US08289062B2
Examples of analog delay lines and analog delay systems, such as DLLs incorporating analog delay lines are described, as are circuits and methods for adaptive biasing. Embodiments of adaptive biasing are described and may generate a bias signal for an analog delay line during start-up. The bias signal may be based in part on the frequency of operation of the analog delay line.
US08289051B2
One aspect provides an input/output cell. The input/output cell, in one example, includes an input/output layout boundary delineated on a substrate, wherein the input/output layout boundary defines a first side parallel and opposing a second side, a third side parallel and opposing a fourth side, wherein the first and second sides are substantially perpendicular the third and fourth sides. The input/output cell, in this example, further includes input/output transistors positioned within the input/output layout boundary over the substrate. The input/output cell, in this example, further includes first and second power conductors and first and second ground conductors located over the substrate, the first power conductor and first ground conductor extending entirely between the first and second sides and the second power conductor and second ground conductor extending entirely between the third and fourth sides.
US08289048B2
In some embodiments, new clock gating approaches, referred hereafter as State Transition Gating (STG) methods and circuits are provided. In areas of circuit designs including sequential elements, the use of STG may be used to reduce dynamic power consumption.
US08289047B2
An architecture of hierarchical interconnect scheme for field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).
US08289041B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a first chip including an internal circuit, and a second chip capable of being accessed only via the first chip, and a test processor circuit electrically connected internally via the first chip, for accessing the second chip from an external terminal and testing the second chip, and a test circuit where an input/output buffer is installed for signals for accessing the second chip within the test processor circuit, and a bypass line installed for transferring signals from the first chip to the second chip and avoiding the input/output buffer within the test processor circuit, and a switch which switches between signal transfer path via the input/output buffer, and a signal transfer path via the bypass line.
US08289035B1
An unadjusted ion population is obtained by measurement of an unadjusted charge transfer due to an imposed electrical potential between two surfaces within a plant. An adjusted ion population is determined by dividing the unadjusted charge transfer by the wetted surface area through which the charge transfers occurs. Changes in wetted surface area are measured by changes in the electrical capacitance of the surface/liquid interface. The type of ion is identified by application of a sequence of potential values imposed on the two surfaces by a source which permits the potential of the electron emitting surface to take on a value set by the ion involved in the electron transfer. The ion is identified by the value of this potential.
US08289026B2
A recording device is for recording the switch state of an electromagnetic switch device. In at least one embodiment, the recording device includes a housing, in which a plunger is movably mounted. The plunger may be moved between two mechanical end positions, wherein the end positions of the plunger correspond to the switch states of the electromagnetic switch device. A sensor device is arranged in the housing by which it may be recorded in which of the end positions the plunger is and from which a corresponding electrical signal may be emitted. The sensor device is designed to be able to record the position of the plunger without contacting the plunger.
US08289021B2
A magnetoresistive element formed by a strip of magnetoresistive material which extends on a substrate of semiconductor material having an upper surface. The strip comprises at least one planar portion which extends parallel to the upper surface, and at least one transverse portion which extends in a direction transverse to the upper surface. The transverse portion is formed on a transverse wall of a dig. By providing a number of magnetoresistive elements perpendicular to one another it is possible to obtain an electronic compass that is insensitive to oscillations with respect to the horizontal plane parallel to the surface of the Earth.
US08289014B2
This device (6) for holding a sensor (4) or similar element in a casing (2) includes: two bearing tabs (18) designed to interact with the sensor (4), a rigid bridge (16) connecting the two bearing tabs (18), a holder (12) on which the rigid bridge (16) is mounted so that the rigid bridge (16) has a degree of rotational freedom and a degree of flexing freedom relative to the holder (12).
US08289005B2
A vehicle electrical system comprises a generator, voltage regulator, electrical energy source, and control device. The generator provides electrical current to one or more electrical loads. Voltage variations are suppressed by storing electrical energy of the field coil of the generator in the electrical energy source, and by proving electrical energy from the electrical energy source to the field coil. The control device comprises a controller and a charging module operative to maintain the voltage of the electrical energy source at a predetermined voltage that is above the regulation voltage so as to reduce the generator output voltage variations.
US08288996B2
The apparatus is for estimating a state of charge of a rechargeable battery charged by a vehicle-mounted power generation apparatus capable of generating a variable output voltage. The estimating apparatus includes a detecting function of detecting a charging/discharging current of the rechargeable battery, and an estimating function of making an estimation of the state of charge on the basis of relationship data defining the relationship among the output voltage, the state of charge, and a convergence value to which the charging/discharging current converges through transient behavior thereof in a state where variation of the output voltage is below a predetermined value after the output voltage is changed.
US08288994B2
For laptops or other mobile devices, a battery charging arrangement wherein fast-charging and/or slow-charging is governed by something other than a fixed, immovable battery level threshold. Particularly, a variable threshold is broadly contemplated herein which may be governed by any of a very wide variety of conceivable factors, including (but by no means limited to) information relating to a user's schedule or calendar, especially as regards “free” time when a user is not using a computer. Accordingly, if there is a long uninterrupted period of computer “downtime” (i.e., when a user is not using the computer), the battery level threshold below which fast-charging takes place can be lower. By the same token, for short periods of computer downtime, this threshold can be higher. In this manner, fast-charging is reserved only for the most compelling, time-based circumstances.
US08288993B2
The present invention discloses a battery charging controller for balancing the charged batteries. The battery charging controller comprises a battery reference voltage generator, a voltage balancing module and a balance judging circuit. The battery charging controller determines which one has the lower voltage between battery units of a battery module according to reference voltages generated by the battery reference voltage generator. The voltage balancing module controlled by the balance judging circuit allows the charging current of the lower-voltage battery larger than the charging current of the higher-voltage battery in such that the final voltages of the battery units are substantially equaled when they are completely saturated.
US08288990B2
The invention relates to an energy-transmitting device, for transmitting electrical energy between a handheld power tool and/or a battery unit and/or a charging unit. The energy-transmitting device has at least one pin contact element. It is proposed that the pin contact element is movably supported.
US08288979B2
An apparatus for controlling a wheel motor is provided. A plurality of switches is provided for controlling a direction of current through motor coils of the wheel motor. A brushless motor control circuit is connected to each of the plurality of switches. Responsive to a request to adjust one of an angular velocity and an angular acceleration of the wheel motor, the plurality of switches are activated to place the motor coils in a predetermined configuration to maximize torque or reduce a total back electromotive force (BEMF) from the motor coils.
US08288978B2
A motor driver, including a bridge circuit including a switching element and a diode, connecting with a coil terminal of each phase of a polyphase motor; a modulator modulating a voltage value applied to the coil terminal of each phase such that a minimum voltage value applied thereto is zero; a PWM signal generator generating a PWM signal, based on the voltage value applied to each phase, which is modulated by the modulator; and a switching element drive signal generator generating a switching element drive signal to drive the switching signal, based on the PWM signal generated by the PWM signal generator.
US08288977B2
A control apparatus using a multipole resolver for calculating the rotation angle of a motor includes an acquisition unit, a learning unit, a calculation unit, and a correction unit. The acquisition unit acquires a detected angle θ detected by the multipole resolver. The learning unit learns the waveform of an error Errθ for each pole of the resolver. The calculation unit calculates a motor's rotational acceleration variation α. The correction unit compares the rotation speed variation α with a threshold value α0. Where α<α0, the correction unit performs a normal correction of calculating a corrected angle φ using an error Errθ of one mechanical period (in which the motor makes one full rotation) ago. In contrast, where α>α0, the correction unit performs a transition correction of calculating a corrected angle φ using an immediately preceding error Errθ.
US08288976B2
An electronic control system for a motor uses a test cycle to select an optimum mode of operation from a plurality of available modes of operation. In some embodiments, the test cycle produces test data that is compared to information in a library of operating parameters relating to the available modes of operation. An algorithm uses the information in the library of operating parameters to choose an optimum mode of operation. In certain embodiments, the test cycle tries each of the available modes of operation, monitors operational parameters, and determines the best performing mode of operation.
US08288975B2
A brushless direct current (BLDC) motor having a simulated tapped-winding input. The BLDC motor includes a stator/rotor assembly having a stator and a rotor. The BLDC motor has a common input and a plurality of power inputs. Each power input corresponds to an operating parameter. The BLDC motor receives an AC voltage across the common input and one of the power inputs and operates the stator/rotor assembly according to an operating parameter corresponding to the power input receiving power.
US08288974B2
A power supply control device controls a power supply connected to a motor and includes: an AC/DC converter that makes a first DC power supply; a DC/DC converter that makes a second DC power supply out of the first DC power supply; a first rectifying element that allows current to flow from the first DC power supply toward the motor; a second rectifying element that allows current to flow from the first DC power supply toward the DC/DC converter; and a third rectifying element that allows current to flow from the motor toward the DC/DC converter. In this way, a power supply connected to a motor can be suitably controlled.
US08288970B2
An adaptive system for a personal care appliance, such as a power toothbrush, having a workpiece which is driven through an amplitude of motion by a drive mechanism which includes a stator member includes a circuit (13) for measuring average electrical current through the stator member and stored information (19) in the personal care appliance which relates the average current values through the stator during operation of the device to corresponding amplitude of motion of the workpiece. A processor (17) utilizing a stored program adjusts the operating frequency to produce a stator current value which correlates to the desired amplitude of motion of the workpiece.
US08288968B2
A lighting system comprising a plurality of light units, wherein said light units are arranged in an array, wherein the light beams of substantially each pair of adjacent light units overlap each other, and wherein the light system comprises a light control device which is arranged to adjust the intensity of each one of said plurality of light units individually, wherein said light control device is further arranged to maintain the total combined luminous flux emitted from said plurality of light units on a predefined imaginary flat surface substantially equal when adjusting the intensity of the individual light units.
US08288964B2
The invention relates to a mirror for personal use, with a lighting system for illuminating at least part of a person (9) being situated in front of the mirror. According to the invention, a position detector for detecting the position of the person (9) in front of the mirror is provided. Further, the lighting system comprises multiple lighting elements which can be actuated independently from each other in dependence of the signal of the position detector. It is especially preferred that the mirror is comprised of an array (8) of OLEDs (1) which can be selectively actuated to function as a mirror element or as a lighting element, respectively, in dependence of the position of the person (9) in front of the mirror. Further, it is preferred that these OLEDs (1) also act as capacitive proximity sensors for the position detector. Thus, a versatile mirror with a good mirror image without blinding is provided.
US08288956B1
A circuit for preheating filaments in lamps powered by an electronic ballast includes an inverter tank circuit and a preheat tank circuit. The preheat tank circuit has a preheat capacitor connected in parallel with a primary winding of a filament preheat transformer. A cut-back capacitor is connected between the preheat tank circuit and circuit ground. The filament preheat transformer has secondary windings coupled to the first and second lamp terminals to provide a filament preheat voltage. The inverter operates at a preheat frequency during a lamp preheat mode and at a steady-state frequency during a lamp steady-state mode, the steady-state frequency being lower than the preheat frequency. The preheat tank circuit has a natural resonant frequency that is approximately the same as the preheat frequency so that when the ballast is operating in the steady state mode, the filament voltage is substantially lower than when the ballast is operating in the preheat mode.
US08288955B2
Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are commonly used to backlight liquid crystal display screens for mobile telephones and other display devices. It may be desirable for the LEDs to be gradually dimmed and this can result in noise being emitted by the components of the driving circuit, along with other undesirable effects. A device for driving a circuit element is provided, comprising a voltage source (6, 7, 8) for generating a pulse width modulated (PWM) output voltage signal, a capacitor (9) arranged to filter the PWM output voltage signal; and a switching element (13) characterized in that the switching element (13) is synchronized with the PWM output voltage signal such that when the PWM output voltage signal is at a minimum, the switching element (13) isolates the capacitor (9) and so prevents the capacitor (9) from discharging.
US08288949B2
A fluorescent lamp having a protective polymeric sleeve to provide impact resistance and contain fragments if the lamp shatters. The sleeve comprises an inner layer of a UV-blocking polymeric material and an adjacent layer of a polymeric material, preferably polycarbonate. The inner layer is preferably a co-polymer comprised of a polycarbonate block and a block comprised of isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, and resorcinol. The inner layer helps protect the rest of the sleeve from UV degradation.
US08288939B2
A photoelectric conversion element is provided and includes a photoelectric conversion portion. The photoelectric conversion portion includes: a pair of electrodes; and a photoelectric conversion layer between the pair of electrodes, and at least part of the photoelectric conversion layer includes a mixed layer of a p-type organic semiconductor and a fullerene, and a mixing ratio of the fullerene to the p-type organic semiconductor in terms of thickness ratio is less than 1:1.
US08288936B2
A light emitting apparatus is provided, and the light emitting apparatus has a light emitting device mounted on a substrate or a resin package where a substrate surface or the resin package is resin-encapsulated by an encapsulating resin section added with a phosphor in such a manner to cover the light emitting device. A surface resin layer of a different color from that of the encapsulating resin section is provided on a surface side of the encapsulating resin section.
US08288935B2
The present invention discloses a light emitting diode apparatus and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly to provide an AC-driven white light emitting diode apparatus comprising a plurality of groups of the AC-driven light emitting diode chips with different emission wavelengths and a plurality of groups of the DC-driven light emitting diode chips with different emission wavelengths. The AC-driven white light emitting diode apparatus manufactured by the disclosed method has the properties of high color rendering, high light emitting efficiency, and stable chromaticity coordinate.
US08288934B2
A phosphor and a manufacturing method thereof, and the light emitting device using the same are provided, wherein the composition formula of the phosphor is Ii-Mm-Aa-Bb—Ot—Nn:Zr, wherein I is selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, and K, M is selected from the group consisting of Ca, Sr, Mg, Ba, Be, and Zn, A is selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga, In, Sc, Y, La, Gd, and Lu, B is selected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, Sn, Ti, Zr, and Hr, and Z is selected from the group consisting of Eu and Ce; m+r=1, 0
US08288932B2
A filament lamp having a filament and an internal lead in which the filament is insulated from contact with the internal lead and prevent from moving during operation to maintain a uniform distribution of light. To this end, the filament lamp includes a luminous tube having an inner wall, and opposing ends on which sealing parts are formed. Multiple filaments are sequentially disposed inside the tube in an axial direction, and internal leads are connected to each filament. An insulating wall is provided along the inner wall of the luminous tube in the axial direction and is disposed around at least one of the multiple filaments. Internal leads running partly parallel to the filaments are positioned between the luminous tube and insulating wall and do not engage the ring supporters of the multiple filaments, which could cause the filaments to move and distribute light in a nonuniform pattern.
US08288931B2
The ignitability of a spark plug configured without a noble metal for a center electrode and a ground electrode is improved. The spark plug comprises a center electrode, an insulator, a metal shell, and a ground electrode including a discharge surface. The ground electrode forms a spark gap between the discharge surface and the center electrode. The center electrode and the ground electrode both do not include a noble metal. The ground electrode comprises a proximal end portion combined with the metal shell and positioned above, the discharge surface and a distal end portion including the discharge surface and positioned below the proximal end portion while continued from the proximal end portion. A width Da of the center electrode viewed from a first direction and a width Db of the proximal end portion viewed from the first direction satisfy Db/Da≦0.92. The first direction is perpendicular to the axial direction and directing from the proximal end portion to the center electrode.
US08288922B2
An example flexoelectric-piezoelectric apparatus provides an electrical response to an applied force, and/or an actuation in response to an applied electric field, that originates from the flexoelectric properties of a component. For example, shaped forms within the apparatus may be configured to yield a stress gradient on application of the force, and the stress gradient induces the flexoelectric signal. A flexoelectric-piezoelectric apparatus can be substituted for a conventional piezoelectric apparatus, but does not require the use of a piezoelectric material. Instead, the response of the apparatus is due to the generation of stress gradients and/or field gradients.
US08288920B2
An ultrasonic transducer for use in a fluid medium includes at least one transducer core having at least one acoustic/electric transducer element. The ultrasonic transducer furthermore includes at least one decoupling element which is configured to reduce a structure-borne noise coupling between the transducer core and a housing. The decoupling element includes at least one porous plastic material, in particular a foamed plastic material. The porous plastic material includes at least one thermosetting polymer and/or at least one thermoplastic.
US08288916B2
Embodiments of the present invention include a composite electromechanical machine which can operate as a motor or a generator (including dynamo or alternator). In an aspect, the present composite electromechanical machine includes at least a double-sided magnetic plane (e.g., rotor or stator) wherein the double-sided magnetic plane includes a plurality of magnet protruding from both sides and exerting substantially equal magnetic field to both sides of the double-sided magnetic plane. The magnets can be permanent magnets or electromagnets having windings. Other embodiments can also be included.
US08288912B2
An electromagnetically excitable coil having a wire, the wire being wound around a wire holder in one winding direction, the wire having a winding start, which generally is disposed at a first end of the coil, and a winding end, which generally is disposed at the same end of the coil, using an uneven number of winding layers, the coil having an elongated cross-section and the cross-section having a longer side and a shorter side, the wire being routed from the second end of the coil to the first end of the coil while forming at least one wire crossing at the shorter side of the cross-section.
US08288903B2
A stator of a rotary electric motor has core segments. All or some of the core segments have terminal mounting members for mounting terminals to which coils are connected. The terminal mounting member and the bobbin for each of the core segments are molded by resin and integrated with the corresponding core segment.
US08288899B2
There is provided a horizontal linear vibrator including a bracket providing an internal space; a vibration unit mounted in the internal space and including a mass body moving horizontally and linearly; and a magnetic field unit including a magnet fixed to the mass body and a coil installed within a magnetic field of the magnet and generating electromagnetic force to allow the vibration unit to move horizontally and linearly, wherein the coil includes a coil line disposed between the bracket and a printed circuit board and extending outside of the internal space of the bracket such that the coil line is connected with the printed circuit board for applying power from an external source to the coil outside of the internal space of the bracket.
US08288892B2
A device which can dynamically configure an array of power supply cells such as photovoltaic (PV) solar cells to provide power to a load device based on the power requirements of the load device. By selectively configuring the array of power supply cells according to one of a number of available series/parallel connection schemes, the supplied power can be more closely tailored by a controller to the requirements of the load device.
US08288885B2
Regenerated power from actuation loads of an aircraft may be returned to the distribution bus of the aircraft. In the past, actuators were either hydrostatic or pneumatic. With the furtherance of more electric architecture (MEA) aircraft, there has been an increase in electrical actuation modes. The power or current exchange between electrical buses and the electromechanical and electro-hydrostatic flight control actuators is bidirectional, resulting in a need to accommodate regenerative power. Conventional methods may use shunt regulation to dissipate regenerated power. These methods require additional cooling to reject the heat generated. This regenerated power is wasted as dissipated heat. The present invention, on the other hand, may dump the regenerated power back to a power sink, such as into ancillary electrical loads or to the starter/generator as mechanical (kinetic) energy. In the present invention, the energy may not be wasted nor may it generate excessive heat that needs to be dissipated.
US08288883B2
A device (10) for capturing energy from a fluid flow is disclosed. The device (10) comprises a base (12) adapted for stationary mounting relative to the fluid flow. A member (20), having a longitudinal axis (21), is pivotally connected relative to the base (12) about a substantially vertical first pivotal axis (22) and is adapted to move relative to the base (12) towards a position in which the longitudinal axis (21) generally aligns with a vertical plane parallel to the direction of the fluid flow passing the member (20). A lift generating element (26) is connected to the member (20) and is movable relative to the direction of the fluid flow to vary a direction of lift produced by the lift generating element (26) as fluid flows therearound. The lift generated by the lift generating element (26) drives the member (20) in oscillatory motion relative to the base (12). An energy transfer mechanism is attached to the member (20) and is adapted to be driven by the oscillation of the member (20).
US08288871B1
The embodiments of bump-on-trace (BOT) structures and their layout on a die described reduce stresses on the dielectric layer on the metal pad and on the metal traces of the BOT structures. By orienting the axes of the metal bumps away from being parallel to the metal traces, the stresses can be reduced, which can reduce the risk of delamination of the metal traces from the substrate and the dielectric layer from the metal pad. Further, the stresses of the dielectric layer on the metal pad and on the metal traces may also be reduced by orienting the axes of the metal traces toward the center of the die. As a result, the yield can be increased.
US08288866B2
Techniques for modular chip fabrication are provided. In one aspect, a modular chip structure is provided. The modular chip structure comprises a substrate; a carrier platform attached to the substrate, the carrier platform comprising a plurality of conductive vias extending through the carrier platform; and a wiring layer on the carrier platform in contact with one or more of the conductive vias, wherein the wiring layer comprises one or more wiring levels and is configured to divide the carrier platform into a plurality of voltage islands; and chips, chip macros or at least one chip in combination with at least one chip macro assembled on the carrier platform.
US08288863B2
The present invention provide a heat dissipation structure on the active surface of the die to increase the performance of the heat conduction in longitude direction of the semiconductor package device, so that the heat dissipating performance can be improved when the semiconductor package device is associated with the exterior heat dissipation mechanism.
US08288858B2
This semiconductor device has a frame including a bed portion on which a semiconductor chip is mounted, lead groups arranged in an outer peripheral portion, first bus bars, second bus bars and a rectifying bus bar. The first bus bars and the second bus bars are arranged between the bed portion and the lead groups. The rectifying bus bar is arranged in a region where the second bus bar is not arranged. Wire bonding is not performed on the rectifying bus bar. The rectifying bus bar includes a third bus bar having at least one end joined to a lead or a hanging pin and/or a fourth bus bar formed by extending the first bus bar in an outer peripheral direction in which the leads are arranged. The semiconductor device is provided in which deformation and damage of bonding wires when molding a resin sealed body are prevented.
US08288855B2
A semiconductor memory card includes a wiring board which has a first pad region along a first long side and a second pad region along a second long side. First memory chips which configure a first chip group are stacked in a step-like shape on the wiring board. Second memory chips which configure a second chip group are stacked in a step-like shape on the first chip group with the direction reversed. The electrode pads of the first memory chips are electrically connected to the connection pads arranged on the first pad region, and the electrode pads of the second memory chips are electrically connected to the connection pads arranged on the second pad region.
US08288853B2
A package comprises a first unit including a semiconductor body, a hole, an isolation layer, a conductive layer and a solder. The semiconductor body has a first surface having a pad and a protection layer exposing the pad. The hole penetrates the semiconductor body. The isolation layer is disposed on the side wall of the hole. The conductive layer covers the pad, a part of the protection layer, and the isolation layer. The lower end of the conductive layer extends to below a second surface of the semiconductor body. The solder is disposed in the hole, and is electrically connected to the pad via the conductive layer. A second unit similar to the first unit and stacked thereon includes a lower end of a second conductive layer that extends to below a second surface of a second semiconductor body and contacts the upper end of the first solder.
US08288847B2
A dual die semiconductor package has a grid array of electrical contacts on a bottom surface of a substrate. There is a first semiconductor die with a base surface mounted to an upper surface of the substrate and the first semiconductor die has first die upper surface external electrical connection pads on an upper surface that are electrically connected to respective electrical contacts of the grid array. There is also a second semiconductor die with a base surface mounted to an upper surface of a lead frame flag. There are second die upper surface external electrical connection pads on an upper surface of the second semiconductor die. The dual die semiconductor package includes leads and at least some of the leads are electrically connected to respective pads that provide the second die upper surface external electrical connection pads. A package body at encloses the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die. The electrical contacts of the grid array and part of each of the leads protrude from the package body to form external package electrical connections. Also, at least part of a base surface of the lead frame flag directly under the second semiconductor die is left exposed by the package body and provides a heat sink.
US08288846B2
An integrated circuit (IC) package is disclosed. The IC package includes a first die; and a second die bonded to the CPU die in a three dimensional packaging layout.
US08288842B2
A method provides for dicing a wafer having a base material with a diamond structure. The wafer first undergoes a polishing process, in which a predetermined portion of the wafer is polished away from its back side. The wafer is then diced through at least one line along a direction at a predetermined offset angle from a natural cleavage direction of the diamond structure. A wafer is produced with one or more dies formed thereon with at least one of its edges at an offset angle from a natural cleavage direction of a diamond structure of a base material forming the wafer. At least one dicing line has one or more protection elements for protecting the dies from undesired cracking while the wafer is being diced along the dicing line.
US08288840B2
A semiconductor device includes a lower layer wiring layer, an MIM capacitors and an upper layer wiring layer. The lower layer wiring layer includes a plurality of lower layer wirings. The MIM capacitor is formed above the lower layer wiring layer. The MIM capacitor includes a lower electrode, a capacity dielectric film and an upper electrode which are layered from underneath in this order. A planar form of the upper electrode is smaller than that of the lower electrode. The upper layer wiring layer includes a plurality of upper layer wirings which are connected to the lower electrode and the upper electrode through via plugs. A plane of the upper electrode is made rectangular. The lower layer wirings are not arranged right below one or more than one edge of the plane of the upper electrode.
US08288834B1
Various semiconductor devices can be formed at the end of a common fabrication process, thereby significantly improving manufacturing flexibility, by selectively wiring bonding different CMOS circuits to different MEMS, which are formed on the same semiconductor die. A semiconductor device that has a number of CMOS circuits and a number of MEMS is formed on the same semiconductor wafer in adjacent regions on the wafer, and then diced such that the CMOS circuits and the MEMS are formed on the same die. After dicing, different CMOS circuits and different MEMS can be selectively connected during the wire bonding step to form the different semiconductor devices.
US08288828B2
A via contact is provided to a diffusion region at a top surface of a substrate which includes a single-crystal semiconductor region. The via contact includes a first layer which consists essentially of a silicide of a first metal in contact with the diffusion region at the top surface. A dielectric region overlies the first layer, the dielectric region having an outer surface and an opening extending from the outer surface to the top surface of the substrate. A second layer lines the opening and contacts the top surface of the substrate in the opening, the second layer including a second metal which lines a sidewall of the opening and a silicide of the second metal which is self-aligned to the top surface of the substrate in the opening. A diffusion barrier layer overlies the second layer within the opening. A third layer including a third metal overlies the diffusion barrier layer and fills the opening.
US08288825B2
A structure and method for forming raised source/drain structures in a NFET device and embedded SiGe source/drains in a PFET device. We provide a NFET gate structure over a NFET region in a substrate and PFET gate structure over a PFET region. We provide NFET SDE regions adjacent to the NFET gate and provide PFET SDE regions adjacent to the PFET gate. We form recesses in the PFET region in the substrate adjacent to the PFET second spacers. We form a PFET embedded source/drain stressor in the recesses. We form a NFET S/D epitaxial Si layer over the NFET SDE regions and a PFET S/D epitaxial Si layer over PFET embedded source/drain stressor. The epitaxial Si layer over PFET embedded source/drain stressor is consumed in a subsequent salicide step to form a stable and low resistivity silicide over the PFET embedded source/drain stressor. We perform a NFET S/D implant by implanting N-type ions into NFET region adjacent to the NFET gate structure and into the NFET S/D stressor Si layer to form the raised NFET source/drains.
US08288823B2
Double gate transistor microelectronic device comprising: a support, a structure suited to forming at least one multi-branch channel and comprising a plurality of separate parallel semi-conductor rods and situated in a plane orthogonal to the principal plane of the support, the rods linking a first block suited to forming a source region of the transistor and a second block provided, suited to forming a drain region of the transistor, a first gate electrode situated on one side of said structure against the sides of said semi-conductor rods, a second gate electrode, separate from the first gate and situated on another side of the structure against the opposite sides of the rods, the semi-conductor rods and one or several insulating rods situated between the semi-conductor rods, separating the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode.
US08288820B2
A high performance, power integrated circuit composed of two charge balanced, extended drain NMOS transistors (CBDEMOS) formed on an n-substrate. A CBDENMOS transistor with an n-type substrate source. A charge balanced channel diode (CBCD) with an n-type substrate. A process for forming a high performance, power integrated circuit composed of two CBDENMOS transistors formed on an n-substrate. A process for forming a power integrated circuit composed of one CBDENMOS transistor and one CBCD on an n-type substrate.
US08288817B2
Some embodiments include methods of forming charge storage transistor gates and standard FET gates in which common processing is utilized for fabrication of at least some portions of the different types of gates. FET and charge storage transistor gate stacks may be formed. The gate stacks may each include a gate material, an insulative material, and a sacrificial material. The sacrificial material is removed from the FET and charge storage transistor gate stacks. The insulative material of the FET gate stacks is etched through. A conductive material is formed over the FET gate stacks and over the charge storage transistor gate stacks. The conductive material physically contacts the gate material of the FET gate stacks, and is separated from the gate material of the charge storage transistor gate stacks by the insulative material remaining in the charge storage transistor gate stacks. Some embodiments include gate structures.
US08288815B2
A gate structure for a semiconductor device is provided. The gate structure includes a conductive structure. The conductive structure insulatively disposed over a substrate includes a middle portion and two spacer portions. The middle portion has a first surface and two second surfaces. The first surface is between the two second surfaces. The two spacer portions are respectively connected to the two second surfaces of the middle portion. A width of each of the two spacer portions gradually increases from top to bottom.
US08288814B2
A semiconductor die includes a first set of metal lines and a second set of metal lines. The first set of metal lines and the second set of metal lines are placed in alternate planes and are orthogonal to each other. A via is used to connect a first metal line from the first set of metal lines with a second metal line from the second set of metal lines. The via location is offset such that a side of the first metal line is aligned with a side of the second metal line. Consequently, a metal line adjacent to the first metal line does not need to detour around the via.
US08288807B2
To provide a semiconductor device which can detect low illuminance. A photoelectric conversion element, a diode-connected first transistor, and a second transistor are included. A gate of the first transistor is electrically connected to a gate of the second transistor. One of a source and a drain of the first transistor is electrically connected to one of a source and a drain of the second transistor through the photoelectric conversion element. The other of the source and the drain of the first transistor is electrically connected to the other of the source and the drain of the second transistor. By using transistors which have different threshold voltages for the first transistor and the second transistor, a semiconductor device which can perform detecting of low illuminance can be obtained.
US08288803B2
An indirectly induced tunnel emitter for a tunneling field effect transistor (TFET) structure includes an outer sheath that at least partially surrounds an elongated core element, the elongated core element formed from a first semiconductor material; an insulator layer disposed between the outer sheath and the core element; the outer sheath disposed at a location corresponding to a source region of the TFET structure; and a source contact that shorts the outer sheath to the core element; wherein the outer sheath is configured to introduce a carrier concentration in the source region of the core element sufficient for tunneling into a channel region of the TFET structure during an on state.
US08288798B2
The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a buffer layer over a substrate, the buffer layer containing a first compound semiconductor that includes elements from one of: III-V families of a periodic table; and II-VI families of the periodic table. The method includes forming a channel layer over the buffer layer. The channel layer contains a second compound semiconductor that includes elements from the III-V families of the periodic table. The method includes forming a gate over the channel layer. The method includes depositing impurities on regions of the channel layer on either side of the gate. The method includes performing an annealing process to activate the impurities in the channel layer.
US08288797B2
A method of fabricating an integrated circuit on a compound semiconductor III-V wafer including at least two different types of active devices by providing a substrate; growing a first epitaxial structure on the substrate; growing a second epitaxial structure on the first epitaxial structure; and processing the epitaxial structures to form different types of active devices, such as HBTs and FETs.
US08288776B2
The present invention relates to an integrated, composite hybrid electric device in which various devices are formed as a single unit on one flexible substrate, and a fabrication method thereof. More particularly, the present invention a hybrid electric device in which a display device, a vibration-generating (or vibration-sensing) device, and a non-volatile memory device are formed on a single flexible piezoelectric polymer substrate into a single unit by using a flexible piezoelectric polymer substrate whose both surfaces are thinly deposited with a patterned transparent oxidation electrode, and a fabrication method thereof.
US08288774B2
A dual gate layout of a thin film transistor of liquid crystal display to alleviate dark current leakage is disclosed. The layout includes (1) a polysilicon on a substrate having a shaped of L- or of snake from top-view, having a heavily doped source region, a first lightly doped region, a first gate channel, a second lightly doped region, a second gate channel, a third lightly doped region and a heavily doped drain region formed in order therein; (2) a gate oxide layer formed on the poly-Si layer and the substrate, (3) a gate metal layer then formed on the gate oxide layer having a scanning line and an extension portion with a L-shaped or an I-shaped. The gate metal intersects with the poly-Si layer thereto define the forgoing gate channels. Among of gate channels, at least one is along the signal line through a source contact.
