A plurality of operating modes is implemented in the controller, which differ in their control strategies and include at least one eco mode, whose control strategy is optimized for a fuel-saving manner of driving. The user interface has an input device for selecting the operating mode. Use of the device is made advantageously in a hybrid vehicle. The control strategy may then be adapted to various parameters of the hybrid vehicle (charge state, power of the electric motor, scope of the regenerative braking).
US08162080B2
In an aspect, an apparatus may include a chamber configured to receive a core at a receiving end of the chamber and a cutting device configured to cut the core at a location distal from the receiving end of the core chamber. In aspects, a method may include drilling into the formation to retrieve a core, receiving the core into a chamber at an open end of a chamber, and cutting the core uphole of the open end of the chamber so as to continue to receive the core into the chamber as the drilling continues.
US08162077B2
A drill bit made according to one embodiment includes a bit body and at least one preloaded sensor in the bit body. In one aspect, the sensor may include a sensor element on a sensor body having a first end and a second end and wherein the sensor is preloaded after placing the sensor body in the bit body. In another aspect, the sensor may be preloaded outside the bit body and then placed in the bit body in a manner that enables the sensor to retain the preloading.
US08162072B2
A tiller can include a frame supported by at least one wheel. An upright assembly can extend from the frame. A drive mechanism can be supported by the frame and include a motor having an output member. A tilling implement can have a drive shaft that is driven by the output member. The tilling implement can comprise at least one tine plate. A slider assembly can communicate with the wheel and be movably coupled along the upright assembly. The slider assembly can be configured to securably locate in at least a first position wherein the wheel is located at a first elevation relative to the frame and a second position wherein the wheel is located at a second elevation relative to the frame. The first and second elevations can be distinct.
US08162064B1
An autonomous junk collecting sleeve for a riser is provided. The sleeve is constructed and arranged to be independently lowered and seated above a subsea tree section and, subsequently, raised and removed independent of the work string. The autonomous junk collecting sleeve includes a first cylindrical structure, a second cylindrical structure concentric to the first cylindrical structure and which are joined together in spatial relation at a bottom end to form an interior J-channel basket. The J-channel basket is operable to collect debris traveling up through the bottom end and over of the second cylindrical structure for deposit therein.
US08162057B2
The present invention includes methods relating to the setting of fluids or slurries in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a method of isolating a portion a wellbore by preparing a sealant composition comprising a fluid component and a polymeric additive component, placing the sealant composition into a wellbore and subjecting the sealant composition to ionizing radiation. The ionizing radiation can cause bonding between polymeric additive components and create a polymer matrix within the sealant composition that increases the mechanical strength of the sealant composition.
US08162054B2
One apparatus for releasing a chemical in a well bore includes a casing collar configured to couple to a casing string. A chemical container is disposed within the casing collar, and the casing collar is configured to release the chemical from the chemical reservoir.
US08162053B2
A elongated plunger assembly for pressurized, conduit-enclosed travel utilized in recovery of hydrocarbon deposits in a ground penetrating oil or gas well. The plunger comprises an elongated mandrel, a plurality of radially movable curvilinear wear pads circumferentially disposed adjacent each end of the elongated mandrel, a pad-edge retaining housing extending on at least one end of the elongated mandrel to enclosably retain the longitudinally distal end of a circumferential array of wear pads onto the mandrel, and a centrally disposed wear pad securement ring arrangement to permit release of a worn wear pad, replacement of the worn wear pad at an inner longitudinal edge thereof, thus to permit simple field-accessable removal and replacement of any particular “conduit-worn” “wear” pad from the mandrel of the plunger.
US08162052B2
A downhole tool for use in a well may comprise a vessel having a piston or a valve disposed therein and defining first and second volumes wherein the first volume is configured to receive formation fluid from an inlet port, and an actuator configured to extract formation fluid, the actuator being fluidly isolated from a fluid flow path extending between the inlet port and the first volume. The downhole tool may also comprise a flow-line configured to deliver formation fluid to the vessel, and an actuator configured to register an end of the flow-line with the inlet of the vessel.
US08162044B2
A downhole drilling tool includes a housing defining an axial passageway and a shaft mounted for rotation within the axial passageway such that the housing and shaft form an annular gap. An electrical connector provides a signal to the shaft. The electrical connector includes a first lead assembly coupled to the housing and the shaft, and a second lead assembly coupled to the housing and the shaft. Each lead assembly has an outer ring electrode fixed to the housing and an inner ring electrode fixed to the shaft for rotation therewith such that connector gaps are formed between the outer ring electrodes and the inner ring electrodes. Drilling fluid is pumped through the annular gap to flow through the connector gaps to complete electrical connections between the outer ring electrodes and inner ring electrodes.
US08162041B2
A heat exchanger including plate fins stacked at respective intervals relative to one another, and heat exchanger tubes penetrating the fins in. The heat exchanger exchanges heat between first and second fluids flowing, respectively, inside and outside the heat exchanger tubes. Each of the fins includes a substantially planar main body and cut-raised portions extending from the main body and disposed at an upstream side of flow of the second fluid. Each of the cut-raised portions corresponds to a respective heat exchanger tube and includes first and second opposed side ends connected to the main body of the fin. The first side end is nearer to the corresponding heat exchanger tube than is the second side end, the first side end is longer than the second side end, and the first side end is disposed at a downstream side of the flow of the second fluid, facing the corresponding heat exchanger tube.
US08162039B2
A finned tube includes channels defined between adjacent fins on the tube body outer surface. Wings extend from side walls of the adjacent fins between the fin top and the fin base such that the wings form a barrier which splits the channel into an upper channel and a lower channel. A plurality of holes penetrate the barrier where the wings meet, so liquids and gases can pass into and out of the enclosed area defined by the lower channel. The wings can include alternating upper wings and lower wings, and there can be depressions formed in the fin top.
US08162029B2
A forging apparatus and a forging method for rheo-casting are disclosed, in which primary rheo-casting using an upper mold and a lower mold, casting of a hub region of a product material using a first roller unit and casting of a rim region of the product material using a second roller unit are accomplished in series, enabling vehicular wheels having relatively complex shapes to be cast via a single casting process. Further, the product material includes wrought 6000 series aluminum alloys, which are easy to process and have relatively high strength and low weight, thus being suitable for the manufacture of vehicular wheels having complex shapes. Furthermore, recycling of the product material is possible.
US08162024B2
A device is provided for removal of a layer, such as a label, from a cylindrical surface of an object. The device includes a guide, a cutting instrument, and a base connecting the guide and the cutting instrument. The guide and the cutting instrument are separated by a distance defined by the base, and the cutting instrument is positioned to shave along the object's surface to remove the layer, when the surface of the object is rotated against the cutting instrument and against the guide.
US08162014B2
Tire for motor-vehicles provided with a tread pattern wear indicator, where the tire tread is formed by pattern parts in the form of circumferential ribs and/or in the form of blocks and contains at least one circumferential groove, wherein the indicator is arranged in the surface part of the pattern in the circumferential ribs or blocks, which are in contact with the road surface, and is in the form of sipes running radially into tire tread, while the greatest depth of the indicator sipes is smaller than the depth (H) of the circumferential groove. The tread pattern wear indicator (3) consists of seven radial sipes of three different depths, created and arranged so that they form the Arabic numeral 8 in segment depiction. One of the above radial sipes has the smallest depth and in a horizontal section by a plane running through the bottom of the sipe in parallel with the tread surface the other 6 sipes are arranged into the Arabic numeral 6 in segment depiction, which is visible at a certain degree of tire wear, and three further sipes having the greatest depth of the above seven are arranged into part of the Arabic numeral 4, which is formed in the bottom plane of the three remaining sipes having the middle depth.
US08162011B2
An automated liquid dispensing system employs a mechanism which moves a container [1230] relative to a fill tube [1240] to fill the container [1230] with the proper amount of liquid [1131] with a designated amount of foam [1137]. The system [1000] also includes a container dispensing unit [1400] which pre-chills containers [1230] then flips them into a drop tube [1510] to be received by a lift [1550]. Lift [1550] raises the container [1230] to a pouring head [1570] and fills the container [1230] as it lowers container [1230] to properly fill the container [1230] and create a desired amount of foam [1137].
US08162010B2
A circular filling machine particularly for slender and elongated products, comprising a carousel assembly which supports a plurality of filling funnels which can be inserted in corresponding containers supported by transfer pans, the filling machine further comprising vibration elements for the funnels, vibration elements for the containers, and a tamping assembly for the insertion and final packing of the product in the containers.
US08161990B1
A clothesline cover apparatus for protecting a clothesline from the rain comprising a housing, a water-resistant housing extendable from the housing via a first telescopic pole and a second telescopic pole, and a first sensor for detecting the presence of or absence of rain. When the first sensor detects rain, a microprocessor activates a motor to extend the first and second telescopic poles out of the housing to extend the canvas over the clothesline. When the first sensor detects the absence of rain, the microprocessor activates the motor to retract the telescopic poles.
