US08394793B2
The main object of the present invention is to provide an agent for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.The present invention relates to an agent for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases containing the heterocyclic derivative represented by the following general formula (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient; In the formula (1), R1 and R2 are the same or different and each represents an optionally substituted aryl; R3 and R4 are the same or different and each represents hydrogen atom or alkyl; R5 represents hydrogen atom, alkyl or halogen atom; Y represents N or N→O; A represents NR6, and R6 represents hydrogen atom, alkyl, etc.; D represents alkylene or alkenylene which is optionally substituted with hydroxy; E represents phenylene or a single bond; G represents O, S, etc.; and Q represents carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, etc.
US08394790B2
The invention provides novel compounds and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of psychological and/or psychiatric diseases or disorders.
US08394787B2
The invention relates to compounds of the general formula (I) where: R2 is a hydrogen or fluorine atom or a hydroxyl, cyano, trifluoromethyl, C1-6-alkyl, C1-6-alkoxy, or NR8R9 group; m, n, o and p independently are a number from 0 to 3, provided that m+n≦7 and that o+p≦7; A is a covalent bond, an oxygen atom, a C1-6-alkylene group or a —O—C1-6-alkylene group in which the end that is an oxygen atom is bonded to the R1 group and the end that is an alkylene group is bonded to the carbon of the bicyclic compound; R1 is an optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl group; R3 is a hydrogen or fluorine atom or a C1-6-alkyl or trifluoromethyl group; R4 is an optionally substituted 5-membered heterocyclic compounds; wherein the compounds can be in the state of a base or an acid addition salt. The invention can be used in therapeutics.
US08394778B1
Embodiments of the inventions relate to modulating NFAT activity, modulating store-operated Ca2+ entry into a cell and treating and/or preventing hyperactivity or inappropriate immune response by inhibiting the expression or activities of proteins involved in the calcineurin/NFAT axis.
US08394775B2
The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition containing hydrolysates of icariin, and more particularly, a cosmetic composition containing hydrolysates of icariin including icaritin, icariside I and icariside II. The hydrolysates of icariin is prepared by a method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining an extract from a plant containing icariin using water or an organic solvent; and (b) hydrolyzing the plant extract with an acid, a base, an enzyme or a microorganism producing the enzyme. The cosmetic composition according to the present invention is employed for anti-oxidant, anti-aging, whitening or anti-wrinkling effects.
US08394761B2
The invention features methods of treating or preventing congestive heart failure by administering a polypeptide containing an epidermal growth factor-like domain encoded by a neuregulin gene.
US08394758B2
Tumor targeting peptides and uses thereof in tumor diagnosis and treatment.
US08394749B2
The present invention provides a pressure-medium oil comprising at least one of a hydrocarbon compound and an ether compound and having the following properties (1) to (4): (1) a kinematic viscosity as measured at 40° C. of 2 to 30 mm2/s; (2) a viscosity index of 110 or higher; (3) a density as measured at 15° C. of 0.86 g/cm3 or less; and (4) a pour point of −50° C. or lower. The pressure-medium oil does not solidify under an ultra-high pressure, for example, 1.5 GPa or higher, and has a low pour point and excellent compatibility with test samples and with the material of the apparatus employed in the test.
US08394747B2
The present invention is directed to Mannich condensation product sequestering agents or mixtures of Mannich condensation product sequestering agents for use in fuels and lubricating oils. The present invention is also directed to a process for preparing the Mannich condensation product sequestering agents. The present invention is also directed to a product formed by combining, under reaction conditions, a polyisobutyl-substituted hydroxyaromatic compound, an aldehyde, an amino acid or ester thereof, and an alkali metal base to form the Mannich condensation product sequestering agent. The present invention is also directed to a lubricating oil composition, a lubricating oil concentrate, a fuel composition, and a fuel concentrate having the Mannich condensation product sequestering agents of the present invention.
US08394743B2
A water-based, shear-thinning process fluid comprises bentonite, aluminum hydroxide particles, and salt. The median diameter (by weight) of the aluminum hydroxide particles does not exceed 2 μm.
US08394741B2
A high-temperature superconductor layer arrangement includes at least one substrate and one textured buffer layer made of oxidic material. The buffer layer displays at least one further constituent forming a homogeneous mixed-crystal layer. The further constituent is a transition metal from the first subgroup and/or forming at least a partial melt with the oxidic buffer material at an annealing temperature of ≦1,600 degrees Celsius. The further constituent can particularly be copper and/or silver.
US08394738B2
A mixed powder of AlH3 and MgH2 is ball-milled in a hydrogen atmosphere while applying force of 5 G through 30 G (in which G is gravitational acceleration), and the thus-obtained milled product is dehydrogenated to produce a hydrogen storage material. The hydrogen storage material comprises an amorphous phase containing an Al—Mg alloy as a mother phase, and a crystalline Al phase having a maximum length of 100 nm or less, the crystalline Al phase being distributed as a dispersed phase in the mother phase.
US08394735B2
A catalyst for ultra-deep desulfurization of diesel via oxidative distillation is an amphiphilic oxidative catalyst, which is expressed as Qm[XMnOq], wherein 1≦m≦12; 9≦n≦18; 34≦q≦62; Q is a quaternary ammonium cation; X is P, Si, As or B; and M is Mo) or W. A desulfurization method comprises a) mixing well a diesel, the amphiphilic catalyst, and hydrogen peroxide, reacting for 10-300 minutes at ambient temperature and normal pressure, transforming the sulfur-containing compounds in the diesel into sulfone to obtain an oxidized diesel; b) distilling the oxidized diesel obtained in step a) under reduced pressure to obtain the ultra-low sulfur diesel having a sulfur content of less than 10 ppm; and c) separating and recovering the catalyst and sulfone.
US08394733B2
Improved process for the preparation of an unsupported, heterogeneous olefin polymerization catalyst, comprising an organometallic compound of a transition metal of Group 3 to 10 of the Periodic Table (IUPAC) or of an actinide or lanthanide in the form of solid particles comprising the steps of a) preparing a solution of an aluminoxane and an ionic complex M-X, M being an alkali or earth alkali metal and X being a halide or pseudo halide, in a molar ratio of Al of the aluminoxane to M of the ionic complex between 80:1 and 300:1, b) mixing said solution with an organometallic compound of a transition metal of Group 3 to 10 of the Periodic Table (IUPAC) or of an actinide or lanthanide in a molar ratio of M of the ionic complex to the transition metal of the organometallic compound between 1:1 and 4:1, yielding a second solution, c) dispersing said second solution obtained in step b) in a solvent immiscible therewith to form an emulsion in which said second solution of step b) forms the dispersed phase in the form of droplets and the solvent immiscible with said solution forms the continuous phase, d) solidifying said dispersed phase to convert said droplets to solid particles and optionally recovering aid particles to obtain said catalyst, the catalysts itself and its use for olefin polymerization.
US08394730B2
A building material product and a method of making building material products, having increased resistance to granule rub off and staining. The building material product comprises a substrate having embedded granules and an acrylic latex coating positioned on the granules, where the polymer of the acrylic latex coating has the repeating structural unit [CH2—C(R1)(R2)], where R1 is hydrogen or C1-C8 alkyl; R2 is hydrogen, cyano or —COOR; and R is a linear or branched hydrocarbon containing 1-22 carbon atoms, with the proviso that R1 and R2 are both not hydrogen. The method includes applying this acrylic latex water based composition to a granule embedded substrate.
US08394729B2
A method for increasing the Seebeck coefficient of a semiconductor involves creating a reaction cell including a semiconductor in a pressure-transmitting medium, exposing the reaction cell to elevated pressure and elevated temperature for a time sufficient to increase the Seebeck coefficient of the semiconductor, and recovering the semiconductor with an increased Seebeck coefficient.
US08394715B2
A method of fabricating a through-silicon via (TSV) structure forming a unique coaxial or triaxial interconnect within the silicon substrate. The TSV structure is provided with two or more independent electrical conductors insulated from another and from the substrate. The electrical conductors can be connected to different voltages or ground, making it possible to operate the TSV structure as a coaxial or triaxial device. Multiple layers using various insulator materials can be used as insulator, wherein the layers are selected based on dielectric properties, fill properties, interfacial adhesion, CTE match, and the like. The TSV structure overcomes defects in the outer insulation layer that may lead to leakage.
US08394711B2
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of simultaneously co-doping a wide band gap material with p-type and n-type impurities to create a p-n junction within the resulting wide band gap composite material. The method includes disposing a sample comprising a dopant including both p-type and n-type impurities between a pair of wide band gap material films and disposing the sample between a pair of opposing electrodes; and subjecting the sample to a preselected vacuum; and heating the sample to a preselected temperature; and applying a preselected voltage across the sample; and subjecting the sample to at least one laser beam having a preselected intensity and a preselected wavelength, such that the p-type and n-type impurities of the dopant substantially simultaneously diffuse into the wide band gap material films resulting in a wide band gap compound material comprising a p-n junction.
US08394708B2
A method and system for assembling a quasicrystalline heterostructure. A plurality of particles is provided with desirable predetermined character. The particles are suspended in a medium, and holographic optical traps are used to position the particles in a way to achieve an arrangement which provides a desired property.
US08394706B2
The present invention provides a high yield pathway for the fabrication, transfer and assembly of high quality printable semiconductor elements having selected physical dimensions, shapes, compositions and spatial orientations. The compositions and methods of the present invention provide high precision registered transfer and integration of arrays of microsized and/or nanosized semiconductor structures onto substrates, including large area substrates and/or flexible substrates. In addition, the present invention provides methods of making printable semiconductor elements from low cost bulk materials, such as bulk silicon wafers, and smart-materials processing strategies that enable a versatile and commercially attractive printing-based fabrication platform for making a broad range of functional semiconductor devices.