US08288771B2
A thin film transistor array panel is provided, which includes a substrate, a plurality of gate line formed on the substrate, a plurality of common electrodes having a transparent conductive layer on the substrate, a gate insulating layer covering the gate lines and the common electrodes, a plurality of semiconductor layers formed on the gate insulating layer, a plurality of data lines including a plurality of source electrodes and formed on the semiconductor layer and the gate insulating layer, a plurality of drain electrodes formed on the semiconductor layer and the gate insulating layer, and a plurality of pixel electrodes overlapping the common electrodes and connected to the drain electrodes. Because the common electrodes are made of ITON, IZON, or a-ITON, or a double layer of ITO/ITON, IZO/IZON, or a-a-ITO/a-ITON, when H2 or SiH4 are injected to form a silicon nitride (SiNX) layer on the common electrodes, the opaque metal Sn or Zn in which the metal component is reduced in the IZO, ITO, or a-ITO is not produced on the surfaces of the common electrode.
US08288757B2
A recess along a sidewall is formed in a pMOS region and an nMOS region. An SiC layer of which thickness is thicker than a depth of the recess is formed in the recess. A sidewall covering a part of the SiC layer is formed at both lateral sides of a gate electrode in the pMOS region. A recess is formed by selectively removing the SiC layer in the pMOS region. A side surface of the recess at the gate insulating film side is inclined so that the upper region of the side surface, the closer to the gate insulating film in a lateral direction at a region lower than the surface of the silicon substrate. An SiGe layer is formed in the recess in the pMOS region.
US08288737B1
A plasma system for changing a microscopy material sample comprises a microscopy material sample holder for holding a microscopy material sample in place in a desired orientation, and a receptacle holder for receiving the sample holder and an RF antenna. The microscopy sample is positioned relative to the antenna so that no point on the antenna is in direct line-of-sight contact with the microscopy sample. This feature of avoiding direct line-of-sight contact between the antenna and the sample assists in preventing, or at least minimizing, ion sputtering of system component material onto the specimen or sample 10 that is being trimmed. Moreover, portions of the system which are in direct line-of-sight contact with the sample are comprised of material having a low sputtering yield, preferably carbon. The material may comprise graphite, and may be in the form of a carbon coating or a carbon paint.
US08288736B2
The present invention is related to an irradiation cell for producing a radioisotope of interest through the irradiation of a target material by a particle beam, comprising a metallic insert forming a cavity designed to house the target material and to be closed by an irradiation window, wherein said metallic insert comprises at least two separate metallic parts of different materials, being composed of at least a first part comprising said cavity.
US08288735B2
A monitor that can detect at least one molecule. The monitor includes a housing with a passage that can receive a sample, and a photocathode that is located within the housing. The monitor also includes a first ultraviolet light source that can direct ultraviolet light onto the photocathode to create electrons that ionize molecules within the sample, and a detector that is coupled to the housing to detect at least one ionized molecule. The monitor enables electron ionization (EI) of a sample for chemical analysis without the disadvantages of current methods that use a hot filament or other thermal cathode devices.
US08288729B2
A first leakage current value output from each signal line is stored in a storage unit, with a charge corresponding to an emitted radiation being held in a radiographic image detector, when the radiation is uniformly emitted to the radiographic image detector. A second leakage current value is acquired which is output from each signal line, with a charge corresponding to the radiation dose being held in the radiographic image detector, when the radiation passing through an object is emitted to the radiographic image detector. When the first and second leakage current values are equal to each other for each line corresponding to each signal line, all pixels on the line are determined to belong to a background area (lines A and C).
US08288725B2
There is provided a charged particle beam device which can prevent a specimen from not being able to be observed due to entering of a part of a grid of a mesh in a field of view, in which each pixel of a scanning transmission electron microscope image is displayed on the basis of a gray value of a predetermined gradation scale. In the case where the number of pixels of the predetermined gray value is not less than a predetermined percentage, it is judged that the mesh image is included in the scanning transmission electron microscope image. When the mesh image is not anymore included in the scanning transmission electron microscope image, the predetermined gradation scale is converted to another gradation scale and a scanning transmission electron microscope image is obtained.
US08288722B2
An electron beam inspection apparatus images reflected electrons and cancels negative charging derived from electron-beam irradiation. Ultraviolet rays are irradiated and an irradiated area of ultraviolet rays is displayed as a photoelectron image. The photoelectron image and a reflected-electron image are displayed on a monitor while being superposed on each other, to easily grasp the positional relationship between the images and the difference in size between them. Specifically, the shape of the irradiated area of an electron beam includes the shape of the irradiated area of ultraviolet rays on a display screen. The intensity of the ultraviolet rays in the irradiated area of the electron beam is adjusted while the reflected-electron imaging conditions for the reflected-electron image are sustained. Moreover, an amount-of-ultraviolet ray adjustment mechanism is controlled on the monitor so that an amount of the ultraviolet rays is adjusted while observing a reflected-electron image obtained during ultraviolet irradiation.
US08288721B2
Techniques, apparatus and systems for detecting particles such as muons for imaging applications. Subtraction techniques are described to enhance the processing of the muon tomography data.
US08288713B2
The invention relates to a multi-sensor laser system for the selective trace analysis of organic material, the multi-sensor system having at least one laser ion mobility spectrometer, an absorption spectrometer and a fluorescent measuring device. The system is characterized in that it is equipped with a device for the simultaneous generation of a common laser beam with different wavelengths and pulses for the simultaneous operation of the laser ion mobility spectrometer, the absorption spectrometer and the fluorescent measuring device. This avoids the disadvantages of the known solutions in prior art and provides an improved solution for the highly sensitive and highly selective trace analysis of organic material, in particular hazardous substances such as explosives and warfare agents in the air.
US08288698B2
A method for correcting a trajectory of terminally guided ammunition is provided. In order to achieve a high probability of hits, in particular when firing in bursts (continuous fire, rapid single shot fire), it is provided that every individual ammunition is addressed separately. The “imprinting” is performed based on the beam rider guidance principle of terminally guided ammunition. Every individual ammunition reads only the guidance beam identified for this ammunition and can, using additional information, determine its absolute roll attitude in space in order to achieve the proper triggering of the correcting propulsion unit.
US08288694B2
In a microwave heating apparatus, the fundamental TE10 mode of the standard waveguide (5) having a standard rectangular cross-section is fed into an elongated heating cavity (2) having an enlarged rectangular cross-section in which the shorter side of the standard waveguide is enlarged to a length which can accommodate the desired width of a board (8) to be heated. A pair of lateral slots (25) is provided parallel in the opposite enlarged walls (11) of the heating cavity (2) to form a track for the board (8) to travel across the cavity. As the initially longer sidewall (11) of the standard waveguide is unchanged, the fundamental mode is not affected but the electric field is uniformly distributed along the width of the board (8) traversing the electric field and the cavity. As a result, wider products can be heated and a more uniform heating pattern can be achieved.
US08288682B2
A method for forming at least one micro-via on a substrate is disclosed. The method comprises drilling at least one hole in a substrate by using a first laser beam. The first laser beam has an energy distribution, which is more at edges of the first laser beam than at the center of the first laser beam. The method further comprises forming at least one blank pattern on a top surface of the substrate and around an outer periphery of the at least one hole by removing at least a portion of the substrate by using a second laser beam. At least one blank pattern of the plurality of blank pattern corresponds to pad of the at least one micro-via. Thereafter, the method comprises filling the plurality of blank patterns and the at least one micro-via with a conductive material to form at least micro-via.
US08288674B2
A copper-based winding implementing a copper-based winding of diameter that is typically greater than 90 mm, designed to generate a magnetic field in an electrical contact for a medium-voltage vacuum circuit-breaker. The winding is constituted by a hollow cylinder including helical slots about its longitudinal axis and opening out both into the hollow and to the exterior of the cylinder, winding in which the space between two consecutive slots that form a turn is empty of material and the width of each initial slot is less than 1 mm.
US08288672B2
In one form, a keypad includes a substrate and a flexible membrane disposed above a top surface of the substrate. The substrate has the top surface, a first conductor below the top surface, an insulator layer separating the first conductor from the top surface, and a second conductor disposed in proximity to the first conductor and to the top surface and coupled to a voltage terminal. The flexible membrane is disposed above the top surface of the substrate and has a third conductor forming a key. The third conductor is movable relative to the top surface. In another form, a keypad system includes such a keypad and a capacitive sensing circuit coupled to the first conductor for sensing a change in capacitance between the first conductor and the voltage terminal when the third conductor moves relative to the top surface.
US08288671B2
A key button structure includes a button body, a fixing member and a housing. The housing comprises a first housing and a second housing placed in the first housing. The first housing and the second housing together define an accommodating space. The first housing has a window defined therethrough communicating with the accommodating space. The fixing member and the button body are integrally and detachably assembled within the accommodating space of the housing. The button body is exposed through the window.
US08288666B2
In order not to damage encased circuits under temperature expansion, they are encased in an external encasement mold, wherein the encasement body thus created comprises singular or line shaped rises on its exterior surface, and is supported at said rises after insertion into the external housing. The free spaces then remaining between the encasement body and the housing are available for expansion.
US08288665B2
A multi-layer printed circuit board including a first insulating layer, a first conductor layer having conductor circuits on one surface of the first insulating layer, a second conductor layer having conductor circuits on the opposite surface of the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer on the second conductor and first insulating layers, and a third conductor layer having conductor circuits on the second insulating layer on the opposite side of the second conductor layer. The first and second insulating layers have first and second via holes which are formed in openings of the first and second insulating layers and made of conductive materials filled to the top of the openings such that conductor circuits in the first and third conductor layers are connected to one or more conductor circuits in the second conductor layer, and the first and second via holes are tapering toward the second conductor layer.
US08288661B2
A printed circuit board of a card edge connector type includes interconnections formed on a surface of a substrate to be electrically coupled to respective connecting terminals formed by electrolytic plating on an edge of the substrate, and connecting terminal-forming wirings being respectively in connection with the interconnections, when the connecting terminals are formed by the electrolytic plating. The interconnections are electrically isolated from the connecting terminal-forming wirings by process openings formed in the substrate.
US08288652B2
An exemplary ramp structure capable of being positioned over at least a portion of a cable protection system comprises first and second center portions, a first side ramp portion adjacent a side of each center portion, and a first tapered portion adjacent an end of the first side ramp portion. The first tapered portion may be tapered in at least two different directions that are substantially orthogonal to each other.
US08288650B1
A method and structure of a system of electrical boxes having at least two screw boss channels and at least two screw protrusions wherein the screw boss channels are complimentary shaped to the screw protrusions for selectively nesting like-ganged electrical boxes while preventing nesting of dislike-ganged electrical boxes for more space-efficient storage of electrical boxes while increasing inventory control and accuracy.
US08288648B2
A solar cell comprises a substrate configured to have a plurality of via holes and a first conductive type, an emitter layer placed in the substrate and configured to have a second conductive type opposite to the first conductive type, a plurality of first electrodes electrically coupled to the emitter layer, a plurality of current collectors electrically coupled to the first electrodes through the plurality of via holes, and a plurality of second electrodes electrically coupled to the substrate. The plurality of via holes comprises at least two via holes having different angles.
US08288647B2
A photoelectric conversion device which can improve photoelectric conversion efficiency is provided. The photoelectric conversion device has at least one p-i-n type photoelectric conversion part which includes a first conductivity type layer, a first i-type layer, a second i-type layer and a second conductivity type layer stacked in this order, and it is characterized in that a crystallization ratio of the first i-type layer is lower than that of the second i-type layer and a change rate of a crystallization ratio in a film-thickness direction at an interface between the first i-type layer and the second i-type layer is 0.013 to 0.24 nm−1.
US08288642B1
An electric musical instrument deploys a strap that is tensioned and spaced away from an elongated supporting member generally having a flat face or strap support that extends below the plane of the strap. The instrument is generally played by slapping, tapping or drumming on the strap to causing it to vibrate. When a flat metal strap is deployed, the vibrations are detected by a magnetic transducer or “pick up” generally disposed within the supporting members and converted to sound by conventional audio amplification.
US08288639B2
An improved union group (1) for locking a music instrument (P) to a support element (A) having a pair of support organs (2, 3), suitable to be associated with the support element (A) and to support the music instrument (P), and a seal body (4), arranged above the support organs (2, 3), and connection means (5) which permanently bind the music instrument (P) to the support organs (2, 3). The connection means (5) include a bayonet joint part of which is given by a shaped portion (6) connected with the seal body (4).
US08288626B1
A novel maize variety designated PHWRZ and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PHWRZ with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHWRZ 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 PHWRZ or a locus conversion of PHWRZ with another maize variety.
US08288615B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having endoglucanase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.
US08288614B2
The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for altering the levels of seed proteins in cereal grain. The invention is directed to the alteration of seed protein levels in plant grain, resulting in grain with increased digestibility/nutrient availability, improved amino acid composition/nutritional value, increased response to feed processing, improved silage quality, and increased efficiency of wet milling.
US08288608B2
The present invention provides transgenic non-human animals and non-human mammalian somatic and germ cells harbouring a human DNA sequence encoding Alzheimer's Disease (AD) derived tau protein, capable of inducing AD pathology in transgenic animals. Alzheimer's tau protein is expressed on specific genetic backgrounds allowing also simulation of different human diseases including hypertension, diabetes, hyper-cholesterolemia, which are associated with neurodegeneration and are considerable risk factors for AD development. Transgenic animals and cells of the present invention exhibit neurofibrillary pathology and may serve as in vivo and also in vitro assay systems for screening and developing therapeutic and preventive substances and also diagnostic markers and probes for tauopathies and AD. Furthermore these transgenic animals and cell lines derived thereof provide an in vivo and in vitro assay system for neurodegenerative disorders preferably tauopathies and AD which are the result of combinations with other disease as hypertension and others representing risk factors associated with the process of neurodegeneration.
US08288580B2
A benzophenone compound is represented by the following formula (I): (A)n-X—(B)m (I) wherein X is an organic moiety having (n+m) valence, (n+m) being an integer ranging from 1 to 4; A is B is R is H or a methyl group; n is the number of A bonded to X and is an integer ranging from 1 to 4; and m is the number of B bonded to X and is an integer ranging from 0 to 3.
US08288575B2
Provided is an alcohol production method comprising the step of reducing an ester or a lactone with hydrogen to produce a corresponding alcohol without addition of a base compound by using, as a catalyst, a ruthenium complex represented by the following general formula (1): RuH(X)(L1)(L2)n (1) wherein X represents a monovalent anionic ligand, L1 represents a tetradentate ligand having at least one coordinating phosphino group and at least one coordinating amino group or a bidentate aminophosphine ligand having one coordinating phosphino group and one coordinating amino group, and L2 represents a bidentate aminophosphine ligand having one coordinating phosphino group and one coordinating amino group, provided that n is 0 when L1 is the tetradentate ligand, and n is 1 when L1 is the bidentate aminophosphine ligand.
US08288571B2
The present invention discloses modified process for preparing aromatase inhibitor Exemestane involving suitable oxidizing agents in suitable solvents.
US08288560B2
The invention relates to thiazole, oxazole, imidazole, isoxazole and isoxazoline derivatives of general formula (I) wherein Het is thiazole, oxazole, imidazole, isoxazole or isoxazoline, n is an integer from 0 to 6, A is notably selected from various optionally substituted aromatic radicals, B is notably hydrogen, alkyl or phenyl, R1 and R2 are notably independently hydrogen, alkyl or cycloalkyl and Ω is —NR46R47 or —OR48, R46 and R47 are notably independently hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl or —(CH2)k—COOR51, R51 is notably alkyl or haloalkyl and R48 is notably hydrogen or alkyl. These compounds have advantageous pharmacological properties which allow their use in therapeutics, notably for treating neurodegenerative disorders or pain.
US08288559B2
Described herein are antibacterial compounds, methods for making the compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and methods of treating bacterial infections utilizing the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions.
US08288558B2
The present invention relates to novel compounds of the formula 1, their preparation, intermediates for the preparation and the use of the compounds of the formula 1 as catalysts in various metathesis reactions. The novel metathesis catalysts, which are obtained from readily available precursors, have a high activity and can be used for any type of metathesis reaction.
US08288556B2
Compounds of Formulas 1 and 2 where the variables have the meaning disclosed in the specification, have analgesic and in some cases immunostimulant activity.
US08288553B2
The disclosure relates to a method for preparing a compound of formula (I), wherein P1 and P2 are groups protecting the carboxylic acid and oxyamine functions, starting from pyroglutamic acid (S). The disclosure also relates to novel intermediates.
US08288551B2
Provided herein are compositions and related methods useful for free radical scavenging, with particular selectivity for mitochondria. The compounds comprise a nitroxide-containing group attached to a mitochondria-targeting group. The compounds can be cross-linked into dimers without loss of activity. Also provided herein are methods, for preventing, mitigating and treating damage caused by radiation. The method comprises delivering a compound, as described herein, to a patient in an amount and dosage regimen effective to prevent, mitigate or treat damage caused by radiation.
US08288543B2
The present invention discloses a phosphorescent tris-chelated transition metal complex comprising i) two identical carbon-nitrogen (C^N) or nitrogen-nitrogen (N^N) chromophoric ligands being incorporated into a coordination sphere thereof with a transition metal, and one carbon-phosphorus (C^P) chelate being incorporated into the coordination sphere; or ii) one carbon-nitrogen (C^N) or nitrogen-nitrogen (N^N) chromophoric ligand forming a coordination sphere thereof with a transition metal, and two identical carbon-phosphorus (C^P) chelates being incorporated into the coordination sphere, wherein the metal is iridium, platinum, osmium or ruthenium, and the chromophoric ligands possess a relatively lower energy gap in comparison with that of the non-chromophoric chelate, the latter afforded an effective barrier for inhibiting the ligand-to-ligand charge transfer process, so that bright phosphorescence can be observed. The architecture and energy gap of the present molecular designs are suitable for generation of high efficiency blue, green and even red emissions.
US08288542B2
The present invention relates to a ruthenium-type dye and a making method thereof, and more particularly, to a ruthenium-type dye which is used to manufacture a dye-sensitized solar cell, drastically improves a molar extinction coefficient to enhance efficiency of a solar cell with only a small amount of a dye and oxide semiconductor particles, allows a thin film solar cell element to be manufactured without difficulty and sharply reduces manufacturing costs of a solar cell, and a making method thereof.
US08288538B2
A compound represented by the following formula, or a salt thereof or a hydrate of the foregoing, has excellent hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR) inhibitory activity, and exhibits anti-tumor activity, angiogenesis inhibitory activity, and cancer metastasis inhibitory activity. R1 represents a 3- to 10-membered non-aromatic heterocyclic group or the like; R2 and R3 represent hydrogen; R4, R5, R6, and R7 may be the same or different and each represents hydrogen, halogen, C1-6 alkyl or the like; R8 represents hydrogen or the like; R9 represents a 3- to 10-membered non-aromatic heterocyclic group or the like; n represents an integer of 1 or 2; X represents —CH═, nitrogen or the like.
US08288531B2
A process for preparing compounds of the formula (I) in which R1 and R2 are as defined in the description.
US08288518B2
The present invention relates to a SCCA1/SCCA2 fusion protein; plasmid containing the same; antibodies of said fusion protein; methods for detecting said protein; methods for diagnosing the presence or absence of SCC by determining the presence of SCCA1/SCCA2 fusion protein.
US08288517B2
The present invention is directed to novel acid proteases and more specifically to NSP24 family proteases and NSP25 family proteases including biologically active fragments thereof and to nucleic acid molecules encoding said proteases. Also provided are vectors and host cells including nucleic acid sequences coding for the proteases, methods for producing the proteases, enzyme compositions and methods employing said proteases.
US08288516B2
To provide a functional molecule including a modified nucleotide unit having a substituent introduced to a base thereof, wherein the substituent is removably introduced to the base; a functional molecule synthesizing amidite that has a substituent removably introduced to its base and that is used for the manufacture of the functional molecule; and a target substance analysis method including: preparing a random pool of functional molecules using a functional molecule synthesizing amidite; screening a functional molecule having affinity for a target substance from the random pool; amplifying the functional molecules having affinity for the target substance, wherein the method further comprises, prior to the amplification step, removing a substituent from the functional molecule having affinity for the target substance.
US08288511B2
The present provides nuclear localization signaling (NLS) sequences derived from titin, comprised of amino acids 181-220: SVGRATSTAE LLVQGEEEVP AKKTKTIVST AQISESRQTR and fragments thereof, such as amino acids 193-208: VQGEEEVP AKKTKTIV; amino acids 199-208: VPAKKTKTIV; and amino acids 200-206: PAKKTKT. The NLS sequences can be linked to agents, such as peptides, proteins or nucleotides, for transporting the agents into the nucleus of cells, and the NLS-agent complex can be further linked to antibodies or ligands for specific binding to cells. Also provided is a method for constructing cDNAs comprising combining a NLS sequence with a nucleic acid sequence for a target protein for expression and entry of the target protein into the nucleus of cells, which then can perform specific functions therein.
US08288507B2
Conducting polythiophene films are produced by the oxidation of bithiophene or terthiophene monomers using phosphomolybdic acid, wherein the reagents are first combined to form a metastable solution, the solution is then cast as a film, and polymerization ultimately initiated by evaporation of the solvent The equivalent formation of polypyrrole via the oxidation of pyrrole using phosphomolybdic acid has been previously demonstrated, but this approach cannot be applied directly to thiophene, which has too high an oxidation potential Bithiophene and terthiophene have lower oxidation potentials, close to that of pyrrole This work suggests the previously demonstrated method is suitable for general application, requiring only the proper matching of monomer and oxidant redox potentials, and the selection of a suitable solvent and starting concentration Smooth, spin-coated polythiophene films having thicknesses of 100 to 200 run and conductivities in the range 0.2 to 0.3 S-cm−1 have been prepared.
US08288506B2
Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a conductive coating film having superior chemical resistance or solvent resistance and durability by chemically bonding a resin having an amine group (—NH2) with carbon nanotubes having a carboxyl group (—COOH). The conductive material having high bondability with carbon nanotubes and superior electrical properties includes carbon nanotubes uniformly contained therein, and thus has appropriate surface resistivity, and thereby can be used for antistatic, electrostatic dissipation and electromagnetic shielding purposes and in transparent or opaque electrodes depending on the resistivity value.
US08288504B2
The present invention is directed to a method for preparing a cyclic guanidine comprising reacting (i) a cyanamide, (ii) a polyamine, and (iii) a weak acid. The present invention is also directed to a coating composition comprising the cyclic guanidine.
US08288502B2
The current invention includes a composition having stability additives of selected inorganic salts and/or organic incorporated into an aldehyde-functionalized polymer product. The stability additive can be post added to the finished polymer product, added to the reaction vessel prior to inducing functionalization of the non-functionalized polymer, or added at any stage during the functionalization reaction. Methods for forming the composition and using the composition to produce a cellulosic fiber-based medium are also disclosed.
US08288496B2
[Problems to be Solved]To provide highly hydrous contact lenses having a cellulose derivative as an essential component.[Means to Solve the Problems]The highly hydrous contact lens formed by exposing a pasty mixture containing a cellulose derivative, a polymerizable compound couplable to the foregoing cellulose derivative, and water to radiation.
US08288491B2
A process for producing high-quality polymer microparticles having uniform particle size of the order of several micrometers to tens of micrometers by inverse suspension polymerization at high productivity while keeping excellent dispersion stability without causing aggregation among particles. The inverse suspension polymerization involves a vinyl monomer and is performed in at least two steps. A water-soluble oxidizing agent and a water-soluble reducing agent are used as a polymerization initiator, and the water-soluble reducing agent is fed after the water-soluble oxidizing agent is fed.
US08288482B2
This invention relates to curable fluoroelastomer compositions comprising a) fluoroelastomers having either nitrile, alkyne or azide cure sites and b) fluorinated curatives containing diazide, dinitrile or dialkyne groups for reacting with cure sites on the fluoroelastomer. Fluoroelastomers having azide cure sites form crosslinks with curatives having dinitrile or dialkyne groups. Fluoroelastomers having nitrile or alkyne cure sites form crosslinks with curatives having diazide groups.
US08288481B2
Novel polyolefin compositions comprising (A) a first propylene-ethylene random copolymer and (B) a second propylene-ethylene random copolymer, wherein the polyolefin composition has an ethylene content CMAB of 1-10 wt % and an MFR(AB) of 3-20 g/10 min with the proviso that CMAB>CMA and MFR(A)/MFR(AB)>1.45 and where the polyolefin composition further has a randomness R of the ethylene distribution in the polymer chain of ≧0.945. Articles made from the novel polyolefin compositions have excellent optical properties even after subjecting them to a heat sterilization step.
US08288475B2
A process is disclosed for producing an electret, which includes a step of thermally treating a composition including a fluorinated polymer and a silane coupling agent, where the fluorinated polymer has an alicyclic structure in its main chain and has a carboxy group or an alkoxycarbonyl group as its terminal group. The silane coupling agent has an amino group; and the temperature for the thermal treatment is from 250° C. to 330° C.
US08288474B2
Alkoxy-modified silsesquioxane compounds are described. The alkoxy-modified silsesquioxane compounds contain an alkoxysilane group that participates in an alkoxysilane-silica reaction as a silica dispersing agent in rubber, with the release of zero to about 0.1% by weight of the rubber of volatile organic compounds (VOC), especially alcohol, during compounding and further processing. Further described are methods for making alkoxy-modified silsesquioxanes, methods for making vulcanizable rubber compounds containing alkoxy-modified silsesquioxanes, vulcanizable rubber compounds containing alkoxy-modified silsesquioxanes, and pneumatic tires comprising a component that contains alkoxy-modified silsesquioxanes.
US08288463B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a resin composition having improved heat resistance (high crystallinity) and transparency without impairing rigidity intrinsic to a polylactic acid based resin, a molded body formed from the resin composition, and a new polylactic acid based resin used in the resin composition. A polylactic acid based resin (A) according to the present invention is characterized by having a specific structural moiety and a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 5,000 to 1,000,000. A polylactic acid based resin composition according to the present invention is characterized by containing the above-described polylactic acid based resin (A).
US08288461B2
Provided is a thermoplastic elastomer composition, which includes a halogenated isoolefin/para-alkylstyrene copolymer rubber dispersed in a polyamide resin in order to improve the fatigue durability of a polyamide resin, while maintaining high flowability of the polyamide. A thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising a continuous phase composed of a modified polyamide resin (A) and a dispersed phase composed of a halogenated isoolefin/para-alkylstyrene copolymer rubber (B) is provided. The modified polyamide resin (A) is a resin obtained by melt-kneading 100 parts by weight of a polyamide resin (C) with not less than 0.05 part by weight and less than 3 parts by weight a compound (D), such as a monofunctional epoxy compound, capable of binding to a terminal amino group of the polyamide resin at a temperature not lower than the melting point of the polyamide resin (C). The composition can be used as an inner liner of a pneumatic tire.
US08288459B2
Disclosed herein are metal-reinforced composites that can exhibit improved corrosion resistance. In particular, the composites may include a polymer dispersed within a binding medium that can impede or inhibit the corrosive effects caused by certain salts. The composites, for example, can be prepared without departing from standard procedures for preparing the composite. Also disclosed herein are methods of making the composite, corrosion-resistant components of the composite, and methods of making the corrosion-resistant components.
US08288458B2
An aggregate of functional particles includes a plurality of functional particles and an insulating material for covering the plurality of functional particles, and a large number of aggregates of functional particles are filled in a resin. Alternatively, insulating functional particles are added to the plurality of functional particles by an amount less than 50% of that of the functional particles in volume ratio.
US08288440B2
The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition or crystalline composition with a specific dissolution profile, which comprises suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof as an active ingredient. The present invention provides a process of producing said crystalline composition or pharmaceutical composition. The present invention also provides compositions with a specific particle size distribution.
US08288439B2
This invention relates to methods and compositions for the attenuation of HIV-1 replication in human cells, and especially in human macrophages. The invention particularly concerns the use of inhibitors of P21 (CDKNIA) expression to attenuate such replication. The invention particularly concerns the use of antisense P21 oligonucleotides, siRNA and/or 2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9-dien28-oic (CDDO) to attenuate such replication.
US08288438B2
Compounds, compositions, and methods of avoiding edema while treating or preventing PPARγ-mediated diseases, including cancer, using derivatives and prodrugs are provided.
US08288434B2
An aqueous formulation for topical application to the skin comprising water, a water-miscible organic solvent, and benzoyl peroxide, wherein the concentration of the organic solvent is sufficient to provide a stable suspension of benzoyl peroxide in the aqueous formulation without the inclusion of a surfactant in the formulation, wherein the ratio of concentrations of water and organic solvent in the formulation is sufficient to maintain the benzoyl peroxide in saturated solubility in the formulation following application to the skin, and wherein the concentration of benzoyl peroxide in the formulation is less than 5.0% and at least 1.0% w/w. The formulation may further contain a chemical compound in addition to benzoyl peroxide that is effective in the treatment of acne. The aqueous formulations of the invention are useful in the treatment of acne and acne rosacea.
US08288426B2
A composition comprising fenamidone (a) and an insecticide compound (b) in a (a)/(b) weight ratio of from 1/1000 to 1000/1.A composition further comprising an additional fungicidal compound.A method for preventively or curatively combating the pests and diseases of crops by using this composition.
US08288424B2
Substituted tetrahydroimidazopyridine compounds corresponding to formula I: in which R1, R2 and R3 have defined meanings, processes for preparing such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, and the use of such compounds for treating or inhibiting pain, epilepsy, migraine, anxiety or urinary incontinence.
US08288423B2
The present invention relates to novel oxazolidinone derivatives with cyclic amidines, and prodrugs, hydrates, solvates, isomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and processes for preparing the same, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same. The oxazolidinone derivatives with cyclic amidines, and prodrugs, hydrates, solvates, isomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof can be usefully employed as an anticoagulant for treating thromboembolism and tumors via inhibition of coagulation factor Xa.
US08288420B2
Compounds incorporating aryl substituted olefinic amine are provided. Representative compounds are (4E)-N-methyl-5-(3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine, (4E)-N-methyl-5-(5-pyrimidinyl)-4-penten-2-amine, (4E)-N-methyl-5-(5-methoxy-3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine, (4E)-N-methyl-5-(6-amino-5-methyl-3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine, (2R)-(4E)-N-methyl-5-(3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine, (2R)-(4E)-N-methyl-5-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine, (4E)-N-methyl-5-(5-bromo-3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine, (4E)-N-methyl-5-(5-ethoxy-3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine, (2S)-(4E)-N-methyl-5-(3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine, (4E)-N-methyl-5-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine and (2S)-(4E)-N-methyl-5-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridyl)-4-penten-2-amine.
US08288416B2
The present invention relates to oxazolidinones of Formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, pharmaceutically acceptable solvates or polymorphs thereof. The invention also relates to processes for the preparation of the compound of Formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, pharmaceutically acceptable solvates or polymorphs thereof, and to pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of Formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, pharmaceutically acceptable solvates or polymorphs thereof and to methods for treating or preventing microbial infections using the compounds of Formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, pharmaceutically acceptable solvates or polymorphs thereof.
US08288411B2
The invention relates to compounds of formula (I) wherein Y, A, N and R1 are as described in the description, to salts, especially pharmaceutically acceptable salts, of such compounds and to the use of such compounds as medicaments, especially as orexin receptor antagonists.
US08288409B2
The present invention is directed to compounds of formula (I) (I) which are M1 receptor positive allosteric modulators and that are useful in the treatment of diseases in which the M1 receptor is involved, such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, pain or sleep disorders. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and to the use of the compounds and compositions in the treatment of diseases mediated by the M1 receptor.
US08288400B2
The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of protein kinases. The invention also provides processes for preparing the compounds, pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds, and methods of using the compounds and compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders.
