US08349230B2
The present invention provides spherical rubber chemicals and the method for preparing the same. The spherical rubber chemicals of the present invention include spherical antioxidants, spherical vulcanization agents, spherical processing aids, spherical reinforcing agents, or spherical adhesive agents. With the spherical rubber chemicals of the present invention, the shortcomings of powdery or semi-spherical rubber chemicals are overcome, including eliminating the dust pollution during granulation procedure and avoiding the raw material loss and the environmental pollution, while solving the quality problem of lower melting point of product caused by the presence of fine powder crystal. Furthermore, the resultant rubber chemicals has an improved smoothness of surface, which is helpful to improve the flowing and mixing behaviors of the rubber chemicals in mixing or open milling process with rubbers.
US08349226B2
For increasing the laser damage threshold (LDT) of diffraction gratings, particularly of multi-layer dielectric diffraction (MLD) gratings, the invention proposes a method for treating a diffraction grating to be used in a high energy laser apparatus having a first laser with the steps of providing the diffraction grating, providing a second treatment laser and irradiating the diffraction grating with laser light from the second treatment laser until the laser damage threshold of the diffraction grating has increased.Furthermore, the invention proposes a diffraction grating treated according to the method, as well as a laser system, which comprises such a diffraction grating.
US08349223B1
Boronated polyphosphinohydrazide fire retardants are provided having the basic structural unit: wherein, Y is O or S; R can be selected from H, alkyl (e.g., linear, branched, saturated, or unsaturated), aryl, heterocyclic, cycloaliphatic (e.g., saturated or unsaturated), or a metallocene (e.g., ferrocene, zirconocene or the like); and n can be selected from 1 to 500.
US08349222B2
Unconventional twisted π-electron system electro-optic (EO) chromophores/compounds, compositions and related device structures. Crystallographic analysis of several non-limiting chromophores reveals, for instance, large ring-ring dihedral twist angles and a highly charge-separated zwitterionic structure in the ground state, in both solution phase and solid-state.
US08349221B2
A method of producing Prussian blue metal complex nanoparticles and Prussian blue metal complex nanoparticles obtained by the method, a dispersion of the nanoparticles, a method of regulating the color of the nanoparticles, and an electrode and a transmitted light-regulator each using the nanoparticles. Prussian blue metal complex nanoparticles are produced by: mixing an aqueous solution containing a metal cyano complex anion having metal atom MA as a central metal and an aqueous solution containing a cation of metal atom MB; thereby precipitating the crystal of a Prussian blue metal complex having the metal atom MA and the metal atom MB; and then mixing the Prussian blue metal complex with an aqueous solution containing a metal cyano complex anion having the metal atom MC as a central metal and/or an aqueous solution containing a cation of the metal atom MD.
US08349216B2
Nonconjugated conductive polymers have a ratio of double bonds to total bonds of less than ½ are used to produce compositions with unexpected non-linear optical characteristics in this invention. Large third order optical effects including quadratic electro-optic effect and two-photon absorption have been measured in nonconjugated conductive polymers after doping the polymers. Among the nonconjugated polymers are styrene-butadiene-rubber copolymer (SBR), poly(β-pinene), poly(ethylene-pyrrolediyl) derivative, polynorbornene, cis-1,4 polyisoprene and trans-1,4 polyisoprene. The enhancement of the non-linear optical effect is due to the special charge-transfer complex structure and formation of nano-optical domains. Among the doping materials are electron acceptors such as iodine and antimony pentachloride.
US08349210B2
The present invention relates to compounds represented by the following Formula I, in which R1-R6 can each independently be selected from hydrogen or hydrocarbyl (e.g., methyl); L1 is a divalent linking group, such as a bond or —OC(O)—R8—C(O)O—, where R8 can be divalent hydrocarbyl (e.g., —CH2CH2—); each L2 independently represents a flexible segment, such as divalent linear or branched C1-C25 alkyl; each L3 independently represents a rigid segment including, for example, optionally substituted phenylen-1,4-diyl groups; t is from 1 to 4; m and p are each independently from 0 to 4 for each t, provided that the sum of m and p is at least 1 for each t; and E can be hydrogen or hydrocarbyl. The present invention also relates to compositions, such as liquid crystal compositions, and articles, such as optical elements, that include the compound represented by Formula I.
US08349203B2
A method of forming a block copolymer pattern comprises providing a substrate comprising a topographic pre-pattern comprising a ridge surface separated by a height, h, greater than 0 nanometers from a trench surface; disposing a block copolymer comprising two or more block components on the topographic pre-pattern to form a layer having a thickness of more than 0 nanometers over the ridge surface and the trench surface; and annealing the layer to form a block copolymer pattern having a periodicity of the topographic pre-pattern, the block copolymer pattern comprising microdomains of self-assembled block copolymer disposed on the ridge surface and the trench surface, wherein the microdomains disposed on the ridge surface have a different orientation compared to the microdomains disposed on the trench surface.
US08349189B2
Method for the preparation of at least one compound with biological properties from blood, where said method is performed in sealed tubes at a pressure below atmospheric pressure, thereby reducing or preventing the bacterial contamination of the compound through handling. The method comprises the repetition, for as many times as is required, of the following steps: connecting a second container that is vacuum-sealed to an extraction device connected in turn to a first container that contains blood separated into fractions, waiting for a period of time until the required fraction(s) is/are transferred, and removing said second container, with it thus being possible to obtain several second containers with different compounds for different medical applications including biological therapies. The steps may be performed in a closed system, without removing the caps of the containers, or alternatively the first container may be opened prior to the introduction of the extraction device.
US08349185B2
The invention pertains to a method for rebalancing a solvent solution useful for treating photosensitive printing elements having a photopolymerizable layer. The solvent solution becomes contaminated with unpolymerized material and other materials that release from the photosensitive printing elements during washout treating, and separation of contaminates also removes some of one or more components in the used solvent solution. The method rebalances the proportion of the components in a solvent solution having 3 or more components. The method includes measuring a reclaimant, which has been separated from the contaminates, for two or more properties, calculating a mass of the components to be added to the reclaimant based on an equation generated for each measured property, and adding the mass of the component or components to the reclaimant to adjust the proportion of the components in the reclaimant to targeted proportions.
US08349182B2
The present invention concerns a fluid distributor in a multistage column, each plate P of the column being divided into a certain number of panels Pa, and each panel Pa being equipped with a distributor of the invention, said distributor comprising: a) a solid jet breaker located substantially in the axis of the outlet opening of the collecting baffle of the panel Pa; b) an intermediate perforated plate extending laterally beyond the jet breaker, with a degree of opening in the range 10% to 40%; c) a distribution plate extending over the entire panel Pa, and with a degree of opening in the range 5% to 20%.
US08349176B2
In a kind of modular integrated water purifying device, including reaction tank, sedimentation tank and filter pool, a pump is connected to the top side of the reaction tank through pipes and valves. There are variable grid hole mixing paddles in the reaction tank, forced outlet pipe at the bottom of sedimentation tank and the same-flow ramp board in the middle. The sedimentation water collector is set up below the board, with the purified water outlet tube connected. The traveling sludge sucker sits on the top of filter tank and move back and forth. Blanket-shape filters is vertically fixed in the filteration tank, the mud-suction pump below to the raveling mud-suction machine connects to the mud-suction pipe another side to the blanket-like wedge filters. At the bottom of the filteration tanker lie the water-collecting main pipe and clean water outlet, the effluent weir is fixed inside of the filteration tank.
US08349173B2
A replaceable inside out flow filter element comprises an annular filter media structure; an upper end cap attached one end of the media structure; a lower end cap attached to an opposed end of the media structure, with an inner annular bypass mounting sidewall formed on the lower end cap; a bypass valve assembly secured to the inner annular bypass mounting sidewall and configured to communicate with the radial inner side of the annular filter media structure; and an annular bypass shield tube coupled to the bypass mounting sidewall and extending above the bypass valve assembly toward the upper end cap, wherein the inner annular bypass mounting sidewall and the annular bypass shield tube combine with the radial inner side of the media structure to define an annular particulate receiving area that extends about at least ½ of the length of the media structure from the lower end cap.
US08349169B2
A control system for performing a global-decoke of a tube furnace comprising a plurality of passes.
US08349153B2
A method for fabricating a sheet-shaped electrode for an electrostatic coalescing device. A layered material structure including an electrically conductive layer for forming a conductive member of the electrode and two electrically non-conductive insulation layers are arranged in an envelope. The insulation layers include thermoplastic or thermoset material for forming the insulation of the electrode. The conductive layer is arranged between the insulation layers. The envelope is sealed. Gas is evacuated from the envelope. The material structure is heated to a temperature above the melting temperature of the thermoplastic material or above the curing temperature of the thermoset material so as to consolidate the material structure while keeping the material structure inside the evacuated envelope. The material structure is cooled and removed from the envelope.
US08349145B2
The present invention provides the technology for burying metal even in a fine concave portion such as trench and via. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a vapor of the metal as the objective material, a gas containing halogen for etching the metal, and a metal halide vapor made up of the metal element and the halogen element are supplied to the substrate, which thus forms a metal halide layer in the concave portion, and thereby deposits the metal under the metal halide layer. The procedure can achieve the above object.
US08349139B2
A pyrolysis apparatus and method for pyrolyzing plastic wastes to form a fuel and generating energy is described.
US08349138B2
A process and apparatus for treating a pulp web (9) in a paper or board machine in a pressing unit (29) with one press roll (24) that has a rotating press shell (25) and one opposing roll (23), where the pulp web (9) is dewatered in an extended press nip (26) between the opposing roll (23) and the pressing shell (25) of the press roll (24). The pulp web (9) is carried on the rotating pressing shell (25) of the press roll (24) to a transfer zone (30), where the pulp web (9) is passed from the pressing shell (25) onto a transfer element (31, 27) after leaving the extended press nip (26).
US08349133B2
A paper includes a composition of 10% by weight to 40% by weight of recovered post-consumer paper, 60% by weight to 90% by weight of recovered white paper, 0.38% by weight to 0.45% by weight of one or more sizing agents, and 3.33% by weight to 3.95% by weight of one or more binding agents.
US08349131B1
A method is provided for making “smart” paper and “smart” microfibers by means of nanotechnology layer-by-layer techniques. The method comprises forming an aqueous pulp of lignocellulose fibers and nanocoating it by alternatively adsorbing onto the fibers multiple consecutively-applied layers of organized ultra thin and oppositely-charged polyelectrolytes, at least one of which is an electrically conductive polymer or nanoparticle (or a magnetically active polymer or nanoparticle, or an optically active polymer or nanoparticle), and another one of which has a charge opposite of said electrically conductive polymer or nanoparticle (or magnetically active polymer or nanoparticle, or optically active polymer or nanoparticle), thereby making a modified aqueous pulp of electrically conductive (or magnetically active, or optically active) multi-layer nanocoated lignocellulose fibers; then draining the water out of the modified aqueous pulp to form sheets of smart microfibers. A finished paper is manufactured by drying the sheets of the nanocoated multi-layer fibers and processing the dried sheets to make a smart paper having enhanced electrical conductivity, magnetic and/or optical properties.
US08349120B2
A muco-adhesive patch for delivery of drugs into mucous membranes. On the muco-contact side, a water impermeable layer covers the center of the patch and less than half of the muco-contact side of the patch. Drugs may be added by mixing the drug with an adhesive material and placing a spot of the drug plus adhesive onto the exposed side of the water impermeable layer. A lenticular medical patch with a thin, tapered edge can be made with multiple layers by passing a single sheet such as a sheet of plastic through a production line in which each layer is applied in turn maintaining registration by reference to edges of the sheet or to marks on the sheet.
US08349111B2
A method for joining multiple ceramic components together is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including providing multiple ceramic components, each having a mating surface. A slip containing a mixture of alumina powder and a phosphate-containing reagent is applied to one or more of the mating surfaces. The mean particle size of the alumina powder is tailored to provide improved strength to the bond. Once the slip is applied, the ceramic components may be joined together at their mating surfaces. The joint may then be sintered to react the constituents in the mixture and thereby generate a bond between the ceramic components.
US08349108B2
The invention relates to a method for the automatic production of bags (9) that are equipped with a sealing device (3). Said method comprises the following steps: provision (P) of at least one web of plastic film (1), provision of a sealing device (3), fixing of the sealing device (3) to the web of plastic film (1) and welding (7, 8) of the web of plastic film (1) to form bags (9). According to said method, the plastic-film web (1) is perforated (2) at a distance from its edge (5) prior to the provision (P) of the sealing device (3) and the complementary sealing profile (3) is fixed to the web of plastic film (1) directly over the perforation. The bag (9) is then formed and welded by means of at least one longitudinal (7) and/or transversal weld (8).
US08349103B2
The present invention provides a method of making a laminated nonwoven fabric wherein the nonwoven fabric is a laminated one formed by integrating, through compressive bonding, a stacked nonwoven fabric structure comprising an upper and a lower thermoplastic synthetic filamentary fiber layer that have a fiber diameter from 7 pm or more to 20 pm, and an intermediate layer composed of thermoplastic synthetic fine fibers that have a fiber diameter of 5 pm or less, the laminated nonwoven fabric having an intimately mixed structure in which a portion of the fine fibers is intruded into at least one face side of the filamentary fiber layers with an intrusion index of 0.36 or more to bond, surround or interlace the filamentary fibers, a basis of weight of from 10 g or more to 250 g/m2, and a bulk density of 0.20 g/cm3 or more.
US08349101B2
A method for the low temperature heat treatment of an age-hardenable magnesium based alloy, including following steps: (a) providing a solution heat-treated and quenched age-hardenable magnesium based alloy; and (b) subjecting said alloy to low temperature ageing below 100°C. for a period of time sufficient to develop an enhanced ageing response.
US08349099B1
Metal seeds for forming single-crystal shape-memory alloys (SMAs) may be fabricated with high reliability and control by alloying thin films of material together. In particular, described herein are methods of forming AlCuNi SMAs by first producing high-quality seeds (ingots) of copper, aluminum, and nickel to produce for pulling single crystal shape memory alloys, in particular superelastic or hyperelastic alloys. The method is applicable to a wide range of alloys in which one or more of the components are reactive. The method is an improvement upon traditional methods such as mixing and melting pellets. In this improved method, a reactive layer (e.g., aluminum) is provided in thin flat layers between layers of other materials (e.g., copper and layers of nickel). When the stacked layers are vacuum heated in a crucible to the melting temperature of the reactive layer, it becomes reactive and chemically bonds to the other layers, and may form eutectics that, as the temperature is further increased, melt homogeneously and congruently at temperatures below the melting temperatures of copper and nickel. Oxidation and evaporation are greatly reduced compared to other methods of alloying, and loss of material from turbulence is minimized.
US08349098B2
A process for producing a component from a steel product coated with a protective Al—Si coating, and an intermediate product that arises during the course of such a process and that can be used to produce components of the type concerned here. The steel product coated with the Al—Si coating, undergoes a first heating stage in which the temperature and the duration of the heat treatment are set such that the Al—Si coating is only partially pre-alloyed with Fe from the steel product. Then, the steel product, in a second heating stage, is heated to a heating temperature, above the Ac1 temperature, at which the steel product has an at least partially austenitic structure, wherein the temperature and the duration of the second heating stage are set such that the Al—Si coating is fully alloyed with Fe from the steel product. After the steel product is heated to the heating temperature, it is shaped to form the component and the component obtained is cooled in a controlled manner, in order to obtain a martensitic structure.
US08349093B2
A nitrided metal includes a metal core with a first microstructure and a nitrogen-containing solid solution region on the metal core. The nitrogen-containing solid solution region is free of nitride compounds and includes a second microstructure which is equivalent to the first microstructure. The first microstructure and the second microstructure are a tetragonal crystal structure.
US08349086B2
Non-stick fixtures for selectively masking portions of a workpiece during application of a workpiece coating are described herein. These fixtures have predetermined surfaces thereon having an average surface roughness of about 25 Ra or less and a Rockwell hardness of about 65 Rc or more. The controlled average surface roughness ensures that these fixtures are non-stick with respect to the workpiece coating being applied to the workpieces disposed therein. The controlled Rockwell hardness ensures that the desired average surface roughness can be maintained throughout repeated use of the fixture in harsh coating environments. These fixtures reduce the workpiece coating bridging that occurs between the fixture and the workpiece, and also reduce the amount of overspray that occurs on the workpiece, thereby minimizing the amount of handwork and/or rework that is necessary after the workpiece is coated. This improves process cycle times and yields significantly.
US08349080B1
A micro-manipulator machine for harvesting and cryofreezing crystals for cryogenic storage and subsequent analysis includes a micropositioner mechanism for converting motions manually input to a position control knob to fractionally-scaled motions of a follower mechanism which includes a tool head support arm and tool head that releasably holds a filamentary polymer cryoloop for immersion into a liquid crystal growth media and extraction of a liquid drop containing a selected crystal from the media. A first automatic actuator mechanism orbits the tool head support arm, tool head, cryoloop, liquid drop and harvested crystal from a harvesting location to a retrieval location when the micropositioner input control arm has been moved manually away from the crystal harvesting location by the operator after extracting a crystal drop, and a second automatic actuator mechanism pivots the toll head into a flowing stream of a cryogenic gas to freeze the liquid drop and crystal.
US08349074B2
A method for detecting a diameter of a single crystal at the time of pulling the single crystal from a silicon melt contained in a crucible according to the Czochralski method, the method including at least: using two cameras placed equidistant from each other as a target diameter upon forming a straight-body portion of the single crystal and face both ends of the diameter of the single crystal in a growth point of the single crystal respectively, to separately capture both of the ends of the growth point of the single crystal from an outside of a furnace, the growth point being a contact point between the single crystal and a melt surface; and detecting the diameter of the single crystal on the basis of the captured images. As a result, diameter detection precision is improved.
US08349071B2
A process for treating fly ash to render it highly usable as a concrete additive. A quantity of fly ash is obtained that contains carbon and which is considered unusable fly ash for concrete based upon foam index testing. The fly ash is mixed with an activator solution sufficient to initiate a geopolymerization reaction and for a geopolymerized fly ash. The geopolymerized fly ash is granulated. The geopolymerized fly ash is considered usable fly ash for concrete according to foam index testing. The geopolymerized fly ash may have a foam index less than 35% of the foam index of the untreated fly ash, and in some cases less than 10% of the foam index of the untreated fly ash. The activator solution may contain an alkali metal hydroxide, carbonate, silicate, aluminate, or mixtures thereof.
US08349069B2
Black particles include a black pigment; and a cyan pigment, wherein when the reflectance to light of wavelength of 420 nm and the reflectance to light of wavelength of 770 nm of plural samples are measured, the standard deviations (1σ) of the measured values are about 1 or less with respect to both wavelengths.
US08349067B2
A pearlescent pigment, wherein the pigment is an inorganic material and the color of a homogeneous coating of the pigment, measured over a white background, is selected from the group consisting of: a CIELAB L* value of about 30 or less and a chroma value of about 3 or less; a CIELAB hue angle, hab, from about 50 to about 80 degrees, wherein L* is not more than about 85, and the chroma value is greater than 22; a CIELAB hue angle, hab, from about 80 to about 275 degrees, wherein L* is not more than about 80, and the chroma value is greater than about 10; and a CIELAB hue angle, hab, from not less than about 275 to not more than about 50 degrees, wherein L* is not more than about 85, and the chroma value is greater than about 9. The pigments may be used in a variety of applications including cosmetics, plastics, automotive, or architectural coatings.
US08349066B2
Disclosed are low temperature, moisture curable coating compositions, related coated substrates, and methods for coating a substrate. The coating compositions include an ungelled, secondary amine-containing Michael addition reaction product of reactants including a compound comprising more than one site of ethylenic unsaturation, and an aminofunctional silane.
US08349061B2
Disclosed are coalescer systems for coalescing a liquid phase dispersed in a gas phase. The disclosed systems include a filter element which, when installed in the system, contacts and moves a valve to an open drainage position to permit flow of liquid through the system. In the disclosed systems, the filter element and valve also are configured such that under excess pressure conditions the valve permits the gas phase to bypass filter media of the filter element. In particular, the disclosed coalescer systems may be utilized in a CV system in order to remove oil mist from gas in the CV system.
US08349060B2
A scrubber removes matter (e.g., particulate, gaseous, or liquid) from a gas stream in order to recover the matter and/or to clean the gas. In particular aspects, the scrubber contains multiple venturis that may provide additional flexibility and increased efficiency. The invention also pertains to related methods.
US08349058B2
A regeneration reactor of a CO2 capture system is disclosed. According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the CO2 capture system comprising a capture reactor selectively adsorbing CO2 by bringing a CO2-containing gas supplied from the outside into contact with a solid adsorbent, and a regeneration reactor separating the adsorbed CO2 from the solid adsorbent adsorbed with the CO2, the regeneration reactor includes a chamber having an inverted truncated cone shape being widened toward an upper part and narrowed toward a lower part, such that a pressure in the regeneration reactor is constantly maintained through the whole part and accordingly, a flow velocity in the chamber can be constantly maintained.
US08349056B2
A system includes a direct contact absorber configured to circulate a flow of a liquid desiccant solution for absorbing moisture from a gas stream flowing through the direct contact absorber.
US08349051B2
A process for hydro-extracting non-ferrous metals from a slurry, pulp or solution, the process including a resin which is a copolymer of a polystyrene and a non-styrenic polymer, wherein the non-styrenic polymer includes the following subunit: Formula (I) wherein Rb is a divalent linking group, preferably alkylene, and most preferably (—CH2—CH2—; and Rd is NH, NR, O or absent. Preferably the resin has an acrylic backbone.
US08349048B2
The invention relates to a filter arrangement comprising a plate-shaped filter holder (12) provided with at least one stem-type protruberance (13) having an opening (11) said filter holder (12) being used to receive a filter element (14) in a sealed manner for each protuberance on the raw gas side of the filter holder. In order to ensure that the filter is changed easily with sufficient filtering safety, each filter element (14) is provided with an adapter collar (15) comprising at least one limb (15B; 15D) parallel to the protruberances. Said limb can be placed, from the raw gas side, inside or over the protruberance. A sealing arrangement (16) provided comprises sealing elements (16A, 16B) which are parallel to both the plates and to the protruberances and are used for the at least partial join between the protruberance and the adapter collar.
US08349039B2
Processes are provided for capturing and recycling carbonaceous fines generated during a gasification process. In particular, the recycled fines are processed into a particulate composition which is useable as a carbonaceous feedstock and is conversion into a gas stream comprising methane.
US08349037B2
A process for removing sulfur compounds from a hydrocarbonaceous gas mixture, which comprises contacting the hydrocarbonaceous gas mixture with an adsorber material comprising copper oxide on magnesium silicate as support material.
US08349030B1
A process for the manufacturing valve metal anodes is provided. The process includes: providing a valve metal powder; pressing the valve metal powder to form a pellet; first deoxidizing the pellet with a first reducing agent to form a first oxide of reducing agent on the pellet; removing the first oxide of reducing agent from the pellet to form a deoxidized pellet; sintering the deoxidized pellet to form a sintered pellet; second deoxidizing the sintered pellet with a second reducing agent to form a second oxide of reducing agent on the sintered pellet; and removing said second oxide of reducing agent.
US08349028B2
The present invention relates to a reactive printing dye composition, which includes: (a) at least one reactive dye; (b) an organic buffer; and (c) a mirabilite or a dispersant. The reactive printing dye composition of the present invention is capable for being used in the fabric-dyeing, for example, dyeing of cotton, hemp, silk, rayon, wool, blending, etc. The reactive printing dye composition of the present invention is advantageous in high pH value stability, high storage stability, and reduced degradation in dyeing strength. In addition, the present invention further provides an aqueous reactive printing dye composition.
US08349021B2
A prosthesis comprising an elastomeric locking liner sized and configured to surround a limb of a patient about a knee joint, the liner having an inner surface for facing the limb of the patient and an outer surface defining an anterior region and a posterior region which are demarcated by an imaginary plane extending midway between the front most portion and rear most portion of the limb along the length of the limb, wherein the anterior region has an anterior material secured thereto and the posterior region has a posterior material secured thereto and the anterior and posterior materials having equal transverse elongation, and the anterior material having a longitudinal elongation greater than the longitudinal elongation of said posterior material, whereby when said prosthesis is donned onto a limb of a patient over the knee and the limb is flexed about the knee, buckling of the prosthesis about the knee is substantially reduced or eliminated and wherein the distal end of the liner includes an insert member adapted to receive a connector for locking the liner to a prosthetic socket when worn on a residual limb of an amputee.
US08349019B2
Apparatus and method for performing surgical anastomotic procedures are disclosed herein. The apparatus for performing the surgical anastomotic procedure includes a tubular sleeve defining an axial lumen therethrough, a positioning tube defining an axial lumen therethrough, an expansion assembly having a tubular body and an expandable tip operatively coupled to a distal end thereof, and an anchoring assembly. The positioning tube is preferably configured and adapted to be slidably received within the axial lumen of the tubular sleeve.
US08349005B2
After a vitreous gel of an eyeball is liquefied, a choroid is exposed; a vitreous humor is sucked to decrease a pressure in a vitreous body; a pocket is formed in the choroid; and then an implant is inserted into the pocket.
US08348999B2
The present invention satisfies the long felt need for a more compact and durable valve which may be formed in situ. The present invention provides a self-deployable valve system, a method of delivery, and a method of manufacturing for the self-deployable valve system. The present invention delivers the necessary components for forming a complete valve system in situ. The collapsed subcomponents of the system lack any functional characteristics commonly associated with a valve before being expanded. However, once expanded, the system is transformed into a competent valve for use in a wide variety of applications.
US08348997B2
Artificial valves for use as a venous valve or a heart valve are disclosed. The valve includes a frame including a platform and a valve material coupled to the frame. The valve material is a plurality of filaments or a flap. The valve material is coupled to the frame such that in response to a force in a first direction, e.g. blood flow, the valve material extends in the direct of the force to allow blood to flow past the valve material. In absence of the force in the first direction, the valve material rests against the platform to block blood flow in a direction opposite the first direction.
US08348989B2
A joint and method for producing a joint in an endovascular graft. In one embodiment, a flap of a flexible material portion of an endovascular graft is folded about a portion of an expandable member to form a loop portion. The flap is secured in the loop configuration so that tensile force on the expandable member is transferred into a shear force on the fixed portion of the flap.
US08348987B2
A circumferentially and longitudinally continuous scoring structure having a diameter in an initial unrestrained state that is smaller than a deflated diameter of the balloon is disposed around an outer surface of the balloon in an expanded configuration. The scoring structure continually exerts a radially inward compressive force against the balloon such that when the balloon is expanded from a deflated configuration to an inflated configuration, the scoring structure expands in a radially outward direction and remains in continuous compressive contact with at least a portion of the balloon as the balloon unfolds. The scoring structure may be entirely free of attachment to the balloon and catheter, and may extend substantially a length of a working region of the balloon. The scoring structure may include a plurality of circumferentially compressible members connecting longitudinal members.
US08348986B2
A photostimulation apparatus may include: a membrane for insertion into a living body; and at least one cell disposed on the membrane. Each cell may include a first light source for irradiating light to a photosensitive material in the living body. Further, a photostimulation apparatus may include: a membrane for insertion into a living body; and at least one first light source disposed on the membrane for irradiating light to a photosensitive material in the living body. Since the photostimulation apparatus is placed on the surface of cortex or dura, it may minimize damage of the brain tissue and may activate and/or inhibit a large area simultaneously using light.
US08348985B2
A stand-alone laser device that provides low level laser therapy using one or more laser sources. The laser sources are attached to one or more arms which can be positioned to cause the laser light to impinge on a desired area of a patient's body. A scanning apparatus is attached to the arms which comprise structures that cooperate to cause an optical element to be able to simultaneously rotate about a central axis and move in a linear motion along that axis to achieve any desired scan pattern. Laser light of different pulse widths, different beam shapes and different scan patterns can be applied externally to a patient's body. In the preferred embodiment, red light having a wavelength of about 635 nm is used to stimulate hair growth on a patient's scalp.
US08348977B2
Devices and methods for attaching a support to the sacrum. One device may include first and second anchors that mount to the sacrum, and first and second lateral extensions coupled to the anchors to secure the device to the sacrum. A bearing face having a width is positioned between the lateral extensions. The face may have a height in an anterior-posterior direction greater than the spinous process of the sacrum. Further, the bearing face may be oriented in a superior direction when the device is mounted to the sacrum. An implant may be supported by the device to space the sacrum and L5 vertebra. The implant may be an interspinous device and positioned between the L5 spinous process and the bearing face. The implant is supported at least in part by the bearing face.
US08348975B2
Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair includes the steps of (i) securing first and second knotless fixation devices in bone, wherein the first fixation device is provided with a first loop and a first set of tails extending therefrom, and wherein the second fixation device is provided with a second loop and a second set of tails extending therefrom; (ii) passing one tail of the first fixation device through the second loop of the second fixation device; (iii) passing one tail of the second fixation device through the first loop of the first fixation device; and (iv) securing the first set of tails with a third fixation device and the second set of tails with a fourth fixation device.
US08348972B2
A multi-part surgical staple assembly is provided to provide uniform compression across stapled tissues. The staple assembly generally includes a staple, a staple plate positionable against a backspan of the staple for engagement with one side of a stapled tissue section and a platen for receipt of tissue penetrating tips of the staple and engageable with an opposite side of a stapled tissue section. The staple plate and platen are provided with holes to receive the legs of the staple. In one embodiment, the staple plate is provided with a biasing member to bias the staple plate away from the backspan of the staple and toward the stapled tissue.
US08348964B2
This invention includes a clip having arms which grip living tissue, a press tube serving as a clamping member which is fitted and mounted on the clip to close the arms of the clip, a coupling member which can be inserted into the press tube and engages with the clip, and projections serving as lock portions which hold the arms of the clip in a closed state when the clip engages with the press tube.
US08348958B2
An instrument for holding an intervertebral spacer, the instrument comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end forming a handle and the distal end forming a spacer engaging subassembly, the spacer engaging subassembly comprising at least one selectively expanding and contracting enclosure into which at least a portion of the spacer is introduced when the engaging subassembly is expanded and an actuating mechanism, extending from the proximal end to the distal end, by which the spacer member engaging subassembly may be selectively expanded and contracted.
US08348956B2
Apparatuses and methods for reinforcing weakened or fractured bone are disclosed. An apparatus for delivering a bone reinforcing mixture to a bone includes a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the tube has at least one inner lumen capable of allowing a bone reinforcing mixture to pass through, and a bone fitting portion having an opening for accepting the tube, an insertion portion for insertion into the bone, and at least one relief valve.
US08348953B2
An apparatus for impacting bone material comprises an impaction element and a guide element having a bore. The bore has a longitudinal axis. The impaction tool is connected to the guide element, and is provided at a predetermined distance to the bore in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bore. A guide rod may be connected to a medical device and can be inserted into the bore. Thus, the apparatus may be guided into a cavity adjacent the medical device for impacting bone material inserted into the cavity.
US08348948B2
An electrosurgical system for sealing vessels using capacitive (RF) dielectric heating and a method thereof are provided. The system includes an electrosurgical instrument having an end effector with parallel plate electrodes that will clamp onto a vessel and maintain a specified gap distance; however, the electrodes will be coated with a non-conductive dielectric material. Such an end effector will ensure that direct conduction between the electrodes does not occur through tissue or fluids and effectively creates a parallel plate capacitor with a dielectric, e.g., tissue and coating, in between the plates. The electrosurgical instrument will be activated with an AC signal at a specified RF frequency, e.g., a Debye resonance frequency, via an electrosurgical generator. An effective AC current will flow through the tissue and cause heating due to fictional losses from rotating polar molecules in the tissue.
US08348947B2
A treatment system that applies energy to a living tissue to treat the same, the treatment system includes a sealing member which joins desired sealed regions of at least two living tissues when the energy is applied to the living tissues in a state where the desired regions are sealed, a maintaining member which maintains living tissues near the sealed regions in a contact state when the energy is applied to the living tissues in a state where the tissues near the regions sealed by the sealing member are in contact with each other, at least one first control section which controls an output of the energy that is applied to the sealing member, and at least one second control section which controls an output of the energy that is applied to the maintaining member.
US08348946B2
The invention provides surgical devices and methods to treat tissue. In one device embodiment, the invention comprises a bipolar electrosurgical device to treat tissue in a presence of radio frequency power and a fluid provided simultaneously from a distal portion of the device, with the device comprising a disc shaped distal end. In one method embodiment, the invention comprises a method of treating tissue having a blood vessel during spine surgery, with the method comprising pressing a portion of the blood vessel against a supporting spine structure with a surgical device to provide a compressed portion of the blood vessel, and heating the compressed portion of the blood vessel with the surgical device sufficiently to inhibit a blood flow through the vessel after the surgical device is removed from the blood vessel.
