US08198959B2
An acoustic wave filter device including a balanced-unbalanced conversion function in which balancing between signals transmitted to first and second balanced terminals is improved includes a longitudinally-coupled resonator type acoustic wave filter unit including an unbalanced end and first and second balanced ends and an acoustic wave resonator. First and second divided electrode sections included in an IDT are respectively connected to first and second signal lines which are connected to the first and second balanced ends of the acoustic wave filter unit. A length of a line which connects the first divided electrode section to the first balanced end is equal or substantially equal to a length of a line which connects the second divided electrode section to the second balanced end, and the first divided electrode section is different from the second divided electrode section.
US08198957B2
A micro-electro-mechanical-system resonator, includes: a substrate; a fixed electrode formed on the substrate; and a movable electrode, arranged facing the fixed electrode and driven by an electrostatic attracting force or an electrostatic repulsion force that acts on a gap between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode. An internal surface of a support beam of the movable electrode facing the fixed electrode has an inclined surface.
US08198952B2
In order to provide a high-frequency limiter capable of absorbing variation in characteristic parameters of a PIN diode to acquire a desired limiting characteristic, an external re-entrant coaxial cavity is constituted by an external pedestal 15 and a cavity 34 inside a lower conductor part 13 and an upper conductor part 14, and an internal re-entrant coaxial cavity is constituted by an inner wall of the external pedestal 15 and by an internal pedestal 16 and a post 17. A PIN diode 18 is joined between the post 17 and the internal pedestal 16. Resonance windows 11 and 12 are provided between the resonator part and a waveguide connected thereto. A projected amount x of the external pedestal 15 with respect to the cavity 34 and an insertion amount y of the post 17 into the external pedestal 15 are adjustable independently. Further, a partition 30 is provided between each of the resonance parts 10 and 20 to form a coupling hole 60, and electromagnetic fields of the adjacent resonance parts 10 and 20 are made to be an even mode coupling, and thereby, the coupling hole 60 has a low-pass characteristic. Thus, generation of unnecessary resonance mode can be suppressed and a band expansion of a cutoff characteristic can be realized.
US08198943B2
An oscillation signal with a selectable frequency is generated with a phase locked loop (10, 12, 14). The oscillator (10) of the loop receives a feedback signal, to which an offset is added in order to reduce transient effects when a frequency modification is made. A first and second offset control value are used to control the offset successively. The first offset control value is controlled by a combination of the frequency settings before and after the modification. The second offset control value is controlled by the frequency settings after the modification. The first and second offset control values are used to control an offset of applying to a frequency control signal of an oscillator (10) of the phase locked loop (10, 12, 14). The offset controlled by the first control offset value is applied during a predetermined time interval before the offset controlled by the second control offset value is applied.
US08198942B1
An amplifier having a depletion mode output transistor and a bias circuit coupled to a negative voltage supply. A thermopile is provided to bias the output transistor to an “off” condition in the event of failure of the negative supply voltage.
US08198935B2
Methods and apparatus for capacitive voltage division are provided, an example apparatus having an input and an output and including a first switched capacitor circuit. In some embodiments, the capacitive voltage divider includes first and second MOSFETs. A first capacitor is coupled between the drain of the first MOSFET and the input to the capacitive voltage divider. A first circuit coupled to the drain of the first MOSFET is configured to pull down the drain of the first MOSFET and thus apply a reverse bias to a first junction diode internal to the first MOSFET between the drain and the bulk of the first MOSFET. A second capacitor is coupled between the source of the first MOSFET and the drain of the second MOSFET. A second circuit is configured to reverse bias a second junction diode between the drain and bulk of the second MOSFET.
US08198934B2
A circuit for detecting management engine (ME) state of a computer includes first and second electrical switches, and an indicating circuit. The first and second electrical switches are connected to a south bridge of the computer and respectively receive an ME state signal and a startup signal from the south bridge. The ME state signal and startup signal are operable to turn on or turn off the first and second electrical switches to control the indicating circuit to indicate ME state of the computer.
US08198933B2
A double balanced mixer circuit comprising a differential pair of first amplifier elements responsive to an RF differential input signal, double differential pairs of second amplifier elements responsive to an LO differential input signal, and differential output terminals connected with the second amplifier paths. Coupling elements provide first and second parallel DC connections between DC voltage supply rails for the first and the double second amplifier paths respectively and a series RF connection of the first and second amplifier paths between the supply rails so as to produce a mixed differential amplified signal at the differential output terminals. The coupling elements include respective transmission lines in the first amplifier paths connected between one of the DC voltage supply rails and respective ones of the first amplifier elements and a common transmission line connected between the other of the DC voltage supply rails and both the first amplifier elements.
US08198929B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, systems, and apparatuses related to dynamic element matching for time-to-digital converters. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08198923B2
The invention includes a harmonic suppression circuit, an injection-locked frequency divider circuit (ILFD) and associated methods. The harmonic suppression circuit comprises a source voltage, two suppression modules, two input terminals, two smoothed output terminals and a ground. The ILFD comprises a ground, an input transistor, an input terminal, two divider legs, two output terminals and a source voltage. The associated method to improve harmonic suppression comprises acts of synthesizing differential-phase signals and simultaneously suppressing second harmonics of in-phase signals. The method to extent an ILFD's locking range comprises acts of decreasing quality factor while keeping resonance frequency constant.
US08198921B2
A dynamic comparator with background offset calibration is provided. The dynamic comparator includes at least one input differential pair, a first back-to-back inverter, a second back-to-back inverter, and an integrator. The input differential pair includes two current branches, wherein one of the current branches has an input referred offset. The first back-to-back inverter determines which one of the two current branches has the input referred offset in response to a first clock signal and generates two control signals accordingly. The integrator generates two calibration voltages for the input differential pair in response to the two control signals, so as to calibrate the input referred offset. The second back-to-back inverter determines a difference between two input signals received by the input differential pair after the input referred offset is calibrated in response to a second clock signal and outputs two comparison signals accordingly.
US08198918B1
An integrated circuit (IC) includes a functional circuit and a capacitor cell. The functional circuit may operate with one of two power supply voltages. The capacitor cell is used to provide power supply decoupling for the functional circuit, and includes multiple capacitors, each designed to withstand a maximum voltage equal to the lower of the two power supply voltages. When the functional circuit is to operate with the higher of the two power supply voltages, the capacitors in the capacitor cell are coupled in a series arrangement between power supply and ground terminals of the IC. When the functional circuit is to operate with the lower of the two power supply voltages, the capacitors in the capacitor cell are coupled in a parallel arrangement between the power supply and ground terminals. In an embodiment, the functional circuit is an input-output (I/O) circuit powered by 1.8V or 3.3V power supplies.
US08198915B2
One interface chip and a plurality of core chips are electrically connected via a plurality of through silicon vias. A data signal of a driver circuit is input into the core chip via any one of the through silicon vias. An output switching circuit activates any one of tri-state inverters and selects one of the through silicon vias. The tri-state inverters amplify the data signal and transmit it to the through silicon via. Similarly, an input switching circuit activates any one of tri-state inverters. These tri-state inverters also amplify the data signal transmitted from the through silicon via and supply it to the receiver circuit.
US08198911B2
To decrease the circuit scale necessary for the calibration of the output circuit and to decrease the time required for the calibration operation. The invention includes a first output buffer and a second output buffer that are connected to a data pin, and a calibration circuit that is connected to a calibration pin. The first output buffer and the second output buffer include plural unit buffers. The unit buffers have mutually the same circuit structures. With this arrangement, the impedances of the first output buffer and the second output buffer can be set in common, based on the calibration operation using the calibration circuit. Consequently, both the circuit scale necessary for the calibration operation and the time required for the calibration operation can be decreased.
US08198903B2
A chassis shielding effectiveness evaluation system includes a chassis having a chassis ground. A board is located in the chassis and includes a board ground layer. A signal generator includes at least one ground member coupled to the chassis ground and a signal member coupled to the board ground layer. The signal generator is operable to send a signal through the signal member to the board ground layer.
US08198901B2
Method for assessment of electrostatic properties of fibers or substrates, this method being particularly useful for demonstrating the efficacy of a composition for minimizing the accumulation of particles onto fiber or substrate, and for supporting advertising claims about this efficacy.
US08198886B2
A magnetic detecting device includes a first and a second magnetoresistive element, and a first and a second fixed resistor connected in series to the first and the second magnetoresistive element, respectively. The first and the second magnetoresistive element each include a pinned magnetic layer and a free magnetic layer with a nonmagnetic conductive layer in between. The first and the second magnetoresistive element have the same layer structure except that the nonmagnetic conductive layers have different thicknesses. The thicknesses of the nonmagnetic conductive layers are set so that a positive interlayer coupling magnetic field acts between the free magnetic layer and the pinned magnetic layer of the first magnetoresistive element and a negative interlayer coupling magnetic field acts between the free magnetic layer and the pinned magnetic layer of the second magnetoresistive element. The first and the second fixed resistor have the same layer structure.
US08198863B1
Model-based battery fuel gauges that connect across a rechargeable battery and track the per-cent state of charge of the battery. The model based fuel gauges provide a measure of the open terminal voltage of a battery, even when the battery is powering a load, to provide the state of charge information. Analog and digital implementations of the battery model fuel gauges may be used, and incorporated into a battery powered device in various ways, including constantly powered implementations and implementations that are turned on and off with the battery powered device. Various exemplary embodiments are disclosed.
US08198859B2
The E-Grid Sub-Network Load Manager operates to regulate the demands presented by vehicles to the associated Sub-Network thereby to spread the load presented to the service disconnect over time to enable controllable charging of a large number of vehicles. Load management can be implemented by a number of methodologies, including: queuing requests and serving each request in sequence until satisfaction; queuing requests and cycling through the requests, partially serving each one, then proceeding to the next until the cyclic partial charging service has satisfied all of the requests; ordering requests pursuant to a percentage of recharge required measurement; ordering requests on an estimated connection time metric; ordering requests on a predetermined level of service basis; and the like. It is evident that a number of these methods can be concurrently employed thereby to serve all of the vehicles in the most efficient manner that can be determined.
US08198858B2
Mobile terminal having menu providing function for wireless recharging and recharging method thereof
A mobile terminal is provided including a battery, an output unit, a memory, and a controller. The battery provides power. The output unit outputs a wireless recharge state. The memory stores recharge menus and recharge menu settings. The controller provides recharge menus for wireless recharging of the battery based on whether payment is required for the wireless recharging. The controller also performs a wireless recharging operation according to selection of the recharge menu settings.
US08198853B2
A motor speed controller and a method of controller a speed of a motor are provided. The system and method include a motor and a motor controller that monitors operation of the motor based on electromotive force (EMF) conditions of the motor. The motor controller cuts a voltage to the motor, measures an electromotive force (EMF) of the motor at a predetermined time after the cutting of the voltage to the motor, and compares the measured electromotive force (EMF) to a table.
US08198840B2
According to the invention, estimated values (id (EST), iq (EST)) of the motor currents of a synchronous machine are determined by an observer in a co-ordinate system that rotates together with a rotor, independently of the target values (ud, uq) of electric voltages of the synchronous machine (PMSM) in the co-ordinate system that rotates with the rotor.
US08198833B2
A driving circuit for powering a plurality of light-emitting diode (LED) light sources includes a power converter and a plurality of current balance controllers. The power converter receives an input voltage and provides a regulated voltage to the LED light sources. The current balance controllers coupled to the power converter control a plurality of currents through the LED light sources respectively. The current balance controllers receive a first reference signal indicative of a target average level and a second reference signal indicative of a maximum transient level, and regulate an average current of each of the currents to the target average level and a transient level of each of the currents within the maximum transient level.
US08198832B2
An apparatus for driving a light emitting diode (LED). A rising edge of a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal is first sensed. Upon sensing the rising edge, a threshold pulse (TP) signal is initiated that has a configured width started when the rising edge is sensed, an LED current with an amplitude at a previously set level is generated, and starting to charge a capacitor which yields a voltage Vcap. Subsequently, a falling edge of either the PWM signal or the TP signal is detected. Upon detecting the failing edge, the circuit stops charging the capacitor, samples, after a first delay from the detected falling edge, the voltage Vcap, and adjusts a level of the amplitude of the LED current based on the sampled voltage Vcap. When the falling edges of both the PWM and TP signal are detected, the LED current is terminated.
US08198818B2
A vehicle lighting control device includes a switching unit to perform ON/OFF control of a driving current supplied to a semiconductor light source depending on a light control signal; and a constant-current control unit to perform constant-current control on the driving current. The constant-current control unit includes a switch unit to perform ON/OFF control of the switching unit; and a signal-maintaining unit to provide a voltage signal corresponding to the driving current to the switch unit when the switching unit performs ON control, and to provide continuously the voltage signal to the switch unit when the switching unit performs OFF control.
US08198813B2
A plasma display panel including a front panel including a front glass substrate, a display electrode formed on the substrate, a dielectric layer formed to cover the display electrode, and a protective layer formed on the dielectric layer; and a rear panel facing the front panel so that discharge space is formed and including an address electrode formed in a direction intersecting the display electrode, and a barrier rib for partitioning the discharge space. The protective layer includes a base film on the dielectric layer and aggregated particles of a plurality of aggregated metal-oxide crystal particles attached to the base film so that they are distributed over an entire surface. The aggregated particles are attached so that the number of aggregated particles per 10000 μm2 is not less than 45 and not more than 350.
US08198811B1
A gas discharge device such as a plasma display panel (PDP) device having one or more substrates and a multiplicity of pixels or subpixels. Each pixel or subpixel is defined by a hollow Plasma-shell filled with an ionizable gas. One or more addressing electrodes are in electrical contact with each Plasma-shell. The Plasma-shell may include inorganic and organic luminescent materials that are excited by the gas discharge within each Plasma-shell. The luminescent material may be located on an exterior and/or interior surface of the Plasma-shell or incorporated into the shell of the Plasma-shell. Up-conversion and down-conversion materials may be used. The substrate may be rigid or flexible with a flat, curved, or irregular surface.
US08198808B2
The present invention relates to an active matrix display and an image display system using the active matrix display. The image display system includes the active matrix display and a power supply apparatus. The active matrix display includes an active matrix substrate, a reflective layer and a sidewall-protective structure. The reflective layer is formed above the active matrix substrate and has first and second surfaces. The second surface faces the active matrix substrate. The sidewall-protective structure is formed above the active matrix substrate and surrounds the sidewalls of the reflective layer adjacent to the first and second surfaces.
US08198804B2
A display device includes a plurality of pixels placed in a matrix form in which each pixel has a light emitting device. The light emitting device includes a light emissive layer; a reflective electrode disposed on a rear surface side of the light emissive layer; a transparent electrode disposed on a front surface side of the light emissive layer; a dividing wall, disposed between the reflective electrode and the light emissive layer at a periphery part of a region where the reflective electrode is formed; a protective layer on a front surface side of the transparent electrode; and a transparent substrate disposed above the protective layer. The protective layer and the transparent substrate are spaced from one another so as to delimit a space where a gas is sealed.
US08198803B2
A color-temperature-tunable device comprises a first light emitting diode (LED) chip group comprising at least one first blue LED chip that emits a first light having a first peak wavelength, a second LED chip group comprising at least one second blue LED chip that emits a second light having a second peak wavelength different from the first peak wavelength, and a wavelength converting layer above at least a portion of the first LED chip group and a portion of the second LED chip group. The first LED chip group and the second LED chip group are driven by a first driving current and a second driving current, respectively.
US08198799B2
A display apparatus according to the present invention has a plurality of electroconductive layers outside of an image display area. Mutually adjacent ones of the electroconductive layers are electrically connected by a resistor. The resistor has a first region, and a second region which is more separated from the image display area than the first region. The area of the second region per unit length in the direction separating from the image display area is smaller than the area of the first region.
US08198788B2
A piezoelectric device for generating a voltage, comprising a vibratory blade with a first end secured to a fixed substrate and a second, free end which can be moved by applying a mechanical pulse thereon. At least one separate piezoelectric element is provided on one side of blade in such a way that it is deformed by the oscillation of the blade following the application of said mechanical pulse, and thereby generates a voltage. The device is characterized in that the blade is generally U shaped and has two substantially planar arms joined together via a curved intermediate portion. A first arm is secured to the substrate and a second arm has the free end.
US08198779B2
In a stator of an electric rotating machine such as a motor, there is provided with laminated 24 yoke pieces that form a yoke of circular shape when assembled and the yoke pieces are made rotatable relative to each other. Similarly laminated 24 teeth are each connected to each of the yoke pieces and a winding is wound on the teeth. In the stator, the teeth radially protrude inward in the yoke when the yoke pieces are assembled as the yoke such that some gap between adjacent teeth can be widened than others. Specifically, each of the yoke pieces has a first plate bored with a hole and a second plate formed with a projection and the plurality of the yoke pieces are rotatably connected through the holes and the projections to enable some gaps to be widened than others
US08198776B2
A current-energized synchronous motor (1) suitable in particular for vehicle drives. It includes a stator (2) and a rotor (3) carrying the energizer winding (7). The rotor (3) has at least two rotor poles (4) with one energizer winding (7) each. The rotor includes at least one selective magnetic flux barrier, in particular in the form of a radial slot (8) along the main axis (4A) of the rotor pole (4). This flux barrier is provided in each rotor pole (4) for increasing the reluctance moment of the current-energized synchronous motor (1).
US08198768B2
A motor including electrical components laid out to avoid enlargement of the motor. The motor includes a rotor, a cylindrical housing including a closed end and an open end and accommodating the rotor, and an end bracket fixed to the housing to close the open end and including a connector support. Two power supply terminals extend to the connector support. A noise prevention element includes a connection terminal connected to the power supply terminals. A rotation detector detects rotation of the rotor and includes a detector body. The noise prevention element is arranged between the two power supply terminals. The detector body and the noise prevention element are arranged at a portion of the end bracket closer to the connector support and aligned in an axial direction of the motor.
US08198761B1
A magnetic drive motor includes a housing; a plurality of cylinders bored in the housing, each cylinder having an upper end; a piston reciprocatingly received within each cylinder; a cylinder head covering the upper end of each cylinder; an electromagnet secured within each cylinder head; a source of electrical energy coupled with each electromagnet for delivering electrical energy to each said electromagnet; means for controlling delivery of electrical energy to each electromagnet such that when the electromagnet receives electrical energy, the electromagnet produces a magnetic force which impinges and attractive force upon the piston, urging the piston toward the electromagnet; and a magnetic shield within each cylinder, each magnetic shield actuatable between a first position shielding the piston from the magnetic force produced by the electromagnet and a second position exposing the piston to the magnetic force produced by the electromagnet.
US08198756B2
The invention relates to a voltage-boosting stage (100) comprising a first capacitive voltage circuit (S1, S2, S3, S4, C0, Cb) coupled to a power supply (Vs) and providing an output voltage at an output terminal. The voltage-boosting stage further comprises a second capacitive voltage circuit (S5, S6, S7, S8, C1, Cb) coupled to a power supply (Vs) and providing another output voltage at another output terminal the output terminal and the other terminals being coupled together and further coupled to a supply terminal of a power stage (S9, S10) for implementing a two-level boosted power stage.
US08198752B2
An apparatus to provide electrical coupling between two components in a well system is proposed. The apparatus includes a first component disposed around a well-bore and configured to host electrical connections. A second component is disposed concentrically around the first component and configured for power coupling with the first component. A first power coupling unit is disposed on the first component and configured to host one or more transceivers and resonators. A second power coupling unit is disposed on the second component and configured to host one or more transceivers and resonators. The transceivers and resonators on the first and second power coupling units are configured to transfer power in a contactless manner.
US08198746B2
The present invention is a ring generator with a rotor internal diameter equal to the turbine outside diameter, and having the turbine mounted on the inside of the rotor.
US08198745B2
An apparatus for extracting wave energy may include a watercraft, a pendulum and an energy converter. The watercraft may be configured to roll in response to wave action and may have roll characteristics that are tunable to characteristics of the wave action. The pendulum may be supported by the watercraft to enable the pendulum to swing in response to the wave action. An energy converter may be configured to convert the relative movement of the pendulum and watercraft into electrical energy. The pendulum may also be tunable to characteristics of the wave action.
US08198740B2
A semiconductor package structure and encapsulating module for molding the same and an encapsulating mold for molding the same are provided. The encapsulating mold is used for packaging a substrate having a chip so as to mold the substrate having the chip as a package structure. The encapsulating mold has a pressing surface, a smooth surface and a cavity. The smooth surface having a curvature radius is connected with the pressing surface and disposed at a mouth of the cavity. When the encapsulating mold and an encapsulating lower mold are jointed to hold the substrate, the pressing surface contacts and presses the substrate.
US08198730B2
A semiconductor device has a multilayer interconnection including a copper interconnection film formed in a predetermined area within an insulating film, a liner film, and a high-melting-point metal film. The copper interconnection film is polycrystalline, and crystal grains occupying 40% or more of an area of a unit interconnection surface among crystal grains forming the polycrystal are oriented to (111) in a substrate thickness direction. The copper interconnection film has crystal conformity with the noble metal liner film. In a case where the high-melting-point metal film is formed of Ti and the noble metal liner film is a Ru film, the high-melting-point metal of Ti dissolves into Ru in a solid state to form the noble metal liner. Thus, a copper interconnection is formed with both of Cu diffusion barrier characteristics and Cu crystal conformity.
US08198727B1
An integrated circuit/substrate interconnect apparatus and method are provided. Included is an integrated circuit including a plurality of bond pads, and a substrate including a plurality of landing pads and a mask. Such mask is spaced from the landing pads for defining areas therebetween. Further provided is a plurality of interconnects connected between the bond pads of the integrated circuit and the landing pads of the substrate. The interconnects include metal projections extending from the bond pads and a solder material for connecting the metal projections and the landing pads of the substrate.
US08198707B2
A method and semiconductor device for forming a uniformly thin dielectric layer on graphene. A metal or semiconductor layer is deposited on graphene which is located on the surface of a dielectric layer or on the surface of a substrate. The metal or semiconductor layer may act as a nucleation layer for graphene. The metal or semiconductor layer may be subjected to an oxidation process. A thin dielectric layer may then be formed on the graphene layer after the metal or semiconductor layer is oxidized. As a result of synthesizing a metal-oxide layer on graphene, which acts as a nucleation layer for the gate dielectric and buffer to graphene, a uniformly thin dielectric layer may be established on graphene without affecting the underlying characteristics of graphene.
US08198702B2
The invention relates generally to a fuse device of a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to an electrical fuse device of a semiconductor device. Embodiments of the invention provide a fuse device that is capable of reducing programming error caused by non-uniform current densities in a fuse link. In one respect, there is provided an electrical fuse device that includes: an anode; a fuse link coupled to the anode on a first side of the fuse link; a cathode coupled to the fuse link on a second side of the fuse link; a first cathode contact coupled to the cathode; and a first anode contact coupled to the anode, at least one of the first cathode contact and the first anode contact being disposed across a virtual extending surface of the fuse link.
US08198695B2
A back-illuminated type solid-state imaging device is provided in which an electric field to collect a signal charge (an electron, a hole and the like, for example) is reliably generated to reduce a crosstalk.The back-illuminated type solid-state imaging device includes a structure 34 having a semiconductor film 33 on a semiconductor substrate 31 through an insulation film 32, in which a photoelectric conversion element PD that constitutes a pixel is formed in the semiconductor substrate 31, at least part of transistors 15, 16, and 19 that constitute the pixel is formed in the semiconductor film 33, and a rear surface electrode 51 to which a voltage is applied is formed on the rear surface side of the semiconductor substrate 31.
US08198690B2
Micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a MEMS device includes a first semiconductive material and at least one trench disposed in the first semiconductive material, the at least one trench having a sidewall. An insulating material layer is disposed over an upper portion of the sidewall of the at least one trench in the first semiconductive material and over a portion of a top surface of the first semiconductive material proximate the sidewall. A second semiconductive material or a conductive material is disposed within the at least one trench and at least over the insulating material layer disposed over the portion of the top surface of the first semiconductive material proximate the sidewall.
US08198684B2
A power semiconductor device with drain voltage protection includes a semiconductor substrate, at least a trench gate transistor device and at least a trench ESD protection device. An upper surface of the semiconductor substrate has a first trench and a second trench. The trench gate transistor device is disposed in the first trench and the semiconductor substrate. The trench ESD protection device is disposed in the second trench, and includes a first doped region, a second doped region and a third doped region. The first doped region and the third doped region are respectively electrically connected to a drain and a gate of the trench gate transistor device.
US08198682B2
A semiconductor device including semiconductor material having a bend and a trench feature formed at the bend, and a gate structure at least partially disposed in the trench feature. A method of fabricating a semiconductor structure including forming a semiconductor material with a trench feature over a layer, forming a gate structure at least partially in the trench feature, and bending the semiconductor material such that stress is induced in the semiconductor material in an inversion channel region of the gate structure.
US08198681B2
The invention relates to a semiconductor component with stress-absorbing semiconductor layer (SA) and an associated fabrication method, a crystalline stress generator layer (SG) for generating a mechanical stress being formed on a carrier material (1). An insulating stress transmission layer (2), which transmits the mechanical stress which has been generated to a stress-absorbing semiconductor layer (SA), is formed at the surface of the stress generator layer (SG), with the result that in addition to improved charge carrier mobility, improved electrical properties of the semiconductor component are also obtained.
US08198680B2
The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a semiconductor element having a miniaturized structure and a semiconductor device in which the semiconductor element having a miniaturized structure is integrated highly, by overcoming reduction of the yield caused by alignment accuracy, accuracy of a processing technique by reduced projection exposure, a finished dimension of a resist mask, an etching technique and the like. An insulating film covering a gate electrode is formed, and a source region and a drain region are exposed, a conductive film is formed thereover, a resist having a different film thickness is formed by applying the resist over the conductive film, the entire surface of the resist is exposed to light and developed, or the entire surface of the resist is etched to form a resist mask, and the conductive film is etched by using the resist mask to form a source and drain electrode.
US08198676B2
A second trench in each source electrode portion (Schottky diode portion) is formed to have a depth equal to or larger than the depth of a first trench in each gate electrode portion. The distance between the first and second trenches is set to be not longer than 10 μm. A source electrode is formed in the second trench and a Schottky junction is formed in the bottom portion of the second trench. In this manner, it is possible to provide a wide band gap semiconductor device which is small-sized, which has low on-resistance and low loss characteristic, in which electric field concentration into a gate insulating film is relaxed to suppress reduction of a withstand voltage, and which has high avalanche breakdown tolerance at turn-off time.
US08198670B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a multilayer body with a plurality of insulating films and electrode films alternately stacked therein; a plurality of select gate electrodes provided on the multilayer body, extending in one direction orthogonal to a stacking direction of the multilayer body, and spaced from each other; semiconductor pillars penetrating through the multilayer body and the select gate electrodes; and a charge storage film provided between one of the electrode films and one of the semiconductor pillars, two neighboring ones of the semiconductor pillars penetrating through a common one of the select gate electrodes and penetrating through mutually different positions in a width direction of the select gate electrodes.
US08198666B2
A nonvolatile memory element which is provided with a floating gate electrode and a high withstand voltage transistor which is provided with a thick gate insulating film are formed over one substrate without increase in a driving voltage of the nonvolatile memory element. A stacked film of a first insulating film and a second insulating film is formed between an island-like semiconductor region and a floating gate electrode of the nonvolatile memory element and between an island-like semiconductor region and a gate electrode of the transistor. The first insulating film overlapping with the floating gate electrode is removed, and the insulating film between the island-like semiconductor region and the floating gate electrode is formed thinner than the gate insulating film of the transistor. The transistor includes a conductive film which is formed in the same layer as the floating gate electrode and a conductive film which is formed in the same layer as a control gate electrode, and these two conductive films are electrically connected to each other and function as the gate electrodes of the transistor.
US08198661B2
A semiconductor device include a semiconductor substrate comprising a substrate body, a base over the substrate body and a pillar over a first region of the base; a buried line adjacent to a side surface of the base; a first diffusion layer over a second region of the base; a second diffusion layer over the pillar, the second diffusion layer being higher in level than the first diffusion layer; and a third diffusion layer disposed between the buried line and the semiconductor substrate. The third diffusion layer is different in level from the first diffusion layer. The top level of the third diffusion layer is lower than the top level of the first diffusion layer.
US08198652B2
Disclosed is an HJFET 110 which comprises: a channel layer 12 composed of InyGa1-yN (0≦y≦1); a carrier supply layer 13 composed of AlxGa1-xN (0≦x≦1), the carrier supply layer 13 being provided over the channel layer 12 and including at least one p-type layer; and a source electrode 15S, a drain electrode 15D and a gate electrode 17 which are disposed facing the channel layer 12 through the p-type layer, and provided over the carrier supply layer 13. The following relational expression is satisfied: 5.6×1011x
US08198651B2
A semiconductor device for protecting against an electro static discharge is disclosed. In one embodiment, the semiconductor device includes a first low doped region disposed in a substrate, a first heavily doped region disposed within the first low doped region, the first heavily doped region comprising a first conductivity type, and the first low doped region comprising a second conductivity type, the first and the second conductivity types being opposite, the first heavily doped region being coupled to a node to be protected. The semiconductor device further includes a second heavily doped region coupled to a first power supply potential node, the second heavily doped region being separated from the first heavily doped region by a portion of the first low doped region, and a second low doped region disposed adjacent the first low doped region, the second low doped region comprising the first conductivity type. A third heavily doped region is disposed in the second low doped region, the third heavily doped region comprising the second conductivity type and being coupled to a second power supply potential node.
US08198650B2
A semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device comprises, a first region of a first conductivity type, a second region of a second conductivity type disposed adjacent to the first region to form a p-n junction structure, a resistance modification region of the second conductivity type, and a field response modification region of the second conductivity type disposed between the resistance modification region and the second region, wherein the field response modification region comprises a varying dopant concentration distribution along a thickness direction of the field response modification region.
US08198643B2
The present invention relates to a light emitting element with arrayed cells, a method of manufacturing the same, and a light emitting device using the same. The present invention provides a light emitting element including a light emitting cell block with a plurality of light emitting cells connected in series or parallel on a single substrate, and a method of manufacturing the same, wherein each of the plurality of light emitting cells includes an N-type semiconductor layer and a P-type semiconductor layer, and the N-type semiconductor layer of one light emitting cell is electrically connected to the P-type semiconductor layer of another adjacent light emitting cell. Further, the present invention provides a light emitting device including a light emitting element with a plurality of light emitting cells connected in series. Accordingly, it is possible to simplify a manufacturing process of a light emitting device for illumination capable of being used with a household AC power source, to decrease a fraction defective occurring in manufacturing a light emitting device for illumination, and to mass-produce the light emitting device for illumination. Further, there is an advantage in that DC driving efficiency can be enhanced in an AC operation by installing a predetermined rectifying circuit outside the light emitting element.
