US08242890B2
A multi-protocol RFID interrogating system employs a synchronization technique (step-lock) for a backscatter RFID system that allows simultaneous operation of closely spaced interrogators. The multi-protocol RFID interrogating system can communicate with backscatter transponders having different output protocols and with active transponders including: Title 21 compliant RFID backscatter transponders; IT2000 RFID backscatter transponders that provide an extended mode capability beyond Title 21; EGO™ RFID backscatter transponders, SEGO™ RFID backscatter transponders; ATA, ISO, ANSI AAR compliant RFID backscatter transponders; and IAG compliant active technology transponders. The system implements a step-lock operation, whereby adjacent interrogators are synchronized to ensure that all downlinks operate within the same time frame and all uplinks operate within the same time frame, to eliminate downlink on uplink interference.
US08242887B2
Packet formats and related infrastructure for improved messaging and processing of commands in an AMR system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for identifying the features of an endpoint based on data encoded in a standard meter reading is provided. In this regard, the method includes receiving a standard meter reading having an endpoint type and subtype classification, wherein the subtype classification corresponds to a feature of the endpoint that may be re-configured. Once received, the standard metering reading is decoded. Then, the method identifies the classification of the endpoint with regard to type and subtype and determines whether the endpoint is capable of implementing a particular command.
US08242885B2
A system for providing intermittent communication while preserving a sterile area is provided. Sterility is preserved because the user can switch between transmitting and receiving mode without needing to touch a physical button, switch, or dial. The system is particularly valuable to doctors or dentists performing procedures. The system includes a two-way communication device coupled with a sensor, the sensor being capable of detecting the presence of an object, generally the user's hand or an instrumentality of the user, located closer than a predetermined distance from the sensor in a predetermined direction relative to the sensor. Upon such detection, the communication device is switched from receiving to tranmitting mode and remains in transmitting mode until a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the object has ceased to be located within the predetermined distance in the predetermined direction of the sensor.
US08242879B2
A system and method for prosthetic/orthotic (PO) device and/or PO system communication. PO devices of the present invention preferably employ common communication modules that allow for wireless communication between PO devices and other devices, such as remote controls and data transfer devices. The present invention also provides for a methodology of determinant and non-interfering simultaneous communication between multiple PO devices of a PO system.
US08242865B1
A micromachined switch is provided including a base substrate, a bond pad on the base substrate, a cantilever arm connected to the bond pad, the cantilever arm having a conductive via from the bond pad, a first actuation electrode on the base substrate, and a second actuation electrode on the cantilever arm connected to the bond pad by way of the conductive via, positioned such that an actuation voltage applied between the first actuation electrode and the second actuation electrode will deform the cantilever arm, wherein the first actuation electrode is facing a side of the cantilever arm opposite the second actuation electrode.
US08242862B2
Tunable bandpass filters are provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a tunable bandpass filter including a dielectric substrate having a first surface opposite to a second surface, a conductive ground plane disposed on the first surface, a microstrip conductive trace pattern disposed on the second surface, the trace pattern defining a phase velocity compensation transmission line section including a series of spaced alternating T-shaped conductor portions, at least one varactor diode coupled to a first T-shaped conductor portion of the series of T-shaped conductor portions and to the conductive ground plane, and bias control circuitry coupled to the first T-shaped conductor portion, wherein the bias control circuitry is configured to control the at least one varactor diode.
US08242859B2
To power-consume noise currents flown in power source lines, etc. in non-uniform wiring modes to such a level that noise obstructions can be suppressed by using a resistance without a capacitor that causes series resonance phenomena. It is a line noise attenuator for purifying electromagnetic environments by attenuating noise currents superimposed on a conductor line which supplies a signal power to a load from a signal power source. The conductor line operates as an antenna which receives high frequency noise currents. The conductor line has an inductor which tolerates flows of a low frequency signal power, and a resistance for changing the high frequency noise currents to heat and consuming the heat with a resistance value which is so set, with respect to a resistance value of the inductor replaced with a pure resistance value, that the high frequency noise current blocked at the inductor can be flown.
US08242854B2
A circuit for a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) buffer is described. The circuit includes a first capacitor connected to an input of the VCO buffer that is connected to a VCO core. The circuit also includes a second capacitor connected to the input of the VCO buffer and the gate of a p-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect (PMOS) transistor. The circuit further includes a first switch connected to the first capacitor and the gate of the PMOS transistor. The circuit also includes a third capacitor connected to the input of the VCO buffer. The circuit further includes a fourth capacitor connected to the input of the VCO buffer and the gate of an n-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect (NMOS) transistor. The circuit also includes a second switch connected to the third capacitor and the gate of the NMOS transistor.
US08242849B1
A crystal offset value is stored in non-volatile memory in an oscillator device. The crystal offset value corresponds to a ratio between a rated frequency of an output of a crystal oscillator and a measured frequency of the output of the crystal oscillator. A rated divide value that corresponds to a selected frequency for an output of the oscillator device assumes the crystal oscillator operates at its rated or ideal frequency. Thus, the rated divide value corresponds to the rated frequency. The rated divide value is adjusted by the crystal offset value to generate an adjusted divide value and the adjusted divide value is used to generate an output signal of the oscillator device with the selected frequency.
US08242848B2
An oscillation frequency control circuit configured to control a frequency of a second clock signal of an oscillation circuit generating and outputting the second clock signal having a frequency in response to an input control signal is disclosed. The oscillation frequency control circuit includes a frequency difference detection circuit unit configured to detect a difference between a frequency of a predetermined first clock signal input externally and the frequency of the second clock signal, and generate and output a signal indicating a result of the detection; and a frequency control circuit unit configured to control the frequency of the second clock signal so that the frequency of the second clock signal continually changes back and forth between a predetermined lower limit value and a predetermined upper limit value in response to the output signal from the frequency difference detection circuit.
US08242847B1
Aspects of the disclosure provide an amplifier. The amplifier includes a first path configured to generate a first current that has a first polarity third-order coefficient corresponding to an input signal, a swing adjustor configured to adjust a swing of the input signal, and a second path configured to generate a second current based on the swing-adjusted input signal. The second current has a second polarity third-order coefficient corresponding to the swing-adjusted input signal. The first current and the second current are combined to drive a load, such that a third-order inter-modulation (IM3) in the combined current is reduced. In addition, in a power amplifier example, parameters of the amplifier, such as a ratio of the swing adjustor, biases of transistors, a number of additional paths, are adjusted based on a detected power of the input signal, such that the IM3 reduction is achieved across a wide input power range.
US08242843B2
A push-pull amplifier including first to third current paths. The first current path includes first transistor allowing first current to flow through the first current path according to input signal. The second current path includes second transistor allowing second current having opposite phase to the first current to flow through the second current path according to the first current; first resistor; and third transistor connected to one end of the first resistor and having control terminal connected to the other end of the first resistor. The third current path includes output terminal; fourth transistor allowing current having the same phase as the first current to flow through the third current path according to the input signal; and fifth transistor allowing current having the same phase as the second current to flow through the third current path according to voltage of first node between the first resistor and the third transistor.
US08242837B2
An object is to obtain a semiconductor device having a high sensitivity in detecting signals and a wide dynamic range, using a thin film transistor in which an oxide semiconductor layer is used. An analog circuit is formed with the use of a thin film transistor including an oxide semiconductor which has a function as a channel formation layer, has a hydrogen concentration of 5×1019 atoms/cm3 or lower, and substantially functions as an insulator in the state where no electric field is generated. Thus, a semiconductor device having a high sensitivity in detecting signals and a wide dynamic range can be obtained.
US08242824B1
A signal delay apparatus, including: a period digitalization circuit, for digitalizing a period of a reference clock signal to generate a digitalized reference period; a delay control signal generator, for generating a delay control signal according to the digitalized reference period, a reference frequency and a required delay indicating signal; and a delay circuit, for delaying an input signal to generate an output signal according to the required delay control signal.
US08242821B2
A delay-locked loop includes a delay line and a duty correction block. The delay line includes receives an input clock signal and includes a cascade of delay cells for respectively generating a plurality of delayed input clock signals based on the input clock signal. The duty correction block is for correcting a duty ratio of the input clock signal based on a duty ratio of at least one clock signal from among the input clock signal and the plurality of delayed input clock signals in a first duty correction operation in which the duty ratio of the input clock signal is corrected, and correcting a duty ratio of an output clock signal based on the duty ratio of the output clock in a second duty correction operation in which the duty ratio of the output clock signal is corrected.
US08242819B2
A method and apparatus for tuning a phase of a data clock signal having a different frequency than a main clock signal. The method of tuning includes coarse tuning by receiving the data clock signal, dividing the data clock signal to generate a frequency-divided clock signal having a same frequency as the main clock signal, repeatedly shifting the frequency-divided clock signal to generate multiphase frequency-divided clock signals at a predetermined phase interval, comparing a phase of each of the multiphase frequency-divided clock signals with a phase of the main clock signal, and determining a phase shift amount based on a comparison result, and fine tuning by comparing a phase of a multiphase frequency-divided clock signal corresponding to the phase shift amount with the phase of the main clock signal and adjusting the phase of the data clock signal by a predetermined phase step based on the comparison result.
US08242814B2
A clock converting circuit (1) receives and then converts m-phase clocks of a frequency f having a phase difference of 1/(f×m) to n-phase clocks of the frequency f having a phase difference of 1/(f×n). A single-phase clock generating circuit (2) receives the n-phase clocks of the frequency f having a phase difference equivalent time of 1/(f×n) to generate single-phase clocks in synchronism with the rising or falling edges of the n-phase clocks. Since the frequency of the m-phase clocks inputted to the clock converting circuit (1) is ‘f’, if a desired frequency of the single-phase clocks is decided, then ‘n’ can be obtained from the equation: the frequency of the single-phase clocks is equal to (f×n). This value of ‘n’ is set to the clock converting circuit (1), thereby obtaining the n-phase clocks of the frequency f from the m-phase clocks of the frequency f to provide single-phase clocks of a desired frequency.
US08242813B1
Systems and methods are disclosed to detect current for an output load with an inductor. The system includes a high side power transistor a low side power transistor coupled to the high side power transistor; and a controller coupled to the high and low side power transistors to provide cycle by cycle conduction of the low side power transistor, said controller adaptively turning off the low side power transistor when the high and low side power transistors are off and an inductor current is non-positive. Adaptation of the turn off of the low side transistor is based on the time position of the detection of the non-positive inductor current and serves to improve the power efficiency of the system.
US08242810B2
An improved fast settling bit slicing comparator circuit includes a comparator having a non-inverting and inverting input; the non-inverting input receiving an input signal; a filter circuit for receiving the input signal and being connected with the inverting input of the comparator; a positive feedback circuit interconnected between the output of the comparator and the non-inverting input of the comparator for introducing a predetermined hysteresis offset; the filter circuit including a filter resistance and filter capacitance having a reduced time constant sufficient to compensate for at least a portion of the hysteresis offset. Additionally, the positive feedback circuit may be interconnected with the inverting input of the comparator through the filter circuit for gradually reducing the effect of the hysteresis offset by reducing the differential voltage between the inverting and non-inverting inputs.
US08242802B2
A multi-core bus termination apparatus includes a location array and a plurality of drivers. The location array generates a plurality of location signals that indicate locations on the bus of a corresponding plurality of nodes that are coupled to the bus, where the locations comprise either an internal location or a bus end location. Each of the plurality of drivers has one of the corresponding plurality of nodes, and controls how the one of the corresponding plurality of nodes is driven responsive to a state of a corresponding one of the plurality of location signals. Each of the plurality of drivers has configurable multi-core logic. The configurable multi-core logic enables pull-up logic and first pull-down logic if the state indicates the bus end location. The configurable multi-core logic disables the pull-up logic and to enable the first pull-down logic and second pull-down logic if the state indicates the internal location.
US08242787B2
The present invention relates to a method for determining a status and/or condition of an LED/OLED device 10, comprising the steps of: applying at least one time varying signal 22 to the LED/OLED device, acquiring the response 24 to said at least one time varying signal, correlating said response with predetermined values 30, and determining the status/condition 32 on the basis of the correlation result. Further, the present invention relates to a device adapted to carry out the inventive method.
US08242782B2
A microwave energy delivery and measurement system, including a microwave energy source configured to delivery microwave energy to a microwave energy delivery device, a measurement system configured to measure at least one parameter of the microwave energy delivery device and a switching network configured to electrically isolate the microwave energy source and the measurement system. The measurement system is configured to actively measure in real time at least one parameter related to the microwave energy delivery device.
US08242777B2
A method and a system are disclosed for calibrating an emission tomography subsystem in a combined MR (magnetic resonance) and emission tomography imaging system. In at least one embodiment, the method includes providing a phantom that is configured such that the phantom is visible on a MR image, providing an attenuation map of the phantom, wherein the attenuation map includes an attenuation of the phantom, obtaining the MR image of the phantom, obtaining a position of the phantom from the MR image, mapping the attenuation map with the position of the phantom, and calibrating the emission tomography subsystem using the attenuation map mapped with the position of the phantom.
US08242773B2
A holder is disposed in the case. The holder is mounted with an actuator that moves in the predetermined direction and a wiring board having a detector. A positioning mechanism between relevant components for detecting the positions of components is provided such as a wiring board and a holder, the position of magnet in particular. In this way, the magnet and the detector opposing to each other are positioned. As a result, when a vehicle switch is assembled, the variation in position of the magnet and detector is reduced.
US08242770B2
A voltage sensing device with which high-precision voltage sensing is possible without acquiring a unique correction constant for each device. A pair of voltage input nodes NCk and NCk-1 are selected from n+1 voltage input nodes NC0-NCn in switch part 10, and the selected voltage input nodes NCk and NCk-1 are connected to inspection input nodes NA and NB. Here, voltage input nodes NCk and NCk-1 and inspection input nodes NA and NB are connected in two types of patterns of different polarity (forward connection, reverse connection) under the control of control part 50, and digital data S30 for the two sensed voltage signals S20 generated in the two types of connection patterns is input to sensed data processing part 40. With sensed data processing part 40, sensed voltage data S40 that represents the potential difference between voltage input nodes NCk and NCk-1 is generated according to the difference in the two sensed voltage signals S20.
US08242764B2
A non-isolated DC-DC converter that converts a voltage input to an input terminal to output a constant output voltage to a load terminal while switching control mode between a PWM mode and a VFM mode depending on a current output to the load terminal. The DC-DC converter includes an inductor, a switching circuit, and a control circuit. The inductor stores electric energy for supply to the load terminal. The switching circuit switches on and off current flow at a switching frequency to alternately charge and discharge the inductor. The control circuit increases an electric current flowing to the load terminal through the inductor per one operational cycle as the switching frequency decreases during VFM control mode operation.
US08242756B2
A load such as an LED and a constant-current source are connected in series with each other between the node of a dc-dc conversion type power supply circuit providing an output voltage and the ground. The constant-current source provides a constant current Io, the magnitude of which can be adjusted. The power supply circuit controls the output voltage such that the voltage drop across the constant-current source serving as a detection voltage becomes equal to a reference voltage. Thus, the load current can be varied within a predetermined range while avoiding the power loss due to an increase in the load current, thereby always permitting efficient operation of the load.
US08242754B2
A resonant power converter with half bridge and full bridge operations and a method for control thereof are provided. The resonant power converter includes a full bridge circuit, a control circuit and a PFC circuit. The full bridge circuit switches a power transformer in response to switching signals. The control circuit coupled to receive a feedback signal and an input signal generates switching signals. The feedback signal is correlated to the output of the power converter and the input signal is correlated to the input voltage of the full bridge circuit, where the full bridge circuit is operated as a full bridge switching when the input signal is lower than a threshold, and the full bridge circuit is operated as a half bridge switching when the input signal is higher than the threshold. The PFC circuit generates the input voltage of the full bridge circuit.
US08242743B2
A mouse includes a housing, a circuit board received in the housing, and a battery chamber received in the housing and configured for receiving a battery therein. The circuit board includes a USB mouse operating circuit, a charging circuit and a USB connector. The USB mouse operating circuit and the charging circuit are both connected to the USB connector. The battery chamber includes at least one charging connector connected to the charging circuit. The charging connector connects the charging circuit with the battery received in the battery chamber.
US08242739B2
A charging system and method that accommodates and reduces potential residual or leakage current when electrical grounds of a charger and an energy storage system are equalized at the moment of initiating charging. The charging system using an alternating current (AC) line voltage for conductive charging of an energy storage system (ESS) coupled to a polyphase motor drive circuit communicated to a polyphase motor, and converting the line voltage to a charging voltage communicated to the energy storage system using a set of the plurality of driver stages.
US08242732B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for stepper motor 102 stall detection. A conversion module 106 receives 1206 a back electromotive force (“EMF”) waveform 1002 produced in a non-driven coil of the stepper motor 102 by a magnetic field of a rotor of the stepper motor 102 during a full step operation 308, and samples 1208 the waveform 1002 at intervals starting at a predetermined time for a predetermined period of time within the full step operation 308 to yield a plurality of sampled data points. A rectification module 202 rectifies 1210 the waveform 1002 about a predetermined quiescent level 306. A comparison module 204 accumulates 1216 the rectified sampled data points into a statistically representative sampled value, compares the representative sampled value to a predetermined threshold level, and indicates 1224 a stall of the rotor if the representative sampled value is less than the predetermined threshold level.
US08242726B2
There is disclosed a method and a circuit arrangement for the feedback of commutation energy in three-phase current drive systems with a current intermediate circuit converter. Commutation energy is released at each commutation in the inverter. The commutation unit ensures that the released energy is directly fed back to the current intermediate circuit in two steps. In the first step, the commutation energy is fed into the commutation capacitor by a rectifier circuit (diode bridge and three triacs). In the second step, the commutation energy is fed directly from the commutation capacitor into the current intermediate circuit by means of three semiconductors (first RIGBT, second RIGBT, diode) so that the current of the intermediate circuit flows through the capacitor over a controlled period of time.
US08242725B2
A method of aligning a sensorless brushless polyphase DC motor including aligning a rotor to a known stopped position with respect to at least one coil during a shut-down of said motor wherein a voltage is applied to one or more coils in a timed sequence of voltage application steps; and, starting said rotor from said known stopped position, wherein a voltage is applied to one or more coils in a timed sequence of voltage application steps.
US08242719B2
Method and arrangement for connecting an AC electric motor (M1, M2, . . . MN) to an AC electricity network (L) in a system which comprises a frequency converter (FC), with which the motor is started, and contactors (S11, S12, S21, S22, SN1, SN2), in which method the supply source is changed by means of the contactors from the frequency converter to a direct network supply, in which method the frequency converter is stopped before changing the supply source, and in which method in connection with changing the supply source the control of the contactors is started before stopping the frequency converter.
US08242717B2
A light output device comprises a substrate arrangement comprising a plurality of light source circuits integrated into the structure of the substrate arrangement. Each light source circuit comprises a light source device arrangement (4) having two terminals and a transistor circuit (7). Each light source circuit is supplied with power from an associated pair the power connections (10,11,14,15,20), and at least two light source circuits (4,7) share the same pair of power connections. A set of control connections (18) are provided for receiving external control signals for controlling the transistor circuits (7). A set of non-overlapping electrodes (10,11,14,15,18,20) provide the internal connections between the power connections, the light source device terminals and the transistor circuits, and each light source device is individually independently controllable.
US08242706B2
A drive system for an illumination device includes a plurality of LEDs; an extra load; an illumination setting unit, for providing an illumination parameter such as a work cycle; a power supply unit, for providing a DC current; a microprocessor, for receiving the illumination parameter and generating a plurality of drive signals and a compensation signal according to the received illumination parameter; a plurality of first drive units, for driving the LEDs to receive the DC current in the high-level cycle for illumination; and a second drive unit, for receiving the compensation signal and outputting the DC current to the extra load according to the compensation signal.
US08242705B2
An electronic control gear for a HID lamp receives an input signal for operating the lamp and frequency modulates the input signal to generate a frequency modulated output signal that drives an arc of the lamp. The frequency modulation of the output signal sweeps continuously between a low frequency modulation and a high frequency modulation, the low frequency modulation being a frequency f1 in a range of 125 kHz to 150 kHz and the high frequency modulation being a frequency f2 in a range of 230 kHz to 300 kHz, where f2−f1 is at least 0.4*f1. A power amplifier changes an amplitude of the frequency modulated output signal during the low frequency modulations so that a current amplitude of the frequency modulated output signal is substantially constant, and a variable gain transformer adjusts a voltage of the frequency modulated output signal during starting of the lamp.
US08242697B2
An exemplary light emitting diode street lamp includes a light emitting diode array, a brightness sensor, a humidity sensor, and a controlling system. The brightness sensor senses the brightness of the environment. The humidity sensor senses the humidity of the environment. The controlling system is electrically connected to the light emitting diode array, the humidity sensor and the brightness sensor. Three ranges of humidity and three ranges of brightness are predefined in the controlling system. The controlling system controls the light emitting diode array to emit an amount of light according to a relationship between the sensed humidity value and the humidity ranges, and according to a relationship between the sensed brightness value and the brightness ranges.
US08242695B2
An laser driven light source comprises a bulb that encloses a discharge medium, a laser beam unit for emitting a laser beam, wherein the laser beam is focused in the bulb for generating a discharge, and a beam shield element that is provided in the bulb to shield peripheral devices from the laser beam, which passes through the discharge generated in the bulb.
US08242692B2
The present invention relates to an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display and a manufacturing method thereof. The OLED display includes a substrate member that includes a plurality of pixel areas. A thin film transistor (TFT) is formed on the substrate member and includes a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode. A planarization layer is formed on the TFT and includes a contact hole through which the drain electrode is partially exposed. A pixel electrode is formed on the planarization layer and is connected to the drain electrode of the TFT through the contact hole. A pixel defining layer is formed on the planarization layer and has a through opening. Light scattering spacers are formed on the pixel defining layer to scatter reflected light and may have various shapes and dimensions.
US08242690B2
The present invention relates to an LED die package, which has a light-emitting diode die having a sapphire layer, a first doped layer doped with a p- or n-type dopant, and a second doped layer doped with a different dopant from that doped in the first doped layer. A surface of the sapphire layer opposite to the surface on which the first doped layer is disposed is formed with generally inverted-pyramidal-shaped recesses and overlaid with a phosphor powder layer. Each of the first and the second doped layers has an electrode-forming surface formed with an electrode, on which an insulation layer is disposed and formed with exposure holes for exposing the electrodes. The exposure holes are each filled with an electrically conductive linker.
US08242688B2
An organic light emitting display and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the display includes i) a first substrate, ii) a second substrate facing the first substrate and iii) a display unit formed between the first and second substrates and including organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). The display further includes i) a sealant formed between the first and second substrates so as to substantially surround the display unit, wherein the first and second substrates are bonded to each other via the sealant and ii) a filler formed at an inner side of the sealant to cover the display unit, and wherein a magnetic substance is dispersed in the filler.
US08242680B2
A green phosphor, has an orthorhombic structure of a Pnma space group and the Formula 1: (M11-xDx)pM2qOrAs [Formula 1] wherein M1 is magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and any combination thereof, D is at least one of metal selected from the group consisting of europium, manganese, antimony, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, terbium, dysprosium, erbium, ytterbium, bismuth, and any combination thereof, M2 is at least one selected from the group consisting of silicon, germanium, aluminum, gallium, and any combination thereof, A is at least one selected from the group consisting of chlorine, fluorine, bromine, iodine, and any combination thereof, and 2.7≦p≦3.3, 0.7≦q≦1.3, 3.5≦r≦4.5, 1.7≦s≦2.3, and 0
US08242672B2
The present invention provides a technique of suppressing the generation of radio noise in a spark plug, wherein a high dielectric constant fixation-assisting member, formed of a high dielectric constant material which is higher in dielectric constant than alumina, is provided between a metallic shell and a second conductive portion CP2 which includes a metallic terminal of the spark plug 100.
US08242658B2
Disclosed are transverse and/or commutated flux machines and components thereof, and methods of making and using the same. Certain rotors for use in transverse and commutated flux machines may be formed to facilitate a “many to many” flux switch configuration between flux concentrating stator portions having opposite polarities. Other rotors may be formed from a first material, and contain flux switches formed from a second material. Yet other rotors may be machined, pressed, stamped, folded, and/or otherwise mechanically formed. Via use of such rotors, transverse and/or commutated flux machines can achieve improved performance, efficiency, and/or be sized or otherwise configured for various applications.
US08242655B2
An engine cooling system, comprising a fan unit, cooling pipes and a coolant tank, the coolant tank, the cooling pipes and cooling channels of the engine being connected together and forming a cooling cycle, the fan unit being used to cool the cooling pipes and the coolant therein; wherein the fan unit comprises a motor and fan blades driven by the motor, the motor comprising a stator and a rotor rotatable mounted confronting the stator; the rotor comprising a shaft, a commutator fitted to the shaft, a rotor core fitted to the shaft adjacent to the commutator, windings wound about teeth of the rotor core and electrically connected to segments of the commutator; the windings being wound by aluminum cored wire that has a electrical insulation film around its peripheral surface.
US08242643B2
A three-stable oscillating electromagnetic actuator includes a cylindrical stator from which a plurality of first magnetic poles project toward a center direction, a mover that extends in a circumferential direction inside the stator and is reciprocatingly and rotatably supported along the circumference, and a plurality of coils that are wound around the first magnetic poles and bias the mover to cause it to stop in three positions, which are a first stable position that is on one end side of a rotation range of the mover, a second stable position that is on the other end side, and a neutral position that is an intermediate position. The three-stable oscillating electromagnetic actuator further includes a second magnetic pole made of a magnetic material that abuts against a rotation-direction end of the mover to stop the mover in the first stable position and the second stable position.
US08242639B2
An inductive rotary joint for computer tomographs includes an inverter and an inductive rotary coupler. A primary winding of the inductive rotary coupler is fed by the inverter via a line, with energy transmitted by the inductive rotary coupler being supplied to a load through a secondary winding. The line includes at least two coaxial lines, each coaxial line having an outer conductor or shield with the two outer conductors or shields being interconnected along a major part of their length, and an inner conductor, with the inner conductors being supplied by the inverter with voltages, the sum of which is substantially equal to zero.
US08242636B2
In an apparatus for connecting two generators to an electrical load, there are provided a first group of terminals that are adapted to be connected to a single remote controller provided independently and separately from the apparatus and provided with a start switch and a stop switch to be manipulated by an operator, a second group of terminals that are adapted to be connected to each remote control terminal of the generators, and an electronic control unit that is connected to the first and second group of terminals and starts/stops each of the generators by outputting signals to each of the generators through the second group of terminals in accordance with a start instruction signal and a stop instruction signal produced in response to the operator's manipulation of the start switch and stop switch and inputted through the first group of terminals, thereby enabling to start and stop generators to be run in parallel by using a single remote controller.
US08242632B2
The invention relates to a lifting magnet (11), comprising an emergency power source (121) effective during a mains power failure, said emergency power source having a plurality of high-performance capacitors (12), preferably double-layer capacitors, and to a method for the emergency power supply of a lifting magnet comprising a mains voltage (10), a transmitter (32), a receiver (33) with a relay (311) and an emergency power source (121). According to the invention, the transmitter modulates a (high) frequency test signal (34) on the mains voltage, said test signal being received and evaluated by a receiver connected to the mains voltage, wherein the receiver has a relay, by means of which the emergency power source is connected to the mains voltage when the receiver does not receive the received test signal.
US08242628B2
A power device transforms input power into power for output, and includes an input unit, a power factor unit, a first electronic switch, an output unit, and a control signal port. The power factor unit includes a power factor correction circuit and a first detection circuit connected to an output end of the power factor unit and the power factor correction circuit. The first electronic switch is connected to the first detection circuit, and is under control of the control signal port.
US08242627B2
A path for charging a main battery from an external power source is established by turning on a first relay and a second relay. This charging path is provided independently of an electric path between a motor generator for generating a vehicle driving force and the main battery established by turning on a third relay. Further, an auxiliary load system including an auxiliary battery is not connected to the above-mentioned electric path, but receives operating power through a power line between the second relay and a power converter so as to be operable even with the third relay turned off.
US08242625B2
An aircraft power supply for providing DC power with improved power quality characteristics to the aircraft. According to one embodiment, the aircraft power supply includes an input filter, a step-down transformer, one or more rectifier networks, and an output filter with a voltage modulation attenuator to passively improve power quality characteristics. The voltage modulation attenuator may use a certain arrangement of inductors, capacitors and diodes to reduce voltage transients in the aircraft power supply.
US08242624B2
Disclosed is an electric accumulator for selectively operating at least one aircraft device. The electric accumulator includes an ultra-capacitor array for storing electrical energy, which can later be used to power an aircraft device. The stored electrical energy can also be used as a source of emergency backup power. The distribution of the electrical energy is controlled by a power distribution controller. The electric accumulator may be charged by a power source on an aircraft, or it may be pre-charged by an external power source.
US08242618B2
A wind turbine generator is provided in which a gear having a large diameter is not required in a yaw drive device (30) of a yaw system (10A). The yaw drive device (30) of the yaw system (10A), which revolves a nacelle (3) depending on the wind direction, includes a electric motor (31) which is fixedly provided on a nacelle base plate (12), with an output shaft (31a) substantially aligned with a pivot of the nacelle (3). The output shaft (31a) and a fixed-side support member (2b) provided in the vicinity of an upper end of the tower (2) are coupled by a coupling shaft (33) having couplings (32) provided at both ends thereof.
US08242615B2
A COF package in exemplary form includes a flexible base film, inner leads each made of metal and having a thickness d1, which are disposed at a peripheral edge of a semiconductor chip-mounted predetermined spot on the base film and protruded into the semiconductor chip-mounted predetermined spot, dummy patterns having a thickness d2 (<(d1+d3), where d3 is the thickness of the electrodes), which are disposed at predetermined positions within the semiconductor chip-mounted predetermined spot, a semiconductor chip, and an encapsulating resin. The semiconductor chip has a plurality of the electrodes each protruded into a main surface thereof and having the thickness d3. The electrodes are bonded to the inner leads respectively. Further, the encapsulating resin is charged between the base film and the semiconductor chip. The shape and/or position of the dummy patterns may mark the function of one or more inner leads.
US08242613B2
A semiconductor die has rows of bond pads along the edges of a major surface. The corners of the die are designated as keep out areas, with design layout rules prohibiting a probe-able bond pad from being placed in the keep out areas so that a minimum distance may be maintained between distal ends of adjacent rows of bond pads (i.e., bond pads along adjacent edges). The bond pads of each row have IO pad areas that are aligned with each other and IO probe areas that are aligned with each other. A generally L-shaped bond pad includes a first, vertical part that extends inwardly from an edge of the semiconductor die and a second, horizontal part connected to the vertical part. The L-shaped bond pad may be placed between a last bond pad in a row and a corner keep out area, and the second part of the L-shaped bond pad extends into the corner keep out area. The first part has an IO pad area that is in alignment with the IO pad areas of the other bond pads in the same row, and the second part has an IO probe area that is in alignment with the IO probe areas of the bond pads in the adjacent row. The L-shaped bond pad does not violate design rules even though a part of the pad extends into the corner keep out area.
