US08309859B2
A substrate includes a base material, a first solder part disposed on a surface of the base material and used for connection to an electronic component, and a second solder part disposed on the surface of the base material and made of the same solder as that of the first solder part. The top surface of the first solder part is made to be a flat surface, and the maximum height of the second solder part from the surface of the base material is lower than the height of the flat surface of the first solder part from the surface of the base material. Thus, a substrate for which the kind of solder can be determined easily and with certainty, a device provided with this substrate, a method of manufacturing the substrate, and a determining method are provided.
US08309849B2
An integrally formed spacer may include an upper body having a flat surface. The upper body may include a fastening tongue perpendicular to the flat surface and dimensioned to fit into a first fastening hole in a wall of an electrical box. In addition, the integrally formed spacer may include a lower body with at least one leg having a notch to receive the wall of the electrical box via a second fastening hole in the wall. Further, the integrally formed spacer may include a neck portion having two ends in a lengthwise direction of the integrally formed spacer, one end of the neck portion connected to the upper body and another end connected to the lower body. When the at least one leg is in the second fastening hole and the lower body is held flat against an outside surface of the wall of the electrical box, the fastening tongue is in the first fastening hole and bending the integrally formed spacer to set the upper body perpendicular to the lower body fastens the integrally formed spacer to the wall of the electrical box.
US08309847B2
Drain structure of an electric connection box is provided that is capable of preventing penetration of water with simplicity. According to the drain structure of the electric connection box, since a pair of engaging leg portions of a waterproof lid is engaged in a peripheral part of a communication hole of the drain portion and a lid portion covers the upper part of the water discharging hole, the water that penetrates through to the inside of the electric connection box through the communication hole and water discharging hole of the drain portion can be dammed in use of lid portion of the waterproof lid and can be prevented from gushing into the electric connection box. As a result, since it is possible to prevent the terminal portion of a wire such as a wire harness or the like, which is arranged to run from moistening with the water, penetration of water can be surely prevented. Furthermore, since the waterproof lid is formed apart from the lower case or lower cover and is applicable to the conventional structure, the whole structure can be simple and gives freedom to design the electric connection box.
US08309839B2
A method of improving the thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) of a high-efficiency thermoelectric material is disclosed. The method includes the addition of fullerene (C60) clusters between the crystal grains of the material. It has been found that the lattice thermal conductivity (κL) of a thermoelectric material decreases with increasing fullerene concentration, due to enhanced phonon-large defect scattering. The resulting power factor (S2/ρ) decrease of the material is offset by the lattice thermal conductivity reduction, leading to enhanced ZT values at temperatures of between 350 degrees K and 700 degrees K.
US08309836B1
According to some embodiments, a musical instrument pickup comprises a first plurality of non-magnetic pole pieces a second plurality of non-magnetic pole pieces, a plurality of magnetic pole pieces, a first coil disposed around the first plurality of non-magnetic pole pieces, a second coil disposed around the second plurality of non-magnetic pole pieces and the plurality of magnetic pole pieces, and a bar magnet magnetically coupled to the first plurality of non-magnetic pole pieces and the second plurality of non-magnetic pole pieces.
US08309830B2
A wheat variety designated MSU Line E0028, the plants and seeds of MSU Line E0028, methods for producing a wheat plant produced by crossing the variety E0028 with another wheat plant, and hybrid wheat seeds and plants produced by crossing the variety E0028 with another wheat line or plant, and the creation of variants by mutagenesis or transformation of variety E0028. The present technology also relates to methods for producing other wheat varieties or breeding lines derived from MSU Line E0028 and to wheat varieties or breeding lines produced by those methods.
US08309826B1
A novel maize variety designated X05A933 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X05A933 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X05A933 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X05A933, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X05A933. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X05A933.
US08309822B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV378013. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV378013, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV378013 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV378013 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV378013.
US08309819B1
A novel maize variety designated PHRDC and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PHRDC with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHRDC through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PHRDC or a trait conversion of PHRDC with another maize variety. Inbred maize varieties derived from maize variety PHRDC, methods for producing other inbred maize varieties derived from maize variety PHRDC and the inbred maize varieties and their parts derived by the use of those methods.
US08309807B1
A novel soybean variety, designated XB33B10 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB33B10, cells from soybean variety XB33B10, plants of soybean XB33B10, and plant parts of soybean variety XB33B10. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB33B10 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XB33B10, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB33B10. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB33B10 are further provided.
US08309796B2
Disclosed are chimeric polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) proteins and chimeric PUFA PKS systems, including chimeric PUFA PKS proteins and systems derived from Schizochytrium and Thraustochytrium. Disclosed are nucleic acids and proteins encoding such chimeric PUFA PKS proteins and systems, genetically modified organisms comprising such chimeric PUFA PKS proteins and systems, and methods of making and using such chimeric PUFA PKS proteins and systems.
US08309794B2
The present invention relates to constructs including one or more nucleic acids encoding two or more oleosin repeat units, and methods of use thereof. The present invention also relates to recombinant polypeptides including two or more oleosin repeat units, and methods of use thereof.
US08309791B2
Transgenic artiodactyls are described as well as methods of making and using such artiodactyls.
US08309783B2
The present invention relates to production of fuels or fuel blendstocks from renewable sources. Various embodiments provide a method of producing a hydrocarbon product by hydrotreating a feedstock including at least one of a renewable triacylglyceride (TAG), renewable free fatty acid (FFA), and renewable fatty acid C1-C5 alkyl ester (C1-C5 FAE) in the presence of a nonsulfided hydrotreating catalyst to produce a first product including hydrocarbons. In some examples, the first product can be subjected to further chemical transformations such as aromatization, cracking, or isomerization to produce a second product including hydrocarbons. In various embodiments, the first or second hydrocarbon product with minimal or substantially no further processing can be suitable as a liquid transportation fuel or fuel blendstock, including fuels such as gasoline, naptha, kerosene, jet fuel, and diesel fuels.
US08309780B2
Provided is a process for oligomerizing n-olefins. The process has the step of reacting (oligomerizing) an amount of one or more n-olefins in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a two or more metal oxides at a temperature effective to effect oligomerization. The two or more metal oxides are represented by the formula MOn/M′On′. M and M′, are, independently, selected from the group consisting of Al, Ce, Fe, P, W, Zr, and combinations thereof. M and M′ are different metals or combinations of metals. “n” and “n′” are positive numbers and vary stoichiometrically depending on the valency of M and M′, respectively. Provided is also a process for alkylation of an alkylatable aromatic compound. The process has the step of contacting an amount of one or more n-olefins with an amount of aromatic compound in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of the two or more metal oxides at a temperature effective to effect alkylation of the aromatic compound.
US08309777B2
An aromatics hydrogenation catalyst composition which comprises a noble metal component and a support comprising zirconia, silica, and, optionally, alumina. The catalyst composition is manufactured by co-mulling silica, a zirconium compound, and, optionally, alumina to form a mixture that is formed into a shape, such as by extrusion to form an extrudate, with the shape being calcined and noble metal being incorporated into the shape. The catalyst composition may be used in the saturation of aromatic compounds.
US08309776B2
The present invention provides a method and reactor system for hydrogenating acetylenes present in the olefin stream derived from the following streams, alone or in combination: petroleum catalytic cracking process and/or oxygenate-to-olefin reactor, such as methanol-to-olefin (MTO) reactor, in an olefin production plant before the distillation steps, wherein the acetylene hydrogenation occurs before or just after the acid gas removal step.
US08309773B2
Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of the crude ethanol products are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove impurities.
US08309765B2
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a substantially high purity D-(−)-N,N-diethyl-2-(α-naphthoxy)propionamide and a process for the manufacture of substantially higher purity D-(−)-N,N-diethyl-2-(α-naphthoxy)propionamide having chemical purity near about or above 95%, and chiral purity near about or more than 97%. According to another aspect of the invention is to provide an agrochemical compositions containing highly pure optically active D-(−)-N,N-diethyl-2-(α-naphthoxy)propionamide.
US08309758B2
A process for purifying allyl acetate is disclosed. An acetoxylation mixture is distilled at elevated pressure to remove propylene and generate a first bottoms mixture comprising allyl acetate, acetic acid, acrolein, allyl diacetate, and 3-acetoxypropionaldehyde. The first bottoms mixture is flash vaporized, and the resulting vapor is contacted with a solid acidic catalyst under conditions effective to decompose allyl diacetate and 3-acetoxypropionaldehyde. The flashed product, which comprises allyl acetate, acetic acid, and acrolein, is then distilled to remove acrolein and generate a second bottoms mixture comprising allyl acetate and acetic acid. The second bottoms mixture can be used to manufacture allyl alcohol.
US08309754B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula I and II, which are functionalized amino acids, and polymers formed from the same. Polymers formed from the functionalized amino acids are expected to have controllable degradation profiles, enabling them to release an active component over a desired time range. The polymers are also expected to be useful in a variety of medical applications.
US08309732B2
What is described is a process for preparing compounds of the general formula (I) in which R1, R2 and R3 independently of one another represent hydrogen, an alkyl group or an aryl group, wherein compounds of the general formula (II) in which R1 and R2 have the meaning given for formula (I), are reacted with an alkylating agent of the general formula (III) R3X (III), in which X represents a halogen atom and R3 has the meaning given for formula (I), if appropriate in a solvent.
US08309728B2
The present invention relates to naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid derivates, to a process for their preparation and to their use, especially as an n-type semiconductor.
US08309721B2
The invention relates to the novel substances in Formula (I): wherein Het is a heterocycle optionally substituted by one or a plurality of radicals R1 or R′1; R is selected from the group comprising Formula (A′), (B), (C), (D), or (E), with R1 and/or R′1 selected from H, halogen, CF3, nitro, cyano, alkyl, hydroxyl, mercapto, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, alkoxy, phenylalcoxy, alkylhio, or carboxy that is free or esterified by an alkyl, carboxamide, CO—NH(alkyl), CON(alkyl)2, NH—CO-alkyl, sulfonamide, NH—S02-alkyl, S(0)2-NHalkyl, or S(02)-N(alkyl)2 radical; all these radicals are optionally substituted; W1, W2, and W3 independently are CH or N; X is 0, S, NR2, C(O), S(O), or S(0)2; Z is optionally substituted H, Hal, -0-R2 or —NH—R2 with R2 being H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, or heterocycloalkyl; and these substances are all isomeric forms and salts thereof, used as drugs.
US08309719B2
Process for the preparation of enantiomerically pure methyl ester of rosuvastatin has been developed, wherein the crude methyl ester ester is first purified by preparative chromatography, followed by crystallization.
US08309717B2
The present invention relates to an improved process for obtaining Paliperidone, I, comprising alkylating compound VI, or a salt thereof, with compound V, or a salt thereof, using a base selected from triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine and, optionally, a solvent. Moreover, the invention relies on the preparation of intermediates used in such process.
US08309715B2
A novel camphor-derived β-amino alcohol compound is disclosed. The novel camphor-derived β-amino alcohol compound can be used in asymmetric addition of organozinc to aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes, including linear aliphatic ones, thus generating corresponding secondary alcohols in high yields and enantiomeric excess.
US08309706B2
The invention provides methods for synthesizing oligonucleotides using nucleoside monomers having carbonate protected hydroxyl groups that are deprotected with α-effect nucleophiles. The α-effect nucleophile irreversibly cleave the carbonate protecting groups while simultaneously oxidizing the internucleotide phosphite triester linkage to a phosphodiester linkage. The procedure may be carried out in aqueous solution at neutral to mildly basic pH. The method eliminates the need for separate deprotection and oxidation steps, and, since the use of acid to remove protecting groups is unnecessary, acid-induced depurination is avoided. Fluorescent or other readily detectable carbonate protecting groups can be used, enabling monitoring of individual reaction steps during oligonucleotide synthesis. The invention is particularly useful in the highly parallel, microscale synthesis of oligonucleotides.
US08309700B2
An inhibitor of histone acetyltransferase p300 was isolated from human cDNA library and identified as a nuclear protein composed of 855 amino acid residues. It binds to the cysteine/histidine-rich region of p300, thereby inhibiting the transcriptional activation by p300. It also inhibits the transcription activity of p53, with p300 functioning as a coactivator, and inhibits the discontinuance of cell cycle that relies on p53.
US8309694B2
In one aspect, a process for treating woody plant material is provided, the process involving contacting the plant material with a continuous flow of an aqueous ethanol solution at elevated temperature and pressure under conditions that promote extraction of ethanol-soluble lignin from the plant material and retention of hemicellulose sugars, xylose and cellulose in the treated plant material solids. In another aspect, a process for extracting hemicellulose sugars from lignin-depleted plant material solids is provided, the process involving contacting lignin-depleted plant material with water at elevated temperature and pressure under conditions that promote extraction of hemicellulose sugars from the plant material; and recovering hemicellulose sugars from the liquid mixture.
US08309687B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide diagnostic reagents, pharmaceuticals and the like for particular diseases, and providing means that are useful in developing such reagents, pharmaceuticals and the like. The present invention provides a novel polypeptide and a specific partial peptide thereof, as well as a novel polynucleotide and a specific partial nucleotide thereof, that can be used as cancer-specific biomarkers; an expression vector for such a polynucleotide and a specific partial peptide thereof; a transformant incorporating such an expression vector; an antisense molecule, RNAi-inducing nucleic acid (e.g., siRNA), aptamer, or antibody for a cancer-specific biomarker, and a composition comprising the same; a mammalian cell or non-human mammal wherein the expression or a function of a cancer-specific biomarker is regulated; a measuring means (e.g., primer set, nucleic acid probe, antibody, aptamer) for a cancer-specific biomarker, and a reagent comprising them and the like.
US08309677B2
A system for processing large quantities of a reaction medium while maintaining the reaction medium in sheets. The system includes a reactor having a plurality of vertically-spaced downwardly-sloped trays over which the reaction medium flows while it is subjected to reaction conditions. The slope of the trays increases downwardly to accommodate for the increased viscosity of the reaction medium while the reaction medium flows downwardly through the reactor. An upper portion of the trays have a uni-directional configuration, while a lower portion of the trays have a bi-directional configuration. Further, the orientation of flow across the uni-directional trays is rotated by 90 degrees in at least one location as the reaction medium flows down the uni-directional trays.
US08309673B2
Novel silicone polyethers by alkoxylating polymerization of epoxide monomers with (poly)organosiloxanes starting from an α,ω-dihydroxysiloxane as starter by means of DMC catalysis and process for preparing them.
US08309671B2
A novel extrudable acrylic composition having suitable physical and chemical resistance properties may also be thermoformable. Specific resistance to solvent crazing is desirable. Such compositions can be formed using a combination of a multifunctional chain transfer agent and a multifunctional crosslinking agent.
US08309664B2
Process for the preferential alkoxylation of silicone-polyether copolymers either alone or in compositions thereof containing, for example, excess polyether by use of double metal cyanide catalysts.
US08309662B2
A process for producing a solution blend of a polybenzimidazole (PBI) and a polyetherketoneketone (PEKK). The PBI is mixed with sulfuric acid at a temperature between 40° C. and 80° C. for 30 minutes to 2 hours to produce a PBI solution then cooled to room temperature to form a cooled PBI solution. Then PEKK is added to the cooled PBI solution to form a mixture and that mixture is stirred from 30 minutes to 2 hours at room temperature to form a stirred mixture. The stirred mixture is poured into an excess of water being stirred swiftly to form an aqueous mixture. The aqueous mixture is filtered to produce a blend. The blend is washed with water and dried. The resulting blend can yield a blend in all proportion from 1/99 PBI/PEKK to 99/1 PBI/PEKK.
US08309660B2
The present invention provides a perfluoroelastomer seal material in which adhesive strength, contamination, corrosion and color change of a contacted surface with a seal material are improved, and an amount of an uncrosslinked polymer component is at most 1% by weight, measured under specific conditions, and a process for preparing the same. The present invention relates to a perfluoroelastomer seal material, wherein a rate of weight decrease is at most 1% by weight when the seal material is immersed into perfluoro(tri-n-butyl) amine at 60° C. for 70 hours and is dried at 90° C. for 5 hours, 125° C. for 5 hours and 200° C. for 10 hours after taken out of the emersion. And, the present invention also relates to a process for preparing a perfluoroelastomer seal material comprising a step of treating with a solvent having at least 50% of a swelling rate based on said molded article, when said molded article is immersed at 60° C. for 70 hours.
US08309657B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a rubber composition which not only realizes sufficiently low heat generation properties but also exhibits more excellent crack growth resistance than the conventional rubber composition. The rubber composition contains in 100 mass % of rubber components thereof: 20-80 mass % of natural rubber in which the total nitrogen content in natural rubber latex is in the range of 0.1 mass % to 0.4 mass % (exclusive of 0.1 mass % and inclusive of 0.4 mass %); and butadiene-based polymer having cis content of 90% or higher.
US08309656B2
A composition comprising from 10 to 90 weight percent of a copolyetherester elastomer comprising: a modified, random polybutylene terephthalate copolymer block that is derived from a polyethylene terephthalate component selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate copolymers, and combinations thereof; and that contains at least one residue derived from the polyethylene terephthalate component; and a polyalkylene oxide copolymer block that is derived from the polyethylene terephthalate component and a polyalkylene oxide glycol, and that contains polyalkylene oxide and at least one residue derived from the polyethylene terephthalate component; from 10 to 90 weight percent of a polycarbonate; and from 0 to 60 weight percent of a polyester.
US08309653B2
Water-based coatings having writable-erasable surfaces are provided. The coatings have many desirable attributes. For example, the coatings cure under ambient conditions, have low or no VOC emissions during and upon curing, and have reduced tendency to form ghost images, even after prolonged normal use.
US08309651B2
A binder composition comprising an emulsion copolymer, and a polyol crosslinker.
US08309643B2
The present invention relates to polyamide moulding compounds which have very low distortion with good mechanical properties. This is achieved by a combination of transparent polyamide with fibrous reinforcing materials and also particulate fillers. The moulding compounds according to the invention are used for the production of any moulded articles, semi-finished products or finished products.
US08309638B2
To provide a connecting film including an organic resin layer which contains a color-erasing pigment, a curable organic resin, a curing agent and a conductive particle.
US08309627B2
A protective polymeric coating is applied to the surface of various objects which are to be exposed to a harsh environment. The protective polymeric coating covers the exposed surface, where the polymeric coating includes a polyimide polymer. The polyimide polymer in the polymeric coating has a backbone with at least one non-terminal phenyl group. A linkage is connected to the non-terminal phenyl group, where the linkage can be an amide linkage or an ester linkage. An oligomeric silsesquioxane compound is connected to the linkage through an organic substituent, where the oligomeric silsesquioxane is not incorporated into the polymer backbone. The polymeric coating provides protection to the underlying object.
US08309626B2
There is provided a coating composition comprising (a) one or more microbicide, (b) one or more soluble polymer comprising acrylamide as polymerized units, wherein said polymer has is non-anionic, and (c) solvent, wherein said polymer is dissolved in said solvent. Also provided is a method of coating a substrate with such a coating, and also provided is the resulting coated substrate.
US08309617B2
A process for improving the overall carbon conversion efficiency of a gasification process, as well as improving the suitability of a syngas containing 0.5-10% methane for use as a feedstock for chemical production. A gasification reactor converts carbonaceous feedstock to syngas that is, in turn, utilized for a chemical production process in a chemical production reactor. An off-gas from this chemical production reactor is directed to a selective membrane that separates the off-gas into methane-rich and hydrogen-rich fractions. The hydrogen-rich fraction, is re-utilized as feedstock for the chemical production process, while the methane-enriched fraction is returned to the gasification reactor to form additional syngas.
US08309610B2
This invention relates to solid crystalline forms of (1RS,3RS,6RS)-6-Dimethylaminomethyl-1-(3-methoxy-phenyl)cyclohexane-1,3-diol hydrochloride (1), methods of producing 1, methods of use of 1, use of 1 as analgesics and pharmaceutical compositions comprising 1.
US08309609B2
The present invention relates to the use of compounds of general formula (I) as ligands to the melanocortin receptors and/or for treatment of disorders in the melanocortin system: wherein X is H or OH; R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are the same or different and are selected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, electron donor groups such as alkoxy having 1-5 carbon atoms or hydroxy, electron acceptor groups selected from cyano, nitro, trifluoroalkyl or amide; alkylamino, benzoyloxy, nitroxy, phenyl or sulpho; and the pharmacologically active salts thereof.
US08309607B2
The present invention relates to an irbesartan-containing pharmaceutical composition, in particular a tablet thereof, which comprises the active ingredient, a disintegrant with at least one low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose.
US08309602B2
The present invention relates to multi-substituted m-diarylanilines or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X, R1-R7 are as defined in the claims, their preparation process, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and their use for the manufacture of a medicament for anti-HIV.
US08309591B2
The present invention relates to a veterinary composition in a semisolid form adapted for transmucosal administration for providing sedation and analgesia in large animals such as horses and cattle. The semisolid transmucosal composition of the invention comprises detomidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient. The composition provides a rapid onset of action while having low irritation potential in the oral mucosa.
US08309582B2
Bcl-xL/Bcl-2 binding inhibitors useful in the treatment of unwanted proliferating cells, including cancers and precancers, in subjects in need of such treatment. Also provided are methods of treating a subject having unwanted proliferating cells comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a Bcl-xL/Bcl-2 binding inhibitor described herein to a subject in need of such treatment. Also provided are methods of preventing the proliferation of unwanted proliferating cells, such as cancers and precancers, in a subject comprising the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a Bcl-xL/Bcl-2 binding inhibitor described herein to a subject at risk of developing a condition characterized by unwanted proliferating cells.
US08309580B2
The present invention provides a heterocyclic compound represented by the following formula (I), which has a glucagon antagonistic action and is useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of diabetes and the like, a compound represented by wherein ring A is an optionally substituted benzene ring and the like; Y is a nitrogen atom and the like; X is —O— and the like; R4 is a hydrogen atom and the like; R5 and R6 are each independently a hydrogen atom and the like; R1 is an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group and the like; R2 is a hydrogen atom and the like; and R3 is —(CH2)3—COOH and the like, or a salt thereof.
US08309568B2
Described herein are opioid prodrugs, methods of making opioid prodrugs, formulations comprising opioid prodrugs, and methods of using opioid prodrugs. One embodiment described herein relates to the transdermal administration of a buprenorphine prodrug in an abuse-resistant formulation for treating and preventing diseases and/or disorders.
US08309567B2
An insecticidal compound of formula (I), wherein Y is a single bond, C═O, C═S or S(O)m where m is 0, 1 or 2; R1, R2, R3, R4, R8 A1, A2, A3, A4, B1, B2, B3 and B4 are specified organic groups or salts or N-oxides thereof; compositions containing them and their using in controlling insects, acarines, nematodes or molluscs.
US08309566B2
This invention is directed to compounds of formula (I): where n, m, Y, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are disclosed herein, as isolated stereoisomers or mixtures thereof, or as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of formula (I); and methods of using the compounds and the pharmaceutical compositions in treating diseases or conditions associated with JAK2 activity.
US08309555B2
The present invention provides 2,6-disubstituted purine compounds, compositions and methods for dedifferentiating lineage committed mammalian cells into stem cells. The present invention also provides methods of inducing dedifferentiation of lineage committed mammalian cells into stem cells, which can be further differentiated into various lineage committed cells. Methods of identifying additional 2,6-disubstituted purine compounds useful for inducing dedifferentiation of lineage committed cells into stem cells are also provided.
US08309551B2
The present application relates to novel azabicyclic compounds, processes for their preparation, their use alone or in combinations for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases, and their use for producing medicaments for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases, especially for the treatment and/or prevention of cardiovascular disorders.
US08309534B2
Pharmaceutical compositions containing an effective amount of a ligand for GPR109 to decrease intracellular cAMP levels of a subject in combination with an effective amount of a DNA methyl transferase inhibito to reduce or inhibit downregulation of GPR109 in the intestinal epithelial cells of the subject relative to a control are provided. It has been discovered that ligands for GPR109 can be used to treat one or more symptoms of cancer, inflammatory disorders, and diarrhea. Representative CPR109 ligands include, but are not limited to butyrate, β-hydroxybutyrate, nicotinic acid, acifran, and octanoate. Suitable DNA methyl transferase inhibitors include 5-azacytidine, 5-aza-2′-deoxytidine, 1-β-D-arabinfarnosyl-5-azacytosine and dihydro-5-azacytidine. Typically, the compositions are formulated to achieve a GPR109 ligand serum blood level of about 1 to about 1000 μM. The compositions are useful for the treatment of one or more symptoms of cancer. Preferred cancers that can be treated using the disclosed compositions include, but are not limited to colon cancer, breast cancer and leukemia. Methods for treating cancer, inflammatory disorders, and diarrhea are also provided.
US08309530B2
In certain aspects, the preproghrelin gene, but not the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) is required for normal integration of thermoregulation and sleep in mice. Particular aspects provide methods for modulation of thermoregulation and other ghrelin-mediated conditions (e.g., reduction of appetite or food intake, reduction of body weight or treatment of obesity, reduction of body temperature or induction of hypothermia, etc.), comprising administration of an inhibitor of ghrelin expression, and including, e.g., siRNA inhibition for treatment of obesity and for modulation of thermoregulation (e.g., induction of hypothermia in surgical settings benefiting from same). Additionally provided are methods for reducing body temperature or induction of hypothermia, comprising administration to a mammalian subject in need thereof an amount of an anti-obestatin antibody agent sufficient to reduce body temperature or induce hypothermia. Further methods comprise administration of a ghrelin peptide antagonist.
US08309525B2
Provided are methods of using humanin and humanin analogs to treat a mammal exhibiting or at risk for insulin resistance, increase insulin sensitivity in a mammal exhibiting or at risk for insulin resistance, treat type-2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and neurodegeneration, treat and prevent myocardial injury, and determine longevity.
US08309521B2
The present invention relates to a spacer, such as a polymeric spacer, for use with an implant device, e.g., a bone plate, for splinting a fracture of a bone. The spacer includes a body defining a bone healing surface, wherein at least a portion of the bone healing surface has a coating which includes a therapeutic agent, a polymeric carrier, and a buffer medium to stimulate bone growth and/or promote fracture healing. A kit is also disclosed which includes one or more of the spacers, at least one bone plate, and optionally one or more bone screws for securing the bone plate to bone. A method for promoting fracture healing in bone is further disclosed which includes securely situating a coated portion of the spacer adjacent bone.
US08309511B1
The present invention is directed to novel fragrance compounds and their unexpected advantageous use in enhancing, improving or modifying a fragrance formulation through the addition of an olfactory acceptable amount of the compounds, wherein the compounds are represented by the following formula: wherein a methyl group is bonded to the 5-membered ring at position 2 or 3, or a mixture thereof.
US08309510B2
The invention relates to a surfactant composition containing an alkyl ether sulfate represented by the following formula (1): RO—(PO)m(EO)nSO3M (1) wherein R represents a linear alkyl group having 8 to 24 carbon atoms, PO and EO represent a propyleneoxy group and an ethyleneoxy group, respectively, m and n denote the average numbers of added moles of PO and EO, respectively, and are numbers meeting: 0
US08309497B1
Drilling fluids comprising a carrier fluid; a weighting agent that comprises sub-micron precipitated barite; a particle having a specific gravity of greater than about 2.6; and, a bridging agent that is not the submicron-precipitated barite or the particle. The weighting agent has a particle size distribution such that at least 10% of particles in the sub-micron precipitated barite have a diameter below about 0.2 microns, at least 50% of the particles in the sub-micron precipitated barite have a diameter below about 0.3 microns and at least 90% of the particles in the sub-micron precipitated barite have a diameter below about 0.5 microns. The particle has a specific gravity of greater than about 2.6 is not sub-micron precipitated barite. The ratio of the sub-micron precipitated barite to the particle is about 10:90 to about 99:1. The bridging agent comprises a degradable material.
US08309491B2
Stable emulsifiable concentrates containing a first herbicidal carboxylic acid in the salt form and a second herbicidal carboxylic acid in the ester form are prepared by using a tertiary amine to prepare the salt of the first herbicidal carboxylic acid and by using an alcohol which is the same as the ester portion of the second carboxylic acid herbicide as the solvent.
US08309490B2
The invention relates to low VOC plant growth regulator compositions comprising less than about 25% of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The compositions comprise forchlorfenuron (CPPU). Also provided are methods of using the compositions.
US08309487B2
An exhaust gas purifying catalyst (1) is composed of: a noble metal (2); a first compound (3); and a second compound (4). The noble metal (2) is supported on the first compound (3). The exhaust gas purifying catalyst (1) includes units having a structure in which the first compound (3) supporting the noble metal (2) is surrounded by the second compound (4), and the first compound (3) supporting the noble metal (2) is isolated from one another by the second compound (4). The noble metal (2) is one or more selected from [Pt, Pd and Rh], the first compound (3) contains Ti as a main component, and the second compound (4) contains, as a main component, one or more selected from [Al and Si].
US08309486B2
The present invention provides a composite solid acid catalyst consisting of from 50%-80% by weight of a porous inorganic support, from 15% to 48% by weight of a heteropoly compound loaded thereon, and from 2% to 6% by weight of an inorganic acid. The present invention further provides a process for preparing said composite solid acid catalyst and a process for conducting an alkylation reaction by using such catalyst. The composite solid acid catalyst of the present invention has the acid sites type of Brönsted acid and has an acid sites density of not less than 1.4×10−3 mol H+/g. Moreover, said composite solid acid catalyst has the homogeneous acid strength distribution, and is a solid acid catalyst having excellent performances.
US08309478B2
A consolidated fibrous structure including a multiplicity of fibrous layers. Each fibrous layer comprises tape fibers, wherein the tape fibers contain a polypropylene core and a skin layer. At least a portion of the skin layers of the fibers in each fibrous layer are fused to at least a portion of other skin layers of fibers within the same fibrous layer and at least a portion of the skin layers of the fibers of each fibrous layer are fused with at least a portion of the skin layers of the fibers in an adjacent fibrous layer.
US08309463B2
A method for forming a contact hole of a semiconductor device according to the present invention forms a contact hole which is defined as a new contact hole region (a second contact hole region), between spacers as well as a contact hole defined within the spacer (a first contact hole region) by a spacer patterning technology (SPT). The present invention with this method can help to form a fine contact hole as a double patterning is used, even with one mask.
US08309457B2
A method utilizing a multilayer anti-reflective coating layer structure can achieve low reflectivity at high numerical apertures. The multilayer anti-reflective coating structure can be utilized as a hard mask forming various integrated circuit structures. A multilayer anti-reflective coating structure can be utilized to form gate stacks comprised of polysilicon and a dielectric layer. A photoresist is applied above the multilayer anti-reflective coating which can include silicon oxynitride (SiON) and silicon rich nitride (SiRN).
