US08203764B2
Imaging devices and methods that permit the capture of digital images of an original document sequentially illuminated by a plurality of light sources. In one aspect, a first digital image is captured using illumination from a first illumination angle, a second digital image is captured using illumination from a second illumination angle, and the first and second digital images are combined to obtain a composite digital image of the document. The obtained composite digital image is free of reflection artifacts corresponding to the first and second illumination angles.
US08203761B2
When an auto document feeder feeds an original to an original image reading platen, a CCD line sensor reads the original along the main scanning direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the original. A string detection circuit detects a streak parallel to the feeding direction in the image. A string correction circuit corrects the detected streak. In particular, for a predetermined number of sub-scanning positions that are located in the same main scanning position as the main scanning position at which the streak has been detected by the string detection circuit and that exist subsequent to the sub-scanning position at which the streak has been detected, correction is performed by the string correction circuit even when no streak is detected by the string detection circuit.
US08203743B2
A disclosed document processing device for processing image data includes a medium identification information acquiring unit configured to acquire medium identification information from an image of the medium identification information included in the image data; a process information acquiring unit configured to acquire, based on the medium identification information, process information pertaining to a currently-executing process in a currently-executing workflow associated with the medium identification information; a form definition information acquiring unit configured to acquire, based on the process information pertaining to the currently-executing process, form definition information of a form corresponding to the currently-executing process; and a region image acquiring unit configured to acquire, based on the form definition information, a region image of a predetermined region in the image data, which predetermined region corresponds to an entry region in the form where written-input information is written in at the currently-executing process.
US08203742B2
Embodiments herein include a method of combining a graphic image with other data to be printed, such as text or other graphics. One embodiment receives image data and document data and applies a mask to the image data to produce an image snippet. The mask adjusts a transparency of the image data in the image snippet by eliminating pixels from the image data. The method combines the document data and the image snippet into a page description language (PDL) file (PostScript file) using a print driver. One feature of the embodiments herein is that the image snippet is combined with the document data only by the print driver, and the image does not need to be combined downstream using an interpreter. After creating the PDL file, then the method processes the page description language file through an interpreter to produce raster data and prints the raster data on a media sheet using a printer.
US08203735B2
A managing system causes content managed by a server to be updated by a portable terminal by means of a communication network and includes a content updatable location registering device which registers a location which can be updated by a portable terminal.
US08203732B2
Even if there are many printed images similar to a query image, this invention can effectively use a display window with a limited size and support to specify the print request source of each similar image by classifying and displaying the images according to additional information containing information indicating the print request source which has issued a print request for the image. Therefore, when a query image is input and images similar to the query image are found, the similar images are classified according to the user names of users who have printed them. The numbers of times of printing of the similar images and maximum similarities are displayed for the respective user names.
US08203726B2
In an image forming apparatus, damage to the apparatus caused by power conduction at the time of installation is prevented. When initial adjustment at factory ends and service person moves the apparatus, a power switch is turned OFF. Using this OFF operation as a trigger, a control unit 100 reads specific information (information related to pre-processing before starting power supply to the apparatus), and displays the information on electronic paper 108.
US08203725B2
Images selected for printing are assigned respective print-speed modes so that at least first and second of said images are assigned to a relatively fast print mode and at least a third image is assigned to a relatively slow print mode. The images are arranged as a function of print-speed mode so that said first and second images are in a first row and so that said third is in a second row. The images are then printed on real print media, with the first row being printed using a relatively fast print speed and the second row being printed at a relatively slow print speed.
US08203724B2
An image forming apparatus which, when a conference material or the like is printed, is capable of printing the material according to the preferences of presentees of the conference while avoiding the conference material from being printed according to print settings by users responsible for printing the conference material. Print setting information is registered on a user-by-user basis. An image printing process is executed based on the registered print setting information. When the image printing process is executed based on the registered print setting information, a user-identifying image corresponding to the print setting information is added to the image to be printed.
US08203720B2
A three-dimensional position observation apparatus provided with a lens system having focusing and diaphragm mechanisms, for forming an image on an imaging plane by light from an observation object includes a beam steering member disposed in a light path extending from the observation object to the imaging plane, for changing a traveling direction of observation light into a plurality of different directions, and an image analyzing unit for analyzing a position of the observation object based on a positional relation between a plurality of images on the imaging plane formed by light passing through the beam steering member.
US08203719B2
A metrology system for measuring aspheric test objects by subaperture stitching. A wavefront-measuring gauge having a limited capture range of wavefront shapes collects partially overlapping subaperture measurements over the test object. A variable optical aberrator reshapes the measurement wavefront with between a limited number of the measurements to maintain the measurement wavefront within the capture range of the wavefront-measuring gauge. Various error compensators are incorporated into a stitching operation to manage residual errors associated with the use of the variable optical aberrator.
US08203718B2
A gyroscope having photonic crystals for sensing rotation uses the Sagnac effect to determine angular motion. The gyroscope comprises a photonic crystal capable of guiding counter-propagating light beams in a closed path. A light source, coupling, and detection apparatus permits detection of phase changes between the counter-propagating beams, thereby permitting measurement of angular rotation. The photonic crystal comprises a periodic structure of pillars and voids which creates a photonic bandgap waveguide within which light waves in the proper wavelength range propagate with low loss.
US08203716B2
Systems and methods for performing two-dimensional (2D) high resolution spectral-spatial mapping are described. At least one embodiment includes a spectrometer for performing two-dimensional (2D) high resolution spectral-spatial mapping comprising a Fabry-Perot component configured to receive a diffuse input beam and provide a high resolution spectral mapping of the diffuse input beam in a first direction. The spectrometer further comprises a volume hologram for increasing a spectral operating range, the volume hologram configured to perform spectral mapping in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction to increase the spectral operating range. The spectrometer further comprises a charged coupled device (CCD) configured to receive output beams, the output beams used to provide spectral analysis of the input beams.
US08203714B2
According to the invention, an RGB-color camera is used to detect the radiation intensity of a reaction product in red, green or blue wavelength range such that the respective blue signal (IB) of the RGB-color camera is used to produce a band radiation value (BS) of the respective reaction product and the respective red and/or green signal (IR, IG) of the RGB-color camera is used to produce the thermal radiation value (TS) by means of pyrometry or comparative pyrometry, whereby the difference of the respective range radiation value (BS) and the respective associated thermal radiation value (TS) is used to produce an emission rate (K) for the radiation intensity of the respective reaction product.
US08203711B2
A light irradiation method of irradiating a specimen in a flow channel with directional light includes the step of irradiating the specimen with the directional light while performing scanning using the directional light in a widthwise direction of the flow channel. The directional light has an irradiation spot that is smaller than a width of the flow channel. Accordingly, energy density of the irradiation spot can be increased without increasing output power of a light source.
US08203705B2
The invention is directed to detect a warp amount in a real-time manner in a wafer rotating at high speed under inspection. An inspection apparatus includes: a first light irradiating unit for irradiating an object to be inspected with light; a first detector for detecting scattered light from the object to be inspected; a second light irradiating unit for irradiating the object to be inspected with light; a second detector for detecting light reflected from the object to be inspected, of light of the second light irradiating unit; a stage for moving an object to be inspected, which moves the object to be inspected so as to change irradiation positions on the object to be inspected, of the light of the first light irradiating unit and the light of the second light irradiating unit; an inspection coordinate detector for outputting information of coordinates of a position irradiated with light; an elevation control circuit for outputting height information of the object to be inspected on the basis of a detection signal from the second detector; and a data processing unit for calculating a warp amount of the object to be inspected on the basis of the information of the position coordinates from the inspection coordinate detector and the height information from the elevation control circuit.
US08203703B1
A light beam is detected/localized by multisector detector—quad-cell, or 5+ sectors handling plural beams. Preferences: Beams focus to diffraction limit on the detector, which reveals origin direction by null-balance—shifting spots to a central sector junction, and measuring shifts to reach there. One or more MEMS reflectors, and control system with programmed processor(s), sequence the spot toward center: following a normal to an intersector boundary; then along the boundary. One afocal optic amplifies MEMS deflections; another sends beams to imaging optics. After it's known which sector received a spot, and the beam shifts, source direction is reported. The system can respond toward that (or a related) direction. It can illuminate objects, generating beams reflectively. Optics define an FOR in which to search; other optics define an FOV (narrower), for imaging spots onto the detector. The FOR:FOV angular ratio is on order of ten—roughly 180:20°, or 120:10°.
US08203694B2
A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam and a support constructed to support a patterning device. The lithographic apparatus further includes a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate; and a projection system configured to project the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate. An active damping system is provided to dampen a vibration of at least part of the projection system. The active damping system includes a combination of a sensor to measure a position quantity of the projection system and an actuator to exert a force on the projection system in dependency of a signal provided by the sensor. The active damping system is connected to a damping mass, the damping mass being connected to the projection system.
US08203689B2
A reduced-pressure drying method includes: decompressing a second chamber communicated with a first chamber housing a base material coated with a liquid substance containing a solvent to predetermined operative pressure by a decompressing device; leaving the first chamber closed in response to reaching the predetermined operative pressure until the evaporated solvent raising the pressure in the first chamber to predetermined pressure; communicating the first chamber with the pressure raised to the predetermined pressure with the second chamber; and discharging the vapor of the solvent dispersed in the first and the second chambers by the decompressing device.
US08203686B2
To improve the response speed of liquid crystal molecules when a liquid crystal display device is changed from an on state to an off state. A liquid crystal display device that includes a liquid crystal material between a substrate and a counter substrate; a plurality of pixels over the substrate; and a microstructure which is provided over the substrate, is in contact with the liquid crystal material, and includes a movable portion and a method for manufacturing the liquid crystal display device are provided. The microstructure may include a lower electrode, an upper electrode, and a space between the lower electrode and the upper electrode. The microstructure is manufactured through the steps of forming the lower electrode over the substrate, forming a sacrificial layer over the lower electrode, forming the upper electrode over the sacrificial layer, and removing the sacrificial layer by etching to form the space.
US08203683B2
Electro-optic device having terminal section and pixel section with particular multilayer structures
An electro-optic device includes a pixel section and a terminal section through which a semiconductor circuit or a wiring board is mounted around the pixel section. The terminal section has a multilayer structure including a terminal connection wire including an uppermost layer containing titanium, a terminal interlayer made of an electroconductive material capable of being wet-etched, and a terminal transparent electroconductive film in that order from below.
US08203679B2
An OCB mode liquid crystal display panel having a plurality of pixel regions includes a first substrate, a second substrate, dot liquid crystal polymer patterns and an OCB liquid crystal material. The first substrate has a first alignment treated layer thereon, the second substrate has a second alignment treated layer thereon, and the dot liquid crystal polymer patterns are on the first alignment treated layer and the second alignment treated layer. Each of the dot liquid crystal polymer patterns has an area between 1˜225 μm2. The second substrate is opposite to the first substrate, and the OCB liquid crystal material is between the first substrate and the second substrate.
US08203678B2
A pixel unit of a liquid crystal display includes a first sub-pixel electrode coupled by a direct current path to a corresponding switching element and a second sub-pixel electrode capacitively connected to the first sub-pixel electrode. The second sub-pixel electrode has a protrusion extending upwardly toward a spaced apart common electrode. The common electrode has a cut-out directly above the protrusion.
US08203676B2
The present invention provides a retardation film which can remarkably improve the controllability of retardation, and can also sufficiently control the wavelength dependency of retardation. The retardation film of the present invention can achieve a widening of the viewing angle at a high degree, when it is applied to a liquid crystal display device. Further, the present invention provides a laminated polarizing which comprises the retardation film and enables widening the viewing angle. Furthermore, the present invention provides a liquid crystal display device having high performance, especially a widened viewing angle. The retardation film of the present invention comprises a structural body which simultaneously has form birefringence and molecular-orientation birefringence. Specifically, the retardation film comprises a periodic structure (13) having a unit of at least two layers (11, 12) having different average refractive indices from each other, and at least one of the at least two layers is a layer having optical anisotropy due to molecular-orientation birefringence.
US08203668B2
An optical member 15 is constituted by sticking a lens sheet 28 capable of transmitting light irradiated toward a liquid crystal panel 11 and a diffuser sheet 27 together. The lens sheet 28 is provided with a lens portion 30 having a large number of unit lenses 29 aligned on the front surface, while on the rear surface, provided with a reflecting layer 32 having an opening 31 corresponding to the lens portion 30. The optical member 15 is received on the backside by receiving members 21 and 24 provided respectively in a holder 17 and a lamp holder 16, while being held from the front by a frame 18. A protrusion 33 is provided in the receiving member 24 in the holder 17, which supports the optical member 15 in a posture so that the edge 15a of the optical member 15 and the arrangement of the unit lenses 29 are inclined relatively to the arrangement of the pixel electrodes PE in the liquid crystal panel 11, by abutting an outer circumferential end surface 15b in the optical member 15.
US08203661B2
Image display device having an electrode forming layer which includes a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of drain lines, a plurality of switching elements and the a plurality of pixel electrodes, and having reference electrode layer between the electrode forming layer and a substrate where the electrode forming layer formed thereon, and the reference electrode layer and the electrode forming layer are insulated by insulating layer.
US08203655B2
A multimedia television system is disclosed. The multimedia television system comprises a receiver, a detector, an audio processing/controlling device, and a mixing device. The receiver receives an audio/video signal comprising an audio signal and a video signal and outputs the audio signal and the video signal respectively. When an external upgrading/transmitting device is connected to the detector, the detector will generate an upgrading signal. When the audio processing/controlling device receives the upgrading signal, the audio processing/controlling device will process the audio signal into a multi-channel audio signal comprising front sub-audio signals and rear sub-audio signals according to the upgrading signal. Then, the mixing device processes the rear sub-audio signals into at least one mixed audio signal. The detector receives the at least one mixed audio signal and transmits the at least one mixed audio signal via the external upgrading/transmitting device.
US08203654B2
A system and methods for configuring a television signal SourceType received by one or more tuners. Each of the tuners in the system are initially identified. The signal type is detected, and based on the signal type, a recorder thread is populated with compatible scanners. A weighted scanning order is established within each recorder thread. In one embodiment, the weighted scanning order is based in part on the region where the tuners receive a signal. Once the recorder threads are established, the tuners are scanned in parallel. Based on the scanning results, the television signal SourceType for each tuner is reported.
US08203645B2
An image-pickup apparatus includes an image-pickup element including first pixels photoelectrically converting an object image formed by a light flux from an image-pickup optical system and second pixels including plural focus detection pixels photoelectrically converting a light flux divided from the light flux from the image-pickup optical system, a focus detector detecting a focus state of the image-pickup optical system based on outputs from the second pixels, a frequency component detector detecting a spatial frequency component of the object image formed on the first pixels, an image generator generating, based on outputs from the first pixels, a partial image corresponding to the second pixels of an image obtained by an output from the image-pickup element. The apparatus includes a controller switching whether or not to cause the image generator to generate the partial image according to the spatial frequency component detected by the frequency component detector.
US08203643B2
An automatic focusing device in accordance with the present invention comprises an image sensor being subjected to exposure performed in a rolling shutter system, a focusing system including a focus lens for focusing on the image sensor, an AF evaluation value calculating unit calculating an AF evaluation value based on an imaging signal obtained from the image sensor, and an AF control unit controlling an operation of the focusing system based on an AF evaluation value of a focusing area set in a part of the imaging picture by the image sensor, and the AF control unit makes the AF evaluation value of a focusing area of each imaging picture and a focus lens position at the time of exposure for the focusing area correspond to each other, and drives the focusing system during the period which overlaps with an exposure period while searching the focus lens position where the AF evaluation value becomes maximum.
US08203628B2
A camera system that can maintain a good focus state regardless of the speed of zooming during variable proportion zooming is provided. The camera system has a control portion that, based on information on the speed of the change in the focal length, determines whether to control a focus lens drive portion in either a first control mode or a second control mode. If it determines that control is to be performed in the first control mode, then the control portion controls the focus lens drive portion so that it drives a focus lens in the direction that brings a predetermined captured object into focus based on estimated values for auto focusing that have been calculated from the image data at various positions by controlling the focus lens drive portion so that the captured object distance is moved forward and backward in the optical axis direction. If the control portion determines that control is to be performed in the second control mode, then the control portion controls the focus lens drive portion based on a tracking table.
US08203611B2
An imaging apparatus includes an electron emission array having electron sources arranged in matrix form, a photoelectric conversion film opposed to the electron emission array, and a control and drive circuit configured to select one or more horizontal scan lines in a given video signal output period and to cause the electron sources included in the selected one or more horizontal scan lines to emit electrons toward the photoelectric conversion film, wherein the control and drive circuit is further configured to cause the electron sources included in the selected one or more horizontal scan lines to emit electrons toward the photoelectric conversion film in any one or more blanking periods excluding both a blanking period immediately following the given video signal output period and a blanking period immediately preceding a next video signal output period in which the one or more horizontal scan lines will be selected next time.
US08203603B2
Disclosed are product processing systems and methods for monitoring, inspecting and controlling baking, cooking and routing processes, and the like. Products are placed on and moved by a conveyor. Images of the moving products are generated, such as by an image acquisition system. The images are processed by a symbol generation system. Symbols are then displayed on selected moving products based upon predetermined criteria. The systems and methods may be used to process oven-cooked or oven-baked products to identify (via the projected symbols) products that are defective or otherwise unacceptable. The product processing systems may be used to process packages or items having barcodes or other identifying labels to display routing or other identifying information on the moving products.
US08203600B2
A projection type stereoscopic display system (and corresponding methodology) is provided. The system comprises a light source, two or more projection chambers, and a switch. The switch receives a plurality of light beams and diverts the beams in a predetermined sequential order to each projection chamber. The projection chamber projects a first image on a first receiving surface and the second image on a second receiving surface parallel with the first receiving surface so that a viewer observes the first and second images simultaneously thereby establishing stereoscopic effects.
US08203599B2
Provided is a three-dimensional (3D) image display apparatus and method including: a display; a photographing unit including a camera, a first light source disposed on an axis identical to a camera axis and a second light source disposed on an axis different from the camera axis, which takes a photograph of an observer using light emitted from the first and second light sources, and generates first and second images; an eye information detection unit which detects eye information of the observer based on the first and second images and determines a position of the observer based on the detected eye information; and a 3D image adjustment unit which adjusts a 3D image, which will be displayed on the display, based on the determined position of the observer.
US08203597B2
An exemplary panoramic camera includes a support, a housing, a driver, an input unit, an imaging unit, a micro control unit (MCU), and a digital signal processor. The support includes a mounting base and a post extending from the mounting base. The housing is rotatably supported on the post. The input unit is for receiving user inputs. The MCU includes a parameter processor which converts user input into control signals according a viewing angle of the imaging unit, an imaging controller which controls the imaging unit to capture images at intervals according to the control signals, and a rotating controller which controls a rotation speed of the driver according to the control signals to ensure the housing is at desired locations during rotation in synchronization with the intervals. The digital signal processor combines the captured images into a panoramic image.
US08203594B2
Conventional video call attempts encountering a device inoperable according to a desired capability will fail if the receiving device is unable to complete the call at the desired service level (i.e. video). In addition to frustrating the communication attempts between users, another issue is that resources consumed in the attempted but failed exchange are not recoverable, since the call never completed. Accordingly, configurations herein substantially overcome such shortcomings by providing a fallback mechanism that identifies a service level operable by both the initiating device and the receiving device, and completes the call at a lower service level operable by both devices. The disclosed approach allows a call to complete at an alternate service level (i.e. voice instead of video) rather than failing the call completely, resulting in a source of lost revenue to the service provider (operator).
US08203587B2
An image formation device, which includes: an exposure head in which a screw having an axis directed to a focus direction for a photoreceptor is fixed in the vicinity of each side of the exposure head; a housing to which the exposure head is attached; a nut attached to the screw; a fixing member that limits movement of the nut with respect to the housing; and an elastic member that elastically supports the exposure head against the housing in the vicinity of the screw in the focus direction for the photoreceptor and a sub-scanning direction, in which the exposure head is moved, by rotation of the nut, in the focus direction against an elastic force by the elastic member, and a position of the exposure head with respect to the photoreceptor is adjustable in the focus direction.
US08203582B2
If a pixel (106) of an image is displayed in a subpixel area (124) which does not contain a primary color needed to display the pixel, and saturated colors are present in or adjacent to the subpixel area, then some of the pixel's luminance is shifted (850) to adjacent subpixel areas on one but not both sides of the pixel to avoid blurring the pixel. Other embodiments are also provided.
US08203581B2
An improved means of measuring ambient light and controlling light sources based on those measurements. This embodiment of measuring ambient light, and only ambient light, by selectively turning off any LED light sources that the device controls and then using an ambient light sensor [12] to measure the remaining light. All of this must be done in such a way as to be undetected by people who are using the light for various purposes.
US08203578B2
A display method and apparatus for a navigation system utilizes enables a smooth map scroll operation when a scroll direction is changed sharply. Such a smooth map scroll operation is applied to a situation where such a change of scroll direction is within a predetermined angle range by adding a scroll direction bias for each movement. The display method dynamically adjusts the scroll direction bias and the update frequency depending on the degree of direction change and the available system resources such as a processing speed in the navigation system. Therefore, the navigation system is able to display the smooth operation of the map scroll so that the user is able to recognize the images actually illustrated on the screen and to reach the intended location of the map image quickly and accurately.
US08203575B2
The invention relates to a method for accessing a slide from a plurality of digitized microscope slides from a remote workstation, wherein the plurality of digitized microscope slides are accessible via a plurality of data station units (DSU), the method comprising: providing a central management station unit (CMSU) connected to a communication network for storing slide information of the plurality of digitized microscope slides, allowing the workstation to connect to the CMSU via the communication network; providing at least a part of the slide information of the plurality of digitized microscope slides to the workstation; allowing the workstation to select a digitized microscope slide based on the provided slide information; and allowing for a direct connection over the communication network between the remote workstation and a DSU enabling access to the selected digitized microscope slide. The invention further relates to a system and a CMSU for carrying out the method.
US08203572B2
The present invention relates to an organic light emitting display device and a method for processing image signals thereof. An organic light emitting display device according to the present invention receives a plurality of input image signals respectively corresponding to the pixels representing a first color, a second color, a third color, and a white color, and converts the input image signals of at least two dots respectively representing the first color to the third color among the input image signals according to a first extension coefficient to generate a plurality of four-color image signals of at least two dots respectively representing the first color, the second color, the third color, and the white color, to respectively sum a distortion amount of a color impression of the four-color image signals of at least two dots, to calculate a partial extension coefficient corresponding to the sum result, and to extension-convert the input image signals of at least two dot according to the partial extension coefficient thereby generating the four-color output image signals of at least two dots.
US08203557B2
Embodiments of the invention provide assigning two different class identifiers to a device to allow loading to an operating system as different devices. The device may be a graphics device. The graphics device may be integrated in various configurations, including but not limited to a central processing unit, chipset and so forth. The processor or chipset may be associated with a first identifier associated with a graphics processor and a second device identifier that enables the processor or chipset as a co-processor.
US08203546B2
This invention generally relates to an electronic document reading device, that is to a device such as an electronic book which presents a document to a user on a display to enable the user to read the document. A portable flex-tolerant electronic document reading device, the device including a flex-tolerant display coupled to a flex-tolerant layer of pixel driver circuitry, and wherein said device has a physical configuration comprising a planar display surface and a rear surface having a frame around its outer perimeter to stiffen the device, the frame defining a central region of relatively reduced thickness compared with a thickness of said frame.
US08203544B2
An input device is provided. The input device includes a first input unit configured to provide at least two directional signals, a second input unit located in the first input unit, the second input unit including a housing and a rotatable member located therein, the second input unit being configured to provide at least two directional signals different from the at least two directional signals of the first input unit, and a circuitry supporting substrate configured to receive a signal that is input through the first input unit and the second input unit. A mobile communication device having the input device is also provided.
US08203543B2
A portable electronic device includes a housing configured with an elongate inner accommodating space for accommodating a touch control pen therein, and formed with a housing opening disposed at one end of the housing, in spatial communication with the inner accommodating space and permitting insertion of the touch control pen into the inner accommodating space therethrough, and a positioning groove in spatial communication with the housing opening and the inner accommodating space.
US08203541B2
The present disclosure relates to a display device with an OLED display including a plurality of nodes configured to emit light when drive circuitry provides a signal across the plurality of nodes at or above an illumination threshold. Measurement circuitry may be disposed proximate to the plurality of nodes and may be configured to sense the light reflected off of an object positioned over the OLED display to provide measurement signals. The measurement signals can be evaluated to determine the location of the display proximate to the object that provides the reflected light.
US08203538B2
A sensor structure of a touch panel and a method of determining a touch signal generated by the same are disclosed. The sensor structure includes a plurality of sensor lines disposed on a surface of a substrate, and a control circuit electrically connected to the sensor lines. Each of the sensor lines has a plurality of conductive pads and a conductive line electrically connected the conductive pads. The control circuit receives a touch signal from one of the sensor lines. The touch signal is resulting from a touch capacitance generated between a touch and one of the conductive pads of the sensor line. The control circuit calculates the position of the touch based on the touch capacitance. In addition, the touch capacitance generated by a conductive pad close to the control circuit is larger than the touch capacitance generated by another conductive pad further away from the control circuit.
US08203528B2
Disclosed is a system for interpreting motion of a mobile communications device as input to the mobile communications device. The system includes a processor for executing the various software components, a display, a microphone, a speaker, storage means for storing one or more motions and associated actions, a motion detecting device, and a sensing and interpretation application. The sensing and interpretation application detects motion of the mobile communications device via the motion detecting device. It then determines the current mode of the mobile communications device and compares the detected motion against a database of motions. Each stored motion is associated with a mode and an action to be performed by the mobile communications device. Upon finding a match between the detected motion and a motion in the storage means, the action associated with the detected motion and the current mode of the mobile communications device is performed.
US08203527B2
A method includes receiving first touch point data from a sensor, generating first data pixels corresponding with the received first touch point data, and updating first display pixels of a display device with the first data pixels using a first drive scheme. The display pixels of the display device may have multiple stable display states and the first data pixels may be generated by a first unit. The method may further include receiving second touch point data from the sensor, generating second data pixels corresponding with the received second touch point data, and updating second display pixels of the display device with the second data pixels using a second drive scheme. The first and second drive schemes may be different drive schemes. The second data pixels may be generated by the first unit.
US08203525B2
A dual-lamp driving circuit includes a first frequency switch control circuit, a second frequency switch control circuit, a pulse-width modulation (PWM) control circuit, a first power stage circuit, a second power stage circuit, a conversion circuit, and a feedback circuit. The first frequency switch control circuit receives a first enable signal, and outputs a first frequency switch signal according to the first enable signal. The second frequency switch control circuit receives a second enable signal, and outputs a second frequency switch signal according to the second enable signal. The PWM control circuit outputs various PWM control signals according to the first frequency switch signal and the second frequency switch signal. The feedback circuit feeds back a first current signal from the first lamp to the frequency switch control circuit, and a second current signal from the second lamp to the frequency switch control circuit.
US08203522B2
A method for driving an image display device having a backlight lamp and a display screen includes receiving an image data signal; and based the image data signal, calculating a content-related backlight control signal for the backlight lamp for setting the intensity of the backlight. The method further includes generating an average signal that represents a time-average of the power consumed by the backlight lamp; comparing the average signal with a reference signal; and based on the calculated content-related backlight control signal and taking into account the result of the comparison, generating an actual backlight control signal for the backlight lamp.
US08203521B2
A method of generating frame control signals for reducing reaction time comprises following steps: analyzing an input frame signal; generating a first reference liquid crystal control signal of a frame; setting a second liquid crystal control signal range and thereby generating a second reference liquid crystal control signal; generating a second backlight control signal according to the first reference liquid crystal control signal and the second reference liquid crystal control signal; and generating a second liquid crystal control signal of each pixel according to the second backlight control signal. By confining the second backlight control signal to the second liquid crystal control signal range, the reaction time of the liquid crystals is reduced and the frame quality of LCD devices is enhanced.
US08203517B2
A liquid crystal display and the driving method thereof. The LCD includes a timing controller, a plurality of driver chips and a display panel. The driver chips are cascaded together for driving the display panel to display frames. A driver chip includes a differential receiver, a single-ended receiver, a shift register, a differential transmitter, a single-ended transmitter and a pixel driver. The driver chip receives a pixel signal and drives the display panel according to the pixel signal, and outputs the pixel signal to the next driver chip.
US08203515B2
An image display device corrects image data, which are used for displaying an image, using a gray scale value assigned to each pixel and also controls a source light luminance of a light source. The image display device includes a scene change detection device, an image correction device, a source light luminance control device, and a time characteristic control device. The scene change detection device detects a change of scene of the input image data. The image correction device corrects the image data. The source light luminance control device controls the source light luminance. The time characteristic control device changes a first time characteristic of a change in the source light luminance and a second time characteristic of an image correction amount by which the image data are corrected on the basis of the change of scene and executes a process on the basis of the first time characteristic and the second time characteristic.
US08203506B2
An LED array includes a plurality of LED segments connected in a common cathode configuration at a common cathode node. A high side driver is operable responsive to segment control signals to selectively supply current to certain LED segments. A low side driver is provided to sink current from the common cathode node. A plurality of selectively actuated current sink paths are provided in each low side driver. A control logic circuit actuates a current sink path within the low side driver for each LED segment that is selectively supplied current by the high side driver. A substantially constant low side voltage drop through these sink paths is provided regardless of the number of LED segments that are supplied current by the high side driver so as to achieve a substantially constant LED segment brightness. A common anode configuration operating in an analogous way is also disclosed.
