US08188944B2
In an embodiment of the present invention, a signal driver employs a two-stage system in which the potential of a signal line (SL) is switched from a reference potential (Vofs) to an intermediate potential (Vofs2), and then switched to a signal potential (Vsig) of a video signal. A scanner supplies a first control pulse to a scan line (WS) when the signal line (SL) is at the intermediate potential (Vofs2), and then supplies a second control pulse to thereby turn on and off a sampling transistor T1 when the signal line (SL) is at the signal potential (Vsig). Based on this configuration, two times of mobility correction (μ correction) are carried out.
US08188941B2
There is provided a pixel circuit, including: a signal line; a drive transistor; a light emitting element; and at least one power source line wired so as to intersect perpendicularly the signal line; wherein the drive transistor is connected between the wiring layer and a predetermined electrode of the light emitting element, and any one of wirings intersecting perpendicularly one another is wired in a region of overlapping a light emitting region of the light emitting element in a direction of lamination of layers.
US08188938B2
A plasma display device including: a display panel for displaying an image according to a driving signal converted from an external image signal; a logic controller for measuring a temperature of the display panel for comparison with a temperature section information having at least two temperature sections, generating a driving control signal for changing the driving signal when the temperature of the display panel changes to a temperature of a different temperature section, and calculating a changing condition included in the driving control signal for determining a changing time of the driving signal; and a driver for supplying the driving signal that is changed according to the temperature section at the changing time determined by the changing condition of the driving control signal.
US08188937B1
In a body mounting type display system, at least a signal corresponding to display data is outputted to a computer side output transmission circuit through a bus line of a computer, and the data corresponding to the signal is written in a buffer memory of the computer side output transmission circuit by the computer. The data written in the buffer memory is read and sent, and the data is received at a body side output transmission circuit, which is restored to a signal corresponding to the signal outputted through the bus line. An image output interface connected to the body side output transmission circuit produces a signal for actuating a display device worn by a user based on the display data of the restored signal. Thus, there is provided the body mounting type display system suitable for providing information to the user who can work with hand free condition.
US08188931B2
An electronic device includes an antenna and a semiconductor element. The antenna includes a first conductor section that includes a first feeding point and spreads flatly, and a second conductor section that includes a second feeding point and spreads flatly while facing the first conductor section, the first conductor section and the second conductor section being disposed so as to be symmetric with respect to a plane, including a position of the first feeding point and a position of the second feeding point. The semiconductor element supplies the first feeding point and the second feeding point with signals opposite to each other in polarity, respectively, thereby communicating via the antenna.
US08188927B1
RFID tags are assembled through affixing an antenna to an integrated circuit (IC) by forming one or more capacitors coupling the antenna and the IC with the dielectric material of the capacitor(s) including a non-conductive covering layer of the IC, a non-conductive covering layer of the antenna such as an oxide layer, and/or an additionally formed dielectric layer. Top and bottom plates of the capacitor(s) are formed by the antenna traces and one or more patches on a top surface of the IC.
US08188923B2
Method and system for locating one or more transmitters in the potential presence of obstacles in a network comprising a first receiving station A and a second receiving station B that is asynchronous with A. The method includes the identification of a reference transmitter through an estimation of its direction of arrival AOA-TDOA pair (θref, Δτref) on the basis of the knowledge of the positions of the reference transmitter and of stations A and B, an estimation of the direction of arrival of the transmitter or transmitters and of the reflectors (or estimation of the AOA) on station A, and the correction of the errors of asynchronism between station A and station B by using the reference transmitter and the location of the various transmitters on the basis of each pair (AOAi, TDOAi).
US08188920B2
The present subject matter discloses a method for estimating dilution of precision (DOP) across a service area. A Monte Carlo simulation is used to determine the DOP across a service area. Random points are selected across a service area and as well as the radio transmitters who signals are capable of being received at the random points are determined. Using the network topology of radio transmitters, a DOP is calculated for each of the random points. DOP is modeled for the service area as a function of the calculated DOP for each of the random points. The modeled DOP is used to determined the measurement accuracy required for subsequent location requests.
US08188898B2
An integrated circuit includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit including at least one first channel type DAC and at least one second channel type DAC. The integrated circuit includes a plurality of sample and hold (S/H) circuits. Each of the S/H circuits is coupled with one of the DAC circuit. The S/H circuits are capable of receiving signals from the DAC circuit and outputting the signals in parallel.
US08188897B2
An analog to digital converter includes a dielectric substrate, an analog input wire, and digital output wires, with a metal insulator extending over the digital output wires. The analog input wire can be in proximity to the dielectric substrate and can generate heat when an electric current flows through the analog input wire. The digital output wires can also be in proximity to the dielectric substrate. The metal insulator can have a phase transition temperature above which the metal insulator is electrically conductive to short circuit at least one of the digital output wires in contact with a metal insulator portion above the phase transition temperature. The digital output wires can be arranged at predetermined distances from the analog input wire such that output wires have varying short circuit thresholds.
US08188896B2
According to one embodiment, a digital converter is provided to process output signals of a resolver attached to a rotating apparatus. These output signals are converted into digital signals by ΔΣ AD converters. Multiplication units receive the digital signals outputted from the ΔΣ AD converters. A subtraction unit subtracts the outputs of the multiplication units. A synchronous detection unit detects the output of the subtraction unit based on a synchronization signal synchronously. An angular velocity calculation unit adjusts a proportional gain of an output of the synchronous detection unit, compensates the phase thereof, and calculates the angular velocity of the rotating apparatus. A rotational angle calculation unit calculates a rotational angle by integrating the angular velocity. Cosine and sine output units output a cosine and a sine corresponding to the obtained rotational angle to the multiplication units, respectively.
US08188895B2
In a bit stream syntax containing compressed video slice data for compressed video data of a slice structure, a slice header for compressed video slice data has attached thereto a slice start code, a register reset flag indicating whether a register value, which designates a status of a codeword occurring in an arithmetic coding process, should be reset in the next transmission unit, an initial register value which indicates a register value to be used to start arithmetic coding/decoding to build/decompose the next transmission unit, only when the register reset flag indicates that the register should not be reset.
US08188894B2
Serial-to-parallel and parallel-to-serial conversion devices may provide for efficient conversion of serial bit streams into parallel data units (and vice versa). In one implementation, a device may include delay circuits, each of which being configured to receive a serial data stream. A rotator circuit may receive the delayed serial data streams and rearrange bits in the serial data streams. Register circuits may receive the output of the rotator circuit and collectively output, in parallel, a number of bits of one of the serial bit streams.
US08188892B2
A detection head has an array including a plurality of coils. Magnetic marks are arranged in a travel route at a pitch equal to the array length. By interaction between the magnetic marks and the coils, a position of a moving vehicle is determined based on the magnetic marks.
US08188886B2
A method and system by which certain radio transmitters are assigned to certain reception nodes for the purpose of transmitting metering data derived from a plurality of utility meters to a system management computer. The reception nodes are configured to receive and process data transmissions only from those transmitters with data paths assigned to particular reception nodes, and to ignore data transmissions from non-listed transmitters, thereby assuring that on a continuous basis, a majority of the transmitters will utilize only one data path. Lists may be formed for the transmitters and reception nodes in the system management computer and transmitted to the reception nodes. The status of data transmissions through the repeaters may also be uploaded to the system management computer for analysis of data update rates and data path redundancy.
US08188872B2
A device for evaluating a temperature measurement signal of a temperature measurement facility has a modeling unit with a first input for picking up an input signal which is indicative for the temperature measurement signal, a second input for picking up a feedback signal, and an output for outputting an output signal. The output signal can be generated in dependence on the input signal and the feedback signal by using a computational model stored in the modeling unit. The feedback signal (slope) is directly or indirectly dependent on the output signal. Furthermore, an alarm indicator with an evaluation device of this type and a method for evaluating a temperature measurement signal are provided. Alongside this, a computer-readable storage medium and also a program element are described, which contain instructions for carrying out the evaluation method.
US08188871B2
In a memory cell, the drive current capabilities of the transistors may be adjusted by locally providing an increased gate dielectric thickness and/or gate length of one or more of the transistors of the memory cell. That is, the gate length and/or the gate dielectric thickness may vary along the transistor width direction, thereby providing an efficient mechanism for adjusting the effective drive current capability while at the same time allowing the usage of a simplified geometry of the active region, which may result in enhanced production yield due to enhanced process uniformity. In particular, the probability of creating short circuits caused by nickel silicide portions may be reduced.
US08188870B2
A system is presented for monitoring an alertness of an operator of a powered system which operates based on a profile. The monitoring system includes a controller to initiate a query to the operator during an operation of the powered system. The query is used to prompt the operator for information related to the operation of the powered system along the profile. The controller compares a response to the query with a correct answer of the query to determine the alertness of the operator.
US08188868B2
Articles of clothing or pieces of athletic equipment include modules, e.g., for sensing physical and/or physiological characteristics associated with use of the clothing or athletic equipment or for performing other functions. Such systems and methods may use physical or other interaction(s) between the module and the article of clothing or piece of athletic equipment for activating and/or deactivating the module and/or sensing devices included with the module, for confirming whether the module and clothing or piece of athletic equipment are authorized for use with one another, and/or for automatic data algorithm selection methods. Additionally, such systems and methods also may use the activation and/or authentication systems for data input to the module. Some examples of such systems and methods may utilize magnets and magnetic sensing systems and/or light (or other radiation) sources and sensing systems for activation, authentication, data input, and/or algorithm selection.
US08188855B2
A system, method and device for communicating over a power line are provided. In one embodiment, the device includes a controller, a first port in communication with the controller and configured to communicate over a power line via any of a plurality of frequency bands, and a second port in communication with the controller and configured to transmit and receive broadband communications. The first port may be configured to select one of the plurality of frequency bands for communications and the controller configured to provide routing functions for data received via the second port to be transmitted via the first port. The second port may comprise a wireless modem or a modem configured to communicate over a power line via broadband communications. The broadband communications may use a frequency band having a bandwidth greater than at least five of the plurality of frequency bands. The device may communicate on multiple frequency bands concurrently and may select or change frequency bands and/or the modulation scheme based on channel conditions or operational parameters.
US08188854B2
The method of data transmission embedded in electric power transmission disposes a transmitting coil 11 and a receiving coil 31 in close proximity, transmits electric power in a non-contact fashion from the transmitting coil 11 to the receiving coil 31 by magnetic induction, and transmits data from the receiving coil 31 side to the transmitting coil 11 side. The method of data transmission changes the load on the receiving coil 31 and detects transmitting coil 11 current change corresponding to that load variation to send data from the receiving coil 31 side to the transmitting coil 11 side.
US08188852B2
A machine-tool safety device for a machine tool having a transmitting unit for transmitting an outgoing signal and a receiving unit for receiving an incoming signal. The machine-tool safety device has an adjusting unit for at least semi-automatically adjusting the outgoing signal to be transmitted.
US08188851B2
An electronic device may include a wireless transceiver for establishing a wireless interface with a wireless transceiver of another device. The electronic device may further include a wake-up assembly including a permanent magnet that generates a magnet field and a sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to sensed magnetic field. A control assembly of the electronic device may be configured to control at least one of activation or deactivation of the wireless transceiver when the output from the sensor indicates that the magnetic field of the permanent magnet has been disturbed by presence of a magnet external to the electronic device.
US08188849B2
To display a temperature value in a passenger compartment (5), it is proposed to use a luminous pointer that is moved along a row of modules (7a, 7b . . . ) that are on or off. Values (9a, 9b . . . ) of this temperature are also marked on the panel (3), along this row. Depending on the temperature to be displayed, the pointer will be moved with a single module on for a first type of temperature values and two adjacent luminous modules on for a second type of temperature values that are intermediate between two successive values of the first type.
US08188839B2
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for RFID tags, RFID readers, communications algorithms, and RFID-related applications are described herein. In an aspect of the invention, an RFID tag is capable of storing data, receiving a signal from a reader, determining a response taking into account the tag mode and the data, and transmitting a response to the reader. The data includes a first plurality of bits and a second plurality of bits. The tag mode may be set by a current or a prior command by the reader. Depending on the tag mode, the response may be complete, or the second plurality of bits may be truncated, compressed, or encrypted. In an aspect of the invention, the response includes an implicit indication of whether the response is complete, truncated, encrypted, or compressed. In another aspect of the invention, a command from the reader indicates how many bits should be truncated, compressed, or encrypted.
US08188838B2
A sliding key fob includes a housing formed of a first housing member and a second housing member. A transmitter is disposed within the housing. A transmitter sends a first actuating signal when the first housing member is slidably moved in a first direction relative to the second housing member. The transmitter sends a second actuating signal when the first housing member is slidably moved in a second direction relative to the second housing member.
US08188835B2
The invention relates to a potentiometer comprising (a) at least two electrically conducting segments (12), each of which has a contact end (14) that is bordered by a circumferential edge (16) and which adjoin each other in a flush manner by means of one respective section (18, 20) of the edges (16) thereof, and (b) a connecting device (38) for electrically connecting a first contact point (P1) in a first segment to at least one second contact point (P2, P3) in a second segment that is different from the first segment.
US08188833B2
A variable resistance element capable of increasing stability of a resistance changing operation and reducing a current necessary for changing, to a low resistance state for the first time, the variable resistance element in an initial state immediately after manufacture. The variable resistance element includes: a first electrode (101); a memory cell hole (150) formed above the first electrode (101); a first variable resistance layer (201) covering a bottom of the memory cell hole (150) and an upper surface of the first electrode (101); a second variable resistance layer (202) formed on the first variable resistance layer (201); and a second electrode (102) formed on the memory cell hole (150), in which a thickness of the first variable resistance layer (201) at the bottom of the memory cell hole (150) gradually decreases toward an edge area of the memory cell hole (150) and has a local minimum value around the edge area of the memory cell hole (150). Furthermore, an oxygen concentration in the first variable resistance layer (201) is higher than an oxygen concentration in the second variable resistance layer (202).
US08188830B2
The transformer includes: a magnetic core having two base-plates and four legs; a first conductive member as a first winding, having four through-holes through which the four legs pass, respectively; and one or more second conductive members as a second winding, each having four through-holes through which the four legs pass, respectively. The first and second windings are wound around the four legs. Closed magnetic paths are formed inside the magnetic core from the four legs to the two base-plates due to currents flowing through the first or the second winding. A couple of magnetic fluxes each generated inside each of a couple of legs arranged along one diagonal line are both directed in a first direction, while another couple of magnetic fluxes each generated inside each of another couple of legs arranged along another diagonal line are both directed in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
US08188821B2
A linear solenoid includes a pair of soft iron pole members which are in a spaced apart linear arrangement. A permanent magnet is attached to the end of a plunger which rides between the pole members. When a first of two electro-magnet coils is energized the plunger which is latched to one of the pole members is repelled to the opposite pole member and latched. When the second coil is energized the plunger returns to the original pole member and is latched.
US08188820B2
Displacement encoder for a moving shaft, comprising a sleeve intended to be fitted onto the shaft and at least one permanent magnet forming at least one polarized magnetic mark. An elastomer layer lies between the permanent magnet and the sleeve. This elastomer layer is adhesively bonded to the permanent magnet and to the sleeve. The invention also relates to a device for a moving shaft comprising such an encoder and to the method of manufacturing the encoder.
US08188818B2
A relay comprises: a solenoid; a hermetically sealed chamber mounted at a lower end thereof with a cylinder into which a center portion of the spool is inserted, mounted at an upper end thereof with a pair of stationary terminals each provided at a stationary contact point and filled therein with insulating gas to be coupled at an upper portion of the spool; an insulation member insulating the chamber and the stationary terminals; a movable unit including a shaft, a conductive movable terminal, and a pair of movable contact points; a restoring spring to pull the shaft toward the lower surface of the cylinder; and an insulated sliding guide to guide the movable unit that is moved by the solenoid and the restoring spring.
US08188813B2
A microwave filter having a resonator comprising a cylindrical structure having conductive walls filled with a conductor material. The cylindrical structure is recessed inside a multi-layered substrate. First and second conductive coupling arms are disposed on the top layer of the substrate for coupling signals to the cylindrical structure. The conductive coupling arms are physically separated from the cylindrical structure by a dielectric layer. The first and second conductive coupling arms extend away from the center of the cylindrical structure to form a microstrip line. The cylindrical structure further comprises a bottom portion having a solid conductive bottom plate perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder. A bottom conductive ground layer separated from the conductive bottom plate by a second dielectric layer.
US08188812B2
An elastic wave device includes a first elastic wave resonator and a second elastic wave resonator that are connected in series to each other, and a resistor is connected in parallel with the first elastic wave resonator while no resistors are connected in parallel with the second elastic wave resonator.
US08188811B2
A filter with coupled resonator having a substrate; an acoustic mirror intended to support acoustic resonators, and to isolate these resonators from the substrate; a first structure with an upper resonator and a lower resonator coupled to one another through at least one layer of acoustic coupling; a second structure with an upper resonator and a lower resonator coupled to one another through at least one layer of acoustic coupling; the lower resonators of the first and second structure having the same electrodes. The first and second structures are connected via a fifth resonator for which electrodes and the piezoelectric layer of the lower resonators are of the first and second structure.
US08188810B2
An acoustic resonator comprises: a substrate; a first electrode adjacent the substrate; a layer of piezoelectric material adjacent the first electrode; a second electrode adjacent the layer of piezoelectric material; and a passivation layer adjacent the layer of piezoelectric material. The passivation layer includes a recessed feature. Fill material is provided in the recessed feature of the passivation layer.
US08188802B2
An apparatus for generating an oscillating signal including an oscillator configured to generate the oscillating signal, a controller configured to generate a control signal that controls a characteristic (e.g., amplitude or frequency) of the oscillating signal, and a power supply configured to supply power to the oscillator as a function of the control signal. The power supply may be configured to supply power to the oscillator as a function of the amplitude or frequency of the oscillating signal to improve power efficiency.
US08188797B2
Adjustable circuit components may be formed from arrays of differential circuit elements such as differential capacitors and differential current sources. The differential circuit elements may each have a control input. The differential circuit elements in each array of differential circuit elements may be connected in parallel between first and second terminals. A thermometer code control signal may be provided to the control inputs to adjust the capacitance, current, or other parameter associated with the adjustable circuit component. Adjustable circuit components may also be formed from an array of capacitors or other circuit elements having successively increasing strengths.
US08188791B2
A programmable gain amplifier (PGA) system comprises selectable parallel transconductors in a front end, independently selectable serial amplification circuits in a back end. The back end is configured to receive an output of the front end and may include a plurality of current or voltage mode amplifiers in series. The PGA system also includes control circuitry to select a gain configuration for the PGA by selecting selectable components in the front and back ends. The PGA system may additionally include control circuitry configured to change the transconductance of one or more of the front end transconductors such that the gain configurations of the PGA are independent of variations such as those due to temperature and fabrication. The PGA system may be used between a signal receiver and an analog to digital converter.
US08188790B1
Amplifier circuitry (10) includes a driver amplifier (11) and an integrator amplifier (AH) producing an output signal (VAH) that controls a pass transistor (Q2) coupled to a pump capacitor (CH). Input circuitry (16) controls the direction of ramping of the output signal during a first interval to boost a supply voltage (V12) of the driver amplifier via the pump capacitor, and also controls the direction of ramping to recharge the pump capacitor following a second interval. In one embodiment, pump capacitor recharging circuitry (Q75,R76,ICCH) completes the recharging of the pump capacitor following the second interval after it has been partially recharged by the integrator amplifier.
US08188789B2
A method and apparatus improve the performance of a carrier amplifier in a Doherty amplifier. The Doherty amplifier includes a power divider, a carrier amplifier, at least one peaking amplifier, offset lines, and a Doherty circuit. The power divider provides a power signal to each of the carrier amplifier and the at least one peaking amplifier. The carrier amplifier amplifies power of a signal inputted from the power divider. The at least one peaking amplifier amplifies power of a signal inputted from the power divider. The offset lines control a load impedance when the at least one peaking amplifier does not operate. When the at least one peaking amplifier does not operate, the Doherty circuit generates the load impedance of the carrier amplifier that is larger than twice a load impedance at the maximum output power of the carrier amplifier.
US08188779B2
The circuit includes a duty control buffer and a duty control voltage generator that receives outputs of the duty control buffer, detects a duty error, and generates control signals. The duty control buffer includes a differential stage including unbalanced first and second differential pairs each differentially receiving input signals, a load element pair connected between output pairs of the first and second differential pairs and a power supply, and a current source stage that supplies respective driving currents to the first and second differential pairs.
US08188777B2
A charge pump circuit (31), and a PLL circuit using the charge pump circuit, has a glitch compensation circuit (36) to compensate for a slow glitch which occurs along charging/discharging of electric charges in a parasitic capacitance. The glitch compensation circuit (36) includes a comparator (37), a latch circuit (38), a capacitor (C1) and transistors (Q9, Q10) serving as a charge/discharge device. The comparator (37) compares potentials and applies a logic output signal to the latch circuit (38), and the latch circuit (38) in response to output of the comparator, instructs the charge/discharge device to perform a charge or discharge operation to charge or discharge the capacitor so as to allow a potential at a second output terminal to come close to a potential at a first output terminal or a potential at a designated node in a loop filter of the PLL circuit.
US08188776B2
A phase-locked loop circuit includes a control loop including a frequency divider configured to frequency-divide an output clock and to control a frequency of the output clock according to a phase difference between a local clock and a phase-divided local clock; and a control unit configured to control a frequency dividing ratio of the frequency divider according to a phase difference between the output clock and an input clock that corresponds to data taken in based on the output clock.
US08188762B2
A control component outputs to an integrated circuit device an indication to apply one of a plurality of controllable termination impedance configurations at a data input of the integrated circuit device. The indication causes the integrated circuit device to apply a first of the controllable termination impedance configurations at the data input during a first internal state of the integrated circuit device corresponding to the reception of write data on the data input, and causes the integrated circuit device to apply a second of the controllable termination impedance configurations at the data input during a second internal state of the integrated circuit device that follows the first internal state.
US08188758B2
An enclosed probe station comprises a chuck assembly, a supporting member and an enclosure. The chuck assembly is configured to support a device under test. The supporting member is configured to secure a probe used to contact the device under test. The enclosure forms an interior space in which the chuck assembly and the supporting member are disposed.
US08188750B2
A battery module voltage detector can reduce the difference in frequency response of an anti-aliasing filter for each battery module whose voltage is measured, and provide an accurate voltage measurement. The battery module voltage detector includes a plurality of switches connected to battery modules constituting a battery pack, resistors having an equal resistance value, and a filter composed of capacitors having equal capacitance and being disposed between the battery modules and the switches. The capacitors are divided into a first capacitor group and a second capacitor group which are symmetrical at the center of the battery pack. The first capacitor group is on the positive terminal side of the second battery. The second capacitor is on the negative terminal side of the battery pack. Capacitors may be connected between an output terminal of a (1+M/2)-th resistor and an N-th resistor, except a (1+m/2), the (1+M/2)-th resistor and the N-th resistor.
US08188746B2
An arrangement is described for tracking a positional relationship between a boring tool and at least one in-ground line. A first transmitter generates a magnetic locating field from one of the boring tool or at least an underground length of the line. A receiver is carried by the boring tool if the field is generated from the line, or connected to the line if the field is generated from the boring tool, for detecting an intensity of the magnetic locating field indicative of the positional relationship between the boring tool and the line. A second transmitter is carried by the boring tool for producing a locating signal. A portable locator uses the locating signal to determine a position of the boring tool and indicates the detected intensity of the magnetic locating field.
US08188735B2
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with RE-TOSSI are described. One system embodiment includes an MRI apparatus configured to produce a RE-TOSSI pulse sequence and to acquire T2-weighted images in response to the RE-TOSSI pulse sequence. An example RE-TOSSI pulse sequence includes a TOSSI portion and a non-inverting, non-TOSSI portion.
US08188729B2
In a magnetic sensor 7, a tubular duct 9a for output cables 12 is formed integrally with a sensor housing 9, provided with an opening 14 having a uniform width from a proximal end to a distal end of the duct 9a on a side face thereof. The output cables 12 are mounted through the duct 9a from this opening 14, and then a slidable lid 15 is mounted to close the opening 14. Thus damage to the output cables 12 connected to the magnetic sensor 7 is prevented and, at the same time, drawing the output cables 12 outside the sensor housing 9 is made easier.
US08188728B2
Described herein are a method and a device for determining the relative position of two elements that are mobile with respect to one another, in which connected to a first element is a source of a field of forces and connected to a second element is a meter, designed to measure the field of forces and to supply, instant by instant and as a function of the measurement made, a response identifying the relative position of the first element with respect to the second element at that instant, the meter being provided with at least three field sensors arranged in respective distinct points of the second element, and the response being obtained by comparing with one another the outputs corresponding to that instant.
US08188724B2
Techniques are disclosed to regulate the output power of a power supply. An example feedback circuit for use in a power supply regulator includes a voltage regulation circuit coupled to sense an output voltage of the power supply regulator. The voltage regulation circuit is coupled to generate a first regulation signal to regulate an output of the power supply regulator if an output current of the power supply is less than a first transition current. A current regulation circuit is coupled to sense an output current of the power supply regulator. The current regulation circuit is coupled to generate a second regulation signal to regulate the output of the power supply regulator if the output voltage of the power supply is less than a second transition voltage. A transition region regulation circuit is coupled to sense the output voltage and the output current of the power supply regulator. The transition region regulation circuit is coupled to generate a third regulation signal to regulate the output of the power supply regulator if the output current of the power supply is between the first transition current and a second transition current. The feedback circuit is coupled to generate a feedback signal output in response to the first, second and third regulation signals.
US08188712B2
There is a need for improving switching regulator characteristics and providing a stable power supply controller. The power supply controller uses a battery and either or both functions of stepping up and stepping down a battery voltage. The power supply controller includes a means that prevents a ripple voltage from occurring by stopping the up conversion function for a switching operation in connection with a battery during a predetermined period without changing conditions for a conventional switching device or smoothing circuit and fast stabilizes a primary voltage using only the down conversion function.
US08188709B2
A power transmission control device used for a non-contact power transmission system includes an operation mode switching terminal that receives an operation mode switch control signal that switches a mode between an automatic mode and a switch mode, a power transmitting device starting normal power transmission in the automatic mode after installation of a power-receiving-side instrument that includes a power receiving device in an area in which power transmitted via non-contact power transmission can be received has been automatically detected, the normal power transmission supplying power to a load of the power-receiving-side instrument, and the power transmitting device starting the normal power transmission in the switch mode after an operation trigger switch has been turned ON, an operation trigger terminal that receives an operation trigger signal that occurs due to an operation of the operation trigger switch, and a power-transmitting-side control circuit that controls power transmission to the power receiving device and changes an operation mode of the power transmitting device based on the operation mode switch control signal.
US08188706B2
According to one exemplary embodiment, a power management unit residing in an electronic device includes a battery detection controller coupled to a battery charger and a regulator block, where the regulator block is capable of providing power to the electronic device. The battery detection controller is configured to turn off the regulator block when the battery charger is coupled to an external power source and is not coupled to a battery of the electronic device. The battery detection controller can be further configured to turn on the regulator block when the battery charger is coupled to the external power source and is coupled to the battery if the battery has a battery voltage greater than a threshold voltage.
US08188697B2
A sampling circuit samples, while running a motor at a predetermined rotational speed, over a predetermined period a back electro-motive force induced at one end of at least one phase coil, with one end of each phase coil of the motor being brought to a high impedance. A waveform data generating circuit holds as waveform data SIN the back electro-motive force beforehand sampled by the sampling circuit. A PWM signal generating circuit sequentially reads the waveform data SIN from the waveform data generating circuit to generate a PWM signal Spwm, the pulse width of which is modulated.
US08188696B2
A motor drive circuit includes an H-bridge circuit, voltage difference detection circuit, calibration circuit, back electromotive voltage detection circuit, control circuit, and calibration value acquisition circuit. The H-bridge circuit is connected to a DC motor. The voltage difference detection circuit outputs terminal voltage according to voltage difference occurring between both terminals of the DC motor. The calibration circuit outputs calibration voltage according to the resistance component. The back electromotive voltage detection circuit outputs voltage according to the difference between the terminal voltage and the calibration voltage, as detection voltage indicating back electromotive voltage. The control circuit drives the H-bridge circuit by pulse width modulation. The calibration circuit calibrates voltage drop occurring at the ON resistance of the low-side transistor using a calibration value that corresponds to the ratio between the resistance component and the ON resistance of the low-side transistor, and outputs calibration voltage which corresponds to the resistance component.
US08188695B2
A hybrid drive device includes a first motor; an operative mechanism that drivingly connects the first motor to an engine of a vehicle; a second motor that is drivingly connected to a drive wheel; an engine rotation speed sensor that detects a rotation speed of the engine; a magnetic pole position sensor that detects a magnetic pole position of the second motor; a current sensor that detects a current flowing to the first motor; a sensorless motor control device that estimates a magnetic pole position of the first motor based on the current detected by the current sensor, and drivingly controls the first motor; and a second motor control device that drivingly controls the second motor based on the magnetic pole position detected by the magnetic pole position sensor.
US08188693B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide novel techniques for using a switched converter to provide for three-phase alternating current (AC) rectification, regenerative braking, and direct current (DC) voltage boosting. In particular, one of the three legs of the switched converter is controlled with a set of pulse width modulation (PWM) control signals so that the input AC phase having the highest voltage is rectified and one of the switches in the two other legs is turned on to allow for added voltage. This switching activity allows for voltage from multiple AC line mains to be combined, resulting in an overall boost of the DC voltage of the rectifier. The DC voltage boost can then be applied to the common DC bus in order to ameliorate voltage sags, help with motor starts, and increase the ride-through capability of the motor.
US08188692B2
A propulsion system is provided. The system includes: a first propulsion vehicle unit including a first tractive bank having at least one traction motor; a second propulsion vehicle unit including: a second tractive bank having at least one traction motor, a contactor electrically coupling the first propulsion vehicle unit and the second propulsion vehicle unit, and an electrical power modulation device coupled between the first tractive bank and the second tractive bank, the electrical power modulation device having an electrical current threshold that causes the electrical power modulation device to transition to an open state to reduce or prevent transfer of electrical power between the first propulsion unit and the second propulsion unit in response to an electrical current at the electrical power modulation device being above the electrical current threshold.
US08188686B1
A system involves a plurality of RF-enabled occupancy detectors. Each occupancy detector communicates with and controls an associated plurality of RF-enabled fluorescent lamp starter units. A network master has an RF transceiver used to communicate with the occupancy detectors using a first protocol, thereby retrieving status information from the starter units. The network master also has a second RF transceiver for communicating directly with a cellular telephone using a second protocol. A user can use the cellular telephone to control and interact with the lighting system through the network master, and/or to retrieve status information from the network master. The network master automatically generates and sends email alerts to the user by sending the alerts to an email server. The email server forwards the emails to the cellular telephone via a cellular telephone network. Alerts may, for example, indicate a low battery voltage condition or that a lamp needs replacement.
US08188681B2
The proposed circuit makes it possible to operate a plurality of gas discharge lamps, particularly cold cathode tubes, across a common voltage source. The circuit reduces the resistance tolerance of the lamp characteristic curves through controlled debalancing of the lamp currents with the aid of debalancing modules. Through the active reduction in the resistance tolerance, the requirements placed on the electric strength of the balancing transistors as well as energy losses of the balancing circuit are reduced.