US08309456B2
A method for making an electrode in a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a trench in a first layer. The first layer is associated with a top surface, and the trench is associated with a bottom surface and a side surface. Additionally, the method includes depositing a diffusion barrier layer on at least the bottom surface, the side surface, and a part of the top surface, removing the diffusion barrier layer from at least a part of the bottom surface, depositing a seed layer on at least the part of the bottom surface and the diffusion barrier layer, and depositing an electrode layer on the seed layer.
US08309447B2
A method to achieve multiple threshold voltage (Vt) devices on the same semiconductor chip is disclosed. The method provides different threshold voltage devices using threshold voltage adjusting materials and a subsequent drive in anneal instead of directly doping the channel. As such, the method of the present disclosure avoids short channel penalties. Additionally, no ground plane/back gates are utilized in the present application thereby the method of the present disclosure can be easily integrated into current complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) processing technology.
US08309438B2
A method and semiconductor device for synthesizing graphene using ion implantation of carbon. Carbon is implanted in a metal using ion implantation. After the carbon is distributed in the metal, the metal is annealed and cooled in order to precipitate the carbon from the metal to form a layer of graphene on the surface of the metal. The metal/graphene surface is then transferred to a dielectric layer in such a manner that the graphene layer is placed on top of the dielectric layer. The metal layer is then removed. Alternatively, recessed regions are patterned and etched in a dielectric layer located on a substrate. Metal is later formed in these recessed regions. Carbon is then implanted into the metal using ion implantation. The metal may then be annealed and cooled in order to precipitate the carbon from the metal to form a layer of graphene on the metal's surface.
US08309435B2
Crack stops for semiconductor devices, semiconductor devices, and methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a barrier structure for a semiconductor device includes a plurality of substantially V-shaped regions. Each of the plurality of substantially V-shaped regions is disposed adjacent another of the plurality of substantially V-shaped regions.
US08309434B2
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor element having first and second surfaces, wherein the semiconductor element includes at least one electrode, which is disposed on one of the first and second surfaces; and first and second metallic layers, wherein the first metallic layer is disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor element, and wherein the second metallic layer is disposed on the second surface of the semiconductor element. The one electrode is electrically coupled with one of the first and second metallic layers, which is disposed on the one of the first and second surfaces. The one electrode is coupled with an external circuit through the one of the first and second metallic layers.
US08309422B2
In one embodiment, an ESD device is configured to include a zener diode and a P-N diode and to have a conductor that provides a current path between the zener diode and the P-N diode.
US08309420B1
A semiconductor structure is provided with (i) an empty well having relatively little well dopant near the top of the well and (ii) a filled well having considerably more well dopant near the top of the well. Each well is defined by a corresponding body-material region (108 or 308) of a selected conductivity type. The regions respectively meet overlying zones (104 and 304) of the opposite conductivity type. The concentration of the well dopant reaches a maximum in each body-material region no more than 10 times deeper below the upper semiconductor surface than the overlying zone's depth, decreases by at least a factor of 10 in moving from the empty-well maximum-concentration location through the overlying zone to the upper semiconductor surface, and increases, or decreases by less than a factor of 10, in moving from the filled-well maximum-concentration location through the other zone to the upper semiconductor surface.
US08309398B2
Electronic device wafer level scale packages and fabrication methods thereof. A semiconductor wafer with a plurality of electronic devices formed thereon is provided. The semiconductor wafer is bonded with a supporting substrate. The back of the semiconductor substrate is thinned. A first trench is formed by etching the semiconductor exposing an inter-layered dielectric layer. An insulating layer is conformably deposited on the back of the semiconductor substrate. The insulating layer on the bottom of the first trench is removed to create a second trench. The insulating layer and the ILD layer are sequentially removed exposing part of a pair of contact pads. A conductive layer is conformably formed on the back of the semiconductor. After the conductive layer is patterned, the conductive layer and the contact pads construct an S-shaped connection. Next, an exterior connection and terminal contact pads are subsequently formed.
US08309395B2
The invention relates to a method for fabricating a high-temperature compatible power semiconductor module in which a power semiconductor chip is bonded by means of a diffusion solder layer to a substrate and said substrate is bonded by means of silver sintered layer to a base plate, after which a bonding element is bonded to the top chip metallization. To prevent oxidation of the predefined bond area when producing the diffusion solder layer and the sintered silver layer 4′ an anti-oxidation layer is applied to the top chip metallization at least in the region of the predefined bond area.
US08309394B2
An organic semiconducting composition consists essentially of an N,N-dicycloalkyl-substituted naphthalene diimide and a polymer additive comprising an insulating or semiconducting polymer having a permittivity at 1000 Hz of at least 1.5 and up to and including 5. This composition can be used to provide a semiconducting layer in a thin-film transistor that can be incorporated into a variety of electronic devices.
US08309390B2
A method of manufacturing a photovoltaic device, which method comprises the steps of providing a first layer structure on an second layer structure so that the first layer structure has an external surface, and an interface with the second layer structure, the first layer structure comprising a thin-film photovoltaic absorber layer; patterning through the first layer structure from the external surface to or into the second layer structure by first mechanically removing material from the first layer structure in a predetermined patterning area, and subsequently removing, by means of laser cleaning, residual material from the mechanical removal in the patterning area; and a system for patterning an object having a first layer structure on an second layer structure, the system comprising a mechanical patterning device and a laser cleaning device, and means for relative movement between the object, and the mechanical patterning device and the laser cleaning device.
US08309384B2
A wafer level packaging process for packaging components is provided. The process includes permanently connecting a functional side of a base substrate to a covering substrate at wafer level so that a plurality of functional regions on the functional side are in each case packaged to form a wafer level package, the plurality of functional regions being spaced apart from one another on the functional side; producing contact-connection recesses in the base substrate to uncover contact surfaces on the base substrate from a back surface of the base substrate; dividing the base substrate into body regions and connection regions; thinning the body regions or the connection regions until the wafer level package has different thicknesses in the body regions and the connection regions; and dicing wafer level package into chips along predefined cutting lines between the plurality of functional regions.
US08309383B2
A camera with a solid-state imaging device which includes a plurality of pixels in an arrangement, each of the pixels including a photoelectric conversion element, pixel transistors including a transfer transistor, and a floating diffusion region, in which the channel width of transfer gate of the transfer transistor is formed to be larger on a side of the floating diffusion region than on a side of the photoelectric conversion element.
US08309375B2
A method for manufacturing a light emitting device comprises: preparing a light emitting component having an active layer of a semiconductor, the active layer comprising a gallium nitride based semiconductor containing indium and being capable of emitting a blue color light; preparing a phosphor capable of absorbing a part of the blue color light emitted from the light emitting component and emitting a yellow color light, wherein selection of the phosphor is controlled based on an emission wavelength of the light emitting component; and combining the light emitting component and the phosphor so that the blue color light from the light emitting component and the yellow color light from the phosphor are mixed to make a white color light.
US08309368B2
A method and apparatus for the manipulation of colloidal particulates and biomolecules at the interface between an insulating electrode such as silicon oxide and an electrolyte solution. Light-controlled electrokinetic assembly of particles near surfaces relics on the combination of three functional elements: the AC electric field-induced assembly of planar aggregates; the patterning of the electrolyte/silicon oxide/silicon interface to exert spatial control over the assembly process; and the real-time control of the assembly process via external illumination. The present invention provides a set of fundamental operations enabling interactive control over the creation and placement of planar arrays of several types of particles and biomolecules and manipulation of array shape and size. The present invention enables sample preparation and handling for diagnostic assays and biochemical analysis in an array format, and the functional integration of these operations. In addition, the present invention provides a procedure for the creation of material surfaces with desired properties and for the fabrication of surface-mounted optical components.
US08309367B2
The present invention concerns a novel means by which liquids can be moved or mixed. Microwaves strike and heat materials that are highly susceptible to microwave heating. The susceptible materials are on, within, or near materials that melt or change shape in response to temperature increases. Upon microwave irradiation, these materials change shape (e.g., shrink or melt), causing the movement of liquids. The invention is important in many microfluidics applications, especially in biomedical analysis, where it is valuable to be able to move small volumes of liquids (e.g., on a microarray chip).
US08309365B2
A method for evaluating a target molecule bound to a probe molecule provided with a marker includes: applying AC voltage between a working electrode provided on a substrate and a counter electrode; and using a signal obtained from the marker on the probe molecule bound to the working electrode when a frequency of the AC voltage is varied, or an average value of the signal, to determine at least one of a Stokes radius or molecular weight of the target molecule, a binding rate between the probe molecule and the target molecule, a binding rate constant therebetween, a dissociation rate therebetween, and a dissociation rate constant therebetween.
US08309358B2
An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, performing an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next. The analyzer further includes devices for carrying a plurality of specimen tubes and disposable pipette tips in a machine-accessible manner, a device for agitating containers of target capture reagents comprising suspensions of solid support material and for presenting the containers for machine access thereto, and a device for holding containers of reagents in a temperature controlled environment and presenting the containers for machine access thereto. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte. The process is performed by automatically moving each of a plurality of reaction receptacles containing a solid support material and a fluid sample between stations for incubating the contents of the reaction receptacle and for separating the target analyte bound to the solid support from the fluid sample. An amplification reagent is added to the separated analyte after the analyte separation step and before a final incubation step.
US08309356B2
Compositions and methods for targeted gene therapy are disclosed. Compositions containing double duplex-forming pseudocomplementary oligonucleotides are administered in combination with a donor oligonucleotide that is homologous to a target sequence on a double-stranded DNA molecule in need of repair or replacement. By activating cellular mechanisms involved in DNA synthesis, repair and recombination, the double duplex-forming pseudocomplementary oligonucleotides can introduce one or more mutations at a site of interest by increasing the efficiency of targeted recombination of the donor oligonucleotide. The pseudocomplementary oligonucleotides/donor oligonucleotide compositions may be administered in combination with a second therapeutic agent that enhances access of the pseudocomplementary oligonucleotides and/or the donor oligonucleotide to the target site, an agent that enhances or increases DNA repair or recombination, or an agent that enhances uptake or delivery of the oligonucleotides.
US08309352B2
The present invention relates to the use of umbilical cord blood cells from a donor or patient to provide neural cells which may be used in transplantation. The isolated cells according to the present invention may be used to effect autologous and allogeneic transplantation and repair of neural tissue, in particular, tissue of the brain and spinal cord and to treat neurodegenerative diseases of the brain and spinal cord.
US08309350B2
The present invention provides a synthetic regulator of protein function, which regulator is a light-sensitive regulator. The present invention further provides a light-regulated polypeptide that includes a subject synthetic regulator. Also provided are cells and membranes comprising a subject light-regulated polypeptide. The present invention further provides methods of modulating protein function, involving use of light. The present invention further provides methods of identifying agents that modulate protein function.
US08309349B2
The invention provides a cell line complementing HSV ICP4, ICP27, and UL55 genes.
US08309343B2
The application discloses an apparatus and method for processing biological material, including a suspension of cells.
US08309342B2
A unitary apparatus for isolating cells from adipose tissue including a lipid separation processor with a dispersing head equipped with a plurality of ports and a digestion chamber for dissociation of the constituent cells disposed in adipose tissue. The lipid separating apparatus is useful for the separation of lipids and adipocytes from a mixed cell population. A cell seeding chamber may be attached to the cell isolation apparatus. The components of the apparatus may be packaged in modular kit form.
US08309338B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having endoglucanase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.
US08309336B2
The present invention describes a method to improve the properties of a dough and/or a baked product by adding a bread or dough-improving agent containing a enzyme with xylanolytic activity belonging to glycoside hydrolases family 8. Preferred enzymes are the psychrophilic xylanase from Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis and the mesophilic xylanase Y from Bacillus halodurans C-125.
US08309329B2
By reacting inosinic acid (IMP) with a bacterium which has been modified so that IMP dehydrogenase activity and 5′-guanylic acid (GMP) synthetase activity are enhanced, GMP is produced.
US08309328B1
The present application provides genetically modified fungal organisms that produce enzyme mixtures exhibiting enhanced hydrolysis of cellulosic material to glucose, enzyme mixtures produced by the genetically modified fungal organisms, and processes for producing glucose from cellulose using such enzyme mixtures.
US08309325B2
Compounds and methods are described for producing protein compositions having reduced amounts of O-linked glycosylation. The method includes producing the protein in cells cultured in the presence of certain benzylidene thiazolidinediones inhibitors of Pmt-mediated O-linked glycosylation.
US08309319B2
A fluorescent probe for measurement of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, which comprises a fluorescein derivative, wherein in the fluorescein derivative, the 2-carboxy group on the benzene ring of fluorescein is replaced with another monovalent substituent, provided that said substituent is a substituent other than sulfo group, and the substituent does not have carboxy group or sulfo group, and wherein the fluorescein derivative may have an arbitrary substituent at a position on the benzene ring other than the 2-position, and the fluorescein derivative may have a substituent selected from the group consisting of an alkoxy group and a halogen atom at the 2-position and/or the 7-position of fluorescein.
US08309315B2
In a wide variety of human solid tumors, an aggressive, metastatic phenotype and poor clinical prognosis are associated with expression of the receptor tyrosine kinase Met. Disclosed herein are (a) a monoclonal antibody named Met4, which antibody is specific for Met, and (b) a hybridoma cell line that produces Met4. The Met4 antibody is particularly useful for detecting Met in formalin-fixed tissue. Methods of using the Met4 antibody for detection, diagnosis, prognosis, and evaluating therapeutic efficacy are provided.
US08309300B2
Antibodies are engineered by replacing one or more amino acids of a parent antibody with non cross-linked, highly reactive cysteine amino acids. Antibody fragments may also be engineered with one or more cysteine amino acids to form cysteine engineered antibody fragments (ThioFab). Methods of design, preparation, screening, and selection of the cysteine engineered antibodies are provided. Cysteine engineered antibodies (Ab), optionally with an albumin-binding peptide (ABP) sequence, are conjugated with one or more drug moieties (D) through a linker (L) to form cysteine engineered antibody-drug conjugates having Formula I: Ab-(L-D)p I where p is 1 to 4. Diagnostic and therapeutic uses for cysteine engineered antibody drug compounds and compositions are disclosed.
US08309299B2
The present invention relates to a method for determining a subject's resistance to treatment with 2,2-dimethyl-N-((S)-6-oxo-6,7-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[b,d]azepin-7-yl)-N′-(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoro-propyl)-malonamide by measuring the levels a biomarker or biomarkers present in a biological sample obtained from the subject, the biomarker being IL6 and/or IL8. The present invention also relates to a combination therapy for a patient suffering from a proliferative disorder comprising administering to the patient 2,2-Dimethyl-N-((S)-6-oxo-6,7-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[b,d]azepin-7-yl)-N′-(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoro-propyl)-malonamide and an anti-IL6 and/or an anti-IL8 agent.
US08309298B2
A method for detecting an analyte in a sample is described herein. The method comprises: preparing a complex immobilized solid phase comprising a solid phase and a complex on the solid phase; the complex comprising an analyte and a signal emitting substance; treating the complex immobilized solid phase with a blocking agent; and detecting the analyte based on a signal emitted from the signal emitting substance of the complex immobilized solid phase.
US08309296B2
A method for processing a workpiece (10) having a photoresist layer (12) using an exposure device (30) is disclosed. A transparent sheet (20) which allows transmission of light emitted from the exposure device (30) is disposed between an object lens (35a) of the exposure device (30) and the photoresist layer (12), and the photoresist layer (12) is exposed to the light through the transparent sheet (20).
US08309294B2
A lithographic printing plate precursor includes: an aluminum support; an intermediate layer; and an image-recording layer, in this order, wherein at least one of the intermediate layer and the image-recording layer contains a compound having an amino group and a functional group capable of interacting with the aluminum support in a molecule.
US08309292B2
A polyester resin for electrostatic image developing toner includes: two or more polyester blocks, and the polyester resin satisfying the following conditions (A) to (C): (A) an ester concentration of the polyester resin is about 0.01 or more and less than about 0.1; (B) a weight average molecular weight of the polyester resin is about 24,000 or more; and (C) a difference in SP values of at least two kinds of the two or more polyester blocks is about 0.1 to about 0.7.
US08309289B2
An electrostatic charge image developing toner including: toner particles including a binder resin and a colorant; polytetrafluoroethylene particles in which a content of perfluorooctanoic acid and a salt thereof is 0.5 ppm or less; and silica particles in which a content of water is from 0.1% by weight to 10% by weight at an ambient temperature of 20° C. and an ambient humidity of 20%.
US08309262B2
A fuel cell system includes a power supply controller. In response to input of a first command prior to a start of fuel cells in a state of power supply from a power source to fuel cell-related auxiliary machinery, the power supply controller reduces an amount of electric power supplied to the fuel cell-related auxiliary machinery until input of a start instruction to start the fuel cells. In response to input of a second command, the power supply controller instructs to continue the power supply from the power source to the fuel cell-related auxiliary machinery without reducing the electric power level of the power supply, irrespective of the input or non-input of the first command. The fuel cell system of this arrangement effectively reduces the amount of electric power consumed by an electricity storage device before a start of the fuel cells.
US08309240B1
This invention provides a battery, such as a lithium-ion battery, that includes an encapsulated fire-retardant material. In some embodiments, stable polymer spheres are used to encapsulate an effective fire-retardant material. Under normal operating conditions, the fire-retardant material does not contact the electrolyte, cathode, or anode, thus minimizing performance reduction that occurs when fire-retardant materials are in the direct presence of the electrolyte. Under thermal runaway or excessive temperatures, the fire retardant material vaporizes through the melted encapsulating phase, thereby releasing fire-retardant material to minimize or prevent flammability in the battery.
US08309235B2
A multilayer film-coated member is fabricated by coating the surface of a substrate with at least two hard coating films having different compositions, wherein the first composition hard film of the outermost layer is represented by SiaBbNcCdOe with a+b+c+d+e=1, 0.1≦a≦0.5, 0.01≦b≦0.2, 0.05≦c≦0.6, 0.1≦d ≦0.7 and 0
US08309233B2
Free standing articles or articles at least partially coated with substantially porosity free, fine-grained and/or amorphous Co-bearing metallic materials optionally containing solid particulates dispersed therein, are disclosed. The electrodeposited metallic layers and/or patches comprising Co provide, enhance or restore strength, wear and/or lubricity of substrates without reducing the fatigue performance. The fine-grained and/or amorphous metallic coatings comprising Co are particularly suited for articles exposed to thermal cycling, fatigue and other stresses and/or in applications requiring anti-microbial properties.
US08309221B2
A reinforced panel comprises at least two strength-providing strands and an insulating filler wherein the filler is situated around the strands such that a combination of the strands and the filler form a cohesive structure. Additionally, a ratio of the strength-providing strands to the filler is such that the panel is strong and rigid and is capable of providing insulation.
US08309219B2
A multifunction tape for a semiconductor package and configured to bond to a device-formed side of a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of devices thereon while performing a process of grinding a side of the semiconductor substrate opposite to the device-formed side and a process of dicing the semiconductor substrate into individual chips with a dicing tape having a UV-curable adhesive layer bonded to the ground side of the semiconductor substrate, the multifunction tape being bonded to the individual chips while the individual chips, separated from each other by the dicing process, are picked up and die-attached and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using the same, the multifunction tape including a base film; a UV-curable adhesive layer on one side of the base film; and first and second bonding layers on the adhesive layer.
US08309217B2
Disclosed is an easy adhesion film which attains sufficient adhesiveness in various processings without using any crosslinking agent such as a melamine resin to possibly pollute the environment and has a primer layer excellent in high-temperature hot water resistance. In the easy adhesion film, a coating film including a polyester resin and a crosslinking agent component in a content of 0.1% by mass or less, inclusive of 0% by mass, is formed on at least one side of a substrate film. The sum of the acid number and the hydroxyl number of the polyester resin is 50 to 200 mg KOH/g, wherein the acid number is 20 to 60 mg KOH/g and the hydroxyl number is 30 to 150 mg KOH/g. The amount of the oligomers contained in the polyester is 2.0% by mass or less. The thickness of the coating film is 0.001 to 0.5 μm.
US08309206B2
A method of manufacturing an oriented film of thermoplastic polymer material comprises extrusion of a film in tubular form from an extrusion die, orienting the film in a main direction of orientation during the haul-off from the die while in molten or semi-molten state, the direction being at an angle between 0 and 45-to the axis of the tube, followed by cutting of the tube at an angle to its main degree of orientation to form a web having an orientation of no less than 20 to its longitudinal direction, which method involves segmental stretching of the film to form an array of linear bosses (1), being of thicker material, integrally connected by thinner webs (2), said bosses and webs extending in a direction which is generally parallel with the direction of orientation, forming an acute angle to the longitudinal direction of the web, the method involving, after segmental stretching and cutting, shearing of the bosses along one another under re-orientation in the connecting webs, to increase the angle at which the bosses and webs extend relative to the direction of orientation. The bosses are separated from one another by no more than 3 mm. The shearing operation may be carried out by segmental rollers (5).
US08309199B2
The honeycomb structure comprising a plurality of columnar honeycomb segments in which two kinds of plural through-holes different in end face area are formed side by side by being surrounded by partition walls, each honeycomb segment having, at one end face, an inlet side of high opening ratio, wherein through-holes of smaller end face area are plugged and, at other end face, an outlet side of low opening ratio and wherein through-holes of larger end face area are plugged, the plurality of honeycomb segments being bonded to each other via a bonding material in the longitudinal direction of each honeycomb segment. The bonded width of the bonding material is larger at the inlet side end face of the honeycomb structure than at the outlet side end face is presented.
US08309198B2
A rug is configured from a cover attached to an underlying, non-slip, non-absorbent mat by an interlocking mechanical connection. The interlocking mechanical connection is formed in a first embodiment by hook and loop material of the type sold under the trademark VELCRO, and in a second embodiment by a layer of grit material on the mat, and in a third embodiment by a resinous material which has projections that interlock with the bottom surface of the cover. When it is desired to separate the cover from the mat, the cover is simply pulled and stripped away from the mat so that the cover may be washed in a washing machine and the mat may also be manually washed or otherwise cleaned. If desired, the cover may be replaced with covers of different designs or textures.
US08309196B2
An optical recording medium having excellent light resistance that includes a substrate; and a recording layer which is provided on the substrate directly or on another layer provided on the substrate, wherein the recording layer is capable of recording and/or reading information by irradiating light thereon, the recording layer including a metal complex compound comprising an azo compound having a coupler component with a Meldrum's acid structure and a diazo component with a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic aromatic ring structure, and a metal ion coordinated to the azo compound.
US08309194B2
A roll for use as bathroom tissue is formed of a rolled strip of a cellulose-fiber product, the strip including at least three superposed and associated plies and having a tensile strength RST across its width (1). The product P of the total thickness E of the strip times its strength RST is greater than 190 mm*N/m, E being expressed in mm and RST in N/m.
US08309191B2
A packaged product. The package has a plastic container and a light-sensitive liquid composition contained in the plastic container. The container has a plastic container for protecting a light-sensitive liquid composition from light. The container has: i) a top; ii) a bottom opposing to the top; iii) a first layer extending from the top to the bottom, wherein the first layer is non-opaque; and iv) a second layer superposed with a part of the first layer, wherein the second layer has a blocking agent. The container has a non-superposed area covering the bottom. In the non-superposed area the first layer is not superposed with the second layer. The non-superposed area has a height h from about 2 mm to about 50 mm.
US08309189B2
A multilayered liquid container having a discharge port welded under specified conditions to a sealant, which is constituted of a resin comprising a cycloolefin resin as a main component. The discharge port is composed of: an innermost layer constituted of a resin comprising a cycloolefin as a main component; and a surface layer whose main part is constituted of a resin comprising a specific type of polyethylene as a main component. According to the present invention, there can be provided a multilayered liquid container, which can prevent an effective component of a content fluid from being adsorbed onto or penetrating through not only the container body, but also the resin constituting the discharge port, and enables high temperature sterilization treatment, coupled with the discharge port having high welded strength and drop strength.
US08309179B2
A selenium/Group 1b ink comprising, as initial components: a selenium component comprising selenium, an organic chalcogenide component having a formula selected from RZ—Z′R′ and R2—SH, a Group 1b component and a liquid carrier; wherein Z and Z′ are each independently selected from sulfur, selenium and tellurium; wherein R is selected from H, C1-20 alkyl group, a C6-20 aryl group, a C1-20 alkylhydroxy group, an arylether group and an alkylether group; wherein R′ and R2 are selected from a C1-20 alkyl group, a C6-20 aryl group, a C1-20 alkylhydroxy group, an arylether group and an alkylether group; and wherein the selenium/Group 1b ink is a stable dispersion. Also provided are methods of preparing the selenium/Group 1b ink and of using the selenium/Group 1b ink to deposit selenium and a Group 1b material on a substrate (preferably to deposit a MaSeh material on a substrate for use in the manufacture of photovoltaic cells; wherein the mole ratio of M to selenium in the MaSeh material deposited is tailorable; wherein M is at least one of copper and silver).
US08309178B2
Provided are methods and initial structures for fabricating corrosion resistant steels that incorporate an aluminum rich corrosion resistant surface layer. The initial structures utilize layering and/or patterning for reducing the effective diffusion length Deff to a value well below the total thickness of the aluminum alloy protective layer X1 by providing vertical and/or lateral laminated structures that provide ready sources of Fe atoms during subsequent heat treatment processes.
US08309177B2
A method of treating a zinc-galvanized metal surface, which has been chemically passivated, the treatment providing increased resistance to corrosion and improved adherence to a subsequently applied organic coating comprising contacting a chromium passivated, zinc-galvanized metal surface with a coating solution bath comprising from about 1 to about 10 parts per thousand, based on fluorine content, of an inorganic acid or ion that contains fluorine; at least 0.5 parts per thousand, based on transition metal cation content, of an oxide and/or a salt of nickel; and optionally, from about 0 to about 3.0 grams per liter of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, and C1 to C8 alkanol esters thereof; wherein the pH of the solution is from about 2.0 to 3.6 and the temperature of the solution is at least 60° C.; and thereafter sealing the treated surface.
US08309174B2
The present invention provides a process for the deposition of a iridium containing film on a substrate, the process comprising the steps of providing at least one substrate in a reactor; introducing into the reactor at least one iridium containing precursor having the formula: XIrYA, wherein A is equal to 1 or 2 and i) when A is 1, X is a dienyl ligand and Y is a diene ligand; ii) when A is 2, a) X is a dienyl ligand and Y is selected from CO and an ethylene ligand, b) X is a ligand selected from H, alkyl, alkylamides, alkoxides, alkylsilyls, alkylsilylamides, alkylamino, and fluoroalkyl and each Y is a diene ligand, and c) X is a dienyl ligand and Y is a diene ligand; reacting the at least one iridium containing precursor in the reactor at a temperature equal to or greater than 100° C.; and depositing an iridium containing film formed from the reaction of the at least one iridium containing precursor onto the at least one substrate.
US08309173B2
An apparatus and method improves heating of a solid precursor inside a sublimation vessel. In one embodiment, inert, thermally conductive elements are interspersed among units of solid precursor. For example the thermally conductive elements can comprise a powder, beads, rods, fibers, etc. In one arrangement, microwave energy can directly heat the thermally conductive elements.
US08309169B2
A method of manufacturing roofing shingles is provided. The method includes the step of coating a continuously supplied shingle mat with roofing asphalt to make an asphalt-coated sheet. The asphalt-coated sheet has at least one prime portion and at least one headlap portion. The thickness of the asphalt-coated sheet is varied by passing the asphalt coated sheet through compression rollers configured to compress the asphalt-coated sheet and form a formed sheet such that the prime portion of the formed sheet has a first thickness and the headlap portion has a second thickness, different from the first thickness. The formed sheet is passed under a film applicator configured to supply a film to the headlap portion thereby forming a filmed sheet. Granules are applied to the filmed sheet to form a granule-covered sheet such that granules do not adhere to the headlap portion. The granule-covered sheet is cut into shingles.
US08309168B2
A method for treating an ophthalmic lens comprising two main sides, wherein at least one side comprises an organic or mineral external layer coated with a MgF2 temporary protective layer, said method comprising the specific treating step of depositing the MgF2 temporary protective layer on the external layer through vacuum evaporation at a speed lower than or equal to 0.5 nm/s. The lens obtained from the above method is capable of being submitted to a trimming operation within 48 hours after the ophthalmic lens has been treated, i.e. after the various layers have been deposited.
US08309162B2
A method of increasing the hydrophilicity of an implant to be implanted into living bone. The method comprises the act of depositing non-toxic salt residuals on the surface of the implant by exposing the surface to a solution including the non-toxic salts. The method further comprises the act of drying the implant.
US08309160B2
A method for modifying the flavor profile of a plant protein preparation, especially a protein preparation from a leguminous plant. The protein preparation is brought into contact with water-soluble carbohydrates in an aqueous solution before being added to a food product, the contact advantageously influencing the flavor profile of protein preparations from leguminous plant, so that the preparations can be used in foodstuffs without essentially changing the flavor thereof.
US08309155B2
Provided is a drink containing vegetable juice and excellent in ease of drinking. A vegetable drink composition contains from 0.1 to 1.2 wt. % of (A) solids derived from vegetables and/or fruits, (B) an acidic polysaccharide water-soluble dietary fiber, and (C) water.
US08309153B2
Shredded whole grain products, such as ready-to-eat cereals, and sweet and savory snacks, such as whole grain shredded corn chips are continuously produced by pelletizing agglomerates of cooked, tempered, whole cereal grain particles. Cooked whole grains, such as corn and other non-gluten or low-gluten containing grains have a tendency to become hard and rubbery after cooking during the cooling and tempering process. The pelletization results in the production of whole grain pellets having a soft, pliable texture, which are shreddable into continuous net-like sheets on a mass production basis. The pelletizing may be at a pressure of about 200 psig to about 600 psig, preferably from about 400 psig to about 500 psig. The pelletizing temperature may be controlled to provide a pellet temperature of about 80° F. to about 135° F., preferably from about 90° F. to about 110° F., upon exiting the pelletizer.
US08309150B2
The present invention provides a method for obtaining a chlorogenic acid composition which contains high concentration of chlorogenic acids and a reduced amount of caffeine at a high yield.A method of producing a chlorogenic acid composition, which comprises allowing a water-soluble composition extracted from raw coffee beans or roasted coffee beans to be adsorbed to a column filled with an adsorbent and then eluting a chlorogenic acid composition by passing a 0.5 to 20 vol % ethanol aqueous solution.
