US08253423B2
Apparatus and methods pertaining to examining electromigration lifespan are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of manufacturing is provided that includes forming a test structure on a semiconductor substrate. The test structure includes a first conductor structure that has a first cross-sectional area and a second conductor structure that has a second cross-sectional area larger than the first cross-sectional area. Current is flowed through the first and second conductor structures at current densities sufficient to cause electromigration in the first and second conductor structures. The current is monitored for drops indicative of electromigration failure of one or both of the first and second conductor structures. The time elapsed before the failure of the one or both of the conductor structures is recorded.
US08253419B2
A battery voltage monitoring system monitors voltage of an arrangement of more than two batteries (U1, U2, U3, U4, U5) in series. The system comprises a voltage divider comprises a first (R1, R2, R3, R4) and second resistive element (R5, R6, R7, R8) arranged parallel to at least a part of the battery arrangement and connected to a reference voltage line and to a node (N1, N2, N3, N4) in the battery arrangement. In between the first (R1, R2, R3, R4) and second resistive element (R5, R6, R7, R8) a transistor (Q11, Q12, Q13, Q14) is arranged. The base of the transistor is, via a diode (D1, D2, D3, D4), connected to a further node (N2, N3, N4, N5) in the series arrangement of batteries, and a switching element (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4) is provided to address the transistor (Q11, Q12, Q13,Q14).
US08253416B2
Methods and apparatuses for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or magnetic resonance spectroscopy comprising a superconducting main magnet operable to generate a uniform magnetic field in an examination region, at least one superconducting gradient field coil operable to apply a respective at least one magnetic field gradient within the examination region, and at least one RF coil that is operable to transmit and receive radio frequency signals to and from the examination region, and that is configured for cooling and comprises at least one of (i) a non-superconducting material that when cooled to a temperature below room temperature has a conductivity higher than that of copper at that temperature and (ii) a superconducting material. The main magnet, the gradient coils, and each of the at least one RF coil of a given system may each be implemented as high temperature superconductor materials.
US08253415B2
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a spectrum acquisition unit and a determining unit. The spectrum acquisition unit acquires a frequency spectrum of magnetic resonance signals from a metabolic product in a target region in an object. The determining unit determines one of the numbers of integrations and phase encodes of magnetic resonance signals for obtaining the frequency spectrum depending on a factor influencing the frequency spectrum.
US08253405B2
In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a high-speed multi-phase voltage regulator (VR) capable of sensing load current. For each phase leg, the VR includes a current mirror to mirror current in switching elements, a current sense to sense high side current in the current mirror, and a I-V converter to convert the sensed high side current to a voltage. The high side sensed current for each phase leg is averaged and the duty cycle for the VR is extracted. The average high side sensed current and the duty cycle are converted to digital by an A-D converter. Digital circuitry corrects the sensed current by adjusting for the gain and offset voltage of the VR. The adjusted sensed value is divided by the duty cycle to convert to load current and the average load current is multiplied by the number of phases operating to determine overall load current.
US08253403B2
The present invention uses a discharge path to release the power stored in an output capacitor of a converting circuit when the time interval between two adjacent switching thereof is too long and may generate noises whose frequencies can be sensed by human ears. Hence, the present invention can keep the operating frequency of the converting circuit higher than a predetermined frequency and reduce the audio noise of the converting circuit.
US08253398B2
A semiconductor device includes: a high-side switching element having a first switching element connected between an input voltage line and an inductive load; and a low-side switching element having a second switching element and a third switching element that are connected in parallel between the inductive load and a reference voltage line. A surge current is discharged through the third switching element to the reference voltage line when a surge is applied to a terminal connected to the inductive load in the low-side switching element.
US08253388B2
Described is a system and method for charging a battery. The system includes a processor powered by a battery; and a controller determining a remaining battery charge of the battery. The controller sets a first charge current to recharge the battery when the remaining battery charge is insufficient to operate the processor. The controller wakes the processor when the battery has been recharged so that the remaining battery capacity is sufficient to operate the processor. The processor negotiates for a second charge current to recharge the battery. The controller sets the second charge current when the processor successfully negotiated.
US08253381B2
A charging device for connecting a battery to a power supply to charge the battery includes a charging unit connected between one pole of the power supply and one pole the battery, a first switch unit connecting another pole of the battery with the charging unit and including a first switch connected between another pole of the power supply and the charging unit, and a second switch unit connected between another pole of the power supply and the charging unit. The power supply charges the battery through the second switch unit when the second switch unit is switched on, the first switch is automatically switched on in the charging process, the power supply charges the battery through the first switch after the second switch unit is switched off, and the first switch is automatically switched off when the battery is fully charged.
US08253374B2
A charger is configured for charging a battery. The battery includes a group of contacting portions. The charger includes a first base, a second base rotatably assembled to the first base, and two latching elements. Each of the latching elements includes a housing defining a cavity and fixed on the first base, a resilient element received in the cavity, a block, and a metal sheet fixed in the cavity. The resilient element elastically resists the block. A latching portion extends from the metal sheet and faces the block; the latching portion and the block sandwiches the group of the contacting portions. The present disclosure further discloses an electronic device using the battery.
US08253363B2
An automatic opening-and-closing lid for a garbage bin includes a base member including an opening for a user throwing trash into the bin therefrom and first and second annular flanges. A lid is installed to the opening of the base member and is able to pivot with respect to the base member. A control is installed to the base member and includes a power source for power supply, a control panel, a driving member electrically connected to the control panel, a driven member and first and second sensor wires electrically connected to the power source. The first and second sensor wires are respectively disposed in the first and second annular flanges. A sensing region is formed proximal to the first and second sensor wires.
US08253354B2
The invention relates to a method and device for transferring signal data from a sender to one or more receivers. The invention includes receiving a quantity as a function of time, arranging the quantity into a first polynomial to obtain values for polynomial coefficients of a first continuous signal, and transferring the values of the polynomial coefficients of the first continuous signal via a first data transfer link to one or more receivers.
US08253349B2
Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a system, apparatus, and method of controlling an intensity and spectrum of light emitted from a solid state lighting system. The solid state lighting has a first emitted spectrum at full intensity and at a selected temperature, with a first electrical biasing for the solid state lighting producing a first wavelength shift, and a second electrical biasing for the solid state lighting producing a second, opposing wavelength shift. Exemplary embodiments provide for receiving information designating a selected intensity level or a selected temperature; and providing a combined first electrical biasing and second electrical biasing to the solid state lighting to generate emitted light having the selected intensity level and having a second emitted spectrum within a predetermined variance of the first emitted spectrum over a predetermined range of temperatures.
US08253328B2
An organic electroluminescence device includes a substrate, a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged on the substrate, each including a pair of electrodes and an organic light-emitting layer disposed between the electrodes, an organic buffer layer covering the plurality of light-emitting elements, and a gas barrier layer covering the organic buffer layer. The gas barrier layer has a structure wherein first inorganic films and second inorganic films are alternately stacked. The first inorganic films contain a silicon compound containing nitrogen, the second inorganic films contain an oxide of the formation material of the first inorganic films and each have a thickness smaller than that of each first inorganic film. The numbers of the first inorganic films and the second inorganic films are each at least two.
US08253325B2
The organic light-emitting device of the present invention includes a plurality of organic light-emitting elements including an organic light-emitting element showing a first emission color and at least one organic light-emitting element showing a different emission color from the first emission color, each of the organic light-emitting elements including: a first electrode having a reflective surface; a second electrode placed on a light extraction side and including a semi-transparent layer; an organic compound layer including a light-emitting layer and formed between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a micro cavity structure for resonating light emitted from the light-emitting layer between the reflective surface and the semi-transparent layer, wherein the semi-transparent layer in the organic light-emitting element showing the first emission color is different in thickness and/or material from the semi-transparent layer in the at least one organic light-emitting element showing the different emission colors.
US08253320B2
Method of manufacturing an electric optical device in which external connection terminals are formed
An electro-optical device includes an effective display region including a pixel, the pixel including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light-emitting layer between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a wiring line connected to the second electrode at a position to the periphery of the effective display region, the wiring line including a first wiring layer and a second wiring layer that are electrically connected to each other and that overlap each other, the first wiring layer and the second wiring layer both extending in a direction in which an edge of the effective display region extends, the first wiring layer and the second wiring layer extending in the direction a distance that is longer than a distance in which the edge of the effective display region extends in the direction.
US08253316B2
An LED-powered replacement for the conventional incandescent screw-in light bulb comprises a phosphor coated sphere emitting white light into the same spherical pattern as a frosted incandescent bulb. In one embodiment inside the hollow sphere there is a dielectric cone emitting blue light, which causes the phosphor coating to glow. The blue light comes into the cone from a dielectric totally internally reflecting concentrator (DTIRC), which receives light from a conical reflector surrounding an LED array. The array has blue chips for energizing the phosphor and red chips for supplementing the phosphor light, enabling separate electronic control of the color temperature as well as the overall luminosity of the LED Lamp. Both blue and red chips are controlled by a quantum dimmer.
US08253315B2
System that focuses electron beams in an electro-static area to a laminar flow of electrons with uniform distribution of current density and extraordinary demagnification includes a housing having a first interior portion and a second interior portion electrically insulated from the first interior portion. The second interior portion has an electric field-free space. An electrode system is disposed in the first interior portion and includes a cathode assembly and at least one anode assembly. The cathode assembly generates an electron beam that passes through each anode assembly and then into the electric field-free space in the second interior portion. A position of a crossover point on a longitudinal axis maybe regulated by varying dimensions of a substantially cylindrical portion of the anode assembly and a substantially cylindrical portion of a near-cathode electrode assembly.
US08253313B2
A spark plug having improved durability having a ground electrode comprised of a ground electrode base member and a noble metal tip. A center axis of the noble metal tip slants in relation to the center axis of the ground electrode base member at angle θ which satisfies a relation 2°≦θ≦25°.
US08253308B2
A polymer actuator includes: a pair of electrode layers made of an ionic liquid, a polymer, and carbon nanoparticles; and an electrolyte layer provided between the pair of electrode layers, wherein the carbon nanoparticles are a mixture of carbon nanotubes (hereinafter, referred to as CNTs) and carbon nanohorns (hereinafter, referred to as CNHs), a ratio by weight of the carbon nanoparticles to the total weight of the ionic liquid, the polymer, and the carbon nanoparticles contained in the pair of electrodes is equal to or higher than 25 wt % and equal to or lower than 80 wt %, a mixing ratio of the CNTs to the CNHs contained in the carbon particles is in a range of (CNT):(CNH)=1:1 to 3:1, and a ratio by weight of the polymer is equal to or higher than 17.7 wt % and equal to or lower than 30.2 wt %.
US08253307B2
Circuits (20, 220, 320, 420) are provided for applying electrical charge collected from a piezoelectric device (22) to a charge storage device (24, 224, 424). The circuits comprise a peak detector (32, 232) and a switch(es) (34, 134, 234, 434) which is/are operated to initiate transfer of the electrical charge from the piezoelectric device to the charge storage device upon detection by the peak detector (32, 232) of a peak voltage across the piezoelectric device (22). In an example embodiment, the peak detector (32, 232) comprises a peak-detection capacitance (C4); a gain element (42, 242); and a non-linear PN junction circuit (40). The circuits can also comprise charge multiplier circuit (300) configured to continue application of the electrical charge to the charge storage device (224) after the switch (262) has been turned off and/or after a point in time when magnitude of the voltage across the charge storage device (224) equals the magnitude of the voltage across the piezoelectric device (22).
US08253301B2
A method for manufacturing an electronic component includes a first step of preparing a piezoelectric body with a flat surface, a second step of implanting ions into the piezoelectric body such that an ion-implanted layer is formed in the piezoelectric body, a third step of forming sacrificial layers on the flat surface of the piezoelectric body, a fourth step of forming an insulating body over the flat surface of the piezoelectric body and the sacrificial layers to form a piezoelectric structure, a fifth step of dividing the piezoelectric body at the ion-implanted layer to form a piezoelectric laminar structure in which a piezoelectric film separated from the piezoelectric body is bonded to the insulating body, a sixth step of forming electrodes on portions of a division surface of the piezoelectric film, and a seventh step of removing the sacrificial layers from the piezoelectric laminar structure.
US08253300B2
An electrostrictive composite includes a flexible polymer matrix and a plurality of carbon nanotubes dispersed in the flexible polymer matrix. The carbon nanotubes cooperatively form an electrically conductive network in the flexible polymer matrix. A plurality of bubbles are defined by the flexible polymer matrix.
US08253295B2
Winding diagrams, in which there is no intersection of endwindings in space and which are suitable for interchangeable windings of electrical machines, are considered in the proposed invention. Winding diagrams of a three-phase, two-layer concentric winding with a 120° phase zone and a three-phase, three-layer concentric winding with a 180° phase zone are considered. The scheme of a three-phase two-layer concentric winding with 120° phase with a linear distribution of turns in phase coils is offered for improvement of MMF distribution. The scheme of a three-phase, three-layer concentric winding with 180° phase zone with trapezoidal distribution of turns in phase coils is also proposed for improvement of MMF distribution.
US08253293B2
A magnetic fan device includes a stator, at least three bearings fixed on the stator, a rotor fixedly connected to the stator, a motor, and at least three magnetic posts. The at least three bearings are permanent magnets. The rotor includes a shaft and a plurality of impellers rotatably connected to the shaft. The at least three magnetic posts with an opening at its lateral surface are configured for respectively receiving the at least three bearings by the opening. A first magnet is adhered to ends of the at least three magnetic posts, and a second magnet is adhered to opposite ends of the at least three magnetic posts. The magnetic pole of the first magnet adjacent to ends of the at least three bearings is opposite to the magnetic pole of the second magnet adjacent opposite ends of the at least three bearings.
US08253289B2
An overload protection device using a rotatable arm rotatably connected to a driving wheel and a resilient member connecting the rotatable arm with the driving wheel for transmitting the torque outputted by a motor to the driving wheel, the resilient member is obviously deformed when the motor is operated in a overload condition to detach the rotatable arm from the motor for protecting the motor from the overload condition.
US08253288B2
This electric actuator for driving a home-automation screen is provided with a spring brake (105) comprising a helical spring (130), a friction part (140) having a friction surface (141) against which the helical spring (130) bears radially. Said brake further comprises an inlet part (110) suitable for driving the spring in rotation in a direction reducing the contact force between the spring (130) and the friction part (140), and an outlet part (120) connected to the screen.While the screen is being lowered, the inlet part (110; 210) drives the spring (130; 230) in rotation with the contact force being decreased to the extent that the outlet part (120; 220) is released in rotation, without direct contact between the inlet part and the outlet part. The inlet part (110; 210) has at least two contact surfaces (113a, 113d; 213b, 217c) suitable for transmitting drive torque (CM) for raising the screen (2), by direct contact, to at least two corresponding contact surfaces (123a, 123d; 223b, 227a) of the outlet part (120; 220).
US08253277B2
An electronic assembly with two battery units includes a system module provided with a preset threshold value and a parallel circuit. The parallel circuit is coupled electrically to the system module, and includes first and second power diverter circuits. Each of first and second power diverter circuit consists of a diode member coupled electrically to a respective battery unit and the system module and an operation switch that is coupled electrically to the diode member in parallel manner and that is coupled electrically to the respective battery unit and the system module in such a manner that a normal bias voltage is existed between the respective battery unit and the system module.
US08253275B2
According to one general embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product for reducing incidence of errors in connections between a power consumer apparatus operable to draw a load and a power supply apparatus capable of varying the power supplied, the computer program product comprising: a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith, the computer readable program code comprising: computer readable program code configured to generate at the power consumer apparatus an identifiable pattern in a load to be drawn from a power supply connection to a power supply apparatus; and computer readable program code configured to monitor at the power consumer apparatus for a change in the load corresponding to the pattern, the monitoring being performed across a signal connection to the power supply apparatus; wherein a positive result of the monitoring indicates a correct configuration. Additional embodiments are also presented.
US08253271B2
A power supply system is disclosed. The system comprises an AC power source from a power grid and a DC power source from an alternative power generation system. The alternative power generation system may comprise one or a plurality of solar systems. The system may also comprise one or a plurality of wind turbines. The AC power generated by a generator of the turbine is converted into the DC power by a device comprising a rectifier. There are two groups of electrical appliances connected to the system. The first group receives the AC power only and the second group receives the AC and/or the DC power supplies. The power supply system provides a means of supplying the electrical appliances the DC power with the higher priority and therefore minimizes power consumption from the power grid.
US08253264B2
A wind turbine captures energy from a flowing fluid medium using drum-shaped drive elements that spin while traveling along a continuous orbiting course around a base. Attached roller bearings engaging stationary raceways can guide the drive elements. Means for spinning the drive elements can include toothed belts engaging drive element cog wheels. Spinning can provide Magnus effect enhancement. Wind energy is captured by the drive element motion, then transferred to the base cog wheels by a toothed belt and finally fed to an output shaft. The invention includes locating drive elements in a moving fluid medium, spinning the drive elements as they are urged by the wind along a continuous orbiting course and capturing energy by linking the motion of the drive elements to an external device. The method includes adjusting the base's azimuth and the angle of incidence of the wind in response to wind direction and speed.
US08253253B2
An apparatus, comprising two conductive surfaces or layers and a nanostructure assembly bonded to the two conductive surfaces or layers to create electrical or thermal connections between the two conductive surfaces or layers, and a method of making same.
US08253247B2
In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device involving the step of bonding a metallic ribbon to a pad of a semiconductor chip, breakage of the metallic ribbon is to be prevented while ensuring the bonding strength even when the metallic ribbon becomes thin with reduction in size of the semiconductor chip. In bonding an Al ribbon to a pad of a semiconductor chip by bringing a pressure bonding surface of a wedge tool into pressure contact with the Al ribbon while applying ultrasonic vibration to the ribbon positioned over the pad, recesses 10a are formed beforehand at both end portions respectively of the wedge tool lest both end portions in the width direction of the Al ribbon bonded to the pad should contact the pressure bonding surface of the wedge tool.
US08253246B2
According to a simultaneous duel model that a de Broglie wave accompanies an electron drift-moving in an electron circuit, wiring is considered as a waveguide of the average de Broglie wave and design was performed by reducing the resistance value at bending portion of the wiring. Furthermore, by providing a micro-structure having a wave suppressing function of average de Broglie wave on the boundary between the metal electrode and the semiconductor electrode, so that electron transmitting probability at the boundary is increased. This improves electric feature of a macro structure portion which may cause a local heating such as a bending corner of wiring contained in the electronic circuit such as an IC and an LSI or a boundary between the metal electrode and the semiconductor electrode.
US08253245B2
A communication device according to an embodiment includes an antenna transmitting/receiving a high frequency signal, a semiconductor chip having four corners and four sides processing the high frequency signal, and a substrate on which a first wiring connected to ground, a second wiring supplying power to the semiconductor chip, a third wiring connected to a protection element or circuit of the semiconductor chip, and fourth wirings transmitting a signal from the semiconductor chip are formed by plating, and the semiconductor chip is mounted.
US08253244B2
A semiconductor package includes a base substrate, a logic device with a serializer/deserializer (SerDes), a plurality of odd memory devices disposed on a lower surface of the logic device and operatively stack-connected with the SerDes, and a plurality of even memory devices disposed on an upper surface of the logic device and operatively stack-connected with the SerDes, such that the plurality of odd memory devices and the plurality of even memory devices are connected in parallel by the SerDes.
US08253241B2
An electronic module. One embodiment includes a carrier. A first transistor is attached to the carrier. A second transistor is attached to the carrier. A first connection element includes a first planar region. The first connection element electrically connects the first transistor to the carrier. A second connection element includes a second planar region. The second connection element electrically connects the second transistor to the carrier. In one embodiment, a distance between the first planar region and the second planar region is smaller than 100 μm.
US08253217B2
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device that includes a substrate having a seal ring region and a circuit region, a plurality of dummy gates disposed over the seal ring region of the substrate, and a seal ring structure disposed over the plurality of dummy gates in the seal ring region. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is also provided, the method including providing a substrate having a seal ring region and a circuit region, forming a plurality of dummy gates over the seal ring region of the substrate, and forming a seal ring structure over the plurality of dummy gates over the seal ring region.
US08253213B2
A photoelectric conversion element of the present invention comprises: a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type; a first electrode arranged on the back side of the first semiconductor layer a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, the second semiconductor layer on the light-receiving side of the first semiconductor layer; a light-receiving face-side electrode provided on the light-receiving side of the second semiconductor layer; a second electrode arranged on the back side of the first semiconductor layer, and electrically separated from the first semiconductor layer, but connected to the second semiconductor layer; and a penetrating-connecting section penetrating the first semiconductor layer, and connecting the light-receiving face-side electrode with the second electrode, wherein the photoelectric conversion element is characterized in that the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged equidistantly apart from a central axis passing through a center of the photoelectric conversion element.
US08253211B2
Non-silicon based semiconductor devices are integrated into silicon fabrication processes by using aspect-ratio-trapping materials. Non-silicon light-sensing devices in a least a portion of a crystalline material can output electrons generated by light absorption therein. Exemplary light-sensing devices can have relatively large micron dimensions. As an exemplary application, complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor photodetectors are formed on a silicon substrate by incorporating an aspect-ratio-trapping technique.
US08253205B2
An integrated circuit (IC) includes a plurality of compressively strained PMOS transistors. The IC includes a substrate having a semiconductor surface. A gate stack is formed in or on the semiconductor surface and includes a gate electrode on a gate dielectric, wherein a channel region is located in the semiconductor surface below the gate dielectric. A source and a drain region is opposing sides of the gate stack. At least one compressive strain inducing region including at least one specie selected from Ge, Sn and Pb is located in at least a portion of the source and drain regions of the PMOS transistors, wherein the strain inducing region provides ≦1010 dislocation lines/cm2 and an active concentration of the compressive strain inducing specie that is above a solid solubility limit for the compressive strain inducing specie in the compressive strain inducing region. A method for forming compressively strained PMOS transistors includes implanting on at least opposing sides of the gate stack using at least one compressive strain inducing specie selected from Ge, Sn and Pb at a dose ≧1×1015 cm−2, at an implantation temperature during implanting in a temperature range ≦273 K, wherein the implant conditions are sufficient to form an amorphous region. The wafer is annealed using annealing conditions including a peak anneal temperature of between 1050° C. and 1400° C. and an anneal time at the peak temperature of ≦10 seconds, wherein the amorphous region recrystallizes by solid phase epitaxy (SPE).
US08253202B2
A thin film transistor substrate with good process efficiency and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The thin film transistor substrate includes a first conductive type MOS transistor and a second conductive type MOS transistor. The first conductive type MOS transistor includes a first semiconductor layer formed on a blocking layer and having first conductive type low-concentration doping regions adjacent to both sides of a channel region, first conductive type source/drain regions adjacent to the first conductive type low-concentration doping regions, a first gate insulating layer formed on the first semiconductor layer, a second gate insulating layer formed on the first gate insulating layer and overlapping with the channel region and the low-concentration doping regions of the first semiconductor layer, and a first gate electrode formed on the second gate insulating layer. The second conductive type MOS transistor includes a second semiconductor layer formed on the blocking layer and having second conductive type source/drain regions adjacent to both sides of a channel region, the first gate insulating layer formed on the second semiconductor layer, a third gate insulating layer formed on the first gate insulating layer and overlapping with the second semiconductor layer, and a second gate electrode formed on the third gate insulating layer.
US08253198B2
A multi-path transistor includes an active region including a channel region and an impurity region. A gate is dielectrically separated from the channel region. A signal line is dielectrically separated from the impurity region. A conductive shield is disposed between, and dielectrically separated from, the signal line and the channel region. In some multi-path transistors, the channel region includes an extension-channel region under the conductive shield and the multi-path transistor includes different conduction paths, at least one of the different conduction paths being in the extension-channel region to conduct substantially independent of a voltage on the signal line. In other multi-path transistors, the conductive shield is operably coupled to the impurity region and the multi-path transistor includes different conduction paths, at least one of the different conduction paths being under the conductive shield to conduct substantially independent of a voltage on the signal line.
US08253196B2
An integrated circuit with a transistor advantageously embodied in a laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor device having a gate located over a channel region recessed into a semiconductor substrate and a method of forming the same. In one embodiment, the transistor includes a source/drain including a lightly or heavily doped region adjacent the channel region, and an oppositely doped well extending under the channel region and a portion of the lightly or heavily doped region of the source/drain. The transistor also includes a channel extension, within the oppositely doped well, under the channel region and extending under a portion of the lightly or heavily doped region of the source/drain.
US08253189B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor region, a tunnel insulating film formed on a surface of the semiconductor region, a charge-storage insulating film formed on a surface of the tunnel insulating film and containing silicon and nitrogen, a block insulating film formed on a surface of the charge-storage insulating film, and a control gate electrode formed on a surface of the block insulating film, wherein the tunnel insulating film has a first insulating film formed on the surface of the semiconductor region and containing silicon and oxygen, a second insulating film formed on a surface of the first insulating film, and a third insulating film formed on a surface of the second insulating film and containing silicon and oxygen, and a charge trap state in the second insulating film has a lower density than that in the charge-storage insulating film.
US08253187B2
A non-volatile semiconductor storage device 10 has a plurality of memory strings 100 with a plurality of electrically rewritable memory transistors MTr1-MTr4 connected in series. The memory string 100 includes a columnar semiconductor CLmn extending in a direction perpendicular to a substrate, a plurality of charge accumulation layers formed around the columnar semiconductor CLmn via insulating films, and selection gate lines on the drain side SGD contacting the columnar semiconductor to configure transistors. The selection gate lines on the drain side SGD have lower selection gate lines on the drain side SGDd, each of which is arranged with an interval with a certain pitch, and upper selection gate lines on the drain side SGDu located on a higher layer than the lower selection gate lines on the drain side SGDd, each of which is arranged on gaps between the lower selection gate lines on the drain side SGDd.
US08253181B2
DRAM trench capacitors formed by, inter alia, deposition of conductive material into a trench or doping the semiconductor region in which the trench is defined.
US08253177B2
A semiconductor device, such as a PMOS or an NMOS transistor, having a stressed channel region is provided. The semiconductor device is formed by recessing the source/drain regions after forming a gate stack. The substrate is removed under the gate stack. Thereafter, an epitaxial layer is formed under the gate stack and in the source/drain regions. The epitaxial layer may be doped in the source/drain regions. In an embodiment, a lower portion of the epitaxial layer and the epitaxial layer under the gate stack may be doped with a conductivity type opposite of the conductivity type of the source/drain regions. In another embodiment of the present invention, a lower portion of the epitaxial layer is left undoped.
US08253140B2
To provide a liquid crystal display device having high quality display by obtaining a high aperture ratio while securing a sufficient storage capacitor (Cs), and at the same time, by dispersing a load (a pixel writing-in electric current) of a capacitor wiring in a timely manner to effectively reduce the load. A scanning line is formed on a different layer from a gate electrode and the capacitor wiring is arranged so as to be parallel with a signal line. Each pixel is connected to the individually independent capacitor wiring via a dielectric. Therefore, variations in the electric potential of the capacitor wiring caused by a writing-in electric current of a neighboring pixel can be avoided, whereby obtaining satisfactory display images.
US08253139B2
A thin film transistor substrate, capable of being assembled, is attached to a filter substrate to provide a semi-finished liquid crystal display panel. The thin film transistor substrate includes a base substrate with thin film transistors formed thereon, wiring assemblies formed on the substrate and electrically connected to the corresponding thin film transistors selectively, metal sheets formed on the base substrate, a protection layer formed on the thin film transistors, the wiring assemblies, and the metal sheets, and a buffer module formed on the protection layer. The buffer module is positioned above a projection of a cutting line onto the base substrate, and the surplus materials of the filter substrate are removed along the cutting line.
US08253136B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device of the present invention includes a substrate (1), first wires (2), memory cells each including a resistance variable element (5) and a portion of a diode element (6), second wires (11) which respectively cross the first wires (2) to be perpendicular to the first wires (2) and each of which contains a remaining portion of the diode element (6), and upper wires (13) formed via an interlayer insulating layer (12), respectively, and the first wires (2) are connected to the upper wires (13) via first contacts (14), respectively, and the second wires (11) are connected to the upper wires (13) via second contacts (15), respectively.
US08253134B2
An oxide thin film transistor and a method of manufacturing the oxide TFT are provided. The oxide thin film transistor (TFT) including: a gate; a channel formed to correspond to the gate, and a capping layer having a higher work function than the channel; a gate insulator disposed between the gate and the channel; and a source and drain respectively contacting either side of the capping layer and the channel and partially on a top surface of the capping layer.
US08253132B2
Provided is a bottom emission type organic EL panel capable of preventing or delaying loss of light emission from an end portion of the light emission area and reduction of the light emission area in an organic EL element. This organic electro luminescence panel includes an organic electro luminescence element having at least one organic layer between an anode and a cathode arranged on a substrate. This panel has a main light emission area emitting light with a high luminance and a non-light emission area or a low light emission area emitting light with a lower luminance than the main light emission area, arranged outside the end portion of the main light emission area. By limiting the main light emission area to a smaller size than the cathode forming area, the end portion of the cathode forming area is arranged outside the end portion of the main light emission area.
US08253129B2
A fused aromatic ring derivative shown by the following formula (1): wherein Ra and Rb are independently a hydrogen atom or a substituent; p is an integer of 1 to 13; q is an integer of 1 to 8; when p is two or more, plural Ras may be the same or different, and adjacent Ras may form a saturated or unsaturated ring; when q is two or more, plural Rbs may be the same or different, and adjacent Rbs may form a saturated or unsaturated ring; L1 is a single bond or a substituted or unsubstituted divalent linking group; and Ar1 is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 50 ring carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl group having 5 to 50 ring carbon atoms.
US08253124B2
This invention provides a semiconductor element which uses a plurality of carbon nanotubes as a current path, can reduce contact resistance of its electrode contact part, and has excellent electrical characteristics. This semiconductor element is characterized in that the semiconductor element includes a current path (16) comprised of a plurality of carbon nanotubes (18) and not less than two electrodes (14, 15) connected with the current path, wherein at least one or more of the electrodes is made of a mixture of a metal and a carbon material (17) having SP2 hybridized orbital, such as a multi-walled carbon nanotube, a glassy carbon, and graphite particles.
US08253118B2
A method for performing milling and imaging in a focused ion beam (FIB) system employing an inductively-coupled plasma ion source, wherein two sets of FIB system operating parameters are utilized: a first set representing optimized parameters for operating the FIB system in a milling mode, and a second set representing optimized parameters for operating in an imaging mode. These operating parameters may comprise the gas pressure in the ICP source, the RF power to the ICP source, the ion extraction voltage, and in some embodiments, various parameters within the FIB system ion column, including lens voltages and the beam-defining aperture diameter. An optimized milling process provides a maximum milling rate for bulk (low spatial resolution) rapid material removal from the surface of a substrate. An optimized imaging process provides minimized material removal and higher spatial resolutions for improved imaging of the substrate area being milled.
