US08310412B2
The driving method of the plasma display device has a plurality of combination sets for display that include a different number of combinations. Respective spatial differentiations of a red image signal, a green image signal, and a blue image signal are calculated. For an image signal of a large spatial differentiation, a combination set for display is used where the number of combinations is smaller than that in the combination set for display used for an image signal of a small spatial differentiation.
US08310406B2
A disclosed antenna device includes a ground section; and an element section projecting from the ground section. The length of the ground section in a direction orthogonal to a side of the ground section from which side the element section projects is less than approximately ¼ a corresponding wavelength. The ground section is configured to be disposed over and attached to a conductive section.
US08310395B2
For amending navigation data of a global navigation system, navigation signals are received from a space vehicle, and a predicted clock phase offset of the clock signal sent from the space vehicle is estimated and stored in a memory. The clock phase offset difference between the current estimated clock phase offset and a previously estimated clock phase offset times (T1) is then computed and stored. An earlier computed phase offset difference between a previously estimated clock phase offset and a further previous estimation for said clock phase offset is obtained, wherein the time interval between the current measurement epoch and second earlier epoch is at least T1. The difference between the computed clock phase offset differences is derived, and compared with a given threshold value. If the latter difference is greater than the given threshold value, an integrity risk signal is generated and transmitted to other devices for position determination.
US08310394B2
A method and apparatus for communicating over a network is provided. The method includes selecting between location-sensing methods for an LBA, such as between GPS and network triangulation. For each location-sensing method, a dynamic determination is made as to whether the accuracy of the location-sensing method, in the current environment, meets the application requirements. If two or more location-sensing methods meet the application requirements, then, location-sensing method selected is the location-sensing method that, from among the location-sensing methods that meet the application requirement, consumes the least power. Otherwise, the location-sensing method that is most accurate for the current environment is selected.
US08310391B2
An electronic device (1) constitutes a remote control system (100) together with a remote control device (3) and at least one controlled device (2/2′), and the electronic device (1) includes: a first reception section (20) that receives, from the remote control device, a direct command signal (7/7′) broadcasted to the electronic device and the controlled device; a second reception section (23) that receives, from the controlled device, an indirect command signal (8) having been generated by the controlled device according to the direct command signal having been received from the remote control device; and a control section (10) including signal selecting means (31) that selects one intended command signal to which a response is needed from a signal group according to a predetermined rule, the signal group consisting of the direct command signal having been received by the first reception section and the indirect command signal having been received by the second reception section. This makes it possible to properly select and process a signal to be followed in the electronic device where a plurality of command signals are redundantly supplied with respect to one command signal from the remote control device.
US08310383B2
A serializer device is used for generation, from a parallel digital signal, of a clock signal or a serial binary data signal having a pre-determined amount of jitter. A binary number having consecutive groups of ones and zeroes, when serialized by the serializer device, produces a clock signal. By varying the number of ones and zeroes on the binary number, a pre-determined amount of jitter can be generated. Use of sigma-delta modulation in combination with a phase-locked loop circuitry allows one to obtain a smoothly varying jitter of the output signal.
US08310382B2
In a stacked semiconductor device in which a plurality of through silicon vias used for data transfer are shared among a plurality of semiconductor chips, a first semiconductor chip included in the semiconductor chips holds through silicon via switching information for specifying a through silicon via among the through silicon vias to be used for data transfer, and transfers the through silicon via switching information to a second semiconductor chip included in the semiconductor chips. According to the present invention, because the through silicon via switching information is transferred from the first semiconductor chip to the second semiconductor chip, a circuit for storing the through silicon via switching information in a nonvolatile manner is not required in the second semiconductor chip. With this arrangement, a chip area of the second semiconductor chip can be reduced.
US08310372B2
An apparatus and method of optimizing performance of a fingerprint sensor includes determining whether a force applied to a sensing portion of the sensor is within an optimal force range for the fingerprint sensor and capturing at least one fingerprint image with the fingerprint sensor after the applied force is in the optimal force range.
US08310371B2
A power supply protection device for an electric appliance includes a switching circuit for establishing an electrical connection to receive an external voltage from the external power supply and output the external voltage to the electric appliance, a detecting circuit for disabling the switch circuit to break the electrical connection when determining the external voltage is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and an alert circuit for generating an alert signal when the electrical connection is broken and outputting the alert signal to a user.
US08310370B1
A method, system, and apparatus for monitoring electrical safety conditions and managing energy consumption using a microcontroller embedded in a circuit breaker. The microcontroller receives a plurality of inputs detected by a plurality of sensors in the circuit breaker. An amount of energy consumed during a preset interval of time is determined. A temperature of a circuit breaker panel board detected by a temperature sensor is received and compared with a preset temperature alarm threshold value to determine a panel board overheating condition. A condition of the neutral conductor is determined based on a plurality of line voltages and currents received from a plurality of voltage and current sensors by comparing a voltage differential with a preset threshold differential voltage value. A plurality of data values derived from the plurality of sensor inputs and indicative of electrical safety conditions and energy consumption is transmitted via a secure communications link to a data processing system for translation, storage, and presentation to an energy consumer.
US08310368B2
The present invention relates to a device that can be used in individual weight control protocols that is capable of detecting in real time information with regard to number of bites taken, time between bites, and so forth. The weight control device can detect bites through motion detection via a sensor worn on the wrist or hand of a user. The device can include notification capabilities that can alert a user as to excessive eating speed, excessive amounts of food intake, and the like so as to provide immediate feedback for purposes of weight control.
US08310367B1
Systems and methods including implanting RFID tags into metal-containing objects. The RFID tags are coated in a heat resistant coating. The surface of the metal-containing object could be heated and the coated RFID tag could be injected into the metal-containing object by allowing less heat to be transferred to the RFID electronics than an amount of heat to destroy the RFID electronics. The metal-containing objects can be monitored and tracked. Apparatus with implanted metal-containing objects can be remotely monitored and controlled.
US08310363B2
Asset including an arrangement for monitoring inanimate objects in an interior thereof includes a sensor system arranged on each object in the asset and arranged to obtain data about the object, a location determining system arranged on the asset to monitor the location of the asset, and a communication system arranged on the asset and coupled to the sensor system and the location determining system. The communication system transmits the data about each object obtained by the sensor system and the location of the asset provided by the location determining system to one or more remote facilities, these remote facilities being those interested in the information about the objects in the asset being monitored.
US08310360B2
A security device paired with a user's cell phone is operable by either a trigger or an accelerometer. The device includes visual and audio alarms, a prerecorded message and an audio recording of the ambient noise. Depression of the trigger will spray mace onto an attacker, activate the alarms and alternately send the message and recording to 9-1-1 or other security monitor. Alternatively, the accelerometer will so activate the device. The alarms and transmissions are synchronized so as to not interfere one with the other. Direct communication with 9-1-1 via the Bluetooth®/cell phone interface is immediately established either by a push-to-talk button or at the termination of a predetermined alarm and message transmission period.
US08310359B2
A wireless sensor network having mobile sensors (64, 65) is provided with a mobile sink (70). To re-position the sink, candidate sink positions are found using information from the sensors. The candidate sink locations are then assessed to give a measure of their suitability to act as the new permanent position. To do this, the sink moves to each of the candidate positions in turn and obtains data and/or signals from the sensors (64, 65) within range to estimate a total throughput expected if the sink is located at that position. The sink then transfers to the most suitable candidate position permanently, until the dynamic repositioning process is triggered again. In this way it is possible to achieve a better performance than if only the center of gravity of the sink range is taken into account to position the sink. In the second embodiment, sensors are allowed to have their say in future positioning of the sink; this involves providing a capability for the sensor that makes it possible to consider both distance from the sink and the remaining battery power to come up with the best desired maximum information rate. In effect, the sensors and sink make a collective decision on the future location of the sink.
US08310357B2
A signal lamp control system for one rear side of a vehicle receives a signal or voltage from the vehicle (near side signal) originally intended to turn on all signal lamps on that side. Responsive to that signal, the signal lamp control system either turns on all signal lamps on that side or sequentially turns on the signal lamps on that side, depending on a status of a signal or voltage from the vehicle (far side signal) originally intended to control the signal lamps on the opposite rear side of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the signal lamp control system has knowledge of the state of the other side before the near side signal transitions on. This distinguishes between near-side signal activation (alone), brake activation, brake activation with near-side signal activation and hazard warning activation.
US08310356B2
Devices and methods for sensing wear of a component are described. A wear-sensing device has a wear component and a wireless sensor disposed within the wear component. The sensor generates a signal, detectable by a detector, for confirming the presence of the sensor. Further, the claimed invention includes a positioner for precisely positioning the sensor within the wear component. Also, an authentication module is present for authenticating the sensor.
US08310355B2
A vehicular collision warning system comprises at least one image capture device capturing images of blind spots, a processing unit receiving the images of blind spots from the image capture device, and at least one alert device. The processing unit identifies at least one barrier from the images and calculates the speed and transverse displacement of the barrier according to the positional change with respect to time. The processing unit presets at least one attention area on the image, estimates whether the barrier will appear in the attention area, sends out an alert-triggering signal to trigger the alert devices to generate sound, light, or pictures to warn the driver early. Cooperating with the speed sensor, brake system and turn light system, the vehicular collision warning system can trigger different alert signals according to the grading of danger to actively warn the driver early.
US08310354B2
A system for determining and/or controlling the relative position of two relatively movable elements, comprising a vehicle container combination, a utility vehicle including an unloading apparatus and at least three transmitting devices intended to be fitted, in use, in a predetermined spatial arrangement to one of the two relatively elements and configured to transmit respective signals; a single sensor device intended to be fitted, in use, to the other of the two relatively movable elements and configured to receive, and to determine the source direction (ψi, Φi) of, the signals transmitted by the transmitting devices; and an electronic processing unit connected to the sensor device and configured to determine the relative position of the two relatively movable elements based on the source direction (ψi, Φi) of the signals transmitted by the transmitting devices, and on the spatial arrangement of the transmitting devices.
US08310350B2
A haptic system including a compliant member which limits the direction of motion of an interface surface providing haptic feedback to motion along a single axis. The compliant member allows for easy assembly, reduced ports, lighter weight and improved longevity and performance. The compliant member typically has a longitudinal extent that is greater than its lateral extent and height, and its height is greater than its lateral extent.
US08310339B2
A system and methods are provided for triggering an operating device. In one embodiment, a triggering device includes a receiving unit configured to receive one or more wireless control signals. The receiving unit may include a switch and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to control the switch for activation of an operating device coupled to a signaling line based, at least in part, on the one or more wireless control signals. According to another embodiment, the triggering device may include a connector configured to electrically couple the receiving unit to the signaling line, the connector having one or more contacts and a housing configured to clasp the signaling line and couple the one or more contacts to the signaling line. Additionally, the signaling line may relate to existing wiring of the operating device.
US08310338B2
A transmitting antenna to transmit a request signal in a vehicle compartment is disposed off the center line of the vehicle compartment in a vehicle width direction. The output strength of the request signal transmitted by the transmitting antenna is switched in such a manner that a receivable output range of the request signal by a portable device reaches one of both doors which is equipped with one of access switches which has been operated. Accordingly, it can be properly recognized whether the portable device is located inside the vehicle compartment or outside the vehicle compartment even if the transmitter to transmit the request signal in the vehicle compartment is disposed off the center line of the vehicle compartment in the vehicle width direction.
US08310331B2
Improved inductive electronic apparatus and methods for manufacturing the same. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises an inductive device module comprising N inductors and N+1 core elements. The core elements comprise ferrite core pieces that are optionally identical to one another. These core elements are stacked (e.g., in a longitudinal coaxial arrangement) such that the back of one core element associated with a first inductor provides a magnetic flux path for a second inductor. Form-less (bonded) windings are also optionally used to simplify the manufacture of the device, reduce its cost, and allow it to be made more compact (or alternatively additional functionality to be disposed therein). One variant utilizes a termination header for mating to a PCB or other assembly, while another totally avoids the use of the header by directly mating to the PCB.
US08310327B2
The present invention provides an improved transformer (20), which broadly includes: a substrate (21) having first and second surfaces (22, 23); a first board (24) mounted on the substrate first surface; a second board (25) mounted on the substrate second surface; the boards being identical to one another and being mounted on the respective proximate substrate surfaces as mirror images of one another; each of the boards having a plurality of dielectric layers with electrically-conductive sheet windings (35, 36, 37, 38) embedded therein; and an assembled core (26, 28) operatively arranged to provide a path for magnetic flux attributable to a current in some of the windings. Third and fourth boards (71, 72) may be piggy-backed onto the first and second boards, respectively, to selectively vary the properties of the transformer.
US08310323B2
Terminal bolts are inserted in the bottom of contact cover through collars. C-rings are fitted into U-shaped grooves formed in the terminal bolts and constitute locking parts. Circular notch parts are formed on the innersurface at the contact chamber side of the collars and the notch parts are engaged with the C-ring whereby ring terminals receive pressing force of nuts tightened on the terminal bolts. Accordingly, spaces are created at places being closer to the contact chamber side than the C ring side of the terminal bolts are, by interposing O-rings with large thickness in the spaces in elastically compressed states, whereby an airtightness of the contact chamber can be secured without expanding an outer diameter of the contact cover. Thus, an electromagnetic switch can adopt sealing members with sufficient thickness without expanding an outer diameter of the contact cover.
US08310310B2
An integrator circuit cancels a DC offset component related to an average DC value of a burst mode input signal from the output of an amplifier. The integrator circuit outputs an average DC value of the input signal in a response time that is shorter than the preamble of a burst mode signal. The integrator output signal remains stable within selected amplitude limits for a length of time corresponding to the data portion of a burst mode signal. A transimpedance amplifier embodiment of the invention comprises a TIA gain stage, an integrator, and a voltage-controlled current course. Other embodiments comprise an amplifier for converting single-ended input signals to differential output signals, an amplifier for differential output offset cancellation, a monolithic semiconductor integrated circuit die, and a packaged semiconductor integrated circuit device.
US08310308B1
A method for providing common-mode feedback is provided. A common-mode current is applied to a common-gate amplifier, and the common-mode current is sensed. In response to the sensed common-mode current, a control voltage is generated. A first feedback current (which is generated in response to the control voltage) can then be applied to differential ground of the common-gate amplifier if the common-mode current is less than a predetermined threshold. Additionally, a second feedback current (which is generated in response to the control voltage) can be applied to input terminals of the common-gate amplifier if the common-mode current is greater than the predetermined threshold.
US08310299B2
A charge pump regulator has a charge pump to establish a charge path and a discharge path alternately, so as to produce a regulated voltage on an output terminal. The charge pump has at least a current control element on the charge path or the discharge path to control the current flowing therethrough according to an output-dependent feedback signal.
US08310294B2
A communication IC includes a power-efficient clock-distribution system. A control loop monitors and adjusts the peak and trough voltages of a clock signal. The clock signal can be adaptively adjusted to center the peak and trough voltages about the switching threshold voltage of a clock buffer. The voltage swing of the clock signal can thus be made small and, as a consequence, power efficient. The control loop can monitor and control more than one clock signal.
US08310291B2
A delay locked loop (DLL) having an accelerated training interval during a voltage change. An integrated circuit (IC) includes a master DLL configured to generate a clock signal based upon a reference clock signal. The master DLL may train to the reference clock signal in response to a control signal. The IC also includes a control unit that is coupled to the master DLL and may provide the control signal at a first interval in response to receiving an indication that a supply voltage is being changed, and provide the control signal at a second interval in the absence of the indication.
US08310290B2
In conventional analog-to-digital converter (ADC) systems, jitter can be a problem because of delay circuits within the sample signal path. Here, an ADC system is provided with a modified delay locked loop (DLL), namely having a variable delay and a fixed delay. The modification to the delay line of DLL enables the removal of delay circuits from the sample path, improve the overall signal to noise ration (SNR).
US08310289B2
A semiconductor apparatus for reducing unnecessary current consumption disclosed. The semiconductor apparatus includes: a clock signal transmission unit that selectively transmits a clock signal in accordance with the frequency of the clock signal at an operation standby mode. A delay locked loop generates a DLL clock signal on the basis of the clock signal inputted through the clock signal transmission unit. The delay locked loop generates the DLL clock signal during a period where the clock signal is transmitted.
US08310287B2
A reset circuit for resetting and terminating the resetting of a reset target includes an n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), a gate drive circuit configured to switch a drain voltage of the n-channel MOSFET from a low level to a high level when a power supply voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold, a sink circuit configured to maintain the drain voltage at the low level by sinking a current flowing from a drain side of the n-channel MOSFET to the sink circuit, and a block circuit configured to block the current sinking to the sink circuit when the power supply voltage exceeds the predetermined threshold. The low level indicates a state where the reset target is in a reset state and the high level indicates a state where the reset state of the reset target is terminated.
US08310286B2
A voltage detection enabling circuit is disclosed. The voltage detection enabling circuit includes a reference voltage generating unit, an enabling protection unit, and an enabling judgment unit. The reference voltage generating unit is coupled to a driving voltage, and generates a reference voltage signal. The enabling protection unit receives the reference voltage signal and outputs an enabling judgment signal when the reference voltage signal is higher than a voltage parameter. Particularly, the voltage parameter is a component parameter of an electronic component. Then the enabling judgment unit determines whether an enabling signal is generated or not according to the enabling judgment signal and the driving voltage.
US08310284B2
A Group III-N high electron mobility transistor is driven by a high-voltage gate driver that limits the gate-to-source voltage across the transistor by controlling the maximum charge that can be placed on a boot strap capacitor that charges up the gate of the transistor to turn on the transistor.
US08310281B2
In accordance with an embodiment, a method of driving switches includes sensing a control node of a first switch, sensing a control node of a second switch, and driving the control node of the first switch to a first active state after the control node of the second switch transitions to a second active state. The method also includes driving the control node of the second switch to a second inactive state after the control node of the first switch transitions to a first inactive state. Driving the control node of the first switch is based on sensing the control node of the second switch, and driving the control node of the second switch is based on based on sensing the control node of the first switch.
US08310279B2
Techniques for providing a comparator incorporating amplitude hysteresis. In an exemplary embodiment, a current offset stage is coupled to a comparator having a folded cascode architecture. The current offset stage offsets the current generated from an input stage to delay switching of the comparator output to implement amplitude hysteresis. In an exemplary embodiment, rail-to-rail input voltages may be accommodated by providing dual NMOS and PMOS input stages. In another exemplary embodiment, the amplitude hysteresis may be controlled by an adjustable threshold voltage. In yet another exemplary embodiment, a constant transconductance gm bias circuit may be provided to maintain the stability of the threshold voltage across input common-mode voltage and/or other variations.
US08310277B2
A high linear fast peak detector having a variable bias current and/or a variable bias voltage is described. In an exemplary design, the peak detector includes a transistor, a variable current source, a capacitor, and a feedback circuit. The transistor receives the input signal and provides a source current. The variable current source receives the input signal, provides high bias current when the input signal is low, and provides low bias current when the input signal is high. The capacitor is charged by the source current when the input signal is high and is discharged by the high bias current when the input signal is low. The feedback circuit receives a detected signal from the capacitor and provides higher bias voltage for the transistor when the input signal is high, which results in higher source current from the transistor.
US08310265B2
An integrated circuit comprises a device under test and embedded test circuitry. The embedded test circuitry comprises a plurality of process monitoring sensors, a threshold circuit for comparing the sensor signals with a threshold window having an upper and a lower limit and a digital interface for outputting the threshold circuit signal. The process monitoring sensors comprise circuitry based on the circuit elements of the device under test. This arrangement enables monitoring of circuit element performance, such as transistor properties, using process monitoring sensors which are embedded with the device under test, so that the same process parameter variations apply to the sensors as to the device under test. The sensors preferably match the physical layout of the device under test.
US08310243B2
A system and associated methods for acquiring and analyzing LEIS data from a buried structure, such as a pipeline. A special probe having adjustable electrodes is placed in the soil above the structure. A voltage is applied to the structure, causing more current to emanate from a coating defect than from intact coating. The probe electrodes acquire a response signal, which is analyzed to detect the defect.
US08310241B2
A battery sensor unit including a pole terminal, the terminal being electrically conductively connected to a plate-shaped carrier element and a planar measuring shunt, the shunt including a resistor element and adjoining resistor connections on both sides thereof. The carrier element is connected in an electrically conducting manner to the one resistor connection, and the second free end region of the carrier element is connected electrically insulated to the second resistor connection. A spacer made of an electrically insulating material is provided. The second free end region of the carrier element and the second resistor connection with the sides facing each other are connected to the spacer. Said spacer can be connected with the second free end region of the carrier element and also with the second resistor connection.
US08310239B2
A current sensor measures an electrical current flowing in well casing or other magnetic structure. The current sensor can be installed in a tool for performing electromagnetic (EM) induction surveying in a wellbore lined with an electrically conductive casing. The tool includes an EM element to transmit or receive a magnetic field through the casing. The measured current using the current sensor can be used to relate the change of casing effect on the EM element (e.g., an induction receiver) placed inside the well casing for performing the EM induction survey.
US08310235B1
The subject apparatus is a fuel cell toroid cavity detector for in situ analysis of samples through the use of nuclear magnetic resonance. The toroid cavity detector comprises a gas-tight housing forming a toroid cavity where the housing is exposed to an externally applied magnetic field B0 and contains fuel cell component samples to be analyzed. An NMR spectrometer is electrically coupled and applies a radiofrequency excitation signal pulse to the detector to produce a radiofrequency magnetic field B1 in the samples and in the toroid cavity. Embedded coils modulate the static external magnetic field to provide a means for spatial selection of the recorded NMR signals.
US08310234B2
A system for fat signal suppression in MR imaging comprises an RF signal generator for generating RF pulses in an MR pulse sequence using one or more RF pulses for echo signal formation including, an RF excitation pulse and an RF refocusing pulse subsequent to said RF excitation pulse. A magnetic field slice select gradient generator generates first and second different slice select magnetic field gradients for corresponding use with the RF excitation pulse and the RF refocusing pulse, respectively, the first and second different slice select magnetic field gradients having substantially different amplitudes. An MR imaging control unit directs acquisition of MR imaging data having fat signal substantially suppressed using the generated RF pulses and different slice select magnetic field gradients.
US08310228B2
A resolver includes a disc-shaped rotor provided with a detection coil pattern formed in flat shape and a stator formed in flat plate shape placed to concentrically fact the rotor in an axial direction and configured such that a planar first excitation coil pattern to which a cosine wave is supplied and a planar second excitation coil pattern to which a sine wave is supplied, the first and the second patterns being laminated. The first and second excitation coil patterns are placed to face the detection coil pattern. An insulation layer is formed with insulating coating material between the first and second excitation coil patterns.
US08310226B2
This aims to provide a diagnosing device for detecting the measurements of an electric current, a voltage and a resistance by a temperature/moisture or pressure sensor or a signal state in control means, precisely with a simple circuit constitution, for diagnosing the soundness of a circuit while simplifying a power source circuit, to suppress the cost more than the conventional circuit having no diagnosing function, and for diagnosing the signal status in the measurement or control by a measuring means or a control means. An alternating voltage generating means containing a pulse-wave voltage and an alternating current is connected with the primary side of a transformer, and a driven member such as the measuring means for any of varying electric current, voltage and resistance is connected with the secondary side. The change in the primary-side current, which is caused with the electric power fed through an insulating transformer by the action of the driven member connected with the secondary side, is measured so that the signal status in the measuring or control means is diagnosed according to the measurement result.
US08310225B2
A current sensing mechanism for use in an integrated circuit is described. In one embodiment, the integrated circuit comprises a voltage supply rail and a current sensor coupled to that voltage supply rail such that the current sensor determines the current passing through the voltage supply rail. Leads attached to the current sensor can be monitored to obtain measurements that permit determination of the current.
US08310223B2
An electrical probe and associated method are provided to establish electrical contact with a wire. The electrical probe includes an elongate member extending between opposed first and second ends, and first and second needles connected to the elongate member and extending beyond the first end of the elongate member. The electrical probe also includes first and second conductors electrically connected to the first and second needles, respectively, and extending along the elongate member. The electrical probe also includes a bumper stop connected to the elongate member proximate the first end of the tube. Further, the electrical probe includes a movable engagement member extending lengthwise along the elongate member. The moveable engagement member includes a hook that extends beyond the first end of the elongate member and beyond the first and second needles. The hook may include a terminal portion configured to contact the bumper stop.
US08310219B2
A DC-DC converter including, an inductor; and a driving switching element for performing switching to a flow path to flow an electric current through the inductor; wherein the DC-DC converter drives the driving switching element by PWM control using a PWM control pulse to convert a direct-current input voltage supplied from a direct-current power source and to output a direct-current voltage having a piece of electric potential different from that of the direct-current input voltage, and wherein the DC-DC converter drives the driving switching element by the PWM control under a first condition, and the DC-DC converter makes the driving switching element be in an on-state continuously while the output direct-current voltage is lower than a desired level under a second condition.
US08310215B2
A linear modulation voltage transformer circuitry includes a power stage unit, a voltage division unit, a linear modulation unit, an error amplifier, and a recursive controller. The power stage unit adapts an input voltage and outputs a first voltage to the voltage division unit, which outputs a divided voltage. The linear modulation unit receives the divided voltage, compares it with a control voltage, and outputs an error voltage signal to the error amplifier, which amplifies the error voltage signal as an error gain control signal. The recursive controller receives and modulates the error gain control signal and outputs the modulation error gain control signal to the power stage unit as a reference signal so as for the power stage unit to modulate the first voltage. Thus, the first voltage can be varied in real time via the linear modulation unit to meet load demands.
US08310207B2
The present invention relates to a multi-purpose battery charging circuit configuration able to be selectively in a simple charge mode when intended for low-end solutions (option 3) or in a charge-and-play mode when intended for medium- and high-end solutions (options 1 and 2 respectively), while maintaining the supply voltage of any portable and mobile electronic devices with an acceptable noise level. The selection will be made possible by the use of multiplexers (MUX1, MUX2). If the option 1 is chosen, the bi-directional switching device (210) will be controlled by a driver circuit (340) for allowing the current which flows through it towards the battery (20) to strongly increase and thereby maintaining the voltage across the circuitry (10) at a value slightly greater than the voltage across the battery (20). If the option 2 is chosen, the synchronous step-down voltage regulator (310) comprising at least the driver circuit (350) and the switching devices (200, 230) will track the voltages across the circuitry (10) and the battery (20) for regulating the voltage across the circuitry (10) at a value in the vicinity of the voltage across the battery (20). If the option 3 is chosen, the battery (20) which cannot be separated from the circuitry (10) will be in a simple charge mode while being charged through the switching device (210).
US08310205B1
A method includes charging a battery to a first percentage of full capacity, where the first percentage of full capacity is above a pre-charge capacity and below the full capacity, monitoring, using a controller, the battery for a predetermined threshold and in response to the battery reaching the predetermined threshold, charging the battery to a second percentage of full capacity, where the second percentage of full capacity is greater than the first percentage of full capacity.
US08310194B2
A load drive device for driving an inductive load by PWM controlling a switching element includes synchronization control unit, a synchronization signal input terminal, and a synchronization signal output terminal. The synchronization control unit outputs the PWM signal to the switching element. The synchronization control unit receives a synchronization signal through the input terminal from an exterior. The synchronization control unit outputs the synchronization signal through the output terminal to an exterior. When the synchronization control unit does not receive the synchronization signal, the synchronization control unit outputs the synchronization signal such that a first switching period of the PWM signal is prevented from overlapping with a second switching period of a PWM signal of an external device. When the synchronization control unit receives the synchronization signal, the synchronization control unit generates the PWM signal based on the synchronization signal.
US08310193B2
A component intended for use in very low temperature situations has an electromechanical actuator with a control for an electric motor. The control receives a temperature signal indicative of a temperature being experienced by the electromechanical actuator. The control is operable to produce a current signal sent to the electric motor which will generate heat without significant torque. A method of operating the electromechanical actuator is also disclosed.
US08310190B2
An apparatus and a method for detecting a lock error in a sensorless motor are disclosed, where the apparatus includes a multiplexer, a negative booster, a comparator and a timer. The multiplexer can receive a coil voltage from the sensorless motor. The negative booster can receive a neutralizing voltage from the sensorless motor and drop the neutralizing voltage. The comparator can compare the coil voltage with the dropped neutralizing voltage for outputting a zero-crossing signal. The timer can count time duration during the zero-crossing signal maintained at the a logic level and determine the lock error in the sensorless motor when the time duration exceeds a predetermined period.
US08310189B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for sensorless control of a permanent magnet motor. The method includes the step of determining a sensorless position signal and a sensorless speed signal in a torque-speed plane in response to phase currents corresponding to currents on one or more of the plurality of phases.
US08310185B2
A method for detecting a regulating variable of a mechanically commutated DC motor in a positioning device for a motor vehicle is provided. The DC motor has a standard ripple pattern, which contains per engine cycle or semi-cycle at least one index ripple, which is classified with regard to amplitude, duration and/or time position. The counter-electromotoric power is calculated from a measured motor current and the measured motor voltage by a motor model. An alternating element corresponding to the current ripples is extracted from the counter-electromotoric power, which in turn is used to determine the current ripples. Further, in at least one engine cycle or engine semi-cycle the index ripple is identified and the total identified current ripples are counted. The result of the count is hereby corrected when the index ripple is not counted at the expected position.
US08310180B2
An electric powertrain for use with an engine and a traction device is disclosed. The electric powertrain has a DC motor/generator operable to receive at least a portion of a first mechanical output from the engine and produce a DC power output. The DC motor/generator is also operable to receive DC power and produce a second mechanical output. The electric powertrain further has a drivetrain operable to receive the DC power output and use the DC power output to drive the traction device. The drivetrain is also operable to generate DC power when the traction device is operated in a dynamic braking mode.
US08310178B2
A motor control apparatus for controlling a DC motor includes a detection unit configured to detect an angular speed of the DC motor, and a control unit configured to, when the DC motor is accelerated, increase a control value that controls a driving of the DC motor at a constant rate from a first control value corresponding to an angular speed lower than a target angular speed up to a second control value corresponding to an angular speed higher than the target angular speed, and switch the control value that controls the driving of the DC motor to a control value corresponding to the target angular speed in response to the detection result of the detection unit reaching the target angular speed.
US08310173B2
Provided is an LED driving device which can stably reduce brightness of an LED. The LED driving device provided with: a driving voltage switching means (Q1008) for switching between a first driving voltage and a second driving voltage in accordance with a timing signal; and feedback circuits (Q1001 to Q1005) to which any one of the first and second driving voltages is applied and which thereby determine a current flowing through an LED. The feedback circuits are provided with a resistor switching means (Q2001) for switching, in accordance with the timing signal, between resistors (R1001, R1002, and R2001) that determine the current flowing through the LED.