US08198638B2
A light emitting device structure, wherein the emitter layer structure comprises one or more device wells defined by thick field oxide regions, and a method of fabrication thereof are provided. Preferably, by defining device well regions after depositing the emitter layer structure, emitter layer structures with reduced topography may be provided, facilitating processing and improving layer to layer uniformity. The method is particularly applicable to multilayer emitter layer structures, e.g. comprising a layer stack of active layer/drift layer pairs. Preferably, active layers comprise a rare earth oxide, or rare earth doped dielectric such as silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, or silicon oxynitride, and respective drift layers comprise a suitable dielectric, preferably silicon dioxide, of an appropriate thickness to control excitation energy. Pixellated light emitting structures, or large area, high brightness emitter layer structures, e.g. for solid-state lighting applications, may therefore be provided with improved process flexibility and reliability.
US08198631B2
Disclosed is a method of fabricating a display device that includes forming a buffer layer; forming a gate electrode of extrinsic polycrystalline silicon, a gate insulating layer, an active layer of intrinsic polycrystalline silicon and an auxiliary active layer of intrinsic amorphous silicon on the buffer layer; forming an ohmic contact layer of extrinsic amorphous silicon and contacting the auxiliary active layer, source and drain electrodes and a data line; patterning a first passivation layer, an insulating interlayer and the gate insulating layer to form a gate contact hole exposing the gate electrode; forming a gate line on the first passivation layer, made of a metal material, and contacting the gate electrode through the gate contact hole; forming a second passivation layer on the gate line; patterning the first and second passivation layers to form a drain contact hole exposing the drain electrode; and forming a pixel electrode on the second passivation layer in the pixel region and contacting the drain electrode through the drain contact hole.
US08198629B2
To provide a photoelectric conversion device with improved photoelectric conversion characteristics and cost competitiveness. A photoelectric conversion device including a semiconductor junction has a semiconductor layer in which a needle-like crystal is made to grow over an impurity semiconductor layer. The impurity semiconductor layer is formed of a microcrystalline semiconductor and includes an impurity imparting one conductivity type. An amorphous semiconductor layer is deposited on a microcrystalline semiconductor layer by setting the flow rate of a dilution gas (typically silane) to 1 time to 6 times the flow rate of a semiconductor source gas (typically hydrogen) at the time of deposition. Thus, a crystal with a three-dimensional shape tapered in a direction of the deposition of a film, i.e., in a direction from the microcrystalline semiconductor layer to the amorphous semiconductor layer is made to grow.
US08198623B2
Provided are a photodiode array and its manufacturing method, which maintain the crystalline quality of an absorption layer formed on a group III-V semiconductor substrate to obtain excellent characteristics, and which improve the crystallinity at the surface of a window layer; an epitaxial wafer used for manufacturing the photodiode array; and a method for manufacturing the epitaxial wafer. A method for manufacturing a photodiode array 1 having a plurality of absorption regions 21, includes the steps of: growing an absorption layer 7 on an n-type InP substrate 3; growing an InP window layer on the absorption layer 7; and diffusing a p-type impurity in regions, in the window layer 11, corresponding to the plurality of absorption regions 21. The window layer 11 is grown by MOVPE using only metal-organic sources, at a growth temperature equal to or lower than that of the absorption layer 7.
US08198616B2
A personal radiation protection garment that substantially contours to an operator's body is suspended from a suspension means. The garment is operable to protect the operator from radiation. The suspension means is operable to apply constant force. The suspension means allows operator wearing protective radiation garment to move freely in the X, Y, and Z spatial planes simultaneously, such that the protective radiation garment is substantially weightless to operator. A radiation protection face shield and flap can also be suspended from suspension means, such that face shield and flap are substantially weightless to operator. The suspension means can be mounted to a ceiling.
US08198615B2
Devices and corresponding methods of use are described herein which may comprise an enclosing structure defining a closed loop flow path and a system generating a plasma at a plasma site, e.g. laser produced plasma system, where the plasma site may be in fluid communication with the flow path. For the device, a gas may be disposed in the enclosing structure which may include an ion-stopping buffer gas and/or an etchant. A pump may be provided to force the gas through the closed loop flow path. One or more heat exchangers removing heat from gas flowing in the flow path may be provided. In some arrangements, a filter may be used to remove at least a portion of a target species from gas flowing in the flow path.
US08198610B2
An ion implanter and an ion implant method are disclosed. The ion implanter has an aperture assembly with a variable aperture and is located between an ion source of an ion beam and a holder for holding a wafer. At least one of the size and the shape of the variable aperture is adjustable. The ion beam may be flexibly shaped by the variable aperture, so that the practical implantation on the wafer can be controllably adjusted without modifying an operation of both the ion source and mass analyzer or applying a magnetic field to modify the ion beam. An example of the aperture assembly has two plates, each having an opening formed on its edge such that a variable aperture is formed by a combination of these openings. By respectively moving the plates, the size and the shape of the variable aperture can be changed.
US08198609B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus for forming a nano pattern capable of fabricating the uniform nano pattern at a low cost including a laser for generating a beam; a beam splitter for splitting the beam from the laser into two beams with the same intensity; variable mirrors for reflecting the two beams split by the beam splitter to a substrate; beam expansion units for expanding diameters of the beams by being positioned on paths of the two beams traveling toward the substrate; and a beam blocking unit, installed on an upper part of the substrate, transmitting only a specific region expanded through the beam expansion unit and blocking regions a remaining region, and a method for forming the nano pattern using the same.
US08198604B2
A system for providing enhanced background rejection in thick tissue contains an aberrating element for introducing controllable extraneous spatial aberrations in an excitation beam path; at least one mirror capable of directing received laser pulses to the aberrating element; an objective; a beam scanner imaged onto a back aperture of the objective so that the beam scanner steers beam focus within the thick tissue; and a detector for recording signals produced by the tissue. An associated method comprises the steps of acquiring two-photon excited fluorescence of thick tissue without extraneous aberrations; introducing an extraneous aberration pattern in an excitation beam path; acquiring two-photon excited fluorescence of the thick tissue having the introduced extraneous aberration pattern; and subtracting the two-photon excited fluorescence with extraneous aberrations from the acquired standard two-photon excited fluorescence of the thick tissue without extraneous aberrations.
US08198598B2
A device for subjecting air to UV(C) radiation comprises a UV(C) treatment chamber comprising a UV(C) source, a measuring device comprising one or more of a temperature sensor which measures the temperature on the wall of the UV(C) source; two temperature sensors downstream and upstream of the UV(C) source; and a UV(C) sensor for determining the intensity of the UV(C) radiation. The UV(C) source comprises at least one UV(C) lamp which is held by a lamp holder. The lamp holder comprises positioning elements for holding the measuring device and the lamp(s) in a fixed position. Electrical supply wires and signal wires are arranged such that they are shielded from the radiation from the UV(C) lamp(s).
US08198584B2
A method is provided for measuring mobility spectrum of ions in an ion mobility spectrometer having an ion source, a modulator, an ion drift region and an ion detector disposed at the end of the ion drift region. The method includes the steps of modulating an ion current from the ion source, and measuring the mobility spectrum, where a predistortion of the continuous modulation function substantially compensates for a distortion created by the modulator. The ion current is modulated with the modulator by varying an instantaneous frequency of a continuous modulation function across a frequency range. The mobility spectrum is measured by correlating the ion current measured at the detector and the modulation function.
US08198582B2
A method of pulsing gas in a quadrupole ion trap to reduce excess internal energy of ions formed externally to the trap at high-vacuum conditions by laser desoprtion is disclosed. With pulsed gas introduction, pressures greater than those under which traps are normally operated can be achieved over a few milliseconds. Under these elevated pressure transients, the process of translational cooling is accelerated and ions undergo thermalized collisions before dissociation occurs. Minimization of uncontrolled fragmentation (thermalization) and enhanced sensitivity are observed at pressures exceeding a threshold of about 1 mTorr.
US08198580B2
A dual ion trap mass analyzer includes adjacently positioned first and second two-dimensional ion traps respectively maintained at relatively high and low pressures. Functions favoring high pressure (cooling and fragmentation) may be performed in the first trap, and functions favoring low pressure (isolation and analytical scanning) may be performed in the second trap. Ions may be transferred between the first and second trap through a plate lens having a small aperture that presents a pumping restriction and allows different pressures to be maintained in the two traps. The differential-pressure environment of the dual ion trap mass analyzer facilitates the use of high-resolution analytical scan modes without sacrificing ion capture and fragmentation efficiencies.
US08198570B2
A heat exchange system and processes for a magnetic annealing tool is provided. The system includes a process chamber housing workpieces to be processed; an element chamber partly surrounding the periphery of the process chamber, at least one means for drawing a vacuum in fluid communication with the process chamber and separately with the element chamber in order to apply a vacuum to either or both of the process and element chamber so as to promote radiation heating of the workpieces; at least one supply of fluid in communication with the process chamber and separately with the element chamber to supply a cooling gas so as to promote conductive cooling of the workpieces; a cooling chamber disposed to surround the element chamber; and means for generating a magnetic field disposed on the outer periphery of the cooling chamber.
US08198567B2
A vacuum chuck and a process chamber equipped with the same are provided. The vacuum chuck assembly comprises a support body, a plurality of protrusions, a plurality of channels, at least one support member supporting the support body, at least one resilient member coupled with the support member, a hollow shaft supporting the support body, at least one electrical connector disposed through the hollow shaft, and an air-cooling apparatus. The support body has a support surface for holding a substrate (such as a wafer) thereon. The protrusions are formed on and project from the support surface for creating a gap between the substrate and the support surface. The channels are formed on the support surface for generating reduced pressure in the gap. The air-cooling apparatus is used for providing air cooling in the vicinity of the electrical connector.
US08198560B2
One aspect according to the present invention includes a switch device for a power tool. The switch device includes a switch lever operable to move between an ON position for activating the power tool and an OFF position for stopping activation of the power tool. An on-lock mechanism can lock the switch lever in the ON position. An off-lock mechanism can lock the switch lever in the OFF position. The operation for making the on-lock mechanism effective and the operation for releasing the off-lock mechanism are performed by operating an operation member in different directions from each other or by operating two separate operation members.
US08198553B2
A draft shield for a balance, the draft shield having a rear wall and rails extending forward from the top corners of the rear wall. The rails contain guide tracks for a top cover panel and two sidewalls. A draft shield of this design allows for easy cleaning and also permits the parts to be cleaned to be removed without a tool. To this end, a bottom edge of a front wall of the draft shield is inserted into a seat, such that the front wall can then be pivoted into flush alignment against the top cover panel and the sidewalls and can be secured in this position by locking elements arranged at the front ends of the rails.
US08198551B2
A power core adapted for use as part of a circuitized substrate, e.g., a PCB or LCC. The core includes a first layer of low expansion dielectric and two added layers of a different low expansion dielectric bonded thereto, with two conductive layers positioned on the two added low expansion dielectric layers. At least one of the conductive layers serves as a power plane for the power core, which in turn is usable within a circuitized substrate, also provided. Methods of making the power core and circuitized substrate are also provided. The use of different low expansion dielectric materials for the power core enables the use of support enhancing fiberglass in one layer while such use is precluded in the other two dielectric layers, thus preventing CAF shorting problems in highly precisely defined thru holes formed within the power core.
US08198544B2
A printed wiring board including resin insulation layers, and conductive circuits formed between the resin insulation layers such that spaces between the conductive circuits are filled with a resin material of the resin insulation layers. The conductor circuits include a first conductive circuit and a second conductive circuit positioned adjacent to the first conductive circuit, each of the first and second conductive circuits has a trapezoidal cross section, and the first and the second conductive circuits satisfy a formula, 0.10T≦|W1−W2|≦0.73T where W1 represents a width of a space between upper surfaces of the first and second conductive circuits, W2 represents a width of a space between lower surfaces of the first and second conductive circuits, and T represents a thickness of each of the first and second conductive circuit.
US08198538B2
A capacitive device is provided. The capacitive device includes a first electrode and a second electrode below the first electrode and spaced apart from the first electrode, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode includes a plurality of conductive step sections, the plurality of conductive step sections having different heights. The capacitive device also includes an insulating region between the first electrode and the second electrode; and at least one slot formed on one of the first electrode and the second electrode.
US08198533B2
A feeding device includes a case, which includes a body receiving a wire harness with extra length portion and a guide tube projecting from the body, a distal-end protector and an intermediary protector both of which are attached to the wire harness. The intermediary protector is inserted into the guide tube so as to be able to move forward and backward freely, and the distal-end protector is projected out of the guide tube, and a bendable portion of the wire harness is exposedly formed between the distal-end protector and the intermediary protector. A hood along a bending outer surface of the bendable portion is provided at the distal-end protector. The extra length portion of the wire harness is received in the body so as to be formed into a loop shape.
US08198530B2
In methods and apparatus for improving the power generated, and thus efficiency of solar cells, a double or triple junction tandem solar cell that has one or two photon filters of the invention in between the solar cell layers, respectively. The photon filter is arranged to reflect photons with wavelength shorter than λx and arranged to be transparent to photons of wavelength longer than λx by focussing the lower energy photons out of small area apertures on the other side of the photon filter and arranging the other side of the photon filter to reflect at least some of the photons of wavelength longer than λx. By using the photon filters of the invention in between the solar cell layers, photons can be trapped between filters to solar cell layers at an energy at which the quantum efficiency of the solar cell layer is the best.
US08198527B2
A wrapped thermoelectric power source having an inner and an outer insulator is provided within a housing formed, at least partially, by an upper and lower thermal transfer elements. The thermoelectric power source including a plurality of coupled pairs of thin film materials possessing thermoelectric properties, the pairs disposed on a flexible substrate and electrically coupled in any series/parallel combination, with the flexible substrate wrapped around an inner thermal insulator. The thermoelectric power source may be sized such that at least a portion of an electronics module may be disposed at least partly within the inner thermal insulator. The electronics module is electrically coupled to the thermoelectric power source, and includes components for voltage regulation and/or power conditioning. A mechanical means, connected to both the upper and the lower thermal transfer elements, holds those elements substantially adjacent opposite sides of the thermoelectric power source while preventing thermal shorting between the upper and lower thermal transfer elements. In one aspect, the electronics module further includes applications circuitry such as, but not limited to, one or more of sensors, data storage, signal processing, computational resources and wireless communication circuitry.
US08198522B2
A musical operator can apply force to the hi-hat musical device to actuate the upper cymbal away from the lower cymbal creating a desired sound, by applying a motion reversal means.The device comprises a foot pedal, motion reversal means and hi-hat stand, which said stand is further comprised of a support tube, operation rod, upper cymbal and lower cymbal, and support structure means. Each cymbal is opposingly disposed against each other in a closed non-actuated position, horizontally along the operation rod. The motion reversal means translates a downward pedal motion into an opposing upward cymbal motion, placing the upper and lower cymbals, in the open actuated position, allowing the drummer to produce an open cymbal sound when striking the cymbals, and to produce a closed cymbal sound when releasing the foot pedal, returning said cymbals to the closed non-actuated position.
US08198521B2
The invention provides an actuator for actuating a pallet of a pipe organ under the command of a key of an organ. The actuator comprises a movable member, adapted to be connected to the pallet of the organ pipe and a magnetic plunger, mounted on the movable member. It also comprises an electromagnet having a gap within which the magnetic plunger can be inserted and moved, wherein the electromagnet when energized moves the member to thereby actuate the pallet. A controller unit controls a current in the electromagnet to provide a controlled actuation of the pallet that is proportional to a key dip of the key. It also provides for a system based on a digital serial link for controlling an assembly of organ pallets that are actuated by electromagnets.
US08198517B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1016189. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1016189. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1016189 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1016189 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08198515B1
The present invention is in the field of soybean cultivar 04RM285001 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean cultivar 04RM285001 and its progeny, and methods of making 04RM285001.
US08198513B2
The invention pertains to novel insecticidal compounds derived from Bacillus thuringiensis strains. New proteins designated Cry1Jd, Cry9Fa, and Cry1Bf, and insecticidal fragments thereof are provided, as well as DNA sequences encoding these proteins or their insecticidal fragments. Further provided are recombinant hosts expressing such proteins, particularly plant cells and plants.
US08198505B2
An absorbent article having a distribution member comprising non-biopersistent inorganic vitreous microfibers. The microfibers have an average effective diameter between about 0.1 micron and about 6 microns and are arranged in a fibrous assembly having a basis weight between about 40 g/m2 and about 350 g/m2 and a density between about 0.04 g/m3 and about 0,25 g/m3. In preferred embodiments, the fibrous assembly can vertically wick a 0.9% saline solution to a height of 5 cm in less than about 5 minutes.
US08198499B2
A process for a liquid/liquid reaction employs a nozzle dispersion whereby liquid reactants and liquid catalyst are injected through at least one nozzle into a reaction zone to effect a reaction. The reaction can be alkylation of at least one isoparaffin with at least one olefin in the presence of an ionic liquid catalyst. The at least one nozzle provides intimate contact between the phases for greater product control and reaction control.
US08198498B2
A method for producing olefins using a carbon nanotube catalyst is disclosed. Initially, a hydrocarbon feedstock is received. The hydrocarbon feedstock, the carbon nanotube catalyst, and steam are mixed in a thermal cracking reactor. The mixture is heated in the thermal cracking reactor to a particular temperature. The olefins are then separated from the mixture. The carbon nanotube catalyst can include carbon nanotubes coated with M1xOy and modified with M2mOn. M1 can be either the element silicon or tungsten, x can be an integer that represents the oxidation number of M1, and y can an integer that represents the number of oxygen atoms required by the oxidation number of M1. M2 can be a metallic element, m can be an integer that represents the oxidation number of M2, and n can be an integer that represents the number of oxygen atoms required by the oxidation number of M2.
US08198494B2
A process for producing alkylate comprising contacting a first hydrocarbon stream comprising at least one olefin having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms which contains 1-butene with an isomerization catalyst under conditions favoring the isomerization of 1-butene to 2-butene so the isomerized stream contains a greater concentration of 2-butene than the first hydrocarbon stream and contacting the isomerized stream and a second hydrocarbon stream comprising at least one isoparaffin having from 4 to 6 carbon atoms with an acidic ionic liquid catalyst under alkylation conditions to produce an alkylate stream, wherein the alkylate stream has a RON that is increased from 5 to 32 numbers compared to a comparison alkylate stream made from the first hydrocarbon stream without the step of contacting with the isomerization catalyst.
US08198492B2
A process has been developed for producing a diesel boiling point range product and an aviation boiling point range product from renewable feedstocks such as plant and animal oils. The process involves treating a renewable feedstock by hydrogenating and deoxygenating to provide a hydrocarbon fraction which is then isomerized and selectively cracked to form the diesel boiling point range product and the aviation boiling point range product. A portion of the diesel boiling point range product, aviation boiling point range product, naphtha product, LPG, or any combination thereof can be optionally used as a rectification agent in the selective hot high pressure hydrogen stripper to decrease the amount of product carried in the stripper overhead.
US08198473B2
The invention provides a process for preparing siloxanes modified with organic esters, by hydrosilylating siloxanes with terminally unsaturated esters, which comprises preparing the terminally unsaturated esters used using at least one enzyme as catalyst.
US08198471B2
A novel phosphine compound capable of forming a metal complex useful as a catalyst for various asymmetric synthesis reactions, a production method thereof, and a metal complex comprising the aforementioned compound as a ligand.
US08198468B2
A salt of a carboxylic acid with an aminoketone of formula II.
US08198458B2
Compounds of formula (I): wherein Ar, X, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined herein. The compounds are useful as reverse transcriptase inhibitors against wild type and single or double mutant strains of HIV.
US08198456B2
This invention provides novel dihydropyridine derivatives of the formula I having protein tyrosine kinase inhibitory activity, to process for the manufacture thereof and to the use thereof for the treatment of c-Met-mediated diseases or c-Met-mediated conditions.
US08198451B2
A new polymorph of moxifloxacin hydrochloride is described, together with a method for making the polymorph. In addition, new intermediates in the formation of moxifloxacin hydrochloride are described, having formulas (1) and (II):
US08198449B2
The disclosure provides compounds of formula I, II, III, IV, and V, including their salts, as well as compositions and methods of using the compounds. The compounds have activity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and may be useful in treating those infected with HCV.
US08198441B2
There is provided a process for the preparation of a compound of Formula 1, the use of said process in the preparation of a compound of Formula 5 or a phosphate, sulphate, hydrogensulphate, malate, citrate, tartrate or fumarate salt thereof, and the use of the fumarate salt in a composition for use in therapy.
US08198433B2
An acylated phthalocyanine of the formula: wherein, R1 and R2 are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy and acyl radicals of the formulae —COR and —CRHOH, whereby 1-4 of the 8 R1 and R2 radicals are selected from the group consisting of —COR and —CRHOH, and if R1 or R2 on a benzene ring is selected from —COR or —CRHOH, then the other respective R1 or R2 radical on the benzene ring is hydrogen, R is CH3(CH2)n— where n is 0-15, M is at least one of Mg, Zn, Cd, Cu, Ni, Co, Fe, Pt, Pd or Sn, alkyl is CnH2n+1 where n is 7-14, and alkoxy is OCnH2n+1 where n is 6-15.
US08198428B2
In Caenorhabditis elegans, lin-4 and let-7 enclode 22- and 21 -nucleotide RNAs, respectively, that function as key regulators of developmental timing. Because the appearance of these short RNAs is regulated during development, they are also referred to as “small temporal RNAs” (stRNAs). We show that many more 21- and 22-nt expressed RNAs, termed microRNAs, (miRNAs), exist in invertebrates and vertebrates, and that some of these novel RNAs, similar to let-7 stRAN, are also highly conserved. This suggests that sequence-specific post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms mediated by small RNAs are more general than previously appreciated.
US08198421B2
The present invention relates to a modified and optimized Factor VIII or Factor IX nucleic acid for inclusion in a chimeric virus vector. Use of such vector can be used for treatment of hemophilia.
US08198417B2
The present invention discloses a method for targeting maytansinoids to a selected cell population, the method comprising contacting a cell population or tissue suspected of containing the selected cell population with a cell-binding agent maytansinoid conjugate, wherein one or more maytansinoids is covalently linked to the cell-binding agent via a non-cleavable linker and the cell-binding agent binds to cells of the selected cell population.
US08198397B2
Integrated processes for making polyesters are disclosed, that include the steps of: (a) producing an aromatic polycarboxylic acid in a monomer production facility; (b) producing a polyester in a polyester production facility, wherein the producing of the polyester comprises the substeps of: (i) forming a polyester reaction medium comprising at least a portion of the aromatic polycarboxylic acid from the monomer production facility, (ii) subjecting at least a portion of the polyester reaction medium to one or more chemical reactions to thereby produce the polyester, (iii) heating the polyester reaction medium at one or more locations in the polyester production facility via indirect heat exchange with high-pressure steam, wherein the heating causes at least a portion of the high-pressure steam to condense and thereby provide pressurized condensed water, and (iv) flashing at least a portion of the pressurized condensed water to thereby produce lower-pressure steam; and (c) using at least a portion of the lower-pressure steam to provide thermal energy to the monomer production facility.
US08198396B2
Methods of forming materials containing precursors to electrically conductive polymers and electrically conductive polymers are described which have a high degree of crystallinity. The high degree of crystallinity is achieved by preparing the materials under conditions which provide a high degree of mobility to the polymer molecules permitting them to associate with one another to form a crystalline state. High levels of electrical conductivity are achieved in in the electrically conductive materials without stretch orienting the material. The enhanced electrical conductivity is isotropic as compared to a stretch oriented film which has isotropic electrical conductivity. In the preferred embodiment, additives are added to a solution containing a solvent and the precursor or electrically conductive polymer. The additives are preferably plasticizer of diluents. As the solvent is removed the material dries and contains a higher degree of crystallinity than in the absence of the additive.
US08198386B2
A fluorine-containing elastomer composition assuring a low compression set and comprising a perfluoroelastomer (A) comprising (a) 18 to 33% by mole of a perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) unit, (b) 0.3 to 0.6% by mole of a monomer unit having at least one selected from the group consisting of a nitrile group, a carboxyl group and an alkoxycarbonyl group and (c) a tetrafluoroethylene unit.
US08198385B2
The present invention relates to process for the preparation of a superabsorbent polymer comprising the steps of a) subjecting an aqueous monomer mixture containing at least one α,β-ethylenically unsaturated monomer; at least one monomer bearing at least two α,β-ethylenically unsaturated groups; iron ions in an amount of 0.1 to 3 wppm based on the total weight of the aqueous monomer mixture; and at least one chelating agent in an amount to provide a mol ratio of chelating agent to iron ion of 0.8 to 4.0 to free radical polymerization in an reactor to obtain a super-absorbent polymer; and b) recovering the superabsorbent polymer, whereby if the process is continuous and is run in an agitated reactor the upper limit of the mol ratio of chelating agent to iron ion is 4.0 for a throughput of total reaction mixture through the reactor of at most 1.3 kg/h per liter reactor volume.
US08198365B2
One aspect of the invention relates to a hydrogel comprising a non-natural polymer comprising a plurality of pendant nucleophilic groups and a crosslinker comprising at least two pendant electrophilic groups. Another aspect of the invention relates to a hydrogel comprising a non-natural polymer comprising a plurality of pendant electrophilic groups and a crosslinker comprising at least two pendant nucleophilic groups. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a method for reducing lung volume in a patient comprising the step of administering a hydrogel composition as described herein. Further, hydrogels of the invention may be used to achieve pleurodesis, seal brochopleural fistulas, seal an air leak in a lung, achieve hemostasis, tissue sealing (e.g., blood vessels, internal organs), or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the compositions and methods described herein are intended for use in the treatment of patients with emphysema.
US08198361B2
The present invention provides a non-crosslinked silicon polyether composition comprising at least one compound with the following formula; [(R1O)(C2H4O)a(C3H6O)b(C4H8O)c]dR2(R3)e wherein R1 is a monovalent radical defined as MgMAhMBiMHjMEkDlDHmDEnToTHpTEqQr M=R4R5R6SiO1/2; MA=R7R8R9SiR10; MB=[(R11R12R13Si)sR14]tSi(R15)u(R16)vR17 MH=R18Si(R19)(R20)O1/2; ME=R21R22RESiO1/2; D=R23R24SiO2/2; DH=R25Si(R26)O2/2; DE=R27RESiO2/2; T=R28SiO3/2; TH=R29SiO3/2; TE=RESiO2/2; and Q=SiO4/2; R2 and R14 are polyvalent linear or branched; R3 is —(C2H4O)(C3H6O)b(C4H8O)c—R30 or R1; R30 is a monovalent saturated; R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R11, R12, R13, R15, R16, R19, R20, R21, R22, R23, R24, R26, R27, and, R28 are monovalent hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to about 10 carbons; R10, R17, R18, R25 and R29 are divalent hydrocarbon radicals having 1 to about 25 carbons; RE is —R32—(C2H4O)a(C3H6O)b(C4H8O)c—R33; R32 is a divalent hydrocarbon radical having 1 to about 60 carbons; R33 is a monovalent hydrocarbon radical having 1 to about 20 carbons; h is 0 or 1 subject to the limitation if h is 1 then g+i+j+k+l+m+n+o+p+q+r=0; subscript d is 1
US08198358B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing phenolic polymers utilizing Coprinus cinereus peroxidase. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process for preparing phenolic polymers by polymerizing phenolic monomers with Coprinus cinereus peroxidase instead of using typical peroxidase which essentially requires the use of toxic formalin or peroxidase of plant origin which is very costly and easily deactivated by hydrogen peroxide in the polymerization of phenolic monomers, wherein the polymerization is conducted in the presence of a polar organic solvent under mild reaction conditions of atmospheric temperature and pressure to economically produce desired phenolic polymers having excellent water and chemical resistances with high yield.
US08198348B2
A coating composition including an unsaturated resin selected from polyesters, alkyds or combinations thereof; an alkoxy (meth)acrylic functional monomer, and a thermoplastic compound containing active hydrogen groups; a curing agent; and a curing promoter such as at least one metal drier.
US08198341B2
A method of making hydroxymethylphosphonate comprising heating paraformaldehyde in a solvent to a desired reaction temperature, wherein the solvent is present in at least an amount necessary to solvate or suspend the paraformaldehyde; adding at least one alkyl phosphite to the heated paraformaldehyde, to provide hydroxymethylphosphonate, the alkyl phosphite being added to the heated paraformaldehyde at a rate which will avoid or inhibit the production of a significant exotherm and resulting high/significant level of acid by-product(s), there being present in the reaction medium at least one hindered amine catalyst in which the nitrogen in the amine is directly bound to a secondary and/or tertiary carbon of an organic group; and, optionally, following the completion of the addition, heating the reaction mixture to an elevated temperature.
US08198338B2
A process for producing high octane fuel from carbon dioxide and water is disclosed. The feedstock for the production line is industrial carbon dioxide and water, which may be of lower quality. The end product can be high octane gasoline, high cetane diesel or other liquid hydrocarbon mixtures suitable for driving conventional combustion engines or hydrocarbons suitable for further industrial processing or commercial use. Products, such as dimethyl ether or methanol may also be withdrawn from the production line. The process is emission free and reprocesses all hydrocarbons not suitable for liquid fuel to form high octane products. The heat generated by exothermic reactions in the process is fully utilizes as is the heat produced in the reprocessing of hydrocarbons not suitable for liquid fuel.
US08198337B2
The present invention provides for a demulsifying composition comprising a blend of a) an emulsion; and b) a demulsifying-effective amount of a non-crosslinked silicon polyether. The present invention also provides for a method for separating emulsions using the demulsifying composition discussed.
US08198336B2
The present invention is directed to solid composites including colloidal nanocrystals within a sol-gel host or matrix and to processes of forming such solid composites. The present invention is further directed to alcohol soluble colloidal nanocrystals useful in formation of sol-gel based solid composites
US08198334B2
Methods for modulating macrophage proliferation in an individual afflicted with or at risk for an ocular disease such as ARMD are provided. The methods employ a polyamine analog, or salt or protected derivative thereof. Macrophage proliferation has been implicated in a number of serious disorders, including ARMD. The invention also provides methods for aiding diagnosis and monitoring therapy of an ocular disease such as ARMD.
US08198330B2
A method of treatment or prophylaxis of diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia or metabolic syndrome includes administering an effective amount of a benzylamine derivative represented by Formula (I): wherein, R1 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R2 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R3 and R5 each independently represent a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a haloalkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and R4 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof.
US08198327B2
Provided are fatty acid amides of amino acids, uses thereof and pharmaceutical compositions including them.
US08198324B2
There are provided various compounds and compositions comprising polyunsaturated fatty acid monoglycerides and derivatives thereof. These compounds and compositions can be useful as cancer chemopreventive agents. They can also be useful for enhancing solubility of various active agents and enhancing their bioavailability.
US08198317B2
The present invention provides novel methylenedioxy phenolic compounds and their derivatives, methods of making them and methods of using them to treat or prevent cardiovascular disease, vascular disease and/or inflammatory disease, as well as Type I and Type II Diabetes and Dyslipidemia patients at risk for hypertension, stroke, cardiovascular and renal disease.
US08198316B2
The present invention relates to resolution of (cis,trans)5,6-dihydro-4H-4-ethylamino-6-methylthieno[2,3-b]thiopyran-2-sulfonamide-7,7-dioxide using dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid monohydrate or di-p-toluoyl-L-tarrtaric acid monohydrate as a chiral resolving agent in presence of methanol to obtain hemitartarate salt, purifying it to obtain hemitartarate salt of 5,6-dihydro-4H-4(S)-ethylamino-6(S)methylthieno[2,3-b]thiopyran-2-sulfonamide-7,7-dioxide with de of >99%, Chemical purity >99.5% with cis isomer content of <0.1% and further converting into its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, preferably hydrochloride salt.
