US08198958B1
An RF system includes a power amplifier with output impedance and a BAW filter with an input impedance and output impedance. A matching network includes an inductance connecting the power amplifier to the BAW filter and an impedance transformation ratio of at least 1:10 is provided at the output impedance of the power amplifier to the output impedance of the BAW filter.
US08198955B2
A signal branch for use in a communication system, in particular in a reflector antenna, for the transmission of microwave signals is provided. The signal branch includes a common signal wave guide for transmitting a transmission signal and a received signal that has one first end and one second end as well as an exterior and interior. Moreover, a plurality of transmission signal wave guides is provided for feeding the transmission signal, with the transmission signal wave guides being disposed on the exterior of the common signal wave guide in a symmetrically distributed manner and each being communicatively connected to the common signal wave guide. A plurality of receiver signal wave guides is provided for transmitting the received signal, with the receiver signal wave guides being symmetrically adjacent to the second end of the common signal wave guide and each being communicatively connected to the common signal wave guide.
US08198953B2
A two-dimensional left-handed metamaterial that functions as a two-dimensional electromagnetic wave propagation medium in which the equivalent permittivity and permeability of the medium are both negative, exhibits superior low-loss, broadband characteristics as a left-handed material, and has a simple constitution, enabling low-cost manufacture.
US08198951B2
An integrated circuit having voltage isolation capabilities includes a plurality of communications channels for transceiving data from the integrated circuit. Each of the communications channel includes capacitive isolation circuitry located in conductive layers of the integrated circuit for providing a high voltage isolation link. The capacitive isolation circuitry distributes a first portion of a high voltage isolation signal across a first group of capacitors on a first link and a second link in the capacitive isolation circuitry and distributes a second portion of the high voltage isolation signal across a second group of capacitors in the first link and the second link in the capacitive isolation circuitry. A differential receiver on each of the plurality of communications channels receives the data on the first link and the second link. A differential transmitter on each of the plurality of communications channels transmits the data on the first link at a selected one of a first phase and a second phase and for transmitting the data on the second link at the selected one of the first phase and the second phase. The second phase is 180 degrees out of phase with the first phase. Each of the differential transmitters controls the selection of the first phase and the second phase on each of the first link and the second link such that only the first phase or the second phase is cross coupled onto a selected communications channel from adjacent communications channels.
US08198947B2
An oscillator circuit comprises a charging block with a first terminal for feeding a first charging current, to which terminal a first capacitor and a series circuit of a first and a second switch are connected, and with a second terminal for feeding a second charging current, to which terminal a second capacitor and a series circuit of a third and a fourth switch are connected, as well as a comparison circuit with a first and a second comparator. The comparators are configured to compare voltages at the first and second terminals to a reference voltage, wherein their output is connected to control terminals of the third or first switch. The oscillator circuit further comprises a flipflop that is coupled on the input side to the outputs of the first and second comparators, and on the output side, to control terminals of the second and fourth switches, as well as to an oscillator output.
US08198944B2
Techniques for calibrating digitally controlled oscillators (DCOS) are disclosed. In one aspect of the disclosure, an initial set of control codes for operating the DCO with a coarse frequency tuning bank with multiple overlapping coarse frequency tuning segments (LTBs) and one fine main frequency tuning bank (MTB) is determined. A range of output frequencies produced from the initial set is identified. Instances of overlap are identified in the frequency range between consecutive LTB segments. An offset in the MTB is added that corresponds to the overlap instance between consecutive LTBs to establish a revised set. The revised control codes are utilized to tune the DCO over the desired frequency range.
US08198930B2
A system for compensating for power-supply-induced jitter (PSIJ) in a chain of clock buffers within an integrated circuit is described. During operation, the system couples a first supply voltage from a first voltage source to a supply node of each clock buffer in a first chain of clock buffers. Note that a change in the first supply voltage causes a change in a first propagation delay associated with the first chain of the clock buffers. The system also couples a second chain of clock buffers in series with the first chain of clock buffers. The system then couples the first voltage source to each clock buffer in the second chain of clock buffers through coupling circuitry. Next, the system adjusts the coupling circuitry so that the change in the first supply voltage from the first voltage source causes a change in a second propagation delay associated with the second chain of the clock buffers, wherein the change in the first propagation delay and the change in the second propagation delay are complementary.
US08198922B1
A digital switched current source is coupled to a programmable current source-driver and controlled by waveforms stored in the programmable and floating complementary sourcing and sinking current source-driver. A plurality of complementary P- and N-MOSFET is coupled to the programmable floating current source driver. The transformer-less programmable ultrasound transmit beamformer integrated circuit is provided and directly coupled to the plurality of transducers.
US08198912B1
A voltage-mode driver circuit supporting pre-emphasis is implemented to include a driver arm and a correction arm. The driver arm receives an input signal, and is operable, in pre-emphasis intervals as well as steady-state intervals, to connect a first impedance between an output terminal of the driver circuit and a constant reference potential. The correction arm is operable to connect a correction impedance in parallel with the first impedance in pre-emphasis intervals, and to decouple the correction impedance from the first impedance in steady-state intervals. The parallel connection of the first impedance and the correction impedance in pre-emphasis intervals increases the voltage level of the output signal of the driver circuit in pre-emphasis intervals. The use of the correction arm compensates for the effect of parasitic capacitance at one or more nodes of the driver circuit, thereby reducing the settling time of the output signal and enabling high-speed operation.
US08198906B2
By examining scrub mark properties (such as position and size) directly, the performance of a wafer probing process may be evaluated. Scrub mark images are captured, image data measured, and detailed information about the process is extracted through analysis. The information may then be used to troubleshoot, improve, and monitor the probing process.
US08198892B2
An MRI includes imaging coils. The MRI includes receiving coils. The MRI includes a controller causing the imaging coils to produce RF pulses at every repetition time so different parts of a patient are receiving excitation by RF pulses at different rates and k space data are acquired at each repetition time by the receiving coils to form images of the patient with the k space data. A method for an MRI includes the steps of causing with a controller imaging coils to produce RF pulses at every repetition time so different parts of a patient are receiving excitation by RF pulses at different rates. There is the step of acquiring k space data at each repetition time by receiving coils. There is the step of forming images of the patient with the k space data using approaches such as Fourier transformation or filtered back projection.
US08198890B2
In a method for determining a parameter set describing electric parameters of a route section of a magnetic suspension railway, the route section contains a stator section forming a drive section of the magnetic suspension railway and a route cable connecting the stator section to an associated converter device. In the method, the current and voltage values are measured at the electric connecting point between the route cable and the converter device. The parameters of the parameter set are determined using the measurement values, thus forming the parameter set. Accordingly, the current and voltage values are additionally measured at the electrical connecting point between the route cable and the stator section and the current values at the neutral point side of the stator section, if the stator section is electrically connected to the route cable. The additional measurement values are also considered when determining the parameters.
US08198887B2
An apparatus and a method for inspecting use a sensor for detecting taggant particles in a material after installation. The sensor is positioned adjacent a finished surface of the installed material and is connected to a control device for displaying an indication of a distribution of the taggant particles below the surface. The control device also generates a profile of the taggant particles versus a distance from the surface.
US08198885B2
A planar magnetic current sensor is described, incorporating a number of features designed to improve the efficiency and reliability of the basic sensor. The improvements comprise providing inner and outer conductive shields, an increased number of sensor elements for a given circuit board area, and distributing the resistance of the sensor circuitry. The conductive shields prevent high transient voltages and eddy currents that may damage the sensor itself. The depth of the inner and outer conductive shields is chosen to produce eddy currents sufficient to attenuate the magnetic fields associated with transient pulses of a frequency above the frequencies to be measured. An aperture is provided from the exterior of the conductive shields or sealing caps, if present, to an annular space, to allow an output signal to pass from the interior of the sensor to the exterior of the sensor for monitoring.
US08198879B2
A PWM signal generator used for a booster circuit including a voltage-boosting coil that is connected to a main power supply, and a driving transistor that drives the voltage-boosting coil to generate boosted voltage, the PWM signal generator including a first amplifier that generates intermediate voltage based on a voltage value of the boosted voltage, a triangular wave generator that generates a triangular wave signal, a comparator that compares a voltage level of the intermediate voltage with a voltage level of the triangle wave signal to generate an intermediate PWM signal, a driver that generates a PWM signal supplied to the driving transistor based on the intermediate PWM signal, and a second amplifier that generates a driver power supply supplied to the driver based on magnitude of a voltage value of the intermediate voltage.
US08198878B2
Methods and apparatus for workload balancing among power switching components in a multiphase switching power supply, the power supply including one set of power switching components for each switching phase, where workload balancing includes: dropping one or more switching phases when output current demand on the power supply drops below a predetermined threshold, leaving at least one active switching phase; and rotating the at least one active switching phase among all sets of power switching components.
US08198877B2
A low voltage drop out (LDO) regulator is disclosed. The LDO regulator has a voltage buffer for receiving an input voltage containing a DC component and an AC component, converting the input voltage into a converted voltage having a lower DC component and an AC component following that of the input voltage; a control stage applied with the converted voltage; and an output stage applied with the input voltage. The output stage is controlled by the control stage to output an output voltage of a specific level. In the LDO regulator, elements of small sizes can be used to save a layout area thereof. In the meanwhile, the LDO regulator can maintain a high power supply rejection ratio (PSRR) characteristic.
US08198871B2
A field current control circuit for an alternating current generator includes a first voltage source and a time lag reduction circuit, which further includes a generator field that is in selective electrical communication with an energy storage component that is in electrical communication with a time lag reduction voltage source. The time lag reduction circuit may include an electronic controller and be a part of an electric drive machine that receives an operator acceleration command and thereby controls the electrical communication between the energy storage component and the generator field of the time lag reduction circuit. When the energy storage component and generator field are in electrical communication, the current passing through the generator field increases from a starting current to a target current with a reduced time lag compared to predecessor generators.
US08198865B2
A method and integrated circuit for preserving a battery's charge and protecting electrical devices is disclosed. A maximum and a minimum battery voltage value at the output port are stored in a memory. A steady state battery voltage at the output port is measured and stored in the memory. A processor compares the measured steady battery voltage value to the maximum and the minimum battery voltage values. If the measured steady state battery voltage value is greater than the maximum battery voltage value, an over voltage state is reported by the processor. If the measured steady state battery voltage value is less than the minimum battery voltage value, a low battery voltage state is reported by the processor.
US08198861B2
An electronic device (30) of the this invention includes an external device connecting connector (33) to be connected to a power supplying connector (40) of an external device (41) having a power supplying function, an electronic circuit (31) which performs predetermined operation upon reception of power supplied from the external device through the external device connecting connector, and an electromagnet (32) which is provided to the external device connecting connector and electrically connected between the external device connecting connector and the electronic circuit. The electromagnet generates a magnetic force when a power supply current supplied from the external device flows through it, and attracts a predetermined portion formed of a magnetic body of the power supplying connector, to maintain a fitting state between the external device connecting connector and the power supplying connector. Thus, the fitting state becomes reliable. When supply of the power supply current from the external device is stopped, the fitting state is canceled. Thus, the power supplying connector can be pulled out from the external device connecting connector readily, so that any damages can be prevented.
US08198852B2
Even when there is some degree of variation in the characteristics among components constituting a polyphase motor and a driving circuit therefor, current control signals of respective phases being input to the drive circuit have their amplitude finely adjusted by an amplitude control circuit, so that amplitude is uniform among armature currents of respective phases that are ultimately output from the drive circuit. The amplitude adjusting circuit is configured by gain variable amplifiers, for example. Thus, rotation fluctuation and vibration of the polyphase motor can be reduced.
US08198845B2
Circuits and methods system for a DC-to-DC conversion using the inductance of a motor coil are disclosed. The invention is especially applicable for mobile electronic devices having a motor and requiring a DC-to-DC conversion. By using the coil of the motor for DC-to-DC conversion and for the purpose of a motor no space for an additional coil is required. For motor control an H-bridge arrangement is provided allowing motor movement in both directions, to brake and free run. By adding two diodes and a capacitor and modulation of a switch of the H-bridge a DC-to-DC conversion has been made possible.
US08198843B2
A first duty ratio of a drive command signal is computed by comparing a level of the drive command signal with a first threshold value at a motor controller of a blower motor apparatus. A second duty ratio of the drive command signal is computed by comparing the level of the drive command signal with a second threshold value at the motor controller. A control signal is generated based on the first duty ratio and the second duty ratio in the motor controller and is used to drive a blower motor of the blower motor apparatus.
US08198839B2
An electric power tool “A” operates a working part 5 by repeating rotation of a motor 4 in a normal direction and in a reverse direction one or more times. The motor 4 includes a brushless motor. Sensors H for detecting a position of a rotor 15 are provided on the motor 4 so as to be advanced by an electrical angle of 30°±θ° from an intermediate position between respective stator teeth 16 in a direction of the normal rotation of the rotor 15. A control part 20 for controlling the rotation of the motor 4 controls a driving signal of the motor 4 based on the results of detection by the sensors H. Moreover, the control part 20 selects a detection signal of the sensors H so that relation between the rotor 15 and the detection signal of the sensors H is equivalent in either of the normal rotation and the reverse rotation of the rotor 15.
US08198838B2
A circuit for controlling a rotation speed of a computer fan includes a control chip, a conversion circuit, a fan header, a first switch, and a second switch. When a first terminal of the first switch is connected to a second terminal of the first switch, and a first terminal of the second switch is connected to a second terminal of the second switch, the conversion circuit converts a control signal received from the control chip to a voltage signal, and outputs the voltage signal to a power pin of the fan header. When the first terminal of the first switch is connected to a third terminal of the first switch, and the first terminal of the second switch is connected to a third terminal of the second switch, a control pin of the fan header receives the control signal, the power pin receives power from a first power supply.
US08198822B2
A light source driving apparatus includes; a boosting part which boosts an input voltage received from an input part and generates a driving voltage, a boosting transistor which controls an operation of the boosting part, a rectification part connected between the boosting part and an output part and which transmits the driving voltage to the output part, an integrated circuit which generates a gate signal which controls the boosting transistor, and a protection circuit which generates a protection signal which controls a voltage level of the gate signal according to an output current of the boosting transistor.
US08198810B2
A method of manufacturing an electromagnetic wave shield for a plasma display panel having a first panel having an image-displaying surface, the method including coating the image-displaying surface of the first panel with a coating solution to form a hydrophobic layer; applying a conductive ink to the hydrophobic layer utilizing an ink-jet applicator to form a pattern of the conductive ink; and heating the conductive ink and the hydrophobic layer to form a conductive mesh pattern on the hydrophobic layer.
US08198800B2
An LED chip package structure in order to prevent the light-emitting efficiency of fluorescent powder from decreasing due to high temperature includes a substrate unit, a light-emitting unit, a transparent colloid body unit, a fluorescent colloid body unit and a frame unit. The light-emitting unit has a plurality of LED chips electrically arranged on the substrate unit. The transparent colloid body unit has a plurality of transparent colloid bodies respectively covering the LED chips. The fluorescent colloid body unit has a plurality of fluorescent colloid bodies respectively covering the transparent colloid bodies. The frame unit is covering the peripheries of each transparent colloid body and each fluorescent colloid body in order to expose the top surfaces of the fluorescent colloid body.
US08198798B2
A fluorescent substance includes zinc with a concentration not larger than 400 ppm, and a composition represented by the following formula (I): Ln3(AlxGa1-x)5O12:Cey (I) wherein 0.4≦x≦0.97 and 0.038≦y≦0.048, Ln being composed of yttrium, or yttrium and at least one element selected from scandium, lanthanum, gadolinium, samarium, lutetium, and terbium. An emission spectrum of the fluorescent substance as it is excited by light has a dominant wavelength ranging from 500 nm to 550 nm.
US08198797B2
[Object] In the control of electron beam focusing of a pierce-type electron gun, any influences from the space charge effect and space charge neutralizing action within the electron gun are eliminated to attain complete control of an electron beam.[Solving Means] Feedback control of the pressure within the electron gun is performed by directly measuring temperature at an internal of the pierce-type electron gun. It is desirable that locations where the direct measurement of the temperature at the internal of the electron gun is performed are an anode (39) and a flow register (43). Further, the direct measurement can be performed at any one of a ring, an aperture and an exhaust pipe provided at an outlet or an inlet of any one of a cathode chamber (31), an intermediate chamber, and a scanning chamber (33). Accordingly, all of stabilization of beam producing area (optimized design of electron gun itself), stabilization of beam transporting portion and stabilization of beam using portion have become appropriate.
US08198795B2
A bulb structure of assembling-type car lamp includes a lamp housing and a bulb unit. The bulb unit includes a mounting base, a bulb holder, and a bulb. The mounting base includes electric pins, a forward raised seat, and a rearward protruded annular ring portion. The annular ring portion is externally provided with anti-slip ribs to facilitate easy turning and assembling of the bulb unit to the lamp housing. The bulb holder includes a holding seat and an adjusting seat connected to the mounting base and the bulb, respectively; and the bulb is electrically connected to the electric pins. By adjusting the adjusting seat relative to the holding seat, the bulb can be adjusted in position and focal length. A cover plate is closed to a rear open end of the annular ring portion to isolate joints of the bulb and the electric pins from external air, dust and water.
US08198789B2
Disclosed is an apparatus for generating electrical energy that includes; a first electrode, and a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, and an energy generation layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the energy generation layer comprises a photoelectric conversion layer and a plurality of piezoelectric nanowires, and wherein when an external force is applied to at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode, the plurality of piezoelectric nanowires are transformed to generate electrical energy.
US08198787B2
An ultrasonic probe, in which a thick adhesive layer is not formed directly under the piezoelectric element and the adhesive is prevented from covering an electrode portion of a side face of the piezoelectric element. The ultrasonic probe includes: a main backing material having a curved surface; a flexible auxiliary member having a first surface bonded onto the curved surface of the main backing material by using an adhesive; and an array of piezoelectric elements arranged on a second surface of the flexible auxiliary member, wherein at least one of side edges of a bonding surface between the flexible auxiliary member and the main backing material is formed with a recessed area for allowing the adhesive, which has protruded when bonding the flexible auxiliary member onto the main backing material by using the adhesive, to escape thereinto.
US08198785B2
A Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) switch includes a substrate, a fixed signal line formed on the substrate, a movable signal line spaced apart from one of an upper surface and a lower surface of the fixed signal line, and at least one piezoelectric actuator connected to a first end of the movable signal line so as to bring or separate the movable signal line in contact with or from the fixed signal line. The piezoelectric actuator includes a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer formed on the first electrode, a second electrode formed on the piezoelectric layer, and a connecting layer formed on the second electrode and connected with the movable signal line.
US08198780B2
A stator (10) for an electronically commutated DC motor with a number of stator poles (1) formed as individual parts, consisting of a pole core (25), pole shoes (26) and return sections (27), in which the return sections (27) of the stator poles (1) have intermeshing profiles, on which they lie against each other, so that the return sections form a hollow cylindrical return (35) with each other, in which the pole cores (25) connect to the return sections (27) directed radially inward. The individual stator poles are each provided with an insulation and a winding, and the wound stator poles (1) are held together by a retaining part that does not serve as motor housing. The task of the present invention is to provide a stator for an electrically commutated DC motor, which can be mounted simply and reliably, and which facilitates assembly of the stator in the motor housing. This task is achieved by providing that the retaining part is a metallic clamping ring (4), which is positioned under bias around the entire periphery of the hollow cylindrical return (35) and tightens the stator poles (1) to each other.
US08198774B2
A motor includes: a stator (12) having coils; a rotor (11), which is disposed inside the stator and has a plurality of magnets; and a magnetic path switching part (18), which is provided in the rotor (11) and switches a magnetic path of the rotor (11) to select intense field control as a forward salient-pole structure or weak field control as an inverse salient-pole structure. The magnetic path switching part (18) is formed by use of a member having magnetic anisotropy, which is arranged on a magnetic path connecting magnets (13) of the same pole and a magnetic path connecting magnets (13) of different poles in the rotor (11). By changing the magnetic anisotropy of the member, the forward salient-pole structure and the inverse salient-pole structure are switched therebetween.
US08198771B2
A motor includes a sleeve supporting a shaft such that an upper end of the shaft protrudes upwardly along an axial direction, a sleeve housing in which an outer diameter portion of the sleeve is inserted and supported, an oil sealing cap covering the sleeve at an opposite side of the sleeve housing, and having a sealing protrusion protruding from a top surface thereof to form a capillary seal of oil between the shaft and the sleeve, and a hub base pressure-fitted and fixed on the upper end of the shaft, and having a hub-base outer diameter portion facing the sealing protrusion and forming a first oil sealing part with the sealing protrusion.
US08198757B2
The present invention provides a power saving method and apparatus for powering a lower voltage device from a higher voltage power source. The apparatus includes a switch having an input coupled to an output of the higher voltage power source. The apparatus further includes a high-to-low voltage converter having an input coupled to an output of the switch. The apparatus also includes a power plug having an input coupled to an output of the high-to-low voltage power converter, and an output configured to receive a power socket of the low voltage device. Finally, the apparatus includes a switch actuator coupled to the power plug and the switch. When the power plug is operatively engaged within the power socket of the lower voltage device, the switch actuator closes the switch. When the power plug is operatively disengaged from the power plug, the switch actuator opens the switch.
US08198743B2
A multi-sage controlled frequency generator is described that has a low size, weight and cost. The new generator requires an electronic controller that requires only 25% of the total generated power (100%) when the generator shaft speed varies by +/−25% around its synchronous speed. The shaft driving the generator in the direct-drive controlled frequency generator may be moved at a variable speed. The output frequency of the generator may be controlled by electrically controlling the frequency of the first stator stage and by selecting the control frequency, the number of poles, and the number of stages, such that the output of the last stage will be maintained constant at the desired grid frequency.
US08198739B2
A method of forming a compressible contact structure on a semi-conductor chip which comprises bonding a compressible polymer layer to the chip's surface, forming a plurality of openings within the layer, depositing electrically conductive material within the openings to form electrical connections with the chip's contacts, forming a plurality of electrically conductive line elements on the polymer layer extending from a respective opening and each including an end portion, and forming a plurality of contact members each on a respective one of the line segment end portions. The compressible polymer layer allows the contact members to deflect toward (compress) the chip when the contact members are engaged by an external force or forces. A semi-conductor chip including such a compressible contact structure is also provided.
US08198738B1
A bond pad and a method of making the same for a semiconductor die has a bonding region formed on the bond pad. A test region is formed on the bond pad and is adjacent to the bonding region.
US08198737B2
A method of forming a wire bond in a semiconductor device includes forming a first bump of a first composition proximate to a probe mark on a bond pad. A second bump of the first composition is formed adjacent to the first bump such that the first and second bumps are formed away from the probe mark. A wire of a second composition that is harder than the first composition is attached on top of the first and second bumps to form an interconnection.
US08198736B2
A method to reduce electrostatic discharge susceptibility when assembling a stacked IC device. The method includes coupling a ground plane of a first semiconductor device and a ground plane of a second semiconductor device to substantially a same electrical potential. Active circuitry on the first semiconductor device and active circuitry on the second semiconductor device are electrically coupled after the ground planes are coupled. Electrically coupling the ground planes of the first and the second semiconductor device creates a preferred electrostatic discharge path to ground, thus minimizing potential damage to sensitive circuit elements.
US08198731B2
A process for forming a protective layer at a surface of an aluminum bond pad. The aluminum bond pad is exposed to a solution containing silicon, ammonium persulfate and tetramethylammonium hydroxide, which results in the formation of the protective layer. This protective layer protects the bond pad surface from corrosion during processing of an imager, such as during formation of a color filter array or a micro-lens array.
US08198726B2
A through-hole electrode substrate related to an embodiment of the present invention is arranged with a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of through-holes, an insulating layer formed with an insulating material on the inner walls of the plurality of through-holes and on at least one surface of the semiconductor substrate, a plurality of through-hole electrodes formed with a metal material inside the through-hole, and a plurality of gas discharge parts formed to contact with each of the plurality of through-hole electrodes which is exposed on at least one surface of the semiconductor substrate, the plurality of gas discharge parts externally discharges gas which is discharged from the inside of the plurality of through-hole electrodes.
US08198722B2
A semiconductor package has an interconnection substrate including a first conductive lead and a second longer conductive lead, and a semiconductor chip including a first cell region, a second cell region, a first conductive pad electrically connected to the first cell region and a second conductive pad electrically connected to the second cell region. The semiconductor chip is mounted to the interconnection substrate with the first and second conductive pads both disposed on and connected to the second conductive lead.
US08198719B2
A semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor chip body, a through-silicon via and a silicon pattern. The semiconductor chip body has a first surface and a second surface facing away from the first surface. The through-silicon via is formed to pass through the semiconductor chip body and has a metal layer and an insulation layer which protrude from the second surface. The silicon pattern is formed on a sidewall of the protruding through-silicon via.
US08198708B2
A system and method is disclosed for improving complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) compatible non volatile memory (NVM) retention reliability in memory cells. A memory cell of the invention comprises a backend layer that reduces charge leakage from a floating gate of the memory cell. A first bottom portion of the backend layer is formed from a first layer of silicon oxynitride having a low value of defect/trap density. A second top portion of the backend layer is formed from a second layer of silicon oxynitride having a high value of defect/trap density. The first layer of silicon oxynitride inhibits electron transport and the second layer of silicon oxynitride protects CMOS devices from plasma induced damage.
US08198706B2
A method for making a multi-level nanowire structure includes establishing a first plurality of nanowires on a substrate surface, wherein at least some of the nanowires are i) aligned at a predetermined crystallographically defined angle with respect to the substrate surface, ii) aligned substantially perpendicular with respect to the substrate surface, or iii) combinations of i and ii. An insulating layer is established between the nanowires of the first plurality such that one of two opposed ends of at least some of the nanowires positioned i) at the predetermined crystallographically defined angle, ii) substantially perpendicular with respect to the substrate surface, or iii) combinations of i and ii is exposed. Regions are grown from each of the exposed ends, and such regions coalesce to form a substantially continuous layer on the insulating layer. A second plurality of nanowires is established on the substantially continuous layer.
US08198699B1
Provided is an IC package. In one implementation, the IC package includes a metal pad having a first metal pad surface and a second metal pad surface substantially parallel to the first metal pad surface; a first dielectric layer having a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface, where the first dielectric layer covers a first end portion of the second metal pad surface, and the third surface of the first dielectric layer is substantially parallel to the first and second surfaces of the first dielectric layer; a second dielectric layer having a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface, where the second dielectric layer covers a second end portion of the second metal pad surface, and the third surface of the second dielectric layer is substantially parallel to the first and second surfaces of the second dielectric layer; and a metal structure covering a middle portion of the second metal pad surface, a first end portion of the third surface of the first dielectric layer, and a first end portion of the third surface of the second dielectric layer.
US08198698B2
To improve a performance of a semiconductor device having a capacitance element. An MIM type capacitance element, an electrode of which is formed with comb-shaped metal patterns composed of the wirings, is formed over a semiconductor substrate. A conductor pattern, which is a dummy gate pattern for preventing dishing in a CMP process, and an active region, which is a dummy active region, are disposed below the capacitance element, and these are coupled to shielding metal patterns composed of the wirings and then connected to a fixed potential. Then, the conductor pattern and the active region are disposed so as not to overlap the comb-shaped metal patterns in the wirings in a planar manner.
US08198688B2
Latchup is prevented from occurring accompanying increasingly finer geometries of a chip. NchMOSFET N1 and PchMOSFET P1 form a CMOS circuit including: NchMOSFET N2 whose gate, drain and back gate are connected to back gate of N1 and PchMOSFET P2 whose gate, drain and back gate are connected to back gate of P1. Source of N2 is connected to source of N1. Source of P2 is connected to source of P1. N2 is always connected between the grounded source of N1 and the back gate of N1, while P2 is connected between source of P1 connected to a power supply and the back gate of P1. Each of N2 and P2 functions as a voltage limiting element (a limiter circuit).
US08198685B2
A semiconductor device includes at least one first gate dielectric layer over a substrate. A first transition-metal oxycarbide (MCxOy) containing layer is formed over the at least one first gate dielectric layer, wherein the transition-metal (M) has an atomic percentage of about 40 at. % or more. A first gate is formed over the first transition-metal oxycarbide containing layer. At least one first doped region is formed within the substrate and adjacent to a sidewall of the first gate.
US08198683B2
A TFT formed on an insulating substrate source, drain and channel regions, a gate insulating film formed on at least the channel region and a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating film. Between the channel region and the drain region, a region having a higher resistivity is provided in order to reduce an Ioff current. A method for forming this structure comprises the steps of anodizing the gate electrode to form a porous anodic oxide film on the side of the gate electrode; removing a portion of the gate insulating using the porous anodic oxide film as a mask so that the gate insulating film extends beyond the gate electrode but does not completely cover the source and drain regions. Thereafter, an ion doping of one conductivity element is performed. The high resistivity region is defined under the gate insulating film.
US08198677B2
MOSFET devices for RF applications that use a trench-gate in place of the lateral gate conventionally used in lateral MOSFET devices. A trench-gate provides devices with a single, short channel for high frequency gain. Embodiments of the present invention provide devices with an asymmetric oxide in the trench gate, as well as LDD regions that lower the gate-drain capacitance for improved RF performance. Refinements to these TG-LDMOS devices include placing a source-shield conductor below the gate and placing two gates in a trench-gate region. These improve device high-frequency performance by decreasing gate-to-drain capacitance. Further refinements include adding a charge balance region to the LDD region and adding source-to-substrate or drain-to-substrate vias.
US08198669B2
A semiconductor device includes: a first layer; a second layer; a columnar structural unit; and a side portion. The second layer is provided on a major surface of the first layer. The columnar structural unit is conductive and aligned in the first layer and the second layer to pass through the major surface. The side portion is added to a side wall of the columnar structural unit on the second layer side of the major surface.
US08198663B2
A dual contact trench capacitor and design structure for a dual contact trench capacitor is provided. The structure includes a first plate extending from a trench and isolated from a wafer body, and a second plate extending from the trench and isolated from the wafer body and the first plate.
US08198662B2
An improved semiconductor memory device having a silicon on insulator (SOI) structure. Exemplary devices provide improved charge injection into the device's floating gate electrode. Exemplary devices may include a semiconductor substrate including a transistor forming region and a capacitor forming region; a MOSFET; a MOS capacitor; a projection formed within a periphery of the capacitor electrode of the MOS capacitor; and a floating gate electrode extending from the channel region of the MOSFET to overlap the projection of the capacitor electrode, with a gate insulating film interposed therebetween. The projection may include an inclined surface which may have a concave shape and/or the projection may extend above a capacitor groove having a undercut portion beneath the projection.
