US08183053B1
The present invention provides improved preconcentrator media suitable for selectively desorbing captured analytes. Additionally, the current invention provides improved methods for concentrating trace quantities of analytes to a degree suitable for detection by a detecting device.
US08183039B2
The application describes, inter alia, a method for isolating or enriching for dendritic cells from a mixture of human cells involving contacting cells in the mixture with an antibody that binds BDCA-4, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, under conditions in which the antibody or antigen-binding fragment binds BDCA-4+ dendritic cells, and separating dendritic cells bound by the antibody or antigen-binding fragment from other cells in the mixture.
US08183021B2
A process for producing triglycerides comprises: (a) subjecting a first triglyceride comprising at least 40% by moles of oleic acid residues, based on total acyl groups in the triglyceride, to a reaction with stearic acid, at least one ester of stearic acid or a mixture thereof, to obtain a composition comprising 1,3-distearoyl 2-oleoyl glyceride and trioleoyl glyceride; (b) treating the composition to form a first fraction having an increased amount by weight of oleoyl groups compared to said composition and a second fraction having an increased amount by weight of stearoyl groups compared to said composition; (c) hydrolysing the first fraction to form oleic acid; and (d) reacting said oleic acid or an ester thereof with a triglyceride comprising at least 50% by moles of palmitic acid residues, based on total acyl groups, to form a composition comprising 1,3-dioleoyl 2-palmitoyl glyceride.
US08183020B2
A method of converting hydroxymethylfurfural and is derivative species into hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation products is disclosed. The method includes contacting the hydroxymethylfurfural species in a mixture with an enzyme that oxidizes the hydroxymethylfurfural species while controlling hydrogen peroxide in the mixture. In one exemplary embodiment the enzyme is chloroperoxidase and the hydrogen peroxide is metered into the mixture to predominantly and selectively make at least one of formylfuran carboxylic acid or furan dicarboxylic acid. In another embodiment the enzyme is aryl alcohol oxidase and catalase is included in the mixture to remove unwanted hydrogen peroxide by product and the reaction predominantly makes at least one of dimethylfuran or formylfuran carboxylic acid. When the predominant product is a carboxylic acid or furan dicarboxylic acid, it can be recovered in substantially pure form by acid precipitation.
US08183015B2
This invention relates to reagent comprising: any one of cells, viral particles, organelles, parasites, cells comprising organelles, cells comprising viral particles, cells comprising parasites, cells comprising bacterial cells and any combination thereof, the cells, viral particles, organelles or parasites comprising at least one nucleic acid sequence serving as an internal control (IC) target for nucleic acid testing (NAT) assay; wherein the reagent is suitable to be added to a test sample undergoing sample preparation to release, concentrate and/or purify nucleic acids and amplification and/or detection of nucleic acids so as to be used to verify: (i) the efficiency of sample preparation; and (ii) the efficiency of nucleic acid amplification and/or detection. The present invention also relates to a method to verify or validate the preparation and amplification and/or detection of a nucleic acid target sequence in a sample spiked with a reagent of the present invention.
US08183010B2
Methods are provided for the utilization of bacterial cell-free extracts in the synthesis of high yields of membrane-associated polypeptides.
US08183006B2
The method comprising: a) obtaining a gene sequence codifying a naturally occurring aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase; b) engineering the gene codifying for said aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase, resulting into an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase with a defective activity, with the proviso that the engineering does not affect the functionality of the catalytic site of the enzyme; c) cloning the gene resulting from step (b) in an expression vector; d) transforming isolated mammalian cells with the expression vector resulting from step (c); e) growing the recombinant cells resulting from step (d) in a nutrient medium under conditions which allow the expression of the engineered aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase, resulting the expression into cell death or a decrease in the rate of cell division; f) providing a substance to be tested to the medium resulting from step (e); and g) analyzing the resulting cell growth, wherein if there is an increase in cell growth, then the substance selectively inhibits the activity of the engineered aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase and does not affect to its cellular ortholog, resulting in that said substance is a candidate to drug.
US08183004B2
The present invention relates to the use of short-chain SRL alcohol dehydrogenase (DHRS4, SEQ ID NO: 1) and peptides thereof as humoral biomarkers for the diagnostic detection and prognosis of the course, and also monitoring the course and therapy of septic inflammations and infections.
US08183000B2
Methods for diagnosing pathology of the liver in a subject suspected of having such pathology are disclosed. The methods comprise quantifiably detecting lectin binding on proteins in biological fluids, and comparing the detected lectin binding with reference values for the binding of lectin of such proteins in healthy or disease states.
US08182995B2
The invention relates to methods of monitoring the amplification of one or more nucleic acid sequences of interest. More particularly, the invention relates to methods of monitoring the amplification of sequences of interest in real time. The methods disclosed herein provide methods for monitoring the amplification of one sequence or two or more sequences from a single sample, as well as methods for monitoring the amplification of one or more than one sequence from two or more samples. The monitoring methods of the invention permit improved determination of the abundance of one or more target nucleic acids, especially target RNA species, in one or more original samples.
US08182991B1
The present invention relates to means for the detection and characterization of nucleic acid sequences, as well as variations in nucleic acid sequences. The present invention also relates to improved cleavage means for the detection and characterization of nucleic acid sequences. Structure-specific nucleases derived from a variety of thermostable organisms are provided. These structure-specific nucleases are used to cleave target-dependent cleavage structures, thereby indicating the presence of specific nucleic acid sequences or specific variations thereof.
US08182989B2
The invention relates to methods for indexing samples during the sequencing of polynucleotide templates, resulting in the attachment of tags specific to the source of each nucleic acid sample such that after a sequencing run, both the source and sequence of each polynucleotide can be determined. Thus, the present invention pertains to analysis of complex genomes (e.g., human genomes), as well as multiplexing less complex genomes, such as those of bacteria, viruses, mitochondria, and the like.
US08182975B2
A positive resist composition, includes: (A) a resin that has a group having absorption at 248 nm at a main chain terminal of the resin (A), and a pattern forming method uses the composition.
US08182955B2
A method for operating a direct methanol fuel cell is provided. The fuel cell includes a fuel cell main body having a fuel electrode and an air electrode disposed in opposing positions on either side of an electrolyte film. In this method, an aqueous methanol solution is supplied directly to the fuel electrode. A quantity of the aqueous methanol solution supplied is controlled in accordance with an electric current value drawn from the fuel cell main body so as to minimize a quantity of unused methanol within a discharge fluid discharged from the fuel electrode.
US08182954B2
Water passageways (67; 78, 85; 78a, 85a) that provide water through reactant gas flow field plates (74, 81) to cool the fuel cells (38) may be grooves (76, 77; 83, 84) or may comprise a plane of porous hydrophilic material (78a, 85a), may be vented to atmosphere (99) by a porous plug (69), or pumped (89, 146) with or without removing any water from the passageways. A condenser (59, 124) receives exhaust of reactant air that evaporatively cools the stack (37), and may have a contiguous reservoir (64, 128), be vertical (a vehicle radiator, FIG. 2), be horizontal across the top of the stack (37, FIG. 5), or below (124) the stack (120). Condenser air flow may be controlled by shutters (155), or by a controlled, freeze-proof heat exchanger (59a). A deionizer (175) may be used. Sensible heat transferred into the water is removed by a heat exchanger 182; a controller (185) controls water flow (180) and temperature as well as air flow to provide predetermined allocation of cooling between evaporative and sensible.
US08182948B2
Separator of lithium ion battery, method for making the same, and lithium ion battery using the same
A separator of a battery includes a porous membrane and a modifier layer disposed on a surface of the porous membrane, wherein a material of the modifier layer is a dried mixture of a phosphorus source having a phosphate radical, a trivalent aluminum source, and a metallic oxide in a liquid phase solvent.
US08182938B2
Composite current collectors containing coatings of metals, alloys or compounds, selected from the group of Zn, Cd, Hg, Ga, In, Tl, Sn, Pb, As, Sb, Bi and Se on non-metallic, non-conductive or poorly-conductive substrates are disclosed. The composite current collectors can be used in electrochemical cells particularly sealed cells requiring a long storage life. Selected metals, metal alloys or metal compounds are applied to polymer or ceramic substrates by vacuum deposition techniques, extrusion, conductive paints (dispersed as particles in a suitable paint), electroless deposition, cementation; or after suitable metallization by galvanic means (electrodeposition or electrophoresis). Metal compound coatings are reduced to their respective metals by chemical or galvanic means. The current collectors described are particular suitable for use in sealed primary or rechargeable galvanic cells containing mercury-free and lead-free alkaline zinc electrodes.
US08182923B2
A conductive paste includes a filler component and a flux component; the filler component including a first conductive filler and a second conductive filler having different melting points, and the melting point of the first conductive filler being higher than the melting point of the second conductive filler by 20° C. or more; the flux component including a first flux and a second flux having different melting points, the melting point of the first flux being higher than the melting point of the second flux, and the melting point of the first flux being higher than the melting point of the second conductive filler by 15° C. to 45° C.; and the melting point of the second flux being equal to or less than the melting point of the second conductive filler.
US08182911B2
Disclosed is a cutting tool having excellent wear resistance. Specifically disclosed is a cutting tool having a substrate and a coating layer formed on a surface of the substrate. The cutting tool is characterized in that the substrate contains at least cobalt; the coating layer includes at least a titanium nitride layer formed on the surface of the substrate, a titanium carbonitride layer formed on the surface of the titanium nitride layer, an intermediate layer formed on the surface of the titanium carbonitride layer and an aluminum oxide layer formed on the surface of the intermediate layer; the intermediate layer contains at least oxygen and titanium, and the aluminum oxide layer incorporates particles composed mainly of cobalt.
US08182900B2
An injection molded product is provided that does not require any separate processes after the injection molding and has beautiful patterns on a surface thereof. The injection molded product includes an irregular prominent surface on which irregular prominences are formed, a regular prominent surface formed having fan-shaped minute protrusions, and a pattern formed by a difference of a regularity between the irregular prominent surface and the regular prominent surface.
US08182892B2
A substrate structure applied in flexible electrical devices is provided. The substrate structure includes a carrier, a flexible substrate opposed to the carrier, a release layer formed on a surface of the flexible substrate opposed to the carrier, and an adhesive layer formed between the carrier, the release layer and the flexible substrate, wherein the area of the adhesive layer is larger than that of the release layer, and the adhesive layer has a greater adhesion force than that of the release layer to the flexible substrate. The invention also provides a method for fabricating the substrate structure.
US08182891B2
A resealable label flap is positionable to cover an opening in a package containing removable articles. The label flap includes a base layer extending between a first and a second end. The base layer includes a first adhesive on a bottom face surface and permits repeated application and separation of the base layer relative to the package. The base layer has a starting tab to permit removal of the base layer from the package. A top layer includes a second adhesive on a bottom face surface that fixes the top layer to a top face surface of the base layer. The base layer and the first adhesive are formed with a slit that defines a hinge for enhancing separation of the base and top layers from the package upon manipulation of the starting tab.
US08182890B2
Biodegradable endoprostheses are formed from amorphous polymers having desirable biodegradation characteristics. The strength of such amorphous polymers is enhanced by annealing to increase crystallinity without substantially increasing the biodegradation time.
US08182887B2
Vacuum insulating glass (VIG) units, edge seals for VIG units and methods for forming the edge seals are provided. The VIG units include an edge seal that includes a viscous material, which serves to restrict the rate at which gas permeates into a vacuum space defined between the glass sheets of the VIG unit. The edge seals are configured to allow the glass sheets to move laterally relative to one another when the glass sheets experience differential thermal strain and further configured such that viscous shear occurs within at least a portion of the viscous material when there is relative lateral movement between the glass sheets.
US08182886B2
The invention relates to a composite artificial grass fiber for use in an artificial lawn, in particular an artificial grass sports field, which artificial grass fiber is made up at least of several monofilament fibers. The invention further relates to an artificial lawn, in particular an artificial grass sports field built up of a substrate to which composite artificial grass fibers according to the invention are attached. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a composite artificial grass fiber according to the invention, in particular for an artificial lawn, which comprises the steps of manufacturing several monofilament fibers and forming said several monofilament fibers into a composite artificial grass fiber. The object of the invention is to provide a composite artificial grass fiber as well as an artificial grass sports field comprising such an artificial grass fiber, which makes it possible to apply and distribute infill material between the composite fibers in a simpler manner without the eventual playing characteristics of the artificial grass sports field being adversely affected. According to the invention, the artificial grass fiber is to that end characterized in that the artificial grass fiber further comprises an additive made of a decomposable material, which holds said several monofilament fibers together temporarily.
US08182882B2
A method of making a 3-D object from a photocurable composition, including (a) a cationically curable monomer; (b) a radically curable monomer; (c) reactive particles comprising a crosslinked polysiloxane core and a shell of reactive groups on an outer surface of the core, wherein the reactive groups comprise epoxy groups, ethylenically unsaturated groups, or hydroxy groups; (d) a radical photoinitiator; and (e) a cationic photoinitiator; the method comprising (1) forming a first layer of the photocurable composition; (2) exposing the first layer to actinic radiation sufficient to harden the first layer; (3) forming a second layer of the photocurable composition above the hardened first layer; (4) exposing the second layer to actinic radiation sufficient to harden the second layer; and (5) repeating steps (3)-(4) as needed to form a 3-D object.
US08182878B2
The present invention relates to methods for functionally modifying a polymeric surface for subsequent deposition of metallic particles and/or films, wherein the polymeric surface is modified by increasing hydroxyl and/or amine functional groups thereby providing an activated polymeric surface for deposition of metallic particles to form a fluorescence sensing device. The device can be used for metal-enhanced fluorescence of fluorophores positioned above the metallic particles that can be readily applied to diagnostic or sensing applications of metal-enhanced fluorescence.
US08182875B2
A system and a method to protect an image on a substrate. The method includes applying a coating to the surface of a substrate having an unspread ink image thereon, wherein the image is formed by droplets of solid ink, and wherein the coating interacts with the ink. Moreover, the method includes spreading the coated ink on the surface of the substrate, wherein the ink and the coating interact during the spreading process and wherein the spread ink on the surface of the substrate forms the continuous image.
US08182872B2
A method is provided for fabricating a porous elastomer, the method comprising the steps of: providing a predetermined amount of a liquid elastomer and a predetermined amount of a porogen; mixing the liquid elastomer and the porogen in vacuum until a homogenous emulsion without phase separation is formed; curing the homogenous emulsion until polymerizations of the emulsion is reached, thereby forming a cured emulsion; and removing the porogen from the cured emulsion. The method can advantageously be used for forming biocompatible porous elastomers and biocompatible porous membranes.
US08182871B2
Methods of forming patterned coatings are disclosed. The methods include the steps of disposing a composition onto a substrate to form a liquid coating on the substrate and removing or providing energy through a first pattern of areas on the liquid coating to form a topographically patterned coating, the topographical pattern corresponding to the first pattern of areas.
US08182868B2
A method for the encapsulation of contaminant particles on the surface of a component. The method includes encapsulating the contaminant particles with an organic coating such that the contaminant particles are immobilized. The coating enables the immobilization of particles having a particle size of less than 0.5 μm. The method is particularly useful in the manufacture of precision devices, such as disk drives.
US08182855B2
The present invention relates to an enriched fish food product comprising a binder resin and a fermented soy nutraceutical. Optionally the nutraceutical may contain enzymes or coenzymes. Also, the enriched fish food product may be formed by mixing a resin with the fermented soy nutraceutical in a heated molding machine and subjecting said product to a variety of size reduction processes. For example, the fish food product may be provided in the form of a flake.
US08182853B2
A method for preparing a pasteurized frozen dessert by mixing unpasteurized ingredients for the frozen dessert, the ingredients including water, cooling the unpressurized mix, pressurizing the cooled mix together with a gas with a pressure of more than 1000 bar, preferably more than 2000 to 4000 bar, thus pasteurizing the mix, cooling the pressurized mix, and releasing the pressure such that the water crystallizes to form the frozen dessert.
US08182841B2
Compositions having a combination of specific biological components have been found to exert a number of useful effects in mammalian cells, including modulating TGF β signaling, apoptosis, and proliferation of mammalian cells, as well as decreasing inflammation in mice. These components can be obtained commercially, or can be prepared from biological tissues such as placental tissues. Placental amniotic membrane (AM) preparations described herein include AM pieces, AM extracts, AM jelly, AM stroma, and mixtures of these compositions with additional components. The compositions can be used to treat various diseases, such as wound healing, inflammation and angiogenesis-related diseases.
US08182837B2
The present invention relates to methods for reducing the risk associated with the administration of opioid analgesics in patients diagnosed or undiagnosed with respiratory illness by administering an analgesic composition comprising a sub-analgesic dosage of a p-opioid agonist selected from the group consisting of morphine, fentanyl, sufentanil, alfentanil, oxymorphone and hydromorphone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a sub-analgesic dosage of oxycodone which is a κ2-opioid agonist or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08182819B2
The present invention is a composition and method for facilitating the internalization of a therapeutic agent into a cell. Specifically, the invention relates to the use of the extracellular domain of basigin-2, cyclophilin, or anti-basigin-2 antibody or antibody fragment as a delivery moiety for internalization of a therapeutic agent.
US08182813B2
Antigen binding proteins that bind to human c-fms protein are provided. Nucleic acids encoding the antigen binding protein, vectors, and cells encoding the same are also provided. The antigen binding proteins can inhibit binding of c-fms to CSF-1, reduce monocyte migration into tumors, and reduce the accumulation of tumor-associated macrophages.
US08182809B1
Described herein are compositions and methods for treating cancer, comprising administering to an individual having cancer an agent to prevent MIC shedding (initiated at the alpha-3 ectodomain of MIC) by a tumor cell. Also provided herein are screening assays for identifying, or testing the efficacy of, an agent for increasing sensitivity of a tumor to immune cell-mediated killing.
US08182807B2
The present invention relates to a method for inhibiting reperfusion injury in the brain. The method involve injecting via the carotid artery or jugular vein an antioxidant-loaded nanoparticle. A nanoparticle formulation containing an inert plasticizer is also provided for sustained release of an active agent.
US08182794B2
Sunless tanning compositions are substantially improved by adding methylsulfonyl methane [MSM] and certain glycols to Dihydroxyacetone (DHA).
US08182787B2
A method and apparatus are provided for use in producing high-pressure hydrogen from natural gas, methanol, ethanol, or other fossil fuel-derived and renewable hydrocarbon resources. The process can produce hydrogen at pressures ranging from 2000 to 12,000 pounds per square inch (psi) using a hydrogen carrier, with or without high-pressure water, and an appropriate catalyst. The catalyst reacts with the hydrogen carrier and, optionally, high-pressure water, in a catalytic reformer (20) maintained under desired temperature and pressure conditions.
US08182786B2
The present invention describes methods for preparing high quality nanoparticles, i.e., metal oxide based nanoparticles of uniform size and monodispersity. The nanoparticles advantageously comprise organic alkyl chain capping groups and are stable in air and in nonpolar solvents. The methods of the invention provide a simple and reproducible procedure for forming transition metal oxide nanocrystals, with yields over 80%. The highly crystalline and monodisperse nanocrystals are obtained directly without further size selection; particle size can be easily and fractionally increased by the methods. The resulting nanoparticles can exhibit magnetic and/or optical properties. These properties result from the methods used to prepare them. Also advantageously, the nanoparticles of this invention are well suited for use in a variety of industrial applications, including cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations and compositions.
US08182781B2
The present disclosure refers to sila-substituted carbinols of formula (I) wherein R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from C1-C4 alkyl or C3-C4 cycloalkyl; R4 is methyl or ethyl; and R5 is methyl or ethyl. The disclosure further refers to their preparation and to perfume compositions and fragrance applications comprising them.
US08182775B2
Dry-scrubbing media compositions, methods of preparing same, and methods of use are provided. The compositions contain activated alumina and potassium carbonate. Optionally, activated carbon and other impregnates, such as sulfates of group 1A metals, are included in the compositions. The compositions exhibit improved efficiency and capacity for the removal of compounds such as chlorine or sulfur dioxide from an air-stream. The compositions are particularly useful for reducing or preventing the release of toxic gaseous compounds from the areas such as petroleum storage areas, refineries, drinking water systems, sewage treatment facilities, swimming pools, hospital morgues, animal rooms, and pulp and paper production sites.
US08182773B2
A chemical element to be very efficiently separated from uranium starting from an acid aqueous phase, in an extraction cycle for the uranium, when this chemical element is present in said phase at a concentration less than that of the uranium, or even as a trace element, and when it is moreover less extractable by the extractant used in this extraction cycle than is the uranium. The chemical element can notably be neptunium(IV) or thorium 228.
US08182769B2
A transportation system for transporting a biological material container between a sterile field and a nonsterile field and substantially maintaining sterility of the biological material container includes a housing assembly that removably houses the biological material container. The system also includes a port defined by the housing assembly, and the port provides communication into the biological material container from outside the housing assembly. The housing assembly includes a first member that covers a first portion of the biological material container such that a second portion of the biological material container extends from the first member. The housing assembly also includes a second member that covers the second portion of the biological material container. The second member is removably coupled to the first member to expose the second portion of the biological material container. A keying member that keys the transportation system in a centrifuge is also disclosed.
US08182767B2
Instrument-cartridge interfaces for fluidic analyzers that have an instrument and a removable cartridge are disclosed. For example, and in one illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a needle that is adapted to penetrate a septum on a removable cartridge. In another illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a plunger that is adapted to deform a deformable membrane on a removable cartridge. In yet another illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a nozzle that is adapted to mate and seal with a flow channel on a removable cartridge. Techniques for detecting the flow rate in a flow channel on a removable cartridge, as well as the position of fluid in a flow channel of a removable cartridge, are also disclosed.
US08182753B2
A carrier body includes an overall surface having at least one coating portion with a catalytically active coating including at least one type of catalyst elements disposed in dispersed form at a surface of the carrier body. The catalyst elements have a mean spacing along the surface of at least 3 micrometers. The surface has a mean roughness depth Rz of 2 to 10 micrometers. The carrier body has a maximum increase in pressure loss compared to a carrier body with a smooth and uncoated surface of 25%. A process for producing a carrier body and an exhaust gas treatment unit and a vehicle having a carrier body, are also provided.
US08182747B2
The invention concerns a test device for analyzing especially a biological sample liquid comprising a composite body consisting of a plurality of layers of flat materials and a sample channel located in the composite body for transporting the sample liquid from an application site to a measuring site. According to the invention it is proposed that the composite body has a plurality of transport layers arranged in a stack-like manner between support layers for holding in each case sample channel.
US08182744B2
Systems and methods to reduce bioburden on at least a portion of a fluid transfer port include supplying a dose of radiation to the portion in optical communication with at least one source of radiation. In an illustrative example, a medical container, such as a vial or IV bag, receives a dose of ultraviolet (UV) energy substantially at a predetermined region of a fluid transfer site. In some examples, such a sanitization process may precede a fluid transfer operation in which a fluid is transferred into or out of the medical container by passing through the sanitized region. Such fluid transfers may be used in automated or semi-automated pharmaceutical processes, such as drug reconstitution. Various embodiments may further include one or more seal assemblies, each seal assembly having an aperture through which the radiation dose is supplied from the source to a controlled region on the fluid transfer port.
US08182741B1
Disclosed herein is a friction reducing nickel-titanium composition. The nickel-titanium composition includes a first phase that comprises nickel and titanium in an atomic ratio of about 0.45:0.55 to about 0.55:0.45; a second phase that comprises nickel and titanium in an atomic ratio of about 0.70:0.30 to about 0.80:0.20; and a third phase that comprises nickel and titanium in an atomic ratio of about 0.52:0.48 to about 0.62:0.38. A bearing for reducing friction comprising a nickel-titanium composition comprising a first phase that comprises nickel and titanium in an atomic ratio of about 0.45:0.55 to about 0.55:0.45; a second phase that comprises nickel and titanium in an atomic ratio of about 0.70:0.30 to about 0.80:0.20; and a third phase that comprises nickel and titanium in an atomic ratio of about 0.52:0.48 to about 0.62:0.38; where the bearing is free from voids and pinholes.
US08182727B2
A method of producing a carbon-based material includes steps (a), (b) and (c). In the step (a), an elastomer and at least a first carbon material is mixed and the first carbon material is dispersed by applying a shear force to obtain a composite elastomer. In the step (b), the composite elastomer is heat-treated to vaporize the elastomer, and a second carbon material is obtained. In the step (c) the second carbon material is heat-treated together with a substance including an element Y to vaporize the substance including the element Y, a melting point of the element Y being low.
US08182713B2
There is provided a lead-free piezoelectric material capable of showing a high piezoelectric coefficient (d33>500 pC/N) exceeding that of soft PZT. The lead-free piezoelectric material contains no toxic element such as Pb, comprising a pseudo-binary solid solution of {[(Ba1-x1M1x1)((Ti1-xZrx)1-y1N1y1)O3]-δ%[(Ba1-yCay)1-x2M2x2)(Ti1-y2N2y2)O3]} (wherein M1, N1, M2 and N2 represent an additive element)(abbreviated as BZT-δ% BCT).
US08182709B2
By creating a temperature profile across a polishing pad, a respective temperature profile may be obtained in a substrate to be polished, which may result in a respective varying removal rate across the substrate for a chemically reactive slurry material or for an electro-chemically activated polishing process. Hence, highly sensitive materials, such as material comprising low-k dielectrics, may be efficiently polished with a high degree of controllability.
US08182697B2
A method and an apparatus for treating selenium-containing wastewater, in which wastewater containing hexavalent selenium is subjected to reduction treatment, selenium can be effectively removed at a small amount of metal leached, and, preferably, sludge produced during treatment is white, thereby facilitating the disposal of the sludge. The selenium-containing wastewater is brought into contact with an alloy or a mixture of metallic titanium and a first metal other than metallic titanium to partially leach the first metal, thereby subjecting selenium in the wastewater to reduction treatment.
US08182692B2
Solutions, dialysates, and methods for measuring solutes in blood and/or for treating blood. In one aspect of the invention, a method of performing dialysis includes placing a solution in communication with blood of a subject, where a concentration of at least one electrically conductive solute in the solution, prior to being placed in communication with the blood of the subject, is substantially equal to a concentration of the at least one electrically conductive solute in the blood of the subject.
US08182690B2
The present invention relates to a centrifugal partitioning chromatography device for separating a liquid having at least two phases, and to a centrifugal partitioning chromatography method implemented by this device. A chromatography device according to the invention comprises at least one flat ring (103) which can be rotated about its axis (X′X) of symmetry and comprises a multitude of cells (110) through which the liquid is intended to flow, each cell being provided with two input/output channels (111 and 112) that are intended to make the liquid flow from one cell to another and which open respectively via two inlet/outlet orifices (111a and 112a) of the cell on two radially internal and external sides (113 and 114) of the latter with respect to the axis of rotation. According to the invention, this device is such that, for at least some of this multitude of cells, these orifices opening into one and the same cell are placed on the same side of a radial line (D) of the ring passing through the axis and through the center of gravity (G) of the cell, seen in radial cross section.
US08182687B2
A method and apparatus for reducing the effect of integrity loss in a hollow fiber membrane module, said module including a plurality of hollow fiber membranes (5), at least one end of the fiber membranes (5) being supported in a pot (6), the method including the step of increasing flow resistance of the liquid through the lumen (8) of the fiber membrane (5) in the region of the pot (6).
US08182664B2
A sensor control device for controlling a current application state of a gas sensor element when measuring a specific gas component concentration in a gas to be measured using the gas sensor element, which sensor control device includes: at least one cell having a solid electrolyte body and a pair of electrodes; a sensor heating unit as defined herein; an oxygen reference pole generating unit as defined herein; a damage avoidance time elapse determining unit as defined herein; and a reference generation current application permitting unit as defined herein.
US08182661B2
A sputter target assembly particularly useful for a large panel plasma sputter reactor having a target assembly sealed both to the main processing chamber and a vacuum pumped chamber housing a moving magnetron. The target assembly to which target tiles are bonded includes an integral plate with parallel cooling holes drilled parallel to the principal faces. The ends of the holes may be sealed and vertically extending slots arranged in two staggered groups on each side and machined down to respective pairs of cooling holes on opposite sides of the backing plate in pairs. Four manifolds tubes are sealed to the four groups of slots and provide counter-flowing coolant paths.
US08182652B2
An acoustical panel is made by applying a thin, acoustically-transparent coating to an acoustical base mat. A pulp is made from one or more fillers, a fibrous filler, a binder and water. A thickener solution is prepared from a thickener and water. A portion of the pulp and the thickener solution are mixed under high shear conditions to degrade the fibrous filler and form a smooth coating. The coating is applied to and distributed over a base mat and the coated base mat is then cut and dried to form a coated acoustical panel. The panel is free of visible mineral nodules on the surface of the coating. Optionally, the pulp is a portion of a pulp used to make the base mat. Other embodiments include the use of recycled dust or fine particles of the acoustical panel obtained from cutting or shaping the base mat or coated panels.
US08182645B2
A method of manufacturing paint roller covers is disclosed in which the paint roller covers are manufactured from a seamless, tubular fabric sleeve having a backing and a pile made at least in part from a low melt fiber or yarn. The seamless, tubular fabric sleeve is placed onto a cylindrical member, and heat is applied to cause the low melt fiber or yarn in the backing and looped ends of the pile be activated to cause the backing of the seamless, tubular fabric sleeve to remain in a cylindrical configuration. The activated tubular knitted pile fabric may be finished into paint roller covers by combing and shearing the pile fabric to a desired length, beveling the edges of the paint roller covers, and vacuuming stray fibers from the paint roller covers.
US08182643B2
In a process for fabricating large structures, a composite material panel is continuously pultruded in a pultrusion die assembly and cut transversely to the process direction to provide panel sections. The panel sections can be sufficiently long to extend from one end to an opposite end of the structure. The panel sections are assembled with a joint along adjacent edges using steel-to-composite and composite-to-composite joining technology. The joints can be integrated into the panel longitudinal edges, or separate joint assemblies can be fabricated. In this manner, fewer joints are required. A variety of in-plane and out-of-plane joint assemblies are provided.
US08182642B2
A method is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a tubular structure having a passageway and comprising a fiber reinforced plastic material, and then attaching a flange structure comprising an aperture coupled to the tubular structure using an attachment element.
US08182626B2
A tire composition with a Shore A hardness, according to DIN 53 505 and ASTM D2240, of not less than 40 and not greater than 95 and a glass-transition temperature Tg (E″max), according to DIN 53 513 with a specified temperature sweep of −80° C. to +80° C. and a specified compression of 10+0.2% at 10 Hz, not less than −80° C. and not greater than 0° C., with improved abrasion performance, in particular for pneumatic tires, has the following composition: at least one vulcanizable diene rubber selected from natural rubbers, synthetic polyisoprene rubbers, polyisobutylene rubbers, polybutadiene rubbers (BR), and random styrene-butadiene rubbers; from 35 to 300 phr of at least one active filler selected from carbon blacks, silicas, silicon based fillers, and metal oxides, of which at least 10 phr must be carbon blacks, silicas, or some combination thereof; from 0 to 250 phr of other or further additives; from 0.1·10−3 to 42·10−3 mhr (mol per hundred parts of rubber) of a vulcanizing agent which crosslinks with a functionality>4; and from 0.1 to 10 phr of at least one vulcanization accelerator.