US08348937B2
An irrigated ablation catheter includes a tubular catheter body having an inner tubular member and an outer tubular member. The catheter body has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The catheter also includes an electrode extending from the distal portion of the catheter body, a flow distributor positioned at least partially within distal portion of the catheter body and at least partially overlapping the electrode, and a flow path extending through the catheter body and the flow distributor. The flow path is configured to provide cooling fluid to an external surface of the electrode.
US08348936B2
A thermal treatment system with acoustic monitoring applies substantially constant electromagnetic energy superposed with pulsed electromagnetic energy to targeted tissue. The pulsed electromagnetic energy reacts with tissue to create an acoustic pressure wave within the tissue. The acoustic pressure wave is sensed by an acoustic sensor, and a sensor signal indicative of the acoustic pressure wave is generated and processed to determine changes in tissue composition.
US08348931B2
A robotic surgery system comprises a mounting base, a plurality of surgical instruments, and an articulate support assembly. Each instrument is insertable into a patient through an associated minimally invasive aperture to a desired internal surgical site. The articulate support assembly movably supports the instruments relative to the base. The support generally comprises an orienting platform, a platform linkage movably supporting the orienting platform relative to the base, and a plurality of manipulators mounted to the orienting platform, wherein each manipulator movably supports an associated instrument.
US08348930B2
A fluid delivery device can be used to deliver fluid within a living body. The fluid delivery device includes an electrochemical pump, a reservoir, a displaceable member, and a diffuse membrane. The electrochemical pump transports water and includes an electrochemical pump product chamber to retain water transported by the electrochemical pump. The reservoir contains a fluid to be delivered. The displaceable member is positioned between the electrochemical pump product chamber and the reservoir. The displaceable member is responsive to the electrochemical pump transporting water into the electrochemical pump product chamber. The diffuse membrane generates increased pressure within the electrochemical pump product chamber.
US08348926B2
A proximal terminal end of a proximal section of a catheter, preferably tapered, defines a perimeter of an opening into a lumen of the catheter and includes an exposed sealing area. A sealing assembly, that may be removed from the catheter, includes a relatively soft part and a relatively rigid part, wherein the exposed sealing area is formed by the soft part, and the relatively rigid part may include an attachment feature for removable connection of the assembly to the catheter. The lumen of the catheter, within the proximal section, may include a seal zone portion, which preferably includes a slit segment intersecting a funnel-like segment of a bore. The catheter proximal section may further include a feature for interlocking engagement with an accessory tool.
US08348920B2
The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet that is at least partially joined to the topsheet, an absorbent core disposed at least partially between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a wetness indicator printed onto a surface of said backsheet wherein the wetness indicator comprises a graphic that further comprises at least one responsive color composition and a varnish coating disposed adjacent to said responsive color composition; wherein upon wetting, said graphic becomes visible to the unaided eye.
US08348907B2
A hypodermic injection system particularly for use in mass immunizations having a handpiece with a grasping mechanism for holding ampules filled with injectate, a plunger for driving into the ampule to discharge the injectate in an injection process, an injection spring mechanism for driving the plunger, a motor and/or manual mechanism for cocking the injection spring mechanism, and an ampule ejection mechanism for ejecting ampules after use under control of a release mechanism. Ampules can be loaded, used and ejected without contact by the user of the system or the patient being injected. Also disclosed are a filling station for filling ampules through their injection orifices, and an arming device for setting the injection spring. Ampules are disclosed having a piston which is drivable towards an orifice to discharge injectate through the orifice. Ampules are also disclosed having enlarged proximal portions for easy grasping by the grasping mechanism of the injector. Ampules are further disclosed with separators for mixing lyophilized medication and a diluent. Further disclosed are magazines for holding ampules for sequential use by the hypodermic injector. The disclosed system finds particular use as a mass immunization kit for making numerous injections in the field.
US08348906B2
A pneumostoma management system includes a pneumostoma management device for maintaining the patency of a pneumostoma while controlling the flow of material through the pneumostoma and a pneumostoma aspirator for pneumostoma care. The pneumostoma aspirator includes a bulb or syringe for applying positive or negative pressure, a tube for entering the pneumostoma and a limiting device for limiting the depth of insertion of the tube into a pneumostoma. The pneumostoma aspirator may also be used to introduce irrigation fluid into the pneumostoma and/or remove irrigation fluid and discharge from the pneumostoma.
US08348905B2
A mechanical injection device for injecting apportioned doses of a liquid drug. The injection device comprises a dose setting assembly comprising a cap and a cap receiving part, adapted to abut or engage with the cap when the cap is mounted on the injection device, and an injection assembly. Mounting and/or dismounting of the cap on/from the injection device causes the dose setting assembly to set a dose. Thereby a correct dose of drug is automatically set during a cap on/cap off cycle. Since such a cycle is normally performed between two subsequent injections, the number of steps required to be performed by the user is reduced.
US08348893B2
A catheter assembly is disclosed which includes a cannula assembly, a locking clip assembly and a housing. The locking clip assembly includes a locking clip, a collar, and a biasing member. The locking clip has a first leg defining a trigger hole and a second leg defining a binding hole. The collar is positioned to engage the locking clip and the biasing member is positioned to urge the collar into engagement with the locking clip to urge the locking clip from a first orientation to a second orientation. In the second orientation, the binding hole is positioned to bind with the insertion needle to prevent retraction of the insertion needle.
US08348887B2
A container (2) receives anhydrous material to be hydrated and hydrating fluids. The hydrating fluids are introduced into the container through a fluid port (8) by one or more containers having hydrating fluid. The hydrating fluids may be a mixture of fluids provided in any desired proportion. The hydrated material is then ejected from the container.
US08348886B2
An infusion system, which may be a closed loop infusion system or “semi-closed-loop” system, uses state variable feedback to control the rate that fluid is infused into the body of a user. The closed loop infusion system includes a sensor system, a controller, and a delivery system. The “semi-closed-loop” system further includes prompts that are displayed or sounded or otherwise provide indications to the user prior to fluid delivery. The sensor system includes a sensor for monitoring a condition of the user. The sensor produces a sensor signal, which is representative of the condition of the user. The delivery system infuses a fluid into the user at a rate dictated by the commands from the controller. The system may use three state variables, subcutaneous insulin concentration, plasma insulin concentration, and insulin effect, and corresponding gains, to calculate an additional amount of fluid to be infused as a bolus and to be removed from the basal delivery of the fluid.
US08348883B2
A device for implanting an object into animal tissue and a method for using the same device is provided. The device includes a cannula having a longitudinal axis, a passageway extending therethrough, a proximal end, and an opposite distal end that is insertable into tissue and defines an exit aperture for discharge of the object from the cannula. The device also includes an axially movable plunger disposed and oriented in a non-coaxial relationship within at least a portion of the cannula and a partial barrier disposed within the cannula adjacent to its distal end and configured to at least partially block the passageway, where the partial barrier at least partially defining an object receiving opening that is in communication with the passageway and sufficiently sized to receive the object and the plunger. When the device is in a first position, the partial barrier prevents the object from entering the passageway even when the plunger is inserted into the object receiving opening. When the device is moved to a second position, the passageway is aligned with the object, such that, upon movement of the plunger towards the distal end of the cannula, the plunger engages the object and pushes it through the object receiving opening towards and through the exit aperture.
US08348881B2
The invention concerns a device for injecting a solid medicine (10) comprising a body (2) inside which moves along a general forward moving axis (X-X) a bevelled (34) needle (4) wherein is introduced the medicine (10), said injection device (1) further comprising retaining means for preventing the medicine from falling (10) prior to being injected. The invention is characterized in that the medicine (10) is retained through an elastic deformation imparted to the needle (4) by the retaining means or by an elastic deformation of the retaining means themselves, or still by the combined flexibility of those two means.
US08348880B2
Disclosed is an ultrasonic surgical device having a distally/proximally movable fluid management system consisting of single lumen or multiple lumens. The invention provides for the delivery of irrigation fluid or the removal of fluid, debris or vapor from the tissue-effecting portion of the blade while minimizing the loading on the blade. The blades of the surgical device, when excited at a natural blade system frequency, will have modal shapes characterized by longitudinal, transverse and/or torsional motion and will have nodal locations for these motions at positions along the tissue effecting length of the blade. The instrument is designed to allow for the fluid management system to be positioned at one or more motion nodes to facilitate efficient removal of tissue or fluid, which tends to accumulate at such nodes of the ultrasonic surgical blades.
US08348878B2
A dispensing device deposits cream onto a strip of gauze by housing a roll of gauze that is unrolled and pulled through a user-fillable reservoir of cream. The amount of cream deposited on the gauze is regulated by applying pressure to various parts of the device. Cream laden gauze is then used in the conventional manner.
US08348875B2
A method of controlling an exoskeleton bracing system to walk includes identifying an expected current stance, receiving a tilt signal from a tilt sensor, and receiving a ground force signal from ground force sensors. Motorized joints are actuated to forwardly extend a leg brace when the expected stance includes standing with the leg braces together, the tilt signal indicates tilting forward, and the ground force signal indicates leaning on an opposite leg brace. Motorized joints are actuated to extend a trailing leg brace forward beyond a forwardly extended leg brace when the expected stance includes a forwardly extended leg brace and a trailing leg brace, the tilt signal indicates tilting forward, and the ground force signal indicates leaning on the forwardly extended leg brace. Motorized joints are actuated to converge both leg braces to a standing stance when the ground force signal indicates leaning on a trailing leg brace.
US08348873B2
A device which comprises an enclosure of a plastics material, having an opening at an end thereof with fastening means to enable the opening to be closed around a limb or stump with an affected part contained within the enclosure, and including a fluid-absorbent material within the enclosure. The device is particularly suitable for use in the treatment of leg ulcers.
US08348868B1
A leg sling device featuring a foot platform for supporting a user's foot; two half straps extending upwardly from sides of the foot platform, the tops of the half straps connect via a barrel; a hand base having an opening for accommodate the user's fingers; a reel disposed in the hand base; a cable having a first end wrapped around the reel in the hand base and a second end attached to the barrel that connects the half straps; and a motor and control buttons operatively connected to the reel, the motor and control buttons function to rotate the reel in a first direction to retract the cable into the hand base thereby raising the foot platform and a second direction to extend the cable out of the hand base thereby lowering the foot platform.
US08348865B2
There is provided a non-intrusive movement measuring apparatus and method using wearable electro-conductive fibers. A non-intrusive movement measuring apparatus using wearable electro-conductive fibers according to an aspect of the invention may include a signal measurement device measuring a plurality of movement signals using a plurality of electro-conductive fibers put on user's body parts and having resistances varying according to the volume of the user's body parts; a movement analysis device analyzing the plurality of movement signals to obtain a user's movement patterns and movement intensity; and a movement display device displaying a movement analysis result of the movement analysis device. Accordingly, user's movement can be measured without limiting the user's radius of action.
US08348862B2
A muscular energy state analysis system and method for a swing motion and a computer program product thereof are provided. The system includes: a swing implement, for a user to perform the swing motion, and including an acceleration sensor for sensing acceleration of the swing implement when the swing implement is swung, so as to generate a swing speed data; a plurality of signal detection modules, for detecting electromyographic (EMG) signals generated by a muscles of the user; a database, for storing a muscular energy sample value,; a muscular energy analysis module, for analyzing the EMG signals and the swing speed data so as to obtain a plurality of muscular performance values; and a comparison module, for comparing the swing speed data and the muscular performance values with the at least one muscular energy sample value in the database, so as to generate a comparison result data.
US08348859B2
A guide wire includes a first wire disposed on the distal side of the guide wire and a second wire disposed on the proximal side. The second wire has an elastic modulus larger than the first wire. The first wire is joined to the second wire at a welded portion by welding. A coil is disposed on the distal side of the first wire. A cover layer is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the wire member in such a manner as to cover at least the welded portion. The cover layer is made from a material capable of reducing the friction of the cover layer, for example, a fluorocarbon resin or a hydrophilic material, to thereby improve the sliding performance of the guide wire. Such a guide wire is excellent in operationality and kink resistance.
US08348856B1
A biopsy device, comprising a flexible coaxial structure, comprising an obturator within a sheath, the obturator being adapted to be displaced with respect to the sheath along the coaxial axis by a force applied at a proximal end; a disruptor, at a distal end of the obturator, adapted to disrupt a tissue surface to free cells therefrom, having a first position covered within the sheath and a second position freely extending beyond the sheath; an element, having a fixed position on the obturator, and a close clearance with respect town inner surface of the sheath, such that a retraction of the obturator within the sheath causes an associated change in pressure in a space between the obturator distal to the element and the sheath, to thereby draw fluid proximate to an end of the sheath within the sheath.
US08348855B2
The present invention relates to devices and methods for measuring tissue temperature during thermal treatment of a body. More particularly, the present invention relates to a thermal probe comprising a plurality of thermal sensors operable to measure tissue temperatures during thermal treatments such as cryosurgery. Embodiments of the invention enable simultaneous measurements, using a single probe, of temperatures at a plurality of positions within body tissues. A preferred embodiment enables movement of sensors with respect to tissues while the probe is immobilized by being embedded in frozen tissue.
US08348849B2
The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging system in which the scan head either includes a beamformer circuit that performs far field subarray beamforming or includes a sparse array selecting circuit that actuates selected elements. When used with second stage beamforming system, three dimensional ultrasound images can be generated.
US08348847B2
A system for managing a patient is disclosed and can include a patient interface adapted to obtain ultrasound information about the patient, a provider interface adapted to facilitate communication between the system and a provider, and a controller in communication with the patient interface and the provider interface, the controller including a clinical management module adapted to receive the ultrasound information and to recommend a clinical management strategy based upon the ultrasound information. A method of presenting a clinical management strategy is also described including obtaining information regarding a condition of a patient, developing a determinant reflecting the condition, and presenting a user with a clinical management strategy on an output device.
US08348846B2
An arrangement to determine physiologic data, position, orientation and/or geometry of an object of interest includes an ultrasound unit with a multiplicity of ultrasound transducers to monitor physiologic parameters, especially motion and deformation, of an object of interest encapsulated by a body in real-time in three dimensions of space and to generate numerical control or trigger information for other medical devices.
US08348843B2
A meter is provided that includes an improved user interface that enables the user to take a specific action, leading them directly to data input options. Such a user interface could be used to input first selected information, such as whether a test was premeal or postmeal, immediately after receiving a result. Optionally, the user interface may include the ability to add an additional comment after inputting the first selected information. Provision of such a user interface would facilitate simpler capture of the first selected information each time the user performs a test, leading to an enhanced understanding of a patient's level of glycemic control. Designing a user interface to enable first selected information to be entered by a user directly after receiving a result is more likely to engage a patient by making it easy and simple to enter important information. This may enable capture of the information thought to be most pertinent e.g. premeal and postmeal information, enhancing the understanding by patients and their carers of the patient's control.
US08348840B2
A medical sleep disorder arrangement integrates into current diagnosis and treatment procedures to enable a health care professional to diagnose and treat a plurality of subjects suffering from insomnia. The arrangement may include both environmental sensors and body-worn sensors that measure the environmental conditions and the condition of the individual patient. The data may be collected and processed to measure clinically relevant attributes of sleep quality automatically. These automatically determined measures, along with the original sensor data, may be aggregated and shared remotely with the health care professional. A communication apparatus enables the healthcare professional to remotely communicate with and further assess the patient and subsequently administer the treatment. Thus, a more accurate diagnosis and more effective treatment is provided while reducing the required clinician time per patient for treatment delivery.
US08348837B2
An anoscope kit comprising an anoscope having a plurality of spaced apart fingers having free ends and a dilator removably positionable within the anoscope to aid insertion of the anoscope. The dilator has a proximal region, an intermediate region and a distal region, the distal region including an enlarged distal head. A ramped surface extends from the enlarged distal head toward the intermediate region, the intermediate region having an outer surface to contact the fingers of the dilator.
US08348832B2
A viewer 4 as a compact display device displays a body cavity image picked up by a capsule endoscope 3. When a communication-cable connection detector 48 detects a communication cable connection between a receiving apparatus 2 and the viewer 4, a control unit 49 switch controls a changeover switch 44 based on this connection detection, thereby switching a display of an LCD 41 to a display of image data from wire. Next, information necessary for an examination such as image data is taken in from the receiving apparatus 2 via a communication cable 5, and is displayed in an LCD 41. With this arrangement, a display unit is not necessary in the receiving apparatus 2, and a circuit configuration becomes simple. The receiving apparatus can be made compact and light, and power consumption can be decreased.
US08348823B2
A disposable device for the continuous centrifugal separation of a physiological fluid includes: a fixed axial element; a centrifugation chamber that can rotate around the axis of the element; an inlet channel for the blood to be centrifuged, whose dispensing port is close to the base of the chamber; and an outlet passage for a separated constituent, whose inlet port is close to the other end of the chamber in a concentrated area of one of the separated constituents having the lowest mass density in order to remove it continuously. The chamber takes the form of a long tube. The fixed axial element includes a second outlet passage for a second separated constituent, whose inlet port is close to the end of the chamber opposite the base in a concentrated area of the second separated constituent having the highest mass density in order to remove it continuously.
US08348821B2
A machine for transitioning a box cutout from a flat configuration to a collapsed box configuration includes a first drive wheel configured to drive a box cutout towards a plunging area; a plunger configured to apply force to a central portion of a bottom panel of the box cutout so as to fold the box about a lateral bisecting axis and propel at least a portion of the box cutout downward; and opposed second and third drive wheels configured to grab a box cutout propelled downward by the plunger and further draw the box cutout downward into a collapsed box configuration within a collection area. A box cutout transitioned to a collapsed box configuration in this manner may include a bottom panel having plurality of unbroken minor score lines and broken major score lines.
US08348809B2
System for training optimisation, the system comprising: at least one sensor for measuring a mechanical load parameter which is indicative for a mechanical load of the training a storage module for storing data which are dispatched by the least one sensor in a log file; a training advice module which is arranged for determining a personal training advice related to a load assessment of the user based on at least the data stored in the log file, the data comprising a cumulative load parameter or a training load history determined on the basis of historical sensor data stored in the log file, the training advice comprising the frequency of next training sessions and/or a type of training to be performed in the next training session; at least one output device such as a display, a sound signal, audio output, voice output or a vibrating element for outputting said training advice to said user.
US08348806B2
A construction machine comprises an electric motor/generator coupled to an electricity accumulator, an engine, a transmission coupled to drive wheels, an epicyclic gearing for coupling an output shaft of the electric motor/generator, an output shaft of the engine, and an input shaft of the transmission, the engine torque and/or the generator torque being transmitted to drive wheels, a clutch for directly coupling two among the output shaft of the electric motor/generator, the output shaft of the engine, and the input shaft of the transmission, and a controller configured to, under a condition in which the clutch is in an off-state, control engine speed based on the degree to which the accelerator is open and on the amount of electricity in the electricity accumulator, to control shifting of the transmission gear position based on the accelerator opening degree, operational state of the generator, and the electricity amount.
US08348805B2
The present invention relates to an electric vehicle motor automatic transmission driving system. The motor automatic transmission driving system includes a motor, a gear transmission, one or more battery groups and a control system. The control system includes a motor controller, a system controller, a battery voltage sensor, a battery current sensor, a first rotation speed encoder, a second rotation speed encoder, a fork position sensor group, a transmission oil (fluid) temperature sensor and a pressure source sensor. The power input of the motor controller is connected with the outputs of one or more battery groups respectively via a first power leads, the power output of the motor controller is connected with the power input of the motor via a second power lead. According to the invention, the motor shaft also act as the first shaft of the gear transmission and the said motor is an AC induction motor or an AC permanent magnet motor.
US08348799B2
A differential device differentially distributes a driving force to first and second axles. The differential device is comprised of a differential gear set configured to allow differential motion between the first and second axles, a casing rotatable about an axis, the casing housing and being drivingly coupled with the differential gear set and including a first end wall, a second end wall axially opposed to the first end wall, and a side wall disposed radially outward, which in combination with the first end wall and the second end wall defines a chamber configured to house the differential gear set, a clutch engageable with the differential gear set, a solenoid configured to drive the clutch, which is disposed adjacent to the first end wall, and a magnetic core fixed to the solenoid. The magnetic core is comprised of a sleeve portion snugly and slidably fitting around an outer periphery of the side wall to radially position the core and the solenoid in place.
US08348795B2
It is provided a control device for a power transmission device including a regenerative electric motor via a stepped shifting mechanism, wherein when a shift of the stepped shifting mechanism is performed in a regenerative state of the electric motor, the control device for a power transmission device increases an input shaft rotation speed of the stepped shifting mechanism through hydraulic control before a shift ending period, and, in the shift ending period, restrains an increase of the input shaft rotation speed through the hydraulic control and controls an input shaft rotation speed of the stepped shifting mechanism with the electric motor to be a target rotation speed after the shift.
US08348792B2
A traction mechanism drive (1), such as a control drive of an internal combustion engine, having an endless traction mechanism, such as a link chain, connecting a drive gear (2) and at least one driven gear (3) in a form-fitting manner, at least one clamping device (5) actuated by a pressure medium and a guiding rail (6) being arranged on the periphery of the traction mechanism. At least the guiding rail (6) includes a carrier body (7) and a resiliently flexible sliding body (8) connected to the carrier body (7) on the traction mechanism side. A spring element (18) is arranged in a free space (16) between the upper side (14) of the carrier body (7) and a lower side (15) of the sliding body (8). In order to improve the damping of the traction mechanism, the spring element (18) includes at least one flexible spring (19) connected integrally to the carrier body (7) and the sliding body (8).
US08348791B2
A tensioner includes a base, a piston, a rack, a stopping device, a first and a second flexible device. The surface of the base includes a first, a second, a third, and a fourth recess portion vertically connecting the third with the second recess portion. The rack disposed in the second recess portion has one ending outside the base to extend and connect to one ending of the piston. The stopping device axially disposed in the fourth recess portion has a work surface and a first connecting surface disposed on sides of two endings thereof. Two sticking portions are disposed on opposite edges of the first connecting surface. A turning mechanism is disposed on the ending of stopping device, which has the sticking portions. The second flexible device disposed in the third recess portion contacts the ending of stopping device, where the work surface is disposed.
US08348789B1
A hand-thrown projectile having an enlarged head made from a soft material. A shaft has a semi-flexible section and a flexible section. The flexible section is interposed between the semi-flexible section and its rear end. The flexible section is created by flattening the plastic of the shaft into a wide, easily grasped tab. A plurality of stabilization fins are provided that radially extend from the semi-flexible section of the shaft. To toss the projectile, a person grasps the flexible tab. As the projectile is thrown, inertia and the acceleration forces created by the throw cause the semi-flexible section of the shaft to bend and store spring energy. Upon release of the flexible tab, the energy stored in the bent shaft is released and is transferred into the initial velocity of the projectile.
US08348784B2
The present invention is directed to a golf club head with an improved striking surface. Grooves are machined into the strike surface with tight tolerances. The grooves have sharp edges, radiused ends, and a draft angle between about 2° and 12°. The striking face is machined such that it has a uniform texture with a roughness of more than 40 Ra. The grooves may contain a plurality of portions, including a radiused or angled portion, a portion having substantially parallel walls, a portion having a v-shape, and a curved portion. The grooves may also be characterized by various dimensions, including draft angle, inclusive side wall angle, width, depth, cross-sectional area, spacing, and pitch ratio. Preferred values for these dimensions are provided. A golf club head having a variety of groove types and a set of golf clubs with grooves varying among the individual clubs of the set are also disclosed.
US08348783B2
A device designed for extending a golf club shaft. The device is a three-piece mechanism with a bottom piece bonded into the top end of a tubular golf club shaft, and a plurality of top piece sizes that are removably connected to the bottom piece and provide the adjustments in club length. A special golf grip having an accordion like plurality of rings can expand or contract in accordance with the amount of club length adjustment.
US08348781B2
Embodiments of a putter-type golf club head with an increased moment of inertia about the X axis (MOIxx) and an increased moment of inertia about the Z axis (MOIzz) are disclosed. Generally, the MOIzz is increased by designing the putter such that the center of gravity (CG) of the putter head is located at or behind the geometric center of the putter head. Additionally, the mass of the putter head is concentrated at the outer edges of the putter head. To accomplish this, the ratio of the width of the front of the putter head to the width of the rear of the putter head is no greater than 0.55:1. The MOIxx is further increased by locating the CG relatively close to the bottom of the putter head.
US08348776B2
An intersecting path ride providing close vehicle interaction without risk of collision. The ride includes a track assembly defining first and second linear, open channels bisecting at a vehicle path intersection point. The ride includes first and second vehicle guides movable within the channels. The ride includes first and second vehicle subassemblies supported by the guides, and the vehicle subassemblies move or reciprocate with the guides along linear paths defined by the channels. The ride includes a vehicle positioning assembly that concurrently reciprocates the guides back and forth along the linear channels through the intersection point. The vehicle positioning assembly includes a connection link pivotally coupled to the guides, a drive motor with an output shaft, and a crank arm rigidly coupled to the output shaft at one end and pivotally coupled to the connection link at another end moving the midpoint of the link through a circular drive path.
US08348774B2
The outer peripheral surface of the boot attaching section of an outer joint member (2), when viewed in cross section, is non-cylindrical, with a large diameter section (22a) and a small diameter section (22b) appearing alternately. A thermoplastic elastomer boot (10) is composed of a large end side attaching section (12) adapted to fit on the boot attaching section of the outer joint member (2), a small end side attaching section (14) adapted to fit on a second rotational axis (3), and a bendable section (16) between the large and small end side attaching sections (12, 14), the large end side attaching section (12), when viewed in cross section, being shaped such that its outer peripheral surface is circular and its inner peripheral surface extends along the outer peripheral surface shape of the boot attaching section of the outer joint member (2), with thin-walled sections (12a) and thick-walled sections (12b) appearing alternately, the whole of the large end side attaching section (12) being filled with material.
US08348773B2
A constant velocity joint is disclosed that includes a first rotatable shaft, the first shaft comprising an axle portion having on one end an enlarged pocket end, the pocket end having a plurality of circumferentially and radially spaced ball pockets and a distal end; a corresponding plurality of spherical balls disposed in the pockets; and a second rotatable shaft comprising a joint housing, the joint housing having a central bore with a corresponding plurality of axially extending, circumferentially and radially spaced ball grooves disposed about the second longitudinal axis and a base, the joint housing disposed over the pocket end with the corresponding plurality of balls disposed in the grooves, the joint providing a range of angular and axial movement of the first shaft relative to the second shaft, each of the plurality of ball pockets having a recessed lubricant reservoir, the lubricant reservoir having a lubricant disposed therein.
US08348770B2
A device for facilitating the scoring of a fencing match can include a box having first and second fencing cord inputs, an optional third input for connection of the fencing piste, a standardized general-purpose computer output, a power source, and a processing module. The processing module can be in communication with the inputs, outputs, and power source. Further, the processing module can be configured to iteratively apply power to at least a portion of the first fencing cord input and at least a portion of the second fencing cord input at different times. The processing module can also be configured to check for fencing-relevant completed circuits between the fencing cord inputs. Even further, the processing module can output raw data regarding the completed circuits through the standardized general-purpose computer output.
US08348766B2
Input devices having different key structures are provided so as to selectively connect with a game apparatus. The game apparatus has means for discriminating a kind of the connected input device and storing its result, a memory for storing a key navigation table that sets keys to be operated with respect to action message delivered from a server, corresponding to kinds of the input devices, message display means for displaying the action message delivered from the server, and display means for displaying the key to be operated by the player corresponding to the discriminated input device as a guide icon by referring to the key navigation table when the action message is delivered.
US08348758B2
A plurality of electronic gaming machines are interconnected over a network to a central computer. Each gaming machine generates a composite video signal formed from at least two video signals. A first video signal carries game graphics information for generating at least a still graphics display which moves at selected times during play of the game. A second video signal carries video information for generating a moving video display. The two video signals are combined in accordance with key color information, which is carried by the first video signal. The combining is selectively controlled by the central computer. The central computer may also select which one of a number of second video signals may be combined with the first video signal. The central computer may also select a particular key color from a plurality of key colors defined in said key color information so as to control where on the display unit that the combining takes effect.
US08348756B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for inputting a password using a game. The method includes displaying, on a display unit, a password image corresponding to at least one password information, displaying, on the display unit, at least one obstacle image, displaying, on the display unit, a character image moved based on movement information received from an external input unit, determining whether the character image is in contact with the password image, and controlling a user authentication procedure to be performed based on the at least one password information corresponding to the password image when the character image is in contact with the password image.
US08348750B2
A printer on a networked gaming device can be controlled by the network to generate awards. The printer can operate as both a typical printer in a gaming device and as a printer for the gaming network, or separate printers can be installed in the gaming device. If the particular player has identified himself or herself to the gaming network, then the gaming system has a very high probability that it is communicating to a known player. Therefore, the printer operates as a direct communication conduit to a player. Additionally, previously issued awards can be redeemed by a validator coupled to the gaming network.
US08348746B2
Methods for emulating rotating physical reels on a display screen are disclosed. Graphics for “static” reel symbols are intentionally blurred for those reel symbols “in motion.” Gaming machines include an exterior housing, master gaming controller, display device and virtual reels. Virtual reels include reel stops, static reel symbols and corresponding dynamic blurred reel symbols. A blurred reel symbol generator provides corresponding blurred reel symbols for existing static reel symbols, and can be located at a remote host and/or within the gaming machine. A remote host can provide downloadable virtual reel strips, reel symbols and blurred reel symbols to gaming machines. The blurred reel symbol generator can accept manually entered blurred reel symbol images, and/or can also generate blurred reel symbol images itself in automated fashion. Blurred reel symbols can be generated on the fly at runtime, or can be taken from a stored location.
US08348741B1
A poker game which comprises generating a row-column grid or matrix of three cards by three cards, a total of nine cards, such that there are three horizontal rows of poker hands, three vertical columns of poker hands, and two diagonal poker hands, a total of eight poker hands. The nine cards and any replacement cards may be dealt or generated from a special or custom deck or a standard deck of 52 cards. Multiple standard 52 decks may be used.
US08348739B2
This invention relates to various methods for a poker player to limit his losses or protect his potential winnings on a given hand prior to completion of the dealing of cards on such hand, based upon his calculated pot equity, or percentage chance of winning the hand.
US08348738B2
The present invention relates to computer-based multiplayer games that follow the scoring rules of poker in which players select cards from a second deck of playing cards that is composed of cards randomly selected by the software from a first deck of playing cards for each new hand, where the second deck has fewer cards than the first deck. The introduction of a smaller second deck whose composition and size can vary substantially from hand-to-hand, adds a fascinating and challenging puzzle component to the strategy and chance elements of prior card selection games. The use of a prior art deck that remains unchanged allows each player to tend to rely on a predetermined set of fixed card selection strategies. Whereas, the ever-changing, smaller second deck compels each player to formulate his/her card selection strategy anew for each hand, keeping play fresh and exciting.
US08348736B2
The present disclosure provides a gaming system including a game controller arranged to generate a skill outcome in response to an input from a player and that is at least partially dependent on a skill of the player. The game controller is arranged to generate an artificial outcome that is controlled by the game controller. The gaming system also includes a game outcome controller arranged to generate a game outcome based on a criterion such that, if the criterion is met, the game outcome is at least partially determined by one of the skill outcome and the artificial outcome and, if the criterion is not met, the game outcome is at least partially determined by the other one of the skill outcome and the artificial outcome. A reward allocator is arranged to allocate a reward that is at least partially dependent on the game outcome.
US08348726B2
A dust reducing sanding system for collecting dust created during the sanding of gypsum board includes a shroud including a top wall and a peripheral wall coupled to the top wall to define an interior space. A distal edge of the peripheral wall opposite the top wall defines an open end to allow the dust to enter the interior space. A handle is mounted to the shroud and is graspable to facilitate manipulation of the shroud. A collection pipe is coupled to the peripheral wall of the shroud and is in fluid communication with the interior space. The collection pipe is engaged by a vacuum to allow the dust to be vacuumed out of the shroud. A base plate having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough is positioned over the open end of the shroud. An exterior surface of the base plate is abrasive.
US08348725B2
A blade holding jig arrangement for either grinding or honing a blade including a mounting bracket assembly with an elongate guide bar and a device for rigidly supporting the guide bar. A support arm can be pivotally mounted on the guide bar by means of a tubular support mounted on one end of the arm and extending perpendicular thereto. The guide bar extends through a passageway in the tubular support. The support arm can be moved along the guide bar for grinding. A clamp unit for clamping a blade includes a U-bracket with two legs and two clamping jaws adjustably mounted on the U-bracket between the legs. The clamp unit is attached to an end section of the arm remote from the one end of the arm. The clamping jaws can be moved towards one another in order to clamp the blade.
US08348723B2
A structured abrasive article includes a backing having a structured abrasive layer disposed on and secured thereto. The structured abrasive layer includes shaped abrasive composites that comprise abrasive particles and nonionic polyether surfactant dispersed in a crosslinked polymeric binder. The abrasive particles have a mean particle size of less than 10 micrometers. The nonionic polyether surfactant is not covalently bound to the crosslinked polymeric binder and is present in an amount of from 2.5 to 3.2 percent by weight based on a total weight of the shaped abrasive composites. The structured abrasive articles are useful for abrading a workpiece.