US08188674B2
The present invention relates to an LED light emitting device and a driving method, and discloses a technology that may improve a slew rate of a channel current flowing through an LED channel when driving with a pulse width modulation method. For this, the present invention includes an LED channel consisting of a plurality of LED elements that are consecutively and serially connected, a current control switch that is connected to the end of the LED channel and performs a switching operation, and an operational amplifier that controls the switching operation of the current control switch according to a pulse width modulation signal. The LED driver samples an output voltage at the operational amplifier when the pulse width modulation signal is in an on state, and maintains the output voltage of the operational amplifier when the pulse width modulation signal is in an off state.
US08188673B2
Organic light emitting diode arrangement Organic light emitting diode arrangements (1) are, to protect them against an effect of a switch-on, provided with circuits (31-36) for, during a first time interval that follows a switch-on, limiting a current through the organic light emitting diode arrangement (1) more and for, during a second time interval that follows the first time interval, limiting the current less. The circuit (31-36) may be passive such as a negative temperature coefficient resistor (31) or a series inductor (32) possibly with a freewheel diode (40) or may be active such as a switchable resistor (33) that is not bridged during the first time interval and that is bridged during the second time interval or a switchable resistor that is bridged in response to a detection of a value of the current exceeding a threshold value or such as a part of a converter (63) that is controlled in response to a detection of a value of the current.
US08188672B2
A high-pressure discharge lamp system has a high-pressure mercury lamp 4 and a lighting circuit 3 that operates the lamp 4. The lamp 4 includes an envelope having a light emitting part 6 having a first and a second electrode 10, 11 arranged therein and a first and a second sealing part 7, 8 oppositely extending from the light emitting part 6, and a conductor 20 electrically connected to the second electrode 11. Particularly a portion of the conductor 20 is at least in contact with or in closest proximity to the outer surface of the first sealing part 7 substantially at a single point in an area corresponding to a first metal foil 16 connected to the first electrode 10. The circuit 3 activates the lamp 4 by placing high-frequency voltage at a predetermined frequency within a range of 10 [kHz]-10 [MHz], inclusive, between the electrodes 10, 11.
US08188669B2
The present invention relates to a decorative lamp for displaying snowing and water-flowing pattern, comprising a rectification power supply, a controller and a lamp series section connected in sequence, wherein the lamp series section is composed of a plurality of LED strings connected in parallel or in series. The controller comprises an integrated circuit including a plurality of outputs and switch devices for controlling sequentially flashing of the LED strings. Each of the switch devices has two terminals electrically connected in series to a loop of the respective LED string. Each of the LED strings has respective terminal connected to a common terminal which is a direct current output terminal of the rectification power supply, the other terminal of the LED string is connected to the respective switch device.
US08188647B2
An electroluminescent device including a substrate, a transistor disposed above the substrate, the transistor including a gate electrode, a silicon film opposing the gate electrode, and a gate insulating film between the gate electrode and the silicon film. The electroluminescent device including a first interlayer insulation film covering the transistor, a second interlayer insulation film disposed above the first interlayer insulation film, and a pixel electrode disposed above the second interlayer insulation film and electrically connected to the transistor. The electroluminescent device including an organic EL layer disposed between the pixel electrode and a counter electrode, and a capacitor including a first electrode formed by the same material as the silicon film and a second electrode formed by the same material as the gate electrode.
US08188644B2
A nanostructured composite electrode is provided that includes a pair of conductive metal foils and a multiplicity of ordered nanostructures formed on each conductive metal foil. The ordered nanostructures include functionalized carbon multi-walled nanotubes electrophoretically deposited onto the metal foils. The ordered nanostructures also include synthesized nanoparticles electrophoretically deposited onto each of the carbon multi-walled nanotubes and the metal foils in proportion to the concentration of the carbon multi-walled nanotubes while in a stable colloidal suspension with the synthesized nanoparticles during electrophoretic deposition.
US08188643B2
In a display apparatus according to the present invention, a pixel is driven by using a thin film transistor (10) including an organic material in at least an active layer. The thin film transistor unit (10) and a display element unit (20) are laminated on a substrate (11) in this order, and a pixel electrode (15) formed on a substrate (10) side of the display element unit (20) also functions as a drain electrode of the thin film transistor (10). Therefore, when an organic material is used for a transistor for driving a display apparatus, there is provided a display apparatus that can provide effective protection without increasing the number of constituent members.
US08188641B2
A center electrode includes a tapered electrode base member mount and a noble metal tip joined to the electrode base member mount via a fused portion in which the component of the noble metal tip and the component of the electrode base member mount are fused. In this state, the cross section area S1 at a tip side boundary between the fused portion and the noble metal tip and the cross section area S2 at a base member side boundary between the fused portion and the electrode base member mount satisfy the relational expression of S1
US08188638B2
A transducer with a closed heat pipe is provided with a hot surface and a cold surface. The hot surface is in contact with the transducer interior and the cold surface is in contact with a cooler contact area. A fluid is used in the pipe which boils at the temperature of the hot surface and condenses at the temperature of the cold surface. A wick inside the heat pipe facilities the return by capillary action of the condensed fluid to the hot end. The heat pipe can be evacuated to adjust the boiling temperature of the fluid. A variant involves drilling additional holes into ceramic rings and inserting heat pipes. Increasing the heat pipe length into the tail mass and the piston increases the cool region for the fluid to condense; thereby improving the performance of the transducer.
US08188637B2
A laminated piezoelectric element having a laminated structure in which a plurality of piezoelectric layers and a plurality of internal electrodes are alternately laminated is provided. This laminated structure has an opposing section wherein an internal electrode on an anode side and an internal electrode on a cathode side which are adjacent to each other in the laminating direction, oppose in the laminating direction, and an end-side non-opposing section situated in a position closer to end in the laminating direction than the opposing section. This end-side non-opposing section has a porous section having porosity larger than that of the internal electrodes.
US08188630B2
A Magnetic amplifier has a main disc having a plurality of permanent magnets embedded therein; an electric generator; a main disc shaft connected and passing through the center of the main disc and mechanically connected at an end thereof to the electric generator; at least one electric motor; an electric motor shaft mechanically connected to each of the at least one electric motor; an oblong permanent magnet attached to a distal end of each electric motor shaft opposite the end attached to the electric motor, wherein each of the oblong magnets are positioned in close proximity to the radial edge of the main disc to thereby interact with the permanent magnets of the main disc, wherein when the at least one electric motor rotates the respective oblong permanent magnets, the main disc is magnetically induced to rotate and thereby create electrical energy within the electric generator.
US08188624B2
The present invention is characterized in that it does not require specific fastening tools, which causes breakage or defects, or bonding work, because a brushless DC motor includes an insulator that is inserted in a stator to insulate a coil wound with led magnet wires and has at least one or more locking portions with locking grooves stepped on the inner side along the circumference and an outlet connector that has hooks fitted in the locking protrusions when being assembled with the insulator such that the insulator and the outlet connector are assembled in fitting and locking ways in assembling.
US08188622B1
An energy harvester comprising: a substrate; two magnets coupled to the substrate in close proximity to each other with like magnetic poles facing each other creating a flux gap; a coil coupled to the substrate and disposed within the flux gap, wherein the coil and the magnets are coupled to the substrate such that substrate acceleration causes relative elastic motion between the magnets and the coil thereby exposing the coil to a changing magnetic flux; and a resonant frequency tuner coupled to the substrate and configured to adjust the resonant frequency between the coil and the magnets.
US08188616B2
A vehicle includes a high-voltage (HV) energy storage system (ESS), an HV power bus, a DC-DC power converter electrically connected to the HV power bus, an HV bus connector, a low voltage (LV) battery power bus, and a pair of LV bus connectors. The vehicle includes a vehicle module electrically connected to the HV and LV bus connectors, an LV power bus electrically connected to the DC-DC power converter and to the module, and a controller. The controller has an algorithm that controls the converter to power the module via one of the LV bus connectors during a transient LV condition. The converter and a method of controlling the same are also provided, with the method including determining the LV condition, powering the vehicle module via one of the LV bus connectors during the transient LV condition, and powering the module via the other LV connector otherwise.
US08188614B2
A system for providing electrical energy to heating and cooling units associated with a building. Conduits are positioned within the building, such that the end portions are open to exterior wall surfaces of the building. Wind deflector mechanisms positioned at the end portions of the conduits direct wind from the exterior wall surfaces into the conduits, impacting venturi elements and wind collector devices positioned within the conduits. The venturi elements are pivotally mounted within the conduits to accelerate the wind towards the wind collectors regardless of in which direction the wind flows, rotating the wind collectors operatively associated with a wind turbine device. The wind turbine device converts mechanical energy to electrical energy which is provided to heating and cooling units.
US08188604B2
A semiconductor device capable of preventing a crack from occurring in an electrode layer exposed through a through hole which is formed in a semiconductor substrate and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device. In exemplary embodiments, a through via and an opening in a passivation film are disposed so that an opening diameter of the through via is larger than an opening diameter of the opening of the passivation film, and an opening edge of the through via is located outside an opening edge of the opening of the passivation film. In other embodiments, the through via and the opening of the passivation film are disposed so that the opening edge of the through via is disposed at a location which does not overlap with the opening edge (opening edge of a portion in contact with a pad electrode) of the opening of the passivation film.
US08188590B2
An integrated circuit package system including: providing an integrated circuit die, forming a first layer over the integrated circuit die, forming a bridge on and in the first layer, forming a second layer on the first layer, and forming bump pads on and in the second layer, the bump pads connected to ends of the bridge.
US08188588B2
A manufacturing method of a substrate for a semiconductor package includes a resist layer forming step to form a resist layer on a surface of a conductive substrate; an exposure step to expose the resist layer using a glass mask with a mask pattern including a transmission area, a light shielding area, and an intermediate transmission area, wherein transmittance of the intermediate transmission area is lower than that of the transmission area and is higher than that of the light shielding area; a development step to form a resist pattern including a hollow with a side shape including a slope part decreasing in hollow circumference as the hollow circumference approaches the substrate; and a plating step to plate on an exposed area to form a metal layer with a side shape including a slope part decreasing in circumference as the circumference approaches the substrate.
US08188586B2
A mountable integrated circuit package system includes: mounting a first integrated circuit device over a carrier; mounting a substrate over the first integrated circuit device, the substrate having a mounting interconnect; connecting a first electrical interconnect between the carrier and the substrate; and forming a package encapsulation covering the carrier, the first integrated circuit device, the first electrical interconnect, and the substrate with the mounting interconnect partially exposed from and surrounded by the package encapsulation within a cavity of the package encapsulation.
US08188583B2
To improve the heat dissipation characteristics of a semiconductor device.The semiconductor device has a die pad, a heat dissipating plate in the form of a frame arranged between the die pad and a plurality of leads so as to surround the die pad, a plurality of members that connect the die pad and the inner edge of the heat dissipating plate, and a suspension lead linked to the outer extension of the heat dissipating plate, wherein a semiconductor chip the outer shape of which is larger than the die pad is mounted over the die pad and the members. The top surface of the die pad and the top surface of the members at the part in opposition to the back surface of the semiconductor chip are bonded to the back surface of the semiconductor chip in their entire surfaces with a silver paste. Heat in the semiconductor chip is conducted from the back surface of the semiconductor chip to the heat dissipating plate via the silver paste, the die pad, and the member, and dissipated to the outside of the semiconductor device therefrom via the lead.
US08188582B2
Provided are a lead frame, semiconductor device, and methods of manufacturing the same. The lead frame may include a die pad having at least three pair of sides parallel with each other, and a plurality of inner leads spaced apart from a circumference of the die pad, arranged in a radial shape with respect to a center of the die pad, and having the ends form inner lead connection surfaces parallel with at least one pair of sides of the die pad. In addition, there may be provided a semiconductor device having the lead frame. Accordingly, a semiconductor chip may be positioned on a die pad. The plurality of inner leads may be electrically connected to the semiconductor chip through wires. The semiconductor device may further include a molding resin for surrounding top and bottom surfaces of the lead frame and filling in an interior thereof.
US08188581B2
A multi-chip module (MCM) is described. This MCM includes at least two substrates that are remateably mechanically coupled by positive and negative features on facing surfaces of the substrates. These positive and negative features mate with each other. In particular, a positive feature may mate with a given pair of negative features, which includes negative features on each of the substrates. Furthermore, at least one of the negative features in the given pair may include a hard magnetic material, and the positive feature and the other negative feature in the given pair may include a soft magnetic material that provide a flux-return path to the hard magnetic material. In this way, the hard magnetic material may facilitate the remateable mechanical coupling of the substrates.
US08188579B1
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor package (e.g., a QFP package) including a uniquely configured leadframe sized and configured to maximize the available number of exposed leads in the semiconductor package. More particularly, the semiconductor package includes a generally planar die pad or die paddle defining multiple peripheral edge segments. In addition, the semiconductor package includes a plurality of leads. Some of these leads include bottom surface portions which, in the completed semiconductor package, are exposed and at least partially circumvent the die pad, with other leads including portions which protrude from respective side surfaces of a package body in the completed semiconductor package. The semiconductor package also includes one or more power bars and/or one or more ground rings which are integral portions of the original leadframe used to fabricate the same.
US08188578B2
A seal ring structure disposed along a periphery of an integrated circuit. The seal ring is divided into at least a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is positioned facing and shielding an analog and/or RF circuit block from a noise. A deep N well is disposed in a P substrate and is positioned under the second portion. The deep N well reduces the substrate noise coupling.
US08188569B2
Phase change random access memory device with transistor, and method for fabricating a memory device
The invention relates to a memory device, in particular to a resistively switching memory device such as a Phase Change Random Access Memory (“PCRAM”). In one disclosed method, a nanowire of non-conducting material is formed serving as a mould for producing a nanotube of conducting material. A volume of switching active material is deposited on top of the nanotube, so that the ring-shaped front face of the nanotube couples to the switching active material and thus forms a bottom electrode contact.
US08188567B2
A semiconductor and method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. In one embodiment the method includes providing a semiconductor substrate with a first substrate surface and at least one trench having at least one trench surface. The trench extends from the first substrate surface into the semiconductor substrate. The trench has a first trench section and a second trench section. The trench surface is exposed in an upper portion of the first and second trench sections and covered with a first insulating layer in a lower portion. A second insulating layer is formed at least on the exposed trench surface in the upper portion. A conductive layer is formed on the second insulating layer at least in the upper portion, wherein the second insulating layer electrically insulates the conductive layer from the semiconductor substrate. The conductive layer is removed in the first trench section without removing the conductive layer in the second trench section.
US08188565B2
A semiconductor chip including a substrate, a metal interconnection structure and a circuit region is provided. The substrate has at least one dielectric ring on a substrate surface of the substrate. The metal interconnection structure is disposed on the substrate surface and has at least one guard ring, wherein the guard ring comprises a plurality of individual segments, and the individual segments are individually and electrically coupled to the ground contacts. The circuit region disposed on the substrate. A projection of the dielectric ring on the substrate surface surrounds a projection of the circuit region on the substrate surface, and the projection of the guard ring on the substrate surface surrounds that of the dielectric ring and that of the circuit region on the substrate surface.
US08188558B2
In order to increase an efficiency of spin transfer and thereby reduce the required switching current, a current perpendicular to plane (CPP) magnetic element for a memory device includes either one or both of a free magnetic layer, which has an electronically reflective surface, and a permanent magnet layer, which has perpendicular anisotropy to bias the free magnetic layer.
US08188552B2
A dynamic random access memory structure is disclosed, in which, the active area is a donut-type pillar at which a novel vertical transistor is disposed and has a gate filled in the central cavity of the pillar and upper and lower sources/drains located in the upper and the lower portions of the pillar respectively. A buried bit line is formed in the substrate beneath the transistor. A word line is horizontally disposed above the gate. A capacitor is disposed above the word line as well as the gate and electrically connected to the upper source/drain through a node contact. The node contact has a reverse-trench shape with the top surface electrically connected to the capacitor and with the bottom of the sidewalls electrically connected to the upper source/drain. The word line passes through the space confined by the reverse-trench shape.
US08188532B2
A semiconductor device has a gate contact structure, including a semiconductor substrate, a polycrystalline silicon layer used as a gate electrode of a transistor, a middle conductive layer, a top metal layer having an opening exposing the polycrystalline silicon layer, and a contact plug directly contacting the polycrystalline silicon layer through the opening.
US08188530B2
A semiconductor memory device provided with a cell array section and a peripheral circuit section, the device includes: a back gate electrode; a stacked body provided on the back gate electrode; a plurality of semiconductor pillars extending in a stacking direction; connection members, each of the connection members connecting one of the semiconductor pillars to another one of the semiconductor pillars; a back-gate electrode contact applying a potential to the back gate electrode; a gate electrode provided in the peripheral circuit section; and a gate electrode contact applying a potential to the gate electrode, the back gate electrode and the gate electrode respectively including: a lower semiconductor layer; a conductive layer provided on the lower semiconductor layer; and an upper semiconductor layer provided on the conductive layer, the connection members being provided in or on the upper semiconductor layer, the back-gate electrode contact and the gate electrode contact being in contact with the conductive layer.
US08188529B2
A semiconductor device comprises a memory cell region, a peripheral circuit region and a boundary region. In the memory cell region, a concave lower electrode and a foundation layer have a same uppermost surface positioned in a height of H above the plane-A. In the boundary region, one concave lower conductive region and a foundation layer have a same uppermost surface positioned in a height of H above the plane-A.
US08188524B2
The present invention relates a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor capable of improving dynamic range by using an additional driver transistor. The CMOS image sensor according to the present invention has a pixel array which has a plurality of unit pixels each of which includes a photodiode and a fist transistor to act as a source follower buffer amplifier to amplify photogenerated charges accumulated in the photodiode. Also, the CMOS image sensor includes a second transistor for a buffer amplifier to amplify and output a gate input voltage in the unit pixel, wherein an output signal of the first transistor is applied to a gate of the second.
US08188508B2
A device includes a semiconductor structure comprising a light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region. The semiconductor structure includes an n-contact region and a p-contact region. A cross section of the n-contact region comprises a plurality of first regions wherein portions of the light emitting layer and p-type region are removed to expose the n-type region. The plurality of first regions are separated by a plurality of second regions wherein the light emitting layer and p-type region remain in the device. The device further includes a first metal contact formed over the semiconductor structure in the p-contact region and a second metal contact formed over the semiconductor structure in the n-contact region. The second metal contact is in electrical contact with at least one of the second regions in the n-contact region.
US08188497B2
The invention is directed to providing a smaller semiconductor device with a lower manufacturing cost and higher reliability and a method of manufacturing the same. A light emitting element (a LED die 8) is formed on a first substrate 1. A cathode electrode 10 connected to an N type region of the LED die 8 is formed between the first substrate 1 and the LED die 8. The side surface of the LED die 8 is covered by an insulation layer 11. An anode electrode 12 is formed extending from on the front surface of the first substrate 1 onto a P type region of the LED die 8 along the circumference of the insulation layer 11. Wiring layers 18 electrically connected to the cathode electrode 10 and the anode electrode 12 are formed on the side surface of the first substrate 1 therealong. The wiring layers 18 extend onto the back surface of the first substrate 1. Conductive terminals 22 electrically connected to the wiring layers 18 through electrode connection layers 20 are formed on the back surface of the first substrate 1.
US08188495B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a gallium nitride-based compound semiconductor light emitting device having excellent light extraction efficiency and a high emission output in which a planar shape is a rectangular shape with vertical and longitudinal sides each having a different length.The present light emitting device comprises a substrate and a gallium nitride-based compound semiconductor layer formed on the substrate, wherein a planar shape is a rectangular shape with vertical and longitudinal sides each having a different length, and a side surface of the gallium nitride-based compound semiconductor layer is not vertical to a principal surface of the substrate.
US08188492B2
The present invention provides a light emitting device, comprising a first light emitting diode for emitting light in an ultraviolet wavelength region; at least one phosphor arranged around the first light emitting diode and excited by the light emitted from the first light emitting diode to emit light having a peak wavelength longer than the wavelength of the light emitted from the first light emitting diode; and at least one second light emitting diode for emitting light having a wavelength different from the peak wavelength of the light emitted from the phosphor. According to the present invention, there is provided a white light emitting device, wherein using a light emitting diode for emitting light different in wavelength from light that is ex-cititively emitted from the phosphor, an excitation light source, i.e., light in the ultraviolet region for exciting the phosphor is effectively used, thereby improving energy conversion efficiency and improving reliability.
US08188486B2
An optical disk for use in converting light emitted from a light-emitting diode chip to white light. The optical disk includes a tapered surface such that a center area of the disk has a width greater than a width of an outer area of the disk. The optical disk is formed of a silicone having at least one weight percent mix of phosphor. Various embodiments of this generally described optical disk are also presented.
US08188485B2
The invention relates to a light emitting diode having at least one (semi)conductive electroluminescent active layer which comprises at least two different electroluminescent functionalities, wherein the emission spectrum of the diode exhibits at least two intensity maxima. The invention further relates to a detector which comprises a light emitting diode which is capable of emitting light at least two mutually separate intensity maxima.
US08188483B2
Power devices are provided including a p-type conductivity well region and a buried p+ conductivity region in the p-type conductivity well region. An n+ conductivity region is provided on the buried p+ conductivity region. A channel region of the power device is provided adjacent the buried p+ conductivity region and n+ conductivity region, the channel region of the power device having a root mean square (RMS) surface roughness of less than about 1.0 Å.
US08188482B2
One aspect includes a semiconductor device with self-aligned contacts, integrated circuit and manufacturing method. One embodiment provides gate control structures. Each of the gate control structures is configured to control the conductivity of a channel region within a silicon carbide substrate by field effect. A contact hole is self-aligned to opposing sidewalls of adjacent gate control structures by intermediate spacers.
US08188479B2
A pixel electrode structure includes a transparent substrate, a data line, a common line, a first array pixel, and a second array pixel disposed on the transparent substrate. The first/second array pixels respectively include a thin film transistor, a pixel electrode, and a gate line, and the common line is disposed at a lateral side of the gate line. A first via hole and a second via hole are respectively disposed on common line and in contact with an extending portion of the first thin film transistor and an extending portion of the second thin film transistor. A dummy line is disposed at a side of the data line, and a third via hole is disposed both on the dummy line and on the common line. The present invention can not only increase the aperture ratio of the pixel, but have a better stability of the common voltage signal.
US08188474B2
It is an object to provide a flexible light-emitting device with long lifetime in a simple way and to provide an inexpensive electronic device with long lifetime using the flexible light-emitting device. A flexible light-emitting device is provided, which includes a substrate having flexibility and a light-transmitting property with respect to visible light; a first adhesive layer over the substrate; an insulating film containing nitrogen and silicon over the first adhesive layer; a light-emitting element including a first electrode, a second electrode facing the first electrode, and an EL layer between the first electrode and the second electrode; a second adhesive layer over the second electrode; and a metal substrate over the second adhesive layer, wherein the thickness of the metal substrate is 10 μm to 200 μm inclusive. Further, an electronic device using the flexible light-emitting device is provided.
US08188470B2
A fabricating method of a semiconductor stacking layer includes following steps. First, an amorphous silicon (a-Si) layer is formed on a substrate. Surface treatment is then performed on a surface of the a-Si layer. After that, a doped microcrystalline silicon (μc-Si) layer is formed on the treated surface of the a-Si layer, wherein interface defects existing between the a-Si layer and the doped μc-Si layer occupy an area in a cross-sectional region having a width of 1.5 micrometers and a thickness of 40 nanometers, and a ratio of the occupied area in the cross-sectional region is equal to or less than 10%. The method of fabricating the semiconductor stacking layer can be applied to a fabrication process of a semiconductor device to effectively reduce the interface defects of the semiconductor stacking layer.
US08188469B2
A test device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first test region and a second test region defined thereon, wherein a layout of the first test region includes first active regions separated from each other by isolation regions in the semiconductor substrate, second active regions formed between the first active regions, first gate lines formed on the semiconductor substrate, wherein each of the first gate lines has a first end adjacent to one of the first active regions and a second end adjacent to an end of one of the second active regions, respectively, first shared contacts each formed over a respective one of the second ends of the first gate lines and an upper part of one of the first active regions, and first nodes formed on the first shared contacts to be electrically connected to the first shared contacts, respectively.
US08188446B2
The distribution of abnormal tissue, such as lesions, in an observed object is precisely detected regardless of the distribution of absorbing material present in a living organism. Provided is a fluorescence imaging apparatus (1) including an excitation-light radiating unit (2) that irradiates an observed object with excitation light of a plurality of wavelengths; a filter (14) that transmits fluorescence in a specific wavelength band from among fluorescence produced by the observed object in response to the excitation light radiated from the excitation-light radiating unit (2); a light detector (15) that detects the fluorescence transmitted through the filter (14); and a computing unit (18) that calculates a fluorescence intensity ratio in the same wavelength band in response to the excitation light of the plurality of wavelengths, which is detected by the light detector (15).
US08188444B2
In an analytical spectrometer in which accelerated electrons are used to ionize analytes, a non-radioactive electron source uses a gas discharge to generate the electrons. The gas discharge is located in a substantially hermetic source chamber and the free electrons in the plasma of the gas discharge are accelerated in an electric acceleration region towards a partition wall which separates the source chamber from a reaction chamber. The partition wall is permeable to the accelerated electrons but impermeable to gas in the source chamber so that the electrons penetrate the partition wall into the reaction chamber and generate primary ions that chemically ionize the analytes.
US08188439B2
A gamma ray detector module that includes at least one crystal element arranged in a plane, a plurality of light sensors arranged to cover the at least one crystal element and to receive light emitted from the at least one crystal element, and a light guide arranged between the at least one crystal element and the light sensors, the light guide being optically connected to the at least one crystal element. Further, the light guide includes a narrow portion that positions at least one light sensor of the plurality of light sensors closer to the at least one crystal element than other light sensors of the plurality of light sensors. In addition, the light guide may include an angled recessed portion that positions another light sensor at an oblique tilt angle with respect to the plane of the at least one crystal element.
US08188430B2
A monitoring device includes an imaging device sensitive to visible and near-infrared electromagnetic radiation. The monitoring device is configured to concurrently direct omnidirectional visible and near-infrared electromagnetic radiation onto the imaging device without using any moving parts. The monitoring device also can include multiple sources of near-infrared electromagnetic radiation, which can be sequentially operated to illuminate regions of a monitored area to improve the imaged data. The monitoring device can acquire additional data, such as acoustic data or identification data of a target, and can process the acquired data to detect any targets that may be present and evaluate an alarm condition.
US08188428B2
A technique executes autofocus adjustment stably even when a plurality of patterns or foreign matter capable of being imaged only by a specific detector are included independently. Such an image as a concavo-convex image having a weak contrast can be picked up. The technique can automatically focus such an image even when it is difficult to find a focus position in the image. A scanning electron microscope includes a plurality of detectors for detecting secondary signals from a specimen when irradiated with an electron beam, and a calculation unit for combining the signals obtained from the detectors. At least two of the detectors are provided to be symmetric with respect to the electron beam. The focus of the electron beam is adjusted based on the signals of the detectors or on a signal corresponding to a combination of the signals.
US08188413B2
A terrestrial concentrator solar tracking photovoltaic array that may include an elongated frame configured to mount concentrator solar cell modules in a longitudinally-extending and spaced-apart arrangement. The frame is able to rotate each of the concentrator solar cell modules along a first axis to simultaneously track the elevation of the sun during the course of a day. The frame is also able to rotate each concentrator solar cell array module along second axes that are substantially perpendicular to the first axis to track the azimuthal position of the sun during the course of the day.
US08188403B2
A laser machining nozzle having at least one supply chamber for the laser beam and for a processing gas has a cavity arranged in the region of the orifice of the gas supply chamber, which cavity is open in the direction towards the workpiece to be machined, this opening having a wedge-shaped edge.
US08188388B2
A small-sized operation key, permits various kinds of inputs by a user to be detected and imparts the user with a tactile sensation in correspondence with each input to enable him/her to recognize his/her input. An operation key has a dome-like structure, a pressure detecting portion, a sheet member placed on the dome-like structure and pressure detecting portion, having a plate-like portion, and further having at least one first pusher and at least one second pusher formed on the lower surface of the plate-like portion, and an operating portion provided on the upper surface of the sheet member. In the operation key structure, the dome-like structure and the first pusher face each other and the pressure detecting portion and the second pusher face each other, and an initial load is applied to the pressure detecting portion by the second pusher.
US08188387B2
A keyswitch includes a key cap, a base, a first support member, a second support member and a link member. The base has a first restraining portion and a third restraining portion. The first support member is disposed between the key cap and the base. The first support member has a second restraining portion. The first restraining portion restrains the second restraining portion from moving in a direction perpendicular to the base. The second support member is disposed between the key cap and the base and opposite to the first support member. The second support member has a fourth restraining portion. The third restraining portion restrains the fourth restraining portion from moving in the direction perpendicular to the base. When the key cap is pressed to a bottom of the base, the second and fourth restraining portions are located under the first and third restraining portions respectively.
US08188385B2
A method and device for provisionally determining the mass of a vehicle when it is initialized. After initialization of the vehicle, the method determines a vehicle mass value by a static mass determination method and then checks whether this value is within a predetermined tolerance band around the dynamically last-determined vehicle mass value, which has been stored for that purpose. If this is so, and there has in the meantime been no significant change of the vehicle's mass, the previously stored dynamic vehicle mass value is probably more accurate and is used in the determination. Otherwise it can be assumed that the vehicle mass value has changed substantially, and the statically determined vehicle mass value is therefore used until a device for the dynamic determination of a vehicle mass can supply a more accurate vehicle mass value after a short time.
US08188382B2
A leadthrough for passing conduits (6) through a constructional component (5) includes a circumferentially closed housing (12), an insert (21) of intumescent material located in the housing (12), and a first and second diaphragm-shaped sealing members (31, 36) formed, respectively, of an elastic material, and a textile flat material, each having a through-opening (32, 37) and both located in the housing (12), with the second sealing member (36) having a transition temperature of at least 600° C.
US08188368B2
A protector for a wire harness has a U-shaped main body casing for receiving a wire harness and a lid for closing an opening in the main body casing. The main body casing has opposite longitudinal ends with inlet and outlet portions for passing the wire harness. The inlet and outlet portions define tape-supports to be secured to the wire harness by tape-wrapping. A tape-support also is provided on a longitudinal end of the lid at a side of at least one of the inlet and outlet portions. The tape-support of the lid is slanted to contact an outer surface of the wire harness. The wire harness is disposed between the tape-supports of the lid and the main body casing. A tape is wound around the tape-supports of the main body casing and the lid to secure these portions to the wire harness.
US08188367B2
A method of forming a doped Group IBIIIAVIA absorber layer for solar cells by reacting a partially reacted precursor layer with a dopant structure. The precursor layer including Group IB, Group IIIA and Group VIA materials such as Cu, Ga, In and Se are deposited on a base and partially reacted. After the dopant structure is formed on the partially reacted precursor layer, the dopant structure and partially reacted precursor layer is fully reacted. The dopant structure includes a dopant material such as Na.
US08188347B1
A novel maize variety designated PH12S2 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH12S2 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH12S2 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH12S2 or a locus conversion of PH12S2 with another maize variety.