US08203504B2
An image forming method and a charged particle beam apparatus suitable for suppressing the inclination of charging when scanning a two-dimensional area with a charged particle beam. A third scanning line located between a first scanning line and a second scanning line is scanned. After the first, second and third scanning lines have been scanned, a plurality of scanning lines are scanned between the first and third scanning lines and between the second and third scanning lines.
US08203499B2
A polymorphic antenna, including a metallic template configurable in at least first and second possible different three-dimensional shapes, the antenna, when configured in the at least first and second different three-dimensional shapes, having a common antenna feed point, a common balun coupled to the common antenna feed point; and a common dipole coupled to the common antenna feed point and to the common balun. The antenna operates in a common frequency band when configured in either of the at least first and second different three-dimensional shapes when fed via the common antenna feed point.
US08203498B2
A three-fold polarization diversity antenna comprises a slot-loaded patch, and a radiation member that is electromagnetically coupled to the slot-loaded patch. The radiation member extends through a plane of the slot-loaded patch.
US08203497B2
A dual polarized dipole wearable antenna may be embedded within a shirt or/and outfit, placed at a range of up to few millimeters from the body of a user in which there is a transmitting swallowable imaging device. The antenna is constructed of three conducting layers: radiating layer, feed network layer and ground layer, separated by two dielectric substrate layers. The feed network layer may receive and transmit horizontally polarized signals. When placed one on top of the other, parallel strips of the radiating layer are disposed against a longitudinal strip of the feed network layer, and stubs of the feed network layer are disposed across a slot of the radiating layer. The slot of the radiating layer may be excited by radiation from, and be in interaction with the stubs of the feed network layer to receive and transmit vertically polarized signals.
US08203489B2
A dual-band antenna includes a ground plane, a loop antenna, and a monopole antenna. The loop antenna is connected to the ground plane, and has a radiator that forms a loop. The radiator has a first end and a second end adjacent to the first end, and is capable of resonating at a first frequency band. The monopole antenna has one end connected to the first end of the radiator of the loop antenna, and is capable of resonating at a second frequency band. A feed point is disposed at a connection between the first end of the radiator of the loop antenna and the monopole antenna. A ground point is disposed at the radiator of the loop antenna proximate to the second end of the radiator.
US08203484B2
A path sharing transceiver array architecture is disclosed. A plurality of channels are linked to antennas of an array for transmitting and receiving wireless signals that are offset in one of phase or time relative to one another. Each channel is associated with a delay element. In the receiving case, an offset signal is received at a first channel, processed, and shifted by a first delay element. The resulting signal is combined with the processed signal of a second, adjacent channel where a phase or time delayed signal is received. The combined signal is then shifted by a second delay element to produce a net signal. The first delay element is used to generate a shifted signal for both the first and second channel. The architecture can be extended to another number of channels.
US08203473B2
A switched-capacitor input circuit which receives an analog input signal, and samples and holds the analog input signal, comprising an amplifier, at least one capacitor, one terminal of the capacitor being connected to an input terminal of the amplifier, and a first switch configured to selectively connect the other terminal of the capacitor to one of a first reference voltage, a second reference voltage, and a third reference voltage, wherein the first switch connects the other terminal of the capacitor to the first reference voltage so as to perform offset correction of ternary weight 0, the first switch connects the other terminal of the capacitor to the second reference voltage so as to perform offset correction of ternary weight 1, the first switch connects the other terminal of the capacitor to the third reference voltage so as to perform offset correction of ternary weight 2.
US08203468B2
An electric capacitance-type touch switch, capable of reducing malfunction in switching operations and improving the degree of freedom in the visual design of switch, includes a detection circuit that can detect an electric capacitance change occurring when a human body approaches or contacts to an electrode. A sputter layer (i.e., a metallic thin film formed by sputtering) is provided on a surface of an upper lens (i.e., insulating base resin layer). The sputter layer can provide a beautiful metallic glossy appearance similar to a mirror surface. The sputter layer can be used as a panel surface providing a glossy appearance with iridescent or dichromatic effects obtainable from the hue of the base resin layer transmitted via the metallic layer. Furthermore, the sputter layer can be used as an electric capacitance detection electrode.
US08203464B2
A meter reading system includes a meter reading wireless mesh network having already-registered nodes already registered for communication with an access point, and not-yet-registered nodes not yet registered for communication with the access point. To register a new node with meter reading wireless mesh network, the new node transmits a request to register message. Neighboring already-registered nodes receiving the request to register message transmit responses back to the new node, whereas neighboring not-yet-registered nodes receiving the request to register message do not transmit responses back to the new node and do not transmit responses to neighboring already-registered nodes. The new node selects an already-registered node based on evaluation of the responses, and communicates to the access point via the selected already-registered node to thereby be added to network.
US08203462B2
A system and methods for automatically configuring a monitoring device that is attachable to a network coupled to a data collection system. The network has associated network parameters. The monitoring device is coupled to an energy distribution system. The monitoring device measures a characteristic of energy supplied by the energy distribution system and stores data representative of the measured characteristics. A first network communications link is automatically established between the monitoring device and the network, and a host server is contacted to identify network parameters including an address of the data collection system. A second network communications link is automatically established between the monitoring device and the data collection system based on the address of the data collection system. Nameplate and configuration information associated with the monitoring device is communicated from the monitoring device over the network to the data collection system. The registration of the monitoring device in the data collection system is acknowledged based on acceptance of the nameplate information and the configuration information by the data collection system.
US08203461B2
A long distance power transfer coupler for wellbore applications system uses two or more wireless modules, each wireless module comprises a self-resonant coil, to transmit energy within a wellbore. The second, and potentially subsequent, wireless modules receive radiant electromagnetic energy from a nearby neighbor which the self-resonant coil converts to usable electromagnetic energy which may be used for power, data communications, or a combination thereof. A first module may be deployed at a predetermined position in the wellbore; a cable attached to a second length of tubing; and one or more second modules attached to the tubing and coupled inductively to a resistive load. The tubing and second module or modules are deployed downhole and electromagnetic energy transmitted wirelessly between the first module and the second module. Modules may be deployed in a completion string.
US08203455B2
A posture sensing alert apparatus is provided. The posture sensing alert apparatus comprises an attachment element, a detecting element, a processing element and an alert element. The attachment element is adapted to attach on a human body. The detecting element is disposed on the attachment element and is adapted to sense a posture change from the human body. The processing element is disposed on the attachment element and connects to the detecting element. The processing element is adapted to output a signal to the alert element in response to the posture change for a predetermined period so that the alert element is adapted to output an alert accordingly.
US08203450B2
Patch panels are provided that include a mounting frame and a plurality of MPO-to-MPO couplers that are mounted on the mounting frame. Each MPO-to-MPO coupler includes a first connector port that is accessible from the front side of the patch panel and a second connector port that is accessible from the rear side of the patch panel. The patch panels also include a first set of antennas, where each antenna from the first set of antennas is adjacent the first connector port of a respective one of the MPO-to-MPO couplers and a second set of antennas, where each antenna from the second set of antennas is adjacent the second connector port of a respective one of the MPO-to-MPO couplers.
US08203435B2
A system and related methods for dynamically re-configuring a radio frequency identification tag reader, engaging software business processes, or combinations of both, using a radio-frequency-readable configuration tag which physically associated with one or more RFID-tagged articles in a physical handling flow. The configuration tag reader is positioned prior to a radio frequency identification tag reader in said material handling flow, which allows the configuration reader to read the contents of the configuration tags before the articles reach the identification tag reader. Based on the contents of the read configuration tags, one or more document generators are engaged, and optionally one or more business processes are initiated, and optionally one or more reader system hardware configuration changes are implemented.
US08203434B2
A wireless power feeding system is provided, which achieves a configuration enabling effective reception of electrical energy wirelessly transmitted from a wireless power feeding device, and which contributes to the improvement of the power reception efficiency. For the above purpose, the wireless power feeding system includes a power transmitting coil for wirelessly transmitting the electrical energy, a power supply connected to the power transmitting coil, a control unit for controlling the power supply, a power receiving coil portion for receiving the electrical energy transmitted from the power transmitting coil, a power receiving circuit for supplying a load member with the electrical energy received by a power receiving coil, and a magnetic member for collecting a magnetic flux generated by the power transmitting operation of the power transmitting coil to the power receiving coil.
US08203431B2
In a method of processing data, an RFID signal (6) sent by a reader (3,5) via a field generated by the reader (3,5) is received at a passive RFID transponder (2). The transponder (2) comprises a dedicated receiver (28) for receiving a time signal (8), which is wirelessly sent By an external sender (4) and comprises information about the present time. The transponder (2) including the dedicated receiver (28) is powered utilizing the field such that the dedicated receiver (28) detects the time signal (8) and decodes the present time. Utilizing the transponder (2), the first data (7) contained in the RFID signal (6) is decoded and processed. Second data (9) which are time stamped by said transponder (2) utilizing said present time are generated, and a response signal (10) comprising the second data (9) is transmitted from the transponder.
US08203425B1
A system, method, and computer-usable medium are disclosed for providing information relating to damage incurred by a vehicle in an accident. A first plurality of markers with a first set of identifiers is embedded in a coating applied to a component of a first vehicle and a second plurality of markers with a second set of identifiers is embedded in a coating applied to a component of a second vehicle. Markers from the first vehicle are transferred to the second vehicle upon impact during an accident. The transferred markers are read by a marker reader and then processed to determine the identity of the first vehicle.
US08203418B2
Manufacture and use of planar embedded magnetics as discrete components and in integrated connectors
The current invention provides an integrated planar transformer and electronic component that includes at least one wideband planar transformer disposed in a planar substrate, where each wideband planar transformer includes a planar substrate in a fully-cured and rigid state, a ferrite material embedded in the planar substrate, where the ferrite material is enveloped in an elastic and non-conductive material, inter-wound conductors disposed around the embedded ferrite material, where top and bottom conductors are bonded by an insulating adhesive. The top and bottom conductors are connected in an inter-connected pattern by conductive vias disposed on each side of the ferrite material and span through the layers to the conductors. The planar transformer further includes at least one center tap connected to at least one inter-wound conductor. The integrated planar transformer and electronic component further includes at least one electronic component connected to at least one terminal of the wide-band planar transformer.
US08203414B2
A transformer can be mounted on a circuit board. The circuit board includes a high-voltage line and a load. The transformer includes a bobbin used for winding a coil. The bobbin includes a first secondary area. A first secondary high voltage pole extends from the first secondary area. A first secondary high voltage pin is fixed on an end of the first secondary high voltage pole away from the first secondary area. The bobbin is made of an insulator. The first secondary high voltage pin is made of a conductor. The high voltage end of the coil is disposed on a top surface of the first secondary high voltage pole and electrically connected to the first secondary high voltage pin. The first secondary high voltage pole is capable of jumping across the high-voltage line to make the first secondary high voltage pin to electrically connect to the load.
US08203412B2
A double active parts structure of a reactor comprises two separate active parts that are coupled together by its inner coils. The arrangement mode of the two active parts is parallel or in-line.
US08203406B2
The present invention relates to a magnet having a linear magnetic flux density, which causes the magnetic flux density thereof to vary linearly and, more particularly, to a magnet having a linear magnetic flux density, in which the shape and magnetization pattern of the magnet are changed so that displacement in proportion to linearly varying displacement from the magnet is more accurately measured using a magnetic flux sensor, thus causing the magnetic flux density to vary linearly (or rectilinearly) according to the displacement. The present invention is configured to have a rectangular shape or a trapezoid shape so that displacement in proportion to linearly varying displacement from the magnet is more accurately measured using a magnetic flux sensor, and is configured such that the value of magnetic flux density varies linearly (rectilinearly) according to the magnetization pattern of the rectangular shape or a trapezoid shape.
US08203402B2
The electronic device comprising a micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) element at a first side of a substrate. The MEMS element includes a first electrode and a second electrode, that is part of a movable element and movable towards and from the first electrode between a first and a second position. The second electrode is separated from the first electrode by an air gap in its first position. The movable element includes a mechanical layer and an intermediate layer, in which the second electrode is defined. The second electrode is constituted by a plurality of sections in the intermediate layer, each of which is mechanically connected by a separate vertical interconnect to the mechanical layer.
US08203388B2
An amplifier having multiple gain modes comprises a plurality of cascoded input transistors connected to an input and arranged in parallel, a degeneration stage connected to the input transistors and having a variable impedance, and switching means for switching between different modes of the amplifier by switching off one or more of the input transistors and varying the impedance of the degeneration stage.
US08203385B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes an amplifier having an input to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal from an output node of a source. An input stage coupled to the amplifier input may include one or more components to aid in processing of incoming signals. One such component coupled between the source and the input of the amplifier is a coupling capacitor used to maintain a bias voltage of the amplifier at a different potential than a DC voltage of the output node. In certain applications, the amplifier and the coupling capacitor may be integrated on a single substrate.
US08203382B2
A class D amplification device that prevents beats caused by switching operations of a switching power supply and a class D amplifier from causing noise within a voice band, enables easy control over power supply operations, and offers low power loss is provided. The amplification device includes a unit that generates a reference clock, a switching power supply that operates at a first frequency at which the frequency of the reference clock is divided, and a triangular wave generation unit that operates at a second frequency higher than the first frequency at which the frequency of the reference clock is divided. The amplification device further includes a class D amplifier that performs a switching operation with a pulse whose width has been modulated according to the input signal.
US08203372B2
Methods and apparatus for regulating a synchronous rectifier DC-to-DC converter by adjusting one or more existing synchronous rectifiers in the converter are provided. By regulating an existing synchronous rectifier, the rectifier may function as a modulator for post regulation over a limited range of output voltages suitable for load regulation, without introducing an additional conversion stage for post regulation, which typically decreases efficiency and power density. Independent post regulation of an existing synchronous rectifier may improve the load regulation, reduce output voltage ripple and improve the transient response of the converter. By operating independently from the main control loop, post regulation may most likely avoid the limitations of the main control loop, such as limited gain bandwidth and a relatively slow transient response. Such post regulation may be added to isolated or non-isolated switched-mode power supplies, such as forward or buck converters.
US08203366B2
Disclosed is a switch driving circuit for controlling the switching operation of a switch. The switch driving circuit includes a driver generating a normal gate signal for controlling the switching operation of the switch, and a gate signal correction circuit comparing the normal gate signal with a gate signal applied to a gate electrode of the switch so as to correct the gate signal in accordance with the comparison.
US08203365B2
A circuit is for generating a signal that indicates whether or not an input current exceeds a pre-established threshold current and, in the affirmative case, that is representative of the difference between the input current and the threshold current. The circuit includes a diode-connected transistor biased with a first constant current in a saturation functioning condition, a sense transistor mirrored to the diode-connected transistor and biased in a linear (triode) functioning condition, a load transistor connected in series to the sense transistor, biased with a second constant current and the control terminal of which is connected in common with the respective terminals of the diode-connected transistor and of the sense transistor. The input current to be compared is injected to a common current node of the load transistor and of the sense transistor, and the output voltage is available on the other current node of the load transistor.
US08203357B2
An integrated circuit may include a plurality of circuit sub-systems that include at least one converter circuit operating in respective critical phases and non-critical phases of operation, a clock distribution circuit that has an input for an externally-supplied clock signal that is active during the non-critical phases and inactive during the critical phases, and a clock generator to generate an internal clock signal to the converter circuit that is active when the external-supplied clock signal is inactive.
US08203351B2
A probing apparatus can comprise a substrate, conductive signal traces, probes, and electromagnetic shielding. The substrate can have a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and the electrically conductive first signal traces can be disposed on the first surface of the first substrate. The probes can be attached to the first signal traces, and the electromagnetic shielding structures can be disposed about the signal traces.
US08203350B2
A method and apparatus for direct measurement of rider band wear in a valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor is provided. A distance transducer probe is inserted through a compressor valve assembly to measure a distance between a piston assembly and the transducer probe and the wear of a rider band is determined based on the distance.
US08203347B2
A reflection element determination device derives error factors in a first signal source and a second signal source based on measurement results of a signal in respective states in which reflection elements are respectively connected to the first signal source and the second signal source, and measurement results of a signal in a state in which the first signal source and the second signal source are connected with each other via a transmission element, derives transmission characteristics of the transmission element based on the measurement results of a signal in the state in which the first signal source and the second signal source are connected with each other via the transmission element and the derived error factors, and determines whether the reflection elements realize predetermined reflection states based on the derived transmission characteristics of the transmission element and transmission characteristics of the transmission element which have been known before the derivation, where the transmission characteristic of the transmission element in a direction from a first terminal to a second terminal, and the transmission characteristic of the transmission element in the opposite direction are equal to each other.
US08203346B2
Method and apparatus for detecting a ground fault, the apparatus including diagnostics unit arranged to monitor a sum current of output phases of a frequency converter, diagnostics unit arranged to detect a ground fault, if the sum current exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and diagnostics unit for performing the initial setting of the threshold value, the diagnostic unit being arranged to determine the value of the sum current when the frequency converter starts up and to set the threshold value so that it is greater than the predetermined value of the sum current.
US08203344B2
An apparatus, method and computer-readable medium for evaluating an earth formation are disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one coil on a logging tool conveyed in a borehole in the earth formation. Passage of a current through the coil induces an electrical current in the earth formation. At least two electrodes associated with the logging tool and in proximity to a wall of the borehole have a potential difference in response to the induced electrical current that is indicative of a property of the earth formation. The at least one coil may be mounted on a mandrel of a downhole assembly. The electrodes may be positioned on a first pad extendable from a mandrel of the downhole assembly.
US08203343B1
A portable locator for detecting a buried object characterized by an electromagnetic (EM) field emission employing three-dimensional (3D) sensor arrays each having three substantially-identical EM field sensors disposed on a flexible annular wall having a radial centroid defining a sensing axis. The flexible annular sensors are retained in substantial concentricity with the corresponding sensing axes disposed in substantial mutual orthogonality. A pair of 3D sensor arrays disposed on a first axis substantially orthogonal to a second axis defied by another pair of EM field sensors each having a sensing axis disposed along the second axis. The locator introduces a user-reconfigurable user interface (UI) employing a “sticky” ratcheting audio UI and a hollow hinge assembly for redisposing the sensor assembly from an operating to a storage disposition.
US08203342B2
A coil unit comprises a gradient coil which is disposed along a static magnetic field generating source, and a radio frequency coil which is disposed along the gradient coil in a test region at a position closer to the center of the test region compared with the gradient coil, and a conductor part which is disposed between the gradient coil and the radio frequency coil, and covers periphery of the radio frequency coil. The radio frequency coil comprises a first loop coil and a second loop coil locating in planes substantially perpendicular to direction of the static magnetic field, a plurality of linear conductors connecting the first loop coil and the second loop coil and substantially parallel to the direction of the static magnetic field, and a plurality of first capacitors disposed in the first loop coil and the second loop coil.
US08203341B2
Cylindrical bi-planar gradient coil assemblies for use in open magnetic resonance imaging, wherein each of the coil assemblies contains in sequential order (i) a circular primary coil set placed flat above a cylindrical planar substrate, (ii) cooling means, (iii) 0th and 2nd order shims, (iv) shield layers, and (v) 1st order shims. In use the gradient coil assemblies are disposed symmetrically to each other about a plane of symmetry parallel to each.
US08203336B2
An eddy current probe uses magnetic gap. The probe has a small size; and coil number in the probe is reduced. Hence, the probe can move easily inside and outside a tube and detect an end of the tube as close as possible.
US08203319B2
An on-load tap changer (OLTC) for a transformer winding is disclosed. The OLTC includes a first MEMS switch coupled in series with a first tap on the transformer winding and a neutral terminal. The OLTC also includes a second MEMS switch coupled in series with a second tap on the transformer winding and the neutral terminal. The OLTC further includes a controller coupled to the first MEMS switch and the second MEMS switch, the controller configured to coordinate the switching operations of the first MEMS switch module and the second MEMS switch module to obtain a first predetermined turns ratio or a second predetermined turns ratio for the transformer winding.
US08203292B2
A controller of a multi-phase electric motor includes a drive section for driving the multi-phase electric motor; a single current detection section for detecting a current value of the multi-phase electric motor; a PWM signal generation section for generating plural PWM signals of each phase within one control period based on the current value detected by the current detection section and a carrier signal; and a phase movement section for moving a phase by a predetermined amount such that frequency in change of the PWM signal of the predetermined phase generated by the PWM signal generation section is included in a non-audible range, and outputting the PWM signal which phase is moved to the drive section; wherein the phase movement section moves the phase by a predetermined amount for all the PWM signals of the predetermined phase within one control period.
US08203290B2
This vibrating element includes a movable portion driven to vibrate at a prescribed resonance frequency, a driving portion vibrating the movable portion by cyclically supplying a pulse signal and a detecting portion detecting the vibrational state of the movable portion, while the driving portion is so formed as to supply the pulse signal at a first frequency substantially identical to the resonance frequency of the movable portion at least in starting and to cyclically supply the pulse signal at a second frequency smaller than the first frequency in detection of the vibrational state of the movable portion.
US08203287B2
The present invention relates to a pulse-width modulation (PWM) control device, especially to a PWM control device for use with a TRIode for an Alternating Current (TRIAC) dimmer. The PWM control device is comprised of a load, a rectifier, a PWM control module and a PWM controllable ballast. The load may be a gas discharge lamp, a motor, a heating device or a light emitting diode lamp. The rectifier is connected to a power module and rectifies a truncated sinusoidal voltage from the power module to a pulsating truncated direct current (DC) voltage. The PWM control module is connected to the power module and the rectifier and generates a PWM control signal. The PWM controllable ballast is driven by a boost circuit and is controlled by the PWM control signal that limits current to a proper value for the load.
US08203282B2
An electronic ballast A includes an inverter circuit for converting a DC voltage into a high-frequency voltage, a resonant circuit which is connected between outputs of the inverter circuit and lights a discharge lamp at a high frequency by a resonant action, a dimming circuit for changing an output voltage to the discharge lamp by changing an operating frequency of the inverter circuit, a DC component detecting circuit for detecting a DC voltage component of the discharge lamp and a control operating circuit which detects an output signal of the DC component detecting circuit for every predetermined period to reduce or stop an output to the discharge lamp in the case where the output signal exceeds a predetermined reference value and to prohibit the protection operation when periodic change amount in the output signal reaches a predetermined value or higher.
US08203280B2
To prevent biased consumption of electrodes in a discharge lamp and to prevent biased precipitation of the electrode material, a light source is provided. The light source device has a discharge lamp that emits light by discharge between a first electrode and a second electrode; and a driver that supplies alternating current to the first and the second electrodes so as to maintain the discharge, and changes duty ratio of the alternating current in accordance with predetermined pattern. The predetermined pattern includes a plurality of section periods for which the duty ratio maintains mutually different values for a predetermined period.
US08203264B2
A flat panel display and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The flat panel display includes a conductor, and a passivation layer pattern disposed on a side end of the conductor. As such, the passivation layer pattern can prevent or reduce corrosion and damage of the conductor. In one embodiment, the conductor includes a conductive layer formed of a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum and an aluminum alloy. The passivation layer pattern may be formed of an organic material or an inorganic material.
US08203261B2
A flexible display device bendable in a certain direction is realized. R, G, and B pixels are arranged in a mosaic pattern. The display is bendable in a first direction, but is not assumed to be bent in a second direction. A data line extends in the first direction and a select line extends in the second direction. In order to prevent accumulation of distortion in the data line and breakage of the data line when the display is bent in the first direction, the data line is formed into a crank shape. Accordingly, even when the display is bent, an amount of distortion accumulated in the data line corresponds to only a length thereof in the first direction, and therefore, the distortion can be reduced. As a result, breakage of a wire in a flexible display can be prevented.
US08203248B2
The invention relates to an electric motor having a stator and a rotor in a housing, wherein the stator comprises a plurality of lamellae that are disposed in parallel and are combined into a package. The lamellae are held together via a spring clamp, which overlaps the lamella package in an axial manner, wherein the spring clamp simultaneously supports the lamella package radially on the interior wall of the housing.
US08203244B2
A support (200) is described for fixing an electric motor (3) to a tub (6) of a washing machine (1) or similar household appliance. The electric motor (3) is of the type with external rotor (70), for driving in rotation a drum (2) supported in the tub (6); the electric motor (3) is provided with a control circuit board (100) associated with a heat dissipator (33). The heat dissipator (33) is integrally formed with the support (33).
US08203242B2
An electrically commutated DC motor (1) for a liquid pump (2) with a pump housing (3) with a suction connector (4) and a pressure connector (5) for connection to a hydraulic circuit, an essentially disk-like pump rotor (6) mounted to rotate in the pump housing, consisting of an impeller (7) with several pump vanes and a permanent magnet (8), a partition (11) separating a pump space (9) from a dry space (10), the partition being arranged in an axial gap (12) between the pump rotor (6) and several axially aligned stator poles (14), each provided with an insulation element (15) and stator windings (16). The task of the present invention is to configure a DC motor, so that it can be installed simply and reliably, is designed particularly robust and therefore has very high lifetime.
US08203229B2
An auxiliary drive/brake system for a wind turbine includes an impulse, high torque motor, a gearbox transmission, a drive shaft, and a transfer gearbox that connects to either the wind turbine low-speed shaft or to the wind turbine gearbox. Control of the auxiliary drive/brake system is performed by a programmable computer-based motor drive control system in combination with instrumentation and sensors fitted to the rotating wind turbine components. Torque and horsepower created by the present auxiliary drive/brake system is transferred into the wind turbine low-speed shaft where it combines with the torque and horsepower created by the wind acting on the wind turbine rotor blades, the combined torque and horsepower is transferred from the wind turbine low-speed shaft into the wind turbine gearbox and the wind turbine generator, causing the wind turbine generator to operate and produce electricity which is supplied to the power company.
US08203219B2
Consistent with an example embodiment, there is an integrated circuit (IC) device in a packaging having electrically insulated connections. The IC device comprises a semiconductor device (100) mounted onto a die attachment area (10); the semiconductor device has a plurality of bonding pads (20a, 25a, 30a, 35a). A lead frame having a plurality of bonding fingers (20b, 25b, 30b, 35b) surrounds the die attachment area. A plurality of mutually isolated connection conductors (25d, 30d, 40, 50) having respective first ends are attached to respective bonding pads on the semiconductor device and the plurality of mutually isolated connection conductors having respective second respective second ends are attached to respective bonding fingers of the lead frame. An insulating material (45) coats at least a portion of the plurality of mutually isolated connection conductors. The mutually isolated connection conductors may include a bond wire (40, 50) for the signal connection and a conductive strap (25d, 30d) for the voltage reference connection. The insulating material (45) coating the bond wires reduces the likelihood of short circuits during encapsulation.
US08203217B2
A semiconductor package having a stacked wafer level structure includes a base substrate; a semiconductor chip; a redistribution pattern; and a second insulation layer pattern. The base substrate having a chip region and a peripheral region disposed at the periphery of the chip region. The semiconductor chip is disposed over the chip region and has a bonding pad. The first insulation layer pattern covers the chip region and the peripheral region and exposes the bonding pad. The redistribution pattern is disposed over the first insulation layer pattern and extends from the bonding pad to the peripheral region. The second insulation layer pattern is disposed over the first insulation layer pattern and opening some portion of the redistribution pattern disposed in the peripheral region.
US08203214B2
An integrated circuit package in package system includes a package in package lead with a package in package lead surface substantially planar, attaching a first integrated circuit package having a first encapsulant surface substantially coplanar with the package in package lead surface, attaching a second integrated circuit near the first integrated circuit package, and forming a package in package encapsulant over the first integrated circuit package and the second integrated circuit.
US08203212B2
A multilayer integrated circuit (IC) including a cross pattern of air gaps in a wiring layer and methods of making the multilayer IC are provided. The patterning of the air gaps is independent of the wiring layout. Patterns of air gaps including: parallel alternating stripes of air gaps and dielectric that are orthogonal to a uni-directional metal wiring layout; parallel alternating stripes of air gaps and dielectric that are diagonal to either a uni- or bi-directional metal wiring layout; and a checkerboard pattern of air gaps and dielectric that crosses either a uni- or bi-directional metal wiring layout are easily formed by conventional photolithography and provide a comparatively uniform reduction in parasitic capacitance between the wires and the surrounding materials, when about one-half of a total length of the metal wiring layout is disposed within the air gaps.
US08203205B2
A power semiconductor module having a substrate, a housing and a pressure device. The substrate further includes a body formed of an insulating material and structured conductor tracks which are arranged thereon and have load and auxiliary potentials. The substrate also includes recesses in the region of the structured conductor tracks in at least two areas that are not covered by a power semiconductor component. Furthermore, the pressure device has latching lugs, which are disposed in the recesses and are arranged therein in a form-fitting and/or frictional manner, at least two points on the side of the pressure device which faces the substrate.
US08203204B2
A stacked semiconductor package provides an enhanced data storage capacity along with an improved data processing speed. The stacked semiconductor package includes a substrate having chip selection pads and a connection pad; a semiconductor chip module including a plurality of semiconductor chips including data bonding pads, a chip selection bonding pad, and data redistributions electrically connected with the data bonding pads and a data through electrode passing through the data bonding pad and connected with the data redistribution, the semiconductor chips being stacked so as to expose the chip selection bonding pad; and a conductive wire for connecting electrically the chip selection pad and the chip selection bonding pads.
US08203199B2
A semiconductor chip package having multiple leadframes is disclosed. Packages can include a first leadframe having a first plurality of electrical leads and a die attach pad having a plurality of tie bars, a second leadframe generally parallel to the first leadframe and having a second plurality of electrical leads, and a mold or encapsulant. Tie bars can be located on three main sides of the die attach pad, but not the fourth main side. Gaps in the first and second plurality of electrical leads can be enlarged or aligned with each other to enable the elimination of mold flash outside the encapsulated region, which can be accomplished with mold cavity bar protrusions. Additional components can include a primary die, a secondary die, an inductor and/or a capacitor. The first and second leadframes can be substantially stacked atop one another, and one or both leadframes can be leadless leadframes.