US08198304B2
The invention provides compounds of formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1-3, R5-7, a, X, Y, Y′, Y″, and Z are as defined in the specification. These compounds are muscarinic receptor antagonists. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, processes for preparing such compounds and methods of using such compounds to, for example, treat pulmonary disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.
US08198302B2
Novel quinone and catechol compositions, compositions containing prodrugs of quinone and catechol compositions, and methods of use for the treatment of solid tumor cancers and other vascular proliferative disorders. The disclosure particularly relates to the discovery of dual activity agents capable of generating both a vascular targeting effect and direct tumor cell cytotoxicity in order to achieve an enhanced anti-tumor response in a patient.
US08198300B2
Method for the prevention of the tau protein aggregation and treating Alzheimer's disease by administering a quinoline derivative compound of formula wherein R2 is 2-(4-aminophenyl) or 2-(4-methylphenyl) and R6 is methyl as an inhibitor of the tau protein aggregation.
US08198294B2
The invention relates to the use of compounds which inhibit selectively mu opioid receptor activity, or activation, for the treatment of dyskinesia (which, for example, may arise as a side effect of L-DOPA therapy). The compounds used are preferably mu opioid receptor antagonists such as cyprodime.
US08198293B2
Compositions and methods for treating chronic infectious diseases using substantially pure oxymatrine or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment described herein, the chronic infectious disease is chronic fatigue syndrome. Further described are compositions having an anti-infective amount of substantially pure oxymatrine or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof.
US08198290B2
The present invention provides for compounds of Formula I and II: wherein y, X, Y, Z, R1, and R2 have any of the values defined there for in the specification. The compounds of formula I are useful as reagents in the isolation and the assay of PQQ dependent enzymes. Also provided are compositions comprising compounds of Formula I and II.
US08198289B2
The invention relates to particular crystal forms of the methanesulfonic acid addition salt of 4-(4 -methylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-(pyridin-3-yl)pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]-benzamide, certain processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing these crystal forms, and their use in diagnostic methods or, preferably, for the therapeutic treatment of warm-blooded animals, especially humans, and their use as an intermediate or for the preparation of pharmaceutical preparations for use in diagnostic methods or, preferably, for the therapeutic treatment of warm-blooded animals, especially humans.
US08198275B2
The present invention provides adamantyl-diamide derivatives of formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 are as defined herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and pharmaceutical compositions and methods using the same.
US08198269B2
A compound represented by the general formula: wherein Ring A is a C6-14 aryl group or the like, L is —NRLCO— or the like (wherein RL is a hydrogen atom or the like), Ring B is a C6-14 aryl group or the like, X is a C1-3 alkylene group or the like, Y is a C1-3 alkylene group or the like, Z is an oxygen atom or the like, R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom or the like, and R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or the like, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a solvate thereof, has an Aβ production inhibitory effect or a BACE1 inhibitory effect and is useful as a therapeutic agent for a neurodegenerative disease caused by Aβ and typified by Alzheimer-type dementia.
US08198268B2
Disclosed herein is a novel sulfate salt of tianeptine with improved properties. Also described herein are novel pharmaceutical compositions comprising tianeptine sulfate salt, methods of making, and related methods of treatment.
US08198261B2
A thermally modified microbial-derived cellulose material is described for use as an implantable material in general surgery, plastic surgery and neurosurgery.
US08198253B2
Disclosed herein are compounds, compositions and methods for modulating the expression of HBXIP in a cell, tissue or animal. Also provided are methods of target validation. Also provided are uses of disclosed compounds and compositions in the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of diseases and disorders.
US08198235B2
The invention concerns the use of at least one: a) a GILZ protein, a functional fragment of at least 5 consecutive amino acids of said protein, a GILZ modulator, or a recombinant vector expressing same, isolated or expressed in modified dendritic cells, and b) an antigen of interest and/or a molecule allowing targeting and/or passage of the plasmic membrane of dendritic cells, to prepare a medicine for preventing and/or treating autoimmune, inflammatory diseases, allergies, graft rejection and graft-versus-host disease, cancers and pathogenic micro-organism infections.
US08198233B2
The present invention provides novel peptides that facilitate the opening of mammalian tight junctions, i.e. tight junction agonists. The present invention also provides methods for the treatment of disease by administering to a subject suffering from the disease a composition comprising a peptide tight junction agonist of the invention in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of an active agent.
US08198230B2
The present invention relates to new synthetic receptors. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of the synthetic receptors for delivering a protein, peptide, drug, prodrug, lipid, nucleic acid, carbohydrate or small molecule into a target cell via receptor-mediated endocytosis. According to the invention, novel synthetic mimics of cell surface receptors have been designed and methods for use of the same are disclosed.
US08198227B2
The present invention relates to a liquid acidic hard surface cleaning composition comprising an acid system, wherein the acid system comprises oxalic acid and acetic acid.
US08198224B2
Processes are described for producing liquid, biobased lubricant additives containing from 50 to 100% biobased carbon according to ASTM D6866 from heat-bodied oils by transesterification with biobased or petroleum based alcohols and by hydrotreatment of at least the resulting diesters, triesters and polyesters.
US08198223B2
Processes are described for producing liquid, biobased lubricant additives containing from 50 to 100% biobased carbon according to ASTM D6866 from heat-bodied oils by transesterification with biobased or petroleum based alcohols and by hydrotreatment of at least the resulting diesters, triesters and polyesters.
US08198221B2
Lubricant formulations and methods for producing lubricant formulations are described that provide improved wear protection in engines operated using ethanol-based fuels. The improved wear protection may be provided by an increased amount of overbased calcium detergent present in the formulation.
US08198215B2
A method of controlling phytopathogenic diseases on useful plants or plant propagation material thereof, which comprises applying to said plant propagation material a fungicidally effective amount of a compound of formula (I) wherein R1 is trifluoromethyl or difluoromethyl and R2 is hydrogen or methyl, or a tautomer of such a compound, is particularly effective in controlling or preventing fungal diseases of crop plants.
US08198205B2
Provided is a decomposition method of an aromatic block copolymer, wherein the aromatic block copolymer comprises a segment 1 represented by the following general formula (1) and a segment 2 comprising a structural unit represented by the following general formula (2) and/or a structural unit represented by the following general formula (3), and the segment 2 is subjected to chemical decomposition. (wherein m represents an integer of 5 or more, Ar1 represents a divalent aromatic group that may have a substituent, and Ar1s of 5 or more may be the same as or different from each other,) Ar10—X10 (2) Ar20—Y20—Ar21—X20 (3) (wherein Ar10, Ar20 and Ar21 each independently represent a divalent aromatic group that may have a substituent, X10 and X20 each independently represent an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, an alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or a fluorine-substituted alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and Y20 represents a sulfonyl group, a carbonyl group or a fluorine-substituted alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms).
US08198193B2
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor substrate includes the following steps: forming a first wiring layer on a substrate; forming an interlayer insulating film having a via hole on the wiring layer; forming carbon nanotubes in the via hole; performing a fluorination treatment entirely to the substrate; forming an embedded film in the via hole having the carbon nanotubes therein; and polishing the substrate to entirely flatten the substrate.
US08198192B2
Sophisticated gate electrode structures may be formed by providing a cap layer including a desired species that may diffuse into the gate dielectric material prior to performing a treatment for stabilizing the sensitive gate dielectric material. In this manner, complex high-k metal gate electrode structures may be formed on the basis of reduced temperatures and doses for a threshold adjusting species compared to conventional strategies. Moreover, a single metal-containing electrode material may be deposited for both types of transistors.
US08198186B2
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die with die bump pads and substrate with trace lines having integrated bump pads. A solder mask patch is formed interstitially between the die bump pads or integrated bump pads. The solder mask patch contains non-wettable material. Conductive bump material is deposited over the integrated bump pads or die bump pads. The semiconductor die is mounted over the substrate so that the conductive bump material is disposed between the die bump pads and integrated bump pads. The bump material is reflowed without a solder mask around the integrated bump pads to form an interconnect between the semiconductor die and substrate. The solder mask patch confines the conductive bump material within a footprint of the die bump pads or integrated bump pads during reflow. The interconnect can have a non-fusible base and fusible cap.
US08198179B2
A method for producing a group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device including: an intermediate layer formation step in which an intermediate layer containing group III nitride is formed on a substrate by sputtering, and a laminate semiconductor formation step in which an n-type semiconductor layer having a base layer, a light-emitting layer, and a p-type semiconductor layer are laminated on the intermediate layer in this order, wherein the method includes a pretreatment step in which the intermediate layer is treated using plasma between the intermediate layer formation step and the laminate semiconductor formation step, and a formation step for the base layer which is included in the laminate semiconductor formation step is a step for laminating the base layer by sputtering.
US08198174B2
A three-dimensional (3D) chip stack structure and method of fabricating the structure thereof are provided. The 3D chip stack structure includes a plurality of vertically stacked chips which are interconnected and bonded together, wherein each of the vertically stacked chips include one or more IC device strata. The 3D chip stack structure further includes an air channel interconnect network embedded within the chip stack structure, and wherein the air channel interconnect network is formed in between at least two wafers bonded to each other of the vertically stacked wafers and in between at least two bonded wafers of the vertically stacked wafers at a bonding interface thereof. In addition, the 3D chip stack structure further includes one or more openings in a peripheral region of the chip stack structure that lead into and out of the air channel interconnect network, so that air can flow into and out of the air channel interconnect network through the one or more openings to remove heat from the chip stack structure.
US08198170B2
A fabrication method for a semiconductor device structure is provided. The device structure has a layer of silicon and a layer of silicon dioxide overlying the layer of silicon, and the method begins by forming an isolation recess by removing a portion of the silicon dioxide and a portion of the silicon. The isolation recess is filled with stress-inducing silicon nitride and, thereafter, the silicon dioxide is removed such that the stress-inducing silicon nitride protrudes above the silicon. Next, the exposed silicon is thermally oxidized to form silicon dioxide hardmask material overlying the silicon. Thereafter, a first portion of the silicon dioxide hardmask material is removed to reveal an accessible surface of the silicon, while leaving a second portion of the silicon dioxide hardmask material intact. Next, silicon germanium is epitaxially grown from the accessible surface of the silicon.
US08198167B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory apparatus includes fabricating a cell array to reduce parasite capacitance generated between a bit line and a gate pattern. The method may include determining a plug region by a storage-node plug contact mask and a bit line plug mask. The method may further include: forming a gate pattern of a cell transistor and depositing an insulation layer over a structure including the gate pattern; and forming a hard mask layer over the insulation layer.
US08198162B2
Provided is a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device wherein the generation of voids is prevented in aluminum-based electrodes or the like. The method is suitable for manufacturing a semiconductor device adapted for vehicles, which is required to have a high reliability. However, it is very difficult that power semiconductor devices such as power MOSFETs, in particular, trench gate type power MOS devices are formed without having any void since the thickness of aluminum-based electrodes thereof is as large as about 3500 to 5500 nm (2.5 μm or more). In the present invention, a method is provided wherein at the time of forming an aluminum-based electrode metal film positioned over a wafer and having a thickness of 2.5 μm or more over a highland/lowland-repeated region in a line and space form by sputtering, the temperature of the wafer is set to 400° C. or higher and lower than 500° C.
US08198159B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, an isolation insulation film filled in a plurality of trenches formed in the semiconductor substrate to define a plurality of element formation regions, a floating gate of polysilicon provided on each of the element formation regions through a first insulation film, a second insulation film, provided on the floating gate, containing a metal element, a control gate of polysilicon, provided on the second insulation film, and source/drain regions provided in the semiconductor substrate, both a polysilicon conductive layer containing a metal element and a mutual diffusion layer composed of a silicate layer of a mixed oxide material composed of a silicon element contained in the floating gate and the control gate and a metal element contained in the second insulation film are provided on a surface of each of the floating gate and the control gate, respectively.
US08198157B2
A non-volatile memory device may include a semiconductor substrate including an active region at a surface thereof, a first memory cell string on the active region, and a second memory cell string on the active region. The first memory cell string may include a first plurality of word lines crossing the active region between a first ground select line and a first string select line, and about a same first spacing may be provided between adjacent ones of the first plurality of word lines. The second memory cell string may include a second plurality of word lines crossing the active region between a second ground select line and a second string select line, and about the same first spacing may be provided between adjacent ones of the second plurality of word lines. Related methods are also discussed.
US08198154B2
Lateral DMOS devices having improved drain contact structures and methods for making the devices are disclosed. A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate; an epitaxial layer on top of the substrate; a drift region at a top surface of the epitaxial layer; a source region at a top surface of the epitaxial layer; a channel region between the source and drift regions; a gate positioned over a gate dielectric on top of the channel region; and a drain contact trench that electrically connects the drift layer and substrate. The contact trench includes a trench formed vertically from the drift region, through the epitaxial layer to the substrate and filled with an electrically conductive drain plug; electrically insulating spacers along sidewalls of the trench; and an electrically conductive drain strap on top of the drain contact trench that electrically connects the drain contact trench to the drift region.
US08198151B2
A method of fabricating a metal gate structure is provided. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate with a planarized polysilicon material; patterned the planarized polysilicon material to form at least a first gate and a second gate, wherein the first gate is located on the active region and the second gate at least partially overlaps with the isolation region; forming an inter-layer dielectric material covering the gates; planarizing the inter-layer dielectric material until exposing the gates and forming an inter layer-dielectric layer; performing an etching process to remove the gates to form a first recess and a second recess within the inter-layer dielectric layer; forming a gate dielectric material on a surface of each of the recesses; forming at least a metal material within the recesses; and performing a planarization process.
US08198148B2
Provided is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method includes: providing a first substrate where an active layer is formed on a buried insulation layer; forming a gate insulation layer on the active layer; forming a gate electrode on the gate insulation layer; forming a source/drain region on the active layer at both sides of the gate electrode; exposing the buried insulation layer around a thin film transistor (TFT) including the gate electrode and the source/drain region; forming an under cut at the bottom of the TFT by partially removing the buried insulation layer; and transferring the TFT on a second substrate.
US08198142B1
A general purpose BGA security cap includes a substrate, an integrated circuit die, and an array of bond balls. The substrate includes an anti-tamper security mesh of conductors. The bond balls include outer bond balls and inner bond balls that are fixed to the underside of the substrate. The integrated circuit drives and monitors the anti-tamper security mesh and communicates data using a serial physical interface through a subset of the inner bond balls. In one example, a user has circuitry to be protected. The user purchases the BGA security cap and fits it over the circuitry to be protected such that the integrated circuit of the security cap communicates tamper detect condition information via the serial interface to the underlying protected circuitry and causes sensitive information to be erased or a program to be halted in the event of a tamper condition.
US08198131B2
Described herein are stackable semiconductor device packages and related stacked package assemblies and methods. In one embodiment, a manufacturing method includes: (1) providing a substrate including contact pads disposed adjacent to an upper surface of the substrate; (2) applying an electrically conductive material to form conductive bumps disposed adjacent to respective ones of the contact pads; (3) electrically connecting a semiconductor device to the upper surface of the substrate; (4) applying a molding material to form a molded structure covering the conductive bumps and the semiconductor device; (5) forming a set of cutting slits extending partially through the molded structure and the conductive bumps to form truncated conductive bumps; and (6) reflowing the truncated conductive bumps to form reflowed conductive bumps.
US08198126B2
The invention relates to a method for producing a solid electrolytic capacitor with excellent LC value, comprising sequentially stacking a dielectric oxide film, a semiconductor layer and an electrode layer on a sintered body of conductive powder to which an anode lead is connected and then encapsulating the whole with an outer jacket resin, wherein surface area of a cathode plate used in forming the semiconductor layer on the dielectric oxide film by applying current between the conductor having the dielectric oxide film thereon used as anode and the cathode plate provided in electrolysis solution is made larger by 10 times or more than its apparent surface area to thereby efficiently form the semiconductor layer, a capacitor produced by the method, and electronic circuits and electronic devices using the capacitor.
US08198124B2
Self-aligning fabrication methods for forming memory access devices comprising a doped chalcogenide material. The methods may be used for forming three-dimensionally stacked cross point memory arrays. The method includes forming an insulating material over a first conductive electrode, patterning the insulating material to form vias that expose portions of the first conductive electrode, forming a memory access device within the vias of the insulating material and forming a memory element over the memory access device, wherein data stored in the memory element is accessible via the memory access device. The memory access device is formed of a doped chalcogenide material and formed using a self-aligned fabrication method.
US08198116B2
A method for fabricating thermoelectric device is provided. The method comprises placing a first electrode in a die, forming a first interlayer on an upper surface of the first electrode; positioning a separating plate on an upper surface of the first interlayer to divide an inner space of the die into a plurality of cells, and depositing a first thermoelectric material on the first interlayer within a first fraction of the cells, and depositing a second thermoelectric material on the first interlayer within a second fraction of the cells, sintering the die contents, and removing the separating plate after sintering to obtain a π shaped thermoelectric device.
US08198114B2
A vertical nitride-based semiconductor LED comprises a structure support layer; a p-electrode formed on the structure support layer; a p-type nitride semiconductor layer formed on the p-electrode; an active layer formed on the p-type nitride semiconductor layer; an n-type nitride semiconductor layer formed on the active layer; an n-electrode formed on a portion of the n-type nitride semiconductor layer; and a buffer layer formed on a region of the n-type nitride semiconductor layer on which the n-electrode is not formed, the buffer layer having irregularities formed thereon. The surface of the n-type nitride semiconductor layer coming in contact with the n-electrode is flat.
US08198111B2
An array substrate for a liquid crystal display device includes a substrate, a gate line on the substrate, a data line crossing the gate line to define a pixel region, a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line and including a gate electrode, an active layer, an ohmic contact layer, a buffer metallic layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode, and a pixel electrode in the pixel region and connected to the thin film transistor, wherein the data line includes a transparent conductive layer and an opaque conductive layer, and each of the source and drain electrodes and the pixel electrode includes a transparent conductive layer.
US08198106B2
A field emitter array structure is provided. The field emitter array structure includes a plurality of vertical un-gated transistor structures formed on a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate includes a plurality of vertical pillar structures to define said un-gated transistor structures. A plurality of emitter structures are formed on said vertical un-gated transistor structures. Each of said emitter structures is positioned in a ballasting fashion on one of said vertical un-gated transistor structures so as to allow said vertical ungated transistor structure to effectively provide high dynamic resistance with large saturation currents.
US08198102B2
A magnetic memory device includes a free layer and a guide layer on a substrate. An insulating layer is interposed between the free layer and the guide layer. At least one conductive bridge passes through the insulating layer and electrically connects the free layer and the guide layer. A diffusion barrier may be interposed between the guide layer and the insulating layer. The device may further include a reference layer having a fixed magnetization direction on a side of the free layer opposite the insulating layer and a tunnel barrier between the reference layer and the free layer. Related fabrication methods are also described.
US08198092B2
A system and method for sorting a mixture of stained particles including a digital signal processor for analyzing and classifying the digital information generated from the particles and providing a sorting signal to a sorting system as a function of the analyzed and classified digital information.
US08198088B2
The invention relates to novel insertion sites useful for the integration of HIV DNA sequences into the MVA genome, and to the resulting recombinant MVA derivatives.
US08198082B2
A chicken embryonic stem cell is established, which stably has pluripotency and an ability of being differentiated into a germ cell. For evaluating on whether or not the chicken embryonic stem cell can be applied to genetic modification technique, detection is made on a protein which serves as an indicator of the ability of being differentiated into a germ cell. This provides (i) a chicken embryonic stem cell applicable to genetic modification technique and (ii) a method for evaluation of the chicken embryonic stem cell.
US08198060B2
Nucleic acid molecules from nematodes encoding phosphoethanolamine n-methyltransferase polypeptides are described. PEAMT-like polypeptide sequences are also provided, as are vectors, host cells, and recombinant methods for production of PEAMT-like nucleotides and polypeptides. Also described are screening methods for identifying inhibitors and/or activators, as well as methods for antibody production.
US08198059B2
A novel activating enzyme for ubiquitin, Uba6, is provided. Compositions and methods for inhibiting ubiquitin via the Uba6 pathway are provided. Methods of identifying novel inhibitors of ubiquitination are also provided. Novel RNAi molecules are also provided.
US08198055B2
Ethanol and other liquid products are produced by contacting syngas components such as CO or a mixture of CO2 and H2 with a surface of a membrane under anaerobic conditions and transferring these components in contact with a biofilm on the opposite side of the membrane. These steps provide a stable system for producing liquid products such as ethanol, butanol and other chemicals. The gas fed on the membrane's gas contact side transports through the membrane to form a biofilm of anaerobic microoganisms that converted the syngas to desired liquid products. A liquid impermeable layer of the membrane assists in establishing direct gas phase contact syngas components with the microorganisms. The system can sustain production with a variety of microorganisms and membrane configurations.
US08198053B2
A method for producing a basic substance by fermentation comprising culturing a microorganism having an ability to produce the basic substance in a liquid medium contained in a fermentation tank to produce and accumulate the basic substance in the medium, wherein amount of sulfate and/or chloride ions used as counter ions of the basic substance is reduced by adjusting total ammonia concentration in the medium to be within a specific concentration range during at least a part of the total period of culture process.
US08198052B2
It is intended to provide novel primers for nucleic acid amplification to be used in detecting mRNA of a housekeeping gene, more particularly, confirming the amplification of β-actin or GAPDH. More specifically speaking, primers containing oligonucleotides having nucleotide sequences represented by any of SEQ ID NOS: 2 and 4 to 49 (in the case of β-actin) or oligonucleotides having nucleotide sequences represented by any of SEQ ID NOS: 52 to 96 (in the case of GAPDH) can be selected, combined and used.
US08198050B2
The invention provides recombinant B. thetaiotaomicron GAG lyase polypeptides. The invention also provides nucleic acid molecules encoding such polypeptides, recombinant expression vectors containing B. thetaiotaomicron GAG lyase nucleic acid molecules, and host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. Characterization, diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.
US08198049B2
The invention disclosed in this patent document relates to transmembrane receptors, more particularly to endogenous, human orphan G protein-coupled receptors.
US08198039B2
Provided herein are biosensors that comprise a biological signal source linked to a substrate by a peptide nucleic acid spacer and methods of use of the biosensor. In one embodiment, the biosensor is used to detect prostate-specific antigen.
US08198033B2
The invention provides methods and materials for observing protein fragments generated during apoptosis in order to observe this process in mammalian cells. Embodiments of the invention can be used for example to observe apoptosis in order to examine the sensitivity of a mammalian cancer cell to apoptosis inducing agents.
US08198021B2
Target and method for inhibition of bacterial RNA polymerase disclosed are targets and methods for specific binding and inhibition of RNAP from bacterial species.
US08198020B2
The present invention provides a system for enhancing clearance or destruction of undesirable cells or noncellular molecular entities by tagging such cells or noncellular molecular entities with a marker that targets the cells or noncellular molecular entities for phagocytosis (phagocytic marker). The target cells can be, for example, endothelial cells, tumor cells, leukocytes, or virus-infected cells. In certain embodiments of the invention the tagging is accomplished by administering a composition comprising an antibody or ligand linked to the phagcytotic marker, wherein the antibody or ligand binds to a cell type specific marker present on or in the cell surface of a target cell. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the phagocytic marker comprises phosphatidylserine or a group derived from phosphatidylserine, thrombospondin-1, annexin I, or a derivative of any of these.
US08198015B2
A mask pattern forming method which can form desired resist patterns accurately and stably on a substrate material like SiC having transparency to light. The method comprising forming a light reflective film on a semiconductor substrate having transparency to light; forming a photo-resist on the light reflective film; projecting exposure light through a master mask onto a focal position adjusted based on light reflected by the light reflective film when projecting focus detecting light onto the semiconductor substrate, thereby exposing the photo-resist; and removing exposed portions or portions other than the exposed portions of the photo-resist so as to pattern the photo-resist.
US08198010B2
Printing members that include a topmost layer comprising a polymer and a silicone surfactant are durable and enable use of low imaging-power densities. The protective layer may contain an inorganic crosslinker.
US08198006B2
A process for producing a semiconductor device includes a circuit formation step of forming circuit wiring on a semiconductor wafer using a chemically-amplified resist, and a cured film formation step of forming a cured film that protects the circuit wiring after forming the circuit wiring, the cured film being formed of a cured material of a photosensitive resin composition that comprises an alkali-soluble resin having a polybenzoxazole structure or a polybenzoxazole precursor structure, a compound that generates an acid upon exposure to light, and a solvent. The photosensitive resin composition substantially does not contain N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The process can suppress a T-top phenomenon or the like that may occur when forming a circuit on a semiconductor wafer using a chemically-amplified resist in the production of semiconductor devices.
US08197998B2
Toner particles are provided which may, in embodiments, include a core and a shell. In embodiments, charge control agents may be co-emulsified with a resin utilized to form a shell. The shell may prevent a crystalline resin in the core from migrating to the toner surface. Inclusion of the charge control agent in the shell itself may provide the resulting toner particles with desirable charge characteristics and sensitivity to relative humidity.
US08197997B2
To provide an electrophotographic photoconductor that comprises a support and a cross-linked layer formed over the support, wherein the cross-linked layer comprises at least light curable of radically polymerizable compound, the difference of maximum value of the post-exposure electrical potential and minimum value of the post-exposure electrical potential when writing is conducted under the condition that image static power is 0.53 mW, exposure energy is 4.0 erg/cm2 for the electrophotographic photoconductor is within 30V.
US08197994B2
Provided is a colored photosensitive curing composition useful for color filters in primary colors, including blue, green, and red, having a high molar absorption coefficient and allowing a reduction in film thickness and superior color purity and fastness. A colored photosensitive curing composition, comprising, as its colorant, a dipyrromethene-based metal complex compound obtained from a metal or metal compound and a dipyrromethene-based compound represented by the following Formula (I): wherein in Formula (I), R1 to R6 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent group; and R7 represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, or an alkyl, aryl or heterocyclic group.
US08197981B2
An interconnect element for electrically connecting an anode and a cathode in adjacent fuel cells in a fuel cell stack, wherein said interconnect element has at least one featured surface including dimples, bosses, and/or pins arranged in a two-dimensional pattern. Preferably, both surfaces are featured, as by mechanical dimpling, embossing, or chemical etching, so that protrusions of the interconnect surface extend into either or both of the adjacent gas flow spaces to make electrical contact with the surfaces of the anode and cathode. This permits conduction of heat from the anode. The protrusions create turbulence in gas flowing through the flow spaces, which increases hydrogen consumption at the anode and hence electric output of the cell.
US08197975B2
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell unit, a reformer with a catalyst and heat pipes around the catalyst, and a combustor connected to the heat pipes. A first fuel pipe sends fuel into the reformer. The fuel is reformed in the reformer. A first air port sends air into the reformer. An anode pipe sends the reformed fuel into the fuel cell unit. The chemical reaction of the reformed fuel occurs in the fuel cell unit. A cathode pipe sends the air into the fuel cell unit. A residual reformed fuel pipe sends residual reformed fuel into the combustor. A hot air pipe sends hot air into the combustor. The residual reformed fuel pipe is mixed with the hot air and burned in the combustor. A second fuel pipe sends more fuel into the combustor if necessary. A second air port sends air into the combustor if necessary.
US08197973B2
A primary cell having an anode comprising lithium and a cathode comprising iron disulfide (FeS2) and carbon particles.The cell can be in the configuration of a coin cell or the anode and cathode can be spirally wound with separator therebetween and inserted into the cell casing with electrolyte then added. The electrolyte comprises a lithium salt dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent mixture which may include an organic cyclic carbonate such as ethylene carbonate and propylene carbon. The cell after assembly is subjected to a two step preconditioning (prediscahrge) protocol involving at least two distinct discharge steps having at lease one cycle of pulsed current drain in each step and at least one rest period (step rest) between said two steps, wherein said step rest period is carried out for a period of time at above ambient temperature. The preconditioning improves cell performance.
US08197967B2
A lead storage battery of the present invention has an electrode plate pack comprising a plurality of negative electrode plates in each of which a negative electrode active material layer is retained by a negative electrode grid, a plurality of positive electrode plates in each of which a positive electrode active material layer is retained by a positive electrode grid, and a plurality of separators separating the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate; a positive electrode connecting member connected to each positive electrode plate of the electrode plate pack, and a negative electrode connecting member connected to each negative electrode plate of the electrode plate pack. The positive and negative electrode grids, and the positive and negative electrode connecting members comprise a Pb alloy including at least one of Ca and Sn; the negative electrode active material layer includes Sb; and the separator includes silica.
US08197954B2
A battery pack that allows a cover to be firmly fixed with a simple structure and that has superior impact resistance is provided. The battery pack is a battery pack 1 in which a protection circuit 10 and a protection element 7 are attached to a unit cell 2 and the protection circuit 10 and the protection element 7 are housed within a cover 11, the battery pack 1 including an internal frame 6 provided within the cover 11, wherein the internal frame 6 is fixed to the unit cell 2 and supports the protection circuit 10, a boss 13 projecting from the internal frame 6 which passes through a hole 12 formed in the cover 11, and the cover 11 is fixed to the internal frame 6 by melting and deforming the boss 13.
US08197948B2
A furan polymer impregnated wood which is uniform in color and density throughout the treated zone. In order to obtain the polymer impregnated wood, a parent wood has been impregnated with a mixture containing polymerizable organic compounds of at least furfuryl alcohol and one further compound. The invention also relates to a method for preparing a furan polymer impregnated wood and uses thereof.
US08197936B2
A polycrystalline diamond compact cutter that includes a thermally stable polycrystalline diamond layer, a carbide substrate, and a polycrystalline cubic boron nitride layer interposed between the thermally stable polycrystalline diamond layer and the carbide substrate such that at least a portion of the polycrystalline cubic boron nitride layer is radially surrounded by the thermally stable polycrystalline diamond layer is disclosed.
US08197935B2
A ballistic-resistant moulded article having a compressed stack of sheets including reinforcing elongate bodies, where at least some of the elongate bodies are polyethylene elongate bodies that have a weight average molecular weight of at least 100,000 gram/mole and a Mw/Mn ratio of at most 6. Methods for manufacturing ballistic-resistant moulded articles are also provided.
US08197932B2
A large, high density foam glass tile which can be used as a facade on both exterior and interior building walls. The foam glass tile can also be used with other materials to form a panel or a composite. The present invention may be used on the critical surfaces of buildings at high risk for terrorist attacks, in combination with cement, steel or other high strength building materials. The present invention may also be used in surfaces of typical buildings. The present invention has the advantage of absorbing a substantial portion of a shock wave caused by an explosion. The present invention also has the advantage of being more resistant to earthquakes.
US08197931B2
A white polyester film containing voids, wherein a resin constituting the film has a layer (layer A) formed by using a polyester resin and a cyclic olefin copolymerized resin, and wherein a void ratio taken in a cross-section of the layer is more than 25% and 75% or less and the average particle size of the cyclic olefin copolymerized resin in the film is 0.1 μm or more and 3 μm or less.
