US08378856B2
A method and system provide a predictive human interface for a plurality of user electronic devices, which includes establishing a user account with a service provider, registering the plurality of user electronic devices in an electronic database associated with the user account, and storing, in the electronic database, initial user preferences regarding how certain specified communications related to the user electronic devices are to be processed. The method and system also includes monitoring and storing, by a core network server, specific characteristics associated with each communication originating from the user electronic devices, generating a predictive human interface for the user electronic devices, based upon the stored specific characteristics for the user electronic devices, and providing the predictive human interface to the user electronic devices for use during a next communication originating from one of the user electronic devices.
US08378853B2
A method of managing alerts associated with the operation of an aircraft is provided. The method maintains an alert model database that correlates root causes to alerts associated with onboard aircraft subsystems. During operation of the aircraft, the method receives first alert data indicative of at least one alert of a first onboard aircraft subsystem, and traverses the alert model database to determine a root cause of the first alert data. The root cause (or some indicia thereof) can then be displayed on a display element.
US08378852B2
A monitoring system for alerting operators of aircraft or other vehicles when they are approaching a geographical feature of interest, such as a runway, taxiway or other aircraft. The system includes a database having at least one geo-referenced chart, a processor, a positioning system configured to identify a number of aircraft or other vehicle operational parameters and transmit that data to the processor, and a display unit configured to display the present position of the aircraft on the geo-referenced chart. After receiving the operational parameters, the processor identifies a virtual containment zone centered about the aircraft or vehicle. The processor further monitors the position of the aircraft or other vehicle relative to any geographical features of interest and determines whether at least a portion of a geographical feature is located within the containment area. If such a condition is detected, a notification is generated and presented to the operator who may respond accordingly.
US08378850B2
A park assist system for parking a vehicle in a target parking space includes a first sensing system which determines whether there is a sufficient slot length in a target parking space in which to park the vehicle. A second sensing system determines whether an obstacle is located in a predetermined clearance zone on a side of the vehicle opposite the target parking space. A decision regarding whether to recommend parking the vehicle in the target parking space sensed by the first sensing system is dependent upon a determination that an obstacle located in the clearance zone may be avoided by executing a first steering trajectory provided by the park assist system in order to avoid the obstacle before executing a second steering trajectory provided by the park assist system in order to park the vehicle into the target parking space.
US08378832B2
The breathing disorder treatment system is a continuous monitoring and an actuated stimulation system for the treatment of breathing disorders, such as sleep apnea. The system includes computer readable memory in communication with a processor, and a threshold blood oxygen saturation (BOS) level is recorded therein. A BOS sensor is provided for continually measuring the blood oxygen saturation level in the patient. The BOS sensor is in communication with the processor, such that the measured BOS level is continually compared with the threshold BOS level. A timer is in communication with the processor, so that if a series of measured BOS levels are less than or equal to the threshold BOS level, a time of apnea or low BOS occurrence is recorded in the memory, and an alarm is actuated according to a calculated moving average period based upon the times of occurrence.
US08378824B2
An image-forming system includes a data-reading unit, a data-writing unit, and a restricting unit. The data-reading unit reads additional data from a first storing member of an original document. The data-writing unit writes the read additional data to a second storing member of a recording medium. The restricting unit gives a restriction to the additional data stored in the first storing member after the additional data is read, in order to prevent the additional data stored in the first storing member from being read subsequently.
US08378823B2
An anti-theft security system that utilizes an electronic article surveillance (EAS) beacon that emits an electromagnetic field that a corresponding security tag transponder detects in determining whether to set off onboard transponder alarms or to remain dormant. The EAS beacon is a self-contained beacon that can be easily installed at any desired location and can utilize local utility power or revert to battery power. Among other things, this avoids the large installation, calibration and maintenance costs and tasks of conventional EAS pedestals. The EAS beacon includes coil panels that are secured to an elongated housing that can be flexed to avoid or minimize damage should something or someone come into contact with the panels. An audible/visible alarm is activated when such flexing or tampering occurs. A passive infrared detector is provided to reduce power consumption when the EAS beacon is operating on battery power. The EAS beacon may also be used in existing EAS and RFID anti-theft security systems wherein the associated security transponder also includes passive EAS and/or RFID security elements. A wireless disable key can also be used to shut off an alarming transponder.
US08378816B2
Signal processing technology for assessing dynamic system similarity for fault detection and other applications is based on time- and frequency-domain time series analysis techniques and compares the entire autocorrelation structure of a test and reference signal series. The test and reference signals are first subjected to similar pre-processing to help guarantee signal stationarity. Pre-processing may include formation of multivariate signal clusters, filtering and sampling. Multivariate periodograms or autocovariance functions are then calculated for each signal series. Test statistics are computed and assessed to determine the equality of the test and reference signals. When the difference between sample autocovariance functions or periodograms of such signals exceeds a preselected threshold value, fault detection signals and/or related diagnostic information are provided as output to a user.
US08378803B1
A vehicle safety system comprising a microprocessor; a first sensor operatively connected to the microprocessor, the first sensor functions to detect a degree of deviation of yaw or pitch or roll of the vehicle relative to a control value of 0; wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive a first signal from the first sensor, the first signal being the degree of deviation; wherein when the first signal is between 31 and 45 degrees the microprocessor is configured to generate a first output command to a speaker to play a first alarm sound; wherein when the first signal is 46 degrees or more the microprocessor is configured to generate a second output command to the speaker to play a second alarm sound.
US08378795B2
A haptic signal distribution system capable of distributing haptic synchronous signals includes a master haptic device and groups of slave haptic devices. In one embodiment, the master haptic device is configured to distribute haptic synchronous signals to slave haptic devices. The haptic synchronous signals, for instance, may include information relating to a tempo for a piece of music. A haptic signal distribution system, for example, allows a master wearable haptic device to selectively distribute haptic synchronous signals to one or more groups of slave wearable haptic devices via a wireless communications network. Upon receipt of the haptic synchronous signals, each slave wearable haptic device generates a series of haptic feedback having a rhythm of beats in response to the haptic synchronous signals.
US08378792B2
An electronic information device of the present invention includes: two main body members that are coupled to each other to be capable of transitioning from a first state to a second state; a detecting section that detects whether the two main body members are in either state of the first state or the second state; a time counting section that counts a first time that is required for the two main body members to transition from the first state to the second state; and a function restricting section that restricts at least one function operation in accordance with the first time.
US08378786B2
Enhanced security is provided in an RFID system comprising a plurality of RFID devices and at least one reader which communicates with one or more of the devices. In one aspect of the invention, a first command is transmitted from the reader to write a first data unit to a memory of given one of the RFID devices. A reply is received in the reader from the given RFID device indicating that a second data unit determined based on contents of the first data unit is available in the memory to be accessed by the reader. A second command is transmitted from the reader to the given RFID device to allow the reader to read the memory to thereby obtain the second data unit. The first and second data units comprise information exchanged as part of a cryptographic protocol carried out between the reader and the given RFID device. In an illustrative embodiment, the cryptographic protocol may comprise a challenge-response authentication protocol.
US08378773B2
A problem to be solved is to prevent leakage of magnetic flux in a magnetic element. A magnetic element has a winding having conductivity, and a core member disposed in a state that the winding is wound, in which the core member includes a first core member having a bottom wall and a plurality of peripheral walls provided to stand on peripheral side portions of the bottom wall, and a second core member having a plate shape which is cross-shaped or substantially cross-shaped, in which cutout portions for allowing fitting of end portions of the cross shape of the second core member are formed in the peripheral walls of the first core member.
US08378772B2
An inductor includes an inductor body having a top surface and a first and second opposite end surfaces. There is a void through the inductor body between the first and second opposite end surfaces. A thermally stable resistive element positioned through the void and turned toward the top surface to forms surface mount terminals which can be used for Kelvin type sensing. Where the inductor body is formed of a ferrite, the inductor body includes a slot. The resistive element may be formed of a punched resistive strip and provide for a partial turn or multiple turns. The inductor may be formed of a distributed gap magnetic material formed around the resistive element. A method for manufacturing the inductor includes positioning an inductor body around a thermally stable resistive element such that terminals of the thermally stable resistive element extend from the inductor body.
US08378764B2
Provided is a leaky coaxial cable in which a plurality of slots 1 for forming a leak electromagnetic field are arranged in a string shape in an outer conductor of the coaxial cable. The pitch interval of the slots 1 is periodically changed in the axial direction. The periodical change of the pitch interval of a slot portion changes according to a sinusoidal function, a quadratic function, or other functions.
US08378754B2
Multiple multi-stage delay circuits each have n (n is an integer) output terminals. The multi-stage delay circuits each apply delay times to a corresponding input signal, and output, via n output terminals, n delayed signals to which different delay times have been applied. Multiple inverters invert the respective input signals. The multiple multi-stage delay circuits and multiple inverters are alternately connected in the form of a ring.
US08378745B2
A switching amplifier comprising: an output driving circuit (400) including a pair of switching transistors (M1, M2) connected in series between a pair of supply voltage lines (VP, gnd); a switch driver circuit (204a) configured to drive the switching transistors (M1, M2) with first and second respective PWM signals dependent on an input signal (101); an output connection between the pair of transistors (M1, M2) for driving an output load (403); and an output current sensing circuit for measuring a current through the output load, the output current sensing circuit comprising: a current sensing resistor (401a) connected between a first one (M2) of the pair of transistors and an adjacent supply voltage line (gnd); and a voltage sense circuit (404) connected across the current sensing resistor, wherein the voltage sense circuit is configured to sample a voltage across the current sensing resistor (401a) at a midpoint of successive corresponding portions of one of the PWM signals.
US08378737B2
A charge pump circuit includes at least one stage between an input end and an output end. The at least one stage includes a first CMOS transistor coupled with a first capacitor and a second CMOS transistor coupled with a second capacitor. The at least one stage is capable of receiving a first timing signal and a second timing signal for pumping an input voltage at the input end to an output voltage at the output end. During a transitional period of the first timing signal and the second timing signal, the at least one stage is capable of substantially turning off at least one of the first CMOS transistor and the second CMOS transistor for substantially reducing leakage currents flowing through at least one of the first CMOS transistor and the second CMOS transistor.
US08378736B2
A charge pump method and apparatus is described having various aspects. Noise injection from a charge pump to other circuits may be reduced by limiting both positive and negative clock transition rates, as well as by limiting drive currents within clock generator driver circuits, and also by increasing a control node AC impedance of certain transfer capacitor coupling switches. A single-phase clock may be used to control as many as all active switches within a charge pump, and capacitive coupling may simplify biasing and timing for clock signals controlling transfer capacitor coupling switches. Any combination of such aspects of the method or apparatus may be employed to quiet and/or simplify charge pump designs over a wide range of charge pump architectures.
US08378725B2
A phase-locked loop (PLL) generates an oscillator signal based on an input reference signal. A voltage-to-current converter converts a control voltage to a first current. A current-controlled oscillator generates the oscillator signal based on the first current. A dual charge pump circuit generates first and second charge pump currents having a predetermined ratio, based on a second current generated by a current mirror circuit and an error (feedback) signal. An active loop filter generates the control voltage based on the first and second charge pump currents. The active loop filter includes an input capacitance that varies with a variation in the predetermined ratio of the charge pump currents. The active loop filter also includes a transconductance stage having a transconductance that varies based on a third current generated by a current mirror circuit. The PLL bandwidth is independent of PVT variations and dependent only on the frequency of the input reference signal. In addition, the size of the input capacitor is relatively small so that the circuit requires very little space.
US08378719B1
A programmable high-speed frequency divider architecture is provided to provide a substantially 50% duty cycle signal output regardless of whether the division ratio is odd or even. The programmable frequency divider circuit receives an input clock signal having a first period and outputs and output clock signal that has a second clock signal period that is a programmable multiple, A, of the first period. The frequency divider includes a shift register that receives the input clock signal and produces a first output signal. The frequency divider also includes a duty cycle compensation circuit that accepts the first output signal and produces an output clock signal that has a duty cycle that is substantially 50%.
US08378718B2
A switching circuit for switching a time-varying input signal, the switching circuit comprising: at least one switch including a N-channel MOSFET and a P-channel MOSFET, each having a gate configured to receive a drive signal to change the ON/OFF state of the switch; and a drive circuit configured and arranged so as to selectively apply a pair of drive signals to change the ON/OFF state of the switch, the drive circuit being configured and arranged to generate the drive signals as a function of (a) a pair DC signal components sufficient to change the ON/OFF state of the switch and (b) a pair of time-varying signal components as at least a partial replica of the signal present on the source terminal of each MOSFET so that when applied with the DC signals to the gates of the n-channel MOSFET and p-channel MOSFET respectively, the drive signals will be at the appropriate level to maintain the ON/OFF state of the switch and keep the gate-source voltages of each MOSFET within the gate-source breakdown limit of the MOSFETs.
US08378712B2
The present invention provides in a first aspect a programmable interconnect network for an array of logic blocks, which comprises a plurality of switch boxes being connected in a tree-based hierarchical architecture and providing selection and connection for the logic blocks, switch boxes located at the lowest level of the tree structure are connected to the logic blocks; wherein said network comprises a crosslink established between two of said plurality of switch boxes. The present invention helps implement functions with more area and timing efficiency and/or placement-friendliness.
US08378711B2
A circuit for detecting a single bit upset in a dynamic logic circuit includes a latch circuit having an input for receiving a reset signal, and an output for providing a flag output signal, the latch circuit being clocked by a first clock signal, a first transistor having a drain coupled to the output of the latch circuit, a gate for receiving a second clock signal, and a source, and a second transistor having a drain coupled to the source of the first transistor, a gate for receiving a third clock signal, and a source coupled to ground.
US08378709B2
A direct current regulated power supply includes a switch power supply, a power connector, and a control switch. The switch power supply is configured for receiving a main power and converting the received main power into direct current power to supply an electronic device. The power connector is electrically coupled to the switch power supply, and includes an enable pin. The control switch includes an input electrically coupled to the enable pin of the power connector, and an output that is grounded.
US08378699B2
An integrated circuit is described. The integrated circuit includes an interface circuit that includes a transmitter and a receiver. A generator in the integrated circuit is selectively coupled to the transmitter. The generator is to provide a test sequence that is output by the transmitter during a test mode of operation. A memory in the integrated circuit is selectively coupled to the generator and the receiver. The memory is to receive and synchronize the test sequence and a signal corresponding to the test sequence that is received by the receiver. A logic circuit in the integrated circuit is to compare the test sequence and the signal.
US08378691B2
Removal of the rotor of a large electrical machine is costly and time consuming, and in particular the outage time of a power plant, which is needed for the removal of a generator rotor, is very expensive and should be minimized. To avoid opening of the generator for inspection and maintenance instrument carriages can be used. A method allows the reliable guidance for an in-situ instrument carrier inside the annular gap of a generator and a corresponding instrument carrier. The method avoids the use of sensors and active control systems for the guidance of the instrument carrier. A passively self-guiding system and method takes advantage of the internal structure of a generator and uses the passive centering properties of magnets to guide the instrument carrier through the annular gap of a generator.
US08378690B1
A test cable device comprising a main cable with a standard trailer connector; at least seven inner wires in the main cable, the first ends of each inner wire extending from the first end of the main cable, the first inner wire being a ground wire; a first clamp operatively connected to the first end of the first inner wire; and a second clamp operatively connected to each of the first ends of the second, third, fourth, and fifth inner wires; wherein the first ends of the sixth and seventh inner wires are operatively connected to a first flasher relay, the first flasher relay can be operatively connected to a port of a relay unit; wherein the device can be operatively connected to a power source via the first and second clamp, power is directed through the device and to the trailer via the trailer connector.
US08378689B2
An electrostatic sensor device including a first sensor element and a second sensor element; a dielectric substrate material formed in two layers, and a sensing hole which penetrates the dielectric substrate material from its upper surface to its lower surface. The first sensor element is receivable in the sensing hole; and second sensor element includes a first conducting ring disposed on an upper surface of said dielectric substrate and surrounding said sensing hole. The second conducting ring is disposed on a lower surface of the dielectric substrate and surrounds the sensing hole. The first sensor element and the second sensor are capable of producing a variable response when the first sensor element is disposed in the sensing hole.
US08378688B2
A capacity maintenance ratio determination device includes an impedance measurement unit and a capacity estimation unit. An alternating signal is applied from a signal generator to a battery. Frequency characteristics of AC impedance are calculated by the impedance measurement unit based on a response signal output from the battery in response to the alternating signal. A feature frequency is determined from the calculated frequency characteristics. The capacity estimation unit includes a memory and a determination unit. A correspondence relationship among a temperature of the battery, the feature frequency and a capacity maintenance ratio is stored in the memory. The determination unit determines the capacity maintenance ratio of the battery based on the temperature of the battery detected by a temperature detector, the determined feature frequency and the correspondence relationship stored in the memory.
US08378683B2
Example systems, apparatus, circuits, and so on described herein concern a Hall effect current sensor that includes a planar portion of a conductor that is oriented perpendicular to a base magnetic field in which it is located. In the presence of the magnetic field, a differential voltage is produced across the planar portion that is proportional to a strength of the magnetic field and the amount of current flowing through the conductor.
US08378680B2
An MR imaging system without the use of a contrast agent, in a first repetition time interval, generates a non-selective magnetization preparation pulse for magnetizing an anatomical volume encompassing blood flowing into a selected slab within the volume for blood signal suppression, generates RF excitation pulses and acquires a first MR imaging dataset of the selected slab within the volume with a suppressed blood signal. The system in a second repetition time interval succeeding the first repetition time interval, generates a selected slab magnetization preparation pulse for magnetizing the selected slab, generates RF excitation pulses and acquires a second MR imaging dataset of the selected slab within the volume. An image data processor substantially subtracts imaging data of the first MR imaging dataset from the second MR imaging dataset to provide an image enhancing a vessel structure in the selected slab and also substantially averages imaging data to provide an MR anatomical image.
US08378677B2
In a hybrid PET-MR system, PET detector elements (30) are added in the bore (14), in close proximity to the gradient coils (16). Fluid coolant is supplied to transfer heat from the PET detector elements (30). Thermal insulation (80) insulates the fluid coolant and the PET detector elements (30) from the gradient coils (16). In some embodiments, a first coolant path (90) is in thermal communication with the electronics, a second coolant path (92) is in thermal communication with the light detectors, and a thermal barrier (94, 96) is arranged between the first and second coolant paths such that the first and second coolant paths can be at different temperatures (Te, Td). In some embodiments a sealed heat pipe (110) is in thermal communication with a heat sink such that working fluid in the heat pipe undergoes vaporization/condensation cycling to transfer heat from the detector elements to the heat sink.
US08378671B1
Cost-effective compact magnetometers can be deployed across large ocean areas to record magnetic field strengths. Each magnetometer has a canister containing a magnetometer sensor at its upper end to detect magnetic field strengths of magnetic influence sweep systems and provide representative data signals. Each magnetometer also has sensors to collect data representative of the orientation of the magnetometer as well as temperature and depth to aid in post operational evaluation of the gathered magnetic strength data. A computer processor connected to the sensors controls receipt of the data signals and stores them in a memory device. Batteries at the canister's lower end supply power for the sensors, processor, and memory. An anchor release mechanism causes an anchor to separate from the canister, allowing it to float to the surface for recovery or to transmit data via a UHF transceiver.
US08378670B1
A magneto-impedance element includes a magnetic sensitive member having a form of a line, whose electromagnetic characteristics vary depending on an external magnetic field, a pulse current flowing from one to another end portion thereof in an axial direction. A conductive layer is arranged on an insulating layer provided on an outer surface of the magnetic sensitive member. A connection portion, electrically connecting the magnetic sensitive member and the conductive layer, is arranged on the other end portion in the axial direction of the magnetic sensitive member. A detection coil, outputting an induced voltage corresponding to an intensity of an external magnetic field acting on the magnetic sensitive member when the pulse current flows in the magnetic sensitive member, is wounded around the conductive layer. A direction of the pulse currents flowing in the magnetic sensitive member and in the conductive layer are opposite each other.
US08378666B2
Techniques are provided for measuring angles of rotation of a rotatable body, and, in particular, for measuring angles of rotation of a rotating member that can rotate greater than 360 degrees. One example of these techniques is multi-turn angular position sensor that includes a main gear configured to couple to and rotate, in response to rotation of a rotation member, over a main gear rotation range, a first sensor gear engaged with the main gear and configured to experience more angular rotation than the main gear in response to rotation of the main gear, and a second sensor gear engaged with the main gear and configured to experience more angular rotation than the main gear and less angular rotation than the first sensor gear in response to rotation of the main gear.
US08378660B2
An integrated circuit device inductive touch analog front end excites selected ones of a plurality of inductive touch sensors and provides analog output signals representative of voltages across the coils of the plurality of inductive touch sensors. Various characteristics of the inductive touch analog front end are programmable. A digital processor controls selection of each one of the plurality of inductive touch sensors and receives the respective analog output voltage signal from the inductive touch AFE. The digital processor may program the characteristics of the inductive touch analog front end. When a sufficient change in the coil voltage is determined by the digital processor, that inductive touch sensor is assumed to have been actuated and the digital processor takes action based upon which one of the plurality of inductive touch sensors was actuated (touched).
US08378655B2
A switch-mode controller, buck converter or DC to DC step-down regulated voltage converter that senses an initial pre-bias voltage at initialization and adjust a duty cycle of the switching frequency to help minimize an output voltage transient at initialization or power-on reset.
US08378653B2
A HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) transmitter component may be operated solely on power that is scavenged and converted from termination tail current received while the HDMI transmitter component is coupled to an HDMI compliant sink connector on a HDMI receiver component. The termination tail current is received at the transmitter component from a plurality of differential HDMI signals from terminators on a receiver component. A portion of the received tail current is converted to form a supply voltage Vdd source. Function logic on the transmitter component is operated using the Vdd voltage, and the function logic is configured to control the plurality of differential signals.
US08378648B2
A power regulator circuit automatically disables an internal pass transistor when a detection circuit detects the presence of an external pass device. The internal pass transistor is made in an integrated circuit along with a detection circuit and a switch for disabling the internal pass transistor. The detection circuit detects a presence of an external pass device external to the integrated circuit. The switch automatically disables the internal pass transistor when the detection circuit detects the presence of the external pass device. The detection circuit has a comparator for comparing a signal on an outside connection of the integrated circuit and a latch to operate the switch. The comparator compares a voltage on an outside connection of the integrated circuit against a reference after power up of the regulator and can delay operation of the comparison until a predetermined time after power up. An integrated circuit can contain the power regulator circuit and the internal pass transistor. The power regulator circuit can be used on a power supply with a DC power source.
US08378645B2
A method for monitoring an electrodynamic machine a stator and a rotor arrangement mounted along a rotatable shaft. The rotor arrangement is disposed within the stator and forms an air gap between the rotor arrangement and the stator. At least one sensor is disposed in the air gap and/or within the stator. Measurement signals are detected that are dependent on a magnetic field produced by the electrodynamic machine. The measurement signals are used as a basis for detecting oscillations of the shaft.
US08378637B2
A self-discharge circuit for a secondary battery having a bare cell includes a self-discharge unit, both ends of which are connected to a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the bare cell. The self-discharge unit includes a switching device and a zener diode that are connected serially with respect to each other, and the zener diode is in an opposite direction to a discharge direction of the bare cell. A secondary battery including the self-discharge circuit is also provided.
US08378627B2
Chargers are connectable with vehicles. An electric supply controller controls a switching circuit to connect an electric power supply line to one of the chargers. A storage unit of the electric supply controller associates information on a priority to each of the vehicles and stores the associated information therein. When the vehicles are simultaneously connected to different chargers, a control unit of the electric supply controller controls the switching circuit to connect the electric power supply line preferentially to one of the different chargers. The one of the different chargers is connected to one of the vehicles assigned with a highest priority.
US08378616B2
Apparatus, having multiple motor modules, has an MCU module. Each motor module has an electronically controlled motor. The MCU module has an MCU and an interface for connecting to a bus from a CPU. In use the MCU module receives control signals from the CPU and in turn instructs a selected one of the motors to operate.
US08378613B2
A piezoelectric debris sensor and associated signal processor responsive to debris strikes enable an autonomous or non-autonomous cleaning device to detect the presence of debris and in response, to select a behavioral mode, operational condition or pattern of movement, such as spot coverage or the like. Multiple sensor channels (e.g., left and right) can be used to enable the detection or generation of differential left/right debris signals and thereby enable an autonomous device to steer in the direction of debris.
US08378609B2
Motor-driven actuating system for roller shutters or sliding barriers or the like, provided with an obstacle-sensing safety device for acquiring samples (ζ(φn)) of at least one main physical parameter (ζ) relating to operation of the actuating system, preferably the torque supplied by the motor, sampled in a set of positions (φn) of the roller shutter along its travel path; for generating from the samples the points of a memorized reference profile (M; W); processor able to calculate the deviation between the profile (M; W) and values subsequently acquired in real time (ζ(φk)) for the same main parameter (ζ) and able to modify the movement of the roller shutter depending on the deviation, wherein the device is designed to analyze and/or process the result of one or more arithmetic logic operations which have as the operand at least the value (Ψ(φk)) of a variable (Ψ) acquired in real time, and, depending on the result, modify the points of the profile (M; W) with operations based on previously memorized values.
US08378608B2
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, and/or user interface adapted for, and/or a method and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise, via a predetermined information device, for a predetermined excavating machine comprising a plurality of Active Front Ends, each Active Front End electrically coupled to an AC power supply network of said predetermined excavating machine, each Active Front End adapted to provide DC power to a DC bus, said DC bus electrically coupled to a plurality of inverters, each inverter adapted to supply AC power to at least one operating motor, independently controlling a reactive power produced by each Active Front End.
US08378606B2
Drive voltages to a sensorless brushless DC motor are regulated by varying the width of a single drive pulse (PWM pulse) centered in each of the commutation periods. Switching losses are thereby cut to an absolute minimum because there are only two transitions (on and off) in each drive commutation period. Back EMF zero-cross detectors determine the electrical timing relationships during each electrical cycle. Since the PWM drive pulses are always centered in each of the commutation periods, there will always be back EMF available for measurement of “zero-crossings.” A digital device controls power switching transistors to produce one single PWM pulse during each of the commutation periods.
US08378592B2
The configurations of an end of lamp life protection circuit for a ballast and a method thereof are provided in the present invention. The proposed circuit includes a voltage-dividing circuit receiving an input voltage and outputting a first and a second divided voltages and a switch apparatus raising the first divided voltage when the second divided voltage is less than a first pre-determined threshold value and turning off the ballast when the first divided voltage is higher than a second pre-determined threshold value.
US08378590B2
A method for use in a lamp ballast includes obtaining a measurement signal representative of a voltage at an output of a half-bridge circuit. The half-bridge circuit includes first and second semiconductor switching elements, a resonant circuit connected to the half-bridge circuit, and a snubber capacitance connected in parallel with one of the semiconductor switching elements. The method also includes providing a comparison signal by comparing the measurement signal with a reference value. The method further includes detecting one of a first type of non-zero-voltage switching operation and a second type of non-zero-voltage switching operation based on evaluations of the comparison signal, wherein the evaluations of the comparison signal occurs in each case before the first semiconductor element is switched on and in each case before the second semiconductor element is switched on.
US08378587B2
A portable electric lamp comprises a lighting module with LEDs and user control means connected to an electronic control circuit to define different lighting modes. An optic sensor is housed in the casing near the light-emitting diode LED to transmit to the control circuit a signal representative of the lighting induced by the lamp to automatically regulate the power of the LED according to a predefined threshold.
US08378585B2
A high frequency ballast for a metal halide lamp comprises a controller, a switch, and an oscillator. The ballast is rated at a higher power than the steady state operating power of the lamp. The controller ignites the lamp at a frequency which is less than the steady state operating frequency of the lamp and ignites the lamp at a current which is greater than the steady state operating current of the lamp.
US08378583B2
A control method for a semiconductor light source may include operating the semiconductor light source with short, powerful pulses by an operating device; storing the characteristic light decrease of the semiconductor light source depending on the power introduced into the semiconductor light source in the operating device; and altering power introduced during the pulse in such a way that the emitted quantity of light of the semiconductor light source substantially remains constant over the pulse duration.
US08378578B2
A light emitting device capable of performing signal electric current write-in operations at high speed and without dispersion in the characteristics of TFTs structuring pixels influencing the brightness of light emitting elements is provided. The gate length L of a transistor in which an electric current flows during write-in of a signal electric current is made shorter than the gate length L of a transistor in which electric current supplied to EL elements flows during light emission, and high speed write-in is thus performed by having a larger electric current flow than the electric current flowing in conventional EL elements. A converter and driver transistor (108) is used for signal write-in. By using the converter and driver transistor (108) and a driver transistor (107) when supplying electric current to a light emitting element during light emission, dispersion in the transistor characteristics can be made to have less influence on brightness than when using a structure in which write-in operations and light emission operations are performed using different transistors.
US08378575B2
A motor vehicle is provided that has a passenger compartment, a hatchback, which is mounted so it is pivotable on the passenger compartment, external lighting having taillights, which are fastened on the hatchback, and additional taillights, which are concealed when the hatchback is closed and are visible from outside the motor vehicle when the hatchback is open.
US08378573B2
A high pressure discharge lamp has an electric discharge container with sealing portions formed at both ends of a light emission section, and electrodes made of tungsten. The electrode has a base end which is buried in the sealing portion. Tips of the electrodes face each other in the light emission section. Purity of the tungsten is 99.99% or more. The electrode has a large diameter portion formed at the tip of the electrode and an axis portion whose diameter is smaller than that of the large diameter portion. A part of a surface of the large diameter portion has a concavo-convex structure where a portion having grooves in a circumference direction and a portion having no groove are asymmetrically formed with respect to an axis of the electrode.
US08378569B2
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. The OLED display includes a first substrate member, a first conductive wire having a contact region and formed over the first substrate member, an insulating layer including a plurality of wire contact holes exposing a part of the contact region of the first conductive wire and formed over the first conductive wire, a second conductive wire formed over the first conductive wire and connected to the first conductive wire through the plurality of wire contact holes of the insulating layer, a sealant formed over the second conductive wire, a sealing member formed over the sealant, and a fill-up layer disposed above or under the contact region of the first conductive wire.
US08378568B2
Provided is a white light emitting diode (LED) including a blue LED chip; and yellow, green, and red light emitting phosphors that are coated on the blue LED chip at a predetermined mixing ratio and converts light, emitted from the blue LED chip, into white light.