US08161989B2
A control structure is provided for mounting to a handle of a self-opening/closing umbrella and includes a reversal prevention wheel around which a safety rope is wound and extending through a central shaft of the umbrella with an end fixed to the reversal prevention wheel and an end fixed to a crown. A locking member that includes a pawl bar and an operation bar is arranged above the reversal prevention wheel. When The umbrella is being compressed and closed, the pawl bar engages a toothed surface of the reversal prevention wheel, whereby when errors occur in the closing of the umbrella, reversed rotation of the wheel is prevented by the pawl bar and the safety rope connected to the reversal prevention wheel is prevented from extension so as to prevent the central shaft from undesired extension and instantaneous spring back of the central shaft is also prevented.
US08161978B2
A method for treating the lung during an acute episode of reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as an asthma attack. The method comprises transferring energy to an airway wall of an airway such that a diameter of the airway is increased. The energy may be transferred to the airway wall prior to, during or after an asthma attack. The energy may be transferred in an amount sufficient to temporarily or permanently increase the diameter of the airway. The method may be performed while the airway is open, closed or partially closed.
US08161972B2
A method of operating a ventilator assembly having inhalation and exhalation passages communicating with one another, and a respiration assembly that can perform repetitive respiratory cycles. The method includes (a) repetitively cycling the respiration assembly so that during the inhalation phase, gas in the inhalation passage flows to the patient, and during the exhalation phase, an exhalation valve is maintained relatively closed and the exhaled gases flow pass the vocal cords and out of the mouth thereby facilitating the patient's ability to speak, (c) monitoring the pressure within at least one of the passages during the exhalation phase, and (d) determining whether a circuit disconnect or an occlusion exists based on the pressure monitoring.
US08161970B2
A system that provides a flow of gas to an airway of a user that includes a source of gas, a conduit that carries the flow of gas to the airway of a patient, a first valve that controls a pressure, flow, or volume, of the flow of gas, a pressure sensor coupled to the conduit between the valve and the patient that monitors a pressure of the gas in the conduit, and a controller that controls the valve based on an output of the pressure sensor. A restrictor is provided in the conduit between the pressure sensor and the patient that divides the fluid delivery system with a first smaller volume in the conduit between the valve and the restrictor and a second larger volume between the patient and the restrictor. The system controls the pressure, flow, or volume relative to the first volume.
US08161968B2
There is provided a medicament dispenser for containing plural elongate form medicament carriers, each having multiple distinct medicament dose portions carried thereby, the dispenser having a housing of generally non-circular form, and within said housing a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the distinct medicament dose portions carried by each of said plural medicament carriers. The mechanism comprises at least one receiving station for receiving each of the plural medicament carriers; a release for releasing in combination a distinct medicament dose portion from each of the plural medicament carriers on receipt thereof by said receiving station; an outlet, positioned to be in communication with the distinct medicament dose portions releasable by said release; and at least one indexer for individually indexing the distinct medicament dose portions of each of the plural medicament carriers. The dispenser contains plural elongate form medicament carriers, each having multiple distinct dose portions carried thereby. At least one of said medicament carriers has the form of a continuous loop.
US08161966B2
A respiratory muscle endurance training device (RMET) includes a chamber and a patient interface. In one implementation, one or both of a CO2 sensor or a temperature sensor can be coupled to the chamber or patient interface to provide the user or caregiver with indicia about the CO2 level in, or the temperature of, the chamber or patient interface, and/or the duration of use of the device. In another implementation, the RMET may have a fixed volume portion adjustable to contain a measured portion of a specific patient's inspiratory volume capacity. Methods of using the device are also provided.
US08161965B2
Vacuum solar thermal panel comprising a vacuum envelope (30) defining a sealed volume, able to withstand atmospheric pressure when evacuated, at least one heat absorber (12) being disposed inside the vacuum envelope (30), a pipe (13) entering and exiting the envelope (30) and being in contact with the heat absorber (12), said vacuum envelope (30) comprising a first plate (1; 101) made of glass, a peripheral frame (3) disposed substantially at the periphery of the first plate (1; 101), a metallic peripheral belt (4, 5; 104) joining the peripheral frame (3) to the first plate (1; 101), said metallic peripheral belt (4; 104) being joined to the first plate (1; 101) by means of a vacuum tight bulk glass-metal seal (8; 108), comprising glass material (14; 114) and obtained by fusion and subsequent solidification of said glass material (14; 114).
US08161958B2
A portable barbecue cooking apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising a base; a fire bowl having a topside opening, and the fire bowl is mounted on the base, and the topside opening of the fire bowl is situated above the base; a grill situated within the fire bowl and is moveable within the fire bowl; and at least one shelf is pivotally attached to the base, and the shelf is foldable inwardly towards the topside opening of the fire bowl during a stowage position and extendable outwardly away from the topside opening of the fire bowl during a usage position.
US08161951B2
Blow-by gas in a plurality of crank chambers (71-73) in a V-shaped internal combustion engine is led to a plurality of gas introducing chambers (9a, 9b, 9c) via communicating holes (11-14). The blow-by gas then flows into an oil separator (31), which extends in a front-aft direction of the internal combustion engine, from the gas introducing chambers (9a, 9b, 9c). The blow-by gas inlet (33) of the oil separator (31) is provided in the vicinity of the engine front or the engine rear. By providing a guide member (35, 41) which guides the blow-by gas from the gas introducing chamber (9a) which is closest to the blow-by gas inlet (33) to the blow-by gas inlet (33) in a direction heading away from the blow-by gas inlet (33) and then guides it to the blow-by gas inlet (33), pumping loss in the internal combustion engine can be reduced.
US08161944B2
A control device of an internal combustion engine that can accurately estimate an NOx concentration in exhaust gas by using a cylinder internal pressure as basic data. A cylinder internal pressure sensor provided to the internal combustion engine detects a cylinder internal pressure Pθ. An internal energy correlation value (ΣV·dPθ/dθ·Δθ) having correlation with internal energy consumed in the cylinder is calculated based on the cylinder internal pressure Pθ and an in-cylinder volume Vθ (θ represents a crank angle). The internal energy correlation value is standardized by a load ratio KL, then corrected by a function f(kl) as for a load factor KL so as to calculate an NOx concentration estimated value [NOx]={(ΣV·dPθ/dθ·Δθ)/KL}×f(kl).
US08161942B2
The invention provides an ignition control device and a killing control device correspond. An ignition control device comprises an ignition circuit module and a killing control device corresponds. The ignition circuit module comprises a killing control device including a killing switch and a timing retard circuit module connected to the ignition circuit module. When the killing control operates, the ignition circuit stops igniting. The invention has following advantages: reasonable structure, low cost, stable control circuit and safe operation and so on.
US08161940B2
Provided is a spark ignition type internal combustion engine comprising a variable compression ratio mechanism (A) capable of changing a mechanical compression ratio, and a variable valve timing mechanism (B) capable of controlling the closing timing of an intake valve. At an engine low-load running time, the mechanical compression ratio is made so higher than that at an engine high-load running time that the expansion ratio may be 20 or higher. In case the vacuum in an engine intake passage is lower than the required vacuum, the opening of a throttle valve (17) is reduced, and the valve closing timing of the intake valve is controlled so that the intake air in a quantity according to the engine load may be fed to the inside of a combustion chamber in accordance with the opening of the throttle valve. As a result, a brake booster or the like can be properly activated in the internal combustion engine having its mechanical compression ratio enlarged at the engine low-load running time.
US08161934B2
A multi-part piston for an internal combustion engine has an upper piston part with a piston crown, and a lower piston part with pin boss supports and pin bosses connected with the pin boss supports. The upper piston part and the lower piston part each have an inner and an outer support element, which elements delimit an outer circumferential cooling channel. The inner support elements delimit a cavity that is open toward the pin bosses. The cavity is provided with a separate cooling oil collector that has at least one cooling oil opening.
US08161923B2
In a link type variable stroke engine in which: a crankshaft and a rotary shaft having an eccentric shaft are each rotatably supported on a case main body formed integrally with a cylinder block and opened at one side to form a part of a crankcase, and a support plate fastened to an opened end of the case main body at a plurality of positions; and a piston, the crankshaft and the eccentric shaft are linked by a linking mechanism, in a projection view on a plane orthogonal to axes of the crankshaft and the rotary shaft, two of the plurality of fastening positions at which the support plate is fastened to the opened end of the case main body are disposed on a straight line passing the axes of the rotary shaft and the crankshaft. This configuration can increase the rigidity between the crankshaft and the rotary shaft enough to prevent change of the distance between the crankshaft and the rotary shaft.