US08198660B2
A multi-bit spin torque magnetic element that has a ferromagnetic pinned layer having a pinned magnetization orientation, a non-magnetic layer, and a ferromagnetic free layer having a magnetization orientation switchable among at least four directions, the at least four directions being defined by a physical shape of the free layer. The magnetic element has at least four distinct resistance states. Magnetic elements with at least eight magnetization directions are also provided.
US08198659B2
A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device may include forming a gate electrode over a semiconductor substrate, a second conductive type ion implantation region at opposite sides of a gate electrode, a second conductive type ion implantation region as a first conductive type second ion implantation region by implanting a first conductive type impurity over opposite sides of said gate electrode, and/or forming a first conductive type first ion implantation region that substantially surrounds a first conductive type second ion implantation region. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device may form an N type MOSFET and/or a P type MOSFET using a single photolithography process for each N+ source/drain photolithography process and/or P+ source/drain photolithography process.
US08198646B2
A light emitting device comprising a heat sink, a dielectric layer arranged on the heat sink, a heat conductive layer arranged on the dielectric layer, an undercoating arranged on at least a part of the heat conductive layer, and a light emitting chip attached to the heat conductive layer by means of the undercoating.
US08198644B2
An LED-based illumination device can use an array of four LEDs to produce high intensity light over a broad color spectrum and a broad range of color temperature. A high quality white light can be produced by using two green LEDs with a single red and a single blue LED.
US08198641B2
A tamper-resistant semiconductor device (5;20;30;40;50;60) which includes a plurality of electronic circuits formed on a circuitry side (6) of a substrate (7) having an opposite side which is a backside (8) of the semiconductor device, and comprises at least one light-emitting device (9a-f;21) and at least one light-sensing device (10a-f;22a-b) provided on the circuitry side (6) of the semiconductor device. The light-emitting device (9a-f;21) is arranged to emit light, including a wavelength range for which the substrate (7) is transparent, into the substrate towards the backside (8), and the light-sensing device (10a-f;22a-b) is arranged to sense at least a fraction of the emitted light following passage through the substrate (7) and reflection at the backside (8), and configured to output a signal indicative of a reflecting state of the backside, thereby enabling detection of an attempt to tamper with the backside (8) of the semiconductor device (5;20;30;40;50;60). Through the present invention, a semiconductor device can be equipped with a backside tamper protection which neither restricts the field of application of the semiconductor device, nor the choice of packaging of the device.
US08198624B2
An organic light emitting device is disclosed. The organic light emitting device includes a substrate, a display positioned on the substrate, and a dummy pattern positioned at an edge of the display. The display includes a plurality of subpixels each including a first electrode, an emissive unit including at least an organic emissive layer, and a second electrode. The dummy pattern includes a dummy layer including the same formation material as that of at least one of a plurality of layers for forming the emissive unit.
US08198621B2
The present invention provides stretchable, and optionally printable, semiconductors and electronic circuits capable of providing good performance when stretched, compressed, flexed or otherwise deformed. Stretchable semiconductors and electronic circuits of the present invention preferred for some applications are flexible, in addition to being stretchable, and thus are capable of significant elongation, flexing, bending or other deformation along one or more axes. Further, stretchable semiconductors and electronic circuits of the present invention may be adapted to a wide range of device configurations to provide fully flexible electronic and optoelectronic devices.
US08198620B2
A resistance switching memory is introduced herein. The resistance switching memory includes a highly-insulating or resistance-switching material formed to cover the sidewall of a patterned metal line, and extended alongside a dielectric layer sidewall to further contact a portion of the top surface of the lower electrode. The other part of the top surface of the lower electrode is covered by an insulating layer between the top electrode and the lower electrode. An oxygen gettering metal layer in the lower electrode occupies a substantial central part of the top surface of the lower electrode and is partially covered by the highly-insulating or resistance-switching material. A switching area is naturally very well confined to the substantial central part of the oxygen gettering metal layer of the lower electrode.
US08198618B2
A nonvolatile memory device of the present invention comprises a substrate (1), first wires (3), first filling constituents (5) filled into first through-holes (4), respectively, second wires (11) which cross the first wires (3) perpendicularly to the first wires (3), respectively, each of the second wires (11) including a plurality of layers including a resistance variable layer (6) of each of first resistance variable elements, a conductive layer (7) and a resistance variable layer (8) of each of second resistance variable elements which are stacked together in this order, second filling constituents (14) filled into second through-holes (13), respectively, and third wires (15), and the conductive layer (7) of the second wires (11) serves as the electrodes of the first resistance variable elements (9) and the electrodes of the second resistance variable elements (10).
US08198608B2
The present embodiments relate to lowering the widening of a radiation beam, for example, using a chamber arranged between a beam output and an object to be irradiated. The chamber is filled with a gas or a gas mixture, the average atomic number of which is smaller than that of air, and the volume expansion of which is changeable. The advantage here is that a widening of a radiation beam caused by multiple scattering is reduced.
US08198607B2
The invention comprises a tandem accelerator method and apparatus, which is part of an ion beam injection system used in conjunction with multi-axis charged particle radiation therapy of cancerous tumors. The negative ion beam source includes an injection system vacuum system and a synchrotron vacuum system separated by a foil, where negative ions are converted to positive ions. The foil is sealed to the edges of the vacuum tube providing for a higher partial pressure in the injection system vacuum chamber and a lower pressure in the synchrotron vacuum system. Having the foil physically separating the vacuum chamber into two pressure regions allows for fewer and/or smaller pumps to maintain the lower pressure system in the synchrotron as the inlet hydrogen gas is extracted in a separate contained and isolated space by the injection partial vacuum system.
US08198606B2
A system and method are presented for monitoring detectable responses from multiple biosensing elements while in contact with multiple samples located in an array. The system (1000) comprises an exciting unit (100), and a detection unit (120). The exciting unit (100) is configured for producing an array of exciting signals (102) each characterized by a frequency differing from those of the other exciting signals, and exciting a corresponding array of the biosensing elements (110), thereby enabling each biosensing element to generate a response signal (130) tagged by the different frequency. The detection unit (120) comprises a single receiving element associated with said array of biosensing elements (110) and configured for concurrently receiving the multiple response signals and generating a single output signal (140) indicative thereof. The system thereby enables to identify signal parts corresponding to the response signals of the spatially separated biosensing elements.
US08198605B2
An apparatus for performing non-contact material characterization includes a wafer carrier adapted to hold a plurality of substrates and a material characterization device, such as a device for performing photoluminescence spectroscopy. The apparatus is adapted to perform non-contact material characterization on at least a portion of the wafer carrier, including the substrates disposed thereon.
US08198597B2
A variable delay device is connected to a photosensor of a time-of-flight gamma ray detection system and includes a substrate on which a plurality of conductive pins are affixed. A first terminal connected to a first of the plurality of pins and a second terminal connected to the second of the plurality of pins are also affixed to the substrate. A jumper electrically connects the plurality of pins at a predetermined distance relative to the substrate, and a time delay of the variable delay device is determined based on the electrical path between the first and second terminals formed by the plurality of pins and the jumper.
US08198591B2
The present invention provides a cooling device that can cool an electronic device in a short amount of time. When an electronic cassette has been accommodated in a housing device, the cooling device performs heat absorption by spraying an antiseptic liquid from nozzles onto the electronic cassette.
US08198589B2
A gas filter correlation radiometer mounted on an aircraft is flown over a target area. The gas filter correlation radiometer is configured to detect ethane (C2H6) gas in the event of a gas leak. The gas filter correlation radiometer uses background radiation to detect ethane.
US08198587B2
Compact, dual energy radiation scanning systems are described comprising two particle beam accelerators, each configured to accelerate charged particles to different energies, positioned parallel to a direction of movement of an object to be inspected. The accelerator may be positioned perpendicular to a plane of the conveying system, instead. Bend magnet systems bend each charged particle beam toward a respective target. Alternatively, a single dual energy accelerator capable of accelerating charged particles to at least two different energies is positioned parallel to the direction of movement of the object, or perpendicular to a plane of the conveying system. A single bend magnet system is provided to bend each accelerated charged particle beam toward the same target. The particle beams may be bent through an orbit chamber. Two separate passages may be defined through at least part of the orbit chamber, one for charged particles having each energy.
US08198583B2
Analyte ions, particularly biopolymer ions, stored in an RF ion trap are ergodically fragmented by bombarding the analyte ions with collision ions, for example medium-mass, mono-atomic ions having a charge of opposite polarity to the charge of the analyte ions. Since the analyte ions are not fragmented by accelerating and/or exciting them to oscillations, as is the case with conventional collision-induced dissociation, the RF voltage of the ion trap can be set low enough that daughter ions with light charge-related masses that are produced by the fragmentation can also remain trapped in the ion trap.
US08198581B2
An electrostatic trap such as an orbitrap is disclosed, with an electrode structure. An electrostatic trapping field of the form U′(r, φ, z) is generated to trap ions within the trap so that they undergo isochronous oscillations. The trapping field U′(r, φ, z) is the result of a perturbation W to an ideal field U(r, φ, z) which, for example, is hyperlogarithmic in the case of an orbitrap. The perturbation W may be introduced in various ways, such as by distorting the geometry of the trap so that it no longer follows an equipotential of the ideal field U(r, φ, z), or by adding a distortion field (either electric or magnetic). The magnitude of the perturbation is such that at least some of the trapped ions have an absolute phase spread of more than zero but less than 2 Π radians over an ion detection period Tm.
US08198566B2
Laser output including at least one laser pulse having a wavelength greater than 1.1 μm and shorter than 5 μm (preferably at about 1.1 μm) and having a pulsewidth shorter than 100 ps (preferably shorter than 10 ps) permits low-k dielectric material, such as SRO or SiCOH, to be removed without damaging the substrate. An oscillator module in cooperation with an amplification module are used to generate the laser output.
US08198564B2
A laser processing system quickly and flexibly modifies a processing beam to determine and implement an improved or optimum beam profile for a particular application (or a subset of the application). The system reduces the sensitivity of beam shaping subsystems to variations in the laser processing system, including those due to manufacturing tolerances, thermal drift, variations in component performance, and other sources of system variation. Certain embodiments also manipulate lower quality laser beams (higher M2 values) to provide acceptable shaped beam profiles.
US08198558B2
A conductor termination system for use with an electrical power transmission conductor includes a termination assembly and a connector. The termination assembly includes an end member and an integral retainer mechanism. The end member includes a receiver portion configured to receive a segment of the conductor. The retainer mechanism includes a moveable keeper member on the end member. The retainer mechanism is operable to selectively clamp a segment of the conductor in the receiver portion to the end member and to apply a retention load to the conductor segment. The connector is adapted to be applied to the end member and the conductor to securely clamp the conductor segment to the end member.
US08198552B2
A hot melt structure for an electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device comprises a first component and a second component. The hot melt structure comprises a fixing element and a hot melt element. The fixing element is disposed on the first component, and the hot melt element is disposed on the second component. The hot melt element comprises a gap portion and a hollow portion through which the fixing element is combined with the hot melt element. The height of the hot melt element is larger than that of the fixing element. The hot melt element can be heated to deform inwardly towards the hollow portion for fixing the fixing element.
US08198550B2
A printed circuit board and a method of manufacturing the printed circuit board, in which the printed circuit board includes an insulating layer, a circuit layer embedded in the insulating layer and having a connection pad that is embedded in the insulating layer such that one side of the connection pad is flush with a surface of the insulating layer, and insulating materials configured to protect the circuit layer from an external environment and having an opening through which the connection pad is exposed. The manufacturing process includes a step of pressing the circuit layer and the insulating material into the insulating layer to form a level surface while leaving the connection pads flush at the surface. The method makes the printed circuit board slim, and increases reliability and the degree of design freedom.
US08198548B2
A Z-directed capacitor component for insertion into a printed circuit board while allowing electrical connection to internal conductive planes contained within the PCB. In one embodiment the Z-directed capacitor component utilizes semi-cylindrical metallic sheets. In another embodiment, stack annular metallic disks are used. The Z-directed capacitor component mounts within the thickness of the PCB allowing other components to be mounted over it. The body may contain one or more conductors and may include one or more surface channels or wells extending along at least a portion of the length of the body. Methods for mounting Z-directed components are also provided.
US08198540B2
A power element mounting substrate including a circuit layer brazed to a surface of a ceramic plate, and a power element soldered to a front surface of the circuit layer, wherein the circuit layer is constituted using an Al alloy with an average purity of more than or equal to 98.0 wt % and less than or equal to 99.9 wt %, Fe concentration of the circuit layer at a side of a surface to be brazed to the ceramic plate is less than 0.1 wt %, and Fe concentration of the circuit layer at a side of the surface opposite to the surface to be brazed is more than or equal to 0.1 wt %.
US08198539B2
A heat radiator 1 includes an insulating substrate 3 whose first side serves as a heat-generating-element-mounting side, and a heat sink 5 fixed to a second side of the insulating substrate 3. A metal layer 7 is formed on the second side of the insulating substrate 3 opposite the heat-generating-element-mounting side. A stress relaxation member 4 formed of a high-thermal-conduction material intervenes between the metal layer 7 of the insulating substrate 3 and the heat sink 5 and includes a plate-like body 10 and a plurality of projections 11 formed at intervals on one side of the plate-like body 10. The end faces of the projections 11 of the stress relaxation member 4 are brazed to the metal layer 7, whereas the side of the plate-like body 10 on which the projections 11 are not formed is brazed to the heat sink 5. This heat radiator 1 is low in material cost and exhibits excellent heat radiation performance.
US08198528B2
A multilayer anti-reflection structure for a backside contact solar cell. The anti-reflection structure may be formed on a front side of the backside contact solar cell. The anti-reflection structure may include a passivation level, a high optical absorption layer over the passivation level, and a low optical absorption layer over the high optical absorption layer. The passivation level may include silicon dioxide thermally-grown on a textured surface of the solar cell substrate, which may be an N-type silicon substrate. The high optical absorption layer may be configured to block at least 10% of UV radiation coming into the substrate. The high optical absorption layer may comprise high-k silicon nitride and the low optical absorption layer may comprise low-k silicon nitride.
US08198525B2
A computer implemented method allows a user to collectively adjust tracks in a digital workstation. The method includes causing the display of at least one internal track and at least one external track. The method then allows the collective adjusting of the tempo, tempo and pitch, or tuning of each internal track and each external track in response to receiving a command. The adjusted tempo and/or adjusted tuning value can be displayed.
US08198511B2
The Invention relates to maize having a reduced level of CAD2 activity due to the presence of the delta-314 allele, and to the use thereof for silage.
US08198501B2
The present invention is directed to a process for isomerizing light paraffins by using a catalyst containing a zeolite selected from the group consisting of CON- and TUN-type zeolites, and at least one Group VIII metal. It has been found that the CON- and TUN-type zeolite catalysts of the present invention selectively convert C6 paraffins into the more favorable higher octane C6 isomer, namely 2,3-dimethylbetane (RON 101.0), over the less favorable C6 isomer, namely octane 2,2-dimethylbutane (RON 91.8).
US08198500B2
A process comprising contacting an olefin feed from a Fischer-Tropsch condensate with an isoparaffin, an acidic chloroaluminate ionic liquid catalyst, and a Brönsted acid; whereby a base oil is produced by concurrent oligomerization and alkylation.
US08198497B2
A catalytic composition for the selective oligomerization of ethylene and a process for preparing light linear (α-olefins, especially 1-hexene and 1-octene, starting from ethylene, using this composition, said composition comprising the following components: (A) a compound of a transition metal M of Group 4 of the periodic table; (B) an organic compound containing the sulfonic group (>SO2) bonded to two carbon atoms; (C) a hydrocarbyl organometallic compound of a metal M′ selected from elements of Groups 1, 2, 12, 13 or 14 of the periodic table; components (A), (B) and (C) being in such a quantity that the atomic ratios respectively of the metal M in (A), of the sulfur S in the sulfonic group of (B) and of the metal M′ in (C), respect the following proportions: S/M=(from 0 to 20)/1 and M′/M=(from 2 to 2000)/1, on the condition that when the compound of the metal M in component (A) is not a sulfonic complex of M, the S/M ratio is greater than 0.5, preferably greater than 1.
US08198491B2
The present invention provides a process for preparing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene represented by CF3CF═CH2 and 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene represented by CF3CH═CHF, in which 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne represented by the chemical formula CF3C≡CH is reacted with hydrogen fluoride under heating. The process of the present invention is a simple, effective and industrially applicable process for preparing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.
US08198488B2
The present invention relates to processes for the reduction by hydrogenation, using molecular H2, of a substrate containing one or two esters, or lactones, functional groups into the corresponding alcohol, or diol, with the process being carried out in the presence of a base and at least one catalyst or pre-catalyst in the form of a ruthenium complex, wherein the ruthenium is coordinated by a diphosphine bidentate ligand (PP ligand) and a diamino bidentate ligand (NN ligand) that includes at least one substituted α-carbon and one primary amine as one of the coordinating atoms.
US08198482B2
This invention relates to a method for producing a carboxylic acid chloride, which efficiently decomposes a Vilsmeier reagent type compound in a carboxylic acid chloride lacking a thermal stability or a carboxylic acid chloride hardly distilled in practice due to a high boiling point with a simple operation and has no adverse effect on a subsequent step, and more particularly to a method for producing a carboxylic acid chloride, characterized by comprising reacting a carboxylic acid with a chlorinating agent in the presence of a catalyst, removing the excessive chlorinating agent from a reaction system after the reaction, and then further adding 1.0 to 3.0 equivalents of the starting carboxylic acid based on the catalyst to the reaction system to decompose a Vilsmeier reagent type compound remaining in the reaction system.
US08198479B2
This invention relates to the field of heterogeneous catalysis, and more particularly to catalysts including carbon supports having compositions which comprise one or more transition metals in combination with nitrogen and/or carbon formed on or over the surface of the carbon support. The present invention also relates to catalyst combinations comprising catalysts including carbon supports having compositions which comprise one or more transition metals in combination with nitrogen and/or carbon formed on or over the surface of a carbon support and a secondary catalyst or, co-catalyst, including a secondary transition metal. The invention further relates to the field of catalytic oxidation reactions, including the preparation of secondary amines by the catalytic oxidation of tertiary amines.
US08198464B2
The present invention provides a method for producing a C-glycoside derivative, which can produce the C-glycoside derivative at a high yield and at a low cost, which conforms to environmental protection, and which is applicable industrially. The C-glycoside derivative is useful for treating and preventing diabetes such as insulin-dependent diabetes (type 1 diabetes), non-insulin-dependent diabetes (type 2 diabetes) and the like and various diabetes-related diseases including insulin-resistant diseases and obesity.
US08198460B2
The present invention relates to an improved process for preparation of the non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor drug, Letrozole of formula (I) and its intermediates, 4-[1-(1,2,4-triazolyl)methyl]-benzonitrile of formula (IV) and 4-[1-(1,2,4-triazolyl)methyl]-benzonitrile hydrochloride of formula (VII), all having a purity of ≧99%, which is simple, convenient, economical, does not use hazardous chemicals and industrially viable.
US08198454B2
The present invention relates to an amide derivative of the formula (1), having a C5a receptor antagonistic action wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification. The above-mentioned amide derivative, an optically active form thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are promising as an agent for the treatment or prophylaxis of diseases or syndromes caused by inflammation caused by C5a [e.g., autoimmune diseases such as rheumatism, systemic lupus erythematosus and the like, sepsis, adult respiratory distress syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, allergic diseases such as asthma and the like, atherosclerosis, cardiac infarction, brain infarction, psoriasis, Alzheimer's disease and serious organ injury (e.g., pneumonia, nephritis, hepatitis and pancreatitis and the like) due to activation of leukocytes caused by ischemia reperfusion, trauma, burn, surgical invasion and the like]. Moreover, they are useful as a therapeutic or prophylactic agent for the infectious diseases caused by bacteria and virus that invade via a C5a receptor.
US08198445B2
Disclosed is a method for highly efficiently obtaining an optically active alcohol from a carbonyl compound highly enantioselectively. Also disclosed is a ligand used in such a method. Specifically, an optically active alcohol is obtained by reacting a carbonyl compound and an organozinc compound by using a ligand (L) shown below.
US08198439B2
The present invention relates to an improved process for the purification of melamine obtained by synthesis from urea which comprises the following steps: a) bringing raw melamine containing impurities of polycondensates and other by-products of the synthesis reaction, into solution, obtaining a solution/suspension in which the insoluble products are dispersed; b) subjecting the solution/suspension thus obtained to treatment to remove the CO2 dissolved, reducing its concentration to values lower than 0.5% by weight; c) treating the solution/suspension obtained in step b), having a content of CO2 lower than 0.5% by weight, with ammonia in a quantity ranging from 1 to 15%, preferably from 3 to 9% by weight, at a temperature ranging from 110 to 180° C., preferably from 130 to 140° C.; d) putting the solution leaving step c) in contact with a solid catalyst, under the same conditions as step c). The present invention also relates to the equipment for effecting said process.
US08198431B2
The invention is directed to an improved, reliably performable process for preparing triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC) by Cu2+-catalysed rearrangement of triallyl cyanurate (TAC) at at least 90° C. According to the invention, TAC and, if required, also a Cu2+ catalyst and solvent are fed continuously to a start reaction mixture after onset of the initially inhibited isomerization reaction, the isomerization is performed at from 90 to 160° C. and an amount of reaction mixture equivalent to the amount of reactant is drawn off continuously and sent to the workup. Preference is given to effecting the isomerization in TAIC as the reaction medium.
US08198415B2
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an anti-RhD recombinant polyclonal antibody composition (anti-RhD rpAb). The method comprises obtaining a collection of cells transfected with a library of anti-RhD antibody expression vectors, wherein each cell in the collection is capable of expressing from a VH and VL comprising nucleic acid segment, one member of the library, which encodes a distinct member of anti-RhD recombinant polyclonal antibody composition and which is located at the same site in the genome of individual cells in said collection. The cells are cultured under suitable conditions for expression of the recombinant polyclonal antibody, which is obtained from the cells or culture supernatant. The nucleic acid segments encoding the anti-RhD rpAb is introduced into the cells by transfection with a library of vectors for site-specific integration. The present method is suitable for manufacturing anti-RhD rpAb, thereby making available a superior replacement of plasma-derived prophylactic and therapeutic immunoglobulin products.
US08198408B2
A method of preparing porous collagen matrices directly from connective tissues using an acidic solution substantially free of salt.
US08198407B1
The invention discloses methods for sequential protein isolation and purification from a biological sample by affinity chromatography. Affinity chromatography is conducted using ligands or ligand support complexes that selectively and specifically bind to proteins in the biological sample. The ligands or ligand support complexes were contacted sequentially in a predetermined order with the biological sample to allow each ligand or ligand-support complex to sequentially bind a protein from the biological sample.
US08198390B2
A water soluble functional polyethylene glycol-grafted polysiloxane polymer comprising a polysiloxane backbone and polyethylene glycol side chains is provided having the general formula: wherein A is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, methoxy and functional polyethylene glycol based chains, B is a functional group for binding biologically-sensitive materials, D is a functional group for binding to a substrate, m is from 3 to 5, v is from 0 to 5, w is from 4 to 11, x is from 0 to 35 and z is from 1 to 33. In order to be water soluble, the polysiloxane polymer h the following properties: x+y+z is from 8 to 40, n is from 8 to 30, and y is from 7 to 35.
US08198384B1
A method for preventing or reducing clogging of a fines ejector in a gas-phase olefin polymerization process is disclosed. The process involves injecting a liquid into the motive gas stream entering the fines ejector.
US08198382B2
The present invention relates to an epoxy resin composition for photosemiconductor element encapsulation, the epoxy resin composition including the following components (A) to (D): (A) an epoxy resin having two or more epoxy groups in one molecule thereof, (B) an acid anhydride curing agent, (C) a curing accelerator, and (D) an alcohol compound having three or more primary hydroxyl groups in one molecule thereof.
US08198379B2
The present invention relates to the modification of butyl elastomers, particularly halobutyl elastomers, under solvent free conditions with a phase transfer catalyst in the presence of an alkyl metal salt of an oxygen or sulfur-based nucleophile.
US08198376B2
A method for producing a water-absorbent resin, characterized in that a precursor of the water-absorbent resin obtained by polymerizing a water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer is subjected to a post-crosslinking reaction in the presence of a compound having plural hydrazide groups. The water-absorbent resin obtained by the method for producing a water-absorbent resin of the present invention is excellent in properties such as water-retention capacity, water-absorption capacity under load, and gel strength, and also gives consideration to safety of the water-absorbent resin by reducing water-soluble substance. Therefore, the water-absorbent resin of the present invention can be suitably used, for example, in hygienic materials such as disposable diaper, incontinence pad and sanitary napkin, in particular, in disposable diaper.
US08198375B2
The present invention provides prepolymers based on poly(alkyl ethers) having terminal trifluorovinyl aromatic containing groups and polymers produced from such prepolymers. The prepolymers and polymers are useful as biomedical devices such as contact lenses or intraocular lenses.
US08198373B2
Plastic toughened plastics include a polymer composition having a polypropylene component and a second polymer component. The polypropylene component is present in an amount from about 50 to about 95 weight percent based on the total weight of the blend. The second polymer component is present in an amount from about 5 to about 50 weight percent based on the total weight of the blend, is a BOCD or BCD blend of at least two ssPE components, and has an overall density greater than about 0.90 g/cm3. Optionally, the plastic toughened plastics include one or more third polymer component selected from propylene-olefin elastomers and ethylene-propylene rubbers, which are present in an amount from about 1 to about 50 weight percent, based on the total weight of the blend.
US08198371B2
Polymer blends comprising polyesters made from terephthalic acid; 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol; and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, and copolymers made from acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene (ABS) monomers. These blends have a combination of toughness, heat resistance, high modulus, and good flowability—making them particularly useful in films, fibers, engineering molding plastics, and packaging.
US08198368B2
Cleavable, disulfide-coupled block copolymers as can be used in the preparation of nanoporous thin films, micellar configurations and related structures.
US08198362B2
Provided is a vibration damping material comprising: a polyester resin containing dicarboxylic acid constitutional units and diol constitutional units; and mica being dispersed in the polyester resin, wherein: (1) a ratio [(A1+B1)/(A0+B0)] of a total of (A1) a number of the dicarboxylic acid constitutional units having an odd number of carbon atoms in a polyester main chain and (B1) a number of the diol constitutional units having an odd number of carbon atoms in the polyester main chain with respect to a total of (A0) a number of total dicarboxylic acid constitutional units and (B0) a number of total diol constitutional units in the polyester resin is in the range of 0.5 to 1; and (2) an average particle diameter calculated from a volume-based particle diameter frequency distribution of the mica in the vibration damping material is 25 to 500 μm. The damping material has a high versatility, is lightweight, shows an excellent vibration damping property and can be produced easily with a batch mixer.
US08198360B2
Processes and products utilizing (meth)acrylic esters of poly(trimethylene ether) glycol are provided. Products that can be made include ceramic materials, personal care products, inks, coatings, fabrics, and other articles that can be made from reaction products of (meth)acrylic ester of poly(trimethylene ether) glycol with certain monomers.
US08198354B2
Methods of preparing elastomeric gasket materials for use in metered dose inhalers that include contacting an elastomeric gasket material to be used in a metered dose inhaler, which gasket material comprises one or more extractable compounds, with a solution comprising an organic solvent under conditions sufficient to extract at least a portion of at least one of the one or more extractable compounds from the elastomeric gasket material are described. Sealing gaskets made by such methods as well as metering valves, metered dose inhalers, and drug products that include such gaskets are also described.
US08198335B2
A cosmetic material includes a component selected from diethyl amino hydroxy benzoyl hexyl benzoate and/or 4-tert-buthyl-4′-methoxy dibenzoyl methane as a component that crystallizes and precipitates easily and blends, as a dissolution stabilizer of the component, one or more types of octyl hydroxy stearate oligomer selected from a dimer to heptamer of octyl hydroxy stearate, whereby precipitation of UV absorbents and other poorly soluble components can be prevented over a long period.
US08198333B2
A drug composition containing as a drug substance a polymeric guanidine derivative based on a diamine containing oxyalkylene chains between two amino groups, with the guanidine derivative representing a product of polycondensation between a guanidine acid addition salt and a diamine containing polyalkylene chains between two amino groups, as well as the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
US08198329B2
A medicament for promoting memory consolidation, which comprises, as an active ingredient, a non-natural retinoid, preferably a retinoid having a basic skeleton comprising an aromatic ring bound with an aromatic carboxylic acid or tropolone by means of a bridging group, more preferably 4-[(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)carbamoyl]benzoic acid or 4-[(3,5-bis-trimethylsilylphenyl)-carboxamido]benzoic acid.
US08198321B2
The invention relates to a terpenic composition for use as an anti-micro-organism or anti-viral agent comprising a cyclic terpenic compound obtained from a terpene of the general formula (C5H8)n, n being in the range of 2 to 5; and to a vector-forming organic substance, associated to the said cyclic terpenic compound.
US08198318B2
Compounds comprising or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof, are disclosed, wherein G, E, B, Y, and A are as described. Methods, compositions, and medicaments related thereto are also disclosed.
US08198307B2
The present invention is directed to a novel imidazole derivative having an aryl piperidine substituent of formula (I) and a method for preparation thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition containing said imidazole derivative as an active ingredient for preventing or treating a MCH (melanine-concentrating hormone)-related disease.
US08198305B2
This invention relates to novel 1,2-benzisoxazol-3-yl compounds, their derivatives, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, and hydrates thereof. This invention also provides compositions comprising a compound of this invention and the use of such compositions in methods of treating diseases and conditions that are beneficially treated by administering an antagonist of both dopamine and serotonin receptors.
US08198292B2
The present invention provides a method of promoting bone growth in a subject in need thereof, by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I. The compounds include the salts, hydrates and isomers thereof. The present invention also provides methods for the treatment of renal disease and cancer.
US08198277B2
Pharmaceutical compositions of L malate salts of (6-(5-chloro-2-pyridyl)-5-[(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)carbonyloxy]-7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyrazine) are provided.
US08198276B2
Pyrimidinone derivatives have enhanced and unexpected drug properties as inhibitors of protein kinases and are useful in treating disorders related to abnormal protein kinase activities such as inflammatory diseases and certain types of cancer.
US08198274B2
This application discloses compounds of generic Formula I: or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein A, R1, R2, R3, R4, Q, X, Y, m, p, and q are defined as described herein, useful for treatment of diseases associated with monoamine reuptake inhibitors. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, methods of using, and methods of preparing the compounds.