US08203198B2
A thin film capacitor device of the present invention has a thin film capacitor having two electrodes and a dielectric layer provided therebetween and external terminals electrically connected to the electrodes. In addition, the thin film capacitor device also has resistor layers which are provided between the external terminals and the electrodes and adjacent thereto, and which are formed of a material have a higher resistivity than that of the adjacent electrodes.
US08203193B2
A magnetic random access memory includes a magnetoresistive effect element which has a fixed layer, a recording layer and a non-magnetic layer provided between the fixed layer and the recording layer and in which the magnetization directions of the fixed layer and the recording layer are brought into a parallel state or an anti-parallel state in accordance with a direction of a current flowing between the fixed layer and the recording layer, a first contact which is connected to the recording layer and in which a contact area between the recording layer and the first contact is smaller than an area of the recording layer, and a cap layer which is provided between the first contact and the recording layer and which directly comes in contact with the first contact and which has a resistance higher than a resistance of the recording layer.
US08203191B2
The invention relates to a spin current thermal conversion device and a thermoelectric conversion device, with which a spin current is thermally generated, and its concrete application is realized.A temperature gradient creating means which creates a temperature gradient in a thermal spin current generating member is provided in a thermal spin current generating member made of either a ferromagnetic member or a conductive member containing a ferromagnetic substance.
US08203190B2
A MEMS device includes a chip carrier having an acoustic port extending from a first surface to a second surface of the chip carrier, a MEMS die disposed on the chip carrier to cover the acoustic port at the first surface of the chip carrier, and an enclosure bonded to the chip carrier and encapsulating the MEMS die.
US08203176B2
To make it possible to significantly suppress the leakage current in a semiconductor device having a capacitor structure using a dielectric film. There is provided a composite oxide dielectric which is mainly composed of Zr, Al and O, and which has a composition ratio of Zr and Al in a range of (1−x):x where 0.01≦x≦0.15, and has a crystal structure. When the dielectric is set to have the Al composition in the above described range and is crystallized, the relative dielectric constant of the dielectric can be significantly increased. When the dielectric is used as a dielectric film of a capacitor of a semiconductor device, the leakage current of the capacitor can be significantly reduced.
US08203171B2
A graphene-based memristor includes a first electrode, a defective graphene layer adjacent the first electrode, a memristive material that includes a number of ions adjacent the defective graphene layer, a second electrode adjacent the memristive material, and a voltage source that generates an electric field between the first and the second electrodes. Under the influence of the electric field, ions in the memristive material form an ion conducting channel between the second electrode and the defective graphene layer.
US08203162B2
A light emitting device having a vertical structure and a method for manufacturing the same, which are capable of damping impact generated during a substrate separation process and achieving an improvement in mass productivity, are disclosed. The light emitting device includes a semiconductor layer having a multilayer structure, a first electrode arranged at one surface of the semiconductor layer, a metal support arranged on the first electrode, and an impact damping layer arranged between the first electrode and the metal support, and made of a metal having a ductility higher than a ductility of a metal for the metal support.
US08203156B2
A light-emitting diode structure includes a base with a recessed portion, a light-emitting chip and a light-transmissive block. The light-emitting chip disposed in the recessed portion of the base and emits a light beam. The light-transmissive block disposed on the base covers the recessed portion and the light-emitting chip, so that the light beam emitted from the light-emitting chip is radiated outwardly via the light-transmissive block. The light-transmissive block is a flat-top multilateral cone including a bottom surface, a top surface, and several side surfaces connected to and located between the bottom surface and the top surface. A slot with a bottom portion is formed on the top surface of the light-transmissive block.
US08203149B2
A standard cell includes a capacity element which is made up of a first well diffusion layer into which a first conductive impurity is diffused in a region from a surface of a substrate to a predetermined depth, an insulation film which is provided on the first well diffusion layer, and a first dummy pattern which is provided on the insulation film.
US08203147B2
A resin material having a small relative dielectric constant is used as a layer insulation film 114. The resin material has a flat surface. A black matrix or masking film for thin film transistors is formed thereon using a metal material. Such a configuration prevents the problem of a capacity generated between the masking film and a thin film transistor.
US08203145B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a first conductive layer disposed on a top surface of the substrate. A first insulation layer is formed over the substrate and contacts a sidewall of the first conductive layer. A second conductive layer is formed over the first insulation layer. The second conductive layer includes a first portion disposed over the first conductive layer and a second portion that extends beyond an end of the first conductive layer. A second insulation layer is formed over the second conductive layer. A first opening in the second insulation layer exposes the first portion of the second conductive layer. A second opening in the second insulation layer away from the first opening exposes the second portion of the second conductive layer. The second insulation layer is maintained around the first opening. A conductive bump is formed over the first portion of the second conductive layer.
US08203142B2
A memory device capable of data writing at a time other than during manufacturing is provided by using a memory element including an organic material. In a memory cell, a third conductive film, an organic compound, and a fourth conductive film are stacked over a semiconductor film provided with an n-type impurity region and a p-type impurity region, and a pn-junction diode is serially connected to the memory element. A logic circuit for controlling the memory cell includes a thin film transistor. The memory cell and the logic circuit are manufactured over one substrate at the same time. The n-type impurity region and the p-type impurity region of the memory cell are manufactured at the same time as the impurity region of the thin film transistor.
US08203137B2
A photonic structure includes a plurality of annealed, substantially smooth-surfaced ellipsoids arranged in a matrix. Additionally, a method of producing a photonic structure is provided. The method includes providing a semiconductor material, providing an etch mask comprising a two-dimensional hole array, and disposing the etch mask on at least one surface of the semiconductor material. The semiconductor material is then etched through the hole array of the etch mask to produce holes in the semiconductor material and thereafter applying a passivation layer to surfaces of the holes. Additionally, the method includes repeating the etching and passivation-layer application to produce a photonic crystal structure that contains ellipsoids within the semiconductor material and annealing the photonic crystal structure to smooth the surfaces of the ellipsoids.
US08203123B2
A system for detecting radiation using an array of cells containing a metastable material together with sensing apparatus and display apparatus.
US08203108B2
A fuze guidance system is configurable by an end user, allowing the end user to select between different configurations of canards of the system. The different configurations of canards may include canards with different surface areas, optimized for providing appropriate control with different sizes of munitions. The different configurations may be accomplished by having canards with separable portions which may be broken off or otherwise removed by the end user, to reduce canard surface area and/or span. Alternatively the fuze guidance system may come in a kit with multiple sets of canards having different sizes or otherwise having different configurations for providing different aerodynamic characteristics. The end user may select a canard set based on the munition size or type that the fuze guidance system is to be used with.
US08203102B2
A thermal type flow sensor measures a flow rate of a fluid by means of a heat resistive element having a temperature dependency. The sensor is comprised of: plural heat resistive elements used for a flow rate measurement; and a driver circuit for controlling a current applied to these heat resistive elements to cause their heating. The driver circuit is configured to sense a resistance change of a lower-temperature side heat resistive element among the plural heat resistive elements and to control the current to be applied to the plural heat resistive elements in accordance with a sensed value of the lower-resistance's variation.
US08203095B2
A method of material treatment in which the surface of a metal substrate is converted to a composite structure of the metal and its nitride or carbide utilizing a high temperature chemically active thermal plasma stream, and the product obtained from that method. The complex thermal plasma contains controllable additions of active gas, liquid or solid substances. The surface layer obtained is functionally graded to the substrate resulting in an excellent bond that resists delamination and spalling, and provides a significant increase in hardness, wear and erosion resistance, and corrosion resistance, and a decrease in coefficient of friction.
US08203075B2
The present invention provides a building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) junction box having a housing and a connection assembly disposed within the housing. The housing includes first sidewalls positioned opposite to each other and second sidewalls adjacent and connecting to the two first sidewalls. Additionally, an opening is provided opposite a bottom wall, with the bottom wall connecting the first and second sidewalls. The second sidewalls include extensions that extend beyond a height of the first sidewalls, so that an edge of a solar cell panel is sandwiched between the extensions when the junction box is mounted on the edge of the solar cell panel. The BIPV junction box of the present invention may be applied to the connection of BIPV solar cell modules.
US08203069B2
System, methods and apparatus for coupling photovoltaic arrays are disclosed. The apparatus may include a first input adapted to couple to a neutral line of a first photovoltaic array; a second input adapted to couple to a neutral line of a second photovoltaic array; a contactor configured to switchably couple the neutral line of a first photovoltaic array to the a neutral line of a second photovoltaic array, the contactor being controllable by an electric control signal; and a control input adapted to couple the switch to a remotely located controller so as to enable the controller to control the first switch by sending the electric control signal.
US08203057B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH727695. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH727695, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH727695 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH727695.
US08203056B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH752576. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH752576, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH752576 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH752576.
US08203052B1
Basically, this invention provides for an inbred corn line designated NPID2568, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line NPID2568 with plants of another corn plant. The invention relates to the various parts of inbred NPID2568 including culturable cells. This invention also relates to methods for introducing transgenic transgenes into inbred corn line NPID2568 and plants produced by said methods.
US08203051B2
The invention relates to the novel cotton variety designated 09R605B2R2. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants, plant parts and derivatives of the cotton variety 09R605B2R2. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the cotton variety 09R605B2R2 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing cotton plants by crossing the cotton variety 09R605B2R2 with itself or another cotton variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08203044B1
A novel soybean variety, designated XB40U10 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB40U10, cells from soybean variety XB40U10, plants of soybean XB40U10, and plant parts of soybean variety XB40U10. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB40U10 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XB40U10, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB40U10. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB40U10 are further provided.
US08203033B2
Methods and compositions are provided related to improved plants that are tolerant to more than one herbicide. Particularly, the invention provides plants that are tolerant of glyphosate and are tolerant to at least one ALS inhibitor, and methods of use thereof. The glyphosate/ALS inhibitor-tolerant plants comprise a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that confers tolerance to glyphosate and a polynucleotide that encodes an ALS inhibitor-tolerant polypeptide. In specific embodiments, a plant of the invention expresses a GAT polypeptide and an HRA polypeptide. Methods to control weeds, improve plant yield, and increase transformation efficiencies are provided.
US08203032B2
The present invention provides a process for generation of a transformed plant capable of emitting fluorescence by introducing a gene encoding a non-plant-derived fluorescent protein into a plant such that the fluorescent protein is recombinantly expressed in the active form of its mature protein in the leaf or petal of the plant, and also provides a transformed garden plant capable of emitting fluorescence that is generated by using the process. For example, cDNA encoding the full-length amino acid sequence of a Chiridius poppei-derived fluorescent protein CpYGFP or its H52F modified protein CpYGFP H52F is inserted into a T-DNA-based expression vector system, which is in turn introduced into the chromosomal DNA of a plant. As a result, the transformed plant thus generated can exhibit fluorescence attributed to these fluorescent proteins and exhibit no substantial difference in the other phenotypes from wild-type one of the plant.
US08203013B2
A method for making a fatty acid mineral salt is disclosed where liquid oils containing fatty acids are hydrolyzed using a base solution. A buffering agent is added to the hydrolyzed solution to maintain pH between 8.0 and 11.0 followed by a water soluble metal salt solution which causes a metathesis reaction with the hydrolyzed solution, forming a precipitates of fatty acid metal salts which are glycerin-free. The precipitates are filtered, washed and subsequently dried. The produced fatty acid metal salt is easier for the human body to digest than omega-3 fatty acid in oil form and also is less prone to oxidation and emitting of unpleasant odor.
US08203009B2
Novel compounds and methods for activating the TrkB receptor are provided. The methods include administering in vivo or in vitro a therapeutically effective amount of a compound containing four six-membered rings and a substituted or unsubstituted C5 or C6 heteroaryl or hetero-cycloalkyl ring and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, prodrugs, and derivatives thereof. Specifically, methods and compounds for the treatment of disorders including neurologic, neuropsychiatric, and metabolic disorders are provided. For example, a method is provided of treating or reducing the risk of depression, anxiety, or obesity in a subject, which includes selecting a subject with or at risk of developing depression, anxiety, or obesity, and administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the described compounds. A further method of promoting neuroprotection in a subject is provided, which includes selecting a subject in need of neuroprotection, and administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the described compounds.
US08203004B2
Tetrahydroindole derivatives of formula (I): are disclosed. These compounds modulate the activity of gamma-secretase and hence find use in treatment or prevention of Alzheimer's disease.
US08202991B2
A process for the preparation of 2-fluoroadenine with a purity of at least 98% (HPLC Area) is presented. Such very high purity degree of at least 98% (HPLC Area) is obtained directly on the crude product after reacting 2,6-diaminopurine in an amount of anhydrous fluorinating agent; heating the resulting reaction mixture; quenching the heated reaction mixture; separating the solid obtained thereby; and washing and separating the solid, without recrystallization and/or any further purification steps.
US08202985B2
Nucleotide monomers, polynucleotides, methods of making each, and methods of deprotecting each, are disclosed. An embodiment of the nucleotide monomer, among others, includes a nucleotide monomer having a heterobase protecting group selected from structures I through III as described herein. An embodiment of the polynucleotide, among others, includes a plurality of nucleotide moieties having a heterobase protecting group selected from one of structures I through III as described herein.
US08202981B2
Disclosed herein are compounds, compositions and methods for modulating the expression of PTPRU in a cell, tissue or animal. Also provided are methods of active target segment validation. Also provided are uses of disclosed compounds and compositions in the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of diseases and disorders. Also provided are methods for the prevention, amelioration and/or treatment of diabetes, obesity, insulin resistance, insulin deficiency, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperfattyacidemia, liver steatosis, steatohepatitis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease by administration of antisense compounds targeted to PTPRU.
US08202978B2
Compositions, methods and kits for detecting Group A streptococci. Particularly described are oligonucleotides that are useful as amplification primers and hybridization probes for detecting very low levels of Group A streptococci nucleic acids.
US08202976B2
This invention provides antibodies that interact with or bind to human interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and methods for treating IFN-γ mediated diseases by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of antibodies to IFN-γ. Methods of detecting the amount of IFN-γ in a sample using antibodies to IFN-γ are also provided.
US08202973B2
The present invention relates to a novel method for preparing vitamin K-dependent proteins. Furthermore the present invention relates to novel co-transfected eucaryotic host cells and recombinant vectors to be used in this improved method for preparing vitamin K-dependent proteins.
US08202972B2
Provided herein are nucleic acid synthesis methods and agents that employ an endonuclease for example, endonuclease V, to introduce a nick into a target DNA including one or more inosine, and uses a DNA polymerase to generate amplicons of the target DNA.
US08202966B2
Novel Dkk and Dkk-related polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated, full-length Dkk and Dkk-related proteins, the invention further provides isolated fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and antibodies. The invention also provides Dkk and Dkk-related nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced and non-human transgenic animals in which a Dkk and Dkk-related gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.
US08202965B2
The invention concerns processes for hydrolyzing polyphosphoric acid in a never-dried spun multifilament yarn, comprising: a) removing surface liquid from filaments in a never-dried spun multifilament yarn; and b) contacting the yarn with a hot surface to hydrolyze polyphosphoric acid, wherein the filaments remain substantially unfused; wherein the hot surface has a surface temperature of at least about 150° C.
US08202963B2
An embodiment of the invention is a water soluble chain-extended polyamine product made by a process comprising reacting a multi-arm polyether amine with a bifunctional crosslinker of the formula: X1—R—X2. Another embodiment is a water soluble chain-extended polyamine product made by a process comprising reacting a multi-arm polyether having at least three arms and three electrophilic endgroups with a primary diamine crosslinker of the formula: NH2—R2—NH2, followed by treating of the chain-extended product so as to convert the remaining electrophilic endgroups to amine endgroups. Crosslinking of the chain-extended polyamine products with an oxidized polysaccharide provides useful tissue adhesives with modified elasticity, that provides greater compliance to underlying tissue, and improved stability in aqueous environments.
US08202960B1
Disclosed are bisphenol compounds, such as tetramethylcyclobutane diol-bisphenol, and processes for making and using them.
US08202957B2
A process for preparing postcrosslinked water-absorbing polymer beads with high absorption by polymerizing droplets of a monomer solution in a gas phase surrounding the droplets, wherein the solids content of the monomer solution is at least 35% by weight and the polymer beads have a mean diameter of at least 150 μm.
US08202956B2
Copolymers are manufactured to include a zwitterionic monomer (e.g., methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine monomer), a dihydroxyphenyl derivatized monomer, and optionally one or more additional monomers. The dihydroxyphenyl derivatized monomer gives the copolymers excellent adhesion properties. Optional monomers include a cationic amino monomer, a hydrocarbon monomer, and/or a hydrophilic monomer. The copolymers are biocompatible and can be used with medical devices.
US08202947B2
Mixtures for producing biodegradable molded bodies are based on one or more aliphatic polyesters, wherein the mixtures also include one or more polymer powders that can be re-dispersed in water.
US08202942B2
The present invention relates to fibers and nonwovens made from plasticized polyolefin compositions comprising a polyolefin and a non-functionalized hydrocarbon plasticizer.
US08202937B2
The present invention is to provide an optical film which exhibits low hygroscopicity, high transparency, high heat resistance and markedly lowered brittleness, and particularly to provide an optical film which is appropriately employed as a polarizing plate protective film for large liquid crystal display devices and outdoor liquid crystal display devices. The above optical film is characterized in that acrylic resin (A) and cellulose ester resin (B) are incorporated at a weight ratio of 95:5-30:70, weight average molecular weight Mw of aforesaid acrylic resin (A) is at least 80,000, total substitution degree (T) of the acyl group of aforesaid cellulose ester resin (B) is 2.0-3.0, the substitution degree of the acyl group having 3-7 carbon atoms is 1.2-3.0, and weight average molecular weight Mw of aforesaid cellulose ester resin (B) is at least 75,000. It is characterized that the total substitution degree of the acyl group other than carbon atoms of 3-7 of the cellulose ester resin (B) is at most 1.3.
US08202913B2
The present invention relates to processes and continuous processes for preparing gaseous products, and in particular, methane via the catalytic gasification of carbonaceous feedstocks in the presence of steam. In one aspect of the invention, the processes comprise at least partially combusting a first carbonaceous feedstock with an oxygen-rich gas stream, a recycle steam stream, and an aqueous make-up stream in an oxygen-blown gasifier, under suitable temperature and pressure, to generate a first gas stream comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and superheated steam; and reacting a second carbonaceous feedstock and the first gas stream in a catalytic gasifier in the presence of a gasification catalyst under suitable temperature and pressure to form a second gas stream comprising a plurality of gaseous products comprising methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide. The processes can comprise using at least one catalytic methanator to convert carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the gaseous products to methane and in certain embodiments do not recycle carbon monoxide or hydrogen to the gasifier. Heat energy recovered from the catalytic gasification can be used to generate the recycle steam stream.
US08202906B2
Use of an extract of animal, plant or microorganism-produced origin comprising docosahexaenoic acid as active substance for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of lipodystrophy in a mammal. The medicament is administered to a patient who is concomitantly receiving a highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). The treatment is effective and overcomes the disadvantages of current lipodystrophy treatments in HIV-infected patients.
US08202905B2
The present invention includes compounds, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics having at least one (substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety. The compounds and compositions of the present invention are useful in the treatment or prevention of medical conditions including androgen associated conditions, androgen associated inflammation, acne, alopecia, hirsutism, a wound, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer and Kennedy's disease.
US08202903B2
The subject of the present invention is the use of aminaphtone for the preparation of a medicament for treating arteriophaties, in particular arteriophaties of a degenerative inflammatory type. Preferably, said medicament is formulated for oral administration.
US08202900B2
This invention relates to a method for stabilizing quercetin by placing it in a solution containing vitamin B3 and vitamin C and assessing stability of the quercetin in the mixture.
US08202897B2
Compounds of formula (I), combinations and uses thereof for disease therapy, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or polymorph thereof, including all tautomers and stereoisomers thereof wherein: A represents and R1, B and Y are as described throughout the description and the claims.
US08202883B2
The invention relates to pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine compounds of formulae (Ia) and (Ib) which have activity to the modulation of misdirected cellular signal transduction processes such as tyrosine kinases, serine/threonine kinases and/or lipid kinases, their preparation and use as medicaments, especially for the treatment of malignant disorders and other disorders based on pathological cell proliferations:
US08202868B2
The present invention relates to novel 4-piperazinylpyrimidine compounds. The compounds possess valuable therapeutic properties and are suitable, in particular, for treating diseases that respond to modulation of the dopamine D3 receptor. The 4-piperzinylpyrimidine compounds have the general formula I wherein Ar, X, A, R1 and R1a are as defined in the claims.
US08202865B2
The invention relates to compounds of formula I: wherein R1, R2, Ra, Rb, W, Q and S have the meanings given in claim 16. The compounds are useful e.g. in the treatment of autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis.
US08202863B2
This invention is directed to a compound of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3 and L1 are as defined herein, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound, and the use of the compound to treat allergic and/or inflammatory disorders, particularly disorders such as allergic rhinitis, asthma and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
US08202854B2
Disclosed are compounds of the formula I or a stereoisomer, tautomer, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein Ar, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined in the specification; and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of formula I. Also disclosed is the method of inhibiting aspartyl protease, and in particular, the methods of treating cardiovascular diseases, cognitive and neurodegenerative diseases. Also disclosed are methods of treating cognitive or neurodegenerative diseases using the compounds of formula I in combination with a cholinesterase inhibitor or a muscarinic m1 agonist or m2 antagonist.
US08202844B2
The present invention provides novel chemical compounds, and methods for their use. In particular, the present invention provides indole derivatives (e.g. as shown in Formula (I)) and related compounds and methods of using indole derivatives and related compounds as therapeutic agents to treat a number of conditions, including those associated with viral infection and cardiovascular diseases.
US08202837B2
The present invention relates to methods of administering hypoglycemic agents and/or GLP-1 agonists.
US08202833B2
The present invention provides method and materials for forming a polymeric matrix having improved biocompatible properties. A polymerization accelerator is provided that includes an N-vinyl group and a biocompatible functional group. The polymerization accelerator is particularly useful for the polymerization of macromers, which can be used to form biocompatible polymeric coatings on the surface of biological materials, such as cells and tissue.
US08202823B2
Disclosed is a composition comprising a nucleic acid and a chemical compound, said composition forming a star structure defining 3 or more stems extending from a reaction center. The stems are formed by a nucleic acid duplex and the chemical compound has been formed in the reaction center as the reaction product of 3 or more chemical groups.The advantage of the composition is that a close proximity is provided between the chemical groups in the reaction center, thereby promoting a reaction. The invention also relates to a method for preparation of the composition. The advantage of the method is that it does not require the pre-synthesis of a large number of templates and that it is not dependent upon codon/anti-codon recognition for an encoded molecule to be formed.
US08202822B2
A method of fertilizing plants and/or seeds involves the application of a growth hormone free formulation of fertilizer and sarcosine, either together as a formulation or separately. The sarcosine is used in an effective amount to enhance plant biomass development and fertilizer uptake. The application method and composition can also include the application of a preservative.
US08202801B1
A through substrate via having a low stress is provided. The through substrate via is positioned in a substrate. The through substrate via includes: an outer tube penetrating the substrate; at least one inner tube disposed within the outer tube; a dielectric layer lining on a side wall of the outer tube, and a side wall of the inner tube; a strength-enhanced material filling the inner tube; and a conductive layer filling the outer tube.
US08202787B2
A method for manufacturing an SOI wafer having a buried oxide film with a predetermined thickness including performing a heat treatment for reducing a thickness of the buried oxide film on an SOI wafer material having an SOI layer formed on the buried oxide film, wherein a thickness of the SOI layer of the SOI wafer material to be subjected to the heat treatment for reducing the thickness of the buried oxide film is calculated on the basis of a ratio of the thickness of the buried oxide film to be reduced by the heat treatment with respect to a permissible value of an amount of change in an in-plane range of the buried oxide film, the change being caused by the heat treatment, and the SOI wafer material obtained by thinning the thickness of the bond wafer so as to have the calculated thickness of the SOI layer is subjected to the heat treatment for reducing the thickness of the buried oxide film.
US08202776B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate; forming at least one gate structure over the substrate; forming a plurality of doped regions in the substrate; forming an etch stop layer over the substrate; removing a first portion of the etch stop layer, wherein a second portion of the etch stop layer remains over the plurality of doped regions; forming a hard mask layer over the substrate; removing a first portion of the hard mask layer, wherein a second portion of the hard mask layer remains over the at least one gate structure; and forming a first contact through the second portion of the hard mask layer to the at least one gate structure, and a second contact through the second portion of the etch stop layer to the plurality of doped regions.
US08202773B2
A PMOS transistor is disclosed which includes a nitrogen containing barrier to oxygen diffusion between a gate dielectric layer and a metal gate in the PMOS transistor, in combination with a low oxygen region of the metal gate in direct contact with the nitrogen containing barrier and an oxygen rich region of the metal gate above the low oxygen content metal region. The nitrogen containing barrier may be formed by depositing nitrogen containing barrier material on the gate dielectric layer or by nitridating a top region of the gate dielectric layer. The oxygen rich region of the metal gate may be formed by depositing oxidized metal on the low oxygen region of the metal gate or by oxidizing a top region of the low oxygen region of the metal gate.
US08202769B2
A space is provided under part of a semiconductor layer. Specifically, a structure in which an eaves portion (a projecting portion, an overhang portion) is formed in the semiconductor layer. The eaves portion is formed as follows: a stacked-layer structure in which a conductive layer, an insulating layer, and a semiconductor layer are stacked in this order is etched collectively to determine a pattern of a gate electrode; and a pattern of the semiconductor layer is formed while side-etching is performed.
US08202767B2
A device and method for reducing junction leakage in a semiconductor junction includes forming a faceted raised structure in a source/drain region of the device. Dopants are diffused from the faceted raised structure into a substrate below the faceted raised structure to form source/drain regions. A sprinkle implantation is applied on the faceted raised structure to produce a multi-depth dopant profile in the substrate for the source/drain regions.
US08202762B2
A stack package includes an upper semiconductor chip having a plurality of first bonding pads which are formed on an upper surface of the upper semiconductor chip and via-holes which are defined in the upper semiconductor chip under the respective first bonding pads; and a lower semiconductor chip attached to a lower surface of the upper semiconductor chip and having a plurality of second bonding pads which are formed on an upper surface of the lower semiconductor chip and bumps which are formed on the respective second bonding pads and are inserted into the respective via-holes to be come into the respective first bonding pads.
US08202759B2
The present invention provides a manufacturing method of an organic semiconductor device comprising a step of transferring an organic semiconductor layer to a gate insulation layer by a thermal transfer at a liquid crystal phase transition temperature of a liquid crystalline organic semiconductor material, and the step uses: an organic semiconductor layer-transferring substrate comprising a parting substrate having parting properties, and the organic semiconductor layer formed on the parting substrate and containing the liquid crystalline organic semiconductor material; and a substrate for forming an organic semiconductor device comprising a substrate, a gate electrode formed on the substrate, and the gate insulation layer formed to cover the gate electrode and having alignment properties which are capable of aligning the liquid crystalline organic semiconductor material on a surface of the gate insulation layer.
US08202757B2
An image sensor includes readout circuitry on a first substrate, a metal line electrically connected with the readout circuitry, a dielectric on the metal line, an image sensing device on the dielectric, including first and second conductivity type layers, a contact plug in a via hole penetrating the image sensing device to connect the first conductivity type layer with the metal line, and a sidewall dielectric in the via hole at a sidewall of the second conductivity type layer.
US08202756B2
According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing an organic EL device includes providing a structure including a substrate and an electrode positioned above the substrate, and forming an organic layer including a mixture of first and second organic materials above the electrode. The first organic material has a first sublimation point. The second organic material has a second sublimation point higher than the first sublimation point. The formation of the organic layer includes heating an evaporation material including a mixture of the first and second organic materials to an evaporation temperature so as to sublimate the first and second organic materials, and delivering the sublimed first and second organic materials toward the electrode to deposit a mixture including the first and second organic materials above the electrode. The evaporation temperature is, for example, a temperature higher than the second sublimation temperature by 50° C. or more.
US08202754B2
Packaged microelectronic devices recessed in support member cavities, and associated methods, are disclosed. Method in accordance with one embodiment includes positioning a microelectronic device in a cavity of a support member, with the cavity having a closed end with a conductive layer, and an opening through which the cavity is assessable. The microelectronic device can have bond sites, a first surface, and a second surface facing opposite from the first surface. The microelectronic device can be positioned in the cavity so that the second surface faces toward and is carried by the conductive layer. The method can further include electrically coupling the bond sites of the microelectronic device to the conductive layer. In particular embodiments, the microelectronic device can be encapsulated in the cavity without the need for a releasable tape layer to temporarily support the microelectronic device.
US08202751B2
Provided are a flip-chip nitride-based light emitting device having an n-type clad layer, an active layer and a p-type clad layer sequentially stacked thereon, comprising a reflective layer formed on the p-type clad layer and at least one transparent conductive thin film layer made up of transparent conductive materials capable of inhibiting diffusion of materials constituting the reflective layer, interposed between the p-type clad layer and reflective layer; and a process for preparing the same. In accordance with the flip-chip nitride-based light emitting device of the present invention and a process for preparing the same, there are provided advantages such as improved ohmic contact properties with the p-type clad layer, leading to increased wire bonding efficiency and yield upon packaging the light emitting device, capability to improve luminous efficiency and life span of the device due to low specific contact resistance and excellent current-voltage properties.