US08253114B2
An ion source includes a plasma generating chamber into which an ionization gas containing fluorine is introduced, a hot cathode provided on one side in the plasma generating chamber, an opposing reflecting electrode which is provided on other side in the plasma generating chamber and reflects electrons when a negative voltage is applied from a bias power supply to the opposing reflecting electrode, and a magnet for generating a magnetic field along a line, which connects the hot cathode and the opposing reflecting electrode, in the plasma generating chamber. The opposing reflecting electrode is formed of an aluminum containing material.
US08253110B2
On control charge information, which is obtained from an on-controlled detection element, is acquired with respect to each of the detection elements of a radiation detector, and off control charge information, which corresponds to the on-controlled detection element, is acquired with respect to each of predetermined detection element intervals. Element interpolated off control charge information representing the off control charge information having not been acquired is formed by performing an interpolating operation in accordance with the off control charge information having been acquired with respect to each of the predetermined detection element intervals. The on control charge information is corrected with the corresponding off control charge information or the corresponding element interpolated off control charge information.
US08253107B2
A neutron image detection method is disclosed, which collects a fluorescent light generated by a neutron incident at a designated position interval in one-dimensional geometry and determines an incident position of the neutron by detecting the collected fluorescent light, in which the fluorescent light is detected by a photon counting method; a pulse signal generated by an individual output photon is extracted on the basis of a clock signal generated with the same time interval as the time width of the pulse signal generated by a single photon; a count-value distribution is obtained in terms of incident position as variable determined by a single neutron incident by counting the pulse signal output; and a neutron incident position is determined by calculating a median point on the basis of the obtained count-value distribution.
US08253103B2
There is provided a measuring apparatus including a space arrangement structure that includes space regions surrounded by conductors in a plane, an electromagnetic wave emitter that emits electromagnetic waves towards an object held by the space arrangement structure, and an electromagnetic wave detector that measures the electromagnetic waves that have passed through the space arrangement structure. Here, characteristics of the object are measured by measuring the electromagnetic waves that have passed through the space arrangement structure. The electromagnetic waves emitted from the electromagnetic wave emitter towards the space arrangement structure are incident on the plane containing the space regions at an angle, and the electromagnetic waves that have passed through the space arrangement structure are measured.
US08253102B1
A thermal imager including a cell containing a fluid whose refractive index varies with temperature and, optical components for focusing the infrared image of a scene to be viewed onto the cell to produce local temperature differences across the fluid. The local temperature differences give rise to local refractive index differences. The thermal imager also includes a Schlieren optical system for reading out the local refractive index differences to reproduce the scene.
US08253101B2
Method and system to obtain confocal STEM images. Arithmetic and control device extracts diffraction images respectively corresponding to successive pixel positions from the images stored in the memory, selects and corrects center positions of the extracted diffraction images, creates an image set having diffraction information in which the center positions of the diffraction images have been corrected and aligned, selects only innermost portions of the diffraction images of the created image set, and reproduces STEM images from the diffraction images, thus obtaining a confocal STEM image.
US08253099B2
A method and device for electron diffraction tomography of a crystal sample, which employs scanning of the electron beam over a plurality of discrete locations of the sample, in combination with a beam scanning protocol as the beam converges at every discrete location (42, 43) of the sample (38) to obtain a series of electron diffraction patterns, use of template matching to determine crystal orientations and thickness maps to obtain a common intensity scaling factor.
US08253090B2
A method of reading voltages from an image sensor having an array of pixels, each pixel having at least one photodiode connectable to a storage node, the method having: controlling each pixel in a row of pixels to transfer charge accumulated in the photodiode above a first threshold to the storage node at the start and end of a first integration period and reading a first voltage at the storage node of each pixel in the row at the end of the first integration period; controlling of the pixels in the row to transfer charge accumulated in the photodiode above a second threshold to the storage node at the start and end of a second integration period longer than the first integration period, and reading a second voltage value at the storage node of each pixel in the row at the end of the second integration period; controlling each pixel in a row of pixels to transfer charge accumulated in the photodiode to the storage node at the end of a third integration period longer than the first and second integration periods; comparing for each pixel in the row, the first voltage values with a reference voltage; and based on the comparison, for each pixel in the row, performing one of: determining a pixel output value based on the first and/or second voltage values; and reading a third voltage value at the end of the third integration period, and determining a pixel output value based on the second and/or third voltage values.
US08253087B2
A system for measuring the wavefront characteristics of a powerful laser close to an emitting or transmitting surface of the laser. The system includes a beam sampler that has a sampling aperture for sampling radiation from a sampled area along the emitting or transmitting surface. The beam sampler includes a reflector for directing un-sampled radiation onto an absorber, which absorbs un-sampled radiation. Radiation sampled by the beam sampler is sensed using a sensor.
US08253080B2
The heating apparatus comprises a stratified and flattened body, said body comprising, from the centre outwards, two first layers of laminar electricity conducting elements coupled together by interposing one centre layer of first laminar insulating means; two second layers of second laminar insulating means covering said two first layers; at least one third layer of laminar means covering said second layers, said second layers comprising sheets of adhesive material that can be removed by pulling them from said first layers.
US08253073B2
A hose heater for use in outdoor or unheated interior spaces of a home, construction office or farm. The hose heater includes an enclosure having a hose reel for storing the hose also having an electrical heating unit to warm the stored hose between uses. A heating core located in the center of the reel provides heat, keeping the hose from freezing. The enclosure which itself may be heated or unheated, blankets the hose to provide heat to the outer hose coils to ensure that the extremities are maintained at a freeze-free temperature. This can be used in small scale farming, outside use, and other areas where animals and ice rinks need watering in winter with a hose.
US08253072B2
A data input device includes a heating circuit and a temperature control circuit. The heating circuit includes a heating apparatus, and a relay. When a temperature of the data input device is lower than a determined temperature, a first switch of the data input device is turned off, and a relay of the data input device is turned on, and the heating apparatus heats at least one surface of the data input device.
US08253045B2
A keypad assembly is used for an electronic device. The keypad assembly includes a support member, a plurality of key strips and a plurality of elastic members. The support member defines a plurality of receiving grooves each with an angled bottom surface. The key strips are received in the receiving grooves. The elastic members are received in the receiving grooves, and each elastic member abuts a corresponding key strip providing a biasing force to extend a portion of the key strips from the receiving groove.
US08253037B2
An electromagnetic shielding configuration comprising a first electrically conductive wall having a first surface and a second electrically conductive wall having a second surface. The first surface is oppositely disposed from the second surface, wherein interfacing of the first conductive wall and the second conductive wall forms an enclosure wall. The first surface comprises at least one stepped edge forming a plurality of surfaces of unequal lateral displacement, and a corrugated surface on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the corrugated surface formed by a series of apices extending radially from the first surface. The second surface is substantially a conjugate of the first surface.
US08253035B2
A plating processing method comprises performing a continuous electrolytic plating of the surface of a film having a surface resistivity in the range of 1 Ωf/Sq to 1000 Ω/Sq, wherein a distance between the lowest contacting part of a negative electrode with the film and a plating liquid is in the range of 0.5 cm to 15 cm.
US08253032B2
A printed circuit board strip and a printed circuit board panel are disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the printed circuit board strip includes an unit area, a plating lead-in wire, which is for plating the unit area, and a mold gate, which is disposed on an outer side of the unit area. Here, the plating lead-in wire and the mold gate are electrically connected to each other through a lead line having a shape that is bent plural times. This can significantly save the production cost by preventing an excessive plated layer from being formed in an unnecessary area.
US08253027B2
According to one embodiment of the invention, a circuit board comprises a conductive layer including a land portion and a line portion connected to the land portion, and; a conductor connected to a surface of the land portion. A planar shape of the connected portion between the conductor and the land portion has a elongated shape along a width direction of the line portion. A part of the connected portion is located within an imaginary region formed by imaginarily extending the line portion toward the land portion.
US08253025B2
Disclosed is a printed circuit board including an electromagnetic bandgap structure. The electromagnetic bandgap structure for blocking a noise is inserted into the printed circuit board. The electromagnetic bandgap structure can include a first conductive plate; a second conductive plate arranged on a planar surface that is different from that of the first conductive plate; a third conductive plate arranged on a planar surface that is different from that of the second conductive plate; and a stitching via unit configured to connect the first conductive plate and the third conductive plate by bypassing the planar surface on which the second conductive plate is arranged and including a first inductor element.
US08253018B2
A pre-fabricated ferromagnetic loop having a footprint characterized by a continuous wire shaped according to a predetermined planar pattern. In some embodiments, the predetermined planar pattern can be multiple contiguous polygons within a larger footprint used for establishing a sensor for the detection of moving vehicles. The footprint may include one of a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a rhombus, a parallelogram, an ellipse, or a circle, and/or other shapes or configurations. Similarly, each of the multiple contiguous polygons may include one of a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a rhombus, a parallelogram, and/or other shapes or configurations. A loop sensor housing is arranged to enclose a continuous loop sensor wire configured in the predetermined planar pattern. The prefabricated loop sensor is inserted in a groove web pre-cut in a receiving medium to match the predetermined planar pattern.
US08253014B2
A solar cell includes a substrate, a lower conductor layer, an anti-reflection coating (ARC) layer and an upper conductor layer. The substrate has a front side, a back side and a doped region adjacent to the front side. The lower conductor layer has a first portion embedded into the doped region and a second portion other than the first portion. The ARC layer is disposed on the front side of the substrate and covers the lower conductor layer such that the second portion of the lower conductor layer is disposed in the ARC layer. The upper conductor layer has a first portion embedded into the ARC layer and a second portion other than the first portion of the upper conductor layer. The second portion of the upper conductor layer is exposed out of the ARC layer, and the upper conductor layer is electrically connected to the lower conductor layer.
US08253007B1
A potentiometer control for use as a volume or tone control for a musical instrument, such as a guitar, that includes a switch which switches out the resistive element when the control is set to its most clockwise position so as to not load the instrument pickup when desired and so permit maximum volume to be achieved.
US08253006B2
A method to automatically match keys between music being reproduced and music being performed includes detecting a key from an audio signal being reproduced from a storage medium or audio source, detecting a key from a sound signal representing music being played by a user, and performing a transposition by adjusting the key of the audio signal to match the key of the sound signal.
US08253001B1
A structure of drum with multiple uses allows of being switched among multiple uses. The drum includes a shell which receives therein a slidable base board that carries thereon a multi-layered stack of cushioning pads and a detection sound collection board. The base board has opposite sides that are supported by slidable rod seats coupled to adjustable threaded rod, so that through rotation and adjustment of the threaded rods, upward movement of the base board is achieved to have the cushioning pad in contact engagement with a drum skin that reduces the sound generated by the drum so that the drum may serve as a practicing drum. Alternatively, the sound collection board is electrically connected to the electronic speaker, so that through controlled realized with a detection circuit board, an electronic drum is formed. For regular performance, the base board is separated from the skin to provide a regular drum.
US08253000B1
A chord bar system for stringed musical instruments. The chord bar system enables a single finger movement pattern may be used in pressing the buttons to play each I-IV-V chord progression in each different key.
US08252994B1
A novel maize variety designated PH13BV and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH13BV with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH13BV through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH13BV or a locus conversion of PH13BV with another maize variety.
US08252987B2
The invention relates to the novel cotton variety designated 09R643B2R2. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants, plant parts and derivatives of the cotton variety 09R643B2R2. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the cotton variety 09R643B2R2 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing cotton plants by crossing the cotton variety 09R643B2R2 with itself or another cotton variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08252985B2
A soybean cultivar designated 95330721 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 95330721, to the plants of soybean 95330721, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 95330721, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 95330721 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety 95330721, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 95330721, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 95330721 with another soybean cultivar.
US08252982B2
The present invention is a novel method which results in the production of small seedless watermelon fruit having an average fruit weight of less than 12.0 pounds. The novel method involves using small tetraploid parental lines to produce small triploid hybrid seed.
US08252980B2
Compositions and methods for conferring herbicide resistance or tolerance to bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions include polynucleotides encoding herbicide resistance or tolerance polypeptides, vectors comprising those polynucleotides, and host cells comprising the vectors. The nucleotide sequences of the invention can be used in DNA constructs or expression cassettes for transformation and expression in organisms, including microorganisms and plants. Compositions also include transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds. In particular, isolated polynucleotides encoding glyphosate resistance or tolerance polypeptides are provided. Additionally, amino acid sequences corresponding to the polynucleotides are encompassed. In particular, the present invention provides for isolated polynucleotides containing nucleotide sequences encoding the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 31, or the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 30.
US08252978B2
The present invention relates to the field of transgenic plants with given phenotypes, especially plants with enhanced drought tolerance. Provided are SHINE proteins and nucleic acid sequences encoding these, which are useful in conferring these phenotypes to plants.
US08252969B2
A polymeric hypernucleophilic catalyst is effective for hydrolytic destruction of chemical threat agents under mild conditions, e.g., near neutral pH and at ambient temperatures. The polymeric hypernucleophilic catalysts are particularly useful to affect rapid destruction of chemical threat agents on sensitive surfaces such as paint, metal, rubber, plastic, fabric, wood, and skin. Catalyst formulations such as creams, lotions, sprays, foams, powders, or gels, and articles such as filters, wipes, membranes, yarns, fabrics, and articles of clothing, may be used for detoxification of or prophylactic protection against chemical threat agents.
US08252968B2
A process for producing a low volatility gasoline blending component and a middle distillate, comprising alkylating a hydrocarbon stream comprising at least one olefin having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms and at least one paraffin having from 4 to 6 carbon atoms with an ionic liquid catalyst and an unsupported halide containing additive, and separating the alkylate into at least the low volatility gasoline blending component and the middle distillate, wherein the middle distillate is a fuel suitable for use as a jet fuel or jet fuel blending component. Also, a process for producing a gasoline blending component and a middle distillate, comprising adjusting a level of a halide containing additive provided to an ionic liquid alkylation reactor to shift selectivity towards heavier products, and recovering a low volatility gasoline blending component and the middle distillate. Also, processes comprising alkylating isobutane with butene over specific chloroaluminate ionic liquids.
US08252967B2
The proposed process uses crystallization technology to purify paraxylene simultaneously of large concentrations of C8 aromatics and also small concentrations of oxygenated species.
US08252964B2
The subject of the invention is a process for the purification of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene (HFO-1234yf). More particularly, it relates to a purification process in which 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene, comprising impurities based on halogen compounds, is brought into contact with an adsorbent, preferably molecular sieves and advantageously molecular sieves having a pore opening with an average diameter between 5 and 11 Å, preferably between 5 and 9 Å.
US08252963B2
A catalyst composition can include: a support; a ruthenium catalyst (Ru) nanoparticle; and a linker linking the Ru nanoparticle to the support, wherein the linker is stable under hydrogenolysis conditions. In one aspect, the linker can include 3-aminopropyl trimethoxysilane (APTS) or derivatives thereof, such as those with amine functionality. In another aspect, the linker can include phosphotungstic acid (PTA) or other similar solid acid agents. In another aspect, the support can be selected from alumina, carbon, silica, a zeolite, TiO2, ZrO2, or another suitable material. A specific example of a support includes zeolite, such as a NaY zeolite. The Ru nanoparticle can have a size range from about 1 nm to about 25 nm, and can be obtained by reduction of Ru salts.
US08252960B2
The subject of the present invention is a process for preparing acrolein by dehydration of glycerin, characterized in that the dehydration is carried out in the presence of a catalyst comprising mainly a compound in which protons in a heteropolyacid are exchanged at least partially with at least one cation selected from elements belonging to Group 1 to Group 16 of the Periodic Table of Elements. The process according to the invention permits to obtain acrolein at higher yield.
US08252944B2
There is provided a preparation process in which a N—H group of a heteroaromatic ring compound having a N—H group in its ring is converted directly to a N—Rf group at a high reaction efficiency without using a catalyst. The preparation process is a process for preparing a compound comprising a heteroaromatic ring structure having a N—Rf group (—Rf is a fluorine-containing organic group) in its ring and is characterized in that the heteroaromatic ring compound having a N—H group in its ring is allowed to react with fluoroalkene in the absence of an alkali metal.
US08252941B2
The present invention is directed to a process of making α-aminooxyketone and α-hydroxyketone compounds. The synthetic pathway generally involves reacting an aldehyde or ketone substrate and a nitroso substrate in the presence of a catalyst of the formula (IV): wherein Xa—Xc represent independently nitrogen, carbon, oxygen or sulfur and Z represents a 4 to 10-membered ring with or without a substituent and optionally a further step to convert the α-aminooxyketone compound formed to the α-hydroxyketone compound. The present invention results in α-aminooxyketone and α-hydroxyketone compounds with high enantioselectivity and high purity. The present invention is also directed to a catalytic asymmetric O-nitroso Aldol/Michael reaction. The substrates of this reaction are generally cyclic α,β-unsaturated ketone substrate and a nitroso substrate. This methodology generally involves reacting the cyclic α,β-unsaturated ketone substrate and the nitroso substrate in the presence of a proline-based catalyst, to provide a heterocyclic product.
US08252934B2
4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine is prepared by reacting 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-4-one with ammonia and hydrogen in the presence of nickel and/or cobalt catalyst and water. The main reaction is carried out at a pressure of at most 50 bar and a temperature of at most 120° C. up to a conversion of the 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-4-one of at least 80%. Then, an after-reaction takes place at a higher temperature and at a higher pressure compared to the pressure and temperature of the main reaction.
US08252931B2
The present invention provides compounds of the formula which are activators of glucokinase activity and, thus, may be employed as therapeutic agents for the treatment of glucokinase mediated conditions. Accordingly, the compounds of formula (I) may be employed for the prevention and the treatment of impaired glucose tolerance, type 2 diabetes and obesity.
US08252930B2
Azaindole derivatives of formula (I): wherein the symbols have the meanings given in the specification, are described. These compounds have a combination of partial nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonism and dopamine reuptake inhibition. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, to methods for preparing them, methods for preparing novel intermediates useful for their synthesis, methods for preparing compositions, and uses of such compounds and compositions, for example, their use in administering them to patients to achieve a therapeutic effect in disorders in which nicotinic receptors and/or dopamine transporters are involved, or that can be treated via manipulation of those receptors.
US08252929B2
8-Substituted-2,6-methano-3-benzazocines of general structure I in which A is —CH2—OH, —CH2NH2, —NHSO2CH3, and Y is O, S or NOH are useful as analgesics, anti-diarrheal agents, anticonvulsants, antitussives and anti-addiction medications. 8-Carboxamides, thiocarboxamides, hydroxyamidines and formamides are preferred.
US08252927B2
The present invention is directed to a process for the manufacture of compounds of formula IV wherein R1 is an amino protecting group, and R2 is hydrogen or C1-10 alkyl, comprising a) reacting a compound of formula Ia, wherein M+ is a cation, preferably selected from the group consisting of Li+, Na+, K+, ½ Mg2+ and ½ Zn2+, (formula 1a) with an ammonium salt NH4+X−, wherein X− is an anion, preferably selected from the group consisting of chloride, bromide, sulfate and acetate, in a solvent to a compound of formula II b) reacting a compound of formula II with a nitrile R2—CN in the presence of a base to a compound of formula IV. The present invention is further directed to compounds of formula II and their use for the manufacture of vitamin B1.
US08252919B2
The present invention relates to a method for producing a 2′-hydroxy-protected nucleoside derivative by reacting a ribonucleoside with an acylating or a carbamoylating reagent in the presence of a metal complex consisting of a copper compound and an optically active ligand. By the method according to the present invention, a 2′-hydroxy-protected ribonucleoside derivative, which is an important intermediate for producing an oligonucleoside, can be easily produced with good regioselectivity from a nucleoside derivative of which 2′,3′-hydroxy groups are not protected.
US08252911B2
Compositions, methods, substrates and systems for use in analysis of single molecule reactions and particularly single molecule nucleic acid sequence analysis. Compositions that include non-reactive, distinguishable or undetectable competitive substrates for the reaction system of interest are provided, as well as their use in systems and substrates for such applications, such compounds typically preferably polyphosphate chains or analogous structures.
US08252890B2
A benzoxazine-based monomer, a polymer thereof, an electrode for a fuel cell including the same, an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell including the same, and a fuel cell using the same. The aromatic ring may contain up to 2 nitrogens within the ring. Single ring and fused ring substituents are attached to the pendent nitrogen. The ring substituents may be heterocyclic.
US08252886B2
Provided is a resin composition for a sheet to an eco-friendly poly(alkylene carbonate) resin composition containing a poly(alkylene carbonate) resin developed by efficiently utilizing carbon dioxide, which is a major contributor to global warming, as a main material, and including an strength controller, a flexibilizer and a filler. The present invention can solve problems related to environment harmfulness of the existing polyvinyl chloride resin products and have excellent flameproofing property and stretching property. In addition, the present invention can employ a calender processing method, which allows mass production and overcome a small production type extrusion processing method, which is regarded as the biggest disadvantage of thermoplastics emerging as alternatives for the existing polyvinyl chloride products.
US08252879B2
Provided are a photosensitive resin and a photosensitive resin composition comprising the photosensitive resin. The photosensitive resin has the structure of Formula 1, which is described in the specification. The photosensitive resin and the photosensitive resin composition have good sensitivity, improved resistance to heat and chemicals, and excellent storage stability. Further provided are a method for preparing the photosensitive resin and a cured product of the photosensitive resin composition.
US08252872B2
The invention concerns a polymer material consisting of macromolecular chains bound by hydrogen bonds, wherein: the macromolecular chains consist of a polymer skeleton whereon is fixed by at least one covalent bond a modifying agent, the modifying agent comprising, assembled in a common 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 polymer skeleton, at least one of the associative groups of the modifying agent is an imidazolidone heterocycle, the macromolecular chains bear on average, 1 to 10 imidazolidone groups per chain. The average number of imidazolidone groups to be introduced into the macromolecular chains depends both on the average mass of said chains and the final properties desired for the material.
US08252869B2
The present invention relates to a crosslinked poly(meth)acrylic acid nitroxide compound resulting from crosslinking of a poly(meth)acrylic acid nitroxide compound, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method of inexpensively and easily producing a crosslinked poly(meth)acrylic acid nitroxide compound having a high radical concentration.The present invention is a method of producing a crosslinked poly(meth)acrylic acid nitroxide compound including a repeating unit represented by the general formula (2): (in the formula, R represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group), comprising a nitroxidation step carried out in a state that a crosslinked poly(meth)acrylic acid imino compound resulting from crosslinking of a poly(meth)acrylic acid imino compound including a repeating unit represented by the general formula (1): (in the formula, R represents the same group as that represented by R in said general formula (2)) is dispersed in water.
US08252868B2
A thermoplastic polymer composition capable of exhibiting excellent impact resistance, durability and destaticizing property containing (A) 50 to 95% by mass of an aliphatic polyester-based resin and (B) 5 to 50% by mass of a block copolymer of (B1) a hard segment block with at least one of a polyamide, polyester, polyolefin or polyurethane, and (B2) a soft segment block having an ether bond.
US08252864B2
An aqueous reaction product of a composition that may consist essentially of a source of an acid having a pKa in water of about 2 to about 8, a source of a base having a pKb in water of about 2 to about 6, and urea. A curable urea/formaldehyde resin composition may contain a curable urea/formaldehyde resin and the foregoing composition, and may be made by combining the resin with the composition. A reconstituted wood product may be made by combining particulate lignocellulosic material with the foregoing curable resin, and curing the resin. Optionally, a reconstituted wood panel may contain a particulate lignocellulosic material and a binder composition comprising the cured product of curable resin and the aforesaid aqueous reaction product. A concentrate for forming a polymerization enhancing composition is also disclosed.
US08252863B2
Rubber mixtures, including at least one rubber, a filler, an organosilicon compound of the formula I one rubber accelerator and one co-accelerator. The rubber mixtures are prepared by mixing at least one rubber, a filler, an organosilicon compound of the formula I, one rubber accelerator and one co-accelerator. The rubber mixtures can be used for production of moldings. Also disclosed is a process for preparation of the organosilicon compound of the formula I via transesterification.
US08252862B2
The invention describes a composition comprising a) a naturally occurring or synthetic rubber susceptible to oxidative, thermal, dynamic, light-induced and/or ozone-induced degradation, b) a white reinforcing filler, and c) as coupling agent, at least one compound of the formula I wherein the general symbols are as defined in claim 1, or an oligomeric hydrolysis product of the compound of the formula I.
US08252860B2
A polyvinyl chloride resin composition contains: from 0.005 to 5 parts by weight of a vinyl alcohol-based polymer having a degree of saponification of from 75 to 99.9 mol % and having a viscosity average degree of polymerization of 450 or less; and from 0.01 to 5 parts by weight of a zinc compound, based on 100 parts by weight of a polyvinyl chloride resin. A polyvinyl chloride resin composition is thereby provided that is excellent in thermal stability while being shaped and with which a less colored shaped article can be obtained.
US08252855B2
A liquid color concentrate is disclosed, having a liquid acrylic-based polymer carrier; colorant; and optionally other functional additives. The colorant can be one or more pigments, one or more dyes, or combinations thereof. The liquid polymer is compatible with a variety of plastic resins, especially optically clear plastic resins, such as polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, and styrene-acrylonitrile.
US08252842B2
Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a crystalline polymorph form A of N—(S)-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-methoxyphenyl)-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide. Further disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the crystalline polymorph form A of N—(S)-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-methoxyphenyl)-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide.
US08252840B2
This present invention provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment or prophylaxis of diabetes and related disorders, comprising the administration of an effective amount of a monoester of probucol, particularly the monosuccinic acid ester, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof.
US08252832B2
The invention provides novel compounds having a substituted imidazole ring, and methods of using such compounds for the treatment of certain disorders such as hematological cancers and solid tumors. The compounds of the invention are tri-substituted imidazole derivatives that inhibit KSP. These compounds are also useful for the treatment of drug resistant tumors, such as solid tumors that express elevated levels of P-glycoprotein.
US08252829B2
The present invention provides compounds of formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein each of Ring A, Ring B, T, R2, R2′, and RA is as defined and described herein and methods for treating subjects or patients with a disease, disorder, or condition.
US08252815B2
A compound of the formula (I), (II), (III) or (IV) wherein Z, A, B, C, R, R1, R2, Q, and n are as described herein.
US08252811B2
The present invention relates generally to the field of ligands for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR), activation of nAChRs, and the treatment of disease conditions associated with defective or malfunctioning nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, especially of the brain. Further, this invention relates to novel compounds (indazoles and benzothiazoles), which act as ligands for the α7 nAChR subtype, methods of preparing such compounds, compositions containing such compounds, and methods of use thereof.
US08252796B2
The invention discloses 1-butyl-2-hydroxyl aralkyl piperazine derivatives and their use as antidepressants. The derivatives of the present invention have triple inhibition effect on the reuptake of 5-HT, NA and DA, and can be administrated to the patients in need thereof in form of composition by route of oral administration, injection and the like. Compared with clinically currently used dual targets antidepressants (such as venlafaxine), said derivatives may have stronger antidepression effect, broader indications, faster onset and lower neurotoxicity and side reaction; and said derivatives have stronger antidepression activity, lower toxicity, higher bioavailability, longer half life and better druggablity, compared with aryl alkanol piperazine derivatives and optical isomers thereof disclosed in prior art. The 1-butyl-2-hydroxyl aralkyl piperazine derivative is the free alkali or its salt of a compound of formula below:
US08252791B2
The present invention relates to purine-based cannabinoid receptor blockers and pharmaceutical compositions thereof and methods of using the same for treating obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemias, cardiovascular disorders, inflammatory disorders, hepatic disorders, and a combination thereof.
US08252789B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating lysosomal disorders using a class of substituted imidazole derivatives or compounds.
US08252781B2
[Object]It is to provide a novel compound useful for preventing and/or treating diseases that involves 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (in particular diabetes, insulin resistance, diabetes complication, obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, fatty liver, or metabolic syndrome).[Means to Solve the Object]A 1,2-diazetidin-3-one derivative represented by the following general formula (1) or salt thereof, or their solvate.
US08252777B2
7, 8 and 9-substituted tetracycline compounds, methods of treating tetracycline responsive states, and pharmaceutical compositions containing the 7, 8 and 9-substituted tetracycline compounds are described.
US08252775B2
To perform large-scale multiplex analysis of lipid-specific binding, lipid microarrays were developed. Lipids identified as disease associated, or analogs there, can be tolerogenic to patients suffering from autoimmune disease. Lipid array analysis has revealed anti-lipid antibodies in patients with immune disorders, and may contribute to the pathogenesis of disease.
US08252768B2
Chemotherapeutic and Radiation sensitizing agents which target tumor cells, specifically, based on the elevation of enzyme pathways, provide highly selective drug therapy. These agents are combined with modulating doses of cytidine deaminase inhibitors to increase selectivity. Furthermore, high doses of these cytidine deaminase inhibitors have the potential of counteracting the aggressive and metastatic characteristics of pancreatic tumors. For tumors with high levels of cytidine deaminase, such as pancreatic tumors, this elevation provides a therapeutic approach with prodrugs that require deamination for their activation. For tumors with high levels of uridine/cytidine kinase, a different class of pyrimidine analogs can be activated selectively in tumors for a therapeutic advantage.
US08252767B2
The present invention provides substituted 4-{3-[6-amino-9-(3,4-dihydroxy-tetrahydro-furan-2-yl)-9H-purin-2-yl]-prop-2-ynyl}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid esters and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same that are selective agonists of A2A adenosine receptors (ARs). These compounds and compositions are useful as pharmaceutical agents.
US08252765B2
Agents that reduce the amount of IGFBP-2 and/or IGFBP-5 and that are known to be useful in the treatment of cancer result in increased expression of the protein clusterin. Since clusterin can provide protection against apoptosis, this secondary effect detracts from the efficacy of the therapeutic agent. In overcoming this, the present invention provides a combination of therapeutic agents that is useful in the treatment of cancer. The combination includes an agent that reduces the amount of IGFBP-2 and/or IGFBP-5 and that stimulates expression of clusterin as a secondary effect, and an oligonucleotide that is effective to reduce the amount of clusterin in cancer cells. In some embodiments of the invention, the agent that reduces IGFBP-2 and/or IGFBP-5 is a bispecific antisense species. The oligonucleotide may be an antisense oligonucleotide or an RNAi oligonucleotide.
