US08231449B2
A method and system for implementing an instant-win lottery game includes receiving a player's wager and selection of a game at a point-of-sale (POS) lottery location. The player receives a lottery ticket corresponding to the selected game, with the lottery ticket including a unique identification code that dictates the outcome of the game. The player accesses the lottery authority system via a wireless internet enabled mobile device to display and play and instant-win game to reveal the outcome of the lottery ticket.
US08231446B2
An adjustable vane system for an axial-flow, rotary combine housing that incorporates at least one flat wall section as part of the otherwise cylindrical or oblong, curved housing cover, and adjustable vanes having flat bases that are angularly adjusted on the surface of the flat wall section. The housing includes fixed vanes on a curved portion of the housing cover that have a lead ends, in a direction of circumferential crop movement, substantially in registry with trailing ends of the adjustable vanes. The adjustable vanes include pivot connections near the trailing ends and swing connections near the lead ends of the adjustable vanes. All of the adjustable vanes are gang together and moved together. A mechanism is provided to swing the adjustable vanes from a position corresponding to the normal helical path of the fixed vanes to a bypass position wherein crop flow through the adjustable vanes will skip one or more passes between the fixed vanes on the next pass through the fixed vanes.
US08231445B2
A ductwork system including a duct having a plurality of ducting panels joined together to define a flow passage extending therethrough, and the duct having structure for resisting damage thereto caused by a detonation within the duct. The structure for resisting damage can include an internal bracing within and extending across the flow passage of the duct to tie at least two sides of the duct together. For example, the internal bracing can be a reinforcement panel including a mounting frame with one or more elongated members extending from one side of the frame attached to a ducting panel to another side of the frame attached to an opposite ducting panel. Alternatively or in addition to the above structure, the duct can have structure for resisting damage that includes providing the duct with at least one curved or faceted side along an axial length of the duct.
US08231444B2
A method and system for filleting poultry or poultry parts is provided, which can include a conveyor system incorporating carriers for the poultry or poultry parts, with at least one processing station provided in or along the path of the conveyor system for processing the poultry or poultry parts. The processing station can be a cutting instrument that is placed behind a fillet scraper, and is embodied with a knife having a cutting-edge or cutting edges for cutting loose tissue connections that have remained between the carcass of the poultry or poultry part and its inner and outer fillets after passing the fillet scraper.
US08231441B2
A stuffing apparatus includes: a stuffing nozzle for discharging a stuffing material from a discharge port into a casing; a stuffing pump for feeding the stuffing material into the stuffing nozzle; a casing pushing device which has a casing pusher and a fluid cylinder having a cylinder, a piston, and a rod, and which is adapted to push in a direction toward the discharge port of said stuffing nozzle a trailing end portion of a casing which is yet to be stuffed and is in a shirred state; and a movement stop detecting device (casing breakage detecting device) for detecting stoppage of the casing pushing device in the course of its movement.
US08231434B2
In order to be able to economically carry out machining of a turbine rotor having blades consisting of different materials, by a high-speed grinding machine, a magazine for the grinding wheels and an automatically operating grinding wheel changer are provided. A plurality of different grinding wheels to be held are made available, which different grinding wheels are adapted to the respective blade materials. A flat-construction coupling is developed in order to be able to couple the grinding wheels with the receiving devices in the grinding wheel changer.
US08231432B1
Optical polishing pitch formulations include synthetic polymers or other synthetic resins. As alternatives to traditional optical pitches, these materials offer improved stability in use, storage, and processing. In addition, these pitch compositions may be masterbatched and manufactured with precision to ensure superior reproducibility and quality control in polishing performance.
US08231431B2
The present invention generally relates to an edge deletion module positioned within an automated solar cell fabrication line. The edge deletion module may include a grinding wheel device for removing material from edge regions of a solar cell device and cleaning the edge regions of the solar cell device after removing the material. The edge deletion module may also include an abrasive element, a portion of which is ground as it is periodically, laterally advanced toward the grinding wheel device. A controller is provided for controlling the operation and function of various facets of the module.
US08231424B2
A light-emitting element is provided which has a light-emitting layer between a first electrode and a second electrode, where the light-emitting layer has a first layer and a second layer; the first layer contains a first organic compound and a third organic compound; the second layer contains a second organic compound and the third organic compound; the first layer is provided to be in contact with the second layer on the first electrode side; the first organic compound is an organic compound with an electron transporting property; the second organic compound is an organic compound with a hole transporting property; the third organic compound has an electron trapping property; and light emission from the third organic compound can be obtained when voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode so that the potential of the first electrode is higher than that of the second electrode.
US08231420B2
A submersible mooring buoy for a floating vessel comprises a compartmented hull; a plurality of non-buoyant, catenary anchor lines each connected to the hull and a spring buoy such that the hull may be submerged without sinking to the seafloor by flooding selected compartments; and, a plurality of mooring legs anchoring each spring buoy to the seafloor.
US08231417B2
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing and a plurality of contacts is received in the housing. The insulative housing defines a mounting face, a mating face perpendicular to the mounting face and a number of passageways opening to both the mounting face and the mating face. Each contact includes a contacting portion located in front of the mating face of the insulative housing, and a first soldering portion and a second soldering portion adjacent to the mounting face. The second soldering portion is closer to the mating face relative to the first soldering portion.
US08231416B2
A spring contact assembly having a first plunger with a tail portion having a flat contact surface and a second plunger having a tail portion with a flat contact surface wherein the flat contact surfaces are overlapping and are surrounded by an external compression spring such that the sliding engagement of the flat surfaces increases during compression of the spring.
US08231414B2
An interconnect subsystem having a sensor, at least one substrate, at least one contact assembly to said sensor and said substrate, and optionally a registration pin connected to said sensor and passing through said substrate. The contact assembly includes a guide tube, a spring within the guide tube, and a transmission tube having a contact surface and at least partially within the guide tube and forced outward by the spring, such that the contact surface contacts conductive pads on the substrate.
US08231394B2
Button device having a separable operation part and an electronic device having such a button device
A button device includes a button operations part; a button base part connected to a mechanism part, the mechanism part being operated by operating the button operations part; and a connecting part configured to connect the button base part and the button operations part to each other at least based on the operation of the button operations part. The connecting part includes a mechanism configured to break connection between the button operations part and the button base part in a case where an external force equal to or greater than strength of the button base part is applied to the button operations part.
US08231383B2
The present invention provides a handheld portable, efficient instrument for curing light-curable compounds. The instrument comprises a housing, a light emitted structure supported in the housing, and a reflector configured to interface with the light emitting structure such that light emitted is captured and directed by the reflector onto a light-curable compound. The reflector maximizes the amount of light transferred and contacting the light-curable compound thereby reducing the instrument=s power requirements and improving efficiency. The light emitting structure comprises state of the art, energy efficient, light generating dies. The curing light instrument may also have a self-contained power supply lending portability and convenient of use.
US08231375B2
An apparatus for wet granulating a powder material comprises:—a barrel having a granulation chamber and being provided with a first inlet (1) for receiving said powder material and for supplying it to said granulation chamber and with a second inlet (2) for receiving a granulating liquid and for supplying it to said granulation chamber, said granulation having an aperture (9) for discharge of granules from said barrel, and—a transporting means (S) for advancing said powder material toward the end of said granulation chamber while granulating it with the aid of said granulating liquid, said transporting means (S) comprising a first transport zone (4) at its rear end, an agglomeration zone (5) downstream from the first transport zone (4) and a second transport zone (8) at its front end, said first inlet (1) and said second inlet (2) being positioned above the first transport zone (4), wherein said aperture (9) has a shape tightly fitting the terminal portion of the transporting means (S) for directly discharging said granules from the granulation chamber. The apparatus is useful for continuously wet granulating biologically-active ingredient formulations, chemicals, detergents and foodstuffs.
US08231374B2
In certain aspects of the invention, an extrusion apparatus for making a multilayer article includes multiple discs, each of which has at least one passageway configured to permit fluid flow therethrough in a flow direction. At least one of the discs includes a cone shaped portion extending substantially parallel to the flow direction.
US08231373B2
Disclosed is an insert molding apparatus employed to form a plastic product with an insert. The insert has an inserting unit and an extending unit. The insert molding apparatus comprises a cope plate, a lower die and a holding mechanism. The cope plate is formed with a cavity. The extending unit dips into the cavity. The holding mechanism is installed on the lower die to hold the extending unit of the insert. When the insert molding apparatus of the present invention is opened, the holding mechanism can hold the extending unit of the insert to prevent the plastic product sticking to the cope plate. Accordingly, it is capable to prevent the plastic product crushed when the insert molding apparatus is closed again.
US08231368B2
A multi-stage rotary compressor comprises: a casing having a sealed space therein; a driving unit installed in the casing, for generating a driving force; a first compression unit and a second compression unit for receiving the driving force from the driving unit and compressing a refrigerant; and a connection unit for connecting the first and second compression units and guiding the refrigerant discharged from the second compression unit to be sucked directly in the first compression unit and then re-compressed, by which it is possible to vary capacity, even using every plurality of compression units, and to obtain power saving effect suitable for a saving mode.
US08231366B2
A fan includes a frame, a motor, a hub and several blades surrounding around the hub. The frame includes a motor base, and the motor is disposed on the motor base and inside of the frame. The motor includes a bushing, a bearing, a shaft and at least one silicon steel sheet. The bushing has an internal wall, an external wall, and a hollow portion disposed between the internal wall and the external wall. The bushing is molded as a single piece and is unitary in construction. The bearing is disposed within the bushing, the shaft passes through the bearing, and the hub is connected with the shaft. The silicon steel sheet is disposed around the bushing.
US08231365B2
An electric compressor includes a built-in electric motor for driving the compressor and a connection section between an external terminal for power supply to the electric motor and the end of a wire from a stator of the electric motor and is stored in a compressor housing. The connection section is constructed from a housing side coupler engaged with the compressor housing, a power supply-external terminal side coupler engaged with the housing side coupler, and a stator side coupler for holding the end of the wire from the stator, fitted to the power supply-external terminal side coupler, and engaged with the housing side coupler. Vibration resistance of a terminal connection section for the motor is improved and breakage and momentary electrical interruption at the terminal connection section may be prevented, with productivity of the compressor maintained at a good level.
US08231357B2
A high-pressure compressor (1) for compressing gases, which has at least two working spaces (3, 3′) and is optionally adjustable between a single-stage operating position, in which the gas to be compressed is compressed in one single stage, and a multi-stage operating position, in which at least one working space (3′) is connected in series with at least one further working space (3), wherein at least three working spaces (3, 3′) are provided which all have the same working volume.
US08231347B2
Drive units for variable-length rotor blades are located so as to move mass closer to the center of a wind turbine rotor. In some cases, drive units are located within a root portion of a base blade of a blade assembly. In other cases, drive units are located outside of the blade assemblies. In some such cases, drive units are contained within separate couplers used to connect blade assemblies to a wind turbine rotor hub. In other cases, one or more drive units are located within a rotor hub.
US08231339B2
Expansion turbine having a variable nozzle mechanism comprises an adiabatic expansion device located in a vacuum container having a turbine impeller therein which rotates and drives the turbine impeller during adiabatic expansion of very low temperature gas, and varies the throat area of very low temperature gas introduced in the turbine impeller by driving a nozzle member disposed near the outside end of the adiabatic expansion device by a drive force from a driving member located outside the vacuum container; wherein the driving member comprises a cylindrical member disposed coaxially with the turbine impeller, and the nozzle member is provided on the extension of the body of the cylindrical member in the axial direction.
US08231337B2
The invention relates to a pump for pumping contaminated liquid including solid matter, comprising a pump housing provided with a rotatable impeller suspended in a drive shaft and having at least one vane, and an impeller seat, at least one part of the impeller and the impeller seat being movable in the axial direction in relation to each other. Furthermore, the impeller seat presents at least one groove in the top surface thereof.