US08348720B1
The present invention comprises of a process for lapping a high-throughput of ultra-flat wafers by utilizing a lapping apparatus containing a rotary flat, grooved polishing platen, at least two rotating pressurized heads each having a polishing wafer carrier that is adapted to receive a plurality of mounted wafers, and a plurality of concentric conditioning rings surrounding each pressurized head. The rotating pressurized heads are counterbalanced throughout the inventive process, and the lapping platen is continuously conditioned by simultaneously rotating the concentric conditioning rings over the lapping platen. This process allows continuous and controllable planarization thus allowing for a high throughput of wafers, while at the same time it prevents distortions in the lapping platen which reduces maintenance by providing continuous conditioning of the lapping platen. Further this inventive process allows substantially the entire surface of each wafer carrier to be utilized while maintaining a high quality planarized wafer product, highly desired in the semiconductor industry.
US08348711B2
The invention relates to a furnace (1) for producing a discharge lamp, comprising an outer furnace wall. It is characterized by a hollow body (2) that surrounds the outer furnace wall and is provided to receive discharge vessel parts (4, 5) and joints of the same to a discharge vessel (8) for the discharge lamp. The hollow body (2) further comprises a discharge gas supply (9) for flooding with a discharge gas such that a discharge vessel (8) provided in the hollow body (2) is filled with the same. The invention further relates to a production method for discharge lamps comprising such a furnace (1).
US08348708B2
An articulated amphibious vehicle includes a boat in the front and a rear propulsion unit pivotally connected by an articulation mechanism to the boat. The rear propulsion unit comprises an engine mechanically coupled to a pair of drive tracks for propelling the vehicle. Steering and throttle devices are provided in the boat to enable the operator to turn and power the rear propulsion unit, to thereby steer and control the vehicle. The articulated amphibious vehicle can travel over water, snow, ice, marsh, bogs, swamp, soft wet terrain or even hard terrain (preferably by adding wheels to the boat). Because it can traverse such a wide variety of environments, this “track boat” is more versatile than conventional air boats or conventional all-terrain vehicles.
US08348705B2
A pivoting electrical connector includes a base and housing. The base has a cavity and base partitions to receive at least two conductors. The housing is operative to pivotally connect to said base and is adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation to allow insertion of one or more conductors into said cavity and to twist the conductors into electrical contact when the housing is pivoted. The electrical connector is operative to twist one or more conductors safely within the housing.
US08348700B1
A cable connector is disclosed. The cable connector includes a male connector, a female connector, and a metallic shield. The male connector includes a male base and a plurality of male terminals received in the male base. The female connector includes a female base and a plurality of female terminals received in the female base. The male terminals embed in the female terminals. The metallic shield is slidably disposed in the female connector. The metallic shield is attachable to or detachable from the female connector. Since the male connector is covered by the metallic shield for positioning the male connector in the female connector, the male base and the female base are not worn after the female connector and the male connector are attached and detached many times. Accordingly, the male terminals and the female terminals contact well with each other to ensure the performance of the cable connector.
US08348695B2
A power tool having a housing, a motor disposed in the housing, a power cord connected to the motor, and a cord protector operably engaging the power cord for movement therewith. The cord protector comprises a cam follower bracket having a camming slot sized to receive a cam follower. The cam follower bracket being biased into an initial position and exerting a biasing force upon the power cord in response to a load being applied to the power cord.
US08348692B2
A multi-conductor cable connector comprising a connector engagement portion including: a rotatable outer housing, a threaded insert radially disposed within the outer housing, wherein the threaded insert has a slot therethrough, a key feature integral with the rotatable outer housing, the key feature configured to fit within the slot of the threaded insert, and a plurality of electrical contacts, wherein rotational movement of the rotatable housing is translated to axial movement of the threaded insert to securably engage a matingly corresponding multi-conductor cable connector. A multi-conductor cable connection pair is also provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.
US08348690B2
A bayonet connecting element and a process for the production of such a connecting element (1) for an electrical or optical connector, according to which a body (2), with a general hollow cylindrical shape, is produced, includes the following additional stages: a) a through bore (12) is made by piercing a wall (5) of the body of the connecting element from the outer surface (10) of the wall; b) the outer surface of the wall around the bore is machined in such a way as to hollow out a flat surface (11) around the bore; c) a lug (4) is inserted into the bore, from the outer surface of the wall, in such a way that a head (8) of the lug is projecting from the outer surface of the wall of the connecting element.
US08348689B2
A recess (67) is formed in a connection surface of a housing. A nut (52) is inserted into the recess (67) and fixed to the housing in a state exposed on the connection surface. A sealing material is introduced into the recess (67), and the outer peripheral surface of the nut (52) is coated with the sealing material. The recess (67) of the housing includes a first surface (71) arranged to face the outer peripheral surface of the nut (52) while forming an introduction space (74) for the sealing material between itself and the outer peripheral surface of the nut (52), a second surface (72) arranged to project radially outwardly from the opening edge of the first surface (71) and a third surface (73) arranged from the outer end of the second surface (72) to the connection surface in a direction crossing a projecting direction of the second surface (72).
US08348688B2
Provided is a waterproof connector, including an inner insulating housing, a plurality of electrical contacts, an inner metal shell, a sealing plate, an outer insulating housing, an outer metal shell and a waterproof rubber ring. The inner metal shell is pressed to form a plurality of holding blocks and two holes. The sealing plate includes a connecting plate and two closing plates for covering the corresponding hole. The outer insulating housing is integrally formed with the inner insulating housing, the electrical contacts, the inner metal shell and the sealing plate by insert molding. The waterproof rubber ring encompasses a front end of the inner metal shell. The outer insulating housing can seal off the gaps between the sealing plate and the inner metal shell, and between the inner insulating housing and the inner metal shell. The present waterproof connector can satisfy the waterproof demand by the waterproof rubber ring.
US08348673B2
An arrangement and a method for studying the dissolution of particles in the air/blood barrier of the respiratory tract. A device for simulating the interaction of particles (203) delivered to the air/blood barrier of the respiratory tract comprises: a perfusion chamber (101) adapted to receive and deliver a flow of perfusion fluid; a semi permeable membrane (205) coated on one side with a barrier layer (204) adapted to interact with the particles; and a first sheet formed organ (202) having a surface distributed with the particles. The membrane (205) is arranged to be a fluid contact with the perfusion fluid, while the first sheet formed organ (202) is arranged to contact the barrier layer (204) of the membrane (205), in order to simulate the dissolution of the particles (203) in the air/blood barrier when perfusion fluid flows through the perfusion chamber (101), along the membrane (205). Providing a flow of perfusion fluid along the membrane simulates more accurately the natural process of the air/blood barrier.
US08348659B2
A honeycomb extrusion apparatus comprises a die body and a flow control device. The die body comprises an inlet end, an outlet end, a central axis, a first set of feedholes, a second set of feedholes, a set of central slots, and a set of outermost peripheral slots. The first set of feedholes extends from the inlet end to an interior interface portion of the die body. The second set of feedholes extends through the die body from the inlet end to the outlet end. The set of central slots extends from the outlet end to the interior interface portion of the die body. The set of outermost peripheral slots is disposed radially outwardly of the central slots. The interior interface portion of the die body is configured to allow flow of the batch material from the first set of feedholes to the central slots and to the outermost peripheral slots.
US08348648B2
In a single screw compressor, gates (51) of gate rotors (50) are to be engaged with spiral grooves (41) of a screw rotor (40). In each spiral groove (41) of the screw rotor (40), an area extending from a start point of the spiral groove (41) to a position in a compression stroke is a suction-side portion (45), and the remaining portion (portion up to a terminal point of the spiral groove (41)) is a discharge-side portion (46). In the discharge-side portion (46), a clearance between a wall surface (42, 43, 44) therein and the gate (51) is substantially “0 (zero).” A clearance between the wall surface (42, 43, 44) in the suction-side portion (45) and the gate (51) is wider than that between the wall surface (42, 43, 44) in the discharge-side portion (46) and the gate (51), and is gradually narrowed from the start point toward the terminal point in the spiral groove (41).
US08348645B2
A pump including a pressure plate having two inlets and outlets, wherein each inlet has an auxiliary intake port in fluid communication with the inlet, and each outlet has an auxiliary discharge port in fluid communication with the outlet, and a cam/rotor assembly attached to the pressure plate. The cam/rotor assembly includes a rotatable cam having an opening, a rotor within the cam opening, the rotor having multiple radial slots, and multiple vanes that move within the slots, wherein a pumping chamber is defined by a space between rotor and cam. Rotor rotation within the cam causes the vanes to extend and retract within the pumping chamber. The movement of the vanes discharges into the outlets and auxiliary discharge ports a fluid drawn into the pumping chamber via inlets and auxiliary intake ports. The auxiliary inlet and auxiliary discharge ports reduce pressure pulsations in a variable displacement dual-lobe vane pump.
US08348641B2
A piston compressor with at least one compression cylinder having a piston, and with one suction port and one pressure port is described. The suction port and the pressure port are arranged at one end face of the compression cylinder.
US08348640B2
A closure bottom plate 1 for electric pump 100, in particular for a boiler circulation centrifugal pump, is made of a cup-shaped motor cover 2 and a connector-holder cover 3. The bottom plate 1 has an internal aeration path 4, intended to allow the circulation—by natural convection—of air which is heated during the operation of the electric pump 100 preventing the formation of condensate inside the bottom plate 1. The internal aeration path 4 is extended between at least one inlet opening 22 arranged on the motor cover 2 and an outlet opening 36, successively crossing the internal volume of the motor cover 2, the coupling opening 21, and a labyrinth 32 defined by the connector-holder cover 3.
US08348639B2
A high performance sealing device having an excellent pressure resistance and realizing a prevention of damage. The sealing device usable at a working pressure of 0 to 2 MPa, and not damaged even if the pressure of high-pressure fuel of 5 MPa or higher is applied thereto, wherein high pressure fuel on the high pressure side is sealed by a first seal part, oil from a cam side on a low pressure side is sealed by a second seal part, and the fuel slightly leaked due to failure of scraping at the first seal part is sealed by the second seal part to form a dual seal structure. A resin ring coming into slidable sealing contact with a shaft is used in the first seal part, whereby abnormal abrasion does not occur even when fuel having less lubricity is used, and the durability of the seal is increased.
US08348636B2
A wave energy converter for compressing air from the movement of waves of a body of water is provided. The wave energy converter includes a middle cylinder upon which an upper cylinder slides thereon and in which a lower cylinder slides therewithin. An upper and lower compression chamber disposed within the upper and lower cylinders allows air to be drawn therewithin and compressed when the upper and lower cylinders are moved relative to the middle cylinder as waves progress through their wavelength from crest to trough and vice versa.
US08348632B2
A compressor shaft has a fluid inlet that leads into a fluid inlet tube, is perpendicular to a longitudinal hole in the length of the shaft. An intermediate inlet into the longitudinal hole is located between the fluid inlet and an outlet at an end of the longitudinal hole. A drive plate mounted to the compressor shaft has a protruding drive arm, which uses a holding mechanism to connect to a swash plate. At certain swash plate angles, the intermediate inlet is covered and sealed by the swash plate, or uncovered. The drive arm defines an internal bore and a through slot. At opposite ends, the bore merges into the longitudinal hole and open into the through slot. The holding mechanism and/or swash plate guide covers the bore in the slot.
US08348630B2
A common regulator valve is provided for a variable displacement pump fuel metering scheme in which the common regulator valve both controls working output to a pump actuator to control displacement of the variable displacement pump and also to control bypass of excess fuel flow. The regulator valve also includes a differential piston which generates a compensation force off of the bypass flow in order to compensate for changes in spring force and flow reaction force at different system pressures and operational states. As a result, errors in the metered fuel flow can be either eliminated or substantially reduced.
US08348626B2
Efficient micro-pumping of gas/liquids is provided. In one embodiment a pipeline of insulative material can be asymmetrically coated with electrodes. The asymmetric coating can affect the flow passage to create straight and swirl pumping effects. The electrodes can include electrode pairs arranged at intervals along the pipeline, each electrode pair being capable of inducing an electrohydrodynamic body force. The electrode pairs can be formed at the same surface, such as along the inner perimeter of the pipeline, and can be powered by steady, pulsed direct, or alternating current. Alternatively, the electrode pairs can be separated by the insulative material of the pipeline, and can be powered with direct or alternating current operating at radio frequency.
US08348625B2
A fan control system includes first and second adjacent fans, first and second motors configured to rotate the first and second fans, and a control unit configured to control rotational speeds of the first and second motors in order to control rotational speeds of the first and second fans. The first and second motors are energized such that the rotational speeds of the first and second fans reach target rotational speeds prior to increasing the rotational speeds of the first and second fans to required rotational speeds. The target rotational speeds are lower than the required rotational speeds. The first and second motors are energized such that the rotational speeds of the first and second fans reach the required rotational speeds after the rotational speeds of the first and second fans reach the target rotational speeds.
US08348612B2
A turbine blade that may include a tip shroud, one or more cooling cavities formed within the tip shroud, and at least one discrete structural element defined within at least one of the cooling cavities. The discrete structural element may include an element that structurally connects a floor of the cooling cavity to a ceiling of the cooling cavity that does not originate from, terminate in, or connect to an interior wall of the cooling cavity or an outer edge of the tip shroud.
US08348611B2
The invention relates to a sensor system and method for detecting deformation in a wind turbine rotor blade, and particularly to a temperature compensated system and method. A first optic fiber 22b is attached to the rotor blade such that deformation of the component acts on the first optical fiber and causes the optical path length of the fiber to change. A second optic fiber 27 is mounted loosely in the wind turbine component in such a way that it is not subject to deformation. A light source 10, a light detector 11, and a controller 12 input light into the two optical fibers and receive signals from them. Based on the detected light, the controller can determine the optical path length based on the light signals. In different embodiments, the light source varies the input wavelength over a range of wavelengths, provides a multi wavelength light signal, such as a white light source, or inputs a pulsed light signal. In further embodiments, the second optical fiber may be omitted if temperature effects are not significant.
US08348590B2
A device for treating and/or handling articles (10), especially molds in the production of chocolate articles, comprises a gripper (6) that is arranged on arms (3.1-3.5) which can be displaced along a rail (1) on carriages (2.1-2.4). At least three arms (3.1 to 3.4) are connected to the gripper (6), every arm having its own joint (6, 7, 29) on the gripper (6) which joint is independent of the other arm.
US08348578B2
An engagement unit for insertion on and engagement with a threaded bolt (33) is provided with an inner part (1) and with an outer part (2) that can be slid onto the inner part (1). The inner part (1) and the outer part (2) are configured with torque receiving means (8, 9, 23, 24) for transmitting a torque applied to the outer part (2) to the inner part (1). After the inner part (1) has been slid onto a threaded bolt (33) in a pre-assembly arrangement in which latching means configured on spring arms of the inner part (1) and cooperating with the threaded bolt (33) are able to slide along the threaded bolt (33), the engagement unit according to the invention can thus be inserted onto the threaded bolt (33) and, once the outer part (2) has been slid onto the inner part (1), can be tightened in the manner of a screw.
US08348564B2
According to a container coupling device 1 of an embodiment, when a container has been lifted with an upper fitting (4) and a lower fitting (5) being engaged with corner fittings (F) of an upper container and a lower container, respectively, via a spring mechanism, a container weight acts on a lower half portion (42) of the upper fitting (4) that crosses an engaging hole (Fa) of the corner fitting (F) of the upper container and on an upper half portion (51) of the lower fitting (5) that crosses an engaging hole (Fa) of the corner fitting (F) of the lower container. The upper fitting (4) and the lower fitting (5) are forcibly rotated against a biasing force of the spring mechanism in a direction in which the upper fitting and the lower fitting overlap an upper fitted portion (22) and a lower fitted portion (23), respectively. As a result, the lower fitting (5) rotates to a position at which the lower fitting overlaps the lower fitted portion (23) while the upper fitting (4) is engaged with the bottom corner fitting (F) of the upper container, and is thus released from the corner fitting (F).
US08348562B2
A low elevational profile of each of a pair of first and second wheel chocks for restraining a current “low-drag” motor vehicle in a carrier, such as a railway car, is derived from each wheel chock having an internally webbed, elongated stepped-box body terminated with a relatively short rectangular box having its inner wall integrally formed with the stepped-box body. The body of the first chock is essentially a mirror-image of the second chock body. The low profile of a wheel chock allows each to be positioned under a vehicle the rocker panel of which has its lower edge only 148 mm (5.82 inches) above the surface upon which the vehicle's tire rests, so that the installed chock height is reduced to 47.6 mm (1.87″) under the components of the vehicle's body. The assembly may include a pair of “active” chocks; or, one active chock and one anchor chock. A single window in the upper portion of the stepped-box provides access for a strap of a wheel harness, which strap is wrapped around a torque tube in an active chock. The torque tube in one chock is rotatable in a direction opposite to that of the torque tube of the other chock. With a pair of active chocks, hooks on straps of a prior art harness are eliminated because it is difficult and time-consuming to manipulate a tire harness with its straps and hooks to secure the tire between the wheel chocks. When one chock is an anchor chock, one end of the strap is provided with a hook which is anchored to a rod or tube which is substituted for the rotatable torque tube.
US08348555B2
The present invention relates to a shuttering element for limiting a section of a trench wall. The shuttering element is characterized by a plurality of shuttering parts which have a plate-shaped base body, consisting of concrete in particular, and are connected to one another at their adjoining horizontal front faces. Furthermore, the invention relates to a shuttering part as well as a method for producing a trench wall in the ground.
US08348544B2
The invention relates to a connecting device for the connection between a brace and a formwork girder. The device incorporates respective arms (3) which terminate at one of their ends in hooks (4) which can be coupled on a first flange of the brace (1) and has flat extensions (6) extending from tubular portions (5) intended to rest on a lower projection of the formwork girder (2). It also has parallel rods (7) located with an inclination opposite to that of the arms (3) traversing the tubular portions (5), which are linked by a connecting bridge (9) traversed by a screw (10), the adjustment of which determines the movement of a clamp (11) assembled on the rods (7). The clamp is provided with locking means (12) which can be coupled to a second flange of the brace (1), opposite the first, in order to secure the connection between the brace (1) and the formwork girder (2).
US08348542B2
A tubular connector system for joining two pipe ends without the necessity of rotating the pipe ends. A coupling has opposing tapered ends. Each of the tapered ends slopes inwardly from an inner extent to an outer extent to form a respective mouth opening of the body. Each tapered end of the coupling has a contoured surface which is made up of a series of alternating helical spline wedges. The wedges are oppositely tapered from an inner extent to an outer extent, whereby the helical spline wedges form an alternating series of lands and grooves on the body as viewed from the respective mouth openings. The two opposing pipe ends have mating engagement surfaces which engage and mate with the contoured surfaces of the coupling as one pipe end is pushed toward the other during assembly.
US08348519B2
A re-terminable, no-crimp ST-type optical connector assembly includes a spring-loaded ferrule holder assembly and a reusable activation system for termination of the assembly. The optical connector can be terminated by a suitable cam activation tool. The connector includes a housing, such as a bayonet, matable to a mating adapter, a backbone retained within a rear of the housing, a ferrule holder provided within the backbone, and a cam provided between the ferrule holder and the backbone. The ferrule holder includes an alignment key exposed to mate with a cam activation tool to lock rotation of the ferrule holder relative to other connector components. The cam includes a cam activation cutout at a front face thereof that mates with a cam activation tool interface to enable rotation of the cam between de-activated and activated positions, the cam activation cutout also receiving the alignment key of the ferrule holder therethrough.
US08348516B2
A connector assembly has a cable assembly, plug assembly and a socket assembly. The socket assembly is a female member which is received within an opening at the front face of a panel. The plug assembly is a male member which then engages the socket at the front face of the panel. The cable assembly connects the cables carrying optical fibers to the plug assembly. As the socket assembly receives the plug assembly, doors on the respective housings open and ferrule carriers carried by the socket and plug assemblies mate. The plug assembly has a movable front end which permits the fibers to move in both horizontal and vertical directions.
US08348514B2
A roller bearing cage includes a first side ring, a second side ring and a plurality of axially-extending bridges connecting the side rings. A pocket for retaining a roller body is defined between the side rings and each two adjacent bridges. The two side rings and the bridges are integrally formed in one-piece. Reinforcement rings are disposed on one or both outer axial sides of the side rings. One or more connecting elements extend axially through the respective bridges, side rings and reinforcement rings. At least one axial end of the connecting element(s) directly or indirectly affixes the reinforcement ring(s) to the side ring(s).
US08348507B2
An x-ray system (100) comprises a gantry (102) on which an x-ray source (104) and an x-ray detector (106) are mounted. A control unit (110) comprises means (114) for effectuating a wiggling motion of the gantry, wherein an axis (116) connecting the x-ray source and the x-ray detector traces a surface (128) of a cone (118). The x-ray source and the x-ray detector have a fixed position with respect to the axis. The control unit comprises means (120) for acquiring a series of x-ray images during the wiggling motion of the gantry. An object recognition unit (122) detects an object (124) appearing in the series of x-ray images to obtain a tracked path. A depth estimation unit (126) uses the tracked path for estimating a depth parameter indicative of a position of the object in a direction substantially parallel to the axis (116).
US08348502B2
There is provided a lighting apparatus that is capable of accurately measuring the temperature of an optical member that transmits therethrough light emitted from a light source without blocking the optical path of the light. A lighting apparatus including: a light source that emits light, an optical member that transmits therethrough the light emitted from the light source, a temperature measuring section that measures a temperature of a first measurement point on the optical member, a storing section that stores therein profile information representing a correlation between the temperature of the first measurement point and a temperature of a second measurement point, where the second measurement point is on the optical member and separated away from the first measurement point, and a temperature determining section that determines the temperature of second measurement point based on the temperature of the first measurement point measured by the temperature measuring section and the profile information stored in the storing section.
US08348500B2
A hygrometer and dew-point instrument is provided that is structurally simple while reducing the workload during maintenance. The hygrometer measures relative humidity of a measurement space, and has a main body that encapsulates a working fluid therein and causes a heat-pipe phenomenon. The main body is disposed across the measurement space and an external space spaced from the measurement space by a heat-insulating part and has a temperature lower than the measurement space. A first temperature deriving part derives the temperature of the main body in a section where the working fluid evaporates. A space temperature detecting unit detects the temperature of the measurement space. A computation unit calculate relative humidity of the measurement space based on the temperature of the main body derived by the first temperature deriving part and the temperature of the measurement space detected by the space temperature detecting unit.
US08348498B2
A procedure for checking the functionality of an electric heating device (10) with at least one PTC-element (13, 14) is suggested. The electric heating device (10) is operated at a battery voltage. When controlling the heating device (10) it is impinged with a current and at least one measuring value is detected, which represents the current that flows through the heating device. The measuring value for the current is compared to at least one reference value with a default tolerance width while considering the battery voltage. In the case of a measuring value that deviates from the reference value an error can be assumed.
US08348495B2
A timepiece includes a striking member and a struck member that is driven when struck by the striking member, at least one of the striking member and the struck member being made from a metallic glass alloy.
US08348492B2
A magnetic track and lighting system is described. The present magnetic luminaire attaches to a track through magnetic connectors and provides easy mobility of the luminaires on the track without necessary mechanical attachment mechanisms. The magnetic luminaire incorporates the utilization of LED sources and provides in its design cooling and heat dissipation by the interface between the magnetic luminaire and the track.
US08348488B2
Lighted refrigerated display case with remote light source comprises a closed container with an interior of the container refrigerated to a temperature below 7 C. The container is thermally insulated from ambient, having internal and external walls. A solid fiber optic luminaire is at least partially mounted within the container, having an elongated side-light emitting portion for emitting light from the side of the luminaire onto contents in an interior of the display case. The side-light emitting portion comprises an extractor of light arranged to preferentially extract light from the luminaire and direct the light in at least one radial direction along the length of the side-light emitting portion to at least one target area of said contents along a longitudinal axis of the side-light emitting portion. A light-delivery system provides light to the fiber optic luminaire, having a light source mounted remotely from the interior of the container.
US08348486B2
A vehicular lamp unit includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in a vehicular longitudinal direction; a light source disposed rearward of a rear side focal point of the projection lens; a reflector reflecting direct light from the light source forward towards the optical axis; a shade disposed between the projection lens and the light source such that the shade blocks a part of reflected light from the reflector and a part of the direct light from the light source to form a cut-off line of a light distribution pattern; a first reflective surface formed on a tip portion of the reflector such that the first reflective surface reflects a part of the direct light from the light source downward to the front of the shade; and a second reflective surface formed on the front of the shade and below the rear side focal point of the projection lens such that the second reflective surface reflects reflected light from the first reflective surface towards the projection lens. The first reflective surface is formed in a shape of an ellipsoidal reflective surface having a vertical cross-section that is generally ellipsoidal in shape, and the second reflective surface is formed in a generally flat shape having a linear vertical cross-section.
US08348472B2
Disclosed is a lighting device, including at least partially reflective electroactive polymer actuator and a lighting element illuminating the electroactive polymer actuator. A voltage control arrangement for driving the electroactive polymer actuator with a spatially varying voltage distribution is provided. This way, the curvature and alignment of the reflective surface of the electroactive polymer actuator can be adjusted as needed, thereby providing an optimized beam pattern for the relevant field of application.
US08348471B2
A LED lamp assembly is disclosed. The LED lamp assembly includes a heat radiator, a base body and a cover body. The base body is located on one end of the heat radiator and the cover body is located on the other end of the heat radiator. The base body has a plurality of first engaging parts, each of which is associated with a first engaging portion. The cover body has a plurality of second engaging parts, each of which is associated with a second engaging portion. The first engaging portion is configured to correspond to and engage with the second engaging portion so as to sandwich the heat radiator between the base body and the cover body.
US08348466B2
A lighted moving ball display system configured to provide a visual display, including a plurality of lighted balls; wherein the lighted balls include a light emitting device; a ball power module and a housing. The system includes a medium having a plurality of clear plastic tubes, spirals, tracks, or spouts; wherein the lighted balls moves therethrough. The system also includes a lifting mechanism configured to lift the lighted balls to a top portion of the medium; and a loading mechanism in communication with the collection chamber and configured to load the lighted balls into the lifting mechanism. The system includes a power module configured to provide power to the modules and components of the system. The system further includes a circulation mechanism configured to circulate the lighted balls through the medium; wherein the circulation mechanism includes a pressurized air system configured to project air through the medium during operation.
US08348455B2
An overhead reading lamp for a passenger seat, in particular in an aircraft cabin, includes a first plurality of light sources, each of which emits light along a center line. The lamp also includes, a holding device which immovably secures the first plurality of light sources so as to be disposed in a first row in such a way that the center lines of the light sources of the first plurality of light sources lie in one plane and are inclined relative to one another. The lamp further includes an, and an activation device, which is connected to the first plurality of light sources and devised to selectively activate in each case one of the light sources of the first plurality of light sources.
US08348452B2
A solar LED lamp includes a housing, a light emitting module, a solar panel, and a light collective member. A circumference of the housing defines a plurality of windows. A light emitting module is received in the housing. Light rays emitted by the emitting module travel out of the housing via the plurality of windows. The solar panel absorbs solar energy and transfers the solar energy into electrical energy for the light emitting module. The light collective member is located over the solar panel and directs sunlight toward the solar panel.
US08348451B2
Emergency cabin illumination for an aircraft, including: at least one cabin component of an aircraft and at least one emergency lighting device, the at least one emergency lighting device being arranged in the cabin component so that the emergency lighting device in its switched-off state has no contrast to its environment, and in the switched-on state of the emergency lighting device, the light emitted emerges from the cabin component.
US08348446B2
An area light source device according to the present invention includes a plate-shaped light guide plate that has one surface that serves as a transmissive surface and another surface that is on the opposite side from the transmissive surface and in which a plurality of recessed portions are provided. The area light source device also includes at least two light-emitting diodes that are accommodated in each of the recessed portions, that emit light in a direction in which the light guide plate extends, and that are disposed such that they emit light in different directions. In this configuration, directing a light-emitting face of any one of the light-emitting diodes such that it faces a given light-emitting area makes it possible to cause light to be emitted uniformly within the light-emitting area and also makes it possible to cause light to be emitted only within the specific light-emitting area.
US08348443B2
A document camera and its light box are provided in the disclosure. The light box includes a base, a light guiding plate embedded in the base, and a light source device movably disposed on the base. The light guiding plate has a light input face and a light output face which are both light transmissive from the base. When the light source device is moved to face the light input face, the light source device provides lights outwards the light guiding plate via the light input face, otherwise, when the light source device is moved away from the light input face, the light source device provides light to the light output face down wards.
US08348440B2
The invention relates to a vision system for representing synthetically generated images for the stimulation of night vision appliances, especially in training simulators for driving or flight training, and lighting and observation operations in night vision conditions. Said system comprises an image generator (17) for generating image signals of a synthetic image, at least one projector (16) which is fed with the image signals and used to project the image onto at least one projection screen (11), and a night vision appliance (15) for visualizing the projected image. The aim of the invention is to create a technically less complex, cost-effective visual system, whereby the projected image is visualized through the night vision appliance (15) in an undisturbed manner when the night vision appliance is stimulated correctly. To this end, the at least one projector (16) comprises a laser source producing a laser projection beam, that radiates an optical wavelength (X) in the non-visible spectral region and within the spectral sensitivity of the night vision appliance (15). The image signals are modulated onto the laser source, which is preferably a laser diode. Preferably, a narrow-band interference filter (19) adapted to the optical wavelength (X) of the laser source is mounted upstream of the night vision appliance (15).
US08348438B2
An object of the present invention is to provide illumination optics that enables improvement in brightness and reestablishment of an irradiation state which is provided with illumination light and which corresponds with a display area, and is to provide illumination optics including a first fly-eye lens and a second fly-eye lens where emission light from the first fly-eye lens enter, wherein at least one of lens elements configuring the second fly-eye lens covers an irradiation area smaller than an irradiation area provided by the second fly-eye lens.
US08348433B2
A projector includes a liquid-cooling device configured to cool down an optical element, an optical element holding member that is constructed to allow cooling liquid to flow in and out and holds the optical element; a liquid pumping unit that circulate cooling liquid; a liquid storage unit that is constructed to allow cooling liquid to flow in and out and temporarily stores cooling liquid therein; and a plurality of liquid circulation members that connect the optical element holding member, the liquid pumping unit, and the liquid storage unit and define a flow channel of the cooling liquid, and the liquid pumping unit, the liquid storage unit, and the optical element holding member are arranged along a circulation direction of the cooling liquid along the flow path in order of the liquid pumping unit, the liquid storage unit, and the optical element holding member.
US08348427B2
Systems for extended depth frequency domain optical coherence tomography are provided including a detection system configured to sample spectral elements at substantially equal frequency intervals, wherein a spectral width associated with the sampled spectral elements is not greater than one-half of the frequency interval. Related methods are also provided herein.
US08348421B2
The present invention relates to spectacles comprising a spectacle frame and a spectacle glass. The spectacle frame, in turn, comprises a frame which defines a receiving opening for the spectacle glass and essentially completely borders the spectacle glass. The spectacle glass is fixed in the receiving opening by means of a thread inserted between the frame defining the receiving opening and the edge of the spectacle glass.
US08348415B2
A recording paper transportation path structure suppresses sagging of the recording paper fed from the nipping part of a pair of rollers to the platen surface of a vacuum platen, and can prevent a drop in paper feed precision. In a roll paper printer 1, the recording paper fed through the nipping part 52 of a paper feed roller 22 and a paper pressure roller 23 is fed along the contact plane P2 of the outside surface of the rollers 22 and 23 toward the platen surface 8a of the vacuum platen 8 at a slightly lower position. An inclined surface part 12b that slopes along the contact plane P2, an up-lifting surface part 12c that slopes down, and a protruding surface part 12d are formed contiguously to the upstream side at the upstream end part 8b of the platen surface 8a. Because the part of the recording medium 10 fed from the nipping part 52 is supported and guided by these parts, the paper is guided to the horizontal surface 12a of the platen surface 8a without drooping down, and a drop in paper feed precision and paper jams caused by the recording paper sagging can be avoided.
US08348403B2
At a predetermined position during the lateral movement of a carriage 10, a gap switching mechanism 30 for switching a gap between a recording head 15 and a recording medium is provided. The recording head 15 is mounted facing downward on the carriage 10. A part close to one side on a lower end of the carriage is slidably and pivotably supported by a guide shaft 11 of a round shaft shape. A switching block member 13 provided with several abutment portions 52 and 53 with different heights, which are positioned so as to be opposed to a slide portion 12a at an upper end of a frame 12 extending in a vertical direction along a back of the carriage. The A switching block member 13 is pivotably supported by the carriage. A first pushing portion 56 is located at a left end of the frame so as to abut against the switching block member 13. A pivotal posture of the first pushing portion is changed due to the abutment to bring the abutment portion 53 into a slide contact relationship with the frame 12, so that a small gap is provided. A second pushing portion 57 is located at a right end of the frame so as to abut against the switching block member 13, a pivotal posture of the first pushing portion is changed according to the abutment to bring the abutment portion 52 into a slide contact relationship with the frame 12, so that a large gap is provided.