US08288399B2
Method for treating Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea or Pick's disease by administering to a patient a compound of formula (I) wherein R1 represents hydrogen; R2 represents hydrogen, a C1-C6 alkyl group or C3-C6 cycloalkyl group; A represents nitrogen; D represents a methylene group, a methyl methylene group, a halogen atom substituted methylene group or a halogen substituted methyl methylene group; E represents CH2, CHR3 wherein R3 represents a C1-C6 alkyl group, CH or a carbon atom substituted by a C1-C6 alkyl group; Arom represents aryl, aryl having from 1 to 3 identical or different substituent groups selected from halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, and C1-C6 alkyloxy, heteroaryl or heteroaryl having from 1 to 3 substituent groups, selected from halogen, C1-C6 alkyl and C1-C6 alkyloxy. The part represented by is a single bond or double bond.
US08288398B2
The present invention is related to a novel series of pyrimidyl or fused pyrimidyl hydrazones. Compounds of Formula (I) wherein A is selected from the group consisting of Formulas (A1), (A2), (A3), (A4), (A5) are useful for the treatment and/or prevention of a proliferative disease.
US08288396B2
The invention is to provide a novel anticancer agent or sensitizer for cancer chemotherapy or radiotherapy. A compound of a general formula (I): wherein A means an aryl group or a heteroaryl group, or a group of a formula (a): R1 means a —(C═O)aOb(C1-C6)alkyl group, a —(C═O)aOb(C2-C6)alkenyl group, a —(C═O)aOb(C3-C6)cycloalkyl group, an aryl group or a heteroaryl group; R2 and R3 each mean a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, a —(C═O)aOb(C1-C6)alkyl group or a group of —(C═O)aN(R1e)R2e; R4 means a hydrogen atom or a (C1-C6)alkyl group, and the like have an excellent Wee1-kinase-inhibitory effect, and are therefore useful in the field of medicine, especially in the field of various cancer treatments.
US08288378B2
The present invention relates to the use of agents that inhibit the toxic effects of amyloid oligomers by increasing intracellular levels of phosphoinositol 4-phosphate (PI(4)P, or “PIP”) and/or phosphotidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate (PI(4,5)P2 or “PIP2”), the use of such agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, methods of treating neurodegenerative diseases by administration of agents which alter lipid metabolism, and methods of identifying agents which alter the association of presenilins with γ-secretase and lipid rafts.
US08288370B2
The present invention relates to new substituted azetidine compounds of formula (I): or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as further described herein, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and the use of the compounds in the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders, IBS, and functional dyspepsia. The compounds are neurokinin (NK) antagonists. The present invention further relates to processes for the preparation of the compounds.
US08288358B2
The invention provides methods and compositions for treating or preventing inflammation or an inflammatory condition in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of at least one antagonist of one or more miRNA upregulated in inflammatory disease conditions and response to allergen challenge. The invention also provides methods for diagnosing inflammatory conditions based on miRNA expression profile signatures.
US08288347B2
The present specification provides compositions useful as dermal fillers and methods using such compositions to treat a condition of skin.
US08288346B2
The internalization sequence at the C-terminal end of the ROMK protein has been identified and sequenced. It has been discovered determined that endocytosis is triggered by binding of the ROMK internalization sequence to ARH protein, which is co-localized and expressed with ROMK. New methods of treating or preventing hyperkalemia have been discovered that include administering to a patient who is at risk of developing hyperkalemia or who has hyperkalemia, a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that blocks the interaction of the ROMK internalization sequence with ARH protein, thereby preventing or reducing ARH-induced endocytosis of ROMK.
US08288335B2
Novel ApoE peptide derivatives and ApoE-protein transduction domain conjugates are disclosed which are useful for treating disorders including CNS inflammation, traumatic brain injury, inflammatory bowel disease (also known as Crohn's Disease or ulcerative colitis), cerebral ischemia, atherosclerosis, sepsis, multiple sclerosis and arthritic diseases, Alzheimer's Disease and other brain disorders. The invention encompasses methods for protecting subjects having undergone irradiation or radiotherapy by administration of ApoE or at least one ApoE mimetic peptide.
US08288333B2
A process for making a detergent composition, the detergent composition comprising: a) from about 0.1% to about 50% by weight of the composition of a polymer in particulate form comprising: i) a carboxylic acid monomer; ii) more than about 5% by weight of the polymer of a sulfonic acid monomer; and iii) optionally a non-ionic monomer; and b) from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight of the composition of a hydrophilic silica. the process comprising the steps of: a) pre-mixing the polymer with the hydrophilic silica to obtain a polymer/silica premix; and b) mixing polymer/silica premix with any additional detergent components.
US08288332B2
Fabric conditioning compositions such as those that are typically provided to the consumer in liquid form are disclosed. The fabric care conditioning composition is in the form of a porous, dissolvable substrate. The substrate comprises diester quaternary ammonium compound, water soluble polymer and Remaining Water. The substrate may take any number of suitable shapes.
US08288328B1
Aniline compounds useful as ashless TBN sources for lubricating oil compositions that are compatible with fluoroelastomeric engine seal materials, and lubricating oil compositions containing such aniline compounds.
US08288313B2
A thermal recording material comprises a support and a thermal recording layer formed thereon, the thermal recording layer containing an electron-donating dye precursor and an electron-receiving developer that causes said dye precursor to develop a color, wherein said thermal recording layer contains vapor-phase synthesis silica, preferably, the vapor-phase synthesis silica has a specific surface area, measured by a BET method, of 50 to 200 m2/g and further is doped with aluminum oxide, and the thermal recording layer further contains the above vapor-phase synthesis silica and a diphenyl sulfones-bridged type compound, and the thermal recording material is excellent in anti-sticking property and image stability.
US08288310B2
An automobile exhaust gas purification catalyst comprised of a support mainly comprised of ZrO2 in which Rh is supported as a catalyst metal preventing sintering of the support, raising the supporting efficiency, and raising the low temperature activity and a method of production of the same are provided. An automobile exhaust gas purification catalyst comprised of a support mainly comprised of ZrO2, sintered under firing conditions where the as fired ZrO2 will substantially not be charged in a catalyst metal supporting treatment solution, in which Rh is supported as a catalyst metal in a particle state. The method of production includes a step of charging the support mainly comprised of ZrO2 fired under the above firing conditions by applying at least one treatment of an acid treatment and a base treatment and a step of dipping the charged state support in the catalyst supporting treatment solution including a colloid of Rh as the catalyst metal to make the Rh colloid be adsorbed on the support.
US08288297B1
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to nonvolatile memory devices, such as a ReRAM cells, and methods for manufacturing such memory devices, which includes optimized, atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes for forming metal oxide film stacks. The metal oxide film stacks contain a metal oxide coupling layer disposed on a metal oxide host layer, each layer having different grain structures/sizes. The interface disposed between the metal oxide layers facilitates oxygen vacancy movement. In many examples, the interface is a misaligned grain interface containing numerous grain boundaries extending parallel to the electrode interfaces, in contrast to the grains in the bulk film extending perpendicular to the electrode interfaces. As a result, oxygen vacancies are trapped and released during switching without significant loss of vacancies. Therefore, the metal oxide film stacks have improved switching performance and reliability during memory cell applications compared to traditional hafnium oxide based stacks of previous memory cells.
US08288289B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, the method including providing a substrate; forming an underlying layer on the substrate; forming a sacrificial layer on the underlying layer; forming an opening in the sacrificial layer by patterning the sacrificial layer such that the opening exposes a predetermined region of the underlying layer; forming a mask layer in the opening; forming an oxide mask by partially or completely oxidizing the mask layer; removing the sacrificial layer; and etching the underlying layer using the oxide mask as an etch mask to form an underlying layer pattern.
US08288288B1
Methods that increase the overall rate of heat transfer between a substrate and a heat sink or source, e.g., in a loadlock are provided. According to various embodiments, the methods involve varying the heat transfer coefficient of a heat transfer gas in the loadlock or other chamber. The heat transfer coefficient is varied to reduce the time-dependent variation of the rate of heat transfer. As a result, the overall rate of heat transfer is improved. In certain embodiments, the methods involve varying the gas pressure of a chamber in order to affect the rate of heat transfer to a wafer within a system. By manipulating the gas pressure accordingly, the rate of heat transfer is controlled throughout the heating or cooling cycle.
US08288286B2
A main etching step is effected in a state shown in FIG. 1A under a first pressure using a gas containing at least HBr, e.g., a mixture gas of HBr and Cl2 as an etching gas. The main etching is ended before a silicon oxide film 102, as shown in FIG. 1B, is exposed. An over-etching process is effected under a second pressure higher than the first pressure using a gas containing at least HBr, e.g., an HBr single gas so as to completely expose the silicon oxide film 102 as shown in FIG. 1C. In such a way, the selectivity of a silicon-containing conductive layer with respect to the silicon oxide film is improved compared to conventional methods. Without etching the silicon oxide film layer, which is an underlying layer, and without marring the shape of the silicon-containing conductive film layer formed by etching, only the desired silicon-containing conductive film layer is removed by etching reliably.
US08288281B2
Method for reducing resist poisoning. The method includes the steps of forming a first structure in a dielectric on a substrate, reducing amine related contaminants from the dielectric and the substrate prior to a formation of a second structure on the substrate such that the amine related contaminates will not diffuse out from either the substrate or the dielectric, wherein the reducing utilizes a plasma treatment which one of chemically ties up the amine related contaminates and binds, traps, or consumes the amine related contaminates during subsequent processing steps, forming the second structure on the substrate, and after the forming of the first structure, preventing poisoning of a resist layer in subsequent processing by the reducing.
US08288276B2
Interconnect structures having improved electromigration resistance are provided that include a metallic interfacial layer (or metal alloy layer) that is present at the bottom of a via opening. The via opening is located within a second dielectric material that is located atop a first dielectric material that includes a first conductive material embedded therein. The metallic interfacial layer (or metal alloy layer) that is present at the bottom of the via opening is located between the underlying first conductive material embedded within the first dielectric and the second conductive material that is embedded within the second dielectric material. Methods of fabricating the improved electromigration resistance interconnect structures are also provided.
US08288272B2
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of first interconnection layers which are provided in an insulating layer and formed in a pattern having a width and space smaller than a resolution limit of an exposure technique, and a second interconnection layer which is provided between the first interconnection layers in the insulating layer and has a width larger than that of a first interconnection layer. A space between the second interconnection layer and each of first interconnection layers adjacent to both sides of the second interconnection layer equals the space between the first interconnection layers.
US08288271B2
A method and a structure for reworking an antireflective coating (ARC) layer over a semiconductor substrate. The method includes providing a substrate having a material layer, forming a planarization layer on the material layer, forming an organic solvent soluble layer on the planarization layer, forming an ARC layer on the organic solvent soluble layer, forming a pattern in the ARC layer, and removing the organic solvent soluble layer and the ARC layer with an organic solvent while leaving the planarization layer unremoved. The structure includes a substrate having a material layer, a planarization layer on the material layer, an organic solvent soluble layer on the planarization layer, and an ARC layer on the organic solvent soluble layer.
US08288270B2
The embodiments provide a method for reducing electromigration in a circuit containing a through-silicon via (TSV) and the resulting novel structure for the TSV. A TSV is formed through a semiconductor substrate. A first end of the TSV connects to a first metallization layer on a device side of the semiconductor substrate. A second end of the TSV connects to a second metallization layer on a grind side of the semiconductor substrate. A first flat edge is created on the first end of the TSV at the intersection of the first end of the TSV and the first metallization layer. A second flat edge is created on the second end of the TSV at the intersection of the second end of the TSV and the second metallization layer. On top of the first end a metal contact grid is placed, having less than eighty percent metal coverage.
US08288268B2
A microelectronic structure and a method for fabricating the microelectronic structure provide a plurality of voids interposed between a plurality of conductor layers. The plurality of voids is also located between a liner layer and an inter-level dielectric layer. The voids provide for enhanced electrical performance of the microelectronic structure.
US08288256B2
By combining an anneal process for adjusting the effective channel length and a substantially diffusion-free anneal process performed after a deep drain and source implantation, the vertical extension of the drain and source region may be increased substantially without affecting the previously adjusted channel length. In this manner, in SOI devices, the drain and source regions may extend down to the buried insulating layer, thereby reducing the parasitic capacitance, while the degree of dopant activation and thus series resistance in the extension regions may be improved. Furthermore, less critical process parameters during the anneal process for adjusting the channel length may provide the potential for reducing the lateral dimensions of the transistor devices.
US08288251B2
Provided is a method of preparing an SOI substrate having a backside roughened which the SOI substrate has a reduced number of defects in a silicon layer at the front surface in spite of sandblasting having been applied to the backside of the SOI substrate. Specifically provided is the method comprising the steps of: etching 10 nm or more of a surface of a silicon film of an SOI substrate; sandblasting a backside of the SOI substrate with protective tape attached to the etched surface of the silicon film, the back side being the other side of the SOI substrate from the etched surface; removing the protective tape after the sandblasting; and polishing and cleaning a silicon film surface from which the protective tape has been removed.
US08288248B2
There is provided a method of removing trap levels and defects, which are caused by stress, from a single crystal silicon thin film formed by an SOI technique. First, a single crystal silicon film is formed by using a typical bonding SOI technique such as Smart-Cut or ELTRAN. Next, the single crystal silicon thin film is patterned to form an island-like silicon layer, and then, a thermal oxidation treatment is carried out in an oxidizing atmosphere containing a halogen element, so that an island-like silicon layer in which the trap levels and the defects are removed is obtained.
US08288246B2
The present invention provides a structure combining an IC integrated substrate and a carrier, which comprises a carrier and an IC integrated substrate formed on the carrier. The IC integrated substrate has a first dielectric layer attached to the carrier. The materials of the carrier and the first dielectric layer are selected to prevent the IC integrated substrate from peeling off the carrier during processing and to allow the IC integrated substrate to naturally separate from the carrier after being cut, through the adhesion between the carrier and the first dielectric layer. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing the above structure and a method of manufacturing electrical devices using the above structure.
US08288238B2
The present invention discloses a method for self-alignedly fabricating tunneling field-effect transistor (TFET) based on planar process, thereby lowering requirements on a photolithography process for fabricating the planar TFET. In the method, the source region and the drain region of the TFET are not directly defined by photolithography; rather, they are defined by another dielectric film which locates over an active region and on both sides of the gate and which is different from the dielectric film that defines the channel region. The influence due to the alignment deviation among three times of photolithography process for defining the channel region, the source and the drain regions may be eliminated by selectively removing the dielectric film over the source and drain regions by wet etching. Therefore, a planar TFET may be fabricated self-alignedly based on this process, thereby the rigid requirements on the alignment deviation of the photolithography during the fabrication procedure of a planar TFET is alleviated, which facilitates to fabricate a planar TFET device with stable and reliable characteristics.
US08288231B1
A method of fabricating a recessed channel access transistor device is provided. First, a semiconductor substrate having thereon a recess etched into a major surface is provided. A gate dielectric layer is then formed on interior surface of the recess. A recessed gate electrode is then formed in and on the recess. The recessed gate electrode comprises a recessed gate portion that is inlaid into the recess and under the major surface, and an upper gate portion above the major surface. An exposed sidewall of the recessed gate electrode is isotropically etched to thereby form a trimmed neck portion having a width that is smaller than that of the recessed gate portion. An exposed sidewall of the trimmed neck portion is then oxidized.
US08288225B2
A nonvolatile memory array includes floating gates that have an inverted-T shape in cross section along a plane that is perpendicular to the direction along which floating cells are connected together to form a string. Adjacent strings are isolated by shallow trench isolation structures.
US08288211B2
Systems and methods for forming an encapsulated device include a hermetic seal which seals an insulating environment between two substrates, one of which supports the device. The hermetic seal is formed by an alloy of two metal layers, one deposited on a first substrate and the other deposited on the second substrate. At least one of the substrates may include a raised feature formed under at least one of the metal layers. One of the metal layer may have a diffusion barrier layer and a “keeper” layer formed thereover, wherein the keeper layers keeps the metal confined to a particular area. By using such a “keeper” layer, the substrate components may be heated to clean their surfaces, without activating or spending the bonding mechanism.
US08288209B1
A semiconductor device has a leadframe with a plurality of bodies extending from the base plate. A first semiconductor die is mounted to the base plate of the leadframe between the bodies. An encapsulant is deposited over the first semiconductor die and base plate and around the bodies of the leadframe. A portion of the encapsulant over the bodies of the leadframe is removed to form first openings in the encapsulant that expose the bodies. An interconnect structure is formed over the encapsulant and extending into the first openings to the bodies of the leadframe. The leadframe and bodies are removed to form second openings in the encapsulant corresponding to space previously occupied by the bodies to expose the interconnect structure. A second semiconductor die is mounted over the first semiconductor die with bumps extending into the second openings of the encapsulant to electrically connect to the interconnect structure.
US08288205B2
The present invention is a method of manufacture of a package-in-package system, comprising: providing a bottom internal stacking module incorporating a semiconductor die and a package substrate, attaching an internal stiffening module, with a die receptacle, on the bottom internal stacking module, and attaching a top internal stacking module incorporating a further semiconductor die and a further package substrate upside-down on the internal stiffening module.
US08288203B2
A semiconductor device has a carrier. A semiconductor wafer including a semiconductor die is mounted to the carrier with an active surface of the semiconductor die facing away from the carrier. A plurality of bumps is formed over the active surface of the semiconductor die. An opening is formed in a periphery of the semiconductor die. An encapsulant is deposited over the carrier and semiconductor die, in the opening, and around the plurality of bumps such that an exposed portion of the plurality of bumps is devoid of encapsulant. A conductive via is formed through the encapsulant, within the opening, and extends to the carrier. A conductive layer is formed over the encapsulant and electrically connects to the conductive via and the exposed portion of the plurality of bumps. The carrier is removed to expose an end of the conductive via.
US08288201B2
A semiconductor die has first and second discrete semiconductor components mounted over a plurality of wettable contact pads formed on a carrier. Conductive pillars are formed over the wettable contact pads. A semiconductor die is mounted to the conductive pillars over the first discrete components. The conductive pillars provide vertical stand-off of the semiconductor die as headroom for the first discrete components. The second discrete components are disposed outside a footprint of the semiconductor die. Conductive TSV can be formed through the semiconductor die. An encapsulant is deposited over the semiconductor die and first and second discrete components. The wettable contact pads reduce die and discrete component shifting during encapsulation. A portion of a back surface of the semiconductor die is removed to reduce package thickness. An interconnect structure is formed over the encapsulant and semiconductor die. Third discrete semiconductor components can be mounted over the semiconductor die.
US08288190B2
The present invention provides methods of making junction devices, such as, fabrication methods. In certain embodiments, the junction device is a graphene/oxide semiconductor Schottky junction device or graphene/oxide semiconductor p-n heterojunction device. In certain instances, the Schottky junction device comprises graphene vapor-deposited directly on thin films, nanowires, nanotubes, nanobelts or nanoparticles, while the p-n heterojunction device is manufactured by doping the graphene of the Schottky junction device.
US08288186B2
A substrate including a host and a seed layer bonded to the host is provided, then a semiconductor structure including a light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region is grown on the seed layer. In some embodiments, a bonding layer bonds the host to the seed layer. The seed layer may be thinner than a critical thickness for relaxation of strain in the semiconductor structure, such that strain in the semiconductor structure is relieved by dislocations formed in the seed layer, or by gliding between the seed layer and the bonding layer an interface between the two layers. In some embodiments, the host may be separated from the semiconductor structure and seed layer by etching away the bonding layer.
US08288181B2
A light emitting diode and its fabricating method are disclosed. A light emitting diode epitaxy structure is formed on a substrate, and then the light emitting diode epitaxy structure is etched to form a recess. The recess is then filled with a transparent dielectric material. An adhesive layer is utilized to adhere a conductive substrate and the light emitting diode epitaxy structure. Next, the substrate is removed.
US08288168B2
Improved systems and methods for tissue processing are described here. The chemical process and the construction of the apparatus are simplified by using only two different solutions in two separate reaction modules. They are compatible with processing of tissue specimens for genetic analysis, histology, in situ antibody binding and hybridization, archival preservation of morphology and nucleic acids, and combinations thereof.
US08288165B2
The invention relates to using heterobimetallic coordination polymers and their uses as chemodosimeters for sensing materials for the screening of specific biogenic amines.
US08288162B2
The present invention relates to a nano-particle biochip substrate comprising a substrate having attached thereto (bearing), on or in a surface, nano-particles having a cross sectional diameter of from about 0.1 nm. to about 50 nm. and useful to immobilize one or more moieties of interest.
US08288157B2
A scanning sensor system, methods of use and kits for detecting a biologically active analyte are provided. The scanning sensor system includes a light source, a detector, a substrate comprising a plurality of waveguides and a plurality of optical sensing sites in optical communication with one or more waveguide of the substrate, and at least one adapter configured to couple with the substrate and provide optical communication between the light source, the waveguides of the substrate, and the detector.
US08288145B2
The use of macrolide polyene antibiotics or derivatives or analogues thereof as culture supplement for the propagation of virus is described. Further pharmaceutical compositions comprising a virus and a macrolide polyene antibiotic or a derivative or analogue thereof and methods for using of macrolide polyene antibiotics for transfection and infection of cells as well as the use of macrolide polyene antibiotics for the isolation of virus from clinical samples are disclosed.
US08288139B2
A galactosamine derivative represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1, R2 and R5 each independently represents SO3− or H, and at least one of them represents SO3−; R3 represents H, acetyl or SO3−; R4 represents H, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted acyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group; X represents O, S, NH or CH2; and represents an α bond or a β bond, and a sulfotransferase inhibitor comprising the derivative.
US08288123B2
A method of providing a subject polypeptide variant with improved stability compared with a parent subject polypeptide, employing translation and selection using an RNA expression system, wherein two or more stability selection pressures are applied simultaneously during translation, two or more stability selection pressures are applied simultaneously during selecting, or at least one stability selection pressure is applied during translation and continues to be applied during selecting, and at least one further stability selection pressure is applied during selecting.
US08288122B2
A method is disclosed for reversing fixation-induced cross-linking in tissue specimens that have been preserved for histological examination. The method involves placing the fixed tissue in a liquid under elevated temperature and pressure conditions that are sufficient to reverse the fixation-induced cross-linking, restore antigenicity to proteins, and permit improved molecular and proteomic analysis of the preserved tissue specimen. Methods are also disclosed for processing tissues for histological examination under elevated pressure conditions that enhance the perfusion of liquid reagents into the tissue and reduce overall processing times.
US08288121B2
The invention is directed to methods and compositions for deparaffinizing paraffin-embedded biological samples for subsequent tissue staining. The compositions are microemulsions that may include water/oil/surfactant microemulsions, and optionally a cosurfactant. The microemulsions enable deparaffinization without the use of xylene or toluene, and also enable solvent exchange without the use of intermediary alcohol dehydration or alcohol rehydration compositions.
US08288114B2
The present invention aims to provide a convenient and low-cost method for detection of a wide variety of compounds interacting with a target molecule located on a cell membrane, using a living cell without need of separating the cell membrane or the like from the cell. The present invention also aims to provide a kit for carrying out the method of the present invention. The method for detection of the compound interacting with the molecule located on the cell membrane in the present invention comprises steps of, allowing a compound having a moiety capable of binding selectively to the molecule located on the cell membrane and a radicalization-promoting moiety, to act on the cell; further allowing a compound having a group capable of being radicalized by the radicalization-promoting moiety and a labeling group, to act on the cell; and identifying the interacting compound bound by the compound radicalized by the radicalization-promoting moiety.
US08288111B2
The present disclosure provides among other things immunoassays exhibiting reduced cross-reactivity with analyte metabolites. Additionally, the present disclosure provides diagnostic immunoassays to determine the concentration or level in a test sample of a hydrophobic drug that metabolizes in vivo or in vitro to form cross-reacting metabolites wherein cross-reactivity with such metabolites of the drug analyte is reduced. In particular, the disclosure provides such immunoassays where the hydrophobic drug is an immunosuppressant drug such as cyclosporine A.
US08288103B2
The invention is directed to a variety of multiplexing methods used to amplify and/or genotype a variety of samples simultaneously.
US08288102B2
In accordance with the invention, novel gene deletions and translocations involving chromosome 2 resulting in fusion proteins combining part of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) kinase with part of a secondary protein have now been identified in human solid tumors, e.g. non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Secondary proteins include Echinoderm Microtubule-Associated Protein-Like 4 (EML-4) and TRK-Fusion Gene (TFG). The EML4-ALK fusion protein, which retains ALK tyrosine kinase activity, was confirmed to drive the proliferation and survival of NSCLC characterized by this mutation. The invention therefore provides, in part, isolated polynucleotides and vectors encoding the disclosed mutant ALK kinase polypeptides, probes for detecting it, isolated mutant polypeptides, recombinant polypeptides, and reagents for detecting the fusion and truncated polypeptides. The disclosed identification of this new fusion protein enables new methods for determining the presence of these mutant ALK kinase polypeptides in a biological sample, methods for screening for compounds that inhibit the proteins, and methods for inhibiting the progression of a cancer characterized by the mutant polynucleotides or polypeptides, which are also provided by the invention.
US08288093B2
The present invention relates to means for the detection and characterization of nucleic acid sequences, as well as variations in nucleic acid sequences. The present invention also relates to methods for forming a nucleic acid cleavage structure on a target sequence and cleaving the nucleic acid cleavage structure in a site-specific manner. The structure-specific nuclease activity of a variety of enzymes is used to cleave the target-dependent cleavage structure, thereby indicating the presence of specific nucleic acid sequences or specific variations thereof. The present invention further relates to methods and devices for the separation of nucleic acid molecules based on charge. The present invention also provides methods for the detection of non-target cleavage products via the formation of a complete and activated protein binding region. The invention further provides sensitive and specific methods for the detection of human cytomegalovirus nucleic acid in a sample.
US08288091B2
The present invention relates to the identification of a novel mechanism of transcription infidelity in cells. The invention provides compositions and methods to detect the level of transcript ion infidelity in a sample, as well as the use thereof, e.g., for therapeutic, diagnostic, pharmacogenomic or drug design. As will be disclosed, the invention is particularly suited for detecting, monitoring or treating proliferative cell disorders, for the design and/or screening of drugs, for patient or disease profiling, prediction of disease severity and evaluation of drug efficacy.
US08288087B2
The present invention provides a method for determining a response of a mammalian subject having melanoma tumor cells to treatment with a melanoma inhibitory agent. In one aspect, the method comprises (a) determining a first concentration of melanoma inhibitory activity protein (MIA) in a first biological sample taken from the mammalian subject before treatment with the melanoma inhibitory agent; (b) determining a second concentration of MIA in a second biological sample from the mammalian subject taken after treatment with the melanoma inhibitory agent; and (c) comparing the first and second concentrations of MIA, wherein a decrease in the second concentration of MIA measured in the second biological sample as compared to the first concentration of MIA measured in the first biological sample indicates a positive response to the treatment with the melanoma inhibitory agent.
US08288082B2
Example embodiments provide a method of fabricating a triode-structure field-emission device. A cathode, an insulating layer, and a gate metal layer may be sequentially formed on a substrate. A first resist pattern having a first opening and a second resist pattern having a second opening smaller than the first opening may be formed to be sequentially laminated on the gate metal layer. Then, the gate metal layer and the insulating layer may be etched using the first resist pattern to form a gate electrode and an insulating layer having a first hole and a second hole corresponding to the first opening. A catalyst layer may be formed on the cathode exposed through the first and second holes using the second resist pattern. After the first resist pattern, second resist pattern, and the catalyst layer on the second resist pattern are removed, an emitter may be formed on the catalyst layer in the second hole.
US08288067B2
The present disclosure provides toners and processes for making said toners. In embodiments, the toners are invisible when viewed under natural light, but possess a UV additive that renders them visible when exposed to UV light of a specific wavelength. By selecting the appropriate UV additive and ionic crosslinker, with optional chelating agent, the gloss of the toner may be tailored to match the gloss of any substrate, such as paper, to which the toner is to be applied, thereby further enhancing its invisibility under visible light.
US08288063B2
A method includes performing a lithography process on a wafer to form a patterned photo resist, and measuring the wafer to determine an overlay error of the patterned photo resist. A high/low specification is determined using the overlay error. An overlay process value setting is generated and compared with the high/low specification to determine whether the overlay process value setting is within a range defined by the high/low specification.
US08288061B2
A reticle includes: a repetition pattern; and a peripheral pattern. One of the repetition pattern and peripheral pattern is a first pattern with a first side in a first direction and the other is a second pattern with a second side in the first direction. The first side has a first length equal to or longer than a second length of the second side. The first length is n (n is an integer equal to or larger than 1) times as large as the second length. The first pattern has at least one of first misalignment measurement patterns provided at positions distant by a third length and ((the third length)+(n−1)×(the second length)) from an upper end of the first pattern. The third length is equal to or smaller than the second length. The second pattern has a second misalignment measurement pattern provided at a position distant by the third length from an upper end of the second pattern.
US08288060B2
Disclosed are a metal-supported solid oxide fuel cell and a method for manufacturing the metal-supported solid oxide fuel cell. The method includes: fixedly joining a metal support to one surface of a unit cell including a fuel electrode, an air electrode and an electrolyte layer interposed between the fuel and air electrodes to fabricate a metal-supported unit cell (S210); fixing a first separator to the surface of the metal support opposite to the surface thereof to which the unit cell is joined (S220); and assembling the first separator to which the metal-supported unit cell is fixed, an insulating member, a first current collecting member and a second separator (S230). In the metal-supported solid oxide fuel cell, the metal support having a hollow portion in place of a mesh type current collector can be securely sealed to the first separator by direct welding to allow the fuel gas and air to be supplied to the unit cell through respective defined flow passages without being mixed or leakage. Due to this construction, the metal-supported solid oxide fuel cell is stable and has high energy production efficiency. Furthermore, the metal-supported solid oxide fuel cell has sufficient mechanical strength, resulting in improved durability and extended service life.
US08288059B2
A method and apparatus for making fuel cell components via a roll to roll process are described. Spaced apart apertures are cut in first and second gasket webs that each include adhesives. The first and second gasket webs are transported to a bonding station on conveyers. A membrane web that includes at least an electrolyte membrane is also transported to the bonding station. At the bonding station, a gasketed membrane web is formed by attaching the first and second gasket webs to the membrane web. The first gasket web is attached to a first surface of the membrane web via the adhesive layer of the first gasket web. The second gasket web is attached to a second surface of the membrane web via the adhesive layer of the second gasket web.
US08288056B2
In a fuel cell including a gasket, which includes a lip portion, as a sealing member, the fuel cell includes a fuel cell constituent element (18) disposed adjacent to the lip portion (50) of the gasket (48), and a non-adhesive layer (54) disposed between the gasket (48) and the fuel cell constituent element (18).
US08288048B2
A thermal management system is disclosed for a hybrid vehicle having an electrochemical power source (battery/fuel cell) and an internal combustion engine. In cooling mode, the system will flow liquid refrigerant over an evaporator attached to the battery/fuel cell, a two-phase mixture will then flow to the condenser where the heat is dissipated to ambient. In cold conditions where the battery/fuel cell needs to be warmed, the system will pick up heat from the engine and pump the warm fluid back to the battery/fuel cell until its optimal operating temperature is reached.
US08288038B2
In a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, a separator in which its dynamic hardness DH obtained when the load to an indenter reaches 12 kgf/cm2 is 1000 or more is used. This separator includes at least one porous layer X including a polyolefin, and at least one porous layer Y including a heat resistant resin. The porosity of the porous layer X is 35% or more and 65% or less. In a pore size distribution of the porous layer X measured with a mercury porosimeter, a ratio of pores having a pore size of 0.02 μm or more and 0.2 μm or less is 40 vol % or more relative to a total pore volume. The thermal deformation temperature of the heat resistant resin is 160° C. or more.