US08378566B2
The present invention provides a ceramic-glass composite electrode and a fluorescent lamp having the same. The ceramic-glass composite electrode according to the present invention is a ceramic-glass composite, which is disposed at the ends of a glass tube of the fluorescent lamp. A stopper is disposed at the end of the glass tube for pushing against the ceramic-glass composite electrode and limiting the position of the ceramic-glass composite electrode slipped on the glass tube. Thereby, flowing of adhesives into the glass tube is avoided when the adhesives are used for gluing the glass tube and the ceramic-glass composite electrode, and hence extending the lifetime of the fluorescent lamp.
US08378560B2
An ignition part (80) of a ground electrode (30) includes a fused part (85) in which construction materials of a base portion (82) and a noble metal member (81) are fused and mixed by performing laser welding on the two. In the fused part (85), an average ratio P of components originated from the noble metal member (81) at points K1, L1, and M1 is equal to or greater than 80%, and an average ratio Q of components originated from the base portion at points K3, L3, and M3 is equal to or higher than 20%, and P+Q is equal to or higher than 160%. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain joining strength in the parts in the ignition part (80), thereby sufficiently preventing the generation of cracks, separation, and the like due to thermal stress.
US08378557B2
Ultrasound transducers and methods of making ultrasound transducers with improved thermal characteristics are provided. An ultrasound transducer includes a piezoelectric element defining a front side and a back side. The ultrasound transducer includes a lens connected to the front side of the piezoelectric element, a heat sink connected to the back side of the piezoelectric element, and a backside matching layer disposed between the piezoelectric element and the heat sink. The backside matching layer is thermally connected to the piezoelectric element and the heat sink, and the backside matching layer is configured to conduct heat from the piezoelectric element to the heat sink.
US08378552B2
The present invention provides systems, devices, and related methods, involving electrochemical actuation. In some cases, application of a voltage or current to a system or device of the invention may generate a volumetric or dimensional change, which may produce mechanical work. For example, at least a portion of the system may be constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation. Systems such as these may be useful in various applications, including pumps (e.g., infusion pumps) and drug delivery devices, for example.
US08378540B2
A motor includes a stator, a bearing, a cover, a shaft, a rotor holder and a rotor magnet. The cover member includes an outer cylinder portion arranged to support the stator on the inner surface thereof, an inner cylinder portion arranged to support the bearing on the inner surface thereof and a bottom portion arranged to interconnect the lower end of the outer cylinder portion and the lower end of the inner cylinder portion. The stator includes a stator core, an insulator arranged to cover the stator core and coils. The cover member is preferably formed by press-forming a single metal plate member. The insulator includes a protrusion portion positioned radially outwards of the coils to protrude upwards higher than the upper end of the outer cylinder portion. The upper ends of the coils are positioned higher than the upper end of the outer cylinder portion.
US08378531B2
The present invention relates to an actuator apparatus of an active accelerator pedal, which can provide a driver with a pressing-force rise mode or a vibration mode in accordance with the operational condition of the accelerator pedal and the traveling condition of the vehicle; therefore, it is possible to improve fuel efficiency and also help safe traveling. An actuator apparatus of an active accelerator pedal of the present invention includes: an actuator housing fixed to a pedal arm housing; a stator fixed to the actuator housing and electromagnetized by current transmitted though the control of an ECU; a carrier having one end disposed in a stator and the other end disposed toward the pedal arm through the actuator housing, and applying pressing-force to the pedal arm while protruding from the stator when current is applied to the stator; and a position sensor disposed in the actuator housing and detecting the amount of rotation of the pedal arm to determine the amount of current applied to the stator through the control of the ECU.
US08378526B2
A security circuit for a power supply feeding a DC system is provided. The security circuit is disposed on an outlet of the power supply. A switch element is disposed between a positive power supply clamp and a positive output clamp towards the DC system. A choke coil is disposed between the switch element and the positive output clamp. The choke coil is connected to an output capacitor on a side connected to the positive output clamp, and a side of the choke coil that is connected to the switch element is connected to a cathode side of a diode that is connected in parallel to the output capacitor. The security circuit also includes a control for the switch element, connecting the switch element in accordance with the power measured in the security circuit.
US08378523B2
Techniques for wireless power transmission. An antenna has a part that amplifies a flux to make the antenna have a larger effective size than its actual size.
US08378522B2
Magneto mechanical systems used for wireless power reception. A miniature moving magnet is placed in an oscillating magnetic field. Movement of the magnet causes power to be generated.
US08378518B2
A wind generator turbine apparatus includes a base for supporting the apparatus. A base mount is mounted on the base and a permanent magnet generator (PMG) is seated on the base mount. The PMG has an aligned shaft extending along an elongated axis defined by the shaft and is adapted to generate electricity when caused to spin circularly. The apparatus includes a wind turbine having a housing mounted over and around the shaft of the PMG about the axis. A plurality of blades is circumferentially arranged about the axis defined by the shaft of the housing between a first linkage member mounted on a first end of the housing and a second linkage member mounted on a second end of the housing. A linkage cap is mounted on the first linkage member and the first end of the housing. The shaft is caused to spin about the axis when wind force is applied to the blades to generate electricity. The apparatus can be used in airports, roadways, or rail systems to generate electricity in the presence of man made air. Systems and methods for harnessing aircraft wind energy also are disclosed.
US08378512B2
An apparatus for harvesting electrical power from hydrodynamic energy, the apparatus including a buoy or other water flotation device connected to an anchor by a tether and a magnetostrictive component having an internal pre-stressed magnetostrictive core that experiences at least a part of load changes experienced by the tether. The magnetic property of the magnetostrictive core is configured to change with changes in stress within the magnetostrictive core along at least one direction within the magnetostrictive component. The hydrodynamic energy acting on the buoy or other water flotation device results in changes in force within the tether, which in turn changes the stress within the magnetostrictive core and consequently changes a magnetic property. The magnetostrictive component is also configured such that the change in the magnetic property will result in a change in magnetic flux, which change can be used to generate electrical power.
US08378506B2
A method of assembling an electronic device and electronic packages therefrom. A die attach adhesive precursor is placed between a top surface of a workpiece and an IC die. The die attach adhesive precursor includes metal particles, a first plurality of first microcapsules having a polymerizable material inside, and a second plurality of second microcapsules having a polymerization agent inside to form a first polymer upon rupture of first and second microcapsules. A force sufficient to rupture at least a portion of the first plurality of first microcapsules and at least a portion of the second plurality of second microcapsules is applied to form a self-healing die attach adhesive wherein the first polymer binds the plurality of metal particles and the remaining microcapsules and secures the IC die to the top surface of the workpiece. The self-healing die attach adhesive generally includes at least 90 vol. % metal.
US08378498B2
A patterned adhesive layer including holes is employed to attach a coreless substrate layer to a stiffner. The patterned adhesive layer is confined to kerf regions, which are subsequently removed during singulation. Each hole in the patterned adhesive layer has an area that is greater than the area of a bottomside interconnect footprint of the coreless substrate. The patterned adhesive layer may include a permanent adhesive that is thermally curable or ultraviolet-curable. The composition of the stiffner can be tailored so that the thermal coefficient of expansion of the stiffner provides tensile stress to the coreless substrate layer at room temperature and at the bonding temperature. The tensile stress applied to the coreless substrate layer prevents or reduces warpage of the coreless substrate layer during bonding. Upon dicing, bonded stacks of a semiconductor chip and a coreless substrate can be provided without adhesive thereupon.
US08378494B2
A semiconductor device comprising: a first single crystal silicon layer comprising first transistors, first alignment mark, and at least one metal layer overlying said first single crystal silicon layer, wherein said at least one metal layer comprises copper or aluminum more than other materials; a second layer overlying said at least one metal layer, said second layer comprising second transistors, second alignment mark, and a through via through said second layer, wherein said through via is a part of a connection path between said first transistors and said second transistors, wherein alignment of said through via is based on said first alignment mark and said second alignment mark and effected by a distance between said first alignment mark and said second alignment mark.
US08378493B2
A semiconductor interconnect architecture provides a reduction in the intersection of vias on the last layer (“VL”) and holes in the last thin metal layer (“MLHOLE”) without degradation of the product yield or robustness, or increases copper dishing. The mutation of some dense redundant VLs to MLHOLEs decreases the number of intersections between VLs and MLHOLEs.
US08378491B2
An integrated circuit as described herein includes an upper interconnect level including a continuous upper interconnect area, the continuous upper interconnect area including a plurality of upper contact openings. The integrated circuit further includes a lower interconnect level including a continuous lower interconnect area, the continuous lower interconnect area including a plurality of lower contact openings. First contacts extend through the lower contact openings to the upper interconnect area and second contact openings extend through the upper contact openings to the lower interconnect area.
US08378490B2
A method of integrated circuit fabrication is provided, and more particularly fabrication of a semiconductor apparatus with a metallic alloy. An exemplary structure for a semiconductor apparatus comprises a first silicon substrate having a first contact comprising a silicide layer between the substrate and a first metal layer; a second silicon substrate having a second contact comprising a second metal layer; and a metallic alloy between the first metal layer of the first contact and the second metal layer of the second contact.
US08378489B2
A semiconductor device of this invention has a copper wiring layer, of which a layer, to which a composition including at least one substance selected from the group consisting of ammonia and organic bases is applied, and a silicon-containing insulating film are sequentially superimposed on the copper wiring layer. Accordingly, semiconductor devices having insulating layers which adheres well to the copper serving as the wiring material can be obtained.
US08378488B2
A semiconductor device has an interlayer insulating film that is formed on a semiconductor substrate and has a trench formed therein; a first diffusion barrier film formed on an inner surface of the trench; a Cu wiring layer buried in the trench with the first diffusion barrier film interposed between the Cu wiring layer and the inner surface of the trench; a second diffusion barrier film formed on top of the interlayer insulating film and the Cu wiring layer; an alloy layer primarily containing Cu formed at a first interface between the Cu wiring layer and the second diffusion barrier film; a first reaction layer that is formed at a second interface between the interlayer insulating film and the second diffusion barrier film; and a second reaction layer that is formed on the alloy layer and the first reaction layer.
US08378482B2
A wiring board between which and a chip to be mounted a resin is filled includes: a substrate body on which a conductor portion to be connected to an electrode terminal of the chip is formed; and an insulating protection film formed on the substrate body and having an opening portion formed therein to expose the conductor portion. The opening portion is formed in such a manner that the edge thereof is positioned along and outside the outer shape of the chip except for a specific corner portion, and that the edge in the specific corner portion is positioned on a side of or inside the outer shape of the chip.
US08378478B2
The microelectronic assembly includes a first microelectronic element having a front surface, a plurality of contacts exposed at the front surface, and a rear surface remote from the front surface; a second microelectronic element having a front surface facing the rear surface of the first microelectronic element and projecting beyond an edge of the first microelectronic element, the second microelectronic element having a plurality of contacts exposed at its front surface; a dielectric region overlying the front surfaces of the microelectronic elements, the dielectric region having a major surface facing away from the microelectronic elements; metallized vias within openings in the dielectric region extending from the plurality of contacts of the first and second microelectronic elements; and leads extending along a major surface of the dielectric region from the vias to terminals exposed at the major surface.
US08378477B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a package substrate having a substrate bottom side and a substrate top side opposite the substrate bottom side; mounting an integrated circuit over the package substrate, the integrated circuit having an inactive side and an active side opposite the inactive side; connecting stack connectors to the substrate top side; applying a multi-layer film over the substrate top side, the integrated circuit, and the stack connectors, the multi-layer film having a base film layer, a penetrable film layer, and a penetrable adhesive; removing the base film layer and the penetrable film layer to expose the penetrable adhesive and exposed portions of the stack connectors; and forming an adhesive film layer by hardening the penetrable adhesive.
US08378475B1
Carriers enabling multichip driving of optoelectronic interconnects are disclosed. In one instance, the carriers provide a substantially perpendicular interface between the host circuit board and the optoelectronic die.
US08378470B2
A first semiconductor chip and a second semiconductor chip are overlapped with each other in a direction in which a first multilayer interconnect layer and a second multilayer interconnect layer are opposed to each other. When seen in a plan view, a first inductor and a second inductor are overlapped. The first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip have non-opposed areas which are not opposed to each other. The first multilayer interconnect layer has a first external connection terminal in the non-opposed area, and the second multilayer interconnect layer has a second external connection terminal in the non-opposed area.
US08378459B2
In a state where an adhesive tape is attached onto a main surface of a semiconductor wafer, a trench is formed in a rear surface of the semiconductor wafer. For forming the trench in the rear surface of the semiconductor wafer, after coating a resist film on the rear surface of the semiconductor wafer, the resist film is patterned by using the photolithography technology. The patterning of the resist film is performed so as not to leave the resist film in the region where the trench is to be formed. Then, the trench is formed in a predetermined region of the semiconductor wafer by the dry etching technology using the patterned resist film as a mask. Specifically, the trench is formed in the region near the dicing line.
US08378453B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure include devices or systems that include a composite thermal capacitor disposed in thermal communication with a hot spot of the device, methods of dissipating thermal energy in a device or system, and the like.
US08378449B2
In a circuit arrangement (1) it is provided for supplying an integrated circuit (4) with electrical energy in a reliable and low-emission manner that a first ground connection (14) of the integrated circuit (4) is connected to a circuit carrier ground (3) and that an external buffer capacitor (17) is connected to a supply connection (5) and a second ground connection (18) of the integrated circuit (4). The arrangement is further equipped with a supply unit (15), which has a current source behavior, at least at a clock frequency of the integrated circuit (4). The buffer capacitor (17) reduces load-related voltage fluctuations, the current source behavior of the supply unit (15) causing a decoupling of the frequency between the charging and discharging process of the buffer capacitor (17). The high-frequency discharging currents are tightly restricted in the circuit arrangement (1), thus preventing significant emission.
US08378444B2
A light-absorbing layer is composed of a compound-semiconductor film of chalcopyrite structure, a surface layer is disposed on the light-absorbing layer, the surface layer having a higher band gap energy than the compound-semiconductor film, an upper electrode layer is disposed on the surface layer, and a lower electrode layer is disposed on a backside of the light-absorbing layer in opposition to the upper electrode layer, the upper electrode layer and the lower electrode layer having a reverse bias voltage applied in between to detect electric charges produced by photoelectric conversion in the compound-semiconductor film, as electric charges due to photoelectric conversion are multiplied by impact ionization, while the multiplication by impact ionization of electric charges is induced by application of a high-intensity electric field to a semiconductor of chalcopyrite structure, allowing for an improved dark-current property, and an enhanced efficiency even in detection of low illumination intensities, with an enhanced S/N ratio.
US08378438B2
A method and system for providing a magnetic element are described. The magnetic element includes pinned and free layers, a nonmagnetic spacer layer between the free and pinned layers, and a stability structure. The free layer is between the spacer layer and the stability structure. The free layer has a free layer magnetization, at least one free layer easy axis, and at least one hard axis. The stability structure includes magnetic layers and is configured to decrease a first magnetic energy corresponding to the free layer magnetization being aligned with the at least one easy axis without decreasing a second magnetic energy corresponding to the free layer magnetization being aligned with the at least one hard axis. The magnetic element is configured to allow the free layer magnetization to be switched to between states when a write current is passed through the magnetic element.
US08378435B2
A method of packaging a pressure sensing die includes providing a lead frame with lead fingers and attaching the pressure sensing die to the lead fingers such that bond pads of the die are electrically coupled to the lead fingers and a void is formed between the die and the lead fingers. A gel material is dispensed via an underside of the lead frame into the void such that the gel material substantially fills the void. The gel material is then cured and the die and the lead frame are encapsulated with a mold compound. The finished package does not include a metal lid.
US08378432B2
In sophisticated transistor elements including a high-k gate metal stack, the integrity of the sensitive gate materials may be ensured by a spacer element that may be concurrently used as an offset spacer for defining a lateral offset of a strain-inducing semiconductor alloy. The cap material of the sophisticated gate stack may be removed without compromising integrity of the offset spacer by providing a sacrificial spacer element. Consequently, an efficient strain-inducing mechanism may be obtained in combination with the provision of a sophisticated gate stack with the required material integrity, while reducing overall process complexity compared to conventional strategies.
US08378430B2
Transistors are provided including first and second source/drain regions, a channel region and a gate stack having a first gate dielectric over a substrate, the first gate dielectric having a dielectric constant higher than a dielectric constant of silicon dioxide, and a metal material in contact with the first gate dielectric, the metal material being doped with an inert element. Integrated circuits including the transistors and methods of forming the transistors are also provided.
US08378428B2
The applications discloses a semiconductor device comprising a substrate having a first active region, a second active region, and an isolation region having a first width interposed between the first and second active regions; a P-metal gate electrode over the first active region and extending over at least ⅔ of the first width of the isolation region; and an N-metal gate electrode over the second active region and extending over no more than ⅓ of the first width. The N-metal gate electrode is electrically connected to the P-metal gate electrode over the isolation region.
US08378420B2
A vertical trench LDMOS transistor includes a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type; a first trench formed in the semiconductor layer and filled with a trench dielectric and a trench gate is formed in the first trench; a body region of a second conductivity type formed in the semiconductor layer adjacent the first trench; a source region formed in the body region and adjacent the first trench; a planar gate insulated from the semiconductor layer by a second gate dielectric layer and overlying the body region; and a drain drift region formed in the semiconductor layer. The planar gate forms a lateral channel in the body region between the source region and the drain drift region, and the trench gate in the first trench forms a vertical channel in the body region along the sidewall of the first trench between the source region and the semiconductor layer.
US08378419B2
An integrated circuit (IC) includes an active region; a pair of active field effect transistors (FETs) in the active region; and an isolation FET located between the pair of active FETs in the active region, the isolation FET configured to provide electrical isolation between the pair of active FETs, wherein the isolation FET has at least one different physical parameter or electrical parameter from the pair of active FETs.
US08378411B2
A structure of power semiconductor device integrated with clamp diodes having separated gate metal pads is disclosed. The separated gate metal pads are wire bonded together on the gate lead frame. This improved structure can prevent the degradation of breakdown voltage due to electric field in termination region blocked by polysilicon or gate metal.
US08378408B2
A memory device is provided. The memory device includes a first control gate, a second control gate, a plurality of first charge storage elements, a plurality of second charge storage elements and a semiconductor. The plurality of first charge storage elements is beside the first control gate, and each of the first charge storage elements is located on the different side of the first control gate. The plurality of second charge storage elements is beside the second control gate. The semiconductor is located between the first and second control gates.
US08378406B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a substrate; a memory multilayer body with a plurality of insulating films and electrode films alternately stacked therein, the memory multilayer body being provided on a memory array region of the substrate; a semiconductor pillar buried in the memory multilayer body and extending in stacking direction of the insulating films and the electrode films; a charge storage film provided between one of the electrode films and the semiconductor pillar; a dummy multilayer body with a plurality of the insulating films and the electrode films alternately stacked therein and a dummy hole formed therein, the dummy multilayer body being provided on a peripheral circuit region of the substrate; an insulating member buried in the dummy hole; and a contact buried in the insulating member and extending in the stacking direction.
US08378405B2
A capacitor under bitline DRAM memory cell and method for its fabrication provides a high density memory cell with the capacitor formed in the PMD layer. The memory cell utilizes several variations of storage contact pillar structures as, for example, a storage plate of the memory cell capacitor formed within a trench in the PMD layer. This capacitor plate structure is overlaid with a capacitor dielectric layer which is overlaid with another conductive layer, for example, the M1 layer to form the other capacitor plate. An access transistor formed between substrate active regions and a word line, is in electrical communication with a bit line contact, the storage contact capacitor plate, and the word line respectively. The high density memory cell benefits from the simple standard processes common to logic processes, and in one embodiment requiring only one additional masking step.
US08378400B2
An island-shaped semiconductor constituting a pixel includes a first semiconductor N+-region formed on a substrate, a second semiconductor P-region formed on the region, third semiconductor N-regions formed on upper lateral sides of the region, insulating layers formed on the outer periphery of the regions and lower lateral sides of the region, gate conductive layers formed on the outer periphery of the insulating layers and functioning as gate electrodes forming a channel in a lower area of the region, light-reflection conductive layers formed on the outer periphery of the N regions and a portion of the insulating layers where the gate conductive layers are not formed, a fifth semiconductor P+-region formed on the region and the regions, and a microlens formed on the region and whose focal point is located near the upper surface of the region.
US08378397B2
A solid-state imaging device includes an array of pixels, each pixel includes: a pixel electrode; an organic layer; a counter electrode; a sealing layer; a color filter; a readout circuit; and a light-collecting unit as defined herein, the photoelectric layer contains an organic p type semiconductor and an organic n type semiconductor, the organic layer further includes a charge blocking layer as defined herein, an ionization potential of the charge blocking layer and an electron affinity of the organic n type semiconductor in the photoelectric layer has a difference of at least 1 eV, and the sealing layer includes a first sealing sublayer formed by atomic layer deposition and a second sealing sublayer formed by physical vapor deposition and containing one of a metal oxide, a metal nitride, and a metal oxynitride.
US08378394B2
A method and semiconductor structure includes an insulator layer on a substrate, a plurality of parallel fins above the insulator layer, relative to a bottom of the structure. Each of the fins comprises a central semiconductor portion and conductive end portions. At least one conductive strap may be positioned within the insulator layer below the fins, relative to the bottom of the structure. The conductive strap can be perpendicular to the fins and contact the fins. The conductive strap further includes recessed portions disposed within the insulator layer, below the plurality of fins, relative to the bottom of the structure, and between each of the plurality of fins, and projected portions disposed above the insulator layer, collinear with each of the plurality of fins, relative to the bottom of the structure. The conductive strap is disposed in at least one of a source and a drain region of the semiconductor structure. A gate insulator contacts and covers the central semiconductor portion of the fins, and a gate conductor covers and contacts the gate insulator.
US08378391B2
A solid-state image sensor which holds a potential for a long time and includes a thin film transistor with stable electrical characteristics is provided. When the off-state current of a thin film transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer is set to 1×10−13 A or less and the thin film transistor is used as a reset transistor and a transfer transistor of the solid-state image sensor, the potential of the signal charge storage portion is kept constant, so that a dynamic range can be improved. When a silicon semiconductor which can be used for a complementary metal oxide semiconductor is used for a peripheral circuit, a high-speed semiconductor device with low power consumption can be manufactured.
US08378390B2
The present disclosure relates to a silicon carbide (SiC) bipolar junction transistor (BJT), where the surface region between the emitter and base contacts (1, 2) on the transistor is given a negative electric surface potential with respect to the potential in the bulk SiC. The present disclosure also relates to a method for increasing the current gain in a silicon carbide (SiC) bipolar junction transistor (BJT) by the reduction of the surface recombination at the SiC surface between the emitter and base contacts (1, 2) of the transistor.
US08378388B2
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor layer made of Fe-doped GaN; a first buffer layer that is provided on the semiconductor layer so as to contact an upper surface of the semiconductor layer and is made of AlN or AlxGa1-xN (0.4
US08378381B2
There is provided a GaN-based semiconductor light emitting device including: a substrate; and an n-type GaN-based semiconductor layer, an active layer and a p-type GaN-based semiconductor layer sequentially deposited on the substrate, wherein the active layer includes: a first barrier layer including AlxInyGa1-x-yN, where 0
US08378374B2
A submount for a solid state lighting package includes a support member having upper and lower surfaces, a first side surface, and a second side surface opposite the first side surface, a first electrical bondpad on the upper surface of the support member and having a first bonding region proximate the first side surface of the support member and a second bonding region extending toward the second side surface of the support member, and a second electrical bondpad on the upper surface of the support member having a die mounting region proximate the first side surface of the support member and an extension region extending toward the second side surface of the support member. The die mounting region of the second electrical bondpad may be configured to receive an electronic device. The submount further includes a third electrical bondpad on the upper surface of the support member and positioned between the second side surface of the support member and the die mounting region of the second electrical bondpad.
US08378364B2
Multi-chip light emitting diodes and method for fabricating the same are provided. The multi-chip light emitting diode includes a lead frame including a carrier part. A plurality of chips is disposed on the carrier part, wherein the plurality of chips includes a first chip and a second chip. A first scattering layer is conformally covering the first chip to expose electrodes thereof, wherein the first scattering layer consists of a first scattering material. A second scattering layer is conformally covering the second chip to expose electrodes thereof, wherein the second scattering layer consists of a second scattering material.
US08378361B2
A light-emitter includes a first electrode and a layered body over the first electrode. The layered body includes a charge injection layer and a light-emitting layer. A bank defines a position of the light-emitting layer of the layered body, and a second electrode is over the layered body. The charge injection layer is formed by oxidation of an upper portion of a metal. The first electrode includes a metal layer that is a lower portion of the metal. An inner portion of the charge injection layer is depressed to define a recess. A portion of the bank is on an outer portion of the charge injection layer.
US08378353B2
An organic light emitting diode display device and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The organic light emitting diode display device comprises: a substrate; an active layer disposed on the substrate; a first insulating layer disposed on the active layer; a gate electrode disposed on the first insulating layer; a pixel electrode disposed on the first insulating layer; source and drain electrodes electrically insulated from the gate electrode and electrically connected to the active layer; an intermediate layer disposed on the pixel electrode, wherein the intermediate layer comprises an organic emission layer; and an opposite electrode disposed on the intermediate layer, wherein the pixel electrode is connected to the source electrode or the drain electrode, wherein the gate electrode comprises a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, a third conductive layer, and a fourth conductive layer that are sequentially stacked, and wherein the second and third conductive layers comprises a first oxidation-reduction potential difference therebetween, and the first and third conductive layers comprises a second oxidation-reduction potential difference therebetween, and the first oxidation-reduction potential difference is less than the second oxidation-reduction potential difference.
US08378351B2
A thin film transistor using oxide semiconductor for a channel, which may be controlled such that threshold voltage is positive and may be improved in reliability is provided. The thin film transistor includes a gate electrode, a pair of source/drain electrodes, an oxide semiconductor layer forming a channel and provided between the gate electrode and the pair of source/drain electrodes, a first insulating film as a gate insulating film provided on the oxide semiconductor layer on a side near the gate electrode, and a second insulating film provided on the oxide semiconductor layer on a side near the pair of source/drain electrodes. One or both of the first insulating film and the second insulating film includes an aluminum oxide having a film density of 2.70 g/cm3 or more and less than 2.79 g/cm3.
US08378350B2
Provided is a display device including first and second gate interconnections; a first pixel circuit disposed at one side of the first gate interconnection, the first pixel circuit including a first transistor, a gate electrode of the first transistor electrically connected to the first gate interconnection, a source electrode of the first transistor formed in a source layer, the source electrode including a first source electrode facing portion overlapping with the gate electrode; and a second pixel circuit disposed at the other side of the second gate interconnection, the second pixel circuit including a second transistor, a gate electrode of the second transistor electrically connected to the second gate interconnection, a source electrode of the second transistor formed in the source layer, the source electrode including a second source electrode facing portion overlapping with the gate electrode and stretched along the first source electrode facing portion.
US08378338B2
According to the first invention group there are provided conjugated compounds having two or more groups represented by the following formula (I) or the following formula (II): wherein one of Ar and Ar′ represents a C6 or greater divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group and the other represents a C4 or greater divalent heterocyclic group, wherein the groups each may have a substituent, with the proviso that the groups as a whole contain no fluorine atoms, R1 and R2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a monovalent group, and Ar″ represents a trivalent aromatic hydrocarbon or trivalent heterocyclic group; when the conjugated compound has two or more groups represented by formula (I), the portion excluding these groups contain no fluorine atoms. According to the second group of the present invention there are provided nitrogen-containing fused-ring compounds represented by the following formula (α-I): in formula (α-I), R21 and R22 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or an optionally substituted monovalent group, and Z21 and Z22 each independently represent any one of the groups represented by the following formulas (α-i)-(α-ix); wherein R23, R24, R25 and R26 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a monovalent group, and R23 and R24 may bond together to form a ring, the left side and the right side of the group represented by formula (α-viii) may be interchanged.
US08378335B2
A semiconductor device according to an embodiment, includes a catalytic metal film, a graphene film, a contact plug, and an adjustment film. The catalytic metal film is formed above a substrate. The graphene film is formed on the catalytic metal film. The contact plug is connected to the graphene film. The adjustment film is formed in a region other than a region connected to the contact plug of a surface of the graphene film to adjust a Dirac point position in a same direction as the region connected to the contact plug with respect to a Fermi level.
US08378329B2
Graphene magnet multilayers (GMMs) are employed to facilitate development of spintronic devices. The GMMs can include a sheet of monolayer (ML) or few-layer (FL) graphene in contact with a magnetic material, such as a ferromagnetic (FM) or an antiferromagnetic material. Electrode terminals can be disposed on the GMMs to be in electrical contact with the graphene. A magnetic field effect is induced in the graphene sheet based on an exchange magnetic field resulting from a magnetization of the magnetic material which is in contact with graphene. Electrical characteristics of the graphene can be manipulated based on the magnetization of the magnetic material in the GMM.
US08378326B2
An X-ray shield for a horizontal X-ray procedure table includes a horizontal support bar for attachment thereto a first depending X-ray opaque curtain and a second support bar, the second support bar being moveably attached to the horizontal support bar to enable movement of the second support bar in both horizontal and vertical directions.
US08378319B2
A direct-write system is provided which includes a stage for holding a substrate, a processing module for processing pattern data and generating instructions associated with the pattern data, and an exposure module that includes beams that are focused onto the substrate and a beam controller that controls the beams in accordance with the instructions. The processing module includes vertex pair processors each having bit inverters. Each vertex pair processor is operable to process a respective vertex pair of an input scan line to generate an output scan line. Each bit inverter is operable to invert a respective input bit of the input scan line to generate a respective output bit of the output scan line if a bit position is located between the respective vertex pair, otherwise the respective input bit is copied to the respective output bit. The instructions correspond to the output bits for each beam.
US08378308B2
A radiation detector is disclosed. The radiation detector comprises an active detector surface configured to generate charge carriers in response to charged particles associated with incident radiation. The active detector surface is further configured with a sufficient thickness for a partial energy deposition of the charged particles to occur and permit the charged particles to pass through the active detector surface. The radiation detector further comprises a plurality of voltage leads coupled to the active detector surface. The plurality of voltage leads is configured to couple to a voltage source to generate a voltage drop across the active detector surface and to separate the charge carriers into a plurality of electrons and holes for detection. The active detector surface may comprise one or more graphene layers. Timing data between active detector surfaces may be used to determine energy of the incident radiation. Other apparatuses and methods are disclosed herein.
