US08323943B2
The screening method for an anticancer drug comprises selecting a compound which blocks the kinase activity of TNIK, or blocks the combination of TNIK with β-catenin/TC4 transcription complex.
US08323939B2
Active surface coupled polymerases, surfaces that include such polymerases, and methods of making and using surface-attached polymerases are provided.
US08323936B2
The invention relates to a process for the enantioselective enzymatic reduction of secodione derivatives. The secodione derivative is reduced with an oxidoreductase/dehydrogenase in the presence of NADH or NADPH as a cofactor. The secodione derivative is used in the reaction batch at a concentration of ≧10 g/l and the oxidized cofactor NAD or NADP formed by the oxidoreductase/dehydrogenase is regenerated continuously.
US08323935B2
Engineered strains of the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica capable of producing greater than 50 weight percent of eicosapentaenoic acid [“EPA”], an ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, in the total oil fraction are described. These strains over-express heterologous Δ9 elongases, Δ8 desaturases, Δ5 desaturases, Δ17 desaturases, Δ12 desaturases and C16/18 elongases, and optionally over-express diacylglycerol cholinephosphotransferases. Preferred gene knockouts are described, as are methods for producing EPA within the host cells and products comprising EPA from the optimized Yarrowia lipolytica strains.
US08323933B2
The present invention relates to a vector for transformation using transposon genes, microorganisms transformed by the vector, and a method for producing L-lysine using the microorganisms.
US08323925B2
A protein kinase C inhibitor that binds β-amyloid and its peptide derivatives with the same function are disclosed. These may be useful in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, for example as pseudo vaccines comprising antibodies, or as part of fusion proteins which are able to pass through cell membranes or through the blood-brain barrier. Methods of using the PKC inhibitor and its peptide derivatives for treating Alzheimer's disease are also disclosed.
US08323920B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that measures single cell mechanics using a scanning probe microscope. During operation, the system positions a modified probe of the scanning probe microscope above a cell which is located on a surface, wherein the modified probe is configured with a geometry for compressing the cell. The system then comprises the cell against the surface using the modified probe, thereby causing the cell to deform. Next, the system extracts mechanical properties of the cell from cell deformation behavior and cell response to the compression force.
US08323907B2
Disclosed are two (2) proteins in the Type IV Secretion System (TIVSS) in Anaplasma phagocytophilum (namely, virB10 and virB11) useful in the ELISA detection of Anaplasma pathogen. The recombinant expression of virB10 and virB11 and their use as kits for ELISA are also disclosed.
US08323905B2
The present invention provides a convenient and highly sensitive method of determining sGPVI present in plasma; this is accomplished by establishing a plurality of mouse hybridomas that produce antibody against GPVI and combining the antibodies produced therefrom. Provided thereby are a novel platelet activation marker, a reagent and method for determining this novel platelet activation marker, and novel applications of this marker in, for example, the diagnosis of diseases associated with platelet activation/vascular endothelial injury.
US08323904B2
A kit and a method are provided for easily measuring the concentration of an active ingredient of a termite insecticide persisting in soil, particularly on site where a termite insecticide was actually applied. A kit of the present invention comprises 1) an extraction unit for extracting, with an solvent, a termite insecticide active ingredient from an object of measurement and 2) a reaction unit including a reaction container for encapsulating an identifying antigen, a fixing member for immobilizing an antibody against an active ingredient, and a sealing member capable of fitting to the reaction container. The kit optionally includes 3) a detection unit for visually or optically detecting a change depending on the concentrations of the active ingredient in the object of measurement, and 4) a dilution unit for diluting the sample solution to a certain ratio.
US08323901B2
This invention relates to novel nucleic acid-based probes and methods for detecting Plasmodium parasites in biological samples as well as detecting different Plasmodium parasites selectively from one another.
US08323894B2
Methods are provided for identification of genes that are imprinted. In another embodiment methods are provided for identification and analysis of genes whose expression shows allelic imbalance. The expression products transcribed from genes that are present in the genome as two or more alleles may be distinguished by hybridization to an array designed to interrogate individual alleles. Genes whose transcription products are present in amounts that vary from expected are candidates for allelic imbalance, imprinting and imprinting errors.
US08323874B2
A multi-layer, positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor can be imaged with infrared radiation and processed in a single step using a single processing solution that has a pH greater than 6 and up to about 11. This single processing solution both develops the imaged precursor and provides a protective coating that need not be rinsed off before lithographic printing.
US08323873B2
A photosensitive adhesive composition comprising: (A) a polyimide having a carboxyl group as a side chain, whereof the acid value is 80 to 180 mg/KOH; (B) a photo-polymerizable compound; and (C) a photopolymerization initiator.
US08323871B2
An antireflective hardmask composition layer including a polymer having Si—O and non-silicon inorganic units in its backbone. The polymer includes chromophore and transparent moieties and a crosslinking component. The antireflective hardmask composition layer is employed in a method of forming a patterned material on a substrate.
US08323865B2
Toners are provided which may be suitable for use in cold fusing pressure apparatus. The toners include low molecular weight amorphous resins having low softening points and low molecular weights, compared with resins utilized in conventional emulsion aggregation toners for low melt fusing applications.
US08323862B2
An electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a photoconductive layer and, provided on the photoconductive layer, a surface layer containing a hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide. A ratio of the number of carbon atoms (C) to the sum of the number of silicon atoms (Si) and number of carbon atoms (C), C/(Si+C), in the surface layer is from 0.61 or more to 0.75 or less, and the sum of atom density of the silicon atoms and atom density of the carbon atoms in the surface layer is 6.60×1022 atom/cm3 or more.
US08323851B2
A fuel cell stack that includes a non-permeable shim plate positioned between a composite unipolar plate and a terminal plate at both ends of the stack, where the shim plate is made of a non-corrosive material, such as stainless steel, titanium or sealed graphite. Because the shim plate is non-permeable, it prevents cooling fluid that diffuses through the unipolar plate from contacting the terminal plate, which would otherwise corrode the terminal plate. The shim plate can be coated with a conductive material, such as gold, platinum, ruthenium oxide or mixtures thereof, to reduce its contact resistance.
US08323844B2
FC current control in a fuel cell operation system can be roughly divided into two parts. The first part executes a total air feed amount calculation step, an FC air amount calculation step, and a bypass air amount calculation step. These steps are executed by using a stoichiometry map and a pumping hydrogen amount map. The second part calculates a control valve open amount instruction value and a bypass valve open amount instruction value according to the calculated FC air amount and the bypass air amount. Here, a control valve open amount map and the like are used. When generated power is output from the fuel cell stack by these instruction values, the actual FC current value is compared to the FC current instruction value and the control valve open amount is corrected according to a difference between them.
US08323841B2
A system and method for controlling the bleed valve in an anode recirculation loop of a fuel cell system. The system uses a model to determine the concentration of hydrogen in the recirculated gas by calculating the volume flow of the recirculated gas through a fuel cell stack, a pressure drop across the anode inlet and outlet of the stack, and the density of the recirculated gas, and using a measured temperature of the recirculated gas and a measured pressure drop across a recirculation pump.
US08323835B2
A battery includes a housing, an anode and a cathode within the housing, the anode having a first portion and a second portion adjacent to each other, a current collector at least partially disposed in the anode, a separator between the anode and the cathode, and an anode portion separator at least partially disposed in the anode and between the first and second portions of the anode.
US08323833B2
Provided are an anode for a battery comprising: (a) an anode active material, (b) TiO2, and (c) a styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), and a lithium secondary battery comprising the same. By using titanium oxide and SBR together with an anode active material as the anode components in the present invention, increase in the anode resistivity during the high-temperature storage and reduction in the battery capacity by the resistivity are inhibited, thereby the overall performances of the battery can be improved.
US08323826B2
A battery casing 10 includes a plurality of cylindrical accommodation parts 12a to 12d accommodating a plurality of electrode assemblies 20, and connecting parts 13a to 13c connecting the accommodation parts 12a to 13d adjacent to each other. The inner circumferences of the accommodation parts 12a to 12d have substantially the same shape as the outer circumferences of the electrode assemblies. The connecting parts 13a to 13c are formed along the side surfaces of the accommodation parts 12a to 12d. Each electrode assembly 20 is formed by winding a positive electrode plate 21 and a negative electrode plate 22 with a separator 23 interposed therebetween to be in a cylindrical shape. The plurality of electrode assemblies 20 are accommodated in the accommodation parts 12a to 12d with substantially no gap left.
US08323824B2
A laminate type battery includes a laminate battery case and an electrode assembly. The laminate battery case includes two laminate films each having a metal layer and plastic layers provided on both faces of the metal layer, and has a welded portion in which peripheral edges of the two laminate films are welded to each other. The electrode assembly is enclosed in the laminate battery case, and has a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator disposed therebetween. An internal gas pressure sensing portion, in which the inner plastic layer of each of the laminate films is absent and the metal layers are in contact with each other so as to be in an electrically conductive state, is formed in a portion of the welded portion. A voltage detection hole, in which the outer plastic layer is absent and the metal layer is exposed, is formed in a surface of each of the two laminate films.
US08323816B2
Electrochemical cells having molten electrodes comprising an alkaline earth metal provide receipt and delivery of power by transporting atoms of the alkaline earth metal between electrode environments of disparate alkaline earth metal chemical potentials.
US08323815B2
An optimized electrochemical cell comprised of a housing divided into two chambers, a first chamber containing a protogenous, ion-conducting liquid and a positive high density electrode including a first active material and a porous binder, surrounded by a surface in which the porosity level increases towards the surface, a second chamber containing an aprotic, ion conducting liquid and a negative high density electrode including a second active material and a porous binder, surrounded by a surface in which the porosity level increases towards the surface. A symmetric, strong, highly porous, microporous polymer membrane divides the housing into the first and second chamber. The porosity level of the polymer membrane is 25% greater than the porosity level at the surface of the positive and negative high density electrodes.
US08323811B2
A lead acid storage battery according to the present invention comprises a battery container for housing a plurality of cells, a middle lid for covering the battery container, and an upper lid for covering the middle lid, wherein, on the upper surface of the middle lid, a gas discharging port for discharging the gas generated inside of the cell and an electrolyte recirculating port for recirculating the moisture to be discharged along with the gas within the cell are formed as corresponding to each cell. A plurality of exhaust chambers separated by an exhaust chamber partition are formed in a space surrounded by the middle lid and the upper lid, and a mechanism for collectively exhausting the gas discharged from the gas discharging port to the outside of the battery by interconnecting the plurality of exhaust chambers is comprised.
US08323807B2
The present invention provides a process for producing an alumina coating comprised mainly of α crystal structure on a base material.
US08323803B2
An imaging member is disclosed having a surface layer comprising a heat-sensitive material whose surface compatibility to printing agents, such as toners and inks, can be substantially reversed in response to small changes in temperature. The imaging member is suitable for use in lithographic and printing applications, permitting reversible switching between compatibility states of printing agents, such as between hydrophilic and hydrophobic states or oleophilic and oleophobic states, and enabling rapid production of images on a recording medium. The heat-sensitive material comprises an acrylamide polymer and a silicon material.
US08323800B2
The present invention relates to a method of bonding a gold surface to a second surface which comprises heating a hybrid organic-inorganic melting gel >50° C., applying the melting gel to either the gold surface or the second surface. The melting gel is heated to above 130° C. until the melting gel has cured sufficiently to bond the surfaces together. The invention also relates to a combination of a gold surface and a second surface that is bonded together with a hybrid organic-inorganic melting gel. In another aspect of the invention the hybrid organic-inorganic melting gel is heated to a workable viscosity and cast into a film, sheet, block or lens. The cast gel is cured or partially cured and then applied between the gold surface and the second surface. Additional uncured melting gel may be applied. The construct is heated to above 130° C. until the melting gel has cured sufficient to bond the surfaces together.
US08323798B2
An entry sheet comprising polymer material for drilling printed circuit boards is provided. The entry sheet is suitable for use with a broad range of diameters, including commonly available drill diameters. The entry sheet comprises an adhesive epoxy configured to, among others, resist drill deflection, resist mechanical damage, and reduce to dust such that the entry sheet may increase drilling accuracy, protect printed circuit board from damage, minimize entry burrs, and may addresses other issues such as fliers, bird nesting, and the like.
US08323796B2
A composite article includes a substrate and a protective layer on the substrate. The protective layer includes a non-oxide ceramic matrix and a refractory phase within the non-oxide ceramic matrix.
US08323795B2
The invention relates to solids powders comprising particles having an average particle size of 0.1 to 50 μm with predominantly a core-shell structure, wherein the core comprises at least one water-insoluble fatty acid salt and the shell at least one anionic, cationic or non-ionic emulsifier, and the solids powder when introduced into water or at least one polar organic solvent or a mixture comprising water and at least one polar organic solvent, at a temperature of 23° C. while exposed to a mechanical force, forms a complete dispersion within 60 minutes or less.
US08323794B2
Injectable hydrogel microspheres are prepared by forming an emulsion where hydrogel precursors are in a disperse aqueous phase and polymerizing the hydrogel precursors. In a preferred case, the hydrogel precursors are poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate and N-isopropylacrylamide and the continuous phase of the emulsion is an aqueous solution of dextran and a dextran solubility reducer. The microspheres will load protein, e.g., cytokines, from aqueous solution.
US08323791B2
A polyamide filament is disclosed. The filament includes a polyamide resin. The resin is obtained from mixing crystalline polyamide (A) with another polyamide (B). Crystalline polyamide (A) is obtained by a polycondensation reaction of metaxylenediamine and adipic acid. Crystalline polyamide (A) comprises from 5 to 50 wt. % of the resin. Polyamide (B) comprises from 50 to 95 wt. % of the resin. The filament is heated to 160 to 200° C. under a constant length condition at an initial load of 20 mg/d. After heating, a thermal contraction stress of the filament is not reduced in a cool-down region not greater than 80° C.
US08323785B2
A reduced weight, reduced density gypsum panel that includes high expansion vermiculite with fire resistance capabilities that are at least comparable to (if not better than) commercial fire rated gypsum panels with a much greater gypsum content, weight and density.
US08323780B1
A coating for an object having identifying indicia disposed thereon. An ink layer contacts at least a portion of the identifying indicia. The ink layer obscures the portion when exposed to light within a predetermined wavelength range, and the ink layer reveals a predetermined area of the portion when exposed to light outside of the predetermined wavelength range.
US08323775B2
The disclosure relates to a layer (1) for reducing air resistance of a forward-moving object, which layer comprises a pattern of surfaces (2) rising in a first direction R, and—channels (3) running between the surfaces in a second direction at an angle to the first direction. A flow is brought about on a micro-scale in the channels which damps the occurrence of turbulence in the main flow over the surface, thereby reducing air resistance.
US08323772B2
A photon-alignment optical film includes a film substrate on which at least one layer of core/shell nanoparticles is coated. The core/shell nanoparticle layer includes a plastic substance, which is photo curable or heat curable, and a plurality of core/shell nanoparticles, which is uniformly distributed in the plastic substance. Light energy is used as a driving force to induce electrical potential of the same polarity on the surfaces of the core/shell nanoparticles to make the core/shell nanoparticles rearranged in the form of a matrix due to repulsion induced between like electrical polarity. Spacing between the particles, which is relatively constant, allows light to pass therethrough. The plastic substance is cured by light or heat to have the core/shell nanoparticles set in position to thereby form the optical film. Such an optical film features both diffusion and brightness enhancement.
US08323766B2
A honeycomb structure includes at least one honeycomb unit having a longitudinal direction. The honeycomb unit includes SOx storage agent, inorganic particles, inorganic binder, and a partition wall extending along the longitudinal direction to define plural through holes. An expression Y≧−26X+40000 (0
US08323757B2
An artificial Christmas tree with an array of imitation animal antlers incorporated into the tree to serve as additional branches. The purpose of the incorporated animal antler branches is to provide structural support to the tree so that the device can hold a multitude of Christmas ornaments. The antlers serve as strong branches and can support the weight of several heavy Christmas ornaments at once on each animal antler branch, while providing an ornamental and novel looking tree device for supporting hanging articles and Christmas decoration. Each antler has plurality of elongated prongs, allowing a user to place many ornaments on a single antler without resulting in deflection thereof. The antlers strength keeps the branches from drooping under the weight of the decorations, which leaves the Christmas tree aesthetically pleasing to the eye and particularly attractive for animal hunters and enthusiasts.
US08323756B2
A display device for spreading a turkey's tail feathers in a fan-like display is provided. The device consists of an elongated shank having two opposing ends, and two quill clips located one at each of the two opposing ends of said shank having grooves that snap onto the quills near the base of two or more of the turkey's outer tail feathers located to either opposite side of the hub. When installed, the device is invisible to view. An adjustable joint may be provided to enable adjusting a version of the shank having two arms to a certain angle to optimize the turkey fan display. A mounting mechanism may further be provided for mounting an object to the turkey fan display such as the beard, or a pole for use of the fan as a decoy in the field.
US08323748B2
A method for forming a layer of an LED phosphor material includes disposing a first surface in a proximity of a powder that includes an LED phosphor material, forming electrostatic charges on the first surface, and forming a layer of the LED phosphor material on the first surface at least partially by using the electrostatic charges. In an embodiment, the method includes disposing the first surface in an interior of a chamber and forming an airborne distribution of the powder in the interior of the chamber in a vicinity of the first surface. In another embodiment, the method includes providing a reservoir of the powder and applying to said phosphor powder an electrostatic charge opposite to that of said electrostatic charge on the first surface.
US08323737B2
The present invention provides for sequential chemical vapor deposition by employing a reactor operated at low pressure, a pump to remove excess reactants, and a line to introduce gas into the reactor through a valve. A first reactant forms a monolayer on the part to be coated, while the second reactant passes through a radical generator which partially decomposes or activates the second reactant into a gaseous radical before it impinges on the monolayer. This second reactant does not necessarily form a monolayer but is available to react with the monolayer. A pump removes the excess second reactant and reaction products completing the process cycle. The process cycle can be repeated to grow the desired thickness of film.
US08323730B2
The invention relates to a device for applying adhesive threads to a substrate (30). Said device comprises an rotatable application head (18) encompassing at least one adhesive discharge nozzle (18A) located at a radial distance (b) from the axis of rotation (18D) of the application head (18), a shaft (18B), and at least one adhesive supply duct (18C) which extends from an adhesive supply unit (20) to the at least one adhesive discharge nozzle (18A) via the shaft (18B). A rotary drive unit (12, 15, 14) rotates the application head (18) about the shaft (18B) thereof while an adhesive supply unit (20) and/or a valve assembly (22) control/s impingement of the adhesive supply duct (18C) of the application head (18) with adhesive. The invention further relates to a method for applying adhesive threads to a substrate as well as products made therefrom.
US08323727B2
A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head that has a trailing magnetic shield with a tapered write pole trailing edge, a non-magnetic step layer and a Ru bump and an alumina bump formed at the front of the non-magnetic step layer. The process forms a Ru/alumina side wall at the sides of the write pole, such that the Ru side wall is closest to the write pole. The Ru is removed more readily than the alumina during the ion milling that is performed to taper the write pole. This causes the Ru portion of the side wall to taper away from the write pole rather than forming an abrupt step. This tapering prevents dishing of the trailing edge of the write pole for improved write head performance.
US08323720B2
The disclosure provides a process for producing a ready-to-eat (RTE) fruit food product, comprising: obtaining a quantity of granulated fruit meal; and forming the fruit meal into a predetermined shaped product, comprising: applying a heat sufficient to cause the fruit meal to become tacky; and applying a compressive force to the tacky fruit meal to form the predetermined shape. In one embodiment, the process can use a mold to form the predetermined shape. Importantly, the fruit food product can be formed into a stable predetermined shaped product independent of baking the product. The heat sufficient to cause the fruit meal to be come tacky generally causes the fruit meal to be between 80° F. (27° C.) to 200° F. (93° C.). For example, the compressive force can between 1 pound force (0.4 kilograms) to 16 pounds force (7.3 kilograms) for an exemplary 2 inch (5 cm) cookie/biscuit.
US08323719B2
A foaming composition includes a powdered carbohydrate-free soluble composition which includes protein particles having a plurality of internal voids containing entrapped pressurized gas. In one form, the foaming composition is produced by subjecting the particles to an external gas pressure exceeding atmospheric pressure prior to or while heating the particles to a temperature of at least the glass transition temperature and then cooling the particles to a temperature below the glass transition temperature prior to or while releasing the external pressure in a manner effective to trap the pressurized gas within the internal voids.
US08323705B2
The invention relates to products, including foods such as confectionary and pet foods, comprising nut skins or polyphenol-containing nut skin extracts. Exemplary nut skins are peanut and almond skins. The products may also contain cocoa polyphenol and/or L-arginine, and are useful for inducing vasodilation.
US08323704B2
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of antioxidant activity rich extracts from tuberous roots of Decalepis hamiltonii and the use of said extract as anti-oxidant, free radical scavenger, the extract is having an anti-oxidant activity in the range of 4 to 47% and also it can serve as better antioxidant since it can prevent more than one type of free radicals unlike other synthetic antioxidants which can quench only one type of radical.
US08323700B2
The present invention relates to a method for making bone particles from bone of a variety of sizes and a workpiece forming and holding device for use with the method. The workpiece forming device includes a base and a base frame attached to the surface of the base. An apparatus for forming a solidified mass of bone and immobilization medium is also provided which includes the workpiece forming device and a detachable former member enclosing the base frame. Bone is immersed in an immobilization medium within such workpiece forming device, which is solidified to form a solidified mass of bone and immobilization medium and then subdivided to provide particles of bone in association to with immobilization medium. The immobilization medium may be optionally removed to leave bone particles suitable for use in orthopedic applications including implants.
US08323697B2
The present invention relates to granules for application to the leaf surface, and to a process for their preparation. The invention furthermore relates to the use of these granules for foliar penetration or the formulation of baits.
US08323696B2
Nanoparticles that activate complement in the absence of biological molecules are described. The nanoparticles are shown to specifically target antigen presenting cells in specifically in lymph nodes, without the use of a biological molecule for targeting. These particles are useful vehicles for delivering immunotherapeutics. Surface chemistries and chemical formulations for the nanoparticles are described.
US08323691B2
Rapid and accurate determination of the formulation orientation of multi-layer capsule-shaped tablets with respect to different internal formulation layers proximate to the opposite narrow and rounded ends of the tablets is required. By including an appropriate color scheme in multi-layer osmotic tablets, detection of the formulation orientation is achieved by detecting the color at a spot location on a side of the tablet corresponding to one or another formulation layer or to one or another interface of two formulation layers depending on the formulation orientation of the tablet.
US08323689B2
The invention relates to a solid oral dosage form comprising a pharmaceutically active ingredient in combination with an enhancer which enhances the bioavailability and/or the absorption of the active ingredient. Accordingly, a solid oral dosage form comprises a drug and an enhancer wherein the enhancer is a medium chain fatty acid ester, ether or salt or a derivative of a medium chain fatty acid, which is, preferably, solid at room temperature and which has a carbon chain length of from 6 to 20 carbon atoms. Preferably, the solid oral dosage form is controlled release dosage form such as a delayed release dosage form.
US08323684B2
The invention relates to a TTS with backing layers that guarantee a high wear comfort and that facilitate application in regions of the human body that are subject to great mechanical loads, especially the large joints of the extremities. The inventive backing layers overcome the disadvantages with respect to reduced absorption of the active substance by the skin that are typically associated with such backing layers. The inventive systems are preferably used for the local of systemic administration of anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving active substances.
US08323682B2
An appetite suppressant composition that is effective for the control of mammalian weight and methods of administration of the composition of the invention are provided. The composition is a cellulose product prepared with ethanol preferably with added sweetener, spice(s), salt and protein for oral administration to a patient.
US08323680B1
A nutritional or therapeutic composition for oral administration which comprises a naturally occurring precursor that is metabolised to a compound having anandamide activity for use as a medicament or nutritive product. In addition the invention includes a method of production of the composition, use of the composition in the manufacture of a nutritional composition for the treatment or prevention of a behavioral disorder; and a method of treatment or prevention of a behavioral disorder which comprises administering an effective amount of the composition. In a preferred embodiment the composition comprises a triacylglycerol having palmitate and arachidonate attached to its backbone wherein arachidonate is at the sn-1 and sn-2 positions.
US08323670B2
Provided are topical compositions comprising opioid antagonists, such as naltrexone or naloxone, or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and methods for treating skin conditions, such as those caused by human papillomavirus, therewith.
US08323667B2
The present disclosure relates to surface proteins of Moraxella catarrhalis and their ability to interact with epithelial cells via cell-associated fibronectin and laminin, and also to their ability to inhibit the complement system. These surface proteins are useful in the preparation of vaccines. The present disclosure also provides peptides interacting with fibronectin, laminin and the complement system.
US08323661B2
The invention relates to novel insertion sites useful for the integration of HIV DNA sequences into the MVA genome, and to the resulting recombinant MVA derivatives.
US08323651B2
The present application relates to isolated proteins, particularly monoclonal antibodies, in particular CDR-grafted, humanized antibodies which bind to RAGE protein. Specifically, these antibodies have the ability to inhibit the binding of RAGE to its various ligands. The antibodies or portions thereof of described in the present application are useful for treating a disease or disorder characterized by or induced by pathophysiological ligands of RAGE, for example misfolded proteins like amyloid β and advanced glycation-end-products.
US08323647B2
The invention discloses an isolated antibody that selectively binds to the C-terminal part of Abeta and is humanized or fully human. The antibody of the invention is capable of preventing oligomerization of Abeta. Furthermore, a method of diagnosis comprising the steps of: (i) Labelling an antibody; (ii) Administering an effective dose of said antibody intranasally or systemically to a subject; and (iii) Detecting the concentration and/or presence of the labelled antibody in body parts of the subject is disclosed.
US08323646B2
The present invention relates to engineered antibodies immunospecific for human interleukin-13 (IL-13) protein or fragment thereof, as well as methods of making and using thereof, including therapeutic indications.
US08323641B2
The present invention is directed to nanoparticulate active agent compositions comprising lysozyme as a surface stabilizer. Also encompassed by the invention are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a nanoparticulate active agent composition of the invention.
US08323638B2
Disclosed is a method of treating a wound comprising applying a composition to a wound site on a patient in need of wound treatment, wherein the composition comprises mitotically inactive allogeneic cells that secrete one or more biologically active molecules selected from the group consisting of GM-CSF, VEGF, KGF, bFGF, TGFβ, angiopoietin, EGF, IL-Iβ, IL-6 IL-8, TGFα, and TNFα, and wherein the cells are keratinocytes or fibroblasts, or mixtures thereof.
US08323634B2
Described herein are compositions and methods for treating, preventing and ameliorating diseases and conditions characterized by a lower than normal white blood cell count, such as leukopenia and neutropenia. The compositions and methods include recombinant human albumin-human granulocyte colony stimulating factor. Pharmaceutical formulations including the recombinant fusion protein, and methods of making such formulations are also described.
US08323630B2
The present invention is directed to the provision of multi-dose, self-preserved ophthalmic compositions. The compositions possess sufficient antimicrobial activity to satisfy USP preservative efficacy requirements, as well as similar preservative standards (e.g., EP and JP), without requiring the presence of conventional anti-microbial preservative agents, such as benzalkonium chloride. The compositions are effectively preserved by a balanced ionic buffer system containing zinc ions at a concentration of 0.04 to 0.9 mM, preferably 0.04 to 0.4 mM. One aspect of the balanced buffer system is limitation of the amount of buffering anions present to a concentration of 15 mM or less, preferably 5 mM or less. In a preferred embodiment, the compositions also contain borate or, most preferably, one or more borate/polyol complexes. The use of propylene glycol as the polyol in such complexes is strongly preferred. Limiting the amount of divalent metals other than zinc and the amount of ionized salts present has also been determined to be important to maximize the antimicrobial activity of the balanced buffer systems.
US08323629B2
An external preparation for skin has a pH value of 2.0-5.0 and comprises: (a) 1.0-7.0 mass % of at least one of the members selected from α-hydroxy acids, (b) 0.1-3.0 mass % of a crosslinked type N,N-dimethylacrylamide-2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid sodium salt copolymer, and (c) 0.1-3.0 mass % of an associating thickener constituted of a compound of the formula (1): R1—{(O—R2)k—OCONH—R3[—NHCOO—(R4—O)n—R5]h}m (1) wherein R1 represents a hydrocarbon group, R2 and R4 represent alkylene groups having 2-4 carbon atoms, which may be identical or different, or a phenylethylene group, R3 represents a hydrocarbon group, which may have a urethane bond, R5 represents a branched chain or secondary hydrocarbon group, m is a number of at least 2, h is a number of at least 1, k is a number within the range of 1-500, and n is a number within the range of 1-200.
US08323628B2
The present invention relates to long-wearing, non-aqueous based cosmetic compositions, and related dermatological, pharmaceutical or hygiene compositions. The present invention provides a non-aqueous based composition comprising one or a mixture of two or more emulsifiers.
US08323625B2
The present invention provides products comprising cocoon-shaped rutile-type titanium dioxide, i.e., cosmetics which have high UV blocking ability, provide a good feel upon use without leaving squeakiness or graininess on the skin, and also give a natural bare skin appearance without causing white masking, due to adequate tinting strength and covering power, as well as external additives for toner which are excellent in prevention of filming on a photosensitive member and inhibition of aggregation between toner particles. The present invention is directed to rutile-type titanium dioxide having a cocoon-shape, as well as cosmetics comprising this titanium dioxide, and external additives for toner comprising this titanium dioxide which is hydrophobically treated.
US08323621B2
Cyclen-based chelates can be used as contrast agents for multi-modal imaging of tissue cells. The cyclen-based chelates are preferably polyazamacrocyclic molecules formed from 1,4,7,10 tetraazacyclododecane (“cyclen”) having varying chelating ions, phosphoester chains, and light harvesting moieties. By changing the chelating ion, phosphoester chain length and/or the light harvesting moiety different imaging techniques, such as MRI, CT, fluorescence and absorption, x-ray and NIR, may be employed to image the tissue cells. Additionally, the cyclen-based chelates may be conjugated to provide for site-specific delivery of the cyclen-based chelate to the desired tissue cells. The cyclen-based chelates may also be delivered to the tissue cells by attaching the cyclen-based to a polymeric delivery vehicle. Although these cyclen-based chelates have a wide variety of application, the preferred use is for imaging of cancer cells, such as brain cancer, for improving resection of a cancerous tissue.