US08348391B2
A valve 25 includes: a passage 33 having a first passage 31 which communicates an atmosphere-communicating passage 24 and outside of a cartridge body 10, and a second passage 32 which branches from the first passage; an electrode 35 provided on a wall surface forming the second passage 32; an electrode 37 provided on a wall surface of a bottom wall 11d forming the first passage 31; a driver IC 44 which applies a predetermined voltage selectively to one of these two kinds of electrodes 35, 37; an insulating film 36 provided on a surface of the electrode 35; and an insulating film 38 provided on a surface of the electrode 37. Accordingly, there is provided a valve which is capable of opening and closing a passage communicating two spaces separated from each other, which has no movable part, and which has a simple construction.
US08348386B2
A pagewidth printhead assembly for an inkjet printer, that has an elongate ink distribution member mounted with a series of inlets spaced along the length of the elongate ink distribution member, one or more integrated circuits fixed to the ink distribution member, the or each integrated circuit having nozzles for ejecting ink supplied by the distribution member onto a passing media substrate, and an electrical connector for transmitting data to the or each integrated circuit, the electrical connector having an elongate array of contacts for electrical connection with a corresponding array of contacts on the inkjet printer.
US08348372B2
An ink jet printing apparatus and an ink jet printing method are provided in which information about an ink amount ejected on each of unit areas into which a preceding print medium is divided and information about a size of a following print medium are acquired. A delay time for delaying a printing operation for the following print medium is set based on the information about the ink amount ejected on unit areas which are decided among the divided unit areas according to the information about the size of the following print medium.
US08348366B2
An FPC connected to a piezoelectric actuator has a board and two driver ICs mounted on the board. The board is provided with two wires for transmitting two kinds of mode selection signals respectively corresponding to two kinds of driving modes and with a selection pad selecting one from the two kinds of mode selection signals transmitted through the two wires and then outputting the selected signal to each driver IC.
US08348363B2
There is provided a liquid tank having a liquid remaining amount sensing module that makes it possible to reliably determine that the amount of ink has reached a predetermined value, in spite of its simple and compact configuration. In the ink tank, an information storage element and a module are provided on a ceiling portion of an ink accommodating chamber directly accommodating ink; the module having an optical reflector that faces downward in a vertical direction. A housing of the ink tank is composed of a transparent resin. Infrared light from an external light emitting section is incident on the optical reflector. The reflected light is received by a light receiving section and then, the quantity of light is measured.
US08348358B2
A computer enclosure includes a front panel, a shielding member, and a linkage assembly. The front panel defines an opening and a pair of sliding slots beside the opening. Each of the sliding slots has a stop portion and a sliding portion. The shielding member includes a pair of sliding posts respectively received in the stop portions of the sliding slots. The linkage assembly is capable of pushing the shielding member to urge the sliding posts sliding from the stop portions to the sliding portions of the sliding slots. The shielding member is capable of covering the opening when the sliding posts are received in the stop portions of the sliding slots and capable of sliding along the sliding portions to expose the opening.
US08348356B2
An idler recoil and tension adjustment assembly is disclosed which provides a visual indication to the operator when either the idler recoil section or the tension adjustment section has developed a leak. The idler recoil and tension adjustment assembly includes a housing that accommodates a reciprocating shaft that includes both an idler recoil section and a tension adjustment section. The tension adjustment section is in communication with the grease port and the idler recoil section is in communication with a gas port. The grease and gas ports are coupled to the reciprocating shaft at an attachment section disposed between the idler recoil and tension adjustment sections. A blocking plate is slideably mounted to the attachment section and a shaft or roller is provided inside the housing so that when a leak develops in one of the sections the blocking plate may provide a visual indication to the operator as to which section, the idler recoil or the tension adjustment, is experiencing a leak.
US08348350B2
A brake system (1) having a number of sub-assemblies including a foot brake pedal (14) whose two stages correspond to service and emergency modes. Pneumatic brake modules (6) are assigned to each axle and have a proportional solenoid valve EVP (9). At least one deceleration controlling UCD unit (12) receives information from the pedal related to the pedal's position and electrically controls the brake motor (31) and/or the EVP in the service and emergency modes. A pneumatic control circuit, which is actuated in the emergency mode, controls the EVP directly from the pneumatic box (19) of the pedal. The brake system (1) is suitable for articulated multi-axle road vehicles and used, in particular, for passenger transport.
US08348343B2
A method for controlling the kinematics of a seat having movable portions and actuators for moving the movable portions between an initial position and a final position, at least one movable portion including a specific point, including the steps of establishing, for the specific point, an authorized travel conduit between the initial position and the final position, delimited by two lateral boundaries, calculating the current position of the specific point, establishing a target direction for the specific point that is suitable for moving the specific point in the conduit from the lateral boundaries and the current position, and modifying the direction of the specific point by controlling the actuators in order to force the specific point to move in the conduit.
US08348329B2
A cover for pickup trucks includes a cover with a structure formed by laterals, a front part, a rear part from tubes and/or profiles that form its shape and design. Finish pieces from plastic, metal and/or the like that change the shape and the design can be arranged on the tubes, profiles, and/or the like. The cover is complemented by glass, windows, doors and/or the like, has headlamps, either retractable or non-retractable, and/or the like, and racks and/or like retractables, an air deflector, and a rear wiper.
US08348327B2
A fold down device for the windscreen of a vehicle and in particular for an armored windscreen, wherein said device incorporates two uprights hinged by a first end to the structure of the cab of said vehicle, each of said uprights being placed in the vicinity of the lateral edge of said windscreen, said windscreen being linked to each of said uprights by a connecting rod that is hinged on one side to the second end of each of said uprights and on the other to said windscreen.
US08348324B2
A removable, drapable liner intended for protecting a cargo space of a vehicle. The liner has a base and four sides, all being made of a flexible, tear resistant, water resistant fabric, and is transformable between a stored state, in which it may fold flat or be rolled up, and a drapable, open-topped, box-shaped state. The liner is neither rigid nor self standing, but does have supportive draping strips that provide sufficient support to easily conform the liner to the shape of the cargo space, effectively draping it against the sides and base of the cargo container. The four supportive draping strips each form part of a join between two sides of the liner. The draping strips extending along the length of the joins. Draped against the cargo space, the liner is easy to fill and maximizes the use of the cargo space, while protecting the vehicle.
US08348316B2
Cooking tongs comprise a flat slice portion (1) and a dished portion (2) mounted on elongate arms (3, 4) with a spring hinge (5) therebetween biasing the portions to a spaced apart position. The dished portion comprises a forward edge which is substantially straight, when viewed in plan, a concave part (9) adapted to accommodate the yolk portion of a frying egg, and a periphery (8) around said concave part lying in a single plane. The portions are mounted on the respective arms in such a manner as to permit the flat surface to engage the flat slice portion uniformly when the portions are pressed together, whereby to engage the white of said egg around the yolk, in use.
US08348313B2
An energy absorber for a vehicle includes an elongate member having one or more corrugated sections, the corrugated sections including a plurality of channels wherein the channels include a generally planar front wall and a pair of spaced apart vertically extending side walls, and one or two at least partial end walls. The elongate member further includes a base section extending between channels and one or more flanges that may extend from the base. The energy absorber may be tuned for a desired impact and be located between a bumper beam and a fascia at the front or rear end of a vehicle to provide low speed impact protection.
US08348309B2
A vehicle door latch mechanism having a housing. A catch is rotatably connected with the housing and includes a striker retaining slot. A pawl is operably connected with the housing. A pawl isolation disk is disposed between the pawl and a frame plate. A striker is adapted for engagement with the catch. A striker bumper is adjacent the housing and includes an abutment surface and a striker damper surface.
US08348305B2
An airbag includes a body cloth made of polyamide woven fabric and constituting a circumferential wall of the airbag. The body cloth includes on the inner surface a bond area having a coating layer of polyamide elastomer and to which a supplementary cloth made of polyamide woven fabric is bonded, an extended area having a same coating layer of polyamide elastomer as on the bond area, and an uncoated area that has no coating layer. The coating layer on the bond area is used as heat sealable adhesive that adheres the supplementary cloth to the body cloth whereas that on the extend area is arranged in such a manner as to be exposed to inflation gas upon airbag inflation so as to act as a protective membrane for preventing gas leakage.
US08348295B2
A two-wheeled vehicle, in particular a bicycle, with a rear suspension that includes a front chassis supporting a bottom bracket wheel, and a rear oscillating assembly supporting a rear drive wheel. The rear oscillating assembly is attached to the front chassis by a shock-absorber system, a top pivoting link with two pivot points at top and bottom, and a bottom pivoting link with two pivot points at rear and front. The top and bottom pivot points connect the top pivoting link to the front chassis and to the rear oscillating assembly respectively. The rear and front pivot points connect the bottom pivoting link to the front chassis and to the rear oscillating assembly respectively. Thus, during the compression of the shock-absorber system, the top pivoting link oscillates in relation to the chassis, and about an axis that is perpendicular to the chain line.
US08348293B1
A wheelchair that has the ability to change quickly and easily the front casters of the wheelchair to another set of front casters intended for a different usage. This usage includes: an ‘everyday’ chair set up that uses narrower rear tires and smaller front casters; a snow chair set up with wide rear tires and larger front casters (or skis in place of casters); a beach set up with extremely wide rear tires and balloon front casters placed forward of the front of the frame; a hiking set up with mountain bike rear tires and over sized youth mountain bike front casters set); or a beach set up with extremely wide rear tires and balloon front casters placed forward of the front of the frame. A user may also mix and match front casters and rear wheels to form a different combination not listed above.
US08348291B1
A suspension strut includes a suspension strut bearing and a deflector seal. The suspension strut bearing has an upper portion mounted above a lower portion and a bearing seal mounted therebetween. The upper portion does not rotate with a steerable assembly while the lower portion does, with the upper portion including a lower surface adjacent to a seal opening. The deflector seal is elastomeric and is a toroidal shape, having a radially inner portion and a radially outer portion. The inner portion is secured against the lower portion of the strut bearing, and the outer portion is cantilevered outward from the inner portion to allow for elastic flexing of the outer portion. The outer portion allows for upward elastic flexing into contact with the lower surface of the upper portion of the strut bearing when a fluid or contaminant impinges upon a lower surface of the outer portion.
US08348287B1
A slab cart for sheet material which comprises a dolly component. A shelf component receives the sheet material. A mechanism is for coupling the shelf component to the dolly component in a pivotable manner, so that the shelf component will go from a horizontal position to a vertical position. When the shelf component is in the horizontal position the sheet material will be manually slid off of the shelf component onto a support table and be manually slid from the support table onto the shelf component. When the shelf component with the sheet material is in the vertical position, the sheet material will be held on edge to the shelf component and be transported by the dolly component through the confines of narrow places.
US08348285B2
Improved blow-molded wheels, methods for producing the same, and children's ride-on vehicles including the same are disclosed. The blow-molded wheels may include a blow-molded body that has a tread surface, first and second sidewalls and an axis. The body may be configured to rotate about the axis. The tread surface may extend circumferentially around the body and may extend between the first and second sidewalls. A first region of the tread surface may be disposed between the first sidewall and the central circumference of the blow-molded body. A second region of the tread surface may be disposed between the second sidewall and the central circumference of the blow-molded body. A recessed region may be positioned between the first region and the second region with the radial distance to the recessed region being less than the radial distances to the first and second regions.
US08348283B2
A suspension control apparatus selectively performs at least one of: compression-stroke control performed when a wheel load is increased, for setting a damping-force characteristic of at least one of damping-force variable dampers, which is provided on a side of at least one wheel whose wheel load is to be increased among a plurality of wheels, to a hard side in an early stage of a compression stroke and switching the damping-force characteristic to a soft side in a latter stage of the compression stroke; extension-stroke control performed when the wheel load is increased, for setting the damping-force characteristic to the soft side in an early stage of an extension stroke and switching the damping-force characteristic to the hard side in a latter stage of the extension stroke; compression-stroke control performed when the wheel load is reduced, for setting the damping-force characteristic of at least one of the damping-force variable dampers, which is provided on a side of at least one wheel whose wheel load is to be reduced, to the soft side in the early stage of the compression stroke and switching the damping-force characteristic to the hard side in the latter stage of the compression stroke; and extension-stroke control performed when the wheel load is reduced, for setting the damping-force characteristic to the hard side in the early stage of the extension stroke and switching the damping-force characteristic to the soft side in the latter stage of the extension stroke.
US08348280B2
A seal apparatus including at least first and second adjacent seal segments, each including an elongate body with ends defined at opposing elongate body ends, to be arranged such that an end of the first seal segment joins with a complementary end of the second seal segment, the end of the first seal segment including a first male component protruding from a plane of a first seal surface to define a first female mating section about the first male component, the end of the second seal segment including a second male component protruding from a plane of a second seal surface to define a second female mating section about the second male component, the first and second male components being receivable in the second and first female mating sections, respectively, to form first and second male component overlaps in at least two dimensions.
US08348279B2
A take-apart puzzle consisting of a small number of identical looking bricks which are held together by the mutual magnetic attraction of their internally hidden magnets. The puzzle is disassembled by separating the bricks from one another. Upon separation it will be found that one or more of the magnets within the bricks have moved and/or rotated thereby causing one or more of the bricks to now mutually repel one another. The bricks will not be attracted to each other, thus forcing the so-moved magnets back into their original positions. The puzzle is made all the more tantalizing to solve by the fact that magnetic fields cannot be readily seen and the puzzle only consists of a small number of separate pieces.
US08348278B2
A playing card dispensing and opening system includes a motor drive unit controllable to rotate a first output shaft and rubber card-dispensing wheels in dispensing playing cards and to rotate a second output shaft and a crank arm in moving a transparent flat shovel for opening each dispensed playing card and then carrying the playing card to a playing card recycling chamber for recycling.
US08348276B2
A method and an apparatus are described for determining parameters of a contact between bodies occurring within an activity. A digital camera directed towards a target area during the activity captures image frames including infra red image data. Structure for comparing image data for multiple temporally spaced frames with image data of a reference datum records any localized infra red emission appearing in at least one incident frame. The image data for at least one of the incident frames is analyzed to determine at least one parameter of the contact, and the image data for the incident frame is recorded. Visual display means displays the incident frames including the image data in the IR spectrum to enable visual inspection of the activity in the target area at the time of the incident frame and that gave rise to the contact producing the infra red emission.
US08348267B2
An improved media rotator/translator apparatus includes a cylinder on sphere nip. A series of beveled/spur gears are included, one of which rotates co-axially but independent to the drive roll shafts. This enables the drive rolls to be driven about their own axis while simultaneously allowing for rotation about the roll shaft axis. A ball idler is positioned above each drive roll providing media normal force. Thus, sheet translation, jogging, and rotation is obtained, but with no relative motion, thereby eliminating marking of certain media.
US08348260B2
A sub-assembly of a document processor that routes at least one document from an input hopper, along a document path and to an output bin is disclosed. The document processor includes a flag movably-arranged within the input hopper to/from a closed orientation and an open orientation; a rod fixed to and extending from the flag, wherein the rod includes an outer surface; a cam member including a camming surface, wherein the camming surface is communicatively-coupled to the outer surface of the rod; a driven shaft connected to the cam member, wherein the cam member further includes a one-way clutch, wherein the driven shaft extends through the one-way clutch; and a feed motor connected to the driven shaft. A method for operating the sub-assembly is also disclosed.
US08348253B2
A boiler wall tube tool comprises a pair of opposed clamp members, each one of the clamp members having a nose intermediately disposed between a recess and a planar or inclined wall, and an aperture formed centrally through the clamp member. The clamp members oriented so that the recess of one of the clamp members is substantially aligned with the planar wall of the remaining clamp member for engaging a boiler wall tube therebetween. The aperture of one clamp member is substantially aligned with the aperture of the remaining clamp member. Means for moving the clamp members toward each other for secure clamping engagement of the tubes for maintaining the clamp members in alignment while connecting the ends of the tubes by welding is also provided.
US08348249B2
An apparatus may have a cylinder including a piston rod and a chamber in which a working fluid is received to resist movement of the piston rod into the chamber, and an accumulator having a first chamber in communication with the cylinder chamber to receive fluid from the cylinder chamber upon movement of the piston rod into the cylinder chamber. The apparatus may also have a pressure controller having a fluid chamber where some of the working fluid may be received and an actuator operable to increase the volume of the fluid chamber when the piston rod is retracted into the cylinder chamber to increase the total volume in which the working fluid may be received, wherein the increased volume of the fluid chamber may accommodate fluid movement in the assembly not caused by movement of the piston rod.
US08348242B2
A plurality of similarly configured coupling component assemblies is provided. Each assembly includes a first coil spring and a second coil spring. Each coil spring is positioned in a hole. Each coil spring has an interior end of a reduced diameter with a fastener attaching the spring to the hole. Each coil spring has an exterior end extending a short distance outside of the hole. The exterior ends of adjacent opposing coil springs are adapted to interlock and join associated components of the system when rotated with respect to each other about a common axis of rotation. The coupling components also include a cylindrical rod with opposed ends within the opposing coil springs. Each rod has an axial length greater than the length of each coil spring and less than the axial length of two holes.
US08348240B2
An output shaft to which the rotational force of a motor is transferred is housed in a case. One end side of the output shaft protrudes from a side surface of the case. A pinion gear is fixed to one end side of the output shaft. Teeth that mesh with the pinion gear are formed on the outer circumferential surface of cables. Cable guide surfaces for guiding the cables to mesh with the pinion gear are provided on the side surface of the case.
US08348229B2
The faucet assembly employs a sensor on the side of the spigot to control the flow of water from the spigot. An initial waving of a user's hand across the sensor causes the spigot to be opened and a subsequent waving of the user's hand across the sensor causes the spigot to be closed.
US08348227B2
A fluid flow regulator includes a regulating profile which is either centrally or peripherally disposed within the flow rate regulator, and an annular restrictor which is made of an elastic material. In a functional position of the flow rate regulator, the restrictor delimits a control gap between itself and the regulating profile. In a starting position of the flow rate regulator, the flow rate regulator has an unrestricted flow cross section that is larger than the control gap. The unrestricted flow cross section of the flow rate regulator is variable by a deformation of the restrictor in response to a pressure differential that is generated when a fluid flows through the flow rate regulator. The relative position of the restrictor and the regulatory profile is variable, and moveable against a reset force, into the functional position from the starting position, in response to a flow of fluid within the flow rate regulator. The reset force may be provided in the form of a spring.
US08348222B2
A wall construction includes two mold boards spaced from each other for forming a chamber between the mold boards, a connection rod disposed between the mold boards, two connecting members attached to the connection rod and engaged through the mold boards and engaged with the mold boards for positioning the mold boards in place relative to each other, and two bracing members attached to the outer ends of the connecting members and engaged with the mold boards for further positioning the mold boards in place relative to each other, two frame members are engaged with the mold boards and secured to the mold boards with lock members.
US08348220B2
A portable ceiling fan mounting assembly adapted for use on the exterior of a parked motorized recreational vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes an arm to which the ceiling fan and bracket for the fan is mounted. The arm has an electrical plug disposed on one end that connects the ceiling fan assembly electrically to the available power in the recreational vehicle. A mounting plate is attached to the recreational vehicle wall which receives the arm and contains an electrical receptacle for receipt of the electrical plug. The device is thus easy to handle and install and is user friendly.
US08348219B2
A machine with a holder for mounting a motor to the device, which may be a printer, includes a support structure, a motor including a drive shaft with a drive shaft axis aligned with an opening in the support structure, and a holder including a base portion positioned adjacent to the motor, a first spring tab integrally formed with the base portion and operably contacting the motor to bias the motor toward the support structure, and a first latch arm integrally formed with the base portion and coupled with the support structure, the first latch arm resiliently deformed by the support structure in a direction away from the drive shaft axis.
US08348216B2
A device for attachment to both porous and non-porous wall surfaces includes a suction cup having an elastomeric core and an elastomeric outer layer that is substantially softer than the inner layer. The outer layer includes material that fills pores within a porous surface against which the suction cup is held. The inner layer prevents tearing of the suction cup and causes a partial vacuum to be formed as the suction cup attempts to return to its original shape following depression against a wall surface.
US08348213B2
An adjusting mechanism adapted to adjust a position of a projection unit relative to a fixing object is provided. The adjusting mechanism includes a base, a sliding plate, a first screw, and an elastic element. The base is adapted to be fixed to the fixing object. The sliding plate is slidably disposed on the base along a first axis and adapted to be fixed to the projection unit. The first screw is fixed to the sliding plate and screwed to the base, wherein the first screw drives the projection unit to move relatively to the base along the first axis when the first screw is rotated. The elastic element is compressed between the base and the sliding plate along the first axis.
US08348211B2
A medical supply unit is provided including at least one carrier provided with coupling devices with fixing rails. In the fixing rails, fixing elements of an adapter engage, which are locked in the fixing rail by an operating means actuated by hand by means of a locking means.
US08348201B2
A wing-flap assembly includes a flap made up of a plurality of flap sections, in which each flap section is connected to the preceding one in a rotatable manner, and one or more actuator devices adapted to control the rotation of the flap sections. Each actuator device includes an extended element made of shape memory alloy and an arch-shaped framework made of elastic material, to which the extended element is fixedly connected under tension. Each end of the extended element is fixed to a respective end of the arch-shaped framework. At least one of the actuator devices is connected at one end to the first of the flap sections, and on the other side it is adapted to be connected to a wing structure.
US08348197B2
The lifting surfaces comprise a torsion box capable of bearing aerodynamic and inertial loads. The torsion box has lateral parts that are connected together by an attachment comprising a rib, having a central upper part and a central support lower part joined only by angled cross bars, forming a truss structure along the length of the central support upper part and the central support lower part. The angled cross bars are attached to the upper and the lower parts of the central support: alternatively to both sides of a plane of symmetry defined by said upper and lower parts of the central support, dividing the torsion box in the two lateral parts making a zone of access perpendicular to the length of the central supports, where said zone of access is closed with a piece provided with at least one hole for permanent access.
US08348196B2
A method for connecting a wing. A frame for a wing may be positioned relative to a fuselage of an aircraft. The frame may have bays and comprise a front spar, a rear spar, and a number of spars located between the front and rear spars. A first number of skin panels may be on a first side of the frame, and a second number of skin panels may be on a second side of the frame. The first side may be opposite to the second side. Openings may be in the first and second numbers of skin panels. The openings may be in locations such that each bay has an opening and such that the openings may alternate between the first side and the second side between adjacent bays in the bays. The frame may be attached to the fuselage using the openings to access an interior of the frame.
US08348194B2
A device intended for a hold that can receive containers and luggage simultaneously. The hold includes a freight loading system including rollers defining a rolling surface on which a container can move with the movement of the rollers. The device includes a unit including conveyor belts disposed longitudinally in the hold one after the other such as to extend over at least part of the length of the hold. Each conveyor belt includes an upper section configured to receive an object to be moved and each conveyor belt can move between a first raised position in which the upper section of the belt is located above the rolling surface defined by the rollers of the freight loading system and a second position in which the upper section of the belt is located below the rolling surface.
US08348182B2
An irrigation pipe comprising: at least one first integrated emitter characterized by a first discharge-pressure threshold; at least one second integrated emitter characterized by a second discharge-pressure threshold different from the first discharge-pressure threshold threshold; wherein, the at least one first and at least one second integrated emitters are positioned along the pipe in accordance with a predetermined configuration.
US08348174B2
Systems and methods for energy-saving and water-saving devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a head assembly is coupled to receive a liquid flow from a liquid supply and a gas flow from a gas supply, wherein the head assembly defines a mixing region configured to receive the liquid flow and the gas flow, and a dispensing portion configured to receive a combined flow from the mixing region. In some implementations, a spray nozzle may sprayably introduce the liquid flow into the mixing region. In other implementations, a plurality of curtain flows may be drawn through apertures into the dispensing portion by the combined flow. In still other implementations, a portion of the combined flow dispensed by the head assembly may be recaptured into the gas flow.
US08348173B2
A portable temperature controlled container having a body including an internal chamber with an opening into the internal chamber; and a temperature control unit coupled to the body and displaced to be thermally coupled with a first portion of the internal chamber, the temperature control unit configured to selectively alter the temperature in the internal chamber by releasing a thermally controlled material into the internal chamber.
US08348158B2
A system and method for substantially immediate issuance of transaction cards includes at least one unassigned transaction card including a storage medium having a card number encoded thereupon. The system also includes a computing system configured to receive application information from an applicant that has been provided said unassigned transaction card, and to activate the unassigned transaction card so that access to monetary funds is extended to the applicant through said unassigned transaction card, upon an evaluation of said application information indicating that the applicant has been approved for access to the monetary funds. The unassigned transaction card bears no visible marking presenting information concerning the applicant and encodes no information concerning said applicant upon the storage medium of said unassigned transaction card.
US08348155B2
The invention comprises arrangement and methods for contact- and contactless-services, e.g. payments, money transfer, electronic tickets or identity cards. A card comprises a point of service interface for communication with a point of service, a card database, a mobile terminal interface for connect the card to a mobile terminal connectable to a telecommunication network. The card database can be controlled by the mobile terminal. The card database is configured for storing data and the card data can be accessed via the point of service interface. The date stored in the card database relates to e.g. bank cards, credit cards, identification, tickets, electronic money, identification 15 cards. The invention also comprises a mobile terminal (MT) suitable for communication with the card described.
US08348150B1
A system operated responsive to data included on data bearing cards enables carrying out transactions between a service provider and a customer. Customers may be located within a vehicle in a drive-through lane adjacent to a building which houses a service provider station. Financial accounts may be assessed charges for items based on data read from cards. The customer and service provider may exchange items through a pneumatic tube conveyor system. Alternatively items may be exchanged through a rotating device which provides for selectively positioning items at delivery stations at different vertical heights. The service provider positions items at a suitable level for exchange with the customer based on the height associated with the user in their vehicle.
US08348149B1
An electronic screen capable of showing dynamic images is used to display a set of barcodes, where the barcodes are ‘played’ at the same location on the screen. The screen might also show other material. The data encoded in the barcodes is decoded by a user with a cellphone and camera, that can decode each barcode and combine the data from all the barcodes. This can be extended with the screen also showing static barcodes that encode URLs, where the URLs go back to a web server that also controls the screen. A user with a cellphone and camera scans one of these static barcodes and uses a browser to go to the decoded URL. The web server uses this visit to change what is being shown in the dynamic barcodes, or to change the conditions under which the latter are displayed.
US08348144B2
A method and a system for tracing items through a non-synchronized process are disclosed. Information relating to items going through processing is obtained by a control mechanism, such as any processing device or an autonomous robot for transferring the item. The placement or position of the item after processing or transfer is stored as traceable information for the transferred items in a data base and the information relating to the item on arrival and the information after processing or transfer then contributes to historic information about the items.
US08348143B2
A confectionery container (11) is constructed from one or more pieces of foldable material (10, FIG. 1). A first end is closed by a wall (32) incorporating at least part of a dispensing chute (35) movable between an open position for the dispensing of items and a closed position for the containment of items within the container. The first end wall (32) comprises two or more end closure flaps (28, 29) arranged such that they can be assembled into the first end wall after the items have been introduced into a partially formed container through the first end (32). The chute (35) may have a base (36) and a pair of side walls (12a, 14a), at least one of the side walls (12a, 14a) having a leading edge (39) which contacts a side wall (55) of the container to limit opening movement of the chute. The container (11) is preferably formed from a unitary blank (10, FIG. 1) and the container side walls may have inner panels (12, 13, 14, and 15) and outer panels (16, 17, 18, and 19). A method of constructing the container is also disclosed.
US08348141B1
A convenient, economical, novel parcel paper for folding to enclose a gemstone is provided, which includes three rectangular sheets of paper (or a paper-like material) and a thin, rectangular substantially transparent viewing pane attached to at least the inner one of the rectangular sheets. The three sheets include an outer cover sheet, a thin central flute, and a thin inner flute. Each of the sheets is configured with an open rectangular viewing window. The viewing pane is attached to the inner flute to form a continuous, unified sheet; thus when the cover, central flute, and inner flute are folded together with their viewing windows aligned, the viewing pane allows observation of the enclosed gemstone enclosed within the folded parcel paper.
US08348135B2
A soldering flux composition comprising: (i) a carrier vehicle comprising a solvent; (ii) an activator component for activating a metal surface for soldering; (iii) a color-imparting component with an appropriate color to facilitate optical detection of flux on the fluxed component; and optionally (iv) a gelling component to control flux rheology. The color-imparting component is utilized to indicate the presence of desired amounts of flux. A component with inadequate flux for reliable soldering can be rejected.
US08348131B2
Various forms of surgical instruments are disclosed. In various embodiments, the instrument includes a cartridge supporting assembly for operably supporting a staple cartridge therein. The cartridge supporting assembly may be responsive to firing and retraction motions applied thereto from a firing assembly. An anvil may be operably coupled to an anvil closure assembly. The anvil closure assembly may be constructed to selectively move the anvil in a proximal direction toward the cartridge supporting assembly to enable a portion of tissue to be clamped between a cartridge supported by the cartridge supporting assembly and the anvil under a predetermined amount of compression. The device may further include a closure actuator that operably interacts with the anvil closure assembly such that as the closure actuator is moved in a first direction, the anvil closure assembly causes the anvil to move in the proximal direction to increase the compression of the tissue between the staple cartridge and the anvil. A variable load generating member may cooperate with the anvil closure assembly and the closure actuator to apply a resistive load to the closure actuator in relation to an amount of compression applied to the tissue between the anvil and the staple cartridge.
US08348130B2
A surgical buttress for use with a surgical stapling apparatus having a first jaw in the form of an anvil assembly and a second jaw configured to selectively receive a staple cartridge assembly. The surgical buttress includes a first body portion and a second body portion. The first body portion substantially overlies a portion of a plurality of fastener slots of the staple cartridge assembly. The staple cartridge assembly is removably operably couplable to the second jaw of the surgical stapling apparatus. The second body portion extends from the first body portion and is configured and dimensioned to be removably positioned to substantially overlie a portion of a plurality of fastener pockets of the anvil assembly of the surgical stapling apparatus when the staple cartridge assembly is operably coupled to the second jaw of the surgical stapling apparatus.
US08348127B2
A surgical fastener cartridge is provided and includes a cartridge body having a plurality of surgical fasteners operatively disposed therein. An actuation mechanism is housed within the cartridge body and includes a plurality of pushers operably associated with the plurality of surgical fasteners. The actuation mechanism includes a plurality of pivotably connected link assemblies. Each link assembly being pivotably engaged with a corresponding bottom surface associated with each the pushers and a corresponding top surface associated with an internal channel housing and operably coupled to one another. The actuation mechanism includes an activation structure configured to move each of the link assemblies and sequentially cause each of the link assemblies to move through a succession of motions within the cartridge body, such that the link assemblies cause the corresponding pusher to contact and, subsequently, sequentially eject the associated surgical fastener towards the depression in the anvil.
US08348123B2
A dissecting tip is provided for use with a surgical stapler or instrument. In one embodiment, the dissecting tip is secured to the end effector of the surgical instrument, e.g., to the cartridge assembly. The dissecting tip extends distally from the end effector and is configured to dissect or separate target tissue from certain tissue, e.g., adherent, connective, joined or other tissue.
US08348122B2
A surgical stapling device is disclosed for performing circular anastomoses. The surgical stapling device includes a handle portion, an elongated body portion and a head portion including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The head portion includes an anvil assembly including a tiltable anvil which will tilt automatically after the device has been fired and unapproximated. The tiltable anvil provides a reduced anvil profile to reduce trauma during removal of the device after the anastomoses procedure has been performed. The stapling device includes an approximation mechanism including a rotatable knob, a screw having a helical channel and an anvil retainer. The helical channel includes a dwell portion for providing a tactile indication to a surgeon that the anvil retainer has been advanced to a position wherein the anvil assembly can be removed from the anvil retainer. A removable trocar for attachment to the anvil assembly is also disclosed which includes a rib positioned proximally of a mounting projection. The rib is positioned to align the mounting projection with associated engagement structure of the anvil assembly.
US08348119B2
A nailer device has a housing containing a motor, a gear box, a transmission mechanism, and a striking rod. The motor, the gear box, and the transmission mechanism cooperate to cause the striking rod to be moved back and forth. The striking rod has a peripheral outer surface and a longitudinal axis and the striking rod and the gear box are connected through a sliding connection structure which allows the striking rod to be moved along its longitudinal axis and which prevents the striking rod from rotating around its longitudinal axis.