US08198272B2
The invention relates to novel compounds of formula I where X, A−, Q1, Q2, Q3, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and R9 are each as defined below. The compounds of formula I have antithrombotic activity and inhibit especially protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1). The invention further relates to a process for preparing the compound of formula I and to the use thereof as a medicament.
US08198263B2
The invention relates to vitamin D derivatives and their uses, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry. The invention discloses compounds having different interesting biological properties, including vitamin D nuclear receptor (VDR) agonist activity, as well as therapeutics methods by administering said compounds, in particular for treating cancer, psoriasis, autoimmune diseases, osteodistrophy and osteoporosis. It further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds and methods for preparing the same.
US08198260B2
A composition is disclosed suitable for the prevention and/or treatment of disorders due to abnormal lipid metabolism, such as hypercholesterolaemia, atherosclerosis, hyperlipidaemia and obesity, and which can therefore take the form of a dietary supplement or of an actual medicine, comprising as characterizing active ingredients: (a) propionyl L-carnitine or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, and (b) chitosan or its derivatives and congeners.
US08198255B2
DCAMKL-1 has been identified as a biomarker for stem cells, as well as cancer stem cells. Methods of detecting the presence of at least one stem cell, methods of isolating stem cells, and methods of inhibiting growth of cancer cells utilizing DCAMKL-1 are disclosed herein.
US08198249B2
A process of enhancing insulin excretion in a subject includes administering to the subject a polyphenol active ingredient. The polyphenol active ingredient is a purified cyanidin-3-glycoside alone or purified cyanidin alone. The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is administered with the polyphenol active ingredient.
US08198243B2
A method for treating conditions related to lack of blood supply with a lipid based resuscitation fluid is disclosed. The resuscitation fluid contains a lipid component and an aqueous carrier. The lipid component forms an emulsion with the aqueous carrier. The resuscitation fluid can be used to increase the blood pressure and to carry oxygen to tissues. The resuscitation fluid can also be used for preserving the biological integrity of donor organs for transplantation.
US08198219B2
The use of solid materials based on synthetic polymers and/or biopolymers (A) in natural gas and mineral oil extraction technology. The solid materials are produced by solubilizing at least one synthetic polymer and/or biopolymer (A), or at least one synthetic polymer and/or biopolymer (A) and at least one additive (B), in at least one substantially anhydrous chaotropic liquid (C). The solution or dispersion (AC) or (ABC) is contacted with a liquid (D1) which is miscible with the chaotropic liquid (C), but in which at least the synthetic polymer and/or the biopolymer (A) are substantially insoluble, resulting in a phase (E). The chaotropic liquid (C) is removed from phase (E) to result in a gel (G), which is impregnated with a liquid (D2). The two liquids (D1) and (D2) are removed from the gel (G) by evaporating, producing a solid material based on synthetic polymer and/or biopolymer (A).
US08198214B2
The present invention relates to a solid formulation comprising a) one or more sulfonamides, b) one or more surfactants, and c) at least 2% by weight of water. The solid formulation is suitable for the field of crop protection.
US08198213B2
A thermal transfer image receiving sheet containing a substrate having thereon a thermal insulation layer, an intermediate layer and an image receiving layer in that order, wherein the thermal insulation layer, the image receiving layer and the intermediate layer each is formed by an aqueous coating method.
US08198212B2
A heat-sensitive recording material is proposed, which comprises a substrate and a heat-sensitive recording layer that contains color formers and color acceptors, where the color formers are selected from the list comprising: 3-diethylamino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran, 3-dibutylamino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran, 3-(N-methyl-N-propyl)amino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran, 3-(N-ethyl-N-isoamyl)amino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran, 3-(N-methyl-N-cyclohexyl)amino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran, 3-(N-ethyl-N-tolyl)amino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran, and 3-(N-ethyl-N-tetrahydrofuryl)amino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran, the heat-sensitive recording layer contains two color acceptors, which are: N-(p-toluenesulfonyl)-N′-3-(p-toluenesulfonyloxyphenyl)urea with the following formula (1): and a urea-urethane compound with the following formula (2): where the ratio of the two color acceptors, i.e., the ratio of N-(p-toluenesulfonyl)-N′-3-(p-toluenesulfonyloxyphenyl)urea according to formula (1) to the urea-urethane compound according to formula (2), is in the range of 10:1 to 1:1, based on wt. % in the heat-sensitive recording layer.
US08198207B2
Borane catalyst complexes with amide functional polymers have a borane portion of the complex that may contain at least one silicon atom. The catalyst complexes can be used as components in curable compositions containing (i) the catalyst complex, (ii) a free radical polymerizable monomer, oligomer or polymer, and optionally (iii) a decomplexer. The curable compositions may contain a component capable of generating a gas, as well as various other optional ingredients. These curable compositions can be used as rubbers, tapes, adhesives, protective coatings, thin films, thermoplastic monolithic molded parts, thermosetting monolithic molded parts, sealants, foams, gaskets, seals, o-rings, pressure sensitive adhesives, die attachment adhesives, lid sealants, encapsulants, potting compounds, conformal coatings, and electronic components. The compositions can also be used in composite articles of manufacture in which substrates are coated or bonded together with the composition and cured, such as in connectors, diving masks, or other integrally bonded parts.
US08198203B2
An antimony-free glass suitable for use in a frit for producing a hermetically sealed glass package is described. The hermetically sealed glass package, such as an OLED display device, is manufactured by providing a first glass substrate plate and a second glass substrate plate and depositing the antimony-free frit onto the first substrate plate. OLEDs may be deposited on the second glass substrate plate. An irradiation source (e.g., laser, infrared light) is then used to heat the frit which melts and forms a hermetic seal that connects the first glass substrate plate to the second glass substrate plate and also protects the OLEDs. The antimony-free glass has excellent aqueous durability, good flow, low glass transition temperature and low coefficient of thermal expansion.
US08198201B2
Transparent β-quartz glass-ceramics containing vanadium oxide. Such glass-ceramics have advantageous optical properties including good transmission in the infrared range, low transmission in the visible range, and significant transmission in the blue range for thicknesses of 3 mm. They can be used as materials for cooking top plates.
US08198200B2
An extruded web is disclosed. The extruded web can be either a nonwoven material of a films. The web comprises a plasto-elastic material where the plasto-elastic material is a combination of a first polyolefin and a second polyolefin (either a polymeric blends or a polymeric mixture). The claimed combination of polyolefins results in a material that has substantially plastic properties when a sample taken from said web is subjected to an initial strain cycle (such that the web is provided with a set of at least 30% by an initial strain cycle) and substantially elastic properties when a sample taken from the web is subjected to at least a second strain cycle.
US08198195B2
A plasma processing apparatus in which consumption of expensive krypton and xenon gases is suppressed as much as possible while reducing damage on a workpiece during plasma processing. In plasma processing of a substrate using a rare gas, two or more kinds of different rare gases are employed, and an inexpensive argon gas is used as one rare gas and any one or both of krypton and xenon gases having a larger collision cross-sectional area against electron than that of the argon gas is used as the other gas. Consequently, consumption of expensive krypton and xenon gases is suppressed as much as possible and damage on a workpiece is reduced during plasma processing.
US08198190B2
Interlayer connections, i.e., vertical connections, may be formed on the basis of a hard mask material, which may be positioned below, within or above an interlayer dielectric material, wherein one lateral dimension is defined by a trench mask, thereby obtaining a desired interlayer connection in a common patterning process. Furthermore, the thickness of at least certain portions of the metal lines may be adjusted with a high degree of flexibility, thereby providing the possibility of significantly reducing the overall resistivity of metal lines in metal levels, in which device performance may significantly depend on resistivity rather than parasitic capacitance.
US08198185B2
Some embodiments of the present invention include apparatuses and methods relating to processing and packaging microelectronic devices that reduce stresses on and limit or eliminate crack propagation in the devices.
US08198182B2
In an atmosphere in which a silicon carbide (SiC) substrate implanted with impurities is annealed to activate the impurities, by setting a partial pressure of H2O to be not larger than 10−2 Pa, preferably not larger than 10−3 Pa, surface irregularity of the silicon carbide (SiC) substrate is controlled to be not greater than 2 nm, more preferably not greater than 1 nm in RMS value.
US08198177B2
Seeds are implanted in a regular pattern upon an undersubstrate. An AlxInyGa1-x-yN (0≦x≦1, 0≦y≦1, 0
US08198172B2
Methods for fabricating integrated circuit devices on an acceptor substrate devoid of circuitry are disclosed. Integrated circuit devices are formed by sequentially disposing one or more levels of semiconductor material on an acceptor substrate, and fabricating circuitry on each level of semiconductor material before disposition of a next-higher level. After encapsulation of the circuitry, the acceptor substrate is removed and semiconductor dice are singulated. Integrated circuit devices formed by the methods are also disclosed.
US08198171B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes: providing a substrate; forming a plurality of trenches by etching the substrate; forming a first isolation layer by filling the plurality of the trenches with a first insulation layer; recessing the first insulation layer filling a first group of the plurality of the trenches to a predetermined depth; forming a liner layer over the first group of the trenches with the first insulation layer recessed to the predetermined depth; and forming a second isolation layer by filling the first group of the trenches, where the liner layer is formed, with a second insulation layer.
US08198164B2
The present invention discloses a gas pendulum style level posture sensing chip and its manufacturing method and a level posture sensor. The gas pendulum style level posture sensing chip includes: a semiconductor substrate; two sets of arm thermosensitive fuses formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate, each set of the thermosensitive fuses including two thermosensitive fuses in parallel to each other, the two sets of thermosensitive fuses being vertical to each other; electrodes formed at the two ends of the thermosensitive fuses. For the level posture sensing chip and sensor provided by the present invention, the parallelism and verticality of the thermosensitive fuses is high in precision such that the more accurate measurement can be implemented.
US08198153B2
A method is provided for simultaneously fabricating a flash storage element, an NFET and a PFET having metal gates with different workfunctions. A first gate metal layer of the NFET having a first workfunction can be deposited simultaneously with a first metal layer for forming the floating gate of the flash storage element. A second gate metal layer of the PFET having a second workfunction different from the first workfunction can be deposited simultaneously with a second metal layer for forming the control gate of the flash storage element. A semiconductor layer can then be deposited over the first and second metal layers and gate metal layers and patterned to form first, second and third gates. Source and drain regions of the flash storage element, the NFET and the PFET can then be formed adjacent to the first, second and third gates, respectively.
US08198152B2
In sophisticated semiconductor devices, a replacement gate approach may be applied, in which a channel semiconductor material may be provided through the gate opening prior to forming the gate dielectric material and the electrode metal. In this manner, specific channel materials may be provided in a late manufacturing stage for different transistor types, thereby providing superior transistor performance and superior flexibility in adjusting the electronic characteristics of the transistors.
US08198150B1
A low thermal pathway is provided from the top surface of a silicon substrate to the bottom surface of the silicon substrate by first forming aluminum plugs in the bottom surface of the silicon substrate that contact the silicon substrate and extend up towards the top surface, and then heating the aluminum plugs to a temperature for a period of time sufficient to cause spikes to grow from the sides of the aluminum plugs.
US08198143B2
A mold (10) including a first mold part (12) and a second mold part (14) define a mold cavity (16) therebetween. A gate (18) is formed in at least one of the first and second mold parts (12) and (14) such that the gate (18) communicates with the mold cavity (16). A vent (20) having a constricted portion (22) is arranged to communicate with the mold cavity (16). A substrate (28) including a base substrate (30) and an electrically conductive pattern (32) and (34) formed on the base substrate (30) may be received in the mold (10). A solder resist layer (36) is formed on the base substrate (30) and a portion of the electrically conductive pattern (32). A plurality of grooves (38) and (40) is formed in a staggered arrangement around a periphery of a molding area (42) on the substrate (28).
US08198140B2
A wiring substrate for mounting semiconductors is provided with an insulation film, wires formed in the insulation film, and a plurality of electrode pads that electrically connect to the wires through vias. The electrode pads are provided to have their surfaces exposed to both of the front surface and the rear surface of the insulation film, and at least a part of the side surface of the electrode pads is buried in the insulation film. The insulation film is formed by forming electrode pads on the respective two metallic plates, thereafter, laminating an insulation layer and wires on the respective metallic plates to cover the electrode pad, and adhering the insulation layers to each other for integration, and thereafter, removing the metallic plates.
US08198139B2
Provided are a power device package, which can be made compact by vertically stacking substrates on which semiconductor chips are mounted, and a method of fabricating the power device package. The power device package includes: a first substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, and a first wiring pattern formed on the first surface; one or more power semiconductor chips mounted on the first surface of the first substrate and electrically connected to the first wiring pattern; a second substrate vertically spaced apart from the first substrate and comprising a second wiring pattern; one or more first control semiconductor chips mounted on the second substrate and electrically connected to the second wiring pattern; a lead frame electrically connected to the first wiring pattern and the second wiring pattern; and a sealing member sealing the first substrate, the power semiconductor chips, the second substrate, the first control semiconductor chips, and at least a part of the lead frame so as to expose the second surface of the first substrate.
US08198138B2
Methods for providing and using semiconductor device assemblies or packages include providing or using various elements of a semiconductor device assembly or package. Such a semiconductor device package or assembly may include a substrate and a semiconductor die adjacent to a first surface of the substrate. The substrate of such a semiconductor device assembly or package may also include a second surface opposite from the first surface, an opening extending from the first surface and the second surface, contact pads on the second surface, and substrate pads on the second surface, adjacent to the opening. Bond pads of the semiconductor die may be aligned with the opening through the substrate. Intermediate conductive elements, such as bond wires, may extend from bond pads of the semiconductor die, extend through the opening, protrude beyond the second surface of the substrate, and extend to substrate pads on the second surface. An encapsulant, which may fill the opening and cover the intermediate conductive elements, protrudes beyond a plane in which the second surface of the substrate is located. Discrete conductive elements, such as solder balls, may protrude from the contact pads of the substrate.
US08198136B2
A stacked semiconductor package and a method for manufacturing the same. The stacked semiconductor package includes a semiconductor chip module having two or more semiconductor chips which are stacked in the shape of steps. Each of the semiconductor chips includes pads located on an upper surface thereof and an inclined side surface connected with the upper surface. Connection patterns are formed in the shape of lines on the inclined side surfaces and the upper surfaces of the semiconductor chips to electrically connect pads of the semiconductor chips.
US08198134B2
An integrated power device module including a lead frame having first and second spaced pads, one or more common source-drain leads located between the first and second pads, and one or more drain leads located on the outside of the second pad. First and second transistors are flip chip attached respectively to the first and second pads, wherein the source of the second transistor is electrically connected to the one or more common source-drain leads. A first clip is attached to the drain of the first transistor and electrically connected to the one or more common source-drain leads. A second clip is attached to the drain of the second transistor and electrically connected to the one or more drain leads located on the outside of the second pad. Molding material encapsulates the lead frame, the transistors, and the clips to form the module.
US08198129B2
A method of depositing an antimony-comprising phase change material onto a substrate includes providing a reducing agent and vaporized Sb(OR)3 to a substrate, where R is alkyl, and forming there-from antimony-comprising phase change material on the substrate. The phase change material has no greater than 10 atomic percent oxygen, and includes another metal in addition to antimony.
US08198104B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device on a semiconductor substrate, includes the steps of forming a first metal film on a front surface of the semiconductor substrate; forming a second metal film on the surface of the first metal film; activating a surface of the second metal film to provide an activated surface; and forming a plated film on the activated surface by a wet plating method in a plating bath that includes a reducing agent that is oxidized during plating and that has a rate of oxidation, wherein the second metal film is a metal film mainly composed of a first substance that enhances the rate of oxidation of the reducing agent in the plating bath. Wet plating is preferably an electroless process.
US08198097B1
A do-it yourself test kit as a diagnostic agent for the detection of malonyldiadeyde and other aldehydes in the urine, which are formed in the course of the lipid peroxidation process caused by the free radicals. Also disclosed is a process for the preparation of the test, including suggested formulations of antioxidants as body's protectors against oxidative stress to the cells and help to reduce the risk of developing diseases due to the attack of free radicals.
US08198093B2
A method of sorting stained particles in a flow cytometer by generating a mathematical model based upon extracted features of waveform pulses produced in response to the stained particles. Waveform pulses can then be analyzed to determine the probability the stained particles belong in either a first or a second population and a decision boundary can be established. Sorting decisions can be made based upon the extracted features of the waveform pulses relative to the decision boundary in combination with other desirability factors for particles or droplets containing the particles.
US08198089B2
It is to provide a novel Kluyveromyces marxianus transformant having thermotolerance and flocculation property, suitable for the industrial production of bioethanol, by introducing a foreign flocculation gene into Kluyveromyces marxianus, and an efficient method for producing the transformant. The present inventors focused on the flocculation gene FLO of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a foreign gene to confer flocculation property to Kluyveromyces marxianus and produced a linear DNA fragment comprising a known expression promoter sequence and a FLO gene sequence derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. As a result of introducing this linear DNA fragment into Kluyveromyces marxianus, the present inventors have confirmed that Kluyveromyces marxianus transformant can be obtained efficiently, and that the flocculation property of the above transformant is unexpectedly and significantly enhanced. The present invention has been thus completed.
US08198081B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a probe, a primer, a primer set and an antibody for use in the detection or selection of a dopaminergic neuron progenitor cell. The present invention provides a probe, a primer and a primer set for use in the detection or selection of a mesencephalon dopaminergic neuron progenitor cell, and preferably a dopaminergic neuron proliferative progenitor cell, which can hybridize with a nucleotide sequence of a 187A5 gene, or a complementary sequence thereto, and an antibody for use in the detection or selection of a mesencephalon dopaminergic neuron progenitor cell, and preferably a dopaminergic neuron progenitor cell, which is capable of binding to a 187A5 protein.
US08198080B2
Bone cages are disclosed including devices for biocompatible implantation. The structures of bone are useful for providing living cells and tissues as well as biologically active molecules to subjects.
US08198078B2
A DNA molecule is provided which comprises a sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 having an open reading frame from base pair 211 to base pair 1740 or having at least 50% homology to the above-indicated sequence, or hybridizing with the above-indicated sequence under stringent conditions, or comprising a sequence which has degenerated to the above-indicated DNA sequence because of the genetic code, the sequence coding for a plant protein having fucosyltransferase activity or being complementary thereto.
US08198069B2
A process for the production of an optically enriched tertiary alcohol of the formula (2a) or (2b), by reacting an epoxide of the formula (1) with a nucleophilic agent Nu in the presence of halohydrin dehalogenase.
US08198065B2
The invention concerns lactic acid bacteria strains wherein the phosphorylable histidine of the IIA domain of lactose permease is replaced by a non-phosphorylable amino acid. Said strains have a reduced post-acidification and are useful in particular for preparing fermented dairy products.
US08198063B1
The present invention provides methods for rapid deglycosylation of glycoproteins.
US08198044B2
The invention relates to compositions and methods for the in vivo production of polypeptides comprising one or more unnatural amino acids. Specifically, the invention provides plasmid systems for the efficient eubacterial expression of polypeptides comprising one or more unnatural amino acids at genetically-programmed positions.
US08198035B2
Methods and reagents are disclosed for conducting assays for IgE. Embodiments of the present reagents comprise a conjugate of a macromolecule and a compound comprising a galactose-α-1,3-galactose epitope. Embodiments of the present methods are directed to determining the presence and/or amount of an IgE specific for a galactose-α-1,3-galactose epitope in a sample. A combination is provided in a medium, which comprises the sample and a reagent for determining the presence and/or amount of an IgE specific for a galactose-α-1,3-galactose epitope in a sample wherein the reagent comprises a conjugate of a macromolecule and a compound comprising a galactose-α-1,3-galactose epitope. The combination is subjected to conditions for binding of the IgE to the reagent to form a complex. The presence and/or amount of the complex are detected and the amount of the complex is related to the presence and/or amount of IgE in the sample.
US08198034B2
The present specification discloses SNAP-25 compositions, methods of making α-SNAP-25 antibodies that bind an epitope comprising a carboxyl-terminus at the P1 residue from the BoNT/A cleavage site scissile bond from a SNAP-25 cleavage product, α-SNAP-25 antibodies that bind an epitope comprising a carboxyl-terminus at the P1 residue from the BoNT/A cleavage site scissile bond from a SNAP-25 cleavage product, methods of detecting BoNT/A activity, and methods of detecting neutralizing α-BoNT/A antibodies.
US08198031B2
Methods are provided for detecting the formation of complexes of molecules, especially proteins, in a sample, such as a cell or tissue lysate. In one aspect, a cleaving probe specific for a first protein in a complex and one or more binding compounds specific for one or more second proteins in a complex are provided. Upon binding, the cleaving probe is induced to generate an active species, such as singlet oxygen, that cleaves molecular tags attached to the binding compounds only in the local region of the cleaving probe. The released molecular tags are separated from the assay mixture and from one another to provide a readout that is related to the number and types of proteins present in the complex.
US08198029B2
Provided are novel nucleotides, nucleoside, and their derivatives described herein, that can be used in DNA sequencing technology and other types of DNA analysis. In one embodiment, the nucleotide or nucleoside with an unprotected 3′-OH group is derivatized at the nucleobase to include a fluorescent dye attached via a linker to a non-cleavable terminating group. The non-cleavable-fluorescent group is designed to terminate DNA synthesis so that DNA oligomers can be sequenced efficiently in a parallel format. These reagents and methods will lead to more accurate identification of polymorphisms and other valuable genetic information.
US08198027B2
Compositions that are used in nucleic acid amplification in vitro are disclosed, which include a target specific universal (TSU) promoter primer or promoter provider oligonucleotide that includes a target specific (TS) sequence that hybridizes specifically to a target sequence that is amplified and a universal (U) sequence that is introduced into the sequence that is amplified, by using a primer for the universal sequence. Methods of nucleic acid amplification in vitro are disclosed that use one or more TSU oligonucleotides to attached a U sequence to a target nucleic acid in a target capture step and then use a primer for a U sequence in subsequent amplification steps performed in substantially isothermal conditions to make amplification products that contain a U sequence that indicates the presence of the target nucleic acid in a sample.
US08198019B1
The present invention is a method for early detection of cancer including the steps of identifying tissue from asymptomatic individuals, gathering a substantially homogenous cell population from the tissue by laser capture microdissection (LCM), analyzing the cell population with mass spectrometry and identifying predetermined peaks in the mass spectrometry associated with an overexpression of proteins in premalignant and malignant cells.
US08198014B2
To provide a material including: a silicon-containing polymer having at least an alkali-soluble group and is represented by the following general formula (1); and an organic solvent capable of dissolving the silicon-containing polymer. (SiO4/2)a(R1tSiO(4-t)/2)b(O1/2R2)c general formula (1) where R1 represents at least one of a monovalent organic group, hydrogen atom and hydroxyl group, R2 represents at least one of a monovalent organic group and hydrogen atom (where R1 and R2 each may appear twice or more, and at least one of R1 and R2 contains an alkali-soluble group), “t” represents an integer of 1 to 3, “a,” “b,” and “c” represent the relative proportions of their units (where a≧0, b≧0 and c≧0, and “a,” “b,” and “c” are not 0 at the same time), and (R1tSiO(4-t)/2)b may appear twice or more.
US08198012B2
A mask-forming film has a transparent layer between the imageable layer and the carrier sheet, which transparent layer has a refractive index that is lower (by at least 0.04) than that of the carrier sheet or any immediately adjacent layer between it and the carrier sheet. This lower refractive index layer modifies the path of incident radiation during mask image transfer so as to provide steeper shoulder angles in the relief image solid areas. This mask film is used to form a relief image such as in a flexographic printing plate.
US08198007B2
This disclosure provides a negative-working resist composition comprising a calix resorcinarene derivative (A) of specific structure, an acid generator (B) which directly or indirectly generates an acid when exposed to an active energy ray having a wavelength of 248 nm or less, and a cross-linking agent (C).
US08198005B2
Provided is a method of forming a resist pattern capable of forming a resist pattern, whose dimensional variations and defects are reduced as far as possible, with a high throughput. The invention provides a method of forming a resist pattern involving the following: forming a resist film on a substrate; subjecting the resist film to exposure treatment in a pressure-reduced condition after performing pressure-reducing treatment; performing reduced-pressure releasing treatment that releases the resist film from a pressure-reduced condition while humidifying the resist film by introducing a humidity-adjusted gas into the pressure-reduced environment; performing bake treatment that heats the resist film after the reduced-pressure releasing treatment; and developing the resist film.
US08198002B2
Disclosed is a positive photosensitive resin composition that includes (A) a first polybenzoxazole precursor that includes: a repeating unit of Chemical Formula 1 and a thermally polymerizable functional group at at least one terminal end; (B) a second polybenzoxazole precursor that includes a repeating unit of Chemical Formula 3; (C) a photosensitive diazoquinone compound; (D) a silane compound; and (E) a solvent.
US08197983B2
A fuel cell and a method of manufacturing the fuel cell are disclosed. A method of manufacturing a fuel cell by electrically connecting a first cell and a second cell that are coupled over both sides of a membrane with a predetermined gap between the first cell and the second cell, where the first cell and the second cell each has an anode on one side and a cathode on the other side, may include perforating a hole in the membrane between the first cell and the second cell, and electrically connecting the anode of the first cell with the cathode of the second cell through the hole using a conductive member. This method does not entail unnecessary increases in volume or complicated flow paths, and the method can reduce electrical resistance while simplifying the peripheral equipment.
US08197971B2
Provided is an anode for use in electrochemical cells, wherein the anode active layer has a first layer comprising lithium metal and a multi-layer structure comprising single ion conducting layers and polymer layers in contact with the first layer comprising lithium metal or in contact with an intermediate protective layer, such as a temporary protective metal layer, on the surface of the lithium-containing first layer. Another aspect of the invention provides an anode active layer formed by the in-situ deposition of lithium vapor and a reactive gas. The anodes of the current invention are particularly useful in electrochemical cells comprising sulfur-containing cathode active materials, such as elemental sulfur.
US08197970B2
A lithium battery includes a substrate, a positive electrode layer, a negative electrode layer, and a sulfide solid electrolyte layer disposed between the positive electrode layer and the negative electrode layer, the positive electrode layer, the negative electrode layer, and the sulfide solid electrolyte layer being provided on the substrate. In this lithium battery, the positive electrode layer is formed by a vapor-phase deposition method, and a buffer layer that suppresses nonuniformity of distribution of lithium ions near the interface between the positive electrode layer and the sulfide solid electrolyte layer is provided between the positive electrode layer and the sulfide solid electrolyte layer. As the buffer layer, a lithium-ion conductive oxide, in particular, LixLa(2−x)/3TiO3 (x=0.1 to 0.5), Li7+xLa3Zr2O12+(x/2) (−5≦x≦3, preferably −2≦x≦2), or LiNbO3 is preferably used.
US08197963B2
A lithium ion secondary battery includes an electrode assembly having a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator interposed therebetween; a case in which the electrode assembly is received; a cap plate formed with a terminal hole and an electrolyte injection hole; and a washer installed at an upper portion of the cap plate, the washer having at least one transparent part formed thereon or having a transparent part formed on an entire surface thereof.
US08197958B2
An electric battery includes a plurality of electric energy generators and a system for mechanical and thermal conditioning of the elements, which system includes a one-piece structural body in which housings are formed in order to each receive an element, in which the housings have at least one internal area of contact with an element, and the contact area is continuous and has a shape suitable for ensuring contact between the area and the periphery of the element, in which the body also includes chambers that each extend around a contact area, and which system also includes a device enabling a thermal conditioning fluid to circulate in the chambers so as to ensure the thermal conditioning of the elements.
US08197957B2
A battery cover assembly for a portable electronic device (100), the battery cover assembly includes a cover (10), a housing (20), a button (30) and the at least one elastic element (40). The cover defines a button hole (122). The cover is slidably attached to the housing. The button is disposed on the housing, and is releasably received in the button hole. One end of the at least one elastic element is attached to the housing, and another end of the at least one elastic element is attached to the cover. The at least one elastic element provides an elastic force to allow the cover to automatically slide to open relative to the housing when the button exits from the button hole.
US08197953B2
A magnetic stack having a free layer having a switchable magnetization orientation, a reference layer having a pinned magnetization orientation, and a barrier layer therebetween. The stack includes an annular antiferromagnetic pinning layer electrically isolated from the free layer and in physical contact with the reference layer. In some embodiments, the reference layer is larger than the free layer.
US08197952B2
The invention generally provides gypsum-containing slurries including stucco, naphthalenesulfonate dispersant, and pregelatinized starch. The naphthalenesulfonate dispersant is present in an amount of about 0.1%-3.0% by weight based on the weight of dry stucco. The pregelatinized starch is present in an amount of at least about 0.5% by weight up to about 10% by weight of pregelatinized starch by weight based on the weight of dry stucco in the formulation. Other slurry additives can include trimetaphosphate salts, accelerators, binders, paper fiber, glass fiber, and other known ingredients. The invention also comprises the gypsum-containing products made with such slurries, for example, gypsum wallboard, and a method of making gypsum wallboard.
US08197950B2
This invention relates to dense, vertically cracked thermal barrier coatings made from high purity yttria or ytterbia stabilized zirconia powders. The high purity yttria or ytterbia stabilized zirconia powder consisting essentially of less than about 0.01 weight percent silicon dioxide (silica), less than about 0.002 weight percent aluminum oxide (alumina), less than about 0.005 weight percent calcium oxide, less than about 0.005 weight percent ferric oxide, less than about 0 to about 0.002 weight percent magnesium oxide, less than about 0 to about 0.005 weight percent titanium dioxide, from about 1.5 to about 2 weight percent hafnium oxide (hafnia), from about 6 to about 25 weight percent yttrium oxide (yttria), less than 0.1 weight percent other impurity oxides, and the balance zirconium oxide (zirconia) and the balance zirconium oxide (zirconia). The thermal barrier coatings are intended to be used in cyclic thermal environments such as for gas turbine blades, vanes and seal surfaces exposed in the hot section of gas turbine engines.
US08197933B2
A photovoltaic module backsheet includes a polyester film having opposite first and second surfaces, and first and second fluoropolymer coatings on the first and second surfaces of the polyester film. The first and second fluoropolymer coatings each include fluoropolymer selected from homopolymers and copolymers of vinyl fluoride and homopolymers and copolymers of vinylidene fluoride polymer blended with compatible adhesive polymer. The compatible adhesive polymer includes a backbone that is compatible with the fluoropolymer and pendant functional groups. The pendant functional groups are selected from carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, aziridine, anhydride, amine, isocyanate, melamine, epoxy, hydroxy and mixtures thereof. The surfaces of the polyester film include functional groups on each surface that interact with the pendant functional groups of the compatible adhesive polymer in the first and second fluoropolymer coatings to promote bonding of the first and second fluoropolymer coatings to the respective surfaces of the polyester film.