US08252753B2
This invention relates to oligonucleotide sequences and their derivatives.These oligonucleotide sequences are capable of hybridising with the genes or with products of the genes coding for the PKC-beta 1.This invention also relates to the use of these oligonucleotide sequences as a depigmenting or bleaching agent for the skin in a cosmetic composition or in a topical pharmaceutical composition.
US08252747B2
A tissue adhesive sealant includes a cross-linkable protein in a solution that when combined with a cross-linking agent solution including an aldehyde and amino acid containing species reactive with the aldehyde cross-links to form a seal. The sealant is well suited for bonding tissue alone or in combination with a patch. The ratio between the aldehyde and the amino acid containing species is between 20:1 and 1:1 on an aldehyde moiety:amino acid or peptide subunit molar basis. Particularly strong seals are formed when the protein and cross-linking agent are present in a molar ratio of between 15:1 and 1:1.
US08252746B2
The present invention relates to the use of sFRP-4 and functional variants thereof as anti-angiogenic agents. It relates to methods of treatment and screening methods using sFRP-4 and functional variants thereof. Further, it relates to compositions, and in particular pharmaceutical composition, including sFRP-4 and functional variants thereof which may be used in the various methods provided herein.
US08252745B2
The present invention relates to methods for the treatment of headache and headache disorders. The methods comprise administration of an oxytocin peptide for the treatment of primary and secondary headaches or trigeminal neuralgia.
US08252737B2
Disclosed herein are novel antimicrobial peptides with useful, improved, or superior properties such as antimicrobial activity, desirable levels of hemolytic activity, and therapeutic index against a broad range of microorganisms including gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and other organisms having a cellular or structural component of a lipid bilayer membrane. Also provided are methods of making and using such peptides to control microbial growth and in pharmaceutical compositions for treatment or prevention of infections caused by such microorganisms. Certain peptides are disclosed utilizing a structure-based rational design relating to an antimicrobial peptide, V681, with single D-/L-amino acid substitutions or charged residue substitutions in or near the center of the peptide on the nonpolar or polar face. Also disclosed are peptides with one or more amino acids in the D configuration, including peptides with all amino acids in the D configuration. Modified peptide analogs herein can demonstrate one or more properties such as improved antimicrobial activity, specificity, and resistance to degradation. Compositions disclosed herein have useful clinical potential as antibiotics including broad spectrum antibiotics.
US08252731B2
A solid zirconium cross-linking agent is prepared comprising zirconium and hydroxyalkylated ethylene diamine ligand. Use of the cross-linking agent in compositions for oil field applications such as hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones is also disclosed.
US08252729B2
Methods and compositions utilizing a drilling fluid comprising sub-micron precipitated barite having a weight average particle diameter below about 1 micron. Methods include a method comprising circulating a drilling fluid in a well bore, wherein the drilling fluid comprises: a carrier fluid; and a weighting agent that comprises sub-micron precipitated barite having a weight average particle diameter below about 1 micron are disclosed. In some embodiments, the drilling fluid may comprise an invert emulsion. In some embodiments, the sub-micron precipitated barite has a particle size distribution such that at least 10% of particles in the sub-micron precipitated barite have a diameter below about 0.2 micron, at least 50% of the particles in the of the sub-micron precipitated barite have a diameter below about 0.3 micron and at least 90% of the particles in the sub-micron precipitated barite have a diameter below about 0.5 micron.
US08252727B2
Methods for improving antibodies by a variety of DNA diversification and selection procedures are provided. Improvements include increases in affinity, alterations in specificity and effector function, as well as reduced antigenicity, e.g. humanization. Libraries of recombinant antibody sequences are provided, as are cells expressing members of such libraries. Novel phage display vectors are provided. Methods for the coevolution of an antibody and its cognate antigen are provided. Coevolution is used to evolve HIV envelope proteins with increased antigenicity and broadly neutralizing antibodies that interact therewith. Methods of improving antibodies for use in the detection of biological warfare agents are provided.
US08252723B2
The invention relates to the use of compounds of the formula (I) or salts thereof in which R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and n are as defined in claim 1 as herbicides and plant growth regulators. The invention also relates to novel compounds of the formula (I) and salts thereof (see claim 5).
US08252722B2
The present invention is directed to methods for inhibiting the growth of disease organisms, particularly fungi and bacteria, on plant tissues. The present invention is also directed to methods for inhibiting the infestation of plants by insects and larva, particularly sucking and chewing insects. These methods are achieved by applying an auxin or a plant growth regulator (PGR) which will effect the level of auxin in the plant tissue to the seeds or tubers of the plant prior to planting or to the roots, foliage, flowers or fruit of the plant after planting.
US08252721B2
A description follows of compositions with a herbicidal activity containing the compound having formula (I), mixed with one or more known herbicidal products, possibly stabilized by the addition of at least one inorganic or organic base, and the relative use for the control of weeds in agricultural crops.
US08252715B2
To provide a water absorbing agent which is excellent in balance between absorbency and liquid permeability against pressure and is excellent in flowability at the time of moisture absorption. The water absorbing agent comprises water absorbent resin particles and an organic surface additive, wherein: the organic surface additive having (i) a reactive group for a functional group of a surface of each water absorbent resin particle and (ii) a hydrophobic group exists on the surface of the water absorbent resin particle, and the hydrophobic group has a hydrocarbon group whose carbon number is 8 or more, and a ratio of an oxyalkylene group in a molecular mass of the organic surface additive is 0 or more and 25 mass % or less.
US08252699B2
A method and apparatus for forming an amorphous carbon layer on a substrate is provided. A first portion of the amorphous carbon layer having a high stress level is formed from a hydrocarbon precursor having high dilution ratio, with optional amine precursor included to add stress-elevating nitrogen. A second portion of the amorphous carbon layer having a low stress level is formed on the first portion by reducing the dilution ratio of the hydrocarbon precursor and lowering or eliminating the amine gas. Pressure, temperature, and RF power input may be adjusted instead of, or in addition to, precursor flow rates, and different precursors may be used for different stress levels.
US08252695B2
Disclosed herein is a method for manufacturing a micro-electromechanical structure. The method includes the following steps. A circuitry layer having a release feature is formed on an upper surface of a first substrate. A passive layer is formed on the circuitry layer without covering the release feature. The release feature is removed to expose the first substrate by a wet etching process. A portion of the exposed first substrate is anisotropically etched. A second substrate is disposed above the circuitry layer. A cavity is formed in the lower surface of the first substrate. The cavity is filled with a polymeric material. A portion of the first substrate under the microstructure is removed to release the micro-electromechanical structure.
US08252684B1
A method of forming a trench by a silicon-containing mask is provided in the present invention. The method includes providing a substrate covered with a silicon-containing mask. Then, anti-etch dopants are implanted into the silicon-containing mask to transform the silicon-containing mask into an etching resist mask. Later, the substrate and the etching resist mask are patterned to form at least one trench. Next, a silicon-containing layer is formed to fill into the trench. Finally, the silicon-containing layer is etched by taking the etching resist mask as a mask.
US08252681B2
Methods of forming integrated circuit devices include forming an electrically conductive layer containing silicon on a substrate and forming a mask pattern on the electrically conductive layer. The electrically conductive layer is selectively etched to define a first sidewall thereon, using the mask pattern as an etching mask. The first sidewall of the electrically conductive layer may be exposed to a nitrogen plasma to thereby form a first silicon nitride layer on the first sidewall. The electrically conductive layer is then selectively etched again to expose a second sidewall thereon that is free of the first silicon nitride layer. The mask pattern may be used again as an etching mask during this second step of selectively etching the electrically conductive layer.
US08252679B2
A semiconductor process is described. A substrate with at least one conductive region is provided, on which a dielectric layer is formed. An opening is formed in the dielectric layer, such that the conductive region is exposed. A first conductive layer is conformally formed on the surface of the opening. A first cleaning step is conducted using a first cleaning solution. A baking step is conducted after the first cleaning step. Afterwards, the opening is filled with a second conductive layer.
US08252678B2
A serial thermal processing arrangement for treating a pre-assembled chip/wafer assembly of semiconductor material in a rotary processor, through a series of intermittent, rotatively advanced, movements into independent, temperature and pressure controlled, circumferentially disposed chambers.
US08252672B2
A method of manufacturing a silicon carbide semiconductor device having a silicon carbide layer, the method including a step of implanting at least one of Al ions, B ions and Ga ions having an implantation concentration in a range not lower than 1E19 cm−3 and not higher than 1E21 cm−3 from a main surface of the silicon carbide layer toward the inside of the silicon carbide layer while maintaining the temperature of the silicon carbide layer at 175° C. or higher, to form a p-type impurity layer; and forming a contact electrode whose back surface establishes ohmic contact with a front surface of the p-type impurity layer on the front surface of the p-type impurity layer.
US08252671B2
A semiconductor device in one embodiment has a first connection region, a second connection region and a semiconductor volume arranged between the first and second connection regions. Provision is made, within the semiconductor volume, in the vicinity of the second connection region, of a field stop zone for spatially delimiting a space charge zone that can be formed in the semiconductor volume, and of an anode region adjoining the first connection region. The dopant concentration profile within the semiconductor volume is configured such that the integral of the ionized dopant charge over the semiconductor volume, proceeding from an interface of the anode region which faces the second connection region, in the direction of the second connection region, reaches a quantity of charge corresponding to the breakdown charge of the semiconductor device only near the interface of the field stop zone which faces the second connection region.
US08252665B2
A wafer is attached to a carrier by using an adhesive layer, and a portion of the adhesive layer is exposed adjacent to an edge of the wafer. After thinning the wafer, a protection layer is provided to cover the exposed portion of the adhesive layer. A plurality of dies is bonded onto the thinned wafer, and then the thinned wafer and the dies are encapsulated with a molding compound.
US08252662B1
A method for manufacturing a plurality light emitting diodes includes providing a gallium nitride containing bulk crystalline substrate material configured in a non-polar or semi-polar crystallographic orientation, forming an etch stop layer, forming an n-type layer overlying the etch stop layer, forming an active region, a p-type layer, and forming a metallization. The method includes removing a thickness of material from the backside of the bulk gallium nitride containing substrate material. A plurality of individual LED devices are formed from at least a sandwich structure comprising portions of the metallization layer, the p-type layer, active layer, and the n-type layer. The LED devices are joined to a carrier structure. The method also includes subjecting the gallium nitride containing bulk crystalline substrate material to at least one etching process to selectively remove crystalline material underlying the etch stop layer, wherein the etch stop layer is exposed, and the etch stop layer remains substantially intact.
US08252660B2
Disclosed herein are flash memory devices and methods of making the same. According to one embodiment, a flash memory device includes first trenches formed in a semiconductor substrate and arranged in parallel, second trenches discontinuously formed in the semiconductor substrate and arranged between the first trenches, first isolation structures respectively formed within the first trenches, second isolation structures respectively formed within the second trenches, and active regions defined by the first isolation structures and the second isolation structures.
US08252656B2
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection clamps (61, 95) for I/O terminals (22, 23) of integrated circuit (IC) cores (24) comprise a bipolar transistor (25) with an integrated Zener diode (30) coupled between the base (28) and collector (27) of the transistor (25). Prior art variations (311, 312, 313, 314) in clamp voltage in different parts of the same IC chip or wafer caused by prior art deep implant geometric mask shadowing are avoided by using shallow implants (781, 782) and forming the base (28, 68) coupled anode (301, 75) and collector (27, 70, 64) coupled cathode (302, 72) of the Zener (30) using opposed edges (713, 714) of a single relatively thin mask (71, 71″). The anode (301, 75) and cathode (302, 72) are self-aligned and the width (691) of the Zener space charge region (69) therebetween is defined by the opposed edges (713, 714) substantially independent of location and orientation of the ESD clamps (61, 95) on the die or wafer. Because the mask (71, 71″) is relatively thin and the anode (301, 75) and cathode (302, 72) implants (781, 782) relatively shallow, mask shadowing is negligible and prior art clamp voltage variations (311, 312, 313, 314) are avoided.
US08252655B2
In a method of forming a semiconductor cell structure, a first insulating layer may be formed on a semiconductor substrate. A connection pattern may be formed in the first insulating layer. Second and third insulating layers may be sequentially formed on the connection pattern. The third insulating layer may be etched at least twice and the second insulating layer may be etched at least once to form a through hole in the second and third insulating layers. The through hole may expose the connection pattern.
US08252653B2
A flash memory device and methods of forming a flash memory device are provided. The flash memory device includes a doped silicon nitride layer having a dopant comprising carbon, boron or oxygen. The doped silicon nitride layer generates a higher number and higher concentration of nitrogen and silicon dangling bonds in the layer and provides an increase in charge holding capacity and charge retention time of the unit cell of a non-volatile memory device.
US08252652B2
A semiconductor structure is provided. A second conductivity type well region is formed on a first conductivity type substrate. A second conductivity type diffused source and second conductivity type diffused drain are formed on the first conductivity type substrate. A gate structure is formed on the second conductivity type well region between the second conductivity type diffused source and the second conductivity type diffused drain. First conductivity type buried rings are arranged in a horizontal direction, and formed in the second conductivity type well region, and divide the second conductivity type well region into an upper drift region and a lower drift region.
US08252645B2
A method for manufacturing a trenched semiconductor power device includes a step of forming said semiconductor power device with a trenched gate surrounded by a source region encompassed in a body region above a drain region disposed on a bottom surface of a substrate. The method further includes the steps of covering the MOSFET cell with an insulation layer and applying a contact mask for opening a source-body contact trench extending through the source and body regions into an epitaxial layer underneath for filling a contact metal plug therein. And, the method further includes a step of forming an embedded Schottky diode by forming a Schottky barrier layer near a bottom of the source-body contact trench below the contact metal plug with the Schottky barrier layer having a barrier height for reducing a leakage current through the embedded Schottky diode during a reverse bias between the drain and the source.
US08252631B1
A method and device are disclosed in which a a lead-free or low-lead die attach material is applied to a surface. An electronic die is positioned on the die attach material. An oxide of at least a specified thickness is formed over an exposed portion of the die attach material. Wire bonds are formed between the electronic die and the surface, and an encapsulant material is applied over the surface, the oxide, and the electronic die.
US08252629B2
The present invention relates to a method for making a stackable package. The method includes the following steps: (a) providing a first carrier; (b) disposing at least one chip on the first carrier; (c) forming a molding compound so as to encapsulate the chip; (d) removing the first carrier; (e) forming a first redistribution layer and at least one first bump; (f) providing a second carrier; (g) disposing on the second carrier; (h) removing part of the chip and part of the molding compound; (i) forming a second redistribution layer; and (j) removing the second carrier. Therefore, the second redistribution layer enables the stackable package to have more flexibility to be utilized.
US08252616B2
A package structure of photodiode and a forming method of the same are provided. The method includes providing a heat-dissipation plate; placing a circuit board on the heat-dissipation plate, the circuit board having an opening exposing a top surface of the heat-dissipation plate and a first contact pad located on a peripheral area of the opening; placing a carrier with a metal cladding surface into the opening, the carrier connecting the top surface of the heat-dissipation plate; placing a photodiode chip on the carrier wherein the bottom area of the photodiode chip is less than the metal cladding surface such that a portion of the metal cladding surface is exposed; and electrically connecting the exposed metal cladding surface to the first contact pad.
US08252612B2
An object of the invention is to provide an organic EL display device manufacturing method that allows the reliability of the organic EL display device having undergone a defect repair process to be improved. A method for manufacturing an organic EL display device, the method including an organic EL element substrate formation step of forming at least one organic EL element on an organic EL element substrate, the organic EL element including an organic EL film, an anode electrode and a reflection electrode that form a first conductive film provided below the organic EL film, and a cathode electrode that forms a second conductive film provided above the organic EL film, a resin sealing step of providing a thermoplastic sealing resin to cover the upper side of the organic EL element, a defect detection step of detecting a defect in the organic EL element, and a defect elimination step of eliminating the defect detected in the defect detection step by irradiating the defect with a laser beam.
US08252611B2
A buffer layer manufacturing method, including the steps of forming a fine particle layer of ZnS, Zn(S, O), and/or Zn(S, O, OH), mixing an aqueous solution (I) which includes a component (Z), an aqueous solution (II) which includes a component (S), and an aqueous solution (III) which includes a component (C) to obtain a mixed solution and mixing an aqueous solution (IV) which includes a component (N) in the mixed solution to prepare a reaction solution in which the concentration of the component (C) is 0.001 to 0.25M, concentration of the component (N) is 0.41 to 1.0M, and the pH before the start of reaction is 9.0 to 12.0, and, using the reaction solution, forming a Zn compound layer of Zn(S, O) and/or Zn(S, O, OH) on the fine particle layer by a liquid phase method with a reaction temperature of 70 to 95° C.
US08252607B2
The disclosure provides a simple and effective way of synthesizing robust organic-inorganic hybrid gels and ultra-thin films using vaporization of a gel precursor. The gels are synthesized at relatively low temperature allowing the activity of the immobilized species to be maintained. The disclosure provides robust, synthetic, selective, active and/or passive transport systems in the form of functional biologically active species and mechanisms for forming them. These systems allow selective and passive or active transport of ionic, molecular and biological species through the incorporation of functional biological molecules and biomolecular assemblies in a rigid matrix.
US08252601B2
A method for designating a component, coated with a heat insulation layer including zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) stabilized with yttrium oxide (Y2O3) [YSZ], and for determining its operating time or operating temperature is provided. The method includes doping the heat insulation layer and marking the doped heat insulation layer, with at least one metal oxide in at least one surface region of the component. The metal oxide is selected such that the doped region of YSZ is visible or can be made optically visible in order to designate the component. The method also includes comparing a slower or faster change in lattice parameters of the doped YSZ region, as compared with undoped YSZ, and determining the operating time of the component under temperature by comparing the lattice parameters with a known calibrating characteristic curve.
US08252589B2
Methods of isolating cellular products, such as pancreatic islets, may be used in diabetes research and therapeutic transplantation. The methods may involve providing a tissue having desired cells that are less prone to destructive freezing and undesired cells that are more prone to destructive freezing, or pre-treating a tissue to have such characteristics. The methods may involve freezing the tissue, disrupting the tissue, warming the tissue, and separating the desired cells from undesired cellular material to obtain the cellular product. The methods may thereby provide an enzyme-free or reduced-enzyme method of isolating a cellular product that is more consistent, reliable and less toxic than conventional methods. The methods may also yield an optimum quantity of cellular product that retain sufficient functional integrity to be useful as a transplantation resource.
US08252588B2
The present invention relates to stem cells which exhibit increased sensitivity to a chemoattractant and, more particularly, to methods of generating and using them such as in clinical applications involving stem cell transplantation.
US08252576B2
This invention provides a process for control in oil and gas wells and related facilities of prokaryote caused souring, fouling and corrosion by reduction of problematic prokaryotes with naturally occurring lysing organisms, particularly sulfate-reducing prokaryotes by proliferating suitable virulent lysing organisms under conditions in which problematic prokaryotes thrive, including in a gas production wellbore. The process provides in situ proliferation of virulent lysing organism in a wellbore by providing both virulent lysing organisms and their host prokaryotes to selectively grow an effective control amount and concentrations of lysing organisms in a well formation.
US08252568B2
A process for producing ethanol from a pretreated feedstock is provided. The feedstock is selected from grasses, cereal straws, stover, and combinations thereof, and least about 80% of the feedstock has a particle length of between about 2 cm and about 40 cm. This process comprises wetting the feedstock in liquid, pressing the wet feedstock through one roll press or a series of roll presses to remove at least a portion of water and soluble substances from the wetted feedstock and to shear the feedstock to produce feedstock particles of a size suitable for pumping at a solids concentration of about 8% to about 20% when slurried. At least one roll press, or at least one roll press in the series of roll presses comprises rolls with circumferential v-shaped grooves. The pressed feedstock particles are slurried to produce a slurried feedstock having a consistency of between about 8% and about 20%, and the slurried feedstock pumped into a pretreatment reactor. Dilute acid pretreatment of the slurried feedstock is carried out at a temperature of 160° C. to 280° C.
US08252560B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing a fatty acid, which includes feeding a liquid mixture formed of two liquid phases that flow in a co-current manner into a fixed bed-type reaction column packed with immobilized lipase, and performing a hydrolysis reaction when the two liquid phases are in contact with the immobilized lipase in the fixed-bed reaction column; wherein the fixed-bed reaction column comprises partition plates so as to comprise a plurality of tube- shaped structures, wherein each tube-shaped structure has a cross -section which is rectangular, circular, oval, or polygonal in shape with at least a part being unclosed and the cross-section has a representative length of 100 mm or less.
US08252550B2
Immunogenic compositions and methods for eliciting an immune response against S. epidermidis and other related staphylococci are provided. The immunogenic compositions can include immunogenic conjugates of poly-γ-glutamic acid (such as γDLPGA) polypeptides of S. epidermidis, or related staphylococci that express a γPGA polypeptide. The γPGA conjugates elicit an effective immune response against S. epidermidis, or other staphylococci, in subjects to which the conjugates are administered. A method of treating an infection caused by a Staphylococcus organism that expresses cap genes is also disclosed. The method can include selecting a subject who is at risk of or has been diagnosed with the infection by the Staphylococcus organism which expresses γPGA from the cap genes. Further, the expression of a γPGA polypeptide by the organism can then be altered.
US08252549B2
Described herein are multi-purpose substrates composed of (1) a base coated with a calcium phosphate coating and (2) a fluorophore-labeled collagen adsorbed on the calcium phosphate coating. The multi-purpose substrates are useful in culturing and studying the activity of a variety of cells. The multi-purpose substrates described herein can be used for both solution- and image-based analysis of cultured cells. New methods for producing and using such coated substrates are also disclosed.
US08252547B2
The present invention provides a composition comprising an IP3 receptor-binding protein (IRBIT), a nucleic acid that controls the expression and translation of IRBIT, or an antibody against IRBIT for controlling at least one intracellular biological function selected from the group consisting of (1) protein synthesis, (2) phosphatidylinositol metabolism, and (3) intracellular pH.
US08252546B2
Compositions and methods for eliciting an immune response against Streptococcus pneumoniae are described. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to immunogenic PcpA polypeptides, including fragments of PcpA and variants thereof, and nucleic acids that encode the polypeptides. The present disclosure further relates to methods of making and using the immunogenic polypeptides. Further provided is a method of diagnosing pneumococcal infection (e.g., pneumonia) in a subject by obtaining a biological sample from the subject and detecting one or more pneumococcal antigens that are selectively expressed during invasion (e.g., PcpA or fragments thereof).
US08252540B2
It is intended to provide a drug delivery system toward a demyelinating lesion. It is also intended to provide a biochemical marker of a demyelinating lesion. A delivery system for a prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent for a demyelinating disease characterized in that a substance capable of specifically recognizing Contactin is conjugated to an active ingredient of a prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent for a demyelinating disease is provided. Also provided is a method of evaluating and/or differentiating a demyelinating disease, including measuring the expression of Contactin in a body fluid.
US08252538B2
Provided herein are methods and compositions for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Also provided are methods of identifying anti-HCC agents.
US08252529B2
Methods, pharmaceutical compositions, and kits are provided which includes accurately sampling a RNA from a tissue of an animal and analyzing RNA in the tissue of the animal as an indicator of physiological state, infectious disease, neoplastic disease, autoimmune disease, inflammatory disease, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerotic disease, or neurological disease in the animal. A method is provided which includes administering at least one compound to an animal wherein the at least one compound is configured to prevent the cleavage of at least one tissue RNA by a ribonuclease. The method further includes collecting a sample of at least a portion of tissue from the animal.
US08252525B2
The invention provides a human AdipoR1 which is associated with the cardiovascular diseases, dermatological diseases, gastroenterological diseases, cancer, hematological diseases, inflammation, respiratory diseases, neurological diseases and urological diseases. The invention also provides assays for the identification of compounds useful in the treatment or prevention of cardiovascular diseases, dermatological diseases, gastroenterological diseases, cancer, hematological diseases, inflammation, respiratory diseases, neurological diseases and urological diseases. The invention also features compounds which bind to and/or activate or inhibit the activity of AdipoR1 as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds.
US08252524B2
A nuclear transfer promoter for Cdc42 protein comprising an isoprenoid synthesis inhibitor and/or a geranylgeranyl transferase inhibitor such as an HMG-CoA synthase inhibitor, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, an AMPK activator or a farnesyl pyrophosphoric acid synthase preparation; utilization thereof; a method therefor; a blood vessel remedy comprising the nuclear transfer promoter for Cdc42 protein as the active ingredient; and a method of screening a blood vessel remedy which comprises assaying the ability of Cdc42 protein to transfer into nucleus.
US08252516B2
Embodiments of the invention operate to narrow the track width of a read head used in a disk drive. In one embodiment, a magnetic read head has a track width of about 40 nm or less. The read head is fabricated by a method that includes fabricating a film stack from a substrate, a sensor material, a stop material, a first release material, a mask material, and a photo resist material. The mask material may include a masking substrate material and a second release material. The film stack is processed by forming a read head image in the photo resist material, removing portions of the film stack that lie outside the read head image of the photo resist material, stripping the film stack to remove the photo resist, mask and first release materials, and milling the sensor material according to the read head image.
US08252511B2
A first film-modifying method includes forming a second film on a first film that includes an acid-dissociable group. The second film is an acid transfer resin film that includes a photoacid generator. The second film is exposed via a mask so that the second film generates an acid. The acid generated by the second film is transferred to the first film. The second film is removed.
US08252509B2
A resist composition including a base material component (A) that exhibits changed solubility in an alkali developing solution under the action of acid, an acid generator component (B) that generates acid upon exposure, and an nitrogen-containing organic compound (D), wherein the nitrogen-containing organic compound (D) includes a compound represented by general formula (d1) shown below: wherein R20 represents a methylene group, an ethylene group, an oxygen atom or —C(CH3)2—; R21 represents a hydrogen atom or an organic group; and R22 represents an alkoxy group, an alkoxycarbonyloxy group, a hydroxyl group, a halogen atom, —C(═O)—O—R23, —C(═O)—NH—R23 or a carboxyl group, wherein R23 represents a linear or branched alkyl group of 1 to 15 carbon atoms, an unsaturated hydrocarbon group, an aliphatic cyclic group, or an aromatic hydrocarbon group, and a represents an integer of 0 to 2.
US08252501B2
There is provided a method of manufacturing coalesced resin particles for obtaining coalesced resin particles by coalescing aggregated resin particles in a grain boundary-free state in a short period of time while keeping a grain size distribution within a narrow range. In a coalescence process, a slurry of aggregated resin particles is flowed through an inside of a pipe under predetermined heating and pressurizing conditions. In a before-cooling decompression process, a slurry of coalesced resin particles flowing through the inside of the pipe in a heat and pressure-applied state is subjected to pressure reduction before it is cooled down to a predetermined temperature in a cooling process. Then, in a decompression process, a coalesced resin particle slurry that has been cooled in the cooling process while being flowed through the inside of the pipe is decompressed to an atmospheric pressure.
US08252500B2
The present invention provides a toner containing at least two binder resins composed of at least a resin A and a resin B which are incompatible with each other, and a colorant, wherein the toner has an average circularity of 0.93 to 0.98 and is produced by atomizing a toner composition liquid in a vapor phase to form liquid droplets and solidifying the liquid droplets, and the toner composition liquid is prepared by dissolving or dispersing the at least two binder resins and the colorant in an organic solvent.
US08252478B2
The present invention provides a method of producing a solid oxide fuel cell, comprising the steps of: forming an anode support layer; applying an anode layer on the anode support layer; applying an electrolyte layer on the anode layer; and sintering the obtained structure; wherein the anode support layer and/or the anode layer comprises a composition comprising doped zirconia, doped ceria and/or a metal oxide with an oxygen ion or proton conductivity, NiO and at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, TiO2, Cr2O3, Sc2O3, VOx, TaOx, MnOx, NbOx, CaO, Bi2O3, LnOx, MgCr2O4, MgTiO3, CaAl2O4, LaAlO3, YbCrO3, ErCrO4, NiTiO3, NiCr2O4, and mixtures thereof. According to the invention, a combination of nickel coarsening prevention due to specific Ni-particle growth inhibitors, and, at the same time, a strengthening of the ceramic structure of the anode support layer and/or the anode layer is achieved.
US08252471B2
A first detection line is set in a lower temperature range than a limit line representing an upper limit temperature of a motor allowed by an inverter and represents a reference motor temperature at a required output for fuel cells as a temperature criterion where a controller changes over the means for achieving the sufficient hydrogen stoichiometric ratio from recycling hydrogen with a circulation pump to increasing the hydrogen concentration. When the motor temperature reaches or exceeds the first detection line at the required output for the fuel cells, the controller prevents an increase in rotation speed of the motor and regulates the openings of a shutoff valve and a regulator to increase the concentration of hydrogen supplied from a hydrogen tank to the fuel cells and thereby increase the hydrogen supply pressure. This arrangement effectively prevents an increase of the motor temperature, while achieving the sufficient hydrogen stoichiometric ratio.
US08252458B2
An engineered thermoplastic sealing member for LiFeS2 and other nonaqueous cells is disclosed. The optimal material displays a propensity to absorb at least 10 weight percent of an ether-based electrolyte while, at the same time, displaying a vapor transmission rate of less than 500((g×mil)/(100 in2×days).
US08252455B2
A secondary battery includes a cylindrical battery case, a positive and negative electrode body group, a top plate and a battery lid connected to first and second electrode bodies of the electrode body group respectively. The secondary battery further includes a current collector placed on an end of the electrode body group on the top plate side and connected to the first electrode body of the electrode body group and a spacer placed between the top plate and the current collector. The top plate is partly formed with a thin portion. The spacer is formed with through holes in positions corresponding to the thin portion. The portion of the current collector corresponding to the thin portion is in contact with the thin portion through the through hole. The thin portion is deformed when the internal pressure of the battery case rises, thereby breaking electric connection between the top plate and the current collector.
US08252450B2
A multi-layer, microporous polyolefin membrane comprising first microporous layers constituting at least both surface layers, and at least one second microporous layer disposed between both surface layers, the first microporous layer comprising a first polyethylene resin containing 8% or more by mass of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene having a weight-average molecular weight of 1×106 or more, the second microporous layer comprising a second polyethylene resin containing 7% or less by mass of the ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, and having a structure in which a pore diameter distribution curve obtained by mercury intrusion porosimetry has at least two peaks, and the total thickness of the first microporous layers being 15-60% per 100% of the total thickness of the first and second microporous layers.
US08252448B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus for sealing tube plates of batteries, preferably lead-acid batteries, comprising a base body, on which projections are arranged, and when the apparatus is arranged in the intended manner, the projections engage at the end in the tubes of the tube plate.