US08348118B2
A new and improved trigger control assembly (110) for switching the mode operation of the fastener-driving tool (112) between a sequential mode of operation and a bump firing mode operation. The trigger member (134) is provided with a pair of throughbores (140, 142) for alternating accommodating a pivot pin (144) by which the trigger member (134) may be pivotally mounted upon the fastener-driving tool housing (114) at two different positions whereby the workpiece contacting element (116) of the fastener driving tool (112) will engage the actuation lever (160) of the trigger member (134) at different positions so as to achieve the sequential and bump-firing modes of operation.
US08348109B2
The resin nozzle adapted for storing resin set bolts into ceilings and walls of a mine by injecting a resin sausage into a pre-drilled bolt hole, the said nozzle including: a spring that defines a passage to which resin sausages may be passed there-through; a nozzle tip connectable to the same defined passage, said nozzle adapted to extend into a pre-drilled bolt hole; and a connector member adapted to be fastened onto the tuck bolting equipment to which the resin sausages may be ejected there-from.
US08348105B2
A foam dispensing device creates and dispenses foam from a source of liquid. The device employs a mixing chamber upstream of a unit of porous material and an outlet. When activated, a single motor powers a liquid pump and an air pump. The liquid pump transports liquid from a source to the mixing chamber. The air pump propels air through the mixing chamber wherein the air becomes pressurized. The liquid and air mix within in the mixing chamber. The liquid-air mixture is propelled through the porous material by the flow of air, creating a foam that is dispensed from the outlet.
US08348101B2
A locking dispenser to dispense material from a replaceable refill container maintains a lock assembly having a plurality of spring-biased plungers configured in accordance with a predetermined lock parameter. The refill container carries a collar that includes a plurality of markers configured in accordance with a predetermined key parameter. Thus, when a refill container having a key parameter that is compatible with the lock parameter of the key block is installed at the dispenser, the plungers transition from a locked state to an unlocked state to enable the movement of an actuator, which when depressed by a user, results in the dispensement of material from the refill container.
US08348100B2
A device and a method for delivering a fluid, in particular hot-melt adhesive. The device includes a base member having an inlet opening for receiving the fluid from a fluid source and an outlet opening for delivering the fluid to a nozzle arrangement. The nozzle arrangement has a discharge passage with a discharge opening for delivery of the fluid. A heat transfer member heats or cools the fluid and includes a heat transfer passage through which the fluid can flow. The heat transfer passage is of a flow cross-section which changes in the flow direction.
US08348091B1
Provided are plate designs that enable a user to hold a plate in one hand, together with a drinking cup in the same hand. The subject designs find use in various situations in which a user desires to hold a plate and a drinking cup simultaneously. The subject designs also find use in various situations in which a user desires to hold a plate securely, in the presence or absence of a drinking cup.
US08348079B2
The invention concerns a closure for a cylindrical can (10) The closure includes a flexible member (11) of the easy-open type secured across the open end of the can (10). A rigid, screw cap (22) is screwed over the thus sealed end of the can. An annular, resilient member (24) depending downwardly from the underside of the end wall of the cap (22), engages the membrane (11) in the vicinity of the end flange (18) of the can body (10) thereby strengthening the seal between the membrane (11) and the flange (18). This advantageously permits cooking of the contents of the can with the flexible membrane (11) in situ, thereby giving rise to a can having an easy-open end, the contents of which can are cooked and sterilized using conventional processing lines.
US08348071B1
A base assembly for air handlers having a filter. Four metallic legs each have a distal end. The metallic legs also have first through holes at first predetermined distances from their respective distal ends. The metallic legs have a rectangular or square cross section, and each distal end mounts to a floor. First and second metallic upper frames have vertical extensions to telescopically receive the four metallic legs respectively. The first and second metallic upper frames further have braces member and air filter C-shaped tracks. The first and second metallic upper frames each further have elongated male horizontal arms and elongated female horizontal arms that join whereby the air filter C-shaped tracks face each other to receive a filter.
US08348063B2
The invention relates to a backflush device (6) for a filter system (1) for removing impurities from a fluid, the backflush device (6) serving to backflush a filter body (3) in the filter system separating the clean side (5) from the inlet side (4), and comprising at least one backflush nozzle (7) for applying a rinse medium to the filter body (3), said nozzle comprising at least one opening (8) through which the rinse medium flows in a flow direction (9) during backflushing and exits the backflush nozzle (7). In order to improve the effectiveness of the backflushing, the at least one opening is designed as a slit opening (8) extending transverse to the flow direction (9) in a straight line having a constant cross-sectional profile (16) comprising a nozzle segment (17) expanding the flow direction (9).
US08348060B2
An air enclosure is provided. An air filling passageway for filling air into the first and second air cylinders is formed between two inner films. A plurality of first air cylinders and at least one second air cylinder are formed between two outer films. The second air cylinder includes an upper section, a middle section, and a lower section. The upper section, middle section, and lower section are isolated from each other. At least one tiny tube, connected with the upper and lower section is disposed at the middle section. The air is filled into the first air cylinders, as well as the upper section and the lower section, while the middle section remains flat. Because second air cylinder includes expanded upper section, lower section, and flat middle section, an accepting space with different shapes can be formed.
US08348057B1
The present invention relates to an anti-theft toolbox comprising a lower frame, an upper frame and a locking element. The lower frame and the upper frame latch together by locking portions. The locking portions have notches. The locking element has two tighten masses with a groove spanned across them. The inner wall of the groove has opposite flanges. The flanges are anchored into the corresponding notches. The two tighten masses are bound by a plurality of binding portions which has a hollow in-between every two adjacent binding portions.
US08348054B2
A combined, flexible and floppy laundry, travel, storage/display bag structure for socks and like small clothing articles, including (a) a machine-launderable/dryable, open-mesh, fabric bag having front and back sides, and spaced top, bottom and lateral edges, (b) located intermediate the bag's top and bottom edges, an elongate openable/closeable closure structure joined to and extending laterally across the bag's front side and between its lateral edges, and furnishing user-selective access to the inside of the bag, and (c) plural, releasable, clothing-article-holding structures mounted inside the bag on its back side, made manually accessible, via the closure structure, for operative gripping and releasing, within the bag, of user-selected clothing articles.
US08348048B2
A deflection mechanism (1) for a conveying system including a central member (5) with a rolling element (20) that revolves around the central member (5). The rolling element (2) has a plurality of guided rolls (3) which roll within a raceway (13) of the central member (5). The shape of the central member (5) is adjustable such that a deflection angle of the deflection mechanism (1) can be adjusted.
US08348042B2
An optical sensing device for detecting plural optical features of valuable papers is provided that comprises first and second photocoupers 5 and 6 or 9 and 10 positioned in the vicinity of and on the opposite sides of a passageway 13 for guiding the valuable paper 64. Each of first and second photocouplers 5 and 6 or 9 and 10 has a light emitting element 20, 22, 30, 32 for emitting a light, and a light receiving element 21, 23, 31, 33 for selectively receiving the light from the light emitting element 20 so that each light receiving element 21, 23, 31, 33 can receive lights reflected on and penetrating the valuable paper 64 for detection of multiple optical features from the valuable paper 64. Thus, the optical sensing device can derive plural optical scanning patterns by means of less number of light emitting and receiving elements to improve accuracy in valuable paper validation; can pick out optical patterns for different colors printed on valuable paper by means of plural lights of different wavelength irradiated on a same scan line or area on valuable paper; and can utilize inexpensive light emitting and receiving elements to reduce cost for manufacture.
US08348041B2
A dog-tooth-face interface for a vehicle includes a first clutch element that has a plurality of recesses distributed on a side of the first clutch element and around an axis through the first clutch element and a second clutch element that has a plurality of teeth configured to engage with the recesses and distributed on a side of the second clutch element adjacent the recesses. At least one of the first clutch element and the second clutch element is configured so as to rotate about the axis, and at least one of the first clutch element and second clutch element is configured so as to move along the axis to engage or disengage the first and second clutch elements. Moreover, the first clutch element has a substantially continuous wall surrounding the recesses, and the recesses have at least one corner relief portion configured to avoid contact with corners of the teeth.
US08348037B2
A torque converter having three sealed chambers in which a piston for engaging and disengaging a lock-up clutch is attached to the torque converter using a plurality of leaf springs. The assembly includes a plurality of access or pass-through holes for effecting the attachment of the leaf spring to the cover using rivets. Also included is plurality of plugs to seal the pass-through holes. A method of using the plugs to prevent uncontrolled leakage from one sealed chamber to another.
US08348035B2
A current collector for a rail vehicle and a method for transmitting energy from power rails to the vehicle employ a contact shoe that includes an upper sliding contact surface and a lower sliding contact surface. A first pressing-on force forms a sliding contact between the upper sliding contact surface and an upper contact surface of a first power rail, when the contact shoe is in an upper sliding contact position. A second pressing-on force forms a sliding contact between the lower sliding contact surface and a lower contact surface of a second power rail, when the contact shoe is in a lower sliding contact position. The pressing-on forces may be applied by a pressing-on device attached to the contact shoe. The contact shoe may be moved into the upper sliding contact position by the first power rail, and into the lower sliding contact position by the second power rail.
US08348032B2
The present invention relates to a component for the absorption of energy on an impact having a frame as well as having a section located in the frame and connected to the frame, with the section consisting of a multilayer fiber composite or comprising a multilayer fiber composite.
US08348021B2
A method, an elevator system control unit, computer-readable media and an elevator installation for allocation of a user to the elevator installation, which is provided with a plurality of elevator cars and with a destination call control unit, wherein the user lodges a destination call at the destination control unit using a communications unit. The destination call control unit determines a group of elevator cars for serving the destination call and makes the group known to the user by the communications unit. The user selects an elevator car from the group by the communications unit. In addition, information for guiding the user to the selected elevator car is communicated to the user by the communications unit.
US08348018B2
A display device for a lift system with at least one lift shaft, in which several lift cabins travel. The device includes an allocation manager that allocates an identifier to a lift cabin carrying out a transport job and a display at a boarding location that outputs an identifier of a lift cabin. The display can simultaneously display the identifier for several lift cabins.
US08348017B2
An assembly includes a reservoir for holding a fluid, and a scavenge passage connected to the reservoir at a reservoir inlet. The scavenge passage returns the fluid from a delivery location to the reservoir. A bleed passage is connected in fluid communication between the reservoir and the scavenge passage.
US08348016B2
A device for providing a controlled maximum rate of descent down a rope and fall arrest. The device includes a movable cam that in response to tension on a rope pivots into a closed position, jamming the rope within the device and arresting a fall. Force applied to a torque arm coupled to the cam allows the cam to be pivoted to its open position, which allows rope travel. As cam is opened, the rope travels a more sharply angular path through the device, which creates a frictional force on the rope sufficient to limit the maximum rate of descent.
US08348014B2
A safety-featured ladder, including taut rope wrapped over top of the top rung and under bottom of the bottom rung and fixedly connected to the ladder when downward force is applied to the rope in front of the ladder. In a first embodiment, a sleeve including a pulley subsystem is attached to a body harness worn by a climber and can move or slide along the rope only when climbing up ladder. In a second embodiment, a sleeve including a different pulley subsystem including a centrifugal brake is attached to a body harness worn by a climber and can move or slide along the rope when climbing up or climbing down. However, if the climber loses footing and starts to fall the sleeve grabs the rope, and/or the rope grabs the sleeve, which prevents the climber from falling more than a few inches and from injury. Hooks at top of the ladder can hook around transverse cables atop poles.
US08348011B1
An earplug cushion for an earphone comprises a central tube part with a sound outlet and a sound inlet fitting with the sound guide tube of the earphone, an outer shield part extending from the sound outlet to the sound inlet for being inserted into the canal, and a buffer part disposed at the tube part next to the sound outlet; according to special and effective design for the buffer part, when the earphone is worn with the earplug cushion, the buffer part becomes twisted and deformed to be adapted to the canal in different sizes snugly without clearances for decreasing oppression to the canal and enhancing quality of the listened sound.
US08348010B2
An ear piece for providing audio (e.g., from an electronic device) to the user is provided. The ear piece may include a compliant element operative to be inserted in the user's ear such that the compliant element deforms to retain the ear piece in the user's ear. The compliant element may include a connector portion coupling the compliant element to the ear piece housing, and an outer portion folded over the ear piece housing. To improve the user's comfort, the parting lines and other manufacturing defects may be hidden from view and from touch (e.g., the parting lines are on the inner surface of the outer portion).
US08348005B2
A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a motor, a multi-stage gear transmission, and an actuator. The engine has a crankshaft, a crankcase, and a cylinder. The motor is provided on the crankshaft. Through the multi-stage gear transmission, an output of the crankshaft is changed to be used for traveling of the vehicle. The actuator is configured to automatically shift the multi-stage gear transmission and is provided in the crankcase in proximity to the motor. A radius from a center line of the cylinder to a part of the actuator farthest from the center line is shorter than a radius from the center line to a part of the motor farthest from the center line. The actuator has a width less than a width of the motor in a direction perpendicular to the crankshaft.
US08348004B2
A method for generating a triggering signal for a pedestrian protection device in which sensor data are ascertained and analyzed. After a collision with an object has been recognized, features are generated from the sensor data, which are analyzed for ascertaining an object mass and/or an object hardness, the triggering signal for the pedestrian protection device being generated if the ascertained object mass and/or the ascertained object hardness is/are within a triggering range which represents a collision with a pedestrian.
US08348002B2
A drive and steering unit for driving and steering a load support comprises a steering assembly, a slewing ring engaged with the steering assembly and being rotatable about an axis in response to actuation of the steering assembly, a drive assembly mounted to the slewing ring, and a drive power system coupled to the drive assembly and movable with the slewing ring.
US08347983B2
A Drill-To-The-Limit (DTTL) drilling method variant to Managed Pressured Drilling (MPD) applies constant surface backpressure, whether the mud is circulating (choke valve open) or not (choke valve closed). Because of the constant application of surface backpressure, the DTTL method can use lighter mud weight that still has the cutting carrying ability to keep the borehole clean. The DTTL method identifies the weakest component of the pressure containment system, such as the fracture pressure of the formation or the casing shoe leak off test (LOT). With a higher pressure rated RCD, such as 5,000 psi (34,474 kPa) dynamic or working pressure and 10,000 psi (68,948 kPa) static pressure, the limitation will generally be the facture pressure of the formation or the LOT. In the DTTL method, since surface backpressure is constantly applied, the pore pressure limitation of the conventional drilling window can be disregarded in developing the fluid and drilling programs.
US08347968B2
A completion system that is usable with a well may include a packer, a screen, an isolation valve and an annulus communication valve. The screen communicates well fluid between an annulus of the well and an interior passageway of the completion system. The isolation valve is radially disposed inside the screen to control communication through the screen between the annulus and the interior passageway. The annulus communication valve is located downhole of the packer and uphole of the screen to control communication with the annulus of the well. The packer, screen, isolation valve and the annulus communication valve are adapted to be run downhole as a unit into the well as a single trip completion.
US08347965B2
An apparatus for wellbore fluid treatment having a body with a lower end, an upper end, an exterior surface and an interior surface defining a long bore open at the upper end, an outlet port spaced from the upper end, and a die in the long bore between the upper end and the outlet port. The outlet port permits the communication of fluids between the long bore and the exterior surface. The die is substantially immovable within the long bore and has an inner open diameter in which a plug is landable to create a seal in the long bore before passing through the inner open diameter.
US08347959B2
A method for stimulating production of a first wellbore associated with a reservoir. The method includes determining a textural complexity of a formation in which the reservoir is located, determining an induced fracture complexity of the formation using the textural complexity, determining a first operation to perform within the formation to maintain conductivity of the formation based on the induced fracture complexity and the textural complexity, performing the first operation within the formation, and fracturing the formation to create a first plurality of fractures.
US08347957B2
A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising establishing a pumping profile having a performance plan, determining a remaining life estimate for a first wellbore servicing device, wherein the first wellbore servicing device is suitable for impacting conformance to the performance plan, and selecting a second wellbore servicing device in response to the remaining life value for the first wellbore servicing device, wherein the second wellbore servicing device is suitable for impacting conformance to the performance plan. A wellbore servicing system, comprising a first device suitable for impacting conformance to a performance plan, a first sensor configured to monitor an operational characteristic of the first device, and a controller in communication with the first sensor, the controller being configured to calculate at least one of a remaining life estimate of the first device and a probability of survival estimate of the first device.
US08347953B1
A submersible pumping system includes a motor, a pump driven by the motor, a seal section disposed between the pump and the motor and an inline monitoring package connected between the seal section and the motor. The inline monitoring package is electrically connected to the motor through a wye point connection. The inline monitoring package preferably includes a sensor array that includes a plurality of sensors configured to measure conditions internal and external to the submersible pumping system. The inline monitoring package further includes a shaft configured to transmit the output from the motor to the pump. The inline monitoring package further includes a fluid exchange system that accommodates the thermal expansion of lubricants in the motor.
US08347943B2
Diecasting tool for the production of a cylinder crankcase (2), comprising a salt core (4) and at least one cylinder sleeve (6), wherein the cylinder sleeve (6) comprises an upper end (8) on the cylinder head side, and a lower end (10) on the crankshaft side, and the cylinder sleeve (6) is supported on at least one center sleeve that is disposed on the diecasting tool, and the salt core (4) at least partially surrounds the cylinder sleeve (6) in the manner of a cladding, wherein the salt core (4) comprises a crown (12) that at least partially bears on one of the ends (8, 10) of the cylinder sleeve (6), and the core (4) comprising openings (14) that extend vertically beneath the end (8) of the cylinder sleeve (6) on the cylinder head side.
US08347942B1
A method of manufacturing a vehicle wheel is provided with the steps of forming a wheel rim preform by injection molding a material made of alloy wherein the wheel rim preform includes a holed center, a grooved rim, a plurality of spokes interconnecting the holed center and an inner surface of the grooved rim, and a plurality of openings each formed in the spoke; preparing an endless CFRP work piece; cutting the CFRP work piece into a plurality of CFRP members; placing the CFRP members in the openings of the spokes; and heating the wheel rim perform at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time to melt the CFRP members, thereby forming a finished wheel.
US08347937B2
A window blind apparatus having a first magnetically active track, a second magnetically active track, a first rod, a second rod, a first magnet located at the first end of the first rod, and a second magnet located at the second end of the first rod, a third magnet located at the first end of the second rod, a fourth magnet located at the second end of the second rod, and a window covering material adapted to be disposed between the first rod and the second rod, wherein the apparatus is adapted to be used to wholly or partially cover the window over which it is mounted.
US08347933B2
An application-film transfer tool includes a supply bobbin around which an unused transfer tape is wound; a transfer head around which the transfer tape is extended, the transfer head pressure-sensitively transferring an application film of the transfer tape onto a transfer subject by pressing against the transfer subject; a take-up bobbin taking up the used transfer tape; a clutch mechanism transmitting the rotation of the supply bobbin to the take-up bobbin and controlling the rotational speed of the take-up bobbin; and a reverse-rotation prevention mechanism preventing reverse rotation of the supply bobbin, wherein part of the supply bobbin constitutes part of the reverse-rotation prevention mechanism.
US08347929B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-piece rim which does not need much labor for supporting, and does not increase the number of components to be managed and the number of needed tasks.The present invention constructs a lock ring (40) to be fitted in the groove (11a) of a gutter band (11), which ring is divided in a plurality of portions (41, 42) being coupled at each end (41a, 42a) thereof by a flexible coupling member (43). Alternatively, a lock ring (140) is formed into a substantially C-shape being manufactured by cutting a part of a circular ring, and comprises a first portion (141) wherein a length of a chord at the cut portion is substantially equal to the diametral of a hub, and a second portion (142) having a shape corresponding to the cut portion of a circular ring in the first portion.
US08347923B2
Device and method for needle penetrating and filling a chamber with a predetermined substance, and hermetically resealing a resulting needle hole in the device by applying radiation thereto. The needle penetrable and resealable portion defines a predetermined wall thickness in an axial direction thereof, and may include a thermoplastic that substantially prevents the formation of particles released into the chamber from the needle penetrable and resealable portion during penetration by and withdrawal of the needle. Such thermoplastic may include a predetermined amount of pigment that allows the thermoplastic to substantially absorb laser radiation at a predetermined wavelength, substantially prevent the passage of radiation through the predetermined wall thickness thereof, and hermetically seal a needle aperture formed in the needle penetration region thereof in a predetermined time period.
US08347921B2
Two connected valve units each formed by serially connecting plural electromagnetic valves in a direct abutment state are disposed in parallel between two end blocks. The two end blocks are tightened with plural connecting bolts disposed therebetween so as to directly clamp and fix the two connected valve units from both sides in the serial connection direction of the electromagnetic valves. One of the end blocks is provided with a power supply connector, and the other is provided with an air inlet port and a discharge port.
US08347905B1
A faucet of the single handle mixing valve type. The faucet includes a housing having a domed housing cap enclosing a valve cartridge having an actuating stem movable along a vertical flow-control axis for varying water flow rate, and movable along a horizontal temperature-control axis for varying the temperature. A handle is connected to the actuating stem. A recess extends vertically along the outer surface of the domed housing cap. A releasable stop member is adapted to engage the recess when the handle is moved along the vertical flow-control axis in its cold water only position, and adapted: to release engagement upon application of a horizontal force. A ramp is located along the lower periphery of the domed housing cap outside of the cold water only position and is adapted to prevent the handle from being lowered into a full off position except when in the cold water only position.
US08347894B1
A fusion comb is a single comb which houses two separate and independent combs. Each independent comb has a manually operated plunger which forces a hair product through the comb and out of a set of outlets in the teeth of that comb. By withdrawing the plunger, liquid is suctioned through the teeth and into the comb.
US08347893B2
An assembly for thickening hair has a first adhesive tape, apt to be reversibly adhered on hair, having an adhesive face onto which there are arranged connecting elements of hair extensions of a first plurality of the hair extensions at their respective distal end, and a second adhesive tape, apt to be reversibly adhered on hair, having an adhesive face onto which there are arranged connecting elements of hair extensions of a second plurality of the hair extensions at their respective distal end, the tapes having positioning elements such that the connecting elements of the extensions of said first and second plurality of the hair extensions overlap when the positioning elements are in turn overlapped.
US08347889B2
A positioning device to facilitate the maintenance of a patent airway by correctly positioning a patient's head under anesthesia during an operation or procedure comprising at least one adjustable support including a plurality of segments or sections selectively positionable relative to adjacent segments or sections and selectively lockable relative to each other having a patient engaging member coupled to the proximal end portion thereof to engage a portion of the patient's head to maintain the position of the patient's head during an operation or procedure.
US08347884B2
A brushless fan motor includes a case, a tubular part disposed in the case and fixed at a bottom of the case, at least a bearing disposed in the tubular part, a toric coil surrounding the tubular part, and a rotating assembly. The rotating assembly includes a turntable, a rotating shaft, a loading ring, a permeability metal element and a toric radial magnet. The turntable has a top surface and fan blades disposed on the top surface. The rotating shaft is disposed through the bearing and connected to the turntable. The loading ring connected to the turntable surrounds the toric coil. The permeability metal element includes an annular part fixed at an inner wall of the loading ring. The toric radial magnet is fixed at an inner wall of the annular part. A positive airway pressure breathing apparatus using the brushless fan motor is also provided.
US08347881B2
A flexible pneumostoma management device maintains the patency of a pneumostoma while controlling the flow of material through the pneumostoma. The pneumostoma management device includes a pneumostoma vent having a tube which enters the pneumostoma to allow gases to escape the lung, a flange and a filter/valve to control flow of materials through the tube. The flange is a thin flexible patch comprises of multiple thin layers of materials and which conforms and attaches to the chest of the patient. The flange includes a filter, a protective outer layer and an inner hydrocolloid layer. The flange secures the tube in position in the pneumostoma. An indicator responsive to gases exiting the pneumostoma is integrated into the device and provides and external indicia of the patency and efficacy of the pneumostoma.
US08347879B2
A fluid dispensing device is disclosed having a housing and a fluid discharge device. The fluid discharge device is arranged to be actuated by one or more levers so as to apply a force transversely to the fluid discharge device which is used to move a container forming part of the fluid discharge device along a longitudinal axis of the fluid discharge device to cause actuation of a pump forming part of the fluid discharge device. A pre-load means is used to prevent actuation of the pump until a pre-determined force is applied to each lever of sufficient magnitude to guarantee the production of a well developed efficient spray from the fluid dispensing device.
US08347875B2
A portable gas-fired heater comprising a housing, a burner assembly, and a carbon dioxide detector system. The housing is adapted to at least partially enclose a fuel source. The burner assembly is enclosed by the housing.
US08347864B2
An internal combustion engine (1) has a fuel tank (18) and a fuel vapor reservoir (25). According to the method during the tank vent period—before opening the tank vent valve (28) a reference value is updated if a condition is met, and otherwise the existing reference value is maintained, —before opening the tank vent valve (28) an opening period is determined as a function of at least one variable, —the tank vent valve (28) is controlled such that the flow achieves the target flow value by the end of the opening period that was determined, —the load level of the fuel vapor reservoir (25) is computed based on the reference value, —a fuel amount is computed based on the load level, —and the fuel amount to be metered by the injection valve (22) is corrected based on the computer fuel amount.
US08347863B2
An internal combustion engine has a fuel delivering device with a high-pressure pump which conveys fuel into a fuel reservoir, and a volume flow control valve that is assigned to the high-pressure pump. A control difference (FUP_DIF) is determined from a difference between a predefined fuel pressure (FUP_SP) and a detected fuel pressure (FUP_AV). The control difference (FUP_DIF) is fed to a controller that encompasses at least one integral portion (I_CTRL). A corrective value (COR) for an error value of a fuel flow rate is determined in accordance with the integral portion (I_CTRL) of the controller if a sum of the integral portion (I_CTRL) exceeds a given threshold value during a predefined mode of operation of the internal combustion engine. In addition, an actuating signal (PWM) for the volume flow control valve is generated according to a controller value (FUEL_MASS_FB_CTRL) and the corrective value (COR).
US08347857B2
A charged engine may utilize a plurality of independently controllable intake valves for a cylinder of the engine. A method to operate the engine includes monitoring an unmodified timing for the plurality of independently controllable intake valves for the cylinder, monitoring operation of the engine, determining a delayed timing for a first intake valve of the independently controllable intake valves for the cylinder based upon the monitored operation of the engine and the unmodified timing for the plurality of independently controllable intake valves for the cylinder, controlling the first intake valve based upon the determined delayed timing for the first intake valve, and controlling a second intake valve of the independently controllable intake valves for the cylinder based upon the monitored unmodified timing.
US08347856B2
A method for operating an engine of a vehicle, the engine having one or more deactivatable cylinders, the method including controlling the stability of a vehicle in response to vehicle acceleration, and reactivating or deactivating combustion in at least a cylinder in response to vehicle acceleration.
US08347849B2
A method for operating a direct-injection internal combustion engine includes unevenly distributing load among a plurality of cylinders by operating a portion of the plurality of cylinders in a spark ignition mode and the remaining portion of the plurality of cylinders in a homogeneous charge compression ignition mode.
US08347840B2
A process for starting a direct-injecting internal-combustion engine is disclosed. The process includes triggering a separate drive for adjusting the camshaft for causing an angular position change between the crankshaft and the camshaft until the separate drive rotates the crankshaft such that a working medium is compressed by a piston in a cylinder of the internal-combustion engine. The position of the pistons of the internal-combustion engine is determined by using position determining devices to identify the cylinder of the internal-combustion engine in which the working medium is compressed. Fuel is injected into the cylinder in which the working medium is compressed when the cylinder is in a proximity of an upper dead center to start the internal-combustion engine.
US08347838B2
In an internal combustion engine valve drive train switching arrangement with a switching unit, the switching unit has at least one actuating unit with at least two switching members and at least one switching device for actuating the two switching members independently in an at least partial chronological offset, so as to perform a first switching process based on a first signal and then a second switching process, independently of an electronic evaluation.
US08347826B2
A water tube WT of a heat exchanger B includes a helical tube body 5 which includes a plurality of loops 50 arranged in the axial direction. At least one of the loops 50 includes an inclined tube portion which is inclined with respect to the axial direction and a non-inclined tube portion extending perpendicularly to the axial direction. The inclined tube portion is provided at each of opposite end regions s2a and s2b in a width direction crossing the axial direction, whereas the non-inclined tube portion is provided at an intermediate region S1 in the width direction. With this structure, the pitch p2 of the loops 50 is reduced. Therefore, by increasing the number of loops 50, high heat exchange efficiency is achieved without considerably increasing the size of the helical tube body 5.
US08347821B2
A self regulated feeder for a footbath for animals may include a hollow container for a source of fluid, an outlet passageway to connect the hollow container with the footbath, an air return passageway to connect the hollow container to ambient air to return air to the hollow container, and a differential valve to restrict the returning air to the hollow container. The fluid may include air, and the fluid may include a liquid having a disinfect agent. The self regulated feeder may include a flush passageway to flush the footbath, and the air return passageway may be connected to a liquid trap container to prevent fluid from the footbath from reaching the hollow container.
US08347811B2
A system is provided that is capable of supporting an object during application of surface coating that would enable access to multiple surfaces of the object while minimizing the impact on any surface that has not dried. The system provides stable support for the object during the application process and allows the coatings of all surfaces to dry with minimal effect on the coated surface. The system comprises a plurality of support units. Each support unit comprises a base portion and a contact portion. Each base portion is adapted to rest stably upon a work platform and contact portion is adapted to contact an underside of the object during application of surface coating. The plurality of support units together supports the object above the work platform.
US08347806B2
An anchor retrieval system for manually retrieving a submerged anchor without requiring heavy pulling includes an anchor retrieval apparatus generally in the form of a clip formed from cylindrical stainless steel fabricated into a unique shape the permits the device to be quickly connected to an anchor line by a simple sliding motion. The clip is further adapted by the attachment of a buoyant member, such as a buoy, to provide a buoyant lifting force. Once the clip is connected to the anchor line anchor retrieval system is tossed into the water and travels down the anchor line as the boat motors away from the buoy until the buoyant force lifts the anchor from the sea floor, whereafter the anchor line is manually drawn in to the boat as the anchor is buoyantly suspended near the surface.
US08347805B2
Controlling lateral force developed by a paravane system. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: towing a paravane system through water, the towing by way of a bridle comprising a plurality of fixed-length forward lines coupled to a respective plurality of forward tow points, and a plurality of fixed-length aft lines coupled to a respective plurality of aft tow points; and while towing the paravane system through the water changing one or both of the lateral force supplied by the paravane or the direction of the force supplied by the paravane.
US08347797B1
A seed planting device comprising a shaft having a handle disposed on the first end and a base attached to the second end; a plurality of spikes removably attached to the bottom surface of the base, the spike being for driving into a ground area so as to aerate soil; a seed tube attached to the outer surface of the shaft, wherein seeds are housed in an inner cavity of the seed tube; the seeds can be dispensed from the inner cavity via a hole disposed in a second end of the seed tube that fluidly connects to a tube that traverses the base via a channel; and a valve disposed at the second end of the seed tube moveable between an open position and a closed position for respectively allowing and preventing seeds from being dispensed from the seed tube.
US08347793B2
A method of manufacture may include providing a first platform having a substantially planar first surface and a second platform having a substantially planar second surface substantially parallel to the first surface. The method may further include mechanically coupling the second surface and first surface via a plurality of compression springs allowing movement of the second platform relative to the first platform. Additionally, the method may include mechanically coupling at least one weight sensor to the second platform configured to measure a portion of weight of a load upon the apparatus. Moreover, the method may include communicatively coupling a compression spring control module to at least one compression spring of the plurality of compression springs and the at least one weight sensor configured to tune the at least one compression spring based at least on the portion of weight of the load measured by the at least one weight sensor.
US08347791B1
A computer accessory tray assembly adapted for mounting to a chair. The tray assembly includes individual left and right mouse trays mounted by horizontal arms to respective arms of the chair. A keyboard tray is engageable with the left and right mouse trays to prevent lateral movement of the keyboard tray, but allows the keyboard tray to be lifted up from engagement with both mouse trays and moved out of the entry/exit position of the chair so that the user can have access to the chair. When removed from engagement from both mouse trays, the keyboard tray can be stowed by hanging it from either of the mouse trays. The mouse trays are adjustable vertically, forwards and backwards, and can be titled to provide ergonomic access to a mouse resting on either mouse tray.
US08347784B2
A towable trailored standing tree baler provides independent maneuverability with sufficient structural strength required for baling large trees. A telescopic wheeled frame provides ground support directly underneath a tree branch compression ring and therefore provides a strong structural foundation for pushing the ring upward. The support wheels of the frame can be both steered and tilted so that the apparatus can be centered on the tree even on uneven ground. A compression ring lifting boom utilizes an interconnecting rotation arm between the end of the boom and the compression ring so that the ring may be positioned at a very low starting point close to the ground and then moved accurately upwardly with the circumference of the ring being held level and centered. A specialized lining material on the ring reduces friction against the tree limb bark and therefore reduces tree limb damage.