US08378307B2
An imaging system includes a scintillator array (202) and a digital photomultiplier array (204). A photon counting channel (212), an integrating channel (210), and a moment generating channel (214) process the output signal of the digital photomultiplier array (204). A reconstructor (122) spectrally resolves the first, the second and the third output signals. In one embodiment, a controller (232) activates the photon counting channel (212) to process the digital signal only if a radiation flux is below a predetermined threshold. An imaging system includes at least one direct conversion layer (302) and at least two scintillator layers (304) and corresponding photosensors (306). A photon counting channel (212) processes an output of the at least one direct conversion layer (302), and an integrating channel (210) and a moment generating channel (214) process respective outputs of the photosensors (306). A reconstructor (122) spectrally resolves the first, the second and the third output signals.
US08378303B2
An infrared spectrophotometer, which is capable of preventing measurement data measured from being adversely affected by moisture vapor. An internal space of an attachment receiving therein an optical element is sealed and isolated from ambient air by providing a tube and others, and a dehumidifier is provided in the internal space of the attachment for an optical path. Thus, the dehumidifier is disposed in a relatively narrow space, so that the internal space of the attachment can be efficiently dehumidified within a short period of time so as to reduce humidity in the internal space to suppress absorption of moisture vapor which would otherwise occur on the optical path in the internal space of the attachment. This makes it possible to prevent a negative influence of moisture vapor on measurement data, while reducing a standby time due to the dehumidification.
US08378301B2
The invention relates to a multispectral imaging device comprising a multiple-quantum-well structure operating on inter-sub-band transitions by absorbing radiation at a wavelength λ lying within a set of wavelengths to which said structure is sensitive, said structure comprising a matrix of individual detection pixels, characterized in that the matrix is organized in subsets (Eij) of four individual detection pixels, a first individual detection pixel (Pλ1) comprising a first diffraction grating (Rλ1) sensitive to a first subset of wavelengths, a second individual detection pixel (Pλ2) comprising a second diffraction grating (Rλ2) sensitive to a second subset of wavelengths, a third individual detection pixel (Pλ3) comprising a third diffraction grating (Rλ3) sensitive to a third subset of wavelengths and a fourth individual detection pixel (PΔλ) not comprising a wavelength-selective diffraction grating, the first, second and third subsets of wavelengths belonging to the set of wavelengths to which said structure is sensitive.
US08378300B2
A near-infrared imaging sensor according to the present invention includes a photodiode array sensitive to light with a wavelength of 1.2 to 3 μm and a multiplexer including a signal readout circuit. The near-infrared imaging sensor is contained in a housing and is vacuum-sealed. The housing includes a main body section and a lid covering the main body section. The lid is made of a material transparent to light with a wavelength of 1.2 to 3 μm.
US08378297B2
A method to select ions based on their electrical mobility is described. Ions are separated in space, and a continuous flow of mobility filtered ions is produced at the outlet of the device, as in Differential Mobility Analyzers (DMAs). Yet, no high fluid velocity field is required, avoiding limitations associated in DMAs to flow unsteadiness. Instead, separation relies on the use of time-dependent electric fields. Separation is based on synchronizing the period of the field with the flight time of an ion from an inlet to an outlet for a particular electrical mobility.Unlike FAIMS, the new invention separates ions according to their absolute mobility within one or a few characteristic times for field variation, rather than via many tiny separation steps over many periods of field variation producing separation according to non-linearities in the mobility. Unlike conventional pulsating ion mobility spectrometry, a steady flow of ions is produced.
US08378294B2
The present invention aims at suppressing noises when a mass analysis is performed by introducing a sample solution into an atmospheric pressure ion source by a pressurized liquid feeding method. As a dilution solvent of the sample solution contained in a sample container, a mixed liquid is used in which the mixture ratio of an organic solvent such as methanol is decreased to 20% and the ratio of water is 80%. Since nitrogen, which is a gas for the pressurization, is soluble in an organic solvent, decreasing the ratio of the organic solvent lowers the saturated dissolution amount and suppresses unstable emergence of the gas in the process of the mass analysis. Consequently, even after the elapse of a considerable length of time from the start of liquid feeding, spike-like noises do not appear in the ion intensity, which stabilizes the ion intensity.
US08378293B1
In a mass spectrometer or gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer system, a conditioning gas such as, for example, hydrogen is added to condition or clean one or more components or regions of the mass spectrometer such as the ion source. The conditioning gas may be added upstream of the mass spectrometer such as, for example, into a sample inlet or a chromatographic column, or may be added directly into the mass spectrometer. The conditioning gas may be added off-line, when the mass spectrometer is not analyzing a sample, or on-line during sample analysis. When added on-line, the conditioning gas may be mixed with a carrier gas such as, for example, helium. In another embodiment, the conditioning gas also serves as the carrier gas through the column; another gas such as, for example, helium may be added to the carrier gas stream.
US08378286B2
Provided are improvements to photo detecting devices and methods for enhancing the sensitivity of photo detecting devices. A photo detecting device generates an electronic signal in response to a received light pulse. An electro-mechanical acoustic resonator, electrically coupled to the photo detecting device, damps the electronic signal and increases the signal noise ratio (SNR) of the electronic signal. Increased photo detector standoff distances and sensitivities will result.
US08378283B1
A photoelectric switch control circuit includes a first resistance; a first capacitance; and a photoelectric switch having a plurality of contacts which comprise a first to a fourth contacts. The first contact is grounded, one end of the first resistance, the second and the third contacts of the photoelectric switch and one end of the first capacitance connects at node A, the fourth contact is connected with the processing unit and grounded via a second resistance, the other end of the first resistance is connected with a voltage source, the other end of the first capacitance is grounded.
US08378274B2
An induction heating device includes a top plate, a thermo-sensitive device, a temperature detector, a coil, a controller, and a light-emitting section. The top plate places thereon a cooking utensil containing material to be cooked. The thermo-sensitive device changes its electrical characteristics with the temperature of the cooking utensil. The temperature detector detects the temperature of the cooking utensil based on the electrical characteristics of the thermo-sensitive device. The coil heats the cooking utensil. The controller controls the coil based on the temperature information of the temperature detector, thereby controlling an amount of the electric heating power to be supplied to the cooking utensil. The light-emitting section emits visible light to the area over the thermo-sensitive device. The light from the light-emitting section illuminates the area over the thermo-sensitive device through the top plate.
US08378267B2
The transparent coating for one or more display areas of a glass or glass-ceramic plate is made by a process using a sol-gel paint containing alkyl silicates as binding agents. The transparent coating is provided on areas of the glass or glass-ceramic plate that have been left uncoated by a color-imparting opaque coating and is formed by applying the sol-gel paint to the areas left open and then thermally treating the sol-gel paint so as to cross-link reactive groups of the alkyl silicates. The coating has organic, non-hydrolyzable groups bound directly to silicon. A process for making the coating and the uses of the coated glass or glass-ceramic plate are part of the invention.
US08378264B2
A heater for piping includes a plurality of shells connected via hinges. The shells are adapted to be mounted on an outer circumferential wall of piping having a circular cross section to enclose the piping and form a polyhedron along the piping. Thermal insulators are disposed over entire surfaces of inner walls of the shells. A plurality of molds are disposed at the inner walls and are adapted to abut on the outer circumferential wall of the piping in the mounted state. A plurality of heating elements are disposed at the inner walls of the shells so that the heating elements are positioned in a space formed between corners of the polyhedron and the outer circumferential wall of the piping and extend in the longitudinal direction of the piping in the mounted state.
US08378259B2
The embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for correcting a head-to-head offset in a laser machining system with two or more processing heads. A focusing lens is associated with each processing head, and is configured to receive an incident laser beam along an incident beam axis of propagation. The incident beam axis of propagation is offset from the primary axis of the focusing lens. The focusing lens is further configured to rotate about the incident beam axis of propagation in order to steer the incident laser beam's path with respect to a workpiece.
US08378254B2
An adaptive vehicle manufacturing system and method for reducing vibrations and/or improving interior sound performance includes optionally measuring vibration sensitivity of at least one body-in-white vehicle component. The body-in-white vehicle body is assembled at a weld station and includes the at least one body-in-white vehicle component. Optionally, vibration sensitivity of the assembled body-in-white vehicle body is measured. The body-in-white vehicle body is painted at a paint station. An optimal damping package for the body-in-white vehicle body is determined based on the measured vibration sensitivity of the at least one body-in-white vehicle component and/or the measured vibration sensitivity of the body-in-white vehicle body. Damping corresponding to the optimal damping package is applied to the body-in-white vehicle body after painting thereof at a damping station, which can include melt sheet robots for applying the damping package.
US08378236B2
A vertical bus bar is provided to a side of a relay mount portion. A flat bus bar portion is integrally provided extending from an end edge portion of the vertical bus bar to an opening of a terminal connection hole of the relay mount portion. A plurality of connection terminals, including a connection terminal for a switch, are integrally provided to the flat bus bar portion.
US08378232B2
A convertible electrical floor box assembly for installation in a poured concrete floor that includes a non-metallic floor box and a metallic outer box. The non-metallic floor box includes a base plate, a perimetrical side wall with one or more openings for accessing the interior, an open top, a mating structure and an internal support structure for receiving a voltage divider. The metallic outer box includes a base plate, a perimetrical side wall with one or more apertures for accessing the interior, an open top and a mating structure. The non-metallic floor box is adapted for installation in a concrete floor or it can be used together with the metallic outer box as an assembly that is adapted for installation in a concrete floor by inserting the non-metallic floor box in the metallic outer box so that the openings and apertures are aligned.
US08378230B2
A printed wiring board includes an interlayer resin insulation layer having the first surface, the second surface on the opposite side of the first surface, and a penetrating hole for a via conductor, a conductive circuit formed on the first surface of the interlayer resin insulation layer, a via conductor formed in the penetrating hole and connected to the conductive circuit on the first surface of the interlayer resin insulation layer, and a surface-treatment coating formed on the surface of the via conductor exposed from the second surface of the interlayer resin insulation layer through the penetrating hole. The via conductor is made of a first conductive layer formed on the side wall of the penetrating hole and a plated-metal filling the penetrating hole. The surface of the via conductor is recessed from the second surface of the interlayer resin insulation layer.
US08378229B2
A circuit board includes a substrate made principally of metal. An opening is provided on the substrate. A first wiring layer is provided on one surface of the substrate via a first insulating layer, and a second wiring layer is provided on the other surface of the substrate via a second insulating layer. A conductor penetrates the substrate via the opening and connects the first wiring layer with the second wiring layer. An end of the opening at one surface side of the substrate has a tapering form on a surface layer thereof, and the first insulating layer has a recess on an upper surface thereof in an upper region of the opening.
US08378223B1
A delay line structure disposed on a substrate having a dielectric base layer formed with a via, a layout layer and a grounding layer with a grounding circuit, includes two parallel spiral delay lines having a first outer straight section, a first outer bent section, an inner spiral region, a second outer bent section and a second outer straight section. The inner spiral region bends reciprocally between the first and second outer straight sections to form several inner bent parts and several inner straight parts. A grounding guard trace is disposed among the first and second outer straight sections and the inner straight parts and is coupled electrically to the grounding circuit, wherein each of the first and second outer bent sections and the inner bent parts has a width smaller than each of the first and second outer straight sections and the inner straight parts.
US08378222B2
This invention relates to a substrate with via and pad structure(s) to reduce solder wicking. Each via and pad structure connects a component to conductive layers associated with the substrate. The substrate includes one or more plated vias, solder mask(s) surrounding the plated vias, and a conductive pad with a conductive trace connected to each plated via. The conductive pad extends beyond the terminal sides to increase solder formation and the solder mask reduces solder formation at the terminal end of the component. The via and pad structure is suitable for a variety of components and high component density. The invention also provides a computer implemented method for calculating the maximum distance of a conductive pad extending beyond the terminal side of a component.
US08378212B2
An electrical feed-through assembly and method of making an electrical feed-through assembly provide an electrical feed-through assembly that can survive exposure in a high pressure liquid, for example, seawater at least 9000 psi, for substantial periods of time, for example, twenty years, without substantial leakage of the high pressure liquid into or through the electrical feed-through assembly.
US08378209B2
A solar cell and a method of fabricating solar cells. The method includes a step of separating neighbor solar cells formed on a semiconductor wafer by scribing the wafer to form scribe lines on the wafer and applying a force at, or adjacent to, the scribed lines to separate the solar cells. The scribing is effected on a cap layer covering a window layer of solar cells, thereby minimizing damage to the window layer and mitigating propagation of defects into p-n junctions formed in the solar cells.
US08378207B2
A method and system for using a method of pre-equilibrium ballistic charge carrier refraction comprises fabricating one or more solid-state electric generators. The solid-state electric generators include one or more of a chemically energized solid-state electric generator and a thermionic solid-state electric generator. A first material having a first charge carrier effective mass is used in a solid-state junction. A second material having a second charge carrier effective mass greater than the first charge carrier effective mass is used in the solid-state junction. A charge carrier effective mass ratio between the second effective mass and the first effective mass is greater than or equal to two.
US08378191B2
A bracing structure formed onto the underside soundboard surface of an acoustic musical stringed instrument comprising two bracing bars (1, 2) that are used to support the soundboard and bridge in an indirect fashion from strings directional load tension via a realignment of the strings directional load tension placed through adjoining triangular blocks (3, 4), which re-alignment of the strings directional load tension is taken at acute angles to the line of the strings and focused on a predetermined point found on the bars (1, 2) that are also placed away and at an acute angle to the line of the strings, the acute angling allowing for string vibrations to be largely diverted away from an otherwise direct load line and redirected into the soundboard via a thin half circular shaped block (5) and through several fine bar braces (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) arranged in a somewhat spoke like pattern.
US08378190B2
A piano frame including a main plate having a first major surface for supporting piano strings and an opposite second major surface for supporting a soundboard. First, second, third and fourth elongate anchor zones are located on the first major surface for anchoring, respectively, first end (upper, tuneable end) and second end (lower, hitched end) of bass strings and first end (upper, tuneable end) and second end (lower, hitched end) of treble strings. A plurality of openings are provided in the main plate between the third anchor zone and the fourth anchor zone. A truss defined by a plurality bracing members integrally formed in the main plate extends between the third anchor zone and the fourth anchor zone. The bracing members are located wholly between a plane extending between the third and fourth anchor zones and a plane defined by the second major surface of the main plate.
US08378188B1
A novel maize variety designated X95A921 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X95A921 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X95A921 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X95A921, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X95A921. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X95A921.
US08378185B2
A novel soybean variety, designated XB14H11 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB14H11, cells from soybean variety XB14H11, plants of soybean XB14H11, and plant parts of soybean variety XB14H11. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB14H11 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB14H11, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB14H11, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB14H11. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB14H11 are further provided.
US08378180B2
A soybean cultivar designated 9531302 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 9531302, to the plants of soybean 9531302, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 9531302, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 9531302 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety 9531302, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 9531302, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 9531302 with another soybean cultivar.
US08378171B2
Promoters from male reproductive tissues are isolated from corn and wheat. These promoters can be used in plants to regulate transcription of target genes including genes for control of fertility, insect or pathogen tolerance, herbicide tolerance or any gene of interest.
US08378165B2
An array of feminine hygiene articles for placement in an undergarment having a crotch portion bounded on opposite sides by portions of curved leg openings. Each feminine hygiene article of the array has a body-facing surface, a first end region and a second end region, the array of feminine hygiene articles comprising at least first and second the feminine hygiene articles differing in at least one functional characteristic. The first and second feminine hygiene articles each comprise a functional enhancement indicator visible from the body-facing surface, the functional enhancement indicator of the first and second feminine hygiene articles being visibly different to distinguish the first feminine hygiene article from the second feminine hygiene article.
US08378163B2
The invention describes catalysts, methods of making catalysts, methods of making a microchannel reactor, and methods of conducting chemical reactions. It has been discovered that superior performance can be obtained from a catalyst formed by directly depositing a catalytic material onto a (low surface area) thermally-grown alumina layer. Improved methods of conducting oxidative dehydrogenations are also described.
US08378156B2
Process for homologation of alcohol(s), by 1 introducing alcohol(s) into an etherification unit to produce alkyl ether(s), 2, introducing at least a part of the alkyl ether(s) from step 1, together with CO and optionally H2, into a carbonylation unit, in the presence of an acidic homogeneous or heterogeneous carbonylation catalyst, to produce alkyl ester(s), and 3, introducing at least a part of the alkyl ester(s) from step 2, together with H2, into a hydrogenation unit, to produce homologated alcohol(s). Optionally, at least a part of the homologated alcohol(s) from step 3 is recycled into the etherification unit of step 1. Alcohol(s) from the hydrogenation unit of step 3 are recovered.
US08378149B2
The present invention provides a continuous process for the production of 1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl difluoromethyl ether (desflurane) which comprises feeding continuously optimum molar quantities of 1-chloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl difluoromethyl ether (CF3CHClOCHF2, Isoflurane) and anhydrous hydrogen fluoride, in a reactor in the vapor phase over a fluorination catalyst system comprising a metal pentahalide absorbed on a supporting substrate at a temperature ranging from 100° C. to 180° C., and separating 1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl difluoromethyl ether (desflurane) continuously from the reactor. The process of the present invention enables continuous removal of desflurane product thereby minimizing co-production of byproducts and resulting in high conversion efficiency and yield of desflurane.
US08378146B2
Provided is a method for producing catechol in a one-pot by reacting (4S,5R,6S)-4,5,6-trihydroxy-2-cyclohexene-1-one under hydrogen-reducing conditions while heating.
US08378142B2
The present invention is concerned with novel compounds and their use for the preparation of lacosamide. The present invention also contemplates processes for the preparation of lacosamide employing the novel compound of general Formula II, Formula IIa or Formula IIb as intermediate. Wherein R1 is —OH or —OMe; R2 is —OH or —NH—CH2—C6H5.
US08378138B2
Provided herein are self-assembling compounds that can form ion channels in lipid bilayers or cell membranes and ion-channel-forming compositions comprising the self-assembling compounds. Also provided are methods of making and using the ion channels formed from a plurality of molecules of the self-assembling compounds. Further, provided are methods of treating or preventing conditions and diseases that are related to the dysfunction of ion channels, including chloride channels.
US08378130B2
Product containing epichlorohydrin and at least one alkyl glycidyl ether in an amount of less than 0.1 g/kg of product. Use of the product containing epichlorohydrin in the manufacture of epoxy resins, of glycidyl ethers, of glycidyl esters, of glycidyl amides, of glycidyl imides, of products that will be used in food and drink applications, of cationization agents, and of flame retardants, of products which will be used as detergent ingredient and of epichlorohydrin oligomers.
US08378128B2
The invention relates to anhydrides, solvates and ethanol hetero-solvates and hydrates of dimethoxy docetaxel or (2R,3S)-3-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-2-hydroxy-3-phenyl-propionate of 4-acetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy-1-hydroxy-7β, 10β-dimethoxy-9-oxo-tax-11-ene-13α-yl, and to the preparation thereof.
US08378124B2
The invention provides β-sulfonamide α-keto esters and amides in which the α-keto is protected as a 1,3-dithiolane derivative. Also provided are methods for preparing such esters and amides and for incorporating them into peptides.
US08378112B2
Disclosed is a gap junction inhibitor which is more practically useful compared with carbenoxolone. Also disclosed is a novel glycyrrhetinic acid derivative. The glycyrrhetinic acid derivative is represented by general formula (1) or (2).
US08378096B2
This invention is directed to a hexahydro-cycloheptapyrazole cannabinoid modulator compound of formula (I): and a method for use in treating, ameliorating or preventing a cannabinoid receptor mediated syndrome, disorder or disease.
US08378090B2
The present invention relates to a process for generating glucosamine from plants wherein fresh plant materials, or re-hydrated dried plant materials or plant extracts, are heated at a temperature comprised between 70 and 110° C. for more than 10 hours, characterized in that a fertilizer acting as glucosamine precursor is added during the cultivation of the plants, before the harvest.
US08378069B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having beta-glucosidase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.
US08378068B2
Provided are peptides, compositions thereof, and methods for treating or preventing dyslipidemia, a cardiovascular disease, endothelial dysfunction, a macrovascular disorder, or a microvascular disorder.
US08378067B2
The present invention provides peptides and pharmaceutical compositions thereof for appetite suppression and weight control. Preferred peptides are calcitonin analogs, preferably with specific amino acid changes to make the peptide more amylin-like.
US08378066B2
The present invention relates to the preparation of insulinotropic peptides that are synthesized using a solid and solution phase (“hybrid”) approach. Generally, the approach includes synthesizing three different peptide intermediate fragments using solid phase chemistry. Solution phase chemistry is then used to add additional amino acid material to one of the fragments. The fragments are then coupled together in the solution phase. The use of a pseudoproline in one of the fragments eases solid phase synthesis of that fragment and also eases subsequent solution phase coupling of this fragment to other fragments. The present invention is very useful for forming insulinotropic peptides such as Exenatide(1-39) and its natural and non-natural counterparts.
US08378060B2
A composition of the formulae MZAORSnR1F1mOAZ1M1, wherein O and S have their normal meaning of oxygen and sulfur, n is at least 2 and not more than 8, F1 is of the formula —OAORSnR1—, m is at least 1, Z and Z1 are the same or different and are oxy or amino, M and M1 are the same or different and are hydrogen or an organic substituent, R and R1 are the same or different and are organic divalent radicals, each having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, and A is the residue of a dicarboxylic acid of from 2 to 40 carbon atoms.
US08378051B2
The present invention provides a silicone resin lens obtained by molding and curing a silicon resin composition into a lens, wherein the lens has a refractive index at 400 nm of 1.5 or more, a ratio of a refractive index at 400 nm to a refractive index at 596 nm of 1.01 or more, an Abbe's number of 45 or more, and an absolute value of a differential of refractive indexes against temperatures, dn/dT, of 250×10−6/degrees C. or less. Further, the present invention provides a method for preparing the silicone resin lens according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the silicone resin lens is prepared in conditions where a ratio of a molding shrinkage ratio found after subjecting the silicone resin composition to post-cure to a molding shrinkage ratio found after subjecting the silicone resin composition to molding is 0.8 to 1.2.
US08378050B2
Methods are disclosed for making crosslinked polysilanes and polygermanes, preferably having either hydrogen or halogen substituent groups. These crosslinked polymers are prepared by catalytic polymerization such as the dehalogenative coupling or dehydrocoupling. The crosslinked polymers having no more than 10% of the chain atoms involved in crosslinking. Also disclosed are compositions containing these crosslinked polymers in a solvent to enable the composition to be deposited on a substrate using a liquid deposition technique.
US08378049B2
The present invention relates to new high-functionality, highly branched or hyperbranched polylysines, to processes for preparing them, and to their use.
US08378045B2
Disclosed are thermoformed articles composed of propylene homopolymer containing a substituted phenylene aromatic diester. The thermoformed articles have high stiffness, good compression strength, excellent processability, and excellent optics.
US08378044B2
Provided is a low-cost, environmentally friendly living radical polymerization catalyst having high activity. The catalyst is used for a living radical polymerization method, and contains a central element consisting of oxygen and at least one halogen atom bound to the central element. Furthermore, an alcohol compound can be used as a catalyst precursor. By polymerizing a monomer in the presence of the catalyst, a polymer having narrow molecular weight distribution can be obtained, and the cost of the living radical polymerization can be remarkably reduced. The present invention is significantly more environmentally friendly and economically excellent than conventional living radical polymerization methods, due to advantages of the catalyst such as low toxicity of the catalyst, low amount of the catalyst necessary, high solubility of the catalyst, mild reaction conditions, and no coloration/no odor (which do not require a post-treatment for a molded article), and the like.
US08378042B2
Extruded, copolymer pellet compositions and methods for making the same. A copolymer pellet composition can have an ethylene content of about 40 wt % to about 50 wt % and a propylene content of about 50 wt % to about 60 wt %, based on total weight of the copolymer, wherein the copolymer has a MFR (230° C./2.16 kg) of from about 3.0 g/10 min and about 25 g/10 min; a MWD (Mw/Mn) of about 2.3 or less; and no measurable melting peak, as measured by DSC.
US08378041B2
The present invention relates to methods for preparing degradable model networks from any monomer functionality with any degradation methodology. It is based on the use of Atom-Transfer Radical Polymerization CLICK chemistry and a tetrafunctional initiator having terminal halogen groups to form the desired product.
US08378039B2
[Summary]The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing polymer particles and a method for manufacturing the same. The present invention provides an apparatus and a method, by which polymer particles having excellent monodispersity and homogeneous physical properties, such as homogeneous cross-linking degree and polymerization degree, may be efficiently prepared. In the present invention, particles having excellent monodispersity with the desired particle diameter, and also having a high cross-linking degree or a core-shell or core-double shell structure may also be effectively prepared. In addition, the processes for manufacturing said polymer particles are exceptionally reproducible in the present invention. Additionally, the present invention provides an apparatus which may effectively control particle diameter, shape, cross-linking degree, polymerization degree or structure, and the concentration of solid content in a polymer solution, and the like, depending on the intended purpose, and a method thereof.
US08378034B2
Adducts of an unsaturated metathesis polymer or interpolymer and an unsaturated diacid anhydride. A process for producing adducts of an unsaturated metathesis polymer or interpolymer and unsaturated diacid anhydride.
US08378033B2
The present invention relates to a method of producing water-absorbent resin particles in which a median particle size of primary particles (d) and a median particle size of secondary particles (D) satisfy the relationship of the formula, 5d/3+150
US08378031B2
A coating composition comprises a first copolymer and a second copolymer. The first copolymer has at least one linear polymer strand having a weight average molecular weight of at least 1,500 Daltons and functionality X with an equivalent weight of no more than 500. The second copolymer has at least one linear polymer strand having a weight average molecular weight of at least 1,500 Daltons and functionality X′ with an equivalent weight of no more than 1,500. The coating composition is free of gloss flattening agents, yet still produces a cured film having a low gloss of less than 70 gloss units at an angle of incidence of 60°, as measured according to ASTM D 2457.
US08378027B2
Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a polylactic acid composite composition, and a polylactic acid composite composition formed thereby. More particularly, there is disclosed a method for manufacturing a polylactic acid composite composition including: melting and blending a composition containing 60-80 wt % of a poly(L-lactic acid) resin, 15-30 wt % of a poly(D-lactic acid) resin and 5-10 wt % of a poly(ethylene-alkyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate) resin at 190-195° C.; and injecting the resulting melt in a mold whose surface temperature is 100-110° C. The present invention provides a material having superior heat resistance, impact strength and tensile strength by blending the PLLA resin, the PDLA resin and the poly(ethylene-alkyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate) resin at specific proportion, under controlled processing and molding conditions. The polylactic acid composite composition prepared according to the present invention can replace the petroleum-based general-use polymer resins and engineering plastic materials that have been used for automobile parts with the environment-friendly biomass-based biomaterials, and may be usefully utilized for automobile interior and exterior parts.
US08378026B2
One aspect of the invention relates to a transparent rubber-modified styrenic resin composition. The resin composition comprises about 5 to about 30 parts by weight of a styrene-butadiene rubbery copolymer; and about 0 to about 15 parts by weight of a matrix resin comprising about 20 to about 40 parts by weight of styrenic monomer, about 30 to about 60 parts by weight of unsaturated carboxylic acid alkyl ester monomer and about 0 to about 15 parts by weight of vinyl cyanide monomer; wherein the difference between the refractive index of the rubbery copolymer and the matrix resin is about 0.005 or less and the transparent rubber-modified styrenic resin composition has a haze of about 5% or less as measured by a Nippon Denshoku Haze meter using a 3 mm thick test sample.
US08378023B2
The present invention provides a polyketone composition having about 40˜90 wt % of polyketone, about 5˜40 wt % of polyamide, and about 5˜20 wt % of modified rubber. The composition of the present invention greatly improves the impact resistance of polyketone, which has increased heat resistance, chemical resistance, fuel permeation resistance, abrasion resistance or the like, and thus may be widely applied in various industrial fields, such as automotive parts including wheel covers, wheel caps, fuel filler necks, fuel tanks, fuel tubes, center fascias, door handles, roof rack covers, gear, junction boxes, connectors, seat backs or the like, electric/electronic parts, and household items, thereby providing durability of the parts and price competition.
US08378016B2
The present invention provides a resin which generates an acid by irradiation and is a salt of an organic cation and an anionic polymer wherein the anionic polymer has no carbon-carbon unsaturated bond. The present invention further provides a chemically amplified resist composition comprising the same.
US08378014B2
The polymer composition comprises a polymer and a liquid compound having poor compatibility with the polymer. When the liquid compound is caused to be held in the polymer in a high concentration, a block copolymer having in the molecule a copolymerized polymer block unit having high compatibility with both of the matrix polymer and the liquid compound is incorporated and dispersed. As a result, the block copolymer serves like a surfactant to form an interface and the liquid compound is enclosed inside the interface to thereby form a liquid-in-solid polymer type emulsion.
US08378008B2
The invention relates to surface-modified non-halogenated mineral filler compositions comprising a particulate mineral filler core comprising hydroxide groups bound to divalent or trivalent metal ions, said particulate mineral filler core having on its surface (i) one or more short-chain organosilano groups each having one to three silicon-bound short-chain hydrocarbon groups having, independently, one to three carbon atoms, and (ii) one or more long-chain organosilano groups having one to three silicon-bound straight-chained or branched, saturated or unsaturated, long-chain hydrocarbon groups containing, independently, eight to twelve carbon atoms, wherein the long-chain organosilano groups are present in an amount of up to about fifty-five mole percent of combined molar amount of long-chain and short-chain organosilano groups.
US08378001B2
Polymeric foam and polymeric foam products that contain a foamable polymer material, at least one blowing agent, a polystyrene/polyethylene oxide copolymer, and optionally, an infrared attenuating agent, are provided. In exemplary embodiments, the blowing agent includes at least one hydrofluorocarbon blowing agent. The maleic anhydride-styrene copolymer grafted with polyethylene oxide provides a water vapor permeability of 1.1 perm inch or greater in the extruded foam product without detrimentally affecting physical or thermal properties of the product. Additionally, the copolymer of maleic anhydride-styrene grafted with polyethylene oxide has a positive affect on the processability of the blowing agent(s) in the composition by both widening the process window and enhancing the solubility of the blowing agent in the polymer melt. Thus, the polystyrene/polyethylene oxide copolymer present in the inventive composition acts as a cell enlarger, a plasticizer, and a processing aid. A method of forming an extruded foam product is also provided.