US08252447B2
A portable power source system including a battery pack housing at least one secondary battery, wherein first and second internal terminals for connecting to a pair of external terminals are provided inside the battery pack, and two or more operations in different operating directions are required to connect the external terminals to the internal terminals. The battery pack includes external terminal inserting portions for inserting the external terminals, and the two or more operations include a first operation including inserting the external terminals into the external terminal inserting portions and a second operation in a direction different from that of the first operation. In a state before the first operation is performed, at least one of the internal terminals is shielded with a protective cover, and the protective cover recedes from a position for shielding the internal terminal, in conjunction with the first operation, the second operation or a combination of the first operation and the second operation, thereby enabling a connection of the external terminals to the internal terminals.
US08252444B2
A portable electronic device includes a base defining a battery compartment, a cover, an operating element, a latching element, and an ejecting element. The cover is configured for covering the battery compartment and pivotably attached to the base. The latching element is attached to the cover. The ejecting element attaches to the base. The operating element is slidably attached to the base. The ejecting element resists the latching element to bias the cover to move away from the base when detaching.
US08252443B2
A battery cover latch mechanism used to releasably latching a battery cover to a housing, the battery cover latch mechanism includes a clasp positioned on the battery cover; and a button. The button includes a resilient member, a main portion positioned on a middle of the resilient member, and two blocks respectively formed on two ends of the resilient member. The main portion and the resilient member are slidably assembled on the housing, the blocks resists the battery cover, the main portion latching to the clasp. When the main portion is pressed, the main portion is detached from the clasp, the resilient member drives the blocks pushing the battery to open the battery cover relative to the housing. The invention also discloses a portable electronic device using the battery cover latch mechanism.
US08252442B2
A battery cover latching assembly, detachably securing a battery cover to a housing, includes a button, battery cover, elastic member arranged between the button and the housing, and a resisting member resisting the battery cover away from the housing. The button includes a locking portion. The battery cover includes a corresponding locking member. The locking portion is slidably received in the housing to clamp or release the locking member.
US08252440B2
The present invention provides a sealed battery 10 including an electrode body 14 formed by winding a positive electrode plate 11, a negative electrode plate 12 and a separator 13 interposed therebetween so as to have a hollow portion 14a at the center, a tube-shaped center pin 20a inserted in the hollow portion 14a, a battery outer can 17 containing the electrode body 14, an external terminal 19 also serving as a safety valve 18 evacuating gas when a gas pressure in the battery outer can 17 exceeds a predetermined value. A slit 24a is formed on a peripheral surface of the center pin 20a, and a cutout part 22a is formed on at least an end of the center pin 20a at the external terminal 19 side.
US08252432B2
A composition for preparing a charge-transport film is provided. The composition comprises, at least: a charge-transporting compound having an ionization potential of between 4.5 and 5.5 ev; and an ionic compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds of formulae (1)-(3), wherein R11, R21 and R31 are each independently an organic group bound to A1-A3, via a carbon atom; R12, R22, R23 and R32-R34 are each independently an arbitrary group. Two or more neighboring groups of R11-R34 may combine to form a ring. A1-A3 are each an element of the third and subsequent periods in the periodic table. A1 is an element of group 17 of the long form periodic table; A2 is an element of group 16 and A3 is an element of group 15. Z1n1−-Z3n3− are counter anions and n1-n3 are an ionic valency of the counter anion.
US08252426B2
A composition for modification of wood products is disclosed. The composition contains a prepolymer formed by the reaction of a polyfunctional hydrophilic polymer of high molecular weight and a crosslinking agent. The composition may also contain a prepolymer formed by the reaction of a sugar and a crosslinking agent. Modification of the wood product may result in one or more of: improved stiffness, strength, surface hardness, dimensional stability, water resistance, flame retardancy, and biological resistance.
US08252420B2
An intermediate transfer member that includes a mixture of a polyamideimide, a polybenzimidazole, and an optional conductive filler.
US08252409B2
A durable printed composite material can include a printable layer having an image reverse printed thereon. The printable layer can be a transparent or translucent material. A metallic layer can be adhered to the image side of the printable layer using an adhesive layer. The layers are formed such that at least a portion of the metallic layer is visible through the printable layer. A method of forming a durable printed composite material can include reverse printing an image on a printable layer to form a printed surface. A metallic layer can then be adhered to the printed surface of the printable layer. Heat and pressure can be applied to the metallic layer to produce a durable printed composite material. The metallic layer can be at least partially visible through the printable layer. The durable printed composite material provides a medium which has an image having a reflective metallic background useful in a variety of applications.
US08252408B2
An electronic device capable of balancing both light transmitting and receiving performance and mounting reliability is provided. The electronic device includes an element (light receiving element), a transparent layer, and a sealing resin layer. The element is, for example, a semiconductor element and has an optically functional region having an optical function (for example, light receiving or light emission) on one face. The transparent layer is located on the optically functional region, directly comes in contact with the one face of the light receiving element, and is optically transparent. The sealing resin layer seals sides of the transparent layer and one face of the light receiving element, does not coat an upper face of the transparent layer, and is mixed with filler that improves rigidity.
US08252405B2
The present invention provides single-walled carbon nanotubes and systems and methods for their preparation.
US08252394B2
Provided are compositions derived from a polycarboxylic acid, water soluble blue dyes and blue pigments in a fixed weight ratio. The compositions can be used to prepare thermal transfer donor elements that can be used to make blue pixels of a color filter element with improved surface characteristics and lightfastness.
US08252393B2
The invention relates to a surface-modified inorganic pigment which has an inorganic pigment having acid function and an amorphous body located on the surface of the inorganic pigment having acid function and formed by at least a divalent or higher-valent metal and an anion component in a state where the inorganic pigment and the amorphous body do not chemically bond to each other, and which does not exhibit acid function.
US08252389B2
The invention relates to novel mesogenic dimeric compounds which are especially suitable for use in birefringent films with negative optical dispersion, to novel liquid crystal (LC) formulations and polymer films comprising them, and to the use of the dimers, formulations and films in optical, electrooptical, electronic, semiconducting or luminescent components or devices.
US08252371B2
The invention involves the treatment of a hollow body having a difficult-to-access surface to be preserved from corrosion by injecting a cellular foam supporting an anti-corrosion agent into the hollow body. Also involved is the production of a metal structure by assembling the structure and then applying an anti-corrosion treatment to the difficult-to-access surfaces of the structure. The invention is particularly applicable to railway wagons.
US08252370B1
A method for the continuous production of finely ground particulates coated with a barrier, or other desirable film wherein the coated particulates exhibit a diameter of less than 10 microns. In an exemplary embodiment, large coated particulates are introduced into a fluid energy, or jet mill, along with smaller, uncoated particulates. As the particulates collide within the mill they are comminuted, and an amount of coating is transferred from the coated particulates to the uncoated ones such that they become sufficiently coated and size-reduced to a desired size. Alternatively, uncoated particulates are milled and coated during their milling. Still alternatively, uncoated particulates are milled and subsequently directed through an atomized mist of coating material wherein the size of the mist droplets are as large, or larger than the directed particulates.
US08252368B2
The aim of the invention is to provide a method for making appropriate for trimming a glass comprising a hydrophobic and/or oil-repellent surface coating.According to the invention, it is characterized in that at the surface of said glass a temporary protective layer is coated, imparting to the glass a surface energy at least equal to 15 mJ/m2.
US08252364B2
The present invention provides a method of forming a metal pattern and a metal pattern obtained by the method. The method includes the steps of (I) forming on a substrate a polymer layer in which a polymer having a functional group that interacts with an electroless plating catalyst or a precursor thereof is chemically bonded directly to the substrate in a pattern form, (II) adding the electroless plating catalyst or precursor thereof to the polymer layer, and (III) forming a metal layer in the pattern form by electroless plating. The present invention also provides a method of forming a conductive film, including the steps of (A) forming on a substrate a polymerization initiating layer in which a polymer having, on a side chain thereof, a crosslinking group and a functional group having polymerization initiating capability is immobilized by a crosslinking reaction on the surface of the base material, (B) generating a graft polymer by chemically bonding a polymer having a functional group that interacts with an electroless plating catalyst or a precursor thereof directly onto the entire surface of the polymerization initiating layer, (C) adding the electroless plating catalyst or precursor thereof to the graft polymer, and (D) forming a metal layer by electroless plating.
US08252361B2
Implantable medical devices adapted to erodibly release delivery media for local and regional treatment are disclosed.
US08252360B2
The present invention is a grain product. The grain product includes a first fraction including bran. The first fraction is milled to a first particle size of less than 500 micrometers. The grain product also includes a second fraction including germ. The second fraction is milled to a second particle size of less than 500 micrometers. The grain product is at least one of: a food product, a nutritional supplement, a dietary supplement, a fiber supplement, a digestive supplement, a functional food, and a medical food.
US08252353B2
Custom food product methods and apparatus are provided that allow customers to participate in the preparation of food products as a part of the dining experience. A method of preparing a custom food product under the direction of a customer includes placing a customer-selected substrate on a scale of custom food product preparation table, placing customer-selected ingredients on the substrate in customer-selected amounts and customer-selected areas, and calculating and displaying the cost of the custom food product to the customer as the customer-selected ingredients are placed on the substrate. Each ingredient is assigned a cost per unit of weight and, as the ingredients are utilized, the cost of the food product is calculated and displayed via a display associated with the table. A customer may be provided with a record of the ingredients of the custom food product and may include an image and/or name of the custom food product.
US08252339B2
A method for medical treatment was developed in which microspheres with novel properties are administered in a mammal. The microspheres are made using a novel process that results in microspheres with new combined properties of high density, low fracture, high swell capacity, rapid swell, and deformability following swell. These microspheres may be administered for void filling, tissue bulking, non-vasculature occlusion, body fluid absorption, and delivery of medications.
US08252336B2
The present invention relates to Escitalopram having a small median particle size and a solid pharmaceutical composition comprising the same.
US08252330B2
In one aspect, the present invention features a tablet including a first drug layer and a second drug layer, wherein: (i) the first drug layer includes first drug particles including naproxen and third drug particles including cetirizine, where the first drug particles and/or the third drug particles are coated with an immediate release coating; and (ii) the second drug layer including pseudoephedrine, wherein said second drug layer is a sustained release layer adapted to deliver a therapeutically effective amount of pseudoephedrine for a period of at least twelve hours.
US08252325B2
The invention is a composition administrable orally to provide systemic glutathione (reduced) and a method for providing systemic glutathione by oral administration of glutathione (reduced) in a liposome encapsulation. The administration of a therapeutically effective amount of oral liposomal glutathione (reduced) results in improvement of symptoms in disease states related to glutathione deficiency such as Parkinson's disease and cystic fibrosis. Compounds enhancing the effect of the liposomal glutathione are contemplated such as Selenium, EDTA, carbidopa, and levodopa.
US08252323B2
Compositions and methods for mucosal delivery of agents are provided. The compositions are intended for administration to mucosal surface, such as oral, gastrointestinal and nasal mucosa. The compositions provided contain one or more mucoadhesive proteins and an agent to be delivered. Methods for delivery of agents using the compositions provided herein are also provided.
US08252318B2
An apparatus for promoting the clotting of blood and controlling bleeding comprises a receptacle for retaining blood clotting material in particulate form therein. A pad for controlling bleeding comprises a mesh structure and a support attached to the mesh structure to facilitate the application of pressure to the pad and the wound. A bandage applicable to a bleeding wound comprises a mesh structure and a flexible substrate attached to the mesh structure, the substrate being a cloth or plastic member that may be adhesively attachable to cover a wound. In any embodiment, at least a portion of the receptacle or mesh structure is defined by a mesh having openings therein, and at least a portion of the particulate blood clotting material is in direct contact with blood. The mesh may include a zeolite powder impregnated or otherwise incorporated therein.
US08252303B2
Injectable depot compositions are provided that include a bioerodible, biocompatible polymer, a solvent having a miscibility in water of less than or equal to 7 wt. % at 25° C., in an amount effective to plasticize the polymer and form a gel therewith, a thixotropic agent, and a beneficial agent. The solvent comprises an aromatic alcohol, an ester of an aromatic acid, an aromatic ketone, or mixtures thereof. The compositions have substantially improved the shear thinning behavior and reduced injection force, rendering the compositions readily implanted beneath a patient's body surface by injection.
US08252295B2
β-(1-6)-Glucanese treatment of glucan from yeast cells, pure or feed grade, especially yeast from the family Saccharomyces and particularly Saccharomyces cerevisiae, provides a novel glucan product suitable for use in enhancing the stimulation of host animal immune systems. Solubilization of such yeast cell glucan is further disclosed to extend the usefulness of yeast cell glucan as an adjuvant.
US08252292B2
The present invention discloses a vaccine that provides protection to turkeys from coccidiosis, and methods of making and using the vaccine alone, or in combinations with other protective agents. In addition, the present invention discloses PCR primer sets that are useful in identifying the species of Eimeria in a biological sample.
US08252290B2
An herbal composition comprises an extract of Radix Rehmanniae, and an extract of Poria, Ganoderma Lucidum, Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, Semen Platycladi, Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Radix Et Rhizoma Salviae Miltiorrhizae, Rhizoma Chuanxiong, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, Fructus Gardeniae, Cortex Moutan, Radix Bupleuri, Radix Paeoniae Alba, Rhizoma Cyperi, Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, Fructus Aurantii, Radix Glycyrrhizae, and Os Draconis. The herbal composition is prepared by separately extracting Radix Rehmanniae, and the remaining herbs. The composition is suitable for treatment of insomnia and other related disorders.
US08252289B2
The invention relates to N protein-protein of interest fusion proteins, optionally in the form of soluble N protein-protein of interest/P protein complexes, the N and P proteins being proteins of a virus of the Paramyxoviridae family. When the protein of interest is an antigen, the invention relates also to vaccinal compositions and diagnostic reagents comprising those N protein-antigen fusion proteins or those N protein-antigen/P protein complexes. The N protein-protein of interest fusion protein can also be used as a “vector” for transporting into cells therapeutic molecules of interest, such as antivirals or anticancer agents.
US08252285B2
This disclosure provides methods and compositions for inhibiting immune responses. The disclosure also provides methods and compositions for inhibiting graft rejection and promoting or prolonging graft survival.
US08252284B2
The invention relates to high affinity human monoclonal antibodies, particularly those directed against isotypic determinants of immunoglobulin E (IgE), as well as direct equivalents and derivatives of these antibodies. These antibodies bind to their respective target with an affinity at least 100 fold greater than the original parent antibody. These antibodies are useful for diagnostics, prophylaxis and treatment of disease.
US08252280B1
The present invention relates to methods of increasing function and/or mass in damaged striated muscle tissue of interest (e.g., cardiac or muscle tissue) by providing of a population of multipotent adult progenitor cells (“MAPCs”), which effectively generate new striated muscle over time.
US08252279B2
The subject invention pertains to materials and methods for inhibiting process formation and extension by cells in culture. The subject invention further includes cultures of process-forming cells wherein formation and extension of processes have been inhibited. In another aspect, the subject invention concerns methods of transplantation using process-forming cells that have been cultured by the process-inhibiting methods of the invention.
US08252275B2
The present invention provides conjugates having a degradable linkage and polymeric reagents useful in preparing such conjugates. The conjugates as well as the polymeric reagents used to form the conjugates include at least one of each the following: an aromatic moiety comprising an ionizable hydrogen atom, a spacer moiety, and a water-soluble polymer. Methods of making polymeric reagents and conjugates, as well as methods for administering conjugates and compositions, are also provided.
US08252269B2
The present invention relates to chewing gum and confectionery compositions and methods for reducing dental caries in mammals. In particular, the compositions may include a gum base or carrier, sweetening agents and casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP). The compositions may be employed to slow the progression and enhance the regression of carious lesions in mammals, particularly in humans.
US08252267B2
The present invention relates to novel sequences for use in detection, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, including cancer. The invention provides novel splice products of human DKKL-1 gene. The present invention provides methods of using polynucleotides having the novel splice products of the human DKKL-1 sequences, their corresponding gene products and modulators of the DKKL-1 splice products for the detection, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of associated cancers.
US08252264B2
A process for the production of carbon nanostructures by an oxidation-reduction method is described. The growth of carbon nanorods, nanotubes, and nanoclusters on planar and non planar substrates, and free standing is demonstrated. In one embodiment a reactive gas is generated in situ and reacted with a carbide while the byproducts are removed, thereby adjusting the equilibrium to favor the formation of the carbon nanostructured product.
US08252260B2
The invention relates to a method of preparing a polycrystalline block of a halide of formula AeLnfX(3f+e) in which Ln represents one or more rare earths, X represents one or more halogen atoms selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br and I, and A represents one or more alkali metals selected from the group consisting of K, Li, Na, Rb and Cs, e, which may be zero, being less than or equal to 3f, and f being greater than or equal to 1, having a low water and oxyhalide content, in which the method comprises heating a mixture of, on the one hand, at least one compound having at least one Ln—X bond and, on the other hand, a sufficient amount of NH4X in order to obtain the oxyhalide content, resulting in a molten mass comprising the rare-earth halide, the heating being followed by cooling, and the heating, after having reached 300° C., never going below 200° C. before the molten mass has been obtained. The blocks thus produced allow very pure single crystals having remarkable scintillation properties to be grown.
US08252236B2
The present invention provides a method for measuring a substrate concentration by accumulating an energy resulting from a reaction between a biocatalyst and a substrate recognized by the biocatalyst to a certain level; and using a dependency of an accumulation rate on the substrate concentration as an index; and a apparatus therefor. In particular, the present invention provides a method in which the measurement of the accumulation rate is carried out by measuring a frequency of an energy release in a certain amount of time when the energy accumulated in the capacitor reaches the certain level and is then released.
US08252222B2
The present invention provides a mold for shaping a sulphur cement product, which mold has an inner surface describing an inner volume for receiving a cast material, an outer surface and a barrier comprised between the inner surface and the outer surface, which barrier has a thermal conductance per unit area of at most 100 W/m2K in a direction perpendicular to the inner surface. The invention further provides a process for shaping a sulphur cement product.
US08252216B2
Durable, weather and an insect-resistant railway ties are fabricated by the co-extrusion into a die of at least one mixture comprising asphalt binder and aggregate and recycled plastic, optionally strengthened by fillers such as glass fiber or KEVLAR.
US08252215B2
The use of nucleating agents to manufacture polymeric stents is disclosed. The resulting stents may have increased crystallinity, decreased crystal size, increased mechanical properties, and faster degradation times.
US08252208B2
The invention is directed to calcium fluoride crystal optics with improved laser durability that can be used for the transmission of below 250 nanometer (nm) electromagnetic radiation. The optics consist of CaF2 as the major component and, in one embodiment, at least one dopant/amount selected >0.3-1200 ppm Mg, >0.3-200 ppm Sr, >0.3-200 ppm Ba, while Ce and Mn are <0.5 ppm. The doped crystal and optics made therefrom have a ratio of 515/380 nm transmission loss of less than 0.3 after exposure to greater than 2.8 MRads of γ-radiation.
US08252206B2
Provided is an amorphous film comprised substantially of indium, tin, magnesium and oxygen, and containing tin at a ratio of 5 to 15% based on an atomicity ratio of Sn/(In+Sn+Mg) and magnesium at a ratio of 0.1 to 2.0% based on an atomicity ratio of Mg/(In+Sn+Mg) with remnant being indium and oxygen, and having a film resistivity of 0.4 mΩcm or less as a result of crystallizing the film by annealing the film at a temperature of 260° C. or lower. An amorphous ITO thin film for use as a display electrode and the like in flat panel displays is obtained by way of sputter deposition without heating the substrate and without the need of adding water during the deposition. This amorphous ITO film has the property of being crystallized by annealing at 260° C. or lower, which is not such a high temperature, and having low resistivity after crystallization. Also provided are a method of producing the film and a sintered compact for producing the film.
US08252193B2
A substrate plasma processing apparatus includes a chamber of which an interior is evacuated under a predetermined vacuum condition; an RF electrode which is disposed in the chamber and configured so as to hold a substrate to be processed on a main surface thereof; an opposing electrode which is disposed opposite to the RF electrode in the chamber; an RF voltage applying device for applying an RF voltage with a predetermined frequency to the RF electrode; and a pulsed voltage applying device for applying a pulsed voltage to the RF electrode so as to be superimposed with the RF voltage and which includes a controller for controlling a timing in application of the pulsed voltage and defining a pause period of the pulsed voltage.
US08252182B1
Methods and systems for a subsurface upflow wetland for wastewater treatment that includes a series of parallel treatment cells, each cell including from bottom to top, a layer of gravel, a layer of sand over the gravel to remove pathogens from a septic effluent, a pollution control medium above the sand layer to remove nutrients, total suspended solid, and biochemical oxygen demand and a growth media mixture layered on top of the pollution control media to grow plants, and a gravity distribution system to distribute effluent to the series of parallel treatment cells. The pollution control medium includes at least one recycled material and at least one naturally occurring material. In an embodiment it includes recycled tire crumb, sand and limestone or recycled tire crumb, compost, sand and limestone.
US08252175B2
A method and apparatus for separating fish and debris from water, the apparatus being made up of a frame member within which a rotating drum member is mounted, the drum member containing circumferentially mounted, longitudinally extending chamber members with an open side, and an air distribution member for inducing air into the chambers, facilitating rotation of the drum member. The method and apparatus are conformable for use in areas where the flow of water is a concern.
US08252172B2
There is a water enhancement system coupled to a water conduit, wherein the water enhancement system is configured to enhance a water supply. The water enhancement system includes a filtration system coupled to a water conduit, configured to filter water flowing therethrough. The water enhancement system also includes an enhancement system coupled to the filtration system, configured to treat water flowing therethrough by dispensing a fluid therein. The enhancement system includes a plurality of cartridge sockets and matching cartridges configured to selectably couple together and contain enhancing fluid. The water enhancement system further includes a treatment bracket coupled about the water conduit and to the enhancement system. The water enhancement system additionally includes a treatment device coupled about the treatment bracket and configured to alter a characteristic of the water flowing therethrough.
US08252171B2
A water purifying and enhancement system of a modular construction designed as a built-in appliance located under the countertop or as a free-standing (stand alone) unit. The water appliance has a water inlet for obtaining water from a supply source, scale reduction device, booster or re-pressurization pump, pre-filtration, U.V. sterilization, R.O. filtration, de-ionization (CDI or mechanical), mineral injection system (for adding desired minerals into the purified water), water diagnostic and monitoring cells, post filtration, proprietary water enhancement reactor consisting of specially engineered and blended ores of ceramic components, and/or an electrolytic ionization chamber, and/or a magnetic chamber, a water outlet for delivery of the highly purified enhanced water product, and a outlet to grey water drain for reject water. Control and monitoring instrumentation implemented into the front panel of the water appliance will continuously provide monitoring of water quality, filter life, filter maintenance, system failure indicators, and other pertinent diagnostic data.
US08252168B1
A method for modifying asphalt comprises blowing an oxygen-containing gas through a base asphalt at a high gas flow rate while simultaneously agitating the base asphalt at a high shear rate and at an elevated temperature for a period of time that is effective to substantially improve at least two paving properties of the base asphalt. In preferred embodiments, modified asphalts are produced having both substantially improved rutting resistance and substantially improved fatigue resistance as compared to the base asphalt.
US08252159B2
The invention concerns a microfluidic device for the controlled movement of liquid. The controlled-movement device according to the invention comprises a microchannel (10) filled with a first liquid (F1) and a fluid (F2) forming a first interface (I1) with the first liquid (F1), or forming a first interface (I1) with the first liquid (F1) and a second interface (I1) with a second liquid (F3) situated downstream of said fluid (F2), and means of moving the first liquid (F1) by electrowetting. A control system is provided for controlling the movement of the first liquid (F1) according to the position of an interface (I1, 13) of the fluid (F2).
US08252156B2
Electrode containers and associated methods are provided. In one embodiment, an electrode container includes sides and a top, and the top includes an opening adapted to receive a rod of an electrode. A plurality of flexible members are interconnected about the perimeter of the opening, wherein at least some of the plurality of flexible members overlap with one another. In one embodiment, a method includes removing an electrode from a metal electrolysis cell and placing the electrode into a container, where the placing step includes the steps of engaging at least one lever of a top flap of the container with a surface of the electrode and, concomitant to the engaging step, moving the top flap from a first position to a second position.
US08252153B2
A patterned perpendicular magnetic recording disk has a pre-patterned disk substrate with pillars and trenches arranged in data regions and servo regions. In the data regions, the height of the data pillars is equal to or greater than the spacing between the data pillars, while in the servo regions the height of the servo pillars is less than the spacing between the servo pillars. A magnetic recording material with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy is deposited over the entire disk substrate, which results in magnetic material on the tops of the data pillars and servo pillars and in the servo trenches. The material in the data trenches is either nonmagnetic or discontinuous. After the application of a high DC magnetic field in one perpendicular direction and a low DC magnetic field in the opposite direction, the resulting disk has patterned servo sectors with servo pillars all magnetized in the same perpendicular direction and servo trenches magnetized in the opposite perpendicular direction.
US08252146B2
The invention relates to a fabric belt for a machine for the production of web material, particularly paper or cardboard, including a first fabric layer providing a web material contact side and formed by way of the interweaving of warps with wefts, and a second fabric layer positioned below the first fabric layer and formed by way of the interweaving of warps with wefts, wherein the ratio of the number of warps of the first fabric layer to the number of warps of the second fabric layer is greater than 1.
US08252136B2
The invention is to provide a process for production of a connected sheet product, which makes it possible to connect opposed end faces of two or more sheet products. A process for production of a connected sheet product including sheet products that are connected to one another and each have at least an optical member and a release film provided on one side of the optical member with a pressure-sensitive adhesive interposed therebetween, comprising: opposing a transverse end face of a first sheet product to a transverse end face of a second sheet product; connecting release films of the first and second sheet products with a connecting member (30a); and connecting surface members of the first and second sheet products with a connecting member (30b) on the opposite side from the release films.
US08252127B2
This invention provides sputtering target materials having high reflectance and excellent heat resistance, which are formed of Ag base alloys formed by adding a specific, minor amount of P to Ag and alloying them.
US08252122B2
The invention relates to the use of an agent that contains 5 to 99.9% in weight of carbamide and/or at least a derivative thereof, as a cleaning agent for closed systems, in particular as a dishwasher detergent, as a laundry detergent for washing machines, as an agent for cleaning, sanitizing and/or disinfecting for equipment in the food processing industry and for medical equipment, the use as a hand dishwashing detergent or sanitary cleaner or as a hand cleaner. In addition, the invention relates to a method for reducing or avoiding enzymes in cleaning agents for closed systems, in hand dishwashing detergents or in sanitary cleaning agents as well as an enzyme-free dishwashing detergent or enzyme-free sanitary cleaning agent that contain 5 to 99.9% in weight of carbamides or derivates thereof. Finally, the invention relates to the use of percarbamide as a bleaching agent in particular in dishwashing detergents and in sanitary toilet cleaning agents.
US08252107B2
A system and method for treating tailings from a bitumen froth treatment process such as TSRU tailings. The tailings are dewatered and then combusted to convert kaolin in the tailings into metakaolin. Calcined fines and heavy minerals may be recovered from the combustion products, namely from the flue gas and bottom ash.
US08252104B2
A water-based infrared absorptive ink for ink-jet recording is provided that absorbs electromagnetic waves in the infrared range without adversely affecting the color tone of recorded objects. The water-based infrared absorptive ink for ink-jet recording contains antimony-tin composite oxide fine particles and a coloring agent.
US08252103B2
The present invention provides a water-based ink for ink-jet recording containing a coloring agent and water. The coloring agent contains a dye represented by the following general formula (1). The ink further includes a substance having a structure in which a carbon atom and a nitrogen atom are covalently bound.
US08252100B2
An air purifier has a housing with an inlet for receiving air and an outlet for exhausting air. The housing provides an air flow path for the flow of air in a downstream direction, from the inlet towards the outlet. Particulate pre-filtration is located within the housing downstream from the air inlet. VOC pre-filtration is located within the housing downstream from the particulate pre-filtration. UV filtration is located within the housing downstream from the VOC pre-filtration. VOC post-filtration is located within the housing downstream from the UV filtration. Final particulate filtration is located within the housing downstream from the VOC post-filtration.
US08252098B2
A device for filtering nanoparticulate matter below 300 nm in size from ambient air within a defined enclosed space comprises at least one filter medium containing at least one filter material, and a fan or blower, which blows or draws the air through the filter medium does so with sufficiently low air velocity in the filter medium that the air has a long residence time in the filter medium, during which time adhesive encounters between nanoparticulate matter and the solid phase of the filter material are highly probable. This air velocity is also being sufficiently low to ensure that, once adhesion has taken place, kinetic de-adhesion by the air flow is highly improbable. Such a device allows to keep the nanoparticle count inside the enclosed space kept below 5000/cc, equivalent to ‘natural woodland’, even though external levels may exceeded 200,000/cc: the removal of nanoparticles by cleaning making this <2.5% the external count.
US08252082B2
Cross-sectional geometries of filter elements for soot particle filters are described, allowing uniform loading of the filter element with soot. Starting with hexagonal cell shapes, other polygonal shapes are arranged around them. All the cross-sectional geometries have in common the fact that the cross-sectional area of all inlet channels is larger than the cross-sectional area of all outlet channels.
US08252081B2
A water dissipation device for removing water vapor or moisture from a breathing circuit is provided, including an upper lid portion, an entry port and an exit port. An outer cover structure extends from the upper lid portion to define an enclosed volume. An inner frame extends from the upper lid portion inside the outer cover structure. The outer cover structure includes a first layer of water or moisture wicking material and a second layer of water vapor breathable medium, and has an inner surface area bounding an inner flow space such that water vapor or moisture can permeate from the inner flow space through the outer cover structure out of device. The device can include an inner cup structure extending from the upper lid portion into the enclosed volume to displace the enclosed volume and define and bound a portion of the inner flow space and compressible volume therein.
US08252078B2
There is provided a ceiling type air conditioner including a brush assembly for collecting foreign matters filtered by a filter. The brush assembly includes a brush that contacts the foreign matters filtered by the filter and a main body for collecting the foreign matters separated from the filter to store the foreign matters. Therefore, it is possible to effectively collect and store the foreign matters filtered by the filter in the main body due to the movement of the brush assembly. In addition, since a user does not have to exchange or clean the filter, it is possible to prevent inconvenience from being caused by exchanging or cleaning the filter and to prevent the filter from being contaminated.