US08161919B2
A system for variable engine compartment ventilation in a slim and compact unit with components used in non-related industries. The system can have at least one bank of movable louvers rotatably mounted within a louver frame for guiding a flow of air into a vehicle engine compartment; a motor to rotate the louvers with a motor gear formed on an output shaft rotatably connected in parallel to at least one helix cable by a helix cable drive gear and a louver pinion gear integral with each louver engaging the helix cable along its length; and a control unit for operating the assembly of movable louvers in response to an output signal from a vehicle communication bus. The output signal of the vehicle communication bus can be in response to input from an engine coolant temperature sensor or a vehicle speed sensor.
US08161917B2
A method, system and apparatus for a low bed pressure drop circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler associated with fast bed CFB combustion are disclosed. The CFB boiler may be operated according to the following set of conditions. In an upper area of a combustor of the boiler, a flow pattern of the two-phase gas-solid flow may be placed in a fast bed fluidization state. The combustor temperature may be within a range of 850° C.-930° C. The fluidizing air velocity may be within 4 m/s and 6.2 m/s. An average size of a bed material in the combustor may be smaller than 300 μm. The gas-solid flow above of the secondary air inlet in the combustor may be kept in the fast bed fluidization state while maintaining a solid concentration of between 1 kg/m3 to 5 kg/m3. An inventory of bed material per unit area and/or the pressure drop in the combustor may be less than 8 kPa.
US08161899B1
A multiple torpedo mine is capable of launching multiple torpedoes in water simultaneously or at predetermined intervals. The mine has an elongate container having multiple launch tubes with launch tube covers and each containing a torpedo. A programmable target detection sensor unit in the elongate container senses impinging stimuli indicative of an approaching target and generates representative target signals. A main controller in the elongate container is coupled to receive the target signals from the target detection sensor unit, and the main controller is preprogrammed to recognize targets of interest and generate appropriate launch control signals for the torpedoes. A launching system in the elongate container is coupled to the main controller and each of the launch tubes to feed high pressure gas to the base and interior of the launch tubes to launch the torpedoes into the water.
US08161898B2
A mechanism to raise and lower the sail of a boat includes a headcar movably secured to a mast of the boat and a headboard affixed to the sail. A pulling force applied to a halyard raises the sail and causes the headboard to engage the headcar. When the sail is lowered, the headboard disengages from the headcar so that the sail furls flat on the boom.
US08161892B2
An expandable table that has a frame, at least one leg supporting the frame, first and second top portions movably connected or interconnected to the frame, an intermediate top portion movably connected or interconnected to the frame, and a movement mechanism connected or interconnected to the frame. The movement mechanism is configured to cause the first and second top portions to move along a longitudinal axis of the frame. The movement mechanism is also configured to cause the intermediate top portion to move normal to said longitudinal axis of a plane of movement of said first and second top portions.
US08161879B1
Methods and apparatus for sensing acceleration according to various aspects of the present invention comprises a non-rigid membrane and a switching latch electrically coupled to the membrane. The membrane is responsive to acceleration forces and is configured to produce a signal as a result of deflections in the membrane caused by acceleration. The signal is transmitted to the switching latch causing a change in state of the switching latch. This change in state allows a second signal to be sent to an activating device such as a squib.
US08161868B2
A rigid filter for capsules suitable for extracting beverages, comprising a flat body having a plurality of through filtering holes, which are sized so as to block the passage of solid particles and allow passage of brewed water or beverage, wherein the holes have a substantially symmetrical shape with respect to the middle plane of the flat body, so that the filter can be inserted into a capsule without taking care of the orientation of such holes with respect to the powdered substance within the capsule.
US08161854B2
Apparatus and method for cutting boxes. The box cutter has a rectangular work area defined by the upper run of an oblique-roller conveyor belt selectively driven forward or reverse in coordination with the actuation and deactuation of the obliquely rotatable belt rollers. Cutting tools along the sides of the work area cut into the side panels of the boxes as they are translated without rotation in a rectangular path against guide surfaces on the periphery of the work area by the sequential reversing of the conveyor belt direction and the actuation and deactuation of the box-supporting rollers.
US08161849B2
An adjustable torque limiter that can be coupled between a high speed driver and the socket that rotates a mechanical fastener. When a preset torque level is reached, the torque limiter disengages the rotational drive force from the bit. The adjustability of the torque limitation is accomplished by varying the amount of spring force by which a thrust plate (coupled to the high speed driver) is forced against a set of steel balls residing in slots of a radial torque plate and in a set of paths formed in a concavity of an upper torque body (coupled to the driven socket engaging stud). When a certain preset torque is transmitted from the driver to the socket, the steel balls traverse outward along the separate arced ramp radial paths therein the upper torque body until the balls enter an annular race that allows the thrust plate to go into a disengaged or free wheel mode from the upper torque body.
US08161839B2
A jacket unit for a steering shaft is pivotally connected to a vehicle body through a first pivot mechanism and a swing arm is pivotally connected to the vehicle body through a second pivot mechanism. A first free part of the swing arm is pivotally connected to the jacket unit. A first screw rod member is rotatably held by the jacket unit and has a first splined end portion. A nut member is operatively engaged with the first screw rod member and pivotally connected to a second free part of the swing arm. A holding structure is provided for rotatably holding one end of the first screw rod member on the jacket unit. An electric actuator is held by the jacket unit and includes an output shaft that has a second splined end portion. The first splined end portion is operatively engaged with the second splined end portion to achieve a united rotation of the output shaft and the first screw rod member while permitting an axial movement relative to each other.
US08161829B2
A methodology for selecting and properly placing foil strain gages on a transducer in a Wheatstone bridge, which provides a more consistent creep response, especially when the transducer temperature is changed. A transducer includes a counterforce subjected to a predetermined physical load that provides tension and compression strains (positive and negative, respectively). The transducer also includes a plurality of strain gage grids that are operatively attached to the counterforce in the tension and compression strain areas of the counterforce and generate electrical signals. The plurality of strain gages are electrically connected in a Wheatstone bridge circuit where their electrical signals due to creep are cancelled.
US08161828B1
A load cell structure for receiving strain gages to monitor applied torsional forces wherein the opposing force-receiving ends have a plurality of sensing beams spaced about an axis of rotation. Limit posts located between the ends each have a discontinuity therein that includes a U-shaped gap to limit relative rotation about the axis and thereby providing overload protection.
US08161823B2
A capacitively-coupled strain sensor and methods are presented in which the strain on a structure is measured by the varying capacitance created by the displacement of one or more boards attached to the structure.
US08161822B2
A method of monitoring strain on a wind turbine blade that has several structural components comprises locating at least three strain sensors (2a, 2b, 2c) on one of the structural components of the turbine blade, the positions of the strain sensors defining a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction of the turbine blade and resolving strain signals from the three strain sensors into strain measurements in two orthogonal directions.
US08161808B2
A method and system for monitoring operation of an exhaust treatment system of a diesel engine includes a dosing system including an injector for injecting an injection fluid and a pump for pressurizing the injection fluid. The system also includes a pressure sensor in communication with the dosing system generating a pressure signal. The system further includes a control module that determines a pressure error signal in response to the pressure signal and generates a fault signal in response.
US08161806B1
A method of monitoring engine performance parameters of a gas turbine engine during its operation. The method includes sensing the performance parameters and generating analog sensor outputs, producing digital data by conditioning the analog sensor outputs with at least one hub unit that is mounted sufficiently close to the engine to be subjected to a first temperature in excess of 125° C., receiving the digital data from the hub unit with a collector unit subjected to a second temperature of less than the first temperature, receiving the digital data from the collector unit with a distributor computer unit subjected to a third temperature of less than the second temperature, and processing the digital data with the distributor computer unit to assess the engine performance parameters of the engine. The conditioning step is performed with a control circuit board and at least one signal conditioning circuit board within the hub unit.
US08161796B2
An electrode assembly for a particulate matter sensor in a gas environment. The electrode assembly includes an insulating tube, a conductor, and a positioning structure. The insulating tube has an outer surface and defines an interior cavity with an interior surface. The conductor is disposed within the interior cavity of the insulating tube. The conductor is electrically coupled to an electrode at a first end of the insulating tube and includes a contact portion at a second end of the insulating tube for connection to an external conductor. The positioning structure is coupled to the conductor. The positioning structure mechanically supports the conductor at a distance from the interior surface of the insulating tube to at least partially define an air dielectric gap at approximately a heater location corresponding to a heater. The positioning structure has an outer diameter approximately equal to an inner diameter of the insulating tube and has an inner diameter approximately equal to an outer diameter of the conductor.