US08231333B2
A fan unit has a fan (10). Associated with the fan is an air-guiding tube (22) through which the fan (10) transports air, during operation. The air-guiding tube (22) is connected to at least one carrier tube (23) for suspension of the fan (10). The fan includes a carrier part (25). A damping member (30) is arranged between the carrier part (25) and the carrier tube (23) to reduce any structure-borne sound which occurs during operation of the fan (10).
US08231332B2
The present invention relates to a nacelle for a turbojet, comprising an air inlet structure capable of channelling a flow of air to a turbojet fan and a middle structure (5) comprising a casing (9) designed to encircle said fan, with the air inlet structure attached to it, said structure having a peripheral inside surface at least partly equipped with a sound-attenuating structure (13) extending without geometrical interruption around at least part of the casing, said structure being characterized in that a gap (14) is provided between the sound-attenuating structure and the casing.
US08231331B2
A centrifugal blowing apparatus for reducing flow-induced noise is disclosed. The apparatus includes a blower housing having a scroll section formed about a rotational axis and an exhaust section extending from the scroll section. The scroll section includes an opening defining an inlet configured to draw in air and the exhaust section defines an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet. The scroll section commences with a reduced cross-sectional area defining a cutoff and expands to an increased cross-sectional area. An impeller is disposed in the opening of the scroll section about the rotational axis and includes an outer surface having impeller blades radially disposed thereon. The impeller blades rotate to direct a flow of air from the inlet through the scroll section to the outlet. A plurality of indentations is formed along an inner surface of the scroll section at the cutoff.
US08231330B1
A turbine rotor blade with a row of exit slots adjacent to a trailing edge region of the airfoil that extends from the platform to the blade tip, where the row of exit slots is formed into three groups that include an upper span group, a mid-span group and a lower span group. The upper span group discharges film cooling air upward with respect to the airfoil chordwise direction, the mid-span group discharges along the chordwise direction, and the lower span group discharges in a direction downward with respect to the chordwise direction. Each exit slot is formed with a plurality of metering inlet holes that discharge into a first diffusion section and then a second diffusion section.
US08231325B1
A deer loader includes a motor and winch plate attached to a mounting plate, which is preferably attached to a vehicle bed. A vertical stand is pivotally attached to motor and winch plate, with a pivoting arm attached to the top of the vertical stand. A winch is attached to the motor and winch plate, with a motor attached to the winch. A cable is wound around the winch and runs through a series of pulleys on the motor and winch plate, vertical stand, and pivoting arm, with an end mounted hook being attached to the cable.
US08231324B2
The article storage facility comprises an article transporter configured to move along a path via an article transfer location with respect to an article storage rack; an article loader for bringing articles into and taking articles out of the article storage rack, provided to the article storage rack so as to project and retract between a protruding position for article receipt that projects to an outside of the article storage rack, and a retracted position for retracting toward the article storage rack; and a protrusion and retraction operating device provided to the article transporter, for causing the article loader to protrude and retract between the protruding position and the retracted position when the article transporter is at the article transfer location.
US08231316B2
A cargo rack for transferring loads between a marine vessel and an offshore marine platform (for example, oil and gas well drilling or production platform) provides a frame having a front, a rear, and upper and lower end portions. The lower end of the frame has a perimeter beam base, a raised floor and a pair of open-ended parallel fork tine tubes or sockets that communicate with the perimeter beam at the front and rear of the frame, preferably being structurally connected (e.g., welded) thereto. Openings in the perimeter beam base align with the forklift tine tubes or sockets. The frame includes a plurality of fixed side walls extending upwardly from the perimeter beam that include at least left and right side walls. A plurality of gates are movably mounted on the frame including a gate at least at the front and at least at the rear of the frame, each gate being movable between open and closed positions, the gates enabling a forklift to place fluid holding tanks on the floor by accessing either the front of the frame or the rear of the frame. A manifold arrangement with specially configured fittings enables transfer of fluid in any tank to a common outlet.
US08231310B2
A coating powder feed unit containing a powder pump which in a suction operating mode aspirates coating powder into a powder chamber (30) and in a pressure operating mode expels coating powder by means of compressed air out of the powder chamber (30). Said unit includes a pressure tester (64) measuring the compressed air pressure and generating a test signal based on the measured compressed air pressure.
US08231301B1
Asymmetrical joint systems, structures having interlocking joints, methods of fabricating asymmetric joint systems and methods for fabricating structures having interlocking joints. In a preferred embodiment, the invention a joint system comprising an asymmetrical mortise into which an asymmetrical tenon fits. In another preferred embodiment, the invention is a quadrilateral structure that incorporates a diamond-shaped bracing system. In another preferred embodiment, the invention is a quadrilateral structure that incorporates a rotational lockdown component.
US08231292B2
An apparatus for modifying a keratinous surface that has a rotatable applicator that is in fluid communication with a first modification composition. The apparatus also has a sensor and a CPU. The sensor is positioned forward of the applicator head such that as the head rolls across the keratinous surface the sensor reads the portion of the keratinous surface in front of the rolling head. The sensor readings are transmitted to the CPU, the CPU analyzes the sensor readings of the keratinous surface, and the CPU sends a signal to the applicator head to treat or not to treat the analyzed surface. When the CPU sends a signal to the applicator to treat the surface, a small portion of the first modification composition is applied to the head such that when the head rolls over the keratinous surface the first modification composition contacts the area of the keratinous surface that needs treatment.
US08231291B2
According to an aspect of the present invention, a thermal printer includes a housing in which a space is formed, printing means disposed in the housing, a cover disposed in the housing and which comes into contact with and separates from the housing when rotated, thereby opening and closing the space, urging means for urging the cover in a direction away from the housing, an engaging part which is disposed in the housing and which prevents the movement of the cover in a direction away from the housing when engaged with the cover, a pressed part which is disposed rotatably in the cover and which moves the engaging part when pressed, thereby releasing engagement between the cover and the engaging part, and elastic means arranged to urge the pressed part in a direction away from the engaging part.
US08231290B2
An image recording apparatus includes a conveying unit for conveying a continuous medium, on which an image is recorded by an image recording unit, with a predetermined tension and speed, a cutting unit having a cut roller and an anvil roller, which are arranged to face each other in order to be able to cut the continuous medium and rotate with a predetermined rotation number, a leading unit having a pair of leading rollers that are arranged between the conveying unit and the cutting unit and nip and lead the continuous medium to the cutting unit, and a controlling unit for performing a control for temporarily suspending the pair of leading rollers, for leading the continuous medium to be cuttable into a short cut paper sheet shorter than a normal sheet.
US08231283B2
A waveguide connector includes a ferrule with a number of waveguides inserted thereinto. The ferrule includes a front mating surface, a rear surface, front and rear passageways extending through the front and the rear mating surfaces, respectively. The front and the rear passageways are in communication with each other while the front passageway is thinner than the rear passageway. The waveguide each includes a number of cores and a cladding layer enclosing the cores. The front part of the cladding layer is of rectangular shape and includes four peripheral surfaces which are so limited by four inner surfaces of the front passageway, respectively, so as to precisely position the waveguides.
US08231275B2
A slide bearing bush with an integrated sealing element permits a relatively simple and economical production of the slide bearing bush. The slide bearing bush includes a bush part and a cover part. The bush part and/or the cover part is provided with an annular groove formed for holding the sealing element, and the slide bearing bush comprised of the bush part and the cover part possesses a cylindrical outside contour.
US08231274B2
A motion guide device that has a novel damping structure different from the conventional damping structure is provided. The present invention comprises a raceway member (1) having a rolling-element rolling part (1a); a moving member (2) having a loaded rolling-element rolling part (2a) facing the rolling-element rolling part (1a) and being allowed to make a linear or curved movement relatively to the raceway member (1); and a plurality of rolling elements (3) intervening between the rolling-element rolling part (1a) of the raceway member (1) and the loaded rolling-element rolling part (2a) of the moving part (2). A gap (16) between the raceway member (1) and the moving member (2) is filled with a layer of oil contacting the raceway member (1) and the moving member (2). Viscosity resistance of the oil is utilized to apply a braking force to the moving member (2) or the raceway member (1) in proportion to a speed.
US08231270B2
The present invention is directed to the use of mobile sensors to collect temperature information used to control, inter alia, rail vehicle speed, acceleration, or scheduling.
US08231266B2
An apparatus for ascertaining and/or monitoring at least one temperature. The apparatus includes, according to a first variable, at least one temperature sensor, at least one reference temperature sensor and at least one heating/cooling unit, which is thermally coupled with the temperature sensor and with the reference temperature sensor. According to a second variant, the invention includes that at least one reference temperature sensor and the temperature sensor and the reference temperature sensor are embodied and placed in such a manner that they measure essentially the same temperature. At least one head transmitter is provided, which connects the temperature sensor and the reference temperature sensor with the head transmitter in such a manner that the head transmitter receives the data measured by the temperature sensor and the reference temperature sensor. At least one memory unit is provided, in which the measured data of the temperature sensor and the reference temperature sensor are storable.
US08231264B2
Extruder (1) for processing material, comprising an extruder barrel (3) containing a bore (5) and at least one extruder screw (11) positioned within said bore, the bore having an upstream inlet portion for feeding the material to be processed and a downstream outlet portion connectable to an extruder exit (7) for material processed through the extruder, the at least one extruder screw has a length:diameter ratio of less than 20:1, the extruder further comprising at least one recycling channel (13, 15) running through the barrel from the outlet portion of the bore and at least two recycling exits (19, 21, 23) that connect a recycling channel to the bore upstream of the outlet portion by and further comprising means for directing the material through the at least one recycling channel and the recycling exits and/or the extruder exit.
US08231262B1
Recycled asphalt product is heated within an indirectly heated recycled asphalt product heater by passing heated gases through heat exchange members within a drum while the recycled asphalt product is moved through the drum from one end to the other end of the drum. The heat exchange members provide conduits for the heated gases, the conduits extending from an inlet adjacent a source of heated gases to an outlet communicating with an exhaust, each conduit following a looped path and having two or more segments each with a longitudinal length extending from adjacent one end of the drum to adjacent the other end of the drum. The segments are arranged serially in a serpentine configuration, are generally parallel to one another, and are spaced apart radially within the interior of the drum. Each inlet is coupled with the source of heated gases for longitudinal movement of the inlet relative to the drum along an inlet site adjacent the source of heated gases, and each outlet is connected to the drum for affixing the outlet against longitudinal movement relative to the drum at an outlet site adjacent one of the ends of the drum. The configuration and orientation of the conduits enable longitudinal expansion and contraction of the conduits in response to heating and cooling of the conduits, while the outlets remain essentially stationary at the outlet site.
US08231248B2
An LED unit includes an LED and a lens receiving the LED. The lens includes a first light-incident face confronting the LED to refract the light emitted from the LED with a small angle into the lens, a second light-incident face surrounding the LED to refract the light emitted from the LED with a large angle into the lens, a light-reflecting face to reflect the light from the second light-incident face towards a top of the LED, a first light-emergent face to refract the light from the first light-incident face out of the lens, and a second light-emergent face to refract the light from the light-reflecting face out of the lens.
US08231247B2
A moveable barrier operator includes a motor for moving a moveable barrier and a housing is disposed around the motor. The moveable barrier operator also includes a plurality of light sources and the plurality of light source are coupled to the housing along a periphery of the housing and being individually directable so as to illuminate at least one predetermined area outside the housing. The at least one predetermined area is proximal to a moveable barrier operator. A controller disposed in the housing and coupled to the motor. The controller is arranged and configured to automatically selectively actuate the motor to move the moveable barrier according to received user instructions.