US08394692B2
A method is provided that includes providing a substrate; forming a transistor in the substrate, the transistor having a dummy gate; forming a dielectric layer over the substrate and transistor; forming a contact feature in the dielectric layer; and after forming the contact feature, replacing the dummy gate of the transistor with a metal gate. An exemplary contact feature is a dual contact.
US08394686B2
A silicon compound film is dry etched by parallel-plate type dry etching using an etching gas including at least COF2.
US08394684B2
Techniques are discloses to apply an external stress onto the source/drain semiconductor fin sidewall areas and latch the same onto the semiconductor fin before releasing the sidewalls for subsequent salicidation and contact formation. In particular, the present disclosure provides methods in which selected portions of a semiconductor are subjected to an amorphizing ion implantation which disorients the crystal structure of the selected portions of the semiconductor fins, relative to portions of the semiconductor fin that is beneath a gate stack and encapsulated with various liners. At least one stress liner is formed and then stress memorization occurs by performing a stress latching annealing. During this anneal, recrystallization of the disoriented crystal structure occurs. The at least one stress liner is removed and thereafter merging of the semiconductor fins in the source/drain regions is performed.
US08394677B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device according to one embodiment includes preparing a wafer having a plurality of chip areas, each chip area to become semiconductor chip, bonding the first side of the wafer to a support substrate through a removable adhesive, dividing the wafer into individually separate semiconductor chips, applying adhesive tape to the second side of the separate semiconductor chips, the second side being opposite to the first side bonded to the support substrate, and the adhesive tape being softer than the support substrate, removing the support substrate from the semiconductor chips, and picking up the separate semiconductor chips that are on the adhesive tape.
US08394672B2
A semiconductor chip device includes a first semiconductor chip adapted to be stacked with a second semiconductor chip wherein the second semiconductor chip includes a side and first and second conductor structures projecting from the side. The first semiconductor chip includes a first edge, a first conductor pad, a first conductor pillar positioned on but laterally offset from the first conductor pad toward the first edge and that has a first lateral dimension and is adapted to couple to one of the first and second conductor structures, a second conductor pad positioned nearer the first edge than the first conductor pad, and a second conductor pillar positioned on but laterally offset from the second conductor pad and that has a second lateral dimension larger than the first lateral dimension and is adapted to couple to the other of the first and second conductor structures.
US08394668B2
Oxide thin film, electronic devices including the oxide thin film and methods of manufacturing the oxide thin film, the methods including (A) applying an oxide precursor solution comprising at least one of zinc (Zn), indium (In) and tin (Sn) on a substrate, (B) heat-treating the oxide precursor solution to form an oxide layer, and (C) repeating the steps (A) and (B) to form a plurality of the oxide layers.
US08394666B2
Disclosed herein are organic memory devices and methods for fabricating such devices. The organic memory devices comprise a first electrode, a second electrode and an organic active layer extending between the first and second electrodes wherein the organic active layer is formed from one or more electrically conductive organic materials that contain heteroatoms and which are configured in such a manner as that the heteroatoms are available for linking or complexing metal atoms within the organic active layer. The metal ions may then be reduced to form metal filaments within the organic active layer to form a low resistance state and the metal filaments may, in turn, be oxidized to form a high resistance state and thereby function as memory devices.
US08394665B2
A method of manufacturing an organic thin film transistor, the method comprising: depositing a source and drain electrode; forming a thin self-assembled layer of material on the source and drain electrodes, the thin self-assembled layer of material comprising a dopant moiety for chemically doping an organic semi-conductive material by accepting or donating charge and a separate attachment moiety bonded to the dopant moiety and selectively bonded to the source and drain electrodes; and depositing a solution comprising a solvent and an organic semi-conductive material in a channel region between the source and drain electrode.
US08394662B1
A method for forming a thin film photovoltaic device. The method includes providing a transparent substrate comprising a surface region. A first electrode layer is formed overlying the surface region. A copper layer is formed overlying the first electrode layer and an indium layer is formed overlying the copper layer to form a multi-layered structure. The method subjects at least the multi-layered structure to a thermal treatment process in an environment containing a sulfur bearing species to form a copper indium disulfide material. The copper indium disulfide material comprising a copper-to-indium atomic ratio ranging from about 1.2:1 to about 2:1 and a thickness of substantially copper sulfide material. The thickness of the copper sulfide material is removed to expose a surface region having a copper poor surface comprising a copper to indium atomic ratio of less than about 0.95:1. The copper poor surface is subjected to a chloride species to convert the copper poor surface from an n-type semiconductor characteristic to a p-type semiconductor characteristic. A window layer is formed overlying the copper indium disulfide material.
US08394650B2
A laminated module or panel of solar cells and a laminating method for making same comprise a top layer of melt flowable optically transparent molecularly flexible thermoplastic and a rear sheet of melt flowable insulating molecularly flexible thermoplastic both melt flowing at a temperature between about 80° C. and 250° C. and having a low glass transition temperature. Solar cells are encapsulated by melt flowing the top layer and rear sheet, and electrical connections are provided between front and back contacts thereof. Light passing through the transparent top layer impinges upon the solar cells and the laminated module exhibits sufficient flexural modulus without cross-linking chemical curing. Electrical connections may be provided by melt flowable electrically conductive molecularly flexible thermoplastic adhesive or by metal strips or by both.
US08394645B2
A device and method is provided for performing a high throughput assay. The device includes a plate structure having a plate and a plurality of microfluidic structures positioned thereon. Each microfluidic structure defines a channel having an input and an output. At least one of the input and the output of the channel of each of the plurality of mircofluidic structures includes a first plurality of ports. In operation, the channels are filled with fluid and pressure gradients are generated between the fluids at the inputs and the fluids at the outputs of the channels. As a result, fluid flows through the channels toward the outputs.
US08394641B2
The invention is directed to droplet actuator devices and assay methods. The method may include immobilization of the enzymatic substrate including forming an inclusion complex with the substrate within an aqueous environment in contact with an oil.
US08394629B2
An agent containing a vinca alkaloid or its pharmacologically acceptable salt as an active ingredient can induce insulin production and/or secretion of non-neoplastic cells derived from the pancreas.
US08394628B2
The present invention relates to a Drosophila in vitro system which was used to demonstrate that dsRNA is processed to RNA segments 21-23 nucleotides (nt) in length. Furthermore, when these 21-23 nt fragments are purified and added back to Drosophila extracts, they mediate RNA interference in the absence of long dsRNA. Thus, these 21-23 nt fragments are the sequence-specific mediators of RNA degradation. A molecular signal, which may be their specific length, must be present in these 21-23 nt fragments to recruit cellular factors involved in RNAi. This present invention encompasses these 21-23 nt fragments and their use for specifically inactivating gene function. The use of these fragments (or chemically synthesized oligonucleotides of the same or similar nature) enables the targeting of specific mRNAs for degradation in mammalian cells, where the use of long dsRNAs to elicit RNAi is usually not practical, presumably because of the deleterious effects of the interferon response. This specific targeting of a particular gene function is useful in functional genomic and therapeutic applications.
US08394626B2
The present invention includes but is not limited to a specimen collection device that includes a chamber capable of collecting a specimen, a specimen passage slot, a reservoir, a reservoir seal, and a test device. A sample or specimen added to the chamber flows through the specimen passage slot into the reservoir. Flow into the reservoir may be limited by the reservoir seal. The test device positioned within the reservoir detects the presence or concentration of an analyte within the sample or specimen.
US08394624B2
The present invention provides for a process for preserving biological material. The process comprises subjecting the biological material to a fixation process and then packaging the biological material in a container under a controlled atmosphere of noble gas. In the process, the controlled atmosphere of noble gas utilized comprises one or more noble gases selected from argon, xenon, helium, neon, krypton and radon. The process optionally also utilizes one or more additional gases selected from nitric oxide, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and oxygen. This process allows for the long term storage of the biological material.
US08394616B2
An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in specific activity. The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.
US08394615B2
The invention provides a glucose dehydrogenase that is an extremely stable enzyme having a thermostability of 80° C. or more, and that does not substantially act upon saccharides other than glucose (e.g., having a reactivity of less than 3% with respect to maltose, galactose, and xylose). The invention also provides a method for producing such an enzyme, and a composition for quantifying glucose using such an enzyme.
US08394612B2
A method is provided for producing an L-amino acid by culturing a microorganism belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family and having the ability to produce an L-amino acid, in a medium to produce and accumulate the L-amino acid in the medium. The microorganism has been modified by introduction of a DNA fragment which includes a pho regulon promoter and a structural gene encoding an L-amino acid biosynthetic enzyme, which is ligated downstream of the promoter so that the gene is expressed by the promoter, and so that the activity of the L-amino acid biosynthetic enzyme is increased by the expression of the gene by the promoter. In this way, the L-amino acid that is produced in the medium can be collected. Furthermore, the phosphorus concentration in the medium is such that the expression of the gene by the promoter is induced.
US08394607B2
Anti-CD22 antibodies and immunoconjugates thereof are provided. Methods of using anti-CD22 antibodies and immunoconjugates thereof are provided.
US08394603B2
A codon-optimization of nucleic acid for coding apo-clytin-II protein is provided. Luminescent activity of clytin-II is remarkably enhanced. Accordingly, compared with the conventional use of the wild-type clytin-II, an intracellular calcium ion can be detected much more easily.