US08188340B2
A lettuce cultivar, designated Manitou, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of lettuce cultivar Manitou, to the plants of lettuce cultivar Manitou and to methods for producing a lettuce plant by crossing the cultivar Manitou with itself or another lettuce cultivar. The invention further relates to methods for producing a lettuce plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic lettuce plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to lettuce cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from lettuce cultivar Manitou, to methods for producing other lettuce cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from lettuce cultivar Manitou and to the lettuce plants, varieties, and their parts derived from the use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid lettuce seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar Manitou with another lettuce cultivar.
US08188334B2
The present invention provides systems that allow reliable multiplexed transformation of Drosophila embryos. The present invention provides methods and reagents that allow preparation of injection-quality nucleic acid samples and that allow simultaneous preparation of multiple such samples. The present invention provides systems for simultaneous processing of multiple injected embryos. The present invention provides methods for transformation of Drosophila embryos involving use of virginator strains that can be used to increase the efficiency of setting up the crosses needed to produce the eggs for the injections and for the crosses needed to screen for transformants.
US08188322B2
A process for the production of methanol comprises feeding a hydrocarbon feedstock to a partial oxidation reactor to produce a synthesis gas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide; subjecting the synthesis gas to methanol synthesis to produce a methanol product stream and a tail gas stream; separating the tail gas stream into at least two streams comprising a purge stream and a recycle stream, the recycle stream comprising a substantial portion of the tail gas stream; and, recycling the recycle stream to the partial oxidation reactor.
US08188319B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing 2,2-difluoroethylamine proceeding from 2,2-difluoro-1-haloethane using ammonia in a solvent which has a maximum water content of 15% by volume and in the presence of a catalyst which accelerates the reaction with ammonia.
US08188318B2
The present invention provides methods of manufacturing ethyleneamines that makes use of an ethyleneamine-generating process that is coupled to a transamination process. The combination of an ethyleneamine-generating process with a transamination process improves the mix flexibility that can be obtained from the single process allowing the production of ethyleneamine compositions having an improved and more desirable product mix.
US08188316B2
Processes are provided for preparing complexes of 2,3,5,6-tetraaminotoluene with an aromatic diacid where the aromatic diacid is insoluble in water under ambient conditions. An integrated process design starting with nitration of 2,6-dihalotoluene eliminates costly intermediate drying and recrystallization steps. Handling of solid materials with possible skin sensitizing properties and toxicity is avoided, thereby eliminating human and environmental exposure.
US08188312B2
The present invention is related to acyclic sulfamide derivatives, useful for the manufacture of a medicament for satiety induction and ingestion control, corporal fat modulation and lipidic metabolism regulation and for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The acyclic sulfamide derivatives are also useful for cosmetic use.
US08188306B2
Novel compounds useful for inhibiting the 90kDa heat shock proteins containing a quinone-like moiety and a di-hydroxy phenol like moiety, similar to geldanamycin and radicicol.
US08188303B2
The present invention provides an antimalarial compound 3-[2-(2-Hydroxymethyl-1,4a,5-trimethyl-7-oxo-1,2,3,4,4a,7 8,8a-octahydronaphthalen-1-yl)-ethyl]-5H-furan-2-one of the formula 1 given below or pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, isolated from Gomphostema niveum and also provides a method for the extraction thereof as well as methods for the treatment of malaria using said compound.
US08188302B2
A method includes reacting an amino group, a composition including rhodium and an organic ligand, and a substrate having structural formula (I) in a reaction mixture. R1 is an organic group including a sp3 carbon atom bonded to CA. R2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, and an organic group including a sp3 carbon atom bonded to CA. R3 and R4 independently are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, and an organic group including a sp3 carbon atom bonded to CB. The method further includes forming a hydroaminated product in the reaction mixture.
US08188301B2
The present invention relates to the use of compounds which increase extracellular levels of catecholamines, dopamine and norepinephrine, in cerebral cortical areas of the mammalian brain, and more specifically to the use of 3-disubstituted phenyl-1-pyrrolidinols for the treatment of central nervous system disorders.
US08188298B2
A method of making a metalloporphyrin is carried out by reacting (i) a linear tetrapyrrole, said linear tetrapyrrole having a 19-acyl group and a 1-protecting group, with (ii) a metal salt under basic conditions to produce the metalloporphyrin. Products produced by such methods and intermediates useful for carrying out such methods are also described.
US08188297B2
An indolium compound is represented by formula (I): Ring A: a benzene or naphthalene ring. Ring B: 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic or aromatic ring. Z: alkyl group having 1-8 carbon atoms, may be substituted with a halogen atom or interrupted by —O—, —CO—, —OCO—, or —COO—, a sulfonyl group having a hydrocarbyl group having -8 carbon atoms, a sulfinyl group having a hydrocarbyl group having 1-8 carbon atoms, an alkylamino group having an alkyl group having 1-8 carbon atoms, a dialkylamino group having alkyl groups having 1-8 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a nitro group, a hydroxyl group, or a halogen group. R1: group represented by formula (II) or (II′). R2: organic group having 1-30 carbon atoms or group represented by formula (II), (II′), or (III). Y: group represented by formula (III). n: integer 0-4; Anm−: m-valent anion, m is 1 or 2. p: coefficient for neutral charge.
US08188292B2
N-Substituted (heteroaryl)alkyl sulfilimines are effective at controlling insects.
US08188277B2
The present invention provides a novel compound, which has an excellent effect of suppressing the generation of collagen and less side effects, with being excellent in terms of safety. The compound of the present invention is represented by the following general formula (1): [wherein X1 represents a nitrogen atom or a group —CH═; R1 represents a group —Z—R6, wherein Z represents a group —CO—, a group —CH(OH)—, or the like, and R6 represents a 5- to 15-membered monocyclic, dicyclic, or tricyclic, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic group having 1 to 4 nitrogen atoms, oxygen atoms, or sulfur atoms; R2 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a lower alkylene group; Y represents a group —O—, a group —CO—, a group —CH(OH)—, a lower alkylene group, or the like; and A represents a group or the like, wherein R3 represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkoxy group, or the like, p represents 1 or 2, and R4 represents an imidazolyl lower alkyl group or the like.
US08188273B2
(1,3,5)-Triazinyl phenyl hydrazones are effective at controlling insects.
US08188263B2
The present invention provides chemically modified siRNA molecules and methods of using such siRNA molecules to silence target gene expression. Advantageously, the modified siRNA of the present invention is less immunostimulatory than its corresponding unmodified siRNA sequence and retains RNAi activity against the target sequence. The present invention also provides nucleic acid-lipid particles comprising a modified siRNA, a cationic lipid, and a non-cationic lipid, which can further comprise a conjugated lipid that inhibits aggregation of particles. The present invention further provides methods of silencing gene expression by administering a modified siRNA to a mammalian subject. Methods for identifying and/or modifying an siRNA having immunostimulatory properties are also provided.
US08188262B2
Provided herein are compounds, methods and compositions for treating allergic diseases. In particular, an isolated double stranded short interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) with a ribonucleotide sequence complementary to at least a portion of a target gene RNA such as an airway inflammation related-gene RNA, thereby resulting in the cleavage of the expressed target gene RNA via RNA interference mechanism, and is useful as a medicament for treating allergy by alleviating or minimizing airway inflammation of a subject.
US08188261B2
The invention relates to the therapeutic use of novel stabilized oligoribonucleotides as immune modulatory agents for immune therapy applications. Specifically, the invention provides novel RNA-based oligoribonucleotides with improved nuclease and RNase stability and that have immune modulatory activity through TLR7 and/or TLR8.
US08188256B2
The present invention discloses an oligonucleotide which comprises a part or the entire sequence of the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7 or SEQ ID NO: 8, or a part or the entire sequence of a sequence complementary to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7 or SEQ ID NO: 8, wherein the oligonucleotide is capable of hybridizing with a nucleotide sequence of Mycobacterium intracellulare gene; a primer or a probe for the detection of M. intracellulare, which comprises the aforementioned oligonucleotide; and a method for detection of M. intracellulare using the aforementioned primer and/or the probe.According to the detection method of the present invention, any false-positive result in diagnosis can be eliminated and detection or diagnosis of M. intracellulare can be carried out with higher accuracy, more preciseness, and more specifically compared to a conventional diagnostic method employing a cell culture assay or a PCR assay. The method also enables to quantify a microbial cell.
US08188250B2
From a bacterial strain isolated from an environmental sample, after enrichment in medium containing 1-butanol as the carbon source, a new enzyme with butanol dehydrogenase activity was identified. The enzyme can convert butyraldehyde to 1-butanol, isobutyraldehyde to isobutanol, as well as 2-butanone to 2-butanol and thus is useful for biosynthesis of butanol in recombinant microbial hosts producing these substrates. The encoding gene, named sadB, was isolated from the strain identified as an isolate of Achromobacter xylosoxidans.
US08188248B2
Modified interleukin-12 (IL-12) p40 polypeptides are disclosed. The modified polypeptides have alterations in the IL-12p40 subunit to eliminate the protease site between positions Lys260 and Arg261. The modified IL-12p40 polypeptides according to the invention have improved stability compared to wild-type mature human IL-12p40 polypeptides.
US08188233B2
Antagonists of human proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (“PCSK9”) are disclosed. The disclosed antagonists are effective in the inhibition of PCSK9 function and, accordingly, present desirable antagonists for use in the treatment of conditions associated with PCSK9 activity. The present invention also discloses nucleic acid encoding said antagonists, vectors, host cells, and compositions comprising the antagonists. Methods of making PCSK9-specific antagonists as well as methods of using the antagonists for inhibiting or antagonizing PCSK9 function are also disclosed and form important additional aspects of the present disclosure.
US08188231B2
The present invention relates to optimized Fc variants, methods for their generation, Fc polypeptides comprising optimized Fc variants, and methods for using optimized Fc variants.
US08188230B2
A composition comprising a purified collagen-like polypeptide suitable as a peptizer, said polypeptide comprising [Gly-X-Y]n repeats, wherein Gly stands for glycine, X and Y represent any amino acid and n is an integer and selected such that the length of the [Gly-X-Y]n repeat is at least 2.5 kDa and wherein the amino acid sequence of said [Gly-X-Y]n repeats comprises more than 4 different amino acids and wherein said purified polypeptide is free of helix structure.
US08188226B2
The application relates to novel biosynthetic growth factor mutants, derived from GDF-5, which exhibit improved biological activity. Mutations at positions 453 and 456 of human GDF-5 are disclosed, as well as use of these mutants in therapy of diseases associated with tissue degeneration/destruction.
US08188221B2
The present invention relates to a peptide, which specifically homes to the intracranial, early stage astrocytoma model that grows as islets and harbors co-opted tumor vessels in the brain. The peptide finds its use in targeted delivery of therapeutic substances to invasive brain cancer or metastatic brain lesions as such and in combination with conventional therapies, such as surgery and radiation, and anti-angiogenic therapies, and as a tool in diagnosis of, e.g., invasive brain cancer or metastatic brain lesions.
US08188219B2
A cyclized peptide designated BMP Binding Peptide (BBP) is a synthetic peptide that avidly binds rhBMP-2. BBP increases the over-all osteogenic activity of rgBMP-2, increases the rate at which rhBMP-2 induces bone formation, and BBP induces calcification alone. Compositions and substrates including BBP, and methods of using BBP are useful in therapeutic, diagnostic and clinical applications requiring calcification and osteogenesis.
US08188210B2
A naphthoxazine benzoxazine-based monomer is represented by Formula 1 below: In Formula 1, R2 and R3 or R3 and R4 are linked to each other to form a group represented by Formula 2 below, and R5 and R6 or R6 and R7 are linked to each other to form a group represented by Formula 2 below, In Formula 2, * represents the bonding position of R2 and R3, R3 and R4, R5 and R6, or R6 and R7 of Formula 1. A polymer is formed by polymerizing the naphthoxazine benzoxazine-based monomer, an electrode for a fuel cell includes the polymer, an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell includes the polymer, and a fuel cell uses the electrode.
US08188199B1
The method of promoting olefin polymerization uses a nanoparticle filler to increase the activity of a metallocene catalyst for in situ polymerization of polyolefins. The filler may be nanoparticles of manganese, or nanoparticles of manganese-doped titanium dioxide. The method includes the steps of (a) mixing a metallocene catalyst, e.g., zirconocene dichloride, with nanoparticles of the filler in an organic solvent, e.g., toluene, in a reactor to form a reaction mixture; (b) immersing the reactor in a temperature bath for a period of time sufficient to bring the mixture to an optimal polymerization reaction temperature; (c) adding monomer to the mixture in the reactor; (d) adding methylaluminoxane (MAO) as a co-catalyst to the reaction mixture to initiate polymerization; and (e) quenching the polymerization, e.g., by adding methanol containing 5% hydrochloric acid by volume to the reactor.
US08188196B2
A two-component polyurethane clear coat kit system consisting of: (1) a binder component having a solids content of 42 to 50 wt.-% comprising at least one hydroxyl-functional binder and a volatile organic content of 50 to 58 wt.-%, and (2) a polyisocyanate crosslinker component having a solids content of 66 to 70 wt.-% and a volatile organic content of 30 to 34 wt.-%, wherein the solids content of the polyisocyanate crosslinker component comprises a free polyisocyanate solids content consisting of 75 to 100 wt.-% of at least one polyisocyanate of the 1,6-hexane diisocyanate isocyanurate type and of 0 to 25 wt.-% of at least one polyisocyanate of the isophorone diisocyanate isocyanurate type, wherein the sum of the respective wt.-% in each case totals 100 wt.-%.
US08188195B2
A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomer with a coordination catalyst to form a reactive polymer; and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a nitroso compound.
US08188193B2
A process for thermally surface postcrosslinking water-absorbing polymer particles in a fluidized bed generated by means of a carrier gas, wherein the surface postcrosslinker is supplied to the fluidized bed in gaseous form.
US08188176B2
Disclosed is a fluorine-containing elastomer having a copolymerization composition containing (A) 72.8 to 74.0 mol % of tetrafluoroethylene, (B) 26.8 to 24.0 mol % of perfluoro(lower alkyl vinyl ether) or perfluoro(lower alkoxy-lower alkyl vinyl ether), and (C) 0.2 to 3.0 mol % of a perfluoro unsaturated nitrile compound, and having a Mooney viscosity ML1+10(121° C.) of 70 to 115. The fluorine-containing elastomer is compounded with a bisamidoxime compound, which is used as a vulcanizing agent, in an amount of 0.2 to 5 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the fluorine-containing elastomer to form a fluorine-containing elastomer composition. The vulcanizate of the composition, even when used under plasma irradiation conditions or at temperatures as high as 300° C., can prevent weight loss caused by plasma irradiation and exhibits excellent heat resistance at temperatures as high as 300° C. or more.
US08188173B2
The present invention provides a polyvinyl acetal powder coating material capable of forming a coating film having a highly smooth surface, being less susceptible to yellowing when exposed to heat, and being suitable for working such as bending of a coated article. The present invention is a polyvinyl acetal powder coating material including: a polyvinyl acetal resin; and 0.02 to 5% by weight of an antioxidant relative to the polyvinyl acetal resin. The antioxidant has a molecular weight of 380 to 1000 and a melting point of 80 to 230° C. It is preferable that the molecular weight of the antioxidant be 400 to 1000.
US08188168B2
An object thereof is to provide a tire rubber composition about which the ice braking-performance is largely improved while the tire-abrasion resistance is kept. In order to achieve the object, a tire rubber composition comprises a diene-based rubber component, and banana fiber in an amount of 0.1 to 20 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of the diene-based rubber component.
US08188167B2
To provide a polyalkylene glycol chain-containing thiol polymer which is excellent in various performances, particularly significantly excellent in cement dispersibility, and useful in various applications such as an admixture for cement; a thiol-modified monomer or a mixture thereof, which can produce such a polymer; production methods of the polymer and the monomer; and a dispersant and an admixture for cement, each including the polymer. The polyalkylene glycol chain-containing thiol polymer of the present invention is a polyalkylene glycol chain-containing thiol polymer, wherein the polymer comprises a polyalkylene glycol chain and a polymer segment bonded to at least one end of the polyalkylene glycol chain with a sulfur atom-containing group therebetween, the polymer segment includes a constitutional unit derived from an unsaturated monomer component, and the unsaturated monomer component includes an unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer and an unsaturated polyalkylene glycol monomer.
US08188165B2
The present invention relates to a curable precursor of a fire-retardant, low-density and essentially halogen-free epoxy composition comprising (i) 10 to 70 weight percent of at least one organic epoxide compound with an epoxide functionality of at least one, (ii) 1 to 55 weight percent of at least one epoxide hardener, (iii) 5 to 50 weight percent of an essentially halogen-free fire-retardant system that includes a mixture of: (1) at least one compound selected from the group comprising alkaline earth metal hydroxides and aluminium group hydroxides, and (2) at least one phosphorous-containing material, (iv) 10 to 60 weight percent of a filler system capable of reducing the density of the precursor that includes a mixture of (1) at least one low-density inorganic filler having a density of between 0.1 to 0.5 g cm−3?, (2) at least one low-density organic filler having a density of between 0.01 to 0.30 g/cm−3? and being compressible.
US08188160B2
The ink set for inkjet recording includes: a water-based ink containing pigment particles and 10 to 25 wt % of water-soluble high-boiling-point organic solvent having an SP value of not higher than 30; and a treatment liquid containing a fluidity reducing agent which reduces fluidity of the pigment particles by making contact with the water-based ink, and 10 to 25 wt % of water-soluble high-boiling-point organic solvent having an SP value of not higher than 30.
US08188159B2
An inkjet ink comprising polymeric fluoro-polymeric additives providing enhanced pen and print quality performance.
US08188147B2
Isolated polynucleotide molecules and peptides encoded by these molecules are used in the analysis of human carbamyl phosphate synthetase I phenotypes, as well as in diagnostic and therapeutic applications, relating to a human carbamyl phosphate synthetase I polymorphism. By analyzing genomic DNA or amplified genomic DNA, or amplified cDNA derived from mRNA, it is possible to type a human carbamyl phosphate synthetase I with regard to the human carbamyl phosphate synthetase I polymorphism, for example, in the context of diagnosing and treating hepatic veno-occlusive disease (HVOD) associated with bone marrow transplants.
US08188146B2
A pharmaceutical preparation comprising EPA in an appropriately assimilable form where of all the fatty acids present in the preparation at least 90%, and preferably at least 95%, is in the form of EPA and where less than 5%, and preferably less than 3%, is in the form of DHA is provided.
US08188143B2
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical composition comprising the naturally occurring compounds selected from (±) Marmesin, Columbianetin, Dihydroxanthyletin and substituted coumarin derivatives of 7-allyloxy coumarin, 7-benzyloxy coumarin, 7-methoxy coumarin, 7-acetyloxy coumarin, 4-methyl-7-hydroxy coumarin and 4-methyl-7-acetyloxy coumarin. The said compositions posses a high degree of acetylcholinesterase inhibitory (AChE) property.
US08188140B2
Methods, formulations, dosing regimes, and routes of administration for the treatment or prevention of arrhythmias, including the treatment or prevention of atrial fibrillation. In these methods, the disease or condition is treated or prevented by administering one or more ion channel modulating compounds to a subject, where the ion channel modulating compound or compounds produce specific plasma levels in the subject. The ion channel modulating compounds may be cycloalkylamine ether compounds, particularly cyclohexylamine ether compounds.
US08188138B2
Compounds of a certain formula I, in which R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 have the meanings indicated in the description, as well as salts thereof are novel effective HDAC inhibitors.
US08188134B2
The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of protein kinase. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders. The invention also provides processes for preparing compounds of the inventions.
US08188128B2
Opioid receptor compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are presented. Also presented are methods for treating a condition mediated by an opioid receptor by administering an effective amount of the opioid receptor compound to a patient in need thereof.
US08188124B2
Novel metabolites of talarazole of formula (I) have been isolated and characterized, wherein R═H, OH, OSO3H or O-gly; R1, ═H, OH, OSO3H, O-gly or =0; and gly=a glucuronate, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds are targeted for the treatment of various skin-, hair- and nail-associated disorders.
US08188113B2
The present invention relates to novel dihydropyridopyrimidinyl, dihydronaphthyridinyl, and related compounds which are kinase inhibitors and modulator useful for the treatment of various diseases. More particularly, the invention is concerned with such compounds, kinase/compound adducts, methods of treating diseases, and methods of synthesis of the compounds. Preferably, the compounds are useful for the modulation of kinase activity of Raf kinases and disease polymorphs thereof. Compounds of the present invention find utility in the treatment of mammalian cancers and especially human cancers including but not limited to malignant melanoma, colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, papillary thyroid carcinoma, non small cell lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Compounds of the present invention also find utility in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and retinopathies including diabetic retinal neuropathy and macular degeneration.
US08188112B2
The invention relates to compounds for use in medicine. The compounds are of general formula (I) as disclosed herein and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, individual isomers and mixtures of isomers thereof, wherein X, X′ and X″ are independently O or S; Z is N or P; R3 is optional and is selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted C1-8 alkyl, optionally substituted C2-6alkenyl, optionally substituted C2-6 alkynyl, optionally substituted C1-6 alkoxy, optionally substituted C1-6 thioalkyl, optionally substituted C5-10 aryl, optionally substituted C6-11 alkylaryl, optionally substituted C1-6 alkylamino, optionally substituted C1-6 alkylcarbonyl, optionally substituted C1-6 alkylsulfonamino, optionally substituted (C1-C6)alkylsulfinyl, optionally substituted C1-6 alkylcarbonylamino, optionally substituted hetero(C4-C10)aryl, hydroxyl, halogen, cyano, nitro, amino, formyl, and thiol; R1, R2, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, and R10 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, optionally substituted C1-8 alkyl, optionally substituted C2-6 alkenyl, optionally substituted C2-6 alkynyl, optionally substituted C1-6 alkoxy, optionally substituted C1-6 thioalkyl, optionally substituted C5-10 aryl, optionally substituted C6-11 alkylaryl, optionally substituted C1-6 alkylamino, optionally substituted C1-6 alkylcarbonyl, optionally substituted C1-6 alkylsulfonamino, optionally substituted (C1-C6)alkylsulfinyl, optionally substituted C1-6 alkylcarbonylamino, optionally substituted hetero(C4-C10)aryl, hydroxyl, halogen, cyano, nitro, amino, formyl, and thiol; and - - - indicates an optional double bond.
US08188111B2
Amide and carbamate derivatives of N-[4-(4-amino-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-1-yl)butyl]methanesulfonamides with an ethyl, methyl, or n-propyl substituent at the 2-position, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, methods of making the compounds, and methods of use of these compounds in modulating the immune system, for inducing cytokine biosynthesis in animals and in the treatment of diseases including viral and neoplastic diseases, are disclosed.
US08188102B2
The present invention provides a novel amide derivative of formula (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising same as an active ingredient.
US08188100B2
A compound of formula (I), or stereoisomers or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, formula (1), or stereoisomers or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein A, U1, U2, R1a, R1b, R2 and R3 have the meanings as indicated in the specification, are useful for treating conditions mediated by activation of the adenosine A2A receptor, especially inflammatory or obstructive airways diseases. Pharmaceutical compositions that contain the compounds and a process for preparing the compounds are also described.
US08188084B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula I: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts or tautomers thereof which are inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) and thus useful for the treatment of cancer, inflammatory diseases, reperfusion injuries, ischaemic conditions, stroke, renal failure, cardiovascular diseases, vascular diseases other than cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, neurodegenerative diseases, retroviral infections, retinal damage, skin senescence and UV-induced skin damage, and as chemo- or radiosensitizers for cancer treatment.
US08188071B2
The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of protein kinase of the following structural formula: The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders. The invention also provides processes for preparing compounds of the inventions.
US08188063B2
The present invention is a method for treatment or prevention of injury to nerve cells. The method can use at least one A2A receptor modulator to prevent injury to or enhance the healing of the injured cells.
US08188057B2
The invention relates to siNA compositions and methods for the treatment of eye conditions wherein the siNA compound capable of inhibiting the expression of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta-HSD1).
US08188054B2
Compounds of Formula I or II, and methods of making and using thereof, are described herein. M represents a macrolide subunit, n is a C1-6 group, optionally containing one or more heteroatoms, D is an alkyl or aryl group, A is a linking group connected to D, B is an alkyl, alkylaryl or alkylheteroaryl spacer group, ZBG is a Zinc Binding Group, R1, R2 and R4 are independently are selected from hydrogen, a C1-6 alkyl group, a C2-6 alkenyl group, a C2-6 alkynyl group, a C1-6 alkanoate group, a C2-6 carbamate group, a C2-6 carbonate group, a C2-6 carbamate group, or a C2-6 thiocarbamate group, R3 is hydrogen or —OR5, R5 is selected from a group consisting of Hydrogen, a C1-6 alkyl hgroup, a C2-6 alkenyl group, a C2-6 alkynyl group, C1-6 alkanoate group, C2-6 carbamate group, C2-6 carbonate group, C2-6 carbamate group, or C2-6 thiocarbamate group.
US08188048B2
The present invention relates generally to methods for inducing, promoting or otherwise facilitating pain relief. More particularly, the present invention relates to a synergistic combination of a selective inhibitor of the neuronal norepinephrine transporter and an analgesic agent in the therapeutic management of vertebrate animals, including humans, for producing analgesia or for the prevention or alleviation of pain.
US08188044B2
An active polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, or having at least 50%, preferably 70%, more preferably 90% identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, or fragments thereof having at least 21 contiguous amino acids, or peptides having at least 50%, preferably 70%, more preferably 90% identity with the amino acid sequence of the fragments, provided that the polypeptide is not SEQ ID NO: 2. A method for inhibiting cancer and/or tumor growth comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the active polypeptide.
US08188042B1
The invention discloses bioactive nanoparticles composed of chitosan, poly-glutamic acid, and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid for use in radionuclide decorporation during radiological emergency. The chitosan-based nanoparticles are characterized with a positive surface charge and enhanced permeability for oral drug delivery.
US08188032B2
A polypeptide comprising a G-CSF domain operably linked to a Tf domain, wherein the ability of the polypeptide to be transported into a cell expressing a TfR gene or the ability of the polypeptide to be transported across a cell expressing a TfR gene via transcytosis is higher than that of the G-CSF domain alone.
US08188030B2
Disclosed herein is a fabric softener composition comprising a fabric softener active compound that comprises a quarternary ammonium salt and/or an imidazolinium salt, and a ketal adduct of formula (12) wherein R1 is C1-6 alkyl, R2 is hydrogen or C1-3 alkyl, each R3 and R4, is independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl, each R5 and R6 is independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl, or hydroxymethyl, R7 is hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 alkyl substituted with up to four OR8 groups wherein R8 is hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl, or acetyl, a is 0-3, and b is 0-1.
US08188025B2
The present invention relates to acidic sanitizing and/or cleaning compositions comprising a specific quaternary antimicrobial system consisting of C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl carboxylic acids, C5-C18 alkyl monocarboxylic acids, unsubstituted or substituted, saturated or unsaturated C4-dicarboxylic acids and additional inorganic or organic acids. The compositions of the present invention can be present in the form of concentrates and in the form of diluted use solutions. They can be used in a process for sanitizing and/or cleaning hard surfaces, preferably in a cleaning-in-place (CIP) and/or sanitize-in-place (SIP) process for cleaning and/or sanitizing plants in the food, dairy, beverage, brewery and soft drink industries.
US08188016B2
A lubricant composition capable of preventing a rolling surface of a bearing from flaking owing to hydrogen embrittlement. The bearing is lubricated with the lubricant composition which is a lubricating oil or grease. The lubricant composition contains a molybdate and an organic acid salt. At least one molybdate is selected from sodium molybdate, potassium molybdate, and lithium molybdate. The organic acid salt is a sodium salt of an organic acid having one to 20 carbon atoms. The lubricant composition forms a film containing a molybdenum compound in addition to an iron oxide film on a worn surface of the bearing or on a fresh surface of an iron-based metal generated by wear. The bearing is used as a rolling bearing for use in electric parts and auxiliary machines of a vehicle. The bearing is also used as a bearing, for a motor, in which the lubricant composition is sealed.
US08188015B2
Viscoelastic surfactant (VES) gelled aqueous fluids containing water, a VES, an internal breaker, a VES stabilizer, a fluid loss control agent and a viscosity enhancer are useful as treating fluids and particularly as fracturing fluids for subterranean formations. These VES-based fluids have faster and more complete clean-up than polymer-based fracturing fluids. The use of an internal breaker permits ready removal of the unique VES micelle based pseudo-filter cake with several advantages including reducing the typical VES loading and total fluid volume since more VES fluid stays within the fracture, generating a more optimum fracture geometry for enhanced reservoir productivity, and treating reservoirs with permeability above the present VES limit of approximately 400 md to at least 2000 md.
US08188013B2
This invention relates to the use of degradable fibers, and more particularly, to self-degrading fibers and their associated methods of use and manufacture. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a self degrading fiber comprising: an outer shell, and a core liquid.
US08188000B2
A heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet having a support and, on each of both sides of the support, at least one receptor layer containing at least one kind of latex polymer; a heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet containing a support and, on each of both sides of the support, are formed at least one interlayer, at least one heat insulation layer containing at least one kind of hollow polymer, and at least one receptor layer in this order from the support; and a method of producing a heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet comprising a support and, on each of both sides of the support, at least one receptor layer containing at least one kind of latex polymer, which method including forming the receptor layer by applying a receptor layer-coating liquid which has a solid content in the range of from 5% by mass to 50% by mass, per one coating operation.
US08187998B2
A document has a carrier layer and at least a functional layer. The functional layer is provided with a content of bacteriorhodopsin as color pigment and, when the document is printed generating an essentially irreversible color change in the area of the bacteriorhodopsin by a supply of energy.
US08187985B2
Abrasive pads/scrubbers used for cleaning utensils and the like which usually involve rubbing of the pad along with some applied detergent/cleansing agent on the surface to be cleaned. More particularly, the invention is directed to an all purpose abrasive pad obtained of treated white coir which would be user friendly, durable with the loose fibers effectively interlocked and also having glossy, flexible, non-odour and tack free touch abrasive texture. Unlike the conventional synthetic fibers and metallic wool based abrasive pads, the treated white coir abrasive pad is found to be hygienic and free of any odour or be prone to microbes and advantageously durable maintaining its desired shape and texture even after repeated use and applications. The simple natural fibre based abrasive pads having effective lifespan and also safe and hygienic favoring handling conditions in various applications.
US08187982B2
The invention permits a plurality of strips of resin adhesive film having a desired width and unwound from a single feeding reel to be simultaneously pasted on a solar cell. For this purpose, the invention comprises the steps of: unwinding a resin adhesive film sheet from a reel on which the resin adhesive film sheet is wound; splitting the unwound resin adhesive film into two or more film strips in correspondence to lengths of wiring material to bond; pasting the strips of resin adhesive film on an electrode of the solar cell; and placing the individual lengths of wiring material on the electrode of the solar cell having the plural strips of resin adhesive film pasted thereon and thermally setting the resin adhesive film by heating so as to fix together the electrode of the solar cell and the wiring material.