US08309143B2
The present invention is directed to skin treatment formulations having salicylic acid and other secondary ingredients. The secondary ingredients may include: non-comedogenic essential oils and plant extracts and sebum reducing agents. Salicylic acid and the secondary ingredients are provided in amounts effective to provide a sufficiently aggressive skin treatment for unclogging pores and reducing inflammation, while maintaining levels of sebum on the exterior of the skin to form an operative water barrier on the skin and hair. Additionally, a method is provided that unclogs pores, reduces inflammation, and controls levels of sebum on the exterior of the skin to maintain an operative water barrier on the skin and hair. The method may include, applying a sufficiently aggressive product comprising salicylic acid, non-comedogenic plant extracts and essential oils, and a sebum reducing agent to hair and its surrounding areas.
US08309141B2
This invention provides herbal compositions useful for increasing the therapeutic index of chemotherapeutic compounds. This invention also provides methods useful for improving the quality of life of an individual undergoing chemotherapy. Furthermore, this invention improves the treatment of disease by increasing the therapeutic index of chemotherapy drugs by administering the herbal composition PHY906 to a mammal undergoing such chemotherapy.
US08309139B2
Microparticles with adsorbent surfaces, methods of making such microparticles, and uses thereof, are disclosed. The microparticles comprise a polymer, such as a poly(α-hydroxy acid), a polyhydroxy butyric acid, a polycaprolactone, a polyorthoester, a polyanhydride, and the like, and are formed using cationic, anionic, or nonionic detergents. The surface of the microparticles efficiently adsorb biologically active macromolecules, such as DNA, polypeptides, antigens, and adjuvants. Also provided are compositions of an oil droplet emulsion having a metabolizable oil and an emulsifying agent. Immunogenic compositions having an immunostimulating amount of an antigenic substance, and an immunostimulating amount of an adjuvant composition are also provided. Methods of stimulating an immune response, methods of immunizing a host animal against a viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection, and methods of increasing a Th1 immune response in a host animal by administering to the animal an immunogenic composition of the microparticles, and/or microemulsions of the invention, are also provided.
US08309123B2
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing at least one protein active ingredient protected from digestive enzymes. The pharmaceutical compositions contain the at least one protein active ingredient, in free form, as well as, for liquids, a system that buffers them to a pH greater than 4 and less than or equal to 8 or, for solids, a system that exerts, when they are placed in a liquid medium, a buffer effect between a pH greater than 4 and a pH less than or equal to 8.
US08309118B2
Water soluble, gelatin-free dip coatings for substrates comprising a hydrocolloid, such as carrageenan, and sucralose.
US08309117B2
The present invention provides a method for preparing a medical device, preferably a contact lens, having an antimicrobial metal-containing LbL coating on a medical device, wherein the antimicrobial metal-containing LbL coating comprises at least one layer of a negatively charged polyionic material having —COOAg groups and/or silver nanoparticles formed by reducing Ag+ ions associated with the —COO− groups of the negatively charged polyionic material. In addition, the present invention provides a medical device prepared according to a method of the invention.
US08309105B2
New triflusal-containing polymeric compounds resulting from the polymerization of 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl 2-acetyloxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoate with butyl acrylate are described. These new polymers exhibit good adhesion and crack-bridging properties and are particularly suitable for the coating of stents.
US08309100B2
The invention concerns nucleic acids coding for polypeptides specific of the Neisseria genus pathogenic strains, the corresponding polypeptides, and their diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
US08309094B2
Disclosed are anti-5T4 antibody drug conjugates and methods for preparing and using the same.
US08309084B2
The present invention provides chimeric and humanized antibodies that specifically recognize α5β1 integrin, and methods for using the antibodies for reducing or inhibiting angiogenesis in a tissue. Also provided are methods of determining therapeutically acceptable doses of the antibodies and pharmaceutical compositions including the same.
US08309082B2
The disclosure provides compositions and methods relating to or derived from anti-activin A binding proteins, including antibodies. In particular embodiments, the disclosure provides fully human, humanized, and chimeric anti-activin A antibodies that bind human activin A, activin A-binding fragments and derivatives of such antibodies, and activin A-binding polypeptides comprising such fragments. Other embodiments provide nucleic acids encoding such antibodies, antibody fragments and derivatives and polypeptides, cells comprising such polynucleotides, methods of making such antibodies, antibody fragments and derivatives and polypeptides, and methods of using such antibodies, antibody fragments and derivatives and polypeptides, including methods of treating or diagnosing subjects having activin A-related disorders or conditions including cachexia related to gonadal cancer, other cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, and other diseases.
US08309079B2
Laminitis is defined as an inflammation of the sensitive laminae of the hoof, especially in horses. It has been surprisingly found that fructanases such as 2,1-β-D-fructan hydrolase are highly effective as therapeutic and prophylactic agents against laminitis in horses. The fructanases may be used as enzyme compositions in horse feed, as additives for horse feed or as oral preparations for the therapy and prophylaxis of laminitis. Because of its effectiveness in hydrolyzing fructans, which seem to play an important role in the aetiology of laminitis, the administration of fructanases in combination with an increased intake of fructans or with an increased availability of fructans is particularly advantageous.
US08309077B2
Stabilized bacteriophage compositions, and methods for preparing stabilized bacteriophage compositions are provided. The method for producing an antibacterial composition involves adsorbing an aqueous solution of one or more bacteriophages, or one or more phage components, onto a matrix to produce a composition, and drying the composition to produce the antibacterial composition. An antibacterial composition comprising one or more strain of bacteriophage, or one or more phage component, adsorbed onto a matrix is also provided. The antibacterial composition, or the antibacterial composition embedded in a solid support, may be used within a cream, lotion or gel, be admixed with a pharmaceutical carrier and administered topically, orally, nasally, used as a powdered inhalant, or the antibacterial composition or encapsulated antibacterial composition, may be added to a feed for animal, aquatic or avian uses.
US08309066B2
Cationic benzoxazine (co)polymers wherein at least 5% of all nitrogen atoms are in the form of quaternary nitrogen atoms, and to a method for producing said polymers. The invention also relates to a washing and cleaning agent, a textile treatment agent or a cosmetic agent containing at least one cationic benzoxazine (co)polymer according to the invention.
US08309054B2
The invention relates to methods and apparatus for purifying a radiolabelled compound. The method comprises (i) passing a crude reaction mixture comprising the desired radiolabelled compound and one or more contaminants in a solvent through a narrow bore vessel at elevated temperature such that the organic solvent and either the radiolabelled compound or one or more contaminants is vaporised forming a vaporised component, and (ii) collecting the resulting vaporised component by condensing into a collection vessel.
US08309049B2
A molten metal reactor for converting a carbon material and steam into a gas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide is disclosed. The reactor includes an interior crucible having a portion contained within an exterior crucible. The interior crucible includes an inlet and an outlet; the outlet leads to the exterior crucible and may comprise a diffuser. The exterior crucible may contain a molten alkaline metal compound. Contained between the exterior crucible and the interior crucible is at least one baffle.
US08309046B2
Methods and systems for reducing mercury emissions are provided herein. The methods, generally, include the steps of burning a heavy metal containing fuel source and introducing sorbent materials and introducing one or more halogen compounds into the combustion chamber and/or exhaust stream to remove the heavy metal.
US08309035B2
A multi-well system is described which is comprised of a tray comprising a plurality of wells which may include thousands, tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of wells or more. Each of the wells has a unique address. The system includes a tray top comprised of a plurality of areas wherein each of the areas corresponds uniquely to each of the wells and includes a unique address. The system may include a second tray top also comprised of a plurality of areas with unique addresses which uniquely correspond to each of the wells. The areas on the tops have compounds bound to those areas which compounds bind to components present in the wells and are used to obtain specific material in each well for analysis.
US08309034B2
Disclosed are methods for treating hazardous materials, such as those which result from an unwanted spill or leak, which comprise one or more of the steps or effects of: neutralizing the dispersed material; solidifying the dispersed material; immobilizing the material; and/or reducing the evolution of harmful or unwanted gaseous forms from the spillage, preferably using a binding agent which comprises a polyacrylate-polyacrylamide cross-linked copolymer.
US08309026B2
A specimen preprocessing system includes a determination section for determining with respect to a height of a specimen container; a specimen container lifting mechanism for lifting an opening portion of the specimen container held in a specimen rack to a same predetermined level based on determination information data of the determination section; and a plug opening mechanism for opening a plug of the specimen container lifted to the same predetermined level by the specimen container lifting mechanism.
US08309024B2
A system for non-destructive determination of the degree of fluorination in carbon monofluoride (CFx) during the process of CFx synthesis is described. The system includes a measuring generator containing a capacitive sensor for measuring a respective capacitance, a base generator containing a capacitive sensor for measuring a base capacitance, and a processor for determining a difference between the respective capacitance and the base capacitance. The system is configured to determine the degree of fluorination based on the difference between the respective capacitance and the base capacitance.
US08309021B2
The present invention generally relates to corrosion management systems designed to deliver corrosion protection and/or the management of corrosion to a top portion of an enclosure (e.g., storage tanks, cisterns, containers, etc.). In one embodiment, the present invention relates to corrosion management systems designed to deliver corrosion protection and/or the management of corrosion to a top portion, or roof portion, of an enclosure where such a system includes one or more dispensers designed to deliver at least one corrosion inhibitor to a system designed to protect a top portion of an enclosure (e.g., storage tanks, cisterns, containers, etc.).
US08309016B2
The present invention relates to a shaft furnace as well as a method for operating a shaft furnace. For example, the present invention relates to methods for operating a shaft furnace which include charging an upper region of the shaft furnace with raw materials; the raw materials sink in the shaft furnace under the influence of gravity and a part of the raw materials is smelted an/or at least partially reduced under the effect of the atmosphere prevailing within the shaft furnace. The methods further comprise admitting an addition gas via at least one addition opening spaced from a lower admission opening and/or discharging a shaft furnace gas via a shaft furnace gas line to provide discharge of gaseous reaction products from the interior of the shaft furnace.
US08308995B2
A chromene compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, m, and n are defined in the specification. The chromene compound is rarely deteriorated by exposure.
US08308993B2
A conductive ink substantially free of frit and photovoltaic cells having conductive gridlines formed from a conductive ink substantially free of glass frit are described. Conductive inks according embodiments of the present invention are adapted to adhere to the surface of a substrate and, upon firing, form a solid metal oxide phase and cause a conductive species to form an electrical conductor on the substrate. In further embodiments, the conductive ink is capable of penetrating anti-reflection coatings disposed on surfaces of substrates. In accordance with one or more embodiments, the conductive inks include a plurality of metallo-organic components which form a solid metal oxide phase upon firing and a conductive species. In other embodiments, the conductive inks include a plurality of precursors, including one or more precursors which form conductive elements upon firing or heating.
US08308974B2
An additive composition comprises a liquid medium and a clarifying agent. The liquid medium is either a liquid hydrocarbon or a surfactant having an HLB of about 6 or less. The clarifying agent is dispersed in the liquid medium. In certain particular embodiments, the additive composition comprises both the liquid hydrocarbon and the surfactant, with the liquid hydrocarbon providing the medium for the additive composition. A thermoplastic polymer composition comprises a thermoplastic polymer and an additive composition of the invention. A method for producing a thermoplastic polymer composition comprises the steps of providing a thermoplastic polymer, providing an additive composition, and mixing the thermoplastic polymer and the additive composition to produce the thermoplastic polymer composition.
US08308971B1
Described herein are materials for use in electrolytes that provide a number of desirable characteristics when implemented within batteries, such as high stability during battery cycling up to high temperatures high voltages, high discharge capacity, high coulombic efficiency, and excellent retention of discharge capacity and coulombic efficiency over several cycles of charging and discharging. In some embodiments, a high voltage electrolyte includes a base electrolyte and a set of additive compounds, which impart these desirable performance characteristics.
US08308969B2
A plasma system for substrate processing comprising, a conducting electrode (b, bb) on which one or more substrates (d) can be held; a second conducting electrode (a) placed adjacent but separated from the substrate holding electrode on the side away from the side where the substrates are held; and a gas mixture distribution shower head (e) placed away from the conducting electrode on the side where the substrates are held for supplying the gas mixture (f) needed for processing the substrates in a uniform manner; such that a plasma configuration initiated and established, between the conducting electrode holding the substrates and the second conducting electrode envelops the electrode holding the substrate, is kept away from the shower head activating and distributing the gas mixture through orifices (ee) in the shower head, thereby providing the advantages of improved uniformity, yield and reliability of the process.
US08308961B2
In order to prevent occurrence of a residual film distribution dependent upon a pattern density of a mold, in producing the mold to be used for imprint lithography, by etching using a mask, use is made of a first mask M1 for forming a desired pattern to be formed on a surface of the mold, and a second mask M2 for partially covering the first mask such that the area covering openings of the first mask is made larger as an opening ratio of the pattern formed on the first mold surface is higher, thereby to make a volume of a recess of the mold in a given area; in which, after the mold is etched by the first mask, etching is further conducted by covering partially the first mask with the second mask without removing the first mask; or alternatively, the etching is conducted with the first mask and the second mask overlapped from the beginning, thereby to use the second mask as a mask for delaying the etching, for conduct the etching.
US08308960B2
The invention relates in a general aspect to a method of making vertically protruding elements on a substrate, said elements having a tip comprising at least one inclined surface and an elongated body portion extending between said substrate and said tip. The method comprises an anisotropic, crystal plane dependent etch forming said inclined surface(s); and an anisotropic, non crystal plane dependent etch forming said elongated body portion; combined with suitable patterning processes defining said protruding elements to have a predetermined base geometry.
US08308950B2
Methods for selective extraction and fractionation of algal lipids and algal products are disclosed. A method of selective removal of products from an algal biomass provides for single and multistep extraction processes which enable efficient separation of algal components. Among these components are neutral lipids synthesized by algae, which are extracted by the methods disclosed herein for the production of renewable fuels.
US08308944B2
A wastewater treatment method includes the steps of supplying a wastewater influent having nutrients for a population of phototactic heterotrophic microorganisms to an aerated bioreactor. At least a portion of the nutrients is converted into the phototactic heterotrophic microorganism population. The wastewater influent and the phototactic heterotrophic microorganism population together form a bioreactor effluent that is transferred to a light clarifier. The bioreactor effluent is concentrated in the light clarifier to form a low-solids effluent and a high-solids effluent. The concentration is performed by inducing the population of phototactic heterotrophic microorganisms to phototactically self concentrate through exposure to a light having at least one of an intensity and a wavelength sufficient to cause the phototactic heterotrophic microorganism population to migrate away from a source of the light. The high-solids effluent is then dewatered to form a concentrated biomass paste. The low-solids effluent is further processed to form a treated water stream.
US08308929B2
Methods and systems for screening for the effect of bath composition on the performance of electroplating, electroless-plating, electrochemical-etching, electropolishing, and chemical-etching processes are provided. The methods and systems use microfluidic channels that allow for etching or plating studies on an electrode exposed to a multitude of bath compositions at different positions on its surface. After deposition or etching, the electrode surface can be quickly and easily detached from the device for analysis of deposited or etched film properties.
US08308926B2
This paper presents a microfluidic pumping approach using traveling-wave dielectrophoresis (tw-DEP) of microparticles. Flow is generated directly in the microfluidic devices by inducing electromechanical effects in the fluid using microelectrodes. The fluidic driving mechanisms due to the particle-fluid and particle-particle interactions under twDEP are analyzed, and the induced flow field is obtained from numerical simulations. Experimental measurements of the flow velocity in a prototype DEP micropumping device show satisfactory agreement with the numerical predications.
US08308916B2
This invention relates to a fixture for use in a physical vapor deposition coating operation which comprises a support structure 14 comprising a circular base member 10, a circular top member 11 opposite the circular base member 10, and a plurality of structural members 12 joining said top member 11 to said base member 10; a plurality of panel members 13 aligned in a vertical direction around the outer periphery of said support structure 14 forming a cylinder structure; said panel members 13 including a plurality of apertures for holding workpieces 19 and 35 to which a coating is to be applied; and said apertures positioned on said panel members 13 so that said workpieces 19 and 35 are aligned in a staggered vertical direction. This invention also relates to a method for simultaneously coating a plurality of workpieces 19 and 35, such as gas turbine compressor blades and vanes, with erosion resistant coatings using the fixture of this invention.
US08308903B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing paper which comprises: (i) providing an aqueous suspension comprising cellulosic fibers, (ii) adding to the suspension after all points of high shear: a first polymer being a cationic polymer having a charge density above 2.5 meq/g; a second polymer; and a third polymer being an organic or inorganic anionic polymer; and (iii) dewatering the obtained suspension to form paper.
US08308901B2
The disclosure provides a process of modifying a seed based fiber (SBF) to form an enhanced fiber additive (EFA). The process includes an acid treatment step and optionally at least one fiber modification step. Preferred EFA products and uses are described.
US08308899B2
A method to disrupt a smelt flow including: arranging a shatter jet nozzle assembly to direct a jet of disrupting fluid against the smelt flowing from a recovery boiler to a dissolving tank; supplying the disrupting fluid to the shatter jet nozzle assembly from a first source of disrupting fluid to form the jet directed against the smelt flow while a second source does not provide disrupting fluid to the shatter jet nozzle, and supplying the disrupting fluid from both the first source and the second source flow to the shatter jet nozzle assembly to form the jet of disrupting fluid directed against the smelt flow.
US08308893B2
A method of increasing adhesion between a copper or copper alloy layer and a polymeric resin. The method includes the steps of a) applying a pre-dip composition to the copper layer; b) applying a nano-oxide composition to the treated copper layer, c) applying a post-dip composition to the nano-oxide treated surface, and d) bonding a resin to the treated copper surface. The nano-oxide composition comprises (i) a chlorite; (ii) a caustic; (iii) a phosphate salt; (iv) an organic nitro compound; and (v) a thio compound. The post-dip composition is an alkaline solution that comprises (i) a phosphate salt; (ii) a source of molybdenum ions; and (iii) a thiazole. The process of the invention is useful for improving the bond between copper and a resin, including high Tg resins, halogen-free resins, and high speed/lost resins.
US08308892B2
The invention generally relates to di-cinnamyl compounds useful in a variety of adhesive applications. More specifically, the invention provides chain-extended bismaleimides and methods for generating them by reaction with di-cinnamyl compounds, including particular di-cinnamyl compounds disclosed herein. Invention di-cinnamyl compounds can also be used as co-monomers in a Diels-Alder type cure, and can act as a co-monomer in a thermoset composition with a maleimide monomer.
US08308888B1
A system for making a ballistic material resistant to penetration from bullets, shrapnel, debris, and other lethal missiles, comprising: means for dyeing a flexible conformable low surface energy fabric; a roll coating device for continuously coating a top surface of the dyed fabric with an acrylic based adhesive; an extruder for applying a liner; at least one nip roller for receiving the liner and the coated fabric and applying the liner to the coated fabric; at least one displacement slitter for cutting the coated lined fabric; a fabric printer for printing the cut lined fabric with a fast drying acrylic ink forming a ballistic material up to 300% thicker than the flexible conformable low surface energy fabric; and a continuous cutter for cutting the ballistic material into a desired shape.
US08308885B2
A process of making a multi-layered product having an interior layer including spaced honeycomb core sections. The interior layer is treated or plastically deformed in selected areas and then folded to create spaced honeycomb sections at desired locations and of desired sizes. A generally flat web of material used to make the interior layer extends between the honeycomb sections. Outer protective skins are applied to exterior surfaces of the interior layer to create a multi-layered material which is then cut to size.
US08308880B2
A sign support includes a mounting bracket and a sign holder. The mounting bracket selectively engages an associated fixture. The sign holder has a mounting bracket engaging member and a sign holding member that engages and holds a sign. An adhesive fastens the mounting bracket engaging member to the mounting bracket. The adhesive is an upstream adhesive such that the user receives the mounting bracket already bonded to the sign holder.
US08308864B2
The present invention is a single-crystal manufacturing method based on the Czochralski method, comprising at least the steps of: producing a melt by heating and melting a crystalline raw material in a crucible with a heater; maturing the melt by keeping the melt at a high temperature; growing a single crystal after dipping a seed crystal into the matured melt, wherein the heater and the crucible are relatively moved up and down in the step of maturing. As a result, there is provided a single-crystal manufacturing method that enables the generation of dislocation to be effectively suppressed and a high quality single crystal to be manufactured at good yield, particularly in case of pulling the single crystal having a large diameter, in manufacture of the single crystal.
US08308857B2
A filter cassette and a method for allowing a leak to be detected are disclosed, in which the filter cassette comprises a main body defining a first chamber. The main body includes an inlet and an outlet, a filter separating the first chamber into first and second sub-chambers, the inlet being in fluid communication with the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber being in fluid communication with the outlet. The main body also includes a second chamber is defined by the main body and the filter, wherein in absence of a leak the second chamber is substantially not in fluid communication with the first chamber. The main body further includes a port in fluid communication with the second chamber, whereby measuring a fluid characteristic in the second chamber by means of the port allows a detection of a leak, i.e. an external leak or a bypass leakage.
US08308855B2
By providing a thin-type deodorizing filtering medium which can be mini-pleats-processed, a washing-regenerable filtering medium in which the deodorizing filtering medium and a dust collecting filtering medium are integrated and, further, a low pressure drop/dust collecting deodorizing filter unit which can be subjected to large air volume treatment are provided. A non-crimped single fiber having a specified Young's modulus and a specified fineness is used to prepare a nonwoven fabric sheet having high stiffness, and a gas adsorbing substance is adhered and fixed thereto.
US08308853B2
A damper arrangement is described which provides for selective separation of the insulator compartments from the main body of a wet electrostatic precipitator (WESP), permitting maintenance to be performed on the insulator in the compartment while process gas continues to flow through the WESP.
US08308850B2
Gas mixtures containing HF, HCl or HBr and other constituents, in particular gas mixtures containing carboxylic acid fluorides, C(O)F2 or phosphorus pentafluoride and HCl and possibly HF, can be fractionated by means of ionic liquids.
US08308847B2
Provided is a filter for removing a sulfur-containing-gas (1), which removes the sulfur-containing-gas by being brought into contact with the sulfur-containing-gas in a gas flow path, the filter including a former filter (11) disposed on an upstream side of the gas flow path, and a latter filter (12) disposed on a downstream side of the gas flow path, wherein the former filter (11) includes a first material for removing a sulfur-containing-gas, the first material including a porous support, and iodine which is supported on the porous support, and is produced by catalytic pyrolysis of ammonium iodide at a thermal decomposition ratio of 80% or more by use of the porous support as a catalyst, and the latter filter (12) includes a second material for removing a sulfur-containing-gas, the second material including an activated carbon fiber, and an alkali component which is supported on the activated carbon fiber.
US08308843B2
A method and a device using pyrolysis for recycling used printed circuit board in which water (moisture) is introduced in the pyrolysis process and a fully sealed low pressure environment is established to ensure that no combustion happens in the pyrolysis process to enhance the safety of the process; pyrolysis gases generated in the process are concentrated and purified to provide useful fuels or chemical materials; therefore, the present invention can reduce process cost, improve recycling efficiency and provide processing device with high safety, thereby enhancing industry usability.
US08308842B2
Pyrophoric nanoparticles and methods of producing the same are provided herein. An exemplary method of producing pyrophoric nanoparticles can include providing a first aqueous solution comprising at least one metal salt and an aliphatic polyether; providing a second solution comprising a metal hydride reducing agent; continuously combining the first and second solutions to produce nanoparticles in a liquid phase; separating the nanoparticles from the liquid phase; and drying the nanoparticles to form pyrophoric nanoparticles. The pyrophoric nanoparticles can have a diameter ranging from about 1 nm to about 50 nm.
US08308826B2
A battery includes a power generation element, a case member having an accommodation recess for accommodating the power generation element and including first and second sides, and an opening closure member for closing the accommodation recess. A case inside part of the opening closure member contacts a first center edge of a first edge of the first side to prevent warping deformation of the first edge toward the accommodation recess, and is spaced from a first-first end and a first-second end. In addition, the opening closure member contacts a second center edge of a second edge of the second side to prevent warping deformation of the second edge toward the accommodation recess, and is spaced from a second-first end and a second-second end. The case member and the opening closure member are secured to each other at a welded part around their entire periphery.
US08308822B2
The present invention relates to an oxidizing composition for treatment of keratin fibers comprising a combination of; (a) at least one anionic associative copolymer, (b) at least one anionic non associative copolymer; (c) at least one peroxide agent; (d) at least one persulfate agent; (e) at least on alkalizing agent; and (f) a carrier medium suitable for hair treatment.The oxidizing composition described is suitable for composition used in conventional hair treatments such as dyeing, bleaching, and permanent waving or relaxing/straightening of the keratinous fibers, particularly human hair, requiring an oxidizing composition.
US08308821B2
The present invention pertains to a process for decreasing and/or drying skins which comprises contacting the skins to be degreased and/or dried with one or more extractor solvents which are able to dissolve both fat and water. Preferably, the extractor solvent is selected from the group consisting of dimethyl ether (DME), methylal, dioxolane, diethyl ether, methyl ethyl ketone, ethanol, propanol, and isopropanol. Most preferably, the extractor solvent is DME.
US08308815B2
A vacuum-assisted liner system for the socket of a limb prosthesis secures the prosthesis to a residual body portion. A vacuum is created directly between the residual body portion and the socket (8) to hold them together and minimize relative movement between them. The system includes a flexible liner (4) made of an impermeable material, at least a distal part (4D) of the liner being porous to allow the transport of air and fluid directly away from the residual body portion to the outer surface of the liner. A fabric distribution layer (6) is located over the liner (4) and between the liner and the socket (8) to allow transmission of such extracted air and fluid laterally over the liner to an evacuation port (10) in the socket. Also disclosed is a limb apparatus suspension device incorporating the liner system, and a vacuum suspension device which secures a component such as a stamp socket to a residual body portion by creating an evacuated space sealed by intimate contact directly between the socket (8) and a boundary region of the liner (4).
US08308811B2
An acetabular implant for hip replacement surgery includes a shell component and first and second alternative bearing components interchangeably engageable with the shell component to provide a choice in bearing components. The shell component has a shell component engagement mechanism suitable for engaging the first alternative bearing component. A conversion ring is also engageable with the shell component, so that a shell component/conversion ring assembly provides a second shell component engagement mechanism suitable for engagement with the second alternative bearing component.
US08308808B2
A prosthetic device for an anatomical feature includes a prosthetic member able to be fixed to the anatomical feature. The device also includes a bearing including a bearing surface able to support an articulating surface for articulation thereon. Additionally, the device includes a bearing restraining member that limits movement of the bearing relative to the prosthetic member at a first time. The bearing restraining member also allows for increased movement of the bearing relative to the prosthetic member at a second time without surgical intervention.
US08308807B2
An implant (10) for anchoring on a bone (1) has a plurality of anchoring pins (20) which extend away from a fastening side of the implant and are provided for anchoring the implant in the bone. In different areas of the fastening side of the implant, the pin arrangement and/or the geometry of the pins are chosen differently. In particular, in different areas of the fastening side of the implant, the volume of the anchoring pins (20) per unit of surface area of the fastening side of the implant is different, preferably in such a way that the geometry and/or arrangement of the pins (20) is chosen according to the proportion of bone tissue in the total tissue of the bone substance, opposite which the area of the fastening side is provided, in such a way that, in areas where there is a relatively higher proportion of bone tissue as a whole, less tissue is displaced by the anchoring pins than in areas where there is a relatively smaller proportion of bone tissue.
US08308805B2
According to some embodiments, a method for promoting spinal fusion using a spinal implant comprises providing a spinal implant, wherein the spinal implant comprises an anterior wall, a posterior wall and two lateral walls configured to extend between the anterior wall and the posterior wall. In some embodiments, the spinal implant further comprises at least one internal chamber generally positioned between the anterior wall, the posterior wall and the two lateral walls, wherein the internal chamber being is adapted to receive at least one graft and/or other fill material.
US08308803B2
This invention relates to methods and instruments for performing a surgical procedure in a disc space between adjacent vertebrae. A cannula is inserted to create a working channel through the skin and tissue of a patient using a transformational approach to the disc space. A viewing element is used to visualize working end of the cannula and the disc space. A facetectomy is performed through the working channel to access the disc space. The disc space is prepared with various instruments, such as distractors, shims, chisels and distractor-cutters that extend through the working channel. At least implant is inserted into the disc space. The procedure allows bi-lateral support of the adjacent vertebrae with the at least one implant inserted via a unitary, minimally invasive approach to disc space.
US08308787B2
Methods and devices are disclosed for providing therapeutic hypothermia using irrigation of the aerodigestive tract with cooled liquids. The disclosed method provides much more rapid therapeutic cooling to lower temperatures than could previously be achieved, thereby improving clinical outcomes. Novel cooling liquids and cooling devices are disclosed for carrying out the method. An external turbulent flow of cooling liquid may also be applied to the exterior of the head to further promote heat exchange. Multiple embodiments of devices are disclosed for performing rapid induction and maintenance of therapeutic hypothermia either in a hospital setting or in the field so that hypothermic treatment can be quickly instituted before significant tissue damage occurs. Methods are also disclosed for targeting brain cooling by irrigating the upper airway/aerodigestive tract, and more generalized cooling by irrigating the esophagus and/or stomach.
US08308784B2
A method of treating a patient having neurologic function affected by Parkinson's disease is provided. The method includes providing a patient having neurologic function affected by Parkinson's disease. The method further includes delivering electromagnetic radiation noninvasively through the scalp and the skull of the patient to at least one portion of the brain of the patient. The light energy has a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range, and the wavelength, power density, and amount of the light energy delivered to the at least one portion of the brain are sufficient to reduce the severity of symptoms of Parkinson's disease in the patient.
US08308782B2
Polyaxial bone anchors include a retainer for holding a shank within a receiver, the retainer being in at least two discrete pieces and cooperating with a variety of inserts, some of which independently lock the polyaxial mechanism. Polyaxial and mono-axial bone anchor assemblies include pivot and/or pressure inserts or pads that cooperate with longitudinal connecting members to provide a desired degree of continued control of angulation of the longitudinal connecting member in the sagittal plane or to hold the connecting member in place. Pressure pads for deformable rods may also be made from a deformable plastic material.
US08308772B2
Vertebral osteosynthesis equipment includes bony anchoring members, such as pedicular screws or hooks, at least one of which includes a proximal threaded stud for receiving a nut and a base portion for anchoring to a vertebra; linking rods, intended to be connected to these anchoring members and attached to the vertebrae by these anchoring members, parts for connecting these linking rods to the anchoring members, and extension pieces for engaging on the proximal stud(s) of the anchoring member(s) for running down connecting parts on this or these proximal stud(s) until they rest on the proximal zone(s) of the base portion(s) of the anchoring members. The proximal stud of at least one anchoring member and the extension piece intended to be used with this anchoring member include positioning elements for positioning the extension piece on the free end of the proximal stud, concentrically thereto.