US08252066B2
A pyramid receptacle for coupling a prosthetic limb to a socket, comprising a unitary machined component formed with an externally-threaded neck section flanged by a larger-diameter disk. The disk is formed with a concave face, and a central cavity. A plurality of threaded set screws are journalled into the hollow threaded neck section through the threads thereof and into communication with the central cavity. Machining the threaded holes for the plurality of set screws directly through the hollow threaded neck section, and ensuring that the set screws stay flush or recessed when fully tightened effectively halves the length of the pyramid receptacle and facilitates angular adjustment of the prosthetic limb before affixing it in place, but does not significantly increase the profile length of the interconnection between socket and knee joint.
US08252065B2
A ureteral stent includes an elongate member defining an axis and having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. A first extension member and a second extension member extend from the proximal end portion and each include a first portion, a second portion, a third portion and an end portion. In an unconstrained configuration, the first portion is arcuate and extends away from the axis, the second portion extends from the first portion in a distal direction, and the third portion extends from the second portion in a direction away from the axis. In the unconstrained configuration, the end portions of the first and second extension members are spaced apart from each other sufficiently, and the first extension member and the second extension member are sufficiently rigid, to collectively help retain at least a portion of the ureteral stent within a bladder of a patient.
US08252057B2
A surgical access device comprises a conduit comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion. An inflatable member at least partially surrounds a portion of the conduit and is positioned proximate to the distal portion of the conduit. In various embodiments, a protective sleeve can at least partially surround a portion of the conduit and is movable between at least a first position and a second position. In at least one embodiment, the protective sleeve is configured to at least partially cover the inflatable member when in the first position and is configured to expose the inflatable member when in the second position.
US08252053B2
An IOL injector kit comprising a first body portion having a first lumen disposed therethrough, a proximal end, a distal end configured to deposit an IOL into an eye, a second body portion having a second lumen disposed therethrough, a proximal end and distal end, a container comprising a wall defining a container lumen, a first open end configured to receive the proximal end of the first body portion into the container lumen, and a second open end configured to receive the distal end of the second body portion into the container lumen, and an IOL disposed inside said container.
US08252050B2
Apparatus is provided for adjusting at least one dimension of an implant, including a rotatable structure having first and second openings and a channel extending between the first and second openings. The channel allows passage therethrough of an elongate tool. The second end of the structure has a lower surface having one or more recesses along a circumference thereof. A mechanical element provides a protrusion that is disposed within one of the recesses of the rotatable structure during a resting state of the mechanical element, in a manner that restricts rotation of the rotatable structure. The mechanical element includes a depressible portion coupled to the protrusion disposed in communication with the second opening of the lower surface, and configured to dislodge the protrusion from within the recess in response to a force applied thereto by the elongate tool. Other applications are also described.
US08252046B2
An intravascular stent and method for inhibiting restenosis, following vascular injury, is disclosed. The stent has an expandable, linked-filament body and a drug-release coating formed on the stent-body filaments, for contacting the vessel injury site when the stent is placed in-situ in an expanded condition. The coating releases, for a period of at least 4 weeks, a restenosis-inhibiting amount of the macrocyclic triene immunosuppressive compound everolimus. The stent, when used to treat a vascular injury, gives good protection against clinical restenosis, even when the extent of vascular injury involves vessel overstretching by more than 30% diameter. Also disclosed is a stent having a drug-release coating composed of (i) 10 and 60 weight percent poly-dl-lactide polymer substrate and (ii) 40-90 weight percent of an anti-restenosis compound, and a polymer undercoat having a thickness of between 1-5 microns.
US08252035B2
A medical device delivery system provides for a two-stage withdrawal of a deflated balloon portion of a catheter and the remains of a ruptured sheath. The deflated balloon portion is withdrawn from within an expanded medical device a predetermined distance before the remains of the ruptured sheath begins being removed from between the expanded device and a vessel wall. Initiating removal of the deflated balloon portion before the sheath reduces a total amount of drag that is exerted against a self-expanding medical device that has been deployed in a vessel.
US08252032B2
A bone plate is described which is adapted for use in situ to fix a spatial relationship of at least two bone parts. The bone plate has at least one pair of the bone screw apertures that are adjoined by a relief-space contiguous with the open space of the screw apertures themselves. An adjoined aperture pair forms a complex aperture and has a center-to-center distance of the apertures along an axis running through the centers of the apertures. The center-to-center distance is equal to or greater than the sum of the radii of the heads of the individual bone screw used with the aperture pair. At least one of the screw apertures has a screw head seat having at least one relief notch set into a surface of the screw head seat. The relief notch provides desirable advantages that are not similarly accomplished in their absence.
US08252030B2
The present invention provides a connection assembly that can be used to securely connect a spinal implant to a bone anchor. In particular, the present invention preferably provides a spinal implant connection assembly that is able to securely connect the spinal implant to the anchors even when there is a variance in the angle and position of the anchors with respect to the spinal implant. Furthermore, the present invention provides a connection assembly with structure to increase the locking strength of the connection assembly.
US08252029B2
An interspinous process spacer and method of implanting same is provided for maintaining separation between adjacent spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae. The spacer has two lateral portions and a medial portion therebetween, the medial portion adapted to reside between the adjacent superior and inferior spinous processes in the deployed configuration and the lateral portions each comprise a superior lateral portion and an inferior lateral portion adapted to reside on the lateral side of the respective superior and inferior spinous process in the deployed configuration to maintain positioning of the interspinous process spacer between the two adjacent vertebrae. The lateral portions each comprise an expandable lateral member.
US08252019B2
A filter retrieval system for retrieving a previously implanted medical filter, and methods of using the retrieval system, are disclosed. The filter retrieval system has a flexible shaft, a retrieval element, and a handle with an actuator. The flexible shaft may be catheter-based, and has a proximal and a distal end, and has an opening near its distal end. The handle is affixed to the shaft near the proximal end of the shaft, and the actuator is adapted to manipulate the retrieval element. When an operator manipulates the actuator, the retrieval element is adapted to protrude slightly from the shaft opening. As the actuator is operated, the retrieval element can grasp or hook or otherwise engage a portion of the filter, and then pull the filter in through the opening into a passage or lumen of the catheter shaft. The retrieval system is capable of retrieving a filter in into a proximal and distal space defined by the flexible shaft, though only one space at a time.
US08252018B2
An embolic protection device for capturing emboli during treatment of a stenotic lesion in a body vessel is disclosed. The device comprises an elongated shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion extending from the proximal portion. The device further comprises an expandable filter formed helically about the distal portion of the elongated shaft. The expandable filter is configured to helically close defining a collapsed state for delivery and retrievable of the device. The expandable filter is configured to helically open defining an expanded state for capturing emboli during treatment of the stenotic lesion in the body vessel. The expandable filter has at least one filter portion helically extending from the elongated shaft at a predetermined angle defining an opening when the filter is in the expanded state.
US08252017B2
A medical device including a guiding member and a filter portion is disclosed. The guiding member includes a lumen configured to slidably engage the filter portion. The filter portion forms a tubular geometry that extends distally from the guiding member. The filter portion is configured to evert to form a proximally facing concave geometry for capturing emboli. Further, the filter portion includes filter openings that are sized to allow blood cells to pass therethrough while preventing the passage of emboli.
US08252016B2
An apparatus for offering embolic protection is provided that includes a sponge operable to be positioned in an area of a patient who is to undergo a cardiovascular procedure. The sponge is operable to collect debris present in or proximate to the area and to allow a portion of blood flow or no blood flow associated with the area to continue while the debris is collected.
US08252014B2
A balloon catheter for use alone or as a stent delivery system includes a balloon segment and a shaft segment having a varying flexibility. The shaft segment includes a polymer encased braid which extends along substantially the entire length of the shaft segment for added pushability and kink resistance. A flexible distal tip extends from the balloon for improved trackability.
US08252010B1
A method for removing a clot using and inserting a catheter balloon assembly, having proximal and distal ends including a catheter carrying a remotely inflatable occlusion balloon and another catheter carrying a mechanical device for moving a clot, into patient on one side of clot; a balloon-collared sheath, having a collar sheath with proximal and distal ends, the collar sheath having an open interior, and sealing valve for sealing the interior of the collar sheath, and inflatable collar balloon, disposed on the exterior distal end of said collar sheath, inserted on other side of clot; a suction module, having a suction sheath having proximal and distal ends, the suction sheath having an open interior, and sized to be inserted in a vein, attachable to a suction device. The balloons are inflated and the mechanical device is positioned near the clot, toward the balloon collared sheath towards the suction device.
US08252004B2
A retention device for anchoring indwelling catheters, sheath introducers, feeding tubes, ostomy bags or other medical devices beneath the skin of a patient includes an deployable section coupled to a medical device; following introduction into a patient, the deployable section is subcutaneously deployed, securely anchoring the device and coupled medical device for the duration of treatment.
US08252003B2
Surgical instruments and techniques are provided for creating a pneumostoma through the chest wall into the lung of a patient. The pneumostomy instruments and techniques may be used to create a pneumostoma which allows gases to escape from the lung through the chest wall and thereby treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
US08251986B2
An apparatus and method for performing non-invasive treatment of the human face and body by electroporation in lieu of cosmetic surgery is provided. The apparatus comprises a high voltage pulse generator and an applicator having two or more electrodes in close mechanical and electrical contact with the patient's skin for applying the pulses to the patient's skin. The applicator may consist of two pieces with one electrode having a sharp tip and another having a flat surface. High voltage pulses delivered to the electrodes create at the tip of the sharp electrode an electric field high enough to cause death of relatively large subcutaneous fat cells by electroporation. Moving the electrode tip along the skin creates a line of necrotic subcutaneous fat cells, which later are metabolized by the body. Multiple applications of the electrode along predetermined lines on the face or neck create shrinkage of the skin and the subcutaneous fat volume underlying the treated area.
US08251981B2
A flow regulator (19, 208, 308, 408) may be used in a drug delivery system 10. The regulator includes a chamber that is divided by a diaphragm (111, 211, 311, 411) into a first and second subchamber. A third subchamber is in fluid communication with the first subchamber. A valve (26, 217, 317, 417) is operatively connected to the diaphragm, wherein pressure differences between the first subchamber and second subchamber result in movement of the diaphragm and movement of the diaphragm controls operation of the valve. A flow restrictor (116, 216, 316, 416) is in fluid communication between the first and second subchambers. Flow of a drug (11, 101) is thereby regulated.
US08251973B2
Device and methods for separating a scab from a vascular access site are disclosed. The devices include providing a scab separation device having a point for initial separation of a portion of a scab from a patient's flesh, and a series of inclined surfaces leading from the point to lift and separate the scab from the access site. The scab separation device is provided with a cover so that the device is maintained as sterile. In a preferred embodiment, the scab separation device is provided as a set or assembly with a needle or needle set and, in a more preferred embodiment, the scab separation device cover is also used as a cover for a needle to maintain sterility both of an operative end of the separation device and of the needle.
US08251969B2
The present invention provides a body adhering absorbent articles which is capable of absorbing bodily fluids. In particular embodiment of the present invention, provided is an absorbent article which is specifically designed for attachment to a wearer's skin in the vulva region of the wearer's torso.
US08251968B2
An absorbent article includes at least one elastic area. The article contains an element for checking the elongation of the elastic area, in conjunction with which a first indicator marker is connected to the elastic area and a second indicator marker is connected to a second piece of material. The first indicator marker and the second indicator marker are capable of displacement relative to one another in the direction of elongation of the elastic area, whereby the change in the relative position between the first and the second indicator marker in conjunction with the elongation of the elastic area from a non-elongated position provides a measure of the elongation of the elastic area.
US08251967B2
A diaper having a main part comprising a front area, a rear area and a crotch area therebetween, wherein the main part comprises an absorbent core, and with rear side sections joined on both sides to the rear area and front side sections joined on both sides to the front area which extend in the transverse direction past lateral front and rear longitudinal edges of the main part, connect the front area and the rear area, wherein, at least on the side facing the crotch area, the front and rear side sections; are designed in such a fashion that they extend at an inclination with respect to the longitudinal direction or are curved for forming leg opening areas, and the front and rear side sections of the front area and rear area differ from each other with respect to at least one primary property.
US08251963B2
An endoscopic instrument comprises a first flexible insertion member sized for insertion through a body lumen to a target site and a needle coupled to the insertion member for penetration of tissue, the needle including a plurality of flexibility enhancing grooves formed therein along at least a first portion of the length of the needle.
US08251962B2
This invention relates to a method of providing a coating on a medical device, especially a dilatation balloon, which improves the durability of the balloon.
US08251956B2
A securement device holds a medical article such as a catheter hub in position upon the body of a patient and at least inhibits longitudinal movement of the medical article. The securement device includes a retainer and at least one anchor pad. The retainer includes a metallic insert having barbs or teeth extending into a central channel. The metallic barbs or teeth dig into the retained catheter hub. The metal insert springs open as the hub is inserted in to the device and retains the hub by virtue of its metallic barbs.
US08251943B1
A novel shunt comprises: a first lumen having a first end and a second end, wherein the first lumen is composed of a polydimethylsiloxane material; a bulb-shaped portion positioned on each of the first end and the second end; a reinforcing spring extending along the first lumen from the first end and the second end; and a second lumen having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to a center portion of the first lumen and the second end is connected to a valve.
US08251939B2
A cervical traction/stretch system includes a traction/stretch mechanism for applying tension between a body's head and shoulders, the traction/stretch mechanism including a bellows; a pump operatively coupled with the traction/stretch mechanism for alternately inflating and deflating the bellows; and an at least semi-automatic controller operatively coupled with the pump for at least semi-automatically controlling the pump by activating and deactivating the same in such manner as to alternately and repeatably inflate and deflate the bellows to prescribed pressure levels over prescribed pressure intervals.
US08251935B2
The present invention provides an orthosis for stretching tissue around a joint of a patient between first and second relatively pivotable body portions. The orthosis includes a first member affixable to the first body portion and including a first extension member defining an arcuate channel therein. A second member affixable to the second body portion is also included and has a second extension member having an arcuate shape extending there from. The second extension member is operatively connected to the first extension member and travels through and within the arcuate channel, along the arcuate path, when the second arm member is moved from a first position to a second position relative to the first member.
US08251933B2
A therapeutic compression garment is disclosed. The compression garment may include a first band wrapping around a first portion of a limb. The first band may deliver to the first portion a first level of therapeutic compression. The compression garment may further include a second band connected to the first band and positioned adjacent thereto. The second band may wrap around a second portion of the limb. The width of the second band may be greater than the width of the first band. Accordingly, when the first and second bands are applied with equal tension, the level of therapeutic compression provided by the second band may be less than the level of therapeutic compression provided by the first band.
US08251930B2
A walking assistance device (1) has a body-mounted assembly (2) installed on the waist of a user (A), foot-mounted assemblies (3L, 3R) installed on feet, and leg links (4L, 4R) which connect the foot-mounted assemblies (3L, 3R) to the body-mounted assembly (2). The foot-mounted assemblies (3L, 3R) are provided with floor reaction force sensors (13L, 13R). Results obtained by multiplying the absolute values of floor reaction force vectors (three-dimensional vectors) detected by the floor reaction force sensors (13L, 13R) by a predetermined ratio are defined as target values of the magnitudes of the supporting forces transmitted to the leg links (4L, 4R) from the foot-mounted assemblies (3L, 3R). Actuators (20L, 20R) of the leg links (4L, 4R) are controlled such that the supporting forces having the magnitudes of the target values act on the leg links (4L, 4R) from the foot-mounted assemblies (3L, 3R) through the intermediary of joints (19L, 19R).
US08251921B2
A method of controlling a penetrating member is provided. The method comprises providing a lancing device comprising a penetrating member driver having a position sensor and a processor that can determine the relative position and velocity of the penetrating member based on measuring relative position of the penetrating member with respect to time; providing a predetermined velocity control trajectory based on a model of the driver and a model of tissue to be contacted. In some embodiments, a feedforward control to maintain penetrating member velocity along said trajectory.
US08251920B2
An apparatus for lancing skin and collecting a liquid sample. The apparatus having a housing with an outer periphery and a rotatable arm having a lance to puncture the skin. A sample collection area is attached to the arm. The arm of the apparatus rotates from a first position to a second position. As the arm rotates, the lance extends beyond the housing allowing the lance to contact the user's skin and create a lance site. As the arm continues to move to the second position, the lance is brought out of contact with the user's skin and back within the housing while the collection area is brought into position. When the arm is located in the second position, the collection area is in substantially the same location as the lance site on the user's skin.
US08251910B2
The present invention is directed to provide an apparatus for measuring a vascular viscoelasticity index which is noninvasive, simple in structure and yet inexpensive.The present invention provides an apparatus for measuring a vascular viscoelasticity index, which measures a vascular viscoelasticity index α by a formula α={(Pb2−Pa2)−(Pb1−Pa1)}/(Va2−Va1) wherein Pb1 is the maximal value of the first pulse wave; Va1 is the local maximum value of a time derivative value of the first pulse wave; Pa1 is the pulse wave amplitude corresponding to the local maximum value Va1; Pb2 is the maximal value of the second pulse wave; Va2 is the local maximum value of a time derivative value of the second pulse wave; and Pa2 is the pulse wave amplitude corresponding to the local maximum value Va2.
US08251907B2
In certain embodiments, a method of maintaining health of a patient uses an analyte detection system. The analyte detection system is coupled to the patient such that a bodily fluid of the patient is accessible to the analyte detection system. The method includes automatically initiating and conducting a measurement of an analyte in the bodily fluid using the analyte detection system. The method further includes determining a treatment dose for the patient based on the measurement using the analyte detection system.
US08251906B2
Systems and methods for dynamically and intelligently estimating analyte data from a continuous analyte sensor, including receiving a data stream, selecting one of a plurality of algorithms, and employing the selected algorithm to estimate analyte values. Additional data processing includes evaluating the selected estimative algorithms, analyzing a variation of the estimated analyte values based on statistical, clinical, or physiological parameters, comparing the estimated analyte values with corresponding measure analyte values, and providing output to a user. Estimation can be used to compensate for time lag, match sensor data with corresponding reference data, warn of upcoming clinical risk, replace erroneous sensor data signals, and provide more timely analyte information encourage proactive behavior and preempt clinical risk.
US08251902B2
There is disclosed a retractor system to facilitate surgical access to an intervertebral disc between an inferior vertebral body and a superior vertebral body. In an embodiment, the retractor system includes an elongate member having an anchor to attach to a pedicle of an inferior vertebral body with respect to an intervertebral disc. A retractor body has a collar to attach to the elongate member, slides coupled to the retractor body, and a pair of blades mounted to the slides. The blades have a proximal end and a distal end, a distance between the proximal end and the distal end of each one of the blades configured for displacing tissue for access to an intervertebral disc. An attachment portion is adjacent the proximal end of each one of the blades for attaching one of the slides thereto. Geometry of the blade end conforms to anatomy surrounding the pedicle.
US08251900B2
Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.
US08251897B2
The endoscope light source device includes a semiconductor light source, optical fibers that are inserted into an endoscope, guide first light beams from the semiconductor light source, and are arranged in plural rows in at least an angle portion of the endoscope, an optical coupling circuit that is arranged at a distal end side of the endoscope with respect to the angle portion, and couples the first light beams guided by the optical fibers arranged in the plural rows to obtain a coupled light beam and a wavelength conversion part that is arranged at a distal end side of an endoscope insertion section in the optical coupling circuit, and converts a part or all of the coupled light beam from the optical coupling circuit into a converted light beam having a given wavelength by a phosphor.
US08251886B2
A ventricular assist device is disclosed which comprises a sac for wrapping around a portion of a heart, the sac having one or more inflatable chambers for compressing the heart when the chambers being inflated and a blood outlet made to an aorta, the blood outlet being the sole opening in the human blood path in the vicinity of heart, wherein during a systolic phase the inflatable chambers inflate while blood flows out of the aorta through the blood outlet, and during a diastolic phase the inflatable chambers deflate while blood flows into the aorta through the blood outlet.
US08251870B2
In an idling-stop cancellation control apparatus of a vehicle driving system of an idling-stop control device equipped automotive vehicle capable of running by a power produced by an engine and transmitted via a transmission whose shift is controlled by a hydraulic pressure produced by an engine-driven oil pump during operation of the engine, a controller is configured to execute, based on engine speed, idling-stop cancellation control by which the vehicle driving system is put into an output torque state suited for vehicle-driving operation, when a hydraulic pressure sensor system provided for detecting a hydraulic pressure used for shift control of the transmission is failed. The controller is further configured to execute, based on the hydraulic pressure, idling-stop cancellation control by which the vehicle driving system is put into an output torque state suited for vehicle-driving operation, when the hydraulic pressure sensor system is unfailed.
US08251866B2
A method for starting the internal combustion engine, in parallel hybrid vehicles, in which the internal combustion engine is started, during a shift under load in purely electric driving operation, by the electric machine.
US08251864B2
A control device for hybrid vehicle drive apparatus which executes an internal-combustion-engine rotation control for rotating an engine output shaft under a circumstance where a consecutive travel distance LM involved in a motor drive running mode exceeds a given consecutive travel distance determining value L1. The rotation of the engine output shaft results in an effect of accelerating the lubrication of an engine. Once the engine output shaft is rotated, no component parts of the engine actually take the completely same attitudes at time before and after such rotation. This avoids the component parts of the engine from continuously remaining contact with each other in the same attitudes when encountered with running vibrations during the motor drive running mode, minimizing adverse affect on durability of the engine due to the running vibrations occurring in the motor drive running mode.
US08251853B2
A planetary friction gear is enabled to make it possible to transmit comparatively great torque densities while providing a very high degree of smoothness of operation, preventing the unwanted slip-stick behavior in friction gears. The inventive gear is particularly suitable for actuators used in the immediate vicinity of humans in everyday life.
US08251850B2
A hybrid electro-mechanical transmission connectable with multiple power sources for launching and propelling a vehicle includes an output member and a stationary member. The transmission also includes a first and second planetary gear sets, and two members of the first planetary gear set are operatively connected to two members of the second planetary gear set, and a torque-transmitting device. The power sources include an engine, a first motor/generator and a second motor/generator. The engine and the second motor/generator are each operatively connected to the first planetary gear set, and the first motor/generator and the output member are each operatively connected to the second planetary gear set. Furthermore, the torque-transmitting device is engageable to ground the engine to the stationary member such that the transmission provides first and second drive modes for launching and propelling the vehicle.
US08251835B2
A golf club head includes a face line. A depth D1 (mm) is 0.100 (mm) or greater and 0.508 (mm) or less. A first curvature radius r1 is smaller than a second curvature radius r2. An upper end point of an edge of the face line is Pa. A point placed at a position where a depth is 0.015 mm is Pb. A point placed at a position where a depth is 0.030 mm is Pc. A point placed at a position where a depth is [(D1−0.03)/2+0.03] (mm) is Pd. A point placed at a position where a depth is [D1/4] (mm) is Pe. The first curvature radius is a radius of a circle passing through the point Pa, the point Pb, and the point Pc; and the second curvature radius is a radius of a circle passing through the point Pc, the point Pd, and the point Pe.
US08251834B2
A golf club head with an improved sweet spot, defined as a portion of the striking face that has at least 99.7% of the maximum ballspeed is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a golf club head with a significantly circular sweet spot that encompasses at least about 1.5% of the total striking face. A golf club head in accordance with the present invention may generally have a improved face geometry with an elliptical factor of greater than about 0.5, a beveled transition portion around the striking face of the golf club head, a variable face thickness region with decreases thickness, or even a tilted bulge and roll radius all helping improve the performance of the golf club head.
US08251815B1
Time implementation feature for video games. The time feature employs a synchronic construct of time for use in a computer software program, including a video game. The synchronic construct of time comprises assigning to each action in the game a specific number of synchronic timekeeping units. The number of synchronic timekeeping units assigned to an action may approximate how long the action might take in real time and/or may be used to weight the importance of the action. The invention can be implemented via a stand-alone computing system or such a system interconnected with other platforms or data stores by a network, such as a corporate intranet, a local area network, or the Internet.
US08251814B2
A gaming machine includes a cabinet, an emission control unit, an exterior member, a conductive sheet, a ground unit, and a controller which runs a game. The emission control unit provided to the cabinet includes a light emitting portion and causes the light emitting portion to light. The exterior member is placed to a position surrounding the emission control unit and transmits light emitted by the light emitting portion to outside. The conductive sheet is provided to a position interposing between the exterior member and the emission control unit. The ground unit grounds the conductive sheet.
US08251813B2
To provide an information processing device for enabling a user to select their desired number of images from among a plurality of images displayed close to one another. A trajectory obtaining unit obtains a trajectory of a position, the position being designated by the user. A selection candidate image determination unit determines images, among the plurality of images, that are surrounded by the obtained trajectory. A number of times the images determined by the selection candidate image determination unit as being surrounded by the trajectory obtained by the trajectory obtaining unit are surrounded by the trajectory is obtained. An image selection unit selects the number of images, the number corresponding to the number of times obtained by a surrounding number of times obtaining unit, from among the images determined by the selection candidate image determination unit as being surrounded by the trajectory obtained by the trajectory obtaining unit.
US08251805B2
A method of operating a wagering game comprises receiving a primary wager, displaying a randomly selected outcome of a primary wagering game, and displaying at least one progressive jackpot. A first portion of the primary wager is allocated to fund the at least one progressive jackpot. An increment amount to be added to the at least one progressive jackpot is randomly determined, the at least one progressive jackpot is incremented by the increment amount, and in response to a triggering event, the at least one progressive jackpot is awarded. Alternatively, a random determination is made whether to increase the at least one progressive jackpot by a predetermined increment amount and, in response to a determination to increase the at least one progressive jackpot, the at least one progressive jackpot is incremented by the predetermined increment amount.
US08251803B2
A gaming device accepts a wager. The wager is logically associated with a first progressive jackpot, the first progressive jackpot associated with a first set of participating gaming devices. The wager is also logically associated with a second progressive jackpot different than the first progressive jackpot, the second progressive jackpot associated with a second set of participating gaming devices, the second set of participating gaming devices comprising more gaming devices than the first set of participating gaming devices.
US08251802B2
A system for enabling play of a casino table card game is disclosed. At least one of a rank and suit of a set of playing cards is automatically determined. Multiple randomized sets of playing cards of known composition are formed and delivered to a game, and are set by following automatically generated house way instructions. The components of the system include an automatic card shuffler configured to deliver randomized sets of physical cards, the shuffler equipped with a playing card reading system that reads at least one of a rank and suit of markings on each of the playing cards. The automatic card shuffler has a processor that receives the read card information from the playing card reading system and determines a composition of each individual set of playing cards dispensed. Other components of the system include a gaming table with a gaming surface; and at least one display on or proximate the gaming surface in communication with a processor programmed with house way rules for displaying instructions on how to set hands from a distributed set of cards a house way; wherein the monitor displays information on how to set a hand according to programmed house way rules. A method of operating a casino table card game using physical playing cards that are distributed in sets to multiple play positions and set according to automatically generated house way instructions is also disclosed. Processors of the present invention may also cause a display of a house commission amount.
US08251798B2
A bonus game that operates in combination with a slot machine base game is provided. The bonus game includes a series of free spins or free evaluations in which symbols of a set of symbols are generated. The free spins also generate executor symbols that alone or in accumulation cause one of the symbols of the set to be eliminated or replaced. In either case the symbols remaining in the set have a higher probability of being generated and a higher probability exists that a larger award paying combination of the remaining symbols will be generated. The elimination sequence can be repeated a number of times further increasing the probability of generating a higher paying award for the player. The present invention is operable with different types of base games such as slot and poker.
US08251791B2
A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines, gaming tables, hand held gaming devices and/or community gaming displays. The central server monitors wagers placed on any games played. Based at least in part on the wagers placed, the central server determines when one or more bonus events will occur and which players to provide any bonus awards.
US08251789B2
A game apparatus controls a game in which a user-controlled character and an opponent character hit a ball. A serve control unit receives the first input operation from a user and makes the character perform an action of tossing the ball when the character performs a serve. The serve control unit receives the second input operation from the user and makes the character perform an action of the serve. The serve control unit determines a ball power or ball speed in the serve based on the first input operation, and determines a shot type in the serve based on the second input operation. The serve control unit makes the character perform the serve according to the determined ball power or ball speed and the determined shot type.
US08251788B2
A combine is provided with an improved system for collecting agricultural material, such as stover, from an agricultural field and separating desired parts of the stover, such as corncobs, from undesired parts. The combine is provided with a system for moving the desired portion of the stover to a container and discarding the undesired portion of the stover back on the agricultural field.
US08251779B2
An exemplary grinding device includes a fixed barrel, a rotatable barrel, a grinding plate, an actuator and a cleaning assembly. The fixed barrel defines a chamber and includes a number of inner sidewall substantially parallel to a central axis, each of which defines a holding groove for holding a workpiece. The rotatable barrel is received in the chamber and includes an outer side substantially parallel to the central axis and defines an installation groove. The grinding plate is installed in each of the installation grooves. The actuator is configured for driving the rotatable barrel to rotate and simultaneously move up and down in the first chamber, such that the grinding plates contact the workpieces and grind the workpieces. The cleaning assembly is situated under the fixed barrel for cleaning the workpieces.
US08251777B2
The invention is directed to a method of polishing a surface of an object that includes aluminum. The method includes the step of contacting the surface of the object with a soft polishing pad and a polishing composition. The polishing composition includes abrasive particles, an agent that oxidizes aluminum, and a liquid carrier to polish the surface of the object. The polishing composition includes the abrasive particles suspended in the liquid carrier, and is applied at a pH above about 7.
US08251776B2
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for conditioning a polishing pad used in chemical mechanical polishing in which a consistent pressing force can be provided between an abrasive conditioning member and the polishing pad. Specifically, a moveable weight member is provided that can be selectively moved along a length of a support arm in the conditioning apparatus. The position of the weight member relative to the position at which the abrasive conditioning member is mounted alters the resultant pressing force in view of the change in moment created. In a particular example, the positioning of the weight member can be automatically controlled using a drive mechanism controlled by a control unit, such as a computer. In a more particular example, the positioning of the weight member can be dynamically controlled if the control unit receives an external feedback upon which its control of the weight member position is based, such as a detected value of the pressing force exerted by the abrasive conditioning member. Finally, if the apparatus is appropriately arranged to permit the weight member to travel to an opposite side of the location at which the support arm is mounted from the abrasive conditioning member, then a “negative pressing force” can be generated, such that effective pressing forces less than the resting weight of the pad conditioning apparatus can be realized.
US08251775B2
A shaft motion detection mechanism capable of detecting the displacement of a rotating body in a direction along a rotational axis and the rotation of the rotating body is disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention is a conditioner head capable of detecting the displacement of a polishing disk in a direction along a rotational axis and the rotation of the polishing disk. A shaft rotates around a rotational axis and a cylindrical shaft is attached to the shaft so that the shaft can be displaced along the rotational axis. A first plurality of projections are formed on the surface of the shaft so as to be aligned in a circumferential direction. A second projection is formed around the entire circumference on the surface of the shaft. Proximity sensors arranged around the rotational axis sense the first and second projections to detect displacement and rotation of the rotating body.
