US08253505B2
A vibrating device includes: a package having an internal space; and a vibrating reed housed in the internal space of the package, wherein the package has a porous portion formed of a communication hole communicating between the internal space and the outside and a porous body buried in the communication hole, and a metal film closing the internal space is arranged on the outside side of the porous portion.
US08253495B2
A semiconductor package device comprises a first amplifier block, at least one further amplifier block operably coupled in parallel with the first amplifier block between a common input and a common output, and at least one stabilization network operably coupled between a node of the first amplifier block and a corresponding node of the at least one further amplifier block. The at least one stabilization network comprises an inductance operably coupled between the corresponding nodes of the first and at least one further amplifier blocks, and a capacitance operably coupling a mid-point of the inductance to a ground plane.
US08253494B2
A combination amplifier (1,1a) is provided which comprises a carrier amplifier (7,7a) and a series connection of a first peak amplifier (9,9a) and a second peak amplifier (11,11a) which are provided with a phase-shifted input signal relative to the input signal supplied to the carrier amplifier, wherein a transfer characteristics of the combination amplifier may be optimized by independently adjusting transfer characteristics of the carrier amplifier, the first peak amplifier and the second peak amplifier. Thereby, a linearity and/or an efficiency of the combination amplifier may be improved compared to a conventional Doherty amplifier.
US08253492B2
A variable gain amplifier includes a direct current (DC) blocking capacitor which receives an input signal at a first terminal, a variable amplifier unit, having a variable transistor size, which amplifies an output of a second terminal of the DC blocking capacitor, a load impedance unit coupled to an output of the variable amplifier unit, a bias resistor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the DC blocking capacitor, a variable bias voltage generator which applies a variable bias voltage to a second terminal of the bias resistor, and a gain controller which provides control to decrease the variable bias voltage when an effective transistor size of the variable amplifier unit is controlled so as to increase, and provides control to increase the variable bias voltage when the effective transistor size of the variable amplifier unit control is controlled so as to decrease.
US08253490B2
A digital pre-distortion system which can provide the flexibility to model the highly non-linear distortion associated with High Efficiency RF Power Amplifiers while through a novel implementation of a least squares estimation process allows an implementation well suited for an FPGA application where limited resources and in particular memory resources are available.
US08253489B2
An amplifier includes a voltage detector that detects current flowing to a drain terminal of a transistor which amplifies a signal using GaN as a voltage difference by means of voltage conversion, a compensation decision unit that decides whether or not to perform gain compensation based on the voltage difference detected by the voltage detector, and a gain compensation unit that performs the gain compensation according to the voltage difference when the compensation decision unit decides to perform the gain compensation.
US08253486B2
There is provided a wireless apparatus having a shielding function for shielding signal interference between driving power from a power amplifier and a conductive wire of a coupler. The wireless apparatus having a shielding function, includes an amplifying unit receiving preset driving power and amplifying a radio frequency (RF) input signal according to a preset gain, an impedance matching unit including at least one coil, receiving the driving power from the amplifying unit, and matching the impedance of a path of a signal, amplified from the amplifying unit, through the coil, and a shielding unit eliminating signal interference between the coil and a transmission path of the driving power from the amplifying unit.
US08253482B2
The common-mode voltage of a switched-capacitor system is controlled by determining a current common-mode voltage of the switched-capacitor system, converting (in a flow-through conduction cell) the difference between the current common-mode voltage and a desired common-mode voltage into a resultant current, and reinjecting this resultant current into the switched-capacitor system via a resistive path.
US08253475B2
A fuse detecting apparatus includes a detector, a calibrator and a logical operating unit. The detector includes a detecting switch module and a detecting latch. The detecting switch module generates an initial detecting result according to first and second control signals and a status of the fuse. The detecting latch stores a voltage level of the initial detecting result or maintains its originally stored voltage level according to the initial detecting result for generating a pre-calibrating detecting signal. The calibrator includes a calibrating switch module and a calibrating latch. The calibrating switch module generates a calibrating result according to the first and second control signals. The calibrating latch stores the calibrating result and generates a calibrating signal accordingly. The logical operating unit generates a calibrated detecting signal according to the pre-calibrating detecting signal and the calibrating signal.
US08253470B2
An apparatus, a method, and a system are provided to calibrate an offset in an amplifier. The apparatus can include an amplifier, a voltage control unit, a comparator, and a processing unit. The amplifier can have four terminals: a positive differential input (VIN+), a negative differential input (VIN−), a positive differential output (VOUT+), and a negative differential output (VOUT−). The voltage control unit can be configured to adjust a first voltage on VOUT+ and a second voltage on VOUT−. The comparator can be configured to compare the first voltage on VOUT+ to the second voltage on VOUT− when VIN+ and VIN− are coupled to a common voltage. Further, the processing unit can be configured to provide a control signal to the voltage control unit based on the comparison of the first and second voltages on VOUT+ and VOUT−, respectively.
US08253465B2
A semiconductor memory device includes an edge detector configured to receive two pairs of complementary clocks to detect edges of the clocks, a comparator configured to compare output signals of the edge detector to detect whether clocks of the same pair have a phase difference of 180 degrees and detect whether clocks of different pairs have a phase difference of 90 degrees, a control signal generator configured to generate a control signal for controlling phases of the clocks according to an output signal of the comparator, and a phase corrector configured to correct phases of the clocks in response to the control signal.
US08253464B2
A multi-threshold complementary metal-oxide semiconductor technology (MTCMOS technology) master slave flip-flop with a single clock signal includes a master storage element configured to store an input data in response to a clock signal transition and a slave storage element configured to receive data from the master storage element and to output the received data in response to an opposite clock signal transition. The master storage element includes low threshold voltage transistors, the slave storage element includes high threshold voltage transistors, and the master and the slave storage elements are provided with a single clock signal.
US08253461B2
There is provided a waveform equalization circuit with pulse width modulation that includes pulse-width adjust-level generation circuits PWCLC1a, PWCLC2a, for generating a pulse-width adjust-level VCNT on the basis of preceding input data units Din_P, Din_N, respectively, pulse-width adjustment circuits PWCC1a, PWCC2a, for adjusting a pulse-width according to VCNT, respectively, and a waveform shaping circuit WAC for shaping a waveform of an output signal from each of the pulse-width adjustment circuits. The pulse-width adjustment circuit has a driving power to be controlled according to a consecutive bits count of each of the preceding input data units, and varies transition time of each of output data units Do1_P, Do1_N, thereby adjusting the pulse width. With the use of such a waveform equalization scheme as above, it is possible to attain reduction in power consumption due to simplification in circuit configuration, and further, use of CMOS circuits will enable power consumption to be held back to a low level.
US08253459B2
A frequency adjusting apparatus includes a frequency control signal generating unit that generates a multi-bit frequency control signal, which is changed in level bit by bit, in response to a reference clock signal, and a frequency adjusting unit that adjusts the frequency of the reference clock signal in response to the multi-bit frequency control signal.
US08253457B2
A delay locked loop (DLL) with delay programmability includes a pair of delay blocks, each containing multiple delay elements, but configurable to connect a desired subset of the delay elements between input and output nodes of the respective delay blocks. The subsets of the delay elements in the two delay blocks are connected in series. The ratio of the number of delay elements programmed to form each of the two subsets determines a delay provided as an output by the DLL. In operation, a phase discriminator and a loop filter in combination with the programmed subsets in the delay blocks, operate to generate an analog error signal to compensate for process, temperature and voltage (PTV) variations in the delay provided as an output by the DLL.
US08253449B2
A clock switch circuit includes a frequency divide circuit which divides a frequency of a basic clock to generate a plurality of frequency-divided clocks, an output select signal generation circuit which outputs an output select signal according to a clock select signal, and an output select circuit which switches a clock to be output according to the output select signal, in which the frequency divide circuit outputs a plurality of frequency-divided count values indicating the number of clocks of the basic clock from start of one cycle of each of the frequency-divided clocks, and the output select signal generation circuit switches a value of the output select signal at timings at which start timings of cycles of frequency-divided clocks before and after switch operation are matched based on a frequency-divided count value corresponding to a current selection clock among the plurality of frequency-divided count values.
US08253443B2
An interconnection architecture for multilayer circuits includes metal-insulator transition channels interposed between address leads and each bar in the multilayer circuit. An extrinsic variable transducer selectively transitions the metal-insulator channels between insulating and conducting states to selectively connect and disconnect the bars and the address leads. A method for accessing a programmable crosspoint device within a multilayer crossbar circuit is also provided.
US08253442B2
Apparatus and methods are disclosed, such as those involving data transmission. One such apparatus includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a channel. The transmitter includes a pair of current sources and a pair of switches. Each of the pair of switches conducts one of the current sources to the channel in response to input data. The receiver includes a first node configured to receive a signal over the channel, and a second node. The receiver also includes a resistance generating a voltage drop between the first node and the second node. The receiver further includes a first transistor of a first type and a second transistor of a second type. The first and second transistors are together configured to provide a voltage level to the second node based at least partly on the voltage drop. The resistance provides a negative feedback to center the mean signal level, thereby reducing intersymbol interference.
US08253441B1
In one embodiment, the present disclosure includes a level shift circuit. The level shift circuit includes a clocked latch to receive a digital data signal and a complement of the digital data signal. Outputs of the clocked latch are coupled to inputs of a second latch through capacitors. The clocked latch is powered by first and second power supply voltages that are different than third and fourth power supply voltages used for powering the second latch. Latch output signals from the second latch have high and low voltage values at the third and fourth power supply voltages. In one embodiment, transistors in circuitry driven by the level shift circuit may receive output signals from the level shift circuit that have high and low voltage values within a safe operating range of the transistor receiving the output signal.
US08253438B2
An integrated circuit includes first circuitry and sleep transistor circuitry. The first circuitry receives input signals and processes the input signals. The first circuitry also retains data in a sleep state that has low leakage. The sleep transistor circuitry is coupled to the first circuitry and receives a sleep signal that has a negative voltage. The sleep circuitry reduces power consumption of the first circuitry in the sleep state to have low leakage based on the sleep signal while retaining the data in the first circuitry.
US08253437B2
Skew is reduced by extracting the AC component of an input signal and superimposing it on a common reference voltage to produce a resulting voltage. The resulting voltage is provided as an input to a comparator, which compares it to the reference voltage to provide a final output. Thus, all signals fed to a system, in accordance with an embodiment, are referenced at the same DC level and hence, skew is reduced.
US08253435B2
Methods and apparatus to detect voltage conditions of power supplies are disclosed. An example power supply monitor to detect fault conditions in a power supply includes a capacitive element communicatively coupled to the power supply, the capacitive element being configured to change state between a collapsed state and an open state in response to the power supply having a first voltage associated with a first fault condition of the power supply; a detector communicatively coupled to the capacitive element to detect a voltage spike generated from the state change of the capacitive element; and a signal generator to generate a fault signal in response to the voltage spike to indicate the power supply being in the first fault condition.
US08253426B2
A capaciatance detector is provided, which outputs an electric signal dependent on the capacitance present on an object to be measured. The capaciatance detector includes a measurement terminal to be disposed in contact with or in proximity to the object being measured; an impedance conversion circuit connected to the measurement terminal to form a resonant circuit; a reference phase oscillator for supplying a reference phase signal at a constant frequency to the resonant circuit; phase comparison means for outputting, as a capacitance detected signal, a phase difference signal indicative of the phase difference between a resonant signal, which is extracted from the resonant circuit in response to the reference phase signal being applied to the resonant circuit, and the reference phase signal; and resonance frequency regulation means for regulating the resonance frequency of the resonant circuit based on the phase difference signal.
US08253424B2
A topology for surveying the integrity of a plurality of capacitors connected in series between a pair of bus lines arranged to be connected to a DC-power source comprises a plurality of resistors connected in series between the pair of bus lines, the plurality of resistors being connected in parallel to the plurality of capacitors; and a comparator comparing the electric potential of an intermediate point between two capacitors of the plurality of capacitors with the electric potential of an intermediate point between two resistors of the plurality of resistors. The comparator provides a signal signaling a difference between these two electric potentials, which indicates a loss of integrity of one capacitor of the plurality of capacitors.
US08253410B2
The invention provides a transformer probe for sensing movement of a body of magnetic material, having multiple output channels wherein the output in each output channel is substantially unaffected by faults in other output channels. The transformer probe comprises a magnetically energizable pole piece, a sensing circuit comprising an electrical circuit having a portion, remote from the pole piece, which forms first and second transformer primary coils, a first output circuit comprising a first transformer secondary coil, inductively coupled to the first primary coil via a first transformer core, and terminated by a first load resistance, and means for measuring an output signal from the secondary circuit, a second output circuit comprising a second transformer secondary coil, inductively coupled to the second primary coil via a second transformer core and terminated by a second load resistance and means for measuring an output signal from the second secondary coil, and an inductive coupling, or resistive electrical component, connected across each primary coil, having an impedance within the sensing circuit such that a change from a normal circuit condition to an open circuit condition within the first or second output circuit does not significantly affect the voltage across the first and second primary coils.
US08253409B2
In a range detection device, a movable member has a magnetized portion and can move with a manual valve of a control device. A supporting member includes a plate portion having a surface opposed to the magnetized portion and a recess formed in an opposite surface of the plate portion, and supports the movable member such that the movable member is capable of moving parallel with the plate portion. A substrate is placed in the recess and has a first hole that penetrates the substrate. A magnetic detection element is installed to a surface of the substrate at a side of the plate portion to correspond to a position of the first hole, and detects magnetism of the magnetized portion. A sealing member is filled in the recess and covers the substrate and the magnetic detection element.
US08253407B2
The present invention discloses a voltage mode switching regulator with improved light load efficiency and mode transition characteristic, and a control circuit and a control method therefor. The switching regulator can switch between a pulse width modulation (PWM) mode and a pulse skipping mode. The control method for the switching regulator comprises: comparing a feedback signal relating to an output voltage with a reference signal, to generate an error amplification signal; generating a duty signal according to the error amplification signal and a ramp signal, to control the switching regulator; setting a threshold level of the error amplification signal and a threshold level of the pulse skipping mode according to the error amplification signal in a stable status; and when the error amplification signal is close or equal to the threshold level of the pulse skipping mode, generating a pulse skip signal to enter the pulse skipping mode.
US08253404B2
A disclosed constant voltage circuit is configured to become active or inactive and convert an input voltage applied to an input terminal into a predetermined constant voltage for output from an output terminal. The circuit includes an output transistor for supplying, from the input terminal to the output terminal, an output current, an error amplifier circuit unit for controlling operations of the output transistor to make a first proportional voltage, which is proportional to the output voltage from the output terminal, equal to a predetermined reference voltage, a ramp voltage generating circuit unit for generating and outputting a ramp voltage whose voltage level increases at a predetermined speed from start-up, and an amplifier circuit unit for amplifying the voltage difference between the ramp voltage and a second proportional voltage, which is proportional to the output voltage, and outputting the amplified voltage difference to a control electrode of the output transistor.
US08253401B2
A voltage conversion apparatus includes a DC-to-DC conversion circuit, a sensing circuit, and a compensation circuit. The voltage conversion apparatus is capable of adaptively adjusting the system bandwidth according to the load. The system bandwidth is increased to make the converted voltage responding to the load rapidly when the voltage conversion apparatus is operated at a transient state; and the system bandwidth is decreased to increase the system stability when the voltage conversion circuit is operated at a steady state.
US08253399B2
One embodiment of the invention includes a regulator system that includes a high-side power transistor electrically connected between a first node and a second node. The system also includes a low-side power transistor electrically connected between the second node and a third node. The high and low-side power transistors can be controlled by high and low-side control signals, respectively. A mode controller provides at least one mode control signal having a value to enable operation of the regulator system in each of a buck switching, boost switching, negative switching, and linear regulator mode. The regulator system can utilize at least one of the high-side power transistor and the low-side power transistor to operate in the selected mode depending on at least one of an input voltage and an arrangement of external circuitry that are electrically coupled to at least one of the first, second, and third nodes to provide a regulated output voltage.
US08253395B2
Methods, systems, and devices are provided for optimizing a bus voltage supplied to a switching power converter to keep the duty cycle of the switching power converter to within a desirable operating range. In some embodiments, the duty cycle of the switching signal used to drive the switching power converter is monitored (e.g., indirectly) to determine whether the duty cycle is approaching an undesirable level. For example, as the duty cycle decreases (e.g., approaches or crosses a certain threshold), embodiments decrease the bus voltage. This may, in turn, allow the switching power converter to output substantially the same output to the load, while using a more efficient (e.g., larger) duty cycle. Certain embodiments use similar techniques, along with certain bus voltage optimization techniques, to control a bus voltage as a function of feedback from multiple switching power converters.
US08253393B2
The present disclosure related to a method and a controller for controlling an AC generator which is used in connection with a wind turbine having a variable speed. The multi-phase generator is connected to a controllable converter and is controlled to provide a desired power or a desired torque. An AC reference signal is generated, which would provide the desired power or torque. A P+Resonant converter may be used to control an electrical characteristic of the generator in view of the reference, by applying control signals to the controllable converter. Thereby, the need to transform the electrical characteristic into a rotating frame may be eliminated which provides for a less complex controller.
US08253391B2
A capacitor charging apparatus includes a transformer and an output capacitor which is to be charged using the current that flows through the secondary coil of the transformer. A control circuit charges the output capacitor by controlling the switching operation of a switching transistor provided on a path of the primary coil of the transformer. A voltage monitoring terminal is connected to a tap provided to the secondary coil of the transformer. A switching control unit receives a monitoring voltage that occurs at the voltage monitoring terminal, and controls the switching operation of the switching transistor according to the monitoring voltage. A protection circuit monitors the monitoring voltage. In a case in which continues to be satisfied with respect to the monitoring voltage, the switching control operation of the switching control unit for the switching transistor is stopped.
US08253387B2
Embodiments include methods for charging a battery of an electrical system. The electrical system includes the battery, a battery charger, and a controller. The battery charger is adapted to produce an output power in response to a control signal from the controller. The controller is adapted to control a battery charging process by determining a temperature of the battery pack, determining a voltage setpoint for the battery charger based on the temperature, and providing the control signal to the battery charger. According to an embodiment, when the temperature of the battery exceeds a first temperature value, the battery charging process is temporarily suspended prior to satisfying a charging termination criterion. Determining the temperature of the battery is repeated, and when the temperature of the battery is less than a second temperature value, the battery charging process is resumed.
US08253378B2
A battery management system according to the present invention comprises a battery module consisted of a plurality of batteries connected in series; a switch module connected in parallel to the battery module; a voltage sensor measuring a voltage of each battery composing the battery module; a charge equalizer causing each battery composing the battery module to be charged, discharged or charged/discharged; and a microprocessor controlling the switch module to determine whether to charge or discharge each battery composing the battery module according to the voltage values measured by the voltage sensor and; wherein the voltage sensor and the charge equalizer are connected in parallel to each battery composing the battery module by the switch module.
US08253372B2
A charging system includes a robot and a charging apparatus. The robot includes a rechargeable battery, a power receiving terminal electrically connecting with the rechargeable battery, and a detector for detecting a voltage of the battery. The charging apparatus for charging the robot includes a base comprising a receiving portion defining a sliding slot, a power supplying terminal disposed in the receiving portion and configured for electrically contacting with the power receiving terminal, a positioning board docked in the receiving portion for loading the robot, and a driving device including an inclined surface contacting with the positioning board via the sliding slot. The detector may send a control signal to the driving device to push the positioning board with the robot up from the receiving portion.
US08253366B2
A device for diagnosing signal status of a driven object includes an insulation transformer, a signal generating device, a current measuring device, a feedback device, and a voltage measuring device. The insulation transformer has an intermediate tap at a midpoint of its primary winding. The signal generating device generates periodically vibrating voltage and includes a rectangular wave pulse voltage and alternating voltage. The current measuring device is connected to the intermediate tap of the primary winding to measure a current. The feedback device converts the current flowing from the intermediate tap of the primary side to a voltage corresponding to the drive voltage and feeds back the converted voltage to the input drive voltage signal. The voltage measuring device measures the voltage added with the feedback voltage. Diagnosis of the signal state is performed based on measurement results of the current measuring device and voltage measuring device.
US08253365B2
A method for fault diagnosis for a rotor of an electric motor, the electric motor also having a stator, includes the steps of generating, via a processor, a measured motor current for the stator, determining, via the processor, a resolver angle of the rotor, determining, via the processor, a flux angle of the rotor, calculating, via the processor, a transformation angle using the resolver angle and the flux angle, conducting, via the processor, a transformation of the motor current using the transformation angle, and identifying, via the processor, a fault condition based on the transformation.
US08253361B2
A device for controlling electric drives in machinery includes an electronic control unit for calculating in advance the electric power required by the at least one electric drive as a function of motion profiles of the electric drive. A printing material processing machine having the drive, is also provided.
US08253355B2
A control apparatus for multiplexing a single distributed control amplifier to control multiple axes of motion in a multi-axis machine. In one example, the control apparatus comprises a distributed control motor amplifier, a first motor constructed and arranged to provide movement along a first axis of motion, a second motor constructed and arranged to provide movement along a second axis of motion, a first relay having a switch coupled to the distributed control motor amplifier, a first contact coupled to the first motor, a second contact coupled to the second motor, and an input for receiving an actuation signal, wherein the relay is configured to be manipulated between a first state in which the switch is electrically connected to the first contact a second state in which the switch is electrically connected to the second contact, in response to the actuation signal.
US08253353B2
A method for driving a light source (11, 12, 13) is described, wherein the light source is alternately switched ON and OFF in an ON/OFF pattern, wherein the duty cycle of the ON/OFF pattern is varied to vary the average light intensity of the light source, and wherein the shape of the ON/OFF pattern is varied to transmit data. Thus, a control signal for the light source comprises data information as well as duty cycle information. The duty cycle is varied within a range from almost zero to almost 100%, and data is varied and transmitted without affecting the duty cycle.
US08253347B2
An egress lighting system which utilizes an efficient primary and emergency light source and complies with the NEC standards for emergency egress lighting. This invention combines two sets of LEDs onto a single circuit board to provide primary lighting and secondary emergency egress lighting while keeping the circuits of the primary and secondary lighting electrically separate or isolated.
US08253346B2
The present disclosure generally relates to lighting and energy control systems. In some embodiments, a control module is provided that can facilitate installation of lighting systems and control power consumption. Control module may control a ballast coupled to one or more lamps in a light fixture or energy consuming devices on a circuit. The control module can retrofit with various junction boxes or light fixtures and thus enable energy and sensor controls to be deployed in a wide variety of lighting installations which may be inaccessible due to cost or installation constraints. Control device may include a control circuit which provides relaying and one or more interfaces to provide power controls to various devices, such as ballasts, motors, appliances, or other devices.
US08253344B2
A lighting device comprises a mounting head having multiple facets each configured to retain an associated Light Emitting Diode (LED). The LEDs are mounted to the facets with a thermally conductive metal pad and thermally conductive adhesive. A connector for the lighting device inserts into a light socket and receives power for operating the LEDs. A heat transfer body is coupled between the mounting head and the connector and transfer heat generated by the LEDs downward from the mounting head and then radially outward. The mounting head, adhesive, metal pad, and heat transfer body form a heat transfer structure that more effectively removes heat generated by the LEDs. In one embodiment, a dimmer circuit is also provided that allows the LED lighting device to operate with conventional dimmer switches.
US08253339B1
A circuit may include a switch mode power converter that intermittently enables a current path in response to a switch control signal; a duty cycle measurement circuit that generates a duty cycle value corresponding to a duty cycle of the switch control signal; and an evaluation circuit that activates a failure indication in response to the duty cycle value being outside of at least one limit.
US08253337B2
A lighting system for an emergency exit from an occupied space: an array of lighting elements located around the emergency exit to illuminate the exit and facilitate egress for an occupant of the space; a control unit; and sensors to detect one or more trigger conditions and actuate the lighting elements in response to a first trigger condition from any of the sensors, the sensors comprising: an impulse detector operable to send a signal to the control unit indicating that the impulse detector has experienced an impulse; and a roll and/or pitch detector operable to send a signal to the control unit indicating that the roll and/or pitch detector has experienced roll and/or pitch, wherein upon detection of the first trigger condition the control unit actuates one or more of the lighting elements to illuminate the exit.
US08253335B2
A method of forming a discharge lamp and the resultant discharge lamp include providing an arc tube having first and second ends offset from a central arcuate or curvilinear portion of the discharge chamber formed between the arc tube ends. Electrodes extend from the first and second ends and at least partially into the discharge chamber which is locally substantially rotationally symmetric, i.e., substantially circular cross-section over a length thereof. Preferably, the arc tube and discharge chamber have a curvilinear conformation where the first and second ends are located below the central portion of the arc tube and associated discharge chamber in horizontal orientation during operation. Terminal ends of the electrodes preferably follow a local axis of the curvilinear conformation. The wall thickness of the discharge chamber may be alternatively constant or non-constant along a longitudinal extent thereof.
US08253334B2
A cathode sub-assembly is comprised of a retainer, a cathode and a collar, each of which has smooth unthreaded surfaces that slidably engage each other. A shield serves to hold the sub-assembly in a support plate. The cathode projects from the sub-assembly into an arc chamber with a tortuous path created therebetween for passage of a plasma flow.
US08253329B2
A light source assembly and associated method of forming same includes a generally planar light emitting device having parallel first and second generally planar surfaces that are interconnected along a perimeter. A seal extends over at least a portion of the light emitting device. Further, a sidewall portion encloses the perimeter of a light emitting device, and a cover portion may extend over at least a portion of the light emitting device. The method includes folding perimeter edges of an enlarged backsheet, or providing a frame seal that is dimensioned so that perimeter edges may be folded over the light emitting device.
US08253324B2
Provided is a display apparatus including a plurality of pixels each composed of an organic electroluminescent device, in which the dependency of a view angle can be reduced without the sacrifice of the luminance of the display apparatus. The display apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of pixels each composed of an organic electroluminescent device, in which at least one of the pixels is divided into a plurality of areas different in dependency of a view angle.
US08253323B2
The present invention relates to an organic light emitting device, and the organic light emitting device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a blue subpixel that is larger than a red subpixel and a green subpixel. The red subpixel and the green subpixel have the same layered structure such that the red subpixel and the green subpixel are formed by using the same shadow mask.
US08253319B2
To provide a light emitter substrate which is characterized in that discharge current reduction performance is excellent, plural phosphors are arranged in an X direction and a Y direction on a substrate, metal backs are arranged on the phosphors, ribs extending in the Y direction are arranged between the phosphors adjacent in the X direction, first resistors to electrically connect the metal backs adjacent in the Y direction are formed on the ribs respectively, and second resistors to electrically connect the metal backs adjacent in the X direction are formed under the ribs respectively.
US08253314B2
An ion source using a field emission device is provided. The field emission device includes an insulative substrate, an electron pulling electrode, a secondary electron emission layer, a first dielectric layer, a cathode electrode, and an electron emission layer. The electron pulling electrode is located on a surface of the insulative substrate. The secondary electron emission layer is located on a surface of the electron pulling electrode. The cathode electrode is located apart from the electron pulling electrode by the first dielectric layer. The cathode electrode has a surface oriented to the electron pulling electrode and defines a first opening as an electron output portion. The electron emission layer is located on the surface of the cathode electrode and oriented to the electron pulling electrode.
US08253310B1
An exemplary light fixture includes a holder, an envelope and a lamp body. The lamp body includes a heat dissipation portion, a light source and a shield. The heat dissipation portion has top and bottom ends connecting to the holder and the envelope, respectively. The light source is mounted on the bottom end of the heat dissipation portion and covered by the envelope. The heat dissipation portion includes a plurality of fins extending from the top end to the bottom end of the heat dissipation portion. A passage is defined between every two adjacent fins. The shield surrounds the fins and defines a plurality of windows therein, communicating with the passages.
US08253297B2
The invention relates to a winding body for an electric motor and, in particular a brushless direct current electric motor (200) with an air gap winding. At least two bobbins (12, 14; 22, 24; 32, 34) per stand (10, 20, 30) are provided. The invention also relates to a method for the production of said winding body. According to the invention, the bobbins (12, 14; 22, 24; 32, 34) of a strand (10; 20; 30) of the winding body (100) are wound immediately behind each other.
US08253296B2
The wire 30 forming the stator winding 20 includes the in-slot portions 40 to be disposed in the slots 14 and 15 of the stator core 12 and the turned portions 42 connecting the in-slot portions 40 disposed in the circumferentially different slots 14 and 15. The turned portions 42 formed on axial opposite end sides of the stator core 12. The crank portion 44 which does not twist is formed at substantially the center of the turned portion 42. Steps are formed at sections of the turned portion 42 which protrude outside the stator core 12 from the slots 14 and 15. Further, the turned portion 42 of the wire 30 also has two steps 48 formed between the substantially central crank portion 44 and each of the steps 46 formed at the protruding sections of the turned portion 42.
US08253287B2
An inverter power module includes: a heatsink that is shaped into a ring-shaped flat plate; a plurality of power MOSFETs that are mounted onto substrates, and mounted to a front surface of the heatsink; a circuit board that is a resin-molded body into which a plurality of inserted conductors are insert molded; and a bus bar that is fixed to the heatsink so as to be disposed on an opposite side of the circuit board facing the heatsink, and that is connected to a power source line of an inverter power circuit by means of a battery electric potential connecting terminal, the heatsink is electrically connected to the rear bracket by being fixed to the rear bracket, and the rear bracket is connected to a ground line of the inverter power circuit by means of the ground electric potential connecting terminal.
US08253283B2
A power generation device that includes an excitation coil with a central opening, and a magnetic circuit extending through the central opening of the coil and including at least one permanent magnet and a plurality of ferromagnetic members arranged in a fixed portion and two mobile portions. The two mobile portions are mounted on two parallel rotary axes and can each assume two positions. The device further includes a mechanism rotating the two mobile portions between the two positions thereof so as to create two states of the magnetic circuit, i.e. a first state in which a magnetic flow flows through the coil in one direction and a second state in which a magnetic flow flows through the coil in the opposite direction.
US08253282B2
Disclosed is a linear vibrator, the linear vibrator including a substrate supplying electric power, a case including a base supporting the substrate and a cover wrapping the base, a stator fixed to either the base or the cover, a vibrator including magnets each arranged to face both sides of the stator and a weight to which the magnets are fixed, an inner spring coupled to both sides of the weight to wrap the weight, and an external spring, both end portions of which are coupled to an inner lateral surface of the case to wrap the inner spring, and a part of which is coupled to the inner spring.