US08197928B2
Described certain plasticized poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) interlayer sheets that may be used to produce safety glass and solar cell laminates having enhanced penetration resistance and adequate adhesion levels. In particular, the stress value of these interlayer sheets at an elongation of 120% is preferably in the range of from about 8 to about 15 N/mm2.
US08197927B2
A multilayer stretch film having a high slip surface and an aggressive cling surface for wrapping items or loads for ease of transport is disclosed. In one embodiment, there is disclosed a multilayer film comprises a first surface having a coefficient of friction at least less than about 0.9, comprising at least polypropylene and high-density polyethylene, a second surface having a cling force to the first surface at least greater than about 5 g/in, comprising at least a styrenic block copolymer, and a core layer, positioned between the first surface and the second surface, comprising at least linear low-density polyethylene or its blend.
US08197913B2
The present invention is a plasma processing method for forming a film on a substrate, the method including the steps of processing a first material gas with plasma having an electron density W and an electron temperature X, processing a second material gas with plasma having an electron density Y, which is different from the electron density W, and an electron temperature Z, which is different from the electron temperature X, and forming the film on the substrate by reacting the processed first material gas and the processed second material gas.
US08197910B2
The present invention discloses methods for producing synthetic surfaces that mimic collagen coated surfaces for cell culture comprising: providing a monomer source comprising one or more organic compounds which are capable of polymerization, wherein at least one organic compound is prolinol; creating a plasma of said monomer source; and contacting at least a portion of a surface with the plasma to provide a plasma polymer coated surface. Advantageously, such methods provide a synthetic, chemically defined surface that mimics a collagen coated surface for cell culture. Advantageously, such methods not only reduce the cost and/or issues associated with animal-derived collagen but are also amenable to large scale manufacturing.
US08197906B2
A method for producing an organic thin film in which an organic thin film is formed on the surface of a substrate, including a step (A) of bringing the substrate into contact with an organic solvent solution containing a metal-based surfactant having at least one hydrolysable group, and a catalyst capable of interacting with the metal-based surfactant, wherein the water contact within the organic solvent solution is either set or maintained within a predetermined range.
US08197905B2
The present invention is directed to a process of applying a solvent-based coating composition on a substrate to produce a multi-layer coating thereon. The binder component of the composition includes at least one hydroxy-functional polyether obtained from at least one polyol having at least three hydroxyl groups and at least one monoglycidyl ester of a branched monocarboxylic acid. The crosslinking component of the composition includes at least one cross-linking agent that is capable of entering into a cross-linking reaction with the hydroxyl groups of- the hydroxy-functional polyether. The process further includes curing the multi-layer coating. The process is well suited for producing clear coats and pigmented topcoats in automotive refinishing.
US08197900B2
There is provided a coating method for forming a coat having a less unevenness in its thickness on a sheet-like substrate. In the method in which a coating liquid is continuously supplied from a supply head to a surface of a continuously traveling sheet-like substrate to form a coat while controlling its thickness by a coating bar disposed above the sheet-like substrate, the coating liquid of which amount corresponds to an amount required for forming a predetermined coat thickness is continuously and constantly supplied to the surface of the sheet-like substrate, and the coating bar is moved up and down on the basis of increase and decrease in an amount of a holdup of the coating liquid which is formed just near the coating bar, so that the coat is formed.
US08197888B2
A dispersible nanocomposite comprising nanotubes associated with nanoplatelets. A method for creating an exfoliated nanotubes solution, aligning nanotubes and depositing them on a substrate or in matrix. In one embodiment, the method includes a nanocomposite of at least one nanotube electrostatically associated with at least one nanoplatelet. The nanoplatelets may be removed from the suspension by altering the ionic strength to create an exfoliated nanotube solution. The exfoliated nanotube solution for injection into microchannel templates and aligned deposition.
US08197887B1
A fabrication method is capable of creating canonical metamaterial structures arrayed in a three-dimensional geometry. The method uses a membrane suspended over a cavity with predefined pattern as a directional evaporation mask. Metallic and/or dielectric material can be evaporated at high vacuum through the patterned membrane to deposit resonator structures on the interior walls of the cavity, thereby providing a unit cell of micron-scale dimension. The method can produce volumetric metamaterial structures comprising layers of such unit cells of resonator structures.
US08197869B2
A composition for enhanced bioavailability of curcumin including purified curcuminoid and purified essential oil of turmeric. A method to prepare a composition for enhanced bioavailability of curcumin having purified curcuminoid and purified essential oil of turmeric.
US08197860B2
The present application relates to a method for enhancing absorption of a nutrient in a subject in need thereof with an effective amount of an isolated astragaloside compound.
US08197857B2
A method for the elimination of carbon dioxide from waste gases includes the following steps. First, waste gases, which include carbon dioxide, are provided from a source for waste gases. Next, the waste gases are contacted with an absorbent composition that includes perfluorodecalin solution. The waste gases, especially the carbon dioxide, are then absorbed by the absorbent composition. The absorbent composition thereby absorbs the waste gases to eliminate the carbon dioxide.
US08197852B2
The process for solubilizing proteinaceous material of the present invention includes subjecting the proteinaceous material to a sufficient amount of a basic solution to obtain a supernatant that has a basic pH and exposing the supernatant to the basic solution for a sufficient length of time and temperature for hydrolysis to occur. The process also includes cooling the mixture of the supernatant and proteinaceous material and optionally acidifying the mixture. This process may also include recovering the solubilized protein from the supernatant for use in various applications. Also provided herein is a composition of solubilized proteins from eggshell membrane obtained using processes of the present invention.
US08197850B2
The invention concerns an oral galenic form for prolonged release of anti-hyperglycaemic (metformin) active principles. Said medicine enables to obtain an efficient therapeutic protection over 24 hours by overcoming the problems of bypass of the absorption window and the massive localised release of active principles. Therefor, said medicine comprises several thousand anti-hyperglycaemic (metformin) microcapsules each consisting of a core comprising at least an anti-hyperglycaemic agent and of a coating film applied on the core and enabling the prolonged release in vivo of the anti-hyperglycaemic agent. Said microcapsules have a grain size distribution ranging between 50 and 100 microns. The reproducibility of the transit kinetics and hence of bioavailability are very high. There results for the patient a lesser risk of hyperglycaemic or hypoglycaemic. The invention also concerns the preparation of said medicine and the use of a plurality of said microcapsules for making an anti-hyperglycaemic medicine. The invention is applicable to the treatment of type II diabetes.
US08197849B2
A composition comprising a polymer that comprises oxidated hyaluronic acid cross-linked by a dihydrazide is disclosed. The polymer is a hydrogel exhibiting the following properties: a) transparent and colorless; and b) transforming from a liquid state into a gel-matrix at 37° C. These characteristics make it useful as a vitreous humor substitute.
US08197847B2
The application discloses a process for making a polymer having pendant side groups comprising: (i) polymerising an olefinically unsaturated monomer functionalized with (a) an azide group optionally protected by a protecting group, or (b) an alkyne group optionally protected by a protecting group, by living radical polymerization, most preferably RAFT, transitional metal mediated living radical polymerization (TMM-LRP) and/or atom transfer radical polymerization, to produce a polymer intermediate; (ii) removing, when present, at least a portion of the total number of protecting groups from the polymer intermediate; (iii) reacting the polymer intermediate with at least one pendant side group moiety functionalised with (a) an alkyne group or (b) an azide group respectively so that the alkyne and azide groups react to attach the pendant side group to the polymer. Processes for making supports comprising pendant side groups, and polymers and supports prepared by the method are also disclosed.
US08197841B2
This invention describes the use of polymerizable surfactants as comonomers in forming ophthalmic devices such as contact lenses, intraocular lenses, corneal implants, etc.
US08197840B2
Whole blood-derived coagulum devices are described for use in treating bone defects.
US08197839B2
A sustained release apparatus including at least one sustained release mini tablet implant; the or each mini tablet implant including a pharmaceutically active composition including at least one pharmaceutically active component; and a carrier therefor, wherein the or each tablet implant is of the coated tablet or covered rod type; the or each mini tablet implant being approximately 0.1 to 0.5 times the length and/or diameter of a single immediate release tablet capable of providing the desired threshold blood level depending on the pharmaceutical active selected, and having a payload of approximately 30% to 70% by weight of the total payload of an equivalent immediate release treatment conducted for an equivalent period; the sustained release apparatus providing, in use, zero order release of pharmaceutical active.
US08197820B2
The present invention refers to Tat as the active principle for a prophylactic and/or therapeutic vaccine against HIV infection, the progression towards AIDS and the development of tumors and other syndromes and symptoms in subjects infected by HIV. Tat is in biologically active form either as recombinant protein or peptide or as DNA. More particularly, the invention refers to a vaccine based on HIV-1 Tat as immunogen, inoculated as DNA and/or recombinant protein or as peptides, alone or in combination with other genes or viral gene products (Nef, Rev, Gag) or parts thereof, or in combination with various immuno-modulant cytokines (IL-12, IL-15) or with the gene coding for an immuno-modulant cytokine or part thereof. Tat, Nef, Rev, Gag and the immuno-modulant cytokines are administrated both as a mixture of recombinant proteins, peptides or fusion proteins (Tat/Nef, Tat/Rev, Tat/Gag, Tat/IL-12, Tat/IL-15) or as plasmid DNA.
US08197816B2
The present invention relates to a human monoclonal antibody specific for the serotype IATS O11 of P. aeruginosa, a hybridoma producing it, nucleic acids encoding it, and host cells transfected therewith. Further, the present invention relates to methods for producing said monoclonal antibody. In addition, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one antibody or at least one nucleic acid encoding said antibody.
US08197810B2
The invention relates to novel binding domain-immunoglobulin fusion proteins that feature a binding domain for a cognate structure such as an antigen, a counterreceptor or the like, a hinge region polypeptide having either zero or one cysteine residue, and immunoglobulin CH2 and CH3 domains, and that are capable of ADCC and/or CDC while occurring predominantly as monomeric polypeptides. The fusion proteins can be recombinantly produced at high expression levels. Also provided are related compositions and methods, including immunotherapeutic applications.
US08197809B2
The present invention relates to a CD9-specific human antibody, more precisely a CD9-specific human antibody composed of human derived CD9-specific complementarity determining region (CDR) and framework region (FR). The human antibody of the present invention recognizes CD9 extracellular loop 2 domain (CD9-ECL2) as an epitope and thereby strongly binding thereto. The human antibody of the present invention also has CD9 antigen neutralizing effect and at the same time inhibiting effect on tumor cell lines. Therefore, it can be effectively used for the prevention and treatment of cancer overexpressing CD9.
US08197806B2
Provided is a method of stimulating cartilage formation at a tissue site in a mammal. Also provided is a biocompatible scaffold. Additionally, a system for stimulating cartilage formation at a tissue site is provided. Further provided is the use of a manifold, a chondrocyte, and a reduced-pressure source to stimulate cartilage formation at a tissue site of a mammal.
US08197802B2
Provided are crosslinked polymer compositions that include a first synthetic polymer containing multiple nucleophilic groups covalently bound to a second synthetic polymer containing multiple electrophilic groups. The first synthetic polymer is preferably a synthetic polypeptide or a polyethylene glycol that has been modified to contain multiple nucleophilic groups, such as primary amino (—NH2) or thiol (—SH) groups. The second synthetic polymer may be a hydrophilic or hydrophobic synthetic polymer, which contains or has been derivatized to contain, two or more electrophilic groups, such as succinimidyl groups. The compositions may further include other components, such as naturally occurring polysaccharides or proteins (such as glycosaminoglycans or collagen) and/or biologically active agents. Also disclosed are methods for using the crosslinked polymer compositions to effect adhesion between a first surface and a second surface; to effect tissue augmentation; to prevent the formation of surgical adhesions; and to coat a surface of a synthetic implant.
US08197801B2
The present invention relates to the use of at least one compound of formula (I) R—(OCH2)n—OR′ in which R and R′, identical or different, represent a linear or branched alkyl radical comprising 1 to 5 carbon atoms and n is an index with a value comprised between 1 and 8, and/or at least one dialdehyde acetal type compound for the preservation of the human or animal body and/or the embalming of dead bodies.It also relates to a composition comprising same and a process for preserving a human or animal body and/or embalming a dead body comprising the administration of the composition to the dead body in particular by injection, perfusion, immersion or topical application.
US08197795B2
Disclosed is a method for monitoring early treatment response of a cancer treatment comprising measuring by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), for example, proton MRS, the amount of Choline present in the cancerous tissue before and after treatment; the treatment comprises administration of a cell surface receptor inhibitor, for example, an EGFR inhibitor, whereby a decrease in the amount of Choline after treatment is indicative of a positive response. The decrease in the amount of Choline represents the decrease in the internal cell membrane as a result of down regulation of the organelles and their secretory granules and their transport vesicles. Disclosed also is a method for determining effectiveness of a cell surface receptor inhibitor in the treatment of cancer. Further, the present invention provides for a method for monitoring protein translation in an animal having a cancerous tissue by MRS.
US08197794B2
Treatments for conditions involving detrimental activity of the enzyme core 2 GlcNAc-T are provided using compounds of the formula I wherein R1 is H, —OH, C1-6 alkoxy, —NR5R6, or Sac 1; R2 is H, —OH, C1-6 alkoxy or Sac 2; R3 is H, —OH, C1-6 alkoxy or Sac 3; R4 is H, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 hydroxyalkyl or C1-6-alkoxy-C1-6-alkyl; R5 is H, C1-6 alkyl or C1-6 acyl; R6 is H, C1-6 alkyl or C1-6 acyl; Sac 1 Sac 2 and Sac 3 are independently selected saccharide moieties; and Z is a steroid moiety; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ether or ester form thereof.
US08197791B2
Aluminum oxide powder in the form of aggregates of primary-particles, which has a BET surface area of from 10 to 90 m2/g and comprises as crystalline phases, in addition to gamma-aluminum oxide and/or theta-aluminum oxide, at least 30% of delta-aluminum oxide. It is prepared by vaporizing aluminum chloride and burning the vapor together with hydrogen and air, the ratio of primary air/secondary air being 0.01 to 2, the exit speed vB of the reaction mixture from the burner being at least 10 m/s, the lambda value being 1 to 4, the gamma value being 1 to 3 and the value of gamma*vB/lambda being greater than or equal to 55. Dispersion comprising the aluminum oxide powder. Coating composition comprising the dispersion.
US08197790B2
A method of making a filter material for producing potable water comprises providing activated carbon particles, depositing one or more nanofilament precursors at least partially onto the surface of the activated carbon particles, agitating the activated carbon particles and deposited nanofilament precursors in the presence of carbonaceous vapor, and heating the activated carbon particles and the deposited nanofilament precursors in the presence of carbonaceous vapor at a temperature and time sufficient to produce the filter material comprising activated carbon particles having carbon nanofilaments on the surface of the particles.
US08197788B2
The present invention provides a raw coke having such a structure that the graphitized product resulting from graphitization of the raw coke at a temperature of 2800° C. under an inactive gas atmosphere will have ratios of the crystallite size to the lattice constant of 360 or less in the (002) plane and 1500 or less in the (110) plane, as a raw coke providing active carbon produced by alkali-activating the raw coke, which is reduced in remaining alkali content and can simplify washing operation because washing liquid can easily pass through the activated carbon, or as a raw coke for the production of needle coke.
US08197783B2
Provided is a method for separating and recovering conversion reaction gas, wherein after a conversion reaction process for producing trichlorosilane from hydrogen gas and silicon tetrachloride comprising; condensing step of cooling discharged gas, separating step of silicon tetrachloride from the condensed liquid, and recovering disilicon hexachloride. For example, the method includes a first distillation process for distilling trichlorosilane from the condensed liquid, a second distillation process for distilling silicon tetrachloride from residual liquid of the first distillation process, and a third distillation process for distilling disilicon hexachloride from residual liquid of the second distillation process.
US08197761B1
A vehicle air freshener includes an elongated, substantially cylindrical housing having an angled upper end, a lower end and an interior chamber. Within the interior chamber is an electric heater and a removable cartridge containing a fragrant or deodorizing material. The heater is powered by a conventional adapter on the lower end of the housing that mates with the vehicle's cigarette lighter. At the upper end of the housing is an adjustable fan assembly for dispersing the fragrant material into the vehicle passenger compartment. Accordingly, the adapter is properly inserted into the vehicle's cigarette lighter and a switch is engaged to activate the fan and heater; the fragrant material within the cartridge is slowly vaporized and dispersed to the atmosphere.
US08197760B2
Provided are a heat medium heating-cooling apparatus and a heat medium temperature control method, which can control the heat medium temperature stably and more efficiently. The heat medium heating-cooling apparatus includes a heat medium heating unit (12) as well as a bypass line (19) thereof with switching valves 20a, 20b switching the direction of a flow of the heat medium to the heat medium heating unit or the bypass line. Decisions are made based on the present temperature (PV) in a reactor (11), a preset target temperature (SV), stable temperature range (α) and control switching temperature (β). According to the resulted four decisions of “stable heating”, “stable cooling”, “inclined heating” and “inclined cooling”, the temperature control according to either of the heating control at a heating control unit or the cooling control at a cooling control unit is conducted.
US08197751B2
An apparatus includes a system for guiding chemiluminescence and a system for preventing a variation in dark currents. The apparatus includes a first light shielding BOX having a sample container holder and a shutter unit therein, the shutter unit including a top plate which is partly formed by a movement of a plate member, and a second light shielding BOX having a photodetector therein. While a measurement is not implemented, the shutter unit is closed to block entrance of stray light to the photodetector, and while a measurement is implemented, the plate member is moved to open the shutter unit, and the tip of the photodetector is inserted into a through hole formed in the top plate, so that the distance between the bottom of the sample container and a sensitive area of the photodetector is reduced to several millimeters or less.
US08197750B2
The invention relates to devices and methods for the identification of test tubes in a test tube rack using RFID technology.
US08197748B2
Disclosed is a structural alloy with oxidation resistance for electrolytic reduction equipment for treatment of spent nuclear fuel. More particularly, the present invention relates to a structural alloy with oxidation resistance for electrolytic reduction equipment for treatment of spent nuclear fuel wherein Cr, Si, Al, Nb and Ti are added to a Ni-based substrate so as to form an oxide coating film which is stable in a LiCl—Li2O molten salt and, in addition, a process thereof and use of the same.
US08197745B1
A permselective asymmetric hollow fiber membrane for the separation of toxic mediators from blood, a process for the preparation of such a membrane, and the use of such a membrane in hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration, and hemofiltration for treatment of toxic mediator-related diseases.
US08197743B2
A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method and system for building cost-efficient biocompatible hydrogel constructs using stereolithography. Hydrogel constructs may be used in, for example, multi-lumen nerve regeneration conduits and other tissue engineering scaffolds with embedded channel architecture that facilitate tissue regeneration through possible incorporation of precisely located bioactive agents, cells, and other desired inert and/or active chemical agents and devices. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method of fabricating a hydrogel construct comprising: solidifying a first solution into a first construct layer with a first energy dosage using stereolithography, the first solution comprising: a first polymer; and a first photoinitiator, wherein the first polymer and first photoinitiator are of a first concentration.
US08197725B2
Contact lens curing systems and methods are described. A contact lens curing system includes an oven that has a plurality of curing zones, a mold advancement system for moving the contact lens mold assemblies between the plurality of zones, and a controlled atmosphere within the curing zones that provides a substantially chemically inert environment in which contact lens precursor materials can be polymerized in contact lens mold assemblies located in the curing zones. Methods of producing contact lenses include curing contact lens precursor materials in contact lens mold assemblies in the lens curing system. As an example, an oven for curing contact precursor materials in molds, the curing process being done in an inert atmosphere, includes a plurality of heating zones, such as three heating zones 106, 107, 108 or two heating zones 307, 308 and a mold advancement system for moving the molds between the plurality of zones, wherein a first zone and second zone of the plurality of zones are maintained at different temperatures 106, 107 or 307, 308.
US08197721B2
The invention provides improved conditions for atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) of vanadium (IV) oxide. Specifically, higher quality vanadium oxide (particularly in the form of films) can be obtained by employing concentrations of precursors in the APCVD reaction which are substantially less than those used previously. These conditions improve the reproducibility of the films obtained by APCVD and also prevent particulate formation in the manufacturing apparatus, which in previous work had caused blockages. The films obtained have improved visual appearance, especially color, and/or have improved adhesion to a substrate. The obtained films also show a greater difference in transmission above and below the switching temperature than previous films. The invention also provides doped vanadium oxide, particularly with tungsten. Substrates (e.g. glass substrates) coated with a film of vanadium oxide are also provided. The vanadium oxide of the invention is useful for intelligent window systems, infrared modulators and data storage devices.
US08197718B2
Provided are a paste composition making it possible to improve the adhesive property of a backside electrode and restrain an aluminum electrode layer from exfoliating, and a solar cell element having an electrode formed by use of this composition. The paste composition is a paste composition for forming an electrode (8) on a silicon semiconductor substrate (1) which comprises aluminum powder, an organic vehicle, and a tackifier. The solar cell element has the electrode (8) formed by painting a paste composition having the above-mentioned characteristic onto the silicon semiconductor substrate (1) and then firing the resultant.
US08197717B2
The present invention relates to a metal ink that comprises metal nano particles that are capped by a capping material; and an organic solvent that has a solubility parameter for swelling the capping material. In addition, the present invention relates to a method for producing a metal wire, which comprises the steps of jetting the metal ink by using an ink-jet nozzle, drying the metal ink, and firing the metal ink.
US08197715B2
Thermoplastic molding compositions comprising A) from 40 to 96% by weight of a semiaromatic polyamide, B) from 2 to 30% by weight of a copolymer composed of B1) from 35 to 89.9% by weight of ethylene, B2) from 10 to 60% by weight of 1-octene or 1-butene or propylene or a mixture of these, and B3) from 0.05 to 5% by weight of functional monomers, where the functional monomers have been selected from the group of the carboxylic acid groups, carboxylic anhydride groups, carboxylic ester groups, carboxamide groups, carboximide groups, amino groups, hydroxy groups, epoxy groups, urethane groups, or oxazoline groups, or a mixture of these, C) from 1 to 50% by weight of fibrous or particulate fillers, or a mixture of these, D) from 0.1 to 10% by weight of D1) at least one highly branched or hyperbranched polycarbonate with an OH number of from 1 to 600 mg KOH/g of polycarbonate (to DIN 53240, part 2), or D2) at least one highly branched or hyperbranched polyester of AxBy type, where x is at least 1.1 and y is at least 2.1, or a mixture of these, E) from 0 to 15% by weight of an electrically conductive additive, F) from 0 to 30% by weight of further additives, where the total of the percentages by weight of components A) to F) is 100%.
US08197710B2
A polymerizable compound represented by general formula (1): wherein Z1 and Z2 each represent a (meth)acryloyloxy group; X1 and X2 each independently represent a single bond, an optionally branched alkylene group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an ether linkage, —COO—, —OCO—, —OCOO—, a 6-membered ring optionally having a substituent, or a combination thereof; R1 represents —R′, —OR′, —CO—R′, or —OCO—R′; R′ represents a halogen atom, an optionally branched alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or a 6-membered ring optionally having a substituent, L1 and L2 each independently represent a member selected from a single bond, —CH2CH2—, —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —COO—, and —OCO—; m represents an integer of 1 to 4; and the R1's may be the same or different.
US08197707B2
The invention relates to lithium metal/porous metal oxide compositions. These lithium metal compositions are prepared by mixing liquid lithium metal with a porous metal oxide in an inert atmosphere under exothermic conditions sufficient to absorb the liquid lithium metal into the porous metal oxide pores. The lithium metal/porous metal oxide compositions of the invention are preferably loaded with lithium metal up to about 40% by weight, with about 20% to 40% by weight being the most preferred loading. The invention also relates to lithium reagent-porous metal oxide compositions having RLi absorbed into a porous oxide. The preparation and use of these compositions are also described.
US08197703B2
Method and apparatus for affecting surface composition of CIGS absorbers formed by two-stage process
A method and system to modify a surface composition of thin film Group IBIIIA VIA solar cell absorbers having non-uniformly distributed Group IIIA materials or graded materials, such as Indium (In), gallium (Ga) and aluminum (Al). The graded materials distribution varies between the surface and the bottom of the absorber layer such that a molar ratio of (Ga+Al)/(Ga+Al+In) is the highest at the bottom of the absorber layer and the lowest at the surface of the absorber. Within the bulk of the absorber, the molar ratio gradually changes between the bottom and the surface of the absorber. In one embodiment, the surface composition of a graded absorber layer may be modified by removing a top portion or slice of the absorber layer, where the molar ratio is low so as to expose the inner portions of the absorber layer having a higher molar ratio of graded materials.
US08197702B2
Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a printed circuit board. The method of manufacturing a printed circuit board having a via for interlayer connection can include forming a circuit pattern on one side of a carrier, pressing one side of the carrier into one side of the insulator, removing the carrier, forming a hole penetrating through the insulator by processing one end of the circuit pattern, and forming a conductive material inside the hole to have the conductive material correspond to the via.
US08197699B2
The present invention describes a process for preparing methylhydroxyalkylcellulose having a small number of colored particles by separation of methylhydroxyalkylcellulose from aqueous suspension with subsequent washing of the methylhydroxyalkylcellulose using a specially equipped rotary pressure filter.
US08197691B2
Methods for selective extraction and fractionation of algal lipids and algal products are disclosed. A method of selective removal of products from an algal biomass provides for single and multistep extraction processes which enable efficient separation of algal components. Among these components are neutral lipids synthesized by algae, which are extracted by the methods disclosed herein for the production of renewable fuels.
US08197688B2
There is provided a hollow fiber membrane module (1) comprising: a membrane bundle (20) of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes (10); a cylindrical body (30) housing the membrane bundle (20); a fixing portion (40, 50) in which at least one end of the membrane bundle (20) is fixed to the cylindrical body (30); and a raw water outflow nozzle (34) for allowing raw water to flow out from the vicinity of the fixing portion (40). Raw water supplied into the cylindrical body (30) is allowed to permeate from the outside into the inside of each hollow fiber membrane (10). A soft potting portion (42) has, in its surface to be in contact with raw water, at least one groove (43).
US08197679B2
A particle separation assembly comprises a vessel provided with an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet. The assembly is arranged such that the flow rate of fluid through the inlet is greater than the flow rate of fluid through the first outlet such that there is a resultant fluid flow of lighter particles up the vessel and through the second outlet. Flow adjustment means are provided to enable the velocity of this resultant fluid flow to be adjusted, said means comprising a pivotable flap in one example.
US08197678B2
A method of treating a coal-derived liquid byproduct from a coal gasification process includes subjecting the coal-derived liquid to a vacuum distillation process, thereby separating the coal-derived liquid into condensed gas and coal-derived liquid bottoms. The coal-derived liquid bottoms are mixed with a bottoms solvent capable of dissolving the coal-derived liquid bottoms. The solvent/bottoms mixture is introduced along with a linear chain hydrocarbon solvent into a liquid extractor. The Raffinate is separated from the solvent for the coal-derived liquid/bottoms mixture, thereby producing in a heavy extract. The condensed gas is subjected to atmospheric distillation producing a bottoms fraction and another condensed fraction. The bottoms fraction may be used as fuel or for diesel fuel production. The condensed fraction is extracted with a linear hydrocarbon solvent in an extractor to produce light neutral oil and a Raffinate which is a cresylic acid feed stock.
US08197677B2
One exemplary embodiment can be a system for separating a plurality of naphtha components. The system can include a column, an overhead condenser, and a side condenser. Generally, the column includes a dividing imperforate wall with one surface facing a feed and another surface facing at least one side stream. Typically, the wall extends a significant portion of the column height to divide the portion into at least two substantially vertical, parallel contacting sections. Typically, the overhead condenser receives an overhead stream including a light naphtha from the column. Usually, a side condenser receives a process stream from the column and returns the stream to the column to facilitate separation. A cooling stream may pass through the overhead condenser and then the side condenser.
US08197666B2
A method serves the production of one or more gases, in particular of oxyhydrogen. A liquid, preferably water (9), is electrolytically treated in the method. To improve the efficiency of a method of this type, a substance is present in the liquid (9) to which the or one of the gases to be produced adheres, in particular an ion exchanger (10) (single FIGURE).
US08197661B1
A method for fabricating sputter targets is based on electrolytic deposition of metals or metal alloys onto the planar surface of a target backing plate. The target material can be electrolytically deposited onto the backing plate directly, or first electrolytically deposited onto the surface of a thin metal starting sheet which, after plating is complete, is then subsequently solder bonded to a substantially thicker metal backing plate. The disclosed technology includes steps for protecting regions of a target backing plate or starting sheet from deposition, said regions being other than the surface to be coated with target material by means of electrolytic deposition.
US08197656B2
A device for separating micro particles is provided. The separating device comprises a sample inlet into which a sample containing micro particles is injected; fluid inlets into which fluid is injected to form a flow sheath for the sample; a plurality of outlets through which the micro particles are separated and discharged out; a channel through which the sample and the fluid flow; and a first electrode and a second electrode longitudinally disposed in parallel in the channel. The first and the second electrodes are provided in such a manner that an electrode gap between the first and the second electrodes has a curved shape. The micro particles in the sample are easily separated using a dielectrophoresis characteristic.
US08197654B2
Methods for preparing an electrodepositable coating composition are provided comprising: (a) mixing a flatting agent with an electrodepositable resin; (b) combining the mixture of (a) with a pigment paste to form a flatting agent-pigment paste mixture; and (c) combining the flatting agent-pigment paste mixture of (b) with an electrodepositable resin. Methods of coating articles including electrodepositable coating compositions prepared by these methods, as well as processes for coating electroconductive substrates with compositions prepared by these methods are also provided.
US08197649B2
[Problems] The liquid pressure of an anode chamber in a two-chamber ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell using a gas diffusion electrode are different among one another depending on depths so that the liquid pressures are applied on an anode or an ion exchange membrane, thereby introducing damage or deformation of the elements.[Means for Solving] A cushion material 10 is accommodated between a cathode gas chamber back plate 9 and a gas diffusion electrode 7 of an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell 1 such that a repulsive force of the cushion material at the bottom part of the cathode gas chamber is larger than that at the top part. The excessive pressure applied to an ion exchange membrane is suppressed to prevent the generation of scratches or the like by decreasing the repulsive force of the cushion material toward the top in accordance with a differential pressure between an anode chamber pressure and a cathode gas chamber pressure.
US08197647B2
A hard laminated Mm wherein a layer A and a layer B having specific compositions are deposited alternately so that the compositions of layer A and layer B are different. The thickness of layer A per layer is twice or more the thickness of layer B per layer, the thickness of layer B per layer is 5 nm or more, and the thickness of layer A per layer is 200 nm or less.
US08197640B2
The present invention relates to methods for manufacturing paper or paperboard with improved strength, the methods comprising the addition of the reaction product of a cationic polyacrylamide and an aqueous aldehyde generating compound or a glyoxal releasing compound, or glyoxal itself, prepared at the mill site at high concentrations, then diluted and added into a fiber furnish prior to forming or drying of the paper or paperboard sheet.