US08242607B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit package system comprises: providing a first integrated circuit die; attaching a second integrated circuit die over the first integrated circuit die and offset from the first integrated circuit die in substantially one dimension; forming an interdie layer over the second integrated circuit die; attaching a third integrated circuit die over the interdie layer and substantially aligned to the second integrated circuit die; and attaching a fourth integrated circuit die over the third integrated circuit die and offset from the third integrated circuit die in substantially the same magnitude and substantially the opposite direction as the second integrated circuit die to the first integrated circuit die.
US08242599B2
An electronic component is described that includes a metallic layer on a substrate that is made of a semiconductor material and a diffusion barrier layer that is made of a material that has a small diffusion coefficient for the metal of the metallic layer which is formed between the metallic layer and the substrate.
US08242592B2
An antenna used for an ID chip or the like is disclosed with planarized antenna unevenness and an IC chip having such the antenna with a flat surface is disclosed. Manufacturing an integrated circuit mounted with an antenna is facilitated. A laminated body formed by stacking a conductive film 11, a resin film 13, an integrated circuit 12, and a resin film 14 are rolled so that the resin film 14 is outside. Then, the laminated body is integrated in a roll form by softening the resin films 13, 14 by applying heat. By slicing the rolled laminated body along with the direction in which the rolled conductive film 31 appears in the cross section, an IC chip with antenna formed by the rolled conductive film 11 is formed.
US08242590B2
A battery mounted semiconductor device is provided. A battery mounted semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor silicon wafer, an electric power supply formed on a backside of the semiconductor silicon wafer and a circuit pattern formed on a front side of the semiconductor silicon wafer.
US08242576B2
A semiconductor structure prevents energy that is used to blow a fuse from causing damage. The semiconductor structure includes a device, guard ring, and at least one protection layer. The device is constructed on the semiconductor substrate underneath the fuse. The seal ring, which surrounds the fuse, is constructed on at least one metal layer between the device and the fuse for confining the energy therein. The protection layer is formed within the seal ring, on at least one metal layer between the device and the fuse for shielding the device from being directly exposed to the energy.
US08242569B2
An encapsulation of a sensitive component structure on a semiconductor substrate with a film covering the component structure is disclosed. A cavity for the component structure is provided in the film. A MEMS and a method for encapsulating a sensitive component structure is also disclosed.
US08242567B2
In order that a top surface of a gate electrode does not have sharp portions, ends of the top surface of the gate electrode are rounded before refractory metal is deposited for silicidation. This reduces intensive application of film stresses which are generated in heat treatment, enabling formation of a silicide layer with a uniform, sufficient thickness.
US08242562B2
An object is to provide a film deposition apparatus in which the amount of leakage from the outside of the chamber to the inside of the chamber is reduced. Even if leakage occurs from the outside of the chamber to the inside of the chamber, oxygen and nitrogen included in an atmosphere that surrounds the outer wall of the chamber are reduced as much as possible and the atmosphere is filled with a noble gas or hydrogen, whereby the inside of the chamber is kept cleaner at 1/100 or less, preferably, 1/1000 or less of oxygen concentration and nitrogen concentration than those in the air. Since the space with high airtightness is provided adjacent to the outside of the chamber, the chamber is covered with a bag and a high-purity argon gas is supplied to the bag.
US08242560B2
A semiconductor device is provided that in one embodiment includes at least one semiconductor fin structure atop a dielectric surface, the semiconductor fin structure including a channel region of a first conductivity type and source and drain regions of a second conductivity type, in which the source and drain regions are present at opposing ends of the semiconductor fin structure. A high-k gate dielectric layer having a thickness ranging from 1.0 nm to 5.0 nm is in direct contact with the channel of the semiconductor fin structure. At least one gate conductor layer is in direct contact with the high-k gate dielectric layer. A method of forming the aforementioned device is also provided.
US08242559B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit system includes: providing a second layer between a first layer and a third layer; forming an active device over the third layer; forming the third layer to form an island region underneath the active device; forming the second layer to form a floating second layer with an undercut beneath the island region; and depositing a fourth layer around the island region and the floating second layer.
US08242553B2
A thin film transistor (TFT) substrate includes first and second TFTs on the same substrate. The first TFT has a feature that a lower conductive layer or a bottom gate electrode layer is provided between the substrate and a first insulating layer while an upper conductive layer or a top gate electrode layer is disposed on a second insulating layer formed on a semiconductor layer which is formed on the first insulating layer. The first conductive layer has first and second areas such that the first area overlaps with the first conductive layer without overlapping with the semiconductor layer while the second area overlaps with the semiconductor layer, and the first area is larger than the second area while the second insulating layer is thinner than the first insulating layer. The second TFT has the same configuration as the first TFT except that the gate electrode layer is eliminated.
US08242551B2
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device that includes a semiconductor substrate, an isolation structure formed in the semiconductor substrate, a conductive layer formed over the isolation structure, and a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor formed over the isolation structure. The MIM capacitor has a crown shape that includes a top electrode, a first bottom electrode, and a dielectric disposed between the top electrode and the first bottom electrode, the first bottom electrode extending at least to a top surface of the conductive layer.
US08242547B2
A solid-state imaging device which includes a plurality of pixels in an arrangement, each of the pixels including a photoelectric conversion element, pixel transistors including a transfer transistor, and a floating diffusion region, in which the channel width of transfer gate of the transfer transistor is formed to be larger on a side of the floating diffusion region than on a side of the photoelectric conversion element.
US08242546B2
A pixel and a pixel array of an image sensor device of the present invention have small pixel sizes by resetting sensed charge using a diode built vertically above a substrate. The pixel and the pixel array also have low noise performance by using a JFET as a source follower transistor for sensing charge. The pixel includes a floating diffusion node configured to sense photo-generated charge, a reset diode configured to reset the floating diffusion node in response to a reset signal, and a junction field effect transistor configured to output a signal having an output voltage level corresponding to a charge level of the floating diffusion node.
US08242545B2
A device for detecting a gas or gas mixture has a first and a second gas sensor. The first gas sensor is a MOSFET, which comprises a first source, a first drain, a first channel zone disposed between the latter elements, and a first gas sensitive layer capacitively coupled to the first channel zone that contains palladium and reacts to a change in the concentration of the gas to be detected with a change in its work function. The second gas sensor has, in a semiconductor substrate, a second source, a second drain, and a second channel zone between the latter elements, which is capacitively coupled via an air gap to a suspended gate. The latter comprises a second gas sensitive layer that reacts to a change in the concentration of the gas to be detected with a change in its work function. The second gas sensitive layer is arranged on a support layer and faces the air gap. The support layer is formed by another semiconductor substrate, and the first gas sensor is integrated in the front side of the second semiconductor substrate facing away from the air gap.
US08242542B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor island having at least one electrical dopant atom and encapsulated by dielectric materials including at least one dielectric material layer. At least two portions of the at least one dielectric material layer have a thickness less than 2 nm to enable quantum tunneling effects. A source-side conductive material portion and a drain-side conductive material portion abuts the two portions of the at least one dielectric material layer. A gate conductor is located on the at least one dielectric material layer between the source-side conductive material portion and the drain-side conductive material portion. The potential of the semiconductor island responds to the voltage at the gate conductor to enable or disable tunneling current through the two portions of the at least one dielectric material layer. Design structures for the semiconductor device are also provided.
US08242538B1
A semiconductor device and method are being disclosed. The semiconductor device discloses an InAs layer, a plurality of group III-V ternary layers supported by the InAs layer, and a plurality of group III-V quarternary layers supported by the InAs layer, wherein the group III-V ternary layers are separated from each other by a single group III-V quarternary layer. The method discloses providing an InAs layer, growing a plurality of group III-V ternary layers, and growing a plurality of group III-V quarternary layers, wherein the group III-V ternary layers are separated from each other by a single group III-V quarternary layer and are supported by the InAs layer.
US08242537B2
An IGBT with a fast reverse recovery time rectifier includes an N-type drift epitaxial layer, a gate, a gate insulating layer, a P-type doped base region, an N-type doped source region, a P-type doped contact region, and a P-type lightly doped region. The P-type doped base region is disposed in the N-type drift epitaxial layer, and the P-type doped contact region is disposed in the N-type drift epitaxial layer. The P-type lightly doped region is disposed between the P-type contact doped region and the N-type drift epitaxial layer, and is in contact with the N-type drift epitaxial layer.
US08242532B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light-emitting device having high light extraction efficiency is provided. The semiconductor light-emitting device includes a light transmissive substrate; a nitride semiconductor layer of a first conduction type formed on or above a top face side of the light transmissive substrate; an active layer made of nitride semiconductor formed on a top face of the nitride semiconductor layer of the first conduction type; a nitride semiconductor layer of a second conduction type formed on a top face of the active layer; a dielectric layer formed on a bottom face of the light transmissive substrate and having a refractive index lower than that of the light transmissive substrate; and a metal layer formed on a bottom face of the dielectric layer. And an interface between the light transmissive substrate and the dielectric layer is a uneven face, and an interface between the dielectric layer and the metal layer is a flat face.
US08242530B2
There is provided a light emitting device, which comprises compound semiconductor layers including a first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second conductive semiconductor layer; a metal reflection layer formed on a region of the second conductive semiconductor layer; an insulating structure formed at least in a boundary region of the second conductive semiconductor layer; a metal material structure formed to cover the second conductive semiconductor layer having the metal reflection layer and the insulating structure formed; and a substrate bonded to the metal material structure, wherein the boundary region of the second conductive semiconductor layer includes an outer region of the second conductive semiconductor layer along an outer circumference of the second conductive semiconductor layer.
US08242526B2
The present application discloses a light-emitting semiconductor device including a semiconductor light-emitting element, a transparent paste layer and a wavelength conversion structure. A first light emitted from the semiconductor light-emitting element enters the wavelength conversion structure to generate a second light which has a wavelength different from that of the first light. In addition, the present application also provides a light-emitting semiconductor device package.
US08242525B2
Disclosed herein is a group of phosphors of the formula M2(SiO4)1-x-y-z(TiO4)x(ZrO4)y(HfO4)z:A,S and light emitting devices which utilize these phosphors.
US08242520B2
A pixel structure including a pair of first sub-pixels, a pair of second sub-pixels and an electrical tunable photonic crystal layer is provided. The pair of first sub-pixels are substantially identical in area, and the pair of second sub-pixels are substantially identical in area. The area of each second sub-pixel is twice the area of each first sub-pixel. In addition, the electrical tunable photonic crystal layer is disposed over the pair of first sub-pixels and the pair of second sub-pixels.
US08242515B2
An optoelectronic device including two spaced apart electrodes; and at least one layer containing ternary core/shell nanocrystals disposed between the spaced electrodes and having ternary semiconductor cores containing a gradient in alloy composition and wherein the ternary core/shell nanocrystals exhibit single molecule non-blinking behavior characterized by on times greater than one minute or radiative lifetimes less than 10 ns.
US08242510B2
A structure and method for a semiconductor device includes a silicon device layer and a gallium nitride (GaN) device layer. In an embodiment, the silicon device layer and the GaN device layer have upper surfaces which are coplanar with each other. In another embodiment, the GaN device layer does not directly underlie the silicon device layer, and the silicon device layer does not directly underlie the GaN device layer. The semiconductor device can further include a silicon-based semiconductor device formed on and/or within the silicon device layer, and a nitride-based semiconductor device formed on and/or within the GaN device layer. The GaN device layer can include a plurality of layers which can be formed as conformal blanket layers and then planarized, or which can be selectively formed then planarized.
US08242507B2
A pixel structure having capacitor compensation includes a thin-film transistor, and the thin-film transistor includes a source electrode, a drain electrode, a semiconductor layer and a gate electrode. The gate electrode includes a bar-shaped main part, and at least a protrusion part or two indention parts. One of the characteristics of the present invention lies in layout patterns of the drain electrode and gate electrode. An overlapping area between the drain electrode and gate electrode, and the position of the overlapping area can both be kept by virtue of the arrangement of the protrusion part or the indention parts of the gate electrode, even when the alignment between the drain electrode and gate electrode is changed. Therefore, the gate-drain capacitor (Cgd) will not be changed so that the quality of the liquid crystal display will be improved accordingly.
US08242504B2
An oxide semiconductor and a thin film transistor (TFT) including the same. The oxide semiconductor may be obtained by adding hafnium (Hf) to gallium-indium-zinc oxide (GIZO) and may be used as a channel material of the TFT.
US08242503B2
A system for displaying images includes a multi-gate thin film transistor (TFT) device including an active layer, first and second gate structures, and first and second light-shielding layers. The active layer is disposed on a substrate in a pixel region. The first and second gate structures are disposed on the active layer. The first and second light-shielding layers are disposed between the substrate and the active layer. The active layer includes first and second source/drain regions and first and second channel regions. The first light-shielding layer corresponds to a first lightly doped region and laterally extends under at least a portion of the first channel region. The second light-shielding layer corresponds to the second lightly doped region and laterally extends under at least a portion of the second channel region.
US08242501B2
A thin film transistor includes an insulating layer formed from an organic material, an oxide material, or a silicon based material, a source electrode and a drain electrode disposed on the insulating layer by using an electrically conductive oxide material, a self-organized film covering exposed surfaces of the insulating layer, the source electrode, and the drain electrode, and a semiconductor thin film disposed, on the insulating layer provided with the self-organized film, over from the source electrode to the drain electrode.
US08242489B2
The invention provides an OLED device comprising an anode, a cathode and a light-emitting layer located therebetween, said light-emitting layer comprising an anthracene host and a styrylamine blue light-emitting compound; and, located between the said light-emitting layer and the cathode, a first electron-transporting layer that is greater than 0.5 nm and less than 5 nm thick; and a second electron-transporting layer consisting essentially of an anthracene located between the first electron-transporting layer and the cathode. The first electron-transporting layer includes a compound with a less negative LUMO level than the anthracene in the second electron-transporting layer. Devices of the invention provide improvement in features such as efficiency.
US08242488B2
Disclosed is an organic electroluminescent device having high external quantum efficiency and long emission life and an illuminating device and a display device, each comprising the organic electroluminescent device. The organic electroluminescent device comprises at least an anode and a cathode arranged on a supporting substrate and at least two organic layers, namely a first layer and a second layer, between the anode and the cathode, in which the organic electroluminescent device is characterized in that the first organic layer contains a light emitting dopant and the second organic layer contains a charge-transporting material and a part of the material constituting the first organic layer, and the second organic layer is formed by coating after formation of the first organic layer.
US08242487B2
There is provided an anode for an organic electronic device. The anode is a conducting inorganic material having an oxidized surface layer. The surface layer is non-conductive and hole-transporting.
US08242481B2
Nano-engineered structures are disclosed, incorporating nanowhiskers of high mobility conductivity and incorporating pn junctions. In one embodiment, a nanowhisker of a first semiconducting material has a first band gap, and an enclosure comprising at least one second material with a second band gap encloses said nanoelement along at least part of its length, the second material being doped to provide opposite conductivity type charge carriers in respective first and second regions along the length of the of the nanowhisker, whereby to create in the nanowhisker by transfer of charge carriers into the nanowhisker, corresponding first and second regions of opposite conductivity type charge carriers with a region depleted of free carriers therebetween.
US08242476B2
A multi-channel LED object detection system and a method for detecting an object are provided. The method includes providing and orienting a light source having a wide field-of-illumination to encompass the width of the environment; providing and orienting a detector having a wide field-of-view to encompass the width of the environment, the detector having a plurality of sub-detectors with individual narrow field-of-views, driving the LED source into emitting light to illuminate the width of the environment; receiving and acquiring an individual complete trace of a reflection/backscatter of the emitted light on the object at each sub-detector; converting the acquired individual complete trace into an individual digital signal; and detecting and identifying a presence of an object, a position of the object, a distance between the object and the LED source and/or a visibility, using the emitted light waveform and an individual digital signal.
US08242473B2
A radiation source includes a chamber, a supply constructed and arranged to supply a substance to the chamber at a location that allows the substance to pass through an interaction point within the chamber, a laser constructed and arranged to provide a laser beam to the interaction point so that a radiation emitting plasma is produced when the laser beam interacts with the substance at the interaction point, and a conduit constructed and arranged to deliver unheated buffer gas into the chamber at a location adjacent to the interaction point at a rate that removes heated buffer gas from a region around the interaction point before a subsequent interaction between the laser beam and the substance at the interaction point.
US08242469B2
An apparatus is provided for reducing particle contamination in an ion implantation system. The apparatus has an enclosure having an entrance, an exit, and at least one louvered side having a plurality of louvers defined therein. A beamline of the ion implantation system passes through the entrance and exit, wherein the plurality of louvers of the at least one louvered side are configured to mechanically filter an edge of an ion beam traveling along the beamline. The enclosure can have two louvered sides and a louvered top, wherein respective widths of the entrance and exit of the enclosure, when measured perpendicular to the beamline, are generally defined by a position of the two louvered sides with respect to one another. One or more of the louvered sides can be adjustably mounted, wherein the width of one or more of the entrance and exit of the enclosure is controllable.
US08242460B2
A process module for treating a dielectric film and, in particular, a process module for exposing, for example, a low dielectric constant (low-k) dielectric film to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is described. The process module includes a process chamber, a substrate holder coupled to the process chamber and configured to support a substrate, and a radiation source coupled to the process chamber and configured to expose the dielectric film to electromagnetic (EM) radiation. The radiation source includes a UV source, wherein the UV source has a UV lamp, and a reflector for directing reflected UV radiation from the UV lamp to the substrate. The reflector has a dichroic reflector, and a non-absorbing reflector disposed between the UV lamp and the substrate, and configured to reflect UV radiation from the UV lamp towards the dichroic reflector, wherein the non-absorbing reflector substantially prevents direct UV radiation from the UV lamp to the substrate.
US08242450B2
A method and apparatus for remotely detecting, locating, and identifying chemicals and chemical compounds through optically opaque materials. Electromagnetic radiation in the Terahertz range emitted from an antenna array is modulated to excite target molecules. The apparatus then stops the excitation energy and the molecules emit an electromagnetic signature detectable by the device at standoff distances.
US08242441B2
An electrospray ion source comprises a source of analyte-bearing liquid; a source of sheath gas; a plurality of liquid conduits, each configured so as to receive a portion of the analyte-bearing liquid; at least one electrode associated with the plurality of liquid conduits for producing electrospray emission of charged droplets from an outlet of each of the liquid conduits; a power supply electrically coupled to the at least one electrode for maintaining the at least one electrodes at an electrical potential; and either one or a plurality of sheath gas conduits, each sheath gas conduit comprising an inlet configured to receive sheath gas and an outlet configured to emit a sheath gas flow that circumferentially surrounds, in at least two dimensions, a portion of the emitted charged droplets.
US08242427B2
A system of the present disclosure has an optical element having a plurality of contiguous lenses, a detecting device having a plurality of light-sensitive pixels, the optical element having a lens in the plurality of lenses associated with each of the plurality of light-sensitive pixels, and intermediate imaging optics for receiving light indicative of an image and focusing the light onto the plurality of contiguous lenses such that the image is divided on each of the associated light-sensitive pixels.
US08242423B2
A missile has a pair of systems to provide acceleration information during flight. The primary system is a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) inertial measurement unit (IMU) that provides accurate rate sensor output, such as providing pitch and yaw rates, at low cost, over a wide range of conditions. However MEMS IMUs are susceptible to temporary incorrect responses when subjected to shocks, such as acoustic-range shocks, for instance in the range of 10-20 kHz. The missile includes a secondary system to temporarily provide acceleration data during the periods following shocks, when the MEMS IMU does not provide valid (reliable or usable) rate sensor output, for use in estimating pseudo pitch and yaw rates. The secondary system may be an accelerometer that does not provide navigation-quality acceleration data, but does provide a sufficiently accurate response in order to maintain stable flight during the post-shock period.
US08242421B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method thereof for a dual heating system using microwave energy. The heating system comprises both heating a fluid heating media, and heating domestic hot water. The system includes an enclosure, a heating tank, a magnetron chamber, at least one heating rod with a hollow interior. At least one heat absorbing mixture or media is located within the hollow interior of each heating rod, and a microwave guide is associated with each heating rod to direct heat energy to the heat absorbing media. A magnetron is associated with each microwave wave guide. At least one inlet and at least one outlet for conveying the fluid heating media into and out of the heating tank. At least one inlet and at least one outlet for conveying the domestic hot water into and out of the heating tank.
US08242420B2
An apparatus and process are provided for directional solidification of silicon by electric induction susceptor heating in a controlled environment. A susceptor vessel is positioned between upper and lower susceptor induction heating systems and a surrounding induction coil system in the controlled environment. Alternating current selectively applied to induction coils associated with the upper and lower susceptor heating systems, and the induction coils making up the surrounding induction coil system, result in melting of the silicon charge in the vessel and subsequent directional solidification of the molten silicon. A fluid medium can be directed from below the vessel towards the bottom, and then up the exterior sides of the vessel to enhance the directional solidification process.
US08242416B2
A method of securing a terminal to a ceramic heater is provided by the present disclosure. The ceramic heater includes a ceramic substrate and a resistive heating element, and the method includes exposing a portion of the resistive heating element, forming an intermediate layer on at least one of the portion of the resistive heating element and the ceramic substrate proximate the portion of the resistive heating element, the intermediate layer being selected from a group consisting of Mo/AlN and W/AlN, and bonding the terminal to the intermediate layer.
US08242415B2
A product warming apparatus with at least one product holding container having a bottom surface. An enclosure includes at least one opening configured to receive the product holding container. A heat radiating plate is provided in thermal communication with and configured to receive heat from a heating element. The heat radiating plate includes a top surface disposed adjacent the bottom surface of the product holding container with the top surface of the heat radiating plate being spaced apart from the bottom surface of the product holding container to define a gap therebetween. A thermostatic controller is in thermal communication with the heat radiating plate for controlling a flow of heat to the heat radiating plate.
US08242413B2
A method of controlling an oven is provided. The oven includes a first heater, a second heater having a lower output than the first heater, at least one third heater, and at least one fan blowing a heat of the third heater to a cavity. The first heater operates for cooking food and then the second heater operates after the first heater stops. Then, the third heater and the fan continuously operate while the first heater and second heater operate.
US08242412B2
A heated keyboard includes a number of input keys and a circuit board. A heating member is arranged in each of the number of input keys connected to voltage pin of the circuit board via a heating switch. When the heating switch is turned on, the heating member receives a voltage signal from the circuit board, thereby the heating member generates heat for warming user's hand.
US08242409B2
A stent is formed by encasing or encapsulating metallic rings in an inner polymeric layer and an outer polymeric layer. At least one polymer link connects adjacent metallic rings. The stent is drug loaded with one or more therapeutic agent or drug, for example, to reduce the likelihood of the development of restenosis in the coronary arteries. The inner and outer polymeric materials can be of the same polymer or different polymer to achieve different results, such as enhancing flexibility and providing a stent that is visible under MRI, computer tomography and x-ray fluoroscopy.
US08242407B2
A thermal processing apparatus and method in which a first laser source, for example, a CO2 emitting at 10.6 μm is focused onto a silicon wafer as a line beam and a second laser source, for example, a GaAs laser bar emitting at 808 nm is focused onto the wafer as a larger beam surrounding the line beam. The two beams are scanned in synchronism in the direction of the narrow dimension of the line beam to create a narrow heating pulse from the line beam when activated by the larger beam. The energy of GaAs radiation is greater than the silicon bandgap energy and creates free carriers. The energy of the CO2 radiation is less than the silicon bandgap energy so silicon is otherwise transparent to it, but the long wavelength radiation is absorbed by the free carriers.
US08242406B2
A method for manufacturing integrally bladed rotors by laser brazing a rotor disk (1) made of a nickel or titanium-base material to blades (3) made of titanium aluminide. A brazing metal similar to the blade material is used, which is introduced into the laser beam (4) as brazing power jet (5) and whose heat capacity, which is controlled by the melting temperature and the volume of the molten metal bath This provides for melting of the disk material and alloying with this material, but not for melting of the blade material, to which it is connected by adhesion. Such blisk features a low blade weight, reduced centrifugal effects and enhanced service life.
US08242402B2
An exemplary gas-insulated switchgear device is disclosed which includes a current sensor and a voltage sensor located at a partition insulator. The current sensor can include a magneto-optical fiber on a flexible carrier strip and can be manufactured separately for being easily mounted to an assembled switchgear device. The current sensor can include an electro-optical fiber extending radially into the partition insulator and whose ends are embedded in recesses in the bus bar as well as in the metal embracing of the partition insulator for accurately integrating the voltage.
US08242401B2
An electrical switch having a housing with a support member, a rocker arm pivotally coupled to the support member for movement about an axis A, a first terminal coupled to the housing, and a lever pivotally coupled to the housing for pivotal movement about an axis B. The rocker arm includes a first member located on a first side of the pivot axis A, a second member on a second side of the pivot axis A, and a first movable contact coupled to the first member. The lever is pivoted in a first direction to engage the first member on the rocker arm to move the first movable contact away from the first terminal contact to scrape debris from the first movable contact and the first terminal contact. The lever is pivoted in a second direction to engage the second member on the rocker arm to move the first movable contact into a sliding engagement with the first terminal contact.
US08242400B2
The invention relates to a data input device produced by means of a switch operated by a stem. A return spring enables the stem to return to a stable position. According to the invention, the device comprises a circular element that can be displaced roughly perpendicularly to the displacement of the stem, a cam attached to the stem, and elastic means holding the circular element pressed against the cam, the cam comprising a slope, a high point and a counter-slope on which the circular element bears in succession when the stem is operated from its stable position to a position in which the switch is operated.
US08242397B2
A switch apparatus includes a Light Emitting Diode (LED) housing and a light guide pole. The LED housing includes at least one LED light source and a switch. The switch is capable of being actuated to light the at least one LED light source. The light guide pole is capable of transmitting light. The light guide pole is removably embedded in the LED housing to contact with the switch. The light guide pole presses the switch to drive the at least one LED light source to light.
US08242396B2
A keypad assembly, comprising: a main body made of metal, the main body defining a plurality of slots and the slots enclosing a plurality of pressing buttons thereon, each pressing button defining at least one symbol slot, the main body having a contact surface and a operating surface; and a light-transmissive filling member, the filling member defining a plurality of protruding strips and the protruding strips enclosing a plurality of button areas thereon, each button area having at least one symbol block protruding therefrom, the filling member bonding to the contact surface with the protruding strips and the symbol blocks respectively engaging in the corresponding slots and the symbol slots. A method for making the present keypad assembly is also described.
US08242394B2
A circuit interrupter includes a movable contact assembly having a movable contact, a stationary contact assembly, and an operating mechanism. The stationary contact assembly includes a conductor, a first stationary contact disposed on the conductor, and a second stationary contact disposed on the same such conductor proximate the first stationary contact. The first stationary contact has a first contact surface disposed a first distance from the conductor. The second stationary contact has a second contact surface disposed a second distance from the conductor. The second distance is smaller than the first distance. The operating mechanism is structured to move the movable contact assembly and cause the movable contact to engage or disengage from at least the first contact surface of the first stationary contact.
US08242384B2
Example multi-layer printed circuit boards (‘PCBs’) are described as well as methods of making and using such PCBs that include layers of laminate; at least one via hole traversing the layers of laminate, and a via conductor contained within the via hole, the via conductor comprising a used portion and an unused portion, the via conductor comprising copper coated with a metal having a conductivity lower than the conductivity of copper.
US08242376B2
A circuitized substrate in which two conductive layers (e.g., electroplated copper foil) are bonded (e.g., laminated) to an interim dielectric layer. Each of the two foil surfaces which physically bond to the dielectric are smooth (e.g., preferably by chemical processing) and include a thin, organic layer thereon, while the outer surfaces of both foils are also smooth (e.g., preferably also using a chemical processing step). One of these resulting conductive layers may function as a ground or voltage plane while the other may function as a signal plane with a plurality of individual signal lines as part thereof. An electrical assembly and an information handling system utilizing such a circuitized substrate are also provided.
US08242369B2
By enabling two separate and independent solid or rigid tubing or conduits to be quickly and easily secured to a single connector for being mounted directly to a single elongated rigid or solid electrical tubing/conduit, an efficient, easily manufactured and easily assembled multiple conduit connector is realized. A multiple conduit connector is constructed for receiving two separate and independent rigid tubings or conduits and enables the two conduits/tubes to be securely affixed to one end of the connector while a single rigid metal tubing or conduit is secured to the opposed end.
US08242366B2
A link arm is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft along a protector base, and urged in a harness-slack-absorbing direction by a torsion coil spring. A wiring harness is fixed to a harness-holding member at a tip end of the link arm and to a harness-fixing portion of the protector base, and routed flexibly between the harness-holding member and the harness-fixing portion via between the protector base and an opposite wall of the link arm opposite to the protector base.
US08242354B2
A solar cell includes abutting P-type and N-type doped regions in a contiguous portion of a polysilicon layer. The polysilicon layer may be formed on a thin dielectric layer, which is formed on a backside of a solar cell substrate (e.g., silicon wafer). The polysilicon layer has a relatively large average grain size to reduce or eliminate recombination in a space charge region between the P-type and N-type doped regions, thereby increasing efficiency.
US08242342B2
Disclosed are apparatus and related methods for producing a blend of rhythm and sound.
US08242340B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH776544. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH776544, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH776544 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH776544.
US08242335B2
The invention provides seed and plants of pepper hybrid 9927864 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of pepper hybrid 9927864 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a pepper plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another pepper plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.
US08242333B1
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP25006 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP25006, cells from soybean variety XBP25006, plants of soybean XBP25006, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP25006. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP25006 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XBP25006, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP25006. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP25006 are further provided.
US08242329B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.
US08242323B2
This invention provides a process for the detoxification of chemical agents including chemical warfare agents such as sulfur mustards, nitrogen mustards, nerve agents of G and V type, lewisite and adamsite by reacting the chemical agents with hydroxyl radicals at a pH greater than 7.0 to detoxify the agents and to render them suitable for disposal. The process can be used on-site and can be easily scaled to fairly large sizes.
US08242320B2
Cumene production methods are disclosed, based on the alkylation of benzene with propylene, in which byproducts of the alkylation reaction are advantageously reduced to achieve a high cumene selectivity. This may be attained by (i) reducing the portion of the total alkylation effluent that is recycled, after cooling, to the alkylation reaction zone for quenching or direct heat exchange and/or (ii) reducing the benzene:propylene molar ratio of the alkylation feedstock. To manage the temperature differential across catalyst bed(s) in the alkylation reaction zone, indirect heat exchange may be used to remove heat.
US08242319B1
A process from converting alcohol feedstock to diesel/turbine fuels.