US08308765B2
Apparatus and methods for positioning and securing anchors are adapted to be delivered and implanted into or upon tissue, particularly tissue within the gastrointestinal system of a patient. The anchor is adapted to slide uni-directionally over suture such that a tissue plication may be cinched between anchors. A locking mechanism either within the anchor itself of positioned proximally of the anchor may allow for the uni-directional translation while enabling the anchor to be locked onto the suture if the anchor is pulled, pushed, or otherwise urged in the opposite direction along the suture. This unidirectional anchor locking mechanism facilitates the cinching of the tissue plication between the anchors and it may be utilized in one or several anchors in cinching a tissue fold.
US08308761B2
A binding component for binding together a pair of biological tissues. The binding component includes an elongated body defining a body longitudinal axis, the body being made, at least in part, of a shape memory material. The body is configured and sized so as to be both substantially flexible and substantially compressible in a direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
US08308756B1
A procedure and a medical kit for removing a ring from a swollen finger are described. The kit includes a panel set, a compression tape, and a compression tape puller. The panel set encircles the swollen finger with a cylindrical assembly that decreases in diameter when wrapped by said compression tape, forcing excess fluid from said swollen finger back into the hand. Swelling is thereby reduced allowing for removal of the ring.
US08308751B2
Vaso-occlusive devices for occlusion of a body cavity are provided. The vaso-occlusive devices include an elongate vaso-occlusive member having one or more fold lines. Methods of using the vaso-occlusive devices are also described.
US08308744B2
An endoscopic treatment instrument having a treatment portion having: an input member; a first link disconnectably connected to the input member; a first control plate disposed in a first connecting portion, inserting the input member through the first control plate, and engaging the input member by inclination of the first control plate; a first forceps member opening and closing according to advancing and retracting motions of the first link; a second link disconnectably connected to the input member; a second control plate disposed in a second connecting portion, inserting the input member through the second control plate, and engaging the input member by inclination of the second control plate; and a second forceps member opening and closing according to advancing and retracting motions of the second link, the opening-and-closing angle of the second forceps member being less than that of the first forceps member.
US08308736B2
An intraocular lens injection device comprises a tubular housing with a plunger longitudinally disposed within the tubular housing. An electric drive system longitudinally translates the plunger so that its tip engages an insertion cartridge to fold and displace an intraocular lens disposed within and to inject the folded lens into the lens capsule of an eye. A control circuit is configured to start translation of the plunger, responsive to user input, to detect at least one fault condition based on a counter-electromotive force produced by the electric motor, and to stop translation of the plunger assembly responsive to the detected fault condition, which may comprise excessive resistance to forward or rearward translation of the plunger or insufficient resistance to forward translation of the plunger.
US08308735B2
A phacoemulsification tip is formed from a tube that encloses an aspiration lumen surrounded by and generally concentric with a structure section. The structure section has a plurality of structures (ridges, vanes, ribs, or fins). The plurality of structures project inward from an inner wall of the tube at the distal end of the tube. The plurality of the structures are disposed at an angle with respect to a face of the distal end of the tube. Alternatively, the plurality of the structures are disposed at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to a plane that is tangent to a curved outer surface of the tube.
US08308734B2
An apparatus for use with a spinal implant includes a handle structure with a passage. A shaft with a screw thread is moveable within the passage in the handle structure. A pusher block is linked to the shaft, and has a forward surface configured to engage the spinal implant. A screw-threaded clutch member is supported on the handle structure for movement into and out of engagement with the screw thread on the shaft.
US08308733B1
The device with an adjustable bi-rotatable base assembly, aligns the central longitudinal axis of a drilling device with the axis of an x-ray beam that is coaxial with the axis of a line that extends through the distal openings of an intramedullary nail that has been inserted into the cavity of a tubular bone.
US08308730B2
The invention relates to a device for determining the mechanical leg axis of a femur. Said device is provided with a shaft (3) that comprises, on one of its ends, a securing device (5) that is connected to the shaft and that can be blocked at various angles, in order to obtain a fastening that can be blocked in an angle stable manner and that fastens the shaft (3) to the knee joint of a femur, and comprises a gripping element (10) on its other end. A force-torque measuring device (14) is arranged between the gripping element (10) and the shaft (3), said device enabling the longitudinal and/or transversal force components of force (Fz) exerted via the shaft (3) upon the knee joint to be measured by means of the gripping element (10) and/or torque produced thereby. The invention also relates to a method for determining the mechanical leg axis of a femur by means of the above mentioned device. The shaft (3) is fixed in its position by blocking at various angles, in particular an articulated connection when the measured transversal force components or torque produced thereby is minimized, in particular, is zero.
US08308727B2
Tooling and methodologies for separation and dissection of the subantral membrane from the floor of the maxillary sinus, and for packing bone and bone substitutes under the subantral membrane. The tooling and associated methodology employ a handle and one or more support structures extending therefrom. A thin member extends from the distal end of the support structure(s). The thin member has a first peripheral region disposed opposite a second peripheral region. The first peripheral region is joined to or integrally formed with the distal end of the support structure(s). The second peripheral region defines a thin blade-like section for dissecting the subantral membrane from the floor of the maxillary sinus. In the preferred embodiment, the blade-like section is angled downward away from the distal support structure, which aids in positioning the blade-like section on the floor of the maxillary sinus.
US08308716B2
An apparatus and method for auto-titrating a surgical laser are disclosed. One embodiment of the method comprises: providing an algorithm, wherein the algorithm is operable to configure the laser based on one or more user inputs; providing a first user input operable to cause the algorithm to execute and fire the laser in a defined pattern; providing a second user input, in response to an observed condition, operable to cause the laser to stop firing and to cause the algorithm to determine one or more laser parameter values and configure the laser based on the one or more laser parameter values, wherein a final laser power value when the laser stops firing is an input to the algorithm and wherein the algorithm determines the one or more laser parameters based on the final laser power value. The method can further comprise placing the laser in a “ready” (surgical) mode, either automatically by the auto-titration algorithm or via another user input. Once in a ready mode, a user, such as a surgeon, can perform a surgical procedure with the automatically configured laser. The user inputs can be provided by activating a control switch, such as the footswitch typically used by ophthalmic surgeons to control the operation of an ophthalmic surgical laser.
US08308714B2
A negative pressure wound therapy apparatus can include a wound dressing, a fluid collection container, a vacuum pump comprising a pump motor, and tubing. Additionally, the apparatus can include a pressure sensor that measures a pressure in the tubing. One or more tubes can channel a fluid between the wound dressing, the fluid collection canister, and the pump. In addition, first and second control circuits can be provided for controlling the pump motor without using a processor. The first control circuit can generate a difference signal between a desired pressure input and a pressure sensor input, and can further generate a motor control signal responsive to the difference signal. Moreover, a second control circuit can provide an override signal based at least in part on the difference signal and at least one reference signal. The override signal beneficially overrides the motor control signal to prevent the pump motor from stalling.
US08308708B2
A catheter-based deployment system for deploying cellular material (22) into the heart muscle (25). The deployment system includes a guiding catheter (19) and a needle assembly (31) capable of sliding within the guiding catheter. The needle assembly (31) terminates in a tip (34) having at least one side with an opening (43) in communication with a lumen (20) disposed within the needle assembly (31). Once the guiding catheter (19) is positioned, the needle assembly (31) is advanced until the tip (34) penetrates the muscle wall (25). At a predetermined depth the cellular material (22) may be deployed into the muscle wall (25) via a push rod (46) disposed through the lumen of the needle assembly (31).
US08308690B2
A method of positioning an arcuate device against the inner walls of the disc, and particularly on the posterior and postero-lateral portions of the inner annulus of the disc. The arcuate device retains its predetermined arcuate shape when no pressure or force is applied to the catheter. In an embodiment, an arcuate cutter is used to remove tissue from the inner annulus of the disc. In another embodiment an arcuate device is used to progressively remove material from the interior of the mammalian intervertebral disc. In yet another embodiment, an arcuate device is used to remove the entire intervertebral disc and place supports to maintain a disc space.
US08308684B2
A non-polymeric or biological coating applied to a radially expandable interventional medical device in a collapsed, wrapped, or folded configuration, the coating applied within at least one fold. Properties of the coating material applied to the medical device are adjusted or varied to result in a desired combination of coverage of the surface of the medical device, drug loading, and coating thickness. The coating is sterile, and is capable of being carried by a sterile medical device to a targeted tissue location within the body following radial expansion. The therapeutic coating transfers off the medical device due in part to a biological attraction with the tissue and in part to a physical transference from the medical device to the targeted tissue location in contact with the medical device.
US08308682B2
Devices and methods for altering gaseous flow within a lung to improve the expiration cycle of an individual, particularly individuals having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The methods and devices create channels in lung tissue and maintain the patency of these surgically created channels in tissue. Maintaining the patency of the channels allows air to pass directly out of the lung tissue which facilitates the exchange of oxygen ultimately into the blood and/or decompresses hyper-inflated lungs.
US08308669B2
A knee orthosis has two vertical struts positioned on opposed sides of a knee joint in a generally parallel relationship. Each vertical strut has a hinge member located at a general middle portion; each vertical strut has a top and bottom end portion. An upper thigh cuff attaches at opposed ends to the upper end portions of the two vertical struts whereas a lower shin cuff attaches at opposed ends to the lower end portions. The lower shin cuff has a pair of hinges located proximal to the shin cuff opposed ends for permitting the shin cuff to pivot downwardly away from a shin of a person wearing the knee orthosis. An alternate embodiment employs hinges located proximal to the thigh cuff opposed ends for permitting the thigh cuff to pivot upwardly away from a thigh of a person when the same motion is performed.
US08308668B1
The invention relates to a medical device and method for evaluating and treating scapulothoracic mobility disorders. The invention facilities examination and treatment of the scapulothoracic motion interface.
US08308666B2
Apparatus and method for delivering audible, electrical or mechanical tones having a specific characteristic to a human vestibular system to achieve thereby a therapeutic result.
US08308665B2
A method and wearable system and for enhancing human balance and gait and preventing foot injury through neurological stimulation of the foot and the ankle. Subthreshold stimulation for neurosensory enhancement is provided via electrodes or vibrational actuators, or combination thereof, disposed in or on a wearable a platform, such as an insole, sock shoe, removable shoe insert, or applied without the support of a platform, to the skin surface of an individual. Suprathreshold stimulation for therapeutic purposes, such as improving blood flow, is also provided by the vibrational actuators. The actuators and electrodes are driven by bias signals generated by a bias signal generator that is coupled to a controller. The signal generator under the control of the controller is adapted to generate a non-deterministic random signal, a repetitive pattern or series of patterns. The controller optionally includes a communication port for interfacing with an external computer for purposes of optimizing and programming the controller. The wearable system is powered by a power source.
US08308658B2
The guidewire provides a core and wire coil construction. The core can be shaped with a generally squared-off distally facing shoulder that forms a platform for a proximal end portion of the wire coil. The wire coil can have a plurality of spaced apart coil turns at its proximal end portion. A bonding agent comprising an adhesive can be used to secure the core to the wire coil proximal end portion.
US08308656B2
A sampling device includes a body, a needle, a sealing element and an element for feeding and removing a liquid. The needle has at least one groove located between the sealing element and the sampling end of the needle. The sampling end has a sampling hole opening out on a lateral wall of the end. The sampling device leakage problems encountered in the conventional art to be overcome while at the same time resolving the problems of placing the inside of a tube containing a product to be analyzed at atmospheric pressure.
US08308653B2
Method and system are disclosed for automated testing of a patient's hearing. The automated hearing test allows the patient to quickly and accurately test his own hearing with minimal or no assistance from an audiologist or other hearing health professionals. The test prompts and instructs the patient for inputs and responses as needed. The patient can select one or several tests to be performed, including air and bone conduction testing with masking, speech reception threshold, speech discrimination, tympanogram, acoustic reflex, and otoacoustic emissions testing. Multiple languages are supported. Data obtained from one test may be used for another test or another iteration of the same test to calculate masking levels. The automatic hearing test also detects ambient noise and can compensate for it in the test results. If a contingency occurs, the automated hearing test is configured to page the operator for assistance.
US08308652B2
A system, method and apparatus for determining a physiological condition within a mammal based on pH and/or temperature measurements. In one aspect, the invention is directed to an apparatus for measuring a physiological condition within a mammal comprising: a tubular housing extending along a longitudinal axis from a distal end to a proximal end, the housing having an internal cavity; a first opening in the elongated housing forming a first passageway into the internal cavity; an ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) for measuring pH within a body lumen of the mammal, the ISFET positioned in the internal cavity, the ISFET aligned with the first opening so that at least a portion of the ISFET is exposed via the first opening; and a first seal between the ISFET and the housing forming a hermetic seal about a perimeter of the first opening.
US08308646B2
A trainable, adaptable system for analyzing functional or structural clinical data can be used to identify a given pathology based on functional data. The system includes a signal processor that receives functional data from a device monitoring a subject and normalizes the functional data over at least one cycle of functional data. The system also includes a neural network having a plurality of weights selected based on predetermined data and receiving and processing the normalized functional data based on the plurality of weights to generate at least one metric indicating a degree of relation between the normalized functional data to the predetermined data. A diagnostic interpretation module is included for receiving the at least one metric from the neural network and classifying the functional data as indicative of the given pathology or not indicative of the given pathology based on a comparison of the at least one metric to at least one probability distribution of a likelihood of the given pathology.
US08308642B2
A spectroscopic diagnostic apparatus is disclosed as an aid for laser tattoo removal. The apparatus performs spectroscopic analysis of the tattooed skin before or during laser treatment, which provides composition information of the tattoo pigments and photometric information of the skin for optimizing laser treatment protocols automatically or manually. It also provides a simulated treatment result for the selected laser types.
US08308632B2
A magnetically guided endoscope system has a display system wherein the position of the boundary of the examination region of the magnetic field that is used for capsule endoscope guidance is displayed and/or the position of the peak of the magnetic field used for capsule guidance is displayed. The displayed information can be presented in the form of computer-generated graphics superimposed on a camera image of the patient by a computer, or can be a fixed indicator on the display screen of a display at which a computer causes the camera image of the patient to be displayed at a position that is correctly oriented with respect to the fixed information.
US08308631B2
An electronic variable stroke device comprise a base portion containing a motor-driven screw shaft, an upper portion extending from the base portion having the screw shaft extending longitudinally therein, a traveler engaged with the screw shaft to drive it in reciprocating longitudinal motion. The traveler has an annular shape with an aperture therethrough which is driven in reciprocating longitudinal motions for use as a male sex toy. The device configuration may include a pair of screw threads spaced apart in parallel with the traveler engaged in between them, and/or multiple travelers arranged at different longitudinal positions of the screw shaft(s). A remote controller unit may be provided for ergonomic operation by the user. A network connection unit may be provided to connect the user's device to an external service provider on a network for conducting interactive sessions remotely with another user or users. The device may be adapted as a male toy that can exchange control signals with another user operating a female toy.
US08308630B2
A self-regulating gastric band apparatus for adjusting stoma size. The apparatus includes an adjustable gastric band that has an inner ring expanding with injected fluid. A band adjustment assembly is provided for implanting with the gastric band that includes a sensor for sensing fluid pressure in the inner ring. The band adjustment assembly further includes a pump assembly connected to the expandable inner ring and to a controller that can operate the pump assembly to adjust the volume of the fluid in the band based on the sensed fluid pressure. The band adjustment assembly includes memory storing an operating range relative to a target fluid pressure, and the pump assembly is operated to maintain the sensed band pressure within the operating range. The target pressure being set to maintain pressure variations below a predefined variation limit generally corresponding with satiated fill volumes for a particular patient and implanted band. An elongated fluid reservoir may extend along a substantial part of a fill tube. A balloon-like expandable fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the pump assembly may store a volume of the fluid for adjusting the volume of fluid in the lumen. A protective outer sheath may be provided around the exterior of an expandable fluid reservoir in both a first, deflated state, and a second, inflated state of the reservoir.
US08308622B2
A centrifugally cast composite roll comprising an outer layer having a composition comprising by mass 2.5-9% of C, 0.1-3.5% of Si, 0.1-3.5% of Mn, and 11-40% of V, the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities; an intermediate layer made of a high-speed steel alloy, which is formed inside the outer layer; and an inner layer made of cast iron or steel, which is formed inside the intermediate layer.
US08308616B1
A Halo Posture head weight is comprised of two consecutive rings. A lower ring is hollow and conformal while also being shape-sustaining to fit comfortably around the skull at approximately the level of the forehead. An upper ring has metal shot in the forward half to apply weight load at the frontal section of the head. Both rings have adjustable closures at the back of the head for a comfortable, adjustable, and secure fit. Additional pads are provided for coupling extra weight, to permit correction of tilt or adjustment of weight loading. In a preferred embodiment, the rings are fabricated from a single strip of double-backed neoprene that is formed using two longitudinally extensive stitch lines, and an additional resilient fabric bag is provided for securing the metal shot in the upper ring.
US08308609B2
A method for controlling a power-off downshift in a powershift transmission includes disengaging the current gear, synchronizing engine speed and a speed of the target gear layshaft by increasing a torque capacity of the target gear clutch, disengaging the clutch, engaging the target gear, and reengaging the clutch.
US08308608B2
A method of filling a clutch chamber of an automatic transmission includes determining an engage pressure to engage a clutch of the automatic transmission. The method determines a reactive pressure of a return spring of the clutch. The method also estimates a fill pressure based on the engage pressure and the reactive pressure. The method estimates a flow rate based on the engage pressure, and generates a fill pressure command signal to fill the clutch chamber based on the fill pressure, the flow rate and a flow rate limit.
US08308605B2
A method of controlling and/or regulating a hybrid drive system of a vehicle, with at least one internal combustion engine and at least one electric machine which can be coupled to the input shaft of an automated transmission, at least some of the time, by at least one clutch to facilitate driving of the vehicle such that at least one energy accumulator is charged by the electric machine which is operated as a generator and driven by the internal combustion engine. The electric machine is a synchronizer machine that is continually energized by maintaining a nominal speed of the synchronizer machine below an inflexion speed (n_Eck) during the charging process.
US08308593B2
A drive system of a hybrid vehicle, including an engine, a first electric motor, a second electric motor operatively connected to a drive wheel of the hybrid vehicle, and two planetary gear mechanisms, and wherein the two planetary gear mechanisms have at least four rotary elements arranged to permit the drive system to be placed in a selected one of a first operation mode in which the rotary element connected to the engine and the rotary element connected to the first electric motor are disposed on opposite sides of the rotary element connected to the drive wheel and the second electric motor, as seen in a collinear chart in which the four rotary elements are located at respective four different positions along a base line, and a second operation mode in which the rotary element connected to the first electric motor and the rotary element connected to the drive wheel and the second electric motor are disposed on opposite sides of the rotary element connected to the engine, as seen in said collinear chart.
US08308592B2
The present invention is directed to a treadmill belt with foamed cushion layer and method of making same. In one embodiment, the treadmill belt includes a fabric base layer and a foamed cushion layer foamed on and integral with the fabric base layer. The foamed cushion layer includes a thermoplastic composition and has a Shore A hardness of about 20 to about 80. In one example, the first foamed cushion layer is from about 0.05 inches to about 0.35 inches thick. The thermoplastic composition, prior to being foamed, includes about 1 part to about 5 parts of a foaming agent, e.g., a chemical foaming agent, based on 100 parts thermoplastic material, e.g., polyvinyl chloride. An outer wear layer is securely adhered on the foamed cushion layer to sandwich the foamed cushion layer between the fabric base layer and outer wear layer thereby defining the treadmill belt.
US08308585B2
The present invention is directed to golf balls consisting of a dual-layer core and a cover. The core consists of an inner core layer formed from a high modulus HNP composition and an outer core layer formed from a low modulus HNP composition. The outer core layer has an outer surface hardness less than the outer surface hardness of the inner core layer.
US08308584B2
The present invention is directed to an improved multi-layered core golf ball wherein each core layer comprises its own specific hardness gradient (positive, negative or a combination) in addition to an overall specific hardness gradient from one core layer to the next.
US08308583B2
A golf club head is disclosed. The golf club head includes a first body member and a second body member. The first body member includes a strike face and a top portion. The second body member is coupled to the first body member and extends away from the first body member in a direction opposite the strike face. At least a top portion of the second body member is camouflaged. A preferred method of camouflage is color differentiation, wherein the second body member is darker than the first body member. Specific color values and club head geometries are also disclosed and claimed. The club head may include a body member and a weight member such as a bar that extends rearward from the body member. A cover may be included to camouflage the weight member. A separate core member and high visibility sight lines may also be provided.
US08308582B2
To provide a golf club head which is easy-to-hit and which restrains the reduction of flight distance at the time of off-center shot to the minimum without making a sacrifice of the flight distance at the time of sweet spot shot, and a method for manufacturing the golf club head, a golf club head (1) has a hollow structure including a face portion (2) and a body portion (6), the body portion (6) includes a ring-shaped body barrel portion (26) as a front portion, and a tail portion (27) as a rear portion, and the average thickness of the body barrel portion (26) is 0.1 to 0.6 mm, and the mass of the tail portion (27) including a weight portion (8) is 20 to 70 g. The relations kb/kf≦3 and 2 kN/mm≦1/(1/kb+1/kf)≦5 kN/mm are satisfied where kf (kN/mm) is the rigidity of the face portion (2) and kb (kN/mm) is the rigidity of the body barrel portion (26).
US08308577B2
A secured bearing arrangement for at least one journal of a universal joint, said journal being rotatable about an axis of rotation while being mounted in a housing. The bearing arrangement comprises at least one universal joint housing that is provided with at least one bore which extends in the direction of an axis and has an internal surface as a bearing surface. A bearing bush which has a bearing axis and inside which the journal is mounted so as to be rotatable about its axis or rotation, is mounted on the internal surface within the bore. A securing element allows the bearing bush to be secured within the bore in one axial direction of the bearing axis, said one axial direction facing away from the journal. The securing element is disposed between the mounted bearing bush and the universal joint housing in a radial direction of the bearing axis while being connected to the universal joint housing between the mounted bearing bush and the universal joint housing.
US08308568B2
A user engaged in at least one activity via a gaming device is not permitted to engage in the at least one activity if the user leaves a particular area for at least a predetermined amount of time and/or enters a particular area for at least a predetermined amount of time.
US08308559B2
A system for playing a casino game and a slot machine game is disclosed.
US08308557B2
Methods and devices for evaluating risk profiles for potential participants in e-commerce transactions, such as online wager gaming, are described. Player attributes such as identity, age, location, and/or residence may be profiled using data service providers (“DSPs”). The best available DSP(s) may be selected, e.g., according to the jurisdiction. Players may be evaluated according to DSP scores and assigned to levels or “tiers” with predefined attributes, e.g., predefined transaction limits. For example, relatively lower-risk players may be assigned to tiers with relatively higher deposit and withdrawal limits, and vice versa. Efficiencies may be created by differentiating verification steps that are performed during the registration process from those that are performed when a player attempts to make a transaction.
US08308555B2
A gaming machine is provided so as to comprise: a display device for displaying symbols variably and statically; a starting device for an operation to start a variable display of the symbols; a storage device for storing a plurality of predictive effect images corresponding to respective payout levels; and a processor being operable to: conduct an internal lottery to determine a combination of symbols to be displayed statically; select one of the predictive effect images corresponding to a predetermined winning combination when it is determined that the determined combination to be displayed statically matches the predetermined winning combination; and cause the selected one predictive effect image to be displayed as well as the variable display of symbols, wherein the plurality of predictive effect images indicate a degree of the payout levels such that a payout level to be awarded can be expected before an operation to stop the variable display.
US08308552B2
The present invention is to be capable of inhibiting the occurrence of an instance where the enjoyment of a player who plays with the game apparatus by the total event is decreased when a single total event is carried out among two or more game apparatuses.The present game system includes: two or more game apparatuses, each of which comprises a game progress control unit for performing game progress control; and an event processing apparatus for performing a process for carrying out a single total event at the same timing by the plurality of game apparatuses. The event processing apparatus and each game apparatus are connected in a manner to enable communication. The event processing apparatus comprises: an event timing determining unit for determining an event timing at which the total event is carried out according to a predetermined event timing determining condition; and a control command transmitting unit for transmitting to each game apparatus an event control command used for carrying out the total event at the event timing determined by the event timing determining unit. The game progress control unit of each game apparatus performs the game progress control so that at the event timing relating to the event control command from the event processing apparatus, a game progress situation of each game apparatus is caused to be a previously set situation where the total event can be carried out.
US08308550B2
Various embodiments of the present disclosure are generally directed to gaming systems, gaming devices and methods that provide time based game sessions that each include a plurality of wagering events, wherein if one of the plurality of wagering events results in or is associated with a designated change outcome, a value associated with an element or function in the game session (such as a value associated with an outcome, a time value, or a wager amount) changes (such as by increasing) for a remaining portion of the game session (such as the rest of the gaming session).
US08308546B2
Certain non-limiting exemplary embodiments are taught which include a game comprising, a digital processor, digital storage coupled to the digital processor for storing instructions, a display coupled to the digital processor displaying a first plurality of indicia arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns such that there are a plurality of paylines through a contiguous plurality of indicia, a user interface coupled to the digital processor to select a subset of the first plurality of indicia taken along at least one column and to initiate a display of a second plurality of indicia which includes the selected subset of the first plurality of indicia on the display, and an award dispenser providing an award which is at least as large as the largest award associated with the plurality of paylines.
US08308542B2
A method to implement two side bets for the casino card game of Baccarat. The player can choose to bet on a player side bet, a banker side bet, or play both side bets. The player side bet wins if, after the game is resolved, the player point total is one less than the banker point total, and loses in all other situations. The banker side bet wins if, after the game is resolved, the banker point total is one less than the player point total, and loses in all other situations. Subsets of these winning sets can be used as well for the winning combinations.
US08308537B2
A system for generating an electronic puzzle for a user. The system comprises a user interface; a processor in communication with the user interface; and a memory in communication with the processor. The processor is effective to receive a first image and a second set of images; break the first image into a plurality of first pieces; and create a plurality of partitions corresponding to the first image and the second set of images, each partition defining an area. The processor is further effective to display the first pieces to the user on a user interface; receive a first request from a user to release a particular one of the first pieces at a first location; when the first location is inside an area of a first particular partition corresponding to the particular first piece, display the first piece in the first particular partition on the user interface. The processor is further effective to display the second set of images to the user on the user interface; receive a second request from the user to release a particular one of the second images at a second location; and when the second location is inside an area of a second particular partition corresponding to the particular one of the second images, display the particular one of the second images in the second particular partition on the user interface.
US08308533B2
The invention relates to a system for allowing a quality check of sausage shaped products. The system includes a filling tube for feeding filling material into a tubular packing casing. The system further includes a clipping machine having a displacer unit with at least two pairs of displacer elements for gathering the filled tubular packing casing and for providing a plait-like portion. The system further includes a clipping unit for applying two closure means to the plait-like portion of the tubular packing casing, and a feeding unit for feeding flexible suspension elements to the clipping unit. The system further comprises a discharge device for by-passing the transportation unit by at least one of the sausage-shaped products and for discharging the by-passed sausage-shaped product out of the clipping machine.
US08308517B1
A method for receiving dry gas and forming liquefied natural gas on a floating vessel, and offloading the liquefied natural gas using telescoping mooring arms to a floating transport vessel is disclosed herein. The method can include mooring the floating vessel to a seabed with a mooring spread, using a soft yoke to moor the transport vessel to the floating vessel, receiving a dry gas, cooling the dry gas forming a liquefied nature gas, transferring the liquefied natural gas to the transport vessel, transferring personnel and equipment over a gangway, returning hydrocarbon vapor to the floating vessel, cooling the hydrocarbon vapor, and using the hydrocarbon vapor as a fuel for the floating vessel.
US08308516B2
A spring terminal element, with a tensioning bracket mounted on a busbar piece such that it can move relative to the busbar piece has at least one clamping edge which engages under the busbar piece for clamping an electrical conductor between the clamping edge and the busbar piece and a helical spring which is operatively connected to the busbar piece and to the tensioning bracket. An operating cylinder can rotate and be fixed in position in the direction of the operating cylinder on the tensioning bracket or on the busbar piece. The screw thread on the operating cylinder engages with a screw thread on an operating section which is coupled to the tensioning bracket or to the busbar piece in order to move the tensioning bracket relative to the busbar piece during rotation of the operating cylinder.
US08308515B2
A multi-interfaces connector includes a plurality of housings, a circuit board and a casing. The circuit board has a soldering portion, and the circuit board has a plurality of tongue plates extended from one side of the soldering portion. The tongue plates are separately arranged through the plurality of housings. The tongue plates respectively have a plurality of first conductive pins, a plurality of second conductive pins and a plurality of third conductive pins. The casing has a hollow case body which includes a plurality of through holes. The plurality of housings are arranged with the circuit board and installed in the casing. Therefore, the multi-interfaces connector is capable of being inserted with several transmission lines which have different types of insertion plug.
US08308505B2
A guarded coaxial cable assembly including a micro-coaxial cable and at least one rail.
US08308504B2
A connecting device for connection to an electrical connection system of a solar module comprises a connector housing for arranging on an outer face of the solar module and current-carrying components arranged in the connector housing, which components comprise at least one contact for connection to a conductor of the electrical connection system of the solar module, which conductor leads out from the solar module. A connection device, which may be arranged inside the connector housing, for positioning the conductor which leads out from the solar module is also provided, it being possible for the connection device and the contact to be arranged relative to one another in such a way that the contact is initially guided contactlessly along the conductor which leads out, so as to contact said conductor which leads out, and contacts the conductor which leads out in an end position. Reliable contact is thus possible without displacing the conductor which leads out.
US08308492B2
The board-to-board connector has a configuration in which first stage fitting guides (18a) are arranged on an inner end of side wall portions (14) of a first housing (11) of a first connector (1), an island portion (13) is arranged in a concave portion (12a) surrounded by the side wall portions, second stage fitting guides (22a) are arranged on four corners of the first housing, fitting surfaces (18) of the side wall portions are at the same surface as a fitting surface of the island portion, and a gap between the fitting guides on both side wall portions is set to a predetermined value. Owing to this configuration, a fumbling tight-fitting operation is made easy, and it is thus possible to complete the tight-fitting operation in a short period of time and in an accurate manner. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a board to board connector which has good operability and high reliability.
US08308490B2
An electronics circuit board includes a periphery defined by a plurality of edges. At least one power contact is located adjacent a first one of said edges and a plurality of data contacts are located adjacent a second one of said edges. The first and second edges are arranged transversely relative to each other. The circuit board is operatively installed on a base that includes a power connector and a data connector. At least one power contact of the circuit board is operably engaged with the power connector and the plurality of data contacts of the circuit board are operably engaged with said data connector. The power connector is located adjacent said first edge of the circuit board and the data connector is located adjacent a second edge of the circuit board.