US08377996B2
A method for forming a catalyst for synthesis gas conversion comprises impregnating a zeolite extrudate using a solution, for example, a substantially non-aqueous solution, comprising a cobalt salt to provide an impregnated zeolite extrudate and activating the impregnated zeolite extrudate by a reduction-oxidation-reduction cycle.
US08377983B2
The present invention relates to compounds and methods from the treatment of cancer. The invention provides compounds that inhibit Aurora kinase, pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds that inhibit Aurora kinase, and methods for the treatment of cancer using the compounds of the presentation invention or pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of the present invention.
US08377972B2
The invention relates to a method for the treatment or prevention of diseases or conditions associated with vascular endothelium dysfunction or liver injury comprising the administration to a patient in a need of such treatment or prevention of a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of: wherein R represents hydrogen atom, CH3, OH, pyridyl (C5H4N), 1-methylpyridyl (C5H4N—CH3) or pyridyl substituted with hydroxy group ((OH)C5H3N), and X represents a physiologically acceptable counterion.
US08377971B2
One aspect of the present invention relates to substituted pyridines and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof that are active against a range of mammalian maladies. Another aspect of the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition, comprising a compound of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The present invention also relates to methods of treating a range of mammalian maladies or conditions, including but not limited to hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, coronary heart disease, angina, pellagra, Hartnup's syndrome, carcinoid syndrome, arterial occlusive disease, obesity, hypothyroidism, vasoconstriction, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, lipodystrophy, or dyslipidemia, raising serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, and lowering serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels.
US08377966B2
The invention provides compounds of formula I: wherein a, b, c, m, n, q, r, W, Z1, Ar1, Z2, Y, R1, R2, and R3 are as defined in the specification. The compounds of formula I are muscarinic receptor antagonists. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, processes and intermediates for preparing such compounds and methods of using such compounds to treat pulmonary disorders.
US08377963B2
The present invention relates to inhibitors of insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) and methods for inhibiting same, as well as compositions comprising said inhibitors. In particular, the inhibitors of the present invention may be useful in therapeutic applications including enhancing memory and learning functions.
US08377958B2
Fertility management can include: administering to the subject one or more doses of a compound according to Formula I so as to reduce fertility in the subject. Fertility management can also include administering an effective amount of the compound to: impair Sertoli cell function in a male subject; inhibit spermatogenesis in the subject; reduce testis weight in the subject; reduce ovary weight in a female subject; reduce serum progesterone in the female subject; impair ovarian follicle function in the female subject; causing reversible fertility in the subject. In order to return fertility, the method can include ceasing administration of the compound to the subject so as to return fertility in the subject. The compound can be administered for irreversibly sterilizing the subject.
US08377951B2
Pharmaceutical compositions for interfering with neuronal transmission comprising an effective amount of at least one tricyclic 3,4-propinoperhydropurine are disclosed. Preparations for facial rejuvenation are provided that comprise an effective amount of the composition of the invention and a facial cream. Methods of interfering with neuronal transmission comprising topical application of an effective amount of the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are provided. In another aspect of the invention, effective amounts of the pharmaceutical compositions and a transdermal therapeutic system are provided for transdermal administration of at least one tricyclic 3,4-propinoperhydropurine. The pharmaceutical composition contains at least one at least one tricyclic 3,4-propinoperhydropurine, and may be formulated for transdermal drug delivery. The transdermal drug delivery system may be a laminated composite comprising a backing layer, a drug reservoir, and a means for affixing the composite to the skin.
US08377928B2
The present invention relates to 3-Aminosulfonyl Substituted Indole Derivatives of Formula (I): The invention also relates to compositions comprising at least one 3-Aminosulfonyl Substituted Indole Derivative, and methods of using the 3-Aminosulfonyl Substituted Indole Derivatives for treating or preventing a viral infection or a virus-related disorder in a patient.
US08377923B2
[Problem] A compound, which can be used for preventing or treating diseases, in which 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) is concerned, in particular, diabetes, insulin resistance, dementia, schizophrenia and depression, is provided.[Means for Solution] It was found that a triazole derivative, in which one of the 3- and 5-positions of the triazole ring has (di)alkylmethyl or cycloalkyl, each of which is substituted with —O— (aryl or a heterocyclic group, each of which may be substituted, or lower alkylene-cycloalkyl), and the other thereof has aryl, a heterocyclic group or cycloalkyl, each of which may be substituted, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof exhibits potent 11β-HSD1 inhibitory action. From the above, the triazole derivative of the present invention can be used for preventing or treating diabetes, insulin resistance, dementia, schizophrenia and depression.
US08377915B2
This invention relates to methods and compositions which are useful in the modulation of endogenous growth hormone levels in a mammal. Also included are methods of treating a mammal which include the administration of said compositions.
US08377911B2
A compound having the structure formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and methods of using the compounds for treating hypertension.
US08377896B2
The present invention is directed to analogs of aminoglycoside compounds as well as their preparation and use as prophylactic or therapeutics against microbial infection.
US08377891B2
This invention relates a process for preparing octreotide and derivatives thereof. The starting material, Cys(Trt)-2-Chlorotrityl resin is coupled with various amino acids to obtain a protected heptapeptide of formula (2): Boc-D-Phe-Cys(Trt)-Phe-D-Trp-Lys(Boc)-Thr(OBut)-Cys(Trt)-2-Chlorotrityl resin. The linear protected peptide of formula (2) is cleaved from the support using TFA5TIS and water to yield linear protected peptide of formula (3) Boc-D-Phe-Cys(Trt)-Phe-D-Trp-Lys(Boc)-Thr(OBut)-Cys(Trt)-OH Linear protected heptapeptide of formula (3) is deprotected to yield heptapeptide of formula (6): D-Phe-Cys-Phe-D-Tip-Lys-Thr-Cys-OH; which is cyclized using hydrogen peroxide and to the cyclic peptide of formula (7) D-Phe-Cys-Phe-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-Cys-OH; threoninol is coupled at C terminal to yield octreotide. Alternatively threoninol is coupled to the heptapeptide of formula (3) to yield protected octapeptide of formula (4) Boc-D-Phe-Cys(Trt)-Phe-D-Trp-Lys(Boc)-Thr(OBut)-Cys(Trt)-Thr-OL which is subsequently deprotected to yield linear octapeptide of formula (5) D-Phe-Cys-Phe-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-Cys-Thr-OL and cyclized with hydrogen peroxide to yield cyclic octreotide with a yield of >95%.
US08377877B2
A nutritional intervention composition for reducing post-prandial blood glucose levels in humans, including between about 0.1 mg and about 500 mg of a proteinase inhibitor that is administered prior to the meal. The composition is effective for treating or ameliorating the effects of hyperglycemia and Type II diabetes. The composition also is effective in combating obesity. The proteinase inhibitor is preferably isolated from plant material, such as potatoes, soy, and beans. Potato proteinase inhibitor II and soybean Bowman-Birk inhibitor are included in the group of effective proteinase inhibitors.
US08377876B2
The present invention relates to an amino acid solution for the parenteral nutrition of pediatric patients. The amino acid solution provides for an increased concentration of glutamine, tyrosine, cysteine and taurine, while the concentrations of phenylalanine and methionine is small. Glutamine and tyrosine are provided in the form of oligopeptides.
US08377875B2
The invention is based on the discovery of a novel neuroprotective peptide. In addition, the invention rests on the discovery that the NAP peptide enhances the association of tau and the brain-specific beta tubulin subunit. In addition, NAP modifies microtubule assembly and dynamics, in part, by affecting the tyrosination of microtubule proteins. The invention provides compositions and methods for treatment and prevention of neuronal disorders, including NAP-binding and tau-binding agents, tau peptide mimetics, NAP-like and NAP-like tau peptide mimetics.
US08377874B2
The present invention relates to macrocyclic compounds of formula (I) that are useful as inhibitors of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protease, their synthesis, and their use for treating or preventing HCV infections.
US08377872B2
The present invention relates to compounds of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or prodrug, thereof: which inhibit serine protease activity, particularly the activity of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3-NS4A protease. Consequently, the compounds of the present invention interfere with the life cycle of the hepatitis C virus and are also useful as antiviral agents. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the aforementioned compounds for administration to a subject suffering from HCV infection. The invention also relates to methods of treating an HCV infection in a subject by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compounds of the present invention.
US08377865B2
Disclosed are peptide and peptidomimetic compounds generally according to formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that are useful as GHRP analogs: R1-A1-A2-A3-A4-A5-R2 (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: A1 is Aib, Apc or Inp; A2 is D-Bal, D-Bip, D-Bpa, D-Dip, D-1Nal, D-2Nal, D-Ser(Bzl), or D-Trp; A3 is D-Bal, D-Bip, D-Bpa, D-Dip, D-1Nal, D-2Nal, D-Ser(Bzl), or D-Trp; A4 is 2Fua, Orn, 2Pal, 3Pal, 4Pal, Pff, Phe, Pim, Taz, 2Thi, 3Thi, Thr(Bzl); A5 is Apc, Dab, Dap, Lys, Orn, or deleted; R1 is hydrogen, (C1-6)alkyl, (C5-14)aryl, (C1-6)alkyl(C5-14)aryl, (C3-8)cycloakyl, or (C2-10)acyl; and R2 is OH or NH2; and pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use thereof.
US08377854B2
Liquid hydrocarbons are gelled by the introduction of a phosphate ester and a crosslinking agent for use in oil recovery. Generally a proppant, delayed gel breaker and other modifiers are added to the gelled hydrocarbon to improve the oil recovery process. The phosphate ester used in this method and composition for oil recovery has low volatility and good stability during hydrocarbon distillation resulting in improved distillation efficiency in a refinery.
US08377852B2
A method of preparing a substrate with a composition comprising (i) an organoborane initiator and (ii) a radical curable component disposed thereon includes the step of depositing the composition onto the substrate wherein at least one of (i) the organoborane initiator and (ii) the radical curable component is deposited onto the substrate in the form of a gradient pattern. An article comprises the substrate and the gradient pattern formed on the substrate. The gradient pattern is formed from a developed composition comprising the reaction product of (i) the organoborane initiator and (ii) the radical curable component. By forming the gradient pattern on the substrate, combinatorial and high-throughput methods of generating and testing the developed composition are possible, which enable characterization of the developed composition for various physical and chemical properties.
US08377845B2
A composite film useful for image supporting media, including: a first layer containing a thermoplastic polymer and optionally containing a whitening agent; a second layer containing a thermoplastic polymer and a whitening agent; a third layer containing a thermoplastic polymer and a cavitating agent, wherein the third layer is a cavitated layer; optionally a fourth layer containing a thermoplastic polymer and optionally a whitening agent; and optionally a fifth layer containing a thermoplastic polymer and optionally a whitening agent; wherein the second layer is between the first layer and the third layer, the third layer is between the second layer and the optional fourth layer, and the optional fourth layer is between the third layer and the optional fifth layer. Embodiments may have the advantage(s) of improved outer surface characteristics, compressibility, thermal insulation, whiteness, and/or stiffness.
US08377839B2
The present invention provides a process for the regeneration of a catalyst comprising at least one metal from Group VIII and at least one metal from Group VIB which are deposited on a refractory oxide support, comprising: at least one first step of heat treatment of the catalyst in the presence of oxygen and at a temperature ranging from 350° C. to 550° C.; at least one second step of deposition, at the surface of the catalyst, of one or more additive(s) of formula (I):
US08377820B2
In a “via first/trench last” approach for forming metal lines and vias in a metallization system of a semiconductor device, a combination of two hard masks may be used, wherein the desired lateral size of the via openings may be defined on the basis of spacer elements, thereby resulting in significantly less demanding lithography conditions compared to conventional approaches.
US08377816B2
A method of forming electrical connections to a semiconductor wafer. A semiconductor wafer comprising an insulation layer is provided. The insulation layer has a surface. A patterned mask layer is formed over the surface of the insulation layer. The patterned mask layer exposes portions of the surface of the insulation layer through a plurality of holes. The portions of the plurality of holes are filled with a metal material comprising copper to form elongated columns of the metal material. The elongated columns of the metal material have a sidewall surface. The patterned mask layer is removed to expose the sidewall surface of the elongated columns of the metal material. A protection layer is formed on the exposed sidewall surface of the elongated columns of the metal material.
US08377815B2
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor load board is disclosed. The manufacturing method includes a first conductive layer forming step, a first patterning step, a dielectric layer forming step, a drilling step, a second conductive layer forming step, a second patterning step or a two-times patterning step, and a solder connecting step. In a second patterning step or a two-times patterning step, a solder pad is formed in the opening of the dielectric layer, wherein each solder pad has a height higher than the height of the dielectric, and the width of each solder pad is equal to or smaller than the maximum width of the opening, such that wider intervals are provided in the same area and the problems of short circuit failure and electrical interference can be reduced.
US08377808B2
In the substrate and the epitaxial layer, isolation regions are formed to divide the substrate and the epitaxial layer into a plurality of element formation regions. Each of the isolation regions is formed by connecting first and second P type buried diffusion layers with a P type diffusion layer. By disposing the second P type buried diffusion layer between the first P type buried diffusion layer and the P type diffusion layer, a lateral diffusion width of the first P type buried diffusion layer is reduced. This structure allows a formation region of the isolation region to be reduced in size.
US08377803B2
A method and apparatus for the deposition of thin films is described. In embodiments, systems and methods for epitaxial thin film formation are provided, including systems and methods for forming binary compound epitaxial thin films. Methods and systems of embodiments of the invention may be used to form direct bandgap semiconducting binary compound epitaxial thin films, such as, for example, GaN, InN and AlN, and the mixed alloys of these compounds, e.g., (In, Ga)N, (Al, Ga)N, (In, Ga, Al)N. Methods and apparatuses include a multistage deposition process and system which enables rapid repetition of sub-monolayer deposition of thin films.
US08377801B2
A method of fabricating a nitride semiconductor light-emitting device providing a nitride semiconductor light-emitting device with a GaN layer, bringing the nitride semiconductor light-emitting device into contact with hydrogen separation metal, vibrating the nitride semiconductor light-emitting device and the hydrogen separation metal, removing hydrogen from the GaN layer of the nitride semiconductor light-emitting device and separating the hydrogen separation metal from the nitride semiconductor light-emitting device.
US08377800B2
Mark and method for integrated circuit fabrication with polarized light lithography. A preferred embodiment comprises a first plurality of elements comprised of a first component type, wherein the first component type has a first polarization, and a second plurality of elements comprised of a second component type, wherein the second component type has a second polarization, wherein the first polarization and the second polarization are orthogonal, wherein adjacent elements are of different component types. The alignment marks can be used in an intensity based or a diffraction based alignment process.
US08377783B2
Punch-through in a transistor device is reduced by forming a well layer in an implant region, forming a stop layer in the well layer of lesser depth than the well layer, and forming a doped layer in the stop layer of lesser depth than the stop layer. The stop layer has a lower concentration of impurities than the doped layer in order to prevent punch-through without increasing junction leakage.
US08377768B2
A group of high-performance like-polarity insulated-gate field-effect transistors (100, 108, 112, 116, 120, and 124 or 102, 110, 114, 118, 122, and 126) have selectably different configurations of lateral source/drain extensions, halo pockets, and gate dielectric thicknesses suitable for a semiconductor fabrication platform that provides a wide variety of transistors for analog and/or digital applications. Each transistor has a pair of source/drain zones, a gate dielectric layer, and a gate electrode. Each source/drain zone includes a main portion and a more lightly doped lateral extension. The lateral extension of one of the source/drain zones of one of the transistors is more heavily doped or/and extends less deeply below the upper semiconductor surface than the lateral extension of one of the source/drain zones of another of the transistors.
US08377764B2
The present invention provides a vapor deposition method and a vapor deposition system of film formation systems by which EL materials can be used more efficiently and EL materials having superior uniformity with high throughput rate are formed. According to the present invention, inside a film formation chamber, an evaporation source holder in a rectangular shape in which a plurality of containers sealing evaporation material is moved at a certain pitch to a substrate and the evaporation material is vapor deposited on the substrate. Further, a longitudinal direction of an evaporation source holder in a rectangular shape may be oblique to one side of a substrate, while the evaporation source holder is being moved. Furthermore, it is preferable that a movement direction of an evaporation source holder during vapor deposition be different from a scanning direction of a laser beam while a TFT is formed.
US08377759B2
A method for fabricating FET devices is disclosed. The method includes forming continuous fins of a semiconductor material and fabricating gate structures overlaying the continuous fins. After the fabrication of the gate structures, the method uses epitaxial deposition to merge the continuous fins to one another. Next, the continuous fins are cut into segments. The fabricated FET devices are characterized as being non-planar devices. A placement of non-planar FET devices is also disclosed, which includes non-planar devices that have electrodes, and the electrodes contain fins and an epitaxial layer which merges the fins together. The non-planar devices are so placed that their gate structures are in a parallel configuration separated from one another by a first distance, and the fins of differing non-planar devices line up in essentially straight lines. The electrodes of differing FET devices are separated from one another by a cut defined by opposing facets of the electrodes, with the opposing facets also defining the width of the cut. The width of the cut is smaller than one fifth of the first distance which separates the gate structures.
US08377756B1
In one embodiment, the invention comprises a MOSFET comprising individual MOSFET cells. Each cell comprises a U-shaped well (228) (P type) and two parallel sources (260) (N type) formed within the well. A plurality of source rungs (262) (doped N) connect sources (260) at multiple locations. Regions between two rungs (262) comprise a body (252) (P type). These features are formed on an N-type epitaxial layer (220), which is formed on an N-type substrate (216). A contact (290) extends across and contacts a plurality of source rungs (262) and bodies (252). Gate oxide and a gate contact overlie a leg of a first well and a leg of a second adjacent well, inverting the conductivity responsive to a gate voltage. A MOSFET comprises a plurality of these cells to attain a desired low channel resistance. The cell regions are formed using self-alignment techniques at several states of the fabrication process.
US08377755B2
A method of manufacturing a SOI high voltage power chip with trenches is disclosed. The method comprises: forming a cave and trenches at a SOI substrate; filling oxide in the cave; oxidizing the trenches, forming oxide isolation regions for separating low voltage devices at the same time; filling oxide in the oxidized trenches; and then forming drain regions, source regions and gate regions for a high voltage power device and low voltage devices. The process involves depositing an oxide layer overlapping the cave of the SOI substrate. A SOI high voltage power chip thus made will withstand at least above 700V voltage.
US08377748B2
A method of manufacturing a cooling fin and package substrate that includes preparing a mold, which has a support base and a resin layer formed on the support base and including on a side thereof a groove, which is configured to form a cooling fin; printing fireable paste containing a carbon component on a side of the mold that has the groove configured to form a cooling fin; removing the support base to leave a cooling object; and firing the cooling object.
US08377740B2
Use of transition metal complexes of the formula (I) in organic light-emitting diodes where: M1 is a metal atom; carbene is a carbene ligand; L is a monoanionic or dianionic ligand; K is an uncharged monodentate or bidentate ligand selected from the group consisting of phosphines; CO; pyridines; nitriles and conjugated dienes which form a π complex with M1; n is the number of carbene ligands and is at least 1; m is the number of ligands L, where m can be 0 or ≧1; o is the number of ligands K, where o can be 0 or ≧1; where the sum n+m+o is dependent on the oxidation state and coordination number of the metal atom and on the denticity of the ligands carbene, L and K and also on the charge on the ligands carbene and L, with the proviso that n is at least 1, and also an OLED comprising these transition metal complexes, a light-emitting layer comprising these transition metal complexes, OLEDs comprising this light-emitting layer, devices comprising an OLED according to the present invention, and specific transition metal complexes comprising at least two carbene ligands.
US08377733B2
The present disclosure provides an image sensor device that exhibits improved quantum efficiency. For example, a backside illuminated (BSI) image sensor device is provided that includes a substrate having a front surface and a back surface; a light sensing region disposed at the front surface of the substrate; and an antireflective layer disposed over the back surface of the substrate. The antireflective layer has an index of refraction greater than or equal to about 2.2 and an extinction coefficient less than or equal to about 0.05 when measured at a wavelength less than 700 nm.
US08377719B2
A process of forming an integrated circuit containing matching components with identical layouts and hydrogen permeable dummy vias in identical configurations over the matching components.
US08377708B2
A new reaction apparatus including a capillary having an inner surface to which a probe molecule that specifically binds to an analyte is immobilized and achieving a highly efficient reaction using a small amount of a sample and a process of the reaction are provided. The reaction apparatus includes a capillary having an inner surface to which a probe molecule that specifically binds to an analyte is immobilized; a passage allowing a fluid discharged from one end of the capillary to flow to the other end of the capillary; a columnar magnetic body that is disposed in a fluid containing the analyte in the capillary and/or the passage in the state that the fluid fed in the capillary can circulate via the passage; end-fixing means for fixing one end of the columnar magnetic body in the capillary and/or the passage by a DC magnetic field; and end-moving means for moving the other end of the columnar magnetic body by an AC magnetic field such that the fluid circulates via the passage.
US08377707B2
A method of measuring an analyte in a biological fluid comprises applying an excitation signal having a DC component and an AC component. The AC and DC responses are measured; a corrected DC response is determined using the AC response; and a concentration of the analyte is determined based upon the corrected DC response. Other methods and devices are disclosed.
US08377705B2
A breath analyzer system and method for determining an estimate of blood alcohol concentration of a person. A light source projects light into a sampling region where breath from the person is expected. A first light detector and a second light detector are configured to detect light intensity of light having certain wavelengths at a first time and a second time. Signals from the light detectors at the first time and the second time are used to determine an estimate of the blood alcohol concentration of the person by determining a ratio of a first light detector signal change to a second light detector signal change.
US08377702B2
Method that includes providing plurality of test sites each having first and second layers respectively including inorganic first and second surface sites forming parts of interior of a well, the surface sites having positions and thicknesses being configured for locating thereon portions of unidentified amino acid-containing molecules; exposing each of a first plurality of the test sites to a fluid containing a different one of plurality of pre-identified amino acid-containing molecules and determining bonding signatures onto each of first plurality of test sites; exposing each of second plurality of test sites to another fluid containing unidentified amino acid-containing molecule and determining bonding signatures onto second plurality of test sites; and comparing bonding signatures to determine or exclude identity of unidentified amino acid-containing molecule.
US08377698B2
Disclosed are a novel 8-hydroxyquinoline acetamide compound, an 8-hydroxyquinoline thioamide and use thereof. More specifically, disclosed are a novel 8-hydroxyquinoline thioamide compound suitable for use as a selective chemodosimeter that shows considerably high detection sensitivity to mercury ions, an 8-hydroxyquinoline acetamide compound as an intermediate thereof, preparation thereof, and a chemodosimeter for mercury ion-selective detection, the chemodosimeter comprising the 8-hydroxyquinoline thioamide compound. The compounds as disclosed herein exhibit considerably effective fluorescence specificity of an off-on type, detect a micromole of mercury ions from chemical and biological aqueous systems, and allow 100% desulfurization within 5 minutes, thus being considerably useful in the chemical industry.
US08377696B2
A method for accurate and precise measurement of target proteins such as food allergen proteins in the specific foods is provided. The method is a method for immunological measurement of a food allergen protein in a processed food using an antibody against the food allergen protein, comprising adding animal tropomyosin to an assay solution upon measurement.
US08377688B2
The invention relates to compositions, kits, and methods for cancer prophylaxis and therapy using recombinant MVA viruses encoding tumor-associated antigens, such as PSA and PAP. The recombinant MVA viruses can induce B-and T-cell responses. The recombinant MVA viruses can be administered prior to, at the same time as, or after a taxane.
US08377687B2
The present invention is a system for harvesting algae in continuous fermentation. There is a harvester including a main moving belt, a plurality of rollers, and a motor for driving the main motor belt. There is a reactor tank and a vacuum extractor for applying a vacuum over a width of the main moving belt to extract biomass and to dry the main moving belt. The main moving belt has one end in the reactor tanks and another end extended into the vacuum extractor. The algae contained in the reactor tank is collected for further processing, including oil extraction. With algae harvested in the large-scale manner of the present invention, a more efficient oil extraction method can be used because of the concentration, temperature, and pressure can be more easily controlled.
US08377675B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having lipase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.
US08377664B2
The present invention provides a method for producing a useful substance by supplying, to a fixed-bed reactor packed with an immobilized enzyme, a liquid mixture containing two liquid phases, in which the two liquid phases are allowed to flow in an identical, parallel direction, which method employs a fixed-bed reactor equipped with an insertion unit or tubes, so as to form a plurality of lumens in the fixed-bed reactor, each lumen having a cross section of a circular shape with a diameter of 100 mm or less or having a polygonal shape with a diagonal line of 100 mm or less, wherein the lumens are packed with an immobilized enzyme and the liquid mixture is supplied. In a reaction performed by passing a reaction mixture exhibiting two liquid phases through a fixed-bed reactor equipped with an immobilized enzyme, overall flow of the reaction liquid is made uniform.
US08377656B2
Disclosed are oligonucleotides useful in methods for determining whether a sample contains Cryptococcus neoformans, a causative agent for human cryptococcosis. These oligonucleotides, which have nucleotide sequences derived from a coding segment of the gene encoding the fungal specific transcription factor gene in Cryptococcus neoformans, are useful as forward and reverse primers for a polymerase chain reaction using nucleic acids from a biological sample as templates, and as probes for detecting any resultant amplicon. Detection of an amplicon indicates the sample contains Cryptococcus neoformans. Real-time PCR and detection using florescence resonance energy transfer is disclosed.
US08377655B2
This invention relates to a quantitative PCR assay that differentiates between IR-A, IR-B and IGF-IR mRNAs and compares expression of the three receptors on the same scale.
US08377653B2
This disclosure shows that the EBV FR-element comprised of EBNA1 multimeric binding sites can provide the stable maintenance replication function to the mouse polyomavirus (PyV) core origin plasmids in the presence of BPV-1 E2 protein and PyV large T-antigen (LT).
US08377652B2
The invention is a large-scale production and purification of beta-poly(L-malic acid), biodegradable natural polyester of L-malic acid of molecular weight 30,000 to 300,000 from plasmodia of the Physarum family, especially Physarum polycephalum. This will replace previous laborious and uncontrolled production by bioreactor methods of high productivity and quality, especially to obtain pure polymer of high molecular weight. The described 20-liter bioreactor method can be scaled up for industrial purpose at optimal production and minimum growth time to prevent degradation The invention includes the method of isolation of polymalic acid of 100,000 Mn (number-averaged molecular weight) from the culture broth optimized towards high yields of extremely pure polymalic acid. The non-hygroscopic, water and organic solvent-soluble polymer is endotoxin and agglutinin free and ready to use in chemical syntheses. Because of its high molecular weight and purity it offers a wide spectrum of applications in pharmacy and medicine.
US08377649B2
The present invention relates to methods and kits for diagnosing, ascertaining the clinical course of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and ascertaining response to a therapy regimen of myelodysplastic syndrome. Specifically the invention provides methods and kits useful in the diagnosis and determination of clinical parameters associated with MDS based on surface markers unique to MDS.
US08377647B2
Assay methods are disclosed involving specific binding reactions which are simplified compared to known methods. A compound capable of producing chemiluminescence is immobilized on a solid support as is a member of a specific binding pair for capturing an analyte from a sample. An activator compound that activates the chemiluminescent compound and is conjugated to a specific binding pair member is added in excess along with the sample to the solid support. Addition of a trigger solution causes a chemiluminescent reaction at the sites where the activator conjugate has been specifically bound. The assay methods are termed non-separation assays because they do not require removal or separation of excess detection label (activator conjugate) prior to the detection step. The methods are applicable to various types of assays including immunoassays, receptor-ligand assays and nucleic acid hybridization assays.
US08377645B2
A purified polypeptide, designated ULIP6, comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID No. 2 or an epitopic fragment of said polypeptide, comprising the sequence SEQ ID No. 4, is provided along with its nucleic acid sequences. In addition, antibodies to the polypeptide and methods of diagnosing paraneoplastic neurological syndromes and/or for the early diagnosis of the formation of cancerous tumors are also provided.
US08377644B2
Oligonucleotides with a novel sugar-phosphate backbone containing at least one 2′-arabino-fluoronucleoside and an internucleoside 3′-NH—P(═O)(OR)—O-5′ linkage, where R is a positively charged counter ion or hydrogen, and methods of synthesizing and using the inventive oligonucleotides are provided. The inventive phosphoramidate 2′-aribino-fluorooligonucleotides have a high RNA binding affinity to complementary nucleic acids and are base and acid stable.
US08377640B2
The present invention relates diagnostic screens for Alzheimer's disease, and in particular to diagnostic tests based on screening for the presence of cellular changes that occur early in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease.
US08377638B2
The invention concerns a method for the detection of cytosine methylations in DNA and a kit for undertaking an assay according to the method of the invention.
US08377633B2
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for accomplishing optical direct write phase shift lithography. A lithography system and method are provided wherein a mirror array is configured to generate vortex phase shift optical patterns that are directed onto a photosensitive layer of a substrate. The lithography methods and systems facilitate pattern transfer using such vortex phase shift exposure patterns.
US08377612B2
In a titania-doped quartz glass member having a surface where EUV light of up to 70 nm wavelength is reflected, a refractive index distribution in the surface has only one extreme point within a central 80% region of the member. The titania-doped quartz glass member has a surface with a high level of precision and thus can be formed into an EUV lithography photomask substrate which is improved in flatness and thermal expansion properties.
US08377611B2
An assembling method of a solid oxide fuel cell, having a stack structure in which sheet bodies and separators are stacked in alternating layers, includes a stacking step, a sealing step, and a reduction process step. In the sealing step, a laminate in which a crystallized glass material is interposed between the perimetric portions adjacent to each other is heated, so that the crystallization rate of the crystallized glass is increased to 0 to 50%. Accordingly, the perimetric portions adjacent to each other are integrated and sealed, and a room for glass softening is left. In the reduction process step, the laminate is heated, and a reduction gas is supplied into a fuel channel, whereby the reduction process is performed to the fuel electrode layer, and the crystallization rate is increased to 70 to 100%. Thus, the assembly of the fuel cell is completed.
US08377602B2
The invention relates to a system for regulating the temperature of a fuel cell that is cooled by a cooling fluid traveling through the cell, the system including both first control means for measuring the temperature of the cooling fluid and for controlling the flow rate of the controlling fluid as a function of said measured temperature of said cooling fluid, comprising second control means for measuring the flow rate of the cooling fluid and for controlling the temperature of the cooling fluid as a function of a flow rate difference between the command flow rate specified by said first control means and said corresponding measured flow rate of the cooling fluid such that said command temperature specified by the second control means compensates for said flow rate difference.