US08347783B2
A cherry pitter includes a container having a removable cherry holder with a plurality of cavities for holding cherries. A mating plurality of cutters is secured to the lid of the container, which is pivotally secured to the container. By rotating the lid downward the cutters are pushed into and through the cherries, pushing the pits into the container. A spring-loaded push-off plate holds the cherries down against the holder as the lid rotates upward again, separating the cherries from the cutters. These and other examples of the invention will be described in further detail below.
US08347781B2
A food cooling device includes a cover, an electric motor powering a fan, and an automatic switch. The cover defines air intake openings beneath a motor housing, a bottom orifice, and vents between the air intake openings and the orifice. The bottom opening rests on a table, covering a plate containing hot food. A fan blade directs air toward the food, the air cools the food, and the heated air escapes through the vents. The cooling device is portable, light in weight, and easy to operate, making it suitable for use by small children as well as handicapped persons of all ages.
US08347780B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for separating air from a fluid, such as syrup, as the fluid enters a first chamber of a system; passing the fluid from the first chamber to a second chamber via a first device; passing the air from the first chamber to the second chamber via a second device so as to reintroduce the air back into the fluid and form a new fluid mixture having more uniform air bubbles; and discharging the new fluid out of the system.
US08347772B2
A braider comprises a plurality of horngears. The horngears can be arranged for forming at least two closed paths for braiding. Each horngear has a driving gear and a hornplate. Each horngear can be selectably operated in a first mode, to rotate with the driving gear, and in a second mode, in which the driving gear rotates, but the hornplate does not. Bobbin carriers are positioned on some of the horngears. A track is configurable in: a first flat braiding mode with the carriers arranged on the horngears, so that there is one or more separate closed path for forming a first flat braid configuration; and a second flat braiding mode for forming a second flat braid configuration different from the first flat braid configuration. A switch is provided for changing a configuration of the track between the first and second flat braiding modes.
US08347767B2
A wrench for a valve includes an elongated member having a first end portion and a second end portion. A first leg and a second leg are attached to the first end portion. The first leg and the second leg extend at an angle with respect to each other to form a gap therebetween. The first leg and second leg both having an inner surface for engaging with an outer surface of a bonnet and both legs having a front surface for engaging with a side surface of a rib attached to the outer surface of the bonnet. The wrench also including a handle attached to the second end portion.
US08347764B2
A ratchetable open-ended wrench includes a handle for a hand to grasp, a wrench head located on one end of the handle, and a fastener room located in the wrench head for accommodating a workpiece to be rotated. The wrench head further includes a first jaw having a first driving wall, a second jaw having a second driving wall facing the first driving wall, an inner wall extending from the second driving wall into the second jaw, a concavity, an auxiliary jaw retracting opening, an auxiliary jaw capable of longitudinally sliding into the auxiliary jaw retracting opening in an elastic way, and an auxiliary jaw limiting member coupled to a limiting slot. The auxiliary jaw further includes an exterior end having a pillow in contact with the driving wall and a pushing surface for working together with the first jaw to grip the workpiece under operation, an interior end, and a limiting slot.
US08347760B2
A ratchet device with stable structure includes a control unit, at least three receiving spaces defined on the top plane of the control unit, the receiving spaces communicating with each other, a pair of blockers and a elastomer located in each receiving space, a ratchet unit connected to the control unit, the ratchet unit having a spindle formed at one end thereof, a plurality of teeth formed around the periphery of the ratchet unit, the teeth engaged with the blockers of the control unit; a switching unit connected to the ratchet unit, at least three push sticks extruded from the bottom of the switching unit for pushing against the blockers. Therefore, the amounts of engaging faces among the blockers and the teeth are as enough as possible to make the engagement between the blockers and the teeth stable during an external torsion.
US08347759B2
A well coated wrench includes a metal element, a one-way mechanism and an isolative coating. The metal element includes a tunnel defined therein. The one-way mechanism is substantially located in the tunnel. The one-way mechanism includes a tongue located outside the tunnel and a button located outside the tunnel. The isolative coating is provided on the metal element. The isolative coating includes an external annular ridge located around the button.
US08347755B2
A transmission apparatus includes a drive member, a driven member, and an at least partially flexible transmission coupled to the drive member and the driven member. The flexible transmission is configured to cause movement of the driven member in response to movement of the drive member. The flexible transmission includes a first tension element having a first portion coupled to the drive member, a second portion coupled to the driven member, and an intermediate portion between the first portion and the second portion. The transmission apparatus also includes an adjustment member that engages the intermediate portion of the first tension element. The adjustment member is configured to be adjusted to vary a tension force applied to the first tension element.
US08347749B2
In a gear shift device and a method for operating a manual gearshift device of a motor vehicle including a control unit which, in a gear shift mode is adapted to resolve a recognized tooth butt condition of a gear shift device which is to be engaged positively by a starting clutch, the control unit is adapted to select a starting mode for resolving the tooth butt condition by setting a startup readiness parameter which determines a startup readiness condition as established before the tooth butt condition is resolved for initiating clutch engagement and thereby resolving the tooth butt condition and, at the same time, starting movement of the vehicle.
US08347748B2
A gear changing device (1) has a gear lever (3) to operate a vehicle gear box, and several sensors to detect the movement of the gear lever with respect to the surroundings as a result of a force exerted by a user on the gear lever. The gear-changing device also has two electrical motors (5, 7), which are connected to the gear lever (3) via transmissions (9, 11). The transmission (9, 11) are formed by self-braking worm-worm wheel transmissions. The gear lever (3) can only be shifted if the electrical motors are actuated. The electrical motors shift the gear lever or permit the movement of the gear lever, depending on the sensor signals. The movement speed of the gear lever in this is such that it appears to the user that he has to overcome resistance to be able to shift the gear lever, so that the gear lever exercises a haptic effect.
US08347747B2
A method for providing torque to assist in moving a component of a mobile platform. Biasing forces may be applied to opposing portions of a torque transferring member that enable the torque transferring member to be maintained in a position of equilibrium. A torque may be applied to one of the component and the torque transferring member such that the biasing forces cooperatively exert a torque on the torque transferring member to assist in moving the torque transferring member out from the position of equilibrium. Motion of the torque transferring member out from the position of equilibrium may be used to assist in moving the component.
US08347745B2
A method of counting and analyzing an alloy by image analysis. The method includes a) preparing a sample of the alloy; b) determining inclusion detection thresholds by observation, with magnification, of at least one field of the sample; c) detecting inclusions of the sample as a function of the threshold defined in b), and counting the inclusions; d) acquiring images of each of the inclusions detected in c) and determining a size of each of the inclusions; e) determining the chemical composition of each of the detected inclusions by chemically analyzing each of them; and f) making a map of the sample from the images acquired in d), the map showing spatial distribution of the inclusions, in which each of the detected inclusions is represented by a graphics element, a size of the graphics element being proportional to the size of the inclusion, and a color of the graphics element being correlated to the chemical composition of the inclusion.
US08347743B2
A specimen processing device comprising: first and second units for processing specimens; a conveyance unit for conveying a specimen rack in a first direction from a first position where the specimen is retrieved by the first unit to a second position where the specimen is retrieved by the second unit, and a second direction opposite to the first position; a detector common to the first and second units for executing a detection process with respect to the sample containers; and a conveyance controller controlling the conveyance unit to convey some sample containers of the detected sample containers executed with the detection process to the first position, and to convey the other sample containers of the detected sample containers to the second position, the some sample containers and the other sample containers being held by a common rack, is disclosed. A specimen processing method is also disclosed.
US08347740B2
A system for measuring the weight of an object while pulling the object upward includes a puller having a frame and a cable having a first end coupled to the object and a second end engaging a second cylinder. At least a portion of the cable engages the outer circumferential surface of a first cylinder and the second cylinder. The apparatus also includes an upper arm and an actuator. A force measurement device is coupled to the first cylinder and to the upper arm and measures the weight of the object. The actuator is operable to lower and raise the weight measurement device and the first cylinder. In some embodiments, the position of the cable with respect to the frame may be adjusted by a dampening system or a bushing.
US08347738B2
This invention provides small position sensors for applications where localized sensing in a small volume of space is needed but where measurement of large relative displacement is also necessary. The invention enables a surgeon to accurately position the tip of a catheter during minimally invasive therapy. The current invention further improves the quality of tactile feedback to a physician during catheter-based surgeries with an axial force sensor at the tip of the catheter that allows for the transmission of force information to the physician. One embodiment of this invention is a position sensor for active interventional catheters, where the sensor may be laser-machined shape memory alloy (SMA), and the catheter actuators may be heated SMA or wire-pulleys. Providing position feedback from a catheter during minimally invasive therapy allows for closed-loop control of the catheter tip position under computer-aided guidance and enable force feedback to the physician.
US08347737B2
A pressure sensor for measuring a pressure of a fluid in fluid flow path of a fuel cell system is disclosed. The pressure sensor includes a housing provided with a communication path formed between the fluid flow path and an interior of the housing, the communication path having a hydrophobic feature to militate against a formation and an accumulation of an undesired material within the pressure sensor.
US08347734B2
A measuring system and method for determining and/or monitoring the flow of a measured medium through a measuring tube with a first ultrasonic sensor and at least a second ultrasonic sensor. The first Ultrasonic sensor is placeable in a first region of the measuring tube, and the second ultrasonic sensor is placeable in a second region of the measuring tube. The ultrasonic signals transmittable through the measured medium from the first ultrasonic sensor are receivable by the second ultrasonic sensor, and the ultrasonic signals transmittable through the measured medium from the second ultrasonic sensor are receivable by the first ultrasonic sensor. A control/evaluation unit ascertains the volume flow and/or the mass flow of the measured medium flowing in the measuring tube by means of a travel-time difference method.
US08347726B2
A sensing device includes a nanowire configured to deform upon exposure to a force, and a transducer for converting the deformation into a measurement. The nanowire has two opposed ends; and the transducer is operatively connected to one of the two opposed ends of the nanowire. The other of the two opposed ends of the nanowire is freestanding.
US08347720B2
A tunneling accelerometer includes a proof mass that moves laterally with respect to a cap wafer. Either the proof mass or the cap wafer includes a plurality of tunneling tips such that the remaining one of proof mass and the cap wafer includes a corresponding plurality of counter electrodes. The tunneling current flowing between the tunneling tips and the counter electrodes will thus vary as the proof mass laterally displaces in response to an applied acceleration.
US08347715B2
An electronic device includes a capacitive component with variable capacitance coupled to a control stage that controls the capacitance based on a reference signal, with a reference frequency, and an excitation signal, that is a multiple of the reference frequency. The capacitive component includes a variable capacitive network having a plurality of switched capacitors, each being switchable between a first configuration, where it is connected between connection terminals of the capacitive component, and a second configuration, where it is connected at most to one of the connection terminals. The control stage includes a logic module, coupled to the variable capacitive network for switching periodically each capacitor between the first configuration and the second configuration. A sign circuit, coupled to the capacitive component supplies a control signal having edges concordant with the excitation signal in one half-period of each cycle of the reference signal and discordant edges in the other half-period.
US08347698B2
A sensor is provided and includes a body disposed at a point of measurement interest on a rotor at a radial distance from a centerline thereof and having a substantially cylindrical shape and first and second opposing ends and a sensing end coupled to one of the first and second opposing ends, the other of the first and second opposing ends being coupled to a communication system, the sensing end including a sensing device configured to generate a signal reflective of a detected condition at the point of measurement interest, and at least one of the first and the second opposing ends being formed to define a shoulder portion for absorbing gravitational loading.
US08347690B2
A compressor leakage detector includes a water tank, an elevator platform, a control panel, and a pressure testing unit. The elevator platform is disposed in the water tank to rise and drop vertically. The operating panel of the control panel has a human-machine interface, indicators, and pressure gauges. The pressure testing unit in the control panel uses an intake pipe to connect to several branch pipes that in turn connect to the compressors in the water tank. Each of the branch pipes connects in series to at least one intake EM valve and at least one exhaust EM valve. A pressure sensor is interposed between the intake EM valve and the corresponding compressor.
US08347679B2
An unlocking device includes a casing mounted to a side of a lock having a keyhole. A movable body is rotatably received in the casing about an axis. The movable body has a closed end having a through-hole. A key receiving seat is received in the movable body and has a passage. The keyhole is normally blocked by the closed end of the movable body. The movable body can be rotated to align the through-hole with the keyhole and the passage. A manually rotatable linking rod extends through the passage and has an engaging portion for coupling a key received in the passage. The key can be moved into the keyhole by moving the linking rod along the axis and can be rotated for a locking or unlocking operation.
US08347663B2
A security device a plurality of cables which are securable about an item of merchandise with a locking member and a cable-tightening mechanism each connected to the cables in a spaced apart manner. The locking member includes a key portion for unlocking the tightening mechanism when the cable is removed from the item. The tightening mechanism includes a spool and a ratchet mechanism. Alternate embodiments for locking and unlocking the ratchet mechanism are disclosed. The tightening mechanism carries sense loops which if compromised actuate an onboard audible alarm. The cables are part of one or more of the sense loops. The device is configured to sound a security gate alarm upon passing through the gate and upon simply reaching a certain distance from the gate. The tightening mechanism includes a housing having a flip-up handle for tightening the ratchet mechanism to tighten the cable.
US08347657B2
An input device of a washing machine and a control method of the same are disclosed. An input device of a washing machine includes an operation part generating a plurality of identical signals for washing course designation, a control part controlling one of a plurality of preset washing courses to be designated sequentially according to a predetermined order if the signal is generated by the operation part and a display part displaying the washing course designated by the control part. A control method of an input device of a washing machine for washing course selection includes generating a plurality of identical signals by a user's operation, designating one of a plurality of preset washing courses separately according to a predetermined order whenever the signal is generate, and displaying the designated washing course.
US08347651B2
A method is provided for separating or dividing strengthened glass articles, particularly strengthened glass sheets, into at least two pieces, one of which has a predetermined shape and/or dimension. A flaw is initiated in the glass at a depth that is greater than the depth of the strengthened surface layer of the glass, and a vent extending from the flaw is created at a vent depth that is greater than the depth of and outside the strengthened surface layer to at least partially separate the glass. In one embodiment, the vent is generated by treating the glass with a laser to heat the glass to a temperature in a range from about 50° C. below the strain point of the glass up to a temperature between the strain point and the anneal point of the glass. A glass article having at least one strengthened surface and at least one edge having an average edge strength of at least 200 MPa is also described.
US08347643B2
Various control methods are disclosed for removing moisture from the external surfaces of an evaporator in a refrigerant system to avoid moisture entering a conditioned space. In one embodiment, the evaporator fan is driven in a reverse direction, and the air is guided to the outdoor environment. In other embodiments, a supplemental exhaust fan is utilized in conjunction with the evaporator fan. Also, a reheat circuit, hot gas bypass circuit, or specific features of a heat pump unit may be utilized to more efficiently perform the moisture removal.
US08347632B2
An open-cooled component for a gas turbine is provided. The component includes an outer wall that is subjected to a hot gas and at least partially defines a first cavity for a first means. The outer wall is provided with through-openings which open up into the cavity on one side and into a hot gas chamber on the other. The inventive component also includes at least one second cavity for admixing a second means, said second cavity is connected to the through-openings in a fluid-connected manner. A combustion chamber for a gas turbine, and to a gas turbine including one such component is also provided.
US08347625B2
In a method for operating an actuator for a wastegate actuating device of an exhaust gas turbocharger, a wastegate situated in an exhaust branch of an internal combustion engine is electrically adjustable with the aid of the actuator, and an exhaust gas quantity flowing through the exhaust gas turbocharger is adjustable as a function of an opening position of the wastegate. The actuator is controlled using an applied electrical power in a closed position of the wastegate to provide a varying closing pressure of the wastegate as a function of a characteristic curve of an exhaust gas counterpressure applied via the wastegate.
US08347616B2
An engine and drive train system suitable for personal or commercial transportation vehicles. The system converts the expansive energy of compressed air or gas into mechanical energy to produce motion or force. The engine of the present invention further uses the intrinsic kinetic energy of the vehicle in motion to generate and store compressed air or gas for in-situ or later use. The engine may also be used for braking by the introduction of high pressure air or gas at maximum displacement.
US08347610B2
An exhaust emission control device has a particulate filter 5 and a selective reduction catalyst 6 arranged side by side. An S-shaped communication passage 9 is arranged for introduction of exhaust gas 3 from a rear end of the filter 5 to a front end of the adjacent catalyst 6 in a forward fold-back manner and with a urea water addition injector 11 arranged midway of the passage 9. In order to satisfactorily disperse the urea water with enhanced mixing with the exhaust gas 3 even if the flow rate is increased, slits 12 are formed in circumferentially spaced positions on a rear end of a mixing pipe 9B constituting an upstream portion of the communication passage 9 so as to introduce the exhaust gas 3. A downstream end 9a of a gas gathering chamber 9A is connected to the rear end of the mixing pipe 9B such that the slits 12 are encased and the rear end of the mixing pipe 9B is closed.
US08347603B2
A method for metering a reagent which an emission control device situated in the exhaust duct of an internal combustion engine requires for removing at least one exhaust gas component from the exhaust gas and a device for executing the method are described. The fluid level of the reagent stored in a reagent tank is measured. The measured change in the fluid level is compared to at least one measure for the change in the fluid level calculated as a function of consumption. An error signal is output when the comparison result exceeds a predefined threshold value. This approach enables reliable information to be provided about the fluid level of the reagent in the reagent tank.
US08347602B2
A liquid propellant rocket engine with a propulsion chamber shutter, the rocket engine comprises a combustion chamber, a propellant injector device placed at an upstream first end of the combustion chamber, a nozzle throat disposed at a downstream second end of the combustion chamber remote from the upstream first end, and a diverging portion disposed downstream from the nozzle throat. A selective shutter device for the nozzle throat comprises an axially-symmetrical shutter member placed downstream from the nozzle throat, and axial rod for controlling the shutter member, a first short centering member for the control rod situated at the upstream first end of the combustion chamber level with the propellant injector device, a second short centering member for the control rod situated in the combustion chamber in the vicinity of the nozzle throat and upstream therefrom, and a system for returning the control rod of the selective shutter device for the nozzle throat to the closed position.
US08347596B2
Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include a yam twisting or cabling apparatus, methods of twisting or cabling yarn, and the like.
US08347589B2
A method of packaging dispenser assemblies, the method comprising forming a group of n dispenser assemblies, disposed in such a manner that the flaps are stacked and the housings are in side-by-side alignment and oriented in the same direction. When arranged in this way, the dispensers remain visible through the large windows formed in their respective housings.
US08347585B2
A method of installing distribution systems such as needed piping, ductwork, electrical wiring, and other systems in a new construction having a structural ceiling and floor, comprises the steps of: providing a frame module of main and cross frame members; assembling the modules on site directly below the final placement position; installing ductwork, piping, electrical wiring, and other distribution systems in the modules; fabricating and attaching upper wall portions to the modules; lifting modules with attached upper wall portions towards the structural ceiling; attaching support columns to the structural ceiling and floor; and mounting the modules onto the support columns, such that the support columns support the modules.
US08347581B2
An anchor assembly for use in joining together a masonry wall structure and a supporting back wall structure wherein the back wall structure is preferably formed using insulated concrete form (ICF) blocks each having a pair of opposed ICF panels associated therewith, the anchor assembly including an anchor member and a tie member. The anchor member includes an anchor portion adapted to penetrate one of the ICF panels and having at least one opening associated therewith so as to lie between the opposed ICF panels when attached thereto for allowing poured concrete to flow therethrough, and an attachment portion having a tab member positioned and located to overlay an ICF panel flange member when the anchor member is inserted within the ICF panel, the tab member being attachable to the ICF panel flange member. The attachment portion further includes an elongated slot for receiving the tie member, the tie member being adjustably movable along the length of the slot so as to be positionable between the courses of brick or other masonry material associated with the masonry wall structure as the masonry wall structure is being erected.
US08347580B2
An improved structural member includes a pair of top flanges each extending along the member's length in a separated and opposed co-planar fashion, and a pair of similarly separated and opposed co-planar bottom flanges also extending throughout the member's length. At least two web members connect the lowermost surfaces of the top flanges to the uppermost surfaces of the bottom flanges, and at least one leg member connects these web members together and holds them in a spaced-apart relationship. The invention also includes cooperatively configured components for connecting the inventive structural members together in end-to-end and perpendicular relationships, and also strengthening members which may be added to or removed from the structural members, as needed. Additionally, components for attaching the structural members to other mechanisms and to conventional accessories are provided, so that a modular beam and scaffold system is formed.
US08347579B2
A semi-butterfly connecting clamp and a building steel framework joint structure are mainly used for connection of a building steel framework. The connecting clamp includes a bearing plate, two L-shaped self-locking blocks, and two clamp wings provided at two ends of the bearing plate, respectively. Each of the clamp wings is integrally formed by a pre-tightening plate and a self-locking fastening plate. A groove is provided at an end of the self-locking fastening plate near the bearing plate. A wedge-shaped piece, having an inclined upper surface and a locking bolt hole, is placed on the self-locking fastening plate at a position near the groove. The retaining distance of the connecting clamp can be conveniently adjusted according to the size of the retained vertical column, and it can weaken the destruction action of the applied outside force on the building steel framework when the outside force acts on the connecting clamp.
US08347576B2
A single ply mechanically embossed roofing membrane in a roll form for use in commercial applications on flat and low pitched roofs. The roofing membrane preferably includes a scrim or reinforcement sheet sandwiched between a top layer and a bottom layer, wherein the bottom layer is completely embossed with various configurations forming alternating ridges and valleys. The embossed roofing membrane improves roll blocking upon installation. The embossed roofing membrane can be installed by fully adhering or mechanically attaching to the roof deck.
US08347569B1
A self-leveling structural element in a non-progressive attachment system, a U-shaped retentive clip having a base and two upwardly extending arms that are forced apart by the installation of a self-drilling screw, the novel retentive clip with screw coacting with an extruded frame to mount and retain a plurality of aluminum composite material (ACM) panels in a coplanar manner, to form an Aluminum Composite Cladding System, for a non-progressive system that enables removal of individual panels for replacement or repair.
US08347562B2
A radiant barrier rafter vent defining an elongate radiant heat reflective panel formed from a sheet of aluminum or other heat reflective material having longitudinal creases that permit compressing the panel a selected amount in a direction transverse to its length and panel strengthening spaced apart formations on the remainder of the panel. The panel have a high reflectivity and are installable in various buildings between the rafters or roof supports spaced apart from the roof and optionally coated with a sound absorbing material or include small perforations therein.
US08347558B2
An under deck drainage system for use with a deck. The system includes at least one starter strip mounted to one or more joists of the deck, a plurality of clips coupled with the starter strip, where the clips are slidable along the starter strip. The system further includes an elongate channel member coupled with at least one of the plurality of clips, and the elongate channel member has at least one channel therein.
US08347557B2
A gutter hanger having a mounting portion to be secured to a building frame and a support portion to engage a gutter in an operative position on the building frame. The mounting portion has first and second legs joined together to define an upwardly opening “U” shape to receive a depending flashing portion with the mounting portion secured to a building frame.
US08347555B2
A safety fence includes a door unit, a locking unit mounted on the door unit, a switching mechanism mounted on the door unit and connected with the locking unit, and a positioning and restoring unit mounted on the door unit. The door unit includes a first rail, a second rail and a door. Thus, when the door unit is not opened to reach the predetermined angle, the door is driven by the positioning and restoring unit and is returned and moved backward relative to the first rail to abut the second rail so that the door is locked onto the second rail by the locking unit so as to close the door unit automatically.
US08347554B2
A hinge enabling a plurality of hold-stay members to automatically lock when the door is fully open, increasing the durability of the hinge, and enabling easy release of the hold-stay members. A hinge includes a one-side hinge plate, a plurality of opposing-side hinge plate portions provided along the lengthwise direction of the hinge plate and supported by it, and an open-angle limiting mechanism for stopping, at a specific angle, opening movement of the opposing-side hinge plate portions.
US08347552B1
An excess water control device for a potted plant provides a pot having a side wall, bottom wall, interior, open top, and one or more openings in the bottom wall. A soil mass is contained within the pot interior, occupying the pot interior with a growing plant. One or more wicking feet support the pot, each foot extending from a position below the pot to the pot interior and the contained soil medium. Each foot can be of a larger diameter lower section upon which the pot rests and a smaller diameter upper section that engages the soil mass inside the pot.
US08347542B2
A cover for a firearm is disclosed. The firearm cover is shaped to complement the bottom of an upper portion of a two piece receiver. The firearm cover may be pinned to the bottom of an AR-15® upper receiver and may cover a bottom opening and/or a rear opening when in place. When secured in place, the firearm cover may capture a bolt carrier within an inner cavity of the upper receiver. Additionally, the firearm cover will protect the inner cavity, keeping dust, debris, and moisture out of the upper receiver.
US08347536B2
A display device includes a panel that is mountable to a vertical wall, and a leaf assembly comprised of a stack of like shaped leaves that are bundled together and connected to the panel, and a plurality of magnets that enable the leaves to be magnetically held in one or the other side of the panel but be manipulated by a user with one hand, in a flipping manner, thereby freeing the user's other hand to perform tasks related to use of the display device. The panel includes a slot through which rearward end portions of the leaves are passed and bundled by compression plates, thus leaving the connection arrangement hidden from view and aesthetically pleasing. In an arrangement, a frame is provided about the panel to guide and support, at least in part, the lower edges of the leaf assembly.
US08347534B2
A display apparatus (20) includes a blower (44) which provides a pressurized flow of air to lower air inlet openings of tubular nozzles (35) which protrude upwardly from a collection platform (21) to thus propel lightweight beads (56) from an upper bead discharge opening of a bore (41) through each nozzle into arc-shaped trajectories which simulate flowing water. Each nozzle (35) has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart openings (58) through the cylindrical wall (57) of the nozzle, adjacent to the platform, for drawing into the bore of the nozzle by a venturi effect beads (56) which have fallen onto the platform. One or more illumination sources (63) spaced radially apart from the nozzles (35) illuminate the airborne beads (56).
US08347529B2
A machine configured so that its ground speed is at least in part dependent on the measured force that is applied to an attachment attached thereto is provided. An attachment for a machine that is configured to provide feedback to the machine it is configured to be attached to, wherein the feedback is representative of the force applied to the attachment is also provided. Also provided is a method of automatically controlling the ground speed of a machine based on feedback measured in an attachment attached to the machine.
US08347524B2
The dryer comprises a casing having a longitudinal axis, a mixing shaft, a circular plate that seals an opening made in one of the end walls of the casing, and a frame supporting the casing and the shaft. In the edge portion of the opening closest to the chamber a first circumferential groove is made which is formed by a first radial cavity and by a second radial cavity deeper than the first, joined by an axial portion. An annular sealing element made of a non-stick material, having a cross-section comprising at least one axial strip and one radial strip, is inserted into the first groove in such a way that the radial strip is inserted into the second cavity and the axial strip occupies the axial portion and the mouth of the first radial cavity. A first sealing ring comprising at least one core of elastomeric material is inserted into the first cavity so as to radially compress the axial strip against the plate and a second sealing ring comprising at least one core of elastomeric material is inserted into the second cavity so as axially to compress the radial strip.
US08347518B1
A screw mount placement device allows an item to be hung levelly and allows the item to be hung in a desired position relative or not relative to already mounted objects on a wall.
US08347515B2
The present invention proposes an external-coupled electronic angle measurement apparatus including a housing, a display element, an angle detection system and a coupling portion. The housing is movable through the coupling portion to fasten the external-coupled electronic angle measurement apparatus to a desired location of different hand tools to accurately measure turning angles of a screw driven by the hand tool through the angle detection system and display the result on the display element.
US08347513B2
A hand-held saw with a rigid saw frame is disclosed. The rigid frame of the hand-held saw allows a saw blade to remain highly tensioned during the cutting process. The rigid saw frame has a “C-shape,” is unbent, and contains openings that make up a truss-like structure, which distributes an external force that is focused on one portion of the saw frame across other portions of the saw frame.
US08347510B2
A handle assembly for a power tool is disclosed, in which the power tool has a housing, a motor provided in the housing, an output shaft adapted to be caused by the motor to execute reciprocating motion, and a blade assembly (5) extending from the housing along a first axis (A-A). The handle assembly (2) comprises a front handle (6), a rear handle (7) integral with the front handle (6) and a mounting portion adapted to be mounted to the housing of the tool, wherein the rear handle (7) is displaced from the plane (A-A) of the blade assembly (5) in use. As a result of this, the knuckles of the hand of the user that is gripping rear handle (7) are raised away from the surface of the object being cut. This provides the advantage that the user's knuckles avoid any grazing or cutting resulting from contact with the object, or with the ground when carrying out low cutting.
US08347506B2
A method for manufacturing an engineered wood flooring product including providing a flat plywood platform having an original thickness, sanding top and bottom surfaces of the platform to achieve a final thickness less than the original thickness, wherein the amount of material removed from the bottom surface is greater than the top surface to induce center lift in the platform, applying adhesive to the platform, applying a veneer face to the platform, and subjecting the lay-up to a lineal pressing system to ensure bonding.
US08347504B2
A method of manufacturing a fuel injector having high-flow orifices in its tip includes removing a bulb from a fuel injector tip having at least one spray orifice with a first diameter, and friction welding a slug to the fuel injector tip, including forming a fused interface of material of the slug and material of the fuel injector tip. The method further includes modifying the slug subsequent to friction welding the slug to the fuel injector tip, including forming a new bulb from the slug having at least one spray orifice therein with a different diameter than that of the removed bulb. A remanufactured fuel injector, and fuel injector tip, includes an injector tip body having a first tip portion of a first material and a second tip portion of a material compatible for friction welding with the first material. The injector tip body further includes a third tip portion attaching the first tip portion to the second tip portion, the third tip portion including a friction weld formed during remanufacturing of the fuel injector tip.
US08347501B2
Within the field of wind turbine generators (WTG), to provide a consistent way of manufacturing a WT blade there is disclosed a blade mould and a blade spar fixture to support the spar in the mould so as to provide a fixed predetermined relative position, and preferably also orientation, between at least a root end, such as a bushing in the root end of the blade spar, and a root end of the mould. Overall consistency is also obtained in that hereby a blade with anticipated aerodynamic and strength characteristics is provided, among others in that at least adjacent to the root of the spar there is substantially the same distance for a cured adhesive between an innermost surface of each of blade shells and an outermost surface of the spar.
US08347498B2
A method for repairing a guide vane segment of a gas turbine, the guide vane segment including at least two guide vanes as well as an inner and an outer shroud. At least one guide vane is irreparably damaged and is separated from the guide vane segment while the guide vane segment is completed by joining at least one replacement vane. If the one irreparable guide vane is located in one half of the segment outside the circumferential center of the guide vane segment, or if the several irreparable guide vanes are located in the same half of the segment, the matching number of guide vanes to be separated from the segment and replacement vanes to be joined to the segment are determined first. The determined number of replacement vanes are then joined to the guide vane segment. The same number of guide vanes, including the at least one irreparable guide vane, are finally separated from the guide vane segment.
US08347497B2
In a processing method for processing a cylinder block, a finish processing for the cylinder bore is performing, by pressing the portion of the bolt phase for fastening the cylinder head on the cylinder portion outer peripheral surface forming the inside surface of a water jacket, on the condition that the rigidity of the pressed portion on the cylinder portion toward the pressure from the side of the cylinder bore (the surface pressure from the grinding stones by honing process) is enhanced compared with the other portions.
US08347492B2
Disclosed is a method of making an arrangement for collecting or emitting light. A flexible sheet of material serves as substrate for a plurality of light collecting or emitting devices mounted in spaced relation on the sheet. The sheet has thereon electrical leads for interconnection to each device. For each device, a respective light coupler is formed by (1) forming a plurality of reflectors on the sheet around the intended periphery of the respective device, by applying reflective material to selected areas of the sheet; (2) forming cut lines around selected edges of the plurality of reflectors; (3) forming fold lines associated with the reflectors; and (4) folding the reflectors and attached substrate away from the substrate portion on which the device is mounted, to form a coupler whose interior is reflective and that is substantially closed around a main axis of light propagation into or from the respective device.
US08347491B1
An adjustably mounting electrical device with one or more fixed yokes located perpendicularly to a face of the electrical device, one or more moveable yokes located perpendicularly to the face of the electrical device, and one or more adjustment screws inserted through the one or more fixed yokes and threaded into the one or more moveable yokes, the one or more adjustment screws capable of moving the one or more moveable yokes perpendicularly to the face of the electrical device. The system may comprise mounting flanges that may have threaded hubs or the system may further comprise an electric device having front and back shells moveable on a track in response to depression of a button allowing for movement of the back shell so that the electric device may be mounted having its front face coplanar with a front wall surface.