US08197919B2
A recording material comprises a machine-finished paper which is coated with a synthetic resin on at least one side and at least one porous image recording layer, wherein the machine-finished paper is coated with a synthetic resin at least on the rear-side and this rear-side synthetic resin layer is perforated in such a way that the perforation holes reach as far as into the machine-finished paper, wherein the penetration depth is at most 1.5 to 4 times the synthetic resin layer thickness.
US08197917B2
A decoration includes a first, lower decoration member and a second, lower decoration member detachably connected to the first, lower decoration member. Each lower decoration member includes a lower main body having first and second lower branch portions and a lower engaging slot in an upper end thereof. The decoration further includes at least one upper decoration member. The upper decoration member includes an upper main body having first and second upper branch portions and an upper engaging slot in a lower end thereof. The lower engaging slots of the first and second lower decoration members are engaged with the upper decoration member, and the upper engaging slot of the upper decoration member is engaged with the first and second lower decoration members. The decoration can be quickly assembled and exhibit a rich visional appearance.
US08197915B2
A method of depositing a silicon oxide film on a resist pattern or etched lines formed on a substrate by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) includes: providing a substrate on which a resist pattern or etched lines are formed in a PEALD reactor; controlling a temperature of a susceptor on which the substrate is placed at less than 50° C. as a deposition temperature; introducing a silicon-containing precursor and an oxygen-supplying reactant to the PEALD reactor and applying RF power therein in a cycle, while the deposition temperature is controlled substantially or nearly at a constant temperature of less than 50° C., thereby depositing a silicon oxide atomic layer on the resist pattern or etched lines; and repeating the cycle multiple times substantially or nearly at the constant temperature to deposit a silicon oxide atomic film on the resist pattern or etched lines.
US08197897B2
Provided is a method of manufacturing a pneumatic tire which enables an inner liner layer made of a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer composition to be formed without decreasing the productivity and deterioration the working environment. Powder 8 of a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer composition having an average particle diameter of not more than 1 mm is sprayed and adhered onto the inner surface of an uncured tire or a cured tire. Thereafter, the inner surface of the tire is heated under pressure so as to thermally fuse the powder 8 and bond the powder 8 to the inner surface of the tire, thereby forming an inner liner layer 7.
US08197891B2
A perpendicular magnetic recording medium is disclosed in which each magnetic crystal grain in the magnetic recording layer has a multilayer structure and has a configuration like a truncated cone shape, in which the crystal grain of the final layer deposited in the film surface side at the final stage is smaller than the diameter of the crystal grain in the initial layer deposited on the substrate side at the initial stage. The invention improves S/N (signal output to noise ratio) by enhancing signal output and reducing noises. The medium is produced by a simple manufacturing method suitable for mass production, and provides a medium of high recording density by improving recording resolution.
US08197890B2
Magnetic nanostructures comprised of an assembly of magnetic nanorods held together by dipole forces in a dendritic pattern and their method of manufacture. The dendritic magnetic nanostructures are prepared at room temperature by applying a magnetic field to a reverse micelle system wherein at least one salt of a magnetic metal is being precipitated within the core of the reverse micelle.
US08197886B2
The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a solid electrolytic capacitor including a step of forming a conductive polymer layer by chemical oxidization polymerization of a monomer using a solution containing a metal salt of carbon-fused bicyclic sulfonic acid as an oxidizing agent. The molar ratio X of a carbon-fused bicyclic sulfonate ion to a metal ion in the solution is less than the stoichiometric ratio Y of the metal salt of carbon-fused bicyclic sulfonic acid. This is allowed to provide a solid electrolytic capacitor with a sufficiently low equivalent series resistance (ESR) and high heat resistance.
US08197885B2
A method for producing a metal article according to one embodiment may include: Providing a supply of a sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder; compacting the sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder under sufficient pressure to form a preformed article; placing the preformed article in a sealed container; raising the temperature of the sealed container to a temperature that is lower than a sintering temperature of molybdenum; and subjecting the sealed container to an isostatic pressure for a time sufficient to increase the density of the article to at least about 90% of theoretical density.
US08197884B2
Process for producing a solar absorber coating, which comprises the steps: coating of a substrate with a titanium precursor solution to produce a titanium dioxide layer by the sol-gel technique and heat treatment of the coated substrate to pyrolyse and crystallize the layer, characterized in that silver ions are added to the titanium precursor solution prior to coating in such an amount that the heat-treated layer has a proportion by mass of silver in the range from 10% to 80% and pyrolysis and crystallization of the layer are carried out with illumination of the layer with visible light.
US08197879B2
A stent mandrel fixture for supporting a stent during the application of a coating substance is provided. A method supporting a stent during the application of a coating substance is also provided.
US08197878B2
The present invention relates to a low sodium salt composition and the methods used to make it. The low sodium salt composition includes sodium chloride and a modified chloride salt composition. The modified chloride salt composition includes a homogenous amalgamation of chloride salt, food grade acidulant, and carrier, which does not contain sodium chloride. The low sodium salt composition is made using a two step process. The first step includes making a modified chloride salt composition and the second step includes combining the modified chloride salt composition with sodium chloride to form a low sodium salt composition.
US08197877B2
The invention relates to a modified cocoa product and process for its manufacture. In particular the invention relates to a cocoa product improving wettability in powdered beverages, having a reduced content of endogenous phospholipids.
US08197876B2
A method of producing a standard of identity cream cheese that is flowable at refrigerated temperatures is provided. The method includes providing freshly made or reheated standard of identity cream cheese at a temperature of at least about 150° F. The cream cheese is then cooled while at least intermittently shear mixing the cream cheese. At least some of the shear mixing is carried out while the cream cheese is at a temperature of 70° F. or greater. The flowable standard of identity cream cheese can be converted from a flowable state at refrigerated temperatures to a solid state at refrigerated temperatures by reheating the flowable standard of identity cream cheese to a temperature above 100° F., and cooling the cream cheese to refrigerated temperatures without mixing.
US08197875B2
The present invention discloses a method to modify the taste profile of consumables by adding esters of quinic acid and cinnamic acid derivatives. These esters, which belong to the family of chlorogenic acid, may be synthetic or may be extracted from a natural source such as a botanical. Chlorogenic acid is added to consumables to mask bitter off-tastes or other displeasing tastes imparted by one or more natural, synthetic or semi-synthetic components in the consumable.
US08197872B2
The present invention provides prebiotic and probiotic compositions containing human milk oligosaccharides and methods of use that selectively promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
US08197871B2
A nutritional composition for treating severe headaches and comprising a plurality of vitamins and a plurality of minerals that together represent at least a portion of required daily allowance thereof. The plurality of vitamins include at least vitamins A, C, D, E, K, B-1, B-2, B-6, and B-12, niacin, folic acid, biotin, pantothenic acid, and mixtures thereof, while the plurality of minerals include at least selenium, zinc, magnesium, calcium, iron, manganese, copper, chromium, cobalt, phosphorous, iodine, potassium and molybdenum. The composition further includes at least one or both of 125-175 mg of co-enzyme Q-10 and 25-150 mg of purified Butterbur root extract.
US08197866B1
A herbal treatment for Diabetes Mellitus, Type II comprises a first volume of herbal oils and a first weight of ground herbs. The mixture of the oil and ground herbs forms a paste, which is dispensed in a gel capsule.
US08197851B2
This invention relates to a carotenoid composition comprising the carotenoid as particles of size smaller than 100 nanometers in an oil medium, a method of preparing the composition by milling the carotenoid in an oil medium, and therapeutic compositions containing the carotenoid.
US08197843B2
An article having an adhesive surface for adhering to human skin that includes a first component constituting a continuous layer and at least a second component which is located in indentations in the adhesive surface of the first component without being in direct contact with the first component. The second component is separated from the first component by a cup shaped barrier layer having a rim which extends into a flange.
US08197842B2
A novel dietary supplement and methods for the manufacture of the same are disclosed for feeding to equines and other animals. The dietary supplement of the present invention is beneficial to the health of equines and other animals. The dietary supplement of the present invention consists of safe and natural ingredients rather than drugs, and is orally administrable. The ingredients of the dietary supplement make the dietary supplement of the present invention highly beneficial to the health of equines and other animals.
US08197836B2
A solid microbicidal composition containing a mixture of 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, magnesium sulfate, a metal nitrate, magnesium chloride, and water.
US08197831B2
The present invention generally relates to stable S-(+)-abscisic acid liquid and soluble granule formulations and methods of making and using such formulations.
US08197828B2
Various compositions that include a hydrophobic compound and a polyamino acid conjugate are prepared. The compositions described herein are useful for a variety of drug, biomolecule, and imaging agent delivery applications.
US08197815B2
The invention provides anti-EphrinB2 antibodies, and compositions comprising and methods of using these antibodies.
US08197812B2
Nucleic acids encoding mammalian, e.g., primate, IL-1ζ, purified IL-1ζ polypeptides and fragments thereof. Binding proteins, e.g., antibodies, both polyclonal and monoclonal, are also provided. Methods of using the compositions for both diagnostic and therapeutic utilities are provided.
US08197782B2
The present invention is directed to a method of making metal oxide and mixed metal oxide particles. The method includes treating a mixture formed from a metal source, such as metal alkoxide, a surfactant, and a first alcohol in an aqueous media at a very high metal oxide yield. The mixture is reacted using a catalyst to form metal oxide particles having a desired particle size in said mixture. The method is particularly suitable for forming silica particles. The metal oxide particles can then be heat treated to form synthetic fused metal oxides such as, for example, synthetic fused silica.
US08197780B2
A method of producing a boron suboxide composite material having improved fracture toughness.
US08197766B2
The present invention relates to a holding material for a catalytic converter including a catalyst carrier, a metal casing for receiving the catalyst carrier, and the holding material wound around the catalyst carrier and interposed in a gap between the catalyst carrier and the metal casing, the holding material having a plurality of high-density sites which are spaced apart from one another in the holding material, each site having a higher density than sites of the holding material in which the higher density sites are not provided.
US08197764B2
A device for producing a product gas from a fuel, such as biomass, comprises a reactor which is delimited by a base and reactor walls. The reactor walls comprise a peripheral wall and an upper wall. The reactor comprises a supply opening for the supplying of biomass, as well as at least one riser for chemically converting the biomass supplied to a product gas and a solid. The riser is provided inside the peripheral wall and comprises an upper end and a tower end. The reactor furthermore has a discharge opening for discharging the product gas. The riser is attached to at least one reactor wall. The lower end of the riser is at a distance above at least one section of the base which is underneath it and is freely movable under the effect of thermal expansion.
US08197756B2
This invention relates generally to biosensor technology, and pertains more particularly to novel multifunctional biosensors based on ordered arrays of metallic, semiconductors and magnetic nano-islands for medical, biological, biochemical, chemical and environmental applications.
US08197749B2
Illustrative pairs of caps are disclosed, each of the caps being sized and shaped to provide a protective union about a separated medical connector. A pair of caps can include a male cap and a female cap, each of which is configured to be coupled to the other cap in an assembly. The assembly is sealed until the caps are separated for use, thereby maintaining sterility of the internal surfaces of the caps. Related methods are also disclosed.
US08197747B2
Nickel-based low-melting boron-free braze alloy compositions include varying amounts of the alloying elements cobalt, chromium, hafnium, zirconium together with optionally titanium and aluminum. The braze alloys can be used as a stand alone braze alloy or in combination with other filler alloys to create braze joints with desirable joint geometries and properties. The braze alloy compositions can be used to join and repair different superalloy articles such as gas turbine components for high temperature applications.
US08197740B2
An apparatus for producing a molded product from a sheet-form raw material blank has first and second mold tools that each respectively include a respective inner core mold and a respective outer edge mold laterally adjacent thereto. Drive elements drive the outer edge molds relative to a machine frame, and drive the inner core molds relative to the outer edge molds. A molding process involves closing the outer edge molds to hold an edge rim of the material blank while allowing slippage thereof, and then closing the inner core molds to three-dimensionally deform and mold a central portion of the material blank while pulling required additional material by slippage through the outer edge molds. A separate slip frame is not used. The edge rim held by the outer edge molds remains as a permanent mounting rim or flange of the finished molded product. Edge waste is minimized.
US08197729B2
A granulator, having a granulation unit having a bottom floor with a perforated plate as its bottom part; an upper air-supplying pipe for supplying a fluidizing air to the bottom floor of the granulation unit; a lower air-supplying pipe; air-spouting pipes, each of which is branched from the lower air-supplying pipe, and has an opening in the bottom floor of the perforated plate, for jetting the air into the granulation unit; and spray nozzles for spraying a granulation raw material liquid, which each are provided in the center of an air outlet of the air-spouting pipe, or a granulator, having: the bottom floor; the air-supplying pipe; and spray nozzles for spraying a granulation raw material liquid each of which are provided in an opening in the bottom floor of the perforated plate, and use a high-pressure atomizing air as an auxiliary gas, wherein, in each granulator, the spray nozzles are provided in a triangular arrangement.
US08197727B2
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a formed article forming an upper surface of a forming material comprised of a thermosoftening substance into a desired shape by positioning the forming material on a forming surface of a mold and heating the forming material to a temperature permitting deformation to bring a lower surface of the forming material into tight contact with the forming surface. The forming is conducted while an exposed portion on the forming surface side of the mold upon which the forming material has been positioned is covered with a covering member. The present invention further relates to a covering member and a forming apparatus. According to the present invention, formed articles with a desired shape can be formed with high accuracy by preventing the contamination of upper surface of forming materials by foreign matter during forming.
US08197726B2
A cellulose acylate film in which the number of V-shaped thickness-uneven portions having a variation width in the thickness direction of 0.1 to 10% of a film thickness and a width in the in-plane direction of 1 to 20 mm is in the range of 0 to 10 per 100 m in the length direction of the film. A display unevenness is solved in a liquid crystal display device having the cellulose acylate film.
US08197724B2
Contact lens delensing methods are described, and the present delensing methods include using a gas to facilitate separation of a polymerized contact lens product from a contact lens mold member. The contact lens mold member is compressed to deform a portion of the mold member, and gas, such as air, is directed toward the polymerized contact lens product in contact with the portion. The contact lens mold member can be compressed as the mold member and lens product rotate. A vacuum device can be used to separate the polymerized contact lens product from the contact lens mold member after compressing the portion of the mold member and directing the gas towards the mold member. Delensing systems used to practice the present methods are also described.
US08197723B2
Optical devices of excellent optical and physical properties produced from cured resins are disclosed. The resins and/or the cured hybrid polymer material made with the resins are characterized by a high level of cycloaliphatic-containing groups. Specific additives that can participate in crosslinking the curable polysiloxane provide additional physical property advantages.
US08197722B2
Compositions capable of simultaneous two-photon absorption and higher order absorptivities are provided. Compounds having a donor-pi-donor or acceptor-pi-acceptor structure are of particular interest, where the donor is an electron donating group, acceptor is an electron accepting group, and pi is a pi bridge linking the donor and/or acceptor groups. The pi bridge may additionally be substituted with electron donating or withdrawing groups to alter the absorptive wavelength of the structure. Also disclosed are methods of generating an excited state of such compounds through optical stimulation with light using simultaneous absorption of photons of energies individually insufficient to achieve an excited state of the compound, but capable of doing so upon simultaneous absorption of two or more such photons. Applications employing such methods are also provided, including controlled polymerization achieved through focusing of the light source(s) used.
US08197720B2
Disclosed are core/shell type semiconductor nanoparticles exhibiting a sufficient emission intensity without causing a blink phenomenon (blinking). The core/shell-type semiconductor nanoparticles have an average particle size of from 2 to 50 nm and comprise an intermediate layer between a core portion and a shell portion, wherein band gap widths of bulk crystals which have the same compositions as those of the core portion, the intermediate portion and the shell portion, respectively, are in the order of: core portion
US08197713B2
According to the present invention, a fluorescent powder composed mainly of an acicular or fibrous zinc oxide single crystal with an aspect ratio of 5 or higher is produced by the following steps: a step of producing a raw material solution selected from the group consisting of a raw material solution (A) that is an alkali solution containing zing ions, a raw material solution (B) that is a solution containing zinc ions and ions of dopant element, and a mixed solution of the raw material solution (A) and the raw material solution (B); and a hydrothermal reaction step wherein a hydrothermal reaction of the mixed solution is carried out in a hermetically sealed vessel at a subcritical or supercritical temperature and at a subcritical or supercritical pressure. A zinc oxide single crystal powder can be produced at low cost without the need for a pulverization step or a similar step and high-density orientation can be realized by such crystal powder. Such crystal powder is most suitable for light emitting devices, display devices, fluorescent lamps, and the like.
US08197708B2
Disclosed are a new dichroic dye having liquid crystal properties and dichroic properties and capable of being used for forming a polarization film with excellent heat resistance, durability, and polarizing properties, a composition including the same for a polarization film, a method for forming a polarization plate with excellent durability using the composition, and a polarization plate prepared thereby. The new dichroic dye has a structure of R1-L1-(M,L,D) (where, D is a dichroic structure, M is a structure with liquid crystal properties, R1 is a reactive end functional group, and L and L1 are linking structures). The composition for a polarization film includes the dichroic dye. In the method for forming the polarization plate, the composition for a polarization film is applied to a substrate and cured to prepare the polarization plate. The polarization plate has excellent dichroic ratio, heat resistance, durability, and polarizing properties.
US08197705B2
A method of manufacturing a substrate for a liquid discharge head having a silicon substrate in which a liquid supply port is provided includes providing the silicon substrate, an etching mask layer having an aperture being formed on one surface of the silicon substrate, forming a region comprising an amorphous silicon in the interior of the silicon substrate by irradiating the silicon substrate with laser light, forming a recess, which has an opening at a part of a portion exposed from the aperture on the one surface, from the one surface of the silicon substrate toward the region, and forming the supply port by performing etching on the silicon substrate in which the recess and the region have been formed from the one surface through the aperture of the etching mask layer.
US08197704B2
The invention provides a plasma processing apparatus and a method for purging the apparatus, capable of preventing damage of components caused by pressure difference during purging operation of a vacuum reactor, and capable of preventing residual processing gas from remaining in the vacuum reactor. Inert gas is introduced through an inert gas feed port 233 on a side wall of a depressurized processing chamber (V1) 226 of a plasma processing apparatus, and the interior of the processing chamber (V1) 226 is brought to predetermined pressure by the inert gas, and thereafter, the inert gas is supplied to processing gas supply paths 213 and 216 (V2) communicated to a plurality of through holes 224 for introducing processing gas, so as to introduce the inert gas through the plurality of through holes 224 into the processing chamber (V1) 226.
US08197701B2
Diamond SPM and AFM probes which are durable, particularly for scanning hard surfaces such as diamond surfaces. Interlayers and seeding can be used to improve diamond deposition, and the diamond can be ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD). Tip sharpening improves resolution.
US08197693B2
Sea water is not suitable for human consumption. Naturally present dissolved chemicals in sea water make it inconsumable. The precipitants and dissolved chemicals need to be separated from water to make it consumable. A combination of aeration system, filtration system, crystallizer, hydrophobic membrane carrying filter and pressure retarded osmosis system are used in various combination to desalinate the sea water. Pressure retarded osmosis process is also used to produce pressurized diluted brine which is further decompressed to by the turbine and used by the generators to produce electricity. Various heat exchange apparatus are used for energy conservation and efficient processing of water in a feasible way. The disclosure enables to purify water and provide an economical means for producing electricity.
US08197684B2
Device designed to desalinate brackish water which performs said function by the combined action of magnetic fields generated inside the device and ion-selective membranes, thus obtaining two separate water currents, one with a low salt concentration and the other reject current with a high salt concentration. It comprises an external cylindrical body of magnetized iron (1), an inner body also cylindrical and made of the same material (2) and an intermediate chamber (3) in which are placed a series of ion-selective membranes (6 and 7) arranged radially around the axle common to all of the bodies, and placed alternately such that each negative-ion selective membrane has a positive-ion selective membrane on either side.
US08197668B2
A process and apparatus are provided for upgrading steam cracker tars from steam crackers. The invention also relates to a steam cracking process and apparatus for reducing yields of tars produced from steam cracking while increasing yields of higher value products by heating steam cracker tar, in the presence of hydrogen donor compounds, e.g., tetralin. The hydrogen donor compounds can be provided in a hydrogen donor-rich hydrocarbon stream, e.g., light cycle oils, or low sulfur vacuum tower bottoms. The treated tar can be separated into gas oil, fuel oil and tar streams.
US08197665B2
Aqueous composition containing at least one salt in an amount of at least 30 g/kg of composition, of which the total organic carbon content is at least 1 μg of C/l and at most 5 g of C/l of composition and which contains at least one carboxylic acid.
US08197655B2
Disclosed herein is a system for detecting interaction between substances includes a reaction field for allowing the interaction to proceed between the substances, and a voltage application section for applying a voltage to a working electrode arranged facing the reaction field such that a predetermined electrodynamic effect is given to the reaction field. The voltage application section is provided with a section for superimposingly applying two sinusoidal voltages of different frequencies to generate a beat. Also disclosed herein is a method for detecting interaction between substances in a procedure of allowing the interaction to proceed between the substances by making use of a predetermined electrodynamic effect, the method includes the step of applying two sinusoidal voltages of different frequencies superimposingly to generate a beat such that an electrochemical reaction is suppressed in a reaction field where the interaction is allowed to proceed.
US08197651B2
Disclosed is an ion-selective electrode having excellent mechanical strength, excellent durability, low membrane resistance and good ion response accuracy. This ion-selective electrode comprises a response glass membrane which has ion selectivity and is made of an oxynitride glass containing Li.
US08197632B2
According to the present invention, an electrolyte membrane having recesses and projections on the surface thereof is obtained. In addition, a membrane-electrode assembly comprising the electrolyte membrane, in which the effective contact area between the electrolyte membrane surface and an electrode catalyst layer is increased, is obtained. An electrolyte membrane 1 which comprises a fluorine-based electrolyte is heated and pressed with the use of plates 10a and 10b each having recesses and projections 11 on the surface thereof such that recesses and projections 2a and 2b are formed on the surface of the electrolyte membrane 1. Thereafter, the electrolyte membrane 1 is subjected to a treatment for imparting ion exchange properties to an electrolyte polymer, such as hydrolysis, such that an electrolyte membrane 3 having recesses and projections on the surface thereof is obtained. Electrode catalyst layers 21a and 21b are separately laminated on the both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane 3 such that a membrane-electrode assembly 20 is obtained.
US08197627B2
An apparatus for use with multiple chips having multiple posts as to engage at least a portion of a surface of one of the multiple chips, a frame configured to releasably constrain each of the posts so that, when unconstrained, each individual post can contact an individual chip and, when constrained, will allow a uniform vertical force to be applied to the chips.
US08197625B2
The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing composite structures formed by two subcomponents of the same material, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: providing a first subcomponent (13), particularly a skin; providing a tool (15) made of a composite and precured for the manufacture of the second subcomponent (17), particularly a stiffener; positioning said tool (15) on said first subcomponent (13); applying preimpregnated composite (21) on said tool (15) so as to form the second subcomponent (17); consolidating the composite structure by means of a process of curing the assembly resulting from the previous steps under suitable pressure and/or temperature conditions.
US08197623B1
A thermal and vacuum assessment method includes providing a composite part having a repair area, installing a vacuum bag over the repair area, drawing a vacuum on the vacuum bag, testing for air leaks in the vacuum bag, heating the vacuum bag and obtaining a thermal image of the repair area.
US08197611B2
The invention relates to a method for introducing a pig-like tool into an operating pipeline, such as a fluid pipe. According to the invention the pipeline is drilled during operation and the tool is injected into the pipeline through the drilled hole. During a corresponding tool removal from the pipeline a method is provided for prereconnaissance for the determination of a degree of contamination, cleaning, surveying, inspecting, repairing, etc. of pipelines by means of a corresponding, pig-like tool. The invention also relates to a device and a tool permitting the performance of the inventive method. Thus, otherwise unpiggable pipelines can be worked in a cost-efficient manner.
US08197610B2
An electric interface for water-bearing household devices is provided comprising a program control for economically controlling, in a flexible and modular arrangement, hydraulic and electrical components which are required for the operational control of the water-bearing household device. At least one part of the electronic components and the magnetic valve is integrated into a component group that is connected to the program control of the water-bearing device. The necessary electric connections are reduced between the individual magnetic valves and the program control due to the integration of hydraulic magnetic valves with electronic components that are used to control the magnetic valves in a component group. The complexity of the cable form for the electric connection of the hydraulic component and the electronic components is reduced, thus enabling modular construction of the related components. The equipment of the component groups can be varied according to each household device design.
US08197604B2
Methods and apparatuses for cleaning a surface of a substrate are presented. The method comprises positioning a substrate at a controllable distance from a piezoelectric transducer, supplying a cleaning liquid between the substrate and the transducer, applying an oscillating acoustic force to the cleaning liquid by actuating the transducer, and moving the transducer relative to the substrate. The method further comprises, while moving the transducer relative to the substrate, measuring a value that indicates a distance between a surface of the substrate and the transducer, comparing the measured value to a desired value, and adjusting the distance between the surface and the transducer so that the measured value is maintained substantially equal to the desired value. The measured value may be the distance between the surface of the substrate and the transducer or a phase shift between an alternating current and voltage applied to the transducer.
US08197600B2
A vaporizer for generating a process gas from a liquid material includes a heat-exchange lower block having a hollow internal space and disposed below the spray port of an injector inside the container. A run-up space for the atomized liquid material is defined between the spray port and the heat-exchange lower block, and an annular space continuous to the run-up space is defined between an inner surface of the container and the heat-exchange lower block. An internal heater is disposed in the internal space of the heat-exchange lower block and includes a carbon wire formed of woven bundles of carbon fibers and sealed in a ceramic envelope. The internal heater is configured to heat the atomized liquid material flowing through the annular space to generate the process gas.
US08197596B2
A crystal growth process comprising providing a reactor having a crucible with an injector apparatus and a seed holder. The injector apparatus has an inner gas conduit and an outer gas conduit wherein an inert gas is introduced into the outer conduit. The injector apparatus has an upper injector and a lower injector and a gap therebetween. The upper injector temperature is maintained at a higher temperature than the lower injector.
US08197593B2
A protective inorganic composition that includes: (a) a liquid composition portion that includes by weight percent of the liquid composition portion: from about 54% to about 58% by weight water, from about 22% to about 26% by weight of an alkali metal oxide component that includes potassium oxide, wherein up to about 30% by weight of the alkali metal oxide component includes sodium oxide, and from about 18% to about 22% by weight amorphous silica; and (b) a powder composition portion that includes by weight percent of the powder composition portion: up to about 65% by weight amorphous silica and one or more components selected from calcined clay, a Group II metal oxide powder, high-temperature resistant fillers, microfibers, and discrete fibers. Also provided are methods for coating a substrate and articles prepared therefrom.
US08197587B2
A sizing composition for insulating products based on mineral wool, in particular on rock or glass, the composition including at least one dextrin, at least one organic polycarboxylic acid having a molar mass of less than or equal to 1000, and a catalyst chosen from Lewis acids and bases, phosphorus-comprising compounds and compounds including fluorine and boron.
US08197584B2
A curable pigment inkjet ink set includes a cyan inkjet ink, a yellow inkjet ink, and a magenta inkjet ink, wherein the yellow inkjet ink having ABS(Y)momo <5 and ABS(Y)400-500>60 includes one or more yellow pigments; the cyan inkjet ink includes one or more β-copper phthalocyanine pigments; and the magenta inkjet ink contains a mixed crystal including a first quinachdone and a second quinacridone in a ratio of the first quinacridone over the second quinacridone such that ABS(M)500-530>20 and ABS(M)500-600 >60. ABS(Y)500-530 represents the absorbance of the yellow inkjet ink between 500 and 530 nm; ABS(M)500-530 represents the absorbance of the magenta inkjet ink between 500 and 530 nm; ABS(Y)400-500 represents the absorbance ot the yellow inkjet ink between 400 and 500 nm; and ABS(M)500-600 represents the absorbance of the magenta inkjet ink between 500 and 600 nm.
US08197579B2
Embodiments are described that generally relate to the storage and release of a gas using piezoelectric materials.
US08197571B2
An air filter having an improved structural support. A pleated air filter having a plurality of truncated pleat tips and sloping side surfaces along a front face and rear face. The truncated pleat tips are orientated perpendicular to the direction of pleating. A reinforcing support member oriented in the direction of pleating and substantially contouring and connecting to the face of the pleated air filter and thereby having truncated pleat tips orientated perpendicular to the direction of pleating. A reinforcing strip connected to the truncated pleat tips of the reinforcing member along the face of the air filter and another reinforcing strip located on the opposite face of the air filter and connected to the truncated pleat tips of the filter to form a truss structure.
US08197566B2
Embodiments disclosed herein provide hydrocarbon additives and methods of making and using the same. The additives are suitable for use in conjunction with gasifiers, furnaces, or other high-temperature vessels. The additives may be part of an input stream to a reaction vessel of a hydrocarbon gasifier. The additives may include materials that at least partially reduce the infiltration of slag into the refractory material.
US08197558B2
An embodiment of the invention is a composition of diesel, biodiesel or blended fuel (DF) with exhaust gas (EG) mixtures or with liquid CO2. The composition is in a liquid state near the supercritical region or a supercritical fluid mixture such that it quasi-instantaneously diffuses into the compressed and hot air as a single and homogeneous supercritical phase upon injection in a combustion chamber. Suitable temperatures and pressures are greater than about 300° C. and 100 bar, and the mole fraction of EG or CO2 (XEG or XCO2) in DF is in the range of 0.0-0.9. In a combustion process embodiment, composition embodiments are injected into a combustion chamber under supercritical conditions.
US08197541B2
The invention relates to an accommodative lens implant controlled by the ciliary muscle, consisting of at least one or more lenses made of preferably biocompatible material and disposed on a common optical axis, the at least one lens being a component of a flexible, closed implant body that is transparent in the region of the actual lens, is engaged at its outer periphery with the ciliary muscle, and has a main axis that coincides with the visual axis, and in addition at least part of the implant body with the lens or lenses comprises a fluid filling, such that the axial position of the lens or the lens system can be altered by activation of the ciliary muscle, the implant body being inserted in the sulcus of the posterior chamber of the eye or attached to the ciliary muscle.