US08182621B2
A method of manufacturing a hot-rolled thin steel sheet includes: hot-rolling a steel base material having a composition containing, as mass %, C: 0.10 to 0.20%, Si: 0.01 to 1.0%, Mn: 0.5 to 2.0%, P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.01% or less, Al: 0.01 to 0.10%, N: 0.005% or less, Ti: 0.01 to 0.15%, B: 0.0005 to 0.0050%, the balance of Fe, and unavoidable impurities at a finishing temperature of finish rolling of 820 to 880° C. to produce a hot-rolled steel sheet with a thickness of less than 6 mm; cooling the hot-rolled steel sheet to a temperature range on a surface of the hot-rolled steel sheet to 550 to 650° C. at a surface cooling rate of 15 to 50° C. per second; and coiling the hot-rolled steel sheet at the temperature range.
US08182618B2
A sintered rare-earth magnet includes an Nd2Fe14B type crystalline phase as its main phase and Al as an additive. The magnet includes at least one light rare-earth element LR selected from the group consisting of yttrium and the rare-earth elements other than Dy, Ho and Tb, and at least one heavy rare-earth element HR selected from the group consisting of Dy, Ho and Tb. The mole fractions α1, α2 and β of the light and heavy rare-earth elements LR and HR and Al satisfy the inequalities 25≦α1+α2≦40 mass %, 0<α2≦40 mass %, β>0.20 mass %, and 0.04≦β/α2≦0.12.
US08182614B2
A method of cleaning and flushing a fast-set material spray gun 10 is disclosed which uses, in the preferred embodiment, a mixture of approximately 62.5% DMSO, 32.5% DBE and 5% water. This mixture 12 is non-toxic when atomized and lowers the freezing point of the liquid to below 10° F. Because the solvent is mixed with the purge air and expelled from the gun in atomized form, it is important that a non-toxic solvent be utilized and also important that the freezing point of the mixture be low enough to allow use in colder climates without freezing.
US08182609B1
The present invention provides a method for cleaning a surface of a substrate that includes directing a laser towards at least one radiation-produced particle disposed on a substrate, generating a thermal increase in the particle and removing the particle from the substrate by thermal decomposition. The laser has a wavelength that substantially coincides with a high absorption coefficient of the particle.
US08182600B2
An anode provided with an electrocatalytic coating comprising tin, preferably tetravalent and in form of mixed oxide, prepared by the method for the manufacturing of an electrode, comprising applying a solution of a precursor for the pyrolytic formation of a tin-containing coating to a substrate of a valve metal, followed by the execution of thermal treatment, wherein the precursor solution comprises stannic hydroxychloride and a method of preparing the same.
US08182593B2
A system and method of reducing ammonia emissions. The system and method include a facility having a waste storage compartment below a floor comprised of slats with openings therebetween. A plurality of injection pipes are attached to a bottom surface of the slats. Each of the plurality of injection pipes includes a plurality of precipitation nozzles.
US08182592B2
A gas separation membrane module has a vessel housing a hollow fiber element including a hollow fiber bundle consisting of a number of hollow fiber membranes (1) and a tube sheet (2) holding one end of the hollow fiber bundle. The interior of the vessel is partitioned by the tube sheet (2) into two spaces consisting of a raw gas chamber and a permeate gas chamber. A high-pressure mixed gas is fed into the raw gas chamber where gas separation is carried out. The gas separation membrane module has a configuration where during operation, the tube sheet (2) is supported by means of a perforated plate (8) in the vessel by a pressure from the mixed gas fed to maintain airtightness between the two spaces and when the tube sheet (2) receives a pressure in the reverse direction to that applied during the operation of the gas separation membrane module, the tube sheet (2) is forced to move within the vessel by the pressure in the reverse direction, thereby losing airtightness between the two spaces.
US08182590B2
A process for forming a porous nanoscale membrane is described. The process involves applying a nanoscale film to one side of a substrate, where the nanoscale film includes a semiconductor material; masking an opposite side of the substrate; etching the substrate, beginning from the masked opposite side of the substrate and continuing until a passage is formed through the substrate, thereby exposing the film on both sides thereof to form a membrane; and then simultaneously forming a plurality of randomly spaced pores in the membrane. The resulting porous nanoscale membranes, characterized by substantially smooth surfaces, high pore densities, and high aspect ratio dimensions, can be used in filtration devices, microfluidic devices, fuel cell membranes, and as electron microscopy substrates.
US08182586B2
A bubble reduction system for a fluid flowing system is provided. The bubble reduction system can include a vat containing a fluid, a pump operable to pump the fluid into the vat, a moat containing a portion of the fluid and a bubble trap also containing a portion of the fluid. The bubble trap can have an upstream section and a downstream section with a panel located between the two sections.
US08182585B2
System and method of controlling dust and/or odors with a blower unit and a deployable baffle member
A system and method for controlling dust and/or odors comprises a blower unit and baffle member deployed downstream of the blower unit. The blower unit comprises a fan propelled mister with a discharge tube and a fan disposed in the discharge tube adapted for drawing air into the discharge tube and creating a high velocity air flow exiting therefrom. The discharge tube has a plurality of nozzles and a fluid source is placed in communication with the nozzles such that the nozzles discharge fluid particles that are entrained in a high velocity air flow exiting from the discharge tube distal end. A baffle member is deployed downstream of the blower unit at an elevation above the blower unit so as to alter a flow path of ambient air flowing through a discharge path of the blower unit.
US08182579B2
A system and a method are disclosed for changing a filter provided in an air purifier at an optimum time by measuring the rotational speed of a motor that operates the filter. The system for determining an air purifier filter change time includes: a motor speed measurement unit; a time counting unit; a speed determination unit; a time comparison unit; and a filter change time determination unit.
US08182577B2
An ammonia based CO2 capture system and method is provided in which multiple absorption stages are provided. Each absorption stage delivers an ionic solution at a predetermined temperature and contacts it with a flue gas stream.
US08182572B2
There is disclosed a fertilizer composition comprising a water-insoluble slow-release reacted nitrogen fertilizer and an effective amount of a water-soluble, non-aromatic poly(amino acid) of the group poly(aspartic acid), poly(glutamic acid), poly(glycine), poly(lysine) a copolymer of cystein and glutamic acid and a terpolymer of cystein and glutamic acid and aspartic acid, wherein the poly(amino acid) has a molecular size larger than that which can be absorbed by a plant. A method of making and using the fertilizer composition is also disclosed.
US08182571B2
A frame for receiving a filter element includes: a pair of first members and a pair of second members. The first members may be arranged alternately with the second members in the assembled orientation to establish a plurality of joining structures between adjoining members. Each respective joining structure of the plurality of joining structures maintains the adjoining members oriented substantially about a respective axis. The first members and the second members cooperate to define a volume for effecting the receiving.
US08182559B2
There are provided a fuel reformer housing container and a fuel reforming apparatus, which are capable of maintaining a level of vacuum inside the fuel reformer housing container favorably and which have less power generation loss. A fuel reformer housing container includes a base having a concave portion for housing a fuel reformer in which reformed gas containing hydrogen gas is generated from fuel, a discharge pipe for communicating inside of the concave portion with outside thereof to discharge the reformed gas from the fuel reformer, a supply pipe for communicating inside of the concave portion with outside thereof to supply the fuel to the fuel reformer, and a gas adsorbent housed in the concave portion, for adsorbing gas in the concave portion.
US08182558B2
A device generating hydrogen from a hydrocarbon, oxygen and water. The reaction is carried out at high temperature. The device includes a first substantially cylindrical zone surrounding the reaction chamber circulates water vapor and hydrocarbon, excluding the reaction products, the zone being separated from the reaction chamber to recover heat lost by the reaction chamber, to preheat the mixture circulating in the first zone. The reagent(s) are in contact with the walls of said first zone to exchange produce heat. A substantially cylindrical second zone surrounds the first zone and circulates water to be vaporized, the water is in contact with the walls of said second zone. The first and second zones are separated such that water circulating in the second zone is preheated by heat of the first zone where the water of the second zone is mixed with the hydrocarbon and introduced into the first zone.
US08182557B2
The present invention provides a method for converting lignocellulosic material into biofuel. In particular embodiments, the method comprises pre-treating lignocellulosic material by dissolving the material in ionic liquids. The pretreated lignocellulosic material can be isolated, such as by precipitation with a regenerating solvent (e.g., water), and be used directly in the formation of biofuel, including undergoing hydrolysis to form sugar and fermentation to form fuel, such as bioethanol. The ionic liquid can be recycled for further use, such as by evaporation of the water introduced during precipitation, and the recycling provides a route to a hemicellulose rich fraction and an ionic liquid of consistent quality and wood dissolution characteristics. The recovered hemicelluloses are of significant utilization potential toward commodity and specialty applications.
US08182550B1
A method of applying color to a woven carpet product includes positioning a woven carpet within a dyeing system. The woven carpet includes at least two types of yarn configured to retain a dye. At least one of the two types of yarn has a first dye affinity and another of the two types of yarn has a second dye affinity. A dye is applied to the at least two types of yarn included within the woven carpet via the dyeing system.
US08182549B2
A process is provided for protection against theft of electronic payment terminals utilized in a group including at least two electronic payment terminals organized as a network. The process includes the following steps: mutual detection of the presence of each of the terminals of the group; and transmission of absence information if at least one of the terminals is not detected.
US08182546B2
A secure anchoring strap over a prosthetic socket for securing a sleeve. The anchoring strap generally comprises a first strap attached at one end to one side of a closed loop buckle. The first strap laden with hook-attachments comprises a woven inner outer material fabric or loop material. A second strap Is attached at one end to another side of the closed loop buckle, the second strap comprising a laden with hook-attachments and a woven Inner outer material fabric or loop material. A user simply wraps the attachment strap around a margin of their sleeve overlying their prosthetic socket, and passes the free end of the first strap back through the closed loop buckle. They pull the opposing free ends of the straps taught, and secure the inner hook-material of the respective straps to the opposing woven fabric beneath, thereby securing the strap tightly in a flush configuration.
US08182534B2
The present invention provides an orthopedic device assembly comprising a first assembly element, a second assembly element, and a retaining mechanism. The first assembly element has a recess that receives the second assembly element, and the retaining mechanism holds the second element in an assembled state with the first assembly element. The retaining mechanism includes a retaining member with an angular cross-section defined by a base portion and a lateral flange portion projecting from the base portion. The retaining member is inserted through an aperture of the first assembly element into a groove in a wall of the recess of the first assembly element, with the flange portion projecting laterally of the groove and overhanging a shoulder portion of the second assembly element so as to retain the second assembly element in the assembled state with the first assembly element.
US08182533B2
Provided is a device and method for repairing a damaged intervertebral disc in the spine of a patient. The device provided having at two slidably engaged components that permit ease of insertion into the void created in the annulus fibrosis of the damaged disc. Also provided is a method of implanting the device into the annulus fibrosis of a damaged disc.
US08182521B2
A method and apparatus for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), lower extremity edema, and other associated medical conditions by adjusting the temperature of the muscles of a foot or a leg, and/or applying vacuum or negative pressure to increase blood flow. A human extremity such as a leg is exposed to a negative pressure environment and/or a thermally controlled environment within a medical device. In one aspect, the device is portable. A thermal exchange unit and, optionally, a vacuum or negative pressure unit, are provided to increase blood flow and vasodilation. The device can be programmed by a controller in a manner to stimulate the muscles of the extremity to reduce pooling of blood therein.
US08182518B2
A cervical bone plate includes a graft window that allows access to and/or visualization of a bone graft area of the cervical spine after attachment of the present cervical plate to the vertebrae. The window is preferably, but not necessarily, sized for maximum exposure of the graft area and/or the vertebral body without compromising plate strength, particularly with respect to federal standards for such devices. The window is centrally positioned on the plate and is sized to provide alignment of the plate onto the vertebrae at the base of the vertebra fastener or screw holes of the plate. In a dynamic form of this cervical bone plate, the graft window expands and contracts with respective expansion and contraction of the dynamic plate after attachment to the vertebrae (i.e. “dynamizes”). In another form, a three-component dynamic bone plate is configured such that a middle component accepts an identical end component at both ends of the middle component. The end component is a 180° interchangeable part. The middle component and the end component have cooperating configurations and complementarily configured grooves that allow sliding movement between the middle component and the end components. A two-pillar construction provides a central window.
US08182515B2
A dynamic stabilization, motion preservation spinal implant system includes an anchor system, a horizontal rod system and a vertical rod system. The systems are modular so that various constructs and configurations can be created and customized to a patient.
US08182505B2
The present disclosure provides a device and method for facilitating air flow in the nasal passage of a domestic animal. The nasal support device (NSD) disclosed herein is useful for facilitating air flow during rest, physical exertion, respiratory ailment, etc. The NSD secures to the nose of a domestic animal to support the unsupported lateral vestibular walls of the nasal passages by lifting or stenting.
US08182502B2
An end effector for use with an ultrasonic surgical instrument. A body extends along a longitudinal axis. The body includes a proximal end and a distal end. The body comprises an outer surface that defines an inner portion. The proximal end of the body is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer configured to produce vibrations at a predetermined frequency and a predetermined amplitude. A folded element includes a first end coupled to the distal end of the body and extending proximally along the longitudinal axis from the distal end of the body toward the proximal end of the body. The folded element comprises a second free acoustic end. The folded element and the outer surface of the body define a single substantially parallel acoustic path. A clamp arm is operatively coupled to the body.
US08182498B2
A system for making anastomoses between hollow structures by mechanical means is provided with a device in the shape of an annular or tubular element comprising circumferentially provided means, such as pin-shaped elements, for joining the abutting walls of the hollow structures together. An applicator is intended for moving said annular or tubular element in position and activating the joining means thereof, so as to make the anastomosis. Possibly, intraluminal joining means can be inserted without using an annular or tubular element.
US08182486B2
A reamer system is provided which includes a cannulated reamer handle, and a corresponding cannulated reamer, which, when assembled and operated over a drill pin secured in a manner axially aligned with the stem of the femoral joint, enables the accurate and controlled reshaping of the femoral joint. The reamer is made up of a cutting form and a central guide, in which the guide is supported at the center of the cutting form by a bar structure. The bar structure includes portions which connect to and extend radially between the central guide and a peripheral edge of the cutting form. Optionally, the central guide includes a surface offset from a plane of the bar structure to a degree which enables that surface to contact an associated surface referenced to the bone, in order to prevent the cutting form from plunging so far over the bone as to potentially damage the femoral stem. This offset surface is preferably polished to reduce friction during relative rotational movement between this surface and the surface referenced to the bone. The offset surface is an axially perpendicular surface of a boss through which the drill pin is guided.
US08182485B1
A bone fracture fixation system configured towards the treatment of a variety of different human bone fractures. The fracture fixation system including a plate portion configured to abut bone structure and having a plurality of threaded apertures designed to matingly receive a plurality of screws therein. The bone fracture fixation system will also include at least one scaffold building screw configured to extend through the plate portion and into the bone structure. The scaffold building screw will be configured to include any of a number of different configurations of bracing pegs and/or bracing screws therein to provide substantial structural integrity to the system.
US08182479B2
A surgical system including a surgical glove having support systems such as, but not limited to, lights, electrical cautery, suction, and irrigation. The surgical glove may include one or more lights, electrical cautery, suction, and irrigation positioned on distal ends of fingers of the surgical glove. The support systems may be controlled with switches positioned on the fingers upon which each support system is positioned. The switches may be operable with the thumb on the human hand upon which the surgical glove is attached. The surgical system may also include a surgical gown having a connection system for attaching support conduit to the surgical gown. The surgical system enables a surgeon to have a plurality of support systems immediately available and reduces entanglement problems endemic with conventional systems.
US08182474B2
Expandable laser catheters for utilizing laser energy to remove obstructions from body passages are described. In one embodiment, the laser catheter includes a shaftway having a distal end including a flexible portion configured in a series of radial folds. Multiple optical fibers, configured to transmit laser energy, extend along the shaftway and are attached to the flexible portion. An inflatable, ring-shaped balloon is attached to the catheter within the flexible portion. In use, the catheter is inserted into a body passage such as an artery, and advanced until the distal end is adjacent to an obstruction. The balloon is inflated to expand the flexible portion and to bring the optical fibers nearer the inner wall of the body passage. Laser energy is directed by the optical fibers toward targeted regions of the obstruction. As the catheter is advanced and the process repeated, a core is formed from the obstruction and contained within the flexible portion. The flexible portion is then contracted to hold the core, and the core is removed from the body passage by withdrawing the catheter.
US08182470B2
A telescopic insertion axis, a robotic surgical system including the telescopic insertion axis, and a method of instrument insertion are provided. In one embodiment, a telescopic insertion axis includes a base link operably coupled to a distal end of a manipulator arm, and a carriage link movably coupled to the base link along a lengthwise axis, the carriage link including an instrument interface.
US08182466B2
A dual braided catheter shaft includes a flat wire forming the inner braid, thereby potentially allowing for reduced radial thickness of the shaft. In one embodiment, the shaft (100) includes an inner polymer jacket (104), an inner braid (106) formed on the inner jacket (104), an intermediate jacket (108) formed over the inner braid (106), an outer braid (110) formed on the intermediate jacket (108) and an outer jacket (112) formed on the outer braid (110). A preferred construction process involves extruding polymer material directly onto each of the inner and outer braids (106 and 110) so that little or no air gaps remain between the polymer material and the braids (106 and 110). The braiding parameters of the inner and outer braids (106 and 110) can be varied along the length of the catheter to provide varying mechanical properties.
US08182462B2
A modular external infusion device that controls the rate a fluid is infused into an individual's body, which includes a first module and a second module. More particularly, the first module may be a pumping module that delivers a fluid, such as a medication, to a patient while the second module may be a programming module that allows a user to select pump flow commands. The second module is removably attachable to the first module.
US08182456B2
Absorbent articles having a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet are disclosed. The absorbent articles include a plasto-elastic material joined to or disposed on at least one of component of the absorbent article to impart sizing or shaping capabilities to the article. The plasto-elastic material has substantially plastic properties when said absorbent article is subjected to an initial strain cycle, for example, when the article is placed on a wearer, and has substantially elastic properties when subjected to a second strain cycle such as when the article is subsequently adjusted to conform to the size of the wearer. The absorbent article can be in the form of diapers, pull-on diapers, training pants, sanitary napkins, wipes, bibs, incontinence briefs or inserts.
US08182447B2
An improved pump, reservoir and reservoir piston are provided for controlled delivery of fluids. A motor is operably coupled to a drive member, such as a drive screw, which is adapted to advance a plunger slide in response to operation of the motor. The plunger slide is removably coupled to the piston. Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for automatically detecting an occlusion in a medication infusion pump are provided. The electrical current to an infusion pump may be measured. Based on measurements of one or more variables, and/or multiple measurements of a single variable, such as force, the infusion pump detects whether there is an occlusion in the system. The methods of detecting occlusions may be dynamic.
US08182446B2
Catheter balloon assemblies (10) for delivering a therapeutic agent to a body vessel are provided, as well as related methods of manufacturing and methods of treatment. The catheter balloon assemblies may include a concentrically disposed dual balloon assembly at the distal portion of the catheter having an inner balloon (44), a porous outer balloon (42) concentrically arrayed around the inner balloon and a catheter shaft (30) adapted to deliver a therapeutic agent to the body vessel through the apertures in the outer balloon. Radial outward expansion of the inner balloon may urge the outer balloon into contact with the wall of a body vessel, where the therapeutic agent may be delivered from the catheter shaft through apertures in the outer balloon directly to the wall of the body vessel. Preferably, the catheter balloon assemblies include a stiffening′ member (210) within the proximal portion and/or a plurality of lumens lined with a fluorinated hydrocarbon to independently inflate the inner balloon, deliver the therapeutic agent through the outer balloon and house a wire guide (50). The catheter balloon assemblies may provide improved tractability and/or pushability characteristics.
US08182433B2
Apparatus is provided for diagnosing or treating an organ or vessel, wherein a deformable body having at least two optical fiber sensors disposed in a distal extremity thereof is coupled to processing logic programmed to compute a multi-dimensional force vector responsive to detected changes in the optical characteristics of the optical fiber sensors arising from deflection of the distal extremity resulting from contact with the tissue of the wall of the organ or vessel. The force vector may be used to facilitate manipulation of the deformable body either directly or automatically using a robotic system.
US08182431B2
Method and System for characterizing an incident pressure wave in a hearing test. The method includes introducing a sound signal of a predetermined frequency and amplitude into an ear canal, measuring at least a sound pressure level (Pm) in the ear canal, processing information associated with the sound pressure level, obtaining at least an acoustic reflectance (R) based on information associated with the sound pressure level, and determining an incident wave pressure parameter (P+) in the ear canal according to the following formula: P + = P m 1 + R .
US08182428B2
An acoustic probe transmits/receives acoustic pulses with frequencies both in a high frequency (HF), and a selectable amount of lower frequency (LF1, LF2, . . . , LFn, . . . ) bands. The radiation surfaces of at least two of the multiple frequency bands have a common region. The arrays and elements can be of a general type such as annular arrays, phased or switched arrays, linear arrays with division in both azimuth and elevation direction, like a 1.5D, a 1.75D and a full 2D array, or curved arrays. The element division, array type, and array aperture sizes for the different bands can also be different.
US08182427B2
An ultrasonic imaging apparatus captures a plurality of B-mode images of a same cross section respectively by a plurality of linear scans with different directional ultrasonic beams and creates and displays a compound image from the plurality of B-mode images. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes a device for capturing an image to capture a plurality of B-mode images respectively by a linear scan with an ultrasonic beam steered to a reference direction and a linear scan or scans with an ultrasonic beam or beams steered to one or more directions different from the reference direction, a device for creating an image to create a compound image using the plurality of B-mode images, and a display device to display the compound image.
US08182425B2
The methods of this invention relate to means for measuring skin hydration. The methods of this invention utilize at least two wavelengths filtered by at least two polarizers to create digital images of skin treated with personal care products. The methods are useful for demonstrating the efficacy of skin care products intended to increase skin hydration and/or protect the skin from dehydration, even when such dehydration is not apparent to the naked eye.
US08182417B2
A component-based system for assembling articulating mechanisms that generally includes a variety of link, joint, central and spacer components together with connecting cables of varying lengths.
US08182413B2
A method for supporting a urethra of a patient includes making an incision on an upper wall of a vagina of the patient and inserting a first end of a surgical implant through the incision and on a first side of a urethra of the patient. The first end of the surgical implant has a first fixing zone with a retaining portion that is formed of a fiber entanglement and a mesh.
US08182409B2
Embodiments of a centrifuge comprise a housing, a rotatable shaft extending upwardly into the housing and comprising a rare earth metal magnet disposed adjacent an upper surface of the rotatable shaft and a centrifuge basket configured to rotate with the rotatable shaft and magnetically coupled to the rare earth metal magnet of the rotatable shaft.
US08182406B2
A machine for intended use in feeding and completing a partially formed carton is disclosed. In one embodiment, the machine includes an overhead conveyor with selectively actuated, depending lugs that engage and convey the carton in a first direction while a first flap on a lid is folded and sealed. A takeaway conveyor includes selectively actuated, upstanding lugs that convey the carton in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction while second and third flaps are folded and sealed. The lugs on each conveyor may be closely spaced or overlapping to allow for selective actuation at a desired instant without the need for timing the corresponding chain or the carton feed to the machine. A diverter located at a transition between the forward and return runs of the overhead and takeaway conveyors actuates the lugs in a controlled fashion. Related methods of feeding and forming cartons are also disclosed.
US08182404B2
The invention provides for the replacement of the cutting plate (15) and the press die (16) to be carried out automatically, specifically with the aid of a positioning device for positioning the stack of printed sheets (11) to be trimmed under the press die (16). In this way, the automatic conversion of the automatic three-knife trimmer for a format change is possible without a significant change to the automatic three-knife trimmer. Only the control system of the positioning device has to be changed and expanded. The positioning device (21) automatically ensures that the new press die (16) and the new cutting plate (15) are positioned exactly. In particular, the positioning of the die plate (19) under the format plate (18) can be carried out automatically by means of the positioning device with the required high accuracy, to be specific with higher accuracy than would be possible manually.
US08182400B1
A pole has upper and lower ends and upper, lower and intermediate regions. A rope has interior and exterior ends. The rope is fabricated of a flexible material. An interior connector couples the interior end of the rope to the lower region of the pole. A weight is provided. An exterior connector couples the exterior end of the rope to the interior extent of the weight.
US08182396B2
A method for delaying shift and throttle commands based on engine speed comprises establishing a predetermined threshold engine speed. Shift and throttle commands are calculated based on the position of a control lever which allows an operator to manually control shift and throttle functions. Execution of the shift and throttle commands is delayed if the engine speed is above the predetermined maximum threshold engine speed.
US08182394B2
Provided is a device for performing speed change not leading to engine stall in a working vehicle such as a wheel loader while sustaining a required tractive force and reducing fuel consumption. When a speed (“forward”, “second speed”) suitable for a work is selected by a speed change operator, control means makes a modulation clutch engaged in response to the vehicle speed drop and makes a lock-up state where a lock-up clutch is engaged transit to a lock-up and modulation clutch slip state where the lock-up clutch is engaged while the modulation clutch slips. Subsequently, the control means performs a clutch control for causing a transition to both clutch slip state where the lock-up clutch and the modulation clutch slip in response to the vehicle speed drop, hence causing the transition to a torque converter operation state where the modulation clutch is engaged and the lock-up clutch is released.
US08182388B2
A dual clutch transmission for a front-transverse arrangement including a dual clutch and two partial transmissions (PG1, PG2). Each of the two clutches (K1, K2) of the dual clutch acts on one coaxial transmission input shaft (AW1, AW2), which acts upon a partial transmission (PG1, PG2). The partial transmissions are designed as planetary transmissions (PG1, PG2) that are to be shifted in a positive manner. The output is located on the same side of the transmission as the input and is axially parallel to the input in the same rotational direction. Torque is transmitted through the dual clutch transmission to the output shaft (Ab) by way of at least one intermediate shaft (W1, W2) that is parallel to the transmission input shafts (AW1, AW2).
US08182383B2
A plate-link chain composed of a large number of plates that form plate sets, where adjacent plate sets are hingedly connected to each other by pairs of rocker members. The rocker members of a rocker member pair have rolling surfaces that bear against each other. Some plate sets, preferably every second one, have a cover plate on their outwardly-facing sides, and the two rocker members associated with the plate set provided with the cover plates are received in receiving openings of the cover plates, and are pressed into them. At least one of the openings has relief cuts on both ends of a contact surface contacted by the rolling surface of the received rocker member, with the cover plate opening having a third relief cut.
US08182381B2
A wheel turns about a fixed shaft to reel in or pay out an aperture closure member. A motor provides drive to the wheel through a belt. The motor is mounted on a slider plate which can slide relative to a fixed plate, which is secured to the shaft. As the slider plate slides away from the shaft, the belt comes into tension allowing the motor to drive the wheel.
US08182380B2
A power transmission device is capable of switching the rotation direction of a drive shaft between positive rotation and negative rotation as power is transmitted to the drive shaft from a drive source via the power transmission device. To cause positive rotation of the drive shaft, only the positive rotation belt is tensed by the belt switching means, and rotation from the positive rotation drive pulley is transmitted to the drive shaft via the positive rotation shaft. To cause negative rotation of the drive shaft, only the negative rotation belt is tensed by the belt switching means, and rotation from the negative rotation drive pulley is transmitted to the drive shaft via the negative rotation shaft.
US08182376B2
A weighting system for a sports stick, particularly a field hockey stick, comprising a surface, recess, channel, hole or plurality of pockets formed along the length of the sports stick, and one or more weights moveably or selectively attachable along the surface and/or within the channel/pockets to allow a player to freely adjust the weight and balance point of the stick by slideably moving to or selectively adding or eliminating weight and points along the stick. A variety of embodiments are herein described, all providing an adjustable field hockey stick that allows players to adapt to play on different surfaces or in different conditions.
US08182367B2
The invention provides a golf ball having a core and one or more cover layer encasing the core, wherein at least one cover layer is formed by injection-molding a single resin composition of primarily (A) a thermoplastic polyurethane and (B) a polyisocyanate compound, and at least some polyisocyanate compound in which all the isocyanate groups on the molecule remain in an unreacted state is present in the resin composition. The golf ball has a high rebound, an excellent spin performance and an excellent scuff resistance, and the cover layer-forming resin composition has excellent flow properties and an excellent cover layer manufacturability.
US08182362B2
A weight piece (14) containing 15 wt. % or greater of iron and tungsten, and having a specific gravity of 9 or larger, larger than a material of a head body (10) made of steel or pure iron, is joined to the head body (10) by welding.
US08182361B2
A changeable grip 12 for a shock imparting implement has a gripping sleeve 18 positioned on a handle sleeve 15 attached to a handle 14. A lower end of gripping sleeve 18 abuts a ledge 28 integrally formed in the handle sleeve 15. A threaded cap 20 compresses the gripping sleeve 18 against the ledge 28 to secure the grip 12 to the handle sleeve 15. Optional splines 40 on an outer surface of the handle sleeve 15 meshing with channels 42 in the gripping sleeve 18 function to prevent slippage or rotation during use.
US08182360B2
A golf club with a rigid shaft band is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a golf club with a rigid shaft band that is placed at a precise location on the shaft itself, utilizing a precise taper within the internal surface of the rigid shaft band to control the location. Even more specifically, the rigid shaft band may be placed at a distance that is greater than about 1 inch and less than about 3 inches away from the butt end of the golf club with a tapered internal surface of greater than about 0.573 degrees and less than about 1.146 degrees.
US08182355B2
An apparatus includes a support frame, a resilient member, a seat, and a retainer. The resilient member has a first end portion configured to be coupled to the support frame and a second end portion, opposite from the first end portion. The seat is configured to be coupled to the second end portion such that the seat is suspended from the support frame by the resilient member. At least one of the first end portion and the second end portion includes multiple sleeves, each defining an opening therein. A portion of the retainer is configured to be disposed within a first one of the sleeves and coupled to at least one of the seat and the support frame such that a position of the seat relative to the support frame is adjustable by disposing the portion of the retainer within a second one of the sleeves.
US08182348B2
A method and system are disclosed for comparing the performance of a participant in an event that includes movement along a course to another performance. The performance by the participant is monitored. Using a geographic database that represents the area in which the course is located, the participant's performance is compared to another performance. Then, the participant is provided with information comparing the performances.
US08182338B2
A method for playing wagering games at which players are eligible for a progressive game includes, responsive to receiving wager inputs from players, conducting wagering games in which players are eligible to win a progressive game. The method includes funding the progressive game by a portion of the wager inputs. The progressive game has a certain number of fund pools, each fund pool receiving a substantially equivalent share of the funding portion. The method also includes displaying a progressive-game award value that is substantially equivalent to an amount of one of the fund pools. In response to a player triggering a progressive-award winning outcome, a plurality of selectable elements are displayed to the player, each selectable element being associated with a progressive-game award multiplier that increases the progressive-game award value to an enhanced-progressive-award value. The progressive game multiplier dictates the number of the fund pools to be used to award the enhanced-progressive-award value to the player.