US08202735B2
The invention provides methods of detecting a change in cell growth patterns, methods of screening many different antibodies in one receptacle, and methods of detecting specific binding of an antibody to a protein or cell, wherein the antibody is in a mixture of many different antibodies.
US08202732B2
A chemical analysis method for the determination of RO(CH2CH2O)nH, RO(C2H4O)nA, and AO(C2H4O)nA in a mixture thereof, wherein R is an alkyl group, A is a functional group for coupling with a surface or a biologically active material or another thing of use and n is an integer greater than 10. The method includes derivatizing the A groups of the mixture with a derivatizing agent to form a derivatized mixture comprising RO(CH2CH2O)nH, RO(C2H4O)nAD, and DAO(C2H4O)nAD, wherein AD is the derivatized A group. The second step is chromatographing a sample of the derivatized mixture by liquid chromatography under critical conditions to determine the relative amounts of RO(CH2CH2O)nH, RO(C2H4O)nAD, and DAO(C2H4O)nAD in the derivatized mixture.
US08202730B2
A method for detecting contamination of a conventional petroleum-based fuel used in an internal combustion engine is provided. A sample of engine oil is separated into a polar component and a non-polar component by a polar solvent. The polar component is analyzed for one or more biodiesel chemical components selected from the group consisting of plant sterols, fatty acid methyl esters, cetane, and combinations thereof, which relate to a degree of engine oil contamination. The polar and non-polar component may be analyzed by Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) and optionally Flame Ionization Detection (FID) for the one or more biodiesel chemical components, which can provide a semi-quantitative level of such biodiesel chemical components. Fuel samples can also be analyzed for biodiesel contamination species via GC/MS.
US08202728B2
Described herein are substrates coated with crystals having uniform crystalline morphology on the surface of the substrate. The coated substrates are useful in culturing and performing functional assays on cells such as, for example, resorption studies on bone cells. New methods for producing such coated substrates are also disclosed.
US08202721B2
A waste material processing system includes a closed container for holding waste material having a first passage in which the waste material flows in a first direction, the first passage having first and second ends, the first end including an inlet for waste material, a second passage in which the waste material flows in a direction opposite the first direction, the second passage having first and second ends, the second end including an outlet. The first passage is separated from the second passage by a divider, the second end of the first passage being adjacent the first end of the second passage, and the first end of the first passage being adjacent the second end of the second passage. A heating device is positioned in the first passage and/or the second passage to heat the waste material with a gas and to induce the waste material to move in a corkscrew-like fashion.
US08202716B2
Isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius are provided. Further provided are methods of at least partially degrading, cleaving, or removing polysaccharides, lignocellulose, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, chitin, polyhydroxybutyrate, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups using isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius.
US08202706B2
An isolated polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, with the L-aspartic acid at position 5 of the amino acid sequence replaced by another proteinogenic amino acid, and possesses citrate synthase activity. In addition, a vector comprises the polynucleotide and a bacterium comprises the vector. An isolated polynucleotide comprises a nucleotide sequence comprising, from position 1 to 39, the nucleotide sequence corresponding to position 1 to 39 of SEQ ID NO: 11, from position 40 to 105, a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12, with each proteinogenic amino acid except L-aspartic acid being present at position 5. A method of producing an L-amino acids is also described.
US08202703B2
The present invention provides placental stem cells and placental stem cell populations, and methods of culturing, proliferating and expanding the same. The invention also provides methods of differentiating the placental stem cells. The invention further provides methods of using the placental stem cells in assays and for transplanting.
US08202702B2
The accuracy and/or precision of measurements of extracellular acidification rate or CO2 evolution in cell culture medium may be improved by using materials with low CO2 permeability for medium-containing vessels.
US08202698B2
The present disclosure provides compositions and methods relating to the evaluation of BAFF in a biological sample from a subject.
US08202693B2
A method of isolation of nucleic acids from a biological sample of cells comprising a combination of a solid phase cell nuclei isolation procedure with a solid phase nucleic acid isolation method.
US08202687B2
An object of the present invention is to detect a specific chemical substance with high sensitivity and high precision. By using a specific lipid bilayer membrane, a chemical substance is detected with high sensitivity and high precision. Here, the specific lipid bilayer membrane comprises a chemical substance receptor, a chimeric G protein, and a potassium ion channel. The chimeric G protein comprises a chimeric Gα subunit and a Gβγ subunit complex. The chimeric Gα subunit is selected from the group consisting of Gi/olf13 (SEQ ID NO: 04), Gi/olf28 (SEQ ID NO: 05), Gi/olf94 (SEQ ID NO: 07), Gi/olf113 (SEQ ID NO: 08), Gi/olf α3-β5,C (SEQ ID NO: 12), and Gi/olfα4-β6,C (SEQ ID NO: 15).
US08202685B2
Lithography process is conducted to expose chip patterns to light on a semiconductor wafer. The process includes exposing a plurality of chip patterns to light in a first shot region in one direction on the semiconductor wafer, and exposing a plurality of chip patterns to light in a second region obtained by rotating the first shot region by 90° in a region in which all the chip patterns in the first shot region at the periphery of the semiconductor wafer are regarded as ineffective.
US08202682B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming a resist layer on an underlayer, forming an exposed pattern in the resist layer, wherein the exposed pattern comprises a soluble layer and an insoluble layer, forming a resist pattern by removing the soluble layer from the resist layer in which the exposed pattern is formed, removing an intermediate exposed area from the resist pattern, forming a new soluble layer in a surface of the resist pattern from which the intermediate exposed area is removed by applying a reaction material to the resist pattern from which the intermediate exposed area is removed, wherein the reaction material generates a solubilization material that solubilizes the resist pattern, and removing the new soluble layer from the resist pattern.
US08202678B2
The present invention discloses an antireflective coating composition for applying between a substrate surface and a positive photoresist composition. The antireflective coating composition is developable in an aqueous alkaline developer. The antireflective coating composition comprises a polymer, which comprises at least one monomer unit containing one or more moieties selected from the group consisting of a lactone, maleimide, and an N-alkyl maleimide; and at least one monomer unit containing one or more absorbing moieties. The polymer does not comprise an acid labile group. The present invention also discloses a method of forming and transferring a relief image by using the inventive antireflective coating composition in photolithography.
US08202676B2
A toner for developing electrostatic latent images, including a binder resin; and a colorant, wherein the toner further includes propyleneglycolmonomethylether in an amount of from 30 to 200 ppm.
US08202671B2
A protective apparatus protects a predetermined area on a surface of a substrate. The protective apparatus includes: a frame portion that includes a pair of flexible portions which are disposed along a first direction and oppose each other, and is connected to the surface of the substrate to surround the predetermined area; and a thin film portion that is stretched across the frame portion to oppose the predetermined area and closes an opening portion formed by the frame portion. An end surface of the flexible portion on the thin film portion side has a curved shape which is concave toward a connecting portion with the substrate.
US08202670B2
A high temperature, redox tolerant fuel cell anode electrode and method of fabrication in which the anode electrode is pre-conditioned by application of an initial controlled redox cycle to the electrode whereby an initial re-oxidation of the anode electrode is carried out at temperatures less than or equal to about 650° C.
US08202663B2
Improved solid acid electrolyte materials, methods of synthesizing such materials, and electrochemical devices incorporating such materials are provided. The stable electrolyte material comprises a solid acid capable undergoing rotational disorder of oxyanion groups and capable of extended operation at elevated temperatures, that is, solid acids having hydrogen bonded anion groups; a superprotonic, trigonal, tetragonal, or cubic, disordered phase; and capable of being operating at temperatures of ˜100° C. and higher.
US08202662B2
This invention provides a membrane electrode assembly having sufficient water retention ability and a high level of battery performance even under a low humidification condition. This invention discloses a manufacturing method of a membrane electrode assembly which has catalytic layers on both surfaces of a polymer electrolyte membrane. This manufacturing method includes following processes: A coating process that a catalyst ink which contains catalyst loading particles, a polymer electrolyte and a solvent is coated on a single surface of each of two base substrates. An arranging process in which a polymer electrolyte membrane is arranged between the two base substrates in a way that each of the base substrate's surfaces on which the catalyst ink is coated faces the polymer electrolyte membrane. A transferring process in which the catalyst ink coated on the two base substrates is transferred to both surfaces of the polymer electrolyte membrane to form the catalytic layers. A peeling process in which the two base substrates, which are attached to both sides of the polymer electrolyte membrane via the catalytic layers, are peeled off from the polymer electrolyte membrane and the catalytic layers. In addition, this manufacturing method has the following features: Each surface roughness (SRa) of the catalytic layers formed on the polymer electrolyte membrane after the peeling process is in the 0.01-1.00 μm range. Each gloss value at 85° (cf. JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) Z 8741) of a surface of said catalytic layers is in the 10-80% range.
US08202654B2
In accordance with various aspects of the invention, implantable and insertable medical devices are provided, which contain (a) a substrate and (b) a polymeric layer disposed on the substrate that comprises a fluorinated polymer to which is grafted an unsaturated monomer having at least one carbon double bond and at least one polar functional group.
US08202653B2
An electrode includes a current collector comprising a grid, said grid comprising a plurality of planar, parallel rows disposed between interleaved rows having raised and lowered segments, and a tab portion extending from a side of the current collector. Raised and lowered segments are disposed horizontally relative to the tab portion, thereby providing substantially uninterrupted conductive ribbons extending from the bottom of the current collector to the tab portion.
US08202648B2
A prismatic lithium ion battery having an electrode assembly, a prismatic can which receives the electrode assembly and a cap assembly which closes the open end of the prismatic can, wherein two deformed surfaces are formed in each major surface area of the prismatic can opposite to each other, respectively so that they are bent from exterior to interior and indented, and formed in the shape of a band connecting two narrow sides in the longitudinal direction, and formed one by one close to two large sides of the major surface areas but the intermediate parts are close to each other than the ends. In accordance to the present invention, in case that the expansion of the battery or the internal gas generation, the expansion of the battery in the thickness direction is prevented, and the risk, making an internal short-circuit because the insulating case is not pressed to the can as the prismatic can expand, may be reduced.
US08202643B2
A portable power source system including a battery pack housing at least one secondary battery, wherein first and second internal terminals for connecting to a pair of external terminals are provided inside the battery pack, and two or more operations in different operating directions are required to connect the external terminals to the internal terminals. The battery pack includes external terminal inserting portions for inserting the external terminals, and the two or more operations include a first operation including inserting the external terminals into the external terminal inserting portions and a second operation in a direction different from that of the first operation. In a state before the first operation is performed, at least one of the internal terminals is shielded with a protective cover, and the protective cover recedes from a position for shielding the internal terminal, in conjunction with the first operation, the second operation or a combination of the first operation and the second operation, thereby enabling a connection of the external terminals to the internal terminals.
US08202641B2
A flow battery electrode assembly with a first impermeable, substantially metal electrode, a second permeable, substantially metal electrode and at least one electrically conductive spacer. The electrically conductive spacer connects the first impermeable, substantially metal electrode and the second permeable, substantially metal electrode such that the first impermeable, substantially metal electrode and the second permeable, substantially metal electrode are spaced apart from each other by an electrolyte flow path.
US08202637B2
A fuel cell sealing plate taking-out method that may include forming an air layer between adjacent sealing plates and taking out a sealing plate from a stack of sealing plates one by one. A protrusion may be formed beforehand at one or more surfaces of each sealing plate. Also, a sealing plate taking-out apparatus having a suction pad and a projection that protrudes more than the suction pad toward the sealing plate. Due to the air layer formed between adjacent sealing plates, it may be possible to take out the sealing plate one by one from the stack of sealing plates.
US08202633B2
A compound represented by the following Formula (1) is useful as an electron transport material of an organic EL device, and an organic EL device comprising the compound in the electron transport layer is long in life, and low in drive voltage: wherein G is an n-valent link, n is an integer of 2 to 4; R1 to R4 are each independently hydrogen, a monovalent group, or a free valency bonded with G, and R5 to R8 are each independently hydrogen or a monovalent group, and one of R1 to R4 is a free valency bonded with G; and n groups of 2,3′-bipyridyl may be the same or different with each other.
US08202624B2
A process for producing a coated paper, comprising the steps of: a) providing a base paper, the fraction of long-fiber chemical pulp in the base paper being at least 25% by weight, the base paper leaving an absolute moisture content of ISO 287 of not less than 2.5%, the base paper having a water absorbency to ISO 535 for a test time of 10 s (Cobb10) of 5 to 20g/m2, and the base paper having a (Fenchel) wet elongation, measured parallel to the machine direction, of not greater than 0% and, measured transverse to the machine direction, of not greater than 3%, b) applying 10 to 40g/m2 (ovendry) of an aqueous coating composition to at least one face of the base paper, to give a coated base paper, and c) conditioning the coated paper obtained in step b).
US08202621B2
An opaque, low resistivity silicon carbide and a method of making the opaque, low resistivity silicon carbide. The opaque, low resistivity silicon carbide is a free-standing bulk material that may be machined to form furniture used for holding semi-conductor wafers during processing of the wafers. The opaque, low resistivity silicon carbide is opaque at wavelengths of light where semi-conductor wafers are processed. Such opaqueness provides for improved semi-conductor wafer manufacturing. Edge rings fashioned from the opaque, low resistivity silicon carbide can be employed in RTP chambers.
US08202619B2
Certain example embodiments relate to sputter-deposited transparent conductive coatings (TCCs) that are capable of surviving the harsh environments of ovens so that they can be included, for example, in oven door applications. In certain example embodiments, zirconium oxide (e.g., ZrO2 or other suitable stoichiometry) may be used as a protective overcoat to protect an underlying Ag layer from corrosion in the atmosphere. In three lite oven door example embodiments, surface 1 has a TCC pyrolytically disposed thereon, surface 2 has a TCC sputter-deposited thereon and, optionally, surface 3 has a TCC sputter-deposited thereon. In two lite oven door example embodiments, surface 1 has a TCC pyrolytically disposed or sputter-deposited thereon, and surface 2 has a TCC sputter-deposited thereon.
US08202615B2
Provided is a nitrogen-containing amorphous carbon film exhibiting excellent durability even when formed on the surface of a sliding member used under high surface pressure or under a lubricating oil environment. The nitrogen-containing amorphous carbon film is formed by physical evaporation onto the sliding surface of a sliding member and contains 8.0 to 12.0 atomic % of hydrogen and 3.0 to 14.0 atomic % of nitrogen. The nitrogen-containing amorphous carbon film is effective when, for instance, formed on at least one sliding surface of a sliding member, such as a sliding part of an automobile engine.
US08202610B2
A protective film for polarizing plate comprising k layers (k is an integer of 2 or more) of thermoplastic resin layer laminated, wherein a refractive index ni(380) at a wavelength of 380 nm and a refractive index ni(780) at a wavelength of 780 nm in the i th thermoplastic resin layer as well as a refractive index ni+1(380) at a wavelength of 380 nm and a refractive index ni+1(780) at a wavelength of 780 nm in the i+1 th thermoplastic resin layer have a relationship in ∥ni(380)−ni+1(380)|−|ni(780)−ni+1(780)∥≦0.02 (where, i is an integer of 1 to k−1). A polarizing plate is obtained by bonding the protective film for the polarizing plate and a polarizer. And a liquid crystal display comprising the polarizing plate and a liquid crystal panel.
US08202604B2
A pneumatic tire having an air permeation preventive layer formed by adhering a resin film containing thermoplastic resin as a main component thereof to a tire inner wall surface, wherein the resin film is laminated, as a narrow width slit film shape, with an elastomer and the resultant ribbon-shaped laminate is continuously and spirally wound in a tire circumferential direction so that the edges thereof partially overlap to thereby form the air permeation preventive layer, whereby a pneumatic tire having a light weight and superior air permeation preventive property, no splice openings of the air permeation preventive layer at the time of tire processing, and capable of shortening the processing time can be obtained as well as the production method thereof.
US08202587B2
Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to vacuum insulated glass (VIG) units. The VIG unit may comprise first and second substrates with inner and outer substantially planar surfaces. For either or both of the first and second substrates, when considered along a side cross-section, a portion of the inner planar surface is removed proximate to an outer edge of the glass substrate so as to form a shoulder portion. An inner surface of the shoulder portion is angled (a negative number of degrees, zero degrees, or a positive number of degrees) relative to the inner and outer planar surfaces. The shoulder portion at its smallest height is at least about 50% of the glass substrate at its largest height. A side portion of the step proximate the edge also may be angled, e.g., so that it is or is not perpendicular to the planar surfaces.
US08202580B2
1,3-substituted imidazolium salts of the formula I are used as latent catalysts for curing compostions comprising epoxy compounds: in which: R1 and R3 independently of one another are an organic radical having 1 to 20 C atoms; R2, R4, and R5 independently of one another are an H atom or an organic radical having 1 to 20 C atoms, it also being possible for R4 and R5 together to form an aliphatic or aromatic ring; X is the anion of a phosphorus oxyacid, and n is 1, 2 or 3.
US08202575B2
Vapor deposition systems and methods associated with the same are provided. The systems may be designed to include features that can promote high quality deposition; simplify manufacture, modification and use; as well as, reduce the footprint of the system, amongst other advantages.
US08202568B2
A method for making a conductive film of carbon nanotubes includes the steps of: a) preparing a carbon nanotube solution having a viscosity ranging from 1 to 50 c.p. at room temperature and containing a plurality of multi-walled carbon nanotubes; b) atomizing the carbon nanotube solution to form a plurality of atomized particles including the carbon nanotubes; c) providing a carrier gas to carry the atomized particles to a substrate disposed on a spin coating equipment; and d) spin coating the atomized particles on the substrate to form a conductive film of carbon nanotubes on a surface of the substrate.
US08202558B2
Compositions or extracts (2)(15)(24)(25)(16)(23)(31)(36)(41) obtained from the fruit (4) or leaves (26) of plants of the genus Hippophae (1) and methods of using such compositions or extracts to reduce loss of reproductive cell function.
US08202551B2
Cartilage has been constructed using biodegradable electrospun polymeric scaffolds seeded with chondrocytes or adult mesenchymal stem cells. More particularly engineered cartilage has been prepared where the cartilage has a biodegradable and biocompatible nanofibrous polymer support prepared by electrospinning and a plurality of chondocytes or mesenchymal stem cells dispersed in the pores of the support. The tissue engineered cartilages of the invention possess compressive strength properties similar to natural cartilage. Methods of preparing engineered tissues, including tissue engineered cartilages, are provided in which an electrospun nanofibrous polymer support is provided, the support is treated with a cell solution and the polymer-cell mixture cultured in a rotating bioreactor to generate the cartilage. The invention provides for the use of the tissue engineered cartilages in the treatment of cartilage degenerative diseases, reconstructive surgery, and cosmetic surgery.
US08202543B2
A human or animal dietary supplement composition comprising one or more long chain (C24-C36) primary alcohols (policosanols) dispersed in food-grade oils or fats where the policosanol particle size is substantially less than ten (10) microns. The composition (Nanocosanol™) is effective and convenient for supporting blood lipid health.
US08202536B2
One possible embodiment of the invention may be an oral dosage apparatus comprising of a sealed, digestible container having an exterior that defines and seals a respective interior; the interior containing one or more non-homeopathic remedies; and the exterior presenting one or more homeopathic products. Another version of the invention may be a method of manufacturing an oral dosage apparatus comprising of the following steps of providing one or more non-homeopathic remedies and one or more non-homeopathic remedies; providing a sealed, digestible container having an exterior that correspondingly defines and seals a respective interior containing one or one or more non-homeopathic remedies; affixing one or more homeopathic remedies to the exterior.
US08202535B2
Small-volume oral transmucosal dosage forms or NanoTabs® comprising a predetermined amount of a pharmaceutically active drug are provided. Exemplary applications include use of the NanoTabs® to administer a drug for the treatment of acute, post-operative or breakthrough pain.
US08202534B2
The present invention relates to a method of attaching a handle to a solid oral dosage form by use of high frequency mechanical vibrations. The present invention also relates to a method of attaching a handle to a solid oral dosage form, the method comprising: (a) placing a handle in contact with a solid oral dosage form, wherein an area of contact between the handle and the solid oral dosage form forms a joint interface; (b) applying high frequency mechanical vibrations to the joint interface until the solid oral dosage form at the joint interface reaches a molten state; and (c) cooling the joint interface in a molten state to allow solidification, thereby attaching the handle to the solid oral dosage form.
US08202532B2
Disclosed are device for promoting the clotting of blood comprising a clay material and a release agent. In some embodiments, the clay material is disposed within a substrate and the release agent is disposed within a mesh. The release agent can be configured to make direct contact with a bleeding wound when the device is in particle form and the clay material can promote hemostasis.
US08202519B2
An extract of the marine algae, Sarcodiotheca, and more particularly Sarcodiotheca gaudichaudii, is described for use in cosmetic compositions. A biofermentation of Sarcodiotheca, such as for example S. gaudichaudii, is also described. This marine bioferment is useful as a skin care active ingredient for anti-aging cosmetic applications, and particularly useful when used in combination with an extracts of red algae, such as Chondrus crispus.
US08202517B2
The invention relates to the discovery of novel soluble neutral active Hyaluronidase Glycoproteins (sHASEGP's), methods of manufacture, and their use to facilitate administration of other molecules or to alleviate glycosaminoglycan associated pathologies. Minimally active polypeptide domains of the soluble, neutral active sHASEGP domains are described that include asparagine-linked sugar moieties required for a functional neutral active hyaluronidase domain. Included are modified amino-terminal leader peptides that enhance secretion of sHASEGP. The invention further comprises sialated and pegylated forms of a recombinant sHASEGP to enhance stability and serum pharmacokinetics over naturally occurring slaughterhouse enzymes. Further described are suitable formulations of a substantially purified recombinant sHASEGP glycoprotein derived from a eukaryotic cell that generate the proper glycosylation required for its optimal activity.
US08202515B2
A method for producing a dry yeast containing S-adenosyl-L-methionine using a yeast having production capability of S-adenosyl-L-methionine, in which a yeast cell concentrate separated from a cell culture liquid of the yeast is subjected to at least one treatment of (1) a treatment of adding a mineral acid to adjust the pH of the concentrate to 1 to 5, and (2) a treatment of heating the concentrate to 40 to 85° C., and then dried, and a composition for oral ingestion containing a dry yeast produced by the production method, having been molded. A method for producing dry yeast cells containing S-adenosyl-L-methionine, which is useful as a water soluble physiologically active substance, in a high concentration with a good yield at low cost, and a composition for oral ingestion formed by molding a dry yeast produced by the production method can be provided.
US08202514B2
A novel strain of Bacillus subtilis EB120 shows high antagonistic activity for controlling various plant diseases including barley powdery mildew, cucumber powdery mildew, red pepper anthracnose, rice blast, tomato gray mold, tomato late blight and wheat leaf rust, it can be effectively used as a microbioside for biologically controlling the plant diseases.
US08202509B2
The present application discloses compositions and methods of synthesis and use of 68Ga, 18F or 19F labeled molecules of use in PET or MRI imaging. Preferably, the 18F or 19F is conjugated to a targeting molecule by formation of a complex with a group IIIA metal and binding of the complex to a chelating moiety, which may be directly or indirectly attached to the targeting molecule. In other embodiments, the 68Ga, 18F or 19F labeled moiety may comprise a targetable construct used in combination with a bispecific antibody to target a disease-associated antigen. In more preferred embodiments, a chelating moiety or targetable construct may be conjugated to a targeting molecule, such as an antibody or antibody fragment.
US08202499B2
A small cylindrical reformer having at least a combustion reaction unit and a fuel-converting catalytic reaction unit wherein the combustion reaction unit and the fuel-converting catalytic reaction unit are structured as six cylindrical pipes to realize optimal heat exchange efficiently, a route supplying a water gas shift reformate to a preferential oxidation reactor and a route supplying feed and water into reforming reaction parts from the feed/water inlet overlap each other at a lower portion of the reformer so as to increase heat transfer efficiency, and a preferential oxidation reactor provided outside the fuel-converting catalytic reaction unit to decrease the concentration of carbon monoxide in the water gas shift reformate to a predetermined level or lower and increase heat transfer efficiency with an air/fuel preheating passage communicating with the air/fuel inlet.
US08202495B1
An ergonomically designed pipette tip that can be securely mounted to a barrel of a pipetter yet is designed to substantially reduce the axial force necessary to install and eject the pipette tip from the pipetter thus reducing the injuries resulting in repetitive stress injury to the thumb and hand. The new ergonomic pipette tip incorporates a separate sealing member constructed from an elastomer that is coupled to the more rigid and chemically inert elongated tubular member that becomes the receptacle for transferring the fluid sample aspirated by the pipetter. The new elastomeric sealing member allows for greater sealing capability or squeeze between the pipetter barrel and the new pipette tip while lowering the coefficient of friction between the mating parts, thus decreasing the axial ejection forces require to overcome the breakaway friction between the new ergonomic pipette tip and the pipetter.
US08202494B2
A method of and an apparatus for generating droplets has a capillary tube mounted in a moveable member. The capillary tube is accelerated towards a plate, and then subject to rapid deceleration, e.g. by way of an impact, to promote separation of a droplet which is then deposited on the plate. The droplet can be entirely separated from the capillary tip before being deposited, or, for smaller droplets, the droplet merely extends from the capillary tip and is then drawn onto the plate by a wicking action. The plurality of capillary tubes can be mounted on the common support member to effect multiplexing of drops.
US08202490B2
A method for applying reactive films containing solids to microporous membranes is provided wherein the membrane is firstly moistened and the reactive film containing solids is applied to the membrane while it is still moist. Membranes produced in this manner can contain reactive films having a high proportion of film openers and can be used advantageously in diagnostic elements for detecting constituents and, in particular, large hydrophobic analytes in body fluids.
US08202487B2
An assay device allowing for the testing for multiple analytes in a liquid sample simultaneously by employing a multiplicity of analyte testing strips which protrude from a housing containing slots for each assay test strip and wherein the flow of sample of the test strip is controlled by a cover over the sample contact pad which is inserted into the sample.
US08202482B2
Apparatus for removing of trace of toxic substance from exhaust gas and method of operating the same
An apparatus for removing of traces of toxic substances from exhaust gas, comprising, disposed in sequence from the upstream side in a flow channel of exhaust gas emitted from combustion equipment, a denitration unit including a denitration catalyst layer capable of removing nitrogen oxides from the exhaust gas and capable of oxidizing metallic mercury; an air preheater adapted for heat exchange between air for combustion in the combustion equipment and the exhaust gas; a dust removal unit having a bag filter containing a catalyst for metallic mercury oxidation; and a desulfurization unit for removing sulfur oxide from the exhaust gas. The bag filter may be disposed in advance of the desulfurization unit. Thus, there can be provided an apparatus for removing of traces of toxic substances from exhaust gas that is stable over a prolonged period of time and is highly reliable; and provided a method of operating the same.
US08202477B2
The present invention relates to compositions and structure of deformable alloys on the basis of magnesium with an optimum combination of mechanical properties (strength, plasticity) and a resistance to corrosion, including in vivo. Alloys of the new group possess an excellent formability at room temperature, high corrosion stability in sodium chloride solution, excellent heat resistance and can be used in various technical applications, particularly in vivo as a structural material for stents.
US08202474B2
Disclosed is a composite system that includes a reduction system for reducing oxides in a continuous process, a process assembly for manufacturing liquid metal in a discontinuous process, wherein a reduction product is fed from the reduction system to the process assembly, at least one buffer device for receiving the reduction product and further starting materials and also for charging the process assembly, and a conveyor system for transporting the reduction product from the reduction system into the at least one buffer device.
US08202473B2
A thermal energy method (TEM) machine for deburring and deflashing work pieces, the TEM machine having an explosion load bearing frame. The frame comprises spaced apart coparallel first and second frame walls and a lateral structural member spacing apart the first and second frame walls. The top portion of the TEM combustion chamber is supported by the lateral structural member. The first and second frame walls are adapted to support a vertical displacement means. The first and second frame walls, the lateral structural member, and the vertical displacement means cooperate to contain vertically-directed explosion forces exerted upon the combustion chamber during the operation of the combustion chamber. Methods for deburring and/or deflashing using such TEM machines are also disclosed.
US08202462B2
Molds are disclosed for forming golf-ball covers by casting. An exemplary mold includes first and second support members that are placeable in face-to-face opposition to each other. At least one respective mold-cavity insert, defining a respective hemispherical cavity, is mounted to each support member. The mold-cavity insert is floatable in at least three (e.g., x, y, z) degrees of freedom relative to the respective support member. Each mold-cavity insert on the first support member is in face-to-face opposition to a respective mold-cavity insert on the second support member whenever the support members are in face-to-face opposition to each other, such that the respective hemispherical cavities of each opposing pair of inserts form respective spherical ball-cover cavities. A respective z-direction bias is associated with each mold-cavity insert. Also, a respective self-centering device is associated with each opposing pair of inserts. The self-centering device urges movement of at least one mold-cavity insert of the opposing pair in any of at least three degrees of freedom as required to center the mold-cavity inserts of the opposing pair with each other.
US08202451B2
A first lens having a first bottom surface and a first top surface at opposite sides thereof; and a first supporter having a first supporting surface and a second supporting surface at opposite sides thereof, the first supporting surface being flat, the second supporting surface being in contact with the first bottom surface, the first supporter being made of transparent material, and a refraction index of the first supporter being different from a refraction index of the first lens. A lens assembly array and method of making the lens assembly array are also provided.