US08323619B2
Compounds of formula (I) RA—CO—N(R2)—(CR12)n—N(R5)—RB and salts or optical active isomers thereof, wherein each R1 independently are the same or different and denotes a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C1 to C4 straight of branched alkyl group or a C1 to C4 straight of branched oxyalkyl group; R2 denotes a hydrogen atom or a C1 to C4 straight of branched alkyl group; R5 independently are the same or different and denotes a acyl moiety; RA and RB independently are the same or different and denote a triiodinated phenyl group, preferably a 2,4,6-triiodinated phenyl group further substituted by two groups R3 in the 3 and 5 positions wherein each R3 are the same or different and denote a hydrogen atom or a non-ionic hydrophilic moiety, provided that at least one R3 group in the compound of formula (I) is a hydrophilic moiety; and n denotes a positive integer of 1 to 6. The invention also relates to the use of such diagnostic compositions as contrast agents in diagnostic imaging and in particular in X-ray imaging, and to contrast media containing such compounds.
US08323618B2
The present invention provides biomimetic contrast agents, dual functional contrast agents effective for therapeutic gene delivery and magnetic nanoparticles which comprise functionalized iron oxide nanoparticle cores, one of an inert gold layer, a layer of inert metal seeds or a silica layer and, optionally, one or both of an outer gold-silver nanoshell or a targeting ligand attached to the inert gold layer or the gold-silver nanoshell. Also provided are methods of in vivo magnetic resonance imaging, of treating primary or metastatic cancers or of ablating atherosclerotic plaque using the contrast agents and magnetic particles. In addition, kits comprising the biomimetic contrast agents, dual contrast agents and magnetic nanoparticles.
US08323615B2
A method for processing multi-phasic dispersions is provided. The method comprises providing a multi-phasic dispersion, the dispersion including dispersed and continuous phases, the dispersion comprising solid microparticles, providing a non-solvent, combining the multi-phasic dispersion and the non-solvent, and selectively effecting migration of the dispersed phase into or through the non-solvent such that the microparticles are separated from the dispersion.
US08323613B2
The manufacture of titanium dioxide by oxidation of titanium tetrachloride in a plug flow reactor, wherein the titanium tetrachloride is introduced into the reactor in at least two stages and is used exclusively in liquid form. The total quantity of liquid TiCl4 used is split up in several stages. A small quantity is added in the first stage in order to start combustion despite using the liquid phase. In the first phase, the activation energy required is provided solely via the preheated oxygen. In all other stages, the activation energy is provided by the preheated oxygen and the reaction enthalpy of TiCl4 oxidation released in the upstream stages.
US08323605B2
The invention relates to a process for the production of P4O6 of high purity by reacting oxygen, or a mixture of oxygen and an inert gas, with gaseous or liquid phosphorus to generate said reaction product in a reaction unit. The reaction product is kept in the reaction unit at an average temperature in the range of 1600 and 2000 K by removing the heat created by the exothermic reaction of phosphorus and oxygen. A residence time of at least 1 second of the reaction product passing the reaction unit is maintained. The reaction product is then conventionally cooled in a quenching unit connected with the reaction unit. The final reaction product contains P4O6 with a very low content of elemental phosphorus.
US08323597B2
Provided are a catalyst for removing mercury metal, which has high activity for a long time even in an exhaust gas containing SO2, and a method for oxidizing mercury metal using the catalyst. A method for purifying exhaust gas, including bringing an exhaust gas containing mercury metal into contact with a catalyst containing titanium oxide as a first component and a sulfate or phosphate of nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn) or vanadium as a second component, at a temperature of from 100° C. to 200° C., and thereby oxidizing the mercury metal.
US08323594B2
Monomelic materials are described, comprising inorganic nanoparticles having covalently bonded to their surface at least one polymerizable organic moiety, preferably an ethylenically unsaturated organic moiety. These monomeric materials combine desirable properties of the inorganic particulate material and of the organic monomer, in addition to having the unique properties of nano-sized particles.
US08323590B2
A process and apparatus are presented for the removal of carbon monoxide from ethylene streams. The removal of carbon monoxide before selective hydrogenation protects the catalyst in the selective hydrogenation reactor. Carbon monoxide levels are controlled with the water gas shift process to convert the carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide, with the carbon dioxide removed in an acid gas removal process.
US08323589B2
A pyrolysis process is provided. The process includes the steps of: depositing a quantity of waste into a porous container, the porous container adapted to allow a convective stream of substantially anaerobic gas to flow therethrough; inserting the porous container into a pyrolysis thermal processor; sealing the thermal processor; circulating the convective stream of gas through the pyrolysis thermal processor; heating the waste according to a first time-temperature profile to pyrolyze the waste and form a carbonaceous char; and cooling the carbonaceous char by circulating the convective stream of gas through a cooler. An oil product and a gaseous hydrocarbon product are produced during the pyrolysis. The carbonaceous char is further processed to form a carbon black product and a recyclable metal product.
US08323585B2
A fluid aspirating/dispensing member includes a sample cavity for sample acquisition and a sealable cavity that, once sealed, permits the separation of particles from the remainder of a fluid sample within the sample cavity after centrifugation or other separation means. The fluid aspirating/dispensing members, either individually or as part of an array, increase the efficiency of sample processing before analysis by a clinical analyzer.
US08323579B2
An S storage catalyst 2 is equipped with a catalytic supporter, a catalytic metal being supported on this catalytic supporter and oxidizing SO2 to SO3, and an S storage material being supported on the catalytic supporter and storing S components therein. This S storage catalyst 2 has an exhaust-gas-inlet-side high-concentration portion 2A in which the S storage material is supported on the catalytic supporter in a high concentration, and an exhaust-gas-outlet-side low-concentration portion 2A in which the S storage material is supported on the catalytic supporter in a low concentration that is lower than that of the high-concentration portion. In accordance with this S storage catalyst 2, it is possible to maintain the S storing performance favorably, even in a case where exhaust-gas temperatures are low, while keeping the material cost from rising steeply.
US08323576B2
A detector for detecting vapors emitted from analytes includes a housing, a pump and a sensing assembly. The housing has an inlet, an outlet and an enclosed sensing volume therebetween. The pump communicates with the housing for moving a carrier sequentially through the enclosed sensing volume at a predetermined flow rate. The sensing assembly senses the vapors of the analyte delivered by the carrier as the carrier passes through the housing. The sensing assembly includes a sensing unit constructed of an amplifying fluorescent polymer, a source of excitation, a detector, and a convertor assembly.
US08323559B2
A crucible includes a composite of least two materials. The two materials are selected from a group consisting of alumina, calcia, yttria, erbia, gadolinia, magnesia, hafnia, and zirconia in a composition that has better resistance to reaction with hafnium from a molten hafnium-containing alloy than a nominal crucible composition of 70 wt % magnesia and 30 wt % alumina.
US08323550B2
Bridge decking panels are cast in a form that has at least one and preferably two or more channel-forming sheets attached to the bottom wall of the form and extending from wall to wall. Each sheet is dimensioned to receive an anchor plate assembly and form a channel in the cast concrete between runner bars.
US08323543B2
A screw formed of cortical bone for use in the human body with an implant having a screw hole for receiving at least a portion of a screw therethrough, includes a shaft with a thread along at least a portion of its length. The thread has an outer diameter dimensioned to pass through the screw hole in the implant. The trailing end of the screw is configured to cooperatively engage at least a portion of the screw hole of the implant so as to prevent the screw from linear motion along the mid-longitudinal axis of the shaft in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion when the screw is threaded through the screw hole to attach the implant to a bone portion of the human body. The screw is formed substantially of cortical bone of a single cortical thickness.
US08323534B2
Disclosed are electrochromic materials containing a film-forming polymer with a Tg less than 100° C.; a plasticizer; an electrochromophore; an electron mediator; and a salt. Also disclosed are electrochromic devices using such electrochromic materials that can provide light-filtering, color-modulation, or reflectance-modulation in variable transmittance windows, variable-reflectance mirrors and other dynamic glazing applications.
US08323533B2
The present invention relates to a composition for preparing a curable resin, comprising a) a compound represented by Formula 1; b) glycidyl (meth)acrylate; c) acid monoanhydride; and d) a solvent, a curable resin manufactured by the composition, and an ink composition comprising the same. The curable resin has a low viscosity and excellent flow properties, and the ink composition is excellent in terms of storage stability, heat resistance and chemical resistance.
US08323532B2
A lamellar-type oxide, in particular used as active material of a positive electrode for a lithium battery and to a method for synthesizing such an oxide. The oxides are used as active materials for the positive electrode of a lithium battery. With such oxides, the specific capacity of a lithium battery is improved and stabilized on cycling.
US08323526B2
The present invention is to provide a high quality smectic aerogel which is not brittle and a method for producing the smectic aerogel by using a host material comprising a mixture of a smectic liquid crystal and a UV-curable material or a host material comprising a smectic UV-curable material and by selecting an appropriate host material. A smectic aerogel comprising 4-nonyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl (9BC) and air bubbles can be produced, wherein hexagonal or pentagonal air cells are separated from each other by a smectic layer comprising a smectic liquid crystal. The thickness of the wall of the smectic layer at the boundaries of the air cells is about 24 μm, which corresponds to about 6000 smectic layers. The thickness of the wall of the smectic layer at the boundaries can be varied. Particularly, the thickness can be reduced to as thin as several smectic layers.
US08323525B2
A resin containing a liquid pigment dispersion is disclosed. The dispersion comprises a pigment dispersed in a blend of two or more active hydrogen-containing materials that together have a freezing point that is room temperature or below. The pigment remains dispersed in the blend, even if the dispersion is subjected to freezing and thawing. A curative blend comprising at least two active hydrogen-containing materials, which is liquid at room temperature, is also disclosed. The dispersions and curative blends of the present invention can be solvent-free. Resins and prepolymers comprising the curative blends of the invention, either pigmented or unpigmented, are also disclosed.
US08323524B2
An apparatus is provided that includes a device and a mechanism for heat transfer that includes a provided hydrofluoroether having high temperature stability. Also provided is a method of transferring heat and a composition that includes a provided hydrofluoroether.
US08323516B2
The efficiency of an etching process may be increased in various ways, and the cost of an etching process may be decreased. Unused etchant may be isolated and recirculated during the etching process. Etching byproducts may be collected and removed from the etching system during the etching process. Components of the etchant may be isolated and used to general additional etchant. Either or both of the etchant or the layers being etched may also be optimized for a particular etching process.
US08323503B2
This patent application relates generally to processing devices in the medical device area.
US08323495B2
The disclosure describes a novel method for operating a bioreactor and filtration system. The method adds excess iron to the bioreactor to improve the overall operation and efficiency of the bioreactor/filtration system.
US08323494B2
The present invention relates to a sewage/wastewater treatment system comprising a rectangular upflow anaerobic/oxygen-free reaction tank and a method of treating sewage/wastewater using the same. The rectangular upflow anaerobic/oxygen-free reaction tank comprises a water introducing unit, an inlet unit being in fluid communication with the water introducing unit and having a plurality of through-holes formed therein through which water introduced from the water introducing unit can pass, a mixing unit comprising a main shaft and a plurality of spaced-apart stirring blades fixed to the main shaft, and an outlet unit for collecting water after being treated in the anaerobic/oxygen-free reaction tank. The system and method can treat sewage/wastewater cost-effectively.
US08323490B1
A piston pressurized water filter activated by the user or external source. The water filter assembly includes a hollow cylindrical water reservoir, a hollow cylindrical piston threaded into the top of the water reservoir, and a water filter threaded into the bottom of the water reservoir. The interior of the water reservoir is sealed by the piston and water filter. When the water reservoir is filled with unfiltered water, the piston can be threaded down into the water reservoir to create sufficient pressure on the unfiltered water and force the water into the water filter. The water filter can include any combination of carbon, ceramic or other filtering material in a block or disk form. Water is forced into the water filter, through the carbon or ceramic filter mass, and into a container that may or may not be coupled to the water filter.
US08323485B2
A filter system for a storm drain having an inlet is disclosed. The filter system may be configured to receive storm water having debris and to separate at least a portion of the debris from the storm water to produce filtered storm water. The filter system may include a pervious paver having a feed side and a permeate side, the pervious paver being configured to receive storm water on the feed side and to retain at least a portion of the debris on the feed side. The filtered storm water may be formed from the storm water that passes from the feed side to the permeate side. The filter system may additionally include a frame assembly configured to support the pervious paver adjacent to the inlet.
US08323482B2
An extracorporeal blood therapy control unit housing has a first and second manually mounted panels and spring loaded components configured for releasably engaging and tensioning the said panels against a side of said housing. The first and second panels have arch-shaped tubing segments mounted on the interior side of said respective panels. Each of the tubing segments are held in operational engagement with a different peristaltic pump rotor by the panel engaging and tensioning components.
US08323472B2
The method of surface treatment, as applied onto a metal base material, of the present invention includes a reduction treatment step of reduction-treating the oxide film formed on the metal base material and an oxidation treatment step of oxidation-treating the oxide film having been subjected to the reduction treatment.
US08323464B2
Electrochemical sensors for investigating a physiological sample and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The sensor includes a longitudinally extending reaction cell, having electrodes and a reagent, and laterally spaced electrical contact points for electrically communication with a meter. An array of such sensors is further disclosed including connective flaps for joining adjacent sensors. In use, the array of sensors can be stored in a folded configuration and dispensed individually.
US08323447B2
A process for the manufacturing of a decorative laminate, which laminate comprises an upper decorative and abrasion resistant thermosetting laminate layer and a carrying core. The upper side of the core is provided with the abrasion resistant thermosetting laminate while the lower side of the core is provided with a balance layer. This balance layer has the purpose of preventing warping of said decorative laminate while at the same time having the purpose of acoustic dampening. The balance layer comprises a layer of a polymer. The balance layer and the thermosetting laminate are joined with said core by means of pressing. Said carrying core further is provided with a dampening foil of an elastomer arranged between the upper side of the core and the abrasion resistant thermosetting laminate. The elastomer and thermosetting laminate are joined with each other and with the core by means of pressing. The achieved laminate is then cut into panels and provided with edges intended for joining.
US08323445B2
A process for lining a pipeline, comprising the following steps: pouring in an adhesive, introducing the tube with inversion into the pipeline by applying pressure, providing the conditions for the adhesive situated on the outside of the tube by irradiation using energy-containing waves, and maintaining the internal pressure in the introduced tube until the adhesive is cured, severing the connection between the tube and a retaining strap, which extends through the entire tube in the longitudinal direction thereof, at the end which is at the front in the direction of movement of the tube after the tube has been introduced, coupling the severed end of the retaining strap outside the pipeline to a radiation unit, using the retaining strap to pull the radiation unit, in the non-activated state, through the tube as far as the end thereof which is at the rear in the direction of movement of said tube, pulling the supply cable for the radiation unit into the tube behind said unit, and then using the supply cable to pull the radiation unit, in the activated state, through the tube.
US08323443B2
The present invention relates to a new worn article, which gives a close fit and with which it is possible to reduce the production cost. A worn article of the present invention includes a main body portion 20 including an absorbent core 25 and covering a front torso area, a crotch area and a rear torso area of a wearer, and a pair of side panels PL and PR attached to the main body portion 20 and located between the front and rear torso areas when the worn article is worn. Each of the side panels PL and PR is stretchable in an around-the-torso direction X. At least a portion of the side panel PL and PR includes an elastic thread G sandwiched between at least two sheet-like materials S1 and S2 and is in a contracted state where the elastic thread is contracted, thus forming gathers.
US08323435B2
A mechanical fastening system for products, for example, an absorbent article such as infant training pants, in which the mechanical fastening system is a hook-and-loop type fastening system on the garment in which the loop material is a nonwoven material laminate which has been post bonded after the laminate has been constructed.
US08323433B1
A method of making a corded surface flexible elastomer golf club grip. An underlist is extruded of seamless tubular uncured elastomer and a pattern of textile cords wound thereon. In one version of the method, an outer seamless tubular extruded uncured elastomer layer is assembled over the cord patterned underlist. A core rod is inserted in the underlist, an uncured elastomer cap assembled on the end and the assemblage cured in a heated compression mold. Upon removal from the mold, some material is removed from the outer surface to expose some of the cord. In another version, the uncured cord wound underlist with core rod is inserted in a mold cavity and a thin outer layer of elastomer injection molded thereover and the assemblage cured in the mold.
US08323427B1
Disclosed embodiments disclose processes for making shaped metal alloy parts, and deal more particularly with forming features and reducing residual stresses in such parts. Residual stresses introduced into a metal alloy part by heat treatment, which may include solution annealing and quenching, are reduced by processes that plastically deform the part while forming part features. An embodiment comprises: producing a metal alloy blank; subjecting the blank to a process that introduces residual stresses into the blank and plastically deforming the blank to reduce the residual stresses in the blank. Embodiments comprise: subjecting a part to a heat treatment that introduces residual stresses in the part; and age forming the part to shape the part and reduce the residual stresses, incrementally forging at least one feature into the part and reducing the residual stresses in the part, friction welding the part, or gauge rolling the cast part to desired dimensions.
US08323426B2
The present invention is directed to a substantially unrecrystallized rolled aluminum alloy product, obtained from a plate with a thickness of at least 30 mm, comprising 2.2 to 3.9 wt. % Cu, 0.7 to 2.1 wt. % Li, 0.2 to 0.8 wt. % Mg, 0.2 to 0.5 wt. % Mn, 0.04 to 0.18 wt. % Zr, less than 0.05 wt. % Zn, and optionally 0.1 to 0.5 wt. % Ag, remainder aluminum and unavoidable impurities having a low propensity to crack branching during L-S a fatigue test. A product of the invention has a crack deviation angle Θ of at least 20° under a maximum equivalent stress intensity factor Keff max of 10 MPa √m for a S-L cracked test sample under a mixed mode I and mode II loading wherein the angle Ψ between a plane perpendicular to the initial crack direction and the load direction is 75°.
US08323416B2
One exemplary embodiment can be a process for removing one or more scale deposits formed on a surface. The process can include contacting the surface with a composition for a period of time sufficient to remove the scale deposits that comprise coke or metal sulfides or mixtures thereof. Generally, the composition includes an effective amount of an organic acid and/or a salt thereof, and an effective amount of an oxidizing agent.
US08323415B2
A method for recovering ruthenium oxide or gold and titanium or titanium oxide from a bipolar plate at the end of the life of a fuel cell stack so as to use these materials in other fuel cell stacks thereafter. The bipolar plate is immersed in a solution including a suitable acid that dissolves the titanium or titanium oxide. The ruthenium oxide or gold will be released from the plate and will float on the solution from which it can be removed. The solution is then heated to evaporate the acid solution leaving a powder of the titanium oxide. The stainless steel of the bipolar plate is thus cleaned of the titanium or titanium oxide, and can be reused.
US08323409B2
Systems and methods for forming components with thermal barrier coatings are provided. In this regard, a representative method includes: providing a component having a first side and an opposing second side; and using a preformed mask to obstruct vapors from being deposited on the second side of the component while moving the component relative to the vapors such that the vapors form a thermal barrier coating on the first side of the component.
US08323405B2
An apparatus and associated method for large-scale manufacturing of gallium nitride is provided. The apparatus comprises a large diameter autoclave and a raw material basket. Methods include metered addition of dopants in the raw material and control of the atmosphere during crystal growth. The apparatus and methods are scalable up to very large volumes and are cost effective.
US08323404B2
A group III nitride crystal containing therein an alkali metal element comprises a base body, a first group III nitride crystal formed such that at least a part thereof makes a contact with the base body, the first group III nitride crystal deflecting threading dislocations in a direction different from a direction of crystal growth from the base body and a second nitride crystal formed adjacent to the first group III nitride crystal, the second nitride crystal having a crystal growth surface generally perpendicular to the direction of the crystal growth.
US08323399B2
A high early strength blended cement composition includes larger sized fly ash and/or natural pozzolan particles blended with smaller sized hydraulic cement particles containing tricalcium silicate and/or dicalcium silicate (e.g., Portland cement and/or ground granulated blast furnace slag). Excess calcium released from the hydraulic cement particles when mixed with water forms calcium hydroxide available for reaction with the fly ash and/or natural pozzolan. The fineness of the hydraulic cement particles is substantially greater than the fineness of the fly ash and/or natural pozzolan particles (e.g., about 1.25 to about 50 times greater). Reducing or eliminating coarse hydraulic cement particles that cannot fully hydrate but include unreacted cores reduces or eliminates wasted cement normally found in concrete. Replacing some or all of the coarse cement particles with coarse pozzolan particles provides a blended cement composition having significantly lower water demand compared to the hydraulic cement fraction by itself.
US08323396B2
An orange pearlescent pigment comprising a substrate and a first layer containing FeOOH, and a second layer containing Fe2O3 located between the substrate and the first layer. The color of the pigment is such that a homogeneous coating of the pigment, measured over a white background, has a CIELAB hue angle, hab, from about 40 to about 60 degrees, and the chroma value is greater than 50. The pigment may be used in a cosmetic, coating, or ink composition.
US08323391B2
A paint composition is disclosed, the paint having a binder and an omnidirectional structural color pigment dispersed throughout the binder. The omnidirectional structural color pigment can be made from a plurality of flakes that have a multilayer structure, the pigment and the paint having a reflection band of less than 200 nanometers when viewed from angles between 0 to 45 degrees.
US08323388B1
A filtration system has a filter housing, a pollution filter, and a connection conduit. The filter housing has an inlet chamber having openings. The pollution filter is positioned within the filter housing adjacent the inlet chamber to cover the openings. The connection conduit connects the filter housing with a relief valve so that gasses vented from a hydrocarbon distribution system through the relief valve are directed into the inlet chamber and through the pollution filter, which removes pollutants from the gasses.
US08323385B2
A conducting filter adapted for removing airborne particles from the atmosphere and a filter assembly including such a filter. The conducting filter is made from a polymer which has received significantly increased electrical conductivity by a doping process, the doped polymer referred to as a synthetic metal, the synthetic metal having electrical properties such that the filter according to the invention, including such polymer, may be supplied with electrical charge and whereby maintain its efficiency with regards to the electrostatic properties during operation. In the filter assembly according to the invention, the conducting filter may be supplied with electrical charge by connecting it to a voltage source.
US08323379B2
A method of improving the blood compatibility of a blood-contacting surface includes immobilizing carbonic anhydrase on the surface, wherein the surface exhibits carbonic anhydrase activity of at least 20% of maximum theoretical activity of the surface based on monolayer surface coverage of carbonic anhydrase.
US08323378B2
A method and apparatus for supplying oxygen to meet a user demand in which oxygen is separated from air by an electrically driven oxygen separation device to supply oxygen to meet the user demand and to charge an adsorbent bed with all or part of the separated oxygen. When a user demand exists, oxygen can be supplied from both the electrically driven oxygen separation device and from oxygen desorbed from the adsorbent bed.
US08323373B2
The invention is a process for manufacturing a nano aluminum/alumina metal matrix composite and composition produced therefrom. The process is characterized by providing an aluminum powder having a natural oxide formation layer and an aluminum oxide content between about 0.1 and about 4.5 wt. % and a specific surface area of from about 0.3 and about 5. Om2/g, hot working the aluminum powder, and forming a superfine grained matrix aluminum alloy. Simultaneously there is formed in situ a substantially uniform distribution of nano particles of alumina. The alloy has a substantially linear property/temperature profile, such that physical properties such as strength are substantially maintained even at temperatures of 250° C. and above.
US08323366B2
A process for producing synthesis gas (S) from biomass, includes drying the biomass and gasifying the biomass. An equipment to carry out the process is also disclosed. The process further includes: subjecting the outgoing gases (CO2, N2 and H2O) from the gasifying step to a first heat exchange, where the outgoing gases (CO2, N2 and H2O) are cooled, purifying the outgoing gases (CO2, N2 and H2O) to achieve a process gas (P), the purification being effected by eliminating nitrogen (N2) from the outgoing gases (CO2, N2 and H2O), subjecting the process gas (P) to heat exchange, where the process gas (P) is heated, reducing the process gas (P) to synthesis gas (S), subjecting the synthesis gas (S) to heat exchange, where the synthesis gas (S) is cooled and supply air to the gasification is heated.
US08323362B2
A composition for improving the combustion efficiency of an internal combustion engine. The composition includes a mixture of a hydrocarbon fuel and an organometallic soap selected from among several cerium-containing and ferric compounds. The cerium-containing compound or compounds increase the energy released during combustion of the fuel. The ferric compound or compounds coat an interior wall of a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine to increase the power output of the engine by reducing the accumulation of residues deposited on the interior wall which interfere with the combustion of fuel.
US08323360B2
A method of crystallization is provided. The method includes providing a solution comprising a solute dissolved in a first solvent. The method includes providing a dispersion comprising a plurality of nanoparticles in a second solvent. The first solvent and the second solvent are mutually miscible. The method includes combining the solution and the dispersion to form a mixture. The nanoparticles remain dispersed in the mixture and the solute remains dissolved in the mixture at or below a saturation concentration. The method includes cooling the mixture such that the solute exceeds the saturation concentration forming crystals in the presence of the dispersed nanoparticles. The method includes separating the crystals from the mixture, wherein the nanoparticles remain dispersed in the mixture.
US08323353B1
A compression stabilized prosthetic socket for a patient having an amputated limb and a remaining portion includes a first socket portion for contacting a patient's remaining portion of a limb, and a second socket portion for attachment of a prosthetic device. The first socket portion has compression portions having a radius for compressing portions of the patient's remaining portion of a limb, and relief portions receiving any portions of the patient's remaining limb which bulge upon the compression applied by the compression portions. The relief portions may be formed as openings or as enlarged radius portions.
US08323346B2
The invention reduces wear in total joint articulations by modifications of the shape of either component of the kinematic pair, so as to result in an annular surface contact between the two components. Fluid trapped between the two components within the inner contour of the annular contact area is pressurized under load due to elastic deformation of the components and exuded out through inter-articular gap over the surface of contact, aiding in lubrication and reducing the wear. Reduced to practice for a total hip joint with UHMWPE-metal pair, the wear rate tested in a hip joint simulator up to five million cycles was reduced by factor seven to fifteen compared to conventionally shaped components.
US08323345B2
The disclosure relates to a cage device for performing spinal fusion, including, in some embodiments: a housing defining one or more ports that is selectively disposed in an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae; one or more extensible retention structures that are selectively advanced out of the housing through the one or more ports and into one or more endplates of the adjacent vertebrae; and one or more actuation mechanisms for selectively advancing the one or more extensible retention structures out of the housing through the one or more ports and into the one or more endplates of the adjacent vertebrae.
US08323344B2
A device is disclosed for insertion in the human or animal body in order to increase the spacing between adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column. The device comprises a plurality of shaped members which are pivotally joined to each other and arranged around a central screwed rod which is supported by a collar at one end and a threaded collar at the opposite end said collar and collar being located within the pivoting axis of the adjacent members forming each end of the device. Following insertion in the body and positioning between adjacent spinous processes the device may be deployed by rotation of the central screwed rod in order to achieve the desired separation of adjacent spinous processes while at the same time providing a secure location of the device in the deployed condition.
US08323340B2
An artificial interbody spinal implant adapted for placement across an intervertebral space formed across the height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies is disclosed. The implant has an asymmetrical leading end adapted to sit upon the more peripheral areas, such as the apophyseal rim and the apophyseal rim area, of the vertebral end plate region of the vertebral bodies without protruding therefrom. The asymmetrical leading end allows for the safe use of an implant of maximum length for the implantation space into which it is installed. The implant can also include an asymmetric trailing end adapted to sit upon the more peripheral areas of the vertebral end plate region of the vertebral bodies.
US08323332B2
Methods of reducing retrograde fluid flow through a valve within a body vessel are provided. The methods can include the steps of identifying a valve exhibiting an undesirable amount of retrograde fluid flow within a body vessel, such as a venous valve or a heart valve, and providing a means for reducing the retrograde fluid flow. A medical device providing a desired amount of retrograde fluid flow can be modified after permitting the medical device to remain in a body cavity for a remodeling-effective time period. The implanted medical device can be modified by subsequently reducing the amount of retrograde fluid flow permitted across the implanted prosthetic valve within the body vessel.
US08323327B2
A catheter system for implanting an endoprosthesis at a treatment site in a patient's body lumen. The catheter includes an elongated shaft outer member and a stent sheath distal portion and a self-expanding stent radially restrained in a collapsed configuration within the stent sheath distal portion. A balloon catheter dimensioned for relative axial movement within the shaft outer member has an elongated shaft having an inflation lumen and a device receiving lumen. A stent stop secured to the balloon catheter is reversibly radially expandable to deploy from a collapsed to a radially expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, the stent stop prevents longitudinal displacement of the stent. A balloon is located on a distal shaft section is releasably locked with respect to the shaft outer member and slidably disposed therein in an unlocked configuration.
US08323325B2
The present invention provides a catheter system which includes a catheter, an expandable balloon, at least one securement member, and a stent. The stent is disposed about the catheter and comprises at least one undulating band that extends circumferentially around the longitudinal axis of the catheter system. The undulating band includes interconnected strut members which form a series of alternating peaks and valleys. Adjacent strut members comprise a strut pair, wherein each strut member of the strut pair includes a protuberance positioned along the length of the strut member, between a peak and a valley. The protuberances, which are substantially circumferentially opposed to one another, engage a securement member, thereby minimizing lateral stent movement on the delivery system during delivery.
US08323312B2
Devices and methods are disclosed herein for a closure device. A closure device includes a body movable from a pre-deployed configuration towards a deployed configuration, a plurality of tissue-engaging portions extending from the body. At least two of the tissue-engaging portions are separated by a first distance in the deployed configuration and a second distance in the pre-deployed configuration in which the first distance is smaller than the second distance. The closure device also includes a plurality of device-capture features secured to the body. The device-capture features are configured to move the tissue-engaging portions to a separation greater than the first distance.
US08323306B2
A vaso-occlusive device includes a microcoil formed into a minimum energy state secondary configuration comprising a plurality of curved segments, each defining a discrete axis, whereby the device, in its minimum energy state configuration, defines multiple axes. Confinement of the device within an aneurysm causes it to assume a three-dimensional configuration with a higher energy state than the minimum energy state. Because the minimum energy state configuration of the device is larger (in at least one dimension) than the aneurysm, the deployed device is constrained by its contact with the walls of the aneurysm from returning to its minimum energy state configuration. The engagement of the device with the aneurysm wall minimizes shifting or tumbling due to blood flow.
US08323305B2
A device for expansion within a blood vessel having a wall defining a lumen in the body. The device comprises an elongated tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and having a longitudinal axis. An expansile member is carried by the distal extremity of the elongated tubular member and is movable between contracted and expanded configurations. A deformable membrane having proximal and distal outer surfaces at least partially covers the expansile member in the expanded configuration. The proximal and distal outer surfaces have substantially different configurations when the expansile member is in the expanded configuration. Deployment means is carried by the proximal extremity of the elongated tubular member and is coupled to the expansile member for moving the expansile member between the contracted and expanded configurations. A handle assembly is carried by the proximal extremity of the elongated tubular member and coupled to said deployment means.