US08182334B2
A system or method providing a player to cashout half of credits accumulated during gaming. Anonymous cashing out of credit is available to a player through routes both external and internal to a gaming machine.
US08182332B2
A gaming machine comprises a display and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display and, if a predefined winning event occurs, a prize is awarded. A plurality of sub-games constitute the game displayed on the display. As an initial display, fewer than a full set of images of each of the sub-games are displayed to show a partial outcome of the game, the fewer than the full set of images being representative of a determination of an expected value for each of the sub-games.
US08182329B2
A jackpot triggering method comprising: determining a jackpot trigger value from a current value of at least one jackpot trigger parameter; generating a submission value in response to receipt of a contribution associated with a gaming device participating in the jackpot, by using a value of at least one contribution parameter associated with the contribution as a seed value to randomly generate the submission value; and making a jackpot award if the submission value corresponds to the jackpot trigger value.
US08182323B2
In a playing method of a card game, a predetermined number of cards are dealt to a player as player's cards, a predetermined number of cards are dealt to a banker as banker's cards, and a side BET different from a normal BET is placed. A result of a game is determined by comparing a hand of the player's cards with a hand of the banker's cards, when the banker should not fold. It is determined whether or not the banker should fold following a rule different from a previous rule on condition that the side BET is placed, when the banker should fold, and the result of the game is determined by comparing the hand of the player's cards with the hand of the banker's cards, when the banker should not fold.
US08182321B2
A method and system for playing jackpot and casino games are provided. The method includes playing a baccarat or felt table game which allows a player to bet on jackpot and includes dealing cards to a player hand and a bank hand, allowing one player to place a bet on live baccarat or felt table game, allowing another player to place a bet on jackpot and determining the outcome of the live baccarat game according to the set of conventional casino game rules, and determining the outcome of the jackpot according to a combination of cards. Winning the jackpot is by from about 5% to about 100% of the jackpot. The system includes a betting terminal for playing the games according to the method.
US08182318B2
In a manufacturing method for a grinding wheel in which a plurality of wheel chips each composed of an abrasive grain layer containing superabrasive grains and a foundation layer are adhered to a core attached to a wheel spindle carried by a wheel head of a grinding machine to be drivingly rotatable about a rotational axis and in which a grinding surface formed on the abrasive grain layers grinds a workpiece, drivingly rotatably supported by a workpiece support device of the grinding machine, in contact at a grinding point, the method forms green wheel chips each having opposite ends in a wheel circumferential direction inclined relative to the wheel circumferential direction, bakes the green wheel chips to form baked wheel chips, and adheres the plurality of baked wheel chips to the core so that an oblique groove is formed between adjoining abrasive grain layers.
US08182311B2
A device for abrasive machining, comprising a substantially cup shaped to rough rotatable around an axis and having an inner chamber and a disk-shaped to working element at its one axial end; and immovable holder attachable to a machine to and surrounding at least a portion of said working element at an opposite axial end at a distance therebetween so as to form a passage for passing a cooling liquid; and a helical guiding means provided in said passage so that during rotation of said tool inside said holder the cooling liquid is supplied through the substantially helical guide into said inner chamber of said tool toward said working element.
US08182302B2
An organic electroluminescent device and method for fabricating the same are provided. The organic electroluminescent device comprises an anode. An organic luminescent layer is formed over the anode. A partially light-transmitting layer is formed over the organic luminescent layer. A protection layer is formed over the partially light-transmitting layer. A reflection-reducing layer is formed over the protection layer. A cathode is formed over the reflection-reducing layer.
US08182301B2
A flat panel display, and method of fabricating the same, including a substrate having a display portion and a pad that is arranged on the substrate and is electrically coupled with the display portion. The pad includes a pad electrode arranged on the substrate, a passivation layer arranged on the pad electrode and having only one contact hole that exposes the pad electrode, and a transparent electrode arranged on the passivation layer and the pad electrode. The passivation layer may alternatively have a plurality of contact holes that expose the pad electrode. In this case, the reflective layer pattern is arranged on the passivation layer and the pad electrode, and it exposes portions of the pad electrode in the contact holes. Furthermore, the transparent electrode would be arranged on the reflective layer pattern and the exposed portions of the pad electrode.
US08182276B2
The invention relates to a multi-way sliding plug (11), comprising a housing (13) and at least two plug contacts (40,50) of differing standards, which can be slid into the housing (13) into a passive position and out of the housing into an active position. Said plug contacts (40,50) each have a slide (47,57) with an operating head (15) and electrically conducting pins (41,43,45;51,53,55). The individual plug contacts (40,50) have three electrically conducting pins (41,43,45;51,53,55) on a common slider. At least two of said slides (47,57) are in a C-shape and arranged in opposition with the ends of the C-shape between the ends of the C-shape of the other slider (47,57).
US08182274B1
A power converter having a pivotable and receivable power plug has a housing, an adapter board, a power output unit and a plug. The adapter board and the power output unit are mounted inside the housing. The adapter board has two conducting strips and a grounding strip. Each conducting strip has a shaft holder formed by bending a free end of the conducting strip, and two metal pivot shafts formed on two opposite sides of the plug are pivotally and respectively mounted in the shaft holders. The plug has a ground plate having a first engagement portion formed thereon. The grounding strip has a second engagement portion formed therein in a pivoting path of the plug to engage the first engagement portion and position the plug when the plug is pivoted and protrudes beyond the housing. Accordingly, the power converter can have a pivotable and receivable plug with minimum parts.
US08182273B2
A power semiconductor module having a housing, a pressure member, a substrate including at least one contact surface, and at least one connection element leading towards the exterior of the housing. The connection element has a first contact device, a resilient section and a second contact device. The pressure member has two stop elements. The first contact device is electrically conductively connected to the contact surfaces of the substrate. The second contact device is arcuate in shape and has at least one deformation at the beginning and at the end of the arc, wherein, as a result of the deformations of the second contact device co-operating with the two stop elements of the pressure member, the connection element is prestressed.
US08182271B2
A system and method for certifying a trainee to use a device is disclosed. The system and method include a testing computer configured to create an answer log containing at least one answer given by the trainee to at least one question of a certification test and a centralized grading server in communication with the testing computer, the centralized grading server configured to receive the answer log from the testing computer, evaluate the answer log to determine if the trainee has passed the certification test, and provide a license file providing a license file if the trainee passes the certification test.
US08182256B2
By provision of a plurality of rolling rubber rolls 70 each adapted for a sliding contact with an outer circumferential surface of a central rotational shaft 20 and a sliding contact with an inner circumferential surface of an outer tube 40, an annular space between the central rotational shaft 20 and the outer tube 40 is divided by the rolling rubber rolls 70 in the circumferential direction into a plurality of heat medium chambers 91, 92, 93, and 94, the plurality of heat medium chambers being each respectively configured for individual conduction of heat medium.
US08182250B2
A hydraulic device includes a gerotor assembly, a wobble stick, an output shaft, a housing assembly, first and second ports, first and second brake disks, a piston, and a biasing member. The gerotor assembly includes a rotor and a stator. The housing assembly receives the gerotor assembly, the wobble stick and the output shaft. The first and second ports are in communication with the gerotor assembly. The piston is disposed in the housing assembly adjacent at least one of the brake disks. The piston cooperates with the housing assembly to define a brake pressure chamber. The housing assembly and the first and second ports are configured such that pressurization of either port results in pressurization of the brake pressure chamber. The biasing member is disposed in the housing and contacts the piston. The biasing member urges the piston toward at least one of the brake disks.
US08182242B2
A compressor vibration isolation mount for isolating the vibrations of a compressor from the rest of a structure includes at least one frame; and at least one gimbal coupling the compressor to the at least one frame for partial rotation about at least one primary axis of rotation.
US08182232B2
A wind turbine blade having an aerodynamic profile (5) with a leading edge (11), a trailing edge (13) and suction and pressure sides (17, 19) between the leading edge (11) and the trailing edge (13) which has, on at least one part of the wind turbine blade, a Trailing Edge Region (TER), the transversal section of which increases in the direction of the trailing edge (13). Said trailing edge region (TER) preferably has a divergent form with a curved concave surface on its lower part.
US08182222B2
A spinner mounting at least one propeller hub and having a blade platform for each hub formed on the spinner body formed from a thermal insulating material capable of withstanding exhaust gasses. The platform is formed in a shape that presents an aerodynamic surface in the direction of travel of the system, preferably at a predetermined effective blade angle so as to act in concert with the blade and the gas path to minimize drag or to optimize thrust. The system may include two sets of propeller blades, and each includes a spinner and blade platform.
US08182214B2
A pond pump comprising an impeller (2) which rotates about an axis of rotation (X) within a pump housing (1). The pump housing (1) comprises a suction inlet (11) that is coaxial to the impeller (2), a pressure outlet (14) for the water that is to be conducted, the pressure outlet (14) being disposed in a radial to tangential direction relative to the impeller (2), and a counterflow plate (12) between the suction inlet (11) and the pressure outlet (14). The impeller (2) is fitted with a radially disposed disk (22) with vanes (21) that are arranged on one side thereof. The counterflow plate (12) is on the impeller side encompassing the vanes (21) while channels (23) that are formed between the vanes (21) have a cross-section which tapers from the inner radial face to the outer face.
US08182212B2
An assembly is disclosed for forming a fluid-tight seal between a pump housing and a seal plate. The housing includes a first flange with a first plurality of apertures formed therein, and the seal plate includes a second flange with a second plurality of apertures formed therein. A gasket is provided between the pump housing and the seal plate. A plurality of inserts extend through the first plurality of apertures, and a plurality of spacers extend through the second plurality of apertures. A plurality of threaded connectors are used to couple the seal plate to the pump housing to form a fluid-tight seal. The dimensions of the inserts and spacers are selected so as to inhibit crushing of the gasket and the flanges when the connectors are fully tightened.
US08182207B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a turbine which includes an outer shell, an inner shell connected to and surrounded by the outer shell in generally concentric relation therewith, at least one turbine rotor housed within the inner shell, a plurality of nozzles and shrouds carried by the inner shell, a plurality of connecting elements engaging between the inner and outer shells aligning the inner shell about the rotor, and at least one compliant support. Embodiments of the present disclosure also relates a method of configuring the securing arrangement between the inner shell and the outer shell of a turbine.
US08182205B2
A gas turbine engine is provided comprising a compressor with an insulated cooling circuit. The compressor comprises a compressor casing having a compression chamber and at least one stator and at least one rotor disposed in the compression chamber, the at least one stator comprising a stator body having a plurality of tubes for transporting cooling air through passages in the stator body into the compression chamber. The plurality of tubes are surrounded by an air gap for insulating the tubes from the stator body.
US08182204B2
A gas turbine engine is provided having an annular duct having an inner duct wall and an outer duct wall. At least one strut extends between the inner duct wall and the outer duct wall. The strut has an aerodynamic shape. At least one vane located circumferentially adjacent the strut and axially behind a leading edge of the strut, and an aerodynamic deflector located circumferentially between each strut and each vane. The aerodynamic deflector may positioned axially upstream of a flow separation point which would otherwise be caused by the strut.
US08182190B2
An unloading station and method for unloading bulk material from a moving railcar with a bottom discharge while the railcar is moving includes a track with a pair of rails. A synchronized parallel conveyor is oriented parallel with the pair of rails and forms a movable platform capable of receiving the bulk material in a pile extending into the railcar and drawing the pile along in synchronization with the railcar as the railcar moves. A hopper is disposed below a break in or end of the parallel conveyor to receive the bulk material. A lateral conveyor disposed under the hopper to convey the bulk material away from the hopper.
US08182185B2
A screw (11) includes at least one thread (21) arranged on the screw shaft (12); circumferentially surrounding the shaft (12) at least in some regions, and having a thread pilot (22) located in the free region (15) of the shaft (12) and a plurality of recesses (31) provided in the thread (21) and opening radially outwardly, with the recesses (31) each having a first limiting wall (32) adjacent to the thread pilot (22) and a second limiting wall (33) remote from the thread pilot (22), and a plurality of cutting bodies (26) formed of a material having a hardness greater than a hardness of the thread, located in the recesses (31) formed in the thread (21) and having each a longitudinal axis (27) and an outer surface (28) surrounding the axis (27) at a distance therefrom, with the recesses (31) each having a bearing section (34) with a plurality of generatrices extending substantially along a course of the thread (21) for receiving, at least in some regions, the outer surface (28) of a respective cutting body (26).
US08182181B2
A cargo carrier tie-down assembly that utilizes a fastener made up of a shackle element that includes a wall in a form that is closed in two dimensions, defining an opening and wherein the wall also defines a pair of opposed apertures, a pin that can be inserted through the two apertures and a knob fastener element, having a head, that is sized to be passed through the opening when the pin is withdrawn from the wall, and that is retained when the pin is inserted into the two apertures. A tension member has one of the fastener elements attached to at least one end. The other fastener element is attached to the cargo carrier.
US08182180B2
The removable tie-down device is comprised of a plurality of straps that are attached to each other in such a way as to form a tie-down device for the safe transportation of a cylindrical object, for example a propane tank, in the bed of a pickup truck by securing the propane tank to the inside of the trucks tailgate. When in use, two main straps pass from a readily available conventional tightening device down the vertical side and under the bottom rounded shoulders and to both sides of the base ring of the propane tank positioned vertically against the inside of the tailgate and standing on the truck bed. These two main straps then pass under the bottom edge, up the vertical outside surface and over the top surface of the tailgate, and then pass over the tank to connect to the tightening device.
US08182171B2
A method for renovating a well curb by lifting it to a first position, whereafter a compressible device is positioned around the well curb. Hereafter the well curb is lowered to a second position so that the compressible device is abutting the upper edge of the well, whereafter a casting material is injected into the cavity between the surface dressing and a filling around the well. Finally the well curb is lowered to a third and final position. Also, a compressible device for use in the method.
US08182170B1
A fluid line indicator system includes a roadway that has a lateral edge. A curb is positioned adjacent to and extends along the lateral edge. The curb has an upper surface. A disc has a top side, a bottom side and a perimeter edge. A post is attached to and extending downwardly from a central area of the bottom side. The post is imbedded into the upper surface and the disc is imbedded into the curb. A panel is mounted on the disc and completely covers the top side, the panel comprising a reflector. The post is positioned in an area adjacent to a fluid access point to indicate placement of the fluid access point.
US08182165B2
An action ornament composes of a decoration housing formed by a front and back cases, a main body which engages with said housing, a linkage unit which is partially provided inside the main body and a protracting element hidden and incorporated in the housing and jointed with the linkage unit. A seat is provided on the top of the main body for engaging the case. A hollow tube for attaching a rod object is provided to the bottom of said seat. To actuate the mechanism, a pin is pulled down, driving the linkage unit and causing the housing to open slightly and exposing the protracting element.
US08182162B2
A barcode label retention device is provided for a barcode printer. The barcode label retention device includes s at least one pair of label roll retainers, at least one pair of resilient elements, and at least one pair of fixing plates. The label roll retainers are mounted inside a housing of a barcode printer and spaced from each other to receive and retain a label roll therebetween. The resilient elements are arranged inside each label roll retainer, and the fixing plates are arranged inside each label roll retainer. The fixing plate is connected to the resilient element to provide the fixing plate with resiliency for inward depressibility or outward biasing so that a front portion of the fixing plate projects inwards beyond the label roll retainer to abut against opposite ends of the label roll, whereby the label roll can be securely held by the two fixing plates engaging the opposite ends thereof and the path of a winding/unwinding operation can be stabilized.
US08182155B2
A lubricating grease is provided which is excellent in durability at high temperatures, inhibits the reaction between fluorine and steel and has a long life and a rolling bearing in which the lubricating grease is enclosed. The lubricating grease contains perfluoropolyether oil as a base oil thereof and fluorocarbon resin powder as a thickener thereof, a diurea compound having an —NH— bond in the molecular structure thereof, an organic-acid metal salt or a bismuth-containing compound such as bismuth sulfate. The rolling bearing has an inner ring and an outer ring disposed concentrically with each other, a plurality of rolling elements interposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, and a retainer dividedly holding the rolling elements.
US08182152B2
A liner for use in a bulk container is provided. The liner comprises a first flexible panel a second flexible panel and a first seal joining the first and second panels and a second seal joining the first and second panels. The first flexible panel comprises at least one ply of thermoplastic material and the second flexible panel comprises at least one ply of material that has a higher heat threshold than the at least one ply contained in the first flexible panel.
US08182143B2
Ambient temperature for a temperature sensor can be calculated using a mobile temperature sensor system that samples air from the boundary layer around a mobile platform and passes the air through a measurement cell containing two flush-mounted or embedded sensor elements. A common reference voltage can be applied by control circuitry to minimize drift in the sensor element readings and to calculate the ambient temperature.
US08182142B2
A temperature measuring apparatus includes a light source, a first splitter, a second splitter, a reference beam reflector, an optical path length adjuster, a reference beam transmitting member, a first to an nth measuring beam transmitting member and a photodetector. The temperature measuring apparatus further includes an attenuator that attenuates the reference beam reflected from the reference beam reflector to thereby make an intensity thereof closer to an intensity of the measurement beam reflected from the temperature measurement object.
US08182132B2
A microdevice for multistage-mixing of process fluids which has plurality of freely-detachable units connected to each other without using pipes, wherein a microchannel for flow of the process fluids and a channel for flow of a heat-exchange medium are formed in the microdevice by mutual connection of a plurality of the units and the microdevice is locally and independently temperature-controllable.
US08182116B2
A recessed lighting fixture providing illumination from a light source including a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) placed within a cavity of a planar surface, such as a ceiling, wall, or shower. The fixture comprises a baffle integrated with a low profile heat sink that is used to draw heat out of the fixture and communicate that heat to a trim ring of the fixture for dissipation of the heat in the room so that higher intensity light sources can be used. Improved grounding of the recessed trim unit to the recessed housing is provided with combination support and grounding springs. One embodiment of the light source is fixed in position while a second embodiment is gimbal mounted for aiming the light produced by the fixture.
US08182115B2
Disclosed is a light source device that has lower costs and lower power consumption compared to a halogen lamp, and has the same spectral characteristics as the halogen lamp. The light source device includes a white LED that emits White light having an emission peak in a blue range and an optical filter that partially reduces the quantity of light in the blue range in the white light emitted from the white LED such that the spectral characteristics of the white light emitted from the white LED are close to those of light emitted from a halogen lamp.
US08182114B2
A display. A casing includes an opening. A light guide plate is disposed in the casing. A display panel is disposed in the casing and is adjacent to the light guide plate. A light-guiding member is movably disposed in the opening and includes a first light-permeable portion, a second light-permeable portion, and at least one non-light-permeable portion. The first light-permeable portion is opposite the second light-permeable portion. The non-light-permeable portion is disposed between the first and second light-permeable portions. When the light-guiding member is moved to a first position, the second light-permeable portion connects to the light guide plate and light in the exterior of the casing enters the light guide plate via the first and second light-permeable portions. When the light-guiding member is moved to a second position, the non-light-permeable portion connects to the light guide plate and the light does not enter the light guide plate.
US08182110B2
A lighting apparatus includes a light source having a plurality of light-emitting-diodes and a lens assembly with a lens and a lens holder. The lens includes a body member having an outer surface shaped to provide total internal reflection and an interior open channel extending longitudinally through the body member. The body member has a first end region for accommodating the light source and a second end region that includes a plurality of refractive surface regions positioned around the open channel. The lens holder has a concave interior surface shaped to accommodate the optical body member of the lens and a convex exterior surface. The holder has multiple clips for securing the lens and three or more support members extending from the exterior surface toward the first end.
US08182098B2
Provided is a projection optical system. The projection optical system includes: A projection optical system comprising: a first optical part that comprises at least one optical lens, and projects and displays light beams; a second optical part that comprises an image forming element and at least one optical lens, and emits incident light beams as light beams with images; and a third optical part that comprises a light source unit and a deflector that is located between the first and second optical parts, and directs light beams emitted from the light source unit to the second optical part and directs the light beams with images emitted from the second optical part to the first optical part.
US08182094B2
A light source unit and an image projection apparatus are provided. The light source unit includes: a light source part including a light source and a reflective member which reflects light emitted from the light source; and an infrared ray dividing part which is provided corresponding to a shape of the reflective member, is spaced apart from the reflective member, and includes a blocking part to block part of infrared rays generated from the light source and passing through the reflective member and a passing part having an opening formed through the blocking part. The image projection apparatus includes the light source unit and a casing accommodating the light source unit.
US08182087B2
A method for producing a spectacle lens or a spectacle lens pair is provided according to the invention, comprising a calculation or optimization step of at least one of the surfaces of the spectacle lens in consideration of an anisometropia of the eyes of a spectacle wearer, the calculation or optimization step being performed in such a way that a target function is minimized. Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program product, a storage medium, a device for performing the method, and a spectacle lens pair and its use for correcting an anisometropia of a spectacle wearer.
US08182079B2
An image forming method includes the steps of: depositing an aggregating treatment liquid containing 10% or more and 90% or less of a water-soluble high-boiling-point organic solvent having an SP value of 30 or lower onto a recording medium; starting drying of the aggregating treatment liquid deposited on the recording medium within five seconds after the step of depositing the aggregating treatment liquid onto the recording medium; ejecting an ink containing 10% or more and 90% or less of a water-soluble high-boiling-point organic solvent having an SP value of 30 or lower in accordance with an image signal, so as to be superimposed on the aggregating treatment liquid deposited on the recording medium; and removing water contained in a solvent of the ink on the recording medium in such a manner that the water contained in the ink becomes 4 g/m2 or less when converted to a deposition volume.
US08182076B2
A fluid supply system for a printing device is disclosed. The fluid supply system includes an ink reservoir adapting member operatively disposed within an ink cartridge. The adapting member has an open end and an end opposed to the open end. The open end is adapted to have a filter disposed thereon. The opposed end is substantially angularly offset from the open end in a manner sufficient to substantially promote fluid and air migration toward a fluid conduit. A depth between the open end and the opposed end substantially varies along a length between two opposed sides of the adapting member. A predetermined area of the opposed end defines the fluid conduit, and the predetermined area is located at a region where the depth is substantially greatest. Further, the conduit is adapted to release fluid and air from the adapting member.
US08182072B2
There is provided a substrate for an inkjet printing head and a method for manufacturing the same, in which the substrate has a structure that different kinds of metals do not come into contact with ink or moisture. For this purpose, the structure is constituted such that a diffusion preventing layer for mainly protecting a lower layer among power wiring metals is covered by a metal layer for mainly supplying power, in connection with its upper surface and at least part of a side surface. Herewith, since a single metal appears on a surface of the power wiring including up to its side surface, even circumstance occurs of coming into contact with the ink or the moisture, a battery reaction accompanied by difference of ionization tendency is not generated, and thus corrosion or short-circuit of the power wiring is suppressed.
US08182068B2
A printhead includes a first nozzle bore, a liquid chamber, and a second nozzle bore. The liquid chamber is positioned between the first nozzle bore and the second nozzle bore and extends beyond the opening of the first nozzle bore. The first nozzle bore is in liquid communication with the second nozzle bore through the liquid chamber.
US08182067B2
A droplet discharge head includes: a liquid reservoir which holds a liquid; a channel through which the liquid is guided to the liquid reservoir; and a driving element which changes the pressure in the liquid reservoir so as to discharge droplets of the liquid contained in the liquid reservoir through a nozzle, in which wall surfaces of the liquid reservoir and of the nozzle are arranged in a continuous line at a side opposite the channel with respect to the center of the nozzle as seen in a cross-sectional view through a central axis of the nozzle.
US08182056B2
An appliance is provided that includes a storage compartment with a shelf within the storage compartment. A support apparatus is configured for supporting the shelf. The support apparatus can include a first support, a second support, three track surfaces and three bearings. The first support is configured to be attached to an interior wall of the storage compartment. Each of the track surfaces is located on the first support. The second support is configured to engage the first support by the bearings of the second support being received within a respective track surface located on the first support. The shelf can be attached to the second support of the support apparatus. The shelf and the second support are movable into a plurality of positions relative to the interior wall of the storage compartment by a movement of the shelf with respect to the track surfaces located on the first support.
US08182054B2
A retraction mechanism for a drawer includes a guiding member, a holding member, and an elastic member. The guiding member includes a first wall, a second wall, a first channel and a second channel, a first end portion extending from first ends of the first and second walls. The first end portion includes a locking portion adjacent to the first channel. The holding member includes a pin slot, and a first supporting portion and a second supporting portion to hold against the first and second channels, respectively. The first supporting portion includes a first supporting leg corresponding to the locking portion. The drawer includes a pin for engaging with or disengaging from the pin slot when the drawer is pulled or pushed. The elastic member is adapted to act on the holding member. The drawer urged by the elastic member will be retracted into a furniture body when the drawer is moved to a predetermined position.
US08182053B1
A bathroom cabinet includes a housing having an open face in communication with an interior storage compartment. A pivotal door is positioned over the open face to provide selective access to the interior chamber. The door includes a front mirror similar to that found on conventional bathroom cabinets. Behind the front mirror is an extendable mirror assembly including a slidable magnifying mirror and an auxiliary mirror. A user can extend and position the mirror assembly as necessary to closely view a reflected image without leaning or bending.
US08182049B2
A controller includes an initial current value calculation unit calculating an initial current value to open a normally open linear solenoid valve when a hydraulic pressure is shifted from a pressure reducing state or a pressure holding state to a pressure increasing state, a valve opening amount increasing unit reducing the energization amount from the initial current value so that a valve opening amount of the normally open linear solenoid valve increases, an offsetting necessity determination unit determining based on a predetermined condition whether or not the energization amount needs to be offset to an increase side when the valve opening amount increasing unit reduces the energization amount, and an energization amount offsetting unit offsetting at least once the energization amount to an increase side only for a predetermined time period when it is determined that such offsetting is necessary.
US08182046B1
In one embodiment, a securing mechanism for a gate of a bottom dump trailer includes a first securing mechanism portion adapted to be coupled to a first door of the gate of the bottom dump trailer. The securing mechanism also includes a second securing mechanism portion adapted to be coupled to a second door of the gate of the bottom dump trailer. The second securing mechanism portion is engageable with the first securing mechanism portion when the gate is closed. The securing mechanism also includes an electrical actuator to move a component of the securing mechanism into a plurality of positions including a locked position and an unlocked position. The securing mechanism may restrain the gate from opening when the first securing mechanism portion is engaged to the second securing mechanism portion and the electrical actuator moves the component into the locked position.
US08182040B2
A forward tiltable motor vehicle seat having a seat carrier, a seat back and a hinge mounting arranged therebetween. The hinge mounting has an upper hinge arm connected to the seat back and a lower hinge arm hinged to the seat carrier about a forward tilt axis. The hinge mounting comprises a locking device on one seat side and at least one detent bight that is arranged to move together with the upper hinge arm on the other seat side. A movable detent part is provided and comprises at least one detent projection that: cooperates with the detent bight, is normally not engaged with the detent bight, and when the seat back is tilted forward about the forward tilt axis, is at least ready for engagement with the detent bight or engaged therewith.
US08182036B2
A rocking chair (1) is provided with a seat (30), a projecting member (40) provided on the lower side of the seat (30) and having a convex surface (41a) forming a part of a spherical surface (b) centered on a point (A) located above the seat (30), swivel casters (20) in contact with the convex surface (41a) of the projecting member (40) and guiding the projecting member (40) such that the projecting member (40) can rock along the spherical surface (b), and a support member (10) for the chair. The swivel casters (20) are mounted such that the axes (a) of swivel shafts (22) of the swivel casters (20) pass through the center point (A) of the spherical surface (b), and the seat (30) is guided in the direction of a force applied by rollers (25) of the swivel casters (20). Rocking of the projecting member (40) is smoother than that in rocking chairs using ball casters instead of the swivel casters (20), and noise caused by rocking is drastically reduced. The chair can be produced inexpensively because the swivel casters are inexpensive.
US08182027B2
An attachment bracket for mounting a fender of a vehicle to a side structural member includes a top portion that connects to the fender. A first vertical leg connects to the side structural member. The first vertical leg extends downwardly from an edge of the top portion. A second vertical leg connects to the side structural member. The second vertical leg extends downwardly from an opposite edge of the top portion. The first vertical leg includes a bend separating the first vertical leg into an upper portion and a lower portion. The first vertical leg has a central opening at the bend that is spaced vertically from the top portion and a bottom end of the first vertical leg.
US08182017B2
A child seat mount assembly, a seat for mounting a child seat, and a passenger vehicle having a stowable child seat are provided. A seat back is connected to the body for closing an access opening to a storage compartment and seating an occupant in an upright position, and for opening the access opening in a collapsed position. A child seat mounting plate is connected to the seat back such that the mounting plate and child seat extend into the storage compartment in the upright position of the seat back, and such that the child seat is in a seating position in the collapsed position of the seat back. A method is provided for converting a vehicle seat for receiving and storing a child seat in the storage compartment, and for deploying a child seat in the collapsed position of the seat back.
US08182016B2
A seat assembly for a vehicle that is rotatable and removable. The seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a mounting assembly having a first portion that releasably attaches the seat bottom to the vehicle and a second portion. The second portion permits rotation of the seat bottom relative to the first portion and the vehicle and permits translation of the seat bottom relative to the first portion and the vehicle.
US08182012B1
An apparatus for increasing the cargo capacity of a pickup truck cargo bed area is disclosed. The apparatus has a base plate attached to the interior side of the tailgate of the pickup truck. A flat rectangular end-wall plate is pivotally attached the base plate. The end-wall plate has pivotally attached sidewall plates that fold, with the end-wall plate, onto the base plate. The truck cargo area is provided with adjustable mounting brackets to secure the sidewall plates to the truck cargo bed area when the apparatus is deployed for use. The apparatus may be folded and secured on the tailgate when it is not in use and unfolded and attached to the sidewall mounting brackets for deployment and use.
US08182011B2
This invention provides a slide deck device, for a vehicle, which prevents a slide deck from rattling with respect to a floor surface of a vehicle even if an upward load is applied to the side deck in a state where the slide deck is completely drawn into the vehicle. The slide deck device is provided with a supporting member 30 provided on a floor surface 15 and supporting an undersurface of a slide deck 20, a floor contact-member 52 provided on the floor surface, and a slide deck contact-member 60 provided on the undersurface of the slide deck. When the slide deck is located at the accommodated position, the slide deck contact-member is in contact with the undersurface of the floor contact-member.
US08182008B2
A carrying apparatus comprising: an upper portion having at least one terminal end cantileverly extending from a first point in the upper portion; a lower portion comprising at least one terminal end having a receiving area formed on a first side of the lower portion on which at least a looped handle of a carrying item may rest, wherein at least one terminal end of the upper portion engages in an interlocking operational relationship with at least one terminal end of the lower portion.