US08202450B2
A flame-retardant thermoplastic resin composition comprising at least a plant-derived resin (A) and a flame retardant (B), wherein the weight proportions of the individual components in the flame-retardant thermoplastic resin composition are: 30≦W1<55.5 44.5
US08202449B2
A fire-retardant composition comprising an ammonium polyphosphate, a suspending agent and an effective amount of a corrosion inhibiting agent. When in solution the corrosion inhibiting agent includes at least one ion selected from the group of ions consisting of aluminum ions, ferric ions, calcium ions and magnesium ions. Said ions complex an effective amount of fluoride ions present in the fire-retardant composition to reduce the corrosiveness of the fire-retardant composition.
US08202443B2
An etching composition for preventing from leaning a capacitor contains hydrofluoric acid (HF), ammonium fluoride (NH4F), an alkyl ammonium fluoride (ReNH3F; where Re is a C1-C10 linear or branched alkyl radical), a surfactant, an alcohol compound, and water. The composition can effectively suppress the leaning phenomenon of capacitors during the formation of the capacitors, so that height of the storage node of the capacitor can be secured, capacitors with improved capacitance can be manufactured, and the process can be adapted to the production of both present and future devices.
US08202441B2
Method and apparatus for etching a metal layer disposed on a substrate, such as a photolithographic reticle, are provided. In one aspect, a method is provided for processing a substrate including positioning a substrate having a metal layer disposed on an optically transparent material in a processing chamber, introducing a processing gas processing gas comprising an oxygen containing gas, a chlorine containing gas, and a chlorine-free halogen containing gas, and optionally, an inert gas, into the processing chamber, generating a plasma of the processing gas in the processing chamber, and etching exposed portions of the metal layer disposed on the substrate.
US08202439B2
A diaphragm is formed by etching a substrate. This substrate has a first surface provided with a depression by isotropic dry etching, and a second surface opposite the first surface. Furthermore, a through-hole is formed from the depression to the second surface by anisotropic dry etching. The depression and the through-hole are formed by using one resist mask. The depression has a hemispherical shape or a semi-elliptical spherical shape.
US08202438B2
A method for processing a surface involves depositing at least one class of enzymes (2) onto the surface (1); introducing at least a reactant (3) into an environment of the surface (1), and causing interaction between the enzymes (2) and the reactant (3), thereby to cause processing of a region of the surface (1), the processed region of the surface (1) being defined with respect to a region thereof that is proximate (4) to where the enzymes (3) have been deposited.
US08202430B2
A method for preparing modified diamond particles for use in chromatography where hydroxyl groups at the diamond surfaces are reacted with a reactive molecule to introduce a desired functional group at the diamond surface.
US08202424B2
A method for degrading, detackifying and reducing solvent in water comprising organic solvent-laden water-borne paint that comprises adding to the water an effective degrading, detackifying and/or solvent-reducing amount of at least one microorganism culture and sufficient micronutrients to sustain the growth of the at least one microorgansim culture and to reduce solvent content of the water. A method of reducing chemical oxygen demand in water comprising organic solvent-laden water-borne paint, wherein the water contains an excess amount of organic solvent from one or both of paint spray operations and paint spray nozzle cleaning operations, the method comprising adding to the water an effective degrading and detackifying amount of at least one microorganism culture and micronutrients to sustain the growth of the at least one microorgansim culture, whereby chemical oxygen demand in the water is reduced by at least 50% relative to the same system without adding the micronutrients.
US08202422B2
A fluid system for a pump circuit (10), in particular a hydraulic high-pressure pump circuit, has a function block (12). In the housing of the function block, fluid-conducting paths extend and are connected to valve components (32, 46) at least partially. A filter device is an at least partially integrated constituent part of the function block of the fluid system. The filter device (46) with its filter housing (56) can be connected to the function block (12) such that at least one filter element (70) is received in the installation space (72) of the function block.
US08202414B2
The invention is directed to a process for the purification of benzene feedstock containing contaminating sulfur compounds, more in particular thiophenic sulfur compounds, said process comprising contacting the benzene feedstock in the presence of hydrogen with a sulfided nickel adsorbent, wherein in said adsorbent part of the nickel is present in the metallic form, and subsequently contacting the said feedstock with a supported metallic copper adsorbent.
US08202413B2
A process for the preparation of hydrocarbon products including the steps of (a) providing a stream containing oxygenates; (b) mixing the stream with a recycle stream to form a gasoline feed stream; (c) contacting the gasoline feed stream with one or more gasoline synthesis catalysts to obtain an effluent stream with higher hydrocarbons boiling in the gasoline range; (d) withdrawing from step (c) the effluent stream; and (e) splitting a part of the effluent stream to form the recycle stream which is optionally further reduced in content of water or enriched in hydrogen, then pressurized and recycled to step (b).
US08202411B2
Apparatus and processes are disclosed for electrowinning metal from a fluid stream. A representative apparatus comprises at least one spouted bed reactor wherein each said reactor includes an anolyte chamber comprising an anode and configured for containing an anolyte, a catholyte chamber comprising a current collector and configured for containing a particulate cathode bed and a flowing stream of an electrically conductive metal-containing fluid, and a membrane separating said anolyte chamber and said catholyte chamber, an inlet for an electrically conductive metal-containing fluid stream; and a particle bed churning device configured for spouting particle bed particles in the catholyte chamber independently of the flow of said metal-containing fluid stream. In operation, reduced heavy metals or their oxides are recovered from the cathode particles.
US08202409B2
A potentiometric sensor with suppressed leak current on the surface of an electrode and improved for a dynamic range and a response speed, in which a redox compound is immobilized through insulative molecules on the surface of a gold electrode, and a current between a source and drain of an insulated gate field-effect transistor along with reaction between an oxidized substance or a reduced substance produced by the reaction of a measured substance in a sample solution injector for supplying the sample solution containing the measured substance and an enzyme and a redox compound on the surface of the gold electrode, is monitored on real time to measure the change of the surface potential.
US08202407B1
An apparatus and method for manufacturing polycarbonate solar cells. The apparatus is designed to adapt many techniques used in the compact disc manufacturing industry to the manufacture of polycarbonate solar cells. The apparatus comprises: means for creating a polycarbonate substrate for a solar cell with a molding machine; means for depositing a cathodic contact layer on the polycarbonate substrate; means for depositing in one-step by sputtering a quaternary Cu—In—Ga—Se photonic energy absorbing layer on the polycarbonate substrate; means for using a high intensity pulsed xenon flashlamp for rapid heat treatment to form a CIGS absorber layer; means for depositing a buffer layer on the polycarbonate substrate; means for depositing a highly resistive transmissive intrinsic layer with directed sputtering energy; means for depositing a transmissive contact layer on the polycarbonate substrate; means for adding anodic contacts to one of the layers; means for depositing an anti-reflective coating layer on the polycarbonate substrate; and means for encapsulating the solar cell to provide environmental protection.
US08202404B2
The surface treatment apparatus includes: a supply device for supplying an introduced workpiece to the inside of a treatment cell of a subsequent surface treatment device; a surface treatment device for supplying a surface treatment liquid to the inside of the treatment cell while rotating the treatment cell, thereby performing a surface treatment on the workpiece; a workpiece collection device for inverting the treatment cell, and squirting the inside of the treatment cell with water from below to flow out the workpiece, thereby collecting the workpiece into a collection vessel; a drying device for receiving the collection vessel from the workpiece collection device, and exposing the workpiece within the collection vessel to air, thereby drying the workpiece; and a carrying device for carrying the treatment cell between the surface treatment devices, and between the surface treatment device and the workpiece device, wherein the surface treatment apparatus includes the one or more surface treatment devices.
US08202400B2
Apparatus for the manufacture of charcoal, comprising a unit having walls defining a primary combustion chamber, and a material inlet for allowing a feed of wood chips though said material inlet into said apparatus. A trough is located at a lower height than said material inlet such that material passing through said material inlet is able to fall into the trough. An air inlet is located below the material inlet such that, when wood chips are located within the trough piled up to said material inlet, air passing from said air inlet passes through said wood-chips and into the primary combustion chamber.
US08202393B2
A gas distribution system for supplying a gas mixture to a plasma process chamber is provided. A first valve arrangement is connected to upstream ends of a first gas line and a second gas line. A second valve arrangement is connected to downstream ends of the first gas line and the second gas line. A first gas distribution outlet line is connected between a gas supply and the first valve arrangement and a first chamber inlet line connected between the second valve arrangement and the plasma process chamber. A first evacuation line is connected to the first gas line at a location between the first valve arrangement and the second valve arrangement. A second evacuation line is connected to the second gas line at a location between the first valve arrangement and the second valve arrangement. The first evacuation line and second evacuation line are in fluid communication with a vacuum line. A controller is operable to actuate the first valve arrangement and second valve arrangement to selectively flow the gas mixture from the gas supply to the plasma process chamber through the first gas line while the second gas is selectively evacuated by the vacuum line; or to selectively flow the gas mixture from the gas supply to the plasma process chamber through the second gas line while the first gas line is selectively evacuated by the vacuum line.
US08202381B2
The invention provides a radial tire, in which a single rubber coated cord (C1) is used to form a carcass layer (1) without generating any material jointed portion and which is favorable in weight balance, external appearance, and quality and excellent in productivity, the carcass layer (1) is formed from at least one cord row layer (11A) formed by cutting a rubber coated cord (C1), which is formed to make an external shape of a cross section elliptical, one by one, to align and bond the same in a tire circumference direction, and the cord row layer is jointed only in a single location on a tire circumference to generate little overlap.
US08202376B2
A structural motor-vehicle element is made by hot-shaping and press-hardening a steel workpiece into the element and thereafter heating the hot-shaped and press-hardened workpiece to between 320° C. and 400° C. The steel workpiece constitutes in weight percent, Carbon (C)0.18% to 0.3% Silicon (Si)0.1% to 0.7% Manganese (Mn)1.0% to 2.5% Phosphorus (P)max. 0.025% Chromium (Cr)up to 0.8% Molybdenum (Mo)up to 0.5% Sulfur (S)max. 0.01% Titanium (Ti)0.02% to 0.05% Boron (B)0.002% to 0.005% Aluminum (Al)0.01% to 0.06% the rest iron including impurities caused by the smelting process.
US08202375B2
A description is given of a temperature-stable cast-iron alloy having high wear resistance at temperatures between 500 and 900° C. The alloy is characterized in that it has the following composition expressed in weight percentages: chromium: 15.0-20.0%, carbon: 1.0-2.0%, manganese: 0.8-1.2%, silicon: 1.2-1.5%, nickel: 1.5-2.5%, balance iron and unavoidable metallic and non-metallic contaminants where the non-metallic contaminants comprise nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous and sulphur. Hereby is obtained a cast-iron alloy which has a higher wear resistance and a reduced tendency to form the undesirable sigma phase when heated to temperatures between 500 and 900° C. as compared to the known allows.
US08202362B2
Geopolymeric cement based on aluminosilicate fly ashes of class F, which, contrary to the prior art, are harmless to use and harden at ambient temperature, favoring their use in common applications in the construction and civil engineering fields. This harmlessness is achieved thanks to a mixture containing: 10 to 15 parts by weight of a non corrosive alkali metal silicate solution in which the M2O:SiO2 molar ratio is less than 0.78, preferably less than 0.69 and the SiO2:M2O ratio greater than 1.28, preferably greater than 1.45, M denoting Na or K; added to this are 10 to 20 parts by weight of water and 5 to 15 parts by weight of blast furnace slag having a specific surface area less than 400 m2/kg preferably less than 380 m2/kg and 50 to 100 parts by weight of class F aluminosilicate fly ash.
US08202358B2
Phthalocyanine dyes, naphthalocyanine dyes, and/or bridged phthalocyanine/naphthalocyanine dyes represented by one of the general structures I to XVII, inkjet ink formulation comprising said dyes, and detection systems using said dyes are disclosed and described.
US08202357B2
A bubble trap is especially suitable for separating gas bubbles from liquid fuel supplied from a fuel tank in a spacecraft. The bubble trap includes a rotationally symmetrical collecting container forming a container wall, plural liquid guide vanes extending radially and longitudinally along the inside of the container wall, a perforated conical gas separator that tapers conically toward an outlet of the collecting container, and screens arranged between the gas separator and the outlet.
US08202354B2
An air pollution control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a stack that discharges flue gas discharged from a boiler outside; a blower that is provided downstream of the stack and draws in the flue gas; and a CO2 recovering apparatus that recovers CO2 in the flue gas drawn in by the blower. The stack includes a controlling unit that suppresses release of the flue gas outside from the stack and suppresses inflow of atmosphere to the stack, and the controlling unit is a channel forming unit that forms a serpentine channel through which the flue gas and the atmosphere in the stack flow.
US08202343B2
The present inventions generally relate to compositions and methods for providing agricultural chemicals comprising active ingredients (A.I.s) combined with a top dressing for application to cultivated areas of turfgrass. Specifically, the compositions are in the form of moist formulations for providing top dressings comprising active ingredients. Further, the inventions relate to compositions and methods for delivering active ingredients simultaneously with a top dressing composition to golf course turf.
US08202334B2
The method provides a method of preparing a silicate-containing polishing pad useful for polishing at least one of semiconductor, magnetic and optical substrates. The method includes introducing a feed stream of gas-filled polymeric microelements into a gas jet. The polymeric microelements have varied densities, varied wall thickness and varied particle size. Passing the gas-filled microelements in the gas jet adjacent a Coanda block, the Coanda block having a curved wall for separates the polymeric microelements with Coanda effect, inertia and gas flow resistance. The coarse polymeric microelements from the curved wall of the Coanda block to clean the polymeric microelements. The polymeric microelements collected contain less than 0.1 weight percent total of the polymeric microelements being associated with i) silicate particles having a particle size of greater than 5 μm; ii) silicate-containing regions covering greater than 50 percent of the outer surface of the polymeric microelements; and iii) polymeric microelements agglomerated with silicate particles to an average cluster size of greater than 120 μm. Inserting the cleaned polymeric microelements into a polymeric matrix forms the polishing pad.
US08202327B2
A pigment composition including (A) an azo pigment represented by formula (1), and at least one of (B) a coloring agent represented by formula (2), or (C) at least one additive represented by formula (3) or an additive represented by formula (4).
US08202323B2
A knee replacement system includes a proximal tibial posterior camming portion defined by a first radius of curvature with a first origin in a first medio-lateral plane, a distal tibial posterior camming portion defined by a second radius of curvature with a second origin in a second medio-lateral plane, an anterior femoral camming portion of a posterior cam defined by a third radius of curvature with a third origin in the first medio-lateral plane, and a posterior femoral camming portion of the posterior cam and defined by a fourth radius of curvature with a fourth origin in the second medio-lateral plane, wherein the second origin is closer to the lateral tibial portion than the first origin, or the fourth origin is closer to the medial femoral portion than the third origin.
US08202321B2
An implant for use between two axially separated vertebrae has a body extending axially between the vertebrae and having longitudinally outwardly directed ends juxtaposed with the vertebrae and each formed with a radially outwardly projecting annular rounded ridge and with a radially outwardly open groove axially inward of the ridge. A respective end plate at each of ends bears axially outwardly directly on the respective vertebra and is formed with a radially inwardly open rotation-symmetrical recess receiving the respective end of the body. This recess is formed with an annular inwardly open groove having an inner surface on which rides the respective ridge with freedom for swiveling of each end plate on the respective end.
US08202320B2
A method of implanting an intervertebral disc prosthesis in a patient comprises selecting a superior and inferior endplates from a plurality of endplates having different endplate features. The different endplate features include different structural and material composition features. In addition, a core is selected from a plurality of cores having different core features such as different structural and material composition features. In one embodiment, the core is a composite core comprised of a first material and a different second material. After the endplates and core are selected, the intervertebral disc prosthesis is assembled with the selected core positioned between the selected endplates. The assembled intervertebral disc prosthesis is then positioned on an insertion tool and implanted in the patient.
US08202310B2
An abdominal aortic aneurysm repair device having an access port may be utilized to percutaneously access the aneurismal sac without disturbing the repair. The access port has a self-sealing member for maintaining the port in the normally closed position. The insertion of a percutaneous device into the port opens the port.
US08202305B2
A joint between two bone segments is fused by passing an elongated, rectilinear bone fusion device over a guide pin across the joint and into tight engagement within bores formed in the bone segments, to thereby restrict movement of the elongated bone fusion device across the joint. The elongated, rectilinear bone fusion device also provides bony in-growth within the bores along the exterior surface of the bone fusion device.
US08202300B2
An orthopedic damper system and method to control the degree of flexion and/or extension motion of the mobile vertebral segment while providing additional stability to the spine. The damper system includes an anchor having a spring hitch, a spring coupled to the spring hitch, and a cap coupled to the spring. The anchor is adapted to connect to a spinous process. The spring includes an inner hollow area adapted to accommodate the spring hitch. The cap includes an opening connected to an inner cavity that is adapted to accommodate the spring and the spring hitch.
US08202297B2
A method and device for knotless fixation of tissue. The method utilizes a push-in type anchor (for example, a self-punching anchor) and a suture chain that includes a loop or a plurality of loops. A first portion of the suture chain is secured to the tissue to be fixated. The suture chain is next secured to the push-in type anchor (for example, by passing the suture chain through an eyelet of the anchor). The anchor is then advanced along the suture chain to bring a tip of the anchor above a chosen loop or link of the suture chain. The tip of the anchor is pushed through the chosen loop so that the tip locks the chosen loop in place (for example, by capturing both sides of the link above a shoulder of the anchor). With the captured link, the anchor is advanced into a pilot hole or socket formed in the bone, and then the anchor is rotated within the hole or socket to reel in the suture chain and to tension, therefore, the suture chain.
US08202294B2
An apparatus for delivering a closure element into an opening formed in a blood vessel or other body lumen and methods for manufacturing and using same. The apparatus is configured to retain the closure element such that the closure element is disposed substantially within the apparatus. The apparatus also can engage, and position the closure element substantially adjacent to, the blood vessel wall adjacent to the opening. During deployment of the closure element, the apparatus expands the closure element beyond a natural cross-section of the closure element such that the closure element, when deployed, is configured to engage a significant amount of the blood vessel wall and/or tissue. Engaging the blood vessel wall and/or tissue, the closure element is further configured to return to the natural cross-section, thereby drawing the engaged blood vessel wall and/or tissue substantially closed and/or sealed, such that hemostasis within the opening is enhanced.
US08202280B2
The present invention relates to a device for the non-surgical clipping of aneurysms. The invention also includes methods of use to treat aneurysms, including intracranial aneurysms. The aneurysm is clipped by positioning a wire comprising a shape memory alloy, pre-set to a mutually twisted conformation, on opposite sides of the neck of the aneurysm and causing the wires to twist around each other. Thus, the aneurysm neck is substantially closed. The resulting thrombosis in the aneurysm further excludes the aneurysm from blood flow and pressure.
US08202276B2
A novel coplanar X-ray guided method and aiming arm device for insertion of distal locking screws in intramedullary bone nails. Radiopaque target markers in the aiming arm enable the easy positioning of an X-ray source such that an X-ray beam is coplanar with the aiming arm transverse holes. After the X-ray source is accurately oriented, a single X-ray snapshot is enough to assess the exact distortion of the implanted intramedullary nail. The X-ray beam need not be coaxial with the nail holes. The aiming arm includes a mobile portion and a fixed portion fastened to the nail, and the aiming arm can be adjusted, displacing the mobile portion over the fixed portion, to compensate for the distortion of the intramedullary nail caused by implantation in bone.
US08202274B2
An apparatus for detecting the presence of a connecting rod during percutaneous spinal surgery comprises a tubular member and an elongate strip extending therethrough. The strip has a flag at the proximal end and an elastically flexible rod detection tip projecting outwardly from the distal end for contacting a connecting rod. The strip is supported in the tubular member for pivoting movement relative to the longitudinal axis of the member. A biasing member biases the strip to a first position in which the flag is adjacent a first side of the tubular member and the detection tip at the distal end is adjacent an opposite second side. Upon application of a force to elastically flex the detection tip, in which the force is sufficient to overcome the bias, the flag is shifted to a second position adjacent the second side of the tubular member.
US08202272B2
A system for applying therapy to an eye selectively applies coolant to the corneal surface to minimize heat-related damage to the corneal surface during thermokeratoplasty. Embodiments may include an energy source, a conducting element, a coolant supply, and a coolant delivery system. The conducting element is operably connected to the energy source and extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The conducting element directs energy from the energy source to the distal end, which is positionable at the eye. The coolant delivery system is in communication with the coolant supply and is operable to deliver a micro-controlled pulse of coolant to the distal end.
US08202270B2
A device for directing energy to a target volume of tissue includes a proximal portion including a first antenna subassembly extending therethrough, and a distal portion including a second antenna subassembly. The first antenna subassembly includes a leaky-wave antenna assembly having an outer conductor and an inner conductor disposed within the outer conductor. The distal portion of the device is attached to the inner conductor. The outer conductor includes a plurality of radiating apertures defined in a distal portion thereof and is configured for radiating energy substantially uniformly along a longitudinal axis of the proximal portion.
US08202264B1
A pad in a generally T-shaped configuration has a central section with a height and a cross section with a width. The central section has generally parallel edges remote from the cross section. The pad has an exterior surface and also an interior surface positionable in facing contact with the interior surface of pants. A central adhesive strip in a rectangular configuration extends for between 40 percent and 60 percent of its length along the length of the central section. The central adhesive strip extends for between 40 percent and 60 percent of its length through the cross section. Each of two laterally disposed side adhesive strips is in a rectangular configuration with a width essentially equal to the width of the central adhesive strip and a length extending for between 30 percent and 40 percent of its length of the central adhesive strip.
US08202257B2
A syringe including a barrel and a plunger slidably disposed within the barrel is disclosed. A distal end of the barrel defines a roof, and an elongate tip, in fluid communication with the barrel, extends from the roof. A protrusion forming a ridge may be disposed on one of the roof of the barrel and the plunger head. When the plunger head contacts the roof, the protrusion forms a channel between the plunger head and the roof. The channel isolates fluid within the channel from the elongate tip, which in turn reduces the spray of fluid through the distal end of the syringe. In another embodiment to reduce the spray of fluid through the distal end of the syringe, an impulse reduction system may be used to reduce or prevent the proximal portion from applying a distally directed impulse to the distal portion after the breakable connection is broken.
US08202254B2
A guidewire locking device assembly (200) including a guidewire tube (250) with a tubular passage therethrough having a first diameter and a distal end including a collar (260) having a second diameter larger than the first diameter. A guidewire (202) having a third diameter, smaller than the first diameter is disposed within the tubular passage. When a guidewire locking device (216) is disposed within the guidewire tube distal end in a first position with its biasing member in the tubular passage, the at least one finger (220) is biased by the tubular passage into frictional engagement with the guidewire; when disposed in a second position in the collar, the at least one finger is disposed away from frictional engagement with the guidewire.
US08202248B2
A device and methods for treating renal failure are disclosed. One embodiment of the device is an implantable peritoneal dialysis device. When in use, the device can have a semi-permeable reservoir implanted in the peritoneal cavity. The reservoir can receive blood waste and drain through one or more conduits, via a pump, to the biological bladder. Solids and/or a solution benefiting dialysis can be pumped to the reservoir and/or implanted in the peritoneal cavity.
US08202244B2
A remotely controlled insertion system for a medical device is described. The system comprises a robotic device and a remote control mechanism. The robotic device has a handle controller to receive and hold the control handle or proximal end of a medical device. The medical device is capable of moving in up to six ranges of motion. In one embodiment a first motor is connected through a drive screw to a handle controller to move the medical device forward and backward. A second motor is connected to drive wheels effective to rotate the medical device clockwise and counter-clockwise. A third motor drives a series of gears that are connected to one or more control members on the medical device, this being effective to deflect a tip of the medical device so that movement of the third motor causes such deflection. A control unit is connected to all three motors.
US08202233B2
A device for inducing a user's motion such that the user's motion rhythm and scale coincide, respectively, with a target rhythm and scale is provided. According to the inventive motion induction device, a first oscillator is generated which attains mutual entrainment with a motion oscillator in such a way as to reflect a natural angular velocity ωM. A new natural angular velocity ωM is set based on a phase difference (first phase difference) θHM between the motion oscillator and the first oscillator. Further, a second oscillator is generated based on the new natural angular velocity ωM. An induction oscillator is then generated which includes a first induction oscillator, the first induction oscillator including the second oscillator and a first potential which brings the value of the motion oscillator responsive to the user's motion scale close to its target value according to the natural angular velocity ωM.
US08202223B2
A method of determining respiratory effort in a medical device in which pressure signals are sensed to generate corresponding sample points, an inspiration and an expiration are detected in response to the sensed pressure signals, a breath is detected in response to the detected inspiration and the detected expiration, and the respiratory effort is determined in response to the detected breath.
US08202209B2
A motor-free dunnage conversion system for converting a sheet stock material into a relatively less dense dunnage includes a container having a wall with an opening therethrough, a supply of sheet stock material within the container, and a forming member. The forming member has converging sidewalls that define a passage alignable with the opening in the wall. The forming member is a converging chute having a relatively larger inlet spaced from the outlet, which is relatively smaller than the inlet. The forming member functions to crumple the sheet stock material as a packer draws the sheet stock material through the forming member to form a crumpled strip of dunnage. The forming member has a dimension that is larger than a corresponding dimension of the opening to keep the forming member from escaping the container as the packer pulls the stock material through the forming member.
US08202206B2
A workpiece is machined using a first cutting tool and subsequent cutting tools in a predefined time sequence. The sequence of cutting tools defines a sequence of previous and subsequent cutting tools, with each previous cutting tool being replaced by a subsequent cutting tool in the course of the machining operations. Each previous cutting tool, which is replaced by a subsequent cutting tool, is deposited at a defined storage place in a tool magazine. When being put back into the tool magazine, the previous cutting tools are distributed to the storage places in a spatial sequence which is different from a spatial sequence at the start of the machining operations and which substantially corresponds to the time sequence.
US08202202B2
An athletic training system is described herein. The training system is accessed by a computer system enabled for accessing the internet through a known web browser. The computer system accesses the athletic training system that accepts user input including at least past performance in a race or time trial, generates a pace chart based on that performance which pace chart defines the user's current fitness status and appropriate training intensity, and generates a training program that considers at least the fitness level of the user as indicated by the pace chart and the races the user plans to run. The training program is populated from a database containing many different classes of workouts, a different mix of the stored workouts providing optimum training for races of different distances. In an embodiment of the present invention, the system may provide access to a coach who can answer user questions or change the automatically generated workout schedule to accommodate particular concerns.
US08202196B2
The present invention provides a clutch engaging control method in a hybrid power output device, wherein the device comprises an engine, a first motor, a clutch and a second motor that are connected in sequence, a battery, and a speed reducing mechanism and a drive shaft that are connected to the output end of the second motor; the method comprises: (a) detecting the rotation speed ω2 of the second motor and setting the rotation speed ω2 as the target rotation speed ω0 of the first motor, when the vehicle is driven by the second motor and the engine is required to be started to provide assistance to the second motor; (b) starting the first motor to drive the engine, and controlling the actual rotation speed ω1 of the first motor to be close to the target rotation speed ω0; (c) switching the state of the first motor from a driving motor to a power generator when the actual rotation speed ω1 of the first motor is approximately equal to the target rotation speed ω0; and (d) engaging the clutch. The method can improve the dynamic response time of the engine and suppress impact in the clutch engaging process. The present invention further provides a clutch engaging control system in a hybrid power output device.
US08202192B2
An automatic transmission includes a first single-pinion planetary gear mechanism including a first sun gear, a first ring gear, and a first carrier that each correspond to one of first to third elements in a velocity diagram. The second element is connected to the input shaft. A second single-pinion planetary gear mechanism including a second sun gear, a second ring gear, and a second carrier that each correspond to one of fourth to sixth elements in a velocity diagram. The fourth element is connected to the first element to form a first connected body. A double-pinion third planetary gear mechanism includes a third sun gear, a third ring gear, and a third carrier that each correspond to one of seventh to ninth elements in a velocity diagram. The eighth element is connected to the fifth element to form a second connected body that is connected to the output member.
US08202189B2
A limited slip differential includes a driving plate, backing plates, differential gear assemblies, and a transmission assembly engaged together inside a sealed casing where fluid is pumped. The driving plate has pairs of communicated openings for interlocking two gears of each gear assembly, which extend by opposite directions from the driving plate for separately engaging with the transmission assembly. While synchronously rotating the plates, the gear assemblies are alternatively soaked into the fluid and each permits the fluid passing among the gears for adjusting the rotational speed. In the event that the rotational speed difference of axle shafts of the vehicle exceeds a threshold value, the LSD applies at least one gear assembly to generate a back pressure and efficiently block the fluid passing through the gears for limiting mutual rotational speed difference, hence achieving a limited-slip effect.
US08202185B2
A sprocket includes a plurality of teeth spaced about its periphery, roots located between pairs of adjacent teeth, and a cushion ring contacted by a chain engaging the sprocket teeth. The roots have root radii defined as the distance between the center of sprocket and the point along the root closest to the sprocket center in the radial direction. In some embodiments, the roots have three distinct radii. The cushioning material of the cushion ring receives the impact while engaging the chain. In some embodiments, the cushion ring has a contour substantially following the contours of the sprocket teeth geometry. In some embodiments, the cushion ring has a randomized contour to provide predetermined cushioning that varies from tooth to tooth around the sprocket.
US08202184B2
The invention relates to a tensioning system (8) of a traction mechanism (1) to which a hydraulic fluid is applied and which interacts with a tensioning rail (6). The design of the tensioning system (8) provides that in the operating state hydraulic fluid is fed to the traction means (2) and/or the tensioning rail (6) via a transverse groove (18) which is located in the region of an attachment screw (15) and has an end-side spray nozzle (22).