US08161789B2
The present invention relates to crimping pliers for crimping a work piece. The crimping pliers comprise two hand levers. The hand levers are linked with tools or dies for applying a crimping movement upon the work piece. The dies are housed in a head of the crimping pliers. A locator has a pivoting degree of freedom with respect to the head around a pivoting axis which has an orientation parallel to a main extensional plane of said head and transverse to the degree of freedom of the dies during the crimping process. The locator comprises an activating element with an extension being designed and arranged such that said extension is located in the access area of a finger of a hand of a user of said pliers gripping or contacting the hand levers.
US08161787B2
The invention generally relates to a tab used to open food can ends and beer/beverage can ends. The tab has a nose portion located at a front end of the tab and a lift portion located at a back end of the tab. The tab also has a rivet receiving portion located proximate to the nose portion with a rivet hole. The rivet receiving portion is coupled to the nose portion. The rivet hole has a non-round perimeter with a first diameter portion and a second diameter portion. The first diameter portion has a plurality of first arcuate segments and the second diameter portion has a plurality of notches. The second diameter portion is greater in length than the first diameter portion. Tooling for the manufacture of the tab is also provided. A method for manufacturing the tab is additionally provided as well.
US08161785B2
A circular-shaping device for a rotating part, especially an exhaust housing of a turbo engine is disclosed. The device includes a lower unit with two shaping rollers mounted movably along an axis X1 and one shaping roller mounted movably along an axis Y1; an upper unit with two shaping rollers mounted movably along an axis X2 and one shaping roller mounted movably along an axis Y2; a turntable disposed between the lower unit and the upper unit; and a blocking device for the rotating part on the turntable.
US08161781B2
A locker lock fits a standard locker door three-hole door prep, with all electronics contained in a single housing mounted on the front of the locker door and a latch device behind the locker door. The locker lock preferably includes a keypad to allow rotation of a handle or knob, and also includes a manager's override and power jump terminal.
US08161775B2
In one aspect of the invention, an integrated hollow fabric structure includes a body having an axis and a thickness along a direction perpendicular to the axis, at least first and second groups of yarns, the yarns of each group space-regularly disposed in layers, where the yarn layers of the at least two groups of yarns are alternately stacked and interlocked together, and embedded in the body, and a third group of yarns through the thickness of the body to interlock the layers together, where the positions and the pattern of interlocking vary according to the need.
US08161761B2
A self-contained climate control system for simultaneous temperature and humidity control in a wine cellar includes a refrigeration system having a conventional vapor-compression system including a condensate drip tray with over-flow passages. A programmable controller with a temperature sensor turns the compressor on and off by responding to the temperature sensor to regulate the air temperature in the wine cellar. The programmable controller keeps the system fans running after the compressor stops to cause evaporation of the water in the drip tray, restoring the moisture to the wine cellar.
US08161757B2
A navigable vessel for use in reducing the intensity of a tropical cyclone having an eye located over an ocean comprises a plurality of artificial snow-making devices aboard the vessel, at least one pump coupled to the devices and accessible to a body of water in which the vessel is floating for supplying the devices with water for making artificial snow, and a power source coupled to the devices to operate the devices in concert for producing a substantially uninterrupted supply of artificial snow. The artificial snow-making devices have discharge nozzles oriented to project the artificial snow away from the vessel onto or above the water adjacent the vessel.
US08161756B2
A dual compartment cooling device that is designed to cool water, or other beverages, as a batch based on expected demand. This provides for the cooling of beverages which are to be consumed in a subsequent demand cycle at which time it is refilled but allows remaining water to remain “hotter” until it is to be in the next dispense cycle.
US08161755B2
A propulsion system for an aircraft includes a heat exchange unit through which a hot air stream and a cooling air stream flow. The heat exchange unit includes a hot air inlet pipe situated on a rear face of the heat exchange unit, to carry the hot air stream into the heat exchange unit, and a cooling air discharge pipe situated on the rear face of the heat exchange unit to expel the cooling air stream from the heat exchange unit, the hot air inlet pipe and the cooling air discharge pipe being concentric with each other. The hot air stream flows from the rear face forward to a front of the heat exchange unit, then from the front of the heat exchange unit, to a rear of the heat exchange unit, so as to be expelled via the rear face of the heat exchange unit.
US08161754B2
Varying the fan nozzle flow area in a gas turbine engine allows adjustment of the bypass flow for varying operational conditions such as cruise and take off. However, care must be taken with regard to variation in order not to introduce drag or operational susceptibility to failure. By provision of a deformable member having a contiguous surface, which is deformed laterally from a splitter such as a pylon variation in flow area is achieved. A deformable member will be secured through seals to ensure a smooth surface. Actuation may be through a shape memory alloy material or provision of mechanical actuators to cause deformation of the contiguous surface.
US08161751B2
A fuel nozzle for a turbine engine is configured to deliver a large volume of a fuel which has a relatively low amount of energy per unit volume. The fuel nozzle includes a fuel swirler plate having fuel delivery apertures which are angled with respect to the flat surfaces of the swirler plate. A nozzle cap covers the end of the fuel nozzle to create a swirl chamber at the outlet end. The nozzle cap may include a plurality of air inlet apertures to allow the air to enter the swirl chamber.
US08161747B2
An exhaust system for a use with a combustion engine is provided. The exhaust system may have a first exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from the engine, a second exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from the engine in parallel with the first exhaust manifold, and an exhaust gas recirculation circuit in fluid communication with only the first exhaust manifold. The exhaust system may also have a first turbocharger having dual volutes configured to simultaneously receive exhaust from the first exhaust manifold and the second exhaust manifold, and a second turbocharger configured to receive exhaust from the first turbocharger and compress air directed into the engine.
US08161741B2
Systems and methods for efficiently operating a hydraulically actuated device/system are described herein. For example, systems and methods for efficiently operating a gas compression and expansion energy storage system are disclosed herein. Systems and methods are provided for controlling and operating the hydraulic actuators used within a hydraulically actuated device/system, such as, for example, a gas compression and/or expansion energy system, within a desired efficiency range of the hydraulic pump(s)/motor(s) used to supply or receive pressurized hydraulic fluid to or from the hydraulic actuators. In such a system, a variety of different operating regimes can be used depending on the desired output gas pressure and the desired stored pressure of the compressed gas. Hydraulic cylinders used to drive working pistons within the system can be selectively actuated to achieve varying force outputs to incrementally increase the gas pressure within the system for a given cycle.
US08161740B2
The invention relates to a force transmission device for power transmission between an input and an output, comprising at least an input and an output, and a vibration damping device disposed in a cavity that can be filled at least partially with an operating medium, in particular oil, the vibration damping device coupled with a rotational speed adaptive absorber, wherein the rotational speed adaptive absorber is tuned as a function of an oil influence to an effective order qeff, which is greater by an order shift value qF than an order q of an exciting vibration of a drive system.
US08161736B2
An exhaust gas cleaning system for an engineering vehicle, such as a hydraulic excavator, is capable of performing manual regeneration control of a regeneration fuel injector 40 that is started only under the following conditions: a manual regeneration starting switch 39 is enabled; an engine control dial 2 commands a low-speed idle revolution speed; and a gate lock lever 22 is switched to a second position B at which generation of control pilot pressures a through f by use of remote control valves 25, 26, and 27 is disabled. Even when the manual regeneration control is being executed, if the gate lock lever 22 is switched to a first position A, the manual regeneration control immediately ends. As a result, the manual regeneration control of a filter for collecting particulate matter included in the exhaust gas and the operation of the work system do not influence each other.
US08161730B2
Various embodiments of an apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for reducing NOx emissions on an SCR catalyst. For example, according to one representative embodiment, an apparatus for reducing NOx emissions in an engine exhaust includes a NOx reduction target module that is configured to determine a NOx reduction requirement that includes an amount of NOx in the exhaust gas stream to be reduced on a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst. The apparatus also includes an ammonia target module that is configured to determine an ammonia addition requirement that includes an amount of ammonia added to the exhaust gas stream to achieve the NOx reduction requirement. The apparatus also includes a reductant target module that is configured to determine a reductant injection requirement that includes an amount of reductant added to the exhaust gas stream to achieve the ammonia addition requirement. The apparatus further includes a reductant limiting module that is configured to determine whether at least one reductant limiting condition is met and to limit the amount of reductant added in response to the at least one reductant limiting condition if the at least one reductant limiting condition has been met.
US08161720B1
A grass treatment unit for various greens grooming practices for replacement of a cutting head on a walk behind greensmower. An adapter is provided for mounting the grass treatment unit on the walk behind greensmower and another adapter is provided for connecting the grass treatment unit to the power source previously used by the cutting head.
US08161716B2
A packaging method for a filter tow bale includes, including excessively compressing a distance between press bases to a height lower than a desired height of a packaged bale by 50 to 250 mm, more preferably 80 to 200 mm, further preferably 90 to 180 mm, then adjusting the distance between the press bases to the desired height in a packaged or non-packaged state, and then releasing a pressing force applied on a pressed bale.