US08187978B2
A method of forming openings to a layer of a semiconductor device comprises forming a dielectric layer over the layer of the semiconductor device, forming a main mask over the dielectric layer, the main mask comprising a plurality of main mask openings arranged in a regular pattern extending over the dielectric layer, using a selector mask to select some of the plurality of main mask openings and removing portions of the dielectric layer through the selected some of the plurality of main mask openings to provide openings extending through the dielectric layer to the layer.
US08187970B2
Methods for forming cobalt silicide materials are disclosed herein. In one example, a method for forming a cobalt silicide material includes exposing a substrate having a silicon-containing material to either a wet etch solution or a pre-clean plasma during a first step and then to a hydrogen plasma during a second step of a pre-clean process. The exemplary method further includes depositing a cobalt metal layer on the silicon-containing material by a CVD process, heating the substrate to form a first cobalt silicide layer comprising CoSi at the interface of the cobalt metal layer and the silicon-containing material during a first annealing process, removing any unreacted cobalt metal from the first cobalt silicide layer during an etch process, and heating the substrate to form a second cobalt silicide layer comprising CoSi2 during a second annealing process.
US08187965B2
In the present invention, copper interconnection with metal caps is extended to the post-passivation interconnection process. Metal caps may be aluminum. A gold pad may be formed on the metal caps to allow wire bonding and testing applications. Various post-passivation passive components may be formed on the integrated circuit and connected via the metal caps.
US08187961B2
A CMOS structure is disclosed in which a first type FET has an extremely thin oxide liner. This thin liner is capable of preventing oxygen from reaching the high-k dielectric gate insulator of the first type FET. A second type FET device of the CMOS structure has a thicker oxide liner. As a result, an oxygen exposure is capable to shift the threshold voltage of the second type of FET, without affecting the threshold value of the first type FET. The disclosure also teaches methods for producing the CMOS structure in which differing type of FET devices have differing thickness liners, and the threshold values of the differing type of FET devices is set independently from one another.
US08187959B2
Method of producing a semiconductor device, comprising: a) providing a semiconductor substrate, b) making a first amorphous layer in a top layer of the semiconductor substrate by a suitable implant, the first amorphous layer having a first depth, c) implanting a first dopant into the semiconductor substrate to provide the first amorphous layer with a first doping profile, d) applying a first solid phase epitaxial regrowth action to partially regrow the first amorphous layer and form a second amorphous layer having a second depth that is less than the first depth and activate the first dopant, e) implanting a second dopant into the semiconductor substrate to provide the second amorphous layer with a second doping profile with a higher doping concentration than the first doping profile, f) applying a second solid phase epitaxial regrowth action to regrow the second amorphous layer and activate the second dopant.
US08187955B2
A semiconductor-carbon alloy layer is formed on the surface of a semiconductor substrate, which may be a commercially available semiconductor substrate such as a silicon substrate. The semiconductor-carbon alloy layer is converted into at least one graphene layer during a high temperature anneal, during which the semiconductor material on the surface of the semiconductor-carbon alloy layer is evaporated selective to the carbon atoms. As the semiconductor atoms are selectively removed and the carbon concentration on the surface of the semiconductor-carbon alloy layer increases, the remaining carbon atoms in the top layers of the semiconductor-carbon alloy layer coalesce to form a graphene layer having at least one graphene monolayer. Thus, a graphene layer may be provided on a commercially available semiconductor substrate having a diameter of 200 mm or 300 mm.
US08187951B1
Methods of lining and/or filling gaps on a substrate by creating flowable silicon oxide-containing films are provided. The methods involve introducing vapor-phase silicon-containing precursor and oxidant reactants into a reaction chamber containing the substrate under conditions such that a condensed flowable film is formed on the substrate. The flowable film at least partially fills gaps on the substrates and is then converted into a silicon oxide film. In certain embodiments, the methods involve using a catalyst, e.g., a nucleophile or onium catalyst, in the formation of the film. The catalyst may be incorporated into one of the reactants and/or introduced as a separate reactant. Also provided are methods of converting the flowable film to a solid dielectric film. The methods of this invention may be used to line or fill high aspect ratio gaps, including gaps having aspect ratios ranging from 3:1 to 10:1.
US08187944B2
Integrated circuits are disclosed including at least one inductor-capacitor component, where each of the inductor-capacitor components includes an inductor and a capacitor constructed between the inductor and a substrate. The inductor includes at least one metal loop over a shield pattern forming a first capacitor terminal over patterned oxide layer with a second capacitor layer between the patterned oxide layer and the substrate.
US08187939B2
A semiconductor device and a method for making a semiconductor device are disclosed. A trench mask may be applied to a semiconductor substrate, which is etched to form trenches with three different widths. A first conductive material is formed at the bottom of the trenches. A second conductive material is formed over the first conductive material. An insulator layer separates the first and second conductive materials. A first insulator layer is deposited on top of the trenches. A body layer is formed in a top portion of the substrate. A source is formed in the body layer. A second insulator layer is applied on top of the trenches and the source. A contact mask is applied on top of the second insulator layer. Source and gate contacts are formed through the second insulator layer. Source and gate metal are formed on top of the second insulator layer.
US08187935B2
A method of forming an active region structure includes preparing a semiconductor substrate having a cell array region and a peripheral circuit region, forming upper cell mask patterns having a line shape in the cell array region, forming first and second peripheral mask patterns in the peripheral circuit region, the first and second peripheral mask patterns being stacked in sequence and covering the peripheral circuit region, and upper surfaces of the upper cell mask patterns forming a step difference with an upper surface of the second peripheral mask pattern, forming spacers on sidewalls of the upper cell mask patterns to expose lower portions of the upper cell mask patterns and the second peripheral mask pattern, and removing the lower portions of the upper cell mask patterns using the spacers and the first and second peripheral mask patterns as an etch mask.
US08187931B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate having an active region and an isolation region, a gate pattern crossing both the active region and the isolation region of the substrate, and a protrusion having a surface higher than that of the substrate over at least an edge of the active region contacting a portion of the isolation region under the gate pattern.
US08187929B2
A method of fabricating a thin film transistor for an active matrix display using reduced masking operations includes patterning a gate on a substrate. A gate dielectric is formed over the gate and a semiconducting metal oxide is deposited on the gate dielectric. A channel protection layer is patterned on the semiconducting metal oxide overlying the gate to define a channel area and to expose the remaining semiconducting metal oxide. A source/drain metal layer is deposited on the structure and etched through to the channel protection layer above the gate to separate the source/drain metal layer into source and drain terminals and the source/drain metal layer and the semiconducting metal oxide are etched through at the periphery to isolate the transistor. A nonconductive spacer is patterned on the transistor and portions of the surrounding source/drain metal layer.
US08187926B2
There is provided a method of removing trap levels and defects, which are caused by stress, from a single crystal silicon thin film formed by an SOI technique. First, a single crystal silicon film is formed by using a typical bonding SOI technique such as Smart-Cut or ELTRAN. Next, the single crystal silicon thin film is patterned to form an island-like silicon layer, and then, a thermal oxidation treatment is carried out in an oxidizing atmosphere containing a halogen element, so that an island-like silicon layer in which the trap levels and the defects are removed is obtained.
US08187924B2
A design method for a semiconductor integrated circuit, includes: a first calculating step; a second calculating step; and a setting step. The first step is a step of calculating a consumption current amount of a layout target circuit based on circuit information. The second calculating step is a step of calculating a suppliable current amount per unit area in a region where a power can be supplied from a power wiring line. The setting step is a step of setting a cell size of the layout target circuit based on the consumption current amount so that a consumption current amount per unit area of the layout target circuit is smaller than the suppliable current amount per unit area.
US08187914B2
Provided are methods of forming a phase change memory device. A semiconductor device having a lower electrode and an interlayer insulating layer may be prepared. The lower electrode may be surrounded by the interlayer insulating layer. Source gases, a reaction gas and a purge gas may be injected into a process chamber of a semiconductor fabrication device to form a phase change material layer on a semiconductor substrate. The source gases may be simultaneously injected into the process chamber. The phase change material layer may be in contact with the lower electrode through the interlayer insulating layer. The phase change material layer may be etched to form a phase change memory cell in the interlayer insulating layer. An upper electrode may be formed on the phase change memory cell.
US08187903B2
A method of forming a device with a piezoresistor is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate, etching a trench in the substrate to form a vertical wall, growing a piezoresistor layer epitaxially on the vertical wall, and separating the vertical wall from an underlying layer of the substrate that extends along a horizontal plane such that the piezoresistor layer is movable with respect to the underlying layer within the horizontal plane.
US08187897B2
Product chips and die, methods for fabricating product chips, and methods for tracking the identity of die after singulation from a wafer. The product chips and die include a pattern of features formed in a metallization level of a back-end-of-line (BEOL) wiring structure. The features in the pattern contain information relating to the die, such as a unique identifier that includes a wafer identification for a wafer used to fabricate the die and a product chip location for the die on the wafer. The features may be imaged with the assistance of a beam of electromagnetic radiation that penetrates into a packaged die and is altered by the presence of the features in a way that promotes imaging.
US08187895B2
A sensor utilizing a non-leachable or diffusible redox mediator is described. The sensor includes a sample chamber to hold a sample in electrolytic contact with a working electrode, and in at least some instances, the sensor also contains a non-leachable or a diffusible second electron transfer agent. The sensor and/or the methods used produce a sensor signal in response to the analyte that can be distinguished from a background signal caused by the mediator. The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry, and potentiometry. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecule is typically provided as a second electron transfer agent.
US08187894B2
A method and apparatus is disclosed wherein the flow resistance of a droplet disposed on a nanostructured or microstructured surface is controlled. A closed-cell feature is used in a way such that, when the pressure of at least a first fluid within one or more of the cells of said surface is decreased to or below a desired level, a droplet disposed on that surface is caused to at least partially penetrate the surface. In another illustrative embodiment, the pressure within one or more of the cells is increased to or above a desired level in a way such that the droplet of liquid is returned at least partially to its original, unpenetrated position. In yet another embodiment, a closed-cell structure feature pattern is used to prevent penetration of the nanostructured or microstructured surface, even when the pressure of the fluid disposed on the surface is relatively high.
US08187887B2
The present invention relates to devices, systems, and methods for determination of ionizing radiation. In some embodiments, the devices comprise nanocomposite materials containing nanostructures (e.g., carbon nanotubes) dispersed in radiation sensitive polymers. In some cases, the device may include a conductive pathway that may be affected upon exposure to ionizing radiation. Embodiments described herein may provide inexpensive, large area, low power, and highly sensitive radiation detection materials/devices.
US08187883B2
Controlled delivery of nucleic acid into target cells is achieved by immobilizing the nucleic acid and the cells to a substrate. Improved control over delivery is achieved by immobilizing the nucleic acid to the substrate via complementary DNA binding interactions with an oligonucleotide linker.
US08187873B2
It is intended to provide a monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes human soluble LOX-1, particularly a monoclonal antibody with a dissociation constant (Kd) for human soluble LOX-1 of 1×10−9 (M) or less. The antibody can be produced from a hybridoma prepared by a method including the following steps of: (1) immunizing a non-human animal with a prokaryotic cell-derived human LOX-1 extracellular domain; (2) collecting antibody-producing cells from the animal; (3) fusing the antibody-producing cells with myeloma cells; (4) selecting hybridomas that produce a monoclonal antibody reacting with the human LOX-1 extracellular domain from the fused cells obtained in the above step; and (5) selecting a hybridoma that produces a monoclonal antibody reacting with a eukaryotic cell-derived human LOX-1 extracellular domain from the selected hybridomas.
US08187850B2
The present invention provides a method for producing an L-amino acid using a bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family, particularly a bacterium belonging to genus Escherichia or Pantoea, which has been modified to attenuate expression of the ybiV gene.
US08187846B2
The present invention provides a process for growing eukaryotic microorganisms which are capable of producing lipids, in particular lipids containing polyenoic fatty acids. The present invention also provides a process for producing eukaryotic microbial lipids.
US08187844B2
Natamycin is separated and recovered from a fermentation broth containing biomass and natamycin by adjusting the pH of a natamycin-containing suspension first to dissolve the natamycin in a solvent then adjusting the pH again to precipitate the dissolved natamycin which is used as an antifungal used to protect products susceptible to fungal spoilage.
US08187842B2
The invention provides microbial strains possessing improved properties for production of aspartate-derived amino acids and chemicals. Methods of making such strains are provided. These methods include altering expression of the aceBAK operon, the glcB gene, or both. Alteration of expression may be accomplished through increased transcription, relief from native transcriptional control, and/or other means. Replacement of native promoters for these genes is also contemplated; for instance, their native promoters may be replaced by the tac promoter (Ptac).
US08187838B2
The present invention provides a novel β-galactoside-α2,6-sialyltransferase having high productivity and/or high activity, and a nucleic acid encoding the sialyltransferase. The present invention also provides a microorganism producing the sialyltransferase. The present invention further provides a vector carrying a nucleic acid encoding the sialyltransferase, and a host cell transformed with the vector, as well as a method for producing a recombinant β-galactoside-α2,6-sialyltransferase.
US08187837B2
A process for the production of a purified recombinant GDF-5 related protein in prokaryotes comprises the steps of bacterial cell disruption and inclusion body solubilization to obtain a solubilized monomer of a GDF-5 related protein, said process characterized by a) disruption of bacterial cells with a high pressure homogenizer at a disruption pressure between 800 and 900 bar; and/or b) treatment of the recovered inclusion bodies with a denaturing solubilization buffer comprising L-arginine.
US08187833B2
A chimera protein comprising in the following order: a signal peptide, a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 preproprotein (PCSK9) sequence consisting of amino acid residues at positions 35 to 696 of SEQ ID NO: 38, a transmembrane domain and a cytosolic domain, wherein said cytosolic (CT) domain comprises a sequence able to recycle the protein from the cellular membrane to endosomes.
US08187831B2
The invention relates generally to the field of sodium and lithium ion detection. In particular, the invention provides chimeric proteins, nucleic acids encoding chimeric proteins, methods and kits for assaying for sodium ions and for lithium ions in a sample, using inter alia, a 3′(2′),5′-bisphosphate nucleotidase.
US08187830B2
Biomarkers relating to insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, type-2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis, and cardiomyopathy are provided, as well as methods for using such biomarkers as biomarkers for insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, type-2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis, and cardiomyopathy. In addition, methods for modulating the respective disorders or conditions of a subject are also provided. Also provided are suites of small molecule entities as biomarkers for insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, type-2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis, and cardiomyopathy.
US08187824B2
The present invention provides a method of detecting (e.g., by flow cytometry) a target compound, cell or particle, wherein the target is labelled with a detectable luminescent compound. The method comprises utilizing as the detectable luminescent compound a compound comprising a porphyrinic macrocycle such as a porphyrin, chlorin, bacteriochlorin, or isobacteriochlorin. In particular embodiments, the detectable luminescent compound comprises a compound of the formula A-A′-Z—B′—B, wherein: A is a targeting group or member of a specific binding pair that specifically binds the detectable luminescent compound to the target compound, cell or particle; A′ is a linker group or covalent bond; B′ is a linker group or covalent bond; B is a water-soluble group; and Z is the porphyrinic macrocycle.
US08187816B2
A nucleic acid probe for classification of pathogenic bacterial species is capable of collectively detecting bacterial strains of the same species and differentially detecting them from other bacterial species. Any one of the base sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 65 to 67 or a combination of at least two of them is used for detecting the gene of an infectious disease pathogenic bacterium.
US08187796B2
An optical waveguide device is provided which is capable of reducing light propagation losses in the cores of an optical waveguide when the optical waveguide is formed on a surface of a substrate, regardless of the type of substrate. A photosensitive resin layer (4A) for over cladding layer formation is made of a photosensitive resin composition of a non-solvent type, and is heated prior to the exposure thereof to light. This causes interface portions between the cores (3) and the photosensitive resin layer (4A) to be formed into mixed layers (5). This reduces light propagation losses.
US08187795B2
Described herein are processing techniques for fabrication of stretchable and/or flexible electronic devices using laser ablation patterning methods. The laser ablation patterning methods utilized herein allow for efficient manufacture of large area (e.g., up to 1 mm2 or greater or 1 m2 or greater) stretchable and/or flexible electronic devices, for example manufacturing methods permitting a reduced number of steps. The techniques described herein further provide for improved heterogeneous integration of components within an electronic device, for example components having improved alignment and/or relative positioning within an electronic device. Also described herein are flexible and/or stretchable electronic devices, such as interconnects, sensors and actuators.
US08187791B2
A lithographic printing plate precursor includes: a support; and an image-recording layer containing (A) an infrared absorbing agent, (B) a radical polymerization initiator, (C) a polymerizable compound and (D) an epoxy compound having a molecular weight of 1,000 or less.
US08187789B2
A positive resist composition, including a resin component (A) which exhibits increased solubility in an alkali developing solution under action of an acid, and an acid generator component (B) which generates an acid upon exposure, wherein the component (A) includes a structural unit (a1) derived from a hydroxystyrene, and a structural unit (a2) containing an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group; and the component (B) includes an acid generator (B1) composed of a compound represented by the general formula (b1) shown below: [Chemical Formula 1] X-Q1-Y1—SO3−A+ (b1) (in the formula, Q1 represents a bivalent linking group containing an oxygen atom; Y1 represents an alkylene group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may contain a substituent or a fluorinated alkylene group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may contain a substituent; X represents a hydrocarbon group of 3 to 30 carbon atoms which may contain a substituent; and A+ represents an organic cation).
US08187772B2
Lithography using solid immersion lenses is disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus is provided that includes a resist film that has a first side and a second and opposite side. One or more solid immersion lenses are positioned over the first side of the resist film. In another aspect, a method of manufacturing is provided that includes forming a resist film and exposing the resist film with radiation transmitted through one or more solid immersion lenses.
US08187771B2
Described is a process for the production of a multi-layer body having a volume hologram with at least two different items of image information, wherein a photosensitive layer (46) of the multi-layer body is directly or with the interposition of a transparent optical medium (44s, 45) brought into contact with the front side of a master (44), in which interlaced regions with different asymmetrical surface structures or kinoform structures are shaped, which embody the at least two different items of image information. The photosensitive layer (46) and the master are exposed with a coherent light beam (47) whereby a volume hologram is formed in the photosensitive layer (46). Also described are a master for the production of the multi-layer body and a security element having said multi-layer body.
US08187757B2
A compact fuel cell system capable of preventing water from remaining in a pipe is provided. The fuel cell system 1 includes a fuel cell 2, a fuel gas flow control device 3 for controlling the amount of fuel gas flowing from a fuel gas supply system, a gas-liquid separator 4 for separating water contained in an anode off gas discharged from the fuel cell 2, and a circulation device 5 which mixes an anode off gas discharged from the gas-liquid separator 4 and a fuel gas newly supplied by a fuel gas supply system, and supplies the mixed gas to the fuel cell 2. The gas-liquid separator 4 and the circulation device 5 are attached to an end plate 6 of the fuel cell 2 and the circulation device 5 is positioned higher than the gas-liquid separator 3.
US08187756B2
An ion exchange resin member 20 that serves as an impurity remover for removing impurities from fluid F discharged from a fuel cell 100 is placed in a discharge passage for the fluid F to flow through, and a dispersion means for dispersing the fluid F over, and making the fluid F flow to, an entry-side surface 21 of the ion exchange resin member 20 is placed upstream from the ion exchange resin member 20. Also, a gas discharge part and a liquid discharge part are placed downstream from a fluid outlet of the ion exchange resin member 20, and a liquid-movement-preventing means for preventing a liquid in the fluid discharged from the fluid outlet from moving toward the gas discharge part is placed between the ion exchange resin member 20 and at least either the gas discharge part or the liquid discharge part.
US08187752B2
Lithium ion secondary batteries are described that have high total energy, energy density and specific discharge capacity upon cycling at room temperature and at a moderate discharge rate. The improved batteries are based on high loading of positive electrode materials with high energy capacity. This capability is accomplished through the development of positive electrode active materials with very high specific energy capacity that can be loaded at high density into electrodes without sacrificing performance. The high loading of the positive electrode materials in the batteries are facilitated through using a polymer binder that has an average molecular weight higher than 800,000 atomic mass unit.
US08187747B2
The present invention provides a positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte-based secondary battery, composed of a lithium/nickel composite oxide with high capacity, low cost and excellent heat stability, an industrially suitable production method therefor, and a high safety non-aqueous electrolyte-based secondary battery. A lithium/nickel composite oxide is produced by the following steps (a) to (c): (a) Nickel hydroxide or nickel oxyhydroxide having a specified component is prepared at a temperature of 600 to 1100° C., under air atmosphere. (b) Fired powders are prepared after mixing said nickel oxide and a lithium compound, and then by firing at a maximal temperature range of 650 to 850° C., under oxygen atmosphere. (c) Obtained fired powders are washed with water within a time satisfying the following equation (2) and then filtered and dried. A≦B/40 (2) wherein, A represents washing time represented by unit of minute; and B represents slurry concentration represented by unit of g/L).
US08187745B2
A cathode for a fuel cell is provided, which includes an electrode catalyst layer. This electrode catalyst layer is constituted by a carried catalyst including a conductive carrier and catalytic fine particles carried on the conductive carrier, by a proton-conductive inorganic oxide containing an oxide carrier and oxide particles carried on a surface of the oxide carrier, and by a proton-conductive organic polymer binder. The carried catalyst is incorporated therein at a weight of WC. Silicon oxide is carried on the surface of the proton-conductive inorganic oxide at a weight ratio of 0.1-0.5 times as much as the weight of the proton-conductive inorganic oxide. The proton-conductive inorganic oxide is incorporated at a weight of WSA+SiO2. The weight ratio (WSA+SiO2/WC) is confined to 0.01-0.25. The proton-conductive organic polymer binder is incorporated at a weight of WP, the weigh ratio (WP/WSA+SiO2) is confined to 0.5-43.
US08187743B2
A secondary battery having an upper battery assembly including an upper can housing a cap unit having an electrode terminal adapted to electrically connect to an external device and a gasket inserted between the cap unit and one end portion of the upper can for sealing and insulating the cap unit and the upper can. The secondary battery also has a lower battery assembly including a lower can housing an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator interposed between the first electrode for preventing a short circuit between the two electrodes. A first electrode tap connects the first electrode to the cap unit and a second electrode tap connects the second electrode to the lower can.
US08187742B2
A rechargeable battery that can stably fix an electrode assembly. The rechargeable battery is constructed with an electrode assembly that includes a cathode, an anode, and a separator interposed between the cathode and the anode, a case accommodating the electrode assembly and has a bottom boss formed at the bottom part, a cap assembly coupled with the case to close and seal the case and being electrically connected to the electrode assembly, and a current collecting plate disposed between the electrode assembly and the case and having an opening hole into which the bottom boss is inserted.
US08187736B2
A cooling system for hybrid vehicles is provided with a battery case with a battery storage room for receiving a battery, a motor control unit for controlling an electric motor and a DC-DC converter for converting a voltage of the battery. The cooling system includes a blower for drawing an air existing in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, an introduction duct through which the air is introduced into the battery storage room to cool the battery, a first supply duct through which the air is supplied from the battery storage room to the DC-DC converter to cool the latter, a second supply duct through which the air is supplied from the battery storage room to the motor control unit to cool the latter, and an air distributor means for distributing the air flowing out of the battery storage room to the first supply duct and the second supply duct.
US08187733B2
An article useful as an architectural fabric consisting of (a) a layer of fabric having a first surface and a second surface made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene fibers that are densified or contain a filler or both; and (b) a fluoropolymer coating disposed on at least the first surface of the fabric.
US08187730B2
An acenaphthoquinoxaline derivative represented by a general formula (G1) is provided. The acenaphthoquinoxaline derivative represented by the general formula (G1) easily receives electrons and has an electron-transporting property. Therefore, the acenaphthoquinoxaline derivative can be suitably used for a light-emitting element.
US08187726B2
A nanoparticle-resin composite material is provided. The material has a transparent characteristic and a refractive index of at least 1.55 in the visible light region. The composite material includes inorganic nanoparticles dispersed in a polymer having a siloxane bond, the inorganic nanoparticles being coated with an organic compound. The organic compound is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acids, phosphinic acid, phosphonic acid, sulfinic acid, sulfonic acid, and thiols, and the selected compound contains an aryl group or an aryloxy group. The polymer is selected from the group consisting of methylphenyl polysiloxane, methylphenyl hydrogen polysiloxane, a mixture methylphenyl polysiloxane and methylphenyl hydrogen polysiloxane, or methylphenyl polysiloxane, methylphenyl hydrogen polysiloxane, and a mixture of methylphenyl polysiloxane and methylphenyl hydrogen polysiloxane. Parts of the side chains and/or terminals of the methylphenyl polysiloxane and the methylphenyl hydrogen polysiloxane are substituted by epoxy groups, carboxyl groups, carbinol groups, methacryl groups, polyether groups, or vinyl groups.
US08187721B2
A structure includes a first part provided in a first plane and second and third parts provided in a second plane located under the first plane. The second and third parts are welded together at a welded seam. The first part has at least one recess configured to receive a welding mechanism that forms the welded seam on the second and third parts. Another structure includes an “n” number of layers, n being at least three. Adjacent layers are in contact with one another and are connected by a welded seam. The structure also includes an outer surface. The layers between the outer surface and the respective welded seam define a recess through which a welding mechanism is configured to be passed as far as the respective layers to be welded to produce the welded seam.
US08187711B2
An intermediate transfer member that contains a polymer of a polyester, a polycarbonate and a polyalkylene glycol, such as a polyethylene glycol, and further including as an optional component a conductive material such as a metal oxide or carbon black.
US08187708B2
The disclosure provides methods for preparation of multiphasic micro-components, such as core-shell or anisotropic (e.g., Janus) multiphasic particles with well-defined structures using electrohydrodynamic co-jetting of two polymer solutions containing polyelectrolytes. Suitable polyelectrolytes include polyacrylic acid (PAA), poly(acrylamide acrylic acid (PAAm), and/or poly(acryl amide-co-acrylic acid) (PAAm-AA), sodium polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), polyethylene imine (PEI), polypeptides, copolymers and combinations of these. Control of certain variables, such as relative conductivities of the two jetting solutions, controls the particle morphologies formed, leading to a predetermined phase orientation for the same polymer system. In certain aspects, after cross-linking, core-shell particles are stable in aqueous solutions and exhibit reproducible swelling behavior, while maintaining the original core-shell geometry. In addition, micro-components formed in accordance with the present teachings are pH-responsive based on external environmental pH. Thus, such micro-components are useful for a variety of different applications, including micro- and nano-active ingredient delivery systems.
US08187707B2
Hydrophobic film or coating, comprising primary particles, secondary particles, adhering to the surface of the primary particles and having an average diameter that is smaller than the average diameter of the primary particles, and a hydrophobic layer covering at least partly the surface of the secondary particles and adhering to that surface, characterized in that the secondary particles are adhering to the surface of the primary particles by covalent chemical bonds.
US08187705B2
Manganese vanadium tantalum oxide that can be represented by the formula MnxVyTazOw, where 1≦x≦3, 0.001≦y≦3, 0.001≦z≦2, and w=7, and alternately, x=1.25≦x≦2.45, 0.1≦y≦2.39, 0.2≦z≦1.9, and w=7, methods of producing MnxVyTazOw, a pigment coated with MnxVyTazOw and a chalcogenide glass layer, and a method of producing the coated pigment are described. The disclosed manganese vanadium tantalum oxide has superior near-infrared reflective properties. The disclosed methods of producing the manganese vanadium tantalum oxide provide products with superior phase purity, appearance and performance and take health and safety into consideration. The construction of the disclosed coated pigment combines the reflective properties of the substrate with the near-infrared reflective properties of MnxVyTazOw, while the chalcogenide glass layer provides aesthetic appeal. The disclosed method of producing the coated pigment involves physical vapor deposition of MnxVyTazOw and the chalcogenide glass layer.
US08187701B2
Provided is a porous humidity-control tile including about 40% to about 95% by weight of diatomite, and one or more of ochre, red clay, kaolin, zeolite, illite, vermiculite, feldspar, pottery stone, and pyrophyllite. The porous humidity-control tile has about 10 vol % to 80 vol % of cellular spherical pores having a size corresponding to a size of hollow pore forming material that is removable by heat treatment. The porous humidity-control tile has a rate of moisture adsorption/desorption per unit weight in a range from about 20 g/kg to about 60 g/kg and a rate of moisture adsorption/adsorption per unit area in a range from about 150 g/m2 to about 450 g/m2. Therefore, the porous humidity-control tile can be light, and the amount of adsorption/desorption per unit weight of the porous humidity-control tile can be improved.
US08187695B2
The present invention provides a shaping sheet that includes a base material having at least an ink layer provided on the whole surface thereof and a surface shaping layer that is present on the ink layer, contacts the ink layer, and covers the whole surface of the ink layer, in which the surface shaping layer is a crosslinked and cured product of a curable resin composition and the surface shaping layer has a concavoconvex pattern on a surface thereof. There can be obtained: a shaping sheet that has a fine concavoconvex pattern, allows elaborated shaping with a high-grade feeling, and has excellent releasability; a shaping sheet having excellent design properties and releasability that can readily control a lustrous portion and a matted portion; and further a shaping sheet whose surface is free of contamination by impurities separated out of the base material even when it is repeatedly used.
US08187689B2
A pirated optical recording medium may be determined which is produced by physically transferring a shape of pits and lands formed on a substrate of an optical recording medium. The optical recording medium is provided with excellent weatherability and long-term storage reliability. A reflective film formed of an Ag alloy film of Ag100-x-yXxCuy, where X is at least one element among Ti, W, Ta, V, Mo, Nb and Zr, is formed on a substrate on which main data is recorded with a combination of pits and lands. A mark may be formed so that a reproduction signal level in the recorded mark of auxiliary data write once recorded on the reflective film is increased, and a reproduction signal level is decreased in an optical recording medium prepared by physically transferring the surface shape of the pits and lands of the substrate. A pirated optical recording medium may be determined in this manner.
US08187683B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a multilayered polyamide-based tube for food packaging that is free from blocking in a Layer (C), and that has an excellent adherence to processed meat or like packaged food. The present invention provides a multilayered polyamide-based tube for food packaging comprising a Layer (A), a Layer (B) and a Layer (C); the multilayered polyamide-based tube having a low-temperature shrinkage ratio of 2 to 10%, and exhibiting heat shrinkage properties and gas barrier properties; the Layer (A) containing a polyamide-based resin; the Layer (B) containing a polyolefin-based resin; and the Layer (C) that comes in contact with the packaged food, the Layer (C) being a Layer (C-1) that contains a polypropylene-based resin having a heat distortion temperature (ISO 75B-1 or ISO 75B-2) of not less than 60° C. and a Vicat softening point of not less than 120° C., and that has a surface wetting tension of not less than 35 mN/m; or the Layer (C) being a Layer (C-2) that contains a linear low-density polyethylene having a density of not less than 0.92 g/cm3 but less than 0.95 g/cm3, and that has a surface wetting tension of not less than 35 mN/m.