US08288033B2
Provided is a laminated porous film having excellent shutdown characteristics and breakdown characteristics, good tearing strength and dimensional stability, and B activity. The laminated porous film comprises layer A, the main component of which is a polypropylene resin, and layer B which contains a polyethylene resin, and the ratio of the rearing strength (HMD) in the machine direction (MD) of the laminated porous film and the tearing strength (HTD) in the transverse direction (TD) of the laminated porous film with respect to the machine direction (HMD) (HTD) is 0.08 to 2.0.
US08288027B2
An electronic device includes a main body, a control switch, and a sliding block. The main body defines a cavity for receiving a battery. The main body includes a sidewall defining an opening communicating with the cavity. The sidewall further defines a through hole adjacent to the opening. The control switch is engaged in the through hole and rotatable with respect to the sidewall. The control switch includes a protruding portion. The sliding block is movable in the main body. The protruding portion presses against the sliding block and pushes a part of the sliding block into the cavity to block the battery therein when the control switch is rotated to a first position.
US08288017B2
There are provided a novel fused ring aromatic compound and an organic light-emitting device which has an optical output with extremely high efficiency and luminance, and also has extremely high durability. The organic light-emitting device includes an anode, a cathode, and a layer including an organic compound interposed between the anode and the cathode, wherein the layer comprises a fused ring aromatic compound represented by the general formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13, R14, R15, and R16 each represent, independently of one another, a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, a substituted amino group, or a halogen atom.
US08288010B2
A sheet-metal layer includes anti-diffusion structures made of a high-temperature-corrosion-resistant steel having a longitudinal direction, upper and lower surfaces, a thickness of 0.015 to 0.1 mm and discontinuous microstructures extending approximately in the longitudinal direction. The microstructures have a structure height (0.02 to 0.1 mm), a structure length (2 to 10 mm), a structure width (0.2 to 1 mm), a longitudinal spacing (greater than 2 mm), formed by interruptions, from the nearest microstructure aligned approximately in the longitudinal direction and a lateral distance (1 to 10 mm) from the nearest laterally adjacent microstructure. Some of the microstructures project out of the sheet-metal layer toward the upper surface and some toward the lower surface. The microstructures cause each straight theoretical line extending across the sheet-metal layer perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction to intersect at least two microstructures projecting toward the upper surface and two microstructures projecting toward the lower surface.
US08288008B2
An image recording material which has a support and an image recording layer containing a crystalline polymer and an amorphous polymer on at least one surface of the support, wherein the image recording layer has a storage elastic modulus G′ at 100° C. of 1×102 Pa to 1×105 Pa during a temperature increase at 5° C./min, a storage elastic modulus G′ at 60° C. of 1×106 Pa or more during a temperature decrease at 5° C./min and a temperature difference of 18° C. or less between a temperature at which the storage elastic modulus G′ during a temperature increase at 5° C./min reaches 1×105 Pa and a temperature at which the storage elastic modules G′ during a temperature decrease at 5° C./min reaches 1×105 Pa, upon measurement of viscoelasticity by using a rheometer of plate-to-plate distance: 1.5 mm, diameter: 20 mm.
US08288005B2
Compositions having a fluoropolymer with a nitrile-containing cure site and at least a) a mono azide with at least one functional group in the beta position, or b) a polyazide, as a curing agent as well as methods and articles thereof are described. Articles of this disclosure are found to exhibit excellent chemical resistance and thermal stability.
US08287997B2
A roofing system includes a plurality of insulation boards adapted for overlying a roof deck to form a layer of insulation, and a plurality of cover boards adapted for overlying the layer of insulation. Each insulation board includes a foam material that includes polyisocyanurate or polyurethane, the foam material having a first density. Each cover board includes a material including polyisocyanurate or polyurethane, the material having a second density greater than the first. The roofing system may further include a waterproofing membrane adapted for overlying the cover boards. The insulation boards and cover boards may include facers on top or bottom surfaces.
US08287995B2
The invention seeks to increase the sealing property and the reliability of an electronic device by suppressing cracks, fractures and the like of a glass substrate at the time of laser sealing. A glass substrate 3 has a sealing region. On the sealing region, a sealing material layer 5 comprising a glass material for sealing containing a low-expansion filler and a laser absorbent is provided. The glass material for sealing contains no low-expansion filler particles having particle sizes exceeding the thickness T of the sealing material layer 5 and contains low-expansion filler particles having particle sizes within a range of from 0.5T to 1T based on the thickness T of the sealing material layer 5 in a volume ratio of from 0.1 to 50%. Such a glass substrate 3 and a glass substrate 2 having an element-formed region provided with an electronic element are laminated, and the sealing material layer 5 is irradiated with a laser light 6 and melted to bond the glass substrates 2 and 3.
US08287992B2
A reliable flexible board prevents disconnection from occurring in a conductor layer in a stacking process or during use of a product that repeatedly causes deformation. The flexible board includes resin layers and conductor layers that are alternately stacked on top of one another, wherein each of the conductor layers includes a first conductor layer made of a first metal and a second conductor layer made of a second metal disposed between one of the resin layers and the first conductor layer, the second metal having a higher ductility than the first metal.
US08287984B2
The invention concerns an under-roof screen (100) comprising: a first layer (102) produced from a first metallic or metallized material forming a thermal reflection barrier; a second layer (108) produced from a second woven material bonded to the first layer (102); a third layer (106) produced from a third insulating material and bonded to the second layer (108); and a fourth layer (104) produced from a fourth metallic or metallized material forming a thermal reflection barrier and bonded to the third layer (106); the first layer (102) and the second layer (108) being provided with micro-perforations (110) providing permeability to water vapor and impermeability to water and the fourth layer (104) being provided with perforations (112) providing permeability to water vapor.
US08287982B2
The invention provides a knitted spacer fabric having a tightly knitted bottom layer, a more loosely knitted upper layer and pile yarns extending across the space between the lower and upper faces. Settable material, is introduced into the space between the upper and lower faces and can be caused to set by the addition of a liquid. Until set, the fabric is flexible and can be shaped but after the material in space has set, the fabric is rigid and can be used as a structural element in a wide range of situations.
US08287966B2
Unitary closure panels for automotive vehicles may be formed to have regions of different materials by a spray casting process. Separate sprays of different materials, for example two different metal alloys, are applied to touching regions of a spray application surface. The separate sprays may be applied sequentially or simultaneously to the forming surface to coat the respective regions so that the regions are contiguous or overlapping and a unitary body is formed. The spray formed body may be compressed and trimmed between facing surfaces to form a vehicle closure panel of specified outline, curvature, thickness, and porosity.
US08287965B2
A nozzle for injecting a semiconductive coating material from the internal diameter side of a stator to the external diameter side of the stator is inserted in a core duct serving as an air flow passage between adjacent slots, and the semiconductive coating material is coated on the surface of the stator coil exposed to the air flow passage without drawing out the stator coil from the slot in the stator core to form a semiconductive coating layer, thereby repairing exfoliation of the semiconductive coating material on the surface of the stator coil.
US08287961B2
A label has a water dissolvable or water dispersible paper with a coating of a type which can be printed with direct thermal printing. The label is produced by passing a length of such paper with a freshly applied coating of the above type through an oven for drying before the coating has an opportunity to deteriorate the surface of the paper.
US08287951B2
A process for preparing a single source solid precursor matrix for semiconductor nanocrystals having the steps of: mixing 0.1-1 Molar of an aqueous/non-aqueous (organic) solution containing the first component of the host matrix with 0.001-0.01 Molar of an aqueous/non-aqueous solution containing the first dopant ions, which needs in situ modification of valency state, dissolving 10-20 milligram of an inorganic salt for the in situ reduction of the first dopant ion in the solution, addition of 0.001-0.01 Molar of an aqueous/non-aqueous solution of an inorganic salt containing the dopant ions which do not need modifications of their valency state, addition of 0.1-1 Molar of an aqueous/non-aqueous solution of an inorganic salt containing the second component of the host material, addition of 5-10% by weight of an aqueous solution containing a pH modifying complexing agent, to obtain a mixture, and heating the mixture to obtain a solid layered micro-structural precursor compound.
US08287946B2
Conventional techniques for forming ultraviolet- or infrared-screening coating films have the problem of requiring several recoating steps in order to attain a desired coating weight and therefore failing in forming high-strength coating films and the problem of causing uneven coating, mottling, spotting, blushing, partial breakage, or cracking in some working atmospheres. In order to solve the problems, a coating fluid comprising at least an ultraviolet-screening agent and/or an infrared-screening agent, a binder and a polyhydric alcohol base solvent and having a polyhydric alcohol content of 50 to 95 wt % is applied to a substrate with a coater whose ejection nozzle has a tip diameter of 0.5 to 3.0 mm and which is equipped with a blower for forming an air curtain at an ejection pressure of the nozzle of 0.01 to 0.098 MPa and then dried to form a film containing an ultraviolet-screening agent and/or an infrared-screening agent on the surface of the substrate.
US08287940B2
The present invention relates to compositions which are suitable for selective filling or selective coating of folds of a folded balloon, and especially relates to compositions of a contrast agent and an active agent in a solvent for filling of folds of a folded catheter balloon as well as to methods for selective filling or selective coating of folds of a folded catheter balloon and to filled or coated folded catheter balloons which can be obtained according to one of these methods.
US08287933B2
The present invention relates to extracts containing high amounts of proanthocyanidins and the relating process of preparation involving the use as starting reactants of crushed fruits, plants or already prepurified extracts rich in proanthocyanidins.
US08287928B2
The present invention provides gum base compositions and chewing gum compositions having non stick or reduced-stick properties and/or increased degradability. Methods of preparing the gum base and chewing gum compositions, as well as methods of use, are provided.
US08287925B2
Provided are more effective cell-proliferating and tissue-repairing agents derived from rice containing, as an active ingredient, an internal solution produced by the dialysis of a water-treated product of a raw rice material essentially including a white rice fraction with an 8K dialysis membrane.
US08287911B2
It is believed that the abnormal absorption of endotoxin present in the gastrointestinal tract relates to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. In an animal model for rheumatoid arthritis, it is observed that arthritis is improved by removing endotoxin. The present invention provides an endotoxin-adsorbent, which is capable of removing endotoxin in the gastrointestinal tract and can be administered to humans safely. By using a non-digestible and non-absorbable, and therefore, safe endotoxin-adsorbent, which has a high endotoxin-binding capacity for removing large amounts of endotoxin present in the gastrointestinal tract, it is possible to prevent and treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
US08287909B2
Continuous processing methods for making absorbable polymeric non-wovens with one or more of the following properties: high burst strength, fine fibers of average diameter from 1 μm to 50 μm, and thickness from 10 μm to 50 mm, have been developed. Improved fiber cohesion is made possible by allowing the fibers of the non-woven to initially remain molten during web collection. In the preferred embodiment, the polymer is a polyhydroxyalkanoate, and in the most preferred embodiment, the polymer comprises 4-hydroxybutyrate. A particularly preferred embodiment is a non-woven of poly-4-hydroxybutyrate or copolymer thereof, wherein the non-woven has a burst strength greater than 0.1 Kgf, wherein the non-woven is derived by a continuous melt-blown process. The non-wovens can be used for a variety of purposes including fabrication of medical devices.
US08287895B1
A three-dimensional biological scaffold. The scaffold includes at least three sets of polymer waveguides extending along at least three respective directions. The at least three sets of polymer waveguides interpenetrate each other at a plurality of nodes to form a self-supporting structure. In some embodiments, the polymer waveguides may be bio-degradable. In still some embodiments, the three-dimensional biological scaffold may include one or more coating layers for covering surfaces of the polymer waveguides.
US08287893B2
Bioactive agrichemical concentrates and compositions having improved bioactivity comprising combinations of acid solutions and conventional bioactive agrichemical actives or formulations.
US08287890B2
A hydrophilic, lubricious coating for a substrate includes a first coating layer having a cross-linked polyurethane or polyurea complexed with poly(ethylene oxide) formed by reacting a mixture of an isocyanate, a polyol or polyamine, and a poly(ethylene oxide), and a second coating layer having a cross-linked polyurethane or polyurea complexed with polyvinylpyrrolidone formed by reacting a mixture of an isocyanate, a polyol or polyamine, and a polyvinylpyrrolidone. The first layer is substantially covered by the second layer and the second layer at least partially interpenetrates the first layer. The coating is provided by applying the first coating layer, curing to provide a cross-linked polyurethane or polyurea/poly(ethylene oxide) coating, applying the second layer, and curing to provide a cross-linked polyurethane or polyurea/polyvinylpyrrolidone coating.
US08287886B2
An isolated microorganism belonging to the genus Mycobacterium, having one or both of an inactivated gene Rv0757 that confers a PhoP− phenotype and an inactivated second gene which prevents the production of DIM (DIM− phenotype). Methods of making the microorganism, related pharmaceutical formulations and vaccines are also provided, as are related methods of treatment and vaccination. The pharmaceutical formulation may also serve as a vector or adjuvant.
US08287884B2
The invention provides proteins from Staphylococcus aureus, including amino acid sequences and corresponding nucleotide sequences. The proteins are useful for vaccines, immunogenic compositions, diagnostics, enzymatic studies, and as targets for antibiotics.
US08287882B2
The use of flagellin and flagellin related polypectides for the protection of mammals from the effects of apoptsis is described.
US08287869B2
The invention concerns inhibition of the production of proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-17 (IL-17) by T cells, using an antagonist of interleukin-23 (IL-23). The invention further concerns the use of IL-23 antagonists in the treatment of inflammatory diseases characterized by the presence of elevated levels of IL-17. IL-23 antagonists include, without limitation, antibodies specifically binding to a subunit or IL-17 or an IL-17 receptor. The invention additionally concerns induction of IL-7 production by using an IL-23 agonist.
US08287868B2
In certain aspects, the present invention provides BMP10 propeptides for use in treating a variety of disorders including heart disorders and other disorders associated with unwanted activity of the mature BMP10 polypeptide. The present invention also provides methods of screening compounds that modulate activity of BMP10.
US08287866B2
Novel polypeptide combinations, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and related compositions and methods are disclosed for soluble zcytor11 receptors that may be used as novel cytokine antagonists, and within methods for detecting ligands that stimulate the proliferation and/or development of hematopoietic, lymphoid and myeloid cells in vitro and in vivo. Ligand-binding receptor polypeptides and antibodies can also be used to block TIF activity in vitro and in vivo, and may be used in conjunction with TIF and other cytokines to selectively stimulate the immune system. The present invention also includes methods for producing the protein, uses therefor and antibodies thereto.
US08287865B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods of use of humanized, chimeric or human Class I anti-CEA antibodies or fragments thereof, preferably comprising the light chain variable region CDR sequences SASSRVSYIH (SEQ ID NO:1); GTSTLAS (SEQ ID NO:2); and QQWSYNPPT (SEQ ID NO:3); and the heavy chain variable region CDR sequences DYYMS (SEQ ID NO:4); FIANKANGHTTDYSPSVKG (SEQ ID NO:5); and DMGIRWNFDV (SEQ ID NO:6). The Class I anti-CEA antibodies or fragments are useful for treating diseases, such as cancer, wherein the diseased cells express CEACAM5 and/or CEACAM6 antigens. The Class I anti-CEA antibodies or fragments are also of use for interfering with specific processes, such as metastasis, invasiveness and/or adhesion of cancer cells, or for enhancing sensitivity of cancer cells to cytotoxic agents and have favorable effects on the survival of subjects with cancer.
US08287864B2
The present invention provides substituted humanized, chimeric or human anti-CD20 antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof and bispecific antibodies or fusion proteins comprising the substituted antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof. The antibodies, fusion proteins or fragments are useful for treatment of B-cell disorders, such as B-cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases, as well as GVHD, organ transplant rejection, and hemolytic anemia and cryoglobulinemia. Amino acid substitutions, particularly substitution of an aspartate residue at Kabat position 101 of CDR3 VH (CDRH3), result in improved therapeutic properties, such as decreased dissociation rates, improved CDC activity, improved apoptosis, improved B-cell depletion and improved therapeutic efficacy at very low dosages. Veltuzumab, a humanized anti-CD20 antibody that incorporates such sequence variations, exhibits improved therapeutic efficacy compared to similar antibodies of different CDRH3 sequence, allowing therapeutic effect at dosages as low as 200 mg or less, more preferably 100 mg or less, more preferably 80 mg or less, more preferably 50 mg or less, most preferably 30 mg or less of naked antibody when administered i.v. or s.c.
US08287862B2
Compositions and methods are disclosed for improving the effectiveness of a chemotherapeutic regimen to eradicate multidrug-resistant transformed cells from the body of a mammal, preferably from the body of a human. The present disclosure capitalizes on the discovery of a novel multidrug-resistance associated protein (MRP), herein designated MRP-β. The disclosed compositions include MRP-β nucleic acids, including probes and antisense oligonucleotides, MRP-β polypeptides and antibodies, MRP-β expressing host cells, and non-human mammals transgenic or nullizygous for MRP-β. The disclosed methods include methods for attenuating aberrant MRP-β gene expression, protein production and/or protein function. In addition, methods are disclosed for identifying and using a modulator, such as an inhibitor, of MRP-β. Preferably, the modulator is a small molecule.
US08287856B2
The present invention relates to a method of enhancing the anti-tumor response in a mammal. More particularly, the invention is concerned with combinations comprising a cytokine-secreting cell and an anti-PD-1 antibody, and methods of administering the combination for enhanced immune response to tumor cells in a patient with a cancer.
US08287854B2
The present invention relates to a skin equivalent and a method for producing the same, wherein the skin equivalent comprises a scaffold and stem/progenitor cells isolated from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord. These stem/progenitor cells may be mesenchymal (UCMC) and/or epithelial (UCEC) stem cells, which may then be further differentiated to fibroblast and keratinocytes. Further described is a method for isolating stem/progenitor cells from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord, wherein the method comprises separating the amniotic membrane from the other components of the umbilical cord in vitro, culturing the amniotic membrane tissue under conditions allowing cell proliferation, and isolating the stem/progenitor cells from the tissue cultures. The invention also refers to therapeutic uses of these skin equivalents. Another aspect of the invention relates to the generation of a mucin-producing cell using stem/progenitor cells obtained from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord and therapeutic uses of such mucin-producing cells. In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a method for generating an insulin-producing cell using stem/progenitor cells isolated from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord and therapeutic uses thereof. The invention further refers to a method of treating a bone or cartilage disorder using UCMC. Furthermore, the invention refers to a method of generating a dopamin and tyrosin hydroxylase as well as a HLA-G and hepatocytes using UCMC and/or UCEC. The present invention also refers to a method of inducing proliferation of aged keratinocytes using UCMC.
US08287852B2
This invention provides a recombinant super-compound interferon or an equivalent thereof with changed spatial configuration. The super-compound interferon possesses anti-viral or anti-tumor activity and, therefore, is useful in preventing and treating viral diseases and cancers. This invention also provides an artificial gene which codes for the super-compound interferon or its equivalent. Finally, this invention provides methods for producing recombinant super-compound interferon or its equivalent and various uses of said interferon.
US08287851B2
The use of interleukin 17E to inhibit tumor growth in a subject is provided. The interleukin 17E can be provided to the subject exogenously, as an interleukin 17E polypeptide or a polynucleotide encoding an interleukin 17E polypeptide, or it can be provided by stimulating production of endogenous interleukin 17E. Also provided is the use of interleukin 17E in combination with one or more anti-cancer therapeutics for inhibiting tumor growth in a subject. Anti-cancer therapeutics include, for example, standard chemotherapeutic drugs, immunotherapeutics, radiation, gene therapy, hormone manipulation and antisense therapy.
US08287844B2
The invention includes a method of increasing the substantivity of a personal care composition to hair, skin or nails by preparing a composition of an aqueous phase, a non-aqueous phase and a neutralized amino acid ester that is a reaction product of a neutral amino acid having a non-polar side chain with a long chain fatty alcohol and is represented by formula (I): wherein R1 is an alkyl group; R2 is a linear or branched carbon chain; and the amine group of the amino acid is neutralized with an acid. The composition is substantially free of petrochemicals and/or derivatives of petrochemical materials. The aqueous phase and the non-aqueous phase are emulsified by the neutralized amino acid ester. Other methods and an emulsifiers that is the neutralized amino acid ester are included. Because the neutralized amino acid ester and the compositions do not contain petrochemical-derived ingredient, the products are natural.
US08287842B2
Provided is a toothpaste composition providing a pleasant cooling sensation and has excellent storage stability.The toothpaste composition contains from 30 to 60 wt % of erythritol having an average particle size of 200 μm or less as Component (A), from 15 to 30 wt % of water as Component (B), and from 0.6 to 3 wt % of a binder as (C1).
US08287841B2
Aerosol odor eliminating compositions are described which are aqueous based and include at least one alkylene glycol, at least one surfactant wherein one or more of the at least one surfactant has an HLB of about 7 to about 20, compressed gas propellant, at least one fragrance, a buffering system and water. The composition excludes inclusion of a low molecular weight monohydric. The compositions have a volatile organic content (VOC) of less than 5.0% of the total composition based on 100 wt. %, or alternatively, a VOC of less than 0.1% as to the total composition based on 100 wt. % in absence of the wt. % of the active fragrant material of the fragrance. The compositions additionally have a consistent spray rate at multiple pressure ranges.
US08287837B2
A titanium-containing additive, a method for its production and methods of using the additive.
US08287831B2
This invention relates to partially ordered and ordered oxynitride perovskites of the general formula ABO2N that are polar insulators. A comprises one or more cations or set of cations that sit in sites derived from the A-site in the perovskite structure. B comprises one or more cations or set of cations that sit in sites derived from the B-site in the perovskite structure. C comprises oxygen, O, with optionally some nitrogen, N, and D comprises N, with optionally some O. The total valence of the cations A+B is equal to the total valence of the anions 2 C+D. Also disclosed are methods of producing such oxynitride perovskites and uses of such oxynitride perovskites.
US08287815B2
A method and system for preheating a vessel that includes an area of excess heat and a flow of purge fluid that is channeled to an area to be purged wherein the purge fluid is deficient of heat are provided. The system includes a cooling tube assembly positioned between the area of excess heat and the area to be purged and a first heat exchanger coupled in flow communication to the cooling tube assembly, the first heat exchanger configured to transfer heat between a flow of cooling fluid through the cooling tube assembly and the flow of purge fluid wherein the flow of cooling fluid through the cooling tube assembly is maintained sub-cooled and the flow of purge fluid is heated to facilitate reducing a thermal stress in the area purged.
US08287813B2
The present invention is related to producing fine nano or submicron-scale precision ceramic powder by applying an innovative chemical reactor with powder collection to the glycine-nitrate combustion process (GNC-P). The unique feature lies in the utilization of a simple-operating process to massively produce nano or submicron-scale ceramic oxide powder with multiple metal components. The present invention not only provides very high powder collection efficiency and production yield as well as safety but also satisfies requirements of industrial safety and environmental safety, and lowers production cost.
US08287812B2
Substrates are provided for use in the detection, identification and analysis of biologic or chemical samples that are labeled with a fluorescent label, in which the plane of maximum fluorescence is displaced from a reflective substrate surface so that the intensity maximum of the standing wave interference pattern of incident and reflected probe radiation is enhanced. The format of the substrates includes substantially planar surfaces as well as substrates with introduced variations to the substrate surface, e.g., depressions, wells, pedestals and the like, disposed in arrays or other similar structures such that one or more fluorophore-comprising objects can be attached thereto.
US08287808B2
An apparatus comprising a plurality of closed-cells on a substrate surface. Each of the closed-cells comprise one or more internal walls that divide an interior of each of the closed-cells into a single first zone and a plurality of second zones. The first zone occupies a larger area of the closed-cell than any one of said second zones and the first and second zones are interconnected to form a common volume.
US08287806B2
A pipetting apparatus has a fluidic space to which a pressure transducer with a pressure sensor is attached with a gas filled space. The fluidic space is defined by a pipette tip, a first tubing that connects the pipette tip to a pump, and an active part of the pump. The pipetting apparatus further has an impulse generating mechanism that is in operative contact with a column of system liquid inside the fluidic space. The impulse generating mechanism induces a vertical movement in the system liquid column, which results in a pressure variation in the gas filled space that is pneumatically connected with the fluidic space. This pressure variation, as recorded with the pressure transducer and as processed by a first data processing unit during utilization of this pipetting apparatus, is taken as an indicator for the detection of penetration or of quitting of a surface of a liquid, with an orifice of the pipette tip, of which liquid an amount is to be aspirated and dispensed. This pressure variation is also taken as an indicator for the detection of the presence or the absence of gas bubbles in the system liquid contained in the fluidic space of this pipetting apparatus.
US08287805B2
The present invention relates an iron based brazing material comprising an alloy consisting essentially of: 15 to 30 wt % chromium (Cr); 0 to 5.0 wt % manganese (Mn); 15 to 30 wt % nickel (Ni); 1.0 to 12 wt % molybdenum (Mo); 0 to 4.0 wt % copper (Cu); 0 to 1.0 wt % nitrogen (N); 0 to 20 wt % silicone (Si); 0 to 2.0 wt % boron (B); 0 to 16 wt % phosphorus (P); optionally 0.0 to 2.5 wt % of each of one or more of elements selected from the group consisting of carbon (C), vanadium (V), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), aluminum (Al), niobium (Nb), hafnium (Hf), and tantalum (Ta); the alloy being balanced with Fe, and small inevitable amounts of contaminating elements; and wherein Si, B and P are in amounts effective to lower melting temperature, and Si, B, and P are contained in amounts according to the following formula: Index=wt % P+1.1×wt % Si+3×wt % B, and the value of the Index is within the range of from about 5 wt % to about 20. The present invention relates also to a method of brazing article of stainless steel, and an article of stainless steel.
US08287804B2
In the method for recovering a metal from a target that contains a metal and a metal oxide, the target contains a sintered body of the metal oxide after being heated under a condition of melting the metal without melting or decomposing the metal oxide. The target is heated in an upper crucible of a two-level crucible that includes the upper crucible with a through hole-formed in a bottom surface thereof, and a lower crucible disposed below the through hole, the size of the through hole being set such that it does not allow the sintered body of the metal oxide contained in the target to pass therethrough, and the melted metal is caused to flow into the lower crucible, so that the metal is separated from the metal oxide.
US08287799B2
The invention concerns a process for the production of a container, in particular a fuel tank of thermoplastic material, by extrusion blow molding, wherein during shaping of the container within a multi-part tool the container is provided with at least one connecting element passing through the wall thereof, wherein with at least a part of the connecting element as a lost shaping male die the wall of the container is displaced from one side into a tool placed on the oppositely side of the container wall and removed.The invention further concerns a fuel tank with at least one connecting element which is connected to the tank wall at least in region-wise manner by intimate joining of the materials involved.
US08287796B2
The invention relates to a method for producing hollow bodies from thermoplastic material in which web- or strip-type preforms of plasticised plastics material are shaped in a multi-part tool which forms a mould nest, with two outer moulds and a central mould which perform opening and closing movements with respect to one another. The central mould is provided with at least one device for receiving and manipulating components to be fastened in the interior of the hollow body by means of a material and/or form-fitting joint. Prior to the fastening of the components to the inner wall of the hollow body to be produced, the components are heated by means of a radiant heating device. The radiant heating device is advantageously integrated in the central mould of the tool.
US08287792B2
In a method of forming fine patterns, a photocurable coating layer is formed on a substrate. A first surface of a template makes contact with the photocurable coating layer. The first surface of the template includes at least two first patterns having a first dispersion degree of sizes, and at least one portion of the first surface of the template includes a photo attenuation member. A light is irradiated onto the photocurable coating layer through the template to form a cured coating layer including second patterns having a second dispersion degree of sizes. The second patterns are generated from the first patterns and the second dispersion degree is less than the first dispersion degree. The template is separate from the cured coating layer. A size dispersion degree of the patterns used in a nanoimprint lithography process may be adjusted by the light attenuation member, so that the fine patterns may be formed to have an improved size dispersion degree.
US08287791B2
A removable, magnetically-affixed liner, preferably comprising ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene or polyurethane rubber materials, is provided for affixation to a ferrous substrate material. The liner is configured so that the magnetic attachment element is not easily removed or dislodged from the liner, without regard to choice of liner material utilized.
US08287786B2
A method and apparatus for using a cryogen for cooling articles, particularly having applications for chilling extrusions. The apparatus and method including removing thermal energy from an article by conductive and convective heat transfer. The apparatus and method allows for heat transfer from an outer surface of an article, and from an inner surface of the article.
US08287774B2
A method of manufacturing an electrochromic polyaniline thin film changeable in color in dependency upon the supply of electricity is provided. The method comprises the steps of polymerizing aniline monomer into polyaniline polymer, separating the polyaniline polymer, liquefying the separated polyaniline polymer into a dispersing solution using a mixed surfactant, and dissolving an UV curing adhesive in the dispersing solution, whereby the polyaniline thin film has the ductility and improved adhesion force for an electric substrate, so that it is applicable to development of a flexible display and as a next generation hi-tech material.
US08287767B2
Amorphous polymers with chromogenic pendant groups are provided. The amorphous polymers can be used to make elastomeric films and coatings that can be incorporated into laminates and used to make articles such as architectural and vehicular glazing, and in applications such as eyewear, displays and signage.
US08287766B2
The invention provides methods for the application of active materials onto active surfaces useful in organic electronic devices. The methods of the invention include selecting a liquid composition including an active material and a suitable liquid medium whereby when the liquid composition is deposited on the desired active surface it has no greater than about a 40° contact angle; treating the active surface to raise its surface tension before the deposition of a liquid composition containing the desired active material is deposited thereon; and combination thereof. The invention also provides organic electronic devices having at least two active layers, wherein at least one active layer comprises an active material that was deposited using at least one practice of the method of the invention.
US08287765B2
Systems and compositions have a three component antioxidant blend for extending color and clarity of a thermoplastic polymer. The antioxidant blend includes a zinc dithiocarbamate, a phenolic and a thioether with a weight ratio range of about 1-2:1-2:1-2. A loading level of the antioxidant blend is from about 0.01 wt. % to about 1 wt. % of the systems and compositions.
US08287760B2
A light-emitting apparatus composed of a light source that emits primary light and a phosphor that absorbs the primary light and emits secondary light offers high brightness, low power consumption, and a long lifetime while minimizing adverse effects on the environment. The phosphor is formed of a III-V group semiconductor in the form of fine-particle crystals each having a volume of 2 800 nm3 or less. The light emitted from the fine-particle crystals depends on their volume, and therefore giving the fine-particle crystals a predetermined volume distribution makes it possible to adjust the wavelength range of the secondary light.
US08287759B2
A luminescent particle includes an interior portion of the luminescent particle comprising a luminescent compound that reacts with atmospherically present components and a passivating layer on an outer surface of the luminescent particle that is operable to inhibit the reaction between the luminescent compound and the atmospherically present components.
US08287753B2
A gel electrolyte composition is provided. The composition of the gel electrolyte includes an unsubstituted or substituted pyridine, a metal salt, a halogen molecule, an unsubstituted or substituted nicotinic acid and a solvent. The composition may be free from or substantially free from one or more of a polymer and a low molecular gelling agent. Also provided is a dye-sensitized solar cell containing the composition as well as a method for preparing the composition.
US08287751B1
A system and method is described for providing a continuous bath wetdeck process for use in the manufacture of semiconductor wafers. The invention provides a method for extending an effective working life of a chemical bath of the type that comprises a chemical bath liquid within a chemical bath container. An amount of fresh chemical is continuously added to the chemical bath liquid and an amount of chemical bath liquid is simultaneously purged from the chemical bath container. A balance is maintained between the amount of fresh chemical that is added to the chemical bath liquid and the amount of chemical bath liquid that is purged in order to maintain the effectiveness of the chemical bath liquid to clean semiconductor wafers within the chemical bath.
US08287741B2
A filter configured to separate the solid components and the liquid components from a slurry. The filter includes a plurality of filter plate assemblies that cooperate to define a plurality of filter chambers, each defining a perimeter having an open section when the filter plates are in a closed position relative to one another. Each filter plate assembly includes a closure configured to close the open section. Preferably, the closures are movable to an open position to permit a particulate cake to be removed from the filter chambers without separating the filter plates.