US08308488B2
The present invention is a taxidermy mannequin which includes an optional ear engagement area formed on a head portion, a lock plate which is secured to the ear engagement area, and an ear liner which is connected to the lock plate. The connection between the lock plate and the ear liner is such that a taxidermist may work with the ear and animal skin before securing the ear liner to the lock plate. Furthermore, a multiple ear butt system is provided where the taxidermist may select from multiple ear butts, wherein different ear butts position the ear in different orientations relative the head.
US08308485B2
The invention describes a method for evaluating educational programs which, firstly, develops criteria which will address the strengths and weaknesses of the educational program. The second step of the method is to observe the criteria, chosen in step one, in the educational program. The third step is to assign a numerical value to each of the criteria observed in step two. The next step is to assign an overall rating to the educational program based on the numerically valued criteria. The personnel involved in the educational program can then decide what steps in addition to the assessment can be done to improve or maintain the educational program.
US08308484B2
The invention relates to a system and methods for detecting when a user is representing he is not fluent in a language in which he is fluent. The present system and methods are adapted to be used in conjunction with conventional and novel computer systems and methods and provides detection of concealment of language skills by a user.
US08308477B2
An apparatus and process is provided for combining fuel and combustion air to produce a mixture. The mixture is burned in a combustion chamber to produce a flame.
US08308474B2
An air guide shaft capable of filling to the air guide holes of a mold for guiding air and prevent large particles from flowing out comprises a stop being a round cylinder for stopping material; an air guide having a plurality of axial trenches extending from a body of the air guide; one end of the air guide being a taper end; the air guide serving for guiding air to flow out; and a neck connected between the stop and the air guide; and The air guide shaft is tightly engaged into an air releasing hole of a mold. Thus, large particles of the material within the mold will not flow out from the hole, while air within the mold will flow out from the hole. The final product molded from the mold has a perfect outer side.
US08308467B2
Provided is a parallelism control apparatus of a movable platen of an electric injection molding machine, to which a new arrangement type using a wedge to control the parallelism of a movable platen is applied to reduce the size of the parallelism control apparatus, ensure an installation space, and solve a difficulty during installation, which ensures rigidity of the movable platen in directions of forward and rearward movements, and enables parallelism adjustment and firm position fixing by controlling a vertical amount, a horizontal amount, and a combination of vertical and horizontal amounts even in a narrow space, thereby further enhancing precision and quality reliability of molded products.
US08308463B2
The present invention is to provide a screw rotor including a resin rotor formed around a metallic shaft without generation of cracks. Spiral chamfers are formed on surfaces of metallic shafts around which resin rotors are formed. Preferably the surfaces of the shafts may be sandblasted, and after the surfaces of the shafts are preliminarily coated with resin and then the rotors may be molded.
US08308458B2
A rotor assembly for a multi-stage pump is provided. The assembly includes a drive shaft, a rotor component and a drive component. The rotor component is located on the drive shaft and includes a rotor element for displacing fluid through the pump when the drive shaft is rotated. The drive component is anchored to the drive shaft and transmits torque from the drive shaft to the rotor component to effect rotation of the rotor component. A sleeve element is integrated with either the drive component or the rotor component and is used to space the rotor element from the drive component. An interface surface is located on the sleeve element for interacting with the other one of the drive component and the rotor component in order to maintain orthogonal alignment between the rotor element and the drive shaft. A driver is provided for transmitting torque between the drive component and the rotor component.
US08308457B2
A medical device includes an interface unit body, which is configured to hold a portion of a flexible infusion tube. A hinge insert is fixed to the interface unit body and is configured to engage a hinge receptacle, which defines a hinge axis, on an infusion pump. A catch insert is fixed to the interface unit body and is configured to lock onto a catch receptacle on the infusion pump upon rotation of the mechanical interface unit about the hinge axis while the hinge insert engages the hinge receptacle, so as to bring the tube into engagement with a peristaltic mechanism of the infusion pump in order to enable the peristaltic mechanism to propel a fluid through the tube.
US08308438B2
A wind power generator is provided in which a reduction in weight is achieved by reducing the wall thickness of a nacelle, and an increase in the amount of heat input to the interior of the nacelle from sunlight is suppressed. In a wind power generator in which driving/power-generating mechanisms linked to a rotor head to which wind-turbine blades are attached are accommodated and installed inside a nacelle, a coating of high-reflectivity paint is formed on at least part of the outer wall that receives sunlight.
US08308435B2
A balancing system and method for reducing imbalance in a rotatable member of a machine is provided. The system includes a plurality of vibration sensors positioned about a stationary portion of the machine, a controller assembly communitively coupled to the plurality of vibration sensors, and a balancing assembly coupled to the rotatable member, said balancing assembly configured to wirelessly communicate with said controller assembly, said balancing assembly configured to modify the weight distribution of the rotatable member in response to a command wirelessly transmitted from the controller assembly. The controller assembly is configured to receive data from the plurality of vibration sensors and determine an imbalance in the rotatable member using the received data.
US08308428B2
A seal assembly includes a body having two circumferential sides, a leading end, and a trailing end. At least one of the circumferential sides includes a first channel sidewall, a second channel sidewall, and a channel bottom wall that together define a seal channel for receiving a seal. The seal channel includes a slot that cooperates with a tab on the seal to facilitate securing the seal within the seal channel.
US08308422B2
In a hydroelectric turbine having a rotor disposed within a stator housing, the rotor having an annular outer rim received by a channel in the stator housing, the improvement comprising a buoyant rotor, the rotor preferably having buoyancy chambers disposed within the rotor. The buoyancy chambers may be disposed within the annular outer rim, the blades or an annular inner rim, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the buoyancy chambers are filled with a material having a specific gravity of one or less, and most preferably the filler material is a polymer foam that adds rigidity to the rotor.
US08308419B2
A robot includes a base member, which is installed at a position offset from the front of a door of a machine tool to the side, as viewed in a direction vertical to the surface where the door is provided and is fixed to a surface of a base slanted so as to face the door side. A rotary member is coupled to the base member so as to be rotatable about a first axis extending vertical to the slanted surface. A first arm member is coupled to the rotary member so as to be able to swivel about a second axis vertical to the first axis, and a second arm member is coupled to the first arm member so as to be able to swivel about a third axis parallel to the second axis.
US08308412B2
An adhesive applicator forms adhesive to a smooth surface at a predetermined thickness when applied to a sheet bundle edge. An adhesive storing container is disposed at an adhesive application position, and is equipped with an applicator roller device and a scraper blade that adjusts the thickness of the adhesive layer applied. A moving device drives the applicator roller device or the sheet bundle holding device so that the applicator roller device and scraper blade move relative to the sheet bundle. The scraper blade is configured to push or sweep away excess adhesive from one end of the sheet bundle to the other end thereof across the backside, removing excess adhesive while forming a smoothly finished surface of adequately softened and flow-able adhesive.
US08308403B2
A tool holder for holding a shank of a cutting member. The tool holder has a socket for receiving the shank and a set screw rotatable in a set screw hole to advance along a first direction; and at least one clamping member that applies a force to the shank along a second direction responsive to advance of the set screw in the first direction to clamp the shank in the socket.
US08308401B2
A tool for resurfacing a counterbore of a cylinder bore in an engine block includes a holder fixedly attached to the engine block using existing threaded holes, and a cutter rotatably supported by the holder and axially movable while being rotated. The cutter is positioned to cut and resurface a counterbore in the top of the cylinder bore. A plurality of springs bias the cutter head axially toward the engine block while rotating the cutter, thus providing a uniform force while cutting and resurfacing the counterbore. A ratchet wrench matably engages the upper end of the shaft to rotate the cutter, with the ratchet wrench extending in a single lateral direction from the shaft. A related method is also discussed.
US08308389B2
An apparatus for use when applying a compound from a dispensing tube comprises: a receptacle; a plurality of retaining rings mechanically coupled to the receptacle for attaching the apparatus to the dispensing tube; an application blade secured within the receptacle for contacting the compound being dispensed during application; optionally, a handle mechanically coupled on an opposite side of the receptacle from the plurality of retaining rings; and, optionally, at least one retaining clip for securing at least one of the plurality of retaining rings around a nozzle tip of the dispensing tube. Such apparatus and related methods facilitate initial application of the compound in an evenly distributed and desired topographical manner without requiring subsequent smoothing and/or shaping steps after contact of the compound with a surface to which it is applied.
US08308384B2
A pressable pen includes a tube body having a front end where a sealing unit, a cosmetic base, a cosmetic head and a cap are placed in order. An inner portion of the tube body includes an inner space to fill cosmetic materials, a plug unit, an elongated rod and a base. The base has a resilient unit, a guiding unit, a revolving unit and a pressing unit, wherein the pressing unit has short slots (slot one) and long slots (slot two) with different depth to align with a spacing column of the positioning unit to control the pressing unit. The guiding unit, revolving unit and positioning unit are equipped with associated inclined surfaces, and the guiding unit has a guiding rail to guide the elongated rod. The elongated rod has a spiral portion thereon to engage with a spiral through hole, such that the elongated rod is driven to rotate by the pressing unit and the movement of associated inclined surfaces. Since the elongated rod can only spirally rotate, the cosmetic materials in the tube body can be squeezed out by a spiral pressing process to efficiently control the situation of wrongfully-squeezing and precisely control the squeezed amount.
US08308366B2
A rotary machine includes a housing, and a rotating component received therein for rotation relative to the housing. A shaft imparts rotational movement to the rotating component around a first axis from an associated motive input. A bearing assembly is interposed between the rotating shaft and the housing and the bearing assembly includes a bearing member that is self-aligning. The self-aligning bearing assembly includes a bearing member having a recess extending substantially parallel to the first axis, and a journal sleeve received in the recess and interposed between the shaft and the bearing member. The journal sleeve is fixed to the shaft for rotation therewith and includes a flexible joint connection with the shaft to permit self-alignment of the shaft and bearing.
US08308362B2
A quality assurance phantom for intraoral digital dental imaging and related method. The quality assurance phantom measures three different physical properties of an imaging system: dynamic range, contrast detectability, and spatial resolution. The phantom comprises a dynamic range portion having a plurality of steps, each step of the plurality of steps having a different thickness from the other steps; a contrast detail portion having a uniform thickness and a plurality of wells formed therein; a spatial resolution portion having a plurality of line sets, each line set of the plurality of line sets having different line spacing from the other line sets; an attenuating body having uniform thickness positioned between the source and the contrast detail portion and the spatial resolution portion; and a lead mass adjacent to the dynamic range portion.According to the method of the present invention, a series of images is created and analyzed, either manually or automatically with a computer, to determine a baseline quality assurance exposure (BQAE). At subsequent monitoring intervals therefrom, an image is created using the same exposure parameters as the BQAE and compared to the baseline image to ascertain changes.
US08308357B2
To provide a fluorescent temperature sensor wherein light is propagated reliably with an easy adjustment. A fluorescent temperature sensor for producing a temperature signal from fluorescent light of an optically excited fluorescent material includes: a light emitting device for projecting light to the fluorescent material; a photoreceiving element for receiving fluorescent light emitted from the fluorescent material 1; a case for housing both the light emitting device and the photoreceiving element; and an optical fiber, between the case and the fluorescent material, for propagating the light of both the light emitting device and the fluorescent material. The case and the optical fiber are positioned so that the light from the light emitting device is received within the optical fiber, and so that the light from the fluorescent material is incident on the photoreceiving element from within the optical fiber.
US08308355B2
The present invention provides a platform for a manufacturer of reusable medical apparatuses to provide timely post-sale service for replaceable parts. In one embodiment, the probe assembly of an electronic thermometer has a connector that is equipped with a memory device, e.g., EEPROM, that stores a variety of probe-specific service information including usage count of the probe, probe warranty information and error codes. The user can plug the connector, e.g., through an adapter module, to a local computer's USB port and submit the stored service information to a website maintained by the probe manufacturer to check up and get service for the specific probe in a timely fashion. Automatic alert for replacement probe orders depending on the amount of usage, automatic generation of RMA numbers when the probe warranty is determined to be in effect, and automatic service calls for malfunctioning thermometers can all be accomplished accordingly without the need for manual record-keeping. A healthcare provider can simply set aside a day at a scheduled interval to check all of its reusable medial apparatuses equipped with the invented system to keep them safe and effective.
US08308351B2
Disclosed is an apparatus for measuring temperature coefficients of a concentrator photovoltaic module. The apparatus includes a solar simulator for providing a radiant source, a environment chamber, a concentrator photovoltaic module, a temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of environment chamber, a circuit-voltage curve measurement unit for measuring current-voltage characteristics of a photovoltaic device and a reference cell for measuring the irradiation of the solar simulator.
US08308349B1
A heat flux probe uses a thermoelectric module to heat a relatively large sensing surface while cooling a substantially smaller one that is connected to the thermoelectric module by an elongated thermal conductor. A temperature difference between either the two sensing surfaces or the heated sensing surface and the cooled end plate of the thermoelectric module is controlled to have a selected value. Then the temperature change along the elongated thermal conductor is used as a measure of heat flux. This approach reduces inaccuracies arising from the thermal characteristics of the thermoelectric module and allows for in situ compensation for drift errors.
US08308342B2
A continuous method and system for processing whole muscle meat employs a mixer housing having a pair of parallel rotating shafts located therein. The parallel rotating shafts have a plurality of mixing elements thereon, such as frustoconical elements, blocking elements, or ellipsoid elements. The mixer housing has an input end to receive the meat ingredients, such as meat pieces, salt solution, water, preservatives, and other additives such as spices. The mixer housing has an output, which is separated a distance from the input, such that the output discharges the whole muscle meat product. As the ingredients including the meat move from the input to the output along the shafts, the mixing elements work the meat with the other ingredients thereby increasing ingredient incorporation including diffusion of the salt solution into the whole muscle meat pieces.
US08308341B2
The invention concerns a lid (2) comprising a skirt (3) for covering the opening of a can (1), in particular a paint can. The invention is characterized in that the skirt (3) comprises a peripheral edge (30), at least one stud (71) formed in the edge (30) and elastically coupled to said edge (30), at least one lock (72) mounted sliding on said edge such that said lock may take up a locking position wherein said lock is adapted to retain said stud in a position for engaging the lid on the can.
US08308339B2
An extremely dilute mixture of a liquid in a flowing fluid stream is prepared by forming tiny droplets of the liquid and injecting the droplets individually into the flowing stream. The rate at which liquid is added to the flowing stream is determined by the number of droplet forming units that are provided and upon the frequency with which the units are activated, allowing a precise digital control of the concentration of the liquid in the flowing fluid stream.
US08308331B2
A display system including a display panel having a first major surface and a second major surface and a lighting system adapted to provide uniform luminance proximal to the display panel is disclosed. The lighting system includes an illuminating substrate having a first major surface with reflective coating and a second major surface. The illuminating substrate defines an array of mounting holes, each hole occupied by an LED module. An array of light emitting diode (LED) modules are affixed to the illuminating substrate, each module including at least one light emitting diode adapted to emit light. The lighting system can also include a diffusant layer which can be optically coupled to the illuminating substrate by soft optical gel and is placed close to or made to contact the display panel. The optical gel may contain phosphors or other optical substance for added optical performance to the lighting system. The diffusant layer has beveled edges at critical angle of refraction or coated with reflective material to minimize light loss at its edges. Each of the LED modules includes at least one LED chip, conductive traces connected to the LED chip and a heat sink.
US08308328B2
An electronic device includes a design panel 12 made of a resin and a light guide lens 16 that is attached to the design panel 12 so as to guide light from a light source to the outside. An insert hole 20 that is a through hole whose shape is commensurate with the light guide lens 16 is formed in the design panel 12. The light guide lens 16 is inserted into the insert hole 20 by elastically deforming a rim of the insert hole 20 when the light guide lens 16 is pushed into the insert hole 20, to thus be attached to the design panel 12. Auxiliary grooves 22 that promote elastic deformation are formed in a neighborhood of the rim of the insert hole 20.
US08308318B2
A method of generating light involves energizing one or more first light emitting elements thereby generating primary illumination of a first wavelength range over a target area, and energizing one or more second light emitting elements thereby generating secondary illumination of a second wavelength range toward the target area during a critical period. Both the primary illumination and the secondary illumination are combined within at least a portion of the target area thereby enhancing at least one visual property within the at least a portion of the target area.
US08308317B2
A surface light source structure having a circuit board, a first light emitting diode (LED) array, and a second LED array is provided. The first and second LED arrays are assembled on the circuit board. Each LED rows of the two LED arrays has a plurality of LED units connected in series. The LED rows of the first LED array are connected in parallel. The LED rows of the second LED array are connected in parallel. The LED rows of the second LED array are intersected between the LED rows of the first LED array. Positive-to-negative directions of the LED units of the first and second LED array are arranged in opposite directions.
US08308316B2
A lamp has a power management circuit 11. It includes an integrated circuit 12 for control of the lamp. The IC can be controlled by operation of a switch 7 to apply a voltage on line 10 30 switch on the transistor 26.
US08308301B2
Disclosed is an optical unit for an image display device, the unit including: one or a plurality of light sources; one or a plurality of optical elements that control a spread of light; a combining element that combines the beams of light emitted from the light sources; and a scanning element, wherein the light from each of the light sources generates an elliptical beam spot on a screen and the spot has a major axis substantially perpendicular to a scanning direction, the result is that the unit is simple in structure, inexpensive, compact, lightweight, and capable of providing high-resolution image quality, thus providing the display device reduced dimensionally and in weight. Such an image display device using the optical unit is also disclosed.
US08308291B2
A hanger assembly is provided for securing a tag to a pair of eyeglasses that has a frame with two temple members connected to two hinged legs. The hanger assembly includes a hanger, a ledge, a support member, a zip-tie and optionally a hook. The ledge extends outwardly from the back side of the hanger and can have one or more apertures. The zip-tie surroundingly engages the ledge and the first temple member to secure the hanger to the eyeglasses. The temple hanger assembly can also include a security device support section and a security device installed therein. The security device can be a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag.
US08308287B2
An image recording apparatus comprises a transfer unit having a transfer surface for holding a recording medium and transferring the recording medium held on the transfer surface, a recording head opposed to the transfer unit and recording images on the recording medium transferred by the transfer unit, a suction-force changing unit drawing the recording medium, a support member providing at substantially the same height as the transfer surface of the transfer unit and supporting the suction-force changing unit, and a suction unit drawing the recording medium to a surface of the support member, via the suction-force changing unit.
US08308286B2
A phase change ink includes an ink vehicle that includes at least one curable carrier, at least one gellant, at least one wax and at least one alkoxysilane monomer. In a method of forming an image with the ink, the phase change ink is melted, then jetted onto an image receiving substrate, wherein the phase change ink forms a gel state, and exposed to ultraviolet light to cure the curable components of the phase change ink. The alkoxysilane participates in crosslinking to form silicon-oxygen-silicon bonds, thereby producing an ink with advantageous stability and high image quality.
US08308283B2
A filter, the alignment of which does not need to be adjusted, and an ink-jet recording apparatus having such a filter are provided, the ink-jet recording apparatus capable of avoiding leakage of residual liquids in filter exchange operation. The filter of the present invention includes an upper capsule member, a lower capsule member, and a filter medium. The upper capsule member has a central connecting port and a peripheral connecting port, and also has a pipe section that extends, within the capsule, from the peripheral connecting port to the vicinity of the bottom surface (the deepest section) of the lower capsule member. A liquid supplied from the peripheral connecting port via the pipe section is filtered through the filter medium, and the filtered liquid is output from the central connecting port.
US08308280B2
An inkjet recording head, wherein a support member being formed by at least two layers is provided between an ink supply member and a recording element substrate having a substrate, which includes discharge ports to discharge ink and an energy generating element to generate energy to discharge the ink from the discharge ports.
US08308278B2
A fluid transport apparatus facilitates flow of fluid from a source to a receptacle. The fluid transport apparatus includes a fluid transport conduit for transporting fluid, the fluid transport conduit having an inlet end that is coupled to a fluid supply and an outlet end that is coupled to a receptacle, a deforming member positioned proximate the fluid transport conduit and configured to deform a portion of the fluid transport conduit selectively and propel fluid through the fluid transport conduit, and a restoring member positioned proximate the fluid transport conduit and configured to exert a force against the fluid transport conduit that opposes the deforming of the fluid transport conduit.
US08308263B2
A droplet ejection apparatus includes droplet ejection units each including a supply port and an ejection port, a common supply flow path, a common discharge flow path, supply flow paths that connect the supply port to the common supply flow path, openable mechanisms provided at the supply flow paths, discharge flow paths that connect the ejection port to the common discharge flow path, one-way valves provided at the discharge flow paths, a pressure applying unit, and a controller. When performing a maintenance operation of a selected droplet ejection unit, the controller applies a pressure with the pressure applying unit so that the pressure in the plural discharge flow paths at the common discharge flow path side with respect to the respective one-way valves is higher than the other side, and opens only the openable mechanism corresponding to the selected droplet ejection unit.
US08308259B2
A driving device for a liquid jetting apparatus includes an application unit and a controller. The application unit generates and applies a first voltage of a first waveform to a first pressure generating unit and generates and applies a second voltage of a second waveform to the second pressure generating unit to jet a liquid droplet outside a nozzle after pulling liquid inside the nozzle. The second waveform includes at least one of a third waveform corresponding to a jetting angle for changing a jetting direction from a reference direction by deforming a liquid level of liquid pulled inside the nozzle in a direction of pushing the liquid level outside the nozzle, or a fourth waveform corresponding to a jetting angle for changing the jetting direction from the reference direction by deforming the liquid level of liquid pulled inside the nozzle in a direction of further pulling the liquid level.
US08308257B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a driving element driven by a driving waveform and a nozzle that ejects liquid. Two first driving waveforms and a second driving waveform are generated in a period to create a driving signal in which the two first and the second driving waveforms are repeatedly generated. When the first driving waveform is applied to the driving element, a first amount of liquid is ejected from the nozzle. When the two first driving waveforms are applied, twice the first amount is ejected. When the second driving waveform is applied, a second amount of liquid larger than the first amount and smaller than twice the first amount is ejected. When the two first driving waveforms and the second driving waveform are applied to the driving element, an amount of liquid smaller than a sum of twice the first amount and the second amount is ejected.
US08308250B2
A rack system for an appliance is provided. The rack system includes a door link, a first coupler link, a first rack, a bracket, a second coupler link, and a second rack. The door link is attached to an appliance door. The first coupler link is attached to the door link and connected to the first rack. The bracket is attached to either the first rack or the second rack. The second coupler link is attached to the bracket at one of the sites for attachment and connected to whichever one of either the first or second racks to which the bracket is not attached. The linear movement of the first and second racks can be non-staggered or staggered depending on the attachment site of the bracket to which the second coupler link is attached.
US08308237B2
An image display device comprising a plurality of seats arranged at least in a front-to-back direction, each of the seats having a backrest of a variable angle, an image display panel installed on the back of each seat, an angle sensing unit for detecting an angle of the backrest of the seat, a tilt angle calculating unit for calculating a tilt angle of the image display panel based on an output data of the angle sensing unit related to each of two adjoining seats in the front-to-back direction, and a tilt controller unit for controlling the tilt angle of the image display panel according to an output data of the tilt angle calculating unit.
US08308229B2
The disclosed invention relates to an infant support structure. In particular, the invention relates to a strap management system for an infant support structure. In addition, the invention relates to an infant support structure that includes a seat portion that can be used alternatively as a booster seat and with a frame as part of a highchair.
US08308214B2
A lower structure of a vehicle body rear part includes a spare tire housing formed on a rear floor, a rear cross member disposed in front of the spare tire housing to connect side frames, and a hook reinforcing member disposed in the center in the vehicle width direction on the lower surface of the spare tire housing and extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The front end portion of the hook reinforcing member is connected to the rear cross member, and the rear end portion thereof extends to the rear end portion of the rear floor. The side frame at the vehicle rear of the rear cross member is divided into a frame front part and a frame rear part in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the hook reinforcing member is divided into a reinforcing member front part and a reinforcing member rear part in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The frame front part has a rigidity higher than that of the frame rear part, and the reinforcing member rear part has a rigidity higher than that of the reinforcing member front part, and the two division positions coincide with each other in the longitudinal direction.
US08308212B2
A method and cot fastening system for a patient transport vehicle having a rearwardly located patient access which meet the pull requirements for vertical and lateral movement are disclosed. The system comprises a rear mounting part, which mounts on the floor of the transport vehicle adjacent the patient access; a forward mounting part which mounts on the floor forward of the access, rails connecting the rear mounting part to the forward mounting part, and a release mechanism. The rails of the cot fastening system help guide the cot into the vehicle and to the forward mounting part. When the cot has reached the forward mounting part, a cross-member which forms part of the cot undercarriage, is urged against a pair of automatically locking securing mechanisms of the forward mounting part which secures the cot thereto as well as to the rear mounting part via catches.
US08308210B2
A lifting grab for grabbing and lifting drums and/or other objects includes: a lifting point having two or more lifting arms radiating therefrom, the arms each having rim engaging elements, at least one arm is an articulated arm movable between engaging and non-engaging positions. A drum can be grabbed by initially attaching the engaging elements of the non-articulated arms to the rim, the at least one articulated arm then brought into the rim engaging position for attachment to the object or rim. Applying an upward or lifting force to the lifting point causes the rim engaging elements of all lifting arms to forcibly grab the object or rim of the drum, and whereby on releasing the lifting force, the at least one articulated arm is first disengaged from the rim thereby also relaxing the grip of the non-articulated arms wherein the drum or object can be released from the grab.
US08308201B2
A fitting incorporating a crimp sealing device and a method of forming a seal between a length of corrugated tubing and the fitting are provided. A sealing crimp is formed over at least one corrugation of the tubing, where the sealing crimp can utilize a preformed bend or bulge to form a crimp and seal. Alternatively, the sealing crimp can apply pressure radially against an outer sleeve of the fitting, such that at least one corrugation of the tubing is compressed axially or radially to form a primary seal. The outer sleeve also can include one or more gaskets arranged between the outer sleeve and the tubing for forming a secondary seal. An inner sleeve can be received radially inside the outer sleeve, and one or more gaskets can be arranged between the inner sleeve and the tubing. Further, a jacket crimp can be applied against an end of the sleeve member to contact a jacket that at least partially covers the tubing.
US08308194B2
A folding booklet is disclosed having a booklet cover and one or more of booklet pages in which are formed a plurality of spaced apart longitudinal fold lines defining a plurality of longitudinal panels and a plurality of transverse fold lines defining a plurality of transverse panels. The longitudinal panels can be folded along the longitudinal fold lines to overlay one another and the transverse panels can be folded along the transverse fold lines to overlay one another. The cover can then be folded along a booklet cover fold line to completely contain the folded booklet pages.
US08308180B2
A connection arrangement for a trailer vehicle includes at least two connections of the following connections suitable for a towing vehicle-end connection: a) a first electrical connection for a brake system, b) a second electrical connection for a lighting system, c) a first pneumatic connection for a brake line, d) a second pneumatic connection for a supply line, and at least two lines for connecting a respective connection to a corresponding trailer-end component. The at least two lines are combined, at least in sections, to form a common cable harness.
US08308177B2
A lift assembly installable on a vehicle. The lift assembly includes a support structure securable to the vehicle, a pair of parallel vertically extending geared tracks and a vertically moveable drive assembly. The drive assembly includes (a) a mounting structure; (b) a selectively reversible motor; (c) a pair of gears; and (d) a moveable first tread. The gears are engaged with the tracks and rotatably supported on the mounting structure. The gears are also drivingly coupled with the motor wherein operation of the motor selectively raises and lowers the mounting structure relative to the support structure. The moveable first tread is secured to the mounting structure and is adapted to support an operator whereby raising and lowering the mounting structure raises and lowers an operator positioned on the first tread. In some embodiments, the lift assembly includes water-resistant foot-operable switches to control the raising and lowering of the mounting structure.
US08308172B2
A seated skiing device having an adjustable heel protrusion and a fixed toe protrusion is provided. The distance between the toe and heel protrusions are adjustable such that the seated the skiing device may engage toe and heel bindings of a snow ski set to a riders ski boot. In this manner, the seated skiing device is engageable to the snow ski of the rider without any additional tools. Also, a seated snowboarding device is disclosed herein. The seated snowboarding device is removably attachable to standard front and rear bindings of a snowboard.
US08308168B2
The quick change tool bit holder comprises a bore for receiving a bit. A retaining tooth, or plurality of teeth, is movable into engagement with the bit when the bit is inserted into the bore to retain the bit in the bore. An ejector ejects the bit from the bore when the retaining tooth is moved out of engagement with the bit. The ejector may comprise a spring that is compressed when the bit is inserted in the bore and a push button is biased by the spring into engagement with the bit. A sleeve forces the retaining tooth into engagement with the bit when said sleeve is in the locking position where the tooth moves at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis into contact with the bit. A method of operating the quick change tool bit holder is also disclosed.
US08308164B2
An interactive pirate themed board game comprising: a pirate ship shaped game board; a plurality of spaces on the game board, where said plurality of spaces are arranged in a plurality of levels; a starting position, where said starting position is at a lowest level of the plurality of levels; and a finishing position, where said finishing position is at a highest level of the plurality of levels. A plurality of pirate related paraphernalia, pirate related activity or penalties may be associated with the plurality of spaces, where the plurality of pirate related paraphernalia includes at least swords, eye patch, telescope, scarf, markers, coins and earrings. The winning player of the interactive pirate themed board game may be awarded a captain's hat and a stuffed parrot after reaching the finishing position.
US08308156B2
A feeding apparatus for print media comprises a pressure roller that is provided at an upstream side of an image forming section in a feeding direction of the print media and rotates with being pressed onto an upper surface of a feeding path. The pressure roller includes a plurality of unit rollers aligned along a primary sweeping direction perpendicular to the feeding direction. A center unit roller of the unit rollers is made wider than other unit rollers in the primary sweeping direction. According to the apparatus, cocklings on print media can be removed at desired portions with a simple configuration by controlling suction forces due to varying relative positions to suction ports. Therefore, flatten state of print media in the image forming section can be easily ensured.
US08308151B2
An elevator assembly includes a carrier, a first arm, and a second arm. Each arm has a primary portion pivotally connected to the carrier and a secondary portion pivotally connected to the primary portion. A first gear system interconnects the first arm and the second arm for synchronous rotation with respect to the carrier in opposite directions. A pair of second gear systems establish a geared relationship between the secondary portions of the arms and the carrier. A support member is connected to the secondary portions of the arms, wherein rotation of the primary portions of the arms with respect to the carrier drives the support member between a neutral position and at least a first extended position.
US08308149B2
The shock and vibration isolation system for hard mounting of a manifold of a brake control valve includes shock and vibration isolators that can be assembled in the mounting feet of the manifold of the brake control valve. The shock and vibration isolators have a pre-selected, predetermined natural frequency operative to protect components of the brake control valve from shock and vibration. Each of the shock and vibration isolators includes a radially inner generally spool shaped rigid insert portion and a radially outer generally spool shaped vibration insulating sheath portion.