US08202182B2
A bicycle derailleur apparatus comprises a base member for coupling to a bicycle frame, a movable member coupled for movement relative to the base member, a chain guide coupled to the movable member for guiding a chain among a plurality of sprockets in response to movement of the movable member, and a biasing device that provides a biasing force to the chain guide for tensioning the chain. A movement resisting device has a control element for the application of a signal that causes the movement resisting device to change resistance to movement of the chain guide.
US08202181B2
An engine having an engine case on one side of which a V-belt type of continuously variable transmission is provided, the CVT being placed in a transmission case and constituted that a V-belt is routed around a drive pulley and a driven pulley, the drive pulley being attached to one end of a crankshaft, the driven pulley being attached to one end of a transmission shaft parallel to the crankshaft, characterized in thatthe crankshaft is supported for free rotation with the engine case, one end of the crankshaft is projected in cantilever fashion from the engine case into the transmission case, the drive pulley is attached to the projected portion, and the transmission case is made as a component separate from or independent of the engine case and supported with the engine case so that a space is present between the engine case and the transmission case.
US08202178B2
A golf ball having a plurality of dimples formed on its outer surface, the outer surface of the golf ball being divided into plural areas with dimples configured such that the golf ball is spherically symmetrical as defined by the United States Golf Association (USGA) Symmetry Rules, and such that the golf ball exhibits a lift coefficient (CL) of less than about 0.255 over a range of Reynolds Number (Re) from about 120,000 to about 180,000 and at a spin rate of about 4,000 rpm.
US08202170B2
Example aspects of the present invention broadly comprise at least two concentric rings with complementary ramped surfaces, at least one of the rings being rotatable relative to another one of the rings so that contact is made at the ramped surfaces. The complementary ramped surfaces form respective circumferences of the rings. At least one of the ramped surfaces may have a sinusoidal profile, or a profile forming at least one of a straight line, concave, or convex. In some example embodiments of the invention, a first one of the rings is a coupling member and a second one of the rings is a tubular slipper with a friction surface radially opposite of the ramped surface. The tubular slipper is arranged to radially expand or contract upon contacting the coupling member.
US08202138B2
A simulated eye is capable of being changed between a contracted state and a dilated state. The simulated eye includes a housing having at least one guiding post, a driving device housed in the housing, a transmission member movably coupled to the driving device, an eyeball having a transparent portion, an elastic film including a simulated pupil, and a stopper. The simulated pupil is viewable at the transparent portion. The stopper is attached to the at least one guiding post, and is sandwiched between the elastic film and the transmission member. When the driving device drives the transmission member, a size of the simulated pupil is changeable, whereby the simulated eye is changed between the contracted state and the dilated state.
US08202137B2
Toy aircraft may include an airframe, a modular power system, first and second wheel supports, and first and second wheels. The modular power system may be configured for selective use with and selective removal from the airframe. The power system may include a propulsion unit operable to propel the toy aircraft and a power unit, which may include an energy source configured to supply energy to the propulsion unit. The airframe may include a fuselage, a propulsion unit mount, which may be disposed on the airframe and configured to removably retain the propulsion unit, and a power unit mount, which may be disposed on the fuselage and configured to removably retain the power unit. The first and second wheel supports may extend from the power unit mount toward respective first and second wheel mounts to which the first and second wheels may be rotatably mounted.
US08202131B2
The present invention relates to a power line coupler for coupling a pair of cables together. The coupler comprises a protector for receiving and protecting the cables. A clamp is provided for clamping the protector and cables together. In many embodiments, the protector comprises an inner tube in which the cables can be inserted from opposite sides. In one embodiment, the clamp comprises an outer tube in which the protector is located.
US08202124B1
A contact is provided having a tubular body that defines an internal cavity. The body is configured for elastically deforming to receive a terminal within the cavity. An elongate member extends from the body. A retention tab extends from the elongate member; and includes a slot formed therein for receiving a lead of an electrical component. A circuit is also provided, which includes a pair of the contacts that are connected to the electrical component. A receptacle assembly is provided for supporting the circuit. A method is also provided for forming the contact and assembling the circuit to the receptacle assembly.
US08202120B2
A high frequency socket connector has an insulating housing, a mounting bracket, multiple first terminals, multiple second terminals and a shell. The first and second terminals are mounted in the insulating housing, are capable of implementing USB 3.0 protocol. The shell covers the insulating housing and terminals. Each of the terminals has a SMT soldering section adapted to SMT soldering processes. All the SMT soldering sections are arranged in a transverse row to make the socket connector compact.
US08202116B2
A connector includes a metallic male terminal housing with a plurality of first joining terminals aligned and accommodated therein, a female terminal housing with a plurality of second joining terminals aligned and accommodated therein, a stacked structure that when the male terminal housing is mated into the female terminal housing, within the male terminal housing, the plural first joining terminals an the plural second joining terminals face each other to form pairs, respectively, at one surface thereof, and the first joining terminals and the second joining terminals are disposed alternately, and an electricity screening plate disposed between the stacked structure and the male terminal housing to cover a side surface of the stacked structure facing the male terminal housing.
US08202113B2
A jumper assembly includes a jumper and a connecting member. An opening is defined in a first end of the jumper, with connected conductive portions installed in the opening. Two spaced hooking holes are defined in a second end of the jumper opposite to the first end. The connecting member is made of insulative material. Two spaced hooks protrude from a first end of the connecting member, to respectively engage in the hooking holes of the jumper. Two spaced inserting holes are defined in a second end of the connecting member opposite to the first end of the connecting member.
US08202098B2
A method and system for customizing an automated essay scoring system are disclosed. Relative weights may be assigned to a plurality of features for a plurality of benchmark essay responses. Based on the relative weights, automated scores may be determined for one or more first essay responses to a first prompt. The automated scores may be scaled based on one or more scoring standards for the first prompt. A scaled automated score may be assigned for a second essay response to the first prompt based on the scaled automated scores for the one or more first essay responses.
US08202094B2
A phonics training system provides immediate, audible and virtual answers to questions regarding various images such as objects, animals and people, posed by a user when the user views such images on a video display terminal of the system. The system can provide virtual answers to questions without the need for an instruction or teacher and includes a computer having a video output terminal and an electronic library containing common answers to basic questions. This system can also include an artificial intelligence system.
US08202086B2
The present invention relates to a vertical furnace for fabricating an artificially lightweight fine-aggregates in that the aggregates can be fired in the vertical furnace in a floating state, so that the contacting time between the aggregates can be minimized, thereby preventing the adhesion between the aggregates and manufacturing the artificially lightweight fine-aggregates as an insulating concrete for building material, sound-absorbing materials, and lagging material. The vertical furnace for fabricating artificially lightweight fine-aggregates comprises a vertical furnace having a raw material inlet; a ventilation fan for supplying a compressed air to the vertical furnace; an air regulating valve for regulating the supply of a main air supplied to the vertical furnace; an exhaust fan for discharging the artificially lightweight fine-aggregates of the vertical furnace to outside by discharging the main air supplied from the air regulating valve to outside of the vertical furnace; a heat exchanger for cooling the artificially lightweight fine-aggregates discharged from the vertical furnace; and a collecting device for collecting the artificially lightweight fine-aggregates cooled by the heat exchanger.
US08202079B2
The method and device are for blow-molding containers. A blank is molded in a blowing mold by means of a blowing pressure after a thermal treatment. The blanks are positioned along a part of the transport path thereof by means of a support element (42) held by a rotating transfer wheel (41). The support element is movably mounted relative to the transfer wheel. The support element is positioned by means of a cam controller (50). The cam controller comprises a positionable cam segment (56) which preselectably places the support element in a working or a resting position. In the working position the support elements are brought into a transfer region and in the resting position are held away from said transfer region.
US08202078B2
A blow molding device capable of securely closing a lower end of a parison to prevent the parison from being crushed. The blow molding device includes a blow mold and a parison holding unit. The parison holding unit includes an inner holding plate adapted to be inserted in an interior of the lower end of the parison, and an outer holding plate adapted to hold an outer surface of the lower end of the parison, and the outer holding plate has a recess conforming to a configuration of the inner holding plate and is split into a plurality of holding plate members such that each of the split holding plate members is capable of sliding to hold the lower end of the parison.
US08202076B2
An apparatus comprises a punch arrangement and a die arrangement that are opposite one another and closable for defining a forming chamber in which an object can be compression-molded from a dose of plastics, a punch included in the punch arrangement and two parts that are mutually movable for forming a portion of the object provided with undercuts. The punch arrangement comprises an annular forming element for forming an edge zone of the object, the annular forming element and the punch being mutually movable while the dose fills the forming chamber.
US08202074B2
An in-mold molded product coating mold includes a sealing portion molding cavity being positioned outside apart from a mold cavity while including a first molding surface which extends from a parting surface of the mold cavity in a mold mating direction of a stationary mold and a movable mold and is formed at either one of the stationary mold and the movable mold. A second molding surface extends from the parting surface in a mold opening/closing direction of the mold cavity and is formed at the other of the above-described two molds. A third molding surface connects the first molding surface and the second molding surface to each other, and forms a sealing portion for sealing the first and second molding surfaces by filling a resin identical to or different from a resin. Pressers are provided for pressing a pressing surface of the sealing portion defined by the third molding surface under a predetermined pressure, so as to bring the sealing portion into press-contact with the first and second molding surfaces, respectively.
US08202071B2
In a motor-driven scroll type compressor, a rotary shaft includes a first opening at a position adjacent to a front end of the rotary shaft and facing an inner surface of a bearing for rotatably supporting the front end of the rotary shaft, a second opening at a position adjacent to a rear end of the rotary shaft and communicating with a back pressure chamber provided in front of a movable scroll member in a housing of the compressor, a communication passage interconnecting the first opening and the second opening, and a throttle formed by a clearance between the first opening and the inner surface of the bearing.
US08202056B2
A morphable composite structure includes at least first and second layers fixed relative to one another. Each of the first and second layers includes structural fibers oriented substantially parallel to one another and a quantity of binder substantially fixing the structural fibers together. The fibers of the first layer are oriented asymmetrically to the fibers of the second layer. The morphable composite structure also includes at least one pattern of electrically-conductive particles connected with the first layer and spaced from the second layer. A current can be directed through the pattern to heat the fibers of the first layer and change the shape of the morphable composite structure.
US08202055B2
A fan includes a housing, an impeller and a motor. The impeller includes a hub, a ring and a plurality of flat blades. The ring surrounds the hub without substantial contact therewith and is connected to the hub by at least one connecting arm. The flat blades are disposed on the ring and the active surface of each flat blade has an imaginary extending lines which is which is tangent to a rim of the hub.
US08202045B2
According to some embodiments, a method and system are provided to receive an airflow at a blower fan via an axial fan, and expel the airflow via a blower fan. The blower fan comprises a hub associated with an axis of rotation, and the axial fan comprises the hub.
US08202042B2
A turbine of a turbocharger includes a floating insert which defines a nozzle for passing a fluid and which is supported axially slidable with respect to a housing by a sliding support. Furthermore, the turbine comprises a sealing member for preventing a flow of fluid between the floating insert and the housing. The sealing member is axially expandable and has a fixed end attached to the turbine housing and an opposite movable end attached to the floating insert.
US08202041B2
A gas turbine engine rotor containment structure comprises an inner structurally supporting case having an inner surface positioned adjacent to a gas turbine engine rotor component to be contained. A layer of acoustic material is wrapped around and bounded to a radially outer surface of the inner case. A thin walled outer ring is bounded to a radially outer surface the layer of acoustic material. A layer of fibrous containment material surrounds a radially outer surface of the outer ring.
US08202032B2
A plug finishing system involves forming a counterbore in a cover board above the head of a fastener as it is driven by a specially constructed driver. A plug, which is dimensioned for the counterbore and has a reduced portion, is inserted into the counterbore and positioned so that its exterior surface is co-planar with the exterior surface of the cover board.
US08202022B2
A vibratory percussion rammer includes a gear box, a percussion delivery unit extending downwardly from the gear box, and one or more slide bearings disposed in the percussion delivery unit between adjacent surfaces of reciprocating metal components. The slide bearings are made from a sheet of plastic material that is curved into the shape of a tube having a C-shape in cross section and define an open seam extending the entire length of the slide bearing. Slide bearings according to this design can be disposed in the percussion delivery unit to eliminate some or all of the metal-on-metal contact between reciprocating components, including between the ram and shaft assembly and spring box and the guide cylinder, the spring separator and the spring box, and the shaft of a ram and shaft assembly and an upper end of the spring box. The seam width of any slide bearing is wider than the anticipated width-wise thermal expansion of the slide bearing during normal operation. When a plurality of slide bearings are used, the slide bearing that is the easiest to replace has a seam selected to close and fail at a temperature in excess of normal operating temperature that is lower than the excess temperature leading to failure of other slide bearings.
US08202008B2
A fiber optic connection system includes a ruggedized fiber optic adapter and a ruggedized fiber optic connector and can further include a standard fiber optic connector (e.g., an SC connector), a pre-existing ruggedized fiber optic adapter, a first converter for converting the standard fiber optic connector to be compatible with the ruggedized fiber optic adapter, a second converter for converting the ruggedized fiber optic connector to be compatible with the pre-existing ruggedized fiber optic adapter, and a standard fiber optic adapter (e.g., an SC adapter). The ruggedized fiber optic connector is compatible with the ruggedized fiber optic adapter and with the standard fiber optic adapter. To retain the various connectors within the various adapters, various retention members and features (e.g. threaded retention members and latches) can be included in the fiber optic connection system. The first converter includes a converter housing that is sized to fit over a connector body of the standard fiber optic connector and retention shoulders of the connector body engage the converter housing.
US08202006B2
Prior to assembly of an elastic member (51) to a slinger (52), a radially inner surface (58) of a first portion (56) is formed in a concave shape, and a radially inner surface (59) of a second portion (57) is formed in a conical shape. The second axial lip (55) is adapted such that, after the elastic member (51) is assembled to the slinger (52) and when a second axial lip (55) is in a not-yet-worn state, the second axial lip (55) does not come into contact with a fixation section (65) of the slinger (52).
US08202004B2
There is provided a low-friction sliding member having a sliding surface slidable relative to an opposing member via an oil, wherein the sliding surface has a plurality of texture groups, each of the texture groups consists of at least two adjacent fine recesses having portions aligned to each other in either a sliding direction or oil flow direction; a distance between the texture groups is larger than a distance between the adjacent recesses; and the texture groups is distributed uniformly over the sliding surface.
US08202002B2
A reclosable vacuum storage bag that can be hermetically sealed by flat resealable means that extend across the full width of the bag. The flat resealable means are designed to provide a barrier to prevent ambient air from leaking into the evacuated interior volume of the bag. The storage bag is also provided with a plastic zipper. The flat resealable means can be arranged on the product side of the zipper, on the user side of the zipper, or in between two zippers installed in the storage bag.
US08201976B2
A heat-dissipating apparatus for a vehicle lamp includes: a heat-dissipating apparatus including: an LED-mounting block having an LED mounted thereon; a thermally conductive material disposed adjacent to the LED-mounting block for transmitting heat generated by the LED; and a heat sink disposed adjacent to the thermally conductive material for dissipating the heat transmitted by the thermally conductive material, wherein at least one concave portion is formed in one side of the LED-mounting block which is adjacent to the thermally conductive material, one side of the heat sink which is adjacent to the thermally conductive material, or both. The thermally conductive material is inserted in the concave portion or portions.
US08201974B1
The disclosed pan-tilt spotlight is a sealed, remote controlled unit which allows continuous 360° rotation (pan) of visible or infrared (IR) light sources as well as vertical (tilt) aiming of the light sources 65° above horizontal and 25° below horizontal. The light sources are solid state (LEDs) which are energy efficient and extremely durable in the field, requiring little maintenance. Light shields are employed to control stray light, thereby enhancing the stealth of the spotlight in covert operations. The rotating parts of the spotlight are supported at several locations spaced from the axis of rotation in a manner that re-directs forces that would otherwise be carried by the shaft. Temperature sensitive current regulators and robust thermal design protect the LEDs from heat damage. Sophisticated motor control allows fast and precise positioning of the light beam and worm final drive gears keep the light beam in position.
US08201971B2
An LED bulb assembly device having thermal management features. The device and methods for its manufacture are provided. The device consists of a machined base element that accepts a circuit board, a divider element, a heatsink element, and an LED assembly. The LED assembly includes a plurality of LEDs, but typically nine or eighteen. A reflector element encloses the internal components by positively engaging the base element. External electrical contact pins provide for electrical engagement with a compatible decorative lighting fixture.
US08201968B2
A luminaire includes a heat spreader and a heat sink thermally coupled to and disposed diametrically outboard of the heat spreader, an outer optic securely retained relative to at least one of the heat spreader and the heat sink, and a light source disposed in thermal communication with the heat spreader, the light source having a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The heat spreader, the heat sink and the outer optic, in combination, have an overall height H and an overall outside dimension D such that the ratio of H/D is equal to or less than 0.25. The combination defined by the heat spreader, the heat sink and the outer optic, is so dimensioned as to: cover an opening defined by a nominally sized four-inch can light fixture; and, cover an opening defined by a nominally sized four-inch electrical junction box.
US08201964B2
A handheld flashlight has a housing with a handle for accepting a user's hand to grip and hold the housing, a first light source positioned in the housing for projecting a beam of light into a distance in front of the user, a second light source positioned in the housing for projecting a beam of light toward a surface proximate the user's feet and a tail light positioned in the housing to provide additional visibility of the user to people who approach the user from behind. A switch energizes and deenergizes the lights. A spring biased reel is rotatably mounted in said housing and a leash is wound on the reel and extends from the housing such that a portion of the leash can be extended from the housing and the reel will automatically retract the extended leash portion.
US08201958B2
To provide a backlight assembly for a liquid crystal panel, which aims to establish electrical connection between a fluorescent tube (CCFL tube) and an inverter substrate and which is low in cost and improved in assembling operability. A connector 10a includes a contact 2 and a housing 1 holding the contact 2. The contact 2 includes a holding portion held by the housing 1, a first connecting portion 18 connected to a connecting portion 51 of the fluorescent tube, and a second connecting portion 19 connected to the substrate. The first connecting portion 18 is formed from one end of the holding portion through a floating portion. The second connecting portion 19 is formed from the other end of the holding portion.
US08201953B2
A retroreflection article formed of groups of grooves in three directions having substantially V-shaped cross sections, including a large number of pairs of cube corner retroreflection elements being disposed, the elements in each pair being formed to be rotationally symmetric while sharing one base line forming the retroreflection elements. A group of parallel V-shaped grooves in one direction (grooves x) forming the group of pairs of retroreflection elements has straight-line bottom tracks, the groups of parallel V-shaped grooves in the other two directions (grooves w1 and w2) have continuous bent-line bottom tracks bent at intersection points with the grooves x, the bottom tracks of the groups of parallel V-shaped grooves in the two directions (grooves w1 and w2) do not intersect with each other, and projection geometries of base planes (A-B-E1-D1 and A-B-E2-D2) forming the retroreflection elements are quadrilaterals.
US08201952B2
A projection apparatus and a projection system comprising the same are provided. The projection apparatus is adapted to connect to a server for transmitting a time signal via a network. The projection apparatus comprises a schedule module, a timing module, and a network process module. The schedule module is configured to store schedule information. The timing module is configured to generate time information. The network process module is coupled to the schedule module and the timing module, and configured to connect to the server to get time signal via the network according to the schedule information and timing information in a specific time.
US08201950B2
A method having corresponding apparatus and computer-readable media comprises: receiving a first image, wherein the first image includes a plurality of substantially parallel first stripes, wherein the first image conforms to a virtual display space, wherein the virtual display space comprises a first plurality of first pixel locations; projecting the first image from a projector onto a surface, wherein the projector is described by a projector space comprising a second plurality of second pixel locations; capturing a second image of the first image projected onto the surface, wherein the second image conforms to the virtual display space; detecting edges of the first stripes based on the second image; generating second stripes based upon the edges of the first stripes; and determining a correspondence between each second pixel location and one or more of the first pixel locations based upon the second stripes.
US08201946B2
Disclosed is a projection image display apparatus which includes a light source; and an illumination optics including a phase difference plate. The illumination optics is configured to form an image on a liquid crystal panel with light beams emitted from the light source. The phase difference plate has a deviation in viewing angle characteristics and is arranged to yield a desirable phase difference for a light beam directed in a direction of high intensity among incident light beams distributed at various angles.
US08201941B2
This invention relates to methods of shaping the anterior surface of the eye for controlling the progression of refractive error of the eye, in particular, myopia. The method employs the fitting of orthokeratology lenses having a precisely shaped posterior surface adapted to accurately shape the peripheral region of the eye. The method includes the steps of assessing central and peripheral refractive error parameters for the eye, determining the optimal anterior surface profile for the eye, including at both the optical centre of the cornea and at a selected optical periphery of the cornea, which would result in a desired refractive correction to achieve good vision for the eye and the desired peripheral refraction (curvature of field) for the eye for controlling progression of myopia. Accurate measurement of the shape of the pre-treated eye is important, thereby enabling a corresponding lens profile to be designed or selected so that the treatment process achieves a post-treatment peripheral profile which optimally focuses peripheral rays anteriorly of the retina, thereby controlling the progression of myopia. The invention extends to a lens manufactured so as to optimally treat the peripheral region of the eye.
US08201940B2
A method for designing an eyeglass lens includes: a basic value calculation step of determining a basic visualizing action index representing a visualizing action taken when a person who wears no eyeglasses or single-vision lenses looks at an object; a progressive value calculation step of determining a progressive visualizing action index representing a visualizing action taken when the person who wears reference progressive addition lenses looks at the object; and a lens designing step of enlarging the field of view as compared with that of the reference progressive addition lenses when the progressive visualizing action index shows greater head movement than the basic visualizing action index does, whereas enlarging an aberration region as compared with that of the reference progressive addition lenses when the progressive visualizing action index shows smaller head movement than the basic visualizing action index does.
US08201936B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle opening for ejecting a liquid; a heating unit disposed opposite a liquid ejecting surface of the liquid ejecting head; a transport unit that transports a liquid-ejection-target medium between the liquid ejecting head and the heating unit; a blower unit that blows air onto a liquid-ejection-target surface of the medium; and a blowing control unit. The blower unit is able to vary an amount of air blown in a plurality of regions disposed along a certain direction, the plurality of regions including a region of the liquid-ejection-target medium, and the blowing control unit controls an amount of the air blown from the blower unit in the plurality of the regions along the certain direction on the basis of a width of the medium in the certain direction.
US08201928B2
A manifold assembly has been constructed that filters ink before the ink enters an inkjet ejector in an inkjet print head. The manifold assembly includes an adhesive layer having openings, an ink manifold layer having a plurality of openings, the openings in the adhesive layer being aligned with the openings in the ink manifold layer, and a polymer layer having a plurality of filter areas, the filter areas being aligned with the openings in the ink manifold layer and the openings in the adhesive layer, the adhesive layer being interposed between the polymer layer and the ink manifold layer.
US08201921B2
A printing apparatus is capable of forming images by overlappingly performing print processes for a plurality of colors with non-aqueous inks and an aqueous ink. When printing with the aqueous ink, it is possible to inhibit paper from being deformed and to realize a high density print process with a low see-through density. At least one of the plurality of colors is printed with a non-aqueous ink containing a water-insoluble solvent, and the remaining colors is printed with an aqueous ink containing a water-soluble solvent. The print process of the non-aqueous ink is performed in advance of the print process of the aqueous ink.
US08201920B2
A head cartridge and a liquid ejection apparatus in which cleaning is performed using a liquid absorbing force of a wiping member produced along with restoration of temporarily increased elastic displacement of the wiping member.
US08201919B2
Image deterioration due to decrease in transfer amount, which arises when a remaining amount of wetting liquid for wet wiping is decreased, is reduced in an ink-jet printing apparatus. When the remaining amount of the wetting liquid decreases to reach a predetermined amount or less, a wetting liquid tank is moved down, and thereby an intrusion amount of a wiper into a transfer portion is made larger than a standard value. This increases an area of the wiper where the wiper comes into contact with the transfer portion, which allows the transfer amount to be maintained at a substantially same level as the reference value. This enables the transfer amount to be prevented from decreasing when the remaining amount decreases, and the transfer amount almost the same as that in an initial stage to be ensured even in a later stage of an apparatus life time.
US08201915B2
A discharge amount evaluation method of a liquid droplet discharging device evaluates a discharge amount of a liquid discharged by the liquid droplet discharging device. The liquid includes at least one of a solution prepared by dissolving a solute in a solvent and a dispersion prepared by dispersing a dispersoid in a dispersion medium. The method includes discharging the liquid by the liquid droplet discharging device on a receiving layer of a test piece, the test piece including the receiving layer that absorbs at least one of the solvent and the dispersion medium as components included in the liquid and a base layer that is abutted with the receiving layer and that does not absorb the at least one component absorbed by the receiving layer in the components included in the liquid; and evaluating the discharge amount of the liquid based on a result obtained by evaluating an area of an absorbing portion where the at least one absorbed component has spread in the receiving layer.
US08201913B2
In one embodiment, a drop ejector assembly includes a printhead, a drop zone immediately downstream from the printhead, an array of optical fibers exposed to the drop zone such that light scattered off drops in the drop zone illuminates at least some of the optical fibers in the array, and a photo detector operatively connected to the array of optical fibers for converting light from the optical fibers into an electrical signal. In another embodiment, a drop detector includes a light source for illuminating drops passing through a drop zone and a light sensor for sensing light scattered off drops in the drop zone. The length of drop zone is 3 mm or less and the light sensor has a cross sectional dimension less than the length of the drop zone.
US08201906B2
The present invention relates to a method of addressing the nozzles of a printhead; a group of nozzles of a print column of the printhead are staggered and are arranged according to a spatial order, e.g. N01 N02 N03 N04 N05 N06 N07 N08 N09 N10 N11 N12, with respect to the transversal translation direction of the printhead; the nozzle of the group are divided in a number, e.g. 2 or 3 or 4 or 5, of sequential subgroups corresponding to different addressing spaces; an addressing scheme is obtained by cyclically and progressively selecting addresses from these addressing spaces; in this way, it is possible to print with a single pass at different resolutions, higher than the standard resolution of the printhead, by reducing the transversal translation speed of the printhead but maintaining the same addressing timing; the method according to the present invention leaves the possibility of printing at standard resolution and at lower resolutions.
US08201905B2
With an appropriate signal transmission form, a drive pulse output circuit is mounted to an ink jet head, so that waveform distortion of an actuator drive pulse for jet of ink drops is inhibited or prevented. Modulated signal data in memory is read to output a modulated signal, which is power-amplified by a digital power amplifier. The amplified digital signal is smoothed to be output to an actuator as a drive pulse. As a result, the digital power amplifier having high amplification efficiency efficiently amplifies the power of the modulated signal, thereby eliminating the need to use a cooling unit. The drive pulse output circuit can be mounted to the ink jet heads, thereby shortening the transmission path of an actuator drive pulse, which inhibits or prevents any waveform distortion of the drive pulse. The transmission of the modulated signal data DATA is implemented with a low frequency.
US08201902B2
Provided herein is an inkjet type liquid droplet ejection apparatus which supplies functional liquid to a plurality of head units having one or more functional liquid droplet ejection heads, each of the head units is based on a supply unit, and which plots on a workpiece having: a tank unit which supplies the functional liquid continuously to the plurality of head units from a new functional liquid tank which is switched from an old functional liquid tank; a functional liquid supplying channel having a plurality of individual channels; a detecting device which detects whether the new functional liquid of the replaced functional liquid tank reaches to the branching unit; and a controller which controls the plurality of functional liquid droplet ejection heads individually, the controller controls each of the head units to make consumption amounts of the functional liquid equal to the maximum consumption amount of the functional liquid.
US08201896B2
A vehicle brake apparatus has a wheel cylinder that generates a braking force when a pump is rotated in a first direction and does not generate the braking force when the pump is rotated in a second direction. A brake control section operates a valve to open a channel between the pump and the wheel cylinder and rotates the pump in the first direction to increase the braking force in accordance with a driver braking operation. The brake control section operates the valve to close the channel between the pump and the wheel cylinder to maintain the braking force in accordance with the driver braking operation. The brake control section rotates the pump in the second direction when the driver braking operation is not performed. The diagnosis section detects a rotation state of the pump while the pump rotates in the second direction to diagnose abnormalities in the pump.
US08201889B2
An armrest accessory attached or integrally made with an armrest placed between seats in a row of chairs wherein said armrest accessory provides individual space for the arms of both persons sitting at either side of the device without increasing the width of the division. The armrest accessory comprises a resilient material with a curved cross-section that will extend throughout the length of the division of the seats. The curvature of the device creates two separate platforms, one above the other, which are used as armrests.
US08201884B2
A capacitor seat sensor includes a cushion pad for a vehicle seat, protective panels installed on an upper surface of the cushion pad, including upper, intermediate and lower sheets, and extending a predetermined distance beyond a front end of the cushion pad, conductive panels including a sensor antenna panel and a sensor guard panel which is respectively interposed between the upper and intermediate sheets of the protective panels and between the intermediate and lower sheets of the protective panels to detect the presence of an occupant on the cushion pad, and a fastener for fastening front end portions of the protective panels onto a lower end of the cushion pad so as to prevent the conductive panels from wrinkling.