US08231219B2
The present invention provides improved ophthalmic lenses and methods for their design and use. Monofocal and multifocal diffractive ophthalmic lenses having reduced light scatter, improved light energy distribution properties, and/or other improvements in optical performance are provided. These properties are provided, at least in part, by the diffractive profiles of the invention, often having subtlety shaped echelettes with appropriately curving profiles. Smooth diffractive profiles may be used reduce light scatter. Diffractive profiles may be configured to limit the light energy in certain selected orders, thereby improving viewing quality and mitigating unwanted effects such as dysphotopsia. Diffractive profiles of may additionally or alternatively vary the light energy distributed between individual echelettes, providing additional advantages in various viewing situations.
US08231214B2
An apparatus fixes ink on a substrate, such as in ink-jet printing. A leveling member is positioned to contact an ink-bearing side of the substrate at a nip. A radiation source is positioned to direct radiation to the ink-bearing side of the substrate at the nip, the radiation suitable for curing the ink on the substrate.
US08231213B2
An inkjet ink composition includes a colorant, two or more hydrophilic organic solvents, and particles of a polymer containing a structural unit derived from a hydrophilic monomer and a structural unit derived from a hydrophobic monomer. The polymer has a glass transition temperature of 150° C. or higher and an I/O value of from 0.2 to 0.55, and the particles of the polymer have a volume average particle diameter of from 0.1 to 10 nm.
US08231209B2
The liquid container has a side wall with a bias-force receiving part. The liquid jetting apparatus has a liquid container holder. The holder is equipped with a feed needle, a holder-side electrode, and bias force part. The feed needle receives feed of liquid from the liquid container. The holder-side electrode is electrically connected with the container. The bias force part exerts a bias force on the bias-force receiving part. The liquid container is equipped with a feed part with a feed port and a container-side electrode. The feed port opens onto the front wall and receives the feed needle. The container-side electrode is secured to be electrically connected with the holder-side electrode. The biasing direction is established such that an extended line extending in the biasing direction from the bias-force receiving part is offset from the container-side electrode towards the side wall side.
US08231195B2
This invention is directed to a print element substrate including a plurality of print element arrays in which different numbers of print elements are arranged. The print element substrate can efficiently transfer data to each print element and efficiently lay out circuits. The print element substrate includes the following arrangement. More specifically, a first print element array having a relatively large number of print elements, and a plurality of second print element arrays which are equal in length to the first print element array and smaller in the number of print elements than the first print element array are juxtaposed. The print element substrate includes one shift register which holds data for driving the print elements of the first print element array, and one shift register which holds data for driving the print elements of the second print element arrays.
US08231191B2
A shelf, particularly for a refrigerator or the like, including at least one panel and at least one attached plastic structure. The shelf is preferably obtained by shrinking the structure after assembling the panel and the structure. The attached plastic structure can mate and/or exert lateral pressure on the edge of the panel.
US08231185B1
A multi-purpose assembly capable of being used for many activities. In a first embodiment, a portable podium is formed from two lightweight frame boxes which quickly disconnect and disassemble completely. The first embodiment secures a flat screen video display unit to a front side of the podium to allow a presenter to present a video and audio presentation while standing behind the podium. In a second embodiment, a presentation is provided when the podium device is viewed from a back side and doors on that side are opened and secured to vertical right and left side walls. Multiple, removable support containers are arranged on the exposed interior of the presentation case and upon the exposed inside surfaces of the doors. Lights and sound can accompany presentation of goods or entertainment acts.
US08231179B2
A continuous mining machine cutting head structure is set forth. The head member is of the type having axially extensible and retractable end portions. Included within the head member is a toroidal hydraulic cylinder for selectively extending and retracting these end portions.
US08231176B2
An internal gear member and an external gear member of a reclining device are axially inserted into a cylindrical interior of a retainer member in order, so that the internal gear member that is inserted first faces a first bottom surface that is formed in an insertion direction side end periphery of the retainer member, and that the external gear member that is inserted later contacts a second bottom surface that is positioned closer to a reception side relative to the first bottom surface. A reception side end periphery of the retainer member is bent radially inwardly, so that the external gear member is integrated with the retainer member. A rear outer surface corresponding to a rear side surface of the first bottom surface of the retainer member has a radial width that corresponds to at least the sum of a radial width of the first bottom surface and a radial width of the second bottom surface.
US08231168B2
In an arranging structure of a wire harness for a door, the wire harness is spanned between a door of a motor vehicle and a vehicle body at an indoor side inside of a weather strip. The wire harness is drawn out from a space between a door inner panel and a door trim at the door side and is provided with an excess length portion that follows opening and closing operations of the door. The excess length portion is drawn out from the space when the door is opened. The excess length portion is drawn along an arcuate outer periphery of a speaker disposed in the space to be contained in the space when the door is closed.
US08231159B2
An improved severe duty grapple for attachment onto the end of a dipper stick of a backhoe has an arcuate-shaped upper jaw with an inner end and a backside. The upper jaw is pivotally attached near its inner end on its backside to the end of a dipper stick and a double action actuator or cylinder for operative pivotal movement of the upper jaw relative to the dipper stick. An arcuate-shaped lower jaw is provided with an inner end and a backside. The lower jaw is attached near its inner end on its backside to the dipper stick by a linkage for operative pivotal movement of the upper jaw relative to the lower jaw. A hollow tubular pivot is attached to the inner end of one of the jaws with open opposing ends. Two lug plates are mounted on the inner end of the other jaw each with an eyelet. The eyelets are alignable with the open ends of the tubular pivot. A pivot pin is passed through the tubular pivot and eyelets and secured thereat.
US08231153B2
A locking device for flaps, luggage compartment flaps, doors or lids comprising a housing, an actuating handle for unlocking a locking device pivotably arranged on the housing, an actuating lever, the actuating handle being supported on the housing as a rocker; a release wheel arranged pivotably on the housing and connected with the actuating lever to move unlocking rods; a locking bolt which is movable into a locking or a freewheeling position via an actuating element; a first, rotatably mounted driver disk which is rotatable by the release wheel; a second, rotatably mounted driver disk coupled to the first driver disk in order to be carried along by rotation of the first disk, for operating a locking handle connected thereto; freewheel for the actuating handle when the locking device is locked or unlocked, because a reversing lever, which can be actuated by the locking bolt, is arranged pivotably on the housing and is rotatable by the release wheel which forms a freewheel on both sides. The actuating handle receives a pivot shaft that carries along two driving cams to allow free running action. A side marking light or closing panel over the pivot shaft at the axis. A lock panel over the light or closing.
US08231151B2
A system for securing and releasing doors includes at least two electromagnetic latches and a controller. Each of the electromagnetic latches includes a coil configured to be energized by a power signal to create a magnetic field. The controller switches the power signal between the electromagnetic latches so that the power signal is supplied to the electromagnetic latches one at a time. The electromagnetic latches may be electromagnetic door holders, electromagnetic door locks, or any combination of the two.
US08231148B2
An assembly comprising a moveable panel, for example a swinging door or window, and a latching mechanism (10) for latching the panel (1) to at least one nearby element (2) in case the panel (1) is in a first, particularly closed, position, the latching mechanism (10) being provided with at least one first latch (11) and with operating means (13) for moving the latch (11) out of a first lateral side of the panel (1) from a panel-releasing position to a panel-latching position and vice-versa, wherein the at least one first latch (11) is dimensioned such that it extends along substantially the entire first lateral side of the panel (1).
US08231146B2
An electrolysis-resistant coupling assembly for connection with a line fitting of a fluid line includes a fitting having a first mating surface and having an aperture extending therethrough, wherein the fitting is configured to be aligned with and face the line fitting for coupling thereto. The assembly also includes a coupler having one end provided with an outer coupler flange, the fitting being loaded onto the coupler such that the outer coupler flange passes through the aperture. The assembly also includes a substantially non-compressible, electrically non-conductive rigid captive ring. The captive ring is positioned against the outer coupler flange and interposed between the fitting and the coupler to provide electrical separation between the fitting and the coupler, wherein the fitting is held against the captive ring when the fitting is interconnected with the line fitting.
US08231145B2
A coupling device includes a tubular body (100) having a plastics material portion provided with an anchor member (5) for anchoring the tubular body in a first duct, the anchor member being made of metal. The anchor member is secured to a metal support element (1) that is covered at least in part in a layer of plastics material (9) compatible with the plastics material of said tubular body portion and that is connected to said portion by local welding of said portion with said layer. A method of fabricating such a coupling device.
US08231143B2
A double pipe connection structure includes a joint member and a double pipe having an inner pipe and an outer pipe coaxially disposed therein. Further, the double pipe connection structure includes a supporting rib formed integrally therewith in an axial direction, wherein the supporting rib connects the inner pipe to the outer pipe. Further, the joint member includes a first hole into which the outer pipe is inserted and a second hole into which the inner pipe is inserted, wherein the second hole has a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the first hole, and wherein the first and second holes are bored to be aligned in an axial direction. Moreover, in the joint member, a first-pressure connecting hole communicates with the first hold and a second-pressure connecting hole communicates with the second hole, such that a pressure in the first-pressure connecting hole is lower than a pressure in the second-pressure connecting hole.
US08231141B2
The invention relates to a gas generator (10) for use in a safety device for motor vehicles comprising a housing and a propellant (4) contained in a combustion chamber (25) of the housing for generating a pressurized gas, the housing comprising a first housing part (40) and a second housing part (30) at least partly surrounded by the first housing part (40) and at least one igniter (6) for igniting the propellant (4), and an annular filter (50) surrounding the combustion chamber (25) in which the propellant (4) is located. The filter (50) comprises a peripheral portion (52) and a radial portion (51), the radial portion (51) serving as filling body for the propellant (4) in the combustion chamber (25).
US08231138B2
An active bolster for a vehicle is provided, wherein the bolster comprises an expansible hollow interior that is inflatable and is self-supporting in both an inflated and in an uninflated position. The bolster has an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow interior. The bolster has an inner wall for projecting inwardly into the vehicle and away from the side of the vehicle on inflation of the expansible hollow interior. The bolster may have a relatively non-expansible component located between a first expansible chamber and a second expansible chamber. The bolster may comprise an outer wall having an attachment portion for attaching the outer wall to a portion of the side of the vehicle.
US08231135B2
The invention encompasses a device for adjusting the trail of a cycle front wheel assembly including a hub for a wheel, the hub being adapted to receive an arrangement for tightening the wheel on a fork of the cycle and an interposed mechanism for adjusting the position of the fork center distance with respect to the transverse axis of the hub. The adjustment mechanism axially extends the hub and is configured and arranged to engage with a portion of the cycle fork so as to provide fork support as well as a predetermined setting of the position of the hub transverse axis with respect to the fork center distance. The invention also encompasses a wheel having such adjustment device, as well as a method of adjusting the trail.
US08231133B2
Knee walker assemblies and methods of manufacturing a knee walker assembly are provided herein. One concept of the present disclosure is directed to a knee walker assembly that includes a frame, a support platform and a handle mounted to the frame, at least one rear wheel mounted proximate the rear end of the frame, and at least two front wheels swivel mounted proximate the front end of the frame. A locking mechanism is operatively engaged with the at least two front wheels. The locking mechanism is configured to substantially simultaneously lock both of the at least two front wheels in a rigid-type mounting configuration.
US08231129B2
To avoid interference of a side lip when plural sealing devices are piled up, a sealing device installed on one member of two members rotating relatively is constructed by combining a mounting ring fitted on the one member and a rubber-like elastic body attached on the mounting ring, and has a side lip formed by the elastic body, the mounting ring has a cylinder portion at a position fitted on the peripheral surface of the one member, the elastic body has a rubber step part provided at axially one side of the cylinder portion, the cylinder portion and the rubber step part have a positional relationship that the former of an upper sealing device is placed on the latter of the one sealing device when piled up, and the side lip of the one sealing device is dimensioned not to interfere with the upper sealing device even when they are in such a positional relationship.