US08242305B2
This present invention relates to an improved process to prepare prostacyclin derivatives. One embodiment provides for an improved process to convert benzindene triol to treprostinil via salts of treprostinil and to purify treprostinil.
US08242300B2
The present invention relates to selective partial oxidation of methane in the absence of a solvent such as sulfuric acid or oleum.
US08242295B2
Disclosed is a process for producing a fatty alkyl ester and glycerin, including step 1 of reacting fats and oils with C1 to C5 lower alcohols, step 2 of removing the lower alcohols discharged from the outlet of a rector in step 1 until the lower alcohol content is reduced to 8 wt % or less, step 3 of separating the product obtained in step 2 into oil and aqueous phases, step 4 of reacting the oil phase obtained in step 3 with lower alcohols in the presence of an acid catalyst, and step 5 of separating the product discharged from the outlet of a reactor in step 4 into oil and aqueous phases thereby giving fatty acid alkyl esters and glycerin, as well as a process for producing fatty alcohols from hydrogen and the fatty acid alkyl esters obtained in the above process.
US08242286B2
The present invention is directed to the compound 2-(4-(hydroxymethyl)phenoxy)-1-(3-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethanone, its use as an inhibitor of stearoyl CoA desaturase and to pharmaceutical compositions containing this compound.
US08242282B2
This invention relates to compounds of the following general formula: The variables are defined herein. Also disclosed is a method for treating mucositis or cancer using these compounds.
US08242281B2
The present invention relates to substituted 2,6-diamino-3,5-dicyano-4-arylpyridines of the formula (I) wherein the definitions of substituent groups R1-R7 are as provided in the specification and claims, to a pharmaceutical composition containing such a compound, to a process for preparation of such materials, and to their use as medicaments for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders and diabetes.
US08242280B2
The present invention provides fused ring heterocycles as kinase modulators, pharmaceutical compositions containing these modulators, and methods of using these modulators to treat diseases mediated by kinase activity.
US08242279B2
Disclosed is a method for preparing a compound of Formula 1 comprising contacting a compound of Formula 2 with a metal cyanide reagent, a copper(I) salt reagent, an iodide salt reagent and at least one compound of Formula 3 wherein R1 is NHR3 or OR4; R2 is CH3 or Cl; R3 is H, C1-C4 alkyl, cyclopropyl, cyclopropylcyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl or methylcyclopropyl; R4 is H or C1-C4 alkyl; X is Br or Cl; and R5, R6, R7 and R8 are as defined in the disclosure. Also disclosed is a method for preparing a compound of Formula 4 wherein R11, R12, R13 and Z are as defined in the disclosure, using a compound of Formula 1 characterized by preparing the compound of Formula 1 by the method disclosed above or using a compound of Formula 1 prepared by the method disclosed above.
US08242278B2
A process for producing a biaryl compound, characterized by reacting an arylhydrazine compound, hydrogen peroxide and an aryl compound. When the reaction is conducted in the presence of a given metal or a compound of the metal or in the presence of a metal oxide obtained by reacting the given metal or a compound of the metal with hydrogen peroxide, then the yield of the biaryl compound is improved.
US08242274B2
A novel [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridine compound is disclosed that has a formula represented by the following: This compound may be prepared as a pharmaceutical composition, and may be used for the prevention and treatment of a variety of conditions in mammals including humans, including by way of non-limiting example, diseases involving cartilage degradation, bone and/or joint degradation, for example osteoarthritis; and/or conditions involving inflammation or immune responses, such as Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, allergic airways disease (e.g. asthma, rhinitis), juvenile idiopathic arthritis, colitis, inflammatory bowel diseases, endotoxin-driven disease states (e.g. complications after bypass surgery or chronic endotoxin states contributing to e.g. chronic cardiac failure), diseases involving impairment of cartilage turnover (e.g. diseases involving the anabolic stimulation of chondrocytes), congenital cartilage malformations, diseases associated with hypersecretion of IL6 and transplantation rejection (e.g. organ transplant rejection) and proliferative diseases.
US08242268B2
A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (Ib): including contacting a compound of formula (Ia): with toluene and HCl gas to provide the compound of formula (Ib).
US08242265B2
Purification process comprising dissolving an organic compound in carbonated water and freeze-drying
A process for the purification of a crude organic compound comprising dissolving said compound in carbonated water to form a solution and freeze drying said solution.
US08242258B2
Aspects of the invention include 2′ protected nucleoside monomers that are protected at the 2′ site with orthoester-type protecting groups. The 2′ protected monomers also include a second, aryl carbonate-type, protecting group. Aspects of the invention further include nucleic acids that include the protecting groups of the invention, as well as methods of synthesizing nucleic acids using the protecting groups of the invention.
US08242246B2
Chimeric peptides or fusion proteins are disclosed that include a RhoGAP activity domain and at least one specificity domain that targets a specific Rho protein. The fusion proteins can be used to inhibit any GTPase activity within a cell. The fusion proteins are particularly advantageous for the treatment of cancer. The present invention generally relates to chimeric peptides capable of regulating GTPases, and more particularly, to methods of targeting individual GTPases by using GTPase-activating proteins. Such proteins may be used for the treatment of cancers and other GTPase-related diseases. This invention relates to nucleic acid molecules and the encoded GTPase activating proteins, and variants thereof, and to the use of these molecules in the characterization, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cell signaling, immune, and cell proliferative disorders, particularly cancer. Disclosed herein are compounds and methods for regulating transcription of a selected gene.
US08242238B2
The invention relates to sequences of a novel variant of the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and to methods for detecting, in patient samples, nucleic acids, antigens and antibodies directed against the same.
US08242234B2
An epoxy resin with amine functionality is manufactured continuously through a first reaction zone in which an epoxide-functional resin is made by ring-opening addition, a second reaction zone in which the resin is reacted with amine to make an epoxide-functional product, and a third reaction zone in which the epoxide functional product is reacted with amine to make the epoxy resin with amine functionality. In other embodiments, some amine may be added in the first reaction zone to produce an epoxide functional product, with elimination of the second reaction zone, or all of the amine reactant may be added in the first reaction zone to produce an amine functional product, with elimination of both the second and third reaction zones. Optionally, solvent may be removed in an evaporation zone and recycled into the continuous process and further zones may be included to incorporate crosslinker, additives, and to emulsify the resin.
US08242229B2
Polyurethane prepolymers are described which are prepared from 2,4′-diiso-cyanate diphenylmethane (2,4′-MDI), a polyol component and an aliphatic diisocyanate. These prepolymers can be cured with aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and/or aromatic amines to form a cured urethane elastomer. In comparison to cured urethane elastomers based on monomeric 2,4′-MDI, these prepolymers provide elastomers with extended pour life, i.e. they exhibit a slower rate of viscosity buildup after curative and prepolymer are mixed which results in a reduced propensity to crack during the curing process and gives the opportunity to cast larger parts. In comparison to polyurea/urethanes prepared from cured TDI-prepolymers and which optionally include H12-MDI, the prepolymers of the invention have better health and safety aspects.
US08242219B1
The method for producing polyolefin nanocomposites uses an aluminum nitride (AlN) nano-filler as a promoter of olefin polymerization with a metallocene catalyst. The method of making the polyolefin nanocomposites begins by combining a metallocene catalyst, such as a zirconocene catalyst, with aluminum nitride in a reactor. The reactor is then charged with toluene and methylaluminoxane, methylaluminoxane acting as a co-catalyst. The reactor is then heated at a constant temperature, and ethylene is added to the reactor to initiate polymerization of a polyethylene nanocomposite. Polymerization is then quenched by the addition of acidic methanol to the reactor, and un-reacted monomer is vented from the reactor. The resultant polyethylene nanocomposite is then washed in methanol and dried. The aluminum nitride nano-filler promotes the conversion of the olefin monomer to the polyolefin.
US08242215B2
A cationic copolymers of acrylamide obtained by the Hofmann rearrangement, using an alkali and/or alkaline earth hydroxide and an alkali and/or alkaline earth hypohalide, are provided. The copolymers can be used as strengthening agents for paper and/or coagulants. The copolymers have a desalination coefficient (Cd) higher than 0.6, higher than 0.65, or higher than 0.7.
US08242214B2
The present invention relates to functionalized polymeric sorbents and processes of employing them to remove low level contaminants from fluid streams. Poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate) functionalized with a compound having the structure NH2—R1OH wherein R1 is a substituted or unsubstituted phenylene may be particularly useful to remove low levels of phenol compounds from, for example, an aqueous fluid stream comprising one or more sugars such as results from a hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials.
US08242210B2
Extrudable (per)fluoroelastomer compositions comprising crosslinkable (per)fluoroelastomers having: at least two glass transition temperatures Tg on DSC analysis, at least one melting peak on DSC analysis with a ΔH of second melting of between 0.3 and 5.5 J/g, and a bimodal molecular weight distribution such that the ratio Mn1/Mn2 is between 10 and 30, wherein Mn1 represents the number-average molecular weight of the distribution of the high molecular weight fluoroelastomer and Mn2 represents the number-average molecular weight of the distribution of the low molecular weight fluoroelastomer.
US08242208B2
The invention provides a fluoropolymer composition capable of improving the characteristics of the cured material obtained therefrom. A fluoropolymer composition comprising a methylene group-containing fluoropolymer (A) and a hydrosilylation catalyst (B), wherein the methylene group-containing fluoropolymer (A) has methylene group-containing repeating units in the main chain thereof and is capable of hydrosilylation in the presence of the hydrosilylation catalyst (B) and one terminus of the chain is a carbon-carbon double bond or an Si—H group and the other terminus of the chain is an Si—H group or a carbon-carbon double bond.
US08242207B2
A polymeric material from the styrene family, consisting of macromolecular chains grafted by nitrogen-containing heterocyclic groups; wherein the macromolecular chains consist of a polymeric backbone to which a grafted agent is attached by at least one covalent bond, the grafting agent comprises, in a single molecule, one or more associative groups capable of being bound by hydrogen bonds, and one or more reactive groups capable of forming covalent bonds with the polymeric backbone, at least one of the associative groups of the modifier is an imidazolidone heterocyclic ring. The polymeric material of the invention can also be blended with other materials such as other polymers, and can thus be modified by elastomeric phases that enhance the impact strength thereof.
US08242206B2
A universal colorant system for both solvent- and water-based paints and coatings is contained in a closed sealed pouch or cartridge-style container, and includes a colorant component, a surfactant package including at least one alkyd-compatible surfactant and at least one latex-compatible surfactant, and a carrier. When the colorant system is added to a base paint it desirably provides a mixture having a drop in viscosity of less than about 50%.
US08242202B2
The invention relates to a curable liquid resin composition comprising the following components (A), (B), and (C): (A) a urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer, (B) a monomer shown by the following formula (1), CH2═CR1COOR2 (1) wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group and R2 represents a monovalent organic group, 40 wt % or more of the total amount of the component (B) being a monomer in which the R2 group in the formula (1) is a nonpolar organic group, and the monomer in the component (B) in which the R2 group in the formula (1) is a nonpolar organic group being hereinafter referred to as “nonpolar (meth)acrylate-containing monomer”, and (C) a polymerization initiator.
US08242198B2
An adhesive and method for hot melt application. The adhesive comprises polyolefin base polymer, from 1 to 10 wt % of at least one functionalized polyolefin, and from 1 to 15 wt % of a wax, based on the total weight of the polyolefin base polymer, functionalized polyolefin and wax, wherein the wax has a weight average molecular weight at least 8% of the weight average molecular weight of the polyolefin base polymer, viscosity at 190° C. of 60 mPa·s or more, and a crystallization temperature greater than the polyolefin base polymer and greater than 100° C., and wherein the adhesive has at least 5% fiber tear at 2° C., at least 50% fiber tear at 25° C., and a characteristic set time of less than 3 seconds.
US08242195B2
The invention provides a golf ball having a core formed by vulcanizing a rubber composition and a cover composed primarily of a polyurethane material. The rubber composition of the core includes 100 parts by weight of a base rubber, from 10 to 40 parts by weight of an unsaturated carboxylic acid or a metal salt thereof, a peroxyketal (a) and a monophenol-type antioxidant (b), the weight ratio (a)/(b) of the peroxyketal to the monophenol-type antioxidant being from 5 to 50. The ball has an excellent discoloration resistance and an outstanding distance and feel on shots taken with a middle iron.
US08242187B2
A silicone polymer having sufficient antibacterial properties and high transparency; and Ophthalmic lenses made of the polymer, such as a contact lens, and artificial cornea. The silicone polymer is characterized by being obtained by and a monomer having an ammonium salt in the molecule.
US08242185B2
The present invention is directed to an adhesive composition comprising a crosslinkable acrylic copolymer, a multi-functionalized crosslinkable oligomer and a photoinitiator wherein the composition exhibits excellent wet out characteristics as reflected in a tan delta value of at least 0.5, preferably greater than 0.5, more preferable greater than 0.8 as measured at 20° C. resulting from a first curing stage, and improved stiffness and temperature resistance as reflected in a storage elastic modulus of at least 300,000 Pa at 20° C. and a shear adhesion failure temperature of at least 425° F. (218.3° C.) at 1 Kg/in2 (0.155 Kg/cm2), respectively, which result from a second sequential curing stage.
US08242183B2
Certain brominated polymers compounds are effective FR additives for combustible organic polymers. These FR additives include: i) a copolymer having styrene and 2,3-dibromopropylmaleimide repeating units; ii) a brominated polyester having aliphatically bound bromine; iii) an allyl ether of a ring-brominated novolac resin; iv) a 3-bromo-2-hydroxypropyl ether of a novolac resin; v) a 2,3-dibromopropyl ether of a cresol novolac resin; and vi) a brominated ROMP polymer or copolymer.
US08242164B2
In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds of formula I: where a and R1-6 are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds of formula I are serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and process and intermediates for preparing such compounds.
US08242161B2
The present invention provides for, inter alia, novel topical formulations comprising at least one 1-N-arypyrazole derivative and amitraz and to methods for treating, controlling, or preventing parasite infestations on mammals or birds The inventive formulations include spot-on, pour-on or spray formulations and may include a further ectoparasiticide, such as an IGR compound, an avermectin or milbemycin derivative, or a pyrethroid insecticides, and anthelmintics, such as benzimidazoles and imidazothiazoles. The inventive formulation provides a larger duration of parasite control at a faster rate of control. The inventive formula remains effective up to three months from the first application. Moreover, the inventive formulations prevent tick attachment to the animal, thereby providing protection against tick borne diseases. The ectoparasites which may be controlled, treated or prevented by the present invention includes ticks, fleas, mites, mange, lice, mosquitoes, flies and cattle grubs.
US08242160B2
The present invention features pyrazolidinyl compounds, pharmaceutical compositions of substituted pyrazolidinyl compounds and methods of treating a patient suffering from cancer or viral infection, the method comprising administering to a patient one or more pyrazolidinyl compounds of the invention.
US08242159B2
Disclosed herein are novel 1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofurancarbonitrile derivatives represented by Formula 1, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Also disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing premature ejaculation including the compound. The 1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofurancarbonitrile derivatives have a short half-life and inhibit the ejaculation process by selectively inhibiting serotonin reuptake via a serotonin reuptake transporter present in a presynaptic neuron. Thus, the compounds are useful in the treatment and prevention of premature ejaculation.
US08242155B2
Pharmaceutical formulations and methods for the topical or transdermal delivery of 1-isobutyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]-quinolin-4-amine or 1-(2-methylpropyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-4-amine, i.e., imiquimod, to treat actinic keratosis with short durations of therapy, than currently prescribed for the commercially available ALDARA 5% imiquimod cream, as now approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”), are disclosed and described. More specifically, lower dosage strength imiquimod formulations to deliver an efficacious dose of imiquimod for treating actinic keratosis with an acceptable safety profile and dosing regimens that are short and more convenient for patient use than the dosing regimen currently approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”) for ALDARA 5% imiquimod cream to treat actinic keratosis are also disclosed and described.
US08242145B2
Described herein are compounds that are antagonists of PGD2 receptors. Also described are pharmaceutical compositions and medicaments that include the antagonists of PGD2 receptors described herein, as well as methods of using such antagonists of PGD2 receptors, alone and in combination with other compounds, for treating respiratory, cardiovascular, and other PGD2-dependent or PGD2-mediated conditions or diseases.
US08242143B2
The identification of a unique series of compounds which possesses special advantages in terms of drug-like properties due to their possessing advantageous properties in terms of potency and/or pharmacokinetic and/or selectivity and/or in vivo receptor occupancy properties. Specifically, the selection of a 1,3-thiazol-2-yl ring member linked by an ethynylene to the 3 position of a pyridyl ring or the 5 position of a pyrimidinyl ring, wherein the ring is substituted with selected substituents, results in a compound having superior drug-like properties. The invention includes pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms of these heterocyclic compounds, in particular chloride salts and trifluoroacetate salts.
US08242139B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I): wherein Q, G1, G2, and G3, are defined herein. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating DGAT-1 related diseases or conditions are also disclosed.
US08242131B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating middle-of-the-night insomnia without residual sedative effects upon awakening by administering low doses (about 5 mg or less) of zolpidem or a salt thereof.
US08242129B2
A compound having Formula I or II (Formula I) or (Formula II), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein X, Z, R1, R2, R11 and R12 are as defined in the specification; pharmaceutical compositions thereof; and methods of use thereof.
US08242128B2
The invention relates to compounds of formula 1, the production and use thereof as a medicament for the treatment of diseases, particularly tumours and/or diseases caused, mediated or propagated by angiogenesis. The compounds of formula 1 are effective inhibitors of tyrosin kinases, particularly TIE-2 and VEGFR, and Raf-kinases. (I)
US08242122B2
The invention is directed to methods and compositions for inhibiting caspase-independent apoptosis. In particular, methods and compositions for inhibiting Omi/HtrA2 activity, as well as method for identifying other inhibitors of Omi/HtrA2. Also disclosed are Omi/HtrA2 specific substrates and methods for identifying other substrates of Omi/HtrA2.
US08242112B2
Disclosed are compounds of the formula I or a stereoisomer, tautomer, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein W is a bond, —C(═S)—, —S(O)—, —S(O)2—, —C(═O)—, —O—, —C(R6)(R7)—, —N(R5)— or —C(═N(R5))—; X is —O—, —N(R5)— or —C(R6)(R7)—; provided that when X is —O—, U is not —O—, —S(O)—, —S(O)2—, —C(═O)— or —C(═NR5)—; U is a bond, —S(O)—, —S(O)2—, —C(O)—, —O—, —P(O)(OR15)—, —C(═NR5)—, —(C(R6)(R7))b— or —N(R5)—; wherein b is 1 or 2; provided that when W is —S(O)—, —S(O)2—, —O—, or —N(R5)—, U is not —S(O)—, —S(O)2—, —O—, or —N(R5)—; provided that when X is —N(R5)— and W is —S(O)—, —S(O)2—, —O—, or —N(R5)—, then U is not a bond; and R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, and R7 are as defined in the specification; and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of formula I. Also disclosed is the method of inhibiting aspartyl protease, and in particular, the methods of treating cardiovascular diseases, cognitive and neurodegenerative diseases, and the methods of inhibiting of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, plasmepins, cathepsin D and protozoal enzymes.Also disclosed are methods of treating cognitive or neurodegenerative diseases using the compounds of formula I in combination with a cholinesterase inhibitor or a muscarinic m1 agonist or m2 antagonist.
US08242100B2
Compositions useful for inducing bone growth or inhibiting bone loss in an animal comprising one or more isoflavones or isoflavone metabolites and methods for inducing bone growth or inhibiting bone loss in an animal utilizing such compositions. The compositions and methods are particularly useful for post-menopause, post-andropause, gonadectomized, spayed, or neutered animals.
US08242095B2
A method for treating a renal disease in a subject is disclosed. The method includes administering into a kidney of the subject with an effective amount of a gutless adenoviral vector containing a polynucleotide encoding a therapeutic agent. The gutless adenoviral vector contains the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:13 or SEQ ID NO:15 and expresses the therapeutic agent in a kidney tissue of the subject.
US08242089B2
The present invention concerns the use of a sphingoid-polyalkylamine conjugate comprising a sphingoid backbone carrying, via a carbamoyl bond, at least one polyalkylamine chains as a capturing agent of nucleic acid molecules. The present invention also provides the use of the sphingoid polyalkylamine conjugate for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the delivery of a nucleic acid molecule into a target cell. In a further aspect the invention provides a method for transfecting a nucleic acid into a target cell, the method comprises contacting said target cell with the sphingoid-polyalkylamine conjugate associated with a nucleic acid molecule, thereby transfecting said target cell with said nucleic acid molecule. Other aspects of the invention concern pharmaceutical compositions comprising said conjugate, therapeutic methods as well as kits, making use of the said conjugate. A preferred conjugate according to the invention is N-palmitoyl D-erythrosphingosyl-1-carbamoyl spermine.
US08242087B2
This invention relates to novel phosphate-modified nucleosides, and methods for producing them, being useful for the prevention or treatment of a viral infection in a mammal, and for preparing oligonucleotides by DNA/RNA polymerase-dependent amplification, e.g. PCR.
US08242083B2
Tyrosine kinase substrates are described herein that are phosphorylated by many and diverse tyrosine kinases, and are chemically stable relative to co-polymers of poly-EY or poly-EAY having random molecular weights in the range of 20-50 kDa. Tyrosine kinase substrate peptides are provided according to embodiments described herein which include an isolated tyrosine kinase substrate peptide having molecular weight in the range of about 0.5 kD-10 kD. Tyrosine kinase substrate peptides are provided according to embodiments described herein having no more than 50 amino acids. The peptides include 2-25 phosphorylation modules and each phosphorylation module has 2-3 amino acid residues.
US08242078B2
Cell permeable peptides derived from MLL that block the interaction of MLL with menin for the treatment of acute myeloid and acute lymphoid leukemia are disclosed. Small molecules interfere with the interaction of MLL with any of its binding partners.
US08242077B2
The invention provides a product comprising: a membrane-spanning protein; a lipid membrane formed from amphiphilic molecules and membrane-spanning protein molecules; and a substrate, wherein the membrane protein is directly coupled to the substrate. The invention also provides a method for producing such a product which i) comprises treating a substrate with a hydrophilic coating agent; ii) providing at least one membrane-spanning protein; iii) bringing the protein into contact with the treated substrate under conditions for the coupling of the protein directly to the treated substrate; and iv) adding amphiphilic molecules to the protein-coupled substrate to form a lipid membrane. The product is useful for biosensors, protein arrays and the like.
US08242076B2
A novel laminin polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth by SEQ ID NO:3 is disclosed. Also disclosed are compositions-of-matter comprising a polysaccharide (e.g., hyaluronic acid) and the novel laminin polypeptide; or hyaluronic acid, a laminin polypeptide and an antioxidant (e.g., superoxide dismutase), as well as matrices and hydrogels comprising same which can be used for ex vivo or in vivo tissue formation and for treatment of pathologies characterized by diseased, damaged or loss of tissue.
US08242059B2
Oil-based wellbore fluid in the form of an emulsion having a continuous phase containing an oil and, dispersed therein, a first dispersed liquid phase and a second separate dispersed liquid phase. The first dispersed liquid phase is a brine phase containing at least 5% by weight of a dissolved salt or a mixture of salts, and the second dispersed liquid phase is a polar organic liquid which is insoluble or sparingly soluble in the brine and contains the first dispersed liquid phase, but is soluble in pure water. The second dispersed liquid phase is in the form of droplets having an average diameter of not less than 5 microns.
US08242054B2
Provided is a plant growth regulator composition.The plant growth regulator composition contains phenyllactic acid or a salt thereof and tryptophan or a salt thereof.
US08242053B2
A biological fertilizer and plant growth stimulator including: a. a pure culture of strain C3 of the Pantoea dispersa species deposited in the Spanish Type Culture Collection (CECT) with CECT number 5801, b. a pure culture of strain M3 of the Azospirillum brasilense species deposited in the CECT with CECT number 5802, both immobilized in a solid support acting as a slow release system, and c. indole-3-acetic acid, and a method for preparing the biological fertilizer and the use thereof as a plant growth stimulator.
US08242025B2
According to a method of the present invention for manufacturing a semiconductor piece, at least two semiconductor layers (12) are first formed on a substrate (10) by stacking a sacrificial layer (11) and the semiconductor layer (12) on the substrate (10) in this order and repeating this stacking. Next, the semiconductor layers (12) are divided into pieces by etching part of the sacrificial layers (11) and part of the semiconductor layers (12). Then, the pieces are separated from the substrate by removing the sacrificial layers (11).
US08242019B2
A method for integrating metal-containing cap layers into copper (Cu) metallization of semiconductor devices. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a patterned substrate containing metal surfaces and dielectric layer surfaces, and modifying the dielectric layer surfaces by exposure to a reactant gas containing a hydrophobic functional group, where the modifying substitutes a hydrophilic functional group in the dielectric layer surfaces with a hydrophobic functional group. The method further includes depositing metal-containing cap layers selectively on the metal surfaces by exposing the modified dielectric layer surfaces and the metal surfaces to a deposition gas containing metal-containing precursor vapor.
US08242010B2
An electrical interconnect forming method. The electrical interconnect includes a first substrate comprising a first electrically conductive pad, a second substrate comprising a second electrically conductive pad, and an interconnect structure electrically and mechanically connecting the first electrically conductive pad to the second electrically conductive pad. The interconnect structure comprises a non-solder metallic core structure, a first solder structure, and a second solder structure. The first solder structure electrically and mechanically connects a first portion of the non-solder metallic core structure to the first electrically conductive pad. The second solder structure electrically and mechanically connects a second portion of the non-solder metallic core structure to the second electrically conductive pad.
US08242006B2
A smooth electrode is provided. The smooth electrode includes at least one metal layer having thickness greater than about 1 micron; wherein an average surface roughness of the smooth electrode is less than about 10 nm.
US08242003B1
Exemplary embodiments provide methods of forming semiconductor devices, by which defects formed upon nucleation and coalescence of semiconductor islands can be reduced or eliminated. In one embodiment, an annealing process can be performed prior to coalescence of the semiconductor islands into a continuous semiconductor layer. In another embodiment, high-quality Group III-V materials can be formed on the continuous semiconductor layer.
US08241994B2
A method for fabricating an isolation layer in a semiconductor device, comprising: forming a trench in a semiconductor substrate; forming a flowable insulation layer on the trench and the semiconductor substrate; converting the flowable insulation layer to a silicon oxide layer by implementing a curing process comprising continuously heating the flowable insulation layer; and forming an isolation layer by planarizing the silicon oxide layer.
US08241985B2
A high breakdown voltage MOS transistor capable of reducing a leakage current while reducing an element size as compared with conventional ones is realized. On a P type well, with a channel area ch in between, an N type first impurity diffusion area including a drain area and drain side drift area, and an N type second impurity diffusion area including a source area and a source side drift area are formed. Moreover, a gate electrode is formed, via a gate oxide film, above a part of the first impurity diffusion area, above the channel area and above a part of the second impurity diffusion area. The gate electrode is doped with an N type, and an impurity concentration of portions located above the first and the second impurity diffusion areas is lower than an impurity concentration of a portion located above the channel area.
US08241984B2
A semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate, and a memory cell and a peripheral circuit provided on the semiconductor substrate, the memory cell having a first insulating film, a first electrode layer, a second insulating film, and a second electrode layer provided on the semiconductor substrate in order, and the peripheral circuit having the first insulating film, the first electrode layer, the second insulating film having an opening for the peripheral circuit, and the second electrode layer electrically connected to the first electrode layer through the opening for the peripheral circuit, wherein a thickness of the first electrode layer under the second insulating film of the peripheral circuit is thicker than a thickness of the first electrode layer of the memory cell.
US08241982B2
A plasma nitriding process is followed by a selective etching process which removes a silicon oxynitride film formed on surfaces of both an element separation film and an insulation film while leaving a silicon nitride film formed on an electrode layer. The selective etching process removes the silicon oxynitride film formed on the surfaces of the element separation film and the insulation film.
US08241979B2
Method of forming a vertical diode and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using the same
A method of forming a vertical diode and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device (e.g., a semiconductor memory device such as a phase-change memory device) includes forming an insulating structure having an opening on a substrate and filling the opening with an amorphous silicon layer. A metal silicide layer is formed to contact at least a portion of the amorphous silicon layer and a polysilicon layer is then formed in the opening by crystallizing the amorphous silicon layer using the metal silicide layer. A doped polysilicon layer is formed by implanting impurities into the polysilicon layer. Thus, the polysilicon layer is formed in the opening without performing a selective epitaxial growth (SEG) process, so that electrical characteristics of the diode may be improved.
US08241978B2
A semiconductor device having integrated MOSFET and Schottky diode includes a substrate having a MOSFET region and a Schottky diode region defined thereon; a plurality of first trenches formed in the MOSFET region; and a plurality of second trenches formed in the Schottky diode region. The first trenches respectively including a first insulating layer formed over the sidewalls and bottom of the first trench and a first conductive layer filling the first trench serve as a trenched gate of the trench MOSFET. The second trenches respectively include a second insulating layer formed over the sidewalls and bottom of the second trench and a second conductive layer filling the second trench. A depth and a width of the second trenches are larger than that of the first trenches; and a thickness of the second insulating layer is larger than that of the first insulating layer.
US08241974B2
A nonvolatile memory device with a blocking layer controlling the transfer of electric charges in a charge storage layer includes the blocking layer having a first blocking layer in contact with the charge storage layer and a second blocking layer over the first blocking layer, wherein the first blocking layer has a greater energy band gap than the second blocking layer and the second blocking layer has a greater permittivity than the first blocking layer.
US08241972B2
A method for making a flexible semiconductor device includes the following steps. A rigid substrate is provided. A flexible substrate is provided, and placed on the rigid substrate. A semiconductor device is directly formed on the flexible substrate using a semiconductor process. After the rigid substrate is removed, the flexible semiconductor device is formed.
US08241967B2
A semiconductor package with a support structure and a fabrication method thereof are provided. With a chip being electrically connected to electrical contacts formed on a carrier, a molding process is performed. A plurality of recessed portions formed on the carrier are filled with an encapsulant for encapsulating the chip during the molding process. After the carrier is removed, the part of the encapsulant filling the recessed portions forms outwardly protruded portions on a surface of the encapsulant, such that the semiconductor package can be attached to an external device via the protruded portions.
US08241961B2
A method for manufacturing a hetero-bonded wafer having a large mismatch of thermal expansion coefficient comprises forming a wafer bonding means and an electrical interconnection means on at least one bonding surface of two wafers to be bonded with each other, forming grooves in the bonding surface of one wafer along dicing lines with an interval between the grooves being equal to or an even multiple of a die width, bonding the two wafers at a temperature less than 200° C., thinning a back side of the grooved wafer such that at least a portion of the grooves is exposed, and rebonding the bonded wafer pair at an elevated temperature higher than the first bonding temperature. The method for manufacturing a hetero-bonded wafer can avoid wafer level bow/warp and also reduce debonding and cracking in individual segments induced by thermal stress due to a mismatch of thermal expansion coefficient. Embodiments of the method are useful for wafer level packaging and the fabrication of hybrid devices by heterogeneous wafer bonding.