US08182004B2
An operating mechanism unit includes a motor, a worm wheel being rotated by the motor, a sector gear meshing with a pinion provided on one side of the worm wheel and rotating to an unlocking position and a locking position, switch levers connected to the sector gear and shifting to an unlocking position where engagement with a meshing mechanism is releasable and a locking position where the engagement cannot be released, and a key sub-lever pivotally supported on the same pivot on which the sector gear pivots. The key sub-lever is rotatable from a neutral position in an unlocking direction and a locking direction in synchronism with operation of a key cylinder so as to rotate the sector gear to the unlocking position by rotating in the unlocking direction and to rotate the sector gear in the locking direction by rotating in the locking direction.
US08181995B2
A conduit junction for use with an electrosurgical system includes a body having a lumen defined therein and at least one positioning structure. The lumen is configured to receive to receive at least a portion of a tubular structure. The tubular structure includes at least one of a conductor and a conduit of an electrosurgical system. The positioning structure is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the lumen and is adapted to position at least one of the conductor and the conduit within the body of the conduit junction. The body of the conduit junction may include a first section and a second section pivotably connected to each other. The positioning structure may include at least one rib pocket.
US08181984B1
A trailer accessory featuring a first half base and a second half base slidably attached to the first half base via a sliding mechanism, the first half base can slide in a first or second direction with respect to the second half base; handles disposed on the top surface of the base near the side edges; a support platform disposed in between handles; wherein when the accessory is used, the accessory is placed under the jack stand of the trailer with the second half base contacting the ground surface, the tongue of the trailer is positioned atop the support platform, a truck is backed up such that the hitch of the truck is in close proximity to the tongue of the trailer, and when the truck is stopped, the first half base can be slid so to align the tongue of the trailer with the hitch.
US08181980B1
An uncomplicated bicycle device for fastening a steering tube with a stem tube includes two compression rings and a fastening set. The compression ring is fixed on a stem opening by inserting the lateral surface portion into the stem tube and the protruding portion abutted against the stem opening. The steering tube is inserted into the compression rings. A fastening set includes a star nut placed into the steering tube, a cap covering the stem opening and abutted against the compression ring, a cap bolt for screwing the cap and the star nut together. The present invention only uses the compression rings and the fastening set instead of any thread structure and lock nuts for fastening the steering tube within the stem tube. Thus, the adjuster can quickly calibrate and assemble the steering tube within the stem tube again.
US08181979B2
A suspension fork for a bicycle includes at least one stanchion tube and at least one slider tube interacting therewith and a wheel receiving space adjacent thereto. The suspension fork includes a damper system with a damper chamber divided into a first chamber and a second chamber by a movable piston. The suspension fork further includes a damping device for the rebound stage and a damping device for the compression stage are provided. A shut-off valve is provided for selectively locking the rebound stage. The damper chamber comprises a connecting duct with a flow damper that connects the second chamber with the first chamber when the stanchion tube and the slider tube interacting therewith are compressed more than a predefined distance such that in the case of a forceful compression and with the shut-off valve of the rebound stage activated, slow decompression is allowed up to a damper position as defined by the predetermined distance.
US08181968B2
A piston ring includes a piston ring body and a surface coating film formed on at least one of upper and lower surfaces of the piston ring body. The surface coating film comprises a heat-resistant resin and a metal powder contained in the heat-resistant resin, and a phosphate coating film is formed, as base coating film of the surface coating film, on a surface on which the surface coating film of the piston ring body is formed.
US08181958B2
A stiffness detector includes a bending portion configured to bend a paper sheet to be carried. The stiffness detector transmits acoustic waves to an incidence point on an inner surface of the paper sheet which is bent by the bending portion and is carried, thereby exciting Lamb waves. The stiffness detector receives leaky waves of the Lamb waves emitted from a detection point on the inner surface of the paper sheet. The stiffness detector specifies a maximum crest value based on the received signals, and judges whether the paper sheet is an unimpaired sheet based on the specified maximum crest value.
US08181957B2
To provide a sheet conveying technique that can realize highly accurate skew correction with an inexpensive and simple apparatus configuration. A sheet conveying apparatus includes: first and second rollers that are arranged in positions different from each other in a direction orthogonal to a sheet conveying direction and can be driven to rotate independently from each other; a first skew detecting unit that is arranged on an upstream side or a downstream side of the first and second rollers in the sheet conveying direction and detects skew of a sheet at first skew detection accuracy; and a second skew detecting unit that is arranged further on the downstream side than the first skew detecting unit in the sheet conveying direction and detects skew of the sheet at second skew detection accuracy higher than the first skew detection accuracy. A skew amount of the sheet is determined on the basis of detection results of the respective first and second skew detecting units. To reduce the determined skew amount, the first and second rollers are driven to rotate independently from each other and convey the sheet.
US08181941B2
A quasi-liquid of gas in bubbles of nanometer-scale, and devices and processes for making the quasi-liquid. A device includes a channel plate (30) through which an operating gas flows to form micrometer-sized bubbles in a liquid. The bubbles are compressed to nanometer scale by action of cooling and pressure in a hydrophobic liquid (20) or are further fragmented to nanometer scale by a laser. Alternatively, a device has vertical water column having a bottom insertion tube, a bottom exit port, a top extraction port, and a water inflow tube; and, a centrifuge adjoining the top extraction port. A storage gas is diffused into pores of a low-density, solid-content material such as aerogel. The material is then introduced through the bottom insertion tube into an underwater environment creating cavities and a quasi-liquid.
US08181940B2
A humidification chamber for use in a breathing circuit to humidify gases before inhalation is disclosed. The humidification chamber is adapted to contain a volume of liquid, and includes a gas inlet port, a gas outlet port, and a fluid inlet for introducing liquid into the humidification chamber. The fluid inlet is provided with a primary valve seat and a secondary valve seat. An actuating member engages the primary valve seat when liquid within the humidification chamber is at or above a predetermined acceptable level. The actuating member is deformable in response to an increase in liquid level above the predetermined acceptable level to a deformed configuration in engagement with the secondary valve to prevent liquid from flowing through the fluid inlet into the humidification chamber.
US08181935B2
The invention relates to a slide valve, especially for controlling a flow of catalyst or like high-temperature media, having a pipe portion (10) and, arranged therein, a restrictor (11) which has an inlet opening and an outlet opening (12a, 12b) through which flow takes place during operation, and having a slide plate (13) which co-operates with the outlet opening (12b) to control the flow of catalyst and which is movable into an open position and a closed position I, II, the slide plate (13) being mounted so as to be displaceable by means of guide elements (14, 15) arranged on the pipe and on the plate, which guide elements are in engagement with one another. The invention is distinguished by the fact that the pipe-associated guide elements (14) are arranged before the outlet opening (12b) in the direction of flow.
US08181932B2
A control valve has a body that forms a valve chamber and a valve seat, a metal diaphragm installed inside the valve chamber and making contact with and departing from the valve seat, an actuator box fixed to the side of the body, a piezoelectric element installed inside the actuator box to thrust the metal diaphragm through mediation of a metal diaphragm presser by elongating downward when voltage is applied, a conical spring mechanism that absorbs elongation of the piezoelectric element at the time when the metal diaphragm makes contact with the valve seat and a prescribed thrust is applied to the valve seat and the like, and a preload mechanism that applies upward compressive force to the piezoelectric element all the time wherein the compressive force applied to the piezoelectric element is externally adjustable.
US08181930B2
A formliner and master mold are disclosed. The master mold corresponds with the formliner, which includes a plurality of courses, each course having a plurality of pockets, each pocket sized and configured to receive a decorative brick, and a plurality of ridges arranged and disposed to separate the pockets. In the embodiment, each pocket has an angle of rotation in the range of about −5.0° to about 5.0° and the angle of rotation of at least one pocket is other than 0°.
US08181926B2
A clamp includes a first member, a washer, a nut, a threaded bolt, a spring and a torsion spring. The first member may include side portions and have a first opening. The washer may include a second opening and at least one portion protruding in a downward direction from an upper surface of the washer. The nut may have an upper surface, a lower surface and a threaded opening. The threaded bolt may be disposed through the first opening, the second opening and the threaded opening. The spring may be located between a portion of the first member and the washer. The torsion spring may be located between the washer and the nut, where the torsion spring causes the nut to rotate when force is applied to an upper part of the first member.
US08181924B2
An apparatus and method for hanging textiles such as quilts having a rod pocket attached to the back surface thereof are described. In one embodiment, the hanger includes a center tube, two rods which adjustably fit into the center tube, a permanent magnet disposed inside the center tube at its center, and a bracket effective for mounting on a wall or other surface fabricated from magnetic material, for magnetically holding the center tube. In this embodiment of the invention, the hanging apparatus is hidden from view, is self leveling and requires only one mounting location.
US08181923B2
A combination furniture foot cover and sliding device includes a housing member for covering a foot of a piece of furniture, such housing member being manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a predetermined size and a predetermined shape. A securing means is operably connected to such housing member for securing such housing member to such foot. At least one layer of a second predetermined material is operably connected to such housing member and securable with a bottom surface of such foot for enabling such foot to slide easily along a floor.
US08181922B2
A bracket device for removably securing a control box atop a portable amplifier. The portable amplifier is provided with a handle secured to its top by spaced apart securing hardware. The device is in the form of a resilient construct having a U-shaped top portion, a pair of bridging members emanating from the U-shaped top portion and a pair of extension members extending substantially perpendicularly from the bridging members and having free distal ends. The extension members are spaced apart from one another approximately the distance between the spaced apart securing hardware and is sufficiently resilient to enable the extension members to be drawn together a sufficient distance to enable its free distal ends to pass between the securing hardware and beneath the handle and to exert lateral pressure against the securing hardware to resist inadvertent removal of the bracket from the top of the amplifier.
US08181915B2
This invention provides an improvement in a control stick (e.g., joystick, side-stick, etc.) (20) adapted to control the movement of an object (e.g., an airfoil surface). The improvement includes: a support (21); an intermediately-pivoted upper member (23) mounted on the support, the upper member having an upper portion (24), and lower portion (25); an intermediate member (26) having an upper portion pivotally connected to the upper member lower portion, and having a lower portion; and a lower member (29) having a lower portion pivotally mounted on the support, and having an upper portion; and wherein the intermediate member lower portion is movably mounted on the lower member such that pivotal movement of the upper member upper portion relative to the support will produce pivotal movement of the intermediate and lower members relative to the support; and a resilient member (31) arranged to bias the direction of relative movement between the intermediate and lower members. The various pivotal connections may be provided by gimbals such that the various members are mounted for compound pivotal movement about two mutually-perpendicular axes.
US08181913B2
An aircraft wing high lift assembly comprising a movable element and a load receiving element including a body portion having a first load receiving region arranged to receive loads from the movable element in a first direction during normal operation of the high lift assembly and including at least one restraining arm projecting from the body portion, the or each restraining arm having a second load receiving region arranged to receive loads from the movable element in a second direction in the event of a failure within the high lift assembly.
US08181912B2
An engine pod for an aircraft has one side which features several fin-shaped vortex generators such that the overall vorticity field generated by the vortex generators extends over an increasing airfoil area in the wingspan direction as the angle of attack increases. The first vortex generator lies within a positioning corridor that is situated between two boundary lines. The origin and end points, respectively, of the first boundary line are the points on the circumference of the engine pod with the circumferential engine pod angle phi=35 degrees and 25 degrees and the longitudinal engine pod coordinate X=L/4 and L·⅔. The origin and end points, respectively, of the second boundary line are the points on the circumference of the engine pod with the circumferential engine pod angle phi=90 degrees and 55 degrees and the longitudinal engine pod coordinate X=L/4 and L·⅔.
US08181910B2
Fluid having a velocity approaching a surface having a leading edge may be deflected. An electric field may be projected ahead of the leading edge of the surface to ionize at least some molecules of the fluid approaching the wing. The strength of the electric field may vary between a maximum level and a minimum level periodically over time. A magnetic field may be projected from the surface to deflect the ionized molecules of the fluid such that some or all of the deflection is normal to the velocity of the approaching fluid and normal to the leading edge of the surface while the electric field is below its maximum level.
US08181906B2
One embodiment includes a launch vessel defining an elongate, linear interior extending from a bottom portion to an exit opening. The embodiment includes a ram slidably disposed in the launch vessel, the ram sealed to the vessel. The embodiment also includes one or more wedges coupled to the launch vessel along the interior proximal the exit opening, with each wedge shape sized to increasingly narrow a cross section of the interior along an exit vector extending from the bottom portion toward the exit opening. In the embodiment, the vessel is to house a charge proximal the bottom portion, the charge to propel the ram along the exit vector, with the one or more wedges sized to stop be ram inside the interior.
US08181900B2
The invention relates to acoustic lining for an aircraft, which can cover a leading edge, such as an air inlet in the nacelle of a propulsion unit, said lining comprising: (i) from the inside outwards, a reflective layer (28), at least one cellular structure (30) and an acoustically resistive structure (32) having a pre-determined proportion of open surface; and (ii) at least one frost treatment system in the form of at least one heating layer (46) comprising open zones through which acoustic waves can pass, which co-operate at least partially with the open zones in the acoustically resistive structure. The invention is characterized in that the acoustically resistive structure (32) includes at least one structural layer (36) with openings (38) and in that said at least one heating layer (46) is disposed under the structural layer (36).
US08181893B2
A fuel injection valve for internal combustion engines has a valve housing composed of a first housing part and a second housing part which are connected to one another in a connecting region. In order to improve the strength of the connection in relation to the pressure of the fuel which prevails in an inner space, the housing wall of the first housing part is supported in the connecting region on the housing wall of the second housing part, and the housing wall of the second housing part is of reinforced design in the connecting region.
US08181892B2
The invention relates to a discharge device for a cleaning fluid or treatment fluid, in particular to a lance for a high-pressure cleaner, comprising a pivotable head piece and an elongate holder which carries the head piece at its one end and is made at its other end for holding and for remotely controlled pivoting of the head piece, wherein the holder includes a carrier for the holding of the head piece and an actuation member adjustable relative to the carrier for the pivoting of the head piece relative to the carrier, and wherein the carrier and the actuation member extend up to the head piece in an at least approximately axially parallel arrangement, and in particular coaxial arrangement, with the carrier extending inside the actuation member.
US08181891B2
A monolithic fuel injection head for a fuel nozzle includes a substantially hollow vesicle body formed with an upstream end face, a downstream end face and a peripheral wall extending therebetween, an internal baffle plate extending radially outwardly from a downstream end of the bore, terminating short of the peripheral wall, thereby defining upstream and downstream fuel plenums in the vesicle body, in fluid communication by way of a radial gap between the baffle plate and the peripheral wall. A plurality of integral pre-mix tubes extend axially through the upstream and downstream fuel plenums in the vesicle body and through the baffle plate, with at least one fuel injection hole extending between each of the pre-mix tubes and the upstream fuel plenum, thereby enabling fuel in the upstream plenum to be injected into the plurality of pre-mix tubes. The fuel injection head is formed by direct metal laser sintering.
US08181889B2
The invention relates to irrigation by means of sprinklers for agriculture, lawns, golf courses and other applications. More particularly, the invention provides a sprinkler arranged to distribute water evenly over a field area of almost any shape. Preferably the invention relates to a pop-up sprinkler thus, when not in use, i.e., when no water pressure is applied, the entire device is level or below ground surface. The invention comprises: a lower water inlet, an inner member, within an upper housing, suspended on a vertical axis within the lower water inlet. An inner member within the upper housing being free to revolve around a vertical axis and revolvably supporting; at least one nozzle assembly having at least one water inlet and an outlet jet and being supported on a horizontal axis. Means for variably tilting the nozzle assembly(ies) in a horizontal axis in accordance with the changing angular position of the nozzle around the central vertical axis when water pressure is introduced into the lower water inlet housing. And means for imparting a vertical axis rotary movement to the inner member part within the upper housing directly supporting the at least one nozzle assembly.
US08181888B2
A method to assemble a nozzle-fastener assembly including: inserting a hollow stem through a wash liquid direction device; inserting the hollow stem through a mounting block; positioning an inside surface of the mounting block against a curved surface of a wash liquid distribution pipe and an outside surface of the block against the wash liquid direction device; attaching the nozzle-fastener to an aperture in the pipe such that an inlet to the hollow stem is in fluid communication with a wash liquid passage in the pipe, wherein the stem extends through the mounting block and the wash liquid direction device, and the stem includes a outlet for the wash liquid passing through the hollow stem and to the wash liquid direction device, and wherein the wash liquid direction device and mounting block are held together by the attachment of the nozzle-fastener to the aperture in the wash liquid pipe.
US08181882B2
The semiconductor device includes an antenna 101, a rectifier circuit 102, a first protection circuit 107, and a second protection circuit 108. The antenna 101 generates AC voltage. The rectifier circuit 102 rectifies the AC voltage and generates internal voltage Vin. The first protection circuit 107 includes a first diode 201 and a second diode 202. The second protection circuit 108 includes a capacitor 203 and a transistor 204. In the case where the absolute value of the AC voltage generated in the antenna 101 is larger than a certain value, the first protection circuit 107 cuts the surplus. The second protection circuit 108 functions in the case where the level of the internal voltage Vin generated in the rectifier circuit 102 is high. By changing resonant frequency, the second protection circuit 108 can decrease the number of signals input to the semiconductor device.
US08181881B2
The present invention is an article of apparel, such as a wristband, that includes an radio frequency identification (RFID) device. The wristband is at least partially formed from an elastomeric material that allows the wristband to stretch while being drawn over the user's hand. The RFID device is positioned on or within the wristband. Once affixed, the RFID device remains an integral part of the wristband. The wristband may be used in any available RFID application, including a contactless payment system.
US08181872B2
A device and method for imaging dual sided documents for authentification of the document. A document such as a driver's license traverses a linear flowpath into and out of a housing having a darkened interior. The document is segmentally imaged under a plurality of different light spectrums during travel along the flowpath. A data processor and software engaged to an imager capturing the segmented images assembles complete images of the document under one or a plurality of the light spectrums employed to yield a viewable rendition of both sides of the document to ascertain the presence of proper indica to validate the document. Also provided are a magnetic strip reader and bar code reader engaged to the data processor wherein data may be extracted therefrom for comparison to the images reviewed.
US08181871B2
A portable encoded information reading (EIR) terminal for incorporation in a data collection system can comprise a terminal module communicatively coupled to a wireless interface module via a wired interface. The terminal module can include a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, and an encoded information reading (EIR) device. The wireless interface module can include a microcontroller, a memory, and at least one wireless communication interface. The wireless interface module can establish one or more wireless links with one or more peer EIR terminals, to join a wireless network which is collectively formed by the peer EIR terminals. The wireless interface module can receive or transmit beacons containing at least an identifier of a path selection protocol which is used for unicast, multicast and broadcast frame transmission within the wireless network. The wireless interface module, responsive to receiving a MAC frame from the terminal module, can forward the MAC frame, according to the path selection protocol, to a peer EIR terminal or to a portal which is capable of routing MAC frames between the wireless network and one or more OSI layer 2 networks.
US08181869B2
The present invention provides a method for customizing customer identifier. To resolve the problems in customizing the identifier in the electronic device by the manufacturer for its customers, such as high management cost, stock, and possibility of error, as well as the security problem in customizing the identifier by the customer itself, and the problem of counterfeiting by others, the method provided comprises generating an irreversible identifier from a seed data input by the customer using some one-way algorithm(s) and storing that identifier in the electronic device. For the manufacturer, both the management cost and the stock are reduced, and the error possibility of the product after leaving the factory as well. For the customer, the security of customizing the identifier is ensured, and its identifier cannot be counterfeited by other peers any more.
US08181862B1
Embodiments of a system and method are disclosed for providing identification and medical information. The embodiments include collecting and storing medical biographical information of a subject, embedding the medical biographical information in a readable code of an object worn by or in the possession of the subject, and scanning the readable code of the object worn by or in the possession of the subject using a device to retrieve the medical biographical information of the subject. The medical biographical information allows medical professionals to obtain the subject's medical information in order to provide medical care.
US08181848B2
Methods and apparatus for metering printed media are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus comprises a first radio frequency identification (RFID) tag to adhere to a first leaflet of a printed media at a first location; a second RFID tag to adhere to a second leaflet of the printed media at a second location of the second leaflet, the first and second locations being substantially a same location; and a first RFID absorber to adhere to a third leaflet of the printed media such that, when the printed media is positioned to expose the first and the third leaflets, the second RFID tag is inactive, and such that, when the printed media is positioned to expose the second and the third leaflets, the first RFID tag is inactive.
US08181841B2
A linear friction welding system in one embodiment includes a ram configured to vibrate along a welding axis, at least one rocker arm with a first end portion spaced apart from the welding axis and constrained against movement along the welding axis, and a second end portion which is movable along the welding axis, and a first welding component support member configured to hold a first welding component, the first welding component support member operably connected to the ram and supported by the second end portion of the at least one rocker arm, such that vibration of the ram along the welding axis causes the location of the first welding component support member along an axis orthogonal to the welding axis to vary.
US08181840B2
A surgical stapling device having an approximation mechanism for treating hollow tissue organs is provided. The stapling device includes a handle, a body portion extending distally from the handle, a distal head portion at a distal end of the body portion, and an approximation mechanism. The head portion includes an anvil assembly having an anvil head and an anvil shaft. The approximation mechanism includes a rotatable approximation knob, a first member, and a second member. The rotatable approximation knob is operably connected to the first member to effect movement the first member over a first distance. The second member is rotatably coupled to a proximal end of the anvil shaft of the anvil assembly to operably connect the anvil shaft to the first member such that movement of the first member over the first distance effects movement of the anvil shaft in relation to the first member over a second distance.
US08181836B2
A fastener driving tool is provided, including a housing substantially enclosing a power source including a reciprocating piston with a driver blade. A nosepiece is associated with the housing and is configured for receiving the driver blade and for sequentially receiving fasteners for engagement with the driver blade for driving into a workpiece. A magazine is configured for retaining a supply of the fasteners and for sequentially feeding the fasteners to the nosepiece, the magazine storing a plurality of elongate strips of the fasteners, and being configured for rotating about a longitudinal axis of the magazine for providing access of fasteners in each fastener strip to the nosepiece.
US08181824B2
A beverage dispensing system using a sweetener. The beverage dispensing system may include a dispensing nozzle, a sweetener source with the sweetener at more than about 65° brix, a first diluent source with a first diluent, a mixing chamber in communication with the sweetener source and the first diluent source so as to dilute the sweetener to less than about 65° brix, and a second diluent source with a second diluent so as to dilute further the sweetener upstream of the dispensing nozzle.
US08181822B2
A system and method for dispensing fluids is introduced. A preferred embodiment comprises a sealed tank, a bag containing fluid inside the sealed tank, an outlet for dispensing the liquid in the bag, and a pressure generating device to create pressure in the sealed tank.
US08181812B2
A bucket having three or more sections for separating wash liquid. Dividers create the sections and are placed in an up position when filling the bucket so that the water will flow throughout the entire bucket. The dividers can then slide back down to create the separated sections of clean liquid. The dividers can be connected to each other by means of horizontal bars attached on the top of the dividers which run along the sides of the bucket along the inside. Lifting the horizontal bar up will lift all of the attached dividers up simultaneously. The horizontal bars can be provided in two sections that can be connected to each other. When the two sections are disconnected, when one lifts one bar section, only the attached dividers will lift up simultaneously, while the other bar section and its attached divider will remain in its down position.
US08181803B2
The present invention consists of an improvement made on the patent “Means for sealing bottle caps with evidence of opening” with Spanish application number P200202864, which made use of a concealed tongue that was revealed after the first opening without allowing to recover the original situation. The present invention maintains a connection between the top and bottom segments of the capsule, preventing their rotation relative to each other and providing an audible evidence of opening.
US08181799B2
An actuation system includes a bridge crane, a trolley, and an end effector and is configured for moving a payload. A first actuator is operatively connected to the bridge crane. The bridge crane is configured for moving along an X axis in response to the first actuator being actuated. The trolley extends from the bridge crane. A second actuator is operatively connected to the trolley. The trolley is configured for moving along a Y axis in response to the second actuator being actuated. The end effector extends from the trolley and is configured for supporting a payload. A third actuator is operatively connected to the end effector. The end effector is configured for rotating about the Z axis in response to the third actuator being actuated to rotate the end effector. Each actuator is disposed in spaced relationship to the bridge crane, the trolley, and the end effector.
US08181797B2
An outdoor storage rack includes a set of supports mounted to a base through a respective hinge assembly such that said rack is movable between an extended and a stored position.
US08181795B2
A polymer membrane for water treatment contained a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin with a chlorine content of 58 to 73.2%. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide polymer membranes for water treatment that, along with being able to achieve sufficient filtration capacity and water permeability, have extremely high strength.
US08181776B2
Generally, embodiments described herein take the form of a carrying tray for billiard balls, a case for billiard balls, or both. Certain embodiments may likewise carry a billiards rack, chalk or other billiards items. An embodiment may be generally triangle-shaped. Other embodiments may be square-shaped, rectangular shaped or rounded in shape. One or more protrusions, such as a handle or base, may project from the main body of the tray or case. The interior of the tray or case defines a number of features for carrying the billiard balls and billiards rack.
US08181770B2
A downloader conveyor is described and claimed. The downloader conveyor comprises an endless belt to which a plurality of cups is pivotally attached. The cups are adapted to receive apples or like relatively delicate objects. As the cups containing the apples descend into the bin, the cups rotate so as to permit the apples or other objects to roll out of or exit from the cups and to retard the cup acceleration. Each apple engages a skirt, which breaks the fall of the exiting apple. A distal end of the skirt can be arranged to scrape over the bin floor or scrape over the top of apples or other objects already placed in the bin, so as to again break the fall of the apple so that the apple is placed in the bin without substantial freefall.
US08181768B2
A mailpiece inserter includes a feed conveyor adapted to feed a shingled stack of mailpiece envelopes along a feed path to an insert module and a chassis module adapted to produce content material for insertion into the mailpiece envelopes processed by the insert module. An envelope position detector is operative to sense a discontinuity in the shingled stack and issues a first position signal indicative thereof, and an input conveyor module is adapted to convey mailpiece envelopes into shingled engagement with an aft end of the shingled stack of mailpiece envelopes on the feed conveyor. The input conveyor module has an input end proximal to a single workstation of the chassis module which enables an operator to (i) feed mailpiece envelopes to the input module and (ii) supply content material to the chassis module. The input conveyor module includes an extensible conveyor, responsive to the first position signal, for advancing the conveyor deck of the input conveyor module toward the aft end of the shingled stack and dispensing mailpiece envelopes into shingled engagement therewith.
US08181766B2
A roller storage system is described consisting of a storage roller (200) for storing banknotes, where the storage roller (200) is operated in a money processing system. The roller storage system is characterized in that the system comprises a container (100) in which the storage roller (200) is disposed, the container (100) has at least one means that enables the guided insertion of the container (100) into the money processing system and/or the guided removal of the container (100) from the money processing system.
US08181763B2
A window winder drive functions with a freewheeling coupling, which has an outer coupling part and an inner coupling part, which is concentric thereto, and comprises clamping bodies arranged between a clamping face of the outer coupling part and a clamping face of the inner coupling part, wherein the clamping bodies are arranged in pairs in the annular space formed between the clamping faces, and the first clamping body of a pair of clamping bodies demonstrates a clamping effect exclusively in a specific direction of rotation of the outer coupling part in relation to the inner coupling part, while the second clamping body of the pair of clamping bodies exclusively has a clamping effect in the opposite direction of rotation.
US08181759B2
A bumper for use at a loading dock has two ranges of front-to-back movement: one range for sealing the gap that might otherwise exist between the rear edge of a truck and the front face of the bumper and a second range for absorbing the impact of the truck backing into the dock. In some cases, a spring provides a relatively light sealing force between the bumper and the truck, and a compressible core provides a much greater impact-absorbing force that helps stop the rearward movement of the truck. In some embodiments, the bumper pivots by gravity when operating in the sealing range.
US08181756B2
A shock absorber is attached coaxially with a reciprocating rod driven by a reciprocating unit to prevent a bending moment from being applied to the reciprocating rod in absorbing an impact force. The shock absorber has a hollow rod and an outer cylindrical body mounted axially movably relatively to and outside the hollow rod. An accommodating space is formed between the hollow rod and the outer cylindrical body. A spring force in a direction of being relatively directed to one end portion side of the hollow rod is applied by a compression spring to the outer cylindrical body. The hollow rod is provided with an annular piston which partitions the accommodating space into two liquid chambers. When an impact force in a direction of being relatively directed to the other end side of the hollow rod is applied to the outer cylindrical body, liquid flows from one of the liquid chambers to the other through a gap, so that a resistance force is applied to the annular piston.
US08181753B2
One embodiment of a brake drum includes a cylindrical main body portion, a brake drum mounting flange portion, a brake drum transition portion, the brake drum transition portion extending between the cylindrical main body portion and the mounting flange portion, the transition portion having a plurality of vent openings, and one air scoop secured at each of the vent openings, whereby rotation of the brake drum and air scoop induces air movement within a brake drum cavity defined by the main body portion. Each air scoop defines a louver opening which faces the angular direction of drum rotation, an air channel in fluid communication with the louver opening and the brake drum cavity, and a deflection surface located in the air channel. The deflection surface is positioned to re-direct air movement entering the louver opening at an angular direction, to a generally radial and inboard direction.
US08181747B2
A bicycle sprocket chain cleaning and lubrication apparatus allows a sprocket chain (3) to be cleaned while still mounted on the bicycle. The apparatus includes a includes a housing (10) for enclosing the sprocket chain on all sides consisting of mutually connectable upper half-shell (11) and lower half-shell (12) portions and a securement assembly which includes a mounting plate adapted to attach to a rear wheel quick disconnect of the bicycle. The housing is suspended from the sprocket chain and provides a funnel shaped solvent hopper (17), a hose connection (21) to a compressed air supply, and an air knife (23) adapted to direct high velocity air to impinge upon and thereby dry the sprocket chain.
US08181740B2
A fall protection system that includes at least one rail section, at least one shuttle and at least one connecting member is provided. The at least one rail section is configured and arranged to be coupled to a structure that changes in length. The at least one shuttle is configured and arranged to movably engage the at least one rail section. In addition, the at least one connecting member is configured and arranged to provide a connection point to the at least one shuttle.
US08181736B2
A phase plugs or acoustic lens improves the directional audio performance of a loudspeaker. Application of the improved directional audio performance to a sound system in a listening area may improve the performance of the audio system. Configuration of the acoustic lens or phase plug may include both symmetrical and asymmetrical features to provide an improved frequency response and directivity. The improved loudspeaker may provide improved an improved listing location, for example, in a vehicle.
US08181730B2
A collision detection device for a vehicle includes an air chamber space, a pressure sensor and a collision determination portion. The air chamber space is arranged in the vehicle, and a pressure therein is changed in accordance with a collision with the vehicle. The pressure sensor detects a pressure change in the air chamber space. The collision determination portion determines the collision with the vehicle. An output value of the pressure sensor is integrated by time to calculate an integration value, and the collision with the vehicle is determined based on a threshold value set with respect to the integration value, and the output value of the pressure sensor. Therefore, when the collision with the vehicle occurs, whether an occupant protection device should be activated can be determined promptly.
US08181728B2
An automotive vehicle engine apparatus includes an air intake system. In a further aspect of the present application, an automotive vehicle engine apparatus includes an air intake manifold, an air box and an air scoop. Another aspect of the present application employs an air intake shaker and a supercharger. A method of manufacturing and/or operating an air intake system is also provided.