US08310168B2
A light source device includes: a microwave power source which outputs a microwave; a light-emitting tube with an emission space where a light-emitting material, which emits light by input of the microwave, is filled; a first electrode which is provided at one side of the light-emitting tube and is electrically connected to the microwave power source; a second electrode which is provided at the other side of the light-emitting tube, the emission space being interposed between the first and second electrodes; and a reflecting plate which is electrically connected to the second electrode and which reflects the microwave such that an antinode of the amplitude of a standing wave of a high-frequency current is positioned in the emission space by making the microwave resonate.
US08310167B2
In a circuit arrangement for controlling light emitting diodes (LEDs), which are combined in an indicating table, including a voltage supply, at least one driver which is connected to the voltage supply and has current outputs by way of which current can be supplied to the LEDs as well as at least one control input via which the current being supplied to the LEDs is controllable, a control element is provided by which the number of the LEDs to which current has to be supplied at the same time can be determined and a signal indicative of the number determined can be supplied to the control input of the driver for assisting in controlling the power supply to the LEDs.
US08310163B2
A lighting control system employs a microcontroller to generate time-delay pulses that are synchronized with the AC power. The time-delay pulses control conduction period of a semi-conductor switching device for transmitting AC power to a lighting load. This lighting control system enables the lighting load performing two-level or multi-level illumination in a simple and power saving manner. While the conventional circuits use cumbersome passive resistor-capacitor scheme to generate required timing control, this lighting control system uses simple scheme based on a built-in oscillator in the microcontroller. This scheme provides high flexibility and accuracy to implement delay-time triggering. The system and method in the present invention may simultaneously be applicable to lighting loads of different impedance types, especially to incandescent lamp, fluorescent lamp, and AC light emitting diode.
US08310162B2
A lighting apparatus includes a lighting circuit unit, a timer unit, a life judgment unit, a timing adjustment unit, and an indication unit. The lighting circuit unit is configured to activate a light source. The timer unit is configured to measure accumulated operation time of the lighting circuit unit. The life judgment unit is configured to store a first judgment time and a second judgment time longer than the first judgment time. The life judgment unit is configured to compare the accumulated operation time with the first judgment time and output a first judgment signal when the accumulated operation time becomes equal to the first judgment time. The life judgment unit is configured to compare the accumulated operation time with the second judgment time and output a second judgment signal when the accumulated operation time becomes equal to the second judgment time. The timing adjustment unit is configured to vary timing at which the life judgment unit outputs the first judgment signal. The timing adjustment unit is configured to vary timing at which the life judgment unit outputs the second judgment signal. The indication unit is configured to indicate, upon receiving the first judgment signal from the life judgment unit, a first level of the end of life with the light source kept turned on. The indication unit is configured to indicate, upon receiving the second judgment signal from the life judgment unit, a second level of the end of life. The second level of the end of life is later than the first level of the end of life.
US08310161B2
End-of-life indicators for lamps, and methods for indicating the end-of-life for lamps, are provided. A solid state light source end-of-life indicator is located on the exterior of a housing of a lamp, and includes at least one light emitting diode. The solid state light source end-of-life indicator emits light at the end of the life of the lamp. The solid state light source end-of-life indicator may emit light upon receiving an end-of-life signal from an end-of-life detection circuit, which detects when the lamp is at an end of its life.
US08310147B2
Interfaces between layers in a light emitting element are eliminated by using a light emitting element with a mixed region comprising a hole transporting material and an electron transporting material. The light emitting element may further comprise a region with a dopant. By using this light emitting element, an organic luminescent element of low power consumption and long life is achieved, and the light emitting element can be used to manufacture a luminescent device and an electric appliance.
US08310145B2
A light emitting device according to one embodiment includes a light emitting element that emits light having a wavelength of 380 nm to 470 nm; a CASN first red phosphor that is disposed on the light emitting element; a sialon second red phosphor that is disposed on the light emitting element; and a sialon green phosphor that is disposed on the light emitting element.
US08310142B2
There is a problem in a dual emission device emitting light out of both surfaces that an image on the surface and an image on the rear surface are different from each other (either image is mirror-reversed). A dual emission device is disclosed in which either light emitted from the light-emitting device is reflected by glass including a semi-transmissive film to display on glass an image same as another image obtained also from the light-emitting device, and simultaneously, external information can be viewed through the glass. A mirror can be arranged between the dual emission device and the glass including a semitransparent film.
US08310123B2
A rotor for an electric machine may include a rotor hub, a plurality of permanent magnets disposed about the rotor hub, a first sleeve circumjacent the plurality of permanent magnets, and a second sleeve. The second sleeve may be formed from a metal tape wrapped over the first sleeve. The second sleeve may be bonded to first and second end rings disposed at adjacent ends of the rotor hub. The metal tape may be applied in tension and may wrapped to form butt laps over the first sleeve. The metal tape may be corrosion resistant. Further, the second sleeve formed from the metal tape may protect the rotor from erosion and abrasion from fluid passing over the rotor.
US08310121B2
A motor case is formed in a tubular shape. A semiconductor module includes a semiconductor chip of switching elements, a resin part and a coil terminal. The resin part embeds the semiconductor chip therein. The coil terminal is protruded from the resin part and directly connected to a coil. A connection part between the coil terminal and the coil is arranged at a position, which is between a top wall surface and a bottom wall surface of the resin part facing each other in the axial direction of a motor.
US08310119B2
A shaft is adapted to be inserted through a circuit apparatus without a need for disassembling a shaft side sensor device from an end part of the shaft to place the shaft side sensor device in an opposed relationship to a circuit board side sensor device at a location adjacent to the circuit board side sensor device. The shaft side sensor device forms a sensor apparatus in cooperation with the circuit board side sensor device to sense a rotational angle of the rotor.
US08310105B2
A device and method is disclosed for providing electrical grid-tied power converter anti-islanding protection, which is autonomous to the operation of the power converter. The device can protect any number of paralleled power converters and can independently detect an islanding condition. The method involves actively perturbing the electrical grid at a common point of coupling between converter and grid, observing the effect of the perturbation, comparing the perturbed and non-perturbed grid characteristics and disconnecting the converter from the grid if an island is indicated. Perturbation is accomplished by switching a reactive load or loads onto the grid or by changing a transformer tap.The invention is targeted for solar photovoltaic applications where a number of distributed power converters are used. The invention eliminates the interaction of anti-islanding algorithms between multiple power converters, determines islanding conditions with a greater degree of certainty and reduces current distortion over prior-art anti-islanding methods.
US08310101B2
The invention relates to a grid synchronizer for connecting an AC output of a power converter to the AC grid mains. In one aspect the invention provides a grid synchronizer comprising an inverter controller to control an AC output of the inverter, the controller including a receiver to receive grid data from a grid sensor location remote from said inverter. In another aspect we describe techniques for rapid removal of charge from a control terminal of a power switching device such as a MOSFET, IGBT or Thyristor using a particular driver circuit.
US08310099B2
An energy supply is provided along a route with at least one distribution station, wherein a first voltage is applied at the input and a second voltage at the output. The second voltage is lower or higher than the first voltage. A plurality of components are arranged along the route. A component, which is supplied with the second voltage, includes a power supply unit for transforming the second voltage into a third voltage.
US08310085B2
An object of this invention is to provide an electrical junction box for a vehicle that can effectively restrain a control circuit from being subject to heat adverse effect from to a power distribution circuit, can downsize the whole structure, and can reduce the number of terminals for connecting the circuits to each other. The electrical junction box for a vehicle comprises a power distribution unit for constituting a part of the power distribution circuit, and a circuit board. A board body of the circuit board is divided into a power distribution circuit region Ap and a control circuit region Ac by a border line BL across the circuit board body. The control circuit is incorporated in the control circuit region Ac. The power distribution circuit region Ap is provided with a power distribution circuit having a current specification smaller than that of the power distribution circuit on the power distribution unit.
US08310083B2
An apparatus includes a DC-link, a voltage converter, a bus voltage controller, and a supervisory controller. The voltage converter is configured to convert a first DC voltage into a second DC voltage based on a command signal and based on an adjustment signal and to supply the second DC voltage to the DC-link. The bus voltage controller is configured to iterate calculation of the adjustment signal to communicate each iterated calculation of the adjustment signal to the voltage converter. The supervisory controller is configured to iterate calculation of the command signal and to communicate each iterated calculation of the command signal to the voltage converter and to the bus voltage controller. A frequency of the bus voltage controller to communicate each iterated calculation of the adjustment signal is higher than a frequency of the supervisory controller to communicate each iterated calculation of the command signal.
US08310080B2
A yaw assembly for use in a wind turbine. The yaw assembly includes a shaft coupled to a yaw drive assembly. The shaft extends outwardly from said yaw drive assembly. A pinion is operatively coupled to the shaft. A slip assembly is positioned between the pinion and the shaft. The slip assembly is configured to facilitate selectively rotating the pinion with respect to the shaft.
US08310078B2
A tangential turbine is adapted for receiving kinetic energy from a flowing fluid and comprises a supporting shroud, a rotating runner having a hub and a plurality of radial blades spaced apart on the hub, and a means for controlling the receiving. In first embodiment the controlling means comprises a plurality of springs each connected with its ends turningly about a connecting axis being between and within the hub and the blade and between limit stops to the hub and fixedly to the blade turnable about the axis to a non-working tangential position. In second embodiment the controlling means comprises the shroud shaped into a caisson and provided with turnable aprons and capable of accommodating the runner in the air and controlling the insertion of the blades into the flow below the shroud.
US08310076B2
An auxiliary power unit includes a gas generator that produces a flow of gases to drive a free power turbine that directly drives an electric generator. The electric generator is driven by the free power turbine at a desired speed without the use of step down gearing to provide a lighter weight and more cost effective electric power generating system.
US08310052B2
A semiconductor device includes: a trench formed on an interlayer insulating film on a semiconductor substrate; a first barrier metal film formed to cover the bottom and sidewalls of the trench, the first barrier metal film being comprised of an electric conductor containing a platinum-group element, a refractory metal, and nitrogen; and a metal film formed on the first barrier metal film in the trench. The amount of nitrogen decreases in the thickness direction of the first barrier metal film toward the metal film.
US08310048B2
Microelectronic devices and methods for manufacturing microelectronic devices are disclosed herein. An embodiment of one such method includes forming a plurality of through holes in a substrate with the through holes arranged in arrays, and attaching a plurality of singulated microelectronic dies to the substrate with an active side of the individual dies facing toward the substrate and with a plurality of terminals on the active side of the individual dies aligned with corresponding holes in the substrate. The singulated dies are attached to the substrate after forming the holes in the substrate.
US08310042B2
A system of mold locks (28, 30) is formed on a heatsink (2) of a packaged semiconductor to prevent/mitigate delamination. The mold locks (4, 12) anchor a plastic mold compound (34) that forms the protective cover for the packaged semiconductor die. The mold locks (4, 12) are miniaturized to allow the positioning of them within the flag portion of the heatsink (2) and leadframe (24) such that a semiconductor die can be anchored above the mold locks (4, 12) formed within the flag portion of the heatsink/lead frame (2, 24). The miniaturized size of the said moldlocks (4, 12 do not detract from the purpose of the die attach solder (36).
US08310026B2
A semiconductor device and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The method includes: forming a contact plug passing through an inter-layer insulation layer; sequentially forming a lower electrode layer, a dielectric layer and an upper electrode layer on the inter-layer insulation layer; patterning the upper electrode layer; patterning the dielectric layer and the lower electrode layer, thereby obtaining a capacitor including an upper electrode, a patterned dielectric layer and a lower electrode; and sequentially forming a first metal interconnection line connected with the contact plug and second metal interconnection lines connected with the capacitor.
US08310023B2
The present invention provides an LED package and the fabrication method thereof. The present invention provides an LED package including a submount silicon substrate and insulating film and electrode patterns formed on the submount silicon substrate. The LED package also includes a spacer having a through hole, formed on the electrode patterns. The LED package further includes an LED received in the through hole, flip-chip bonded to the electrode patterns, and an optical element attached to the upper surface of the spacer.
US08310022B2
The invention provides a new class of photoconductive materials and devices, and methods for obtaining high internal photoconductive gain. The devices include a semiconductor or material with an electronic band gap provided in a confined geometry and which exhibits multi-exciton generation (MEG) when illuminated with photons with energies above the threshold for MEG. Due to carrier-carrier Coulombic interactions, multi-excitons within the confined material efficiently recombine via Auger recombination, in which a carrier from one exciton is excited to a higher energy level relative to the band edge. Carriers excited by Auger recombination are subsequently trapped by trap states that capture carriers excited high above the band edge more efficiently than carriers near the band edge. Carriers trapped by the trap states allow for the collection and recirculation of untrapped carriers of opposite charge when used as a photoconductive device, producing high internal photoconductive gain.
US08310017B2
The present invention provides a pressure sensor and a method of manufacturing the same, which can change resistance to load smoothly in a relatively small load range and detect the pressure to the extent of relatively large load range. An uneven layer 6 is formed of a resin containing non-conductive particles 6a and having insulation properties, on a surface of the second substrate 3, and a resistor layer 7 containing at least carbon powder and having a certain film thickness is formed on a surface of the uneven layer 6. A sum of a film thickness of the uneven layer 6 between the non-conductive particles 6a and a film thickness of the resistor layer 7 is smaller than a particle diameter of non-conductive particles 6a included in the uneven layer, and at least a resistor layer 7 is formed on the non-conductive particles 6a and between the non-conductive particles 6a.
US08310016B2
A universal microelectromechanical (MEMS) nano-sensor platform having a substrate and conductive layer deposited in a pattern on the surface to make several devices at the same time, a patterned insulation layer, wherein the insulation layer is configured to expose one or more portions of the conductive layer, and one or more functionalization layers deposited on the exposed portions of the conductive layer to make multiple sensing capability on a single MEMS fabricated device. The functionalization layers are adapted to provide one or more transducer sensor classes selected from the group consisting of: radiant, electrochemical, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, and thermal sensors for chemical and physical variables and producing more than one type of sensor for one or more significant parameters that need to be monitored.
US08310014B2
Field effect transistors, methods of fabricating a carbon insulating layer using molecular beam epitaxy and methods of fabricating a field effect transistor using the same are provided, the methods of fabricating the carbon insulating layer include maintaining a substrate disposed in a molecular beam epitaxy chamber at a temperature in a range of about 300° C. to about 500° C. and maintaining the chamber in vacuum of 10−11 Torr or less prior to performing an epitaxy process, and supplying a carbon source to the chamber to form a carbon insulating layer on the substrate. The carbon insulating layer is formed of diamond-like carbon and tetrahedral amorphous carbon.
US08310007B2
The present application discloses new approaches to integrated power. Two new classes of structures each provide an integrated phase leg, in a process which can easily be integrated with low-voltage and/or peripheral circuits: in one class of disclosed structures, a lateral PMOS device is combined with an NMOS device which has predominantly vertical current flow. In another class of embodiments, a predominantly vertical n-channel device is used for the low-side switch, in combination with a lateral n-channel device. In either case, the common output node is preferably brought out at a backside contact. This device structure is advantageously used to construct complete power supply and/or voltage conversions circuits on a single chip (perhaps connected to external passive reactances).
US08309996B2
Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors (CIS) and methods of manufacturing the same are provided, the sensors include an epitaxial layer on a substrate in which a first, second, third and fourth region are defined. A photodiode may be formed at an upper portion of the epitaxial layer in the first region. A plurality of gate structures may be formed on the epitaxial layer in the second, third and fourth regions. A first blocking layer may be formed on the gate structures and the epitaxial layer in the first and second regions. A first impurity layer may be formed at an upper portion of the epitaxial layer adjacent to the gate structures in the second region, and a second impurity layer at upper portions of the epitaxial layer adjacent to the gate structures in the third and fourth regions. A color filter layer may be formed over the photodiode. A microlens may be formed on the color filter layer.
US08309991B2
A device is provided and includes a nanowire connecting first and second silicon-on-insulator (SOI) pads and a gate including a gate conductor surrounding the nanowire and a fully silicided material surrounding the gate conductor to radially strain the nanowire.
US08309988B2
Provided is a GaN based field effect transistor that is capable of normally-off operation, high breakdown voltage and large current. A body electrode 8 is provided on the bottom surface or the top surface of the field effect transistor. When the body electrode 8 is provided on the bottom surface, a p-type GaN layer 4 is provided on a p-type Si substrate 2 via a buffer layer 3 comprising a plurality of AlN layers 31 and GaN layers 32, with the top layer of that buffer layer 3 being a thin AlN layer 31, and the body electrode 8 being formed on the bottom surface of the p-type Si substrate. When the body electrode 8 is provided on the top surface, a p-type GaN layer 4 is provided on a sapphire substrate 21 and an AlGaN layer 13 is provided on the area under the source electrode 5 and drain electrode 6, with the body electrode 8 being provided on top of the AlGaN layer 13. Holes 20 that are generated by an avalanche phenomenon run through the body electrode 8.
US08309987B2
A semiconductor device is disclosed. In one aspect, the device has a first and second active layer on a substrate, the second active layer having a higher bandgap than the first active layer, being substantially Ga-free and including at least Al. The device has a gate insulating layer on a part of the second active layer formed by thermal oxidation of a part of the second active layer. The device has a gate electrode on at least a part of the gate insulating layer and a source electrode and drain electrode on the second active layer. The device has, when in operation and when the gate and source electrode are at the same voltage, a two-dimensional electron gas layer between the first and second active layer only outside the location of the gate electrode and not at the location of the gate electrode.
US08309984B2
A nitride-based semiconductor light-emitting device 100 includes a GaN substrate 10, of which the principal surface is an m-plane 12, a semiconductor multilayer structure 20 that has been formed on the m-plane 12 of the GaN-based substrate 10, and an electrode 30 arranged on the semiconductor multilayer structure 20. The electrode 30 includes an Mg alloy layer 32 which is formed of Mg and a metal selected from a group consisting of Pt, Mo, and Pd. The Mg alloy layer 32 is in contact with a surface of a p-type semiconductor region of the semiconductor multilayer structure 20.
US08309981B2
An LED module having an LED semiconductor chip mounted directly or indirectly on a platform. The platform is made from silicon and is extends laterally beyond the LED semiconductor chip having an active light emitting layer and a substrate. At least one electronic component that is part of the control circuitry for the LED semiconductor chip is integrated in the silicon platform.
US08309979B2
A light emitting device is provided having high luminous output while maintaining high wall plug efficiency, wherein the high thermal and electrical conductivity paths of the device are separated during the semiconductor wafer and die level manufacturing step. The device includes an electrical conducting mirror layer, which reflects at least 60% of generated light incident on it, and an isolation layer having electrical insulating properties and thermal conducting properties. A first electrode, which is not in contact with the main semiconductor layers of the device, is located on the mirror layer. A light emitting module, system and projection system incorporating the light emitting device are also described, as is a method of manufacture of the device.
US08309966B2
A gate driver on array of a display includes a substrate having a peripheral region, and a gate driver on array structure formed in the peripheral region. The gate driver on array structure includes a pull-down transistor, and the pull-down transistor has a gate electrode, an insulating layer, a semiconductor island, a source electrode, and a drain electrode. The semiconductor island extends out of both edges of the gate electrode, and extends out of an edge of the source electrode and an edge of the drain electrode.
US08309963B2
The invention is an organic luminescence transistor device including: a substrate; an assistance electrode layer provided on a side of an upper surface of the substrate; an insulation film provided on a side of an upper surface of the assistance electrode layer; a first electrode provided locally on a side of an upper surface of the insulation film, the first electrode covering an area of a predetermined size; an electric-charge-injection inhibiting layer provided on an upper surface of the first electrode, the electric-charge-injection inhibiting layer having a shape larger than that of the first electrode in a plan view; an electric-charge injection layer provided on the side of an upper surface of the insulation film at an area not provided with the first electrode or the electric-charge-injection inhibiting layer and on an upper surface of the electric-charge-injection inhibiting layer; a luminescent layer provided on an upper surface of the electric-charge injection layer; and a second electrode layer provided on a side of an upper surface of the luminescent layer.
US08309950B2
First semiconductor layers are in source/drain regions on the semiconductor substrate. A second semiconductor layer comprises first portions on the first semiconductor layers and a second portion on a channel region between the source/drain regions. Third semiconductor layers are on the first portions of the second semiconductor layer. A gate electrode is around the second portion of the second semiconductor layer via an insulating film. Contact plugs are in the first semiconductor layers, the first portions of the second semiconductor layers and the third semiconductor layers in the source/drain regions. A diameter of the contact plug in the second semiconductor layer is smaller than a diameter of the contact plug in the first and third semiconductor layers.
US08309949B2
Optoelectronic device modules, arrays optoelectronic device modules and methods for fabricating optoelectronic device modules are disclosed. The device modules are made using a starting substrate having an insulator layer sandwiched between a bottom electrode made of a flexible bulk conductor and a conductive back plane. An active layer is disposed between the bottom electrode and a transparent conducting layer. One or more electrical contacts between the transparent conducting layer and the back plane are formed through the transparent conducting layer, the active layer, the flexible bulk conductor and the insulating layer. The electrical contacts are electrically isolated from the active layer, the bottom electrode and the insulating layer.
US08309946B2
A resistance variable element of the present invention comprises a first electrode (103), a second electrode (107), and a resistance variable layer which is interposed between the first electrode (103) and the second electrode (107) to contact the first electrode (103) and the second electrode (107), the resistance variable layer being configured to change in response to electric signals with different polarities which are applied between the first electrode (103) and the second electrode (107), the resistance variable layer comprising an oxygen-deficient transition metal oxide layer, and the second electrode (107) comprising platinum having minute hillocks (108).
US08309943B2
An apparatus for producing light includes a chamber and an ignition source that ionizes a gas within the chamber. The apparatus also includes at least one laser that provides energy to the ionized gas within the chamber to produce a high brightness light. The laser can provide a substantially continuous amount of energy to the ionized gas to generate a substantially continuous high brightness light.
US08309942B2
A self-powered sensor (e.g., 100, 180, 220, 400) can wake-up systems requiring a trigger signal to wake-up circuits or systems in power-sleep mode, conserving the battery power for emergency computations and communications. In a humidity sensor embodiment 100, radioisotope generated voltage biases are employed to power sensor capacitors to realize self-powered sensors. A first self-powered capacitor biasing architecture 160 is based on changes in the leakage resistance of the polymer capacitor 110, and a second self-powered capacitor biasing architecture 140 uses changes in the capacitance of the polymer capacitor. Another sensor embodiment uses changes in the capacitance or leakage resistance of the sensor capacitor to modulate conductance of a MOSFET 114, realizing an easily readable electronic output signal. A temperature sensor embodiment 180 and a MEMS cantilever structure based fissile material proximity sensor embodiment 400 are also disclosed.
US08309941B2
The invention comprises a patient respiration monitoring and/or control method and apparatus used in conjunction with multi-axis charged particle or proton beam radiation therapy of cancerous tumors. The respiration monitoring system uses thermal and/or force sensors to determine where a patient is in a respiration cycle in combination with a feedback signal control delivered to the patient to inform the patient when breath control is required. The resulting breath control is timed with charged particle delivery to the tumor to enhance accuracy, precision, and/or efficiency of tumor treatment.
US08309938B2
In an ion implanter, a detector assembly is employed to monitor the ion beam current and incidence angle at the location of the work piece or wafer. The detector assembly includes a plurality of pairs of current sensors and a blocker panel. The blocker panel is disposed a distance away from the sensors to allow certain of the beamlets that comprise the ion beam to reach the sensors. Each sensor in a pair of sensors measures the beam current incident thereon and the incident angle is calculated using these measurements. In this manner, beam current and incidence angle variations may be measured at the work piece site and be accommodated for, thereby avoiding undesirable beam current profiles.
US08309935B2
An ion implantation system includes an electrostatic lens. The electrostatic lens includes a terminal electrode, a ground electrode and a suppression electrode disposed therebetween. An ion beam enters the electrostatic lens through the terminal electrode and exits through the ground electrode. The electrodes have associated electrostatic equipotentials. An end plate is disposed between a top and bottom portion of the suppression electrode and/or the top and bottom portion of the ground electrode. The respective end plate has a shape which corresponds to the electrostatic equipotential associated with the particular electrode in order to maintain uniformity of the beam as it passes through the electrostatic lens.
US08309933B1
Systems, devices, processes, and algorithms for adaptively filtering a signal output from a radiation detector and adaptively sampling the signal. A count rate of events detected by the radiation detector is estimated by a processing unit. An RC time constant of the filter and a sampling rate of an analog-to-digital converter are adjusted based on the estimated count rate. Events are continuously detected by the radiation detector and counted by the processing unit while the adjustable parameters (the RC time constant and the sampling rate) of the filter and the analog-to-digital converter are adjusted on the fly (in real time) to optimize an energy resolution of the detected events, while reducing degradation due to pile-up effects and improving efficiency of the analog-to-digital converter. The filter can be implemented through analog filters, digital filters, or a combination thereof.
US08309922B2
Disclosed is a device capable of probing with minimal effect from electron beams. Rough probing is made possible using a lower magnification than the magnification usually viewed. When target contact of semiconductor is detected, measurement position is set in the center of picture usually to move probe without moving stage. With the miniaturization, contact can be confirmed only at high magnification, although probe can be confirmed at low magnification on the contrary but it is necessary to display it in real time. Static image obtained at high magnification once is combined with image obtained at low magnification in real time from target contact required for probing and characteristic of probe to be displayed, so that probing at low magnification can be realized to reduce the effects of electron beams and obtain accurate electrical characteristics.
US08309916B2
An ion transfer tube for a mass spectrometer comprises a tube member having an inlet end and an outlet end; and at least one bore extending through the tube member from the inlet end to the outlet end, the at least one bore having a non-circular cross section. A method of forming an ion transfer tube comprises the steps of providing a tube member having a length and an internal bore, the internal bore having a wall of circular cross section; and etching or eroding portions of the tube member adjacent to the wall so as to form an enlarged bore having a non-circular cross section.
US08309914B2
Methods for fragmenting ions in an ion trap are described. These methods involve a) selecting parent ions for fragmentation; b) retaining the parent ions within the ion trap for a retention time interval, the ion trap having an operating pressure of less than about 1×10−4 Torr; c) providing a RF trapping voltage to the ion trap to provide a Mathieu stability parameter q at an excitement level during an excitement time interval within the retention time interval; d) providing a resonant excitation voltage to the ion trap during the excitement time interval to excite and fragment the parent ions; e) providing a non-steady-state pressure increase of at least 10% of the operating pressure within the ion trap by delivering a neutral gas into the ion trap for at least a portion of the retention time interval to raise the pressure in the ion trap to a varying first elevated-pressure in the range between about 6×10−5 Torr to about 5×10−4 Torr for a first elevated-pressure duration; and f) within the retention time interval and after the excitement time interval, terminating the resonant excitation voltage and changing the RF trapping voltage applied to the ion trap to reduce the Mathieu stability parameter q to a hold level less than the excitement level to retain fragments of the parent ions within the ion trap. The excitation time interval and the first elevated-pressure duration substantially overlap in time.
US08309912B2
An ion trap instrument working at atmospheric pressure, which alleviates requirements of bulky, power consuming vacuum pumps. Traps can accumulate selected ion species, effectively concentrating the analyte of interest and allowing laser spectroscopy to be performed. This lowers the detection threshold of this instrument compared to others and increases the selectivity.
US08309900B1
A combined active and passive imaging system comprises a radiation sources configured to output radiation beams towards a detector and an object in a scene. The system further comprises the detector configured to record superposition of instances of intensity patterns of interferences between at least a portion of the radiation beams and at least a portion of return radiations from the object. The detector may further be configured to record ambient light reflected from the scene. The detector may output a first signal with the recorded ambient light reflected from the scene and a second signal with the recorded superposition. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the detector and the radiation source unit. The processor may receive the first signal and the second signal and select the object in the scene.
US08309894B2
An electric heating module for a room air conditioning system and methods are presented in which the duty cycle of the electric heater banks are controlled to limit the inrush current during the startup phase of the heater or to supplement the heat generated by the heat pump when the heat capacity of the heat pump nears the heat loss of the room being heated.
US08309889B2
An indicating lamp is provided on the exterior of a vent port to indicate failure of a heater within the vent port. An electrical circuit is provided to energize the indicating lamp in response to failure of one or the other of a pair of heaters within the vent port.
US08309878B2
A universal power supply for use in a plasma arc system is disclosed. The power supply can include a plurality of power modules for providing a DC output from an AC input. Each of the power modules can include a rectifier, a converter, an inverter, an isolation transformer and an output rectifier. The power modules can include a power module controller configured to control at least one of the rectifier, the converter, or the inverter such that a DC output can be obtained from a wide variety of AC inputs. The power modules can be connected in parallel to provide a wide range of DC output currents for the power supply. The universal power supply can include a master controller coupled to each of the individual power module controllers to regulate the DC output current of the power supply by controlling the individual power module controllers.
US08309876B2
In a waveform of switching signals, which is output from a full-bridge circuit formed of four switching elements, includes a normal polarity pulse group and a reversed polarity pulse group for controlling an output timing of voltage pulses. A duty cycle of the normal polarity pulse group containing a plurality of normal polarity pulses, which apply a positive power-supply polarity to a workpiece and apply a negative power-supply polarity to a machining-purpose electrode, is configured so as to be different from a duty cycle of the reversed polarity pulse group containing a plurality of reversed polarity pulses, which apply a negative power-supply polarity to the workpiece and apply a positive power-supply polarity to the machining-purpose electrode.
US08309857B2
Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a pattern electrode which excels in electroconductivity, transparency and etching property and a pattern electrode, the method comprising a step of applying a metal particle containing solution onto a substrate to form a conductive layer, a step of pattern printing a metal particle removing solution on a portion of the conductive layer, which is to be removed, and a step of washing the resulting printed material, whereby the portion of the conductive layer on which the metal particle removing solution has been printed is removed to form a non-conductive portion.
US08309852B2
An apparatus for dual acting strain relief is provided. In one embodiment, a strain relief apparatus comprises: a main body having a base member including a first surface and a second surface, and a cone member extending from the first surface of the base member, the cone member including an orifice that penetrates through the main body to the second surface; a primary clamp that secures to the main body and shaped to interface with the base member to form a first set of clamping surfaces where the orifice penetrates the second surface; and a secondary clamp having a tapered cavity therein that penetrates through the secondary clamp and is shaped to receive the cone member. A surface of the tapered cavity and a surface of the cone member form a second set of clamping surfaces. The second set of clamping surfaces provide an electrical path to the chassis.
US08309850B2
A cable connector cover for use with modular cable protectors includes a bottom recess for housing cables and cable connectors. The cable protector cover also has a number of openings to provide access into the bottom recess. These openings are adjacent to the connectors and are aligned with the channels of the cable protectors to allow cables to run from the cable protectors into the recess. The upper portion of the cable connector cover can extend upward to a sufficient height to provide a visual indicator to passersby.
US08309844B2
Formulations and methods of making solar cell contacts and cells therewith are disclosed. The invention provides a photovoltaic cell comprising a front contact, a back contact, and a rear contact. The back contact comprises, prior to firing, a passivating layer onto which is applied a paste, comprising aluminum, a glass component, wherein the aluminum paste comprises, aluminum, another optional metal, a glass component, and a vehicle. The back contact comprises, prior to firing, a passivating layer onto which is applied an aluminum paste, wherein the aluminum paste comprises aluminum, a glass component, and a vehicle.