US08241957B2
A method for fabricating a negative thermal expanding system device includes coating a wafer with a thermally decomposable polymer, patterning the decomposable polymer into repeating disk patterns, releasing the decomposable polymer from the wafer and forming a sheet of repeating patterned disks, suspending the sheet into a first solution with seeding compounds for electroless decomposition, removing the sheet from the first solution, suspending the sheet into a second solution to electrolessly deposit a first layer material onto the sheet, removing the sheet from the second solution, suspending the sheet into a third solution to deposit a second layer of material having a lower TCE value than the first layer of material, separating the patterned disks from one another, and annealing thermally the patterned disks to decompose the decomposable polymer and creating a cavity in place of the decomposable polymer.
US08241956B2
A semiconductor device has a base carrier having first and second opposing surfaces. The first surface of the base carrier is etched to form a plurality of cavities and multiple rows of base leads between the cavities extending between the first and second surfaces. A second conductive layer is formed over the second surface of the base carrier. A semiconductor die is mounted within a cavity of the base carrier. A first insulating layer is formed over the die and first surface of the base carrier and into the cavities. A first conductive layer is formed over the first insulating layer and first surface of the base carrier. A second insulating layer is formed over the first insulating layer and first conductive layer. A portion of the second surface of the base carrier is removed to expose the first insulating layer and electrically isolate the base leads.
US08241954B2
In a wafer level chip scale package (WLCSP), a semiconductor die has active circuits and contact pads formed on its active surface. A second semiconductor die is disposed over the first semiconductor die. A first redistribution layer (RDL) electrically connects the first and second semiconductor die. A third semiconductor die is disposed over the second semiconductor die. The second and third semiconductor die are attached with an adhesive. A second RDL electrically connects the first, second, and third semiconductor die. The second RDL can be a bond wire. Passivation layers isolate the RDLs and second and third semiconductor die. A plurality of solder bumps is formed on a surface of the WLCSP. The solder bumps are formed on under bump metallization which electrically connects to the RDLs. The solder bumps electrically connect to the first, second, or third semiconductor die through the first and second RDLs.
US08241950B2
The method of the preferred embodiments includes the steps of providing a base having a frame portion and a center portion; building a preliminary structure coupled to the base; removing a portion of the preliminary structure to define a series of devices and a plurality of bridges; removing the center portion of the base such that the frame portion defines an open region, wherein the plurality of bridges suspend the series of devices in the open region defined by the frame; and encapsulating the series of devices. The method is preferably designed for the manufacture of semiconductor devices, and more specifically for the manufacture of encapsulated implantable electrodes. The method, however, may be alternatively used in any suitable environment and for any suitable reason.
US08241948B2
The manufacturing method of the present invention includes steps of selectively forming a photocatalyst material or a material including an amino group by discharging a composition including the photocatalyst material or the material including an amino group; immersing the photocatalyst material or the material including an amino group in a solution including a plating catalyst material so as to adsorb or deposit the plating catalyst material onto the photocatalyst material or the material including an amino group; and immersing the plating catalyst material in a plating solution including a metal material so as to form a metal film on a surface of the photocatalyst material or the material including an amino group adsorbing or depositing the plating catalyst material, thereby manufacturing a semiconductor device. The pH of the solution including the plating catalyst material is adjusted in a range of 3 to 6.
US08241940B2
This disclosure presents manufacturing methods and apparatus designs for making TFSSs from both sides of a re-usable semiconductor template, thus effectively increasing the substrate manufacturing throughput and reducing the substrate manufacturing cost. This approach also reduces the amortized starting template cost per manufactured substrate (TFSS) by about a factor of 2 for a given number of template reuse cycles.
US08241939B2
A method for manufacturing a biosensor includes forming a silicon nanowire channel, etching a first conductivity-type single crystalline silicon layer which is a top layer of a Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) substrate to form a first conductivity-type single crystalline silicon line pattern, doping both sidewalls of the first conductivity-type single crystalline silicon line pattern with impurities of a second conductivity-type opposite to the first conductivity-type to form a second conductivity-type channel, forming second conductivity-type pads for forming electrodes at both ends of the first conductivity-type single crystalline silicon line pattern, forming, in an undoped region of the first conductivity-type single crystalline silicon line pattern, a first electrode for applying a reverse-bias voltage to insulate the first conductivity-type single crystalline silicon line pattern and the second conductivity-type channel from each other, and forming second electrodes for applying a bias voltage across the second conductivity-type channel on the second conductivity-type pad.
US08241934B2
A display substrate includes a base substrate, a barrier pattern, a source electrode, a drain electrode, a semiconductor layer, an insulating layer, and a gate electrode. The barrier pattern protrudes from the base substrate. The source and gate electrodes are formed adjacent to opposite sides of the barrier pattern on the base substrate. The semiconductor layer is provided on the barrier pattern to connect the source electrode with the drain electrode, and the insulating layer covers the semiconductor layer, the source electrode, and the drain electrode. The gate electrode is provided on the insulating layer, and is overlapped with the semiconductor layer.
US08241931B1
A method of producing a MEMS device provides a first substrate having a first interior surface and thickness, and a second substrate having a second interior surface. The method also forms at least one closed wall on at least one of the first and second substrates, weakens the first substrate in a plane generally parallel to the first interior surface, and secures the first substrate to the second substrate. The at least one closed wall extends between the first interior surface and the second interior surface. The method further separates a portion of the first substrate along the plane generally parallel to the first interior surface after securing the first and second substrates, and removes an excess portion of the first substrate to produce a reduced thickness first substrate of no greater than about 20 microns.
US08241930B2
Methods are generally provided for manufacturing such thin film photovoltaic devices via sputtering a mixed phase layer from a target (e.g., at least including CdSOx, where x is 3 or 4) on a transparent conductive oxide layer and depositing a cadmium telluride layer on the mixed layer. The transparent conductive oxide layer is on a glass substrate.
US08241912B2
A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game includes a primary display that displays a randomly selected outcome. The gaming system includes a multi-touch input system having a multi-touch sensing device, a memory, and a local controller. The multi-touch sensing device includes an array of input sensors that detect a multi-point gesture. Each sensor detects a touch input made by a player of the wagering game. The memory includes gesture classification codes each representing a distinct combination of characteristics relating to the gesture. The local controller receives data indicative of at least two of the characteristics related to the multi-point gesture and determines whether the data corresponds to any of the gesture classification codes. A main controller is coupled to the local controller to receive the gesture classification code responsive to the local controller determining that the data corresponds to a gesture classification code.
US08241908B2
A cell culture product is provided for propagating embryonic stem cells, and maintaining their self-renewal and pluripotency characteristics for extended periods of time in culture. The cell culturing, product includes a substrate; and a coating thereon deposited, from a coating solution. The coating solution includes a mixture of extracellular matrix proteins and an aqueous solvent, wherein the total protein concentration in the coating solution is about 10 μg/ml to about 1 mg/ml.
US08241907B2
Synthetic surfaces suitable for culturing stem cell derived cardiomyocytes contain acrylate polymers formed from one or more acrylate monomers. The acrylate surfaces, in many cases, are suitable for culturing stem cell derived cardiomyocytes in chemically defined media.
US08241895B2
The present invention provides novel photobioreactors, modules thereof, and methods for use in culturing and harvesting algae and cyanobacteria.
US08241891B2
A micro (thin film type) valve apparatus for controlling fluid flow and its rate using microbead and a method for controlling the apparatus are provided. The microbead is moved by the magnetic forge generated by upper and lower electromagnets disposed on the top and bottom surface of the body or by the electric field generated by upper and lower electrode plates disposed on the top and bottom surface of the body, thereby interconnecting or blocking flow channels in the body. The micro valve apparatus and the method for controlling the same are suitable for thin film type diagnostic assay devices, such as lab-on-chips, protein chips, or DNA chips, for detecting small quantities of analytes in fluids, and more suitable for interconnecting or blocking channels formed in thin disc type apparatus, including general CD-ROMs, DVDs, bioCDs, and bio DVDs.
US08241888B2
The invention provides a biological method of producing isoprenoids.
US08241887B2
A bacterial growth medium for promoting auto-induction of transcription of cloned DNA in cultures of bacterial cells grown batchwise is disclosed. The transcription is under the control of a lac repressor. Also disclosed is a bacterial growth medium for improving the production of a selenomethionine-containing protein or polypeptide in a bacterial cell, the protein or polypeptide being produced by recombinant DNA techniques from a lac or T7lac promoter, the bacterial cell encoding a vitamin B12-dependent homocysteine methylase. Finally, disclosed is a bacterial growth medium for suppressing auto-induction of expression in cultures of bacterial cells grown batchwise, said transcription being under the control of lac repressor.
US08241884B2
The present invention relates to Δ17 desaturases, which have the ability to convert ω-6 fatty acids into their ω-3 counterparts (i.e., conversion of arachidonic acid [20:4, ARA] to eicosapentaenoic acid [20:5, EPA]). Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding Δ17 desaturases along with a method of making long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) using these Δ17 desaturases in oleaginous yeast are disclosed.
US08241883B2
The present invention provides novel microfluidic devices and methods for performing pulsed field mobility shift assays in microfluidic devices. In particular the devices and methods of the invention utilize differences between electrophoretic mobilities (e.g., as between reactants and products, especially in non-fluorogenic reactions) in order to separate the species and thus analyze the reaction.
US08241873B2
Biomass is pretreated using an organic solvent solution under alkaline conditions in the presence of ammonia and optionally an additional nucleophile to fragment and extract lignin without loss of hemicellulose. Pretreated biomass is further hydrolyzed with a saccharification enzyme consortium. Fermentable sugars released by saccharification may be utilized for the production of target chemicals by fermentation.
US08241868B2
A method for isolating one compound or more than one compound from a biomass which contains microorganisms that have produced the compound or compounds, the method comprising the following steps: (a) preparing or obtaining wet cells having an average moisture content of between 30% and 80%; (b) subjecting the wet cells to primary drying to obtain primary dried cells having an average moisture content of between 5% and 50%; (c) subjecting the primary dried cells obtained in (b) to secondary drying to obtain secondary dried cells having an average moisture content of no greater than 10%; and (d) extracting or isolating, purifying and/or refining the compound or each of the compounds from the secondary dried cells obtained in (c).
US08241864B2
Methods of determining ACE2 activity in a sample by reacting the sample with ACE2-binding units immobilized on a solid carrier and specific for a part of ACE2 not involved in the catalytic activity of ACE2. The reaction provides a signal that can be correlated with the ACE2 activity. These methods allow for ACE2 activity in complex solutions, such as bodily liquids or culture supernatants, to be quantitatively determined using the endogenous activity of the enzyme to be quantified by converting a signal-providing substrate.
US08241862B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for cancer diagnostics, prognostics and predictions, including but not limited to, cancer markers. In particular, the present invention provides perinucleolar compartments and their resident molecules as cancer markers.
US08241839B2
A fabrication method of a brightness enhancement film (BEF) including the following steps is provided. A light transmissive substrate is provided and has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. Then, a plurality of first rod-shaped lenses are formed on the first surface. The rod-shaped lenses extend along a first direction and are arranged along a second direction. After that, a plurality of second stripe-shaped prisms are formed on the second surface. The stripe-shaped prisms extend along the second direction and are arranged along the first direction. Next, an electromagnetic wave beam is made to pass through the rod-shaped lenses, the light transmissive substrate and the stripe-shaped prisms in sequence. A first portion of each of the stripe-shaped prisms exposes and leaves a second portion of each of the stripe-shaped prisms unexposed. Then, the second portions of the stripe-shaped prisms are removed.
US08241836B2
A method of fabricating a line pattern extending in a first direction in a photoresist layer on a wafer by forming the photoresist layer on the wafer and implementing exposure on the wafer formed with the photoresist layer by using a photomask having a main pattern provided with a plurality of unit patterns slanted by a predetermined angle relative to the first direction and arranged along the first direction.
US08241833B2
A positive resist composition comprising (A) resin having a monocyclic or polycyclic alicyclic hydrocarbon structure and capable of decomposing by the action of an acid to increase the solubility in an alkaline developer, (B) a compound capable of generating an acid upon treatment with one of an actinic ray and radiation and (F) a specific surfactant containing a fluorine atom in an amount of from 30 to 60 mass %, and a pattern-forming method using the same.
US08241824B2
An electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising an electrically conductive support having thereon a photo sensitive layer having a laminated structure comprising a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer, wherein the charge generation layer comprises a titanyl phthalocyanine pigment having a crystal structure exhibiting the following peaks of Bragg angles 2θ (±0.2°) of X-ray powder diffraction employing a characteristic X-ray of a CuKα radiation (having a wavelength of 1.542 Å): at least a largest diffraction peak at 27.2°, major diffraction peaks at 9.4°, 9.6° and 24.0°, and a diffraction peak of a lowest angle at 7.3° while exhibiting no peak between the peaks of 7.3° and 9.4° and no peak at 26.3°; and the charge transport layer comprises a compound represented by Formula (1) or (2), wherein A, B, C and D are not simultaneously a hydrogen atom:
US08241798B1
A method and an apparatus is provided for increasing biofilm formation and power output in microbial fuel cells. An anode material in a microbial fuel cell has a three-dimensional and ordered structure. The anode material fills an entire anode compartment, and it is arranged to allow fluid flow within the anode compartment. The power output of microbial fuel cells is enhanced, primarily by increasing the formation and viability of electrogenic biofilms on the anodes of the microbial fuel cells. The anode material in a microbial fuel cell allows for the growth of a microbial biofilm to its natural thickness. In the instance of members of the Geobacteraceae family, the biofilm is able grow to a depth of about 40 microns.
US08241796B2
An electrode for use in a fuel cell consists of a porous plastic substrate, a conductive layer and a catalyst layer, in which the substrate is hydrophilic. Preferably the substrate has a water wicking rate no less than 40 mm per 600 s. Such an electrode may be used in a fuel cell, with an electrolyte chamber (8) defined between two opposed electrodes (11, 12), the electrodes having the catalyst layers (5) facing away from the electrolyte in contact with respective gas chambers (7, 9). Preferably the electrolyte is maintained at a negative pressure during operation.
US08241793B2
A lithium ion battery that exhibits a significantly improved specific capacity and much longer charge-discharge cycle life. The battery comprises an anode active material that has been prelithiated and pre-pulverized. This anode may be prepared with a method that comprises (a) providing an anode active material; (b) intercalating or absorbing a desired amount of lithium into the anode active material to produce a prelithiated anode active material; (c) comminuting the prelithiated anode active material into fine particles with an average size less than 10 μm (preferably <1 μm and most preferably <200 nm); and (d) combining multiple fine particles of the prelithiated anode active material with a conductive additive and/or a binder material to form the anode. Preferably, the prelithiated particles are protected by a lithium ion-conducting matrix or coating material. Further preferably, the matrix material is reinforced with nano graphene platelets.
US08241790B2
Positive electrode active material and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery containing the same
In a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising: a negative electrode containing, as a negative electrode active material, at least a material capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions or metal lithium; a positive electrode; and an electrolyte, an oxide containing nickel and manganese elements, the material comprising primary particles of the oxide having a twining portion and a superlattice arrangement of a [√{square root over ( )}3×√{square root over ( )}3] R30° when assigned as R3-m is used as a positive electrode active material.
US08241788B1
The traditional method of pressing CFx, screen and SVO sheet assembly results in an electrode that is cupped and not flat. This results in the reduction of the effective volumetric energy density of the electrode or the addition of a process step of flattening of the cathode if at all possible. The new method of assembly effectively eliminates the cupping behavior and produces a flat electrode. In addition, the physical density of the cathode is also increased.
US08241784B2
A cover mechanism for an electronic device is provided including a base member, a cover member, and two connecting members. The cover member is movably and permanently attached to the base member, including a limiting assembly, and defining a sliding groove. The connecting members connect the cover member and the base member. Each connecting member includes a connecting portion, a positioning end portion securely positioned on the base member, and a limiting end portion. The positioning end portion and the limiting end portion connect two opposite ends of the connecting portion. The connecting portions are slidably received in the sliding grooves, and the limiting end portions are slidable to resist the limiting assembly.
US08241776B2
Described is a battery cover having upper and lower shells that can be coupled to each other to protect the battery's core and internal circuit board. The shells can be ultrasonically welded to provide at least one loop of continuous weld. Once welded together, the cover reduces battery's exposure to moisture and other external element leading to reduced electrical shorts and improved safety and efficiency.
US08241763B2
The present invention relates to the compounds of the formulae (1) to (6) and to organic electroluminescent devices, in particular blue-emitting devices, in which these compounds are used as host material or dopant in the emitting layer and/or as hole-transport material and/or as electron-transport material.
US08241758B2
The invention relates to a plain bearing composite material with a supporting layer made of a copper alloy, and with a lining applied to the bearing metal layer. The copper alloy can contain 0.5-5% by weight of nickel, 0.2 to 2.5% by weight of silicon and=0.1% by weight of lead. The lining can be a sputtered layer that is applied without an intermediate layer. The invention also relates to methods for producing this composite material.
US08241754B2
Disclosed is a barrier laminate comprising at least one organic layer and at least one inorganic layer, wherein the organic layer is formed by vacuum vapor deposition of a composition containing a radical-polymerizing monomer and a polymerization initiator, followed by curing the composition, and the polymerization initiator is liquid at 30° C. under one atmosphere and/or has a melting point of not higher than 30° C.
US08241752B2
A lightweight, flexible, plastic substrate is coated with at least one layer, such that the substrate has desired barrier and electrode characteristics useful in constructing OLED displays. The layer has both a low enough resistance to function as an electrode for the display, and low oxygen and moisture permeability. The display is thereby protected from oxygen and moisture degradation. For lower permeability and/or higher conductivity, multiple alternating layers of barrier materials and conductive materials may be applied. The barrier material includes at least one of a thin metallic film, an organic polymer, a thin transparent dielectric, a thin transparent metal nitride, and a thin transparent conductive oxide. The conductive material includes at least one of a thin transparent conductive oxide, a thin transparent metallic film, and a thin transparent metal nitride. Preferably, a multilayer polymer base coat is deposited over the substrate to exclude moisture and atmospheric gases.
US08241748B2
Opaque color shifting strands are disclosed that have an optically variable color with a change in angle of incident light. The strands have an organic substrate and an optical interference structure on one or both sides of the organic substrate. The optical interference design can be a Fabry-Perot structure or can be optically variable ink. Plural strands can be combined to form a textile for example such as a garment label.
US08241743B2
Nonwoven webs that are comprised of non-thermoplastic fibers, have good in-use strength, and that disperse or break apart when subjected to agitation in water are disclosed. Pre-moistened wipes comprising such webs are also disclosed. The method of making the nonwoven webs is described as providing the webs with discrete compressed sites that form lines of weakness, such that the web may fail in tension along the lines of weakness when the web is subjected to a force less than the maximum force of the uncompressed regions of the web.
US08241730B2
A skin layer is formed on sides of a resin panel along the direction of the panel thickness and both surfaces of the resin panel substantially orthogonal to the sides. An expanded layer is formed in an inner part of the panel surrounded by the skin layer to have a multiplicity of voids. Inner ribs are formed of solid layers in the expanded layer to extend along the surfaces and the direction of the panel thickness so that both the longitudinal ends of each inner rib continue out to the skin layer at the opposed sides. Reinforcing members are inserted into the inner ribs respectively, to expose both the longitudinal end surfaces thereof from the opposed sides. Both the longitudinal end surfaces of each reinforcing member are formed with engaging holes releasably engageable with a support member for supporting the reinforcing member in the cavity of the mold assembly.
US08241729B2
A garment includes a breathable composite fabric between outer and inner fabric layers. The breathable composite fabric comprises two nanofiber web layers and a porous fluid drainage layer disposed therebetween.
US08241724B2
A system for making and using composite material components is disclosed. Composite material components are preferably constructed in patterns where every part needed for a given filler is included in a single series pattern. Using these series patterns, the material can be cut, folded and the parts created in a manner such that the individual parts forming a single filler are releasably attached to one another, thus resulting in effective and efficient organization of these parts. The filler panels can then be arranged into a folding stack of offset edges. Two shapes are preferably used with subtle differences between each at the fold area. Different patterns can be used to have the first two panels in the series positioned at 0 degrees, followed by two panels positioned at 45 degrees, and then alternating the angle positions throughout the pattern. The pattern preferably incorporates triangular portions or tabs between each set of panels in the series to help in establishing a fold line. These tabs forming part of the composite material component system are then discarded after the filler panels are created.
US08241712B2
Disclosed is a method for fabricating fine conductive patterns using a surface modified mask template, the method including: depositing a high molecular substance on a substrate; applying a hydrophobic material onto the high molecular substance so that the hydrophobic material can infiltrate into the high molecular substance; forming a mask template by removing a part of the high molecular substance to form a recess where a region of the substrate is exposed to an outside; depositing conductive ink on the mask template; and performing annealing to abstract metal particles from a metallic compound dissolved in the conductive ink so that an insulating pattern can be formed in a region on which the high molecular substance is deposited, but a conductive pattern can be formed as the metal particles are abstracted from the conductive ink in the recess and cohere with each other.
US08241708B2
Metal and/or silicon oxides are produced by hydrolysis of alkoxide precursors in the presence of either an acid catalyst or a base catalyst in a supercritical fluid solution. The solubility of the acid catalysts in the supercritical fluid can be increased by complexing the catalyst with a Lewis base that is soluble in the supercritical fluid. The solubility of the base catalysts in the supercritical fluid can be increased by complexing the catalyst with a Lewis acid that is soluble in the supercritical fluid. The solubility of water in the solution is increased by the interaction with the acid or base catalyst.
US08241699B2
A vapor deposition device 100 for moving a sheet-like substrate 4 in a roll-to-roll system in a chamber 2 to continuously form a vapor deposition film on the substrate 4. The vapor deposition device 100 comprises an evaporation source 9 for evaporating a vapor-depositing material; a transportation section including first and second rolls 3 and 8 for holding the substrate 4 in the state of being wound therearound and a guide section for guiding the substrate 4; and a shielding section, located in a vapor deposition possible zone, for forming a shielded zone which is not reachable by the vapor-depositing material from the evaporation source 9. Vapor deposition zones 60a through 60d include a planar transportation zone for transporting the substrate 4 such that the surface of the substrate 4 to be subjected to the vapor-depositing material is planar; and the transportation section is located with respect to the evaporation source 9 such that the vapor-depositing material is not incident on the substrate 4 in a direction of the normal to the substrate in the vapor deposition possible zone excluding the shielded zone.
US08241698B2
One aspect of the present invention relates to an implantable medical device comprising a surface coated with a polyelectrolyte multilayer, wherein said surface is glass, metal, plastic, polymer, or fiberglass. Another aspect of the present invention involves a method of preparing a PEM-coated implantable medical device, comprising the step of applying a film to a surface of an implantable medical device, wherein said film comprises a polyelectrolyte multilayer and said surface is glass, metal, plastic, polymer, or fiberglass. Another aspect of the present invention involves a method of reducing the wear between two contacting materials, comprising the step of moving a first material in contact with a second material in an environment, wherein a first surface of said first material is in contact with a second surface of said second material, wherein said first surface, said second surface, or both is coated with a polyelectrolyte multilayer, thereby decreasing the wear of said first material, said second material, or both compared to the wear in the absence of said polyelectrolyte multilayer.
US08241681B2
Described is a formulation having a skin irritation-reducing action consisting of or comprising: bisabolol and a composition or compound chosen from the group consisting of a) substance mixtures obtainable from an extraction of ginger, b) substance mixtures obtainable from a separation of a ginger extract which comprise a compound which is chosen from the group consisting of gingerols, shogaols, gingerdiols, dehydrogingerdiones, paradols and derivatives thereof and c) compounds obtainable from a separation of a ginger extract which are chosen from the group consisting of gingerols, shogaols, gingerdiols, dehydrogingerdiones, paradols and derivatives thereof and mixtures thereof, wherein the particular content of bisabolol and of the said composition or compound in the formulation is adjusted such that the skin irritation-reducing action of these contents is increased synergistically.
US08241676B2
The invention relates to the use of a plant extract of a plant of the Limnophila genus, in particular an extract of the plant species Limnophila conferta, as a cosmetic agent or as an active agent in cosmetic compositions.
US08241647B2
The present invention provides an amphiphilic molecule having a plurality of zwitterionic functional groups in its hydrophilic moiety and a molecular assembly comprising the amphiphilic molecule as a constituent lipid. The molecular assembly of the present invention forms a stable vesicular structure under a physiological pH environment to carry a substance of interest in the vesicular structure, and can release the substance of interest to the outside of the vesicular structure when it is deformed under an acidic pH environment. The molecular assembly of the present invention can be used as a carrier for a drug, a probe, a nucleic acid, a protein or the like.
US08241645B2
A typhoid vaccine using heat shock protein (Hsp) of Salmonella typhi and a method for the manufacture thereof. A composition comprising an effective amount of a complex of a Hsp, in part or whole, either alone or covalently or non-covalently bound to an antigenic molecule, which when administered to a mammal elicits specific immunological responses in the host. The antigenic molecule refers to the exogenous antigens/immunogens such as viz LPS, peptide, nucleic acid or polysaccharide or antigenic/immunogenic fragments and derivatives thereof.
US08241644B2
A method of inducing latency in Mycobacterium permits preparation of an in vitro model system of latent mycobacterial infection. Latency is induced in a pure culture of Mycobacterium by exposing it to multiple stress conditions, including a low nutrient culture medium without glycerol, a low pH, a relatively high level of carbon dioxide and a relatively low gas phase oxygen level. An in vitro in vitro model of mycobacterial infection employs macrophages induced from THP1 cells which are then infected with Mycobacterium. The infected macrophages are grown under hypoxic conditions to induce latency in the mycobacteria. The in vitro model of infection is useful in evaluating compounds for activity against latent mycobacteria.
US08241643B2
The present invention relates to a protective peptide of Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) or a functionally active variant thereof; a composition comprising at least two of such peptides or variants; one or more nucleic acid(s) encoding such peptide or variant; a pharmaceutical composition comprising such peptide or variant, composition, or nucleic acid(s); a method of producing an antibody using such peptide or variant or composition; the use of such peptide or variant and/or composition and/or nucleic acid(s) for the manufacture of a medicament; a method of diagnosing a S. pneumoniae infection using such peptide or variant, composition or a primer and/or probe specific for the nucleic acid(s); a method for identifying a ligand capable of binding to such peptide or variant; and the use of such peptide or variant for the isolation, purification and/or identification of an interaction partner of the peptide.
US08241641B2
Botulinum toxin, among other presynaptic neurotoxins is used for the treatment and prevention of migraine and other headaches associated with vascular disorders. Presynaptic neurotoxins are delivered focally, targeting the nerve endings of the trigeminal nerve, the occipital nerve and the intranasal terminals of the parasympathetic fibers originating in the Sphenopalatine ganglion. The administration preferably targets the extracranial nerve endings of the trigeminal nerve in the temporal area, the extracranial occipital nerve endings in the occipital area, and the intranasal terminals of the trigeminal nerve and parasympathetic fibers originating in the Sphenopalatine ganglion. The delivery is carried out by way of injection or topically.
US08241639B2
Described are a method for the identification of extracellular epitopes of Epstein Barr virus (EBV) encoded membrane proteins, expressed on the cuter cell surface of EBV-transformed mammalian cells, methods for the selection and preparation of antibody reagents specific for the said epitopes, as well as peptides, including extracellular domains of Epstein Barr Virus encoded tumour cell associated membrane proteins, the use of said peptide for immunization and therapeutic vaccination to induce antibodies and T-cells reactive with said domains, the use of said antibody reagents for the production of targeting cells, tumour cell purging and as diagnostic for and medicament against EBV-mediated malignant cell growth.
US08241634B2
Disclosed herein is a carbon supply device for supplying carbon dioxide during large scale cultivation of micro-algae in open pond, and its application method and use. The device comprises a trap container in which a partition plate is installed vertically and has a 10-50 cm gap from the container bottom, and the partition plate is higher than the wall of the trap container; and a gas distributor is positioned at the bottom of the container. In use, the trap carbon supply device is embedded in bottom of an open pond, wherein the partition plate is above the liquid level of the culture solution in the open pond such that the culture solution driven by a stirrer flows into the trap carbon supply device from one side thereof, and flows out of the device from the other side thereof, wherein the culture solution is mixed with carbon dioxide at the bottom of the container.
US08241632B2
The invention provides a formulation including a buffer having a pH less than 6.0, a divalent cation between about 5-200 mM, an excipient comprising a sugar or polyol and an effective amount of a therapeutic polypeptide. Also provided is a method of stabilizing a polypeptide. The method includes contacting a therapeutic polypeptide with a concentration of divalent cation between about 5-150 150 mM in a buffer having a pH less than 6.0 and an excipient comprising a sugar or polyol.
US08241626B2
Described is a novel family of cell surface serpentine transmembrane antigens. Two of the proteins in this family are exclusively or predominantly expressed in the prostate, as well as in prostate cancer, and thus members of this family have been termed “STEAP” (Six Transmembrane Epithelial Antigen of the Prostate). Four particular human STEAPs are described and characterized herein. The human STEAPs exhibit a high degree of structural conservation among them but show no significant structural homology to any known human proteins. The prototype member of the STEAP family, STEAP-1, appears to be a type IIIa membrane protein expressed predominantly in prostate cells in normal human tissues. Structurally, STEAP-1 is a 339 amino acid protein characterized by a molecular topology of six transmembrane domains and intracellular N- and C-termini, suggesting that it folds in a “serpentine” manner into three extracellular and two intracellular loops.
US08241623B1
The present invention uses co-expression of protease inhibitors and protease sensitive therapeutic agents that results in their localized production within the target tissue and inactivation outside of the target tissue, thereby increasing therapeutic activity and reducing the systemic toxicity. Inactivation is also accomplished by engineering protease degradation sites within the therapeutic construct for proteases, preferably those that are under-expressed within the target tissue yet present in non-target tissues within the body, resulting in therapeutic activity within the target tissue and inactivation outside of the target tissue. Novel chimeric proteins secreted by bacteria are also described. The chimeric proteins include chimeric toxins targeted to neoplastic cells and cells of the immune system. Novel combination therapies of these protease inhibitor:chimeric toxin-expressing bacteria together with small-molecule and biologic agents are also described. Non-conjugative bacteria capable of delivering phage/phagemids expression cassettes for DNA and RNA-based therapeutics are also described.
US08241619B2
Disclosed are hindered amine nitric oxide (NO) donating polymers for coating implantable medical devices. The polymers include sterically hindered secondary amines that do not react with monomer carbonyls or electrophilic alkenes, facilitating the synthesis of the NO donating polymers. The polymers are coated on implantable medical devices, providing anti-restenosis therapy by the release of NO at the implantation site.