US08287739B2
An optical blood monitoring system with a ratiometric model determines hematocrit values for a hemodialysis patient, from which hemoglobin values for the patient are estimated. The ratiometric model is calibrated, normally against a cell counter, using blood from a blood bank. The blood from a blood bank is preserved in a long term preservative which is typically different than that found in clinical settings. The hematocrit value determined by the ratiometric model is scaled by scaling factor so that the estimated hemoglobin level output from the monitor consistently matches that measured in a clinical setting. The hematocrit scaling factor is substantially about 1.033 when the patient's blood sample is stored in a short term preservative ethylene diamine tetra acetic, and is substantially about 1.06 when the hematocrit is measured in the blood sample without preservative being added to the blood sample. The hemoglobin value can also be adjusted for altitude.
US08287736B2
A medical apparatus comprises a control system allowing storage of a number of shaping profiles. Each shaping profile is stored as a plurality of pairs, including a shaping profile reference value and a time interval value. The reference value is represented as fraction, for instance a percentage, of the total weight loss the apparatus should achieve at the end of a treatment time. Each time interval value is represented either as fraction of the total treatment time or as a prefixed actual time interval. The control system calculates the actual weight loss rate versus time profile based on the desired total weight loss, on the desired total treatment time as well as on selected desired shaping profile.
US08287734B2
The present invention is directed to a novel process and method for treating nitrogen that is contained in an organic waste stream using aeration at a preferred predetermined mass loading in an aerobic volume followed by treatment in an anoxic/anaerobic volume. The present invention also includes the solid humus material produced from the treatment of an organic waste stream aeration at a predetermined loading in an aerobic volume followed by treatment in an anoxic/anaerobic volume and the removal of said humus solids.
US08287732B2
Systems and methods for the treatment of lipid-extracted algae biomass and recycling nutrients are provided. The lipid-extracted algae biomass is hydrolyzed prior to anaerobic digestion, and the products generated by anaerobic digestion are further processed to yield by-products that are of use either for external use or as process inputs to carry out specific steps within an integrated algal growth and anaerobic digestion process designed to minimize economic costs, required costly inputs while improving upon system capabilities.
US08287725B2
The invention relates to prediction of a rapid symptomatic drop in a subject's blood pressure, e.g. during a medical treatment or when operating an aircraft. To this aim, a pulse shape parameter (Pps) with respect to a peripheral body part (105) of the subject (P) is registered by means of a pulse oximetry instrument (110) adapted to detect light response variations in blood vessels. An initial pulse magnitude measure is calculated based on a pulse shape parameter (Pps) received at a first instance. During a measurement period subsequent to the first instance, a respective pulse magnitude measure is calculated based on each of a number of received pulse shape parameters (Pps). It is further investigated, for each pulse magnitude measure in the measurement period, whether or not the measure fulfills a decision criterion relative to the initial pulse magnitude measure. An alarm triggering signal (α) is generated if the decision criterion is found to be fulfilled.
US08287722B2
A method of hydrogenation of heavy oil. A first step involves providing a continuous pipe reactor defining a serpentine flow path. A second step involves heating heavy oil to lower the viscosity of the heavy oil. A third step involves pumping a turbulent flow of heavy oil and hydrogen through the continuous pipe reactor to promote addition of hydrogen into the heavy oil. The method has improved mass transfer due to the continuous turbulent flow through the continuous pipe reactor.
US08287720B2
Processes for upgrading resid hydrocarbon feeds are disclosed. The upgrading processes may include: hydrocracking a resid in a first reaction stage to form a first stage effluent; hydrocracking a deasphalted oil fraction in a second reaction stage to form a second stage effluent; fractionating the first stage effluent and the second stage effluent to recover at least one distillate hydrocarbon fraction and a resid hydrocarbon fraction; feeding the resid hydrocarbon fraction to a solvent deasphalting unit to provide an asphaltene fraction and the deasphalted oil fraction.
US08287716B2
The desalination system and method places water from the sea under electrolysis to produce hydrogen and oxygen gas. The system has a chamber that is filled with the hydrogen gas displacing other gases. Once the chamber is filled with only hydrogen gas, the oxygen is introduced to form water vapor within the chamber. Liquid water collects on the lower surface of the chamber, and water vapor condenses on the sidewalls. The condensation creates a partial vacuum in the chamber, causing further water to evaporate from the liquid water on the lower end of the chamber. The condensate is desalinated water, which may be collected. Condensation may be assisted through cooling the wall. The hydrogen and oxygen mix in the chamber undergoes a reaction through electrical spark generation from a spark plug to create the water vapor.
US08287708B2
A microfluidic system for creating encapsulated droplets whose shells can be further removed comprises: two electrode plates and a spacing structure disposed between the two electrode plates. One of the electrode plates has three reservoir electrodes and a plurality of channel electrodes. The three electrodes are respectively used for accommodating a shell liquid, a core liquid, and a removing liquid which is able to remove the shell liquid. The channel electrodes are used for communicating droplets among the three reservoir electrodes. Via these arrangements, the microfluidic system can create a quantitative shell droplet and a quantitative core droplet, and then merge the shell and core droplets to form an encapsulated droplet. Moreover, the shell of the encapsulated droplet can be removed by mixing it with the removing liquid. This invention is further provided with a method for creating an encapsulated droplet with a removable shell.
US08287700B2
The present invention describes extremely rapid and efficient methods for the attachment of chemical moieties to matrices by the use of microwave technology. The methods of the invention can be applied in a variety of ways for the preparation of different types of matrices for a variety of applications including but not limited to the functionalization of various solid supports, and matrices in the form of powder, beads, sheets, and other suitable surfaces for use in applications including but not limited to oligonucleotide synthesis, peptide synthesis, environmental clean up (removal of toxic materials), immunoassays, affinity chromatography, combinatorial chemistry, microarrays, proteomics and medical diagnostics.
US08287699B2
Provided in this invention is a process for producing chemically functionalized nano graphene materials, known as nano graphene platelets (NGPs), graphene nano sheets, or graphene nano ribbons. Subsequently, a polymer can be grafted to a functional group of the resulting functionalized NGPs. In one preferred embodiment, the process comprises (A) dispersing a pristine graphite material and an azide or bi-radical compound in a liquid medium comprising to form a suspension; and (B) subjecting the suspension to direct ultrasonication with to ultrasonic waves of a desired intensity or power level for a length of time sufficient to produce nano graphene platelets and to enable a chemical reaction to occur between the nano graphene platelets and the azide or bi-radical compound to produce the functionalized nano graphene material. Concurrent production and functionalization of NGPs directly from pristine graphitic materials can be achieved in one step and in the same reactor.
US08287686B2
The invention provides derivatives of poly(styrene-co-allylalcohol). These materials are useful as thermosetting monomers that can be incorporated into adhesive compositions. In some embodiments, the adhesive compositions are useful in the microelectronic packaging industry.
US08287677B2
A composite that contains an elastic film laminated to a meltblown facing is provided. During lamination, apertures and discrete bond sites may be concurrently formed in the elastic film. The discrete bond sites may be located proximate (adjacent or near to) a perimeter defined by corresponding apertures formed by displacement of the film. The location of the bond sites adjacent to or near the apertures may enhance the durability of the meltblown facing by strengthening the area surrounding the apertures. Furthermore, the content of the elastic film and the temperature/pressure of lamination may be selected to that the film possesses a sufficient tack for adhering to the facing at regions other than those fused together by the bonding elements of the patterned roll. Such secondary bonding further stabilizes the meltblown facing and renders it suitable for printing. Further, the film is under tension in the machine direction during lamination. Subsequent to lamination, however, the film is retracted so that the facing retracts toward its original machine direction length, thereby gathering and forming pleats. It has been discovered that these pleats have a relatively small amplitude (height), as well as a substantially uniform frequency across the surface of the facing. Such a small height and increased regularity improves the ability to transfer an ink to “peaks” of the pleats, thereby improving print quality and uniformity.
US08287674B2
An improved tire provides an air-flow restrictor that may be installed inside a tire. The air-flow restrictor may restrict or prevent the flow of air in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the tire. Also, a method for saving fuel by inserting or retrofitting tires with air movement restricting inserts.
US08287665B2
A soft magnetic alloy contains P, B, and Cu as essential components. As a preferred example, an Fe-based alloy contains Fe of 70 atomic % or more, B of 5 atomic % to 25 atomic %, Cu of 1.5 atomic % or less (excluding zero), and P of 10 atomic or less (excluding zero).
US08287664B2
A magnet core is required to be particularly dense, made of alloys produced in a rapid solidification process and have a minimal coercitive field strength. To achieve these aims, a coarse-grain powder fraction is first produced from an amorphous strip of a soft magnetic alloy. In addition, at least one fine-grain powder fraction is produced from a nanocrystalline strip of a soft magnetic alloy. The particle fractions are then mixed to produce a multi-modal powder, wherein the particles of the coarse-grain particle fraction have an amorphous structure and the particles of the fine-grain powder fraction have a nanocrystalline structure. The multi-modal powder is then pressed to produce a magnet core.
US08287662B2
A composition for metal surface treatment can form a chemical conversion coating film which achieves sufficient foundation surface concealment, coating adhesion and corrosion resistance. A method for treating the surface of a metal material with such a composition for metal surface treatment is used. Specifically a metal surface treatment composition used for a treatment of a metal surface, contains a zirconium compound and/or a titanium compound, and a polyamine compound having a number average molecular weight of not less than 150 but not more than 500,000. The polyamine compound contains not less than 0.1 millimole but not more than 17 millimoles of a primary and/or secondary amino group per 1 g of the solid content, and the content of the zirconium compound and/or titanium compound in the metal surface treatment composition is not less than 10 ppm but not more than 10,000 ppm in terms of metal elements. The mass ratio of the zirconium element and/or titanium element contained in the zirconium compound and/or titanium compound relative to the polyamine compound is not less than 0.1 but not more than 100.
US08287656B2
Methods for monitoring meniscus processing of a wafer surface to stabilize a meniscus are provided. In one example, the processing is in response to a current recipe that defines a desired gap between the wafer surface and a proximity head. The method includes the operations of monitoring current meniscus processing to determine that a current gap is other than the desired gap, and identifying a calibration recipe that specifies the current gap. The method then continues the meniscus processing of the wafer surface using process parameters specified by the identified calibration recipe.
US08287648B2
A semiconductor processing apparatus includes a reaction chamber, a loading chamber, a movable support, a drive mechanism, and a control system. The reaction chamber includes a baseplate. The baseplate includes an opening. The movable support is configured to hold a workpiece. The drive mechanism is configured to move a workpiece held on the support towards the opening of the baseplate into a processing position. The control system is configured to create a positive pressure gradient between the reaction chamber and the loading chamber while the workpiece support is in motion. Purge gases flow from the reaction chamber into the loading chamber while the workpiece support is in motion. The control system is configured to create a negative pressure gradient between the reaction chamber and the loading chamber while the workpiece is being processed. Purge gases can flow from the loading chamber into the reaction chamber while the workpiece support is in the processing position, unless the reaction chamber is sealed from the loading chamber in the processing position.
US08287645B2
In the production process of the present invention for high purity polycrystal silicon, using a vertical reactor having a silicon chloride gas-feeding nozzle and a reducing agent gas-feeding nozzle which are disposed at an upper part and a waste gas discharge pipe, a silicon chloride gas and a reducing agent gas are fed into the reactor to form polycrystal silicon at a tip part of the silicon chloride gas-feeding nozzle by the reaction of the silicon chloride gas with the reducing agent gas, and the polycrystal silicon is allowed to grow from the tip part of the silicon chloride gas-feeding nozzle toward a lower part thereof.
US08287643B2
The present invention provides an oriented substrate for forming an epitaxial thin film thereon, which has a more excellent orientation than that of a conventional one and a high strength, and a method for manufacturing the same. The present invention provides a clad textured metal substrate for forming the epitaxial thin film thereon, which includes a metallic layer and a silver layer bonded to at least one face of the metallic layer, wherein the silver layer has a {100}<001> cube texture in which a deviating angle Δφ of crystal axes satisfies Δφ≦9 degree. The textured metal substrate can be manufactured by subjecting the silver sheet containing 30 to 200 ppm oxygen by concentration to the orienting treatment of hot-working and heat-treating, and bonding the metal sheet with the oriented silver sheet by using a surface activated bonding process.
US08287640B2
A foamed cement composition is disclosed for utilization in performing a variety of well cementing operations, and to methods for making and using same. The foamed cement composition basically includes a cement, water sufficient to form a pumpable slurry, a gas sufficient to foam the slurry, a foaming agent and optionally a foam stabilizing agent.
US08287638B2
An aqueous effect pigment paste comprising (A) at least one effect pigment, (B) at least one graft copolymer in dispersion in an aqueous medium and preparable by subjecting at least one monomer (a) in an aqueous dispersion of at least one polyurethane (B1) containing at least one lateral and/or at least one terminal ethenylarylene group and preparable by reacting (1) at least one polyurethane prepolymer (B11) containing at least one free isocyanate group with (2) at least one adduct (B12), obtainable by reacting (2.1) at least one ethenylarylene monoiso-cyanate (B121) and (2.2) at least one compound (B122), selected from the group consisting of polyols, polyamines and compounds containing at least one hydroxyl group and at least one amino group, with one another so as to leave at least one isocyanate-reactive group in the adduct (B12), to free-radical (co)polymerization; and (C) at least one surface-active compound selected from the group consisting of polyoxyalkylene derivatives of nondrying oils; process for preparing it, and its use.
US08287636B2
The present invention relates to a pearlescent pigment with large aspect ratio and a method of their preparation, and particularly to pearlescent pigments prepared by coating a metal or metal precursor on the flaky alpha-alumina crystals obtained by using an aluminum precursor aqueous solution and a zinc precursor aqueous solution as main ingredients. The crystals herein has an average particle thickness of 0.5 μm or less, an average particle diameter of 15 μm or higher and a large aspect ratio of 50 or higher, thereby being superior in gloss. The crystals show metal colors and interference colors of silver, gold, red, purple, blue and green.
US08287618B2
A process for the selective recovery of Mo, V, Ni, Co and Al from spent hydroprocessing catalysts includes the steps of treating the spent catalysts to recovery metals, support as well as chemicals. The process steps include deoiling, decoking, washing, dissolving, complexing agent treatment, acid treatment and solvent extraction. This process uses limited steps than conventional processes by the use of ultrasonic agitation for metal extraction and the presence of a chelating agent particularly Ethylene Diamine Tetra-Acetic Acid (EDTA). The process also discloses the compete recovery of the extracting agent EDTA with high purity for reuse.
US08287611B2
The disclosure is directed to a radiation curable composition including abrasive grains and a binder composition. The binder composition includes about 10 wt % to about 90 wt % cationically polymerizable compound, not greater than about 40 wt % radically polymerizable compound, and about 5 wt % to about 80 wt % particulate filler based on the weight of the binder composition. The particulate filler includes dispersed submicron particulates.
US08287608B2
The present teachings are directed toward a lubricity additive for fuel compositions that is a mixture of an amine having at least one alicyclic group and a monocarboxylic acid having up to 22 carbon atoms.
US08287606B2
A method of manufacturing a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery by subjecting a sodium-magnesium-containing oxide represented by the general formula NacMgbMO2±a, where 0.65≦c≦0.75, 0
US08287605B2
A method of making a cathode for a lithium primary battery includes lithiated manganese dioxide and a carbon fluoride. The cathode can provide high capacity and voltage with low gassing.
US08287601B2
An implantable orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a femoral component that is configured to be coupled to a surgically-prepared distal femur. The femoral component has an articular side that includes a posterior femoral condyle surface. A fixation side is opposite the articular side, and it includes a posterior fixation surface that extends generally in the superior/inferior direction. The posterior fixation surface has an angled posterior cement pocket formed therein.
US08287592B2
Disclosed are ophthalmic devices configured to be implanted in an eye of a patient. In one embodiment, the ophthalmic device includes a mask configured to increase the depth of focus of the patient and comprising a highly fluorinated polymeric material in which the number of carbon-fluorine bonds equals or exceeds the number of carbon-hydrogen bonds in the highly fluorinated polymeric material. The highly fluorinated polymeric material can be resistant to degradation upon exposure to ultraviolet light. The mask further includes an aperture configured to transmit light and a portion configured to be substantially opaque to visible light and to surround at least a portion of the aperture.
US08287586B2
A branch vessel prosthesis for use with an aorta stent graft defining a lumen and having a fenestration aligned with a branch vessel, includes an expandable stent that has a tubular portion, a flareable portion, and at least one bending portion located between the tubular and the flareable portions. Upon deployment of the branch vessel prosthesis, the flareable portion is flared by bending of the bending portion.
US08287577B2
A pin for fixing an implant subjected to tensile load, in particular a tendon implant, having a rod-shaped body is provided. A force exerted by the implant is input onto the cross section of the body, on one side, and is output on the opposite side to an anchoring site. The cross section of the body has, on the force output side, at least two contact sites via which the input force can be output in a distributed manner. This configuration allows the pin to withstand high tensile loads without fracturing.
US08287575B2
An improved polyaxial mechanism is disclosed. The mechanism preferably works in conjunction with a bone plate and fixation mechanism, such as a screw, rod, or the like. The improved polyaxial mechanism increases the strength of the locking among the locking mechanism, fixation mechanism, and bone plate. In addition, the improved polyaxial mechanism allows for easy locking among the elements, as well as more difficulty in unlocking the elements. A method for utilizing the improved polyaxial mechanism is also disclosed.
US08287574B2
A cervical plate assembly facilitates the fusion of cervical vertebrae by quickly and easily causing the vertebrae to exert a preloading force against a bone graft interposed therebetween. A cervical plate assembly also facilitates the installation of the cervical plate assembly in an orthopedic surgical procedure by providing both a locking mechanism that positively retains one or more fasteners thereto and a viewing window that results in an unobstructed view of the vertebrae and the bone graft.
US08287568B2
A device is provided for piercing a graft and artery wall in order to retain the graft on the artery. The device has a central section with an abutment surface for contacting the inner wall of the graft and two elongate members with distal ends for contacting the outer wall of the artery when the device is pierced through the graft and artery. The elongate members are biased so as to urge the abutment surface into the graft and retain the graft on the artery.
US08287566B2
Some embodiments of a spray device can be configured to maintain a viscous fluid in isolation from a propellant fluid until after the viscous fluid exits from a nozzle of the spray device. For example, the viscous fluid may include an adhesive such as surgical adhesive. When the spray device is actuated, the surgical adhesive can exit the nozzle so that the propellant fluid acts upon the surgical adhesive to break it into droplets for application on a targeted site.
US08287565B2
A retractor (1) that is meant to be placed in a wound (7) to hold this open during a surgical operation, comprising a shackle of a plastic material pervious for X-ray radiation. The shackle has to resilient legs (2a, 2b), that in a resilient way can be brought towards each other from a starting position in order to be inserted into the wound (7) and thereafter through resilient return towards the starting position be brought to contact with the edges of the wound (7) and thereby holding these apart and in a self-holding way fasten the retractor (1) in the wound (7).
US08287563B2
Disclosed is an adjustable occlusion device for use in a body lumen such as the left atrial appendage. The occlusion device is removably carried by a deployment catheter. The device may be enlarged or reduced to facilitate optimal placement or removal. Methods are also disclosed.
US08287560B2
A system of instruments is provided for vitrectomy surgery, comprising a sharp trochar, a cannula and a cannula valve cap. The sharp trochar provided also has applicability to other fields of surgery. The sharp trochar has a hollow-ground blade that reduces the force necessary for insertion and upon removal leaves a wound with improved healing characteristics. The trochar is selectably insertable in a cannula, and in a preferred embodiment the cannula and the trochar are adapted with mutually tapered exterior surfaces to as to define a smooth transition in diameter to further facilitate insertion. A sealing valve cap is also provided for the cannula, designed to provide sealing while reducing the force required in for inserting instruments into the cannula. A method for angled insertion of this assembly is also disclosed.
US08287559B2
A surgical clip (5) is provided for clipping a tubular structure (9) in vivo to ligate the tubular structure. The clip comprises first and second clip portions (6, 7). A hinge portion (8) is provided connecting the clip portions together and to enable the clip portions to be hinged together from an open clip condition to a closed clip condition thereby to ligate a tubular structure placed between the clip portions. A lock is provided for locking the clip portions together in the closed clip condition. In the closed clip condition the clip has a substantially smooth external profile, for example including blunt ends (21), so as to reduce the possibility of the clip (in use) eroding surrounding tissue structures.
US08287557B2
Devices and methods used in termination of a tissue tightening procedure are described. Termination includes the cinching of a tether to tighten the tissue, locking the tether to maintain tension, and cutting excess tether. In procedures involving anchors secured to the tissue, the tether is coupled to the anchors and the tissue is tightened via tension applied to the anchors by cinching the tether. In general, the devices and methods can be used in minimally invasive surgical procedures, and can be applied through small incisions or intravascularly. A method for tightening tissue by fixedly coupling a first anchor to a tether and slidably coupling a second anchor to the tether, securing both anchors to the tissue, applying tension to the tether intravascularly, fixedly coupling the tether to the second anchor, and cutting the tether is described. The tissue to be tightened can comprise heart tissue, in particular heart valve annulus tissue. Various devices and methods for locking the tether in place and cutting excess tether are described.
US08287556B2
An endoscopic suturing system and method are disclosed as are devices for use with the system and method such as a suture dispenser, a cinch device, and a tissue grasper. In one embodiment the suturing system includes a cap assembly arranged at the distal end portion of an endoscope or guide member, with the cap assembly including a rotatable needle holder. The needle holder is actuated through a transmission element extending outside the endoscope or guide member. A needle capture device may be inserted through a channel of the endoscope or guide member in order to capture a needle held in the needle holder when the needle holder is rotated so that the needle punctures tissue.
US08287552B2
A device for accessing a hollow organ comprises an elongated body sized for insertion into an entrance passage to the hollow organ, the elongated body including an outer sealing surface engaging an inner surface of the entrance passage and a working channel extending therethrough from a proximal port which, when the elongated body is in the operative position is proximal to a proximal opening of the entrance passage, to a distal port which, when the elongated body is in the operative position, extends distally past a distal opening of the entrance passage into the hollow organ and a plurality of suction holes formed through an outer wall of the elongated body, disposed around a circumference of a portion of the elongated body which, when the elongated body is in the operative position, is located within the entrance passage in combination with a vacuum channel formed in the elongated body for transferring a negative pressure to the suction holes to increase a sealing force applied by tissue of the entrance passage to the outer surface of the elongated body.
US08287543B2
A fracture fixation system, particularly for a fracture at the distal end of the radius, in which a buttress pin is secured to a stable bone fragment by a bone screw and washer, and distal ends of the buttress pin are bent out of the plane of the buttress pin to engage and support a distal bone fragment. The legs of the buttress pin are spaced apart more narrowly at a U-shaped bend of the buttress pin where the buttress pin can be engaged by a conventional washer and bone screw and more widely where the bent ends engage the distal bone fragment. The washer has tabs for counter bearing against the legs to prevent spinning of the washer when the bone screw is installed. The washer can also support a fixation element which can be engaged in the distal fragment to provide additional support therefor.
US08287535B2
Apparatus and methods for internal surgical procedures are disclosed. The apparatus and methods may involve supporting internal body locations, creating submucosal separations (blebs), and/or for resecting mucosal tissue separated from underlying tissue by a bleb.
US08287534B2
An improved electrosurgical scalpel, with light emission, for generating electrical signals intended for applications to the body of a patient via an electrosurgical electrode is provided. An electrosurgical scalpel includes a handle with a receptacle portion of a conductive member for mounting and retaining an electrode blade, a light source with a power source encapsulated within the handle and a means to direct the light emitted outwardly towards the electrode tip. Operation of a switch on the handle to an on position serves to complete a circuit, activating the light source and, thereby directing light through an opening or upper portion and out from the first end of the handle towards the distal end of the electrode blade.
US08287511B2
A disposable diaper includes a body fluid absorbing zone extending over a crotch region further into front and rear waist regions, side flaps extending in a longitudinal direction outside transversely opposite side edges of the zone, and end flaps extending in a transverse direction outside longitudinally opposite ends of the zone. The side flaps in the front waist region are formed from a composite nonwoven fabric composed of a first fibrous nonwoven fabric facing away from the wearer's skin and a second fibrous nonwoven fabric laminated on the first fibrous nonwoven fabric and facing the wearer's skin. The first fibrous nonwoven fabric has a kinetic friction coefficient higher than a kinetic friction coefficient of the second fibrous nonwoven fabric.
US08287510B2
An odor control substrate that is applied with an activated carbon ink is provided. The activated carbon ink is applied in a pattern that covers from about 25% to about 95% of the surface area of the substrate. Although not covering the entire surface, the present inventors have discovered that the activated carbon ink is still capable of providing good odor reduction qualities to the substrate. To further enhance the aesthetic appeal of the odor control substrate to a consumer, one or more colored inks may also be applied the substrate in a pattern that may or may not overlap with the activated carbon ink pattern. The colored ink(s) may contrast well with the activated carbon ink to provide an overall design that is more aesthetically than otherwise would be provided by a uniform coating of activated carbon ink.
US08287498B2
The needle assembly is provided with the housing, an IV cannula for accessing a blood vessel and a non-patient cannula for communication with an evacuated tube. A flashback chamber is provided in the housing at or near the distal end of the housing. A shield is hinged to a portion of the assembly proximally of the entrance to the flashback chamber. As a result, good visibility of the flashback chamber is achieved. After use, the shield can be rotated into a closed position for surrounding the IV cannula and avoiding accidental needle sticks.
US08287496B2
A flow element for use with flexible needles and flexible needle assemblies to minimize flow occlusion within a flexible needle is provided. The flow element is particularly suited for uses with a flexible needle for minimizing incidence of post-dural puncture headache. The flow element includes a body having an internal flow path for conducting a fluid through a flexible needle, and an anti-restriction member. The anti-restriction member includes an elongated body, a proximal end coupled to the body within the internal flow path, and a distal end for disposing at least a portion of the elongated body within a flexible needle. A flexible spinal needle assembly for minimizing flow occlusion through an internal flow path of a flexible needle by unintended kinking that is potentially caused by ligament or muscle layer movements is also provided.
US08287494B2
Intravitreal injection devices include an injection assembly adapted to receive an injector, and an alignment guide adapted to facilitate placement of the injector relative to a patient's eye for injecting an injectant therein. The injection assembly, in response to a user input, is adapted to automatically and sequentially first, translate the injector into the patient's eye, and then second, dispense the injectant from the injector. In some embodiments the injector is a typical syringe. Some embodiments are adapted to receive syringes having different configurations. Methods of injecting an injectant into a patient's eye are also provided.
US08287488B2
A holographic occlusion detection system has a white-light holographic label placed onto a sensing portion or surface of a pressure sensor connected to infusion tubing. The pressure sensor at the sensing portion can have a relatively thin wall section and may be wider and flatter than a normal cross section of the infusion tubing. The label is then illuminated by a polychromatic light source, and the light reflected off the holographic label is then received by a photodetector. Pressure changes within the tubing cause a change in orientation of the white-light holographic label, thereby resulting in a shift in the peak wavelength of the reflective light sensed by the photodetector. This shift in wavelength can then be calibrated to the swelling of the sensing portion so that pressure within the infusion line can be calculated. In another variation, monochromatic light is reflected off a holographic label, and pressure changes are detected by measuring the amplitude of the reflected light.
US08287486B2
An infusion pressure monitoring system for a phacoemulsification or vitrectomy machine to be operated by a health care provider includes an irrigation path configured to carry an irrigation solution to a surgical site and a fluid sensor configured to detect a fluid parameter in the irrigation path. An input device receives a variable fluid flow command from the health care provider commanding an irrigation fluid flow through the irrigation path at a flow rate corresponding to the command. A controller communicates with both the fluid sensor and the input device. The controller determines an expected fluid pressure value and a dynamically variable threshold pressure value based upon the variable fluid flow command.
US08287479B2
A method of assembling an orthosis configured to stretch tissue around a foot and a toe of a wearer is provided. The method includes providing a first member affixable to the foot and including a first extension member extending therefrom, providing a second member affixable to the toe and including a second extension member, wherein the second extension member comprises an arcuate shape extending therefrom, the second extension member is operatively connected to the first extension member so that relative movement between the first and second affixable members is determined by movement along the arcuate shape, and coupling the first member to the second member.
US08287477B1
An Active Ankle Foot Orthosis (AAFO) is provided where the impedance of an orthotic joint is modulated throughout the walking cycle to treat ankle foot gait pathology, such as drop foot gait. During controlled plantar flexion, a biomimetic torsional spring control is applied where orthotic joint stiffness is actively adjusted to minimize forefoot collisions with the ground. Throughout late stance, joint impedance is minimized so as not to impede powered plantar flexion movements, and during the swing phase, a torsional spring-damper (PD) control lifts the foot to provide toe clearance. To assess the clinical effects of variable-impedance control, kinetic and kinematic gait data were collected on two drop foot participants wearing the AAFO. It has been found that actively adjusting joint impedance reduces the occurrence of slap foot, allows greater powered plantar flexion, and provides for less kinematic difference during swing when compared to normals.
US08287470B2
Disclosed is a swallowing test apparatus including a laryngeal part displacement detection apparatus for detecting a distance of two positions located laterally at a laryngeal part of a subject, a swallowing sound detection apparatus for detecting a swallowing sound of the patient during swallowing, a display, a processing apparatus for displaying a waveform representing the distance of the two positions at the laryngeal part generated based on a signal obtained from the laryngeal part displacement detection apparatus, and a waveform representing the swallowing sound generated based on a signal obtained from the swallowing sound detection apparatus on the display.
US08287468B2
A blood component measurement device has a puncturing unit provided inside a housing and having a puncture needle; a button unit for advancing and retreating the puncture needle; a contact mechanism coming into contact with the skin of a person to be measured; and a holder for displaceably holding the puncturing unit. The blood component measurement device also has an introduction section at the substantially center of a contact member. After the skin is punctured by the puncture needle provided at the substantially center of the mechanism, the introduction section introduces blood to testing paper when the contact member of the contact mechanism is displaced in a sliding manner along a guide member.
US08287463B2
A localizing wire comprising an anchor portion that can change shape from a collapsed shape to an expanded shape and thereby anchor within a tissue mass. A localizing wire having an exterior portion that can lie flat against the tissue mass. A localizing wire that can be repositioned or withdrawn without the need for the reinsertion of an introducer.
US08287447B2
An outer tube for natural orifice surgery. The outer tube can have interchangeable inserts to establish a desired size and number of lumens. A distal tapered soft plastic plug may be provided to cover the distal end of the tube. Different segments of the tube may have different stiffness characteristics.
US08287432B2
A clutch control system for a twin-clutch type automatic/manual transmission AMT includes a hydraulic pump for driving a first clutch and a second clutch and oil passages for transmitting oil pressures and an AMT control unit for controlling the supply of oil pressures into the oil passages. Upon detection of an engine starting operation, the AMT control unit performs an initial preparatory operation in which the oil pressures are supplied into the oil passages at different timings so as to fill up the oil passages with a working oil, thereby completing the preparations for driving of the clutches. When the oil pressure is supplied into the oil passage after a predetermined oil pressure is generated in the oil passage, the period of time taken for a first speed gear to become usable is shortened, whereby a swift vehicle starting after the starting of the engine can be achieved.
US08287427B2
A multi-mode, electrically variable, hybrid transmission and improved shift control methods for controlling the same are provided herein. The hybrid transmission configuration and shift control methodology presented herein allow for shifting between different EVT modes when the engine is off, while maintaining propulsion capability and minimum time delay for engine autostart. The shift control maneuver is able to maintain zero engine speed while producing continuous output torque throughout the shift by eliminating transition through a fixed gear mode or neutral state. Optional oncoming clutch pre-fill strategies and mid-point abort logic minimize the time to complete shift, and reduce the engine start delay if an intermittent autostart operation is initiated.