US08161714B2
A capping chuck for a bottle capping machine is capable of applying a pre-defined torque to a cap and reducing top load during application. The capping chuck includes a drive gear mechanically connected to a clutch. The clutch controls the torque transmitted to a gripper head through a driveshaft. The gripper head secures the cap to the bottle, and includes a substantially continuous perimeter wall surrounding a plunger that moves under load in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the driveshaft. The extent of movement can be controlled by a resistance element such as, for example, a spring. An engagement device affects the contact the drive gear has with the bull gear of the capping mechanism. The engagement device can rotate the capping chuck relative to the bull gear to ensure positive engagement of the drive gear with the bull gear. The engagement device can include a slotted opening and an adjustment screw.
US08161713B2
A modular unit for applying opening devices to packages of pourable food products includes a first conveyor for feeding the opening devices successively along a first path, a second conveyor for feeding the packages successively along a second path, a transfer mechanism for transferring the opening devices along a third path from a pickup station located along the first path, to an application station for applying the opening devices to respective packages and located along the second path, and a processing device for performing specific operations on the opening devices prior to application of the opening devices to the respective packages. The transfer mechanism defines a base module of the unit, and the processing device includes different types of processing devices forming part of different auxiliary modules selectively connectable to the base module to define different units for applying the opening devices to respective packages.
US08161709B2
A method of making an endwall overhang for a structure is provided. The method may include providing a roof piece, a first trim piece, and a lengthwise member. The method may also include forming an overhang assembly by coupling the roof piece with a first surface of the lengthwise member and coupling the first trim piece with a second surface of the lengthwise member. The method may further include providing a structure and coupling a support member with the outside surface of an endwall of the structure, with the support member protruding from the endwall. The method may thereafter include coupling the overhang assembly to the structure by coupling the roof piece of the overhang assembly with a top support surface of the support member.
US08161703B2
A compressible mineral fiber insulation element (1) having a first major surface (3) opposed to a second major surface (4), and having side surfaces (5) connecting the two major surfaces (3, 4) and defining a thickness of the insulation element (1). The thickness is at least 10 cm. The insulation element comprises a facing (20) provided with at least one extension flange (21) of which the outer end (22) is not secured to the insulation element. The facing (20) is attached to at least a part of the first major surface (3), and the extension flange (21) is prepared for extending over and covering a substantial part of the side surface (5) of the insulation element (1). A method of installing a compressible insulation element is also disclosed.
US08161702B2
The present invention is an anchoring biscuit device for joining three boards. It includes, (a) an at least partially flat horizontal top element having an imaginary center line, having opposite side walls, and having a top view footprint adapted to be inserted into grooves of adjacent boards; (b) at least one substantially vertical support member attached to the underside of the top element and extending downwardly therefrom for a predetermined length for joinder of two adjacent boards which contain the grooves for receiving portions of the top into the grooves; and (c) at least one compressive element located on the device, with at least one portion of the at least one compressive element, from a top view footprint, being located away from the imaginary center line and away from the vertical support member, wherein the compressive element is adapted to at least partially collapse under a predetermined compressive force.
US08161686B2
The pneumatic structural element comprises from one to a number of interconnected elements of the following construction: two hollow bodies made of textile material coated in a gas-type manner and each having two end caps are assembled such that they produce a common sectional area. The edging of this sectional area is formed by two curved tension/compression elements into which is clamped a gas-tight web made of a flexible material of high tensile strength. This web can be connected to the tension/compression elements in a gas-tight manner. By filling the two hollow bodies with compressed gas, a tensile stress σ pretensions said web. This pretensioning increases the bending rigidity of the tension/compression elements. If a plurality of such elements are combined to form a roof, every two adjacent hollow bodies thus form a sectional area with a tension/compression element and web.
US08161669B2
A shoe such as an infant's shoe includes a sole and an upper with the upper formed by a forefoot portion and a heel portion. When an infant's foot is to be placed in the shoe, the heel portion is configured to be pivoted with respect to the forefoot portion to an open position to allow the foot to slide into the forefoot portion. According to an example, after the foot is received in the forefoot portion, the heel portion is pivoted to a substantially closed position and one or more securing devices associated with each of the forefoot portion and heel portion are engaged to secure the shoe on the infant's foot.
US08161668B2
A protective boot for an animal including a generally cylindrical leg portion having a top end and a bottom end and a top closure affixed to and circumscribing the top end of the leg portion that is drawn inward against the leg of the animal to protect against the infiltration of extraneous material into and against the self-removal of the protective boot by the animal. The base portion of the protective boot is sealed to the bottom end of the leg portion and is enhanced with a non-slip material to provide substitute traction for the animal. At least one strap is fixedly connected to the leg portion and is operable to reduce the diameter of the leg portion in the vicinity of the strap. The protective boot is sealed at each seam or point of attachment between elements so that the boot is waterproof.
US08161663B2
A method and apparatus for torrefaction of water containing cellulosic materials is performed in an inert atmosphere. The cellulosic material is cascaded through the apparatus between a plurality of rotatable trays vertically stacked within multiple processing zones. Steam being generated from heating of the cellulosic material is recycled back to the apparatus to provide an inert atmosphere. The steam may be superheated in a heat exchanger. Exhaust from the torrefaction zone of the apparatus has some moisture and other volatiles removed prior to being reheated in a burner. The heated exhaust is used in the heat exchanger to superheat the recycled steam.
US08161662B2
A method for operating a laundry appliance including a housing having a substantially circular housing opening closable by a door, a substantially cylindrical container disposed within the housing and including a substantially circular container opening and configured to receive laundry for treatment. The laundry appliance also includes a steam generating device including a heating element, an inlet opening and an outlet opening for steam, and a nozzled disposed in a region of the container opening. The method includes activating the heating element until a temperature of the steam generating device reaches a predetermined upper limit. Water is introduced into a tank of the steam generating device at a predetermined flow rate and the temperature of the steam generator device is measured as the water is introduced. The flow rate of water is reduced when the temperature of the steam generator device drops below a lower limit. The flow rate of water is increased starting at a low value when the temperature of the steam generator device increases to a value above the lower limit and below the upper limit. The heating element is operated continuously at a predetermined power level.
US08161658B1
A fabric measuring and cutting jig for simultaneously holding, measuring and cutting a piece of fabric preferably includes a cutting matt, a ruler pivotally connected to the cutting matt, and a pin removably positioned through two holes selected from first, second, third, fourth and fifth groups of holes, respectively, such that the ruler is pivotally displaced along the cutting matt while the proximal end of the ruler remains pivotally anchored to the pin. A fabric material is intercalated between the cutting matt and ruler wherein a cutting implement is used to cut the fabric material along a longitudinal edge of the ruler.
US08161648B2
Provided is a method of manufacturing a recording head including a recording element substrate provided with an energy-generating element which generates energy used for discharging ink and an ink-supplying port through which ink is supplied to the energy-generating element, and a supporting member which supports the recording element substrate, the recording element substrate and the supporting member being bonded and fixed together by an ultraviolet curable adhesive, the method including applying ultraviolet light, along a line of intersection between a wall surface in the longitudinal direction of the ink-supplying port and a wall surface in the lateral direction of the ink-supplying port, toward a corner which is an intersection point among a side on the supporting member side of the wall surface in the longitudinal direction, a side on the supporting member side of the wall surface in the lateral direction, and the line of intersection.
US08161647B2
A method for manufacturing a recording head includes providing a recording element substrate and a circuit board having an inner lead connector, the recording element substrate including an energy generating element configured to generate energy used to discharge ink and an electrical connector to be electrically connected to the element, bonding the electrical connector of the recording element substrate to the inner lead connector of the circuit board, and applying a thixotropic sealant to the inner lead connector to seal the inner lead while exerting shear force on the sealant by ultrasonic vibration.
US08161638B2
A manufacturing method of circuit structure is described as follows. Firstly, a composite dielectric layer, a circuit board and an insulating layer disposed therebetween are provided. The composite dielectric layer includes a non-platable dielectric layer and a platable dielectric layer between the non-platable dielectric layer and the insulating layer wherein the non-platable dielectric layer includes a chemical non-platable material and the platable dielectric layer includes a chemical platable material. Then, the composite dielectric layer, the circuit board and the insulating layer are compressed. Subsequently, a through hole passing through the composite dielectric layer and the insulating layer is formed and a conductive via connecting a circuit layer of the circuit board is formed therein. Then, a trench pattern passing through the non-platable dielectric layer is formed on the composite dielectric layer. Subsequently, a chemical plating process is performed to form a conductive pattern in the trench pattern.