US08377601B2
The direct oxidation fuel cell of the present invention is provided with: a membrane electrode assembly including an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode; an anode-side separator having a fuel flow channel for supplying fuel to the anode; and a cathode-side separator having an oxidant flow channel for supplying oxidant to the cathode, in which the anode includes an anode catalyst layer disposed at the side of the electrolyte membrane and an anode diffusion layer disposed at the side of the anode-side separator. The anode diffusion layer includes a water repellent layer disposed at the side of the anode catalyst layer and including a first conductive agent and a first water repellent agent; and a substrate layer disposed at the side of the anode-side separator, and the porosity of the substrate layer is higher at the downstream side than at the upstream side of the fuel flow.
US08377599B2
A system that stabilizes or supplements the variable power output from an external energy source by producing power from aluminum alloys. The aluminum alloy produces hydrogen from water, and also releases heat. During this process, the aluminum alloy is oxidized to alumina mixture, which can be recycled in a smelting unit to regenerate the aluminum alloy. The aluminum alloy can be easily transported in existing transportation system to different locations. The system produces electricity on-demand using portions of the existing power generation and transportation systems with minimal carbon footprint/emission.
US08377598B2
A battery capable of obtaining the high energy density and obtaining the superior cycle characteristics is provided. In an anode, the thickness of a single face of an anode active material layer containing a carbon material as an anode active material is from 75 μm to 120 μm. An electrolytic solution contains difluoroethylene carbonate as a solvent. Thereby, the energy density of the anode is improved, and the diffusion and the acceptance of lithium ions in the anode are improved.
US08377594B2
Disclosed herein is a cathode active material based on lithium nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide represented by Formula 1, wherein the lithium nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide has a nickel content of at least 40% among overall transition metals and is coated with a conductive polymer at a surface thereof. A lithium secondary battery having the disclosed cathode active material has advantages of not deteriorating electrical conductivity while enhancing high temperature stability, so as to efficiently provide high charge capacity.
US08377593B2
An energy storage device comprising an anode, electrolyte, and cathode is provided. The cathode comprises a plurality of granules comprising a support material, an active electrode metal, and a salt material, such that the cathode has a granule packing density equal to or greater than about 2 g/cc. A cathode comprising greater than about 10 volume % total metallic content in a charged state of the cathode is also provided.
US08377584B2
A secondary battery module includes a row of cells arranged with a gap therebetween, a lid covering one side of the cell row, inner ribs formed on the inner surface of the lid and each determining the gap between the adjacent cells, an outer rim extending along the outer periphery of the lid and cooperating with the corresponding inner ribs to hold the cells located at the opposite ends of the cell row, and a plurality of busbars used to electrically connect the cells in series. The cells and the lid are mechanically connected together by means of the busbars.
US08377577B2
Coated articles comprising a decorative metal substrate and a transparent cured coating thereon containing inorganic particles in which the concentration of particles in the exposed surface region of the cured coating is greater than the bulk region of the coating. Preferably, the transparent coating is applied by electrodeposition.
US08377574B2
An organic light-emitting device which has high emission efficiency and high durability even at low drive voltage is provided. An organic light-emitting device including an anode, a cathode, and an organic compound layer which is interposed between the anode and the cathode, wherein the organic compound layer include at least one dibenzo[c,g]fluorene compound represented by the following General Formula (1).
US08377571B2
Disclosed is an organic EL device material having high luminous efficiency and high color purity. Also disclosed are an organic EL device, and an illuminating device and a display each using the organic EL device.
US08377557B2
A thermally conductive sheet composite comprises a gelatinous thermally conductive sheet molded of a thermally conductive polymer composition containing a polymeric material and a thermally conductive filler, and a release sheet molded separately from the thermally conductive sheet and peelably laminated on at least one surface of a pair of surfaces of the thermally conductive sheet. The release sheet has a hardness of 30 or more as measured by a type A durometer in conformity with ISO 7619.
US08377551B2
A structure includes a substrate, a first layer formed on the substrate, and a second layer formed on the first layer. The first layer is comprised of self-assembled monolayer and contains 4-(6-hydroxyhexyloxy)-4′-methoxybiphenyl. The second layer is obtained by micro-phase separation of a block copolymer containing a hydrophilic polymer comprised of polyethylene oxide and a hydrophobic polymer comprised of polymethacrylic acid containing azobenzene at the side chain. The second layer contains a cylinder phase with its long axis being oriented perpendicular to the substrate. The thickness T of the second layer is within a range of A≦T≦50 nm, where A is a phase separation period length satisfying 5 nm≦A≦50 nm.
US08377543B2
Provided is a multilayer-wired substrate for mobile electric equipment, wherein the multilayer-wired substrate is very strong, includes a larger elastically deformable region and a higher elasticity than those of the conventional structure, and can be curved. The multilayer-wired substrate is a multilayer-wired substrate including one or more insulating layers. At least one insulating layer of the substrate is made of a material in which the mechanical characteristic in an in-plane direction component exhibits anisotropy.
US08377541B2
The present invention discloses a composite structural article exhibiting a three dimensional shape and size and including an admixture including at least one of a metal and a ceramic component, this combined with at least one polymeric component. In a further revised application, the article can include an admixture including at least one of a silver and a polymeric component.
US08377535B2
Provided is a release-lined pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet comprising a release liner 10 and a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 20. The release liner 10 has an average linear expansion coefficient of at most 7×10−5/° C. between 25° C. and 40° C. A layer 12 to constitute a surface 10A on the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer side of the release liner 10 is formed of a polyolefin-based resin composition containing none or at most 0.01 mass % of a phosphorous-based antioxidant. The surface 10A is divided into a plurality of sections 124 by a plurality of ridges 2A and 2B with each ridge having a height of 5 μm to 50 μm. At least one of the sections 124 inscribes a circle of a diameter greater than 500 μm.
US08377530B2
Disclosed is a polyester polymer composition comprising at least one polyethylene terephthalate polyester in an amount ranging from 94.0 weight percent to 99.5 weight percent and at least one additive in an amount ranging from 0.5 weight percent to 6 weight percent, each based on the total weight of the polyester composition. The at least one additive comprises a diamide molecule. The composition of the present invention is useful in producing shaped articles such as, for example, sheeting, films, tubes, bottles, preforms, and profiles. These articles can exhibit improved gas barrier properties. The process for making the polymer composition and the shaped articles is also disclosed.
US08377522B2
An inkjet receiver is described which comprises a support and one or more layer coated thereon, at least one layer of which comprises one or more metal organosilicate polymer particulate materials. The metal organosilicate polymer particulate materials are obtainable by contacting a metal salt with a silicon-containing compound having an organic substituent in an organic solvent, wherein either the silicon-containing compound contains a basic group and/or the reaction is conducted in the presence of a base, wherein the metal is selected from one or more of aluminum, magnesium strontium, calcium or zinc and the silicon-containing compound comprises hydrolyzable and non-hydrolyzable substituents such as to form a metal organosilicate polymer particulate material therefrom. The described inkjet receiver is useful for forming images by inkjet printing having excellent color fastness over time.
US08377511B2
Disclosed are CVD deposition of SiN and SiON films using pentakis(dimethylamino)disilane compounds along with a nitrogen containing gas and optionally an oxygen containing gas.
US08377510B2
Methods of forming a hardfacing material include subjecting diamond grains to elevated temperatures and pressures to form diamond-to-diamond bonds between the diamond grains and form a PCD material. The PCD material is broken down to form PCD particles that include a plurality of inter-bonded diamond grains.
US08377485B2
This invention relates to compositions with broad antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi, and protozoans. The compositions and methods of the present invention can be used in the prevention and treatment of pathogenic processes in people and animals by any administration method (oral, topical, or parenteral), as a performance improver in animals, infection controller in fermentations, and preserver of grains, seeds, and food for animals and/or people.
US08377482B2
The invention discloses a trace element solution, which comprises at least one metal selected from the group comprising selenium, copper, zinc, manganese and chromium; and at least one component selected from the group comprising a vitamin, a vaccine, a growth stimulant, a dewormer, iron dextran, an antibiotic and a synchronization preparation. The synchronization preparation is a combination of injectable hormonal preparations, inplantable hormonal preparations, intravaginal hormonal preparation and other slow release hormonal preparation. The antibiotics include oral, injectable and implantable theurapeutic remedies. The vaccine includes antigens and a combination of antigens and adjuvents. The growth stimulants include zeranol, estradiol, testosterone, progesterone and trenbolone acetate. The dewormer includes macrocydic lactones, leramizoles, benzimidazoles and salicylanilides. The macrocydic lactones include doramectin, ivermectin, abamectin and moxidectin.
US08377477B2
The present invention relates to a method for preparing nonlamellar bioresorbable microparticles to which protein substances are bonded, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: (i) preparing said microparticles from at least one bioresorbable polymer without stabilizer and without surfactant, and (ii) bonding said protein substances to the microparticles obtained in step (i) without surfactant. It further relates to the bioresorbable microparticles thus obtained and use thereof in diagnosis and therapy.
US08377475B2
In one aspect, the present invention features a tablet including: (i) a first drug layer including naproxen; (ii) a second drug layer including a decongestant (e.g., pseudoephedrine) wherein said second drug layer is a sustained release layer adapted to deliver a therapeutically effective amount of pseudoephedrine for a period of at least twelve hours; and (iii) a barrier layer that does not include naproxen, wherein the barrier layer is in contact with the first drug layer; and (iv) a third drug layer including cetirizine, wherein the third drug layer is in contact with the barrier layer and is not in contact with the first drug layer.
US08377474B2
The current invention provides a controlled release oral solid formulation of levodopa comprising levodopa, a decarboxylase inhibitor, and a carboxylic acid. Also provided by this invention is multiparticulate, controlled release oral solid formulations of levodopa comprising: i) a controlled release component comprising a mixture of levodopa, a decarboxylase inhibitor and a rate controlling excipient; ii) a carboxylic acid component; and iii) an immediate release component comprising a mixture of levodopa and a decarboxylase inhibitor.
US08377469B2
Method for the preparation of nano- and mesosized particles consisting of a lipid layer comprising at least one amphiphile and a core of an inorganic compound and/or a metal, comprising: (i) dissolving in a common solvent at least one self-aggregating amphiphile with at least one inorganic, organometallic or metallorganic precursor of said inorganic compound or metal; and (ii) either injecting the resulting solution into an aqueous solution or drying the resulting solution and re-hydrating it, so as to form particles in which the precursor is encapsulated by the amphiphile(s) and is converted therein to said inorganic compound and/or metallic solid form.
US08377465B2
The present invention provides feed or food products for consumption by animals or humans which include respective quantities of flax oil and non-flax carbohydrate. The flax oil and carbohydrate are mixed together and simultaneously subjected to an elevated temperature of at least about 120° F. and subsequently cooled; the flax oil is used at a level so that the final product contains at least about 5% by weight flax oil. It has been found that the products of the invention, when fed at effective levels, induce increased in vivo synthesis of desirable eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
US08377456B2
The present specification discloses tetrahydroindolone derivatives or analogues and methods for treating cognitive/attention deficit disorders using such tetrahydroindolone derivatives and analogues.
US08377452B2
Methods for treating obsessions and compulsions by local administration of a Clostridial toxin. The obsessions or compulsions can be eye poking, body rocking, finger biting, counting, checking and related disorders treated by low dose, intramuscular administration of a botulinum toxin.
US08377447B2
The present invention provides, in particular embodiments, for modified recombinant T cell receptor (TCR) ligands (RTLs) comprising a MHC class I or MHC class II component. The modified RTLs have redesigned surface features that preclude or reduce aggregation, wherein the modified molecules retain the ability to bind Ag-peptides, target antigen-specific T cells, inhibit T cell proliferation in an Ag-specific manner and have utility to treat, inter alia, autoimmune disease and other conditions mediated by antigen-specific T cells in vivo.
US08377446B2
A newly identified serum resistance factor of gram positive bacteria can be used to treat or prevent bacterial infection.
US08377442B2
An IL-1β binding antibody or IL-1β binding fragment thereof comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, and related nucleic acids, vectors, cells, and compositions, as well as method of using same to treat or prevent a disease, and a method of preparing an affinity matured IL-1β binding polypeptide. IL-1β binding antibodies or IL-1β binding fragments thereof are provided which have desirable affinity and potency.
US08377439B2
EphB3-specific antibodies are provided, along with pharmaceutical compositions containing such antibody, kits containing a pharmaceutical composition, and methods of preventing and treating an EphB3-related disease or disorder.
US08377437B2
The present invention concerns antibodies to c3b and the prevention and treatment of complement-associated disorder using such antibodies.
US08377435B2
Compositions and methods for inducing cell membrane wounding, cell permeabilization and cell killing are provided. The composition comprises a polyvalent agent that binds to a highly expressed cell surface antigen present on the surface of a cell. Preferably, the cell surface antigen is associated with the cytoskeleton of the cell. A preferred polyvalent agent is an IgM, and enhanced cell wounding and killing can be provided by the addition of a crosslinking agent. At sublethal concentrations in vivo, the cell wounding antibodies permeabilize cells and dramatically enhance response to chemotherapeutic agents, even in patients refractory to the chemotherapeutic agents.
US08377422B2
Compounds of formula (I) wherein R1-R5, n and m have the same meaning as given in the description, having cooling properties are disclosed. Furthermore a process of their production and consumer products comprising them are disclosed.
US08377419B2
An imaging agent is disclosed for use in nuclear magnetic resonance imaging. The imaging agent includes a first substance and a second substance. The first substance includes at least one atom having non-zero nuclear spin providing a polarized magnetic orientation. The second substance is bound to the first substance and inhibits physical contact between the at least one atom and other atoms and molecules to thereby inhibit spin relaxation of the polarized magnetic orientation of the at least one atom.
US08377416B2
A method of releasing hydrogen from ammonia borane is disclosed. The method comprises heating an aqueous ammonia borane solution to between about 80-135° C. at between about 14.7 and 200 pounds per square inch absolute (psia) to release hydrogen by hydrothermolysis.
US08377415B2
A process is provided to synthesize an alane without the formation of alane adducts as a precursor. The resulting product is a crystallized α-alane and is a highly stable product and is free of halides.
US08377396B2
Gripping tool for automatic laboratory machines, with gripping appliances for gripping vessels, an appliance for converting and/or transferring of movements, the power take-off of which is coupled with the gripping appliances in order to drive them, a coupling appliance for detachable connection with a drive appliance of a tool support of an automatic laboratory machine, which is coupled with the drive of the appliance for converting and/or transferring in order to drive it, and a mounting appliance for detachable mounting of the gripping tool on the tool support of the automatic laboratory machine, while the coupling appliance is connected with the drive appliance of the tool support.
US08377393B2
There is provided a microchip having an introduction portion introducing a liquid, a valve, and an ejection portion ejecting the liquid. The valve connects the introduction portion and the ejection portion, and retains the liquid such that surface tension of the liquid prevents the liquid from being ejected to the ejection portion. The liquid can be ejected from the introduction portion to the ejection portion by applying to the liquid centrifugal force larger than the surface tension of the liquid. Such a microchip according to the present invention has a simple configuration and allows easy control of retaining and flowing of a liquid.
US08377366B2
There is disclosed a process for manufacturing an in-mold labelled article, the process comprising the steps of: placing a label comprising a polyvinylidene chloride coated film (15) into a mold for injection molding, thermoforming, or blow molding; holding the label in position; injecting a polymeric melt into, or thermoforming or blowing a polymeric preform in said mold so as to bind with the label; and removing the article from the mold. A process of in-mold labelling using a label comprising a polyvinylidene chloride coated film is also disclosed.
US08377361B2
In imprint lithography, a mold having a pattern of projecting and recessed regions is pressed into a moldable surface on a substrate. The thus-imprinted moldable surface is permitted to at least partially harden to retain the imprint, and the substrate and mold are separated. In accordance with the invention, the substrate is separated from the mold by bending laterally distal regions (regions away from the center toward the edges) of the mold transversely away from the interface and transversely restraining the substrate. The mold can then be easily separated from the substrate by transverse displacement. The separation can be facilitated by providing a mold having a lateral dimension that on at least two sides extends beyond the corresponding lateral dimension of the substrate. Alternatively, the substrate can have a greater lateral extent than the mold, and the mold can be restrained. The distal regions of the substrate can be bent in the transverse direction. Apparatus for effecting such separation is also described.
US08377360B2
This invention relates generally to software and mechanics, and more specifically, to systems and methods for providing a personal affector machine. In one embodiment, the invention includes a top frame; a cross-member, the cross-member extending from the top frame, the cross-member configurable to do any of translate and rotate relative to the top frame; an affector head, the affector head coupled to the cross-member, the affector head configurable to do any of translate, rotate, and gyrate relative to the top frame, the affector head having an affector; a bottom frame, the bottom frame coupled to the top frame; and a cassette, the cassette configurable to removably securing material therein, the cassette being removably attachable to the bottom frame, wherein the affector is configurable to affecting the material within the cassette in a plurality of dimensions.
US08377359B2
A process for the production of compact cellulose-containing moldings by reacting optionally modified organic polyisocyanates with cellulose, in particular lignocellulose, in the presence of mold release agents in an open or closed mold, wherein the mold release agents used are siloxane compounds containing aminopropyl groups and of the general formula (I) in which R1 is CH3 and/or R2, R2 is —(CH2)x—NH—R3 and/or —(O)y—(CH2)x—NH—R3′, R3 and R3′, independently of one another, may be H or —(CH2)x—NH2, R4 is —(CH2)x—NH—(CH2—CH2—O)z—R5 where R5 is an aryl or alkyl radical n is from 50 to 1000, m is from 0 to 20, with the ratio m:n=0 to 0.4, k is from 0 to 20, x is from 1 to 20, y is 0 or 1, z is from 1 to 20, with the proviso that at least one amino-functionalized radical is present.
US08377355B2
Disclosed are a method of manufacturing wholly aromatic polyamid filaments and wholly aromatic polyamid filaments produced by the same. The process includes control of a timing for introducing wholly aromatic polyamid polymer into an extruder for preparation of a spinning dope based on particle size and/or inherent viscosity (IV) of the polyamid polymer.
US08377353B2
Conjugate fibers are prepared in which at least one segment is a mixture of a high-D PLA resin and a high-L PLA resin. These segments have crystallites having a crystalline melting temperature of at least 200° C. At least one other segment is a high-D PLA resin or a high-L PLA resin. The conjugate fibers may be, for example, bicomponent, multi-component, islands-in-the-sea or sheath-and-core types. Specialty fibers of various types can be made through further downstream processing of these conjugate fibers.
US08377341B2
Tellurium (Te)-containing precursors, Te containing chalcogenide phase change materials are disclosed in the specification. A method of making Te containing chalcogenide phase change materials using ALD, CVD or cyclic CVD process is also disclosed in the specification in which at least one of the disclosed tellurium (Te)-containing precursors is introduced to the process.
US08377337B2
A method of incorporating an additive into a polyamide-poly(arylene ether) composition includes the step of melt blending a polyamide, a poly(arylene ether), and a dispersion comprising a liquid carrier, an unmodified clay, and an additive. Using the dispersion rather than a polymer-based additive masterbatch saves energy. Like a polymer-based masterbatch, the dispersion provides the additive in a diluted form and therefore preserves the masterbatch's advantages of providing more uniform distribution additive in the plastic and avoiding direct handling of additives in the final compounding step.
US08377335B2
A solid scintillator having short afterglow and high output, containing a polycrystal containing a crystal of a Gd garnet structure oxide having a composition ratio of formula (1): (M1-x-yGdxQy)3J5O12 (1) where M is at least one element of La and Tb, Q is at least one element of Ce and Pr, J is at least one element selected from Al, Ga, and In, x and y satisfy the relations 0.5≦x<1, and 0.000001≦y≦0.2, and further containing Si and fluorine, where the solid scintillator contains 1 ppm by mass to 1000 ppm by mass of the Si with respect to the Gd garnet structure oxide, and 1 ppm by mass to 100 ppm by mass of the fluorine with respect to the Gd garnet structure oxide. In addition a radiation detector and a tomograph employing the solid scintillator.
US08377330B2
A liquid crystal display structure is provided. The liquid crystal display structure includes a liquid crystal panel and a backlight module. The liquid crystal panel has a liquid crystal layer including photo-polymerizable monomers. The backlight module has a light emitting unit for emitting an output light. A difference between the smallest value of the spectrum interval of the output light and the largest value of the absorption spectrum interval of the photo-polymerizable monomer in the liquid crystal layer is larger than or equal to 40 nm.
US08377320B2
A method of forming an undercut microstructure includes: forming an etch mask on a top surface of a substrate; forming, on a top surface of the etch mask, an ion implantation mask having a top surface that is smaller than the top surface of the etch mask and that does not extend beyond the top surface of the etch mask; ion implanting the substrate in the presence of the etch mask and the ion implantation mask so that a damaged region is generated at a depth below an area of the surface that is not masked by the ion implantation mask; and etching the surface of the substrate until the damaged region is removed.
US08377311B2
The present invention relates to a process of the invention for separating at least one first material from a mixture comprising this at least one first material and at least one second material, which comprises the steps: (A) Contacting of at least one magnetic particle and at least one bifunctional molecule or an adduct of the two with the mixture comprising the at least one first material and at least one second material so that an adduct is formed from the at least one magnetic particle, the bifunctional compound of the general formula (I) and the at least one first material, (B) suspension of the adduct obtained in step (A) in a suitable suspension medium, (C) separation of the adduct present in the suspension from step (B) from the suspension by application of a magnetic field, (D) if appropriate, dissociation of the adduct separated off in step (C) in order to obtain the at least one first material. a corresponding adduct and the use of such an adduct for the separation of mixtures of materials.
US08377310B2
Toxic substances such as heavy metals are extracted from a medium using a sorbent composition. The sorbent composition is derived by sulfidation of red mud, which contains hydrated ferric oxides derived from the Bayer processing of bauxite ores. Exemplary sulfidizing compounds are H2S, Na2S, K2S, (NH4)2S, and CaSx. The sulfur content typically is from about 0.2 to about 10% above the residual sulfur in the red mud. Sulfidized red mud is an improved sorbent compared to red mud for most of the heavy metals tested (Hg, Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Se, Th, and U). Unlike red mud, sulfidized red mud does not leach naturally contained metals. Sulfidized red mud also prevents leaching of metals when mixed with red mud. Mixtures of sulfidized red mud and red mud are more effective for sorbing other ions, such as As, Co, Mn, and Sr, than sulfidized red mud alone.
US08377304B2
The present invention relates to a method for treatment of sludge in water purification, the method comprising the steps: providing an enzyme mixture comprising at least one enzyme capable of digesting natural polymeric materials; and adding the enzyme mixture and at least one chelating reagent, in optional order or simultaneously, to an aqueous sludge suspension.
US08377302B2
A reverse osmosis system and method for operating the same includes a pressure tank having a first end and a second end, the pressure tank has a first volume adjacent to the first end and a second volume adjacent to the second end and a third volume between the first volume and the second volume and a fluid passage fluidically coupling the second volume to the first volume. The reverse osmosis system also includes a plurality of membranes disposed within the third volume generating permeate and a permeate manifold receiving permeate from the membranes and fluidically communicating permeate out of the pressure tank. A feed line couples feed fluid into the pressure tank. A first pump pressurizes the feed line. A second pump is disposed within the tank and circulates brine fluid from the second volume through the fluid passage.
US08377301B2
An apparatus and method for separating solids from a fluid. The apparatus includes a first container for receiving solids and fluid and a second container adjacently disposed to the first container in fluid communication therewith. The apparatus includes a conveying member extending upwardly from the bottom of the first container and angling upwardly through the second container such that the conveying member transports solids that settle to the sloped bottom portion of the first container from the first container and through the second container. A conveyor member housing may be disposed in the second container so as to provide an enclosure about the conveyor member to prevent solids that are being transported through the second container by the conveyor member from being deposited into the second container while permitting fluid that separates from the solids during transport to pass from the conveyor member housing and into the second container.
US08377298B2
Housings for reverse osmosis filter cartridges and methods of making the same. The housings include: (1) a hollow cylindrical liner formed of a thermoplastic polymer that is adapted to surround a reverse osmosis filter cartridge; (2) a hollow head assembly that includes a transition collar portion formed of a thermoplastic polymer that is joined to said liner and a barrel portion formed of a chopped glass fiber-filled polymer that is overmolded onto said transition collar portion; (3) an end plug that is adapted to be received within an opening in the barrel portion; and (4) an overwrap layer comprising wound glass filaments and a polymeric resin that covers the outer surfaces of the liner and head assembly.
US08377293B2
A dialysis fluid cassette that includes a base and a flexible membrane attached to the base. The flexible membrane and the base cooperate to at least partially define a venting chamber and a fluid channel fluidly connected to the venting chamber.
US08377285B2
Methods and systems for efficiently manufacturing modified asphalt materials include agitating a base asphalt at a high shear rate using an in-line mixer while simultaneously exposing the asphalt to oxygen by blowing an oxygen-containing gas at a high gas flow rate through openings in the in-line mixer and heating the asphalt at an elevated temperature.
US08377280B2
The present device is a microchannel separator that uses a separation driving force created by an electric field. An ionic fluid flows through the microchannels and is subjected to an electric field by two spaced apart parallel electrodes possessing an electric charge. The ions in the ionic fluid are attracted towards the charged electrodes and thus are concentrated in the region of flow near the charged electrodes and depleted from the central region of flow between the charged electrodes. The charged electrodes are insulated from the ionic fluid by an impermeable barrier which prevents arcing and adherence of the ions to the charged electrodes. After a sufficient length of passage of the ionic fluid through a main channel two blocking plates separate the flow into a central and two outer output channels. The central channel draws a portion of the ionic fluid from the central region of the main channel that has fewer ions than the ionic fluid in the regions near the charged electrodes. The concentrated ionic fluid in the outer channels is discharged separately from the central channel.
US08377279B2
A treatment system provides treated or softened water to a point of use by removing at least a portion of any undesirable species contained in water from a water source. The treatment system can be operated to reduce the likelihood of formation of any scale that can be generated during normal operation of an electrochemical device. The formation of scale in the treatment system, including its wetted components, may be inhibited by reversing or substituting the flowing liquid having hardness-causing species with another liquid having a low tendency to produce scale, such as a low LSI water. Various arrangements of components in the treatment system can be flushed by directing the valves and the pumps of the system to displace liquid having hardness-causing species with a liquid that has little or no tendency to form scale.
US08377273B2
A gas sensor includes a substantially cylindrical metal shell; a laminated sensor element held within the metal shell, and including a plate-shaped solid electrolyte layer extending in a longitudinal direction; an electrode portion provided on the solid electrolyte layer; an insulating layer; and a lead portion connected with the electrode portion, extending in the longitudinal direction, and having a front end portion laminated on the solid electrolyte layer, and a rear end portion laminated through the insulating layer on the solid electrolyte layer. The insulating layer has an end portion over and across which the lead portion extends, and which has a recessed shape, a raised shape, or a recessed and raised shape in the longitudinal direction as viewed in the lamination direction.
US08377270B2
The present invention is to reduce the variation in axis of easy magnetization of a magnetic thin film with respect to a large diameter substrate.A plasma processing apparatus (1) includes: a substrate holder (11) that supports a substrate (10); a magnet holder (31) that is provided around the substrate holder and supports a magnet (30); a cathode unit (50) that is provided above the substrate, and applied with a discharge voltage; a rotating mechanism (20, 40) that is capable of rotating one or both of the substrate holder and the magnet holder along the planar direction of the process surface of the substrate; a rotational position sensor (25, 45) that detects the rotating positions of the substrate and the magnet; and a control device (60) that controls an operation of each operation element. The control device controls the rotating mechanism of the substrate holder and/or the magnet holder to swingingly vary the relative angle between an axis of easy magnetization set in the process surface of the substrate and the magnetic field generated by the magnet during the formation of the magnetic thin film by sputtering, based on a detection signal from the rotational position sensor.
US08377263B2
A device for regenerating oil wherein an oil containing contaminates is placed in contact with at least one point source of heat which is a predetermined temperature and wherein the contaminants contained in the oil are partially evaporated and can be removed leaving an oil which is substantially free of contaminants and even though exposed to elevated temperatures the oil is not damaged or degraded.
US08377262B2
A structured papermaking fabric for making a bulky tissue web, including: a web facing side and an opposite side, the web facing side including a structure formed by interweaving of transverse yarns with longitudinal yarns, the structure including a plurality of pattern areas being regularly distributed on the web facing side and each of said pattern area being surrounded by an edge area, said pattern areas are woven in a plain weave and each of said edge areas including at least one longitudinal and at least one transverse edge segment, said longitudinal edge segment being formed by weaving of a longitudinal yarn over at least four, preferably at least five, consecutive transverse yarns, said transverse edge segment being formed by weaving of a transverse yarn over at least four consecutive longitudinal yarns.
US08377254B2
A plasma processing apparatus including an essentially cylindrical chamber, which is airtight and grounded. The antenna unit is disposed on top of the chamber. The chamber has a divisible structure formed of an essentially cylindrical housing and a cylindrical chamber wall connected to the housing from above and surrounding a process space. The chamber wall is detachable.
US08377247B2
A stiffened skin panel of an aircraft that includes an aircraft skin panel of composite material and a composite stringer consolidated with the aircraft skin panel. The stringer has a pair of stringer sides, each extending from a stringer top to a stringer leg. The stringer sides may each extend through a wide radius, smooth continuous curve to a stringer leg. The wide radius, smooth continuous curve may be proximate the base of the stringer side in a region where the stringer side transitions to the stringer leg.
US08377245B2
An adhesive composition for detachable adhesive bonds is based on adhesive matrices and expansion material, the particles of the expansion material being at least partially encapsulated.
US08377243B2
The invention relates to a method for transferring a nano-layer (1) from a first substrate (5, 105) to a second substrate (30, 130), wherein the nano-layer (1) comprises a self-aggregating monolayer with cross-linked phenyl units and/or a mono-atomic graphite layer (graphene), wherein the method comprises the following steps: a. applying a transfer medium (20, 120) onto nano-layer (1), wherein in this step or afterwards the transfer medium (20, 120) is transformed from a liquid or gaseous phase in a solid phase; b. separating the transfer medium (20, 120) and the nano-layer (1) from the first substrate (5, 105); and c. applying the transfer medium (20, 120) and the nano-layer (1) onto the second substrate (30, 130); and d. removing the transfer medium (20, 120).