US08231124B2
A remaining amount detector measures beforehand a distance H where there is one sheet. A motor displaces a lifting plate to a paper-feeding position upon storing paper in the feeding unit. The remaining amount detector measures a distance y1 to the lower face of a paper stack. Thereafter, upon transport of paper from the stack, a control unit causes the remaining amount detector to measure a distance y2 for every predetermined number n of fed sheets. A remaining sheet calculation unit calculates a displacement y1−y2=Δy to the bottom of the paper stack S, and calculates the thickness of one sheet on the basis of the displacement Δy and the number n of fed sheets (t=Δy/n). The remaining sheet calculation unit divides the thickness (H−y2) of the paper stack by the thickness t of one paper sheet, and calculates the number of remaining sheets m as (m=((H−y2)/t)+1).
US08231121B2
A paper tray of printer is provided, which includes a paper tray body, a slide shaft, a first pick arm, a second pick arm and a paper width guide. The first pick arm is fixed on the slide shaft, and the second pick arm is slidely disposed on the slide shaft. The paper width guide is disposed on the paper tray body and is connected to the second pick arm through a linkage device to drive the second pick arm, so that a position of the second pick arm varies along with a position of the paper width guide. Accordingly, an interval between the first pick arm and the second pick arm can be varied along with a size of a paper, so as to avoid paper skew when the paper is fed.
US08231117B2
The present invention provides a robot system in which a robot and a positioner are combined with each other. In the robot system, footprint is reduced and a production line having a short tact time between steps is formed. The robot system includes a work object, robots that perform a work operation on the work object, and positioners that position the work object, wherein the robots are provided on frame members of the positioners.
US08231104B2
The invention relates to a solenoid valve including a valve housing. A valve seat sleeve is fixed in the valve housing and defines a valve seat. A magnet armature defining a blind hole with a valve closing element positioned therein is movably positioned relative to the valve seat sleeve with the valve seat positioned in and engaging the blind hole such that the valve closing element is aligned with the valve seat.
US08231102B2
A typical flow-control valve has a housing forming a flow passage and a valve seat. An upstream and downstream valve bodies are is engageable with the seat and form upstream and downstream restrictions. A control piston defines therein outer and inner control compartments. This control piston is coupled to the downstream valve body for joint movement therewith. High-pressure and low-pressure conduits connect the outer and inner control compartments to the flow passage upstream of the upstream restriction and to the flow passage between the upstream and downstream restrictions. A connector element or stem connected to the upstream valve body extends through the control piston and has an outer end projecting out of the housing. A pressure reliever between the control piston and the outer end exerts on the connector element a force urging the upstream valve body upstream and generally equal to a pressure differential across the upstream restriction.
US08231098B2
A vibration damper assembly that may be attached and moved about a payload or optical mount surface of an optical structure such as an optical table. The vibration damper assembly may include a sensor and an actuator that may be disposed within a housing. In some embodiments, the vibration damper assembly or components thereof may be incorporated into an optical structure in the form of an optical component to be disposed or mounted on an optical mount surface of an optical structure such as an optical table. Embodiments of the vibration damper system may include a controller in communication with the damper assembly Embodiments of the controller may use adaptive tuning, auto-ranging selection of gain factors and other features in order to optimize damping performance.
US08231093B2
In one embodiment, a bracket for mounting a rod to a surface has a surface-mounting portion and a rod-attachment portion. The surface-mounting portion provides an interface between the bracket and the surface, and attaches to the surface using suitable fasteners such as screws or nails. The rod-attachment portion has an aperture formed therein that accepts a threaded fastener used to attach a finial to the end of the rod. The aperture has a dimension that is smaller than a diameter of the rod, and at least as large as a diameter of the fastener. In one exemplary method of using the bracket, the fastener, attached to the finial, is fed through the aperture into a socket in the rod. The finial is then rotated thereby coupling the finial to the rod until the rod-attachment portion is secured between the rod and the finial.
US08231091B2
Provided is a clip that allows two securing members to be firmly joined to each other without requiring a special working process to the applied to either one of the securing members. The clip for securing joining a first securing member to a second securing member comprises a base plate portion formed with a through hole, a first clamping piece extending from the base plate portion in a front side direction, and a second clamping piece extending from a part of the base plate portion intermediate between the first clamping piece and through hole in the front side direction and further extending above the through hole. A threaded member is passed into the through hole from a back side of the base plate portion to fixedly attach the second securing member to the back side of the base plate portion. As the threaded member advances in the through hole, the fastening member pushes the second clamping piece toward the first clamping piece so as to reduce the gap between the first clamping piece and second clamping piece.
US08231083B2
A system and methods for airborne launch and recovery of aircraft. In one embodiment the system comprises a flexible tether configured to be towed behind an airborne mother ship. A drag device is secured to a distal end of the flexible tether to generate drag and maintain tension in the flexible tether. A reel associated with the mother ship anchors a proximal portion of the flexible tether and selectively lets out and takes up the flexible tether to adjust a length of the flexible tether. A capture mechanism associated with the aircraft engages the flexible tether to secure the aircraft to the flexible tether. In certain embodiments of the present methods, a flexible tether is deployed from an airborne mother ship. An aircraft translates forward and rearward along the flexible tether. Alternatively, the aircraft translates forward and rearward as the flexible tether taken up and let out from the mother ship. Prior to launch, the weight of the aircraft is transferred from the flexible tether to the wings. During recovery, the weight of the aircraft is transferred from the wings to the flexible tether.
US08231078B2
The present invention provides a double hook door mechanism for use in opening and closing aircraft landing gear bay doors.
US08231069B2
In a fuel injection nozzle for an internal combustion engine, a first cavity is disposed downstream of a valve seat in a direction in which fuel flows. A second cavity is disposed downstream of the first cavity in the direction in which the fuel flows. A fuel passage connects the first cavity to the second cavity. Fuel injection holes (24) lead to the second cavity. With this configuration, when the fuel flows through the first fuel passage, cavitation is induced. Cavitation bubbles flow into the second cavity along with the fuel. When the fuel is retained in the second cavity, the cavitation bubbles are uniformly mixed into the fuel. The fuel, which has been sufficiently mixed with the cavitation bubbles, is injected from the fuel injection holes.
US08231057B1
Systems and methods for processing checks using 2D barcodes are provided. A user submits a digital image of a check that includes a 2D barcode. The 2D barcode has embedded positional information of one or more check features which can be decoded and compared to the check features optically identified on the digital image of the check. From this, a set of rotational and scaling adjustments can be computed by comparing estimated positional information with the positional information of the one or more check features retrieved from the barcode. A more accurate representation of the check is then produced by applying the set of rotational and scaling adjustments to the digital image of the check. Once a more accurate representation of the check has been produced, the check can be electronically processed using a routing transit number found on the check.
US08231056B2
A contact detector having power switches for disconnecting power to portions of the contact sensor when an over current is detected is disclosed. The power switches thus protect the contact sensor from over-current as the result of latch-up or other current-generating conditions. These current-generating conditions are often the result of ESD events on a surface of the contact detector. A contact detector comprises an exposed surface for detecting the presence of an object, an insulating surface, and a protection element disposed under the insulating surface for controlling power to the contact detector. The protection element is configured to disconnect power to the contact detector when a current to the contact detector is detected above a threshold. Preferably, the contact detector is a finger swipe sensor, but it can be a finger placement sensor or any other type of device that functions on contact with a finger or other patterned object.
US08231035B1
A unit for storing a trailer hitch on a vehicle includes a tubular housing which is shaped to slidably accommodate the support bar of the hitch ball mount. One side wall of the housing includes a plurality of walls that are arranged to define a channel that extend from one end of the housing to a location that is spaced apart from the other end of the housing. Mounting fastener accommodating holes are defined through one of the channel-defining walls, and a hole is defined through one wall of the housing to be aligned with the mounting fastener accommodating holes so a tool can be inserted into the housing to set fasteners with the channel spacing those set fasteners apart from the support bar. Aligned receiver accommodating holes are defined through sidewalls of the housing so a hitch receiver pin can extend through these holes and through a corresponding receiver-accommodating hole in the bar of the hitch ball mount to attach the hitch mount to the housing for storage. The hitch ball mounting end of the hitch mount extends out of one end of the housing during storage.
US08231028B2
A pressure-resistant container has a peripheral part of an inner shell opening attached to a mouth ring end surface inside of the container to cover the mouth ring. The pressure-resistant container has a cylindrical pressing member screwed into an inner peripheral surface of the mouth ring, an inner peripheral surface of the mouth ring extends between the inner shell and the pressing member, a first seal peripherally contacts the inner shell and the pressing member, a valve having a screw part screws into the mouth ring more outside of the container than the pressing member and an inner end part which is inserted in the hole part of the pressing member and a second seal to seal between an outer peripheral surface of the inner end part and an inner peripheral surface of the pressing member. A third seal is also provided.
US08231027B2
A cover for a container fits with a sliding air tight fit over the container body. A cover air release valve allows escape of air from the container when removing and installing the cover to create a vacuum seal fit. A handle positioned adjacent to the air release valve enables a user to remove and install the cover with a single hand gripping the handle and pressing the air release valve. Protrusions extending from opposite sides of the container sleeve engage mating L-shaped openings in a bottom edge of the cover to lock the cover in place. Special dual sided cradles engage a top of a vacuum sealed container below each cradle and a bottom of a vacuum sealed container above each cradle so that a series of cradles are used to vertically stack a number of vacuum sealed containers.
US08231022B2
An enclosure adapted to be recessed into a wall is disclosed. The enclosure may include an access frame or base to which an access door or lid is hinged or otherwise movable. The access frame is adapted to be secured to a stud of the wall. The door, in a closed configuration, is adapted to be substantially flush with the wall itself. Accordingly, in a closed configuration, the housing substantially conceals or hides the contents of the enclosure. In certain embodiments, the contents could be wall-mounted electrical devices such as power outlets, thermostats, switches, alarm key pads or audio/visual controls, but in alternative embodiments, the contents can be ordinary objects such as keys, wallets, or the like. In any embodiment set forth herein, a recessed housing is provided to provide for storage space to the user while not substantially disturbing the overall appearance or aesthetics of the room.
US08231020B2
A closure including a top panel and a transition section extending from a peripheral edge of the top panel is provided. The closure includes a skirt extending from a peripheral edge of the transition section such that the skirt extends away from the top panel. The skirt includes a plurality of projections extending outwardly and away from an outer surface of the transition section.
US08230996B1
A medical seal dispenser having a container molded of plastic and having clamshell portions hinged together. The clamshell portions of the container can be locked together when in a closed position. One clamshell portion includes a core holder for holding a roll of foil-type medical seals removably attached to a carrier strip. During dispensing of a medical seal, the carrier strip is pulled so that it is unrolled from the roll and is routed over an exit hump of the dispenser. The exit hump imparts a curl to the metal foil seal that is opposite that which was incurred when rolled on the roll, thereby straightening the foil seal.
US08230991B1
A sub basket having a bottom portion and four sides defining an interior, and an open top section, and a series of pins positioned on the floor portion of the sub basket and extending into the interior of the sub basket where the pins are sized to allow a sub to slide over the pins.
US08230988B2
An apparatus for transferring vehicles onto a conveyer comprises: a front wheel supporting device (6) on an elevator (5), which is provided with a pair of front and rear wheel supporting arms (29a, 29b) that freely open and close in a horizontal direction between a closed posture supporting front wheels (Wf) at a predetermined position in terms of the convey direction and an opened posture releasing the front wheels (Wf) to the convey direction; a rear wheel supporting device (7) on the elevator (5), which is provided with a wheel supporting plate (38) that supports rear wheels (Wr) without determining the position thereof in terms of the convey direction and can switch its posture between a horizontal posture and a front-down tilted posture in terms of the convey direction; and a posture switching device (40) that changes the wheel supporting plate (38) of the rear wheel supporting device (7) to the tilted posture, at least when the elevator (5), supporting a vehicle (C) with the wheel supporting arms (29a, 29b) of the front wheel supporting device (6) in the closed posture and the wheel supporting plate (38) of the rear wheel supporting device (7) in the horizontal posture, is at the lowermost position for transferring the vehicle (C) onto a conveyor (1).