US08161637B2
A manufacturing method for a printed wiring board includes forming an electroless plated film on an interlayer resin insulation layer, forming on the electroless plated film a plating resist with an opening to expose a portion of the electroless plated film, forming an electrolytic plated film on the portion of the electroless plated film exposed through the opening, removing the plating resist using a resist-removing solution containing an amine, reducing a thickness of a portion of the electroless plated film existing between adjacent portions of the electrolytic plated film by using the resist-removing solution, and forming a conductive pattern by removing the portion of the electroless plated film existing between the adjacent portions of the electrolytic plated film by using an etchant.
US08161636B2
A circuit board has plated through holes which are laid out with a fine pitch and meets requirements relating to characteristics such as the thermal expansion coefficient of the circuit board. A method of manufacturing a circuit board includes: a step of forming a core portion by thermal compression bonding prepregs which include first fibers that conduct electricity and second fibers that do not conduct electricity, which have the second fibers disposed at positions where plated through holes will pass through, and which are impregnated with resin; a step of forming through holes at positions in the core portion where the second fibers are disposed; and a step of forming a conductive layer on inner surfaces of the through holes to form plated through holes at positions that do not interfere with the first fibers and thereby produce a core substrate.
US08161634B2
A method of fabricating a printed circuit, which involves forming a bump on a first metal layer; laminating an insulating layer on the bump so that the bumps passes through the insulating layer; placing a second metal layer on the insulating layer and then conducting heating and pressing, thus laminating the second metal layer on the insulating layer; etching the first metal layer and the second metal layer, thus forming circuit patterns on both surfaces of the insulating layer; and heating and pressing both surfaces of the insulating layer, thus embedding the circuit patterns in the insulating layer, such that the circuit pattern is embedded in an insulating layer to decrease the thickness of a printed circuit board, and the time and cost required for the process of fabricating a printed circuit board are decreased.
US08161633B2
A method for forming a circuit board is provided. The method includes forming a circuit board substrate (112) from a circuit board material. The method also includes positioning the circuit board substrate on a rigid structure (114) having a three dimensional contoured surface (300). The method further includes applying heat and applying pressure to the circuit board substrate to at least partially conform the circuit board substrate to the three dimensional contoured surface. If the circuit board substrate (112) is a clad circuit board substrate, then a circuit pattern is formed on the circuit board substrate prior to the steps of applying heat and applying pressure. However, if the circuit board substrate (112) is an unclad circuit board substrate, then a circuit pattern is disposed on the circuit board substrate after the steps of applying heat and applying pressure.
US08161624B2
Weatherstrips (13, 15) having opposed pile sealing elements (226) are installed in opposed slots in a frame member (14) so that the piles may engage opposite sides of a panel, shutter or screen (203), by insertion apparatus having laterally-movable slotted guides (60, 62). The weatherstrips are driven through the slots in the guides by a drive wheel (42). A laterally reciprocating cutter (48) has openings (107, 109), through which the weatherstrips are driven, and shearing edges (98) for cutting ends of the weatherstrips to facilitate entry of the weatherstrips from the slots in the guide into the slots in the frame member. Metering wheel (44) engages at least one of the weatherstrips moving through the guides, and provides for actuation of the cutter, when the desired length of the weatherstrips is driven through the guides; the length corresponding to the length of the frame member which receives the weatherstrips.
US08161617B2
A method of manufacturing a disc-shaped device for storing and dispensing perfume which has a plurality of compartments for storing different perfumes by molding a unitary piece of plastics material to form at least one wall of a compartment, resilient bands, a sealing stem flange and an actuating stem.
US08161615B2
An apparatus and method for clamping and processing conveyor belt ends includes a stationary stand and a clamping member supported on the stand and configured to selectively retain an associated conveyor belt end therein. A belt processing member is configured to process the conveyor belt end retained in the clamping member, and a rail is detachably mounted on one of the stand member and the clamping member, and movably supports thereon the belt processing member for movement of the same along the conveyor belt end retained in the clamping member.
US08161608B2
To provide a method of manufacturing a quartz-crystal resonator, in which without adding new processes, a desired quartz-crystal piece can be obtained from a quartz-crystal wafer by etching and electrodes can be provided without restraint. When a quartz-crystal piece 10 is formed, etching masks 6 having dummy regions 44, 48 that are provided at two positions corresponding to corner portions on a +X side of the quartz-crystal piece 10 and extend toward a +X axis direction of a wafer W are formed, and when the quartz-crystal piece 10 is formed, etching in groove portions 7 at positions corresponding to the dummy regions 44, 48 is delayed. Accordingly, it is possible to form the quartz-crystal piece 10 without chipped portions at the corner portions in a state where the quartz-crystal piece 10 and the wafer W are connected to and supported by a connection support portion 11.
US08161605B2
A clamp is disclosed, especially for retaining hoses, pipes, cables or the like. The clamp includes an annular curved fixing strip including a first end and a second end, two flanges each connected to a respective end of the fixing strip, and openings in the flanges for guiding though a tensioning device. At least one of the flanges includes a connecting device for producing a riveted joint between flanges.
US08161596B2
A tilt sensor for a cleaning device makes use of an optical sensor to interrupt operation of the device. In one implementation, the tilt sensor shuts off a UV light included in the cleaning device's operations. The tilt sensor includes a housing with at least one chamber defined therein. A sliding or moving element is located in the chamber. The optical sensor is operatively associated with the chamber so that, in response to certain movement of the element within the chamber, the optical sensor signals the tilt sensor to turn off the UV light.
US08161593B2
A mop comprising a roller and mop pad system and a roll of absorbent mopping material operably coupled to the roller and mop pad system. The mop enables the user to replace the soiled mopping material with clean mopping material by using the roller system to roll the soiled mopping material away from the mop pad and thus replace the soiled mopping material with clean mopping material from a supply roll.
US08161592B2
The broom may include a broom body. The broom body may include a shaft side, a shoulder disposed on the shaft side, a cleaning side, and a bump guard disposed on the shoulder. The broom may further comprise a shaft extending from the shoulder and a plurality of bristles extending from the cleaning side. The bump guard may be relatively softer than a main piece of the broom body. The broom body may also include a lower bump guard covering a toe and a heel of the broom body. In one embodiment, the broom body may be comprised of a core and a skin. The skin may be overmolded onto the core. The bump guard may be overmolded onto the skin. In another embodiment, the core and the skin may be molded together in a co-injection molding process.
US08161582B2
A shower enclosure comprises a shower base (5) having a floor (6) which falls towards a side of the shower base (5), a waste outlet at said side of the shower base, and a drain channel (11) which extends exterior to the door (1) of the enclosure, and which is arranged to drain towards the waste outlet (8). Water may flow beneath the door (1) to the drain channel (11). Preferably the drain channel (11) also extends along a foot of the return panel(s) (2). A longitudinally extending cover member (9) is preferably provided over the drain channel (11) and the waste outlet (8) may be provided at the front side of the shower base (5).
US08161580B2
A sanitary washing toilet seat device according to the invention comprises a nozzle head having a water discharge port; a first cylinder capable of housing at least part of the nozzle head; a second cylinder capable of housing at least part of the first cylinder; and a driver configured to advance or retract at least one of the nozzle head and the first and second cylinder. The driver includes a flexible rack with one end connected to the nozzle head; a motor; and a transmission mechanism configured to transmit rotation of the motor to the flexible rack. At least one of the nozzle head and the first and second cylinder is advanced or retracted in accordance with the rotation of the motor. In a sanitary washing toilet seat device and a toilet device equipped therewith, a multistage washing nozzle can be accurately advanced/retracted.
US08161579B2
A self contained battery energized apparatus is mounted within the water tank of a conventional flush toilet to eliminate malodorous gases. Air from the toilet bowl is drawn through the stand pipe in the toilet tank into a housing to expose the air to UV radiation to produce ozone molecules that have an oxidizing effect on organic matter and the UV radiation serves as a germicide and a virucide. The ozonated and oxidized gases are exhausted through a carbon filter.
US08161575B2
An adjustable winter garment made of supple material wraps around the face, covering the wearer from the temples and just below the eyes to the chest. The winter garment can be adjusted and worn in any of five positions, by either adjusting the fasteners or the drawstring. By adjusting the fasteners the garment can be worn in a first position reaching from the chest to under the eyes. A second position reaches to under the nose, while a third position obtained by adjusting the fasteners wraps around the chin. Finally, the garment may be unfastened to lay open upon the chest like a shirt. By adjusting the drawstring, the garment may be worn covering the lower face, like a scrunch neck collar or folded down and rolled over like turtleneck, covering only the neck and chest.