US08253279B2
An Inductive power switching supply with a digital control for active implantable medical devices is disclosed. A switching power supply (14) receives as input (12) an input voltage (Vi) from a battery (10) and delivers as output (16) an output voltage (VO). The switching power supply comprises an inductor having an inductance value (L) and a switching network (S1 . . . S5, D1 . . . D4), providing, according to a predefined topology, at least two alternative configurations including a charge phase and a discharge phase. The switching network is controlled at the end of the charging and discharging phases and the output voltage is regulated as a function of the input voltage from the nominal voltage. The switching network control does not measure current through the inductor. An analog-to-digital converter (20) is used to deliver a digital value representative of the input voltage (Vi). A predictor tool calculates a priori, a duration of the charging phase and a duration of the discharging phase according to a plurality of parameters comprising: the input voltage, the output voltage, the nominal voltage, the inductance value and a predetermined peak current (IK) through the inductor during the charging phase.
US08253276B2
A power supply device is disclosed that is able to satisfy requirements of a device in connection and has high efficiency.The power supply device includes a first power supply; a voltage step-up unit that steps up an output voltage of the first power supply; a voltage step-down unit that steps down an output voltage of the voltage step-up unit; and a load that is driven to operate by an output voltage of the voltage step-down unit. The voltage step-up unit steps up the output voltage of the first power supply to a lower limit of an operating voltage of the voltage step-down unit.
US08253272B2
A self-programmable control system for an electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may comprise a ceiling fan and associated light fixtures, wherein the ceiling fan is manufactured to be coupled with an AC power source, and includes a motor with associated connection wires for rotating fan blades. Such ceiling fan system may further include at least one lower light fixture, and one upper light fixture, with associated connection wires for adjusting light intensity. The control system may utilize a plurality of wireless or hard-wired controllers, wherein each controller contains a transmitter configured to encode and transmit a control signal from the controller to a receiver. The control system further includes a receiver adapted to receive the encoded control signals, decode the instruction, and provide the decoded instruction to a component of the electronic device. The receiver is adapted to operate in several different modes, including a dimmer mode and a programming mode, whereby the remote transmitters may adjust the illumination intensity and the receiver may program itself to receive instructions only from a specific controller.
US08253268B1
The inventive technology described herein generally relates to the field of wind power generation. More specifically, methods and apparatus for an RPM controlled power generation system utilizing perhaps multiple generators coupled through a radius adjustable coupler to at least one rotational movement element. This coupled connection may be static or dynamically adjustable across the surface of the rotational movement element so as to maintain an electrical output at a constant generator rotation(s) per minute (RPM) according to the varying rotational velocity along the radius of the rotational movement element. In some embodiments such coupled generators may be controlled through the implementation of a variety of novel RPM adjusting applications directed to system elements so as to increase electrical output yield while maintaining a constant or near constant generator rotation(s) per minute.
US08253255B2
An electronic device includes a substrate, a first chip mounted on the substrate and having a first terminal, a second terminal, an input pad and a semiconductor time switch connected to the first terminal and the second terminal and configured to disconnect the first terminal and the second terminal upon lapse of a prescribed lifetime, the input pad being configured to set the prescribed lifetime, a second chip mounted on the substrate and incorporating an operational device having a third terminal connected to the first terminal and a fourth terminal serving as an input terminal for an external device, a first memory device mounted on the substrate, having a fifth terminal connected to the second terminal and storing information required for operating the operational device, and an encapsulater covering at least the input pad of the first chip.
US08253252B2
It is an object to provide an element structure of a semiconductor device for having a sufficient contact area between an electrode in contact with a source region or a drain region and the source region or the drain region, and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device with the element structure. An upper electrode is formed over a high-concentration impurity region (the source region or the drain region). A contact hole passing through an interlayer insulating film is formed overlapping with a region where the upper electrode and the high-concentration impurity region are stacked.
US08253250B2
An interconnection is formed on an object having a step by a screen printing method. The interconnection is formed by printing it on a substrate having an upper stage surface and a lower stage surface. A multilayer interconnection structure having a plurality of layers which are stacked is formed by repeatedly performing a process of printing and drying an interconnection pattern on the lower stage surface. Then, when the height of the multilayer interconnection structure approaches the height of the upper stage surface, an interconnection pattern of the uppermost layer is printed on the multilayer interconnection structure to extend onto the upper stage surface. Because the interconnection pattern of the uppermost layer is printed in a smaller step, the print characteristic is good. Thus, by the printing, the interconnection structure is formed which has a narrow interconnection width and surely connects the upper surface and the lower surface in a larger step than the interconnection width.
US08253243B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing first and second semiconductor substrates, each having first and second main surfaces opposite to one another. A roughened surface is formed on at least one of the first main surface of the first semiconductor substrate and the second main surface of the second semiconductor substrate. A dielectric layer is formed on the first main surface of the semiconductor substrate and the second semiconductor substrate is disposed on the dielectric layer opposite to the first semiconductor substrate. The second main surface of the second semiconductor substrate contacts the dielectric layer.
US08253240B2
A cap member capable of alleviating degradation of reliability and improving fabrication yields is provided. The cap member has a cylindrical side wall portion, a top face portion closing one end of the side wall portion and having a light exit hole formed therein to allow extraction of laser light from a semiconductor laser chip; a light transmission window fitted to the top face portion to stop the light exit hole, and a flange portion arranged at the other end of the side wall portion and welded on the upper face of a stem on which the semiconductor laser chip is mounted. A groove portion is formed in an inner surface of the top face portion, and this groove portion makes part of the top face portion in a predetermined region less thick than the other part thereof.
US08253238B2
In a resin-sealed semiconductor device, an inner lead including a bend portion formed by lifting has a protruding shape located on one side and an inclined vertical surface shape located on the other side (inside) in an external connection terminal direction. A cutaway portion is provided along the bend portion and an external connection terminal. A height of an upper surface portion of the inner lead is higher than a height of an upper surface of a semiconductor element. The inner lead is provided in a substantially central portion of a die pad so that the inclined vertical surface shape is parallel to a side of a die pad which includes a thin portion located in a side surface portion and an exposure portion located on a bottom surface.
US08253225B2
An electronic device and manufacturing thereof. One embodiment provides a semiconductor chip having a control electrode and a first load electrode on a first surface and a second load electrode on a second surface. A first lead is electrically coupled to the control electrode. A second lead is electrically coupled to the first load electrode. A third lead is electrically coupled to the first load electrode, the third lead being separate from the second lead. A fourth lead is electrically coupled to the second load electrode, the second and third leads being arranged between the first and fourth leads.
US08253224B2
A copper strap for a semiconductor device package having a contact electrically connected to a die electrode, a leg portion electrically connected to a lead frame, a web portion positioned between the contact and the leg portion and connected to the leg portion and a connection region connecting the web portion to the contact. The contact includes a body having a plurality of formations, each of the plurality of formations having a concavity and an opposing convexity positioned to generally face the die electrode.
US08253215B2
A two-terminal mesa phototransistor and a method for making it are disclosed. The photo transistor has a mesa structure having a substantially planar semiconductor surface. In the mesa structure is a first semiconductor region of a first doping type, and a second semiconductor region of a second doping type opposite to that of the first semiconductor region, forming a first semiconductor junction with the first region. In addition, a third semiconductor region of the first doping type forms a second semiconductor junction with the second region. The structure also includes a dielectric layer. The second semiconductor region, first semiconductor junction, and second semiconductor junction each has an intersection with the substantially planar semiconductor surface. The dielectric covers, and is in physical contact with, all of the intersections.
US08253214B2
An image sensor includes a unit cell having a plurality of pixels; the unit cell comprising an amplifier input transistor that is shared by the plurality of pixels; a plurality of floating diffusions that are joined by a floating diffusion interconnect layer and are connected to the amplifier input transistor; and an interconnect layer which forms an output signal wire which shields the floating diffusion interconnect layer.
US08253190B2
It is made possible to provide a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device that has a high-quality insulating film in which defects are not easily formed, and experiences less leakage current. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes: forming an amorphous silicon layer on an insulating layer; introducing oxygen into the amorphous silicon layer; and forming a silicon oxynitride layer by nitriding the amorphous silicon layer having oxygen introduced thereinto.
US08253188B2
A semiconductor storage device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first insulator, a laminated insulator including a second insulator having fixed charges more than those of the first insulator, a single-layer insulator, memory cells between the semiconductor substrate and the first insulator, each memory cells separated from an adjacent memory cell by a cavity portion and including a tunnel insulator, a charge accumulation layer, an insulator, and a control gate electrode, a first selection gate transistor between the semiconductor substrate and the first insulator, a second selection gate transistor between the semiconductor substrate and the first insulator, between one memory cell and the first selection gate transistor, and in contact with the laminated insulator on a first side face on a memory cell side thereof, and a high-voltage peripheral circuit transistor between the semiconductor substrate and the first insulator, and in contact with the single-layer insulator on a side face thereof.
US08253185B2
A memory device includes gate lines and select lines formed over a substrate, and at least two dummy lines formed in a gap region between adjacent select lines. The memory device is able to reduce a width of the select line by enhancing uniformity of the line pattern density. Therefore, a degree of integration of the memory device is enhanced and the cost of production is reduced. Furthermore, by forming a source line in a gap region between adjacent dummy lines, it is possible to secure a process margin of photolithography for forming a contact hole and to reduce contact resistance.
US08253183B2
Provided is a charge trapping nonvolatile memory device. The charge trapping nonvolatile memory device includes: an active pattern and a gate electrode, spaced apart from each other; a charge storage layer between the active pattern and the gate electrode; a tunnel insulation layer between the active pattern and the charge storage layer; and a blocking insulation layer disposed between the charge storage layer and the gate electrode and including a high-k layer with a higher dielectric constant than the tunnel insulation layer and a barrier insulation layer with a higher band gap than the high-k layer. A physical thickness of the high-k layer is less than or identical to that of the barrier insulation layer.
US08253182B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes a first semiconductor layer; second semiconductor regions formed on the first semiconductor layer having device isolating regions extended in a column direction; a first interlayer insulator film formed above the first semiconductor layer; a lower conductive plug connected to the second semiconductor regions; a first interconnect extended in a row direction; a second interlayer insulator formed on the lower conductive plug and the first interlayer insulator film; an upper conductive plug; and a second interconnect formed on the second interlayer insulator contacting with the top of the upper conductive plug extended in the column direction.
US08253180B2
A semiconductor device includes: a high dielectric constant gate insulating film formed on an active region in a substrate; a gate electrode formed on the high dielectric constant gate insulating film; and an insulating sidewall formed on each side surface of the gate electrode. The high dielectric constant gate insulating film is continuously formed so as to extend from under the gate electrode to under the insulating sidewall. At least part of the high dielectric constant gate insulating film located under the insulating sidewall has a smaller thickness than a thickness of part of the high dielectric constant gate insulating film located under the gate electrode.
US08253179B2
An insulating film provided between adjacent pixels is referred to as a bank, a partition, a barrier, an embankment or the like, and is provided above a source wiring or a drain wiring for a thin film transistor, or a power supply line. In particular, at an intersection portion of these wirings provided in different layers, a larger step is formed there than in other portions. Even in a case that the insulating film provided between adjacent pixels is formed by a coating method, there is a problem that thin portions are partially formed due to this step and the withstand pressure is reduced. In the present invention, a dummy material is arranged near the large step portion, particularly, around the intersection portion of wirings, so as to alleviate unevenness formed thereover. The upper wring and the lower wiring are arranged in a misaligned manner so as not to align the end portions.
US08253168B2
Junction field effect transistors (JFETs) are shown to be a viable replacement for metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) for gate lengths of less than about 40 nm, providing an alternative to the gate leakage problems presented by scaled down MOSFETs. Integrated circuit designs can have complementary JFET (CJFET) logic cells substituted for existing MOSFET-based logic cells to produce revised integrated circuit designs. Integrated circuits can include JFETS where the channel comprises a wide bandgap semiconductor material and the gate comprises a narrow bandgap semiconductor material. Mixtures of JFET and MOSFET transistors can be included on an integrated circuit design.
US08253166B2
Systems and methods for improving the temperature performance of AlInGaP based light emitters. Nitrogen is added to the quantum wells in small quantities. Nitrogen is added in a range of about 0.5 percent to 2 percent. The addition of nitrogen increases the conduction band offset and increases the separation of the indirect conduction band. To keep the emission wavelength in a particular range, the concentration of In in the quantum wells may be decreased or the concentration of Al in the quantum wells may be increased. Because the depth of the quantum wells in the valence band is more than is required although the addition of nitrogen reduces the depth of the quantum wells in the valence band. The net result is an increase in the conduction band offset and an increase in the separation of the indirect conduction band.
US08253165B2
A semiconductor device includes a first well region of a first conductivity, a second well region of a second conductivity type, a source region of the second conductivity type within the first well region, and a drain region of the second conductivity type at least partially within the second well region. A well contact to the first well region is coupled to the source. A third doped region of the first conductivity type and a fourth doped region of the second conductivity type are located in the second well region. A first transistor includes the third doped region, the second well region, and the first well region. The first transistor is coupled to a switch device. A second transistor includes the second well region, the first well region, and the source region. The first and the second transistors are configured to provide a current path during an ESD event.
US08253163B2
A high voltage semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a p type base region in a first main surface, an n+ type emitter region in the p type base region, an n+ type cathode region adjacent to an end surface of the semiconductor substrate and not penetrating the semiconductor substrate, a p+ type collector region in a second main surface, a first main electrode, a second main electrode, a third main electrode, and a connection portion connecting the second main electrode and the third main electrode. A resistance between the p type base region and the n+ type cathode region is greater than a resistance between the p type base region and the p+ type collector region. In the high voltage semiconductor device in which an IGBT and a free wheel diode are formed in a single semiconductor substrate, occurrence of a snap-back phenomenon is suppressed.
US08253161B2
Provided are a light-emitting element, a light-emitting device including the same, and methods of fabricating the light-emitting element and the light-emitting device. The light-emitting element includes a substrate on which a dome pattern is formed and a light-emitting structure conformally formed on the dome pattern. The light-emitting structure includes a first conductive layer of a first conductivity type, a light-emitting layer, and a second conductive layer of a second conductivity type sequentially stacked on the substrate. The light-emitting element also includes a first electrode formed on the first conductive layer and a second electrode formed on the second conductive layer.
US08253157B2
A light emitter includes a first mirror that is an epitaxially grown metal mirror, a second mirror, and an active region that is epitaxially grown such that the active region is positioned at or close to, at least, one antinode between the first mirror and the second mirror.
US08253156B2
Disclosed are a semiconductor light emitting device. The semiconductor light emitting device comprises a light emitting structure comprising a IH-V group compound semiconductor, a reflective layer comprising mediums, which are different from each other and alternately stacked under the light emitting structure, and a second electrode layer under the reflective layer.
US08253155B2
A radiation-emitting device has a radiation-emitting component with a layer stack with an active region that is formed for the emission of electromagnetic radiation. A microstructure layer is mechanically coupled to the layer stack and has elevations that extend away from the layer stack. A protective layer has a planar side facing away from the microstructure layer and is arranged on a side of the microstructure layer facing away from the layer stack.
US08253149B2
An LED device includes a substrate, a plurality of LEDs, a first light pervious layer, a reflective plate, and a plurality of phosphor particles contained in the first light pervious layer. The LEDs are electrically mounted on the substrate and configured for emitting light of a first wavelength. The reflective plate is mounted on the substrate for directing the light of the first wavelength to transmit through the first light pervious layer. The phosphor particles are configured for converting the light of the first wavelength into light of a second wavelength. A distribution of the phosphor particles in the first light pervious layer gradually decreases from a center to a periphery thereof.
US08253148B2
An exemplary light emitting diode includes a conductive base, an LED die, a transparent conductive layer and at least one pad. The LED die includes a p-type GaN layer connected to the base, an active layer on the p-type GaN layer, and an n-type GaN layer on the active layer. The transparent conductive layer is coated on an exposed side of the n-type GaN layer. The exposed side has an arched central portion, which in one embodiment is concave and in another embodiment is convex. The at least one n-side pad is mounted on the transparent conductive layer. The at least one n-side pad and the conductive base are for connecting with a power source.
US08253146B2
An LED die includes a multi-layer semiconductor with a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, an inclined plane connecting to the first surface and the second surface, a first electrode and a second electrode respectively positioned on the first surface and the second surface, a first heat dissipation layer made of electrically-insulating and thermally conductive material being coated on the first surface and the inclined plane with a first opening exposing the first electrode, and a second heat dissipation layer made of electrically and thermally conductive material being coated on the first heat dissipation layer and contacting and electrically connecting with the first electrode.
US08253131B2
An organic EL display panel includes pixels and an interlayer insulation film on a thin film transistor layer. The interlayer insulation film includes contact holes which each correspond to one of the pixels. A bank is a grid that defines apertures. One of the contact holes is beneath each of the apertures. A first organic light-emitting layer is disposed in each of the apertures that corresponds to one of the pixels of a first color. A second organic light-emitting layer is disposed in each of the apertures that corresponds to one of the pixels of a second color. In each of the apertures in which one of the first and second organic light-emitting layers is disposed, a contact hole region is above the contact hole. A first-material layer comprising a same material as the first organic light-emitting layer and a second-material layer comprising a same material as the second organic light-emitting layer are superimposed in each contact hole region.
US08253130B2
A material for a light emitting device containing a compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein each A independently represents a nitrogen atom or a carbon atom, which may have a substituent, and each of the rings consisting of A and nitrogen atoms independently represents an aromatic ring or an aromatic heterocyclic ring; and L represents a divalent linking group.
US08253126B2
Disclosed is an electronic device including an n-type organic compound layer as a portion of an electrode for hole injection or hole extraction. The electronic device includes a first electrode including a conductive layer and an n-type organic compound layer disposed on the conductive layer; a second electrode; and a p-type organic compound layer that is interposed between the n-type organic compound layer of the first electrode and the second electrode and forms an NP junction together with the n-type organic compound layer of the first electrode and energy levels of the layers satisfy the following Expressions (1) and (2): 2 eV
US08253125B2
There is provided a method of manufacturing a nitride semiconductor light emitting device. A method of manufacturing a nitride semiconductor light emitting device according to an aspect of the invention may include: nitriding a surface of an m-plane sapphire substrate; forming a high-temperature buffer layer on the m-plane sapphire substrate; depositing a semi-polar (11-22) plane nitride thin film on the high-temperature buffer layer; and forming a light emitting structure including a first nitride semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second nitride semiconductor layer on the semi-polar (11-22) plane nitride thin film.
US08253121B2
A method for creating a therapy plan for a particle therapy, in which a filter is used to adjust the depth of penetration of the particle beam and an immobilization device is used to immobilize a body region of a patient to be treated, includes adjusting the geometry of a deformable mass of a filter to the geometry of the immobilization device. The deformable filter mass is applied, at least partially, to the immobilization device. A planning data record is obtained with recordings of the filter, so that the properties of the filter are determined on the basis of the recordings and are used in the therapy plan.
US08253120B2
Method and/or system for forming a radiation flood source. The radiation flood source includes a paper sheet, a pigmentless radioactive fill printed on the paper sheet, and a pigmented border printed on the paper sheet and around the pigmentless radioactive fill. In one embodiment the radiation flood source is formed by preparing a radioactive isotope carrier solution; loading the radioactive isotope carrier solution into a radioactive isotope carrier solution cartridge; loading a separate border cartridge into a plotter; selecting and configuring a shape of an active area; setting a border to be placed around the active area; printing the active area by utilizing the radioactive isotope carrier solution cartridge on a sheet substrate; and printing the border by utilizing the separate border cartridge on the sheet substrate.
US08253117B2
A fluorescence detector is provided to improve the non-linearity relationship between concentration and fluorescence intensity for a high specimen concentration. The detector improves the dynamic range of the measurements. For a high concentration of the specimen, a light beam restriction unit is used so that only the fluorescence being emitted from a region close to the incident end of the excitation light is condensed by the condensing lens and led to the fluorescence side spectrometer and detected. Because the fluorescence emitted from a region after the passage of the excitation light through a specimen solution as well as its strong absorption by the specimen solution is not reflected in the measurement result, the linearity of the relationship between concentration and fluorescence intensity is improved despite the reduction in the fluorescence quantity. For a low specimen concentration, the light beam restriction unit is used to improve sensitivity.
US08253115B1
A method of detecting changes in a scene comprising placing a fluorescent and/or phosphorescent compound in the scene and monitoring for elimination or change in position of the phosphorescent compound. Also a liquid fluorescent and/or phosphorescent material comprising one or more compounds that are fluorescent and/or phosphorescent in infrared frequencies and substantially not fluorescent and/or phosphorescent in visible light frequencies and a carrier.
US08253111B2
An imaging apparatus including a flow passage 51 formed inside a base substrate 5, an active matrix substrate 3 disposed relative to a surface of the base substrate 5, an amplifier circuit connected to the active matrix substrate, and a temperature-control heat transfer medium circulated through the flow passage 51 to remove heat generated in the amplifier circuit 4 and suppress a temperature change in a semiconductor layer 2.
US08253105B1
A thermal imaging system to facilitate analysis of thermal images comprises a portable thermal imager having a communication interface for transfer of data. The imager also has an on-board memory in which image data for corresponding thermal images is stored. A remote computer is operative to communicate with the thermal imager via the communication interface for download of the image data. The computer runs software operative to superimpose at least one marker at a selected location on a thermal image, the marker being saved on the image.
US08253094B2
An aperture unit includes a transparent cylindrical member, a magnetic fluid, and a magnetic field generator. The cylindrical member includes a cylindrical chamber. A light input end portion of the cylindrical member is transparent, and an opposite light output end portion of the cylindrical member is transparent. The magnetic fluid is received in the cylindrical chamber. The magnetic fluid includes a transparent solvent, a surfactant, and nano-magnetic particles dispersed substantially evenly in the solvent. Each of the magnetic nano-particles is enveloped by a surfactant. The magnetic field generator is positioned outside the cylindrical chamber. The magnetic field generator is configured for generating a magnetic field applied to the chamber and attracting and clustering the nano-particles, such that an annular nano-particle opaque layer is formed on an inner surface of the cylindrical member.
US08253089B2
The present invention discloses a pointing error correcting system and method thereof applied for a concentrated photovoltaic or solar heat energy system comprising a processing module, a driving module, a tracker and a measuring module. The method comprises steps of calculating a position of a celestial body; controlling the driving module to drive the tracker pointing toward the celestial body; calculating an error value between the pointing of the tracker and the celestial body measured by the measuring module through a coordinate transforming method; and correcting the driving module to drive the tracker pointing the celestial body.
US08253085B1
A projectile may include a body and a base fixed to a rear end of the body. The base may include a gas cavity and an opening extending from a rear end of the base to the gas cavity. A retention plug may be disposed in the opening wherein a fit between the retention plug and the opening is such that propellant gas pressure in the gas cavity forces the retention plug out of the opening. The retention plug may include at least one gas conduit between an outer surface of the retention plug and the gas cavity. A plurality of fins may be rotatably fixed to the base. The fins may have a folded position and a deployed position.
US08253083B2
Various microwave energy interactive display packages, blanks for forming such packages, and methods of displaying and heating a food item are provided.
US08253079B2
A temperature-control circuit of a heating line and a temperature-control method thereof are disclosed. The method comprises steps of: outputting a forward square-wave signal by a first forward square-wave signal generation circuit; outputting a reverse square-wave signal by a reverse square-wave signal generation circuit; and outputting a varied forward square-wave signal by a second forward square-wave signal generation circuit. Above square-wave signal generation circuits are respectively connected with an AND gate. When the input square-wave signals are simultaneously logic high, a switch is triggered by a trigger circuit to heat the heating wire. When the heating wire's temperature increases, the forward square-wave signal output by the second forward square-wave signal generation circuit is changed so as to render these input square-wave signals non-simultaneously logic high and not to trigger the switch in order to stop the heating wire's heating and keep the heating wire at a certain temperature range.
US08253075B2
A heat treatment apparatus with a process chamber, a tubular heater, a heat exhaust system and a cooling section. The heater surrounds an outer circumference of the process chamber. The heat exhaust system exhausts an atmosphere in a space between the heater and the process chamber. The cooling section blows a cooling fluid into the space to cool the atmosphere. The heater includes a tubular heat insulator, a heat generating resistor on an inner circumference of the heat insulator, and an outer shell provided on an outer circumference of the heat insulator. The cooling section includes at least one annular flow path between the heat insulator and the outer shell, and an outlet in the heat insulator. The outlet blows cooling fluid toward a vertical central axis of the heat insulator, or in a direction oblique to the direction toward vertical central axis of the heat insulator.
US08253071B2
This invention relates to a flat heating element (20), in particular for heating surfaces in contact with the user in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising at least one electrical conductor (25).According to the invention, the electrical conductivity of at least one of these electrical conductors (25) is at least temporarily reduced if the temperature thereof at least locally exceeds a permissible maximum temperature.
US08253070B1
A heated lock device featuring a standard padlock housing with a curved lock and a key sleeve; heating elements coiled around the first end of the curved lock, the second end of the curved lock, and the key sleeve; a power source housed in a battery compartment; a heat transformer operatively connected to the power source, the heat transformer comprises a button wherein when the button is pressed the heat transformer is activated to allow current to be transferred to the heating elements via wires; a spring-mediated mechanism of pressing the button of the heat transfer via the key sleeve; and at least one drain hole disposed in the housing for draining moisture from the curved lock or the key sleeve.
US08253065B2
A laser engraving system (10) for engraving a unengraved workpiece (20) and an engraving method are provided. The laser engraving system includes an image processor (12), an engraving controller (13), a mechanical arm (14), and a laser (15). The image processor is configured for building a workpiece model (22) corresponding to an unengraved workpiece, partitioning the workpiece model into at least one section (224), generating at least one two-dimensional pattern (223). The engraving controller receives the signals of the relative position values and the at least one two-dimensional pattern. The mechanical arm is electronically coupled to the engraving controller and controlled by the engraving controller. The laser is electronically coupled to the engraving controller and controlled by the engraving controller in such a manner that the laser engraves an unegraved workpiece according to the at least one two-dimensional pattern.
US08253061B2
A welding method and apparatus for welding workpieces together by conducting a forward hybrid welding process on a joint region that includes a weld seam defined by and between faying surfaces of the workpieces, and then conducting an aft hybrid welding process on the joint region. The forward hybrid welding process simultaneously causes a forward laser beam and a forward electric arc to travel along the joint region, which in combination penetrates the weld seam and forms a weld pool that solidifies to form a weldment. The aft hybrid welding process utilizes an aft electric arc and an aft laser beam to produce a second weld pool that remelts and mixes with the weldment. On cooling, a weld joint is formed that is capable of deeply penetrating the weld seam of the joint region.
US08253060B2
A welding method and apparatus for welding workpieces together by conducting a laser beam welding process on a joint region that includes a weld seam defined by and between faying surfaces of the workpieces, and then conducting a hybrid laser arc welding process on the joint region. The laser beam welding process entails causing a first laser beam to travel along the joint region, penetrate the weld seam and form a weldment. The hybrid laser arc welding process remelts the weldment by simultaneously causing an electric arc and a second laser beam to overlap and travel along the joint region and form a weld pool in the weldment. On cooling, a weld joint is formed within the joint region and its weld seam.
US08253057B1
A system and method for generating a plasma. An embodiment of the system for generating a plasma may include a first electrode; a second electrode disposed adjacent the first electrode; a first power supply for supplying power at the second electrode; a second power supply for generating a magnetic field; and a sequencer for coordinating a discharge of power from the first power supply and a discharge of power from the second power supply. The first power supply may be configured such that the discharge of power from the first power supply generates a plasma between the first electrode and the second electrode. The second power supply may be configured such that the magnetic field generated by the discharge of power from the second power supply rotates the plasma.
US08253054B2
An apparatus and method for sorting plant material based on the presence or absence of a visual marker on the plant material. The visible marker may be a visible genetic color marker in the corn seed which is used in double haploid breeding. The absence or presence of the visible marker identifies correctly pollinated seeds as well as putative haploid seeds.
US08253051B2
A power switch module includes a printed circuit board having a switch, a support plate engaging the printed circuit board, a control to activate the switch, and an elastic member fixed to the support plate and positioned between the printed circuit board and the control. The elastic member has a plurality of resisting portions thereon to elastically resist the control. One of the elastic member and the control has a plurality of hook portions, and the other has a plurality of latching portions engaging with the hook portions.
US08253050B2
When the assembly is complete, the protrusion 2e of the leaf spring 2b abuts against the bottom wall surface 3g which is an inner bottom surface of the cover member 3 and the leaf spring 2b is bent. Since the protrusion is pushed against the cover member 3, the leaf spring 2b generates force of repulsion which pushes the frame member 2f toward the opposite direction of the cover member 3. In addition, since the leaf springs 2b are aligned straightly between three bosses 3b, the leaf spring 2b pushes the push button 2 toward the switch board 1 almost in parallel. In other words, if the push button 2 is held in the cover member 3, without further components, the push button 2 is pushed against the switch board 1 and there will not be a possibility of a wobble.
US08253049B2
A slip on cover for the end portion of the toggle of a light switch is disclosed. The cover can slip over the toggle and adhere by suction or friction. The cover can provide a variety of decorative features, including color and glow in the dark feature to allow a person to easily find the light switch in the dark. It can provide protection for the light switch toggle to limit damage. The light switch cover can also incorporate various decorative features at the end of the light switch, including balls and hats and a wide variety of other shapes.
US08253047B2
A keyboard includes a plurality of keys. Each key includes a base, a key cap detachably connected to the base and includes at least two conductors, a flexible element connected between the key cap and the base, and a plurality of conduct lines mounted on the base. The conduct lines are not contacting each other. One end of each conduct line is connected to a processing unit. Each conduct line is assigned a code. If the key cap of one key is pressed, the conductors of the key contacts the conduct lines, thereby creating an electrical connection between the two conduct lines, and generating an electrical signal. The processing unit determines the function of the key according to the codes of the connected conduct lines.
US08253046B2
A keypad assembly includes a pressing cover, a keypad and a shading plate. The button cover includes a plurality of buttons. The keypad includes a plurality of key bodies respectively corresponding to the buttons. A plurality of posts are arranged on the keypad. The shading plate is positioned on the keypad and is supported by the posts. The shading plate is positioned under the buttons for preventing light leakage.