US08323298B2
Devices, systems, and methods for suturing of body lumens allow the suturing of vascular puncture sites located at the distal end of a percutaneous tissue tract. An elongated articulated foot near a distal end of a shaft is inserted through the penetration and actuated so that the foot extends along the lumenal axis. The foot carries suturing attachment cuffs, and needles are advanced from the shaft through the vessel wall outside of the penetration and into engagement with the needle cuffs after the foot has been drawn proximally up against the endothelial surface of the blood vessel. The cross-section of the shaft within the tissue tract can be minimized by laterally deflecting the needles as they leave the shaft, while tapered depressions within the foot can guide the advancing needles into engagement with the cuffs. The cuffs lockingly engage the needles and can be withdrawn proximally along the needle paths and through the tissue tract so as to form a loop of suture across the puncture. The articulating foot may be realigned with the shaft and withdrawn proximally through the tissue tract without dilating the tissue tract.
US08323284B2
An adapter for a crossbar surgical reamer having a base with an interface for connecting with another style of reamer such as a crossbar reamer. Intersecting axially facing recesses are provided on the end of the base for connection with a crossbar type of reamer. A pair of grips are pivotally mounted on the base and urged to a closed position by a cross spring to releasably hold the crossbar reamer within the recesses for installation and removal substantially in an axial direction.
US08323281B2
External fixation devices and methods of use are provided. A device for external fixation of a joint includes a first pin block for connection to a first skeletal element and a second pin block for connection to a second skeletal element. The device includes a connection assembly that is releasably attached to at least one of the pin blocks. The device is locked in an original position when the connection assembly is attached to both of the pin blocks, and is unlocked when the connection assembly is detached from at least one of the pin blocks.
US08323277B2
A combined electrical and chemical stimulation lead is especially adapted for providing treatment to the spine and nervous system. The stimulation lead includes electrodes that may be selectively positioned along various portions of the stimulation lead in order to precisely direct electrical energy to ablate or electrically stimulate the target tissue. The invention also includes a method of activating electrodes in the electrical stimulation lead whereby an ablative lesion can be formed in a desired shape and size. The invention further includes a method of managing pain in a sacrum of a patient, and a method of assembling an electrical stimulation device.
US08323271B2
A sterile surgical tray includes structure for receiving a plurality of surgical instruments, a pump fluid reservoir within the tray, a pump contained within the sterile tray and connected to the pump fluid reservoir, and a motor contained within the sterile tray and connected to the pump. Sterile surgical tray 10 also may include electrical input and output connectors attached to tray.
US08323270B2
A magnetically controlled pump is implanted into the brain of a patient and delivers a plurality of medicating agents mixed with Avastin at a controlled rate corresponding to the specific needs of the patient. The current invention comprises a flexible double walled pouch that is formed from two layers of polymer. The pouch is alternately expanded and contracting by magnetic solenoid. When contracted, the medicating agent Avastin is pushed out of the pouch through a plurality of needles. When the pouch is expanded, surrounding cerebral fluid is drawn into the space between the double walls of the pouch from which it is drawn through a catheter to an analyzer. In cases where a tumor resection is not performed, an intratumoral catheter will be implanted. Cerebral fluid drawn from the patient is analyzed. The operation of the apparatus and hence the treatment is remotely controlled based on these measurements and displayed through an external controller.
US08323265B2
Apparatus is disclosed for applying negative pressure to a wound site to promote healing. The apparatus includes a porous pad for application to the wound, a suction tube linking the porous pad to a source of negative pressure, a container for collecting fluid exudate from the wound interposed between the porous pad and the source of negative pressure and a quick disconnect connector linking a first section of the suction tube leading to the porous pad with a second section leading to the container, said connector comprising two separable and non-interchangeable parts, said first section of the suction tube comprising a multi-lumen tube, one lumen being provided for applying suction to the porous pad and another being provided for monitoring pressure, said multi-lumen tube being fixedly attached at one end to the container and at the other end to one of said separable parts, said one separable part including sealing means whereby the lumens are connected in air-tight manner to said second section of the suction tube.
US08323261B2
Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes inserting an intramural crossing device into the vascular lumen, positioning at least the distal tip of the crossing device in the vascular wall, advancing an orienting device over the crossing device such that an orienting element of the orienting device resides in the vascular wall, inserting a re-entry device, and re-entering the true vascular lumen.
US08323258B2
A quiet fastening system that includes a silicone-based adhesive. The silicone-based adhesive is applied to an engaging member or receiving member of the fastening system. The engaging member and receiving member are releasably joined to engage the quiet fastening system. When disengaged, the quiet fastening system exhibits a noise level of less than 15 dB. The quiet fastening system also exhibits desirable Shear Hang Time and Peel Force.
US08323255B2
A bowel management system includes a waste collection catheter having at least two distinct sections. The first section is patient proximal when disposed in the patient's rectum and has durometer hardness in the range of about 50 A to about 90 A. The second catheter section is connected to the first section and has durometer hardness in the range of about 5 A to about 49 A. A selectively collapsible, substantially spherical retention balloon is attached coaxially and exterior of the first catheter section such that the proximal-most end of the retention balloon is coincident to the proximal-most end of the first section of the waste collection catheter, the substantially spherical retention balloon having an inflated size so as to be sufficiently large enough to retain the patient proximal end of the catheter in the patient's rectum without being so large as to trigger a defecatory response in the patient.
US08323254B2
A tube assembly for carrying malodoriforous matter from the human body comprises a silicone based tube having a central bore for the malodoriforous matter, and a tubular sleeve member comprising an odor barrier material, the silicone based tube and the tubular sleeve member being arranged one within the other such that the tubular sleeve member provides an odor barrier to obstruct leakage of odors from malodoriforous matter in the bore of the silicone based tube. The tube assembly is especially suitable for use in fecal or bowel management apparatus.
US08323245B2
An infusion device with safeguards for protecting a patient from inappropriate infusion during a malfunction comprises a pump, an electronic controller for controlling the pump, and a mechanical stop facility for stopping the pump by mechanically blocking pump motion. The stop facility periodically requires resetting by the controller to continue infusion.
US08323243B2
An intravascular device can comprise a carrier and an expansion apparatus. The device can be used for intravascular treatment of atherosclerotic plaque. The carrier can be reversibly expandable and collapsible within a vessel and can have ribbon strips extending between opposite ends in a longitudinal direction of the carrier. The ribbon strips can each be formed with a plurality of elongated protrusions thereon. The expansion apparatus can be used to actuate the ribbon strips each with the plurality elongated protrusions to pierce a luminal surface of the plaque with lines or patterns of microperforations which act as serrations for forming cleavage lines or planes in the plaque.
US08323241B2
Steerable medical delivery devices and their methods of use.
US08323239B2
An apparatus for imparting a tensile force to deflect a distal portion of a catheter while maintaining its exterior dimensions may include a handle grip including a cross-section of generally predetermined exterior dimensions, and a longitudinal axis. A flexible elongate member may include proximal and distal end portions, with the proximal end portion being coupled to the handle grip. An adjustment knob may include a cross-section of generally predetermined exterior dimensions, and is rotatably coupled to the handle grip around the longitudinal axis. An elongate deflection member may be operably coupled to the adjustment knob and to the distal end portion of the elongate member. Rotation of the adjustment knob may impart a tensile force to the deflection member thereby causing the distal end portion of the elongate member to deflect from a prior configuration while maintaining the generally predetermined exterior dimensions of the handle grip and the adjustment knob.
US08323237B2
A drug mixing and expelling device (1) for mixing a drug with a liquid, thereby forming a reconstituted liquid drug. The device comprises a reservoir (2) containing a liquid, a vial (4) containing a drug, a vial, means (5) for establishing a fluid connection between the reservoir and a vial positioned in the vial adapter (3), means (7, 8) for forcing the liquid from the reservoir to a vial, and means (9) for activating said forcing means during establishment of the fluid connection between the reservoir and the vial. The forcing of liquid into the vial provides a pressure therein, which can be used for infusion of the reconstituted drug directly from the vial. The device also comprises a suction unit (13) for aspiration.
US08323231B2
A peritoneal dialysis system includes: (i) a fluid cassette including diaphragm operated first and second pump chambers; (ii) a first pressure sensor operable with the first pump chamber; (iii) a second pressure sensor operable with the second pump chamber; and (iv) a to-patient port of the cassette in fluid communication with the first and second pump chambers, wherein the first pressure sensor is located between the first pump chamber and the to-patient port and the second pressure sensor is located between the second pump chamber and the to-patient port.
US08323227B2
Multi-lumen catheters with improved tip configurations, including a triple-lumen catheter which may be useful for apheresis. In one variation, the catheter has three lumens with distal openings angularly spaced apart and staggered axially with respect to one another. In another variation, the catheter has two lumens exiting distally and one centrally positioned lumen exiting proximally. A third variation is a catheter with a single distal opening and two proximal openings. The staggered lumen openings along the axial length of the catheter may decrease recirculation while maximizing flow rates.
US08323226B1
The invention provides a multilayer sleeve liner for application to the skin of a limb before applying a cast or brace. The liner is readily conformable to the limb configuration. It has a first layer that is applied to the skin. This has protective and cushioning functions. A second layer has a mesh structure that encircles the limb. It is constructed so that when its first end is pulled away from its second end, the encirclement of the limb is tightened. When one end of the mesh is attached to one end of the cast, and the other end is attached to another end of the cast, tension on the limb will tighten the liner. Without removing the cast, the liner may be adjusted by releasing one end of the mesh from the cast, and increasing or decreasing tension as necessary, then reattaching the mesh to the cast. A third layer may be provided to prevent adhesion of the cast to the liner.
US08323224B2
Disclosed is an ankle foot orthotic device for assisting a user during gait. The device comprises: a foot support having a shape and size configured to the plantar aspect of a user foot, the foot support having a forward portion and a rearward portion and a heel plate coupled to an upper surface of the rearward portion. The device further comprises: an upper rod having a longitudinal axis and a lower end connected to an offset and a lower rod having: a longitudinal axis; a lower end connected to the heel plate; and an upward end connected to the offset.
US08323216B2
Applied kinesiology method and device utilizes an examiner's autonomic response to truth/false or beneficial/non-beneficial stimulus and provides immediate feedback to the examiner in the context of an applied kinesiology exam. Kinesiology glasses detect local pupillary response to truthfulness locally and remotely. Through measurements of the pupils dilation or constriction and processing of the measurements, the response is obtained and feedback, via sensory stimulation, is provided to the examiner that reflects the pupillary response. The device and method effectively eliminate the subjective components of prior art muscle testing response from the hands of the testing examiner.
US08323213B2
A quantitative and qualitative analysis apparatus of a body fluid serves as a replacement of a Foley catheter and a urine bag connected The analysis apparatus is capable of automatically measuring the volume of a body fluid (urine volume) and specific constituents in a body fluid (urine and blood) in a real time mode and is capable of outputting the measurement results with ease, thereby promoting the efficiency of human resource management so that medical staff may be able to make a quick diagnosis on the current state of the patient based on the provided data and thus, take all necessary measured to improve the patient's condition at proper time.
US08323212B2
The present invention relates to an attachment (X) for body fluid sampling device, comprising: a lancing member (21) including a lancing needle (28); an analyzing implement (5) for obtaining information on a target component in body fluid; and an attachment main body (1) holding the lancing member (21) and the analyzing implement (5). The attachment main body (X) includes a movable member (3) movable with the analyzing implement (5) longitudinally of the lancing needle (28). The attachment main body (1) includes for example, a holder (2) for holding the lancing member (21). The holder (2) has an inner space (22) for movement of the lancing needle (28). The lancing needle (28) is held preferably as sealed in the inner space (22).
US08323205B2
A method of identifying a potential cause of pulmonary edema is provided. The method includes obtaining one or more impedance vectors between predetermined combinations of the electrodes positioned proximate the heart. At least one of the impedance vectors is representative of a thoracic fluid level. The method also includes applying a stimulation pulse to the heart and sensing cardiac signals of the heart that are representative of an electrophysiological response to the stimulation pulse. The method further includes monitoring the cardiac signals and at least one of the impedance vectors with respect to time to identify the potential cause of pulmonary edema.
US08323202B2
Minimally invasive systems and methods are described for measuring pulmonary circulation information from the pulmonary arteries. A transbronchial Doppler ultrasound catheter is advanced through the airways and in the vicinity of the pulmonary artery. Doppler ultrasound energy is sent through the airway wall and across the pulmonary artery to obtain velocity information of blood flowing through the artery. The velocity information is used to compute pulmonary circulation information including but not limited to flowrate.
US08323201B2
Under one aspect, an ultrasound system for producing a representation of an object includes: a concave transducer array configured to transmit ultrasonic pulses into the object and to receive ultrasonic pulses from the object, the ultrasonic pulses from the object containing structural information about the object, each transducer in the array generating an output signal representative of a portion of the structural information about the object; a multi-focal lens structure for focusing the transmitted ultrasonic pulses; a multiplexing structure in operable communication with the concave transducer array and including logic for coupling the output signals from at least one pair of transducers in the concave transducer array; and a beamformer in operable communication with the multiplexing structure and including logic for constructing a representation of structural information about the object based on the coupled output signals from the multiplexing structure.
US08323197B2
Means for measuring and evaluating a dynamic property of a blood flow in a superficial blood vessel of a living body are constructed.A physical stimulus is given to the blood flow, and an ultrasonic response from the blood flow to the physical stimulus is measured and evaluated, which allows the blood property to be evaluated noninvasively and dynamically. Therefore, a medical check and a lifestyle-related diseases prevention effect are promising.
US08323193B2
An implantable biosensor, which comprises a measuring (or first) chamber filled with the test fluid, which is able to convert a change of the concentration of a predetermined analyte or ion type into a change of a physical variable. To this end, the measuring chamber is closed by at least one membrane, which is permeable to the analyte or ion type and impermeable to the test fluid. In addition, the biosensor is equipped with at least one microacoustic sensor, which is operatively connected to the test fluid such that it can detect the physical variable that changes with the concentration of the analyte or ion type. Further relates to a sensor arrangement comprising at least one such implantable biosensor, the arrangement including a polling system that is wirelessly coupled to the biosensor.
US08323192B2
Disclosed is an ambulatory system for monitoring one or more physiological parameters in a body lumen, such as the esophagus. The system includes an implantable probe having a sensor for the physiological parameter and a transmitter for transmitting data to an external receiver. The probe may be used for monitoring any of various physiological parameters, including pH, temperature, and pressure, within the esophagus or other body lumens. Methods and deployment catheters are also disclosed.
US08323190B2
A Comprehensive Neuromuscular Profiler (CNMP) allows the observation of human and equine muscle functionality and characteristics. The CNMP consists of an integrated system which combines EMG technology, electromagnetic range-of-motion (ROM) technology, and functional capacity sensors. Output signals from the devices are digitized and stored in computer memory. The data may be transmitted to a server computer for further analysis. The server computer examines the data to determine patterns and consults an expert database to determine a diagnosis based on the patterns and combinations of patterns detected.
US08323186B2
A device for facilitating the examination of an orifice includes a mount for a light source for illuminating the orifice, a connector for detachably mounting a dilator for insertion into and dilation of an orifice, and an actuator for operating a mounted dilator. The mounted dilator includes operative parts able to move apart from one another.
US08323183B2
A forward-looking, optical coherence tomography, endoscopic probe is disclosed capable of high resolution with a small diameter. Light is focused and scanned during three passes through a lens. A light source supplies light to the proximal side of the lens. The light makes a first pass through the lens, and is reflected from a fixed mirror on the distal side. The reflected light makes a second pass from the distal side to the proximal side, and exits the lens at the proximal side, and is reflected by a scanning mirror. The light makes a third pass through the lens from the proximal side to the distal side to a sample to be imaged. The light is focused during each of the three passes through the lens. Light reflected from the sample passes back through and is focused by the same system.
US08323181B2
Endoscope and method comprise a micro endoscope with insertion end that is about 1-2 millimeters in outer diameter and includes an optical fiber image bundle, two optical laser fibers, two illumination source optical fiber bundles, along with three focusing lenses for image bundle and laser fibers. Insertion end may be inserted in a female milk duct, other body cavity, or internal organ to inspect for cells and lesions. Visual inspection is aided by the use of special mixtures of light sources to observe the distinction between normal and abnormal cells. If abnormal cells or lesions are detected and the surgeon decides cells or lesions are non-cancerous, the surgeon may then use endoscope to precisely burn, ablate, or otherwise kill abnormal cells at their point of origin on the milk duct, other body cavity, or internal organ. The procedure is minimally invasive and much less costly than many other similarly functioning medical procedures.
US08323173B2
A physiologic control method and system for an implantable blood pump includes operating the pump at a predetermined speed and monitoring the patient's diastolic pump flow rate. The predetermined speed is varied in response to the diastolic pump flow rate. The pump speed may further be adjusted in response to the patient's heart rate. The speed may be increased and decreased in response to corresponding changes in the diastolic pump flow rate, and increased in response to an increase in heart rate.
US08323169B2
A fixed angle centrifuge rotor is provided. The rotor includes a rotor body having a circumferential sidewall and a plurality of tubular cavities. Each of the cavities has an open end and a closed end and is configured to receive a sample container therein. A pressure plate is operatively coupled to the plurality of tubular cavities so that the pressure plate, in combination with the plurality of tubular cavities, defines an enclosed hollow chamber between each adjacent pair of the plurality of tubular cavities. Each of the plurality of tubular cavities has a sidewall facing an interior of the rotor body and a bottom wall at the closed end.
US08323167B2
A method for facilitating the alignment of first and second side panel portions of a pants-type diaper whilst feeding a pants-type diaper precursor in a machine direction through processing apparatus. The pants-type diaper precursor includes a leading edge region, a trailing edge region and first and second side edge regions, each of the first and second side edge regions having a first side panel portion at the leading edge region and a second side panel portion at the trailing edge region. The method includes applying elastic elements under tension to a flat continuous web having a predetermined width in the cross-machine direction, the web forming either the backsheet or the topsheet of the pants-type diaper. The elastic element in the trailing edge region is adapted to generate a greater gathering force than the elastic element in the leading edge region such that the first and second panels are better aligned when brought into overlapping relationship.
US08323163B2
A positioning-jig 42 is cylindrical shape and chamfered at the top side; wherein a bottom side inner diameter of the positioning-jig 42 is larger than outer diameter of the marking-member 12, and the bottom side outer diameter of the positioning-jig 42 is same or slightly smaller than the through-holes 20 belongs to the face plate 15.
US08323154B1
Trampoline systems are disclosed. The trampoline systems comprise one or more step assemblies. The step assemblies have one or more flight of steps and include one or more sides. The step assemblies may have one or more landing surfaces. One or more trampolines may be located peripherally about the one or more sides of the step assemblies. The trampolines each have at least one rebound top surface. The trampoline systems provide a landing and rebalancing opportunity from the step assemblies onto the rebound top surfaces of the trampolines. Methods of using the trampoline systems are disclosed.
US08323152B2
A method is provided for automatic shutdown of an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle, in particular in a vehicle having an automatic transmission, by way of a stop-start unit which automatically shuts down the internal combustion engine when the vehicle is decelerated to a standstill and kept at a standstill by operation of the brake pedal for a predetermined interval of time. Within the predetermined interval of time, the driver is given an opportunity to prevent the automatic shutdown. According to the invention, an automatic shutdown is prevented when the driver of the vehicle depresses the brake pedal fully within the predetermined interval of time and then releases the brake pedal again.
US08323143B2
A wheel drive assembly includes a rotatable spindle-carrier affixed to a wheel. A fixed housing includes an output ring gear and the spindle-carrier resides generally within the housing. An output sun gear driven by an input carrier drives output planetary gears which, in turn, interengage the output ring gear driving and rotating the spindle-carrier. A fixed drive end housing includes an input ring gear and houses a noise reducing radially floating input carrier and a plurality of input planet gears rotatably mounted in the input carrier. The input sun gear is driven by an electric motor and drives the plurality of input planet gears which mesh with the input ring gear causing rotation of the input carrier about its true center. The input carrier is partially nested within the spindle-carrier and the motor is partially nested within the fixed drive end housing.
US08323142B2
A multi-speed transmission includes a first input shaft, a second input shaft, a first friction engagement mechanism, a second friction engagement mechanism, a first synchromesh mechanism, a second synchromesh mechanism, and a third friction engagement mechanism. A differential mechanism includes a first rotational element, a second rotational element, and a third rotational element. The first rotational element is coupled to a first countershaft. The second rotational element is coupled to a second countershaft. The third rotational element is coupled to an output member. A third synchromesh mechanism is capable of coupling a driving gear of a first gear train to the first input shaft or is capable of coupling a driven gear of the first gear train to the output member so as to enable power to be transferred between the first input shaft and the output member using the first gear train.
US08323133B1
Fletching comprises a first material for a blade portion of the fletching and a second material for a cup portion of the fletching in accordance with one embodiment. These materials can be co-extruded. The vane forming material is desirably stiffer than the cup forming material when cured. In addition, the cup forming material desirably has a greater bondability than the vane forming material. The fletching can also be formed as a shield cut with a relatively high rear edge to facilitate gripping of the fletching as the fletching is mounted to the shaft of an arrow.
US08323130B1
A sports racquet including a handle assembly coupled to, and longitudinally extending from, a head portion. The handle assembly includes an elongate tubular shaft, a pallet positioned over the shaft, and a plurality of support members. The pallet defines a plurality of longitudinally extending planar regions and a plurality of longitudinally extending recesses. The recesses are respectively positioned between two of the plurality of planar regions. The support members are positioned within the respective recesses. Each of the support members has an outer surface that forms an elongated corner. The handle assembly has an outer surface that includes a plurality of longitudinally extending flats and a generally polygonal-shaped transverse cross-sectional area. Each of the plurality of planar regions forms at least part of a separate one of the plurality of flats.
US08323129B1
An elongated shaft has a shock-absorbing core, a fiber-reinforced durable plastic outer skin encasing the core, and an elongated stiffening member encased within the core. The elongated stiffening member may be a spar or a hollow tube. If it is a hollow tube, the tube may contain a weight that moves along the inside of the tube as the shaft is swung. The shaft also has a way to attach athletic equipment, such as a lacrosse head frame and net or hockey blade, to one end.
US08323112B2
Systems and method for providing a game achievements system where players are rewarded with game achievements based on mastering certain in-game facets of the games they play. Each game achievement may be conveyed in a profile as a badge or trophy, title, description, date, etc. Players may also accumulate points based on game achievements. A display interface may be made available such that a player may see his achievements and total points, as well as those of others.
US08323106B2
Game interface tracks the position of one or more game controllers in 3-dimensional space using hybrid video capture and ultrasonic tracking system. The captured video information is used to identify a horizontal and vertical position for each controller within a capture area. The ultrasonic tracking system analyzes sound communications to determine the distances between the game system and each controller and to determine the distances among the controllers. The distances are then analyzed by the game interface to calculate the depths within the capture area for each controller.
US08323103B2
Techniques are disclosed for facilitating configuration of a gaming machine, and for facilitating authentication testing of selected components of a gaming machine. In at least one embodiment, configuration of the gaming machine may be effected via the use of a gaming machine configuration device. When the presence of a gaming machine configuration device is detected, configuration indicia stored on the configuration device may be accessed and used to determine at least one configuration parameter relating to configuration of the gaming machine. Configuration or reconfiguration of the gaming machine may then be implemented using the at least one configuration parameter. In at least one embodiment, authentication of the gaming machine component may be effected via the use of a gaming machine authentication device. When the presence of a gaming machine authentication device is detected, authentication information stored on the authentication device may be accessed and used to generate authentication output data relating to the component being authenticated. The authentication output data may then be provided to an external entity for verifying the results of the authentication test.
US08323102B2
In various embodiments, a player may participate in a game at a nearby gaming table via a mobile device.
US08323099B2
Embodiments of a portable wagering game machine and a stationary wagering game machine are described herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of portable wagering game machines are associated with a stationary wagering game machine. Group wagering game data is displayed on the stationary wagering game machine. The group wagering game data includes wagering content for viewing by multiple players. At each of the plurality of portable wagering game machines, individual wagering game data is displayed. The individual wagering game data and the group wagering game data relate to a wagering game.
US08323097B2
Non-transitive gaming elements, including a first, a second and a third one or more gaming elements, respectively, wherein the second provides an advantage represented by higher scores, on average, as compared with the scores of the first, the third provides an advantage represented by higher scores, on average, as compared with the scores of the second and the first provides an advantage represented by higher scores, on average, as compared with the scores of the third, and wherein each of the three respective advantages are all less than 3 percent and each advantage does not differ from the mean of the three advantages by more than 20 percent.
US08323090B2
A gaming system of the present invention comprises a plurality of gaming machines and a control device including a processor, and the processor is programmed to execute processing of (A) cumulatively counting a part of the number of betted game media as a cumulative value based on the number-of-game-media information received from the gaming machine, and (B) paying out the game media in number based on the cumulative value to any of the gaming machines, as well as displaying a numeral image corresponding to the cumulative value to the common display, when the cumulative value has reached a predetermined value.
US08323086B2
A gaming apparatus with geometrically oriented elements is disclosed. Specifically, an array of game elements are displayed, each of which has a discrete geometric orientation, and whose relative geometric orientations, in addition to relative placement of each gaming element, determines winning patterns which result in payout to a player.
US08323080B2
System and method for controlled atmosphere stunning of chickens or turkeys in a batch mode is provided. The disclosed method includes the steps of: loading one or more batches of chickens or turkeys in a stunning chamber and sealably enclosing the stunning chamber to isolate the atmosphere therein. Carbon dioxide is then introduced to the isolated atmosphere in a series of three, four, five or more phases to humanely stun and eventually kill the poultry. The carbon dioxide containing atmosphere is subsequently forcibly exhausted from the stunning chamber and the ranks of cages or modules containing the stunned poultry are advanced to a subsequent processing station such as a tipper or dumping station.
US08323077B2
A blade sharpening assembly generally including a pair of clamping members disposable in coextensive relationship, each providing end portions for receiving a blade therebetween with a cutting edge thereof disposed beyond the ends thereof; means interengaging the clamping members functional as a fulcrum in permitting the end portions to displace in clamping a blade therebetween; means interconnecting the clamping members for angularly displacing the clamping members about the fulcrum; a guide member pivotally connected to a second end portion of each of the clamping members, pivotal between a first position disposed coextensively with a connected clamping member, and a second position at an angle relative to the connected clamping member, alignable with the guide member of the other of the clamping members, when the clamping members are disposed in coextensive; means interconnectable between the guide members when the guide members are disposed in alignment for releasably retaining the guide members in alignment; and an elongated member including a honing section and a guide member section cooperable with one of the guide for guiding the honing section along a cutting portion of a blade disposed between the clamping members.
US08323075B2
A polishing head having a disklike carrier in which an annular projecting portion and a carrier-engagement portion are formed in a peripheral portion, a disklike head body in which a head-body-engagement portion is formed outside, a diaphragm for connecting the head body with the carrier, a spacer located between the carrier-engagement portion and the head-body-engagement portion in a part of the carrier-engagement portion and/or the head-body-engagement portion, in which the spacer abuts on the carrier-engagement portion and/or the head-body-engagement portion at the time of lifting the head body so that the workpiece is demounted from the polishing pad by lifting the carrier with it inclined. As a result, there is provided a polishing head in which the workpiece can be easily, safely and surely demounted from the polishing pad by lifting the polishing head holding the workpiece without overhanging the polishing head from the turn table and the like.
US08323073B2
A gear grinding tool can be trued and re-profiled. The geometry of the individual profiles in the direction of the tool axis is designed so that at least more than two, preferably all, flanks of the tool are used for rough machining of the work piece flanks, and that during finishing the re-profiled flanks provided only for roughing are set back far enough so that during finishing they do not come into contact with the work piece flanks.
US08323071B2
There is provided a method of polishing the inner peripheral end surfaces of disk-like substrates for a recording medium using a brush comprising, providing a plurality of pieces of disk-like substrates having circular holes at the central portion thereof; bringing a polishing material slurry containing a polishing material into contact with the object to be polished; inserting a polishing brush into the circular hole of the object from a first side of the object to be polished, and rotating the polishing brush with the shaft as a center to polish the inner peripheral end surfaces of the substrates; and inserting the polishing brush into the circular hole of the object to be polished from a second side opposite to the first side and rotating the polishing brush with the shaft as a center axis to polish the inner peripheral end surfaces of the substrates.
US08323060B2
A coaxial cable connector comprising a connector body; a post engageable with the connector body; a nut, rotatable with respect to the post and the connector body, the nut having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the nut includes an internal lip; and a continuity member disposed within a second end portion of the nut and contacting the post and the nut, so that the continuity member extends electrical grounding continuity through the post and the nut is provided.
US08323050B2
A retainer shell used to install in a mounting hole on a device panel designed to accommodate electrical connector from an end of a standard extension harness. The retainer shell is designed to lock securely in an opening of the device panel without specialized tools to be required for such installation. The locking retainer shell is designed to have simple and reliable front panel push action installation and provide front panel interconnect to a mating cable assembly as example with the opposite mating gender.
US08323049B2
An electrical power connector is provided that is configured to mate with a complementary electrical connector. The electrical power connector includes a connector housing that retains both electrical signal contacts and electrical power contacts. The electrical power connector includes an engagement assembly that includes 1) at least one polarization member configured to mate with a polarization member of the complementary electrical connector only when the electrical power connector is in a desired orientation relative to the complementary electrical connector, and 2) a securement member configured to releasably engage a securement member of the complementary electrical connector.
US08323045B2
A card edge connector has a plurality of contacts, a housing configured to hold the plurality of contacts arranged in a first direction, and a pair of arm members held on the housing so as to extend along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each of the arm members includes a latch portion and an interference portion. The latch portion is configured to engage with a side edge of a card when the card is connected to the card edge connector. The interference portion is configured to interfere with the side edge of the card in the first direction so as to prevent the latch portion from engaging with the side edge of the card when the card is improperly connected to the card edge connector. The interference portion projects inwardly in the first direction beyond the latch portion.
US08323041B2
Systems and methods for modular projection that enable a flexible and extendible modular picoprojector system with multiple projector modules and application modules that may be interconnected in a variety of ways for various applications and use models. The systems and methods include connectors and interfaces that enable rapid design of various types of modules for a modular picoprojection system. The systems and methods also include orientation and compatibility features that may be employed in a modular picoprojection system to control connections of various modules with specific features and functions.