US08161573B1
This multiple component invention comprises a shirt, pants and bodysuit, which are readily donned without the necessity of executing normal dressing movements. Although conventional looking, this adjustable clothing combination does not don in the conventional manner, this clothing combination opens fully, allowing the physically challenged individual to readily self-don without assistance. The need for bending one's knees, bending forward or downward, removing and replacing one's shoes, is eliminated. The donning of the shirt does not require the individual to fold their arms or raise them to the shoulders. The very nature of this invention and improvements over prior art, allows the individual who has become dependent on others, to return to a life of self-reliance, independently living on one's own. The attributes of this multiple component invention for the wheelchair bound or bed-ridden individual needing assistance, will aid the caregiver, lessening stress on the patient and the caregiver.
US08166564B2
The user of any one portable terminal sends a content information request including a user ID to a distribution server. In response, the distribution server distributes a stream data of content that can be used on the user's terminal. If the user of a first portable terminal intends to let a second portable terminal try out a certain content, the user sends to the distribution server the trial permission information including the user's own user ID, a content ID of the content of interest, and a digital signature. The distribution server authenticates the received information before distributing a streaming data of a trial-oriented content with the content ID and user ID attached to it as search keys. This allows the content that can be used on a given user terminal to be tried out on another user terminal without the latter user having recourse to the steps of searching for the content in question.
US08166563B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a method for creating a source for remanufacture of encrypted content using a replicated medium. A content encrypting engine obtains a first set of meta data from a multimedia content and stores the first set of meta data in a database. A content encrypting engine obtains a second set of meta data from a signed encrypted version of the multimedia content, and stores the second set of meta data in the database. An encrypted replica duplication engine then extracts encrypted data from a first replicated medium, and combines the encrypted data with the first set of meta data and the second set of meta data. Advantageously, embodiments of the invention allow a manufacturer or replication facility to use a replica disc, which is inexpensive and abundant, as a data archive for source material.
US08166553B2
An unauthorized-access detecting apparatus that detects unauthorized access to a server that provides a service via a network includes a storing unit that stores a series of process request, which is made by an unauthorized user via an unauthorized client, as an unauthorized-access event string; and a judging unit that compares a new process request with the unauthorized-access event string stored in the storing unit, and judges whether the process request is the unauthorized access based on a result of comparison.
US08166552B2
An automated configuration management system (ACMS) oversees resources of a virtualized ecosystem by establishing a baseline configuration (including, e.g., security controls) for the resources; and, repeatedly, monitoring and collecting data from the resources, analyzing the data collected, making recommendations concerning configuration changes for the resources of the virtualized ecosystem based on the analysis, and either adopting and implementing the recommendations or not, wherein new states of the virtualized ecosystem and reactions to recommended changes are observed and applied in the form of new recommendations, and/or as adjustments to the baseline. The recommendations may be implemented automatically or only upon review by an administrator before being implemented or not. The various data may be analyzed according to benchmarks established for security and compliance criteria of the resources of the virtualized ecosystem, for example static/pre-defined or dynamically derived benchmarks/best practices.
US08166545B2
There are provided an apparatus and method for detecting an executable code, capable of verifying reliability of an extracted signature by determining whether there is present an executable code in network data by using instruction pattern information related calling mechanism of function for distinguishing the executable code from a non-executable code, the method including: forming instructions by reverse assembling network data suspicious as an attack; comparing the respective formed instructions with instruction patterns according to calling mechanism of function; and determining whether there is present an executable code in the network data according to a result of the comparing.
US08166541B2
It is an object to provide an information processing apparatus and a data management system which can access data and maintain security even in an environment where the apparatus cannot be connected to a security managing server. To accomplish the object, a secure application discriminates whether or not authentication can be obtained from the managing server. If it is decided that the authentication cannot be obtained from the managing server, a process of secure data is executed in accordance with use restriction information of the data. If it is decided that the authentication can be obtained from the managing server, a process of the data is executed in accordance with access right information from the managing server.
US08166535B2
A universal media firewall allows a parent to control filtering of multiple media providers via a single firewall policy. The firewall(s) may be a stand-alone device or may be preformed with software on a home computer or at a remote site. Parental controls are accessible by the media provider so that media is filtered according to the parental settings prior to entering the home media network.
US08166522B2
An automated method is provided for obtaining selected content for a web page that allows for syndication of digital assets. The selected content itself is not initially part of the web page. The web page includes script associated with the selected content. Upon receiving a web page that includes script associated with the selected content, the script is interpreted. A request is then formatted for obtaining the selected content from a remote site. The request includes a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the web page and a unique identifier of the selected content. The script includes a subscriber identifier and a content identifier, which, together, create the unique identifier of the selected content.
US08166515B2
A system is disclosed for centralized management of access permissions to unique class identifier devices on client terminals using a group policy framework. The system includes a first aspect whereby administrative templates related to the unique class identifier devices are used to configure a user interface allowing an IT administrator or other to set access permissions for the unique class identifier devices. The system further includes a second aspect for implementing the access permissions to the unique class identifier devices on the client terminals.
US08166511B2
The current invention provides a system for distributing content data to user locations. The content data preferably includes digital video data that is available on demand from a requesting location. A system server stores user accounts and generated customized program schedules for the user account based on user criteria which includes user preferences. Authorized users access their accounts to modify user criteria and to select program transmissions. Preferably, a computer and a television set receive program transmissions from a system network, wherein the computer provides a logical interface between the television set and content data transmitted over the system network.
US08166506B2
A cabin services system for an aircraft is disclosed. The cabin services system comprises at least one wireless network, the at least one wireless network providing at least one cabin service. The cabin services system further includes a cabin attendant panel for communicating with the at least one wireless networks and configured to control the at least one cabin service.
US08166500B2
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for generating interactive content from video content. The method according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises identifying at least one product within the video content and converting the product into an interactive element within the video content. The method then assigns a plurality of controlling parameters to said at least one interactive element at least one of said controlling parameters includes outline identification indicia of said interactive element consistent with movement of the product within the video content and assigns a product information identifier with the product and retrievable via the controlling parameters. Finally the at least one interactive element is integrated onto the video, such that when the video is displayed, the displayed video includes the outlined interactive element therein.
US08166495B2
An optical pickup in which the position of a magnet can be adjusted with respect to a yoke is provided. The optical pickup has an objective lens, a lens holder that holds the objective lens, a magnet disposed opposite to a side surface of the lens holder, and a yoke to the inside of which the magnet is attached. The yoke has an opening at least near the bottom of the magnet, through which the magnet can be visually observed from the outside of the yoke, the bottom being on the side of the yoke that is farther from an optical disc and the top being on the side of the yoke that is closer to the optical disc along the optical axis of the objective lens.
US08166488B2
Methods of directly accessing a mass storage data device without communicating through an operating system layer are useful in recovering information previously stored in the mass storage device.
US08166473B2
A method of agreeing on the utilization of at least one computer resource between two virtual machines includes sending a first resource request by a first virtual machine to a second virtual machine having computer resources to allocate to the first virtual machine. The second virtual machine responds by sending at least one available resource for use by the first virtual machine. The first virtual machine can select from the at least one available resource. Both the first and second virtual machines can then execute on the agreed resource utilization by the first virtual machine and begin using the resource. When conditions change, either the first virtual machine or the second virtual machine can request a renegotiation of the agreement to use computer resources.
US08166469B2
Some embodiments of a method and an apparatus to conduct software release have been presented. In one embodiment, a user submits a request to conduct software release on a set of servers. Each of the servers has a distinct platform. In response to the request, a set of commands in a cross-platform language is sent to the servers via remote procedure calls (RPCs) in a transactional format.
US08166468B2
A computer implemented method, computer program product, and data processing system for reducing the number of inner classes in a compiled computer program written in an object-oriented programming language. An outer class of the compiled computer program is received, wherein the outer class contains an inner class, wherein the outer class comprises instructions to create an instance of an inner class. The instance is to be used as one of a callback, a listener command, a set of instructions by which an object instance of the inner class transfers information to the corresponding containing instance of the outer class, and combinations thereof. A transformation of the outer class is performed by moving methods of the inner class, as well as their contained instructions, into the outer class. The behavior of the compiled computer program remains unchanged.
US08166464B2
Analyzing and detecting soft hang program errors may lead to suggestions for either curing the programming errors at runtime or refactoring the source code. For instance, responsive function invocation patterns and blocking function invocation patterns may be used to detect soft hang program errors in a source code file. Deductive database rules may be compiled from the responsive and blocking function invocation patterns to find matching function invocations in a call graph.
US08166463B2
A method and computer program product for code coverage utilizing efficient dynamic mutation of logic (EDML) are provided. A source code is read, and instrumentation points are located. Self Modifying Code (SMC) is inserted at the instrumentation points producing instrumented code. Additional functions are inserted in the source code to enable read and/or reset of code coverage statistics. The instrumented code is compiled, and executables are run for a period of time during which zero or more instrumentation points are executed. In response to executing instrumentation points, instructions are executed to record execution of the instrumented code. Instructions of the instrumented code overwrite themselves at certain points so that a next execution of the instrumentation points skips over the instrumented code at the certain points. Code coverage statistics are gathered and recorded. The code coverage statistics are reset to begin another period of time for gathering code coverage statistics.