US08287424B2
A speed adjusting mechanism for roller traction toroidal continuously variable transmission is disclosed, which comprises an input disk; an output disk coaxially and symmetrically positioned relative to the input disk; a rotation shaft thought the axis of input disk and output disk; a screw rod coaxially connected to the rotation shaft and being rotated accordingly; and a plurality of friction balls respectively contact with the input disk and output disk and rotate same; each friction ball respectively revolved on its own center axis and each center axis respectively connected to a supporting bracket and each supporting bracket respectively connected to an arc-shaped screw gear; wherein the screw rod is engaged to the screw gears so that they will rotate correspondingly to let each center axis tilt to the same extent so that the input disk and out disk will have different rotation rate.
US08287423B2
A planetary gear system is disclosed. The planetary gear system includes a carrier, a planet gear defining a central planet axis, and a pin coupling the planet gear to the carrier. The planetary gear system additionally includes a bearing disposed between the planet gear and the pin. The bearing includes a plurality of rolling elements. Each of the rolling elements is in contact with an inner race and an outer race. The planetary gear system further includes a resilient member. The resilient member is disposed between one of the inner race and the pin or the outer race and the planet gear.
US08287414B2
A continuously variable transmission device comprising a variator and a secondary power splitting. For power splitting, a planetary gear set has a first shaft coupled to the transmission input, a second shaft of the gear set coupled a first shaft of the variator, and a third shaft of the gear set couples a second shaft of the variator. First and second shift elements are provided to switch between first and second gear ratio ranges. Via the variator, the gear ratio is continuously variable within the gear ratio range and the two gear ratio ranges overlap. To implement the first gear ratio range, the second shaft of the gear set is connected, via the first shift element, to the transmission output, and to implement the second gear ratio range, the third shaft of the planetary gear set is connected, via the second shift element, to the transmission output.
US08287410B2
A tensioning device has a tension arm mounted on a base. A pulley is mounted on the tension arm for engaging a looped belt. By changing mounting bushings, one can select either a static mode wherein the tension arm is held stationary relative to the base, or a dynamic mode wherein, in response to a changing force applied between the pulley and the belt (due to vibrations or load changes, for example), the tension arm moves relative to the base such in a manner as to maintain the force substantially constant. Several such devices can be employed in a system for controlling the tension of a looped belt, one or more of the devices being in the static mode and one or more being in the dynamic mode. Several such systems can be employed in a complex machine such as a photocopier or medical apparatus for controlling the tension in a number of different belts.
US08287409B2
A hydraulic control system of continuously variable transmission includes: a first sheave pressure regulating valve (17) that regulates a line pressure (Pl), which is used for hydraulic control as a source pressure, to obtain a first sheave pressure (Pin); a fail-safe valve (19) that selects and outputs any one of the first sheave pressure (Pin) or a fail-safe hydraulic pressure (second sheave pressure Pout) that is applied to a drive pulley (21) at the time of a failure due to an excessive first sheave pressure (Pin) to the drive pulley (21); and a first regulator valve (12) and a second regulator valve (13) that regulate the line pressure (Pl). An output pressure (Psf) of the fail-safe valve (19) is supplied to the first and second regulator valves (12 and 13) in a feedback manner as a drive pulley (21) side hydraulic pressure to thereby regulate the line pressure (Pl).
US08287388B2
A universal logic enclosure (16) to be inserted as a retro-fit solution into the cabinet (12) of an electronic gaming device (10) for the purpose of securely housing software and firmware components. The logic enclosure (16) includes a box-like central support frame (18) having side walls (32, 43, 38) each formed with a window (42) having substantially identical dimensional attributes to receive interchangeable cover plates (44). A logic door (50) can be affixed so as to hinge from any one of the walls (32, 34, 38, 48) by way of an integral hinge feature (52) that interacts with flanges (54) extending inwardly from the walls. The logic door (50) includes a key operated closure mechanism (58).
US08287383B1
A method of changing virtual items based on real-world events is disclosed. It is detected that a player of a computer-implemented game has performed a location-based action. An attribute of a virtual item in an inventory of a player character in the computer-implemented game is changed based on the detecting that the player has performed the location-based action. The player character is controlled in the computer-implemented game by the player of the computer-implemented game and the virtual item is usable within the computer-implemented game by the player character.
US08287378B2
When the game machines (2100, 2110 and 2120) join the same network game, display images necessary for the users playing in a common virtual space are displayed in the displays (2105, 2115 and 2125) of the game machines. The game machines are connected with the controllers (2109, 2119 and 2129). The users operate various operations by means of the controllers for executing the game. The user can play match against or cooperate with the users participating in a common network game, and can also communicate with the users.
US08287370B2
A display unit (1) of the present invention includes: a first liquid crystal display element (20) for displaying an image; a character object (62) disposed behind the first liquid crystal display element (20); a second liquid crystal display element (30) disposed between the first liquid crystal display element (20) and the character object (62), for shielding the character object (62); and a character object shielding section (64) which is a mechanical shielding device, disposed behind the second liquid crystal display element (30), for shielding the character object (62).
US08287369B2
A game machine on which a user allows a plurality of player characters of an operation subject team to perform linkage play. A linkage partner selecting unit selects a linkage partner player character from among fellow player characters. A type of linkage play selecting unit selects a type of linkage play. A linkage partner control unit controls the position of a linkage partner player character based on a selected type of linkage play. If a linkage partner player character is not selected, a pass execution unit makes an operation subject player character execute a pass in a direction based on the content of a pass instruction operation according to the pass instruction by the user. If a linkage partner player character is selected, the pass execution unit makes the operation subject player character execute a pass to a linkage partner player character based on the user's pass instruction operation.
US08287368B2
A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a service module. The service module is operable to electronically provide service documentation to a wagering game service technician via a user interface of the computerized wagering game system.
US08287364B2
A gaming system displays a plurality of emblems in a predefined field. For a play of an accumulator positioning game, the gaming system enables a player to position at least one accumulator in the field based on a set of accumulator positioning criteria. The accumulator positioning criteria define allowable accumulator positions and also define whether a positioned accumulator causes the gaming system to indicate any of the emblems as winning emblems. The gaming system may indicate such winning emblems based on a spatial relationship between that emblem and any accumulator, such as a relationship wherein an accumulator encircles an emblem. The gaming system indicates any such winning emblems and provides an award for the play of the game based on any indicated winning emblems.
US08287362B2
The cumulative credit consumptions of game machines are controlled per player. When the cumulative credit consumption of a player reaches an upper limit, a return is executed to the player based on a predetermined return rate. In addition, the return rate can be changed to produce high game characteristics. Therefore, the player can perform a game without anxiety, while enjoying amusement of the game. At the result, the problem of missing customers can be eliminated.
US08287359B2
A display unit displays symbols in a plurality of columns, and in particular arranges the symbols in the same order in two or more of the columns. A game controller unit determines an arrangement of symbols at random on a condition that symbols are arranged in the same order and at the same positions in the two or more columns. A display controller unit causes the display unit to spin the two or more columns of symbols from the same position in synchronization with each other, and stop the two or more columns at the same position to display the arrangement of symbols determined by the game controller unit.
US08287357B2
A gaming system selects and displays one of a plurality of symbol blocks in each of a plurality of block positions, wherein each of the selected blocks includes at least one partial symbol. Each partial symbol has at least one complementary partial symbol which, when arranged in a designated spatial relationship with one another, form a complete matching symbol. If any of the partial symbols on the selected blocks create a complete matching symbol, the gaming system provides at least one award to the player. Each matching block which includes any portion of a complete matching symbol is then removed, creating an empty block position. The gaming system then fills the empty block position by either shifting a displayed block into the empty block position or by selecting a new block. The gaming system repeats this process until no complete matching symbols are formed.
US08287356B2
A method of gaming comprising: selecting a set of symbols for display to a player in a set of display positions corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of reels; determining a game round outcome based on the selected symbols; determining that a feature game round should occur; and determining a feature game round outcome by determining an optimal winning combination of symbols from a feature subset of the set of symbols comprising more symbols than the number of reels.
US08287350B2
A game management method is for executing a competition game among a plurality of client terminal devices. Players are identified before the start of the game. If an occurrence of an unusual end of the game is judged during the game, it is judged whether or not the unusual end is an unauthorized end of the game due to an unauthorized operation by the player and it is judged whether or not a penalty is to be given to the player having ended the game in an unauthorized manner. By judging with high accuracy whether or not the unusual end of the game was caused by the unauthorized operation by the player, unauthorized operations of players are suppressed and fairness is better maintained among honest players.
US08287331B2
There is disclosed a method for manufacturing a polishing pad that is formed of a urethane foam pad and attached to a turn table to polish a wafer, the method comprising at least steps of: slicing a urethane foam cake to provide the urethane foam pad; and performing press processing with respect to the urethane foam pad with a pressure of 15000 g/cm2 or above, a polishing pad manufactured by this method, and a method for polishing a wafer by using this polishing pad. There can be provided a method for manufacturing a polishing pad that can stably obtain a wafer with high flatness, etc.
US08287325B2
A flexible display of the present invention is an active matrix flexible display in which a TFT is provided for each pixel. In the flexible display, an adhesive layer, a protective layer, a gate electrode for the TFT, which is buried in the protective layer, a gate insulating layer for the TFT, source and drain electrodes for the TFT, a pixel electrode electrically connected to the drain electrode, an organic active layer for the TFT, an organic EL layer including a red (R) emitting layer, a green (G) emitting layer and a blue (B) emitting layer, which are formed on a plurality of the pixel electrodes, a metal electrode, and a sealing layer are formed on a plastic film.
US08287324B2
A water jet propulsion watercraft includes a hull having a sealed engine room, an engine installed in the engine room, a jet propulsion unit arranged to be driven by the engine so as to suck in water from around the hull and jet the water, a saddle type seat disposed above the engine room, a first exhaust pipe, an exhaust pipe cooling unit, and a catalyst unit. The first exhaust pipe is attached to a side of the engine inside the engine room, extends rearward from the side of the engine, and is arranged to guide exhaust gas discharged from the engine. The exhaust pipe cooling unit is arranged to cool the first exhaust pipe. The catalyst unit is connected to the first exhaust pipe, is disposed inside the engine room so as to oppose a rear surface of the engine, and is arranged to promote reaction of components contained in the exhaust gas.
US08287320B2
A coaxial cable connector comprising a connector body; a post engageable with connector body, wherein the post includes a flange; a nut, axially rotatable with respect to the post and the connector body, the nut having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the nut includes an internal lip, and wherein a second end portion of the nut corresponds to the portion of the nut extending from the second end of the nut to the side of the lip of the nut facing the first end of the nut at a point nearest the second end of the nut, and a first end portion of the nut corresponds to the portion of the nut extending from the first end of the nut to the same point nearest the second end of the nut of the same side of the lip facing the first end of the nut; and a continuity member disposed within the second end portion of the nut and contacting the post and the nut, so that the continuity member extends electrical grounding continuity through the post and the nut is provided.
US08287317B2
A communication connector uses compensation circuitry to compensate for crosstalk in a network connection. Portions of the compensation circuitry are placed on a flexible circuit board that makes conductive contact with plug interface contacts of the connector. Additional compensation circuitry is provided on a rigid circuit board within the connector.
US08287315B2
A phone plug connector device having a preassembled three conductive phone plug and connector, wherein the phone plug includes a conductive tip and a stem, wherein the connector connects the phone plug to a triaxial cable, wherein the triaxial cable comprises a center conductor surrounded by a first dielectric, the first dielectric being surrounded by a first conductive sheath, and the first conductive sheath surrounded by a protective outer jacket, wherein the connector connects the triaxial cable to the phone plug mechanically and electrically by compression.
US08287308B2
A low noise block down-converter with integrated feed (LNBF) capable of being quickly assembled is disclosed, which includes an LNBF main body, a connection portion including at least one LNBF locating hole, a support arm including at least one support arm locating hole, a holder disposed on the support arm including a first holding hole and a second holding hole, an auxiliary shaft including at least one locating protrusion, a spring including a spring body, a first spring arm, a second spring arm, and a pivot for connecting the auxiliary shaft and the spring to the holder, wherein the at least one locating protrusion passes the at least one support arm locating hole and the at least one LNBF locating hole to fix relative position between connection portion and the support arm, and the spring positions the at least one locating protrusion in an engaging state with elastic restoring force.
US08287299B2
High-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) plugs are modified to include one or more retention features that increase the force needed to extract a fully inserted HDMI plug from a compatible mating receptacle. In several embodiments, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) plug includes a connector body having a mating end configured for insertion in a longitudinal direction into a mating HDMI receptacle and having a slot-shaped opening along at least one wall of the connector body, extending in the longitudinal direction. A movable tab is biased to extend outward from the slot-shaped opening in a first position, when unconstrained by the mating HDMI receptacle, and configured to retreat into a second position, substantially within said opening, when longitudinally engaged by a leading edge of the mating HDMI receptacle during insertion of the connector body. Additional retention features and mating HDMI receptacles are also described.
US08287297B2
The invention relates to a clearance compensation unit for a plug connection, in particular an electrical RJ plug connection, comprising a plug connector and a counter connector, the clearance compensation unit comprising a clearance compensation spring which has at least two spring portions in such a way that clearance between the plug connector and the counter connector can be compensated in at least two dimensions by means of the spring portions, it being possible to push the plug connector against another spring portion of the clearance compensation spring or against a limit stop of the counter connector. The invention further relates to a plug connector; a counter connector; in particular a plug, a built-in plug, a coupling or a socket; a housing therefor; or a support collar; preferably for an electrical RJ plug connection, comprising a clearance compensation unit according to the invention.
US08287293B1
A card connector for receiving a card includes an insulating housing, a plurality of conductive terminals received in the insulating housing, an ejection mechanism and a shielding shell covered on the insulating housing. The insulating housing defines a guiding groove. The ejection mechanism assembled in the insulating housing includes a sliding block, an elastic element and a guide pin. The sliding block has a base body, a sliding body extending sideward from one side of the base body for ejecting the card out, and a locking body extending frontward from a root of the sliding body and spaced from the one side of the base body to define a positioning passage therebetween for guiding the card to enter the insulating housing, a guiding block protruded at a bottom of the locking body to be slidably located in the guiding groove to guide the slide of the sliding block.
US08287288B2
An electrical connector assembly includes a printed circuit board having an aperture and an electrical connector. The electrical connector comprises an insulative substrate with a plurality of contacts. The electrical connector is embedded in the aperture and electrically connects with the printed circuit board.
US08287278B2
A dental implant system includes a base member that is adapted to be embedded within a patient's jawbone at a treatment site. The base member has a generally flat top side defining an outer periphery, a bottom side, a central opening, and at least one screw hole positioned between the central opening and the outer periphery. The system also includes an implant screw that is adapted to pass through the central opening of the base member and into the patient's jawbone. The system further includes a securing screw that is smaller in size than the implant screw and has a head and a threaded end. The threaded end of the securing screw passes through the screw hole of the base member and into the patient's jawbone.
US08287277B2
A reshapable retention device for insertion at a dental site and contact with adjacent dental surfaces, for the controlled delivery to the dental site of at least one material having a predetermined intraoral activity. The retention device includes at least one matrix containing the material. The retention device is adapted for physically affixing at the dental site for at least a predetermined time period correlated to the delivery of a predetermined portion of the at least one matrix to the dental site in a controlled single, bi or multiphase pattern. The retention device includes a first configuration in which the overall dimensions of the retention device are larger than at least one dimension of the dental site. The first configuration is reshapable to a second configuration in which at least one dimension of the retention device is reduced to enable physically affixing the retention device at the dental site. In the second configuration the retention device includes a predetermined shape having contours for affixing at the dental surfaces.
US08287276B2
The invention relates to a method and a registering system for the transfer of a jaw model in relation to a hinge axis, for example, in an articulator, and to a connection device for connecting a lower jaw adapter (1) to a measuring carrier (4), and a bite carrier (3) for producing a bite key. The invention is characterized in that the transfer of the mandibular joint geometry, especially the exact position of the hinge axis of the patient, can be carried out in a state of assembly or an articulator using only a hinge axis determination relative to the lower jaw of the patient. The transfer of the facial arc required until now in prior art is rendered superfluous by the invention. Moreover, the possibilities of use of the transfer in relation to the hinge axis are extended, modularised and simultaneously simplified and accelerated. Sources of error are eliminated, the expenditure on equipment and costs of the transfer of the model can be critically reduced.
US08287272B1
A nozzle retaining clip for retaining a nozzle assembly with a material distributing manifold comprises an attachment portion for attaching the clip to the manifold and an engagement portion for engaging a nozzle assembly abutted to the manifold. Two clips located to engage opposite sides of a nozzle assembly abutted to the manifold member are effective to retain the nozzle assembly and to allow the manifold and nozzle assembly to move relative to one another while the clips and nozzle assembly remain engaged. A first alternative clip achieves only surface contact and a second alternative clip allows protrusion of a segment of a nozzle assembly periphery through the clip. Advantageously, the clip comprises at least one locating tap to restrain movement of the clip relative to a manifold. An apparatus for injection molding comprises a manifold and nozzle assembly construction comprising clips in accordance with the invention.
US08287269B2
The invention provides molds useful in the production of contact lenses having seamless edges and in which molds movement of one mold half in relation to the other mold half is decreased. These results are attained by providing mold halves with shoulder stops and seam-matching features.
US08287260B2
An air venting valve and method for removing air from a vulcanizing mold of a vehicle tire by the aid of an air venting valve having a body functioning as an air channel and an inner part movable in a longitudinal direction. The body includes a stem and a valve disc disposed at an inner end of the stem on the side of a mold surface, the diameter of the valve disc is larger than the inner diameter of the body. A spring member is arranged in the air venting valve for forcing the inner part in a predetermined position for opening the valve when a blank is removed from the vulcanizing mold. The lower part of the inner part of the body includes an outer thread and in the lower part of the body a respective inner thread for screwing the valve stem in the body.
US08287256B2
Although modern diesel fuel formulations are intended to reduce emissions of diesel engines, at least some of those modern fuels tend to have relatively low lubricity levels. The control valve assemblies described herein help to minimize any increased wear that would otherwise result from the use of such low lubricity fuels by providing a valve element, a valve guide, and an insert. The valve element is received within the valve guide and is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The insert forms a first sealed interface and a second sealed interface with the valve element and the valve guide. When the valve element is in the closed position, both of the first sealed interface and the second sealed interface are engaged. When the valve element is in the open position, only one of the first sealed interface and the second sealed interface is engaged.
US08287254B2
The present invention comprehends a gerotor or gear pump driven by a permanent magnet motor which exhibits cogging torque, i.e., resistance to rotation when de-energized caused by interaction between permanent magnets in the rotor and teeth on the stator. Such interaction causes the rotor to come to rest in one of many defined rotational positions and resist rotation when electrical power to the motor has been terminated. The permanent magnet motor is coupled, preferably directly, to a gerotor pump having meshing rotors or a gear pump having meshing gears. When the motor is de-energized, the pump rotors or gears come to rest and their rotation is resisted by the cogging torque of the motor. The invention finds particular application in automotive transmissions and systems with parallel pumps.
US08287244B2
A method of constant airflow control includes various controls to accomplish a substantially constant airflow rate over a significant change of the static pressure in a ventilation duct. One control is a constant I·RPM control, which is primarily used in a low static pressure range. Another control is a constant RPM control, which is primarily used in a high static pressure range. These controls requires neither a static pressure sensor nor an airflow rate sensor to accomplish substantially constant airflow rate while static pressure changes. Also, the method improves the accuracy of the control by correcting certain deviations that are caused by the motor's current-RPM characteristics. To compensate the deviation, the method adopts a test operation in a minimum static pressure condition. Also disclosed is an apparatus for conducting these control methods.
US08287242B2
A rotor has a central shaft having a central longitudinal axis. The rotor has a longitudinal stack of a plurality of disks surrounding the shaft. An aft hub couples the stack to the shaft. The aft hub has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion tapers at a lower characteristic half angle than does the proximal portion.
US08287240B2
A wind energy plant and method for installing a rotor hub on a rotor shaft. At the end of the rotor shaft facing the rotor hub, a locking disk is attached on the rotor shaft, which has a multiplicity of bores for the preliminary attachment of the rotor hub, for installing it, the rotor hub is made to sit close to the locking disk, if required, the bores in the locking disk are made to overlap with corresponding bores in the rotor hub by rotating the rotor shaft and/or the rotor hub, starting from the rotor shaft side, the rotor hub is preliminarily screwed together with the locking disk through the bores of the locking disk and of the rotor hub, and starting from the interior space of the rotor hub, the rotor hub is definitely screwed together with the locking disk and the rotor shaft.
US08287232B2
There is provided a compressor (10) and an associated method for controlling a recirculation flow to control surging in the compressor. The compressor includes a housing (12) and a compressor wheel (16) mounted therein. A recirculation passage (41) receives compressed air from the compressor and recirculates the compressed air to an inlet passage (20) of the housing and, in particular, to leading edges (32) of blades (18) of the compressor wheel. An adjustable flow control device (60) is configured to control the flow of the compressed air through the recirculation passage to control a surge characteristic of the compressor. For example, the flow control device can include one or more valves (V1, V2, V3), each of which can be adjusted by an actuator (64).
US08287228B2
In one aspect, a method for controlling the amplitude modulation of the noise generated by wind turbines is generally disclosed. The method may include determining a sound characteristic of a turbine sound wave generated by a wind turbine and generating an additive sound wave based on the sound characteristic such that a resultant sound wave is produced having a peak-to-peak amplitude that is smaller than a peak-to-peak amplitude of the turbine sound wave.
US08287220B2
In the area of manufacturing peel-off lids (28) out of lid rings with a peel-off foil (25) sealed on it, a part of the sealing surface (26) is bent up in the direction of the lid edge in order to tension the sealing surface with the peel-off foil. A clamping tool (30, 31) is provided in order to clamp the sealing surface with the peel-off foil and a pressing tool (35) in order to bend up the unclamped sealing surface section (26′).
US08287219B2
A fastening arrangement having a first fastening part which is connected to a metal sheet and has a first threaded section, and having a second fastening part which has a second threaded section which engages with the first threaded section, with the fastening parts fixing an electrical connecting part such that an electrical connection is formed between the connecting part and the metal sheet. A cover part is fixed to the first fastening part in an end position and, in a covering position, has covered at least a part of the first threaded section until the second threaded section has engaged with the first threaded section and, in the process, the cover part has been moved from the covering position to the end position.
US08287214B2
The spindle drive unit of a combined machine tool drives the spindle. The tip end of the spindle is provided with a boring tool and a tool head having a rough grinding stone and a finishing grinding stone. The spindle drive unit has a first support unit and a second support unit capable of receiving the spindle therethrough and supporting it rotatably, a linear motor and a column slide mechanism for moving the first and second support unit in the axis direction of the spindle, and a spindle motor for rotating the spindle.
US08287213B2
An insert is disclosed for use in cutting tool applications having two major faces and at least two cutting edges. The insert is indexable by repositioning the cutting insert from one face to the other face. The inserts may be mounted in a seat formed in a fixed cutting tool. The seat has a major seating surface for mounting the insert and for receiving a retainer at a predetermined angle. In one form, the seat may also have dovetail walls oriented to engage side walls of the insert and to reduce the shear force against the retainer during contact between the insert and a rotating workpiece. The fixed tool has reliefs and a tip pocket to protect an unused cutting edge on the insert.
US08287212B2
A cantilever system for a rig comprising a hull, a beam coupled to the hull, an extension member coupled to the beam, and a hold-down member spaced from a support member and coupled to the extension member. A first end of the beam is extendable over an edge of the hull while a second end of the beam is positioned on the hull. The extension member increases the longitudinal length of the beam. The support member is disposed adjacent the edge of the hull. The hold-down member is configured to apply a force to the extension member in a direction toward the hull when the first end of the beam is extended over the edge of the hull. A method of increasing the capacity of the cantilever system comprises increasing the spacing between the support member and the hold-down member.
US08287211B2
A method for pipelaying at sea from a vessel, wherein the length of each pipe string is less than the depth of the sea at the laying site, is described. The method includes attaching a string to a line on the vessel. The string is deployed and suspended by the vessel via the line substantially above the end of the pipeline to which it will be connected. The line is paid out until the lower end of the string is lowered to the end of the string to which it will be connected. With the string in a vertical configuration and the end of the pipeline substantially in its installed configuration, the end of the string is connected to the end of the pipeline. The vessel is moved in the lay direction and the line is paid out until the string is laid into its installed configuration.
US08287208B2
Wave attenuation systems are disclosed. For example, a wave-attenuating panel can define a plane, a center-of buoyancy and a center-of-mass spaced from the center-of-buoyancy such that the panel is stably buoyant in a liquid with the plane oriented vertically. Wave attenuators are also disclosed. Such a wave attenuator can comprise a first row of support members extending vertically relative to a seabed and a second row of support members spaced from the first row. A vertically oriented, movable panel can be positioned between the first row and the second row, such that the panel is configured to rise and fall in a substantially vertical plane. Such wave attenuators can also comprise a second, fixed panel that remains submerged.
US08287201B2
The invention relates to a vial for a liquid or pasty cosmetic product, comprising: an elongate body (10), extending in a longitudinal direction, a vessel containing said product and which is translatably movable inside the body, an application element (30) comprising a rod (31) rigidly connected to a cap (40) and ending in an applicator (32) suitable for being loaded with the product when dunked into the vessel, said cap being insertable into/onto the body by pushing said application element into the vessel up to a rest configuration and extractable from said body so as to extract the rod and the applicator from the vessel and from the body, and complementary sealing means (35 and 80) designed for translatably coupling the rod and the vessel in a relative sealing configuration, characterized in that the top position of the vessel in the body is defined by complementary retaining elements designed so as to generate a resistance against the downward movement of the vessel in the body from said top position, the configuration of the cap being such that, when coupled to the vessel while the latter is in the bottom rest position, said cap offers a large enough surface to enable a user to apply the force required for extraction from the body.
US08287199B2
The invention relates to a vial for a liquid or pasty cosmetic product, comprising an elongate body having a base area (11) and a free edge (12), a vessel (20) containing said product and which is translatably movable in the body between a bottom rest position and a top working position, an elastically compressible guide device with a stable retracted configuration determining the bottom position and a maximum extension configuration determining the top position, comprising a hollow guide track in which a guide pin is inserted at least in the maximum extension configuration, as well as an application element (30) comprising a cap (40) suitable for being inserted inside the body and, in the opposite direction, for being at least partially extracted from said body by the elastically compressible guide device. An elastic insert (67) is provided next to said guide track to slow the movement of the guide pin when the elastically compressible guide device exits the maximum extension configuration thereof due to the cap being pushed into the body.
US08287196B2
A focal plane shutter having a front film and a back film which expose a charge-coupled device to light as they move back and forth between a cover plate and a base plate, between a charging position and a discharging position at a certain time interval. The focal plane shutter includes at least one lever member which is connected to the front film and/or back film, and which amplifies an impact force generated during a charging and a discharging movement of the front film and/or back film using a lever action. An elevating member slides in a direction parallel with the movement of the front film and/or back film by the impact force amplified in the lever member. An impact absorbing unit regulates the sliding movement of the elevating member to absorb impact energy generated by the movement and stop of the front film and/or back film.
US08287189B1
A disposable bag receptacle includes a body having an open top end portion and a closed bottom end portion. The body defines a cavity extending between the top and bottom end portions and includes a flexible outer surface impregnated with a pesticide. The outer surface further includes a predetermined quantity of aroma substance impregnated therein for emitting a pleasant aroma. The body further includes a plurality of flexible straps having opposed end portions attached to the body. The plurality of straps are connected adjacent the top end portion of the body and are engageable with each other for tying the open top end portion. In an alternate embodiment, the body has a longitudinal axis extending in a substantially horizontal direction.
US08287178B2
The invention provides a system and method for filling a reservoir through one or a plurality of inlet nozzles to encourage mixing. The inlet nozzles include a specifically designed size reduction between the main line or branch to which the inlet nozzle is attached and the nozzle pipe itself; a specifically designed nozzle pipe length which, combined with the pressure increase provided by the size reduction, will produce the most appropriate jet flow; and a specifically designed location and orientation of the inlet nozzle within the reservoir. These parameters produce a developed turbulent jet flow which, when the inlet nozzle is positioned at the appropriate elevation and oriented in the appropriate direction(s), will direct the developed turbulent jet flow with the appropriate momentum to reach the surface of the water with initial major mixing taking place in this area. A corresponding draining system and method is also disclosed.
US08287175B2
A method of producing small bubbles (90) of gas in a liquid comprises a source (16) of the gas under pressure, a conduit (64a) opening into a liquid and oscillating the gas passing along the conduit at a frequency between 1 and 100 Hz. The oscillation is effected by fluidic oscillator (10) comprising a diverter that divides the supply into respect outputs (A, B), each output being controlled by a control port, wherein the control ports are interconnected by a closed loop (22). There may be at least two of said conduits (62a, 64a), each output port being connected to one or the other of said conduits, in which one phase of the oscillating gas is employed to drive liquid across the conduit (64a) after formation of a bubble in the other phase of oscillation, whereby the bubble is detached by the force of said driven liquid.
US08287168B2
One end of a cylindrical mount 10 is attached to an end of a cylindrical base 30 that is to be inserted into a socket of a lighting fixture. The end of the mount 10 is rotatable around a central axis of a base 30. A support 40 is attached to other end of the mount 10 so as to rotate integrally with the mount 10. An LED module 51 that includes a plurality of LED chips is attached to the support 40. An end face 43a, on which the LED module 51 is attached, is provided on the support 40. The end face 43a is formed so that the direction of light emitted by the LED chips provided on the LED module 51 is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the axial direction of the base 30.
US08287167B2
A lamp unit includes a first semiconductor light-emitting element that serves as a light source; a second semiconductor light-emitting element that serves as a light source; a support member that supports the first semiconductor light-emitting element and the second semiconductor light-emitting element; a first reflector provided above the first semiconductor light-emitting element, which reflects light radiated from the first semiconductor light-emitting element forward; a shade that blocks a portion of reflected light from the first reflector; a projection lens provided in front of the first reflector with the shade disposed therebetween, which forms a light distribution pattern with a cut-off line from light reflected by the first reflector; a positioning portion that positions the projection lens; and a second reflector provided below the second semiconductor light-emitting element, which reflects light radiated from the second semiconductor light-emitting element forward.
US08287159B2
A reflector capable of suppressing contrast reduction caused by retro-reflection of outside light, a display device having the same, and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The reflector includes: a base having first and second opposed surfaces, the second surface being provided with a reflective element; and a light absorbing film formed in a region other than the reflective element in the second surface.
US08287154B2
The lighting device is provided with lamp housing, LED module, terminal cover, and light penetrating hood. Lamp housing comprises base, heat sink on the base, thermal dissipation channel between neighboring two heat sinks, and the base inner container. LED module comprises base for fixing, lamp cover attached to the side of the base, multiple LED lamp being inside the lamp cover, and connecting part connected to the corresponding container on the base. Each terminal cover seals the forward and reward part of the lamp housing, and the light penetrating hood is connected below the lamp housing, and the container for LED module is surrounded with the lamp housing, the terminal cover, and the light penetrating hood. This utility model can simplify the manufacturing process and cut down the cost and time to research and develop.
US08287141B2
An automobile side mirror includes a reflective portion having a front mirror that is incompletely silvered and a rear mirror angularly offset from the front mirror, the rear mirror being fixed relative to the front mirror. The mirror includes a bracket hingedly coupled to the reflective portion and a solenoid hingedly coupled to the reflective portion to selectively move the reflective portion from a first configuration to a second configuration. The mirror includes a return element to return the reflective portion from the second configuration to the first configuration. A light sensor is positioned to detect an amount of light directed toward the reflective portion. A processor is in communication with the light sensor and in communication with the solenoid, the processor including programming to actuate the solenoid upon detection of a predetermined amount of light directed at the light sensor.
US08287139B2
A light source device, includes: an arc tube, and a pair of sealing portions; a reflector; and a sub mirror configured to reflect the light emitted from the arc tube toward the arc tube, and disposed of the other side of the sealing portion in such a manner as to cover a part of the outer surface of the tube spherical portion of the side of the illumination area, the sub mirror include a plurality of reflection members provided with reflection surfaces having different shapes, and the distance between the illumination axis and the outer shape of one of the adjoining reflection members is different from the distance between the illumination axis and the other of the adjoining reflection members.