US08309843B2
Novel structures of photovoltaic cells (also treated as solar cells) are provided. The Cells are based on the nanometer-scaled wire, tubes, and/or rods, which are made of the electronics materials covering semiconductors, insulator or metallic in structure. These photovoltaic cells have large power generation capability per unit physical area over the conventional cells. These cells can have also high radiation tolerant capability. These cells will have enormous applications such as in space, in commercial, residential and industrial applications.
US08309838B2
A semiconductor structure is provided that can be used for cooling, heating, and power generation. A first region of the semiconductor structure has a first length and comprises a first semiconductor material doped at a first concentration with a first dopant. A second region is disposed adjacent to the first region so as to define a first interface, has a second length which is longer than the first length, and comprises a second semiconductor material doped at a second concentration with a second dopant. At least one of the first material, second material, first concentration, second concentration, first length, second length, first dopant, and second dopant is selected to create, at the first interface, a forward electrical potential step having a barrier height dependent at least in part on an average temperature (T) of the semiconductor structure, e.g., a range of approximately 3-10 κBT, where κB is the Boltzmann constant.
US08309837B2
A tone generation apparatus detects a position of a mouthpiece section having been pressed by a human player holding the mouthpiece section in his or her mouth. The tone generation apparatus identifies a tone pitch on the basis of the detected position and human player's operation on a piston control. Also, the tone generation apparatus detects a pressure of breath blown by the human player into the mouthpiece section and generates a tone signal of a wind instrument having the identified tone pitch, and audibly reproduces the tone signal after amplifying the tone signal in accordance with a tone volume level corresponding to the detected pressure of breath.
US08309829B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH363245. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH363245, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH363245 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH363245.
US08309815B1
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP37007 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP37007, cells from soybean variety XBP37007, plants of soybean XBP37007, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP37007. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP37007 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XBP37007, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP37007, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XBP37007. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP37007 are further provided.
US08309813B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1024212. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1024212. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1024212 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1024212 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08309805B1
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP40005 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP40005, cells from soybean variety XBP40005, plants of soybean XBP40005, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP40005. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP40005 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XBP40005, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP40005. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP40005 are further provided.
US08309804B1
A novel soybean variety, designated XB43S10 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB43S10, cells from soybean variety XB43S10, plants of soybean XB43S10, and plant parts of soybean variety XB43S10. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB43S10 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XB43S10, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB43S10. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB43S10 are further provided.
US08309793B2
Methods and composition for the production of non-flowering or late flowering sorghum hybrid. For example, in certain aspects methods for use of molecular markers that constitute the Ma5/Ma6 pathway to modulate photoperiod sensitivity are described. The invention allows the production of plants having improved productivity and biomass generation.
US08309787B2
A tunnel dressing for use in treating a tunneling wound using negative pressure wound therapy. The tunnel dressing includes an elongate permeable member having a closed distal end for entering the wound and an open proximal end into which an applicator is removably disposed for guiding the dressing into the wound. The tunnel dressing has a support structure adapted to transport wound exudates away from the wound and to resist compression under suction. The tunnel dressing also has a wound contact surface adapted to minimize tissue entanglement to facilitate removal. The support structure and wound contact surface may be formed from the same material or from two adjacent layers of different material.
US08309772B2
A process for selective formation of ethanol from acetic acid includes contacting a feed stream containing acetic acid and hydrogen at an elevated temperature with catalyst comprising platinum and tin on a high surface area silica promoted with calcium metasilicate. Selectivities to ethanol of over 85% are achieved at 280° C. with catalyst life in the hundreds of hours.
US08309770B2
A method of preparing novel [11C]-labeled benzophenone/bezoxazole analogues is provided. The present invention also provides novel [11C]-labeled benzophenone/bezoxazole analogues prepared from the GMP synthesis method. Kit claims for preparing novel [11C]-labeled benzophenone/bezoxazole analogues and a method of use thereof are also provided.
US08309764B2
Disclosed are new colchicine solid-state forms, methods of preparing the solid-state forms, as well as formulations prepared therefrom and uses thereof.
US08309756B2
To provide a surface treating agent and a composition for surface treatment capable of forming a coating film excellent in the water/oil repellency, the efficiency for removal of oil-and-fat stains, alkali resistance and heat resistance and having a low coefficient of friction; a method for treating the surface of an article by using the surface treating agent or the composition for surface treatment; an article having surface treatment applied; and a novel fluorinated ether compound useful as a surface treating agent. A surface treating agent comprising a compound represented by the following formula (A): RFO(CF2CF2O)aCF2C(O)N(H)b(-Q-OC(O)C(R)═CH2)2-b (A) wherein RF is a C1-20 perfluoro monovalent saturated hydrocarbon group or the like; a is an integer of from 1 to 200; b is 0 or 1; Q is a C1-6 alkylene group or the like; and R is a hydrogen atom or a C1-3 alkyl group.
US08309755B2
The invention relates to a process in which a compound R1COOR3 (I) is made by a transesterification reaction of an ester compound R1COOR2 (II) with an alcohol R3OH (III) in the presence of a transesterification catalyst, wherein R1 is H or C1-4 alkyl or CH2═CR4—; R2 is C1-4 alkyl; R3 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl having at least 4 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl having at least 5 carbon atoms, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl and amino alkyl; and R4 is —H or —C1-4 alkyl, wherein alcohol R2OH (IV) is formed as a byproduct and in which said byproduct (IV) is removed by distillation in the presence of an entrainer, in which the entrainer is a compound that suppresses the formation of an azeotrope between compound (II) and byproduct (IV). The process can be useful in the preparation of esters such as dimethyl amino ethyl (meth)acrylate. The invention also provides a method of separating alcohols and esters. In a further form of the invention a process of preparing esters by a transesterification process is provided in which the transesterification catalyst is homogenous.
US08309753B2
A method of producing an optically active cyanohydrin compound represented by formula (3), which includes reacting an aldehyde compound represented by formula (2) with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a silyl compound and an asymmetric complex which is obtained by reacting an optically active pyridine compound represented by formula (1) with an aluminum halide, and wherein Q1, Q2, R1 and R2 are defined in the specification.
US08309750B2
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a diaryl carbonate, which comprises: (i) contacting an aromatic non-hydroxy compound with a carboxylic acid of formula HOC(═O)R1 (I), wherein R1 is a hydrocarbyl group, and with an oxygen containing gas in the presence of a catalyst, resulting in water and an aromatic carboxylic acid ester of formula R2OC(═O)R1 (II), wherein R2 is an aryl group originating from the aromatic non-hydroxy compound; and (ii) contacting the aromatic carboxylic acid ester of formula (II) from step (i) with a dialkyl carbonate of formula R3OC(═O)OR4 (III), wherein R3 and R4 are the same or different and are alkyl groups, in the presence of a catalyst, resulting in a diaryl carbonate of formula R2OC(═O)OR2 (IV) and an alkyl carboxylic acid ester of formula R5OC(═O)R1 (V), wherein R5 is R3 or R4.
US08309748B2
The present invention provides polymerization catalyst compositions employing half-metallocene compounds with a heteroatom-containing ligand bound to the transition metal. Methods for making these hybrid metallocene compounds and for using such compounds in catalyst compositions for the polymerization of olefins also are provided.
US08309741B2
The present invention discloses a benzocarbazole-intercalated layered double hydroxides (LDHs) composite luminescent material and its preparation method. The detailed procedure comprises preparing divalent and trivalent metal cation solution A and glycol solution B of sodium 2-hydroxy benzo[a]carbazole-3-carboxylate, mixing the solutions A and B to obtain solution C, slowly adding the prepared NaOH solution dropwise into the solution C, regulating pH of the resultant after dropwise addition to obtain slurry D, allowing the slurry D to react under water bath or microwave temperature-controlled heating condition, centrifuging and washing the obtained product, and drying in vacuum to obtain 2-hydroxy benzo[a]carbazole-3-carboxylate anion intercalated LDHs composite material. The method implements the immobilization of sodium 2-hydroxy benzo[a]carbazole-3-carboxylate, effectively improves thermal stability of the luminescent dye molecules, and reduces fluorescence quenching caused by aggregation of the dye molecules.
US08309736B2
The application relates to the use of a salt associating an ammonium cation with an alkyl H-phosphonate anion of the following formula (I) in which R is a hydrocarbon radical, the pointed bond can be present or not, the radical R3 being then present or absent, as an ionic liquid. The ammonium cation is preferably an imidazolium cation. This ionic liquid is particularly useful in the field of green chemistry as a substitute for organic solvents. The application also relates to a method for preparing such a salt by the direct dealkylation of the corresponding dialkylphosphite by the appropriate nitrated base, in one step and without any solvent. The application also relates to a method for preparing mixed methylated phosphites.
US08309720B2
The present invention is directed to processes for the preparation of substituted pyrimidine derivatives, useful as intermediates in the synthesis of histamine H4 receptor modulators, and to intermediates in H4 modulator synthesis.
US08309718B2
The present invention provides substituted bicyclic heteroaryl compounds, including, for example, 4-pyrazolyl-N-arylpyrimidin-2-amines and 4-pyrazolyl-N-heteroarylpyrimidin-2-amines that modulate the activity of kinases and are useful in the treatment of diseases related to activity of kinases including, for example, immune-related diseases, skin disorders, myeloid proliferative disorders, cancer, and other diseases.
US08309705B2
The present invention provides methods of enhancing the efficacy and specificity of RNA silencing. The invention also provides compositions for mediating RNA silencing. In particular, the invention provides siRNAs, siRNA-like molecules, shRNAs, vectors and transgenes having improved specificity and efficacy in mediating silencing of a target gene. Therapeutic methods are also featured.
US08309701B2
Identified herein are different forms of bitter receptor genes that occur in different humans. These alleles are generated by numerous coding single nucleotide polymorphisms (cSNP's) that occur within the members of the T2R gene family. Some SNP's cause amino acid substitutions, while others introduce chain termination codons, rendering the allele non-functional. Differences in these genes are believed to have a large effect on those individuals' sense of bitter taste, such that these individuals perceive the taste of bitter substances differently than the rest of the population. The ability to assay this allelic information is useful in the development of flavorings and flavor enhancers, as it can be used to define large groups and populations who perceive bitter tastes differently. This in turn allows the taste preferences of these groups to be addressed at the molecular level for the first time.
US08309696B2
The present invention provides an azo pigment comprising a group represented by the general formula (1) below, an electrophotographic photosensitive member comprising an intermediate layer comprising the azo pigment, and a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus that comprise the electrophotographic photosensitive member.
US08309695B2
The present invention relates to a labeling reagent of formula: in which: R1 represents at least one detectable label, L and A are each a linker arm, n is an integer equal to 1, and u is an integer between 0 and 2. The present invention also describes a method of synthesizing said markers and also applications for the labeling of biological molecules, more particularly nucleic acids, with a labeling reagent bearing diazo and nitro functions. The invention is particularly suitable for use in the diagnostics field.
US08309691B2
The invention relates to various intraflagellar transport (IFT) polypeptides and the nucleic acids that encode them. The new IFT particle polypeptides and nucleic acids can be used in a variety of diagnostic, screening, and therapeutic methods.
US08309690B2
The invention provides method for therapeutic protein drug development that incorporates therapeutic and/or formulation and/or manufacturing considerations in the early screening process. The approach involves screening a plurality of different variants of a domain that have been determined to have the desired therapeutic property to identify one or more variants that have desired therapeutic and/or formulation characteristics, and constructing the full multidomain proteins using the identified domain variants. The present invention also provides a method for determining the shelf life of multidomain proteins in formulations. The method comprises determining a thermal denaturation and/or renaturation curve of a domain of the protein whose unfolding leads to aggregation of the protein in a solution. The method evaluates the shelf life of the multidomain protein based on the denaturation/renaturation curve. The invention also provides methods for engineering multidomain proteins to improve their therapeutic and/or formulation characteristics.
US08309688B2
Cytokine oncostatin M nucleic acids from Cynomolgus monkey are useful for expression of oncostatin M proteins that are functional homologs of human oncostatin M. The nucleic acids and proteins produced therefrom are useful in screening and safety testing of oncostatin M, the generation and testing of oncostatin M modulators and related activities.
US08309678B2
Provided is a solid polymer electrolyte having increased heat resistance and high proton conductivity and a proton conductive membrane composed of the electrolyte. Also provided is a copolymer having a sulfonic acid group. The copolymer includes a repeating unit represented by Formula (1): (in the formula, Y denotes at least one kind of structure selected from the group consisting of —CO—, —SO2—, —SO—, —CONH—, —COO—, —(CF2)l— (l is an integer of 1 to 10), and —C(CF3)2—; W denotes at least one kind of structure selected from the group consisting of a direct bond, —CO—, —SO2—, —SO—, —CONH—, —COO—, —(CF2)l— (l is an integer of 1 to 10), —C(CF3)2—, —O—, and —S—; Z denotes a direct bond or at least one kind of structure selected from the group consisting of —(CH2)l— (l is an integer of 1 to 10), —C(CH3)2—, —O—, —S—, —CO—, and —SO2—; R30 denotes a nitrogen-containing aromatic ring having a substituent represented by —SO3H, —O(CH2)hSO3H, or —O(CF2)hSO3H (h is an integer of 1 to 12); p is an integer of 0 to 10; q is an integer of 0 to 10; r is an integer of 1 to 5; and k is an integer of 0 to 4).
US08309667B2
A water-soluble copolymer having alkyl-modified carboxyl groups which is able to produce a neutralized viscous liquid in which although its viscosity is very low when no electrolyte exists, the viscosity greatly increases when electrolytes are added, which has a high viscosity and a high transmittance and which has moist textures without stickiness even in the presence of a relatively high concentration of electrolytes, and a thickening agent comprising the same.
US08309666B2
A multi-component curable composition which is reactive upon admixing of the components and wherein the composition comprises a first component which comprises a first amine functional adduct and a second amine functional adduct; and a second component which comprises at least one compound having an average of more than 2.0 groups per molecule which are reactive with amines.
US08309648B2
This disclosure relates to a silicone free defoamer for solvent based coatings, especially clear wood coatings preferably based on a graft copolymer of poly alkyl vinyl ether. The coating composition comprises a resin binder component and a defoamer formulation.
US08309646B2
The present invention relates to a method of producing polymer dispersions having improved freeze-thaw stability, by adding a highly branched polymer to said dispersions, and also to the use of highly branched polymers for this purpose.
US08309622B2
Oxygen-scavenging polymers and packaging for holding oxygen-sensitive products. A heat treatment process has been found to significantly increase the oxygen-scavenging performance of the polymer. The enhanced scavenging polymer can be effectively incorporated into various packaging, including transparent multilayer containers for beer and juice. In one embodiment, a multilayer package made from the scavenger provides an actual reduction in oxygen content of a contents of the package, over a long period of time (e.g., 24 weeks). The package can be stored unfilled for an extended period (without significant loss of scavenging capability) and will scavenge substantially immediately upon filling with a liquid product. The package may incorporate a relatively low weight percentage of the scavenger, thus providing enhanced scavenging in a cost-effective manner.
US08309613B2
A solid pharmaceutical dosage form providing improved oral bioavailability is disclosed for inhibitors of HIV protease. In particular, the dosage form comprises a solid dispersion of at least one HIV protease inhibitor and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble polymer and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable surfactant, said pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble polymer having a Tg of at least about 50° C. Preferably, the pharmaceutically acceptable surfactant has an HLB value of from about 4 to about 10.
US08309608B2
The present invention relates to the use of compounds which enhance the transcription of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) for treating stem and progenitor cells in the cell therapy of patients with ischemic heart diseases such as coronary heart disease or ischemic cardiomyopathy. Treatment of such cells which are isolated from bone marrow, for example, with an eNOS transcription enhancer prior to their administration improves their functional activity and ameliorates neovascularization of the heart and cardiac regeneration.
US08309601B2
A triterpenoid compound, methyl 2-cyano-3,12-dioxoleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oate (CDDO methyl ester), has a non-crystalline, glassy solid form and a non-hydrous crystalline form that can prepared, for example, from a saturated methanol solution. The glassy form displays an enhanced bioavailability over the non-hydrous crystalline form. Each form of CDDO methyl ester is a superior candidate for use, typically in solid dosage form, for treating a variety of disease states, generally associated with inflammation.
US08309594B2
Methods for purifying a compound of formula I are provided, wherein A, B, X, Q, and R1 are defined herein. The methods include mixing the compound of formula I and a solvent; adding a base to the solvent; and precipitating purified compound of formula I.
US08309592B2
The present invention relates to N-cycloalkyl-benzyl-thiocarboxamide or N-cycloalkyl-benzyl-N-substituted-carboximidamide amide derivatives of formula (I) wherein A represents a carbo-linked, unsaturated or partially saturated, 5-membered heterocyclyl; T represents S, N—Ra, N—ORa, N—NRaRb or N—CN; Z1 represents a C3-C7-cycloalkyl and Z2; Z3, X and n represent various substituents; their process of preparation; their use as fungicide active agents, particularly in the form of fungicide compositions and methods for the control of phytopathogenic fungi, notably of plants, using these compounds or compositions.
US08309590B2
The present invention relates to the use of a Compound of formula I preferably 4-[3,5-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)-[1,2,4]triazol-1-yl]benzoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for use in the treatment of biofilm formation, e.g. of P. aeruginosa, e.g. in cystic fibrosis patients.
US08309588B2
This invention relates to synergistic combinations of selected microbicides in combination with a second microbicide or formulation ingredient or raw material. The combinations have greater efficacy than would be expected from combinations of the individual components. The combinations include mixtures of (a) 5-Chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one+2-Methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, (b) Methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, or (c) 1,2-Benzisothiazolin-3-one with one or more of a variety of other compounds.
US08309583B2
The present invention relates to desferoxamine conjugates, derivatives and analogues thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to desferoxamine conjugates, analogues and derivatives thereof, and methods for reducing levels of metals, especially iron, in a mammal. Uses of the compounds according to the invention are also provided. Compounds of the present invention may also be used to treat iron dyshomeostasis disorders, cancer, malaria and fungal infections. The compounds of the invention may be formulated into a pharmaceutical composition or packaged into kits.
US08309572B2
Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor Antagonists and methods of using them are provided.
US08309571B2
A compound of Formula (I) and enantiomers, diastereomers and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of Formula I, and methods of treating conditions associated with the activity of p38 kinase.
US08309564B2
The present invention provides tricyclic compounds, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, prodrugs, solvates, or hydrates thereof, having antimitotic activity, anti-multidrug resistance activity, for example P-glycoprotein inhibition, and antitumor activity, and which inhibit paclitaxel sensitive and resistant tumor cells. Also provided are methods of utilizing these compounds for treating tumor cells and inhibiting mitosis of cancerous cells.
US08309554B2
Hypoxia activated drug compounds having a structure of formula (I) are useful in the treatment of cancer and other hyperproliferative diseases.
US08309552B2
Compounds of formula (I) are inhibitors of CD80 and useful in immunomodulation therapy: wherein R1 and R3 independently represent H; F; Cl; Br; —NO2; —CN; C1-C6 alkyl optionally substituted by F or Cl; or C1-C6 alkoxy optionally substituted by F; R4 represents a carboxylic acid group (—COOH) or an ester thereof, or —C(═O)NR6R7, —NR7C(═O)R6, —NR7C(═O)OR6, —NHC(═O)NR7R6 or —NHC(═S)NR7R6 wherein R6 represents H, or a radical of formula -(Alk)m-Q wherein m is 0 or 1, Alk is an optionally substituted divalent straight or branched C1-C12 alkylene, or C2-C12 alkenylene, or C2-C12 alkynylene radical or a divalent C3-C12 carbocyclic radical, any of which radicals may contain one or more —O—, —S— or —N(R8)— links wherein R8 represents H or C1-C4 alkyl, C3-C4 alkenyl, C3-C4 alkynyl, or C3-C6 cycloalkyl, and Q represents H; —NR9R10 wherein R9 and R10 independently represents H; C1-C4 alkyl; C3-C4 alkenyl; C3-C4 alkynyl; C3-C6 cycloalkyl; an ester group; an optionally substituted carbocyclic or heterocyclic group; or R9 and R10 form a ring when taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, which ring is optionally substituted; and R7 represents H or C1-C6 alkyl; or when taken together with the atom or atoms to which they are attached R6 and R7 form an optionally substituted monocyclic heterocyclic ring having 5, 6 or 7 ring atoms; and X represents a bond or a divalent radical of formula —(Z)n-(Alk)- or -(Alk)-(Z)n— wherein Z represents —O—, —S— or —NH—, Alk is as defined in relation to R6 and n is 0 or 1.
US08309546B2
There is provided a novel compound that inhibits phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and/or the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and exhibits anti-tumor activity. The present invention provides a compound represented by the following formula (1) having various substituents that inhibits PI3K and/or mTOR and exhibits anti-tumor activity: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, Ra, Rb, Rc, and X each have the same meaning as defined in the specification.
US08309543B2
The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of voltage-gated sodium channels. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disorders.
US08309533B2
Human diseases caused by dominant, gain-of-function mutations develop in heterozygotes bearing one mutant and one wild-type copy of a gene. Because the wild-type gene often performs important functions, whereas the mutant gene is toxic, any therapeutic strategy must selectively inhibit the mutant while retaining wild-type gene expression. The present invention includes methods of specifically inhibiting the expression of a mutant allele, while preserving the expression of a co-expressed wild-type allele using RNAi, a therapeutic strategy for treating genetic disorders associated with dominant, gain-of-function gene mutations. The invention also includes small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and small hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) that selectively suppress mutant, but not wild-type, expression of copper zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1), which causes inherited amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The present invention further provides asymmetric siRNAs and shRNAs with enhanced efficacy and specificity and mediating RNAi.
US08309524B2
This invention features methods and compositions useful for treating and diseases caused by a dysregulation of the BMP/GDF branch of the TGF-β signaling pathway. Also disclosed are methods for identifying compounds useful for such therapy.
US08309523B2
The present invention relates to inhibitors of MALT1 proteolytic and/or autoproteolytic activity. More specifically, it relates to compounds such as, but not limited to peptide derivates such as Z-LSSR-CHO (see SEQ ID NO:1), Z-LSSR-CMK (see SEQ ID NO:1), Z-GASR-CHO (see SEQ ID NO:2), and Z-GASR-CMK (see SEQ ID NO:2), and small compounds such as 5-{[5-(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)-2-furyl]methylene}-2-thioxodihydro-4,6(1H,5H)-pyrimidinedione and variants thereof, and the use of those compounds for the preparation of a medicament. The invention relates further to a method to screen for inhibitors of the MALT1 proteolytic and/or autoproteolytic activity.
US08309520B2
The present invention relates to a fully synthetic albumin analog, to a hemocompatible coating for medical devices containing the fully synthetic albumin analog, as well as to medical devices coated with the hemocompatible coating. The albumin analog preferably has two basic structures which are connected with one another via at least one bridging unit, the basic structures respectively having, in a geometrically defined manner, at least two bound joint regions to which at least one residue is covalently bound, wherein the basic structures are, respectively, a benzene carboxylic acid, and wherein the joint regions are formed via acid amide bonds, and wherein each residue, respectively, comprises a lipophilic region and a hydrophilic region.
US08309512B2
The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one polypeptide of the following (a) to (d):(a) a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1;(b) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence comprising one or more amino acid deletions, insertions, substitutions or additions in the amino acid sequence of the above (a) and having a platelet aggregation inhibitory activity and/or a platelet adhesion inhibitory activity; (c) a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3; and (d) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence comprising one or more amino acid deletions, insertions, substitutions or additions in the amino acid sequence of the above (c) and having a platelet aggregation inhibitory activity and/or a platelet adhesion inhibitory activity, as an active component.
US08309508B2
A cleaning substrate which comprises at least one layer of a solid hypohalite precipitate, wherein the hypohalite precipitate is formed in situ on the layer of substrate material. A process for making a fibrous cleaning substrate comprising the steps of: a) providing at least one layer of fibrous material; b) exposing the fibrous layer to an aqueous alkaline earth salt solution; c) treating the fibrous layer with a hypochlorite solution; d) allowing the aqueous alkaline earth salt solution combine with the hypochlorite solution to form a solid hypochlorite precipitate around the fibers in the fibrous material and a liquid phase, and e) removing at least 65% of the liquid phase from the fibrous substrate.
US08309507B2
The invention is directed to a fluid detergent composition comprising a di-amido gellant and a surfactant, and a method for structuring said composition.
US08309498B2
Of the many methods and compositions provided by this invention, one method a method of treating a subterranean formation, comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising: an aqueous base fluid and a reaction product of a gelling agent comprising a copolymer or salt thereof comprising N-[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]acrylamide, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid or a salt thereof, and acrylamide; and a crosslinking agent; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.
US08309489B2
An inverse micelle-based method for forming nanoparticles on supports includes dissolving a polymeric material in a solvent to provide a micelle solution. A nanoparticle source is dissolved in the micelle solution. A plurality of micelles having a nanoparticle in their core and an outer polymeric coating layer are formed in the micelle solution. The micelles are applied to a support. The polymeric coating layer is then removed from the micelles to expose the nanoparticles. A supported catalyst includes a nanocrystalline powder, thin film, or single crystal support. Metal nanoparticles having a median size from 0.5 nm to 25 nm, a size distribution having a standard deviation ≦0.1 of their median size are on or embedded in the support. The plurality of metal nanoparticles are dispersed and in a periodic arrangement. The metal nanoparticles maintain their periodic arrangement and size distribution following heat treatments of at least 1,000° C.
US08309483B2
A binder for monolithic refractories characterized by containing ingredients comprised of a chemical composition of at least one of CaxSr1-xAl2O4, and CaySr1-yAl4O7 or these plus 12(CaO)z(SrO)1-z.7Al2O3 (where, 0
US08309473B2
Acetylene is treated to remove some residual storage solvent that may be present with the acetylene in a source of acetylene such as a container. Such treatment may be performed prior to supplying the acetylene to a deposition chamber or other reactor where acetylene is a reactant. After treatment, the acetylene gas stream has a relatively constant concentration of storage solvent, regardless of how much acetylene has been released from the acetylene source. The treatment may involve condensing the storage solvent from the gas stream at a certain temperature and separating the storage solvent from the gas stream.
US08309471B2
A layer to be etched is first formed in a substrate. Then, a mask pattern is formed over the layer to be etched. Then, the layer to be etched is wet-etched using the mask pattern as a mask. In the procedure of performing wet etching, the substrate is dipped into an etching bath with the mask pattern downward.
US08309470B2
Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for efficiently reclaiming solvents used to clean surfaces of semiconductor wafers, etc. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide an in-situ reclaim approach that utilizes condensing mechanisms to reclaim evaporated solvent components. In these embodiments, the condensing can occur within a proximity head itself and/or along a vacuum line running from the proximity head to a vacuum tank. Other embodiments of the present invention provide an in-situ reclaim approach that prevents the evaporation of solvents at the onset by maintaining appropriate equilibrium gas phase concentrations between the liquid chemistries and gases used to process wafer surfaces.
US08309468B1
A method for chemical mechanical polishing of a substrate comprising a germanium-antimony-tellurium chalcogenide phase change alloy (GST) using a chemical mechanical polishing composition consisting essentially of, as initial components: water; an abrasive; a material selected from ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid and salts thereof; and an oxidizing agent; wherein the chemical mechanical polishing composition facilitates a high GST removal rate with low defectivity.
US08309461B2
An optoelectronic module includes a semiconductor structure with a substrate having a first side and a second side, a first layered structure deposited on the first side, and a second layered structure deposited on the second side. The optoelectronic module also includes driver circuitry fabricated of the first layered structure and a diode laser fabricated of the second layered structure. The driver circuitry produces a drive electrical signal supplied to the diode laser, and the diode laser produces an optical output in response to the drive electrical signal. In a preferred embodiment, the optoelectronic module also includes a temperature-sensitive element fabricated of the first or the second layered structure. The temperature-sensitive element produces a temperature dependent control signal related to the diode laser temperature.
US08309460B2
Provided are methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices by which two different kinds of contact holes with different sizes are formed using one photolithography process. The methods include preparing a semiconductor substrate in which an active region is titled in a diagonal direction. A hard mask is formed on the entire surface of the semiconductor substrate. A mask hole is patterned not to overlap a word line. A first oxide layer is deposited on the hard mask, and the hard mask is removed to form a piston-shaped sacrificial pattern. A first polysilicon (poly-Si) layer is deposited on the sacrificial pattern and patterned to form a cylindrical first sacrificial mask surrounding the piston-shaped sacrificial pattern. A second oxide layer is coated on the first sacrificial mask to such an extent as to form voids. A second poly-Si layer is deposited in the voids and patterned to form a pillar-shaped second sacrificial mask. The second oxide layer is removed to expose the active region. The sectional area of a buried contact (BC) storage contact pad may be increased, while the sectional area of a direct contact (DC) bit line contact pad may be reduced.
US08309459B1
A semiconductor process is provided. A substrate is provided in an etching apparatus, wherein first conductive patterns, a barrier layer and a patterned insulating layer are formed thereon. The first openings are formed between the first conductive patterns, the barrier layer covers surfaces of the first conductive patterns and the first openings, and the patterned insulating layer is formed on the first conductive patterns and has a plurality of second openings. The second openings expose the barrier layer on top corners of the first conductive patterns. Polymer layers are formed on the barrier layer, wherein a thickness of the polymer layer on the top corners of the first conductive pattern is larger than a thickness of the polymer layer on bottom portions of the first openings. An etching process is performed to remove the polymer layer and the barrier layer disposed on the bottom portions of the first openings.
US08309430B2
According to one embodiment, a first substrate and a second substrate are pressed from an opposite surface of a joint surface of the second substrate such that a joint surface of the first substrate and the joint surface of the second substrate are in contact with each other. The second substrate is restrained by a member to provide a gap between the joint surfaces. It is determined, based on a temporal change of a joint interface calculated based on an image imaged from the opposite surface side of the joint surface, whether joining is normally performed.
US08309428B2
The first integrated circuit/transducer device 36 of the handheld probe includes CMOS circuits 110 and cMUT elements 112. The cMUT elements 112 function to generate an ultrasonic beam, detect an ultrasonic echo, and output electrical signals, while the CMOS circuits 110 function to perform analog or digital operations on the electrical signals generated through operation of the cMUT elements 112. The manufacturing method for the first integrated circuit/transducer device 36 of the preferred embodiment includes the steps of depositing the lower electrode S102; depositing a sacrificial layer S104; depositing a dielectric layer S106; depositing the upper electrode S108; depositing a protective layer on the upper electrode S110; and removing the sacrificial layer S112. In the preferred embodiment, the manufacturing method also includes the step of depositing a sealant layer to seal a cavity between the lower electrode and the upper electrode S114.