US08253044B2
An electrical switching apparatus includes at least one pole; a plurality of first terminals; a plurality of second terminals; a plurality of pairs of separable contacts; and a plurality of field-configurable jumpers. Each of the plurality of field-configurable jumpers electrically connects two of the pairs of separable contacts in series. Each of the plurality of field-configurable jumpers are electrically connected to: (a) two of the first terminals, (b) two of the first terminals or (c) two of the second terminals; or one of the first terminals and one of the second terminals.
US08253036B2
The present invention discloses a joint structure between the wall elements of a light-weight magnetically shielded room. In the joint structure, the end of the aluminum plate of the element is stepped and its surface roughened. In addition to this, the aluminum plate is coated, for example, with tin to improve the electrical contact. The joint includes μ metal plates which are used to make a magnetic contact between the μ metal plates of the elements. The compression force achieved by means of bolts is transmitted to the joint by means of an aluminum moulding. The non-continuous compression force is balanced over the entire joint area by using presser rubbers. The joint structure is protected by means of supporting profiles which are used to electrically couple the thinner aluminum plate of the sandwich type wall element to the thinner aluminum plate of an adjacent element. The thinner aluminum plate and the supporting profile can also be coated, for example, with tin to improve the contact.
US08253034B2
Disclosed herein is a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board includes a base substrate including a first region on which a semiconductor chip is mounted and a second region positioned outside the first region, first insulating patterns covering the base substrate and including trenches formed on the second region, and second insulating patterns protruding from the first insulating patterns on the second region. The trench and the second insulating pattern may be used as a structure defining an underfill forming material in a preset shape during the process of forming an underfill.
US08253031B2
A printed circuit board can support different connectors by selectively setting connection components on the printed circuit board without changing wiring of transmission lines or making new vias in the printed circuit board.
US08253026B2
A printed circuit board is provided with at least one via hole, in which a heat dissipating element is arranged, wherein at least one radiant source is arranged on the heat dissipating element. The lighting device is provided with at least one such printed circuit board.
US08253024B2
In a method and apparatus for joining a number of superconductive cables to establish electrical connection therebetween, a cup-like member having a base, a sidewall, and an opening to receive electrically conductive ends of said cables is provided. The base of the cup-like member is attached to a holder device. The holder device is attached to a cryogenically cooled surface. The ends of the superconductive cables are connected together within the cup-like member.
US08253017B1
An electrical box includes a back portion including a back wall and various side walls. Coupled to the back portion is an sliding ring portion including various side walls. The sliding ring portion is slidably mounted on the back portion such that there is an extended position with a first depth and a collapsed position with a second depth where the first depth is greater than the second depth. Prior to installation, the electrical box would be in the collapsed position in order to minimize the space occupied by the electrical box. When installed, the electrical box would be used in the extended position, such that the full depth of the electrical box can be used.
US08253013B2
A solar cell and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The solar cell includes a substrate of a first conductive type having at least one via hole, an emitter layer of a second conductive type opposite the first conductive type on the substrate, a first conductor electrically connected to the emitter layer, a second conductor electrically connected to the first conductor through the via hole, and a third conductor electrically connected to the substrate. The third conductor is electrically separated from the second conductor. A portion of the first conductor and a portion of the second conductor are positioned inside the via hole.
US08253005B2
A music information memory unit stores music information including identification information on each piece of music and pace information thereof. A process control unit selects out a predetermined number of pieces of music information each of whose identification information is to be presented from the music information memory unit. A notification image generating unit generates a notification image in which an object is moved in a scrolling manner based on the pace information of each piece of the selected music information. An image display control unit synthesizes the identification information of each piece of the selected music information with each of the generated notification images, and displays the synthesized image.
US08253003B2
A percussion instrument is disclosed that may include a body having a longitudinal axis extending from a butt end to a striking end thereof and at least one hole extending along a transverse axis through the thickness of the body; a grasping mechanism having a first grip plate at a first end thereof and a second grip plate at a second end thereof, and a shaft extending through the hole in the body; and a compliance mechanism disposed between the first and second grip plates, enabling the first and second grip plates to be brought closer together in response to a compressive force applied to the grasping mechanism.
US08252995B1
A novel maize variety designated PHRC9 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PHRC9 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHRC9 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 PHRC9 or a locus conversion of PHRC9 with another maize variety.
US08252990B1
Basically, this invention provides for an inbred corn line designated NPFX6099, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line NPFX6099, with plants of another corn plant. The invention relates to the various parts of inbred NPFX6099, including culturable cells. This invention also relates to methods for introducing transgenic transgenes into inbred corn line NPFX6099, and plants produced by said methods.
US08252986B1
A soybean cultivar designated 00174033 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 00174033, to the plants of soybean cultivar 00174033, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 00174033, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 00174033. 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. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 00174033. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 00174033, 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 cultivar 00174033 with another soybean cultivar.
US08252976B2
The present invention relates to a method for increasing the storage carbohydrate content of sugarcane plants.
US08252974B2
The present invention relates to a new plant breeding process. The process improves the agronomic performance of crop plants by using genetic material that is also used in classical breeding. Instead of sexually recombining entire genomes at random, as is done in classical breeding, specific genetic elements are rearranged in vitro and inserted back into individual plant cells. Plants obtained through this new plant breeding process do not contain foreign nucleic acid but only contain nucleic acid from the plant species selected for transformation or plants that are sexually compatible with the selected plant species. Plants developed through this new plant breeding process are provided. In particular, potato plants displaying improved tuber storage and health characteristics are provided.
US08252973B2
CHI like fatty acid binding proteins and genes, recombinant cells and organisms, methods of metabolic pathway engineering to improve lipid production in cells, Crystal structures of CHI like fatty acid binding proteins, methods of engineering CHI like fatty acid binding proteins and systems thereof are provided.
US08252970B2
Devices and methods are disclosed for achieving hemostasis in traumatized patients. Such haemostatic packing devices and methods are especially useful in the emergency, trauma surgery or military setting. In such cases, the patient may have received trauma to abdominal viscera, the thoracic cavity or the periphery. The devices utilize fluid impermeable outer surfaces and distributed pressure to achieve tamponade and hemostasis, primarily by exertion of pressure. The devices are flexible, bendable, and conformable in their wet or dry state so that they exert distributed pressure on the wound. Peripheral haemostatic packing devices include optional adhesive structures to attach one packing device to another. The hemostatic packing devices may be placed and removed by open surgery or laparoscopic access without generating excessive re-bleeding. The devices can be inserted into a wound and filled with fluid, gel, or particulates through an axially elongate tube to generate pressure to tamponade the wound.
US08252966B2
A biomass torrefaction system is provided which enables a continuous torrefaction process that involves the introduction of biomass particles into a rotating reactor drum having a low oxygen environment. The particles are conveyed through the drum by a heated gas stream and simultaneously torrefied thereby. Gas exiting the drum is recirculated back to a heat source for reheating the gas prior to reentering the drum. A method of biomass torrefaction is also provided.
US08252959B2
A process for the preparation of an 1,1-disubstituted oxirane is disclosed, wherein an organic sulphide is reacted in a polar solvent with an educt containing a leaving group attached to a primary or secondary carbon atom, and/or the sulfonium salt formed in this way is reacted with a ketone in presence of a base and a polar solvent. Oxiranes of the type obtained may be further converted into the corresponding α-hydroxyketone or α-aminoketone, either in one step by subjecting to aerobic oxidation in the presence of a transition metal catalyst, or in two steps by hydrolyzation in the presence of an aqueous acid to the corresponding dialcohol and subsequent selective oxidation. Further described are some novel epoxide intermediates. The α-hydroxyketones and α-aminoketones thus obtainable are useful inter alga as photoinitiators.
US08252954B2
A method for the preparation of calix[n]arene derivatives, in particular phosphonated calix[n]arenes. The present invention also relates to nano-structures of phosphonated calix[n]arenes.
US08252952B2
The present invention discloses an optically active quarternary ammonium salt having axial asymmetry and a method for producing an α-amino acid and a derivative thereof using the same. The optically active quarternary ammonium salt having axial asymmetry of the present invention is a chiral phase-transfer catalyst that has a simple structure and that can be produced in a smaller number of process steps. The compound of the present invention is very useful as a phase-transfer catalyst in the synthesis of an α-alkyl-α-amino acid and a derivative thereof as well as an α,α-dialkyl-α-amino acid and a derivative thereof. Therefore, the compound of the present invention can be used in the development of novel foods and pharmaceuticals.
US08252951B2
Process for the industrial synthesis of the compound of formula (I) Application of such process in the synthesis of agomelatine.
US08252933B2
The present invention relates to new 2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-quinoline modulators of immune function, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of use thereof.
US08252932B2
Chemically reactive carbocyanine dyes incorporating an indolium ring moiety that is substituted at the 3-position by a reactive group or by a conjugated substance, and their uses, are described. Conjugation through this position results in spectral properties that are uniformly superior to those of conjugates of spectrally similar dyes wherein attachment is at a different position. The invention includes derivative compounds having one or more benzo nitrogens.
US08252924B2
Process for preparing benzomorpholine derivatives by hydrogenating o-nitrophenoxy carbonyl compounds
A process for preparing benzomorpholine derivatives is described, in which an o-nitrophenoxy carbonyl compound is hydrogenated in the presence of extraneous metal-doped sponge metal catalysts based on nickel or cobalt with ring formation.
US08252916B2
The invention disclosed herein is directed to methods of identifying a polypeptide suitable for epitope liberation including, for example, the steps of identifying an epitope of interest; providing a substrate polypeptide sequence including the epitope, wherein the substrate polypeptide permits processing by a proteasome; contacting the substrate polypeptide with a composition including the proteasome, under conditions that support processing of the substrate polypeptide by the proteasome; and assaying for liberation of the epitope. The invention further relates to vectors including a housekeeping epitope expression cassette. The invention relates to epitope cluster regions and to vectors including epitope cluster regions. The invention also relates to a method of activating a T cell comprising contacting a substrate polypeptide with an APC and contacting the APC with a T cell.
US08252913B2
The invention relates generally to the field of nucleic acids and more particularly to aptamers that bind to TFPI, which are useful as therapeutics in and diagnostics of bleeding disorders and/or other diseases or disorders in which TFPI has been implicated. In addition, the TFPI aptamers may be used before, during and/or after medical procedures to reduce complications or side effects thereof. The invention further relates to materials and methods for the administration of aptamers that bind to TFPI.
US08252912B2
The present disclosure relates to a sodium iodide symporter (NIS)-repressor binding site (NRBS) consisting of a DNA molecule spanning from −645 to −605 nucleotides (SEQ ID NO:4) or from −648 to −620 nucleotides (SEQ ID NO:5) upstream from the translation start site of human NIS gene. The disclosure further relates to a method of restoring iodide transport to a human thyroid carcinoma cell, including: the steps of: i) contacting the cell expressing and forming a NIS repressor protein complex capable of binding to the NRBS of the disclosure with a modulator of said complex, and ii) administering to the cell radiolabeled iodide.
US08252907B2
The invention provides methods and compositions for inhibiting binding of IgE to a high affinity receptor. The methods and compositions are useful in the treatment of allergic diseases and allergy symptoms in mammals.
US08252905B2
A protein comprising (I) an anti-CD14 antibody or its active fragment, or a derivative thereof and (II) an inhibitor for a protease, or its active fragment, or a derivative thereof is provided.
US08252899B2
The invention describes compositions and method useful for the crystallization of membrane proteins.
US08252898B2
The present invention provides nucleic acid molecules derived from Nicotiana alata, which encode defensin-like molecules. The present invention contemplates the use of such nucleic acid molecules in the generation of transgenic plants having resistance or at least reduced sensitivity to plant pests including insects, microorganisms, fungi and/or viruses and the of the encoded defensin-like molecules in compositions for topical application to a plant or a plant part so as to reduce prevent or reduce infestation of the plant or plant part by plant pests. The transgenic plants provided by the present invention include monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants, and particularly include crop plants and ornamental flowering plants.
US08252884B2
Disclosed are compositions comprising antioxidants and stabilizers, such as, acid scavengers or organic phosphorus stabilizers, and optionally further comprising co-stabilizers. The disclosed compositions are useful as stabilizers for polyolefins and other polymeric materials. The disclosed compositions and methods generally provide longer shelf lifes and better oxidative resistance to materials than currently available antioxidants.
US08252882B2
The present invention relates to a polyimide resin produced by using silphenylene compound represented by the following formula (1) as a monomer: in which R1 to R4 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and R5 and R6 each independently represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms. The silphenylene compound of the present invention is useful as a flexible printed wiring board material, a passivation film for IC chips, and a panel material for liquid crystals.
US08252878B2
A novel class of polymers obtainable by copolymerising a monomer mixture comprising (i) hydrophilic monomer of general formula (I) Y—B—X; (ii) styrene or a substituted styrene, a monomer or mixture of monomers which when polymerized form a polymer with a Tg lower than the Tg of a homopolymer of monomer (I) and lower than the Tg of a homopolymer of monomer (ii); and a monomer having a crosslinkable group is described. The invention also relates to a method for producing such polymers, implants coated with the polymers and methods for forming the same.
US08252876B2
The present invention relates to molecularly imprinted polymers, methods for their preparation and use of said molecularly imprinted polymers in separation, chemical sensors, drug screening, catalysis and in regioselective and enantioselective synthesis.
US08252875B2
Process for the preparation of monoimine compounds, wherein a dicarbonyl compound is reacted in an aliphatic, non-aromatic solvent with aniline. Monoimine compounds having electron-withdrawing substituents in the ortho position and unsymmetric bis(imino) compounds and unsymmetric iron complexes prepared therefrom and the use thereof in the polymerization of olefins.
US08252874B2
The present invention relates to ligands and catalyst systems and a process for the simultaneous trimerization and tetramerization of olefinic monomers using said ligands, the ligands having the general formula (I): (R1)2P—P(R1)m(R2)n═N(R3) (I) wherein R3 is selected from hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, a heterohydrocarbyl group, a substituted heterohydrocarbyl group, a silyl group or derivative thereof; the R1 groups are independently selected from an optionally substituted aromatic group bearing a polar substituent on at least one of the ortho-positions; and the R2 groups are independently selected from hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl and substituted heterohydrocarbyl groups with the proviso that when the group is aromatic it does not contain a polar substituent at any of the ortho-positions; with the proviso that m is 0 or 1, n is 1 or 2 and the total of m+n is 2.
US08252861B2
Film tapes comprising a blend of a masterbatch and a propylene-based polymer are provided. The masterbatch comprises a propylene-based elastomer and filler. The propylene-based elastomer has about 50 to about 99 mol % of units derived from propylene, about 1 to about 50 mol % of units derived from C2-C20 comonomer and a peak melting point temperature of 115° C. or less. The propylene-based polymer comprises about 80 to about 100 mol % units derived from propylene and a peak melting point temperature of greater than 115° C. The compositions are suitable to make carpet fiber, carpet yarn, films, film tapes, molded parts and nonwoven fabrics having excellent mechanical properties.
US08252858B2
Thermoplastic compositions and methods of making the compositions are disclosed. The thermoplastic compositions include poly(arylene ether), a poly(alkenyl aromatic), an organophosphate ester flame retardant, a functionalized polysiloxane, and an organic acid. The thermoplastic compositions produce surprisingly low smoke density when burned, and they are useful for the fabrication of articles for the transportation and building and construction industries.
US08252856B2
Disclosed is a white film having low content of oligomer within the film.
US08252854B2
The present invention is drawn to a latex particulate having a plurality of polymerized monomers and a dispersing agent incorporated therein. The dispersing agent can have the structure X—CH2(R)—SO3M, X—CH2(R)—PO3M2, or mixtures thereof, wherein X is SH, Cl or Br; R is independently C1 to C19 alkyl; and M is independently Li, Na, or K. The dispersing agent can comprise from about 0.1 wt % to about 20 wt % of the latex particulate.
US08252852B2
The invention relates to a biodegradable resin composition containing a biodegradable resin, a plasticizer and a crystal nucleus agent, the plasticizer being a compound containing two or more ester groups in the molecule thereof, wherein at least one alcohol component constituting the ester contains an alkylene oxide having 2 to 3 carbon atoms, added in the average amount of 0.5 to 5 moles per one hydroxyl group, and the crystal nucleus agent is a mixture of the following crystal nucleus agent (1) and crystal nucleus agent (2); the crystal nucleus agent (1) being the following crystal nucleus agent (1-1) or crystal nucleus agent (1-2): crystal nucleus agent (1-1): at least one selected from compounds having a hydroxyl group and an amide group in the molecule thereof; and crystal nucleus agent (1-2): at least one selected from hydroxy fatty acid esters; crystal nucleus agent (2): at least one selected from a metal salt of phenylphosphonic acid, a metal salt of a phosphate, a metal salt of an aromatic dialkyl sulfonate, a metal salt of rosinic acids, an aromatic carboxylic acid amide, rosinic acid amide, carbohydrazides, N-substituted ureas, salts of melamine compounds and uracils.
US08252850B2
Novel crosslink agents are described that provide for the copolymerization of at least one hydrophilic monomer with at least one lens monomer typically used to prepare materials for ophthalmic lenses. The new crosslink agents have a relatively high selectivity for the hydrophilic monomer and limited reactivity with the crosslink agent used to polymerize the lens monomer.
US08252849B2
Disclosed is a coating agent for poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) panel nano imprinting, more particularly, a coating agent for PMMA panel nano imprinting comprising a UV curable resin, a photoinitiator, an additive for surface modification and a weather-resistant stabilizer.
US08252843B2
The present invention provides methods for treating Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and other viral diseases and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) related infections by administering one or more compounds of formula I: wherein: the dotted line represents a single or a double bond; and R1 and R2 are the same or different and independently of each other represent —CH2OH, —CH2OR4, —CH(OH)CH3, —CH(OR4)CH3 or a group represented by the formula: or salts or hydrates thereof in a carrier which minimizes micellar formation or van der Waals attraction of molecules of said compound. The invention also provides S enantiomeric forms of such compounds which possess the ability to inhibit cell growth while being of low toxicity to such cells and methods of making such compounds.
US08252839B2
This invention pertains generally to prostacyclin analogs and methods for their use in promoting vasodilation, inhibiting platelet aggregation and thrombus formation, stimulating thrombolysis, inhibiting cell proliferation (including vascular remodeling), providing cytoprotection, preventing atherogenesis and inducing angiogenesis. Generally, the compounds and methods of the present invention increase the oral bioavailability and circulating concentrations of treprostinil when administered orally. Compounds of the present invention have the following formula.
US08252833B2
A compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, wherein, R1 R2 R3, R4, R5, R6, X and Y are as defined in the specification; a process for preparing such compounds; a pharmaceutical composition comprising such compounds; and the use of such compounds in medicine.
US08252830B2
The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I): or a stereoisomer, tautomer, pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate form thereof, wherein the variables A, L1, M and R11 are as defined herein. The compounds of Formula (I) are selective inhibitors of serine protease enzymes of the coagulation cascade and/or contact activation system; for example thrombin, factor Xa, factor XIa, factor IXa, factor VIIa and/or plasma kallikrein. In particular, it relates to compounds that are selective factor XIa inhibitors or dual inhibitors of fXIa and plasma kallikrein. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and methods of treating thromboembolic and/or inflammatory disorders using the same.
US08252823B2
A series of oxazole and thiazole compounds are shown herein to be small molecule inhibitors of the Wnt pathway that specifically target the activity of the stabilized pool of β-cat oxazole and thiazole compounds are disclosed that have a formula represented by the following: The compounds may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions, and may be used for the prevention and treatment of a variety of conditions in mammals including humans, including by way of non-limiting example, cancer, and others.
US08252817B2
The present application relates to novel dipyridyl-dihydropyrazolones, processes for their preparation, their use for treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases and their use for the preparation of medicaments for treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, in particular cardiovascular and hematological diseases and kidney diseases, and for promoting wound healing.
US08252812B2
Indazole compounds for treating various diseases and pathologies are disclosed. More particularly, the present invention concerns the use of an indazole compound or analogs thereof, in the treatment of disorders characterized by the activation of Wnt pathway signaling (e.g., cancer, abnormal cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, Alzheimer's disease and osteoarthritis), the modulation of cellular events mediated by Wnt pathway signaling, as well as genetic diseases due to mutations in Wnt signaling components. Also provided are methods for treating Wnt-related disease states.
US08252810B2
Compounds represented by formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof have excellent sodium channel inhibitory action and are useful as therapeutic agents and analgesics for various kinds of neuralgia, neuropathy, epilepsy, insomnia, premature ejaculation and the like. wherein Q represents ethylene, etc., R1, R2 and R3 represent hydrogen, etc., X1 represents C1-6 alkylene, etc., X2 represents C1-6 alkylene, etc., A1 represents a 5- to 6-membered heterocyclic group, etc., and A2 represents C6-14 aryl, etc.
US08252808B2
The invention generally provides processes and intermediate compounds useful for the production of (+)-opiates. Non-limiting examples of (+) opiates that may be derived from one or more compounds of the invention include (+)-noroxymorphone, (+)-naltrexone, (+)-naloxone, (+)-N-cyclopropylmethylnorhydrocodone, (+)-N-cycloproylmethylnorhydromorphone, (+)-N-allylnorhydrocodone, (+)-N-allylnorhydromorphone, (+)-noroxycodone, (+)-naltrexol, (+)-naloxol, and (+)-3-O-methyl-naltrexone.
US08252806B2
This invention relates to novel potassium channel modulating agents, and their use in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions.Moreover the invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions useful for the treatment or alleviation of diseases or disorders associated with the activity of potassium channels, in particular respiratory diseases, epilepsy, convulsions, vascular spasms, coronary artery spasms, renal disorders, polycystic kidney disease, bladder spasms, urinary incontinence, bladder outflow obstruction, irritable bowel syndrome, gastrointestinal dysfunction, secretory diarrhoea, ischaemia, cerebral ischaemia, ischaemic heart disease, angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, traumatic brain injury, psychosis, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, dementia, memory and attention deficits, Alzheimer's disease, dysmenorrhea, narcolepsy, Reynaud's disease, intermittent claudication, Sjorgren's syndrome, migraine, arrhythmia, hypertension, absence seizures, myotonic muscle dystrophia, xerostomi, diabetes type II, hyperinsulinemia, premature labour, baldness, cancer, immune suppression or pain.
US08252802B2
There is provided pyrimidinyl compounds of Formula (I), wherein: R2 is or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in therapy.
US08252797B2
Compounds of the present disclosure are fused pyrimidine compounds of formula (I), its tautomers, polymorphs, stereoisomers, prodrugs, solvate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as Adenosine receptor antagonists. Processes of their preparation are also described in the disclosure.
US08252795B2
The invention provides compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The Formula (I) imidazopyridazines inhibit protein kinase activity thereby making them useful as anticancer agents.
US08252794B2
A composition for regenerative treatment of cartilage disease, which comprises a PDE4 inhibitor as an active ingredient, specifically a composition comprising a PDE4 inhibitor and a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer is provided, which composition, when formulated into a form suited to administer locally to affected cartilage region, such as microsphere preparation, can provide a pharmaceutical composition showing an excellent effect in regenerative treatment of cartilage.
US08252793B2
The invention provides compositions and methods for treating and/or preventing ocular disorders associated with increased intraocular pressure. In particular, the compounds are bradykinin agonists.
US08252790B2
Disclosed is a compound represented by general formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which is useful as a selective antagonist of a 5-HT2B receptor. The compound and salt are useful for treatment or prevention of various diseases and conditions associated with a 5-HT2B receptor.
US08252787B2
In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In another aspect, the invention provides methods for treatment of diseases or disorders mediated by a protein kinase, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of this invention.
US08252786B2
The invention relates to a compound (I) wherein R is a heterocyclyl radical; R1 and R2 are independently H or alkyl; R3 is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl; R4 and R5 are independently H or alkyl; q is a number selected from 0 and 1; and the salts, solvates, prodrugs or stereoisomers thereof having inhibitory activity for UBC13-UEV interactions and which can be used in the production of pharmaceutical compositions intended for antitumor therapy or the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases associated to metabolic pathways involving the UBC13 enzyme, metabolic pathways involving transcriptional factor NF-κB, or pathways involving PCNA or RAD6. R—(CR1R2)q-CO—N(R3)—C(R4R5)—CO—NH2 (I)
US08252779B2
The present invention provides analogs of benzoquinone-containing ansamycins and uses thereof for treating and modulating disorders associated with hyperproliferation, such as cancer. The present invention provides analogs of benzoquinone-containing ansamycins where the benzoquinone is reduced to a hydroquinone and trapped by reaction with a suitable acid, preferably ones that increase the solubility and air stability of the resulting 17-ammonium hydroquinone ansamycin analog.
US08252778B2
Disclosed are compounds comprising the structure: In one aspect, the compounds exhibit maximum symmetric branching. Also disclosed are bilayers, micelles, coatings, and nanoparticles comprising the disclosed compounds. Also disclosed are processes for the preparation of the disclosed compounds and methods of using the disclosed compounds. Also disclosed are highly fluorinated dendrons and methods for making same. Also disclosed are methods for Fluorous Mixture Synthesis and tagging. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
US08252755B2
Provided herein are duplex oligonucleotide complexes which can be administered to a cell, tissue or organism to silence a target gene without the aid of a transfection reagent(s). The duplex oligonucleotide complexes of the disclosure include a conjugate moiety that facilitates delivery to a cell, tissue or organism.
US08252751B2
The present invention relates to a compound The instant invention relates to a compound of formulae (I A), (I B), (X A), (X B), (Y A) or (Y B), wherein R′ represents and R″ represents hydrogen, hydroxy, C1-C7alkoxy, C1-C8-alkanoyloxy, or R5R4N—CO—O—, where R4 and R5 independently are C1-C7alkyl or phenyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by a substitutent selected from C1-C7alkyl, C1-C7alkoxy, halogen and trifluoromethyl and where R4 additionally is hydrogen; or R4 and R5 together represent C3-C6alkylene; in free form or in form of a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt. Compounds of formulae (I A), (I B), (X A), (X B), (Y A) or (Y B) inhibit DPP-IV (dipeptidyl-peptidase-IV) activity. They are therefore indicated for use as pharmaceuticals in inhibiting DPP-IV and in the treatment of conditions mediated by DPP-IV, such as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, arthritis, obesity, osteoporosis and further conditions of impaired glucose tolerance.
US08252739B2
The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the invention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.
US08252736B2
An alkaline cleaning composition for use in aqueous medium comprising nanoparticles or a nanoparticles precursor and a polymeric nanoparticle stabilizer.
US08252730B2
A water-based wellbore treatment fluid contains: one or more viscoelastic-gelling carboxylic acids and/or alkali metal salts thereof; and one or more solubilizing alkylolamines. The carboxylic acids and/or alkali metal salts and the alkylolamines are present in the fluid in respective amounts such that, at 25° C., the alkylolamines solubilize a sufficient portion of the carboxylic acids and/or alkali metal salts to render the fluid viscoelastic. A remaining portion of the carboxylic acids and/or alkali metal salts forms a suspension of solid particulates in the fluid.
US08252714B2
A catalyst for use in the production of an unsaturated aldehyde and/or an unsaturated carboxylic acid, the catalyst comparing (or, preferably, being composed of) a mixed oxide containing molybdenum, bismuth and iron, which has improved mechanical strength, is produced by a method including the steps of (1) drying an aqueous solution or an aqueous slurry containing raw materials of the catalyst and then firstly calcining a dried product in a molecular oxygen-containing gas atmosphere to obtain a calcined product; (2) heating the calcined product obtained in Step (1) in the presence of a reducing material to obtain a reduced product having a mass loss of 0.05 to 6%; and (3) secondly calcining the reduced product obtained in Step (2) in a molecular oxygen-containing gas atmosphere.
US08252710B2
Catalyst composition comprising a zeolite and a binder, wherein the zeolite is a Ga containing zeolite and the binder is a La modified kaolin and process for converting lower alkanes to aromatic hydrocarbons, using said catalyst composition. Preferably the aromatic hydrocarbons consist of at least 45 wt % of benzene, toluene and xylenes.
US08252705B2
A bi-layer, woven geotextile fabric has interwoven first and second layers. The first layer is over and under woven through the second layer in a pre-determined pattern so that the first layer has portions which face a first side of the second layer and portions which face a second side of the second layer. Monofilaments in the warp direction of the first layer have a pre-determined differential heat shrinkage characteristic that is greater than the monofilaments in the warp direction of the second layer. Closed cells defined by the pattern of the over and under weave are disposed on the first and second sides of the second layer. Shrinkage of the monofilaments in the warp direction of the first layer provide for a separation of a portion of the second layer from the first layer at the cells.
US08252702B2
A method for making a micro-electronic non-volatile memory device provided with transistors having gates placed side by side, the method comprising the steps of: a) forming in a layer based on at least one first gate material lying on a support, at least one first transistor gate block and at least one sacrificial block, said first block and said sacrificial block being separated by a given space, b) forming in said given space a stack comprising at least one insulating layer and at least one second gate material, said gate material located in said space being intended to form a second gate block separated from the first block by said insulating layer, c) suppressing said sacrificial block.
US08252700B2
In a method of heat treating a wafer obtained by slicing a silicon single crystal ingot manufactured by the Czochralski method, a rapid heating/cooling heat treatment is carried out by setting a holding time at an ultimate temperature of 1200° C. or more and a melting point of silicon or less to be equal to or longer than one second and to be equal to or shorter than 60 seconds in a mixed gas atmosphere containing oxygen having an oxygen partial pressure of 1.0% or more and 20% or less and argon, and an oxide film having a thickness of 9.1 nm or less or 24.3 nm or more is thus formed on a surface of the silicon wafer.
US08252686B2
A process for forming a copper wiring and the prevention of copper ion migration in a semiconductor device is disclosed herein. The process includes conducting a post-cleaning process for a copper layer that is to form the cooper wiring after already having undergone a CMP process. The post-cleaning process includes conducting a primary chemical cleaning using a citric acid-based chemical. A secondary chemical cleaning is then conducted on the copper layer having undergone the primary chemical cleaning using an ascorbic acid-based chemical. After the post-cleaning process is completed, the migration of copper ions over time is prevented thereby improving the reliability of the semiconductor device.
US08252682B2
A method for thinning a wafer is provided. In one embodiment, a wafer is provided having a plurality of semiconductor chips, the wafer having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein each of the chips includes a set of through silicon vias (TSVs), each of the TSVs substantially sealed by a liner layer and a barrier layer. A wafer carrier is provided for attaching to the second side of the wafer. The first side of the wafer is thinned and thereafer recessed to partially expose portions of the liner layers, barrier layers and the TSVs protruding from the wafer. An isolation layer is deposited over the first side of the wafer and the top portions of the liner layers, barrier layers and the TSVs. Thereafter, an insulation layer is deposited over the isolation layer. The insulation layer is then planarized to expose top portions of the TSVs. A dielectric layer is deposited over the planarized first side of the wafer. One or more electrical contacts are formed in the dielectric layer for electrical connection to the exposed one or more TSVs.