US08394601B2
Methods and kits are provided for diagnosing a kidney disease, or the risk thereof, in a subject. The methods include determining an amount of at least one peptide biomarker disclosed herein in a biological sample from the subject and comparing the amount of the at least one peptide in the sample with a control level, wherein if the amount determined is different than the control level, the subject is diagnosed as having, or at an increased risk of developing, the kidney disease.
US08394587B2
The present invention is directed to a panel of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in specific genes that serve as biomarkers for sex-specific prenatal loss of a conceptus or embryo. There is provided herein methods and reagents for assessing the specific SNPs in those genes. The method useful in applying these SNPs in predicting an increased risk of prenatal loss is also disclosed.
US08394586B2
Nucleosides and nucleotides are disclosed that are linked to detectable labels via a cleavable linker group.
US08394585B2
The present teachings provide DNA methylation quantification methods that avoid bisulfite treatment of DNA. Methylation-specific binding proteins (MeDNA binding proteins) and non-methylation specific binding proteins (non-MeDNA binding proteins) are employed in various embodiments to modulate the accessibility of nucleic acids to primer extension reactions. After selectively removing the target nucleic acids, the extension products can be analyzed and methylation quantitated. In some embodiments, the analysis comprises real-time PCR.
US08394572B2
A substrate for use in a lithographic projection apparatus. The substrate includes a sealing coating that covers at least a part of a first interface between two layers on the substrate, or between a layer and the substrate, and does not extend to a central portion of the substrate.
US08394570B2
A sulfonium salt has formula (1) wherein R1 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group except vinyl and isopropenyl, R2, R3, and R4 are alkyl, alkenyl, oxoalkyl, aryl, aralkyl or aryloxoalkyl or may bond together to form a ring with the sulfur atom, and n is 1 to 3. A chemically amplified resist composition comprising the sulfonium salt is capable of forming a fine feature pattern of good profile after development due to high resolution, improved focal latitude, and minimized line width variation and profile degradation upon prolonged PED.
US08394557B2
A lithographic pellicle comprises a pellicle film (1), a pellicle frame (3), and a PSA layer (4). The pellicle film (1) is stretched across and mounted to the pellicle frame (3) at its top end. The PSA layer (4) is disposed on the bottom end of the frame (3) and is capable of attaching the frame (3) to a substrate (5). An inner PSA layer (8) made of a curable composition comprising a perfluoro compound having a perfluoro structure backbone is disposed on the inner wall of the frame (3).
US08394556B2
The present invention relates to a support for a planar fuel cell core, produced using a material permeable to the fuel of the cell, and sealed over at least one of its outer faces.
US08394554B2
A separator suction device for a fuel cell, having a suction plate and a suction pump. A fuel cell separator is placed on the suction plate. The fuel cell separator has flow paths formed as grooves and ridges on one side of thereof and also has a gasket that is a seal member placed around the flow paths. The suction plate attracts the fuel cell separator by suction. The suction pump sucks the fuel cell separator through suction openings formed in the suction plate. The suction plate has a suction groove which receives the gasket and which has a suction opening formed in it. Further, the suction plate preferably has the suction openings at positions where the ridges of the fuel cell separator are to be placed and is made of an elastic material.
US08394548B2
A seal structure is disclosed for forming a substantially fluid tight seal between a UEA and a plate of a fuel cell system, the seal structure including a sealing member formed in one fuel cell plate, a seal support adapted to span feed area channels in an adjacent fuel cell plate, and a seal adapted to cooperate with a UEA disposed between the fuel cell plates, the sealing member, and the seal support to form a substantially fluid tight seal between the UEA and the one fuel cell plate. The seal structure militates against a leakage of fluids from the fuel cell system, facilitates the maintenance of a velocity of a reactant flow in the fuel cell system, and a cost thereof is minimized.
US08394540B2
A secondary battery capable of improving the cycle characteristics is provided. The secondary battery includes a cathode and an anode oppositely arranged with a separator in between, and an electrolytic solution. At least one of the cathode, the anode, the separator, and the electrolytic solution contains a sulfone compound having a carbonate group and a sulfonyl group.
US08394538B2
An electrode plate for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a current collector, and an electrode active material layer formed on at least part of the surface of the current collector. The electrode active material layer contains a particulate electrode active material, a binding material, and carbonic matter distinct from conductive materials. The binding material is a amourphous metal oxide that does not cause alkaline metal ion intercalation and deintercalation reactions.
US08394536B2
A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprises a current collector, and an electrode active material layer formed on at least part of the surface of the current collector. The electrode active material layer contains a particulate electrode active material and a binding material. The binding material is made of a crystalline metal oxide that does not cause alkaline metal ion intercalation and deintercalation reactions.
US08394533B2
A cylindrical secondary battery including an electrode assembly including a positive electrode having a positive electrode active material layer containing lithium carbonate (Li2CO3), a negative electrode including a negative electrode active material layer, and a separator separating the positive electrode from the negative electrode, a can housing the electrode assembly, a cap assembly disposed on the can, and an electrolyte injected into the can. A content of the lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) is in the range of 1.0 to 1.5 wt % of the total weight of the positive electrode active material layer, a content of the electrolyte is in the range of 10.8 to 11.93 wt % of the total weight of a bare cell, and an operating pressure for interrupting current by the cap assembly is in the range of 7 to 9 kgf/cm2.
US08394532B2
Negative active materials for rechargeable lithium batteries, methods of manufacturing the negative active materials, and rechargeable lithium batteries including the negative active materials are provided. One negative active material includes an active metal core and a crack inhibiting layer formed on the core. The crack inhibiting layer includes a carbon-based material.
US08394531B2
A negative active material for a lithium rechargeable battery is provided. The negative active material includes an active metal core and a crack inhibiting layer disposed on a surface of the active metal core. The crack inhibiting layer includes a metal oxide.
US08394529B2
A method for preparing a redox flow battery electrolyte is provided. In some embodiments, the method includes the processing of raw materials that include sources of chromium ions and/or iron ions. The method further comprises the removal of impurities such as metal ions from those raw materials. In some embodiments, an ammonium salt may be used to remove metal impurities from an aqueous mixture of chromium ions and/or iron ions. Further provided is a redox flow battery comprising at least one electrolyte prepared from the above-identified methods.
US08394524B2
A battery unit and a lithium secondary battery employing the same are provided. The battery unit includes a positive electrode plate having a positive current collector and a positive active material layer formed on at least one plane of the positive current collector, a positive electrode lead electrically connected with the positive current collector, a negative electrode plate having a negative current collector and a negative active material layer formed on at least one plane of the negative current collector, a negative electrode lead electrically connected with the negative current collector, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, having a width greater than that of each electrode plate, and having different widths of protruding portions which stick out on either side of the electrode plate.
US08394522B2
The present invention relates to metal film encapsulation of an electrochemical device. The metal film encapsulation may provide contact tabs for the electrochemical device. The present invention may also include a selectively conductive bonding layer between a contact and a cell structure. The present invention may further include ways of providing heat and pressure resilience to the bonding layer and improving the robustness of the protection for the cell structure.
US08394519B2
A battery system includes a plurality of electric rechargeable cells which are stacked in a row and conductive members which electrically connect the electric rechargeable cells together. The electric rechargeable cells each has a gas exhaust port, and a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal which are disposed in such a manner as to hold the gas exhaust port therebetween. The battery system includes a gas exhaust member connected to the gas exhaust ports, a partition holding member which establishes partitions between the gas exhaust member and the positive electrode terminals and the negative electrode terminals in such a manner as to cover them and on which the conductive members are provided, and a voltage control circuit which is attached to an outer surface side of the partition holding member in a position which confronts the gas exhaust member and controls voltages of the electric rechargeable cells.
US08394518B2
Galvanic electrochemical cells (100, 300, 700, 900) for converting chemical energy into electrical energy, such as batteries, flow cells and fuel cells with a cylindrical rotating filter (120X, 326, 726, 910) having ion-porous (120P, 326P, 726P, 910P) and ion-non-porous filter (120N, 326N, 726N, 910N) for use with both thixotropic and non-conducting electrolytes that generates fluid flows in electrolytes between static cylindrical current collector segments (106, 304X, 306X, 710X, 902X; 108, 314X, 316X, 712X, 906) and the filter (120, 326, 726, 910) are disclosed that generate electric currents varying in amplitude that can be converted into alternating current electricity.
US08394517B2
A fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell, a reactant gas supply device, and a capacitor which supplies a power to various devices when the fuel cell is in a temporary power generation stop state. The fuel cell system drives the reactant gas supply device based on a predetermined current instruction value to supply a reactant gas to the fuel cell, thereby generating the power. Such a fuel cell system comprises a control device which judges whether or not the current instruction value is below a water balance zero current value when the water content of the fuel cell is below a predetermined threshold and the stored electric charge of the capacitor is a predetermined threshold or more. If affirmative judgment is obtained, the control device switches the power generation state of the fuel cell to the temporary power generation stop state.
US08394516B2
The present invention relates to recording glass substrates molar percentages: 56-75 SiO2, 1-11 Al2O2, more than 0-4 Li2O, 1-15 Na2O. more than 0 less than 3 K2O, no BaO. total Li2O, Na2O and K2O 6-15, (Li2O Na2O) less than 0.50, {K2O/(Li2O, Na2O and K2O)} equal or less than 0.13, total MgO, CaO and SrO 10-30, MgO and CaO 10-30, {(MgO+CaO)/(MgO+CaO+SrO)} equal or more than 0.86, alkali oxides to alkaline earth oxides equal to or more than 0.50. total ZrO2, TiO2, Y2O3, La2O3, Gd2O3, Nb2O5, and Ta2O5 more than 0 equal to or less than 10, molar ratio {(ZrO2, TiO2, Y2O3, La2O3, Gd2O3, Nb2O5, and Ta2O5)/Al2O2 equal or more than 0.40, Tg equal to or higher than 600° C., average coefficient linear expansion equal or higher than 70×10−7/°C. at 100-300° C. and Young's modulus equal to or higher than 80 GPa.