US08241616B2
There is provided a hair styling composition comprising (a) one or more fully soluble polymer, (b) solvent-propellant mixture or solvent mixture, and optional other ingredients. Also provided is a method of making polymer.
US08241612B2
A composition of matter and a method are disclosed including mixing pieces of solid beeswax and liquid jojoba wax at a predetermined temperature within a predetermined range of temperatures, filtering the mixture, and cooling the mixture to form a colloidal gel.
US08241611B2
The invention provides a method of preventing, inhibiting or reducing a P. gingivalis biofilm in a subject comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising an inhibiting agent of a polypeptide that reduces or inhibits biofilm formation and/or biofilm development. Also provided are compositions useful in the prevention, inhibition or treatment of periodontal disease or P. gingivalis infection.
US08241610B2
The present invention provides a vaccine adjuvant consisting of a combination of a surfactant i.e. dimethyldeoctadecylammonium-bromide/chloride (DDA) and a lipid extract from Mycobacterium bovis BCG. The total lipid extract contains both apolar lipids, polar lipids, and lipids of intermediate polarity of which the apolar lipids were found to induce the most powerful immune responses. The total lipids may be extracted with chloroform/methanol and re-dissolved in water before the addition of surfactant. This preparation may be used to induce prominent cell-mediated immune responses in a mammal in order to combat pathogens, or as a treatment for cancer.
US08241607B2
This invention relates to compositions, methods utilizing fructose and other monosaccharides for the diagnosis of cancer. Cancer cells have shown a higher level of fructose utilization as compared to glucose. Further, cancer cells have shown a preferential use of fructose for nucleic acid synthesis. The present invention takes advantage of these features and provides for fructose or fructose-based compositions for the diagnosis of cancer using imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography.
US08241597B2
A system and method for removing pollutants and greenhouse gases SO2, NO2, and CO2 from a flue gas stream, includes: a) contacting natural seawater with a flue gas for a given period of time to remove SO2 from the flue gas; b) contacting treated alkaline water to the flue gas to remove CO2 and NOx from the flue gas and generate oxygen and carbon particles; and c) collecting or emitting the flue gas after step b). The method and the system of the invention are significantly more economical and convenient and do not cause harm to the environments. The invention also exhibits a novel and unique feature that elemental carbon and oxygen are generated as final products and can be recovered as an energy source.
US08241593B2
A holder for a plurality of biological specimen collection devices having collection absorbents extending therefrom is provided, the holder operating to organize and identify the collection devices and operating to position the collection devices for extraction of sample portions from each of the collection absorbents of the multiple collection devices while positioning a sample punch absorbent cleaning strip adjacent the collection absorbent of each device to allow cleaning of the sample punch between each use.
US08241584B2
A decomposition apparatus and a decomposition system for high-efficiency decomposition of waste plastic and organic matter, in particular medical waste formed of varieties of plastic, are provided by introduction of a catalyst circulating means using a rotary wheel and/or introduction of a mixing vessel.
US08241582B2
Disclosed is a reactor including: a heater provided on a surface of the reactor; an electrical insulating film which covers the heater and includes a crystalline RFeO3, where R is a rare earth element; and a radiation prevention film provided on the insulating film.
US08241573B2
The present invention comprises systems and devices for sequencing of nucleic acid, such as short DNA sequences from clonally amplified single-molecule arrays.
US08241572B2
An apparatus for analyzing biologic fluid is provided that includes first and second planar members, and at least three separators. At least one of the first planar member and second planar member is transparent. The separators are disposed between the planar members, and each individually has a height. The separators collectively having a mean height, and separate the planar members to form a chamber having a height extending between the planar members. At least one of the first planar member, second planar member, or separators is sufficiently deformable when the first planar member and second planar member are drawn toward each other by capillary force from a biologic fluid quiescently residing within the chamber to cause the mean chamber height to be substantially equal to the mean height of the separators.
US08241571B2
A particle analyzer in which tagged particles to be analyzed are drawn through a suspended capillary tube where a predetermined volume in the capillary tube is illuminated. The illumination scattered by said particles is detected by a detector to count all particles. The fluorescent illumination emitted by tagged particles is detected and the output signals from the fluorescent detectors and scatter detector are processed to provide an analysis of the particles.
US08241564B1
A method for manufacturing of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) for implants, where the implants have been machined out of UHMWPE blocks or extruded rods, has anthocyanin dispersely imbedded in the polyethylene. The implant is then exposed to γ ray or electron beam irradiation in an amount of at least 2.5 Mrad followed by a heat treatment to prevent the implant from becoming brittle in the long term as well as to improve strength and wear. The method includes mixing a powder or granulate resin of UHMWPE with an aqueous liquid that contains anthocyanin in a predetermined amount. The water is evaporated in order to deposit the anthocyanin in a predetermined concentration on the polyethylene particles. The doped UHMWPE particles are compressed into blocks at temperatures in a range of approximately 135° C.-250° C. and pressures in a range of approximately 2-70 MPa. Medical implants are made from the blocks.
US08241544B2
A syringe for holding fluids susceptible to void formation when frozen and thawed before use. The interior surface of the syringe sidewall may be roughened, which serves to prevent or significantly reduce the incidence of void formation in the fluid. The required level of surface roughening for counteracting void formation may be reduced by increasing the sidewall flexibility. Alternatively, the flexibility of the syringe sidewall may operate over certain thickness ranges to prevent or significantly reduce void formation in the fluid without intentionally roughening the interior surface.
US08241542B2
A composite material having exposed nanofibers is prepared by dividing a polymer nanofiber matrix into sections. A portion of a polymeric substrate material is removed to expose lengths of nanofibers that together can act as a nanoadhesive.
US08241538B2
An image forming apparatus includes driving device frame having a base plate on which is formed integrally with the base plate one or more supporting shafts for supporting one or more power transmission members that transmit driving power from a driving source to driven bodies of the image forming apparatus.
US08241521B2
The present invention relates to a lithium ion cathode material lithium iron phosphate having oxygen vacancy and doped in the position of Fe and a preparation method of quick micro-wave sintering for the same. The molecular formula of the product in present invention is expressed as LiFe1-x-aMeaMxPO4-yNz, wherein Me is one or more elements selected from Mg, Mn or Nd, and M is one or more elements selected from Li, Na, K, Ag or Cu; 0≦x≦0.1, 0
US08241516B2
A method for manufacturing a substrate for a magnetic disk, including the steps of (a) polishing a substrate with a polishing composition A containing alumina abrasives having an average particle size of from 0.05 to 0.5 μm, and an oxidizing agent, and (b) polishing the substrate with a polishing composition B containing silica particles having an average particle size of from 0.005 to 0.1 μm; a substrate for a magnetic disk, obtainable by the method for manufacturing a substrate for a magnetic disk; and a substrate for a magnetic disk having the following surface properties of a long-wavelength waviness of 0.05 nm or more and 0.3 nm or less, and an AFM surface roughness of 0.03 nm or more and 0.2 nm or less. The substrate for a magnetic disk may be suitably used in the manufacture of a hard disk having a high recording density. Especially, a hard disk having a recording density of 50 G bits or more per square inch may be industrially manufactured.
US08241511B2
The present invention provides a substrate processing method to process a substrate including at least a process layer, an intermediate layer, and a mask layer which are stacked in this order. The mask layer includes an aperture configured to expose a portion of the intermediate layer. The substrate processing method includes a material deposition step of depositing a material on a side surface of the aperture and exposing a portion of the process layer by etching the exposed portion of the intermediate layer by plasma generated from a deposit gas, and an etching step of etching the exposed portion of the process layer.
US08241510B2
A method for producing an inkjet recording head includes preparing the substrate having a through hole to be formed into a supply port, the through hole having openings on the first surface and the second surface, the substrate having a first protective layer disposed on the second surface, the first protective layer having an overhang extending into the region of the opening on the second surface. The method also includes forming a second protective layer so as to continuously cover at least the overhang of the first protective layer and the inner wall of the through hole, and removing a portion of the second protective layer corresponding to the opening on the first surface.
US08241508B2
A method of making a composite material having sharp surface features includes the steps of: making a composite body comprised of a recessive phase and a protrusive phase, the recessive phase having a higher susceptibility to a preselected etchant than the protrusive phase; and treating a surface of the composite body with the preselected etchant so that the protrusive phase protrudes from the surface to form a sharp surface feature, and the recessive phase defines a recessed surface area between the surface features.
US08241503B2
Disclosed is an economical process for the purification of water containing soluble and sparingly soluble inorganic compounds using single-stage or two-stage membrane processes that integrate membrane water purification with chemical precipitation softening and residual hardness and silica removal from the membrane concentrates using ion exchange resins and silica sequestering media, respectively.
US08241496B2
A filter device includes a casing having an inlet for introducing fluid and an outlet for discharging fluid, and a filtering element disposed between the inlet and the outlet. The filtering element has an outer circumference face restricted from being deformed in a fluid flowing direction. The filtering element has an upstream end face on an upstream side in the fluid flowing direction, and a downstream end face on a downstream side in the fluid flowing direction. The filtering element is configured to be compressed toward the upstream end face by pressing the downstream end face.
US08241495B2
A filtration module comprising at least one membrane sheet comprising a plurality of capillary channels in parallel arrangement with each other and which are in fluid communication with a header.
US08241489B2
Contact of a crude feed with one or more catalysts produces a total product that includes a crude product. The crude feed has a total content of alkali metal, and alkaline-earth metal, in metal salts of organic acids of at least 0.00001 grams per gram of crude feed. The crude product is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa. Contacting conditions are controlled such that the liquid hourly space velocity in a contacting zone is over 10 h−1 and the crude product has a total content of alkali metal, and alkaline-earth metal, in metal salts of organic acids of at most 90% of the total content of alkali metal, and alkaline-earth metal, in metal salts of organic acids of the crude feed. One or more other properties of the crude product may be changed by at least 10% relative to the respective properties of the crude feed.
US08241486B2
A biosensor strip having a low profile for reducing the volume of liquid sample needed to perform an assay. In one embodiment, the biosensor strip includes an electrode support; an electrode arrangement on the electrode support; a cover; a sample chamber; and an incompressible element placed between the cover and the electrode support, the incompressible element providing an opening in at least one side or in the distal end of the sample chamber to provide at least one vent in the sample chamber. In another embodiment, the biosensor strip has an electrode support; an electrode arrangement on the electrode support; a cover; and a sample chamber, the cover having a plurality of openings formed therein, at least one of the openings in register with the sample chamber. The invention further includes methods for preparing such a biosensor strips in a continuous manner.
US08241485B2
The present invention is based on the discovery of NAD+ and NADP+ mediator compounds that do not bind irreversibly to thiol groups in the active sites of intracellular dehydrogenase enzymes. Such mediator compounds avoid a common mode of enzyme inhibition. The mediators can therefore increase the stability and reliability of the electrical response in amperometric electrodes constructed from NAD- or NADP-dependent enzymes.
US08241483B2
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of stable iodate-exchanged hydrotalcite with zero effluent discharge. The iodate-exchanged hydrotalcite produced is useful as iodizing agent. The invention further relates to utilization of alkaline effluent generated in the process of ion exchange of iodate into SHT so as to fully recycle the residual iodate anion and also utilize the alkali generated in the process for production of additional quantities of iodate through reaction with iodine crystals followed by electrochemical oxidation to obtain pure aqueous solution of iodate salt which can be reused for preparation of the stable iodizing agent. The process gives zero effluent discharge hence economical.
US08241482B2
The invention is directed to a process for recovering acids from mixtures containing them, in particular organic acids and amino acids, such as acids produced by fermentation in a fermentation broth. The process of the invention comprises contacting a loaded extractant with a solution containing hydroxide ions in the presence of at least one cathode and at least one anode, wherein said hydroxide ions are produced by using said cathode, whereby said acid is converted to its anionic form, by which it can be removed from said extractant and can migrate in the direction of the anode.
US08241476B1
A novel on-line method is presented for the extraction and preconcentration of amino acids using a sol-gel coated column coupled to a conventional UV/vis detector. Extraction, stacking and focusing techniques are used in the preconcentration procedures. Sol-gel coatings are created by using N-Octadecyldimethyl[3(trimethoxysilyl)proply]ammonium chloride (C18-TMS) in the coating sol solutions. The resulting sol-gel coating carries a positive charge. For extraction, the pH of the samples is properly adjusted to impart a net negative charge to amino acids. A long plug of the sample is then passed through the sol-gel coated capillary to facilitate extraction via electrostatic interaction between the positively charged sol-gel coating and the negatively charged amino acid molecules. The focusing of the extracted amino acids is accomplished through desorption of the extracted amino acid molecules carried out by local pH change. The described procedure provides 150,000-fold enrichment effect for alanine.
US08241474B2
A method and system is disclosed for monitoring one or more characteristics associated with a fluid. An insulating layer comprising non-conducting diamond is positioned within a housing and has a surface exposed directly or indirectly to the fluid. A plurality of microelectrodes made of electrically conducting diamond each have a surface exposed directly or indirectly to the fluid. An electrical circuit in electrical communication with each of the microelectrodes is adapted to convert electrical signals from the microelectrodes into at least one signal associated with a characteristic being monitored. The sensing system is well suited to hydrocarbon wellbore related applications, but can also be used in other applications.
US08241471B2
An electrolytic system for generating hydrogen gas includes a pair of electrodes and an electrolyte. The electrolyte includes colloidal silver, colloidal magnesium, and a nano-metal comprising nano-nickel, nano-iron or a nano-nickel-iron alloy. The electrodes include a first electrode of a non-magnetic material. A second electrode includes an electrode precursor of a magnetic material or an electro-magnet. When in its magnetic state, the electrode precursor exerts a magnetic force of sufficient strength to pull the nano-metal of the electrolyte onto at least a portion of its surfaces, to form the second electrode.
US08241462B2
To provide a papermaking internal sizing agent capable of efficiently imparting sizing performance even in neutral papermaking which uses calcium carbonate as filler, and uses no aluminum sulfate or uses a small amount of aluminum sulfate, and also provide a paper or a paperboard obtained by using the papermaking internal sizing agent. The papermaking internal sizing agent comprises as an effective ingredient an amphoteric copolymer having hydrophobic groups and cationic groups, at least a part of the cationic groups being quaternized. Preferably, the amphoteric copolymer is obtained by polymerizing monomer ingredients that it essentially contain a hydrophobic monomer (A), a cationic monomer (B), and an anionic monomer (C) and that an anion equivalent of the monomer (C) is 0.1 to 90% of a cation equivalent of the monomer (B), in which a rate of quaternizing of the cationic groups is not less than 40% by mole. The paper or the paperboard contains the above papermaking internal sizing agent.
US08241461B1
The present invention relates to cationic polymers, such as polyaminoamide epichlorohydrin (PAE), that are derived from renewable resources and can be used to produce wet strength resins suitable for a variety of applications, such as in absorbent paper articles.
US08241460B2
Web to be formed into wrapping paper is applied with combustion inhibitor and then dried. Water is applied onto the entire surface of the opposite side to the combustion-inhibitor applied side of the web. The web applied with water is dried while pinched between drying and pressing rollers and stretched in a width direction. In this way, unwrinkled high-quality cigarette wrapping paper having a low ignition propensity can be stably and inexpensively manufactured. As the pressing roller, a heat-resistant rubber roller provided in its surface with a soft portion in a helical way is utilized.
US08241458B2
The invention concerns a method for controlling the adhesive bond between an electric-field responsive material and a substrate, which method comprises using an electric field to control the strength and integrity of the adhesive bond. The method may be used, for example, for removing or delaminating a material, which material is responsive to an electric field, from a substrate. The invention further comprises elimination of the application of the electric field and application of the previously removed electric-field-responsive material to the substrate, thereby resuming the strength and integrity of the adhesive bond. The invention includes apparatus for use in the bond controlling process.
US08241454B2
In a corrugating machine and a method of producing corrugated cardboard, provision is made for a marking device by means of which a color mark is applied by rubbing off a solid coloring agent, the color mark being detected by means of a detection device in order to easily and precisely mark and cut out joining points. The applied and detected color mark enables a web length of a web of single-faced corrugated cardboard in a storage device to be determined, thus allowing an electronic control device to operate a cross-cutting device in an easy and precise manner.
US08241452B2
A reinforcement fibrous cord having excellent adhesive strength produced by impregnating a meshed cord fabric formed from warp yarns for reinforcement cords and weft yarns having a softening temperature or a melting temperature lower than any of the softening temperature, the melting temperature and the thermal decomposition-initiating temperature of the warp yarns, with adhesive agent, and heat-treating the fabric at the temperature equal to or higher than the softening or melting temperature of the weft yarn and lower than any of the softening temperature, the melting temperature and the thermal decomposition-initiating temperature of the warp yarns so that the weft yarns are self-broken while being fuse-adhered to the adhesive agent-impregnated warp yarns whereby projections caused by the broken residues of the weft yarns are formed on the warp yarns.
US08241438B2
A hafnium alloy target containing either or both of Zr and Ti in a gross amount of 100 wtppm-10 wt % in Hf, wherein the average crystal grain size is 1-100 μm, the impurities of Fe, Cr and Ni are respectively 1 wtppm or less, and the habit plane ratio of the plane {002} and three planes {103}, {014} and {015} lying within 35° from {002} is 55% or greater, and the variation in the total sum of the intensity ratios of these four planes depending on locations is 20% or less. As a result, obtained is a hafnium alloy target having favorable deposition property and deposition speed, which generates few particles, and which is suitable for forming a high dielectric gate insulation film such as HfO or HfON film, and the manufacturing method thereof.
US08241431B2
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for applying a fluid (32) to items (14) to be cleaned, which items are continuously or intermittently transported in the conveying direction (12) in an automatic cleaning machine, preferably an automatic pass-through dishwasher. At least two, preferably tubular, spray bodies (26.1, 26.2, 26.3, . . . 26.n) which are spaced apart from one another are arranged in at least one spray plane (22, 24) which is oriented parallel to the conveying direction (12) of the items (14) to be cleaned.
US08241424B2
An upper side heater 10 is configured so that a current passage width becomes larger at a heater lower part than at a heater upper part. Thus, the upper side heater 10 has a current-carrying cross-sectional area which becomes larger at the heater lower part than at the heater upper part, a resistance value becomes accordingly smaller at the heater lower part than at the heater upper part, and a heat generation amount becomes relatively smaller at the heater lower part than at the heater upper part. Meanwhile, a lower side heater 20 is configured so that the current passage width becomes larger at the heater upper part than at the heater lower part. Thus, the current-carrying cross-sectional area of the lower side heater 20 becomes larger at the heater upper part than at the heater lower part, a resistance value becomes accordingly smaller at the heater upper part than at the heater lower part, and a heat generation amount becomes relatively smaller at the heater upper part than at the heater lower part.
US08241421B2
The epitaxial layer defects generated from voids of a silicon substrate wafer containing added hydrogen are suppressed by a method for producing an epitaxial wafer by: growing a silicon crystal by the Czochralski method comprising adding hydrogen and nitrogen to a silicon melt and growing from the silicon melt a silicon crystal having a nitrogen concentration of from 3×1013 cm−3 to 3×1014 cm−3, preparing a silicon substrate by machining the silicon crystal, and forming an epitaxial layer at the surface of the silicon substrate.
US08241409B2
A bubble trap for separating and collecting air and bubbles from a high flow rate stream of infusate includes multiple flow chambers to collect air, a sensor support mounted to one of the chambers, an air vent disposed in one of the chambers, and a valve in fluid communication with the chambers to control the flow of infusate therethrough.
US08241399B2
A method of generating heat from a gas stream includes providing a first gas stream having a first temperature and a moisture content approximately saturating the gas stream, removing the moisture content from the first gas stream to form a second gas stream having a second temperature greater than the first temperature of the first gas stream, and heat exchanging the second gas stream having the second temperature greater than the first temperature of the first gas stream.
US08241396B2
This inventions provides a method for the removal of smut, fine dust and exhaust gas particles from polluted air including providing a particle catch arrangement with a charged surface, the particle catch arrangement being arranged to generate a static electric field, wherein the electric field is at least 0.2 kV/m. The invention further provides a particle catch arrangement including a surface that can be charged, further including a generator arranged to generate charge to the surface that can be charged and to generate a static electric field of at least 0.2 kV/m, wherein the particle catch arrangement is part of or integrated with an object including street furniture.
US08241387B2
The invention relates to an agricultural composition wherein the composition comprises an effective amount of a sulphur active ingredient and at least one dispersing agent.
US08241386B2
A filter element may be provided. The filter element may include a fitting; and a filtering member coupled to the fitting, the filtering member may include a plurality of flutes defined in an outer surface of the filtering member.
US08241372B2
A method of forming an electrode including an electrochemical catalyst layer is disclosed, which comprises forming a graphitized porous conductive fabric layer, optionally conditioning the graphitized porous conductive fabric layer, and dipping the graphitized porous conductive fabric layer into a solution containing a plurality of polymer-capped noble metal nanoclusters dispersed therein. The polymer-capped noble metal nanoclusters as an electrochemical catalyst layer are adsorbed onto the graphitized porous conductive fabric layer. An electrochemical device with the electrode made thereby is also contemplated.
US08241368B2
In a method for securing and disabling an electronic device, the electronic device automatically executes a basic input/output system (BIOS) component of a security and tracking service during boot up. The BIOS component automatically determines whether an application component of the security and tracking service has requested disabling of the electronic device. In response to a determination that the application component has requested disabling of the electronic device, the BIOS component automatically displays system information and unlock key. The BIOS component also automatically prompts a user of the electronic device to enter an activation password to re-enable the electronic device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08241342B2
A flexible clamp for plugging an aperture in a bone, including a plurality of flexible anchoring members, where each flexible anchoring member has a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a locking tab connected to the second end of each flexible anchoring member; and, a stabilization member slidingly engagable with the flexible anchoring members, wherein the stabilization member may be translocated from a position adjacent the first ends of the flexible anchoring members to a clamping position adjacent the second ends of the flexible anchoring members. The locking tabs engage an inner surface of the bone and the stabilization member engages an outer surface of the bone when in the clamping position. The flexible clamp further includes a ratcheting mechanism associated with each flexible anchoring member, and a plurality of pawl mechanisms formed within the stabilization member which lockingly engage with each of the ratcheting mechanisms.
US08241341B2
Pedicle screws that can include a pedicle screw body, housing, plurality of clamps, rod, and set screw are disclosed herein. The clamps may be positioned side by side inside the lower portion of the housing. When the rod and set screw are provided in the housing, the set screw applies a force on the rod and the rod engages the plurality of clamps, causing the clamps to frictionally engage a head of the pedicle screw between the clamps.
US08241326B2
A surgical tack is provided that can have a single shaft formed of a bio-compatible material and a tip adapted for entering and engaging bone or tissue; and a head mounted on said shaft.
US08241319B2
An embolic protection system 1 comprises a guidewire 99 for advancing through a vasculature, the guidewire 99 having a distal end and a proximal end; an embolic protection filter 1 having a filter body 41 with a distal end and a proximal end, the filter body 41 providing for a collapsed configuration and an expanded deployed configuration. The embolic protection filter body 41 has a guidewire path for slidably receiving the guidewire 99 to permit movement of the filter 1 relative to the guidewire 99 when the filter 1 is in the collapsed configuration and the expanded deployed configuration. A delivery catheter 2 is advanceable over the guidewire 99 for delivery of the embolic protection filter 1; the delivery catheter 2 having a proximal end and a distal end. The filter 1 is deployed from the distal end of the delivery catheter 2 into the expanded deployed configuration. A retrieval catheter 3 is also advanceable over the guidewire 99 for retrieval of the filter 1, the retrieval catheter 3 having a distal end and a proximal end; and engagement elements for engaging the embolic protection filter 1 with the guidewire 99 for retrieval of the filter 1 into the retrieval catheter 3 in the collapsed configuration.
US08241318B2
A device and method for locking onto a guidewire. The device includes an element transversely movable along the guidewire. The element may have a plurality of portions and a biasing member connecting first and second portions of the transversely moveable element such that the first portion and another of the portions are movable from a first position, where the first portion and the other portion are aligned with respect to one another, to a second position, where the first portion is no longer aligned with respect to the other portion, the device being locked to the guidewire in the second position. The device can be used for locking an embolic protection device including a filter to a guidewire that is adapted to be introduced into a vascular system of a patient.
US08241306B2
The present invention is a device having a rigidly linked jaw that is decoupled from an articulating wrist. The device provides for articulating motion as well as actuation that may be used in grasping, cutting, suturing or the like.
US08241300B2
An animal tag applicator (1) has handles (2) and (3) pivotally connected together and extending to respective jaws (6) and (7) for dispensing an ear tag (10) to be engaged about an animal's ear (39). The tags (10) are in the form of an elongate, longitudinally connected, strip which can be accommodated within the hollow handle (2). A slider (17) has a pusher (18) engaged with the front-most tag (10A) to move it into the dispensing position where its male portion is engaged by the top jaw (7) and a cutting means (31) severs the connection between the front-most tag (10A) and the immediately following tag. A releasable stop member (42) engages the front-most tag (10A) before it is dispensed. A lost motion slot (43) enables the cutting means (31) to be raised before the pusher (18) engages with the next tag (10) to move it into the dispensing position.
US08241298B2
Methods and devices are provided for delivering and affixing tissue replacements. In one embodiment, a tissue scaffold can be delivered into a patient through a cannula to a cavity formed at a defect site in tissue, e.g., cartilage. A delivery shaft can be used to deliver the scaffold through the cannula, and a loading device can help load the scaffold onto the delivery shaft. A delivery guide device can position and temporarily hold the scaffold within the cavity. The delivery guide device can guide one or more surgical instruments to the scaffold to affix the scaffold within the cavity, e.g., to bone underlying the scaffold, using at least one securing mechanism.
US08241291B2
A sinus membrane lifting instrument comprising a longitudinally extending handle portion, an angled neck extending longitudinally from the handle portion and a disc-shaped tip extending from the angled neck, the angled neck including means for sensing tension in a sinus membrane as it is being lifted by the instrument from its bony support floor.
US08241281B2
A bipolar electrosurgical probe includes electrodes separated by an insulation member. One end of an electrode is inserted into an aperture of the other electrode. An insulation material is disposed between e.g., injected into, a space between a bottom surface of one electrode and a top surface of another electrode so that at least a portion of the insulation member is disposed between overlapping ends of the electrodes.
US08241276B2
The inventive ablation element comprises an elongated cannula having a proximal end and a distal end. The cannula defines an internal lumen within the cannula and a cannula axis. A plurality of conductors contained within the lumen, each of the conductors has a proximal end proximate the proximal end of the cannula, and a distal end proximate the distal end of the cannula. A plurality of ablation stylets each has a proximal end and a distal end, and each coupled at the respective proximal end of the stylet to the distal end of a respective conductor, the stylets comprise a deflectable material, the conductors together with their respective stylets being mounted for axial movement. A trocar point defined proximate the distal end of the cannula. A deflection surface positioned between the trocar point and the proximal end of the cannula, the deflection surface being configured and positioned to deflect, in response to axial movement of the stylets in a direction from the proximate end of the cannula to the distal end of the cannula, at least some of the stylets laterally with respect to the cannula axis in different directions along substantially straight paths, the paths defining an ablation volume.
US08241271B2
In one embodiment of the invention, a robotic surgical instrument is provided for the control of flows of one or more fluids into and out of a surgical site. The robotic surgical instrument may include a housing, a flow control system, a hollow tube, and one or more hose fittings. The housing to couple the instrument to a robotic arm. The flow control system mounted in the housing includes one or more controlled valves to control the flow of one or more fluids. The hollow tube has a first end mounted in the housing coupled to the flow control system. A second end of the hollow tube has one or more openings to allow the flow of fluids into and out of the surgical site. The hose fittings have a first end coupled to the flow control system and a second end to couple to hoses.
US08241269B2
A fluid delivery device for transdermal delivery of a fluid to a patient. The device comprises an envelope that may be applied to a patient's skin. The envelope comprises at least one diffusion layer coupled to at least one impermeable layer such that at least a chamber is defined therebetween. Other embodiments include internal diffusion layers, and thus possess additional chambers, as well. In one arrangement, an adhesive boundary layer permits the device to be removably secured to a patient and inhibits radial migration of fluid beyond the periphery of the device. In another arrangement, preferably, an anti-microbial layer is provided to inhibit the growth of microorganisms.
US08241265B2
A system for mixing or reconstituting a drug contained in a first container with a diluent or fluid contained in a second container. The second container has a port docking assembly for engaging the first container. The first container is rotatable and axially slidable within the port docking assembly. The port docking assembly has an actuator to urge a stopper fluidly sealing the first container into the interior of the first container. The port docking assembly further includes a movable plug constructed to fluidly seal the second container in a first, docked position and to provide access to the interior of the second container in a second, activated position, whereby fluid communication between the first and second containers is provided when the first and second containers are in the second, activated position.
US08241250B2
The present invention provides a gastrostomy or jejunal device for extended insertion into an abdomen of a patient. The device includes a catheter and a coaxial sheath that surrounds the catheter. The sheath includes a plurality of curved or oblique slots through the sheath materials that form a plurality of arms. A rotatable actuation device is provided to twist the sheath along its longitudinal axis which places the arms in compression and causes them to buckle radially outward beyond the circumference of the remainder of the sheath when the actuation device is rotated with respect to the remainder of the device.
US08241248B2
Devices and systems for providing retroperfusion and autoretroperfusion therapies to a brain. In certain embodiments, the devices and systems disclosed herein comprise a flow unit configured to adjust the flow rate and pressure of the arterial blood used for perfusion of the venous system. Methods for delivering a bridge retroperfusion therapy are also disclosed such that, after the onset of a stroke or other adverse cerebral event, the brain cells' window of viability may be extended and other treatments, including pharmaceutical and neuroprotective therapies, may be more effectively utilized.
US08241243B2
A method for filling needleless injector capsules with liquid drug, whereby dissolved gas within the drug is replaced by a less soluble gas in order to reduce the inclusion of gas bubbles, or to prevent the growth of bubbles during storage and thereby prevent breakage of the capsules.
US08241241B2
Clot disruption and dissolution are achieved using a catheter having the ability to infuse a thrombolytic agent, aspirate clot and fluid, and allow passage of a guidewire. Optionally, the catheter may also include a mechanical agitator for further disrupt clot in the presence of the thrombolytic agent. A flow resistor in the catheter provides for infusion and/or aspiration to be concentrated primarily at a clot treatment area in a blood vessel while also providing optional infusion and/or aspiration distal to the treatment area. In some embodiments, infusion, aspiration and guidewire passage occur through a common lumen. The thrombolytic agent, such as tPA, streptokinase, or urokinase, is directly released into the clot at the point where the agitator is engaging the clot. In this way, the thrombolytic activity of the agent is enhanced and the dissolution of the clot is improved.