US08187680B2
Anti-static adhesive composition, polarizing plate and surface protective film using the composition
Disclosed are an anti-static adhesive composition, and a polarizing plate and/or a surface protective film fabricated using the same. More particularly, an anti-static adhesive composition for imparting enhanced anti-static properties, including a metal salt represented by Formula 1 as an anti-static agent so as to sufficiently inhibit generation of static electricity while not deteriorating inherent physical properties of an adhesive such as adhesiveness, durability and reliability, etc., is provided. In addition, a polarizing plate and and/or a surface protective film fabricated using the foregoing anti-static adhesive composition are provided. M+[(FSO2)2N]− (Formula 1) wherein M is an alkali metal.
US08187677B2
A process for electroless silver plating of a work piece includes simultaneously spraying a silver nitrate solution and a reducer on a work piece to form a reflective layer on the work piece, applying a water-based urethane coating on the reflective layer, and applying either a top coat that is solvent based or a powder based on the water-based urethane coating.
US08187674B2
A method for coating with a coating liquid according to the present invention is a method for coating an object-to-be-coated with a coating liquid containing dispersed particles, using a die, wherein the flowage of the coating liquid within a manifold 5 provided within the die is such that the deviation of the average flow rate of the coating liquid in the direction of the width becomes equal to or less than 60% of an average flow rate over the entire area of the manifold 5, in at least 80% of the area from a liquid supplying portion 8 in the manifold to an end portion P of the manifold.
US08187672B2
Methods for preparing microparticles having reduced residual solvent levels. Microparticles are contacted with a non-aqueous washing system to reduce the level of residual solvent in the microparticles. Preferred non-aqueous washing systems include 100% ethanol and a blend of ethanol and heptane. A solvent blend of a hardening solvent and a washing solvent can be used to harden and wash microparticles in a single step, thereby eliminating the need for a post-hardening wash step.
US08187658B2
A method of manufacturing an analyte test strip includes positioning a patterned spacer layer between a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer such that the second insulating is disposed above the first insulating layer and a channel is defined between the first and second insulating layers. Moreover, the channel thus defined has a sample-receiving chamber therein, a first port, and a second port. The method also includes coupling a third insulating layer to the first insulating layer such that the third insulating layer is disposed at least partially below the first insulating layer. In the coupling step, the third insulating layer includes a platform portion that extends beyond the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer and the platform portion has an upper surface. In this manufacturing method, the first and second ports are in fluidic communication with the sample-receiving chamber; the upper surface of the platform portion is configured to receive a first (relatively large) bodily fluid sample of at least 5 micro-liters and for filling the sample-receiving chamber with a portion of the first bodily fluid sample, and the second port is configured to receive a second (relatively small) bodily fluid sample of lesser volume than the first bodily fluid sample and for filling the sample-receiving chamber with a portion of the small bodily fluid sample.
US08187652B2
The present invention relates to methods for reducing microbial contamination on carcass, meat, or meat product; or on surfaces used in processing the carcass, meat, or meat product; employing compositions including medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, and to the compositions. The methods include applying a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition to carcass, meat, meat product or surface.
US08187651B2
A continuous method and system for processing whole muscle meat employs a mixer housing having a pair of parallel rotating shafts located therein. The parallel rotating shafts have a plurality of mixing elements thereon, such as frustoconical elements, blocking elements, or ellipsoid elements. The mixer housing has an input end to receive the meat ingredients, such as meat pieces, salt solution, water, preservatives, and other additives such as spices. The mixer housing has an output, which is separated a distance from the input, such that the output discharges the whole muscle meat product. As the ingredients including the meat move from the input to the output along the shafts, the mixing elements work the meat with the other ingredients thereby increasing ingredient incorporation including diffusion of the salt solution into the whole muscle meat pieces.
US08187634B2
Disclosed herein is an improved process for preparation of Sevelamer hydrochloride having phosphate binding capacity of 4.7 to 6.4 mmol/g. Further, the invention discloses Sevelamer hydrochloride compositions and a novel process for preparation of said compositions comprising high shear non-aqueous granulation.
US08187618B2
Effective sustained release of microbial pesticides in aquatic environments can be achieved by the combination of buoyant particles with a particulate microbial active ingredient. The resulting materials in the form of a particulate have combined density of less than one. The materials are then dispersed into gypsum slurry that is poured into briquette molds, or made into granules or pellets of various sizes, to form a solid, sinking, pest control composition. Once applied in aquatic field sites, the surface of the matrix slowly dissolves, releasing many minute buoyant pesticide laden particles to the water surface over the life of the product. Once at the surface, the particulate microbial pesticide(s) release from the buoyant particles and are distributed throughout the water column to be ingested by susceptible immature filter feeding mosquitoes and pestiferous flies.
US08187616B2
This invention provides for a process of rapidly forming silk fibroin gelation through ultrasonication. Under the appropriate conditions, gelation can be controlled to occur within two hours after the ultrasonication treatment. Biological materials, including viable cells, or therapeutic agents can be encapsulated in the hydrogels formed from the process and be used as delivery vehicles.
US08187609B2
The present invention provides a novel mycovirus that suppresses phytopathogenic fungi and a novel method for controlling plant diseases. A novel mycovirus that is present endogenously in a predetermined rice blast fungus, has four types of double-stranded RNAs of 2.8 to 3.6 kb, and suppresses a phytopathogenic fungus has been found. This virus suppresses phytopathogenic fungi such as rice blast fungus.
US08187600B2
The invention relates to the use of a polypeptide that comprises i) a first portion comprising the part of human Fc that binds to CD64, and ii) a second portion comprising one or more heterologous T cell epitopes for stimulating a cytotoxic T cell response. The polypeptide may be an antibody that may be used to stimulate a cytotoxic T cell response against pathogens and tumor cells in patients in need of such treatment.
US08187594B2
The invention provides further characterization of the disease and cancer-associated antigen, transferrin receptor. The invention also provides a novel family of antibodies that bind to the transferrin receptor, methods of diagnosing and treating various human cancers and diseases that express transferrin receptor.
US08187591B2
The invention provides compositions and methods for enhancing clearance of coagulation factors {e.g., VWF) and platelets from the blood stream of a patient in need thereof. The methods comprise administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that increases clearance of coagulation factors or platelets. Such an agent can be, for example, a neuraminidase.
US08187586B2
Methods of inducing apoptosis in hyperproliferative cells, particularly cancer cells are provided. Such method involves increasing the levels of a potassium channel modulatory protein in the cell. Examples of such proteins are native KChAP protein, a biologically active variant of native KChAP protein, or a biologically active KChAP-related protein (collectively referred to hereinafter as “KChAP protein”). In one embodiment, the cells are contacted with the KChAP protein under conditions permitting uptake of the protein by the cells. In another embodiment, the cells are contacted with (i) a nucleic acid encoding the KChAP protein, and (ii) a promoter active in the cancer cell, wherein the promoter is operably linked to the region encoding the KChAP protein, under conditions permitting the uptake of the nucleic acid by the cancer cell. Methods of detecting cancerous cells in a biological sample selected from the group consisting of a colorectal tissue sample or brain tissue sample are also provided. Such method comprises assaying for the presence of elevated levels of KChAP mRNA or KChAP protein in the sample.
US08187576B2
The use of at least one carbonate of natural origin as a plasticizer in a film-forming cosmetic composition comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium, a film-forming polymer and a solvent medium.
US08187571B1
The invention discloses a pharmaceutical composition of nanoparticles, wherein each nanoparticle comprises N-palmitoyl chitosan that is conjugated with at least two different moieties, the moieties including a donor moiety and an acceptor moiety having a distance of 10 nm or less enabling Förster resonance energy transfer.
US08187567B2
Disclosed is a niobium suboxide powder for the manufacture of capacitors with higher break down voltages, higher temperatures of operation and elongated lifetimes. The powder is doped with nitrogen which is at least partly present in the form homogeneously distributed, x-ray detectable Nb2N-crystal domains. The niobium suboxide powder contains niobium suboxide particles having a bulk nitrogen content of between 500 to 20,000 ppm.
US08187560B2
Steam, partial oxidation and pyrolytic fuel reformers (14 or 90) with rotating cylindrical surfaces (18, 24 or 92, 96) that generate Taylor Vortex Flows (28 or 98) and Circular Couette Flows (58, 99) for extracting hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuels such as methane (CH4), methanol (CH3OH), ethanol (C2H5OH), propane (C3H8), butane (C4H10), octane (C8H18), kerosene (C12H26) and gasoline and hydrogen-containing fuels such as ammonia (NH3) and sodium borohydride (NaBH4) are disclosed.
US08187554B2
Apparatus, systems and methods are provided that utilize microreactor technology to achieve desired mixing and interaction at a micro and/or molecular level between and among feed stream constituents. Feed streams are fed to an intensifier pump at individually controlled rates, e.g., based on operation of individually controlled feed pumps. The time during which first and second feed streams are combined/mixed prior to introduction to the microreactor is generally minimized, thereby avoiding potential reactions and other constituent interactions prior to micro- and/or nano-scale interactions within the microreactor. Various microreactor designs/geometries may be employed, e.g., “Z” type single or multi-slot geometries and “Y” type single or multi-slot geometries. Various applications benefit from the disclosure, including emulsion, crystallization, encapsulation and reaction processes.
US08187547B2
Techniques are provided for producing polymer particles of a size just slightly larger than the size of polymer fines. The technique may prevent or limit the occurrence of reactor fouls associated with large polymer particles. The technique also may provide a greater weight percentage of solids in the reactor. The desired polymer particle size may be achieved by employing a catalyst having particles of a size determined based on the expected catalyst productivity. In certain embodiments, the catalyst particle size may be determined based on the expected catalyst productivity, the polymer particle density, the catalyst particle density, and/or the polymer particle size.
US08187544B2
Various systems, devices, NO2 absorbents, NO2 scavengers and NO2 recuperator for generating nitric oxide are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, an apparatus for converting nitrogen dioxide to nitric oxide can include a receptacle including an inlet, an outlet, a surface-active material coated with an aqueous solution of ascorbic acid and an absorbent wherein the inlet is configured to receive a gas flow and fluidly communicate the gas flow to the outlet through the surface-active material and the absorbent such that nitrogen dioxide in the gas flow is converted to nitric oxide.
US08187531B2
A wire for welding Ni-based heat resistant alloy, comprising: a composition containing, in mass %, Cr: 14.0 to 21.5%, Co: 6.5 to 14.5%, Mo: 6.5 to 10.0%, W: 1.5 to 3.5%, Al: 1.2 to 2.4%, Ti: 1.1 to 2.1%; Fe: 7.0% or less, B: 0.0001 to 0.020%, C: 0.03 to 0.15%, and a balance of Ni and unavoidable impurities, wherein a content of S and P contained in the unavoidable impurities is controlled to be, in mass %, S: 0.004% or less, and P: 0.010% or less, wherein the wire has a texture in which M6C type carbide and MC type carbide are uniformly dispersed in the matrix.
US08187516B2
A method of producing a bent rod includes impregnating fibers (1) with resin (2), introducing the impregnated fibers into a flexible plastic tube (3), bringing the flexible plastic tube to a desired bent form and crosslinking the resin with the fibers to produce the rod with the desired bent shape. The flexible plastic tube is formed from a material that has a very low friction coefficient and the flexible plastic tube remains in its position after the crosslinking to permit sliding movement of the bent rod relative to an adjacent structure.
US08187508B2
Disclosed is a base agent for electrical insulating oils, which mainly contains an esterified product of glycerin and a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated fatty acid having 6-14, preferably 8-12 carbon atoms. This base agent for electrical insulating oils is excellent in electrical characteristics, oxidation stability, cooling characteristics, flame retardance and safety. In particular, this agent for electrical insulating oils can meet energy/environmental problems by using an edible oil and fat, which is obtained by using a fatty acid derived from a vegetable oil as a raw material, as the linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated fatty acid having 6-14 carbon atoms.
US08187506B2
A barium titanate-based semiconductor ceramic composition which can be used for PTC thermistors for temperature sensors and which has characteristics, including a linear characteristic, advantageous for such PTC thermistors and a barium titanate-based semiconductor ceramic device. The barium titanate-based semiconductor ceramic composition is represented by the formula (Ba(1-v-w)MevSrw)TixO3+ySiO2, wherein Me is at least one of Er, Sm, Ce, and La, 0.001≦v≦0.005, 0.42≦w≦0.49, 0.99≦x≦1.03, and 0.002≦y≦0.030.
US08187504B2
Provided is a metal nanoparticle dispersion capable of suppressing spreadability at a room temperature and drying phenomenon at heating temperature. The metal nanoparticle dispersion includes metal particles; and an organic solvent having a viscosity of 10 mPa·s or more at a room temperature and a flash point of 100° C. or above.
US08187494B2
The invention provides a liquid crystal compound having stability to heat, light and so forth, a wide temperature range of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, and a suitable elastic constant K33, and further having a suitable and negative dielectric anisotropy and an excellent compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds, and a liquid crystal composition having stability to heat, light and so forth, a low viscosity, a large optical anisotropy, a suitable and negative dielectric anisotropy, and a suitable elastic constant K33, a low threshold voltage, a high maximum temperature (phase-transition temperature on a nematic phase-isotropic phase) of a nematic phase, and a low minimum temperature of the nematic phase. The liquid crystal compound which has a specific structure having fluorine at a lateral position and also having phenylene in which hydrogen on the benzene ring is replaced by fluorine, and a liquid crystal composition containing the compound are prepared.
US08187487B2
A method for removing (e.g., etching) different dielectric materials from a semiconductor substrate includes exposing the semiconductor substrate to a solution at temperatures below and at or above a set threshold. Below the threshold temperature, the solution removes one dielectric material (e.g., silicon nitride) faster than it removes another, different dielectric material (e.g., silicon oxide). At or above the threshold temperature, the selectivity of the solution is reversed.
US08187486B1
Etching of nitride and oxide layers with reactant gases is modulated by etching in different process regimes. High etch selectivity to silicon nitride is achieved in an adsorption regime where the partial pressure of the etchant is lower than its vapor pressure. Low etch selectivity to silicon nitride is achieved in a condensation regime where the partial pressure of the etchant is higher than its vapor pressure. By controlling partial pressure of the etchant, very high etch selectivity to silicon nitride may be achieved.
US08187474B2
In at least some embodiments, a system for removing contaminants from fluids includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The system also includes a fluid pump between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet and a filter material between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The filter material comprises a dual-valence polymer with negative valence monomer groups and positive valence monomer groups, the negative valence being stronger than the positive valence.
US08187472B1
A drip disposal system includes a fluid source including a pump for cyclically pumping fluid from the fluid source, a set of drip field lines connected to the fluid source for dispersing at least some fluid provided by the source across an area of ground, and a return line for returning fluid not dispersed by the set of drip field lines to the fluid source. A blow-out valve is connected to the return line for controlling fluid flow through the return line during each cycle, the blow-out valve opening when a pressure of the fluid flowing through the return line exceeds a selected minimum pressure and closing when the pressure of the fluid flowing through the return line goes below the selected minimum pressure.
US08187471B2
A method of operating an irrigation system includes providing a flow of irrigation water, forming a flow of filtered water by removing particulate matter from the flow of irrigation water by using a filter, and directing a first portion of the flow of filtered water to a control valve. The method also includes directing a second portion of the flow of filtered water to a pressure regulator, delivering a flow of water from the pressure regulator to one or more irrigation devices, and automatically cleaning the surface of a filter upon activation or deactivation of the irrigation system.
US08187452B2
A patterned magnetic recording media and method thereof is provided. A recording layer comprises a continuous surface of more-noble elements and less-noble elements, such as CoXYZ, wherein X can be Pt, Pd, Ru, Rh, Ir, Os, or Au, wherein Y can be null or Cr, and wherein Z can be null, Cu, Ta, Ti, O, B, Ag, or TiO2. The recording layer is masked, shielding areas for recording domains and exposing areas between the recording domains. A voltage bias establishes the substrate as an anode in the presence of Pt cathode, in an electrolyte bath. Ions of the less-noble element are anodically removed predominantly from the exposed areas of the recording layer for a controlled time. The controlled time minimizes oxidation of the nobler element and reduces undercutting of the recording domains. The article produced can have separating areas with surfaces substantially formed of the more-noble element.
US08187448B2
An electrodeposited crystalline functional chromium deposit which is nanogranular as deposited, and the deposit may be both TEM and XRD crystalline or may be TEM crystalline and XRD amorphous. In various embodiments, the deposit includes one or any combination of two or more of an alloy of chromium, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur; a {111} preferred orientation; an average crystal grain cross-sectional area of less than about 500 nm2; and a lattice parameter of 2.8895+/−0.0025 A. A process and an electrodeposition bath for electrodepositing the nanogranular crystalline functional chromium deposit on a substrate, including providing the electrodeposition bath including trivalent chromium, a source of divalent sulfur, a carboxylic acid, a source of nitrogen and being substantially free of hexavalent chromium; immersing a substrate in the bath; and applying an electrical current to electrodeposit the deposit on the substrate.
US08187442B2
The processing apparatus for microchips, each at least having a main flow path performing migration of a sample for analysis inside a sheet-like member, comprises a holding part holding microchips so that the multiple main flow paths are provided; a pretreatment part common to the multiple main flow paths for performing a pretreatment step prior to an analysis step in each of the multiple main flow paths; a processing part for performing analysis in each of the main flow paths independently of the others; and a control part controlling an operation in the pretreatment part so that when a pretreatment step for one main flow path ends, a pretreatment for a next main flow path starts and further controlling an operation in the processing part so that an analysis is subsequently performed for the main flow path where the pretreatment step has ended.
US08187428B2
A conversion-to-oil apparatus capable of efficiently treating plastic, includes a melting unit for heating and melting plastic fed thereto and a decomposing unit for further heating and vaporization-decomposing the molten plastic melted by the melting unit, wherein the decomposing unit is inclined upwardly, having a lead screw mounted therein, and is provided at its upper end portion with a catalyst cylinder extending upwardly and a residue takeout unit extending downwardly, and the decomposing unit has a prevention element for preventing molten plastic gas from flowing down to the residue takeout unit.
US08187409B2
A tape application tool (30) that can hold an adhesive-backed paint replacement tape in position relative to a window frame (34), as well as apply at least the sash section of the tape to the sash portion of the window frame, without having to use a separate location tool and without having to use a paint replacement tape that includes a removable location tab. The tool comprises at least one tape application roller (58), at least one or more guide rollers (66,68), a biasing mechanism, at least one first tape locating surface (54) and, optionally, a tool stop surface (44).
US08187407B2
A vehicle is wrapped by a printed adhesive film where the film is also applied over doors and other areas intended not to be covered. The film is cut at the door edge and over the area by adhesively attaching a tape having a release coating on the front surface and carrying a filament along a center of the front side. The printed film is applied over the door, the area not to be covered and the tapes and is cut along the door edge and around the area by pulling the filament from the tape so that a strip of the film at the door edge and the film over the area can be removed. The film can be stretched and pulled away from the tape for reapplying for proper fit.
US08187404B2
A method for manufacturing a plate-shaped peeling member having a thin metal plate and a resin sheet adhered thereto by wrapping the resin sheet around a leading edge of the thin metal plate. The plate-shaped peeling member peels paper from a roller or a belt of an electrophotographic apparatus, with a leading edge of the thin metal plate in contact with or being adjacent to the roller or the belt. The method includes the step of stacking an adhesive agent-applied resin sheet to one main surface of a thin metal plate without pulling both end portions of the adhesive agent-applied resin sheet in a longitudinal direction thereof, with an unstuck portion left on the adhesive agent-applied resin sheet in a widthwise direction thereof and with the adhesive agent-applied resin sheet being pressurized in a longitudinal direction thereof.
US08187401B2
The present invention provides thickened fabrics and reinforcements for use as a spacer or reinforcement for a matrix system. The fabric includes in a first embodiment a woven fabric comprising weft and warp yarns containing glass fibers. A portion of the weft yarns are undulated into a sinusoidal path forming a generally “C” shaped bridge between adjacent warp yarns which results in an increased thickness for the fabric. The fabric is coated with a polymeric resin or bonding agent, for substantially binding the weft yarns in the undulated condition. This invention also includes methods for making such fabric by increasing the thickness of a woven or non-woven material by such methods as applying tension to warp yarns having opposite twists during weaving operations, or using unbalanced yarns, for example.
US08187397B2
An explosive emulsion to be used in conjunction with a gas-producing agent, such as sodium nitrite, to form an explosive emulsion with a density between 0.50 g/cm3 and 0.90 g/cm3. The present invention also includes the method for producing the explosive emulsion. The explosive emulsion is stable for at least 96 hours with nitrogen bubbles, having a predetermined dimension range, homogenously distributed. To maintain this low-density explosive emulsion stable, between 84% and 95% by weight of an oxidizing solution is combined with 5% to 16% by weight of a fuel solution. The fuel solution includes solid cacao fat as a stabilizing agent and stearic acid to prevent the combination of the nitrogen bubbles. The method for producing the oxidizing solution includes combining ammonium nitrate, sodium nitrate, thiourea, urea, and water at a temperature between 80 and 90 degrees centigrade. In another step of the method, a fuel solution is produced by combining an emulsifier, oil, diesel No. 2 fuel, solid cacao fat, and stearic acid at a temperature between 40 and 60 degrees centigrade. Then between 84% and 95% of the oxidizing solution is combined with 5% to 16% of the fuel solution.
US08187396B2
A method of making a self-expanding stent includes disposing a stent comprising a shape memory alloy about an inflatable body, and applying a coolant to a surface of the stent. The inflatable body is inflated to radially expand the stent to an expanded diameter from an initial diameter, and the coolant is reapplied to the surface of the stent. The inflatable body is deflated, and the stent is positioned about a mandrel sized to accommodate the expanded diameter of the stent, where the stent reaches a mandrel-defined diameter. The stent is heat set at the mandrel-defined diameter so as to impart a memory of an expanded configuration of the stent to the shape memory alloy.
US08187390B2
A dishwasher having a tub defining a wash chamber for washing dishes and a dish rack located within the wash chamber. The dishwasher also has a spray arm assembly configured to spray a first flow of wash liquid toward the dish rack, thereby providing a first wash zone. A spray manifold provided within the wash chamber is configured to provide a second flow of wash liquid toward the dish rack, thereby providing a second wash zone.
US08187366B2
A method for desulfurizing natural gas includes contacting the natural gas with an adsorbent which preferentially adsorbs at least one of hydrogen sulfide, COS, sulfur odorants, or combinations thereof, at a selected temperature and pressure, thereby producing desulfurized natural gas and an at least one of hydrogen sulfide/COS/sulfur odorant/combinations thereof-rich adsorbed component. The adsorbent includes a copper species adapted to form π-complexation bonds and direct metal-sulfur bonds with the at least one of hydrogen sulfide, COS, sulfur odorants, or combinations thereof, and wherein the preferential adsorption occurs by π-complexation and direct metal-sulfur bonding.
US08187365B2
The invention provides a process for removal of metal carbonyls from a synthesis gas stream comprising metal carbonyls, the process comprising the steps of: (a) adsorption of metal carbonyls by contacting the synthesis gas stream with solid adsorbent comprising activated carbon and/or hydrophobic zeolite to obtain solid adsorbent enriched in metal carbonyls and a synthesis gas stream depleted of metal carbonyls; (b) desorption of metal carbonyls by contacting the solid adsorbent enriched in metal carbonyls with CO-containing gas comprising at least 0.5 volume % CO to obtain regenerated adsorbent depleted of metal carbonyls and CO-containing gas enriched in metal carbonyls, wherein the temperature at which metal carbonyl desorption takes place is higher than the temperature at which metal carbonyl adsorption takes place.
US08187364B2
A method and apparatus for simultaneously removing alkali chlorides from an industrial process and purifying vaporizable contaminants such as mercury from a particulate material. Gases containing alkali chlorides are cooled to a temperature above the boiling point of the contaminants and below the boiling point of the alkali chlorides. Particulates rich in alkali chlorides are removed from the gas stream with a first dust collector. The gas stream cleaned of alkali chlorides is directed to a reaction area where particulate material containing mercury contaminants is inserted into the gas stream to vaporize the contaminants from the material and entrain the cleaned material in the gases. The gases are directed to a second dust collector to remove the entrained particulate material, after which a sorbent or chemical reagent is injected in the gases to interact with the contaminants and form a contaminant containing product that is entrained in the gases and thereafter separated from the gases.
US08187360B2
The present invention concerns a process for the instantaneous control of the precipitation of nickel and cobalt present in a leach liquor by adjustment of the pH-value. Said leach liquor is obtained by pressurized acidic leaching of laterite ores and additionally contains aluminium, ferric and ferrous iron and chromium among others. The process comprises the following steps: precipitation of aluminium, ferric and ferrous iron, chromium etc. by increasing the pH-value by adding a suitable reagent such as lime and/or limestone, following precipitation of nickel and cobalt by further increasing the pH-value of the liquor, finally separating the precipitate from the low-content nickel and cobalt solution. The nickel and cobalt precipitate can be used for further refinement. In order to keep the process conditions constant, the steps of increasing the pH-value are controlled simultaneously.
US08187355B2
A filter assembly for a vacuum cleaner is provided, and the filter assembly comprises a discharge grill formed on a discharge passage, a filter member mounted on the discharge grill, and a gasket member that is detachably connected between the discharge grill and the filter member and seals a space between the discharge grill and the filter member.
US08187344B2
The invention is directed to a fuel composition for diesel engines. The fuel composition comprises 0.1-99% by weight of a component or a mixture of components produced from biological raw material originating from plants and/or animals and/or fish. The fuel composition comprises 0-20% of components containing oxygen. Both components are mixed with diesel components based on crude oil and/or fractions from Fischer-Tropsch process.
US08187343B2
There are provided methods of manufacturing an electric double layer capacitor cell and an electric double layer capacitor and an apparatus for manufacturing an electric double layer capacitor cell. The method of manufacturing the electric double layer capacitor cell includes preparing first and second electrode sheets by printing electrode material onto conductive sheets, respectively, with the exception of regions to be provided as first and second terminal lead-out portions in the conductive sheets; punching the first and second electrode sheets so as to form a plurality of first and second unit electrodes, respectively, each first unit electrode having the first terminal lead-out portion and each second unit electrode having the second terminal lead-out portion; stacking the first and second electrode sheets with a separator interposed therebetween in order that the plurality of first and second unit electrodes are overlapped; and cutting the first and second electrode sheets being stacked into the first and second unit electrodes.
US08187339B2
A hair colorant composition being essentially free of surfactant and having a specific perfume system for the hair colorant composition, where the hair colorant composition is capable of forming a foamed hair colorant composition.
US08187337B2
A trouble-free safety prosthesis joint, which has a below-knee connector device with a main body, a base, a drive element and a restoring unit. The restoring unit is provided in a receiving space located in the interior of the main body and is connected to the drive element. The base extending downward from the main body serves for connection to the below-knee prosthesis. A thigh connector device is arranged on the below-knee connector device. One end of the brake element is connected to the restoring unit and the other end is connected pivotably to the thigh connector device. A brake element and a brake stirrup are also located in the receiving space of the below-knee connector device, which is connected to the thigh connector device and the brake stirrup is connected to the brake element. The brake stirrup engages the brake journal and is connected to the below-knee connector device.
US08187336B2
A synovial joint implantable apparatus for the reconstruction of skeletal defects with a flexible member, which is preferably resorbable, attached to a rigid structural prosthesis such as a total hip or total knee replacement implant. The cavitary space defined and surrounded by the flexible member is filled with osteoconductive and/or inductive materials which eventually matures into new column of bone. The prosthesis is supported by the bed of graft material surrounding it and is gradually unloaded as the bed matures into solid bone. The fixation of the prosthesis into native bone depends on the specific implant and the anatomic area of its use. The flexible member is secured to the margins of the prosthesis using rails, runners, sutures, or other attachment devices that prevent the escape of the bone graft and maintain an initial column of support for the implant. Should the metal implant even need removal, the reconstituted bone can be separated from the implant in such a way as to restore bone stock and facilitate future revision surgical procedures.
US08187334B2
A system and method for spinal fusion comprising a spinal fusion implant of non-bone construction releasably coupled to an insertion instrument dimensioned to introduce the spinal fusion implant into any of a variety of spinal target sites.
US08187330B2
Dynamic posterior stabilization systems and methods of stabilizing vertebrae are described. A dynamic posterior stabilization system may include a first bone fastener configured to couple to a first vertebra, a second bone fastener configured to couple to a second vertebra, and a dampener system attached to the first bone fastener and the second bone fastener. The dampener system may include a single dampener set. Compression of the single dampener set provides resistance to movement of the first bone fastener towards the second bone fastener. Compression of the first dampener set and the second dampener set provides resistance to movement of the first bone fastener away from the second bone fastener.
US08187328B2
An expandable containment device is provided for use in containing a flowable material. The containment device includes an expandable housing extending along a longitudinal axis and defining an interior region, and including a first housing portion movably engaged with a second housing portion to allow expansion of the housing generally along the longitudinal axis to provide the housing with an axial dimension extending between adjacent bone structures. The containment device further includes an input port in fluid communication with the interior region of the housing and configured to deliver a flowable material into the interior region of the housing.
US08187326B2
The present invention relates to tissue scaffold implant devices useful in the repair and/or regeneration of diseased and/or damaged musculoskeletal tissue and that include a tissue scaffold component fixedly attached to a scaffold fixation component via a polymeric adhesive layer, and to methods of making such tissue scaffold implant devices.
US08187321B2
An expandable medical device has a plurality of elongated struts joined together to form a substantially cylindrical device which is expandable from a cylinder having a first diameter to a cylinder having a second diameter. At least one of the plurality of struts includes at least one opening extending at least partially through a thickness of said strut. A beneficial agent is loaded into the opening within the strut in layers to achieve desired temporal release kinetics of the agent. Alternatively, the beneficial agent is loaded in a shape which is configured to achieve the desired agent delivery profile. A wide variety of delivery profiles can be achieved including zero order, pulsatile, increasing, decrease, sinusoidal, and other delivery profiles.
US08187319B2
A vascular prosthesis is constructed from a structure having interconnected, helically oriented channel-porosity to allow oriented ingrowth of connective tissue into a wall of the prosthesis. The prosthesis can have a small internal diameter of 6 mm or less. Several different methods can be used to produce the prosthesis, including a fiber winding and extraction technique, a melt extrusion technique, and a particle and fiber extraction technique using either a layered method or a continuous method. Furthermore, mechanical properties of prosthesis are matched with mechanical properties of the host vessel, thereby overcoming problems of compliance mismatch.
US08187311B2
A method and apparatus for treating gland dysfunction caused by gland obstruction in order to restore the natural flow of secretion from the gland comprises the application of a combination of energy, suction, vibration, heat, aspiration, chemical agents and pharmacological agents to loosen and thereafter remove the obstructive material.
US08187309B2
Bone screws have heads which are provided with a hex socket as well as a threaded portion. A screw driver system includes a hex driver and a threaded driver. The screw driver system permits driving the screw through a plate system into a bone until desired compression is obtained. Then the screw is locked to the plate while maintaining the imparted compression.