US08347490B1
A method for fabricating a carrier with a three-dimensional inductor comprises the steps of providing a substrate having a protective layer; forming a first photoresist layer on the protective layer; patterning the first photoresist layer to form a second opening and a plurality of disposing slots; forming a first metal layer in second opening and disposing slots; removing the first photoresist layer; forming a first dielectric layer on the protective layer; forming a second photoresist layer on the first dielectric layer; patterning the second photoresist layer to form a plurality of slots; forming a second metal layer in slots to form a plurality of inductive portions; removing the second photoresist layer; forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer; forming a third photoresist layer on the second dielectric layer; patterning the third photoresist layer to form a plurality of slots; and forming a third metal layer in slots.
US08347489B2
A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a tapered write pole as well as a leading edge taper, and independent trailing and side magnetic shields. The method allows the write pole to be constructed by a dry process wherein the write pole material is either deposited by a process such as sputter deposition or electrically plated and the write pole shape is defined by masking and ion milling. The write pole has a stepped feature that can either be used to provide increased magnetic spacing between the trailing shield and the write pole at a location slightly recessed from the ABS or can be magnetic material that increases the effective thickness of the write pole at a location slightly recessed from the ABS. A bump structure can be further built over that stepped feature to enhance field gradient as well as reduce trailing shield saturation.
US08347483B2
An ultrasound transducer includes an array of PZT elements mounted on a non-recessed distal surface of a backing block. Between each element and the backing block is a conductive region formed as a portion of a metallic layer sputtered onto the distal surface. Traces on a longitudinally extending circuit board—preferably, a substantially rigid printed circuit board, which may be embedded within the block—connect the conductive region, and thus the PZT element, with any conventional external ultrasound imaging system. A substantially “T” or “inverted-L” shaped electrode is thereby formed for each element, with no need for soldering. At least one longitudinally extending metallic member mounted on a respective lateral surface of the backing block forms a heat sink and a common electrical ground. A thermally and electrically conductive layer, such as of foil, transfers heat from at least one matching layer mounted on the elements to the metallic member.
US08347475B2
A handle structure suitable for disposing on a surface of a carrier is provided. The carrier has a locating part is assemble to a case. The handle structure includes a holder, an elastic element and a fastening element. The holder has a rotating axis and a locating element, and has a first end and a second end opposite thereto. The rotating axis connecting to the carrier is disposed on the first end, and the holder is pivoted on the surface. The locating element disposed on the first end interferes with the locating part. The elastic element has a first fixing part fixed to the carrier and a pushing part connected to the first fixing part and pushing against the holder. The fastening element has a second fixing part fixed to the carrier and a fastening part connected to the second fixing part and fastened to the second end.
US08347473B2
A stud installation tool comprising a slide shaft including a pair of arms angled towards each other, a slide bar with a triangular head at an end engaged within the pair of arms to enable the slide bar to move along the slide shaft without disengaging, a receiving brace attached to the slide shaft at an opposing end from the slide bar, where said receiving brace includes a threaded hole, a bolt threaded through the slide bar and extending down and through the threaded hole, a bolt head fastened to the bolt and positioned above the slide bar, and a stud holder connected to the slide bar at an end opposite from the triangular head wherein the stud holder includes an opening to accept a stud after the stud is slid through a hole in an axle plate and positioned between the receiving brace and the stud holder.
US08347472B2
A clip automatic-mounting tool comprises a clip holder (10) for holding and retaining a clip (C) to a first axial portion of a tensioning wire (W) embedded in a cushioned padding (P) for a seat, a drive cylinder (13) for moving the clip holder (10), a guide plate (11) including a portion having a first width substantially equal to that of the clip holder (10), and a tip end portion having a second width wider than the first width, the clip holder (10) being adapted to be moved along the guide plate (11) by the drive cylinder (13), and an insertion arm (12) extending along a side edge of the tip end portion of the guide plate (11) and forward protruding in an oblique upward direction from the tip end portion of the guide plate (11), the insertion arm (12) having a cutout groove (12b) formed in a tip end portion (12a) thereof for engagingly receiving a second axial portion of the wire (W), which is spaced from the first axial portion of the wire (W), when the insertion arm (12) is inserted into the cushioned padding (P).
US08347466B2
A loop element for a hook-and-loop fastener has a substrate layer of a nonwoven having an outer face, a fleece cover layer on the outer face of the substrate layer, and an adhesive layer on the outer face securing the cover layer to the substrate layer. A multiplicity of loops formed of polymer threads are knitted into only the cover layer and project from an outer face thereof.
US08347464B2
The present invention relates to a rib insert, a ginning rib and process for a ginning seed-cotton. The insert and ginning rib have an outer profile so that seed-cotton in contact therewith is urged away from the ginning zone formed between the ginning rib and saw. Advantages of the invention include increasing the rate of lint removal during ginning and increasing the long fiber length compared to conventional ginning.
US08347462B2
A sliding and rotating hinge module for supporting a display screen or the like, includes a bracket, a slider and a support member. The slider is capable of sliding movement relative to said bracket and said support member is capable of pivotal movement relative to said slider.
US08347460B2
A door hinge device for vehicle includes a checking-force generating mechanism provided between an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder. The checking-force generating mechanism has a holding member attached to the outer cylinder, an elastic member biasing the holding member toward the inner cylinder, a detent roller being held in a holding groove of the holding member, and detent grooves that are provided in an outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder and are capable of holding the door at a plurality of positions where the door should be stopped by an engagement with the detent roller. The detent roller applies a compression load to the elastic member even in a state where the detent roller is engaged with any of the detent grooves. An assembly groove is provided in the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder and allows the detent roller to be inserted into the holding groove in a state where the holding member is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder. Accordingly, it is possible to exert an enough checking-force at a predetermined position where the door should be stopped and to allow the detent roller to be easily inserted into the holding groove at the time of the assembling.
US08347457B2
An attachment for a vacuum cleaning appliance includes a head having a bristle carrier and a bristle cover. The bristle carrier includes a plurality of bristles and the bristle cover includes a plurality of apertures. The attachment includes a conduit which is connectable to a vacuum cleaning appliance for conveying an air flow from the bristle cover towards the appliance, a handle connected to the head, and an actuator which is depressible towards the handle to effect relative movement between the bristle carrier and the bristle cover between a stowed configuration in which the bristles are retracted relative to the bristle cover and a deployed configuration in which the bristles protrude from the bristle cover through the apertures.
US08347454B2
A surface treating appliance includes a main body and a head rotatably connected to the main body about an axis, the main body and the head being provided with first and second electrical connectors, respectively. The first and second electrical connectors can be connected to provide an electrical connection between the main body and the head. One of the first and second electrical connectors is slideable within a channel. By providing an electrical connector within a channel, complicated and potentially unreliable arrangements such as slip-rings can be avoided while still providing an electrical connection between the head and the main body.
US08347452B2
A vehicle vacuum cleaning system may have a portable vacuum module that employs a vacuum module case, a vacuum fan within the interior of the vacuum module case and a vacuum fan drive shaft coupled to the vacuum fan. The vacuum module attaches and detaches to an HVAC module within the vehicle. The HVAC module may utilize an HVAC case, an electric motor within the HVAC case, an HVAC fan drive shaft coupled to the electric motor and an HVAC fan coupled to the HVAC fan drive shaft. The vacuum fan drive shaft is adapted to receive rotational energy from the HVAC fan drive shaft, either directly or through an auxiliary shaft. The vacuum module may employ gears to increase the speed and drawing force of the vacuum fan. A debris receptacle is detachable to the vacuum module. The HVAC fan drive shaft ultimately drives the vacuum fan.
US08347448B2
An output shaft of a wiper motor is connected to a wiper to transmit a rotational force of the wiper motor to the wiper to reciprocally swing the wiper between an upper return position and a lower return position in response to forward and backward rotations of the output shaft upon energization of the wiper motor. When the wiper is stopped at the lower return position, the control unit executes a stop position holding control operation in such a manner that the control unit controls a rotational direction of the wiper motor to apply a rotational force to the wiper in a downward direction and controls the rotational force of the wiper motor based on a speed of the vehicle to substantially maintain the wiper at the lower return position.
US08347444B2
An autonomous coverage robot includes a chassis having forward and rearward portions and a drive system carried by the chassis. The forward portion of the chassis defines a substantially rectangular shape. The robot includes a cleaning assembly mounted on the forward portion of the chassis and a bin disposed adjacent the cleaning assembly and configured to receive debris agitated by the cleaning assembly. A bin cover is pivotally attached to a lower portion of the chassis and configured to rotate between a first, closed position providing closure of an opening defined by the bin and a second, open position providing access to the bin opening. The robot includes a body attached to the chassis and a handle disposed on an upper portion of the body. A bin cover release is actuatable from substantially near the handle.
US08347441B2
The invention relates to a load bearing construction such as a bridge in which there is provided a deck structure which is supported by and spans at least two support portions. The invention provides for the advancement of the deck structure along said support portions and in advance of said structure excavation can occur to create the space into which the deck structure is to be advanced.
US08347436B2
A mattress system has a cover, a crib, and a fluid bladder system. The crib surrounds the perimeter of the fluid bladder system and the cover overlies the top surface of the crib and fluid bladder system. The fluid bladder systems provide at least one conventional bladder therapy to a patient positioned on the mattress system. The fluid bladder system interconnects to the crib to not form a hammock effect so the crib functions as a restraint. The fluid bladder is also designed to bottom out to form an exterior cavity. A second cushion is inserted into the exterior cavity and positioned so the crib continues to function as a restraint. The second cushion provides a therapy to the patient that is different from the fluid bladder system.
US08347434B2
An air-operated device for better sleep includes a pad whose inside has an interlayer composed of two sheets stacked together. The top surface of the pad has an accommodating cavity in communications with the interlayer. The pad has an air vent. Two airbags are disposed adjacently in the accommodating cavity. The airbags are in touch with the interlayer by the adjacent side. The airbags are connected to the air vent of the pad via an air-transporting pipe, respectively. An action pad is disposed correspondingly in the accommodating cavity and depresses the two airbags. A controller is connected to the air vent of the pad to inflate and deflate the airbags. When the airbags are inflated, the action pad is pushed by the air bags to sway upward.
US08347431B1
Apparatus and method for holding a pillow on an upwardly extending end of a mattress having a single sheet of material having a upper end and a lower end along with a first side and a second side having an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower end is folded back upon itself to form an enclosure so that the upper surfaces of the folded section are adjacent to each other having a pillow disposed in the enclosure. The upper end is wrapped around the upwardly extended end of the mattress, using straps to hold the upper end in place.
US08347427B2
A water use and/or a water energy use monitoring apparatus that is affixed to the hot and cold main water supply piping for continuously (or on demand) monitoring and displaying the water use within a residential or commercial building. A first wire or wireless communication is incorporated to electronically communicate with a remote display for viewing by the owner of a commercial building or occupier/resident of a home. A second optional wire or wireless communication can be incorporated that can be monitored by civil, commercial, governmental or municipal operators or agencies, using a remote display and/or recorder or by a secure wire or wireless communication network (e.g. cell phone communication technology). A third wireless communication can be incorporated to electronically communicate water parameter data utilizing typical cell tower technology and/or mesh network technology.
US08347423B2
An apparatus for lifting and lowering a toilet seat assembly includes a motion sensor, a motor assembly, a first gear located on a shaft of the motor, a second gear interfaced with the first gear, a drive shaft interfaced with the second gear. A lever is coupled to the drive shaft for lifting the toilet seat. The apparatus may include a bearing housing that includes a movable lead screw with a detent. A first end of a first spiral spring is connected to a slot of the drive shaft within the bearing housing. The first spiral spring is wrapped around the drive shaft. A second end of the first spiral spring is located in a path of the detent. The hubs of the second gear and the drive shaft may be connected together using a crank shaft. A microcontroller may control the motor assembly and be programmable using the sensor.
US08347422B2
A protective garment is provided and includes a jacket having various releasably mounted protective components. The jacket includes a protective collar of ballistic resistant fabric for protecting the neck of a wearer and has front and rear portions which are releasably connected together at opposed side portions of the collar so that the front and rear portions can fold down when not in use. A protective plate is releasably fastened to the front of the jacket and the fastening mechanism allows the plate to be held in a number of different vertical positions. The jacket also includes a rear pocket for housing a rear protective plate. The sleeves of the jacket include a sleeve extension which is slideably mounted to the main sleeve to vary its effective length.
US08347414B2
A magnetic finger glove helps persons hold, install, and retrieve small metallic objects, such as nuts or screws, in hard-to-reach places. The finger glove is sized and shaped to sheathe and conform to an adult human index finger. A small round disc neodymium magnet is affixed to a fabric assembly in the region corresponding to the fingertip. The magnet weighs less than 0.002 pounds and is small enough to be confined within an area on the fabric assembly of less than 0.5 square inches. Yet, the magnet has a holding force of at least 1 pound.
US08353056B2
An apparatus and method for detecting program plagiarism through memory access log analysis is provided. A data extractor extracts an access log of an original program and an access log of a target program to be compared with the original program from a memory accessed by the programs. A common string detector enumerates values, which are obtained from the access logs extracted from the original program and the target program, into strings and detects a common string that commonly exists in the strings. A discontinuity calculator calculates a discontinuity value that indicates a distance between the strings by using an array of the detected common strings. A plagiarism determining unit determines that the target program is plagiarized if the calculated discontinuity value is less than a predetermined reference value.
US08353054B2
A method for protection of a chip card from unauthorized use includes: inputting a first identification into a chip card terminal, producing a cipher of at least one first communication parameter using a first symmetric key derived from the first identification, a protected first communication channel being definable between the chip card terminal and the chip card, using the communication parameter, transmitting the cipher via a predefined communication channel from the chip card terminal to the chip card, attempting to decrypt the cipher using a second symmetric key by means of the chip card, the result of decryption only being the first communication parameter if the first symmetric key is identical to the second symmetric key so that the protected first communication channel can only be defined between the chip card terminal and the chip card if the first identification is correct.
US08353052B2
A method may include sending personal network connection information from a mobile device to a guest device; sending authentication credentials from the mobile device to the guest device; receiving the authentication credentials in the personal network from the guest device; authenticating the guest device based on the authentication credentials; and granting access to the guest device to content stored in the personal network for a guest session.
US08353044B1
A computer-implemented method for remediation of a computing device attempting to access a network. The method may include detecting that the computing device is attempting to access the network. The method may also include determining that the computing device does not comply with a network-access-control policy of the network. The method may include using a virtualization layer to bring the computing device into compliance with the network-access-control policy. The method may include permitting the computing device to access the network after the computing device is brought into compliance with the network-access-control policy. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08353036B2
A system and method for protecting cross-domain interaction of a web application on an unmodified browser. The system includes: a security framework, which is created by a browser. The security framework further includes: a component creator for creating components from a plurality of sources; and supervision module for supervising and controlling scripts/codes executed during the creation of components and invocation and interaction operations performed by various components after the creation of components.
US08353031B1
Security from malicious attack is provided for a user environment running in a virtualized environment by a virtual security appliance (VSA) running outside of the user environment, but on the same computer system as the user environment. For example, a VSA running in a virtual machine can provide security for a user environment running in a second virtual machine. The separation of the VSA from the user environment enhances the robustness of the VSA against malicious attacks seeking to disable/bypass the protections of the VSA, while avoiding the costs and complexities of a physical security appliance.
US08353030B2
A method is disclosed that enables mitigating at least some of the problems caused by a packet attack. When a first Internet Protocol (IP)-capable device is subjected to a packet attack, it indicates periodically to a second IP-capable device that certain communications with the first device are to be suspended. The periodic transmitting of the indication is performed at a slower rate than the keep-alive mechanism that is normally used to detect loss of connectivity. When the second device receives the transmitted indication, it refrains from transmitting keep-alive messages to the first device for a predetermined interval. Meanwhile, the first device also refrains from transmitting keep-alive messages to the second device for a similar interval. In transmitting the suspend indication, the illustrative embodiment seeks to prevent pairs of communicating devices that are experiencing packet attacks from continuing their operation under the erroneous assumption that each device is unavailable.
US08353029B2
Various embodiments provide protection against web resources associated with one or more undesirable activities. In at least some embodiments, a method detects and responds to a user-initiated activity on a computing device. Responding can include, by way of example and not limitation, checking locally, on the computing device, whether a web resource that is associated with the user-initiated activity has been identified as being associated with a safe site. If the web resource is not associated with a safe site, the user will be notified and given the option to check remotely, away from the computing device, whether the web resource is identified as being at least possibly associated with one or more undesirable activities.
US08353026B2
A credential caching system includes receiving a set of authentication credentials, storing the set of authentication credentials in a credential cache memory, wherein the credential cache memory is coupled with a management controller, and supplying the set of authentication credentials for automatic authentication during a reset or reboot. In the event of a security breach, the credential caching system clears the set of authentication credentials from the credential cache memory so that the set of authentication credentials may no longer be used for a reset or reboot.
US08353022B1
A bilateral data transfer system comprising a first node, a second node, a first one-way link for unidirectional transfer of first data from the first node to the second node, and a second one-way link for unidirectional transfer of second data from the second node to the first node, wherein the unidirectional transfer of the first data across the first one-way link and the unidirectional transfer of the second data across the second one-way link are independently administered by the bilateral data transfer system. Under such bilateral data transfer system, each of the one-way data links may be subject to separately administered security restrictions and data filtering processes. Hence, it enables secure bilateral communications across different network security domains.
US08353015B2
A token or other storage device uses Internet identities to set file access attribute rights. Subsequently, requests to access a file can be controlled by confirming the Internet identity of the requester by either validating the request with a known public key or retrieving the public key from an Internet identity provider. Files may be stored encrypted and may be re-encrypted with the public key associated with Internet identity making the request.
US08353009B2
An apparatus for enabling provision of context access with property or interface obfuscation may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured, with the processor, to cause the apparatus to perform at least receiving, from an application, a request for access to property information corresponding to a provider node in which the access is provided via a delivery context client interface based context model, determining access rights associated with the application based on a classification of the application, enabling masking of a portion of information associated with the access rights in response to the classification of the application defining a corresponding subclass restriction, and enabling access to the property via the context model based on the access rights associated with the application and subject to the masking. A corresponding method and computer program product are also provided.
US08353008B2
A device, system, and method are directed towards facilitating a registration of a user for a network service. In one embodiment, a server receives, from a user at a client device, user information including at least one text block. The server analyzes the text block to determine an authenticity value of the user information. The analysis may be based on the length of a lexicon of the text block, the size of a word such as the longest word in the text block, or the number of clauses in the text block. The analysis may be further based on expected values determined by such values in authentic text blocks of a similar nature. Based on the authenticity value, the system may allow the user to access the network service, disallow access to the network, allow conditional access, queue the registration application for further review, or take other actions.
US08352995B2
A cable television diagnostic method for a cable television network sends a polling message to a plurality of television set top boxes from a cable television headend; wherein the polling message instructs the cable television set top boxes to obtain at least one operational parameter of each of the television set top boxes; receiving a plurality of response messages from the cable television set top boxes, each containing the at least one operational parameter; determining that one of the operational parameters is outside of a specified range of values; and aggregating the operational parameters of the plurality of set top boxes to determine if the same operational parameter is outside the range of specified values for more than the one of the television set top boxes.
US08352991B2
A Video Server (VS 100) encodes a video stream according to the values of parameters and transmits the video stream over a Network to a Video Client (VC 200) that decodes the received video stream for presentation to a user. As the video stream is being received, (VC 200 continually gathers data regarding at least the condition of Network sends this data to (VS 100). (VS 100) modifies the values of the parameters based on the data received from (VC 200), which in turn modifies the encoding of the video stream.
US08352990B2
A system that delivers live broadcast media to consumer devices, including a system for enabling devices without native capabilities such as internal bulk storage and stream processing, to have command and control of live broadcast streams, has been provided. This is achieved through intercepting and converting the normal service provider channel mapping data to a new channel map which points to a software system that delivers command and control of live broadcast media, and implementation of a software system which can receive a channel change protocol, establish a command and control session with the device, convert the channel map protocol to the original format, tune in, receive, convert and process the live stream so that it can be delivered to the requesting device and in turn be controlled by user interaction with that device or the software system. A corresponding method is also provided.
US08352987B2
A method for a scheduled-recording of a program and an image display apparatus using the same are provided. The method for a scheduled-recording of a program includes displaying a search menu for searching other programs related to a program being displayed, and scheduling the recording of at least one program from among programs searched according to search options selected from the search menu. Therefore, a scheduled-recording may be readily set without searching for each program separately from an electronic program guide screen, and thus, greater convenience is provided to the user.
US08352986B2
A picture display system having two display devices and a base device for supplying picture signals to one of the display devices and capable of having bidirectional communication with the other display device is disclosed. The picture display system (1) is made up by a mobile display device (100), a base device (200) and a large format display device (300). The base device (200) sends picture signals to the display device (100) and to the large format display device (300). On a display image surface of the mobile display device (100), there is provided a touch panel for detecting the contact position contacted by a user for displaying a remote-control panel RP accepting an operating input from the user on the display image surface. An operating signal conforming to a display item of the remote-control panel RP, displayed at a contact position, detected by the touch panel, is generated and transmitted by wireless communication to the base device (200). This base device (200) selects the picture signals, supplied from the external inputting devices (400), as a supply source of picture signals, responsive to an operating signal, to transmit the so selected picture signals to the large format display device (300).
US08352981B1
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes receiving at a television processing device an airing schedule for a specified advertisement. The airing schedule includes data specifying past airings of the specified advertisement, a local frequency at which the specified advertisement is to be shown, and a schedule of airings of replaceable advertisements. The device determines, from viewing log data, whether the local frequency for the specified advertisement has been achieved. If the local frequency has not been achieved, the specified advertisement is aired in place of a replaceable advertisement when the television processing device is tuned to a channel of a scheduled airing of the replaceable advertisement at a time of the scheduled airing, and the local frequency of the specified advertisement is incremented. Otherwise, the replaceable advertisement is presented.
US08352973B2
According to the slot-in type disk apparatus, the discharge slider 106 is constituted by a main discharge slider 106 and a sub-discharge slider 106, first load means 106C and second load means 106X, 106Y are given to the main discharge slider 106 and the sub-discharge slider 106, when a load in a direction in which the disk is pushed in is applied to the discharge lever 100 when the disk is discharged, a load caused by the second load means 106X, 106Y is applied to the main discharge slider 106 and the sub-discharge slider 106, and load caused by the first load means 106C is after the load caused by the second load means 106X, 106Y is released.
US08352970B2
Disclosed in one example is a method for interfacing with multiple social networks. The method includes receiving a call from a social networking service agnostic social networking application for one of a plurality of social networking functions in a first format, translating the call in the first format to a call in a second format, the second format being one of a plurality of heterogeneous social networking service application programming interface formats, and passing the call in the second format to a first social networking service by utilizing a first social networking service application programming interface.
US08352965B2
A circuit device capable of automatic transmission interface selection and associated method are provided. The circuit device includes a first interface port, a second interface port, a first interface driver module, a second interface driver module, and a buffer module. A first interface driver module receives a first interrupt packet, converts the first interrupt packet into a first command packet, and stores the first command packet into the buffer module. A second interface driver module receives a second interrupt packet, converts the second interrupt packet into a second command packet, and stores the second command package into the buffer module. The format of the first interrupt packet is different from that of the second interrupt packet, while the first and the second command packets comply with a common format.
US08352943B2
The invention relates to a method for preventing industrial automation system from avalanche, in which the industrial automation system comprising a storage unit for storing time stream data to be processed and a CPU for processing the time stream data in the storage unit, the method comprises the following items: 1) establishing a data processing task priority level; 2) scheduling the data processing task of the CPU; 3) using method of the storage unit. Under a given CPU processing ability, the time stream data to be processed is set with different priority levels, the CPU firstly processes the to-be-processed data processing task with the highest priority level and then processes those with the next priority level. And the storage unit is also set with the corresponding sub-storage units with different priority levels in accordance with the priority levels of the to-be-processed data processing task. The to-be-processed data processing task with higher priority level can be stored or cover those with lower priority level. Therefore, it can effectively ensure that the automation system deals with unexpected number of tasks without causing the crash of the system under a given CPU processing ability.
US08352939B1
A system, method and computer program product are provided for performing a security or maintenance operation in association with virtual disk data accessed independent of a virtual machine. In use, data stored on a virtual disk is accessed at least in part independent of a virtual machine. Further, a security or maintenance operation is performed in association with the accessed data.
US08352921B2
A computer-implemented error detection mechanism for detecting programming errors in a computer program. The computer-implemented error detection method described herein can make use of a Function Behavior Knowledge Base (FBKB) to approximate how a virtual function changes state of the program execution for all methods that can be called at each specific invocation point. The FBKB is used to select what implementation of a virtual function should be called in order to give rise to a programming defect. By dropping implementations that do not lead to a programming defect, the set of possible object runtime types is reduced. If this set is empty by the end of the analysis, then a defect is not possible, otherwise the set of object runtime types will contain types that may cause a defect.
US08352918B2
A method and a system for verifying properties of a computer program is provided, pertaining to the validity of properties at program points by means of at least one forward analyser and one backward analyser. For each property, in an issuing phase an analyser issues to a centralizer module an assumption on the validity of the property at a point of the program, the centralizer module storing the assumption in a database with an attribute indicating the original analyser and a status indicating that the assumption needs to be verified; in a phase of verifying the assumption, stored in the database, a test analyser is selected to analyse the assumption in cooperation with the other analysers, the centralizer module determining analysers able to cooperate. The verification phase is iterated until all assumptions stored in the base have been analysed by at least one test analyser, a verified assumption being marked as valid.
US08352917B2
Tools and techniques are provided to allow partners of analytics providers and others who use web-beacons to submit web-beacon plug-ins for scrutiny, and for the plug-in to either be refused or else to be certified for use in a core JavaScript file or similar component. Analytics providers and others may also write web-beacon plug-ins. Certified plug-ins are executed in response to page loads, visitor clicks, and other visitor and programmatic actions at a website that has been tagged by the analytics provider's web-beacon, without requiring re-tagging of the website with a separate web-beacon for the partner. This allows the partner to obtain analytics data by piggybacking on the analytics provider, without re-tagging, and without compromising the availability and accuracy of the analytics data already being gathered. To be certified, web-beacon plug-ins must satisfy specific criteria as to their size, behavior, namespace, and the like.
US08352912B2
A computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes a computer useable medium having a computer readable program. The computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to generate a topology role in a topology role tier that is included in a topology pattern. Further, the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to create a component in a component tier that is defined in the topology pattern such that the component corresponds to the topology role. In addition, the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to map the topology role to a deployment target.
US08352909B2
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with business process diagram (BPD) component analysis are described. One example method includes accessing a BPD having a BPD component for which a mapping to a business process execution language (BPEL) component is to be automatically produced by a computer. The example method may also include detecting a join gateway in the BPD. The example method may also include manipulating the mapping to identify that resolution of the join gateway is to be determined by gateway resolution upon determining that the join gateway is not going to receive a loop back edge.
US08352901B2
A method and system for generation of low-slew indices for circuit characterization are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for automatically generating a subset of sampling points from a set of load and slew points for circuit characterization includes iteratively obtaining sampling points such that error between an actual value and an interpolated intermediate value is below or equal to a threshold error value. The subset of sampling points is then formed from the iteratively obtained sampling points.
US08352890B2
An approach is provided for converting a polygon described as an ordered list of perimeter points into a set of connected quadrilaterals suitable for use in an advanced integrated circuit router. Edges are constructed between the points of the polygon. Then, one or more edges are selected as starting locations. Pairs of edges or portions of pairs of edges are matched to form sequences of quadrilaterals. Methods are provided to determine when edges should be split or skipped to ensure that all quadrilaterals are convex or meet other criteria. Other methods are provided to determine when the matching process should be terminated and restarted at another location. Finally, the sequences of quadrilaterals are joined together to form a data structure suitable for use within an integrated circuit router.
US08352889B2
A beam dose computing method includes dividing a surface area of a target object into include first, second and third regions of different sizes, the third regions being less in size than the first and second regions, determining first corrected doses of a charged particle beam for correcting fogging effects in the first regions, determining corrected size values for correcting pattern line width deviations occurring due to loading effects in the second regions to create a map of base doses of the beam in respective of said second regions and to prepare a map of proximity effect correction coefficients in respective of said second regions, using the maps to determine second corrected doses of the beam for proximity effect correction in the third regions, and using the first and second corrected doses to determine an actual beam dose at each position on the surface of said object.
US08352888B2
Methods and systems for providing processing parameters in a secure format are disclosed. In one aspect, a method for providing semiconductor fabrication processing parameters to a design facility is disclosed. The method comprises providing a set of processing parameters of a fabrication facility; creating a model from the set of processing parameters; converting the model into a corresponding set of kernels; converting the set of kernels into a corresponding set of matrices; and communicating the set of matrices to the design facility. In another aspect, a method for providing semiconductor fabrication processing parameters is disclosed. The method comprises providing a set of processing parameters of a fabrication facility; creating a processing model from the set of processing parameters; encrypting the processing model into a format for use with a plurality of EDA tools; and communicating the encrypted processing model format to a design facility.
US08352887B2
Roughly described, a design rule data set is developed offline from the design rules of a target fabrication process. A design rule checking method involves traversing the corners of shapes in a layout region, and for each corner, populating a layout topology database with values that depend on respective corner locations. After the layout topology database is populated, the values are compared to values in the design rule data set to detect any design rule violations. Violations can be reported in real time, while the user is manually editing the layout. Preferably corner traversal is performed using scan lines oriented perpendicularly to edge orientations, and scanning in the direction of the edge orientations. Scans stop only at corner positions and populate the layout topology database with what information can be gleaned based on the current scan line. The different scans need not reach each corner simultaneously.
US08352885B2
A three-dimensional mask model of the invention provides a more realistic approximation of the three-dimensional effects of a photolithography mask with sub-wavelength features than a thin-mask model. In one embodiment, the three-dimensional mask model includes a set of filtering kernels in the spatial domain that are configured to be convolved with thin-mask transmission functions to produce a near-field image. In another embodiment, the three-dimensional mask model includes a set of correction factors in the frequency domain that are configured to be multiplied by the Fourier transform of thin-mask transmission functions to produce a near-field image.
US08352878B2
Selections from a long list of elements on a Graphical User Interface (GUI) are presented. When a context window is presented for the selections, different cues are provided in the context window to provide feedback regarding the selections that are not in the current view, and to also facilitate rapid navigation to those selections on the GUI. Interaction with the GUI widgets within the context window, and interaction with the context window itself, facilitates the navigation toward the other selections that are not in the current view. Interaction with the GUI widgets also facilitates the preview of the selections that are not in the current view, thus making it easier to determine what has been selected without having to navigate to the view that contains those selections.
US08352872B2
A user maintains notification setting information having temporal periods capable of controlling, at least in part, the dissemination of information describing the on-line presence of the user within an instant messaging system or the geographic location of one or more mobile communications devices used by the user. The user may use multiple identities to communicate within the instant messaging system and/or with the mobile communications device or devices. The user can maintain sets of temporal periods for each of the multiple identities. Only one identity may be used at a specific time to communicate to a specific other identity, but the multiple identities of the user may be linked such that on-line presence and/or geographic location associated with one of the identities is disseminated based on the temporal periods set for one or more of the multiple identities.
US08352871B2
A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code, includes detecting one of an absence of a virtual universe (VU) occurrence in a VU within a predetermined time period, a special event in the VU and a change of real world status from a previous real world status. Additionally, the method includes determining a VU asset of a VU resident relevant to the VU occurrence, the special event or the previous real world status. Further, the method includes performing an automated asset reduction of the VU asset based on the determining.
US08352869B2
Systems and methods for multi-directional visual browsing on an electronic device are described. In example embodiments, a primary result and a peripheral result associated with a user of a device are determined. A display layout based on attributes associated with the primary result and the peripheral result is generated. The display layout is then rendered and displayed on the device.
US08352860B2
The present invention provides an image processing device and an image processing method, which prevent printing mishaps from occurring in printed matter when a user performs a printing process without knowing a compressed image is included on a page layout. When a compressed image is detected, a warning is generated to request selection of the next process. For this reason, when interruption of printing is designated, the printing process may be interrupted. The use of a warning color or application of an outline may be designated, and a drawing setting may also be performed according to the designation. An output of a warning page is designated, and a setting may also be performed such that a print output is obtained by either extracting the compressed image or by deleting the compressed image.
US08352857B2
Reference identification and resolution identifies reference text fragments in a document and associates referenced object text fragments in the document with the identified reference text fragments. Reference profiles are abstracted from the document. Each reference profile specifies at least a reference number and an object type identifier. A reference profile is paired with an object text fragment of the document containing the reference number of the reference profile. The pairing is repeated to associate reference profiles with object text fragments. A reference text fragment of the document satisfying one of the reference profiles is associated with the object text fragment paired with the satisfied reference profile. The associating is repeated to associate reference text fragments of the document with object text fragments.