US08309421B2
The present invention generally relates to methods of controlling UV lamp output to increase irradiance uniformity. The methods generally include determining a baseline irradiance within a chamber, determining the relative irradiance on a substrate corresponding to a first lamp and a second lamp, and determining correction or compensation factors based on the relative irradiances and the baseline irradiance. The lamps are then adjusted via closed loop control using the correction or compensation factors to individually adjust the lamps to the desired output. The lamps may optionally be adjusted to equal irradiances prior to adjusting the lamps to the desired output. The closed loop control ensures process uniformity from substrate to substrate. The irradiance measurement and the correction or compensation factors allow for adjustment of lamp set points due to chamber component degradation, chamber component replacement, or chamber cleaning.
US08309415B2
Methods of forming memory cells are disclosed which include forming a pillar above a substrate, the pillar including a steering element and a memory element, and performing one or more etches vertically through the memory element, but not the steering element, to form multiple memory cells that share a single steering element. Memory cells formed from such methods, as well as numerous other aspects are also disclosed.
US08309414B2
A first transistor includes a first gate insulating film, a first gate electrode, and a first sidewall. A second transistor includes a second gate insulating film, a second gate electrode, and a second sidewall. A capacitive element is connected to one side of source and drain regions of the second transistor. The first gate insulating film has the same thickness as that of the second gate insulating film, and the first gate electrode has the same thickness of that of the second gate electrode. The width of the second sidewall is larger than the width of the first sidewall.
US08309413B2
Methods of etching into silicon oxide-containing material with an etching ambient having at least 75 volume percent helium. The etching ambient may also include carbon monoxide, O2 and one or more fluorocarbons. The openings formed in the silicon oxide -containing material may be utilized for fabrication of container capacitors, and such capacitors may be incorporated into DRAM.
US08309408B2
A method for fractionating particles includes flowing a fluid having particles therein along a first channel, applying acoustic radiation pressure to the fluid, focusing the particles within the fluid into a single file line, moving the particles in a flow rate, applying acoustic radiation pressure to the fluid for a second time, focusing the particles based on size and acoustic contrast, producing at least two fluid fractions of the particles, and collecting at least one of the fractions.
US08309407B2
Methods in accordance with aspects of this invention form microelectronic structures in accordance with other aspects of this invention, such as non-volatile memories, that include (1) a layerstack having a pattern including sidewalls, the layerstack comprising a resistivity-switchable layer disposed above and in contact with a bottom electrode, and a top electrode disposed above and in contact with the resistivity-switchable layer; and (2) a dielectric sidewall liner in contact with the sidewalls of the layerstack; wherein the resistivity-switchable layer includes a carbon-based material, and the dielectric sidewall liner includes an oxygen-poor dielectric material. Numerous additional aspects are provided.
US08309404B2
A thin film transistor comprises an Si-based channel having a nonlinear electron-moving path, a source and a drain disposed at both sides of the channel, a gate disposed above the channel, an insulator interposed between the channel and the gate, and a substrate supporting the channel and the source and the drain disposed at either side of the channel respectively.
US08309399B2
Disclosed herein is a power semiconductor module. The module includes metal plates each having a first through hole, with an anodic oxidation layer formed on a surface of metal plates and an interior of the first through hole. A cooling member has a second through hole at a position corresponding to the first through hole, and the metal plates are attached to both sides of the cooling member. A circuit layer is formed on the anodic oxidation layer and performs an interlayer connection through a via formed in the first and second through holes. A power device is connected to the circuit layer. A resin encapsulant encloses the circuit layer and the power device. A housing is installed to each of the metal plates to form a sealing space for the resin encapsulant.
US08309396B2
A method and system of stacking and aligning a plurality of integrated circuits. The method includes the steps of providing a first integrated circuit having at least one funnel-shaped socket, providing a second integrated circuit, aligning at least one protrusion on the second integrated circuit with the at least one funnel-shaped socket, and bonding the first integrated circuit to the second integrated circuit. The system includes a first integrated circuit having at least one funnel-shaped socket, a metallization-diffusion barrier disposed on the interior of the funnel-shaped socket, and a second integrated circuit. The at least one funnel-shaped socket is adapted to receive a portion of the second integrated circuit.
US08309392B2
A back-illuminated type solid-state image pickup device (1041) includes read circuits (Tr1, Tr2) formed on one surface of a semiconductor substrate (1042) to read a signal from a photo-electric conversion element (PD) formed on the semiconductor substrate (1042), in which electric charges (e) generated in a photo-electric conversion region (1052c1) formed under at least one portion of the read circuits (Tr1, Tr2) are collected to an electric charge accumulation region (1052a) formed on one surface side of the semiconductor substrate (1042) of the photo-electric conversion element (PD) by electric field formed within the photo-electric conversion element (PD). Thus, the solid-state image pickup device and the camera are able to make the size of pixel become very small without lowering a saturation electric charge amount (Qs) and sensitivity.
US08309391B2
A method for manufacturing an array-type nanotube layer for a thin-film solar cell comprises the steps of: preparing an isotropic Si-substrate; sputtering a metal Ti layer onto the isotropic Si-substrate; heat-treating the Ti-coated Si-substrate in a vacuum heat-treatment environment; annealing the Ti-coated Si-substrate in an annealing heat-treatment environment to produce an intermediate-phase metal Ti layer; anodizing the intermediate-phase metal Ti layer so as to transform the intermediate-phase metal Ti layer into an array-type nanotube layer for the solar cell; and finally applying a reverse voltage to separate the array-type nanotube layer from the isotropic Si-substrate.
US08309386B2
A method of forming a microphone forms a backplate, and a flexible diaphragm on at least a portion of a wet etch removable sacrificial layer. The method adds a wet etch resistant material, where a portion of the wet etch resistant material is positioned between the diaphragm and the backplate to support the diaphragm. Some of the wet etch resistant material is not positioned between the diaphragm and backplate. The method then removes the sacrificial material before removing any of the wet etch resistant material added during the prior noted act of adding. The wet etch resistant material then is removed substantially in its entirety after removing at least part of the sacrificial material.
US08309377B2
Fabrication of Reflective Layer on Semiconductor Light emitting diodes A method for fabrication of a reflective layer on a semiconductor light emitting diode, the semiconductor light emitting diode having a wafer with multiple epitaxial layers on a substrate; the method comprising applying a first ohmic contact layer on a front surface of the multiple epitaxial layers, the first ohmic contact layer being of a reflective material to also act as a reflective layer.
US08309366B2
Methods and devices for rapid lateral flow immunoassays to detect specific antibodies within a liquid sample while also validating the adequacy of the liquid sample for the presence of immunoglobulin and the integrity and immunoreactivity of the test reagents that detect the antibodies of interest, without requiring instrumentation. The methods and devices provide for delivery of a diluted liquid sample to a single location that simultaneously directs the liquid flow along two or more separate flow paths, one that serves as a positive control to confirm that all critical reagents of the test are immunoreactive, and that the sample being tested is adequate, and the other to detect specific antibodies if present.
US08309362B2
A process is described for the preparation of modified electrodes useful for the measurement of analytes in biological fluids, comprising the deposition of Prussian blue on screen printed electrodes, and the modified electrodes prepared via said process; the enzymatic electrodes and the biosensors comprising said modified electrodes and the method for the determination of analytes in biological fluids which uses said modified electrodes are also described.
US08309361B2
This disclosure relates to a method for detecting at least one analyte in a tetrachloride sample comprising titanium, tin or silicon tetrachloride; comprising, (a) adding a mixture of water and acid, typically hydrochloric acid, to the sample under conditions effective for forming an aqueous solution of the sample; (b) introducing the aqueous solution of the sample into an inductively coupled mass spectrometer having a cell selected from the group of a reactive cell and a collision cell or both and producing an analyte ion comprising an interfering species; (c) contacting the analyte ion with a gas to produce a product which is substantially free from the interfering species; and (d) detecting and measuring at least one signal from the analyte in the solution. This disclosure further relates to a method for making an aqueous titanium, tin or silicon tetrachloride sample suitable for analysis in using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy.
US08309355B2
Methods of delivering viral vectors, particularly recombinant AAV virions, to the central nervous system (CNS) are provided for the treatment of CNS disorders, particularly those disorders which involve the neurotransmitter dopamine. The methods entail providing rAAV virions that comprise a transgene encoding aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) and administering the virions to the brain of a mammal using a non-manual pump.
US08309354B2
This invention discloses isolated populations of human cancer stem cells. Methods for characterizing, isolating and culturing human cancer stem cells are also disclosed. Uses for human cancer stem cells are provided.
US08309345B2
Provided is a method for detecting an antigen without use of a labeled-antibody. A support having an antibody and a multi-copper oxidase CueO immobilized thereon is brought into contact with a first buffer solution containing the antigen, a current is measured by a potentiostat method using the support and a second buffer solution, and when the measured current is greater than or equal to 1.5×(blank value), it is determined that the antigen exists. The second buffer solution contains a substrate of the CueO and has an ionic strength falling within a range of not less than 0.3 mM and not more than 1.0 mM.
US08309340B2
The present invention provides apo crystals and co-crystals of insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) and their uses in drug development.
US08309335B2
The present invention provides novel compositions, kits and methods employing RNA 5′ polyphosphatases, RNA 5′ monophosphatases, capping enzymes, decapping enzymes, nucleic acid pyrophosphatases and RNA ligases, as well as other enzymes, for selective 5′ ligation tagging of desired classes of RNA molecules that differ with respect to particular chemical moieties on their 5′ ends. The 5′ tagged RNA molecules can be used for synthesis of tagged first-stand cDNA, double-stranded cDNA, and sense or antisense RNA for a variety of uses.
US08309334B2
The present invention provides highly impact-resistant, water-soluble or water dispersible, low-dust granules comprising an active ingredient and methods for obtaining the same.
US08309327B2
The present invention relates to a method for purifying bacterial cytolysins such as pneumococcal pneumolysin. A single chromatography step produces excellent purification of the cytolysin by binding soluble aggregated cytolysin to a hydrophobic interaction chromatography material in the presence of detergent and high salt.
US08309326B2
The present invention relates to novel insertion sites useful for the integration of exogenous sequences into the Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus genome. The present invention further provides plasmid vectors to insert exogenous DNA into the genome of MVA. Furthermore, the present invention provides recombinant MVA comprising an exogenous DNA sequence inserted into the new insertion site as medicine or vaccine.
US08309324B2
The present invention relates to an inducible and a high expression nucleic acid promoter isolated from Clostridium thermocellum. These promoters are useful for directing expression of a protein or polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid molecule operably associated with the nucleic acid promoters. The present invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs including the C. thermocellum promoters, and expression vectors and hosts containing such nucleic acid constructs. The present invention also relates to protein isolated from Clostridium thermocellum, including a repressor protein. The present invention also provides methods of using the isolated promoters and proteins from Clostridium thermocellum, including methods for directing inducible in vitro and in vivo expression of a protein or polypeptide in a host, and methods of producing ethanol from a cellulosic biomass.
US08309314B2
The present invention relates to agonists of the human bitter-taste receptors hTAS2R14, hTAS2R10 and hTAS2R4 and their role in bitter taste transduction. The invention also relates to methods for identifying molecules that modulate, e.g. suppress, or enhance hTAS2R14, hTAS2R10 and hTAS2R4 bitter taste transduction or bitter taste response.
US08309313B2
The invention provides glycated peptides and glycated fragments and glycated variants thereof, antibodies and aptamers which bind thereto, compositions and kits comprising the same, related conjugates, and a database comprising data indicating the concentration of glycated peptides present in diabetic and non-diabetic persons. The invention also provides a method of monitoring glycemic control, a method of treating or preventing diabetes, a method of preventing a complication of diabetes, a method of monitoring the status of diabetes, a method of determining the efficacy of a diabetes treatment, as well as methods of detecting diabetes or a predisposition thereto.
US08309304B2
The present invention provides a composition for detecting and/or characterizing a multiple-charged biomolecule comprising a charged d8 or d10 metal complex, wherein the metal complex electrostatically binds to the multiple-charged biomolecule to induce aggregation and self-assembly of the metal complex through metal-metal interactions, π . . . π interactions, or a combination of both interactions. The present invention further provides assay methods and kits for label-free optical detection and/or characterization of biomolecules carrying multiple charges, e.g., single-stranded nucleic acids, using a composition comprising a charged d8 or d10 metal complex.
US08309295B2
A photosensitive insulating resin composition capable of forming an interlayer insulating film, or planarized film, or surface protective film, or insulating film for high-density mount substrate excelling in properties, such as resolution, adherence, thermal impact, electrical insulation, patterning performance and elongation; a hardening product thereof; and a circuit board equipped with the hardening product. There is provided a positive photosensitive insulating resin composition comprising an alkali-soluble resin; a compound having a quinonediazido group; and crosslinked resin particles of a particulate copolymer whose 20 to 90 mol % constituent is derived from a hydroxylated and/or carboxylated monomer.
US08309290B2
A toner including toner particles comprising a binder resin, a coloring agent and a wax. The toner particles are prepared by agglomerating and/or fusing at least two kinds of resin particulates and particles of the coloring agent dispersed in an aqueous medium. A first resin particulate among the at least two kinds of resin particulates contains a resin having a polyester skeleton and the wax. At least 50% by weight of the binder resin is polyester resins.
US08309283B2
A writing method includes calculating a proximity effect-corrected dose for correcting a proximity effect in charged particle beam writing, for each first mesh region made by virtually dividing a writing region of a target object into a plurality of first mesh regions of a first mesh size, calculating a fogging effect-corrected dose by using the proximity effect-corrected dose calculated and an area density in the first mesh size with respect to a part of a calculation region for calculating the fogging effect-corrected dose for correcting a fogging effect in the charged particle beam writing, and by using an area density in a second mesh size larger than the first mesh size with respect to a remaining part of the calculation region, synthesizing the fogging effect-corrected dose and the proximity effect-corrected dose for the each first mesh region, and writing a pattern on the target object by using a charged particle beam based on a synthesized correction dose.
US08309282B2
An apparatus and method for aligning a mask that includes disposing and firstly aligning a mask over a first substrate, with a space interposed therebetween, bringing the mask into contact with the first substrate and then measuring the alignment state of the mask with respect to the first substrate to detect an alignment error, secondly aligning the mask with respect to the first substrate based on the alignment error, transferring the first substrate to the next process, disposing and thirdly aligning the mask over a second substrate with the space interposed therebetween, and bringing the mask into contact with the second substrate.
US08309270B2
The present teachings relate to solid oxide fuel cell systems featuring a novel design that provides improved thermal management of the system. The solid oxide fuel cell systems disclosed include gas channeling features that regulate the temperature of local areas of the system and protect thermal-sensitive current collection elements.
US08309265B2
The present invention provides an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell that has a minute projection cluster on one side or both sides of a polymer electrolyte membrane. Further, the present invention provides a production method of an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, wherein a mold comprising convex portions having a fixed planar pattern is pressed on one side or both sides of a polymer electrolyte membrane, then while concave portions of the polymer electrolyte membrane formed in the concave portions are being stretched, the mold is removed from the polymer electrolyte membrane for forming a minute projection cluster.
US08309260B2
An oxygen-consuming battery, such as a metal-air cell or fuel cell battery using oxygen from outside the battery as an active material, and having an improved high rate capability is disclosed. After the battery has been put into use, a light sacrificial drain is placed on the battery during periods when the battery is not being used to provide power in order to reduce degradation in rate capability that can occur over time, particularly when the battery is being used intermittently. Also disclosed is a combination of the oxygen-consuming battery and an electronic device that can be powered by the battery.
US08309259B2
The present invention relates to a method for charging the cell by electrodeposition of metal fuel on the anode thereof.
US08309258B2
A solid electrolyte structure containing a porous solid electrolyte is prepared. At least the porous solid electrolyte of the solid electrolyte structure is immersed in a first sol solution containing at least a precursor of an electrode active material as a solute. Then, the first sol solution, in which the porous solid electrolyte is immersed, is heated. A solvent of the first sol solution is evaporated by the heating, whereby a pore of the porous solid electrolyte is filled with a high concentration (a large amount) of the electrode active material precursor.
US08309257B2
A first fine particle-containing solution is deposited on an appropriate substrate, and dried to form a first fine particle aggregate layer. Polymer particles are deposited on the first fine particle aggregate layer, and are supplied with a second fine particle-containing solution such that the polymer particles are immersed in the second fine particle-containing solution. The second fine particle-containing solution is dried to form a second fine particle aggregate layer containing a large number of the polymer particles embedded. A first structure precursor is completed at this stage. Then, the first structure precursor is separated from the substrate, and thermally treated. Thus, the production of a first solid electrolyte structure, which has a porous solid electrolyte portion and a dense solid electrolyte portion integrated, is completed.
US08309253B2
The present invention relates to a novel compound characterized by having a one-dimensional tunnel structure and being represented by the chemical formula H2Ti12O25, a method for manufacturing the same, and a lithium secondary battery containing, as a constituent thereof, an electrode produced by using the novel titanium oxide as an active material, and expected to demonstrate superior charge/discharge cycle characteristics over a long period of time as well as high capacity.
US08309243B2
A cylindrical alkaline storage battery has a cylindrical case which contains an electrode assembly and an alkaline electrolyte. The assembly is formed by spirally winding a negative plate, a positive plate and a separator. The negative plate has a substrate having through holes and an active material layer which is disposed on the substrate and has an inner layer, an outer layer and a filler filled in the through holes. Each of the inner layer and outer layers has an overlapping portion which overlaps the adjacent positive plate via the separator. The filler has filling portions distributed in an area of the substrate that is covered by the overlapping portion of the inner and outer layers. The total amount of the active material contained in the overlapping portions and the filling portions ranges from 75% of the total amount of the active material in the negative plate to 100%.
US08309232B2
A running-in coating for gas turbines and a method for production of a running-in coating are provided. The running-in coating serves to seal a radial gap between a housing (11) of the gas turbine and the rotating blades (10) themselves, whereby the running-in coating (13) is applied to the housing. The running-in coating is made from a CoNiCrAIY-hBN material. The CoNiCrAIY-hBN material can be applied by thermal spraying, in particular plasma spraying.
US08309228B2
The invention relates to the use of polysilazanes as a permanent coating on metal and polymer surfaces for preventing corrosion, increasing scratch resistance and to facilitate easier cleaning. The invention comprises a solution of a polysilazane or a blend of polysilazanes of the general formula 1 —(SiR′R″—NR′″)n— (1) where R′, R″ and R′″ are identical or different and independently of one another represent hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl, aryl, vinyl or (trialkoxysilyl)alkyl group and n represents a whole number and is calculated in such a way that the polysilazane has a numerical average molecular weight of 150 to 150 000 g/mol, in a solvent. The invention also relates to a method for producing the coating.
US08309214B2
A composite member for a vehicle body a method for manufacturing such a composite member, in particular, for a vehicle roof, with a fiber-free outer skin (12) and a fiber-reinforced support layer (16), which is deposited at the inner side of the outer skin in order to support the outer skin. The side of the support layer (16) that faces away from the outer skin (12) is provided with a fiber-reinforced reinforcing layer (18) for reinforcing the support layer. The reinforcing layer has a higher fiber concentration than the support layer.
US08309212B2
An insulating block for lining an interior surface of a furnace wall. The block is comprised of at least two insulating module sections. Each module section is formed from two or more layers of a ceramic (material) blanket. The layers of the ceramic blanket are held together by one or more plastic fasteners, each plastic fastener comprised of an elongated fiber portion that is dimensioned to extend at least partially through at least two of the layers and enlarged end sections dimensioned to engage the layers. The layers of the blanket are held together side-by-side by the plastic fasteners. A support member has at least one anchor rod (tube) affixed thereto. The insulating module sections are mounted on the anchor rod.
US08309211B2
A non-asphaltic roofing underlayment that is breathable, water resistant and skid-resistant is disclosed. The non-asphaltic roofing underlayment includes a woven or non-woven substrate in which at least one surface thereof includes a breathable thermoplastic film disposed thereon. The breathable thermoplastic film imparts water-resistant to the substrate as well as maintains the breathability of the substrate.
US08309210B1
A laminate for a printed wiring board (PWB) in which the laminate has a resin system containing a binder. The binder is made of ultra-fine binding particles that reinforce the resin system thereby reducing adhesive and cohesive failure of the laminate. The particles in addition to reducing occurrences such as pad cratering, eyebrowing, and tail-cracking, have the benefits of increasing thermal heat transfer and reducing resin shrinkage. The particles are preferably the same material as a reinforcing material contained in the laminate which can be a woven glass.
US08309190B2
The invention relates to an article formed by a rotational molding process, having at least one layer formed from a high molecular weight polyamide. The high molecular weight polyamide is one having a molecular weight in the range of 20,000 to 35,000 and also having an inherent viscosity of 1.05-1.60 dL/g. Rotomolded articles having a high molecular weight polyamide layer have better low-temperature impact performance compared to articles formed from lower molecular weight polyamides.
US08309186B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an optical film exhibiting a preferable wavelength dispersion and capable of being formed comparatively thinly.The present invention is an optical film containing the repeating unit represented by the following general formula (II).In the formula (II), A, A′, B, and B′ each denote a substituent, a, a′, b, and b′ denote the number of substituents of the corresponding A, A′, B, and B′. A, A′, B and B′ each independently denote a halogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. R1 and R2 denote a halogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and the like. X denotes —CO—, —SO2—, and the like.
US08309184B2
The invention relates to a method for priming a substrate by contacting the substrate with a primer fed from a primer source and depositing the primer on the substrate. Compared to other priming methods, the claimed priming gives better results because the deposition is carried out electrostatically.
US08309176B2
A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure includes forming a first structure having a relief pattern on a substrate, forming a sacrifice layer on the first structure such that the sacrifice layer can be filled in a concave part of the first structure and the sacrifice layer can cover a surface of a convex part of the first structure on a side opposite to the substrate, forming a second structure having a relief pattern on the sacrifice layer, and a fourth step of removing the sacrifice layer from between the first structure and the second structure, and thereby bringing the second structure into contact with the surface of the first structure.
US08309172B2
A method and a device for coating a hollow cylindrical member. The method includes radially coating an entire inner surface of the hollow cylindrical member with a first coating material discharged by a first slit nozzle and simultaneously circularly coating an entire outer surface of the hollow cylindrical member with a second coating material discharged in an axial direction of the hollow cylindrical member by a second slit nozzle located opposite the first slit nozzle with the hollow cylindrical member therebetween. The first slit nozzle and the second slit nozzle discharge the first coating material and the second coating material, respectively, to a same height of the hollow cylindrical member relative to the inner surface and the outer surface thereof.
US08309170B2
Disclosed herein is a multilayer nanocrystal structure comprising a nanocrystal alloy core comprising two or more nanocrystals and including an alloy interlayer formed at an interface between the two or more nanocrystals, and one or more layers of nanocrystal shells formed sequentially on the surface of the nanocrystal alloy core, wherein the nanocrystal shells each have different band gaps. The multilayer nanocrystal structure can be applied to various electronic devices owing to its advantages of high luminescence efficiency, superior optical stability, and superior chemical stability.
US08309166B2
A magnetic cell structure including a nonmagnetic filament contact, and methods of fabricating the structure are provided. The magnetic cell structure includes a free layer, a pinned layer, an insulative layer between the free and pinned layers, and a nonmagnetic filament contact in the insulative layer which electrically connects the free and pinned layers. The nonmagnetic filament contact is formed from a nonmagnetic source layer, also between the free and pinned layers. The filament contact directs a programming current through the magnetic cell structure such that the cross sectional area of the programming current in the free layer is less than the cross section of the structure. The decrease in the cross sectional area of the programming current in the free layer enables a lower programming current to reach a critical switching current density in the free layer and switch the magnetization of the free layer, programming the magnetic cell.
US08309158B2
The present invention relates to a solid particle, and to a composition including a plurality of the solid particles, for reducing the sodium chloride content in food products. The solid particle(s) includes: a) a fatty oil, wherein the fatty oil is suitable for consumption; b) a solid core particle selected from potato powder; manioc powder; tapioca; cereal powder; dietary fiber; solid fats; solid waxes; crystalline sugar; and fruit powder; and c) a salt including sodium chloride. The solid core particle is wholly or partly wetted with the fatty oil and the salt adheres to the surface of the solid core particle wetted with fatty oil.
US08309156B2
A composition for use in foods, beverages and nutraceuticals that includes one or more non-sterol emulsifiers, each having an HLB value of greater than 14 and one or more sterols or stanols or mixtures thereof.
US08309151B2
Deep fryers and associated accessories providing increased efficiency and convenience in the production of deep-fried, steamed and boiled foods. Multiple cooking cycles and versatile food support means to fully cook foods are provided. Special advantages for larger unitary foods, such as for example, a large turkey, are provided. Advantages include without limitation minimizing countertop usage; reduction in the use of frying oil; compact storage; reduced shipping costs; reduced warehousing and manufacturing costs; and being lighter and more easy to handle in the kitchen. Accessory items simplify and facilitate production of deep fried foods, including cutting foods into shapes appropriate to produce French fries and blooming onions. Other accessories facilitate the transference and maintenance of frying oil including: returning frying oil to original containers for storage and disposal; and filtering frying oil to prolong its useful life. Methods are disclosed which help purify oil for extended life without use of filtration.
US08309146B2
The embodiments of the Deer Attractant and Nutrient is a deer attractant and feed comprising rice hulls; calcium carbonate; manganese; copper sulfate; zinc sulfate; trace amounts of cobalt carbonate; EDDI; mono DICAL; selenium; and power sweet. Because of the balanced nutritional components of the Deer Attractant and Nutrient the product enhances overall deer growth including antler growth in bucks. The Deer Attractant and Nutrient also acts as a deer attractant, causing the deer to move toward a supply of the attractant.
US08309138B2
A pharmaceutical composition comprising a suspension of medicinally-active ingredient microparticles having a mean particle diameter of 20 μm or smaller in a base oil which can achieve extremely high intestinal absorption and bioavailability especially when the medicinally-active ingredient is hardly water-soluble.
US08309132B2
Novel biodegradable polyesteramides derived from optionally functionalized diacids and optionally functionalized diamines or from compounds having both optionally functionalized acid and optionally functionalized amine moieties, their preparation, and absorbable surgical articles fabricated therefrom, such as monofilament and multifilament sutures, films, sheets, plates, clips, staples, pins, screws, stents, stent coatings, packaging materials, and other implantable surgical devices, and the like, are described herein.
US08309129B2
A pharmaceutical composition comprises nanoparticles comprising a poorly water-soluble drug, ethylcellulose, and a bile salt.
US08309126B2
The invention relates to dispersible tablets comprising the compound 4-tert-butyl-N-[6-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-2-(pyrimidin-2-yl)-pyrimidin-4-yl]-benzenesulfonamide.
US08309124B2
A tablet comprising a core containing an active agent, and a coating, the core being disposed within the coating such that the coating has a thickness about a longitudinal axis (X-Y) of about 4.85 to 4.95 mm. The position of the core within the coating dictating that the active agent is released rapidly after a lag time during which time no active agent is released.
US08309116B2
Personal care compositions comprising esters of 1,3-propanediol and acceptable carriers are provided. The esters can have at least 3% biobased carbon, and the compositions can further comprise 1,3-propanediol that is biologically-derived. Also provided are processes for producing personal care compositions comprising esters of 1,3-propanediol and acceptable carriers. The processes comprise providing biologically produced 1,3-propanediol, contacting the 1,3-propanediol with organic acids, which produces the esters, recovering the esters, and incorporating the esters into personal care formulations. Also provided are processes of making a personal care composition comprising providing an ester of 1,3 propanediol and mixing the ester with an acceptable carrier to form a personal care composition.
US08309111B2
This invention relates to a “high lower alcohol content” (>40% v/v of a C1-4 alcohol) liquid composition able to be dispensed as a stable foam with the use of non-propellant foam dispensing devices from non-pressurized containers. The liquid compositions comprise a C1-4 alcohol, (>40% v/v), a silicone-based surfactant of at least 0.001% by weight for foaming to prepare a foamable composition, 0-10% w/w of additional minor components added to obtain the desired performance (a foamable composition), and the balance being purified water. The compositions may include emulsifier-emollients and mosturizers, secondary surfactants, foam stabilizers, fragrances, antimicrobial agents, other type of medicinal ingredients, and the like ingredients or additives or combinations thereof commonly added to alcohol gels or foams, aerosol compositions or to toiletries, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and the like.
US08309108B2
A liquid aqueous formulation for the intranasal administration of apomorphine includes: (a) at least about 15 mg/ml of apomorphine; and (b) a solubilising agent selected from (i) at least one polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymer (poloxamer); (ii) at least one cyclodextrin; and (iii) at least one cyclodextrin together with chitosan. The formulations of the invention can be used in the treatment or management of Parkinson's disease and erectile dysfunction.
US08309107B2
Liquid orlistat-containing fill materials suitable for encapsulating in hard or soft capsules are described herein. The fill material contains orlistat dissolved in one or more medium chain triglycerides or medium chain partial triglycerides, one or more citrate esters, and combinations thereof. The fill material can also contain one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. In one embodiment, the fill material is substantially free of surfactants. The fill material can be encapsulated in hard or soft, gelatin or non-gelatin capsules. The capsules may be coated to modify release of orlistat from the capsule. Alternatively, the fill material can be encapsulated in an enteric capsule, wherein the enteric polymer is a component of the capsule shell, rather than a coating over the capsule shell. The fill materials are stable at elevated temperatures over an extended period of time and allow for high loadings of orlistat (e.g., 20% w/w or higher).
US08309106B2
Tissue repair compositions, particularly bone repair compositions, containing demineralized bone fragments and homogenized connective tissues. The compositions can be used in the form of an injectable gel, an injectable paste, a paste, a putty, or a rehydratable freeze-dried form.
US08309099B2
The present invention is based on the development of a dual promoter system (preferably a RNA pol I-pol II system) for the efficient intracellular synthesis of viral RNA. The resultant minimal plasmid-based system may be used to synthesize any RNA virus, preferably viruses with a negative single stranded RNA genome. The viral product of the system is produced when the plasmids of the system are introduced into a suitable host cell. One application of the system is production of attenuated, reassortant influenza viruses for use as antigens in vaccines. The reassortant viruses generated by cotransfection of plasmids may comprise genes encoding the surface glycoproteins hemagglutinin and neuraminidase from an influenza virus currently infecting the population and the internal genes from an attenuated influenza virus. An advantageous property of the present invention is its versatility; the system may be quickly and easily adapted to synthesize an attenuated version of any RNA virus. Attenuated or inactivated RNA viruses produced by the present invention may be administered to a patient in need of vaccination by any of several routes including intranasally or intramuscularly.
US08309095B2
The invention relates to methods for manipulating hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells, mesenchymal stem cells, epithelial stem cells, neural stem cells and related products through activation of the PTH/PTHrP receptor in neighboring cells.
US08309092B2
The present invention relates to binding agents for WISE, and includes for their manufacture and use.