US08197637B2
A semiconductor fabrication apparatus and a method of fabricating a semiconductor device using the same performs semiconductor etching and deposition processes at an edge of a semiconductor substrate after disposing the semiconductor substrate at a predetermined place in the semiconductor fabrication apparatus. The semiconductor fabrication apparatus has lower, middle and upper electrodes sequentially stacked. The semiconductor substrate is disposed on the middle electrode. Semiconductor etching and deposition processes are performed on the semiconductor substrate in the semiconductor fabrication apparatus. The semiconductor fabrication apparatus forms electrical fields along an edge of the middle electrode during performance of the semiconductor etching and deposition processes.
US08197634B2
An arrangement is provided for suppressing interference phenomenon on the surface of a sample that deteriorates the detection accuracy upon detecting the time variation of plasma conditions such as plasma space distribution or the processing status of the sample. For example, light scattering element for diffusing and transmitting incident light and a convex lens are arranged on a front stage of an optical fiber light receiving unit connected to a photodetector disposed on an opposite side from the sample for observing the emission of plasma. This serves to prevent the changes in light quantity accompanying the interference effect caused by the changes in thin film thickness on the surface of the sample from reaching the photodetector. An arrangement is also provided to prevent the light scattering element from being directly exposed to the plasma to prevent alteration of the light scattering element.
US08197633B2
A method of manufacturing a jaw member of an end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is disclosed that includes the steps of providing an electrically conductive tissue engaging plate and a jaw support; covering one side of the electrically conductive tissue engaging plate with an electrically insulative, thermally non-degrading coating; placing and securing the electrically conductive tissue engaging plate and the jaw support into a jaw mold; and introducing a liquid substance into the jaw mold and allowing the liquid substance to cure around the electrically conductive tissue engaging plate and the jaw support. Alternatively, the method includes the steps of: providing an electrically conductive tissue engaging plate and a jaw support; covering one side of the electrically conductive tissue engaging plate with an electrically insulative, thermally non-degrading coating; and securing the side of the electrically conductive tissue engaging plate onto the jaw support with an adhesive.
US08197622B2
The disclosure relates to systems and methods for detecting features on billets of laminated veneer lumber (LVL). In some embodiments, an LVL billet is provided and passed through a scanning assembly. The scanning assembly includes an x-ray generator and an x-ray detector. The x-ray generator generates a beam of x-ray radiation and the x-ray detector measures intensity of the beam of x-ray radiation after is passes through the LVL billet. The measured intensity is then processed to create an image. Images taken according to the disclosure may then be analyzed to detect features on the LVL billet.
US08197618B2
An Ni3Al-based intermetallic compound of the present invention comprises greater than 5 at % and not greater than 13 at % of Al, not less than 9.5 at % and less than 17.5 at % of V, not less than 0 at % and not greater than 5 at % of Nb, not less than 50 weight ppm and not greater than 1000 weight ppm of B, and the remaining portion consisting of Ni and inevitable impurities, and has a dual multi-phase microstructure comprising a primary L12 phase and an (L12+D022) eutectoid microstructure.
US08197617B2
The present invention provides a high-strength steel sheet which has a 980 MPa class tensile strength as well as has excellent elongation, stretch flangeability and weldability, and also has excellent anti-delayed fraction property. The high-strength steel sheet comprises steel satisfying: C: 0.12 to 0.25%, Si: 1.0 to 3.0%, Mn: 1.5 to 3.0%, P: 0.15% or less, S: 0.02% or less, Al: 0.4% or less, and comprising the remnant made from iron and unavoidable impurities, wherein a ratio of the contents of Si and C (Si/C) is within the range from 7 to 14 in terms of a mass ratio, and a microstructure in a longitudinal section comprises, by an occupancy ratio based on the entire structure, 1) bainitic ferrite: 50% or more, 2) lath-type residual austenite: 3% or more, and 3) block-type residual austenite: 1% or more to ½×occupancy ratio of lath-type residual austenite, and 4) average size of block-type second phase is 10 μm or less.
US08197585B2
A process for the in-situ formation of a lubricating phase comprising sulphur and tin in a friction material, wherein reaction of a sulphur source with a tin source in said friction material results in the formation of said lubricating phase, and wherein said reaction is initiated or effected by heat resulting, in use, from the generation of friction, wherein said sulphur source is selected from one or both of sulphur and/or a metal sulphide selected from one or more of iron, copper, zinc, titanium and bismuth, and wherein said tin source is selected from one or more of tin, a tin-containing compound and/or a tin-containing alloy.
US08197582B1
A fluid dispensing system includes a dispensing pump for delivering the fluid material to a substrate. The fluid dispensing system further includes a vacuum unit that draws a vacuum on the feed tube for removing gas impurities from the fluid material.
US08197578B2
A liquid degasser for a space device including a gas permeable material configured for contact with a flow of liquid to be de-gassed on one side and a vacuum on the other side, and wherein the gas permeable material allows gas in the liquid to diffuse to the vacuum to remove the gas from the liquid.
US08197572B2
A concentrated, homogenous, stable, water-soluble fertilizer suspension comprising: water-soluble mineral nutrients of at least nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, and magnesium; and an organic stabilizing additive; and wherein the pourable, aqueous suspension has water-soluble mineral nutrients amounting to at least about 80 percent by weight (wt. %) of the suspension.
US08197562B2
The feeding of coal slurries into a gasifier for the production of synthesis gas is improved by modifying the rheological properties of the coal particles so that conventional liquid transfer equipment can be used in the feed transfer process to the gasifier. The coal particle surface modification is accomplished by adsorbing asphaltenes derived from petroleum onto the surfaces of coal particles prior to and/or during contact with the slurry liquid. The coal particles with their surfaces thus modified exhibit lower particle-particle interaction in the liquid slurries to form a shear independent Newtonian fluid or a weakly shear thickening pseudoplastic fluid. The rheological properties of the slurries permit them to be transported reliably into a pressurized, entrained feed gasifier vessel using convention slurry pumps with a low potential expenditure of energy.
US08197559B2
Process for the continuous hydrogenation of triglyceride containing raw materials in a fixed bed reactor system having several catalyst beds arranged in series and comprising hydrogenation catalyst. The raw material feed, hydrogen containing gas and diluting agent are passed together through the catalyst beds at hydrogenation conditions. The raw material feed stream as well as the stream of hydrogen containing gas are divided into an equal number of different partial streams. These are each passed to one catalyst bed in such a manner that the weight ratio of diluting agent to raw material feed is essentially the same at the entrance of all catalyst beds and does not exceed 4:1. The claimed process is preferably conducted at low temperatures and allows the utilization of existing units due to the low recycle ratio. Further, a sufficient excess of hydrogen is used so that no valuable product is lost through decarb-reactions.
US08197550B2
An orthopedic prosthesis for implantation into a bone of a patient includes a porous metal shell adapted to be affixed within the bone. The porous metal shell includes an outer surface adapted to receive bone ingrowth and an inner surface adapted to engage a liner. The porous metal shell is porous from the outer surface to the inner surface. A non-porous member may be affixed to the porous metal shell. The non-porous member may include a piercing member extending from the outer surface, the piercing member adapted to penetrate the bone in an implanted position. The non-porous member may include spikes or fins. In one example, the piercing member may define a reduced material cross section at an interface with the outer surface of the porous metal shell. The piercing member may be adapted to be broken at the reduced material cross section and removed from the porous metal shell.
US08197548B2
An implant strip is disclosed. In some cases, the prosthesis can take the form of an implant strip that may be implanted through the use of a surgical procedure that minimizes incision sizes and may be considered less invasive than typical spinal implant procedures. The implant strip includes provisions for implantation, including teeth, spacing provisions and various shapes.
US08197545B2
The invention provides a device and technique to seal an annular defect of an intervertebral disc, determine the in-situ volume of nucleus pulposus material removed, for example from a discectomy of a herniated disc, and facilitate injection of nuclear replacement material.
US08197537B2
The present invention provides an implantable prosthesis and more specifically, an implantable tubular textile prosthesis comprising a biocompatible fabric having inner and outer surfaces and first and second ends; the fabric having a textile construction comprising cold drawn PTFE yarns having a substantially uniform denier and high molecular orientation. Use of cold drawn PTFE yarns result in implantable prostheses that have excellent abrasion resistance, strength and lubricity properties. Useful textile constructions include weaves, knits, braids, filament windings, spun windings and combinations thereof. The prostheses of the present invention are lubricious and have characteristics that closely resemble the properties of a natural body lumen.
US08197530B2
A method of making a tubular intraluminal graft in the form of a tubular diametrically adjustable stent having a tubular covering of porous expanded PTFE 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.
US08197529B2
A removable device such as a stent-graft, intended for applications where it may be desirable to remove the device at some time following implantation. The stent-graft of the present invention includes a helically-wound stent component provided with a covering of graft material. It is removable by gripping an end of the helically-wound stent component with a retrieval device and applying tension to the stent component in the direction in which it is intended to be withdrawn from the site of implantation. The use of such a retrieval device allows the stent-graft to be removed remotely, such as via a catheter inserted into the body at a different location from the implantation site. The design of the stent-graft is such that the stent component is extended axially while the adjacent portion of the graft separates between windings of the stent component. The axial extension of the stent component, with portions of the graft still joined to the stent component, allows the device to be “unraveled” (or “unwound”) and removed through a catheter of diameter adequately small to be inserted into the body cavity that contained the stent-graft. It is removed atraumatically, without incurring significant trauma to the body conduit in which it had been deployed.
US08197525B2
A full body blanket has a central bonded strip that extends from a distal end of an upper portion of the blanket to the foot end of the blanket to divide the main body of the blanket into two longitudinal portions. A discontinuous slit or tearable line is provided along the length of the strip to enable the longitudinal portions to be separable from each other by a user applying a force along the tearable strip. The strip may be torn anywhere along its entire length so that the longitudinal portion to be removed from the patient may be folded back anywhere along the length of the strip to selectively expose particular body parts of the patient. The blanket is inflated by heated air, and the heated air is circulated by channels that extend longitudinally along each of the longitudinal portions. Rows of apertures provided along the channels at the layer of the blanket that makes contact with the patient output the heated air to warm the patient.
US08197522B2
Disclosed is a spine fixation apparatus, more particularly, a pedicle screw implanted into a spine and an operating device for the pedicle screw capable of easily inserting a rod to a head 5 section of the pedicle screw in order to securely fix the spine. The pedicle screw has a head section including a recess part defined by first and second sidewalls, a screw section, and a support unit formed at an upper portion of the recess part of the head section while connecting the first sidewall to the second sidewall.
US08197515B2
An assembly including a connector element including a receptacle from which extends a neck, a lug element sized to fit in the receptacle of the connector element, ears pivotally connected to the lug element, and a mechanical fastener that fastens the connector element together with the lug element, thereby causing the ears to pivot and grip a connector rod placed between the ears.
US08197511B2
A suture anchor and inserter arrangement, including a suture anchor for implanting in hard tissue, such as bone, and an inserter device for installing the suture anchor in hard tissue. The suture anchor carries thereon a suture-engaging structure formed from suture, which structure cooperates with working suture associated with the inserter device so as to attach the working suture to the suture anchor.
US08197507B2
Tissue lacerations are closed using a vacuum cup applied to the tissue surface having a tissue-abutting, optically transparent mesh surface that under vacuum conforms with the tissue surface, apposing edges of the wound, and is optionally loaded with a bandage comprising a chitosan film and a collagen backing. An eye tissue surface wound is closed without sutures by closing the wound with a bioadhesive, biocompatible sclera or cornea wound patch comprising a chitosan film and a collagen backing, wherein the backing is bonded to the film without adhesive and protects the film against dissociation when the patch is exposed to a physiological fluid, and the film adheres to the sclera sufficient to retain apposed edges of the wound.
US08197506B2
A wound (50) is closed using a first adhesive shoe (10) adhesively affixed adjacent to a first edge (51) of the wound, a second adhesive shoe (20) adhesively affixed adjacent to a second opposite edge (52) of the wound, a forceps device (100) comprising a first leg (101) adapted to couple with the first adhesive shoe and a second leg (102) adapted to couple with the second adhesive shoe; and a locking mechanism (150) adapted to draw the first and second forcep legs together and hold legs in the desired closed position after they are drawn together.
US08197504B2
A method for safely penetrating the tissue of a gastric wall includes deploying a tissue puncture assembly including a suction device proximate the gastric wall tissue, applying a vacuum source to the suction device to draw a portion of the gastric wall tissue thereto and extending a needle through the portion of gastric wall tissue drawn into contact with the suction device. A device for safely penetrating the tissue of a gastric wall includes a tissue puncture assembly including a suction device in the form of a cup with suction ports therein and an open end. A needle is surrounded by the cup and extends through the cup toward the open end.
US08197498B2
Methods and devices for treating obesity are provided, and more particularly, methods and devices for performing gastric bypasses are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment a gastric bypass procedure is provided that includes forming a gastro-entero anastomosis between a stomach and an intestine and forming an entero-entero anastomosis between a portion of the intestine distal to the gastro-entero anastomosis and a portion of the intestine proximal to the gastro-entero anastomosis. A surrogate path is formed between the esophagus and the gastro-entero anastomosis to at least partially direct fluid from the esophagus to the intestine by way of the gastro-entero anastomosis, thereby bypassing the stomach. Devices useful in gastric bypass procedures that include anastomotic devices coupled to or integrally formed with a shunt. The devices can include a plurality of tubular bodies that are configured to have an adjustable length.
US08197493B2
Systems, methods, and devices for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke that provide immediate blood flow restoration to a vessel occluded by a clot and, after reestablishing blood flow, address the clot itself. Immediate blood flow restoration advantageously can facilitate natural lysis of the clot and also can reduce or obviate the concern for distal embolization due to fragmentation of the clot. Several embodiments of the invention provide for progressive, or modular, treatment based upon the nature of the clot. For example, the progressive treatment can comprise a three-step progressive treatment process that includes immediate restoration of blood flow, in-situ clot management, and/or clot removal depending on the particular circumstances of the treatment. The in-situ clot management can include, for example, lysis and maceration. The progressive, or modular, treatment can be provided by a system or kit of one or more treatment devices.
US08197491B2
Methods and devices are shown for forming polymer fasteners into bone by expelling the polymer from a cannula. Devices and methods shown allow a user to form multiple fasteners of various sizes without re-loading a device. Devices and methods shown further provide temperature profiles during fastener formation that reduce or eliminate thermal necrosis. Devices and methods shown further provide fasteners with increased strength.
US08197475B2
When a main stent-graft is placed in a vessel of a patient and a branch vessel is blocked by the main stent-graft, a RF plasma catheter is used to cut out a portion of the graft cloth of the main-stent graft adjacent to an ostium of the branch vessel to be perfused. To ameliorate possible adverse effects associated with the use of the RF plasma catheter, e.g., creation of coagulum, (desiccated, coagulated blood) or perhaps a cut stent strut, a special process using saline flushing, a novel RF plasma catheter with an insulated tip, or a combination of the two is used.
US08197471B1
Core-excited nanoparticle thermotherapy (CENT), is an improved material for use in thermotherapy. The CENT method uses both core-exciting energy (including x-rays) and core-shell nanoparticles, specifically designed to absorb radiation in their core structure, then transfer energy from the core to the shell, to heat the outer shell of the nanoparticle. The heated nanoparticle then heats the surrounding region to a temperature sufficient to detect, affect, damage and/or destroy the targeted cell or material. CENT nanoparticles can be bound to targeting agents that deliver them to the region of the diseased cell.
US08197468B2
A surgical instrument handle is removably attachable to a surgical instrument head for operation of a microsurgical instrument on the head by manipulation of the instrument handle. The instrument handle has an elongate center rod with a piston mounted on the rod for reciprocating movement. The piston engages with a piston in the attached surgical instrument head for operation of the microsurgical instrument of the head. A tapered ring is mounted on the rod and engages with the piston for reciprocating the piston. A plurality of resilient arms extend along the length of the rod and engage against a sliding surface of the ring. The plurality of resilient arms are alternatively squeezed radially inwardly by the surgeon's hand and released by the surgeon's hand to allow the resilient arms to flex radially outwardly. The inward and outward movement of the plurality of arms reciprocates the piston on the handle rod to cause operation of the surgical instrument head. The radial position of the resilient arms relative to the handle is adjustable as desired by the surgeon.
US08197464B2
A deflecting guide catheter for use in minimally invasive medical procedures such as the treatment of mitral valve regurgitation by reshaping the mitral valve annulus using one or more plications of annular or adjacent tissue each fixed by a retainer is described. The catheter includes an elongated tubular portion having various durometers along its length and at least one puller wire attached to an anchor band near the distal end. The deflecting guide catheter is used to provide a means for guiding a plication device or other medical instrument into a desired position within the vasculature or heart chambers of a patient.
US08197463B2
A method for removing an object from a body lumen includes dispensing fluid into the body lumen, and causing the dispensed fluid to propel the object along the body lumen. A device for removing an object from a body lumen includes a fluid dispenser for dispensing fluid into the body lumen, and a pump in fluid communication with the dispenser.
US08197461B1
A specialized drug delivery unit for inner ear treatment which employs a portion of carrier media material containing one or more therapeutic agents therein. The carrier media material is designed to release the therapeutic agents in a controlled manner over time. The drug delivery unit is sized for placement in the round window niche of a patient. The released therapeutic agents come in contact with the round window membrane and pass therethrough into the inner ear for treatment purposes. This system provides many benefits ranging from the ability to deliver drugs in a site specific, highly controlled manner to the transfer of such materials with minimal patient discomfort and monitoring requirements.
US08197460B2
A flexible multicompartment container provided for storage and mixing together of a at least a first and a second single solution. Each single solution is stored in a separate compartment (1, 2) of the container. The compartments are separated by means of seals (5, 6) rupturable by manipulation of the container to thereby mix the contents together in a mixing compartment for delivery. The first compartment (1) is filled to a first filling degree, FD1, and the second compartment is filled to a second filling degree, FD2. The first filling degree is larger than the second filling degree. The filling degree in the mixing compartment, FDMC, is larger than the filling degree in the second compartment.
US08197458B2
A seam joining together at least two web materials in an overlapped manner, wherein the overlapped portions are bonded together by ultrasonic welding, heat bonding, laser welding or the like, in a bonding pattern extending over at least a part of the overlapped portion to form said seam. The bonding pattern has a main bonding pattern extending in longitudinal direction along at least a part of the overlapped portion, and at least one edge bonding pattern extending in longitudinal direction along at least a part of along and adjacent at least one side edge of the overlapped portion, the bonded area of said edge bonding pattern occupying no more than 30% of the total bonded area of the central bonding pattern plus the bonded area of the edge bonding pattern. The seam may be present in a personal care absorbent article.
US08197455B2
In the present invention, a packaging component having an outer surface and an interior volume contains within the interior volume a plurality of absorbent personal care articles. Each absorbent personal care article has a garment facing surface and a body facing surface. A portion of the plurality of the absorbent personal care articles in the packaging component are first absorbent articles having a first pattern embossed or printed on at least a portion of one of the surfaces. In addition, a portion of the plurality of the absorbent personal care articles in the packaging component are second absorbent articles having a second pattern is embossed or printed on at least a portion of one of the surfaces. In this aspect of the present invention, the first and second patterns are different from each other in at least one aspect. Further, a portion of the plurality of absorbent personal care articles may also contain additional absorbent articles which have yet another pattern embossed on one of the surfaces. In another aspect of the present invention there are more that two different embossing or printing patterns on the absorbent articles within the package. Generally, in the present invention every absorbent article within a given package may have a different pattern embossed or printed on the body facing surface or the garment facing surface of each of the absorbent articles. Also provided are wrapper components for absorbent articles having different patterns thereon.
US08197454B2
A fluid cartridge including a housing, a needle extending from the housing and a plurality of circumferentially spaced sensible members carried by the housing such that each of the sensible members is circumferentially spaced from the other sensible members, and apparatus including such a cartridge in combination with a partially implantable medical device.
US08197453B2
The present invention includes catheters and catheter shafts having a curved portion, for example, a curved distal portion. The curved distal portion may be formed by subjecting the distal portion, which might include one or more polymeric segments or layers, to heat at or above the melt temperature thereof. Heating at or above the melt temperature may reduce residual stress and eliminate heat history.
US08197434B2
A tampon assembly having a barrel, a plunger, and a pledget is provided. The plunger is slidably received in the barrel. The pledget is in the barrel between the insertion tip and the plunger so that a force applied on the plunger can expel the pledget from the barrel. The barrel has a plurality of petals defining an insertion tip, which has a first taper ratio of more than about 0.3 to less than 1.0. The pledget has a shaped tip that is disposed in the insertion tip.
US08197429B2
A double arm sling, including two pouches, each of the two pouches configured for individually receiving one of a patient's arms, and at least one pair of half-straps, the at least one pair of half-straps configured to fasten the double arm sling around the torso of the patient. The double arm sling may further include at least one pair of tongues coupled to the two pouches and coupled to the at least one pair of half-straps, a backing portion coupled to the two pouches, and at least one back pad configured to receive the at least one pair of half straps.
US08197425B2
A measurement device (10) for quantitatively measuring stiffness, torque or range of motion (ROM) around the joint axis of the ankle-foot complex of a lower limb in the sagittal and coronal planes, the device (10) comprising: a plate (13, 21) for placement of the ankle-foot complex, the plate (13, 21) operatively connected to an actuator (14, 16) for manual actuation; an angular measurement device (12, 17) to measure an angular position of the ankle-foot complex; a torquemeter (11) to measure resistance torque of the ankle-foot complex; an electromyograph (48) to monitor muscular activity of muscles of the lower limb; and computer software to record the measured angular position, resistance torque of the ankle-foot complex and EMG of the lower limb muscles.
US08197423B2
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site that includes an electrically powered drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. A cartridge houses the penetrating member. The cartridge has first and second seals coupled to the penetrating member to maintain a sterile environment around a portion of the penetration member prior to penetrating member actuation. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
US08197422B2
A meter system for analyzing body fluids includes a supply magazine for storing a stack of test elements, a meter for analyzing fluid samples, and a transport system for transporting test elements from the supply magazine to the meter. The test element in one embodiment includes a lancet integrated test element that has a lancet coupled to a test strip. The transport system is configured to minimize damage to the test element. In one form, the transport system includes a shuttle that slides the top-most test element from the stack onto a connection portion of the meter. In another form, the transport system includes a drum that rotates to transport test elements from the supply magazine to a testing position and, once used, to a waste magazine for disposal. In a further form, the transport system includes a disc that rotates to transport the test elements.
US08197421B2
A body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a single drive force generator. A plurality of penetrating members are operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves each of the members along a path out of a housing with a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. A flexible support member couples the penetrating members to define a linear array. The support member is movable and configured to move each of the penetrating members to a launch position associated with the force generator.
US08197412B2
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which degradation in calculation accuracy and increase in calculation time can be prevented while an ultrasonic image with high resolving power is generated by using appropriate acoustic velocities for respective regions within an object. The apparatus includes: a transmitting and receiving unit for processing reception signals; a reception control unit for performing focusing processing based on acoustic velocity values to generate a sound ray signal; an image generating unit for generating an image signal based on the sound ray signal; a focusing determining unit for determining a degree of beam focusing in the focusing processing with respect to plural first regions; and an acoustic velocity value correcting unit for obtaining acoustic velocity values with respect to the plural first regions and further obtaining acoustic velocity values with respect to plural second regions segmented in smaller regions than the plural first regions.
US08197405B2
A surgical retractor assembly is disclosed that includes a bone plate and a retractor. The bone plate has a tapered end portion. The retractor includes a base having (i) a body defining a bottom surface and a distal portion, the distal portion defining a distal surface, (iii) a first pair of tabs extending from the body that are spaced apart from each other, and (iv) a second pair of tabs extending from the body that are spaced apart from each other. The retractor further includes a handle attached to the base. The first pair of tabs and the bottom surface define a first plate space. The second pair of tabs and the distal surface define a second plate space.
US08197398B2
An endoscope (1) has a handle (2) as well as a probe part (3) that can be connected thereto via a coupling (4), with an illumination device as well as an eye-piece (17) with an imaging optic being arranged in the handle (2) and image conductors and light conductors in the probe part (3). The coupling includes an image interface and a light interface. In the coupling area, at least one axially engaging guide (6, 8) as well as bayonet-like engaging coupling parts (6, 5) are provided, one of which is embodied as a rotational locking part (5). In the final locked position the locking part (5) is secured by a snap. Preferably, the coupling (4) is provided with an axially engaging guide and additionally axially engaging guides (13, 15; 14, 16) are provided of the illumination system and the image transmission system, which are particularly arranged side-by-side.
US08197397B2
Image splitting device for videoendoscope, comprising an image splitting optical component to form on the sensitive surface of a video sensor housed in the distal end part of a videoendoscope a single composite image formed from two images of an observed target, viewed from two different angles; the image splitting optical component comprises two sections of identical convergent lenses, integrated into an opaque central element, maintaining the space between the two sections of lenses, each of the two sections of lenses are at least equal to a half-moon so that it is crossed by the optical axes of the lens.
US08197395B2
Disclosed is a device and method for preventing seizures due to physiological system dysfunction. The method is based on a conjectural model of the brain wherein each brain site is modeled as a chaotic oscillator; a normal brain generates an internal feedback signal to prevent long-term entrainment among the oscillators; and a pathological brain fails to provide this feedback signal. The device of the present invention measures and characterizes the brain sites to determine if entrainment is occurring among the oscillators, derives an appropriate feedback signal to counteract the entrainment, and applies the feedback signal to the critical brain sites. The feedback signal generated by the device supplements or takes the place of the feedback signal that would otherwise be generated by the normal brain.
US08197369B2
The present invention is directed to varying the oil pressure in the chamber of a hydraulic tensioner at multi-stages and preventing an increase of the chain friction at various driving conditions. A hydraulic tensioner (1) includes a housing (2) that has a plunger bore (2a) to slidably receive the plunger (3) and a spool bore (2b) to slidably receive the spool (4). The housing (2) further has an inner relief aperture (22) to provide a connection between the plunger bore and the spool bore and outside relief apertures (23a, 23b) to provide a connection between the spool bore and the outside of the housing. The entire opening areas of the inside and outside relief apertures (22, 23a, 23b) provide a connection between the plunger bore and the outside of the housing through the spool bore (2b) and vary at least at two stages in accordance with the travel of the spool (4).
US08197368B2
A system for a self-propelled vehicle with variable travel speed, such as a mowing tractor, includes, between the primary driving shaft of the vehicle and an output shaft, such as the wheel drive shaft of the vehicle, at least one controlled variable speed drive with a belt and controlled mechanism for reversing the direction of travel of the vehicle, the primary driving shaft transmitting, via the variable speed drive, its motion to the input shaft of the reversal mechanism, itself able to directly or indirectly engage the output shaft, such as the wheel drive shaft of the vehicle, in such a way as to allow the vehicle to travel forward or in reverse respectively, at a variable travel speed. This transmission system is characterized in that the variable speed drive and the mechanism for reversing the direction of travel of the vehicle are controlled selectively from the same control device.
US08197357B1
A golf club head having a face component, a crown, and a composite sole or a composite body patch with one or more weight ports for receiving one or more weight inserts is disclosed herein. At least part of each of the weight ports is integrally formed in the composite sole or composite body patch, and each of the weight ports include a weight receiving region for receiving a weight and a screw receiving region for receiving a screw that secures the weight in the weight port.
US08197354B2
A set of iron-type golf clubs includes long irons with channel back configurations and short irons with cavity back configurations. The rear face configurations transition from channel backs through to pure cavity backs for increased performance continuum for the set. Additional design parameters for the set may also be systematically varied through the set, such as groove type and depth, loft angle, cavity volume, hitting face roughness, and sole width. At least one of the clubs of the set includes a sandwich-type construction for the hitting face having a dampening element disposed between a hitting face insert and a lightweight reinforcing core. In one embodiment, at least one club head is oversized.
US08197348B2
A telescopic shaft for vehicles comprising an inner shaft axially movable in an outer shaft. The telescopic shaft comprises at least two rows of balls with at least one ball per row between the inner shaft and the outer shaft. A row of balls is arranged on at least one ball race arranged against the inner shaft. The ball race is wedge shaped on its against the inner shaft facing surface. The telescopic shaft comprises a prestress mechanism which pushes the ball race along a wedge unit axially in relation to and radially in the direction against the outer shaft. whereby the telescopic shaft is prestressed. The prestress mechanism is arranged to release the prestress when the alteration in length of the telescopic shaft exceeds a predetermined length.
US08197347B2
A damper device includes a first plate member rotated when the rotational force is inputted from an input side, a second plate member rotatable relative to the first plate member and outputting the rotational force to an output side when rotated in response to rotation of the first plate member, a damper portion for absorbing relative rotation between the first plate member and the second plate member, and a hysteresis portion for absorbing the relative rotation by a friction force. The hysteresis portion includes an intermediate member between the first plate member and the second plate member, and the intermediate member is pressed against one of the first plate member and the second plate member by the other one of the first plate member and the second plate member when the first plate member and the second plate member rotate relative to each other.
US08197344B2
A method of storing data serially transmitted between a gaming terminal and a computer on one or more servers in a network. The gaming terminal and computer are typically linked in gaming establishments by a serial communication link utilizing serial communication protocols. Although this data is stored on the gaming establishment's computers, it is also highly desirable to make this data accessible on a secure server. Data is monitored and captured directly at the gaming terminal with a communication interface. The communication interface converts the captured data from a serial communication protocol into a network communication protocol for storage on a server in a network.
US08197343B2
A game apparatus includes two LCDs, a touch panel is provided in association with the one LCD. On the touch panel, an operation button corresponding to each player character is set. A setting of the operation button is changed according to an operation state (frequency of usage, operation coordinates position) by a player during playing the game. For example, a size of an operation effective area and a display position of the operation button are changed according to the frequency of usage. Furthermore, at least any one of the operation effective areas and the display position of the operation button is changed according to the operation coordinates position.
US08197335B2
The gaming system, gaming device, and gaming method disclosed herein provide an opportunity for a player to place a replay wager for a group or set of a plurality of plays of a wagering game. In one embodiment, the replay wager activates a replay feature which the player can use a designated number of times (such as one time) over the plurality of plays of the wagering game. The player's use of the replay feature causes the gaming system to redisplay the previous play of the wagering game, and provide any awards associated with the previous play of the wagering game. After the player uses the replay feature over each of the designated number (such as one) of the plurality of plays of the wagering game, the player cannot use the replay feature for any of the remaining plays of the plurality of plays of the wagering game.
US08197331B2
A gaming system comprises a plurality of gaming machines adapted to display at least one primary wagering game thereon. At least one community display displays a community event, such as a big event bonus game. A controller communications with the community display and the plurality of gaming machines. The controller selects one or more gaming machines from the plurality of gaming machines to participate in the community event. The controller provides a graphical indicator of a bonus game enhancement, such as a bonus-game multiplier, on the plurality of gaming machines for enhancing an outcome of the community event. The graphical indicator is representative of, and distinct from an actual award value.
US08197329B2
A gaming system for playing a wagering game comprises at least one display adapted to display a plurality of reels having symbols. The symbols indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The plurality of reels includes at least one single-symbol reel and at least one multi-symbol reel. The at least one display is adapted to display at least one payline overlapping at least one symbol from the at least one single-symbol reel and at least one symbol from the at least one multi-symbol reel.