US08187308B2
An internal joint distraction device provides articulation to an articulating bone joint between an upper bone structure and a lower bone structure. The device includes a medial plate shaped to at least partially conform to a medial side of a bone structure of a limb and includes a lateral plate shaped to at least partially conform to a lateral side of a bone structure of a limb. Each of the medial and lateral plates may include a longitudinal length sufficient to extend from the upper bone structure to the lower bone structure thereby spanning at least a portion of the joint. Each plates includes at least one proximal connection feature formed therein for connecting to the upper bone structure and at least one distal connection feature formed therein for connecting to the lower bone structure. An axle extends from one of the connection features on the medial plate to one of the connection features on the lateral plate. The axle extends through one of the upper and lower bone structures in a manner that said one of the upper and lower bone structures pivots about the axle relative to the other of the upper and lower bone structures.
US08187305B2
A surgical tool for deploying an implant includes an elongate outer shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a central channel therebetween. An elongate inner shaft is at least partially slidably received in the central channel and an actuator mechanism is operatively coupled with either the outer or inner shaft. The tool also includes a piercing element that is coupled with the outer shaft and releasably coupled with the implant.
US08187302B2
A method for effecting reduction, stabilization and enhancement of fusion of the human cranio-cervical junction, which may be performed in order to relieve mechanical stresses imparted to the spinal cord and brainstem as a result of an abnormal clivo-axial angle, includes steps of achieving the correct craniocervical relationship, of effecting a fusion of a first portion of a bone forming material based structural member to a human cranium, and effecting fusion of a second portion of the bone forming material based structural member to a least one portion of a human cervical spine. Fusion of the bone forming material based structural member to the human cranium may be promoted through the use an osteointegration apparatus that includes a porous ossomeric mesh and a frame member.
US08187297B2
Devices, methods for treatment of obesity, as well as instruments and tools used in placing, adjusting and maintaining devices for treatment of obesity. Various embodiments of devices that are implanted extra-gastrically are provided. Various embodiments of devices that are implanted intra-gastrically are provided. Methods include laparoscopic, percutaneous and/or trans-oral methods. Alternatively, devices describe can generally also be implanted by open surgical procedures.
US08187294B2
A rotating surgical system is provided that includes a base, a first member rotably engaged with the base, and a second member fixed with said first member such that said first member and said second member rotate together.
US08187273B2
The present disclosure provides a bipolar forceps. The bipolar forceps includes a housing having a handle assembly including a movable handle and one or more shafts. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. A solenoid is in operative communication with the movable handle and operatively couples to a drive rod operatively coupled to at least one of the first and second jaw members for causing movement thereof. One or both of the first and second jaw members includes one or more teeth configured to engage one or more teeth located on the drive rod such that rotation of the solenoid imparts one of longitudinal and rotational movement of the drive rod such that at least one of the first and second jaw members moves between the open and closed positions.
US08187271B2
An endoscopic instrument includes: a high-frequency knife for carrying out incisional intervention; a wire having a distal end connected to the high-frequency knife; an outer sheath for allowing the wire to pass therethrough; a main body having a proximal end of the sheath fixed thereto; a first slider, capable of freely sliding on the main body, having the wire fixed thereto; at least a stopper projecting radially outward relative to the wire; a first abutment member making contact with the stopper and regulating distal sliding movement of the wire; and a projection-length-adjusting member, provided in the outer sheath, for regulating proximal sliding movement of the wire by making contact with the stopper. This configuration allows the high-frequency knife to be maintained at different projection lengths based on the stopper making contact with the first abutment member and the stopper making contact with the projection-length-adjusting member.
US08187269B2
A surgical instrument for delivering energy to lung tissue, for example to cause lung volume reduction. In one embodiment, an elongated catheter has a handle portion that includes an interior chamber that is supplied with a biocompatible liquid media under pressure. An energy source delivers energy to the media to cause a liquid-to-vapor phase change within the interior chamber and ejects a flow of vapor media from the working end of the catheter. The delivery of energy and the flow of vapor are controlled by a computer controller to cause a selected pressure and selected volume of vapor to propagate to the extremities of the airways. Contemporaneously, the vapor undergoes a vapor-to-liquid phase transition which delivers large amount of energy to the airway tissue. The thermal energy delivered is equivalent to the heat of vaporization of the fluid media, which shrinks and collapses the treated airways. The treated tissue is the maintained in a collapsed state by means of aspiration for a short interval to enhance tissue remodeling. Thereafter, the patient's wound healing response causes fibrosis and further remodeling to cause permanent lung volume reduction.
US08187268B2
An electrosurgical apparatus is provided. The electrosurgical apparatus comprises an elongate shaft having a proximal region, a distal region comprising an electrically conductive region and one or more lumens therethrough; a stylet occluding at least a portion of an opening defined by a distal end of the elongate shaft; and a temperature sensor associated with the distal region, the stylet being a component of the temperature sensor.
US08187266B2
A surgical probe and methods for targeted treatment of structures of the heart with heat and radiofrequency energy. The probe which is designed to operated by hand has a elongate member with a handle and an energy-delivering member in an adjustable loop configuration. The control placed on the handle allow the user to alter the length of the loop configuration of the energy-delivering member and to thus place energy-delivering elements located on the energy-delivering member at selected or targeted portions of the heart or structures within the heart. The elongate member is conformable and can be bent into different configurations to allow additional targeted treatment of the particular portions of the heart.
US08187261B2
A method of performing a cryotherapy procedure can include introducing a cryotherapy balloon catheter at a treatment site inside a patient's body; regulating, during a first phase of a cryotherapy procedure, flow of cryogenic fluid to and exhaust from a distal balloon portion of the cryotherapy balloon catheter to cause an initial pressure to be maintained inside the distal balloon portion that is sufficiently high to cause an outer wall of the distal balloon portion to be pressed against body tissue at the treatment site; and regulating, during a second phase of the cryotherapy procedure, flow of cryogenic fluid to and exhaust from the distal balloon portion to cause a) a temperature inside the distal balloon portion to reach a value sufficient to deliver therapeutic levels of cryotherapy to the body tissue, and b) a second-phase pressure to be maintained that is within a threshold value of the initial pressure.
US08187252B2
A shape memory material with integrated actuation using embedded particles. One embodiment provides a shape memory material apparatus comprising a shape memory material body and magnetic pieces in the shape memory material body. Another embodiment provides a method of actuating a device to perform an activity on a subject comprising the steps of positioning a shape memory material body in a desired position with regard to the subject, the shape memory material body capable of being formed in a specific primary shape, reformed into a secondary stable shape, and controllably actuated to recover the specific primary shape; including pieces in the shape memory material body; and actuating the shape memory material body using the pieces causing the shape memory material body to be controllably actuated to recover the specific primary shape and perform the activity on the subject.
US08187250B2
A peritoneal-based (“bloodless”) artificial kidney processes peritoneal fluid without need for additional fluids (“waterless”). Fluid is separated into a protein-rich stream and a protein-free stream. The protein-rich stream is regenerated using a sorbent assembly, and its protein composition can be modified by removal of selected protein(s) (“dialysate-pheresis”). It is then reconstituted with additives and returned into the peritoneal cavity, thereby reducing protein-loss and providing oncotic-pressure for ultrafiltration. The protein-free stream is used to produce free water, and an alkaline or acid fluid for optimization of the composition of the regenerated stream. The unused protein-free stream can be used to “reverse flush” the separator to maintain its patency and the excess discarded for fluid-balance regulation. Compared to prior art, immobilization of urease allows more protein rich fluid to be regenerated and re-circulated into the peritoneal cavity for toxin removal and allows practicable development of portable and wearable artificial kidneys.
US08187249B2
Methods and apparatus for the reproducible, consistent and efficacious delivery of a therapeutic agent to a patient. The invention comprises means for the controlled administration of the therapeutic agent through an orifice to the patient, a plurality of penetrating electrodes arranged with a predetermined spatial relationship relative to the orifice, and means for generating an electrical signal operatively connected to the electrodes.
US08187246B2
A structurally optimized component comprising a fastening member having a middle section and an end section, wherein either the middle section comprises an inner slot leg region, an outer slot leg region, and an interior low mass slot leg region or the end section comprises a slot reinforcement having an inner reinforcement region, an outer reinforcement region, and an interior low mass reinforcement region.
US08187242B1
An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin or an incontinence diaper, has an absorbent body having at least one fold line formed therein defining at least two segments of the absorbent body. The segments formed by the at least one fold line are generally foldable relative to each other along the at least one fold line to facilitate conformance of the absorbent article to the wearer's body. In a method of forming the absorbent body, a first cut-out from a first web material is passed through a nip along with a second web material whereby the cut-out from the first web material overlays the second web material. A fold line is then formed in the second web material at the peripheral edge of the cut-out of the first web material as the cut-out and second web material pass through the nip.
US08187232B2
A housing may have a needle, plunger, and bias mechanism supported within the housing by a tab configured to retain the plunger in position and to allow the plunger to move under bias force imparted by the bias mechanism to move the needle to an insert position when the tab is removed. A base and a structure may be configured for relative movement there between and may be adapted to be secured to a user with a cannula extending through a body of the structure into the user during use of a medical device. A housing may be adapted to be secured to a user to support a medical device operable with an insertion needle, the housing having a magnifying material for increasing visibility of an injection site.
US08187222B2
In accordance with one aspect, the invention provides medical devices that comprise an elongated drug delivery member, which is adapted to take on a radially expanded configuration upon actuation in vivo.
US08187218B2
An apparatus having a tube section and an expanded end. The tube section is flexible while the end section is rigid. The apparatus has a central bore, large enough to loosely receive an endoscope tube, and the end section has two peripheral bores which communicate with the central bore. There is a collar around the central bore which allows formation an air- and water-tight seal with the head of an endoscope. The tube may be fenestrated at its proximal end and may include medial pleats. This apparatus is mainly used by: sliding an endoscope into the central bore until the endoscope head forms an air- and water-tight seal with the central bore; connecting a lavage tube to one peripheral bore and a vacuum tube to the other peripheral bore; inserting the endoscope and the apparatus into a GI tract; and manually controlling the apparatus to apply lavage and vacuum.
US08187216B2
A hollow fiber bundle that is formed by arranging a plurality of porous hollow fiber membranes 8 in one direction; a heat exchange pipe bundle that is formed by arranging and laminating a plurality of heat exchange pipes 9 in one direction crossing the hollow fiber membranes and is apposed with the hollow fiber bundle; and a potting material 10 that is filled in a region including both end parts of the hollow fiber membranes and the heat exchange pipes and forms a blood channel extending across the hollow fiber membranes and the heat exchange pipes are provided. The housing includes: blood ports 3a, 3b that face both ends of the blood channel; gas headers 4a, 4b that form gas ports 5a, 5b facing both ends of the hollow fiber bundle; and heat exchange headers 6a, 6b that form heat exchange liquid ports 7a, 7b facing both ends of the heat exchange pipe bundle. The blood flows through the blood channel and an oxygen-containing gas flows through a bore of the hollow fiber membrane so as to perform the gas exchange, and the heat exchange liquid flows through a bore of the heat exchange pipe so as to perform the heat exchange. A hollow fiber membrane-type artificial lung, in which the heat exchange part is apposed with the gas exchange part without unnecessarily increasing a priming volume, can be structured.
US08187213B2
An apparatus for transcutaneously transferring an amount of energy to an implantable orthopaedic device includes a primary coil. The primary coil has a resonant frequency matched to a resonant frequency of a secondary coil, which may form part of the implantable orthopaedic device. The primary coil may have an aperture configured to receive a portion of a patient's body or may include a substantially “C”-shaped core. A power circuit may be coupled with the primary coil to provide power to the coil. The apparatus may also include a wireless receiver, a measuring device, and/or a display.
US08187206B2
A guide wire includes a member with a core wire. The guide wire may have a marker-forming layer which partly encircles the outer surface of the member and differs in color from the member, and a coating layer which covers the marker-forming layer and the member at least in the region where the marker-forming layer is formed and has such transparency as to make the marker-forming layer visible. The marker-forming layer and the coating layer can be formed from mutually miscible resins, while the marker-forming layer functions as a visible marker.
US08187203B2
A biopsy needle system includes a carrier. A trocar is inserted into the carrier for percutaneous insertion to a biopsy site. A biopsy needle is inserted into the carrier, replacing the trocar, for removal of a tissue biopsy specimen. A biopsy needle and a method for obtaining a tissue biopsy specimen with the system, are also provided.
US08187200B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting and monitoring obstructive sleep apnea. The apparatus includes an intracardiac impedance sensor to measure intracardiac impedance, a movement sensor to measure an amount of movement of a patient, and a controller operatively coupled to said intracardiac impedance sensor and said movement sensor, said controller adapted to receive at least one of an intracardiac impedance and the amount of movement of the patient and detect obstructive sleep apnea based upon said intracardiac impedance and said movement.
US08187199B2
A contractile reserve indicator, corresponding to a predicted value of a maximum change in myocardial contractility that can be achieved by a subject, can be determined using a detected indication of cardiac contractility across various different physical activity levels.
US08187195B2
Sensor wire assembly for measuring a physiological variable in a body, said assembly comprises a sensor element for measuring the physiological variable and to generate a sensor signal in response of said variable, and a guide wire having said sensor element at its distal end, and adapted to be inserted into the body in order to position the sensor element within the body. The assembly further comprises a sensor signal adapting circuitry, being an integrated part of said assembly, wherein the sensor signal is applied to the adapting circuitry that is adapted to automatically generate an output signal, related to the sensor signal, in a standardized format such that the measured physiological variable is retrievable by an external physiology monitor.
US08187192B2
A method and apparatus for scan conversion and interpolation of linear array steering imaging in an ultrasonic system are disclosed. The method computes the points that are most related to the point to be interpolated in the principal direction of the point spread function and performs interpolation in the principal direction of the point spread function according to the steering angle of the scan lines so as to obtain a more accurate interpolation result.
US08187182B2
A mobile device monitors accelerations using one or more inertial sensors. A user activity is identified based on the accelerations. A first estimation is made of a user activity statistic associated with the user activity based on the accelerations. Location information is obtained by one or more location based sensors. A second estimation is made of the user activity statistic based on the location information. The user activity statistic is calculated based on the first estimation and the second estimation.
US08187153B2
An exercising machine for exercising of a user's torso, arm, leg or other body part, including an exercising attachment for exercising of the user's torso, arm, leg or other body part, a computer-controlled resistance actuator operatively connected to the exercising attachment to impart a resistance for concentric exercising of the user's torso, arm, leg or other body part through a forward range of motion, a computer-controlled force actuator operatively connected to the exercising attachment to impart a force for eccentric exercising of the user's torso, arm, leg or other body part through a reverse range of motion, a computer for controlling the actuators and a method for exercising, including imparting a resistance for concentric exercising of a user's torso, arm, leg or other body part through a forward range of motion and imparting a force for eccentric exercising of the user's torso, arm, leg or other body part through a reverse range of motion.
US08187152B2
There is provided a machine for rehabilitation or exercise, comprising: a frame; a first arm movably secured to the frame via a first actuator; a first force sensor for measuring a force exerted by a user on the first arm; and a control unit adapted for controlling a displacement speed for the first arm via the first actuator as a function of the force and for increasing the displacement speed of the first arm via the first actuator when the force is superior to a target force. In one embodiment, there is further provided an electromyograph for location on the exercised muscle for measuring an electrical potential generated by the muscle and for lowering the target force when the electrical potential is superior to a predetermined maximum electrical potential. There is further provided a method for operating an exercise machine and a system for exercising a muscle.
US08187147B2
A hydraulic control system for distributing pressurized fluid to a multi-mode hybrid-type power transmission is provided, as well as a method for regulating the same. The hydraulic control system includes an engine-driven main pump in fluid communication with a main regulator valve, and an electrically-driven auxiliary pump in fluid communication with an auxiliary regulator valve. One pressure control solenoid provides feedback (boost) pressure to both regulator valves, and thereby modify output of the main and auxiliary pumps. A controller selectively modifies distribution of boost pressure to ensure a continuous and controllable feed of hydraulic pressure to the transmission during all vehicle operations. The method includes: determining if the vehicle is transitioning to engine auto-start or auto-stop; determining the line pressure requirements of the transmission under current operating conditions; starting the oncoming-pump; adjusting PCS command so started oncoming-pump pressure equals line pressure requirements; and shutting down off-going-pump.
US08187143B2
A control apparatus for a vehicular drive system including (a) an internal combustion engine, and (b) a first transmission portion and a second transmission portion disposed in a power transmitting path between the internal combustion engine and a drive wheel of a vehicle, the first transmission portion having an electrically controlled differential portion which includes a first electric motor and a differential state of which is controllable by controlling an operating state of the first electric motor, the control apparatus includes an internal-combustion-engine control portion configured to change an operating state of the internal combustion engine when it is determined that a shifting action of the second transmission portion is abnormal.
US08187142B2
In order to absorb loadings on friction faces in bevel friction ring gear mechanisms in an improved manner, the invention proposes a bevel friction ring gear mechanism having at least two friction cones which are arranged spaced apart from one another and a friction ring which is arranged displaceably in the spacing and transmits a torque from one of the two friction cones to the other of the two friction cones, wherein at least one friction face varies axially and the axial variation of the friction face has a radius above 0.1 mm in at least two convex regions.
US08187138B2
A front wheel drive transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes a sun gear member, a planet carrier member, and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes arranged within a transmission housing.
US08187137B2
A transmission of the present invention has an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US08187135B2
This invention relates to a transmission system for transmitting a driving force from a driving unit D to a driven unit F, a transmission adjustment system for adjusting the transmission system to obtain a continuous shift ratio, a guide cone system for maintaining a concentric circle of a rotation radius when a transmission element such as a chain is rotated, a guide cone/transmission adjustment system and a continuously variable transmission system which are made by combination of the above systems. The transmission system includes the transmission element with a tooth portion for transmitting the driving force from the driving unit D to the driven unit F. A transmission adjustment method in the transmission adjustment system is varied depending upon rotation or stop of a carrier. The guide cone system includes a guide cone having a portion of which comes in contact with the transmission element is formed in a shape of a cone having a constant slope. A coupling method of the above systems and an input/output method are selected in the continuously variable transmission system. With the above construction, this invention can be applied without being restricted to the output capacity of the engine, have a simple construction, and transmit a rotation force to an output shaft from an input shaft with high efficiency to reduce energy. Particularly, this invention is widely applied to an industrial machinery as well as a transportation machinery.
US08187127B2
A belt-type continuously variable transmission (CVT) with reduced vibration at high engine speeds. A secondary sheave includes a fixed sheave member, a moving sheave member, a compression coil spring, and an outside spring guide. The compression coil spring urges the moving sheave member toward the fixed sheave member. The outside spring guide prevents the compression coil spring from buckling during compression.
US08187126B2
Disclosed is a self-propelled football with an internally ducted fan and electric motor. An exemplary embodiment has an oblate spheroidal body. The body has a front section, a center section, a back section, and a longitudinal axis. The ducted fan is located within the body substantially within the center section and substantially along the longitudinal axis. The electric motor is located within the body and mechanically coupled to the ducted fan. At least one electrical power source is located within the body and electrically coupled to the electric motor. At least one air-inlet is located within the front section of the body in airflow communication with the ducted fan. At least one air-outlet is located within the back section of the body in airflow communication with the ducted fan. A means for automatic activation and deactivation of the electrical motor is located within the body.
US08187118B2
A golf club head includes a face member having a ball-striking face and an oval thick portion positioned in a central portion of the ball-striking face. The oval thick portion has an oval shape having recesses formed by recessing both sides in a major axis direction in an arc-shaped fashion. The recesses are directed to a toe-side upper portion and a heel-side lower portion. The thickness of the thick portion becomes thickest at a central portion and is gradually reduced from the central portion towards the periphery. The face member is formed such that a portion outside the thick portion is thinner than the thick portion. An occupancy rate of the oval thick portion in the ball-striking face is in a range of 25 to 45%.
US08187117B2
A golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present invention may include a strike face, a rear wall behind the strike face, and a perimeter-weighting element at least partially surrounding the rear wall. The club head may further include an insert, associated with the rear wall and the perimeter-weighting element, having a first portion and a second portion. Preferably, the second portion engages a supplementary component, associated with the perimeter-weighting element and dissociated from the rear wall.
US08187112B2
A kit and a method for providing training for pool game bank shots. The kit comprises a plurality of aiming posts and a plurality of base members. Each aiming post of the plurality of aiming posts comprises a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. Each base member of the plurality of base members comprises a hollow central portion for receiving the proximal end portion of an aiming post. The proximal end portion of the aiming post received in the hollow central portion of a base member enables the aiming post to assume an upright position. The aiming post of the plurality of aiming posts configured in the upright position and positioned at a pre-determined distance from a pool table provides an aiming point for aiming at least one of a cue ball and an object ball for executing a pool game bank shot.
US08187100B1
An application is executed in a first state on a handheld device. The first state is combined with a second state being executed on an additional device to generate a hybrid state, execution of the hybrid state being shared between the handheld device and the additional device. A first aspect of the hybrid state is displayed on the handheld device.
US08187098B2
A remote control device, including: a housing having first and second elongated sides opposite each other, the first side including a plurality of user-operable switches for controlling a display device, and the second side including a plurality of user-operable switches for enabling a user to play a video game on the display device.
US08187089B2
A gaming system for playing a wagering game includes a display for displaying a base game of the wagering game in response to receiving a play wager from a player. The gaming system further includes a controller coupled to the display and programmed to determine a bonus multiplier and a bonus eligibility time for the player based on a base wager. At least one of the bonus multiplier and the bonus eligibility time is a function of both the base wager and the play wager. A bonus game is triggered and, if sufficient bonus eligibility time is available to the player when the bonus game is triggered, the player is allowed to participate in the bonus game. In response to receiving a player selection, the bonus multiplier is modified based on changes to the bonus eligibility time.
US08187069B2
An online gaming system for simulating a soccer game comprising a server with a processor, a network in communication with the server, at least one client device in communication with the network, wherein the at least one client device has an input device, a display device, and a monetary acceptance feature, and a database in communication with the processor. The database comprises an electronic deck of playing cards comprising offensive play cards and defensive play cards and an electronic deck of special plays cards. Computer instructions in the database instruct the processor to permit input of bets, electronically deal cards from the electronic decks, designate offensive and defensive players, permit selection of cards by players, make game plays using a chess like strategy, determine game outcomes based on the selected cards, and award winnings based on bets and game outcomes.
US08187059B2
The invention relates to a device for polishing the end of at least one optical fiber mounted in a connector, the device comprising a moving part supporting at least one connector and another moving part carrying a polishing film, the movement of these two parts being synchronized. According to the invention, these two parts are in direct contact via a movement transmission element, movement of one of them giving rise to movement of the other.
US08187053B2
A breast support system for a recumbent female human includes medial and lateral support padding for each breast.
US08187052B2
The invention is a yo-yo that that has at least one side that incorporates components that create a powered rotation system. The system is connected to either a circuit board or a weighted board that is similarly rotatable and is located in the yo-yo's other side and/or employs a circuit board that is non-symmetric about its rotational axis and/or uses the powered rotation system to only push on a side portion's body member.
US08187050B1
A toy building element has sidewalls that include grooves and tongues by which the toy building element can be interconnected with a like building element. Each groove is formed between a pair of outwardly extending flexible ridges. The tongue does not extend outward beyond the virtual plane of the sidewall that includes the tongue. The virtual plane is defined as a plane that passes through a midpoint of a line that connects a central point on an outer surface of the sidewall that includes the at least one tongue to a central point on an outer surface of the sidewall of the other building element that includes the at least one pair of ridges and is perpendicular to a line that passes through the central points of said interconnected building elements when said building elements are interconnected in a centered configuration.
US08187044B2
A watercraft propulsion device 10 has a linkage comprising a vertical drive link (20), a support link (12), an upper control link (50) having a forwardly extended handle bar (52), and a lower propulsion link (30) having a horizontal propulsion fin (32) backwardly extended therefrom. The control and propulsion links (50, 30) are interconnected by said drive link (20), which is capable of conveying propulsive oscillatory motion to the propulsion link (30) by means of a linear power actuator (90), and by the support link (12), which is pivotally connected a transom bracket (60) about a substantially vertical axis.
US08187037B2
An electronic signal connector includes an electrically insulative housing, metal abutting contacts and metal transmission contacts arranged in front and rear sides in the electrically insulative housing, and a filter module, which includes two symmetric flat substrates electrically connected between the metal abutting contacts and the metal transmission contacts and a metal core set between two electrically connected sets of radially arranged metal wire conductors in an induction zone at the flat substrates to provide a continuous winding type metal magnetic coil inductive effect.
US08187032B1
A guided missile/launcher test set reprogramming interface assembly J2 connector clamp includes a frame having an upper side, a lower side, and at least one aperture with a threaded portion that extends through the frame and is adapted to threadingly associate with threads on a connector. Rotational torque is transferred away from the frame and connector when a securing mechanism is actuated.
US08187028B2
The invention relates to a distribution strip for distributing electric energy for equipment and/or server cabinets (50), comprising a plurality of electric connecting devices (30, 32) to which electric loads can be connected, at least one feed cable (20) for connecting the distribution strip (1, 2, 3) to an energy source, and at least one fastening region for fastening the distribution strip to the equipment and/or server cabinet. According to the invention, the electric connecting devices are arranged on a first longitudinal side of the distribution strip and at least one connecting cable is arranged on a second longitudinal side of the distribution strip adjoining the first longitudinal side. The distribution strip can be fixed by means of the fastening region in a vertical orientation in the region of a side wall (60, 62) to the equipment and/or server cabinet.
US08187027B2
A telecommunications patch panel is provided having a plurality of connector modules rotatably mounted to a frame member. Each connector module has a front face and an opposite facing rear face, and each front face includes a plurality of connector jacks. Each rear face includes a plurality of wire termination blocks. The wire termination blocks are electrically connected to the connector jacks. Each connector module is rotatable about a rotation axis relative to the frame member. A lock selectively locks each connector module to the frame member as desired. The connector jacks and the connector modules are arranged in linear arrays perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
US08187026B2
A mounting portion is configured to mount thereon a first coupler provided with a pair of engagement arms having an elastic force in a width increasing direction. The mounting portion includes a pair of support members. The pair of support members each have a support portion, an inclined portion, a first engagement portion, and a second engagement portion. A spacing between the second engagement portions is larger than a widthwise dimension of the first coupler which is taken on when the engagement arms are displaced into a position at which the widthwise dimension of the first coupler is minimized. A space allowing the first and second couplers in a state of being coupled to each other to be placed therein is provided on a downstream side of the mounting portion in a removing direction.
US08187020B2
A plug-in system for trailer vehicles provided with an automatic coupling system of the supply lines, including a plug (1) supporting the line contacts (1a) and a socket (2). The plug (1) has guide elements (4) that actively engage when approaching the guide elements (5) of the socket (2). The centering of a plug system for an automatic coupling system of supply lines on an articulated train is achieved by the guide elements (4) include a main guide pin (6) and at least one centering pin (7a, 7b) arranged at a distance therefrom. At least the centering pin (7a, 7b) and/or the associated guide element (5, 9) is elastic in the radial direction.
US08187019B2
A connector utilizes a latching assembly that has a structure that connects horizontal movement of an actuator to vertical movement of a latching arm. A latching member is provided that grips the exterior of the connector and has a cantilevered latching arm that extends from the member over a mating portion for connection. In its simplest form the latching member includes a continuous retaining collar that fits over the exterior of the connector and exerts a clamping force on the connector so as to retain the latching member in place.
US08187017B2
Electrical connectors and contacts for transmitting power are provided. One power contact embodiment includes a first plate that defines a first non-deflecting beam and a first deflectable beam, and a second plate that defines a second non-deflecting beam and a second deflectable beam. The first and second plates are positioned beside one another to form the power contact.
US08187015B2
An electrical connection apparatus includes an electrical connection contact and an adjustment component within an interior of the electrical connection apparatus. The electrical connection contact is operatively coupled to the adjustment component so that the electrical connection contact adjusts between an insertion position and a contact position in response to rotating the adjustment component. A slider movably arranged within the interior of the electrical connection apparatus causes the electrical connection contact to move in response to rotation of the adjustment component. The electrical connection apparatus includes one or more blocks, and the adjustment component, electrical contact and slider are arranged within an interior of the one or more blocks.
US08187011B1
A protective shutter assembly for use within a cover assembly of an electrical wiring device, the shutter assembly including a first and second shutter members positioned proximate the cover assembly and each of the first and second shutter members are at least partially aligned with separate cover openings in the cover assembly and being configured to move from a closed position to an open position in response to engaging at least one plug blade, a third shutter member positioned behind the first shutter member, a fourth shutter member positioned behind the second shutter member, and wherein the first and second shutter members pivot from the closed position to the open position and the third and fourth shutter members slide from the closed position to the open position.
US08187007B2
An electrical pressfit plug connector for fastening to a printed circuit board includes contacts, which on the front side and back side of the plug connector are each situated as a single or multi-row male multipoint connector, and which are configured on the front side of the plug connector as contact pins for contacting a counterplug, and are configured on the back side as pressfit pins for pressfitting into metallized bores in the printed circuit board, according to the present system, either the contact pin or the pressfit pin of at least one contact of the male multipoint connectors being situated laterally offset with respect to its associated pressfit pin and contact pin, respectively, in the longitudinal direction of the male multipoint connectors.
US08187006B2
A flexible magnetic interconnect is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a module having a recess therein. A magnetic structure is moveable within the recess and a flexible circuit cooperates with the module to retain the magnetic structure within the recess. Movement of the magnetic structure is caused by magnetic attraction between the magnetic structure and an external magnetic structure. The flexible circuit includes a compliant contact, which changes shape by movement of the magnetic structure.
US08187003B2
An apparatus to facilitate field assessment of static structure sites to provide data in a predetermined format acceptable to a taxing authority, including a personal computing device having a graphic display screen, a user interface, and application software. The user interface is arranged to accept alphanumeric data provided by a user of the apparatus and also accept graphic input from the user representative of structural features of the static structure. The application software is arranged to provide a real-time display on the graphic display screen of dimensional data associated with the graphic inputs as they are entered by the user. The application software is also arranged to compute dimensional attributes of enclosed polygons resulting from the graphic input by the user.
US08187000B2
A two-part impression cap for manufacturing a model for a dental implant, comprising: a cylindrical body and a cap-shaped part pluggable onto the cylindrical body, the cylindrical body and the cap-shaped part having a common central axis, the cap-shaped part being provided with elastic elements extending in the direction of the central axis, which elements are adapted to be bent towards the central axis and thus to create a tension in the elastic elements for engaging a groove in the interior of an abutment, adapter or the like, and the cylindrical body being adapted to fit tightly on the outside of the abutment, adapter or the like.
US08186995B2
A fire-starter device for survival or emergency use has a handle portion and case portion that twist together, to sheath a mischmetal flint rod inside the case, and a seal ring protects the flint rod from environmental moisture. The case has a steel strike plate and a guide channel. The mischmetal flint rod favorably has a composition of cerium—50%, lanthanum—26%, magnesium—10%, praseodymium—3%, neodymium—1%, and iron—10%.
US08186994B2
An improved sucker pin bushing for an injection mold is disclosed. In various preferred embodiments, the improved sucker pin bushing maintains much of the configuration of a conventional sucker pin bushing, namely a body portion and a head portion having a larger diameter than the body portion. A shoulder is formed where the body portion meets the head portion. However, the need for a jam screw or other retaining means is eliminated by the present invention by the inclusion of threads on the head portion of the bushing.