US08309075B2
One aspect of the present invention relates to an edible product containing: • probiotic bacteria in an amount of at least 103 bacteria per gram; and • at least 0.5 mg/g of ginseng polysaccharides containing at least 2 monosaccharide units, preferably at least 4 monosaccharide units. Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of the aforementioned product in therapeutic and prophylactic treatments. The present invention further provides a method of producing a packaged liquid edible product containing probiotic bacteria and ginseng polysaccharides in the aforementioned amounts.
US08309074B2
The present invention relates to the field of probiotics. More particularly, the invention pertains to the use of a particular strain, Lactobacillus casei CNCM I-1518, which is present in Actimel®, for alleviating the symptoms of a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction.
US08309072B2
Isolated anti-cancer peptides are disclosed which are characterized by the amino acid sequences TLTSGGGAIALPPSMAAPPLGPVAPLTGAIHAPTXG (SEQ ID NO: 1); TLSTATGGAIPPVAAMPPGLVAPTHGPAIHP (SEQ ID NO: 2); CCATSGPCGAVMILTPHLTA (SEQ ID NO: 5); MTLTTGSGAIAPAMPPGLPPHTGAIHAPM (SEQ ID NO: 4); and NXVPVSVEGYXQITLDSITX (SEQ ID NO: 3) and a significant in vitro binding affinity for gp96. The peptides exhibit anti-tumor, anti-cancer activity in vivo. Also disclosed is an isolated antiviral peptide characterized by the amino acid sequence GDEPLENYLDTEYF (SEQ ID NO: 6) and a significant in vitro binding affinity for HIV-1 gp 120 and gp 41, and human CD4 cells. The peptide exhibits anti-retroviral activity in vivo, particularly anti-HIV-1 activity.
US08309068B2
An isolated recombinant polypeptide having myostatin antagonist activity, comprising a C-terminally truncated mature myostatin peptide, wherein the C-terminal truncation is at a position at or between amino acids 281 and 329, or a fragment, variant or derivative thereof.
US08309067B2
A hair straightening composition comprising at least one hydroxide ion generator and a disaccharide.
US08309061B2
The invention involves methods and formulations for treating or preventing rhinosinusitis, including but not limited to, bacterial-induced, viral-induced and/or fungus-induced rhinosinusitis in mammals, and/or rhinosinusitis not induced by an infective agent, such as bacteria, fungus or virus. In one embodiment, the formulation of the present invention comprises an anti-inflammatory agent (e.g. fluticasone propionate) having a specific particle size distribution profile. The formulation may also comprise an antifungal agent, antibiotic or antiviral agent.
US08309047B2
Disclosed is a method of removing carbon dioxide from a process gas, the method comprising: contacting an ammoniated solution with the process gas in an absorption arrangement 101, the ammoniated solution capturing at least a part of the carbon dioxide of the process gas, wherein the molar ratio, R, of ammonia to carbon dioxide in the ammoniated solution is controlled such that substantially no precipitation of solids occurs within the absorption arrangement 101; allowing ammoniated solution including captured carbon dioxide to exit the absorption arrangement 101; cooling the ammoniated solution that has exited the absorption arrangement, wherein at least a part of the captured carbon dioxide is precipitated as solid salt; separating at least a part of the precipitated salt from the ammoniated solution; heating the ammoniated solution from which the at least a part of the precipitated salt has been separated, such that substantially no solids are present in the heated ammoniated solution; and allowing the heated ammoniated solution to re-enter the absorption arrangement 101. Disclosed is also a system for removal of carbon dioxide from a process gas.
US08309041B2
Systems for hydrocracking a heavy oil feedstock employ a colloidally or molecularly dispersed catalyst (e.g., molybdenum sulfide) which provide for concentration of the colloidally dispersed catalyst within the lower quality materials requiring additional hydrocracking. In addition to increased catalyst concentration, the inventive systems and methods provide increased reactor throughput, increased reaction rate, and of course higher conversion of asphaltenes and lower quality materials. Increased conversion levels of asphaltenes and lower quality materials also reduces equipment fouling, enables the reactor to process a wider range of lower quality feedstocks, and can lead to more efficient use of a supported catalyst if used in combination with the colloidal or molecular catalyst.
US08309027B1
Provided is a specimen preparation apparatus capable of supplying a specimen from the specimen preparation apparatus to a specimen analyzer without burdening an operator. This specimen preparation apparatus comprises a stained specimen preparation part for preparing a specimen on a slide glass and staining the specimen, a keeping part for storing the stained specimen slide glass prepared in the stained specimen preparation part and a control part for deciding whether to supply the stained specimen slide glass to the keeping part or to the external apparatus.
US08309023B2
Sterilization methods for implantable prostheses are described where a polymeric stent may be sterilized, e.g., via ETO sterilization, at a temperature below a glass transition temperature of the stent. A separate delivery catheter may be sterilized separately and the stent and delivery catheter may then be combined in an aseptic or semi-aseptic environment and sterilized as an assembled system such that the requirements for sterilizing the system are relatively lower. Additionally and/or alternatively, valve and filter assemblies may be used with an optional mandrel assembly for maintaining sterility of the internal components of a catheter system.
US08309020B2
A system and method for identifying and making quantitative determinations of different deposits on a portion thereof, determining that the deposit is a contaminant and decontaminating at least the portion of the system is disclosed. The system comprises a controller, a sensing portion and a decontamination portion. The controller contains information about at least one noncontaminant. The sensing portion communicates with at least the controller and the portion of the system and is adapted to detect the deposit. The decontaminating portion communicates with at least the controller and is adapted to decontaminate the portion of the system.
US08309018B2
Methods of forming bit bodies for earth-boring bits include assembling green components, brown components, or fully sintered components, and sintering the assembled components. Other methods include isostatically pressing a powder to form a green body substantially composed of a particle-matrix composite material, and sintering the green body to provide a bit body having a desired final density. Methods of forming earth-boring bits include providing a bit body substantially formed of a particle-matrix composite material and attaching a shank to the body. The body is provided by pressing a powder to form a green body and sintering the green body. Earth-boring bits include a unitary structure substantially formed of a particle-matrix composite material. The unitary structure includes a first region configured to carry cutters and a second region that includes a threaded pin. Earth-boring bits include a shank attached directly to a body substantially formed of a particle-matrix composite material.
US08309015B2
A translucent zirconia sintered body, a dental article comprising a shaped, translucent zirconia body, a zirconia green body, and methods of making a translucent zirconia sintered body, methods of making a dental article comprising a shaped, translucent zirconia body, and methods of making a zirconia green body are described.
US08309014B2
A rotatable turntable tool is used in trimming wheel-thrown pottery. The turntable tool includes a base portion, a bearing member, and a cap portion which is rotatably attached to the base portion. A method of trimming an unfired clay workpiece includes steps of inverting the workpiece and placing it at a central portion of a wheel head on a potter's wheel; placing the turntable tool on top of a central portion of the inverted workpiece; pressing downwardly on the cap portion of the turntable tool while rotating said wheel head to stabilize the workpiece, whereby the base portion of the turntable tool rotates with the workpiece, while the cap portion is substantially restrained from rotating; and applying a trimming tool to an edge of the workpiece to remove unwanted clay therefrom.
US08309013B2
A method for the production of components made of ceramic-matrix composite material, in the fields of aerospace engines and turbines and turbine systems and plants; according to the method, a preform of ceramic fibers is shaped and set in a draining mold, for example made of plaster; the fibers of the preform are impregnated with a suspension of ceramic powders, the liquid of which is drained by capillarity from the draining mold; simultaneously to draining, a suspension of ceramic powders is infiltrated between the fibers of the preform so as to fill the empty space left by the drained liquid; at the end of the steps of draining/infiltration a body is obtained with a solidified or compacted porous matrix, which is removed from the draining mold and is sintered.
US08309012B2
A method for producing a ceramic honeycomb structure comprising the steps of mixing and blending at least a ceramic material and a pore-forming material to form a moldable material, extrusion-molding the moldable material, and drying and sintering the resultant molded honeycomb article, the amount of the pore-forming material added being adjusted depending on the packed bulk density of the pore-forming material.
US08309007B2
A post dilatation balloon catheter includes a balloon member having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a circumferential bulge portion. The circumferential bulge portion extends around a circumference of the balloon member and is positioned at a location between the proximal and distal portions of the balloon member. The circumferential bulge portion inflates to a maximum inflated dimension that is greater than a maximum dimension of the proximal and distal portions of the balloon member. The balloon member is arranged into a folded state by folding at least one of the distal and proximal portions of the balloon member in a separate step from folding the circumferential bulge portion.
US08309000B2
A method for manufacturing a microlens includes forming a microlens by pressing a microlens mold having a reverse shape of a microlens formed therein on a microlens-forming film formed on a substrate to transfer the reverse shape of the microlens to the microlens-forming film. The microlens mold is formed by irradiating an inorganic resist film which is formed on a mold substrate with exposure light by relative two-dimensional scanning, and etching an exposed region of the inorganic resist film to form the reverse shape of the microlens. The irradiation intensity of the exposure light is adjusted to correspond to the depth of the reverse shape of the microlens from the surface of the inorganic resist film on the basis of profile data of the reverse shape of the microlens.
US08308999B2
Methods for producing contact lenses from a polymerizable composition are provided. The methods generally include providing a carrier carrying a plurality of molds each of which contains a polymerizable composition. A chamber is provided which contains a light source providing light to the chamber effective to facilitate polymerization of the polymerizable composition. The molds in the carrier are exposed to the light in the chamber. During this exposing, the light source is monitored, for example, using digital addressable lighting interface (DALI) technology.
US08308996B2
A photochromic chromene compound which develops a color of a neutral tint, has high color optical density, a high fading speed and high durability, and has an indeno(2,1-f)naphtho(1,2-b)pyran structure represented by the following formula as the basic skeleton, wherein a sulfur-containing substituent selected from thiol group, alkylthio group, alkoxyalkylthio group, haloalkylthio group, cycloalkylthio group, arylthio group and heteroarylthio group is bonded to the 6-position and/or 7-position carbon atom(s).
US08308991B2
Provided are adhesive compositions comprising a mixture of a maleimide terminated polyimide resin, a thermoplastic resin compatible with the maleimide terminated polyimide resin, a liquid rubber, and a thermally activated free radical curing agent. Various embodiments add one or more of a silane coupling agent, an ethylenically unsaturated compound with acid functionality, electrically conductive particles, and electrically conductive scrim. Methods of using the compositions also are provided.
US08308990B2
The invention relates to a carbon nanofiber containing at least iron (Fe) and vanadium (V), wherein the iron (Fe) is present in an amount of 6 mass % or less and the vanadium (V) is present in an amount of 3 mass % or less as a metal element other than carbon, wherein a graphite plane is inclined to the fiber axis.
US08308985B2
The instant invention relates to a process for the preparation of an aqueous suspension of anionic colloidal silica having a neutral pH which is stable over time and comprises individualized particles of colloidal silica which are not bound to one another by siloxane bonds. The instant suspensions show high storage stability and are particularly useful for the clarification of beer, for the preparation of cosmetic formulations, for the production of ink for printers, for paints and for anticorrosive treatments.
US08308981B2
A phosphor, which is given by a general composition formula expressed by MmAaDdOoNn:Z, (wherein element M is at least one kind of element having bivalent valency, element A is at least one kind of element having tervalent valency selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga, In, Tl, Y, Sc, P, As, Sb, and Bi, element D is Si and/or Ge, O is oxygen, N is nitrogen, and element Z is at least one kind of element selected from rare earth elements or transitional metal elements, satisfying m>0, a>0, b>0 o≧0, and n=2/3 m+a+4/3b−2/3o), where a content of the element Fe is smaller than 200 ppm.
US08308976B2
An oxygen-scavenging composition is provided that includes an oxygen-scavenging component and a catalyst. The oxygen-scavenging component, which in preferred embodiments is suitable for use in packaging articles, includes two or more oxygen-scavenging groups having different scavenging properties. In one embodiment, one of the oxygen-scavenging groups is an unsaturated bicyclic group.
US08308964B2
A planarization process may planarize a media disk that has data trenches between data features and larger servo trenches between servo features. A filler material layer is deposited on the media disk and provides step coverage of the trenches. The filler material has data recesses over the data trenches and servo recesses over the servo trenches that must be removed to produce a planar media surface. A first planarization process is used to remove the data recesses and a second planarization process is used to remove the servo recesses.
US08308962B2
The efficiency of an etching process may be increased in various ways, and the cost of an etching process may be decreased. Unused etchant may be isolated and recirculated during the etching process. Etching byproducts may be collected and removed from the etching system during the etching process. Components of the etchant may be isolated and used to general additional etchant. Either or both of the etchant or the layers being etched may also be optimized for a particular etching process.
US08308951B1
A method for separating proteins from plant material, in particular, intact algal cells, using an amphipathic solvent set and a hydrophobic solvent set. Some embodiments include dewatering intact algal cells and then extracting proteins from the algal cells. The methods provide for single and multistep extraction processes which allow for efficient separation of algal proteins from a wet algal biomass. These proteins are high value products which can be used as renewable sources of food and food additives. Neutral lipids remaining in the algal biomass after extraction of proteins can be used to generate renewable fuels.
US08308946B2
Systems and methods for performing anaerobic digestion of biomaterials using a clarifier, a batch reactor, and/or a digester are disclosed. The clarifier performs pretreatment processing of biomaterial to improve anaerobic digestion. The batch reactor and/or the digester are coupled to the clarifier and are configured to digest the processed biomaterial. A control system for an anaerobic digestion process includes a flow control system, a temperature control system, and a totalization system. The flow control system controls the flow of biomaterial and the delivery of chemical agents to the biomaterial based on conductivity, temperature, pressure, and/or composition of the biomaterial. The temperature control system includes a heat source and heat exchangers that control the temperature of the biomaterial. The totalization system senses the volume of biomaterial in at least one stage of an anaerobic digestion process and a controller controls the flow control system based upon the sensed volume of biomaterial.
US08308942B2
A water filter system including a base configured for receiving water from a faucet and a filter cartridge seated in the base. The filter cartridge defines a first chamber having at least one filter element, and a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber. An enhancement cartridge is removably inserted in the second chamber and includes an enhancement material for adding minerals to the water. The enhancement cartridge is removable from the system separate from the filter cartridge.
US08308940B2
Provided are chromatography devices having a stationary phase that includes patchy particles having at least two different surface chemistries, such as Janus particles. Also provided are methods of separating at least one analyte out of a sample, where the method includes adding a sample having at least one analyte to a chromatography device that includes a stationary phase that includes a plurality of patchy particles. Further provided are methods that include packing a chromatography column with a plurality patchy particles having at least two different surface chemistries. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08308937B2
A grey water diversion system is provided. An interceptor includes an inlet, a filter, an outlet, and an orifice. The filter is located along a bottom of a water flow path from the inlet to the outlet and delivers water to the orifice as filtered water. A gas pump, connected to a filter stem, delivers gas to the filter via the stem when the system detects the presence of the water. The gas rises through the filter to raise debris from the filter to the water flow path. A water overflow delivers the debris to the outlet. A suction manifold, including a sensor, receives the filtered water from the orifice. The sensor detects the presence of the filtered water. A water pump receives the filtered water from the manifold, activates when the sensor detects the presence of the filtered water, and delivers the filtered water into a water usage system.
US08308935B2
The present invention relates to a bio-sensing device capable of automatically detecting a sensing code and a sensing method thereof. The bio-sensing device has a bio-sensing strip and a process-and-display unit. The bio-sensing strip has a passive component, wherein a physical value of the passive component is able to present a sensing code. When the bio-sensing strip is inserted into the process-and-display unit, the process-and-display unit reads the sensing code to produce an appropriate compensation value of a sample. Moreover, by the sensing method, the process-and-display unit is able to detect the sensing code of the bio-sensing strip, and automatically, to access, calculate, compensate, and display the sensing code of the sample.
US08308934B2
Provided is a method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap in which valuable metals are recovered as indium and zinc metals or suboxides by performing electrolysis using an insoluble electrode as an anode and an IZO scrap as a cathode. Specifically, this method enables the efficient recovery of indium and zinc from IZO scrap such as an indium-zinc oxide (IZO) sputtering target or IZO mill ends that arise during the manufacture of such a sputtering target.
US08308930B2
Techniques for manufacturing carbon nanotube (CNT) ropes are provided. In some embodiments, a CNT rope manufacturing method optionally includes preparing a metal tip, preparing a CNT colloid solution, immersing the metal tip into the CNT colloid solution; and withdrawing the metal tip from the CNT colloid solution.
US08308921B1
A shaper mask for particle flux includes a central portion extending from a body of the shaper mask along a first axis to block at least a first portion of a particle flux through the shaper mask from a first direction. The mask also includes at least one off-axis portion. Each off-axis portions extends from the body of the shaper mask along a respective second axis different from the first axis. Each off-axis portion is shaped to block a respective second portion of the particle flux traveling through the shaper mask from a second direction different from the first direction.
US08308919B2
An electrolysis device to separate water into its more economically valuable constituent hydrogen and oxygen gases. A neutral plate is interleaved between every magnetically charged electrode in an electrode stack to provide a means of spark suppression, a physical barrier between the hydrogen gas created at the cathode and oxygen gas created at the cathode, and to reduce deterioration of electrode surfaces caused by alternating polarity from an anode state to a cathode state. Scale of electrolysis cell electrodes are partially cleaned through a cycling of system polarity through a neutral electrode period. A means is provided to isolate and segregate dissociated hydrogen and oxygen gas.
US08308912B2
A method for pyrogasification of organic wastes that employs a vertical furnace filled with metal masses in the shape of metal toroids (2) previously raised to a high temperature (500 to 1100° C.) and organic materials to be pyrolyzed. It also employs a furnace for heating toroids transported by an Archimedes screw driven by a gear motor, as well as a separator for recovering the mineral residues, whereby separation between the toroids and residues is effected with the aid of a screen and an Archimedes screw driven by a gear motor.
US08308910B2
A method for manufacturing a press felt with a seam, to a press felt, and a base fabric of a press felt. The base fabric is a one-base structure with machine direction yarns forming seam loops and further machine direction yarns running in the web-side surface layer. The machine direction yarns weave with cross yarns. The yarn ratio of the surface layer machine direction yarns to the intermediate layer and further the bottom layer machine direction yarns is at least 2:1:1. In addition, the surface layer machine direction yarns have a long run and their cross-sectional area is smaller than the yarns forming the seam loops.
US08308909B2
A sheet-forming system includes a separating wedge with a separating wedge protrusion in a range of 0.05 to 3.0 of the largest single gap width of at least two nozzle chambers. The separating wedge includes two separating wedge areas, each having one separating wedge angle, an upstream separating wedge starting area and a downstream separating wedge ending area. The two separating wedge angles assume different angles. The separating wedge starting angle of the upstream separating wedge initial area assumes a greater angle than the separating wedge ending angle of the downstream separating wedge end area. At least one separating wedge surface is a nonplanar transitional area between the two separating wedge areas. The fibrous material suspension free jet formed from at least two fibrous material suspension streams has a free jet length of 100 to 500 mm. The forming roll has a diameter of 1,200 to 2,500 mm.
US08308908B2
A blade, in which at least the composite base structure of the blade is manufactured in a pultrusion process by pulling fibers through at least an impregnation stage and a curing stage, the base structure is equipped with at least one wear area and the said blade is detached from a blade blank formed of a base structure and a wear area. The wear area of the blade is formed of an edge-structure part protruding outside the edge of the base structure.
US08308904B2
A printable product including a substrate including fibers. The substrate has a first side and a second side. At least one of the first side and the second side of the substrate includes a surface layer that does not substantially contain inorganic particles and forms an outermost surface layer of the substrate, which surface layer includes hemicellulose. A method for manufacturing a printable product and to a surface treating agent for treating a substrate including fibers.
US08308902B2
A method of improving retention and drainage in a papermaking process is disclosed. The addition of an associative polymer, a poly(vinylamine) and optionally a siliceous material to the papermaking slurry to improve retention and drainage is disclosed. Additionally a method to improve retention and drainage comprising addition of an organic microparticle, a poly(vinylamine) and optionally a siliceous material to the papermaking slurry is disclosed. A composition comprising an associative polymer, and a poly(vinylamine) and optionally further comprising cellulose fiber is disclosed.
US08308896B2
A method of cleaning a bevel edge of a substrate in an etch processing chamber is provided. The method includes placing a substrate on a substrate support in a processing chamber. The method also includes flowing a cleaning gas through a gas feed located near a center of a gas distribution plate, disposed at a distance from the substrate support. The method further includes generating a cleaning plasma near a bevel edge of the substrate to clean the bevel edge by powering a bottom edge electrode or a top edge electrode with a RF power source and grounding the edge electrode that is not powered by the RF power source, the bottom edge electrode surrounds the substrate support and the top edge electrode surrounds the gas distribution plate.
US08308883B2
A fluid-filled may include including an outer barrier, a tensile member, and a fluid. The tensile member may be located within barrier and formed from a textile element that includes a pair of spaced layers joined by a plurality of connecting members. A method of manufacturing the chamber may include locating a textile tensile member between two polymer elements. Pressure and heat are applied to the tensile member and the polymer elements in a first area and in a second area. The pressure is greater in the first area than in the second area. In addition, the polymer elements are bonded together around a periphery of the tensile member.
US08308882B2
A three-dimensional hollow fiber component includes a first sheet having first; second, third, fourth and fifth consecutive adjacent sheet sections, the first and fifth sections being end sections, the sheet shaped so as to surround a first chamber such that the first and fifth sections overlap to form a top wall of the first chamber and are stitched to each other by at least one seam and a second sheet having first, second, third, fourth and fifth adjacent consecutive sheet section, the first and fifth sections being end sections, the sheet sections shaped so as to surround a second chamber such that the first and fifth sections overlap to form a top wall of the second chamber and are stitched to each other by at least one seam.
US08308881B2
The invention relates to a method for generating a welding force and/or a welding pressure for a welding jaw, in particular a welding jaw of a cross-sealing station of a vertical tubular bag machine, in which the sealing force or a sealing parameter, which correlates with the sealing force, in particular the sealing pressure or the drive power of the drive, is predetermined by a control unit during the sealing time, such that the sealing force runs along a sealing force curve within the sealing time, such that the sealing force curve has a first relative sealing force maximum with a sealing force and at least one second relative sealing force maximum with a sealing force, such that the sealing force at the first sealing force maximum is higher than the sealing force at the second sealing force maximum.
US08308876B2
A system and method for direct manufacturing and stress relieving a metal part without removing the metal part from a vacuumed chamber. The system may comprise the chamber, a wire feeder for depositing a metal wire onto a metal plate, an electron beam (EB) source for providing an electron beam to melt the metal wire during deposition, and a current-providing apparatus for joule heating the metal plate to provide heat treatment to the metal part. The method may comprise depositing the metal wire onto the metal plate within the vacuumed chamber, then providing intermediate stress relief after a portion of the metal wire is deposited onto the metal plate by applying an electrical current to the metal part. The electron beam may also be set at a temperature below a melting point of a particular metal of the metal part for relieving stress in the metal part.
US08308872B2
A spray arm feed tube assembly for a dishwasher is provided, comprising an elongate tubular member adapted to extend from a sump of the dishwasher, through an interface, and along a tub wall of a tub portion disposed outwardly of the sump. A banding member is operably engaged with the tubular member about the interface, wherein the banding member is adapted to cooperate with the tub portion and at least one separator member, about the interface, to prevent particulate matter from passing into the sump from the tub portion about the tubular member. An associated apparatus and method are also provided.
US08308870B2
Disclosed are a cleaning apparatus and a cleaning method, which can collect a chemical liquid without reducing the throughput after a substrate is subjected to a cleaning treatment and dried by using a drying solvent, such as IPA. The disclosed cleaning apparatus carries out a chemical liquid cleaning treatment, a rinsing treatment, and a drying treatment with IPA, in order, on a wafer W while rotating wafer W, and includes a cleaning liquid supply device for supplying a cleaning liquid for cleaning the drain cup and the drain tube to the drain cup in a state where the cleaning liquid is not supplied to the wafer. Also, the apparatus further includes a control unit for controlling respective components of the cleaning apparatus. The control unit, after the cleaning treatment and then the rinsing treatment of wafer W, at the time when the drying treatment is performed by IPA, controls the cleaning liquid to be supplied to the drain cup.
US08308868B2
A device for cleaning an artificial “infill turf” field includes a rotating brush assembly and a basket for receiving waste and infill material. The basket has a bottom with openings that allow infill material to be returned to the field, and a vibrator to promote separation of infill from waste. The device may include wheels connected to the brush assembly in a manner effective to rotate the brush when one or both of the wheels rotate, and a magnet for picking magnetic waste material from the field. The device may include an actuator for adjusting the height of the brushes, and a tow bar that allows the device to be positioned in an “active” orientation to sweep a field, or an “uplifted” orientation to transport the device across curbs or rough terrain. Multiple brushes and/or baskets may be provided.
US08308863B2
A method for making a low embodied energy cementitious mixture by blending a variety of post-consumer wastes, post-industrial wastes, as well as renewable, organic and recyclable materials with Portland cement or a material having similar cementitious properties. The primary materials are recycled concrete, coal-fired fly ash waste, silica fume, post-industrial waste, organic or inorganic waste fibers. Glass, brick, ceramics, ground tires and other waste products, as well as virgin aggregate can also be included in the low embodied energy cementitious mixture.
US08308852B2
A jacket material into which a gas adsorbing device and core material are inserted is decompressed in a vacuum chamber, the opening is sealed, and then the jacket material is exposed to the atmosphere. In the atmospheric pressure, a pressure of about 1 atm which is equivalent to the pressure difference between the inside and outside is applied to the jacket material of the heat insulator. The jacket material is made of a plastic laminated film and is deformed by pressure. A protruding portion is plunged into a container to drill through holes, and a gas adsorbent in the container communicates with the inside of the jacket material. Thus, both during holding and in applying to the vacuum heat insulator, the gas adsorbent can be applied to the vacuum heat insulator without degradation, and the high degree of vacuum can be kept for a long time.
US08308846B2
Liquid and/or particle-shaped impurities are precipitated from a stream of gas, for example, from a stream of gas that originates from a crankcase of an internal combustion engine and is directed to the engine's intake side. The stream of gas is passed through a gas discharge section between two electrodes. The stream of gas is passed between an emission electrode which is formed by electrode tips and an opposing electrode at a distance therefrom. A direct voltage which exceeds the breakdown voltage is applied to the electrodes using a direct current high voltage source, and the current which occurs over the gas discharge section between the electrodes is limited. A stable low energy direct current plasma is formed in the space between the two electrodes. The impurities are electrically charged and attracted to the opposing electrode by means of electrical field forces.
US08308844B2
A method of reduction treatment of metal oxides characterized by using as a material a powder containing metal oxides and containing alkali metals and halogen elements and further, in accordance with need, carbon, mixing the material with water to produce a slurry, then dehydrating this and charging the dehydrated material, mixed with another material in accordance with need, into a rotary hearth type reduction furnace for reduction.
US08308836B2
A system for depressurizing and cooling a high pressure, high temperature dense phase solids stream having coarse solid particles with entrained gas therein. In one aspect, the system has an apparatus for at least partially depressurizing and cooling the high pressure, high temperature dense phase solids stream having gas entrained therein and a pressure letdown device for further depressurization and separating cooled coarse solid particles from a portion of the entrained gas, resulting in a lower temperature, lower pressure outlet of solid particles for downstream processing or discharge to a storage silo for future use and/or disposal. There are no moving parts in the flow path of the solids stream in the system.
US08308830B2
The invention relates to a coated boron or nitrogen containing superhard abrasive material selected from cBN, boron suboxide and boron carbide comprising: cBN, boron suboxide and/or boron carbide superhard abrasive material substrate; a primary layer of a carbide/nitride/boride forming metal, such metal preferably being Ti and preferably being substantially in the form of the carbide, nitride or boride; a secondary layer of a high melting point metal selected from W, Mo, Cr, Ni, Ta, Au, Pt, Pd and alloys thereof; and an overcoat of Ag, Ni, Cu, Au, Pd, Pt, Rh, Os, Ir, Re, combinations and alloys thereof such as bronze (Cu/Sn), silver/bronze and silver/tin, the metal of the secondary layer being different to the metal of the overcoat. The invention further relates to methods for the manufacture of such material, use of such materials in tools and tools including such material.
US08308828B1
A steam reformer is use in a fuel processor system to create a water gas shift reaction between a hydrocarbon fuel and water. A hydrocarbon fuel and water are provided. The water is heated to superheated steam. The hydrocarbon fuel is mixed with the superheated steam to produce a vaporized fuel/steam mixture. The vaporized fuel/steam mixture is directed into a gap space between concentric tubes. The gap space between the separate surfaces is very small. Within this confined gap space, the outer concentric tube is heated to maintain a reaction temperature range that induces the water gas shift reaction. The water gas shift reaction produces reactant gases that include hydrogen gas and contaminant gases. At least some of the contaminant gases are burned to heat the gap space.
US08308827B2
A diesel fuel containing a soot dispersant additive which is a grafted and derivatized low molecular weight copolymer of ethylene and at least one C3-C10 alpha monoolefin is provided. Also provided is a method for improving the fuel economy of a diesel engine which comprises operating the diesel engine with a fuel composition comprising (a) a major amount of a diesel fuel and (b) a minor fuel economy improving effective amount of the soot dispersant additive.
US08308825B2
A method for treating anodes of refractory valve metals by deoxidizing the anodes using Mg in an oven, prior to sintering. The process limits free oxygen in the metal compact and improves performance of a capacitor, especially with regards to rated voltage.
US08308823B2
The present invention is related to an aqueous oxidative coloring composition for keratin fibers especially human hair. The inventors of the present invention have surprisingly found out that a composition comprising at least one oxidative dye precursor and optionally at least one coupling agent and at least one dipeptide colors hair excellently homogeneously especially hair with various level of damages and improves hair shine, combability and manageability and especially hair colored with such composition has less flyaways.
US08308813B2
The anti-obesity diverter structure includes a laminate structure having papilla-supplied and pylorus-supplied surfaces. The laminate structure is sized to fit longitudinally within a duodenum such that a transverse clearance is provided between the papilla-supplied surface and papilla of Vater. The laminate structure is secured within the duodenum to define papilla-supplied and pylorus-supplied lumens therein. The papilla-supplied lumen receives the digestive fluid from the papilla of Vater, and provides a conduit for the digestive fluid therein. The pylorus-supplied lumen receives the chyme from the pylorus and provides a conduit for the chyme therein. The laminate structure is impervious or semi-permeable to the chyme and digestive fluid.
US08308810B2
An acetabular prosthesis assembly can include an acetabular cup and a first liner. The acetabular cup can have an outer surface, an inner surface and an upper rim extending between the outer surface and the inner surface. The acetabular cup can have a cup connection portion including a groove formed on an upper face of the upper rim. The first liner can have an outer cup engaging surface and a liner connection portion that extends from a flange of the first liner. The liner connection portion can have a finger that is received by the groove formed on the upper face of the acetabular cup that selectively couples the liner connection portion with the cup connection portion in an assembled position.