US08394512B2
The present invention relates to new phosphaphenanthrene compounds with excellent light emitting property and an organic light emitting diode (OLED) using the same.
US08394507B2
Metal-clad polymer articles containing structural fine-grained and/or amorphous metallic coatings/layers optionally containing solid particulates dispersed therein, are disclosed. The fine-grained and/or amorphous metallic coatings are particularly suited for strong and lightweight articles, precision molds, sporting goods, automotive parts and components exposed to thermal cycling although the CLTE of the metallic layer and the one of the substrate is mismatched. The interface between the metallic layer and the polymer is suitably pretreated to withstand thermal cycling without failure.
US08394505B2
For a production of building and construction elements with utilization of municipal wastes there is designed an element provided with at least one basic layer of pressed pulp of laminated foodstuff packages, covered at least at one side by a plastic sheet and having outside cover layers. The basic layer comprises particles the dimension of which is maximal 30 mm.
US08394503B2
Disclosed is a resin-metal bonded article which is improved in adhesion between a copper component and a PPS or PBT resin. Also disclosed is a method for producing such a resin-metal bonded article. The resin-metal bonded article is obtained by bonding the resin component onto the surface of the copper component through a copper component bonding surface where there is copper oxide in the following range: 10%≦Cu2O/(Cu2O+CuO)≦75%. Preferably, this resin-metal bonded article further contains a triazine thiol derivative in the resin-component-side bonding surface of the copper component.
US08394502B2
A highly durable, environmentally and thermally stable Silver coating for mirrors, Infrared thin-film filters, or other optical coatings having very high reflection values over a large spectral and angular range where the enhanced durability and thermal stability are achieved through the selection and layer sequence of materials, which provide good chemical and environmental protection to Silver. Of particular importance are the layers directly below the Silver, and directly above the Silver (nucleation layer and barrier layer). It is important that the materials of those two layers provide diffusion barriers for Oxygen, water vapour and other corrosive gases, and are compatible in such a way that the layer below the Silver provides a good nucleation bed for Silver assuring that Silver will grow dense and highly reflective, and in some cases, when deposited in very thin layers, highly transparent in the visible spectrum, and the material of the layer directly above the Silver layer has to be compatible with Silver in a sense that it grows dense on the top of Silver, does not reduce the reflectivity of Silver, and also provides a good nucleation layer for the next layer being deposited.
US08394498B2
Roofing granules include a core having an average ultraviolet transmission of greater than sixty percent and an average near infrared reflectance of greater than sixty percent and a UV coating layer on the exterior surface. The coating provides UV opacity, while the core provides near infrared reflectance.
US08394495B2
A structured organic film with an added functionality comprising a plurality of segments and a plurality of linkers arranged as a covalent organic framework, wherein the structured organic film may be a multi-segment thick structured organic film.
US08394481B2
A WORM-type recording layer in an optical information recording medium contains at least one azo-metal complex dye derived from a metal ion and a compound represented by the following general formula (1-1) or (1-2): wherein Q represents a carbocyclic group or a heterocyclic group, and R6 to R8 independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent. The compound represented by the general formula (1-1) or (1-2) has a dissociative hydrogen atom in Q, and the dissociative hydrogen atom in Q and the hydrogen atom in the —NH— group marked with asterisk * are eliminated from the compound, so that the residue is bonded to the metal ion to generate the azo-metal complex dye. The azo-metal complex dye may contain a component other than the metal ion and the compound represented by the general formula (1-1) or (1-2).
US08394476B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a hollow bottle made of polyester, which has excellent heat resistance and is not likely to undergo deformation or change in capacity even if a liquid of high temperature is filled therein. The present invention relates to a hollow bottle formed by blow molding polyester, which has a thickness in the range of 200 to 400 μm, and satisfies that Δd=d1−d2 is not less than −7 kg/m3 and more than 7 kg/m3, with d1 [kg/m3] being a density of a part ranging from an outer surface up to 50 μm inward, and d2 [kg/m3] being a density of a part of the body portion ranging from an inner surface up to 50 μm inward. The polyester is preferably polyethylene terephthalate, and it is preferable that d1=1370 to 1375 kg/m3, while d2=1373 to 1378 kg/m3.
US08394469B2
An exhaust pipe for an internal combustion engine includes a metal tube enclosing a passage through which an exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine passes, and a ceramic film covering the metal tube from the outside. The ceramic film contains no more than about 0.5 atomic % of a metallic element which is dominantly present in a surface of the metal tube.
US08394466B2
A method of forming a conformal dielectric film having Si—N bonds on a substrate having a patterned surface includes: introducing a reactant gas into a reaction space; introducing a silicon precursor in pulses of less than 5-second duration into the reaction space; applying a first RF power to the reaction space during the pulse of the silicon precursor; applying a second RF power to the reaction space during the interval of the silicon precursor pulse, wherein an average intensity of the second RF power during the interval of the silicon precursor pulse is greater than that of the first RF power during the pulse of the silicon precursor; and repeating the cycle to form a conformal dielectric film having Si—N bonds with a desired thickness on the patterned surface of the substrate.
US08394465B2
A preparation method of an electroconductive copper patterning layer includes (Step 1) preparing a dispersion solution of copper-based particles selected from the group consisting of copper particles, copper oxide particles, and their mixtures; (Step 2) forming a copper-based particle patterning layer by printing or filling the dispersion solution of copper-based particles to a substrate into a predetermined shape; and (Step 3) irradiating laser to the copper-based particle patterning layer to burn and interconnect the copper-based particles contained in the copper-based particle patterning layer. This preparation method burns a copper-based particle patterning layer with a strong energy within a short time by using laser. Thus, it is possible to obtain a copper patterning layer that is hardly oxidized even in the atmosphere, so a copper patterning layer with excellent electric conductivity is formed.
US08394449B2
An improved differential coat weight technique employs a novel algorithm for measuring the weight of a coating material that has been deposited onto a sheet of substrate. The invention employs dual x-ray or nuclear gauges such that, even though the downstream sensor is never exposed to uncoated sheet substrate, imparting the downstream sensor with the ability to predict results that it would have yielded when measuring the uncoated sheet substrate, leads to the development of a coat weight calibration protocol from which the basis weight of the coating can be ascertained directly from measurements from the upstream and downstream sensors. No subtraction of results is required. Moreover, the two sensors do not need to be re-calibrated whenever the relative proportions of the coating and base substrate change. The technique is particularly suited for applications where the coating material and substrate are made of substances that have very different atomic numbers.
US08394446B2
Methods of incorporating an antioxidant into a medical device including a polymer are described, and methods of packaging medical devices.
US08394441B2
The invention describes a low temperature extrusion process and a respective device for an energy-optimized and viscosity-adapted microstructuring of frozen aerated systems like ice cream. Therewith a very finely dispersed microstructure is reached under optimized balance of viscous friction based mechanical energy dissipation (1) and transfer of dissipation heat and additional phase transition (freezing) heat (2) to a refrigerant up to very high frozen water fraction at very low temperatures. With this new process and device aerated masses are continuously frozen and optimally micro-structured under minimized/optimized mechanical energy input. The microstructure of this-like treated masses supports on the one hand preferred rheological properties which lead to improved shaping, portioning and scooping properties, even at very low temperatures, and on the other hand leads to an improved shelf life (heat shock stability) and mouth feel (e.g. creaminess, melting behavior).
US08394435B2
A xylanase from Bacillus halodurans can increase the shelf life of baked products. More specifically, the xylanase in combination with a maltogenic amylase further improves the softness of bread crumb without having detrimental effects on elasticity.
US08394428B1
Compositions comprising from about 0.5 to about 40 percent by weight of black cohosh extract, from about 0.5 to about 20 percent by weight of nonionic surfactant, and from about to 40 about 99 percent by weight of hydroxylated solvent are effective in reducing and preventing eyebrow hair loss in patients undergoing chemotherapy.
US08394427B2
Cosmetic compositions comprising one or more paxillin stimulators and methods of using such compositions to impart anti-aging benefits to the skin are disclosed. The paxillin stimulators and combinations thereof are believed to have modulatory activity against at least one biochemical pathway implicated in skin aging.
US08394422B2
The invention relates to a method for treating and/or preventing autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases, including the graft-versus-host disease, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof, a therapeutically effective amount of an arsenic compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08394405B2
Disclosed are once-daily formulations containing tetracyclines, especially doxycycline. Such formulations are useful, for instance, for the treatment of collagenase destructive enzyme-dependent diseases, such as periodontal disease and acne, and acute and chronic inflammatory disease states, such as rosacea and arthritis.
US08394404B2
The present invention provides an adhesive material to be adhered to the skin etc., which maintains, for a certain time period after adhesion thereof to the skin surface, suitable adhesiveness that does not allow easy peeling or cause irritation to the skin, and which permits, when it is to be peeled off from the skin surface after the lapse of a desired certain time period, easy peeling without causing pain or physical irritation, and an adhesive preparation containing the adhesive material and a percutaneously absorbable drug in the adhesive layer. Specifically, the present invention provides an adhesive material containing a support and an adhesive layer laminated on one surface of the support, wherein the adhesive layer has an apparent viscosity at 30° C. of 0.2×104 to 10×104 Pa·s and comprises two kinds of synthetic rubbers having different flowability.