US08197318B2
A method for simulating the experience of a sports official is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) displaying game content over a medium and (b) receiving a first input signal while the game content is being displayed which stops the content from being displayed.
US08197316B2
The systems generate and provide user interactive screens which include contest grids for each sub-contest, with the grids having a second row of spaces for entry of multiple estimations of an event or a condition, a third row of spaces for entry of points per estimation, and a first row of spaces that indicates if any estimation matches historical data. Contest points may be partially or completely allocated between sub-contests in sub-contest fields. The user may select a state and county applicable to the contest. Distribution options of uniform, triangular (peaked), increasing or decreasing may be selected for the points per estimation. The user interactive screens are useful for estimating future agricultural crop events or conditions.
US08197315B2
The present disclosure relates to a device for the virtual and interactive practicing of soccer, complementing the joysticks comprising a pair of control units, comprising an attachment system joining one of the control units to a balloon in which the player can stamp his foot and a connection system interlinking the two control units over a distance that can be greater than the length of their connecting lead.
US08197314B2
A batter control unit controls a batter to start a preparation swing at the timing at which an input of a first operation information is detected by an operation determination unit after a pitching movement is started, and controls the batter to start a batting swing at the timing at which an input of a second operation information is detected by the operation determination unit. A ball control unit changes the movement result of a ball by batting, according to the period from the starting timing of the pitching movement until the starting timing of the preparation swing, and the starting timing of the batting swing.
US08197313B2
A method is disclosed in a gaming and media system for quickly and easily creating and sending mail communications including pre-populated, or preformed, messages. Upon receipt of a communication, a recipient may also quickly and easily download a game discussed in the message.
US08197303B2
A sapphire substrate includes a generally planar surface having a crystallographic orientation selected from the group consisting of a-plane, r-plane, m-plane, and c-plane orientations, and having a nTTV of not greater than about 0.037 μm/cm2, wherein nTTV is total thickness variation normalized for surface area of the generally planar surface, the substrate having a diameter not less than about 9.0 cm.
US08197302B2
An abrasive has a plate shape with a flat surface, in which a maximum diameter of the flat surface thereof is in the range of 0.05 mm to 10 mm, and 1.5 to 100 times as the maximum diameter as thick of the abrasive, and the blast processing method is one in which this abrasive is ejected by being inclined at an incident angle with respect to a surface of a product to be treated. The ejected plate-shaped abrasive slides along the surface of the product to be treated while having the flat surface in slidable contact with the surface of the product to be treated which is an object surface to be treated, so that the surface of the product to be treated is flattened by removing the peaks only, without increasing the depth of the valleys of the roughness curve.
US08197286B2
Communications plugs are provided that include a plug housing. A plurality of plug contacts are mounted in a row at least partly within the plug housing. The plug contacts are arranged as differential pairs of plug contacts. Each of the differential pairs of plug contacts has a tip plug contact and a ring plug contact. A first capacitor is provided that is configured to inject crosstalk from a first of the tip plug contacts to a first of the ring plug contacts at a point in time that is after the point in time when a signal transmitted through the first of the tip plug contacts to a contact of a mating jack reaches the contact of the mating jack.
US08197280B2
A network documentation and revision system is presented that includes first and second devices connected by a patch cord. The first device has provisioning and signal ports with corresponding contact assemblies. The second device has a switch port without a contact assembly. The patch cord has signal and control wires, a first connector that connects the signal wires into a signal port and the control wire to a corresponding contact assembly, and a second connector that connects the signal wires to the switch port and terminates the control wire. The second connector contains an indicator controlled by control circuitry, detection circuitry detecting whether the second connector is plugged into the second device, and ID circuitry providing an ID number through the first connector. Installation or removal of the patch cord is guided by indicators on the patch cord and first device without retrofit contacts being added to the second device.
US08197279B1
An electronic apparatus includes a housing and a retaining member. The housing includes a connecting hole and an engagement hole. A connector is detachably connected to the connecting hole. The engagement hole includes a passing zone and an engagement zone that are communicated to each other. The retaining member includes a fixing end, an engagement end, and a retaining portion. The fixing end is fixed to the housing. The engagement end is capable of passing into the housing through the passing zone and is adapted to be engaged with the engagement zone. The retaining portion is connected between the fixing end and the engagement end for trapping the connector.
US08197275B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. A semiconductor substrate is etched to form a trench, a gate electrode is buried in the trench, an etch-back process thereon is performed to form a buried gate, and an insulating layer is formed at the entire surface with the trench. Subsequently, an ion implantation process with respect to the entire surface with the insulting layer is carried out, the dose amount in ion-implanted in the insulating layer of an upper portion of the semiconductor substrate is more than that of a sidewall in the trench. Therefore, when an etch process is performed to form a contact during a subsequent procedure, the short between the buried gate and the contact may be prevented using a difference between an etch rate of the insulating layer.
US08197274B2
A torsional electrical contact includes a body including a helix with N turns around an axis, N≧1. The body includes first and second ends. First and second contact arms extend outwardly away from the helix. The contact arms include respective distal ends. The arms define a contact angle α. At least one of the first and second contact arms is selectively resiliently movable toward the other of the first and second contact arms to reduce the contact angle α. One or more contacts are installed in a module and/or connected to an electronic component. A module including first and second contacts can be configured in a first condition in which the contacts are connected directly to each other or a second condition in which the contacts are engaged with respective parts of a circuit board or other component inserted into the housing according to a disclosed method.
US08197267B2
A retractable power plug applied for an electronic apparatus or an extension outlet is disclosed. The retractable power plug includes a housing, a base, a movable unit and a plurality of prongs. The housing has a space for enclosing the base. The prongs are pluggably disposed on the base. The base is rotatably and movably located in the space. The movable unit is configured to prompt the base to move in the space. The direction of movement of the base is generally parallel with the connection direction of the prongs. So that, the prongs associated with the base is capable of moving up and down in the space.
US08197260B2
In one embodiment, an apparatus for providing electrical power comprises a housing, at least two electrical outlets, a rotation coupler at the housing and coupled to the at least two electrical outlets, and a prong adapter rotatable relative to the rotation coupler when secured thereto. The rotation coupler comprises a central contact, a first contact set, and a second contact set. The prong adapter comprises a first prong to couple with the first contact set, a second prong to couple with the second contact set, and a third prong to couple with the central contact. The first contact set comprises two or more first contact flanges to couple with the first prong at a rear of the prong adapter. The second contact set comprises two or more second contact flanges to couple with the second prong at the rear of the prong adapter. Other examples herein described.
US08197255B2
A dental implant that facilitates insertion includes a body having a coronal end and an apical end opposite the coronal end. An implant-prosthetic interface region is provided adjacent the coronal end. A tapered region is adjacent the apical end. A variable profile helical thread extends along the tapered region. The thread becomes broader in the apical-coronal direction and higher in the coronal-apical direction. The threads include an apical side, a coronal side and a lateral edge connecting them. The variable profile thread includes an expanding length of the lateral edge while the distance of the lateral edge from the base is reduced in the direction of the coronal end. The implant also has a gradual compressing tapered core, a self drilling apical end with a spiral tap, and a coronal end with and inverse tapering.
US08197252B1
A packaged unit of composite for performing an aesthetic restoration. The unit is mounted on a polymeric film carrier material and is covered and sealed with the same or otherwise suitable covering film. The carrier film may be an elongated strip containing serially placed units of composite, each readily separable from the strip for individual usage. This packaging is in light restrictive outer packaging since the preferred unit of composite is of a light-cured material such as bis-GMA. In preferred packaging, the unit dose is singular and applicable to the tooth surface with the film carrier which is adapted with tabs to facilitate handling and the draping or damming of the subject tooth from adjacent teeth to facilitate application of the composite. The composite is then worked, i.e., formed on the tooth with the film intermediate the composite and the customary forming tools. In preferred embodiments, the single unit packaging of composite is mounted on a clear carrier film which includes embrasure tabs for selective insertion in the embrasure between the teeth, and in a further preferred embodiment, the carrier film includes an incisal tab to cover the incisal edge of the tooth. The clear carrier is contained in further outer packaging which limits actinic radiation from reaching the composite.
US08197241B2
A Moineau device includes a stator that interfaces to a rotor whereby fluid flows through cavities between the stator and rotor that progress axially as the rotor is rotated relative to the stator. At least one of the stator and the rotor is realized from a nanocomposite that includes a polymeric matrix with carbon nanotubes dispersed therein.
US08197233B2
A pump is provided including a housing and a plurality of diaphragm assemblies radially disposed within the housing, each diaphragm assembly of the plurality of diaphragm assemblies including a diaphragm. A drive element is configured to be eccentrically coupled to a rotating shaft motor to actuate the diaphragm for each of the plurality of diaphragm assemblies to draw fluid into or expel fluid from the diaphragm assembly. The drive element includes a first member and a plurality of second members, each second member of the plurality of second members being movably secured to the first member and disposed between the first member and the diaphragm of each of the plurality of diaphragm assemblies. During actuation of each diaphragm of the plurality of diaphragm assemblies, the corresponding first member and second member provide a continuously rigid radial coupling with the diaphragm.
US08197229B2
A double-headed piston type compressor includes front and rear housings, a cylinder block defining therein a crank chamber and a plurality of cylinder bores and having a shaft hole therethrough, a double-headed piston accommodated in the cylinder bores for reciprocating therein, a rotary shaft rotatably supported by the shaft hole, compression chambers defined by the cylinder bores, a suction chamber defined by the front housing and an introduction passage having a rotary valve for introducing refrigerant from the suction chamber into the compression chambers. The introduction passage includes a communication passage formed in the cylinder block for connecting the suction chamber to the shaft hole, suction passages connecting the shaft hole and the compression chambers and a recessed passage formed in the outer circumferential surface of the rotary shaft for connecting intermittently between the communication passage and the respective suction passages in accordance with the rotation of the rotary shaft.
US08197227B2
An improved multi-stage compressor device for compressing gas, which compressor device (1) mainly consists of at least two compressor elements (2-5-28) placed in series one after the other, at least one of which (5-28) is driven by a motor (9), characterized in that at least one other compressor element (2) is driven separately, in other words without any mechanical link with said motor (9), by means of an expander (18) of a closed power cycle (12) with a circulating medium inside which is heated by the compressed gas.
US08197223B2
When the fluid flow output of a synthetically commutated hydraulic pump is adapted to a given fluid flow demand, pulsations in the fluid output flow of the synthetically commutated hydraulic pump can occur. To avoid such pressure pulsations, it is suggested, to use a set of pre-calculated actuation patterns for actuating the electrically commutated valves of the synthetically commutated hydraulic pump.
US08197221B2
A pressure differential motor control system for controlling a motor of a high volume low pressure (HVLP) spray system via a pressure differential. The pressure differential motor control system has an outlet fitting connected to a turbine assembly, and a pressure switch adapted to be activated by a pressure differential from the outlet fitting. The outlet fitting has a first section connected to the turbine assembly, a mid section featuring low and high pressure ports, a second section connected to a quick coupler hose and spray gun, and a venturi defined through the outlet fitting. The low pressure port is in communication with the venturi, and the high pressure port is in communication with the input side of the outlet fitting. The pressure switch is activated by a pressure differential from the low and high pressure ports of the outlet fitting, thereby sending a signal to a motor controller for controlling a motor of the turbine assembly.
US08197215B2
A drive train for a wind turbine, comprising a main bearing arrangement in the form of a single locating bearing arranged to support a main shaft. An outer raceway of the main bearing is coupled to a support structure, such as a base frame of a nacelle, via flange parts arranged on the outer raceway and the support structure, respectively. The flange parts define interfacing surfaces extending in a plane which is arranged non-parallel, preferably substantially perpendicular, to the rotational axis of the main shaft. Thereby a service friendly design is obtained, in which the main bearing and/or the main shaft can be repaired and/or replaced without having to remove the rotor from the nacelle.
US08197209B2
Systems and methods involving variable throat area vanes are provided. In this regard, a representative gas turbine engine includes: a vane extending into a gas flow path and having: an interior operative to receive pressurized air; a pressure surface portion; and a first port communicating between the interior and pressure surface portion, the first port being operative to receive the pressurized air from the interior and emit the pressurized air, wherein the emitted pressurized air displaces the gas flow path such that a throat area defined, at least in part, by the vane is modified.
US08197207B2
A method for configuring blades of a wind turbine for low noise generation. The method includes providing at least one noise measuring device. The noise measuring device is arranged and disposed in a position to measure noise of the blades during rotation. The wind turbine is configured to include a rotational trigger, the rotational trigger being arranged to provide a signal at a predetermined rotational position of the wind turbine blades. One or more of the blades is configured with an aerodynamic modifying device. Noise level is measured with the noise measuring device during wind turbine operation. The noise produced by each of the blades is determined. The blades are configured in response to the noise determined for each of the blades. A method for measuring the noise level generated by an individual blade and a wind turbine configured for desired noise level are also disclosed.
US08197203B2
A diffuser for carrying air flow to an evaporator in an air conditioning system of an automotive vehicle includes an inlet and an outlet, a wall extending between the inlet and the outlet, and a guide vane, extending at least partially between the inlet and the outlet, spaced from the wall by a containing a control region whose area ratio changes along a length of the guide vane.
US08197202B2
A stator, including a blade assembly with an inner circumferential surface and a plurality of pre-formed grooves in the inner circumferential surface and an outer race with an outer circumferential surface and a plurality of protrusions at least partially engaged with the plurality of pre-formed grooves. The plurality of protrusions is frictionally engaged with the plurality of pre-formed grooves. In one embodiment, the inner circumferential surface includes an area circumferentially disposed between first and second protrusions from the plurality of protrusions and a portion of the area is displaced radially inward by the engagement of the pluralities of grooves and protrusions.
US08197200B2
A moving-air energy recovery system including an air horn having serially disposed segments of differing flare rates, which intercepts a large area of moving air to channel and transform the flow of moving air into a more concentrated, higher velocity of air flow. This higher velocity air flow is applied to turbine vanes which are connected to an armature that provides a mechanical energy output from the incident air flow on a rotating shaft. In one embodiment, the shaft is connected to a electric generator to generate electric power, which may be applied to stationary applications such as emergency home power, and to mobile applications such as augmenting automobile propulsion.
US08197180B1
The specification and drawings describe machines and methods that transform the kinetic energy of moving bodies of fluid into useful work. Specifically, embodiments of the invention may be used to generate electricity. In preferred embodiments a buoyant or semi-buoyant propeller assembly interfaces with a flowing body of water to capture power for electricity generation or any other work project.
US08197179B2
Co-axial, multi-rotor wind turbines, producing more power than a single rotor of the same diameter, are made even more powerful by increasing driveshaft length and supporting the driveshaft from more than one point. Sacrificing the ability to aim, for the extra length to support additional rotors, results in a more powerful co-axial multi-rotor turbine, especially useful for areas with a predominantly unidirectional wind resource. Ideally the turbine is placed at an offset angle α (alpha) from the wind direction, which, in combination with proper spacing between rotors, allows fresh wind to reach each rotor, so that all rotors contribute toward rotation of the driveshaft. Placing the driveshaft under tension can raise critical speeds and reduce the number of intermediate supports required. This places the Earth or underlying substrate in compression, making it effectively part of the structure of the turbine, saving cost. Cross-axis and reversible blades may also be incorporated.
US08197176B2
This invention relates to a folding ramp for vehicle access, made up of two frames. (5 and 6), linked to one another by a hinge (7) and with the door frame through a hinge (8), which frames can shift between a folded position, folded upon the door, and a deployed position, each frame being made up of two longitudinal beams (15 and 16) and an intermediate floor formed by a moving section (17) and at least one fixed section (18), the moving section (17) being able to shift between a position superimposed with the fixed section (18) and another extracted position, in which it is extended with the fixed portion (18).
US08197173B2
Methods and devices for loading, deploying, and receiving concertina-wire barriers along paths with varying travel or paths located at a distance to the access track of a transport vehicle. The first method includes loading a concertina-wire coil arrangement directly into carry tines and adjusting the tine tilt during deployment to reflect the changing gradient. An anchored portion of the wire stretches each coil longitudinally into its operative configuration and position as the transport vehicle advances. A second method involves a generally analogous process in order to deploy the barrier at distance from the access route. Retrieval for both methods is accomplished by inserting the carry tines in the space circumscribed by the deployed coils so that as the transport vehicle advances the coil arrangement is removed from its deployment location and pressed together onto the tines thereby being disposed for the next deployment.
US08197171B2
Disclosed is an apparatus for loading and unloading a tray of a freeze drying plant with a number of vials. An example apparatus includes a transfer table upstream of the freeze drying plant for receiving temporarily said vials and a pusher apparatus for displacing said vials between said transfer table and said tray. The pusher apparatus includes right and left transport carriages and a loading element. With the example apparatus, the vials are securely transferred with little friction onto/from the tray, and the transport carriages are disposed on the transfer table and/or on the tray to form a lateral limitation of the transfer table and/or of the tray for the vials located on the edge of the transfer table and/or of the tray to directly abut a transport carriage during loading or unloading.
US08197164B2
A machining head has a support head component, which includes first and second support segments and a base segment supporting both the first and second support segments, the support segments being disposed opposite to each other across the spindle unit to hold the spindle unit therebetween such that a center of axle thereof is aligned with a rotary axis line thereof, the first and second support segments respectively including support shafts whose opposing end surfaces have the spindle unit secured thereto. The support segments respectively include housings as main bodies that are independent of the base segment. The housings accommodate the support shafts. Each housing is attached to the base segment by means of a plurality of first screw members that are screwed to the base segment and are manipulatable from the outside. The spindle unit is attached to the support shafts by means of a plurality of second screw members that are screwed to the support shafts and are manipulatable from the outside.
US08197162B2
A method of making a hole in a composite material comprising the steps of providing an elongate cutting tool having a cutting portion in the form of a tubular cylinder; and advancing the cutting tool in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cutting tool whilst rotating the cutting tool about said axis and vibrating the cutting tool along said axis.
US08197159B2
A wire strut indicator facing unit for a retaining wall, such as a temporary retaining wall, having an upstanding face section and a rearwardly extending floor section, wherein the floor section is formed from pairs of parallel wire elements and transverse cross-wire elements, and otherwise substantially free of wire elements between the wire element pairs. The pairs of parallel wires define the attachment location for a wire strut that extends between the face section and floor section of the facing unit.
US08197158B2
A plug for a tubular service entrance of a conduit, wherein the plug includes a core body having a central hollow channel extending from a first end to second end of the core body; at least one flexible fin extending radially outwardly from the core body and having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the tubular service entrance so that the plug is adapted to fit tightly into the tubular service entrance, and wherein the at least one flexible fin is deformable to adapt to the shape of the service entrance and apply a lateral force against the inner diameter of the service entrance. A plug dispensing magazine for storing and dispensing service entrance plugs to be service entrances of a conduit prior to installation of a liner in the conduit and a method of sealing the service entrances.
US08197154B2
An articulating joint for supporting a medical or dental light having a first mounting post rotatably couples the light to a support structure having a second mounting post. The articulating joint includes a joint body having first and second terminal ends. A first bearing and a first brake are located proximate the first end for receiving and frictionally engaging the first mounting post. The joint body may further include a second bearing and a second brake proximate the second end for receiving and frictionally engaging the second mounting post. The articulating joint further includes a cover that is removably coupled to the joint body over at least the first bearing and the first brake.
US08197149B2
Apparatuses and systems for supporting and positioning cameras and other equipment are disclosed herein. An apparatus for supporting a camera can include one or more bendable support members extending from a camera holding portion. Each of the bendable support members can include a plurality of shaped outer portions arranged on an elongate, bendable core. The bendable core can include a plastically deformable material that retains its shape after being bent with little or no spring-back, and each of the shaped outer portions can include spherical portions formed from a resilient, elastomeric material.
US08197143B2
A sliding bearing has a pair of semi-cylindrical bearings assembled together to form a cylindrical configuration. At least one of the semi-cylindrical bearings is provided with an inner surface circumferentially extending oil groove extending a central portion of the circumferential length of the semi-cylindrical bearing. A bottom surface of the oil groove has an ups and downs form consisting of a plurality of ridges and valleys, which sinusoidally undulate consecutively without a flat portion therebetween. The dimensional relationship between a typical ridge and the adjacent valleys is defined by the formula h<0.15H where H indicates the groove depth and h indicates an elevation difference of the ups and downs of the bottom surface, namely a height of the ridges where h is preferably not less than 10 μm.
US08197139B2
A reclosable pouch includes first and second film layers disposed on a first pouch sidewall. The first film layer is attached to the second film layer by first and second intermittent spot seals disposed at least across respective first and second edges of the first film layer. The second film layer is sealed to the sidewall by third and fourth intermittent spot seals disposed at least across respective third and fourth edges of the second film layer. Offset first and second apertures extend through the first and second film layers, respectively, wherein one of the first and second apertures communicates with a pouch interior and the other of the first and second apertures communicates with a pouch exterior. A fifth intermittent spot seal is disposed between the first and second film layers, the fifth intermittent spot seal surrounding a region including the first and second apertures.
US08197126B2
A stirring determining device that determines whether stirring by a stirrer, which stirs liquid contained in a vessel using sound wave generated by a sound-wave generating unit that is attached to the vessel, is successful or unsuccessful. The stirring determining device includes a temperature sensor that measures a temperature of the liquid; and a determining unit that determines whether stirring of the liquid contained in the vessel is successful or unsuccessful depending on the temperature of the liquid measured at least before and after the stirring by the temperature sensor.
US08197124B2
A rack mount assembly measurement tool, for determining physical values including air flow and heat loads, includes a front assembly and a rear duct assembly that are non-intrusively and releasably mounted on the front and rear of such rack mount enclosure. Physical values are sensed at multiple vertical locations to enable a determination of overall and localized heat loads within the enclosure. Front sensor values are collected and wirelessly transmitted from the front assembly to a receiver/processor supported on the rear duct, which generates computed values that are displayed in addition to the sensed values.
US08197118B2
A salad mixing apparatus includes a first bowl having an inner surface, an interior area, and a plurality of mixing ribs in the first bowl interior area and at least one partition configured for removable attachment to the mixing ribs to form a plurality of compartments. The apparatus includes a lid extending across the partitions whereby the inner surface, the at least one partition, and the lid selectively enclose the plurality of compartments. A second bowl having an interior area is configured for selective attachment to the first bowl whereby the first bowl interior area and the second bowl interior area collectively form a unitary interior area when the at least one partition is separated from the mixing ribs and the second bowl is attached to the first bowl.
US08197116B2
The Convenience Nectar Mixing and Storage Device consists of a container that is divided proportionately to allow for the precise measuring of the recommended sugar to water ratios used for nectar type bird and butterfly feeders. The device is adapted for supporting a movable or removable divider that separates the container into proportionate volumes, 4 to 1, 6 to 1, and 9 to 1 that correspond to the commonly recommended sugar to water ratios for hummingbird, oriole, and butterfly nectar feeders. The device allows for the water and sugar compartments to be filled to the same “line of sight” level to facilitate the making of precise nectar sugar to water ratios. Once the sugar and water compartments are filled to the same level, the divider is moved or removed to allow for mixing. In the preferred embodiment of the Convenience Nectar Mixing and Storage Devices, the container divider can be used as a stirring implement and lid to cover the container during storage.
US08197107B2
The present invention provides a housing structure of a door mirror in which a fixed-side housing portion is reliably crimped to a fixing-side housing portion on the surface side of a housing. In the housing structure of a door mirror, a boss portion and a contact piece are located on the deeper side than first and second butting portions located on the surface side, and a projection portion is located farther than a screwing portion in a positional relationship in the vertical direction (an arrow Y direction) with respect to a horizontal plane passing through the first butting portion. Therefore, when the boss portion (first mounting portion) of an upper housing (fixing-side housing portion) and the contact piece (second mounting portion) of a lamp assy (fixed-side housing portion) are fixed by a screw, a screw tightening force can be concentrated on the projection portion as shown by an arrow A, and this force can be made to act on the first and second butting portions as shown by an arrow B.
US08197104B2
A secondary optical lamp guard includes an upper half portion, two clamp portions and a lower half portion, and the upper half portion has a plurality of optical refractive angles formed on an internal side of the upper half portion for improving the effect of the optical refractive angles, and the upper half portion and the lower half portion are processed by a plasma treatment to produce nanoscale holes for facilitating the dissipation of heat generated by a light source.
US08197101B2
A concave reflecting surface of a reflector for use in a light emitting device has micro reflector segments protruded therefrom in multiple stages and in multiple radial columns, the micro reflector segments each having a convex curved surface which is defined by a locus of a circular arc moved in parallel in a radial direction of the concave reflecting surface, and a radius of the convex curved surface, in each of the reflection regions, is set to be smaller when the convex curved surface is positioned closer to a point on which light emitted from each of the directional light sources and traveling on the light axis is incident, and is set to be larger when the convex curved surface is positioned more distant from the point.
US08197093B2
A method of controlling a light level in a space of a building, the method comprising the steps of measuring the light level in the space; automatically adjusting the light level in the space towards a control setpoint; receiving an input to manually override the light level in the space to an override light level; adjusting the light level in the space to the override light level; temporarily adjusting the control setpoint from a default setpoint to a temporary setpoint in response to the manual override of the light level, the temporary setpoint representative of the override light level; subsequently adjusting the control setpoint from the temporary setpoint back to the default setpoint; and adjusting the default setpoint in response to repeated manual overrides of the light level that result in repeated adjustments of the control setpoint.
US08197085B2
A lighting device embodied as a flashlight is provided that includes a handheld housing and a light source provided on the housing for generating a light beam. The light device also includes a battery power source for providing power to the light source. The lighting device further includes light control circuitry for turning the light source on and off and controlling intensity of the light beam. The light control circuitry includes a user actuatable switch and a controller for controlling intensity of the generated light beam. The controller processes user activation of the switch and adjusts the intensity of the light beam as a function of the activation of the switch such that the light intensity may be increased or decreased.
US08197079B2
A low-voltage LED lighting system and method for installation thereof in which the system includes: (a) at least one LED lighting fixture each having one or more LEDs; (b) at least one remotely-located power driver; and (c) interconnections between the at least one LED fixture and the at least one driver using communication network cabling and standard 8P8C network connectors. Preferred lighting fixtures are recessed lighting fixtures adapted for ceiling mounting.
US08197066B2
A laser projector includes a green laser, a two-wavelength laser, a PBS, a collimator lens, a two-axis galvanometer mirror, a group of lenses, and a screen. The green laser emits a green laser beam. The two-wavelength laser emits red and blue laser beams. The PBS is provided at the position where respective optical paths of laser beams emitted from respective lasers cross each other to cause these optical paths to coincide with each other.
US08197065B2
The present invention tests and/or trains the visual sensitivity of a subject using adaptable visual indicia. One or more visual indicia possessing a visual trait are displayed to the subject. The displayed visual indicia possessing a visual trait may be adjusted to determine when a subject can and cannot be perceived by the subject. A displayed visual indicia may be adjusted in its size, rate of movement, direction of movement, location of display, duration of display, or other characteristic. To determine whether a subject correctly perceived the visual trait possessed by a displayed visual indicia, an input may be received from the subject. If an input received corresponds to the visual trait possessed by the displayed visual indicia, the subject may be determined to have correctly perceived the displayed visual indicia and the visual trait.
US08197064B2
A method and associated system improve accuracy in objective refraction measurements by including the measured distance between the photoreceptors of a subject's eye and the scattering location of light during the objective refraction measurements. Chromatic aberrations in the objective measurements are also compensated. The distance between the photoreceptors and the scattering location may be determined by adjusting a distance between a rotating speckled light pattern and an eye until the speckled light pattern appears to be stationary, or by employing a Scheiner disk.
US08197061B2
The present invention relates to a device used to protect the ears from the sun Exemplary embodiments of the invention include ear shades for use with a pair of glasses The temple arm of the glasses generally comprises an anterior end, a posterior end, an ear support portion, and a shading portion The anterior end of the temple arm may be configured to be operatively connected to a lens holding portion of the glasses and the ear support portion rests on the ear The shading portion may be operatively connected to the ear support portion and cooperates with the ear support portion to create a downward-opening cavity into which the top of the user's ear extends to shade at least the top of the user's ear.
US08197055B2
A method for producing a pattern on a substrate includes discharging a droplet on a top surface of a breathable substrate being heated, the droplet being formed with a functional fluid containing a functional material, so as to produce the pattern on the top surface of the breathable substrate.
US08197042B2
A detachable structure for an ink cartridge includes a supply port, a joint section, an insertion rod and an anti-outflow member. The port is provided in the cartridge. The stopper is provided in the port and urged outward to close the port. The joint section is provided in a printer and coupled with the port. The joint section has an ink flow path that communicates with the port while the port is coupled. The insertion rod is provided in the joint section for pushing the stopper inward to communicate the ink flow path with the port while the port is coupled. The anti-outflow member is slidably provided in the joint section. The anti-outflow member is urged outward and slides along the insertion rod when the port is being inserted into the joint section. According to the structure, ink leakage on attaching or detaching of the cartridge can be prevented.
US08197038B2
An apparatus has a first plate having a first array of holes, with a first plate alignment hole having a smaller size than the other holes in the array, a second plate having a second array of holes to be alignable to the first array of holes, a second plate alignment hole having a smaller size than the other holes in the array, and the first plate alignment hole and the second plate alignment hole having different positions. A method of aligning plates provides a first plate having a top and bottom and first array of holes including a first plate alignment hole having a size smaller than the other holes in the first array, places a second plate having a second array of holes on the top of the first plate such that the first array of holes and the second array of holes align, directs light at the bottom of the first plate, locates a profile of the first plate alignment hole in the second array of holes to verify alignment.
US08197023B2
A liquid jet recording apparatus includes a liquid container that contains liquid, a jetting portion disposed at a lower level than the surface of the liquid contained in the liquid container for jetting the liquid, and a conduit for communicating the jetting portion with the liquid container. An on-off valve opens or closes the conduit to permit or block the flow of the liquid in the conduit. A liquid storing portion damps pressure fluctuations of the liquid which flows in the conduit and is disposed in the conduit between the on-off valve and the jetting portion. A pressure sensor measures the pressure of the liquid in the conduit, and a control portion controls the on-off valve to be opened or closed based on a pressure value measured by the pressure sensor.
US08197022B2
A method for determining a speed compensation factor includes the steps of transporting a media moving at first speed; printing a first image on the media using at least one printhead while moving at the first speed; capturing the first image in a first frame of an image capture device; transporting the media moving at a second speed different from the first speed; printing a second image on the media using the at least one printhead while moving at the second speed; capturing the second image in a second frame of the image capture device; determining using a change of position of the first image relative to the second image using automated image analysis; and inputting the determined change of position into a processor for computing the speed compensation factor from the determined change of position and a known difference in speed between the first and second speeds.