US08308804B2
A spinal fusion device is disclosed. The spinal fusion device includes a first endplate configured for fitting within a disc space and engaging with a first vertebra and a second endplate configured for fitting within the disc space and engaging with a second vertebra. The two endplates are separated by a single spacer that is positioned between the first endplate and the second endplate and maintains a pre-determined distance between the first endplate and the second endplate. The spacer contains an anterior end, a posterior end, a first lateral side, a second lateral side opposite to the first lateral side, a first surface that engages with the first endplate, a second surface that engages with the second endplate. Also disclosed are methods and instruments for implanting the spinal fusion device.
US08308789B2
A constraining sheath for use around an endoprosthesis (e.g., a stent device, with or without a graft covering), which may be a balloon expandable endoprosthesis but more preferably is a self-expanding prosthesis. The endoprosthesis is coaxially enclosed within and substantially covered by the constraining sheath, which is an outer, removable tubular sheath, preferably made of ePTFE. The sheath is preferably corrugated circumferentially along at least a portion of the length of the endoprosthesis. The constraining sheath and endoprosthesis are preferably mounted together as an assembly at the distal end of a delivery means such as a catheter shaft, for delivery of the endoprosthesis to a desired location within a body conduit such as an artery. The constraining sheath is removed by the application of tension to a tensile member such as a tether to cause sequential pulling out of the corrugations followed by release and deployment of the endoprosthesis. The use of a corrugated constraining sheath in comparison to a non-corrugated sheath results in a more smoothly applied tensile force to effect the endoprosthesis release as well as requiring less maximum force.
US08308781B2
A cranial bolt secured to a skull of a patient includes a threaded portion and a lumen portion. Threaded portion has an inner surface forming a central passageway which extends throughout the threaded portion. The inner surface includes a connector mating with the lumen portion. The lumen portion includes a stem portion that enters the central passageway and engages the mating connector. A fluid tight seal is formed between the inner surface of the threaded portion and the stem portion. At least two lumens are disposed through the stem portion and the base portion. The lumens have a proximal end opening outside the skull and a distal end opening inside the skull. One embodiment includes sensor lumens diverging from the centerline and another allows the lumen portion to rotate independent of the threaded portion.
US08308775B2
A method for rotating a vertebra or vertebrae in a spine that is curved using a vertebral osteosynthesis device that includes polyaxial screws, linking rods, clamping parts, tightening nuts, and set screws. The method includes the steps of: implanting two series of the screws, clamping parts, and linking rods; completely tightening the tightening nuts of a first series of screws on the convex side of the spine curvature; completely tightening the set screws of a second series of screws on the concave side of the spine curvature; tightening the tightening nuts of the second series; and tightening the set screws of the first series.
US08308774B2
A medical instrument apparatus and method is provided for positioning and securing a spinal rod to a coupling device anchored to a vertebra. A reducer assembly shifts the spinal rod into place within the coupling device and a cap inserter assembly shifts a cap member into locking engagement with the coupling device to secure the spinal rod therein.
US08308770B2
The present invention relates to a dynamic stabilization system (DSS) having at least one rod having a ring formed therein (“the spring”) and a pair of pedicle screws adapted for fixation to separate vertebrae.
US08308763B2
Systems and methods for transeptal cardiac procedures are disclosed. A patient treatment device in accordance with a particular embodiment includes an elongated first intravenous guidewire that includes a first branch and a second branch fixably secured relative to the first branch at a first location. The device can further include an elongated second intravenous guidewire that is movable relative to at least one of the first and second branches between a first position in which the first and second branches are releasably secured relative to each other by the second guidewire at a second location, and a second position in which the first and second branches are separated from each other at the second location.
US08308752B2
An occlusion device for occluding a body vessel including a first hub having a tubular wall defining a lumen having a longitudinal axis and a second hub disposed distally along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of arcuate members extend between the first hub and the second hub. The arcuate members extend radially away from the longitudinal axis in an open configuration and extend substantially along the longitudinal axis in a closed configuration. A biocompatible material is disposed within a volume defined by the arcuate members to form an occlusive barrier when deployed within the body vessel.
US08308745B2
A fluid jet device being provided with a fluid jet aperture section and producing a jet of fluid from the fluid jet aperture section includes: a pulsation generation section including a fluid chamber whose capacity can be changed, an inlet fluid path linked through the fluid chamber with a volume smaller than that of the fluid chamber, and an outlet fluid path linked through the fluid chamber and the fluid jet aperture section with an inertance set smaller than that of the inlet fluid path; and a pressure generation section that supplies the fluid to the inlet fluid path.
US08308732B2
A parallel drill guide and system which maintains contact on the bone at various angles. The parallel drill guide comprises a fixed sleeve and a parallel, axially slidable, sleeve for guiding the insertion of two parallel wires or pins into bone at any angle while maintaining contact between the bone and the guide. The drill guide is also provided with a locking mechanism that locks the slidable sleeve into position at any lateral distance relative to the fixed sleeve, using a novel off-axis locking device.
US08308729B2
A rod reduction device includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis. The housing has first and second arms extending distally therefrom. The distal ends of the arms are configured to releasably attach to a bone anchor. An anvil is operatively associated with the first and second arms of the housing and translatable along the longitudinal axis for facilitating the insertion of a spinal rod into the bone anchor. The anvil and each arm are positionable between an open position and a closed position.
US08308722B2
A hollow coaxial cable adapted for conduction of radio frequency (RF) energy, particularly microwave energy, has a proximal end and a distal end and comprises coaxial inner and outer conductors extending substantially the entire length of the cable from the proximal end to a distal end portion of the cable with a dielectric medium disposed between the inner and outer conductors. The inner conductor comprises an elongated electrically conductive tubular member having a hollow, axially extending lumen, and the outer conductor comprises an elongated electrically conductive tubular member disposed in a substantially coaxial relationship over at least a portion of the inner conductor. An ablating member which delivers radio frequency energy, particularly microwave energy, to body tissue is disposed at a distal end portion of the cable.
US08308705B2
An apparatus for fluid collection is disclosed, which comprises: a frame, composed of a plurality of unit cells, each being made of an absorbent polymer composite; and a bag, for receiving the frame while being connected to a conduit provided for enabling a fluid to flow in and out the bag therethrough.
US08308703B2
A system for applying reduced pressure to tissue includes a multi-lumen reduced pressure delivery tube having a proximate end, a distal end, a primary lumen extending through the conduit from the proximate end to the distal end, and an ancillary lumen extending through the conduit from the proximate end to the distal end. A vacuum pump is coupled to the proximate end of the primary lumen, and a reduced pressure adapter is coupled to the distal end of the reduced pressure delivery tube. The adapter includes channels to direct liquid away from the ancillary lumens and into the primary lumen.
US08308698B2
Some injectors of the invention may include a fluid drive responsive to pressure of a working fluid (e.g., liquid, pneumatic, or both) to impart a sequence of forces to drive a delivery device (e.g., a syringe) to deliver a medical fluid (e.g., a contrast agent, a radiopharmaceutical, a drug, or a combination thereof). Some injectors may include a multimedia tube configured to pass a working fluid (e.g., air) and a light signal (e.g., infrared). Some injectors may include a peristaltic drive responsive to pressure of a working fluid.
US08308696B2
The invention relates to a safe support device for a syringe, said support comprising a support sheath for the body of a syringe, and safety means which comprise an inner sheath suitable for sliding relative to said support sheath between a waiting retracted position, in which said inner sheath is substantially retracted inside said support sheath, and an active protection position, in which said inner sheath projects from said support sheath. The inner sheath has a free end portion formed by a flexible end-piece. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising such a safe support device and a syringe having a body, a piston and a needle disposed at one end of said body.
US08308691B2
Catheter assemblies are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to catheter assemblies having a tip protector, a valve, a valve opener, and optionally a needle wiper. The valve opener is disposed inside a catheter hub and is configured to be pushed by an IV set luer connector to open a valve following successful catheterization to pass fluids or other solutions through the catheter. A tip protector is incorporated to block the needle tip and prevent the same from accidental needle stick. A wiper is optionally included to wipe blood deposits on the needle when the same is retracted from the catheter.
US08308683B2
An agent delivery catheter configured to deliver an agent to an inner surface of a patient's body lumen wall by forming an array of cells defining agent containment chambers at multiple locations along the catheter's shaft, while minimizing ischemic conditions during the procedure.
US08308677B2
Ultrasound catheter devices and methods provide enhanced disruption of blood vessel obstructions. Generally, an ultrasound catheter includes an elongate flexible catheter body with one or more lumens. An ultrasound transmission member or wire extends longitudinally through the catheter body lumen and, in many embodiments, a guide wire tube also extends through the same lumen. A distal head is fixed to or otherwise mechanically coupled with the distal end of the ultrasound transmission member or wire and is positioned adjacent the distal end of the catheter body. Although the distal end of the catheter body overlaps the distal head, the distal head is not directly affixed to the distal end of the catheter body. Thus, the distal tip may move freely, relative to the distal end of the catheter body when ultrasonic energy is applied through the ultrasound transmission member. Such a freely floating distal head enhances the efficiency of an ultrasound catheter, enabling the catheter to ablate calcific occlusions and increasing the useful life of the ultrasound transmission member and catheter.
US08308672B2
Devices, systems, and methods are described herein for controlling or modulating the levels of one or more target components in the blood and/or lymph of a vertebrate subject. Devices and systems are provided that include a body defining at least one lumen configured for fluid flow; at least one controllable flow barrier to fluid flow into the at least one lumen; at least one first reservoir disposed within the body and configured to include one or more bifunctional tags, wherein the one or more bifunctional tags are configured to selectively bind to one or more target components in one or more of blood fluid or lymph fluid of a vertebrate subject; at least one treatment region disposed within the at least one lumen; and at least one second reservoir disposed in the at least one treatment region and configured to include one or more reactive components, wherein the one or more reactive components are configured to sequester the one or more bifunctional tags when bound to the one or more target components.
US08308670B2
A spinal orthosis and method of applying extension and compression forces onto a user spine includes a lumbo-sacral compression unit conforming to a portion of a user's torso and exerting an encircling compressive force to provide a hydraulic lift. A posterior spinal frame member is secured by the lumbo-sacral compression unit to be cantilevered upward along the user's spine. A pair of adjustable shoulder strap assemblies are connected to an upper portion of the posterior spinal frame member and adjacent a lower portion of the posterior spinal frame member to enable a user to adjustably apply a thoracic force with adjustable controlled buckles and straps positioned on the user's chest.
US08308662B2
A measuring device for measuring a depth of a tear of a tissue is disclosed. The measuring device comprises a member having a shaft and a distal tip, a plurality of indicia on the shaft of the member for measuring the depth of the tear, and a cannulated member into which the member is disposed. In an example, the measuring device is used to measure the depth of a tear of the rotator cuff tendon. A method of measuring a tear of a tissue using the measuring device is also disclosed.
US08308659B2
A deflectable sheath for use in medical procedures in the vasculature is described. The sheath includes a handle supporting the sheath. Two pull wires run along opposite sides of the sheath to anchors at the deflectable distal end. The handle includes a rotatable member that moves a threaded member including wire guide in a back and forth translation. As the movement occurs, force is applied to either one or the other of the pull wires to cause deflection of distal end of the sheath in either and upwardly or a downwardly direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sheath.
US08308657B2
An apparatus is provided for collecting amniotic fluid from the uterus. In order to collect the amniotic fluid from the uterus through the external orifice of the cervix of a pregnant woman, an amniotic fluid collecting unit is adapted to bring a mouth, which is foldably formed at the upper end of an amniotic fluid collecting bag, into close contact with an end of the external orifice of the cervix. Thereby, the apparatus not only significantly decreases the risk occurring when a needle is directly inserted into the uterus in order to carry out the amniocentesis (amniotic fluid testing), but also eliminates pain and anxiety caused by the direct insertion of the needle.
US08308655B2
Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) device. In one embodiment, the device comprises a handle and a flexible catheter, the handle having a bore, the proximal end of the catheter being fixed within the handle bore. A protective tubular hub having a flared distal end is press-fit coaxially within the distal end of the catheter, the distal end of the catheter being sealed around the distal end of the hub so as to define a distal opening. A hollow needle having a sharp tip at its distal end is disposed within the catheter, the needle tip being sized for insertion through the distal opening of the catheter. The distal end of a flexible wire is coupled to the proximal end of the needle, the proximal end of the wire extending through the handle bore and coupled to a button slide accessible through a slot in the handle. The button slide is movable between a distal position in which the needle tip extends through the distal opening of the catheter and a proximal position in which the needle tip is disposed within the hub. When in either its distal position or its proximal position, a pawl on the button slide releasably engages a corresponding notch on the handle to lock the button slide in place.
US08308651B1
A combination toothbrush and peak flow meter system for increasing the compliance of peak flow measurements in children and adults with asthma. The combination toothbrush and peak flow meter system includes a peak flow meter and a toothbrush head connected to an end of the peak flow meter. The peak flow meter transmits the peak flow measurement data to the hospital computer to be evaluated by a physician.
US08308649B2
An implantable cardiac device has a heart stimulator for electrically stimulating the heart of a patient, detector that measures a physiologic parameter that is affected by the status of a cardiovascular disease associated with sympathetic activation, a signal processor that determines at least one of a low frequency, LF, and a very low frequency, VLF, Mayer wave component in the measured parameter, and analyzer that automatically analyzes the determined Mayer wave component in relation to a predetermined reference value to determine the status of the cardiovascular disease. The detector is a cardio-mechanical parameter detector that measures, as said physiologic parameter, a mechanical change in at least one of the four chambers of the heart. In a corresponding method for monitoring the status of a cardiovascular disease associated with sympathetic activation of a patient having an implantable electric heart stimulator a physiologic parameter affected by the cardiac disease is measured. At least one of a low frequency, LF, and a very low frequency, VLF, Mayer wave component in the parameter is determined, and the wave component is analyzed in relation to a predetermined reference value to determine the status of the cardiovascular disease. A mechanical change in at least one of the four chambers of the heart is measured as the physiologic parameter.
US08308643B2
A method for generating hardness information of tissue subject to a varying pressure. The method comprises receiving signals from the tissue from a sensor for measuring the deformation of the tissue in a measuring plane defined by the sensor, which sensor, during a varying pressure exerted on the tissue, is moved along the tissue in a direction transverse to the measuring plane; identifying strain of the tissue from the resulting signals; and relating the strain to elasticity and/or hardness parameters of the tissue. The method may comprise the step of displaying elasticity and/or hardness parameters of a tissue surface or tissue volume part extending practically parallel to the direction of motion of the sensor.
US08308640B2
The medical communication system comprises a plurality of medical identification devices (12). Each identification device (12) is attached to one particular patient (14). A registration processor generates a unique patient identification data that is stored in an electronic patient identification code memory (54). Each identification device (12) includes an intra-body wireless communication device (16) which transmits the patient's identification on the patient's body. A medical device (22), which is linked to the patient (14) to measure a vital function, periodically automatically receives the patient's identification code to continually ensure association to a correct patient.
US08308638B2
A positionable internal retraction device is provided comprising a malleable ring member and a web-like structure. The retraction device operates to temporarily reposition tissues and organs from an operative site to provide a clear access and visual path for the surgeon. The ring member may be elongated, twisted, folded, bent or deformed to provide an appropriate insertion profile and subsequent functional shape. The retraction device may be shaped for both open and minimally invasive surgeries. The retraction device is atraumatic and may be used for retraction of delicate tissues and organs. The ring member may have different bending biases. The web-like structure may be constructed of any elastic material that can stretch and recover from the shaping and reshaping of the ring member.
US08308627B2
A medical and recreational device comprises at least two laminas. The laminas comprise sources of magnetic field. The sources of the magnetic field located on one of the laminas faced to another one completely or partially by like and/or unlike magnetic poles and at least one of said laminas configured to be attached to the treated body part.
US08308625B2
In an embodiment of the invention, a cut/weld apparatus is configured to provide optimal and limited tension of bag material even during high-speed operation. The limited tension may contribute to stronger plastic welds. Another embodiment of the invention, which may be used in combination with the first embodiment, provides a roll discharge stage in a bag manufacturing apparatus that includes a retracting spindle and may include a rotating tray. The improved discharge stage requires less floor space than conventional side-discharge manufacturing equipment.
US08308619B1
A motor-less leg-powered curved treadmill produced that allows people to walk, jog, run, and sprint without making any adjustments to the treadmill other than shifting the user's center of gravity forward and backwards. A closed loop treadmill belt is formed with a low friction running surface of transverse wooden, plastic or rubber slats attached to each other in a resilient fashion. Since an essential feature of treadmill is the concave shape of the running surface of belt in its respective upper portion, methods are used to insure that this shape is maintained during actual use. These methods prevent the lower portion of the treadmill belt from drooping down (i.e.—it must be held taut), to prevent the top portion to be pulled taut into a flat shape between the front and rear pulley rollers.
US08308617B2
An elliptical exercise apparatus with a swinging effect has a pedals, a crank mechanism, a damping mechanism and pedals. A pair of sloping guide rails are arranged symmetrically between the front support and a middle support of a pedestal. One end of the pair of sloping guide rails is arranged laterally. A pair of pedals are arranged separately onto the pair of sloping guide rails and connected with the crank mechanism. A slide guide is steerably set at a front bottom of the pedals and slidably mated with the pair of sloping guide rails. A universal joint is set at the rear bottom of the pedals and is connected to the left and right cranks.
US08308615B2
A system for predicting athletic ability is disclosed. The system includes at least one device for measuring at least a first athletic parameter and a second athletic parameter, and a computer for calculating a performance score based upon the first athletic parameter and the second athletic parameter. The performance score is predictive of athletic ability. Methods of predicting athletic ability based upon a plurality of athletic parameters are also disclosed.
US08308610B2
A device for controlling a power transmission device for a vehicle, which, at the time of gearshift, so controls the engine as to rotate at a target rotational speed, wherein at the time of shifting the gear up, a target value properly corresponding to an actual vehicle speed is set to quickly increase the engine output and to shorten the time for shifting the gear. In controlling the engine at the time of shifting the gear up, a target engine rotational speed is set based the signals from, wheel rotational speed detector means that detects the rotational speed of a wheel, such as an anti-lock control device. Thus, the target engine rotational speed is set depending properly upon an actual vehicle speed that varies accompanying an increase in the amount of engaging the clutch at the time of gearshift, and the gear at the time of accelerating the vehicle can be quickly shifted up without accompanied by the shift shock. At the time of shift-down, a target engine rotational speed is set based on an actual vehicle speed found from the signals of the transmission input shaft rotational speed.
US08308606B2
A hydraulic supply system for a hydraulically-operated automatic transmission includes a primary pump that is driven by an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. An electrically-driven auxiliary pump is provided to supply the system with hydraulic pressure when the primary pump is off or to supplement the primary pump when the primary pump does not deliver sufficient pressure. A discharge line from the auxiliary pump is connected to a control line of the hydraulic supply system and to the hydraulic system supply line under system pressure. Check valves are provided in the respective lines from the auxiliary pump. An additional check valve is provided in a line that extends from the control line to a torque sensing chamber of the automatic transmission.
US08308601B2
A differential gear device includes a case in which a housing portion is formed, and which rotates around a rotation center line; a first protruding portion that is located at a position away from the rotation center line, and protrudes from an inner surface of the case toward the rotation center line, wherein the first protruding portion tapers in a direction from the inner surface of the case toward the rotation center line; a first gear that is provided around the first protruding portion, and that is rotatable; a second gear that engages with the first gear, and that is connected with a first output shaft; and a third gear that engages with the first gear, and that is connected with a second output shaft.
US08308599B2
An eccentric speed reducer is provided with which it is possible to achieve improved output torque without increasing the outer radial dimension of the casing. A tapered side is formed on at least part of a peripheral side surface of struts 18, with the tapered side extending in a tapered manner in the longitudinal direction of the struts 18 in a direction that is oblique to a direction parallel to a center line P passing through a casing 14 so as to connect inner circumferential centers of the casing 14 and in which the struts 18 narrow toward an end carrier 17. A tapered side gradient that is the angle of a direction in which the tapered side extends relative to the direction parallel to the center line P is formed to be at least 3 degrees and at most 6 degrees.
US08308597B2
In order to provide a speed change transmission system which can be obtained compactly, while obtaining output at steplessly varied speeds over a large speed change range only by carrying out a simple shifting operation, the speed change transmission system has a hydrostatic stepless transmission to which engine drive is inputted. A planetary transmission device (P) has a plurality of planetary transmission mechanisms, for combining output of the stepless transmission and engine drive not undergoing speed change action by the hydrostatic stepless transmission. A plurality of transmission shafts are provided with a plurality of speed range setting clutches switchable for converting the combined driving force from the planetary transmission device (P) to a driving force in a plurality speed ranges, and transmitting it to an output rotary member. The plurality of transmission shafts are juxtaposed and arranged in parallel.
US08308579B2
A suspension device for an electric swing including a supporting bracket, a supporting beam, a suspended swing stem, a swing push rod, a gear motor, an electromagnetic clutch, a torque output plate, a direction switching pendulum weight, a swing direction monitor, a safety switch, and a microcomputer controller. The shaft of the gear motor is fixedly connected with the electromagnetic clutch. Two end surfaces of the electromagnetic clutch are fixedly provided with two rigid pins clamped at two sides of the torque output plate. The torque output plate pushes the direction switching pendulum weight. The direction switching pendulum weight pushes the swing push rod and the swing push rod pushes the suspended swing stem and the suspended body to swing. The gear motor and the electromagnetic clutch are electrically connected with the microcomputer controller. The device has a simple structure, reliable and silent operation, and is easy to carry.
US08308570B2
Methods and systems are described for a multiplayer video game on a peer-to-peer network in which a player's or players' missions are tracked individually as mission lines, each mission line being composed of a series of ordered objectives. Each objective generally must be completed in order of the sequence with no forking of objective paths. Each objective can include one or more conditions that can be completed in any order within the objective. Players can go off on different missions and then come back to synchronize their mission progress so that they benefit from the other player's gameplay. Players can also synchronize the conditions achieved within the missions during long missions with many difficult conditions to achieve in order to advance their combined progress.
US08308569B2
Teamwork in a multiplayer video game is encouraged by rewarding game characters who resurrect killed teammates with spendable cash that may be used to purchase additional capabilities or tools to enhance the players' ability to progress through the game. Resurrected teammates are tied to the game character who performed the resurrections by splitting their future earnings accumulated during gameplay with that game character. If a resurrected game character goes on to resurrect other teammates then he will be entitled to a portion of the future earnings of those other resurrected teammates. But the resurrected teammate will also give a portion of those earnings to the original game character who resurrected him in the first place. A resurrection chain is thus created in which game characters can be resurrected and go on to resurrect other teammates while sharing earnings with other game characters that are above them in the chain using a pyramid payment system.
US08308561B2
A gaming apparatus for facilitating game play. The gaming apparatus may include a value input device, a display unit, and a player control panel. The player control panel may include a curved surface centered around at least one axis. The gaming apparatus also may include a touch screen, the touch screen conforming to the curved surface of the player control panel. A value input may be received from a player via the value input device, and the display unit may be caused to display a game display. One of a plurality of player input displays may be selected and display the selected one of the plurality of player input displays. Player input data associated with the selected one of the plurality of player input displays may be received via the touch screen, and a value payout associated with an outcome of the game may be determined.
US08308558B2
A universal tactile feedback system for computer and video game systems is disclosed which provides real time tactile feedback to enhance a user's experience while interacting with a computer/video game or simulation. The tactile feedback system operates both in host-independent and host-dependent modes, thereby allowing the system to function even when no accommodation is provided by the game or simulation system that is being used. The host-independent mode is responsive to the audio signal that is typically generated by a computer or video game system while it is executing a game or simulation. The host-dependent mode is responsive to control commands specifically generated by a computer or video game system while it is executing a game or simulation. The tactile feedback system then creates tactile sensations primarily via controller-based tactile sensation generators, such that the user feels physical sensations corresponding to events occurring within the game or simulation in real time.
US08308549B2
A gaming system and method which provides a player with a higher average expected payback for making a gaming system wager on a gaming system wagering event in addition to making a primary game wager on a primary game. If the player places the gaming system wager on the gaming system wagering event, the player obtains the chance to win a gaming system award in addition to the player's chance of winning an award based on the outcome of the primary game, wherein the gaming system award is based, at least in part, on the primary game outcome. By placing a gaming system wager on the gaming system wagering event, the overall average expected payback associated with the play of the game increases, without changing the average expected payback of the primary game.
US08308548B2
A gaming apparatus is configured to allow a player to place a wager and play a game. The gaming apparatus includes a bonus display that indicates a bonus prize to be awarded to a player. The bonus display includes a moveable indicator and an indicator positioning mechanism that is coupled to the moveable indicator and moves the moveable indicator in a rotary manner. A gaming device allows the player to place a wager and play a game. The gaming device includes at least one game reel that has game symbols. The outcome of a game is indicated by displaying at least one game symbol. A bonus reel has bonus symbols that communicate how the bonus display will change.
US08308547B2
A roulette game allows players to place wagers across multiple roulette wheels. The player designates the amount of the wager, the particular outcomes on which the wager is contingent, and how many tables are covered by the wager. A control system automatically selects one or more tables across which the wager is based. The selection may be based on location of the player relative to the tables, impending outcomes from the tables, or other criteria as desired.
US08308544B2
A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to allow players to wager on video games. The method disclosed herein can allow players to win or lose money while partaking in any video game previously played for entertainment purposes. A player can purchase play time on a game, play the game and earn monetary prizes during the game, and then redeem the monetary prizes for real cash.
US08308531B2
Disclosed are a polishing pad used in a CMP process of a planar material such as a silicon wafer, plate glass for a display, etc. and a method for manufacturing the same. The polishing pad comprises a non-woven fabric consisting of ultrafine fibers and elastomeric polymer impregnated into the fabric, on which the ultrafine fibers are raised and arranged to simultaneously satisfy the following conditions (I) to (III) such that the ultrafine fibers are oriented in a longitudinal direction to a central axis:The polishing pad of the present invention includes ultrafine fibers, which are arranged at a relatively wide orientation angle and have pores formed therebetween without requiring alternative processes for forming the pores, thus, exhibits excellent polishing performance and low occurrence of scratches during a polishing process.
US08308529B2
Embodiments of a system and method for polishing substrates are provided. In one embodiment, a polishing system is provided that includes a polishing module, a cleaner and a robot. The robot has a range of motion sufficient to transfer substrates between the polishing module and cleaner. The polishing module includes at least two polishing stations, at least one load cup and at least four polishing heads. The polishing heads are configured to move independently between the at least two polishing stations and the at least one load cup.
US08308527B2
The invention provides a polishing pad to polish a metal layer. The polishing pad has a storage elastic modulus at 80° C. of 200 to 900 MPa and a storage elastic modulus at 110° C. of 40 MPa or less. The invention also provides a method of polishing a metal layer using the pad.
US08308524B2
A torso assembly that enables forward and backward shoulder movement for a toy action figure is disclosed. The torso assembly includes a central section and shoulder sections disposed at either side. The central section includes front and back shells. Each shoulder section includes a side shell that partially overlaps the front and back shell portions, and a hinge assembly. Hinge assemblies couple the first and second shoulder sections to each other within the central section, and allow each shoulder section to pivot forward and backward relative to the central section. In some embodiments, the torso assembly may be incorporated into an action figure or doll by movable joints that connect the torso assembly to a lower abdomen and/or pelvis.
US08308520B2
A light emitting device has a cathode-ray tube and power supply. The cathode-ray tube in an embodiment is optimized for emitting a broad electron beam, in one variation a dome-shaped diffusing grid is used to spread the beam. In another embodiment, the device has a base adapted for attachment to a standard lighting fixture.
US08308513B2
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing and contacts received therein. The insulative housing defines a retaining section and a mating tongue projecting beyond the retaining section perpendicularly. A plurality of terminal grooves are defined on the mating tongue and extending along a front-to-rear direction. A plurality of positioning slots are defined on the retaining section and extending along a vertical direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction and in communication with the terminal grooves respectively. Each contact comprises a contact portion secured in the terminal groove on the mating tongue and a solder tail secured in the positioning slot on the retaining section. The contacts are divided into signal contacts and grounding contacts, solder tails of said signal contacts and grounding contacts are separately located at different rows alone in the front-to-rear direction.
US08308503B2
A flat cable includes a plurality of conductors arranged in parallel and exposed at both end portions in a longitudinal direction thereof, an insulation film covering the plurality of conductors except the exposed both end portions, and a reinforcing member that covers the plurality of conductors along a width direction of the plurality of conductors, is provided on a surface of the insulation film in a part of a region including an edge of the insulation film, and includes a metal plate and an insulative covering layer for covering the metal plate.
US08308502B2
An electrical arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a starter cable electrically connected with a vehicle battery, a terminal head conductor electrically connected with the starter cable, a terminal base conductor electrically connected with a starter motor, and an electrically nonconductive terminal enclosure defining a cavity in which the terminal head conductor and the terminal base conductor are positioned. The vehicle battery is electrically connected with the starter motor when the terminal head conductor contacts the terminal base conductor in the cavity. The terminal enclosure includes a weakened section offset from the terminal head conductor such that breaking of the terminal enclosure at the weakened section to form a free edge of the terminal enclosure and disconnection of the terminal head conductor from the terminal base conductor results in the terminal head conductor remaining in the cavity and spaced from the free edge.
US08308500B2
A power connector system for an appliance includes a cable assembly comprising a plug having plug contacts terminated to discrete wires of the cable assembly. The power connector system also includes a receptacle assembly having a receptacle housing having a cavity that receives the plug. The receptacle housing is configured to be received in a cutout of a bezel of the appliance such that the cavity is accessible from an exterior of the appliance. The receptacle housing holds receptacle contacts that are mated to the plug contacts when the plug is received in the cavity.
US08308499B2
A double-deck connector assembly comprises an unitary insulating housing defining upper and lower connection ports slightly offset from each other in a front-to-back direction thereof for respectively receiving upper and lower modules therein. The upper connection port has a pair of holding arms extending from two opposite ends thereof. The lower connection port has a pair of lower latching arms extending from two opposite ends thereof. The lower latching arms extend in a same direction with the holding arms and each has a sliding slot at an outside thereof. The sliding slots can match with the holding arms to assemble the upper and lower connection ports together.
US08308494B1
A USB device includes a hollow main body having an opening, a USB plug, a transition member fixedly connected to the USB plug, and a rotation member. The rotation member includes a rotation button arranged on the hollow main body and a gear wheel arranged in the hollow main body. The gear wheel is fixed to the rotation button. The transition member includes a gear rack engaged with the gear wheel. Under the rotation of the rotation button, the gear wheel is engaged with the gear rack to drive the USB plug to move out of the hollow main body through the opening, or retracted into the hollow main body.
US08308481B2
A method of preparing a dental framework or mathematical model thereof includes creating a replica of a patient's mouth or a framework to be inserted into the patient's mouth, electronically scanning the replica or framework, electronically determining a surface model of a dental framework and manufacturing the framework.