US08323040B2
A dock includes a moveable connector to allow connection to a handheld electronic device. Generally, the connector moves between a closed position and an open position where the connector is placed in at least one substantially upright position for receiving a handheld electronic device. The connector may be hidden from view or lie flush relative to the body of the dock, thereby making the dock more portable and easily organized with other objects, e.g. in stacking. Various motions can be used to move the connector. Examples include one or more rotations, translations, and/or the like. Various retention mechanisms may be employed to retain the connector in an open position when connected to the media player. Also, various electrical mechanisms can be used to couple the movable connector to a fixed printed circuit board (PCB) contained inside the body of the dock.
US08323035B2
A swivel mechanism comprising a first swivel portion having a first coupling portion and a second swivel portion having a second coupling portion, the second swivel portion dimensioned for mechanically engaging with the first swivel portion to provide at least a first mechanical coupling position and at least a first data communication channel, wherein the first data communication channel is provided through a hollow cavity formed when the first swivel portion and the second swivel portion are in the first mechanical coupling position and wherein the first data communication channel is configured to convey 60 GHz data signals when the first swivel portion and the second swivel portion are in the first mechanical coupling position.
US08323034B1
A system and method for assisting a surgeon during a surgical procedure. The system including a portable device having a display and a database in data communication with the portable device. The database including a program having a first image of the first set of instructions to be conducted by a surgical scrub assisting the surgeon during the first step of the surgical procedure and a second image of the second set of instructions to be conducted by the surgical scrub during the second step of the surgical procedure.
US08323025B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for automatic driver evaluation of a person's driving capabilities and render an outcome of pass or fail without the need for a trained observer to evaluate driver's performance. In one embodiment, the automatic driver evaluation system facilitates the display of a predetermined driving route designed for a predetermined demography, observe simulated driving performance of a user on the predetermined driving route, record errors made by the user while performing the simulated drive, and compare the performance errors to at least one threshold value and generate a score based on the comparison.
US08323021B2
A sheet of material having a central body portion with attached wings capable of folding towards each other on either side. The wings of the bite block fold toward each other along fold lines adjacent the central body portion and provide a structure for biting down upon for propping the mouth of a patient open during a dental procedure. A mirrored surface may be placed on the central body portion for improving visibility in the mouth. The bite block also holds or retracts the tongue and cheeks away from a work area in the mouth. The wings protect the cheeks as well as provide improved visibility within the mouth. Additionally, moisture control within the mouth is improved. The bite block may be made inexpensively and is disposable.
US08323008B2
An exemplary pump includes a pump housing defining a pump cavity, a movable pumping member situated in the pump cavity, and at least one pressure-absorbing member located inside the pump housing. The housing also has an inlet and an outlet, and includes at least one interior non-wearing location that contacts liquid in the pump housing when the pump housing is primed with the liquid. The movable pumping member, when driven to move, urges flow of the liquid from the inlet through the pump cavity to the outlet. The at least one pressure-absorbing member is located inside the pump housing at the non-wearing location and contacts the liquid. The pressure-absorbing member has a compliant property to exhibit a volumetric compression when subjected to a pressure increase in the liquid contacting the pressure-absorbing member, the volumetric compression being sufficient to alleviate at least a portion of the pressure increase.
US08323003B2
A pump includes a housing partially bounded by first and second outer walls, an inner wall fixed within a bore, a first piston disposed between the first outer wall and the inner wall, a second piston disposed between the second outer wall and the inner wall, a coupling member coupling the first and second pistons, a plurality of valves, and a control unit configured to communicate with the plurality of valves. Wherein One of a first inner chamber and a first outer chamber is configured to receive process fluid and the other of the first inner chamber and the first outer chamber is configured to receive working fluid, and one of a second inner chamber and a second outer chamber is configured to receive damping fluid and the other of the second inner chamber and the second outer chamber is configured to receive working fluid.
US08322999B2
A hydrostatic axial piston machine, in particular a swashplate machine, has a cylinder drum (3) mounted so that it can rotate around an axis of rotation (2). The cylinder drum (3) is provided with cylinder bores (4), in each of which a piston (5) is mounted so that it can be displaced longitudinally. The cylinder drum (3) is axially supported on a control surface (8) affixed to the casing and on which an inlet connection (10) and an outlet connection (11) are realized. The cylinder bores (4) can each be placed in communication by a connecting channel (12) with the control surface (8). The connecting channel (12) is provided with a cross-section that increases from the cylinder bore (4) toward the control surface (8).
US08322996B2
Aspirators for inflating devices such as (but not limited to) aircraft evacuation slides and rafts are detailed. Housings of the aspirators may be made of wound filaments of composite materials, reducing their weight as compared to conventional metal structures. Such actions as reconfiguring and repositioning jet nozzles within the housings also contribute to enhancing performance of the aspirators.
US08322989B2
An embodiment of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) concept with vanes coupled to central shaft thorough supports that are connected in such a way that vanes can be moved closer or further away from the central shaft of the wind turbine. The rotational speed of the wind turbine can be regulated by adjusting the distance of the vanes. Additionally, the turbine can be put into storm protection mode by bringing the vanes right next to the central shaft where the profile of the wind turbine is reduced to minimum.
US08322979B2
The invention relates to a turbocharger (1) provided with a turbine housing (2) for turbine wheels, a cartridge (K) for the variable turbine geometry positioned in the turbine housing (2), a bearing housing (3) which is arranged between said turbine housing (2) and a compressor housing of the compressor wheel and in which a bearing arrangement for a shaft (W) carrying the turbine and compressor wheels is mounted and a pane system (4) placed between the cartridge (K) and the bearing housing (3). The inventive turbocharger is characterized in that said pane system (4) consists of at least two material layers (5, 6), an air gap (7) is formed between the material layers (5, 6), the materiel layer (5) is embodied in the form of a conical plate and the other material layer (6) is provided with a bend (8).
US08322976B2
A turbine includes a static member, a moveable member fluidly connected to the static member, and a flexible seal. The flexible seal includes a spring component having a base section mounted to one of the static member and the moveable member of the turbine and a plurality of biasing members. Each of the plurality of biasing members includes a first portion extending from the base section and a cantilevered portion. The flexible seal further includes a seal component provided on the cantilevered portion of each of the plurality of biasing members. The seal component is biased into contact with the other of the static member and the moveable member.
US08322970B2
A conveying and stacking apparatus for stacking items or substrates carrying items received from an infeed conveyor is provided. The stacker has a housing and at least one movable platform upon which the item or substrate with one or more items located thereon is placed. An overhead loading belt assembly which includes at least one belt assembly positioned to travel over at least a portion of the infeed conveyor adjacent to the at least one moveable platform and the at least one moveable platform is provided. The at least one belt assembly carries the item or the substrate with the items located thereon to a stacking position on the at least one platform.
US08322967B2
Embodiments include a loading rack apparatus mountable on a vehicle having a hoist motor, an extendable horizontal trolley to permit a load to be lifted with the hoist, moved horizontally into a vehicle, and lowered. A variety of embodiment trolley drive mechanisms are disclosed including but not limited to a lead screw trolley drive. An arcuate embodiment crossbar member permits more stable positioning of items on the apparatus's topmost surface. A method for safely moving a load is disclosed.
US08322964B2
The present application provides an all terrain vehicle for load hauling. The all terrain vehicle may include a cargo box and a winch assembly positioned about the cargo box.
US08322963B2
Embodiments of the present invention generally provide an apparatus and method for transferring substrates in a processing system (e.g., a cluster tool) that has an increased system throughput, increased system reliability, improved device yield performance, a more repeatable wafer processing history (or wafer history), and a reduced footprint when compared to conventional techniques.
US08322954B2
A transportation system and a method for transporting a rotor blade under a height-restricting obstacle defining a clearance height are disclosed. The method includes transporting a first end of the rotor blade under the height-restricting obstacle. A transportation vehicle is configured to transport the rotor blade, the transportation vehicle including a bed on which the rotor blade is disposed. The method further includes moving a second end of the rotor blade from a raised position to a lowered position relative to the bed, the second end in the lowered position having a height less than or equal to the clearance height, and transporting the second end of the rotor blade under the height-restricting obstacle.
US08322952B2
The present invention concerns a bore head, which consists essentially of a body (1) provided with a radial piston (2) for receiving a bore tool (3) which can be tightened in said radial piston (2) with a tightening means (4), where the position of said radial piston (2) can be regulated by means of a micrometric screw (5), and where the radial piston is guided and tightened in the regulation position with a guidance and tightening means, and where, moreover, said body is provided with a balancing device (7) with balancing weights (8 and 9).Bore head characterized in that the means (4) for tightening the bore tool (3) in the radial piston (2) of the body (1) is in the form of a screwing device (10), equipped with a movable center punch (11) which is under tension caused by a spring (12), and in that the means for guidance and tightening in the position of regulation of the radial piston (2) is an indirect tightening means which carries out said guidance and tightening radially.The invention can be applied more particularly in the field of accessories for machine tools, with digital control, for machining centers, cells and workshops for multiple purposes.
US08322951B2
Apparatus comprising an implement for extracting charges of uniform size of articles from a mass of the articles and delivering the charges to a receiver. The implement has a chamber for receiving the articles to form the charge. The chamber has a mouth through which articles are drawn into the chamber by applying a vacuum to the chamber. The implement then delivers and deposits the charge by releasing the vacuum. The chamber has a vent with an air permeable article barrier for access to a vacuum generator.
US08322950B2
A cable bolt (10, 60) comprising a flexible cable (11) formed from a plurality of wound strands, wherein at least one of the strands is a hollow strand (12b). In one form, at least one region (14) of the hollow strand is formed with a helical formation or is otherwise arranged to resist radial compression. A cable bolt (60) is also disclosed with a hollow strand (12b) that has a coupling (65) fitted at one end (14) and a resin retainer (61) fitted on the other end of the hollow strand.
US08322944B2
A modular trench drain system with sloping overlay rails. A non-sloping section of trench drain is transformed into a sloping trench drain by installing sloping overlay rails. The overlay rails rest on the top of the upper edge of the sidewalls and may have a ledge which allows grating, which spans across the channel, to rest on top. The modular channel sections may be held together and in place by a channel bracket with holes for accepting support rods which further secure the channels in place before and after the concrete has been poured and cured around the channels.
US08322940B2
A binder is configured such that a plane portion is formed on an outer peripheral surface of at least one ring part at a portion intersecting with a back part of the binder, and such that, when a binder holding member of a binding processing machine holds the binder, the plane portion of the binder contacts with a plane table provided on the binder holding member. Because the binder contacts the plane table on the binder holding member when the binder holding member holds the binder, the binder is held in such a state that the binder cannot incline or rotate. Thus, a binding processing operation can be carried out in the binding processing machine while the binder is held in a regular orientation. Accordingly, a mounting failure due to an inclined orientation of the binder and be resolved.
US08322933B2
Information processing equipment includes a photoelectric conversion module disposed on a circuit substrate, a first optical connector connected to the photoelectric conversion module through a plurality of first optical fibers and disposed to an edge portion of the circuit substrate, and a second optical connector disposed on an optical backplane and optically connected to the first optical connector. The disposing direction of the optical fibers in the photoelectric conversion module is in nonparallel with the main surface of the circuit substrate and the disposing direction of the optical fibers in the first optical connector and the disposing direction of the optical fibers in the second optical connector are in nonparallel with the main surface of the circuit substrate.
US08322930B2
A washer, including a central axial hole, a first oil retainer, and at least one oil-storage groove. The central axial hole allows a motor shaft to pass therethrough. The first oil retainer is formed on one side of the washer. The oil-storage groove is disposed on the surface of the first oil retainer.
US08322929B2
A slide bearing has at least one bearing shell for accommodating a component to be supported. The at least one bearing shell has two grooves that run in a circumferential direction on its slide surface, into which grooves guide elements for lubricant are laid. The grooves and the guide elements are disposed convergent to one another at least over a partial circumference of the slide surface. least one bearing shell for accommodating a component to be supported. The bearing shell has two grooves that run in the circumferential direction on its slide surface, into which grooves guide elements for lubricant are laid.
US08322922B2
A method of outputting temperature data in a semiconductor device and a temperature data output circuit are provided. A pulse signal is generated in response to a booting enable signal activated in response to a power-up signal and the generation is inactivated in response to a mode setting signal during a power-up operation. A comparison signal is generated in response to the pulse signal by comparing a reference voltage independent of temperature with a sense voltage that varies with temperature change. The temperature data is changed in response to the comparison signal. Thus, the temperature data output circuit can rapidly output the exact temperature of the semiconductor device measured during the power-up operation.
US08322915B2
A compensation adjustment mechanism for a mechanical timepiece is provided including a gear set and a crown. A first gear at the input end of the gear set is connected to the crown, a second gear at the output end of the gear set is connected to a regulator pin on a balance spring, and a chapter ring is connected to the gear set and capable of rotating together with the crown. Adjustment of the regulator pin is performed by rotating the crown and is visible on the chapter ring. The scale on the chapter ring is predetermined according to the characteristics of the balance spring.
US08322905B2
A light emitting assembly comprises a light source and a light emitting panel member having a panel surface and an input edge for receiving light from the light source. On or in the panel surface is a pattern of individual light extracting deformities. Each of the deformities has a well defined shape and a length and width substantially smaller than the length and width of the panel surface. At least some of the deformities have only two surfaces, each having opposite peripheral edge portions that intersect each other and intersect the panel surface. One of the surfaces of the deformities is substantially perpendicular to the panel surface and is curved in a transverse direction. The other surface of the deformities is a sloping surface.
US08322898B2
A bulb-type lamp having both heat dissipation and size/weight reduction properties with a lower thermal load on a lighting circuit. An LED module is mounted in a case with a base member to allow dissipation of heat. An LED mount member closes another end of the case and allows conduction of heat to the case. A lighting circuit receives power via the base member. The lighting circuit is disposed inside a circuit holder. An air space exists between the circuit holder and both the case and the mount member. The lighting circuit is isolated from the air space by the circuit holder. A relationship 0.5≦S1/S2≦3.0, is satisfied where S1 denotes an area of a portion of the mount member in contact with the case and S2 denotes an area of the portion of the mount member in contact with a substrate of the LED module.
US08322888B2
An illumination system shares portions of an objective of an optical inspection system. A plurality of beam-shaping optics collects light from a plurality of effective light sources and directs the light through a portion of the objective for illuminating an object under inspection. The objective includes a front relay lens, a rear relay lens, and an objective stop disposed between the front and rear relay lenses for collecting light scattered from the object and forming an image of the object with the collected light. The beam-shaping optics, which surround the objective stop, are arranged together with the associated effective light sources for non-uniformly distributing light within a range of angles required for illuminating the object.
US08322884B2
Where a lighting device uses solid state emitters and an optic processes light from the emitters, it may improve efficiency in light extraction from the emitters to have an index of refraction matching material in between emitter output and a surface of solid of the optic that receives emitted light. However, such improved out-coupling or extraction efficiency may cause an overall color shift in the output of the overall lighting device, for example, if improved emitter output reduces internal reflection and associated internal phosphor excitation. To reduce the color shift in the output of the lighting device, the device may have index matching material used in association with one or some of the solid state light emitters but not all of the emitters, so that the combined light output of the device exhibits a desired spectral characteristics, e.g. remains a desirable color of white light.
US08322882B2
A precursor structure for fabricating light sources, the light sources fabricated therefrom, and the method of fabricating the precursor structure are disclosed. A precursor substrate includes a flexible printed circuit board on which dies are bonded and a separation ridge. The flexible printed circuit board has a bottom heat-conducting layer, an insulating layer, and a circuit layer. The insulating layer and the circuit layer include a plurality of openings that expose the top surface of the heat-conducting layer. The separation ridge extends above the circuit layer and the dies and is configured to prevent contact with the dies and any structures constructed above the dies when the precursor substrate is in contact with a surface positioned over the die and in contact with the separation ridge. The structure is well suited for roll-to-roll processing equipment.
US08322879B2
A multi-wavelength semiconductor laser device includes a plate stem; a prism shaped submount with a bottom face on a face of the stem; laser diodes having emission wavelengths different from each other are mounted on lateral sides of the submount so that their respective emission points are positioned at substantially the same distance from a center axis of the stem; and lead pins penetrating the stem are located along and opposite edge lines between adjacent pairs of the lateral sides of the submount.
US08322875B2
A novelty light device that provides a light assembly capable of adhesion to the bottom of a cup, vase or bottle connected to a switch-able power supply by a thin electrical conductor. The thin electrical conductor enhances the stability of the bottle by minimally interfering with the configuration of the bottom of the bottle. A power supply is also provided that may be adhered to the side of the bottle. Variations in the switching means allow the device to be turned on once only or repeatedly selectable to on and off.
US08322864B2
A projection system incorporating a prism with dual total internal reflection function, to increase the performance of DLP™ projection, by offering a solution to combine 2 light paths to contribute to the brightness on the screen and at the same time rejecting flat-state and off-state light from entering the projection lens thereby enhancing contrast. In one implementation those two light paths can be collecting light from 2 different light sources which are driven in a pulsed manner with a duty cycle of approximately 50% for each of the two light sources at increased power. In a second implementation with a color sequential single DMD™ projector, while one light path passes a primary color the second light path passes the complementary secondary color. A special color transformation algorithm is proposed to transform the image input signals to make optimal use of the capabilities offered by the second implementation, and create maximum brightness and color saturation of the image.
US08322862B2
A projector includes: a storing unit that stores setting data indicating a manual trapezoidal distortion correction system selected out of plural kinds of manual trapezoidal distortion correction systems; an operation unit that generates operation information; an imaging unit that picks up an image of a projection target area and generates a pickup image; an automatic trapezoidal distortion correction unit that performs automatic trapezoidal distortion correction; a projecting unit that projects, after the automatic trapezoidal distortion correction is performed, irrespectively of the manual trapezoidal distortion correction system indicated by the setting data, an adjustment instruction image for urging adjustment of a vertex position of a display planned area of the image in the projection target area; and a manual trapezoidal distortion correction unit that performs manual trapezoidal distortion correction on the basis of operation information indicating an adjustment instruction for the vertex position.
US08322856B2
This invention relates to methods and apparatus for improving communications between humans and devices. The invention provides a method of modulating operation of a device, comprising: providing an attentive user interface for obtaining information about an attentive state of a user; and modulating operation of a device on the basis of the obtained information, wherein the operation that is modulated is initiated by the device. Preferably, the information about the user's attentive state is eye contact of the user with the device that is sensed by the attentive user interface.
US08322854B2
There is provided a technique for efficiently acquiring a tomogram of an eye portion. A diagnosis support apparatus includes a wide-area image acquisition means for acquiring a wide-area image of an eye portion, a detection means for detecting a lesion candidate on the eye portion by analyzing the wide-area image acquired by the wide-area image acquisition means, a determination means for determining a parameter associated with acquisition of a tomogram of the eye portion, based on a lesion candidate detection result obtained by the detection means, and a tomogram acquisition means for acquiring a tomogram of the eye portion based on the parameter determined by the determination means.
US08322850B2
An eyeglass device includes a lens unit and a pair of temple pieces connected to the lens unit. Each temple piece includes a rigid upper portion and a soft lower portion. The rigid upper portion has a rigid front end connected to the lens unit, and a rigid rear end. The soft lower portion has a front soft section disposed below and connected to the rigid front end, a rear soft section connected to the rigid rear end, and an intermediate soft section disposed between the front and rear soft sections and below the rigid upper portion. The intermediate soft section and the rigid upper portion cooperatively define an elongate gap therebetween. The soft lower portion has a bottom abutment face extending from the front soft section to the rear soft section for contacting a user's ear.
US08322842B2
An inkjet printer includes a controller configured to operate the printer in a gel maintenance cycle to clean residual ink and other material from an image receiving member in the printer to maintain image quality in the printer. The controller operates the image receiving member and a drum maintenance unit in the printer to flood the image receiving member with release agent that is removed from the member by wipers in the drum maintenance unit. The removed release agent is removed from a sump, filtered, and returned to an applicator for use in printing operations.
US08322841B2
A printing apparatus has been developed that prints inkjet images on a continuous web with a configurable number of distinct ink colors. The printing apparatus includes a frame configured to support a plurality of components to form a printing system, the frame including a plurality of mounting locations, a plurality of printing system components including at least one printhead array and at least one first ink composition curing assembly, each printing system component in the plurality of printing system components being configured to mount to a mounting location on the frame, and the printing apparatus being enabled to eject a first ink composition onto an image receiving surface when a first set of printing system components selected from the plurality of printing system components is mounted to the frame and being enabled to eject a second ink composition onto an image receiving surface when a second set of printing system components selected from the plurality of printing system components is mounted to the frame, the second set of printing system components not including a first ink composition curing assembly.
US08322833B2
The invention describes an ink supply system (2) for an inkjet printer (1) with a print head arrangement (6) for at least one color, wherein the print head arrangement (6) comprises several print heads (7) each with several jets, and wherein the print heads (7) are arranged in a row next to one another to form a complete printing area width (10) corresponding to a multiple of a printing area width (9) of an individual print head (7). Each of the print heads (7) is connected by a line to an intermediate tank (12) for ink of the respective color, wherein several print heads (7) are connected to a common intermediate tank (12).
US08322830B2
A piezoelectric element has a piezoelectric body, two electrodes sandwiching the piezoelectric body, a protective layer covering the piezoelectric body and the two electrodes, and an antistatic layer formed on and/or in the protective layer.
US08322823B2
A liquid ejecting head includes: a flow path forming substrate; an actuator device having a plurality of mounting portions provided on the flow path forming substrate; a wiring substrate which has flexibility and is electrically connected to the mounting portions to supply a driving signal to the actuator device; and a protective substrate provided on the mounting portions side of the flow path forming substrate, wherein a plurality of through-holes, into which the wiring substrate can be inserted, is provided in the protective substrate, a partition wall partitioning the mounting portions is provided between at least adjacent through-holes, and resin is provided in the through-holes.
US08322807B2
Ink jet printing apparatus and ink jet printing method with stir mode for stir operation of ink tank
The present invention provides an ink jet printing apparatus and a method for controlling an ink jet printing apparatus which, during a non-print operation excluding a print operation, can stir ink at a required time and to a required level according to the state of the ink in the ink tank. During a non-print operation excluding a print operation accompanied by a reciprocal movement of the carriage, a stir operation is executed to stir the ink in the ink tank by reciprocating the carriage according to a stir mode. As the stir mode, one of different modes is set according to an elapsed time from the previous stir operation.
US08322806B2
A method and device for coding and marking printing including defining a print image in dot formation of various sizes and locations; determining and providing a set of individual print control instructions for individually controlling a plurality of dot image print head nozzles to form the defined print image at absolute dot positions; and undertaking the individual control instructions to provide a printed image on a printing substrate corresponding to the defined print image, whereby the system allows for calculated adjustment of each dot position without computational limitation during the printing cycle.
US08322802B2
Office furniture system, in particular, a desking system, with various useful features including a display pool, a vertical storage system, a support system for facilitating the distribution of power and data to electrical devices used with the desk system as well to adjacently disposed desks to enable a wide range of multi-desk configurations, and privacy panels. The support system includes a central spine and various ribs for supporting accessory brackets including a tackable binder.
US08322779B2
A base support assembly for the cargo bed of a pickup truck mounted on the truck including a pair of parallel side by side slotted side guide rails installed on a respective cargo bed sidewall and a pair of U-shaped end support frames each having a pair of legs pivotally mounted to each of the opposite ends of the side guide rails so as to able to be swung up to an erect position or lowered down position after the base support assembly is installed on the pickup truck cargo bed side walls. An elongated slotted top guide rail may be connected at either end to the top of each end support frame. The end frames can be collapsed into a support for a rigid tonneau cover by lowering the end support frames.
US08322777B2
A top for a convertible vehicle includes a folding roof which can be moved by a top linkage between a closed position in which it can be fixed to a windshield frame and an open position in which it is stowed in a rear side stowage position.
US08322773B2
A recliner mechanism (100) configured for selectively adjusting a seat back in a second row of a vehicle (10), such as a sedan, includes a close out device (200) in the form of an adjustable package shelf (210) of the vehicle (10) to cover a gap between the seat back (20) and the vehicle structure (11) as the seat back (20) is moved from the fully reclined position. This package shelf recliner mechanism (100) further includes a track system (110) mounted relative to the vehicle structure (11), a cross plate (130) coupled to the track system (110) and configured for translational movement relative thereto, a latch system (150) for releasably securing the cross plate (130) and an actuator, such as a handle or lever, for the user to selectively actuate the recliner mechanism (100).
US08322760B2
A battery cover mechanism used in a portable electronic device includes a housing having an assembly groove and at least one holding aperture, a cover forming at least one lock and a rib at two ends thereof respectively, a latch member, and an elastic unit. The lock latches the holding aperture correspondingly, the latch member is slidably assembled in the assembly groove, the elastic unit is assembled in the assembly groove and resists the latch member, and the latch member latches the rib to latch the cover with the housing.
US08322759B2
In a pod used in an FIMS system, an engaged portion is provided on the outer surface of the lid of a pod. A through hole is provided in a flange portion that is provided around the pod opening and in which the lid is to be received. The through-hole allows access to the engaged portion from the external space. A latch mechanism is supported on the pod body side surface of the flange portion in such a way that it can slide in a direction parallel to the side wall of the flange. The engagement portion of the latch mechanism reaches the engaged portion through the aforementioned through-hole. Movement of the latch mechanism brings the engagement portion into an engaging state and a disengaged state.
US08322758B2
A juncture assembly is provided between first and second ends of respective first and second tubes. The assembly includes a first flange that is located at the first end and a second flange that is located at the second end, with the second flange being in confronting relationship with the first flange. The first and second flanges define a gap between them. A gasket member contacts the first and second flanges and is configured to prevent flow of fluids through the gap. A clamp member of the assembly secures the gasket member to the first and second flanges with the clamp member including a channel for receiving the first and second flanges and first and second restriction elements that extend into the channel for positioning the first and second flanges within the channel.
US08322745B2
A tandem stroller frame includes two lateral frame units, a handle unit, two side rod units, and a footrest plate. Each lateral frame unit includes front and leg rods connected pivotally to each other. The handle unit includes two side handle rods connected pivotally and respectively to the lateral frame units. Each side rod unit is disposed between the front leg rod of a respective one of the lateral frame units and a corresponding one of the side handle rods, and includes a front leg connecting portion connected pivotally to the front leg rod of the respective lateral frame unit, and a rear connecting portion connected pivotally to one of the corresponding side handle rod and the rear leg rod of the respective lateral frame unit. The footrest plate interconnects the rear leg rods of the lateral frame units.
US08322742B2
A human powered vehicle having a mechanism to run the vehicle by applying the operator's weight on at least one pedal in a reciprocating manner. The pedal moves a cranking body, which unwinds a drum. The drum is attached to at least one wheel by a directional freewheel clutch. The vehicle can also be simultaneously powered by a motor, whereas the motor takes over only when the vehicle reaches a certain speed, and automatically disengages when the vehicle slows down below a certain speed. Both the human powered and motor mechanism can operate independently without rotating any part of the other.
US08322739B1
A boat trailer step assist includes a first and second support arm in pivotal relation to one another which provide steps that assist a user in entering or exiting a boat when trailered or in the process of being trailered. The support arms are arranged at an angle relative to the trailer tongue, with the first step at the level of the trailer tongue. When not in use, the second support arm pivots downward for compact stowage. When deployed, the support arms are in alignment with one another. A grab handle may be provided to assist the user in climbing or descending the steps.
US08322731B1
A kneeling/sledding snow board apparatus provides a retention device connecting to a gliding board. The retention device has a tray mounted to a mounting device connected possibly with snow board binding connections. The tray receives a knee pad having a seat extension extending up from a mid portion of the knee pad. Cutouts allow the rider's legs to extend therethrough. A lap and knee straps restrain the legs of a rider along with vee straps. The tray preferably tapers upwardly and outwardly from a base to provide somewhat of a U-shaped cross section which may assist in deflecting snow and providing increased comfort to a rider.
US08322728B2
The present invention provides a suspension control apparatus requiring a reduced number of sensors. A pitch rate estimating unit 21 calculates a pitch rate used for creating a control instruction value, with use of a wheel-speed time-rate-of change obtained based on wheel speeds vcFL and vcFR detected by wheel speed sensors 7FL and 7FR, and an estimated forward/backward acceleration aes calculated by a forward/backward acceleration estimating unit 20.
US08322727B2
A quick change system for quench press tooling is disclosed. The system including an upper adapter subassembly, an inner bottom adapter, and an outer bottom adapter, the upper adapter subassembly configured for attachment to a machine and the bottom adapters configured for mechanical attachment to the tooling of the machine. The upper adapter assembly further including an inner top adapter having a plurality of notches radially along the outer diameter of the inner top adapter, an inner collar having a plurality of radially inwardly extending tabs at top and bottom ends of the inner collar, a ring shaped holding plate having a series of bolt holes, an outer top adapter in communication with the holding plate, having a notched outwardly extending flange lip, and an outer collar having an outwardly extending lip at a top end and a sidewall extending perpendicularly downward.
US08322726B2
A seal for a compressor for sealing a shaft comprises a first seal part with a sealing edge which is provided on a circular cylindrical surface along a line which deviates from a circular shape and which is closed in itself in the peripheral direction for adjoining and sealing the shaft, and a second seal part with a sealing section which is intended to adjoin the shaft and which is hollowly cylindrical when it adjoins properly with the inside surface which comprises a return structure for a fluid.
US08322712B2
A sheet-material transporting device includes: plural first endless-belts; a driving-member around which the first endless-belts are trained to circulate; a first driven-member around which the first endless-belts are trained, being slave-rotated; a supporting-member provided at an inner-peripheral-side of the first endless-belts; a second endless-belt provided between the first endless-belts, trained around the driving-member and circulating; a second driven-member provided between the first driven-member and the driving-member, around which the second endless-belt is trained at an opening portion provided in the supporting-member, being slave-rotated; and a detecting-member detecting a sheet-material, the supporting-member including a downstream-side-supporting-member disposed at a downstream-side having a concave-portion formed in an end portion, and an upstream-side-supporting-member disposed at an upstream-side and that is set against the end portion of the downstream-side-supporting-member such that the concave portion forms the opening portion, and a tension-imparting section imparting tension to the second endless-belt being provided at the downstream-side-supporting-member.