US08230987B2
A fluid diverter comprising: a fluid diverting structure having a top, fluid striking surface having side and rear walls and a forward mouth, the side and rear walls preventing fluid from spilling over edges of the surface as such fluid exits through the mouth; and a magnet assembly mounted to a bottom surface of the fluid diverting structure. The magnet assembly, comprises: a magnet, and a pivot structure affixed to the magnet and pivotally mounted to the bottom surface of the fluid diverting structure for pivoting the magnet assembly relative to the fluid diverting structure about an axis to pitch the fluid diverting structure to a desired pitch angle and then once at such desired pitch angle, locking the fluid diverting structure at such desired pitch angle.
US08230982B2
New elevator cab construction and reconstruction of old elevator cabs are frequently presented with the problem of increasing the interior size of the elevator cab in an elevator shaft of limited size. This invention relates to an elevator cab design providing a novel way of increasing internal cab size of a standard elevator cab while still retaining decorative design features by having removable decorative panels. The elevator cab is constructed of the normal elements, namely, a platform, a ceiling, cab shell walls, stiffeners and corner stiffener risers. The cab shell walls have a base and transom and shell panels there between designed to overlap one another so as to be readily attached by spot welding or adhesive. The stiffeners are hat-shaped elongated sections typically of stainless steel that are attached to the inside of the shell panels. The stiffeners may also be formed by hat-shaped ribs formed in the shell panels. Removable decorative panels of approximately the same thickness as the stiffeners are hung directly on the interior of shell panels between the stiffeners. Advantageously, the use of the stiffeners on the inside of the shell panels and the mounting of the decorative panels on the shell panel between the stiffeners increases the internal width and depth of the elevator cab.
US08230973B2
A pump system for use in a transmission includes a first pump, a second pump, and a sump. A first fluid passage connects an inlet of the first pump to a sump filter connected to the sump. A second fluid passage connects an inlet of the second pump to the sump filter of the sump. A third fluid passage connects the inlet of the first pump with the inlet of the second pump. A bypass outlet is in communication with the third fluid passage.
US08230968B2
The present invention discloses a suction muffler for a hermetic compressor which reduces noise of refrigerant. A plate film operating as a kind of flow resistance is provided on a refrigerant suction passage in various shapes and specific positions. Therefore, the suction muffler can effectively reduce pressure pulsation transferred to the outside and guarantee flow efficiency, although the refrigerant is directly sucked thereinto.
US08230948B2
A self-contained system for drilling a drainhole laterally to a wellbore that includes a drill head with a tool for boring a drainhole and a self-propelled device for advancing the head into the drainhole during boring; a relay unit lowered into the wellbore, arranged to position the drill head against the sidewall of the wellbore in order to initiate the boring of the drainhole laterally to the wellbore; a cable for supplying electric power to the drill head, reeled out from the relay unit; and a mechanical system for removing cuttings from the drainhole during boring, the debris removed falling downhole.
US08230943B2
An electrical tool, in particular drill and chiselling hammer, including a drive shaft and two driven members. The drive shaft is operatively connectable with the driven members by a respective one of a pair of coupling sleeves. The coupling sleeves are actuatable by a rotatable and mechanical actuating element, in particular a mechanical rotary switch. The actuating element of the electrical tool includes transmission features or a transmission portion that is stationary with respect to the actuating element and which is contactable directly with the respective coupling sleeve for actuating the coupling sleeves.
US08230938B2
A fire prevention assembly comprises a main body, a first connective unit, a tubular piece, a sensor unit, a second connective unit, a first flexible piece, a movable piece and a second flexible piece. The fire prevention assembly is installed to a fire prevention gate. In use, the sensor unit would melt at a high temperature. In such case, the tubular piece moves rearwards along with the movable piece. Therefore, the movable piece will no longer limit the movement of the position limiting plate of the fire prevention gate and the protective plates will be allowed to rotate to open or close the fire prevention gate. Consequently, the fire prevention assembly can provide protection against fires and smoke in a swift and precise manner.
US08230930B2
A mount for a bonnet of a blowout preventer includes at least one support member coupled to a body of the blowout preventer, and a bonnet mounting member moveably coupled to the at least one support member and adapted to move substantially normal to a face of the body of the blowout preventer, wherein the bonnet is coupled to the bonnet mounting member.
US08230929B2
A method for producing hydrocarbon fluids from an organic-rich rock formation to a surface facility is provided. The method may include heating the formation in situ to cause pyrolysis of formation hydrocarbons, and producing production fluids from the formation via two or more wells. The produced fluids have been at least partially generated as a result of pyrolysis of the formation hydrocarbons. In addition, the produced fluids comprise non-condensable fluids, or gases, which taken together have an averaged Wobbe Index which varies at a rate of more than 5% over a period of time. The method also includes controlling production from one or more of the wells such that a combination of the production fluids from the wells results in a combined gas stream that's averaged Wobbe Index varies at a rate of less than 5% over the period of time. The combined stream comprises combustible hydrocarbon fluids.
US08230928B2
An internal tree cap having a running configuration and a latched configuration to be selectively secured to a tree spool. The tree cap may include an inner sleeve movable between upper and lower positions. The movement of the inner sleeve to the lower position may simultaneously engage a locking profile within the tree spool and energize a sealing element around the exterior of the tree cap. The tree cap may be a low profile tree cap that is flush with the top of the tree spool when installed. The tree cap may provide a collateral beneficial locking means to secure a tubing hanger within the tree spool. A lower housing may be attached to the tree cap to seal on the exterior of the upper neck of the tubing hanger. The tree cap may include a profile to accept a wireline plug.
US08230926B2
A cementing tool for cementing a casing in a well has an inner mandrel that defines a central flow passage and has at least one fluid port defined through a wall thereof. An outer mandrel is disposed about the inner mandrel and the inner and outer mandrels define an annular space therebetween. The outer mandrel has at least one sealing element affixed thereto. An opening sleeve is positioned in the inner mandrel and is movable from a closed position to an open position in which the fluid port is uncovered. An expansion cone is positioned in the annular space. Fluid pressure applied through the central flow passage, and the fluid port will pass into the annular space and will urge the expansion cone through the annular space which will plastically deform the outer mandrel so that sealing elements affixed to the outer mandrel engage a previously installed casing in the well to seal thereagainst.
US08230924B2
A fracturing and gravel packing tool has features that prevent well swabbing when the tool is picked up with respect to a set isolation packer. An upper or jet valve allows switching between the squeeze and circulation positions without risk of closing the wash pipe valve. The wash pipe valve can only be closed with multiple movements in opposed direction that occur after a predetermined force is held for a finite time to allow movement that arms the wash pipe valve. The jet valve can prevent fluid loss to the formation when being set down whether the crossover tool is supported on the packer or on the smart collet.
US08230917B2
Methods and systems are described for stimulating a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir, one method comprising contacting the formation with a treating fluid, and monitoring the movement of the treating fluid in the reservoir by providing one or more sensors for measurement of temperature and/or pressure which is disposed on a support adapted to maintain a given spacing between the sensors and the fluid exit. In some embodiments the support is coiled tubing.
US08230907B2
A flexible heat pipe for use with evaporator and condenser elements for removing heat from electronic components. The flexible heat pipe includes a bellows member fixed at one end to a condenser member and at an opposite end to an evaporator member. A cable artery is disposed within the bellows and is fixed at one end to the evaporator, and slidingly engages the condenser at the opposite end. The bellows acts as a flexible vapor envelope, and the cable artery acts as a flexible wick for directing condensed working fluid from the condenser back to the evaporator. The sliding connection between the cable artery and the condenser allows relative axial movement, and the inherent flexibility of the cable artery allows relative lateral movement. Thus, the condenser and evaporator can move in all directions with respect to each other, which can provide desired vibration isolation of the two components.
US08230902B2
The present invention relates to a heat-dissipating element and a heat sink having heat-dissipating elements. The heat sink includes at least one substrate and a plurality of heat-dissipating elements. The substrate includes a base portion and a plurality of extending arms. Insertion slots are provided between each extending arm and two adjacent extending arms. Each heat-dissipating element is inserted in the corresponding insertion slot of the substrate. The lateral surfaces of each extending arm abut against the corresponding surfaces of the each heat-dissipating elements. A plurality of embossed heat-dissipating portions protrudes from at least one surface of each heat-dissipating element. According to the above, the present invention avoids the use of solders and heat transfer loss. Via the embossed heat-dissipating portions, the surface area of the heat-dissipating element for heat dissipation can be increased and thus the heat-dissipating effect is enhanced.
US08230900B2
A modular, stackable, geothermal block system for use as a subterranean or submarine heat exchanger in a geothermal energy system which provides a heating/cooling means to an external load. The stackable blocks, which can be filled with a fluid and/or material of generally high heat retention characteristics or precast in such material, contain one or more continuous passageways that extend from the top face of the block through the opposing face, through which a rigid structural heat exchange tube, fabricated from material of high thermal conductivity, is placed. The blocks are stacked one upon another and slidably mounted on the tube(s). Each tube contains a helically wound, thermal transfer tubing comprising one leg of a U-shape configured loop. Each stackable block can contain multiple paired passageways permitting more than one U-shape loop within the system.
US08230898B2
These inventions provide a method and an apparatus for setting a core used in a molding apparatus that produces flaskless molds, wherein the core-setting apparatus has a simple structure and the accuracy of the positioning of the core while setting it on the lower mold is improved. The inventions comprise: moving a first carrier 52 carrying a core-handling tool 51 which is holding the core 70 toward the cope flask 2 by means of a second carrier 53 when the cope flask 2 is located at the mold-stripping mechanism 12 being lifted to a lifted position by means of a flask-rotation mechanism 13; transferring the first carrier and the core-handling tool to the cope flask which is at the lifted position; lowering the cope flask 2, the core-handling tool 51, and the first carrier 52 by means of the flask-rotation mechanism 13 so that the core 70 comes close to or contacts the lower mold; and releasing the core 70 from the core-handling tool 51 to set the core on the lower mold.
US08230890B2
A pneumatic tire is provided for enhancing its driving stability and braking performance on particular road surfaces. The pneumatic tire is provided with five main grooves, first and second lateral grooves, and first and second blocks. The five main grooves include a single first main groove, two second main grooves, and two third main grooves. The single first main groove is disposed on a tire equator. The first main groove is made of a see-through groove extending in the tire circumferential direction. The two second main grooves are disposed on two sides of the first main groove in the tire width direction. The first and the second lateral grooves are extending in the tire width direction. The first and the second blocks are formed in a center area of the tread surface between the two third main grooves. A sub-groove is disposed in each first block.
US08230887B2
Powder dispensing and sensing apparatus and methods are provided. The powder dispensing and sensing apparatus includes a tray support structure to receive a cartridge tray holding cartridges, a powder dispenser assembly including powder dispenser modules to dispense powder into respective cartridges of a batch of cartridges in the cartridge tray, a powder transport system to deliver powder to the powder dispenser modules, a sensor module including sensor cells to sense respective fill states, such as the weights, of each of the cartridges in the batch of cartridges, and a control system to control the powder dispenser modules in response to the respective sensed fill states of each of the cartridges of the batch of cartridges.
US08230882B2
A telescoping water outlet includes an inner pipe, at least a longitudinal portion of which is enclosed by an outlet pipe, forming an annular space between the two pipes. An inner pipe head is mounted to and closes the end of the inner pipe that is nearest the outlet opening, and includes an annular flange that bears displaceably against an inner wall of the outlet pipe. A blocking device that is slidably mounted between the inner pipe and the outlet pipe delimits a longitudinal end of the annular space, and a braking element delays or prevents a telescoping movement of the water outlet, in response to either a pressure change in the annular space, or a relative movement between the inner pipe and the outlet pipe.