US08308143B2
The invention relates to a device for stirring a liquid in a reactor and for injecting a gas into the said liquid in order to form a gas-liquid dispersion, comprising a) a drive device (1) positioned above the reactor, provided with a vertical output shaft (2) fitted at its lower end with at least one axial flow rotor (4) immersed in the liquid, b) means for introducing gas (3 and 7) above the axial flow rotor (4), c) a deflector (5) placed above the axial flow rotor (4) preventing the gas-liquid dispersion from rising, and d) a deflector (6) placed below the axial flow rotor (4) converting the axial flow of the said axial flow rotor into a radial flow. This device may be used in shallow basins.
US08308139B2
A power winch for retrieving a load using a strap comprising: a motor, where the motor includes a drive shaft, where the drive shaft extends from the motor and a gear coupling at the end of the drive shaft; at least one gear reducer; at least one drive shaft, where said drive shaft engages the at least one gear reducer; a gear extension in each drive shaft; and four rollers that engage the gears of the at least one drive shaft where the rollers are designated as a first top roller, the second top roller, a first bottom roller, and a second bottom roller, where the first top roller and first bottom roller are aligned in a first vertical plane and a second top roller and second bottom roller are aligned in a second vertical plane. The four rollers are positioned at four different respective vertical heights. A strap interweaves through the four rollers that allows for the movement of the strap through the rollers powered by the motor. In one exemplary embodiment, the power winch further includes a winch drum, where the winch drum is used to collect the strap that is interweaved through the four rollers.
US08308138B1
Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for wire pullers and conduit adapters. According to various embodiments, a wire puller includes first and second positionable arms. The wire puller also can include an adapter and adapter bracket. In some embodiments, the adapter and adapter bracket are configured to allow easier pulling of wire through conduit. Some embodiments of the wire puller are configured to allow for easier set up and use compared to existing wire pullers. Some embodiments of the wire pullers also are configured to provide increased pulling force over existing wire pullers.
US08308136B2
Embodiments of a mechanical tool for railcar maintenance are disclosed, which are most suitable for handling heavy components during undercarriage operations. In one particular embodiment, the tool may include: a cantilever beam having a first end and a second end with a support element disposed between these two ends for pivotally attaching the cantilever beam to a supporting device; a first attachment element configured to grip a first railcar component; a safety latch mechanism, at the first end, for securing the first attachment element, including when the first railcar component is gripped by the first attachment element, and for preventing disengagement of the first attachment element unless the cantilever beam is in a substantially level position; and a weight element adjustably disposed between the support element and the second end as a counterbalance.
US08308123B1
An umbrella mounting system comprises a base having a top surface and a bottom surface, a first side edge and a second side edge; a first base aperture disposed on the base toward the first side edge of the base and a second base aperture disposed on the base toward the second side edge of the base; a cylindrical mounting shaft having a first end with an opening and a second end, the opening of the first end of the mounting shaft functions to hold a shaft of an umbrella that is inserted into the opening, wherein the mounting shaft is attaches the top surface of the base and extends upwardly therefrom.
US08308121B1
A portable multiple form organizer comprises a writing panel capable of supporting and securing multiple sheets of paper in a side-by-side format. A plurality of clips is spaced across a long edge of a front surface of the writing panel with suitable space between to fit a standard full sheet of paper. A mounting mechanism comprising a plurality of hooks permanently affixed to a rear surface of the writing panel allows the organizer to suspend from a support surface. A pair of arms attached to a bottom rear surface of the writing panel provides a standoff for the writing panel away from the vertical support surface, such that the writing panel is not perpendicular to the ground allowing a user to comfortably use the device.
US08308120B2
The invention relates to an adjusting device for the longitudinal adjustment of an automotive component, especially a vehicle seat. The adjusting device comprises an upper longitudinal rail with respect to the adjusting device and a lower longitudinal rail with respect to the adjusting device. The adjusting device comprises a locking device in such a manner that when the locking device is activated, a relative adjustment of the longitudinal rails in relation to each other can be blocked and when the locking device is released, the longitudinal rails can be unblocked. The locking device comprises a plurality of detent pins, at least one detent pin being adjusted in the locking position to lock the longitudinal rails and all detent pins being adjusted in a release position to release the longitudinal rails. The detent pins have a detent profile that is designed in such a manner that a first front section of the detent pin has a flare angle and a second section of the detent pin has a transition.
US08308119B2
A retail product assembly includes a retail product, a bracket coupled thereto and defining an opening between the retail product and the bracket, and a hanger. The hanger includes a hanging portion configured to receive a support structure, a cross bar, a drop portion, and a tapered portion. The cross bar extends from the hanging portion and is wider than the bracket. At least a portion of the cross bar extends below the topmost sidewall of the retail product. The drop portion extends through the opening. The tapered portion extends away from the drop portion and is configured to slide through the opening to position a top edge of the tapered portion opposite the cross bar relative to the opening. The top edge of the tapered portion interacts with the bracket to support the retail product via the bracket when the hanger is hung from the support structure.
US08308114B2
A mounting bracket for an electronic flight bag (EFB) includes a frame having a track and a mounting assembly that is having a base and a support that is moveably connected to the base and can be selectively fixed in position on the track. The mounting bracket may allow for singlehanded adjustment of the position of the mounting assembly with respect to track at one of at least two discrete locations along the track, or at any desired position along the track. Further, the mounting bracket may provide a single mechanism for both securing the EFB to the mounting assembly and orienting the support with respect to the base.
US08308108B2
An aircraft fuselage with a shape elongated along a longitudinal axis X along a longitudinal axis of the aircraft that determines a direction toward the front along a direction of motion of the aircraft in flight. A front section with straight cross sections widening relative to the X axis, located at the front of the fuselage and ending in the front of the fuselage in a fuselage nose, and delimited at the rear by a cross section for joining to a rear part of the fuselage behind the front section. The front section includes a cockpit located above a floorboard between a cockpit bulkhead to the rear and a front base to the front.
US08308099B2
A seatbelt retractor includes an acceleration sensor. The acceleration sensor includes a sensor case having a supporting surface which is maintained horizontal. A self-standing inertia body whose bottom surface is placed on the supporting surface is installed inside the sensor case in a self-standing condition, and which tilts when a horizontal acceleration is exerted. An actuating member which, in accordance with a tilting movement of the self-standing inertia body, activates a lock mechanism to lock the extraction of the seat belt. An outer contour of a contact area where the supporting surface of the sensor case and the bottom surface of the self-standing inertia body are in surface contact is configured such that a distance from a center axis of the self-standing inertia body to the outer contour differ, in a horizontal plane, in a first direction and in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.
US08308080B2
A spreader unit, for spreading deicer on a pavement, has at least one supporting arm having a casing connected to a rigid structure of the unit, a sliding member connected telescopically to the casing, and at least one telescopic pipe for the deicer and defining a connecting port connectable to a spreader assembly for spreading the deicer.
US08308068B2
In an exemplary embodiment, a method is employed to read an overprinted barcode. An RGB pixel map is obtained from an overprinted color barcode that contains a plurality of disparate colors. A pixel map is allocated for each of the colors detected and each pixel is classified in the one or more pixel maps according to color. One or more barcodes are extracted from the overprinted barcode that correlates to each color detected. Each of the extracted barcodes are then filtered, decoded and read.
US08308062B1
An electronic medical information card (1) for storing an individual's emergency medical information on. The medical information card is stored in a storage sleeve (2) to attract the attention of medical personnel. The storage sleeve may be removably attachable to a user's driver's license, wallet, purse and so forth so that it may be easily seen by a first responder. In addition, the storage sleeve is water proof and fire resistant to protect the electronic medical information card from becoming damaged. The information on the electronic medical information card may be updated by an individual over the internet by sending updated information to a central location that updates the information in a central database and allows the user to download the updated information back onto the electronic medical information card.
US08308060B2
A method for authenticating a data carrier that is associated with at least two security features that can be independently used to authenticate the data carrier, the method comprising using a first one of the security features to authenticate the data carrier and switching to using a second security feature in place of the first security feature in response to a switch security feature command.
US08308053B2
Microfeature workpieces having alloyed conductive structures, and associated methods are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment includes applying a volume of material to a target location of a microfeature workpiece, with the volume of material including at least a first metallic constituent. The method can further include elevating a temperature of the volume of material while the volume of material is applied to the microfeature workpiece to alloy the first metallic constituent and a second metallic constituent so that the second metallic constituent is distributed generally throughout the volume of material. In further particular embodiments, the second metallic constituent can be drawn from an adjacent structure, for example, a bond pad or the wall of a via in which the volume of material is positioned.
US08308047B2
A flux spray head, a mask, and an integrated circuit substrate are arranged in a flux spray station to reduce flux overspray during a spraying operation. A support element within the spray station is used to align the substrate with the mask and spray head. A portion of the mask contacts the substrate along a boundary between a region to be sprayed and a region to be masked. The flux spray head sprays the substrate while a portion of the mask is in contact with the boundary of the region to be masked. In an embodiment, the mask may comprise one or more replaceable non-stick stencil elements and associated springs to press the stencil elements against the substrate. Each stencil element may have a wall to contact the substrate along a portion of the boundary.
US08308046B2
A surgical stapler is provided having a pair of jaws including a staple containing cartridge and an anvil. Buttress material is releasable affixed to the staple containing cartridge and the anvil. One of the jaws includes a pair of longitudinal projections at a first end of the jaw and configured to frictionally engage corresponding slots in a first end the buttress material. One of the jaws includes a post at a second end of the jaw. The buttress material includes a hole in a second end of the buttress material for receipt of the post.
US08308041B2
An anvil assembly is provided and includes an anvil member having a plurality of staple bending pockets formed in a face of the anvil member and a length of reinforcing material suspended across the staple bending pockets. Longitudinal channels are provided in the face of the anvil member to releasably retain the reinforcing material. The longitudinal channels transect the staple bending pockets and support and suspend the reinforcing material over the staple bending pockets such that a leg of a surgical staple can be bent around the reinforcing material. Various configurations of fully formed staples are also disclosed and include a backspan having first and second legs extending from the backspan. First portions of each of the first and legs extend from the backspan and define a plane with the backspan. Second portions of each of the first and second legs extend from the first portions and project outwardly from the plane defined by the backspan and the first second portions.
US08308035B2
A roof rack assembly includes a first roof rail and a second roof rail spaced a first distance from one another on the vehicle roof. The first roof rail has a first slot extending partially along the length of the first roof rail. A first bow member is connected at a first pivot member to the first roof rail at the first slot. A first linkage member has a first portion connected at a second pivot member to the first bow member and a second portion connected at a third pivot member to the first roof rail. The first linkage member pulls the first pivot member toward the third pivot member so the first bow member translates in the first slot as the first bow member is pivoted away from the first rail.
US08308032B2
A machine for forming and ironing folds in cloth has a plate frame on which are fixed a support and pressure system, a template on which the cloth is put, a moving system for moving a blocking plate which blocks the cloth, a guide system for guiding a folding element which folds outer edges of the cloth and an ironing plate. The guide system has a guide profile and a translating arm which is translated in a longitudinal direction and has a roller and a folding element. The arm is under pressure towards the guide profile so that the roller beats and slides along the edge of the guide profile. In this way, the folding element follows the movement of the arm according to the guide profile and moves in the longitudinal direction and a transversal direction.
US08308022B2
A stopper for application to a container of the type with a base, an emptying duct, a lid, mounted on the base to pivot between an open and a closed position, a hinge with elastic return which holds the lid in the open position thereof and locking means, for locking the lid on the base. The stopper comprises positive unlocking means for the lid from the base, which are manually operated to provide a force to disengage the holding means. The base is a unitary construction and made from plastic material, the lid is made from the same plastic material and the leaf of the hinge is in an elastomeric plastic material.
US08308021B2
The invention is directed to a single use disposable storage container and a lid therefor. The container includes a base and lid. The base includes a generally inverted U-shape rim for mating with the lid to secure the lid to the container base. The container lid includes a composite of paper and plastic. The plastic portion of the lid generally includes an inverted U-shape ring for mating with the base and securing the lid to the base. The plastic ring includes a peripheral ledge and seat extending from an inner side wall of the ring. The paper center panel is secured to the peripheral ledge and seat.
US08308013B2
Systems and containers for holding and transporting potentially hazardous materials are disclosed. Assembled containers may have locking mechanisms reducing the possibility of the containers being opened by persons that are not opening the container in a safe environment. Moreover, containers with releasably securable members for carrying substances such as frozen carbon dioxide, used for maintaining cold temperatures of various items are disclosed.
US08308009B2
A pedal bin having a housing in which a waste container can be accommodated, a lid mounted at the top of the housing by a pivot pin, which lid has a lever that extends on the side of the pivot pin facing away from the lid and at this location has a sliding construction that allows a sliding movement between a relatively low position and a relatively high position in a plane transverse to the pivot pin, a movable pedal provided at the bottom of the housing as well as an operating member interacting with the sliding construction of the lid and the pedal for pivoting the lid, by depressing the pedal, between a closed position and a first open position defined by a first pivot angle with respect to the closed position, the sliding construction and the operating member being in the relatively low position and the operating member being subjected to tensile force.
US08308001B2
Feeding bottle (10) comprising a neck to which a teat (14) is attached, characterized in that it comprises at least two visual marks (20, 22) located on one and the same circumference near the neck or near the teat and separated from one another about the axis of the feeding bottle, one of these marks (20) defining one angular position of the feeding bottle (10) about its axis for which the other mark (22) indicates a point through which the free surface (24) of the liquid contained in the feeding bottle needs to pass in order for the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid at an outlet orifice (16) of the teat (14) to be substantially zero.
US08307993B2
A filter apparatus that while maintaining a high revolution speed, realizes reduction of filter element vibration. The filter apparatus is one comprising cylindrical main-body vessel (1); tubular filter element (7) having a multiplicity of filter pores (7a) for removal of foreign matter contained in liquid, disposed in the main-body vessel (1) coaxially with the main-body vessel (1); inflow pipe (5) for introduction of a liquid containing separation objects, disposed in a direction tangential to a circumferential wall surface of the main-body vessel (1); outflow pipe (8) for outflow of the filtrate having passed through the filter element (7); and foreign matter discharge pipe (12) for discharging of the separation objects together with the liquid, disposed in a direction tangential to the circumferential wall surface of the main-body vessel (1), wherein the filter pores (7a) partially or wholly are formed into a taper such that the pore size on a fluid inflow side is different from that on a fluid outflow side.
US08307990B2
The invention provides a filter module comprising an outer casing provided at each end with a respective support plate for supporting at least one filter element for obtaining a filtrate that is recovered via an outlet passage provided in the vicinity of each support plate. According to the invention, each support plate is extended at right angles by an assembly skirt for assembling to the casing.
US08307989B2
A bill handling apparatus having a thickness detection sensor 401 for detecting the thickness of bills; optical sensors 405 and 406 for acquiring images of the profiles and surfaces of the bills; a judgment unit for judging the positions and directions of folds of the bills with the use of signals obtained with the thickness detection sensor 401 and the optical sensors 405 and 406; and a control unit for exercising control such that if a judgment result of the judgment unit shows that the position and direction of a fold of a folded bill are unlikely to cause double bill transfer during bill transfer by considering the relationship of the folded bill to a bill located immediately before or after the folded bill, the folded bill is kept in the apparatus without being returned to the user.
US08307985B2
Process for separating at least one type of catalyst or adsorbent particles having similar colors characterized in that such particles undergo an oxidative heating treatment for generating particle of different colors, and then particles are separated using a color sorting process for separating at least one type of particles.
US08307974B2
A track assembly for a particulate material extrusion pump according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a link assembly with a roller bearing. An insert mounted to a load beam located such that the roller bearing contacts the insert.
US08307966B2
A beverage holder for use with luggage having a pair of upwardly extending spaced-apart rails with a handle extending therebetween includes a beverage support member, a pair of spaced-apart elongated arms, and a pair of clips. The beverage support member has an open top and a bottom with an outer wall extending therebetween. The beverage support member is configured to receive a beverage container through the open top and hold the received beverage container. The arms extend upwardly away from the open top. A proximal end of each arm attached to the beverage support member. Each clip is at a distal end of each respective arm. The clips are configured to removably attach to the luggage handle. When attached, the clips are pivotable about the handle to maintain the beverage container in a substantially level position regardless of whether the luggage is in a tilted or a non-tilted position.
US08307959B2
A device (20) has an electrically-operated brake (37) and a manually-operated auxiliary brake (27). The electrically-operated brake includes a coil (70), a core (68), an armature (69), and an alternating series of friction pads (74) and brake disks (75), that are arranged to be compressed between the housing and the armature. The shaft brake (27) includes a collar (22) mounted on the housing for combined axial and rotative movement relative thereto, a first interlock portion (106, 110) mounted on the shaft (24), an annular member (84) surrounding the shaft and having a second interlock portion (85) and a spring (124) urging the member to move toward the shaft. The collar (22) is adapted to be selectively moved relative to the housing between a first portion at which the first (106, 110) and second (85) interlock portions are physically engaged with one another, and a second position at which the first (106, 110) and second (85) interlock portions are physically separated from one another. The shaft (24) may include a first and second shaft portions (25, 26), and a cam mechanism (125, 126) that automatically releases the braking mechanism when the shaft portions (25, 26) are rotated relative to one another, and that automatically re-engages the braking mechanism when the two shaft portions (25, 26) are moved back to their initial null position.
US08307950B1
A monolithically fabricated sound absorbing structural precast concrete noise barrier panel comprising a sound absorbing layer of specialized raw materials. The raw materials include wood particles as well as granulated rubber.
US08307949B2
In one embodiment, an exhaust device has an inner cone stack assembly made up of connectedly overlapping inner cone components with frustums. The inner cone stack assembly is disposed within an outer shell and connected to the exhaust device using contoured flanges to match the contours of mounting surfaces on the exhaust device. An outer cone stack assembly made up of baffle ring retainers having a number of detents and baffle frustums with ears inserted in the detents. The outer cone stack assembly is also disposed within the outer shell. The cone frustums of the inner cone stack assembly and the baffle frustums of the outer cone stack assembly cooperate to break down particles and attenuate sound.
US08307946B1
A firearm suppressor for mounting on a firearm to suppress sound emanating from the firearm when fired may comprise a housing defining an interior and a baffle insert positioned in the interior of the housing. The baffle insert may have at least two baffle wall portions dividing the interior of the housing into at least three baffle chambers, with the baffle wall portions being spaced from each other in a longitudinal direction of the insert. The baffle insert may define a central longitudinal passage for a projectile fired from the firearm to pass through the insert. The baffle insert may define a convoluted passage for combustion gases to pass through the insert, with the convoluted passage being distinct from the longitudinal passage. The convoluted passage may be in communication with the central longitudinal passage and may be defined by at least one auxiliary hole extending through the baffle wall portions.
US08307940B2
An improved structure for a rack drive assembly adapted for use in a vehicle electric power steering assembly includes a ball nut assembly operatively connected to a screw portion of a rack portion of a steering member of the power steering assembly for effecting axial movement of the steering member upon rotation of a vehicle steering wheel. According to one embodiment, the ball nut assembly includes a ball nut having an outer surface; a bearing assembly fixedly disposed in the rack housing and carried by the ball nut for rotatably supporting the ball nut assembly relative to the steering member; and a damper disposed on an outer race of the bearing assembly. The damper includes a pair of dampers disposed on the outer race of the bearing assembly, each of the dampers including at least a first member formed from a first rigid material and a second member formed from a second damping material.
US08307937B2
An improved apparatus (30) for steering rear wheels (16, 18) of a vehicle (10) includes hydraulic motor (34) having chambers (56, 58) which hold hydraulic fluid. An increase in fluid pressure in one of the chambers turns the steerable rear wheels of the vehicle in a first direction. An increase in fluid pressure in another one of the chambers turns the steerable rear wheels in a second direction. A control valve (36) is connected in fluid communication with the chambers (56, 58) of the hydraulic motor. The control valve (36) is free of a return flow of hydraulic fluid from the motor (34). A return conduit (134) is connected with the chambers (56, 58) and conducts a flow of hydraulic fluid to a reservoir (116) along a path which is spaced from the control valve (36). The motor (34) may include springs (70, 72) which are disposed in the chambers (56, 58) of the motor. Biasing sleeves (76, 78) are effective to transmit force from the springs to a piston (62).
US08307936B2
A transmission device (1) for a vehicle with a variator (3), a planetary gear unit (4) and a gearshift transmission unit (9). The variator (3) has a length which is greater than a width and a depth of the variator (3). When the variator (3) is installed in position in the vehicle, the length of the variator (3) is orientated at least approximately diagonally to the length of the vehicle.
US08307932B2
A front part of a motor vehicle body is provided that includes, but is not limited to a radiator and a bumper support transversely extending in front of the radiator and an air passage aligned with the radiator and formed in the bumper support.
US08307931B2
A sensor equipped axle unit having an in-wheel type motor built therein, in which a hub bearing assembly (A), an electric motor (B), a reduction gear unit (C) and a brake assembly (D) are arranged coaxially on a center axis of a vehicle drive wheel. Sensors (80, 81 and 82) are provided for measuring forces Fx, Fy and Fz acting at a point of contact of the vehicle drive wheel (70) and a road surface in three axis directions perpendicular to each other, respectively, from the status of at least one of the hub bearing assembly (A), the electric motor (B), the reduction gear unit (C) and the brake assembly (D). Results of such measurement are utilized for a suspension control, an ABS control and any other control.
US08307916B1
A product, system and method for controlling fluid loss in oil wells, including lost circulation while drilling wells. A load of fluid control pods is pumped down the drill string into the target formation using water, drilling mud or another suitable delivery fluid. Each pod comprises a discrete mass of swelling agent with a frictional surface. Preferably, the pod comprises superabsorbent granules inside a fabric sack that is deformable and elastic and provides the frictional surface. After the pods have time to swell and become compressed against each other in the voids, drilling or other procedures may be continued. The size and frictional surface of the pods facilitates stable positioning of the pods in the voids of the formation, minimizes the total amount of swelling agent required, and reduces the tendency of the pods to become dislodged.
US08307915B2
Systems and methods for drilling a multilateral well using magnetic ranging while drilling are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, a method of drilling a multilateral well includes drilling and casing a mother wellbore, installing a multilateral junction, drilling and casing a first lateral well from the multilateral junction, and drilling a second lateral well from the multilateral junction using magnetic ranging while drilling such that the second lateral well has a controlled relationship relative to the first lateral well. The first and second lateral wells may form a SAGD well pair, in which case the first lateral well may be a producer well and the second lateral well may be an injector well.
US08307911B2
A torque system of a power tool includes a combination of a first body and a second body, in which a toothed ring is assembled; and a mode selecting assembly, a torque adjusting module and control pins disposed on the second body. The torque system further includes restricting mechanisms formed on the second body, and the control pins are respectively disposed in the restricting mechanisms. One side of the control pin has a stopper block, and the restricting mechanism includes a first stopper, a second stopper and a through hole. When the control pin is driven to rotate and the stopper block faces the first stopper or the through hole, the object of switching each operation mode is achieved.
US08307909B1
A conservation tillage implement having three or more rows of individual coulter wheel assemblies laterally spaced apart and removably mounted on a cultivator frame, a coulter wheel assembly in a given row being staggered with respect to the coulter wheel assemblies in a longitudinally adjacent row. The coulter wheel assemblies may be laterally adjustable and may be mounted to the cultivator frame using a mounting means that permits rotation about a vertical axis. The coulter wheel assemblies may have a coil spring with a horizontal spring axis to permit upward deflection in response to impact with an obstacle. Leveling attachments may optionally be mounted to the cultivator frame, along with additional field working tools. The implement is used in the management of crop residue as part of a minimum tillage strategy, is particularly resistant to plugging, and can be operated at high speeds and/or in standing water.
US08307897B2
Methods using diagenesis source material including the steps of providing a diagenesis source material in a subterranean formation and introducing a first plurality of particulates into the subterranean formation. The diagenesis source material then consolidates at least a portion of the first plurality of particulates into a pack in the subterranean formation.
US08307893B2
The present invention is directed to a method of hydrocarbon production from a hydrocarbon reservoir. The method includes providing a substantially horizontal wellbore having at least one productive interval within a hydrocarbon reservoir and forming at least one non-conductive transverse fracture in the reservoir along the substantially horizontal wellbore. An injection well is also provided. A fluid is injected into the reservoir through the injection well to displace hydrocarbons within the reservoir toward a production portion of the substantially horizontal wellbore. Fluid production from the at least one production interval into the substantially horizontal wellbore flows through an inflow control device that can restrict the fluid flow. A non-conductive transverse fracture can form a barrier within the reservoir to divert injected fluids to increase sweep efficiency and reduce the influx of injected fluids into the production interval.
US08307890B2
A whipstock assembly for milling an aperture in a casing of an oil, gas or water well, the whipstock assembly having a whipstock with a deflection face (6) for deflecting a milling head of a milling device to cut through the casing. The whipstock has a plateau portion (7) raised above the plane of the deflection face to support the milling head as it engages the casing. The plateau can induce the milling device to pivot around one of the milling heads during some of the milling operations, which optimizes the stress applied to the heads of the milling device.
US08307889B2
The present application is directed to an assembly for controlling an annulus between tubulars. The assembly comprising a first annular member securable to the outer tubular; a second annular member securable to the first annular member; wherein each of the first and second annular members have eccentric bores therethrough.
US08307882B2
In the casting of a single crystal component, such as a turbine blade, by the lost wax casting technique, one or more ceramic pieces are positioned on a wax pattern at locations corresponding to parts of the cast component where relatively quick solidification of molten metal may occur during casting. A coating is subsequently formed around the wax pattern to define a mould, whereupon the wax is removed to leave the one or more ceramic pieces within the formed mould.
US08307872B2
An apparatus for forming a structural member includes a tool platform and a pressure platform that may be movable relative to one another between an open position and a closed position. The apparatus may include a tool against which the member may be pressed. The tool may be supported by the tool platform and may have an inner surface. The apparatus may include a pressure bladder configured to be pressurized for applying pressure to the member. The pressure bladder may be supported by the pressure platform for pressing the member against the tool. Also included may be a heating system for heating the tool and a tool liner in thermal contact with the inner surface for distributing heat thereto.
US08307870B2
A double facer that fabricates a corrugated fiberboard and that includes heat plate units having thin walls aims at improving the heat conductive efficiency to fiberboard sheets in order to enhance responsibility to the setting temperature and concurrently avoiding thermal deformation of the heat plates due to a difference in temperature between the top surface and the bottom surface. The heat plate unit for fabricating a double-faced corrugated fiberboard included in a double facer that fabricates a double-faced corrugated fiberboards by gluing a single-faced corrugated fiberboard in a swath form and a linerboard together, the heat plate, being horizontally disposed and having a top surface on which the single-faced corrugated fiberboard in a swath form and the linerboard overlapping and being glued together travels, includes: a rib 32, disposed on a bottom surface of a heat plate 31, extending in a width direction of the heat plate 31, being coupled to the heat plate 31 to form an integrated body, and being capable of thermal expansion; and temperature controlling means that controls a temperature of the heat plate 31 and a temperature of the rib 32 independently of each other.
US08307864B2
A valve assembly for vacuum sealing a collapsible storage bag including a first valve part and a second valve part. The first valve part being inserted into the second valve part with a wall of the bag in between, causing the wall of the bag to break and/or puncture. A valve sealing mechanism to control the air flow from within the bag through the first and second valve part and out the bag.
US08307826B1
A method of providing a source of breathable humidified oxygen gas. A membrane oxygen humidifier is provided that includes at least one water permeable membrane and an enclosure. The at least one water permeable membrane has a first membrane side and a second membrane side that are in communication through the water permeable membrane. The enclosure extends over the second membrane side and wherein the enclosure has an air inlet port and an air outlet port. A first gas containing oxygen is directed past the first membrane side. The second gas is directed past the second membrane side with a fan. The first gas is humidified by transferring moisture through the at least one water permeable membrane from the second gas to the first gas.
US08307820B2
A solar reflector assembly is provided for generating energy from solar radiation. The solar reflector assembly is configured to be deployed on a supporting body of liquid and to reflect solar radiation to a solar collector. A solar reflector assembly comprises an inflatable elongated tube having an upper portion formed at least partially of flexible material and a lower ballast portion formed at least partially of flexible material. A reflective sheet is coupled to a wall of the tube to reflect solar radiation. The elongated tube has an axis of rotation oriented generally parallel to a surface of a supporting body of liquid.
US08307817B2
A gas burner module for a gas cooktop has a gas burner with an ignition and monitoring electrode, and also ignition and control electronics, a flame monitoring device and a gas valve. A burner foot in the form of a base is provided as a supporting element of the gas burner module. These parts of the gas burner module are combined to form a unit and are mechanically connected to one another in such a way that they form a constructional unit which can be handled independently.
US08307815B2
A filter assembly (100) comprises a housing (200) and a filter cartridge (300) that incorporates crankcase pressure-regulating components. The cartridge (300) includes an end cap (330), a plunger (340), and a spring (350). When the filter cartridge (300) is installed in the housing (200), the plunger (340) interacts with a podium (224), in response to crankcase pressure, to allow or block fluid communication with the inlet chamber (111).
US08307813B2
A heating device, which is designed as a heater for liquid fuels, has a housing component and a heating element embedded in the housing component. The heating element is designed as a self-regulating heating element, so that protection against overheating is ensured.
US08307807B2
An idle control device for an engine is provided that can prevent delay in return to a target revolution speed which may cause unpleasant vehicle vibration or lead to an engine stall.
US08307790B2
A method for operating an engine with a fuel reformer is presented. In one embodiment a method for operating an engine by injecting a gaseous fuel and a liquid fuel to at least an engine cylinder is presented. The method may prioritize the injection of the gaseous fuel in response to an amount of gaseous fuel stored in a fuel storage tank.
US08307789B2
The retractable leash support includes a bracket mounted on a rotatable platform the rotatable platform being mountable to any fixed structure. The bracket has two extension tubes spaced for receiving the grip portion of a typical retractable pet leash, the extension tubes also being adapted to accommodate a plate having complementary tubes that fit over the extension tubes to secure the pet leash between the bracket and plate. The extension tubes and complementary tubes of the plate have holes that can be aligned. Pins are inserted into the aligned holes to lock the pet leash grip securely in the leash support.
US08307786B2
Feeder protection apparatus comprising a plurality of side panels attached around a periphery of the base of the feeder by a plurality of fasteners. Each side panel comprises a generally rectangular sheet configured to be oriented generally perpendicular to the base when attached thereto and to extend above and below the base.