US08322702B2
An image recording apparatus according to one aspect comprises: a first tray disposed within an opening of a main body to allow a recording medium to be placed thereon; a second tray disposed above the first tray, the second tray having a second end portion located on a side of the opening; a conveying unit; and a recording unit. The second tray is movable between a first posture and a second posture. When the second tray is in the first posture, a top surface of the second tray in the vicinity of the second end portion is positioned at a predetermined height relative to the first tray. When the second tray moves from the first posture to the second posture, the top surface in the vicinity of the second end portion is moved toward the first tray.
US08322697B2
A clamping device for adjoining board materials includes: a C-shaped base having a base section, a top arm and an upright arm; a first press rod and a second press rod vertically movably fitted through the top arm; two first fastener assemblies for fastening and locating the press rods; a horizontal holder mechanism fitted on the first press rod and vertically movable along the first press rod; and a second fastener assembly for adjustably fastening the holder mechanism to the first press rod at a height. The holder mechanism includes at least one horizontally movable guide pin and an abutment member disposed at a front end of the guide pin. In use, a horizontal board material and an upright board material are placed in the base and fixedly held with the first and second press rods respectively. The abutment member serves to abut against and hold the upright board material.
US08322696B2
A three piece vacuum cup is made from rubber to resist damage and facilitates reconfiguring when badly damaged or for specific applications. The vacuum cup includes top, center, and bottom parts. The top is easily and inexpensively replaceable. A flexible lip seal surrounds the top edge of the top to seal against irregular surfaces and damage to the lip seal may be addressed by inserting a cord seal into slots in the top to form a second seal. Part of the top may be cut away to use with small parts and sealed using the cord seal. The center includes a family of passages which may be selectively blocked to permit use of partial tops. A bar pattern on the top has bars aligned in perpendicular directions to better hold material in all cutting directions.
US08322695B2
The present invention is a mechanical element, commonly referred to as a “Jack Spring” that is based upon the concept of adding and subtracting coils from a spring. In particular, with the method and apparatus of the present invention, by changing the number of coils in a spring, the actual or intrinsic stiffness of the spring is structurally changed. A very simple and practical method is used to adjust the number of coils. The Jack Spring actuator of the present invention is based upon adjusting the effective structure of a spring.
US08322691B2
A winch (1) for pulling a cable (C) for maneuvering a load is composed of two motorized drums (3) each including an active cylindrical peripheral surface (5) equipped with several annular grooves (6), the cable intended to be wound around the two drums (3) according to a helical arrangement. The motorized drums are each formed from at least three pulleys (11), that can each be rotated around a common central axis (10), cooperating with their own dedicated motor element (4) and including a cylindrical peripheral surface equipped with at least one of the grooves: two pulleys known as outer pulleys (11a, 11d), positioned between which is at least one pulley known as a central pulley (11b, 11c). The central pulleys include at least one axial cylindrical extension, the cylindrical peripheral surface of which constitutes a rotation bearing for the central cylindrical surface of at least one of the other pulleys.
US08322684B2
An electromagnetically actuated valve including a solenoid with a coil that generates a magnetic field upon being energized, a tubular member made of a non-magnetic material and disposed on an inner circumferential side of the coil, a movable valve body disposed within the tubular member and movable in an axial direction of the tubular member by an attraction force that is generated upon energizing the coil to thereby open and close a fluid passage, a first member made of a resin material and including a seat portion that is brought into contact with the movable valve body to close the fluid passage, and a first biasing member that biases the movable valve body toward the seat portion.
US08322681B2
The invention relates to a relief valve comprising a first valve body for opening and closing a fluid passageway between a first valve connection and a second valve connection, a second valve body which is disposed on the first valve body and is used for opening and closing a valve passageway located between the first valve connection and a valve interior, a one throttle duct between the valve interior and a face of the first valve body, a spring for opening the second valve body, and an actuator for closing the second valve body. This relief valve further comprising a movable member that can be moved further in the same direction once the second valve body has been closed, thus allowing the first valve body to be opened by having the second valve body engage a valve seat located on the first valve body, and a stop element connected to the second valve body and/or the movable member engages the first valve body via the spring to close the first valve body.
US08322678B2
A metal post support ground spike is disclosed having a post receiving socket, and a flat plate. The flat plate is welded to four walls of the post receiving socket. The post support may also comprise a blades portion welded to the flat plate. The blades portion, post receiving socket and flat plate may all have reinforcement lines stamped therein and may comprise metals of varying thickness and rigidity. The flat plate may comprise the thickest and most rigid metal, whereas the post receiving socket and/or the blades may be made from a thinner and/or less rigid metal.
US08322674B2
A suspension system for a ceiling mount of a medical device is suggested, comprising an attachment device provided at a ceiling and a console arranged between the attachment device and the ceiling mount for movement of the ceiling mount parallel to the ceiling. Said console comprises a support plate connected to the attachment device and a carriage that is movable with respect to the support plate and is connected to the ceiling mount. This allows movement of the medical device to the greatest extent possible to all positions in the surgical area without colliding with alternately usable operating lights.
US08322662B2
A clevis hanger has an upper strap and a lower strap. The upper strap can be supported by a hang rod or the like. The lower strap and the upper strap can be snapped open and snapped closed such that the lower strap can be secured to the upper strap without additional hardware.
US08322653B2
Latch beams and hinge beams of an aircraft thrust reverser and a method for manufacturing the beams. The latch and hinge beams may comprise a plurality of hollow composite tubes joined with a plurality of machined metal fittings in alternating succession. The metal fittings may comprise at least one of hinge fittings and latching fittings. The latch and hinge beams may further comprise slider tracks configured to slidably attach to a translating sleeve of the thrust reverser. The hinge beams may each be rotatably attached to an engine strut or pylon of the aircraft, and the latch beams may each be mechanically latched with each other. Each of the latch and hinge beams may also be fixedly attached to an inner engine cowling of the thrust reverser.
US08322648B2
The invention provides a hovering aerial vehicle with removable rotor arms and protective shrouds. Removing the shrouds reduces the weight of the vehicle and increases flight time. Removing the rotor arms makes the vehicle easier to transport. Removable rotor arms also simplify field repair or replacement of damaged parts.
US08322639B2
The method and systems efficiently extract recyclable materials from a mixed solid waste stream. The methods and systems use sizing, density and dimensional separation to produce intermediate waste streams that are enriched in particular recyclable materials. The recyclable materials can then be efficiently sorted from the individual intermediate streams using mechanized sorting equipment.
US08322638B2
In the invention, a hydraulic powder is prepared by a step of grinding a hydraulic compound in the presence of compound (a) that is obtained by adding an alkyleneoxide having 2 to 4 carbon atoms to a compound which has no amino group, but has an active hydrogen, provided that polyethyleneglycol and polypropyleneglycol are excluded. Alternatively, the hydraulic compound can be ground in the presence of compound (a) and anti-foaming agent (b).
US08322634B2
A micro bubble generating system includes a shell having a well for retaining a first liquid to immerse an object. A micro bubble apparatus is provide to the shell for providing a pressurized mixture of a second liquid and a dissolved gas into the well so as to create a plurality of micro bubbles within the first liquid for engaging the object. A shower apparatus includes a head having a plurality of projections for engaging a surface of an object, and an orifice therein; and a micro bubble component for fluid communication with the orifice.
US08322633B2
A nozzle assembly for encapsulating a gaseous solution in bubbles comprises a discharge tube having a diffuser and a foam solution spray nozzle mounted therein. The discharge tube has upstream and downstream ends. The discharge tube has a front face at the upstream end with a first opening configured to be joined to a gas supply line that provides a gaseous solution and a second opening configured to receive a non-expanded foam solution. The downstream end of the discharge tube is open. A chamber is formed within the discharge tube to receive the gaseous solution at the upstream end and release the gaseous solution through the diffuser into the discharge tube towards the downstream end.
US08322631B2
A trigger pump sprayer in combination with a liquid dispensed from the sprayer. The sprayer is suitable for dispensing liquid from a reservoir, through a nozzle into particles. The trigger sprayer provides for efficacious particle size distributions of the liquids, when sprayed under non-ideal conditions. Non-ideal conditions include only partial strokes of the trigger, rather than full strokes and relatively slow trigger strokes. The trigger sprayer advantageously delivers a particle size distribution suitable for liquids having particular rheological properties. The advantageous particle size distribution difference is accomplished by using a precompression piston which reciprocates in response to trigger strokes, and selecting a liquid having appropriate properties to correspond to the trigger pump operating characteristics.
US08322629B2
Disclosed is a fuel injector in which at least one electrically triggered valve is disposed inside an injector member and is connected to an externally accessible injector member contact by means of a solid conductor, the solid conductor and the electrical valve contact being interconnected directly via an electrically conducting positive connection or indirectly via an electrically conducting connecting element. The solid conductor is configured so as to substantially maintain the shape thereof under the influence of the proper weight thereof.
US08322626B2
An integrated circuit (IC) die includes a high capacitance solid state circuit region configured to perform predetermined operations and an RFID block configured for wireless communication with an external source. The RFID block is configured to record results from a plurality of stages of a manufacturing process. The RFID block is further configured to generate an internal BIST command in response to an external command wirelessly received by the RFID. The integrated circuit die also includes a built-in self-test (BIST) block coupled to carry out testing of the high capacitance solid state circuit region in response to the internal BIST command. The RFID block is configured to be capable of storing store information relating to the testing. The RFID block is further configured to enable wireless retrieval of the test results from the testing of the high capacitance solid state circuit region.
US08322620B2
A method is provided for reading distorted optical symbols using known locating and decoding methods, without requiring a separate and elaborate camera calibration procedure, without excessive computational complexity, and without compromised burst noise handling. The invention exploits a distortion-tolerant method for locating and decoding 2D code symbols to provide a correspondence between a set of points in an acquired image and a set of points in the symbol. A coordinate transformation is then constructed using the correspondence, and run-time images are corrected using the coordinate transformation. Each corrected run-time image provides a distortion-free representation of a symbol that can be read by traditional code readers that normally cannot read distorted symbols. The method can handle both optical distortion and printing distortion. The method is applicable to “portable” readers when an incident angle with the surface is maintained, the reader being disposed at any distance from the surface.
US08322616B2
An automated signature detection system and method of use and, more particularly, a predictive modeling component configured to accurately predict maintenance events for optical elements used in lithographic tools. The system comprises at least one module configured to analyze data associated with power illumination at a surface. The at least one module also is configured to fit a curve to the analyzed data using an exponentially based decay model.
US08322613B2
In some embodiments, quality assurance systems for verifying branding of at least one medication container associated with at least one of a prescription and medication order are provided. The systems including: a transport system that transports at least one first container branded with a particular branding among a plurality of brandings to and from a pharmaceutical and/or medical product dispensing system, and transports the at least one first container to the pharmaceutical and/or medical product dispensing system after correcting the particular branding when correction is performed; a scanning system including at least one scanner for scanning identification information associated with the at least one first container; a display that displays order information associated with the identification information received from the scanning system including information indicating a correct branding for the at least one first container; and a pharmacist station for determining whether the correct branding matches the particular branding and correcting the particular branding if the correct branding does not match the particular branding.
US08322608B2
A system and method for authenticating radio frequency identification (RFID) devices and validating readers of the RFID devices are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention use RFID devices adapted for storing data in a form of data segments selectively associated with promiscuous and non-promiscuous regions of their memories and monitor algorithmic, computational, communicational, or tampered errors of the readers.
US08322604B2
A system and method for independently verifying a bank note processor's handling of circulating bank notes. Independent detectors are provided along the transport path of a bank note processing device. Also provided is at least one independent memory storage device for logging data from the independent detectors. As the note passes along the transport path, the independent detectors evaluate the note's fitness. The independent detector data is subsequently provided to the central bank or commercial organization for auditing of the bank note processor and for generating bank note statistics. Independent detectors may also be used on the transport path output bins to corroborate the other detectors and to verify the integrity of the sorting logic. Mirrored independent detectors allow for corroborating independent data. The invention is operable on any bank note processing device that performs at least a subset of a fitness determination on each note.
US08322596B2
A wiring substrate manufacturing method includes: preparing a wiring substrate including a core layer having a principal surface, a resin insulating layer and a conductor layer alternately laminated to form at least one laminated layer on the one principal surface of the core layer, a solder resist layer including opening portions and formed on an outermost surface of the at least one laminated layer such that respective portions of an outermost conductor layer are exposed from the opening portions; forming a Sn-containing underlying layer on the respective portions of the outermost conductor layer by a plating process; and fusing the Sn-containing underlying layer to the respective portions of the outermost conductor layer by a heating process, then mounting solder balls directly on respective portions of the Sn-containing underlying layer, and then connecting the solder balls to the respective portions of the Sn-containing underlying layers.
US08322585B2
Golf bags and other shoulder borne devices have strapping systems capable of converting between a single strap configuration and a double strap configuration. The strapping system includes two main straps. In the double strap configuration, the first strap member has three ends, each of which is attached to a location on the golf bag (or other structure), and the second strap member has one free end attached to the golf bag (or other structure) and one free end attached to a central area of the first strap member. When converting to the single strap configuration, the first strap member is removed from the golf bag (or other structure) completely, and the free end of the second strap member that was attached to the first strap member is removed therefrom and engaged with the golf bag (or other structure).
US08322582B2
A cargo carrier kit for a truck comprises a plurality of first rail sections for joining end to end to provide a first side rail. The cargo carrier also includes a plurality of second rail sections for joining end to end to provide a second side rail having a separation from the first side rail and a parallel relationship thereto. A forward load bar, supportable on the first side rail and the second side rail provides a connection over the cab of the truck, between the side rails. The cargo carrier kit also includes mounting blocks for releasable attachment of at least a first load bar and at least a second load bar to provide cross members connecting the side rails and positioning the first and second load bars respectively over the mid-section and rear of the truck bed.
US08322572B2
The present disclosure relates to a beverage dispenser formed in the shape of a gun.
US08322567B2
A container useful for singly dispensing a tablet includes a leaf integrally formed with the sidewall and projecting generally radially inward to a distal portion. One or more such leaves define a dispensing opening having a smaller diameter than the mouth of the container. The leaves or other undercut structure can be formed using a mold element having a leading portion for forming a portion of the part beyond the resilient projection and a following portion for forming a portion of the sidewall short of the resilient projection. The following portion is withdrawn at least partially away from the outside surface of the resilient projection, leaving a space between the leading and following portions. The leading portion is withdrawn from the mold cavity against an undercut portion of the resilient projection, folding the resilient projection into the space left by retracting the following portion.
US08322566B2
The present invention is directed to a secured group lock box. The group lock box includes a body having a latch and a lid connected to the body. The lid includes a main member and a back member. The main member of the lid includes a plurality of slots and the back member of the lid includes a plurality of pins. One of the pins is installed in each of the slots for enabling the main member of the lid to slidingly extend over the body of the group lock box before the lid is rotated away from the body to provide access to the contents therein.
US08322561B2
A container assembly (1) having a container body (11) and exterior shelf structures (41, 44) that are each reversibly attached to exterior surfaces (35, 38) of first (17) and second (20) sidewalls of the container body (11), is described. Each exterior shelf structure (41, 44) has a shelf base (47), and a forward shelf portion (56) and a rear shelf portion (62) that each extend upwardly from the shelf base (47). Each exterior shelf structure has a shelf space (77) that resides between and is defined in part by the forward (56) and rear (62) shelf portions. The forward shelf portion (56) of each exterior shelf structure (41, 44) has an open front or face (86) that is in communication with a recessed chamber (89) of the forward shelf portion (56). The exterior shelf structures (41, 44) may each be reversibly attached to the container body sidewalls (17, 20) by means of tabs (98) that are received within tab apertures (110) of the sidewalls. The exterior shelf structures (41, 44) may be removed from the container body sidewalls (17, 20) and stored within the container interior (32), allowing the container body to be compactly stored and/or shipped. The container assembly, including the container body and exterior shelf structures, may be used to store items, such as personal items, e.g., toys and/or clothing.
US08322553B2
A container can include a base, a lid, and one or more vents. The lid can be removed from the base and can be reattached to the base. Moreover, when the lid is attached to the base, it can permit self-venting of the container. Pressure within the container can cause the lid to move relative to the base so as to open the vents while the lid remains coupled with the base.
US08322547B2
A sediment removal assembly (10) is provided for removal of sediment (110) in a container (100). The assembly has a container seal (12) for sealing an opening (114) to the container. The container seal is formed with a seal body (14) with a flow through passageway (20) between opposite ends of the seal body, and a valve arrangement (26) with a valve member (34) normally spring biassed to close said passageway. One end of said seal body is adapted to sealingly engage said container at an opening thereof to close the opening. The assembly also has a sediment reservoir (40) adapted for removable sealing engagement with the opposite end of the seal body and in communication with the flow through passageway so that upon opening the valve member.
US08322546B2
A teat unit for sucking a liquid from a liquid container includes a teat and a flow restrictor with a through-opening. The teat comprises a mouthpiece, with a suction opening, and a main body which is formed integrally on the mouthpiece and widens relative to the mouthpiece. The flow restrictor defines a maximum flow of the liquid passing through the suction opening from the liquid container. According to the invention, the flow restrictor is arranged outside the mouthpiece, and the suction opening has a greater cross-sectional surface area than the through-opening of the flow restrictor. The teat unit permits a feeding action that is as true to nature as possible, since the mouthpiece can be deformed very considerably, without substantially impairing the flow restriction.
US08322537B2
A food handling system having a vacancy reduction system. The vacancy reduction system includes the main conveyor, a food product parking station, a vacancy detector, a robot, and a controller. The vacancy detector is configured to detect a vacant food product position on the main conveyor. The robot has a working range for moving between the parking station and the main conveyor. The controller is signal-connected to the vacancy detector. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the vacancy detector indicating a vacant food product position on the conveyor. The controller is signal-connected to the robot and has control instructions for instructing the robot to move the food product from the food product parking station to the vacant food product position on the main conveyor.
US08322529B2
A hanger assembly for supporting an item suspended from a support structure includes a hanger and a sleeve. The hanger includes a display section, which defines a bottom edge and including a hanging feature configured to receive a portion of the support structure, and a drop section extending downwardly from the display section. The drop section includes a primary shaft and an arm. The primary shaft extends the length of the drop section and defines a front surface configured to be placed adjacent the item. The arm extends upwardly from a lower portion of the drop section to define a lower slot between the primary shaft and the arm. The sleeve extends entirely around the primary shaft through the lower slot. The sleeve is initially loose around the primary shaft and is configured to shrink to tightly fit around and secure the item to the primary shaft.
US08322526B2
A retail display includes a first box that includes a hollow first compartment for receiving and holding an item and a shirt that is folded and disposed within the first compartment. The display further includes a second box that is smaller than the first box and is disposed within the first compartment adjacent the folded shirt, with the second box having a base portion that includes a hollow second compartment. A neck tie is disposed within the second compartment of the second box. The neck tie includes a narrow end and an opposite broad pointed end. A transparent cover extends across and covers the first and second compartments and allows the shirt and tie to be seen by a consumer.
US08322524B2
A cigarette box, of a rectangular prism shape, formed of a storage part adapted to accommodate cigarettes within and a hinged lid connected with the said storage part by means of an articulated joint placed on the rear wall. The front wall of the lid is longer than its rear wall, and the side walls are oblique. The storage part, is provided with an additional inside front wall (7) and the outside front wall (8) of the storage part is hinged. Between the hinged front wall (8) and the inside front wall (Z) there is an additional compartment useful for matches (9), lighters or other objects. The inside front wall (7) has two extrusion ridges (10, 11) oriented towards the box interior, where the lower extrusion ridge forms the storage space. The outside front wall is made of the same substance as the box and may feature an extrusion ridge (17) oriented towards the outside which would form an additional storage space.
US08322522B2
A nested end protector link for capturing first and second elongate link pins of a multi-link conveyor chain that includes a first link segment having an outer wall in a first vertical plane defining a protective bearing surface having a forward-facing convex face, and a rearward-facing concave face and a first pin access bore extending perpendicularly through the link between the forward-facing convex face and the rearward-facing concave face. A second link segment is integrally-formed with the first link segment and has an outer wall in a second vertical plane defining a protective bearing surface having a forward-facing concave face. A rearward-facing convex face is provided and has a second pin access bore extending perpendicularly through the link between the forward-facing concave face and the rearward-facing convex face.
US08322510B2
There is described an automated laboratory system for handling test tubes containing biological material specimens supported by conveying devices (3) along guide lanes (1, 2), in which motorized conveyor belts (62) run, comprising main lanes (1) and secondary lanes (2) for overtaking the conveying devices (3) and/or routing the conveying devices (3) of the test tubes (4) to the various pre-testing, (19-20), testing (17) and post-testing stations (21). Said system further comprises a detecting device (5) of the test tube (4) positioned in the loading area of the test tube (4) into the conveying device (3), a reading device of a barcode applied onto the side surface of said test tube (4) adapted to identify the test tube (4), said barcode being applied to the test tube before it is loaded into the conveyor device, identifying and control means, preferably of the RFID type, of the conveying device (3) of the test tubes (4), comprising a network of antennas (23) appropriately located in the system at stop devices (8) so as to be able to communicate with the transponders of corresponding conveying means (3) storing recognizing data of the corresponding conveying device (3), and a control unit (100) capable of associating the conveying devices (3) of the test tubes (4) to the corresponding test tubes by receiving data and transmitting commands to the devices mounted in the system.
US08322508B2
The step support (17) or plate support comprises a rear crossmember (22) and a front crossmember (24) which together form a plane (E3) for receiving the tread element (9). There are two outer step cheeks (20.1, 20.2), wherein one of the step cheeks (20.1) is arranged on the right and one of the step cheeks (20.2) is arranged on the left, substantially perpendicular with respect to the crossmembers (22, 24). The two crossmembers (22, 24) are manufactured from deep-drawing sheet metal and are welded or joined or riveted or screwed or adhesively bonded or clinched to the step cheeks (20.1, 20.2) or plate cheeks to form a load-hearing frame. The height (H2) of the crossmembers (22, 24) at its ends is smaller than the height (H3) of the crossmembers (22, 24) in the center, with the result that the crossmembers (22, 24) have a curved shape.
US08322506B2
An end of a detection body provided contactable with an upper side peripheral surface of a coin rolling on a coin path hooks into reeding of the coin, and thus the detection body is moved to a moving direction. The movement of the detection body moves a receiving portion in the same direction, and rotates in a predetermined direction an axis support integrally provided with the receiving portion. The rotation of the axis receiver retracts from the coin path a sorting body projecting to the coin path. A release body proceeds to the coin path. The retraction of the sorting body from the coin path allows the coin to further roll on the coin path, press the release body, rotate the axis support reversely, and return the detection body and the sorting body to a standby position.
US08322504B2
A combined power transmission and drive unit for the application in drive trains in hybrid systems with at least two prime movers that can be coupled via a power transmission unit with a consumer, in particular transmission. Between a first prime mover and the power transmission unit, a device is provided for connecting/disconnecting the power flow between the latter and the power transmission unit, including a friction clutch that can be actuated by a pressure medium, including a first clutch part and a second clutch part which can be brought in active connection with one another via a servo unit featuring a piston element that can be pressurized by a pressure medium. A combined power transmission and drive unit according to the invention, with control of a rotation speed difference of a flow medium on either face side of a piston element.
US08322500B2
A shock absorber housing for a shock absorber of a vehicle comprises a tube, which has a tubular wall, and an attaching element joined onto the tubular wall, the attaching element determining a critical force introduction area of an introduction of a force into the tubular wall, the tube in a longitudinal direction being built up from a first tube section having a first tubular wall and at least a second tube section having a second tubular wall, the first tube section and the second tube section being joined together by their ends facing one another. The first tube section and the second tube section are joined together with a tubular wall overlap of the first and second tubular wall, which overlap extends in a longitudinal direction, the tubular wall overlap being situated in the critical force introduction area of the attaching element.
US08322498B2
A shock absorber includes a cylinder, at least two magnetic blocks, and a connection rod. The cylinder includes a first end, an opposite second end defining a slide hole, and absorption particles are filled in the slide hole. The at least two magnetic blocks are fit in the slide hole and the proximate end surfaces of two adjacent magnetic block have the same magnetism. The connection rod includes a flange portion and a rod portion. The flange portion defines a receiving hole for receiving one of the at least two magnetic blocks.
US08322496B2
Disclosed is a mechanical drum brake capable of returning brake shoes into the initial position thereof when the braking operation is released. In the mechanical drum, the brake shoes are smoothly returned to the initial position thereof due to leaf springs, which are fixed to the back plate and interpose an adjusting nut of an adjuster therebetween, when braking is released.
US08322489B1
An aerial rescue device is a powered platform that quickly elevates the fireman to height, or powers the secure descent of a rescued person. A powered carriage rides between two extensible booms. Two rungs secured to the carriage enable a fireman to stand on one and hold onto the other. The two booms have rails within. The rails guide trolleys secured to the ends of the two rungs. The carriage is moved by two cables. Each cable is connected at one end to the carriage and at the other end to two winches. These winches are computer controlled to enable the carriage to ride up and down while the booms are being extended. Preferably, there are also rotatable boom segments at the top of the booms.
US08322474B2
When a drive wheel (3) of a vehicle is driven by a motor generator (10) that operates as a motor, electric power is supplied from a storage battery (20) to the motor generator (10). When the drive wheel (3) is braked by the motor generator (10) that operates as a generator, electric power is supplied from the motor generator (10) to the storage battery (20), and a first thermoelectric conversion element (11) is supplied with electric power from the motor generator (10) to cool the motor generator (10).
US08322472B2
A hybrid vehicle emission control method may include operating the hybrid vehicle in a first mode during which a combustion engine is off and an electric motor propels the hybrid vehicle. An electrically heated selective catalytic reduction catalyst (EHSCR) may be energized during the first mode. The vehicle may be operated in a second mode after the first mode during which the engine propels the hybrid vehicle.
US08322460B2
Systems and methods for lifting drilling fluid from a well bore in a subsea formation are disclosed. Some system embodiments include a drill string suspended within a drilling riser to form the well bore, and a drilling fluid source for supplying drilling fluid through the drill string during drilling. A diverter is coupled between the drilling riser and a return line, while a power riser coupled to the return line at an interface. A lift fluid source supplies lift fluid through the power riser into the return line. The lift fluid is intermittently injected from the power riser through the interface into the return line to form one or more slugs of lift fluid positioned between slugs of drilling fluid, such that the combined density of lift fluid and drilling fluid in the return line is less than the density of the drilling fluid alone.
US08322459B2
A pneumatic power tool includes a pneumatic motor mounted in a housing and supplied to pressured air through an air control unit to rotate a drive coupler, a coupling shell member surrounding the drive coupler and having axially opposite actuating and engaging regions, an output spindle having a bearing surface disposed between the drive coupler and the engaging region, and an override clutch unit coupling the drive coupler to the coupling shell member. An override movement of a driven clutch half on the engaging region brings the actuating region to move axially so as to force a latch to an unlatched position such that the air control unit is displaced to a shut-off state.
US08322446B2
A method of selectively actuating well tools includes the steps of: selecting a well tool for actuation by current flow in one direction through a set of conductors; and selecting another well tool for actuation by opposite current flow through the set of conductors. A system includes multiple control devices that control which well tool is selected for actuation in response to current flow in at least one conductor set. A current direction in the conductors selects a certain well tool for actuation. A method of using n conductors to selectively actuate n*(n−1) well tools includes the steps of: arranging the conductors into n*(n−1)/2 sets; connecting the conductor sets to respective groups of the well tools; and controlling direction of current flow through at least one of the sets of conductors, thereby selecting at least one well tool in the respective group of the well tools for actuation.
US08322438B2
An offshore drilling riser joint has a central riser pipe, a number of auxiliary lines mounted around it, and a buoyancy module assembly of a buoyant material. A pair of upper thrust sleeves slide over two of the auxiliary lines, each of the upper thrust sleeves having a flange in contact with an upper end of the buoyancy module assembly. Each of the upper thrust sleeves transfer upward thrust imposed by the buoyancy module assembly to an upper support flange mounted to the central riser pipe. A pair of lower thrust sleeves slide over two of the auxiliary lines. Each lower thrust sleeve has a lower thrust flange that is engaged by a lower end of the buoyancy module assembly. Each of the lower thrust sleeves transfer weight of the buoyancy module assembly while out of water to a lower support flange mounted to the central riser pipe.
US08322429B2
A method for interchangeably connecting undersea a marine package with first and second pressure control devices. The method includes lowering undersea the marine package toward the first pressure control device such that a first half of a feed-thru component mounted to the marine package contacts a second half of the feed-thru component mounted on the first pressure control device; engaging the first and second halves, wherein the first and second halves of the feed-thru component were not previously engaged while the marine package and the first pressure control device were each assembled above sea; and locking the first half to the second half by using an external pressure such that a functionality of the feed-thru component is achieved.
US08322423B2
According to an embodiment, a method for thermally insulating a portion of a tubular located inside an enclosed conduit comprises the steps of: (A) introducing a grouting composition into an annulus between the tubular and the enclosed conduit, the grouting composition comprising: (i) an oil-swellable binding material; and (ii) a hydrocarbon liquid, wherein the hydrocarbon liquid is the continuous phase of the grouting composition; and (iii) an insulating material comprising a hollow microsphere; and (B) allowing or causing the grouting composition to set after the step of introducing, wherein after setting the grouting composition has a thermal conductivity of less than 0.3 BTU/hr·ft·° F. According to another embodiment, a grouting composition for use in insulating a portion of a tubular located inside an enclosed conduit comprises: (A) an oil-swellable binding material comprising a organophilic clay; and (B) a hydrocarbon liquid, wherein the hydrocarbon liquid is the continuous phase of the grouting composition; and (C) an insulating material comprising a hollow microsphere, wherein after the grouting composition has set, the grouting composition has a thermal conductivity of less than 0.3 BTU/hr·ft·° F.
US08322422B2
A method for removing at least a portion of an object in an annulus formed between an external surface of a tubular element and a wall surface. A method for removing an annulus packer, of the swellable type or the foam type, from an annulus in a wellbore comprises the placement of a jetting tool inside the tubular element and effecting a high-pressure fluid flow from the jetting tool to the object, whereby the object is removed.
US08322418B2
A slurry discharge device for use in a subterranean well can include a slurry flow passage extending longitudinally in the device. The slurry flow passage has flow passage sections. One flow passage section is positioned downstream of, and is laterally offset relative to, another flow passage section. Another slurry discharge device can include the slurry flow passage having multiple flow areas. One flow area is positioned in a downstream direction from, and is greater than, another flow area. A method of delivering a slurry into a subterranean well can include discharging the slurry from a tubular string through a first sidewall section of a slurry discharge device; and flowing only a returned fluid portion of the slurry through a second sidewall section of the slurry discharge device. The second sidewall section has a lateral thickness greater than a lateral thickness of the first sidewall section.