US08181726B2
A vehicle has at least one electric machine that can be operated as a generator, an electrical energy accumulator and a control unit for controlling the at least one electric machine and the electrical energy accumulator. The control unit operates so that in a recovery phase the vehicle can be decelerated by the generator load of the electric machine operated as a generator (2:a) and the resulting electrical energy (1:E) can be stored in the electrical energy accumulator. The control unit is configured so that the at least one electric machine operated as a generator in a recovery phase is operated by said control unit in a chronologically unlimited fashion with a predefinable overload (2′:a, 2″:a, 2′″:a).
US08181717B2
A power tool has a mechanism for ejecting a battery pack which includes a receiving frame which defines a cavity to receive a battery pack. A receiving member is adjacent the cavity. The receiving member meshes with a member on the battery pack to hold the battery pack in the cavity. A biasing member is in the cavity adjacent the receiving member. The biasing member ejects the battery pack from the ejecting mechanism. A member retains the biasing member in the cavity. The member guides a portion of the battery pack meshing with the receiving member into contact with the biasing member such that when the battery pack is locked onto the frame, the biasing member is in a compressed condition and when the battery pack is an unlocked position, the biasing member ejects the battery pack from the frame.
US08181713B2
A drop hammer for driving a pile. The drop hammer of the present invention comprises a housing member, a ram member, a helmet member, and a lifting system. The housing member defines a housing chamber and a vent port defining a preload position. The ram member is supported for movement within the housing chamber. When the lifting system raises the ram member above the preload position, ambient air substantially freely flows into and out of the housing chamber through the vent port. When the ram member falls below the preload position, ambient air within a preload chamber portion of the housing chamber compresses to apply a preload force on the inner portion of the helmet member. When the ram member moves into the lower position, the ram member impacts the helmet member to force the helmet member from the rest position to the impact position, thereby driving the pile.
US08181706B2
In a hydrocarbon producing wellbore, liquids (oil, condensate, water of mixtures thereof) from the formation may accumulate and build up a hydrostatic pressure gradient, which can kill gas production. Various embodiments of the present invention include a plunger lift system that can remove said formation liquids from a wellbore. A piston, including a sleeve with a hollow passage may travel downhole, accumulate formation liquids and utilizing the gas pressure deliver said formation liquids to the top of the wellbore for removal. The piston face may be one single wall that closes the hollow passage or the piston face may be comprised of a plug and an seat that unite to form a complete piston face downhole. Aspects of the plunger lift system, for example the sleeve and or the plug may be at least partially formed from materials that are buoyant in the formation liquids.
US08181700B2
The method of displacing fluids in the annulus between pressurized casing strings inside an active oil or gas well by providing a controlled turndown insert and guides then inserting and retrieving a flexible hose without it folding or buckling while being pushed or pulled through a wellhead system orifice with relatively sharp edges at the annulus opening where the hose must make a 90 degree turn from horizontal to vertical within a short radius without cutting, crimping or tearing the hose then seating and holding the hose while fluids are injected, all the while providing protection against well blow out or other pressure problems.
US08181690B2
A method of forming a coated article is disclosed. The method involves heating a magnesium alloy component, positioning the component in a mold such that a gap exists between component outer surfaces and mold inner surfaces, and heating a magnesium-containing alloy material above its melting temperature, which is lower than that of the component. The material is formed from magnesium alloyed with i) the component element, but at a higher concentration, ii) at least one element that is different than the component element, or iii) the component element and at least one other element. The method further includes introducing the material into the gap, thereby covering at least the outer surfaces of the component, and cooling the material to form a substantially evenly distributed solidified coating on the outer surfaces of the component. The coating has a higher wear and/or corrosion resistance than that of the magnesium alloy component.
US08181688B2
An improved apparatus for temporary wafer bonding includes a temporary bonder cluster and a debonder cluster. The temporary bonder cluster includes temporary bonder modules that perform electronic wafer bonding processes including adhesive layer bonding, combination of an adhesive layer with a release layer bonding and a combination of a UV-light curable adhesive layer with a laser absorbing release layer bonding. The debonder cluster includes a thermal slide debonder, a mechanical debonder and a radiation debonder.
US08181686B2
The disclosure relates an apparatus and method for assembling at least two webs of tissue paper with or without marking of the webs. The apparatus and method utilize a multi-marrying roller configuration, which allows for assembling of the at least two webs of tissue paper by passing between the marrying roller and the second marrying roller. The apparatus and method make it possible to produce a conventional embossed product, or a smooth product without marking, having combined plies. In addition, the apparatus and method make it possible to easily move from one production mode to the other.
US08181685B2
A vehicle wheel includes: a disk and a rim having a well portion and fixed to the disk for supporting a tire for the vehicle; and an additional air chamber member secured to an outer circumferential surface of the well portion in a tire air chamber defined between the rim and the tire. The additional air chamber includes a communication pipe with a communication through hole therein for communication between the additional air chamber and the tire air chamber. The additional air chamber has a peak in a radial direction of the vehicle wheel. A radius D2 of rotation of the vehicle wheel at the tip of the communication through hole is equal to or greater than a radius D1 of rotation of the vehicle at the peak of the additional air chamber.
US08181680B1
In one example, a machinery fence support system comprises a base providing a substantially stationary position relative to a cutting tool; a moveable fence for guiding a workpiece relative to the cutting tool, and a linear motion mechanism between the base and the fence. The linear motion mechanism facilitates motion of the fence in a direction substantially perpendicular to a length of the fence. Examples of this disclosure facilitate notching a workpiece for a beaded face frame using a rotary bit.
US08181678B2
The fueling device has a fueling pipe adapted to supply fuel pumped from the inlet opening the fuel tank. A grating member is situated inside the fueling pipe. The grating member includes an annular body positioned substantially concentrically with the fuel passage; and a support body adapted to support the annular body on the inside wall of the flow passage. Gaps present between the inside wall of the passage-defining member and the annular body and the support body constitute part of the fuel passage.
US08181672B2
A diaphragm bellows includes a spiral-wound, pre-profiled metal strip having neighboring turns which are connected by a continuous welding seam in an area of an outer diameter or inner diameter of the metal strip. Neighboring flanks of the metal strip enter a region of the welding seam at an angle of less than 60°.
US08181659B2
A dishwasher having a UV generator that sterilizes dishes is provided. The dishwasher includes a tub that holds dishes to be washed, a sump that holds washing water, a spray nozzle that sprays the washing water into the dishwasher, and at least one UV generator that directs a UV beam into the dishwasher.
US08181650B2
The multitask medical treatment respiratory apparatus may have a mask defining a chamber wherein the mask may have a first port, a second port and a venting valve. A reservoir bag having a first opening may be in communication with the first port or there may be a venturi device may be in communication with a second opening of the reservoir bag. One or more gas sources may be in communication with the venturi device. A medicant device may be mounted in the second port wherein the medicant device having a mouthpiece that may be inserted and retracted relative to the mask chamber and a patients mouth. The medicant device having a medicant chamber formed therein.
US08181647B2
A powder medicine administering device includes a main body, an air supply section, and a movable member slidably attached to the main body, and arranged to be moved relative to the main body from a first position through a second position to a third position. One of the main body and the movable member includes a side wall portion defining a medicine storage chamber including an opening closed by a sliding surface of the other of the main body and the movable member at the second position of the movable member, and a medicine discharge passage. The other of the main body and the movable member is formed with a medicine carrying chamber connected with the opening of the medicine storage chamber at the first position of the movable member, and connected with the medicine discharge passage at the third position of the movable member.
US08181646B2
An aerosol inhalation system includes a first conduit member for delivering medication in the form of aerosol particles to a patient. The system also includes a first device in fluid communication with the first holding chamber for producing the aerosol particles and being sealingly yet releasably received within an adapter that forms an entrance into a first holding chamber. The adapter has a compressible material disposed thereon which is at least partially compressed by insertion of the first device to form the seal between the first device and the adapter, thereby creating a closed system that is therefore capable of delivering a fixed concentration of the medication to the patient due to a valve of the valve mechanism being closed when the patient inhales and the medication is delivered to the patient.
US08181642B2
The present invention relates to a light absorbing device which comprises an transparent outer material layer, a space through which air is circulated and heated by light radiation passing through the outer the material layer, a radiation absorbing material layer, and an element which is adapted to divide the space in at least a first subspace, which comprises a first opening, and a second subspace, which comprises a second opening. The air is adapted to flow along a path having an extension from the first opening to the second opening. The path comprises flow resistance reducing means in at least one portion of the space which is adapted to reduce the flow resistance for the gaseous medium when it is guided through said portion of the space.
US08181640B2
A portable cooking system comprising a base tray, a grill plate, a lid, and a reflector is provided. The base tray comprises a heating through hole and a basin provided at a bottom of the base tray. The grill plate comprises a central opening, a substantially annular surface, and a plurality of drain holes in the annular surface. The reflector of an upturned bowl shape comprises a reflecting bump, radial furrows, and radial ridges alternatively disposed between the radial furrows, and the reflector is attached to a ceiling of the lid. Some of the radial furrows and the radial ridges are disposed on an inner surface of the upturned bowl shape, such that the heating airflow that rise upward through the heating through hole and hit a center portion of the reflector are guided outwardly to reach evenly over to the grill plate.
US08181633B2
An intake manifold includes: an EGR inlet for discharging exhaust recirculation gas toward a cylinder side; and a tumble control valve switchable between an open position and a close position, and has an indentation forming a gap between the tumble control valve and an inner wall of the intake line when the tumble control valve is in the close position. When the intake manifold is assembled to the internal combustion engine, in the open position and in the close position of the tumble control valve, any perpendicular line extending downward from the EGR inlet is out of intersection with the tumble control valve, and at the same time, in at least one of the open position and the close position of the tumble control valve, a perpendicular line extending downward from a most upstream portion of the EGR inlet in an intake direction intersects an area of the indentation.
US08181627B2
An engine system includes a throttle actuator module and a torque control module. The throttle actuator module controls a throttle actuator based on a desired throttle area. The torque control module determines an actuator torque. The torque control module determines a rate limited torque, a maximum torque, and a minimum torque based on the actuator torque and a predetermined rate of change. The torque control module determines the desired throttle area based on the actuator torque when the rate limited torque is greater than the maximum torque. The torque control module determines the desired throttle area based on the actuator torque when the rate limited torque is less than the minimum torque.
US08181626B2
A systematic fuel injection control technique for compression self-igniting internal combustion engines capable of executing an auxiliary injection prior to a primary injection is provided, with which it is possible to optimize an injection mode for the primary injection and the auxiliary injection. In a common rail diesel engine capable of executing at least a main injection and a pre-injection as an operation of fuel injection from an injector, the pre-injection is executed by being split into a first pre-injection and a second pre-injection. The injection timing and the injection amount of each fuel injection is controlled such that some of the fuel injected in the first pre-injection combusts by self-ignition, and the remainder of the fuel does not combust until fuel is injected in the main injection, but combusts together with the fuel injected in the main injection. Also, the injection timing of each fuel injection is controlled such that the fuel injected in the first pre-injection and flowing along a swirl flow in the cylinder overlaps the fuel injected in the subsequent main injection.
US08181619B2
In a device for controlling idling stop of an engine in which the idling stop is carried out when a temperature of the engine that is about to be stopped by the idling stop is higher than a threshold value, when the start improvement device does not function normally, the idling stop is prohibited regardless of engine temperature. Thus, the problem in which the engine cannot be restarted satisfactorily does not occur.
US08181614B2
An internal combustion engine includes a main enlarged member extended towards a camshaft for forming reed valve chambers. The main enlarged member is integrally provided on a head cover of the engine at a location at which reed valves for controlling supply of secondary air to an exhaust system are disposed. The main enlarged member is extended towards the camshaft for increasing volume of the reed valve chambers while avoiding the increase in size of the head cover. A recessed portion is provided on a cam cap fastened to a cylinder head of the engine. A portion of the main enlarged member is inserted into the recessed portion such that cam cap cooperates with the cylinder head for rotatably supporting the camshaft.
US08181607B2
Disclosed herein is an animal training device and method of controlling the same. The animal training device includes a transmitter and at least one receiver. The transmitter transmits RF signals according to manipulation of function switches, and has emergency stimulation mode in which an RF control signal is transmitted by adding a predetermined level to a low-frequency stimulation level set for each individual animal, simultaneous stimulation mode in which an RF control signal is transmitted by adding a predetermined level to low-frequency stimulation levels set for animals, and constant stimulation alternation mode in which an RF control signal is transmitted by automatically varying a period of a low-frequency stimulation. The receiver sets low-frequency stimulation for a corresponding one of the plurality of animals in response to the RF signals, and selectively performs operations corresponding to the emergency stimulation mode, the simultaneous stimulation mode, and the constant stimulation alternation mode.
US08181604B1
A barn system that enables control of the environment inside a closed barn utilizes banks of fans mounted in the opposing side walls of the barn and interior circulation fans in conjunction with misters to maintain the comfort of animals confined in the barn, in particular, milk cows. The interior circulation fans are of the oscillating type that can sweep in a horizontal arc to help the circulation of the air. Movable curtains in the side walls may be raised and lowered to allow for natural ventilation of the barn when outside conditions allow. A number of exhaust fans mounted on the roof ridge line provides for exhaust of the air out the roof, as opposed to the sides as in conventional barns. The fans, misters, operable ridge vents, exhaust fans and curtains are controlled by a central monitoring and control system. A scrubber system for removing VOC's in the exhaust air may be included. The barn system may also be equipped with a system to remove VOC's from the scrubber water to recycle water back for repeated use in the scrubber system.
US08181595B2
A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus of the present invention includes a cleaning unit, a regular flushing unit, capping unit, and an ejection-amount measuring unit as droplet ejecting head maintenance units used for function maintenance, function recovery, adjustment, or inspection of a liquid ejecting head. The droplet ejecting head maintenance units are arranged in a group in a movable platen as a maintenance-unit installing section. The movable platen is supported by an accessory stand physically separated from a main body.
US08181585B1
A compressed air system adapted for use in connection with a tufting machine having a yarn applicator adapted to penetrate a backing of a surface covering and place a stitch in the backing of the surface covering, a presser foot and a funnel block. The compressed air system comprises an air source adapted to provide air to the compressed air system, a digital presser foot injector adapted to convey compressed air to the presser foot, and a funnel block injector adapted to convey compressed air to the funnel block. The compressed air system is adapted to convey compressed air to the digital presser foot injector and the funnel block injector only when the yarn applicator is in use. The method comprises conveying air to the presser foot only when the yarn applicator is in use, and conveying air to the funnel block only when the yarn applicator is in use.
US08181581B2
Interlocking, stackable articles of furniture are disclosed. The individual components may be used separately, interlocked end to end, stacked in various orientations to create shelving structures, or stacked vertically as a single upstanding unit.
US08181575B2
A variable cutoff web printing press is provided including a first plate cylinder for printing a first color of first and second images and a second plate cylinder for printing a second color of the first and the second images. The printing press also includes a common blanket cylinder. The first and second plate cylinders contact the common blanket cylinder and transfer the first and second images to the common blanket cylinder. The printing press also includes a first transfer body for receiving the first image from the common blanket cylinder and transferring the first image to a web and a second transfer body for receiving the second image from the common blanket cylinder and transferring the second image to the web. A method of variable cutoff web printing is also provided.
US08181570B2
A screw pipe unit intended to cooperate with and at least partly enclose a screw in a plug screw feeder for cellulose chips/pulp is provided. The screw pipe unit comprises a plurality of openings for filtrate dewatered from the chips/pulp in the screw pipe when the plug screw feeder is in operation. The screw pipe is, on at least a portion of its inner surface, provided with bars inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the screw pipe. The angle of inclination of the bars decreases in the longitudinal direction, from a first portion of the screw pipe unit with maximum inclination to a second portion of the screw pipe unit with bars substantially parallel to the axis, the second portion being further away from the inlet end of the screw pipe unit than the first portion.
US08181567B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for preparing foods, aimed at creating fruit and/or vegetable juice from whole or chopped fruits and/or vegetables, by grating and centrifugation, including in particular: a grating disc; a basket connected to the grating disc, linked to a drive shaft, comprising in particular a filter ring and a hub; a cover, fitted with a food introduction conduit, the conduit substantially having the shape of a cylindrical tube with a circular, oval or oblong base. The purpose of the invention is to offer improvements enabling juice to be produced with a high throughput. These improvements consist in particular of an introduction conduit comprising an element for holding foods and a grating disc inclined with respect to its rotation axis.
US08181566B2
A machine for making homemade ice-cream and similar having an outer casing, a mixing bowl housed inside the machine and projecting outwards of the casing, and a movable lid hinged to the casing and movable to and from an operating position in which it closes the top end of the bowl completely; the movable lid having a supporting arm which is hinged to the casing and is provided with a through opening positioned over the top end of the bowl when the supporting arm is in a lowered position, and a cover fixed to the supporting arm so as to be positioned closing the top end of the bowl when the supporting arm is in the lowered position; the cover having a cup-shaped body fixed upside down to the supporting arm with the bottom of the cup-shaped body located at the through opening, a threaded tubular sleeve which engages a through hole formed in the bottom of the cup-shaped body so as to project from the supporting arm on back through the through opening, and a lock nut screwed to the end portion of the tubular sleeve to grip the supporting arm between the cup-shaped body and the lock nut.
US08181560B2
A food processing tool particularly suited for processing garlic and the like generally includes a main body having a tray configured to allow garlic to be passed back and forth across the tray for processing as desired. The main body optionally includes a pair of opposing guides positioned on opposing lateral sides of the tray and a plurality of ribs provided along either a portion or the entirety of the tray to reduce friction and improve the sliding ability of the garlic along the ribs and therefore the tray. A main slicing blade and one or more pluralities of blades are provided to slice, mince, or julienne cut the garlic. A pusher and cap is configured to selectively allow or restrict rotational movement of the cap and garlic for different orientations when cutting.
US08181549B2
An electric power steering apparatus 10 has an electric motor 46 for supplying an auxiliary force to a steering force inputted from a steering wheel 16, and transmits the steering force including the auxiliary force to a steered road-wheel 14 at least partially via a rack-and-pinion mechanism 30, thereby performing steering of a vehicle 12. The rack-and-pinion mechanism 30 includes: a pinion 38 provided at a pinion shaft 28 connected to the steering wheel 16; a rack 40 that is provided over a predetermined width at a rack shaft 32 connected to the steered road-wheel 14, and that is engaged with the pinion 38; and a rack guide 70 for urging the rack shaft 32 toward the pinion 38. A pressure angle α1 of a tooth root of the rack 40 is set to be greater than a pressure angle α0 of a tooth tip of the rack 40.
US08181546B2
In an actuator, a quick release unit is introduced in a transmission between an activating element and a reversible electric motor for disengaging the activating element (5) from the electric motor and the part of the transmission (6) which is disposed from the motor to the quick release unit. This quick release unit comprises two cylindrical coupling parts (8, 9) provided with axially extending and mutually engaging torque-transferring means (21a, 21b), and where the two coupling parts (8, 9) are mutually axially displaceable and kept in engagement with each other by a spring (25). The two coupling parts may be displaced mutually against the spring (25) by a release mechanism, so that the torque-transferring connection (21a, 21b) between the two coupling parts (8, 9) is interrupted. The quick release unit may be made compact, and especially in connection with a worm wheel (6) with a cylindrical part on the side it may be substantially received in the cylindrical part.
US08181545B2
An actuator assembly having a housing, at least one rotating gear member including a cam, and an actuator device operably connected to the rotating gear member, operably contained in the housing, for rotating the gear member. Also included is a bearing member operably associated with the cam such that when the actuator device is actuated for rotation of the gear member, the bearing member moves on the cam for providing relative motion between the bearing member and the rotating gear member. The actuator device is selected from a torque generating device or a device having linear movement.
US08181541B2
A load transducer for use in an automated control system such as those used in robotic assemblies, and other linkage systems separated by joints. The transducer is capable of measuring force and moments transmitted by the joint of the robotic assembly. This localized sensory data is utilized by a microprocessor to control the motion of the linkages of the system. In addition to being very accurate and reliable, the load transducer has a low profile and small size. This invention is easily manufactured using strain gage technology.
US08181536B2
An ultrasonic transducer for a pipe includes an ultrasonic source which produces plane waves. The transducer includes a housing having a face at least a portion of which is curved through which the plane waves produced from the source disposed in the housing are emitted and directed outward towards the pipe's interior wall so a full cross-section of the pipe's interior can be measured. A flow meter for detecting fluid flow rates in a pipe. A method for detecting fluid flow rates in a pipe.
US08181534B2
A transducer assembly for an ultrasonic flow meter comprises a piezoelectric capsule. In an embodiment, the piezoelectric capsule includes a housing having a central axis, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a first inner chamber extending axially from the first end. In addition, the piezoelectric capsule includes a piezoelectric element disposed in the first inner chamber. Further, the piezoelectric element includes a plurality of spacers disposed in the first inner chamber between the piezoelectric element and the housing.
US08181529B2
A system (1) for the detection of defects in rails (12), the system comprising a source of ultrasonic waves for emitting ultrasonic waves onto a rail, a detector for detecting ultrasonic waves reflected or otherwise scattered by the rail or defects therein and a mist generator (3) arranged, in use, to expose one or both of the rail and source of ultrasonic wave to a mist of liquid, thus enabling the formation of an ultrasound-transmissive interface between the rail and the source of ultrasonic waves.
US08181515B2
A fluid level indicator strip measures the level of water in a closed receptacle containing a volume of fluid within an impermeable liner. The strip is a flexible, thin and impermeable elongate strip having a first pressure sensing part disposed vertically within the receptacle on the surface of an inside wall and a second visual display part disposed on the same wall outside surface. The first and second parts are connected by a third horizontal part. Each pressure sensor is electrically connected to a direct opposite and corresponding visual display. In one embodiment the pressure sensors are piezoresistive. In another embodiment the visual displays are LEDs.
US08181514B2
An inflow port and an outflow port of a bypass passage have openings on a front surface near a projecting end and on a bottom surface, respectively, of a bypass passage forming member. A recess portion is disposed on the front surface of the bypass passage forming member on a circuit housing portion side of the inflow port so as to extend at a predetermined depth over an entire region in a longitudinal direction of a short side of a rectangular cross section of the bypass passage forming member.
US08181513B2
A flow meter includes: a body portion comprising a main flow path wherein flows a fluid to be measured, a first branch flow portion wherein the fluid to be measured branches and flows from the main flow path, a second branch flow portion wherein the fluid to be measured, which branches and flows from the first branch flow portion, flows into the main flow path, and narrow portions for restricting the flow of the fluid to be measured, provided in a primary flow path between the branch flow portions, a branched flow path structuring portion through which flows the fluid to be measured, connected to the branch flow portions; and a fluid measuring portion provided with a sensor disposed facing a flow path that is provided in the branched flow path structuring portion, wherein the sensor measures the fluid based on the detection results of the fluid introduced from the branch flow portions.
US08181510B2
A method and system is disclosed for automatically correcting for depth errors in measurements taken from a drillstring during the drilling phase of the construction of a hydrocarbon wellbore. The correction is based on a stress profile which in turn is based on the states of the drilling rig, drill string description length spec, borehole description trajectory, friction factor and weight on bit.
US08181503B2
The present invention is a disposable sensor for use with a device that quantifies analytes in a gaseous sample. It comprises (i) a sensing element, (ii) a means for interfacing the disposable sensor with a gas analysis device, and (iii) a housing. When used with a device that can quantify the concentration of an analyte in a gas sample, the present invention facilitates the use of exhaled breath analysis as a clinical tool.
US08181497B2
An apparatus and method for straightening an article are disclosed. The apparatus and method disclosed provide for the conservation of metal, reduction waste worldwide, and the extension of the useful life for an article. The apparatus may comprise an actuator, an endpiece coupled to the actuator, the endpiece including two arms, the arms defining a space therebetween; and a support member including two rails, the rails defining a space therebetween. Upon activation of the actuator, the arms engage the article disposed on the rails. Also, the space between the arms is aligned with the space between the rails. Both spaces are adapted to receive article portions such that portions within the spaces are not engaged by the arms.
US08181493B2
A three-axis linear position sensor apparatus may include (a) a reference device adapted as a magnetic field generating element, (b) a receiver pad adapted to measure a magnetic field generated by the reference device, and (c) a signal-conditioning and signal-processing electronics adapted to determine a three-axis linear position of the reference device based on the magnetic field measured by the receiver pad.
US08181485B2
An ultra-thin glass sheet is formed using a roll-to-roll glass soot deposition and sintering process. The sintering involves initially heating and sintering one or more central segments of a glass soot sheet, and progressively heating and sintering glass soot sheet segments that are located laterally or axially adjacent to previously-sintered segments such that, along respective width directions of the glass soot sheet, only a portion of the width is sintered at a given time interval during the heating.
US08181484B2
In a process for a thin-plate form glass molded body, an upper mold part having a pressing surface is used together with a lower mold part having a setting surface arranged to be opposed to the pressing surface. A melted glass lump is pressed between the pressing surface and setting surface. The pressing is performed to set the temperature (° C.) of the thin-plate form glass molded body to a temperature of Tg−20 or higher, and lower than Tg, wherein Tg represents the glass transition point (° C.) of the glass, in a period of 0.8 second or less after the end of the pressing.
US08181483B2
Discloses are processes for preparing conductive glass-ceramics employ segregation or ion exchange.
US08181478B2
A refrigeration system can incorporate a liquid-injection system that can provide a cooling liquid to an intermediate-pressure location of the compressor. The cooling liquid can absorb the heat of compression during the compression of the refrigerant flowing therethrough. The refrigeration system can include an economizer circuit that injects a refrigerant vapor into an intermediate-pressure location of the compressor in conjunction with the injection of the cooling liquid. The incorporation of the vapor injection in conjunction with the cooling-liquid injection can advantageously increase the cooling capacity and/or efficiency of the refrigeration system and the performance of the compressor.
US08181477B2
An ice making device may include an ice tray, a drive mechanism for moving the ice tray to a water-supply position and to an ice making position, two guide plates each of which is formed with a guide groove for guiding the ice tray to the water-supply position and to the ice making position, two engaging projections provided on the ice tray and each of which is engaged with the guide groove, and two cranks each of which is formed with a drive groove with which the engaging projection is engaged and is connected with the drive mechanism to be turned for moving the ice tray. The water-supply position is located at a position separated from the ice making position in a lateral direction, and the two engaging projections are provided on the ice tray so that their axial direction are substantially coincided with each other, and a gravity center position of the ice tray is located on a lower side of the two engaging projections.
US08181472B2
An electronic microprocessor-based control system for a refrigerator is provided having refrigeration components including a compressor, a condenser, a condenser fan, an evaporator, a variable speed evaporator fan. Multiple temperature sensors are provided to communicate with the electronic microprocessor-based electronic control system. The electronic microprocessor-based control system controls the operation of both the refrigeration and non-refrigeration components based on information provided by the multiple temperature sensors.
US08181461B2
An improvement is provided to a pressurized close-cycle machine that has a cold-end pressure vessel and is of the type having a piston undergoing reciprocating linear motion within a cylinder containing a working fluid heated by conduction through a heater head by heat from an external thermal source. The improvement includes a heat exchanger for cooling the working fluid, where the heat exchanger is disposed within the cold-end pressure vessel. The heater head may be directly coupled to the cold-end pressure vessel by welding or other methods. A coolant tube is used to convey coolant through the heat exchanger.
US08181460B2
The present disclosure details a thermoacoustic driven compressor having a pressurized housing, which contains within a thermoacoustic engine and a working gas, coupled to a positive displacement reciprocating compressor. The thermoacoustic driven compressor generates scalable compressed air from a given heat source.
US08181453B2
An exhaust Venturi apparatus, system, and method includes an elongate housing for passage of exhaust gases, a Venturi mechanism disposed on the housing, the Venturi mechanism configured to create a low-pressure zone in the exhaust gases within the housing, and an aperture disposed in a side of the housing downstream of the Venturi mechanism, such that secondary air outside the housing is drawn into the exhaust stream. The aperture may comprise one or a plurality of apertures, small in cross-section compared to the housing cross-section, for minimizing sound emanating from the exhaust system. The Venturi mechanism may comprise a Venturi plate mounted between the housing and the engine.
US08181452B2
Various systems and method are described for controlling an engine having an exhaust system which includes a particulate filter. One example method comprises, after shutting down the engine and spinning down the engine to rest, operating a vacuum pump to draw fresh air through the exhaust system to an intake system, and regenerating at least a portion of the particulate filter during the engine rest.
US08181449B2
An exhaust gas purification system has an exhaust gas purification device for purifying components in exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine. In order to recover a purification ability of the device, and in order to prevent oil dilution occurring when post injection is conducted during control that raises the temperature of exhaust gas, the system performs the following, during control; injection quantities of post injections are calculated based on previously set map data, accumulated to calculate a post injection accumulated injection amount, and, when the accumulated injection amount exceeds a predetermined value, the post injection is stopped to cease the regenerative control.
US08181448B2
A system for controlling urea injection quantity of a vehicle, may include an SCR device, the SCR device purifying NOx, a pump configured to supply the SCR device with a urea solution of a urea tank through a urea supply line, a dosing injector disposed on the exhaust pipe at upstream side of the SCR device and injecting the urea solution, and a control portion that closes the dosing injector not to exhaust the urea solution that is charged in the urea supply line if operation of the engine is stopped and outside temperature is higher than a predetermined base temperature, and that stops the pump and opens the dosing injector to exhaust the urea solution charged in the urea supply line to the urea tank if operation of the engine is stopped and the outside temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined base temperature.
US08181446B2
A reduction catalyst is disposed in an exhaust passage of an engine. A reducing agent added to the exhaust gas is urged to react with NOx in the exhaust gas, catalyzed by the reduction catalyst. A member for distributing the exhaust gas to which the reducing agent has been added is provided. This member is formed by applying of an axial welding and is disposed in the exhaust passage such that the internal surface of its joining portion is disposed to overhang from the topmost position of the joining portion.
US08181445B2
The exhaust gas aftertreatment device according to the invention having a reforming unit for generating hydrogen by steam reforming, partial oxidation of hydrocarbons and/or mixed forms thereof is distinguished by the fact that the reforming unit is arranged directly in the main exhaust gas stream from an internal combustion engine. The steam and residual oxygen which are required for the reforming preferably originate from the exhaust gas. The step of providing the required reducing agents consists in briefly switching the internal combustion engine, which is predominantly operated in lean-burn mode and the exhaust gas from which is undergoing the aftertreatment, to rich-burn mode, allowing reforming by means of the reforming reactor according to the invention using the hydrocarbons that are present in the exhaust gas.
US08181443B2
A cooling system of a gas turbine engine, includes a heat exchanger having a common wall shared by a first air passage for directing a portion of a compressor air flow to be used as cooling air, and a second air passage for directing a portion of a bypass air flow, the portion of the compressor air flow being thereby cooled by the portion of the bypass air flow through the common wall.