US08287128B2
An imaging system (200), such as a scanned laser projection system, includes one or more laser sources (201) configured to produce one or more light beams (204), and a light modulator (203) configured to produce images (206) from the light beams (204). A polarization diversity element (221), which can be manufactured from a birefringent material or from a polymerized liquid crystal layer, is disposed within the imaging system (200). The polarization diversity element (221) is configured to alter the polarization of an incident beam to create a transmitted beam comprising diverse polarization patterns, thereby reducing speckle in projected images.
US08287124B2
The invention generally relates to a lens and the method of manufacturing progressive addition lenses (PAL) to remove unwanted base out prism and minimize excessive convergence, comprising determining basic configuration of two major lens surfaces to provide a distance portion and near portion, wherein diopter power increases from the distance portion of the lens to the near portion; selecting an amount of prism reduction; and reducing base out prism that inherently occurs as diopter power increases by altering the configuration of the lens as a function of the amount of prism reduction to minimize any disruption of optical properties a lens while decreasing base out prism.
US08287117B2
A recording device includes: an intermediate transfer member; a layer forming unit that forms a curable solution layer on the intermediate transfer member, the curable solution layer including a liquid-absorbing component, a curable material that is cured by irradiation of UV rays, and a surfactant having an HLB value of from 8 to 18; an ink supply unit that supplies ink droplets to the curable solution layer formed on the intermediate transfer member; a transfer unit that transfers the curable solution layer, to which the ink droplets have been applied, from the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium; and a UV irradiation unit that irradiates UV rays onto the recording medium, to which the curable solution layer has been transferred.
US08287108B2
A method for sealing an ink cartridge is disclosed. A cover film is bonded to the ink cartridge in such a manner as to cover an ink inlet hole formed in the ink cartridge. An opening is formed in the cover film in such a manner as to communicate with the hole of the ink cartridge. The method includes preparing a seal film and bonding the seal film to the cover film with a bonding strength smaller than the bonding strength of the cover film with respect to the ink cartridge in such a manner that the seal film becomes peelable from the cover film, thereby sealing the opening of the cover film.
US08287102B2
A micro-droplet ejection apparatus includes a substrate, a droplet-ejecting layer, and a plurality of bubble generators. A liquid storage space is formed between the substrate and the droplet-ejecting layer. The liquid storage space has no spacer connecting the substrate and the droplet-ejecting layer. That is, the liquid storage space has no individual chambers. The droplet-ejecting layer has a plurality of through holes arranged in an array, and each through hole is used as a nozzle for pushing out ink. The plurality of bubble generators is disposed above the substrate, and corresponds to and is disposed under the through holes. The bubble generators on two sides of a designated bubble generator generate at least one limit bubble, limiting the growth of a main bubble generated by the designated bubble generator.
US08287096B2
Provided is a printhead having a plurality of nozzles formed on a wafer substrate. Each nozzle has a fluid chamber for holding printing fluid, the fluid chamber having an ejection port, a fluid inlet defined in the wafer substrate for supplying the fluid chamber with printing fluid, and a heater element suspended in the fluid chamber. The heater element has a mass of less than 10 nanograms. Upon application of electrical energy to the heater element, a vapor bubble is formed in the printing fluid, thereby ejecting the fluid via the ejection port.
US08287093B2
A drop ejection device including a flow path in which fluid is pressurized to eject drops from a nozzle opening on a surface, a piezoelectric actuator for pressurizing said fluid, and one or more waste fluid control apertures on the surface proximate the nozzle opening, the one or more apertures being isolated from the flow path.
US08287090B2
This invention reduces an unprinted stripe occurred by edge deviation of a printhead. An inkjet printing apparatus according to this invention can execute a first printing mode in which an image is printed by scanning the printhead in a first region on the printing medium N times and scanning the printhead in a second region adjacent to the first region (N+1) times, and a second mode in which an image is printed by scanning the printhead in the first region M times and scanning the printhead in the second region (M+1) times. The width, in the conveyance direction of the printing medium, of the second region printed in the second printing mode is narrower than the width, in the conveyance direction of the printing medium, of the second region printed in the first printing mode.
US08287089B2
A print head is provided in which influence on ink to be ejected from an ejection port by an air flow generated by ink previously ejected from the ejection port is suppressed evenly for respective ejection ports in the print head. A print head has an ejection port for ejecting ink. On an ejection port forming face formed with the ejection port, a projection projecting from the ejection port forming face is formed. The projection is arranged at a position where the distance from a center of the ejection port is within the maximum of a diameter of a vortex core of a vortex that is formed when liquid droplets are ejected in the case without a projection.
US08287082B2
The discharging state of an inkjet recording head can be detected. The head includes a passage communicating with a discharge port for discharging ink, a discharging heater provided in the passage for generating energy to discharge ink from the discharge port, and a detecting unit provided in the passage for detecting a temperature of ink that changes in accordance with heat energy generated by the detecting unit and a flow of ink in the passage. The method includes supplying power to the heater, subsequently applying a first pulse current to the detecting unit, then applying a second pulse current with a smaller pulse width, and measuring and comparing an output signal from the detecting unit with a threshold to measure the ink temperature.
US08287065B2
A recording apparatus includes: a recording head that performs recording on a recording target medium; a driving mechanism that is capable of causing the recording head to move closer to the recording target medium or move away from the recording target medium; and a controlling section that determines driving amount for one driving operation that is performed by the driving mechanism on the basis of results of a comparison made between a first recording head movement direction that is taken or to be taken in the one driving operation and a second recording head movement direction that was taken in another driving operation that is immediately before the one driving operation and thus precedes the one driving operation.
US08287063B2
The invention relates to an intelligent waterless printing and dyeing control equipment and a control method thereof. The equipment comprise of: a control apparatus consisting of a programmable logic controller and a superior monitor computer and a robot, wherein, the programmable logic controller communicates with the superior monitor computer via MPI bus, receiving control signal coming from an operating panel and the robot via digitals input module for transmitting the control command to the robot, connecting with the dye conveyer apparatus and the printing and dyeing apparatus via the digitals output module; the superior monitor computer communicates with the servo controllers via CAN bus. The method includes the following steps that setting up Y-axis in cloth operational direction and X-axis in the direction which is perpendicular to the cloth operational direction to establish a plane of printing and dyeing; setting up two electronic cams which use a same virtual main shaft in the servo controllers; downloading edited jet painting formulation from the superior monitor computer into the servo controllers; completing the jet painting operation through the electronic cams. The invention achieves a purpose of screen-free, waterless and intellectualization, and has properties of an environment protection and reducing production cost due to no consumption of fresh water.
US08287058B2
A computer case includes a first fixing board, a second fixing board and a fixing module. The first fixing board and the second fixing board form a space for inserting a removable device. The second fixing board includes a hole. When the removable device is inserted into the space, the hole of the second fixing board can be aligned with a fixing aperture of the removable device. The fixing module includes a U-shaped spring and a spring holder. A fixing segment is disposed at one end of the U-shaped spring. When the U-shaped spring is placed in a spring trough of the spring holder and the fixing module is fixed on the second fixing board, the fixing segment is moved with the rotating of the U-shaped spring in the spring trough to be inserted into or removed from the fixing aperture of the removable device.
US08287055B2
A system for controlling a brake force of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the system includes an electronic control unit including a controller, a plurality of sensors in electronic communication with the controller. Each of the sensors transmits sensor data to the controller. A user interface and a driver recognition system are in electronic communication with the controller, and a computer readable memory stores instructions executed by the controller. The instructions cause the controller to evaluate a driver identification data received from the driver recognition system, a driver preference data received from the user interface, and the sensor data received from the sensors. The instructions further cause the controller to classify and select a driver or a driving pattern class, execute a control algorithm to determine a driver dependent brake force based on at least one of the selected driver or driving pattern class, the driver preference data, and the driver identification data, and to regulate the brake force of the vehicle based on the driver dependent brake force.
US08287048B2
A pinch guard for a vehicle seat (1) is provided that can be transferred from a normal use position into a step-in position. The vehicle seat (1) includes a rear foot, which is attached to a base (5) in the normal use position of the vehicle seat (1) and in the step-in position of the vehicle seat (1) the rear foot is arranged at a distance above the base (5). The vehicle seat (1) includes a rear lower pivoting axis firmly fixed to the base. The pinch guard includes at least one movable trim (17) with a pivoting axis (A), and the pivoting axis (A) of the movable trim (17) is arranged at a distance from the rear lower pivoting axis, fixed to the base of the vehicle seat (1).
US08287047B2
A vehicle seat allowing to improve a vibration absorption characteristic, securing a stable seating posture, having high vehicle operability, and allowing to alleviate fatigue due to long time seating. In a seat cushion of a vehicle seat, a first human body support portion having a center at a position corresponding to a substantially center between the pair of ischial tuberosities of a human body, and a second human body support portion corresponding to the vicinities of femoral bases of a human body and having a center at a position located forward at a horizontal distance of 100 mm along a longitudinally center line of the seat cushion from the first human body support portion are regarded respectively as spring elements, and static spring constants and dynamic spring constants thereof are set to a predetermined relationship. Thus, stability and vibration absorbency during static seating are improved.
US08287044B2
A highchair includes a seat frame, a first fixing socket disposed on the seat frame, and a seat pivotally connected to the first fixing socket. The first fixing socket has a sliding groove and a first engaging groove. The sliding groove communicates with the first engaging groove. The highchair includes a pivoting member, a restraining member, a connecting member, an adjusting member and a fixing member. The adjusting member is movably disposed on the seat. The fixing member is rotatably disposed on the seat and capable of selectively locking or releasing the adjusting member. The pivoting member is pivotally connected to one side of the seat. One end of the connecting member is connected to the pivoting member and the other end is connected to the adjusting member. The restraining member is disposed at one end of the pivoting member and movably engaged with the first engaging groove.
US08287037B2
A seat is provided having an erroneous operation preventing device in which a braking member secured to a strap is locked to regulate a folding operation in a stowing operation that includes an opening portion for guiding the strap to the seat back rear face side, a rotating member that is brought into contact with the strap, a pair of first brackets and upstanding separately on both sides of the opening portion and supporting the both end portion sides of the rotating member from above, a pair of connecting members and supporting both end portion sides of the rotating members from below while being urged toward the first brackets and side, and a movable member rotatably supported by the second bracket secured to the seat back side and connected to the connecting member. The movable member includes locking portions that lock the braking member and protrudes in a rotating direction.
US08287031B2
A crashbox is provided for connecting a bumper carrier and a longitudinal beam in a frame structure of a motor vehicle. The crashbox has a section that is compressible in a longitudinal direction and a first fixing element for attachment to the longitudinal beam and a second fixing element for attachment to the bumper carrier at opposite ends of the section. The first fixing element is in the form of a spigot member that is insertible into a cavity in the longitudinal beam and a support strut extends between two rigid side flanks of the spigot member through an internal cavity of the spigot member.
US08287029B2
A retractable hardtop for a vehicle including a front panel and an intermediate panel disposed behind the front panel in an extended position. A back panel supports a back light and is disposed below and rearwardly adjacent to the intermediate panel in the extended position. A pair of sail panels are disposed below the intermediate panel and engage opposite lateral sides of the back panel in the extended position but are separated from the back panel in the retracted position. A linkage connects the front panel, intermediate panel, and back panel to the vehicle. The front panel is shifted by the linkage over the intermediate panel and the back panel is shifted below the intermediate panel as the retractable hardtop is moved from the extended position toward a retracted position. A method of retracting a retractable hardtop as described above is also disclosed.
US08287019B1
A container for a roll of sheet metal material that includes a partially circular base and oppositely disposed end walls that are integrally formed with the base and that define with the base an open channel in which the roll of material is to be placed. An elongated slot is provided along the base and dimensioned so as to receive an end of the roll of sheet material for dispensing through the slot. An elastic cord is attached at opposite sides of the base and extend about the roll of material for holding the roll of material in the open channel.
US08287014B2
According to one embodiment, a shovel for excavating material within a utility location includes a blade made from a non-metal material. The blade has an overall thickness and a leading edge with a blunt surface and a beveled surface. The overall thickness of the blade includes a combined thickness of the blunt and beveled surfaces. The thickness of the blunt surface is between about 25% and about 75% of the overall thickness of the blade. The shovel also includes a neck coupled to the blade, as well as a handle coupled to the neck.
US08287013B2
Of side wall portions (60a, 60b) of a tubular body portion (52) mainly constituting an impact absorbing member (50), a wider side wall portion (60a) on the vehicle inner side is provided with a projecting rib (70) projects outward in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the body portion. The projecting rib (70) extends from an axial end (52a) adjacent to a mounting plate (54) and parallel to the axial direction of the body portion. Therefore, even when an impact load is applied to the impact absorbing member (50) in an oblique direction with respect to the vehicle to generate a moment load, the existence of the projecting rib (70) prevents the impact absorbing member from falling down laterally. Accordingly, excellent impact-absorbing properties are stably obtained. The projecting rib (70) is formed not to reach the load input side, i.e., the axial end (52b) adjacent to a mounting plate (56), where collapse starts. Therefore, no load increase occurs in a crash initial stage to well maintain impact-energy-absorbing properties.
US08287006B2
A tube coupling system (1) for a pressurised fluid system comprising a coupling body (3) for receiving a tube (5) of a pressurized fluid system, a leakage seal (7) for preventing fluid supplied from the pressurized fluid system via the tube to enter the coupling body (3), a gripping member (9) for gripping the outer surface of the tube (5) received in the coupling body (3), and an environment seal (11) for preventing intrusion from outside of the coupling body (3), characterized in that said environment seal (11) is at least partially displaceable and arranged to be pressed at least partially off a sealing seat when there is internal fluid pressure in the coupling body (3) resulting in a fluid stream out of the coupling body (3) and said fluid stream to the outside of the coupling body (3) indicates a leakage from the pressurized fluid system.
US08286995B2
A side airbag apparatus includes an airbag 50 that is inflated and deployed in a space between an occupant seated in a vehicle seat 12 and a vehicle body side portion by inflation gas that is supplied from an inflator 41 in response to an impact applied to the vehicle from a side. The airbag 50 has a lumbar region protecting portion 54 that is inflated and deployed beside at least the lumbar region PP of the occupant, thereby protecting the lumbar region PP. In the side airbag apparatus, the lumbar region protecting portion 54 has a part A at which the thickness in the vehicle widthwise direction is the greatest. The position in the vertical direction of the part A is lower than a highest point B in a front portion of the seat cushion 13 of the vehicle seat 12. These settings allow the part A to be inflated and deployed at a position that is spaced downward from the upper end 63U of an ilium of the occupant P.
US08286988B2
Snow ski attachments to toe of ski consisting of boat haul/navicular design bottom component J-tip 10 along with top support brace 30 and top cover 42. This will allow the ski to cut through the snow instead of bouncing over it and therefore reducing vibration and improving the control of the ski. These attachments will also strengthen the toe to body connection.
US08286982B2
The present invention relates to a suspension system for a bicycle of the type that comprises: a frame (1); a front fork (6) comprising a front damper (8); a swing arm (16) hinged to the frame (1) and a rear damper (25); and at least one shock sensor (30), said sensor (30) being connected to a monitoring unit (28) controlling the front damper (8) and/or rear damper (25) on the basis of the signal sent by said sensor (30); said system is noteworthy in that the front damper (8) and/or rear damper (25) is a variable-compression damper that has at least three positions, an open position in which compression is greatest, a closed position in which compression is zero, and a so-called medium position; and in that it has, as a minimum, means for detecting pedaling called pedaling sensors (29) connected to the monitoring unit (28) which, when pedaling is not detected by the pedaling sensor (29), sets the damper (8, 25) compression command to the open position and, when pedaling is detected by the pedaling sensor (29), sets the damper (8, 25) compression command to one of its three positions, open, closed or medium, on the basis of the shock detection signal.
US08286973B1
A non-motorized tricycle including: a animal imitating shell for supporting a rider; two front wheels and one rear wheel; a steering means pivotally supported by frame; A pedal-crank provided with a pedal linked to a driving-crank by a transmitting-rod; a long-arm crank secured to a driving-crank at one end and pivoted with a kicking-rod at other end; a one-way driving-wheel provided at lower end of the kicking-rod. While a rider pedals down pedals, the kicking-rod would kick backward and push the vehicle to move forward.
US08286972B2
The present invention relates to a low-vibration tool holder (1) with a tool holder base body (2, 3, 4, 6) and a tensioning arrangement (5) which provides axial tensioning of the tool holder base body (2, 3, 4, 6) and which is simultaneously tensioned in a radially flexible way with respect to the tool holder base body (2, 3, 4, 6). This tool holder (1) is less susceptible to vibration than previously known tool holders, which ensures better true running even during operation and in particular when heat-induced expansion of materials occurs, since the clamping arrangement (5) which is integrated in the tool holder (1) is continuously centered with respect to the tool holder base body (2, 3, 4, 6). Furthermore, such a tool holder (1), in particular within a modular design, can be adapted very flexibly to different types of tools and workpiece machining processes.
US08286971B2
A holding fixture includes a first part, a securing member and a second part. The first part includes a first end face and a sleeve extending from the first end face, the sleeve defines a plurality of radial through holes each receiving a ball therein, and each ball has a diameter larger than the wall thickness of the sleeve therein. The securing member located around the sleeve includes a plurality of protrusions configured on an inner wall thereof, with every two neighboring protrusions defining a notch therebetween. The second part includes a body and a tail fixed on the body, with seating thereof in the sleeve enabled by an annular groove in the periphery thereof. The protrusions guide the balls into the annular groove to secure the second part on the first part.
US08286964B2
Disclosed is a paper suppressing device capable of improving paper alignment while safely discharging papers onto a stacker tray. The paper suppressing device includes a clamp holder shaft, a clamp on the clamp holder shaft, a crank arm to open the clamp fixed onto the clamp holder shaft, and a driving wheel driving the crank arm. A control mass, which includes a fixing member protruding from the clamp holder shaft perpendicularly to the clamp holder shaft, a pin provided perpendicularly to an end portion of the fixing member, and a lever protruding in adjacent to the fixing member, is fixed onto the clamp holder shaft. The crank arm has one end portion with a slit groove engaged with the pin of the control mass in such a manner that the pin is movable, and an opposite end portion eccentrically coupled with a rotational shaft of the driving wheel.
US08286963B2
A sheet handling apparatus comprises a switchback path including a switchback section, and a straight path that bypasses the switchback section. The controller of the sheet handling apparatus detects the conveyance-directional length of a sheet assigned to the switchback section, using a length sensor, and also detects the sheet conveyance rate of each path, thereby controlling a switchback roller based on the detection results.
US08286959B2
A sheet processing apparatus of the present invention includes a post-processing unit provided inside a housing and configured to perform post-processing on sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus, a sheet discharge unit configured to guide sheets having undergone post-processing to a discharge port, a paper discharge tray configured to accommodate sheets discharged from the discharge port and allowed to ascend and descend within a specific height range lower than the discharge port, and a sheet member disposed directly below the discharge port and configured to move along a wall surface of the housing in association with ascending and descending of the paper discharge tray and receive rear ends of the sheets accommodated in the paper discharge tray, a width of a receiving portion thereof in a height direction varying with a quantity of the sheets accommodated in the paper discharge tray.
US08286958B2
An spine formation device includes a sheet conveyer that conveys the bundle of folded sheets in a sheet conveyance direction with a folded portion of the bundle forming front end portion thereof, first and second sandwiching units disposed downstream from the sheet conveyer, a contact member disposed downstream from the second sandwiching unit, against which the folded portion of a bundle of folded sheets is pressed, and a controller. The controller stops the sheet conveyer after the bundle is transported a predetermined distance from a contact position between the contact member and the folded portion of the bundle, causing the bundle to bulge, and causes the first and second sandwiching units to squeeze the bulging of the bundle of folded sheets in a thickness direction sequentially with the folded portion of the bundle pressed against the contact member to form a spine of the bundle.
US08286951B2
An air injection system for aerating well water with a stream of air and having, a water circulation conduit extending down into the well, an aeration chamber extending upwardly within the well from the circulation conduit, at least one air and water discharge opening adjacent an upper end of the aeration chamber, a support disposed to support the aeration chamber at a predetermined depth in the well, and, an air compressor and a hose connected to supply air to a lower region of the aeration chamber, thus causing upward flow of air and water in the aeration chamber thereby inducing upward flow of water through said water circulation conduit from the bottom of the well to the aeration chamber.
US08286950B2
A cable barrier system according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure includes a cable-release anchor; a line post having an internal cavity and a slot formed along a sidewall extending downward from a top end of the line post; a cable releasably held in tension by the cable-release anchor; and the cable releasably connected to the line post by a post-cable connector, the post-cable connector comprising an elongated portion having a loop, the elongated portion disposed substantially within the cavity and the loop extending through the slot exterior of the cavity, the cable slidingly disposed in the loop, wherein when an object impacts and deforms the line post toward ground level the cable is released from the deformed line post in a manner such that the cable tends to stay in tension and in contact with the impacting object.
US08286942B2
A portable lifting apparatus includes a base having a portability system rendering the apparatus movable along a surface; a lift arm connected to the base; a deck to support an object, and being moveably engaged with the lift arm via a lifting system that is adapted to lift the deck along a portion of the lift arm; and a hitch connector, connected to the deck, and adapted to hitch the apparatus to a vehicle hitch receiver. When the apparatus is not hitched, the lifting system can lift the object from a first position to a second position; and when the apparatus is hitched, the lifting system can lift the apparatus above the surface.
US08286931B2
A suspension arrangement for directional equipment. The arrangement includes a body that supports the equipment and that supports a drive motor with a driving belt sheave, a driven belt sheave coupled to the directional equipment and a drive belt running between the belt sheaves. To prevent random or periodic movements in the mounting of the supporting body being transmitted to the equipment, a stabilizing unit including two guide rollers mounted at a fixed distance from one another on a displaceable holder, is designed to act via the guide rollers upon the belt in the space between the driving belt sheave and the driven belt sheave.
US08286924B2
A clip has elastic locking claws at a fixing section to be inserted in a hole of a member. The fixation section (3) of the clip (1) is a hollow box-shaped block and has a rectangular or oval shape with two opposite long sides (L1, L2) and two opposite short sides (S1, S2). The locking claws (15) form a part of the associated long side. One of the locking claws (15) is provided in a diagonal direction relative to the other in the lateral cross section of the fixing section. The locking claws are connected to each other in a space (18) at the center of the fixing section by an elastic claw-connecting section (19). The claw-connecting section (19) applies to the locking claws elasticity that causes the locking claws to project outward. Thus, the elastic locking claws have increased locking force.
US08286912B2
A system for enhanced lateral stability of an amphibious aircraft includes a buoyancy system laterally displaced from opposite sides of the fuselage of the aircraft and wingtip system having a hydrodynamic planing surface associated with each wingtip. The hydrodynamic planing surface on each wingtip prevents the submersion of an associated buoyancy structure. By supplementing the lateral stability of the buoyancy structures using hydrodynamic planing surfaces, the combined lateral width of the fuselage and buoyancy structures can be reduced without detrimentally impacting operational performance. This reduced lateral width enables the amphibious aircraft to be configured for storage and transportation on a trailer or shipping container.
US08286909B2
Systems, method, devices and apparatus are provided for reducing drag and increasing the flight efficiency characteristics of aircraft and airships including hybrid aircraft utilizing distributed boundary layer control and propulsion devices. Boundary layer control includes passive systems such as riblet films and boundary layer propulsion devices having a divided and distributed propulsion system disposed in the curved aft sections of aircraft and airships including hybrid aircraft susceptible to boundary layer drag due to degree of curvatures, speed and density of the surrounding air. Distributed propulsion devices include constructing propellers and riblets from shape memory alloys, piezoelectric materials and electroactive polymer (EAP) materials to change the shape and length of the distributed propulsion device.
US08286908B2
A ducted fan for a helicopter includes a transverse duct and a counter-torque device supported within the duct. The counter-torque device includes a rotor rotatably mounted within the duct and a stator fixedly mounted within the duct downstream from the rotor. The rotor includes a rotor hub having a rotor axis, and rotor blades extending from the hub. The Rotor blades have a modulated angular distribution about the rotor axis. The stator includes a stator hub, and a plurality of stator vanes distributed around the stator hub. The stator vanes are angularly modulated around the stator hub.
US08286892B1
A hose holder assembly comprising a hose holder member being attached to an elongated hose holder support member. The hose holder member includes a tubular body having a passage therethrough for receiving a garden hose. The length of the body is sufficient to maintain the garden hose in a fixed position when subjected to forces resulting from a discharging flow of water. A body coupler section is provided for assembling the body to the support member. The coupler can be a male or female form factor. A utility hook can be included as a feature of the hose holder member for temporarily holding tools or other items. The body can be segmented into a fixed portion, which is attached to the support member and a removable portion, which removably engages with the fixed portion. A sizing sleeve can be offered to reduce a passage diameter for receiving hoses having smaller diameters.
US08286888B2
A radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag includes: a plate-shaped sealing piece made of an elastic material. An inlet is enclosed within the sealing piece. The inlet includes an electronic component and an antenna connected to the electronic component. A pair of reinforcing pieces are located respectively on the front and back surfaces of the sealing piece so as to sandwich the electronic component. The reinforcing pieces are made of a first material harder than the elastic material. A joint piece configured to couple the reinforcing pieces to each other. The joint piece is made of a second material harder than the elastic material.
US08286887B2
Radio frequency identification (RFID) devices for use in RFID-based sensors and related methods are described herein. In one implementation, an RFID sensor system includes an RFID device having a near field only RFID tag and a conductive element which functions as a far field antenna. A coupling structure selectively locates the near field only RFID tag and the conductive element in at least a first position and a second position relative to each other; wherein in the first position, the RFID device only operates in a near field, and in the second position, the RFID device operates in both the near field and a far field. The system may also include an RFID reader and controller located within the far field to read the RFID device only when the coupling structure locates the components in the second position.
US08286883B2
A storage device contains a smart-card device and a memory device, both connected to a controller. The storage device may be used in the same manner as a conventional smart-card device, or it may be used to store a relatively large amount of data in various partitions. One of these partitions may be a read-only partition that is normally accessible only for read accesses. However, it may sometimes be necessary to update or supplement the data stored in the read-only partition. This is accomplished by a host issuing an appropriate command to the storage device, which may be accompanied by an identifier for an appropriate level of authorization. The controller then changes the attribute of the read-only partition from “read-only” to “read/write” to allow data to be written to the partition. Upon completion, the controller changes the attribute of the partition back to read-only.
US08286879B2
A connector for inserting a subscriber identity module (SIM) card includes a main body, a card reader and an electric connector. The main body includes at least two interfaces. The card reader is installed in one of the interfaces, and the card reader includes a card insertion mechanism and a printed circuit board. The electric connector is installed in another interface. After the SIM card is inserted into the card reader, a computer can be connected to a network to achieve a high-speed networking function at any place where a mobile phone can receive signals.
US08286867B1
An automated banking machine operates to carry out financial transfers responsive to data read form data bearing records. The machine includes a card reader that operates to read data from user cards. The card data corresponds to financial accounts. The automated banking machine further includes a cash dispenser and a receipt printer. The machine is operative to dispense cash to an authorized user based on identifying data including read card data, and to cause a financial transfer from an account corresponding to read card data through communication with at least one remote computer. The machine includes a check acceptor that operates to determine magnetic symbols included on checks. Cash may be dispensed in exchange for a check received through operation of the check acceptor of the machine.
US08286865B2
To improve security and simplify financial transactions in electronic communications environments, a cryptographic Private Key is securely stored in a storage device of a user. A Public Key Certificate corresponding to the Private Key is also created and can be stored in an online repository for merchant access. The Public Key Certificate identifies a payment card of the user, and is signed by or on behalf of a financial institution issuing the payment card. When initiating a payment card transaction with a merchant, a data item is signed using the Private Key. The signed data item and the Public Key Certificate are conveyed to the merchant, which enables the merchant to authenticate the transaction without needing to communicate with the user's financial institution, and while avoiding the inconvenience and privacy issues associated with obtaining other card details and user details.
US08286864B2
A light guiding device can be used for a reader/writer device (1) for a noncontact communication medium. The light guiding device includes a light guide plate (10) which includes: a transparent main body part (17) which can transmit light inputted from an LED (9); and a protruding part (18) which is provided so as to protrude from a part of an end surface of the transparent main body part (17). A diffusely reflecting part (19) is provided on a lower surface side of the transparent main body part (17), and a first light emitting part (7) is provided on an upper surface side of the transparent main body part (17). Reflecting parts (21) are provided on an upper surface side and a lower surface side of the protruding part (18), and a second light emitting part (8) is provided at a leading end of the protruding part (18). In the case where the first light emitting part (7) is covered by the noncontact communication medium, the second light emitting part (8) makes it possible to check a light emitting state. Accordingly, the light guiding device is provided, in which the light emitting state of the light emitting part can be easily checked.
US08286863B1
Embodiments of systems, computer program product, and related computer implemented methods to issue a closed-loop retail prepaid card including a user-designed external face using a chit, the chit being defined by an identification mechanism representing a financial commitment to issue a closed-loop retail prepaid card in an amount associated with a value paid for the chit, are provided. Embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide a service that enables a consumer to purchase, at the storefront of a retail establishment, a chit card that the consumer can subsequently redeem through a graphical user interface of an Internet website for a closed-loop retail prepaid card with a user-designed external face. The user-designed closed-loop retail prepaid card, for example, can be subsequently printed and delivered to an intended recipient. Advantageously, such a service can be made available to any retail establishment that uses a point-of-sale system.
US08286861B2
Methods coordinate payment for a remote transaction with a first party. An identification of the first party is received at a host system. Acknowledgment of receipt of a cash payment from a second party is received. The cash payment is associated with the identification of the first party. A money transfer corresponding to the cash payment to the control of the first party is executed with a request for the first party to perform on previously agreed terms of the remote transaction.
US08286859B1
To expedite electronic delivery and return of a document, the document is sent to an electronic mail system and stored in an electronic form thereat. The recipient is informed that the document is available thereto at any of a plurality of merchants where the document may be retrieved. The recipient visits one of the plurality of merchants and at the visited merchant retrieves the document in the electronic form from the mail system to a computing device at the visited merchant. The recipient then reviews and executes the document at the visited merchant, and sends the executed document in an electronic form to the organization by way of the visited merchant and the computing device thereat.
US08286858B2
A telephone is provided having an input at which a print medium is loaded, a sensor for sensing an identifier of the loaded print medium, and a printer for determining whether or not the loaded print medium is a valid print medium on which printing can be performed. If the loaded print medium is determined to be valid, the printer prints on the loaded print medium. If the loaded print medium is determined to not be valid, the loaded print medium is ejected at the input.
US08286855B2
A method are provided to deposit conductive bonding material into cavities in a mold. A fill head is placed in substantial contact with a mold that includes cavities. The fill head includes a sealing member that substantially encompasses an entire area to be filled with conductive bonding material. The fill head and mold are transitioned so that the fill head is situated substantially directly above the mold and so that the plurality of cavities are facing in an upward direction with respect to the sealing member. The conductive bonding material is forced out of the fill head toward the mold. The conductive bonding material is provided into at least one cavity of the cavities contemporaneous with the at least one cavity being in proximity to the fill head.
US08286853B2
A bonding apparatus includes a thermal treating unit and a bonding unit that are integrally bonded together. The thermal treating unit includes a first thermal treating plate for supporting and thermally processing a superimposed substrate. The bonding unit includes a second thermal treating plate for supporting and thermally processing the superimposed substrate processed in thermal treating unit, and a pressing mechanism for pressing the superimposed substrate against the second thermal treating plate. The first thermal treating plate includes a cooling mechanism for cooling the superimposed substrate placed on the first heating plate. Each unit can depressurize the internal atmosphere to a specified degree of vacuum. The thermal treating unit has a plurality of carrying mechanisms for conveying the wafers between the two units.