US08197538B2
An annuloplasty prosthesis including a sheath, an arcuate stiffening element, and an imaging element. The arcuate stiffening element is disposed within the sheath and defines discrete, first and second ends separated by a lateral spacing. The imaging element is disposed within the sheath along the lateral spacing. With this configuration, following implant to the valve annulus, the imaging element provides a mechanism for non-invasively evaluating a shape of the valve annulus, for example, via radiographic, echogenic and/or other image enhancing visualization techniques. In some embodiments, the annuloplasty prosthesis provides a radiographic, echogenic and/or other image enhanced image of a near entirety of the valve annulus.
US08197535B2
A stent or other intraluminal medical device having markers formed from housings integral with the stent and marker inserts having a higher radiopacity than the stent provides for more precise placement and post-procedural visualization in a vessel, by increasing the radiopacity of the stent under X-ray fluoroscopy. The housings are formed integral to the stent and the marker inserts are made from a material close in the galvanic series to the stent material and sized to substantially minimize the effect of galvanic corrosion. The housings are also shaped to minimize their impact on the overall profile of the stent.
US08197531B2
A method of making a tubular intraluminal graft in the form of a tubular diametrically adjustable stent having a tubular covering of porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene which is less than 0.10 mm thick. The covering may be on the exterior surface of the stent, or on the interior surface of the stent, or both. The covering may be affixed to the stent by an adhesive which is preferably fluorinated ethylene propylene.
US08197527B2
Implant devices for filtering blood flowing through the ostium of an atrial appendage have component structures one or more of which are expandable. Devices with component structures in their unexpanded state have a compact size suitable for intra-cutaneous delivery to an atrial appendage situs. The expandable component structures are expanded in situ to deploy the devices. A device may have sufficiently short axial length so that most or almost all of the device length may fit within the ostium region. An expandable component structure in the device may include a blood-permeable filter element. The device may be deployed so that this component structure covers the ostium so as to direct the blood flow to pass through the filter element. The filter elements used in the devices may have hole size distributions selected to filter out harmful-size emboli. The filter elements may be embedded in elastic material so that hole-size distributions remain substantially unaffected by expansion of the device structures. Anchors attached to a component structure engage tissue surrounding the device and maintain the devices in position. The anchors may include inflatable anchors which engage interior walls of the atrial appendage.
US08197526B2
A warming article having a heat generating main body (4). The heat generating main body (4) is composed of a heat generating element (2) having water vapor generating capability and an air permeable holder (3) for holding the heat generating element (2). The heat generating main body (4) is configured to expand with heat generation of the heat generating element (2). The amount of water vapor generated from the warming article is preferably 1.0 to 100 mg/(cm2·10 min). The holder (3) preferably has a water vapor permeability of 1.5 to 10 kg/(m2·24 hr). The heat generating element (2) is preferably a sheet molded by papermaking and containing an oxidizable metal, a moisture-retaining agent, and a fibrous material.
US08197524B2
An energy irradiation device for medical use to irradiate a living body with energy includes a data storage for storing data indicative of correlations between information about bloodstream quantities and amounts of tissue necrosed in living bodies for a plurality of living bodies differing in bloodstream quantity that are irradiated with a predetermined quantity of the energy, a calculation unit for calculating a quantity of the energy with which to irradiate a predetermined living body based on the data stored in the data storage, the information about the bloodstream quantity in the predetermined living body, and the amount of tissue to be necrosed in the predetermined living body.
US08197521B2
A system for the internal fixation of a fractured bone of an elbow joint of a patient includes at least one bone plate, each bone plate having a plurality of holes and generally configured to fit an anatomical surface of the fractured bone. The at least one plate is adapted to be customized to the shape of a patient's bone. The system also includes a plurality of fasteners including at least one locking fastener for attaching the bone plate to the bone. At least one of the holes is a threaded hole. Guides for plate benders, drills, and/or K-wires can be pre-assembled to the threaded holes, and the locking fastener can lock into any of the threaded holes after the guides are removed.
US08197512B1
An apparatus for anchoring a rod to a bone fastener in a spine stabilization system. A first resilient insert may have two deflectable arms and a first channel formed therein. A second resilient insert may have two deflectable arms and a second channel formed therein. A cylindrical body may have a passage, wherein the first resilient insert and the second resilient insert have a width greater than the inner diameter of the cylindrical body when the first resilient insert is in a neutral state. Advancement of the first resilient insert or the second resilient insert into the passage deflects the two deflectable arms inward, causing the width of the first or second channel to decrease, and inhibiting the first resilient insert or the second resilient insert from moving relative to the cylindrical body.
US08197510B2
A suturing device and method allows a physician to remotely suture biological tissue. The device includes an elongate body, first and second arms operably connected to the elongated body, whereby each arm mounts an end portion of a suture, and first and second needles, each needle having a distal end and being mounted such that the distal end of the needle is movable to engage respective end portions of said suture. The suturing apparatus further includes an actuator which drives the needles to engage the suture. The suturing apparatus further includes an occluding device operably connected to the elongate body such that the occluding device may be advanced from the distal end of the elongate body to temporarily occlude the incision to be sutured.
US08197503B2
A lancing device including a rail having opposed side surfaces, a lancet that is receivable on the rail, and a firing mechanism configured to propel the lancet. The lancet has a sharp tip and a body configured to engage the opposed side surfaces of the rail.
US08197499B2
Disclosed are compositions, methods, and kits for joining together non-conjoined lumens in a patient's body including vascular lumens. More particularly, in various aspects, this invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for joining such non-conjoined lumens, including small lumens typically requiring microsurgical technique.
US08197488B2
A vertebral distractor system includes a crossbar and a first distractor arm having a first end portion coupled to the crossbar and a second end portion with a first bore configured to axially receive a first coupling portion of a first pin. A second distractor arm includes a third end portion coupled to the crossbar and a fourth end portion with a second bore configured to receive a second coupling portion of a second pin. A first pin locking mechanism is configured to couple the first coupling portion and the first distractor arm within the first bore such that when the first coupling portion and the first distractor arm are coupled, movement of the first pin outwardly of the first bore is not allowed.
US08197486B2
A surgical cutting guide is adapted to receive a cutting instrument during a surgical procedure. The surgical cutting guide comprises at least one body portion including a bone engaging surface. A plurality of separate plates are secured to the at least one body portion. At least one cutting slot is formed in the surgical cutting guide between the plurality of separate plates. The at least one cutting slot is configured to receive the cutting instrument and orient the cutting instrument for the surgical procedure. The at least one body portion is comprised of a first material, such as a plastic material, and the plurality of separate plates are comprised of a second material, such as a metal material.
US08197485B2
A graft ligament strand tensioner is provided. The tensioner includes a body, a pair of suture rails connected to the body and a handle pivotally connected to the body. Each suture rail comprises a grooved outer channel for receiving a suture loop and a central mandrel for receiving a suture loop. The handle is pivotally connected to the body such that the handle can be pivoted relative to a longitudinal axis of the body only when the handle is under tension.
US08197484B2
An assembly includes a holder having a first arm and a second arm, the holder being movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The assembly further includes an actuator movable in relation to the holder between a first position and a second position. Movement of the actuator from the first position to the second position causes movement of the holder from the first configuration to the second configuration. The first arm has a first bone plate contact portion, and the second arm has a second bone plate contact portion. The first bone plate contact portion and the second bone plate contact portion are separated by a first distance when the holder is in the first configuration. The first bone plate contact portion and the second bone plate contact portion are separated by a second distance when the holder is in the second configuration. The first distance is greater than the second distance. The assembly further includes a bone plate having a plurality of fastener openings defined therein. The holder retains the bone plate between the first bone plate contact portion of the first arm and second bone plate contact portion of the second arm when the holder is positioned in the second configuration.
US08197483B2
In a surgical bone punch having a stationary shaft joined to a handgrip, a slide shaft mounted for longitudinal displacement on this stationary shaft, and a motorized drive in the handgrip for displacement of the slide shaft from a proximal inoperative position to a distal operative position with a preset forward displacement force, in order to control the effective forward displacement force of the slide shaft, it is proposed that the slide shaft carry a stop, which, during displacement of the slide shaft to the operative position, strikes an elastic spring element, which is supported on the stationary shaft, and, during displacement of the slide shaft, counteracts the forward displacement force of the drive.
US08197481B2
The present invention is directed to an adjustable self drilling tap assembly and method for drilling and tapping bores in bone for use in orthopedic procedures to treat bone. The adjustable length tap assembly includes a shaft having cutting threads for drilling holes in bone, a stop collar configured and dimensioned to be translatable along the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and a locking collar comprising a member configured and dimensioned to be received over at least a portion of the stop collar. The locking collar preferably is configured and dimensioned to engage with the stop collar to adjustably set the effective length for the cutting threads and to prevent movement of the stop collar along the longitudinal axis of the shaft.
US08197472B2
A surgical apparatus and methods for severing and welding tissue, in particular blood vessels. The apparatus includes an elongated shaft having a pair of relatively movable jaws at a distal end thereof. A first heating element on one of the jaws is adapted to heat up to a first temperature and form a welded region within the tissue, while a second heating element on one of the jaws is adapted to heat up to a second temperature and sever the tissue within the welded region. The first and second heating elements may be provided on the same or opposite jaws. A control handle provided on the proximal end of the elongated shaft includes controls for opening and closing the jaws, and may include an actuator for sending current through the first and second heating elements. The first and second heating elements may be electrically connected in series, and the first heating element may be bifurcated such that it conducts about one half of the current as the second heating element. A force-limiting mechanism provided either within the control handle, in the elongated shaft, or at the jaws limits the pressure applied to the tissue by the jaws to ensure that the tissue is severed and the ends effectively welded within a short amount of time.
US08197467B2
A modular, reduced-pressure, wound-closure system for providing a closing force on a surface would includes a flexible strap operable to be formed into a closed loop inbound and around the surface wound and a plurality of modular closing members coupled to the flexible strap. A reduced-pressure source is fluidly coupled to the plurality of modular closing members. The modular closing members are operable to generate a closing force on the surface wound. A portion of the modular closing members are releasably attached to the patient's epidermis proximate the surface wound and another portion are attached to the flexible strap. A reduced pressure from the reduced-pressure source is delivered to each modular closing member to generate the closing force on the surface wound. Methods and other systems are presented.
US08197459B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to a transfer device for a container whose interior is under negative pressure and which is closed by means of an elastic stopper. The device has a receiving cap and a piercing mandril for piercing the stopper. Relative to its direction of piercing, the piercing mandril is provided with a front piercing portion and with a rear sealing portion which is of greater diameter. In the position in which a bead of the container is inserted into the receiving cap, the sealing portion contacts the stopper. In this way, a tear in the stopper, which tear has been formed by eccentric application of the device onto the container, can be sealed off.
US08197457B2
A disposable wearing article has an elasticized first band lying in a front half of a crotch region and attached to distal zones of a pair of leak-barrier sheets provided on a body side of the article and an elasticized second band lying in a rear half of the crotch region and attached to the distal zones. A dimension by which distal edge segments of the distal zones extending forward from the first band in a longitudinal direction are spaced from each other is gradually enlarged from the side of the first band toward the side of a front waist region.
US08197456B2
A feminine care absorbent article has an absorbent structure configured for disposition adjacent a female wearer's vaginal region to absorb bodily fluids discharged by the wearer, and a shell for supporting the absorbent structure at the vaginal region. The shell has a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface. The body-facing surface has an adhesive thereon for adhering the shell directly to the wearer. The shell has a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, an anterior region, a posterior region, and a central region extending longitudinally between and interconnecting the anterior and posterior regions. The anterior region of the shell includes a longitudinal edge having a longitudinal extent from the transverse axis. The longitudinal extent increases as the longitudinal edge extends transversely outward from the longitudinal axis of the shell.
US08197447B2
A venipuncture site protector that includes a securement and a cover mounted to said securement. The cover includes a proximal end having a front wall with a tube receiving slot. The cover also includes a distal end having an arch that forms an opening that lies on a vertical plane that is substantially perpendicular to the securement.
US08197445B2
A dispensing device for dispensing pain management medicaments to a patient comprising first and second threadably interconnectable sub-assemblies. The first of these sub-assemblies houses a novel collapsible fluid reservoir defining component while the second comprises a fluid delivery and control assembly that includes a novel flow control means that functions to control the flow of medicinal fluid from the fluid reservoir of the collapsible reservoir defining component toward the patient via a plurality of fluid flow control passageways.
US08197444B1
A device for delivering fluid to a user includes a housing, a drive motor assembly in the housing, a force sensor, and an electronics module. The drive motor assembly regulates delivery of fluid by actuating a piston of a fluid reservoir, and the force sensor generates output levels in response to force imparted thereto during, for example, fluid delivery operations. The electronics module processes the output levels of the force sensor to assess the operating health of the force sensor, to check for occlusions in the fluid delivery path, and to monitor the seating status of the fluid reservoir.
US08197441B2
Catheter or guidewire mounted automatic vessel occlusion and fluid dispersion devices that expand to occlude or partially occlude a vessel when a fluid is flowing in the catheter or guidewire, and that automatically collapse when fluid flow is stopped. Each occlusion device has an elastic skeleton covered with a flexible cover coupled thereto and may have a hole(s) or openings in its distal or proximal end thereof to allow controlled flow through the desired end of the occlusion device. The fluid may be a flush fluid for enabling or improving the performance of imaging devices and image enhancing fluids, of treatment fluids for localized treatment of a vessel or tissues in communication with the vessel and/or of the transmission of energy to the vessel wall and adjacent tissues. Various embodiments are disclosed.
US08197430B1
A method to treat cancer uses ultrapheresis, refined to remove compounds of less than 120,000 daltons molecular weight, followed by administration of replacement fluid, to stimulate the patient's immune system to attack solid tumors. In the preferred embodiment, the patient is ultrapheresed using a capillary tube ultrafilter having a pore size of 0.02 to 0.05 microns, with a molecular weight cutoff of 120,000 daltons, sufficient to filter one blood volume. The preferred replacement fluid is ultrapheresed normal plasma. The patient is preferably treated daily for three weeks, diagnostic tests conducted to verify that there has been shrinkage of the tumors, then the treatment regime is repeated. The treatment is preferably combined with an alternative therapy, for example, treatment with an anti-angiogenic compound, one or more cytokines such as TNF, gamma interferon, or IL-2, or a procoagulant compound. The treatment increases endogenous, local levels of cytokines, such as TNF. This provides a basis for an improved effect when combined with any treatment that enhances cytokine activity against the tumors, for example, treatments using alkylating agents, doxyrubicin, carboplatinum, cisplatinum, and taxol. Alternatively, the ultrapheresis treatment can be combined with local chemotherapy, systemic chemotherapy, and/or radiation.
US08197428B2
A portable human body pulsating apparatus has an air pulse generator mounted on a pedestal having wheels to facilitate movement of the apparatus on a surface. The pedestal has an upright piston and cylinder assembly operable to adjust the elevation of the air pulse generator. A reversible thoracic therapy garment is connected with a hose to an air pulse generator which can be selectively located adjacent opposite sides of a person receiving therapy.
US08197417B2
A compact and wearable metabolic analyzer transducer comprising a housing containing a plurality of analog sensors, an A/D converter, a microcontroller, and a power source operatively coupled thereto where the microcontroller is programmed to compute minute ventilation, O2 uptake, and CO2 production of a subject. The transducer and its contents are of a size and weight that can either be easily supported from a facemask worn by a subject or incorporated in a respiratory circuit. The measured values can be wirelessly transmitted or transmitted, via a cable, to a remote personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or other display devices such as digital watches or image projectors.
US08197416B1
Apparatus includes at least one of inflatable blood pressure cuffs for encircling a proximal, a distal, and an intermediate portion of a limb. Electrical signals from a pressure transducer on the cuff and from skin contact electrodes on the cuff are generated during pulses from the heart or from externally generated cuff pulses. A signal processing mechanism generates numerical values that are relevant to conditions that may contribute to cardiac malfunction.
US08197413B2
A catheter assembly for an intravascular ultrasound system includes a catheter and an imaging core. The catheter includes a lumen extending along the longitudinal length of the catheter from the proximal end to the distal end and the imaging core is configured and arranged for inserting into the lumen. The imaging core includes a rotatable driveshaft, at least one transducer mounted to the distal end of the rotatable driveshaft, and a twisted wire cable coupled to the at least one transducer. In addition, a number of different transducer arrangements and methods of making transducers are presented.
US08197409B2
A method for using high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to treat neurological structures to achieve a desired therapeutic effect. Depending on the dosage of HIFU applied, it can have a reversible or irreversible effect on neural structures. For example, a relatively high dose of HIFU can be used to permanently block nerve function, to provide a non-invasive alternative to severing a nerve to treat severe spasticity. Relatively lower doses of HIFU can be used to reversibly block nerve function, to alleviate pain, to achieve an anesthetic effect, or to achieve a cosmetic effect. Where sensory nerves are not necessary for voluntary function, but are involved in pain associated with tumors or bone cancer, HIFU can be used to non-invasively destroy such sensory nerves to alleviate pain without drugs. Preferably, ultrasound imaging synchronized to the HIFU therapy is used to provide real-time ultrasound image guided HIFU therapy of neural structures.
US08197408B2
The shear modulus information is measured for sparse locations in a scanning field of view. For other locations, the shear modulus information is calculated as a function of the sparsely measured values and strain information. For example, shear modulus values are provided for every grid point in a field of view based on strain values for every grid point and on sparsely measured shear modulus values.
US08197393B2
A resistance exercise apparatus is provided which, includes structures for receiving a body extremity of a user, the means for receiving a body extremity subject to a force provided by the body extremity, structures for maintaining the means for receiving a body extremity in a predefined plane during movement; and resistance providing devices to impose resistance against, the movement of the body extremity. Versions of the apparatus may positioned on a floor, on a wall, or be free standing. Various embodiments of the invention are particularly suited to provide range-of-motion exercises for legs, arms, and hands of the user for both recreational strengthening and physical therapy applications.
US08197391B2
A cover for use with an elongated cylindrical ballet barre supported above a surface adapted to be gripped by the user comprising an elongated piece of a cushioning material encircling at least a portion of said barre and removably attached thereto.
US08197388B2
A method of automatically engaging a parking lock or an automatic or automated gearbox of a motor vehicle, which can be engaged depending on a drive position selected by the driver of the motor vehicle, by way of a selector device and depending on other operating parameters. In order to achieve as little restriction of the drivability of the motor vehicle as possible, without neglecting the safety of the driver and surroundings, two different complex embodiments of an Auto_P function for automatically engaging the parking lock are proposed, if the motor vehicle is at least approximately stopped and, at the same time, an ignition circuit acting on the drive motor of the motor vehicle is electrically interrupted.
US08197384B2
With an engine start-up device, an engine is started upon altering a start-up when shifting an automatic shifting portion relative to when the automatic shifting portion is not shifting. Thus, start-up of the engine is prevented from adversely affecting the shifting of the automatic shifting portion. The engine starts during the shifting of the automatic shifting portion, enabling further improved response in acceleration required by a driver than that achieved when the operation is commenced after the automatic shifting portion has completed the shifting.
US08197383B2
A hybrid propulsion system for a vehicle and method of operation are described. In one example, the engine may operate in a two stroke cycle to provide increased engine torque when a recharging operation of the on-board energy storage device is requested. Further, a transition from a four stroke cycle to the two stroke cycle may be performed while maintaining the transmission in the previously selected gear ratio in response to a requested increase in charging or a requested increase in wheel torque as requested by the vehicle operator.
US08197379B1
A transmission mechanism includes a first gear unit having an axially-movable ring gear and a second gear unit having an axially-movable fixing ring. The fixing ring includes first and second protrusions on two sides, respectively. When the ring gear moves, the first inner teeth and the outer teeth of the second planet gear disk are engaged with each other or disengaged from each other. When the fixing ring moves, the first protrusions and the first positioning ridges are engaged with each other or disengaged from each other, or the second protrusions and the second positioning ridges are engaged with each other or disengaged from each other. By the different combinations of the statuses due to movement of the ring gear and the fixing ring, the input speed from the motor gear is transferred into four different speeds which is output from an output shaft.
US08197377B2
A 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. Further, a hydraulic fluid control circuit is provided for controlling the operation of the plurality of torque-transmitting devices. The hydraulic fluid control circuit receives pressurized hydraulic fluid from an off-axis hydraulic fluid pump and has a plurality of fluid passages disposed in the transmission house, input member and other coupling members.
US08197373B2
A power unit includes: an energy dispensing/synthesizing system in which a first body of rotation is connected to an output shaft of a prime mover and a second body of rotation is connected to a driven unit via a first power transmission path; a first power transmission system selectively operable between an operating state for enabling power transmission in the first power transmission path and an operating state for disconnecting the power transmission; a second power transmission path connecting between the output shaft of the prime mover and the driven unit; and a second power transmission system selectively operable between an operating state for enabling power transmission in the second power transmission path and an operating state for disconnecting the power transmission, wherein an auxiliary device is connected to a second body of rotation of the energy dispensing/synthesizing system.
US08197371B2
A bicycle hub assembly comprises a shaft, a first load bearing adjacent said shaft, a hub main body surrounding said shaft, and a cogset. The cogset can define an inner surface, and the inner surface can define a seat configured to receive the first load bearing. Further, the inner surface can define an opening of variable size. The cogset can also define an inner end and an outer end, and the opening can generally increase in size from the outer end to the inner end.
US08197367B2
An improved expandable broadhead with rear deploying blades. The rear deploying blades deploy reliably upon impact of the blades with a target. The expandable broadhead resists deflection by the target regardless of the angle of entry. Consequently, the present expandable broadhead maximizes kinetic energy on impact and increases the probability of substantial penetration into the target.
US08197359B2
A golf ball comprising a single layer core and a cover layer disposed about the single layer core, the single layer core being formed from a substantially homogenous formulation and comprising a geometric center and an outer surface wherein an inner core region is disposed about the geometric center and an outer core region is disposed about the inner core region and is adjacent the outer surface, the outer core region having a thickness of about 15 mm or less. The inner core region has a first hardness (IC1h) and the outer core region has a second hardness (OC2h) such that the second hardness (OC2h) is greater than the first hardness (IC1h), represented by the relationship (OC2h)>(IC1h) and a hardness of the outer surface (OSh) is greater than a hardness of the geometric center (GCh), represented by the relationship (OSh)>(GCh) to define a positive hardness gradient.
US08197353B2
The present disclosure provides a waterslide comprising at least one twisted flume segment, wherein the twisted flume segment defines a first open end and a second opposing open end rotated and translated with respect to the first open end.The present disclosure further provides a twisted waterslide flume segment and method for assembling the twisted waterslide flume segment. The twisted waterslide flume segment includes a plurality of adjacently disposed twisted flume sections, the twisted flume sections defining a first open end and a second opposing open end rotated and translated with respect to the first open end.
US08197352B2
A water transportation system and method are described, generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. Further, the disclosure generally relates to water-powered rides and to a system and method in which participants may be actively involved in a water attraction. This transportation system comprises at least two water stations and at least one water channel connecting the at least two water stations for the purpose of conveying participants between the at least two water stations. In addition, the water transportation system may include conveyor belt systems and water locks configured to convey participants from a first source of water to a second source of water which may or may not be at a different elevation.
US08197351B2
Many playsets include one or more tower sections with one or more platform sections supported above the ground or a similar support surface with a support structure or framing. In certain embodiments, a curved wall portion defines one or more panel openings. Subpanels may optionally be mounted into the openings. A balcony floor protrudes outwards with a curved outer edge or face with an interior flat floor edge adjoining an edge of a polygonal platform section floor to enlarge the square footage of the floor area of the platform section.
US08197341B2
A support means for a controller for controlling a game which simulates a human activity involving hand and foot movements, for example the driving of a vehicle, the controller comprising a hand-operated device and a foot-operated device operable by a player of the game to cause the game to simulate such movements. The support means comprises a base (1) adapted to be supported on the floor or ground and having a platform (2) for mounting the hand-operated device (C1) of the controller which is pivotally mounted on a first member (15) which is mounted for rectilinear sliding movement on a second member (18) pivotally mounted on the base to facilitate angular, height and rectilinear adjustment of the device, and a platform (3) for mounting the foot-operated device which is mounted on a member (5) which is mounted for rectilinear sliding movement on the base to facilitate angular and rectilinear adjustment of the device.
US08197340B2
A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising gaming code which is operable when executed on to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered. The system is coupled to at least one external sign assembly via a sign server, the external sign comprising one or more speakers. The wagering game system provides a volume control interface operable to allow a user of the wagering game system to control the volume of the one or more speakers comprising a part of the external sign assembly via the sign server.
US08197334B2
A gaming device having a card management system which is operable to manage a plurality of circulating data cards is described.
US08197323B2
A system and method for providing an additional or end-of-game drawing to players of a lottery game is provided. In one embodiment, unique validation codes provided on lottery tickets can be encrypted using an algorithm and used to create a record of such encrypted codes. A player then participates in the lottery and subsequently submits the validation code from the ticket to a lottery provider. The lottery provider applies the algorithm to the submitted validation code to create another encryption code for comparison with the record of encrypted codes. In the event a match is found, the player is entered into a second-chance or end of game drawing. Upon entry, the player is no longer required to maintain possession of the ticket for subsequent validation.
US08197308B2
A swing device for a grinding machine includes a motor located on a fixed table beside the sanding unit which includes a frame with two mandrels and a sanding belt is mounted to the two mandrels. A movable member is movably mounted to the shaft of the motor so as to move back and forth to activate two limit switches which are activated to stop the motor. The movable member is connected to a fixed plate connected to an end plate on the sanding unit and a link is connected between the fixed plate and an elongate slot of the movable member. The sanding unit together with the sanding belt swing when the movable member moves. The sanding belt swings and activates two micro switches to change the rotation direction of the shaft. The sanding belt swings to change the sanding portion contacting the objects to be polished.
US08197296B1
The present disclosure provides a method for making electron emitter includes the following steps. First, a linear support is provided. Second, at least one carbon nanotube film or at least one carbon nanotube wire is provided. Third, the at least one carbon nanotube film or wire is wrapped around the linear support. Fourth, the linear support is removed to obtain a carbon nanotube hollow cylinder. Fifth, the carbon nanotube hollow cylinder is fused.
US08197284B2
Disclosed herein is a printed circuit board and a connecting method thereof. The connecting method of the circuit board assembly may include molding the printed circuit board assembly by applying a resin to the printed circuit board assembly, exposing ends of the electrode terminals of a connector mounted on a printed circuit board by partially removing the molded printed circuit board assembly, and connecting a connection member to the exposed ends of the electrode terminals of the connector. Therefore, even if the whole of the printed circuit board assembly is molded, the connection member may be freely connected to the connector of the printed circuit board assembly.
US08197283B2
A coaxial cable connector and method that will direct the electromagnetic field carrying the electrical signal in a coaxial cable to the inner surface of a conductive layer of the foil of the cable, as opposed to the outer surface. With the electrical signals traveling on the inner surface of the foil conductive layer, the foil conductive layer serves as a contiguous gap-free shield to prevent the ingress and/or egress of RFI.
US08197277B1
An electrical connector (10) which facilitates its proper holding for insertion and latching to a charging station receiver (14). The connector has a body (40) with a front portion (42) that extends along a horizontal axis (60), a rear portion (44) that extends at a rearward-downward inclined axis (62) of approximately 45°, and a middle portion (46) with a bottom (22) that is concavely curved to receive the small fingers of a hand. The front portion of the body has grooves (76) on opposite sides of a top ridge (72), so the person's thumb fits around the ridge and into a groove. A palm pad (30) lies immediately rearward of the top ridge and is automatically depressed by the person's palm to operate a latch (32).
US08197272B2
A connector includes a housing that holds contacts, a cover that covers the housing, and an ejection member that is movably held by the housing and the cover and ejects a SIM card inserted between the housing and the cover. The cover is formed with a spring portion that pushes the ejection member toward the housing, and the ejection member is formed with a groove that receives the spring portion in a relatively movable manner.
US08197270B2
An electrical connector assembly is disclosed having a main housing portion, camming slide mounting in camming slide receiving guides of the main housing portion, a wire guide and a lever. The lever is operably coupled to the camming slides to translate the camming slides upon rotation of the lever. The lever is mounted to the wire guide, and the combination of the wire guide and the lever are reversible to reverse the orientation of the wires in the wire dress.
US08197248B2
While ensuring technical safety and a short start-up time the invention permits the operation of autothermic partial oxidation of fuels processed into pulverized fuel such as lignite and bituminous coals, petroleum cokes, solid grindable carbon-containing residues, as well as solid-liquid suspensions or slurries, with a gasification agent containing oxygen at operating pressures of up to 8 MPa (80 bar). The selective configuration of the fail-safe monitoring of the gasification process only the supply of the main fuel is cut off. Through the continued operation of the pilot and ignition burner the reactor is kept at operating pressure and after the fault has been rectified fuel gasification can be restarted with the pilot and ignition burner without a complicated placement and pulling of a starter burner and subsequent pressurization of the reactors.
US08197242B2
A device for continuously sheathing a ply of threads, said ply being formed by an array of approximately mutually parallel threads. The device includes a thread guide, a coating chamber into which a first feed channel and a second feed channel run, which are independent of each other, connected to a first feed device and to a second feed device respectively and capable of delivering a first material and a second material under pressure and with a defined flow rate, and the outlets of which channels are placed above and below the plane of the ply of threads, and an output die. Pressure-measuring device, connected to a controller for controlling the pressure of each of the feed devices, are placed in the coating chamber facing and in line with each other, on either side of the plane of the ply and in the immediate vicinity of the outlet for the feed channels.
US08197239B2
A pump, especially a power-steering pump, having a flow-control valve device that has a piston arranged inside a piston bore so as to be displaced. The piston bore has at least one inlet and at least one outlet channel. The piston has an axial inlet opening and a plurality of substantially radial outlet openings as well as a continuous outlet groove between a first collar and a second collar, representing a control edge for an outlet fluid flow. The axial inlet opening extends at least to the beginning of the radial, lateral outlet openings in a substantially cylindrical manner and the continuous outlet groove widens in terms of its radial depth on the outer circumference of the piston towards the control edge.
US08197237B2
A drive device, comprising a housing, a rod, a limiting device, a sliding block, a rotating block, a pair of springs, a pair of first grooves, and a second groove. The rod passes through the sliding block, an axis is disposed on the sliding block, the rotating block is disposed on the axis, the springs are disposed on both sides of the rotating block, the top of the spring is contacted with one side of the rotating block, the first grooves are disposed on one side of the rod opposite to the housing, the second groove is disposed on inner side of the housing opposite to the first groove, a middle part of the second groove is lower than other parts thereof, one end of the rotating block slides in the second groove, and the other end of the rotating block slides in and between the first grooves.