US08322416B2
An apparatus for obtaining a fluid at a position within a wellbore that penetrates a subterranean formation includes a body adapted to be disposed in the wellbore on a conveyance equipped with one or more expandable packers providing a sample region disposed between an upper cleanup zone and a lower cleanup zone when expanded into abutting contact with the wellbore wall. An upper cleanup port is provided at the upper cleanup zone. A lower cleanup port is provided at the lower cleanup zone. A fluid cleanup flowline in fluid connection with the upper and lower cleanup ports can be provided. A sampling inlet is provided at the sampling region, and a sampling flowline is in fluid connection with the sampling inlet for drawing fluid from the sampling region.
US08322415B2
Apparatus and methods for deploying one or more sensors into a wellbore. The method can include at least partially embedding one or more sensors in one or more swellable elements; conveying the one or more sensors and the one or more swellable elements into the wellbore; at least partially swelling one or more of the swellable elements; and measuring at least one wellbore property with the one or more sensors.
US08322414B2
Distinctive and analytically distinguishable water-soluble and oil-soluble tracer compositions are applied as coatings to the exterior surface of one or more lengths of production tubing installed in a horizontal well bore between open-hole packers adjacent one or more inflow control devices, (ICD), whereby water and/or oil contacting one or more of the respective tracer coatings and passing a faulty open-hole packer seal will solubilize the tracer coating(s) and be detectable by appropriate tests on the produced water and/or hydrocarbon fluids at the earth's surface.
US08322407B2
A heat exchanger and related method of making is disclosed herewith. The heat exchanger may have first and second fluid reservoirs that retain a quantity of fluid and also a plurality of tubes that extend between the first and second reservoirs and circulate the fluid therebetween. First and second header plates may be retained respectively in the first and second reservoirs through which the plurality of tubes are mounted. First and second pressure reduction plates may each have a plurality of apertures that respectively encompass first and second ends of each of the plurality of tubes. The plurality of apertures may have tapered side walls that taper outwardly from the respective ends, to reduce turbulence of the fluid between the plurality of tubes and the first and second reservoirs.
US08322401B2
A method for making long metal rolled products by continuous casting, made by a continuous casting machine to two casting lines; shearing to size of the cast product; direct introduction of each segment, having an average temperature of at least 1000° C.-1150° C., into a maintenance and/or heating furnace that has a first and a second movement sections, each of the movement sections is disposed in axis respectively with one of the two casting lines to receive a respective segment; lateral transfer of each segment inside the furnace to dispose each segment in a third movement section disposed parallel and misaligned with respect to the first and the second movement sections and aligned to a rolling axis of a rolling line parallel and offset with respect to the two casting lines; and reduction of the section in a rolling mill defining said rolling axis.
US08322398B2
A process for the production of an aluminum-diamond composite, characterized by comprising the step of preparing a diamond powder having a specific diameter, the step of adding a colloidal silica to the diamond powder to form a slurry, the step of subjecting the slurry to press forming or slip casting to produce a compact of the diamond particles, the step of firing the compact either in air or in a nitrogen atmosphere to form a porous diamond preform, the step of heating the porous diamond preform, the step of heating an aluminum alloy to a temperature equal to or above the melting point of the alloy and impregnating the molten alloy into the porous diamond preform to make a flat plate-like aluminum-diamond composite wherein both surfaces are covered with surface layers containing an aluminum-base metal, and the step of working the aluminum-diamond composite into an aluminum-diamond composite.
US08322396B2
In a screening arrangement comprising a top element, a bottom element, and a screening body, the top element includes two end pieces (410) and a spring-biased roller bar mounted on a roller shaft (461). The roller shaft (461) and one of the end pieces (410) constitute an integral one-piece unit formed by molding.
US08322384B2
A select-fill dispensing system and method for a dispenser assembly utilizes a camera to sense a desired fill level based on the location of a user's finger with respect to a container. In use, a consumer places his or her finger along a container to indicate the desired fill level of the container. Image data from the camera is transmitted to a controller and processed for distortion correction, edge based image segmentation and morphological operations are carried out to remove background noise. The processed image data is utilized to detect the presence of the container, as well as the shape of the container, the position of the container opening, and the top and bottom points of the container. The controller provides a means for controlling the dispensing operation, including a fill rate, based on the desired fill level and the shape of the container.
US08322379B2
A diverter valve for a material transportation system includes a front cover defining an inlet passage, a rear cover defining first and second outlet passages, a casing connected to the front and rear covers and an inner tube arranged in the casing. The inner tube rotates to selectively align an outlet thereof with the first or second outlet passage. An inlet of the inner tube aligns with the inlet passage and the first outlet passage to thereby provide a straight passage through the diverter valve which aligns with a straight passage through the transportation system. When the inlet of the inner tube aligns with the second outlet passage, it provides a straight, branched passage through the diverter valve to, e.g., a receiving container. The inner tube is rotated between its alignment with the first or second outlet passage by an actuator.
US08322372B2
A fluid flow control device for improving, for example, valve operation by reducing “error forces” occurring due to fluid communication between ports of a valve having two or more ports. Incremental pressure drop passages bleed incrementally the flow of fluid between first an second ports as the valve spool is moving between the first and second positions to decrease the pressure differential generated force exerted on the spool whereby the energy required to be applied to the spool for moving the spool between the first and second positions is decreased.
US08322370B2
A hydraulic system with a pressure reducing valve having at an inlet side a tank connection, a system pressure connection, and an outlet side working pressure connection that is connected to the system pressure connection or to the tank connection through the pressure reducing valve. The pressure reducing valve has a first and a second system pressure connection, wherein the second system pressure connection is pressurized at a significantly higher pressure than the first system pressure connection, and is connected to the working pressure connection through the pressure reducing valve.
US08322361B2
An annular dual-flow check valve for controlling the flow through concentric channels that have a common outlet, comprising: an outer body and an inner body that define the concentric channels, which include an outer channel and an inner channel formed therein; a spring activated annular poppet that resides in the outer channel and has a range of motion in the axial direction; and an opening through the inner body that connects the outer channel to the inner channel; wherein: the axial movement of the annular poppet is regulated by the pressure of the flow upstream of the annular poppet in the outer channel; and the axial range of motion of the annular poppet includes at least two axial positions: a closed position where the annular poppet substantially covers the opening and a open position where at least a portion of the opening is not covered by the annular poppet.
US08322359B2
A gas pressure regulator comprises a main body having a first, gas inlet pipe and a second, gas outlet pipe, a calibrated gas passage through which gas flows from the first pipe to the second pipe, a shutter housed at least partially in the main body and mobile lengthwise along a first defined line to adjust the opening of the calibrated passage, a device for actuating the shutter and a regulator spring unit opposing the movement of the shutter.
US08322353B2
A hair treatment foil includes a first hook fastener anchoring strip aligned with and proximal to a leading edge of the foil, and a second hook fastener anchoring strip offset from the first strip, the hooks of the second anchoring strip being taller and less dense than the hooks of the first anchoring strip. In embodiments, the hooks of the first anchor strip are offset or randomly placed, and/or the hooks of the second anchor strip are aligned or arranged in a mechanical weave pattern. A push flap is included for urging the foil forward after attachment. The leading edge may be pinked for picking and placing hair on the foil. Shoulders wider than the leading edge may be included. Embodiments include a retaining appliance having a base plate with a hooked fastener anchor strip attached to its underside and a pinked edge for picking of hair from underneath.
US08322344B2
An oral orthosis includes a holder in the shape of a mouthpiece, including a curved arcuate trough-like upper section which receives a formable material. The formable material does not occupy the entire trough but rather includes voids between the formable material and the inner surfaces of trough of the holder to allow expansion of the formable material into the voids during the molding process when tooth pressure is placed on the formable material. This design results in elimination of the excess formable material which otherwise would require removal by trimming. Additionally, the formable material is placed in the trough in a configuration which includes indexing indentations along the centerline of the material, such that, during the molding process, the mouthpiece containing the formable material is easily centered along the edges of the user's teeth to provide a precise fitting.
US08322340B2
A description is given of an endonasal filter including two essentially planar filtering components joined at their respective ends by a flexible element mounted, similar to a spring, across the cartilage between the two nostrils. The shape of the filtering components is that of a lunette as is the shape of the section at entry to the channel communicating with the nasal cavities. The filtering components are joined by a thin piece of plastic shaped to form a U-bend, the two parallel sides of which extend towards the filtering components on whose surfaces they assume the form of an oval that supports the component and to which it is made to adhere by application of heat.
US08322327B2
An open or closed loop EFI system integrating an alcohol sensor is provided on a genset engine. The EFI system provides acceptable engine performance and efficiency when using fuels or fuel blends over a wide band and when starting from a cold state, i.e., starting the engine after the engine has not run for a relatively long period of time. The alcohol sensor enables acceptable operation while the genset engine is cold. The alcohol sensor sends data to the electronic control unit (ECU) and this data, as well as data provided by other sensors that may be available such as an air flow sensor, is used to determine the optimal air-to-fuel ratio (AFR). The ECU actuates the fuel injector which sends the correct amount of atomized fuel to mix with the air flow to be combusted. The fuel mixture, at the requested AFR, enables the engine to start and operate efficiently from a cold state even if the fuel blend has been changed from a previous operation of the engine.
US08322325B2
Disclosed is a method and corresponding fuel injector for injecting gaseous and liquid fuel into an engine. The method comprises delivering a liquid fuel to a fuel injector, delivering a pressurized gaseous fuel to the fuel injector, entraining the liquid fuel within the gaseous fuel within a chamber of the fuel injector and injecting the gaseous fuel and atomized liquid fuel into the combustion chamber. The liquid fuel can be passed through and dispensed from a needle into a chamber in the injector nozzle where it is entrained in the gaseous fuel during an injection event. The liquid/gas mass ratio is controlled by the needle movement, hydraulic resistances or electronic valves so that the majority of the liquid is injected during the first part of the gas injection. The injector can be used for late cycle direct injection of natural gas, or any number of gaseous fuel blends combined with many liquid fuels such as diesel, biodiesel and DME.
US08322323B2
The fluid system is intended for an oscillating-piston engine (100) which has at least two double-armed oscillating pistons (4) arranged in a spherical housing (19) and revolving together about an axis (23) of revolution arranged in the housing center, wherein the oscillating pistons, when revolving, mutually perform reciprocating oscillating movements about an oscillation axis (24) perpendicular to the axis (23) of revolution, and guide members (5) attached to at least two pistons (4) engage in at least one guide groove (17) formed in the housing (19) and serving to control the oscillating movements. The fluid system (70) comprises at least one central feed opening (1), lying in the vicinity of an end of the axis (23) of revolution, for a fluid, continuous cavities and/or bores (10) in the pistons (4) for the fluid, and a fluid discharge on the outer side (3) of the respective piston. A rotation of the pistons (4) about the axis (23) of revolution causes a pressure difference which acts as suction at the feed opening (1) and as pressure in the discharge region (16) and thus makes possible a pumpless fluid system or a fluid system which needs only a low supply pressure. The fluid system serves, for example, to lubricate the oscillating-piston engine (100) and—when fuel is used as the fluid—can be supplied with fluid from a fuel tank together with a fuel supply and with cooling of the oscillating-piston engine.
US08322316B2
An engine is disclosed. In one implementation, the engine includes a camwheel mounted to an output shaft. Eighteen cylinder-enclosed pistons are positioned in a circular plane about the camwheel such that the radius of the circular plane and the camwheel are coplanar. Lobes integrally formed on the camwheel define a guiderail including a continuously, substantially sinusoidal surface biased for rotation in the direction of the rotary motion of the output shaft. Drive bearings associated with each piston engage and maintain contact with the guiderail. The rotary motion is obtained by transferring the displacement of the plurality of pistons from respective top dead center positions and bottom dead center positions to the guiderail, thereby rotating the camwheel and output shaft.
US08322314B2
A boiler furnace avoids NOx and increases thermal efficiency with a small boiler. The boiler furnace has a outer water walls and inner water walls. All of the water walls contain water which absorb heat from the flame and cool the water tube which act as a container, passage, evaporator of water and water walls with membrane that connect water tubes to each other. The spaces between outer water walls and inner water walls makes a cylindrical space which contain fires and avoids making a fire that produces nitrogen oxides due to high temperature induced from a concentrated flame.
US08322312B2
Methods and systems for operating a water heater to limit the effects of stacking in a water heater tank are disclosed. In some cases, the water heater controller may determine a rate of change of the water temperature in the water heater tank. If the rate of change exceeds a threshold value, the controller may adjust the water heater temperature set point downward to help reduce stacking in the water heater. In some cases, the water heater temperature set point may be returned to the original water heater temperature set point when stacking is no longer likely to be of a concern. In one illustrative embodiment, the controller may track the time that the heater of the water heater is in the “on” state, or the time that the heater is in the “off” state, during subsequent heating cycles. The controller may then compare the “on” time or the “off” time to respective recovery threshold times. If the “on” time or the “off” time exceeds its respective recovery threshold time, then the controller may adjust the set point toward the original water heater temperature set point, sometimes in an incremental manner.
US08322310B2
A laboratory specimen, such as a mouse or rat, can be accurately and repeatedly imaged in an imaging machine, such as an MRI machine, when securely positioned on a specimen support bed. The support bed includes contours and accessories for centering a specimen on the support bed. One or more bite bars coact with a head clamp to accurately fix a specimen's head in the same position time after time.
US08322301B2
An intermediate reserve tank for temporarily storing a conductive coating medium is provided in a coating medium supply passage for supplying the conductive coating medium from a color switch valve mechanism to a spray gun. A block valve mechanism for electrically insulating the color switch valve mechanism and the intermediate reserve tank is provided. A coating medium extrusion portion for supplying water or a cleaning solution is connected to a transmission passage between the intermediate reserve tank and the spray gun via a switch valve. When an amount of the coating medium necessary until an end of a coating operation becomes a predetermined amount, the conductive coating medium is extruded by the water or the cleaning solution by switching the switch valve.
US08322297B2
A flag securing assembly includes elongate member formed with an opening, opposed notched ends, and a lug projecting away from the elongate member and which terminates with a free end. A major loop of a line is applied through the opening and is folded over the elongate member forming in the line opposite minor loops applied to the opposed notched ends, a length of the line extending between the minor loops along the elongate member, and standing parts that project outward in opposite directions from the opposed notched ends. A grommet of a flag is applied to the lug between the free end of the lug and the elongate member, and a fastener is applied to the free end of the lug captively retaining the grommet of the flag between the free end of the lug and the elongate member.
US08322292B2
An object holding table comprising a table top, a frame body, two rotating shaft sets and a foot stand set. The rotating shaft sets are used to movably attach the table top and the frame body to allow the table top to turn 90 degrees. The foot stand set has a first lateral foot stand and a second lateral foot stand both capable of overturning outwards and supporting the object holding table to stand; and when not in use, to withdraw and being stored at the inner side of the table top. By assembling the foregoing assemblies, the object holding table of the present invention is hence capable of holding a portable electronic device and turning 90 degrees to reach a convenient watching position.
US08322283B2
Printing forms are prepared in assembly positions on one of several printing cylinders in a printing press. Several such printing forms are made available at a distance from the printing press, at the end of at least one sheet extruder with a sheet exposure device. A particular printing form for the printing cylinder is distributed among mobile collector containers that are standing ready on the sheet extruder. Different mobile collection containers, with printing forms for the same printing cylinders are supplied to that printing cylinder. At a particular time, and on an operating side of the printing press, several such mobile collection containers are provided and are positioned adjacent each other in the axial direction of the print cylinder. Print forms for the assembly positions, which are arranged adjacent to each other on the print cylinder, in the axial direction of the print cylinder, and which have been provided to the printing press in the various mobile collection contains, are taken from the mobile collection containers and are provided on the assembly positions of the printing cylinder.
US08322281B2
A color deck of a printing machine is usable to ink a printing cylinder. A roller nip is formed by at least one friction cylinder that is driven by a drive motor for rotary movement. A freewheel clutch is situated between the first friction cylinder and the drive motor for that first friction cylinder.
US08322274B2
A machine for producing ice-cream and the like including an outer boxlike housing, a processing tank that extends into the boxlike housing, and a discharge manifold which branches from the bottom of the processing tank to reach the boxlike housing at a front wall of the latter, and is structured so as to allow a product contained in the processing tank to flow out of the machine. The discharge manifold includes a tubular duct which protrudes from the bottom of the processing tank and ends with a mouth assembly which through-engages an appropriate opening obtained on the front wall of the boxlike housing. The mouth assembly includes a central sleeve that is rigidly and fixedly attached to the tubular duct.
US08322270B2
A reciprocating piston machine, such as an air-conditioning compressor for motor vehicles, having a housing, a rotationally drivable shaft, a shaft sealing device, in particular a mechanical shaft seal, at least one radial shaft bearing, especially a radial rolling-contact bearing, and at least one axial shaft bearing, in particular an axial rolling-contact bearing, a bearing sleeve which accommodates at least the radial shaft bearing, being configured within an opening in the housing, extending into the same.
US08322264B1
A pressure release mechanism for a sonic rarefaction wave-type low-recoil gun system employing controlled plastic venting that exhibits adiabatic shear banding to effect a delayed pressure release.
US08322262B2
A cartridge for an edible film dispenser protects a mounted edible film having a roll form, enables easy mounting of the edible film in the edible film container, and simplifies the structure of the edible film dispenser. The cartridge includes an edible film tape, which has a cylindrical main bobbin and a cylindrical take-up bobbin, a cartridge body, which includes a main shaft, a draw shaft, a take-up shaft, and an edge perpendicular wall, which are spaced apart from each other, and a plate-like cartridge cover, which has a size and profile equal to those of the cartridge body.
US08322258B2
The present invention relates to a tool holder (1) that either has a modular design, and the modules of which are centered via interfaces, or/and in which a centered interface (9) is provided between the tool (5) and the tool receiver (4) such that high concentricity, and thus a high processing accuracy are achieved. The present invention further relates to a system comprising a tool holder (1) and a tool (5).
US08322255B1
A multi-wrench gear head apparatus for adjusting tie-rod assemblies of dissimilar size. Such an apparatus employs a plurality of driven wrench (socket) portions, which can be provided to engage and adjust tie-rods of different and particular sizes. The wrench portions share a common gear train, such that multiple wrench portions may be driven by a single drive means.
US08322254B2
A carpentry tool for the installation of parallel boards includes an elongated lever having a rotatable cam pivotally affixed adjacent to a distal end of the lever, a gripper body pivotally affixed at a distal end of the lever, the gripper body having two lugs or brackets extending downward from the lower end of the gripper body, wherein the gripper body includes a multi-piece telescopic section having outer and inner tubing members in slidable engagement, the one tubing member including a first lug or bracket on a lower face thereof, another tubing member including a second lug or bracket on a lower face thereof, opposing the first bracket, and a spindle extending from an upper face of the gripper body, and a mechanism for reversibly adjusting the sliding tubing members at predetermined points.
US08322239B2
A controller capable of realizing continuous click feelings within an operation range of the controller and a specific click feeling at a specific position of the operation range with continuous natural maneuvering feeling. When a first member to which an element shaft of an electronic device is fixed is rotated relatively to a second member to which an element body of the electronic device is fixed to rotate the shaft, the controller adjusts the control amount the element. A notch array, formed of a serration and a first pawl, and a position confirmation means, formed of a notch and a pawl, are disposed between the first member and the second member. Both members are disposed oppositely with respect to the shaft. A center click feeling, different from the feeling in the notch array, can be obtained at the center within the range of the notch array.
US08322238B2
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for evaluating medical device performance are provided. A corresponding method may include deploying an implantable medical device into an apparatus for evaluating performance of an implantable medical device. The apparatus may include a support structure and simulated tissue operatively associated with the support structure. The method may further include manipulating the support structure and/or the simulated tissue to simulate physiological forces on the implantable device.
US08322236B2
A measuring apparatus having a measurement voltage input with at least one input contact for an input voltage of a measuring element and a method for detecting moisture on the measurement voltage input of such a measuring apparatus are provided, wherein the measuring apparatus includes a supplemental voltage source, which delivers at least one supplemental voltage and is connected with a supplemental contact arranged in the region of the at least one input contact.
US08322235B1
A microactuator test assembly is disclosed for testing a microactuator mounted at a joint coupling a base end of a load beam to a distal end of an actuator arm. A spreader pin deflects the load beam by moving from a first position to a second position, and a signal detector measures a sensor signal generated by the microactuator while deflecting the load beam with the spreader pin.
US08322226B2
Methods and apparatuses are provided for testing and quantifying structural durability characteristics of bridging materials. Embodiments include sieving bridging materials to create uniform batches having particles within a predefined range. Embodiments further include selecting a batch and drying the batch, separating the dried batch into dry samples, and selecting a test sample having an initial mass. Embodiments include sealing the test sample, a volume of liquid, and a rod in a cylindrical testing cell and rotating the cylindrical testing cell containing the rod such that the rod rolls in relation to an inner wall of the cylindrical testing cell and applies force partially crushing the test sample. Embodiments further include sieving a resulting sample to create a durable sample having particles within the predefined range and drying the durable sample. Embodiments of methods further include measuring a mass of the dried durable sample to define a durable mass and comparing the durable mass to the initial mass.
US08322208B2
A fluid meter is described having a housing with housing walls defining a measurement volume, an inlet to connect the measurement volume to a fuel reservoir, and an outlet to connect the measurement volume to a fuel dispensing hose, wherein the housing walls may comprise one or more elastically displaceable wall portions arranged to be elastically displaced in response to a pressure variation propagating into the measurement volume.
US08322205B2
A method of fabricating a pressure sensor (30) for harsh environments such as vehicle tires, formed from a first wafer substrate (32) having first and second opposing planar surfaces. CMOS circuitry (34) is deposited on the first planar surface and a layer of passivation material is deposited on the circuitry. Openings in the passivation layer are etched to expose parts of the circuitry and an aperture is etched into the first wafer from the first planar surface towards the second planar surface. Sacrificial material is deposited in the aperture and then a flexible membrane (50) is deposited on the sacrificial material and the exposed parts of the circuitry. The sacrificial material is subsequently plasma cleaned out of the aperture from the second surface and a second substrate is sealed to the second planar surface of the first wafer substrate to define a chamber (58) containing a fluid at a reference pressure. During use, the flexible membrane deflects due to pressure differentials between the reference pressure and the fluid pressure and the circuitry converts the deflection of the flexible membrane into an output signal indicative of the fluid pressure.
US08322204B2
An unbalance correction device of a high speed rotary apparatus which can prevent the lowering of productivity in the production line of a high speed rotary apparatus while reducing variation in the posture of a workpiece supported by a jig and suppressing vibration of a member (clamp member) for securing the workpiece to the jig, and can enhance the precision of unbalance correction. The unbalance correction device (1) of a high speed rotary apparatus includes a plurality of claw structures (10) (clamp members) for fixing, by clamping, a workpiece (20) to a turbine housing section (3); a cylinder mechanism (30) for moving and energizing the claw structures (10), a solenoid valve (35) for adjusting the moving amount and energizing force of the claw structure (10) by the cylinder mechanism (30); a position sensor (37) for detecting the position of the claw structure (10); and posture control means for controlling each solenoid valve (35) such that the position shift of the claw structure (10) detected by the position sensor (37) becomes smaller than its acceptable value.
US08322202B2
The invention relates to a method for inspecting especially a gas turbine installation or steam turbine installation. An actual condition of a component of the turbine installation is determined using a suitable system, the determined actual condition is compared with a predetermined desired condition of the component, and the result of comparison between the actual condition and the desired condition is used to determine whether an overall inspection of the turbine installation is required. The component is a guide vane whose angular position in relation to the direction of influx is the actual condition to be determined. The actual condition is determined by an imaging device. The invention also relates to a turbine inspection system for carrying out the method.
US08322199B2
The present invention provides an automatic sampling and dilution apparatus for use in a polymer analysis system. The apparatus comprises (a) a primary mixing chamber; (b) a primary pump capable of continuously withdrawing a variable viscosity liquid from a reactor at a selectable, fixed withdrawal rate over a varying viscosity range of about 50 to about 5,000,000 centipoise (cP) for continuously conveying the variable viscosity polymer-containing liquid into the primary mixing chamber; (c) a first dilution pump for continuously delivering a first dilution solvent into the primary mixing chamber at a selectable, fixed flow rate to mix with the variable viscosity liquid in the mixing chamber and thereby form a diluted polymer-containing liquid therein; and (d) a secondary pump for continuously conveying the diluted polymer-containing liquid into a flow-through detector. A polymer analysis system utilizing the automatic sampling and dilution apparatus is also provided.
US08322192B2
A sensor apparatus includes a metal oxide semiconductor sensor and a housing having an internal chamber in which the sensor is disposed. The housing includes at least one window for the ingress of a gas into the internal chamber from an atmosphere exterior to the housing. A gas-selective barrier is disposed across the at least one window.
US08322172B2
A key cylinder installation structure includes a key cylinder including a flange that is fixed to a trunk of a vehicle, the flange including a mounting hole through which a mounting bolt is inserted into a reference hole and a secondary reference hole, respectively, formed in the trunk, the key cylinder being operable to lock and unlock the trunk, and a pad that is attached to the flange of the key cylinder and includes a hole through which the mounting bolt is inserted and a projection projecting toward a center of the key cylinder in the hole of the pad. When the mounting bolt is inserted into the mounting hole, the projection of the pad lies between the mounting bolt and the mounting hole.
US08322169B2
A laundry system comprises a first laundry appliance, a second laundry appliance, and a vertical laundry module. The vertical laundry module can have a housing with a width less than the width of each of the first and second laundry appliances and a stain treatment assembly. The stain treatment assembly can include a screen slidable mounted to the housing of the vertical module for supporting a fabric item and a wand extendable from the housing for applying a stain treatment agent to the fabric item on the screen.
US08322149B2
Provided is a method for selecting a lubricant and a refrigerant for use in a vapor-compression refrigeration device such that the combination of the lubricant and refrigerant produces a fluid system having a lubricant-rich phase and a refrigerant-rich phase, yet exhibits miscible-type properties.
US08322143B2
According to various embodiments, a system includes a staggered multi-nozzle assembly. The staggered multi-nozzle assembly includes a first fuel nozzle having a first axis and a first flow path extending to a first downstream end portion, wherein the first fuel nozzle has a first non-circular perimeter at the first downstream end portion. The staggered multi-nozzle assembly also includes a second fuel nozzle having a second axis and a second flow path extending to a second downstream end portion, wherein the first and second downstream end portions are axially offset from one another relative to the first and second axes. The staggered multi-nozzle assembly further includes a cap member disposed circumferentially about at least the first and second fuel nozzles to assemble the staggered multi-nozzle assembly.
US08322128B2
A hydrogen engine 10 supplies hydrogen, oxygen, and an argon gas serving as a working to a combustion chamber 21 to combust the hydrogen. H2O in a recirculating gas discharged from the combustion chamber 21 is separated and eliminated from the gas by a condenser 66. A three-way valve 72 is switched over in such a manner that the recirculating gas flows through a product eliminating section 70 (a carbon dioxide absorbing unit 71), when the concentration of carbon dioxide in the recirculating gas is higher than a predetermined concentration, so that the carbon dioxide is separated and eliminated from the recirculating gas.
US08322119B2
The agricultural system includes a baling device having a bale forming mechanism to form a bale including a pivotable rear flap to open a baling chamber in which the bale can be formed, and a wrapping device to wrap the bale in wrapping material, the wrapping device including a wrapping table to support the bale during wrapping and wrapping mechanism. The wrapping mechanism has one or more movable parts that can be rotated during wrapping along a trajectory around the bale supported on the wrapping table. The wrapping device is partially located below the baling device, wherein the trajectory of the one or more moving parts of the wrapping device and a trajectory of the pivotable rear flap of the baling device are non-overlapping.
US08322117B2
A deflator apparatus for use in a farm, fill and seal bagging machine to deflate excess air from and form a filled or partially filled package of bulk goods includes a first deflator having a plurality of first flexible bands that extends between a pair of first arms. The apparatus further includes a second deflator having at least one second flexible band that extends between a pair of second arms. The first and second deflators are spaced from one another and movable relative to one another to sandwich the package of bulk goods between the plurality of first flexible bands and the at least one second flexible band to remove excess air from the package and form the package.
US08322109B2
A spacer for positioning and locking spaced reinforcing cages into a combined integral unit for reinforcing large concrete structures is disclosed that is readily snapped into place even with narrow lattice cages.
US08322100B2
An easy-to-install and remove flooring system comprises three components: 1) a plurality of rolled-out liners, 2) a plurality of tiles, particularly resilient tiles, and 3) an adhesive adhering the tile to the liner. A grid pattern matching the size of the tiles is printed on the liner to enable easy centering and balancing of the tile in the room. The edge portions of adjacent liners are adjacent or overlapped. At least some of the tiles are adhered to two of the liners.
US08322096B2
A fire-resistant assembly may be attached to a wall frame assembly of a building and configured to transfer loads from a load-bearing assembly into the wall frame assembly. The assembly provides for a desired amount of fire resistance by virtue of a fire-resistant filler and provides for a desired amount of structural capacity by virtue structural sheets that form a cavity for the filler. In addition, a load-limited connector may be coupled to the assembly to transfer loads from the load-bearing assembly up to a desired load threshold.
US08322090B2
A window assembly according to various embodiments includes a frame, a sash, an insulating unit (e.g., one or more glass panels), a glass stop, an elongated frame insulating element slidably disposed on an inner surface of the frame, an elongated sash insulating element slidably disposed on an outer surface of the sash, and an elongated inner sash insulating element slidably disposed on an inner surface of the sash. The elongated frame insulating element, the elongated sash insulating element, and the elongated inner sash insulating element each define a plurality of chambers that extend substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of each element. These chambers reduce the size of the space between the frame and sash and the size of the space between the sash, the insulating unit, and the glass stop, which results in smaller convection currents within these spaces and a more thermally efficient window assembly.
US08322088B2
A ventilated roofing structure includes a modular roofing panel unit adapted to form part of an outermost layer of a roof, a wall unit which is secured to the roofing panel unit, and which extends downwardly to terminate at an anchored end to partition a space under the roof into outside and inside spaces, and which has a ventilation opening communicating the inside and outside spaces, and a modular drainage-route forming panel unit which is fastened to an overhanging eave of the roofing panel unit to form a gap therebetween. The drainage-route forming panel unit extends downwards to separate the outside space into an airflow transit chamber and an outdoor space, and has an anchoring edge secured to the anchored end, and a drainage port communicating the airflow transit chamber with the outdoor space.