US08251772B2
A method for forming a brassiere cup includes the steps of: forming an inner cup member and an outer cup member of the brassiere cup, respectively; spraying or coating the predetermined joining surfaces of the inner and outer cup members with a glue; heating a film and, while the film is softened, attaching it to the glue-sprayed or glue-coated surfaces of the inner and outer cup members by vacuum suction; and assembling and sealing the inner and outer cup members and filling a filler in between the inner and outer cup members. The filler in the brassiere cup thus formed can comply with the breast shape of each user to achieve optimal shaping and supporting effects.
US08251769B2
A simulated eye assembly is provided. The simulated eye includes a motor, a first ball, and a first slider-crank transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism comprises a slider connected to the motor, and a first crankshaft connected to the first ball. The slider is driven by the motor to cause the first crankshaft to rotate, which further causes the first ball to rotate.
US08251768B2
A floatable toy structure is disclosed herein, the floatable toy structure having a floatable base portion; a collapsible track section secured to the floatable base portion, the collapsible track section capable of being positioned in an extended position and a stowed position, the collapsible track section extending upwardly from the floatable base portion when it is in the extended position; and a collapsible support secured to the floatable base portion, the collapsible support capable of being positioned in an extended position and a stowed position, the collapsible support extending upwardly from the floatable base portion when it is in the extended position, the collapsible support engages and maintains the collapsible track section in the extended position when the collapsible support is in the extended position.
US08251762B2
An HF angle plug connector having an exterior conductor component and an interior conductor component, wherein the interior conductor component has a fastening element for mechanical and electrical connection to an interior conductor component of a coaxial cable, wherein the exterior conductor component has a cable-side end on which the coaxial cable is arranged and a front face opposite the cable-side end, the front face being transected by a longitudinal axis of the installed coaxial cable, and wherein an inspection opening is on the exterior conductor component such that the fastening element of the interior conductor component is visible through the inspection opening after installation of the interior conductor component of the coaxial cable on the fastening element of the interior conductor component, wherein a cover component for closing the inspection opening is one piece with the exterior conductor component.
US08251758B2
An electrical contact having a conductor connecting portion and a contact portion at each end, respectively, includes contact leaves arranged side by side and connected together at common edges thereof via a resilient connecting portion; engaging grooves formed on the contact leaves, respectively, and extending toward the conductor connecting portion from a front end thereof; and a pair of beveled contact surfaces respectively formed on side edges of a pair of opposed inner surfaces of each engaging groove. The pair of beveled contact surfaces come into surface contact with a corresponding pair of beveled contact surfaces of the mating electrical contact when the engaging grooves of the electrical contact are engaged with corresponding engaging grooves of the mating electrical contact upon the electrical contact being connected to the mating electrical contact.
US08251750B2
An adapter apparatus for connecting two connectors of the same type includes a receiving rack used to fasten two connectors, and a connection board attached to the receiving rack. A number of first gold fingers and a number of second gold fingers are formed on opposite ends of the connection board, to be electrically connected to the connectors, respectively.
US08251747B2
An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1) having a receiving cavity (10) including a first receiving cavity (12) and a second receiving cavity (13) communicating with the first receiving cavity; a set of first contacts (41) protruding into the first receiving cavity; a set of second contacts (42) exposed to the second receiving cavity; a metal shell (5) enclosing the insulative housing; and a grounding means (6) attached to the metal shell and oblique to a front face (112) of the insulative housing for abutting against a metal panel and having an opening. The opening includes a lower opening (601) with a pair of chamfers (603) on top thereof and an upper opening (602) communicating with the lower opening in a vertical direction and being essentially narrower than the lower opening (601).
US08251746B2
An electrical connector includes a shielding cage, an insulative housing disposed within the shielding cage, at least two rows of terminals secured in the insulative housing and a metal sheet embedded in the insulative housing and disposed between the rows of terminals. An insulative housing defines a mating face and a mounting face perpendicular to the mating face. The metal sheet extends from the mating face to the mounting face and comprises at least one tail extending beyond the mounting face.
US08251733B2
A cable connector assembly includes a housing including a first base and a second base coupled with the first base, at least a circuit board received in the housing and defining two rows of conductive pads located at two opposite sides thereof, at least a cable including a plurality of conductors electrically connecting with one row of the conductive pads of the circuit board, a pulling mechanism movably fixed to an outside face of the housing and separating the cable connector assembly from a complementary cable connector, and a metal shell partially shielding the pulling mechanism. The second base defines through grooves. The first base includes locking pieces inserted into the through grooves with free ends extending out of the through grooves from the outside face and bended to abut against the outside face of the housing.
US08251729B2
A universal frame for connecting a semiconductor device to a test device, the universal frame including a connector for establishing a connection between the semiconductor device and the test device; a head part fixing a position of the connector; a body part fixing a position of the head part, the body part being configured to accommodate the semiconductor device; and a guide unit within the body part, the guide unit being configured to receive the semiconductor device at an end of the body part opposite to an end of the body part fixing the position of head part, and being configured to accommodate the semiconductor device
US08251727B2
A card edge connector includes an elongated housing defining a mating cavity extending along a longitudinal direction and a pair of arms disposed at opposite ends of the mating cavity and a supporting portion unitarily extending forward from the housing. A plurality of contacts are divided into an upper row and a lower row and respectively secured on opposite sides of the mating cavity. Metallic devices comprise a pair of retaining members respectively attached to the arms and a pair of soldering pads respectively assembled onto the supporting portions along a front-to-rear direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Each supporting portion defines a receiving slot running through a front face of the supporting portion and extending along the front-to-rear direction for receiving said soldering pad under condition that the soldering pad could floatably move within the receiving slot.
US08251724B2
Provided are a lamp socket structured to realize a slimmer display device, and a display device having the lamp socket. The lamp socket includes: a body portion; a connection terminal for connection of the lamp socket to a terminal of a lamp; a compliant portion which connects the body portion and the connection terminal and includes a first portion connected to the connection terminal and a second portion connected to the body portion; and one or more fixing portions which extend from the body portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion at least partially overlap each other.
US08251719B1
A flash drive includes a frame and a main body. A receiving portion defining a receiving space therein is formed on an end of the frame. Two arms extend from opposite ends of the receiving portion. A universal serial bus (USB) connector is formed on an end of the main body. The main body is slidably and pivotably installed between the arms. The main body is operable to slide toward the receiving portion to insert the USB connector into the receiving space. And when the USB connector is received in the receiving space, the main body is operable to slide away from the receiving portion, to move the USB connector out from the receiving space, and the main body is then pivotable relative to the arms.
US08251716B2
An electrical connector is mated with a counter connector in an inserting direction. The electrical connector includes an insulative housing and two rows of contacts inserted into the insulative housing in two opposite directions parallel to the inserting direction. The insulative housing defines two rows of receiving passageways arranged in a height direction perpendicular to the inserting direction. Each contact received in the receiving passageway defines a base portion, a pair of retaining portions extending from the base portion, a pair of elastic arms extending from the pair of retaining portions and a soldering portion extending from the base portion. All the contacts have a same shape expect lengths of the soldering portions.
US08251715B2
An electrical connector is adapted for electrically connecting an electronic package (3) to a circuit board. The electrical connector includes an insulative housing (10) for receiving an electronic package, a stiffener (30) supporting the insulative housing, a pair of latching members (50) mounted on the stiffener and pivotable about a respective first axis therethrough, and a lever (70) mounted on the stiffener and pivotable about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, the lever being operable to pivot the latching members to a closed position for pressing against the electronic package.
US08251710B2
A lamp socket includes an insulative housing defining a base, a lamp receiving portion extending upward form the base with a lamp receiving cavity, a board receiving portion extending downward from the base with a board receiving cavity and a side opening communicating with the board receiving cavity. A contact includes an engaging portion retained in the base, a clamp arm extending upward from the retaining portion and received in the board receiving cavity for contacting with a lamp and an contacting arm extending downward from the retaining portion and protruded in the board receiving cavity; A bottom cover is associated with the board receiving portion and defines a supporting arm protruded upwards in the board receiving cavity.
US08251696B2
An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body that has an archwire slot adapted to receive the archwire. A movable member is engaged with the bracket body and is movable between an opened position and a closed position. The bracket body and the movable member may be made from a transparent or translucent polycrystalline ceramic for improved aesthetics. The polycrystalline ceramic has a grain size distribution characterized by an average grain size in the range of larger than 3.4 μm to about 6 μm. The polycrystalline ceramic may have a fracture toughness of at least 4.0 MPa·m1/2. The grain size distribution may not be characterized as a lognormal distribution and may be a multimodal distribution. The polycrystalline ceramic may comprise aluminum oxide or alumina. The grain size distribution may be characterized by having up to about 50% of the grains being less than about 3 μm in size. The grain size distribution may be characterized by having up to about 90% of the grains being less than about 10 μm in size.
US08251678B2
The present invention relates to a dry vacuum pump unit capable of achieving ultimate pressure of about 1 Pa. The vacuum pump unit includes a main pump (15) disposed at an outside-pressure side, and a booster pump (16) disposed at a vacuum side. The booster pump (16) and the main pump (15) are coupled in series. The booster pump (16) has a higher pumping speed than that of the main pump (15). Each of the main pump (15) and the booster pump (16) includes a pair of pump rotors (52a and 52b), a casing (50) having an inlet port and an outlet port, and a pair of magnet rotors (54 and 54) rotatable with the pair of pump rotors.
US08251675B2
A pump for a hybrid transmission includes an input shaft having a mating surface—which may include a flat portion—on an outer surface thereof, and a pump rotor coaxial with the input shaft. The pump rotor has an inner surface corresponding to the mating surface of the input shaft, and is directly and drivingly coupled to the input shaft for common rotation therewith. The hybrid transmission may further include an input housing and pump housing, and a pump pocket—in which the pump rotor operates—defined by the input housing, pump housing, and input shaft. The pump is configured to be testable prior to mating the hybrid transmission to an engine. The pump rotor is bounded axially by the input shaft, and a pump guide is configured to center the pump rotor, and to be installed prior to installation of the pump rotor.
US08251674B1
A fan assembly with impeller and shroud for application in a vehicle cooling system. The fan is powered by an external rotor brushless direct current (BLDC) motor having an electronic controller positioned away from the BLDC on an outer shroud wall with a plurality of ducts drawing an airflow from a static lower pressure created by the impeller, the airflow streaming over a heat sink disposed on the controller, exiting through a shroud. The static lower pressure air is pulled by a centrifugal fan and skewed magnets inside the motor through a plurality of ducts in a shroud hub, cooling the BLDC, maintaining low resistance for high efficiency. The BLDC is integrated into the assembly, having a stator fixed in the shroud hub and a rotor directly fused to the impeller, the shroud and impeller forming the BLDC motor without a housing, allowing the motor to easily dissipate heat.
US08251669B2
A cooling fan includes a fan housing and a stator and an impeller received in the fan housing. The fan housing includes a frame and a mounting portion located in the frame. The stator is received in the frame and mounted to the mounting portion. The impeller is mounted to the stator and rotatable with respect to the stator. The impeller includes a hub and a plurality of blades extending radially and outwardly from the hub. Each of the blades includes an inner end connected with the hub and an outer end distant from the hub. Each of the blades forms a tab on the outer end at the end surface.
US08251665B2
A turbine blade is presented including a vane that runs along a blade axis and a platform region, which is located at the root of the vane and has a platform that extends transversally to the blade axis. An improved cooling of a platform region and the transition region is provided from a turbine blade to a platform of a turbine blade. The platform includes a first platform wall that does not support the vane and a second platform wall that supports the vane. At the root of the vane and over the course of the transition region from the turbine blade to the platform, the first platform wall is aerodynamically curved and the course of the second platform wall has a receding shoulder in relation to the first platform wall, as a continuation of the vane.
US08251660B1
A turbine airfoil having walls with radial extending near wall cooled vortex flowing channels to provide for a high cooling effectiveness with a low cooling flow requirement. A thermal skin is bonded over a main spar in which skewed ribs extend from both the spar and the thermal skin to form a vortex flowing path along the radial channels. The vortex flowing radial channels can be single pass radial channels or connected to form a 3-pass serpentine flow circuit with tip holes to discharge the cooling air from the radial channels and cool the blade tip periphery.
US08251658B1
A turbine rotor blade with a spar and shell construction, and a tip cap that includes a row of teeth and slots extending from a bottom side that engage with similar shaped teeth and slots on a tip end of the spar to secure the tip cap to the spar against radial displacement. The tooth on the trailing edge end of the tip cap is aligned perpendicular to the pressure side wall of the blade in the trailing edge region in order to minimize stress due to the teeth wanting to bend under high centrifugal loads. To reduce stress, some of the teeth include a cutback to shorten the teeth in places where high stress levels would occur.
US08251652B2
A gas turbine CMC shroud plate (48A) with a vane-receiving opening (79) that matches a cross-section profile of a turbine vane airfoil (22). The shroud plate (48A) has first and second curved circumferential sides (73A, 74A) that generally follow the curves of respective first and second curved sides (81, 82) of the vane-receiving opening. Walls (75A, 76A, 77A, 78A, 80, 88) extend perpendicularly from the shroud plate forming a cross-bracing structure for the shroud plate. A vane (22) may be attached to the shroud plate by pins (83) or by hoop-tension rings (106) that clamp tabs (103) of the shroud plate against bosses (105) of the vane. A circular array (20) of shroud plates (48A) may be assembled to form a vane shroud ring in which adjacent shroud plates are separated by compressible ceramic seals (93).
US08251646B2
An axial-flow compressor has at least one stator vane row. At least one blade of the stator vane row is provided as a rotating unit (6), with the rotating unit being completely rotatable about a drive axis to act as a rotary compressor and with the drive axis being essentially vertical to a rotary axis of the axial-flow compressor.
US08251632B2
A system for transporting planar SOFC stack is disclosed, which comprises: a frame, for carrying a cell stack; a robotic arm, for grabbing and holding the cell stack; and a driver, coupled to the frame and the robotic arm and being used for driving the robotic arm. With the aforesaid system, the cell stack can be moved in and out of a high temperature furnace smoothly and rapidly, and then into a fuel cell control system, maintaining balance and stability of the cell stack.
US08251628B2
A joint tong apparatus for a radiation shielding facility. A spherical ball has a through-hole. An inner spherical socket and an outer spherical socket are installed in a hole formed in a partition between a radiation-shielded room and a control room so as to enclose the spherical ball on inner and outer sides. A bar is inserted and coupled into and to the through-hole of the spherical ball. An inner joint assembly has a first housing coupled to a shielded room-side end of the bar and a first pivot member pivotably mounted on a free end of the first housing. An outer joint assembly having a second housing coupled to a control room-side end of the bar and a second pivot member pivotably mounted on a free end of the second housing. The apparatus further includes a tong assembly, a handle assembly, a tong manipulation cable, and a pair of pivot manipulation cables.
US08251627B2
A holder device has an elastic member and contact members. The elastic member is curved to extend approximately along a major arc of curvature and is elastically deformable to change a radius of curvature thereof. The contact members are circularly arranged along an inner circumferential side or an outer circumferential side of the elastic member so that each of the contact members is opposed to the elastic member in a radial direction of the elastic member. Each of the contact members has a sidewall that is opposed to the elastic member in the radial direction and is curved along an arc of curvature. A radius of curvature of the sidewall is shorter than the radius of curvature of the elastic member in its natural state.
US08251626B1
A bolt and receiver are provided to securely attach a device (e.g. light reflector or a lane marker) to a surface (such as a roadway). In addition to initially attaching the device to the surface, the bolt will nest progressively within the receiver as the surface thickness erodes or deteriorates over time, thus reducing the bolt's effective overall length (and thus the bolt's height above the surface), in order not to protrude and puncture or damage tires.
US08251621B2
A device for supplying coolant into a shank of a rotary tool as well as a rotary tool, in particular a drill. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
US08251615B2
A quick-release system for coupling a topside for a fixed or floating platform and a barge for float-over installation of the topside is disclosed. The quick-release system comprises one or more releasable connections, each releasable connection configured to support at least a fraction of the weight of the barge and to be remotely actuated to allow the barge to decouple from the topside. In some embodiments, the quick-release system comprises two plates, one coupled to the topside and the other coupled to the barge, and a plurality of bolts extending therebetween. A frangible nut is coupled to each bolt. The quick-release system is actuatable by an electric signal that causes the frangible nuts to fracture and the barge to subsequently be released from the topside.
US08251614B2
An electrical power system for stationary or movable subsea loads (7) provides one common feeder for multiple electric motors which can be individually controlled. Operational flexibility and operational safety for operation in varying water depths is provided by encapsulating electrical functional element (6) of a subsea power system with a subsea electrical distribution system (5) individually or in-groups. Electrical functional element (6) and their semi-conductor elements are arranged within at least one fluidized internal pressure casing (13). An external pressure casing (12) is provided for the subsea electrical distribution system (5) and/or other components of the subsea system. A high frequency power transmission to the subsea pressurized distribution system (5) with pressurized semi-conductor components reduces weight and size of subsea transformers (4b) and cables (9) employed in subsea systems (10).
US08251613B2
The invention relates to a pipeline laying vessel (1) for laying a pipeline (2) at a seabed (3) and comprising a tower (4) comprising a firing line (5) along which in use the pipeline is laid and at least one work station (6) for connecting a pipe section (7) to a suspended pipeline and a method of laying pipeline at a sea bed with such a pipe laying vessel.
US08251600B2
A mechanical shutter includes a base, a cover, a primary blade and a secondary blade. The base includes a first through hole and a connecting shaft extending from the base. The cover includes a second through hole and a connecting hole. The connecting shaft of the base extends through the connecting hole to secure the cover to the base. The first through hole is coaxial to the second through hole, thereby cooperatively forming an light passage. The primary blade and the secondary blade are moveably interconnected so when the primary blade rotates around the connecting shaft relative to the base, the primary blade carries the secondary blade to move, and the secondary blade moves together to cover or expose the light passage.
US08251593B2
A connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1) having a receiving slot (121) formed therein; a set of contacts (2) retained in the insulative housing; an optical module (3) for transmitting optical data and being movably received in the receiving slot along a front-to-back direction; a resilient member (4) for urging the optical module moving forwardly in the receiving slot; a stopping device (124,125) for orientating the optical module backwardly and sidewardly; a resisting device (75) for orientating the optical module along a height direction of the insulative housing; and a metal shell (7,8) shielding the insulative housing.
US08251592B2
An optical fiber coupling assembly includes a male optical connector and a female optical connector. The male optical connector includes an insulative base having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a male transmitting surface, first lenses mounted to the insulative base and exposed at the male transmitting surface, and a cover having an arm and a blocking plate. One end of the arm is fixed to the second surface, the other end of the arm resiliently attached to the blocking plate. The blocking plate is apart from the first lenses for covering the first lenses. The female optical connector faces the male transmitting surface. The female optical connector includes an insulative supporting member having a female transmitting surface facing the male transmitting surface, second lenses mounted to the female transmitting surface, and two spaced pushing members formed on the female transmitting surface.
US08251588B2
The present invention provides a motion guide device having inner and outer direction changing passages that mutually cross three-dimensionally, in which a retainer is able to smoothly circulate even when an outer peripheral side of the inner direction changing passage as well as an outer peripheral side of the outer direction changing passage are formed on an end plate.An outer peripheral side (18) of the outer direction changing passage and an outer peripheral side (19) of the inner direction changing passage are so formed on an end plate (5) as to cross each other three-dimensionally. Built in the end plate (5) is an inner/outer direction changing passage component (24) formed to serve as not only an inner peripheral side (25) of the outer direction changing passage but also an outer peripheral side (26) of the inner direction changing passage together with the outer peripheral side (19) of the inner direction changing passage formed on the end plate (5). Built in the end plate (5) in which the inner/outer direction changing passage component (24) is built is a retainer guiding member (29) formed extending over an entire length of the inner direction changing passage and to guide an outer peripheral side of the retainer (10) that passes the inner direction changing passage.
US08251587B2
Provided is a motion guide device having a low rigidity in the vertical direction and a low rigidity in the horizontal direction.The motion guide device has: a raceway rail 15 having a bottom surface 30a, side surfaces 30b and an upper surface 30c and being mounted on one of a base 12 and a moving body 11; and a moving block 16 having a center portion 16a facing the upper surface 30c of the raceway rail 15 and side wall portions 16b facing the side surfaces 30b of the raceway rail 15 and being mounted linearly or curvilinearly movable relative to the raceway rail 15. On a side surface of the moving block 16, a displacement absorbing mechanism 17, 38 is provided. The displacement absorbing mechanism 17, 38 has a mounting member 26, 34 mounted on an opposite one of the base 12 and the moving body 11, and a displacement absorbing portion 31, 37 which is fixed to the mounting member 26, 34 and which is shear-deformed when the mounting member 26, 34 is displaced in a direction crossing an upper surface of the moving block 16.
US08251586B2
A lubricant can be evenly applied onto raceway faces or raceway grooves of a rail even when fixed to a horizontal, vertical, tilted, or ceiling surface. One or a plurality of embedding portions (26e) having a recess or a hole is formed in a member body (26) straddling the rail (R). An impregnation holding member (30) holding a lubricant is embedded in the embedding portion. The lubricating member supplies the impregnating lubricant onto the rail raceway faces while making contact with them. Even when the rail is fixed to a horizontal, vertical, tilted or a ceiling surface, the embedding portion of the member body straddling the rail has at least a part maintained in position at a level equal to or higher than the level of at least a part of one of the raceway sections (21a, 21b) of the rail located higher relative to the other raceway section.
US08251574B2
A differential gear for watch movement may include a central shaft whereon first and second wheels are rotatably mounted, each of which is provided with a toothing arranged to mesh with a toothing of at least one satellite borne by a satellite carrier also mounted on the central shaft. The first and second wheels may be configured to engage first and second mobiles of the watch movement, the central shaft including a toothing configured to engage a third mobile of the watch movement. Further, the satellite carrier may be secured in rotation with the central shaft by a friction device comprising a tube having a first portion arranged bearing against the central shaft and at least one second portion arranged bearing against the satellite carrier. The tube may include a substantially cylindrical skirt, wherein at least one first tab is formed in such a way that it exerts a force having a radial component on the satellite carrier.
US08251572B2
A food mixing machine (16) includes an agitator (15) for mixing food in a cup (C). The cup (C) is received in a flexible boot (22) which is carried by a cup holder (21). The cup holder (21) also carries a cup release assembly (23) which is biased away from the cup by springs (24). At the end of the mixing cycle, a release initiating assembly (60) engages the cup release assembly (23) which overcomes the bias of the springs (24) and allows the cup release assembly (23) to engage the boot (22) which in turn releases the cup (C) from the cup holder (21).
US08251571B2
An inline mixer structure that is compact and has a high mixing efficiency is provided. In an inline mixer structure that forms a fluid mixture by evenly mixing and diffusing different types of fluid, a cylindrical mixer body (10) that is provided with a space portion (11) that passes therethrough in an axial direction, and a plug-shaped member (20) that is integrated by being inserted from the upstream side of the space portion (11) are provided. A chemical fluid and pure water are mixed and diffused after merging inside the space portion, where the chemical fluid is radially discharged toward a space portion (11) because the downstream end portion of a chemical fluid flow path (21) that is formed in an axial direction of the plug-shaped member (20) is closed, and pure water flows in from an eccentric fluid flow path formed so as to pass through the outer peripheral surface of the mixer body (10) at a position offset from the axial center of the space portion cross-section.
US08251568B2
A method for processing a material, which is stored in a flexible packing container, comprises the following steps: At least one material or material mixture is fed to a first material or material mixture already located inside the packing container via a filling opening situated on the packing container; the filling opening is closed; the materials inside the packing container are mixed; a portion of the packing container is detached, and; the material mixture is processed via the resulting opening in the package container.
US08251566B1
The invention provides an apparatus for engaging and disengaging a track lighting assembly with respect to a track in a track lighting system. The apparatus includes a track engaging apparatus that includes a housing. The housing includes a rotation inhibitor that has a protruding end that protrudes from the housing for engaging with the track and preventing the track engaging apparatus from rotating with respect to the track. The rotation inhibitor further includes a receiving member for translating a force in a first direction into motion of the rotation inhibitor in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The apparatus further includes an actuator for applying the force in the first direction to the receiving member.
US08251563B2
A backlight is provided for illuminating an at least partially transmissive display. The backlight includes a light source. A light guide receives the light from an edge surface and guides the light by total internal reflection. The light is extracted from the lightguide using sub-wavelength extraction features designed on the basis of two interleaved grating structures. The emitted light, using this arrangement has a high level of polarization.
US08251561B2
A backlight is provided for illuminating an at least partially transmissive display. The backlight includes a light source. A lightguide receives the light from an edge surface and guides the light by total internal reflection. The lightguide also has features that exist on one or more lightguide surfaces in the shape of a triangular wedge that reduces the range of angles in the vertical direction within the lightguide. This arrangement enables improved angular performance from out-coupled light.
US08251559B2
A projector type vehicle light is provided that can reduce temperature increase of a solenoid due to heat generated by a light source, while a shade and a projection lens can be disposed closer to each other. The vehicle light can be formed as a headlight and can include a light source, a reflector, a shade, and a projection lens. The projector type vehicle light can further include a shade rotational shaft extending in a left-to-right direction, a base member configured to support the shade so that the shade can rotate around the shade rotational shaft, a solenoid for making the shade rotate between a low-beam position and a high-beam position, and a crank shaft configured to connect the solenoid with the shade for driving. The solenoid can be disposed just below the shade so that a moving direction of the plunger of the solenoid is aligned with the left-to-right direction of the projector type vehicle headlight.
US08251557B2
The invention relates to a headlight lens for a vehicle headlight, particularly for a motor vehicle headlight, wherein the headlight lens comprises a bright-molded lens body made of a transparent material, having a substantially plane optically effective surface and a convexly curved optically effective surface, wherein the headlight lens comprises a lens edge on the outside of the convexly curved optically effective surface, wherein the substantially plane optically effective surface, protrudes over the lends edge, or over part of the lens edge, in a stepped manner in the direction of an optical axis of the headlight lens.
US08251551B2
An LED lamp includes a planar base, an LED module mounted on the base, an envelope covering the LED module, and a lamp housing having a configuration like a lantern and defining a cavity. An annular receiving groove is recessed from a bottom face of the base. The LED module is attached on the bottom face of the base and surrounded by the receiving groove. The envelope includes a recessed body and an engaging flange extending outwardly from a periphery of the body. The engaging flange of the envelope is received in the receiving groove. The base, the LED module and the envelope are received in the cavity.
US08251529B2
The invention relates to a thin illumination device (1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60). The invention also relates to a display device and a luminary device comprising such a thin illumination device. The thin illumination device comprises a translucent plate (2, 23, 31, 41, 51, 66, 73) provided with an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (3, 32, 47, 61, 75) connected by an electric conducting pattern, and a reflector (4, 20, 22, 43, 53, 62, 74) arranged on a first side of the plate at a distance from the plate. Such a construction can be made thinner and works more efficiently than a conventional LED thin-film illumination device.
US08251526B2
A spread primary reflector for a UV curing lamp employs a substrate that has been faceted. The facets may be produced by means of stamping, etching, or a combination of chemical-mechanical processes. The faceting randomizes the focusing effects of the primary reflector's elliptical curvature while maintaining a total directed energy output and hence a uniform irradiance of a work product. The reflector may be made of a stand-alone reflective material with a preformed faceting pattern, such as from a metal substrate and coated with an optical coating to tailor the reflective properties of the surface of the substrate.
US08251523B2
A computer system includes a host, a bracket and a projector. The host includes a holding portion, and the holding portion defines a first space. The bracket is secured to the host and defines a second space. The projector is electrically connected to the host, and rotatable relative to the first space and the second space.
US08251519B2
A light integration aparatus for use in a projection device is provided. The light integration apparatus comprises the first integration rod and the second integration rod symmetrically disposed with respect to a symmetric axis. The light emerging ends of the first integration rod and the second integration rod are both disposed towards the symmetric axis. Thus, the light is adapted to be guided through the first integration rod and the second integration rod, and emerge from the light emerging ends to travel parallel to the symmetric axis.
US08251495B2
A pagewidth inkjet printhead includes an elongate ink distribution assembly connectable to an ink supply; a printhead intergrated circuit mounted to the ink distribution assembly to receive ink from the ink distribution assembly; a plurality of positioning protuberances protruding from the ink distribution assembly; a power and data transmission film positioned about the ink distribution assembly using the plurality of positioning protuberances; at least one power busbar positioned about the ink distribution assembly also using the plurality of positioning protuberances; and a cover attached to the ink distribution assembly, the power and data transmission film and the at least one power busbar interposed between the cover and the ink distribution assembly.
US08251492B2
Disclosed herein is a droplet receiver. The droplet receiver includes an internal space formed such that its sectional area is reduced towards an input part, thus preventing the rebounding of droplets which enter a droplet receiving part, and includes an intercepting fluid layer so as to isolate the received droplets from the outside, thus preventing droplets received in the droplet receiving part from being contaminated and volatilizing.
US08251487B2
An image recording apparatus includes an image recording unit having a recording head for jetting ink onto a recording medium and performing a recording process, a carrier mechanism for mounting and carrying the recording medium, a movement mechanism for moving the carrier mechanism and a recovery mechanism for applying a recovery process to the recording head. When the recovery process is performed, the recovery mechanism is moved to a first position opposing the recording head and otherwise the recovery mechanism is accommodated in the second position out of a carrier route of the carrier mechanism. Thus, an image recording apparatus capable of simultaneously performing all colors of recovery processes and also accommodating the recovery mechanism in saved space and its control method can be provided.
US08251485B2
A fluid ejecting apparatus is provided, which includes: a fluid receptor that receives fluid; a moisturizing liquid receptor that receives moisturizing liquid; a fluid ejecting head that ejects the fluid supplied from the fluid receptor from nozzles formed on a nozzle forming surface; a cap device that has a spatial region becoming airtight by an opening being covered by another member, and is capable of retaining the moisturizing liquid supplied from the moisturizing liquid receptor within the spatial region; and a pressurizing mechanism that leads out the fluid from the inside of the fluid receptor toward the fluid ejecting head and leads out the moisturizing liquid from the inside of the moisturizing liquid receptor toward the inside of the spatial region of the cap device by applying pressure to the fluid receptor and the moisturizing liquid receptor.