US08286830B2
An aerosol valve actuator with a top portion rotatable on a bottom portion. The entire top portion in one rotatable position is depressible vertically to actuate the valve. A click post and clicking rib provide a single click in each direction of rotation. Flanges on top and bottom portions interact to stop rotation as soon as each click occurs. Plastic springs interact with spring biasing members only when the top portion is in actuating position, and assure return of the actuator top portion to full upward position for rotation after actuation of even a short-stemmed valve. Downwardly extending flexible connecting flanges connect the actuator top and bottom portions. The top portion has a lower periphery with a plurality of upwardly extending indentations to overlie lateral ribs in the lower portion in actuation position. The top and bottom portions have interfitting cylinders to stabilize the top portion and maintain verticality.
US08286826B2
A disposable child's drinking cup has a lid with a drinking spout defining multiple open holes sized to resist leakage in the absence of suction, such as by the development of surface tension at the holes, and to allow flow when suction is applied. The holes are formed during molding of the lid. An inner contour of a groove of the lid and an outer contour of the cup body rim are selected to provide a slight snap fit of the lid onto the cup body, to provide a secure seal.
US08286824B2
An insulating container includes a container main body and an exterior sleeve to be fit onto the container main body. The exterior sleeve includes a slit forming section including a group of slits formed on the exterior sleeve. An inside wall surface of the exterior sleeve is provided with a shrink-deformable film, an upper portion of the shrink-deformable film is bonded to an upper portion of the exterior sleeve beyond the slit forming section, whereas a middle section covering the slit forming section is free from bonding, a lower portion is bonded to a lower portion of the exterior sleeve beyond the slit forming section, and the shrink-deformable film is shrunk to have the slit forming section project outwardly from the exterior sleeve.
US08286818B2
A portion container which can be unsealed easily by an extremely simple operation, and the lid of which can be opened easily with no possibility of scattering of the contents. The container body is constituted of a nonflexible tubular upper structure which is resistant to press deformation, and a flexible bottomed tubular lower structure extending downward from the lower edge of the upper structure and being susceptible to press deformation, wherein a press board connected rotatably with the upper structure and equipped with a cutter is provided vertically in the container. A lid plate is cut by pressing the press board from the outside to rotate the cutter.
US08286817B2
A multi-section lid for a can containing edible material includes a lid base, a cover portion, and a tear strip. The lid base can attach the lid to the can. The lid base defines one or more openings that permit access to the edible material. The cover portion includes one or more doors to cover the openings. The tear strip portion is positioned between the lid base and the cover portion. The tear strip portion is connected to the lid base and the cover portion by a plurality of bridges. The mold for forming the lid includes cavities that define flow channels that permit the lid material to flow through bridge cavities to fill the cavities in the mold during formation of the lid such that the lid base, the cover portion, and the tear strip portion are the single integral component.
US08286816B2
A protective device is applicable to a casing provided with a first coupling portion and configured for use with an outdoor communication apparatus. The protective device includes a body and a shielding portion. The body is configured to shield the front of the casing and provided with a second coupling portion coupled to the first coupling portion. The shielding portion is laterally provided to the side of the body for shielding the casing sideways. Hence, the shielding portion of the protective device shields the casing from direct irradiation of sunlight, prevents the outdoor communication apparatus from being overheated, and protects the outdoor communication apparatus against rainwater and dirt. A casing configured for use with an outdoor communication apparatus and equipped with the protective device is further provided.
US08286812B2
The invention disclosed is a cap or other device and method of using same, the device comprising at least a first and second member, the cap having a first configuration in which the first and second members are rotatably connected to each other, and a second configuration in which the first and second members are fixed to each other. The second configuration is substantially irreversible, such that the device cannot be reverted to the first configuration without the aid of tools, breaking the device, or causing the device to lose functionality.
US08286808B1
A vertical file folder rack adapted for mounting on a wall and holding various sizes and shapes of files, posters, drawings and like items. The vertical file folder rack includes a plurality of triangular-shaped wire frames mounted and equally spaced along a length of a rectangular shaped elongated wall base. The wall base is adapted for vertical attachment to a wall. A top portion of each wire frame is pivotally attached along the vertical length of the wall base. A center portion of the wire frame includes a pair of support arms, which extend downwardly and vertically. A lower portion of the wire frame includes a pair of outwardly extending file support arms with an upwardly extending arch-shaped file keeper disposed between the two support arms. A file is received on top of the support arms and held therein between the file keeper and the two support arms.
US08286806B2
A storage device for items connectable to a power source, particularly in patient care facilities. The device is attachable to an electrical power box in a support surface. A backing plate securable to the support surface has an upper free edge and a lower region defining a substantially planar intermediate region therebetween. A power supply aperture in the intermediate region allows for selective power connection between the power box and stored items. A base shelf at the lower region of the backing plate, and a projections from the free edge of the base shelf, provide securing locations for selected items. Removable bracket units for specific items can be secured on the projections. The device provides improved means of secure, hygienic, compact and efficient storage and access to the items, while overcoming disadvantages of health and safety hazards of the prior art.
US08286803B2
A method for fabricating a reverse osmosis membrane is described. The method includes aligning a plurality of carbon nanotubes at the interface of two liquids, the first liquid being an aqueous layer, and the second layer being an organic layer that is immiscible to the aqueous layer, forming a thin layer selective membrane around the aligned carbon nanotubes at the interface of the two liquids, and bonding the thin layer selective membrane/carbon nanotube composite onto a structural support layer.
US08286801B2
A method and device for separating particles from a liquid having particles therein, using a filter sized to permit the liquid to flow through pores, while retaining a substantial portion of the particles on the filter, with an absorbent layer contacting the back of the filter to facilitate liquid movement away from the particles.
US08286794B1
A medical organizer provides a professional, such as an anesthetist, quick access to the various items needed during a medical procedure without the need to turn away from the procedure. The organizer is formed of main housing that stabilizes various lines, such as circuit lines, IV lines, suction line etc., and also holds narcotics locked until needed. A secondary housing is removably held within the main housing and holds various implements such as catheters, swabs, alcohol, syringes and vials, waste receptacles, gauze, etc. The main housing can be secured to an IV post or operating room bed rail with the secondary housing held therein, or the secondary housing can be deployed and secured separately.
US08286789B2
A carrying case for a portable device is disclosed. Generally speaking, the protective case for a portable device comprises a first body section and a second body section, each having a back surface and upturned sides, and a rim affixed to an edge of the upturned sides of the body sections, the rim defining an open area. Preferably, the first and second body sections are of contrasting colors and connect to one another to form a cavity defined by the respective back surfaces and upturned sides. Further, the first and second body sections and the first and second rim are preferably all formed of the same material.
US08286778B2
An escalator includes a plurality of steps or panels, a chain for driving the steps or panels, at least one chain wheel around which the chain is deflected and wherein the chain, starting from the chain wheel, forms an upper strand and a lower strand. There is also provided a device for the polygonal compensation of the movement of the at least one chain wheel. The effective lever arm of the chain on the at least one chain wheel in the upper strand is substantially equal to the effective lever arm of the chain on the at least one chain wheel in the lower strand.
US08286777B2
An adjustment fitting (10) for a motor vehicle component, particularly a vehicle seat, is proposed, the adjustment fitting having a first fitting part (1) and a second fitting part (2) that is rotatably adjustable about a rotary axis (30) relative to the first fitting part by means of a gear drive, the gear drive (3) comprising a first gearing (31) on the first fitting part (1) and the gear drive (3) comprising a second gearing (32) arranged eccentrically to the first gearing (31). Two wedge segments (33, 34) are provided for securing the eccentric arrangement of the first gearing (31) relative to the second gearing (32), the wedge segments being mounted radially outward in a sliding bushing (43) having bushing gear teeth (42). The adjustment fitting (10) has a braking element (40), the braking element (40) in a release position being arranged inside the radius of the sliding bushing (43), and the braking element (40) engaging the bushing gear teeth (42) in a locked position.
US08286773B2
In a frictional engagement apparatus that includes a clutch drum, separator plates, a clutch hub, and friction plates, a plurality of concave portions that dip inward in the plate thickness direction and a plurality of convex portions that protrude outward in the plate thickness direction are formed on an edge of the separator plates and/or a an edge of the friction plates, with each convex portion being arranged between two adjacent concave portions. Ridge lines of the concave portions and the convex portions pass through positions away from a center point of the separator plates and/or the friction plates.
US08286769B2
An integrated clutch-transmission assembly for a road vehicle; the integrated clutch-transmission assembly has a power-assisted clutch having a number of first hydraulic actuators; a power-assisted transmission having a number of second hydraulic actuators; a high-pressure pump for the hydraulic actuators; a number of solenoid valves for controlling the hydraulic actuators; a housing having a first chamber housing the clutch, and a second chamber housing the transmission; and a flat supporting plate, which is housed removably inside the housing to separate the two chambers of the housing, has a first wall fitted with the clutch, and has a second wall parallel to and opposite the first wall and fitted with the high-pressure pump and at least some of the solenoid valves.
US08286768B2
The invention relates to an insulating profile for a conductor line having at least one chamber extending in the longitudinal direction of the profile, said chamber being open in cross section to one side, thus defining an open front side of the insulating profile, and being suitable for mounting a busbar, the opening of the open chamber on the front side of the insulating profile expanding in a lateral direction such that the surface of the front side of the insulating profile is slanted toward the center of the nearest open chamber. The conductor line can be a multi-pole conductor line, the insulating profile comprising a regular arrangement of a group of a plurality of chambers extending in the longitudinal direction of the profile and being open to one side and each being suitable for mounting a busbar.
US08286766B2
A slider 24 is supported on a holder 19 of a steering wheel 11 via a coil spring 25 so as to be movable in a direction of an axis while an air bag module 20 is supported on a slider 24 via a damper spring 26 so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the axis. Since the coil spring 25 does not affect vibration of the air bag module 20 in the direction perpendicular to the axis, it is possible to set a spring constant of the coil spring 25 at a value appropriate for the operation of a horn switch 37, and to set a spring constant of the damper spring 26 at a value appropriate for the operation of the dynamic damper. As a result, it is possible to effectively reduce the vibration of the steering wheel 11 in the direction perpendicular to the axis with the dynamic damper without affecting the operability of the horn switch 37.
US08286760B2
A disc brake, especially for a commercial vehicle, includes a caliper extending across a brake disc and a brake application device which can be used to force a brake pad against the brake disc by at least one actuating spindle that is guided in the caliper, in correspondence with an associated thrust piece. The disc brake is designed such that the thrust piece consists at least partially of a duroplastic material. A cap is interposed between faces of the actuating spindle and the thrust piece, oriented toward one another and forming contact surfaces. The walls of the cap enclose a projection of the thrust piece.
US08286749B2
The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for installing a tile-mounted ceiling speaker that combines the ease of installation of a lay-in speaker system with the visual appearance of a tile-mounted speaker system. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus of the present invention includes a support frame and back box assembly configured for installation on top of a ceiling tile and a loudspeaker cartridge configured to be mounted to the support frame through an appropriately-sized hole in the ceiling tile. In one or more embodiments, the method of the present invention comprises forming an appropriately-sized hole in a ceiling tile, laying an integrated back box and support frame on top of the ceiling tile, connecting wires from an external audio source to terminals provided at the back box, connecting wires provided on the inside of the back box to a loudspeaker cartridge, inserting the loudspeaker cartridge into the hole in the ceiling tile from below, fastening the loudspeaker cartridge to the support frame, and fastening a grille to the loudspeaker cartridge. In one or more embodiments, a variety of interchangeable loudspeaker cartridges having differing loudspeaker configurations are provided. In one or more embodiments, the support frame and back box assembly is configured to allow installation of more than one loudspeaker cartridge. In one or more embodiments, the loudspeaker cartridges are configured for use both with a back box and without back box.
US08286745B2
A powered personal mobility vehicle for transporting an infirm occupant includes at least three wheels configured to contact the ground, at least one electric motor, a frame, a lower seat post coupled to the frame and extending upwardly from the frame, a modular suspension unit supported by the lower seat post, and a seat assembly supported only by the modular suspension unit. The modular suspension unit includes a post assembly that includes an outer post slidably coupled to an inner post, and a dampener located completely within the post assembly. The modular suspension unit is removably coupled to the lower seat post and is configured to be removable from the lower seat post as a unitary assembly. The outer post, the inner post, and the dampener are configured to dampen vertical movement of the seat assembly relative to the frame in response to impact between the wheels and the ground.
US08286743B2
An improved protection system for a battery pack mounted between the passenger cabin floor panel of an electric vehicle and the driving surface is provided, the system utilizing a ballistic shield mounted under the electric vehicle and interposed between the battery pack enclosure and the driving surface, where the ballistic shield is spaced apart from the enclosure bottom panel. A layer of a compressible material may be interposed between the ballistic shield and the battery pack enclosure.
US08286739B2
A motorized beach cart includes a storage area mounted atop a chassis having a plurality of axles. A motor having a corresponding hand actuated accelerator arranged on a handle of the beach cart drives one of the axles to propel the beach cart in a forward or backward direction according to a selector switch. A power source such as a battery is coupled to the motor through the accelerator for delivering a desired amount of energy to the motor to propel it in a desired direction and speed. The beach cart may include a solar cell for recharging the power source used to drive the motor.
US08286734B2
A system and method are provided for a low profile rotating control device (LP-RCD) and its housing mounted on or integral with an annular blowout preventer seal, casing, or other housing. The outer diameter of the lateral outlet flange may be substantially the same as the height of the LP-RCD housing and bearing assembly after the bearing assembly is positioned with the LP-RCD housing. The sealing element may be aligned with the lateral outlet, and may be replaced from above. Different embodiments of attachment members for attaching the LP-RCD housing with a lower housing allow the LP-RCD housing to be rotated to align the lateral outlet with the drilling rig's existing line to mud pits or other locations. In one embodiment, the LP-RCD bearings are positioned radially inside the LP-RCD housing. In another embodiment, the LP-RCD bearings are positioned radially outside the LP-RCD housing. One embodiment allows rotation of the inserted tubular about multiple planes. In still another embodiment, an annular BOP seal is integral with a RCD housing.
US08286731B2
A method and apparatus for constructing large vertical boreholes and underground cut-off walls is disclosed. A drill rig assembly with double rotary heads drives a small diameter drill string and a much larger diameter drill string which is concentric with the smaller drill string and has a donut shaped drill bit configuration at the lower end thereof. Preferably, a steerable mud motor/drill is provided on one end of the small drill string and is guided to make as vertical a borehole as possible. In a preferred embodiment, the small inner drill is advanced to the full depth using the steerable mud motor/drill to achieve a high degree of verticality and a slight smaller casing is installed and used as a verticality guide for the much larger diameter outer drill string. In a further embodiment, the inner drill string is advanced a predetermined distance, then the outer string is advanced using the inner string as a verticality guide, these steps being repeated in alternating fashion to the final depth.
US08286718B2
A liner hanger (10) is provided for supporting a liner in a well. An expandable tubular hanger (90) is positioned within the well and a running tool with a tool mandrel (34) passes fluid through the running tool. An actuator (12) forcibly moves the tubular expander to an expanded position. Release of the running tool from the liner may be accomplished with a retainer (84) and downward movement of the mandrel, with fluid pressure acting on a hydraulic piston (28) coupled with rotation of the mandrel, or by safety joint (68) along the tubular mandrel.
US08286715B2
Provided are coated sleeved oil and gas well production devices and methods of making and using such coated sleeved devices. In one form, the coated sleeved oil and gas well production device includes an oil and gas well production device including one or more bodies and one or more sleeves proximal to the outer or inner surface of the one or more bodies, and a coating on at least a portion of the inner sleeve surface, outer sleeve surface, or a combination thereof, wherein the coating is chosen from an amorphous alloy, a heat-treated electroless or electro plated based nickel-phosphorous composite with a phosphorous content greater than 12 wt %, graphite, MoS2, WS2, a fullerene based composite, a boride based cermet, a quasicrystalline material, a diamond based material, diamond-like-carbon (DLC), boron nitride, and combinations thereof. The coated sleeved oil and gas well production devices may provide for reduced friction, wear, erosion, corrosion, and deposits for well construction, completion and production of oil and gas.
US08286700B1
A damping and sealing device for enabling gas or liquid flow from a well to a production tube in the well, including a body with a flow passage internal to the body and a spring disposed about a portion of the body. The flow passage includes a first opening at a first longitudinal end of the body and a second opening at a second longitudinal end of the body. The first end is arranged to contact a plunger for the well and the body is arranged to sealingly engage the production tube. In one embodiment, the body includes an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface, the inner circumferential surface forms the internal flow passage, and a portion of the outer circumferential surface is arranged to slide along a portion of the inner circumferential surface in response to the first end contacting a plunger.
US08286693B2
A heat sink assembly includes a base plate having a top surface provided with cooling fins, and a bottom surface with an open channel, the channel having remote regions and a central region with a rectangular cross-section. A heat pipe arrangement including at least two sections is nested in the channel, each section having at least one evaporator section and a condenser section, wherein the evaporator sections are juxtaposed side by side in the central region, and the condenser sections are in respective remote regions. The arrangement is preferably a single S-shaped heat pipe with a pair of hooked ends and a center section which form the evaporator sections, the evaporator sections each having a rectangular profile and an exposed surface which is flush with the bottom surface of the base plate, the condenser sections connecting the evaporator sections and being recessed below the bottom surface.
US08286682B2
The paster applying apparatus of the present invention includes a main body, a first axle, a cylindrical roller and a shank. The main body includes a working portion and a receiving portion. A joint section is defined between the working portion and the receiving portion, which is adapted to accommodate a paster roll. The first axle is disposed on the working portion, and the roller is disposed about the first axle. The shank is disposed on the joint section. A restraining space is defined between the shank and the roller. Thereby, the paster applying apparatus of the present invention is adapted to apply a paster strip on an object surface.
US08286680B2
A tire comprising a circumferential tread, a circumferential tread, at least one circumferential belt, at least one carcass ply, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of bead portions. Each of the bead portions comprising a bead core, a bead filler, a toe region, a heel region, a ledge region, and a flange region. The ledge region is provided between the toe region and the heel region, wherein the ledge region comprises at least one circumferentially continuous groove. The flange region each extending circumferentially about the tire, the flange region provided radially above the ledge region, wherein the flange region comprises at least one circumferentially continuous groove.
US08286679B2
A vehicle wheel which includes an additional air chamber member forming an additional air chamber in a tire air chamber. The additional air chamber member is fixed on an outer circumferential surface of a well portion of a rim. The additional air chamber member is provided with a communication hole communicating between the additional air chamber and the tire air chamber. The communication hole is disposed at a position shifted from a discharge port of an air valve for supplying air in the tire air chamber in a wheel circumferential direction and opened to the tire air chamber.
US08286675B2
Method for dispensing a gas comprising (a) providing a gas storage system containing pressurized gas and having at least first and second gas storage volumes, first and second flow control valves in flow communication with the first and second gas storage volumes, respectively, wherein each flow control valve is initially closed, and wherein the first gas storage volume has a smaller volumetric capacity than the second gas storage volume; (b) selecting a reference temperature; (c) measuring the ambient temperature; (d) providing a gas receiving vessel and placing it in flow communication with each flow control valve and with the gas storage system; and (e) initiating delivery of the gas by (i) opening the first flow control valve when the ambient temperature is equal to or greater than the reference temperature or (ii) opening the second flow control valve when the ambient temperature is less than the reference temperature.
US08286673B1
This system provides for odor control by using a rack opacity filtering system (ROFS). This is a system that collects opacity at the point of origin and transfers it to the filter unit. The filter unit then removes the opacity from the air and the clean air is then vented to the atmosphere. The opacity is a result of loading additized asphalt product at elevated temperatures and controlling how much opacity is allowed to be released. ROFS provides a means to virtually eliminate opacity.
US08286671B1
The disclosure pertains to an automated apparatus for filling capped needle syringes. The syringes are held in a rotatable motor controlled carousel. The carousel turns to place a syringe proximate to a dispenser mechanism. A rotatable plate on top of the dispenser mechanism holds an automated cap extractor/installer and at least one inverted vial having a needle perforatable surface. The rotatable plate can also move up and down relative to the top of the dispenser mechanism. The cap can be removed by the automated cap extractor/installer and the rotatable plate rotated to place the inverted vial over the exposed syringe needle. The rotatable plate can descend so that the needle perforates the surface of the vial. A syringe plunger tool of the dispenser mechanism engages the syringe plunger and pulls it downward. The syringe plunger tool can disengage and return to its original position. The rotatable plate can raise to remove the needle from the vial. The rotatable plate can rotate to place the automated cap extractor/installer over the exposed needle. The automated cap extractor/installer holding the syringe needle cap can descend and the cap reattached to the syringe. The carousel can rotate to present the filled and capped syringe to an automated syringe inverter/extractor component that removes the capped syringe from the carousel and places the syringe in a holder.
US08286664B2
A control valve (100,200) with a two-piece shifting mechanism is provided. The special control valve has two levers, one is a sealing lever (106,206) and the other is a shifting lever (104,204). The sealing lever (106,206) has a channel (116,216) on one of its ends to couple together different ports (SP, S, P, IS) to change the airflow direction. Each lever has its own axis. The shifting lever and the sealing lever interact through an oval opening (114) and a cylindrical boss (112), obtaining two angular range motions. When a small angular input is put on the shifting lever it will produce a large angular output at the second end of the sealing lever. It will achieve a multiple-position switching.
US08286656B2
A hollow tubular element is inserted in the descending aorta. The caudad end contains a pressure sensitive passive or preferably, hydraulically or electrically activated, unidirectional valve. A flexible diaphragm situated in a rigid shell affixed over an opening in the element wall divides the shell interior into first and second variable volume chambers. The first chamber opens to the artery. A continuously operating electrical pump is connected to the second chamber through a closed hydraulic system including a multi-valve chamber. The valves regulate fluid flow to the second chamber in accordance with electrical signals from the heart. Fluid flow is directed to the second chamber during cardiac diastole and away from the second chamber during cardiac systole, causing the device to function in a counterpulsation mode. The work of the heart is decreased and coronary blood flow is increased to promote the formation of new coronary collateral channels and the perfusion of the heart itself. In the event of mechanical failure, pre-implantation heart function is not impeded.
US08286650B2
A protective mechanism for automatic umbrella includes a drive stem, a pulley tackle, a spring motor, a clutch, and a clutch spring; wherein, the drive stem is pivoted beneath the telescopic stick, and a hooked head in the telescopic stick controls a downward movement. The pulley tackle is pivoted beneath the drive stem. A strand has on end fixed to the pulley tackle and the other end secured to an upper notch of the umbrella. The spring motor is installed on the pulley tackle. The clutch is disposed under the pulley tackle. The clutch plate and the clutch spring are consecutively installed at a lower part of the drive stem. Confronting the clutch and the pulley tackle, unidirectional slant gears are able to cooperate with each other.
US08286644B2
A cosmetic container for retaining and dispensing a cosmetic material is provided. The container includes a body including a first portion and a second portion that are pivotally coupled together, an applicator coupled to the second portion and a mirrored element pivotally coupled to the first portion. The mirrored element is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. The mirrored element has a reflective surface that is positionable behind the applicator when the mirrored element is in the extended position and may define an outer periphery of the body when the mirrored element is in the retracted position.
US08286643B2
A nail care device includes a covering part, a light-emitting component, and a light-emitting control module. The covering part is configured for covering a tip of a digit of a limb. The light-emitting component is disposed in the covering part in a manner that light emitted by the light-emitting component irradiates a nail on the tip of the digit covered by the covering part. The light-emitting control module is coupled to the light-emitting component and is operable to control operation of the light-emitting component.
US08286642B2
Improved delivery of additive materials to mainstream smoke produced by smoking articles is provided through the use of a temperature sensitive powder containing an additive material, such as a flavor component, in a smoking article such as a cigarette. The temperature sensitive powder is subjected to heat which causes the temperature sensitive powder to release at least a portion of the additive material into mainstream smoke. The temperature sensitive powder encapsulates the additive materials and other portions of the smoking articles, such as sorbents or filter materials, in order to reduce additive material migration during storage.
US08286640B2
A fractional treatment system can be configured with a laser wavelength that is selected such that absorption of the laser wavelength within the tissue increases as the tissue is heated by the laser (e.g., 1390-1425 nm). Desirably, the laser wavelength is primarily absorbed within a treated region of skin by water and has a thermally adjusted absorption coefficient within the range of about 8 cm−1 to about 30 cm−1. An adjustable mechanism can be used to adjust the beam shape, beam numerical aperture, beam focus depth, and/or beam size to affect the treatment depth and or the character of the resulting lesions. The system may be designed to be switchable between a treatment mode that is semi-ablative and a treatment mode that is not semi-ablative. Adjustment of these parameters can improve the efficiency and efficacy of treatment. Illustrative examples of adjustable mechanisms include a set of spacers of different lengths, a rotatable turret with lens elements of different focal distances, an optical zoom lens, and a mechanical adjustment apparatus for adjusting the spacing between two optical lens elements.
US08286638B1
A foot stabilizing device which can be extended from between a box springs and a mattress of a user's bed to support the user's foot in an elevated position while trimming toenails or donning a sock or shoe, for example and without limitation includes a generally elongated device neck and a device platform carried by and oriented at an angle with respect to the device neck.
US08286637B2
A surgical radiological C-arm imaging unit drape configured to provide a sterile outer surface about an end portion of a C-arm imaging unit and method of providing a sterile surface about an end of a C-arm imaging unit is provided. The drape includes a flexible enclosure having an upper wall with a pair of sidewalls and a rear side extending downwardly from the upper wall. The upper wall and the side walls are extendible between expanded and collapsed positions. When in the expanded position, a pocket sized for receipt of the end portion of the imaging unit beneath the upper wall is formed. The upper wall has a sterile outer surface configured to face away from and overlie the end portion of the imaging unit to maintain sterility in a sterile zone above an operating table. When in the collapsed position, the sterile outer surface shielded from external contamination.
US08286634B2
A holding device for a respiratory mask includes a headband adapted to extend in an application position from a forehead portion of a patient around a back head portion of the patient. A strengthening element is releasably coupled to the headband to add flexural strength to the headband. The strengthening element is adapted to extend from the forehead portion laterally to respective ear portions and to descend behind the respective ear portions towards the patient's neck. The strengthening element has bracket sections positioned below respective ear portions adjacent the back head portion. A support is coupled to respective bracket sections to support the bracket sections in the back head portion.
US08286631B2
The present invention relates to a dry powder inhalation device which is suitable for the simultaneous administration of a combination of pharmaceutical ingredients, wherein each pharmaceutical ingredient is packed in a separate blister of the same single dose blister strip. The medicaments that form the combination come into contact just before their exit from the mouthpiece of the device.
US08286630B2
The apparatus is equipped with cover unit (1) fixed to a head portion of worker so as to cover at least the regions of nose and mouth of the worker, the cover unit capable of trapping the worker's breath. The cover unit has an exhaust opening and an air supply opening. Further, the apparatus is equipped with moisture recycle unit (2) fitted to the worker so as to simultaneously carry out the two processes consisting of the adsorption process of introducing moist air, effecting adsorption of the water contained in the air on an adsorbent and emitting dry air and the regeneration process of introducing dry air, effecting evaporation of the water adsorbed on the adsorbent into the dry air and emitting moist air. Still further, the apparatus is equipped with exhaust hose (3) connecting the exhaust opening of the cover unit to the moisture recycle unit and with air supply hose (4) connecting the moisture recycle unit to the air supply opening of the cover unit. The exhaust from the cover unit (1) is emitted via the moisture recycle unit into the dry room as dry air, and the dry air within the dry room is fed via the moisture recycle unit into the cover unit as moist air.
US08286624B2
A flat-sided annular blade for a blade ring saw for cutting hard materials such as tile along straight paths and curved paths in which the workpiece is moved through the central portion of the blade. In addition to the usual sintered abrasive diamond coating on the outer peripheral portion of the blade, the inner peripheral portion preferably is tapered to a curved inner edge and also is coated with an abrasive, preferably an electroplated diamond coating providing smoother sawing operation and a finishing action on the workpiece.
US08286617B2
Applicant has disclosed an improved dual cycle ignition system for automobiles. In the preferred embodiment, the improved ignition system comprises at least two secondary ignition coils wired in a high voltage “OR” configuration using a single high voltage circuit through a distributor, or alternatively a single plug operated directly from diodes connected respectively to associated secondary coils. The ignition coils are set up to alternate sparks, so that even at 8000 engine RPM, each coil is firing as if operating at 4000 RPM, a speed where conventional highly optimized and inexpensive coils are very effective and can reach their full output.
US08286616B2
A condensation control system for a vehicle comprises a short route (SR) target module, a long-route (LR) target module, and a humidity adjustment module. The SR target module controls a first opening target for opening of a first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve and a first throttle valve based on a SR target and a SR adjustment. The LR target module controls a second opening target for opening of a second EGR valve and a second throttle valve based on a LR target and a LR adjustment. The humidity adjustment module adjusts the SR and LR adjustments based on a humidity adjustment when condensation is detected in a system that provides a gas to an engine for combustion and determines the humidity adjustment based on a difference between a humidity within the system and a predetermined humidity.
US08286615B2
An intake manifold arrangement of an internal combustion engine has an intake manifold and a cooling fluid charge air cooler arranged in the intake manifold. The cooling fluid charge air cooler has cooling fluid tanks at first and second opposite ends. At least one of the cooling fluid tanks at the first end forms at least a part of the intake manifold and is an integral component of the cooling fluid charge air cooler.
US08286603B2
A safety system for connection to a toxic gas detector and a toxic gas producing engine, and its operating method, includes an interrupt device coupled to connections to the detector and the engine. The interrupt device includes a toxic gas signal detecting circuit and a circuit for permitting starting of the engine. The detecting circuit activates the permitting circuit if the toxic gas signal represents a toxic gas concentration below a predetermined level. In one embodiment, the permitting circuit is activated if the safety system is healthy and fully functional.Similarly, a safety system for connection to a toxic gas detector and a toxic gas supply, and its operating method, includes an interrupt device coupled to connections to the detector and the toxic gas supply. The interrupt device includes a toxic gas signal detecting circuit and a circuit for permitting of flow from the toxic gas supply. The detecting circuit activates the permitting circuit if the toxic gas signal represents a toxic gas concentration below a predetermined level.
US08286590B2
A hummingbird feeding station includes a first hollow body having a closed end and an openable end, the first hollow body for receiving and for containing a liquid for consumption, one or more openings extending through at least one wall of the first hollow body for enabling consumption of the liquid contained therein, and a second hollow body having a closed or a sealed end and an open end, the second hollow body for receiving and containing a liquid. The second hollow body is disposed between the first hollow body a point of origin of insects attempting to access the liquid in the first hollow body, the liquid contained in the second hollow body functioning as a barrier preventing the insects from accessing the liquid contained in the first hollow body.
US08286589B1
A cover for a bowl, such as a pet food or water bowl, that comprises a dip molded cover on the outer surface of a bowl, thereby providing aesthetically pleasing exterior features, while also providing protection to the covered bowl and insulating qualities to the contents of the covered bowl. The cover of the present invention may be fabricated from rubber or plastic material and may be permanently or removeably secured to the outer surface of the bowl.
US08286584B2
A method for improving the throughput of milking animals in a rotary milking system including a rotary platform, which milking animals enter and leave in a sequential order in order to be milked provides that a plurality of milking animals to be milked by the rotary milking system are identified; a measure indicative of the expected time required for performing at least one action on the rotary platform with respect to each of the milking animals is retrieved; and the milking animals are allowed to enter the rotary platform of the rotary milking system in an order, which is based on the measures indicative of the expected times required for performing the at least one action on the rotary platform with respect to the milking animals.
US08286565B2
A security lock box that is mountable to a shelf. The shelf has a shelf surface for supporting merchandise thereon. The security lock box includes a cover adapted to be supported on top of the shelf and adapted to house and secure merchandise supported on the shelf therein. The cover is at least partially transparent to display merchandise when housed therein. The security lock box further includes a security device, which has a shelf mount and a lock. The shelf mount is adapted to be fastened to the shelf, and the lock releasably locks the cover to the shelf mount between a locked state, wherein the cover is locked to the shelf mount, and an unlocked state, wherein the cover is releasable from the shelf mount.