US08252673B2
A spin-on formulation that is useful in stripping an ion implanted photoresist is provided that includes an aqueous solution of a water soluble polymer containing at least one acidic functional group, and at least one lanthanide metal-containing oxidant. The spin-on formulation is applied to an ion implanted photoresist and baked to form a modified photoresist. The modified photoresist is soluble in aqueous, acid or organic solvents. As such one of the aforementioned solvents can be used to completely strip the ion implanted photoresist as well as any photoresist residue that may be present. A rinse step can follow the stripping of the modified photoresist.
US08252669B2
An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a technique for manufacturing a dense crystalline semiconductor film (e.g., a microcrystalline semiconductor film) without a cavity between crystal grains. A plasma region is formed between a first electrode and a second electrode by supplying high-frequency power of 60 MHz or less to the first electrode under a condition where a pressure of a reactive gas in a reaction chamber of a plasma CVD apparatus is set to 450 Pa to 13332 Pa, and a distance between the first electrode and the second electrode of the plasma CVD apparatus is set to 1 mm to 20 mm; crystalline deposition precursors are formed in a gas phase including the plasma region; a crystal nucleus of 5 nm to 15 nm is formed by depositing the deposition precursors; and a microcrystalline semiconductor film is formed by growing a crystal from the crystal nucleus.
US08252666B2
A semiconductor wafer contains a plurality of semiconductor die. The semiconductor wafer is diced to separate the semiconductor die. The semiconductor die are transferred onto a carrier. A die extension region is formed around a periphery of the semiconductor die on the carrier. The carrier is removed. A plurality of through hole vias (THV) is formed in first and second offset rows in the die extension region. A conductive material is deposited in the THVs. A first RDL is formed between contact pads on the semiconductor die and the THVs. A second RDL is formed on a backside of the semiconductor die in electrical contact with the THVs. An under bump metallization is formed in electrical contact with the second RDL. Solder bumps are formed on the under bump metallization. The die extension region is singulated to separate the semiconductor die.
US08252664B2
The invention relates to methods for fabricating a semiconductor substrate. In one embodiment, the method includes providing an support that includes a barrier layer thereon for preventing loss by diffusion of elements derived from dissociation of the support at epitaxial growth temperatures; providing a seed layer on the barrier layer, wherein the seed layer facilitates epitaxial growth of a single crystal III-nitride semiconductor layer thereon; epitaxially growing a nitride working layer on the thin seed layer; and removing the support to form the substrate.
US08252658B2
A method of etching trenches into silicon of a semiconductor substrate includes forming a mask over silicon of a semiconductor substrate, with the mask comprising trenches formed there-through. Plasma etching is conducted to form trenches into the silicon of the semiconductor substrate using the mask. In one embodiment, the plasma etching includes forming an etching plasma using precursor gases which include SF6, an oxygen-containing compound, and a nitrogen-containing compound. In one embodiment, the plasma etching includes an etching plasma which includes a sulfur-containing component, an oxygen-containing component, and NFx.
US08252651B2
A semiconductor device having a FIN type transistor including a FIN-shape semiconductor portion improved for reliability by suppressing scattering of the characteristics of the FIN-shape transistor by decreasing a difference between impurity concentration at an upper surface and impurity concentration on a lateral side of the FIN-shape semiconductor portion, in which a pad insulating film at a thickness of about 2 to 5 nm is formed to the upper surface of the FIN-shape semiconductor portion, cluster ions are implanted to one lateral side of the FIN-shape semiconductor portion from an oblique direction at a first implantation angle θ1 and then cluster ions are implanted to another lateral side of the FIN-shape semiconductor portion from an oblique direction at a second implantation angle θ2 in symmetrical with the first implantation angle θ1 and, subsequently, the cluster ions implanted to the FIN-shape semiconductor portion 10 are activated to form a diffusion region that forms a portion of a source region and a drain region.
US08252650B1
A method for fabricating MOS transistor includes the steps of: overlapping a second stress layer on an etching stop layer and a first stress layer at a boundary region of the substrate; forming a dielectric layer on the first stress layer and the second stress layer; performing a first etching process to partially remove the dielectric layer for exposing a portion of the second stress layer at the boundary region; performing a second etching process to partially remove the exposed portion of the second stress layer for exposing the etching stop layer; performing a third etching process to partially remove the exposed portion of the etching stop layer for exposing the first stress layer at the boundary region; and performing a fourth etching process partially remove the exposed portion of the first stress layer.
US08252642B2
Semiconductor devices can be fabricated using conventional designs and process but including specialized structures to reduce or eliminate detrimental effects caused by various forms of radiation. Such semiconductor devices can include one or more parasitic isolation devices and/or buried layer structures disclosed in the present application. The introduction of design and/or process steps to accommodate these novel structures is compatible with conventional CMOS fabrication processes, and can therefore be accomplished at relatively low cost and with relative simplicity.
US08252639B2
The present invention provides a thin film transistor array panel comprising: an insulating substrate; a gate line formed on the insulating substrate and having a gate electrode; a gate insulating layer formed on the gate line; a semiconductor formed on the gate insulating layer and overlapping the gate electrode; diffusion barriers formed on the semiconductor and containing nitrogen; a data line crossing the gate line and having a source electrode partially contacting the diffusion barriers; a drain electrode partially contacting the diffusion barriers and facing the source electrode on the gate electrode; and a pixel electrode electrically connected to the drain electrode.
US08252637B2
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a reliable semiconductor device comprising TFTs having a large area integrated circuit with low wiring resistance. One of the features of the present invention is that an LDD region including a region which overlaps with a gate electrode and a region which does not overlap with the gate electrode is provided in one TFT. Another feature of the present invention is that gate electrode comprises a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer and portion of the gate wiring has a clad structure comprising the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer with a low resistance layer interposed therebetween.
US08252634B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing inwardly converging leadfingers having continuously decreasing widths along lengths thereof to inward ends thereof; electrically connecting an integrated circuit device on the leadfingers only on portions of the continuously decreasing widths; and encapsulating the integrated circuit device and the leadfingers with an encapsulation.
US08252627B2
Disclosed is a manufacturing method for an organic optoelectronic thin film comprising the steps of providing a substrate and a first electrode; forming a semiconductor layer on the substrate, wherein the semiconductor layer includes polyethylene glycol (PEG); forming a conductive polymer layer on the first electrode; disposing the substrate and the semiconductor layer on the conductive polymer layer and adhering the semiconductor layer to the conductive polymer layer; and removing the substrate; and forming a second electrode on the semiconductor layer. A first adhesion between the semiconductor layer and the substrate is generated. A second adhesion between the semiconductor layer and the conductive polymer layer is generated. The second adhesion is greater than the first adhesion so that while the substrate is removed, the semiconductor layer and the conductive polymer layer are still adhered.
US08252625B2
The present invention provides an organic thin film transistor substrate and a method of manufacturing the same capable of uniformly forming the thickness of a gate insulating layer and a protective layer and preventing overflow of an organic semiconductive layer.The organic thin film transistor according to the present invention comprises a gate line formed on a substrate; a data line which intersects the gate line with an organic gate insulating layer interposed therebetween to define a pixel area; a thin film transistor connected with the gate line and the data line and which includes an organic semiconductive layer; a pixel electrode connected with the thin film transistor and formed in the pixel area; an organic protective layer formed parallel with the gate line to cover the organic semiconductive layer and its peripheral area; a first border insulating layer stepwise formed so that the organic gate insulating layer and the protective layer are filled, and a second border insulating layer formed on the source electrode and the drain electrode of the thin film transistor so that the organic semiconductive layer is filled.
US08252621B2
A method of forming a Group IBIIIAVIA solar cell absorber, which includes a top surface region of less than or equal to 300 nm depth. The Ga/(Ga+In) molar ratio within the top surface region is in the range of 0.1-0.3. The Group IBIIIAVIA solar cell absorber is formed by reacting the layers of a multilayer material structure which includes a metallic film including at least Cu and In formed on a base, a separator layer including Se is formed on the metallic film, a metallic source layer substantially including Ga formed on the separator layer, and a cap layer substantially including Se formed on the source layer.
US08252610B2
A method for making a light emitting diode is provided, which includes first providing a light emitting diode chip. The light emitting diode chip includes a substrate and a p-type semiconductor layer, an active layer and an n-type semiconductor layer sequentially formed on the substrate. And then sections with different resistance are formed in the n-type semiconductor layer by implanting ions into the n-type semiconductor layer in an ion implanter. Finally, an electrode pad is deposited on the n-type semiconductor layer. The electrical resistances of the sections increase following an increase of a distance from the electrode pad to the sections.
US08252609B2
A method for reducing curvature of a wafer having a semiconductor surface. One or more process steps are identified at which wafers exhibit the largest curvature, and/or wafer curvature that may reduce die yield. A crystal damaging process converts at least a portion of the semiconductor surface into at least one amorphous surface region After or contemporaneously with the crystal damaging, the amorphous surface region is recrystallized by recrystallization annealing that anneals the wafer for a time ≦5 seconds at a temperature sufficient for recrystallization of the amorphous surface region. A subsequent photolithography step is facilitated due to the reduction in average wafer curvature provided by the recrystallization.
US08252603B2
Fluid containers are disclosed which have fluid reservoirs in their closures. These reservoirs are advantageous to hold sacrificial fluid which lessens the loss of the fluid of interest to the outside through evaporation. The reservoirs may have openings to the inside or outside of the container, or to both. Reservoirs with openings to the outside serve to reduce evaporative loss by raising the partial pressure of fluid in the vicinity of the contact between the closure and the remainder of the container. The reservoirs may be refillable without opening the container. In one embodiment a fluid reservoir allows the zone of contact between the closure and the remainder of the container to be immersed in fluid, so that gases seeking to escape the interior of the container must pass through fluid.
US08252599B2
Sample processing units useful for mixing and purifying materials, such as fluidic materials are provided. A sample processing unit typically includes a container configured to contain a sample comprising magnetically responsive particles, and one or more magnets that are in substantially fixed positions relative to the container. A sample processing unit also generally includes a conveyance mechanism configured to convey the container to and from a position that is within magnetic communication with the magnet, e.g., such that magnetically responsive particles with captured analytes can be retained within the container when other materials are added to and/or removed from the container. Further, a sample processing unit also typically includes a rotational mechanism that is configured to rotate the container, e.g., to effect mixing of sample materials disposed within the container. Related carrier mechanisms, sample processing stations, systems, and methods are also provided.
US08252592B2
The present invention provides immunoresponsive cells, including T cells, cytotoxic T cells, regulatory T cells, and Natural Killer (NK) cells, expressing at least one of an antigen-recognizing receptor and a co-stimulatory ligand and methods of use therefore for the treatment of neoplasia and other pathologies where an increase in an antigen-specific immune response is desired.
US08252591B2
The invention provides tissue culture system for primary cells (e.g. normal mammalian primary epithelial progenitors). This system includes: a) a serum-free, chemically defined cell culture media; and, b) methods for isolation and in vitro long-term propagation of primary cells (e.g. primary epithelial cells). Primary cells so isolated and cultured can be kept undifferentiated and proliferate for many weeks (>15 weeks) or population doubling (>35 PD) without senescence, or any detectable genetic alterations. Upon changing media/culture conditions, these cells can be induced to differentiate.The invention also provides methods to transform normal primary cells so cultured into “cancer stem cells.” The genetically defined cancer stem cell tumor model mimics the behavior of the disease closely, e.g., the cells are invasive, hormone responsive and metastatic when injected into mice. The tumor cells express genes that are specific to cancer stem cells identified in patient samples.
US08252586B2
This invention provides a system for efficiently producing differentiated cells from pluripotent cells, such as human embryonic stem cells. Rather than permitting the cells to form embryoid bodies according to established techniques, differentiation is effected directly in monolayer culture on a suitable solid surface. The cells are either plated directly onto a differentiation-promoting surface, or grown initially on the solid surface in the absence of feeder cells and then exchanged into a medium that assists in the differentiation process. The solid surface and the culture medium can be chosen to direct differentiation down a particular pathway, generating a cell population that is remarkably uniform. The methodology is well adapted to bulk production of committed precursor and terminally differentiated cells for use in drug screening or regenerative medicine.
US08252585B2
This invention provides populations of neural progenitor cells, differentiated neurons, glial cells, and astrocytes. The populations are obtained by culturing stem cell populations (such as embryonic stem cells) in a cocktail of growth conditions that initiates differentiation, and establishes the neural progenitor population. The progenitors can be further differentiated in culture into a variety of different neural phenotypes, including dopaminergic neurons. The differentiated cell populations or the neural progenitors can be generated in large quantities for use in drug screening and the treatment of neurological disorders.
US08252584B2
The object is to isolate and identify human and mouse adiponectin receptors, to provide a novel protein having adiponectin binding ability, and to provide a screening method and screening kit for a ligand, agonist and antagonist to an adiponectin receptor using such protein. To achieve this object, a protein is used, as novel protein having adiponectin binding ability, that is (a) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence according to Seq. No. 2, 4, 6 or 8, or (b) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence according to Seq. No. 2, 4, 6 or 8 with one or more amino acids deleted, replaced or added, and having adiponectin binding ability.
US08252582B2
The invention relates to a disposable bioreactor comprising a reversible, externally attachable sensor arrangement for measuring a physical variable of a contained medium. A sensor adapter (28) for receiving an electronic sensor arrangement (34, 38; 42; 44a, 44b, 46, 48) interacting with the medium cross-flowing the peripheral lines (14, 16, 18), by means of an inner delimiting surface (32a, 32b; 42; 44a, 44b, 46, 48) of the sensor adapter, is integrated into at least one of the peripheral lines (14, 16, 18) of the bioreactor which is used to supply or discharge the medium. Said sensor adapter (28) is mounted on the peripheral line (14, 16, 18) as an insert extending the peripheral line (14, 16, 18) and which can be cross-flown by the contained medium.
US08252574B2
The present invention discloses a replication-deficient pseudoinfective virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family that lack the capsid gene, where the replication-deficient pseudoinfective virus propagates only in cells expressing the capsid or capsid, prM and envelope protein of the flavivirus. The present also discloses the method of producing such viruses on a large scale and the use of these pseudoinfective viruses as vaccines for preventing diseases caused by infections of humans or animals by the viruses belonging to this family.
US08252571B2
Processes for preparation of a protein-polymer composite material are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which include providing an admixture of a polymer resin, a surfactant and a non-aqueous organic solvent. An aqueous solution containing bioactive proteins and substantially free of surfactant is mixed with the admixture. The emulsion is mixed with a crosslinker to produce a curable composition. The curable composition is cured, thereby producing the protein-polymer composite material.
US08252570B2
Bone cages are disclosed including devices for biocompatible implantation. The structures of bone are useful for providing living cells and tissues as well as biologically active molecules to subjects.
US08252569B2
A microfluidic device for the concentration and lysis of cells or viruses and a method of concentrating and lysing cells or viruses using the microfluidic device include: magnetic beads, a reaction chamber in which the magnetic beads are accommodated and a laser source. The reaction chamber includes a plurality of electrodes which cross each other and are separated by a dielectric to generate an electric field and a vibrating part agitating the magnetic beads in the chamber. The laser source radiates a laser onto the magnetic beads in the reaction chamber.
US08252567B2
A process for the conversion of carbohydrates from any of a number of sources into butanol and hexanol for fuel or chemical use is disclosed. The process includes conducting a homoacetogenic fermentation to produce an acetic acid intermediate which is chemically converted to ethanol. The ethanol and a remaining portion of the acetic acid intermediate are used as a substrate in an acidogenic fermentation to produce butyric and caproic acid intermediates which are then chemically converted to butanol and hexanol.
US08252565B2
The present invention relates to a method for production of a diol form represented by the formula (2), which includes filtering a culture fluid obtained by microbial conversion using a compound represented by the following formula (1a) and/or formula (1b) as a substrate, using a filter having an aperture size of 10 to 100 μm; washing the residue on the filter with water or a solvent having an SP value outside the range of 8.3 to 20 (cal/cm3)1/2; subsequently dissolving the obtained cake in a solvent having an SP value of 8.3 to 20 (cal/cm3)1/2; and then filtering or centrifuging the solution.According to the present invention, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,5,5,8a-tetramethyldecahydronaphthalen-2-ol, which is useful as an intermediate for the production of 3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyldodecahydronaphtho[2,1-b]furan, can be efficiently produced at high purity.
US08252563B2
The present invention relates to a protein which can asymmetrically reduce an ortho-substituted phenylglyoxalic acid compound to industrially advantageously produce an amide or ester compound of corresponding optically-active ortho-substituted mandelic acid, a DNA encoding the protein, a process for producing the protein from the DNA, and a process for asymmetrically reducing an ortho-substituted phenylglyoxalic acid compound to produce a corresponding optically-active ortho-substituted mandelic acid compound.
US08252562B2
Disclosed herein are enzyme powders comprising a spray-dried formulation of at least one CE-7 esterase, at least one oligosaccharide excipient, and optionally at least one surfactant. Also disclosed herein is a process for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters using the aforementioned enzyme powders. Further, disinfectant and laundry care formulations comprising the peracids produced by the processes described herein are provided.
US08252561B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for novel strategies to harvest algal lipids using mollusks which after feeding algae from the growth medium can convert algal lipids into their biomass or excrete lipids in their pseudofeces which makes algae harvesting energy efficient and cost effective. The bioconverter, filter-feeding mollusks and their pseudofeces can be harvested and converted to biocrude using an advanced thermochemical liquefaction technology. Methods, systems, and materials are disclosed for the harvest and isolation of algal lipids from the mollusks, molluscan feces and molluscan pseudofeces.
US08252559B2
A method and system for selectively fluorinating organic molecules on a target site wherein the target site is activated and then fluorinated are shown together with a method and system for identifying a molecule having a biological activity.
US08252555B2
The present invention relates to nucleotide sequences encoding enzymatically active cobalamin-methionine synthase and functional fragments thereof that are modified in comparison to the respective wild-type enzyme such that said enzymes show reduced product inhibition by methionine. The present invention also relates to polypeptides being encoded by such nucleotide sequences and host cells comprising such nucleotide sequences. Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods for producing methionine in host organisms by making use of such nucleotide sequences.
US08252548B2
Disclosed is an in vitro method for the identification and the concomitant monitoring of the therapy and cure of drug-induced or addictive substance-induced liver damage, in which the occurrence of the human enzyme carbamoyl synthase 1 (CPS 1) or its concentration is determined in serum or plasma samples from patients who are being or have been treated with potentially liver-damaging drugs, or from people who take harmful stimulants and addictive substances or are exposed to hepatotoxic substances.
US08252544B2
The invention relates to a method for the diagnosis, and/or risk stratification, and/or outcome prognosis of cardiac insufficiency for NYHA I patients, wherein a determination of the proANP marker, NT-proANP marker, or fragments or partial peptides thereof is carried out parallel to a determination of BNP, proBNP, and/or NT-proBNP on patients to be examined.
US08252534B2
A method of diagnosing, assessing susceptibility, and/or treating schizophrenia involving the identification and/or observation of microRNAs (miRNA) and variant miRNA are provided. Micro RNAs alleles associated with schizophrenia and schizophrenia spectrum disorders were identified and ultra-rare variants in the precursor or mature miRNA were identified. Functional analyses of ectopically expressed copies of the variant miRNA precursors demonstrate loss of function, gain of function and altered expression levels. The present invention also provides methods for selecting a preferred therapy for a particular subject or group of subjects or individuals at risk for or suffering from schizophrenia or psychosis by use of miRNAs.
US08252531B2
The present invention relates to an inhibitor capable of increasing accuracy of the reaction in hybridization, and inhibiting nonspecific hybridization, a clinical diagnostic reagent, and a method of clinical analysis whereby nonspecific hybridization in clinical analysis is inhibited, and a target nucleic substance is detected easily with high accuracy. The inhibitor and the clinical diagnostic reagent contains polymer (H) having a nonspecific hybridization inhibitory action. The polymer has in its molecule at least one of carboxyl and sulfone groups, and phosphorylcholine-like groups, and has a weight average molecular weight of 1000 to 5000000. The method of clinical analysis includes contacting a sample with a test agent capable of hybridizing with a specific nucleic substance in the presence of the inhibitor.
US08252523B2
A reagent composition for a biosensor sensor strip is disclosed that provides for rapid rehydration after drying. The composition includes porous particles and is preferably formed as a colloidal suspension. The dried reagent composition including porous particles may provide analytically useful output from the sensor strip in a shorter time period than observed from dried reagent compositions using solid particles. The output signal from the porous particle compositions may be correlated to the analyte concentration of a sample within about two seconds. In this manner, an accurate concentration determination of an analyte concentration in a sample may be obtained in less time than from sensor strips including conventional compositions. The reagent composition including the porous particles also may allow for the redox reaction between the reagents and the analyte to reach a maximum kinetic performance in a shorter time period than observed from conventional sensor strips.
US08252520B2
The present invention provides methods and compounds for inhibiting HEC1 activity for the treatment of diseases involving cell hyperproliferation, e.g. cancer. The present invention also provides methods of identifying compounds for inhibiting HEC1 activity.
US08252513B2
A method of on-press developing a high-speed laser sensitive lithographic printing plate with ink and/or fountain solution is described. The plate comprises on a substrate a photosensitive layer soluble or dispersible in ink and/or fountain solution and capable of hardening upon exposure to a laser. The plate is exposed with a laser and on-press developed with ink and/or fountain solution. At least a portion of the on-press development is performed with the plate under a yellow-red light, in substantial darkness, or under a light that is different from the light for printing and does not cause hardening of the photosensitive layer during on-press development.
US08252510B2
According to one embodiment, a write-once type information storage medium comprises an organic dye based recording material having sensitivity at a wavelength of 405 nm and at a recording wavelength in the range of 600 nm to 700 nm, wherein, when absorbance of a maximum absorption wavelength in the vicinity of 405 nm is defined as 1, the absorbance is 5% or more at any wavelength in the range of 600 nm to 700 nm.
US08252506B2
Hot melt compositions include acid waxes and acrylate functional monomers free of acid groups. Upon application of actinic radiation, the hot melt compositions cure to form and etch resist. The hot melt compositions may be used in the manufacture of printed circuit boards, optoelectronic and photovoltaic devices.
US08252504B2
A polymer obtained through copolymerization of a monomer having a hexafluoroalcohol pendant whose hydroxyl moiety has been protected and a monomer having an acid labile group is useful as an additive to a photoresist composition for immersion lithography. When processed by immersion lithography, the resist composition exhibits good water repellency and water slip and produces few development defects.
US08252502B2
A method for producing a toner is provided that comprises a kneading step, a milling step, a pre-externally adding step, in which at least a part of an external additive is externally added to the powder to prepare a mixture, a classifying step, a recycle step, and a post-externally adding step, wherein the internally added amount X of the external additive in the toner is regulated within a range of 0.2 part by mass to 3.0 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the toner base.
US08252499B2
A high-quality, stable image forming apparatus and method which are free from abnormal images, particularly afterimages, after prolonged repeated use by using a photoconductor a conductive substrate and a single-layered photosensitive layer which contains a charge generating material, an electron transporting material, a positive-hole transporting substance and a binder resin, wherein the charge generating material contains crystalline titanyl phthalocyanine having a maximum diffraction peak of at least 27.2° as a diffraction peak ±0.2° of the Bragg angle 2θ with respect to the Cu-Kα line of the wavelength of 1.542Å, further having major peaks at 9.4°, 9.6°, 24.0°, and also having a peak at 7.3° as a diffraction peak on the lowest angle side but not having a peak between the peak of 7.3° and that of 9.4°, and X-metal free phthalocyanine, and the electron transporting material contains a compound represented by the following General Formula (1),
US08252498B2
Amphiphilic toner which has both hydrophilic groups and lipophilic groups in the molecule, use thereof for an electrophoretic printing process, and method for an electrophoretic printing process using it. The toner is first dispersed in a non-polar carrier liquid, the toner-containing carrier liquid being transported from a charge image carrier by means of a transfer roller to a point of transfer and from there transferred to a substrate. A polar liquid is added before transfer of the toner to the substrate.
US08252494B2
A fluorescent particle includes a fluorescent pigment, such as a trans-dicarboxylic-indenofluorenone, and at least one stabilizing wax chemically attached to the fluorescent pigment. The stabilizing wax includes an amine group at its terminal end and the fluorescent pigment includes at least one carboxylic acid group, where the amine group reacts with the carboxylic acid group to form an amide bond. A method for making fluorescent particles for use in toners by chemically attaching at least one stabilizing wax to a fluorescent pigment where the at least one stabilizing wax includes an amine group at its terminal end and the fluorescent pigment includes at least one carboxylic acid group. A toner may include a resin and the fluorescent particle.
US08252493B2
Single component toners are provided with at least one surface additive including a large polymeric spacer, and processes for producing the same. In embodiments, the toner is a non-magnetic single component toner produced by emulsion aggregation methods. The large polymeric spacer additives provide excellent flow characteristics to the resulting toners, and reduce the incidence of clogging failure and print defects such as ghosting, white bands, and low toner density compared with conventionally produced toners.
US08252492B2
An embodiment of toner for electrostatic development may include toner base particles, and resin fine particles. Further, some embodiments may include external additives, such as hydrophobic silica. In some embodiments, the resin fine particles may include a polymer having an isobornyl group-containing acrylate monomer.
US08252484B2
A high-performance separator for a fuel cell is provided that includes an electrically conducting flow path part and an integrated insulating outer circumferential part surrounding the flow path part. The flow path part includes an electrically conducting resin composition including a carbonaceous material (A) and a thermoplastic resin composition (B) at a mass ratio (A)/(B) of 1 to 20 with the total mass of (A) and (B) accounting for 80 to 100 mass % in the composition. The flow path part has a corrugated shape having a recess and a projection on each of front and back surfaces thereof, where the recess constitutes a groove for a flow path, and a thickness of 0.05 to 0.5 mm and a maximum thickness/minimum thickness ratio of 1 to 3. The insulating outer circumferential part includes an insulating thermoplastic resin composition having a volume resistivity of 1010 Ωcm or more.
US08252481B2
According to the invention, a fuel cell system features a fuel cell (14) having a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (4), and an antioxidant residing in or contacting the solid polymer electrolyte membrane (4), for inactivating active oxygen.
US08252477B2
A direct-flame fuel cell according to the invention has a cell in which a solid electrolyte 1 is sandwiched between an anode 2 and a cathode 3. The anode 2 contains one or more kinds of alkaline metal compounds or alkaline earth metal compounds which are effective in suppressing soot generation due to exposure to a flame. Where the anode 2 includes two or more layers 2a and 2b, the one or more kinds of alkaline metal compounds or alkaline earth metal compounds are contained in the outermost layer 2b.
US08252473B2
A vehicle equipped with a fuel cell recognizes an external characteristic of a following mobile unit. Corresponding to the recognized characteristic, the vehicle controls the permission, the amount and the prohibition of discharge of the water produced along with electricity generation of the fuel cell.
US08252470B2
A temperature sensor detects the temperature of a coolant circulating in a coolant supply system of a fuel cell. A control unit monitors the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. When the temperature of the coolant is higher than a target temperature, the control section switches a rotary valve to a radiator-side flow path so that a radiator cools the coolant, and when the temperature of the coolant is lower than the target temperature, the control section switches the rotary valve to a bypass-side flow path to raise the temperature of the coolant through FC generation so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is equal to the target temperature. During the process above, in a low temperature environment, the target temperature is raised to a temperature that is higher than a target temperature during a normal operation, while a heater heats the coolant. Through the above processing, the temperature inside the fuel cell can be prevented from decreasing excessively even in the low temperature environment.
US08252465B2
Disclosed is an electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery. The electrolyte includes a non-aqueous solvent and a sulfone based organic compound represented by the following Formulae (I), (II), or (III), or a mixture thereof: where R and R′ are independently selected from the group consisting of primary alkyl groups, secondary alkyl groups, tertiary alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, aryl groups; halogen substituted primary alkyl groups, halogen substituted secondary alkyl groups, halogen substituted tertiary alkyl groups, halogen substituted alkenyl groups, and halogen substituted aryl groups, and n is from 0 to 3.
US08252457B2
A battery (2) includes an insulating member (40) fitted into a hole (26) in a case (20), and electrode terminals (60, 70), each being passed through the insulating member (40) and extended out of the case (20). The insulating member (40) includes: a first insulating portion (42) that isolates each of the electrode terminals (60, 70) from the inner surface of the hole (26) and closes the interface between each of the electrode terminals (60, 70) and the inner surface; and a second insulating portion (48) formed along the surface of each of the terminals (60, 70) at the outer end portion of the insulating member (40).
US08252454B2
A battery cover latching mechanism is provided. The battery cover latching mechanism includes a body member, a battery cover, and an elastic member. One end of the elastic member resists the body member, the other end of the elastic member resists the battery cover. The battery cover is attached to the body member. The battery is attached to the battery cover. The elastic member provides an elastic force to open the battery cover allowing the battery to be removed from the body member.
US08252430B2
A heat-resistant member is provided that includes a Ni-base superalloy substrate coated with at least one substance. The substrate and the substance are formed of materials that are substantially in a state of thermodynamic equilibrium, or in a state similar to a state of thermodynamic equilibrium, so that interdiffusion is suppressed. The heat-resistant member therefore inhibits interdiffusion of elements at the substrate/coating interface even at elevated temperatures of 1,100° C. and higher.
US08252428B2
A high-strength steel sheet having high strength and ability to absorb impact energy to a high degree is formed into a strengthening member for an vehicle, having both superior energy absorption efficiency and bonding properties. The high-strength member has a high-strength steel sheet having not less than 5000 MPa of gradient du/de of a stress-strain diagram in a range of 3 to 7% of true strain obtained in a tension test, and a steel sheet having 0.3 to 0.85 of tension strength ratio against tension strength of the high-strength steel sheet, the steel sheets bonded at their ends with space extending in a prescribed direction between the steel sheets, and a load is to be applied on the member from the prescribed direction when the member is acted upon.