US08251478B2
A method of processing a time-varying output signal from a photosensor is provided. The time-varying output signal corresponds to a plurality of marks or indicia on a recording medium moving into and out of a field of view of the photosensor with the marks having been printed on the recording medium by a printing system. The method includes amplifying the time-varying output signal from the photosensor; converting the amplified time-varying output signal from the photosensor to digitized data points using an analog to digital converter; and averaging a plurality of the digitized data points.
US08251477B2
A multipass printing method includes determining at the end of a printing pass if at least some dot depositing elements of at least one printhead require a servicing operation. In case the determination is positive, the method includes printing at least one incomplete printing pass in which at least the dot depositing elements of the at least one printhead that require a servicing operation are not operated to print. At the end of the incomplete printing pass, the method includes servicing at least the dot depositing elements of the at least one printhead and printing at least one compensating printing pass, which adds to the information to be printed in the compensating printing pass at least part of the information that failed to be printed by the dot depositing elements of the at least one printhead in the at least one incomplete printing pass.
US08251476B2
A method compensates for changes in drop velocity of drops emitted by inkjets in a printhead of an ink jet imaging device. The method includes adjusting image data used to generate firing signals for an inkjet ejector in a printhead of an inkjet imaging device with an initial ink drop correction parameter, adjusting a portion of the adjusted image data with another ink drop correction parameter in response to the portion of the adjusted image data corresponding to a predetermined firing pattern mask, generating firing signals for the inkjet ejector from the adjusted image data, and transmitting the generated firing signals to the inkjet ejector in the printhead.
US08251465B2
A slide rail structure includes a first rail, a second rail, a third rail, and two bearing seats including bearings. The bearing seat is disposed between the first rail and the second rail. The second rail is received between the first rail and the third rail. The second rail slides relative to the first rail via the bearings. The third rail slidably contacts the second rail.
US08251452B2
Gaming chairs include a seat sized to receive a user, a frame coupled to the seat, and a tension mechanism. The frame includes at least a foot-actuated-input-device support portion configured to support a foot-actuated input device, such as associated with a video game, in a position to receive inputs from a user's foot when the user is seated on the seat. The tension mechanism is in tension when a user is seated on the seat and applies pressure with a foot against a foot-actuated input device supported by the foot-actuated-input-device support portion and applies pressure against a back portion of the seat with the user's back. In some embodiments, the tension mechanism includes one or more straps and may be described as a strap system. In some embodiments, the gaming chair includes an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration.
US08251440B2
The multi-segmented headliner for a vehicle includes an elongated intermediate segment, an elongated first side segment, and an elongated second side segment. In one configuration the segments are separate and form the complete headliner on assembly inside the roof of the vehicle. In another configuration the segments are joined together in a single piece, with the side segments being movable relative to the intermediate segment. Both configurations permit the replacement of the headliner of a van or sport utility by moving the headliner either in separate segments, or folded if a single piece, through the opening defined by the rear door or liftgate of the vehicle.
US08251435B2
A spoiler includes an upper member and a lower member. The upper and lower members are joined together by vibration welding. One of the upper and lower members includes a main welding rib and an auxiliary welding rib. Each of the main welding rib and the auxiliary welding rib is protruded toward the other of the upper and members so as to be vibration welded to the other of the upper and lower members. The main welding rib is arranged to extend along a vibration direction of the vibration welding, and the auxiliary welding rib is arranged to extend along a direction perpendicular to the vibration direction. A height of the auxiliary welding rib is less than a height of the main welding rib before the vibration welding. The auxiliary welding rib is spaced apart from the main welding rib.
US08251429B2
An automotive vehicle including a folding rear compartment seat, the seat resides adjacent the vehicle body. The vehicle body includes a latch assembly accessible via a slot. A seat belt retractor is disposed within the vehicle body above the slot. A seat belt webbing extends from the retractor. The seat is comprised of a seat back and a seat base with a pivot interconnecting the back and base. An assembly including a striker and a webbing guide is secured to the seat back. The assembly comprises a first arm mounted to the seat back and engaging the striker element and a second arm adapted to receive the seat belt webbing.
US08251428B2
A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes a lower rail, formed into a longitudinal shape and adapted to be fixed to a vehicle floor, an upper rail adapted to be fixed to a seat frame, and assembled to the lower rail to be relatively movable in a longitudinal direction of the lower rail, and a detachment prevention mechanism including an elongated hole, which is formed at the bottom wall portion to open therethrough and which extends in the longitudinal direction, and a load receiving member whose upper end portion is fixed to the upper wall portion and whose lower end portion is inserted downwardly through the elongated hole so as to be movable in an extending direction of the elongated hole, and is engageable with the bottom wall portion in the vicinity of the elongated hole to restrict a movement of the upper rail in an upper direction.
US08251427B2
A seating arrangement for a row of seats in a vehicle includes a right seat connected with a vehicle body of the vehicle, a left seat connected with the vehicle body, and a middle seat positioned between the right seat and the left seat. At least one of the right seat and the left seat is moveable in a lateral direction with respect to the other seat and the vehicle body. Movement of the at least one seat toward the other seat can collapse the middle seat.
US08251422B2
A transfer assembly for transferring first and second groups of electronic components simultaneously comprises a holding plate containing first and second sets of suction holes. The respective first and second sets of suction holes are operative to hold the first and second groups of electronic components respectively against the holding plate during transfer of the electronic components. A first vacuum chamber located next to the holding plate is connected only to the first set of suction holes. A vacuum compartment located within the first vacuum chamber encloses a second vacuum chamber. The vacuum compartment includes a sealing sheet in contact with the holding plate which has vacuum holes connecting the second vacuum chamber to the second set of suction holes. First and second vacuum sources are provided for applying vacuum suction forces separately in the first and second vacuum chambers.
US08251420B2
The joint mechanism includes a first link, a second link, a third link, a shaft supported on the second link to be rotatable about an axis thereof, and movable in an axis direction thereof, a first worm and a second worm mounted on the shaft, a first worm wheel in mesh with the first worm to pivotally move the first link with respect to the second link, and a second worm wheel in mesh with the second worm to pivotally move the third link with respect to the second link. The first link and the third link are pivotally moved in opposite directions to each other by rotating the shaft, and pivotally moved in identical directions to each other by moving the shaft in the axis direction.
US08251418B2
A gripping device comprises a cylindrical thorn, an inner body and an outer body with a plurality of movable arms, each arm comprising a claw, wherein the thorn and the inner body are directly coupled to one another, wherein a spring adapted to force the extractor device to a first position is positioned in between the inner body and the outer body. The gripping device is adapted to be set in a plurality of other positions by moving the inner body and the outer body relative to each other along the symmetry axis. The gripping device is reliable to use and is adapted to grip different sizes of inserts, such as bearings, sleeves, and etc.
US08251417B2
A detection frame for a lifting device is provided. The frame supports a detection system whilst the frame is attached to a lifting device, the lifting device used for lifting freight, the frame comprising attachment brackets for attaching the frame to the lifting device; at least one platform for mounting the detection system to the frame, such that the frame is in spaced relation to the freight whilst mounted to the lifting device.
US08251416B1
A tool for picking up and carrying cut fireplace logs comprises a somewhat stiff but flexible handle approximately equal in length to the length of the firewood logs and that has hooks replaceably attached to opposed ends of the handle, the hooks having a pointed end arranged to penetrate into the end surfaces of a log when a lifting force is applied to the handle.
US08251412B2
Apparatuses and methods for securing a door. The apparatuses including a door clamp having a stop, a base attached to the stop, a jamb bracket attached to the stop, and a fastener coupled to the jamb bracket. The methods including positioning a stop portion of a clamp horizontally, sliding the stop portion of the clamp under a door and past a far side of the door, rotating the clamp such that the stop portion is vertical, moving the clamp to adjacent a doorjamb, and placing a pin extending through the clamp into the door jamb.
US08251391B2
Stem (12) is secured to fork (6). Head (27), bearing surface (28), recessed portions (29 and 21), and bearing surface (31) successively engage the interior of housing (13), comprising first bearing (14), laterally movable locking ring (18) and second bearing (15). Locking ring (18) is repelled to the left in diametral direction against spring means urging ring (18). When shoulder (20) has arrived at the height of rim portion (32) of ring (18) the spring means are released. Ring (18) displaces to the right and portion (32) engages groove (29) thus locking the stem in the axial direction. Due to the side location of the button 9, the device can easily be handled using the palm of a hand.
US08251384B1
An improved skateboard truck in which a curved support surface is configured to make line contact that sweeps back and forth along a working surface associated with a truck's axle as the axle oscillates through a cycle including left-turn and right-turn orientations. The axle pivots around the locus of line contact during at least a portion of the cycle. From a frame of reference associated with the support surface, the lines of contact are parallel at max-left and max-right turn configurations. Preferred embodiments include structure arranged to resist departure from a zero-turn configuration while permitting micro-turn adjustment. Structure may be included to limit the range of rolling rotation of the deck about its length axis.
US08251375B2
A body leaning control system includes a support mechanism arranged to support a pair of wheels to be movable up and down relative to a vehicle body, a resistance applying mechanism arranged to apply to the support mechanism a resistance to up-and-down motions of the pair of wheels, a lean amount acquiring device arranged to detect a lean amount of the vehicle body, and a controller arranged, based on detection results received from the lean amount acquiring device, to set the resistance of the resistance applying mechanism to a first resistance when the lean amount of the vehicle body exceeds a first angle, and to set the resistance of the resistance applying mechanism to a second resistance smaller than the first resistance when the lean amount of the vehicle body is at the first angle or less. This system can conveniently inhibit the vehicle body from leaning in excess of the first angle.
US08251367B2
A board game with a timing feature is disclosed. The board game includes a board with several bonus spaces or premium spaces that can change in value and/or availability as a game progresses. The board also includes indicator associated with the bonus or premium spaces that indicate whether the bonus or premium spaces are available and whether their values have changed.
US08251356B2
Tool having a body and at least one jamb-securing finger can be used to install a pre-hung door. The body can be removably attached to a building component about a door opening such as a 2×4, with the finger(s) for holding a jamb component of the pre-hung door. The tool may be intrinsically adjustable. A kit may include the tool, a fastener and/or a spacer.
US08251349B2
Various embodiments of a vehicle jack include a base, an upright support mounted adjacent to and extending upwardly from the base, a toothed rack, a toothed bar pin, and a release handle. The toothed rack has a first end and a second end and defines a plurality of ratchet troughs therebetween, and the toothed rack is mounted adjacent the upright support. The ratchet assembly is adapted to move along a path defined by the upright support, and the toothed bar pin, which is mounted adjacent the ratchet assembly, is adapted to selectively engage a portion of the toothed rack adjacent one of the plurality of ratchet troughs as the ratchet assembly moves along the path. The release handle is mounted adjacent the second end of the toothed rack, and the release handle is adapted to selectively disengage the toothed bar pin from one of the plurality of ratchet troughs.
US08251342B1
An aspect of the invention involves a wheeled sports board holder for hanging a wheeled sports board on a vertical surface, the wheeled sports board including a support deck with an upper portion supported by one or more upper wheels, and having an upper edge, and a lower portion supported by one or more lower wheels. The wheeled sports board holder includes a base with a front and a rear, the rear of the base mountable to the vertical surface; a wheel holder projecting forwardly relative to the front of the base, and having a wheel guide; and a clasp projecting forwardly relative to the front of the base, above the wheel holder, the clasp configured to hold the upper edge of the wheeled sports board towards the vertical surface so that the one or more lower wheels do not contact the vertical surface.
US08251329B2
A cam holder system is described. A cam mechanism allows the holder to accept sheet material and be closed easily, while still maintaining strong holding power. The holder is formed by two or more separate pieces of extruded rigid material that slide together. End caps can be used to hold the pieces in alignment with each other so that they do not slide apart when the holder is opened. The cam is located near the middle of the assembly so that the user has leverage when opening and closing the holder. The holder can be squeezed in one direction to open the holder, and in the other direction to close the holder. A lever arm for closure is located above the cam, and a lever arm for opening is located below the cam. The receiving slot is located on-center so that the holder and the sheet material remain aligned with each other during use.
US08251321B2
A cable management arm connection system includes a main body, a support frame, a support block, a support locking member, and two mounting members. The main body is provided with a sleeve to slide along the support frame. Both ends of the main body are connected to the mounting members, respectively. Both ends of the support frame are connected to the support block and the support locking member, respectively. An engaging button is provided on each of the mounting members and the support locking member. Both the support block and the support locking member are respectively connected for sliding and secured in place corresponding to left or right side of the slide assembly for the main body to extend and slide on the support frame as the slide assembly stretches.
US08251312B1
The upstream flowfield of a vehicle traveling in supersonic or hypersonic atmospheric flight is actively controlled using attribute(s) experienced by the vehicle. Sensed attribute(s) include pressure along the vehicle's outer mold line, temperature along the vehicle's outer mold line, heat flux along the vehicle's outer mold line, and/or local acceleration response of the vehicle. A non-heated, non-plasma-producing gas is injected into an upstream flowfield of the vehicle from at least one surface location along the vehicle's outer mold line. The pressure of the gas so-injected is adjusted based on the attribute(s) so-sensed.
US08251311B2
An engine attachment pylon for an aircraft including an intermediate piece interposed between a crossbar support and a rigid caisson, a first shear slug passing through a first interface fixing plane between the piece and the caisson, and a second shear slug passing through a second interface fixing plane between the piece and the support. Also, in side elevation, the intersection point between an axis of the pin and the plane, as well as the intersection point between an axis of the pin and the plane, are located on the common axis of two lateral thrust force collection connecting rods articulated on the crossbar.
US08251309B2
The invention relates to a device (9) for taking up thrust forces for an aircraft engine pylon, which includes safety means, associated with each of the two lateral link rods (90) for taking up forces and equipped with first end-stop means (108) fitted to the link rod, as well as second end-stop means (112) fitted to the spreader bar (91), where these end-stop means, once they have come into contact as a result of relative rotation between the spreader bar and the link rod around the axis (93) of a link rod pivot mechanism (92) and in a given direction of rotation, are used to stop the said relative rotation in the given direction of rotation.
US08251306B2
A module (10) for use with a bypass turbofan engine. The module comprises a hot flow channel through which the hot gas flow generated by the engine can flow and a bypass flow channel (14) through which the bypass air generated by the engine can flow. Part of the bypass air may be re-directed to be exhausted from the module at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the module so as to create vertical thrust. The hot flow channel may be separated from the bypass flow channel by a porous separator (12) that allows a degree of mixing between the hot gas flowing in the hot gas flow channel and the cold gas flowing in the cold gas flow channel.
US08251296B2
The invention relates to a valve (3) that comprises a housing (20) and a thermostatic member (52) having a mobile piston (58) that carries a plug (76) for controlling the fluid flow between two accesses to the housing. In order to simplify the manufacture and the maintenance of the valve, inter alia, a hollow body (54) bearing the thermostatic member is adapted both to be rigidly connected to the fixed portion of the thermostatic member so that the piston can extend inside the inner chamber (64) of the body and so that the plug controls the fluid flow through said chamber, and to be received and sealingly blocked in an inner volume (V20) of the housing so that the fluid cannot flow between the two accesses through the chamber, while a thermostatic assembly (50), defined by the bearing body and the thermostatic member connected together, can be urged as a whole into the inner volume of the housing.
US08251295B2
The present invention relates to an RFID tag comprising a heat-resistant substrate made of a plastic film and capable of withstanding temperatures up to 200° C., an antenna formed on the surface of the substrate, an integrated circuit on a silicon chip electrically connected to the antenna and a joint for attaching the chip to the substrate on that the chip is capable of connecting electrically to the antenna. The joint is made of an anisotropically conductive adhesive capable of withstanding temperatures up to 200° C. and having a thermal expansion coefficient essentially similar to that of the silicon chip.
US08251287B2
A system for ensuring access management of a given site by providing integrated and comprehensive assessment of persons, livestock or objects that are given access to the site. The system includes a database of information about the site and potential accessors, a mobile wireless communication and scanning device to collect, retrieve and facilitate communication between a device user at the site as well as an administrator console. This system is flexible enough to maintain current information about the persons, livestock or objects requesting access to the site and communicating those results to the device user in real time. The system is further enabled through the Internet and the World Wide Web.
US08251286B2
The invention relates to a system for secure multi-factor authentication using dynamic data, the system including a card reader, and a computer having a display, wherein the card reader is configured to read card information from a data card, provide a scramble code to the computer, receive user input data indicative of user input responsive to a graphical numeric display based on the scramble code, generate PIN data based on the user input data, generate a PIN block including the PIN data and the card information, and transmit the PIN block for authentication.
US08251285B2
A transaction card package assembly comprising a transaction card connected to a first panel via a releasable interface, wherein the first panel is affixed to a second panel such that upon releasing the interface, the first panel remains affixed to the second panel and the transaction card is released from the package assembly.
US08251281B1
An automated banking machine operative to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The automated banking machine includes a card reader that is operative to read card data from user cards corresponding to financial accounts. The automated banking machine is operative responsive to the card data to carry out transactions that transfer and/or allocate funds between accounts. The automated banking machine is further operative to provide users with a receipt for transactions conducted. The automated banking machine includes a cash dispenser operative to dispense cash to machine users and to cause the value of cash to be assessed to financial accounts corresponding to card data. The automated banking machine is further operative to receive currency bills or other sheets from a user and to process and store such sheets through operation of a currency accepting device. The account corresponding to card data may be credited for the value of bills or other sheets received.
US08251280B2
An object of the present invention is to transmit image data of valid surfaces of all bar-code tickets to an external device by a single bar-code ticket process, regardless of orientations and directions of the bar-code tickets. A bar-code ticket processing apparatus includes a taking unit configured to take thereinto a bar-code ticket; an image-data reading unit configured to read image data of both surfaces of the bar-code ticket taken by the taking unit; a valid-surface judging unit configured to judge the surfaces of the image data read by the image-data reading unit to be valid or not; and a control unit configured to generate ticket data including the image data of a valid surface out of the image data read by the image-data reading unit, based on the judgment result of the valid-surface judging unit.
US08251265B2
A spare tire carrier that preserves the vehicle approach angle. The carrier comprises a hitch anchor configured to be mounted on a vehicle towing hitch; a fork having tines affixed to the back end of the hitch anchor by means of a hinge; a sleeve slidingly mounted on the fork's handle; a lower shoulder bar essentially perpendicularly mounted onto the sleeve; an upper shoulder bar slidingly mounted on the lower shoulder bar and a rim holder affixed to the upper shoulder bar. The device is constructed of telescoping bars that can be slidingly adjusted and kept in place by pins. This design allows the shape of the device to be modified and to accommodate a diversity of tire sizes. This invention can also be used as a jack by positioning the rim holder on the ground as a fulcrum and using the device as a lever to lift a car.
US08251260B2
A caulking gun includes a housing forming a handle and supporting a cartridge holder for receiving and holding a caulking cartridge. A flexible push plate is received through the housing to have a front end extending into the cartridge holder to carry a push disk. The housing has front and rear portions respectively receiving therein an advancer and a gripper through which the push plate extends. A guide roller is rotatably received in the housing rearward of the gripper. A rear end of the push plate extends through the gripper and is wrapped around the guide roller for further extension frontward to project outside and above the cartridge holder. When a trigger of the handle comprising a trigger is actuated to cause the advancer to advance the push plate frontward for extrusion of the caulking cartridge to dispense caulking, the gripper holds and prevents the push plate from returning rearward.
US08251251B2
The present invention relates to a container for solids or liquid and a method of opening a container. The container comprises a hollow body which holds the contents and a closure which cooperates with the body to close the container. The closure comprises an opening member which is movable from a retracted position to an opening position in which the closure can be opened. The container further comprises a locking member for securing the opening member, the locking member being movable between a locking position in which the opening member is kept secured in the retracted position and an unlocked position in which the opening member is movable into the opening position.
US08251250B1
A tool box having a reinforced door that withstands prying and resists flexing during use. The door comprises a reinforced region including a first flange, a second flange and a third flange extending from the first edge of the door. At least one additional flap extends from an edge of the door adjacent to the reinforced region and is welded to the reinforced region to provide additional strength. In another embodiment, a second and a third additional flap is included on the door, and each additional flap may be welded to an adjacent flap or welded to the reinforced region. Multiple reinforced regions, each including at least one flange, may also extend from the door body to provide increased strength.
US08251247B1
A thermal insulated holder for a beverage can or bottle has a metal body accommodating a cylindrical core. A base having magnetic properties has a permanent ring magnet attached to a cup-shaped ferrous metal member.
US08251246B2
A container including a top wall, the top wall defining a container first aperture and a container second aperture. A first and a second lid are provided. The first and second lid are configured so as to be each movable between a lid closed position and a lid opened position for selectively blocking and freeing respectively the container first and second apertures. A lock is configurable between a lock first configuration and a lock second configuration. In the lock first configuration, the container first lid is locked in the closed position by the lock and the container second lid is freely movable between the opened and closed positions. In the lock second configuration, the container second lid is locked in the closed position by the lock and the container first lid is freely movable between the opened and closed positions.
US08251231B2
The invention relates to a corrugated or pleated flat material with a plurality of pleats or corrugations that run parallel to one another and successively define a pleat or corrugation peak and a pleat or corrugation valley, the peak and valley being connected to one another by way of a pleat or corrugation flank, wherein a fluid can flow through the flat material and the flat material has at least one deformable functional layer which rests on a supporting layer in the direction of throughflow of the fluid, said supporting layer comprising a supporting fabric, the functional layer allowing foreign substances to be removed from or delivered to the fluid. In order to develop the flat material in such a way that it has greater mechanical load-bearing capacity and lower resistance to throughflow, it is proposed according to the invention that the supporting fabric is deformable and comprises a twill weave. Furthermore, the use of a supporting fabric of this kind for providing support on the outflow side for a pleated or corrugated functional layer is proposed.
US08251227B2
Methods and apparatus for separating particulates from a fluid are provided. The apparatus can include a separation section having at least one wall, a first end, a second end, and an inner metal surface exposed to an internal volume of the separation section. The apparatus can also include a fluid discharge outlet in fluid communication with the internal volume at the first end. The apparatus can also include a particulate discharge outlet in fluid communication with the internal volume at the second end. The apparatus can also include an inlet in fluid communication with the internal volume. The inlet can be disposed intermediate the first end and the second end.
US08251214B2
A blister card includes graphics printed on a substrate surface, which is then cut to produce an opening through which a blister may be received. The cut-out portion of the substrate is transferred in proper register to a position behind the blister so as to provide a continuous graphic image on the package. A method is also described for providing background graphics on a blister card in the region behind the blister.
US08251209B2
A golf bag has a bottom base, multiple supporting rods, a top frame, a covering and multiple crossbeam assemblies. The supporting rods are mounted between the bottom base and top frame and are covered by the covering. Each crossbeam assembly has a pair of crossbeam members mounted between adjacent two supporting rods. Each crossbeam member has an engaging slot and an engaging protrusion engaged respectively with the engaging protrusion and engaging slot of the other crossbeam member to prevent the golf bag from inadvertently twisting.
US08251206B2
A device for storing and mixing a plurality of paste components which, when mixed, form a hardenable composition, includes a base plate and a cover. The base plate has an upper planar surface bearing two or more non-self-leveling pastes and adhered thereon in spaced apart areas and. The cover is adhered to the upper surface of the base plate around the pastes and defines a chamber for the pastes. No portion of the cover contacts the pastes. The cover is removably affixed to the base plate, to allow exposure of the pastes for mixing together on the upper surface of the base plate.
US08251201B2
The invention relates to a device and a method of processing containers. Herein, a processing system is used in which all of the processing units for the containers are kinematically rigidly coupled to one another. According to the invention, a specified number of containers is supplied to the first processing unit of the system and the working speed of the system is reduced after the last container has left the first processing unit and before the specified number of the first containers has reached the second processing unit.
US08251193B2
A torque transmission device, in particular in the drive train of a motor vehicle, with a hydrodynamic torque converter (6), including a converter cover (14), which can be connected torque proof or is connected torque proof with a drive unit (3). The converter cover can be coupled with a turbine shell (21) through a pump shell (20), which can be bridged by a converter lockup clutch (30) that includes a piston (28) axially movable relative to the converter cover (14) within limits. The piston (28) is connected torque proof with a drive plate (50) in a first connection portion (51). The drive plate is connected torque proof with the converter cover (14) in a second connection portion (52), wherein an additional connection portion (53; 56) is provided, in which the drive plate (50) is connected torque proof with the converter cover (14).
US08251188B2
A disc brake operable to apply a clamping force to a rotatable disc, the disc brake comprising: a support bracket including a pair of spaced apart frame members at opposite ends of the support bracket, each frame member having a surface with at least three arms extending therefrom, the at least three arms include a first arm, a second arm, and a third arm, each arm having an opening and being disposed in series with a spacing, therebetween, two opposing spaced apart slide pins engaged with the openings of the first, second and third arms such that at least one of the first, second, and third arms are configured to support the slide pins, inner and outer brake shoes, and a caliper body slidably supported by the slide pins, the caliper body having a slidable piston operable to cause the inner and outer brake shoes to move towards one another.
US08251185B2
According to one embodiment, there is provided an elevator rescue operation system to be used in a building in which a plurality of elevators are installed in parallel. The system includes a disaster detection unit configured to detect, when a disaster has occurred in the building, an occurrence site of the disaster, a priority response floor setting unit configured to set a priority response floor on the basis of the disaster occurrence site detected by the disaster detection unit, and a rescue operation unit configured to cause a corresponding elevator for a rescue operation among the plurality of elevators to respond to the priority response floor set by the priority response floor setting unit, thereby carrying out a through-car operation up to a refuge floor.
US08251171B2
A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle is provided. The fuel tank may include a housing enclosing a lattice structure including at least two intersecting wall members, each wall member including a plurality of panels arranged in a repeating pattern, the plurality of panels having planar sides including a compliance panel having a first and second section configured to fold about a crease line. In this way, multi-directional compliance of the fuel tank can be achieved, while increasing structural integrity.
US08251169B2
A temperature adjustment structure for adjusting a temperature of a power storage module included in a power storage apparatus mounted on a vehicle has a duct forming a moving path of air in adjusting the temperature of the power storage module. The duct has a protrusion portion protruding toward the outside of the duct with respect to a surface forming the moving path. The protrusion portion is located above a connector that is provided additionally for the power storage apparatus and used for electrical connection to equipment (peripheral equipment) placed parallel with the power storage module within the power storage apparatus. At least a connection portion of the connector is located within an area of the protrusion portion when viewed from a vertical direction.
US08251166B2
A hybrid powertrain for a vehicle is provided that includes an engine having a crankshaft and a motor/generator operatively connected to the crankshaft. An elastic member is operatively connected to the crankshaft and configured to be wound by one of the engine or the motor/generator. A one-way torque-transmitting mechanism is operatively connected to a first end portion of the elastic member and configured to overrun prior to winding of the elastic member. The elastic member is configured to be releasable to allow unwinding of the elastic member to rotate the crankshaft to restart the engine. A method of starting an engine on a hybrid vehicle is also provided.
US08251160B2
A method and apparatus used to transmit information to the surface from a subsurface location during the process of drilling a bore hole is described. A novel pressure pulse generator or “pulser” is coupled to a sensor package, a controller and a battery power source all of which reside inside a short section of drill pipe close to the bit at the bottom of the bore hole being drilled. The assembled apparatus or “MWD Tool” can be commanded from the surface to make a measurement of desired parameters and transmit this information to the surface by encoding data in pressure pulses generated by a pulser valve that includes a stator and a rotor which may be open and closed to create pressure pulses.
US08251157B2
A system includes a power tool having a motor, a drive mechanism mechanically coupled to the motor, and an output element mechanically coupled to the drive mechanism. The motor is operable to drive the drive mechanism and the output element. The system also includes a non-motorized sensing tool having a printed circuit board and a sensing element electrically coupled to the printed circuit board. The sensing element is operable to detect an external characteristic and output a signal to the circuit board. The circuit board is operable to condition the signal into a human-comprehensible form. The system further includes a rechargeable battery pack removably and independently coupled to the power tool and the non-motorized sensing tool. The battery pack is operable to power the motor to drive the drive mechanism and the output element when connected to the power tool, and is operable to power the circuit board and the sensing element when connected to the non-motorized sensing tool.
US08251154B2
A tubular system with selectively engagable sleeves includes, a tubular, a plurality of sleeves disposed at the tubular, and a plurality of engagable members being movable through the tubular with each of the plurality of engagable members being configurable to selectively engage with at least one of the plurality of sleeves and such engagement at least temporarily preventing passage of an engaged engagable member by an engaged sleeve.
US08251126B2
A process for casting a turbine engine component is provided. The process comprises the steps of placing a refractory core assembly comprising two intersecting plates in a die, encapsulating the refractory core assembly in a wax pattern having the form of the turbine engine component, forming a ceramic shell mold about the wax pattern, removing the wax pattern, and pouring molten material into the ceramic shell mold to form the turbine engine component.
US08251123B2
A casting core assembly includes a metallic core and a ceramic core. The process for forming the casting core assembly includes inserting a ceramic plug of a metallic core and ceramic plug core subassembly into a compartment of the ceramic core. The ceramic plug is secured to the ceramic core.
US08251106B2
A unit, for repairing and inflating an inflatable article, defines a volume for a sealing fluid; an inlet for compressed air; and an outlet connected fluidically to the inlet via the volume to inject the sealing fluid into the inflatable article by means of the compressed air. More specifically, the inlet is connected by releasable fluidic connecting means to a fluidic outlet port of a pneumatic circuit of a vehicle having a compressed-air source and at least one pneumatic actuator connected to the compressed-air source.
US08251103B2
A papermaking forming fabric includes: a set of top MD yarns; a set of top CMD yarns interwoven with the top MD yarns to form a top fabric layer; a set of bottom MD yarns; a set of bottom CMD yarns interwoven with the bottom MD yarns to form a bottom fabric layer; and a set of binding yarns that interweaves with and binds together the top and bottom fabric layers. The fabric has a Channel Factor (CF) of greater than 2.0, the CF being defined in Equation (1) as: CF=(PSMW/PSML)×(SOA % PS/SOA % RS) (1) wherein: PSMW=the CMD width of an interstice between adjacent top MD yarns; PSML=the MD width of an interstice between adjacent top CMD yarns; SOA % PS=surface open area in the top fabric layer; and SOA % RS=surface open area in the bottom fabric layer.
US08251099B2
A check valve in particular for medical applications has a first hose connecting casing and a second hose connecting casing and a membrane disk configured between the two hose connecting casings. The membrane disk is made of a resilient material and cooperates with an annular valve seat. The membrane disk is fitted radially outside the valve's seat with apertures leading to a discharge space. The wall of the second hose connecting casing is opposite the apertures and fitted with a surface curved away from the membrane toward the discharge channel. The discharge channel is fitted with an intake mouth in the wall, and conically tapers within a transition segment toward the intake mouth. Recesses communicating with the discharge space are fitted into the transition segment and are dimensioned in a way to substantially compensate the different flow cross-sections between the intake mouth and the discharge channel.