US08197236B2
A pump rotor for a roller pump, is disclosed. The rotor comprises: a first roller support comprising a first roller; a second roller support comprising a second roller; an element in the center connected to the first and second roller supports, wherein the first and second roller supports may move angularly with respect to the center element causing distance between the first and second rollers to be varied; first and second positioning elements that connect the first and second roller supports, respectively, to the center element; and first and second spring biased components surrounding first and second positioning elements, respectively, to allow the first and second roller supports to move to allow for automatic adjustment of the rotor.
US08197222B2
A highly efficient getter pump with low maintenance requirements is applied to a vacuum coating installation, allowing a substrate to be coated to remain uncontaminated by a dusting of getter material. The getter pump comprises a pump housing with an exposure opening. The housing has a getter body, of getter material that essentially closes the exposure opening and can move in relation to the exposure opening. An inner sub-section of the surface of the getter body points towards the interior of the pump housing and an outer sub-section points towards the exterior of the pump housing through the exposure opening. The positions of the inner and outer sub-sections are interchangeable by movement of the getter body. The getter pump is equipped with a device for removing getter material from the inner sub-section.
US08197212B2
An assisted control system for controlling the attitude of a rotorcraft comprises a flight control device; at least one control member configured to act on an aerodynamic element of the rotorcraft; a mechanical connection connecting the flight control device to the at least one control member, the mechanical connection including at least one connecting rod moveable in translation, a crank device pivotably disposed about a stationary support shaft passing through the crank device, and a motor including a drive rotor and a stator configured to facilitate a pivoting movement of the crank device about the stationary support; a motor control device configured to control a rotation of the drive rotor relative to the stator; and at least one sensor configured to measure information representative of an operation performed by the flight control device under pilot control and to deliver a signal to the motor control device.
US08197211B1
A composite turbine rotor blade that uses the high heat resistance capability of a ceramic material along with the high strength capability of a high strength metallic material. The blade includes a metallic piece with the blade root and platform with a leading edge spar and a trailing edge spar extending from the platform. The two spars form radial cooling channels for the edges of the blade. A ceramic mid-chord piece is secured between the two spars by a T-shape tip rail piece that includes a tip rail cooling channel extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge. The tip rail piece includes a hollow radial pin that extends through the root to secure to the tip rail piece to the rest of the blade and supply cooling air to the tip rail cooling channel.
US08197208B2
A floating underwater support structure is disclosed. The underwater support structure includes a joint capable of rotation and angular movement along two or three axes coupled to a truss. The truss is capable of sustaining loads in tension, compression, and bending, and comprises one or more elongate, rigid members. The elongate, rigid members are capable of sustaining loads in at least tension and compression. A buoyant member positioned between or around the members of the truss at a predetermined distance below the water provides a buoyant force that typically exceeds the weight of the entire structure. In deeper water, cross bracing may be provided between the members of the truss, and in particularly deep water, a single tendon may connect between the joint, typically anchored to the floor of the body of water, and the truss. The support structure may be used to support wind turbines and other structures.
US08197205B2
A blade actuation system comprises at least one motor coupled to a rotor blade for changing the pitch angle of the rotor blade. The motor is configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one flight control computer to modulate the pitch angle. At least one generator may be mounted on a rotor shaft to generate power during rotation of the rotor shaft. The generator may provide power to the motor. The flight control computer is operative to provide control signals to at least one of the generators and motors for regulation thereof. The flight control computer, motor and generator may be configured to wirelessly communicate with one another.
US08197204B2
Fan system, in particular for a heat exchanger, which fan system has at least one receptacle for a fan drive unit, at least one housing wall, and at least one strut, in particular a number of struts which connect the receptacle to the housing wall, wherein the struts are arranged between at least one heat exchanger and at least one fan wheel, wherein at least one strut has a strut end section which is configured as a flow guiding face and has an angle α with respect to a fan-wheel axis direction.
US08197201B2
An apparatus and method for treating sewage The apparatus receives sewage at a receiving compartment and separates solids from liquids at the receiving compartment. The solids can be extracted from the receiving compartment by an auger. The liquid sewage flows through a series of treatment compartment containing rotating biological contactor discs for treatment by these rotating biological contactor discs. The rotating biological contactor discs are secured to a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft and the auger are powered by a quasi-submerged turbine displaced by a flow of air.
US08197194B2
A turbine of a turbocharger having a floating insert which defines a nozzle for passing a fluid and that is supported axially slidable with respect to a housing by a sliding support. The turbine includes a gas shielding for preventing a flow of fluid from impinging on the sliding support.
US08197192B2
The invention relates to a pump for pumping contaminated liquid including solid matter, comprising an impeller (1), which is rotatable in a pump chamber of said pump, the impeller (1) being movable in the axial direction in relation to a seal housing cover (3) between a first position adjacent to an impeller seat (2) and a second position spaced apart from said impeller seat (2), said pump also comprising a cavity (17) defined by the seal housing cover (3) and the impeller (1), and at least one opening gap (20) connecting said cavity and said pump chamber. Furthermore, said opening gap (20) has a first flow area when the impeller (1) is in the first position, and a second flow area bigger than said first flow area when the impeller (1) is' spaced apart from said first position.
US08197191B2
A nacelle inlet for an aircraft engine of a type having an engine fan case with a forward flange includes an acoustic inner barrel having a forward edge and an aft edge, an outer shell having a nose lip portion with a trailing inner edge, and an outer barrel portion having an aft portion. The nacelle inlet also includes an aft attachment flange configured to attach the inlet to the forward flange of the engine fan case, and an aft bulkhead having an aft end and connecting the outer barrel portion of the outer shell to the aft attachment flange. The forward edge of the acoustic inner barrel is connected to the trailing inner edge of the nose lip portion, and the aft portion of the inner barrel is attached to the aft attachment flange.
US08197186B2
A gas turbine engine annular turbine casing having an annular shell, axially spaced apart forward and aft flanges extending radially outwardly from the shell, forward and aft case hooks depending radially inwardly from the annular shell, and an axially curved surface at an outer diameter of the aft flange. The axially curved surface may be a semi-spherical surface. The forward and aft case hooks may be located axially near or at the forward and aft flanges respectively. A circular row of holes may be axially disposed through the aft flange circumscribing the central axis and radially located between the outer diameter of the aft flange and the annular shell. An annular manifold spaced radially outwardly of the shell forming an annular space between the manifold and the shell and having impingement holes disposed through the manifold may be used for impinging cooling air on the axially curved surface.
US08197184B2
A vane cluster has a coated metallic substrate. The cluster includes a platform and a shroud. At least first and second airfoils extend between an outer face of the platform and an inner face of the shroud. Each airfoil has a pressure side and a suction side. The pressure side of the first airfoil faces the suction side of the second airfoil. The cluster includes a cooling passageway system including one or more first feed passageways in the first airfoil and one or more second feed passageways in the second airfoil. At least a first side selected from the pressure side of the first airfoil and the suction side of the second airfoil includes a first region with a local thinning or gap in the coating. Along the first side, the cooling passageway system includes means for locally cooling said first region.
US08197181B2
A cross-flow fan that variably maintains a distance between a blade and a fluid flow guide by varying a height of an outer edge and an air conditioner having the cross-flow fan are provided. Therefore, a noise and a peak value of a spectrum between the blade and the outer edge can be reduced.
US08197161B2
A chip-removing tool, includes a basic body, at least one cutting body attachable to the basic body and having at least one geometrically defined cutting edge. An adjusting device has an adjusting element expandable by an adjusting screw. The adjusting element is a slotted ring which is supported, on the one hand, on the cutting body and, on the other hand, on the basic body of the chip-removing tool.
US08197160B2
A mine roof and rib support can be a support member having a roof support arm and a rib support arm, wherein the roof support arm is provided at an angle to the rib support arm. An aperture for a roof bolt is provided through the support member adjacent an intersection of the roof support arm and the rib support arm. A bearing plate having an upper edge and a lower edge, and a through-hole provided therebetween, can be provided wherein the upper and lower edges are positioned in abutment with the roof and rib support arms, respectively, to simultaneously apply force to each arm when a roof bolt is installed through each of the bearing plate and the support member. A flange can be provided at a distal end of one or both of the roof and rib support arms, each flange projecting toward the mine roof or rib.
US08197157B2
A compactor wheel having a compactor cleat mountable on a compactor wheel is disclosed. The compactor cleat includes a base affixable to a compactor wheel and a body secured to the base and extending radially outward from the base, with the body comprising an arrangement of protrusions generally dividing the body into four protrusion quadrants. Each of the four protrusion quadrants is angled away from other respective protrusion quadrants such that forcing the protrusions of the cleat into a malleable material causes the malleable material to diversify along the four protrusion quadrants.
US08197156B2
A shallow mounted fixed vehicle barrier device for prohibiting vehicular access to a facility or area. The shallow mounted fixed vehicle barrier device includes a barrier system having a passive position and a support system adapted to maintain the barrier system in the passive position. In the passive position, the barrier system prevents vehicles from passing by or through to the protected facility or area. The shallow mounted fixed vehicle barrier device always remains in the passive position and, therefore, never allows vehicles access to the secured facility or area, after installation. The barrier system includes a bollard and, optionally, a bollard sleeve. The support system includes a base frame attached to the bollard, such that the base frame is adapted to secure the bollard during vehicular attack. The shallow mounted fixed vehicle barrier device can be installed in a foundation having a depth of less than twelve inches.
US08197150B2
A first driving member for front blade that connects a front blade and a second driving member for front blade are rotatably mounted to a shaft 1g, a rear blade driving member that connects a rear blade is rotatably mounted to a shaft, the first driving member follows the second driving member and is rotated by a biasing force of a set spring in a setting operation, and is pressed by the second driving member and rotated in photography. The restraining means has a restraining member that can go in and out of an operation path of the restrained portion of the first driving member. When the present invention is adopted in a single-lens reflex camera, the restraining member can be within the operation path of the restrained portion in the setting operation for photography using an optical finder, and the restraining member can be outside the operation path of the restrained portion in the setting operation for photography using an electronic finder.
US08197148B2
The wiring fixture has a base unit, which is to be mounted on a predetermined position, and a functional unit that is formed as a removable structure and is to be electrically connected to the base unit. The base unit has a connecting body having a connecting section for connecting a first line from a control section of an electric device. The connecting body is rotatably disposed to the base unit so that the connecting section not only faces in a mounting direction of the base unit but also faces in a direction different from the mounting direction of the base unit. The structure copes with a layout change and offers easy wiring between the base unit and lines led through the ceiling or a wall.
US08197147B2
The present invention provides an optical connection component which comprises a solid state laser component for emitting a modulated beam of light in response to an applied electrical signal. The optical connection component also comprises an optical lens positioned relative to the solid state laser component at a predetermined position in which the optical lens reduces divergence of the emitted beam of light. The optical lens is formed at the predetermined position in a manner such that the optical lens is immobile relative to the solid state laser component. The optical connection component further comprises an optical waveguide having a core for guiding the light. The optical waveguide has first and second end-portions. The first end-portion is positioned for coupling the modulated light from the optical lens into the core. In addition, the optical connection component comprises a receiver for receiving the modulated light from the second end-portion of the optical waveguide and arranged for converting the modulated light into a corresponding electrical signal.
US08197144B2
An apparatus for supporting a rotating shaft comprising: a housing surrounding the shaft; interposed between the housing and the shaft a plurality of tilting pads which extend in contiguous manner circumferentially around the shaft, each tilting pad being able to rock in the rotation of the shaft; and interposed between each pair of adjacent tilting pads retaining means for preventing circumferential movement of the pads around the housing due to rotation of the shaft, wherein the physical relationship between at least one tilting pad and its adjacent retaining means is such that said rocking of the pad takes place without circumferential slippage of the pad around the housing.
US08197141B2
A lid member (10) is formed in a cup-like shape while having a plate portion (10a) and a cylindrical fixed portion (10b) axially protruding from an outer peripheral end of the plate portion (10a). An outer peripheral surface (10b1) of the fixed portion (10b), which serves as a fixation surface (B), is fixed to an inner peripheral surface (7a) of a housing (7) as an outer member (A). An axial dimension of the fixation surface (B) is larger than a thickness of the plate portion (10a), and hence it is possible to thinly-form the plate portion (10a) and to increase a fixing force between the lid member (10) and the housing (7). As a result, an axial dimension of a fluid dynamic bearing device can be reduced and durability thereof can be simultaneously increased.
US08197133B2
A system and method for compensating for thermal drift. A temperature is measured in a meter as a temperature voltage. The temperature voltage is converted to a digital signal. The digital signal is processed to generate an offset voltage in response to the digital signal. The offset voltage is applied as an input to an amplifier. The amplifier receives as a second input a gauge voltage. An output is generated from the meter that corrects the gauge voltage using the offset voltage to compensate for thermal drift.
US08197132B2
An electronic thermometer is configured for selectable predictive modes based upon the same predictive algorithm. A mode selector is adapted for user selection between several modes of operation of the thermometer. Each mode of operation utilizes the same predictive algorithm for estimating the temperature of the subject before the thermometer reaches full equilibrium. Different modes offer users a selection for striking the appropriate balance between response time and precision, based upon user preferences and needs.
US08197130B2
A temperature sensing device enclosed in a housing having at least one thermally isolative wall and machined slot for isolating the temperature sensing device to ensure accurate reading of ambient temperature in room.
US08197127B2
An embodiment of the invention relates to a temperature-sensing device and a related method. In an embodiment, the device senses a temperature with a first sensing circuit configured to assert a signal when temperature is above a first temperature threshold level, and a second sensing circuit configured to substantially disable a bias current that powers the first sensing circuit when a sensed level of temperature is below a second, lower temperature threshold level. Accordingly, the device is able to draw substantially reduced current from a power source when the sensed temperature level is less than the second threshold level. Other physical parameters such as strain or pressure may also be sensed using the same technique.
US08197125B2
A method of analyzing metal oxides. In this method, metal oxide is provided, heated with microwaves, and a conductivity parameter of the metal oxide is determined. From the conductivity parameter, a determination is made regarding a pyroelectric effect of the metal oxide.
US08197122B2
An applicator assembly for mixing, homogenizing and/or emulsifying two or more components is disclosed. The applicator assembly includes a housing configured to receive a motor and a power source, a fluid supply source operably connected to the housing, the fluid supply sources including at least a first and a second source of solution, and a nozzle assembly extending from the housing and in fluid communication with the fluid supply source, the nozzle assembly including a smooth impeller for mixing the at least first and second solutions.
US08197121B2
A blender blade assembly, blade unit, and blade assembly for mixing materials. Blender blade assembly includes a center portion that defines an axis of rotation for the assembly. The assembly includes a lower double-sided blade coupled to the center portion. The lower blade includes blade sections that extend from the center portion. In addition, the assembly includes an upper double-sided blade coupled to the center portion. The upper blade includes blade sections that extend from the center portion. The lower and upper blades are separated by a partition. One blade section of the upper blade has a top sheered portion and the other blade section has a bottom sheered portion. One blade section of the lower blade has a top sheered portion along with a blade tip pointed downwards, while the other blade section has a bottom sheered portion along with a blade tip pointed upwards.
US08197119B2
There are provided method and apparatus for manufacturing a polarizable electrode for electric double layer capacitor is provided which is capable of preventing porosities, cracks, or breakage of a sheet as much as possible when molding materials are formed into a sheet form and improving the yield of the molding materials. The manufacturing apparatus is used before granulated molding materials that are finely divided and crushed are moved to a calendar molding machine 3. The apparatus includes a mixing machine 1, a vibrating sieve 2, and a vibrating feeder 4. In the mixing machine 1, when the granulated molding materials are mixed with IPA as a binding assistant in a hermetically sealed mixing container 9, they are agitated by agitating blades 11. With this, even when during the mixing, the granulated molding materials adhere with each other to form lumps, the lumps are crushed by the agitation of the agitating blades 11 so that the molding materials are disintegrated into smaller particles. The molding materials mixed with IPA are sieved by the vibrating sieve 2 and conveyed to the calendar molding machine 3 along a conveyance path 30 of the vibrating feeder 4, whereby the molding materials are formed into a sheet form.
US08197113B2
Provided is a display device for an embodiment in which a central axis of a light guide plate (LGP) and a central axis of one or more light sources are matched with each other to maximize efficiency of the light sources, and which has an ultra-slim structure. The display device may include: a display panel which displays an image; an LGP which guides light to the display panel; light sources which are disposed on a side of the LGP and provide light to the LGP; a circuit board which is disposed on a side of the display panel with the light sources mounted on a surface thereof, and driving chips which drive the display panel mounted on an opposite surface thereof; and a frame which houses the LGP and the light sources and on which the circuit board and the display panel are mounted.
US08197109B2
The present invention relates to a lamp for vehicle which can obtains an ideal light distribution pattern using one light unit. The lamp for vehicle according to the present invention comprises: a first reflecting surface (11) in ellipse shape; a semiconductor light source (3) at a first focus (F11) or its vicinity of the first reflecting surface; and reflecting surfaces (12, 13, 14) in parabola shape controlling the reflected light (L2) from the first reflecting surface (11) to be reflected on the road as predetermined light distribution patterns (LP, HP, SP, WP). The second reflecting surface (12) forms light distribution pattern for high light degree (HP). The third reflecting surface 13 forms light distribution pattern for collection (SP) having the light distribution pattern for high light degree (HP). The fourth reflecting surface 14 forms light distribution pattern for diffusion (WP) overlapping the light distribution pattern for high light degree (HP) and the light distribution pattern for collection (SP). As a result, ideal light distribution patterns can be obtained using one light unit, and thus the traffic safety is greatly improved.
US08197091B1
An LED unit is provided with a plurality of LED panels each having a support surface supporting at least one LED. The LED unit may be provided with a frame that may support the LED panels and the arrangement of the LED panels may be movable between a symmetric and an asymmetric configuration.
US08197077B2
A modular drive system, in particular for a driven angular adjustment of a rearview mirror support of a motor vehicle, comprising at least two drive modules, each provided with a housing with an electric motor and a drive portion driven by the electric motor, and a drivable portion for cooperation with a drive portion of another drive module, further comprising coupling means for attaching two drive modules to each other with one rotational degree of freedom by cooperation of a drive portion and a drivable portion, respectively.
US08197076B2
Described is a magnetic membrane mirror having a flexible membrane comprising a magnetic material and having a high reflectance. The flexible membrane is secured over a frame to enclose a volume between the frame and membrane. A transmembrane pressure is established to achieve a desired mirror shape or curvature. Curvature can be changed by modifying the transmembrane pressure by increasing or decreasing the pressure in the enclosed volume. An array of electromagnetic actuators generates individually-controlled magnetic fields to cause localized displacements of the mirror surface. The magnetic membrane mirror can be constructed with inexpensive components and can be used as a dynamic component in an adaptive optical system.
US08197063B2
Aspects of the present invention provide multifocal lenses having one or more multifocal inserts comprising one or more diffractive regions. A diffractive region of a multifocal insert of the present invention can provide a constant optical power or can provide a progression of optical power, or any combination thereof. A multifocal insert of the present invention can be fabricated from any type of material and can be inserted into any type of bulk lens material. A diffractive region of a multifocal insert of the present invention can be positioned to be in optical communication with one or more optical regions of a host lens to provide a combined desired optical power in one or more vision zones. Index matching layers of the present invention can be used to reduce reflection losses at interfaces of the host lens and multifocal insert.
US08197048B2
An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes a liquid discharger including a liquid discharge head configured to discharge a droplet of liquid so as to form an image. The liquid discharge head includes multiple individual channels communicating with corresponding nozzles from which the liquid is discharged; a common channel configured to supply the liquid to the individual channels; a deformable member configured to form at least one wall face of the common channel; and a vibration damping member formed of a viscoelastic material, the vibration member being provided in contact with the deformable member.
US08197044B2
An ink cartridge includes a frame and a movable member. At least the frame defines an ink chamber therein, and the ink chamber is configured to store ink therein. The movable member is configured to move within the ink chamber in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. The movable member includes a plurality of projections, and each of the plurality of projections extend from a surface of the movable member in one of the first direction and the second direction.
US08197041B2
An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a sub-tank, a main tank, a supply unit, a memory, and a controller. The sub-tank includes an ink storage container, a flexible member, an elastic member, and an atmosphere-communicable unit. The ink storage container has an opening sealed by the flexible member biased by the elastic member. The main tank stores ink to be supplied to the sub-tank. The controller controls an ink dispensing operation depending on image forming conditions. The controller determines whether a gas bubble intrudes in the sub-tank. The controller executes the ink dispensing operation from the recording head using a dispensable ink volume when an ink supply from the main tank to the sub-tank is unable to be continued. The controller variably sets the dispensable ink volume. The controller determines that an ink end condition occurs when the recording head dispenses the dispensable ink volume from the sub-tank.
US08197034B2
A liquid ejecting head has a piezoelectric element with a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer, and a second electrode. The liquid ejecting head causes pressure changes in a pressure generating chamber communicating with a nozzle opening. The piezoelectric layer has a perovskite structure and is preferentially orientated in a (100) plane. A method for producing the liquid ejecting head includes polarizing the piezoelectric layer by applying an electric field having energy higher than energy required for converting the polarization direction in the <111> direction to the <110> direction and lower than energy required for converting the polarization direction in the <111> direction to the <001> direction when the electric field to be applied to the piezoelectric layer is in the <001> direction vertical to a plane on which the second electrode is provided.
US08197002B2
A seat adjustment device for a bike includes a holding base adapted to be engaged on a top of a support tube for a seat. First and second clamp blocks are received in the holding base. The second clamp block is moveable relative to the first clamp block. A bar-clamping space is formed between the first and second clamp blocks to clamp a support rod for the seat. An resilient member is provided between the first and second clamp blocks to bias the first and second clamp blocks towards an inner wall of the holding base. The first and second clamp blocks may be free to pivot around in the holding base, allowing the seat to be adjusted at a significantly increasing angle.
US08196999B2
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for mounting a roof element on a vehicle body, particularly of a passenger car. Relative to a roof frame element, the roof element is moved from a prefixing position into a final mounting position. In the prefixing position, the roof element is held by a prefixing pairing of at least one roof-element-side and at least one roof-frame-element-side prefixing element.
US08196989B2
To provide a seat cowl structure of a saddle-riding type vehicle that can reduce weight of a seat cowl support structure, while achieving stiffness to support an occupant load. The seat cowl structure includes a pair of left and right seat rails and a stiffness portion. The pair of left and right seat rails extends rearwardly from a vehicle body frame and is disposed inside a seat cowl. The stiffness portion connects between seat cowl fastening portions of the left and right seat rails in a vehicle width direction and is disposed inside an upper surface portion and side surface portions of the seat cowl.
US08196988B1
A portable multi-functional sleeping system comprising a sleeping platform for one (1) to two (2) people for use while camping or performing a similar activity is herein disclosed. The sleeping system is provided with a trailer for movement or for towing behind a smaller vehicle or motorcycle. A lid folds open and exposes a mattress capable of holding up to two (2) people. The lower portion of the system provides three (3) storage compartments. A first compartment is provided with insulated sidewalls to serve as a cooler to keep food cool. A second compartment is for general storage for clothing and similar items. A third compartment is provided with collapsible poles and hooks for attaching a shower curtain and water bag thereto shower. A cooking grill section is also provided on the back portion of the system that folds up for compact storage.
US08196983B2
A substrate attracting device includes an attracting body for attracting and holding a substrate to transfer the substrate. The attracting body includes a first attracting unit for attracting and holding a top surface of the substrate according to Bernoulli principle and a second attracting unit for vacuum-attracting and holding a bottom surface of the substrate.
US08196976B2
A chain hook having a landing area above a mouth of a slot for easy placement of a chain link in the slot so that a gate or door may be detachably held to a support. The chain hook also has a lock hole so that the chain may be padlocked to the chain hook.
US08196974B2
A vehicle door and a vehicle door latch assembly is disclosed. The vehicle door includes a door outer panel; a door inner panel affixed to the door outer panel and defining a door wet cavity, with the door inner panel including an access hole; and a door trim panel mounted to the door inner panel and defining a door dry cavity. A door latch is located in the door wet cavity; a latch locking lever is exposed to the door dry cavity and shielded from the door wet cavity, with the latch locking lever engaging the door latch; and a lock rod has a first end attached to the latch locking lever, with the lock rod extending through the access hole and between the door inner panel and the door trim panel, whereby the lock rod is not exposed to the door wet cavity.
US08196973B2
The device for childproofing a door lock is a device that fits on a standard lockset and prevents a lever or doorknob from turning when the device is engaged. The childproof door lock includes a substantially rectangular base plate and a circular disk that mounts atop the base. A sliding plate mounted on the base has a cylindrical locking post that engages a notch on the circular disk and prevents it from turning. The sliding plate may be spring-biased to hold the locking post in the notch. A lever may be attached to the sliding plate to disengage the locking post from the notch and allow the circular disk to turn freely.
US08196972B2
A latching device has a resetting device, a triggering device for producing a triggering force which acts in a first direction, a compression element, and an upper and a lower supporting element which, in the latched state, are arranged one above the other in a housing and are connected to each other by at least one coupler such that they are at a distance from each other, and which, in the latched state, are acted upon, to provide a spring-type drive, by a compressive force applied along a line of action via the compression element. The lower supporting element, loaded by the compressive force in the latched state, is deflected against a stop and is held in that position. The paths of movement of the upper and of the lower supporting element are defined by the housing by way of guides. The path of movement for the lower supporting element runs substantially perpendicular to the path of movement of the upper supporting element.
US08196970B2
A connector device having a housing part and a clamping ring arranged in the receiving hole and cooperating with an inner cone of the housing part to lock a plugged-in media conduit. An inner insertion piece is removably connected to a base piece and provided with the inner cone. The insertion piece has at least two radially elastic spring arms to enable removal of the conduit. Radially outward-protruding catching extensions of the spring arms engage catching holes for detaching purposes. A contamination seal is disposed in the region of free ends of the spring arms to circumferentially rest upon the media conduit. The catching extensions are disconnected from the sealing area via a deformation zone so that the radial detaching movement of the catching extensions is performed without being influenced by the contamination seal because the deformation zone is deformed.
US08196955B2
An airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle includes an airbag including an inflatable portion and an inflator for providing inflation gas for inflating the inflatable portion of the airbag. The airbag includes a non-inflatable portion located within the inflatable portion so that in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle the non-inflatable portion is bounded on both sides by the inflatable portion of the airbag and wherein the non-inflatable portion extends the entire cross vehicle width of the airbag. The airbag is configured to inflate into a position so that a surface of the airbag faces the occupant. The stiffness of the inflatable portion varies along the surface facing the occupant based on a changing distance from the surface to the non-inflatable portion.
US08196954B2
A passenger seat air-bag module, may include a cushion plate on which an air-bag cushion is provided, the cushion plate mounted to a vehicle body, an inflator unit secured to the cushion plate and providing gas pressure to the air-bag cushion, and a seat cover secured at a first side thereof to the inflator unit and the cushion plate and secured at a second side thereof to the cushion plate to cover an outer portion of the air-bag cushion.
US08196951B2
A personalizable sports themed ice chest having a main ice chest housing and a selectively openable and closable lid member pivotably secured to the housing. The ice chest has a personalizable sports related shape, wheels rotatably secured to the housing, a collapsible pull handle mechanism connected to the housing, and areas on the housing and lid member for the placement of a logo or emblem.
US08196947B2
A suspension fork for a bicycle includes at least one stanchion tube and at least one slider tube interacting therewith and a wheel receiving space adjacent thereto. The suspension fork includes a damper system with a damper chamber divided into a first chamber and a second chamber by a movable piston. The suspension fork further includes a damping device for the rebound stage and a damping device for the compression stage are provided. A shut-off valve is provided for selectively locking the rebound stage. The damper chamber comprises a connecting duct with a flow damper that connects the second chamber with the first chamber when the stanchion tube and the slider tube interacting therewith are compressed more than a predefined distance such that in the case of a forceful compression and with the shut-off valve of the rebound stage activated, slow decompression is allowed up to a damper position as defined by the predetermined distance.
US08196946B2
A suspension structure includes a pair of right and left cushion units. The right cushion unit is constituted of a compression coil spring and a right damper, and the left cushion unit is constituted of only a left damper having an outer diameter smaller than a diameter of the compression coil spring and larger than a diameter of the right damper. The left cushion unit is constituted of only the left damper and does not include the compression coil spring and hence, the suspension structure can be simplified. Further, in the left cushion unit, the left damper does not slide relative to the compression coil spring in performing a stroke and hence, no friction is generated.
US08196945B2
A locking bicycle pedal includes coiled cables on spools with locking mechanisms attached to free ends. The cables may be extended from the spools. The locking mechanism may comprise a key or combination lock. The locking mechanisms attach to the pedal when not in use for locking the bicycle. A bicycle may be equipped with one or more locking pedals. Where two locking pedals are provided, the locking mechanisms of one pedal may interlock with each other and/or the locking mechanisms of the other pedal. The coil and locking mechanisms do not interfere with normal use of the bicycle.
US08196936B2
A suspension apparatus for off-road vehicle includes a plurality of linear actuators, each coupled to a power source and attached to a respective one of the plurality of wheels and frame or body of the vehicle for moving the respective one of the plurality of wheels away from the frame or the body upon receiving a first command signal or moving the respective one of the plurality of wheels toward the frame or the body upon receiving a second command signal. Tilt sensors are provided with each tilt sensor mounted directly on or in close proximity to the respective one of the plurality of wheels for sensing its vertical attitude relative to a predetermined level condition and selectively generating each of a first and second position signals. A control device receives first and second position signals and outputs respective first and second command signals.
US08196935B2
A safe and quick release device for a tool adapter includes a main body and a combination head. The main body has its front end axially bored with a combination groove with an open end. The combination groove has its opposite sides respectively bored with at least one position-limiting hole having its opposite ends respectively and annularly formed with a first position-limiting portion and a second position-limiting portion. A spherical position-limiting member is slidably disposed in the position-limiting hole and restrictedly positioned therein by the first and the second position-limiting portion. Thus, the position-limiting member is ready made, needless to be especially processed, can easily be in stalled for facilitating assembly and disassembly of the combination head, reducing processing cost.