US08252427B2
The invention comprises an aqueous phenol-formaldehyde resole resin liquid fortified with powdered (e.g., spray dried) phenol-formaldehyde resole resin, preparing wood composites, particularly oriented strand board (OSB), waferboard, particleboard, medium density fiber board, and hardboard, using the solids-fortified liquid resin, and related wood composites bonded with the solids-fortified resin.
US08252425B2
An improved aqueous acrylic emulsion pressure sensitive adhesive composition of diminished foaming and being formulated from an aqueous acrylic emulsion including at least one carboxyl monomer having a residual carboxyl group, which residual carboxyl group is neutralized with a hydroxyl-functional amine, such as a trialkanolamine.
US08252422B2
Provided is a hybrid silicon wafer made of a wafer comprised primarily of two or more types of concentric single-crystal silicon or polycrystalline silicon prepared by mutually integrating one in a molten state and another in a solid state, and having specific resistances that differ by two orders of magnitude or more. Additionally provided is a method of manufacturing a hybrid silicon wafer, wherein high specific resistance silicon or an ingot comprised primarily of silicon is disposed at a central portion or a decentered position in a crucible, a nugget or powdered silicon having a specific resistance that is lower by two orders of magnitude or more than the ingot is filled in a void part around the ingot in the crucible, the nugget or powdered silicon is selectively melted and integrated with the ingot to form a complex, and a wafer shape is cut out therefrom. The provided hybrid silicon wafer comprises the functions of both a polycrystalline silicon wafer and a single-crystal wafer, or two or more polycrystalline silicon wafers having different functions.
US08252417B2
Metallic particles for electrokinetic or electrostatic deposition, and a method for making such particles, comprising metallic particle bodies, an organic acid film on the particle bodies, and a charge director adhered to the organic acid film.
US08252415B2
A sand making apparatus comprises: a crusher configured to crush crushed materials; a first sorter configured to sort the crushed materials obtained from the crusher into coarse particles, fine particles, and powders through air sorting by air blowing and screening sorting by a screen; a negative pressure collection unit configured to suck and collect the powders from the first sorter; and a second sorter disposed between the first sorter and the negative pressure collection unit, the second sorter configured to sort the powders into coarse powders and fine powders through negative pressure of the negative pressure collection unit.
US08252412B2
A radiation diffractive film is disclosed, which includes a viewing surface, with at least a portion of the viewing surface residing in a viewing plane. The film comprises an ordered periodic array of particles received in a matrix material, the array of particles having a crystalline structure, wherein the crystalline structure defines (i) a plurality of first crystal planes of the particles that diffract infrared radiation and (ii) a plurality of second crystal planes of the particles that diffract visible radiation.
US08252411B2
A load bearing assembly (20) includes a plurality of tension members (22). A joint in the load bearing assembly (20) has a staggered pattern of discontinuities (30) in the tension members (22). A stress relieving feature is associated with at least outermost tension members (22A, 22L) in the vicinity of the discontinuities. One example includes supplemental tension members (32, 50) as the stress relieving feature. Another example includes selected spacings (32′, 40, 42) between ends of at least some of the tension members. One example includes different sized tension members as the stress relieving feature. Another example includes different lateral spacings between selected tension members.
US08252402B2
An adhesive tape for flying splice of flat web material which has been wound to form rolls, the adhesive tape having at least one carrier layer and a layer of adhesive, at least part of that surface of the carrier layer that faces that layer of adhesive being optically detectable, or optically detectable means being provided between the carrier layer and the layer of adhesive, and the layer of adhesive being designed such that the optical detection can be made through the layer of adhesive. The adhesive tape is modified such that its gloss value, i.e. the ratio of directed fraction and diffusely reflected fraction of the light stream incident on the surface, on the external surface of the layer of adhesive is reduced by at least 20% relative to an unmodified adhesive tape of otherwise identical construction.
US08252401B2
A release sheet is provided. The release sheet comprises: a base material having one surface and the other surface; and a release agent layer provided on the one surface of the base material. The release agent layer contains substantially no silicone compound and is constituted of a polymer material containing a polyolefine-based thermoplastic elastomer of which density is in the range of 0.80 to 0.90 g/cm3. A Young's modulus of the release agent layer is in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 GPa. An arithmetic mean deviation of a profile Ra of the other surface of the base material is in the range of 100 to 1800 nm. This makes it possible to sufficiently suppress adverse effects on electric components and the like, prevent blocking from occurring when the release film is wound up in a rolled form and stored in this state, and exhibit superior releasability. A pressure-sensitive adhesive article is also provided.
US08252396B2
The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a barrier film that maintains an oxygen barrier after being subjected to autoclaving conditions. The film comprises one EVOH layer positioned as a core layer, and one EVOH layer positioned directly adjacent to an outer layer comprising highly permeable material having a moisture vapor permeability greater than about 40 g-mil/100 in2-day-atm. During autoclaving, the barrier properties of the EVOH layer positioned adjacent to the outer layer allows improved recovery of oxygen barrier properties. In addition, during rewetting applications, the internal EVOH layer maintains the oxygen barrier. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the disclosed barrier film.
US08252395B2
An injection-molded body according to the present invention includes a tubular body portion, an airtight seal surface formed on a peripheral surface of the body portion near one end of the body portion, and a plurality of undercuts disposed at positions around the peripheral surface of the body portion that are closer to the end than the airtight seal surface is. The undercuts prevent a seal member mounted on the airtight seal surface from falling off, in which a clearance is formed between a peripheral wall and the undercuts. The peripheral wall defines an inner hole of the body portion, and the clearance accommodates deformation of the undercuts in radial directions.
US08252391B2
An article such as a greeting card (10) comprising a sheet (11) defining a first portion (16) and a second portion (18) connected together. The first portion (16) is adapted for erection into a three-dimensional form and the second portion (18) is adapted for location adjacent the three-dimensional form. The first and second portions (16, 18) are foldably connected together, whereby the second portion (18) can be folded into the location adjacent the three-dimensional form and secured at that location. The first portion (16) has two opposed edges (26, 28) adapted to be drawn together to create the three-dimensional form. The greeting card (10) can be delivered in a collapsed condition to an intended recipient in ways similar to conventional cards and can be readily assembled into a three-dimensional form to create interest and facilitate display.
US08252387B2
An isothermal, low pressure-based process of depositing material within a substrate has been developed, and is particularly useful in forming an optical fiber preform results in creating an extremely narrow reaction zone within which a more uniform and efficient deposition will occur. Sets of isothermal plasma operating conditions have been found that create a narrow deposition zone, assuring that the deposited material is clear glass rather than soot particles. The exhaust end of the tube is connected to a vacuum system which is in turn connected to a scrubber apparatus for removal and neutralization of reaction by-products. The operating conditions are selected such that the hot plasma does not transfer a substantial amount of heat to the substrate tube, where the presence of such heat has been found to result in vaporizing the reactant material (creating soot) and developing hot spots.
US08252381B1
A coated metal surface is disclosed, with a chemically-bonded film of long-chain organic groups. Such coating may be hydrophobic, and therefore repel the presence of water. This allows the surface to resist corrosion and surface oxidation, without diminishing the desired metallic characteristics of the surface. Further disclosed are methods for applying and coating on various substrates. Such coating may be advantageously applied to protect metals from corrosive environments such as air, water, chemicals, and bodily fluids.
US08252377B2
The present invention is an organoruthenium compound for use in production of a ruthenium or ruthenium compound thin film by chemical vapor deposition, including ruthenium and an arene group and norbornadiene both coordinated to the ruthenium and represented by the following formula. The present invention is an organoruthenium compound for use in chemical vapor deposition which does not require the coexistence of oxygen during the thin film formation, and moreover, is liquid at ordinary temperature, thereby having good handleability and recyclability. wherein the substituents, R1 to R6, of the arene group are each hydrogen or an alkyl group, and the total number of carbons of R1 to R6 (R1+R2+R3+R4+R5+R6) is 6 or less.
US08252373B2
The invention relates to a gloss coated multifunctional printing paper that can be used with a variety of office printing equipment including inkjet and electrophotographic and to processes of making and using the paper, a paper substrate; and a pigmented composition coated on at least one surface of the substrate, said pigmented coating composition comprising (1) a first pigment having a BET surface area in the range of from about 50 to about 750 m2/g; (2) a second pigment having a BET surface area in the range of from about 5 to about 49 m2/g; and (3) a polymeric binder. Said coated paper having a coating gloss equal to or greater than about 30% at 75° and a Bristow Absorption length of less than about 180 mm.The coating compositions may contain other additives such as lubricants, optical brighteners and coating rheology modifiers. The coating formulations can be applied to the base stock using any of a large number of coating techniques including application roll with bent blade, rod, air knife, slot die, curtain spray and gravure. The paper can be used with various inkjet and electrophotographic printing apparatus and techniques.
US08252372B2
A sprayed film forming method and apparatus in which the thickness of the sprayed film in a predetermined region is increased so as to unify the entire thickness. A sprayed film is formed at a cylinder bore inner surface while a spraying gun is moved in an axial direction during rotation inside the bore. Air inside the bore is sucked out to prevent foreign material from being caught in the sprayed film. The flow rate inside the bore tends to become higher at an axial end on a suction side, resulting in a thinned region. The supply speed of a wire serving as a spraying material to the spraying gun or the number of sprays in this region is higher than those at other portions. The thickness at the axial end of the bore is made equal while suppressing an increase in working time and spraying material used.
US08252369B2
Disclosed is a process for coating at least one geometrically defined surface of an optical article's substrate. The process can include: (a) providing a removable carrier made of plastic material and having an internal surface and external surface; (b) providing an optical article comprising a substrate having at least one geometrically defined surface forming a Fresnel lens; (c) depositing a curable coating composition onto either the at least one surface forming a Fresnel lens; (d) moving the carrier and optical article relatively to each other; (e) applying a pressure onto the external surface of the carrier to spread out the curable coating composition to cover said at least one surface forming a Fresnel lens; (f) curing the layer of curable coating composition; (g) withdrawing the removable carrier to recover the substrate of the optical article having at least one Fresnel lens forming surface coated with the cured coating composition.
US08252366B2
A solid oxide electrochemical device having a laminar composite electrode with improved electrochemical and mechanical performance, the laminar composite electrode comprising a porous support electrode layer, a thin and patterned structure layer, and a thin and dense electrolyte layer and methods for making.
US08252363B2
The invention relates to a method of thinning a block transferred to a substrate. According to the invention, the method includes depositing a stop layer at least onto the substrate and in a way adjacent to and contiguous with the transferred block. The stop layer is made out of material of greater resistance or hardness than the material of the transferred block and of smaller thickness than that of the transferred block. The method further includes actuating the thinning of the transferred block. The thinning time is pre-programmed as a function of a predetermined speed of thinning the transferred block, the thinning time being selected so that the thinning also attacks the stop layer.
US08252359B2
The present invention discloses a nutritious, tasty and affordable drink made from the sap of Kappaphycus alvarezii seaweed which is readily cultivable. The drink resembles coconut water in appearance and taste and is rich in potassium. It also contains an adequate proportion of the daily requirement of iodine besides many other useful minerals such as magnesium, calcium, sodium, zinc, phosphorous and iron while having low concentrations of toxic elements such as lead and chromium. The process of refining sap, which enables the seaweed drink to be palatable and widely acceptable, besides bestowing adequate shelf life, is also described. The process of preparation is integrated with preparation of carrageenan and plant nutrient thereby making optimum use of the seaweed and minimizing waste.
US08252354B2
A method is used to separate fractions from a seed. This can be done by: a) Physically breaking down the Chia seed into smaller particles; b) Adding a liquid carrier to the broken Chia seed to form a Chia liquid carrier blend; c) Optionally providing further processing of the Chia liquid carrier blend to further reduce the particle size of the Chia particles d) Optionally centrifuging the Chia liquid carrier blend; e) Optionally forming at least three discernible layers of materials within the centrifuged Chia liquid carrier blend; f) Optionally separating the composition of at least one layer from remaining layers; and g) Optionally combining the separated layers together into a desired combination/ratios h) Drying the separated layers or combined layers into a flowable powder.
US08252350B1
A method of separating an aqueous ethanol mixture from an active ethanol fermentation broth. The method comprising the steps of (a) supplying a selected fraction of the fermentation broth to a first reverse osmosis membrane separation stage to generate a dilute aqueous ethanol permeate and a reduced ethanol content fermentation broth retentate; (b) recycling the reduced ethanol retentate to the active fermentation broth; (c) supplying the aqueous ethanol permeate to a second membrane separation stage to generate a concentrated aqueous ethanol retentate and a dilute aqueous ethanol permeate; and (d) recycling the dilute aqueous ethanol permeate of step (c) to the active ethanol fermentation broth. An additional step of processing the concentrated aqueous ethanol retentate to remove water optionally follows.
US08252345B2
The inventive subject matter relates to methods for modulating an eicosanoid metabolic process in cells of an animal in need thereof, which comprises administering to the animal an amount of the inventive compositions effective for regulating the activity of an eicosanoid oxygenase. In particular, the inventive subject matter relates to methods for modulating arachidonic acid metabolism by administering an amount of the inventive compositions effective for regulating the activity of lipoxygenases and cyclooxygenases.
US08252344B2
A composition for promoting the formation of clots in blood comprises a zeolite and a binder. The zeolite is adjusted to have a specific moisture content. Processes by which the moisture content is adjusted include drying, re-hydrating, and combinations of drying and re-hydrating. A method of forming the composition comprises the steps of providing a zeolite and adjusting the moisture content such that upon application of the composition to a wound, a heat of hydration is reduced and heat transferred to the wound is reduced. A method of clotting blood flowing from a wound comprises the steps of applying the zeolite to the wound and maintaining the zeolite in contact with the wound for a predetermined amount of time, the zeolite having an adjusted moisture content and being capable of producing a controllable exothermic effect on the wound.
US08252341B2
The present invention concerns a novel process for isolating growth and differentiating factors present in colostrum, all in a natural way. This process is characterized by maturation steps (controlled mild acid hydrolysis) and physical steps (molecular filtration) which optimize recovery of measured growth factors and their ability to entice a response on human cells. Advantageously, this process allows the derivation and isolation of growth and differentiating factors with highly disparate sizes (or molecule weights) in pools. These pools can be used in select and varied ways, including cosmetic, cosmeceutical, nutraceutical, dermatological, pharmaceutical, medical and veterinary applications. It can also be used as a replacement to fetal calf serum to promote cell proliferation, and above all, cell differentiation.
US08252331B2
The osmotic devices of the present invention contain a unitary core comprising a salt of amantadine and an osmotic salt, wherein the two salts have an ion in common. The release rate of the amantadine is modified from a first order release profile to a zero order, pseudo-zero order or sigmoidal release profile by increasing the amount of the osmotic salt in the core of the device. The osmotic device includes a semipermeable membrane having a controlled porosity that can be adapted as needed to cooperate with the osmotic salt in providing a predetermined drug release profile. The osmotic salt need not be coated and it is in admixture with the amantadine salt.
US08252328B2
Formulations for controlled delivery of oral transmucosal medications are provided. The formulations are characterized as hydrogel-forming or eroding-types which are bioadhesive and provide for controlled and sustained release of the medication such that enhanced bioavailability and efficacy is provided.
US08252320B2
Transdermal delivery systems for administering sufentanil through the skin are provided. The systems contain a sufficient amount of sufentanil to induce and maintain a constant state of analgesia when applied to a subject. The systems are characterized as having one or more features including a high degree of dosage form rate control over flux of sufentanil from the system, a high net flux of sufentanil from the system through the skin, lack of a permeation enhancer, an adhesive member demonstrating superior shear time, a low coefficient of variation in the net flux of sufentanil from the system, a high delivery efficiency, and a substantially constant steady state net flux of sufentanil from the system. Methods of using the transdermal delivery systems to administer a sufficient amount of sufentanil to induce and maintain analgesia for extended periods when applied to a subject are also provided.
US08252319B2
Transdermal delivery systems for administering sufentanil through the skin are provided. The systems contain a sufficient amount of sufentanil to induce and maintain a constant state of analgesia when applied to a subject. The systems are characterized as having one or more features including a high degree of dosage form rate control over flux of sufentanil from the system, a high net flux of sufentanil from the system through the skin, lack of a permeation enhancer, an adhesive member demonstrating superior shear time, a low coefficient of variation in the net flux of sufentanil from the system, a high delivery efficiency, and a substantially constant steady state net flux of sufentanil from the system. Methods of using the transdermal delivery systems to administer a sufficient amount of sufentanil to induce and maintain analgesia for extended periods when applied to a subject are also provided.
US08252317B2
The present invention provides novel metal alginates prepared from non-cross-linked alginate monomers such as sodium alginate and an aqueous solution of a group 4, 5, or 6 metal oxyhalide. The novel group 4, 5, and 6 metal alginates are useful in the preparation of cell culture supports, exhibit useful X-ray contrast properties, and exhibit unanticipated stability to standard autoclave conditions relative to known metal alginates such as calcium alginate. In general, the novel metal alginates provided by the present invention offer features and properties not observed in known metal alginates such as calcium or barium alginates.
US08252315B2
This invention is directed generally to compositions (including foods, supplements, treats, toys, etc.) for animal (including pet) consumption, and particularly hypoallergenic compositions, and more particularly semi-solid hypoallergenic compositions and hypoallergenic compositions that comprise a hydrolysate. This invention also is directed generally to methods for using such compositions. This invention is further directed generally to processes for making such compositions.
US08252307B2
The present invention relates to a method for administering a corticosteroid to a posterior segment of an eye. In the method, a sustained release device is implanted to deliver the corticosteroid to the eye. The aqueous corticosteroid concentration remains less than vitreous corticosteroid concentration during release of the corticosteroid from the device.
US08252304B2
A semi-solid delivery vehicle contains a polyorthoester and an excipient, and a semi-solid pharmaceutical composition contains an active agent and the delivery vehicle. The pharmaceutical composition may be a topical, syringable, or injectable formulation; and is suitable for local delivery of the active agent. Methods of treatment are also disclosed.
US08252294B2
The present inventors succeeded in isolating GWT1 (PfGWT1), which is one of the enzymes involved in GPI biosynthesis in the malaria parasite P. falciparum. In addition, the inventors revealed that degenerate mutant DNAs, with a lower AT content than the DNA encoding the PfGWT1 protein, can complement the phenotype of GWT1-deficient yeast. Based on the findings, the present invention provides the GWT1 protein of malaria parasites and the use of the protein in methods of screening for antimalarial drugs. The present invention also provides degenerate mutant DNAs encoding proteins involved in GPI biosynthesis, and which have a lower AT content than the original DNAs. The present invention also provides methods of screening for antimalarial drugs which use the degenerate mutant DNAs.
US08252291B2
Novel bacteriocins produced by novel bacterial strains are used for at least reducing the levels of colonization by at least one target bacteria in animals, especially poultry.
US08252283B2
The invention relates to a method for identifying substances with antiapoptotic activity, where i) cells which express both CD47 and the integrin αvβ3 are cultured, ii) the cells are caused to produce an apoptosis-inducing substance, and/or a substance or substances which induces/induce apoptosis is/are added, iii) the test substance is added, and iv) the apoptosis rate is measured, and to the substances which can be identified with the method.
US08252272B2
Provided is a hair cosmetic composition containing (A) an amidoamine (1) or an etheramine (2), or a salt thereof, (B) a branched fatty acid (3) or a salt thereof, (C) a silicone, and water: in the formula (1), R1 represents an aliphatic C11-23 hydrocarbon group, R2 represents H or a C1-4 alkyl group, and m stands for a number from 2 to 4; in the formula (2), R3 represents a C6-24 alkyl or alkenyl group, and R4 and R5 each represents a C1-6 alkyl group or a group —(AO)nH, in which A represents a C2-4 alkylene group and n stands for a number from 1 to 6; and in the formula (3), R6 represents a methyl or ethyl group, and p stands for a number from 3 to 36.
US08252271B2
A process for styling a keratinous material involving providing a composition containing at least one silicone elastomer, at least one non-aqueous polar solvent, optionally, at least one styling polymer, optionally, at least one emulsifying agent; and a cosmetically acceptable co-solvent, other than the non-aqueous polar solvent; and applying said composition onto the keratinous material.
US08252268B2
A pharmaceutical aerosol formulation comprising particles of (a) formoterol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or physiologically functional derivative thereof and (b) mometasone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or physiologically functional derivative thereof dispersed in a propellant selected from the group consisting of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane and a mixture thereof, and a bulking agent having a mass median diameter of less than one micron.
US08252265B2
A method for making a chalcopyrite-type compound includes: reacting a reaction mixture in a first solvent under reflux condition to form the chalcopyrite-type compound containing M1, M2, and A, in which M1 is selected from Cu, Au, Ag, Na, Li, and K, M2 is selected from In, Ga, Al, Ti, Zn, Cd, Sn, Mg, and combinations thereof, and A is selected from S, Se, Te, and combinations thereof; filtering the reaction mixture to obtain a crude cake; mixing the crude cake with a second solvent and a powder of a post-treatment material selected from S, Se, Te, and combinations thereof; and heating the mixture under reflux condition.
US08252261B2
The present invention provides a process for the preparation of finely divided precipitated silica. Finely divided precipitated silica is prepared by neutralization of alkali silicate solution, under continuous stirring, at 60° to 90° C. in presence of alkali metal salt as coagulating agent, in various neutralization steps during which neutralization is interrupted for specific time. Further acidic silica sol, is added until 60 to 80% of total alkali is neutralized. The reaction mixture is then aged at least for 3 minute under continuous agitation, followed by circulation through centrifugal pump at an appropriate rate.
US08252258B2
Provided is a diesel oxidation catalyst for the treatment of exhaust gas emissions from a diesel engine and a method for treating a diesel exhaust gas stream, the method comprising providing a diesel oxidation catalyst and contacting said diesel exhaust gas stream with said diesel oxidation catalyst for the treatment of exhaust gas emissions. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a catalyst structure comprising three distinct layers; in which layer comprises a precious metal component such as palladium is located between two hydrocarbon storage layers comprising a molecular sieve such as a zeolite.
US08252253B2
The invention relates to a process for recovering ruthenium from a used ruthenium-comprising catalyst which comprises ruthenium as ruthenium oxide on a support material which is not readily soluble in mineral acid, which comprises the steps: a) the ruthenium oxide-comprising catalyst is reduced in a gas stream comprising hydrogen chloride and, if appropriate, an inert gas at a temperature of from 300 to 500° C.; b) the reduced catalyst from step a) comprising metallic ruthenium on the sparingly soluble support material is treated with hydrochloric acid in the presence of an oxygen-comprising gas, with the metallic ruthenium present on the support being dissolved as ruthenium(III) chloride and obtained as an aqueous ruthenium(III) chloride solution; c) if appropriate, the ruthenium(III) chloride solution from step b) is worked up further.
US08252251B2
The present subject matter discloses a fluid cooled reformer for gas turbine systems and a method for cooling both a fuel reformer and a heated reformate stream produced by such fuel reformer. The fluid cooled reformer may include a pressure vessel and a reactor assembly disposed within the pressure vessel. The reactor assembly may include a reactor and may be configured to receive and reform an oxygen/fuel mixture to produce a heated reformate stream. Additionally, the fluid cooled reformer may include an inlet configured to direct a fluid stream into the pressure vessel. At least a portion of the fluid stream may be used to cool the reactor assembly. A reformate cooling section may be disposed downstream of the reactor of the reactor assembly and may be configured to cool the heated reformate stream.
US08252249B2
A biochemical chip in which at least the inner surface of a flow path is covered with a chemisorption monomolecular film having arbitrary surface energy, and the method includes: a step for pre-forming a chemisorption monomolecular film having arbitrary surface energy on the inner surfaces of flow path parts of first and second members which are processed to have flow paths; and a step for facing and bonding the first and second members.
US08252241B2
An apparatus for producing trichlorosilane in which metallurgical grade silicon powder supplied to a reactor is reacted with hydrogen chloride gas while being fluidized by the hydrogen chloride gas, thereby discharging trichlorosilane generated by the reaction from the reactor, includes: a plurality of gas flow controlling members which are installed along a vertical direction in an annular shape R from an inner peripheral wall of the reactor in an internal space of the reactor; and a heat transfer tube which is installed along the vertical direction in the annular space R and through which a heating medium passes.
US08252235B2
A liquid sample is aspirated using an aspirating tube provided with a flow path extending lengthwise in the interior of the tube, and an aspiration orifice for aspirating the liquid sample formed near the tip of the tube. The aspiration of the liquid sample to the aspirating tube is monitored during aspiration. Liquid sample is aspirated by the aspirating tube, and the collected material in the aspirating tube in the region at the tip side from the region containing the liquid sample to be used for measurement is delivered to a detecting part provided externally to the aspirating tube, and whether or not liquid sample is contained in the collected material is detected in the detecting part.
US08252233B2
A sample-processing system that improves total system processing efficiency, and reduces a sample-processing time, by establishing a functionally independent relationship between a rack conveyance block with rack supply, conveyance, and recovery functions, and a processing block with sample preprocessing, analysis, and other functions. A buffer unit with random accessibility to multiple racks standing by for processing is combined with each of multiple processing units to form a pair, and the system is constructed to load and unload racks into and from the buffer unit through the rack conveyance block so that one unprocessed rack is loaded into the buffer unit and then upon completion of process steps up to automatic retesting, unloaded from the buffer unit. Functional dependence between any processing unit and a conveyance unit is thus eliminated.
US08252218B2
Provided is a method for manufacturing a high-quality porous film. Here, while the porous film is being manufactured through forming micropores by stretching, a raw film is prevented from slipping on the surfaces of the respective rolls as much as possible even though the raw film includes oil or liquid paraffin as a solvent. The method is for manufacturing a porous film through forming micropores by successive biaxial stretching. A tensile force applied to the raw film F transferring from the longitudinal stretching machine (10) to the transverse stretching machine (50) is set not less than a stretching force necessary for the longitudinal stretching, and thus the raw film is prevented from slipping on a contact surface between the raw film and each roll of the longitudinal stretching machine (10).
US08252213B2
In preparing dentures, hardened mould material surrounds the denture. This mould material is adhered inside a denture flask with a housing having two separably matable portions. To remove the hardened mould material from the flask, the flask is mounted in a mould press having a shaft, with one of the portions is restrained against movement along an axis of travel of the shaft. A portion of the mould material at an end of the restrained flask portion is available for contact with the shaft along the axis of travel. A capped end of the shaft is forcefully advanced against the adhered mould material therein, thereby breaking the adhesion. After this is done, the denture flask is dismounted from the mould press and the hardened mould material is removed from the first flask portion. If necessary, the process is repeated with the other housing portion.
US08252204B2
The invention relates to glass compositions useful in conductive pastes for silicon semiconductor devices and photovoltaic cells.
US08252202B2
A nematic liquid crystal composition of the present invention includes at least 20% by weight of one, or two or more compounds selected from compound group A; and 5 to 50% by weight of one, or two or more compounds selected from compound group B, wherein the relative proportions of the above-mentioned compounds used in the nematic liquid crystal composition is determined to simultaneously obtain the specific physical characteristics for the composition, and an anchoring breaking voltage Uλ/4 is less than or equal to 25 V when the product (Δn·d) of the refractive index anisotropy (Δn) at 20° C. and the thickness (d) is 140 nm and the liquid crystal composition is confined between two substrates for a bistable nematic liquid crystal display in which at least one of the substrates have a weak zenithal anchoring force.
US08252200B2
The present invention is directed to a water treatment composition, comprising: calcium hypochlorite coated with a coating comprising at least one hydrated or anhydrous salt. The present invention is also directed to a water treatment composition, comprising: (a) an inner core layer comprising calcium hypochlorite; (b) one or more interlayers of selected salts positioned on top of said inner core layer, and (c) one or more outer layers of selected salts positioned on top of said interlayer(s).
US08252186B1
Novel compositions of matter synthesized from acrylonitrile and crosslinker, and subsequently coated with various hydrophilic monomers, can be used in the remediation of uranyl ions from groundwater, drinking water, or wastewater and as part of a system for measurement of uranium in environmental and biological samples.
US08252179B2
A liquid cyclone is configured for inflowing raw water containing impurities as targets of collection to be forced to swirl inside to spin down impurities contained in raw water, an inflow pipe is connected with an upper portion of the liquid cyclone to supply the liquid cyclone with raw water, and configured for supplied raw water to be forced to swirl inside the liquid cyclone, a connecting portion is connected with a lower portion of the liquid cyclone, and configured with a discharge port to discharge spun down impurities from the liquid cyclone, an impurity collector is connected to the liquid cyclone with the connecting portion in between, and configured to collect impurities discharged from the liquid cyclone, an obstacle is disposed in or near the discharge port, , and configured to prevent impurities collected in the impurity collector from backing up into the liquid cyclone, and an outflow pipe is connected with a top portion of the liquid cyclone, and configured for raw water having got rid of impurities to outflow as treated water from the liquid cyclone, whereby impurities separated from raw water is prevented from being re-mixed in raw water, allowing for an enhanced separation performance.
US08252165B2
This invention relates to the electrochemical deposition of carbon nanotubes (“CNTs”) on a substrate using an electrochemical cell. A dispersion of a complex of CNTs and an anionic polymer is neutralized and thereby caused to deposit on the anode plate of the cell.
US08252160B2
A microfluidic device includes a substrate and a non-valve capillary mechanism. At least a reservoir and one or more channels leading to the reservoir are formed within the substrate. The non-valve capillary mechanism is within the reservoir, and prevents fluid delivered to the reservoir from wicking from the reservoir into the channels.
US08252157B2
An electrolytic copper plating method characterized in employing a phosphorous copper anode having a crystal grain size of 1,500 μm (or more) to 20,000 μm in an electrolytic copper plating method employing a phosphorous copper anode. Upon performing electrolytic copper plating, an object is to provide an electrolytic copper plating method of a semiconductor wafer for preventing the adhesion of particles, which arise at the anode side in the plating bath, to the plating object such as a semiconductor wafer, a phosphorous copper anode for electrolytic copper plating, and a semiconductor wafer having low particle adhesion plated with such method and anode.
US08252150B1
High purity 1,3 butadiene is recovered from a C4 fraction containing butadienes, butenes, butanes, and acetylenes that is generated from a steam cracker by extractive distillation operating with no reflux or greatly reduced reflux conditions. This no reflux (or minimum reflux) technique is generally applicable to any butadiene recovery process in which at least one extractive distillation column (EDC) is used to separate 1,3 butadiene from other C4 components in the mixture. For an ED process with two EDCs, significant reductions in total energy requirements in the both EDCs can be achieved by appropriate reductions in the reflux in each column. The performances of both EDCs are unaffected even when operating at no reflux.