US08197019B2
The present invention relates to a refrigerator body and a method of manufacturing the same. The refrigerator body of the present invention includes an outer case for defining an external appearance and an inner case for defining the interior of a refrigerator and has a foam insulation material filled into a space between the outer and inner cases. The refrigerator body also comprises recessed portions depressed at the inside of the inner case and protruding outside thereof in a direction of thickness of the inner case so as to fix a part to be installed and mounted on the inside of the inner case, and reinforcement members installed to be tightly coupled to the recessed portions at the outside of the inner case so as to reinforce the recessed portions. Accordingly, a foaming preparation operation can be rapidly and easily performed, and the foam insulation material can be prevented from leaking into the interior of the refrigerator.
US08197016B2
A brake fill effect minimization function for preventing or reducing brake controller windup during a brake fill condition or the like that may commonly occur in hydraulic or electromechanical brake systems, particularly during initial application of the brakes or during anti-skid conditions. The function temporarily reduces error input to the brake controller during a perceived brake fill condition (hydraulic brakes) or running clearance condition (electromechanical brakes) thereby facilitating smooth application of the brakes during initial braking and/or under anti-skid conditions.
US08197010B2
A seat trim assembly including a cushion having an opening and a retention clip. The retention clip has a retention feature and a base disposed in the cushion. The base includes a pad and first and second arms extending from the pad at an angle. The retention feature extends from the pad and extending into the opening.
US08196998B2
A vehicle front structure has a pair of right and left apron side members 1 each extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and having a closed cross section structure, a bumper 2 located on the vehicle front side Fr of the front end portion of the apron side member 1, and a grille 5 attached to air intake openings 3, 4 in the bumper 2. In this vehicle front structure, shock absorbing parts 20 formed integrally with the grille 5 are disposed between the bumper 2 and the front end portions of the apron side members 1.
US08196993B2
One or more drag reducing deflector systems provide aerodynamic drag reduction during crosswind flow (CF) conditions including zero crosswind flow conditions. Embodiments of the drag reducing deflector system may also be utilized to assist braking of a vehicle.
US08196992B2
A seal module for sealing between a first door and a second door of opposing-hinged doors includes a base defining a channel and a retractable seal moveably disposed within the channel. The retractable seal moves between an extended position for sealing between the first door and the second door, and a retracted position spaced from one of the first door and the second door to allow independent pivotable movement of either the first door or the second door.
US08196991B2
The present invention discloses a pad for use under a covering layer. The pad can include a mat with at least one off-all portion, the at least one off-all portion having a puzzle-piece shape. The mat has a bounding portion that is complementary shaped with at least part of the at least one off-all portion, and the bounding portion and the off-all portion have an interference fit therebetween. The interference fit between the bounding portion and the at least one off-all portion provides for the off-all portion to be removably attached to the mat. In addition, removal of the at least one off-all portion from the mat provides an opening for a component to be nested therewithin, while not removing the at least one off-all portion provides structural support to the covering layer that is located over the mat.
US08196982B1
A hand held device is disclosed which may be manipulated with a single hand of the user to engage, transport and release a piece of sod. Curved sod penetration members are pivotally displaced to enter and to leave the piece of sod from opposing directions. This pivotal displacement of the curved penetration portions of the sod penetration members act to minimize any disturbance to the piece of sod which might damage the piece of sod. A dual handle arrangement provides of easy use of the device. An upper handle is utilized to place the device and for the device to engage the piece of sod while a lower handle is then utilized to transport the device with the piece of sod attached thereto with a shifting of hand position from the lower handle to the upper handle causing release of the piece of sod from the device.
US08196979B2
A bumper system includes an injection molded energy absorber of polymeric material having hollow longitudinally-spaced lobes configured to crush and absorb energy during a pedestrian impact, and straps interconnecting adjacent lobes. The lobes are particularly sized and dimensioned, including potentially external ribs and/or apertures in corners, to provide a relatively uniform impact energy absorption during an impact stroke during crush of the shear walls of the lobes, such as within +/−30% or more preferably within +/−20% of a desired amount regardless of a specific location of impact, along a selected center portion of the energy absorber. A reason for the uniformity is to promote pedestrian safety regardless of the specific location where a pedestrian's leg strikes the energy absorber.
US08196968B2
An improved lateral pipe connection assembly that effects proper alignment of the lateral connection and restricts to the desired amount the penetration of the hub into the cored hole of the mainline pipe to which it is connected.
US08196962B2
In the present pretensioner, press contact portions are formed further to a side of an open end of a packing housing section than central portions of opposing faces along a depth direction of the packing housing section. Accordingly, when a packing is being fitted into the packing housing section, no great resistance is imparted to a curved face side of the packing from a press contact wall of a housing section body and the opposing face, and the packing is fitted comparatively smoothly therein. Consequently, even when fitting the packing into the packing housing section, a packing main body is largely resilient-deformed, such that a large collapse in a through hole can be prevented, and the sealing ability of the seal due to deformation of the packing main body can be effectively enhanced.
US08196960B2
A three-point seat belt assembly for an occupant sitting in a seat of a motor vehicle is provided. The three-point seat belt assembly can include a seat belt web that has a shoulder harness portion and a knee portion. The shoulder harness portion extends across the occupant's torso and the knee portion extends across the occupant's knees. In addition, a guide member can be included that prevents the knee portion of the seat belt web from sliding up above the occupant's knees and sliding down towards the occupant's shins. A pretensioner can further be included and be attached to the seat belt web. The pretensioner can have a release force of between 5 and 6 kilonewtons which is an improvement over current limits of between 2 and 3 kilonewtons.
US08196957B2
An airbag for protecting an occupant includes a panel forming the airbag and having an occupant counter surface with a head counter portion to face a head of the occupant when the airbag is inflated. A recess portion is formed in the head counter portion when the airbag is inflated. The airbag also includes a regulation member for regulating inflation of the head counter portion toward the occupant. The regulation member forms the recess portion by regulating inflation of the head counter portion toward the occupant upon inflation of the airbag. The regulation member is configured to release regulation after a predetermined time from a moment when the airbag starts inflation.
US08196953B2
A film plate for an airbag cover is provided. The film plate is pre-formed by deep-drawing or embossing and is directly, without reinforcing elements, attachable to the airbag cover by mechanical connecting elements. The airbag cover has, at the location of the film plate, at least a partial support for the film plate and the film plate has an embossed structure on its lower side, which is visible on the upper side.
US08196939B2
The drawer assembly comprises a cabinet defining an internal space. A shelf is supported in the cabinet. The shelf supports a latch that is movable between a first position and a second position. A drawer is supported on the shelf where the drawer has a latch receiving structure formed thereon. The latch receiving structure includes a first surface engageable with the latch when the latch is in the first position and a second surface also engageable with the latch when the latch is in the first position such that the drawer can be locked relative to the cabinet in one of two positions. In one embodiment the drawer is supported on a mobile medical cart. The cart may also include a computer such as a PC, wireless communications systems to communicate with a wider network system, a system controller and/or other systems.
US08196926B2
An apparatus for diverting incoming printed products which includes a shaft, at least one first flipper mounted in a first fixed direction on the shaft, a motor coupled to the shaft; and a controller coupled to the motor for controlling positioning of the shaft to allowing printed products to be diverted along different paths associated with a particular shaft position. The apparatus further includes a low inertia coupler interconnected between the motor and the shaft. Alternatively, the apparatus includes a roll, a first motor coupled to the roll and a controller coupled to the first motor for controlling the rotation of the roller for diverting printed products along one of two different paths, each path associated with a direction of rotation of the roll. This alternative apparatus may also include a shaft with at least one flipper mounted thereon and a second motor coupled to the shaft.
US08196920B2
A media cassette comprises a housing defining a closeable pick window; an urging plate biased towards the pick window for urging a stack of media items towards the pick window; a detent located distal from the pick window for limiting movement of the urging plate when the pick window is closed; and a detent moving mechanism operable to move the detent when the pick window is opened. The media cassette allows the urging plate to exert less force on the stack of media items by expanding the space available for media items located within the cassette by activating the detent moving mechanism.
US08196918B2
A feed assembly including: feed roller; support element for supporting feed roller; separating mechanism for facilitating separation of first and second sheets; and base with guide surface for guiding sheets and positioning wall for positioning separating mechanism; wherein engaging portion for engaging with separating mechanism is formed in positioning wall; separating mechanism includes: separator for separating sheets; first biasing element including first and second ends; seat including first and second walls; positioning element installed on first wall to be moved between first and second positions; and shifter for shifting positioning element; first biasing element biases separator; shifter holds positioning element in first position; and when feed roller is removed from support element, shifter moves positioning element to second position.
US08196914B2
A clamp for key cutting machines includes a pair of jaws mounted on a single pin fixed to the machine structure and associated with a knob screwable on a threaded portion of said pin and acting in the sense of causing the jaws to forcedly approach each other, against the elastic reaction of a spring tending to repel them, and to retain a key positioned between them. A clamp according to the invention further includes a friction type overload clutch interposed between the knob and the pin.
US08196911B2
A subframe mount capable of having its rate adjusted is disclosed. Subframe mount is configured with damping regions configured to removably receive inserts that would modify rate upon insertion. In this configuration, subframe mount may have its rate adjusted without removal from the motor vehicle. In certain configurations, the subframe mount provides the ability to tune the rate in multiple directions, providing an enhanced motor vehicle development tool.
US08196908B2
This invention relates to a counter flow type of cooling tower generating low grade of noise, which includes: a body wherein an external air inhalation hole is formed in the lower portion and a discharge hole is formed in the upper portion; a fan that is provided in the body and absorbs external air into the body through an inhalation hole and discharges the external air to the discharge hole; an spraying nozzle that sprays coolant; an eliminator that is provided above the spraying nozzle and prevents air and water from scattering; a filler that is provided below the spraying nozzle; and a collection tank collecting the coolant that passes the filler and drops, wherein a space portion is formed between the filler and the collection tank, and the space portion formed between the filler and the collection tank further includes a noise generation restraining portion consisting of at least one noise generation restraining unit. According to the invention, the noise that occurs when the coolant directly drops into the collection tank is reduced, the scattering of the coolant by incoming air may be prevented, the loss of pressure by the noise generation restraining portion is minimized, the amount of lost coolant and air may be reduced, and the cooling efficiency increases because the noise generation restraining portion maximizes the cooling effect.
US08196904B2
The invention relates to a device for discharging liquid from a tank, having a line section which is formed on a tank-side end region for a fluid connection with the tank and which line section comprises a discharge opening on a discharge-side end region lying opposite the tank-side end region, a feed unit for gas which is provided on the line section and via which gas can be introduced into the line section, a line shut-off valve for shutting off the line section and which is provided on the line section between the tank-side end region and the discharge-side end region, and a residue removal line which branches off at a branch-off from the line section and runs at a run-in back into the line section, whereby the branch-off is arranged between the tank-side end region and the line shut-off valve on the line section, and whereby the run-in is arranged between the line shut-off valve and the discharge-side end region. It is provided according to the invention that the feed unit for gas is designed to feed pressure gas into the line section. The invention further relates to a method for emptying the residue of a line section which can be carried out with the device according to the invention.
US08196891B2
A platform that includes a vibration sensor located within an inner core of a table. The table may have a first plate that supports a vibration-sensitive payload. The first plate may be separated from a second plate by the inner core. The sensor can be located within the core directly below the device. The sensor can be connected to an electrical connector attached to an external surface of the table. A monitor can be readily plugged into the electrical connector to obtain vibration data from the sensor. The platform may also include a damper located within the inner core to reduce vibration of the table. The damper may be an active device that is connected to control circuits located within, or outside, the inner core.
US08196887B2
A seat mount with integrated adjustment that includes a seat base with integrally molded slide bearing receiving pockets that each receives an integrally formed slide bearing of one piece and unitary construction that engages apertures formed in a seat mount that preferably is a seat slide plate or seat mounting plate.
US08196881B1
A system designed to retain a countertop cut-out portion is herein disclosed. A plurality of retainers are intended to be installed at selected locations within initial saw cuts to prevent the cut-out portion from falling and causing damage or injury following the subsequent final saw cuts. The system is intended to be inserted into the saw cut in a longitudinal orientation and rotated into a transversal orientation thereby causing the foot to engage and support the bottom edge of the portion to be removed. Wedge shaped shims are used to compensate for countertop depth variations and to secure the location of the systems. Upon completion of the sawing process, the system allows the cut-out portion to be removed in a safe and controlled manner. The system is intended to accommodate all types of countertop thicknesses and materials, including laminate, granite, imitation or natural stone or marble, and the like.
US08196879B2
A support tube (1) for use as an internal support for multi-tiered cakes (9). The support tube has a raised internal profile (7) comprised of raised ridges (8) located on an inner surface (5) of a perimeter wall (4). The raised internal profile strengthens the perimeter wall of the support tube, thereby allowing the support tube to support large weights of multi-tiered cakes when placed in a vertical position inside a multi-tiered cake.
US08196877B2
Disclosed is an improved apparatus for holding a construction item in a desired position while the construction item is being secured to a support structure. Embodiments of the apparatus comprise a pressure-plate configured with a pole-ball-socket, a pole-ball, and a flexible pole section. A plurality of pole sections may be used in a telescoping arrangement so that the apparatus may be used to lift a construction item to an elevated position. The pressure-plate defines a pressure-plate-surface configured for being associated with a surface of a construction item. The flexible pole section is then extended to move the construction item to a desired location (such as at ceiling height). Typically the pole section is held at an angle relative to a supporting surface (such as a floor) and then extended to a length about four inches longer than the distance from the supporting surface and said desired location. A side pressure is then applied to the pole section causing the pole section to flex and slide into position to support the construction item.
US08196876B2
A support mechanism includes a bracket and a rotary unit including a base and at least one adjustment subassembly. The adjustment subassembly includes an elastic member and a ball. The elastic member resists the ball to contact the bracket. The bracket is rotatable relative to the base.
US08196873B2
An apparatus for supporting and dispensing bags and a method for dispensing a bag from the dispenser.
US08196865B2
The present invention relates to a foldable step unit (10) for a rotorcraft, the step unit being provided with a bottom step (16) and a stationary support (11) that is secured to the structure of the rotorcraft (2). The step unit (10) comprises a left side beam (14) and a right beam (15) hinged on said stationary support (11), said bottom step (16) being arranged on a left free end (14′) and a right free end (15′) respectively of the left and right side beams (14, 15) via a pivot pin (16′), drive means (18) for said step unit (10) and connected via at least one control means (21, 22) to at least one side beam (14, 15) enable said step unit (10) to be retracted into and extended from a housing (2) formed in the rotorcraft (1).
US08196861B2
A propulsive system for an aircraft including an auxiliary jet engine is integrated within a tail cone of a fuselage. Lateral air intakes include each one a scoop movable between a closed position and an opened position are associated with aerodynamic channels to supply with air the auxiliary jet engine. The aerodynamic channels meet at a common channel including a movable flap to balance air flows coming from the air intakes when the operation is not symmetrical.
US08196859B2
A system for attaching an engine to the structure of an aircraft, such as a sail wing aircraft is disclosed. The system includes an upper beam which is firmly fixed at its front end to a first frame mounted on the aircraft structure, and firmly fixed at its median part to a second frame located to the rear of the first frame. The engine is hooked beneath the upper beam. The system is orientated in relation to a longitudinal axis X, a transverse axis Y and a vertical axis Z. Two front engine attachment points are arranged symmetrically on either side of the vertical median plane of the engine. The front attachment points include a shaft which is inclined relative to the Y-direction and to the Z-direction so that they bear the forces along the longitudinal direction and forces which are inclined relative to the Z-direction and Y-direction.
US08196858B1
An aircraft is configured for flight in an atmosphere having a low density. The aircraft includes a fuselage, a pair of wings, and a rear stabilizer. The pair of wings extends from the fuselage in opposition to one another. The rear stabilizer extends from the fuselage in spaced relationship to the pair of wings. The fuselage, the wings, and the rear stabilizer each present an upper surface opposing a lower surface. The upper and lower surfaces have X, Y, and Z coordinates that are configured for flight in an atmosphere having low density.
US08196851B2
A paper shredder comprising a housing, cutters positioned in the housing, a feeder base coupled to the housing and including a feeder slot, and a pressure plate mounted for movement above the feeder base. The pressure plate has a length perpendicular to the feeder slot that is less than 80% of a length of the feeder base. In one embodiment, the pressure plate includes two rollers positioned on opposing sides of the feeder slot (e.g., rotational about axes fixed relative to each other). The pressure plate preferably does not overlap with any aperture(s) in the feeder base. The paper shredder can also include a feeder door that substantially covers the entire feeder base and is pivoted at one end of the feeder door. The pressure plate can be mounted adjacent a bottom surface of the feeder door.
US08196848B2
A gasifier injection module includes a two-stage slurry splitter and an injector face plate with a coolant system incorporated therein. The two-stage slurry splitter includes a main cavity into which a main slurry flow is provided. The main cavity includes a plurality of first stage flow dividers that divide the main slurry flow into a plurality of secondary slurry flows that flow into a plurality of secondary cavities that extend from the main cavity. Each secondary cavity includes a plurality of second stage flow dividers that divide each secondary slurry flow into a plurality of tertiary slurry flows that flow into a plurality of slurry injection tubes extending from the secondary cavities. The tertiary flows are injected as high pressure slurry streams into the gasification chamber via the slurry injection tubes. A reactant is impinged at high pressure, as an annular shaped spray, on each high pressure slurry stream via a plurality of annular impinging orifices incorporated into the injector face plate. The coolant system incorporated within the injector face plate maintains the injector face plate at a temperature sufficient to substantially reduce or prevent damage to the injector face plate by high temperatures and/or abrasive matter created by the resulting gasification reaction.
US08196844B2
Three-way valves having reduced leakage and fuel injectors using the same. Three-way spool poppet valves are disclosed having a spool with a poppet valve thereon cooperating with a seat on the valve housing to provide a substantially leak free valve closing in one direction characteristic of a poppet valve while preserving the advantages of a spool valve. Three-way ball valves are also disclosed having substantially leak free valves closing in both directions, but further including reduced short circuit losses due to direct flow from a high pressure supply to a low pressure vent during transition of the ball from one position to the opposite position. Fuel injectors with direct needle control using the three-way valves of the present invention are also disclosed.
US08196843B2
A multi-layer piezoelectric element having higher durability which experience less decrease in the amount of displacement even when operated continuously over a long period of time under a high pressure and a high voltage is provided. The multi-layer piezoelectric element comprises a plurality of piezoelectric layers and a plurality of internal electrode layers, wherein the piezoelectric layers and the internal electrode layers are stacked alternately one on another, and at least one of the plurality of internal electrode layers contains at least one nitride, titanium nitride or zirconium nitride.
US08196828B2
A spotter scope including an illuminator that generates a ranging signal is disclosed. The spotter scope further includes an imaging device with a focal plane array which detects backscatter radiation created by the ranging signal, and a controller which calculates a distance to a target. The controller also creates a wind profile between the spotter scope and the target based on scintillation statistics of backscatter detected by the focal plane array and provides corrective aiming instructions based on the wind profile.
US08196823B2
In one embodiment, the optical lock system may include an electronic control unit, a lock housing including a lock chamber, and an optical key including a multilayer photonic structure. The multilayer photonic structure may produce a unique intensity profile and includes a plurality of coating layers of high index dielectric material and a plurality of coating layers of low index dielectric. A light source may transmit a reference light to the multilayer photonic structure when the optical key is disposed within the lock chamber. A photo detector may receive an interaction light from the multilayer photonic structure and may transmit the unique intensity profile to the electronic control unit which may execute machine readable instructions to: compare the unique intensity profile to an electronic master; and cause the lock actuator to transition from a first state to a second state when the unique intensity profile corresponds to the electronic master.
US08196822B2
A system and method is disclosed for using object recognition/verification and weight information to confirm the accuracy of a UPC scan, or to provide an affirmative recognition where no UPC scan was made. In the preferred embodiment, the checkout system comprises: a universal product code (UPC) scanner configured to generate a product identifier; at least one camera for capturing one or more image of an item; a database of features and images of known objects; an image processor configured to: extract a plurality of geometric point features from the one or more images; identify matches between the extracted geometric point features and the features of known objects; generate a geometric transform between the extracted geometric point features and the features of known objects for a subset of known objects corresponding to matches; and identify one of the known objects based on a best match of the geometric transform; and a transaction processor configured to execute one of a predetermined set of actions if the identified object is different than the product identifier.
US08196817B2
A financial transaction card associated with an account of a cardholder is provided. The financial transaction card includes a front side, a back side, a signature block, and a validation code. The signature block includes a substrate having a bottom face and a top face wherein the bottom face is coupled to at least one of the sides of the card. The top face is substantially planar and includes a first data field and a second data field. The first data field and the second data field are non-overlapping. The validation code is associated with the account and is displayed within the second data field.
US08196812B2
A self-service terminal (SST) for use in conducting multiple financial transactions between a user of the SST and a financial institution includes one or more user-interface devices and a processing module. The user interface devices are configured to receive information from and provide information to the user. The processing module is configured to: (1) receive from the one or more user-interface devices information identifying a first one of the transactions and information containing details necessary to complete the first one of the transactions; (2) receive from the one or more user-interface devices information identifying a second one of the transactions and information containing details necessary to complete the second one of the transactions; and (3) thereafter initiate execution of the first one of the transactions and the second one of the transactions over a financial-transaction network.
US08196795B2
A self contained motor-powered disposable loading unit for use with a surgical cutting and stapling apparatus. The disposable loading unit may contain a battery that is retained in a disconnected position when the disposable loading unit is not in use and is moved to a connected position when the disposable loading unit is coupled to the surgical cutting and stapling apparatus to permit the motor to be selectively powered thereby. Indicators may be supported on the disposable loading unit to indicate when the axial drive assembly thereof is in a starting position and an ending position. Another indicator may be provided to indicate when the anvil assembly is in a closed position.
US08196789B2
A bike rack for carrying a bicycle on a vehicle includes an elongate body for supporting a bicycle, and a fork mount for securing the front fork of the bicycle. A fork mount includes a skewer assembly having a shaft and a keyed member being freed to slide axially along the shaft, but not permitted to rotate around the shaft. A handle device is provided for rotation around the shaft causing adjustment of the effective length of the shaft. A lock device is configured to couple the handle device to the keyed member and prevent rotation of the handle around the shaft.
US08196786B2
A dispensing closure for a container that includes closure walls, at least one dispensing aperture, at least one closing element that is movable between a position where the aperture is closed, and a position where the aperture is open. This closure includes at least one actionable member that surrounds the closure walls and the closing element, and at least one connection element located between the actionable member and the closing element. The connection element is made of a material that is sufficiently rigid below a predetermined safety temperature, to connect the actionable member and closing element, thus allowing opening of the dispensing aperture by moving the actionable member and fluid above temperature so that the actionable member and closing element are disconnected. A temperature dependent connection material is filled into at least one cavity in the actionable member or in the closing element while the temperature dependent connection material is in its liquid state, and is subsequently cooled to form the connection element.
US08196784B2
A pressurized aerosol sprayer and method of making, a pressurized aerosol sprayer are disclosed. In one embodiment the aerosol sprayer includes an aerosol sprayer actuator attached to an aerosol container, wherein the sprayer actuator includes an actuator housing, a trigger piece having a trigger and operatively associated with the actuator housing to activate the release of fluid from the container, a nozzle in fluid communication with the container, and a trigger loop encircling the trigger.
US08196783B2
Embodiments relate to a device and method for dispensing pressurized fluid from a container wherein the internal pressure of the container is not exposed to an external or ambient atmosphere.
US08196780B2
The present invention provides a positive displacement rotary vane mixing pump in combination with a positive displacement rotary vane fluid pump. The mixing pump having an air inlet, an inlet for foamable fluid from the fluid pump, and an outlet from a discharge sector of the pump for discharging a mixture of air and liquid to a foam generator.
US08196776B2
An apparatus and a method for controlling a beverage dispensing machine. The apparatus performs the method and the method includes steps of monitoring, through a sensing device, the ingredient amount/level and/or the shape of the surface of the ingredient within the container, comparing the monitored value with a reference value stored in a machine control unit, and changing one or more operative parameters of the beverage dispensing machine, when necessary on the basis of the comparison. The monitoring may include detecting a distance between the sensing device, which is positioned above the ingredient, and at least one point of an upper surface of the ingredient. The operative parameters may be operating time of the machine to draw the ingredient from the container, an amount of ingredient drawn from the container, and an operating time or condition of other machine units.
US08196769B2
A container body 1 has a rim profile formed by folding sheet metal material. The profile defines at least two separate zones 14, 15 which are completely enclosed by the folded material and two runs of the material 5, 10 meet at the junction 16 between the two zones 14, 15 and are welded to one another at that junction. A lid 2 also has a rim profile folded from sheet material.
US08196764B2
It is related to a liquid container, which may be in the shape of a bottle with an elongated section at its top in a first position and is convertible to a glass or goblet in a second position with the elongated section at the bottom. The liquid container may be a wine container, which can be a wine bottle in its first position and also be a wine glass in its second position. Conversion between the first and second positions can be achieved via a relatively simple and instant way, such as turning a container in one position upside down and placing the container in another position. Such conversion may not need additional process such as disassembling and/or reassembling the container.
US08196760B1
An adjustable mounting system for mounting a display on a fixture. First and second supports each include a bracket portion and a lateral arm portion. The bracket portion of the first support is operatively connectable to the fixture at a first location and the bracket portion of the second support is operatively connectable to the fixture at a second location. A cross support includes a first lateral adjustment arm, a second lateral adjustment arm, and an adapter arm. The first lateral adjustment arm is adjustably connected to the first lateral arm and the second lateral adjustment arm is adjustably connected to the second lateral arm. A display adapter is adjustably connected to the adapter arm and the display adapter includes an adapter support arm and an adapter bracket configured for operative connection to a display.
US08196755B2
A process for the production of a composite membrane, one or more microporous separation layers comprising a zeolite of the MFI type being produced by hydrothermal synthesis on a porous substrate, wherein one or more additives from the group consisting of linear (C1-C4)-alcohols, ammonia, primary, secondary and tertiary amines having in each case (C1-C4)-alkyl radicals, (C1-C4)-aminoalcohols and (C3-C4)-ketones are added to the synthesis solution for the hydrothermal synthesis.
US08196753B2
A screening panel is provided for screening particulate materials. The screening panel includes a peripheral frame and a plurality of ribs. The peripheral frame has an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer peripheral surface interconnecting the upper surface and lower surface. Further, the peripheral frame defines an opening. The ribs extend across the opening and define a screening surface. Each of the plurality of ribs has a substantially flat upper surface. The screening panel further includes at least one generally arcuate raised member extending from the upper surface of each of the plurality of ribs. The raised members facilitate screening the particulate materials.
US08196752B2
A lump coal size sorting grate comprising parallel bars is provided with three spaced apart, parallel cleaning combs which can be individually activated to clean the sizing grid of lodged coal lumps in a predetermined sequence so that the entire sizing grid is never closed during a coal sorting operation. The cleaning combs are made of spaced, parallel bars which can be pivoted upwardly, between and through the bars of the sizing grate. An adaptive system which senses and responds to a clogged condition in the grate can be provided by sensing crusher motor current or, in the alternative, sensing grate bar deflection using strain gage transducers.
US08196749B2
A slide and shell container includes an outer shell having a first wall with an aperture provided therein; an inner slide slidable within the outer shell between a closed position in which the interior of the inner slide is inaccessible and an open position in which the interior of the inner slide is accessible; and a hinged flap connected to the inner slide that protrudes through the aperture in the first wall of the outer shell. The hinged flap is pivotable between a first position in which the flap rests against the first wall of the outer shell and a second position in which the flap is hinged outwardly from the first wall of the outer shell upon slidable movement of the inner slide between the closed position and the open position.
US08196746B2
This hygienic or aseptic multi-pouch package includes one or more inner pouches, finger, multi-finger and full hand sized capable of being carried by a card holder which is removably stored within an outer pouch. The inner pouch is suitable for use as a finger pouch which may be used to clean teeth or for similar purposes. When only one inner pouch is hygienically removed at a time, the remaining pouches can be conveniently resealed within the card holder in the outer pouch.
US08196744B2
The present invention concerns a packaging unit (1) for several pipe sections (2) of mineral wool with a packaging material (5), which surrounds the several pipe sections (2) to form the packaging unit (1), with the packaging material (5) arranged around the pipe sections (2) under pressure, the pipe sections (2) are folded within the packaging unit (1) with reduction of the pipe section cavity, and the pipe sections (2) are formed elastically such that, in the folded state, recovery forces for restoring the unfolded initial shape are built up. By means of the packaging unit (1) of the invention, several pipe sections (2) can be transported and stored very economically. In this connection, pipe sections (2) are not restricted in their functionality, but, after removal from packaging unit (1), may be used directly and without restriction, e.g., to insulate chimneys.
US08196738B1
A lagging for a belt conveyor pulley comprises a continuous and homogeneous rubber volume and a number of small plate-like ceramic lagging elements. The ceramic elements may be of rectangular, square, oval or circular shape in various patterns with and without grooving. The lagging is hot vulcanization bonded to the periphery of a pulley in a manner without seams or other paths for liquid or debris ingress to pulley rubber bond.
US08196734B2
An automatic convey device adapted for pushing and grouping a plurality of connectors includes a frame assembly, a holding module and a feeding module disposed on the frame assembly respectively. The holding module has a plurality of positioning units for positioning the connectors. The feeding module includes a power unit, a sliding unit disposed on the frame assembly, a plurality of pushing units and a grouping unit mounted to the sliding unit respectively. The pushing units are capable of repeatedly pushing the respective connectors move forward until the connectors are positioned by the positioning units and then move backward for repeating the last action to push the next connectors forward. The grouping unit is capable of repeating the action of pushing forward the connector positioned by the forward positioning unit and capable of being controlled by the power unit to disconnect with or connect with and push the corresponding connectors.
US08196728B2
A roller assembly is provided which includes a roller tube having outer and inner surfaces extending between ends, a pair of bearing assemblies mounted respectively at either end of the roller tube, locating assembly for axially locating the pair of bearing assemblies with respect to the roller tube, the bearing assemblies being distal from each other, and centering assembly for centering each of the bearing assemblies with respect to the roller tube. Each bearing assembly includes an axle, the axles of the bearing assemblies being independent from each other, first and second bearings positioned in a spaced apart relationship on the axle, and a casing enclosing the first and second bearings.
US08196719B2
The invention relates to a sintered brake lining (3) with a cylindrical friction element (4) made from a first sintered material, which has an external cylinder surface and a cylinder height (6), and with a reinforcing element (5) enclosing the friction element (4) which is disposed on the external cylinder surface and extends at least approximately across the entire cylinder height (6), and the reinforcing element (5) is made from another sintered material with a metal matrix. At least one abrasive substance is contained in the metal matrix of the other sintered material of the reinforcing element (5). The other sintered material is of a higher strength than the first sintered material of the friction element (4).
US08196716B2
A caliper for a disc-brake includes two side walls at a distance from each other which delimit a space to accommodate a portion of a brake disc. The side walls are connected to each other by a connecting structure which straddles the disc space. Each of the side walls delimits at least one seating capable of accommodating a pad. The caliper comprises a thrust to clamp the pads against the brake disc. The thrust is secured to the side walls in such a way that the side walls absorb the entire clamping force and the seatings are capable of securing the pads so that the side walls also absorb the entire braking moment. The connecting structure comprises arc-shaped shells, connected so as to be integral with both the side walls. The slenderness of the shells expressed as the ratio of thickness to circumferential extension relative to an axis of rotation of the brake disc is less than 17/100.