US08186993B2
A blow mold for a mannequin, comprising a model cavity having a profile, an inserting part, and a drive device. The inserting part is disposed on the model cavity, a modeling surface is disposed in the front of the inserting part, and operates to form a part of the profile of the model cavity, an angle between the molding surface of the inserting part and the profile of the model cavity is 90 degrees, a gap is disposed between the model cavity and the inserting part, a protruding portion is disposed on the molding surface of the inserting part and faces towards the inside of the model cavity, the inserting part is connected to the drive device, and the drive device operates to drive the inserting part to move towards the model cavity before blow molding, and to reset the inserting part after blow molding,
US08186992B2
In a micropattern transfer device, a stamper on which a fine indented pattern is formed is brought into contact with a material to be transferred, and the fine indented pattern on the stamper is transferred onto a surface of the material to be transferred. The micropattern transfer device includes a holding mechanism which holds an entire outer circumferential portion of the material to be transferred. The holding mechanism holds the material to be transferred such that a distance between the material to be transferred and the stamper is substantially equal to or shorter than a distance between the holding mechanism and the stamper.
US08186989B2
When controlling each operational process in a molding cycle by variably controlling the number of revolutions of a drive motor 3 in a hydraulic pump 2, a hydraulic pump 2 where at least multiple fixed discharge flow rate Qo and Qs can be set is used as the hydraulic pump 2. At the same time, the fixed discharge flow rates Qo . . . are set corresponding to operational processes based upon predetermined conditions in advance, respectively, and the hydraulic pump 2 is switched to the fixed discharge flow rates Qo . . . by corresponding to each operational process at the time of molding. At the same time, each operational process is controlled by variably controlling the number of revolutions of the drive motor 3.
US08186980B2
A scroll-type fluid machine comprising: a casing; a fixed scroll; an orbiting scroll; and an auxiliary crank device in which to prevent the orbiting scroll from being rotated, wherein the auxiliary crank device comprises: a fixed-side bearing body provided on either a casing side or a fixed scroll side; an orbiting-side bearing body provided on an orbiting scroll side; and an auxiliary crank shaft in which a fixed-side shank is rotatably supported with the fixed-side bearing body, and an orbiting-side shank is rotatably supported with the orbiting-side bearing body; a tip of the fixed-side shank of the auxiliary crank shaft is fixed in a radius direction, and a tip of the orbiting-side shank of the auxiliary crank shaft is fixed in a radius direction; and a deformative portion is provided between the tip of the fixed-side shank and the tip of the orbiting-side shank of the auxiliary crank shaft.
US08186972B1
A multi-stage expansible chamber pump system includes a HP pump unit, and first and second LP pump units. The LP units each include a LP air chamber and a pumped fluid chamber, separated by a piston. The HP unit includes left and right HP air chambers separated by a piston. Pistons are coaxial on a common piston rod for reciprocating movement in unison. A direction control DC valve includes a valve spool movable between first and second positions. The DC valve receives high pressure shop air as Control air and Process air. Control air moves the DC valve spool alternately to first and second positions. The DC valve, as determined by the position of the spool, directs Process air alternately to one side, then the other, of the HP unit, whereby the pistons reciprocate in unison to pump fluid through the fluid chambers.
US08186970B2
The present invention relates to a scroll compressor. The scroll compressor is configured to have bypass holes communicated with compression chambers so as to bypass a part of a compressed refrigerant and thus to modulate a capacity of the compressor, a middle pressure chamber and a valve. Accordingly, it is capable of simplifying a capacity modulation apparatus of the scroll compressor, thereby miniaturizing the compressor and reducing a fabrication cost. And, as the bypass holes are disposed to be adjacent to each other, an operating capacity of the compressor can be easily modulated with only one bypass valve, accordingly it is capable of reducing the number of bypass valve and of enhancing reliability.
US08186967B2
A fail-safe control method for an oil pump control unit of a hybrid vehicle directly connects an automatic transmission control unit and an oil pump control unit via a hard wire to control an oil pump driver in the event of a failure of the CAN communication line of the oil pump control. It enables the rotation speed of a motor of the electric oil pump to be controlled by a motor control unit (MCU) or a underdrive brake (UD_BRAKE) to be controlled in on/off mode or in slip mode by the automatic transmission control unit until a mechanical oil pump is driven, in the event of a failure of the oil pump control unit or the electric oil pump.
US08186964B2
A spar assembly for a rotor blade of a wind turbine is disclosed. The spar assembly may generally include a first spar cap and a second spar cap spaced apart from the first spar cap such that a cross-sectional area is defined directly between the first and second spar caps. Additionally, the spar assembly may include a web having a first end disposed adjacent to the first spar cap and a second end disposed adjacent to the second spar cap. The web may be configured such that at least a portion of an inner surface of the web is disposed outside of the cross-sectional area.
US08186944B2
A turbocharger (1) with a variable turbine geometry (VTG), includes a guide baffle (18), which has a blade bearing ring (6) with a plurality of guide blades (7), each of the latter having a blade shaft (8) that is mounted on the blade bearing ring (6). The guide baffle also has an adjusting ring (5), which interacts with the guide blades (7) by means of associated blade levers (20), which are fixed to the blade shafts (8) by one of their ends (21). The other end (22) of each blade lever (20) is provided with a lever head (23), which can be engaged in an associated engagement recess (24) of the adjusting ring (5). Each blade lever (20) is asymmetrical and has a bearing lug (25) in the form of an arched segment on only one side of the central section (26).
US08186941B2
A swing structure for a ceiling fan includes a reduction motor disposed with a driving wheel having its center fixed with a connecting rod. An intermediate aluminum ring is mounted on the outer circumference of the weight center of a fan motor, having a swing spindle provided with at least one first bearing, and a threading spindle disposed at the other end set therein with a second bearing. The swing spindle has one end connected with the connecting rod. The swing velocity of the ceiling fan is controlled by the reduction motor not affected by different rotating velocities of the fan motor. A hanging tube has its lower ends respectively fixed with the swing spindle and the threading spindle and its upper end secured on a support base, enabling a ceiling fan in stalled at different angles and still able to swing smoothly.
US08186935B2
A steam turbine includes a casing including a steam inlet and an exhaust, the casing enclosing operative structure of the steam turbine; a valve controlling introduction of a steam flow at a location of the steam turbine to impact an enthalpic condition of steam exiting the exhaust; and a controller controlling operation of the valve to attain a desired enthalpic condition of steam exiting the exhaust. Controlling operation of the valve allows for attainment of a desired enthalpic condition of the steam exiting the exhaust for use in another industrial process without having to modify the steam turbine structure.
US08186933B2
Systems, methods and apparatus for passive purge flow control in a turbine are provided. Various embodiments of the invention include providing a path for air to flow to a bore of a rotor with a plurality of stacked wheels. The air flow path includes at least one inlet hole on a rotor structure and a plurality of holes in at least some of the stacked wheels. The method further involves control of air flow to the at least one inlet hole based at least in part on axial deflection between the rotor and an associated stator during the gas turbine operation. Additionally, a portion of the air flowing into the inlet hole is directed through the plurality of holes in the at least some of the stacked wheels to purge the rotor.
US08186922B2
An exemplary multi-piece locating pin for a turbocharger assembly includes a screw piece with a nub and a securing feature to secure the screw piece in a housing of a turbocharger assembly and a pin piece with a receptacle configured to receive the nub and a locating surface to locate a bearing in a bore of the housing. An exemplary turbocharger assembly includes a housing with a bore, a bearing positioned in the bore where the bearing has a wall opening and a multi-piece locating pin secured to the housing and inserted at least partially in the wall opening to axially locate the bearing in the bore. Other exemplary pins, arrangements and methods are also disclosed.
US08186909B2
In an artificial sea-mount constructed by piling up a plurality of block bodies on the seabed to vertically mix water mass in a peripheral sea area using a tidal current, ocean current, and internal wave in that sea area, a cone array formed from three or more cones is constructed linearly on the seabed, and the vertex interval between the cones is set to 0.75 times to 2 times the bottom radius of the cone. It is possible to generate an upwelling current even in the deep sea area by inverted triangle-shaped gaps formed between the cones and the conic surfaces of the cones, and thus obtain effective upwelling flux.
US08186908B2
A platform includes main transverse beams (“MTBs”), each supported by at least one hoist. It is determined whether a load on any MTB is different from the load on any other MTB by more than a predetermined amount. An MTB which has a load different from the load on any other MTB by more than a predetermined amount is selected and then vertically moved with respect to the other MTBs within a predetermined safety limit to transfer load between the selected MTB and the other MTBs while monitoring the loads on each MTB and the position of the selected MTB as vertical movement of the selected MTB proceeds. The monitored loads and position are compared with the safety limit; and the movement of the selected MTB stopped when either the desired load transfer is completed or the safety limit has been met.
US08186903B2
The invention is related to a fastener assembly of the kind used to secure a gas turbine engine rotor disc assembly on a shaft in a situation which otherwise would required the use of a trapped nut. It thereby removes a design constraint limiting bore diameter of the disc assembly to permit access to a securing nut on the shaft, and avoids the use of a trapped nut. One of the rotors hubs is adapted to be mounted on the shaft and the securing nut is engaged with a thread on the shaft to trap the hub. In the improvement of the invention the hub is provided with an axial keyway through which the securing nut is passed into the limited access space. Once the shaft is engaged with the hub the nut is then engaged with the thread on the shaft and tightened using a special tool extending through the centre of the shaft. The tool is withdrawn after use. The nut may be undone and retrieved in an opposite operation.
US08186888B2
A semi-floating vehicle wheel bearing apparatus is structured as a unit with a wheel hub (1,14) and a double row rolling bearing (2, 15). The wheel hub inner circumferential surface includes a serration (8). One or more inner rings (10) are press-fit onto a cylindrical portion (7) of the wheel hub (1, 14). An outer member (4) is arranged around the inner member (3, 16). The outer member (4) is formed with double row outer raceway surfaces (4a) on its inner circumferential surface opposite to inner raceway surfaces (10a). Double row rolling elements (5) are arranged between the inner and outer raceway surfaces (10a, 4a). A partition wall (9) is integrally formed on the wheel hub (1, 14), at its outboard side, to close a central bore of the wheel hub (1, 14).
US08186885B2
A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus with a back-to-back double row tapered roller bearing has an outer member integrally with a body mounting flange and double row outer raceway surfaces tapered open respectively axially inward and outward. An inner member include a wheel hub and an inner ring or an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint. The wheel hub has a wheel mounting flange and one inner raceway surface arranged oppositely to one of the double row outer raceway surfaces and a cylindrical portion. The inner ring or the outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint are press fit onto the cylindrical portion and include the other inner raceway surface arranged opposite to the other raceway surface of the double row outer raceway surfaces. Double row tapered rollers are freely rollably held between the outer and inner raceway surfaces by cages. Seals are arranged in annular openings formed by the outer and inner members. The cages are formed of synthetic resin. Posts between pockets of the cages are arranged to be positioned radially inward of the pitch circle diameter of the tapered rollers. The width of an opening radially inward of each pocket is set so that each tapered roller is held within the pocket. The contacting tapered surfaces of the posts open radially outward so that the rollers do not fall out radially inward.
US08186883B2
A cover-bearing arrangement for mounting a shaft which extends into a housing in the region of a housing opening and for closing off the housing in the region of the housing opening. The arrangement comprises a sleeve section which surrounds the shaft and which can be inserted into the housing opening, and a flange section which can be fastened to the housing. A bearing for rotatably mounting the shaft is arranged in the sleeve section. The sleeve section and the flange section are produced as a single-piece component from plastic.
US08186875B2
System, computer software and method for determining a susceptibility to reheat cracking of a sample of material, which includes a welded area. The method includes measuring a length of the sample, applying a first stress to the sample to achieve a predetermined elongation of the sample, exposing the elongated sample to a predefined heat treatment, applying a second stress to the sample until the sample breaks at least into two different pieces, and determining the susceptibility of the broken sample to reheat cracking.
US08186867B2
A light guide plate and a side-emitting backlight module having the same are disclosed. The light guide plate includes a transparent substrate, a plurality of prisms and a plurality of condensing lenses. The prisms are arranged side by side on one surface of the transparent substrate. The condensing lenses are disposed between two adjacent prisms, and distributed from sparsely to densely along a direction of a crest line of each of the prisms.
US08186860B2
A dome structure has dimensions such as to house the cockpit of an aircraft. An ordered arrangement of light-emitting panels (10), able to be switched on or off selectively, forms at least a part of the inner vault of the dome. A floodlight (16) is mounted on a movable support arm (17) such that it can be selectively positioned around or above the cockpit and directed so as to project a beam of light onto the cockpit. Preferably a part of the inner vault of the dome consists of an ordered arrangement of reflective panels (11).
US08186855B2
A device for illuminating a space comprising is discussed. In one variation, the device includes: a central body portion, with a length and a width, and including two plates running along the length of the central body portion wherein the two plates are separated by a spacer; an opening for the removal of heat during operation of the device that extends along a portion of the length of the central body portion, a light emitting diode on the central body portion; a reflector, extending from the central body portion, for reflecting light emitted by the light emitting diode towards the illuminated space. Other variations are also discussed as are methods for using suitable variations for retrofitting existing non-light emitting diode light sources.
US08186840B2
A standard illuminant apparatus suitable for providing a standard optical property of LED for measurement is provided. The standard illuminant apparatus comprises an illuminant module and light shape control module, wherein the illuminant module is capable of providing light, and the light shape control module is capable of receiving the light and transforming the light shape of the light to a predetermined light shape as a LED light shape.
US08186838B2
The invention discloses an optical lens for a light-emitting device. The optical lens includes a translucent body which has a concave inner surface to which light is incident. The inner surface includes a first region and a second region opposite to the first region. The first region and the second region are both substantially straight planes and extend inclinedly from the edge of the inner surface to the center of the inner surface respectively, so as to connect with each other. Thereby, the optical lens of the invention is capable of contributing to an elliptic light field.
US08186834B2
An illumination apparatus includes: a red light valve configured to modulate red component light according to a red input signal; a green light valve configured to modulate green component light according to a green input signal; a blue light valve configured to modulate blue component light according to a blue input signal; a fourth color light valve configured to modulate a fourth color component light; and a color combiner configured to combine light emitted from the red light valve, the green light valve and the blue light valve. The fourth color component light emitted from the fourth color light valve enters a certain light valve, which is any one of the red light valve, the green light valve and the blue light valve.
US08186830B2
An improved aberrometer is disclosed having a variable visible illumination fixation target for controlling pupil size for the diagnostic images.
US08186828B2
The prism glasses include movable prism lenses and, optionally. detachable temples. The movable lenses permit the user to alter the viewing angle from substantially 90 degrees downward to substantially 90 degrees upward. The glasses include a planar frame plate, a bridge, a forward outboard face and view ports therethrough. Two prisms, one for each view port, transmit the image. Prism frames have mounting elements for attachment and detachment to complementary mount elements on the frame. The mounts permit either rotation or removal and re-insertion on the frame. In a first mode of operation, the prism transmits a 90 degrees image. The prism mounts cooperate with the complementary frame mounts and the prism lenses can be (a) removed and re-positioned at a 180 degrees position or (b) moved 180 degrees from the downward 90 degree viewpoint to an upward 90 degree viewpoint to the second operational mode.
US08186817B2
A fluid transport apparatus facilitates flow of fluid from a source to a receptacle. The fluid transport apparatus includes a fluid transport conduit for transport of fluid through the conduit, the conduit being coupled between a fluid supply and a fluid receptacle, a compressor conduit proximate the fluid transport conduit along a portion of the fluid transport conduit between the fluid supply and the fluid receptacle, and a pump coupled to the compressor conduit for injecting fluid into the compressor conduit, and a vent that is operated to selectively enable pressurization and venting of the compressor conduit to compress and decompress the portion of the fluid transport conduit proximate the compressor conduit to pump fluid through the fluid transport conduit.
US08186810B2
A liquid ejecting head includes: a flow path unit including a nozzle forming member with a plurality of nozzle orifices provided in a row, and a flow path forming substrate made of a metal, in which pressure generating chambers in communication with the nozzle orifices are formed; and an actuator unit for giving a pressure fluctuation to the pressure generating chambers, wherein a recess portion is formed in a side of the flow path forming substrate, which faces the nozzle forming member, in a sunken state from a surface of the flow path forming substrate, and a heater is received in the recess portion.
US08186800B2
A printer system includes a main printer having a first head and a waste ink tank for accommodating any waste ink; and a portable type sub printer having a second head which is detachable with respect to the main printer. The waste ink tank accommodates the waste ink discharged from the second head of the sub printer installed to the main printer. Accordingly, the printer system is provided, wherein it is unnecessary to provide any waste ink tank in the portable type sub printer, an ink tank of the sub printer can be allowed to have a large volume, and it is unnecessary to provide any exclusive station for processing any waste ink of the sub printer.
US08186797B2
An inkjet printer includes a platen having a placing face, a printing device, and a printing medium feeding device. A guide is provided on a feeding-out side via which a printing medium is to be fed out from the platen. The guide has a guide face. A printing medium temperature raising device is to heat the guide face so as to raise a temperature of the printing medium placed on the guide face. A temperature raising preventing device is provided between the guide face of the guide and a portion of the placing face facing a printing target region. The temperature raising preventing device is configured to prevent an extended portion of the printing medium from being heated by the printing medium temperature raising device. The extended portion corresponds an area which is extended to the feeding-out side by a predetermined length from the printing target region.
US08186791B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head with a group of nozzles. The liquid ejecting apparatus drives a pressure generating element to generate pressure variation in a liquid in a pressure generating chamber and ejects the liquid from the nozzles using the pressure variation. A driving signal generating unit generates a driving signal including an ejection driving pulse which drives the pressure generating element. An ejection control unit controls application of the ejection driving pulse to the pressure generating element to control a liquid ejecting operation of the liquid ejecting head. The driving signal generating unit generates first and second ejection driving pulses. The ejection control unit calculates a timing at which the amount of the ejected liquid becomes a predetermined correction target value in transition of the ejected liquid amount of each nozzle from a start of the ejecting operation.
US08186790B2
Apparatus and methods for producing a drop from a Drop on demand (DOD) dispenser, the drop having a radius that is much smaller than the radius of the nozzle that expels the drop. Generally, the Ohnesorge number is less than about 0.1. Various embodiments of the invention are found within a four dimensional space defined in terms of the Ohnesorge number, the Weber number, the actuation frequency, and the initial conditions.
US08186789B2
For a temperature adjustment process that uses high viscosity ink and is based on a first table, in a low temperature environment, an ink refill failure may occur and lower density may appear in high duty printing. Also for a temperature adjustment process that uses high viscosity ink and is based on second and third tables, in a low temperature environment, an ink refill failure may occur and lower density may appear. On the other hand, for a temperature adjustment process that employs a fourth table, a smaller pre-heat pulse width than that for the first table, for the conventional temperature adjustment, is employed in the same low temperature environment. Therefore, an ink refill failure does not occur, and horizontal or vertical gaps do not appear during high duty printing.
US08186787B2
A method for printing information on a print medium, such as a mailpiece, that includes determining a thickness of the medium while it is being transported toward a print head, such as an ink jet print head, causing the distance between the top surface of the medium the print head when the medium is located below the print head to be within a specified range based on the determined thickness, and printing the information on the print medium. Also, an apparatus includes a printing station having a print head, a transport mechanism for transporting the medium toward the printing station, and a thickness measuring mechanism. The apparatus is structured to cause the distance between the top surface of the medium and a portion of the print head when the medium is located below the print head to be within a specified distance range based on the thickness of the medium.
US08186785B1
An ink status conveyance system comprises a maximum monitored ink level sensor operable with respect to an ink source for holding a supply of ink and delivering the ink to a printhead. The ink level sensor is configured to detect when an available amount of ink in the ink source corresponds to an ample ink level. A notification controller is configured to track the available amount of ink in the ink source between an ample ink level and an ink out level. The notification controller is configured to compare the user designated low ink notification set point to the available ink volume value to generate a low ink notification when the available ink volume value corresponds to the user designated low ink notification set point.
US08186783B2
While a conveying error of a roller depends on the eccentricity of the roller, the amount and the state of the eccentricity sometimes makes the roller have different conveying errors from one point in the longitudinal direction of the roller to another. There is provided a construction for obtaining a correction value that is suitable for the correction of the conveying error even in such a case as described above. To this end, plural test patterns are formed in the longitudinal direction of the roller. Then, a suitable correction value for correcting the conveying error that depends on the eccentricity of the roller is obtained on the basis of these test patterns.
US08186773B2
Disclosed is a method for controlling a brake system (1) of a motor vehicle, which includes an electric generator (4) and a number of hydraulic, electronically controllable friction brakes (2) being allocated to axles of the motor vehicle, and the brake torque of which is composed of the brake torque of the generator (4) and the brake torque of the friction brakes (2), is intended to safeguard great brake comfort of the brake system (1). To this end, a number of friction brakes (2) are connected only when the total nominal brake torque exceeds the total actual brake torque by a selected maximum brake torque difference.
US08186770B2
A method for controlling and/or regulating an electronically triggerable vehicle brake system, operating on the return principle, and to such a brake system in which by an adapted triggering of the drive motor for the pressure generator, the pumping quantity of the pressure generator is varied such that the difference between these flows of pressure medium to and from the master cylinder assumes a minimal value, preferably a value of zero. To that end, the driving rpm of the pressure generator is preferably varied. The trigger signal for the drive motor can be ascertained by an electronic control unit from measurement outcomes from sensors within the vehicle brake system, or it can be estimated with the aid of a hydraulic volume model stored in memory in the control unit. The trigger signal can be controlled or regulated.
US08186767B2
The two-piece wheel rim assembly includes first and second hub sections affixed together and rotatably mounted on an axle by a set of bearings which are longitudinally spaced apart on the axle. The hub sections have radially inboard wall segments and radially outboard segments. The inboard segments form a radial cavity about the axle longitudinally bounded by the bearings. An oil bath substantially fills the radial cavity except for a small thermal expansion air pocket. The thermal expansion air pocket is positioned above the axle and the bearings when the hub-tire combination is in use. The thermal expansion air pocket has a nominal size only sufficient to account for thermal expansion and contraction of the wheel.
US08186763B2
The invention relates to a road-milling machine which has a ladder 11 to allow the driver's position 7 of the civil engineering machine to be climbed to easily. The ladder is mounted on one 1B of the two longitudinal sides of the frame 1 of the machine to be pivotable about an axis of pivot 27 extending substantially at right angles to the direction of travel. The ladder can thus be folded upwards to widen the working range of the machine. However, should the ladder not be in a state where it is folded upwards while the machine is being used to do work, the ladder cannot be damaged against obstacles which suddenly make an appearance in the working range. Should the ladder hit against an obstacle, the ladder is able to move out of the way of the obstacle by pivoting out of the vertical position in the opposite direction to the direction of travel. A further advantage of the ladder lies in the fact that the ladder can easily be folded upwards or downwards not only from the ground but also from the driver's position.
US08186761B2
A suspended pixelated seating structure provides ergonomic, adaptable seating support. The suspended pixelated seating structure includes multiple cooperative layers to maximize global comfort and support while enhancing adaptation to localized variations in a load, such as in the load applied when a person sits in a chair. The cooperative layers each use independent elements such as pixels, springs, support rails, and other elements to provide this adaptable comfort and support. The suspended pixelated seating structure also uses aligned material to provide a flexible yet durable suspended seating structure. Accordingly, the suspended pixelated seating structure provides maximum comfort for a wide range of body shapes and sizes.
US08186757B2
A child restraint including a seat support and a juvenile vehicle seat removably coupled to the seat support. The juvenile vehicle seat may be reclined with respect to the seat support.
US08186755B2
A canopy for an article of furniture, such as a chair, having a seat portion and a back portion. The canopy includes a pair of arm structure and a flexible covering extending therebetween. Each arm structure includes an upright member including a proximal end portion extending from the back portion of the chair, a distal end portion, and a medial portion extending therebetween. The arm structure also includes a cantilever member pivotable about the distal end portion and a brace pivotably attached to the cantilever member and selectively positionable along the medial portion, thereby providing angle adjustment of the cantilever member relative to the seat portion. The flexible covering may include a plurality of panel sections, extending between the pair of arm structures and retained thereto by a pair of tethers or tabs each connecting to one of the cantilever members.
US08186747B2
The present invention provides an integrated composite floor unit and front wall assembly that can be used in a variety of structures. The integrated composite floor unit and front wall assembly is formed of a floor unit having a front portion and a front wall integrally formed with and rising up from the front portion of the floor unit. The assembly can include other structural features and may be easily combined with a number of further structural components to form a structure. In specific embodiments, the assembly forms part of a modular trailer. In particular, the trailer can be formed of the composite assembly, a composite roof, composite side walls, and a composite rear frame. Such composite trailers advantageously provide a storage volume approximately equal to or greater than conventional trailers but are lighter in weight, thus allowing for storage and/or hauling of a greater weight of cargo than in conventional trailers.
US08186744B1
A convertible bed for a recreational vehicle has a sliding section and an inclining section. The sliding section is engageable with a frame for sliding movement relative to the frame between an extended position and a retracted position. The inclining section is pivotally combined and slidable with the sliding section. The inclining section is positioned for movement relative to the frame between a substantially flat position when the sliding section is in the extended position and an inclined position when the sliding section is in the retracted position.
US08186743B2
A vehicle sliding door structure includes an inner door panel, an outer door panel, a reinforcing bracket and a first bulkhead. The inner door panel has a vertically oriented reinforced section extending along an outboard facing surface thereof adjacent to a rearward side of an outer peripheral edge thereof. The reinforced section has a latch mechanism supporting part proximate a mid-region of the rearward side of the outer peripheral edge. The outer door panel is fixed to the outer peripheral edge of the inner door panel. The reinforcing bracket is fixedly attached to the outboard facing surface of the inner door panel along a region of the reinforced section that extends from below the latch mechanism supporting part to above the latch mechanism supporting part. The first bulkhead is fixedly attached to the reinforcing bracket and extends from the reinforcing bracket toward the outer door panel.
US08186739B2
The invention includes a lift system for lifting a topper relative to a pickup truck box. The system is configured to lift the topper in a translational manner, such that the topper does not pivot with respect to the pickup box.
US08186736B2
A hinge mechanism 29 that rotatably provides a luggage board 27 and an auxiliary board 28 continuously with each other while interposing an integral hinge 13 therebetween, in which a space portion S is provided between mutually opposite end surfaces 20 and 21 of the luggage board 27 and the auxiliary board 28, wherein a restoring force generation portion 30a of a spring member 30 is housed in the space portion S, and in addition, both end portions 31 and 32 of the spring member 30 are fixed to the luggage board 27 and the auxiliary board 28, respectively.
US08186726B2
A latching mechanism to connect a cover to a housing includes a catch and a catching portion. The catch is disposed on the cover. The catch includes a latching end and a connecting portion. The catching portion is defined in the housing. The catching portion includes a first hole and a second hole communicating with each other. The first hole is larger than or substantially equal to the diameter of the latching end, the second hole is larger than the connecting portion and smaller than the latching end, and a joint of the first hole and second hole is smaller than the diameter of the connecting portion. The present disclosure further provides an electronic device including the latching mechanism.
US08186725B2
A pipe coupling support having a substantially rigid body with an inner surface formed to mate with at least a portion of the exterior surface of a pipe coupling installed on pipe. In many cases, the exterior surface of the installed pipe coupling will be non-cylindrical. For example, when pipes of differing diameters or pipes manufactured from different materials must be joined with commonly available pliable couplings. In this instance the inner surface of the body of the pipe coupling support may be formed to mate with a majority of or substantially the entire exterior surface of the installed pipe coupling.
US08186724B2
A thick-wall small-diameter high-pressure fuel injection pipe has a spherical seat surface, an annular flange, and a conical surface continued from the seat surface at a connecting end of the pipe. If the pipe is configured so that t (thickness)/D (outer diameter)<0.3, then an axial distance from the connecting head end to the back face of the annular flange is 0.38D to 0.6D, a spherical radius of the seat surface is 0.45D to 0.65D, the annular flange outer diameter is 1.2D to 1.4D, and an inner peripheral surface of the head has a substantially flat cylindrical surface or a conical surface. If the pipe is configured so that t (thickness)/D (outer diameter)≧0.3, then the axial distance from the connecting head end to the back face of the annular flange is 0.38D to 0.7D.
US08186721B2
A spherical annular seal member includes a spherical annular base member defined by a cylindrical inner surface, a partially convex spherical outer surface, and large- and small-diameter-side annular end faces and of the partially convex spherical outer surface, as well as an expandable annular coating layer formed integrally on the cylindrical inner surface of the spherical annular base member. The coating layer consists of a mixture of acid-treated graphite and wax.
US08186717B2
A wheel segment for the pivotal mounting of a base plate to a support jack, wherein the wheel segment has a partially cylindrical jacket element having a winding surface that is curved on the underside of said jacket element, and two side walls positioned radially on the jacket element, wherein a stop point is configured in the upper section thereof. An arrangement of a wheel segment is further protected at a support jack. The aim of the invention, among others, is to produce a wheel segment in a cost-effective manner while maintaining equal stability. Said aim is attained according to the invention by a wheel segment that is produced as a one-piece casting.
US08186715B2
An airbag comprises a right half airbag to be inflated on a front right side of an occupant, a left half airbag to be inflated on a front left side of the occupant, and a base-end chamber that communicates with base-end sides of the right half airbag and the left half airbag. A vertically extended concave portion exists on a surface of the inflated airbag that faces the occupant. The upper parts of the right half airbag and the left half airbag, and the lower parts of the right half airbag and the left half airbag are stitched together by seams, and the intermediate parts of the right half airbag and the left half airbag are stitched together by a seam. The seam is provided at the deepest location. The concave portion is shallow in the upper part and lower part thereof.
US08186714B2
Vents in inflatable airbags can be used to soften airbags during deployment by allowing inflation gas to exit from the interior of the airbag. Airbag vents can be used in conjunction with vents in an airbag housing and a vent panel that can align with the airbag vent with the housing vent and cover the aperture of the housing vent.
US08186710B2
A post-deployment, position-stabilized curtain airbag has a top edge from which an inflatable safety cushion is supported by a vehicle for deployment into a vehicle passenger compartment between occupant and occupant enclosure. A fill chamber is secured to the top edge of the safety cushion. An inflatable structural member is mechanically connected to the safety cushion. The fill chamber directs pressurized gas into the safety cushion and the structural member. The structural member deploys into the passenger compartment between the safety cushion and occupant enclosure limiting outboard displacement of the safety cushion. The structural member fully deploys after the safety cushion. Another structural member deploys along the top edge of the safety cushion limiting pivoting of the safety cushion there relative to the fill chamber. Pressurized gas enters each structural member through auxiliary passageways having oppositely directed entrances and outlets.
US08186709B2
A vehicle interior trim panel is provided with a rigid trim portion and a flexible trim portion. The rigid trim portion includes an assist grip opening. The flexible trim portion is attached to the rigid trim portion along an edge of the assist grip opening with the flexible trim portion at least partially covering the assist grip opening of the rigid trim portion.