US08394396B2
Sol-gel inorganic porous particles are composed of an inorganic compound that provides an inorganic solid phase including an external particle surface. They also have a first set of pores wherein the pores have an average diameter of less than 100 nm and a second set of pores wherein the pores have an average diameter of at least 100 nm, which second set of pores contains stabilizing organic microgel particles. These inorganic porous particles are prepared using a first oil phase comprising a first water-immiscible aprotic solvent having a dielectric constant of less than 10 and having dissolved therein organic microgel particles. An aqueous phase comprising a polar solvent, an inorganic gel precursor, a catalyst, and a dispersing surfactant is neutralized to initiate condensation of the inorganic gel precursor. An oil-in-water emulsion is then formed with the organic microgel particles in the first oil phase, which is dispersed as first oil phase droplets in the aqueous phase. A second oil phase is combined with the oil-in-water emulsion with the second oil phase to form an oil-in-water-in-oil emulsion comprising the first oil phase droplets in the aqueous phase.
US08394390B2
This invention provides, among other things, proteins, polypeptides, and fragments thereof, derived from the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis B. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding for such proteins, polypeptides, and/or fragments, as well as nucleic acids complementary thereto e.g., antisense nucleic acids). Additionally, this invention provides antibodies which bind to the proteins, polypeptides, and/or fragments. This invention further provides expression vectors useful for making the proteins, polypeptides, and/or fragments, as well as host cells transformed with such vectors. This invention also provides compositions of the proteins, polypeptides, fragments, and/or nucleic acids, for use as vaccines, diagnostic reagents, immunogenic compositions, and the like. Methods of making the compositions and methods of treatment with the compositions are also provided. This invention also provides methods of detecting the proteins, polypeptides, fragments, and/or nucleic acids.
US08394382B2
The present invention relates to agents capable of binding sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin-9 (Siglec-9) and their use in the treatment of cell proliferation and differentiation disorders. Furthermore, the present invention provides associated pharmaceutical formulations and methods.
US08394373B2
The present invention relates to a disintegrin and metalloproteinase containing thrombospondin 1-like domains (ADAMTS) and in particular to a novel ADAMTS13 protease and to nucleic acids encoding ADAMTS13 proteases. The present invention encompasses both native and recombinant wild-type forms of ADAMTS13, as well as mutant and variant forms including fragments, some of which posses altered characteristics relative to the wild-type ADAMTS13. The present invention also relates to methods of using ADAMTS13, including for treatment of TTP. The present invention also relates to methods for screening for the presence of TTP. The present invention further relates to methods for developing anticoagulant drugs based upon ADAMTS13.
US08394367B2
The invention relates to the use of IL-6R/IL-6 chimera in chemotherapy induced neuropathy.
US08394357B2
The present invention concerns an improved optical method and optical sensing device for determining the levels of polyhydroxyl-substituted organic molecules in vitro and/or in vivo in aqueous media. The range of detection is between about 400 and 800 nm. In particular, a sensory devise is implemented in a mammal to determine sugar levels. Specifically, a dye is combined with a conjugated nitrogen-containing heterocyclic aromatic boronic acid-substituted bis-onium compound in the presence of a sugar, such as fructose or glucose. The viologens are preferred as the aromatic conjugated nitrogen-containing boronic acid substituted compounds. The method is useful to determine sugar levels in a human being.
US08394356B2
The present invention relates to contrast agents for diagnostic imaging with prolonged blood retention. In particular, this invention relates to novel compounds that are characterized by an image enhancing moiety (IEM); a protein plasma binding moiety (PPBM); and a blood half-life extending moiety (BHEM). This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and to methods of using the compounds and compositions for blood half-life extension and contrast enhancement of diagnostic imaging.
US08394354B2
The present invention provides various biomarkers of depression. The present invention also provides various methods of using the biomarkers, including methods for diagnosis of depression, methods of determining predisposition to depression, methods of monitoring progression/regression of depression, methods of assessing efficacy of compositions for treating depression, methods of screening compositions for activity in modulating biomarkers of depression, methods of treating depression, as well as other methods based on biomarkers of depression.
US08394350B2
A method for separating CO2 from gas mixtures uses a slurried media impregnated with buffer compounds and coating the solid media with a catalyst or enzyme that promotes the transformation of CO2 to carbonic acid. Buffer sorbent pebbles with a catalyst or enzyme coating are provided for rapid separation of CO2 from gas mixtures.
US08394342B2
A mechanical separator for separating a fluid sample into first and second phases is disclosed. The mechanical separator includes a float having a passageway extending between first and second ends thereof with a pierceable head enclosing the first end of the float, a ballast longitudinally moveable with respect to the float, and a bellows extending between a portion of the float and a portion of the ballast. The bellows is adapted for deformation upon longitudinal movement of the float and the ballast, with the bellows isolated from the pierceable head. The float has a first density and the ballast has a second density greater than the first density. The bellows is structured for sealing engagement with a cylindrical wall of a tube, and the pierceable head is structured for application of a puncture tip therethrough. The separation device is suitable for use with a standard medical collection tube.
US08394329B2
An agent sensing system may comprise an emitter optical resonator, a functionalized optical resonator, and a reference optical resonator. The emitter optical resonator may be configured to emit light at one or more system peak wavelengths. The functionalized optical resonator may be optically coupled to the emitter optical resonator and configured to propagate the emitted light in the absence of a particular agent, and filter the emitted light in the presence of the particular agent. The reference optical resonator may be optically coupled to at least one of the emitter optical resonator and the functionalized optical resonator such that an intensity of light propagated by the reference optical resonator is based at least on whether light emitted by the emitter optical resonator is filtered or propagated by the functionalized optical resonator.
US08394328B2
A system for diagnostic testing may include a meter for performing a test on a sample applied to a test media and a selectively closable container configured to house test media compatible with the meter. The system may also provide mechanisms for removing a meter from a test container and reattaching it to a new one using one of several coding methods that recalibrate the meter for the new container of test strips. Alternatively, the system may include an auto-calibration system where data is provided individually on each individual test medium in a form readable by the test meter. The carried data may include an embedded code relating to data particular to that individual strip. The data is presented so as to be read by a meter associated with the diagnostic test strip in order to avoid manually inputting the information. In addition, the system may further provide mechanisms to reconfigure the meter to perform a new function when it has been determined that a triggering event has occurred.
US08394324B2
A microfluidic device is provided with appropriate integrated structures to conduct large volume PCR and end-point or real-time capillary electrophoresis detection. The microfluidic device includes a substrate having an amplification chamber of a volume of nucleic acid, wells disposed on the substrate, flow channels connecting the wells and the chamber in the substrate to allow for solution flow through the chamber, and one or more separation channels provided in the substrate and connected to the chamber for separating and detecting a fraction of the amplified nucleic acid. The chamber, the flow channels, and the one or more separation channels are configured such that the hydrodynamic flow resistance of the chambers and the flow channels combined is at least 10Λ3 times smaller than the hydrodynamic flow resistance in the one or more separation channels. The microfluidic device can achieve a very high sensitivity in detection while being highly cost effective.
US08394315B2
A multi-segment tool and tooling system for vacuum forming a composite part. A tool can include a first tool having first and second surfaces. A second tool can have an opening positioned on a first tool in a location other than the first surface or the second surface. The first tool and second tool can receive at least a portion of a preform composite. The first tool can have a vacuum barrier attached to the first surface and to the second surface encapsulating the preform composite and the second tool. A tooling system can include a first tool having a core and a base with a core extending upwards from the base. A second tool can be positioned upon the core where the core extends above the second tool. A vacuum barrier sealed to the base and the core can include a composite, the first tool and the second tool.
US08394313B2
The invention relates to a process or a device for the production of a three-dimensional object by layer-wise solidification of a photo-polymerizable resin by means of a planar or essentially planar construction/reference plane, at which the photo-polymerizable resin contained in the liquid material is to be hardened by electromagnetic irradiation, and wherein the material application for the subsequent layer automatically results from the separation of the last hardened layer from the construction/-reference plane, whereby the construction/reference plane is formed by an elastic film. The film is fixed in a frame, and the height position of the frame with the film is adjusted in a basin containing the liquid material such that the pressure of the liquid material compensates the sagging of the film (formation of a negative meniscus), and that the lower side of the film is permanently in contact with the material during the whole construction process.
US08394312B1
Methods for making a microfluidic device according to embodiments of the present invention include defining˜cavity. Polymer precursor solution is positioned in the cavity, and exposed to light to begin the polymerization process and define a microchannel. In some embodiments, after the polymerization process is partially complete, a solvent rinse is performed, or fresh polymer precursor introduced into the microchannel. This may promote removal of unpolymerized material from the microchannel and enable smaller feature sizes. The polymer precursor solution may contain an iniferter. Polymerized features therefore may be capped with the iniferter, which is photoactive. The iniferter may aid later binding of a polyacrylamide gel to the microchannel surface.
US08394303B2
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing wood fiber insulating boards, wherein wood fibers are mixed with thermoplastic plastic fibers as binders and a fiber mat is produced therefrom, wherein multi-component fibers composed of at least one first and one second plastic component having different melting points are used as plastic fibers, wherein the fiber mat is heated in such a way that the second component of the plastic fiber softens and wherein the fiber mat is cooled down to produce the insulating board, characterized in that a steam/air mixture having a specified dew point flows through the fiber mat to heat the fiber mat and that multi-component plastic fibers are used as binders, the first component of which has a melting point above the dew point and the second component of which has a melting point below the dew point.