US08377239B2
The operation of tow cutters in an automatic fiber placement machine are monitored to determine if inconsistencies in fiber placement are related to cutter operation. A machine vision system detects inconsistencies in tow placement, and timing signals are generated that represent the actuation of the cutters. The timing signals are correlated with recorded images of the placed tows to determine if the inconsistency in tow placement is related to cutter operation.
US08377238B2
A method and a device are provided for the thermomechanical treatment of seamless steel rings produced on radial-axial ring rolling machines, particularly rings of fine grain steel, heat-treatable steel, case hardened steel, or austenitic steel, preferably of steel tower flanges for wind turbine generators. The ring blank is inserted into the ring rolling machine at a temperature in the range of 900° C. to 1150° C. and is rolled to an outer diameter preferably in the range of 0.2 m to 10 m by a hot forming process. The hot ring (1) is quickly cooled down by a controlled process directly following the rolling, without secondary heating, from a temperature over the conversion temperature in the austenite range to a temperature below 400° C. The device includes a dipping basin filled with cooling liquid (8) or an unfilled cooling container, and a carrier (5) that can be lowered with a hoisting device (4), the rolled ring (1) lying on the carrier. Pressure nozzles (13) are arranged in the dipping basin or the cooling container (2) on one or several ring lines (11), in an equal distribution, for the targeted application of the cooling liquid (8) onto at least one of the ring-shaped surfaces of the ring (1). Measurement of the ring temperature before and/or after the cooldown is carried out, preferably, with a radiation pyrometer.
US08377236B2
The present invention provides a stabilized lithium metal powder having a substantially continuous protective layer of lithium phosphate on the lithium metal powder.
US08377234B2
The method of nitriding nickel-chromium-based superalloys is a method of forming a nitride barrier layer on a surface of a nickel-chromium-based superalloy workpiece, such as an Inconel® 718 plate, using gas-assisted laser nitriding. The nickel-chromium-based superalloy workpiece is first cleaned, both with a chemical bath and then through an ultrasonic cleaning process. Following the cleaning of the workpiece, a laser beam is scanned over a surface of the nickel-chromium-based superalloy workpiece. A stream of nitrogen gas, which may be elemental nitrogen or nitrogen in the form of ammonia gas or the like, is sprayed on the surface of the nickel-chromium-based superalloy workpiece coaxially and simultaneously with the laser beam to form the nitride barrier layer.
US08377226B2
This invention relates to an automatic dishwasher, especially for built-in kitchenettes, comprising a cabinet 10 and equipped with a front door 11 that seals the wash tub 18 housing at least one first and one second spray arm 20, 21 for washing the dishes placed in at least one rack 19, said tub being closed on the bottom by a downward sloping panel 22 that directs the wash water into a sump hopper 23 that serves to collect and drain the water, with the horizontal as well as vertical capacity of the dishwasher enhanced in that the first spray arm 20 essentially extends coaxially with the sump hopper 23 while the second spray arm 21 is positioned above the sloped bottom panel 22 with its axis of rotation extending at a right angle to said panel.
US08377218B2
The present invention is a device for use in cleaning a fabric surface of dust, dirt, pet hair and other debris present on the surface. The device includes a pair of cleaning members or rollers disposed on an underside of the device which can roll with respect to the device and with respect to one another. The rollers are selectively contacted with one another such that each roller can assist in removing debris picked up by the opposite roller and dispensing the debris into a collection chamber releasably positioned within the housing. The removal of the debris from each roller is also facilitated by opposed edges of a central opening in the housing that contact the rollers and direct the debris into the debris collection chamber.
US08377216B2
A vacuum processing apparatus includes a vacuum chamber for performing a plasma process and a cleaning process unit for performing a cleaning process to apply a plasma process to a wafer on which a single layer or a laminated film containing a metallic film is formed by using a corrosive gas, and a control unit having a sequence to abort the plasma process when an abnormality occurs in the vacuum chamber and transfer the wafer subjecting to the aborting of the plasma process to the cleaning process unit, after elapsing a predetermined time, to perform the cleaning process.
US08377210B2
The invention provides a multi-film forming apparatus including a substrate holder stock chamber for storing a plurality of substrate holders separately from a path in the multi-film forming apparatus, so that production can be performed without being affected by the process of removing a film accumulated on the surface of the substrate holder and the process of replacing the substrate holder, or by the process of removing a film accumulated on the surface of the substrate holder or the process of replacing the substrate holder, and hence high-throughput production is possible. A branch path is provided on the path of the multi-film forming apparatus, and a substrate holder stock chamber for storing a plurality of substrate holders which enables retrieval of the substrate holder from the path and feeding of the substrate holder to the path is provided.
US08377208B2
A polycrystal silicon manufacturing apparatus and a method of manufacturing polycrystal silicon using the same are disclosed. The polycrystal silicon manufacturing apparatus includes a reaction pipe comprising silicon particles provided therein; a flowing-gas supply unit configured to supply flowing gas to the silicon particles provided in the reaction pipe; and a first pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of a first area in the reaction pipe; a second pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of a second area in the reaction pipe; and a particle outlet configured to exhaust polycrystal silicon formed in the reaction pipe outside, when a difference between a first pressure measured by the first pressure sensor and a second pressure measured by the second pressure sensor is a reference pressure value or more.
US08377202B2
A method for manufacturing a silicon wafer having a defect-free region in a surface layer, in which at least only a surface layer region to a predetermined depth from a front surface of a silicon wafer to be processed is subjected to heat treatment at a temperature of not less than 1100 degrees C. for not less than 0.01 msec to not more than 1 sec, to thereby make the surface layer defect-free. As a result of this, there is provided a method for manufacturing a silicon wafer, in which a DZ layer without generation of crystal defects from the front surface to a constant depth can be uniformly formed, and oxide precipitates having a steep profile inside the wafer can be secured and controlled with a high degree of accuracy.
US08377198B2
A method and an apparatus for manufacturing of cement includes cement raw meal being preheated in a preheater, calcined in a calciner by contact with hot gases which are introduced into the calciner via a gas inlet and being diverted from the calciner via a gas outlet, and where calcined cement raw meal is diverted from the calciner, burned into cement clinker in a kiln and subsequently cooled in a clinker cooler. At least a portion of the calcined cement raw meal diverted from the calciner is heated further in a separate system to a temperature which exceeds the calcination temperature and is subsequently recirculated to the calciner. That at least a portion of the gases which are diverted via the gas outlet of the calciner is removed from the plant with a view to storage underground or other additional treatment.
US08377196B2
A dry cast cementitious composition including cement, water, and a rheology modifying additive (RMA) is provided. The inclusion of the RMA improves the dry cast cementitious composition's response to vibration and dampens out differences due to minor fluctuations in initial slump of the composition. The RMA may include a dispersant for the dry cast cementitious compositions. The dry cast cementitious composition may optionally include other admixtures or additives known in the industry. Methods for making the dry cast cementitious composition and dry cast cementitious articles from the composition are also provided.
US08377195B2
A wearing compound slurry comprising an inorganic binder, ceramic particles, ceramic powder, diluent and optionally filler and discontinuous fibers. The slurry is applied to a wearable surface and exposed to heat to remove diluent and cure the wearing compound into a hard layer. The cured wearing compound layer remains intact after exposure to extremely high temperatures.
US08377182B2
Gas anti-diffusion assemblies are designed to slow, but not to block, the diffusion of a gas from or to an enclosed space to or from an open space, e.g., to slow the diffusion of air into or out of the housing for a hard disk drive from or out to the exterior of the housing. The assemblies typically have a laminate structure, i.e., are constructed of individual layers adhered or otherwise joined to one another in a stacked arrangement. The assemblies typically comprise alternating layers of polymeric film and adhesive with a mesh layer sandwiched or otherwise positioned within the assembly, and optionally comprises one or both of a filter layer and an absorbent layer.
US08377178B2
A fuel source for an electrochemical cell includes two or more chemical hydride pellets, a flexible, porous, liquid water impermeable, hydrogen and water vapor permeable membrane in contact with and at least partially surrounding each hydride pellet, and a porous metal hydride layer positioned between each hydride pellet. Air gaps are between each pellet.
US08377173B2
The present invention generally relates to a process for the formation of a CO2-selective absorption material and/or sulfur-selective absorption material. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a process for the formation of a CO2-selective absorption material that comprises providing a solid material, providing an amine source, contacting the solid material with the amine source to absorb amine molecules on the surface of the solid material, and contacting the absorbing amine molecules on the solid material surface with a CO2 stream such that upon contact with the amine and the solid material, CO2 binds with the amine functional group of the amine molecule, reducing the potential for the interaction of the amine functional group with the solid surface and increasing amine sites available for CO2 capture.
US08377157B1
A method of processing a polycrystalline diamond material is disclosed. According to the method, a metal-solvent catalyst is leached from a polycrystalline diamond material by exposing at least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond material to a leaching solution. The leaching solution includes water, a complexing agent, and a mineral acid.
US08377156B2
The present subject matter is directed to a method for operating a fuel reformer. The method may generally include directing a fluid stream around a reactor assembly of the fuel reformer to cool the reactor assembly, and mixing a heated reformate stream produced by the reactor assembly with the fluid stream to cool the heated reformate stream.
US08377155B2
The auger gasifier described includes, in its preferred embodiments, a vertically elongated (“oblong”) primary gasifier chamber with an auger that can move up and down, allowing for large amounts of fuel input when necessary. This improvement, in turn, requires and/or is facilitated by provision for simultaneous elevation adjustments of the auger and bed dam to assure that fuel material is processed in degrees from the top downward without sweeping massive amounts of the fluidized bed materials towards the output end of the chamber. Another improvement involves provision for pressurization of the primary gasifier chamber, allowing substantial improvements in the speed of processing materials through the gasifier. Due to issues arising from thermal expansion of the refractory material lining the chamber, provision is made for nozzle and refractory imbedded pipe hole thermal expansion capability. Finally, provision is for steam injection into and/or auxiliary heating of the chamber to enhance gasification and the production of syngas.
US08377142B2
A distal component for an interphalangeal prosthesis suitable for insertion into a proximal end of a distal phalangeal bone includes a stem portion shaped to be received within a surgically prepared bore in the proximal end of the distal bone. A head portion has an under-surface and an upper-surface, the under-surface of which in use will bear on the bone into which the stem is implanted.
US08377141B2
A femoral component of a knee prosthesis comprises a femoral flange from an inner end of which extend lateral and medial condylar parts which are interconnected by a box-like bridging part at an intercondylar groove. The interior surface of the femoral component has six discrete flat sections, with the sixth flat section which extends to a free end of the femoral component being angled relative to a plane normal to the third flat section and to the length of the intercondylar groove. Also disclosed is a trial femoral component and a method of use thereof to prepare a femur for the fitting of the femoral component of the prosthesis.
US08377136B2
The invention relates to a biocompatible settable polymer useful in retaining an implant, more evenly distributing any force loading on the implant, and/or promoting tissue growth around and onto the implant.
US08377127B2
A self-sealing shell useful as a component of a soft fluid-filled prosthetic implant is provided. The shell is at least partly constructed of a wall made of a colloid of an elastomeric polymer matrix and particles of a water-soluble material distributed therein.
US08377125B2
An intraocular lens (IOL) assembly for correcting myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism is provided. The intraocular lens assembly comprises a lens extending along an optical axis between an anterior optical surface and a posterior optical surface. The IOL has a circumferential edge disposed about the optical axis at a junction of anterior and posterior optical surfaces with N haptics, where N is an integer greater than 1. Each haptic extends from an associated portion of the circumferential edge and along an associated haptic axis and extends between end portions joined to the lens at the circumferential edge. Each of the haptics includes M footplates extending symmetrically about its associated haptic axis, where M may be an integer greater than 0. The resultant vaulted structure provides an intraocular lens assembly that, when implanted in the eye, allows accommodation.
US08377121B2
Annular cornea implant for inserting into a cornea pocket of the human eye via a narrow, tunnel-shaped access, with the end shape of the cornea implant depending on the shortsightedness or astigmatism to be corrected. To enable the cornea implant to be implanted in the cornea pocket in a simple manner and in an optimum position, the implant has a shape memory which is impressed on the basis of the geometry and/or material of the implant, and is designed in such a way that the deformability from a starting shape enables the insertion of the cornea implant into the cornea pocket via the narrow access, and the cornea implant has an adjustment force in the end shape thereof, which enables an essentially independent unfolding of the cornea implant in the cornea pocket.
US08377120B2
An intraocular implant adapted to be implanted within the interior of a human eye is disclosed. The aforesaid implant is selected from a group consisting of: an intracorneal implant, an anterior chamber implant, a sulcus implant, implant in the bag, posterior chamber implant and any combination thereof. The implant comprises means selected from a group consisting of reflective surfaces and electronic device. The implant is adapted to form at least one image of at least part of the field of vision on the retina. The image is selected of a group consisting of: artificial image and reflected image, and any combination thereof. The image is formed on the retina by a predetermined indirect path selected from (z) optical reflective path and (U) electronic processing. Optionally, also a refracted image may also be created on the retina.
US08377115B2
A valve prosthesis for percutaneous placement within a vein is disclosed that includes a valve scaffold and a backflow barrier. The valve scaffold is of a shape memory or resilient material and the backflow barrier is a flap of flexible material attached to the valve scaffold. The valve prosthesis is operable to alternate between open and closed configurations in response to changes in retrograde blood flow pressure. In the open configuration, the valve scaffold has a frustoconical coil shape of consecutive windings with open spaces therebetween and the backflow barrier allows antegrade blood flow through the open spaces. In the closed configuration, the consecutive windings of the valve scaffold are collapsed such that the valve scaffold has a substantially flat profile and the backflow barrier covers the opens spaces of the flattened valve scaffold to prevent retrograde blood flow from leaking there through.
US08377113B2
A method of temporarily reducing the diameter of a stent graft (10) and a stent graft with its diameter reduced. The stent graft has a tubular body and self expanding stents. The method comprising extending a release wire (18, 20) part helically along the graft material tube from substantially one side of the graft material tube at one end (14) of the graft material tube to substantially the opposite side of the graft material tube at the other end (12) of the graft material tube along the stent graft and stitching the release wire into the graft material tube, at each of a number of positions along the release wire looping flexible threads (22, 24) around the release wire and extending the flexible threads laterally around the circumference of the stent graft in each direction to a position away from the release wire, engaging the first flexible threads into the graft material or around struts of the stent, and drawing the ends of the thread together and tying ends of the thread to thereby temporarily reduce the overall diameter of the stent graft.
US08377111B2
Medical devices, particularly stents, suitable for drug delivery and including a porous structure and/or colors are disclosed.
US08377107B2
A method of forming a coating on a medical device having a controlled morphology is described. A medical device having a controlled morphology is described.
US08377103B2
Surgically installed prostheses replace either the caudal portion of a natural facet joint, the cephalad portion of a natural facet joint, or both. The prostheses are readily attached to the pedicles of a vertebral body and support at least one element that defines an artificial facet joint structure. The caudal facet joint structure is sized and located to articulate with the cephalad facet joint structure. Together, the prostheses form a total facet replacement system. The system is suitable for use in virtually all levels of the spine.
US08377102B2
A medical implant assembly includes a polyaxial bone anchor having a shank with an upper portion, a receiver, a retainer for holding the shank upper portion in the receiver, a lower compression insert with surfaces for closely receiving an elongate connecting member and a closure structure that may independently engage the lower compression insert to lock the shank with respect to the receiver while selectively not locking the elongate member. Projections or splines of the shank upper portion mate with holding pockets on the retainer. The bone anchor includes a shank upper surface exclusively engaging the lower compression insert that is spaced from the retainer, the retainer and shank being configured for polyaxial motion with respect to the receiver prior to locking.
US08377100B2
A closure for an open headed medical implant, such as a bone screw. The closure having a cylindrical body having an axis of rotation and also having a radially outer surface with a thread or other guide and advancement structure thereon. The body having a plurality of apertures that open onto a top surface of the body and that are parallel to but spaced from the axis of rotation. The closure also has a break-off head centrally attached by a neck to the top surface of the body.
US08377097B2
Systems, methods, and kits incorporate a fusion member for vertebral processes. The fusion member may be unitary or modular. The fusion member comprises extensions configured to be crimped to vertebral processes. The extensions may comprise tabs configured to be deformed to further penetrate the vertebral processes. The tabs may also lock together modular components of the fusion member. The fusion member may comprise fasteners extending between the extensions. The fusion member may comprise a cage with a movable cover or a graft retention feature.
US08377096B2
A tissue retractor for displacing body tissue during surgery includes a tissue piercing member such as a surgical needle, a wire-like filament such as a suture line affixed to the surgical needle, a fixed element such as an anchoring port being associated with a stable surgical platform such as a sternum retractor and a movable element such as an anchoring plug cooperating with anchoring port to engage a portion of suture line after the suture line is threaded through the body tissue with the surgical needle and after the suture wire is tensioned to effect a predetermined displacement of the body tissue. The predetermined displacement of body tissue is maintained by retention of the engaged portion of suture line by the fixed anchoring port and the movable anchoring plug.
US08377092B2
An embolic protection device includes a basket formed from flexible struts. The struts extend from a first end of the basket to the second end of the basket. The struts form a middle portion of the basket where the struts extend substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis, running between the first and second end of the basket.
US08377070B2
A combined compressor and distractor tool is provided that includes a mechanism capable of switching the mode of operation of the tool from a compression tool to a distraction tool. The tool includes engagement tips and handles at opposed ends of the tool that are pivotally connected to a central shaft. A saddle is slidably mounted on the shaft between and pivotally connected to the handles. When the saddle is engaged with the shaft in a before center position, squeezing the handles results the movement of the shaft forwardly to operate the engagement tips as a distractor. However, when the saddle is engaged with the shaft in a past, or over center position, squeezing the handles results the movement of the shaft rearwardly to operate the engagement tips as a compressor.
US08377067B2
A tool set for implanting a rod in a human spine in conjunction with bone screws. The tool set includes a pair of end guide tools that receive opposite ends of the rod in channels and under manipulation by a surgeon facilitate transport of the rod toward the bone screws attached to the guide tools. Intermediate guide tools having guiding pass through slots are utilized to guide intermediate locations along the rod toward associated bone screws. An attachment structure operably connects the guide tools to the bone screws. The guide tools each include a lower guide and advancement structure to allow a closure top with mating structure to be rotated and driven downward against the rod and to cooperate with similar structure in the bone screw to seat and lock the rod therein.
US08377065B2
A surgical instrument for moving a clamp relative to a bone anchor to properly position and secure the clamp to the bone anchor. The surgical instrument including a housing, a socket assembly, a manipulating assembly, a gripping assembly and a reduction assembly.
US08377055B2
A method and apparatus for treating abnormal mucosa in the esophagus is disclosed, such that the depth of the treated tissue is controlled. The depth of ablation is controlled by monitoring the tissue impedance and/or the tissue temperature. A desired ablation depth is also achieved by controlling the energy density or power density, and the amount of time required for energy delivery. A method and apparatus is disclosed for measuring an inner diameter of a body lumen, where a balloon is inflated inside the body lumen at a fixed pressure.
US08377051B2
A tissue treatment device comprises an insertion section sized and shaped for insertion into the body via a trocar and a diagnostic element coupled to the insertion section, the diagnostic element illuminating tissue with light of a wavelength selected to facilitate identification of target tissue in combination with an ultrasound element coupled to the insertion section for delivering to a portion of tissue illuminated by the diagnostic element ultrasound energy.
US08377050B2
A configuration for a cryo-catheter which optimizes both the catheter's outer diameter and the size of the catheter's internal refrigerant flow path is described. Specifically, the inner dimensions of the cryo-catheter are configured to accommodate a pre-selected flow of refrigerant into the catheter's distal tip, and a return flow of refrigerant from the distal tip. The return flow is established in the void spaces between a refrigerant supply line and the inner wall of the catheter body. The available void space varies along the catheter length and depends on the presence/absence of various catheter accessories (i.e. pull wires, pressure tubes, etc.) which typically only extend through a portion of the catheter length. The disclosed configuration ensures that the cryo-catheter does not operate in a refrigerant limited condition, maintains the refrigerant as a liquid in the supply tube, and maintains the return line pressure at about 1 atmosphere.
US08377044B2
Methods and devices are provided for performing various procedures using interchangeable end effectors. In general, the methods and devices allow a surgeon to remotely and selectively attach various interchangeable surgical end effectors to a shaft located within a patient's body, thus allowing the surgeon to perform various procedures without the need to remove the shaft from the patient's body. In an exemplary embodiment, multiple end effectors can be introduced into a body cavity. The end effectors can be disassociated or separate from one another such that they float within the body cavity. A distal end of a shaft can be positioned within the body cavity and it can be used to selectively engage one of the end effectors. In particular, the device can be configured to allow each end effector to be remotely attached and detached from the distal end of the shaft. For example, a surgeon can actuate an actuation mechanism on the proximal end of the shaft to mate one of the end effectors to the distal end of the shaft without assistance from other tools and devices. After use of the end effector, the end effector can be released and another end effector can be remotely attached to the distal end of the shaft.
US08377038B2
Medical devices, such as catheters, including shape memory materials, are provided, as well as related methods of making and using such medical devices.
US08377036B2
A cannula assembly having a hollow elongate cannula with a proximal end, a distal end, and a central axis. A coiled reinforcing member is disposed along a portion of the hollow elongate cannula and is adapted to provide structural support to the elongate cannula. An intermediate reinforcing band is disposed on the elongate cannula between the proximal end and the distal end to reinforce a perforated section in the wall of the cannula and includes a forward edge, a rearward edge, at least one rib and at least one protrusion extending orthogonally from the forward edge and at least one protrusion extending from the rearward edge. A distal reinforcing band is disposed at the distal end of the elongate cannula and has a plurality of fingers that taper slightly inwardly toward the central axis of the hollow elongate cannula.
US08377025B2
An absorbent article includes a void space between a separator sheet and a liquid-absorbent structure. The separator sheet has opposite lateral zones extending in a longitudinal direction, a middle zone via which the opposite lateral zones are contiguous to each other, a front through-hole formed on the side of a front waist region, a rear through-hole formed on the side of rear waist region, and separator sheet biasing elastic members attached under tension to the respective lateral zones. A chassis includes a front leg elastic member laid on the side of the front waist region and a rear leg elastic member laid on the side of the rear waist region wherein at least the rear leg elastic member includes a rear transverse segment extending across the crotch region and a position of the rear transverse segment corresponds to a position of the middle zone of the separator sheet.
US08377022B2
An elongated absorbent article including: an absorbent article body having at least: (a) a top sheet part which is at least partially liquid permeable and arranged on a first side in a thickness direction of the absorbent article; and (b) a liquid retainable absorber part arranged on a second side in the thickness direction of the absorbent article body; a cover member arranged on the second side in the thickness direction of the absorbent article body; an extensible belt-shaped member disposed between the absorbent article body and the cover member, a first end portion of the belt-shaped member being connected to the absorbent article body; an engaging part arranged at a second end portion of the belt-shaped member on a surface thereof on which the cover member is disposed; a peelable sheet arranged along a surface of the engaging part; and a fixing part for connecting and fixing the peelable sheet to the cover member; the fixing part being formed so that an end portion thereof in a direction of elongation of the belt-shaped member is arranged at either one of a position corresponding to an end portion of the engaging part in the direction of elongation, and a position more towards the direction of elongation. This improves the adhesion between the wearer's excretory part and the absorbent article, thereby preventing the leakage of excrement such as menstrual blood.
US08377017B2
A low-profile reduced pressure treatment apparatus and system are provided. The apparatus includes a moldable conduit holder, a conduit through the conduit holder, and a flexible base. The conduit holder has first and second bulkhead surfaces, a convex top surface, and a bottom surface adapted to conform to a tissue contact region adjacent to a tissue site. An end of the conduit is substantially flush with the first bulkhead surface and a longitudinal axis of the conduit is substantially perpendicular to the first and second bulkhead surfaces. The base is connected on a first side to the bottom surface of the conduit holder, and extends beyond the first bulkhead surface to form an overlay zone adjacent the first bulkhead surface. An adhesive is disposed on a second side of the flexible base to secure the flexible base to the tissue contact region.
US08377014B2
The invention relates to an implantable medical device for injecting and/or collecting fluid substance into and/or from a human or animal organism, said device comprising a casing (6) whose wall (3) delimits a chamber and is pierced with at least a first access orifice (7) designed to allow a needle to pass through said wall (3), said device being characterized in that the first access orifice has a staged structure comprising: a guide portion designed to limit the angular clearance of the needle when said needle is engaged therein, and a flared intake portion that forms a continuation of the guide portion, so as to be able to cause the trajectory of the incoming needle to converge on the guide portion. Implantable medical devices.
US08377013B2
Needle for directional control of the injection of bone cement into a vertebral compression fracture
A needle for use in a surgical procedure includes an outer cannula including a shaft portion having a side wall and an end wall. A first aperture extends through the side wall of the outer cannula, and a second aperture extending through the end of the outer cannula. The needle also includes an inner cannula that is disposed within the outer cannula and includes a shaft portion having a bore extending therethrough. The inner cannula is selectively movable relative to the outer cannula between a first orientation and a second orientation. In the first orientation, communication is provided between the bore of the inner cannula and a first external region that is located adjacent to the second end of the outer cannula. In the second orientation, communication is provided between the bore of the inner cannula and a second external region that is located adjacent to the second end of the outer cannula.
US08377007B2
A label for placing on a syringe body has a first foil portion, which can be wound around a syringe body, a needle-receiving means for protecting against injuries by the syringe needle, having at least one second foil portion and a shaped plastic part that can be pressed on laterally against the syringe needle, and a transition area via which the needle-receiving means is connected pivotably to the first foil portion. The transition area protrudes laterally over the first foil portion in a first direction, and the label has one or more foils in the transition area. At least one first weakening element is provided in at least one foil in the transition area of the label. The weakening element has an orientation deviating from the first direction.
US08377000B2
An enteral feeding apparatus has a pump system including a bearing surface, a platen and a retainer mounted on the platen. The retainer has a first engagement member. A feeding set includes a cassette and a lumen attached to the cassette. The lumen has a peristalsis loop for extending around the bearing surface and the cassette has a second engagement member adapted for engagement with the first engagement member of the retainer to thereby secure the cassette to the pump system. The lumen is in tension when the peristalsis loop is extended around the bearing surface and the first and second engagement members are engaged. The second engagement member of the cassette is biased into engagement with the first engagement member of the retainer by the tension on the lumen.
US08376997B2
The present invention relates to a device for expelling a predetermined quantity of medicament comprising driving means comprising an energy-accumulating member, a nut, and a driver for driving a pressure means; and activation means for activating said driving means wherein said pressure means comprises a movable wall part arranged inside a 2 container and a threaded plunger rod arranged to interact with said driving means for pushing said movable wall part forwardly, and wherein said activation means comprises a manually operated push button arranged on the front end of the device for promoting an ergonomic handling of the device and wherein said activation means are capable of interacting with said driving means in a stepwise mode; such that each time said push button is depressed said pressure means moves an step exerting pressure on the medicament inside the container and expelling a predetermined quantity of the medicament through the opening.
US08376996B2
A vasoocclusive coil is reinforced with a stretch resistant member to improve safety during retraction of the coil. The stretch resistant member is fixedly attached at one end to the vasoocclusive coil, and the other end of the stretch resistant member is detachably mounted to an elongated pusher member to allow for placement and release of the vasoocclusive coil within the patient's vasculature.
US08376994B2
Protective devices for injection needles or infusion needles that include a needle holder at a proximal end of the needle, on whose shaft a protective element for the needle tip can be positioned and moved, are herein disclosed. The protective element is configured to block the needle tip following an injection to prevent accidental contact therewith. The protective element may be positioned on the shaft in a ready to use position inside a grip part or middle retaining portion, which is also used to activate the protective element over the needle following the injection.
US08376993B2
A medicament dispensing mechanism is disclosed that is configured to eject successive doses of the medicament from a medicament chamber. An embodiment of the dispensing mechanism includes a housing and a plunger rod configured for ejecting the doses of medicament from the chamber. The dispensing mechanism further includes an actuation mechanism that comprises a trigger associated with the housing and having a ready and a fired position with respect thereto. The trigger is configured for manipulation by a user for successive movement in a generally axial dosing motion from the ready position to the fired position in which the trigger is associated with the plunger rod to cause the plunger rod to eject one of the doses of a predetermined volume and a resetting motion from the fired position to the ready position that comprises axial rotation, wherein the trigger is uncoupled from the plunger rod during the resetting motion.
US08376988B2
The invention provides a container for preparing and/or administering a very small volume of active principles in liquid form, the container comprising a head (12) suitable for taking up a conservation, first position P1 in which said head (12) is in a distal position relative to the container, and an administration, second position P2 in which said head (12) is in a proximal position relative to the container, said head (12) including a cannula (14) with at least one flow channel (16), its length being adapted so that the free end of the flow channel (16) can enable delivery by sublingual and/or paragingival permeation, while the container is being held in the hand.
US08376984B2
An apparatus for delivering a bioactive material to a subterranean layer of a skin architecture is provided that includes a head including one or more needles that are operable to penetrate a stratum corneum of a skin. A bioactive material is disposed on one or more of the needles, whereby movement of the head operates to pick up the bioactive material and to deliver a portion of the bioactive material to a selected location, the selected location being a dermis, or an epidermis, or both the dermis and the epidermis. In more particular embodiments, the bioactive material is a macromolecule substance that is part of a group of substances, the group consisting of a protein, a vitamin, a gene, a growth agent, a drug, and a peptide. The needles create an injury that triggers collagen production from one or more fibroblasts in the skin.
US08376980B2
A surgically implantable delivery or drainage catheter assembly includes a porous fiber membrane that is permeable to the intended drainage or delivery fluid, yet has an outer surface morphology and porosity that prevents the ingrowth of tissue. The porous fiber membrane is created using a phase-inversion process which is controlled to select a desired porosity. A reinforcement member is also disposed within the porous fiber membrane.
US08376978B2
An access disconnection system includes: a material capable of absorbing blood from a patient upon an arterial or venous line disconnection; a light emitter positioned to emit light onto the material; a light receiver positioned to receive light reflected off of the material; and electronic circuitry operably coupled to at least one of the light emitter and receiver, the circuitry configured to provide an output (i) when light received by the receiver reaches a particular level or (ii) indicative of an amount of light received by the light receiver.