US08251095B2
Articulated mast, in particular for concrete delivery installations, comprising at least two mast sections connected to one another by means of a swivel joint and having a straight longitudinal extent, wherein one mast section can be swiveled about a swivel joint axis with respect to the adjacent mast section, such that the articulated mast can be shifted from a folded transport position into a swung-out working position and wherein at least one swivel joint of the articulated mast has an inclined swivel joint axis.
US08251088B2
A simplified variable orifice for a conduit furnishing a stream of particulate coal to a burner for a turbine in an electrical utility plant. Two plates are installed across the conduit, one of them being fixed and the other being variable in angular position relative to the first. A lockable mechanism is provided externally of the conduit to manually adjust the degree of blocking and to indicate the position of the movable plate.
US08251086B2
A rotary gate valve includes first and second opposing housing members having coaxial pathways and defining a gate channel when joined together. A gate is positioned within the gate channel when the valve is in a closed position to prevent media from flowing through the pathways and rotationally displaced from the channel when the valve is in an open position to allow media to flow through the pathways. First and second annular primary sealing sleeves are disposed within the first and second housing members and are adapted to sealingly engage each other when the valve is in the open position, and with the gate valve when the valve is in the closed position. A secondary sealing member is disposed around an upper portion of the gate and secured between the housing members above the first and second annular primary sealing sleeves to prevent process media from entering the housing members.
US08251079B1
A walker device is described herein including two side frames, each side frame comprising a front vertical support, a rear vertical support and at least one connecting member extending between the front and rear vertical supports. The walker device further includes a cross bar extending between the two side frames and pivotally connecting to the front vertical supports of the two side frames. The walker device also includes a tension device which applies a resistive force to the pivoting motion between the first cross bar and the two side frames. The walker device is therefore capable of a pivoting configuration which enables the user to learn or re-learn a more natural gait pattern including rotation of the upper and lower body. Some embodiments of the walker device include a second, auxiliary cross bar that is parallel to the first cross bar and horizontally offset from the first cross bar.
US08251073B2
The method includes the sequential steps of gathering a first section (11) of hair from the head and passing the first section (11) of hair through a first hollow open-ended shield (21), gathering a second section (13) of hair from the head, laying the second section (13) against the outer surface (31) of the first shield (21), and treating the second section (13) of hair with a first coloring agent. A second hollow open-ended shield (23) is positioned around the first shield (21) and the second section (13) of hair, a third section of hair is gathered from the head, laid against the outer surface (33) of the second shield (23), and treated with a second coloring agent.
US08251066B1
A pressure sensitive valve device for use with respiratory equipment of the type that produces a pressurized flow of breathing gas. The valve device combines the exhalation and entrainment functions in one valve with a single air path. The valve device provides an exhaust valve function during normal operation and provides a less restricted access to the ambient atmosphere in the event of respiratory equipment malfunction. The valve device includes a valve element that moves between at least two positions. During normal operation, when the pressure generating system is generating a flow of gas, the valve element is in a “closed” or “exhaust valve” position. When in the exhaust valve position, the gas flow to the atmosphere is restricted without being completely blocked off. When the flow of gas is decreased or interrupted, the valve element moves to the “entrainment valve” or “open” position that allows a greater, i.e., less restricted flow, of gas between the user and the ambient atmosphere.
US08251056B2
An inhaler is provided with a closure which may be moved between a closed and open position in order to cover and uncover a mouthpiece. The closure is associated with a revolvable element including a restricting member. Movement of the closure from the open position to the closed position causes the revolvable element to revolve around an axis X thereby placing the restricting member in a restricting position which restricts relative movement between a container unit and the housing such that unintentional actuation of the inhaler is prevented. The inhaler is useful, for example, in the treatment of asthma.
US08251048B2
An evaporated fuel controlling apparatus for an all terrain vehicle can avoid the influence of disturbance and can be disposed efficiently. The evaporated fuel controlling apparatus includes a canister adapted to absorb evaporated fuel generated from a fuel tank, a purge path adapted to connect the canister and an intake system of an engine to each other, and a purge controlling section adapted to control a flow rate of the evaporated fuel to be supplied from the canister to the intake system of the engine through the purge path. At least the canister from among the canister, purge path and purge controlling section is mounted on a vehicle body front frame FrF which supports a steering mechanism.
US08251040B2
A gasoline direct injection engine that has an injector directly injecting fuel into a combustion chamber, a spark plug, an intake valve, and an exhaust valve and generates power by reciprocating a piston in a cylinder, may include a first cavity formed on a piston head of the piston to return at least some flow of the fuel injected from the injector to the spark plug, a protrusion protruding and off-set from the first cavity toward the exhaust valve, and a second cavity formed from the protrusion to the exhaust valve at a smaller height than the first cavity.
US08251039B2
A heat shield includes a plurality of elements for shielding temperature-sensitive components. The elements are substantially matched to the respective contour of the component which is to be shielded and which at least partially overlap one another. The elements are fixed but moveable relative to one another in an overlapping region.
US08251037B2
A fluid flow valve in a cylinder head comprises a first valve end and an axially disposed second shaft end connected by a valve shaft. A first valve member is located at the first valve end and a second valve member is located axially from, and in fixed relationship to, the first valve member along the valve shaft. A valve support extends axially between and connects the first valve member and the second valve member; the valve support including an axially extending wall portion having circumferentially spaced support struts extending radially between the valve shaft and the wall portion. Fluid flow passages extend axially through the wall portion, between the circumferentially spaced support struts, wherein fluid flows simultaneously about the exterior of the wall portion and through the fluid flow passages in the wall portion when the valve member is biased to an open position.
US08251021B1
An air elimination device with a hydraulic separator in a compact format that eliminates numerous separate field installed components and connections and can be cost effectively made by means of spun, bent, bored, milled sheet copper or brass sheet, copper or brass tube or rod utilizing brazing, soldering and threading of parts. The device can be made to include a manifold, particularly with compact end suction pumps and can serve as a transition adaptor to other modular mechanical components.
US08250997B2
A multiple needle sewing machine. The sewing machine includes a needle head, a first needle and a second needle both coupled to the head, a drive mechanism, a gripper shaft, and a first gripper hook and a second gripper hook both coupled to the gripper shaft. The drive mechanism is configured to translate the first needle together with the second needle, and to individually translate only one of the first needle or the second needle.
US08250992B2
A ladder attachment platform is provided that includes a base for attachment to a ladder that has first and second side rails and a plurality of rungs that extend between in a lateral direction. Also included is a user platform for having a user stand thereon that is carried by the base. The user platform may be positioned with respect to the ladder so that it is not located between a first plane that extends through the first side rail and is perpendicular to the lateral direction and a second plane that extends through the second side rail and is perpendicular to the lateral direction.
US08250991B2
An automated trackside railed car discharge gate operating system is disclosed which can automatically unload a string of cars “on the fly” and without the need for a separate indexing system. The system includes a pair of carriage-mounted tool systems for opening/closing capstan-operated railcar gates disposed to travel along a carriage track and including visual devices that acquire and track capstans and coordinate tool orientation and operation.
US08250986B1
A warhead apparatus, method of making same, and method of detonating same comprising employing a high explosive core, an energetically and physically dense reactive material substantially surrounding the core, and a pressure vessel substantially surrounding the reactive material.
US08250984B2
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a submunition is contemplated having a submunition body, an explosive payload housed within said submunition body and an elongated delay member housed within the submunition body, the elongated delay member coated with at least one reactive material that provides a controlled time delay between submunition impact and detonation of the explosive payload. The submunition may also comprise an elongated pendulum having a hollow core sized to receive said elongated delay member, the elongated pendulum adapted to be movable between a locked position that mitigates likelihood of inadvertent detonation of the explosive payload and an unlocked position that enables detonation of the explosive payload.
US08250982B2
Pyrotechnic signaling means (10) are ignited manually by pulling on a pulling member (24). In known pyrotechnic signaling means (10), the pulling member (24) has a short cable which is knotted to an operating means (26). A knot such as this can be produced only manually, thus making the production of pyrotechnic signaling means (10) quite complex. In addition, an ignition device (14) for known pyrotechnic signaling means (10) has a hole through it for a firing bolt (36) which is connected to the pulling member (24). This allows moisture to enter the pyrotechnic signaling means (10) through the ignition device (14). The pyrotechnic signaling means (10) according to the invention provides for the pulling member (24) to be formed from flexible strip-like sections (48, 50), which are connected by film hinges (54) and can be collapsed, saving space, when not in use. The sections (48, 50) can be integrally connected to an operating means (46), such that the entire pulling member (24) can be formed integrally from plastic and manual fitting of the individual components of the pulling member (24) is superfluous. The invention also provides for the ignition device (14) to be sealed by a coupling device (42) of the pulling member (24) until the pyrotechnic signaling means (10) are activated. This means that no moisture can pass through the ignition device (14) before the pyrotechnic signaling means (10) are activated.
US08250977B2
A variable-diameter printing press cylinder is provided. The variable-diameter printing press cylinder includes a cylinder body, a first shell segment having a first circumferential end portion and a second shell segment having a second circumferential end portion. The first and second shell segments are mounted on the cylinder body via the first and second circumferential end portions. A method of varying a circumference of a cylinder in a printing press and a printing press are also provided.
US08250972B2
The present invention relates generally to method and a device to make a single or a multiple serving of a select flavored, carbonated beverage. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US08250970B2
A substance holder and an insert for use in the substance holder. The insert elevates a brewing substance, filter or pod above a floor of the substance holder. The substance holder and insert allow water to infuse the brewing substance and allow beverage to drain through a portion of the insert for draining into a container. The insert is retained in the holder and is selectively removable from the holder to facilitate actions, for example but not limited to cleaning of the holder and insert as well as replacing the insert with other structures which may be used with the holder.
US08250969B2
An apparatus for the preparation and dispensing of doses, in selectable variable volumes, of infusions, particularly of coffee, by means of pressurised water, comprising a cylindrical infusion chamber provided with a closed end and an opposed open end, a piston with an end axially insertable into said infusion chamber via said open end and removable therefrom, water feeding element for feeding a predetermined quantity of pressurised water into said chamber and for opening into the latter in the zone comprised between the end of the piston inserted into the chamber and the closed end of the chamber.
US08250958B2
An electric saw device includes a first saw blade and a second saw blade. The first and the second saw blades are respectively driven by a small transmission shaft and a large transmission shaft to rotate in opposite directions. A round rib is disposed on an inner end surface of the first saw blade, and at least three recessed holes are arranged in a top end surface of the round rib at equal angle intervals. A steel ball is accommodated in each of the recessed holes, and protrudes out of the recessed hole. Protruding ends of the steel balls urge against an inner surface of the second saw blade, so as to limit a distance between the first saw blade and the second saw blade, and form a rolling friction when the first and the second saw blade rotate in the opposite directions.
US08250953B2
A tripper assembly for use in advancing a clamshell lathe tool slide including a tool for milling a portion of a workpiece such as a tube or pipe, the tool slide being operatively connected to a rotatable ring of the clamshell lathe and the tripper assembly operatively connected to a stationary ring of the clamshell lathe. The design of the tripper assembly is such that the position, engaged or disengaged, of the tripper element can be easily ascertained.
US08250931B2
The present invention relates to a method for inhibiting in a non-aqueous, non-conductive liquid. The present method also relates to a corrosion inhibitor that can be employed in such a liquid. The method can include measuring or detecting the present corrosion inhibitor with a magnetic flow meter.
US08250928B2
Sensing strain in an adhesively bonded joint includes inducing a strain wave in the joint, and sensing a change in local magnetic characteristics in the joint.
US08250923B2
An ultrasonic inspection method and ultrasonic inspection apparatus is capable of inspecting a weld line and of detecting a circumferential crack and an axial crack that are present in the weld line. An ultrasonic probe is placed on the surface of a structure and transmits an ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic wave is transmitted at an angle in an X′-Z plane. The direction of a normal to the surface is defined as an X axis. The direction in which the weld line extends is defined as a Y axis. The direction perpendicular to the X axis and the Y axis is defined as a Z axis. An axis obtained by rotating the X axis around the Z axis is defined as an X′ axis. A control mechanism performs signal processing of signals reflected from the defect or defects to detect the defect or defects and to measure the length of the defect or defects.
US08250917B2
A physical quantity sensor includes a vibration element having drive arm sections and a detection arm section, a driving circuit generating a driving signal for driving the drive arm sections with a first driving line and a second driving line, and a detection circuit detecting a detected signal from the detection arm section with a first detection line and a second detection line. At least one of the first driving line and the second driving line is wired so that a static coupling is generated with respect to the first detection line and the second detection line.
US08250914B2
The present invention provides a parking brake tensioning apparatus, method, and system. Generally described, the device is for adjusting the tension cable of a parking brake in a vehicle. The device has an inner housing for receiving the handle of the parking brake. Also, the device has a deformable member attached to the housing, and is preloaded with a predetermined load. The device further has a force probe, or rod, having a first end connected to the deformable member and a second end in contact with a component of the vehicle. In addition, the device has a switch for generating a control signal when a predefined force value is applied to the deformable member by adjusting the tension of the tension cable through an adjustment tool. Furthermore, the device has a relay for transmitting the control signal to the adjustment tool once the predefined force value is reached, thus disabling the adjustment tool. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.
US08250913B2
A system for and process of is provided for calculating SCR conversion efficiency by applying a reference control signal by which a urea dosing module is controlled to an NOx conversion value respectively in absorption and release modes of NH3 according to a loading amount of the NH3 determined from the SCR efficiency map. The system and process may include a process of determining the NOx conversion value according to a loading amount of NH3, a process of detecting the reference control signal of the dosing module injecting the urea solution, and a process of calculating the SCR conversion efficiency based on the determined NOx conversion value and reference control signal of the dosing module.
US08250901B2
A system includes a rotary device, a rotary absolute position (RAP) sensor generating encoded pairs of voltage signals describing positional data of the rotary device, a host machine, and an algorithm. The algorithm calculates calibration parameters usable to determine an absolute position of the rotary device using the encoded pairs, and is adapted for linearly-mapping an ellipse defined by the encoded pairs to thereby calculate the calibration parameters. A method of calibrating the RAP sensor includes measuring the rotary position as encoded pairs of voltage signals, linearly-mapping an ellipse defined by the encoded pairs to thereby calculate the calibration parameters, and calculating an absolute position of the rotary device using the calibration parameters. The calibration parameters include a positive definite matrix (A) and a center point (q) of the ellipse. The voltage signals may include an encoded sine and cosine of a rotary angle of the rotary device.
US08250895B2
Methods and apparatus for rolling metal sheet or plate are provided. The method comprises the step of feeding the metal plate or sheet into a rolling mill at an angle. The apparatus comprises a rolling mill having a tilted feed table, or an apron upon which a transfer table and tilted feed table can rest. Through-thickness gradient and shear texture can be improved using the methods and apparatus of the invention.
US08250894B2
A release mechanism for use in a leveling apparatus that performs a leveling process on a work object that has been wound in a coil configuration as a result of the work object being passed between a front side work roll in contact with the front side surface of the work object and a back side work roll that is in contact with the back side surface of the work, wherein the releasing mechanism switches between a work clamp state that allows performance of the leveling process and a release state that releases the work object from the clamp state by displacing a work roll support member that supports one of the work rolls relative to the another support member to change a distance between the work rolls by utilizing rotational movement of an electric motor.
US08250891B2
A tube, which is especially employed for making the main frame tube of a bicycle, is fabricated by means of a 6-4Ti alloy sheet being fed to the forming mold with a feed device, being cold-rolled with the stamping block, winding the circumferential side of the forming mold as a tube blank with a spiral clearance extending along the tube blank, and welding the tube blank at the spiral clearance as a seam of the finished tube. In this way, the fabricated tube has an advantage of providing a high strength to resist being deformed easily.
US08250890B2
Method to improve solid lubricant film tribological performance and adhesion to hot forming material
According to one embodiment, a film of solid lubricant particles is applied to metal workpieces, which are then subjected to a controlled humid environment for predetermined times and temperatures. Following the exposure to humidity, the lubricated metal workpieces are heated for a hot forming operation. The humidification of the lubricated workpiece increases the adhesion of solid lubricant films to the metal workpieces, thereby improving the tribological performance of the workpieces during subsequent hot forming operations.
US08250886B2
A washing-drying/drying machine includes a tub mounted in a cabinet; a drum rotatably disposed in the tub for receiving laundry; a cooling water supply unit for supplying cooling water to condense moisture in air discharged from the drum; and a condensing plate mounted between the drum and an inner wall of the tub for receiving the cooling water to condense the moisture in the air.
US08250882B2
Insulated shipping container and method of making the same. In a preferred embodiment, the insulated shipping container comprises an outer box, an insulated insert, an insulated cover, a payload container and a plurality of coolant members. The outer box comprises a rectangular prismatic cavity bounded by a plurality of rectangular side walls, a closed bottom end, and top closure flaps. The insulated insert is snugly, but removably, disposed within the outer box and is shaped to define a bottom, four sides and a top. The top includes a raised peripheral edge and a recessed shelf. A large rectangular prismatic cavity surrounded by a plurality of smaller cavities extends downwardly from the recessed shelf. The large cavity of the insulated insert is adapted to receive a payload container, together with a pair of coolant saddle bags adapted to surround the payload container. Each of the smaller cavities of the insulated insert has a “top hat” shape when viewed from above, with each of these cavities including a comparatively wider but shorter and shallower section and a comparatively narrower but longer and deeper section. The wider but shorter and shallower section is dimensioned to loosely receive a coolant brick, with the unoccupied portion of the section and the completely unoccupied narrower but longer and deeper section providing air spaces for convection.
US08250875B2
An appliance includes a compression stage, a condensation stage, and an evaporation stage. The evaporation stage includes a first evaporator for a first refrigerated enclosure and a second evaporator for a second refrigerated enclosure. A first valve in a condensation stage bypass line is openable to allow a supply of refrigerant to bypass the condensation stage during a defrost mode, where a condensation stage bypass line is positioned between an output of the compression stage and the second evaporator. A second valve is positioned in a line from the second evaporator to the input to the compression stage and is closeable to block a supply of refrigerant from the second evaporator to the compression stage during the defrost mode. An additional line positioned between the second evaporator and the first evaporator carries the supply of refrigerant from the second evaporator to the first evaporator in the defrost mode.
US08250867B2
An arrangement for recirculation of exhaust gases of a supercharged combustion engine includes a return line for recirculating exhaust gases, an air-cooled EGR cooler and a bypass line having an extent such that it can lead recirculating exhaust gases past the EGR cooler. A valve is operable to be placed in a first position to lead the whole flow of recirculating exhaust gases through the EGR cooler during situations where there is no risk of ice formation in the EGR cooler, and in a second position to lead the whole flow of recirculating exhaust gases through the bypass line during situations where there is risk of ice formation in the EGR cooler.
US08250863B2
In various embodiments, compressed-gas energy storage and recovery systems include a cylinder assembly for compression and/or expansion of gas, a reservoir for storage and/or supply of compressed gas, and a system for thermally conditioning gas within the reservoir.
US08250861B2
An energy storage system includes a reservoir defining an interior chamber, a collapsible bladder positioned within the interior chamber and having working fluid therein, a one-way valve in fluid communication with the interior chamber and operable to permit entry of replacement air into the interior chamber as working fluid exits the bladder, a reversible pump/motor in fluid communication with the bladder, and an accumulator containing working fluid and gas. The accumulator is in selective fluid communication with the reversible pump/motor to deliver pressurized working fluid to the reversible pump/motor when operating as a motor, and to receive pressurized working fluid discharged by the reversible pump/motor when operating as a pump.
US08250858B2
Before a large amount of PM is deposited in a filter 32, an exhaust gas cleaning system for a construction machine regenerates the filter to avoid a decrease in output due to the exhaust gas pressure rise occurring immediately before the filter is regenerated, and to reduce the likelihood of unusual increases in the internal temperature of the filter due to the combustion of the PM, associated with the execution of the regeneration, and consequential thermal damage to the filter. If a value of a differential pressure across the filter 32 is greater than a predetermined pressure, a controller 4 conducts engine speed control to a predetermined rotating speed Na suitable for the regeneration, then enters forced regeneration automatically, and burns off the PM. When the sensed differential pressure decreases below a predetermined pressure, the regeneration is terminated automatically and the engine 1 is stopped.
US08250856B2
In an internal combustion engine, an NOX selective reducing catalyst (15) is arranged in an engine exhaust passage. Aqueous urea is fed from an aqueous urea feed valve (17) into the NOX selective reducing catalyst (15) to selectively reduce the NOX contained in the exhaust gas with the ammonia generated from the aqueous urea. The moisture contained in the exhaust gas is recovered and stored in a water tank (21). It is provided with a high concentration aqueous urea tank (22) storing high concentration aqueous urea having a higher urea concentration than the urea concentration of the aqueous urea fed to the NOX selective reducing catalyst (15), and the high concentration aqueous urea is diluted with the recovered moisture thereby generating aqueous urea fed to the NOX selective reducing catalyst (15).
US08250838B2
A wrapping machine for wrapping a product with a plastic film including a supporting frame with which a ring arrangement is associated that rotates around a wrapping axis of the film and around the product. The supporting frame further supports a carriage arranged for supporting a reel of the film and for supporting a first roller and a second roller for unwinding and stretching the film. A first motor and a second motor are mounted on the supporting frame and coupled, respectively, with the first roller and the second roller.
US08250832B2
Surface structured decorative boards (1) having a first and a second opposite edge (1I and 1II respectively). The board (1) include an upper side decorative surface (2) an upper side surface structure and a base layer. The structure is comprised by at least two surface grades (10) forming a decorative surface pattern on said upper side, said pattern being applied in predetermined fixed positions (P) on the first and the second edges (1I and 1II respectively). The first edge pattern positions (PL) and the second edge pattern positions (PR) are matched so that the pattern continues over the first and second edges (1I and 1II respectively) of adjacent boards (1).
US08250828B2
In an anchor for use in a lightweight construction panel including a support core provided at opposite sides with upper and lower cover plates, wherein the anchor comprises a cylindrical body having a bottom and including a cement containment and a displacement body for moving, upon insertion of the displacement body, engagement elements of the cylindrical body outwardly and causing the cement to be released from the containment and be directed via passages provided by the anchor into areas next to the top and bottom plates of the lightweight construction panel, where the cement solidifies for firmly connecting the anchor to the lightweight construction panel.
US08250825B2
A flooring includes rectangular floorboards with long sides and short sides, the floorboards being joined in a herringbone pattern, long side to long side and long side to short side, wherein the floorboards have a surface layer of laminate, and the long sides of the floorboards have pairs of opposing mechanical connectors which at least allow locking-together both horizontally and vertically by inward angling.
US08250820B2
A building facade including an exterior envelope including facade elements, a rain barrier, profiled holding and supporting elements fixed vertically to floor edges, a thermal insulation system including a first insulating element in front of floor edges and a second insulating element on the inside, between floors, a vapor barrier, and an interior lining. The first insulating element is basically continuous across the surface of the facade, or is essentially free of air pockets, two adjacent breadths of the first insulating element being separated by a flat surface of the profiled elements projecting forwards of the floor edges.
US08250816B2
A method for installing rig structure (e.g. cabin, house, a doghouse) on a drilling rig, the method including: connecting support apparatus to a substructure of a drilling rig, supporting a drilling floor; moving a movement apparatus supporting a rig structure to position it adjacent the support apparatus, by moving movement apparatus on ground adjacent the substructure, moving the support apparatus into a connecting orientation with respect to the structure; connecting raising apparatus to the structure, the raising apparatus connected to the support apparatus; raising the structure up to the drill floor with the raising apparatus; and securing the structure to the support apparatus. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).
US08250813B2
A gutter guard for mounting on a gutter. The gutter guard comprises an elongated panel extending laterally from an inner portion to an outer portion of an underlying gutter. The panel is of undulating construction and comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending, laterally spaced, elongated raised areas for retarding the flow of rain water across the panel. The raised areas are separated by longitudinally extending recess channels. The raised areas and recessed channels have a plurality of longitudinally extending, laterally spaced rows of longitudinally spaced first holes extending through the panel to enable rain water flowing outwardly across the panel to flow through the first holes into an underlying gutter. The first holes have a narrow end portion facing the inner side of the panel and expanding outwardly toward the outer side of the panel to facilitate spreading of rain water as it travels across the panel toward the outer side thereof.
US08250812B2
A slider window assembly for a motor vehicle includes a fixed panel formed of a single pane encircling an opening formed therein, a slider panel movable along a horizontal axis between closed and open positions, an injection-molded plastic slider frame adhesively bonded to the fixed panel, and at least one seal member forming a seal between the slider frame and the slider panel. The slider frame includes a sealing frame extending entirely about the opening, an upper run located above the opening and receiving the slider panel, and a lower run located below the opening and receiving the slider panel. There is preferably a substantially continuous adhesive bond between the slider frame and the fixed panel that entirely encircles the opening.
US08250811B2
A cane bolt is spring biased up to allow a movable barrier with which the cane bolt is engaged to move. The cane bolt can be pushed down into a strike hole to prevent movement of the barrier. To hold the cane bolt down, a pin on the cane bolt abuts a slotted stop on the barrier. To raise the cane bolt, the cane bolt is simply rotated so that the pin aligns with and thus passes through the slot, allowing the spring to urge the cane bolt up.
US08250810B2
Plant support consisting of a base and a spiral, fitted rotatably thereon and extending vertically. This spiral is made for accommodating therein the main stem of a plant, such as pepper, cucumber, aubergine or tomato. Branches of the plant extend outwards to beyond the spiral. In the spiral is a stationary post. If the plant has reached the top of the spiral, the spiral is rotated with respect to the base such that the plant shifts downwards without rotating. The plant can subsequently continue to grow upwards again. A number of plant supports of this type can be combined with a common drive.
US08250808B2
A floating island comprising one or more layers of nonwoven mesh material and optional buoyant nodules. The mesh material is optionally coated with a spray-on elastomer or inoculated with nutrients or microorganisms. The island can include buoyant growth medium, floats, buoyant blocks, a prefabricated seed blanket, a dunking feature, capillary tubes, wicking units and/or bell flotation units. A larger embodiment is comprised of nonwoven mesh material, buoyant nodules, supplemental flotation units, stepping pads and optional load distribution members. Other optional features include a stepping stone flotation assembly, a stepping stone/vertical buoyant member flotation assembly, and a floating log assembly. The buoyancy of the island can be adjusted with a rigid framework of horizontal members, vertical members that can be moved vertically within the island, and/or a framework of prefabricated flotation tubes and cross members. The present invention also covers a floating island with a boat docking location.
US08250804B2
A plant pot holding device includes one or more panels each having a number of compartments formed with a wider front portion and a narrower rear portion for detachably engaging with plant pots, the plant pots each include a lower notch for engaging with the lower inclined surface of the panel and an upper engaging surface and a latch for engaging with the panel and for detachably attaching and latching the plant pots to the panel, the panels each include one or more couplers and one or more socket openings for selectively engaging with each other and for detachably coupling the panels together to form various spatial or three-dimensional shapes and for detachably supporting a number of plant pots.
US08250796B2
A wearable band with an adjustable size or length and with an interchangeable identification (ID) element. The band includes a first band element with a recessed surface for receiving and retaining the identification element such as with its included ID module extending through a hole in the first band element body. To allow user sizing, the wearable band includes a second band element with a planar body extending from a first to a second end. The second band element body is greater in length than the first band element body and includes a hole for receiving the first band element body. The band includes a coupling mechanism that detachably connects an outer sidewall of the first band element body to the inner sidewall of the second band element body, e.g., to allow the two band elements to be selectively disconnected and reassembled without tools.
US08250795B2
A ground-mounted device for presenting a message can comprise a ground-mounted base, a cover, and one or more panels. The ground-mounted base can have a support surface, a first retainer extending around at least a portion of a periphery of the base, and opposing ends that are substantially rounded. The cover can be configured to be removably attached to the base. The cover can substantially span the support surface. The cover can extend beneath the first retainer when the cover is attached to the base. The one or more panels can be securable to the base with at least a portion of the panel extending over the cover to inhibit movement of the cover away from the base.
US08250790B2
A printing product that may revolve and illuminate to form a 3-D vision comprises a main body (1), a revolver (2) arranged on the main body, a circuit device (3) for driving the revolver to rotate, and a trigger switch (4) for controlling disconnection or connection of the circuit device. The circuit device drives the revolver to rotate via a motor (31). The revolver is located in a segmental orifice (10) provided in the main body. A set of luminous elements (20) connecting with the circuit device is arranged on the revolver. The present invention provides an electrical driving apparatus for a greeting card, a book and so on. The revolver is made rotate by the electrical driving apparatus, thus forming a 3-D vision when the luminous elements on the revolver are rotating. Furthermore, the revolver of the present invention is arranged in the horizontal direction, and a rotating space is left for the revolver beforehand by providing the segmental orifice in the main body. Therefore, the space occupied by the printing product will not be increased and the revolver will form a 3-D vision, so an interest of the product may be greatly enhanced.
US08250781B2
An article of footwear with an interchangeable pod system is disclosed. The interchangeable pod system includes an outsole, a pod set, and a cleat set. The pods are attached to the outsole by means of the members of the cleat set. Variations in the types of pods and cleats used allow a wearer to reconfigure the article of footwear in order to maximize performance on a given surface in a given set of surface conditions as well as other parameters.
US08250773B1
A device for aligning an electrical device including a body having a front surface and a device through hole complimentary shaped to an electrical device perimeter and wherein the device through hole comprises at least two screw holes aligned with screws on the electrical device and the electrical device moves with the through hole to align the electrical device.
US08250763B2
Battery operated appliances are provided. Some appliances include a housing defining a chamber having an interior wall, electronics within the chamber, a battery cover, and a closing system including (a) a first electrically conductive member secured to the battery cover, and (b) a second electrically conductive member secured to the interior wall of the housing and configured to engage the first electrically conductive member and thereby mechanically secure the battery cover to the housing while also establishing electrical contact between the first and second electrically conductive members.
US08250754B2
A medical electrical lead that includes a lead body and at least one tubular electrode sub-assembly positioned over and attached to the external surface of the lead body. The lead body includes at least one elongated conductive element, such as a cable, that is electrically connected to a coiled electrode of the tubular electrode sub-assembly. The tubular electrode sub-assembly includes a tubular liner and an electrode embedded in the outer surface of the liner. In some embodiments, only a portion of the inner surface of the tubular liner is attached to the lead body which may potentially improve flexibility of the medical electrode lead in the area occupied by the tubular electrode sub-assembly.