US08196933B2
A heavy duty composite oil seal with an outer cup and a plastic inner cup. The outer cup includes a major diameter mounting flange portion terminating in a curl, a minor diameter wear sleeve portion, and a transition portion joining the major and minor diameter portions. There is an elastomeric seal body and an embedded stiffener, with the elastomeric seal body having a sealing lip contacting the inner axial surface of the wear sleeve portion. There is a plastic inner cup member with an axial flange substantially co-extensive with the mounting flange and entrapped along the major diameter flange portion between the curl portion and the transition portion of the outer cup. The inner cup also has a radially extending flange that engages a radial portion of the elastomeric seal body. The plastic inner cup member has plural, evenly spaced diagonal braces extending between and joining the axial flange and the radial flange of the inner cup.
US08196927B2
A game, similar to craps, is described, where two marbles may be thrown by the players into a spinning machine. The spinning machine may include a funnel at the top of the machine into which the players may throw the marbles, a cylinder through which the marbles may pass, and a spinner to spin 12 slots that may receive the marbles from the cylinder. Two marbles may be thrown into the funnel and may exit into a first set of six slots, which may be numbered from 1-6 (or A, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) of one suit (such as hearts), and a second set of six slots, similarly numbered, or a different suit (such as spades). The two slots into which the marbles fall may equate to two dice being rolled in certain traditional craps games. A table may be designed specifically for the game, wherein up to eight players may play at the same time.
US08196916B2
A banknote depositing unit can be made with a smaller width than those made previously. The unit includes: a first conveying section for conveying banknotes or a bundle of banknotes deposited into a temporary holding section from an inlet through a first route; a second conveying section for conveying each banknote from the bundle of banknotes held in the temporary holding section to a return outlet through a second route; and a third conveying section for conveying each bundle of banknotes held in the temporary holding section to a cassette section where the banknotes are to be stored in each bundle through a third route. The second route and the third route commonly have the temporary holding section as a starting point and three-dimensionally intersect each other.
US08196910B2
The platform isolator of the present invention isolates a vibration source from its surroundings. The platform is supported on elongated members that in turn are supported on knife-edge supports. The ends of the elongated members are restrained from longitudinal movement. The distance between a pair of knife edge supports may be fixed or adjustable based on the expected vibration frequency.
US08196902B1
Described herein are methods and apparatuses for providing multiple air fragrances. In one embodiment, a multi-air fragrance system for use in a vehicle includes an air fragrance block having a plurality of cartridges for storing a plurality of fragrances and a control unit that is coupled to the air fragrance block. The control unit controls a selection of one fragrance to be distributed within an interior of the vehicle. The control unit also controls an intensity of the selected fragrance to be distributed within the interior of the vehicle. In another embodiment, a portable multi-air fragrance system provides multiple air fragrances. A control unit controls a selection and intensity of a fragrance to be distributed by the portable system.
US08196893B2
An isolation valve includes a shield that surrounds and protects the valve closure actuator components from exposure to corrosive fluids that flow through the valve when the valve is open.
US08196888B2
In a vehicle set slide device, a lower rail has a base portion extending in face-to-face relation with a vehicle floor, two first inside portions extending in close contact upward from a center part of the base portion, and lower hook portions extending outward from upper ends of both of the first inside portions each to take an inverted U-letter shape. An upper rail has vertical wall portions extending downward from both ends of a horizontal wall portion. Further, the upper rail is provided therein with a hook member which has joining portions joined with both of the vertical wall portions and extending downward and upper hook portions extending inward from lower ends of the joining portions each to take a U-letter shape. When a separation load against the lower rail is exerted on the upper rail, the lower hook portions and the upper hook portions are brought into engagements.
US08196872B1
A bracket assembly for securing a longitudinal support member includes a base portion and a dome portion sized and adapted to be threadably engaged around the support member, thereby securing the support member within the bracket assembly. Fasteners in the base portion affix the assembly to a planar surface. The dome portion covers the base portion fasteners when the dome portion has been threaded onto the base portion.
US08196869B2
A cryogenic propellant depot and sunshield are provided for operation in earth orbit to fuel or refuel other space vehicles. The sunshield is deployed to effectively mitigate solar radiation emanating from the earth and the sun thereby providing a long term storage solution for cryogenic fluids prone to boil-off. The depot has supporting subsystems to include station keeping equipment and communication equipment so that the depot can be independently controlled. Inflatable booms are used to deploy the sunshield in a desired pattern around the depot.
US08196867B1
A system and method for propelling a carriage on a cable of a space elevator. The space elevator system includes a cable anchored to a terrestrial body on a first end and a counterweight on an opposing second end and a carriage riding along the cable. The system also includes an oscillator for generating a mechanical wave upon the cable. Mechanical energy created by the generated mechanical wave is converted into power to propel the carriage upon the cable. The oscillator may include a pair of opposing pistons contacting the cable on opposite sides of the cable or an electromagnetic driver powered by electromagnets located on opposite sides of the cable.
US08196866B2
An extendable sway brace for a rack for an airborne payload. The sway brace is extendable. A mechanism for extending the sway brace includes means for preventing extension of the sway brace when the pressure exerted by the brace on a payload reaches a predetermined pressure. The means for preventing extension of the brace may include, for example, one or more pre-loaded springs. In this case, extension of the brace is prevented when the springs are compressed by a predetermined amount. The invention also provides a rack for an airborne payload comprising a sway brace of the invention.
US08196860B2
An aircraft having reduced environmental impact includes at least one engine with at least one propeller carried, at the rear, on the top of the aircraft with the propeller(s) located in vertical alignment with the rear part of a noise barrier cell and the rear face of a burst zone situated forward of the central part of an empennage box.
US08196857B2
The present invention relates to a bellcrank (40) for a flight-attitude-changing linkage (27, 25A, 28A) of the variable gain type. The linkage (27, 25A, 28A) connects a manual flight control device of a rotary wing aircraft (1), e.g. a hybrid helicopter, to at least one airfoil of said aircraft (1) suitable for causing a change in flight attitude. Said bellcrank (40) includes first and second sliders (50, 52). Said first slider (50) is connected to a movable portion (57, 61) of a setpoint flight-attitude-changing linkage (24) that delivers a setpoint, with movements of said linkage causing the gain of said variable-gain linkage (27, 25A, 28A) to be adjusted, which gain is proportional to the position of said movable portion (57, 61).
US08196855B2
A helicopter auxilary anti-torque system for efficiently supplying thrust and control at the tail of a helicopter during failure of the helicopter tail rotor. The helicopter auxilary anti-torque system generally includes a fluid thrust assembly selectively engageable onboard the helicopter, an auxiliary tail rotor selectively engageable onboard the helicopter, and at least one controller to operate the fluid thrust assembly and the auxiliary tail rotor to effect a controlled anti-torque force of the tail boom during failure of the conventional helicopter tail rotor. The fluid thrust assembly projects a non flammable fluid from the tail boom of the helicopter. The auxiliary tail rotor is collapsible within the tail boom of the helicopter when not in use. The fluid thrust assembly and the auxiliary tail rotor may be automatically activated in the case of the primary tail rotor failure, or activated by the pilot of the helicopter via one or more switches.
US08196850B2
Two self-clearing radial rasp systems for automatic milling material disclosed. In addition, as examples two automatic apparatuses utilizing said rasp systems for milling material disclosed. The rasp system may include a rasp and a trimming member. The radial rasp may include a base surface that may include cutting teeth with apertures of predetermined sizes disposed adjacent the cutting teeth. The revolving radial trimming member may include radial channels which may independently partitioned for confining and directing material toward the base surface of the rasp as the material move by centrifugal force in a radial direction. The rasp may have different sizes of cutting teeth associating with the individual radial channels of the radial trimming member.
US08196840B2
A keyboard (1) with a horizontally arranged card reader. The card reader has a card insertion opening (2) and a card holder section (3). The card holder section (3) defines a plane for placing a card on the upper surface of the keyboard (1). The card holder section (3) is arranged next to the card insertion opening (2), into which the card can be inserted substantially parallel to the plane defined by the card holder section (3).
US08196835B2
A method and apparatus for determining position and rotational orientation of an object within a predetermined area is disclosed. Position markers, encoded with their identity, are viewed with a camera, images are captured and processed, and the position and rotational orientation of the object are calculated. Three embodiments are disclosed; the first having a camera mounted on the movable object while position markers bearing linear bar codes are fixed in location, the second having a camera mounted on the movable object while position markers bearing two-dimensional bar codes are fixed in location, and the third having a position marker of either type affixed to the object while the camera is fixed in location.
US08196820B2
A self-service terminal comprising a plurality of devices is described. The devices comprise: a racking handle for moving that device from an operational position to a maintenance position; a primary visual identifier (such as a bright color) associated with the racking handle, where the primary visual identifier is common for all of the racking handles and is not used for any part of the device except a racking handle; and a secondary visual identifier associated with any other parts of the device that may be safely touched, where the secondary visual identifier is visually distinct (for example, by using a different color) from the primary visual identifier.
US08196809B2
A system for associating a particular absorbent article with the identity and/or the location of a user of the absorbent article, includes an absorbent article, and machine-readable information concerning the identity and/or the location of a user of the absorbent article. The system includes machine-readable information identifying the absorbent article and a reader to read the information identifying the absorbent article and the information concerning the identity and/or the location of a user of the absorbent article. The system also includes a memory that is arranged to store information identifying the absorbent article and information concerning the identity and/or the location of a user of the absorbent article in a form such that on retrieval of information from the memory, information concerning the absorbent article is automatically associated with information concerning the identity and/or location of a user of the absorbent article.
US08196808B2
A system and method that will enable individuals or organizations to store any digital information they wish to preserve for posterity. According to typical methodology, the individual may establish an account with a service provider through which information may be collected for posterity. For example, the service provider may maintain a website to which the information can be uploaded in digital format. The account holder may access the account at any time to manipulate, edit or annotate the information.
US08196807B2
Method of identifying a container (1) obtained by a process comprising the following steps: (A) starting from a blank (2) of the container (1), at least part of the said container (1) is formed; (B) a two-dimensional or three-dimensional marking zone (4), the temperature of which is maintained at a value below the glass transformation temperature of the constituent substrate, is provided in or on the substrate of the blank (2) and, in the said marking zone (4), an identification code (5) is reproduced by illumination (6) of the said marking zone (4) with at least one beam (7) of coherent monochromatic localized electromagnetic radiation to which the substrate is at least partially transparent, the said beam (7) being operated and controlled in order to remove or modify the constituent substrate of the wall (3) and to leave the identification code (5), in positive or negative form, in the said wall so that the said code is readable; and (C) at least the said marking zone (4) is annealed so as at least to reduce the differences in internal tension in the substrate between the said marking zone (4) and the rest of the said wall (3).
US08196803B2
A terminal of a compact wire loop with a great strength of bonding is formed by a method including: a first folding step in which a tip end of a capillary is raised by a height of H1 from a point 86a where the center of the capillary is positioned during second bonding on a lead 74 to a point “p”, and then moved horizontally by a first distance of L1 toward a pad 73, and lowered to a point “r”; a second folding step in which the tip end of the capillary is raised from the point “r” to a height of H2 and then moved horizontally toward the lead 74 by a second distance of L2; and a third bonding step in which the center of the capillary is aligned with and then lowered to a point 87a on the lead 74 adjacent to the point 86a.
US08196801B1
Copper purge fittings for brazing components of a special gas delivery line together are provided. An orifice is located on the top or end portion of each fitting to create a continuous flow of inert purging gas through the delivery line under construction while brazing. Each fitting will reach temperatures exceeding 1500 degrees. By having a continuous flow of inert gas while brazing, the protection of the interior portion of the system remains intact. Without a purge in place, the intense heat would create a rapid immediate buildup of carbon and other contaminates. Brazing is only commenced after the elimination of harmful oxygen and proper flow of purging gas is measured. The purging gas pressure is lowered if it becomes high enough to potentially cause separation of tubular sections from the purge fittings and is raised if a low flow rate is detected indicating potential insufficient flow of purging gas.
US08196799B2
A reflow oven chamber assembly that is configured to be installed within a reflow oven chamber of a reflow oven includes a chamber housing disposed within the reflow oven chamber, one or more heating elements disposed in the chamber housing, and one or more compression box assemblies disposed in the chamber housing. The compression box assembly includes a compression box housing having an intake port located adjacent the heating element, an intake duct disposed in the compression box, and a diffuser plate disposed above the intake duct. The intake duct has an inlet opening in fluid communication with the intake port of the compression box housing and an outlet opening. The compression box assembly is configured to draw heated air into the compression box housing from the reflow oven chamber through the intake port and into the inlet opening of the intake duct and exhaust air out of the outlet opening of the intake duct to the diffuser plate. A method of distributing heated air within a reflow soldering oven is further disclosed.
US08196798B2
An ultrasonic solar substrate bonding system is provided. The system includes a first ribbon bonder including a first bonding tool, and a first ribbon feeding system configured to continuously supply a first ribbon material to the first bonding tool during bonding of the first ribbon material to a backside of each of a plurality of solar substrates. The system also includes a mechanism configured to manipulate each of the plurality of solar substrates after bonding by the first ribbon bonder to expose an opposite, frontside of each of the plurality of solar substrates for bonding. The system also includes a second ribbon bonder including a second bonding tool, and a second ribbon feeding system configured to continuously supply a second ribbon material to the second bonding tool during bonding of the second ribbon material to the frontside of each of the plurality of solar substrates.
US08196792B2
A mounting plate and leg harness assembly for carrying holsterable items having a rigid center portion and vertically disposed sides and two spaced side panels integral with a respective side of the center portion, each side panel having an outside edge, a first pair of vertically spaced elongate slots located adjacent the center portion and a second pair of vertically spaced elongate slots located adjacent the outside edge. Two horizontally disposed straps are threaded through the respective upper and lower slots with the straps spanning the center portion. The side panels are bendable adjacent the respective sides of the center portion to conform the plate to the shape of the leg of a wearer when the straps are tightened. A vertical adjustable strap is mounted to the plate for connection to a belt.
US08196788B1
A scabbard for axes or tomahawks that provides a lightweight and foldable integrated head cover configuration that encloses the respective sharpened surfaces of the weapon in multiple pivoted hard case covers for safety and transport on the person of the user.
US08196777B2
A connection mechanism between a beverage container and a beverage dispenser, the connection mechanism includes: a container mount having a notch configured for engagement with a beverage delivering port of a beverage delivering member arranged in a beverage container; a connection member having a cylindrical sharp tip portion at a top end thereof to be inserted into in the beverage delivering port and configured to be connected to a piping system; and an operating member serving for inserting the connection member into the beverage delivering port, wherein an end surface of the sharp tip portion opposing to the beverage delivering port defines a guide plane operable to guide the beverage delivering member to move in its allowable moving direction within the notch when the end surface is in contact with a perimeter edge of the beverage delivering port.
US08196773B2
A component suction method including feeding components accommodated in component storage spaces of a tape base to a predetermined position, lowering a nozzle capable of sucking the components supplied to the predetermined position, stopping the nozzle at a predetermined distance from an upper surface of the tape base, pushing an undersurface of the component up when the nozzle is at a bottom dead center position or a position adjacent to the center, vacuum-sucking the component by the nozzle at the bottom dead center position or at the position adjacent to the center, and moving the component sucked by the nozzle to a predetermined position of a board after the vacuum-sucking.
US08196766B2
The invention relates to a folding container (100) having a first and second side wall (11, 13), a roof (10), a floor (20) as well as a face end (12) and a back end, wherein the first side wall (13) and the second side wall (11) are slideable along the roof (10) and along the floor (20) respectively in such a manner that the lateral parts (11, 13) are slideable inward of the container (100) until they lie parallel to the floor (20). In order to offset friction losses in the longitudinal rails of folding containers (100), the invention proposes that the roof (10) and the floor (20) are provided with spaced longitudinal rails (14, 15, 16, 17) running parallel to one another for a roll guide of the first side wall (13) slideable on the roof (10) and for a roll guide of the second side wall (11) slideable on the floor (20), wherein in the longitudinal rails (14, 15, 16, 17) tension springs (30) are integrated which with a folded-out container (100) are tensioned and with a folded-up container (100) are relaxed.
US08196763B2
A beverage container having a mouth includes a straw holder having a straw support portion dimensioned for placement across the mouth of the container and comprising an aperture designed to receive a straw therethrough and support the straw with respect to the straw support portion. A first retaining portion of the straw holder is connected to the straw support portion and connected or connectable to the container. The straw support portion being movably arranged on the first connecting portion for moving from a first position to a second position relative to the first retaining portion. The aperture for receiving the straw is aligned with the mouth of the container when the first connecting portion is in a connected position on the container.
US08196762B2
A method for manufacturing a railcar coupler knuckle includes providing a cope mold portion and a drag mold portion, the cope and drag mold portions having internal walls defining at least in part perimeter boundaries of a coupler knuckle mold cavity, wherein the mold cavity includes a finger section; positioning at least one internal core within either the cope mold portion or the drag mold portion, the at least one internal core configured to define a kidney cavity and a pivot pin cavity within a coupler knuckle; closing the cope and drag mold portions with the single core therebetween; and at least partially filling the mold cavity with a molten alloy, the molten alloy solidifying after filling to form the coupler knuckle, wherein the at least one core defines the kidney and pivot pin cavities, and the finger section of the mold cavity defines at least one finger cavity of the coupler knuckle.
US08196759B2
A laboratory ware dispenser has a receptacle defining a space and at least one laboratory ware magazine for containing items of laboratory ware and including a plurality of apertures. The space defined by the receptacle is configured to receive the laboratory ware magazine. The receptacle has at least one aperture dimensioned such that at least one but not all of the apertures of the laboratory ware magazine are registerable with the aperture of the receptacle upon relative rotation of the receptacle and laboratory ware magazine. A laboratory ware magazine has an annular support member defining a space for containing a plurality of items of laboratory ware and a plurality of apertures arranged around a circumference of the annular support member. Each aperture is adapted to receive an item of laboratory ware, and each of the apertures is configured such that an item of laboratory ware placed in the aperture is directed radially inward of the annular support member into the space and is retained in the aperture. Laboratory ware magazines can be stacked to create a plurality of laboratory ware magazines.
US08196757B2
Biological treatment with the small-bubble aeration (air artificial supply) for oxidizing waste water components in a unit for integrated waste water biological treatment includes a reservoir with a waste water receiving chamber, an aerotank chamber, a secondary settling tank and an activated sludge stabilizer. The receiving chamber is communicated through an air-lift to the aerotank chamber and includes a primary filter and a device for blowing off the filter, float-type level guages and an air-lift for transferring waste water, an air-lift for transferring a grease film into the aerotank chamber. The receiving chamber, the aerotank chamber and the activated sludge sterilizer are provided with aerators. The aerotank chamber and the secondary settling tank is supplied from at least two compressors, the chamber of the activated sludge stabilizer is provided with an intermediate partition forming an additional chamber for stabilizing sludge.
US08196750B2
A method of concentrating particles in a liquid-particle dispersion feed by adsorptive bubble separation by intimately contacting a gas with a pressurized stream of liquid in a chamber to form an aerated dispersion that retains at least some of the kinetic energy from the pressurized stream, and removing at least some of the kinetic energy from the aerated dispersion to form a dense foam. A liquid-particle dispersion feed is then injected into the dense foam to form a gas-liquid-particle dispersion. The gas-liquid-particle dispersion is injected into a flotation chamber at a point below a surface of a liquid contained therein, where the gas-liquid-particle dispersion forms bubbles of a gas-particle agglomerate, and the bubbles are released from the feed liquid depleted in hydrophobic particles and rise to the surface to form a floating froth enriched in particles. Also described is a device that includes plurality of chambers for aeration and mixing, feed injection, and a duct that is positioned below the liquid-foam line of a flotation chamber, so that the gas-liquid-particle dispersion is released within the chamber, and rises to the surface as a floating froth enriched in particles.
US08196748B2
A wafer container includes a container body, in which a plurality of slots being disposed for supporting a plurality of wafers and an opening being formed on one sidewall of which for importing and exporting the plurality of wafers, and a door is joined with the opening of the container body for protecting the plurality of wafers therein, wherein the characteristic of the wafer container lies in that: at least one latch component is disposed in the door, the latch component including an oval cam with a pair of V-shape notches and on the surface of oval cam being a groove, a pair of moving bars including respectively an engaging portion, and a guiding element located on the moving bars, the engaging portion being engaged in the groove for the pair of moving bars to be respectively engaged with the oval cam.
US08196747B2
An end cap which imparts fragility capability and which derives favorable characteristics by combining several cushioning effects. In particular, the end cap of this invention achieves cushioning by combining the effects of material compression, deformation of an arch, an expansion of contact area as cushioning occurs.
US08196742B1
A toolbox includes a base having a compartment with a bottom wall. A cover is pivotably connected to the base. A bit seat is received in the compartment and pivotably connected to the base. The bit seat includes a plurality of bit grooves for receiving bits. When the bit seat is in a storage position, a longitudinal axis of each bit groove is parallel to the bottom wall of the base, and the bits are received in the compartment. An abutment portion of the bit seat abuts a rib on the bottom wall when the bit seat is in an extended position. The cover and the base can be in an inverted V-shaped state and can be placed on a platform while the abutment portion of the bit seat abuts the rib under action of weights of the bits, retaining the bit seat is in the extended position.
US08196736B2
A roller conveyor includes a drive member whose path and the end of the overlying portions of the rollers sortation conveyor is configured to avoid substantial contact between certain rollers and the drive member. The roller conveyor is depicted in an embodiment as an accumulation conveyor with skewed roller sections.
US08196732B2
A transport mechanism is configured to transport a work piece carrier within a buffer in fabrication facility, comprising: a transporter configured to travel on two rails, wherein the transporter comprises (i) a flat belt hoist mechanism configured to lift and to lower one or more work piece carriers, and (ii) a gripper mechanism configured to capture and to release the one or more work piece carriers.
US08196726B2
A motor vehicle power take off system for a motor vehicle engine includes a viscous coupling. The input rotor of the viscous coupling is provided with a variable geometry impeller section which allows direct control over the proportion of input torque on the input shaft transferred to the viscous fluid and thereby to an output shaft. Both passive and active control schemes are proposed.
US08196722B2
A damper includes a cylinder tube having a first end connected to one portion of a member of an object for damping, and a fixing rod guide arranged to close a second end of the cylinder tube; a movable rod guide fitted on the first end of the cylinder tube; a main piston rod extending from the piston side, the piston fitted in the cylinder tube and passing through the fixing rod guide; a sub-piston rod extending on the piston side and passing through the movable rod guide; and a spring normally biasing the movable rod guide toward the piston. A damping force generation oil passage is arranged to connect first and second oil chambers in a cylinder tube defined by the piston. The number of parts of a through-rod type damper is reduced to simplify a construction thereof and to make the damper compact.
US08196721B2
The hydro-pneumatic spring damping device in particular for wheeled vehicles or tracked vehicles includes at least one hydro-pneumatic element (1) having a gas chamber (1h) wherein the hydro-pneumatic element (1) includes a heat exchanger (1i) which is arranged such that it influences the temperature of the gas in the gas chamber (1h) and wherein a heat exchanger (1i) can be connected to a cooling device (21) via a coolant circuit (21).
US08196714B2
While driving one motor, an electronic wedge brake (EWB) system according to an embodiment of the present invention implements a main braking function by self-energizing caused by a wedge operation. Since only one motor is used, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and to simplify the structure. Further, the electronic wedge brake system implements various functions, such as a function for maintaining a set clearance of a pad, a Fail-Safe function, and an EPB function by using a solenoid interlocked with the NSL (Non-Self Locking) type screw that moves in the axial direction. When the electronic wedge brake system is operated, an axial reaction force transmitted from the pad is dispersed using a frictional force caused by a NSL (Non-Self Locking) type push rod shaft, which reduces a load of a solenoid which constrains a push rod shaft. As a result, a low-performance solenoid may be used.
US08196703B2
An exhaust component is provided including an inlet portion for accepting an exhaust stream entering therein from an exhaust system, two or more separator components fixed to the inlet portion for separating the exhaust stream into two or more streams at the point of egress from the inlet portion, two or more chambers fixed to the separator components, the chambers for muffling sound of the exhaust stream, two or more collector components fixed to the chambers opposite the separator components for collecting the separated exhaust streams upon egress from the chambers, and one or more outlet portions fixed to the collector components at the end opposite the chambers for carrying separated or merged exhaust streams out of the exhaust component.
US08196700B2
In an anti-vibration device 10 including: an outer cylinder 11, an attachment member 12, a rubber elastic portion 13 which elastically connects the outer cylinder 11 to the attachment member 12, a primary liquid chamber 16 which encloses a liquid therein by using the rubber elastic portion 13 as a part of a partition wall, a secondary liquid chamber 17 which encloses a liquid therein by using a diaphragm 14 as a part of a partition wall, an orifice 19 which allows the primary liquid chamber 16 and the secondary liquid chamber 17 to communicate with each other, a division member 15 which is provided between the primary liquid chamber 16 and the secondary liquid chamber 17, and a movable plate 18 which displaces in accordance with a pressure difference between the primary liquid chamber 16 and the secondary liquid chamber 17, the division member 15 including a first division plate 21 forming a part of the partition wall of the primary liquid chamber 16 and a second division plate 22 forming a part of the partition wall of the secondary liquid chamber 17, the movable plate 18 being disposed in a movable plate receiving portion between the first division plate 21 and the second division plate 22 disposed so as to face each other, the first division plate 21 and the second division plate 22 are integrally formed. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an anti-vibration device capable of suppressing an occurrence of an abnormal noise.
US08196698B2
The invention provides a motor-driven power steering apparatus provided with a fault diagnosing apparatus diagnosing a fault of a board temperature detecting apparatus on the basis of an armature current Im detected by a motor current detecting apparatus and a board temperature Tb of the control board detected by the board temperature detecting apparatus, and a target current suppressing apparatus suppressing a target current Iq at a time when the fault diagnosing apparatus diagnoses that the board temperature detecting apparatus is out of order.
US08196684B2
A wearable folding wing apparatus includes a top central support ring having a pair of connected shoulder straps and a pair of selectively horizontally and vertically orientable wing support beams connected to the top central support ring with slidable connections. A pair of collapsible and extendable wing members are connected to the selectively horizontally and vertically orientable wing support beams. A user may employ provided arm connectors to lift and lower the selectively horizontally and vertically orientable wing support beams in order to deploy and collapse the wing members.
US08196679B2
An expandable reamer apparatus and methods for reaming a borehole are disclosed, including at least one laterally movable blade carried by a tubular body selectively positioned at an inward position and an expanded position. The at least one laterally movable blade, held inwardly by at least one blade-biasing element, may be forced outwardly by drilling fluid selectively allowed to communicate therewith or by at least one intermediate piston element. For example, an actuation sleeve may allow communication of drilling fluid with the at least one laterally movable blade in response to an actuation device being deployed within the drilling fluid. Alternatively, a chamber in communication with an intermediate piston element in structural communication with the at least one laterally movable blade may be pressurized by way of a movable sleeve, a downhole turbine, or a pump.
US08196662B2
Surfactant based viscoelastic fluids for enhancing the productivity of a hydrocarbon-bearing formations have particular applicability in acid fracturing of subterranean formations surrounding oil and gas wells. The viscoelastic fluid contains an organic acid, an inorganic monovalent salt and a quaternary ammonium aromatic salt and water. The fluid may further be foamed or energized.
US08196653B2
Construction of well screens utilizing pre-formed annular-shaped elements. A well screen includes a filter layer configured to filter fluid flowing through the well screen and a drainage layer which radially supports the filter layer, the drainage layer including multiple individual annular-shaped elements Another well screen includes a drainage layer configured to support the filter layer, with the drainage layer including at least one cavity molded therein. Another well screen includes a base pipe and a layer made up of multiple individual annular-shaped elements stacked coaxially on the base pipe. A cavity is formed in at least one of the elements.
US08196649B2
A single or multi-bowl wellhead may be positioned in a diverter housing over the wellbore. Protrusions on the wellhead may be installed after the diverter housing is removed. The wellhead accommodates the direct connection of hydraulic lines to a hanger seated therein. An overshot running tool protects the wellhead during placement and certain operations.
US08196637B1
A wheel servicing machine provides a rotatable shaft having a retractable rod slidably disposed in a center bore of the rotatable shaft, wherein the retractable rod is longitudinally moveable relative to the shaft. A rotatable locking member is disposed on the distal end of the retractable rod. The locking member includes one or more mounting studs protruding radially therefrom for engaging a centering cone or a wheel clamp. A tool support arm including a stage protrudes from the base. A tool adapted for engaging a sidewall of a tire is attached to support arm. A second stage including a second tool configured for engaging the opposite sidewall of the tire may also extend from the base. A platform assembly having one or more spring-loaded rollers is attached to the base in some embodiments. A longitudinally moveable travel arm includes a jointed auxiliary arm. The auxiliary arm in some embodiments includes a wheel support extending from one of the auxiliary arm members. A wheel clamp having a plurality of arms is provided wherein at least one arm is moveable relative to at least one other arm. A method of securing a wheel to a wheel servicing machine is also provided.
US08196627B2
A tire includes at least one outer structural element, wherein the at least one outer structural element is at least partially coated by at least one coating layer including a crosslinked composition obtained by reacting: (a) at least one polysulfide polymer; (b) at least one thermoplastic polymer having at least one hydroxyl group; with (c) at least one polyisocyanate. Preferably, the at least one structural element is at least one of the tire sidewalls.
US08196624B2
A pencil sharpener has an electrical motor which drives a sharpening assembly. The end of the pencil to be sharpened is inserted downwardly into an opening in the top surface. Shavings from the sharpening process are deposited in a drawer-like receptacle below the sharpening assembly. A switch is provided so that the sharpening assembly will not be activated when the receptacle drawer is removed for disposal of the shavings.
US08196623B1
A stump grinder having a grinding member with a plurality of stacked plates. The stacked plates are joined by at least three bolts that extend the entire length of the plate stack and are secured by nuts at each end thereof. Adjacent plates are held apart from each other via spacers. Each spacer has a aperture through which one of the bolts passes. Each plate has three cutting elements secured thereon. The three cutting elements are spaced at approximately one hundred-twenty degrees apart from an adjacent cutting element. The three cutting blades are each mounted to have a different cutting path. To this end one of the blades is mounted on a first surface of the plate. The second blade is mounted on a second opposed surface of the plate and the third blade is mounted intermediate the first and second blades. The cutting paths may slightly overlap to ensure that now material is left uncut. The plates are mounted on a driven shaft.