US08252147B2
A press felt 10 comprises a base body 30 and a batt layer having a wet paper side layer 20. The wet paper web side layer 20 has a base body side batt layer 22, upright fiber bundles 50 are formed in the basebody side batt layer 22. After needle punching a core-in-sheath fiber 41, the upright fiber bundles are formed by melting the sheath member of the core-in-sheath fibers 41 into a pillar form melted by heat treatment. As a result, the base body side batt layer 22 is made dense and blocks water within the press side batt layer 23 from moving to the wet paper web side, thereby preventing rewetting; moreover, the invention successfully enhances resistance to abrasion and compression fatigue of the felt 10 by the upright fiber bundles 50 fusion-bonded into a pillar form.
US08252126B2
A method of making sputter targets using rotary axial forging is described. Other thermomechanical working steps can be used prior to and/or after the forging step. Sputter targets are further described which can have unique grain size and/or crystal structures.
US08252124B2
The present invention provides a powder magnetic core low in the loss and high in the saturation magnetic flux density and a method for manufacturing the same. More specifically, the present invention provides a powder magnetic core that comprises a soft magnetic metal powder having an average particle size (D50) of 0.5 to 5 μm, a half width of diffraction peak in a <110> direction of α-Fe as measured by X-ray powder diffraction of 0.2 to 5.0°, and an Fe content of 97.0% by mass or more, the core having an oxygen content of 2.0% by mass or more.
US08252121B2
A warewasher for washing wares includes a chamber for receiving wares. The chamber has an associated liquid delivery system for spraying liquid onto wares within the chamber. A tank collects the sprayed liquid. A liquid recirculation system moves liquid from the tank back to the liquid delivery system. A drain system is located within the tank. The drain system includes a well, a liquid recirculation system inlet within the well and a drain opening within the well. A drain control assembly includes a drain stopper member and a strainer connected with the drain stopper member. When the drain stopper member is positioned to block flow through the drain opening, the strainer is positioned to block passage of tableware into the well. The strainer is mounted for sliding movement along a length of the drain stopper member enabling, when the drain stopper member is raised slightly to permit flow out of the drain opening, the strainer to remain in position to block passage of tableware into the well.
US08252106B2
Disclosed are wax emulsion modifiers for concrete and cement formulations and methods for preparing same. The modifiers are applicable to pervious concrete, used in residential areas, parking lots and parks to more effectively manage storm waters and improve environmental practices. This invention also relates to conventional Portland cement concrete mix designs with little to no sand, which provide improved workability, low hydration rates without sacrificing strength while achieving high levels of porosity for water transmission.
US08252102B2
The present invention provides a water-based black ink for ink-jet recording, containing a coloring agent and water. The coloring agent contains a yellow dye, a magenta dye, and a cyan dye. The yellow dye contains a dye (Y) represented by the following general formula (1). The magenta dye contains a dye (M) represented by the following general formula (2). The cyan dye contains a phthalocyanine dye (C). The dye (Y), the dye (M), and the phthalocyanine dye (C) are blended so as to satisfy the following conditions (a) and (b). (a) Y:M (weight ratio)=about 2:3 to about 3:2 (b) (Y+M):C (weight ratio)=about 2:1 to about 2:3
US08252096B2
The invention relates to apparatus and a method for separating solid particles from fluids and particularly gas flows. The apparatus is particularly for use in conjunction with an internal combustion engine or vacuum cleaner. The apparatus includes a cyclone separator which has at least two axial common cyclone separator elements, an inner and outer element, in conjunction with a two-stage electrostatic precipitator. The apparatus allows the filtration of fluid effectively, even if the flow varies over time.
US08252094B2
A gas exchange membrane is for use in an artificial lung. The membrane consists of a foamed, closed-cell material, in particular of silicone rubber. The membrane is produced by extruding a basic material which contains a foaming agent. The extrudate is then foamed. The result is a gas exchange membrane which has an increased gas exchange performance compared to known material due to the high permeability of the surface.
US08252093B2
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for removing matter from a filtering device of a work machine includes a gas pressurization assembly. An element of the gas pressurization assembly is removably attachable to a first orifice of the filtering device without removing the filtering device from a work machine to which the filtering device is connected. The system also includes a heat source fluidly connected to the gas pressurization assembly.
US08252075B2
A bonded abrasive tool includes a bonded abrasive body having a bond matrix material comprising an organic bond material, abrasive grains contained within the bond matrix material, and not greater than about 5 vol % chopped fiber bundles within the bond matrix material. The tool further has a porosity within the bonded abrasive body, wherein a majority of the porosity comprises pores surrounding the chopped fiber bundles.
US08252074B2
Method of operating a fixed bed dry bottom gasifier includes feeding coarse particulate coal with an average particle size of at least 1 mm and an ash fusion temperature increasing agent into a gasification chamber of the gasifier to form a coal bed, feeding a gasification agent into the gasification chamber, and gasifying the coarse particulate coal in the gasification chamber to produce synthesis gas as well as ash. The ash is collected in an ash bed below the coal, and the synthesis gas and the ash are removed from the gasification chamber.
US08252073B2
A novel tar-free gasification process and system is disclosed that involves the partial combustion of recycled dry solids and the drying of a slurry feedstock comprising carbonaceous material in two separate reactor zones in a two stage gasifier, thereby producing mixture products comprising synthesis gas. The synthesis gas produced from the high temperature first stage reaction zone is then quenched in the second stage reaction zone of the gasifier prior to introduction of a slurry feedstock. The temperature of the final syngas exiting the second stage reaction zone of the gasifier is thereby moderated to be in the range of about 350-900° F., which is below the temperature range at which tar is readily formed, depending upon the type of carbonaceous feedstock utilized.
US08252068B2
An electrolytic capacitor is manufactured which includes at least one capacitor element having an anode portion, a dielectric film covering a part of the anode portion and a cathode portion located on the dielectric film; and a piece member attached to each anode portion. The dielectric film is formed on each of a plurality of anode portions including the anode portion. A connecting portion connecting the plurality of anode portions to each other is provided. After the step of providing the connecting portion, the cathode portion is formed on the dielectric film in order to form a plurality of capacitor elements including at least one capacitor element. After the step of forming the cathode portion, the piece member is cut out from the connecting portion in order to separate the plurality of capacitor elements from each other.
US08252063B2
A growing prosthesis comprising a joint replacement part, a prosthesis stem, a stem-anchoring element, and an element with corresponding drive provided for the lengthening of the growing prosthesis. The element provided for the lengthening of the growing prosthesis is a spindle element arranged in the stem-anchoring element.
US08252049B2
A method or workflow for heart valve replacement, or more precisely emplacement of a prosthetic heart valve, using minimally invasive procedures includes imaging of the patient's heart during the procedure using a multi-access articulated x-ray imaging robot that allows a radiation detector carried by the robot to be moved in arbitrary paths around a patient in order to generate multiple projection exposures of the relevant region of the patient during the procedure. The imaging system is used to generate two dimensional image data during movement of the catheter and prosthetic heart valve into place and to generate three dimensional image data of the prosthetic heart valve within the patient's heart. The two dimensional image data and the three dimensional image data are registered and superimposed for use in positioning of the prosthetic heart valve. Additional imaging may be performed once the prosthetic heart valve is in position.
US08252044B1
The disclosure of the invention provides an implantable structural element for in vivo delivery of bioactive agents to a situs in a body. The implantable structural element may be configured as an implantable prosthesis, such as an endoluminal stent, cardiac valve, osteal implant or the like, which serves a dual function of being prosthetic and a carrier for a bioactive agent. Alternatively, the implantable structural element may simply be an implantable article that serves the single function of acting as a time-release carrier for the bioactive agent.
US08252038B2
An embodiment of the invention provides a prosthesis delivery system comprising a delivery catheter having an expandable member and a prosthesis carried over the expandable member. The prosthesis includes a radially expandable scaffold section and at least two anchors extending axially from an end thereof; and means for capturing at least the anchors to prevent the anchors from divaricating from the expandable member as the catheter is advanced through a patient's vasculature.
US08252034B2
A stent combined with a positioning apparatus to effectively place the stent at a precise deployment site within a narrowed vascular region such as an artery. The stent is maneuvered through the vessel and is guided by a guiding catheter up the vessel to where the narrowing is located. Upon exiting the guiding catheter and approaching the deployment site within the coronary artery, a deployment site locator expands to contact the vascular structure and, thereby, effectively position the stent at the deployment site within the narrowed vessel. This system apparatus and method is particularly useful for stent placement at an ostium (origin) of a vessel.
US08252002B2
A prosthetic trial for a joint prosthesis includes a stem having a proximal section and a distal section for implantation in a bone. A body includes a channel receiving at least the proximal section of the stem. A locking mechanism is at least partially disposed within the body. The locking mechanism is biased into a locking position in which the mechanism locks the stem within the first channel of the body. The locking mechanism is accessible outside said body to be pulled into a releasing position to unlock the stem from the body.
US08251997B2
A method for inserting an artificial implant between two adjacent vertebrae along a coronal plane.
US08251992B2
Devices and methods are provided for ablational treatment of regions of the digestive tract in post-bariatric surgery patients who fail to achieve or maintain the desired weight loss. Bariatric procedures include Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, biliopancreatic diversion, and sleeve gastrectomy. These procedures reconstruct gastrointestinal tract features, creating pouches, stoma, and tubes that restrict and/or divert the digestive flow. Post-surgical dilation of altered structures is common and diminishes their bariatric effectiveness. Ablation of compromised structures can reduce their size and compliance, restoring bariatric effectiveness. Ablation, as provided the invention, starts at the mucosa and penetrates deeper into the gastrointestinal wall in a controlled manner. Control may also be provided by a fractional ablation that ablates some tissue within a target region and leaves a portion substantially unaffected. Embodiments of the device include an ablational electrode array that spans 360 degrees and an array that spans an arc of less than 360 degrees.
US08251982B2
Apparatuses and methods for applying laser energy for therapeutic purposes (e.g., relief of pain and/or inflammation in tissues) are disclosed. The synchronization of two spatially overlapping energy forms having closely positioned emission axes and particular emission modalities can in many cases provide strengthened or even synergistic effects in the alleviation or treatment of multiple of acute and/or chronic conditions (e.g., pain and inflammation) afflicting a given tissue. The laser energy forms are characterized in terms of their power levels, activation times, activation periods, pulse durations, pulse periods, wavelengths, and other identified characteristics.
US08251976B2
A catheter including a catheter shaft formed from a polymer blend and/or a braid. The polymer blend may include polyoxymethylene added in the dispersion phase to a polymer blend. The catheter braid can be formed from at least two continuous wires that are woven together. The catheter braid can include a proximal braid section and a distal braid section. Each of the continuous wires has a proximal diameter corresponding to the proximal braid section and a distal diameter corresponding to the distal braid section. The distal diameter of each wire can be less than the proximal diameter of that wire. A catheter braid so formed can be included in a catheter.
US08251975B2
A catheter for introduction and removal of fluids from a body and tunneling device therefor, the catheter has a body having a first conduit for removing fluid from the body and a second conduit for delivering fluid to the body wherein at least a part of each of the conduits is integrally formed within a first end of the body of the catheter and extends along side one another. The first conduit extends beyond the second conduit and forms a terminal point of the first end and defines a first opening thereat and the second conduit extends to a point short of the terminal point defining a second opening. A bumper portion is adjacent the second opening extending toward the terminal point. Another part of each the first and the second conduits are disjoined and form part of a second Y-shaped end. The tunneling device has a channel to removably receive the catheter.
US08251970B2
Disclosed are diapers, and particularly baby diapers, which are made and provided to the user in a substantially flat condition. The diapers are formed into a three dimensional garment by the user and maintained in this position through use of a closure system. The closure system includes a tape type closure system with a designated zone on the diaper where the tape type closures are to be attached. Preferably the closure system includes a mechanical interlocking system known as a hook and loop fastening system or Velcro™.
US08251961B2
A safety needle assembly has a needle hub and a collar. Integrally formed from the proximal portion of the needle hub is a ring that surrounds its luer base. At the distal portion of the needle hub there are coaxially formed circumferential flanges which act to allow the collar to be rotatable about the needle hub. A needle protection housing is connected to the collar and is pivotable to cover the needle that extends from the distal end of the needle hub. Before use, the needle extending from the needle hub is covered by a needle sheath that has a groove formed circumferentially at its proximal end that snap-fits to a circumferential rib formed at the distal end of the collar.
US08251955B2
The invention relates to a catheter stylet for stiffening a catheter during the placing process, wherein the stylet comprises an accommodating lumen for at least one fluid-guiding line of the catheter. It also relates to a catheter stylet catheter system, comprising such a stylet and comprising a catheter which comprises a fluid-guiding line, and to a method for stiffening a catheter during the placing process, wherein a stylet which comprises an accommodating lumen is arranged around at least one fluid-guiding line of the catheter.
US08251953B2
A disposable cassette for mixing a drug in a vial includes a liquid inlet for connection to a liquid supply, a first vial spike, a second vial spike, a chamber and a valve mechanism. The chamber, the first and second vial spikes, and the liquid inlet are in fluid communication with each other. The valve mechanism may be actuated to control flow between the chamber, the vial receptacles and the liquid inlet.
US08251952B2
The present disclosure provides for an airless intravenous (IV) bag which contains a specialized device, referred to herein as the airless intravasculature infusion device (AIVID). The AIVID allows one to view the amount of fluid in the IV bag but substantially decreases or completely prohibits the risk of an inadvertent air infusion into a patient.
US08251945B2
A device for suctioning material out of an instrument channel during an endoscopic procedure. The device includes a biopsy valve having a first end, a second end, and an outer circumferential surface. The biopsy valve defines an internal passage leading from the first end to the second end, wherein the first end is adapted for connection to an endoscope instrument channel inlet port. Tubing connects the biopsy valve second end to a suction source connector disposed remote from the biopsy valve. A flow controller is fixed to the tubing and disposed between the biopsy valve second end and the suction source connector. The device may include an irrigation port and an instrument entry port.
US08251944B2
A surgical cassette have a rigid fluid channel formed into a rigid plastic component or housing. The housing serves as a substrate for an elastomeric acoustic coupling that can be formed on the housing outside of the fluid channel by an over molding process. Such a construction method eliminates the need for adhesives to attach the elastomeric acoustic coupling to the housing and ensures the removal of any air from between the elastomeric acoustic coupling and the housing.
US08251941B2
The present invention relates to systems and devices to treat and/or prevent inflammatory conditions within a subject and to related methods. More particularly, the invention relates to systems, devices, and related methods that sequester leukocytes and/or platelets and then inhibit their inflammatory action.
US08251940B2
A vibration dampening device is a patch with one or more step members that have distal ends extending from the patch. The patch is removably engaged or adhered to a wearer's skin. With the patch engaged, the distal ends of the step members have freedom of movement with respect to the patch. The patch optionally may further include one or more wing sections integrally formed therein that also have freedom of movement with respect to the portion of the patch engaged or adhered to skin. Step member and/or wing section movement counteracts longitudinal and/or radial vibrations traveling through soft tissue and musculature to dampen such vibrations.
US08251936B2
An orthopedic walker boot for wearing on a lower limb of a wearer has a rigid external shell, a pliant internal boot positioned in the external shell, and a heel plate selectively detachable or attachable to the external shell. Selective transition of the heel plate between the detached condition and attached condition selectively provides the orthopedic walker boot with an open-heel configuration or a closed-heel configuration. The external shell includes an outer sole having a walking surface which is configured with two curved axes to facilitate walking while wearing the orthopedic walker boot.
US08251929B2
The present invention is to provide an integrated ultrasound therapy transducer. It includes a piezoelectric transducer to generate therapy ultrasound, a support to support the piezoelectric transducer, a power amplifying module to drive the piezoelectric transducer. Wherein both the power amplifying module and the piezoelectric transducer are installed within the enclosure of the therapy transducer. The advantages of the integrated ultrasound therapy transducer assembly of the present invention include minimizing ultrasound therapy equipment and to decrease its volume and weight; reducing the electromagnetic interference and radiation greatly; and realizing the consistent performances of the ultrasound therapy equipments in mass productions and making the ultrasound therapy equipments have interchangeability.
US08251925B2
Methods and apparatus for measuring ear canal wall pressure comfort level are provided. An expandable pressure exertion device is inserted into an orifice. The device is expanded inside the orifice in increments of pressure. A threshold level is saved where a user indicates that the pressure exerted against the walls of the orifice is becoming at least one of uncomfortable, painful, and noticeable.
US08251923B2
A device for introducing a catheter guide wire into a vessel of a patient has a connector and a straightener for a J-shaped end of the guide wire, the connector having an axial bore, and its distal end and proximal end permitting a connection of the Luer type to a needle and to a syringe, respectively. The connector supports, on its inside, a sealing valve equipped with a slit, and the axial bore has, in its portion between the sealing valve and the distal end of the connector, a leaktight mating surface, the shape of which is such that it permits liquid-tight mating with the outer surface of the distal end of the straightener, when the latter is introduced into the connector via the sealing valve.
US08251918B2
A method of simultaneously collecting exocervical and endocervical cells from a female patient, includes providing a combination exo-endocervical sampling device including a sampler having a pair of opposing wings and a prominence extending from the wings. The opposing wings include a sampling surface and the prominence includes a multiplicity of endless looped fiber pairs distributed axially along a distal end section of the prominence. Each looped fiber pair includes a first loop extending transverse from the shaft and a second loop extending transverse from the shaft. The loops define a void space therebetween configured to capture exo-endocervical cells. The method includes placing the sampling device in contact with a cervix of the female patient, collecting exocervical cells with the opposing wings of the sampling device, and simultaneously collecting endocervical cells with the prominence.
US08251917B2
A self-contained hand-held biopsy needle has various features relating to automated sampling and recovery. Among the disclosed features are ones suited to fully-disposable single-use automatic biopsy devices, such as light weight, low cost, and simple design.
US08251915B2
A dermal punch for extracting skin or tissue samples. The dermal punch has a blade having a pair of walls. Each wall is convex and opens towards each other. The walls are connected to each other at a pair of mating edges. Each wall has a cutting edge. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of the minor axis to the major axis of the opening created by the walls is between 1 to 3 and 1 to 4, wherein the major axis extends through the mating edges. The cutting edge is formed of a plurality of teeth and the teeth have a sawtooth shape. The cutting edge has a projecting edge for each wall, and the projecting edge is concave. The cutting length is greater than twice the length of the projecting edge.
US08251911B2
A system and method for monitoring an individual's physiological condition and detecting abnormalities therein, comprising concurrently receiving an electrocardiograph signal and a ballistocardiograph signal. The electrocardiograph and ballistocardiograph signals are conditioned to minimize background extraneous noise after which, each signal is concurrently processed and analyzed to detect repeating cyclical patterns and further characterized to identify individual components of the repeating cycles. At least one individual component in one signal is selected as a reference marker or a selected component in the other signal. The two signals are then synchronized, outputs produced therefrom and stored in a database.
US08251909B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide for a photoacoustic imaging probe for use in a photoacoustic imaging system, said probe comprising a cohesive composite acoustic lens incorporating aspheric geometry and exhibiting low or practically no measurable dispersion of acoustic waves constructed of at least one material with a low acoustic impedance and attenuation and a relatively low acoustic velocity and at least one other material with a low acoustic impedance and attenuation and a relatively high acoustic velocity is immersed in preferably a low acoustic velocity and low acoustic impedance fluid. The lens may be designed as a single cohesive composite telecentric lens, an acoustic zoom lens, or a catadioptric lens. The lens focuses acoustic waves on an acoustic imager which detects the image. The lens may be considered to be essentially monochromatic.
US08251905B2
A practical measuring device and a measuring method that allow simply measuring average postprandial blood glucose from urinary glucose. The blood glucose measuring device includes a measuring unit that measures postprandial urinary glucose from subject's urine at a predetermined time after meal, a processing unit that calculates average postprandial blood glucose through a period up to the predetermined time after meal, based on the postprandial urinary glucose, a storage unit that stores calibration data including the postprandial urinary glucose and the average postprandial blood glucose in association, and an output unit that outputs data indicating the calculated average postprandial blood glucose. The processing unit calculates the average postprandial blood glucose, based on the postprandial urinary glucose from the urine of the subject who has intaken a desired amount of water or perspired in the period up to the predetermined time after meal, and the calibration data.
US08251903B2
Methods and apparatus for qualifying and quantifying excitation-dependent physiological information extracted from wearable sensors in the midst of interference from unwanted sources are provided. An organism is interrogated with at least one excitation energy, energy response signals from two or more distinct physiological regions are sensed, and these signals are processed to generate an extracted signal. The extracted signal is compared with a physiological model to qualify and/or quantify a physiological property. Additionally, important physiological information can be qualified and quantified by comparing the excitation wavelength-dependent response, measured via wearable sensors, with a physiological model.
US08251896B2
An endoscopic imaging device for endoscopy in a body vessel is disclosed. The device comprises an annular illumination tube comprising an annular illumination fiber for illuminating a body vessel during endoscopy. The device further includes a first imaging tube comprising a first imaging fiber for gross examination and navigation through the body vessel. The first imaging fiber is disposed within the annular illumination tube. The device further comprises a second imaging tube comprising a second imaging fiber for cellular imaging. The second illumination fiber is disposed adjacent the first imaging tube and within the annular illumination tube.
US08251891B2
A hand manipulated endoscopic medical device is disclosed. The medical device includes a body having a proximal end, which is hand manipulated, and a distal end which includes a manipulator. A light emitting device is centrally disposed at the distal end. An imaging device is centrally disposed at the distal end for imaging at least a portion of the region illuminated by the light emitting device. Also disclosed is a tool for extracting an artificial lumbar disc from between a pair of vertebral plates. The extraction tool includes a handle, a member for transmitting force, and a sharpened end, specially configured to be placed between the artificial disc and the vertebral plate. Further disclosed is a tool for implanting or explanting a ball to or from an artificial lumbar disc. The implanter/explanter includes a pinion shaft and a pinion shaft enclosure. A tightening knob is disposed at the proximal end of the shaft enclosure and coupled to the pinion shaft. A pinion is disposed at the distal end of the pinion shaft. A grappling device is disposed at the pinion, and it includes a pair of semi-circular rings. When the pinion is rotated, the semi-circular rings move relative to one another and are capable of grasping or releasing the ball.
US08251865B2
A method of carrying out a shift under load during hybrid operation in a parallel hybrid vehicle in which the speed adaptation of the electric machine and the internal combustion engine, required for synchronization to the new gear, is carried out by adapting the speed of the electric machine in a speed regulation mode.
US08251862B2
A shaft retainer for a planet gear carrier of a planetary gear assembly both retains the pinion shafts within the carrier and maintains their angular orientation to achieve improved oil flow to the pinion bearings. Each of the pinion shafts includes an opening and an axial passageway that communicates with a radial passageway at the middle of the shaft. At the end of the pinion shaft opposite the axial passageway opening is a flat extending across the shaft. The flat is normal to the axis of the radial passageway. The pinion shafts are slip fit into suitable bores in the planetary gear carrier and support a needle bearing and planet or pinion gear. At one end of the carrier, the flats are engaged by a circular retainer so that the radial passageways of each of the pinion shafts are oriented radially outwardly. The circular retainer may either be a flat circular plate or have an L-shaped cross-section. The circular retainer may be affixed to the planetary gear carrier by a snap ring or a plurality of fasteners. At the end of the carrier having the axial shaft passageway openings, a lube dam directs a flow of lubricating oil from a source such as a hollow drive shaft to the open axial ends of the pinion shafts.
US08251858B2
An eight speed automatic transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets and five torque transmitting devices. Three of the planetary gear sets are simple and one planetary gear set is compound. Each of the plurality of planetary gear sets has first, second and third members: a sun gear, a ring gear and a planet carrier having a plurality of planet gears rotatably disposed thereon. Three of the torque transmitting devices are clutches and two of the devices are brakes. Eight embodiments of the transmission having different arrangements of the planetary gear sets, clutches and brakes are disclosed.
US08251854B2
A transmission apparatus for transmitting power from a motor for driving an airport ground support tractor includes a torque converter for transmitting torque from the motor. A planetary gear train is structured such that in a first mode of operation, when an input shaft is rotated in a first rotational direction, a casing is rotated in the first rotational direction. However, in a second mode of operation, rotation of the casing relative to a housing is inhibited so that a support rotates in a second rotational direction. The arrangement is such that a driven end of a main shaft is secured to the support so that the support selectively drives the main shaft in the first rotational direction and the second rotational direction. An electro-hydraulic actuator selectively moves a synchro device between a first and second dispositions thereof for establishing a first and second gear ratios.
US08251844B2
A goalkeeper's hockey stick with an angled shaft is disclosed. The goalkeeper stick is comprised of a shaft, paddle and blade. The shaft connects to the paddle which connects to the blade. The portion of the shaft where it connects to the paddle is angled to the top portion of the paddle to provide a grip portion of the shaft where the goalkeeper's gloved hand can grip the stick in a way that the paddle and shaft can lay flat on the playing surface with no gap when the goalkeeper is in a defensive stance.
US08251843B1
A portable pitching mound having a base with a lower peripheral edge that is flush to the ground and an arcuate cross section to form a shell. A warning mat is attached to at least a portion of the base. Attached to the base and covering the warning mat is a layer of frictional material.
US08251833B2
A dynamic swing-aid device used to improve the golfer's swing action. It also reduces potential risk of swing injuries to golfers. The upper portion of this device is the wrist channel that fits over the forearm and allows the swing correction to occur. The lower part of the device is the handle guide that keeps the shaft of the golf club in the proper position with the clubface square to the target. This wrist swing-aid device is constructed of rigid material, and shaped to fit and support the club handle and to help the golfer's grip and swing motion. Its shape has a locating feature to lock in the top of club's handle. The sponge padded wrist channel has a self-adjusting feature to accommodate player's forearm size. The wrist channel upper portion may rest against the leading forearm to maintain a consistent swing motion and prevent wrist-hinging action during the club swing.
US08251832B2
A water transportation system and method are described, generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. Further, the disclosure generally relates to water-powered rides and to a system and method in which participants may be actively involved in a water attraction. This transportation system may include a plurality of covers forming a covering system over at least a portion of the water transportation and/or amusement system. In some embodiments, at least one of the covers may be positionable. In addition, the water transportation system may include conveyor belt systems and water locks configured to convey participants from a first source of water to a second source of water which may or may not be at a different elevation.
US08251831B2
A ramp (1) for sporting activities, the ramp (1) including a plurality of ramp portions (10,15,20), at least one of the plurality of ramp portions (10, 15, 20) being moveable with respect to another one of the plurality of ramp portions (10, 15, 20) such that the ramp (1) forms an open ramp position or a closed ramp position.
US08251828B2
A constant velocity joint is disclosed that includes a first rotatable shaft comprising an axle portion having on one end an enlarged pocket end, the pocket end having a plurality of circumferentially and radially spaced ball pockets; a corresponding plurality of spherical balls disposed in the pockets; and a second rotatable shaft comprising a joint housing, the joint housing having a central bore with a corresponding plurality of axially extending, circumferentially and radially spaced ball grooves disposed about the second longitudinal axis and a base, the joint housing disposed over the pocket end with the corresponding plurality of balls disposed in the grooves, the joint providing a range of angular and axial movement of the first shaft relative to the second shaft, each of the plurality of ball pockets comprising a portion of the pocket having a conformity ratio C greater than about 1.04.
US08251824B2
A central determination gaming system with a keno game. Upon a player initiating a game play at a gaming terminal, the gaming terminal enables the player to select a plurality of symbols. The gaming terminal accesses a standard set of predefined symbols for the specific game played. The gaming terminal bidirectionally maps the player's selected symbols with the standard set of predefined symbols. The gaming terminal receives a predetermined game outcome seed from a central controller. The gaming terminal utilizes the selected game outcome seed to generate a plurality of game symbols. The gaming terminal determines if each of the generated game symbols needs to be modified. If so, the gaming terminal modifies these generated game symbols based on the bidirectionally mapping, presents the modified game symbols to the player and provides the player a game outcome that is determined based on the selected game outcome seed.
US08251820B2
One or more images can be captured with a depth camera having a capture location in a coordinate space. First and second objects in the one or more images can be identified and assigned corresponding first and second object locations in the coordinate space. A relative position can be identified in the coordinate space between the first object location and the second object location when viewed from the capture location by computing an azimuth angle and an altitude angle between the first object location and the object location in relation to the capture location. The relative position includes a dimension of depth with respect to the coordinate space. The dimension of depth is determined from analysis of the one or more images. A state of a computer program is changed based on the relative position.
US08251810B2
A video game permits player characters to form relationships, including parent-child relationships. In addition, death and reincarnation of player characters can be employed as features of the video game.
US08251808B2
A gaming device includes a game module for presenting instances of a game title and a game transaction module for interfacing with a system controller of a game entertainment center. The gaming device further includes a printer for printing various items such as tickets, coupons, vouchers, and other promotional material. The gaming device further includes a printer manager for arbitrating print job conflicts.
US08251797B1
A slot machine game that customizes winning combinations based on the player's year of birth. In this way, the player's gaming experience can be tailored to themes such as the Chinese Zodiac. The player's year of birth can be inputted directly into the machine or the machine can automatically query the casino database if the player uses his or her player's card to find out the year of birth.
US08251794B2
A slot machine includes an option in which the probability of an outcome is influenced by changing the probability of one or more symbols occurring on one or more reels (reel 1, reel 2, . . . ) by randomly or pseudo-randomly selecting reels from a set of two or more reels. The probability can be adjusted by changing, adding or subtracting symbols on a reel strip.
US08251784B2
The invention generally relates to ventilation systems and methods, and more particularly to selectively configurable climate control systems and methods for use in data centers and the like. A system includes a first structural element and a second structural element spaced apart from first structural element to define a space between the first and second structural elements. The system also includes a plurality of partitions moveable into the space between the first and second structural elements and a controller arranged to control movement of the plurality of partitions.
US08251783B2
An apparatus for a sausage-casing-sensitive division of stuffed sausage strands, having at least one pair of dividing elements for dividing the stuffed sausage strand and at least two guide elements between which the stuffed sausage strand is conveyed in the conveying direction. The distance between the guide elements can be adjusted in dependence upon the sausage caliber.