US08376974B2
A knee orthosis gait swing assist mechanism is provided having an adjustable portion and upper and lower fulcrum points, each of the upper and lower fulcrum points attaching opposing ends of an elastic band, the elastic band stretching over the adjustable portion.
US08376969B2
A medical ultrasound apparatus and associated methods of use is disclosed enabling a relatively non-invasive or minimally invasive method to treat skin or tissue. The apparatus is constructed from an ultrasound tip mechanically coupled to a shaft. The shaft is mechanical coupled to an ultrasound transducer driven by an ultrasound generator. The ultrasound tip possesses at least one radial surface, a cavity, or some other form of a hollowed out area, within at least one of the radial surfaces, and a non-metallic sheath covering portions of the tip so that only the sheath and not the tip would normally contact the patient's skin. The disclosed method of treating spider, reticular or small varicose veins with the apparatus can be practiced by contacting the sheath with the patient's epidermal skin layers and delivering ultrasonic energy released from the various surfaces of the vibrating tip to the skin and/or tissue through direct contact and/or with a coupling fluid focused from a cavity.
US08376964B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus for analyzing a sleep structure according to non-restrictive weight detection. The apparatus includes load cells one installed in the predetermined locations of a bed and configured to detect the weight of a target person; low-pass filters for outputting low-pass filtered signals that belong to the outputs of the load cells; high-pass filters for outputting high-pass filtered signals that belong to the outputs of the load cells; a multiplexer for selecting any one from among the outputs of the low-pass filters and the high-pass filters; a controller configured to detect information about the target person's sleep from the low-pass filtered signals and the high-pass filtered signals, which belong to the outputs of the high-pass filters and the low-pass filters, respectively, and are input through the multiplexer, and determine the target person's sleeping pattern; and a display unit for displaying determination results of the controller.
US08376962B2
A guide wire includes a core possessing a distal end part and a proximal end part, a distal covering layer covering the distal end part of the core, and a proximal covering layer covering the proximal end part of the core. The proximal covering layer includes a first layer that covers the surface of the core, and a second layer that partly covers the surface of the first layer. The first layer has a first part which is not covered by the second layer and a second part which is covered by the second layer, and the surface of the second part is tightly surrounded by the proximal end of the distal covering layer.
US08376960B2
Medical devices capable of having variable stiffness, and related methods, are disclosed. In some embodiments, a medical device includes an elongated member adapted to be inserted into a subject, and an electrorheological fluid carried by the elongated member.
US08376949B2
In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a scan controller inputs a trigger signal corresponding to heartbeat period, scans an ultrasonic beam such that a particular diagnostic region of a body under examination is scanned with the ultrasonic beam a plurality of times in response to each trigger signal, and controls the scan repetition period by controlling the pulse repetition period of the transmission pulse. An image generation unit generates an image corresponding to each of the pulse repetition periods. The scan controller controls the pulse repletion period such that an integral multiple of the scan repetition period is equal to a reference value determined based on the period of the trigger signal.
US08376948B2
A medical device suitable for delivery of energy to tissue includes a housing, a phased antenna array disposed within the housing, and a user-interface coupled to the housing. The user-interface is adapted to enable a user to selectively adjust the radiation pattern of electromagnetic energy delivered into a tissue region by the phased antenna array. The medical device also includes an ultrasound transducer array disposed within the housing. The ultrasound transducer array is configured to acquire data representative of the tissue region during energy delivery into the tissue region by the phased antenna array.
US08376947B2
A method for the detection and localization of breast microcalcification through a precise method of ultrasound impacting and ultrasound frequency wave detection which will enable the system to detect not only if there is a microcalcification in the breast, but the precise location of the microcalcification and the mass of the microcalcification. The invention is also a method and system that provides bi-modal guided stimulation of a targeted mass within the breast to determine the location and nature of the microcalcification within the breast.
US08376935B2
An observed image forming apparatus comprises: an apparatus body including a plurality of connector receivers to which electric connectors of a plurality of observation devices for obtaining an image of an object to be observed can be connected; a cap that is to be mounted to one of said plurality of connector receivers to which any of said plurality of electric connectors is not connected; and a cap insertion and extraction detecting circuit that detects whether or not the cap is mounted to the one of the connector receivers in the apparatus body, wherein, when mounting of the cap has been detected by the cap insertion and extraction detecting circuit, one of the observation devices an electric connector of which is connected to the other one of the connector receivers in the apparatus body is controlled to be driven.
US08376921B2
A machine tool comprising a tool spindle and a workpiece clamping mechanism moveable relative to one another on a linear X-axis in a controlled manner, wherein the tool spindle can be moved in a controlled manner in relation to a machine frame on Y and Z-axes which are perpendicular to the X-axis and to each other and can be pivoted in a controlled manner around a C-axis parallel to the Z-axis, and wherein a workpiece gripper, which can be moved in common with the tool spindle, is assigned to the tool spindle, and that the tool spindle can travel with the workpiece gripper to a magazine wheel on the Y, Z and C-axes and can be aligned with recesses on the magazine wheel, movement on the X, Y, Z and C-axes effecting transfer of a workpiece between the workpiece gripper and the workpiece clamping mechanism.
US08376902B2
An epicyclic gear system (A) includes helical sun and ring gears (2, 4) and helical planet pinions (6) located between and engaged with the sun and ring gears. The gear system also includes a carrier (8) having an end wall (12) and flexpins (20) cantilevered from the end wall and extended into the planet pinions. Each flexpin at its end remote from the end wall carries a sleeve (22) that extends back over the flexpin where it is spaced from the flexpin. The planet pinion for the flexpin rotates around the sleeve on a bearing (24). The arrangement is such that the flexpin will flex adjacent to the carrier end wall circumferentially along the pitch circle of the carrier in one direction and circumferentially in the opposite direction adjacent to attachment of the sleeve. But the helical gear imparts a couple to the planet pinion that seeks to tilt the sleeve radially toward or away from the main axis of the system. A deflection inhibitor (I) lies between each flexpin and the sleeve surrounding it to prevent the radial deflection.
US08376900B2
A clutch assembly for transmitting a first torque between a first member and a second member includes a first clutch and a second clutch. The first clutch is disposed between the first member and the second member and has a predetermined design torque. The second clutch is disposed in series with the first clutch between the first member and the second member and has a predetermined holding torque that is less than the predetermined design torque. The second clutch allows rotation between the first member and the second member when the first torque is greater than the predetermined holding torque.
US08376898B2
An automatic transmission comprising: a first planetary gearset of a double pinion; a second planetary gearset of a single pinion; a third planetary gearset of the single pinion, first sun gear and second sun gear being at all times linked together to constitute a first rotary member and second ring gear and third sun gear being at all times linked together to constitute a second rotary member; an input shaft; an output shaft; a first frictional element; a second frictional element; a third frictional element; a fourth frictional element; a fifth frictional element; a sixth frictional element, the six frictional elements being appropriately released or engaged to make a gear shift to a gear shift stage of at least eight forward speeds and, from among the six frictional elements, a combination of simultaneous engagements of three frictional elements achieving at least eight forward speed and one reverse speed.
US08376894B2
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, three planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes.
US08376893B2
A transmission of the present invention has an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least ten forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US08376888B2
In one embodiment, a transmission includes: a wobbler having an outer periphery tiltable with respect to a wobble axis of rotation; a set of freewheeling gears disposed in a fixed relationship with respect to one another, each gear having a gear axis of rotation about which the gear may rotate different from the gear axis of rotation of each of the other gears; one or both of the wobbler and the set of gears rotatable with respect to one another about the wobble axis of rotation; and each gear operatively connected to the wobbler simultaneously with the other gears at a place on the periphery of the wobbler different from the place at which each of the other gears is operatively connected to the wobbler such that each gear rotates on its axis of rotation as the wobbler wobbles or as the wobbler induces a wobble in another part.
US08376885B2
The transmission ratio between a first motor and an output shaft is varied by changing the speed of a second motor. The first and second motors are coupled to the output shaft with a planetary gear set. The first and second motors may both add power to the drive system.
US08376877B1
A method for creating a face of a golf club head with a preferred surface texture is disclosed herein. The method includes etching a non-scoreline portion of a face using a photosensitive coating that is activated with light to etch the face. The scorelines are protected from the etching process to maintain the well-defined geometries of the face.
US08376860B1
A membership-based video game delivery system for securely providing an internet-based video game catalog to paying video game playing members for immediate downloading availability. A video game playing user may log into a video game database hosted on a central server via the user's video gaming console. Once the user is verified by an authentication and security program, the user may browse, select, download, and play a wide variety of video games. The video game delivery system comprises user-configurable game accessibility and game playability parameters. The user may restrict, limit, and filter certain video games and may further configure real-time game update delivery options, such as enabling text messaging and email updates.
US08376855B2
A system and method are provided for updating game participants. In some embodiments, the participants receive game control information via a one-way broadcast. The method selects a set of sampling participants from the set of all participants of a game. In some embodiments, the selection occurs prior to the start of the game. The method of some embodiments establishes a two-way connection between a server and each of the sampling participants. For some embodiments, the two-way connection is realtime. The method continuously maintains the two-way connection throughout the game. During each discrete game period, the method receives from a sampling participant, data for the sampling participant's game period performance. Based on the received data, the method determines the performance for the game period and broadcasts this information to a non-sampling participant. A non-sampling participant is a participant who was not selected for the set of sampling participants. In some embodiments, the non-sampling participant determines a standing relative to the other participants in the game event. Some embodiments provide a method and system for detecting unusual performance in a game. The game has a participant. The method calculates for the participant an average performance level. Based on the average performance level, the method tracks for the participant a participant improvement factor and stores the participant improvement factor. The method compares the participant improvement factor to a threshold value.
US08376845B2
A gaming machine includes a display device and a processor coupled to the display device. The processor is configured to monitor at least one display property of a media display on the display device, detect that the at least one display property is equal or greater than a preselected threshold, and generate an alert in response to the detection.
US08376840B1
A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include monitoring, at a wagering game machine, base wagering game activity associated with one or more base wagering games that are presented during a wagering game session. The operations can also include generating and transmitting one or more activity notification messages comprising at least an indication of the base wagering game activity to a player tracking server to cause the player tracking server to reward the base wagering game activity. The operations can further include generating and transmitting login and logout notification messages to a secondary game server to cause the secondary game server to determine secondary wagering game activity associated with one or more secondary wagering games presented during the wagering game session. The secondary wagering game activity can be used by the player tracking server to reward the secondary wagering game activity.
US08376834B2
Dynamic role selection of players for different roles in multiplayer gaming sessions is provided. Users seeking to participate in different roles in the game may request participation in the role. Selection of players for roles is made dynamically by varying a selection component for different sessions of the game. The selection component may be a user's game score over different time periods, and can be rotated for different sessions of the game, so that various levels of players have an opportunity to fill game roles.
US08376827B2
A roulette wheel generates a first random number every game determined by the pocket into which a roulette ball falls. A second random number is generated every game from the motion of the ball, the wheel, or other factors.
US08376822B1
An air curtain arrangement and method of operating the arrangement are provided. The arrangement includes at least one air curtain unit having a supply plenum, a return air duct, and an intermediate air duct therebetween and separates relatively warm and cold areas. The air curtain discharges an air stream across a doorway from an outlet aperture of a discharge plenum toward an air return duct, at a discharge angle. A portion of the air stream is received at an inlet aperture of the return air duct. The portion of the air stream that is received at the air return duct is monitored. The discharge angle is adjusted to maximize the portion of the air that is received. One embodiment controls the discharge angle based on the temperature of the received portion of the air stream. Another embodiment senses the force of the air stream received proximate the inlet aperture.
US08376812B2
A grinder with built-in grinding agent dispenser includes a driving shank having an adapter end for operatively coupling with a grinder machine for being driven to rotate, a grinding shaft operatively coupling with the driving shank for being driven to rotate, an abrasive arrangement provided at the grinding shaft for refining a surface of a workpiece, and a grinding agent dispenser built-in within the grinder for guiding a flow of grinding agent. The dispenser has a supplying channel connected to a supplying inlet, and a grinding channel connected to a dispensing outlet and communicatively connected to the supplying channel, wherein the supplying channel and the grinding channel are provided within the driving shank and the grinding shaft, so that when the grinding agent is feeding into the supplying channel via the supplying inlet, the grinding agent is guided to flow to the dispensing outlet, so as to disperse grinding agent.
US08376810B2
A semiconductor wafer processed on both sides simultaneously, the wafer lying in freely movable fashion in a cutout in one of a plurality of carriers that rotate by means of a rolling apparatus, and one thereby being moved on a cycloidal trajectory, the semiconductor wafer being processed in material-removing fashion between two rotating ring-shaped working disks, wherein each working disk comprises a working layer comprising abrasive material, and wherein an alkaline medium comprising no abrasive material is supplied during the processing.
US08376804B2
A multi-directional radio controlled toy, having a main vehicle with housing configured as a creature-like head containing propulsion and control components including two drive motors with controller, drive wheels coupled with the motors, power supply and wireless signal receiver coupled with the controller. An unpowered body portion trails the main vehicle and body members movably connected together by articulated couplings to permit body articulation throughout substantially the entire body portion of the creature-like device. A jaw moving mechanism in the main vehicle is powered by the motors to raise an upper jaw portion of the head until tripped by contact of a trigger at the front end of the main vehicle.
US08376800B2
A floating bed includes a body having four edges, including an upper edge, a lower edge, and two side edges. The body is optionally made from foam materials or foam rubber materials, such as polyethylene (PE) or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). The body has first and second surfaces that include a plurality of transverse concave and convex ridges that are optionally evenly distributed. Each concave ridge on the first surface optionally corresponds to a convex ridge on the second surface, and each convex ridge on the first surface optionally corresponds to a concave ridge on the second surface.
US08376797B1
Disclosed is an improved tow rope handle for attaching to a tow line. A bridle has two ends and a central loop for attaching the bridle to the tow line. A forward handle portion has two opposing forward sides and extends rearwardly therefrom to terminate at a central rear side. Each forward side is adapted for fixing with one end of the bridle. A rearward handle portion is fixed at a central forward side thereof with the central rear side of the forward handle portion, preferably with a rotational bearing axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the forward handle portion. The rearward handle portion further includes two opposing handle grips extending laterally away therefrom. Each handle grip may terminate at a cap that includes a forward projecting stop. As such, a virtual stabilizing triangle is formed between each cap and the central attachment loop, but without bridle ropes that can interfere with or injure the user during use.
US08376780B2
An industrial plug connector includes a base part and a plug part which can be mated with the base part. The base part and the plug part each have a contact insert and a metallic housing. A first metallic frame sheet is disposed on the base part and a second metallic frame sheet is disposed on the plug part, in such a way that the two frame sheets at least partially overlap, forming a shield attenuation, when the industrial plug connector is in a mated state.
US08376777B2
A quick mounting device for appliances that is quickly and easily engaged and disengaged mechanically without the use of tools.
US08376767B2
A locking device that prevents unauthorized removal of a power feeding plug from an inlet. The locking device is provided with a lock mechanism, which includes a lock member that locks the power feeding plug to the inlet, and an operation member, which is operated at least when shifting the lock mechanism to a lock state. The operation member applies an operation force to the lock member to mechanically move the lock member and shift the lock mechanism to a lock state.
US08376763B1
A card connector includes an insulating housing, a plurality of terminals, an ejection mechanism, a locking element and a shielding shell. The terminals are received in the insulating housing. The ejection mechanism is assembled in the insulating housing, and includes a sliding block, an elastic element and a guide pin. The sliding block includes a base block. A rear of the one side of the base block defines an inserting slot. The locking element has an inserting piece inserted into the inserting slot to make the locking element slide along with the sliding block, an elastic portion extending forward from one end of the inserting piece to be slidably disposed in the insulating housing, and a locking portion arced upward from a free end of the elastic portion to project beyond the top of the insulating housing. The shielding shell is covered on the insulating housing.
US08376761B2
A rib (54) of a sub-connector (30) is inserted into a groove (22) of a housing (10) if the sub-connector (30) is accommodated inside a correct accommodation concavity (11). A projected strip (77) of a wire cover (70) then is inserted into the groove (22) with the projected strip (77) and the rib (54) being side by side. Thus the wire cover (70) is prevented from being opened. The rib (54) may be inserted into the groove (22) if the sub-connector (30) is accommodated inside an incorrect accommodation concavity (11). But when an operation of mounting the wire cover (70) on the housing (10) in the above-described state is performed, the projected strip (77) interferes with the rib (54) inserted into the groove (22) to stop the mounting the wire cover (70) on the housing (10).
US08376758B2
A receptacle, comprising, a sleeve provided with a plurality of electrical connections, a terminal assembly that is electrically connected to a wiring interface, the wiring interface is provided with a seal that resists the entry of moisture, a container that is provided with a nose box and a retractable cover; and a circuit board assembly that includes a trace that carries electrical current.
US08376756B2
An adjustable at least three-way electrical connector device for signal, power, voice and/or data communication, comprising at least three adjustable electrical connections utilizing a ball and socket type physical connection device, preferably including a weatherproofing gasket, and further including being constructed utilizing deformable printed circuit boards, deformed and embedded in thermosetting plastic material with elastomeric properties, and including methods of construction.
US08376732B2
According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a stripper assembly and a mold stack incorporating same. More specifically, there is provided the stripper assembly (212) for use in a mold stack (202) for forming a preform (210) suitable for blow-molding into a final-shaped container. The stripper assembly (212) comprises a stripper plate (214) connectable, in use, to a stripper plate actuator; neck rings (220) configured to cooperate to define a portion a neck region (226) of the preform (210); a stripper ring (230) configured to define at least a portion of a top sealing surface of the neck region (226) of the preform (210); the stripper plate (214) being configured to actuate the neck rings (220) and the stripper ring (230), in unison, along substantially the whole length of a complete ejection path, which is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the mold stack (202); and wherein the neck rings (220) are configured for movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mold stack, over at a portion of the complete ejection path, whereby at a completion of the complete ejection path, the stripper ring (230) and the neck rings (220) render the preform (210) removable from the mold stack (202).
US08376728B2
This invention relates to a device for producing portions of food products in pieces, especially chunks of fresh meat, comprising at least one pump capable of outputting an approximately constant flow rate of food product in pieces, a tubular distributing pipe (2) connected to the delivery outlet of said pump, and comprising at least one delivery opening (22a, 22b), and cutting and shaping means (61) acting on the food product distributed by the outlet opening of the pipe to form portions (P1), said tubular pipe being equipped with a cutting system (3) comprising at least one cutting means, such as a flat oscillating blade (310a, 310b1 320a, 320b, 410), which traverses transversely from one side to the other of said main internal passageway in order to cut the food product into at least two layers and so produce textured portions (P1) of food products.
US08376726B2
An improved container and method for forming billets using hot isostatic pressing is provided. The method and container allows for adjusting the volume of the container so as to obtain a billet of the desired shape based on selected powder charge for the container. In addition, the corner of the container can be adjusted to allow for elimination of edge effects and further shape control in the resulting billet.
US08376716B2
A pump system for pumping a viscous material that includes N positive displacement pumps, where N is an integer greater than two, and a hydraulic drive. Each pump has an inlet and an outlet therefrom, and a pair of cylinders each with a piston movable in a reciprocating stroke cycle therein. The hydraulic drive is connected to the N positive displacement pumps to reciprocate the pistons within the cylinders. The stroke cycle includes a discharging stroke and a filling stroke. The discharging stroke and the filling stroke of the N positive displacement pumps are staggered from one another by 1/N stroke positions such that no two pumps have pistons in the same stroke position at the same time.
US08376714B2
A variable water pump control apparatus, may include a detecting portion detecting engine speed, operation of an idle stop and go system (ISG), coolant temperature, operation of a blower, and outside temperature, a variable water pump selectively circulating a coolant through an engine, and a control portion controlling the variable water pump according to the detected information including operating conditions and outside environmental factors, and a variable water pump control method may include detecting a driving condition and an environmental condition of a vehicle, and engaging or releasing a clutch of a variable water pump according to a detected condition so as to selectively circulate a coolant.
US08376710B2
The disclosure relates to adjacently mounted circumferentially distributed turbo machine airfoils with a vibration damping system. Each adjacent pair of airfoils includes a fixing and receiving portion, extending between the paired adjacent airfoils, each with a face that are proximal (e.g., in contact with) each other. Vibration can be suppressed by the fixing and receiving portions each having a received magnet fixingly installed therein and a non-magnetic conducting plate therebetween. Each magnet has a pole that faces the pole of the other magnet in between which the non-magnetic conducting plate is located and in which eddy currents can be induced by the relative movement of the magnets due to vibration.
US08376709B2
Disclosed are an impeller of a suction-enforced type, and a fan-motor for a vacuum cleaner having the same. The fan-motor having the impeller of the suction-enforced type includes: a motor housing; a motor installed in the motor housing; an impeller casing coupled to the upper portion of the motor housing; the impeller of the suction-enforced type installed in the impeller casing and connected to a rotation shaft of the motor; and a guide vane installed at the lower portion of the impeller of the suction-enforced type, for guiding the air sucked into the impeller casing to the motor side. As a result, suction efficiency of the impeller is improved, and thus efficiency of the fan-motor for the vacuum cleaner is improved.
US08376707B2
An impeller includes a hub, and a plurality of blades supported by the hub, the blades being arranged in at least two blade rows. The impeller has a deployed configuration in which the blades extend away from the hub, and a stored configuration in which at least one of the blades is radially compressed, for example by folding the blade towards the hub. The impeller may also have an operational configuration in which at least some of the blades are deformed from the deployed configuration upon rotation of the impeller when in the deployed configuration. The outer edge of one or more blades may have a winglet, and the base of the blades may have an associated indentation to facilitate folding of the blades.
US08376705B1
A vane assembly for a gas turbine engine including an endwall and an airfoil extending from the endwall. An inner rail extends radially inwardly of the endwall, and an overhang portion extends axially from a location of the inner rail to a downstream edge. A recess cavity is defined in the overhang portion between the inner rail and the downstream edge. The recess cavity extends radially into the overhang portion and defines a cavity surface. A plurality of grooves extend radially into the cavity surface and have an elongated dimension extending in a direction from the inner rail toward the downstream edge. A plurality of cooling passages extend axially through the overhang portion, and are located between the grooves.
US08376704B2
A method of assembling an air distribution system for use in a rotor blade of a wind turbine wherein the rotor blade includes a sidewall extending from a blade root towards a blade tip. The method includes coupling a manifold to the sidewall, wherein the manifold extends from the blade root towards the blade tip and has a root end and an opposing tip end defining a passage from the root end to the tip end. A plurality of apertures is defined through the sidewall. The apertures provide flow communication between the passage and ambient air. A debris collector is coupled to the tip end of the manifold and is configured to collect debris flowing through the air distribution system.
US08376690B2
A three journal bearing supported shaft with a link between two of the bearings may allow for longer spacing between the wheels supported by the shaft. The flexible shaft may move one bending critical speed below the minimum operating speed of the shaft and the next bending critical speed above the maximum operating speed of the shaft, thus extending the speed range significantly. A tie rod may be used as the link in the shaft.
US08376684B2
A loader and carrier apparatus for recreational vehicles such as boats, personal watercraft, snowmobiles, all terrain vehicles. The loader and carrier apparatus includes a rack assembly mountable on a vehicle, such as a pickup truck, as well as a wheeled trailer assembly with an upwardly slanted front end. A winch is connected to the rack assembly and functions to pull the slanted front end of the trailer assembly into engagement with a lower horizontal crossbar of the rack assembly so as to guide the frame in an upward direction and thereafter pulls the frame of the trailer assembly over a middle horizontal crossbar until the trailer assembly is caused to rotate to a substantially horizontal position on the rack assembly.
US08376678B2
An extraction tool having an elongated base member having first and second ends, and a drill bit being removably attachable to a socket in the first end; the base member having a first threaded portion being disposed approximate the first end; the second end being adapted to be removably connected to a load bearing coupling.
US08376677B2
The invention relates to a threaded insert (10) having a central coaxial bore (12) having an internal thread (14) in a rotationally symmetrical body, one end thereof having an external force engagement (16), and having a central externally protruding flange (18), wherein the end of the rotationally symmetrical body opposite the force engagement (16) on the other side of the flange (18) has an external thread (20) comprising a thread pitch opposite that of the internal thread (14) and the flange (18) has radially extending ribs (26) on the side thereof facing the external thread (20).
US08376664B2
A cutting tool has a cutting insert releasably retained in an insert pocket. The insert pocket includes a supporting portion having support surfaces and a clamping portion including a socket having a socket wall, the socket extending rearwardly from the supporting portion. The cutting insert has a cutting portion with front abutment surfaces and an elongated locating portion extending rearwardly from the cutting portion. The cutting insert is retained in the insert pocket with the front abutment surfaces abutting the support surfaces and with the locating portion located in the socket with abutment surfaces of the locating portion in abutment with the socket wall.
US08376662B2
A dynamic blower system to apply shredded aluminum foil on top of existing building insulation, including: a tank into which the foil is loaded; an air input port connected with the tank to generate an air vortex in the tank; an output hose connected with an outlet port of the tank; and an internal output louver connected with the tank and positioned relative to the vortex to direct the spinning foil into and through the outlet port and output hose.
US08376659B2
A method of supporting a double hull platform section above the surface of the earth for the exploration of oil, gas, or hydrate reserves comprising lowering a platform to a distance above the surface of the earth, engaging a first set of supports with the surface of the earth, drilling holes in the earth, inserting a second set of supports in the drilled holes, adding a slurry in to the drilled holes, allowing the slurry to freeze to support the platform, and disengaging said first set of supports from the earth.
US08376658B2
An improved harbor, which comprises at least one lower level and at least one upper level for loading and unloading goods in a harbor area, the levels being arranged one above the other and so that at least the lower level lies below sea level.
US08376655B2
A compactor with a hose routing includes a drum connected to a frame with a support. The frame defines an interior space of the compactor and includes a plate through which an opening extends to the interior space. A hose assembly extends from an end of the drum through the opening to the interior space without the use of bulkheads.
US08376647B2
A ball joint, which has high reliability and reduced weight, is provided. A ball joint includes: a ball stud having a columnar stud portion and a ball portion which has a spherical side surface and a center positioned on an axis of the stud portion; a ball seat which is made of a resin and has a spherical recess portion into which the ball portion is relatively rotatably and slidably fitted; a housing which is made of a resin and holds the ball seat therein; and a support bar which is integrally formed with the housing, wherein the support bar has a bar portion which is a center portion extending along an axis of the support bar.
US08376644B2
A metallic ink includes 30% to 80% water, 0.4% to 10% color pigments having a particle size ≦6 μm, 1% to 15% dissolved resin from the group consisting of maleate resin and/or maleic acid modified rosin, 1% to 15% metallic pigments having a particle size distribution D50<25 μm, 1% to 20% humectants, 0.1% to 10% additives and a viscosity of 5-10 mPa·s (Brookfield, CPE-40 spindle, 20 rpm). An applicator for applying the ink is also provided.
US08376636B2
A focal plane shutter includes: an electromagnet; a board including an opening; blades capable of opening and closing the opening; a drive member holding an iron piece adsorbed to the electromagnet and driving the blades, the drive member being movable such that the iron piece moves toward and away from the electromagnet and being biased by a spring such that the iron piece moves away from the electromagnet; and a holding board facing the board and including a pair of sandwiching portions elastically deformable and holding and sandwiching the electromagnet. The electromagnet includes a restriction portion engaging the board and restricting a movement of the electromagnet in a direction where the iron piece moves away from the electromagnet.
US08376626B2
A pivot assembly bearing having a bearing inner ring, a shaft, a bearing outer ring, a housing, and an UV curable anaerobic adhesive fixing the bearing inner ring to the shaft, and the bearing outer ring to the housing, wherein the adhesive includes 15 to 25% of urethane acrylate, 45 to 55% of acrylic acid diester, less than 3% of acrylic acid monomer, 15 to 30% of hydroxyalkylmethacrylate, less than 3% of anaerobic catalyst, and less than 3% of photopolymerization initiating agent, and in addition, a coloring agent, if necessary. The pivot assembly bearing reduces outgas, shortens adhesive curing time, and no tack at the adhesive surface is obtained.
US08376612B2
A mobile X-ray apparatus including a main body portion, a mobile dolly on which the main body portion is mounted, a support pole that is erectly provided on the mobile dolly, an X-ray generator supported on the support pole, and an image reading device for reading image information from an imaging plate in which X-ray image information is stored, and further including detecting means for detecting whether the mobile dolly is being moved, and reading control means for prohibiting reading of the image reading device when it is detected by the detecting means that the mobile dolly is being moved.
US08376602B2
An LED lamp has one or more red LEDs, one or more green LEDs, and one or more white LEDs. The plurality of LEDs produces light that is mixed to produce a combined light output that has color approximating that of a blackbody radiator and having a correlated color temperature of 3,800 to 5,400 Kelvin.
US08376600B2
A lighting device includes a substantially cylindrical tube defining an interior and an exterior, and a longitudinal axis extending between a first end and a second end. The first end of the tube defines a substantially cylindrical opening disposed in a plane at a first angle that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the second end of the tube defines a substantially elliptical opening disposed in a plane at a second angle that is substantially non-perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A reflective surface is provided on the interior of the tube, and a substantially cylindrical flashing is provided about the exterior of the tube. A substantially transparent dome is coupled to the tube proximate the first end, and a diffuser is coupled to the tube proximate the second end.
US08376594B2
A recessed luminaire with adjustable socket assembly comprises a housing having a sidewall, a top wall and a lower opening allowing light output, a socket adjustment assembly disposed in the housing, the socket adjustment assembly having: a lamp socket connected to a socket carriage, a track having a socket carriage movably positioned on the track, wherein the carriage moves along the track and the lamp socket is movable in at least one of a vertical or a horizontal direction.
US08376593B2
A luminaire with a thermal pathway to reduce the junction temperature of the luminaire's light source, and methods for so doing, are disclosed. The luminaire includes a can, a light engine, and a trim, that define a substantially continuous thermal pathway from the light engine to a surrounding environment. The can defines a can cavity and includes a can end region. The light engine is within the can cavity and includes a light source and a heat sink, including a heat sink end region, coupled thereto. The trim is at least partially disposed within the can cavity and includes a first trim end region coupled to the heat sink end region and a second trim end region coupled to the can end region. Thermal interface material may be located between: the heat sink and the trim, the trim and the can, and/or the heat sink and the light source.