US08394298B2
Compositions, and methods of making thereof, comprising from about 1% to about 5% of a perfluorinated sulfonic acid ionomer or a hydrocarbon-based ionomer; and from about 95% to about 99% of a solvent, said solvent consisting essentially of a polyol; wherein said composition is substantially free of water and wherein said ionomer is uniformly dispersed in said solvent.
US08394290B2
The invention provides methods and compositions for improving the production of alumina. The invention involves adding a product containing one or more polysaccharides to liquor within the fluid circuit of the production process, where one of the polysaccharides is scleroglucan. The use of scleroglucan can impart a number of advantages including at least some of: greater flocculation effectiveness, increasing the maximum effective dosage, faster settling rate. The production process can be a Bayer process.
US08394284B2
A thermoelectric converter made of a thermoelectric conversion material is provided in which metal or alloy particles having an average particle size of 1 to 100 nm are dispersed, wherein at least a part of the metal or alloy particles are dispersed at a distance not more than the mean free path of the phonon of the thermoelectric conversion material.
US08394283B2
The present invention relates to a three-dimensional structure manufacturing method for performing surface treatment processes, and a replication step to provide hydrophobicity on an external surface of the three-dimensional structure. In the manufacturing method, the hydrophobicity may be provided to the external surface of the three-dimensional structure, a high cost device required in the conventional MEMS process is not used, the manufacturing cost is reduced, and the manufacturing process is simplified. In addition, it has been difficult to provide the hydrophobicity on an external surface of a three-dimensional structure having a large surface due to a spatial limitation, but in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the hydrophobicity may be provided to the external surface of the three-dimensional structure having a large surface, such as a torpedo, a submarine, a ship, and a vehicle, without the spatial limitation.
US08394277B2
It is disclosed a process for removing at least a portion of the furfural and acetic acid in a first stream comprised of water, at least one compound selected from the group consisting of furfural and acetic acid, C5's and C6's. Such process comprises the steps of contacting the stream with an adsorption media which has been previously contacted with a second stream comprised of the same components and the adsorption media has been regenerated by exposing it to conditions, without being in contact with the second stream, such that at least 70% of the adsorbed furfural and acetic acid have each been desorbed and at least 60% of the C5's and C6's remain adsorbed on the media.
US08394271B2
A method and apparatus for the anaerobic digestion of high-solids waste material. The apparatus includes a closed container having a relatively circular outer wall. The closed container has a first passage having an inlet in which the waste material flows in a first direction, a second passage in which the waste material flows in a second direction, and a divider having an end. The divider separates the first passage from the second passage, such that the waste material flows around the end of the divider when flowing from the first passage to the second passage.
US08394269B2
The present invention relates to a water filter device having a filter head with filter head components, a replaceable filter candle with filter candle components, and an encoding structure which is formed between a filter head component and a filter candle component. The water filter device is distinguished, in a first embodiment, in that an encoding structure is formed with axial orientation on an end face of the filter candle and/or on an element which is associated with such an end face of the filter candle. In a second embodiment, said water filter device is distinguished in that an encoding structure is formed separately from a fixing structure.
US08394263B2
The invention relates to a bulk catalyst having improved activity in hydrodesulphurization, in particular in relatively low Group VIII over Group VIB metal molar ratios. The bulk catalyst comprises metal oxidic particles comprising one or more Group VIB metals and one or more-Group VIII metals which metal oxidic particles are obtainable by a process comprising the steps of reacting the compounds comprising one or more Group VIB metals and compounds comprising one or more Group VIII metals in hydrothermal conditions at a reaction temperature above the boiling temperature of the protic liquid, preferably in an autoclave at a reaction pressure above atmospheric pressure and. The invention also relates to the corresponding sulphided catalyst, to a process for the manufacture of said bulk catalyst and to the use of said catalyst for the hydrotreatment, in particular the hydrodesulphurization and hydrodenitrogenation of hydrocarbon feedstock.
US08394262B2
The invention describes a catalyst comprising at least one metal from group VIB, at least two metals from group VIII termed the major promoter VIII-1 and co-promoters VIII-i, where i is in the range 2 to 5, and at least one support constituted by a porous refractory oxide, in which the elements from group VIII are present in proportions defined by the atomic ratio [VIII-1/(VIII-1+ . . . +VIII-i)], said ratio being in the range 0.5 to 0.85, as well as a process for the hydrotreatment of heavy hydrocarbon feeds, comprising at least one hydrodemetallization step and at least one hydrodesulphurization step, and employing a catalyst in accordance with the invention with an identical atomic ratio in each of the hydrodemetallization and hydrodesulphurization steps.
US08394251B2
Isotachophoresis (ITP) is exploited to control various aspects of chemical reactions. In a first aspect, at least one of the reactants of a chemical reaction is confined to an ITP zone, but the resulting product of the chemical reaction is separated from this ITP zone by the ITP process. In a second aspect, one or more reactants of a chemical reaction are confined to an ITP zone, and one or more other reactants of the chemical reaction are not confined to this ITP zone. In a third aspect, ITP is employed to confine at least one reactant of a chemical reaction to an ITP zone, and at least one reactant of the chemical reaction is delivered to the ITP zone in two or more discrete doses. These aspects are especially relevant to performing polymerase chain reactions using chemical denaturants as opposed to thermal cycling.
US08394249B2
Methods are provided for manipulating droplets. The methods include providing the droplet on a surface comprising an array of electrodes and a substantially co-planer array of reference elements, wherein the droplet is disposed on a first one of the electrodes, and the droplet at least partially overlaps a second one of the electrodes and an intervening one of the reference elements disposed between the first and second electrodes. The methods further include activating the first and second electrodes to spread at least a portion of the droplet across the second electrode and deactivating the first electrode to move the droplet from the first electrode to the second electrode.
US08394246B2
A remote measurement system measures the concentrations of analytes in fluid samples. The system includes a metering device that can receive signals from a test strip or alternatively interrogate the test strip to obtain information. The test strip includes an area for receiving a fluid sample and electrochemically producing a current response that is sensed within the fluid sample. The test strip also includes an antenna and a radio frequency signal circuit for transmitting a signal indicative of the current response of a fluid sample to be analyzed. The metering device receives the signal and can convert it into a readable display in some embodiments. Remote electrochemical analysis of a fluid sample is thereby obtained.
US08394239B2
An industrial fabric, belt or sleeve and a method of making the fabric, belt or sleeve are disclosed. The industrial fabric, belt or sleeve is produced by spirally winding strips of polymeric material, such as an industrial strapping or ribbon material, and joining the adjoining sides of the strips of material using ultrasonic welding or laser welding techniques. The fabric, belt or sleeve may then be perforated using a suitable technique to make it permeable to air and/or water.
US08394236B2
An absorbent sheet of cellulosic fibers includes a mixture of hardwood fibers and softwood fibers arranged in a reticulum having (i) a plurality of pileated fiber enriched regions of a relatively high local basis weight each extending a distance in the cross-machine direction (CD) of the sheet and interconnected by way of (ii) a plurality of lower local basis weight linking regions that each extend a distance in the machine direction (MD) of the sheet and whose fiber orientation is biased along the direction between pileated regions interconnected thereby. The relative basis weight, degree of pileation, hardwood to softwood ratio, fiber length distribution, fiber orientation, and geometry of the reticulum are controlled such that the sheet exhibits a percent CD stretch that is at least about 2.75 times the machine direction to cross-machine direction (MD/CD) dry tensile ratio of the sheet.
US08394234B2
Provided is a spin head. Chuck pins, installed at a support plate to support the lateral surface of a substrate, are moved along the perpendicular direction to the radial direction of the support plate. The effect of centrifugal force applied to the chuck pins during the rotation of the support plate is minimized to support a substrate stably.
US08394227B2
A surface-coating material includes a double-bond-containing, OH-functional component A and a double-bond-containing, NCO-functional component B, having the following properties: Component A: solids fraction between 30% and 100% by weight, double-bond density between 2 eq/kg and 5 eq/kg (at a solids fraction of 100%), and OH content between 4% and 7% by weight, and Component B: solids fraction between 30% and 100% by weight, double-bond density between 1 eq/kg and 4 eq/kg (at a solids fraction of 100%), and NCO content of between 4% and 7% by weight.
US08394223B2
A pressing apparatus is provided for depositing a sliver on a surface with a first segment and at least one second segment that can respectively roll along the surface. The pressing apparatus furthermore features an assembly frame for holding the segments. The first segment features a first rolling element and a suspension apparatus and the second segment features a second rolling element. The suspension apparatus is designed for attaching the first segment to the assembly frame and for rotatably mounting the first rolling element on the assembly frame. The suspension apparatus is designed for allowing a relative movement between the first rolling element and the second rolling element in a radial direction of the first rolling element.
US08394221B2
A fluid-filled may include including an outer barrier, a tensile member, and a fluid. The tensile member may be located within barrier and formed from a textile element that includes a pair of spaced layers joined by a plurality of connecting members. A method of manufacturing the chamber may include locating a textile tensile member between two polymer elements. Pressure and heat are applied to the tensile member and the polymer elements in a first area and in a second area. The pressure is greater in the first area than in the second area. In addition, the polymer elements are bonded together around a periphery of the tensile member.