US08181441B2
A turbine engine component of a turbofan engine fitted with a bypass air valve includes at least one turbine engine component having a surface with at least one aperture, said turbine engine component located from between a bypass fan duct and a turbine exhaust nozzle of the turbofan engine; a bypass air valve includes a liner concentrically disposed about the turbine engine component and parallel to a centerline of the turbofan engine, the liner has a surface including at least one aperture and at least one impermeable region, and means for actuating the liner about the turbine engine component; and a flow transfer location comprising an area proximate to a turbine exhaust stream flow.
US08181434B2
A corn head includes plural pairs of first and second laterally spaced rotating stalk rolls each having outer fluting and plural outer arrays of spaced knife members extending along the length of each stalk roll. Corn stalks are directed by rotating pick-up cones each disposed forward of a respective stalk roll into the space between adjacent stalk rolls, where the stalks are directed downwardly through the inter-roll space and are reduced by the cutting action of the rotating knives. Each pick-up cone and its associated stalk roll rotate in opposite directions as do the two stalk rolls. Disposed above and extending along the length of the stalk rolls are a closely spaced upper auger and stripper plate which remove an ear of corn from the stalk and direct the ear to the combine for further processing. A skid plate is disposed adjacent a lower, forward portion of each pick-up cone.
US08181428B2
A method for gas filling a handle portion of a container of a collapsible type. The handle portion being defined by two opposite side walls of the container and communicating, via a duct defined by the side walls, with an opening formed in one of the side walls. The method including the steps of supplying, at a gas filling station, a gas to the handle portion via the opening and the duct, blocking the duct by a squeezing action to retain the gas supplied to the handle portion, transporting the container to a sealing station while maintaining the squeezing action and, at said sealing station, sealing the duct while maintaining the squeezing action, so as to permanently enclose the gas in the handle portion. The disclosure further concerns a container of a collapsible type.
US08181415B2
The modular construction block is a modular construction element for forming structures such as earth retaining walls, for example. A plurality of modular construction blocks are provided for the formation of the desired structures, with each block being hollow so as to fill the structure with concrete. Rather than acting as a removable form for the construction of a concrete wall, for example, the blocks are left in place, forming part of the permanent structure. Each modular construction block includes a hollow parallelepiped frame having first and second laterally opposed walls secured to a pair of laterally opposed ends of the hollow frame. The upper end, the lower end and a pair of longitudinally opposed ends of the hollow frame all remain open for receiving poured concrete. Both horizontally and vertically adjacent ones of the blocks are secured to one another to form the structure.
US08181411B2
A construction component is described. The construction component may include: a) a permanent formwork constituted by a pair of separate semi-forms, facing each other and defining a hollow space between them; b) a construction setting material arranged inside the hollow space; and c) auxiliary installations, such as piping, wiring, or cabling. In one example, each semi-form includes a metal plate fitted with protuberances projecting from one side of the metal plate towards the construction setting material, and with slots housing the auxiliary installations. In another example, each semi-form includes a plastic plate, wherein one of the plastic plates is fitted with protuberances and the other plastic plate is fitted with slots. The example method may include arranging of the auxiliary installations in the slots; and arrangement of two semi-forms and subsequent filling with the construction material until it sets; and optionally connecting the systems and/or installing of the coating components.
US08181410B2
A metal building insulation system and method for by-pass wall girt metal building systems which facilitates the installation of wall insulation applied from the interior of the building for the full depth of the wall girt. Integrally faced vapor barrier blanket insulation combined with vapor barrier extensions installed behind perimeter structural and corner columns before wall girt erection are preferred system components.
US08181406B2
A temperature and humidity controlled building houses sensitive telecommunications equipment in operation. A secure outdoor shelter within a closed perimeter abutting the building utilizes the exterior of one wall of the building as a portion of its perimeter. The outdoor shelter contains outdoor-hardened telecommunications equipment, also in operation, which dissipates large quantities of heat to the atmosphere. There are coax cable and waveguide operative interconnections between the sensitive telecommunications equipment and the outdoor-hardened telecommunications equipment, the interconnection being made through the one wall without affecting control of the temperature and humidity in the building. There is a further coax cable and waveguide connection from the outdoor equipment to a cell tower where wireless transmission takes place. The outdoor shelter can be expanded modularly.
US08181393B2
The lock mechanism comprises a first subunit (6) arranged to be fixed on an outer face of an upright tubular member (7) of the hinged leaf and a second subunit (8) arranged to be fixed within the tubular member (7). The second subunit (8) comprises a frame (9), a bolt member (10) movably mounted on said frame (9) between a projected and a retracted position, and a bolt operating mechanism which comprises a gear train (20, 21, 22) to increase the travel of the bolt member (10). The first subunit (6) comprises operator means (26, 28, 29). The lock mechanism further comprises a rotary shaft (32) by means of which the bolt operating mechanism can be coupled to the operator means so that only a hole has to be made in the tubular member (7) of the leaf. The operator means comprise a hinged lever (26) movable between a pushed in position and a pulled out position, the bolt member (10) moving from its projected to its retracted position when the lever (26) is moved from its pushed in to its pulled out position and vice versa. In this way, the bolt member (10) is locked in its projected position, wherein it extends in a reception hole in the ground, when the double door or gate is closed.
US08181392B1
An automatic gate arm damage prevention system includes a lift arm that is coupled to a lifting apparatus. The lift arm has an outer end, an upper side, a lower side, a first lateral side and a second lateral side. A channel extends into the outer end and the upper side so that the channel is bounded by the first and second lateral sides and the lower side. An elongated member has a first end and a second end. The first end is positioned in the channel. A pivot pin extends through the channel and through the elongated member and the lift arm to pivotally couple the elongated member to the lift arm. The second end is pivotable upwardly with respect to the lift arm.
US08181390B2
The invention provides a method of growing plants in a mineral wool growth substrate, the method comprises providing at least one mineral wool growth substrate comprising binder and wetting agent, positioning one or more plants for growth in the growth substrate, characterized in that the height of the mineral wool growth substrate is at least 53 mm and the wetting agent comprises ionic surfactant.
US08181383B2
This invention relates to a mouse trap having retractable biting portions. It includes a base, a movable portion, and a trigger. The base has a front seat which has a lower outer edge and several receiving holes. The movable portion is disposed on the base and has a front frame portion and a restoring force generating element. The front frame portion is disposed with an upper outer edge and a plurality of retractable biting portions. These retractable biting portions are corresponding to the receiving holes. The restoring force generating element is able to urge the movable portion moving from the first position to the second position. So, it can capture a mouse quickly. The protruded length of each retractable biting portion is automatically adjusted. Hence, the captured mouse will not bleed so it is sanitary. The capture method is humane without sacrificing its capturing result. The safety of the product can be enhanced. Plus, the biting depth is automatically adjusted.
US08181381B1
This compact flexible stand-up fish fighting harness set (Harness Set) embodies various adjustable straps, belts and other connections which are either directly attached to a rigid fishing rod gimbal receiver with flexible upper leg supports, or to the fishing reel lugs. Harness Set unites angler and fishing rod and reel rig (Rig) when they are under pulling stress of fighting a large game fish (Fish). Harness Set frees angler's arms, hands and lower back from pulling on fishing rod while drawing on angler's greater legs strength of quadriceps muscles and body weight to leverage said fishing rod. Harness Set differs from other harness and gimbal receiver designs in several significant features. Contoured and cushioned leg supports conform to angler's thighs, but are sufficiently flexible to enable an angler to walk sideways (to follow Fish) while maintaining great pressure against Fish. Leg supports are angularly adjustable on the gimbal receiver base to comfortably match angler's stature and stance. A cushioned rump-to-reel strap transfers leg leverage and body weight to Rig, as angler drops into semi-sitting position and then reels against game fish as angler returns to standing upright; while always maintaining steady pulling pressure against Fish. Harness Set also benefits from groin straps and suspenders strap(s), and an accessory fishing rod butt extension.
US08181379B2
A composite gun scope full cover for a gun scope secured with a mounting base to a gun comprising a pair of interacting partial substantially identical scope covers; each partial cover including a body of flexible sheet material having a top surface and spaced apart depending walls of a length sufficient to cover about one-half of the length of the scope; an end lens cover at one end of the body to cover either the eye piece end or the distal end of the scope; a strap extending from the opposite end of the body; an opening between the body and the strap and resilient, stretchable material between the end cover and one end of the strap that engages the mounting base during use of the partial cover to cover an end of the scope, whereby one strap of one partial cover is inserted through the opening of the other partial cover so that the opening of the inserted partial cover will fit over an end of the scope to be pulled against the base mount and stretched over an end of the scope opposite to the end covered by the first partial cover.
US08181376B2
A floor display comprises a window plate (2) made from a transparent material, a baseplate (3), and a frame made from flexible material, the frame (4) extending around the two plates (2, 3) and holding them together, it being possible for an exchangeable image carrier (21) made of material in sheet or film form to be placed between the plates (2, 3), the frame (4) being nonreleasably connected, by means of a bonded join, to substantially the entire peripheral edge (9) of the window plate (2), and the frame (4) furthermore being nonreleasably connected, by means of a bonded join, to at most two peripheral edge sides (10) of the baseplate (3).
US08181370B1
A labeling and a method of labeling adapted for pharmaceutical containers having multiple printed indicia locations varying in size and containing information for a user of varying sized pharmaceutical containers. The labeling includes a single substrate having several labeling options and can be designed with multiple main die cut portions separating various sections of the label such that various size labels can be produced from the single substrate.
US08181367B1
A removable cleat includes a plurality of projections, dividing into sets, with each set of projections made of different materials. The cleat includes a coupling element, for attachment to a shoe, and a ground contacting element. The ground contacting element contains a plurality of projections, with the projections divided into at least two sets. The projections may be disposed about the perimeter of the ground contacting element, such that each set of projections does not extend more than half the perimeter. Additionally, some of the plurality of projections may be located interior to the perimeter. Further, each set of projections may be oriented in a particular direction with respect to a plane formed by the perimeter. Each interspersed set of projections may be made of a different material, or each projection may itself be made of a different material. Further, a directional cleat may include sets of projections interspersed on different parts of the cleat, with each set made of different materials. Such materials may also be of different colors, to help ensure correct installation of the directional cleat on a shoe.
US08181364B2
An article of footwear with a heel cushioning system is disclosed. The heel cushioning system includes a sole, a curved plate and tread members. The tread members may lift a heel portion of a sole above a ground surface. The curved plate may deflect when a force is applied to the sole.
US08181354B2
An inclination position sensor where, on a substrate on which wires are formed, plural electrodes electrically connected to the wires are disposed, a conductive ball that can simultaneously contact at least two of the plural electrodes is disposed, an enclosure that covers the plural electrodes and the conductive ball is disposed, and a circular arc is formed in places of the electrodes that contact the conductive ball.
US08181337B2
A method of mounting electronic components on a printed board includes providing a storage tape including a first portion and a second portion that are connected by a connection tape and containing electronic components stored therein, advancing the storage tape so that an electronic component is advanced to a component pickup position where electronic components are picked up by a suction nozzle, picking up the advanced electronic component at the component pickup position by the suction nozzle, and mounting the picked up electronic component on a printed board. The advancing of the storage tape, the picking up of the electronic component and the mounting of the electronic component are repeated, and the component pickup position is adjusted when the second portion of the storage tape is advanced to the component pickup position.
US08181332B2
A method of inserting an undulating winding into an alternator stator. The method comprises the following steps consisting of shaping each phase winding into a succession of crenels comprising two lateral branches which are intended to be attached at a position for reception in a slot, positioning the windings on an insertion tool and inserting the turns into the slots of the stator in the reverse order to the winding order. The windings are wound around the insertion tool simultaneously, and the turns that succeed one another in a determined winding order belong alternatively to different windings.
US08181325B2
A method for mounting a soft member on a longitudinal member by pressing the soft member against the longitudinal member by a roller. The roller is rotated using a servomotor so that the peripheral speed (V2) of the pressing surface of the roller, which forms the outer peripheral surface of the roller, is equal to a transfer speed (V1) at which the roller is transferred along the longitudinal member or the peripheral speed is larger by 10% max. than the transfer speed (V1) partly in a roller transfer route. The soft member is pulled back in the opposite direction of the roller transfer direction by the rotating force of the roller to prevent the soft member from being loosened.
US08181321B2
A machine tool having a carrier device for workpieces or tools or tool spindles. A console supports the carrier and can be pivoted about a first axis (X) from the horizontal into the vertical position and beyond. The console is pivotably housed on carriages guided in the machine body. The carrier for a workpiece, a tool, or a tool spindle is arranged on the console, and a drive device is provided for the synchronous displacement of the carriages on guide rails fixed on the machine tool. The console is hinged via two crank-like arms to the stationary machine body in addition to being supported on both carriages to form a kniematic coupling.
US08181318B2
A buckle assembly has a female buckle portion formed by a housing with a hollow interior and at least two openings, and at least two male buckle portions, each having at least one locking leg. There is an actuating device disposed within the housing and accessible through an aperture in the housing. The actuating device has latching mechanisms for cooperating with the locking legs for locking the male buckle portions within the female buckle portion when the locking legs of the male portions are inserted through the openings of the housing. Pulling the actuating device toward the aperture moves the latching mechanisms away from the male buckle portions and releases the male buckle portions from the housing.
US08181311B2
The present invention provides an adjustable hinged door closer, including a seat with the first and second cylinders, and a first and a second elastic linkage unit. A double-threaded regulator is incorporated onto the first connecting rod of the first elastic linkage unit, so as to change the compression of the spring and regulate the closing/restoring force of the door body. The double-threaded column of the double-threaded regulator has a double-thread that shifts to two thread pitches by just making one rotation, thus facilitating the fine-tuning easily. The elastic linkage unit and the regulator are structurally configured to be assembled externally, and then mated with the connecting seat of the door closer.
US08181304B1
A system and method of configuring the prongs on a hairbrush. A brush head is provided having a face surface and a plurality of prongs. The prongs are arranged in parallel rows that include at least a first row, a second row, and a third row. The prongs are positioned in the first row of prongs so that the first row of prongs engages a first volume of hair from a lock of hair being brushed. The prongs are positioned in the second row of prongs so that the second row of prongs engages a second volume of hair that is greater than the first volume of hair. Likewise, the prongs in the third row of prongs are positioned so that the third row of prongs engages a third volume of hair that is greater than the second volume of hair.
US08181302B2
A method and apparatus for providing uniform pressure, friction and/or contact between a substrate and a cylindrical roller in a brush-type cleaning system is described. The apparatus includes an alignment member adapted to allow pivotal movement of the cylindrical roller based on the topography of a substrate and/or the outer surface of the cylindrical roller. The method includes positioning a substrate between two cylindrical rollers, moving each of the two cylindrical rollers to a position where at least a portion of an outer surface of each of the cylindrical rollers are in contact with the major surfaces of the substrate, and rotating one or both of the substrate and the two cylindrical rollers relative to each other while allowing a longitudinal axis of one or both of the two cylindrical rollers to pivot relative to a plane defined by one of the major surfaces of the substrate.
US08181299B2
A washing machine is disclosed. A method for washing laundry with the washing machine enhances washing performance and enables sterilization of the laundry by using steam while preventing damage of cloth due to the steam. The method comprises primarily supplying water into a tub, and supplying steam by heating the water using a heater installed in the tub to generate the steam.
US08181295B1
An adjustable air mattress device comprising a main air mattress component having an inflatable inner cavity; a first torso elevation component disposed on a top surface of the main air mattress component at a front end having art inflatable inner cavity; a second torso elevation component disposed on a top surface of the first torso elevation component having an inflatable inner cavity; a first leg elevation component disposed on the top surface of the main air mattress component at a back end having an inflatable inner cavity; and a second leg elevation component disposed on a top surface of the first leg elevation component having an inflatable inner cavity; wherein the user can independently inflate the main air mattress component, the first torso elevation component, the second torso elevation component, the first leg elevation component, the second leg elevation component, or a combination thereof.
US08181290B2
According to certain arrangements, a climate controlled bed includes an upper portion comprising a core with a top core surface and a bottom core surface. The core includes at least one passageway extending from the top core surface to the bottom core surface. The upper portion of the bed further includes at least one fluid distribution member positioned above the core, wherein the fluid distribution member is in fluid communication with at least one passageway of the core. The fluid distribution member is configured to at least partially distribute fluid within said fluid distribution member. The upper portion of the bed further comprises at least one comfort layer positioned adjacent to the fluid distribution member. The bed also includes a lower portion configured to support the upper portion and at least one fluid module configured to selectively transfer air to or from the fluid distribution member of the upper portion. In some arrangements, the fluid module includes a fluid transfer device and a thermoelectric device for selectively thermally conditioning fluids being transferred by the fluid transfer device.
US08181280B2
The present invention is an enhanced undergarment that enables easier dressing and undressing by disabled individuals by allowing the user to don the garment from the buttock area. The garment is configured with a unique back panel at the buttock area that it is divided into two separate panels, a right panel and a left panel. The left and right panels of the undergarment are not seamed but remain open; this opening is from the top of the elastic band to the crotch. Seams are placed to attach the sides of the two separates panels to the front panel, joining the right and left sides. The undergarments are configured with standard leg openings. A seam is also at the crotch. Before the seam is placed at the crotch area, the bottoms of the back panels are designed to overlap. The overlap facilitates better closure and provides space for extra fasteners if needed. The left and right panels include male and female fasteners which allow the user to manually open and close the back panels.
US08181277B1
A sleeping cap for lifting the face of a person away from a sleeping surface to prevent facial wrinkles comprises a U-shaped basic form covered with a fabric and having first and second extensions, each of the extensions being flexibly positioned within the fabric adjacent to each leg end of the U-shaped basic form, and the fabric covering the end of the first extension is attached to the fabric at the end of the second extension to form the sleeping cap. Straps from each side of the sleeping cap secure the cap on the person's head.
US08181276B2
A glove having one or more reinforcements affixed thereon that reduce restriction of movement of fingers of a user. The reinforcements cross to form at least one X-shaped pattern when projected on a plane of motion of an interphalangeal joint of the fingers. The one or more reinforcements are located substantially on one or both sides of the interphalangeal joint of the fingers. The X-shaped pattern is substantially centered over an axis of rotation of the interphalangeal joint.
US08181271B2
A kneepad includes a number of layered material portions and an inner padding portion located between the layered material portions. An integral protective covering is attached to an outer surface of the kneepad. A pair of attachment elements is adapted to attach the kneepad to a person's knee. The protective portion includes a number of raised elements that operate to form pneumatic cushioning.
US08185967B2
The present application relates generally to content management (e.g., managing audio and video items in portable devices). One claim recites a method comprising: utilizing electronic memory housed in a portable device, maintaining a listing of up to N identifiers associated with previously accessed audio or video items, where N is an integer, and where each previously accessed audio or video item has an identifier associated therewith; utilizing a programmed electronic processor housed in the portable device, i) restricting access to a new audio or video item if an identifier associated with the new audio or video item is one of the N identifiers associated with the previously accessed audio or video items, or ii) limiting a number of content items each with a different user identifier associated therewith that can be accessed in a certain amount of time. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided as well.
US08185966B2
An electromechanical system consists of a memory storage unit in which the licensed video files are stored. The function of this device is to recognize the requested data and thereby allow the video file contents from the memory storage unit according to the instructions set to this device. It is an effective means for protecting the video files in the device from non-duplication.
US08185963B2
A method for protecting live content in a multimedia system. An Acquisition Point that receives content distributes it in a network comprising a recording device and a rendering device. The content is associated with a license comprising a content identifier and the identity of the sending Acquisition Point. If the content is live, the license indicates that the content is “live protected”. A rendering device that receives the content and its license asks the Acquisition Point indicated in the license if it may render the content. If the content is not live, e.g. if it is replayed later, the permission is given. The Acquisition Point also stores a counter that indicates the number simultaneous viewings. If this number equals a maximum number of viewings when a request is received, the Acquisition Point asks all devices if they access the content to check if its count is correct and, if not, permits access to the requesting device.
US08185957B2
A method for an impaired user to control a peripheral device including receiving key-value pair input from the user, determining whether the received input is valid and executing a job generated from the valid received key-value pair input.
US08185956B1
A mechanism is provided for determining a safety reputation for a network site in a manner that provides both wide coverage of potentially malicious sites as well as improves the freshness of information from which the safety reputation is derived. Community-based information, such as reports from users related to recently-visited network sites, malware detected by reporting network nodes, non-specific information such as unusual CPU usage and network activity of visiting nodes, and information received from other types of external feeds is used in determining the safety reputation and updating the safety reputation. Such information is analyzed in order to determine network sites that are potential sources of malware, which can then be subjected to more detailed analysis. Historical information as to a site's reputation and other factors such as commercial importance can also be reviewed to make a determination as to whether information being currently gathered by a community of users is sufficient to trigger additional analysis of the network site. Thus, resources used for detailed analysis of suspect network sites is conserved.
US08185947B2
The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for securely exchanging security keys and monitoring links in an IP communications network. The apparatus is disposed between the local device and the remote device and receives a security key associated with the secure communication(s) for the local device. The apparatus then uses the security key to decode one or more messages transmitted between the local device and the remote device. The apparatus may initiate one or more security protocols whenever the decoded message(s) satisfy one or more criteria. Note that the present invention can be implemented as a computer program embodied on a computer readable medium wherein each step is performed by one or more code segments.
US08185946B2
Methods of screening incoming packets are provided. A first firewall detects a tunnel formation. A second firewall maintains a list of open firewall sessions. Each tunnel has one or more associated firewall sessions. The first firewall detects variable situations, such as when the tunnel is torn down, and notifies the second firewall so that, for example, the second firewall can act to clear an associated firewall session from the firewall session list. Incoming packets that are associated with firewall sessions that have been cleared from the firewall session list may not be passed through the second firewall.
US08185937B2
A system and method is described for controlling the password(s) of one or more programs through a universal program. The universal control program allows access to one or more other programs and allows editing of the passwords of the other programs directly through the universal access program.
US08185936B1
A method and medium are provided for automatically updating user profiles based on authentication failures associated with network-access requests from mobile communications devices. A mobile communications device requests access to a mobile network and the access is rejected due to an authentication failure. Upon communicating a rejection message to the mobile communications device, the authentication server communicates a network-access rejection notification to a user-profile updating server that resets network-generated authentication credentials and provides updated profiles containing reset credentials to a provisioning server. Subsequent access requests from the mobile device are handled through a dedicated profile-provisioning home agent until the device is updated, at which time network access can be granted through a more conventional home agent.
US08185931B1
A method and system for preserving privacy related to networked media consumption activity including: Source privacy zones are defined and associated with privacy standards. Privacy standards include frequency criteria governing the storage of datasets including information associated with networked media consumption activity collected from the source privacy zone. Transaction requests including a networking protocol address are received over a network from a client device at a target location by a networked privacy system. The source privacy zone associated with the client device is identified. Using the networking protocol address to access characteristics having characteristic value(s), a dataset can be created including associating the networked media consumption activity with the characteristic and characteristic value(s). The dataset is pre-processed to comply with the privacy standards. The networking protocol address is discarded. The pre-processed dataset can be stored in a filtered database on a physical storage device at a storage location coupled to the networked privacy system.
US08185917B2
A graphical user interface (GUI) application comparator helps application designers create error free graphical user interface applications (GAPs). The comparator finds differences in the GUI elements used to compose an interface between a current GAP version and a subsequent GAP version. One benefit is that a test script writer may better understand how the GAP has evolved in order to write a better test script. Another benefit is that the comparator output may be analyzed by subsequent processing systems for automated analysis of test scripts.
US08185907B2
A method and system for assigning logical partitions to multiple named processor pools. Sets of physical processors are assigned to predefined processor sets. Named processor pools with unique pool names are defined. The processor sets are assigned to the named processor pools so that each processor set is assigned to a unique named processor pool. A first set of logical partitions is assigned to a first named processor pool and a second set of logical partitions is assigned to a second named processor pool. A first processor set is assigned to the first named processor pool and a first set of physical processors is assigned to the first processor set. Similarly, a second processor set is assigned to the second named processor pool and a second set of physical processors is assigned to the second processor set.
US08185905B2
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture, wherein a first indicator that indicates a recommended resource requirement for an application is read. A second indicator that indicates a permissible flexibility in the recommended resource requirement for the application is read. The application is allocated to a processing entity of a plurality of processing entities based the first and the second indicators.
US08185900B2
The invention relates to a method for the real-time analysis of a system, especially a technical system, which is to process tasks (τ). A job that is defined by processing of a task (τ) generates system expenses. In order to create a particularly quick and accurate method, an approximation of the method is cancelled when it is considered that an interval (I, Iτ, Iτnτ) cannot be processed in real time, the system expenses being taken into account instead of the approximate value for at least one job of a task (τ).
US08185899B2
Systems and methods are provided that schedule task requests within a computing system based upon the history of task requests. The history of task requests can be represented by a historical log that monitors the receipt of high priority task request submissions over time. This historical log in combination with other user defined scheduling rules is used to schedule the task requests. Task requests in the computer system are maintained in a list that can be divided into a hierarchy of queues differentiated by the level of priority associated with the task requests contained within that queue. The user-defined scheduling rules give scheduling priority to the higher priority task requests, and the historical log is used to predict subsequent submissions of high priority task requests so that lower priority task requests that would interfere with the higher priority task requests will be delayed or will not be scheduled for processing.
US08185897B2
A device may receive, over a network, a message that describes a task, create a new task object based on the message, determine whether the task includes performing a follow up task or a new task based on the message, discard the new task object when the task is neither a follow up task nor a new task, perform a follow up to verify a performance of another task when the task is a follow up task, and assign the task to one of multiple queues for processing when the task is a new task.
US08185888B2
Software execution with minimal impact deployment allows software to be executed on a system without first running a conventional installation process. Techniques are used to avoid any requirement of writing settings to restricted areas of operating system maintained data stores.
US08185886B2
Dynamic updating of firmware in a processing system without performing a system reset may be accomplished by allocating memory space for updated firmware in a dynamic random access memory of the processing system during the system initialization process for the processing system; receiving the updated firmware during runtime of the processing system; validating the updated firmware; storing the updated firmware into the allocated memory space when the updated firmware is validated; and setting a pointer variable indicating the start of a portion of the firmware to point to the start of the updated firmware stored in the allocated memory space.
US08185883B2
A method, computer program product, and data processing system for substituting a candidate instruction in application code being loaded during load time. Responsive to identifying the candidate instruction, a determination is made whether a hardware facility of the data processing system is present to execute the candidate instruction. If the hardware facility is absent from the data processing system, the candidate instruction is substituted with a second set of instructions.
US08185882B2
A hardware Java accelerator is provided to implement portions of the Java virtual machine in hardware in order to accelerate the operation of the system on Java bytecodes. The Java hardware accelerator preferably includes Java bytecode translation into native CPU instructions. The combination of the Java hardware accelerator and a CPU provides a embedded solution which results in an inexpensive system to run Java programs for use in commercial appliances.
US08185875B2
A system and method for race warning generation for computer program verification includes determining shared variables and determining context-sensitive points-to sets for lock pointers by focusing on pointers that may affect aliases of lock pointers, and by leveraging function summarization. Locksets are determined at locations where shared variables are accessed using the points-to sets for lock pointers. Warnings are based on disjointness of locksets.
US08185871B2
An apparatus having a programmable processor and a memory for performing a plurality of user-selectable control functions includes a database for storing a plurality of items associated with each of the control functions. The items include, for each function, at least one procedure for performing an action associated with the control function and a specification of at least one state associated with the control function. The apparatus further includes software routines stored on the memory and adapted to be executed by the processor that facilitate selection of a procedure in the database, that access the database and cause performance of the selected procedure to achieve the state specified therein, and that monitor at least one resource associated with the action of the procedure and, based thereon, determine whether the specified state has been achieved.
US08185870B2
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for managing a software partition in logical partitioned data processing system. A virtual root process is created for the software partition, wherein the virtual root process functions as a root process for the software partition. The set of child processes is re-parented to the virtual root process in response to termination of a process having a set of child processes.
US08185867B2
A method for designing software components for integration into any system without additional coding is provided. The method includes adopting a uniform application programming interface that breaks down external objects to include the characteristics of object, attribute, and method. Ideally, the characteristics include create object, delete object, read attributes, write attributes, and invoke behavior. A software tool is provided for communication between an API and a data source, the tool including a join engine adapted to provide communication between at least one view and at least one base source associated with the data source, the join engine further adapted to update the at least one base source in response to updates to the view. Ideally, the tool is further configured to support on the at least one base source operations of create object and delete object on the at least one view. The software tool is also configured to map events in the at least one base source to the at least one view, and can be configured to create virtual attributes based on the view through operations or expressions performed on the view, including, but not limited to algebraic expressions, names, strings, and functions.
US08185863B2
A delay fault test quality calculation apparatus for calculating delay fault test quality to be achieved by a test pattern to be applied to a semiconductor integrated circuit includes a defect distribution extraction unit, a delay fault-layout element information extraction unit, and a weighting unit. The delay fault test quality calculation apparatus further includes a delay fault test quality calculation unit which calculates the delay fault test quality on the basis of delay design information of the semiconductor integrated circuit, detection information of the test pattern to test the semiconductor integrated circuit, execution conditions of the test, a physical defect distribution extracts the defect distribution extraction unit, and a weights adds the weighting unit.
US08185854B1
A method for designing a system on a target device is disclosed. Domains and sub-domains in the system are identified. A sub-domain is divided into a plurality of chunks. Slacks for the chunks are computed in parallel. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08185848B2
A method for manufacturing a photomask based on design data includes the steps of forming a figure element group including a figure element in a layout pattern on the photomask and a figure element affecting the figure element due to the optical proximity effect, adding identical identification data to a data group indicating an identical figure element group, estimating an influence of the optical proximity effect on the figure element group, generating correction data indicating a corrected figure element in which the influence of the optical proximity effect is compensated for at the time of exposure, creating figure data by associating data having the identical identification data with correction data having the identical identification data, and forming a mask pattern on the photomask using figure data. Thus, the computation time for correction of the layout can be reduced, thereby reducing the production time of the photomask.
US08185844B2
An electronic device having an on screen display (OSD) and a method for generating the OSD are described, for generating an OSD in an electronic device, so as to reduce the display area of the OSD. The method comprises the steps of selecting a function menu, and drawing a display layer of the function menu and a display layer of each function item in the function menu on a display frame of a display; selecting a function item from the current function menu; only drawing the display layer of the selected function item and removing the display layers of the unselected ones; and when the selected function item further includes another function menu, drawing a display layer of each function item in the function menu.
US08185833B2
A system and method for creating and using configuration diagrams for configuring distributed systems. The methods described herein may be used for various types of operations in configuring distributed systems, including creating programs, managing programs in the distributed system, deploying programs to various distributed devices, configuring remote execution or inter-operation of distributed programs, and executing distributed applications. Embodiments of the invention utilize graphical iconic-based techniques for performing the above operations. The configuration diagram may include device icons which represent devices and program icons which represent programs. Device icons and program icons may be associated with each other to accomplish various program creation and deployment operations. Device icons and program icons may also interact with graphical program nodes or icons. Context sensitive device connections and/or program connections are displayed. An asynchronous data flow node may be used to facilitate asynchronous data flow between two graphical programs. The distributed system may also support distributed graphical debugging.