US08376590B2
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a light emitting unit including mounting at least one light emitting element on a printed circuit board (PCB), connecting at least one terminal to the PCB, the at least one terminal to provide power to the at least one light emitting element, and molding a housing to enclose a light emitting part including the PCB and the at least one terminal.
US08376587B2
An LED illuminating device includes an optical section at a bottom end thereof, an electrical section at a top end thereof and a heat dissipation section between the optical section and the electrical section. The optical section includes an LED emitter. The electrical section electrically connects with the LED emitter. The heat dissipation section includes an upper substrate, a lower substrate being parallel to and spaced from the upper substrate, a plurality of fins arranged between the upper and lower substrates and a heat pipe. The heat pipe includes an evaporating section connected to the lower substrate and a condensing section connected to the upper substrate. The LED emitter is attached to the lower substrate and thermally connects therewith. The heat pipe is transfers heat of the LED emitter from the lower substrate to the upper substrate.
US08376586B2
A light pointer apparatus and method of use comprising: a substantially flat bottom surface comprising a sufficiently large surface area such that when said substantially flat bottom surface is rested upon a substantially flat horizontal surface, said apparatus remains substantially immobile and stable relative to the substantially flat horizontal surface solely by virtue of the plane of contact formed between said substantially flat bottom surface and the substantially flat horizontal surface; a light source for emitting a low-divergence light beam comprising wavelengths in the visible light spectrum with a beam divergence of at most three degrees, fixed in orientation relative to said substantially flat bottom surface so as to emit said low-divergence light beam at a predetermined emission angle of at least 45 degrees relative to said substantially flat bottom surface; and surfaces other than said substantially flat bottom surface capable of being held and moved by a human hand.
US08376579B2
An LED lamp includes a base, an encapsulation, a substrate and a light distribution board. A number of light emitting diodes are mounted on the substrate. The encapsulation, the substrate and the light distribution board are all fixed to the base. Opposite sides of the light distribution board respectively face the encapsulation and the substrate. The light distribution board includes a number of protrusions. The protrusions totally reflect the incident light beams from the light emitting diodes perpendicular to or substantially perpendicular to the light distribution board.
US08376578B2
A lighting device including a reflector including a reflecting surface, and a light source unit disposed under the reflector and configured to emit light towards the reflector. Further, the light source unit includes a main body disposed longitudinally along the reflector and having first and second outside surfaces that are inclined towards the reflecting surface, and a plurality of first light emitting diodes disposed on the first outside surface and a plurality of second light emitting diodes disposed on the second outside surface and configured to emit the light towards the reflector.
US08376567B1
A system and method that helps evacuees exit a residential structure in the event of an emergency such as a fire, earthquake, security breach or the like, by providing emergency illumination around the periphery of an exit door and/or an alternative safe exit portal together with floor/ground level illumination along the path to the portal, and by providing an audible tone or voice recording to guide occupants to the exit portal. Various forms of linear illuminators parallel to and near the floor of an interior room or hallway provide the floor-level identification and illumination of the exit route to be used in the event of emergency, with some linear illuminators having directional aspects along hallways to lead evacuees toward an exit, and other illuminators outlining the perimeter of portals that are safe to exit through, the illuminators normally being hardly noticeable but having controllers and energizers to light up the planned exit route when emergency conditions are detected.
US08376563B2
An illumination device for illuminating a surface being traversed by a skate. The skate is characterized as having a boot, a blade or inline wheels and multiple ribs attaching the boot to the blade or wheels. The device includes a light tube in the form of a plurality of lamps each in electrical contact with a power source. A switch is provided for selectively activating the lamps noting that the light tube is releaseably appended to the boot proximate the ribs whereby the plurality of lamps extend on at least one side of the multiple ribs positioned to illuminate the surface beneath the skate.
US08376562B2
A light-emitting module includes a module substrate, semiconductor light-emitting elements and a connection substrate. On one face of the module substrate, a conductive layer is formed. The semiconductor light-emitting elements and the connection substrate are mounted on the conductive layer of the module substrate. Electric wires, which extend from a lighting circuit, are connected to the connection substrate. Power is supplied to the semiconductor light-emitting elements through the connection substrate and the conductive layer of the module substrate.
US08376559B2
Disclosed is a lens module, especially a projection lens for semiconductor lithography, comprising at least one replaceable optical element that is disposed in a lens housing. At least one gas exchange device is positioned in an area of the replaceable optical element in such a way that a receiving zone for the replaceable optical element can be flushed when the optical element is replaced.
US08376558B2
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that are related to projection. For example, in some embodiments, a method includes obtaining information associated with one or more changes in one or more positions associated with one or more projection surfaces; coordinating one or more changes in one or more positions associated with one or more projection surfaces with one or more commands; and projecting in response to the information associated with one or more changes in one or more positions associated with one or more projection surfaces. In further embodiments, content for projection is selected in response to the coordinating.
US08376546B2
In a progressive-addition lens having a progressive surface on one side and an aspherical or atoroidal surface on the other side, the lens shape is designed so that a high degree of aberration correction can be carried out on the periphery of the lens and the distance power and addition power of the lens acting on the eye of a wearer substantially correspond to the distance power and addition power measured by a lens meter. A progressive-addition lens includes a progressive surface and an aspherically designed surface formed of an aspherical or atoroidal surface, and the reference point of the aspherically designed surface is located in the vertical direction of the lens below a prism reference point of the progressive surface and above a near design reference point.
US08376545B2
The glasses 100 for preventing sleepiness according to the present invention comprises a pair of temple arms 102 provided on the both sides of the glasses frame 101 for mounting the glasses frame 101 on the face of the user; the stimulating body 112 provided on the pair of temple arms for stimulating the area of the temple of the user; the vibration element 104 for giving the vibration to the stimulating body 112; the battery 116 for supplying electric power to the vibration element 104; and the plurality of operating buttons 108 for selectively electrically connecting the vibration element 104 to the battery 106.
US08376544B2
An eyeglass apparatus comprises first and second eyeglass portions, each having a connector portion and a lens portion. The eyeglass apparatus is configured to transition between stowed and extended configurations. When the eyeglass apparatus is in the stowed configuration, the lens portions overlie one another. When the eyeglass apparatus is in the extended configuration the lens portions are in a non-overlying configuration.
US08376543B2
An apparatus includes a guide unit configured to guide surfaces of a sheet, which is conveyed after passing through a recording unit, with respect to a vertical direction, the guide unit having an interval variable in the vertical direction, and a correction mechanism for correcting skew of the sheet, which is inserted into the guide unit, by pushing the sheet from both sides thereof in a sheet width direction. The interval of the guide unit in the vertical direction widens when the sheet is cut compared with that when correction is executed by the correction mechanism, and when the sheet is cut, conveyance of the sheet is temporarily stopped in a position of the cutter. In cutting, a loop of the sheet is formed on the guide unit the interval of which in the vertical direction has widened.
US08376542B2
A system for pre-heating print media includes a carriage: a plurality of printheads disposed on the carriage; and a plurality of heating lamps disposed on the carriage such that each of the printheads is associated with at least one of the heating lamps. Each of the heating lamps heats a corresponding portion of a print medium prior to arrival of a printhead associated with that heating lamp at that portion of the print medium.
US08376540B2
A liquid jet apparatus is provided. The liquid jet apparatus includes a first damper chamber and a second damper chamber, a release path operatively associated with both the first damper chamber and the second damper chamber, and a control path connecting the first damper chamber, the second damper chamber, and the release path to each other.
US08376539B2
A liquid ejecting head includes a liquid supply member including a flow channel formation member in which flow channel groove portions having different lengths is formed each, a flexible member that seals an opening of each of the flow channel groove portions to form a liquid flow channel, a pressure reception portion formation plate that has an opening formed for each of the liquid flow channels, each of the openings overlapping the corresponding liquid flow channel formed, and valves each urged by a coil spring to close the corresponding liquid flow channel, the valve opening the channel against an urging force of the spring due to the positional change of a pressure reception portion as pressure inside the liquid flow channel changes, wherein the openings of the pressure reception portion formation plate have a uniform shape.
US08376538B2
A liquid jetting apparatus includes a liquid jetting head; a liquid supply channel which supplies the liquid to the liquid jetting head; an air discharge mechanism which discharges air existing in the liquid, the air discharge mechanism including an air storage portion, an air discharge passage, a valve, and a flexible member. When a negative pressure is generated in the air discharge passage, the flexible member is deformed to open the valve, and to discharge the air inside the air storage portion via the air discharge passage. Accordingly, the size of the apparatus can be made small while making it possible to discharge the air accumulated in the head unit.
US08376537B2
Provided is an eco-friendly rotogravure hot melt ink composition. More specifically, the present invention provides the rotogravure hot melt ink composition meeting requirements of a carbon footprint system by using, as a vehicle, poly propylene carbonate prepared using carbon dioxide as a raw material. The rotogravure hot melt ink prepared by the composition of the present invention has a higher printing density and more easily performs printing at low temperature than a poly vinyl acetate based hot melt ink according to the related art.
US08376536B2
A liquid cartridge urging unit includes a frame including at least one guide bar and two or more sliders. Each of the two or more sliders moves between a release position and a mount position. The liquid cartridge urging unit also includes two or more urging members configured to urge the two or more sliders, respectively, and at least one stopper disposed at the at least one guide bar and configured to contact the two or more sliders to restrict a movement of the two or more sliders. Each of the two or more sliders and the at least one guide bar includes an engagement portion configured to restrict movements of one of the two or more sliders and a corresponding one of the at least one guide bar separating from each other.
US08376531B2
Apparatus and methods are provided for use with printers and imaging apparatus. An actuator is supported on a shaft about which it can rotate through a range of arc. A spring biases the actuator so as to bring a valve pad into sealing contact with a plurality of nozzles. A lever arm of the actuator is operable by way of force contact so as to rotate the actuator and angularly displace the valve pad out of contact with the nozzles. Simultaneous opening or closing of the nozzles is performed by way of corresponding angular displacements of the actuator.
US08376530B2
An ink filling device for supplying an ink to an ink container of an office machine includes an ink reservoir having an inlet port and one or more outlet openings, an ink casing having a filling member for engaging with the inlet port and for supplying the ink into the ink reservoir, and a connecting device includes a coupling pipe having one end for coupling to the outlet opening of the ink reservoir, and having the other end for coupling to the ink container of the office machine and for automatically filling the ink container of the office machine and for maintaining the ink container in the full or filled level without being filled or operated by the users themselves.
US08376526B2
An inkjet head includes: a first nozzle that jets pigmented ink; a first pressure chamber coupled to the first nozzle; a first actuator that selectively applies a jetting pressure to the pigmented ink in the first pressure chamber; a second nozzle that jets dye ink; a second pressure chamber coupled to the second nozzle; and a second actuator that selectively applies a jetting pressure to the dye ink in the second pressure chamber. The first nozzle has a diameter D1 and the second nozzle D2. The first actuator has a first portion that applies the jetting pressure to the first pressure chamber, which has a size L1. The second actuator has a second portion that applies jetting pressure to the second pressure chamber, which has a size of L2. D1, D2, L1 and L2 satisfy the following formula: −xD1+yL1≈−xD2+yL2, where x and y are predetermined coefficients.
US08376525B2
Provided is a method of manufacturing a liquid discharge head including: forming a first pattern for forming the flow path on the substrate; forming a first coating layer which covers the first pattern; forming a hole in the first coating layer, through which the first pattern is exposed; forming a second pattern for forming the flow path on the first coating layer, such that the second pattern contacts with the first pattern through the hole; forming a second coating layer for covering the second pattern; forming the discharge port in the second coating layer; and removing the first pattern and the second pattern to form the flow path.
US08376523B2
A micro-fluid ejection head has a resistor layer defining a heater element. An insulative layer underlies the heater element and a capping layer on the insulative layer substantially prevents ion mobility between the resistor and insulative layers. Resistance stability of the heater has been shown improved as has adhesion of the heater to the insulator. Representative layers include insulation of methyl silesquioxane (MSQ) in a thickness of about 5000 Angstroms or more, while the cap is a silicon nitride in a thickness of about 2000 Angstroms or less. Other capping layers include silicon carbide, silicon oxide or dielectrics. The resistor layer typifies TaAlN in a thickness of about 350 Angstroms, including overlying anode and cathode conductors that define the heater. Coating layers are also disclosed as are thermal barrier layers.
US08376522B2
A liquid ejection head is provided that is adapted, when the ejection of comparatively small ink droplets by one print head is required, to not only increase a printing speed and a printing resolution but also to prevent the occurrence of cavitation. The liquid ejection head includes: nozzles, for which heaters are formed to generate thermal energy used to eject ink; and bubble generation chambers, for which ejection ports are formed for ejecting ink upon the application of thermal energy provided by the heaters. Further, a partition wall is formed in each bubble generation chamber at a position opposite the ejection port.
US08376520B2
A printhead assembly is disclosed. The printhead assembly includes at least one printhead module having at least two printhead integrated circuits, a drive electronics part incorporating at least one controller for controlling the printing operation of at least one of the at least two printhead integrated circuits, and a casing part for supporting the drive electronics part and the at least one printhead module. The casing part incorporates a clamping arrangement for removably clamping the at least one printhead module to the casing part. The clamping arrangement allows movement of the at least one printhead module relative to the casing during operation of the printhead assembly.
US08376504B2
A fluid ejecting apparatus, having a fluid ejecting head having a nozzle that ejects a fluid containing a solvent toward a target, includes a solvent holding member, disposed in a position that is opposite to a nozzle formation surface in which the nozzle of the fluid ejecting head is formed between the nozzle formation surface and the target but that is not opposite to the nozzle, that holds the solvent contained in the fluid.
US08376503B1
A method enables the positions of inoperable inkjets in printheads to be corrected for positional changes arising from shifts in media, shrinkage of the media, thermal expansion of optical sensors that detect the inoperable inkjets, and other measurement errors. The measurement errors are detected with reference to image data corresponding to a reference pattern printed within a portion of a print job. Thus, reference marks do not need to be printed in areas outside of a print job as previously required.
US08376499B2
A system for adjusting measurements is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an optical sensor having a window marked with two fiducials and at least one processor coupled to the optical sensor.
US08376493B2
An image forming device is provided. The image forming device includes: a liquid drop jetting head having liquid chambers including jetting ports that jet liquid drops onto a recording medium, and a flow path that supplies or recovers liquid to or from the respective liquid chambers; and a control component controlling the liquid drop jetting head so that, among a plurality of and at least some of the jetting ports at a same flow path, jetting ports that jet liquid drops so that there becomes a suppressed recording rate that is suppressed as compared with a predetermined standard recording rate in accordance with image information expressing an image to be formed on the recording medium, and jetting ports that jet liquid drops so that there becomes a promoted recording rate that is promoted as compared with the standard recording rate, are neighboring.
US08376485B2
A carriage with a recording head mounted therein is movably supported by a first guide member extending in a direction intersecting with a recording medium transport direction “a”. The first guide member elastically deforms accompanying movements of the carriage and is arranged deviated from a gravity center of the carriage in the transport direction “a”. An area of a second guide member that is in contact with the carriage curves in a direction containing a component of a direction parallel to the recording medium transport direction “a” in order to guide rotation of the carriage owing to the carriage's own weight when the carriage moves along the first guide member.
US08376483B2
A rotatable shelf apparatus and a refrigerator having the same. The refrigerator having the rotatable shelf apparatus includes a main body in which a storage space is formed, a rotatable shelf provided in the storage space to be rotated in a vertical direction, and a rotation supporting unit fixedly provided in the storage space to rotatably support the rotatable shelf. Therefore, it is possible to control the height of the storage space, to reduce the number of times of attaching and detaching the shelf in accordance with the size of accommodated food items, and to effectively utilize the storage space.
US08376480B2
An actuating mechanism for moving a highly movable flap of a piece of furniture includes a main body intended for attachment to a furniture body. An actuating arm for moving the flap has one end mounted on a bearing axis of the main body and the other end mounted on a bearing axis of a fitting part intended for attachment to the flap. An additional control arm for moving the flap is also provided. During the movement of the control arm, the effective lever arm length of the control arm can be varied, and the effective lever arm length of the control arm is shortened when opening the actuating arm.
US08376475B2
A device for supplying pressure to an actuation unit of a vehicle brake system, in particular to a vehicle brake system of the ‘brake-by-wire’ type, including a pneumatic motor-and-pump assembly with a pump and a motor driving the pump, wherein the motor-and-pump assembly is controlled by an electronic control unit depending on a pressure level or pressure difference in a pneumatic brake booster of the actuation unit, with the pressure level in a chamber or a difference in pressure between two chambers of the brake booster being detected by a sensor. In order to maintain the availability of the service brake function as high as possible and to obtain a maximum possible redundancy, the control unit, used to control the motor-and-pump assembly includes a logic module and a power module, which are arranged separately of each other.
US08376470B2
A molding process and a mold for manufacturing a toothbrush of plastic material with a resistant inner core, is disclosed. It is provided to manufacture a resistant inner core, and to introduce it into a mold cavity having opposite footprints belonging to a lower half-mold and an upper half-mold (S2) and to subsequently inject molten plastic material into the mold cavity for manufacturing at least part of the toothbrush handle. A resistant metal core is placed into a respective footprint of the lower half-mold in contact with at least two support platforms, adapted to support the core in the proximity of a central line of the mold cavity, and before the injection of structural plastic material, to couple the lower half-mold with an upper half-mold having at least one ribbing to contact with the metal core at least in a position between the support platforms and in a position opposite thereto.
US08376465B2
An adjustable head restraint assembly for a vehicle seat is provided with a pair of shells. Each shell is sized to mate with the other and collectively retain a pair of posts therebetween. A frame adapted to mate with the pair of shells for retaining the pair of shells upon the pair of posts. A locking mechanism is provided on at least one of the frame and the pair of shells for locking the pair of shells and the frame to the pair of posts, and for permitting adjustment of the pair of shells and the frame along the posts.
US08376456B2
To achieve further weight reduction and thinning of a seat structure. A laminated body obtained by sandwiching a planar member 4 made of cloth between planar members 2 and 3 made of synthetic resin to join them to one another via adhesive agent is used in a shell type frame member of the seat structure. Upon receipt of an impact, delamination is caused between the respective layers configuring the laminated body. Thereby, both the tensile stress and the Izod impact strength of the laminated body are lowered as compared with those of a homogeneous laminated body obtained by joining planer members made of homogeneous materials. That is, impact energy is converted to a force causing delamination between the planar members in the laminated body to be consumed, thereby absorbing the impact energy. Since the shell type frame member itself can absorb the impact, further weight reduction and thinning of the shell type frame member and a seat structure using the same can be achieved.
US08376448B2
A tailgate cover includes at least one pocket to securely fit over a tailgate. In some embodiments, the tailgate cover includes two or three pockets. The tailgate cover is made of stretchable material such as a stretchable fabric which enables the cover to be stretched securely over the tailgate. To further secure the tailgate cover over the tailgate, any coupling device is able to be used. The tailgate cover is able to include any graphic and/or text.
US08376441B2
A pick-up style work vehicle includes a rollover protection structure (ROPS), a seat section including a forward driver's seat and a rear seat, and a rear seat posture changing mechanism for changing the rear seat in its position between a first posture where the rear seat is in a non-use condition and a second posture where the rear seat is in a use condition. A fore/aft length of the rear seat in the first posture is shorter than the fore/aft length of the rear seat in the second posture. The work vehicle also includes a partitioning member for partitioning the seat section from a space behind the seat section with the partitioning member being supported by the ROPS. The partitioning member is movable with being supported by the ROPS between a rearwardly displaced position immediately behind the rear seat and a forwardly displaced position moved forward from the rearwardly displaced position.
US08376433B2
An apparatus for grabbing and lifting a case having side walls each formed with a hole has a plurality of grabs each having a plurality of pivotal lift arms each having a lower end provided with a horizontally projecting finger engageable into one of the holes. The fingers of each grab are vertically offset from one another.
US08376432B1
An impeller jig for lifting and positioning an impeller having a shaft bore in a pump. The impeller jig includes a frame, a lifting aperture attached to the upper end of the frame and a lifting point attached to the opposed end of the frame adapted to engage the shaft bore of the impeller. A pair of opposed jacks are attached to the opposed end of the frame and adapted to engage at least two opposed outer surfaces of the impeller adjacent to the shaft bore of the impeller thereby forming a stability triangle with the lifting point. Also, the impeller jig may further include a positioning weight adjacent to the lifting aperture for transferring the center of gravity of the impeller jig upwardly and sufficiently close to the lifting vertical centerline to permit the impeller jig to be positioned for engaging the impeller by the operator prior to lifting.
US08376431B2
A pick-and-place module for test handlers is disclosed that includes a main body and a kit. The main body forms vacuum paths therein and the kit also forms vacuum passages therein. The kit is detachably mounted to the main body in a hook coupling manner. The pick-and-place module can be applied to all customer trays having different loading capabilities when only the kit of the pick-and-place module needs to be replaced, so there is no need to manufacture the entire pick-and-place module and this reduces manufacturing costs. The pick-and-place module can reduce the amount of resources to be replaced and reduce the replacement time since the kit can be easily removed from the main body of the pick-and-place module in a hook manner.
US08376402B2
A lower type motor-driven column apparatus includes a tilt unit having a column tube and a tilt link forming a plurality of hinge fixed points in order to tilt up/down a steering wheel by vertical motion generated with rotation due to straight motion of a tilt rod through a tilt motor, a telescopic unit implementing telescopic movement pushing or pulling the column tube by means of straight motion of a tele-rod through a tele-motor, and a shock-absorbing member absorbing and attenuating a shock stroke of the column tube, ahead of the tilt unit and the telescopic unit, in which the operation mechanism of the tilt unit and the operation mechanism of the telescopic unit are individually implemented, such that the MDPS can be easily used for middle-sized and large-sized vehicles which are difficult to use the upper type and it is possible to save fuel of the middle-sized and large-sized vehicles.
US08376400B2
A gas generating system is provided including a first housing formed from a polymeric material, and a pyrotechnic gas generant material contained in the first housing. The first housing forms a combustion chamber for the gas generant. An airbag system and a vehicle occupant protection system, each incorporating a gas generating system as described herein, are also disclosed.
US08376391B2
A cargo carrying device is provided that is portable device and capable of transporting a load across the ground. The cargo carrying device has frame and a first section connected to a second section by a hinge. A plurality of side support members are connected to the frame as well as an adjustable support member that permits the cargo carrying device to pivot from a first, or generally horizontal position, to a second raised or angled position. The cargo carrying device also has an adjustable handle, a removable axel and removable pair of wheels. The cargo carrying device is mounted to a saddle for attachment to a hitch of a vehicle. This arrangement provides the user with an adjustable and portable cargo carrying device.
US08376389B2
A snowmobile ski comprises a body having a pair of rails laterally spaced from one another and interconnected at a tip. A mounting on the body secures the ski to a snowmobile.
US08376386B2
A towed vehicle having two towing modes has a first set of wheels positioned on a first axis defining an operative position supporting a frame. A second set of wheels is positioned on a second axis, perpendicular to the first axis. The second set of wheels has a lowered operative position and a raised inoperative position. When the second set of wheels is in the lowered operative position, they lift the first set of wheels off the ground to an inoperative position. A first towing connection is provided for connecting the frame to a tow vehicle when the first set of wheels are in the operative position. A second towing connection is provided, perpendicular to the first towing connection, for connecting the frame to the tow vehicle when the second set of wheels are in the operative position.
US08376380B2
An improved traction device for a motor vehicle provides a rear support assembly positioned proximate to a rear axle and an adjacent portion of a leaf spring and a front rocker support assembly. The front rocker support assembly includes a front leaf spring bracket assembly attached to a selected portion of the leaf spring between the axle and the front leaf spring mount, a rocker pivotally attached to the front leaf spring bracket assembly, and a rocker head connected to an end of the rocker for engaging a lower surface of the leaf spring to limit pivotal movement of the front rocker support assembly relative to the front end of the leaf spring, and. An adjustable rigid link extends between the rear support assembly and the front rocker support assembly.
US08376377B2
In order to temporarily close off the open end or ends of a supermarket cage to reduce risk of products falling out, a supermarket cage protection device is proposed which comprises a roller (16) mounted between respective brackets (30) which are adapted to be fitted removably to opposing upper regions of opposing side frames (22) of a supermarket cage (20). A sheet of flexible material (12) is mounted upon and extensible from the roller (16) so as to cover, in use, an open end of the supermarket cage. Means for releasably securing the sheet (12) when so extended may comprise a channel element (14) providing a hook to engage a bottom cage element and optionally a grip portion (45) to facilitate its release. In its simplest form such a device is, in effect, a roller blind adapted for fitting to a delivery cage.
US08376364B1
One method of conducting a game includes steps: (a) providing first and second decks of cards; (b) accepting a predetermined number of uniform wagers from players; (c) associating with each wager a predetermined number of cards from the first and second decks; (d) after the predetermined number of wagers are accepted, selecting the predetermined number of cards from the first and second decks; (e) determining whether the cards selected after the predetermined number of wagers are accepted matches exactly the cards associated with any wager; (f) performing steps (d) and (e) without further wagering until cards selected after the predetermined number of wagers are accepted matches the cards associated with any wager; and (g) awarding a payout dependent on the number of wagers accepted, the amount of each wager, and the number of players having cards that match the cards selected after the predetermined number of wagers are accepted.
US08376353B2
A method of feeding a planar medium, includes providing a host tray having a feed edge adjacent to which the medium is extracted by a feeder, and having a spring plate for lifting the medium; nesting a media carrier in the host tray, wherein the media carrier includes a print biasing edge which forms an acute angle with the spring plate through the travel of the spring plate, so that the print biasing edge and the feeder together impose an angular acceleration on a planar medium disposed between the print biasing edge and the spring plate, so that the medium is rotated away from the print biasing edge; disposing a planar medium in the host tray over the spring plate; and extracting the planar medium at the feed edge using the feeder.
US08376352B2
A sheet feeding apparatus includes: a sheet storage unit into which a sheet is inserted in a generally vertical direction through a sheet inlet, the sheet storage unit having a first opening portion formed on a front of the sheet storage unit, a second opening portion formed on a rear thereof, and a third opening portion formed on a top thereof; a pressure plate having a bottom portion on which the sheet inserted into the sheet storage unit is placed, and a rear portion formed on rear of the bottom portion, the pressure plate being disposed in a manner slidable in front and rear directions; a moving device configured to slide the pressure plate in the front direction so that the rear portion presses the sheet through the second opening portion; and a roller rotatably disposed so as to contact with the sheet through the first opening portion, the roller moving the sheet in a vertical direction in response to rotation of the roller, to output the sheet through the third opening portion.
US08376350B2
An image forming apparatus includes an upper paper feeding frame that is pivotally rotated in linkage with a paper feeding tray pivotally rotatably installed to a body of the apparatus, resulting in a size reduction of the image forming apparatus.
US08376345B1
A cutter device for removing the spine from packets of sheet materials to be enveloped by a mailing machine, including means for redirecting the packets across said cutter device while the packets remain superimposed with other sheet materials to be inserted into the same envelope while being moved along a support surface by a conveyor mechanism, and after cutting being recombined with said other sheet materials prior to being enveloped.
US08376335B2
A jig (1) for cutting a brick or bricks, comprises a base (3) and alignment means (7, 9, 11, 13) arranged such that the brick or bricks can be laid out on the base (3) with part of the or each brick in contact with the alignment means (7, 9, 11, 13). The jig (1) further comprises guide means (35) operative to define a line to be cut along the brick or bricks, the brick or bricks being at least partially restrained and aligned by the alignment means (7, 9, 11, 13) in use such that a cutter can be guided by the guide means (35) to cut the brick or bricks along the defined line to be cut. The guide means (35) comprises an elongate guide element (43) mounted on a chassis, the chassis being adjustably mounted on the jig (1), the chassis comprising a plurality of spaced apart slots, the chassis being adjustably mounted on at least one finger (37) upstanding from the base (3) to enable the position of the chassis relative to the base (3) to be adjusted.
US08376326B2
A clinch clip for a leaf spring which is rotationally restrained in to mutually orthogonal axes. An upper clip member and a lower clip member are provided. A non-circular rivet connects a leaf of a leaf spring to the lower clip member so as to preclude mutual rotation around a rivet axis. A non-circular bolt connects together the upper and lower clip members so as to preclude rotation around a bolt axis perpendicular to the rivet axis.
US08376319B2
A hydraulic jack capable of displaying load and overload warning, belonging to the technical field of hydraulic lifting equipment. It comprises: a base, a lifting arm, a pump body, a handle, and a tray, wherein, a signal collection assembly designed to sense the load on the tray is arranged at the end of the lifting arm, and the signal collection assembly is electrically connected to a weighing controller arranged on either the base or the pump body, and the tray is arranged on the signal collection assembly. Since a signal collection assembly designed to sense the load on the tray is arranged at the end of the lifting arm and electrically connected to the weighing controller, the load sensing method by the aid of communication with the oil circuit in the prior art is abandoned and the leakage of hydraulic oil can be avoided; since the signal collection assembly is arranged at the end of the lifting arm, the entire assembly can be easily processed, installed, and maintained.
US08376315B2
Provided is a solenoid valve wherein control characteristics are prevented from deteriorating due to changes of magnetic characteristics of a magnetic circuit when a center post is contaminated, and the desired control characteristics are maintained for a long period of time. In the solenoid valve, a nonmagnetic layer (41) is formed on the surface of a center post (40) by electroless nickel-phosphorous plating or composite electroless nickel-phosphorous plating containing PTFE. Thus, contamination of the center post (40) is remarkably suppressed, the characteristics of the magnetic circuit for moving the plunger (30) by magnetic attraction are prevented from changing due to changes of magnetic permeability between the plunger (30) and the center post (40), the plunger (30) and a valve element (55) integrated with the plunger are suitably moved corresponding to a current applied to a coil (20), and the valve is opened/closed.
US08376309B2
An apparatus for forming steps within a concrete stairway, wherein each step has a rise and a run. The apparatus includes a stringer rail, one or more riser brackets and a plurality of fasteners. The stringer rail has a lengthwise-extending channel. Each riser bracket has a panel leg and a support leg, wherein one end of the support leg is attached to panel leg. The fasteners are selectively slidable within the rail channel. One of the fasteners attaches the panel leg to the rail and another of the fasteners attaches the support leg to the rail. Each fastener is configurable in a first mode where the fastener is slidably attached to the rail. Each fastener is configurable in a second mode where the fastener is fixedly attached to the rail.