US08308476B2
An injection molding apparatus is disclosed having an actuated part that is movable in forward and rearward directions with a magnetic valve pin coupling attached thereto. A valve pin for opening and closing a mold gate is coupled to the magnetic valve pin coupling to be movable with the actuated part. When the actuated part is moved in an opening stroke direction and the valve pin experiences a stopping force, the magnetic valve pin coupling permits the valve pin to become decoupled from the actuated part to prevent continued movement of the valve pin with the actuated part.
US08308473B2
Mold arrangement, comprising a blow-molding die arrangement arranged for receiving a preform and for expanding said preform to obtain a container, wherein a compression-molding die arrangement is associated with said blow-molding die arrangement, said compression-molding die arrangement being arranged for receiving plastics and for shaping said plastics to obtain a neck portion of said preform.
US08308468B2
An apparatus and method for loading a tread press are provided. More specifically, the present invention provides for loading a tread band onto a tread press while suspending the tread band above the mold elements as the tread band is moved into the proper longitudinal position within the tread press. Lateral positioning can also be provided using the present invention.
US08308465B2
A wedge-lock system for injection molds, using a protrusion on one side of the mold and a mating opening and sets of wedges which act together upon mold closing to provide and maintain accurate centering of the core and cavity halves in reference to each other, to prevent core shifts and compensate for uneven thermal expansion of mold components.
US08308464B2
A groove is provided in the periphery of a pressure receiving area of a pressure receiving surface opposing to the load of axis weight within a bearing surface supporting an axis, and a liquid supply route communicating with the groove is provided so that liquid is supplied to the groove through the liquid supply route. In such a configuration, a bearing having a simple structure and a high compact load capacity and a liquid cooling type screw compressor using the above bearing are provided.
US08308462B2
A power transmission device includes a rotatable shaft having an axis of rotation. A lubrication pump includes an inner rotor and an outer rotor in meshed engagement with one another. A clutch continuously drivingly couples one of the inner rotor and the outer rotor and the shaft to limit the power transferred from the shaft to the lubrication pump. The clutch includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart protrusions biasedly engaged with the shaft.
US08308459B2
A Moineau pump or Moineau compressor includes a conically designed inner (4) and a conically designed outer (8) element, whose longitudinal axes (X1, X2) run at an angle to one another and intersect at a point. The pump or compressor has at least two sections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) in the axial direction. A part (4b) of the inner element (4) located in a second section (2b) is arranged rotated with respect to a part (4a) of the inner element located in a first section (2a) about the longitudinal axis (X1) of the inner element (4). A part (8b) of the outer element (8) located in the second section (2b) is arranged rotated with respect to an other part (8a) of the outer element (8) located in the first section (2a) about the longitudinal axis (X2) of the outer element (8).
US08308452B2
A valveless MEMS micropump capable of improved efficiency and performance is disclosed. The micropump includes two adjoining chambers separated by a piezoelectric actuated pump membrane. The micropump moves fluid through the chambers through diffuser elements characterized by differential directional resistance to fluid flow by piezoelectric actuation of the pump membrane.
US08308449B2
A Self Priming Gravity Wave Water Pump, Double Acting, vertically Self Adjusting incorporating a Submerged Column Platform as shown in FIG. 4A, the submerged column platform (22) can be tethered (28) or secured by a pivot to a weight (29) or fixed into the water bed (31). The column (22) can be incorporated into an additional submerged water filled column chamber (23), to operate as a hydraulic tidal adjustable column platform. The Gravity Wave Pump (9) is a wave energy converter using wave energy in the form of wave motion to displace a float (2), to lift the pumps reciprocating piston (12) and uses gravity, causing a weight (3) to push a piston down as the wave passes. The pump could pressurize piped water to a head of up to 100 meters or more and could pump pressures in excess of 150 pounds per square inch when adjusted accordingly.
US08308447B2
A compressor piston including a piston in a cylinder; a connecting rod connecting the piston to a crankshaft in a crankcase by a roller bearing; and an air inlet line and an air outlet line in a cylinder head. A tube connection between the air inlet line and the crankcase transports cooling air from the inlet line to the crankcase. The tube connection is exterior the cylinder. An inlet valve is connected to the tube connection which opens when the pressure in the crankcase is less than the pressure in the air inlet line; and an outlet valve is connected to the crankcase which opens when the pressure in the crankcase exceeds a predetermined value.
US08308446B2
A method and apparatus for blowing down a compressed air system when temperature is at or below a predefined temperature threshold is provided. Temperature sensors in the compressed air system monitor temperature and a control processor determines when the temperature is at or below the predefined temperature threshold. When it is determined temperature is at or below the predefined temperature threshold, the control processor operates a solenoid blow-down valve that depressurizes the compressed air system.
US08308440B2
A vacuum processing apparatus having a vacuum chamber includes a gate valve arranged in the vacuum chamber and including a valve body which moves in a direction relative to an exhaust port of the vacuum chamber to open/close the exhaust port, and a driving unit configured to move the valve body, a connecting portion having one end connected to the exhaust port of the vacuum chamber and formed in a direction inclined from a moving direction of the valve body, and an exhaust pump connected to an opposite end of the connecting portion and capable of evacuating an interior of the connecting portion. The driving unit includes (i) a rod serving as a driving shaft which drives the valve body in a direction to close the exhaust port or a direction to open the exhaust port, and (ii) a cylinder driving the rod, and the rod extends parallel to a moving direction of the valve body and supports the valve body at one end. In addition, the connecting portion is connected to the exhaust port of the vacuum chamber in a direction inclined at a predetermined angle from an axial direction of the rod, and the cylinder is arranged outside the connecting portion and connected to an opposite end of the rod.
US08308439B2
A method of operating a multistage gas compressor system including providing a plurality of compressor stages connected in series, receiving a gas flow having contaminants within a gas passage, and supplying solvent to the gas passage at or upstream of a compressor in a compressor stage of the plurality of compressor stages to entrap or dissolve the contaminants in the gas flow. The method includes resisting disabling fouling of the compressor in the compressor stage from any contaminants entrapped or dissolved in the solvent, for example, by controlling a discharge temperature of the compressor, and/or using a type of compressor that is not susceptible to being disabled by fouling in at least the first stage. The discharge temperature can be controlled by providing the compressor with a pressure ratio selected to provide a desired discharge temperature.
US08308421B2
A method of operating an axial turbine, having a stage including stationary blades and moving blades, each stationary blade having a radial height of an outlet thereof higher than the radial height of an inlet thereof, each moving blade being located downstream of a corresponding one of the stationary blades along a flow direction of a working fluid, the moving blades being constructed such that a moving blade front-end peripheral velocity Mach number exceeds 1.0, the method including restraining a radial velocity component of a working fluid flowing through an outer peripheral portion of the stationary blade from the stationary blade inlet to the stationary blade outlet, whereby the working fluid having passed through the stationary blade flows substantially parallel to the central axis of the turbine from the stationary blade outlet to the moving blade inlet.
US08308413B2
A roller for moving, rolling and unrolling rolls of sod. The roller is generally comprised of a top portion including a side shift actuator and at least one attachment member for attachment to a vehicle, preferably a skid steer. The roller also includes a rotary actuator with a shaft, slidably attached to the top portion. A main frame consisting of a top member, side member, base member and an end gate, extends down from the shaft of the rotary actuator. The end gate of the main frame is configured to pivot open and closed. The main frame is configured to rotate with the shaft.
US08308407B2
A rack assembly for transportation of pressurized gas bottles in a vehicle has a first rack on one side and a second rack on the other side each supporting five upright bottles in a row, together with a rigid transverse brace structure connecting between an upper part of the first rack and an upper part of the second rack to hold the first and second rack members in braced position at said first and second sides. Each of the racks is formed by an inner and an outer plate member each having five part circular cut outs in the adjacent surfaces surrounded by a resilient strip for clamping the bottles side by side by an over-center latch which tightens the members together.
US08308406B2
A wheelchair stabilizing device is presented. The device includes a latch spring-biased in the closed position, a mounting bracket, and a swing arm connecting the latch and the mounting bracket. Methods of use and manufacture are also provided.
US08308400B2
A sheet member has a body part having a top surface, a bottom surface and a side surface; and an upper shoulder part which is formed so as to project from the top surface of the body part, and has an upper shoulder top surface and an upper shoulder side surface. The upper shoulder part has a restricting seat surface formed on the top surface and abutted against the bottom surface of a cutting insert; a first through hole extending between the restricting seat surface and the bottom surface or the side surface; and a screw hole opening into the restricting seat surface. The body part has a first restricting side surface which is formed on the upper shoulder side surface intersected with the restricting seat surface, and abutted against a side surface of the cutting insert; and a first recessed part disposed above the first through hole and formed on the first restricting side surface so as to extend from the restricting seat surface toward the upper shoulder top surface. A rotary tool is constructed and arranged to detachably mount the cutting insert with the sheet member interposed therebetween. A cutting method uses the rotary tool.
US08308398B2
A cutting tool has an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the location of a cutting insert seated therein. The cutting tool has a tool body provided with an adjustment bore and an abutment member bore intersecting the adjustment bore, and also has an abutment member and a worm screw. The abutment member is located in the abutment member bore and the worm screw is located in the adjustment bore and screw threaded into the worm screw bore. The abutment member is located in a first location along the abutment member bore when the worm screw is in a first screw rotated position and the abutment member is located in a second location along the abutment member bore when the worm screw is in a second screw rotated position.
US08308395B2
In a road construction machine (1) for the treatment of road surfaces with a milling drum (3) height-adjustable with regard to the milling depth, with a leveling device (4) with at least one controller (6a, 6c) which receives set values for the milling depth and/or the slope of the milling drum (3), and with at least one exchangeable sensor (A, B, C) or with several switchable sensors for registering the current actual value of the milling depth and/or the slope of the milling drum (3) relative to a reference surface, where the controller (6a, 6c) effects a milling depth control and/or a slope control for the milling drum (3) conditional on pre-determined set values and the currently measured actual values of the at least one sensor (A, B, C) by returning an adjustment value for achieving or maintaining the set value during the milling operation, where the leveling device (4) is provided with an indication and setting device (2) for indicating and setting operating parameters for the at least one sensor (A, B, C), it is provided that the indication and setting device (2) of the leveling device (4), in addition to an indication and setting unit (2a, 2c) provided for the at least one sensor (A, C) currently in use, is provided with an additional indication and setting unit (2b) for a selectable sensor (B) that is to be exchanged for the sensor (A, C) currently in use.
US08308388B2
A fluid delivery system includes an applicator having gradient foam where the gradient foam includes a fluid and the applicator has an applicator surface area open to the environment such that the fluid is passively dispensed onto a surface independent of gravity through the applicator surface area. The gradient foam may be encompassed by a holder. A fluid reservoir in the applicator holder is used to replenish fluid. A cap covers the gradient foam to prevent the foam drying out. The types of surfaces that the fluid delivery system may be applied to can be hard or soft, such as wood or skin and hence, the fluid delivery system may be used for many applications in the home, health/medicine, beauty, feminine, baby, personal, fabric, pet and food areas.
US08308387B2
A force-sensing electronic pen comprises a user-replaceable cartridge, a retaining boot for securely retaining the cartridge, a force sensor coupled to the retaining boot, a spring for biasing the retaining boot towards engagement with the force sensor; and an end-stop for limiting travel of the retaining boot against the bias of the spring. The cartridge is extractable from the pen by pulling the cartridge against the bias of the spring until the retaining boot engages with the end-stop. When the retaining boot engages with the end-stop, further pulling of the cartridge releases the cartridge from the retaining boot.
US08308379B2
A novel camera module includes a housing having a lens unit receiving portion and an image capture device receiving portion, which includes a plurality of discrete support members. A lens unit is coupled to the lens unit receiving portion of the housing. An image capture device has a top surface, which includes an image sensor array. The top surface of the image capture device contacts the bottom of the discrete support members of the housing to align the tilt of the image capture device with respect to the housing. In a particular embodiment, the image capture device is mounted on a surface of a circuit substrate that is coupled to the housing. In an alternate embodiment, the housing is coupled directly to the image capture device.
US08308371B2
A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member (2), an inner member (1) and double row ball groups. A pitch circle diameter (PCDo) of the outer side ball group is larger than a pitch circle diameter (PCDi) of the inner side ball group. Ribs (17) are formed on a surface of the inner side of the wheel mounting flange (6). Each rib (17) is formed by an outline including straight portions (17a), radially extending outwardly from the base of the wheel mounting flange (6), and a rounded tip portion (17b), having a predetermined radius of curvature (r) centered on the axial center (O) of hub bolt (6a). The rounded tip substantially corresponds to a distance between the axial center (O) and the outermost periphery of the wheel mounting flange (6).
US08308370B2
In a sealing device for a bearing, a sub-seal lip is configured such that a slide contact surface is formed like an annular band. As the rotation speed of the bearing increases, the width of the slide contact surface is reduced by a centrifugal force. Thus, sliding friction can effectively be minimized. The torque of the bearing can be prevented from increasing at high-speed rotation. Even when the centrifugal force increases somewhat, only reduction in the width of the slide contact surface is caused. Thus, a slide-contacted state can be maintained. Consequently, the problem of floating-up of the sub-seal lip from a slinger is difficult to occur.
US08308365B2
A robust spindle motor is provided having improved shock resistance for fluid containment, as well as enhanced air purging characteristics. In an aspect, axial displacement of relatively rotating components is restricted by utilizing a limiter situated adjacent to a limiter bushing forming an axial limiter gap therebetween. A fluid channel, at least partially diverging, extends from a hydrodynamic bearing to the axial limiter gap, and continues to a region beyond the axial limiter gap. In an aspect, an axially diverging slot is situated adjacent to the axial limiter gap. Power is reduced by reducing viscous drag between relatively rotating components, hydrodynamic bearing length is increased, and higher stiffness of the hydrodynamic bearing is provided. Fluid volume may be increased, thereby offsetting fluid evaporation losses and allowing for the use of lower viscosity lubricants.
US08308344B2
A mixing machine includes a mixer body including a head portion that extends over a bowl receiving location. An output member extends downward from the head portion toward the bowl receiving location. A drive system is linked to the output member for effecting planetary rotation of the output member. A bowl guard support is at an underside of the head portion. The bowl guard support provides a circular support path in the form of a groove extending about a periphery of the bowl guard support. A bowl guard assembly includes a housing member and a catch member extending from a surface of the housing member. The catch member is received within the groove to maintain a vertical position of the bowl guard assembly while permitting rotation of the bowl guard assembly. The catch member is movable relative to the housing member and is biased into the groove to seat therein.
US08308332B1
A system for illuminating a sports field covered with turf. The system includes: a plurality of light arrays configured to be positioned in a spaced-apart manner under a portion of the turf and oriented to emit light upwards through the turf; and a control system for selectively controlling activation of the light arrays to provide illuminated markers on the sports field.
US08308326B2
A lighting or signaling device for a motor vehicle which is capable of emitting a linear beam in the direction of an optical axis and which comprises a point light source that emits light rays radially around a source; a light ray guiding plate; wherein the light guiding plate is shaped so that the light rays generally propagate in incident propagation planes normal to the plate between the light source and the reflection edge and in reflected propagation planes normal to the plate between the reflection edge and the output edge.
US08308321B2
An LED unit includes an LED having an optical axis and a lens mounted on the LED. The lens includes an incidence surface, an emission surface, and a light-reflecting face between the incidence surface and the emission surface. The light-reflecting face has a diameter gradually increasing from a bottom towards a top of the lens. The incidence surface includes a first incidence surface and a second incidence surface extending downwardly from a circumference of the first incidence surface and protruding inwardly towards the LED. Light emitted from the LED with a large angle is refracted by the second incidence surface into substantially parallel beams in one side of a cross-section of the lens through the optical axis of the LED, and the parallel beams are sequentially reflected by the light-reflecting face and refracted by the emission surface out of the lens in substantially parallel beams.
US08308319B2
A lighting device includes a light source unit having a substrate and a light emitting diode disposed on the substrate, a heat sink having an inner surface on which the light source unit is disposed and at least one opening, and a top plate being disposed on the heat sink and having a reflective surface which reflects light from the light source unit in a particular direction.
US08308314B2
A surface light source system capable of emitting light without producing non-uniform luminance and non-uniform color distributions is provided. The surface light source system comprises a lenticular lens sheet having unit lenses with convexity on the light-exiting side, and a light source unit having emission sources of two types or more that are different in the wavelength range of light they emit. The unit lenses are arranged in one direction at approximately regular intervals. Emission sources of each type are arranged in the one direction at approximately regular intervals. The intervals at which the respective emission sources of two types or more arranged in the one direction are nearly the same in length.
US08308313B2
A machine for applying ultraviolet light to curable coatings on floors and other wide area surfaces. A housing encloses rotating arms carrying UV lamps spinning about a central axis. Rotation is caused by reactive momentum from heated air jets coming from fans in barrels blowing air over heated wires, resembling hand held hair dryers, with the barrels supported under rotating arms. The heated wires are ballast for the lamps, providing thermal and electrical stability. The rotating lamps cover an annular pattern which, when advanced forwardly, becomes a linear swath, almost as wide as the housing. A floor, or similar surface, can be cured in a few minutes.
US08308308B2
A lamp driving device that drives a discharge lamp, includes: a start-up circuit configured to apply a start-up pulse for starting an operation of the discharge lamp; a non-volatile memory configured to store data therein; and a history recording unit configured to record an operation history of the applying of the start-up pulse that is performed by the start-up circuit in the non-volatile memory.
US08308302B2
An imaging system (200) is configured to reduce perceived speckle (106) in images (201) by introducing angular diversity into consecutively projected images. The imaging system (200) includes one or more laser sources (203) that are configured to produce one or more light beams (215). A light modulator (204) scans these light beams (215) to produce images. A light translation element (206) introduces the angular diversity by physically altering a light reception location (208) on the light modulator (204) between refresh sweeps. To preserve image stability, image data (220) in a memory (218) can be correspondingly shifted.
US08308300B2
A color separation optical system is disclosed which is effective in improving black color and black unevenness. Linearly polarized light impinging on a dichroic surface at an incident angle smaller than 45 degrees and then impinging on a polarization beam splitting surface at an incident angle larger than 45 degrees is referred to as first incident-angle light. A wavelength which is longer than a wavelength at the maximum transmittance of the dichroic surface for the first incident-angle light and at which the transmittance of the dichroic surface for the first incident-angle light is 10% is referred to as Wa, and a wavelength range shorter than Wa is referred to as W. The polarization beam splitting surface has a characteristic in which its transmittance for the first incident-angle light in the wavelength range W is 5% or lower.
US08308299B2
The multi-aperture system of the present invention provides a retinal oximetry apparatus for determining the level of oxygen saturation in retinal vessels using a lenslet array comprising at least seven lenses for the simultaneous measurement of reflected light with at least three wavelengths and at least four polarization states. The multi-aperture system of the present invention further provides an apparatus for determining the level of oxygen saturation in retinal vessels using a lenslet array comprising at least ten lenses for the simultaneous measurement of reflected light with at least three wavelengths for oxygen measurement, at least three wavelengths for melanin content, and at least four polarization states. Methods of operating the same are also provided.
US08308297B2
A connection adapter constituting an optical tomographic imaging apparatus has a small installation space and high use efficiency. The connection adapter is disposed between a fundus camera main body portion and a camera portion to be attached to the fundus camera main body portion for imaging a surface image of a fundus as an object in an optical tomographic imaging apparatus, and connects them in a detachable manner. The connection adapter includes: a first light guide unit for guiding tomographic image measuring beams guided from the fundus camera main body portion for imaging the tomographic image to a tomographic imaging portion; and a second light guide unit for guiding fundus image measuring beams guided from the fundus camera main body portion for imaging the surface image of the fundus to the camera portion.
US08308288B2
The medium holding apparatus includes: a medium holding device having a plurality of suction grooves through which a sheet-shaped medium is held by suction; and a suction pressure generating device which is connected to the suction grooves and generates a suction pressure in each of the suction grooves, wherein the suction pressure in one of the suction grooves that holds a first end portion of the sheet-shaped medium is made stronger than the suction pressure in one of the suction grooves that holds a central portion of the sheet-shaped medium.
US08308281B2
An ink umbilical provides different colors of heated ink to multiple print heads in an integrated structure. The ink umbilical includes a first plurality of ink carrying conduits mounted on one side of a heater and a second plurality of conduits mounted on a second side of the heater opposite the first side of the heater. The heater is operated to keep the ink in the conduits on each of the heater in a predetermined temperature range.
US08308279B2
A sealing device is disclosed that includes a latching feature configured to facilitate latching of the sealing device to a fluid reservoir; a first region configured to seal or substantially seal a fluid-discharge port on the fluid reservoir from fluid loss when the sealing device is latched to the fluid reservoir; and a second region configured to protect a circuit device on the fluid reservoir when the sealing device is latched to the fluid reservoir. Accordingly, the presently disclosed sealing device provides an effective solution to not only sealing the fluid-discharge ports on the fluid reservoir, but also protecting the circuit device.
US08308274B2
A printhead integrated circuit including a MEMS layer having a plurality of nozzle assemblies and a CMOS layer having control circuitry. Each nozzle assembly includes a heater element for ejecting ink and sensing a temperature of the nozzle assembly. The control circuitry modifies operation of the heater elements in response to a sensed temperature exceeding a predetermined threshold.
US08308272B2
An image forming apparatus including a first carriage movable in a main scanning direction, a second carriage separatably dockable with the first carriage, a first positioning unit to position the second carriage relative to the first carriage in a sub-scanning direction, a second positioning unit to position the second carriage relative to the first carriage in a rotary direction, and a third positioning unit to position the second carriage relative to the first carriage in the main scanning direction. The first positioning unit includes a reference shaft and notched positioning members to engage the reference shaft. The second positioning unit contacts one of the first and second carriages in the rotary direction upon docking of the first and second carriages. The third positioning unit includes a positioning member, parallel grooved members in the sub-scanning direction, and parallel shafts extending in the sub-scanning direction to engage the grooved members.
US08308256B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes an ejecting unit which repeatedly ejects a liquid every predetermined unit, a first storing unit which stores the liquid to be supplied to the ejecting unit, a second storing unit which stores the liquid to be supplied to the first storing unit, a pump which supplies the liquid from the second storing unit to the first storing unit, and a control unit which performs a first operation and a second operation. The first operation includes an operation of creating the ejection signal and an operation of performing a predetermined unit of a subsequent ejection using the ejecting unit. The second operation includes an operation of supplying the liquid using the pump, an operation of creating a detection signal, and an operation of detecting the liquid of the second storing unit, wherein the control unit performs the second operation while the first operation is performed.
US08308248B2
A method for operating a vehicle brake system and a corresponding vehicle brake system, particularly for motor vehicles. The vehicle wheels of the motor vehicle associated with an axle are at least partially driven by ‘WV’ an electric motor that can be operated as a generator during regeneration of braking energy, thus exerting a braking regeneration el torque on the respective axle. To prevent overbraking on the rear axle, the regeneration torque acting on at least one rear axle (HA) is limited such that the slippage present on the at least one vehicle wheel of the rear axle (HA) does not exceed or only negligibly exceeds a first slippage threshold individually associated with the respective vehicle wheel.
US08308247B2
A sleeve for a fastener aperture in a vehicle wheel includes a tubular body having a first end and a plurality of external conically shaped barbs. The barbs include successively increasing outer diameters as a distance from the first end increases. A head radially outwardly extends from a second end of the body and is adapted to engage a land on the wheel that encompasses the fastener aperture. A bore extends through the body and the head and is adapted to receive a wheel fastener.
US08308239B2
An infant support structure that supports a child above a support surface is disclosed. The infant support structure includes a frame, a seat, and an elastic member that supports the seat for vertical and horizontal movement relative to the frame.
US08308232B2
A seat for amusement apparatus including a support and means for immobilizing the user on the support. The immobilizing means comprise at least one support in front of the user and opposing means suitable for acting on the user's back. The opposing means comprises an arm which can move between a lowered position in which the user can sit down on the support and a raised position in which one end of the arm abuts against the user's back. The seat may optionally have a motorcycle shape and include handlebars and retractable leg extensions projecting from each side of the seat for maintaining a user's legs in a crouched motorcycle riding position.
US08308224B2
A main bent portion 25 is formed at a center portion of a cowl top outer panel 14 with respect to a vehicle longitudinal direction so as to extend linearly along a vehicle widthwise direction. The main bent portion 25 is formed by a lower flange portion 18, an upright portion 19 and a lower flat portion 20. The lower flange portion 18 and the upright portion 19 are perpendicular to each other, and the upright portion 19 and the lower flat portion 20 are perpendicular to each other. A lower flange portion 18, a lower flat portion 20 and an upper slanted portion 23 are provided to the cowl top outer panel 14 so as to support a front end portion and a rear end portion of a first bracket 27 and a second bracket 28 of a wiper unit 30. The lower flange portion 18, the lower flat portion 20 and the upper slanted portion 23 are arranged in this order along the vehicle longitudinal direction of the main bent portion 25.
US08308222B2
Described herein are embodiments for extending and retracting an extendable spoiler for assisting a motor vehicle in navigating a turn. According to embodiments, an extendable spoiler has a first and second flaps coupled to first and second outer edges of the spoiler respectively. At least one strut is coupled to an underside of the spoiler and to an extension mechanism that can be used to extend and retract the extendable spoiler when various conditions have been met. A steering detection mechanism is also included and configured to detect left and right turn of the motor vehicle and controls which extendable spoilers are moved from a retracted state to an extended state.
US08308213B1
An enclosed trailer may comprise an enclosure having an interior defined by at least two lateral enclosure portions. The lateral enclosure portions are laterally movable between a contracted condition with a smaller interior volume and an expanded condition with a larger interior volume. The trailer may comprise a support frame including two lateral frame portions laterally movable between a contracted condition corresponding to the contracted condition of the lateral enclosure portions and an expanded condition corresponding to the expanded condition of the lateral enclosure portions. The trailer may further include a frame movement assembly configured to move the lateral frame portions between the expanded and contracted conditions, and a pair of wheels with each wheel being mounted on one lateral frame portion such that the wheels move laterally inward and outward with the frame portions as the frame portions move between the contracted and expanded conditions.
US08308205B2
A toggle latch for a gate has a first unit mounting a pivotal latch arm and adapted to be mounted on the gate and a second unit providing a receiving and latching cavity and adapted to be mounted on a gate post, the body portion of the second unit having a forward nose to provide a ramp to deflect upwardly and over the nose the latch arm when impacting thereon and an interior retaining surface defined in the body and having upper and rear surfaces of the cavity to deflect down into the cavity the latch arm after it has ridden up over the nose.
US08308203B1
A rotary mechanical latch for positive latching and unlatching of a rotary device with a latchable rotating assembly having a latching gear that can be driven to latched and unlatched states by a drive mechanism such as an electric motor. A cam arm affixed to the latching gear interfaces with leading and trailing latch cams affixed to a flange within the drive mechanism. The interaction of the cam arm with leading and trailing latch cams prevents rotation of the rotating assembly by external forces such as those due to vibration or tampering.
US08308197B2
Described is a security element for increasing the forgery-proof nature of a security document, in particular an identity card or pass, a passport or an identification card. The security element (1) has a first diffractive region (15) having an open code which is visible with a naked eye. The first diffractive region further has a concealed code which is not visible with the naked eye and which can be reconstructed from the arrangement of diffractive microregions disposed in the first region (1) and/or from the structure of the first diffractive region (1). Further described is a method of increasing the forgery-proof nature of a security document.
US08308195B1
The first step is fabricating a sheet with a front face divided into 4 quadrants; a rear face divided into 4 quadrants; upper and lower edges separated by a height; first and second side edges separated by a width; a central vertical fold line; and a central horizontal fold line. The next step is forming an image on each quadrant. The next step is creating a first fold along the vertical fold line and a second fold along the horizontal fold line. The next step is coupling the quadrants adjacent to the vertical fold line using a tape. The final step is cutting along the horizontal fold line to crop and remove the horizontal fold line creating a first signature having pages 1 through 8.
US08308190B2
An occupant safety mechanism for an occupant of a vehicle includes a buckle assembly, an airbag cushion, an inflator, and webbing. The airbag cushion is coupled to the buckle assembly, such as in a buckle assembly housing, and is configured to deploy from the buckle assembly. The webbing is coupled to the buckle assembly and substantially fixed points disposed on the vehicle, on a seat, or both, so as to restrain the occupant a seat during a dynamic vehicle event. The inflator is configured to deploy the airbag cushion upon occurrence of a dynamic vehicle event.
US08308186B1
An active bolster system for a vehicle includes a trim substrate panel adapted to be mounted to a structural element of the vehicle, wherein the substrate panel has a bolster opening. A bolster has a main body configured to fit within the bolster opening, wherein the main body has an A-side substantially flush with the substrate panel and a B-side facing the structural element. The main body has a plurality of lateral side tabs extending from the main body, and the main body expands during a deployment of the active bolster system so that a distance between the A-side and B-side increases. A retainer bracket retains the bolster against the substrate panel, wherein the retainer bracket comprises a frame extending around a periphery of the main body. The frame includes a reaction surface disposed against at least a portion of the B-side, a plurality of pinch tabs each pressing a respective lateral side tab against the substrate panel, and a plurality of rigid attachments for directly attaching the is retainer bracket to the substrate panel. Reaction forces applied by the bolster against the reaction surface during at least an initial expansion of the main body during the deployment are transmitted by the retainer bracket to the substrate panel so that separation is urged between the main body and the substrate panel, and the substrate panel is urged against the structural element.
US08308178B2
A collapsible bicycle (1) has a frame (2) collapsible in its plane. The frame (2) includes a head tube (3) having a collapsible bicycle front side end (10) in which a front wheel fork (12), which receives a front wheel (13), is mounted. A seat stay (5) has an end (38) receiving a seat tube (39). A lever (6) is articulated at a first articulation point (50) at a collapsible bicycle rear side end (37) of the head tube (3) and at a second articulation point (49) at the end (38) of the seat stay (5) receiving the seat tube (39). The lever (6) is arranged to the collapsible bicycle front side in a riding position of the collapsible bicycle (1). A down tube (4) is articulated at a third articulation point (18) at the collapsible bicycle front side end (10) of the head tube (3) and at a fourth articulation point (24) at an end (38a) of the seat stay (5), opposite the end (38) of the seat tube (39). The first, second, third and fourth articulation points (50; 49; 18; 24) are arranged in such a way, that, for moving the collapsible bicycle (1) from the riding position into a sliding position or from the sliding position into the riding position, respectively, the end (38) of the seat stay (5) receiving the seat tube (39) is shiftable in a direction (117) towards the head tube (3) or in a direction (119) away from the head tube, respectively.
US08308171B2
A personal transport device including a transportation attachment, a foot platform situated above the transportation attachment and at least one fastener connecting the foot platform to the transportation attachment. The foot platform has two parallel extending surfaces supporting a user's foot so that the longitudinal axis of the user's foot can be positioned roughly perpendicular to the direction of travel of the transportation attachment The transportation attachment can be wheels, skates or even skis.