US08241232B2
A foot pain relief device can advantageously provide multiple angles of inclination, directed pressure against the plantar fascia, as well as ease of manufacturing and assembly. A toe strap, which is fastened around the ankle and the toe(s), ensures that the toes are flexed up. This toe flexing tenses the plantar fascia of the foot. A ball strap can be threaded through a hole in a ball and then operatively coupled with the toe strap. When operatively coupled to the toe strap, the ball strap keeps the ball positioned on the bottom of the foot while allowing ball mobility. The mobility of the ball can provide directed pressure on at least one component of the plantar fascia. Notably, the simultaneous combination of tension to the plantar fascia and directed pressure to the component(s) of the plantar fascia can be particularly effective at relieving foot pain.
US08241222B2
This disclosure relates to monitoring intracardiac or vascular impedance to determine a change in hemodynamic status by detecting changes in an impedance parameter over cardiac cycles. An example method includes measuring a plurality of impedance values of a path within a patient over time, wherein the path includes at least one blood vessel or cardiac chamber of the patient, and wherein the impedance values vary as a function of blood pressure within the at least one vessel or chamber, determining a plurality of values of an impedance parameter over time based on the measured impedance values, wherein each of the impedance parameter values is determined based on a respective sub-plurality of the impedance values, comparing at least one of the impedance parameter values to at least one prior impedance parameter value, and identifying a change in a cardiovascular parameter related to the blood pressure based on the comparison.
US08241221B2
Techniques are provided for detecting stroke within a patient using an implantable medical device in conjunction with an external confirmation system. In one example, a preliminary detection of stroke is performed by a subcutaneous monitor based on an analysis of features of an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensed within the patient. Exemplary ECG features indicative of possible stroke include the onset of prominent U-waves, the onset of notched T-waves, and changes in ST segment duration or QT duration or dynamic trends in these parameters. The monitor transmits a signal indicative of possible stroke to a bedside monitor or other external system, which generates a stroke questionnaire for use in confirming the stroke. Family members or other caregivers input answers to the questionnaire into the external system, which confirms or disconfirms the stroke. Emergency personnel can be automatically notified. Implantable systems that detect stroke based on intracardiac electrogram (IEGM) signals are also described herein.
US08241220B2
An ultrasonic imaging tube is provided. A tube body has a longitudinal axis and a circumference. A first transducer array is disposed in the body along the longitudinal axis. A second transducer array is disposed in the body along the longitudinal axis. The first transducer array is substantially parallel with the second transducer array. The first transducer array and the second transducer array are at a first non-zero angle to each other about the longitudinal axis.
US08241217B2
A portable ultrasound imaging system includes a scan head coupled by a cable to a portable battery-powered data processor and display unit. The scan head enclosure houses an array of ultrasonic transducers and the circuitry associated therewith, including pulse synchronizer circuitry used in the transmit mode for transmission of ultrasonic pulses and beam forming circuitry used in the receive mode to dynamically focus reflected ultrasonic signals returning from the region of interest being imaged.
US08241215B2
A pre-acquired reference image, a currently picked-up ultrasonic image, and position information indicating a relation between a position of the ultrasonic probe when the reference image was picked-up and a current position of the ultrasonic probe are displayed on a display portion as navigation information. Also, when the following diagnosis image is to be acquired, probe movement information, specifying a position or the like to which the ultrasonic probe has to be moved, is displayed on the display portion as the navigation information.
US08241211B2
An apparatus, and related method, for determining one or more association variables is described. The apparatus includes at least one processor, at least one memory, and at least one program module. The program module is stored in the memory and is configurable to be executed by the processor. The program module includes instructions for determining a statistical relationship between one or more temporal onsets corresponding to one or more events and a pattern of occurrence of a compound variable. The compound variable corresponds at least to a pattern of occurrence of a first variable and a pattern of occurrence of a second variable. The determining includes contributions from presence and absence information in the pattern of occurrence of the compound variable.
US08241208B2
A disposable protecting cover for an endoscope, the endoscope comprising a endoscope and a disposable valve disk, and the disposable protecting cover comprising a disposable sheath, a clamping tube, a disposable suction tube, a three-way sealing cap, a water air tube, and a protecting cover comprising a hand entrance and an instrument insertion opening. A support ring is disposed in the front of the disposable sheath, a convex portion and a concave portion are respectively disposed on both sides of the support ring and fit with a concave portion and a convex portion on a head of the endoscope, the water air tube is connected to the disposable sheath, a one-way valve is disposed on the water air tube and outside the disposable sheath, the protecting cover is in the shape of a cap and made of transparent film, the protecting cover operates to cover an operating portion of the endoscope of the endoscope, the instrument insertion portion is elastically fit with an upper opening of the three-way sealing cap, a suck-in connector and a suck-out connector are disposed on a valve seat of the disposable valve disk, and connected to the disposable suction tube, and the suck-in connector, the suck-out connector, and the disposable suction tube are dispose outside the endoscope.
US08241207B2
A connection mechanism is provided with a plate member formed with a polygonal hole, the plate member including a first plate and a second plate overlaid with each other, each of the first plate and the second plate being formed with the polygonal hole, a shaft member formed with a polygonal column section fitted in the polygonal hole formed on the plate member, and a fixing mechanism that fixes the first plate and the second plate with each other to retain a status where the first plate and the second plate are urged oppositely in a rotational direction about a central axis of the shaft member.
US08241202B2
Described herein is a system for inducing weight loss in a patient, which comprises an extragastric space occupier positionable in contact with an exterior surface of a stomach wall to form an inward protrusion of wall into the stomach, and a retention device positionable in contact with the wall to retain the inward protrusion and to thereby capture the extragastric space occupier within the protrusion.
US08241197B2
A method for generating a cardiogram is provided. The method includes contacting an anterior surface of a patient's heart with a magnetic mat. The magnetic mat is constructed and arranged to conform to and move with the heart as the heart contracts and relaxes. The method also includes placing an electromagnetic assembly on the patient's chest. The electromagnetic assembly includes an inductive coil and is in functionally cooperative relation with respect to the mat. The method also includes measuring a current generated in the coil by movement of the magnetic mat due to movement of the heart.
US08241188B2
An exercise apparatus is implemented with a frame with a horizontal and vertical component and a rotatable endless belt mounted on the horizontal frame component, the belt having a surface for supporting a user. Vertical frame component has an upper body engaging element connected thereto and adapted to engage the shoulders of a user during a portion of an exercise cycle. An actuator is disposed between the upper body engaging element and the vertical frame component, wherein an increase in actuator length raises the height of the upper body engaging element relative to the belt. The upper body engaging element is positioned at a start position of low height to engage the user in a low-level position at a beginning of the exercise cycle, and the upper body engaging element increases in height as the user accelerates and rises to a fully upright position.
US08241180B2
A drive train of a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine, a torque converter and a transmission, wherein a separation clutch is provided between the internal combustion engine and the torque converter. In order to be able to perform a creeping process at a certain creeping velocity, the separation clutch is operated slipping. This way, the gearing of the startup process can be configured long, even when using a so-called hard torque converter, without having to tolerate a creeping velocity, which is too high.
US08241172B2
The invention relates to an arrangement and a corresponding planetary gear for increasing the rotation speed including a sun wheel (12), a gear rim (10), a planet gear (14), a power input shaft (46), and a planet carrier. A construction (40) allowing flexing is placed between the support length (f) of the first fastening end (62) of the shaft (20) of the planet wheel (18) and the closest bearing for dynamically adapting the mesh geometry.
US08241163B2
A controller includes: a adjuster, configured to adjust distribution of driving force between right and left wheels; a limiter, configured to limit a difference between operations of the right and left wheels; a first calculator, configured to calculate a first control amount corresponding to the adjustor and including an amount related to direction of shift of driving force between the right and left wheels; a second calculator, configured to calculate a second control amount corresponding to the limiter; a third calculator, configured to calculate a third control amount including the second control amount and the amount; a fourth calculator, configured to calculate a fourth control amount that is a combination of the first and third control amounts; a selector, configured to select either the adjustor and the limiter; and a controller, configured to control the adjustor or the limiter in accordance with the fourth control amount.
US08241160B2
A transmission for use in an electrically-driven bicycle and/or a scooter is disclosed, in which the transmission coupled with a motor is embedded together with the motor in a hub of a rear or front wheel. According to the transmission and a transmission method, the power generated from the motor or a pedal is outputted through a transmission device to a hub shell of the wheel. The output of the motor or other output of the motor which is subject to a reduction unit is used as the input of the transmission device. The ring gear and the hub shell are connected to each other with an output pawl, so that the power cannot be reversely inputted when the hub shell is rotated with a higher speed than the ring gear.
US08241157B2
Embodiments included herein include a projectile system. At least one embodiment of the a projectile system includes hollow portion and a weight that is movably secured within the hollow portion of the projectile insert system. Some embodiments include an attracting device rigidly secured at a first end of the hollow portion, the attracting device removably securing the weight, where the hollow portion provides a pathway for the weight to travel when a force is exerted on the projectile insert system that causes the weight to become unsecured from the attracting device.
US08241156B2
Vibration dampening devices for arrows are installed in the arrow point end of the arrow shaft or in the nock end of the shaft or in both of those ends. These devices: (a) are fabricated from elastomeric materials; (b) have an elongated core surrounded by one or more annular, vibration dampening elements; and (c) employ decay time modification to attenuate shock and vibration. The devices are assembled in axially aligned relationship to an arrow point insert or arrow nock, and coupling features insure a positive connection between the dampening device and the arrow point insert or nock to which a device is assembled.
US08241151B2
A golf accessory device includes a divot tool having a pair of spaced apart prongs at one end for repairing divots in a golfing surface. The tool also has an opening adjacent another end for receiving a ball marker assembly. A magnet is positioned in and circumscribes the opening. The ball marker assembly includes a ball marker and a support plate with the ball marker being magnetically attached to a first surface of the plate. A clip is attached to an opposite surface of the support plate. The marker and plate fit within the opening in the tool with an outer edge of the plate seated on the magnet. The ball marker assembly can be removed from the divot tool and attached to an item of clothing by the clip.
US08241144B2
A hollow golf club incorporating a stress reducing feature including a crown located stress reducing feature located on the crown of the club head. The location and size of the crown stress reducing feature, and their relationship to one another and other club head engineering variables, play a significant role in reducing the peak stress seen on the golf club's face during an impact with a golf ball, as well as selectively increasing deflection of the face.
US08241135B2
A latch mechanism for a multi-function game table including a confinement component and a latch component. The game table has a framework and a tablet rotatably connected to the framework. The confinement component is connected to tablet of the game table. The latch component is connected to the framework of the game table and corresponds with the confinement component. A base of the latch component has a through passage corresponding with a channel of the confinement component. A switch of the latch component is located in the through passage of the base and has a manipulation member and a shut member. The manipulation member is pivotally connected to the base, and the shut member is connected to and extends outwardly from the manipulation member moving with the manipulation member. When the manipulation member pivots inside the base, the shut member is selectively inserted into the channel of the confinement component.
US08241132B2
A gaming system is disclosed which comprises a plurality of gaming machines and a communications network arranged to facilitate communications to and from the gaming machines. Each gaming machine is arranged to implement a game, and to generate status information indicative of whether the gaming machine is vacant or occupied, and the system is arranged to display availability information derived from the status information indicative of whether at least some of the gaming machines are vacant or occupied. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
US08241125B2
A method of interaction with a data processor such as a games machine comprises the steps of capturing a wide angle image of an environment, obtaining image features from the wide angle image, and then interpreting these image features as inputs to software running on the games machine. The step of obtaining image features from the wide angle image further comprises the step of mapping one or more regions of the wide-angle image to corresponding one or more flat image planes, and obtaining image features from one or more of said planes of the mapped wide-angle image. Advantageously, the planes can be arranged to reflect the topology of a room or the positioning of players, and allow a consistent representation of image features and consequently of input motion to a process such as a game, without position dependent distortions of the features inherent in the wide angle image.
US08241121B2
A gaming machine includes a liquid crystal display 27 having a liquid crystal panel 173 and a light guiding plate 174 placed at the rear of the liquid crystal panel 173 for guiding light emitted from illumination light means 176a, 176b for the liquid crystal panel 173 into the liquid crystal panel 173, and a variable display device placed at the rear of the liquid crystal display 27 and having a plurality of reels 3L, 3C, and 3R provided in a row each on which a plurality of symbols are arranged. Parts of the light guiding plate 174 to which the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are opposed are cut out or are formed with recesses on the reel side and light scattering process is applied on end faces 174a, 174b, and 174c of the cutouts or the recesses.
US08241104B2
A gaming device includes a game having a plurality of reels and a plurality of symbol positions associated with the reels. The gaming device activates a number of the symbol positions based on a wager by a player. The gaming generates and displays a symbol in each of the active symbol positions. In one embodiment, the gaming device analyzes the generated symbols to determine whether any of the generated symbols are related. If the gaming device determines that any of the generated symbols are related, the gaming device determines whether any of the related symbols form a string of related symbols according to one or more designated rules employed in the game. If one or more strings of related symbols are formed in the game, the gaming device determines if any of the strings of related symbols are associated with any awards and provides such awards to the player.
US08241100B2
Methods and systems for electronic interaction comprising a display for presenting a grid of identifying objects, an input for receiving a player selection of an identifying object, a random generator for randomly selecting a winning identifying object, and a point tally system for awarding points to the player according to the rules comprising a first point value if the player selected identifying object exactly matches the winning identifying object, a second point value if the player selected identifying object is in a geometric relationship with the winning identifying object, and a third, negative, point value if the player is not awarded the first point value or the second point value.
US08241097B2
An environmental control system for a battery in a vehicle includes an air intake for receiving ambient air from outside the vehicle. A duct system provides communication between the air intake and the battery. The duct system includes a movable door which can facilitate or inhibit movement of air between the air intake and the battery. An air outlet facilitates air flow from the duct system to the ambient environment outside the vehicle. A fan cooperates with the duct system for moving the air through a heat exchanger in the duct system and across the battery. A control system controls operation of the fan and the movable door, and is configured to determine whether the battery environment requires fresh air or recirculated air.
US08241091B2
An eyeglass lens processing apparatus includes: a lens rotation unit rotating a lens; a processing tool rotation unit processing the lens; an axis-to-axis distance changing unit for changing an axis-to-axis distance between the chuck shaft and the processing tool rotation shaft; a lens surface configuration acquiring unit which acquires a front surface curve configuration and a rear surface curve configuration of the lens; a lens outer diameter acquiring unit which acquires an outer diameter of a lens; a calculation unit which calculates a thickness of the lens and calculates a cutting depth of the lens, so that torque applied onto the chuck shaft in rough processing becomes substantially constant, based on the calculated lens thickness and a processing distance from the rotation center of the lens; and a control unit which controls the axis-to-axis distance changing unit in accordance with the calculated cutting depth and for rough processing the lens.
US08241090B2
The bra strap holder is used to secure the bra straps in the back of the bra from sliding down the shoulders. It is comprised of a clear TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) strap welded to unique three prong flexible plastic ends which attach to the bra strap.
US08241088B2
Disclosed is a brassiere that is adjustable for varying levels of modesty or daring. The brassiere includes a modesty panel that is integrated to the design of the brassiere, but is also interchangeable with other modesty panels. The modesty panel can be selected from among a set of modesty panels. In this manner, a wearer may vary the look of an outfit or ensemble by using modesty panels of varying colors, fabrics, textures, or levels of modesty or daring. In various embodiments, the modesty panel is fastened to the brassiere using traditional hook and loop fasteners. In other various embodiments, the modesty panel may be fastened using hook material and corresponding loop material, or may be fastened using buttons or snap fasteners. Any other manner of fastening systems may be used to render the modesty panel combined with the brassiere as a single article of clothing.
US08241073B2
A terminal support structure has a housing that is of a resin molding product having a terminal inserting hole, a connecting terminal that is inserted into the terminal inserting hole and supported by the housing, and a retaining projection including a press-in groove parallel to a direction of insertion of the connecting terminal that is provided in an opening edge portion of the terminal inserting hole. A press-in portion is integrally formed in a side portion of the connecting terminal. Upper and lower end portions of the press-in portion are latched and retained in upper and lower surfaces opposite to each other in the press-in groove, respectively.
US08241070B2
An electrical connector includes a signal blade including a first base member formed of an insulation material and a signal circuit portion formed on the first base member; a power source blade including a second base member formed of an insulation material and a power source circuit portion formed on the second base member, said power source blade further including an engaging protrusion; and a holding member formed of an insulation material and including a blade holding hole so that the engaging protrusion engages an inner surface when the power source blade is inserted into the blade holding hole.
US08241066B2
An energy saving apparatus adapted for insertion between the center conductor of a lightbulb, and the center electrical contact of a light bulb socket. The device features an electrical component for varying or decreasing the amount of electrical current reaching the light bulb. The electrical component is situated in a central aperture of a collar and is surrounded by the collar which centers it in position within the light socket between the center conductor and the electrical contact of the socket. The collar has an exterior circumference which may be varied to adapt it to fit within a plurality of different sized light bulb sockets.
US08241060B2
A coaxial cable connector includes an elongated body extending in a longitudinal direction between a mating end and a cable end. The coaxial cable connector also includes a center contact held by the body. A locking member is circumferentially disposed around the body at the mating end. The locking member has teeth configured to mechanically engage a threaded area of a mating connector to securely attach the coaxial cable connector to the mating connector. The locking member is slidably coupled to the body such that the locking member moves with respect to the body along the longitudinal direction to enable the teeth to align with the threaded area along the longitudinal direction.
US08241055B2
A patch panel assembly and a patching module thereof are described. The patch panel assembly includes an outer frame and more than one patching module disposed on the outer frame. The patching module includes a registered jack (RJ) component and an insulation displacement contact (IDC) component which can be combined correspondingly, so that a plurality of RJ jacks and a plurality of IDC pins are electrically connected and assembled on the outer frame. The IDC component can further match two specifications of punch down tools to perform compression and wire bonding.
US08241054B2
An attachment ring is provided for attaching a shield of an electrical cable to a backshell. The attachment ring includes an annular body including a shape memory material that is heat recoverable. The body is configured to extend at least partially around the shield and a fitting of the backshell to hold the shield on the fitting in contact with the fitting. The body includes a first segment including an end having a connection member. The body also includes a second segment that is discrete from the first segment. The second segment includes an end having a connection feature. The connection feature of the second segment is interlocked with the connection member of the first segment to connect the first and second segments together at the ends such that the first and second segments define at least a portion of a length of the body.
US08241052B2
The present relates to an electrical connector system which includes a first connector assembly having a first connector and a second connector to be coupled one to the other; a second connector assembly having a third connector and a housing contiguous to the first connector, the housing having an open connecting face for receiving within a complementary part of the third connector so as to perform a coupling one to the other. This connector system may include a movable element which is movable between two positions, i.e.: a “first position” in which it masks at least partially the open connecting face, so that it makes impossible the coupling with the third connector; a “second position” in which it does not mask the front open connecting face, so that it makes possible the coupling with the third connector; the movable element being able to be moved into the “second position” only when said first and second connectors are fully coupled together.
US08241034B2
In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a control valve for regulating fuel flow. The apparatus can include a burner and a valve assembly. In some embodiments, the valve assembly includes a housing, which can define a first fuel input for receiving a first fuel from a first fuel source and a second fuel input for receiving a second fuel from a second fuel source. The housing can define a first fuel output for directing fuel toward the control valve, and can define a third fuel input for receiving a portion of either the first fuel or the second fuel from the control valve. The housing can define a first egress flow path and a second egress flow path, each for directing fuel to the burner. In certain embodiments, the apparatus includes a valve body configured to selectively permit fluid communication between the first and second inputs and the output and between the third input and the egress flow paths.
US08241032B2
An injection molding apparatus is disclosed having a single level manifold that utilizes a melt splitter. The manifold defines an inlet and a plurality of outlets with at least one upstream melt channel and a plurality of downstream melt channels that are situated between the inlet and the plurality of outlets. The upstream melt channel branches into the plurality of downstream melt channels with the upstream melt channel and each of the downstream melt channels longitudinally extending in the same plane. The melt splitter is at least partially positioned within the upstream melt channel where the upstream melt channel intersects with the plurality of downstream melt channels. The melt splitter divides a melt flow received from the upstream melt channel into substantially equal volumes and then directs each of the substantially equal volumes into a respective one of the plurality of downstream melt channels.
US08241029B2
A low-cost crimping tool is provided for crimping non-metallic tubing such as PEX tubing connections. The tool includes two primary pieces which fit together forming an integral pivot without being pinned together about which the tool may be closed with pliers to form a secure tubing connection.
US08241024B2
A system for forming a spun bond nonwoven web from extruded polymer filaments includes a spinneret including a plurality of orifices to extrude a plurality of continuous polymeric filaments, and a pressure quench chamber including a top located proximate and below the spinneret and bounded peripherally by surfaces. The quench chamber includes an ingress opening extending substantially across the width of a top of the quench chamber to receive filaments from the spinneret and a chamber exit nozzle extending substantially across the width of a bottom of the quench chamber. The quench chamber has dimensions and a configuration to avoid substantial contact between the filaments and the surface of the quench chamber and a volume sufficient to allow solidification of the filaments within the quench chamber, where the chamber exit nozzle includes a drawing slot at the bottom of the quench chamber extending substantially across the width of the bottom of the quench chamber and in cooperative engagement with the quench chamber to receive the cooled filaments and quench fluid. The drawing slot is formed by lower surfaces of the chamber tapering toward each other in the direction of filament flow through the chamber and terminating at facing edges of two respective knife structures.
US08241018B2
A compact medical pump includes a linear peristaltic pumping mechanism driven by a motor located within a periphery of a belt of the pumping mechanism. The motor drives a gear set that drives a driving pulley which engages the belt having the rollers. A battery for the pump is positioned adjacent to the gear set. The pump includes a controller and user interface for operating the pumping mechanism as a function of pumping parameters input via the user interface. The controller may sense motor current and determine fluid path characteristics based on the sensed current.
US08241014B2
A screw compressor includes a housing, a motor stator, a motor rotor, a helical screw rotor, a motor rotor stop, a screw fastener, and a third bearing. The helical screw rotor includes an extension section, a motor coupling section, a first supporting section, a helical screw section, and a second supporting section. The motor rotor stop includes two flange portions, wherein one flange portion is sleeved with the extension section and abuts axially upon the effective sensing section of the motor rotor. The third bearing is interposed between the other flange portion and the housing cap. The screw fastener extends through the motor rotor stop and is threadedly engaged into a thread hole of the helical screw rotor and then biases axially upon the motor rotor stop. Therefore, the motor rotor is secured more firmly, and that a compressor shaft maintains a stable running.
US08241008B2
A control circuit for controlling the rotational speed of a fan may include a memory element to store operating data corresponding to an operational profile of the fan defined by RPM (revolutions per minute) versus temperature, with the operating data comprising a respective temperature value and a respective RPM value for each respective operating point representing a change in slope of a function that corresponds to the operational profile of the fan. A processing unit may operate to receive a present temperature value, retrieve the operating data from the storage unit, and identify a pair of consecutive operating points such that the present temperature value is greater than a lower respective temperature value of the pair of consecutive operating points, and lower than a higher respective temperature value of the pair of consecutive operating points. The processing unit may calculate a desired RPM value corresponding to the present temperature value by performing linear interpolation between the pair of consecutive operating points, and output the desired RPM value to a closed-loop fan controller configured to control a rotational speed of the fan according at least to the desired RPM value.
US08241006B2
The invention relates to an exhaust gas turbocharger (1) having a turbine wheel arrangement (20), comprising: a turbine wheel (4) and a shaft (21), which can be connected to the turbine wheel (4) by means of a connecting section (22), wherein the connecting section (22) has a trunnion (23) with a diameter (DZ) that is smaller than the largest diameter (DWA) of the shaft (21).
US08241001B2
A stationary turbine engine component, such as a turbine vane, includes a internal spar and an external skin. The internal spar is made of a plurality of spar laminates, and the external skin is made of a plurality of skin laminates. The plurality of skin laminates interlockingly engage the plurality of spar laminates such that the external skin is located and held in place. This arrangement allows alternative high temperature materials to be used on turbine engine components in areas where their properties are needed without having to make the entire component out of such material. Thus, the manufacturing difficulties associated with making an entire component of such a material and the attendant high costs are avoided. The skin laminates can be made of advanced generation single crystal superalloys, intermetallics and refractory alloys.
US08240999B2
A hollow airfoil and a method for manufacturing a hollow airfoil is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a first airfoil portion, which first portion has a wall with an interior surface and an exterior surface, and one or more ribs extending out from the interior surface; providing a second airfoil portion having a wall with an interior surface and an exterior surface; wherein the first airfoil portion and the second airfoil portion have mating geometries in which the one or more ribs extend between the interior surfaces of the walls of the first and second airfoil portion to form at least one internal cavity defined by the interior surface of the first portion wall, one or more of the ribs, and the interior surface of the second portion wall, and wherein the airfoil includes at least one exterior port disposed in one of the first airfoil portion or the second airfoil portion, or is formed between the first and second airfoil portions, which at least one exterior port is in fluid communication with the at least one cavity; disposing a support material within the at least one internal cavity allowing the support material to be in contact with the one or more ribs, which support material is operative to structurally support the one or more ribs; attaching the first and second airfoil portions together; and removing the support material from the at least one internal cavity through the at least one exterior port.
US08240977B2
A wind collector device for energy production comprising a fixed external structure formed by a vertical cylinder having two bases, the upper and the lower, of variable height and diameter, with vertical dividing walls distributed circumferentially and equidistantly, which form nozzles that concentrate and channel the wind; wherein inside the structure is arranged in concentric form at least one turbine, including a rotation shaft sustained between the bases and associated to an upper and a lower bearing, to which multiple radial vanes are fixed, to transmit this movement to complementary transmission means supported by at least a power generator.
US08240972B2
In a robot, a support member is supported to an arm to be reciprocable with respect to one of first and second sides of the arm in a predetermined direction. A rotary member of a converter is coupled to a motor, and a linear movable member of the converter is contacted to the rotary member and linked to the support member. The converter works to transfer rotary motion received by the rotary member from the motor as linear motion to the linear movable member through a transfer contact portion between the rotary member and the linear movable member to thereby move the linear movable member together with the support member in the predetermined direction. The transfer contact portion between the rotary member and the linear movable member is located offset to the one of the first and second sides of the arm relative to the other thereof.
US08240966B2
A fastening apparatus for fastening a first component to a second component with automatic equalization of tolerances in the separation distance between the first and second component s, including a receiving element and an adjustment element, which can be screwed to the receiving element by way of a fastening screw. The adjustment element can be turned via a detachable drag connection when the fastening screw is turned. The receiving element below a flange has at least one radially projecting holding projection so that the receiving element can be immobilized on the first component.
US08240962B2
An integrated shipping and alignment fixture for shipping and aligning a jointed multi-section wind turbine blade is provided. The fixture includes a first shipping fixture supporting a first end of a section of the multi-section wind turbine blade; a second shipping fixture supporting a second end of a section of the multi-section wind turbine blade; supports on the the first shipping fixture and the second shipping fixture for retaining one end of the section of the wind turbine blade; an aligning device for aligning a detached section of the multi-section wind turbine blade with a retained section of the wind turbine blade; and a clamping device for clamping a detached section with a retained section.
US08240960B2
A depth stop attached to a drill for producing precise countersinking in drilled holes. The depth stop produces an accurate and precise countersink in drilled holes by limiting the depth to which a drill bit can drill through a work piece. An audible click occurs for every 7.5 micron change in depth in the preferred embodiment. The depth stop is configured such that attempts to over tighten the lock screw which fixes the depth amount will not damage or deflect the working parts of the device thereby producing accurate and repeatable results.
US08240955B2
A method for erecting an off-shore wind turbine includes providing a wind turbine tower socket segment that includes a basin positioned at one end of the wind turbine tower socket segment. The basin is filled with water. A wind turbine tower plug segment, which has a closed surface at one end of the wind turbine tower plug segment, is brought in connection with the wind turbine tower socket segment. Further, a wind turbine tower socket segment for off-shore wind turbines is provided that includes a basin adapted for receiving water on one side of the segment. The socket segment is adapted for receiving a wind turbine tower plug segment. Further, a wind turbine tower plug segment adapted for being plugged into a wind turbine tower socket segment is provided. The wind turbine tower plug segment includes a closed surface at one end of the segment. Further, a wind turbine is provided.
US08240954B2
The present invention relates to a marine pipeline installation system for laying an offshore pipeline and/or installing a subsea riser, said system being adapted to carry out the reel lay method and the J-lay method. The system comprises a vessel with a moonpool, a pipeline launch tower arranged on the vessel, a pipeline guide at an elevated position on said tower for guiding said pipeline to a pipeline launch trajectory along said tower, and one or more tensioners. The support assembly of at least one tensioner frame is adapted to allow for displacement of the tensioner frame between an active position, wherein the pipeline launch trajectory extends through the tensioner frame between the tracks, so that the tracks can engage on a pipeline, and a retracted and non-operable position. The system further comprises a J-Lay installation.
US08240947B2
A barrier for arresting a vehicle. The barrier includes a net spanning an area through which the vehicle may pass, an anchor coupled to the net, a support arm arranged on one side of the area through which the vehicle may pass, a raising/lowering mechanism for raising and lowering the support arm, and a release mechanism arranged on the support arm, the release mechanism having an upper and a lower protrusion forming an interior space to accommodate a member coupled to the net, and the member and the release mechanism become uncoupled upon application to the net of at least a predetermined threshold force.
US08240941B2
A flexure for tilting having a neck which lies between a pair of cylindrical openings, each of which has a cross-sectional shape which is curved and elongated. A gimbal capable of tilting around mutually perpendicular axes which incorporates the flexure.
US08240933B2
A bottle includes a product stored therein. It is configured to be removably engaged with a docking station in an inverted arrangement to be activated by the docking station and heat the product. The bottle may include a pump structure (e.g. in the form of a bellows), or be a squeezable bottle, or be a bowable bottle, or have other pumping features. Structures are provided to prevent drool after use, to help apply the heated product to the skin, and to insure proper heating and dispensing. There are combined docking stations and bottles where the bottle is positioned in an inverted manner, and methods for using these devices.
US08240931B1
A pen/highlighter having an integral retractable tethered bookmark comprising a double-ended writing instrument having a ball point pen at a first end and a highlighter at a second end is disposable and replaceable, thereby allowing a user to refill the device with common refills comprising different color inks. A pen cap portion comprises a tethered interchangeable bookmark depicting such items as a charm, a school or corporate logo, a sports team logo, an entertainment or musical icon, among others. A thin retractable cord connects the bookmark to the device providing a retracting mechanism within the pen cap. An internal locking device secures the bookmark at a maximum extended length as well as variable partial lengths. In such a manner, the cord can be used to mark a page in a book while the bookmark hangs out of a bottom portion of said book.