US08307785B2
A method and system for reducing methane emissions by ruminants. The method includes providing a feed dispenser for feeding ruminants nutrient supplements, and the feed dispenser includes a gas analyzer where a ruminant places its head. The method includes determining a particular ruminant has accessed the feed dispenser such as by reading an identifier from an RFID ear tag and operating the feed dispenser to provide a ration of methane-controlling nutrient supplement. The method includes using the gas analyzer to determine levels of carbon dioxide and methane and operating a data analyzing station to determine a ratio of methane to carbon dioxide and modify the type or amount of nutrient supplement for the ruminant for a next feeding to control methane production or achieve an animal production goal, such as by operating a hopper with supplement compartments. The unit can be monitored remotely and controlled through an Internet connection.
US08307779B2
A coating apparatus includes, a container unit which contains liquid, a container support unit which supports the container unit, a work support unit which supports a work oppositely to a discharge unit of the liquid in the container unit, a base unit which supports the container support unit, and is grounded, and an insulating unit which is provided between the base unit and discharge unit, and insulates the base unit and discharge unit.
US08307778B2
Jet lines C1, C3, C5, . . . extending in an X-direction and suction lines C2, C4, C6, . . . extending in the X-direction are arranged alternately at a fixed pitch W in a Y-direction. Jet openings 88 are arranged at fixed intervals 3D on the jet lines C2n−1, suction openings 90 are arranged at fixed intervals 3D on the suction lines C2n, and the jet openings 88 and the suction openings 90 on the adjacent ones of the jet lines C2n−1 and the suction lines C2n are spaced apart from each other by a fixed distance D with respect to the X-direction. Slots 88a and 90a are extended straight from the upper ends of the jet openings 88 and the upper ends of the suction openings 90, respectively, in a carrying direction (the X-direction) and a direction opposite the carrying direction.
US08307762B1
A cutting assembly for cutting a meat or food product passing along a path of travel and comprising a blade assembly including a cutting roller having a plurality of cutting blades radially mounted thereon and movable relative to the path of travel. A mating assembly interacts with the plurality of cutting blades to accomplish a multipoint cutting procedure which is facilitated by the concurrent rotation of the cutting roller and cutting blades as well as a linear reciprocal travel thereof transverse to the path of travel. A stabilizing assembly is provided to restrict the dimensional variance of the spacing between the cutting roller and mate roller through which the meat product travels and an ejecting assembly to remove cut portions from between the cutting blades and back onto the path of travel. The cutting assembly preferably includes a modular construction disposal within and removal from an operative position along a processing line associated with the path of travel.
US08307758B2
A continuous stir-fry cooking apparatus of a rotating drum type includes a heating drum having a cooking ingredient charging portion at one end and a product discharging portion at the other end, a swing arm 23 swingable about a swing shaft provided on an axis line of the heating drum 14, a rotating shaft 24 provided to a swing end of the swing arm to be parallel to the axis line of the heating drum, and a stirring blade member 26 provided to the rotating shaft with a tip end coming in close proximity to an inner peripheral surface of the heating drum. The stirring position of the stirring blade member can be optimized by regulating the swing angle of the swing arm according to the conditions, such as the rotating velocity of the heating drum.
US08307753B2
A fluidic artificial muscle actuator consisting of an inner elastic bladder surrounded by a braided filament sleeve and sealed off on either end with end fittings. Pressurization of the actuator produces force and/or motion through radial movement of the bladder and sleeve which forces the sleeve to move axially. Both contractile and extensile motions are possible depending on the geometry of the braided sleeve. The fluidic artificial muscle actuator is manufactured using a swaging process which plastically deforms swage tubes around the end fittings, braided sleeve, and pressure bladder, creating a strong mechanical clamping action that may be augmented with adhesive bonding of the components. The swaging system includes the swaging die and associated components which are used to plastically deform the swage tube during assembly of the actuator.
US08307752B2
A hydraulic motor having pistons, some of which are in a working phase and some are in a non-working phase, whereby the pistons are adapted to rotate the piston hydraulic motor's shaft or casing. To the piston hydraulic motor there are at least two working pressure medium channels, whereby the piston hydraulic motor can be connected for full volume or partial volume. In full volume, all the pistons in the working phase can be brought into the working phase in the motor by a pump's working pressure, whereas in the case of partial volume flow only some pistons can be brought into the working phase by the working pressure. The piston hydraulic motor comprises an actuator, which can close one of the piston hydraulic motor's pressurized inlet channels when the pressure in the other pressure medium channel falls below a certain critical value.
US08307749B2
A system for venting a container includes a venting device, a transition manifold coupled with the venting device, and an initiator coupled with the transition manifold. The initiator includes a reactive panel including a substrate and a plurality of reactive layers disposed on the substrate. A method of venting a container includes providing a venting system operatively associated with the container, reacting a first material of the venting system with a second material of the venting system to produce an exothermic reaction, and venting the container as a result of reacting the first material with the second material.
US08307748B2
Designs and methods are provided for a multi-range camouflage. In one exemplary embodiment, the camouflage comprises an array of tiles creating a micro camouflage pattern discernable at a first distance. The camouflage design further comprises a macro camouflage pattern discernable at a second distance that is substantially greater than the first distance. The macro camouflage pattern is inherent in the arrangement of tiles forming the micro camouflage pattern, and based on a predefined source image.
US08307746B2
To provide a machine tool capable of preventing even chips in a powder form and coolant from leaking to a feed mechanism side. A slide plate 12 is provided to cover a feed mechanism 16. The slide plate 12 is fixed to a second headstock 6 to move in an axial direction together with the second headstock 6. Between the slide plate 12 and a bed side member, a seal portion 31 is provided. The seal portion 31 has a first slide contact member 20 provided on the slide plate 12 and a second slide contact member 18b which is provided on the bed side member and in slide contact with the first slide contact member 20, and the first and second slide contact members 20 and 18b relatively slide while being in contact with each other.
US08307737B2
A steering wheel has an internal structural component formed by an armature made of a relatively rigid material such as magnesium or aluminum, or an alloy of magnesium or aluminum, and an external component made of a compressible material such as polyurethane. The armature has a hub, a rim surrounding the hub, and radial spokes extending between the hub and the rim. The external component includes an over-lay providing a rim cover for the rim and a spoke cover for each of the two spokes. The external component also includes one or more parts extending radially inwardly from the rim cover to provide an additional spoke or spokes.
US08307725B2
The invention proposes a system for obtaining information relating to a pipe (4) conveying a flow of fluid (28), and/or relating to the fluid. This system comprises a module (1;30) comprising means (10) of acquiring data, subsequent analysis of which makes it possible to obtain information relating to the pipe and/or the fluid, and means (11) of storing the data which said data acquisition means acquire, the self-contained module being arranged to be pushed by the fluid flow after being introduced into the pipe. It also comprises a mechanical link (2) which is connected to the self-contained module and accessible from outside the pipe.
US08307722B2
There are provided a method of detecting dispensed quantity in which without the need of detecting a surface of liquid accommodated in a container, a liquid quantity can be detected only by measuring pressure change; and a relevant liquid suction monitoring dispensing apparatus. There is provided a method of detecting dispensed quantity for detection of the quantity of liquid suctioned and discharged by a dispensing apparatus including a pipette tip, a liquid suctioning/discharging mechanism for the pipette tip, a pressure sensor capable of detecting the pressure within the pipette tip, and a lifting and lowering mechanism for the pipette tip, which method comprises: an insertion step for inserting a distal end of the pipette tip down to the deepest zone of a container accommodating liquid to be measured; a suction pressure measuring step for without moving of the pipette tip, while suctioning the liquid into the pipette tip at a predetermined suctioning rate, measuring any pressure change during the suctioning; and a suction detecting step for on the basis of pressure change measured, determining the state of suction. Further, there is provided a liquid suction monitoring dispensing apparatus capable of practicing this method.
US08307719B2
An apparatus for measuring volume- or mass-flow of a medium in a pipeline. The apparatus includes: a measuring tube, through which medium flows in the direction of the measuring tube axis, wherein the measuring tube has, in stream direction of the medium, a first end region and a second end region; a magnet system, which a produces a magnetic field passing through the measuring tube essentially transversely to the measuring tube axis; at least one measuring electrode coupled with the medium and arranged in a region of the measuring tube lying essentially perpendicular to the magnetic field; and a control/evaluation unit, which delivers information concerning volume- or mass-flow of the medium in the measuring tube on the basis of a measurement voltage induced in the at least one measuring electrode. In order to keep costs for the magneto-inductive flow measuring device low, the measuring tube is embodied as one-piece and the first end region and the second end region of the measuring tube are flared.
US08307714B1
A dual port pressure sensor has a lead frame having a flag having a first opening and a second opening. The lead frame has a flag having a first opening and a second opening. An encapsulant holds the lead frame. The encapsulant is over a top of the flag and a bottom of the flag is uncovered by the encapsulant. A first opening in the encapsulant is aligned with and larger than the first opening in the flag, and a second opening in the encapsulant is aligned with the second opening in the flag. A pressure sensor transducer is attached to the bottom of the flag and covers the first opening in the flag and provides an electrically detectable correlation to a pressure differential based on a first pressure received on its top side and a second pressure received on its bottom side. An integrated circuit is attached to the bottom of the flag and is electrically coupled to the pressure sensor. A lid forming an enclosure with the bottom of the flag. The pressure sensor transducer receives the first pressure through the first opening in the encapsulant and the first opening in the flag and the second pressure through the second opening in the encapsulant, the second opening in the flag, and the enclosure.
US08307707B2
In a method for operating a sensor system including a substrate having a main plane of extension and an oscillating structure which is movable relative to the substrate, drive elements excite the oscillating structure to a torsional oscillation about an axis of oscillation running essentially perpendicular to the main plane of extension, first detection elements detect a first tilting movement of the oscillating structure about a first tilting axis essentially parallel to the main plane of extension, and further detection elements detect an angular acceleration of the substrate superposed to the torsional oscillation essentially about the axis of oscillation.
US08307704B2
An apparatus for use in a wellbore may include a tool having a first section configured to receive a core and a second section configured to collect a gas escaping from the core. The apparatus may also include a sensor associated to provide signals relating to a property of gas. In one aspect, the second section may be removable and may be pressurized. The apparatus may also include a recorder that records data representative of the signals received from the sensor. The recorder may record data while the tool is retrieved from the wellbore. A method for estimating a parameter of interest of a formation includes retrieving a core from the formation, collecting a gas escaping from the core as the core is retrieved to the surface, and measuring at least one property of gas while the core is retrieved to the surface.
US08307701B2
An engine pulley testing device for detecting damaged engine pulleys featuring a first support arm and a second support arm pivotally connected via a pivot component. Lengths of the support arms are adjustable. A brace component connects the support arms and functions to temporarily secure the support arms a certain distance apart. A pulley pole extends through the pivot component such that the first support arm and second support arm pivot about the pulley pole via the pivot component. A top pulley is disposed on the pulley pole, a first bottom pulley is rotatably attached to the first support arm, and a second bottom pulley is rotatably attached to the second support arm. An engine belt can be wrapped around the first bottom pulley, the second bottom pulley, the top pulley, and a test pulley being tested in an engine.
US08307665B2
A sample cooling apparatus capable of cooling and holding samples or wafers at a cryogenic temperature with no vibration or drift with respect to a measurement reference surface is disclosed. In the sample cooling apparatus, a sample holder is arranged in a vacuum vessel mounted on a housing having a table for forming a measurement reference surface to be supported by a thermal insulator. A frame is disposed within the housing to be supported by a first buffer. A refrigerating machine is disposed in the frame to be supported by a second buffer and has a head directed to the vacuum vessel. The cooling head of the refrigerating machine is connected to the sample holder by way of a flexible thermal conduction member.
US08307653B2
A catalytic oxidation module for a catalytic combustor of a gas turbine engine is provided. The catalytic oxidation module comprises a plurality of spaced apart catalytic elements for receiving a fuel-air mixture over a surface of the catalytic elements. The plurality of catalytic elements includes at least one primary catalytic element comprising a monometallic catalyst and secondary catalytic elements adjacent the primary catalytic element comprising a multi-component catalyst. Ignition of the monometallic catalyst of the primary catalytic element is effective to rapidly increase a temperature within the catalytic oxidation module to a degree sufficient to ignite the multi-component catalyst.
US08307648B2
In a compressor of a turbocharger of an internal combustion engine comprising a housing with an inflow channel; a compressor impeller arranged in the inflow channel; and a bypass channel which has a first flow opening upstream of the compressor impeller inlet, a second flow opening downstream of the compressor impeller inlet and an axial annular chamber which connects the first and the second flow openings. An axial vane structure is provided in the axial annular chamber of the bypass channel, which imparts a swirl direction corresponding to that of the air mass flow in the inflow channel to the air mass flowing through the bypass channel from the second to the first flow opening.
US08307642B2
A motor mounted on a structural support with a pivot at its center line which comprises a cylindrical vessel for holding a fluid in a closed system and in which a buoyant cylinder containing a lighter fluid is allowed to free float so that a continuous chain attached to each end of the buoyant cylinder may be used to transfer energy to a energy storage unit, a crank or a generator. A weighted piston that operates in a pressure tank which force a compressed gas against the piston through pre-sequenced automatic activated valves to force the piston to rise a re determined distance, causing the motor to become top heavy and rotate 180 degrees by gravity and relocks in place to repeat the cycle.
US08307635B2
An exhaust purification system of an internal combustion engine that includes a NOx catalyst device which has a reducing material holding ability for holding reducing material and can reduce NOx by using the reducing material; and an electronic control unit that includes program logic, which when executed, determines whether or not a difference between a target amount of reducing material held by the NOx catalyst device and a current amount of reducing material held by the NOx catalyst device is larger than a set amount; and performs a first control or a second control.
US08307614B1
A support assembly for use in packaging and other purposes which includes a pivotable support member engaged by a pawl. The support assembly may move along a rail and collect articles thereagainst which are moving at a rate greater than the support assembly. Once the support member accumulates a predetermined number of articles, a pawl rotates and the support member pivots to allow the accumulated group of articles to pass thereby and be removed from the rail for packaging or other purposes.
US08307612B1
An apparatus for filling a balloon with a fluid and tying a knot in the neck of the balloon, having a filling device body engaging a source of fluid under pressure. A balloon barb extends outwards from the body, and a fluid passageway in the body communicates with a control to allow the passage of fluid from the source to the balloon barb. A tying device extends from the body substantially parallel to the balloon barb, the tying device being detachable from and reattachable to a receptacle in the body of the filling device. A keyway is located either the tying device or an inner surface of the receptacle, and a key is located in the other of the tying device or the receptacle. The key corresponds in dimensions to fit in the keyway, where the key removably fits into the keyway when the tying device is inserted in the receptacle of the body of the filling device. A snap fit removably holds the tying device in the receptacle, and an elongated nozzle flange on the balloon barb prevents leakage of fluid when the balloon is being filled.
US08307599B2
A molded synthetic polymer based shingle is provided as is a roof made up of underlying and overlying of courses of such shingles. The shingles are generally rigid and are provided with upwardly protruding moisture guards on the upper surfaces of their headlap portions, for guarding against wind-blown moisture entering fastener locations at which fasteners are used to attach shingles to a roof. The moisture guards may be of various configurations and by either completely or incompletely surround the fastener locations. Shields having recesses for receiving moisture guards therein, or other downward projections, may be provided at under surface locations of the shingles in cooperative engagement for further protection against moisture penetration and for facilitating alignment of shingles relative to other shingles.
US08307592B2
An assembly for a pipe finishing work includes a support bracket supported on side walls, facing each other, of a pair of studs separated from each other and having a guide rail formed long in a direction crossing the pair of studs, a panel member penetrated by a pipe arranged between the pair of studs and having a finishing member coupled thereto to close a gap between the pair of studs in a state in which the penetrating pipe is exposed outside, and a guide rib installed at the guide rail to be capable of sliding with the panel member along the guide rail to position align the panel member with respect to the pipe.
US08307587B2
A construct for making a drainage device for a basement waterproofing system is made from a sheet of waterproof material with two generally parallel sides. A series of longitudinal slots is provided parallel to one of the sides, and a series of tabs that fit in the slots is provided along the other side. The bottom surface is scored to provide a series of fold lines to facilitate folding the construct into a rectangular tubular shape, with the tabs fitting into the slots to hold the shape. Perforations are provided in the device to allow water to flow easily through three of the sides of the device when folded to its rectangular tubular shape. A portion of the device may be folded upward to cover the lower portion of a building wall, or a separate piece may be used to bridge the gap between the device and the wall.
US08307586B2
A shock suppressor has a first base, a second base and a connecting device. The second base is parallel to the first base. The connecting device is slidably mounted between the first base and second base to connect the first and second bases and has a universal connector. The first base abuts against the connecting device in a curved contact surface to provide a first sliding mechanism in multiple directions. The second base abuts against the connecting device to provide a second sliding mechanism in a unidirection.
US08307585B2
The invention is a damper and a method for protecting buildings and similar structural systems from dynamic loading such as loading caused by earthquakes, strong winds or machine vibrations. More specifically, the damper is made from structural members being interconnected in frictional or visco-elastically dampened rotational joints. Due to the dampening of the joints, relative movement between the structural elements is dampened. In particular, the damper is useful for base isolation, e.g., in order to allow a building or a machine to move in a dampened movement relative to its foundation or in order to allow a cable stay of a cable stay bridge to move in a dampened movement relative to its fixation point on the bridge.
US08307573B2
A rotary snow tiller for grooming the snow covering of ski slopes, and which advances in a traveling direction along the ski slope, and has a frame; and a shaft which is rotated with respect to the frame about a first axis crosswise to the traveling direction, and is fitted with tools, each of which extends along a second axis crosswise to the first axis, and is selectively adjustable about the second axis with respect to the first axis.
US08307568B2
There is provided a multilayer protective boot having means for flame resistance, electric shock resistance and chainsaw cut resistance. The boot is designed to meet all of the NFPA 1971:2007, CE/EN ISO 20345-2:1996, and CSA-Ω standards for firefighter protective footwear and the CE/EN ISO 20345-2 SB E, CSA Class 1/ANSI, CE Chainsaw Class 3, and CSA “Green Tree” Chainsaw Z195-02 standards for chainsaw operator protective footwear These standards are met through the use of layers of Kevlar®, rubber and polyamide tricot materials in the vamp, leg, sole, toe cap and back reinforcement regions of the protective boot.
US08307566B1
A blade gap setting device for a potato chip cutting head, the device comprising an elongate body having an upper surface and a lower surface, at least one mounting for a depth micrometer having a displaceable spindle, the mounting extending from the upper surface to the lower surface to permit a depth micrometer to be mounted to the upper surface with a free end of the displaceable spindle being exposed at the lower surface, a first lower reference surface and a second front reference surface, at least the second front reference surface being located forwardly of the at least one mounting.
US08307556B2
A knife according to the present disclosure includes a housing and a blade. The blade includes a blade edge adapted to engage a material, and the blade is coupled to a blade shuttle. The blade and blade shuttle are substantially enclosed within the housing when the blade shuttle is in a retracted position, and the blade is extended from the housing when the blade shuttle is in an extended position. The blade shuttle is adapted to be conveyed to the retracted position based on the blade receiving a force directed substantially perpendicular to the blade edge.
US08307554B1
A clippings catcher that attaches to a trimmer having a guard and motor driven reciprocating cutting blades for catching vegetation clippings regardless of the direction in which the trimmer is moved when cutting vegetation, and having a section of flexible fabric configured to result in a desired billowing of the fabric which enables an effective structure for catching vegetation clippings regardless of the direction in which the trimmer is moved while avoiding interference between the fabric and the blades of the trimmer.
US08307544B2
Disclosed herein is a coaxial cable connector compression tool including an actuator and a body in operable communication with the actuator. The coaxial cable connector compression tool includes a first set of jaws operably associated with the body and dimensioned to receive and engage a first coaxial cable connector, the first set of jaws including a first recess and a second set of jaws operably associated with the body and dimensioned to receive and engage a second coaxial cable connector having different dimensions than the first coaxial cable connector, the second set of jaws including a second recess, wherein the first recess and the second recess reside on a single plane and extend in non-parallel directions. Further, the actuator is configured to trigger compression of both the first and second set of jaws at the same time.
US08307543B2
Provided are a semiconductor chip attaching apparatus and a semiconductor chip attaching method. The semiconductor chip attaching apparatus includes a collet body comprising a pick-up pad and a pad support and a collet plate on the collet body, the collet plate having a central portion. A lower surface of the edge portion contacts an upper surface of the pad support. An edge portion of the lower surface is spaced apart from the upper surface of the pad support. The apparatus further includes a first pipe extending through the collet plate and the collet body. The collet plate includes a second pipe in the edge portion.
US08307537B1
A method of using a tooling mandrel for assembling a disk drive is described. The method includes providing a head stack assembly including a shaft with an engagement feature, and providing the tooling mandrel including two tooling fingers, one of which is movable. The movable tooling finger is moved between a first configuration in which respective distal tips of the tooling fingers are insertable into and removable from the engagement feature and a second configuration in which the distal tips engage the engagement feature. The tooling mandrel further includes a tooling finger spreader coupled to the movable tooling finger to selectively move the movable tooling finger between the first and second configurations. The method further includes locating the distal tips at least partially within the engagement feature with the tooling fingers in the first configuration, and moving the movable tooling finger to the second configuration to engage the shaft.
US08307534B2
A method of forming an encapsulated coupled coil arrangement. The method includes coupling a first lead of a first coil to a second lead of an electrical circuit device, by soldering or infusion, using a superconductive jointing alloy; and encapsulating the first coil, the electrical circuit device and the jointed leads of the first coil and the electrical circuit device in an encapsulation material. The jointing alloy has a melting point higher than a highest temperature experienced by the encapsulation material having the encapsulation process.
US08307525B2
A hand-operated rivet setting tool, having an upper handle, a lower handle, a housing which is connected to the lower handle at its first end and houses a pump assembly and a flexible reservoir, the pump assembly, connected to a flexible reservoir, the front assembly for setting a rivet, having a nose tube connected to a hydraulic cylinder of the pump assembly, a lever assembly, wherein the lever assembly and at least one of the handles are operationally connected to the pump assembly, wherein the pump assembly is sufficiently designed to advance the hydraulic cylinder with the nose tube to set the rivet when the lever of the lever assembly is in a first position, and wherein the pump assembly is sufficiently designed to open a passage for oil to return into the flexible reservoir and the hydraulic cylinder with the nose tube to retrieve toward the housing when the lever of the lever assembly is in a second position.
US08307517B2
A slide lock for joining two ends of a textile ribbon, including an external sleeve having a cavity; and a locking part having at least one tip and mounted in the cavity of the external sleeve; wherein the external sleeve has an opening with stops for the locking part and an opening allowing the insertion of the locking part, locking portions for cooperating with the stops to retain the locking part in the cavity are further provided in the external sleeve.
US08307513B1
A hinge for a swinging door. The hinge includes first and second leafs, each having knuckles, and a pin which rotatably attaches the first and second leafs together. The first knuckle of the first leaf includes a detent, the first knuckle of the second leaf includes first, second, and optionally third, channels, and the pin includes first and second ribs. The first rib is positioned within a desired channel thereby fixing the relative position between the pin and second leaf and predetermining the swing range of the door, which is restricted when the detent engages the first rib. The second rib acts as a spacer to keep the pin from moving away from and over the detent when the door has reached its predetermined swing range. In this fashion, the hinge limits the swing range of a door to keep the door from striking an adjacent wall.
US08307505B2
A rotation control device is configured so that a spring force of a torsion coil spring holds an attitude of a rotation body at a pre-advancement position corresponding to a post-return position (a), and a post-advancement position corresponding to a pre-return position (b), respectively. The rotation control device includes a first rotation part supporting one end of the torsion coil spring and supported on a fixed body so as to rotate as the rotation body rotates, and a second rotation part rotatably supported on the fixed body at a first rotation part side and supporting the other end of the torsion coil spring. When the first rotation part rotates, the second rotation part rotates together with the first rotation part. A wound portion of the torsion coil spring is most elastically deformed when the rotation body is at an intermediate position (c) between the position (a) and the position (b).
US08307501B2
A spring hinge between a bow (2) and a bow cheek (1) of a pair of spectacles is described, having a cheek-side hinge part (3), which forms a bearing fork (6), having a bow-side hinge part (4), which is mounted so it is rotatable in the bearing fork (6) by a hinge axis (5), and having a U-shaped sliding part (9), which supports the bow-side hinge part (4), and which is guided so it is displaceable in a recess (10) of a bow-side housing (11) in the bow longitudinal direction and receives a coiled spring (15) between its two legs (14), which is supported on one side on a web (16), which connects the two legs (14) of the U-shaped sliding part (9), and on the other side on a buttress (17), which engages through a through opening (19), which runs coaxially to the coiled spring (15), in the bow-side hinge part (4) in a nut thread (18) of the housing (11), which is coaxial to the coiled spring (15). In order to allow a largely concealed hinge configuration, it is proposed that the cheek-side hinge part (4) forms an insert, which is inserted into a laterally closed receptacle pocket (7) of the bow cheek (1), and the bow cheek (1) having the insert exposes a passage for the buttress (17), which is coaxial to the coiled spring (15), in the angled bow position.
US08307500B2
A convertible wheeled luggage handle comprises a housing holding a movable swivel handle, and the swivel handle is locked from moving outside the housing by a spring-loaded detent pin engaging a hole, and this detent pin can be raised from the hole freeing the swivel handle to pivot outside the housing by a retainer pin driven through the width of the swivel handle at the housing, and each end of this retainer pin protrudes slightly from each side of the swivel handle, and these protruding ends correspondingly sit into two accommodating slide members located along opposite lengths of the walls locking the swivel handle to the housing, besides locking and being the pivot point for the swivel handle these protruding pin-ends from the retainer pin have the additional function of sliding the swivel handle along the slide members in order to position the swivel handle outside/perpendicular to the housing.
US08307495B1
The present invention is a door closer for controlling the rate a door is closed. The door closer includes a tubular cylinder closed at a first end. Slidably mounted within the tubular housing is a rod assembly that includes a piston at a first end. As the rod assembly is moved through the cylinder, air is drawn into and expelled from the cylinder. A hold open bracket is mounted on the rod assembly for locking the position of the rod assembly with respect to the cylinder. A pair of springs is mounted on the rod, one on each side of the hold open bracket, to maintain the hold open bracket in a neutral position in normal operation. A cover is slidably mounted over the second end of the cylinder to move the hold open bracket to a locked position.
US08307493B2
A windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes at least one longitudinal groove, in which groove a longitudinal strip of the carrier element is disposed, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device for an oscillating arm, wherein the oscillating arm is pivotally connected to the connecting device about a pivot axis near one end, with the special feature that the longitudinal groove has a closed circumference, wherein the connecting device is connected to the wiper blade.
US08307492B2
The invention provides a device for linking (10) a windscreen wiper blade with an arm driving the wiper blade into a wiping movement, which is connected to a connector (12) for the joint-mounting of the wiper blade with the arm about a transversal axis (A), the linking device (10) being fastened to the wiper blade and being mobile for pivoting with respect to the connector (12) about said transversal axis (A), characterized in that the linking device (10) includes a portion (30) able to abut against a component (24) of the connector (12) for limiting the amplitude of the pivoting of the linking device (10) with respect to the connector (12) about the transversal axis (A).
US08307482B2
The invention generally relates to a mattress or a mattress pad with one or more gel sections. The gel section may provide improved support and comfort at a localized area of a mattress or a mattress pad.
US08307476B1
An apparatus for placement on the ground includes a pouch with a removable pillow that is preferably made of a memory foam type of material. A top sheet is formed of a desired flexible fabric material for comfort. The top sheet is extended to form the pouch. A preferred material for the top sheet includes a cotton cloth or cotton blend of fabric. A water resistant bottom sheet is optionally disposed or laminated under the top sheet and is used to keep the top sheet dry when the apparatus is placed on a damp surface. A plastic film or any flexible material resistant to the passage of moisture can be used as the bottom sheet. An extension sheet portion is optionally provided that can be extended along the plane of the ground surface beyond the pillow to provide additional ground cover for the placement of objects, thereon, which keeps the objects dry and away from sand or dirt The use of buttons is preferred for closure of the pouch, closure of the apparatus into a folded state for transport, and for attachment of an optional detachable carrying strap.
US08307475B2
A bassinet for mounting on a play yard frame is supported to provide a swinging movement of the bassinet relative to the play yard. The bassinet is suspended from four detachable connector mounts that slide over the upper frame member of the play yard frame by three flexible support members and a single rigid support member that is operatively connected to a motor housed within a motorized connector mount to drive the swinging motion for the bassinet. The movement induced into the bassinet is controlled by the four support members to keep the bottom surface of the bassinet at a horizontal orientation throughout the swinging movement. The bottom board of the play yard is formed in segments which can be reconfigured to fit in the bassinet. The end segment can be folded below the remaining segments, or in the alternative removed, to affect the reconfiguration for the bassinet structure.
US08307467B2
Described is a multi-function device for attachment to the tank of a toilet fixture. The multi-function device provides a diffusible air-treatment concentrate for deodorizing or otherwise treating the ambient air surrounding the toilet. At the same time, the multi-function device provides a water-soluble water-treatment concentrate for treating the flush water stored in the toilet tank. The multi-function device has an indicator to advise the consumer when replacement of user serviceable parts, such as the water treatment concentrate and the air treatment concentrate, is needed. The multi-function device has a bellows with a varying cross-sectional area to provide, during a flush cycle, a variable flow of air over the air treatment concentrate and into the air.
US08312561B2
The invention relates to a device and a method for the micromechanical positioning and handling of an object. The aim of the invention is to provide a device and an associated method for the micromechanical positioning and handling of objects by means of which the scanning speed can be increased and the positional accuracy be improved so that real time images or video rate images (ca. 25 images per second) having a lateral and vertical resolution in the nanometer range can be achieved. According to the invention, a monolithic component, preferably made of silicon, comprises a support element, an object carrier, a plurality of guide elements and elements for transmitting the movement, the preferably piezoresistive drive elements and the preferably piezoresistive position detectors being integrated into said monolithic component; Said micromechanical positioning device can be used, for example, in scanning probe microscopy and in nanopositioning and nanomanipulation technology.
US08312553B2
A method and apparatus for detecting preselected data embedded in information content is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving information content and detecting in the information content a sequence of content fragments that may contain a portion of preselected data. The method further comprises determining whether a sub-set of these content fragments matches any sub-set of the preselected data using an abstract data structure that defines a tabular structure of the preselected data.
US08312538B2
A site check method is provided that enables a user to check, when the user accesses a predetermined site, whether the site is legitimate or not. The method includes a first display step in which, when the user accesses a first server managing the site from a first information terminal, the first server has the first information terminal display predetermined check information. The method further includes a second display step in which, when the user accesses a second server from a second information terminal, the second server has the second information terminal display the check information.