US08308162B2
A system and method for implementing a secondary lottery game with a first instant lottery game in an instant lottery game ticket is disclosed. The player purchases an instant lottery game, where chances for winning instant prizes are provided to the player. The player may also be provided a chance to win entry with predetermined entry indicia into a secondary lottery game if the instant lottery ticket indicates that the player has won a ticket to the secondary lottery game.
US08308161B2
A motor control apparatus includes a stepping motor which includes a rotor and a stator, and a control unit, wherein, in a case where the stator is excited in a second excitation pattern before rotation drive of the stepping motor is started in a first excitation pattern, the control unit performs phase adjustment of the rotor by exciting the stator in the first excitation pattern by one cycle or a plurality of cycles of the first excitation pattern with a drive pulse of a frequency within a self-start range of the stepping motor, and starts the rotation drive of the stepping motor by exciting the stator in the first excitation pattern to a target frequency which exceeds a self-start frequency of the stepping motor by changing the drive pulses.
US08308141B1
An animal-resistant fence preventing entry of animals includes a first post, a second post, and a first panel member extending between the two posts. The fence further includes a second panel member extending from an upper portion of the first panel member above the ground level, and a third panel member extending from a lower portion of the first panel member beneath the ground level.
US08308132B2
An improved hemi-wedge type valve is disclosed that has upstream and downstream sealing surfaces that cooperate with opposed surfaces on the hemi-wedge valve member. This results in improved sealing and less leakage, at both high and low pressures.
US08308130B2
The disclosure relates to a valve comprising a body defining at least an admission duct and an outlet duct for a fluid and receiving a valve member that is movable by means of an actuator member fastened to the body to move between a closed position closing the outlet duct and an open position leaving it open, the valve member having a central portion secured to a central portion of a substantially plane diaphragm that has a peripheral portion associated in leaktight manner with a support element secured to the body in such a manner as to co-operate with the support element to define a chamber, the valve member and the diaphragm being pierced by an opening providing permanent communication between the chamber and the outlet duct, the diaphragm being elastically deformable and being dimensioned to urge the valve member into its closed position.
US08308129B2
A fail-safe electromagnetic linkage has a support device for a valve head, and an actuator component actuable by an actuator. The support device is coupled to the actuator component while power is supplied to the electromagnet and decoupled from the actuator component while power is not supplied to the electromagnet. The assembly further comprises a return mechanism configured to drive the support device relative to the actuator component if power is not supplied to the electromagnet.
US08308111B2
An example space-based power generation panel arrangement includes a first reflective panel and at least one heat pipe configured to communicate thermal energy to the first reflective panel and a second reflective panel. The heat pipe is configured to hinge the first reflective panel to the second reflective panel.
US08308110B2
The system for defrosting the leading edge sheath of an air intake hood for a turboengine comprises a hot pressure air supply duct (60) and a protective shell (90) which are longitudinally rigid and rigidly fixed to the partition (5) of a caisson (10), wherein said protective shell (90) is slidable with respect to a sliding bearing (15) embodied in the partition (11) and said air supply duct (60) is connected to the protective shell (90) by an elastic wall (16) closing an insulating space (12) and enabling relative longitudinal movements to be carried out between the air supply duct (60) and the protective shell (90).
US08308109B2
An aircraft control surface mounting structure including a cantilever rib mounted to a spar, the rib includes a first arm and a second arm both orientated to be substantially parallel to the line of flight of the aircraft.
US08308104B2
The present invention describes an aircraft having a rotating engine. The aircraft comprises a means for rotating the engine 360° to allow directional control of the aircraft via rotation of the engine's thrust output. The aircraft can further comprise a plurality of flap members located on the wings of the aircraft and in communication with the rotating gas turbine engine to further control and stabilize flight of the aircraft. The gas turbine engine of the aircraft can comprise a compressor, a combustion chamber, and at least two turbines mounted oppositely to the combustion chamber, such that the gas turbine engine is capable of generating more thrust from a single engine.
US08308100B2
A recording medium feeding device for feeding a recording medium, which is wound in the shape of a roll and is supported by a support shaft, by means of a feeding roller includes a motor for generating a driving force and a driving force transmission unit for rotating the support shaft by transmitting the driving force. A rotation resistance switching unit switches a limitation state of giving the support shaft a rotation resistance and an open state of not giving the rotation resistance. The rotation resistance switching unit includes a torque limiter which enters the limitation state by being rotatable around the rotation shaft and enters the open state by being opened. A torque limiter fixing unit connected with the driving force transmission unit fixes the torque limiter by rotating the motor in a first direction and opens the torque limiter by rotating the motor in a second, opposite direction.
US08308094B2
Shredder hammers include a hammer pin opening in which at least some portion of the interior surface is curved in a direction moving from one major surface of the shredder hammer to the other. This interior surface may be smoothly formed as an arc of a circle, as a parabola, as a hyperbola, or as another curved surface, with the local extrema within the interior of the hole (e.g., at or near the center). Providing the curved interior surface helps vary and disperse the locations where force is absorbed due to contact between the hammer pin and the walls defining the hammer pin opening when the shredding hammer blade contacts the material to be shredded. Other structures include engagement between the hammer pin and the hammer as part of a bushing member, a spool or sleeve member, or a ball swivel member.
US08308093B2
An improved deflector structure for an updraft classifier mill for coal and ore is described. The improved deflector structure has an impingement surface which is characterized by a pattern of surface irregularities, either raised geometric figures or recesses of varying sizes and shapes to create turbulence in the air emerging from a rotating vane structure and impinging the deflector as it travels upwardly through the mill housing.
US08308089B2
The present invention discloses a method for preparing an impregnating pitch which is used for the manufacture of carbon-carbon composites having excellent mechanical properties at an ultra high temperature, abrasion resistance and the like, wherein the impregnating pitch having a low viscosity and an improved carbonization yield is provided by facilitating cross-linking reactions between the aromatic compounds in the pitch, while eliminating heat treatment.
US08308084B2
A water spray structure includes an outer housing, an inner sleeve, a mesh member, a spray member and an end cap. The inner sleeve is located in the outer housing. A gap is defined between an outer wall of the inner sleeve and an inner wall of the outer housing. The inner sleeve has apertures thereon. The spray member is located in the inner sleeve and has a plurality of through holes around a circumferential portion thereof. Each of the through holes has a large upper part and a small lower part. The spray member has stop pieces under the through holes. The stop pieces are disposed in a tangent direction. A mixing chamber is defined between a lower end of the spray member and a lower portion of the inner sleeve. The spray member has the plurality of through holes disposed around the circumferential portion of the spray member, the inlets and the transversal inlets to separate water to flow in the through holes. The stop pieces are disposed under the through holes to disperse the water in a spiral form. The tapered through holes form a negative pressure in the spray member for mixing with the air so as to form oxygenated mist. The water stream becomes comfortable.
US08308079B2
A sanitary installation element (1) having at least one bypass or cleaning duct (6) which is assigned a valve in whose open position the at least one bypass or cleaning duct is connected switched on. The installation element (1) according to the invention is characterized in that the installation element (1) has a filter screen (4) with at least one outlet opening (5), which outlet opening (5) has a larger clear opening cross section than the screen openings of the filter screen (4), that the at least one outlet opening (5) opens into the at least one bypass or cleaning duct (6), and that, as seen in the direction of flow, the outlet opening (5) is arranged in front of at least one liquid-conveying component of at least one functional unit situated in the installation element (1) and, as seen in the direction of flow, the duct outlet of the at least one bypass or cleaning duct (6) is arranged after this component.
US08308065B2
A terminal for interacting with a signaling tag includes a controller capable of selecting a signaling tag and thereafter receiving a tag type from the signaling tag at least partially over an air interface. The controller is also capable of determining if the terminal is actively operating an application. In this regard, the controller is capable of performing a predefined action based upon the tag type, such as based upon a tag type of “Read Only,” “Read/Write” or “Transceiver in Show Mode.” And when the controller is actively operating an application, the controller is capable of performing the predefined action further based upon the application and a state of the application.
US08308064B2
A barcode evaluation method for receiving an input image, performing an evaluation along a scanning direction upon the input image, and generating a barcode evaluation data includes: deriving at least one first luminance group in the input image according to a luminance threshold; documenting a plurality of characteristic values corresponding to the at least one luminance group, respectively; referring to a plurality of characteristic values of at least one specific first luminance group within the first luminance group to determine a distribution direction, and determining whether the specific first luminance group belongs to a barcode; and utilizing a processing element to generate the barcode evaluation data according to the input image, the distribution direction and the scanning direction.
US08308057B1
An automated banking machine operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The automated banking machine includes a card reader operative to read card data from user cards corresponding to financial accounts. The automated banking machine includes a display and a printer to produce records of financial transactions carried out with the machine. The automated banking machine is operative to output a visual and audible user interface which enables a consumer to operate the machine. The exemplary machine may output secure verbal instructions through a wireless headphone placed in operative connection with the machine.
US08308055B2
A container for receiving coins and/or documents of value having a container housing with at least one feed opening, a sealing element which is movable between a sealing position to block the feed opening and an open position in which the feed opening is opened to allow the feeding of coins or documents of value, and a biasing element which biases the sealing element in the direction of the sealing position in the open position. The container also includes an actuating opening that receives an actuating element to move the sealing element out of the sealing position into the open position, a catch device which has a catch element, and a closing device that enables the catch device to be displaced out of the catch state into the ready state.
US08308054B2
A customizable folder is disclosed. The folder has an edge portion missing from a cover thereof, and is adapted to receive thereto a complementary piece to complete the space formed by the missing edge portion. Also disclosed is a kit for a customizable folder comprising a customizable folder and a plurality of complementary pieces.
US08308048B2
A method and apparatus for managing the delivery of component parts and tooling to a robotic welding assembly positioned on a motor vehicle body assembly line. Automatic guided vehicles deliver component parts from a source of parts to a parts staging area on the robotic welding assembly including a substage awaiting area, a substage in-use area and a substage empty area, and further automatic guided vehicles deliver tooling from a tooling management area to the robotic welding assembly whereafter the tooling, upon model changeover, is moved to a tooling use area proximate the assembly line whereafter, upon further model changeover, the tooling is removed from the tooling use area and loaded onto an automatic guided vehicle for return to the tooling management area.
US08308045B2
An apparatus for forming an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections of tissue is provided. The apparatus includes a circular surgical stapler having an anvil assembly with an anvil shaft and an anvil, the circular surgical stapler further having a tubular body portion with an annular knife and a body portion shaft selectively attachable to the anvil shaft; and a seal structure for deposition between the intestinal sections of tissue including a hub configured to engage attachment structure on at least one of the anvil shaft and the body portion shaft. The attachment structure is positioned so that the seal structure is located between the intestinal sections of tissue when the circular surgical stapler is disposed within the intestinal sections of tissue.
US08308044B2
A surgical instrument comprises a first elongated member and a second elongated member, the first elongated member and the second elongated member being operatively connected and configured to rotate in opposite directions to substantially limit counter torque. The first and second elongated members are flexible shafts. The surgical instrument can be configured to apply fasteners to a tissue portion. This embodiment of the surgical instrument includes a cartridge having a plurality of fasteners, an anvil, said anvil and cartridge being relatively movable between spaced and approximated positions, and a sled disposed in the cartridge. The sled includes a cam member. The cam member is designed to drive the fasteners through tissue and toward the anvil.
US08308039B2
An auto hammer having a housing, a grip portion and a striking device. The striking device includes a striking rod for striking a nail or other element using a straight reciprocating motion. The striking device has an associated clamping mechanism for clamping the nail or other element. The clamping mechanism has a driving portion, a first clamping portion, and a second clamping portion. The first and second clamping portions are moved between a closed position and an opened position. In the closed position, the element is held between the first and second clamping portions. A first slot and a second slot are arranged on the first and second clamping portions respectively. The driving portion is arranged in both the first and second slots and moves along the first and second slots.
US08308038B2
A part clamp is temporarily held in a short cylindrical portion provided on a contact arm of a nailing machine and is nailed to a building body or the like by the nailing machine. The part clamp is provided with a base portion having a through hole at its center for inserting a nail therethrough, and an engaging portions for engaging with the short cylindrical portion. When the part clamp is pushed in the axial direction of an injection port of the nailing machine, the part clamp is temporarily held in the short cylindrical portion. The load to push the part clamp to engage with the short cylindrical portion is lower than the load to push the contact arm to slide along the injection port.
US08308037B2
An apparatus for maintaining uniform tension across a width of a web includes a roller, a first arm and a second arm, a plurality of devices, and a plurality of links. The roller includes a shaft, about which the roller rotates, that defines an axis of rotation. The first arm and the second arm are coupled to opposite sides of the shaft of the roller and to a corresponding one of the plurality of devices such that each device is allowed two degrees of rotational freedom about the arm to which it is coupled. Each of the devices is pivotably coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of links such that the roller is allowed to pivot about a first axis. Each link is pivotably coupled to a stationary frame such that the roller is allowed to pivot about a second axis.
US08308036B2
A main roll and a sub-roll of a sheet material feeding apparatus interpose therebetween a sheet material to intermittently feed the same to a press apparatus. A roll clearance is adjusted according to a sheet thickness by displacing the main roll up and down. A release device that temporarily releases a sheet material having been interposed by the both rolls just before the sheet material is subjected to press working by the press apparatus includes a sub-roll guide that can move up and down together with the sub-roll, a rectilinear cam, and cam followers for engagement with a cam surface of the rectilinear cam, and the release device moves the rectilinear cam axially of the sub-roll in synchronism with the operation of the press apparatus to thereby displace the sub-roll up and down through the cam followers and the sub-roll guide.
US08308034B2
In a housing of a power tool is formed a hook-receiving portion, with openings facing leftward and rightward, through which a substantially U-shaped hook having a left hook leg and a right hook leg is movable among a left protruding position in which the left hook leg protrudes leftward from the hook-receiving portion, a right protruding position in which the right hook leg protrudes rightward from the hook-receiving portion, and an accommodating position in which the left and right hook legs are both accommodated in the hook-receiving portion. Also provided in the housing is a retaining mechanism by which the hook is retainable in one of the positions of the left protruding position, right protruding position, and accommodating position.
US08308033B2
An implement holster comprising a holster support, a first cradle attached to the holster support, a second cradle, and a resilient strap system connected between the holster support and the second cradle, the first cradle fitting within the second cradle. The implement holster further comprises a clip adapted for attaching the holster to a support, a rotator connected between the clip and the holster, and a detent system permitting the holster to be held in a plurality of different positions with respect to the clip.
US08308028B2
A dispenser (1) has a source (2) of medicament with a transparent reservoir (3) of glass sheathed in a transparent plastics material shrink wrapping (4), which provides an enclosure against explosion of the glass in the event of accidental breakage of the glass. The reservoir contains not only a liquid medicament (5), but also a gaseous propellant liable to cause the glass to explode if broken. A valve (6) of the source is within a body (7) of the dispenser. The valve is attached to the reservoir by a crimped on aluminum sleeve (8). With the dispenser inverted the level (14) of the medicament (5) is within the tapered tip when the medicament is close to being used up. As use of the dispenser continues, the level falls progressively faster, giving the user an indication that a fresh dispenser will soon be required.
US08308025B2
A magazine for spot welding electrodes that stores mini chips and can feed the mini chips one by one. A mini chip storage portion and a cap chip storage portion slidably aligning and storing a plurality of mini chips and a plurality of cap chips are formed such that the mini chip storage portion and cap chip storage portion communicate with each other at one of their ends, where they open to the outside to serve as a supply port. When an arm is inserted into the supply port, a cap chip is mounted to the arm, as well as the cap chip presses the mini chip so that the mini chip is also mounted to the chip base. When the mounting operation is complete, a push-out member pushes the mini chips and cap chips so that the mini chips and cap chips are automatically fed to the supply port.
US08308016B2
The invention relates to a non-stick cooking utensil, wherein protrusions are arranged on interior wall of the utensil to form a non-smooth surface, said protrusion has a height of 20-999 μm and a projection area of 314-783431 μm2 with respect to the interior surface of the utensil, the protrusions are so distributed that the total projection area of protrusions on the surface of the interior wall is about 10%-60% of the surface area, a coating film is formed on said non-smooth surface with protrusions. As compared with utensils with smooth surface, the sticking intensity and stickiness between foods and the utensil of present invention may be decreased by 60%-80%.
US08308008B2
A container (210) for holding granular or powdered material and formed by a top wall (212), a bottom wall (214), a front wall (216), a rear wall (218), a first side wall (220), and a second side wall (222). A rotatably removable lid (D) is interiorly mounted with a scoop (32) and is pivotally hinged to a collar (300) that includes a sealing gasket (330). The collar (300) mounts to the walls of the container (210). A sealing wall 240 of the lid (D) cooperates with the gasket 300 to prevent the contents from spilling. The container (210) incorporates powder control features, a container wall junction (50) preferred geometry and congruent scoop (32) enabling convenient access to the contents, a tolerance variation accommodating and strength improving, J-shaped collar (300) and interlocking indentations (290) and flex clips (310), and a pressure controlling portion (350) that prevents unwanted deformation due to pressure differentials.
US08308000B2
The invention relates to a vehicle crane, especially a mobile crane, automobile crane, or track-laying crane, comprising a superstructure which is embodied as a top slewing crane and encompasses a vertical tower and a boom located on the tower.
US08307973B2
A device 10 for generating an output flow of articles A, starting from a flow of incoming articles (such as single use absorbent pad products A) having a given advancing velocity vin, includes a screw conveyor 14 to receive longitudinally the flow of incoming articles A. The conveyor in question comprises at least one screw 142 the helix of which is susceptible to interact with the advancing of articles A to determine their conveying by the screw 142 itself. The rotational velocity of the screw 142 is adjustable for varying the conveying velocity of the articles A with respect to the initial advancing velocity. In particular, it is possible to act so that the conveying velocity (vapp) of the articles A by the screw 142 is a sub-multiple of the initial advancing velocity (vin) so that the output flow of articles A includes groups of stacked articles. Each group includes a number of articles A equal to the ratio between the initial advancing velocity (vin) and the conveying velocity (vapp) of the screw 142.
US08307971B2
An apparatus includes a document track, a processing device, and a selector gate after the processing device. The document track includes a second, return path extending from a location at the selector gate to a location before the processing device. A bi-directional drive mechanism receives the document as the document passes through the selector gate in the forward direction. A gate actuator selectively moves the selector gate. Upon the bi-directional drive mechanism reversing direction after receiving the document to drive the document in the reverse direction, when the selector gate is in the first position, the selector gate diverts the document into the return path and re-introduces the document to the processing device with the document now in a reverse orientation. When the selector gate is in the second position, the selector gate allows the document traveling in the reverse direction to be re-introduced, in reverse, to the processing device.
US08307968B2
This invention provides a one-way clutch capable of hindering the generation of a coating between each sprag and each of inner and outer rings thereby preventing sprags and inner and outer rings from being damaged due to the slip therebetween and thereby lengthening the life of the engagement between each sprag and each of the inner and outer rings. The difference in surface hardness between each sprag (4) and each of an inner ring (2) and an outer ring (3) is set to be larger than a hardness of Rockwell C-scale HRC0 and to be equal to or smaller than HRC15.
US08307955B2
A hand brake mechanism having a mechanism to disengage a release lever disposed within a clutch and release assembly at the beginning of the brake application cycle. This mechanism includes a holding pawl having a force transmitting member which cooperates with a force receiving member disposed within the release lever to effect rotational motion onto the release lever at the beginning of the brake application cycle. At least one spring is provided to substantially complete rotational motion of the release lever.
US08307951B2
A system and method for making a food item are provided. The apparatus includes a food item assembly and packaging station having a first work area for assembling and packaging a food item and a food order assembly station having a second work area for assembling a food order that includes a food item packaged on the first work surface. A conveyor is positioned beneath the first work area and extends from a position proximate to the first area to a position proximate to the second work area. A conveyor access opening is proximate to the first work area to provide worker access to the conveyor to permit manual placement of a food item assembled and packaged at the first work area onto the conveyor for conveying the packaged food item beneath the first work area to the location proximate the food order assembly station.
US08307945B2
A gas-turbine exhaust cone includes a cone shaped outside cone 1 closed in a flow direction, an inside cone 2 arranged in the outside cone 1 over at least part of the length of the exhaust cone, with the inside cone 2 being connected to the outside cone 1 via at least one helical partition wall 3, thereby forming an interspace 4 between the outside cone 1 and the inside cone 2. The interspace 4 is connected to inlet openings 5 at its inflow side and opens at an exit side 6 towards an interior 7 of the outside cone 1. A dampening element 8 is arranged in the outside cone 1 adjacent to the exit side 6 of the interspace 4.
US08307944B2
A muffler (1) for an exhaust system (2) of an internal combustion engine, especially of a motor vehicle, with a muffler housing (3), which encloses a housing interior space (5), and with at least one exhaust gas-carrying hollow body (4) with two half shells in a half shell construction. The hollow body is arranged in the housing interior space (5). The two half shells (14, 15) of the hollow body (4) are fastened to one another in the area of a separating plane (16). The assembly of the muffler (1) or of the hollow body (4) can be simplified if the two half shells (14, 15) are fastened to one another by fastening elements (17, 18), which are formed directly on the half shells (14, 15).
US08307941B2
A seismic gun system for surveying underground geological topology, the seismic gun system comprising a projectile, a seismic gun body, a barrel, and a guide tube. The projectile includes an outer tubular jacket and a frangible material in its interior. A exterior surface of the tubular jacket is textured to regulate tubular jacket disruption. The barrel includes a breach end and a muzzle end. The breach end is connectable to the seismic gun body for receiving the projectile into said barrel and said muzzle end directing the projectile towards the bottom of a bore hole. The guide tube has an upper end and a terminal end. The upper end of the guide tube is connectable to the muzzle end of the barrel. The guide tube has walls to direct the projectile towards the bottom of the bore hole when aimed therein.
US08307938B2
In an electric power steering apparatus, a worm gear is structured such that a leading end of a leading end shaft of the worm gear is always pressed and supported by a part in a peripheral direction of a diameter enlarged inner diameter portion of a collar which is urged by an elastically urging body, and is always urged toward a side coming close to a center shaft of a worm wheel.
US08307934B2
This invention provides fire prevention and detection for heavy-duty and medium-duty commercial and military vehicles by ensuring the engine is automatically and immediately shut down upon the occurrence of a catastrophic event that may lead to a fire. The shutdown is achieved through the isolation of the vehicle batteries and alternator and the disconnecting of those devices from all electrical circuits. Anomalies that cause the shutdown and disconnect include battery and vehicle load currents that are outside a preset range, excessive temperatures, detection of smoke in the drive compartment or sleeper, or detection of a frontal impact accident or vehicle rollover. Once disconnected, the battery contactor must be manually reset in order to restore electrical power to the vehicle.
US08307933B2
A motorcycle including at least two wheels. The at least two wheels include a front wheel and a rear wheel, the rear wheel defining a rotational axis. The motorcycle includes an engine for driving at least one of the wheels. A radiator assembly includes a radiator configured to receive coolant from the engine and dissipate heat from the coolant. The radiator assembly further includes an inlet guide configured to direct air toward the radiator. The inlet guide has an inlet opening positioned closer to the rear wheel than the front wheel. At least a portion of the inlet opening is positioned below the rotational axis of the rear wheel.
US08307925B2
The present invention provides a hybrid power driving system comprising: a first subsystem designed to input/output power; a second subsystem designed to input/output power; a driving shaft designed to receive power from the first subsystem and/or the second subsystem or output power to the first subsystem and/or the second subsystem; and a tri-stated overrunning clutch designed to connect the first subsystem and the second subsystem, wherein the tri-stated overrunning clutch may be in an overrun state, an engaged state, or a disengaged state. The first subsystem and the second subsystem can comprise an engine, a motor, and a clutch, etc., respectively. In such a hybrid power driving system, when the tri-stated overrunning clutch is in the engaged state, the first subsystem and the second subsystem are coupled to each other and work together. When the tri-stated overrunning clutch is in the disengaged state, the first subsystem and the second subsystem can work separately without any interference to each other. Therefore, the structure is simple and the control is convenient.
US08307924B2
The present invention discloses a hybrid power output system for outputting the power to the wheel driving shaft, comprising an engine, a first motor, a second motor, a battery, a first clutch, a second clutch and a third clutch, wherein: the first motor and the second motor are connected electrically with the battery; the engine is connected to the first motor via the first clutch; the first motor is connected to a wheel driving shaft via the second clutch; the second motor is connected to the wheel driving shaft via the third clutch; the second clutch and the third clutch are arranged between the first motor and second motor. This hybrid power output system is compact in structure, can increase the power efficiency and reduce the fuel consumption, and can realize multiple drive modes.
US08307912B2
Disclosed is a tool (5) comprising a cam track (A) and cam follower (B), wherein the cam track (A) comprises a first cam track wall (15) and the cam follower (B) comprises a first cam follower wall (15), and the first cam track wall (10) and first cam follower wall (15) face one another. The cam track (A) further comprises a second cam track wall (30) and the cam follower (B) comprise a second cam follower wall (35), and the second cam track wall (30) and second cam follower wall (35) face one another. The first and second cam track wall (10, 30) are disposed so as to face one another. The first and second cam follower wall are disposed so as to oppose one another, e.g. back to back. The first/second cam track wall (10, 30) comprise a first/second cam track wave (20, 40). The second cam follower wall (15, 35) comprise a first/second cam follower wave (25, 45).
US08307907B2
A hybrid foam system for providing a variety of proportioned foam solutions is provided. The system includes a low flow foam proportioning system operatively associated with a high flow foam proportioning system and a system controller for controlling the operating conditions of the overall hybrid foam system.
US08307904B2
A method of maintaining a location of a wellbore servicing device includes connecting a pressure activated hold-down tool (PAHT) to the wellbore servicing device, delivering the wellbore servicing device and the PAHT into a wellbore, selectively increasing a curvature of the PAHT in response to a change in a fluid pressure, and engaging the PAHT with a feature of a wellbore to prevent longitudinal movement of the wellbore servicing device. A PAHT has pressure actuated elements that selectively provide an unactuated state in which the PAHT lies substantially along a longitudinal axis and the pressure actuated elements selectively lie increasingly deviated from the longitudinal axis in response to a change in pressure applied to the PAHT. At least one of the pressure actuated elements has a tooth configured for selective resistive engagement with a feature of the wellbore.
US08307901B2
Methods of forming one or more fractures in a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore. The methods generally include providing a treating fluid that comprises water and one or more sulfonated gelling agent polymers, wherein the one or more sulfonated gelling agent polymers comprise a sulfonated synthetic polymer selected from the group consisting of sulfonated polyvinyl alcohol, sulfonated polyacrylate, sulfonated polyacrylamide/acrylic acid copolymers, and any combination thereof; and introducing the treating fluid into the subterranean formation. The treating fluid may be placed at a pressure sufficient to create or extend fractures within the subterranean formation.
US08307896B2
A method and apparatus for heating fluids using the Earth's inner heat to generate power and desalinate water. Fluids include fresh water and sea water to be desalinized. The method involves passing a filtered fluid down a channel formed by two concentric tubes in a deep well defining inner and outer channels, to a depth at which the fluid reaches the needed temperature. Hot fluids pass into an inner channel and flow to surface with small heat loss, through an insulated pipe. The hot fluid may be vaporized to produce power, and returned to the system when condensed, forming a closed system, or it may be desalinize seawater in an integrated process that also produces electrical power.
US08307885B2
The present invention relates to a cooling apparatus for an electronic device. In the present invention, a coolant passing through a condenser 10 is introduced into and s filled in a compensator 15. The coolant passing through the compensator 15 is introduced into a vaporizer 20 and vaporized through heat exchange with an auxiliary heat source H2 provided outside of the vaporizer. In addition, a vaporizing unit 22 made of a porous material is provided in the vaporizer 20. The coolant passing through the vaporizer 20 and a liquid coolant supplied from the condenser 10 are mixed in a vortex generating unit 30 to form a coolant spray, and the coolant spray moves along a spiral trajectory to be formed into a vortex. Meanwhile, the coolant spray of a vortex is injected to be in close contact with the inner wall of an evaporator 50 to be heat-exchanged with a main heat source H1 positioned outside of the evaporator, thereby cooling the main heat source H1. According to the present invention as mentioned above, the main heat source adjacent to the evaporator is heat-exchanged with the coolant more actively to thereby improve the cooling performance of the electronic device. Also, a pressure loss of the coolant spouted from the venturi tube is further reduced.
US08307881B2
Casting molds suitable for directional solidification processes using a liquid cooling bath include a graded facecoat structure on a mold body. The graded facecoat structure includes an innermost layer and a delamination layer, wherein the delamination layer fractures upon cooling of the molten metal so as to separate the mold body from the innermost layer, which remains in contact with or in close proximity to the metal being cast. Also disclosed are directional solidification processes.
US08307879B2
A window covering includes a mounting unit, a shading unit, and a winding unit. The mounting unit includes a first fixing member and a second fixing member. The shading unit includes a rotating axle, a curtain member fixed at one end to the rotating axle and which is wound on and unwound from the rotating axle, a first rotating member, and a second rotating member. The first rotating member and the second rotating member are fixed to the rotating axle and extend respectively through the first fixing member and the second fixing member to support rotation of the rotating axle therebetween. The winding unit is mounted to the first fixing member and includes a spring reel secured to the first rotating member to rotate therewith, an auxiliary wheel, and a spring wound around the auxiliary wheel and which is fixed at one end to the spring reel.
US08307871B2
The invention relates to a hand welding extruder (1) for welding thermoplastic materials by means of a plasticized plastic strand (26) having a plasticization worm unit (24) connected to a drive motor (20) by a gearbox (21), and having a hot air generation device (27) with an external air supply, the plasticizer worm unit, the gearbox, the drive motor, and the hot air generation device being disposed in a common housing. The proposed hand welding extruder has a bar-shaped housing having a front welding segment (7) and a grab handle (8) connected thereto in the longitudinal direction. The plasticizer worm unit and the hot air generation device are disposed in the bar-shaped housing in the welding segment and an electric motor (20) is disposed in the grab handle. The electric motor is connected to a shaft of the extruder worm (23) via a gearbox, the gearbox being potentially provided in the grab handle and/or the welding segment of the bar-shaped housing of the hand weld extruder.
US08307868B2
The present invention is a valve for use in a central tire inflation system including a casing securable to the rim of a vehicle in communication with the tire that houses a main body connectable to a pressurized fluid supply of the central tire inflation system, and a valve member moveable within the main body to control the flow of air through the valve. The valve can be mounted flush on the exterior surface of the rim or in a recessed position within the rim, and can be connected to a manifold that is able to control the flow of pressurized fluid from the central tire inflation system to each valve and tire connected to the valve. The operation of the manifold and pressurized fluid supply can be controlled utilizing a controller operably connected to the manifold and fluid supply.