US08201883B2
An adjusting device for a headrest of a motor vehicle seat is specified. The adjusting device comprises, in a first variant, a capacitive proximity sensor integrated into or designed for integration into the headrest having at least three transmitting electrodes spaced apart vertically from one another and having a common receiving electrode. In a second variant of the adjusting device, the proximity sensor has at least three receiving electrodes spaced apart vertically from one another and has a common transmitting electrode. In both variants, the adjusting device also has an actuating drive for motorized vertical adjustment of the headrest relative to the vehicle seat, as well as a control unit. The control unit here is designed to drive the transmitting electrodes or transmitting electrode for emission of an alternating electric field to determine from the received electrical signals detected from the receiving electrode or the receiving electrodes, respective associated measured capacitance values that contain information about the capacitance produced between each of the transmitting electrodes or receiving electrodes and the common receiving electrode or transmitting electrode, and to drive the actuating drive to establish a vertical target position of the headrest relative to the head position of a vehicle occupant as a function of the measured capacitance values.
US08201870B2
A fairing assembly is suitable for use with a heavy duty vehicle having a cab mounted to a frame, wherein relative motion occurs between the cab and the frame during vehicle operation. The fairing assembly extending downwardly from a lower portion of the cab and includes a fairing panel and a hinge for hingedly connecting an upper portion of the fairing panel to a lower portion of the cab. The hinge defines a hinge line extending in a generally longitudinal direction. The fairing assembly further includes a link having a first end rotatably connected to a lower portion of the fairing panel and a second end rotatably connected to the frame. The link substantially limits rotation of the fairing panel about the hinge line and rotates relative to the fairing panel to allow for relative motion between the frame and the cab.
US08201858B1
A locking system for a stop button employed in a mortise lock having a spindle for operating a latch utilizing a first spindle base and a second spindle base which are nested relative to one another. Each base includes an opening for the mortise lock spindle such that the spindle may enter the combined first and second bases from the left side or the right side. A locking hub overrides either the first or second base and is capable of selectively lying over either the first or second base. An abutment linked to the stop button interacts with the locking hub such that either the first or second base may not be turned by the spindle when this occurs. Locking hub selectively locks either the first or second base through its position relative to the same and allows the mortise lock to easily transform from a left-hand version to a right-hand version.
US08201850B2
A restraining belt comprising a webbing, and utilizing active material actuation for selectively modifying the tensile load strength of, stiffness of, or the tensioning applied to the webbing.
US08201848B2
A fixing element fixes a part to a support wall. When the fixing element is inserted into an opening in the support wall and reaches a predetermined end position, the fixing element locks to the support wall. The fixing element includes a stop element, a snap-on element, and an unlocking element. The stop element bears against a side of the support wall when the fixing element is locked to the support wall. The snap-on element is positioned on an inner side of the support wall when the fixing element is locked to the support wall. The unlocking element is connected to the snap-on element. The unlocking element is configured to permit the snap-on element to be unlocked and the fixing element to be removed from the opening. An installation tool and a testing tool may be used in conjunction with the fixing element.
US08201840B2
A system for limiting a range of motion of a handlebar including a support tube adapted to be fixed to a frame, a member adapted to connect a wheel fork to the handlebar, an upper bearing support mounted to an upper end of the support tube, a plastic lower bearing support mounted to a lower end of the support tube, the member being rotatably mounted to the support tube via the upper and lower bearing supports, and a movement limiting system limiting a range of rotational movement of the member and utilizing stop surfaces arranged on the lower bearing support.
US08201837B2
Disclosed are a backpack skateboard system and methods for use thereof in which a skateboard is movably attached to a backpack, so that the skateboard can pivot 180° along the longitudinal axis thereof and rotate 90° into a folded configuration in which the skateboard is substantially parallel to the backpack with rear wheels of the skateboard facing the backpack and pivot 180° along the longitudinal axis thereof and to rotate 90° into an unfolded configuration in which the skateboard is substantially perpendicular to the backpack with the rear wheel assembly positioned downward.
US08201834B1
A stator vane with a mate-face cooling and sealing arrangement, the vane end rails include an upper axial seal slot and a lower axial seal slot with an upper riffle seal and a lower riffle seal secured within the two axial seal slots. The vane end rails also include a number of vertical seal slots spaced along the axial direction to receive a number of vertical riffle seals. The vertical riffle seals have an upper slot and a lower slot that allow for the two axial riffle seals to extend through and form a series of diffusion compartments along the seal assembly and mate faces.
US08201832B2
A system, in certain embodiments has, a fluid seal having a seal body, including a seal interface having one or more engagement portions, a first elastomer portion disposed along the seal interface, and a second elastomer portion disposed along the seal interface, wherein the first and second elastomers have material properties that are different from one another.
US08201828B2
A method to implement a casino card game. After the player places an ante wager, the dealer can deal three cards and the player selects a player selected card and the dealer randomly selects a dealer selected card. The goal for both the player and the dealer is to pick the highest (or strongest) card. The dealer will then reveal the lowest (or weakest) of the two remaining cards that are not the dealer selected card. The player can then place an optional raise wager, and the dealer may randomly switch the dealer selected card. All three cards are then revealed, and if the player picked the highest (strongest) card and the dealer did not pick the highest (strongest) card, then the player wins a payout on the ante wager and any raise wager placed. If the dealer picked the highest (strongest) card and the player did not pick the highest (strongest) card, then the player loses his or her ante wager and any raise wager placed.
US08201827B2
A bingo game and method in which bingo rules are used to simulate video poker and slot machine games. Players using linked terminals are assigned flashboards having multiple squares thereon, which squares have indicia thereon. If video poker is to be simulated, the indicia will be suit and value indicia of the type associated with playing cards. If slot machine play is to be simulated, the indicia will be of the like associated with slot machines, such as cherries, bars and bells. The calling of numbered bingo balls leads to the display to the player of corresponding indicia from numbered squares on the flashboard. A multiple overlapping ball draw may be utilized to accommodate slower and faster players, to allow overlapping games so that a slower player can have more time to play while a faster player can finish one game and commence another before the first game has closed. Where no player achieves a winning combination, an award can be provided based on a pre-determined value of indicia received by the player, including a near miss or a lowest hand. In one embodiment, the near-miss award may be paid from a progressive jackpot, to increase player excitement and to incentivize players to try for a near-miss hand.
US08201825B2
In order to reduce the stack failure of a sheet bundle, there is provided a sheet stacking/aligning apparatus comprising: a stack tray for stacking sheets thereon; and a rear end aligning member for pushing and aligning the rear end of a sheet conveyed onto the stack tray. The rear end aligning member includes sheet holding paddle for holding the sheets stacked on the stack tray.
US08201815B2
A sheet folding apparatus includes a fold unit which folds a center of a sheet bundle to form a fold line, and a reinforce roller which moves along the fold line while applying pressure to the fold line to reinforce the fold line. The reinforce roller includes plural sub-rollers which are concentrically coupled to each other in a rotation axis direction, and the respective sub-rollers apply different pressures to the fold line.
US08201810B2
A cable-wound drum style hoist with a rotating shaft supported by bearings that has both: (i) some freedom of motion in (at least) one of the bearings; and (ii) a pillow block in the shaft to impart some freedom of motion (beyond freedom to rotate about the central axis) in the shaft itself. By allowing some freedom of motion both the bearing(s) and the shaft, the hoist can better accommodate for bent shafts and/or slight misalignment of coaxial bearings. Also, a set of preferred connection hardware for mechanically connecting a hoist reducer box to a hoist backbone with preferred degrees of freedom/constraint.
US08201806B2
A tool adapted for prying includes a handle including a pivotal end and a grip end, with the pivotal end having a through-hole. A working device has first and second ends. The first end of the working device is pivotally connected to the pivotal end of the handle and includes a positioned hole formed transversely and a cavity formed longitudinally and communicating with the positioned hole, with the positioned hole corresponding to the through-hole. A positioning device is disposed at the through-hole, the positioned hole and the cavity and moveable between a fixing position and an adjusting position.
US08201799B2
A composition comprising particles for damping vibrations performed by cooperating surfaces of a mirror adjustment mechanism relative to each other. The cooperating surfaces adjustably connect a mirror holder for supporting the mirror element with a base plate that can be fixedly mounted to a motor vehicle. In an embodiment, the particles positioned close to one of the surfaces are arranged to move to a lesser extent relative to that surface upon a high-frequency pivoting of the cooperating surfaces than particles that are further removed from that surface. A method for assembling a mirror adjustment mechanism for adjusting a mirror element of a mirror unit of a motor vehicle mirror and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a mirror element of a mirror unit are also disclosed.
US08201791B2
A support stand includes a base, a supporting bracket, a first hinge assembly positioned between the base and the bracket, a second hinge assembly, and a third hinge assembly. The second hinge assembly and the third hinge assembly are positioned between the supporting bracket and a display body of the electronic device. The second hinge assembly includes a connecting bracket. The third hinge assembly includes a pivot shaft and a sleeve member. The sleeve member includes a leaf and a sleeve extending from an end of the leaf. The pivot shaft is firmly engaged in the sleeve of the sleeve member.
US08201783B1
A potted plant holder assembly includes a bracket holder having a bracket holder housing, a bracket holder base flange carried by the bracket holder housing and a bracket holder cap flange carried by the bracket holder housing in spaced-apart relationship to the bracket holder base flange. A plurality of pot holder brackets is carried by the bracket holder base flange and the bracket holder cap flange of the bracket holder.
US08201771B2
A method of controlling rotor pitch in a helicopter comprising the steps of: generating at least one blade dynamics signal representing at least one dynamic force acting on at least one of a rotor blade rotating assembly and a helicopter non-rotating assembly, the rotor blade rotating assembly including a plurality of rotor blades and a pitch actuator for each rotor blade; extracting information representing the at least one dynamic force; generating a dynamic force compensation output representing a compensation for at least a portion of the at least one dynamic force; receiving flight control signals directing flight of the helicopter from flight controls of the helicopter; generating from the flight control signals and the dynamic force compensation output a compensated pitch control signal for each blade of the rotor blade rotating assembly, and providing a compensated pitch control signal to compensate for a portion of the at least one dynamic force.
US08201755B2
A sprayer head assembly for dispensing a chemical stored within a container comprises a body having a bore and a valve moveably positioned at least partially within the bore. The sprayer head assembly includes passages for the carrier fluid and the chemical. A vent passage is also provided. The valve selectively closes and opens the carrier fluid, chemical and vent passages. The valve is configured to move in a side to side motion which is generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the assembly.
US08201754B2
A common rail single fluid injection system includes fuel injectors and control valve assemblies with an internal cooling fluid circuit to improve overall life and performance of the injector. This is accomplished by supplying cooling fluid to the injector and allowing the same to come in direct contact with one of the hottest locations within the fuel injector; the high-pressure leak split spot. By providing cooling fluid directly to this location and then allowing the cooling fluid to drain out of the injector, the present disclosure effectively and efficiently manages thermal loads within the injector.
US08201740B2
An aiming light assembly supported by a mobile imaging reader projects an aiming light pattern on a symbol. A controller modulates the aiming light pattern to render the aiming light pattern more visibly discernible to an operator, especially in a brightly lit ambient environment, to enable the operator to position the aiming light pattern on the symbol prior to reading.
US08201736B2
The present invention relates to a dispensing machine, and the related operating method, comprising means for dispensing packaged and/or unpackaged edible goods/beverages, a control unit connected to one or more electrically-activated parts of the machine and provided with memory means to store and retrieve digital data, a user interface for showing information to the user and for retrieving input commands from the user to be sent to the control unit. The user interface is a graphic user interface GUI comprising a touch-panel integrated in a graphic screen capable to display multimedia content including moving images. The content and/or form of said information shown on the screen is changed by the control unit on the basis of at least one parameter related to any of the operative status of the machine, the location wherein the machine is running, the calendar date and/or the daily time, statistics indicative of previous selections made by user(s) or on the basis of the signal provided by at least one sensor of the machine detecting proximity of the user(s).
US08201735B2
Electronic delivery of counterfeit-resistant documents exchangeable for value such as admission tickets, gift certificates, coupons, vouchers, etc. directly to the person who ordered the documents over an open communications network such at the Internet. A first party orders a document from a second party, and the second party electronically delivers the ordered, counterfeit-resistant document to a device designated by the first party. For example, the document may be electronically ordered using a PC, and a printer coupled to the PC may print the document. In one embodiment, the first party transmits unsolicited offers over the open communications network The document may be made counterfeit resistant by assigning unique information to each document of a given type, e.g., admission tickets, and checking the uniqueness of a document and whether the unique information was previously read prior to allowing it to be exchanged for value.
US08201734B1
Non-negotiable credits can be identified that are from previous interactions with an entity. The previous interactions can earn the non-negotiable credits. A quantity of the non-negotiable credits can be converted to a quantity of negotiable funds. The converting can be performed by a different legal entity than the entity. Access to the quantity of negotiable funds can be permitted for purchases with at least one vender that does not honor the non-negotiable credits in absence of the converting of the non-negotiable credits into negotiable funds. The identifying, the converting, and the permitting can be performed by computing equipment having at least one processor executing program instructions that are digitally encoded in at least one storage device.
US08201733B2
A wireless financial transaction instrument, such as a card, has a magnetic stripe, a display, and an on-board power supply, such as a battery, and is usable with a dual capture point of sale terminal. Information is received by such a terminal from the card wirelessly, and also from the magnetic stripe, and the data received contactlessly is preferably used to verify that read from the stripe. The display can display the account number on command, or to display a current balance, or amount of credit remaining, or any combination of these items of information.
US08201726B2
Some embodiments of a point-of-sale register apparatus may include first and second printers supported by a printer stand. The printer stand may arrange the first and second printers in a vertical array so as to efficiently use the space at the point-of-sale register. In some embodiments, the vertical array of printers is positioned near a user's hands and within a user's immediate line of sight when viewing the register's display screen.
US08201723B2
A method and apparatus for managing the delivery of component parts and tooling to a robotic welding assembly positioned on a motor vehicle body assembly line. Automatic guided vehicles deliver component parts from a source of parts to a parts staging area on the robotic welding assembly including a substage awaiting area, a substage in-use area and a substage empty area, and further automatic guided vehicles deliver tooling from a tooling management area to the robotic welding assembly whereafter the tooling, upon model changeover, is moved to a tooling use area proximate the assembly line whereafter, upon further model changeover, the tooling is removed from the tooling use area and loaded onto an automatic guided vehicle for return to the tooling management area.
US08201716B2
Dispensers with replaceable actuators and related methods. A representative dispenser includes a sealed fluid chamber with a fluid inlet and a valve seat, a valve member configured to be reciprocally moveable relative to the valve seat, and an actuator interface. The dispenser includes first and second actuators configured to be coupled with the actuator interface for reciprocally moving the valve member. The first actuator is configured to operate by a different motive force than the second actuator. The first actuator can be removed and replaced with the second actuator. The methods involve the ability to replace the first actuator with a second actuator.
US08201712B2
A dispenser for combining a number of ingredients. The dispenser may include a laminated container with one of the number of ingredients therein and a pump in communication with the laminated container.
US08201707B2
A dispensing apparatus including a product dispenser in which product is dispensed by manual movement of an activation mechanism as, for example, by moving a lever with a person's hand, arm or foot. The dispensing apparatus includes an electrical generator for generating electrical energy as a result of the manual movement of the activation mechanism, preferably by electromagnetic induction, electrochemistry or piezoelectricity. The electrical energy from the generator may be utilized in the dispensing apparatus to power a data communication unit for receiving information about the product dispenser and transmitting the information to a receiver, preferably but not necessarily wirelessly. The relative amounts of electrical energy generated may be used to estimate the amount of fluid dispensed and the extent to which a fluid reservoir is full.
US08201704B2
A container system is provided with a container having a door mounted for pivotal reciprocation about a door pivot axis between opened and closed positions. The container system also has a carrier with a body receiving the container and an arm coupled to the body for pivotal reciprocation about an arm pivot axis that is oriented substantially parallel to the door pivot axis. The arm engages the door of the container, and the pivotal reciprocation of the arm reciprocates the door of the container between the opened and closed positions.
US08201702B2
The invention provides a modular and foldable recycling apparatus for home use. The apparatus contains multiple modules attached in series, which can be separated into individual modules. Each module is made of a foldable frame to hold a container, such as a bag, for the containment, separation and transport of recyclable materials. The apparatus can be folded like an accordion to allow for convenient storage.
US08201696B2
Apparatus and methods for liquid-liquid extraction. The apparatus can include a housing having a first section, second section, and third section. One or more sieve trays can be disposed in the first section, and one or more gratings can be disposed in the second section. A hydrocarbon feed inlet can be disposed adjacent the second section, wherein each grating has a plurality of openings formed therethrough. The openings having at least three sides. The first section can be disposed at a first end of the second section, and the third section can disposed at a second end of the second section.
US08201691B1
An easy pill intake reminder that screws on the top of a container for articles such as medications and or vitamins in the form of pills, caplets, capsules, and or tablets and which serves as a cap there on, is surmounted by a cylinder housing a number of wedge shaped buttons marking a periodic time frame such as the days of the week all arrayed around a central circular button. Each wedge shape button can be lowered individually to mark a respective period of time such as a day, and stays lowered until the central button is pushed down. The lowering of the central button resets the surrounding wedge buttons to their upper position and thereby enabling the users to repeat the process.
US08201684B2
A reusable garment bag having a first interior compartment, an open bottom, a closed top with an opening sized to allow passage therethrough of hanger tops, a front having a generally vertical slit sealably closed with a zipper, a back having an opening providing access to a second interior compartment segregated from the first interior compartment, a drawstring circumscribing a hem about the open bottom, an elastic strap in the first interior compartment, a handle affixed to the top and bottom, and a strap adapted to secure the two handles together for carrying the garment bag in a folded orientation.
US08201673B2
A reel assembly for an electrical cord distinct from the reel assembly includes a reel onto which the electrical cord can be spooled. A power connector configured to be mechanically and electrically coupled to the electrical cord is on the reel. The reel assembly is configured to be connected to a power source and to convey electrical power from the power source to the power connector. Two or more switches are connected in a parallel arrangement such that electrical currents flow through the switches in the same direction when the switches are in positions that permit electrical current flow through the switches. The switches are configured to shut off power from the power source to the power connector if a temperature of the reel assembly or of the electrical cord exceeds a threshold.
US08201672B2
An enhanced structure for the base with roller and belt of hardshell zipper case is provided, including a hardshell zipper case main body, a plurality of hidden roller units, a retractable belt unit, and an auxiliary wheel set. The hidden roller units and the retractable belt unit are placed inside the roller housing trench and the belt housing trench located at the bottom of the hardshell zipper case main body. When the hidden roller units are not in use, the roller units are entirely hidden inside the roller housing trench so that the roller unit will not be damaged due to careless handling. To move the hardshell zipper case, the outer rim of the roller units are exposed outside of the surface of the roller housing trench so that the roller units can roll along when moved. The belt of retractable belt unit can be easily pulled out from one end of the bottom of the hardshell zipper case. After surrounding the hardshell zipper case main body with the belt, the belt can be fastened to the other end of the retractable belt unit. In this manner, the belt can be easily pulled out for fastening the case when necessary, and can be retracted when not in use.
US08201657B2
A cam follower includes an oval rotational body which is rotationally supported on a fixed pin, and in which an outer circumferential shape thereof is an oval, a long axis of the oval is longer than a width of the cam groove, and a short axis of the oval is shorter than the width of the cam groove, the oval rotational body being biased and being rotated by a biasing spring in one direction about the fixed pin. As a consequence, when a steering wheel is in a neutral position, the outer circumferential surface of the cam follower comes into contact with both side surfaces of the cam groove in the width direction of the cam groove and gaps therebetween can be eliminated. As a result, neutral stability of the steering wheel and steering feeling during straightforward traveling are improved.
US08201653B2
A support for a self-balancing vehicle that allows users to operate the vehicle while standing or sitting. The support includes one or more sitting platforms connected to the vehicle. The sitting platforms are rotationally movable between standing and sitting positions. The sitting platforms are connected to the vehicle by support bars that run vertically from the sitting platforms to the body of the vehicle. Displaceable rods moveably attached to the support bars contact the underside of the sitting platforms when in the sitting position and extend past the support bars to the standing platform to activate the vehicle. A plate system interposed between where the displaceable rods extend from the support bars and the standing platform help to evenly distribute pressure exerted by the support bars on the standing platform.
US08201652B2
A work vehicle includes an engine driven by gas fuel sealed inside a cassette gas cylinder. The cassette gas cylinder is installed in a cylinder mount. The cylinder mount comprises a mouthpiece support for supporting a mouthpiece of the cassette gas cylinder, and a shutter member swingable about a support shaft provided to the cylinder mount, for opening and closing an opening of the mouthpiece support from above the mouthpiece support.
US08201646B2
A rotating cone drill bit includes a plurality of mud nozzles extending from the bit body, which are thermally fitted by controlling the temperature differential of 300° F.-900° F. depending on the corresponding materials of the elements to be fitted, the amount of fit desired, and the diameters of the elements to be fitted and which provide substantially obstruction-free mud paths toward the wellbore bottom. The bit has a plurality of reduced diameter cutter assemblies, each having a journal projecting from a corresponding leg. The journal has at least two cylindrical bearing surfaces and an annular groove formed therebetween and a spindle. An annular retention segment is rotatably mounted in the groove. The retention segment has an outer radial surface engaging a portion of one of the bearing surfaces of the cone, and an energy beam welding area fusing substantially the entire engaging surfaces of the retention segment and the cone.
US08201641B2
A vibrating downhole tool includes a housing having a central axis defined therethrough, an inner mandrel disposed within the housing and configured to receive a drilling fluid, wherein the inner mandrel is misaligned relative to the housing central axis, and a plurality of turbine blades configured to receive the drilling fluid and to rotate the inner mandrel, thereby causing the downhole tool to vibrate.
US08201640B2
A method for controlling a fluid operated percussive device, which inside an axially extending cylinder room (3) of a housing (2) of the percussive device includes a to and fro moveable percussive piston (1), which is adapted for performing strikes in a striking direction (A) and which includes a signal portion (4) for controlling a main valve (5), which is adapted to intermittently transmit pressure fluid to at least one driving chamber (7) for the percussive piston. An auxiliary valve (9) is controlled for transmitting fluid contact between at least one auxiliary channel means (13,14) with a channel opening in the cylinder room (3), and the main valve (5) over the signal portion (4), for switching the main valve (5) before the percussive piston, in operation, has reached at least one of said regions. The invention also concerns a percussive device and a rock drilling machine.
US08201638B1
An agricultural implement in the form of a dicing plow booster device is provided that is operative to connect to a further hitch device of a front end of a plow. The implement has a dicing drum in rotating connection with a dicing drum frame, and has a drive roller in rotating connection with the drive roller frame. The dicing drum comprises a plurality of blades. A first hydraulic motor causes the dicing drum to rotate in a first direction. A second hydraulic motor causes the drive roller to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction. When the agricultural implement is mounted to the plow, the dicing drum and drive roller are positioned rearwardly of the plow. The drive roller rotating in the second direction is operative to urge the agricultural implement to move in a direction towards the plow.
US08201636B2
Methods and apparatus include tubing expanded to create a seal in an annulus surrounding the tubing. The tubing includes a sealing material selected to cause forming of undulations in a diameter of the tubing upon expansion of the tubing. Various factors of the sealing material such as deviations in its thickness influence sealing performance of the tubing with the sealing material.
US08201635B2
A tubular element can be expanded using an expander tool that includes a flexible sleeve having an outer diameter less than or equal to the inner diameter of the tubular element, a cone expander section on which the sleeve is mounted and an elongate mandrel. The cone expander section includes a first cone having a first narrow end that fits inside the sleeve and that increases in diameter from the first narrow end to a maximum at a base that is greater than the inner diameter of the sleeve but less than the inner diameter of the tubular element. The expander tool can be positioned at a predetermined location in the tubular element, fixed in place, and the expander section can be urged through the sleeve to expand the sleeve and thus the tubular element.
US08201632B2
A downhole valve assembly including a valve mounted in a tubular body, the valve moveable between an open and closed position. Movement is achieved by a fluid operated valve actuation mechanism located downhole of the valve having a fluid inlet port located uphole of the valve. A method of controlling fluid flow downhole is also described allowing the valve to be moved between the open and closed positions and between closed and open positions.
US08201631B2
A tool assembly and method for completing a well are provided. The tool is deployed on tubing string and includes a fluid treatment assembly with cup seals above and below the treatment ports. An equalization valve beneath the fracturing assembly can be opened or closed to control fluid passage between the coiled tubing and treatment zone to the wellbore below.
US08201630B2
Method of treating a subterranean formation using a hydrocarbon treatment fluid using a phosphor-based hydrocarbon gelling agent that is capable of both increasing the viscosity of the hydrocarbon treatment fluid and remaining in the subterranean formation after the viscosity of the gel is broken such that it can act as a scale inhibitor. Phosphor-based hydrocarbon gelling agents may be formed from a polyvalent metal salt of an organophosphonic acid ester or from a polyvalent metal salt of an organophosphinic acid.
US08201628B2
A method of controlling pressure in a wellbore can include placing a barrier substance in the wellbore while a fluid is present in the wellbore, and flowing another fluid into the wellbore while the first fluid and the barrier substance are in the wellbore. The first and second fluids may have different densities. Another method can include circulating a fluid through a tubular string and an annulus formed between the tubular string and the wellbore, then partially withdrawing the tubular string from the wellbore, then placing a barrier substance in the wellbore, then partially withdrawing the tubular string from the wellbore and then flowing another fluid into the wellbore. A well system can include at least two fluids in a wellbore, the fluids having different densities, and a barrier substance separating the fluids.
US08201620B2
An evaporator unit includes an evaporator configured to evaporate a refrigerant, and a capillary tube configured to decompress the refrigerant. The capillary tube has two longitudinal ends bonded to the evaporator. At least one position of a middle portion between the two longitudinal ends of the capillary tube is fixed to the evaporator by press-contacting the evaporator. Therefore, it can prevent a crack from being caused at the bonding portions of the two longitudinal ends of the capillary tube.
US08201619B2
A method and device for reducing sulfidation corrosion and depositional fouling in heat transfer components within a refining or petrochemical facility is disclosed. The heat transfer components are formed from a corrosion and fouling resistant steel composition containing a Cr-enriched layer and having a surface roughness of less than 40 micro inches (1.1 μm).
US08201610B2
Methods, systems and compositions for manufacturing downhole tools and downhole tool parts for drilling subterranean material are disclosed. A model having an external peripheral shape of a downhole tool or tool part is fabricated. Mold material is applied to an external periphery of the model. The mold material is permitted to harden to form a mold about the model. The model is eliminated and a composite matrix material is cast within the mold to form a finished downhole tool or tool part.
US08201600B2
A wood plank which is dimensionally stable and moisture resistant includes a sealant layer on at least four of its sides. A geometric variation (e.g., tongue and groove) may be located on at least one side of the dimensionally stable wood. The sealant layer may be applied to the tongue and groove as well. A method for manufacturing the dimensionally stable wood is also described.
US08201599B2
A debarking mechanism including of rotatable debarking shafts extending parallel to an advancing direction (A) of the logs to be fed therethrough, which are provided with teeth extending beyond the circumferential surface of the shaft. At least the uppermost debarking shaft is moved sideways towards the inner part of the debarking mechanism in such a way that each debarking shaft directs an impact effect on logs colliding with it and moved by the debarking shafts located in a lower position. The circumferential speed of the debarking shaft is selected to be the greater the higher the debarking shaft is positioned. A free passage is arranged for the bark passing over the debarking shaft.
US08201597B2
An apparatus for producing wood lagging blankets includes a board singulator, a board spacer, a wire strand feeder, and a fastener applicator. The board singulator includes an infeed and infeed queue, and a selectively actuable stop. The board spacer includes a spacing conveyor and may be selectively actuable according to instructions from a programmable controller, wherein the fastener applicator mounted aligned vertically over said at least one strand of wire to fasten by fasteners at least one strand of wire down onto the boards on said spacing conveyor to thereby form a lagging blanket of spaced apart boards spaced with substantially constant gapping between the boards, wherein said lagging blanket is tethered together as a stable matrix of laterally aligned, constantly spaced boards, and wherein the lagging blanket is sized to wrap completely around a desired circumference.
US08201594B2
A system (10) and method for substantially automatically aseptically or non-aseptically filling a container with a fluid. The transfer of fluid occurs via a movable nozzle mechanism (20) substantially automatically inserted into a side opening (32) in a connector (12) attached to the container. More specifically, the side opening (32) in the connector (12) is exposed, the nozzle mechanism (20) is moved into the side opening (32), the fluid is transferred into the container via the nozzle mechanism (20) and the connector (12), the nozzle mechanism (20) is removed from the side opening (32) in the connector (12), and the side opening (32) in the connector (12) is closed. The aseptic transfer of fluid includes a substantially automatic sterilization procedure accomplished by both spray and contact components (54,56).
US08201590B2
A method and apparatus for filling with powder (4) a container (8) having an open end, including positioning an outlet of a hopper (2) containing powder above the open end of the container (8), mechanically agitating the hopper so as to cause powder (4) to be transferred from the hopper to the container and mechanically agitating the container, wherein the steps of mechanically agitating are conducted by at least a predetermined amount sufficient to ensure that the container is filled with powder at a predetermined density.
US08201582B2
A hydropneumatic accumulator includes a shell in which gas and fluid ports are connected, respectively, with gas and fluid reservoirs of variable volume separated by a movable separator. The gas reservoir contains a compressible regenerator that fills the gas reservoir so that the separator movement reducing the gas reservoir volume compresses the regenerator. The regenerator is made from leaf elements located transversally to the separator motion direction and dividing the gas reservoir into intercommunicating gas layers of variable depths. The regenerator is preferably made from interconnected elastic metal leaf elements to allow variation of the bending strain degree so that the local bending strains of the leaf elements should not exceed the elastic limits at any position of the separator. The efficiency of fluid power recuperation and durability of the regenerator are increased.