US08240930B2
A personal hygiene apparatus including a container, a first storage compartment disposed within the container and configured to store a deodorant, a second storage compartment disposed within the container and opposite the first storage compartment, the second storage compartment configured to store a sanitizer solution, an applicator in fluid communication with the second storage compartment and configured to receive the sanitizer solution and an interface disposed between the second storage compartment and the applicator for regulating the supply of the sanitizer solution to the applicator.
US08240927B2
A cable attachment system is disclosed for attaching a fiber optic connector to a fiber optic cable. In particular, strength members of the fiber optic cable are crimped between a crimp sleeve and a cable anchor, and the cable anchor is anchored to the fiber optic connector. An end of the crimp sleeve is adapted to receive an end of a jacket of the fiber optic cable. An end of the cable anchor includes a nipple adapted for insertion into the end of the jacket. An end portion of the jacket is crimped between an intermediate portion of the crimp sleeve and the nipple of the cable anchor. A support portion of the crimp sleeve, positioned between the end and the intermediate portion of crimp sleeve, supports a transitioning portion of the jacket beyond the end of the cable anchor.
US08240921B2
An axial bearing for a turbocharger contains a through hole for a shaft and at least one at least partially or completely circulating segment section on a first and second side of the axial bearing. At least one bearing surface is disposed in the segment section. At least one oil pocket is on the first side of the axial bearing. The oil pocket is connected to at least one recess opening outwards, the recess being configured such that it connects the oil pocket for oil supply purposes to the respective segment section and the bearing surface(s) thereof on the first and second side of the axial bearing.
US08240911B1
A wireless passive temperature sensor comprising a surface acoustic wave (SAW) delay line is constructed on a piezoelectric substrate having a thermal coefficient of frequency. An array of addressable, wireless passive temperature sensors can be used to monitor an array of temperature points on a structure using a wireless reader. Each sensor can be monitored by measuring the frequency of maximum reflection in their respective bands. A wireless passive heat flux gauge uses two temperature sensors with different frequency and/or time delay responses to measure that temperature differential across a thermal conductor that has a well characterized thermal conductivity and thickness.
US08240910B2
Mechanical oscillator for a timepiece including a balance (10) and a hairspring (12). The balance (10) and the hairspring (12) are produced from the same material. This material is non-magnetic and has a very low coefficient of thermal expansion.
US08240908B2
An apparatus and method for combining multiple materials into a stream. The multiple materials may include both a major material and one or more minor materials. The minor materials are added using inlet tubes. The major and minor materials are added at transient or steady state flow rates, depending upon a command from a control signal. The apparatus and method utilize a control system which does not have flow control valves, flow control feedback loops or a dynamic mix tank. The actual flow rates track the commanded flow rates, but deviate by an error. The claimed arrangement provides a time-based error believed to be unobtainable in the prior art.
US08240896B2
A vehicle headlamp with improved vibration proof of a movable reflector is provided. The vehicle headlamp has: a holder; an upside movable reflector and a downside movable reflector; light sources; and a drive unit. The drive unit is made up of a motor and a drive force transmission mechanism. The drive force transmission mechanism rotates the upside and downside movable reflectors in reverse directions, respectively. As a result, the vehicle headlamp can improve the vibration proof of the upside and downside movable reflectors.
US08240892B2
A reading light includes a light emitting diode (LED) capable of emitting light, a transparent pressable member, and a flexible printed circuit board capable of connecting a power supply to the LED. When the pressable member is at a normal state, the flexible printed circuit is disconnects the LED from the power supply to power off the LED. When the pressable member is at a depressed state, the flexible printed circuit electrically connects the LED to the power supply to powered on the LED.
US08240881B2
A light-emitting device package is disclosed and comprises at least one light-emitting device and a carrier. The light-emitting device includes a light-emitting diode chip attached to a first surface of a transparent substrate, wherein the chip comprises a first type conductivity semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second type conductivity semiconductor layer. The carrier comprises a p electrode, an n electrode, a platform and a reflective inside wall. The transparent substrate of the light-emitting device is attached to the platform by an adhering layer. In addition, an angle between the first surface of the transparent substrate and the platform is not equal to zero degree, and the better is about 90 degree.
US08240876B2
A lighting fixture includes a reflector reflecting light from a fluorescent lamp to a desired direction, and one or more lamp connectors connecting the reflector to rotatably and detachably coupling with the fluorescent lamp, wherein the reflector is adapted to selectively rotate with respect to an axis of the fluorescent lamp for reflecting light from the fluorescent lamp so as to change a light pattern of the fluorescent lamp towards an opening of the foldable housing. The foldable housing includes two side frames and a retention frame extended between the two side frames to retain a distance therebetween, wherein the side frames are pivotally coupled with the retention frame to fold between an unfolded position to retain the fluorescent lamp in longitudinal position and a folded position to form a compact size for storage and transportation.
US08240871B2
A lighting assembly has a light fixture with a light source and heatsink thermally coupled to the light source. The light source has a light engine with light emitting diodes. A lens is mounted to the light fixture over the light source. The lens is a clear or translucent material. A removable trim is mountable to the light fixture. The removable trim has a flange, recessed portion, and mounting rim. The recessed portion has a depth to reduce glare. The removable trim is formed using a stamping or die casting process. The flange has thermally conductive properties. The removable trim is a metal, thermally conductive plastic, or thermally conductive carbon fiber composite material. A screw is used to mount the removable trim to the light fixture. The light fixture and removable trim are mounted to a recessed can housing using a clip or spring.
US08240866B2
Disclosed is a supporter of a diffuser plate for a backlight unit. The supporter functions to support a diffuser plate and includes: a frame located in a lower portion thereof; a supporting member of which a portion penetrates the frame; and a cap damper of which a portion penetrates the inside of the supporting member.
US08240858B2
A protective cover module includes a housing, a first positioning element, a second positioning element, and a plate. The housing defines a receiving hole. The second positioning element attaches to the housing and attracts the first positioning element positioning element by magnetic force. The plate slidably attaches to the housing, and configured to mount the first positioning element and cover the receiving hole.
US08240857B2
An expanding chassis for an imaging unit is provided, the expanding chassis for use in imaging systems having a plurality of imaging units arranged in an array. The expanding chassis comprises a rigid frame for housing a light engine and related circuitry, and for mounting a screen on a front surface of the rigid frame for use with the light engine. The expanding chassis further comprises at least one expandable interface pad on at least one side of the rigid frame. The rigid frame and the expandable interface pad have a combined thermal expansion characteristic that provides an overall expansion in the expanding chassis that substantially matches the expansion of the screen.
US08240855B2
A diffuser having a shape for reducing speckle noise and a laser projection system including the diffuser are provided. The diffuser is employed by a laser projection system to reduce speckle noise, and includes a scattering pattern. The scattering pattern includes a plurality of scattering ribbons, and a curved surface of each of the plurality of scattering ribbons satisfies equations so that speckle noise is minimized for an aperture size of an optical system.
US08240852B2
An ocular fundus image is captured by a fundus camera. Blood vessel regions are erased from the ocular fundus image, and a luminance region greater than a prescribed luminance threshold value and having an area equivalent to a predetermined standard disc area is extracted as a region having a standard disc area. The region having the standard disc area is divided into a plurality of regions by a plurality of dividing lines extending radially from the center of gravity thereof, and divided regions are scanned radially from the center of gravity while angles are shifted to detect in each individual region a point at which luminance variation reaches a maximum. The contour line of the disc region is derived from these points.
US08240850B2
The invention relates to a method for making an ophthalmic lens intended to correct the visual acuity of a user, comprising the steps of determining the shape of a base optical corrective element, determining the profile of a phase element structure, said determination comprising the steps of defining a desired depth of focus of said ophthalmic lens; calculating the phase distribution to be created at the entrance pupil of the lens, selecting a phase distribution and performing an iterative calculation to obtain the depth of focus, finding the phase which minimizes the differences between the effective phase distribution and the desired phase distribution and of converting the phase data into geometrical data to define the profile of the phase distribution structure and juxtaposing the resulting phase element structure and the base optical corrective element.
US08240847B2
A contact lens (10) for use in controlling or retarding the progression of myopia in an eye has a central optical zone (20) approximating the normal diameter of the pupil of the eye (22) that gives clear central vision at distance for the wearer. An annular peripheral optical zone 24 that is substantially outside the diameter of the pupil is formed around the central optical zone (20) with greater refractive power than that of the central zone (22) so that oblique rays entering the eye through the peripheral optical zone (24) will be brought to focus at a focal plane that is substantially on or anterior to the peripheral region of the retina. Preferably, the rear surface (16) of the lens is shaped to conform to the cornea of the eye and the front surface (18) of the lens (10) is shaped to provide—in conjunction with the rear surface (16)—the desired optical properties of the central and peripheral optical zones. The front surface (18) is also preferably contoured to form a smooth transition (30) between the junction of the central optical zone (20) and the peripheral optical zone (24), with or without designed optical properties such as progressive power.
US08240843B2
A dual web winder device for a web press includes a pair of drive motors and a pair of shafts. Each shaft is coupled to one of the drive motors and configured to carry a roll of web media. The shafts and drive motors are synchronized to simultaneously unwind a first roll of web media from one shaft and rewind a second roll of web media on the other shaft.
US08240842B2
An ink-jet recording apparatus, including a movable support member which includes a supporting portion that supports a recording medium fed on a platen and which is slid in a feeding direction so as to the recording medium, wherein the movable support member includes an ink receiving portion which is provided such that a clearance is formed between the ink receiving portion and the supporting portion, which is relatively low in height, and which receives ink droplets ejected to an outside of the recording medium, or wherein the supporting portion includes: a step portion having a transfer preventing face which prevents adhering ink from transferring upward; and an ink receiving face continuous to the transfer preventing face and extending in a generally horizontal direction so as to receive ink droplets ejected to an outside of the recording medium.
US08240840B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes an array of nozzles and a light-emitting portion that emits ultraviolet light. A control portion alternately and repetitively transports a medium in a transporting direction relative to the nozzles. The control portion forms a dot group in the transporting direction on the medium by ejecting a liquid toward the medium from the nozzles. The control portion also performs a light-emitting operation every time the control portion forms a dot group. The light-emitting operation is performed by causing the light-emitting portion to emit the ultraviolet light toward the dot group to cure the dot group. During the light-emitting operation, at least one of two ends of the dot group in the transporting direction is exposed to the ultraviolet light at a time later than the time at which a midsection of the dot group in the transporting direction is exposed to the ultraviolet light.
US08240839B2
The image forming method forms an image on a recording medium by using aqueous ink and treatment liquid. The ink contains coloring material, and the treatment liquid contains a component which reacts with the coloring material. The image forming method includes: a treatment liquid deposition step of depositing the treatment liquid onto the recording medium; an ink deposition step of ejecting and depositing droplets of the aqueous ink in accordance with image information, onto the recording medium on which the treatment liquid has been deposited in the treatment liquid deposition step; an ink drying step of drying an ink layer which has been formed on the recording medium by reaction between the treatment liquid deposited in the treatment liquid deposition step and the aqueous ink deposited in the ink deposition step, such that an amount of water originating from the aqueous ink and still remaining on the recording medium after the ink drying step is not more than 4.0 g/m2; and a fixing step of fixing the ink layer which has been dried in the ink drying step on the recording medium by applying heat and pressure to the ink layer.
US08240838B2
An ink composition for inkjet recording is provided. The ink composition contains (a) a monomer containing a fluorinated alkylene group and two or more polymerizable groups, (b) a photo initiator, and (c) a polymerizable monomer.
US08240830B2
A solid printer includes a solid ink container that expels solid ink units in predetermined amounts for delivery to a melting device within the printer. The solid ink container includes a housing in which solid ink pellets are stored, an opening in the housing through which solid ink units are expelled, a first moveable member located within the housing proximate to the opening, the first moveable member being configured to move solid ink units through the opening, and a second moveable member located within the housing, the second moveable member being configured to move solid ink pellets to the first moveable member to enable the first moveable member to expel solid ink pellets through the opening in the housing.
US08240828B2
A fluid ejection cartridge includes a body, having fluid passageways at a first spacing, a die, having fluid passage-ways at a second closer spacing, and an interposer, bonded to the body at a first surface and plasma bonded to the die at a second surface. The interposer includes fluid passageways between the first and second surfaces, which are substantially aligned with the respective passageways of the body and the die.
US08240823B2
A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus including: plural liquid droplet ejecting portions; supply-side individual flow paths; discharge-side individual flow paths; a supply-side common flow path; a discharge-side common flow path; first opening/closing mechanisms; second opening/closing mechanisms; a first pressure applying portion; a second pressure applying portion; a first circulating path; a third opening/closing mechanism; a second circulating path including an upstream end portion being connected to the supply-side common flow path further downstream than a connecting portion of a supply-side individual flow path connected to the supply-side common flow path at a furthest upstream side in a liquid circulating direction and a downstream end portion being connected to the discharge-side common flow path, and circulating the liquid between the supply-side common flow path and the discharge-side common flow path; and a fourth opening/closing mechanism, is provided.
US08240816B2
A detachably mountable ink tank for an inkjet printhead, the ink tank includes a housing for enclosing a reservoir for liquid ink; a rim extending outwardly from the housing; an ink supply port enclosed within the rim; and an ink fill port enclosed within the rim, wherein the ink fill port is configured to receive an ink fill tube to provide liquid ink to the reservoir.
US08240813B2
A drip bib has been configured for use with a printhead of an imaging device that facilitates removal of purged ink from a printhead. The drip bib includes a plate having a front face, a rear face, an upper edge, and a lower edge, and at least one elongated recess on the rear face of the plate and positioned along the upper edge of the plate, the at least one elongated recess enabling the front face of the plate to be recessed with respect to the faceplate of the printhead to which the drip bib is mounted.
US08240801B2
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for a handheld image translation device are described herein. The handheld image translation device may include a position module to determine positioning information including both translation and rotation information based at least in part on captured navigational measurements. A print module of the handheld image translation device may cause print forming substances to be deposited based at least in part on the positioning information. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08240798B2
A head drive device of an inkjet printer having a nozzles and corresponding actuators that jet liquid drops. A drive section that generates a drive signal to the actuators. The head drive device includes a drive waveform signal which is used as a reference of a signal to control drive of the actuators. A modulating section modulates a pulse of a drive waveform signal generated by the drive waveform generating system. A low pass filter smoothes a power-amplified modulated signal subjected to the power amplification by the digital power amplifier and supplies the signal as a drive signal to the actuators. A frequency characteristics adjusting section adjusts frequency characteristics of the low pass filter as a function of the number of the actuators.
US08240789B2
A positioning device of a slide assembly includes a first rail, a second rail slidably connected to the first rail and defining a path, and a third rail slidably connected to the path of the second rail. A positioning member is securely connected to the second rail. An engaging member is pivotably connected to the positioning member and includes an extension arm located corresponding to the positioning portion of the first rail and capable of engaging with the positioning portion. An extension wing has an inclined surface relative to a horizontal plane and extending toward the path of the second rail. A resilient member is connected to the engaging member and makes the extension wing of the engaging member slide toward the third rail. When the third rail is retracted relative to the second rail, the engaging member is disengaged from the positioning portion of the first rail.
US08240787B2
A self-closing rail system includes a first rail, a second rail which is slidably connected to the first rail, and a self-closing device. The self-closing device includes an attachment member connected to the first rail and a guide portion extends longitudinally from the attachment member. A movable member is movably connected to the guide portion of the attachment member. An elastic member is connected between the attachment member and the movable member such that the elastic member applies a force to the movable member. A fixing member is connected to the second rail and has a pin which is connected to or disengaged from the movable member depending on the relative movement between the first and second rails.
US08240785B2
A control box arrangement including at least one control box which is sub-divided, or can be sub-divided, by vertical wall sections with a horizontal sub-division, into a plurality of cuboid compartments surrounded on all sides. A variable structural design of compartments, particularly functional compartments, for example for low voltage systems, is obtained by providing wall sections including lateral wall sections adapted to the same or different compartment heights, adapted rear wall sections embodied as mounting plates, and horizontal partition bottoms, in order to produce a plurality of horizontal compartments, in the form of pigeonholes, arranged one above the other.
US08240783B2
A tensioning system for a tracked vehicle. The present invention provides for adjusting tension of a track by moving the sprocket relative to the rollers in a substantially vertical direction. The system comprises a sprocket assembly, a roller assembly, a track, and a tension adjustment assembly. The tension adjustment assembly includes a tension bolt threaded through a tension nut that is secured to the sprocket assembly. The bolt threads through the nut and contacts the roller assembly. As the bolt is threaded or unthreaded, the sprocket assembly is moved relative to the roller assembly in a substantially vertical direction. As the assemblies move relative to each other, tension in the track is resultantly adjusted.
US08240780B1
A supply valve (40), a relief valve (42) and a microprocessor (46) control the supply of pressurized hydraulic fluid from a dedicated pressure source (12) to a brake boost piston (18, 60, 108) interposed between an operator brake pedal (22) input member (20, 106) and a master cylinder. Transducers (48, 50, 102) sense a current relationship between the input member (20, 106) and the boost piston (18, 60, 108) and supply the microprocessor (46) with a input to accordingly operate the supply valve (40) and relief valve (42). In one embodiment, a single transducer (102) senses relative motion between the input member and the piston while in a second embodiment, a single transducer (48) senses the force exerted on the piston by the input member and a third embodiment first and second transducers (48, 50) to sense relative motion between the input member and the piston.
US08240778B2
A trailer device for driving stabilization of vehicle combinations is provided. In order to design a device for driving stabilization of passenger vehicle trailers in a cost-effective and simple manner, a brake system for braking the trailer by an overrun brake and for stability regulation is designed so as to have separating valves, switching valves, inlet and outlet valves and a pressure build-up pump. A stabilizing coupling is also connected by means of a second pressure medium pump to actuators which can vary the clamping force of the stabilizing coupling between the trailer and tractor vehicle if the second pressure medium pump conveys pressure medium from the storage tank into or out of the actuators.
US08240771B2
A mesh chair component having contours that support a user appropriately can be made by combining a plurality of mesh panels to form the component. For instance, in a preferred embodiment of the present inventions, three preformed mesh panels are combined to form the back rest of a chair that provides its user with lumbar support without the necessity of additional structural support. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, mesh panels are used in combination with a beneficially contoured frame to provide a chair seat with a waterfall front.
US08240770B2
A three-dimensional article produced from sheet material and comprising a frame unit having a plurality of outer sides made of sheet material each of which having a different angular disposition is provided. First and second longitudinal ends of the frame unit are interconnected by a female fastener embedded in the first end and by a male fastener introduced through the second end and coupled with the female fastener. A kit for assembling the three-dimensional article comprising a plurality of expandable separate members made from sheet material and set in a flat condition is also provided.
US08240762B2
Apparatus for single and multiple person vehicle car seats, specialized car seats, modular car seat systems, integrated car seats, dual person car seats, variable width car seats, reversibly and non-reversibly changeable car seat types, car seat-inserts inserted into a car seat, and overlapping car seats, for use in a land, sea or air vehicle, mounted onto the vehicle's built-in seat and used for securing a car seat user, such as an infant or older child or handicapped person, within a vehicle's regular seating positions. Car seat systems include components enabling addition or removal of seating positions for a desired number of car seat users as needed, limited only by available width space of the vehicle seat onto which it is mounted. Car seat systems, integrated car seat systems and/or multiple person car seats generally provide more and/or specialized seating positions for persons in car seats than provided for regular passengers in the vehicle width space taken up by the car seat systems or the multiple person car seat.
US08240759B2
A seat assembly having a trim cover assembly disposed proximate a cushion. The trim cover assembly includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion has a first end coupled to the first portion, a second end coupled to the frame, and an elastomeric layer that exerts a tensile force.
US08240747B2
A mounting structure of a front body frame in a vehicle may include: a pair of support members whose lower part is equipped to be fixed on both side members and whose upper part is equipped to be fixed on the dash panel; a cowl member whose each of two edges are connected to an upper side of the pair of support members by welding, the cowl member arranged to support a lower side of the cowl panel; a pair of side frames arranged at the lower side of the side members along an extension line where the lower part of the support members is extended; and a cross member arranged so that each of the lower parts of the side frames are mutually connected, wherein each of the cowl member, the support members, the side frames and the cross member are connected to be a ring shape.
US08240736B2
A deceleration responsive vehicle seat (20) for an occupant (9) of a vehicle, wherein the seat has a frame structure adapted to absorb the weight of the occupant and other forces exerted by said occupant on the seat. The frame structure includes a seat cushion frame assembly comprising a seat cushion frame (21), a seat cushion (22) being supported on said seat cushion frame, the frame structure further including a backrest frame assembly (25,27), a backrest cushion having an upper part (26) and a lower part (28), said backrest cushion being supported by said backrest frame assembly. The seat cushion and backrest cushion support the occupant in an upright sitting normal position. The seat further includes frame structure fixation means (2,3) adapted and arranged to fix said frame structure to the vehicle body. The seat further includes an integrated seat belt system (40,41,42,43) for said occupant.
US08240735B2
A tailgate damping and detent system is disclosed for a vehicle, including a tailgate lift assist system with a torque rod rotationally grounded between the tailgate at a first end and a first side of the vehicle's frame at a second end. “Damping” is achieved by increasing the diameter of the torque rod. The increased torque rod diameter overcompensates for the weight of the tailgate, so that this increased load decelerates the tailgate starting from the neutral balance point to the fully open position. The speed of the tailgate approaches zero at the end of the travel of the tailgate to the fully open position, which greatly reduces the “slam” at the end of travel. The tailgate is held in the open position by a link detent system. There is a slot in the gate side of the link that a spring loaded pin latches into.
US08240731B2
A method for picking up small objects using a pliable, tacky composition whereby after the composition is touched to a small object so that the object temporarily adheres to it, the object can be manually removed or transferred from the composition. The tacky composition may be used with an apparatus.
US08240720B2
A packing, interposed between respective ends of electric wire tubes serving as tubular members opposed to each other, includes a main body and an elastic member. The main body is inserted through inner-diameter-openings of the respective ends of the electric wire tubes, respectively. The elastic member is situated substantially at a center of the main body and the respective ends of the electric wire tubes are abutted against the elastic member. The electric wire tubes joined with each other through the packing are inserted into the body constituting the coupling. Then, grip portions of the body are forced into a grip case. The body is thereby decreased in diameter, and hence the electric wire tubes are fastened in a biting manner by the body.
US08240717B2
An insertion coupling which can be used for example for a vacuum line consists of an insertion part and a sleeve part (1), wherein a locking element (5), which can be brought into engagement with a retaining rib of the insertion part, and an actuation element (10) are integrally formed on a housing tab (9) which extends in an arc-shaped manner around a longitudinal axis of the sleeve part (1) and can be elastically deflected radially. A movement of the locking element (5) in a radially outward direction and thus a release of the engaged state between the sleeve part (1) and the insertion part is possible by moving the actuation element (10) in an actuation direction (13). A construction which is particularly simple in design is produced owing to the small number of parts. The sleeve part (1) is provided with a window, by means of which a correct engaged state of the locking element with the retaining rib can be visually checked.
US08240707B2
A curtain airbag system includes a sail panel. The sail panel may be attached with an inflatable curtain of the curtain airbag system.
US08240706B2
A airbag arranged on a vehicle roof for protecting the occupant located under which includes a cushion (11), a gas generator (13) and an outer cover (17) with a weakened area (45) to allow cushion (11) exit, further comprising an inner casing (23) including a fixing area (31) for fixing it to a vehicle roof header (29), an area (33) for housing the generator (33) and a diffusion channel (35) for diffusing the gas into the cushion (11), having a first portion (51) of the cushion (11) located along the inner contour of the inner casing (33) such that the gas is received in the initial area of the diffusion channel (35) and a second portion (53) located, in the folded state, in an enclosure demarcated by at least portions of the inner casing (33) and outer cover (17).
US08240697B2
A gliding board including a primary core positioned between a lower sub-assembly and an upper sub-assembly, the upper sub-assembly and the lower sub-assembly including at least one first upper reinforcement and one first lower reinforcement, respectively, extending longitudinally over at least two thirds of the length of the gliding board, and further including a frictional damping arrangement. The damping arrangement includes a blade having a thickness of less than 2 mm and a structure that enables the sliding of at least one of the ends of the blade. The damping arrangement is positioned between the first lower reinforcement and the first upper reinforcement, and the distance separating the damping arrangement from the first upper reinforcement, or from the first lower reinforcement can range, for example, between 0 mm and four times the thickness of the blade.
US08240693B2
A bicycle rear wheel axle positioning device includes a rod having a curved surface and a flat surface. The rod is connected with a seat stay and a chain stay. A clamp member has a clamp portion and the rod extends through a passage in the clamp portion, wherein the periphery of the passage is corresponding to the curved surface and the flat surface. A first resilient portion and a second resilient portion extend from the clamp portion, respectively. The rear wheel axle is inserted into one side of the clamp portion and the clamp member is movable along the rod. The other side of the clamp portion includes a protrusion which is engaged with one of positioning grooves defined in the curved surface of the rod when the axle is moved to a desired position and a fastening member extends through the two resilient portions.
US08240688B2
Forming a recess in an intermediate section in an axis direction of an outer peripheral face of a stabilizer bush allows the contact surface pressure between an inner peripheral face thereof and an outer peripheral face of a torsion portion to be low in a section where the recess is formed. Therefore, when the torsion portion twistedly deforms, slipping against the torsion portion starts from the intermediate section in the axis direction of the stabilizer bush, and the slipping spreads to opposite end parts in the axis direction, thus enhancing the ride comfort of a vehicle. Moreover, open ends of axially opposite end parts of the stabilizer bush, where no recess is formed, are put in intimate contact with the outer peripheral face of the torsion portion, thus preventing sand and mud from entering therefrom.
US08240683B1
The invention as presently conceived discloses an apparatus that combines the maneuverability of a heavy-duty two-wheel hand truck with an integral battery-powered lifting system. The base of the sliding frame has two outriggers for enhanced stability. The apparatus is provided with a lifting platform similar to a forklift. The lifting force is provided by a winch which retracts or extends a stainless steel cable with a distal hook. Such an arrangement is capable of lifting thousands of pounds. The winch is powered by an on-board 12 volt deep cycle battery. A control panel is situated on the rear of the hand truck for battery power operation. The apparatus can be used to raise loads slightly for transport in a conventional hand truck manner; or alternatively, the apparatus can be used to lift larger equipment including small vehicles.
US08240676B2
There is provided a piston ring which can effectively prevent aluminum adhesion phenomenon to the piston ring.The piston ring includes a piston ring main body and a surface coating film on either upper or lower surface of the piston ring main body, or both the upper and lower surfaces of the piston ring. The surface coating film includes heat-resistant resin and copper based powder contained therein.
US08240666B2
In a scan apparatus, a sheet feeder having a sheet-stopping function includes a rotating shaft, a sheet-input roller, a pick-up mechanism and a sheet-stopping mechanism. The pick-up mechanism, including a bracket mounted on the rotating shaft and a pick-up roller mounted on the bracket, picks up a sheet from a paper tray. The sheet-stopping mechanism, driven independent of movement of the bracket by the rotating shaft, switches between a sheet-stopping state and a sheet-non-stopping state. The rotating shaft rotates in a first direction to enable the sheet-stopping mechanism to enter the sheet-non-stopping state and rotates in a second direction to enable the sheet-stopping mechanism to enter the sheet-stopping state, in which a passage to the sheet-input roller is blocked up.
US08240663B2
A security container for storing documents of value in stack form is provided with a stacking pocket for receiving documents of value in a stacked form, a bottom element disposed in the stacking pocket on which rests a fed document of value or a stack of fed documents of value, and an inlet opening leading into the stacking pocket which is disposed such that documents of value fed to the security container fall onto the bottom element. In the transport direction there is disposed at least one closing element with at least one portion which is deflectable from a closing position, in which it prevents a motion of a document of value back into the inlet opening, into a passing position in which it guides the document of value and in which onto the portion there acts a restoring force driving towards the closing position.
US08240658B2
According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a cassette, a sensor and a controller. The cassette stacks a sheet. The sensor is provided at the rear end of the cassette. When the sensor detects the protrusion of the sheet from the cassette, the controller controls to notify that the sheet protrudes by using an alarm.
US08240655B2
An image recording apparatus includes a recording unit configured to record an image on a sheet, a tray on which the sheet is placed, a first roller configured to feed the sheet placed on the tray, a first guide member configured to guide the sheet fed from the first roller to the recording unit, a second guide member configured to guide the sheet passed through the recording unit, a second roller configured to feed the sheet guided by the second guide member, a third guide member configured to guide the sheet fed from the second roller to the recording unit, a common roller configured to transmit a rotation force to the first roller and the second roller, and a second-roller arm including the second roller at a distal end thereof and configured to be pivotable about an axis.
US08240653B2
An interfolder separator apparatus and method utilize a pair of count fingers that are movable longitudinally along and transversely to a stream of folded sheets, for temporarily supporting each successive pack formed by the separator and then releasing each successive pack when partly completed to alternating build fingers, so that the operation of separating successive packs from one another is performed separately from the operations of completing the build of each pack and transporting the completed packs to downstream operations. The count fingers may be mounted to pivot about axes that are movable longitudinally along and transversely to the stream of sheets. A first or last panel of the completed pack may also be folded back partly upon itself, after the partly completed pack is released by the count fingers. Some or all of the fingers may be spring loaded and automatically resettable for clearing jams.
US08240651B2
A post-processing device includes a pair of rollers, each arranged such that an axis direction thereof is perpendicular to a transport direction of recording sheets, that forms a fold in the axis direction at a predetermined portion of both surfaces of each recording sheet, a first plate-like member, arranged opposite the pair of rollers, that moves between a feeding position allowing the predetermined portion of each recording sheet to be pinched with a nip portion of the pair of rollers and a standby position being distant from the nip portion, a transport processing unit that causes the recording sheets to be sequentially transported such that the predetermined portion of each recording sheet intervenes between the first plate-like member and the pair of rollers and to be folded by the pair of rollers, and a post-processing unit bundles the recording sheets on each of which the fold has been formed.
US08240633B2
A lightweight forming system and the method of using same that can be used to construct concrete columns of various external shapes and sizes. The system includes a reusable, flexible securement jacket that can be wrapped around a concrete receiving component having a concrete receiving chamber into which the concrete is poured. Load is exerted on the concrete receiving component in a novel manner through the use of elongated load tubes that are affixed to the spaced apart edges of the securement jacket. A plurality of draw-latches of novel construction are affixed to the load tubes at vertically spaced apart locations and when closed by the workman function to forcefully pull the load tubes together to positively pre-load the concrete receiving component prior to pouring concrete. The securement jacket of the system can be quickly and easily removed as soon as the concrete has sufficiently cured and can then be immediately reused to pour another column. Following use, the securement jacket can be rolled into a tight bundle for transport and storage.
US08240629B2
A mount for elements of a water or heating installations is provided that includes a base body and a retaining clip that extends around one of the elements and releasably attaches it to the body. The base body and retaining clip are shaped to fit the elements. The retaining clip is U-shaped, has two legs and is made of a resilient, sound-damping plastic. The ends of the legs are bent back in a V shape and first detent projections are formed on the outside of the leg ends. The base body has openings matched to the legs. Formed on the inner wall of the openings are second detent projections, which cooperate with the first detent projections. The ends of the legs are designed to be manipulated by hand.