US08352853B2
A method is provided for encoding device independent multi-modal content including an arrangement comprising one or more of a plurality of tokens, where each token corresponds to a standard predefined effect. The method includes defining a token for one or more standard predefined effects, wherein the token is adapted for being mapped to one or more effect producing elements in a target device. One or more tokens are then composed for playback together as an arrangement.
US08352852B2
Some embodiments of a system and a method to allow users to review prior and future versions of a website have been presented. In one embodiment, a processing module running on a web portal server tracks changes to a website hosted on the web portal server by recording the changes in a content repository of the web portal server. A graphical user interface (GUI) module running on the web portal server may generate user interface control to allow a user to review, depending on rights granted to the user, prior versions of the website and future versions of the website, which may be constructed using the changes tracked.
US08352840B2
The invention relates to improving the performance of sequence-based soft-output decoders using event cleanup processing, wherein combinations of potential error events are evaluated using an error detection code (EDC) to select events that produce a modified set of decisions that has no EDC detectable errors. The event cleanup method and associated event cleanup decoder enable to significantly improve the error rate performance of sequence-based decoders and/or significantly improve decoding efficiency compared to other known error cleanup methods.
US08352838B2
A cipher processing device includes: a MAC loss detecting/estimating section which estimates the radio bearer of the lost protocol data unit and a data amount of the lost protocol data unit out of protocol data units produced by division according to the logical channel information included in a packet combining data unit received by a base station of a mobile communication system; an RLC loss detecting/estimating section which detects occurrence of loss in the protocol data units when the protocol data units are put together into a service data unit, and estimates a lost amount of the protocol data units when the protocol data units are put together into the service data unit according to the estimated data amount; and a correction section which corrects a frame number of the service data unit based on the estimated data amount estimated by the detecting/estimating section.
US08352818B2
A method for generating a test pattern set for detecting small delay defects of an IC is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes: (1) generating a traditional delay fault pattern, (2) fault grading the traditional delay fault pattern for small delay defect coverage, (3) reporting faults detected by the fault grading and delay information associated with the detected faults, (4) determining which of the detected faults are timing-aware target faults employing the delay information and (5) generating timing-aware delay fault patterns for the timing-aware target faults.
US08352817B2
A method for testing a memory and a control device having means for a memory test. A destination address of the memory is selected in the process, dependent addresses of the memory are determined from the destination address, and user data at the destination address and the dependent addresses are backed up. Furthermore, the destination address and the dependent addresses are described by test patterns, via which a signature is formed. The backed-up user data of the destination address and the dependent addresses are then restored. Finally, the determined signature is compared with the known setpoint value. In the event of a deviation between the signature and the setpoint value, suitable protective mechanisms are initiated.
US08352815B2
The application discloses a circuit comprising at least one flip flop, said flip flop comprising: a master latch and a slave latch; a data signal input and a scan signal input arranged in parallel to each other and each input comprising a tristateable device; and a scan enable signal input, a functional clock signal input and a scan clock signal input; wherein: in response to a first predetermined value of said scan enable signal indicating a functional mode of operation, said scan input tristateable device is operable to isolate said scan input from said master latch, and said master latch is operable in response to said functional clock to receive data from said data input and to output data to said slave latch and said slave latch is operable in response to said functional clock to receive data from said master latch and to output data at said data output; and in response to a second predetermined value of said scan enable signal indicating a scan mode of operation said data input tristateable device is operable to isolate said data input from said master latch, and said master latch is operable in response to said scan clock to receive data from said scan input and said slave latch is operable in response to said functional clock to receive data from said master latch and to output data at said scan output.
US08352813B2
A method is for testing a non-volatile memory. A base data pattern is defined for a first pageset of the non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory has a plurality of pages which comprise words. The base pattern is arranged so that each bitpair of a plurality of bitpairs that includes one of a group consisting of even bitpairs and odd bitpairs formed from all of the words exhibits all possible bitpair transitions during sequential accesses of the pages of the plurality of pages. The base pattern is stored in the first pageset. The pages of the plurality of pages of the first pageset are accessed sequentially.
US08352808B2
A data storage device receives write data and includes a controller configured to determine a characteristic of the write data and provide a first control signal in response to the determined characteristic, a randomizer configured to selectively randomize or not randomize the write data in response to the first control signal to thereby generate randomized write data, and a data storage unit configured to store the randomized write data.
US08352805B2
Systems and methods are provided for detecting and correcting address errors in a memory system. In the memory system, a memory device generates an error-detection code based on an address transmitted via an address bus and transmits the error-detection code to a memory controller. The memory controller transmits an error indication to the memory device in response to the error-detection code. The error indication causes the memory device to remove the received address and prevent a memory operation.
US08352802B2
A diagnostic system for computers, including a connector interface for connecting the diagnostic system to a PC, a storage medium for storing executable instructions that boot the PC when the diagnostic system is connected to the connector interface, for storing diagnostic testing program code that scans and tests the PC, and for storing a phone number for a remote online help-desk facility, a modem for communicating wirelessly with the online help-desk facility when the PC is not fully operational, and for enabling the remote online help-desk facility to remotely run the diagnostic testing program code on the PC and view the results, an audio subsystem for enabling voice communication between a user and a representative at the remote online help-desk facility, and a processor for controlling the storage medium, the modem and the audio subsystem. A method is also described and claimed.
US08352801B2
A method includes instantiating a cloned network that includes a second set of virtual service nodes. The second set of virtual service nodes includes at least one cloned virtual service node that is a clone of a corresponding virtual service node in a first set of virtual service nodes. The at least one cloned virtual service node has access to a history of events that occurred at the corresponding virtual service node in the first set of virtual service nodes. The method includes initiating an interactive debugging session that includes step by step processing of the events of the history of events.
US08352794B2
Clock signal control circuitry is disclosed along with a method for switching a clock between modes and a computer program product. The clock signal control circuitry is for receiving a clock signal from a clock signal generator and for outputting said clock signal to synchronous circuitry that is to be clocked by said clock signal. It comprises: an input for receiving mode switching signals indicating said synchronous circuitry is to switch between modes, said mode switching signals comprising a clock gating request signal indicating said synchronous circuitry is to enter a sleep mode during which said circuitry is not clocked and a wake up request signal indicating said synchronous circuitry is to enter an operational mode during which said circuitry is clocked; and is responsive to said clock gating request signal to gate said clock signal such that no clock signal is output to said synchronous circuitry and being responsive to said wake up request signal to output said clock signal to said synchronous circuitry. The clock signal control circuitry further comprises: a data store for storing a delay value; and delay circuitry for delaying switching of said clock signal between modes in response to at least one of said mode switching signals, said delay circuitry delaying said switching by an amount dependent upon said stored delay value.
US08352793B2
The same testing equipment can be used to test devices operating under different protocols. Where the testing protocol is slower than the native serial protocol of the high-speed serial link connecting the device processor to the component to be tested, the link may be adapted to carry the lower speed testing protocol. This may be accomplished by adding low-speed buffers to the circuits of the serial link, or the serial link may have a native low-speed protocol in addition to its high-speed protocol connections may be made to the pathways for the native low-speed protocol, or the testing protocol may be impressed on top of native low-speed protocol. Where the driver of the device being tested has limited number of pins, the test mode can be controlled by applying power to different power supply input pins.
US08352787B2
A plant control system includes a process computer (1) managing a plant, a PLC (2) interposed between the process computer (1) and equipment (3) of the plant, and a general-purpose PC (7) executing arithmetic processing based on arithmetic data received from the PLC (2) and transmitting arithmetic result data thereof to the PLC (2). The functions are divided such that sequential control logic is executed by the PLC (2) and complicated arithmetic processing is executed by the general-purpose PC (7), and the arithmetic result data outputted from the general-purpose PC (7) always passes through the PLC (2) so that consistency of the arithmetic result data is checked in the PLC (2). This makes it possible to apply a general-purpose personal computer (general-purpose PC) to the plant control system so as to divide the functions between the programmable logic controller (PLC) and the general-purpose PC and to compensate the reliability of the general-purpose PC in an industrial application, for example, in terms of punctuality.
US08352782B2
A message is generated by a computer operating on a dispersed data storage network indicating the inaccessibility of a plurality of data slices. A rebuilder application operates on the dispersed data storage grid and rebuilds inaccessible data slices, including those identified by the message.
US08352772B2
A memory system includes a memory controller that issues command signals and a reference-clock signal to a memory device. The edge rate of the reference-clock signal is lower than the bit rate of the command signals, so the memory device multiplies the reference clock signal to develop a command-recovery clock signal with which to sample the incoming command signals. The memory controller issues the command signals as a series of multi-bit command words aligned with edges of the reference-clock signal so that the memory device can use edges of the reference clock signal for command-word alignment.
US08352763B2
Provided is technology for enabling power saving control that allows a change of control content according to a user selection in a power control system that saves power consumed by an information processing apparatus. The power control system of the present invention include an image processing apparatus 102 as an example of the information processing apparatus and a power consumption management apparatus 106 that manages the amount of power consumption of the image processing apparatus 102. The image processing apparatus 102, in power saving control based on a control mode according to the amount of power consumption, if execution of a job instructed by a user is restricted depending on a power saving setting received from the power consumption management apparatus 106, changes control content of the control mode to content that has been determined as a substitution for the control content for allowing the job to be executed.
US08352761B2
A method for controlling a power state of a host device, the method comprising operating a processor of a power control module integral to the host to perform operations comprising determining a current power state of the host from a plurality of possible states, receiving a remote request to alter the power state of the host device, and on the basis of the request, altering the power state of the host device from the current state to one other of the plurality of states of the host.
US08352751B2
According to one embodiment, an encryption program operation management system includes an encryption key table creation module which creates encryption keys and creates an encryption key table including encrypted versions of the encryption keys and items of plaintext index information for recognizing the encryption keys, and an installation package creation module which creates an installation package including an encryption program, the encryption key table, and an installation program for installing the encryption program into a computer. The installation program causes the computer to carry out an operation of selecting one of the encrypted versions of encryption keys and an operation of creating and storing encryption key information including the selected one of the encrypted versions of encryption key and one of the items of plaintext index information associated with the selected one of the encrypted versions of encryption keys.
US08352746B2
A method, program and system for processing data is disclosed. The method, program and system comprising the steps of: (a) receiving (e.g., during an enrollment process) a first biometric data and a first personal key, (b) processing the first biometric data and the first personal key through an irreversible cryptographic algorithm, sometimes after: (i) generating one or more variants from the first biometric data, (ii) processing the first personal key through a reversible cryptographic algorithm, and (iii) adding salt to the first biometric data or first personal key, (c) receiving (e.g., during an authentication process) a second biometric data and a second personal key, (d) processing the second biometric data and the second personal key through the irreversible cryptographic algorithm, (e) comparing the second processed data to the first processed data, and (f) generating a signal pertaining to the comparison of the second processed data to the first processed data, such as: (i) a confirmation reflecting authentication when the second processed data matches the first processed data (sometimes allowing access to a facility or system) or (ii) a denial reflecting no confirmation when the second processed data does not match the first processed data.
US08352745B2
A method and system for authenticating a user to access a computer system. The method comprises communicating security information to the computer system, and providing the computer system with an implicit input. The method further comprises determining whether the security information and implicit input match corresponding information associated with the user. The method further comprises granting the user access to the computer system in the event of a satisfactory match. When authenticating the user, the method and system consider the possibility of the user being legitimate but subject to duress or force by a computer hacker.
US08352743B2
At user registration, a client device obtains a signature for a user ID, a password, and a public key by using a private key, and sends user information that includes the signature and the above-described information items to a service providing apparatus. The service providing apparatus verifies the signature by using the public key and stores the user information by which the password and the public key are associated with each other. When a request for a service is made, the client device allows authentication processing by sending to the service providing apparatus an authentication response that includes the user ID together with password authentication information, a signature for a challenge sent from the service providing apparatus, or a signature for the password and the challenge, irrespective of whether the authentication method for the service is password authentication, public key authentication, or public-key-and-password combination authentication.
US08352739B2
A two-factor authenticated key exchange method. A subscriber station transmits a value generated by using an identifier and an authentication server's public key to the authentication server through an access point. The authentication server uses the value to detect the subscriber's password, a key stored in a token, and the authentication server's secret key, generate a random number. The subscriber station uses the random number, password, and the key to transmit an encrypted value and the subscriber's authenticator to the authentication server. The authentication server establishes a second value generated by using the password, key, and random number to be a decrypted key to decrypt the encrypted value, authenticate the subscriber's authenticator, and transmits the authentication server's authenticator to the subscriber station. The subscriber station authenticates the authentication server's authenticator by using the key and password.
US08352738B2
Phishing attacks succeed by exploiting a user's inability to distinguish legitimate websites from spoofed websites. Most prior work focuses on assisting the user in making this distinction; however, users must make the right security decision every time. Unfortunately, humans are ill-suited for performing the security checks necessary for secure site identification, and a single mistake may result in a total compromise of the user's online account. Fundamentally, users should be authenticated using information that they cannot readily reveal to malicious parties. Placing less reliance on the user during the authentication process enhances security and eliminates many forms of fraud. We disclose using a trusted device to perform mutual authentication that eliminates reliance on perfect user behavior, thwarts Man-in-the-Middle attacks after setup, and protects a user's account even in the presence of keyloggers and most forms of spyware.
US08352737B2
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for authentication of fragments using hash trees
An apparatus for authentication of fragments using hash trees may include a processor. The processor may be configured to provide one or more data fragments and a hash tree representing the one or more fragments, send at least one first fragment accompanied by any nodes of the hash tree necessary to authenticate the one or more first sent fragments, and send one or more subsequent fragments accompanied by only some, but not all, of the nodes of the hash tree necessary to authenticate the one or more subsequent fragments with the other nodes that are not sent but are necessary for authentication having been previously sent in conjunction with a prior fragment.
US08352728B2
A method for using a network appliance to efficiently buffer and encrypt data for transmission includes: receiving, by an appliance via a connection, two or more SSL records comprising encrypted messages; decrypting the two or more messages; buffering, by the appliance, the two ore more decrypted messages; determining, by the appliance, that a transmittal condition has been satisfied; encrypting, by the appliance in response to the determination, the first decrypted message and a portion of the second decrypted message to produce a third SSL record; and transmitting, by the appliance via a second connection, the third record. Corresponding systems are also described.
US08352726B2
A system and method comprises receiving a write request from a client to store data at first and second non-sequential locations of a storage medium. The data of the write request is recognized as not being a predefined data pattern, and a first encryption method is applied to the data of the write request before it is stored at the first and second non-sequential locations of the storage medium. Further, a second different encryption method is applied to content of an area between the first and second non-sequential locations, where the content of the area is recognized as being the predefined pattern.
US08352722B2
A platform may comprise a management controller (MC) and a BIOS that may store SMBIOS information that may comprise metadata. SMBIOS information may be stored in the SMBIOS structure table. SMBIOS information may be transferred to the MC and may be communicated from the MC to an entity external to the platform. The BIOS may be inaccessible to the external entity. The MC may communicate with the external entity when the platform is powered ON or OFF. SMBIOS information may be transferred between the BIOS and the MC via a communication link. The MC and/or the BIOS may determine whether SMBIOS information from the MC is up-to-date. SMBIOS information may be copied from the BIOS to the MC if not up-to-date. SMBIOS information may be transferred via SMBIOS messages based on structure type, instance ID and/or handle.
US08352720B2
In a computer system in which a server has, in addition to a disk used for booting, an operation transfer destination disk that has the same content as the boot disk, a method for changing the disk used by the server or another server in the computer system for booting to the operation transfer destination disk is realized by changing the content of the operation transfer destination disk to enable the OS and applications installed in the operation transfer destination disk to be booted from the destination disk and by changing the setting of a boot program of the server to enable booting from the operation transfer destination disk.
US08352719B2
A computing device boot-up method begins by a processing module detecting a boot-up of the computing device. The method continues with the processing module addressing a distributed basic input/output system (BIOS) memory to retrieve a plurality of error coded BIOS data slices. The method continues with the processing module reconstructing BIOS data from the plurality of error coded BIOS data slices using an error coding dispersal function. The method continues with the computing device booting up in accordance with the BIOS data.
US08352711B2
The coordination and execution of chores in a multiprocessing environment. The coordination of chores is accomplished utilizing a compiler generated correlation that relates blocks of code that execute chores and blocks of code in which the chore can be realized. By tracking the execution of the program and using the compiler-generated correlation, chores can be identified for the currently executing code.
US08352707B2
A method and a storage system are provided for implementing host logical address to physical memory address mapping for persistent storage media including flash memory. Numerical compositions at multiple levels of granularity are used to store the logical address to physical memory address mappings. A plurality of groupings, each grouping including a fixed number of blocks is encoded using recursive composition, eliminating the need to store separate lengths.
US08352700B2
A memory management apparatus includes: a memory space including a memory area serving as a heap area and a non-heap-area memory area; and memory management unit which add a header for an object to a memory area other than heap-area to treat the non-heap-area memory area as a mock object in order to treat a plurality of heap areas divided by the non-heap-area memory area as a single continuous heap area.
US08352697B2
A method of storing a file in a memory. An explicit command is issued to a file system to store the file in accordance with a desired performance characteristic of the file such as enhanced write performance, enhanced read performance or enhanced latency performance. The file system stores the file in the memory in accordance with the desired performance characteristic. Preferably the desired performance characteristic is achieved by storing the file in a physically contiguous portion of the memory or in a logically contiguous portion of the memory. After the explicit command has been issued for each of a plurality of files, the files may be stored concurrently.
US08352696B2
A memory device that has two operating modes. In the first mode the data strobe is source synchronous and is driven by the memory device when data is being transmitted. In the second mode the data strobe is not driven by the memory device. In this mode the data strobe signal is used as a free running clock to sample write data. The capture of read data by the controller is timed by a controller with a calibrated internal timing reference from the system clock.
US08352694B2
Provided is a method of controlling memory access. In a system including a first layer element executed in a privileged mode having a first priority of permission to access the entire region of a memory and second and third layer elements executed in an unprivileged mode having a second priority of permission to access a partial region of the memory, the method of controlling memory access determines whether the memory is accessible for each page that is an address space unit, based on which mode a layer element currently accessing the memory is executed in between the privileged mode and the unprivileged mode; and determines whether the memory is accessible based on which one of the first, second and third layer elements corresponds to a domain currently being attempted to be accessed from among a plurality of domains of the memory. Accordingly, a memory domain allocated to a guest operating system kernel is effectively protected from an application executed in the unprivileged mode in which the guest operating system kernel is executed.
US08352683B2
A method and system to reduce the power consumption of a memory device. In one embodiment of the invention, the memory device is a N-way set-associative level one (L1) cache memory and there is logic coupled with the data cache memory to facilitate access to only part of the N-ways of the N-way set-associative L1 cache memory in response to a load instruction or a store instruction. By reducing the number of ways to access the N-way set-associative L1 cache memory for each load or store request, the power requirements of the N-way set-associative L1 cache memory is reduced in one embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, when a prediction is made that the accesses to cache memory only requires the data arrays of the N-way set-associative L1 cache memory, the access to the fill buffers are deactivated or disabled.
US08352682B2
Efficient techniques are described for enforcing order of memory accesses. A memory access request is received from a device which is not configured to generate memory barrier commands. A surrogate barrier is generated in response to the memory access request. A memory access request may be a read request. In the case of a memory write request, the surrogate barrier is generated before the write request is processed. The surrogate barrier may also be generated in response to a memory read request conditional on a preceding write request to the same address as the read request. Coherency is enforced within a hierarchical memory system as if a memory barrier command was received from the device which does not produce memory barrier commands.
US08352668B2
A USB printer sharing switch device with automatic switching capabilities is provided for multiple computers to share a USB printer. The sharing switch device transfers USB data between the computers and the printer without changing the data format. The automatic switching function is performed by hardware and firmware of the sharing switch device in cooperation with driver software on the computers. In one implementation, the sharing switch device includes multiple USB device controllers corresponding to the multiple computers, and employs multiple switches and a USB hub so that each computer is connected to its corresponding controller and the computer that is currently connected to the printer can communicate with its controller while printing. The current computer transmits a spooling finished command to its controller when spooling is finished. After receiving the spooling finished command, the sharing switch device automatically switches the printer to another computer.
US08352667B2
Upstream network interfaces (2-1-2-N) and downstream network interfaces (5-1-5-M) have an upstream PCI-PCI bridge function and a downstream PCI-PCI bridge function, respectively. These network interfaces (2-1-2-N, 5-1-5-M) and a network (3) are incorporated in a system as a single multi-root PCI express switch. The network (3) tunnels TLPs (Transaction Layer Packets) between the upstream network interfaces (2-1-2-N) and the downstream network interfaces (5-1-5-M) or between the downstream network interfaces (5-1-5-M). This enables to distribute and connect a plurality of computers and a plurality of I/Os on a large scale without changing software, root complexes, and I/Os.
US08352659B1
Approaches for communicating data from a source device to a target device. In one approach, a communicated data value is segmented into a plurality of data chunks at the source device. A sequence of interrupt transactions is transmitted from the source device to a system bus. The transmitting of each interrupt transaction in the sequence includes transmitting a target identifier on an address bus of the system bus, and the target identifier of each interrupt transaction in the sequence includes a respective one of the data chunks. The sequence of interrupt transactions from the system bus is received at the target device. The communicated data value is reassembled at the target device from the data chunks in the target identifier of the interrupt transactions in the sequence.
US08352655B2
A packet communication device autonomously selects an appropriate operation mode according to a connection environment to an external device before a service of the device is started. When the device is connected to the external buses, connection interface units notify an external device discrimination unit of connection of the device. The external device discrimination unit issues a polling packet to the connected device, discriminates the connected external device on the basis of the response packet, and notifies an operation mode switching unit. The operation mode switching unit selects an operation mode conforming to a connection environment of the packet communication device to the external device and switches the operation mode of the device to the mode. The selection of the operation modes is completed before the entire device or a portion of the device which is influenced by the selection of the operation mode starts a service to the external device to which the packet communication device is connected.
US08352652B2
Methods and systems for communicating information through a USB device with A/D converters are presented. Active components which provide analog signals to the A/D converters are switched off to cause spikes in the analog signals/channels. The spikes are digitized by the A/D converters and sent to the host through a USB interface. The active components are switched on and off in a pattern corresponding to a message, such that the host can determine the message from the resulting spikes. If multiple active components and A/D converters are used, then multiple ‘bits’ can be transmitted simultaneously using the different channels.
US08352646B2
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for direct access to cache memory. Embodiments include receiving, by a direct access manager that is coupled to a cache controller for a cache memory, a region scope zero command describing a region scope zero operation to be performed on the cache memory; in response to receiving the region scope zero command, generating a direct memory access region scope zero command, the direct memory access region scope zero command having an operation code and an identification of the physical addresses of the cache memory on which the operation is to be performed; sending the direct memory access region scope zero command to the cache controller for the cache memory; and performing, by the cache controller, the direct memory access region scope zero operation in dependence upon the operation code and the identification of the physical addresses of the cache memory.
US08352630B2
Dynamic classification and grouping of network traffic for service application across multiple nodes
Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are described for applying service based on classification and grouping of traffic flows. The method includes receiving a traffic flow, and matching the traffic flow to classification groups. The matching includes determining a first event associated with the traffic flow, comparing attributes of the first event with entry criteria of the classification groups, and assigning the first event to one or more classification groups where the first event meets the entry criteria of the one or more classification groups. The method includes identifying one or more service definitions for the traffic flow based on the classification groups assigned to the traffic flow, reconciling the one or more service definitions for the traffic flow, and providing a service to the traffic flow based on the reconciled service definitions.
US08352628B2
A method is for transferring data from a source target to a destination target in a network. The method includes sending at least one request packet for the destination target, with the request packet containing information relating to a first address where data are located and a second address where data are to be stored. Moreover, at least one transaction request is sent to the source target, with the read request being elaborated from information contained in the request packet. The source target transfers the data located at the first address to the second address.
US08352627B1
An approach is provided for downloading data over a network that uses automatic bandwidth detection. According to the approach, a first version of data to be requested is selected from a plurality of available versions of the data. The first version may be selected based upon a default selection or based upon prior determined connection speeds. A client requests the first version of the data from a server and the client begins receiving the first version of the data. A determination of at least an approximate connection speed is made based upon at least a portion of the first version of the data received at the client. A determination is then made, based upon the determined connection speed, whether a different version of the data should be requested. If so, then the client requests a different version of the data from the server.
US08352621B2
A computer implemented method, system, and/or computer program product selects a target computer to execute a job. For each computer in a system, a statistical mean of last job duration values is computed from historical records for all computers that have executed the job. Multiple pools of computers are selected based on a statistical mean of last job duration values. A ratio for each pool from the multiple pools is computed. This ratio is a ratio of the quantity of current executions of the job in a particular pool compared to a total of current job executions of the job in all of the multiple pools of computers. A particular pool of computers, which has a computed ratio that is closest to a preselected ratio, is selected. A target computer is selected from the particular pool of computers to execute a next iteration of the job.
US08352620B2
Displaying a network topology map may include creating a database representing objects in a network; requesting a topology map of a certain type to represent at least a portion of the network; determining from the database a set of objects corresponding to the type of the requested map; determining parameters associated with the map type; and, while the cardinality of the set is above a threshold: presenting at least one of the parameters on a display, enabling a user to specify a value or group of values for the parameter, and reducing the cardinality of the set by removing objects not matching the value or group of values specified for the parameter.
US08352612B2
A registration request message for affiliation with a service provider using an Internet video link (IVL) communication feature hosted by an Internet video link (IVL) server is received from an IVL device by the IVL server, where the IVL communication feature utilizes an IVL communication module to provide a communication interface with the service provider. The IVL device is registered with the IVL communication feature. A registration response message is sent to the IVL device acknowledging the affiliation with the service provider using the IVL communication feature. IVL communication feature messages are processed between the registered IVL device and the service provider. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08352610B2
Systems, methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture are disclosed for tracking, propagation and matching of messages pertaining to the interest in and availability of services across autonomous service domains. In one embodiment of the invention, a system of distributed, federated service domains in a service-oriented environment is provided wherein each service domain comprises: a plurality of locally provided services; a plurality of service requesters; and a service registry comprising descriptions of: one or more locally provided services; and one or more requested services, each of the requested services being one of: a fulfilled reference to a foreign service; and an unfulfilled reference to a foreign service.
US08352603B2
A method performed in a network element coupled between a subscriber end station and an AAA server for avoiding AAA processing by at least temporarily suppressing AAA access-request messages for a rejected subscriber end station. The network element receives subscriber session-request messages from the subscriber end station. Subscriber session-request messages include information for verifying an identity that the network element transmits to the AAA server as AAA access-request messages. The network element receives AAA access-response messages corresponding to the AAA access-request messages. Responsive to an AAA access-response message, the network element determines that additional AAA access-request messages should be, at least temporarily, suppressed with regards to the subscriber end station. Responsive to determining, the network element suppresses any additional AAA access-request messages from being transmitted to the AAA server. The suppression of AAA access-request messages conserves execution resources in the network element and the AAA server.
US08352599B1
A method and computer program for managing client task information across a network with multiple users. The method and computer program is designed to be flexible by providing a standard set of tools for account managers while allowing customization of those tools. The method and computer program includes creating one or more classes associated to a client, creating one or more programs associated to a client's promotion, setting lists of tasks to be completed for a promotion, alerting users when a task is not completed by a given time, creating and storing template documents for a promotion, creating directories of file storage units, uploading electronic documents to the file storage units; inputting contact information into a class or program; providing levels of access to the client task information based on the user.
US08352595B2
A management apparatus has a control unit for realizing a management function through a comprehensive process of characteristic information of a storage apparatus, a connecting apparatus and a computer. The management apparatus also has an interface for receiving characteristic information from the storage apparatus, connecting apparatus and computer, depending on the standard protocol among the management apparatus, storage apparatus, connecting apparatus and computer. Moreover, an integrated management apparatus is also provided for integrated management based on the result of realization of a plurality of management functions. This integrated management apparatus includes an interface for receiving the result of realization of the management function from the management apparatus, depending on the standard protocol between the management apparatus and integrated management apparatus.
US08352593B2
According to the present invention, there is provided a SAN management system to provide autonomic management of a storage system using an action-centric approach. The SAN management system includes a policy specification logic block to maintain a policy specification associated with the managed system. In addition, the SAN management system includes a reasoning logic block to provide for the determining of action rules using a combination of logic and information obtained from the policy specification. Also, the SAN management system includes a learning logic block to couple the policy specification logic block with the reasoning logic block to improve an understanding of a managed system. The learning is continuous and provides for autonomic evolvement of the system in which reliance on manual input from a user is lessened.
US08352592B2
In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises one or more processors and a computer-readable storage medium storing one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by the processors, cause the processors to perform generating relationship information based on relationships between one or more events that are generated by one or more managed systems. The computer-readable storage medium further comprises instructions which, when executed, cause sending the relationship information to the managed systems, wherein the relationship information allows the managed systems to determine whether reporting of the events, by the managed systems, should be suppressed; and receiving, from one or more managed systems, a report about an event when reporting of the event cannot be suppressed.
US08352585B2
This document describes a directed graph model using a peer-to-peer overlay structure and a gossip-based protocol to maintain the distributed membership. A protocol suite for peers to join the live streaming session, form the P2P streaming overlay, and exchange video packets with others has also been presented. The different capabilities of the heterogeneous peers are well depicted using an adaptive out-degree mechanism. The performance of the whole system is maintained by a contribution-aware mechanism, which ensures that the peers with large contribution will get more chance to be served than those with small or no contribution.
US08352583B2
A method and apparatus for managing bookmark information of a media server through a network based on the UPnP AV standard is disclosed. If a request for bookmarking a content item is made, a bookmark item is created and the created bookmark item is linked to the content item by adding the ID of the created bookmark item to the property information of the content item and recording the ID of the content item to be bookmarked in the created bookmark item.
US08352578B2
A data-transmitting method for wireless sensor network includes: constructing a wireless sensor network having a plurality of nodes for information sensing and a sink for quest raising and data collecting; clustering the nodes to form a plurality of groups, with one of the nodes in each group being identified as a kernel; identifying one of all the nodes as a summit dissemination node and the kernels in all the groups as first level dissemination nodes; and transmitting data between the quest-raising sink and one of the first level dissemination nodes or summit dissemination node to collect information sensed by a source that is one of the nodes.
US08352577B2
A target system is dynamically configured to boot from a network connection upon power-up. A portable data loader connected to the target system may receive communications from the target system that a connection has been established. In response, a copy of a target-specific software data loader (SWDL) application may be transmitted from the portable data loader to the target system. The copy of the SWDL application may be stored in volatile memory on the target system and may be executed to support at least one maintenance operation. A user may invoke a maintenance operation by entering a command into the portable data loader. By isolating the data loader application from the operational software stored on the target system, the disclosed methods and apparatus may allow for reduced development and software certification costs for implementing maintenance operations on an embedded system.
US08352576B2
A server system stores media library associated with a user. The media library includes at least one media file. The server system determines whether the media file is stored on a second computing device that is able to send the media file to the first computing device across a local network connecting the first computing device and the second computing device. If the determination indicates that the media file is stored on a second computing device that is able to send the stored media file to the first computing device across a local network connecting the first computing device and the second computing device, the server system sends causes the second computing device to send the media file to the first computing device across the local network such that the first computing device is able to output the media file to the user.
US08352561B1
Techniques are described for providing reminders for electronic communications. For instance, response patterns of a user are determined by communication type based on monitoring past response behavior of the user and the response pattern data is stored for the user by communication type. After storing the response pattern data for the user by communication type, a particular communication that is for the user and that is initiated by a first sender is received. A type of the particular communication is determined and response pattern data associated with the determined type of the particular communication is accessed. A response reminder time for the particular communication is set based on the accessed response pattern data associated with the determined type of the particular communication.
US08352559B1
Method and apparatus for managing temporary e-mail addresses is described. All e-mail sent to a temporary e-mail address is initially forwarded to an actual e-mail address. In some examples, the temporary e-mail address is automatically deactivated in response to an event such that no e-mail sent to the temporary e-mail address is forwarded to the actual e-mail address. A notification e-mail is sent to the actual e-mail address, the notification e-mail indicating that the temporary e-mail address has been deactivated and including one or more uniform resource locators (URLs) configured to manage the deactivation of the temporary e-mail address.
US08352555B2
The embodiments provide systems and methods which allow users to schedule routine online presence information to let outside world see the users appear to be “online” or “offline” at a particular day and time. An exemplary system of scheduling and displaying an online presence of a user of an instant messaging (IM) application is provided. The system includes an online presence scheduler for entering the time zone of the user and for scheduling an online schedule for the user to appear online. The online schedule includes a start time, an end time, and a routine of the user. The system also includes a presence management server (PMS). PMS determines the online presence of the user based on a login time of the user to the IM application, the online schedule for the user, and an identification of the user. The PMS prepares an online presence information to reflect the determined online presence of the user for display. The time zone and online schedule of the user entered into the online presence scheduler and the identification of the user are stored in the PMS.