US08322087B1
Modular landscape borders can include curb and planter sections, and adjacent modular borders can engaged to each other via coupling members. The curb section can include channels for receiving electrical and/or irrigational devices. The curb section can include a face having openings for receiving illumination devices and/or irrigation devices. The planter section can include irrigation drainage and a conduit for receiving irrigation tubing and/or for distributing irrigation water. Openings can be provided for receiving retaining spikes for securing the modular border to the ground. Supporting structures can provide rigidity and/or structural support to the curb and/or the planter. The modular border may include partition lines for division into smaller partitions.
US08322068B2
Provided is a gun mounting kit for quickly and easily mounting a gun in a position favorable for cleaning the gun. It is understood that guns may include mounting rails, such as a Picatinny-style rail or other similar mounting structures. The gun mounting kit includes a clamping unit that is sized and configured to clamp onto the mounting rail of the gun to secure the gun for cleaning.
US08322067B2
A firearm steady-rest which is incorporated as part of a rifle sling. The steady-rest may be a single support arm or a folded support arm system deployed by folding it outward to provide either a V-shaped support configuration or a U-shaped support configuration whereby the upwardly extending distal ends of the support engage and support the firearm therebetween. The steady-rest may be grasped by the operator's forward extending hand to provide maximum steadying of the firearm for sighting and shooting. A gravity deploying bi-pod leg set is also provided which automatically locks into position when fully deployed by a gravity slide lock.
US08322066B2
An auxiliary device includes a housing and a rail mount coupled to the housing. The rail mount includes a first rigid member and a second rigid member extending substantially longitudinally along at least a portion of the housing, the first and second rigid members configured to engage a mounting rail defined on a frame portion of a weapon. The rail mount further includes a flex member having a first end coupled to the first rigid member and a second end coupled to a tightening member being movable between a first position and a second position, the flex member configured to provide a gripping force on the mounting rail of the weapon and couple the auxiliary device to the weapon. A shock absorbing member may be provided to prevent or reduce damage to an internal power supply upon discharge of the weapon.
US08322065B2
A magazine carrier for a firearm, the magazine carrier including a frame having walls to releasably hold an ammunition magazine, and an external track element defined on the frame for engaging a complementary engagement element. The complementary track element can be on a clip, on an adapter or on another similar frame.
US08322062B1
A marketing sign is constructed of a sheet material. The sheet material includes a free portion, a base portion and a connecting portion that couples the base portion to the free portion. The base portion is configured to engage with a product display structure, which has a price holder. The connecting portion is defined between a first connecting bend line spaced apart from a second connecting bend line by a distance. The distance substantially corresponds with an edge thickness of the price holder.
US08322057B2
Disclosed is a stretcher bar framing and canvas fastening system. This system consists of side bar segments of variable lengths and pre-molded corner segments for quick and easy assembly and disassembly. The snap fit interlocking bar and corner segments features a locking mechanism utilizing a male plug member and a female socket member. The plug member includes a pair of resilient flexible arms with a flat surface tooth that interlocks during insertion of the socket member. The plug and socket members snap together for a tight and straight fit is released using a side release mechanism. The side release mechanism disengages the stretcher bar segments by pressing inward on the flat tooth surface of the latching arms located within the side apertures. The back side of the stretcher bar features a self-healing canvas fastening block for insertion of staples allowing canvas to be mounted or dissembled.
US08322056B2
Methods and systems for preparing a torrefied biomass fuel are disclosed. Moisture is initially extracted from relatively wet biomass fuel to produce a relatively dry biomass fuel. Remaining moisture is then extracted from the relatively dry biomass fuel in a final drying stage, using steam at a temperature of about 900° F. The resulting dried biomass fuel is conveyed downward using gravity and undergoes torrefaction, which produces torrefied biomass fuel and torrefaction gases. A gaseous mixture of steam and torrefaction gases is vented to a heat exchanger, where the gaseous mixture is heated by a flue gas, and the heated gaseous mixture is used to support the extraction of the remaining moisture in the final drying stage and to support the torrefaction of the dried biomass fuel. Embodiments disclosed herein efficiently use available energy resources to the benefit of manufacturers, consumers, and the environment.
US08322052B2
A modular shoe system having interchangeable uppers and outsoles, comprising an internal support structure, a plurality of interchangeable first removable covers and a plurality of interchangeable second removable covers. The internal support structure includes a midsole, a heel counter and a toe box. The internal support structure has a front portion including the toe box and a rear portion including the heel counter. Each of the first removable covers includes a front upper and a front outsole. Each of the first removable covers is configured for being alternately removably attached to the front portion. Each of the second removable covers includes a rear upper and a rear outsole. Each of the second removable covers is configured for being alternately removably attached to the rear portion.
US08322050B2
A footwear sole includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface includes a plurality of tread members formed thereon. The tread members include a plurality of projections or lugs of various sizes and shapes which are grouped together into specific patterns. The material from which the projections are formed increases the shoe sole's ability to resist slipping on floor surfaces which are covered with oil, water, soap, etc. The shape and pattern of the projections or lugs enable them to resist flexing and disengaging the floor surface. This increases the footwear sole's ability to resist slipping.
US08322030B1
A method of making a substrate for a semiconductor package includes providing a laminated layer structure including a backing layer and a metal layer attached to the backing layer. A circuit layer is plated atop a first surface of the metal layer to form a circuit-on-metal structure. The circuit-on-metal structure is coupled to a dielectric layer by causing the dielectric layer to flow around the circuit layer to the first surface of the metal layer so that the circuit layer is embedded within the dielectric layer and the first surface of the metal layer is in direct contact with a first surface of the dielectric layer. The backing layer is then removed completely. The metal layer is then removed completely.
US08322029B2
A composite interface and methods of fabrication are provided for coupling a cooling assembly to an electronic device. The interface includes a plurality of thermally conductive wires formed of a first material having a first thermal conductivity, and a thermal interface material at least partially surrounding the wires. The interface material, which thermally interfaces the cooling assembly to a surface to be cooled of the electronic device, is a second material having a second thermal conductivity, wherein the first thermal conductivity is greater than the second thermal conductivity. At least some wires reside partially over a first region of higher heat flux and extend partially over a second region of lower heat flux, wherein the first and second regions are different regions of the surface to he cooled. These wires function as thermal spreaders facilitating heat transfer from the surface to be cooled to the cooling assembly.
US08322025B2
Closely spaced, high aspect-ratio gridline structures are formed on the surface of a substrate using two or more co-extrusion heads that co-extrude gridline material and sacrificial material such that the deposited gridline material is compressed between opposing portions of the sacrificial material. The co-extrusion heads include three-channel cavity structures that converge to a relatively small outlet orifice that dispenses the gridline material with relatively fine features and a relatively high aspect ratio. The outlet orifices of the co-extrusion heads are disposed in a staggered arrangement such that gridlines extruded from the first co-extrusion head are disposed between two gridlines extruded from the second co-extrusion head. Photovoltaic cells are produced with metal gridlines formed in this manner.
US08322020B2
A space transformer for a semiconductor test probe card and method of fabrication. The method may include depositing a first metal layer as a ground plane on a space transformer substrate having a plurality of first contact test pads defining a first pitch spacing, depositing a first dielectric layer on the ground plane, forming a plurality of second test contacts defining a second pitch spacing different than the first pitch spacing, and forming a plurality of redistribution leads on the first dielectric layer to electrically couple the first contact test pads to the second contact test pads. In some embodiments, the redistribution leads may be built directly on the space transformer substrate. The method may be used in one embodiment to remanufacture an existing space transformer to produce fine pitch test pads having a pitch spacing smaller than the original test pads.
US08322016B2
Methods for manufacturing cast titanium helmets include casting a helmet in an oversized mold. The resulting oversized cast helmet is then exposed to a hot isostatic press (HIP) process that applies heat and pressure for a predetermined period of time. The resulting oversized cast helmet is then exposed to an acid bath that chemically mills the helmet to a desired thickness and removes contaminants formed during casting of titanium.
US08322008B2
A method of repairing a metallic artefact (40) with an open defect in or on a metallic surface or substrate of the metallic artefact includes cold forging the open defect to close the open defect and thereafter laser cladding the cold forged defect with a plurality of laser clad beads (44) applied to the metallic surface or substrate to cover the cold forged defect with a cladded metal layer. Advantageously, in-situ repair of fluid-filled vessels, pipes or the like is made possible by the repair method, in some instances eliminates the need to shut equipment down thereby reducing downtime and the cost associated with lost production.
US08322005B2
A weather strip installation device for mechanically installing weather strip along the opening of a vehicle door is disclosed. The device includes a frame outlining said opening, and a plurality of contact pads enclosing the frame. A selectively movable unit is disposed between the frame and the contact pads, wherein the selectively movable unit is operable to push each of the contact pads outwardly from the frame. In the first preferred embodiment the movable unit is a plurality of expandable bladders disposed between the contact pads and the peripheral edge of the frame. In the second preferred embodiment, the movable unit is an extensible arm rotatably attached to the frame. The extensible arm includes a roller disposed between the frame and contact pads that presses against the contact pads thereby installing the weather strip along the opening of the door as the extensible arm rotates about the frame.
US08322002B2
One aspect of the present invention provides a fastening strap assembly for used in a foam article. The fastening strap assembly includes a substrate having two sidewalls each formed along one side thereof in a longitudinal direction and spaced apart from each other; a substantially fishbone-shaped fastening member disposed between the sidewalls and adhered to the substrate, the fastening member having an elongate central rib and a plurality of fastening parts laterally extending from either sides of the rib and longitudinally spaced apart from each other, each fastening part having a plurality of hooks formed on a upper surface thereof; and a magnetic layer disposed between the substrate and the fastening member. The fastening strap assembly of the present invention has a unique sideway bending/curving function. Another aspect of the present invention provides a foam article, such as a seat cushion, including the sideway-bendable fastening strap assembly.
US08321993B2
The invention relates to a device for cleaning a ground surface of artificial turf with filler, comprising a frame, moving and supporting means arranged on the frame for the purpose of moving the device over the ground surface, and processing means arranged on the frame for processing a flow of material taken up from the ground surface, such as dirt and filler, wherein the processing means comprise: a take-up means, a separating means, a collecting means, a feedback means. The invention is characterized in that the processing means further comprise a dust suction device, wherein the dust suction device comprises at least a pump means for creating an underpressure and a dust inlet which is connected to a suction side of the pump means and which is arranged in the vicinity of the separating means in the device.
US08321988B1
The grooved broom for use with a refrigerated trailer floor that includes a plurality of separated regions of bristles having the same length. The separated regions of bristles form grooves, which are adaptively engaged upon a grooved or notch floor, which is typically associated with trailer floors. The grooved broom features adjustable ends that extends and retracts along each end of said broom, and which provides a means to sweep against sides of said floor. The adjustable end is adjusted via a spring-loaded button that is located on the broom, and which can lock upon one of a plurality of holes located on the respective adjustable end.
US08321981B2
A stapler capable of dispensing staples therefrom and comprising a head and a handle. The head comprises a staple dispenser configured to dispense a staple from the stapler when a compressive force is applied to the staple dispenser, and a blade carriage that carries a blade and is configured such that the blade is extendable from the head of the stapler and is retractable into the head of the stapler. The handle is attached to the head, and permits the stapler to be swung like a hammer to drive staples dispensed from the staple dispenser.
US08321976B1
The present invention has a deck supported by at least one parallelogram. When two parallelograms are used, the first has first and second levers and a drag link, and the second has third and fourth levers and a second drag link. Each parallelogram is raised and collapsed with an actuator. The first lever and the fourth lever each have an arm with an interface. The actuators are pivotally and movably connected to the interfaces and pivotally connected to the drag links. The location of the actuators relative the interfaces is controlled with control arms. The control arms have ends that are connected to the respective drag link and each rotates at an offset circular path about a central point of the adjacent levers.
US08321965B2
A head and neck protector for use by a race car or other driver includes a yoke which is mounted on the shoulders of the driver, and a helmet which is mounted on a portion of the yoke extending around the sides and back of the driver's neck. The helmet is securely latched to the yoke to prevent rotation of the helmet relative to the yoke. The interior volume of the helmet is sufficiently large that the driver can freely move his or her head without corresponding movement of the helmet.
US08321962B2
An adapter system for a protective mask (2) serves for movably attaching a protective mask (2) to a helmet (1), wherein the adapter system includes two individual adapters (3), which on the one hand serve for coupling to a connecting device (11) of the helmet (1) by means of a helmet coupling (31) and on the other hand for attaching to the protective mask (2) by means of a mask coupling (37), and the adapters (3) each respectively have a swivelling joint (34), around which a protective mask (2) attached to the adapter (3) is capable of being swivelled. In doing so, the adapters (3) each respectively include a swivelling arm (35) capable of being swivelled relative to the swivelling joint (34), wherein the swivelling arm (35) is adjustable in its length.
US08327441B2
An instrumented machine or platform having a target application thereon is disclosed. An attestation service may generate an application artifact having associated therewith a name and an application statement having at least one of a plurality of attribute value assertions describing the examined runtime local execution and introspection based derived security context. The application statements may represent the level of contextual trustworthiness, at near real time, of a running application on the instrumented target platform. A runtime process and network monitor may examine the local runtime execution context of the target application, and an identity provider may authenticate a user to the web application based on a web services query for attestation of the target application. A physical or logical authorization service may control access of an authenticated user to the target application, based on a dynamic application statement and multi-factor application attestation issued by the attestation service.
US08327427B2
System and method for transparent single sign-on authentication on computers in a networked environment. A preferred embodiment comprises receiving an authentication request from an operating system of a first computer, requesting credentials of an application making the authentication request, authenticating the credentials, storing the credentials if the authentication is successful, and transmitting the credentials to a second computer. On subsequent access requests made by the user on the second computer, the credentials can be retrieved from the secure store, eliminating the need to prompt the user to re-enter authentication information.
US08327424B2
A certificate authority selection unit implements a method for selecting one of a plurality of certificate authorities servicing a plurality of administrative domains in a communication system. The method includes: receiving, from an end-entity via an interface, a certificate service request associated with an identifier; selecting, based on the identifier, one of the plurality of administrative domains in the communication system, wherein the plurality of administrative domains are serviced by a plurality of certificate authorities; retrieving a security profile for the end-entity; and selecting, based on the security profile for the end-entity, one of the plurality of certificate authorities to process the certificate service request.
US08327407B2
A method of determining whether live media content or time-shifted media content is received at a communication device is presented. In the method, attribute information concerning media content received at a communication device at a specific time is received. Also received is schedule information including an identity of media content carried at the specific time over a channel identified in the attribute information. The media content identity from the attribute information is compared with the media content identity from the schedule information. The received media content is determined to be live media content if the media content identity from the attribute information agrees with the media content identity from the schedule information. The received media content is determined to be time-shifted media content if the media content identity from the attribute information does not agree with the media content identity from the schedule information.
US08327399B2
System and method for delivering targeted advertising data in an internet protocol television system
A system and method for delivering targeted advertising data over an internet protocol television (IPTV) network are disclosed for multicasting from an IPTV server a group of targeted advertising data to a group of end user client devices; receiving at the IPTV server from an end user client device in the group of end user client devices selection data indicating selected targeted advertising data from the group data; and unicasting from the IPTV server to the end user client device follow-on advertising data related to the selected targeted advertising data. A client device is disclosed for receiving a multicast group of targeted advertising data, selecting one of the group of targeted advertising data and receiving follow-on advertising data related to the selected advertising data.
US08327392B2
A disc transfer guide apparatus includes a guide plate for transferring a disc by clamping the disc in cooperation with a feed roller and a mount base to which the guide plate is mounted. The guide plate has a pair of plate portions coupled by a coupling portion that can be expandable and shrinkable in an axial direction of the feed roller. Each plate portion has a protruding piece at the outer end and the mount base has a slit engaged with the protruding piece for restraining the guide plate from moving in the axial direction of the feed roller. Each plate portion has inclined protruding threads having a protruding amount from the obverse face gradually increasing from the inner end toward the outer end.
US08327390B2
Extensions to operating systems or software applications can be hosted in virtual environments to fault isolate the extension. A generic proxy extension invoked by a host process can coordinate the invocation of an appropriate extension in a virtual process that can provide the same support APIs as the host process. Furthermore, a user mode context can be provided to the extension in the virtual process through memory copying or page table modifications. In addition, the virtual process, especially a virtual operating system process running on a virtual machine, can be efficiently started by cloning a coherent state. A coherent state can be created when a virtual machine starts up, or when the computing device starts up and the appropriate parameters are observed and saved. Alternatively, the operating system can create a coherent state by believing there is an additional CPU during the boot process.
US08327378B1
A method, system, and a computer program product for gracefully stopping a multi-threaded application. An aspect of the present invention requires each thread in a multi-threaded application to acquire a work permit before performing a task and to release the work permit after completion of the performance of the task. The multi-threaded application is stopped only when all of the work permits have been released by the threads in the application. The release of all of the set of work permits indicates that all the currently performing tasks/threads are completed, thereby “gracefully” stopping the multi-threaded application.
US08327377B2
Relationships between components in an application and the services they provide are identified, including redundant caller-callee sequences. Specific components of interest are instrumented to obtain data when they execute. Data structures are created which identify the components and their dependencies on one other. To avoid excessive overhead costs, redundant dependencies are identified. A dependency data structure can be provided for each unique dependency. When repeated instances of a dependency are detected, the associated dependency data structure can be augmented with correlation data of the repeated instances, such as transaction identifiers and sequence identifiers. Sequence identifiers identify an order in which a component is called. A flag can be used to force the creation of a new dependency data structure, and a calling component's name can be used instead of a sequence identifier. Agents report the dependency data structures to a manager to provide graph data in a user interface.
US08327376B2
Described herein are some embodiments that use smart objects in a virtual universe to conserve computing resources. Some embodiments describe a first object that detects an indication to reduce resource usage of a computing resource that supports a virtual universe. Some embodiments further describe reducing, based on detection of the indication to reduce resource usage, display quality of the first virtual object according to an order of degrees of display quality reduction that corresponds to one or more degrees of resource reduction required for the computing resource. Some embodiments further describe reducing the display quality of the first virtual object based on the first virtual object being a first category. Further, some embodiments describe a second virtual object that is not reduced in display quality while simultaneously the first virtual object is reduced in display quality. The second virtual object is second category different from the first category.
US08327371B2
A multinode server system includes several servers mutually connected, each of which processes one mesh obtained by dividing a virtual space. The virtual space is displayed as a result of processing of each mesh by the servers. A resource management node detects load states of the servers, and changes allocation of the servers to process the meshes in accordance with the load states. A network allows several clients to share the virtual space. The servers processing the meshes are changed while giving priority to an adjacent mesh beyond a server border in response to the load states.
US08327363B2
Scheduling of threads in a multi-core system running various legacy applications along with multi-core compatible applications is configured such that threads from older single thread applications are assigned fixed affinity. Threads from multi-thread/single core applications are scheduled such that one thread at a time is made available to the cores based on the thread priority preventing conflicts and increasing resource efficiency. Threads from multi-core compatible applications are handled regularly.
US08327361B2
A print control unit coupled with a printer, the print control unit having host to provide partial resource components to a complex resource generator, the partial resources components including printing instructions. The complex resource generator to generate a shell representing a complex resource, generate a partial complex resource having the partial resource components, the shell to hold the partial complex resource, and store the partial complex resource to be referenced later.
US08327356B2
A method and system for supporting Wake-on-LAN technology in a virtualized environment is described. An improved virtual switch comprises a listener, which receives a power-on message on behalf of virtual machines, extracts addresses of the virtual machines to be powered on, which are embedded in the power-on message, compares the extracted addresses with addresses of the virtual machines stored in a database, and selectively powers on those virtual machines for which the extracted and stored addresses match.
US08327340B2
An executable high-level trace file generation method provides reduced debugging effort and time, particularly on initial startup of new or modified hardware. An executable program invokes high-level application programming interfaces (APIs), to perform various tasks. Instructions within the APIs generate a trace file documenting the invoked sequence of APIs by writing a line to a trace file that documents the API and input parameters received by the API. Upon completion of execution of the API, the return value may be documented as a comment line in the trace file. The resulting trace file is then re-executable as a script and may be edited to alter the sequence of APIs invoked and/or the arguments provided. The script interpreter may be a command line interface through which the APIs are invoked, and trace files may be similarly generated that document sequences of manually entered commands.
US08327335B2
An improved method is provided for identifying a cause of a performance problem experienced by an application in a computing environment. To help a user find and isolate the problem quicker, the method proposes a unified performance analysis report that presents the most likely indicators of the source of the performance problem. The report presents performance metrics for the software services used by the application and charts the metric values over time since it is often the change in a metric that indicates a problem. Each metric chart should also include an indicator for the state of service for the application. This will help the user correlate metrics from multiple sources to the time period in which the application experienced a problem.
US08327333B2
An apparatus, method, and system of assisting a user in the process of developing software having a function to access a web service are disclosed. A determination result is generated, which indicates whether an operation test of determining whether the software under development properly operates should be performed by a first test module or a second test module. Based on the determination result, the operation test is performed by a selected one of the first test module and the second test module.
US08327332B2
In an embodiment, a computer system initiates an application debugging process for an application that is to be debugged and maps runtime object elements of the application to both code elements and graphical elements. The computer system appends portions of software code to each runtime object element so that a runtime event is outputted indicating which corresponding graphical or code element is currently being processed. The computer system accesses the outputted runtime events to determine which graphical or code element is currently being processed and, based on the accessed outputted runtime events and based on the mappings, displays the elements currently being debugged in a first view. The computer system, based on the accessed outputted runtime events and based on the mappings, switches views from the first view to a second view without restarting the application debugging process for the application being debugged.
US08327330B1
Systems and methods provide build instructions for generating output information from input information. Output information or files may be associated with a plurality of dependent input files. Build tools may be retrieved for operation on input files to generate a particular output file. A set of instructions is determined by evaluating dependencies which identify files and tools used to generate the output file. The instructions are ordered so as to reduce the number of times a build tool is retrieved and so that output files are used efficiently.
US08327320B2
A process model lean notation provides an easy to understand way to categorize the process elements of a process using a process definition grammar. Process model lean notation allows an organization to rapidly identify the process elements of a process and the interactions between the process elements, and produces a process categorization that includes an ordered sequence of the process elements. A process categorization provides a structured presentation of the process elements and clearly indicates for each process element the task accomplished, the actor responsible for and/or performing the task, the tool that may be used to perform the task, and the work product that may result by performing the task.
US08327319B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for defining interactions between two process components. For each process component, at least one inbound operation and at least one outbound operation are defined. The inbound operations can be initiated by the other process component to read or modify data encapsulated in a business object solely associated with the process component. The outbound operations can read or modify data encapsulated in a business object solely associated with the other process component. Each of the process components characterizes software implementing a respective and distinct process, and each of the process components defines a respective at least one service interface for communicating and interacting with other process components. In addition, all communication and interaction between process components takes place through the respective interfaces of the process components.
US08327314B2
A method for setting a test point is applied to dispose at least one test point on a circuit board in a trace file, which includes steps of reading the trace file, in which the trace file includes at least one trace; determining whether the trace has an initial test point; and setting a test point on the trace that does not have the initial test point. According to the method for setting a test point, cost and time for manually disposing the test point are saved, and an error rate when the test point is arranged is further reduced, thereby effectively improving production efficiency of the circuit board.
US08327313B2
A re-routing method for a circuit diagram includes the following steps. At least one pair of the signal lines is obtained from a routed circuit diagram. The routed circuit diagram is adapted to be laid out on a substrate of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The substrate includes warp wires and weft wires. At least one pair of the signal lines includes two signal lines in parallel. The pair of signal lines includes several pairs of line segments. It is determined whether at least one pair of parallel line segments exists in the pairs of line segments parallel to the warp or weft wires. If at least one pair of parallel line segments exists, at least one pair of parallel line segments on the routed circuit diagram is replaced with several pairs of 10-degree lines. Respective angle between the 10-degree lines and the warp or weft wires are 10 degrees.
US08327308B2
An integrated circuit designing apparatus for designing a semiconductor integrated circuit. The designing includes verifying the timing based on delay information included in the design data, the delay information is extracted from results of placing and wiring of the semiconductor integrated circuit; determining whether each value of hold-time errors generated as a result of the timing verification is smaller than a criteria value; extracting, when the value of a hold-time error is smaller than the criteria value, a wiring line in which the hold-time error is improved by performing a wiring line extension process, the wiring line is included in a path having the hold-time error; calculating, for the extracted wiring line, a wiring line extension distance corresponding to an insertion delay value that improves the hold-time error; and performing the wiring line extension process to extend the extracted wiring line by the calculated wiring line extension distance.
US08327296B2
The subject matter of this document can be implemented in, among other things, a method that includes displaying, on a user interface of a computing device, a base portion of a keyboard. The method further includes receiving, on the user interface, a user input that includes initiating a contact at a first region of the user interface that is associated with the base portion of the keyboard, moving the contact, while maintaining connection with the user interface, to a second region of the user interface that is outside the first region and that is associated with an extended portion of the keyboard, and releasing the contact at a location within the second region. The method further includes activating a selection in the extended portion of the keyboard based on the location within the second region at which the contact is released.
US08327295B2
There is provided an information processing apparatus, including a direction detection unit that detects a drawing direction of a locus drawn in an input process of a gesture when the gesture is input, a gesture search unit that searches for the gesture matching the drawing direction of the locus detected by the direction detection unit from among a plurality of predetermined gestures, and an auxiliary information display unit that displays a search result by the gesture search unit in a screen as auxiliary information each time the drawing direction of the locus is detected by the direction detection unit.
US08327294B2
Method and system to reduce workload and skills required in usage of mouse or other pointing devices
A method and system are disclosed for controlling operation of a cursor on a display screen of a computer system. In the operation of the computer system, one or more areas on the display screen are designated as user interface areas for receiving input from a user via a Graphical User Interface. The preferred method of this invention comprises the steps of, for each of the user interface areas, designating an area on the display screen as an associated cursor-auto area; and the user applying input to the computer system to move the cursor on the display screen and into one of the cursor-auto areas. When the cursor moves into said one of the cursor-auto areas, the computer system automatically performs a predefined operation to associate visually the cursor with the user interface area associated with said one of the cursor-auto areas.
US08327288B1
Systems and methods are disclosed for facilitating the display and use of objects in content creation environments, for example, by ensuring minimum object size properties for objects that would otherwise appear small or invisible. Various methods evaluate how to display objects in a collection or arrangement of objects while addressing potential conflicts and paradoxes that might otherwise exist based on the how size properties of the objects are defined in relation to one another. Certain embodiments facilitate improved display of nested containers including those whose size properties are defined as size to content. Certain embodiments also facilitate the improved display of containers whose children's size properties depend upon container size properties.
US08327287B2
A plurality of character input key images are displayed on the screen. One character is displayed on the screen as an undetermined character in a cyclic order from among a group of characters associated with one of the character input key images each time a button provided on the pointing device is operated while the character input key image is being pointed at by a pointing device. When the position pointed at by the pointing device moves out of the character input key image associated with the undetermined character being displayed on the screen, the undetermined character is displayed as a determined character on the screen. Thus, it is possible to suppress the lowering of the character input speed and the possibility of erroneous inputs while reducing the total number of keys required for inputting characters.
US08327286B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system, and media for intelligently presenting buttons that correspond to running windows as well as a set of application launchers that launch instances of software applications. One version of the method includes receiving an indication that an instance of a software application has been invoked by a launching mechanism, which leads to creating a windowed process in which to present the instance of the software application; determining that at least one of the application launchers was the launching mechanism; automatically removing the launcher(s) from view; and presenting a button that corresponds to the windowed process.
US08327285B2
Text that is selected at a virtual keyboard is submitted to and displayed at an application data field and is echoed at a keyboard data field that is in relatively close proximity to virtual keys used to select the text. Thus, a user does not have to alter their field of view to the application data field to determine what was submitted to the application data field.
US08327280B2
A system and method for visually indicating one or more problems in a graphical program. The graphical program may be programmatically analyzed to discover a problem (or potential problem) in the graphical program. The problem found during the programmatic analysis of the graphical program may then be visually indicated on a display device. Visually indicating the problem may comprise visually indicating one or more objects in the graphical program to which the problem corresponds. Visually indicating the graphical program object(s) may comprise displaying information or altering the appearance of the object(s) in order to call the user's attention to the object(s).
US08327277B2
Techniques to automatically manage overlapping objects are described. An apparatus may include a context module operative to receive context information for a multimedia event, and determine various context parameters and control parameters for the multimedia event. The apparatus may further comprise a blending module communicatively coupled to the context module, the blending module operative to receive multiple media content streams for multiple media content views for the multimedia event, and blend the media content streams for the multiple media content views based on one or more control parameters to form a blended media content stream. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08327274B2
A method and device are provided for customizing a model entity presentation based on a presentation policy. The method comprises: applying the presentation policy to a first model to generate a presentation model; creating a model entity thereof according to the first model; reading model content from the first model and reading presentation data from the presentation model; and applying the read model content and presentation data to the model entity. The presentation model and core model of data are separated, and their association may be configured through a presentation policy in real-time during operation. The real-time and dynamic configuration of the method and device provide enhanced flexibility for users.
US08327272B2
In accordance with some embodiments, a computer-implemented method is performed at a portable multifunction device with a touch screen display. The touch screen display includes a long axis, a short axis, a portrait view and a landscape view. The computer-implemented method includes executing a calendar application. In response to detecting the portable multifunction device in a first orientation that comprises a substantially vertical orientation of the long axis, a calendar is displayed for a first time period in the portrait view. In response to detecting the portable multifunction device in a second orientation that comprises the substantially vertical orientation of the short axis, a calendar is displayed for a second time period in the landscape view. The second time period is longer than and includes the first time period.
US08327271B2
A method and system is provided for testing and analyzing websites via a test-enabled web browser. In the representative embodiment a user controls a test-enabled web browser via a set of pull-down menus, thereby choosing between alternative testing and analysis functional capabilities, selecting files in which to store recordings (scripts), choosing files into which to place test results and messages, and setting various parameters that affect how the testing and analysis functions are performed. When the user requests it, the representative embodiment provides for deep recording of user interactions as they relate to a specific web page currently on display in the browser view area, for extracting key information from the current web page sufficient to validate that a future playback does or does not produce the same effects on the chosen website page, for playing back a prior recording to confirm that a website page continues to pass the user-defined tests, and for providing detailed analyses based on the specific contents of the current website page. The general result of systematic use of the test-enabled browser on websites is improved content quality, demonstrated website server behavior for deep tests, quicker delivery by the website server, and better serviceability for e-business.