US08394211B2
The present invention provides a magnesium alloy material excellent in high mechanical characteristics without using special manufacturing facilities or processes and a method for manufacturing the magnesium alloy material. The magnesium alloy material is an Mg—Zn—RE alloy containing Zn as an essential component, at least one of Gd, Tb, and Tm as RE, and the rest including Mg and unavoidable impurities and contains a needle-like precipitate or a board-like precipitate (lengthy precipitate: X-phase=β-phase, β′-phase, and β1-phase).
US08394205B2
The invention disclosed and claimed herein relates to a subterranean pipe tractor for moving and controlling a pipe scarifier. The subterranean pipe tractor comprises a scarifier connector that reversibly connects a scarifier to the pipe tractor; a drive mechanism for propelling the scarifier through the pipe when the scarifier is connected to the pipe tractor; and a power source that powers the drive mechanism. The power source of the pipe tractor may be an on-board power source or an external power source. The pipe tractor may include a hydraulic pump and an on-board electric generator powered by the power source. The subterranean pipe tractor may include local controls for controlling local functions and remote controls used to control remote components, such as a high-pressure fluid source. The subterranean pipe tractor may optionally include a scarifier lift mechanism for lifting one end of the scarifier.
US08394203B2
Imprint lithography system may provide for an energy source for solidification of material positioned between a template and a substrate. Additionally, the energy source and/or an additional energy source may be used to clean contaminants from the template and/or the substrate.
US08394202B2
Disclosed is a method for manufacturing sugar from sugarcane. The method consists of steps of dosing biocides on sugarcane during cane preparation and milling to kill about 90% of microbes; heating juice, obtained from a mill to 70° C.; subsequently, neutralizing the juice; subsequent to the neutralizing step, heating the neutralized juice to about 105° C.; subsequent to the neutralizing step, passing the heated neutralized juice through clarifiers or settling tanks; concentrating the neutralized juice by evaporating to boil-off water from the neutralized juice to obtain syrup of the neutralized juice having about 60% solids; crystallizing the syrup, obtained in the concentrating step, to obtain a liquor; separating the sugar from the liquor obtained in the crystallizing step; and washing and drying the sugar obtained in the separating step. The sugar thus produced is about neutral and contains substantially zero amount of sulfur.
US08394195B2
A method of making LSO scintillators with high light yield and short decay times is disclosed. In one arrangement, the method includes codoping LSO with cerium and another dopant from the IIA or IIB group of the periodic table of elements. The doping levels are chosen to tune the decay time of scintillation pulse within a broader range (between about ˜30 ns up to about ˜50 ns) than reported in the literature, with improved light yield and uniformity. In another arrangement, relative concentrations of dopants are chosen to achieve the desired light yield and decay time while ensuring crystal growth stability.
US08394192B2
A lightweight structural concrete includes a hydraulic binder; effective water; a superplasticizer; and aggregates; the concrete having a density in the fresh state varying from 1.40 to a Dmax value calculated according to formula (I) Dmax=1.58+(a×AM) in which “a” represents a coefficient for which the value is equal to 1; “AM” represents the mass percentage of the amorphous materials contained in 1 m3 of fresh concrete; the concrete having a maximum fresh state density Dmax less than or equal to 1.85; the concrete having a Weffective/L ratio varying from 0.19 to 0.46, where Weffective represents the quantity of effective water in kilogram per cubic meter of fresh concrete; “L” represents the quantity of cement and additions in kilograms per cubic meter of fresh concrete; the concrete including a quantity of effective water varying from 100 to 230 liters per cubic meter of fresh concrete; the concrete including a quantity of Portland clinker greater than or equal to 150 kilograms per cubic meter of fresh concrete; the concrete including a quantity of (Portland clinker+optionally fly ash+optionally slags+optionally silica fume+optionally calcined shale+optionally calcined clays) greater than or equal to 300 kilograms per cubic meter of fresh concrete; the concrete having a volume of paste greater than or equal to 300 l/m3 of fresh concrete; the concrete including from 1 to 16% by volume of air.
US08394177B2
This invention provides methods for separating gas components from a gas stream. The methods are particularly advantageous in that an environmentally friendly biomass absorbent is used to assist in the separation process. The invention is particularly suited to separate water soluble gas components from a gas stream. The water soluble gas components can be used to condition the biomass for additional use, such as a conditioned feed for a biofuel. In general, the conditioned biomass will have increased enzyme digestibility, making the conditioned biomass highly suitable as feedstock for biofuel production.
US08394175B2
A process for the production of a carbon hollow fiber membrane comprising: (i) dissolving at least one cellulose ester in a solvent to form a solution; (ii) dry/wet spinning the solution to form hollow fibers; (iii) deesterifying said hollow fibers with a base or an acid in the presence of an alcohol; (iv) if necessary, drying said fibers; (v) carbonizing the fibers; (vi) assembling the carbonized fibers to form a carbon hollow fiber membrane.
US08394173B2
There is described a method for the removal of gaseous contaminants from the housings of devices sensitive to the presence of such contaminants by means of nanostructured sorbers, wherein the sorber is in the form of a fiber containing an active material at its inside. Nanostructured sorbers and their manufacturing method are also described.
US08394165B2
A diaphragm carburettor is connected via a suction port with the clean air side of an air filter. A regulating chamber with a fuel chamber is connected with the suction port, in which the fuel chamber is acted upon with underpressure from the suction port and is separated from a compensation chamber by a regulating diaphragm formed to control the fuel supply to the fuel chamber. The compensation chamber is connected via a compensation path with the clean air side of the air filter and/or with the suction port so that pressure vibrations are reduced in the compensation chamber. A control and/or regulating element associated with the compensation path alters the length and/or the diameter of the compensation path.
US08394163B2
A conduit piece for the absorption of foreign bodies in an air distribution conduit of an air-conditioning installation, with a bent portion, the inner wall (I) of which has a large bend radius (Rg) and a small bend radius (Rk). To avoid flow noises according to the invention, an interception device (1, 10, 11, 13, 14) be provided in the region of the large bend radius (Rg) for the purpose of intercepting foreign bodies carried through the conduit piece together with the air.
US08394159B2
An air cleaner housing for a vehicle air cleaner element includes a first housing member secured within a vehicle and defining at least one tongue aperture, and a second housing member having a main housing portion and at least one tongue. The first and second housing members together enclosing the air cleaner element. The at least one tongue is pivotally mounted to the main housing portion and removably received in the at least one tongue aperture of the first housing member to pivotally secure the second housing member to the first housing member.
US08394155B2
A bag filter having a support structure clothed in a filter bag. The cloth of the filter bag is a composite of at least one substrate layer and at least one nanoweb bonded thereto in a face-to-face relationship. The nanoweb is positioned at the surface of the filter bag first exposed to the hot particle laden gas stream and can have a basis weight of greater than about 0.1 gsm.
US08394148B2
Knee prostheses featuring components that more faithfully replicate the structure and function of the human knee joint in order to provide, among other benefits: greater flexion of the knee in a more natural way by promoting or at least accommodating internal tibial rotation in a controlled way, replication of the natural screw home mechanism, and controlled articulation of the tibia and femur respective to each other in a more natural way. In a preferred embodiment, such prostheses include an insert component disposed between a femoral component and a tibial component, the insert component preferably featuring among other things a reversely contoured posterolateral bearing surface that helps impart internal rotation to the tibia as the knee flexes. Other surfaces can also be specially shaped to achieve similar results, preferably using iterative automated techniques that allow testing and iterative design taking into account a manageable set of major forces acting on the knee during normal functioning, together with information that is known about natural knee joint kinetics and kinematics.
US08394144B2
A tracking and positioning system and method to enable the precise positioning of an object or tool relative to its surgical surroundings, and in accordance with preoperative CT images of the operating site. When used for artificial spinal disc positioning, the system comprises a computing system incorporating in memory the preoperative CT data showing the two vertebrae and the predetermined disc position between them; a 3-D target having radio-opaque markers for attaching to one of the vertebrae to define the position of the vertebra in an intra-operative fluoroscope image of the spine; a tool for intra-operative insertion of the artificial disc, and a registration system for relating the intra-operative fluoroscope image to the preoperative CT data, such that the predetermined disc position is displayed in the fluoroscope image of the subject, thereby enabling the surgeon to place the artificial disc accurately in its intended position.
US08394141B2
The present invention is directed to a composition comprising a matrix suitable for implantation in humans, comprising defatted, shredded, allogeneic human muscle tissue that has been combined with an aqueous carrier and dried in a predetermined shape. Also disclosed is a tissue graft or implant comprising a matrix suitable for implantation in humans, comprising defatted, shredded, allogeneic human muscle tissue that has been combined with an aqueous carrier and dried in a predetermined shape. The composition and/or tissue graft or implant of the invention is usable in combination with seeded cells, a tissue growth factor, and/or a chemotactic gent to attract a desired cell.
US08394131B2
An occipital plate system comprising: (a) a plate having one or more apertures for receiving bone fasteners adapted for securing the plate to the skull; (b) two rails extending outwardly from opposing sides of the plate; and (c) two rod receptacles, each comprising a body portion and a receiver portion, the body portion defining a passageway through which one of the rails slides, the receiver portion defining a cavity to receive a rod and threads above the cavity for receiving a set screw such that at least a portion of each of a rail, the rod and the set screw are contained within the rod receptacle.
US08394127B2
A bone anchor comprising a self-centering ball-joint suitable for use in a spine stabilization prosthesis which supports the spine while providing for the preservation of spinal motion. The bone anchor has a deflectable ball-rod partially received in a socket of a housing formed in the head of the bone anchor. A centering rod received partially in the ball-rod and partially within the housing operates to align the ball-rod with the longitudinal axis of the bone anchor. Deflection of the ball-rod bends the centering rod which in turn applies a restoring force upon the ball-rod.