US08185821B2
A method of generating a table in which data having time or period information is laid out at corresponding positions along a chronological axis includes the steps of displaying a table generating screen including a table generating area; displaying the chronological axis in the table generating area; obtaining a plurality of pieces of the data according to a selecting instruction; and generating the table by laying out the plurality of pieces of the data in the table generating area along the chronological axis on the basis of the time or period information of the individual pieces of the data.
US08185820B1
Embodiments of methods, apparatuses, devices and systems associated with document generation are disclosed. For example, methods, apparatuses, devices, and systems associated with formatting content for display are disclosed. Including method apparatuses, devices, and systems to read a data file and a template file, create one or more sub-assemblies based at least in part on said template file and/or said data file; and execute one or more tags in said template file to populate said one or more sub-assemblies with data from said data file.
US08185817B2
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for utilizing spreadsheet references with grouped aggregate views. A grouped aggregate view feature enables a user to create a grouped aggregate view of data. A calculation feature enables the user to calculations for the grouped aggregate view of data that are based upon relative or absolute references to data in the grouped aggregate view. Input is received from a user to write a calculation within a first cell in a grouped aggregate view. Input is received from the user to select a second cell to reference when writing the calculation. The user is presented with available references that are relevant to data contained in the second cell. Input is received from the user to select one of the available references that are relevant for the second cell. The selected one of the available references is placed into the first cell.
US08185815B1
As digital media are being generated, a live preview of how that media would be presented—if encoded, stored, decoded, and presented from the decoded form—is presented to a user. The user can order changes to some or all of the encoding format or its parameters, with the effect of noting immediately what those changes would do to the nature of the output from that changed encoded form. The live preview is computed and presented by a computing device without any gaps or other jarring transitions between before and after the changes ordered by the user.
US08185809B2
A method of serving content to multiple clients via a network is provided. Independent sessions with each of a plurality of clients are maintained, wherein the number of clients in the plurality of clients can vary over time, and wherein the start of each session and the end of each session can be independent of the start and end of other sessions. A stream of packet payloads is received, each packet payload of the stream of packet payloads including data generated from the content, wherein each packet payload in at least a subset of the stream of packet payloads includes a different set of data. Each packet payload in the stream of packet payloads is transmitted to each client of the plurality of clients in corresponding packets, wherein the packet payload transmitted to a client at any particular time is independent of the state of the corresponding session.
US08185806B2
An EDC generating circuit includes a memory unit, an EDC generating module, a header generator and an EDC correcting circuit. The EDC generating module, which is coupled to the memory unit, is used for generating a first EDC according to at least one main data, and for storing the first EDC to the memory unit. The header generator, which is coupled to the memory unit, is used for generating a header according to header information. The EDC correcting circuit, which is coupled to the memory unit, is used for reading the first EDC from the memory unit and for correcting the first EDC according to the header to generate a second EDC.
US08185805B2
Forward error correction may be implemented in a network having first, second, third and fourth nodes. The second node receives streaming media message packets and one or more check packets from an upstream first node. The second node transmits the message packets and check packets to a downstream third node. The second node transmits a second set of one or more check packets to a fourth node that is downstream of the third node.
US08185798B2
A technique for joint detection of channel-coded signals in a multiple-input multiple-output system includes detecting, when a decoded signal associated with a first symbol stream passes a cyclic redundancy check, channel-coded signals in the first symbol stream and a second symbol stream using minimum mean squared error with ordered successive interference cancellation (MMSE-OSIC) based detection. When the decoded signal associated with the first symbol stream fails the cyclic redundancy check, the channel-coded signals in the first and second symbol streams are detected using neighbor search algorithm (NSA) based detection.
US08185786B2
An integrated circuit includes a plurality of processing stages each including processing logic, a non-delayed signal-capture element, a delayed signal-capture element and a comparator. The non-delayed signal-capture element captures an output from the processing logic at a non-delayed capture time. At a later delayed capture time, the delayed signal-capture element also captures a value from the processing logic. An error detection circuit and error correction circuit detect and correct random errors in the delayed value and supplies an error-checked delayed value to the comparator. The comparator compares the error-checked delayed value and the non-delayed value and if they are not equal this indicates that the non-delayed value was captured too soon and should be replaced by the error-checked delayed value. The non-delayed value is passed to the subsequent processing stage immediately following its capture and accordingly error recovery mechanisms are used to suppress the erroneous processing which has occurred by the subsequent processing stages, such as gating the clock and allowing the correct signal values to propagate through the subsequent processing logic before restarting the clock. The operating parameters of the integrated circuit, such as the clock frequency, the operating voltage, the body biased voltage, temperature and the like are adjusted so as to maintain a finite non-zero error rate in a manner that increases overall performance.
US08185781B2
A method system for diagnosing a detected failure in a computer system, compares a failure signature of the detected failure to an archived failure signature contained in a database to determine if the archived failure signature matches the failure signature of the detected failure. If the archived failure signature matches the failure signature of the detected failure, an archived solution is applied to the computer system that resolves the detected failure, the archived solution corresponding to a solution used to resolve a previously detected computer system failure corresponding to the archived failure signature in the database that matches the detected failure.
US08185778B2
Disclosed are techniques for flash memory management, including storing metadata and/or error correcting information separately from payload data. In various embodiments, metadata and/or error correcting information are stored in a random access memory within a solid state drive.
US08185770B2
Modern computers (10, 20) come with different timers having different attributes like time resolution, supported time range and time reference. Some are local timers, representing relative time values like the TSC counter (11, 21) counting CPU cycles from the power on or reset of the computer. Some are global timers, representing an absolute or real time. Having different classes of timers in the computer (10, 20), a number of computations need to be performed to tie the different timers to each other.It is the idea of the invention to define a single high resolution timer structure wherein the time value is represented with a digital number and a flag clarifies whether the timer is a global timer or local timer. The invention enables a much faster processing of the time values. The global time, tied to a high-resolution timer can be tracked much faster. This means better precision of scheduling of time critical jobs, like packet scheduling for data transport.
US08185753B2
A power consumption monitor device monitors power consumption of one or more devices through a network. The monitor device includes a storage unit, a load information collecting unit and a power consumption estimation unit. The storage unit stores power consumption estimation information indicating a relation between power consumption and processing load of the one or more devices. The load information collecting unit collects load information indicating the processing load of the one or more devices through the network to the monitor device. The power consumption estimation unit estimates power consumption of the one or more device based on the collected load information and the power consumption estimation information.
US08185746B2
In a target apparatus which stores at least one piece of domain key information in a first area and a plurality of pieces of content key information each associated with any one of the domain key information in a second area, a method for generating data for detecting tampering of the content key information. The method comprises the steps of encrypting the content key information associated with one of the domain key information using a chain encryption technique, extracting data at predetermined positions in the encrypted content key information, concatenating the pieces of data extracted at the predetermined positions in the encrypted content key information to obtain concatenated data, performing a hash calculation with respect to the concatenated data to obtain a hash value, storing check values corresponding to the data at the predetermined positions in plain text, in the target apparatus, and storing the hash value in the target apparatus.
US08185740B2
Consumer computers that are not properly configured for safe access to a web service are protected from damage by controlling access to web services based on the health of the client computer. A client health web service receives health information from the client computer, determines the health status of the consumer computer, and issues a token to the consumer computer indicating its health status. The consumer computer can provide this token to other web services, which in turn may provide access to the consumer computer based on the health status indicated in the token. The client health web service may be operated as a web service specifically to determine the health of consumer computers or may have other functions, including providing access to the Internet. Also, the health information may be proxied to another device, such as a gateway device, that manages interactions with the client health web service.
US08185738B2
A method for transmitting data between a first and a second point comprises the steps of transmitting data, from the first to the second point, together with a signature comprising bits of a first authentication code, and transmitting an acknowledgement, from the second to the first point. The length of the first authentication code is greater than the length of the signature and the first authentication code comprises hidden authentication bits. The acknowledgement is produced by using hidden authentication bits of a second authentication code presumed to be identical to the first, produced at the second point.
US08185732B2
An information processing apparatus includes: a data processing unit that acquires content codes including a data processing program recorded in an information recording medium and executes data processing according to the content codes; and a memory that stores an apparatus certificate including an apparatus identifier of the information processing apparatus. The data processing unit is configured to execute an apparatus checking process applying the apparatus certificate stored in the memory on the basis of a code for apparatus checking process included in the content codes, acquire the apparatus identifier recorded in the apparatus certificate after the apparatus checking process, and execute data processing applying content codes corresponding to the acquired apparatus identifier.
US08185730B1
Software program or application can determine if the storage device it was launched from is connected to the host computer system on an internal bus or an external bus. The ability of a software application to determine from where it and the operating system was launched allows it to perform a plurality of actions based on the launch location such as limiting the functionality of an application depending on its launch location. If a software company does not want its software to be installed or executed from an external drive or executed on multiple computers then it can limit the users ability to moved the software from one computer to another on a portable drive connected through a USB or IEEE-1394 port.
US08185721B2
A system including a dual function adder is described. In one embodiment, the system includes an adder. The adder is configured for a first instruction to determine an address for a hardware prefetch if the first instruction is a hardware prefetch instruction. The adder is further configured for the first instruction to determine a value from an arithmetic operation if the first instruction is an arithmetic operation instruction.
US08185718B2
The invention provides a code memory capable of code provision for a plurality of physical channels. In one embodiment, the code memory comprises a selecting multiplexer, a core memory module, and a code buffer. The selecting multiplexer repeatedly latches on to a plurality of addresses generated by the physical channels according to a sequence of the physical channels to generate a code memory address signal. The core memory module stores code data, and retrieves the code data according to the code memory address signal to generate a code memory data signal. The code buffer respectively retrieves a plurality of code segments requested by the physical channels from the code memory data signal according to the sequence of the physical channels, and stores the code segments.
US08185716B2
A memory system comprises a first memory having associated therewith a first local memory access controller configured to access the first local memory using physical memory addresses and a second memory having associated therewith a second local memory access controller configured to access the second local memory using physical memory addresses. A global controller coupled to the first and second local controllers is configured to communicate virtual memory addresses to the first and second local memory controllers.
US08185715B1
Method and system for managing metadata for a plurality of storage platforms that provide virtualization services is provided. The method includes requesting a memory chunk for storing metadata; wherein a data processing agent operating in a storage platform requests the memory chunk and a centralized metadata controller for the plurality of storage platforms receives the request for the memory chunk; determining the memory chunk size and allocating the memory chunk from a pool of memory chunks; and assigning the allocated memory chunk to a virtualization mapping object.
US08185713B2
A method and apparatus for controlling access to solid state memory devices which may allow maximum parallelism on accessing solid state memory devices with minimal interventions from firmware. To reduce the waste of host time, multiple flash memory devices may be connected to each channel. A job/descriptor architecture may be used to increase parallelism by allowing each memory device to operate separately. A job may be used to represent a read, write or erase operation. When firmware wants to assign a job to a device, it may issue a descriptor, which may contain information about the target channel, the target device, the type of operation, etc. The firmware may provide descriptors without waiting for a response from a memory device, and several jobs may be issued continuously to form a job queue. After the firmware finishes programming descriptors, a sequencer may handle the remaining work so that the firmware may concentrate on other tasks.
US08185706B2
In a copyback or read operation for a non-volatile memory subsystem, data page change indicators are used to manage transfers of data pages between a register in non-volatile memory and a controller that is external to the non-volatile memory.
US08185705B2
An information recording medium such as a semiconductor memory card includes a first semiconductor memory having a first recording area accessed by a relatively small access unit and storing file system management information, a second semiconductor memory having a second recording area accessed by a relatively large access unit and storing file data (file entity data), and a controller for controlling the first and second semiconductor memories. The information recording medium selects either one of recording areas of the first and second semiconductor memories depending on the data type, and writes data into the selected recording area.
US08185703B2
In an embodiment, a system includes a resource. The system also includes a first processor having a load/store functional unit. The load/store functional unit is to attempt to access the resource based on access requests. The first processor includes a congestion detection logic to detect congestion of access of the resource based on a consecutive number of negative acknowledgements received in response to the access requests prior to receipt of a positive acknowledgment in response to one of the access requests within a first time period.
US08185702B2
A device comprising a multimedia platform with a plurality of memories and a method of sharing a non-volatile memory. The multimedia platform in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can have a non-volatile memory, a multimedia processor setting a route in accordance with a route selection signal received from the main processor such that the main processor accesses the non-volatile memory or the display unit, a first volatile memory which is a temporary memory device of the main processor, and a second volatile memory which is a temporary memory of the multimedia processor. With the present invention, the portable terminal can be made smaller by putting a memory chip and a multimedia platform in a single chip by use of the POP (package on package) technology.
US08185696B2
Reconfigurable Systems-an-Chip (RSoCs) on the market consist of full-fledged processors and large Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). The latter can be used to implement the system glue logic, various peripherals, and application-specific coprocessors. Using FPGAs for application-specific coprocessors has certain speedup potentials, but it is less present in practice because of the complexity of interfacing the software application with the coprocessor. In the present application, we present a virtualisation layer consisting of an operating system extension and a hardware component. It lowers the complexity of interfacing and increases portability potentials, while it also allows the coprocessor to access the user virtual memory through a virtual memory window. The burden of moving data between processor and coprocessor is shifted from the programmer to the operating system.
US08185694B2
Testing real page number bits in a cache directory is provided. A specification of a cache to be tested is retrieved in order to test the real page number bits of the cache directory associated with the cache. A range within a real page number address of the cache directory is identified for performing page allocations using the specification of the cache. A random value x is generated that identifies a portion of the real page number bits to be tested. A first random value y is generated that identifies a first congruence class from a set of congruence classes within the portion of the cache to be tested. Responsive to the first congruence class failing to be allocated a predetermined number of times, one page size of memory for the first congruence class is allocated and a first allocation value is incremented by a value of 1.
US08185689B1
A method may include, in response to a single command and an N-bit segment value, generating a search key comprising M segments for at least one of a plurality of different databases, the N-bit segment value forming different ones of the M search key segments according to a database configuration of the at least one database.
US08185687B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor storage device includes a queuing buffer, a read module, a separating module, a write command issuing module, and a write module. The write command issuing module is configured to add a write address indicated by write pointer information to the management data obtained by the separating module in order to issue a write command, and to automatically queue the write command into the queuing buffer. The write module is configured to supply the write command issued by the write command issuing module to the nonvolatile memory in order to write data into the nonvolatile memory.
US08185669B2
A signal output device of an HDMI device and a method thereof, which can automatically determine a type of an HDMI cable such that a display device such as a television set can always display an optimal screen. The signal output method of a digital interface device to output a signal of a device connected to a digital interface cable includes determining the type of the digital interface cable, and comparing a resolution which can be supported by the digital interface cable with an output resolution of the device which is set and outputting whether the digital interface cable can support the output resolution.
US08185668B2
A method of controlling an apparatus including a processor and an I/O controller includes storing execution information, receiving a first and a second requests successively, determining whether initiation of each execution of the first and the second requests is to be supervised by either of the processor and the I/O controller in reference to the execution information, transmitting the first request to the processor from the I/O controller, and upon completion of execution of the first request at the processor, transmitting the second request to the processor from the I/O controller when the initiations of executions of the first and second request is supervised by the I/O controller, and transmitting the first and second requests to the processor regardless of completion of execution of the first request by the processor when the initiations of executions of the first and second requests is supervised by the processor.
US08185647B2
A protocol adapter for simultaneously communicating with one or more remote computers over any one of a plurality of protocols. The adapter includes a motherboard having an integrated CPU, a plurality of interface modules, a plurality of device drivers and a plurality of daughter-board module slots. The protocol adapter further includes at least one daughter-board interface module mounted in one of the plurality of daughter-board slots. The at least one daughter-board modules expands the number of protocols of the adapter beyond those protocols being run by the motherboard.
US08185644B2
A notification system for receiving a request for a remote status update from a remote device is disclosed. The notification system comprises a server for relaying the request for the remote status update, an access server for receiving the relayed request for the remote status update and for determining whether a remote device is registered to receive the remote status update, a host website for allowing the remote device to be registered to receive the remote status update, and a central monitoring server for generating the remote status update based upon the request. The central monitoring server is coupled to a remote security device. The security device is configured to detect an event and transmit a message to the central monitoring server in response to the detected event. The remote status update includes information regarding the detected event.
US08185637B2
The invention relates to a session control entity, method and a computer program product for determining a first media type indicated for a session associated with a dialogue and determining a second media type indicated for an early media associated with the dialogue, comparing if the first media type and the second media type are the same, and transmitting to a policy control entity, parameters relating to the early media in the same session information media component than parameters relating to the session, if the first media type and the second media type are the same.
US08185636B2
Clearinghouse services architectures that support the use of end user devices, such as personal computers, Internet Protocol (IP) phones, cable multimedia terminal adapters, and residential gateways, in an Internet telephony system. The innovative architectures include a proxy-based system model, a direct communication model, and a hybrid proxy/direct communication model. A user can operate an “intelligent” end user device. i.e., a device running a client program with knowledge of the architecture particulars, to access a clearinghouse service on an IP network. This enables the user to communicate a telephony call over the IP network and via the combination of a terminating gateway identified by the clearinghouse service and the Public Switched Telephone Network.
US08185635B2
An exemplary method involves creating a master session over a first connection through a server; and creating a virtual channel over the connection, the virtual channel operable to communicate a feature session. The method may involve establishing a direct connection that bypasses the server, and switching communication of the feature session to the direct connection. A system for network communication includes a plurality of transport bridges, each transport bridge corresponding to an active network device configuration, and a switching module operable to choose one of the transport bridges to form a connection between two computing devices based on the active network device configuration.
US08185634B2
Systems and methods for monitoring the performance associated with fulfilling resource requests and determining optimizations for improving such performance are provided. A processing device obtains and processes performance information associated with processing a first and second resource request. The processing device uses the processed performance information to determine a consolidation configuration to be associated with a subsequent request for the content corresponding to the first request. In making such a determination, the processing device identifies common embedded resources corresponding to the first and second resource requests and dynamically identifies one or more sets of embedded resources corresponding to the first resource request, each identified set to be consolidated into a single embedded resource for use in responding to the subsequent request. Each of the identified one or more sets of embedded resources includes embedded resources identified in common between the first and second resource requests.
US08185624B2
An administrator system provided according to an aspect of the present invention facilitates efficient provisioning of servers for specific software sets. In an embodiment containing clusters of servers requiring execution of corresponding set of software, an administrator system selects a server from a free server pool and installs on the selected server only those of the required set of softwares that are not already installed on the selected server. As a result, the selected server can quickly be added to a desired cluster. Such a feature is particularly useful in an environment where different application environments are provided in different cluster of systems and many servers are available in the form of free server pools for addition to the desired clusters.
US08185623B2
Techniques for routing event data from a field device, such as an external defibrillator, to a selected subset of a plurality of possible destinations are described. The event data may include physiological data of the patient, such as a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). The destinations may be associated with one of a plurality of patient treatment centers, and may include, as examples, computing device, printers, displays, personal digital assistants, or web-accessible accounts. In some examples, a server maintains user-configurable information or rules for at least some of the destinations, and uses the information or rules for determining whether event data received from a field device is routed to the destination. In some examples, the server may also make the routing determination based on an analysis of event data, such as a determination as to whether the event data indicates that the patient is suspected to be experiencing an acute myocardial infarction.
US08185622B2
The present invention is directed to a server system for supplying differing amounts of data into a database, wherein the system comprises the database and a data tracker device, wherein the data tracker receives data sent by a plurality of functional entities, preferably office machines and in particular devices with a printer, wherein the data tracker device is prepared to transmit data asynchronously to an intermediate buffer storage device with a queue structure, the intermediate buffer storage device storing the data sequentially and transmitting the data sequentially to the database to be stored.
US08185621B2
Webpages at a universal resource locator (URL) address are compared at two different times. A request is received from a web browser for a first webpage at the URL. The first webpage is requested and received from the URL at a first time. A selectable webpage is created by editing the first webpage to make it selectable and the selectable web page is sent to the web browser. A selection is received from the web browser that includes a portion of the selectable web page and a frequency. An application is created that retrieves a webpage from the universal resource locator address of the website periodically at the frequency. A second webpage is received from the application that was retrieved from the universal resource locator address at a second time by the application. A portion of the second webpage is compared to the portion of the selectable webpage.
US08185616B2
A route designing method in which there is accepted an input of user information containing information about bandwidth of an access link serving as a link for connecting each of user sites to a relay node, and information showing the relay node connecting to the user site via the access link, topology information of a network for relaying the communications between the user sites is acquired, a communication relay port and a communication non-relay port are obtained based on the user information and the topology information, an upper limit of the communication bandwidth available for the user on the communication relay port is obtained, a route design so that the user sites are connected by a tree-shaped route is performed, and a result of the route design is outputted.
US08185613B2
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a directly observable identifier of host network traffic in the Internet and a host's IP address can dynamically change. Analysis of traffic (e.g., network activity or application request) logs may be performed and a host tracking graph may be generated that shows hosts and their bindings to IP addresses over time. A host tracking graph may be used to determine host accountability. To generate a host tracking graph, a host is represented. Host representations may be application-dependent. In an implementation, application-level identifiers (IDs) such as user email IDs, messenger login IDs, social network IDs, or cookies may be used. Each identifier may be associated with a human user. These unreliable IDs can be used to track the activity of the corresponding hosts.
US08185583B2
An originating endpoint supports visual presence indications. The originating endpoint determines a destination endpoint with which to establish a desired communication session. A network communicates a notification message to the destination endpoint regarding the desired communication session. Prior to establishing the desired communication session and in response to the notification message, the originating endpoint receives image capture data representing the surroundings of the destination endpoint. The originating endpoint may then determine from the image capture data whether to continue or terminate the attempt to establish the communication session. Visual presence indications may increase productivity by reducing the time that would otherwise be spent on unsuccessful call attempts. Visual presence indications may also conserve network bandwidth and processing resources that would otherwise be spent on the unsuccessful call attempts.
US08185579B2
A system and method are provided for enabling a portable media player to obtain media content from secondary systems, such as other portable media players, via local wireless communication. In general, the portable media player stores proxy information identifying the media content of a number of media files in the user's media collection rather than the media files themselves. When a secondary system is within a local wireless coverage area of the portable media player, the proxy information for the media files, or a subset thereof, is provided to the secondary system. In response, the secondary system identifies media files stored by the secondary system having media content matching the media content identified by the proxy information. The secondary system then provides a notification of the identified media files to the portable media player, which may then obtain the identified media files from the secondary system.
US08185577B2
A content management apparatus includes a content storage section configured to store a piece of content together with a content unique identifier; a content transmitter configured to transmit the piece of content together with the content unique identifier to a Web server; an intra-server management identifier receiver configured to receive an intra-server management identifier corresponding to the content unique identifier from the Web server; a management table for storing the content unique identifier and the intra-server management identifier; a content information updating message receiver configured to receive content information on the piece of content and a content information updating message containing the intra-server management identifier from the Web server; an identifier converter configured to convert the intra-server management identifier contained in the content information updating message into the content unique identifier; and a content management section configured to allow the content storage section to store the content information.
US08185567B2
The format of the Presence Information Data Format-Location Object (PIDF-LO) as defined by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is extended or modified to accommodate, within the standard PIDF-LO format, an association of geospacial location to XML content on the Internet. A geospacial location is associated with Extensible Markup Language (XML) content on the Internet. The XML content is identified by a universal resource locator (URL), and associated with geospatial location information (either a specific location, zone, or direction). The URL is inserted into a
US08185565B2
An information processing apparatus for combining a plurality of structured documents, including an acquiring unit, for each of the plurality of structured documents, correspondence information showing a correspondence between vocabulary information and token information, and encoded information in which the vocabulary information included in the structured document has been replaced with corresponding token information, a replacing unit for, if the vocabulary information included in a first correspondence information is common with the vocabulary information included in a second correspondence information, replace the common vocabulary information with a reference to the common vocabulary information included in the second correspondence information, and a combining unit to generate combined information by combining the correspondence information and the encoded information, of each of the plurality of structured documents.
US08185564B1
A method for extracting content from a data store includes creating a file identifier mapped to an item. The method includes receiving a request that seeks cached access to the item and that is not directed to the item. In response to the request, contents of the item are provided using the file identifier without caching the contents. A system for extracting content from a data store includes an indexer. The system includes a data store containing at least an item. The system includes a redirector containing a file identifier mapped to the item. When the redirector receives a request originated by the indexer that seeks cached access to the item and that is not directed to the item in the data store the redirector provides contents of the item using the file identifier without caching the contents in the system.
US08185557B2
Methods, devices and systems are described for implementing a method for positioning a non-constrained amount of data in semblance of a tree. The method includes receiving genealogical data including nodes and generating a directed graph of the nodes of the genealogical data. The directed graph is to maintain parent-child relationships among the nodes and to maintain generations. The genealogical data includes a root node. The method includes moving the nodes along the horizontal axis such that each node is in an equal spacing with respect to each node's parent node, determining a number of generations in the genealogical chart, and generating a number of quadratic curves equal to the number of generations. The apex of the quadratic curves is the position of the tree's trunk. The method includes dropping the nodes in the Y-axis along the curve of the quadratic curves. Each generation is in line with the quadratic curve.
US08185547B1
Matrices involved in a data analysis are stored in predetermined blocks, where blocks for a first matrix contain respective rows of the first matrix, and blocks for a second matrix contain respective columns of the second matrix. Results for the data analysis are computed using the blocks of the first and second matrices.
US08185546B2
Providing enhanced control to users to populate a cache in a database system. A user provides an explicit indication indicating the specific information (available from the data stored in a storage of the database system) to be populated in the cache, and the cache is populated with the corresponding information. The information in the cache (whether due to explicit indications or otherwise) can then be used to generate results of queries, without having to access the same information from the storage of the database system.
US08185545B2
An apparatus for responding to a current user command associated with one of a plurality of task/domains. The apparatus comprises: a digital storage device that stores cumulative feedback data gathered from multiple users during previous operations of the apparatus and segregated in accordance with the plurality of task/domains; a first digital logic device that determines the current task/domain with which the current user command is associated; a second digital logic device that determines a current response to the current user command on the basis of that portion of the stored cumulative feedback data associated with the current task/domain; a first communication interface that communicates to the user the current response; and a second communication interface that receives from the user current feedback data regarding the current response. The current feedback data is added to the cumulative feedback data stored in the digital storage device and associated with the current task/domain.
US08185541B2
An information processing apparatus includes a communication unit configured to receive, from a reproduction device that reproduces content recorded on a loaded recording medium, content forming information regarding the structure of the content; a degree-of-similarity calculation unit configured to compare the content forming information received by the communication unit with content forming information registered in advance for each package of an information recording medium in a predetermined database and calculate a degree of similarity between the content forming information received by the communication unit and the content forming information registered in advance in the database; and a package determination unit configured to determine the package of the information recording medium loaded into the reproduction device by using the degree of similarity calculated by the degree-of-similarity calculation unit.
US08185538B2
A system and method determine the geographic range of a search query. A search query may include local intent which influences the results and advertisements that are displayed in response to the search query. The geographic range associated with the local intent may vary depending on the search query. The geographic range may be determined using probabilistic models that analyze historical searches to determine the geographic range of search queries.
US08185537B2
The present application discloses a method for monitoring abnormal state of Internet information. The method includes obtaining frequency data for current date common words appearing on the current date web pages, combining with a hot words dictionary that Internet users focuses on to determine a list of current date keywords related to the Internet information, determining a weight of each current date keyword, determining an abnormal threshold of the current date keywords, and detecting an abnormal level of the current date keywords to determine current date hot Internet information. The disclose method further calculates an abnormal level of keywords by monitoring the change in the hot words frequency in the Internet information, and generates warning for the abnormal level of hot words frequency change, which allows the Internet users to respond at the first moment.
US08185535B2
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for determining unknowns in rating matrices. In one embodiment, a method comprises forming a rating matrix, where each matrix element corresponds to a known favorable user rating associated with an item or an unknown user rating associated with an item. The method includes determining a weight matrix configured to assign a weight value to each of the unknown matrix elements, and sampling the rating matrix to generate an ensemble of training matrices. Weighted maximum-margin matrix factorization is applied to each training matrix to obtain corresponding sub-rating matrix, the weights based on the weight matrix. The sub-rating matrices are combined to obtain an approximate rating matrix that can be used to recommend items to users based on the rank ordering of the corresponding matrix elements.
US08185529B2
Providing immediate search feedback is disclosed. Search input is received within a search field of a web browser application. Based on characteristics of the search input, a determination is made whether to automatically submit a query to a search engine. In one aspect, the query is automatically submitted to the search engine. The query is based on the received first search input. Results are displayed within the web browser application, the results web page returned from the query submitted to the search engine.
US08185527B2
A personal resources organizer with calendar interface and object detection is provided. The personal resources organizer monitors personal resources for use with a scheduled event by identifying one or more personal resource objects present in a container and retrieving a list of required personal resource objects for an event scheduled in an electronic schedule. The identified one or more personal resource objects are compared with the list of required personal resource objects for the schedule event and a report of a readiness for the scheduled event is generated based on results of the comparison. The report may then be output for use by a user in determining the user's readiness or preparedness for the scheduled event such that the user may make modifications to the personal resource objects in the container and/or the list or required personal resource objects.
US08185525B2
A system, method and article of manufacture for managing query results and, more particularly, for sorting data records contained in a query result obtained in response to execution of a query against a database. In one embodiment, the data records in the query result are sorted on the basis of related information which is retrieved from a corresponding data source. In another embodiment, the sorting is performed on the basis of a value variance which is determined for each of the data records in the query result. In still another embodiment, the sorting is performed on the basis of a requested value range coverage. In yet another embodiment, the sorting is performed on the basis of suitability scores which are determined with respect to analysis routines which are configured for processing the query result.
US08185517B1
The embodiments of this invention relate to methods and systems for providing support services. An embodiment of this invention may include receiving a query from a user via a first mode of interaction; developing a query context using information related to the query and identity information related to the user; searching first data for first results, wherein the searching is limited by the query context; and providing first results to the user via a second mode of interaction that is different than the first mode of interaction.
US08185512B2
A method, a computer system, and a computer program product that prioritizes search requests to a database directory by assigning the search requests to one or more templates. Attributes of the search requests, such as an IP address, the portion of the database to which the search is constrained, one or more return attributes, the scope of the search, and/or search filters used, are compared with values of those attributes of the templates. The template whose values of the attributes match the values of the attributes in the search request is selected. This template has a template identifier that is associated with a transaction name of a work unit enclave. The search request is then associated with the work unit enclave and the operating system of the computer system will execute the search request in accordance with the performance goals and priority of the service class into which the work unit enclave is assigned. Process steps include creating a search template if none exist, and configuring a database server to assign a transaction name to search requests based on attributes and their values of the search request and then associating that transaction name with a transaction name of the work unit enclave.
US08185510B2
Systems, methods and apparatus for a distributed security that provides security processing external to a network edge. The system can include many distributed processing nodes and one or more authority nodes that provide security policy data, threat data, and other security data to the processing nodes. The processing nodes detect and stop the distribution of malware, spyware and other undesirable content before such content reaches the destination network and computing systems.