US08196710B2
An oil pan structure is provided that can prevent overheating when the temperature of oil is high, and can rapidly raise the temperature when the temperature of the oil is low. The oil pan structure includes: an oil pan main body; a partitioning wall that partitions the inside of the oil pan main body into a first area and a second area; a plate-shaped baffle plate that is provided at an upper portion of the oil pan main body and inclines downward from the first area toward the second area. The oil pan structure further includes: an oil retaining portion at a lower portion of the second area and an oil cooling portion at a lower portion of the first area, at the bottom wall of the oil pan main body; an upper communication opening that communicates an upper surface side and a lower surface side thereof in the baffle plate; a lower communication opening at a lower end side of the partitioning wall that communicates the first area and the second area as well as causes oil that has fallen into the first area after passing through the upper communication opening to flow into the second area via the oil cooling portion.
US08196707B2
An arrangement for cooling oil in a gearbox of a vehicle which is powered by a combustion engine. An oil cooler is fitted in the vehicle close to the gearbox. An oil system circulates oil between the gearbox and the oil cooler. An oil circuit contains a circulating coolant to cool the oil in the oil cooler. A cooling element cools the coolant by air which flows through the cooling element. The cooling element is situated at a location in the vehicle where air at the temperature of the surroundings flows through it. The cooling circuit includes a line to lead the cooled coolant from the cooling element to the oil cooler. The oil in the oil cooler can thus be cooled to a temperature close to the temperature of the surroundings.
US08196705B2
The invention is directed to a suspended scaffolding apparatus mountable on wall for supporting a scaffold platform. The scaffolding apparatus includes at least attachment brackets, at least two vertical frame members, at least two support brackets, one or more braces and at least two detachable railing posts. The vertical frame members and associated support brackets may be selectively attached and detached from the attachment brackets which remain mounted on the top surface of the wall. The scaffolding apparatus can thus be conveniently installed at any time to permit work on the roof of the building.
US08196702B2
A muffler for a vehicle includes a plurality of baffles fixed at a predetermined distance in a longitudinal direction of a muffler housing, an exhaust gas inflow pipe, an intermediate pipe, and a plurality of exhaust gas outflow pipes having an inlet thereof positioned in the same chamber defined by the adjacent pair of the baffles with the outlet of the intermediate pipe to considerably reduce exhaust noise, flow-induced noise, and booming noise of exhaust gas. The muffler is effectively protected from thermal damage of a vehicle by implementing a sound-absorbing heat-insulating material therein, and impresses consumers with dynamic, powerful, and polished image by making the exhaust gas outflow pipe in a dual type composed of first and second exhaust gas outflow pipes and disposing the outlet at the lower center of a rear bumper to be exposed to the outside, thereby considerably improving productivity of vehicles.
US08196699B2
To suppress temperature rises of an electric power steering device provided at a vehicle equipped with a diff lock device and to restrict the operation of the electric power steering device at times other than during diff locking. An electric power steering device that is coupled to a steering shaft fitted with handlebars at an upper end and that generates auxiliary force that supplements the steering force, and a diff lock unit that selects a differential state and a non-differential state (diff lock) of a differential device are provided. An ECU reduces the maximum value of the auxiliary force generated by the electric power steering device to a prescribed limit value when the diff lock is detected by the diff lock sensor is also provided. The ECU releases limiting of the maximum value of the auxiliary force when release of the diff lock is detected by the diff lock sensor.
US08196693B2
A regenerative braking system for a vehicle, motorized or otherwise, that captures and stores the braking energy of the vehicle through the mechanical compression of a volume of pressurized gas contained in one or more onboard gas springs. This stored energy can be selectively released by the driver to assist with the acceleration of the vehicle from a stopped or moving condition. The compression of the volume of gas is accomplished by the insertion of a plunger into the cylinder of a gas spring by a mechanical spooling cable arrangement powered by the rotative braking of the vehicle. The release of the stored energy is accomplished by the withdrawal of the piston which acts through the spooling cable arrangement to transmit torque to the vehicle's drive train. The system can be implemented in various motorized or non-motorized vehicles.
US08196689B2
Saddle-type vehicle including front-end mounted radiator, controller case and controller heat shield
A saddle-type vehicle including a radiator disposed forwardly of a steering shaft for steering a front wheel, the radiator being covered by a vehicle body cover, the vehicle including a controller case which extends forwardly of the steering shaft of a vehicle body frame, formed separately from the vehicle body cover, and fixed on a frame supporting the radiator. The controller case is positioned rearward of and above the radiator, and is configured such that the controller case supports an electronic controller therein. The saddle-type vehicle also includes a heat shield disposed between the radiator and the controller, wherein the heat shield substantially isolates the controller from heat emitted from the radiator.
US08196688B2
A method of carrying out a shift operation with traction force interruption during hybrid operation when the electric machine has failed or the energy accumulator is full in a parallel hybrid vehicle having an automated transmission. During an upshift, the power inverter, connected to the electric machine, is actuated with an active short-circuit whereby a torque is generated, at the electric machine, which is used for synchronizing the transmission input.
US08196687B2
An extended-range electric vehicle includes drive wheels, an engine having an output shaft, a planetary gear set having a node driven by the output shaft of the engine when the engine is on, and first and second electric machines. The first electric machine is connected to another node, and operates as a generator when the engine is on. A one-way clutch is connected to the remaining node. The second electric machine is connected to an output side of the one-way clutch, with a shaft connecting the drive wheels to the second electric machine. A controller provides a forward electric-only (EV) mode, a reverse EV mode, power-split mode(s), and series mode(s). The series mode(s) provide a direct mechanical path between the engine and drive wheels, with the one-way clutch overrunning in the forward EV mode. The one-way clutch may be activated passively or by a PRNDL device.
US08196677B2
A horizontal direction drilling system comprises a power pack coupled to a source of compressed air and a water reservoir and forms a mixture of compressed air, water, and oil. The horizontal direction drilling system further comprises a steerable horizontal drill. The steerable horizontal drill includes an air powered reciprocating hammer, and a drill head. The steerable horizontal drill receives the mixture to power the reciprocating hammer. The drill head includes a drill face and the mixture exits the steerable horizontal drill through the drill face.
US08196674B2
It is an object of the invention to provide a technique that contributes to further improvement of an impact tool. A representative impact tool includes a motor, a tool body that houses the motor, a dynamic vibration reducer and a driving mechanism part that is driven by the motor and forcibly drives the dynamic vibration reducer by applying an external force other than vibration of the tool body to the dynamic vibration reducer, during hammering operation. At least one of the dynamic vibration reducer and the driving mechanism part is mounted to the tool body in a form of an assembly into which at least one of a plurality of component parts forming the dynamic vibration reducer and a plurality of component parts forming the driving mechanism part are assembled in advance.
US08196669B2
A method of drilling a wellbore (1) into an earth formation is disclosed. The method comprises arranging a drill string (6) and an expandable tubular element (8) coaxially in the wellbore, the drill string having an axially extending fluid passage (30), the tubular element surrounding the drill string and having a lower end bent (12) radially outward and in axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded tubular section (10) extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element, said lower end defining a bending zone of the tubular element, wherein an annular space is formed between the drill string and the remaining tubular section.
US08196667B2
A technique is provided for pumping fluids in a subterranean wellbore. A submersible pumping system can be deployed in a wellbore for moving desired fluids within the wellbore. The pumping system energizes the desired fluid movement by reciprocating a working fluid between expandable members.
US08196654B2
A close-tolerance expandable bow spring centralizer 8 having a first expandable collar 10A coupled to and spaced apart from a second expandable collar 10B through a plurality of bow springs 30 wherein expandable collars 10A, 10B comprise a plurality of slidably coupled links 16 that separate to expand the diameter of the collars 10A, 10B, e.g., upon expansion of an expandable pipe string 80 on which the centralizer 8 is received. Expandable bow spring centralizer 8 may grip the expandable pipe string 80 when in the collapsed configuration to eliminate the need for a stop collar. Additionally or alternatively, a fin 32 may be connected to each bow spring 30, and then connected to one or more adjacent fins 32 upon collapse of the bow springs 30 to form a restraining band 39 that may be ruptured, e.g., upon expansion of the expandable pipe string 80.
US08196650B1
For use with a top drive power unit supported for connection with a well string in a well bore to selectively impart longitudinal and/or rotational movement to the well string, a feeder for supplying a pumpable substance such as cement and the like from an external supply source to the interior of the well string in the well bore without first discharging it through the top drive power unit including a mandrel extending through a sleeve which is sealably and rotatably supported thereon for relative rotation between the sleeve and mandrel. The mandrel and sleeve have flow passages for communicating the pumpable substance from an external source to discharge through the sleeve and mandrel and into the interior of the well string below the top drive power unit. The unit can include a packing injection system and novel seal configuration.
US08196646B2
A heat exchanger assembly including a first and second heat exchangers disposed in sandwiched relationship with one another. The tubes and air fins of the first and second heat exchangers are aligned with one another in a transverse air flow direction. A plurality of middle connecting portions are integral with and extend in the transverse air flow direction between the aligned first and second air fins of the two heat exchangers. Each of the middle connecting portions has a slot for impeding heat conduction between the first and second air fins, and each of the slots in the middle connecting portions is disposed closer to the first tubes than to the second tubes to maximize the effective length of the second air fin.
US08196642B2
A heating and air conditioning apparatus has an enclosure that defines an interior volume containing a compressor, a condenser coil, an expansion valve, an evaporator coil, a hot water coil, an evaporator fan, and a condenser fan. The compressor, the condenser coil, the expansion valve, and the evaporator coil are in communication with each other. The enclosure also has first and second input air openings and first and second output air openings. The evaporator fan draws air through the first input air opening and then through the evaporator coil and the hot water coil, and thereafter forces such air out of the enclosure through the first air outlet opening. The condenser fan draws air through the second input air opening and then through the condenser coil, and thereafter forces such air out of the enclosure through the second air outlet opening.
US08196641B2
A casting furnace for manufacturing a metal casting comprises an interior chamber and a secondary chamber through which the metal casting passes from the interior chamber into external atmosphere. A seal along the secondary chamber surrounds and seals against the metal casting to separate the interior chamber from the external atmosphere in a manner which allows for an extended period of continuous casting. A force producing mechanism typically forces the seal against the metal casting. Multiple seals may be used sequentially to increase the duration of the sealing capability and the continuous casting process.
US08196636B2
A method of laminating a surface of a flexible material to a surface of a rigid, curved material. The method includes pressing an area of the surface of the flexible material into the surface of the rigid, curved material with a holder to create a contact area while the flexible material is conformed to the holder, which has a curvature greater than a curvature of the rigid, curved material surface; and changing the contact area between the surface of the flexible material and the surface of the rigid, curved material while maintaining pressure on the contact area until the surface of the flexible material and the surface of the rigid curved material are laminated.
US08196633B2
Disclosed herein is a correction tape applicator or a transfer tape dispenser which is adapted to be used to correct markings, for example, such as characters, numerals, and the like recorded on a sheet of paper, or adhere sheets of paper to each other. According to the correction tape applicator of the present invention, a tape cartridge directly applied to the application work is completely protectively accommodated within a casing so that it can be used more stably for a long time period to improve durability to thereby achieve economic efficiency. Also, the tape cartridge can be easily disengaged from and engaged with the casing to enhance convenience of use, and an opening/closing space of a cover can be minimized to achieve miniaturization of the casing.
US08196625B1
A bead lock tire rim with a supplemental tread on the bead lock to protect the rim and the bolts. The tread extends past the edge of the rim to keep the tire from being split and the side area of the supplemental tread protects the bead lock while providing enhanced traction to the sidewall of the rim. A rim using a rounded projection to eliminate tire cutting and recessed nut locations with secure faceting is also provided for simple field repairs and long term durability.
US08196621B2
A collar for a dispensing connector and a fitment assembly are disclosed. The connector collar engages a valved fitment for a container for holding and dispensing fluid. The fitment includes a spout connected to the container and a sliding internal valve body and an external valve body securely positioned within the spout. The connector collar has a fitment end mateable with the fitment so as to compress the top edge of the external valve body so as to form a seal between the external valve body and the dispensing connector.
US08196620B2
The improved bag valve includes a flexible bag (4) made of an impermeable material with an opening that is closed by a valve (6) for filling the bag (4) with a desired product. The empty bag (4) is rolled up or folded about a longitudinal axis (X-X′) and kept in the rolled position. The bag (4) is designed so as to elongate itself when filled with the desired product.
US08196615B1
A device and method of using a liquid/air pressure testing tool to assist in testing and repairing liquid-filled agricultural tires is herein disclosed. The device provides a valving arrangement to allow alternating fluid transfer and air backfilling of a fluid-filled agricultural tire. The device utilizes quick-disconnect fittings providing quick in-line installation therebetween a fluid pump and a fluid filled tire. The device provides an inline ball valve and an isolation valve, thereby providing isolation of a pumping source and an air back-filling means, respectively. During fluid filling of a tire, the isolation valve allows monitoring of internal tire pressure using a common pressure gauge without removing the device or disconnecting any attached hoses. The device thus eliminates repeated steps when testing or repairing large fluid-filled tires as used on farm tractors and other agricultural machinery.
US08196608B2
The present invention is directed to a pressure-responsive valve assembly which functions in the nature of a check valve to control fluid flow across the assembly. The assembly includes a valve body which defines first and second internal flow passages, and includes a valve seat through which at least one flow port extends for joining the first and second passages in fluid communication with each other. A flexible, resiliently deformable valve member is positioned in operative association with the valve seat, and can be deflected, in response to a sufficient pressure differential, to move out of sealing engagement with the valve seat, to thereby permit fluid flow through the valve assembly.
US08196607B2
A subsea coupling comprises a male coupler having a probe and a female coupler comprising a socket for the reception of the probe. The couplers each include a valve which is openable on mating of the couplers to provide communication with the socket. The socket includes a recess accommodating an annular seal for providing a radial seal between the probe and the socket. In one embodiment the leading edge of the probe includes at least one relief channel for allowing the escape of hydraulic fluid entrapped between the probe, the seal and the recess when the couplers are made up. There may be a stand-off ring disposed between one end of the recess and the inner side of the seal. In another embodiment the relief channel is provided in the socket.
US08196606B2
A coupling member is disclosed which includes a valve device that is axially movable between an open position and a closed position where the valve device closes an annular valve opening defined an outer valve seat portion and an inner valve seat portion. The valve device includes an outer annular sealing member and an inner annular sealing member. The inner annular sealing member includes an annular extending portion configured such that, when the valve device approaches the closed position, the annular extending portion sealingly engages the inner valve seat portion and is elastically bent to allow the valve device advance further to the closed position so that the outer annular sealing member positively engages the outer valve seat portion.
US08196605B2
An air intake device for an engine is provided in which a bypass valve (V) is formed from a tubular valve chamber (15) having its interior opening on the upstream side of a bypass (20) and having an inner face with a metering hole (16) opening toward the downstream side of the bypass (20), and a valve body (25) that is slidably but non-rotatably fitted into the valve chamber (15) and that opens and closes the metering hole (16), wherein the valve chamber (15) and the metering hole (16) are formed in a bypass valve holder (10) provided so as to be connected to a throttle body (1), and a dividing wall (17) that divides the metering hole (16) into a plurality of small metering holes (16a, 16b) arranged in the peripheral direction of the valve chamber (15) is formed in the bypass valve holder (10) so as to be continuous with an inner peripheral face of the valve chamber (15). This can prevent any hindrance to the closing movement of the valve body of the bypass valve even when a large metering hole is employed.
US08196602B2
The Water Distribution System is specifically applicable in cold climates in which water distribution systems may be subjected to freezing during the winter months.The Water Distribution System is applicable to domestic, industrial, recreational and institutional water distribution systems including water transmission and distribution mains and service connections.The Water Distribution System has applications in specific terrain and climatic conditions such as high bedrock, high groundwater table and permafrost.The Water Distribution System may, in specific terrain and climatic conditions, use uninsulated or insulated water mains and service connections, but without heat tracing or water bleeding in any case.The Water Distribution System is applicable to single and multiple complex distribution pipe systems arranged as parallel or looped, or combination of both arrangements.The system design is simple, practical and economical when compared to conventional design of insulated and heat traced pipes or deep burry installations, or water bleeding to prevent freezing.
US08196593B2
A dishwasher including at least one cutlery basket for accommodating cutlery items in a horizontal position, wherein the at least one cutlery basket is adjustable at least in sections, and wherein the at least one cutlery basket includes a first subsection having an adjustable clearance height, and a second subsection having an adjustable clearance height.
US08196589B2
A wireless marker for localizing a target of a patient comprises a casing and a magnetic transponder at least partially received in the casing. The magnetic transponder produces a wirelessly transmitted magnetic field in response to a wirelessly transmitted excitation energy. The magnetic transponder also has a magnetic centroid. The marker also comprises an imaging element carried by the casing and/or the magnetic transponder. The imaging element has a radiographic profile in a radiographic image such that the marker has a radiographic centroid at least approximately coincident with the magnetic centroid.
US08196586B2
A draping system for use in medical procedures includes a drape portion adapted to cover a surface, such as medical equipment or a patient, and serves as a barrier to fluid and debris during medical procedures. The draping system may have a fastening portion affixed to the drape portion and adapted to secure the drape portion to medical equipment. The drape portion may form a pocket for collecting debris resulting from a medical procedure. The drape portion may have an opening therein spanned by a non-porous, elastic membrane.
US08196585B2
An air delivery system for providing a supply of air from a source of air at positive pressure to an interfacing structure located at the entrance to the airways of a patient includes a manifold adapted to connect with the supply of positive air pressure and at least one tube connected to the manifold and adapted to deliver the supply of air to the interfacing structure. Each tube is structured to allow movement between an open phase in which the tube allows the passage of air and a collapsed phase in which the tube is collapsed. Each tube is structured such that weight of a typical patient's head against bedding apparel is sufficient to collapse the tube from the open phase to the collapsed phase.
US08196582B2
An apparatus and system are disclosed to extract breathable air from snow via an air extraction backpack. The apparatus includes an air-permeable extraction assembly that is attached to a backpack. The air-permeable extraction assembly has an air intake cavity. An air-permeable membrane covers the air intake cavity. A mouthpiece is in fluid communication with the air intake cavity. The mouthpiece draws intake air through the air intake cavity upon inhalation by a user. A transfer guide passes intake air from the air-permeable extraction assembly to the mouthpiece upon inhalation by the user.
US08196579B2
A low flow heated/humidified respiratory gas delivery system, especially useful for low flow rates as preferred in the treatment of neonate and other such patients, wherein the respiratory gas is heated and humidified as desired for delivery to the patient and the temperature is monitored at the point of delivery to the patient.
US08196574B2
A nose mask for applying an anesthesia gas to a laboratory animal in a casing means includes an anesthesia tube, an outer wall which is disposed outside the anesthesia tube to form a space therebetween and an anesthesia recovery system having an anesthesia recovery port open to the space. The anesthesia tube includes an anesthesia supply section which opens to an wall of the anesthesia tube so that the anesthesia is applied to the laboratory animal by inserting the nose of the laboratory animal, an anesthesia introducing section for introducing the anesthesia gas to the anesthesia tube, and an anesthesia discharging section for discharging the anesthesia gas from the anesthesia tube.
US08196573B2
A system for intermittent delivery of an aerosolized medicament is disclosed. The system may include an aerosol generator, a controller and a conduit. The aerosol generator may be configured to aerosolize a medicament. The controller may be configured to receive physiological characteristic information about a patient, and control the aerosol generator based at least in part on the physiological characteristic information. The conduit may be configured to supply the aerosolized medicament to the patient's airway.
US08196572B1
The solar panel cone with rotating mirror includes a cone-shaped solar panel array that rests upon a base, and a rotating mirror. The rotating mirror rotates about the base via a series of gears and motor. The device includes an electrical converter that is wired to the motor and an electrical wire that supplies electricity.
US08196563B2
Operating an engine includes monitoring engine crank position, a corresponding engine torque, and an engine operating point. A state of an engine control parameter is adjusted in response to a difference between an identified location of peak torque and a preferred location of peak torque.
US08196559B2
A device for removing a fluidic contaminant from lubricating oil in an internal combustion engine includes a fluid absorbing element comprising a mounting element and a fluid absorption media assembled into a sump of a crankcase of the internal combustion engine. The fluid absorbing element is immersed within the oil contained in the sump when the engine is not operating. The fluid absorption media is configured to absorb a fluidic contaminant in the engine oil when the engine is not operating and to desorb the absorbed fluidic contaminant.
US08196558B2
In a system, a starter includes a motor for rotatably driving an output shaft with a pinion and an actuator that shifts the pinion toward a ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. A monitor unit monitors a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine. The rotational speed of the internal combustion engine drops after an automatic control for stop of the engine. When an engine restart request occurs with the rotational speed being within a preset range during the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine dropping by the automatic control for stop of the engine, a drive unit drives the actuator to shift the pinion toward the ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. The drive unit rotatably drives the motor with the pinion being engaged with the ring gear to thereby crank the crankshaft.
US08196551B1
A simulated mouse toy having a prerecorded sound chip therein is provided which emits a prerecorded sound upon physical movement, such as when swatted, rolled or carried, to encourage pets to continue to play. A motion imparting device formed of a solenoid is operatively connected in conjunction the prerecorded sound chip to simultaneously provide a jittery or twitching visual stimulation.
US08196550B2
A solar-powered ball is described. The solar-powered ball includes a member positioned in an interior of the solar-powered ball. The member comprises a solar panel that powers motion-activated lights. The solar-powered ball provides a pet toy. The solar-powered ball further includes an internal frame that supports an outer shell. The outer shell allows solar or light radiation to pass through to the solar panel in order to power the motion-activated lights.
US08196545B2
In order to manufacture an epitaxial wafer having satisfactory flatness over its entire surface, epitaxial layers are experimentally grown upon actual wafer samples under various different layer formation conditions, the thickness profiles are measured over the entire surfaces of these wafers before and after growth of the layers, and, from the differences thereof, layer thickness profiles over the entire areas of the epitaxial layers under the various different layer formation conditions are ascertained and stored. Thereafter, the thickness profile of a substrate wafer is measured over its entire area, this is added to each of the layer thickness profiles under the various different layer formation conditions which have been stored, and the planarities of the manufactured wafers which would be manufactured under these various different layer formation conditions are predicted. And one set of processing conditions is selected which is predicted to satisfy a required flatness specification, and an epitaxial layer is actually grown upon the substrate wafer under these processing conditions.
US08196544B2
A machine controlled by a computer for depositing a liquefied electronically-interactive material on a sheet or support card, which includes: a base (1) to support the mobile bed (2) which is moved longitudinally (Y) by means of a worm screw (20) whose movement is controlled by a computer, and for the support and fixing of the said support sheet or card “S” on which the layer of electronically-interactive material is to be formed; a bridge above the said base with a transversal shaft (30) which also has a worm screw and whose movement is also controlled by the said computer, in which the transversal shaft (30) moves the said distribution unit for the electronically-interactive material to be deposited (3) in an orthogonal direction (X).
US08196542B2
A towing apparatus comprises a structural assembly extending between opposing first and second bases for pivoting between operating and stored positions. A locking assembly includes a pin in each base and a hook carried at opposing ends of the structural assembly. A cam is pivotally connected to the hook for movement between locked and released positions. In the locked position, the hook is secured to the pin for preventing rotation of the structural assembly. In the released position, the hook is spaced from the pin to permit rotation of the structural assembly. The hook is rotatable with the cam from the released position to adjacent the pin by rotation of a shaft and slidable along the pin into the locking position by a continued shaft rotation. A cable is attached between the base and a spring within the structural assembly for biasing the structural assembly toward the operating position.
US08196539B2
An offshore platform includes a buoyant hull comprising three or more interconnected pontoons and a plurality of support columns. The support columns support a deck or structure that supports equipment and/or payloads above a water surface. The support columns extend upwardly from respective ends of the pontoons to the deck or structure supported above the water surface. Anchoring members anchor the platform to the seabed.
US08196536B1
An apparatus to reduce skin friction drag on a marine hull by imparting ultrasonically-induced cavitation at a boundary layer of a hull-water interface. The apparatus comprises a sonification plate mounted or adapted to be mounted on at least a portion of a wettable area of the hull (interior or exterior) to define a boundary layer region with the water medium, a power source to energize the sonification plate, and a controller to regulate the frequency and/or intensity of microcavitation bubbles produced at the boundary layer whereby to alter the Reynolds number, kinematic viscosity, and coefficient of friction. The sonification plate is hermetically sealed and includes an array of ultrasonic transducers therein, which may be mounted on all or a portion of the hull. Energizing the transducers nucleates microcavitation bubbles upon entrained gases and/or particulate matter residing in the water medium.
US08196530B1
The Christmas tree supporting table includes a box support, a circular tabletop that has a hole about the middle and is divided into two sections that are hingedly connected. The box support contains the Christmas tree stand and a power strip for powering the Christmas tree lights. The circular tabletop folds flat upon the box and the Christmas tree stand and base of the Christmas tree. The supporting table elevates the Christmas tree, hides the Christmas tree stand, and provides a hiding place for a power strip to supply electricity to the Christmas tree lights.
US08196526B2
A worksurface arrangement comprising at least a first support member, a first worksurface forming member supported by the first support member at a first vertical height and extending to a first side from the first support member, a second worksurface forming member supported by the first support member at a second vertical height and extending to a second side opposite the first side of the first support member and a housing including, a front cover extending below the first worksurface forming member, a substantially vertical upper back cover extending downward from the first worksurface forming member substantially to the second vertical height proximate the second worksurface forming member and spaced from the front cover wherein the upper back cover and the front cover bound an upper housing cavity width and a lower back cover extending below the second worksurface forming member and spaced from the front cover wherein the lower back cover and the front cover bound a lower housing cavity width that is larger than the upper housing cavity width.
US08196525B2
A leg assembly for a table and notably for a desk includes a base resting on the ground, shaft with a vertical appearance, attached to the base, and an upper sole surmounting the shaft and provided for supporting a platform. The sole has a hook positioned at a free end of the sole localized in the vicinity of a border of the platform.
US08196516B2
A sensor head-transporting roller carriage has four pairs of wheels acting around pivot points at the four corners of the carriage, which is advanced along tracks that are supported by vertical structures. The lateral wheel spacing is chosen in correlation with the track support interval distances such that the vertical travel of all the wheels together is averaged, to be zero. As a result, variations in displacement alignment of the sensor are minimized. In addition, the pivot mechanism results in a fifty percent reduction in the effect of random vertical deflections caused by track debris or wheel concentricity etc. versus standard non-pivoting wheel sets. The roller carriage moves the sensor head along the cross direction to monitoring physical characteristics of a web of material that is moving in the machine direction.
US08196510B2
A method for producing a flexographic plate that includes a base layer and a layer of a photosensitive material fixed on the base layer. An image is produced on the photosensitive layer by selective reticulation. Areas to be reticulated are exposed to amplitude-modulated laser light with a wavelength ranging from 390 to 410 nm, which scans the surface of the photosensitive layer. The non-reticulated areas are then removed.
US08196503B1
A hull for an armored vehicle is provided, comprising a set of panels constituting portions of the hull, and having a passenger cabin with an interior defined by at least some of the panels. The panels are attached to one another via a plurality of bolts. The hull comprises one or more preventing arrangements for preventing the bolts from reaching the interior of the passenger cabin in an event that they become secondary projectiles.
US08196502B2
The invention pertains to a device (1) for the rotative scoring of flat printed products in order to prepare a bending line, particularly in a brochure cover that is supplied in the form of a sheet (2), with said device featuring at least one pair of scoring tools (11.1, 11.2) that consists of a scoring knife (12) and an assigned scoring matrix (13), with the scoring tools (12, 13) being arranged on a first and a second scoring shaft (14.1, 14.2) that are arranged parallel to one another and driven in opposite directions, and with said device also featuring at least one pair of transport rollers (30) that is arranged axially adjacent to the pair of scoring tools (11.1, 11.2) and consists of a first and a second transport roller (31, 32) that effectively clamp the sheet (2) between one another with respect to its transport, wherein it is proposed that the first transport roller (31) is arranged on the first scoring shaft (14.1) and the second transport roller (32) is supported independently of the scoring tools (12, 13). The axial spacing of the at least one pair of scoring tools (11.1, 11.2) can be adjusted in accordance with the desired scoring depth without affecting the at least one pair of transport rollers (30). The load on the scoring shafts (14.1, 14.2) is significantly reduced because bending due to an excessively narrow adjustment of the transport rollers (31, 32) is prevented.
US08196500B2
A stitch flap cutting block is mountable to a cutting head of a board blank cutting machine, along with a slotting knife. A sheet of board passed between the cutting head and an anvil head is cut to form a blank for a box or the like. The cutting block comprises a steel body with a cylindrical barrel holding a cylindrical spring block, to which is mounted a blade holder carrying an elongate blade. The blade moves within a transverse slot across the body and is deflectable into the body and may rock about a midpoint of the slot. Impact forces are reduced, cleaner cuts are produced, and re-setting of the blade is required much less often. An alternative stitch flap cutting block is mountable to the cutting head by a separate side arm, facilitating mounting to cutting heads having different diameters.
US08196499B2
Woodworking machines and safety methods for use with those machines are disclosed. The machines include a detection system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions and a reaction system associated with the detection system. The reaction system can include an explosive to trigger the system, and also can be configured to retract a cutting tool at least partially away from a cutting region upon detection of a dangerous condition by the detection system.
US08196495B2
A versatile tool is driven by a drive tool and comprises a body defined with a through channel, two steel balls, two slide sleeves, and a rod member. The two slide sleeves are provided at both ends of the body, and the two steel balls are movably assembled in the through holes in two drive portions at both ends of the body, respectively and are capable of protruding into the channel. The rod member includes a magnetic end. When the rod member enters into the channel from either end of the body to be positioned by the corresponding steel ball, the drive space in the opposite end of the body can be used to assemble or disassemble multi-sized screws, simplifying the preparation procedure. In addition, the versatile tool can cooperate with different forms of tool heads or drills to increase its function.
US08196489B2
Described is a lubricating device with at least one lubricating pinion for applying a lubricant, in particular grease, which is for example fed through a lubricant line by a lubricant pump from a reservoir, to at least one gearwheel or the like, wherein the lubricating pinion has an outer toothing into which at least one lubricant outlet opens out. The teeth of the outer toothing of the lubricating pinion have a shortened tooth flank profile in relation to an involute toothing, wherein the addendum and/or the width of the tooth flanks in the peripheral direction are reduced in a tooth flank section which is situated radially outside the reference circle.
US08196482B2
A method and an apparatus for efficient resource sharing are presented. The apparatus includes a central unit having a plurality of surfaces on the outside, the central unit holding a resource. Compartments are coupled to the central unit, each of the compartments being placed adjacent to one of the surfaces of the central unit. Each compartment has a platform to support an object, and has a sensor that reads an output signal indicating that the object in the compartment has finished accessing the resource from the central unit. A computation unit receives and processes the output signal from each of the compartments. The sensor in the apparatus may be located in the central unit instead of in the compartments.