US08166454B2
A computer method and apparatus defining Business Classes for modeling business activities comprising the steps of representing business activities as the interaction between one or more Business Classes, and entering into a computer and storing in an electronic format the Business Classes and the relationships existing between the Business Classes.
US08166446B2
A system for testing an electronic circuit board (ECB) having a plurality of test points in a pre-defined arrangement on a measurement device having a plurality of resources includes an interface fixture having a plurality of contact pads arranged in an array on a first surface. The contact pads can be electrically coupled to the plurality of resources of the measurement system according to a pre-defined pattern, where at least two of the contact pads are electrically coupled to one of the plurality of resources in a many-to-one relationship. The system also includes a test fixture removably attached to the first surface of the interface fixture. The test fixture includes an upper probe plate having a plurality of openings and a lower probe plate parallel to the upper probe plate. The lower probe plate includes a plurality of openings associated with the openings in the upper probe plate. The test fixture also includes a plurality of probes extending through the associated openings in the upper and the lower probe plates, contacting one of the contact pads, and guided to test points of the ECB by the associated openings.
US08166440B1
A basic cell circuit architecture having plurality of cells with fixed transistors configurable for the formation of logic devices and/or single/dual port memory devices within a structured ASIC is provided. Different configurations of ensuing integrated circuits are achieved by forming variable interconnect layers above the fixed structures. The circuit architecture can achieve interconnection of transistors within a single cell and/or across multiple cells. The interconnection can be configured to form basic logic gates as well as more complex digital and analog subsystems. In addition, each cell contains a layout of transistors that can be variably coupled to achieve a memory device, such as a SRAM device. By having the capability of forming either a logic circuit element, a memory device, or both, the circuit architecture is both memory-centric and logic-centric, and more fully adaptable to modern-day SoCs.
US08166431B1
A method of reducing startup time of an embedded system can include: instantiating a circuit, specified by a first circuit design, within an integrated circuit (IC), booting a first build of an operating system executed by a processor to a steady state, and responsive to achieving the steady state, storing a circuit operational state of the circuit instantiated within the IC, an operational state of the processor, and a state of an executable memory utilized by the processor. A second circuit design can be created and a second build of the operating system can be created that collectively specify the circuit operational state, the operational state of the processor, and a state of an executable memory. The second circuit design and the second build of the operating system can be stored in the memory.
US08166421B2
A user interface method includes defining an interaction surface containing an interaction region in space. A sequence of depth maps is captured over time of at least a part of a body of a human subject. The depth maps are processed in order to detect a direction and speed of movement of the part of the body as the part of the body passes through the interaction surface. A computer application is controlled responsively to the detected direction and speed.
US08166403B2
A network management system which is capable of easily identifying devices, and enhancing the operability of a device management application used by a manager. The network management system includes devices, and a server connected to the devices via a network. The server is configured to be capable of communicating with the devices by SNMPv1, SNMPv3 and SLP. When SNMPv1 can be used for a device, the server acquires device information from the device by SNMPv1. When SNMPv1 cannot be used but SNMPv3 can be used for a device, and an SNMPv3 password is registered, the server acquires device information from the device by SNMPv3. When SNMPv1 cannot be used but SNMPv3 can be used for a device, and a SNMPv3 password is not registered, the server acquires device information from the device by SLP.
US08166395B2
An information processing apparatus having the action modes, including an operating mode for performing an operation on the apparatus and an explaining mode for presenting an explanation corresponding to the operation on the apparatus presents the explanation for an operation input made in the explaining mode and stores the operation input. And it makes a movement from the explaining mode to the operating mode as well as executes the action according to the operation input stored in storage unit in accordance with a preset first operation input.
US08166393B1
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for signing an electronic document, including establishing an electronic signature appearance for an electronic signature, determining a bounding region on the electronic document for the display of the electronic signature appearance, at the time of signing an electronic document, previewing the electronic signature appearance in the bounding region and signing the electronic document with an electronic signature, the electronic signature associated with the electronic signature appearance. The electronic signature appearance can be configured at the time of signing the electronic document.
US08166382B2
An apparatus includes a temporarily registered document creating unit configured to create a temporarily registered document in which a document to be registered is temporarily registered; a condition setting unit configured to set a condition used for updating the temporarily registered document to a finally registered document; a condition determining unit configured to determine whether the finally registered document meets the condition set for the temporarily registered document in response to a request for updating the temporarily registered document to the finally registered document; and an updating unit configured to update the temporarily registered document to the finally registered document in accordance with the request if the condition determining unit determines that the finally registered document meets the condition.
US08166374B2
A digital VSB transmission system and enhanced data multiplexing method are disclosed. When ½ enhanced data coded at a rate of ½ and ¼ enhanced data at a rate of ¼ are transmitted, timing jitter in MPEG of VSB receiver can be reduced and the size of input buffer in MPEG decoder of the VSB receiver can be reduced by multiplexing the ½ enhanced data packet and the ¼ data packet at predetermined intervals. Multiplexing the ½ enhanced data packet and the ¼ data packet by grouping increases the reception performance of the ¼ enhanced data. Multiplexing the ½ enhanced data packet and the ¼ data packet alternatively reduces the MPEG timing jitter in the VSB receiver and increases the reception performance of the ¼ enhanced data.
US08166369B2
A method of correcting and detecting errors in a sector of data stored in a DVD format is provided. The method includes: calculating an initial error detection value for data within the sector, performing an error correction operation on the data within the sector and determining an updated, intermediate error detection value responsive to the error correction operation, using a target error detection value and one of the initial error detection value and the intermediate error detection value to determine that the sector doesn't include errors, processing an outer code to provide a set of error patterns and error locations, and determining if any of the error locations are for data within the sector and not correcting data corresponding to the error locations within the sector.
US08166368B2
A method for writing in a memory system that includes receiving an address corresponding to a memory location in a memory, receiving a desired content to be written, encoding the desired content into a symbol, and writing the symbol to the memory location using an iterative write process of at least one write and one read to the memory location. The iterative write process includes determining if the symbol was successfully written to the memory location and exiting the iterative write process in response to the symbol being successfully written to the memory location. The iterative write process also includes determining if a halt condition has been met and exiting the iterative write process if the halt condition has been met. Once the iterative write process has been exited, the memory location may be identified as a candidate for being written with a special symbol.
US08166364B2
A decoding system comprises an iterative decoder that utilizes parity constraints to iteratively decode a block of data that consists of multiple code words, and a processor that controls the iterative decoder to selectively remove a subset of the parity constraints for a number of decoder iterations and include one or more of the selectively removed parity constraints in other decoder iterations.
US08166359B2
Built-in self-test techniques for integrated circuits that address the issue of unknown states. Some implementations use a specialized scan chain selector coupled to a time compactor. The presence of the specialized scan chain selector increases the efficiency in masking X states. Also disclosed are: (1) an architecture of a selector that works with multiple scan chains and time compactors, (2) a method for determining and encoding per cycle scan chain selection masks used subsequently to suppress X states, and (3) a method to handle an over-masking phenomenon.
US08166354B2
Apparatus, and an associated method, for estimating a bit error rate of data communicated to a receiving station of a digital communications system, such as a GSM/EDGE cellular communication system. Soft decision values, indicative of confidence levels that decided values have been correctly decided are compared with threshold values by a comparator. A count is accumulated by a counter to whose counted value is representative of decided data values having associated therewith low levels of confidence that the decided values are correct. The count value is used in the formulation of the BER estimation.
US08166343B2
A method for diagnosing hardware failures in a data processing system includes a configuring a portion of a programmable logic device to create a state machine. The state machine tests a communication bus and a plurality of component devices connected by the communication bus and identifies the test failures. The state machine communicates the test information to external test equipment. The communication bus is used in the operation of the data processing system and the testing includes tests at full clock speed of the data processing system.
US08166340B2
An apparatus for testing a communication circuit includes a detection module and a capture module. The detection module provides an enable signal in response to receiving at least one predetermined plurality of data from a communication device under test. The capture module captures at least one other predetermined plurality of data in response to the enable signal.
US08166333B2
A network signal processing circuit includes a first signal processing module, a first sampling rate converter, a second signal processing module, a second sampling rate converter and a timing controller. The first signal processing module is utilized for processing a network signal to output a first processed signal. The first sampling rate converter is utilized for performing signal frequency conversion on the first processed signal according to a first clock timing adjusting signal and outputting a first converted signal. The second signal processing module is utilized for processing the first converted signal to output a second processed signal. The second sampling rate converter is utilized for performing signal frequency conversion on the second processed signal according to a second clock timing adjusting signal and outputting a second converted signal. The timing controller is utilized for generating the first and second clock timing adjusting signals.