US08185505B1
Described are techniques for processing recovery points. One or more storage objects for which data protection processing is performed are determined. The data protection processing includes copying data for each of said one or more storage objects to one or more data protection storage devices. One or more recovery points corresponding to each of said one or more storage objects are determined. For each of the one or more recovery points corresponding to each of the one or more storage objects, performing processing including determining whether said each recovery point is at least one of recoverable in accordance with recoverable criteria and restartable in accordance with restartable criteria.
US08185502B2
The present invention provides a backup method that makes it possible to specify the recovery-enabled time of an application even in a case where a backup has been performed without staticizing the application. In response to a first instruction from a management computer, a storage system backs up a first volume to a second volume at a first time while a first host computer continues to process an application. In response to a second instruction from the management computer, a second host computer reads out the data of the second volume and acquires a second time that is the time at which the application is recovery-enabled. The management computer stores the relationship between the backup and the second time in backup catalog information.
US08185500B2
A server apparatus performs data I/O processing on a P-VOL in response to a request from a client apparatus and includes a file system which receives data write and read requests in units of files from the client apparatus. The server apparatus stores, into a D-VOL, differential data generated by updating the P-VOL, and manages a snapshot management table wherein a block address of the D-VOL storing the acquired differential data is registered. When a remaining capacity of a storage area of the D-VOL becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the server apparatus enables a block of the D-VOL which had stored therein the differential data on a certain predetermined file, to be used as a storage area for newly acquired differential data.
US08185495B2
The subject disclosure relates to synchronizing among network nodes in a multi-master synchronization environment that extend a knowledge based synchronization framework to include notions of object quality. In one embodiment, additional dimension(s) are placed on a knowledge vector for a given version of an object that represent quality information for the object, which is accounted for during the synchronization process to allow nodes to decide what types of qualities of objects should be conveyed to them as part of the synchronization process. Other embodiments include tombstoning objects to avoid future synchronization with respect to same objects maintained by other nodes in the multi-master synchronization environment. Advantageously, according to the synchronization framework, endpoints can synchronize data in a way that allows a definition and consideration of quality of one or more objects of the synchronized data for purposes of a knowledge exchange.
US08185492B2
In a method for displaying messages, a system displays messages from a single user account in multiple viewports. Each viewport orders messages based on an importance score that is calculated based on the user's prior interactions with messages in his user account through that viewport. Each viewport associated with the user account orders messages using a distinct message importance model.
US08185488B2
A system for pluggable event correlation may include an input manager that receives a plurality of events and converts the events into a format compatible with one or more of a plurality of correlation engines. The correlation engines may then evaluate the converted events using various rules and generate correlated events when the evaluated events trigger at least one of the rules. An action manager may execute remedial actions when the correlation engines generate the correlated events. Moreover, extensibility may be provided by enabling a user to define rules to be triggered when events occur in a predetermined pattern, and actions to be executed when a predetermined rule triggers a correlated event. Further, to plug a new correlation engine into the system, adapters may be deployed to handle input and output, while the user-defined rules may be validating according to semantic requirements of the new correlation engine.
US08185486B2
A computer program product, method and system for transforming data into predictive models. The transformation of data into predictive models comprises a multi stage learning process that uses a plurality of algorithms at each stage to select output for use in the next stage. The final predictive model is a linear or nonlinear predictive model. Analyses of the model and the variables associated with it can be used to produce graphs and other management reports.
US08185482B2
A simultaneous semantic and structure threaded discussion modeling system and method for generating a model of a discussion thread and using the model to mine data from the discussion thread. Embodiments of the system and method generate a model that contains both semantic terms and structure terms. The model simultaneously models both semantics and structure of the discussion thread. A model generator includes a semantic module generates two semantic terms for the model and a structure module generates two structure terms for the model. The generator combines the two semantic terms and the two structure terms to generate the simultaneous semantic and structure model. Embodiments of the system and method include an applications module, which contains three application that use the model to reconstruct reply relations among posts in the discussion thread, identify junk posts in the discussion thread, and find experts in each sub-board of web forums.
US08185480B2
A method of optimizing a function of a parameter includes associating, with an objective function for initial value of parameters, an auxiliary function of parameters that could be optimized computationally more efficiently than an original objective function, obtaining parameters that are optimum for the auxiliary function, obtaining updated parameters by taking a weighted sum of the optimum of the auxiliary function and initial model parameters.
US08185476B2
Technologies for a Consumer Privacy Digital Rights Management system based on stable partially blind signatures that enable a license server to provide licenses for delivery to users without knowing the corresponding digital contents that users access with the license. Therefore consumer privacy is protected during license acquisition. Further, if the client DRM module in the DRM system does not disclose any information about a user's digital content access, and the messages that the client DRM module sends out are in plain text enabling verification that the client DRM module is not disclosing such information, then consumer privacy is fully protected by the DRM system.
US08185471B1
Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for integrating a mail receiving process with a payment processing system. Embodiments of the invention include a capture device configured to: (1) receive a plurality of payment-related mail items comprising a plurality of envelopes containing one or more items; (2) scan the plurality of envelopes and the items to obtain data about each of the plurality of payment-related mail items; (3) identify one or more exception situations regarding one or more payment-related mail items; (4) associate an exception indicator with the data obtained about the one or more payment-related mail items, wherein the exception indicator provides an indication as to an exception type selected from a plurality of exception types; and (5) communicate the data and the one or more exception indicators to a payment processing system. The payment processing system is configured to recognize the exception indicators and process the associated data based on the exception indicators.
US08185464B1
A method of making distributions from an investment fund. The method includes the steps of creating shares for sale, providing a managed distribution schedule identifying a number of payments to be provided during each of consecutive periods, providing an investment strategy for investing in assets to provide funds sufficient to meet the managed distribution schedule, issuing a share to an investor in exchange for funds received from the investor, investing the received funds according to the investment strategy, calculating the value of each of the payments to be provided according to the managed distribution schedule in a period to the investor, and providing each of the payments to the investor during the period. Each payment during the period is sourced from one or more of net income of the assets, accumulated undistributed net profits resulting from a sale of any asset excluding long-term capital gains, and return of capital.
US08185463B1
Systems and methods for performing insurance related activities are provided. Software can be implemented to provide an application that includes an interactive interface for use by insurance professionals in managing clients, marketing insurance, and storing information. For example, a network application can be implemented that a user can access via a web browser and which is intuitive for quick comprehension and interaction by users. The application can include multiple layers directed to particular stages of the insurance-client relationship. The application can include a Workflow Wizard® to aid the user in managing and maintaining client information and tracking progress. Aggregation services can also be incorporated into the application. Interactive insurance-and-client specific display pages can be incorporated to aid in understanding a client's current insurance information and to generate presentations. “Value” calculators may be implemented to illustrate a comparison of a client's current level of protection to a client's current financial state. Interactive tools for evaluating a customer's financial condition during retirement and how life insurance affects a customer's financial condition are also provided.
US08185458B2
A system for preventing on the job injuries comprising identifying a company which will benefit from the system and approaching the same with a business proposal. Once hired, a therapist evaluates the company's workplace environment and an initial physical state of a group of employees employed by the company; assesses data gathered during the evaluation; develops a corrective therapeutic program to address areas of concern identified during the assessment; implements the corrective therapeutic through instruction of the employees; and conducts periodic follow-up evaluations, adjusting the corrective therapeutic program as required until the outcomes of the system are achieved.
US08185451B2
An order data obtaining device displays a list of components on a Web page, and recognizes components selected on the Web page, thereby obtaining order data of a product that is formed of a plurality of components. A turnaround time display control device obtains turn-around time information of each of the components selected on the Web page, and displays on the Web page the longest turn-around time in the turn-around time information as a turn-around time of the product. An accurate turn-around time is calculated in accordance with the selection of components, and a customer is immediately notified of the accurate turn-around time of the product. Thus, loss of competitiveness in the market due to display of a turn-around time being fixed and too long because of its inclusion of leeway is prevented. In addition, since an accurate turn-around time notification is immediately provided to the customer, customer notification of the turn-around time and handling of queries over the phone regarding turn-around time can be reduced, thereby reducing management cost.
US08185445B1
Apparatus and methods for serving ambient music area described herein.
US08185442B2
In a method for extension of an item attribute in a business application data model, a selection is received of an item of the business application data model to which an item attribute is being added. The item attribute is received, including receipt of relationship information which defines a location of the item attribute within a hierarchy of the business application data model. The item attribute is associated with the business application data model such that the item attribute is contextually included within a searchable ontology of the hierarchy in accordance with the relationship information.
US08185440B2
The present invention provides methods and systems for pricing financial transactions by defining product rules, providing links to appropriate price tables, and calculating a price for a financial transaction. A data processing system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, creates a product rule corresponding to a financial transaction. The product rule contains mandatory attributes and optional attributes. Optional attributes may be looked up using identifiers constructed from said mandatory attributes. Optional attributes include a link to a price table which contains further attributes, including a pricing method. A price is then calculated in accordance with the pricing method. Billing is completed according to the billing method for the particular financial transaction.
US08185435B2
Methods, systems and computer program products for delivering content to customers of a service provider are provided. Upon receiving a request for content from a customer of a service provider, a position of the requested content on a content demand curve is determined. A business model to be associated with the requested content is selected, wherein the business model defines how the requested content is to be delivered to the customer and how the customer is to be billed for the requested content. The requested content is delivered to the customer according to the selected business model and the customer is billed according to the selected business model.
US08185434B2
Disclosed are systems, methods, and computer readable-media for conducting sales. The method embodiment comprises receiving an inquiry with at least one parameter from a user associated with a sale of an item, identifying one or more discount items that satisfy the inquiry, identifying comparable items for each discount item at nondiscount rates dynamically using real-time data, presenting one or more comparable groups to the user, each comparable group comprising one discount item and the respective comparable items, and furthering the sales process based on user input responding to the presented one or more comparable groups. Also disclosed is a method further comprising receiving a request from the user for multiple sub-items associated with the item, and engaging in a dialog with the user to enable payment for each of the multiple sub-items with one of a multiple payment types.
US08185424B2
This invention involves a method and system for assessing the match between jobseekers and jobs by using perceptual mapping techniques to ascertain the proper fit of employee to employer. The purpose of this system is to add additional important information to the job matching process to enhance the quality and efficiency of the hiring process. This system involves a soft skills job matching system and method of using the same. The system uses vector algebra to find the closest match of employee to employer.
US08185422B2
A system and method for allocating processes to a plurality of resources analyses an available resource capacity for a plurality of resources, generates resource assignment sets and corresponding schedule parameters, and generates a control parameter for each resource assignment set. The control parameter is based on corresponding weighting parameters and corresponding schedule parameters. One of the resource assignment sets is selected and used to allocate tasks to the resources based on a selection criterion for the control parameter.
US08185419B2
Multiple passenger, multiple route processing includes sending independent queries to a travel planning system for each of a plurality of passenger groups, receiving individual solutions and producing a set of tables, each representing a different partial joint solution for each passenger group. For a chosen passenger group, deriving a set of constraints on an individual query for the passenger group, the set of constraints related to the individual solutions and joint travel requirements and constructing a modified individual query, modified according to the derived constraints. The modified individual query for the chosen passenger group is sent to the travel planning system.
US08185414B2
A system and method of processing a health insurance claim are provided. According to the method, transaction data is received that has been transmitted from a third party computer via an open communication channel with the third party computer. The transaction data relates to a health insurance transaction and includes at least a unique identifier for a beneficiary of a health insurance plan to whom the health insurance transaction relates and details of a transaction that is being requested to be processed. The transaction is processed while the communication channel remains open to ascertain if the transaction is an allowable transaction. In response to the transaction submitted, a message is transmitted via the open communication channel to the third party computer wherein the message indicates that the transaction has been processed and that the transaction is an allowable transaction with or without patient collection or that the transaction is not an allowable transaction. The system and method allow for multiple rules to be created for unique sets of circumstances using multiple or singular inputs across multiple health insurance plans using a single system.
US08185403B2
A method and apparatus for encoding and decoding an audio signal are provided. The present invention includes receiving an audio signal including a downmix signal and a spatial information signal, if a header is included in the spatial information signal, extracting configuration information from the header, extracting spatial information included in the spatial information signal, and converting the downmix signal to a multi-channel signal using the configuration information and the spatial information. Accordingly, the header can be selectively included in the spatial information signal, thereby if the header is plurally included in the spatial information signal, it is able to decode spatial information in case of reproducing the audio signal from a random point.
US08185391B2
A speaker recognition system generates a codebook store with codebooks representing voice samples of speaker, referred to as trainers. The speaker recognition system may use multiple classifiers and generate a codebook store for each classifier. Each classifier uses a different set of features of a voice sample as its features. A classifier inputs a voice sample of an person and tries to authenticate or identify the person. A classifier generates a sequence of feature vectors for the input voice sample and then a code vector for that sequence. The classifier uses its codebook store to recognize the person. The speaker recognition system then combines the scores of the classifiers to generate an overall score. If the score satisfies a recognition criterion, then the speaker recognition system indicates that the voice sample is from that speaker.
US08185386B2
A method for performing packet loss or Frame Erasure Concealment (FEC) for a speech coder receives encoded frames of compressed speech information transmitted from an encoder. The method determines whether an encoded frame has been lost, corrupted in transmission, or erased, synthesizes properly received frames, and decides on an overlap-add window to use in combining a portion of the synthesized speech signal with a subsequent speech signal resulting from a received and decoded packet, where the size of the overlap-add window is based on the unavailability of packets. If it is determined that an encoded frame has been lost, corrupted in transmission, or erased, the method performed an overlap-add operation on the portion of the synthesized speech signal and the subsequent speech signal, using the decided-on overlap-add window.
US08185385B2
The present research can decrease the amount of computation and enhance speech quality by using a global pulse replacement method in a fixed codebook search. The fixed codebook search method in a speech encoder based upon global pulse replacement, includes the steps of: (a) computing absolute values of the pulse-position likelihood-estimator vectors; (b) temporarily obtaining a codebook vector; (c) computing a mathematical equation by replacing a pulse; (d) determining whether a value computed based upon the mathematical equation is increased after pulse replacement; (e) obtaining a new codebook vector by replacing the pulse; and (f) maintaining a previous codebook vector.
US08185381B2
A unified filter bank for performing signal conversions may include an interface that receives signal conversion commands in relation to multiple types of compressed audio bitstreams. The unified filter bank may also include a reconfigurable transform component that performs a transform as part of signal conversion for the multiple types of compressed audio bitstreams. The unified filter bank may also include complementary modules that perform complementary processing as part of the signal conversion for the multiple types of compressed audio bitstreams. The unified filter bank may also include an interface command controller that controls the configuration of the reconfigurable transform component and the complementary modules.
US08185365B2
A method for designing a drill bit in an earth formation, including defining parameters for a simulation of the drill bit drilling in earth formation, where the parameters comprise at least bit design parameters; executing the defined simulation; obtaining radial forces resulting from the executing of the defined simulation; applying a criterion to the obtained radial forces; and adjusting one of the at least bit design parameters in response to the applying of the criteria.
US08185362B2
A configuration operation set for configuring a system element is tested by simulating execution of the control operation set with simulation sample test data. The configuration operation set is received via a configuration user interface in a configuration view. Simulation sample test data is received via a simulation user interface in a simulation view. The configuration view and the simulation view may be simultaneously viewed on a display. In a single session, a control operation set may be received, simulation sample test data may be received, a simulation may be run, and the results of the simulation may be viewed. If the results of the simulation agree with expected results, the control operation set may be saved, and executed in the system element of interest. If the results of the simulation do not agree with the expected results, the control operation set may be cancelled.
US08185353B2
Described is a technology by which logged events such as in a security event log (e.g., within a defined timeframe) are processed to determine logon times and logoff times, which are then used to determine system usage. Logoff times may correspond to an actual logoff event, a shutdown event, or another login. In one example, logon and logoff times determine the combined times that each user of the system was logged on, e.g., a total session time for each user. Multiple users' times may be combined into a total usage time of all users. Each user's combined session time may be evaluated against the total usage time to determine whether any user is a primary user, e.g., by being logged on more than a threshold percentage of the total usage time. A primary user may be identified, or the system determined to be a shared system without a primary user.
US08185351B2
Methods and systems for testing an ability of a Portable User Appliance (PUA) and/or a research data gathering system coupled therewith are disclosed. A method for testing an ability of a PUA to carry out a research operation, comprises communicating a testing message to the PUA and/or research data gathering system coupled therewith, the testing message comprising one of a test command to test its ability to carry out a research operation, and test data to establish, enable or provide a capability thereof to test its ability to carry out a research operation.
US08185349B2
Plasma sensors, systems and related methods are described. An example method for predicting an event includes providing a carrier signal across two electrodes and forming a plasma between the two electrodes. The example method also includes measuring a modulated signal from the plasma, manipulating the modulated signal to produce a value and comparing the value to a threshold. Finally, the example method includes determining the likelihood of the event based on the comparison.
US08185345B2
Described is a consumption monitoring device for monitoring the amount of consumables consumed by an animal during a monitoring period. More specifically, the consumption monitoring device measures the weight of the consumables, which are contained within a receptacle, and detects any change in the weight, such as when additional consumables are placed within the receptacle or when the animal consumes all or some of the consumables. The device calculates various values based on these changes in weight, at least one of which indicates the amount of consumables consumed by the animal. The device displays this calculated value such that the user is informed of the amount of consumables consumed by the animal within the monitoring period. This information assists the user in maintaining the animal on a desired feeding program.
US08185344B2
An apparatus for determining a dimension of a construction material is provided. At least one material-interacting device is configured to interact with the construction material so as to determine at least one surface characteristic thereof. A computer device is configured to be capable of receiving the at least one surface characteristic from the at least one material-interacting device, and to manipulate the at least one surface characteristic so as to form a multi-dimensional representation of the construction material. The computer device is further configured to determine the surface or volume characteristic of the construction material from the multi-dimensional representation thereof. By determining the mass of the construction material, the density of the construction material can be provided. An associated method is also provided.
US08185342B2
Methods, system and apparatus are provided for estimating rotor angular position and angular velocity during a position sensor fault, and for verifying the accuracy or inaccuracy of a position sensor's outputs based on the estimated rotor angular position and angular velocity of the rotor following a position sensor fault.
US08185341B2
Thermometric apparatus includes one or more temperature sensors, which are configured to provide respective temperature-dependent readings at two or more locations on a surface in a vicinity of a sub-surface heal source. A processing unit is configured to process the readings from the two or more locations so as to determine a temperature of the sub-surface heat source.
US08185340B2
A recording-medium-type setting unit selects a type of a recording medium to be analyzed on the basis of information input with an input unit. A threshold-value setting unit sets a threshold value on which the determination of whether the calculation result is output in a file is based for each recording medium type selected by the recording-medium-type setting unit. An amount-of-variation calculating unit calculates the reaction force for every time step, stores the reaction force in the current time step in time integration in a RAM during the calculation, and monitors the amount of variation in the reaction force between each time step and the next time step. A file-output controlling unit calculates the difference between the reaction force stored by the amount-of-variation calculating unit and the reaction force in the current time step and, if the difference is larger than the threshold value, performs file output.
US08185337B1
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for testing and re-testing integrated circuits. In use, a group of integrated circuits is tested. In use, before finishing the test, at least one of the integrated circuits of the group is re-tested.
US08185332B2
An apparatus for estimating resistance characteristics of a battery includes a data storing manager for obtaining and storing battery voltage, current and temperature data of a battery, whenever estimating a battery resistance characteristic; an open circuit voltage calculator for calculating battery open circuit voltage from a battery voltage variation pattern measured at the present and in the past; a weighted mean resistance calculator for calculating a battery resistance parameter from a battery current and a difference between the battery open circuit voltage and a battery voltage, and calculating a weighted mean resistance from battery resistance parameters calculated at the present and in the past; a weighted mean resistance convergence calculator for calculating a weighed mean resistance convergence value by repeatedly calculating a weighted mean sequence using the weighted mean resistance as an initial condition; and a resistance characteristic estimator for estimating a battery resistance from the weighted mean resistance convergence value.
US08185331B2
Systems, methods and apparatus for indexing and predicting wind power output from virtual wind farms
This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for predicting electrical power output from wind farms using statistical methods and measured wind speeds near boundaries of control volumes that encompass the wind turbines of interest. These systems, methods, and apparatus can provide electrical power output predictions of up to 6, 12, 24, or 48 hours in advance of actual power reaching the grid.
US08185329B2
A system for testing a matrix type connector includes a data collecting circuit, a control circuit, a storage unit, and a display unit. The data collecting circuit collects the connector pins' information, and transmits the collected pins' information to the control circuit. The storage unit is electrically coupled to the control circuit and stores a plurality of normal pins' information. The control circuit compares the collected pins' information with the plurality of stored normal pins' information, and outputs the comparison result to the display unit. The display unit receives the comparison result to indicate whether pins of the matrix type connector are normal.
US08185328B2
Differences in outputs from multiple terminals are easily measured. There is provided a signal measuring device for receiving signals to be measured which are generated by modulating frequency-different signals different in frequency from each other, and are respectively output from different output terminals, including a combiner which combines the signals to be measured output from the output terminals, a quadrature demodulation unit which demodulates a result of the combining carried out by the combiner, an FFT unit which represents a result of the demodulation in the frequency domain, and a characteristic measuring unit, where the characteristic measuring unit measures data for respective frequencies of the result of the demodulation, acquires output-terminal-corresponding data, which correspond to the respective output terminals, based on the data, derives characteristics of the respective output terminals based on the output-terminal-corresponding data, and acquires a difference in the characteristics between the output terminals based on the derived result.
US08185325B2
Method and device for detection and quantitative and qualitative analysis of components in a gaseous mixture distinguished by high selectivity and high resolution.Method allows to distinguish the influence of individual gases, by themselves or in a mixture, on the microstructure of a sensor's sensitive layer and utilizing the variations of measured parameters to analyze and derive the characteristics of gases, for example, the concentration of a gas or multiple gases in a mixture.As an example, the method could be utilized in medicine for non-invasive detection of the blood glucose level in diabetics.Device realizing the method is described.
US08185320B2
Systems and methods for rapidly analyzing cell containing samples, for example to identify morphology or to localize and quantitate biomarkers are disclosed.
US08185319B2
Assays and methods of compensating for changes in a dose-response curve of an assay due to variations in a perturbing variable by firstly measuring the dose-response curve, the individual assay parameters, at different values of the perturbing variable. Next, unknown samples are assayed simultaneously with a known standard at a chosen analyte concentration with a value of the perturbing variable being unknown and the dose-response curve unknown. The different dose-response curves from the first step are used to determine a mathematical relationship between assay parameters and the assay signal of the known standard. The assay parameters that are valid for the unknown value of the perturbing variable can be obtained by substituting the value of the assay signal from the known standard into the mathematical relationship and solving for the assay parameters.
US08185299B2
A route to a destination in which required travel time barely varies depending on weather is searched for without referring to weather forecast or weather information. A route search device comprises following means: a storage medium for storing traffic information including travel times by weather conditions for each link comprising a road on a map; a pointing device which sets a starting point and a destination; a weather condition-based route search module that determines the shortest travel time route from the starting point to the destination by weather conditions using the traffic information stored in the storage medium; a link series-identifying module that extracts link series which vary with weather conditions from link series comprising the shortest travel time route determined by the weather condition-based route search module, determines the required travel time by weather conditions for the each link series that vary with weather conditions by using the traffic information stored in the storage medium, and identifies a link series whose required travel time barely varies depending on weather conditions; and a link series-registering medium that registers the link series identified by the link series-identifying module as a link series comprising a guide route from the starting point to the destination.
US08185296B2
A driving assisting apparatus and driving assisting method for predicting the state of a traffic light at the time when a vehicle enters an intersection includes predicting vehicle speed change of a vehicle in front of an intersection. The driving assisting apparatus and driving assisting method predicts the traffic light state when the vehicle enters the intersection according to the predicted vehicle speed change, while predicting the vehicle speed change according to stored driver characteristic information concerning the past vehicle speed change in front of the intersection with running environments, or changes a predicting method depending on whether or not the vehicle is positioned in front of a predetermined area set in front of the intersection.
US08185295B2
A multi-cylinder engine is configured to be able to perform a selected cylinder operation in which combustion is stopped in some cylinders. The multi-cylinder engine includes an ignition-timing adjustment section. This ignition-timing adjustment section retards ignition timing of each operating cylinder when the number of operating cylinders is small or when the engine operates in a selected cylinder operation mode in which explosion occurs at irregular intervals. In such a case, the peak of cylinder internal pressure is lowered by ignition timing retard. Thus, vibration and noise can be suppressed effectively.
US08185291B2
A stall prediction apparatus of an axial compressor provided with: a rotor provided with a plurality of rotor blades; and a cylindrical casing facing the rotor blades and provided so as to cover the outer circumference of the rotor, comprising: pressure sensors provided in equal numbers at a plurality of locations in a circumferential direction of an inner wall surface of the casing, an index calculator for calculating an index (stall risk index) for evaluating the stall risk based on time-series data detected by each of the pressure sensors, and a signal processor for predicting the stall occurrence based on the stall risk indexes obtained corresponding to said each of the pressure sensors. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to obtain a stall risk index which is highly accurate (supersensitive) and stable necessary for the active stall control, and to realize an engine control system with high reliability.
US08185282B2
A method for the operation of a drivetrain comprising an automatic transmission, a motor and at least five shift elements in which two shift elements are engaged and three shift elements are disengaged. When carrying out an upshift or downshift, a first shift element is either disengaged or engaged, and a second shift element is engaged or disengaged. While the first upshift or downshift is being carried out, a second shift element is prepared for disengaging or engaging and a third shift element is prepared for engaging or disengaging. Actuation of the second shift element occurs by virtue of a minimum selection of a first alternative or a maximum selection a second alternative. While the first upshift or downshift is being carried out and while the second upshift or downshift is being carried out, at least one fourth shift element is kept engaged or nearly engaged.
US08185275B2
A discriminator identifies windrow pixels associated with a windrow within a collected image. A definer defines a search space with respect to a vehicle. An evaluator determines respective spatial correlations between the defined search space and the windrow pixels for different angular displacements of the search space. An alignment detector or search engine determining a desired vehicular heading as a preferential angular displacement associated with a generally maximum spatial correlation between the defined search space and the windrow pixels. An offset calculator estimates an offset of the vehicle to a central point of the windrow or a depth axis to achieve the desired vehicle heading and desired position of the vehicle with respect to the windrow.
US08185274B2
Environment customization includes downloading extensible environment-settings data from a data-storage device and adjusting one or more environmental parameters defined by the extensible environment-settings data. The extensible environment-settings data is amended to include previously undefined settings, and the amended extensible environment-settings data is uploaded to the data-storage device.
US08185273B2
In a method for deactivating a safety function in a motor vehicle after being activated, the safety function may be deactivated by the driver only after a dead time has elapsed.
US08185272B2
A method and a device for activating a personal protection arrangement in the event of a rollover are provided, according to which, initially, at least one first driving dynamic variable is ascertained and then, based on this first driving dynamic variable, a second driving dynamic variable is determined, in order to activate the personal protection arrangement as a function of these two driving dynamic variables.
US08185271B2
A method and device for determining a roll angle for occupant protection devices. Transverse acceleration and vertical acceleration of a vehicle are detected, and the roll angle of the vehicle is estimated on the basis of the detected lateral acceleration and the detected vertical acceleration, additional driving dynamics quantities, including a vehicle speed, a yaw angle and a float angle being determined, and centripetal acceleration being calculated from these driving dynamics quantities, formula, to improve the estimate of the roll angle.
US08185265B2
A path planning device includes: an initial position and posture path acquiring unit which acquires an initial position and posture path including a plurality of nodes connecting present position and posture of a control target to target position and posture and which configures a rigid body corresponding to the control target in each node in the position and posture path; an interference detector which detects interference with the control target by an obstruction; an external force calculator which calculates an external force for each rigid body; and a multi rigid body system dynamics simulation unit which performs a multi rigid body system dynamics simulation on a plurality of equations of rigid body motion and which acquires positions and postures of the control target at times corresponding to the nodes in the position and posture path.
US08185262B2
A method of and apparatus for determining and controlling the inertial attitude of a spinning artificial satellite without using a suite of inertial gyroscopes. The method and apparatus operate by tracking three astronomical objects near the Earth's ecliptic pole and the satellite's and/or star tracker's spin axis and processing the track information. The method and apparatus include steps and means for selecting preferably three astronomical objects using a histogram method and determining a square of a first radius (R12) of a track of a first astronomical object; determining a square of a second radius (R22) of a track of a second astronomical object; determining a square of a third radius (R32) of a track of a third astronomical object; determining the inertial attitude of the spin axis using the squares of the first, second, and third radii (R12, R22, and R32) to calculate pitch, yaw, and roll rate; determining a change in the pitch and yaw of the artificial satellite; and controlling on-board generated current flow to various orthogonally-disposed current-carrying loops to act against the Earth's magnetic field and to apply gyroscopic precession to the spinning satellite to correct and maintain its optimum inertial attitude.
US08185249B2
A control system for an energy production facility includes a plant controller for receiving an indication of a measured power output of the energy production facility that includes power generators and produces output signals. The system also includes a processing unit operably coupled to the plant controller and responsive to executable computer instructions when executed on the processing unit cause the plant controller to: create an output signal that causes an energy storage device to discharge in the event power reserves of the power generators can not met the requested ramp down rate; and create an output signal that causes the energy storage device to charge up in the event that the power capability of the power generators can meet the requested ramp down rate.
US08185245B2
The present disclosure provides a method for operating a utility-powered HVAC system for conditioning inside air of a building. In an illustrative but non-limiting example, a nominal schedule is maintained by a local HVAC controller, where the nominal schedule has a number of days and one or more time periods for each of at least some of the days. The nominal schedule also has at least one setpoint associated with each of the time periods. The local HVAC controller is configured to accept manual input from a user via a user interface. The manual input may include accepting entry of a utility pricing schedule that corresponds to scheduled price changes of a utility. The utility pricing schedule may include at least one enhanced pricing time period. Entry of at least one utility price level setpoint offset may also be accepted to correspond to each of the enhanced pricing time periods. The nominal schedule may then be modified or overridden to include the utility pricing schedule, resulting in a utility pricing operating schedule. One or more HVAC units may then be controlled by the local HVAC controller in accordance with the utility pricing operating schedule.
US08185244B2
An amount of time that air has been delivered from an air handler to a space is tracked, and based on the tracked amount of time, at least one turn-on time or one turn-off time of the delivery of air from the air handler to the space is controlled. Other features relate, among other things, to controlling a replacement air vent, and to user interfaces.
US08185234B2
The invention relates to a device and a method for controlling the loading and/or unloading process of an aeroplane. According to the invention, a parcel introduced into the aeroplane is identified, a weight is associated with the parcel, the position of the parcel inside the airplane is monitored, and the total weight and/or center of gravity of the aeroplane is calculated from the aeroplane information provided and the weights and positions of the parcels.
US08185229B2
A method of controlling the flow of unbound powder in a build chamber. A build surface for receiving the powder is provided, with the build surface including a first plate defining holes and a second plate defining a plurality of openings spaced apart and offset from the plurality of holes in the first plate. The second plate is disposed below and spaced from the first plate. A vacuum source is provided below the build surface.