US08186706B2
A foldable stroller frame has a frame structure with two laterally spaced apart frame sides. The frame structure is three dimensionally foldable from an in-use configuration to a folded configuration. A fold joint assembly is provided on a part of the frame structure and is configured to maintain the frame structure in the in-use configuration. An actuator is coupled to the frame structure and is capable of actuation with one hand of a user to release the fold joint assembly. The frame structure can then move from the in-use configuration to the folded configuration using only the one hand and the frame sides are laterally closer to one another in the folded configuration than in the in-use configuration.
US08186704B2
Taught herein is a trailer having a gooseneck that can be engaged with the fifth wheel of a road tractor, rear truck unit, and a detachable cargo deck connecting the gooseneck with the truck unit. The cargo deck may be detached from the gooseneck and rested on the ground to allow heavy equipment to be loaded onto the cargo deck. The cargo deck can be reattached to the gooseneck, and elevated and locked into any one of three positions, each substantially parallel with the road, by an elevating means in the gooseneck and the truck unit. Thus the trailer of the present invention can be configured to accommodate cargo have a wide range of weight and size.
US08186703B2
A tow cable kit is mounted to a pin support member which is attached to a frame of the vehicle. The pin support member includes an upper plate and a lower plate. Each plate has a front bore and a rear bore. The front bores receive a front towing pin, and the rear bores receive a rear towing pin. The front towing pin is received by a towing cable, the rear towing pin is received by a drawbar. The tow cable kit includes a floater plate which is spaced apart from the pin support member and is coupled to both towing pins. The floater plate has a pair of spaced apart bores for receiving the towing pins and for protecting snap rings which are mounted on the towing pins.
US08186700B2
A wheelchair includes a seat, one or more wheels and a seat weight sensing mechanism. The wheel includes a brake for stopping the wheel. The seat weight sensing mechanism is placed below the seat and is connected to the brake. When the seat is loaded by a weight more than a predetermined value, the seat weight sensing mechanism releases the brake to free the wheel. When the seat is not loaded by a weight more than a predetermined value, the brake stops the wheel.
US08186688B2
A shaft sealing device in which a load acting on a sliding section of the device is reduced to extend the life of the device and which permits no leakage of fluid in a machine to an atmospheric air. The shaft sealing device has seals arranged in three stages in the axial direction between a seal case and a rotating shaft passed through the inner periphery of the seal case. A first-stage seal on the machine's inner side and a third-stage seal on the machine's outer side have contact type mechanical seal structures in which a rotational sealing element and a stationary sealing element are in close sliding contact with each other. The intermediate second-stage seal has a contactless mechanical seal structure in which a rotational sealing element and a stationary sealing element are kept by dynamic pressure so as not to be in contact with each other. A high-pressure sealing liquid is supplied by the pressure of fluid in the machine to an annular space surrounded by that portion of the seal case which extends from the first-stage seal to the second-stage seal.
US08186679B2
A board game 10 comprising a plurality of game pieces 12 in which each group of four game pieces 14 is uniquely color coded and used by one particular player during the game. A board 16 is provided having separate sections 18 with identical layouts for each player, each including starting positions 20, a continuous path of twenty-five numbered field positions 22, and home positions 24. The roll of a die 30 determines how each player moves. On each turn a player may advance one of their own game pieces 12 through their respective quadrant 18 or alternatively knock back one of their opponents' game pieces 12. Also, during play each player has opportunities to position their own game pieces to protect them from being knocked back. Ultimately each player tries to be the first player to successfully move all four of their game pieces 14 from their starting positions 20 to their home positions 24 to win the game.
US08186675B2
Systems and methods are provided for controlling substrate flatness for sensor measurements in printing device using vacuum and/or the flow or air. A source of low pressure, such as a vacuum, may be provided. A printed sheet of media may be transported between upper and lower transport baffles that are generally spaced apart to permit the sheet of media to pass. Located on one of transport baffles may be a sensor to measure a property of the printed sheet. The source of low pressure is connected to the one of the transport baffle so as to draw the surface of the sheet toward the sensor. In addition, air flow may be directed to the opposite surface of the sheet to urge it toward the sensor.
US08186672B2
An indicator, such as an alarm or warning, is generated to indicate that a document storage cassette attached to a document handling device (e.g., a currency validator) has reached a particular capacity or is approaching its full capacity.
US08186665B2
A locking device locks or separates a first paper feed tray to a second paper feed tray in a state where the first paper feed tray and the second paper feed tray being arranged in parallel at a storage position of an image forming apparatus. The locking device includes an engaging mechanism that can be set to an interlocked state. When the engaging mechanism is in an interlocked state, and when a drawing tray is drawn out from the storage position, a drawn tray is drawn out after the drawing tray is drawn out for a predetermined distance from the storage position.
US08186661B2
A wafer holder for holding a semiconductor wafer during a thermal wafer treatment process. The wafer holder includes at least three wafer supports. Each wafer support includes an upright shaft and a plurality of flexible fibers supported by the shaft in positions such that at least some of the fibers engage the semiconductor wafer when the wafer rests on the wafer supports.
US08186658B2
A suspension system for a seat assembly of a machine includes an upper support member and a lower support member. A plurality of vertically aligned guide pins interconnect the upper and lower support members, and are telescopically movable to adjust a distance between the upper and lower support members. A plurality of suspension devices are operatively connected to the upper and lower support members for biasing the upper support member away from the lower support member.
US08186650B2
A line retrieval system comprises a retrieval device having a radially magnetized magnet adapted to be magnetically coupled to an object disposed on an opposite side of a structure for drawing the object in a desired direction relative to the structure.
US08186645B2
A brace for use in tilt-up construction is disclosed. The brace includes a bottom surface and a vertical side surface. The bottom surface of the brace is affixed to a permanent horizontal surface (e.g., a slab) in a manner that allows the brace to be removed without damaging the permanent horizontal surface. The vertical side surface of the brace is attached to a concrete pour form. The bottom surface of the brace is affixed to the permanent horizontal surface using an adhesive. Alternatively, a shoe is attached to the permanent horizontal surface and the brace sits in the shoe. A flange is releasably securable with the brace to batter the form when the flange is place in contact therewith. Alternatively, the shoe has an upwardly extending inclined ramp that is operable to orient the brace so that the vertical side surface of the brace is disposed at a battering angle to batter the form.
US08186644B2
A mold assembly for use with an automated dry cast concrete machine including a plurality of mold cavities, each mold cavity formed by a plurality of liner plates, wherein at least one liner plate of each mold cavity is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to an interior of the mold cavity. The mold assembly further includes a master bar in mechanical communication with the at least one moveable liner plate of each of the mold cavities, and an actuator configured to drive the master bar in a first direction and a second direction, which is opposite the first direction, to respectively direct movement of the at least one moveable liner plate of each of the mold cavities between the extended and retracted positions.
US08186642B2
A portable device accessory is used to hold, grip or manipulate a portable device such as and not limited to mobile phones, MP3 players, portable entertainment/computing devices, and/or gaming devices. The accessory possesses two suctions cups connected by a neck and having an aperture for receiving a jack on earphone. Certain embodiments of the accessory will have tabs, ridges, groove and/or a space to receive earphones. The accessory permits a jack of earphones to be threaded through an aperture and the cord of the earphones to be wrapped around the accessory. The suction cups may be inverted to conceal the cord wrapped around a neck of the accessory and tabs may be used to hold inverted suction cups together.
US08186639B2
The present invention is to provide a bracket, which comprises a main body having a first end with two sides horizontally pivoted to a first end of a horizontal support element respectively and a second end vertically pivoted to a first end of a vertical support element, so that a second end of each of the horizontal support elements can be opened away from each other and a second end of the vertical support element can be extended to an inclined angle away from the horizontal support elements. Thus, when lower surfaces of the two horizontal support elements are placed on a plane (such as a desk surface), a user can place a table electronic device stably on a virtual inclined support plane formed between the vertical and horizontal support elements.
US08186637B2
A mounting system configured to provide a plurality of image adjustments for a media device mounted thereon. A lower adapter plate is operatively connected to a media device top surface, the lower adapter plate being adjustably connected to an upper adapter plate. A support arm assembly is selectively coupled at a first end thereof to the upper adapter plate. A second end of the support arm assembly is coupled to a support bracket assembly that is configured to be adjustably mounted to a support structure. A plurality of adjustment mechanisms are secured to the adapter plate assembly at an upper adapter plate top surface, whereby operation of the adjustment mechanisms results in a corresponding movement of the media device.
US08186626B1
A system for determining and controlling an orbit of a spacecraft may include a GPS receiver mounted to the spacecraft to receive GPS information from a plurality of GPS satellites visible to the GPS receiver for determining a position of the spacecraft relative to a reference coordinate system. The system may also include a filter configuration control module to sense a thruster maneuver operation to adjust the orbit of the spacecraft. The system may also include an orbit determination filter to determine at least one of a spacecraft position, velocity, and residue acceleration based on the GPS information and information from the filter configuration control module related to the thruster maneuver operation.
US08186624B2
An aerial delivery system is configured to allow delivery of one or more releasable items after the system is extracted from an aircraft. One or more linear guidance devices and releasable securing mechanisms allow the aerial delivery system to deploy one or more releasable items at an appropriate time. The one or more releasable items may be deployed simultaneously, or in a staged or staggered fashion. Through use of drag or lift-producing devices, the system may be recovered and reused. The attitude and/or azimuth orientation of the system may be varied prior to, during, and/or after release of a releasable item.
US08186617B2
An aircraft having a lambda-box wing configuration includes, a fuselage, a propulsion system, a first pair of swept-back airfoils, connected to the top forward portion of the fuselage, a second pair of swept-forward airfoils, connected to the lower rear portion of the fuselage at a point of the said fuselage aft of the connection of the swept-back airfoils, and a third pair of substantially vertical airfoils, the tips of the swept-forward airfoils being connected to the lower side of the swept-back airfoils at an intermediate point of the span of the said swept-back airfoils, by the substantially vertical airfoils, the swept-back airfoils having a higher aspect ratio than that of the swept-forward airfoils, which makes the swept-back airfoils have a reduced induced drag without penalizing their weight.
US08186616B2
A hybrid transonic-subsonic airfoil is provided that combines subsonic and transonic features for achieving simultaneously acceptable aerodynamic characteristics at low subsonic and high transonic Mach numbers.
US08186615B2
A remote controlled helicopter of a single rotor type to be used indoors, having a flying operation that can be stabilized and operability that can be improved. The helicopter includes a center hub that supports a rotor head to a mainmast, and is divided into an upper center hub and a lower center hub. The upper and the lower center hubs are fixed around the shaft of the mainmast with a predetermined angle. A phase angle of a main rotor as an output with respect to an operation input from a swash plate becomes an acute angle, and the main rotor and a stabilizer are mounted to rotate with a phase difference of the acute angle.
US08186611B1
A segmented knife assembly for a mixer apparatus is disclosed. The knife assembly has a front, a rear, and a perimeter with a cutting edge forming a portion of the perimeter. The segmented knife assembly includes a support portion positioned toward the rear of the knife assembly for positioning on the auger of the mixer apparatus when the knife assembly is mounted on the mixer apparatus, and a positioning portion on the support portion and defining at least one positioning pocket, with the pocket being oriented toward the cutting edge of the knife assembly. The assembly also include a cutting portion removably positioned in the pocket of the positioning portion. The cutting portion includes a cutting edge section that forms at least a portion of the cutting edge of the knife assembly.
US08186601B2
A charge pump is incorporated into circuitry of an RFID tag. The charge pump takes advantage of an antenna voltage phase to eliminate the need for a charge pump clock generator. Placement of the charge pump in the RFID circuitry reduces the number of pump stages and eliminates drivers used in each pump stage. In some implementations, an RFID tag comprises antenna circuitry, including a tuned antenna, for receiving an RF signal. Voltage conversion circuitry in the RFID tag is coupled to the antenna circuitry and operable for converting a varying magnetic field produced in the antenna to a voltage source. A charge pump is coupled to output voltage signals of the antenna circuitry which provide the charge pump with a high starting reference voltage and a two phase pump clock.
US08186598B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing a transparent or translucent transaction card having multiple features. An optically recognizable compound may be associated with a portion of the card for blocking infrared radiation and may comprise an infrared ink having nanocrystalline indium tin oxide particles. Moreover, a portion of the transaction card may include a second optically recognizable compound disposed thereon. The second optically recognizable compound may comprise an infrared phthalocyanine dye, an infrared phosphor, and a quantum dot energy transfer compound. The infrared ink may be detected by a sensor found in an ATM or card assembly line.
US08186596B2
A device, methods and system for outputting selective rows of pixels from an image capture device. A command implemented by the image capture device of the form “Skip N, Out M” causes the image capture device to cycle through the all rows of pixels in the image capture device, outputting “M” sequential rows and skipping “N” sequential rows until all rows in the image capture device have been processed.
US08186594B2
The characteristic variations of a printer largely influence the recognition precision of code information, and the recognition precision of code information appended to printed matter cannot often be guaranteed depending on printers. To solve this problem, a printer forms a predetermined chart, and the image forming characteristics of the printer are detected from the code information recorded on the chart. A generation method of generating code information obtained by encoding information to a regular sequence of a pixel cluster is controlled in accordance with the image forming characteristics.
US08186593B2
In an exemplary embodiment, a method is employed to read an overprinted barcode. An RGB pixel map is obtained from an overprinted color barcode that contains a plurality of disparate colors. A pixel map is allocated for each of the colors detected and each pixel is classified in the one or more pixel maps according to color. One or more barcodes are extracted from the overprinted barcode that correlates to each color detected. Each of the extracted barcodes are then filtered, decoded and read.
US08186590B2
The present invention concerns a high speed machine for personalizing portable objects, incorporating an integrated circuit comprising at least one memory, the machine comprising a transfer device (3) for the portable objects to be personalized and a compact rotating drum (20) containing a plurality of interface electronic circuits, called couplers, each of these couplers being connected to at least one personalization station (22i) comprising at least one linking device with the integrated circuit of a portable object, characterized firstly in that each of these couplers is removably mounted so that it can be adapted to the type of programming used for the personalization data, and secondly in that the personalization stations (22i) are also removable for their adaptation to the type of portable objects (4) to be personalized and/or to the couplers used, the rotating drum (20) comprising grooved sections containing a plurality of grooves for latching of the personalization stations (22i).
US08186573B2
Optical identification and/or authentication of a document or item with the help of a marking comprising a random distribution of circular polarized light reflecting particles, the marking being applied to the document or item through an ink, and the reading device exploiting circular polarization to discriminate the flakes from the background.
US08186570B2
A package for holding a food product that has a tray and a lid. The tray has a central panel for supporting a food product. The package includes various closing and opening features.
US08186568B2
A process for assembling two parts of an integrated electronic circuit has two successive steps. During a first step, the two circuit parts are made into a single unit by molecular bonding, realized on respective application surfaces of the two parts. During a second step, electrical connections are formed from connection portions already present in the application surfaces of the two circuit parts. The connections formed extend across the bonding interface, and are compatible with a high reliability and a high level of integration of the circuit.
US08186566B2
A process for cohesive bonding between a metal surface and a nonmetallic substrate is provided. The non-metallic substrate may comprise a plurality of microfilaments and/or nanofilaments dispersed into and below the surface of the substrate. The application of pressure and laterally-oriented high frequency and low amplitude vibration may allow for diffusion bonding between the metal surface and material of the nanofilaments. Another method includes discharging energy from a bank of capacitors to melt adjoining surfaces of the metal surface and nonmetallic substrate. Additionally, a cohesive bonding method may further comprise converting electrical oscillations of ultrasonic frequency into ultrasonic vibrations which are transmitted to the metal body and/or substrate for fusing the two materials together.
US08186563B2
To enable the circuit board to be fixed on a predetermined position and to be conveyed to the solder processing portion.Conveying hooks 10 that hold the printed circuit board W1 therebetween, conveying chains 15a, 15b that drive so that the conveying hooks 10 are movable from a heater part 4 to a solder bath 5, first frames 9A that guide the conveying chains 15a, 15b along the heater part 4, second frames 9B that guide the conveying chain 15 along the solder bath 5, and an absorbing member 124 that is provided between each of the first frames 9A and each of the second frames 9B and absorbs an expansion and contraction based on difference of any thermal expansion between the frames 9A, 9B and the conveying chains 15a, 15b are provided. Since the absorbing member 124 absorbs the expansion and contraction based on difference of any thermal expansion between the frames 9A, 9B and the conveying chains 15a, 15b, it is possible to prevent the conveying chains 15a, 15b from being deviated from the frames 9A, 9B. This enables the printed circuit board W1 to be fixed on the predetermined position and to be conveyed to the heater part 4 and the solder bath 5.
US08186559B1
A cutting and stapling device for use as an attachment to an electromechanical device driver comprises an upper jaw and a lower jaw which separate and close against one another in a continuously parallel alignment. The upper jaw includes a series of staple guides corresponding to one or more staples in a removable staple tray disposed within a lower jaw, whereby a blade and wedge having a threaded bore travel upon a matching threaded shaft in a channel disposed in the lower jaw below the staple tray, such that rotation of the threaded shaft causes movement of the wedge through the channel while a sloped surface of the wedge contacts the staples to push the staples against the staples guides, closing the staples.
US08186555B2
A surgical cutting and fastening instrument is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the instrument includes an end effector comprising an elongate channel, a clamping member pivotably connected to the channel, and a moveable cutting instrument for traversing the channel to cut an object clamped in the end effector by the clamping member when the clamping member is in a clamped position. The instrument may also comprise a main drive shaft assembly for actuating the cutting instrument in the end effector, a gear drive train connected to the main drive shaft assembly, and a motor for actuating the gear drive train. The instrument may also includes a closure trigger and a firing trigger, separate from the closure trigger, for actuating the motor when the firing trigger is retracted. Also, the instrument may comprise a mechanical closure system connected to the closure trigger and to the clamping member for causing the clamping member to pivot to the clamped position when the closure trigger is retracted.
US08186551B2
A powered dispenser tor dispensing individual sheet segments from a continuous roll of sheet material provided with spaced tear lines comprises a powered feed mechanism, a releasable, powered drive mechanism, a powered transfer mechanism, a pair of web sensing sensors, a capacitive sensing system providing automatic sensitivity adjustment, and control circuitry. A dual power supply system provides a mechanical lock-out functionality, and the control system is protected from electrostatic build-up on the surface of the feed roller. The web sensor, and an antenna plate of the capacitive sensing system, are provided on respective printed circuit boards mounted in overlying relation. Utilizing signals received from the pair of web sensors and the capacitive sensing system, the control circuitry senses the presence of a user to activate the powered drive mechanism, and prevents further dispensing of the sheet material until a previously dispensed segment is separated from the roll. The web sensors detection of a leading edge of the sheet material initiates a predetermined interval of sheet material advancement providing a proper placement of successive tear lines.
US08186548B2
A shoe-cover dispenser is described, including, for example, features that facilitate the simultaneous loading of multiple shoe covers and/or features that prevent incomplete release of shoe covers. The shoe-cover dispenser can include a shell and a removable shoe-cover cartridge sized to fit within the shell. The removable shoe-cover cartridge can be configured to releasably hold a plurality of shoe covers, such as by releasably holding three or more clips attached to an elastic element of each shoe cover. These clips can be preloaded into the removable shoe-cover cartridge prior to delivery to an end-user. Release of a shoe cover can be initiated by downward movement of a foot pad. To prevent tilting of the foot pad, the shell can include a guide plate substantially abutting a substantially vertical side of the foot pad and/or an alignment rod positioned within a substantially vertical hole in the foot pad.
US08186546B2
An adjustable dress form has a plurality of body panels and adjustment mechanisms securing between each of the body panels. There are a total of at least four body panels, and the adjustment mechanisms include preferably twelve adjustment mechanisms. A neck girth adjustment mechanism has four extension loops. The four extension loops are attached to an upper portion of each body panel. A turn button is mechanically connected to a plurality of gear teeth on four gear tooth arms that make up the four extension loops. The four gear tooth arms are attached to the upper portion of each at least four body panel. The four extension loops comprise the plurality of gear teeth on the four gear teeth arms. The gear teeth arms engage at about 90° angle to each other and are vertically staggered.
US08186545B2
The invention concerns a valve (1) for measuring a liquid or powdery product, comprising a fixed conduit (5) for supplying the product; a closure (13) mounted at a lower end (11) of the conduit (5); and a coaxial sleeve (15), mounted outside the conduit (5), having a lower end (19) shaped into a valve seat, said sleeve (15) being mobile in translation relative to the conduit (5) between a so-called closed position wherein the valve seat (19) co-operates tightly with the closure (13), and a so-called open position wherein the valve seat (19) is spaced apart from the closure (13) to allow the product to flow.
US08186541B2
A dispenser for dispensing interfolded disposable sheets is disclosed. The dispenser includes a removable panel that is attached to the first sheet in the stack contained in the container. When the removable panel is pulled off the container, the first sheet in the stack is partially or completely withdrawn from the container. The removable panel may be adhered to the first sheet using an adhesive material. The adhesive material may be contained in a recess formed in the removable panel. The recess is designed to protect the adhesive material during manufacture of the product and/or to prevent the adhesive material to adhering to other portions of the product. In one embodiment, after the stack of sheets are loaded into the dispenser, the recess is inverted forming a protrusion that contacts the first sheet in the stack and forms a bond between the removable panel and the first sheet.
US08186538B2
An aid is provided for dining in situations where a food holding receptacle (such as a plate) and a beverage container must be simultaneously supported by a single hand. The food holding receptacle is stably mountable on an upright beverage container. The user holds a lower portion of the beverage container in one hand and uses the other hand to take food items from the receptacle that is supported on the beverage container. In order to drink from the beverage container the user removes the receptacle from the beverage container and drinks from the beverage container. The food holding receptacle is stably mounted on the beverage container in loose-fitting relationship so the receptacle can be repeatedly mounted on and demounted from the beverage container in a facile manner. The food holding receptacle may also be used to stably support a beverage container following inversion of the receptacle.
US08186536B2
A boss for use with a vessel is disclosed. The boss includes a first component adapted to be formed in an opening of the vessel, wherein the first component includes a first coupling element, and a second component including a second coupling element, wherein the second coupling element engages the first coupling element to secure the second component to the first component, and wherein a liner of the vessel is disposed therebetween.
US08186533B1
A device for storing food products in combination with a component, such as a plate or a bowl, such that a visual indication of secure engagement is provided and the device does not require a specific corresponding mating structure in order to provide an air-tight seal between said device and the component.
US08186526B2
A child resistant closure having an outer cap and an inner cap combined together. The caps are provided with complementary engaging ratcheting teeth making it possible to turn the caps as a unit in a closing direction but permits relative rotation of the caps upon rotation of the outer cap in an opening direction unless the outer cap is simultaneously deflected axially relative to the inner cap. Complementary load bearing surfaces are provided on the caps to prevent axial deflection when the caps are in a predetermined position and the caps resist rotation from this predetermined position.
US08186513B2
Box constructions suitable for packaging, storing and transporting small objects including flat rectangular objects of any size such as books, CD's, DVD's, and the like. The box construction has an outer member which surrounds an inner member. An object is packaged by attaching an object onto a surface of the inner member; positioning the inner member on the outer member; folding panel of the outer member around the object on the inner member; and attaching the panels of the outer member thus enclosing the object within the box construction.
US08186507B2
A mechanism cooperable with the stand mechanism in a stand golf bag secures the clubs in position when the bag is not on the ground and releases the clubs when the bag is set on the ground.
US08186506B2
A device and method for stabilizing a drug, particularly a chiral drug or the active enantiomer(s) thereof, in a carrier composition of a transdermal delivery system prior to the systems use by providing a product packaging system to prevent or control degradation reactions that can result from certain packaging materials and moisture contamination, while at the same time providing a child-resistant wrapping for the transdermal system.
US08186504B2
Roller-guided conveyors are described herein. An example roller-guided conveyor comprises a first holder and a second holder and a first guide roller and a second guide roller. The first guide roller has a first axis of rotation and pivotally coupled to the first holder about a pivot axis that is eccentric relative to the first axis of rotation. The first guide roller is spaced a distance from the second guide roller to guide a conveyor belt therebetween.
US08186502B2
A belt conveyor (100) for an agricultural harvester comprises first and second conveyors that include side rails (102, 104, 120, 122) made of extrusions in which the side rails (102, 104) of the first conveyor have extruded profiles that engage extruded profiles of the side rails (120, 122) of the second conveyor (130), wherein the mating extruded profiles permit relative sliding movement between the first and second conveyors. The two mating pairs of side rails (102, 120 and 104, 122) may be driven in parallel by a common motor (706).
US08186499B2
A modular conveyor system is disclosed in which components of each conveyor module is designed for wireless mesh communication. The communications may be within a module or between modules. Certain of the components may be powered by battery, such that the components may be completely wireless. The network may be entirely self-configuring such that the modules may be assembled and the network established in a straightforward manner.
US08186498B2
There is provided a handrail for passenger conveyor in which it is possible to give a prescribed strength to a junction of a canvas and it is possible to prevent vibrations and noises which might be generated when a driving roller passes by the junction of the canvas. For this purpose, a canvas is provided along an inner surface of an annular core body having a C-shaped cross section, which is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer material, and a surface of each of adjacent end portions of the canvas in a junction is formed to be indented toward the core body side compared to surfaces of other portions which form an inner surface of a handrail. An application cloth is provided between the end portions of the canvas so as to cover a gap formed between the end portions of the canvas. A surface of a portion of the application cloth corresponding to a flat portion of the core body is arranged to be flush with an adjacent surface of the canvas, whereas a surface of a portion corresponding to a curved portion of the core body is arranged to be indented with respect to the adjacent surface of the canvas.
US08186496B2
The invention concerns a method for reducing factory customizing time in a smart card (CPn), wherein a pre-customizing manager (GM) into a customizing machine loads post-customizing data (AP, OP1-OP1, DOP1-DOP1) in the smart card. Then a post-customizing application (AP) included in the smart card is enabled after delivery of the card to a user following a connection of the smart card to a terminal to process the loaded post-customizing data so as to make the smart card operational.
US08186493B2
A clutch vehicle includes a driving wheel driven by output of an engine of a motor vehicle. An actuator plate is jointly rotatable with the driving wheel and includes a side plate having a peg. Shoes mounted on the side plate pivot outward when the side plate rotates, allowing joint rotation of the actuator plate and a clutch hub surrounding the actuator plate. A block is movably mounted to the disc. An elastic element is mounted between the block and the clutch hub. The block is located in a first position not located in a circumferential path of the peg under action of the elastic element when the clutch hub does not rotate. The block is moved to a second position in the circumferential path of the peg by centrifugal force of the clutch hub when the clutch hub exceeds a preset speed.
US08186492B2
A one way clutch arranged for coupling a transmission having a stator shaft to a torque converter stator including a hub having an outer circumferential edge having a first wall extending perpendicularly therefrom and an inner circumferential edge having a hub spline arranged thereon, the first wall having at least one hub slot, and each of the at least one hub slot has a first length, a substantially cylindrical spring ring having a second wall, the second wall including at least one spring ring slot and at least one spring ring tab arranged adjacent to an open end of the at least one spring ring slot and forming at least a portion of an edge of the at least one spring ring slot, each of the at least one spring ring slot has a second length greater than the first length, the at least one hub slot in registered alignment with the at least one spring ring slot and the at least one spring ring tab arranged within and adjacent to the at least one hub slot and extends radially therethrough and a tab plate having a circumferential edge having at least one tab plate tab extending radially therefrom, the tab plate arranged axially and rotationally displaceable relative to the hub and the spring ring, the at least one tab plate tab is arranged within the at least one hub slot and/or the at least one spring ring slot.
US08186490B2
The invention relates to an interface for controlling (for example damping) mechanical vibrations for the automotive industry. The inventive interface comprises a base connection element, a load connection element and at least one energy converting system extending between the base connection element and the load connection element. The different energy converters of the one energy converting systems have a common preferential direction and are exposed to a preload action produced by a pretensioning element. The inventive interface also comprises a pushing force deviating element mounted between the base connection element and the load connection element which is provided with a membrane or a leaf spring disposed preferably in a perpendicular direction with respect to the preferential direction of the energy converting system. The inventive pushing force deviating element protects the energy converting systems against mechanical damage caused by an external pushing action.
US08186488B2
An electric brake actuator is described. The actuator comprises a housing, an electric motor, a device for torque transmission and an element for torque delivery. The device for torque transmission is a gear mechanism with a gear shaft which is parallel to the motor shaft, wherein the torque is transmitted from the electric motor to the gear mechanism by means of a belt drive. The distance between the motor shaft and the gear shaft is fixed by means of a rigid spacer, the opposite ends of which are located on different sides of the plane which is defined by a belt of the belt drive.
US08186487B2
A vehicle disc brake device for preventing snow, ice, and mud from adhering to a caliper includes a body-anchoring part provided in a cylinder of a caliper, the body-anchoring part for securing a wire guide used to support a brake wire. The body-anchoring part has a first surface oriented along the longitudinal direction of the brake wire, and a second surface located on the side opposite the first surface. A wire-guide-anchoring part is secured to the second surface. The first surface is a flat, inclined surface.
US08186485B2
Disclosed is an electric parking brake. The electric parking brake includes a motor which forms torque through an electric device, multi-stage gears coupled with the motor, a gear wheel which is mechanically linked with the multi-stage gears, a screw nut which has a hollow structure, and is integrally formed with an inner circumferential surface of the gear wheel, a spindle geared with an inner circumferential surface of the screw nut to move in a shaft direction according to rotation of the gear wheel, a parking cable linked with the spindle at an outlet side of the spindle remote from the gear wheel, a stopper member fixed to an outer circumferential surface of a second end opposite to a first end of the spindle linked with the parking cable to prevent the spindle from excessively rotating when breaking is released. In the electric parking brake, the stopper member is fixed on the outer circumferential surface of an end opposite to one end of the spindle linked with the parking cable. In braking, the spindle moves in a direction to pull the parking cable such that the parking cable is pulled to the inner part of the screw nut. The length of the spindle and the space occupied by the spindle are reduced, so that the manufacturing cost can be significantly reduced.
US08186483B2
An elevator assembly (20) includes braking devices (30) for controlling movement of an elevator car (22). A braking device (30) includes an electrical actuator (62) for controlling relative movement between a carriage (42) and a base (40) that is mountable on the elevator car (22). Relative movement between the carriage (42) and the base (40) results in at least one braking member (46) following a surface (60) on the base (40) for movement between a released position and a braking position.
US08186470B2
A motorcycle includes front and rear brakes that respectively brake a front wheel and a rear wheel, an ABS unit that controls braking force of the brakes, pipes connecting each of the brakes and the ABS unit, a swing arm swingably supported on a body frame, and a rear cushion unit connecting the swing arm to the body frame and located in front of the rear wheel which is supported on a rear end portion of the swing arm. Further, the rear cushion unit is located on a body centerline, extending longitudinally while passing through the center in a vehicle width direction. Additionally, the ABS unit is located rearward of the rear cushion unit and on the body centerline.
US08186464B2
In a method for operating a parallel hybrid drive of a vehicle, in particular of a motor vehicle, having an electric machine and an internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine is started in the driving state of the vehicle with the aid of the electric machine by engaging a disconnecting clutch. It is provided that at least one performance quantity of the parallel hybrid drive is detected and compared with an appropriate model performance quantity of a model of the parallel hybrid drive, the model not including the internal combustion engine, and that a deviation resulting from the comparison is compensated for, at least partially, by the electric machine.