US08251759B2
A wire with a terminal fitting (10) formed by crimping and cutting a terminal fitting with a carrier in which a terminal fitting (12) projecting forward is coupled to a carrier (C). The wire with the terminal fitting (10) is provided with a crimping portion (30) to be crimped into connection with an end portion of an insulated wire 40 formed by covering a core (42) with a coating (43), a link (13) coupling the crimping portion (30) and the carrier (C), and an escaping portion (35) formed by partly cutting off a rear end part of the crimping portion (30) and enabling a cutting mold (53) for cutting the link portion (13) to be arranged at a position where a front end (53A) of the cutting mold (53) is located before the rear end of the crimping portion (30).
US08251757B1
A clamp includes a main shaft, a clamping sleeve, an elastic element, and a securing cap. The main shaft includes a base portion and a guide bar. The base portion includes a first end surface, and a second end surface. The base portion defines a first receiving hole in the second end surface. The guide bar extends from the base portion. The clamping sleeve is arranged around the guide bar, and includes an outer sidewall for allowing a cable to wind. The elastic element is arranged around the guide bar. The securing cap is threadedly engaged with the guide bar, and the securing cap configured for rotatably operated to press the elastic element toward the clamping sleeve, such that the elastic element pushes the clamping sleeve against the base portion to clamp the cable between the outer sidewall and an inner sidewall of the base portion.
US08251749B2
A method and connector housing are provided for implementing an impedance gradient connector for board-to-board applications. The impedance gradient connector housing includes a plurality of impedance zones with a first impedance zone including a first mating face with a first Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and with a second impedance zone including a second mating face with a second PCB. Each of the respective predefined impedance zones including the first mating face and the second mating face include a selected impedance to minimize impedance mismatch with associated PCBs.
US08251737B2
Terminal block for a cable connector including insulation displacement contact slots at both sides wherein at least a part of the insulation displacement contact slots at one side of the terminal block are paired either by a corresponding insulation displacement contact slot or by a punch support at the opposite side of the terminal block. The punch supports can be provided with a cylindrical curvature with a radius corresponding to the radius of a cable to be punched.
US08251736B2
A connector assembly is provided for connecting an electrical lead to the electrical contact of an electrode. The connector assembly includes a retention plate having an opening configured to receive the electrical contact of the electrode therethrough such that the retention plate is held on the electrode, and a housing including a body and a receptacle extending into the body. The receptacle includes a size and shape that is complimentarily to the electrical contact of the electrode such that the receptacle is configured to receive at least a portion of the electrical contact therein. The receptacle is configured such that when the electrical contact is received within the receptacle, the receptacle is configured to hold a portion of the electrical lead within the receptacle between the electrical contact and the body of the housing such that the electrical lead is engaged with and electrically connected to the electrical contact. A connection member is configured to hold the housing on the retention plate.
US08251734B2
A locking device that locks a power feeding plug to a power receiving connector, one of the power feeding plug and the power receiving connector including a hook, the other one of the power feeding plug and the power receiving connector including a catch, the locking device including a lock bar that is moved between a first lock position, at which it holds the hook on the catch and a first unlock position, at which it permits the hook to move away from the catch. A wire is moved between a second lock position, at which it is engaged with the lock bar and restricts movement of the lock bar to the first unlock position, and a second unlock position, at which it is disengaged from the lock bar and permits movement of the lock bar to the first unlock position. A motor is arranged at a position separated from the power receiving connector. A cam transmits the driving force of the motor to the wire.
US08251732B2
A wiring harness electrical connector is provided having a detachable and re-attachable mounting system to permit the attachment of the connector on a frame surface of a semi-trailer, or workpiece, from the rear or interior side of the of the frame or workpiece without disruption to the integrally formed and moisture proof encasing of the connector.
US08251726B2
An electrical connector for receiving a card includes an insulating housing, terminals and a metal frame attached to the housing. The housing includes a base having a terminal-location portion, a pair of sidewalls extending a first direction and a rear wall adjacent to the terminal-location portion. The terminals are arranged in the terminal-location portion along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The metal frame is attached to the housing and includes a base portion located above the terminal-location portion to define a receiving slot between the terminal-location portion and the base portion for receiving a mating end of the card, the base portion is not beyond the terminal-location portion in the first direction and the receiving. The metal frame further includes a pair of locking portions adapted for pressing against a top face of the card to lock the card in the insulating housing and moving outwards in the second direction to release the card.
US08251712B2
A PCB module includes a first rigid PCB having a first edge connector, a second rigid PCB having a second edge connector, and a connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism includes a flexible connecting board, an elastic member, and a fixing member. The flexible connecting has a number of connecting circuit traces isolated from each other. The flexible connecting board is bent in such a manner that a first end portion is in contact with the first edge connector, and a second end portion is in contact with the second edge connector. Thus, the first edge connector is electrically connected with the second edge connector by the traces. The elastic member is compressed between the end portions of the flexible connecting board. The fixing member is configured to fix the first rigid PCB to the second rigid PCB and compress the elastic member.
US08251702B2
An on-line market-place includes an auction wherein one or more predefined terms, qualities, incentives, or other such indicia (generally, “Program Terms”) are associated with the particular product and/or service which is the subject of the auction. Customers rank or otherwise designate their preference for these Program Terms (e.g., by selecting a “Preferred Program Term”), and the system then partitions the customers into “pools” in accordance with the selected Program Terms. Merchants then compete to obtain that pool of customers by bidding on the Preferred Program Term. Customers may be pooled according to demographic or other customer characteristics (“Characteristic Pooling”), or according to level of commitment to purchase (“Commitment Pooling”).In one embodiment, customers who would otherwise be partitioned into different pools are grouped in the same pool, and changes to a first Preferred Program Term associated with a first customer automatically causes a bid of equivalent value to be made to a second Preferred Program Term associated with a second customer. In another embodiment, “ghost pools” are used select preferred merchants for particular auctions. In yet another embodiment, an electronic marketplace is provided wherein Program Terms can be highly tailored by the purchaser immediately.
US08251701B2
An interactive educational apparatus, ideally suitable for children. A set of symbol pieces, preferably in the form of letter blocks are provided. An interface board is provided for accommodating one or more selected symbol pieces and a sensor on said interface board generates a signal identifying each symbol piece when placed on the interface board. Media files are stored on a storage medium and each media file has an associated tag. A processor is programmed to match a search key represented by one or more selected symbol pieces with the tags. A display device displays one or more media files having identifier tags matching the search key represented by said selected symbol pieces. These identifier tags provide a way to match up the media files with each search key generated by placement of the symbol pieces on the interface board.
US08251697B2
An orthodontic appliance includes features for reducing friction between an interior of an archwire slot portion of the appliance and an archwire to be placed within the archwire slot. Other embodiments include a rounded exterior occlusal surface. Embodiments further include one or more receptacles for receiving an installation tool.
US08251694B2
A method for of reducing the acidity and lowering the acid dewpoint of flue gas, the method steps including partially combusting the fuel in a first stage to create a reducing environment; maintaining the reducing environment for a sufficient time period such that reducible acids are reduced to achieve a desirable acidity concentration in the flue gas; and combusting the remainder of the fuel and combustion intermediates in a second stage with oxidizing environment; thereby decreasing the acidity and lowering the acid dewpoint of the flue gas by reducing the acid concentration of the gas.
US08251689B2
An ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diode (LED) device for curing fluids such as inks, coatings, and adhesives, for example. In one embodiment, LEDs are positioned on faces defined by an inverted recess in a base portion. The LEDs are configured such that the light beams emitted from the LEDs converge at a single area or point to provide a single, focused area or point of amplified power from the LEDs. An optical culmination device may be used to further intensify the power output from the LEDs. The optical culmination device provides enhanced power output from the UV LED device which makes the curing process more efficient than previous curing systems.
US08251684B2
A trochoid pump, comprising a driving shaft, wherein a drive gear comprising of a bevel gear is fixed on one end thereof and an inner rotor is penetrated onto the other end thereof, an outer rotor, the center of which is decentered to the inner rotor, wherein both rotors are covered with the cap and the casing, a first regulatory structure, wherein the driving shaft or a means of control fixed on the driving shaft regulates an one-way movement to the casing, a second regulatory structure, wherein an end face on the other side of the driving shaft is engaged with one end of the cap and regulates the other way movement of the cap, wherein the thrust of the driving shaft is axially regulated by the first regulatory structure and by the second regulatory structure.
US08251681B2
A motor includes a rotor magnetic ring, a stator core, a first magnetic conducting sheet and a second magnetic conducting sheet. The stator core is disposed around and out of the rotor magnetic ring. The first magnetic conducting sheet has a ring shape with a protruding portion serving as a first magnetic pole. The second magnetic conducting sheet has a ring shape with a protruding portion serving as a second magnetic pole. The first magnetic conducting sheet is disposed at the upper side of the stator core, and the second magnetic conducting sheet is disposed at the lower side of the stator core. The projections of the first and second magnetic poles alternate with each other. A fan including the motor is also disclosed.
US08251677B2
The invention relates to a blower apparatus with an electric motor, which drives a blower wheel, is arranged in a motor housing and has a commutator with at least two brushes, which form in each case an associated brush bearing face with respect to the commutator, wherein a cooling air flow for cooling the electric motor is diverted into a cooling air channel of the motor housing by a blower air flow produced by the blower wheel. The invention is based on the object of designing the motor cooling system of the blower apparatus of the generic type in such a way that it is more efficient. The object is achieved by virtue of the fact that the cooling air channel has an air distributor, which splits the cooling air flow into at least two cooling air subflows, which are in each case supplied to one of the brush bearing faces directly and in targeted fashion.
US08251663B2
An impeller is provided for a pump unit, in particular for a waste water pump unit, having two cover plates (2, 4), which are spaced apart from one another in the axial direction (X) and are connected to one another by at least one connecting element (8). The impeller has at least one blade (12, 14) which is arranged between the two cover plates (2, 4) and extends from an inner diameter of the impeller to an outer diameter of the impeller. The blade (12, 14) has a continuous slot (16), which extends from the edge (22, 24) of the blade (12, 14) which is situated at the inner diameter to the edge (26, 28) of the blade (12, 14) which is situated at the outer diameter. A pump unit is also provided having an impeller of this type.
US08251661B2
The invention relates to a blower wheel, especially a plastic blower wheel for a cylindrical rotor radial fan for the heating and air-conditioning systems of a motor vehicle. Said blower wheel comprises a plurality of blades (2), and the flow channel (3) between two blades (2) is embodied in such a way that it is convergent on the inflow side, divergent on the outflow side, and distinctively shaped.
US08251657B2
The present invention includes a rotor blade (20) having a blade body (30) with a leading edge (26) and a trailing edge (28) and opposed first and second surfaces (34, 36) extending there between defining an airfoil shape (32) in cross-section. A passageway (42) extends through the blade body (30) between the first and second surfaces (34, 36). A flexible member (60) is sealed over one end (50) of the passageway (42). Advantageously, the flexible member (60) is passively responsive to changes in a differential pressure between the first and second surfaces (34, 36) to move between a deactivated position (62) and an activated position (64) where the flexible member (60) extends away from the airfoil shape (32) to function as a load mitigation device (40) for the wind turbine rotor blade (20).
US08251655B2
A fan and a frame with a sensor-supporting structure are disclosed. The fan includes a frame with an inlet, a connecting portion disposed on the frame, a stator, and a rotor having blades and disposed in the frame. The frame includes a main body and a sensor-supporting structure. The sensor-supporting structure extending from the main body toward the inlet is utilized to support a sensor.
US08251642B2
A centrifugal fan includes a top cover plate, a bottom plate, a sidewall and an impeller. The sidewall is defined with an air outlet. The impeller includes a hub and a plurality of blades extending radially outwardly from the hub. An air passage channel is defined between outmost free ends of the blades and an inner surface of the sidewall. A tongue is provided near the air outlet and protrudes inwardly and laterally from the inner surface of the sidewall towards the outmost free ends of the blades. The tongue has an outer surface facing the outmost free ends of the blades. A plurality of grooves is defined in the outer surface along a lengthwise direction of the tongue.
US08251640B2
A blade assembly for a rotary component comprises an aerofoil member and a displacement apparatus on the aerofoil member for displacing a detached first portion of the aerofoil member in a rearward direction relative to a second portion of the aerofoil member. On failure of the aerofoil member, the displacement apparatus displaces the first portion from the second portion in the rearward direction.
US08251639B2
A gas turbine includes at least one multi-stage compressor unit 2, with the compressor unit 2 including several, independent compressor modules 3-5, which, independently of each other, are rotatably borne on a drive shaft 1 and are each engageable with the drive shaft 1 by at least one clutch unit 9-11.
US08251633B2
A container inverting device is capable of inverting containers that have a neck oriented in a first direction at the entrance of the device and then in a second direction at the exit of the device. The inverting device includes at least one clamp (45) for holding the neck of a container. The clamp (45) is mounted on a belt (49) by a fixing bracket (47), and in order to invert the container, the belt passes around at least one pulley (33) and moves the clamp from one side of the pulley (33) to the other.
US08251629B2
A medication dispenser provides automation to the steps of locating and acquiring medications to be administered to a patient. The medication dispenser includes an enclosure providing a secure environment for storing medications in multiple sized medication-storage bins. The medication storage bins are hung in storage racks located within the enclosure. A robot system is also provided within the enclosure for moving bins between the storage racks and a medication dispensing area. The medication dispensing area includes doors configured to open to define an opening for passing a selected bin through the enclosure. In some embodiments, the doors provide a variable-sized opening and, in some instances, the opening matches the size of a bin containing medications selected for dispensing.
US08251625B2
In a cement anchor for use in lightweight construction panels which anchor comprises a cylindrical body and at least one piston body and which includes a sealed cylinder interior filled with a flowable cement, the cylindrical body has at opposite ends at least one discharge opening which is closed but can be opened by a pressure-controlled valve structure for discharging the cement to the ambient area when installed in the lightweight construction panel.
US08251624B2
A dunnage bag is fabricated of thermoplastic sheet material joined together to form an air cushion including being joined to form an inflation panel edge seam. An inflation opening to the air cushion is defined between two layers of thermoplastic sheet material adjacent a terminus of the panel edge seam. Two layers of the thermoplastic sheet material extend from the inflation panel edge seam and inflation opening, and the two layers are joined together by an inflation panel seam pattern to form an inflation panel. The inflation panel seam pattern further defines an inflation area communicating with the inflation opening and with an inflation valve sealed to the inflation panel in the inflation area, for supplying inflation air from the inflation valve through the inflation panel and into the air cushion. The inflation area is preferably an elongated sinuous tube. This configuration protects the inflation valve and contributes to the integrity of the dunnage bag. The thermoplastic sheet material is substantially transparent, so that cargo inspections may be made without removing the dunnage bags.
US08251617B2
A rock anchor (10) which includes a cable (12) with a hollow core, an expansion mechanism (20) at one end of the cable, a tube (14), which acts on a load washer (16), in which part of the cable is located, and a wedge (18) which locks the cable to the tube.
US08251609B2
A platform includes main transverse beams (“MTBs”), each supported by at least one hoist. It is determined whether a load on any MTB is different from the load on any other MTB by more than a predetermined amount. An MTB which has a load different from the load on any other MTB by more than a predetermined amount is selected and then vertically moved with respect to the other MTBs within a predetermined safety limit to transfer load between the selected MTB and the other MTBs while monitoring the loads on each MTB and the position of the selected MTB as vertical movement of the selected MTB proceeds. The monitored loads and position are compared with the safety limit; and the movement of the selected MTB stopped when either the desired load transfer is completed or the safety limit has been met.
US08251606B2
A fastener is disclosed. The fastener includes a housing, wherein the housing forms a housing cavity, wherein the housing cavity includes at least one recess; a cage at least partially disposed in said housing cavity, wherein an outer surface of the cage is spaced apart from an inner surface of the housing that forms the housing cavity, wherein the cage defines a cage cavity, and a plurality of passages aligned with said at least one recess; a plurality of retaining members at least partially retained within said plurality of passages; and a plunger at least partially disposed in said cage cavity, wherein said plunger is at least partially movable within said cage cavity between a first position to cause said one or more retaining members to be displaced radially outwardly thereby mechanically coupling said housing to said cage, and a second position to allow said one or more retaining members to be displaced radially inwardly thereby allowing said housing to be uncoupled from said cage.
US08251594B2
The present relates to pluggable electronic unit with transmission power adjustment capability such as for example small form-factor pluggable transceivers. The pluggable electronic unit with transmission power adjustment capability may comprise a power adjustment unit. By verifying the transmitted power is sufficient or could be reduced, it is possible to regulate transmission power of a transceiver autonomously within the pluggable electronic unit itself.
US08251591B2
Fiber optic assemblies and systems for high-speed data-rate optical transport systems are disclosed that allow for optically interconnecting active assemblies to a trunk cable in a polarization-preserving manner. The fiber optic assembly includes at least first and second multifiber connectors each having respective pluralities of first and second ports that define respective pluralities of at least first and second groups of at least two ports each. The first and second multifiber connectors are capable of being disposed so that the at least first and second groups of ports are located on respective termination sides of each ferrule. The fiber optic assembly also has a plurality of optical fibers that connect the first and second ports according to a pairings method that maintains polarity between transmit and receive ports of respective active assemblies. At least one of the first and second groups are optically connected without flipping the fibers, and at least one of the first and second groups are optically connected by flipping the fibers.
US08251589B2
A guide carriage for a linear roller bearing is supportable in a longitudinally displaceable manner via a large number of rolling elements on a guide rail which extends in a longitudinal direction, and has at least one rolling surface part including at least one carriage rolling surface for the rolling elements and is attached to a main body of the guide carriage via at least one adhesive layer, and a thin sheet-metal panel which has at least one opening is located between the rolling surface part and the main body, with the adhesive layer located inside the opening.
US08251580B2
An apparatus and method are provided to monitor the current temperature of a hard drive in a computer system protect, and protect the hard drive from being overheated. The apparatus includes a thermal sensor and a data input/output module. The hard drive stores at least one application program. The thermal sensor senses a current temperature of the hard drive. When the thermal sensor senses that the current temperature of the hard drive ascends to a first preset temperature, the data input/output module ceases the hard drive from being accessed. When the thermal sensor senses that the current temperature of the hard drive descends to a second preset temperature, the data input/output module allows the hard drive to be accessed.
US08251570B2
A process for concentrating and diluting a treatment substance to provide a diluted treatment for introduction to a wellbore is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process includes measuring a treatment fluid flow rate. The process also includes blending the treatment fluid with a treatment substance to produce a concentrated treatment fluid. The process further includes measuring a flow rate of the concentrated treatment fluid. Moreover, the process includes determining a difference between the treatment fluid flow rate and the flow rate of the concentrated treatment fluid. In addition, the process includes comparing the difference to a target difference. The process additionally includes adjusting the difference to be within a desired range of the target difference and diluting the concentrated treatment fluid to provide the diluted treatment fluid.
US08251569B2
An automated solution maker is provided. The automated solution maker mixes a chemical with a solvent to a desired concentration. The concentration of the solution is monitored by measuring the conductivity of the solution. Based upon this measurement, the concentration of the solution may be adjusted.
US08251562B2
A unitary light guide plate includes a light exit plane, a thick portion located substantially on a center portion of the light exit plane, thin end portions formed on both sides of the thick portion, a half portion of a parallel groove formed on a backside of the light exit plane to accommodate linearly arranged light sources, inclined back portions arranged so as to become thinner from the thick portion to the thin end portions, and scattering means for scattering light entering from the light sources accommodated in the parallel groove into the thin end portions and propagated through the inclined back portions toward the thick portion. A light guide plate unit has two or more of the unitary light guide plates coupled together in such a way that respective light exit planes are arranged to form a same plane.
US08251553B2
A vehicle lift system includes a support structure having a top surface for supporting a vehicle supported by the vehicle lift system, and at least one lighting module. The lighting module is mounted to the top surface of the support structure. The lighting module is configured to illuminate a region of the vehicle, for example, but not limited to, the underside of the vehicle. The lighting module can be mounted generally flush relative to the top surface of the support structure. In a vehicle wheel alignment lift system, the lighting module can be disposed adjacent a movable support surface of the wheel runway apparatus to provide illumination during wheel alignment procedures.
US08251537B2
A lamp tube coupler is that an insulation terminal seat is respectively disposed to two ends of an expansible outer cylinder. A pair of electrode coupling members is disposed to each insulation terminal seat. The electrode coupling members corresponding to each other at the two ends of the expansible outer cylinder form a conduction mode through respective springs. While using every lamp tube coupler, the coupler is disposed between the two lamp tubes. The electrode coupling members at two ends are respectively inserted into the electrode sockets of the two lamp tubes to achieve the goal of cascading at least two lamp tubes.
US08251534B2
A key holder including an illumination means for illuminating a key shank, the key holder including first and second cooperating parts for accommodating the handle of the key therebetween, said first cooperating part including a fastening means releasably engageable with a key ring mount permanently fixed on said second cooperating part, said fastening means and key ring mount arranged in use to secure the cooperating parts to each other.
US08251533B2
An improved luminaria assembly with controlled ballast mechanism is provided. In one embodiment, the improved luminaria assembly has an outer container and an inner reservoir. In some instances, the outer container and inner reservoir are assembled over a base. The inner reservoir is configured to hold a controlled volume of ballast for the improved luminaria assembly and also to hold an illuminating source. In one embodiment, spillover cavities are provided on the base region surrounding the inner reservoir to enable removal of excess ballast from the inner reservoir. In one embodiment, a decorative sleeve is inserted in the region between the outer container and the inner reservoir. The decorative sleeve contains decorative elements that are visible when the luminaria is illuminated using the illuminating source. In some instances, the improved luminaria assembly is treated with fire retardants to mitigate fire hazards.
US08251531B2
A lamp clip LC supporting a diffusion sheet 46 includes a support pin SP that is in contact with and thereby supports the diffusion sheet 46 and in at least a part of the support pin SP, a helical elastic member is included.
US08251530B2
To provide a low-profile light emitting device which can be manufactured with good productivity without worsening mold releasability and can prevent bending an end terminal of a lead electrode during handling of the light emitting device. A light emitting device comprising: a light emitting element; and a package having lead electrodes for connection to the light emitting element and an opening in front thereof for emitting light from the light emitting element in which parts of the lead electrodes project out of the package and are bent so that end portions thereof are located on side surfaces of the package, wherein side surfaces have a first face adjacent to a rear surface of the package, a second face having a plane direction different from the first face, and a third face adjacent to a front surface of the package, having a plane direction different from the second face.
US08251528B2
Provided is a wavelength conversion plate having excellent luminous efficiency of a wavelength-converted light. The wavelength conversion plate includes a dielectric layer with nano pattern, a metal layer formed inside the nano pattern, and a wavelength conversion layer formed on the metal layer and having quantum dot or phosphor which wavelength-converts an excitation light to generate a wavelength-converted light.
US08251527B1
Generally, the present disclosure provides a light duct bend used in a mirror-lined light duct system. In one aspect, the light duct bend includes an input region having a first propagation direction, an output region having a second propagation direction disposed at a bend angle to the first propagation direction, and a transition region connecting the input region to the output region. The transition region includes a plurality of vanes that subdivide the duct into channels, which can reduce the loss and/or disruption of collimation about one or more bends in the light duct system.
US08251522B2
A light modulator includes: a holding member having a frame disposed around an opening; and a light modulation panel formed in such a way that the edge thereof is held by the frame and the outer surface of the portion corresponding to the opening is flush with the outer surface of the frame or positioned outside the outer surface of the frame.
US08251518B2
A projector includes at least one light source module, an optical system, an imaging unit, and a projection lens. Each light source module includes a lamp unit and a heat-dissipating module in close contacting with the lamp unit. Each of the at least one light source module is positioned at one end of the optical system. The imaging unit is positioned at the other end of the optical system. The projection lens is positioned at the same end of the optical system with the imaging unit. Each lamp unit can be adjusted along a first direction relative to the heat-dissipating module, each light source module can be adjusted along a second direction relative to the optical system, the first direction and the second direction both perpendicular to the light emitting direction of the corresponding lamp unit.
US08251516B2
An optical system attaining a nearly double resolving power in spite of one projector and also eliminating a convergence device is provided. The system includes an 1:1 relay lens in place of a projector lens of a RGB split-combine projection system, and a quarter-wave plate for P-S polarization separation. In operation, once-modulated RGB composite light is divided into a P-polarized light and a S-polarized light by a PS separation wire grid. The S-polarized light is modulated by a luminance signal Y1 at a Y1 device. The P-polarized light is modulated by a luminance signal Y2 at a Y2 device. The lights modulated by the Y1/Y2 devices are combined with each other at a PS composite wire grid to project a synthetic light on a screen.
US08251512B2
The present invention discloses systems, equipment and methods that allow the improved tiling of multiple projections displays in order to create higher resolution images. Equipment and methods are disclosed for improved blending of the seam by optical means where edge blending masks are employed to create a brightness ramp in the blending region. Equipment and methods are also disclosed for the correction of artifacts in an optically blended seam by modifying the brightness of image pixels in the overlap or blend region. Equipment, systems, and techniques are disclosed for preserving the resolution and uniformity of the image across each seam by actively controlling the position of each display using a servo controlled lens mount for the positioning of each projected image in conjunction with a real time image analysis system.
US08251511B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods for finding the lateral position of the fovea in an OCT image volume. In one instance, a cost function is developed whose minimum is located at or near the foveal center. This cost function includes one or more measures of retinal layer thickness and/or measures of distance from blood vessels or a priori locations.
US08251501B2
An inkjet print engine includes a printer cartridge having an elongate body and a pair of mounting posts provided at either end of the elongate body, the printer cartridge further and defining a plurality of partitions; an ink storage module assembly having a row of ink storage modules interleaved with the partitions; a printhead assembly mounted to the elongate body and including at least one ink ejection integrated circuit (IC) connected to receive ink from the ink storage modules; an elongate maintenance assembly mounted between the posts and configured to cap and clean the IC; a cradle unit for removably receiving the printer cartridge; and a maintenance drive assembly mounted to the cradle unit for actuating against the maintenance assembly to facilitate cleaning of the IC.
US08251499B2
A securing arrangement for securing a printing fluid refill cartridge to a printing unit comprising a first engagement member arranged in the vicinity of an outlet of the refill cartridge through which printing fluid contained therein is dispensable and a second engagement member arranged in the vicinity of a refill port of the printing unit and configured to be removably securable with the first engagement member so as to engage and hold the refill port and the outlet together.
US08251489B2
A liquid ejecting device includes a head unit having a first nozzle array and a second nozzle array that ejects a liquid of a same type as that of the first nozzle array and a movement mechanism that moves at least one between a target in which the liquid lands and the head unit in a movement direction that intersects with a direction of nozzle arrangement of each of the nozzle arrays. The second nozzle array is disposed in a position deviated from the first nozzle array in the movement direction and is disposed in a position deviated from the first nozzle array in the intersection direction such that an end part of the second nozzle array is located in a center part of the first nozzle array in the intersection direction that intersects with the movement direction.
US08251472B2
A printer includes a print head in which nozzles that form an image by discharging ink are arranged in a plurality of lines. The printer prints out an image on the basis of print form data in which information of layout contents of printing elements that form the content of print is set according to the attribute of each printing element. The printer includes a print form data storage unit, a printing element data storage unit, a print form data selection unit, a printing element data selection unit, and a printing element data insertion unit.
US08251471B2
Apparatus including a plurality of droplet ejection devices, an electric source and a controller. Each droplet ejection device includes a fluid chamber having an ejection nozzle, an electrically actuated displacement device associated with the chamber, and a switch having an input connected to the electric source, an output connected to the electrically actuated displacement device, and a control signal input that is controlled by the controller to control whether the input (and thus the electric source) is connected to the output (and thus the electrically actuated device). The electrically actuated displacement device moves between a displaced position and an undisplaced position to change the volume of the chamber as a capacitance associated with the electrically actuated displacement device changes in charge between an actuated condition and an unactuated condition. The controller provides respective charge control signals to respective control signal inputs to control the extent of change in charge on respective capacitances by the time that the respective switch connects the electrical signal to the respective electrically actuated displacement device.
US08251467B2
An exemplary server assembly includes a computer server system and a fixing frame. The computer server system includes a server cabinet accommodating one or more servers therein. The fixing frame is adaptable to operate under a fixed state for fixing the computer server system onto a surface area, or under a transferable guiding state to obliquely interconnect two surfaces of two different levels, along which the computer server system can be moved between the two surfaces.
US08251463B2
A system for providing regenerative and friction braking in a vehicle includes a brake controller for determining a desired rate of deceleration from sensor outputs which are responsive to inputs from an operator of a vehicle and a regenerative braking system operatively connected with the brake controller. A brake monitor receives the sensor inputs from the operator of the vehicle and determines an audit range of deceleration for the vehicle. If the audit range of deceleration of the vehicle is not subsequently sensed, the vehicle's driver will be alerted.
US08251462B2
A trailer braking device having a high-pressure main hydraulic circuit of a tractor to which a trailer is attached; to a hydraulic circuit of a master brake cylinder of the tractor; and a trailer brake valve having a driver connected hydraulically to the high-pressure main hydraulic circuit and to the hydraulic circuit. The driver of the device has a piston which is subjected to a first action by an independent circuit that is activated, for example, by the stop lights and a second action produced by the operator, such as a foot acting on a brake pedal, on the hydraulic circuit of the master brake cylinder.
US08251449B2
A multi-section angle adjusting structure for a chair back contains a supporting member axially connected to a base and axially inserted to a sliding groove through a shaft to slide in the sliding groove so that the chair back fixed to the supporting member is adjusted to a desired angle relative to the base. The shaft includes a slidable bar fitted thereon to be connected to a slot of the base. Another end of the slot pushes a toothed block biased against by a first spring which contacts with a stop plate so that the toothed block abuts against an end portion of the slidable bar. The slot includes a positioning structure mounted therein, and the positioning structure includes a toothed seat guided by a guiding line to engage with the toothed block.
US08251446B1
The articulated child seat apparatus provides a base, a plurality of spaced apart rotatable rungs disposed laterally within the base, a pinion gear disposed on each rung, a rack disposed above and in communication with each pinion gear, a reversible motor driving one of the pinion gears, whereby the rack is moved forwardly and rearwardly within the base, a platform affixed to the rack and extended upwardly from the base, a seat bottom affixed to the platform, a seatback affixed to the seat bottom by a pivot, a reversible motor disposed within the seatback, the motor in communication with the pivot, whereby the seat back is pivoted upwardly and downwardly, a remote control separately controlling each motor, and a harness system fitted within the seat bottom and seatback.