US08196622B1
An apparatus for receiving and dispensing a granulated material incorporating a hopper; a coupling member having an upper end, a lower end, and a conduit extending from the upper end to the lower end; a snap channel and snap ridge combination for rotatably interconnecting the hopper and the coupling member, the snap channel and snap ridge combination positioning the coupling member for communication of the conduit with a lower output end of the hopper; an agitator having proximal and distal ends, the agitator's proximal end being fixedly attached to the coupling member, the agitator's distal end extending into the hopper's interior space; and a bottle mounting socket fixedly attached to the coupling member's lower end.
US08196616B2
A portable device for delivering nitrogen to multiple tires includes a gas source and supply line connected to a controller. The device also includes a gas delivery line comprising a manifold with a plurality of outlets in fluid communication with each other. A gas delivery line is operably connected to the controller and a plurality of extension lines with engagement chucks are operably connected to the outlets. The controller controls the supply of gas to the gas delivery line and controls a relief valve for venting the gas delivery line. The device also includes a sensor and a processor connected the controller and sensor which accepts user inputs. The controller, manifold, and processor are affixed to a stand.
US08196609B2
Provided is an integrated gas panel apparatus which has excellent responsiveness, stabilizes gas concentration, and furthermore, can keep a conventional panel shape as it is. A panel body comprises at least a main flow channel block body for forming a main flow channel, and a branch flow channel block body for forming a branch flow channel. The branch flow channel block bodies are arranged on the both right and left sides to face each other by having the main flow channel block body at the center.
US08196603B2
A device to enhance sealing is provided. The device includes a body and a pressure cup. The pressure cup includes a channel, a first pressure channel, and a second pressure channel. The channel is formed in a surface of the body to surround a first portion of the surface. The channel is configured to hold an o-ring. The first pressure channel extends through the body and opens into the first portion of the surface. The second pressure channel extends through the body and opens into the channel. Pneumatic pressure within the second pressure channel is controlled to hold the o-ring in the channel when a second pressure within the first pressure channel changes.
US08196591B2
An artificial eyelash assembly includes a base strand having a first end and a second end opposite the first end and a plurality of hairs. A first loop is disposed proximate the first end of the base strand and a second loop is disposed proximate the second end of the base strand. A first flexible member is coupled to the first loop and a second flexible member is coupled to the second loop.
US08196584B2
An inflatable grooved balloon cuff may be adapted to seal a patient's trachea when associated with an endotracheal tube. Configurations of these cuffs that include grooved regions may provide improved sealing of the trachea by complementing naturally grooved tracheal tissue.
US08196578B2
Disclosed is an inhaler for administering a medicament in the form of inhalable substances, substance formulations, or substance mixtures, especially in the form of a powder as depicted in exemplary FIG. 1. Said inhaler comprises a housing (1) which is provided with an interior (18) for accommodating at least one capsule that is filled with the medicament. The housing (1) is coupled to a mouthpiece (5) while an actuator (12) encompassing at least one needle (13) is mounted so as to be movable towards the housing in order to open the capsule. The mouthpiece (5) is effectively connected to the actuator (12) in such a way that the needle (13) of the actuator (12) does not extend into the interior (18) for puncturing the capsule in an operational position of the mouthpiece (5).
US08196577B2
A dispensing device has a storage device and an air pump for dispensing a medical formulation. The storage device has multiple inserts, each insert containing a single dose of the formulation. Each insert is located in a separate and sealed cavity. The cavities can be individually opened for dispensing the respective dose from the respective insert by a pressurizing gas via a connecting element that is moveable relative to the inserts for individually supplying pressurized gas to a respective one of the receptacles. A mechanism is provided for preventing a back stroke of the connecting element during supplying of the pressurizing gas and dispensing of the formulation.
US08196576B2
A dry powder inhaler has a vibrator coupled to a blister filled with a dry powder drug substance. One or more of drug ejection apertures in the blister are substantially opposite the vibrator. One or more air intake apertures in the blister are not opposite the vibrator. Upon vibration of the vibrator, the drug substance is deaggregated, aerosolized, and ejected from the drug ejection apertures for inhalation by a patient.
US08196571B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for launching a granular substance. The method may include providing a granular substance, an air gun, a compressed air source, an insertion tube, a passage, a loading chamber, a recess, a cover, and a fastening assembly. The method may further include inserting the granular substance into the recess and dispensing the granular substance from the recess into the loading chamber. The method continues with releasing the stored, compressed air in the air gun. The compressed air moves into the insertion tube, through the passage, through the loading chamber disposed within the passage, and finally launches the granular substance from an outlet of the passage.
US08196549B2
The assemblies of the invention are suitable for mounting to, or being an integral part of, an animal enclosure such that the height of a valve-controlled liquid outlet may be adjusted according to the changing needs of growing animals. The adjustable liquid delivery assemblies comprise an elongated rail, a liquid delivery unit having at least one liquid delivery head slideably engaged with the elongated rail, a flexible liquid delivery tube for connecting a liquid delivery head to a liquid source, and a means for securing the liquid delivery unit at a selected position on the elongated rail.
US08196543B2
Defect repairing apparatus, defect repairing method, program, and computer-readable recording medium
A defect repairing apparatus (1) capable of efficiently repairing defects includes: a substrate-mounting plate (3) for securing a substrate conveyed; a plurality of droplet discharge units (11) disposed along a direction different from the direction of conveyance of the substrate as seen from a direction perpendicular to the substrate secured by the substrate-mounting plate (3), which discharge droplets onto defects scattered about on the substrate; a head gantry unit (7) on which the plurality of droplet discharge units (11) have been mounted; and a gantry sliding mechanism (4) for moving the head gantry unit (7) relatively at a constant velocity along the direction of conveyance of the substrate, the droplet discharge units (11) moving each independently along a direction different from the direction of conveyance in accordance with data indicative of the positions of the defects scattered about on the substrate, while the head gantry unit (7) is moving along the direction of conveyance of the substrate.
US08196537B2
This WIG craft has a configuration of tandem/canard type, comprising: a body; a front wing having a relatively small aspect ratio, as installed in the lowest portion of the fore half of the body; and a rear wing having a longer span and a shorter chord length than the front wing, as installed in the rearmost portion of the body. Since the front wing, which is also used for planing, is not fixed directly to the body, but installed through a suspension system, so as to travel up and down while planing along the rough water surface, the WIG craft can take off and land stably even in high waves, and further cruise at a extremely low height safely without worrying about the impacts of the wave.
US08196535B2
A sewing machine includes an image pickup device that picks up over a sewing machine bed; a feature point coordinates calculation device that extracts feature points from the picked up image and calculates two-dimensional coordinates of the extracted feature points; a reference coordinates storage device that stores reference coordinates, which are previously measured three-dimensional coordinates of the feature points; a correlation device that correlates the reference coordinates stored in the reference coordinates storage device with the feature point coordinates, which are the two-dimensional coordinates of the feature points calculated by the feature point coordinates calculation device; and a parameter calculation device that calculates a parameter about the image pickup device based on a result of correlation by the correlation device.
US08196529B2
Foldable table that is easy to handle is described, which is provided for use by a plurality of people but do not require a plurality of people when it is folded. The table can be unfolded and be folded in a fast and simple way, and can be provided with a parasol, wherein the table and the parasol can be unfolded simultaneously. The foldable table comprises a first and a second table-top section (2a, b), two leg supports (4a, 4b) and a-guide rod (3), the at least two leg supports (4a, 4b) are arranged on opposing sides of the guiding rod (3) and each of the first and the second table-top sections—(2a, 2b) extends between the guiding rod (3) and a respective one of the leg supports (4a, 4b), so that the table can take a folded as well as an unfolded position wherein the table rests on the leg supports with the guide rod lifted vertically upwards in relation to the leg supports and with the table-top sections extending vertically between the guiding rod and the respective one of the leg supports, and an unfolded position wherein the table rests on the leg supports (4a, 4b) and have the table-top sections extending horizontally between the guiding rod and the respective one of the leg supports.
US08196520B2
A bogie for a locomotive comprising a bogie frame and at least one wheel set including two wheels, a wheel set gear, a wheel set shaft and a wheel set gear housing. A push/pull rod acts on one side of the bogie frame and on the other side of locomotive frame and transfers forces between the two. The gear housing of the wheel set exhibits a recess for the feeding through of the push/pull rod, the recess being bordered by walls which are integral with the remaining housing walls.
US08196519B2
Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle having a plurality of axles and a lift mechanism configured to dynamically transfer weight from one axle to another. In one example, the method comprises, responding to an operating condition by adjusting the lift mechanism to provide a determined amount of lift, and in response to vehicle braking, a vehicle stall risk, poor infrastructure conditions, and/or a high vehicle penalty, reducing the determined amount of lift.
US08196512B1
An initiator with a housing formed of plastic and a chip assembly for initiating at least one of a combustion event, a deflagration event and a detonation event. The chip assembly includes an electrically-actuated chip and a pair of electric leads that extend through the housing and are configured to couple the electrically-actuated chip to a fireset circuit. The electrically-actuated chip is partially encapsulated in the housing. A method for forming an initiator is also provided.
US08196497B2
In a system and method for controlling the length of a discrete segment of an elastic web, a wound off tension of the web is determined during unwinding from a wound roll. The unwound web is delivered to a processing station while being maintained in tension. A discrete segment of the web is transported away from the processing station for at least a time t wherein the discrete segment decreases in length to a recovered length. The recovered length is predicted based at least in part on the wound off tension and in response to the predicted recovered length, at least one of the following is controlled: 1) the speed at which the web is delivered to the processing station, 2) the tension in the continuous web as it is delivered to the processing station, and 3) the length of the discrete segment at the processing station.
US08196492B1
A robotic module comprising a housing having opposed first and second sides, and comprising a base, a first end comprising a first drive feature on one of the first and second sides, and a second end comprising a second drive feature on one of the first and second sides. A first rotatable hub is mounted on the first end of the housing and comprises a third drive feature on the side of the housing opposite the side of the first drive feature. A second rotatable hub is mounted on the second end of the housing and comprises a fourth drive feature on the side of the housing opposite the side of the second drive feature. The robotic module is further comprised of a coupling for synchronously rotating the first and second rotatable hubs. A first robotic module may be engaged with a second robotic module to form a robot.
US08196484B2
An electrically powered linear actuator having a thrust assembly, a motor with a hollow rotor surrounding at least a portion of the thrust assembly, and a lubricant passage for replenishing lubricant to the force transmitting components of the actuator.
US08196481B2
A method and apparatus for measuring the amount of fuel aboard a spacecraft under weightless conditions utilize at least one orifice, at least one flow latch valve for the selection of an orifice to be used, and at least one control valve for releasing a stream of a pressurizing gas from at least one high-pressure tank in order to restore pressure in a fuel tank following a pressure reduction due to withdrawal of fuel. The amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank is determined based on the time required to restore fuel tank pressure by a flow of gas from the high pressure tank to the fuel tank, via the orifice.
US08196477B2
A force sensor unit includes: a detection section constituted of a main unit detecting external force and changes in temperature, and a sub unit detecting the changes in temperature, detecting the external force; and an attenuator dampening the external force and imparting the dampened force to the detection section.
US08196469B2
A rail scanning system and certified method of use thereof are described. The rail scanning system comprises a control unit, a probe carriage, and an encoder. The probe carriage comprises two or more phased array probes. The control unit is communicatively coupled with the encoder and phased array probes of the probe carriage.
US08196462B2
A method of tire testing comprising applying a drive torque to a tire and a wheel assembly about an axis of rotation to drive the tire and wheel assembly and a rotatable drum with the tire in rolling contact with the rotatable drum; controlling a load pressure of the tire against the rotatable drum; and adjusting a lateral position of the tire across a surface of the rotatable drum.
US08196461B2
A method for checking the referencing of at least two measuring heads of a contactless chassis measuring system includes: detecting at least one geometry detail of a vehicle using the measuring heads; determining an initial position of the geometry detail in the coordinate system associated with each measuring head; transforming the initial position into a shared coordinate system; executing a relative movement between the measuring heads and the vehicle; determining a final position of the at least one geometry detail in the coordinate system associated with each measuring head; transforming the final position of the geometry detail into the shared coordinate system; determining the movement vectors from the difference between the final position and the initial position of the at least one geometry detail; checking the movement vectors for coincidence.
US08196453B2
A laminated sensor comprises a base stratum and a terminal stratum. The base stratum has a first surface that is affixed to a surface of a structure to be monitored. The terminal stratum is affixed to the opposite second surface of the base stratum. A connector is attached to the terminal stratum. The base stratum is provided with first and second channels and that are cut through the thickness of the base stratum. The terminal stratum is provided with holes that extend through the thickness of the terminal stratum. A first pair of the holes are positioned to register with the first channel, while a second pair of the holes are positioned to register with the second channel. A first conduit is formed by the first channel and the holes; while a second conduit is formed by the second channel and the holes. The connector connects with tubes to provide fluid communication between the conduits and a differential pressure monitoring system.
US08196452B2
A system is provided for collecting data during vacuum molding of a composite part using a mold including an air tight, flexible membrane sealed to a tool. The system comprises a plurality of MEMS sensors coupled with the interior of the mold at different locations over the part. Each of the sensors produces signals related to a process parameter, such as pressure within the bag, that is sensed at the location of the sensor.
US08196447B2
A sled carriage is configured to move in a direction of an axis. A platform is attached with the sled carriage and a sled buck is attached with the platform. Upon acceleration of the sled carriage, the sled buck and platform move relative to the sled carriage.
US08196442B1
A reusable tamper indicating bag closure for transporting most items in a bag such as documents and portable computing devices including laptops, PDAs, mobile phones, iPods® . . . etc. that would appeal to a broad spectrum of customers including the individual buyer, the business user, and the government user. The tamper-evident bag closure is defined by a lid with multiple hasps and a base with knobs that attach to the bag and is secured by a locking mechanism placed through an opening on the base and inserted within an insertion aperture such that locking the lock mechanism causes the lid to slide into alignment with the base and engages the plurality of hasps with the plurality of knobs thus securing the bag. The bag closure also has several tamper indicating features including the use of tamper indicating markers, wire seals and tamper indicating labels.
US08196434B2
A molten glass delivery system is modified to match it with the overflow downdraw process. A substantial number of defects not removed by the finer are diverted to the unusable inlet and distal edges of the sheet. In one embodiment, the stirring device is relocated from the outlet to the inlet of the finer. In another embodiment, the basic shape of the finer is preferably changed from a cylindrical shape to a Double Apex (or Gull Wing) shaped cross-section, whereby the apexes of the finer contain the glass that will form the unusable inlet end of the glass sheet. The finer vent or vents are preferably located at these apexes such that any homogeneity defects caused by the vents are diverted to the unusable inlet end of the glass sheet. The finer cross-section has a high aspect ratio for increased fining efficiency as compared to a cylindrical finer.
US08196428B2
A display device and method of bead display for mounting an ornamental bead on a piece of jewelry in a bead receipt area having a curved light-reflective area for directing ambient and reflected light through and/or against the ornamental bead to highlight and illuminate the ornamental bead.
US08196424B2
The present invention discloses an apparatus for supercooling and a method of maMng slush thrαgh supercooling which generate a supercooled liquid by supplying cool air and energy, control the state of the supercooled liquid, store and supply the supercooled liquid, generate slush by applying an external force to the supercooled liquid, maintain the state of the slush, and supply the slush.
US08196420B2
The present invention concerns a cooling or heating system including at least a compressor, a condenser, an expansion apparatus and a vaporizer. The invention is characterized essentially in that in the condenser or in proximity to an outlet of the condenser and before inlet to the expansion apparatus there is a control apparatus arranged to receive condensate-liquid and an intake to a signal channel, and that there is an arrangement to vaporize condensate liquid in the signal channel. An orifice reduces signal channel flow when this flow enters into the cooling or heating system low-pressure side form the signal channel the amount of liquid that is vaporized in the signal channel affects the expansion apparatus connected to the signal channel and the expansion apparatus opening process.
US08196419B2
The present invention discloses a refrigerator which can precisely adjust and display not only an ice making and storing amount but also an ice dispensing amount. As an ice level sensing unit provided at an ice storage unit for storing ice senses the ice storage amount by light, it is possible to adjust and display the ice storage amount. Moreover, as an ice sensing unit provided at an ice guide unit for dispensing ice senses the ice dispensing amount by light, it is possible to adjust and display the ice dispensing amount.
US08196412B2
A transition duct having a panel assembly with an inlet end of generally circular cross section and an outlet end having a generally rectangular arc-like cross section is disclosed. The panel assembly has an uncoated internal profile substantially in accordance with coordinate values X, Y, and Z as set forth in Table 1. The coordinates are taken at a sweep angle Θ wherein Θ is an angle measured from the inlet end and X, Y, and Z are coordinates define the panel assembly profile at each angle Θ. An alternate embodiment of the invention defines an envelope for the uncoated internal profile of the panel assembly.
US08196403B2
A turbocharger for a use with a combustion engine is provided. The turbocharger may have a turbine housing with a first volute, a second volute, and a common outlet. The turbocharger may also have a turbine wheel disposed between the common outlet and the first and second volutes. The turbocharger may further have a first valve configured to selectively fluidly communicate the first volute with the second volute upstream of the turbine wheel, a second valve configured to selectively fluidly communicate the second volute with the common outlet to bypass the turbine wheel, and a common actuator configured to move the first and second valves.
US08196402B2
In one embodiment according to the invention, there is provided a method for generating electrical energy using a thermal cycle of a working gas. The method comprises using the motion of a piston in a cylinder, containing the working gas performing the thermal cycle, to electromagnetically induce current in an electrical circuit coupled to the cylinder; using the electrical circuit to store the electrical energy, produced by the current induced in the electrical circuit, in an electrical storage device; and using the electrical energy stored in the electrical storage device to electromagnetically provide a motive force to the piston. Cyclically using the electrical circuit to store the electrical energy and using the stored energy to provide a motive force to the piston effect a net positive average power transfer into the electrical storage device over the course of the thermal cycle.
US08196401B2
A hydraulic system for controlling a belt-driven conical-pulley transmission. A pump draws a working medium from a working medium tank or through a cooler return valve from a cooler return line. The cooler return valve is a minimum pressure valve that holds closed a connection between the cooler return line and a pump inlet line through the cooler return valve, as long as the pressure in the cooler return line remains below a specified minimum pressure. The cooler return valve also opens the connection between the cooler return line and the pump inlet line through the cooler return valve as soon as the specified minimum pressure in the cooler return line is exceeded.
US08196396B1
Systems and methods for using instream water flow velocity to increase hydro turbine output is provided. In one implementation, the system and method are adapted to harness the kinetic energy in flowing water, preferably in waste water spilling over low-head dams or flowing from pump discharge at reservoir pumping stations, and using such energy in conjunction with differentials between head water and turbine location to improve turbine output. In certain implementations, the novel technology can be used to establish dispersed small-scale hydroelectric generation units at existing low-head dams. Preferably, the dispersed small-scale hydroelectric generation units can be connected to the existing power grid, thus providing a new source of sustainable alternative energy.
US08196395B2
A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control.
US08196391B2
An emissions-control system of a vehicle is provided, having an SCR device disposed downstream of an LNT in the exhaust. During an enrichment interval to purge the LNG, a duration of an enrichment subinterval beginning after a sensor indicates rich breakthrough is adjusted in response to an aging of the LNT. In this way, it is possible to modify LNT regeneration based on catalyst performance and thereby generate sufficient ammonia for improved operation of the SCR device.
US08196388B2
The present invention relates to a heating device for exhaust gas in an internal-combustion engine, which is driven by using LPG, LNG, a volatile oil, a light oil, biodiesel or oxygenated hydrocarbon being DME, the device consisting of a catalyst reactor reformer, an exhaust gas suction section and the second fuel supply device. The exhaust gas suction section is mounted for using oxygen included in the exhaust gas. When the heating device is driven, air and fuels are supplied to the catalyst reactor and the second fuel supply device via a single tube when the heating device is heated. The present invention provides with a heating device for exhaust gas capable of securing the durability of a heating device for exhaust gas and minimizing the amount of air supplied from the outside to the combustion reforming device by excluding carbon depositions in a tube due to a prolysis of LPG, LNG, a volatile oil, a light oil, biodiesel or oxygenated hydrocarbon being DME, and a method for driving the device.
US08196381B2
A seed pan apparatus for attachment to a cutting header having a knife and cooperating knife guards mounted along a lower front edge thereof includes a seed pan adapted at a front portion thereof for attachment to a guard finger such that when attached, the seed pan extends upward and rearward from a front portion of the seed pan forward of the guard finger over the guard finger and knife to a rear end thereof located rearward of the knife. Side walls extend upward from side edges of the seed pan, and side edges of the seed pan diverge from a front end to the rear end. The seed pan is configured such that when the seed pan is attached to the guard finger, side edges of the seed pan are located between the attached guard finger and an adjacent guard finger on each side.
US08196379B2
A chopping assembly for a harvesting implement having a blade assembly, a housing, and a guide. The blade assembly is disposed within the housing and the guide directs cornstalks toward an input port on the housing. The blade assembly not only cuts the cornstalk from its root but also chops the stalk into stover. A fluid dynamic force is created by the blade assembly to direct the stover with the aid of the housing to an output port.
US08196377B1
A safety release for emergency separation from an animal of an affixed harness includes a structural body having formed integral therewith a mechanism for securing the body to a first portion of a riding harness, such as, for example, a bull rope, and a selectively releasable shackle assembly. The shackle assembly is structurally adapted for affixation to a second portion of the riding harness. The mechanism for securing the body to the riding harness comprises a preferably arcuate channel formed in a first, channel end of the body, the channel end of the body being generally opposite a shackle end. The shackle end is adapted to selective receive and secure the shackle assembly to the body.
US08196375B2
A tube capper and decapper and method of using the same. The tube capper includes a handheld housing that supports a one-dimensional array of spindles. Each spindle is shaped to receive a cap. A drive mechanism rotates each spindle of the one-dimensional array in unison for capping or decapping a corresponding one-dimensional array of tubes.
US08196373B2
This invention relates to blends of polyethylene and polypropylene useful to make films for packaging of flowable materials, in particular liquids. In addition to possessing good flex crack resistance, these films can withstand steam sterilization and/or aseptic packaging conditions as they have Hot Tack Initiation Temperatures in the range of from about 100° C. to about 140° C. and Hot Tack Strengths of not more than 5 N/inch in the temperature range from 100° C. to 150° C.
US08196372B2
The invention relates to a pack, which includes at least two PET containers combined with each other, which are held together by a strip-like or ribbon-like strap, the strap being spun about an outer surface of the PET containers in a horizontal manner, wherein an inner surface of the strap, which lies at the outer surfaces of the PET containers, is fixed at least at one junction with one of the PET containers. The strap is fixed at the junction by a material integrated bond in the form of at least one welded joint.
US08196363B2
A window system for installation in a structure is provided. The window system includes a front side that faces away from the structure and a back side that faces into the structure when the window system is installed in a structure. The window system further includes at least one window pane having a front side that faces away from the structure and a back side that faces into the structure when the window system is installed in a structure; at least one sash that surrounds the at least one window pane, wherein the sash has a front side that faces away from the structure and a back side that faces into the structure when the window system is installed in a structure; at least one window frame comprising at least one head, sill, and jamb; and at least one mounting base integral to the window.
US08196362B1
Storage bin hatches typically have an opening surrounded by a rim and a cover having a flange that fits around the hatch opening rim. The apparatus, for opening and closing a storage bin hatch includes an elongated lift member fixed to a hatch cover and a pivot assembly. The pivot assembly is pivotably mounted to the storage bin roof adjacent to the storage bin hatch. The pivot assembly is moved by a first cable from the ground so that when the cable is pulled, the pivot assembly pivots and contacts the lift member and lifts the hatch cover to a raised position. By means of a second cable, an operator can pull the hatch cover to open the hatch. With a third cable, the operator can pull the hatch cover in the opposite direction to close the hatch.
US08196358B2
A wind turbine generator tower is configured by arranging and connecting a plurality of approximately cylindrical tower sections in their axial direction. Each of the tower sections includes an approximately cylindrical tower section main body, and a plurality of approximately flat-plate protruding parts that are formed so as to protrude along the axial direction at at least an axis-wise end portion of the tower section main body on an outer circumferential surface and/or an inner circumferential surface of the tower section main body. The plurality of tower sections are connected when the protruding parts of one of the tower sections and the protruding parts of another one of the tower sections are friction-jointed with fastening means.
US08196352B2
The invention relates to a window lift system of a vehicle door with a first component, wherein the first component is designed for the fixation at a window, wherein the first component can be inserted with the window into a first position in the vehicle door, and with a second component, wherein the second component can be attached to the vehicle door in a detachable manner, wherein the second component is movable from the second position to the first position, and wherein the first component can be connected with the second component in the first position. In other aspects, the invention relates to a method for mounting of the lifter, a first component, and a second component. The invention further relates to a tool for mounting of the lifter.
US08196344B1
A modular plant tower assembly includes a self-supporting vertical framework of rigid vertical supports defining a relatively large base, and extending inwardly and upwardly from the base to a smaller top of the vertical framework. At least one horizontal closed-end framework includes rigid horizontal supports. The horizontal supports are interconnected at their respective ends, and surround the vertical framework at a location intermediate the base and the top. At least one of the horizontal supports forms a lateral bridge connector. The bridge connector is adapted for connecting one end of a bridge frame to the plant tower assembly, and an opposite end of the bridge frame being connected to an adjacent like tower assembly.
US08196331B2
An auto light intensity adjustment system is provided. The auto light intensity adjustment system includes a light sensing unit, a charge/discharge circuit, a comparator unit and a light source module. The light sensing unit outputs a sensing signal according to an ambient light intensity detected thereby. The charge/discharge circuit is coupled to the light sensing unit for receiving the sensing signal, and generating a voltage signal with regular variation periods according to the sensing signal. The comparator unit compares the voltage signal to a threshold value signal, and outputs a result signal accordingly. The light source module modifies a light intensity according to the result signal. The invention automatically controls the light intensity according to the ambient light intensity.
US08196329B1
A weapon accessory mounting system for mounting an accessory, such as a light or laser sight, directly to the front sight base of a host weapon without requiring modification of the weapon. The system includes a bracket with a clamp member and a plank member. The clamp member has a generally C-shaped cross-section defined by a base portion disposed between two clamp arms. The C-shaped cross-section defines a channel extending along a sight base axis. The plank member has a rail portion for slidably mounting a weapon accessory, and at least one accessory engagement slot for latchable engagement by the accessory. The aim axis is generally perpendicular to the sight base axis. The system typically includes two detent elements disposed in the base portion for actuatable protrusion of a portion of the detent elements into the channel for providing a clamping force and adjustment of the rail pitch angle.
US08196322B2
A ball control portion for an article of footwear is disclosed. The ball control portion includes a plurality of protrusions that are configured to bend to provide increased surface contact between an upper and a ball, such as a soccer ball. The plurality of protrusions are arranged in an arc-like configuration on the upper that generally corresponds to the curvature of a ball.
US08196315B2
A main body of a shoe sole includes a recess formed at an upper surface thereof and a non-slip cushion sheet attached to a bottom surface thereof, wherein pluralities of air chamber grooves are formed in the recess at a front portion of the main body and an air chamber groove is formed in the recess at a rear portion of the main body. A shoe liner covers open upper portions of the air chamber grooves so as to provide pluralities of tunnel-type air chambers. An outer periphery of the shoe liner is attached to an outer periphery of the upper surface of the main body and other portions of the shoe liner are inserted into the recess. The binding line between the shoe liner and the main body is snugly positioned within the interior boundary of the main body.
US08196297B2
A method of rapid prototyping of a microwave device, by: providing a plurality of thin sheets of low loss dielectric film, each sheet having a different metallization pattern formed thereon; providing a base onto which each of the plurality of thin sheets of low loss dielectric film can be received, wherein the base comprises a metallization pattern formed thereon such that the placement of each of the plurality of thin sheets thereon forms a different circuit; and sequentially placing each of the plurality of thin sheets of low loss dielectric film onto the base, thereby sequentially forming different circuits across the thin sheet and the base.
US08196294B2
A method of mounting supply components includes the step of inserting dish-like members into a base. Each dish-like member holds components. One dish-like member can stay inserted in the base while the other dish-like member is removed from the base and refilled with components.
US08196289B2
Staking apparatus (22) disclosed performs a method for staking one or more fasteners (44) of a part assembly (18) are provided by a conveyor (14), a lower lift and lock assembly (24) including a lower lifter (28) and a lower lock (30), and an upper press (26). Lower and upper staking punches (40, 60) of the lower lifter (28) and the upper press (26), respectively, provide the staking while at least one and preferably a plurality of springs (36) resiliently support a pallet assembly (16) on which the part assembly (18) is positioned.
US08196285B1
A method and system for providing a PMR pole in a transducer including an intermediate layer are disclosed. A mask including line(s) having side(s) is provided. A hard mask is provided on the mask. Portions of the hard mask reside on the line side(s) and intermediate layer surface. The hard mask includes a wet-etchable layer and a high removal ratio layer on the wet-etchable layer. Part of the hard mask on the side(s) of the line is removed, exposing part of the line. The high removal ratio layer has a low angle removal rate on the line side(s) and a high angle removal rate on the intermediate layer surface. The low angle removal rate is at least four times the high angle removal rate. The line is removed, providing an aperture in the hard mask. A trench is provided in the intermediate layer. A PMR pole is provided.
US08196269B2
A closure mechanism for a reclosable pouch includes a female profile having first, second, and third legs extending from a base of a first closure element. A first sealing flange is attached to each of the first and second legs, with a slit disposed through the first sealing flange to define a first sealing flap that depends from the first leg and a second sealing flap that depends from the second leg. A second sealing flange is attached to each of the second and third legs, with a slit disposed through the second sealing flange to define a third sealing flap that depends from the second leg and a fourth sealing flap that depends from the third leg. A first male profile extends from a base of a second closure element. The first male profile engages a portion of the first and second sealing flaps to form a seal therebetween when the respective male and female profiles are occluded. A second male profile extends from the base of the second closure element. The second male profile engages a portion of the third and fourth sealing flaps to form a seal therebetween when the respective male and female profiles are occluded.
US08196262B2
An interfering assembly of a hinge includes a male element including a first raised portion and a second raised portion, and a female element defining a through hole. A slot apart from a center of the through hole is defined in the female element. An inner ring and an outer ring are formed beside the slot. The inner ring defines a first depressed portion engaged with the first raised portion, and the outer ring defines a second depressed portion engaged with the second raised portion. Widths of the inner ring and the ring slot are gradually varied. During rotation of the rotating member, the first and second raised portions are slid out from the first and second depressed portions, respectively, and then in frictional engagement with the inner and outer rings, together with partial portions of the first and second raised portions covering the slot, correspondingly.