US08230880B2
An arrangement for drawing fluid from a sump (10), comprising a pump (24), a draft tube (12) extending from the pump (24), into the sump (10), said draft tube (12) having an opening within the sump (10) and a canopy defined by roof and side walls surrounding said opening.
US08230873B2
A valve assembly is provided that permits adjustable vent flow from the fuel tank vapor space through a bypass vent opening based on a condition in the vapor space after nozzle shutoff. The valve assembly including a first valve, also referred to as a main float, that provides rollover protection and controls venting of the vapor space prior to nozzle shutoff. A secondary closure device, also referred to as a second valve, moves independently of the first valve to control venting of the vapor space after nozzle shutoff through a bypass vent opening formed in the valve housing in response to at least one operating condition in the fuel tank outside of a chamber defined by the valve housing in which a main float moves.
US08230871B2
A fluid flow regulating device is provided that maintains pressure and flow rate characteristics of a source fluid while the fluid is distributed to multiple delivery lines. The inventive device switches between multiple output ports in response to fluid pressure changes or by a mechanism driven by fluid flow. Thus, existing fluid delivery systems are easily expandable while avoiding installation of additional timing control mechanisms, electrical runs, or fluid sources.
US08230868B2
The present invention relates to a hair iron having a buffer member, particularly to a hair iron having a buffer member, which is located in between two opposing heating plates to help hair passing through the heating plates to be straightened smoothly and prevent thermal deformation of hair. The invention is characterized by a hair iron comprising a first pressing member 10 and a second pressing member 20 to which heating plates 12 and 22 having built-in thermal wire heaters 13 and 23 are attached, respectively. A buffer member 40 is attached to the heating plate 22 which is attached to the second pressing member 20.
US08230864B2
A device for stabilizing a patient's arm during a surgical procedure including a base configured to fit on an operating table, the base having an upper side with a rail. A support arm having a foundation with a groove shaped to match and fit over the cross-sectional shape of the rail and slide along the rail is provided, the support arm has a proximal end and a distal end extending away from said rail. A cuff is mounted on the distal end of the support arm to support the wrist of a patient during the surgery. A standard having a foundation with a groove therein shaped and sized to fit over said rail is also provided. The standard is designed to slide along the rail and move relative to the support arm. Arcuate bicep pads are connected to said support arm and to said standard; the arcuate pads being positioned to fit about the bicep of a patient lying on an operating table on which the support device is placed. The support arm and standard are movable relative to each other so that the pads can be moved into engagement about the bicep of a patient. The cuff is substantially U-shaped and is positioned above and remote from the bicep pads.
US08230861B2
A seal for a respiratory mask that includes a first end portion adapted to be coupled to a mask shell, a second end portion for sealing engagement with a face of a user, and a sidewall extending between the first end portion and the second end portion. At least a portion of the second end portion along at least a portion of a perimeter of the second end portion includes a textured area having a first rms surface roughness that is greater than a second rms surface roughness of a non-textured area of the seal. The area of increased surface roughness provides the user contacting portion of the seal with a silky feeling to maximize user comfort and the effectiveness of the seal without impairing the sealing ability.
US08230852B2
A shoulder mounted hood cooling assembly includes a support, a blower carried by the support, and vents in fluid communication with the blower. The support when worn by a user positions at least a portion of the support adjacent the user's shoulder's and the vents are positioned to direct air exhausted from the blower to a neck or to a head or both the neck and the head of the user.
US08230844B2
The invention involves a device for exhaust gas recirculation of a combustion engine, with an intake module and an exhaust gas recirculation tube projecting with its gas outlet end into the intake module. Openings are created in the peripheral wall of the gas outlet end of the exhaust gas recirculation tube so that the device is easier to manufacture, wherein peripheral wall parts stay in place as bars to which a baffle plate is coupled for the exhaust gas stream.
US08230842B2
A coupling is provided for attaching an evaporative emission device having a housing to a mounting surface of a motor vehicle. The coupling includes a pair of tracks fixed the mounting surface and a pair of matching rails fixed to the housing. The rails are sized to slide within the tracks until reaching a predetermined seated position within the rails. An aperture is fixed to the mounting surface and includes a shoulder with a manufacturing tolerance defined about a nominal location at the predetermined seated position. A resilient latch is formed on the housing and located so as to snap into the aperture at the predetermined seated position. The latch includes a inclined engaging surface to engage the shoulder over the entire tolerance range of the shoulder.
US08230841B2
A fuel system comprises a fuel line that supplies fuel to an engine at a fuel line pressure. A first fuel pump selectively supplies fuel to the fuel line at a first pressure. A second fuel pump selectively supplies fuel to the fuel line at a second pressure that is greater than the first pressure. A check valve having an inlet in communication with an exit port of the first fuel pump and an outlet in communication with the fuel line is positioned based on the fuel line pressure and the first pressure.
US08230838B2
An injector seal assembly and method of sealing a coolant passage from an injector are provided. The seal assembly includes a sealing sleeve sized and dimensioned to slip fit into an injector mounting bore and a retaining ring sized and dimensioned to be axially inserted into the sleeve. The ring contacts the sleeve and applies a radial force sufficient to create an interference fit and to move or yield an interface portion of the sleeve radially outward into sealing abutment against a wall forming the injector mounting bore to create a secure and reliable annular fluid seal.
US08230831B2
An exhaust valve mechanism for an internal combustion engine with at least one exhaust valve in every engine cylinder includes a main rocker arm mounted on a rocker arm shaft and a secondary rocker arm arranged on the main rocker arm and mounted on the rocker arm shaft for the activation of an exhaust brake function. A spring device is so arranged as to act between a fixed point on the engine and the secondary rocker arm, in such a way that the latter rocker arm is caused by the spring force to engage with the cam element of the camshaft.
US08230824B2
A steam ejection device including a steam generator for generating steam by heating water; a steam eject port for discharging the steam generated in the steam generator; and a steam-guiding portion for delivering the steam from the steam generator to the steam eject port, and the steam ejection device further including a steam-heating block for heating, right before the steam eject port, the steam guided via the steam-guiding portion.
US08230823B2
A dog flashlight illuminates the area in front of a dog in dark conditions, thereby eliminating the need for a dog owner to carry and direct a light source. The dog flashlight includes a housing containing at least one light source, a battery power supply for the light source, and a switch connected between the light source and the power supply for energizing and de-energizing the light source. When energized, the light source has sufficient brightness to illuminate the area in front of the dog so that the dog owner can observe the illuminated area for control purposes. One preferred embodiment includes an attachment device having a band carrying the housing and adapted to fit around the neck of the dog so that the housing is located in front of the chest of the dog.
US08230821B2
The present invention provides an improved head restraint that can be used in conjunction with conventional cattle chutes that are equipped with head gates. It provides the advantages of being humane by causing little or no discomfort to the cattle being restrained. Cattle being treated also tends to remain calm while being restrained utilizing the device of this invention. It offers much easier and faster means for providing care to positions on the head of the animal. Its implementation can accordingly lead to reduction in human labor requirements associated with treating a herd of cattle and generally leads to savings in medication by virtue of being able to more accurately apply eye drops, ointments, or powdered medications to the eyes of a cow having a very stabilized head as compared to loss of medication when dealing with a struggling animal that is jerking its head around during the procedure. Its use greatly reduces the risk of injury to the animal and the person administering the treatment to the animal. Head restraints of this invention offer the advantage of being capable of being affixed to existing chutes of differing sizes. This is because the improved head restraints of this invention are expandable to fit directly onto head gates of differing designs and sizes.
US08230820B2
A dip cup 10 comprises a cup 12 for receiving a teat, the cup 12 being connected or connectable to a supply of teat treating liquid including a foaming agent, foaming elements 34, 36 for mixing air and the teat treating liquid to produce foam, and a regulator device 16 for setting an air-to-liquid ratio. The regulator device 16 is selectable or adjustable based on the teat treating liquid, so that a specified air-to-liquid ratio is achieved.
US08230814B2
A mechanized collector for collecting juvenile lobsters to be raised in a growout system is disclosed. The mechanized collector may be formed from a vessel, a longline support system capable of supporting and suspending a longline having a plurality of juvenile lobster collectors above a deck of the vessel, and a shaker assembly positioned to engage at least one of the plurality of juvenile lobster collectors suspended above the deck of the vessel and attached to the longline. The shaker assembly may be configured to shake the plurality of juvenile lobster collectors individually or collectively together, thereby causing the juvenile lobsters to fall into a collection trough positioned under the collector. The plurality of juvenile lobster collectors may be attached to the longline and formed from at least one generally flat panel that is suspended generally vertically in water above the longline with at least one float.
US08230804B1
This liquid applicator covers all sides of substantially flat and dimensional surfaces of boards or siding with stain or paint in a uniform manner. The applicator has an upper and lower series of rollers and wiping agents, a set of vertical rollers, and a paint collection assembly. Preferably, some of the upper rollers and some of the lower rollers will consist of horizontal wet-rollers which receive liquid from an outside source. The remaining rollers are horizontal dry-rollers which absorb, smooth and buff the surface. The vertical rollers coat the side aspects of a board. All rollers spread paint rapidly over all board surfaces in a uniform manner. The main components have adjustment features: the rollers move vertically and toggle clamps and the like permit custom selection and sizing for each of the rollers and wipers. A catch pan has a drain plug at or near its lowest point.
US08230800B1
A sponson comprises a floatable tubular section (110) with longitudinal, attached guideways or channels (105, 115) that house drawstrings (106, 116). The sponson is secured to the gunwale (130) of a personal watercraft by positioning a first guideway or channel above the gunwale and a second guideway or channel below the gunwale then pulling the drawstrings tight and securing them with knots (107, 117) or other means. The sponson has been filled with air, a foam material, or a combination in order to provide flotation. It also acts as a bumper to prevent damage to the craft in case of a collision with another object. The sponson is positioned above the water line and so does not cause drag when the craft is in normal use. The design is usable without modification for a variety of craft. An alternative embodiment includes an extra guideway or channel (120) for attachment to a fixture (125) previously installed on a craft.
US08230798B2
The present invention concerns a Magnus rotor comprising a drive and a control means which controls the drive in such a way that the Magnus rotor attains a peripheral speed which is greater than the mean wind speed by a factor λ. In addition the present invention concerns a method of operating a Magnus rotor comprising a drive which causes the Magnus rotor to rotate, and a control means, as well as a ship. In order better to utilize the action of the Magnus rotor than occurs in the state of the art, λ is greater than 4. In that respect the present invention is based on the realization that the assumption that, above a high-speed factor of four, there would no longer be a significant increase in the lift coefficient, which above all is in relation to the drive power to be used, is based on a technical prejudice. It was possible to empirically ascertain that an increase in the high-speed factor leads to a significantly higher lift coefficient. Accordingly there is also a higher power output from the Magnus rotor.
US08230789B1
A method and apparatus for incorporating nanophase elemental materials and metastable interstitial composite materials into projectiles, projectile fragments, ordnance casings, warheads and structural components. The projectile, fragments and casings include an elemental material capable of oxidizing. A coating material that is capable of preventing oxidation of the elemental material and an oxidizing agent may be present and be capable of reacting with the elemental material so that a self-propagating high temperature synthesis reaction from a stabilized solid material is yielded for the purpose of rendering terminal effects or thermal impact to a target at impact.
US08230785B2
A stencil printer includes a frame, a stencil coupled to the frame, a substrate support coupled to the frame to support a substrate in a print position, and a print head, coupled to the frame, to deposit and print viscous material over the stencil. The print head may include a squeegee blade configured to engage the stencil, a squeegee blade mount configured to house the squeegee blade, a squeegee blade movement mechanism configured to move the squeegee blade mount in a z-axis direction from a raised position in which the squeegee blade is spaced from stencil and a lowered position in which the squeegee blade engages and applies a force on the stencil, and a connector configured to pivotally connect the squeegee blade mount to the squeegee blade movement mechanism. The connector may include a load cell configured to measure force of the squeegee blade against the stencil. Other embodiments and related methods are further disclosed.