US08251436B2
A vehicle trailer is provided. The vehicle trailer includes a pair of side wall fairings having a leading edge and trailing edge. Each side wall fairing is positioned on a different wall from the other adjacent to the rear edges of each of the walls such that the leading edge of each side wall fairing contacts the wall and the trailing edge of each side wall fairing does not contact the wall. Each side wall fairing has an upward incline and downward incline. The side wall fairings can be utilized with one or more other components that are described herein.
US08251431B2
An opening and closing device for an automobile trunk lid is capable of producing an optimum pop-up amount by mounting an elastic spring, which is used to hold a trunk lid in a popped-up state in cooperation with torsion bars when the trunk lid is unlocked, in a link mechanism part that transmits the torsional torque of the torsion bars to the hinge arm of the trunk lid.
US08251424B2
A structural arrangement of a motor vehicle, of a type including a cabin and a loading bed, between which a substantially vertical partition extends, of a type including a cabin floor that extends at a first height, and a loading floor of the bed that extends at a second height that differs from the first height of the cabin floor, and of a type including a hollow body that stiffens the structure and extends substantially vertically between the first height of the cabin floor and the second height of the loading floor. The hollow body includes two substantially vertical structural elements, and the first structural element is formed by the lower portion of the partition.
US08251413B2
A bar guide for guiding locking bars on sheet metal cabinet doors, or the like, comprises a carrier which can be secured, e.g., spot welded, to the inside surface of the door leaf and a guide element which can be mounted on the carrier and which has a guide surface whose distance from the inside surface of the door leaf is adjustable. According to the invention, the carrier which is spot welded to the door leaf is a pin with a circumferential thread, and an adjusting screw or adjusting nut can be screwed, or is screwed, on this pin. The guide element is a housing which encloses the adjusting screw and which has a guide channel forming the guide surface for the locking bar.
US08251411B2
A latching mechanism includes an engaging member made of magnetically conductive material and a magnetic assembly. The magnetic assembly includes a magnetic member and two fixing members made of magnetically conductive material. The magnetic member is capable of contacting the fixing member to magnetize the fixing member to attract the engaging member, and capable of being detached from the at least one fixing member with the magnetic field being shielded by the at least one fixing member to release the engaging member. The present disclosure further provides an electronic device using the latching mechanism.
US08251405B2
A pressurized water container for water fountains, ponds, swimming pools, and aquariums has at least two housing parts and at least one seal arranged between the at least two housing parts, wherein the at least two housing parts are connectable to one another in a lockable way. The at least two housing parts have projections and matching recesses, wherein the projections engage the recesses and, by a displacement of the at least two housing parts relative to one another in opposite directions, they are lockable on one another and releasable from one another when reversing the displacement.
US08251404B2
The present invention relates to a data carrier, especially a value document, such as a banknote, an identification card or the like, having a security element (20) that exhibits a print image (22) and a laser marking (24) at least partially overlapping the print image (22). According to the present invention, the security element (20) further exhibits, at least partially overlapping the print image (22), a laser modification area (26) that is in register with the laser marking (24) and in whose overlap area (28) with the print image (22) the visual appearance of the print image (22) is modified by the action of a laser beam.
US08251403B2
An album (10) is described for collecting thin and flexible objects (22), in particular photos or portraits, comprising a multitude of sheets (12) folded in half along a central folding line (14) and joined together with a binding (16) positioned at such central folding lines (14). Each sheet (12) therefore creates a pair of pages of the album (10). At least part of the sheets (12) is provided, on at least one of the two facing surfaces of each sheet (12), with a frame or perimeter border (18) fastened to the surface of each sheet (12). At least one of the sides of the perimeter frame (18) is not joined to the surface of the sheet (12), so as to be able to be lifted in such a way as to define a passage slit (36) to slide in or take out a photograph (22) or another document of substantially the same size as each sheet (12) between the perimeter frame (18) and the corresponding sheet (12).
US08251398B2
An exemplary airbag assembly includes an airbag and a duct having an duct opening for venting gas. The duct has a first position and a second position. The duct is configured to direct less gas out of the airbag when in the second position than when in the first position. A tether kinks about the duct to move the duct from the first position to the second position. The inflating causes the tether to kink about the duct.
US08251393B2
Gentle and substantially linear vertical motion of a wheelchair foot support is expected to assist lower limb circulation for a user with limited leg mobility, reducing risks of clotting or blockage within peripheral blood vessels. Additionally, to whatever extent limb atrophy may be reduced by imposed motion, motion of the foot support may help in maintaining muscle mass and flexibility of ligaments. Accordingly, a circulation assisting wheelchair includes a foot support movably connected to the wheelchair frame by a movable foot support assembly. The movable foot support assembly is connected to a rear wheel of the wheelchair via a drive train, so that normal operation of the wheelchair drives substantially linear vertical oscillating motion of the foot support.
US08251385B2
An all terrain vehicle and suspension providing frame members that pivot relative to each other and independent of supported track assemblies. Suspension frame sections pivot at supported bearings and torsion couplers. An endless track of each track assembly is trained around a framework having a drive sprocket and sets of idler wheels. The track assemblies independently pivot relative to the vehicle from a track suspension frame and supported sets of idler wheels mounted to torsion biased rocker arms that resist and bias the rocker arms and idler wheels to an equilibrium position and conformally shape the track to the terrain. Improved track drive lug surfaces are shaped to prevent track derailment. The vehicle frame and track assemblies independently rise, fall and pivot as obstacles of differing configurations and types are encountered to stabilize and maintain an operator body substantially parallel to the ground.
US08251380B2
There is provided a walker apparatus having a brake, a braking handle, a brake wire, a brake rod, and a brake rod assembly. A gripping member connects to the brake wire. The gripping member includes a plate having a first end, a second end and an aperture near the second end. The plate connects to the brake wire near the first end and the plate slidably receives the brake rod through the aperture near the second end. The gripping member includes a clamp that engages the brake wire via a set screw. The gripping member is spring-biased to remain free of the brake rod in a non-actuated mode. When the braking handle actuates the brake wire, the plate tilts with the first end elevating relative to the second end, thereby causing the plate to engage with and abut the brake rod for thereby actuating the brake rod to brake.
US08251378B2
The Foldable/Flexible sled is a lightweight circular sled that folds up into itself, with two quick hand motions, for quick and easy transport. Made of soft, flexible material it is also less dangerous in the case of sledding accidents.
US08251372B2
A cartridge for mounting around a movable shaft is provided. According to one exemplary embodiment, the cartridge features a cartridge housing, first and second rings having respective radial inner peripheries for establishing interfaces with a movable shaft, first and second pressure plates situated in the cartridge housing between the first and second rings, and a biasing member urging the first and second pressure plates towards the first and second rings, respectively. According to a second exemplary embodiment, the cartridge features a cartridge housing, a ring having a radial inner periphery for establishing an interface with a movable shaft, a pressure plate situated in the cartridge housing between the protruding portion and the ring, and a biasing member urging the pressure plate towards the ring. The cartridges of both embodiments may be designed to permit removal of the ring(s) from the cartridge housing without requiring removal of either the pressure plate (s) or the biasing member(s).
US08251368B2
A game system having a frame supporting a hoop wall, bounce floor, bounce wall and ball return floor. The hoop wall has a cutout and multiple hoops facing the bounce wall. The hoops are vertically clear of one another. A plurality of balls is used to play the game. A score is made when a ball is thrown from behind the hoop wall towards the bounce floor and off the bounce wall reversing direction into a hoop.
US08251364B2
A printer has a separating unit, such as a depressing cam and a depressing slider, which presses a middle plate against the biasing force of a spring and separates a sheet on the middle plate from a sheet feeding roller by a predetermined distance, a separation driving unit, such as a DC motor, which moves the separating unit, a measuring unit which measures the driving load applied to the separation driving unit when the separation driving unit drives the separating unit, and a load imparting unit, such as a brake plate, which imparts load to the middle plate, the separating unit, or the like. The brake plate or the like imparts load when a sheet is separated from the sheet feeding roller by the separating unit, and the brake plate or the like changes the load to be imparted, according to the turning angle of the middle plate.
US08251360B2
A sheet handling apparatus is presented that includes a first module arranged along a sheet conveyance route from the upstream to the downstream thereof, and a second module arranged adjacent to the first module. The first module includes a first control part to transmit destination information and category information of discriminated sheets and to execute conveyance control to the sheet residing along the first conveyance route. The second module includes a second control part to execute conveyance control to the sheets residing along the second conveyance route, and to transmit information of the number of sheets in each category stacked in the first stacking device. The first control part is configured to execute a cross-check to determine whether the information of the number of sheets in each category received from the second control part matches the information of the number of sheets transmitted to the second control part.
US08251351B2
A traction winch for a cable or the like includes a winch frame, at least two sheave assemblies each having at least a first sheave and a second sheave, each sheave having a single circumferential friction surface for the cable. The winch further includes at least two rotatable driveshafts, journalled in the winch frame in a side-by-side arrangement, each drive shaft being associated with a sheave assembly, and at least one motor for driving the driveshafts. The winch includes a differential assembly being provided between each driveshaft and sheave assembly so as to allow for different rotational speeds of the sheaves during operation of the traction winch due to cable elongation.
US08251350B2
A ramp is provided for lifting and supporting a wheel of a vehicle thereon when the wheel is driven onto the ramp. The ramp includes a body that is shiftable between a ready position and a discrete support position and presents a ground-engaging surface including a first portion that engages the ground in the ready position and a second portion that engages the ground in the support position. The first and second surface portions are substantially planar and define an angle therebetween through which the body rocks about a fixed pivot as a wheel moving along a wheel-engaging surface causes the body to move from the ready position to the support position. A pair of ramps is provided for lifting and supporting a pair of wheels, with the ramps being nestable for compact storage.
US08251344B1
A pocketformer for use with an anchor body in post-tensioning concrete has a body having a first side and a second side and a first end and a second end and an interior, a front face formed adjacent the first end, and a tubular member formed in the interior of the body. The first side tapers from the second end to the first end. The second side tapers from the second end to the first end. The first side has an angle of taper greater than an angle of taper of the second side. The body has a generally hollow interior. The tubular member extends from the first end to the second end within the interior of the body. The angle of taper of the first side is approximately 45°.
US08251343B2
A device for holding and displaying hand tools, especially for exhibiting such products in a retail establishment. The hanger consists of a bracket having a slot for hanging the device on a hook, peg, etc. The bracket is connected to a connecting member that has a tool holder. The bracket can be disconnected from the tool holder by a snap fastener which also allows the bracket to be pivoted downwardly behind the connecting member for compact storage and shipping. The snap fastener also allows for different types and sizes of tool holders to be connected to the bracket, depending upon the tool being displayed.
US08251340B2
A mat having a resiliently deformable mat portion and a securing element provided thereon for securing an item attached thereto against movement and relative to the mat portion is provided. The mat is arranged to grip a support surface on which the mat portion is laid, in use, by formation of at least a partial vacuum between the mat portion and the support surface upon deformation of the mat portion. The mat comprises a projection arranged to urge the item away from the mat when held by the mat, thereby to create a deformation in the mat portion.
US08251335B2
A lower rail 3 has a first cut-and-raised piece 22, and an upper rail 4 has a second cut-and-raised piece 23. The first and second cut-and-raised pieces 22, 23 each have a facing surface 22a, 23a that faces and is contactable with the facing surface of the other cut-and-raised piece along the moving direction of the upper rail 4. The first and second cut-and-raised pieces 22, 23 are engaged with each other so as to limit the movement range of the upper rail 4 relative to the lower rail 3. On the facing surface 22a and the facing surface 23a, inclination angles α and β are provided that generate a force causing the first and second cut-and-raised pieces 22, 23 to be more deeply engaged with each other, respectively. This prevents the first and second cut-and-raised pieces 22, 23 from being easily disengaged from each other.
US08251334B2
A pivotable support shaft for connecting a display with a base member and supporting the display is disclosed. The support is designed to enable the display to have different postures in working condition and package and transporting condition. For example, in the working condition, the screen of the display may be pivotable between a pitch-up angle of about 20° and a pitch-down angle of about −20°, and in the package and transporting condition, the screen of the display may be pivoted down to a pitch-down angle of about −90° where the screen faces downwardly to reduce the package size and improve the transportation stability.
US08251328B2
A mounting apparatus for a data storage device includes a bracket, a support member slidably mounted to the bracket, two first and second locking members, and two clamping members. Each first locking member includes a first hook detachably locked to the support member, and a fixing pole to clamp the corresponding clamping member. Each second locking member includes a second hook fixed to the support member, and a fixing portion to fix the corresponding clamping member. When the first hooks of the first locking members disengage from the support member, and the first locking members are rotated to drive the corresponding clamping members away from the support member. When the data storage device is sandwiched between the support member and the clamping members, the first locking members are rotated to make the first hooks lock to the support member.
US08251325B2
A rotatably adjustable mounting bracket for attachment to a display device and a mounting system affixable to mount surface and providing rotational adjustability of the attached display about an axis substantially perpendicular to the principal plane of the display device. The device mounting bracket including at least one set of openings comprising a plurality of openings located in the plate to substantially align with mounting holes located on the display device. Each of the openings having an adjustment portion adapted to receive a portion of the display device fastener attached to the display device and moveable within the adjustment portion to permit rotational movement of the display device relative to the mounting bracket.
US08251315B2
The present invention relates to a device making it possible to study the solar corona on a space mission requiring the formation flight of two satellites: an occulting satellite (OCC), the role of which is to create an artificial eclipse of the sun from the point of view of a coronagraph (10) onboard a second satellite, called carrying satellite (COR). The invention presents the advantage of proposing a formation flight device intended for a solar coronagraphy mission comprising fixed solar panels (11a), requiring no deployment, thanks to a dissymmetrical accommodation of the coronagraph (10) reflected in a shifting of said coronagraph (10) to a side of the carrying satellite (COR).
US08251300B2
A sprinkler controller includes a central portion and a peripheral switch being moveable in an arcuate path relative to the central portion. The peripheral switch may be a peripheral dial that can be rotated about the central portion. The dial may be rotated to select a particular mode of the sprinkler controller. A display screen is positioned on the central portion. At least two controls are also positioned on the central portion. When a mode is selected by using the peripheral dial, the user may then employ the controls (and the display on the screen) to modify the settings for the sprinkler controller. A method of using the sprinkler controller is also disclosed.
US08251297B2
Methods and Systems for controlling boiler systems are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a derivative action control is used reduce the likelihood of overshoot from a newly activated boiler. When a newly activated boiler becomes active, the boiler is held at a low firing rate for a predetermined period of time. The predetermined period of time may be cut short or even entirely eliminated under certain conditions. The methods and devices are further adapted for use in multi-stage boiler systems. In one embodiment, only the first stage of a multi-stage boiler system that becomes active is held at the low firing rate.
US08251292B2
A processing method of detecting a barcode from an original image includes: an edge processing process, a barcode positioning process and a projection modification process. The edge processing process is for converting an original image into a binarized input image. The barcode positioning process is for deriving position information of the barcode, and includes: deriving a plurality of luminance groups according to luminance values of all pixels of the input image; utilizing a determining circuit to determine whether each luminance group complies with an identification bar and to derive position information of the identification bars; and deriving position information of the barcode according to the position information of the identification bars. The projection modification process converts the original image into a modified image according to the position information of the barcode.
US08251289B2
A data protecting electronic device is adapted to read and store information, and includes: a circuit board; a first loop circuit, having a first contact and a second contact, constituting a wire mesh, and positioned on the circuit board; a substrate, configured on the circuit board; a data reading element, electrically connected to the first loop circuit, and one end thereof being passed through the circuit board to position on the substrate; a cover, covering the circuit board; a flexible circuit board, stuck to inner faces of the cover, and including a second loop circuit having a third contact and constituting the wire mesh; an electrical conductor, having a first end connected to the second contact and a second end connected to the third contact; and a conducting element, electrically connected to the first contact and covered by the cover.
US08251277B2
A thermal sleeve is provided according to the invention. The thermal sleeve can be provided as a cup sleeve for wrapping a cup and providing thermal insulation. The cup sleeve includes a creped paper product having a first end, a second end, a first cup opening, and a second cup opening, and an adhesive holding the first end and the second end together to form a wrap wherein the wrap is sized to enclose a cup. A method for manufacturing a cup sleeve is provided. A combination cup and cup sleeve is provided.
US08251276B2
A container is adapted to transport food or other articles. The container includes a floor, two side walls, a front end closure coupled to the side walls, and a rear end closure coupled to the side walls.
US08251274B1
An ultrasonic solar substrate bonding system is provided. The system includes a first ribbon bonder including a first bonding tool, and a first ribbon feeding system configured to continuously supply a first ribbon material to the first bonding tool during bonding of the first ribbon material to a backside of each of a plurality of solar substrates. The system also includes a mechanism configured to manipulate each of the plurality of solar substrates after bonding by the first ribbon bonder to expose an opposite, frontside of each of the plurality of solar substrates for bonding. The system also includes a second ribbon bonder including a second bonding tool, and a second ribbon feeding system configured to continuously supply a second ribbon material to the second bonding tool during bonding of the second ribbon material to the frontside of each of the plurality of solar substrates.
US08251264B2
A tundish assembly, including an element, for preventing or limiting steel reoxidization in the continuous casting of molten steel, is used in combination with a refractory nozzle. The element has an orifice engaging the outer surface of the nozzle, a main surface surrounding the main orifice and having a lowest level lower than the top outer edge of the nozzle inlet portion, and a periphery having an upper face surrounding the man surface of the element. The upper face of the periphery of the element is higher than the main surface of the element and is higher than the surface of the bottom well of the tundish. The main surface of the element is arranged so as to contact molten steel when the tundish is in use.
US08251262B2
A pour spout including a liquid metering orifice and a reciprocating control valve assembly mounted to prevent “blocked”, “short shot” and “free pour” conditions. The control valve assembly controls a pressure differential to restrain and release a primary flow valve piece. Weight pieces are included at alternative shutter-acting control valve pieces. Other electromechanical and/or electromagnetic and/or permanent magnet control valve assemblies are disclosed. A molded pour spout is also provided having a check ball mounted for reciprocating movement between a plurality of integral ribs that project into a longitudinal flow path. An improved vent assembly is also provided to maintain the pour accuracy with progressively decreasing liquid volume.
US08251259B2
A product dispenser reconfigurable in the field includes a housing, at least one tower unit, and a removable ambient box. The at least one tower unit includes at least one dispense point, whereby a product or diluent is delivered from a diluent or product source to the dispense point. The ambient box is an insulated product path that is adaptable to at least one external source and the tower units or the dispense points. The external source may be conditioned externally or may deliver an ambient temperature product, wherein the product circuits passing through the ambient box may deliver product to any tower unit, thereby providing increased product variability within a same product dispenser. The product dispenser still further includes a tower structure that is removable without disabling the product circuits, and a method of merchandising on the tower structure.
US08251258B2
Embodiments of a dispensing system for dispensing a number of products to a user are disclosed. The dispensing system may include an input/output device and a dispenser. The input/output device may be adapted to receive a selection of one of the products from the user. The dispenser may be adapted to dispense a plurality of diluent components, the diluent components and a ratio of the diluent components corresponding at least in part to the selection of the user.
US08251256B2
A method is provided for dispensing a controlled quantity of a granular material. The method employs a dispenser including a reservoir that retains granular material. The reservoir is supported in the dispenser with a passageway defined between opposing ends. The dispenser is first positioned in a loading orientation for the outflow of material from the reservoir through a nozzle to a metering cup. A baffle positioned proximate the opening of the metering cup stabilizes the controlled volume directed into the cup from the reservoir. Once the metering cup is filled, the dispenser is inverted. Then, the volume of material is directed from the cup through the passageway and out of an opening adjacent a diffuser, through which the material is spread.
US08251248B1
An apparatus for facilitating manual movement of a trash container having an upwardly opening container component with a pair of handles, a set of wheels, and a lid, includes an elongated apparatus or “tool” for the user to attach to the handles. A mid section of the tool engages the handles, an upwardly extending upper section provides a lever arm for the user to grasp, and a downwardly extending lower section contacts the container component in opposition to pivotal movement of the object about the handle axis. Preferably, a lid-restraining section is included that restrains pivotal movement of the lid about its hinges when the trash container is tilted on the wheels and moved. A first embodiment hooks onto the handles. A second embodiment includes a bifurcated mid section that engages the handles by extending downwardly through the spaces between the handles and the container component.
US08251244B2
A closing device is provided for a container of a respirator with two container shells (2, 2′) joining each other at front surfaces, with at least one tightening strap (4), which encloses a part of a container shell outer surface located at right angles to the front surfaces. Two holding elements (5, 5′) are each provided with a recess (6, 6′) and are formed at the free ends of the tightening strap (4). A closing element (7) is formed in a U-shaped pattern with two legs (8) and meshes with each recess (6, 6′) of the holding elements (5, 5′). The legs (8) of the closing element (7) can be pulled out of the recess (6, 6′) of the holding elements (5, 5′) to take off the tightening strap (4).
US08251240B2
The plastic closure consists of a rotating cap (1) with a sectoral pouring hole and with a slide (2) guided on its under side in such a way as to be capable of being displaced in a translational manner in relation to the pouring hole. The slide exhibits a downward-projecting cam on its under side. Lying beneath the slide (2) is a gate cap (3). Also present in its cover (6) is a sectoral pouring hole and behind it additionally a groove as a gate guide for the cam on the slide (2). The gate cap (3) is installed in a stationary manner on a bottle neck or a container spout. If the rotating cap (1) is caused to rotate relative to the gate cap (3), the cam of the slide will be guided along the gate guide and will pull the slide (2) into the open position, whereas rotation in the opposite direction will cause the slide (2) to be displaced back into the closed position.
US08251239B2
A sealing lid is disclosed that includes a flexible annular closure membrane surrounded by a heavier annular rim member that is preferably adapted to hold the lid in place on a container to define a first position. The closure membrane can be axially flexed from the first position to a second position using a single hand. In the second position, the membrane axially depresses to lower down the pressure in the container and forms a hermetic vacuum seal with the container. The heavier rim member has a weight that is substantially greater than the weight of the membrane that is adapted to press down the lid over the container. The heavier rim member supports hermetic sealing by facilitating intimate contact between the lid and the container.
US08251232B2
An article advancing device and an article arrangement shelf with simple structures can be securely operated without electric power. The article advancing device includes elongated drawer members with flexible band-shaped sheets and stopper structures disposed at distal ends of the flexible band-shaped sheets to allow articles to be arranged on the elongated drawer members when pulled-out, rollers for fixing proximal ends of the band-shaped sheets in position and winding up the band-shaped sheets by predetermined driving force while allowing the band-shaped sheets to be freely pulled out, and a main body for housing the rollers and the wound up band-shaped sheets. The rollers are disposed in parallel to each other within the main body, and the elongated drawer members are disposed on the rollers respectively so as not to overlap each other in a width direction.
US08251222B2
The present invention relates to a novel enhanced structure for packing, transportation and display of diverse products which allows transporting large volumes of products reliably and efficiently from the point of manufacture to the point of sale, structure that gives various competitive advantages related to the containers already known in the market, with the most important being, the solid structural stiffness which comes from a quick and reliable assembling of the whole structure, which is achieved from the configuration of the fastening gussets that attach the upper and lower frames with the support and containment side posts, and the configuration of the structural profiles that make up both the upper frame and the bottom frame.
US08251220B2
A packing structure includes a housing and a cushion portion. The housing includes a bottom plate and a sidewall while the cushion portion is disposed on the bottom plate of the housing. A groove and a jaw portion are formed on an end portion of the cushion portion. The jaw portion is located on a side of the groove facing the sidewall and extends away from the bottom plate. A first tongue plate is formed on the sidewall of the housing and bends inward. A free end of the first tongue plate enters the groove through an opening of the groove, wherein a backside of the jaw portion interferes with the first tongue plate to restrict the first tongue plate from leaving the groove. When the cushion portion is under external forces and moves away from the bottom plate, the first tongue plate will support a bottom inner surface within the groove to restrict a displacement of the cushion portion away from the bottom plate.
US08251217B2
The invention relates to a pouch for containing a product. The pouch comprises a first wall and a second wall which are sealed together in sealed regions. The sealed regions substantially surround a compartment portion within which a product can be located. The pouch includes a tear initiating weakness located away from an edge of the pouch, the tear initiating weakness comprising an elongate weakness which extends along a first axis such that a user can fold the pouch across the tear initiating weakness and initiate a tear from the folded edge substantially along the first axis, the pouch further comprises at least one tear guiding weakness, said tear guiding weakness extending along a second axis transverse to the first axis such that a tear extending substantially along the first axis will meet the at least one tear guiding weakness and be guided along the second axis.
US08251212B2
The Invention is a hand carried barrel shaped plastic molded case with two mating sides connected with a hinge, which when the case is closed around a spool of wire, protect the wire from damage during storage, transport and use. The case has an integral handle to make transport of the wire easier and helps protect the spool from damage if the case is dropped. The case incorporates locking tabs on the two sides of the case. The case also comes with a locking hole in the handle through which a padlock can be placed to prevent theft of the wire. The case has a dispensing hole or slot for the wire. The case can be translucent or molded of different colors to correspond to specific types or gauges of wire.
US08251198B2
A self-service change redemption machine (10) has an intake area (18) for receiving batches of mixed coinage and conveying the coins to a coin sorter (22) for sorting, counting and directing coins into a plurality of coin chutes (26). From there, the coins are routed to coin receptacles such as bags (60). Multiple bags are provided for certain denominations. To fill multiple bags for a given denomination, repositionable diverter mechanisms (30) are provided between the chutes (26) and pluralities of bags for the respective denominations. The bags are held by bag holders (34) which extend downward from a substantially rigid one-piece chassis (40), which also supports the diverter mechanisms (30). The machine (10) has buttons (80) responsive to inputs from a user to turn on the machine, to process coins that are input through the intake area (18) and to issue the voucher or other form of credit. Instructions for using the machine (10) and other information are displayed on a screen display (15).
US08251195B2
A bearing includes a main body, a plurality of first magnetic members, a plurality of second magnetic members, and a plurality of friction members. The main body defines a pivot hole, and a plurality of first receiving portions and a plurality of second receiving portions around the pivot hole. Each of the second receiving portions defines a cutout. The first magnetic members are received in the first receiving portions. The second magnetic members together with the friction members are received in the second receiving portions, thus generating a repelling force between the first magnetic members and the second magnetic members to impel the friction members to partially extend out of the cutouts.
US08251190B2
A brake disc including two plates spaced apart from each other and connected together by ventilating blocks distributed in concentric circular rows including a first outlet row of blocks through which air exits the gap between the two plates and a second row upstream of the outlet row along the air flow direction. The blocks angularly offset from one row to the next. The blocks of the outlet row and of the upstream row are arranged to provide between them a first ring wherein the air entering between the plates is compressed, and a second ring wherein the air compressed in the first ring is sucked and then evacuated from the gap between the plates.
US08251187B2
The invention relates to a pneumatic brake device having a spindle movable in the axial direction and a yoke, on which the spindle is supported such that a rotation of the spindle is prevented. According to the invention, a first and a second yoke toothed ring having sets of teeth (8; 10) directed toward each other are connected to the yoke in a rotationally fixed manner. Furthermore, a spindle toothed ring with sets of teeth on both sides is rigidly connected to the spindle between the two yoke toothed rings.
US08251186B2
A method and an adapter kit for fastening a first elevator component to a second elevator component. The kit comprises a first bracket having two opposing walls interconnected by a web configured for attachment to the first component wherein a slot extending parallel to the web is provided in each of the opposing walls. A second and a third bracket is provided each having two opposing walls interconnected by a web wherein a slot is provided in the web extending between the two opposing walls. The second and third brackets are mountable to the second component by their respective slots. The first bracket is mountable to the second and third brackets by the slots in its opposing walls when the first bracket is positioned such that its opposing walls lie adjacent to the opposing walls of the second and third brackets, respectively.
US08251181B2
A portable safety device locks onto a step of a ladder to provide cushioning for the legs and to prevent the user from tipping the ladder sideways. The device comprises a center component connected to two U-shaped leg braces, a closeable handle, and a retractable clamp. The retractable clamp is extended when the closeable handle is opened and retracted when the closeable handle is closed. In the retracted position, the clamp securely grasps the front and rear edges of a selected step on the ladder to effectively attach the device to the ladder in an operable position. The two leg braces partially surround the user's lower legs, between the ankle and the knee, and include a cushion material for added comfort when the user's legs lean against the braces. The leg braces attach to the center component by locking into a horizontal track which allows the braces to be separated or brought together to adjust for the user's natural stance and leg separation. The leg braces help to stabilize the user when standing on the ladder and discourage the user from leaning dangerously too far to either side of the ladder, thereby preventing the ladder from tipping and possibly injuring the user.
US08251175B1
An acoustical panel construction useful as a suspended ceiling tile having a rectangular shape bounded by edges and establishing a face area comprising at least one corrugated layer or layers of a total thickness, the layer or layers having a multitude of parallel flutes extending across an expanse of the rectangular shape substantially from one edge of the panel to an opposite edge, the flutes being formed by walls of the layer or layers and being of known volume, a series of apertures each of known area through the wall or walls of the flutes communicating with the atmosphere at the face, the aperture area, flute cavity volume associated with an aperture, and the total thickness of the corrugated layers associated with an aperture being arranged to produce a maximum absorption frequency between 200 and 2,000 Hz.
US08251173B2
An engine includes an exhaust conduit having an exhaust port on an end of the exhaust conduit. The exhaust conduit has an angled inside surface that has a cross section that widens toward the exhaust port. The engine further includes a muffler having a housing with an intake pipe. The intake pipe is inserted through the exhaust port such that the intake pipe is wedged into the angled inside surface of the exhaust conduit.
US08251172B2
In an electric power steering device, if the temperature of a specific site that increases due to the driving of a steering assist motor exceeds a threshold, the motor current is controlled to be equal to or below a current restriction value. The temperature Toff of the specific site detected when an engine is stopped, and the current restriction value Ioff provided when the engine is stopped are stored into a storage. A temperature difference Ta between the temperature detected when a starter switch is turned on and the temperature Toff is computed. If the temperature of the specific site when the starter switch is turned on is above the threshold, the current restriction value is set to be equal to or above the current restriction value Ioff stored in the storage, according to the temperature difference Ta, over a time following the turning-on of the starter switch.
US08251167B2
A cooling structure for an in-wheel motor includes an in-wheel motor mounted within a wheel of a vehicle to drive the wheel or to be driven by the wheel, and an oil channel and a fin serving as “heat radiating portions” to facilitate cooling of the in-wheel motor. The in-wheel motor has a case serving as a “housing”. The “heat radiating portion” is located apart from the case.