US08240626B2
A recycling system and carrying apparatus to allow individuals to carry recycling containers and the like. The carrying apparatus includes at least one support arm adapted to engage a support such that the carrying apparatus hangs therefrom, and at least one carrying arm operably connected to the at least one support arm. The carrying arm is adapted to secure an item to be carried by the carrying apparatus. The at least one carrying arm is adapted to pivot relative to the at least one support arm.
US08240622B2
The disclosure concerns a clip having a first shank including a distal end and a proximal end, a head attached to the distal end, a resilient flange attached to the first shank proximate to the proximal end, a second shank extending downwardly from the resilient flange, wherein the second shank includes a free end. A pair of spring members extending obliquely from the free end to the resilient flange, each of the pair of spring members being attached to the resilient flange by a snap-in shoulder, and a pair of longitudinal members extending from the free end and each having a securing element at an opposing end proximate to the resilient flange, wherein the pair of longitudinal members and the securing elements are movable inwardly and outwardly as a result of the pair of spring members flexing inwardly and outwardly, respectively.
US08240615B2
Disclosed is a method and device for automatically protecting an aircraft against a hard landing. A measuring unit measures current vertical speed and current relative height of the aircraft. A first command generating unit generates first commands to act on the vertical speed of the aircraft by determining an intermediate command from the measured vertical speed and height and converting the intermediate command into turn angles. A speed calculation unit applies the first commands to control surfaces. The first commands are generated from the measured current vertical speed and height, taking into account a predetermined reference vertical speed, such that the aircraft touches down on the ground at a vertical speed not greater than the predetermined reference vertical speed.
US08240605B2
An aircraft having a seating arrangement comprising with a plurality of seats arranged in-line in the fore and aft direction of the aircraft. In a first configuration, the seats are arranged so that the in-line spacing between seats is smaller than the height of a backrest of a seat. At least one of the seats can be reconfigured into a second configuration in which with the aid of the seat a bedded patient care area is made available. The bedded patient care area can be made use of, for example, to bed a person flat having suddenly become ill during the flight. The cabin seating can be configured in making optimum use of available space, requiring just one or two seats to be reconfigured when needed to create a bedded patient care area.
US08240601B2
A coaxial rotary coupling (11) includes a hollow inner tube (4) and a hollow outer tube (7), with inner and outer splines (12 and 13) in mutual engagement. The coupling (11) further includes: approach elements for longitudinally approaching the inner and outer tubes (4, 7) together with elements presenting a wedge arrangement for causing the inner and outer tubes (4, 7) to turn (23) relative to each other in opposite directions so as to limit tangential assembly slack; a soleplate (16) of the driven tube (7); and a flange (17); the driving tubes (4) having complementary splines (12, 13, 18) together with dogs including force-transformation ramps (31) that are distributed peripherally within the coupling (11).
US08240598B2
An Airborne Elevator Apparatus capable of deploying at the same time multiple service loads at different altitudes in the Earth's atmosphere by physically separating tether weight carrier function from the service load weight carrier function of a common aerostat. The tether weight carrier function is performed by at least one airborne canopy assembly (20) filled with lighter than air gas, which has enough lifting power to support its own weight and the weight of the attached airborne cables (30). The service load carrier function is performed by several airborne booster assemblies (51). Designed to glide on the apparatus's airborne cables (30), an airborne booster assembly (51) filled with lighter than air gas has enough lifting power to carry its own weight and the weight of a service load at altitudes below the uppermost canopy. For stability purposes, the apparatus is designed to rotate around its vertical axis.
US08240597B2
A ducted fan air-vehicle having a duct lip shape is described. The duct lip has an internal duct lip portion and an external duct lip portion, both of which are substantially curvature continuous around the circumference of the air duct. The duct has a plurality of cross-sections along its circumference and at least some of the plurality of cross-sections have a different shape. Further, each cross-section around the circumference of the duct has an a/b ratio and the a/b ratio for each cross-section is substantially the same.
US08240592B2
An electronic device includes a base, a restricting piece, a coiling piece, and a cable. The base defines a containing space. The restricting piece is secured in the containing space. The restricting piece includes a pivot and a cable outlet. The coiling piece includes a coiling post. A side of the coiling post defines a pivot hole which receives the pivot of the restricting piece inserted therein to pivotally mount the coiling piece in the containing space. The cable is wrapped on the coiling post, and a part of the cable is inserted through the cable cutout.
US08240587B2
A gyratory crusher includes a crushing head, which is arranged rotatably on a substantially vertical shaft and on which a first crushing shell is mounted, and a frame, on which a second crushing shell is mounted, which second crushing shell, together with the first crushing shell, delimits a crushing gap. A supporting piston is arranged inside a cavity of the shaft, which supporting piston is displaceable in the vertical direction in order to adjust the width of the crushing gap. An eccentric is, by means of at least one radial bearing, arranged rotatably about the shaft. The gyratory crusher has an oil line, arranged in the cavity and extending through a piston plate included in the supporting piston, for supplying lubricating oil to a lubricating oil chamber configured at least partially in the cavity above the piston plate, the lubricating oil chamber being connected to the radial bearing by a duct arranged in the shaft.
US08240586B2
An adjustable grinder, includes a container, a stator, a rotor, a drum, and a rotary slide. The container can hold a product to be ground. The stator is positioned on the container. The rotor is positioned opposite to the stator and can rotate with respect to the stator. The drum is positioned around the rotor. The rotary slide includes a pointer that can be adjusted such that a distance between the stator and the rotor increases or decreases.
US08240585B1
A dishwasher controlled garbage disposal system that momentarily activates the garbage disposal upon activation of the dishwasher to clear the dishwasher's drain route through the garbage disposal. A signal detection and transmission device functionally attached to the dishwasher detects activation of the dishwasher's water pump and sends a signal to a wall mounted control module which activates a pre-operational warning timer. This timer activates for a short time a pre-activation yellow warning light and a fluctuating warning sound. When the warning timer deactivates, a disposal timer activates for a short time a red warning light, a constantly sounding warning sound, and a relay which activates the garbage disposal. A single shot latching relay within the signal detection and transmission device is activated when the dishwasher is initially turned on to prevent the control box from activating more than once during a given wash cycle of the dishwasher.
US08240577B2
An object of the present invention is to achieve a wireless chip with high reliability, a small chip area, and low power consumption, where voltage that is generated inside is prevented from excessively increasing also in a strong magnetic field such as in the case of approaching an antenna. A resonant circuit including a MOS capacitor element that has a predetermined threshold voltage is used to achieve a wireless chip. This allows a parameter of the resonant circuit to be prevented from changing in the case where the voltage amplitude exceeds a predetermined value in a strong magnetic field so that the wireless chip can be kept far away from the resonant condition. Accordingly, generation of excessive voltage is allowed to be prevented without the use of a limiter circuit or a constant voltage generation circuit.
US08240574B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing an opaque, transparent or translucent transaction card having multiple features, such as a holographic foil, integrated circuit chip, silver magnetic stripe with text on the magnetic stripe, opacity gradient, an invisible optically recognizable compound, a translucent signature field such that the signature on back of the card is visible from the front of the card and an active thru date on the front of the card. The invisible optically recognizable compound is an infrared ink and/or film, which can be detected by a sensor found in an ATM or card assembly line.
US08240568B2
Information communication includes communicating with an information storage medium having a data communication function determined by a physical communication layer. The information storage medium is accessed by determining the physical communication layer of the information storage medium, from among a plurality of potential physical communication layers. Service data describing attribute information for at least one stored application service is read from the information storage medium, attribute information regarding a desired one of the application services is acquired to confirm that the desired one of the application services is stored on the information storage medium.
US08240559B2
The card ejection unit of an improved IC card device has a base, a reading unit and a card ejection unit. The base has a horizontal slide track, a vertical slide track, a positioning member, an axle and an elastic element. The reading unit has a reading portion, a soft circuit and calculation portion. The card ejection unit has a motor, a rotation bar, a horizontal buckle and a vertical elastic unit. The motor pushes the rotation bar, and when the rotation bar rotates, the push portion of the rotation bar pushes the horizontal buckle to release the vertical elastic element to eject out the IC card.
US08240539B2
The joining apparatus includes a suction nozzle for holding an electronic component, a board stage for holding a circuit board in opposition to the electronic component, and an excimer ultraviolet lamp placed at an irradiation position between the positioned electronic component and circuit board. In such a joining apparatus, ultraviolet irradiation to Au bumps of the electronic component and ultraviolet irradiation to board electrodes of the circuit board are performed concurrently by the excimer ultraviolet lamp to execute a cleaning process of the two metallic portions. Thereafter, ultrasonic vibrations are imparted to the two metallic portions while those metallic portions are kept in contact with each other, by which metal joining between the two metallic portions is fulfilled.
US08240534B2
An object of the application is to improve power transmission to a movable element in a driving tool. The driving tool for driving a material to be driven into a workpiece includes rotationally driven first and second rotating elements, the movable element that can move in a direction that strikes the material to be driven, V-shaped first and second contact surfaces formed on the movable element, and a pressing member that applies a force to the movable element such that the first and second contact surfaces are pressed against the first and second rotating elements. The driving tool further includes a first motor for driving the first rotating element and a second motor for driving the second rotating element.
US08240532B2
A concealed magazine slot arrangement includes a magazine holder, a gear carrier, and a fastening device for fastening the magazine holder on the user's body. The magazine holder includes an inner panel, an outer panel, having a front operation side, overlapped thereon, and a plurality of slot dividers affixed between the inner and outer panels to form a plurality of magazine slots concealed within the inner panel, the outer panel, and the slot dividers for receiving the magazine. A gear carrier is provided on the front operation side of the magazine holder for carrying a gear thereon. Quick accessing fasteners facilitate securing magazines in magazine slots. Means for adjusting the depth of the magazine slots are provided.
US08240531B2
The present invention relates to the field of backpack technology, and more particularly to a backpack with an intelligent automatic adjusting inflation aircushion and a pneumatic shock absorber system, which comprising: a backpack main body and a shoulder strap and back cushion; the backside of said backpack main body is installed with a back frame; said shoulder strap and back cushion is provided with said adjustable inflation aircushion; the backside of said shoulder strap and back cushion is provided with said pneumatic shock absorber system; said pneumatic shock absorber system can be movably connected with said back frame. Said pneumatic shock absorber system of the present invention can effectively reduce the vibration generated during the usage of the said backpack, while the smart connection between said pneumatic shock absorber system and said adjustable inflation aircushion can automatic adjust air pressure of said inflation aircushion inside said shoulder strap and back cushion according to the number of the load of said backpack. Hence, an optimum softness of said shoulder strap and back cushion is achieved and, as a result, the user will feel more comfortable and can effectively avoid the harm generated from the weight of backpack to his body.
US08240530B2
An electronic accessory carrier for a portable data terminal provides a shell sized to hold and maintain a portable data terminal in a predetermined position with respect to the shell, at least one attachment component affixed to the shell at a predetermined location and adapted to provide support to the shell and a held portable data terminal in a predetermined orientation, and a strap having an attachment mechanism for connection to the at least one attachment component and adapted to encircle a wearer and to support the shell and a portable data terminal in the predetermined orientation and at a location on the wearer adapted to enable use of the portable data terminal in the predetermined orientation.
US08240527B1
An extendable tool box includes a tool box, a table top and support legs. The tool box may be slidably reciprocated along a first horizontal travel path aligned parallel with the truck bed. The table top may be contiguously oriented parallel with the tool box and slidably reciprocated along a second horizontal travel path registered parallel to the first horizontal travel path. The tool box may include a bottom surface having a cavity whereby the table top may be stowed. A sliding mechanism may be connected to the bottom surface of the tool box and may permit the tool box to freely reciprocate along the first horizontal travel path. The support legs may be telescopically adjustable between extended and retracted positions. The tool box may include a plurality of storage compartments arranged on left and right longitudinal sides and equidistantly offset along a central longitudinal length of the tool box.
US08240522B2
A dispensing head incorporates multiple constant flow valves for controlling the flow of multiple liquids, e.g., syrup and carbonated water fed to a dispensing nozzle. The valves are normally closed and are opened by inlet pressures above selected threshold levels. Once open, the valves maintain the liquid flows at substantially constant flow rates and pressures, irrespective of variations of liquid input pressures and viscosities. A closure mechanism serves to close the valves at inlet pressures both above and below the threshold levels. The closure mechanism may be deactivated to simultaneously allow the valves to assume their modulating functions at inlet pressures above the threshold levels.
US08240520B2
A method and apparatus for extruding viscous materials is provided. A dispenser comprises a control mechanism(s), a material containing structure and ports adapted to be coupled to a portable high-pressure gas source. A user controls a flow of the high-pressure gas with a control mechanism such as a trigger. The gas moves a piston inside the material containing structure and displaces viscous materials, such as an explosive, out of the structure through an output port or an output port coupled to a nozzle. A transparent materials tube may be provided to facilitate visual monitoring of the material flow. Localized and system wide pressure is controlled by structural design, material application on a structural component or control mechanisms to mitigate or eliminate a possibility of unintended effects from extrusion of the material including explosion due to overly high pressures between components of the extruder system.
US08240519B2
An ice dispenser including an ice supply container; a shaft extending into the supply container; a stirrer rotatable about the shaft which extends into the supply container, the stirrer being connectable to a rotation drive device that rotates the stirrer; an output chamber communicated with the supply container, the output chamber having an ice outlet opening; a slider rotatable in the output chamber, a rotation of the slider in a predetermined manner operating to bring the slider into moving engagement with ice located in the output chamber; and a coupling selectively disposable between an active coupling disposition in which the coupling operatively interconnects the stirrer and the slider to one another such that the slider rotates in correspondence with a rotation of the stirrer and a decoupling disposition in which the coupling does not operatively interconnect the stirrer and the slider to one another.
US08240509B2
Disclosed are pressure vessels, especially an aerosol container, which comprise an interior that is subdivided into a storage chamber (3) and a propellant chamber (4) and are operated by means of a two-phase propellant. The gas phase (5) of the propellant encompasses carbon dioxide while the liquid phase (6) encompasses polyethylene glycol and/or a (C1-C4) monoether and/or a (C1-C4) diether of a polyethylene glycol, and carbon dioxide that is dissolved therein.
US08240504B2
A canister includes a closure coupled to a container to close a mouth opening into an interior region formed in the container. The closure includes a lid having a plate and a rim extending around the plate.
US08240499B2
A trashcan has a hydraulic drop-deceleration mechanism including a can body, a lid, and a connection pole for push-open connection. The lid is connected to the connection pole at a top connection pole end. The connection pole is connected to the foot pedal via a lever at a bottom connection pole end. A hydraulic mechanism is for drop-deceleration. The hydraulic mechanism is connected to the connection pole by a connector. The hydraulic mechanism has a chamber filled with hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic mechanism has a gliding rod moving within the chamber. The gliding rod forms a tip at a gliding rod lower end. The mechanism has upper and lower fluid storage chambers. A piston is slidingly mounted in the hydraulic mechanism is biased in a lid open position by a spring.
US08240495B2
Internal lock mechanisms for doors of intermodal containers. The lock mechanisms include a lock member that moves between a locked position engaging a door to lock the door in the closed position and an unlocked position disengaged from the door to permit the door to move from the closed position to the open position. At least a portion of the lock mechanism is provided within or adjacent to the sill. In one instance, the lock member is biased toward the locked position, and a contact portion on a bottom of the container is contacted to unlock it. The lock mechanism may be accessed via connection openings in a corner fitting, for example. In another instance, hooks and hook receiving members are provided within an interior of the container, and rotated along a rotatable shaft between the two positions.
US08240492B2
A snap closure for a container includes an annular snap bead in a skirt portion. A top portion extends upwardly from the skirt portion, the top portion having horizontal slits. When the snap closure is engaged with a container, the snap beads snap onto a mating locking ring of the container. An upwards force is applied to the snap closure to disengage the closure from the container. The horizontal slits enable the top portion to flex axially to provide additional rotational leverage for disengaging the snap beads from the annular locking ring.
US08240490B2
A novel apparatus and system for dampening vibrational forces from servers and electronic components is provided. According to one embodiment, the present invention generally provides a rack for dampening vibration including: a top panel, a bottom panel, and two side panels positioned between the top panel and the bottom panel where the top panel, the bottom panel and the two side panels are fiberglass re-enforced plastics; the side panels have grooves along the height of the side panels that extend the full depth of the side panels designed to enable shelves or servers with attached mounts to be positioned along the side panels and pulled in and out of the rack.
US08240484B2
Herein are disclosed high loft spunbonded webs that are substantially free of crimped fibers and gap-formed fibers. The webs exhibit a solidity of from less than 8.0% to about 4.0% and a ratio of Effective Fiber Diameter to Actual Fiber Diameter of at least 1.40. Also disclosed are methods of making such webs.
US08240481B2
A sifter comprising: a receiver having a supply chamber; a sieve assembly having a sieving chamber coupled to the supply chamber; a rotor having a rotating shaft laterally arranged to pass through the supply chamber and the sieving chamber; a drum having a circular cross-section and having a larger diameter than the diameter of the rotating shaft, the drum being extended in at least space of the sieving chamber and arranged coaxially with the sieve; a cylindrical sieve located inside the sieving chamber and arranged coaxially with the rotating shaft; a stirring rotor located in an inner area of the sieving chamber inside the sieve comprising a rotating blade attached to the rotating shaft; an extraction member; and an outlet for discharging powder passing through the sieve from the inner area to the outer area.
US08240478B2
The present invention is directed to a multi-product container and container blank. In accordance with the present invention, a single sheet of foldable material is cut and scored to define a container blank. The blank includes a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, opposed side panels and a plurality of corner panels. Also, a top panel is attached to the back panel opposite said bottom panel. A fold over cup panel is attached to the front panel opposite the bottom panel. The cup panel does not include additional panels or tabs opposite the front panel. An optional cup receptacle is formed in the cup panel. As fanned, the front panel, back panel opposed side panels and plurality of corner panels are hingedly attached to said bottom panel via unperforated score lines.
US08240476B2
The present invention refers to a multi-layered package, and particularly to a container including a container opening and a container bottom. Preferably, at least one outer wall includes a predetermined removable wall section, revealing an information. The feature of the package according to the present invention is that the package is formed with at least one inner wall and one outer wall. The outer wall includes a removable card that is part of the outer wall.
US08240469B2
A container includes a pallet, an enclosure base, an enclosure box, and a set of fasteners. The pallet is disposed at a bottom of the container. The enclosure base is placed on the pallet, and includes a lower base sheet and an upper base sheet. The lower base sheet forms a first pair of side flaps. The upper base sheet forms a second pair of side flaps. The enclosure box is placed on the enclosure base, and includes a top wall, a set of four side walls, and an open bottom. The four side walls of the enclosure box rest on the lower base sheet while surrounding the upper base sheet to position the first pair of opposed side flaps outside the enclosure box, and the second pair of opposed side flaps inside the enclosure box. The set of fasteners fastens the enclosure base to the enclosure box.
US08240467B2
An elastic fixing element and a coherent arrangement of such elements. These elastic fixing elements are intended in particular to hold together a first and a second element, rectilinear in particular, such as a vine shoot or a branch and a metal support wire. The elastic fixing element includes a closed loop, a head, and a neck connecting this head to the closed loop. This head is extended by a top stub. The closed loop is extended by a bottom stub, which facilitates the manual fitting of the elastic element around the elements to be secured. The coherent arrangement includes at least two elastic fixing elements. These elastic elements are connected together by a first link at the position of their respective top stubs. These elastic elements are connected together by a second link at the position of their respective bottom stubs.
US08240456B2
A regulation method for ordering a flow of two lines of products includes at least: —a first step of slowing when the spacing value between a first product pertaining to one of the lines and a second product, situated immediately upstream and pertaining to another of the lines is less than a first set value; and—a second step of slowing when the value of the spacing between a downstream product of the first line and the proximal product situated immediately upstream on the second line is lower than a second set value, the first step of slowing and second step of slowing being respectively implemented selectively so as to place in phase the spacings between the products of the first and second lines according to a sequence determined as a function of the device for transferring to cavities.
US08240446B2
A clutch assembly for a vehicle transmission includes a housing defined by a wall having an annular configuration circumscribing a clutch axis. The wall extends between an open end and a floor. The floor extends inwardly from the wall toward the clutch axis. A plurality of splines formed in the wall and each is spaced from the open end of the housing. A snap ring retains clutch plates in the housing. The open end of the wall is deformed inwardly toward the clutch axis defining a retainer for retaining the snap ring within the housing.
US08240438B2
A pneumatic disc brake for utility vehicles has two brake pad carrier plates to which brake pads are fixed. The disc brake is equipped with an application device which has two pressure plungers. By way of a force-absorbing connection between the pressure plungers and the facing surface of the brake pad carrier plate, a bridge is relieved of bending stresses. The end faces of the pressure plungers and at least the contact faces of the facing brake pad carrier plate are provided with profilings, which engage into one another in a form-fitting manner, such that at least in the event of full-load braking, each brake pad is moved in the peripheral direction.
US08240437B2
A brake system for a rollator may include a brake handle, a braking device operatively coupled to the brake handle, and a gear rim mechanically coupled to at least one wheel of the rollator. The brake handle may be pivotally attached to a frame of the rollator and comprises a service-brake position and a parking-brake position while the braking device may be disposed on the frame of the rollator proximate the at least one wheel. When the brake handle is in a service-brake position, a braking member of the braking device is frictionally engaged with an inner portion of a rim of the at least one wheel thereby braking the wheel. When the handle is in a parking-brake position, the braking member of the braking device is engaged with teeth of the gear rim thereby preventing the wheel from rotating.
US08240436B2
An actuating assembly, including a rotatable core and an electric drive for driving the rotatablecore are disclosed. The rotatable core is arranged for engagement with a cable disposed within a pair of conduit sections and the cable can connect with a pair of actuatable devices. The rotatable core is arranged to be operable to pull the cable on each side of the core upon rotation thereof in a first direction, and to extend the cable on each side of the core upon rotation thereof in a second direction. The assembly further includes a pair of reaction abutments disposed on opposite sides of the rotatable core and to which a respective end of each conduit section can be connected. The assembly is arranged to be fixedly mounted and the reaction abutments are mounted for movement relative to the rotatable core for equalization of cable load transmitted through the conduit sections.
US08240425B2
When a source consisting of series-connected battery 7 and auxiliary power supply 9 supplies an electric power to a motor 4, a MOS-FET 13 for preventing a current induced by a voltage of the auxiliary power supply 9 from being reversed upstream should be off if it operates normally. Therefore, voltages at the opposite terminals of the MOS-FET 13 should have a difference which corresponds to a voltage of the auxiliary power supply 9. Hence, the voltages at the opposite terminals of the MOS-FET 13 are detected by two voltage detectors 23 and 25 when the electric power from the auxiliary power supply 9 is supplied to the motor 4. If the potential difference between the voltages at the opposite terminals of the MOS-FET 13 is equal to or less than a predetermined value, a control circuit 24 issues a failure signal upon determination that the MOS-FET 13 suffers a short-circuit fault. A MOS-FET 15 is also monitored in the same way.
US08240423B2
An all-wheel steering system and vehicle, e.g., riding lawn mower, incorporating the same. The system may include a linkage system that operatively connects the vehicle wheels for simultaneous turning. The system, in one embodiment, includes a power steering unit having fixed or variable output for a given steering input. The system may further include a mechanism for reducing speed based upon mower steering angle.
US08240420B1
A steering lever mechanism for a mower vehicle includes a lever assembly and a base which is fixed to the mower vehicle for mounting the lever assembly to the mower. The lever assembly includes a pivot assembly and a lever portion. The lever portion is pivotably mounted to the pivot assembly for rotation about a longitudinal axis between an inboard position and an outboard position. The pivot assembly is also pivotably mounted to the base for rotation of the pivot bracket portion and the lever portion about a transverse axis between a rear position, an intermediate neutral position and a forward position. A rotation measuring device is associated with the base and the pivot assembly for measuring the forward and rear rotation of the lever assembly. A sensor for activating parking breaks is also associated with the base for sensing the lever assembly when it is in the outboard position.
US08240417B2
A snowmobile includes a body, a steering mechanism provided in the body, a steering shaft connected with the steering mechanism for associated operation with the steering mechanism, a power steering device provided in the steering shaft, a pair of skis, and a connecting section arranged to connect the skis with the body. Each of the skis includes, in its lower surface, a straight portion extending straightly; an approach portion ahead of the straight portion and curving upward; and a keel portion protruding downward to a lower position than the straight portion and the approach portion.
US08240408B2
The hybrid vehicle is mounted from a kit which includes a vehicle body that has a chassis, a first actuator assembly carried by the chassis and a motor carried by the chassis; a wheel kit including a second actuator assembly and a number of ground-engaging wheels; and a track kit that has track guide wheels, track driving wheels and a pair of ground-engaging tracks. The vehicle body can be interchangeably coupled to either one of the wheel kit thus defining a wheel mode hybrid vehicle and the track kit thus defining a track mode hybrid vehicle. In the wheel mode, the second actuator assembly is removably carried by the chassis, the ground-engaging wheels are operatively and removably coupled to the first and second actuator assemblies and the motor powers the first and second actuator assemblies. In the track mode, the track guide wheels are removably carried by the chassis, the track driving wheels are operatively and removably coupled to the first actuator assembly, the tracks are operatively installed on respective track guide and driving wheels and the motor powers the first actuator assembly.
US08240407B2
Provided is a vehicle that can make tight turns without significantly changing an attitude of a rider, and is highly convenient in narrow places. A omni-directional one-wheeled vehicle comprises a vehicle body (7) and a secondary wheel (35) configured to contact a ground surface at a point displaced from a contact point of a driven road wheel (2).
US08240405B2
A polycrystalline diamond abrasive element, particularly a cutting element, comprises a table of polycrystalline diamond bonded to a substrate, particularly a cemented carbide substrate, along a non-planar interface. The polycrystalline diamond abrasive element is characterized by the nonplanar interface having a cruciform configuration, the polycrystalline diamond having a high wear-resistance, and the polycrystalline diamond having a region adjacent the working surface lean in catalysing material and a region rich in catalysing material. The polycrystalline diamond cutters have improved wear resistance, impact strength and cutter life than prior art cutters.
US08240394B2
A power-driven hammer including a body including a tubular housing and a barrel assembly received in the housing. The barrel assembly has an at-rest position relative to the housing. The barrel assembly includes a barrel having a forward end adapted to hold a tool, an opening, and a rearward end. The barrel assembly includes a mass received in the opening of the barrel. The mass moves in the barrel opening when the hammer is operating through a power stroke and a return stroke. The barrel assembly moves forward and rearward from its at-rest position relative to the housing when the hammer is operating. The hammer includes a vibration reducing mechanism connecting the barrel assembly to the body reducing shock transmitted to the housing as the mass moves forward and rearward in the barrel.
US08240390B2
Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for releasing a releasable packer. The apparatus may include shear screws, a mechanism for isolating the shear screw from a shearing force. The mechanism for isolating the shear screw from a shearing force is selectively unlockable to expose the shear screw to the shearing force. The methods may include unlocking a mechanism protecting at least one shear screw, applying a shearing force to the at least one shear screw, and shearing the at least one shear screw.
US08240387B2
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a casing tester for plugging and abandoning a wellbore. In one embodiment, a method of testing an annulus defined between a first tubular string and a second tubular string includes engaging a first annular packer with an outer surface of the first tubular string and engaging a second annular packer with an outer surface of the second tubular string. The tubular strings extend into a wellbore. The method further includes injecting a test fluid between the packers until a predetermined pressure is exerted on the annulus.
US08240383B2
Disclosed herein are methods of making free flowing coated particles and low temperature including a step of curing the coating with UV light or electron beam. Each particle has a precured coating disposed upon a substrate. Methods of using the particles are also disclosed.
US08240380B2
Compositions having shear-gelling and shear-thickening properties are based on an amphiphilic polymer combined with hydrophilic particles and polyethyleneoxide. The hydrophilic particles preferably consist of a hydrous sodium lithium magnesium silicate. The amphiphilic polymer may be a synthetic polymer, a hydrophobically modified biopolymer, or both. The compositions may be employed in enhanced oil recovery operations.
US08240372B2
A casing running tool capable of handling pipe and tubing has fluid power conducting channels leading from stationary to rotating components, through a swivel. The swivel has a plurality of fluid channels, each confined by dynamic seals that rub peripherally on mating seal surfaces. The seals are carried on at least one piston that is movable, on command, to carry the seals out of contact with the peripherally rubbing surfaces.
US08240364B2
According to the invention, in order to prevent a film from forming which obstructs the transfer of heat in heat exchanger pipes, the heat exchanger pipe comprises an external side which is adjacent to the external surface and which is impinged upon by a steam medium, and an inner side which is adjacent to an inner surface and which is impinged upon by a coolant, such that the outer surface is provided with a first layer which reduces the adhesion of the steam on the outer surface and/or the inner surface is provided with a second layer which reduces the adhesion of a coolant to the inner surface and which is embodied as a biocidal layer. The invention relates to a heat exchanger and to the use thereof.
US08240363B2
A heat dissipation apparatus includes a heat sink, a fan, and a fixing structure. The fan defines a number of fixing holes. The fixing structure includes a base, two resilient side panels bent from two sides of the base. The base and the side panels bound an accommodating space to accommodate the fan. An airflow opening is defined in the base for allowing air to flow between the heat sink and the fan. First ends of a number of fasteners secure the base of the fixing structure to the heat sink. Second ends of the number of fasteners protrude through the base into the accommodating space, to be accommodated in the corresponding fixing holes of the fan.
US08240355B2
A method of forming a cast component includes at least partially surrounding an investment mold in a heat-insulating packing material, feeding a molten alloy into the investment mold to provide a filled investment mold, and agitating the filled investment mold while solidifying the molten alloy.
US08240352B2
A gluing group of a final edge of a log including in succession an introducing group into the gluing group of the logs one after the other, an unwinding group of the log associated with means for identifying the final edge, an opening group of the final edge from the log and a glue transfer group on the log, in which the opening group of the final edge and the glue transfer group are housed in a slide structure that is mobile with respect to the unwinding group by a predetermined amount dependent upon the diameter of the log, with rolling transfer means of the log from the unwinding group to the slide structure being foreseen.
US08240340B2
A kit, apparatus, and method for sealing a junction between a manhole and a pipe within a sewer system are provided. In a first embodiment, the end of a pipe adjacent a manhole is sealed by the use of a pipe liner and a tubular sleeve made of a hydrophilic material. In a second embodiment, a majority of the area surrounding a junction of a pipe and a manhole is sealed by the use of a tubular sleeve made of a hydrophilic material including a flange portion, a pipe liner, and a manhole liner.