US08230778B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for preparing and dispensing a beverage such as coffee, tea, milk, chocolate milk, soup or the like, which beverage, if desired, may be at least partly foamed. To that end, the apparatus comprises a foaming chamber (3), provided with an inlet opening (4) for supply of beverage prepared upstream, an outlet opening (6) for dispensing the beverage, and foaming means (8) for foaming beverage fed through the foaming chamber, and dosing means (15) for regulating a beverage flow rate flowing from the foaming chamber (3). The foaming means (8) and outlet opening (6) are preferably displaceable relative to each other, so that the foaming means can close off or clear this opening at least partly and can thus function as dosing means (15). The foaming means (8) can for comprise, for instance, a drive shaft (9, 20) with paddles (10).
US08230775B2
A capsule (1) sealed without an internal filter. The capsule includes a cup-shaped body (2) with an outwardly projecting flange (2a), and a flexible lid (3) welded to the flange (2a) to define with the latter a sealed chamber (4) which is impermeable to oxygen and moisture and contains a quantity of granular material (5). The granular material (5) is first compressed inside the chamber (4) in a direction perpendicular to the plane containing the flange (2a), with a compressive load preferably of between 2 and 50 Kg per cm2 of the average cross-sectional area of the chamber (4), so as to form a compact tablet (5) of the material. A vacuum is formed inside the chamber (4) to a degree such that the lid (3) adheres to the upper surface of the tablet (5).
US08230768B2
A miter saw having good workability without decrease in angle visibility is disclosed. The miter saw includes a display unit provided on a turntable. The display unit 600 is positioned between an operating handle protruding outward from the turntable and a rotation axis of the turntable. The display unit is positioned below the upper surfaces of a base and the turntable not so as to protrude above the upper surface of the turntable. The display unit displays an inclination angle of a circular saw blade with respect to the upper surface of the base and a rotation angle of the turntable with respect to the base in a line.
US08230762B2
Methods of manufacturing rotary drill bits for drilling subterranean formations include forming a plurality of boron carbide particles into a body having a shape corresponding to at least a portion of a bit body of a rotary drill bit, infiltrating the plurality of boron carbide particles with a molten aluminum or aluminum-based material, and cooling the molten aluminum or aluminum-based material to form a solid matrix material surrounding the boron carbide particles. In additional methods, a green powder component is provided that includes a plurality of particles each comprising boron carbide and a plurality of particles each comprising aluminum or an aluminum-based alloy material. The green powder component is at least partially sintered to provide a bit body, and a shank is attached to the bit body.
US08230761B2
An engine includes a crankshaft which is disposed in a substantially horizontal direction, a first power transmission device, an input shaft, a first output shaft, a second power transmission device, and a power transmission case. The input shaft is disposed below the crankshaft in parallel with the crankshaft, and the input shaft receives a power from the crankshaft through the first power transmission device. The first output shaft supplies the power from the input shaft, and the first output shaft is disposed perpendicular to the crankshaft. The second power transmission device transmits the power of the input shaft to the first output shaft. The power transmission case accommodates the input shaft, the first output shaft, and the second power transmission device therein.
US08230760B1
The present concrete vibrator inline transmission is a unique combination of gears that changes the speed of a primary power source so that a remote concrete tool runs at a speed different than that of the primary power source. This unique apparatus allows for unique methods of using the concrete vibrator inline transmission.
US08230747B2
An apparatus for a burst safe pressure-neutral high pressure cylinder in pVT and condensate cells is described. The dimensions of an outer cylinder are such as to prevent plastic flow of the inner cylinder wall caused by elevated inside pressure and/or temperature.16
US08230743B2
A pressure sensor is disclosed that can help isolate the sensor and/or sensor components from a media to be sensed and/or can help reduce sensor damage caused by harsh operating environments. In one illustrative embodiment, the pressure sensor may include a substrate having a pressure sensing die mounted on a first side of the substrate, a first housing member defining a first cavity around the pressure sensing die, and a second housing member defining a second cavity on the second side of the substrate. A passivating agent, such as a gel, can be positioned in both the first cavity and the second cavity to transmit pressure from the media to a pressure sensing element (e.g. diaphragm) while isolating the pressure sensing element and other components from the media. In some cases, the first housing member and/or the second housing member may include an opening for exposing the passivating agent to the media. The opening may be defined by one or more tapered and/or chamfered edges to help provide freeze damage protection.
US08230736B2
A sensor for measuring a level of a conductive liquid, is provided. The sensor includes at least two electrodes that can be positioned in a holding tank so as to be partially submerged in the conductive liquid, sensor leads coupled to the at least two electrodes, and circuitry and a controller for determining the properties of the electrolyte, the circuitry being coupled to the at least two electrodes via the sensor leads, and the controller being coupled to the circuitry. The sensor may be used as an electrolyte level sensor in a flow battery system.
US08230725B2
On the basis of a surface shape appearing at a predetermined point moment by moment during rotation of a golf ball having numerous dimples on its surface, a data constellation regarding a parameter dependent on a surface shape of the golf ball is calculated. A preferable parameter is a distance between an axis of the rotation and the surface of the golf ball. Another preferable parameter is a volume of space between a surface of a phantom sphere and the surface of the golf ball. Fourier transformation is performed on the data constellation to obtain a transformed data constellation. On the basis of a peak value and an order of a maximum peak of the transformed data constellation, an aerodynamic characteristic of the golf ball is determined. The peak value and the order of the maximum peak are calculated for each of PH rotation and POP rotation.
US08230723B2
A couette viscometer used to determine the rheological properties of Newtonian or non-Newtonian solid-laden or non-solid-laden fluids used as completion or treatment fluids in oil and/or gas wells. The instrument is capable of measuring the properties of a heated, e.g., 600° F./316° C., and pressurized sample, e.g., 30,000 psig/207 MPa, at a variety of temperatures, pressures, and shear rates. The pressure vessel is mounted in the chassis of the instrument and the vessel plug containing the viscometer components and sample may be removed as an assembly. This arrangement reduces the mass of the plug assembly, eliminating the need to transport the pressure vessel and assists in separating the sample from the pressurizing fluid. Ultimately, this arrangement improves the usability, convenience and maintenance associated with operating the instrument.
US08230721B2
A particulate matter detection device (100) includes a detection device body (1) extending in one direction and having at least one through-hole (2) that is formed at one end (1a), at least one pair of electrodes buried in the wall of the body (1) that defines the through-hole (2), and covered with a dielectric, lines respectively extending from the pair of electrodes toward the other end (1b), a takeout lead terminal (12a) of one electrode of the pair of electrodes disposed on the surface of the other end (1b), a takeout lead terminal (11a) of the other electrode of the pair of electrodes between one end (1a) and the other end (1b), and an electric wire (21) provided with an electric wire securing member (31) at its tip portion, and bonded to the takeout lead terminal (11a) through the electric wire securing member (31).
US08230717B2
An apparatus and method for measuring paravalvular leakage from a prosthetic heart valve in vitro. The apparatus has a pulse chamber pressure vessel and a pulsatile pump. The sewing ring of a prosthetic heart valve is mounted to a mounting member which is affixed to the pressure chamber, and paravalvular leakage from the heart valve is collected and measured.
US08230715B2
The present invention relates to a head of crimping pliers for crimping a work piece. The head comprises two inserts. Each insert builds at least two halves of at least two nests for the work piece. The inserts are guided along a guiding axis for a sliding movement between a first and second relative position. The guiding axis is directed transverse to the crimping axis. Two nests built by the halves might be used in one and the same position by moving the inserts from the first to the second relative position.
US08230701B2
A method for forming a silica glass blank includes generating soot using an array of soot producing burners, directing the soot along a first direction onto a bait, collecting the soot on the bait, imparting relative oscillatory motion having a repeat period between the array of soot producing burners and the bait along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction while collecting the soot, and offsetting the relative oscillatory motion by a selected distance along the second direction after each repeat period.
US08230686B2
A start-up system mixing element including; a body defining a cavity, a first inlet port disposed in the body and configured to provide a first fluid to the cavity, a second inlet port disposed in the body and configured to provide a second fluid to the cavity, an outlet port disposed in the body and configured to remove the first and second fluids from the cavity and an internal distribution pipe disposed in the first inlet port, wherein the internal distribution pipe is configured to provide the first fluid to the cavity via a plurality of holes directed toward a center of the cavity.
US08230685B2
A solar power generator includes a number of solar cell units, a shaft and a connector assembly. Each of the solar cell units has a housing defining a through hole at one end and an opening in an upper surface thereof. A number of solar panels are received in the opening. The shaft passes through each through hole thereby aligning the solar cell units in a manner that one stacked on another. Each of the solar cell units is capable of rotating around the shaft. The connector assembly is electrically coupled to the solar panel for providing electrical energy to a power consuming device.
US08230681B2
A partition wall partitioning a cooler inlet port and a cooler outlet port extends from a cooler connecting surface of a connecting portion to a vicinity of a shaft supporting a four-way butterfly valve. An EGR gas leakage around a first valve plate can be restricted. Thus, an increase in temperature of EGR gas flowing through an EGR gas outlet port can be restricted at a cooled mode. A deterioration of emission reducing performance can be avoided.
US08230670B2
A harvesting header includes a header frame, a flexible cutterbar assembly, and a plurality of laterally spaced apart support arms that are attached to and cooperatively support the flexible cutterbar assembly. The header also includes a draper assembly with a side draper carried on multiple ones of the support arms so as to flex with the cutterbar assembly. The side draper includes an endless flexible draper belt presenting laterally endmost margins, with upper and lower crop-conveying runs extending between the margins. The header further includes pivoting structure mounted relative to the header frame at a rear pivot location so that the pivoting structure projects forwardly from the rear pivot location.
US08230669B2
A stalk processing section of a harvester for harvesting stalks of stalk-like plants, the harvester has a main frame that is moveably coupled to an undercarriage. The stalk processing section includes a basecutter assembly movably coupled to the main frame. The basecutter assembly includes a knockdown roller, a butt lifter roller and/or an upper feed roller. The basecutter assembly also includes a set of rails and a set of wheels. The set of wheels engage the set of rails. The set of rails are attached to the main frame and/or the basecutter assembly. The set of wheels are rotatably coupled to the main frame and/or the basecutter assembly. The set of rails and the set of wheels are configured to constrain movement of the basecutter assembly along a path established by the rails and the wheels.
US08230652B2
A composite reinforced mull post is disclosed or use in an exterior building entryway assembly, engaging a door on one side and a side light window on the other side. The mull post may comprise a polymer profile portion and first and second reinforcing members. The profile portion comprises a layer of polyvinyl chloride with a hollow center. The first reinforcing member comprises an engineered material such as a wood laminate, and the second reinforcing member comprises a U-shaped steel channel that fits around one end of the first reinforcing member. The reinforcing members are received within the hollow center of the polymer profile portion and run the entire length of the mull post to provide substantial rigidity to the assembly. A polymer cap layer may be co-extruded on the outer surface of the polymer profile portion to provide the mull post with a desired finished surface appearance and/or color.
US08230651B2
A window frame is manufactured as an integral unit comprising a frame body, at least one nailing flange secured to the frame perimeter, and a strip of tape secured to the nailing flanges with the outer portion of the tape extending beyond the outer edge of the flange. In another embodiment, individual nailing flanges are manufactured and delivered on site, including a strip of tape secured to the nailing flange with an outer portion of the tape extending beyond the outer edge of the flange. The installer first secures such pre-taped flanges to the window frame body, before nailing the resulting window frame unit to the wall. With both embodiments, the window frame unit is first fit into the window penetration in the wall, with the nailing flanges and tape overlapping the wall. Each flange is nailed to the wall by folding back the outer, unattached portion of the tape, thereby exposing the nail holes on the flange, and driving nails there though into the wall. The backing on the folded outer portion of the tape is removed, exposing the adhesive side, which is then laid over the remainder of the flange to cover the nails and over a portion of the wall immediately surrounding the outer edge of the flange.