US08327267B2
Disclosed herein is an image data processing method for processing image data forming a video material includes, an obtaining step of obtaining image data at a plurality of points in time forming the video material, from the video material, and a generating step of generating image data for display to display the image data at the plurality of points in time obtained in the obtaining step in a grouped state in a display area corresponding to the video material within a story board display area in which a plurality of materials are arranged.
US08327258B2
Automated form filling for mobile devices that provides reliable and accurate information to the forms, is easy to use, and is scaleable. A server-side approach is utilized, in which online applications for a mobile device are invoked on a server through a server-side proxy/cache. The proxy scans the content that is generated by the application for transmission to the mobile device to find forms that may be embedded in the content. When a form is encountered, fields of the form are filled with stored information based on automatically generated mapping information.
US08327252B2
A data receiving apparatus includes: a header analyzing unit that analyzes a header of a frame and outputs header information; a checksum judging unit that calculates and judges a checksum of the frame; a buffer unit that stores a data portion of the frame; a reading unit that reads connection information corresponding to the header information from a second storage unit; an identifying unit that identifies a write location for the data portion based on the connection information; a data writing unit that reads data from the buffer unit and starts writing the data to the identified write location in a first storage unit before the checksum is judged; and a writing unit that, if the judgment result is “pass,” writes the connection information updated based on the header information to the second storage unit while the data writing unit is writing.
US08327250B1
Verifying data integrity and parity consistency of data blocks in an array of mass storage devices includes retrieving a row parity algebraic signature and a diagonal parity algebraic signature for one or more data blocks, a row parity block and a diagonal parity block. The row parity algebraic signatures of the one or more data blocks are logically combined to generate a first result and the first result is compared to the retrieved row parity algebraic signature for the row parity block. The diagonal parity algebraic signatures of the one or more data blocks and the row parity block are logically combined to generate a second result and the second result is compared to the retrieved diagonal parity algebraic signature for the diagonal parity block.
US08327249B2
Methods and apparatus for performing parity and/or ECC operations are disclosed. An example method includes determining that an opcode is being transmitted on a bus and determining if the transmitted opcode is a memory operation. In the event the transmitted opcode is a memory write operation, the example method includes calculating a parity bit for data associated with the opcode, writing the calculated parity bit to a parity table and writing the data to a memory. The example method also includes, in the event the transmitted opcode is the memory read operation, recovering data from a previously written memory, calculating a parity bit for the recovered data, recovering a previously stored parity bit for the recovered data, comparing the parity bit for the recovered data with the previously stored parity bit and, in the event the recovered data parity bit does not match the previously stored parity bit, providing an error notification.
US08327247B2
The present techniques provide systems and methods for decoding an optical data signal returned from an optical disc to retrieve source information. The decoding method is based on a 16 state trellis diagram, and may decode an optical data signal encoded through a modulation code where the input-to-output relationship is not convolutional, such as the 17 Parity Preserve/Prohibit (17pp) modulation code. A trellis diagram may enable non-convolutional trellis-modulated data to be more efficiently decoded. Further, the 16 state trellis diagram of the present techniques provides a unique path for each input-to-output bit pair, such that no information about input bits may be lost on parallel paths in a trellis diagram.
US08327246B2
A method and system for writing in flash memory, the system operative for, and the method comprising, writing data onto a plurality of logical pages characterized by a plurality of different probabilities of error respectively, the writing including encoding data intended for each of the plurality of physical pages using a redundancy code with a different code rate for each individual physical page, the code rate corresponding to the probability of error in the individual logical page.
US08327242B1
Methods for Error Correction Code (ECC) decoding include producing syndromes from a set of bits, which represent data that has been encoded with the ECC. An Error Locator Polynomial (ELP) is generated based on the syndromes. At least some of the ELP roots are identified, and the errors indicated by these roots are corrected. Each syndrome may be produced by applying to the bits vector operations in a vector space. Each syndrome is produced by applying vector operations using a different basis of the vector space. The ELP may be evaluated on a given field element by operating on ELP coefficients using serial multipliers, wherein each serial multiplier performs a sequence of multiplication cycles and produces an interim result in each cycle. Responsively to detecting at least one interim result indicating that the given element is not an ELP root, the multiplication cycles are terminated before completion of the sequence.
US08327233B2
Forward Error Correction (FEC) coding is performed on data packets to generate verifying packets; corresponding information independent of a packet sequence number (SN) and denoting a corresponding relation between the data packets and the verifying packets is carried in the data packets, or in the verifying packets, or in the data packets and the verifying packets; the data packets and the verifying packets are transmitted by using a protocol based on a User Datagram Protocol (UDP). A method for receiving data packets and devices for transmitting and receiving data packets are further described. Thus, a receiving terminal correctly can recover lost data packets after a relay device modifies the packet SN.
US08327228B2
Methods and apparatus relating to home agent data and memory management are described. In one embodiment, a scrubber logic corrects an error at a location in a memory corresponding to a target address by writing back the corrected version of data to the target location. In an embodiment, a map out logic maps out an index or way of a directory cache in response to a number of errors, corresponding to the directory cache, exceeding a threshold value. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08327225B2
Electronic apparatus, systems, and methods to construct and operate the electronic apparatus and/or systems include a stack of memory dies with user data and/or first level error correction data stored in a stripe across the memory dies. One such stack can include a second level error correction vault, such as a parity vault, to store parity data corresponding to the user data and/or first level error correction data. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08327224B2
Methods for data recovery and memory systems are provided. According to at least one such method, when defective data is read from a memory location, the data is recovered by an XOR operation on the remaining good data and associated RAID data to reconstruct the defective data. The defective data is excluded from the XOR operation.
US08327219B2
Disclosed is an apparatus having a detector for an iterative LDPC-coded MIMO-OFDM system, where the detector is configured to use a structured irregular LDPC code in conjunction with a belief propagation algorithm. Also disclosed is an apparatus having a detector for a structured irregular LDPC-coded MIMO-OFDM system, where the detector is configured to use an iterative Recursive Least Squares-based data detection and channel estimation technique. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also disclosed.
US08327218B2
A storage device and data processing method thereof is described. The invention provides different ECC for different memory pages. The storage device uses the long-bit ECC for easy interference page, and uses the short-bit ECC for hard interference page. Therefore, the accuracy of the data is maintained and the reading/writing speed is increased.
US08327217B1
A probability is determined, including by obtaining a set of probability ratios, wherein each probability ratio in the set is a ratio of a first probability to a second probability. A probability P(Em=z) that an mth error symbol Em has a level of z is determining based at least in part on one or more dominant error patterns.
US08327203B2
A process of selecting alternative test circuitry within an integrated circuit enables a test access port. Scan test instruction data is loaded into an instruction register of a test access port TAP, the instruction data including information for selecting the alternative test circuitry. An Update-IR instruction update operation is performed at the end of the loading to output scan test control signals from the instruction register. A lockout signal is changed to an active state to disable the test access port and enable scan test circuits.
US08327202B2
A scan system comprises a scan engine adapted to receive a scan request from a host system for performing a scan test on a system-under-test. The scan engine comprises dedicated logic where a state of the dedicated logic is adapted to control processing of the scan request on the system-under-test.
US08327199B1
Integrated circuits (ICs) with configurable test pins and a method of testing an IC are disclosed. An IC has input/output (I/O) pins that can be configured either as a test input pin, a test output pin or a user I/O pin. Selector circuits are used to selectively route and couple the I/O pins to various logic blocks and test circuitry on the IC. Selector circuits are also used to selectively couple either a user output or a test output to different I/O pins on the IC. Switches are used to configure the selector circuits and route test signals within the IC. Different configurations of the switches determine how the signals are routed. Test input signals from an I/O pin may be routed to any test circuitry within the IC and test output signals from a test circuit may be routed to any I/O pin on the IC.
US08327197B2
According to an aspect of an embodiment, an apparatus has a first storage, a read write unit for reading and writing data from/into the first storage, a first error detector for detecting an error of data read out from the first storage, an address storage for storing an address of the first storage, a determining unit for determining whether an address of the first storage in which data to be written is matched with the error detected address, a second storage for storing data to be written into the first storage when the address of the first storage in which the data to be written is matched with the error detected address, a second error detector for detecting an error of data read out from the second storage and a selector for outputting one of the data stored in the first storage or the second storage.
US08327188B2
The described embodiments provide a processor (e.g., processor 102) for executing instructions. During execution, the processor starts by transactionally executing instructions from a protected section of program code. The processor then encounters a transactional failure condition while transactionally executing the instructions from the protected section of program code. In response to encountering the transactional failure condition, the processor enters a transactional-scout mode and speculatively executes subsequent instructions in the transactional-scout mode.
US08327187B1
Managing processes in a computing system comprising one or more cores includes receiving a request for a first process on a first core to execute with at least one predetermined task of an operating system disabled on the first core. In response to the request, the operating system determines whether one or more potential errors in execution of one or more processes other than the first process executing on the first core would be caused by disabling the predetermined task on the first core. The operating system grants the request or rejects the request in response to determining whether one or more potential errors in execution of one or more processes other than the first process executing on the first core would be caused by disabling the predetermined task on the first core.
US08327185B1
A method for storing data. The method including receiving a request to write data. In response the request, selecting, a grid location in a grid to write the data, writing the data to memory, updating a data structure to indicate that the grid location is filled. The method further includes determining, using the data structure, whether a data grid in the grid is filled, where the grid location is in the data grid and based on a determination that the data grid is filled: calculating parity values for the grid using the data, determining a physical address in persistent storage corresponding to the grid location, writing the data to a physical location in persistent storage corresponding to the physical address, and writing the parity values to the persistent storage.
US08327184B2
Unique information including a logical type name is stored in a user data area of a management area as a media of the alternative disk drive to become an alternative of the storage device. Upon using the alternative disk drive, a disk controller reads the unique information of the alternative disk drive, and determines that copy back is unnecessary when the rotating speed and capacity belonging to the unique information of the alternative disk drive are the same as the rotating speed and capacity of the failed disk drive belonging to RAID, and otherwise determines that copy back is necessary.
US08327183B2
A switch connected to a network system including a computer and a storage apparatus: controlling read/write request from the computer to the storage apparatus and controlling to store journal data in the storage apparatus; wherein the storage apparatus includes a first storage area for storing data to be used by the computer and a second storage area for storing journal data including write data and first update log information corresponding to the write data when there is a write request from the computer for writing data in the first storage area; wherein when the switch detects an event of status change related to the network system, the switch marks a first point of time corresponding to the event as a recovery request point, and creates second update log information corresponding to the recovery request point.
US08327177B2
A storage device, such as a hard disk drive or solid state drive, reduces energy consumption by entering a reduced power state after an inactivity time where the inactivity time is set based upon I/O commands received at the storage device. For example, where commands received at a storage device are characterized in a predetermined way in terms of read commands, such as a last received command as a read command or a ratio of read commands versus write commands, a first inactivity time is applied, while commands characterized in a predetermined way in terms of write commands have a second inactivity time applied. Using a greater inactivity time during read activities than during write activities provides improved performance with reduced power consumption.
US08327175B2
A processing unit includes an instruction fetch unit that is configured to process a compiled instruction that includes a plurality of fields. The plurality of fields includes a flag field that identifies memory blocks to be activated for fetching a next instruction. Each of the memory blocks has stored therein one or more fields used to form the next instruction and assigned to the memory blocks in a predetermined way. A block enable signal generator is configured to generate at least one block enable signal to selectively activate the memory blocks in the predetermined way. The flag field is included in fields of an instruction having the shortest length among instructions of the processing unit.
US08327171B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that enables a computing device to save additional power by entering a “hibernation mode,” wherein the active state of the computing device is preserved in non-volatile storage while power to volatile storage is turned off. During operation, the system reanimates a computing device from a hibernation image by restoring reanimation code from the hibernation image and then executing the reanimation code. While executing this reanimation code, the system restores the rest of the hibernation image by, reading compressed data containing the rest of the hibernation image, and decompressing the compressed data using computational circuitry within the computing device. During this process, the decompression operations are overlapped with the reading operations to improve performance.
US08327168B2
A power throttling method and system for a memory controller in a computer system comprising a power supply module including a plurality of bulk power supplies (“BPSs”) are described. In one embodiment, each of the at BPSs provides to a power output monitor a status signal indicative of a status thereof. Responsive to receipt of the status signals, the power output monitor determines whether a bulk power supply capacity is below system power requirements. Responsive to a positive determination, the power output monitor drives a throttle control signal to the memory controller to a level indicative of an over-threshold state.
US08327167B2
A primary computing device and a secondary computing device couple with an internal storage component of the primary device powered by, and data accessed by either the first or secondary computing device. The internal storage component includes multiple connectors for connecting internal buses and external buses over which data can be accessed, internally or externally. It includes an internal storage unit (in general, at least one storage unit, and multiple storage units are supported) to which data can be written and from which data can be read. It also includes arbitration and isolation circuitry that makes it possible to access the internal storage unit (for read/write data access, etc.) over one of the buses. The arbitration and an isolation circuitry also facilitates powering the internal storage component employing power supplied by an internal power source, or via an external power source, such as power from an USB connection.
US08327154B1
A method to configure a programmable device is disclosed. The method includes receiving a scrambled configuration data at the programmable device. A bit sequence of a device tag that is stored in the programmable device is verified by determining whether the bit sequence of the device tag stored in the programmable device matches a bit sequence of a device tag within the scrambled configuration data. If the bit sequences match, the scrambled configuration data is transferred to a data re-formatter for descrambling. The descrambled configuration data is then transferred to a configuration memory of the programmable device. Circuitry that enables the method is also disclosed.
US08327149B2
Indicating data currentness includes, on any date of a sequence of dates, issuing a proof indicating the currentness status of the data during a particular time interval. The proof may be a digital signature. The time interval may be in the form of a current date and an amount of time. The proof may include a digital signature of the time interval. The proof may include a digital signature of the time interval and the data. The proof may include a digital signature of the time interval and a compact form of the data, such as a hash. Indicating data currentness may also include distributing the proofs to a plurality of unsecure units that respond to requests by users for the proofs. Indicating data currentness may also include gathering a plurality of separate pieces of data and providing a single proof for the separate pieces of data. The data may be electronic documents.
US08327148B2
A mobile system, a service system, and a key authentication method to manage a key in a local wireless communication are provided. The mobile system and the service system may generate a hash value with respect to a public key of the service system using an identical hash function, and output a result corresponding to the hash value.
US08327139B2
A system and method for securely exchanging sensitive information with an implantable medical device is presented. A crypto key stored on an implantable medical device is retrieved by a programmer via a secure short range interface. Sensitive information is encrypted as sensitive data using the crypto key. The encrypted data is stored on the implantable medical device.
US08327137B1
A virtualized computer system includes at least one guest environment (guest), a service guest environment (SG) and trusted software. The at least one guest includes at least one driver having a first private message interface. The SG includes a first USB host controller (HC) driver, which is in communication with a USB HC. The first USB HC driver includes a second private message interface. The trusted software is in communication with the guest and the SG. The trusted software includes a data intercept/routing mechanism that facilitates secure communication between at least one USB device coupled to the USB HC and the guest using the first and second private message interfaces.
US08327132B2
A method of certificate provisioning is provided for entities that are not associated with a domain. In some implementations, certificate provisioning methods allow non-domain-joined entities to request and receive certificates through an automated process with a certificate provisioning portal. Through the automated process, the identity of the client may be verified using security identity information. The security identity information may include a pre-shared secret or a previously issued certificate from a trusted Certificate Authority.
US08327130B2
Systems and methods are provided for issuing unique identification credentials to a plurality of devices, and their constituent components, in an industrial control system. Identification credentials are granted by an identification authority and conveyed to each of the credentialed devices and/or component through an identity token. The identification credentials include (1) a unique device identifier, (2) an identification authority component identifier, and (3) an indication of the location of the identification authority component. To secure the issued credentials, such credentials are encrypted and the identification token can be embedded with biometrics features. Identification credentials provide for the following prominent features: (i) Secure access to a device form a client and (ii) determination a topology of a set of credentialed devices in an industrial control system. The topology is network agnostic and facilitates organizational modeling of processes in the industrial control system.
US08327127B2
A user agent in a Web access device transmits an HTTP request for Web content to an origin server. The request contains a set of capabilities of the Web access device. A content authoring mechanism and adaptation determination service on the origin server process the request to determine what transformation is required to make the requested content fit the capabilities of the Web access device. The adaptation determination service invokes a niche transformation service that performs, in response to the content and the capabilities, the necessary transformation. The transformed Web content is transmitted to the user agent.
US08327126B2
A processor has multiple cores with each core having an associated function to support processor operations. The functions performed by the cores are selectively altered to improve processor operations by balancing the resources applied for each function. For example, each core comprises a field programmable array that is selectively and dynamically programmed to perform a function, such as a floating point function or a fixed point function, based on the number of operations that use each function. As another example, a processor is built with a greater number of cores than can be simultaneously powered, each core associated with a function, so that cores having functions with lower utilization are selectively powered down.
US08327122B2
A context switch method capable of promptly switching a context for a dynamically generated task and a dynamic link by converting a state of multiple register files, switching the context, and separately restoring and storing the context. That is, the context switch method includes: maintaining a multiple register files; establishing the multiple register to be in any one of a prefetch state, a current state, and a store state; converting a state of the multiple register files to be in any one of the prefetch state, the current state, and the store state when a context switch occurs; wherein, in the prefetch state, determining a memory address to read a next task context to be subsequently performed by the register file, in the current state, performing a task with the task context of the register file and in the store state, storing the register file in a memory.
US08327120B2
Methods and apparatus relating to instructions with floating point control override are described. In an embodiment, floating point operation settings indicated by a floating point control register may be overridden on a per instruction basis. In an embodiment, at least one of the one or more floating point operation settings is to cause a modification to one of the one or more default settings during execution of the instruction, wherein the second logic is to perform the floating point operation, at least in part, based on the modified default setting. Other embodiments are also described.
US08327119B2
An apparatus executes a bit scan instruction that specifies an N-byte input operand. A first encoder forward bit scan encodes each input byte to generate N first bit vectors. A zero detector zero-detects each input byte to generate a second bit vector. A second encoder forward bit scan encodes the second bit vector to generate a third bit vector. An N:1 multiplexor, controlled by the third bit vector, selects one of the N first bit vectors to output a fourth bit vector. The apparatus concatenates the third and fourth bit vectors into a fifth bit vector that indicates the bit index of the least significant set bit of the input operand. A third encoder forward bit scan encodes a bit-reversed version of each input by to generate N sixth bit vectors. A fourth encoder forward bit scan encodes a bit-reversed version of the second bit vector to generate a seventh bit vector. A second N:1 multiplexor, controlled by the seventh bit vector, selects one of the N sixth bit vectors to output an eighth bit vector. Selection logic selects a concatenation of the third and fourth bit vectors into the fifth bit vector if an input indicates forward bit scan, and the selection logic selects an inverted version of a concatenation of the seventh and eighth bit vectors into the fifth bit vector if the input indicates reverse bit scan.
US08327116B1
An off-load for processing a data frame containing information has a memory for storing information on a plurality of processing paths. A processor in the off-load engine determines which processing path the data frame is to be processed. Each one of a plurality of processing engines processes the data frame depending on whether the processing engine is within the determined processing path. Some of the processing engines are implemented in hardware and/or data frame type specific software and others makes use of generic software. In some embodiments, the data frame is also parsed for further processing by the processing engines. In some embodiments, a static header is also pre-pended to the data frame to allow easy access to information associated with the data frame by the processing engines.
US08327113B2
A dynamic reconfiguration to include on-line addition, deletion, and replacement of individual modules of to support dynamic partitioning of a system, interconnect (link) reconfiguration, memory RAS to allow migration and mirroring without OS intervention, dynamic memory reinterleaving, CPU and socket migration, and support for global shared memory across partitions is described. To facilitate the on-line addition or deletion, the firmware is able to quiesce and de-quiesce the domain of interest so that many system resources, such as routing tables and address decoders, can be updated in what essentially appears to be an atomic operation to the software layer above the firmware.
US08327110B2
The temporary area capacity required to be secured with respect to the whole permanent area is calculated in accordance with the capacity and access frequency of a host computer data permanent area of a disk device contained in the storage system and a disk device of an external storage device that is managed by a storage virtualization function of this storage system. The nonvolatile memory is defined as the temporary area and is used to temporarily store host computer data when a data I/O from the host computer is processed. The required capacity of the temporary area is re-calculated in accordance with an event such as a configuration change in the external storage system.
US08327098B2
Nearline disaster recovery (“nearline DR”) storage systems and methods that permit the use of previously restored stored data from a near time period by virtual applications operating off a backup storage location during the period of disaster recovery at a primary site. This is generally referred to as a “nearline DR storage process.”
US08327095B2
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for maintaining information of a relationship of target volumes comprising logical copies of a source volume. Information is maintained on a source volume having a plurality of data units and a plurality of target volumes created at different points-in-time maintaining a logical copy of the data units in the source volume for the different points-in-time. A source downstream pointer is generated for each data unit in the source volume to point to a corresponding data unit in a first target volume. For each target volume data unit whose data is maintained in the source volume or another one of the target volumes, a first upstream pointer is generated indicating one of the source and target volumes from which the target volume data unit inherits data. For each target volume data unit whose data is maintained in the source volume or another one of the target volumes, generating a second upstream pointer indicating one of the source and target volumes having the data for the data unit.
US08327093B2
A unique system and method for ordering commands may reduce disc access latency while giving preference to pending commands. The method and system involves giving preference to pending commands in a set of priority queues. The method and system involve identifying a pending command and processing other non-pending commands in route to the pending command if performance will not be penalized in doing so. The method and system include a list of command node references referring to a list of sorted command nodes that are to be scheduled for processing.
US08327088B2
Disclosed is an isolation-free in-circuit programming system including an in-circuit programmer and an application board connected to the in-circuit programmer through a peripheral interface bus and having a bus controller and a memory, wherein the bus controller is connected to the memory through a system bus, in which the in-circuit programmer includes a leakage current discharging circuit connected to the bus controller for detouring a leakage current flowing from the memory or the in-circuit programmer to the bus controller to flow therethrough. The in-circuit programmer also includes an input level shifter for receiving data signals from the memory and adjusting the high-level input voltage of the in-circuit programmer to decode any weak high-level output voltage from the memory, thereby allowing the high-level output voltage of the memory to be higher than the high-level input voltage of the in-circuit programmer.
US08327085B2
An approach is provided that uses a hypervisor to allocate a shared memory pool amongst a set of partitions (e.g., guest operating systems) being managed by the hypervisor. The hypervisor retrieves memory related metrics from shared data structures stored in a memory, with each of the shared data structures corresponding to a different one of the partitions. The memory related metrics correspond to a usage of the shared memory pool allocated to the corresponding partition. The hypervisor identifies a memory stress associated with each of the partitions with this identification based in part on the memory related metrics retrieved from the shared data structures. The hypervisor then reallocates the shared memory pool amongst the plurality of partitions based on the identified memory stress of the plurality of partitions.
US08327080B1
A technique protects host data. The technique involves receiving, at a local computerized node, a block of data from a host computer, the block of data including data sub-blocks. The technique further involves storing the block of data, as a dirty cache block, in a local cache of the local computerized node. The technique further involves performing a set of external caching operations to cache a set of sub-blocks in a set of external computerized nodes in communication with the local computerized node. Each external caching operation caches a respective sub-block of the set of sub-blocks in a cache of a respective external computerized node. The set of sub-blocks includes (i) the data sub-blocks of the block of data from the host and (ii) a set of checksums derived from the data sub-blocks of the block of data from the host.
US08327071B1
In a multiprocessor system level 2 caches are positioned on the memory side of a routing crossbar rather than on the processor side of the routing crossbar. This configuration permits the processors to store messages directly into each other's caches rather than into system memory or their own coherent caches. Therefore, inter-processor communication latency is reduced.
US08327067B2
A nonvolatile memory system comprises a nonvolatile memory having a plurality of data areas; and a memory controller operative to control read and write operations to the nonvolatile memory. The memory controller successively executes read/write operations to plural sectors within a selected data area in the nonvolatile memory in accordance with a command and a sector count and sector address fed from a host device.
US08327052B2
Systems and/or methods are provided that facilitate employing a variable read latency on a serial memory bus. In an aspect, a memory can utilize an undefined amount of time to obtain data from a memory array and prepare the data for transfer on the serial memory bus. The serial memory bus can be driven to a defined state. When data is ready for transfer, the memory can assert a start bit on the serial memory bus to notify a host prior to initiating the data transfer.
US08327051B2
In one embodiment, a portable handheld memory card may include a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, USB controller circuitry, an input/output (I/O) port, a memory, and decompression circuitry configured to decompress compressed data stored in the memory. The memory card includes a housing storing the memory and exposing the USB port and the I/O port. The USB port and I/O port may be positioned to allow a same card-insertion direction irrespective of whether a host device comprises a mating USB port or a mating I/O port. In another embodiment, the memory card includes decryption circuitry to decrypt encrypted data stored in the memory, a power management unit, a host interface module, and circuitry configured to control read and write operations to the memory. The I/O port may include a Secure Digital port, and the memory may include Flash memory. Other embodiments are provided, and each of the embodiments described herein can be used alone or in combination with one another.
US08327049B2
An electrical process interface device for provision in a low control and protection level of a Substation Automation or Distribution Automation system; the device includes a process interface unit for interfacing the electrical process at the low control and protection level, which unit has a number of parallel data connections on which I/O data related to control and protective devices on higher control and protection levels may be transmitted. The device also includes a signal conversion unit connected to the data connections, which unit packets data of the data connections according to a communication standard used by control and protective devices on the at least one higher control and protection level for allowing data to be directly transmitted between the electrical interface device on the low control and protection level and other devices on higher control and protection levels.
US08327048B2
Methods and systems for communicating information through a USB device using suspend/resume states are presented. A USB host stops transmitting Start-of-Frame (SOF) packets to a USB device, causing the USB device to enter a sleep/suspend state. The USB host then restarts the transmission of SOF packets to trigger the USB device back into a normal/resume state. The USB host repeats this process in a temporal pattern corresponding to a message, such that a circuit monitoring the USB device can determine the message.
US08327045B1
A system and method stores wirelessly received communications for wireless retransmission, making space in a storage device, if necessary, by deleting any one or more communications corresponding to the same group as the received communication. If storage in the storage device remains insufficient, communications that have been previously retransmitted by that same device are deleted, according to one or more characteristics of such stored communications, such as age or number of times an instance of that communication has been received. If storage in the storage device remains insufficient, communications of a different group are deleted according to one or more characteristics of the stored communications.
US08327044B2
A PIO transaction unit includes an input buffer, a response buffer, and a control unit. The input buffer may receive and store PIO write operations sent by one or more transactions sources. Each PIO write operation may include a source identifier that identifies the transaction source. The response buffer may store response operations corresponding to respective PIO write operations that are to be transmitted to the transaction source identified by the source identifier. The control unit may store a particular response operation corresponding to the given PIO write operation in the response buffer prior to the given PIO write operation being sent from the input buffer. The control unit may store the particular response operation within the response buffer if the given PIO write operation is bufferable and there is no non-bufferable PIO write operation having a same source identifier stored in the input buffer.
US08327042B2
In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method for configuring a plurality of input/output (I/O) interconnect switch ports is provided, the method comprising: starting a link training and status state machine (LTSSM) for each of the plurality of ports; placing each of the LTSSMs in a receiver detect state; changing all of the LTSSMs to a polling state only once receivers are detected or timeouts occur in the receiver detect states in each of the LTSSMs; changing all of the LTSSMs to a configuration state only once polling is successful or timeouts occur in the polling states in each of the LTSSMs; and completing the configuration state of each of the LTSSMs.
US08327036B2
The method includes in placing an instruction presence parameter in the “argument” field of a binary word defining a read/write command generated by generic management programs (drivers) for removable data storage units. This makes it possible to circumvent the limitation of the set of the commands authorized by a generic program for managing a removable data storage unit, without running the risk of data being interpreted wrongly as instructions.
US08327033B2
A data interleaving device is provided that includes an input, an output, and a data interleaver coupled to the input and the output. The input receives data originating from a plurality of processing blocks. The output transfers interleaved data to the plurality of processing blocks. The data interleaver includes a controller, at least one interconnection module, and a plurality of memories. The controller prepares a data-to-memory assignment data structure. The at least one interconnection module switches data in parallel according to the data-to-memory assignment data structure and acts identically on all data switched simultaneously in parallel. The plurality of memories store the switched data. The data interleaver interleaves data received from the input and provides the interleaved data at the output.
US08327025B2
Publishing of a message divided into two portions, one portion not requiring computer recognition of it's content while another portion requires recognition of it's content. The non-recognized portion is published as-is with minimal processing by the system due to it being suited for easy human understanding of that respective portion (e.g., hand-written text). The recognized portion is processed by optical recognition software so that the output of the recognition process is an accurate representation of that information portion. The portion requiring recognition can be a critical portion such as in the case of the price for a food item on a daily specials menu, as one non-limiting example. In further aspects, messages can be published on a time and date scheduled basis.
US08327021B2
A technique of finding connectivity solutions for network elements to be switched into a path selected in a network managed by a network management system (NMS), wherein each network element comprises input ports and output ports, each of the ports enabling a plurality of connection points, the technique including providing, at the level of NMS, a connectivity table (CT) comprising data on possible internal connections between connection points of any input port and any output port of any of the network elements managed by the NMS. The technique enables, whenever a particular network element is selected with its input port and its output port to be used in the path, obtaining a connectivity solution for the particular network element at the level of NMS.
US08327015B2
A system and method for conveying data include the capability to determine whether a transaction request credit has been received at a computer module, the transaction request credit indicating that at least a portion of a transaction request message may be sent. The system and method also include the capability to determine, if a transaction request message is to be sent, whether at least a portion of the transaction request message may be sent and to send the at least a portion of the transaction request message if it may be sent.
US08327007B2
Systems and methods for SNMP access are disclosed. A computer-implemented method of SNMP access includes mapping a MIB object in a MIB into an XML object in an XML document, generating a class library based on the XML document, creating a service object representative of a service associated with SNMP access to the MIB object, and linking the class library according to the service object to perform the service.
US08327005B2
A method is provided to communicate media information over a network comprising: in response to a request from a first application running on a first endpoint device for a media connection with a second application running on a second endpoint device, sending a request over a network for a media connection with the second application; wherein the media connection request includes an application identifier (AppID) associated with the first application; sending an authorization request to an application manager server to obtain authorization for the requested media connection; wherein the authorization request includes the AppID associated with the first application; communicating control information over a control session set up between the first endpoint device and the second endpoint device; wherein the control information includes the AppID associated with the first application; and communicating media information over a media session.