US08201572B2
A water supply control apparatus for use in homes or other structures is provided that incorporates a radio frequency transmitter and a receiver regulating the open or closed state of an electrical solenoid valve in fluid communication with a structure's water supply. A by-pass switch enabling manual regulation of the solenoid valve is mounted on the valve itself. Also provided is a method of controlling the flow of water supplied to a structure utilizing radio frequency pulse broadcasts to regulate the open or closed state of the solenoid valve.
US08201568B2
Disclosed is a liquid treatment apparatus capable of effectively exhausting processing liquid atmosphere around a target object. The liquid treatment apparatus includes a container, a support part located within the container that supports the target object, a rotation driving mechanism to rotate the target object supported by the support part, a processing liquid supply mechanism to supply a processing liquid to the target object, and a rotation cup, which is located outside of the outer circumference of the target object and is rotatable together with the support part. A rotation exhaust cup is arranged above the rotation cup and is rotatable together with the rotation cup. A discharge mechanism discharges processing liquid atmosphere guided by the rotation cup and the rotation exhaust cup.
US08201567B2
A liquid treating apparatus comprising a holding device (30) for holding wafers (W) in a substantially vertical attitude and a treating vessel (10) for accommodating the wafers held by the holding device. A treating liquid is supplied into the treating vessel by means of a treating liquid supply system. A rotational drive device (20) is provided for rotating the holding device (30) around a rotational axis passing approximately through the center of the wafers (W) in a state of non-contact with the treating vessel (10).
US08201565B2
The invention is a hand held nail and foot groomer for people, which includes a spherical nail groomer body having at least one compartment for batteries and tips; a semi-spherical tip cover assembly having an opening, being in substantial contact to the nail groomer body and being movably connected to the nail groomer body; a combination battery, motor and tip compartment; a tip assembly for attachment of various shapes and sizes of nail files and brushes. The preferred embodiment of this invention is one in which the nail body optionally includes a flat bottom section which includes one or more detachable ringed or recessed sections, said ring sections or recessed sections capable of holding rounded and optionally recessed files and/or pumice stones and/emery files and/or foot scarpers useful in grooming feet.
US08201564B2
Fibrous material suitable for incorporation into filter elements of smoking articles such as cigarettes are impregnated with additives and agents such as flavorants, flavorant-enhancers and/or free radical scavengers. The fibrous material is contacted with the additive dispersed in a high pressure gas or supercritical fluid (SCF) held at elevated pressures. The high pressure gas or SCF swells the fibrous matrix and enables the additive to be incorporated within the matrix. When pressure is reduced, the gas or SCF vaporizes and leaves the additive embedded in the fiber interstices. As a result, the additive is slowly released over a finite period of time. When incorporated into a cigarette filter, the additive is released at a desired rate from the interior of the fibrous filter into the cigarette smoke.
US08201561B2
An improved ear tip for earphones and hearing protection is provided where comfort and occlusion of the ear are of most importance. The ear tip comprises an elastomer polymer resin material molded to form the material to the shape of the ear canal. A chamber is defined having a proximal and distal end, the distal end engages the acoustic exit of the transducer, sound source or sound attenuator and the proximal end of the bore is adapted to be disposed adjacent an eardrum. The inner body attaches to a nozzle, or audio playback orifice to naturally transition the acoustics from the transducer or sound attenuator to the eardrum via the ear canal. The ear tip can have a plurality of flexible annular flanges disposed at spaced intervals of the body with decreasing circumference as the flanges transition to the proximal end. Each flange tapers in a radius or curvilinear geometry as it progresses to the end of the object.
US08201552B2
An oven includes a chamber for receiving a food product rack. A heating system provides heat to the chamber for a cooking operation. A rotatable output member extends downward from a top portion of the chamber. A pivot support extends upward from a bottom portion of the chamber. A food product rack is removably located in the chamber and is releasably connected to the rotatable output member for rotation therewith. The food product rack includes a frame assembly including multiple sides. Multiple tray supports are located along the height of the frame assembly. A bottom support extends laterally between opposite sides of the frame assembly and passes through a vertical rotation axis of the frame assembly. The bottom support is connected at one end to a bottom portion of one side of the frame assembly and is connected at an opposite end to the bottom portion of an opposite side of the frame assembly. The bottom support releasably engages with the frame assembly and is configured to be disconnected from the frame assembly without use of tools by manually reorienting the bottom support from a locked orientation to a release orientation. The bottom support includes an underside that is engaged with the pivot support.
US08201551B1
A gas forced air heater is provided. The gas forced air heater has a housing surrounding a combustion chamber and a blower upstream of the combustion chamber. A burner tube of the gas forced air heater has a fuel inlet in a secondary chamber coupled to the housing and a burner head proximal an air inlet opening of the combustion chamber. An air input orifice into the secondary chamber is provided upstream of the combustion chamber and allows air output from the fan to be communicated into the secondary chamber.
US08201546B2
A compressed gas-powered projectile accelerator is disclosed having an improved means of gas distribution, a valve locking mechanism, an improved combined bumper/seal, and self-contained modular components to improve efficiency, manufacturability, and reduce size and weight.
US08201540B2
A reciprocating internal combustion engine. The present invention improves the spark ignition facility used by the engine inventions described in patent publications WO2005/052335 and WO2007/080366 by providing a device to ensure reliable spark ignition by protecting the spark plug from malfunction by sooting.
US08201518B2
An automatic egg injection machine comprises a separate injector support grid and injector locking device. The injector locking device is attached to the body of the egg injection machine to prevent motion during the vaccination process. Individual air tubes are inserted into slots in the injector locking device, and are inflated with compressed air to lock the injectors in place during the injection process, thereby minimizing the possibility of injector movement. Both the injector support grid and injector locking device can be exchanged for other components with different egg configurations so that one egg injection machine can be used for more than one sized incubator egg flat.
US08201504B2
A constant contact side bearing assembly for a railcar including a housing with wall structure defining a central axis for the side bearing assembly and a multipiece cap. The cap is arranged in operable combination with the housing and includes a movable first member and a movable second member carried by the first member. A portion of the second member extends beyond the housing and defines a friction surface for the cap. A spring resiliently urges the friction surface of the cap into frictional contact with railcar body structure. The cap members define cooperating angled surfaces therebetween for urging wall structure on the first member and wall structure on the second member into frictional engagement with the wall structure on said housing in response to a vertical load acting on the friction contacting surface on the cap.
US08201503B2
A railcar diaphragm is described having a first and a second plate assembly, a bellows assembly, and a spring assembly. The first plate assembly is coupled to a railcar. The second plate assembly is configured to contact another railcar. The bellows is disposed between first and second plate assemblies. The spring assembly includes a leaf spring and a pivot member coupled to the leaf spring. The first and second plate assemblies are coupled through the spring assembly. The spring assembly has a first and a second configuration based on whether the railcar is engaged to another railcar. The spring assembly and the second plate assembly can collectively swivel about a centerpoint associated with the pivot member when the spring assembly is in the second configuration and the railcar is in a curved portion of a track.
US08201498B2
A blanket/plate mounting apparatus includes a leading edge holding unit, trailing edge holding unit, and first drive unit. The leading edge holding unit is movably supported by a cylinder and holds the leading edge of a blanket/plate. The trailing edge holding unit is movably supported by the cylinder and holds the trailing edge of the blanket/plate. The first drive unit moves the leading edge holding unit and the trailing edge holding unit that respectively hold the leading edge and trailing edge of the blanket/plate mounted on the circumferential surface of the cylinder, thus tightening the blanket/plate.
US08201486B1
A stage light gas gun system and method capable of having a variable power output to match a specific use or application. The light gas gun uses a high pressure hydraulic oil system to provide a propulsive force behind two-stage piston system that is used to compress a light gas. The light gas gun may include a punch formed on the second piston for piercing a rupture disk at a pre-determined point in order to provide predictable performance.
US08201473B2
The invention relates to a worm-like mechanism comprising a support structure, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the mechanism, and at least two actuating units, which are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the support structure and each of which has two supporting elements, which while extending transversely in relation to the longitudinal direction of the support structure are attached to the latter at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction, and at least one actuating element, which is arranged between the supporting elements and by which the supporting elements can be moved in relation to one another. In order to provide a further worm-like mechanism, which provides precise open-loop or closed-loop control of its movements while in particular being of a simplified, slender construction, it is provided that the actuating elements can be activated individually or in group by way of a central line.
US08201472B2
A robot arm includes a base, a first arm, and a second arm. The base includes a first spindle and a first motor to rotate the first spindle in a first axis. The first arm is rotatably connected to the base around the first axis. The second arm is rotatably connected to the first arm around a second axis parallel to the first axis. The second arm includes a second spindle, a second motor to rotate the second spindle, third spindle, a third motor to rotate the third spindle, a threaded rod extending along a third axis parallel to the first axis and rotated by the second spindle, a nut threaded on the threaded rod, a fourth motor fixed relative to the nut, and a fourth spindle connected to and rotated by the fourth motor. The nut moves along the threaded rod to slide the fourth spindle.
US08201469B2
A dual clutch transmission having two input shafts respectively connected to clutches, and an intermediate shaft, preventing the intermediate shaft from rotating idle when the vehicle is traveling at high speeds and avoiding excess stirring of lubricating oil in the transmission and increase in noise. In the dual clutch transmission, a direct connection clutch C3 is provided between one input shaft S2 and an output shaft S4, and an intermediate shaft connection clutch C4 for interrupting the transmission of power is provided between the intermediate shaft S3 and the output shaft S4. When the power is directly transmitted from the input shaft S2 to the output shaft S4 via the direct connection clutch C3, the intermediate shaft connection clutch C4 is disconnected to stop the rotation of the intermediate shaft S3 and to prevent the lubricating oil from being excessively stirred by the idle rotation of the intermediate shaft S3. Further, the intermediate shaft connection clutch C4 is disconnected, and a transmission step is constituted by utilizing the gear trains among the two input shafts and the intermediate shaft S3, making it possible to omit one gear train and, therefore, to shorten the length of the transmission.
US08201465B2
The invention relates to the measurement of the tritium concentration of the water vapor in air and more particularly the subject of the invention is a method of automatically sampling tritium in the water vapor of air using a cold trap, of the type comprising a first step of condensing the water vapor of the air by cooling over a cold trap and a second step of recovering the ice formed in the previous step in the form of condensation liquid, characterized in that the air is contained in a sampling chamber (1) and is brought into contact with a cold trap (2, 4) which has been brought to a temperature below 0° C. and in that the liquid of the second step is obtained by warming the cold trap.
US08201461B2
Apparatus and method are provided for accurately measuring the volumetric or mass fluid flow, especially when fluid flows in a non-continuous manner using a float. A preferred embodiment comprises a tube for accumulating liquid that is periodically drained and a float confirmed within the tube that floats on the accumulating liquid. The float has magnetic properties that can be sensed so as to measure the position of the float in the tube. A controller controls a valve provided in the bottom of the tube and opens the valve so as to allow drainage of the accumulated liquid according to the positioning of the float within the tube. The valve is opened when the position of the float is in a predetermined position within the tube so that the mass or volume of the drained liquid is known.
US08201457B1
A fluid measuring device having a hollow body, a conical section mount, a support member, and a sensor mount as a single cast unit. The hollow body can have an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a chamber. The fluid measuring device can be connected to one or more conduits for receiving and emitting a fluid flow. The sensor mount can have ports for measuring pressure, temperature, and other diagnostics in the single cast unit. The fluid measuring device can have a detachable and re-attachable area ratio changer.
US08201454B2
Ultrasonic pipeline inspection apparatus which utilizes two different wave modes (e.g. a horizontally polarized shear mode and a symmetric Lamb wave mode) to discriminate different defect types by comparing corresponding signals collected from defects. EMATs may detect the signals. The detected amplitudes of the collected signals from both wave modes are compared to calculate a ratio, which may be compared with a distribution of ratio values for known defects to evaluate the type of defect detected. The apparatus may be a sensor module mountable on a pipeline vehicle and having a plurality of sensors distributed around its periphery.
US08201453B2
A medium fatigue detection apparatus and a medium fatigue detection method detect fatigue of a sheet-like medium. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic sending device for oscillating ultrasonic waves as burst waves, an ultrasonic receiving device, and a sensed intensity detector. The ultrasonic sending device and ultrasonic receiving device are arranged to oppose each other and allow a sheet-like medium to pass between them. The ultrasonic waves sent from the ultrasonic sending device are incident on a principal surface of the sheet-like medium at a predetermined incident angle θ. Fatigue of the medium is detected by measuring a variation in sensed intensity of the ultrasonic waves having passed through the sheet-like medium.
US08201445B2
Environmentally friendly solvents used to dissolve or remove residues and/or substances from substrates wherein the residue and/or substance is contacted with a Generally Recognized As Safe solvent to dissolve the residue and/or substance in the solvent followed by the extraction of the residue and/or substance from the solvent such as by contact with carbon dioxide.
US08201442B2
A system and method are provided for estimating an instantaneous EGR mass flow rate corresponding to a flow rate of exhaust gas through an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) conduit fluidly coupled between an exhaust manifold and an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine with an EGR cooler positioned in-line with the EGR conduit. An operating position of the engine is monitored, and the instantaneous EGR mass flow rate is estimated at each of a plurality of fixed increments of the engine position based on EGR cooler outlet temperature, intake manifold pressure and a pressure differential across a flow restriction disposed in-line with the exhaust gas conduit between the EGR cooler and the intake manifold.
US08201436B2
A method of calibrating a device comprising: imaging an object in a viewfinder of a device; obtaining a device location from a location mechanism and a device orientation from an orientation mechanism; and using the obtained device location and device orientation to calibrate one or more of the location mechanism and the orientation mechanism such that a difference between an expected location of the object in the viewfinder and a location of the object in the viewfinder is reduced.
US08201434B2
A primary intermediate formed article is formed into a substantially columnar shape. A secondary intermediate formed article is obtained by piercing a preliminary hole in the primary intermediate formed article such that a radial thickness of a prospective cam top part is larger than a radial thickness of a prospective cam base part, and by forming a positioning part. The positioning part is brought into contact with a tertiary intermediate forged article forging die so as to be positioned, and the secondary intermediate formed article is pressed and forged to form a tertiary intermediate forged article including a cam top, a cam base, and a deformed hole formed by deforming the preliminary hole. A finished cam lobe is obtained by piercing, in an area including the deformed hole.
US08201429B1
A blanking line including an uncoiler, a first feeder, a slitter, and a shear. A coil of metal is carried by the uncoiler. The first feeder removes the material from the coil and typically includes a leveler for leveling the metal. The metal is fed from the leveler into a looping pit that is located between the leveler and slitter. The slitter feeds and slits the material a predetermined distance and is driven with servo motors. The looping pit acts as an accumulator allowing the metal to hang so the slitter can move metal intermittently into a shear while the leveler runs at a constant rate. The shear cuts the material to a predetermined length corresponding with the distance that the material is fed by the slitter. A measuring wheel may be included to measure the distance that the material is moved by the slitter.
US08201422B2
A drum type washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub fixed in the cabinet, and a drum that performs a washing process. A motor rotates the drum, a supporting device that extends from a rotation shaft of the motor to the cabinet rotatably support the drum. A buffering-and-sealing device is provided at the rear side of the tub to buffer a space between the rotation shaft and the tub and to seal the rear side of the tub. A drying device extends from one side of the tub to the other side of the tub to circulate air in the drum and to dry laundry in the drum. Thus, the size of the washing machine is reduced, the washing capacity thereof is increased, and laundry is dried by the drying device.
US08201415B2
In an integrated unit including an evaporator and an ejector located inside a tank of the evaporator, a first vibration-isolating seal member and a second vibration-isolating seal member are disposed in a gap between an outer surface of the ejector and an inner surface of the tank. The first vibration-isolating seal member is located between a refrigerant discharge port and a refrigerant suction port of the ejector in a longitudinal direction, and the second vibration-isolating seal member is located between a refrigerant flow inlet of the ejector and the refrigerant suction port in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the first vibration-isolating seal member has a seal capability lower than that of the second vibration-isolating seal member, and a vibration isolation capability higher than that of the second vibration-isolating seal member.
US08201414B2
A turbine engine for a helicopter, including a gas generator and a free turbine driven in rotation by the gas flow generated by the gas generator is disclosed. The turbine engine further includes a motor/generator coupled to a shaft of the gas generator, to provide a quantity of additional rotational kinetic energy to the shaft during a stage of turbine engine acceleration, or to draw a quantity of rotational kinetic energy from the shaft during a stage of turbine engine deceleration.
US08201382B1
A building integrated thermal electric hybrid roofing system is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of metal battens having a longitudinal channel mounted horizontally onto a plurality of wooden battens, a thermal tubing containing liquid mounted on the longitudinal channels, a plurality of solar electric roof tiles mounted on the plurality of metal battens and connected in series to form a string, an inverter connected to each of the strings, a heat exchanger connected to the thermal tubing, and a pump connected between the thermal tubing and the heat exchanger. The plurality of solar electric roof tiles generates DC electricity from solar energy and the inverter converts the DC electricity to AC electricity to feed to a utility grid. The plurality of metal battens collects the solar energy and converts into thermal energy through running the liquid which is extracted to the heat exchanger resulting in producing domestic hot water.
US08201378B2
A tower includes an outer portion forming an outer covering for the wind turbine tower and an inner portion disposed within the outer portion. The inner portion includes a preassembled power module including an upwardly extending support and electrical components that extend outwardly beyond the upwardly extending support and guide supports coupled at a first end to the upwardly extending supports and extending outwardly beyond the electrical components.
US08201372B2
An insulated siding panel comprises a foam insulation layer, an attachment member, and optionally a veneer layer. The foam insulation layer comprises a front face, a rear face, a tongue along a first end edge, a groove along a second end edge, and a slot defined in the rear face. The attachment member comprises an attachment rail and a member extending transversely from the attachment rail. The member of the attachment member is inserted into the slot of the foam insulation layer. When present, the veneer layer is attached to the front face of the foam insulation layer. When joined with other insulated siding panels, the interlocking occurs along the foam insulation layers to form an unbroken layer of insulation.
US08201363B2
Systems are provided for use in balcony structures. The system includes a joist comprising an upper chord and a lower chord separated by a web. One end of the joist is supported by a supporting member and a cantilevered balcony extends generally perpendicularly from the supporting member. The cantilevered balcony comprises a cementitious balcony slab extending from a cementitious floor slab. The cementitious floor slab includes a backspan region extending from the top of the supporting member opposite the cementitious balcony slab. A portion of the joist in the backspan region comprises a decking supporting member coupled to the web. The joist in the backspan region supports decking using the decking supporting member; however, the joist beyond the backspan region supports decking above the upper chord. In this way, the cementitious floor slab in the backspan region is thicker than the cementitious floor slab beyond the backspan region.
US08201359B1
A shaft in a cylindrical configuration has upper and lower ends and a cylindrical passageway. A housing forms a chamber with an open top and an open bottom. The chamber is in operative communication with the passageway. A sheet has a center, a periphery and a central extent. The sheet has a deployed orientation. The deployed orientation is in a generally hemispherical configuration. The center of the sheet is supported by the housing. The periphery of the sheet is provided adjacent to ground around the shaft. In this manner the plant is covered. The sheet has a stored orientation. The center of the sheet in the passageway is provided adjacent to the lower end. The central extent of the sheet is provided there above.
US08201356B2
An ice fishing line protection device, for protecting micro fishing line as light as one or two pound test, comprising an elongated tube with an internal passageway through which a fishing line may pass. The protection device floats in an ice fishing hole protecting the line from abrasions. The protection device opens to release the line or it can be extracted from the ice hole entirely when a fish is caught.
US08201353B1
A modular hand guard assembly serves both as a hand guard system and as an integrated interface system for mounting various weapon accessories and attachments thereto. The modular hand guard assembly includes a removable forward rail section that can be removed from the forward portion of the hand guard to provide for the installation of additional weapon accessories such as lights, optics or lasers in highly a desirable forward location adjacent to the barrel of the weapon. The modular hand guard assembly further includes a removable lower hand guard to provide access to the barrel of the firearm and an integrated modular switching and control system for use in connection with the various powered accessories mounted thereto.
US08201344B2
A hand drying apparatus includes a high-pressure airflow generator that takes air through an air inlet and generates a high-pressure airflow, a main body casing, a first air path that is protruded from the main body casing, and a nozzle that is located in a position ahead of the main body casing in a direction of the first air path. The main body casing includes a main-body air inlet through which outside air is taken and a second air path that causes air from the main-body air inlet to flow upward and then downward to a level where the air inlet of the high-pressure airflow generator is located.
US08201340B2
A measuring staff (10) having a upper section (11) comprising a first elongated member (12) which can carry in a fixed position therealong a laser detector of a laser levelling system or a sighting marker of an optical measuring system, and a second elongated member (13) telescopically extendable and retractable relative to the first member (12), a graduated scale (18) on the first member (13) and a pointer (17) on the second member which indicates the extension or retraction of the second member (13) relative to the first member (12), a spring (20) for urging the second member (13) outwardly from the first member (11), the second member (13) being selectively lockable to the first member, and an extension section (14,15) at the lower end of the upper section and extendable therefrom.
US08201338B2
A positioning device, used in antenna's testing system, includes a crane, a fastening device, a testing antenna and a laser generator. The crane includes a gearing with a sliding shoe thereon. The fastening device is fixed on the sliding shoe of the crane. The testing antenna is fixed in font of the fastening device. The laser generator is fastened on the fastening device and located on a level different from the testing antenna. The laser generator sends out laser for defining the position of the testing antenna.
US08201334B2
A roller bearing assembly includes an annular outer ring with first and second outer ring shoulders that define a first raceway in the outer ring. An annular inner ring may be disposed substantially concentrically within the outer ring, the inner ring including a base portion and first and second inner ring shoulders that extend from and are integral with the base portion to define a second raceway in the inner ring. A plurality of rolling elements may be arranged between the inner ring and outer ring and within the first and second raceways to rotatably couple the outer ring to the inner ring.
US08201331B2
A method of making a catalytic converter includes providing a catalyst substrate having a substrate periphery and a mat support disposed thereon. The method also includes providing a metal shell having a shell wall having a shell periphery and a bore that is configured to receive the catalyst substrate and mat support. It further includes inserting the catalyst substrate and mat support into the bore of the metal shell in slidable engagement therewith. Still further it includes reducing the shell periphery while applying an axial force sufficient to cause translation of the catalyst substrate and mat support relative to the bore until the force reaches a predetermined retention force threshold, whereupon the reducing of the shell periphery and translation of the catalyst substrate is stopped.
US08201330B1
The present invention is directed to a physiological recording device, or other types of sensors to detect a biopotential, and more particularly, a physiological recording electrode that can be used without skin preparation or the use of electrolytic gels. The invention is further directed to the configurations of structures on the physiological recording electrode's lower surface. The structures having a length, width, and height, which are capable, at least in part, of transmitting an electric potential from the skin which can be measured. The structures may or may not limit the depth of application, and/or anchor the electrode or other device during normal application, and/or allow for uniform application of the electrode or other device over unprepared skin.
US08201323B2
A hypodermic needle extraction device for removing a hypodermic needle from a syringe having a syringe body and a luer, the device including at least one guide rod disposed with the device, a carriage assembly having a carriage slidably mounted on the guide rod, and a needle extraction assembly configured to grasp the needle such that the needle is separated from the syringe body as the syringe body and needle are urged apart.
US08201321B2
Provided is a method of manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic recording head which can enhance accuracy and simplify the manufacturing process. The method includes: forming a photoresist pattern having an opening part; forming a non-magnetic layer so as to narrow the opening part by a dry film forming method such as ALD method; stacking a seed layer and a plating layer so as to bury the opening part provided with the non-magnetic layer; and forming a main magnetic pole layer by polishing the non-magnetic layer, the seed layer, and the plating layer by CMP method until the photoresist pattern is exposed. The final opening width is unsusceptible to variations, thus reducing the number of the steps of forming the main magnetic layer.
US08201313B1
A device and method for aligning a carrier roll to a riding ring on a rotating piece of equipment by checking the degree to which a plane on the face of the carrier roll is parallel to a plane on the face of the riding ring.
US08201309B1
Various connectors are shown and disclosed for attaching rope, cable or synthetic lines to fixed surfaces. Lashing line is used between the connector on the line and the connector attached to the fixed surface. Alternative embodiments are shown that use a cleat or a cam for securing the lashing line for adjusting the overall line length. The lines and connectors can be used for rigging in sailing vessels and for any other application requiring strong lines, connectors and light weight.
US08201307B2
A door handle assembly providing an entry function includes a sleeve, a spindle and a handle that fits over the sleeve. Gap and play between the handle and the sleeve is eliminated by tightening of a threaded fastener against an inner surface of the handle. A tool is selectively received through an opening in the spindle for tightening the threaded fastener. The opening in the spindle is alignable with an aperture in the handle when in an unlocked condition. The tool is then permitted to extend through the aperture and the opening in the spindle to engage the threaded fastener. A second end of the threaded fastener abuts the inner surface of the handle, securing the handle to the sleeve. Another door handle assembly according to this invention provides a privacy function and includes a threaded fastener that contacts an inner surface of a door handle assembly.
US08201306B2
A hinge apparatus of an engine hood for a vehicle which is provided between a hood panel and a vehicle body panel to ensure rotation of the hood panel. The hinge apparatus includes a hinge bracket mounted to a vehicle body panel, a hinge arm mounted to the hood panel and hinged to the hinge bracket by a hinge shaft and including a rail slot formed at one end thereof, a support link unit pivotally linking the hinge bracket to the hinge arm, and a return link unit pivotally linking the support link unit and the rail slot of the hinge arm so that the support link unit is selectively locked by the return link unit.
US08201305B2
A hinge construction, suitable for a wing mirror unit for a motor vehicle, includes a first hinge part configured for mounting on the motor vehicle and a second hinge part, pivotably connected with the first hinge part via a base shaft. The second hinge part is configured to support a mirror support. In an embodiment, the base shaft is translatably connected with one of the hinge parts, the other hinge part is arranged pivotably about the base shaft, and the hinge parts cooperate via a track guide, which causes the hinge parts upon pivoting to rotate relative to each other, and a straight guide, which cases the hinge parts upon pivoting to translate relative to each other.
US08201304B2
An apparatus including a frame, a door and a compliant hinge mechanism hingably mounting the door to the frame, the compliant hinge mechanism including a resistance configured to provide a preload to balance the door in a first open position and an increasing force resisting further opening of the door when the preload is overcome and the door is opened past the first open position.
US08201292B2
A patient support apparatus includes a support surface, which includes at least one fluid bladder and a recess, and a fluid delivery system configured to deliver fluid to the bladder, with at least a portion of the fluid delivery system being located in the recess. The fluid delivery system includes a pump having a fluid output and a fluid input. The apparatus further includes a chamber wall that defines a chamber in fluid communication with the fluid input or output of the pump, with the chamber wall absorbing vibration from the pump when the pump is operated to output fluid at its fluid output.
US08201288B2
A booth for automatic spray application of multiple liquids onto a human subject may include an HVLP nozzle including a nozzle tip, an air inlet port connected to an air pathway, a linear slide operably connected to a motor and to the HVLP nozzle, a plurality of check valves, and a controller, where the controller is operably connected to the motor and configured to cause the motor to move the HVLP nozzle vertically along at least a portion of the linear slide thereby adjusting the vertical position of the nozzle tip, where the controller is further configured to control an air source for causing air to flow through the air pathway, and where the controller is further configured to control one or more liquid sources for causing the first liquid associated with the first liquid inlet port from the multiple liquid inlet ports to flow through the first liquid inlet port from the multiple liquid inlet ports and the second liquid associated with the second liquid inlet port from the multiple liquid inlet ports to flow through the second liquid inlet port from the multiple liquid inlet ports.
US08201279B1
A protective plate assembly comprises a plurality of overlapping rigid plates (1, 2, 3) for covering a wearer's chest and abdomen, the plates being attached together such that the amount of overlap between successive plates is variable. Elements (13, 16) of compressible material are provided, distributed on an inner side of the assembly, such that when the amount of overlap between the plates (1, 2, 3) increases, the elements move closer together in the direction in which said overlap increases, and vice versa. Two adjacent plates of the assembly are attached to each other by means of a peg (12) extending from one of said plates, which peg is captive within a slot (9) on the other of said plates, the slot running substantially perpendicular to the overlapping edges of the plates.
US08201274B2
The present invention provides a communication device for use in coaching and sports events. The invention includes, in one embodiment, a waterproof radio receiver embodied in a helmet.
US08201272B2
A protective sports glove including a contoured wrist cuff that substantially shields a gap defined between adjacent portions of the protective sports glove, such as hand and cuff portions. The contoured wrist cuff and/or the cuff portion can include multiple segments that enable the wrist cuff to flex with a wearer's wrist. The contoured wrist cuff can include a leading edge that contours forwardly adjacent a thumb portion of the contoured wrist cuff and rearwardly across a portion of the radial side of a wearer's hand when the glove is on the wearer's hand. This can allow protection of the wearer's wrist in flexion without also impairing movement of the wearer's wrist.
US08201271B2
Bulletproof vests, body armor, and other tactical vests with quick release buckle mechanisms are described along with methods of their use. The multi-point buckle mechanisms release upon rotating a shaft, allowing the vest panels and straps to fall cleanly to the ground without knocking the wearer off balance. Waist belt clips allow a wearer to put the vest on over his or her head without engaging the emergency release, or the multi-point buckle mechanism can release only the waist straps upon rotating the shaft in the opposite direction. A flap protects the rotatable quick release mechanism from inadvertent activation.