US08230648B2
A utility land anchor for mooring a water craft to a shore or beach or to act as a ground anchor to pull an object, such as an ATV, thereto, that includes a straight shaft that is pointed on one end and is arranged for connecting to a torque producing device, such as a handle or sided driver, on its other end. The shaft includes an auger secured adjacent to the pointed end, and is to loosely fitted into a cylindrical tube wherefrom blades or fins are attached to extend oppositely outwardly from the cylindrical tube sides that are sloped outwardly to facilitate travel into the shore, beach or ground, and a mooring line connector is secured to the cylindrical tube, adjacent to a lower end thereof.
US08230644B2
A hinge unit for hopper/awning window units (1), the window unit comprising a fixed frame (2) and a sash (3) capable of rototranslation between open and closed positions. The hinge units (4) each comprise: a supporting element (5) integral with the fixed frame (2); an arm (6) one end of which pivots at the sash (3); a first slide (7) slidable along the supporting element (5); connecting rods (8, 9) connecting the first slide (7) to the arm (6); a joint rod (10) between the arm (6) and the supporting element (5), its ends respectively pivoting at a distal point of the supporting element (5) and at the arm (6), so as to form a second connecting point (F2); there being adjusting means (11) to allow a variation of the connecting point (F2) along the supporting element (5).
US08230627B2
Kits for decorating a bicycle frame are provided. In one embodiment, the kits may comprise a decal, a bicycle frame, and an attachment point disposed on the frame wherein the decal is adopted to be removably attached to the bicycle frame at the attachment point. Alternatively, the kits may comprise a bicycle frame, and a decorable surface affixed to the bicycle frame wherein the surface is adopted to receive removable decorations.
US08230619B2
The present invention is an apparatus and method of orthopedic footwear for post-surgical or diabetic patients or for sanitary use. The footwear has an ambidextrous bottom sole. In a higher part thereof, there is a groove of at least 10 mm, in which an off-loading plantar insoles or medicine or bandages can be inserted. These have been built-in the bottom sole using an ortho-dynamic concept which allows the patient a controlled deambulation. To that end, the present invention prevents sheer force on the plantar part of the bottom sole and the foot and in particular on the metatarsal and/or tarsal part of the foot.
US08230614B2
A configurable hoof drying apparatus. The drying components of the apparatus are selectable, configurable and inter-changeable for desired drying needs and change a pressure, speed and temperature of an original drying air source. Therefore it can be used with a hot/warm/cool/cold air drying source. The hoof drying apparatus is portable and specifically designed, but is not limited to, drying hooves for the purposes of: hoof wall repair, preparation for medication for hoof diseases and preparation of the hoof for application of hoof dressings and hoof shoes. The hoof drying apparatus can also be used for drying non-hoofed animals.
US08230605B2
Embodiments of a foot apparatus for use with a power reciprocating saw having a nose portion configured to receive the same, the apparatus comprising an elongated foot stem configured to be inserted into the nose portion of the saw a foot pad having a forward surface for contacting a work piece and having an opening through which a blade extends, a front housing having one end portion with a first pivot connection to the stem and an opposite end portion having a second pivot connection to the foot pad, a compliant element interposed between one of the foot pad and front housing and the stem configured to resist pivoting of the front housing relative to the stem and thereby isolate and dampen vibration and shock that is transmitted to the stem by reciprocating action of the plunger and by cutting of a work piece.
US08230596B2
A method of manufacturing a liquid ejection head comprising: bonding together a diaphragm made of a stainless steel substrate containing iron, chromium and aluminum, and a pressure chamber formation substrate which has a space for a pressure chamber and is made of stainless steel containing chromium and aluminum, by diffusion bonding, in such a manner that a structural body including the diaphragm and the pressure chamber formation substrate is formed; carrying out a first heat treatment of the structural body so as to form an aluminum oxide film on a surface of the structural body and form a chromium oxide film between the aluminum oxide film and the structural body; forming a lower electrode on the aluminum oxide film; forming a piezoelectric body on a surface of the lower electrode reverse to a surface of the lower electrode on which the chromium oxide film and the aluminum oxide film are formed; forming an upper electrode on a surface of the piezoelectric body reverse to a surface of the piezoelectric body on which the lower electrode is formed; and calcining the piezoelectric body by carrying out a second heat treatment of the diaphragm with which the piezoelectric body is provided.
US08230591B2
An electronic device substrate is provided with a thin-plate core substrate; a metal electrode provided on the core substrate and electrically connected to an electrode of an electronic component to be packaged thereon; and an electrical insulation layer on which is mounted the electronic component, and which is provided to surround the metal electrode.
US08230588B2
A method of making an electronic device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing an electronic device substrate, mounting an electronic part on the electronic device substrate, removing the tape member and the metal film from the electronic device substrate, and forming a conductive structure at a position corresponding to the metal plating layer. The electronic device substrate includes a base material formed of a thin board and the base material includes a tape member, a metal film, a release layer, a metal layer, an electrical insulation layer and a metal plating layer filled in the plurality of openings.
US08230586B2
A method of cooling a resistor is provided. The method includes forming a first electrical insulator having a high thermal conductivity in thermal contact with an electrically resistive pathway and forming a substrate adjacent the electrical insulator. The method further includes forming a first electrical conductor having a high thermal conductivity within the second substrate and in thermal contact with the electrical insulator.
US08230579B2
A method for producing an electromotor includes: producing laminated cores to form a segmented part including teeth and grooves, two adjacent laminated cores having a partial tooth at ends arranged at a transition point between the two laminated cores; arranging the laminated cores to form a transition tooth from the partial teeth at the transition point of the two adjacent laminated cores; enclosing of each transition tooth by a transition coil; supplying heat at each transition coil to make adhesive an outer thermoplastic layer surrounding a conductor wire of each transition coil and applying pressure to each transition coil in a direction of a floor of the two grooves surrounding each transition tooth to press together the two partial teeth forming the transition tooth; and hardening the outer thermoplastic layer.
US08230568B2
Provided is bathtub accessory product and installation method. The bathtub accessory product is designed to be secured to a bathtub wall and have a universal end that permits the attachment of any number of bath accessories such as a grab bar or swivel seat. The bathtub accessory may be installed within the inner cavity of a bathtub to ensure a secure fit while also allowing ideal placement of a bath accessory for use by a bather.
US08230567B2
A rollup device can save users time and energy on the side of the road when rolling up belts or tie down straps which secure a load on a flatbed trailer. The rollup device may be a piece of metal having a fitting centrally located therewithin. The piece of metal may fit into a roll-up on the side of the flatbed trailer. A drill, such as a 12V cordless drill, may be used to turn the rollup device by fitting a drill bit into the centrally located fitting. Powering the drill may turn the roll-up device and, therefore, roll up the belts or straps.
US08230564B1
A millimeter wave transmission line filter having a plurality of filter pole determining coupled cavities fabricated with a multiple lithographic layer micromachining process. The filter cavities are oriented perpendicular to an underlying substrate element in order to achieve micromachining, fabrication and accuracy advantages. Multiple filters can be used in a frequency multiplex arrangement as in a duplexer. Radio frequencies in the 15 to 300 gigahertz range are contemplated.
US08230561B2
An apparatus for lowering an urn comprises a frame, a substantially horizontal platform for supporting the urn, and a lowering mechanism mounted to the frame that is releasably connected to the platform. The lowering mechanism automatically releases the platform when the platform is in the bottom position. To releasably connect the lowering mechanism to the frame, four hangers may be used to releasably connect the platform to respective suspension straps. Each hanger may comprise a square body for insertion through a corresponding square hole in the platform. Each hanger may have a pivoting arm that pivots into a substantially horizontal posture to support the platform from underneath, the pivoting arm of the hanger comprising a counterweight to cause the pivoting arm to return to a substantially vertical posture when legs underneath the platform reach the bottom position.
US08230560B2
Fastening system for shoes which are fastened by way of fastening laces. An insert opening has interengaging tabs which have end-mounted deflection elements for guiding the shoelace. The laces are organized so that no crossover or overlapping shoe laces are present in the instep and ball region of the foot.
US08230555B2
Active material based fasteners that are reversible are provided. These fasteners can be in the form of, for example, cable ties and twist ties. In an embodiment, a fastener for securing an object comprises: a flexible elongated member capable of at least partially surrounding the object; and an adjustment mechanism in operable communication with the flexible elongated member, the adjustment mechanism comprising an active material capable of undergoing a change in a property upon exposure to an activation source, wherein the elongated member is configured to engage or release the object in response to the change in the property.
US08230545B2
A versatile cleaning-used duster broom structure comprises a dusting broom body composed of elastic soft bristles to fit to a coupling seat equipped with a handle. The coupling seat has an opening end to which the dusting broom body is accommodated and located thereto. The opening end has multiple conjoining blocks each defined by an insert groove thereon, and the dusting broom body has the surface bundled up into a collecting portion so that the elastic soft bristles can be more evenly arranged to match to a fixing pole thereby. Besides, each elastic soft bristle has multiple individual cellular suction portions, forming an elastic and dense bristle surface thereon to suck up fine particles of dust thereby. Thus, via the stretchable character of the suction portions thereof, the elastic soft bristles can accurately enwrap trash and clean up sand, dust and hair, etc., providing effective and effortless cleaning benefit thereby.
US08230536B2
A changing table for a playard has a flexible platform sized to support a child and a changing table mount arranged to releasably engage the platform to the playard. The changing table mount can have a plurality of straps each having a fastener and removably received in corresponding slots of the playard. The changing table mount can comprise a zipper releasably connecting the changing table to the playard.
US08230528B2
Swimming goggles include a frame body, lenses received in the frame body, and buckles assembled on a left side and a right side of the frame body. Each buckle includes a first cover and a second cover assembled together for accommodating and positioning a head strap, and a manipulation element mounted between the first cover and the second cover. The manipulation element has a bias bar and a manual bar interacting with each other to form an L shape for pivoting the first cover with the second cover according to the lever principle, a link arm extending axially from the manual bar, and a first flexible arm and a second flexible arm extending obliquely from opposite ends of the link arm in opposite direction. The first flexible arm and a second flexible arm respectively form a first pressing portion and a second pressing portion.
US08230526B2
The present invention relates generally to male garments. In particular, the present invention provides a men's underwear or swimwear garment for supporting the male genitals, the garment including a double-layered front portion having an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein a lower portion of the inner layer of the double-layered front portion is folded upward to form a pouch in the interior of the garment, wherein, in use, the pouch engages with the genitals of the male wearer to displace the genitals of a male wearer forward and/or upward.
US08230521B2
A garment comprising first and second lower leg portions each having a distal and a proximal end, each lower leg portion including an anchor disposed proximate the distal end thereof, a first keeper fixed to the first lower leg portion proximate the proximal end thereof, a second keeper fixed to the second lower leg portion, proximate the proximal end thereof, an elongate lumbar support assembly having a first end and a second end, a first mating member disposed at the first end of the elongate lumbar support assembly and adapted to releaseably mate with the first keeper, and a second mating member disposed at the second end of the elongate lumbar support assembly and adapted to releaseably mate with the second keeper.
US08230519B2
A disposable isolation hospital gown is provided having a main body and a pair of sleeves. Integrally formed with the hospital gown is a disposable wrapper that is particularly positioned or placed such that the gown can be rolled or folded into a bundle, after which the disposable wrapper is reversed and in the process of reversing the disposable wrapper, the bundled gown is stuffed or placed into the reversed disposable wrapper for disposal.