US08312534B2
A system, method, and program product is provided that initializes a counter maintained in a nonvolatile memory of a security module to an initialization value. The security module receives requests for a secret from requesters. The security module releases the secret to the requesters and the released secrets are stored in memory areas allocated to the requesters. A counter is incremented when the secret is released. Requestors send notifications to the security module indicating that the requestor has removed the secret from the requestor's memory area. The security module decrements the counter each time a notification is received. When the computer system is rebooted, if the counter is not at the initialization value, the system memory is scrubbed erasing any secrets that remain in memory.
US08312532B2
Provided is a connection supporting apparatus for supporting to establish a VPN through an IKE between a client and a gateway, comprising, a mode judging unit receiving authentication information of the client employed in the IKE, and judging whether or not a key exchange mode of the client is a main mode based upon the authentication information, a VPN setting request transmitting unit transmitting a VPN setting request to the gateway when the key exchange mode of the client is the main mode, the VPN setting request containing a client IP address as an authentication ID and information as to a communication key to be used when the client executes the IKE; and a notifying unit notifying both the communication key and the IP address to the client when the notifying unit receives a response with respect to the VPN setting request from the gateway.
US08312527B2
The present invention enables any authentication for a plurality of authentication methods with an authentication server for storing management data on a user. The present invention uses one of set information for logging in with an IC card and user input information from operation means in the case of logging in to a directory server; requests the directory server from a Kerberos authentication operation part for a service ticket; requests the directory server from an LDAP communication operation part for authentication with the service ticket obtained by the relevant request; and requests the directory server from the authentication processing functioning part for a search for granting use of the relevant MFP to a user with one of card information read by a card reader and a user name of user input information in the case where authentication to the directory server by the relevant request is successful.
US08312513B2
After checking a receiving message appearing on an output device, a network administrator inputs an authentication result to a setting terminal using an input device, such as a keyboard. Upon receiving the authentication result from the network administrator, the setting terminal registers, if the received authentication result is permission to access a network device, a MAC address of a traveling employee's terminal that is the sender of the authentication request in the network device as an access permitted terminal. After the registering in the network device is completed, the setting terminal sends the authentication result indicative of permission to access the network device to the employee's terminal, i.e., the sender of the authentication request.
US08312510B2
Responsive to a proxy authentication request from a network terminal, a display for prompting a user to start an authentication operation is performed; authentication data for performing personal authentication are read by a user operation; an authentication request is sent together with the read authentication data to an authentication server; an authentication result is received from the authentication server; the network terminal is notified of the result. When a service requiring personal authentication is used, via a network, a request for proxy authentication can be made from a network terminal lacking an interface for personal authentication to a proxy authentication terminal having an interface for personal authentication, whereby the interface of the proxy authentication terminal can be used to perform the personal authentication.
US08312506B2
A digital television setting information storage apparatus and a method for accessing digital television information are provided. The apparatus includes a random access memory and a non-volatile memory. The method includes steps of: receiving a setting information change signal, storing setting information into the random access memory, clearing the non-volatile memory, and transferring the setting information from the random access memory to the non-volatile memory when the non-volatile memory is erased. The setting information includes channel information and on screen display setting information.
US08312502B2
A recording system includes: a receiving apparatus that receives a content; and a recording apparatus that records the content received by the receiving apparatus. The receiving apparatus includes reception means for receiving the content, acceptance means for accepting a user's operation instructing to record the received content, generation means for generating a control signal for controlling a recording operation of the recording apparatus according to the accepted operation, and supply means for supplying the received content and the generated control signal to the recording apparatus, and the recording apparatus includes acquisition means for acquiring the content and the control signal supplied from the receiving apparatus, recording means for recording the acquired content, and control means for controlling the recording means according to the acquired control signal.
US08312498B2
A digital television (101) which allows the user to view a digital broadcast program receives a digital broadcast signal, and outputs it on the display screen. The digital television sequentially stores print information of the broadcast program in response to a predetermined output instruction during viewing of the broadcast program. The digital television transmits the stored print information to a printer in response to a print start instruction after the predetermined output instruction. In this way, the digital television sequentially saves print data of the broadcast program that the user is viewing, allows the user to select required data later, and can print the selected data all together.
US08312488B2
A stream request is generated based on the stream address of a corresponding program selected from an electronic program guide that associates programs with corresponding IP multicast stream addresses by a subscriber/user device. The stream request is sent from the subscriber device to a broadband device, which compares the address in the request to available stream information listed in a content guide. The content guide contains information for all multicast streams that are available from a CMTS to the broadband device over DS channels of the current MAC domain. The broadband device locks to the stream that corresponds to the request, including tuning to a different DS channel if necessary. The broadband device may request another MAC domain if the stream is not available from the current one. After locking to a desired stream, the broadband device informs the CMTS so that it can adjust content guide user counts.
US08312486B1
A method for presenting advertisements for commercial products in video productions, whereby the commercial product is placed in the video production as an element of the video production. A viewer is enabled to interact with the video production to select the product. Information is then displayed about the selected product; and the viewer is enabled to purchase the selected product.
US08312478B1
A method, system and computer program product for providing driver functionality in computing system includes installing an operating system on the computing system; forming a plurality of isolated sandboxes running on the computing system under control of the operating system; during an attempt to install a driver, installing driver stub in the operating system; installing the driver in one of the isolated sandboxes, wherein the driver directly uses at least part of system resources; using a gateway between the driver stub and the installed driver to provide an interface for transmitting requests from the driver stub to driver.
US08312477B2
A mobile device capable of running at least two operating systems (OS), and a method for sharing a wireless communication module between the operating systems are provided. A hardware controller is configured to communicate between the two operating systems. First, a first operating system encodes an instruction into a first uniform message and transmits the first uniform message to a second operating system, in which the wireless communication module is installed, through the hardware controller. Afterwards, the second operating system enables the wireless communication module to start receiving positioning data according to the first uniform message, encodes the data into a second uniform message, and sends the second uniform message back to the first operating system through the hardware controller. Finally, the first operating system decodes the second uniform message into positioning data.
US08312474B2
An encapsulation module encapsulates a function in a timed method adapter. A caller calls the timed method adapter in place of the function. The timed method adapter calls a set invoker. The set invoker saves an argument, calls an invoke thread, and returns to the timed method adapter. The invoke thread invokes the function and passes the function an object and the argument. The timed method adapter further waits for an execution result from the function and monitors for an expiration of a timeout. If the function returns the execution result before expiration of the timeout, the timed method adapter returns the execution result to the caller. If the timeout expires before the function returns the execution result, the timed method adapter directs the invoke thread to cancel the function and returns a timeout exception to the caller.
US08312471B2
A server supporting the implementation of virtual machines includes a local memory used for caching, such as a solid state device drive. During I/O intensive processes, such as a boot storm, a “content aware” cache filter component of the hypervisor of the server first accesses a cache structure in a content cache device to determine whether data blocks have been stored in the cache structure prior to requesting the data blocks from a networked disk array via a standard I/O stack of the hypervisor. The content aware cache filter component is implemented in an I/O virtualization layer of the standard I/O stack that sits above a file system layer of the standard I/O stack, such that any file system protocol may be implemented in the file system layer.
US08312466B2
One aspect of the present invention can include a method for restricting resources consumed by ghost agents. The method can include the step of associating a ghost agent with a host. A resource utilization value can be ascertained for the ghost agent and the host combined. The ascertained resource utilization value can be compared with a usage threshold. A determination can be made as to whether operations of the ghost agent are to be executed based upon the previous comparison.
US08312460B1
A computer system allocates computer resources to workloads by generated plural requests per combination of workload and allocation period from probability distributions generated at least in part from utilization data.
US08312458B2
A wake-and-go mechanism is provided with a central repository wake-and-go array for a multiple processor data processing system. The wake-and-go mechanism recognizes a programming idiom that indicates that a thread running on a processor within the multiple processor data processing system is waiting for an event. The wake-and-go mechanism updates a central repository wake-and-go array with a target address associated with the event. Each entry in the central repository wake-and-go array may include a thread identification (ID), a central processing unit (CPU) ID, the target address, the expected data, a comparison type, a lock bit, a priority, and a thread state pointer, which is the address at which the thread state information is stored.
US08312454B2
A system, device, and method are provided for managing one or more computer resource systems. More specifically, the present invention provides for the automated maintenance of a computer resource and gradual change of management policies based upon a state of the computer resource. Moreover, the present invention is capable of generating commands related to changing the configuration of the computer resource and maintaining a log of generated commands for later reference by a system administrator. Further, the present invention includes one or more human user written policies, in some computer understandable format, to manage the system and accomplish specific goals based on the system's dynamic nature or behavior.
US08312440B2
A source code of a program is used to identify a first portion of the program that is predicted as being written by a first developer wherein a remaining portion of the program is written by a second developer. The program includes a plurality of program elements. Style information is extracted from each of the program elements. The style information is analyzed to identify a first set of program elements which have a first style corresponding to the first developer, wherein the first style differs from a second style corresponding to the second developer and used by a second set of program elements comprising remaining program elements of the plurality of program elements, and wherein the style information identifies a pattern indicative of how one or more non-syntactic characters have been inserted among syntactic program elements of the plurality of program elements.
US08312438B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for debugging using dynamic compilers. The method may include receiving a first indication to grant access to a set of variables and to allow access to be inhibited to a set of remaining variables. The dynamic compiler may be allowed to optimize the set of remaining variables, while the set of granted variables is preserved. A second indication may be provided to acknowledge access to the set of granted variables and allow access to be inhibited to the set of remaining variables. In some variations, the set of granted variables is implemented as a set of live variables and the set of remaining variables is implemented as a set of dead variables. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.
US08312433B2
A method, system, and computer program product for operating system (OS) aided code coverage are provided. The method includes reading context information associated with a software process in response to a context switching event in an OS, the OS initiating the reading of the context information and controlling scheduling of the software process. The method further includes determining coverage information for code implementing the software process as a function of the context information in response to the OS reading the context information, and storing the coverage information as coverage data.
US08312425B2
Method, system, and computer program product for instantiating a template in a composite application infrastructure. A template that describes a composite application having a plurality of application components is created. The template includes a composite application component assembly descriptor which lists each application component of the composite application. The template is stored in a template library. The composite application is instantiated using the template for creating at least one composite application instance. In an application instance registry, composite application instance(s) and instance information related to the composite application instance(s) is/are registered. The composite application instances are transiently represented in the application instance registry by a respective table entry without creating a real object. The real object that is dynamically created represents a particular composite application instance during a composite application usage session. At an end of the composite application usage session, the particular unused composite application instance is removed.
US08312421B1
A mechanism for graphically performing structural templatization in a graphical model is discussed. A model component with a defined interface is designated as an “interface component” and includes at least one external interface port and one or more internal ports. An instance of the interface component is instantiated in a graphical model and exposes the external interface port. A user also instantiates in the graphical model an instance of a component that is designated as an “implementation component” that includes model functional content and which exposes an implementation port. The user connects the exposed interface port and implementation port and the internal port information from the interface component programmatically merges with the content of the implementation component. The model designer is thus able to concentrate on separately providing interface and content information during the design of the graphical model.
US08312420B1
A mechanism for graphically performing structural templatization in a graphical model is discussed. A model component with a defined interface is designated as an “interface component” and includes at least one external interface port and one or more internal ports. An instance of the interface component is instantiated in a graphical model and exposes the external interface port. A user also instantiates in the graphical model an instance of a component that is designated as an “implementation component” that includes model functional content and which exposes an implementation port. The user connects the exposed interface port and implementation port and the internal port information from the interface component programmatically merges with the content of the implementation component. The model designer is thus able to concentrate on separately providing interface and content information during the design of the graphical model.
US08312417B2
A method and system capable of creating UML protocol state machine for classes and interfaces of a software, by instrumenting the software to obtain a call graph comprising classes and interfaces and respective values associated with class variables and interface variables; identifying particular classes and interfaces in the call graph; identifying call patterns from the call graph to generate a protocol state machine.
US08312414B2
Methods and systems for executing a data integration application using executable units that operate independently of each other. Methods include receiving a specification for a data integration application comprising programmatic rules and specifying data-flow, creating executable units corresponding to the programmatic rules, creating data-flow channels corresponding to the specified data-flow, and executing the executable units such that data is passed between them in a non-blocking manner.
US08312412B2
According to one embodiment, a design support method includes generating first layout data when first electronic components and first positions of the first electronic components on a printed circuit board are specified, computing temperature distribution data showing a temperature distribution on a surface of the board, acquiring a maximum thermal resistance temperature of the second electronic component when the second electronic component is specified, calculating a first temperature on the surface at a second position based on the temperature distribution data when the second position is specified, determining whether the second electronic component can be arranged at the second position based on the first temperature and the maximum thermal resistance temperature, and prohibiting generation of a second layout data when it is determined that the second electronic component can be arranged at the second position, the second layout data showing the first positions and the second position.
US08312410B2
Some embodiments provide a system that improves performance during parameterized cell instantiation in an electronic design automation (EDA) application. During operation, the system persists evaluation results associated with a parameterized cell in the design within a session of the EDA application so that the evaluation results are available even after they have been flushed from memory. Further, the system can persist the evaluation results across sessions of the EDA application. Next, the system uses the persisted evaluation results to instantiate the parameterized cell without re-evaluating the parameterized cell. Finally, the system discards the persisted evaluation results based at least on a dependency associated with the parameterized cell.
US08312399B2
Over the years, parallel processing has become increasingly common. Conventional circuit simulators have not taken full advantage of these developments, however. Here, a circuit simulator and system are provided that partitions circuit matrices to allow for more efficient parallel processing to take place. By doing this, the overall speed and reliability of the circuit simulator can be increased.
US08312398B2
The present invention is directed towards designing integrated circuit and provides systems and methods for lithography-aware floorplanning. According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for circuit floorplanning is provided. The method comprises generating a floorplan through a floorplanner, performing a lithography-analysis within the floorplanner on at least a portion of the floorplan, and generating one or more violations that result from the lithography-analysis. Some embodiment, in addition to viewing a floorplan, further comprise of modifying the floorplan. Furthermore, some embodiments provide a method that further comprises fixing the violations that result from the lithography analysis.
US08312396B2
A method of generating mask data, for a set of masks used to transfer a pattern for delineating a circuit pattern of a semiconductor integrated circuit, includes preparing design data having a design pattern corresponding to the pattern to be transferred on a semiconductor substrate; generating resized data by enlarging the design data by a resizing quantity; generating first mask data by filling a space area having a space width of a space quantity or less of the resized data; and generating second mask data, to be aligned with the first mask data, having a window portion for selectively exposing an area determined by enlarging the space area by the resizing quantity.
US08312394B2
Methods and apparatuses are described for determining mask layouts for printing a design intent on a wafer using a spacer-is-dielectric self-aligned double-patterning process. A system can determine whether a graph corresponding to a design intent is two-colorable. If the graph is not two-colorable, the system can merge one or more pairs of shapes in the design intent to obtain a modified design intent, so that a modified graph corresponding to the modified design intent is two-colorable. The system can then determine a two-coloring for the modified graph. Next, the system can place one or more core shapes in a mandrel mask layout which correspond to vertices in the modified graph that are associated with a selected color in the two-coloring. The system can then place one or more shapes in a trim mask layout for separating the shapes in the design intent that were merged.
US08312386B2
A display device includes a display unit, a first display control unit, a title string storing unit, a navigation string creating unit, a second display control unit, and a scrolling unit. The display unit includes a first portion and a second portion. The first display control unit is configured to display one of a plurality of screen images on the first portion. The plurality of screen images includes a base screen image and being arranged hierarchically from the base screen image. The first display control unit changes a screen image to display from one to another of the plurality of screen images along a screen navigation path starting from the base screen image based on screen navigation data, the screen navigation data indicating relationships between the screen images. The title string storing unit is configured to store a plurality of title strings, each title string indicating one of the plurality of screen images. The navigation string creating unit is configured to create a navigation string including the title strings each corresponding to a screen image which is positioned in a part of the screen navigation path from the base screen image to a current screen image that is displayed on the first portion currently. The second display control unit is configured to display the navigation string on the second portion. The scrolling unit is configured to scroll the navigation string on the second portion in a longitudinal direction of the navigation string so that a part of the navigation string is displayed on the second portion at a time.
US08312383B2
A method, programmed medium and system are provided for enabling a user to move a piece of data or context to another page in a mashup application. Rather than linking directly between pages, pages are “linked” by a drag-and-drop action of the user. To move a piece of data or context to another page, the user drags an item from the current mashup page onto the tab of a target page to which the data item is to be moved. The dropping of a text item on, for example, a tab of a target page causes an event to be fired on the target page, which may be wired to widgets contained within the target page. The target tab is then brought into focus and its page contents displayed. Visual indicators are also provided on source pages to indicate the target pages, which will “accept” the dragged contents.
US08312378B2
A system configured to organize and display configuration information associated with at least one digital printing apparatus. The system includes a processor, a communications interface operably connected to the processor and configured to establish an operable connection to at least one remotely located printing device, and a computer readable medium operably connected to the processor, the computer readable medium containing a set of instructions. The instructions are configured to instruct the processor to request configuration information from the at least one printing device, receive the configuration information from the at least one printing device, format the configuration information such that the configuration information is displayable in a window within the user interface, and display the configuration information.
US08312368B2
Systems, methodologies, media, computing devices, and other embodiments associated with dynamic documentation are described. One exemplary system embodiment can include a dynamic documentation system configured to dynamically generate a document using a skeleton document that includes references to content. The document can be generated by using the skeleton document and retrieving the referenced content to form a final document.
US08312367B2
During a technique for dynamically determining sizes of columns in a table, available space in the table is allocated based at least on sequential groups of size targets, which include ranges of sizes of the columns, and which are associated with visual usability targets for the columns. Note that a given size target in a given group of size targets includes a given range of sizes of a given column. For example, minimum sizes of the columns may correspond to the ranges of sizes of one or more of the groups in the sequential groups of size targets for which the columns satisfy the associated visual usability targets. Furthermore, for a subsequent group of size targets in the sequential groups of size targets after the one or more groups, increments to the minimum sizes of the columns may be calculated based at least on the range of sizes of the subsequent group of size targets, the available space and the minimum sizes.
US08312365B2
A content display system is described herein that combines the positive attributes of brushes and web content by allowing web content to be applied as a brush. The content display system renders web content and creates a bitmap of the rendered web content. The bitmap of the web content as rendered by a web host is captured and used as the pixels for a web brush. The brush can be used wherever other types of brushes can be used. In some embodiments, the brush content is refreshed under control of the application. Web content provided through a brush is much more versatile than simply compositing rendered HTML with other visuals. Thus, the content display system allows applications to display web content inside an application sandbox or other platform using the familiar form to application developers of a brush.
US08312355B2
An integrated circuit configurable to encode data according to a number of coding schemes and to generate cyclic redundancy codes, includes a number of identical specific hardware cells, and each cell includes four outputs for binary signals, four inputs for binary signals, a buffer to delay by one clock period a binary value received on an input and to output a one-clock period delayed binary value, binary adders to perform XOR operations, configurable multiplexers connecting the outputs, the inputs, the buffer and the adders to each other according to several configurable paths, and controllable switch matrices external to each cell and able to electrically connect and disconnect inputs to or from outputs of another cell.
US08312349B2
The present disclosure includes methods, devices, and systems for error detection/correction based memory management. One embodiment includes performing a read operation with respect to a particular group of memory cells of a memory device and, if the read operation results in an uncorrectable error, determining whether to retire the particular group of memory cells in response to a status of an indicator corresponding to the particular group of memory cells, wherein the status of the indicator indicates whether the particular group of memory cells has a previous uncorrectable error associated therewith.
US08312345B1
In an error correcting code encoder apparatus, a first processor generates a first subset of codeword symbols based on original symbols. The first processor includes a first serial input to receive a first subset of the original symbols. A second processor generates a second subset of the codeword symbols based on the original symbols. The second processor includes a second serial input to receive a second subset of the original symbols.
US08312335B2
A method for correcting errors in a multiple antenna system based on a plurality of sub-carriers and a transmitting/receiving apparatus supporting the same are disclosed. The method includes determining a phase shift based precoding matrix phase shifted at a predetermined phase angle, initially transmitting each sub-carrier symbol to a receiver in a packet unit by using the phase shift based precoding matrix, reconstructing the phase shift based precoding matrix to reduce a spatial multiplexing rate if a negative reception acknowledgement (NACK) is received from the receiver, and retransmitting the initially transmitted sub-carrier symbol by using the reconstructed phase shift based precoding matrix or by changing the phase shift based precoding matrix using offset information fed back from the receiver or random offset information.
US08312333B2
An operation terminal, which includes an operation terminal, when connected to a group administration apparatus for administering a plurality of substrate processing apparatuses for processing substrates, generates a data acquisition request format that sets forth retrieval conditions and types of display items classified in individual tables for the substrate processing apparatuses, and then transmits it to the group administration apparatus.
US08312326B2
According to some embodiments, delta checkpoints are provided for a non-volatile memory indirection table to facilitate a recovery process after a power loss event.
US08312325B2
One or more switches are interposed between a controller portion and a storage device. When transmission of a command to a certain storage device fails, a command is transmitted starting from an upstream side to a downstream side of a path between the controller portion and the switch to which the certain storage device is connected, and when command transmission fails while transmitting a command from a kth switch (k is an integer of 0 or more) which is connected to a (k+1)th switch and is one level upstream of the (k+1)th switch or from any port of the controller portion, it is determined that a failure has occurred in a power source that supplies power to the (k+1)th switch.
US08312320B2
An apparatus, program product, and methods for data management, are provided. An exemplary apparatus includes one or more PDHMS surface units each having a serial interface to provide a continuous real-time data stream of captured data, a data storage medium for storing collected downhole process data during a downstream communication link failure, a controller configured to cause the PDHMS surface unit to store recovery data during the downstream communication failure, and a broadband interface to provide recovery file transmission of recovery data stored during the downstream communication link failure. The apparatus can also include a RTU configured to collect the continuous real-time data collected by the PDHMS surface unit and to transmit the collected data to a SCADA system, which can function as a time synchronization master for the RTU and PDHMS surface units, and which can forward the collected data to other systems.
US08312310B2
An electronic apparatus with a wireless unit includes a multiplier to receive a clock signal at a predetermined frequency. The electronic apparatus further includes a modulator configured to modulate the frequency of the clock signal generated by the multiplier, and a controller configured to change the frequency of the clock signal generated by the multiplier and a modulation rate of the modulation performed by the modulator according to a state of the electronic apparatus.
US08312306B2
A system may include acquisition of a supply voltage information representing past supply voltages supplied to an electrical component, acquisition of a temperature information representing past temperatures of the electrical component, and control of a performance characteristic of the electrical component based on the supply voltage information and the temperature information. Some embodiments may further include determination of a reliability margin based on the supply voltage information, the temperature information, and on a reliability specification of the electrical component, and change of the performance characteristic based on the reliability margin.
US08312293B2
An external storage device connectable to an information processing apparatus is provided. The storage device includes: an input/output interface via which data is exchanged with an information processing apparatus; a first storage region where data associated with first and second validity periods is stored; and a second storage region where a control program is stored. While the first validity period is used when the external storage device is connected to one information processing apparatus, the second validity period is used when the external storage device is connected to another information processing apparatus. The control program causes a processor to execute the steps of: establishing connection of the external storage device to an information processing apparatus; identifying any one of the validity periods as a validity period to be used for the data; and executing predetermined security protection processing on the data in accordance with the identified validity period.
US08312286B2
Multiple levels of wireless network resource granting. A user who has an authorized key, e.g., an encryption key or a key indicating that they have paid for service, gets a first, better level of access to the network resources. One without the key is granted lesser access, e.g., less total bandwidth, less bandwidth speed, no access to files or the like.
US08312285B2
A profile management method and system. The method includes retrieving by a computer processor from a user of social network, a user request for generating a profile. The computer processor retrieves user data and an encrypted master security token comprising an identifier associated with the user. The computer processor generates the profile with the user data and associates the profile with the encrypted master security token. The computer processor receives from the social network a request associated with a membership to the social network. The computer system adds communication data to the encrypted master security token and enables access to the profile based on the encrypted master security token. The computer processor transmits to said first social network, a copy of the profile.
US08312277B2
Method, system and computer program for exchanging data between a client computer and a storage device are described, in which the storage device may send a long-term DH-component to an intermediate server. The client computer may send a first short-term DH-component to the storage device through the intermediate server that adds a communication expiration time. The storage device may send a second short-term DH-component to the client computer. The client computer and the storage device may calculate a symmetric key from the long-term component and from both short-term DH-components to exchange data and may delete the short-term DH-components upon reaching the expiration time.
US08312267B2
A technique for securely transferring content from a first device in a first layer to a second device in a second layer. In one embodiment, the first device is a device in a trusted domain and the second device is outside of the trusted domain. Transfer of protected content to another device may require authentication of the receiving device. A rights file which specifies the rights of the receiving device to use the protected content, according to its security level is also transferred. These rights may concern, e.g., the number of times the receiving device may transfer the protected content to other devices, the time period within which the receiving device may play the protected content, etc. The higher the security level of the receiving device, the more rights accorded thereto. A minimum security level requirement may be imposed in order for protected content to be transferred to a device.
US08312259B1
A system, method and computer program product for booting a computer system from the backup and working with the backup as if it were a normal storage device, including loading an initialization application to run in a single thread mode and that identifies a storage media with the backup that includes boot blocks; installing and activating a handler of a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) interrupt module, for intercepting boot loader requests to the storage media, and for redirecting them to the backup; creating a bitmap of the data blocks stored in the backup and of a writable data storage device to which new data will be written; initiating the BIOS to load and execute the boot blocks from the backup; transferring control to a routine defined by a boot record stored in the backup's boot blocks; installing and activating an I/O filter for intercepting the requests to the writable data storage device, and after a write request is received, the I/O filter writes a corresponding data block to the writable data storage, and marks this data block in the bitmap to indicate that this block is stored on the writable storage device; after a read request is received, the I/O filter checks the bitmap to see if this data block was not changed, and redirects the read request to the backup to read the data block, and if the requested data block was changed and written to the writeable data storage device, then the I/O filter redirects the read request to the written blocks on the writeable data storage device.
US08312258B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes semiconductor integrated code (SIC) corresponding to platform independent code of a processor manufacturer. This code may include embedded memory code (EMC) to initialize a memory via initialization of a memory controller, and a mapping of memory signals using an on-die termination (ODT) data structure accessible via the EMC, where the ODT data structure is provided by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and corresponds to a parameterized rule set for a platform dependent memory configuration of the memory. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08312257B2
A resource assignment system includes a driver on an option ROM mounted on a PCI device, to perform hardware resources assignment under a Pre-Boot environment; and an OS driver to perform the hardware resource assignment under an OS environment. A BIOS includes a resource management table showing a range of an I/O space to be assigned to a bridge device in a layer higher than that of the PCI device which requests the I/O space; and an ACPI table used to notify a hardware configuration and data to use an extended I/O space to the OS. The resource management table includes a Pre-Boot table in which assignment of a first granularity to a Legacy-I/O space for a Pre-Boot environment is defined; and an OS table in which assignment of a second granularity to the extended I/O space for an OS environment is defined.
US08312256B2
Example embodiments relate to a machine-readable storage medium encoded with instructions executable by a processor of a computing device including a display device. The machine-readable storage medium may include instructions that access a stored indication upon boot-up of the computing device using a Basic Input Output System (BIOS). In addition, the machine-readable storage medium may include instructions that determine, using the stored indication, whether an operating system (OS) of the computing device exited properly, and instructions that display a BIOS productivity display using the display device when it is determined that the computing device exited properly. Still further, the machine-readable storage medium may include instructions that permit the OS to display a recovery display when it is determined that the OS did not exit properly.
US08312253B2
In response to determining an event has occurred, information is stored at a trace buffer of an integrated circuit. When the trace buffer is full, execution of instructions at a CPU is halted to allow the trace buffer information to be accessed at an external interface to the integrated circuit device. The CPU is continually halted as the trace buffer is filled to facilitate retrieving all information written to the trace buffer.
US08312251B2
A companion chip for a microcontroller has a microprocessor bus domain and a peripheral module bus domain, which are connected to each other via a bus bridge. The microprocessor bus domain includes at least one microprocessor core, and the peripheral module bus domain includes at least one global time-management module as well as modules for communication with the outside world and for signal processing. The companion chip further includes at least one FIFO module for transmitting data within the chip, and between the chip and the microcontroller, and a management module connected to the FIFO module, which ensures the consistency of the data by associating a respective time value and/or an angle of rotation.
US08312244B1
An architecture, system, and method for managing a data storage system by contacting a single processor in a data storage system having more than one processor. The single processor contacts each other peer processor in the data storage system and merges selected data from the single processor with data from the peer processor to determine the state of the data storage system.
US08312236B2
An apparatus and program storage device for maintaining data is provided that includes receiving primary data at a first node, receiving mirrored data from a second and third node at the first node, and mirroring data received at the first node to a second and third node.
US08312235B2
A data processing system includes a first storage system configured with a virtual logical volume that includes a dynamically expandable volume, a second storage system coupled to the first storage system through a data copy network, a host computer configured to input data to the virtual logical volume, and a management server coupled to the host computer, configured to manage the virtual logical volume.
US08312233B2
A first storage system is connected to a second storage system, and an external device within the first storage system is provided to a host as a device of the second storage system. The second storage system includes a cache control section having cache adaptors, each controlling a disk and a cache, a protocol conversion section including protocol adaptors that switch requests from the host to appropriate ones of the cache adaptors, a management adaptor, and an internal network that mutually connects the cache adaptors, the protocol adaptors and the management adaptor. The first storage system being connected to any of the protocol adaptors is connected to the second storage system. The second storage system executes a processing for the external device by the cache control section, or connects to the first storage system through the protocol conversion section without the cache control section executing processing for the external device.
US08312232B2
A cache memory control circuit includes a selecting section configured to select each way or two or more ways in a cache memory in which plural ways have been divided by a predetermined division number, in a predetermined order; a detecting section configured to detect a cache hit in each way; a controlling section configured to, if the cache hit is detected, stop the selection of each way in the selecting section; and a division number changing section having a comparing section, which compares respective values of two pieces of read data from the cache memory having been propagated through two paths, one of which has a predetermined amount of delay with respect to the other one, the division number changing section which changes the predetermined division number depending on whether the two pieces of the read data match or mismatch with each other in the comparing section.
US08312229B2
A method and apparatus are provided in a computing environment for scheduling access to a resource. The method grants access to the resource by a non-real-time request when the non-real-time request can be completed before the latest possible start time at which a first real-time request must start service to timely complete all actual and anticipated real-time requests, otherwise granting the first real real-time request access to the resource.