US08394115B2
A composite end effector for an ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided and includes a first portion formed from a first material that exhibits a first characteristic value when excited by an ultrasonic energy input and a second portion formed from a second material that exhibits a second characteristic value when excited by the ultrasonic energy input. The composite end effector exhibits a composite characteristic value different from the first and second characteristic values when excited by the ultrasonic energy input.
US08394114B2
Surgical connection apparatus comprises a support structure, a plurality of clips, which can be self-closing clips, each clip being releasably coupled to the support structure, and a plurality of barbs, each barb being coupled to the support structure, the barbs being separate from the clips, which are ejectable from the support structure independently of the barbs.
US08394112B2
A system for transdermal repair of soft tissue includes an instrument comprising a proximal actuator portion, a fixed needle having a lumen and extending distally from the proximal actuator portion, and a movable needle having a lumen and extending distally from the proximal actuator portion. The movable needle is movable axially between an advanced position and a retracted position relative to the proximal actuator portion. A suture needle is disposed within the lumen of one of the fixed and movable needles, and has a length of suture connected thereto. Needle graspers are disposed in the lumen of each needle, for securing the suture needle and assisting in the transfer of the suture needle from one needle to the other to complete a suture passing step.
US08394106B2
A shroud for protecting exterior portions of a prosthetic implant from adhesive and a method for utilizing the same. The shroud includes a hub, a rim, and at least one bridge connecting the hub and the rim. The rim of the shroud may be sized to cover substantially the same area as a guard of the implant. The method of utilizing the shroud involves securing the shroud to the prosthetic implant. A quantity of adhesive is provided, and the prosthetic implant is secured thereto. The shroud is removed from the implant, and then the guard is secured to the implant.
US08394099B2
A method of surgical navigation into' the brain includes establishing a trajectory through the skull into the brain to a target, drilling a hole in the skull using a drill (14), and verifying the trajectory of the drilled hole during drilling using image guidance. A surgical navigation system includes a cannulated drill, a cannulated access member (30), and a coupling member (16) for coupling the access member to the drill and for maintaining alignment of the cannulations in the drill and the access member. The access member is movable relative to the coupling member such that the access member can be secured to tissue while the coupling member maintains the alignment of the cannulations. A surgical kit includes a cannulated drill, a cannulated access member, a coupling member for coupling the access member to the drill, and a probe for receipt within the cannulated drill.
US08394096B2
An open electrosurgical forceps for sealing tissue includes a pair of first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to a subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive sealing plate for communicating electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween. At least one of the jaw members includes a cutting slot defined along a length thereof which is dimensioned to reciprocate a cutting instrument therealong for cutting tissue disposed between jaw members. An actuator advances the cutting instrument from a first position wherein the cutting instrument is disposed proximal to tissue held between the jaw members to at least one subsequent position wherein the cutting instrument is disposed distal to tissue held between the jaw members.
US08394094B2
An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical instrument comprises a pair of opposing first and second jaw members. At least one of the jaw members is movable relative to the other between a first open position in which the jaw members are disposed in a spaced relation relative to one another, and a second closed position in which the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The first jaw member comprises first and second sealing members extending along a length of the jaw and being separated by an insulating member therebetween, and is provided with an electrically-conductive cutting electrode supported on the insulting member. The second jaw member comprises third and fourth sealing members extending along the jaw and being separated by a recess therebetween, an electrically-insulating anvil being located in the recess opposite the cutting electrode. The electrically-insulating anvil is located on a support member attached to one or both of the third and fourth sealing members, and the anvil and support member are such that the anvil is spring mounted with respect to the third and fourth sealing members and such that the anvil can move within the recess by at least 0.5 mm when tissue is grasped between the jaws of the end effector assembly.
US08394092B2
An electrosurgical system for directing energy to tissue includes a generator assembly operable to supply power having a selected phase, amplitude and frequency, and an applicator array assembly. The applicator array assembly includes a shell assembly, a plurality of energy applicators disposed within the shell assembly, and a power divider unit electrically coupled to the generator assembly. The power divider unit is operable to divide power into the applicator array assembly.
US08394081B2
Pump cassettes, wound-treatment apparatuses and methods. In some embodiments, a pump cassette comprises: a pump body having a pump chamber, an inlet valve in fluid communication with the pump chamber, and an outlet valve in fluid communication with the pump chamber; a diaphragm coupled to the pump body such that the diaphragm is movable to vary a volume in the pump chamber; and an identifier configured to store one or more properties of the pump cassette such that the identifier is readable by an automated reader to determine the one or more properties. In some embodiments, the pump cassette is configured to be removably coupled to a wound-treatment apparatus having an actuator such that the actuator can be activated to move the diaphragm.
US08394080B2
A needleless connector includes a housing having a housing passage with an open end, a slider disposed in the housing passage, and a mechanism to bias the slider toward the open end of the housing passage. The connector may also include a seal at the open end of the housing passage, the seal either cooperating with the slider to seal the open end of the connector, or sealing the open end of the connector without interaction with the slider, for example taking the form of a slit septum.
US08394077B2
A fluid infusion system is described. Certain embodiments include an infusion syringe assessment device that assesses one or more characteristics of an infusion syringe coupled to a fluid infusion pump during use. The system may include a fluid infusion pump configured to accept the infusion syringe. The fluid infusion pump may advance an infusion fluid to a test subject in accordance with an infusion routine based on one or more of the assessed characteristics of the infusion syringe. The infusion routine may include at least one rate, at least one volume, at least one start time, at least one end time, and/or at least one duration.
US08394076B2
The present invention involves selectively breaking down or altering a blocking tissue by irradiating the blocking tissue with a laser irradiation. Breaking down the blocking tissue allows the delivery of therapeutic agents through the blocking tissue to a target tissue. An area of the blocking tissue is selected for treatment. The selected area is irradiated with a laser to induce an alteration or breakdown of the blocking tissue. Areas not irradiated are not affected. Once the selected area of the blocking tissue is treated, a therapeutic agent can be delivered to the selected area and passed through the altered or broken down blocking tissue to the target tissue. The blocking tissue will then undergo a healing response after a period of time. The present invention may be used to treat the retina or subretinal space of a patient's eye through the blocking tissue of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE).
US08394075B2
A method is provided for suppressing or preventing pain in a patient. One step of the method includes positioning first and second electrodes, without penetrating the cranium, on or proximate to at least one of the sphenopalatine ganglia, the sphenopalatine nerves, or the vidian nerves on both sides of the patient's face. At least one of a medication solution, an analgesic, or an electrical signal is then applied to at least one of the sphenopalatine ganglia, the sphenopalatine nerves, or the vidian nerves through the first and second electrodes. Pain signal generation in, or transmission through, the at least one of the sphenopalatine ganglia, sphenopalatine nerves, or vidian nerves is disrupted on both sides of the patient's face.
US08394069B2
A unidirectional injector having at least one cylinder-piston unit, the piston thereof being displaceable between two stroke end positions relative to the cylinder, wherein the cylinder-piston unit comprises at least one sealing system sealing a compensating space from the surroundings. To this end the piston is provided at its front surface with an axial annular groove for accommodating a seal ring or a permanently elastic seal material, that the cylinder is provided with a first seal element and a second seal element which are spaced by at least a piston stroke, or that the piston is provided with the first seal element and the second seal element which are spaced by at least a piston stroke, or the cylinder carries the first seal element and the piston carries the second seal element which is displaced with respect to the first by the piston stroke.
US08394066B2
Some embodiments of a medical anchor device include an elongate body coupled with deployable subcutaneous anchors to secure a catheter instrument (or other medical instrument) in place relative to a skin penetration point. In some circumstances, the elongate body may be in the form of catheter hub body, and the subcutaneous anchors can be deployed from the hub body by adjustment of a movable actuator. A locking member can interact with the actuator so as to retain the actuator in the deployed orientation during the medical procedure.
US08394061B2
A drug to be infused into a patient is contained in a syringe or vial having a displaceable plunger for ejecting the drug out through an injection port into an administration set. Motion of the plunger of the drug delivery syringe/vial is controlled by a driver syringe having a piston or plunger for ejecting either a compressible or an incompressible fluid through a flow resistance element. Motive power for the piston of the drive syringe is provided by a constant load spring. A suitable linkage is provided for coupling the piston of the drive syringe to the plunger of the drug delivery syringe. Several types of flow rate control elements for use with the driver syringe are disclosed.
US08394060B2
A reservoir unit is provided comprising a housing in which a reservoir with a transparent portion is arranged, the housing comprising a window allowing a portion of the reservoir to be inspected. The reservoir unit is adapted to be moved from a first “cold” condition to a second “warm” condition with no visible water condensing on the interior surface of the window portion. Further, the vent is adapted to provide pressure equalization between the interior of the housing and the exterior. In this way it is possible to perform visual inspection of the reservoir at all times without being confused by dew or condensed water drops, e.g. when a prefilled reservoir unit containing a drug which requires storage at a given low temperature, as is the case for insulin-containing drugs, is taken out in ambient temperature.
US08394059B2
Stabilizing an object in the body of a patient involves the injection of a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) material or other flowable material into the body of the patient so that the material contacts the object. The LCST material or other flowable material then forms a gel in the body such that the object is contained at least partially within the gel and thereby stabilized by the gel such that the object can then be easily fragmented within the body and/or retrieved from the body.
US08394051B2
A device for detecting pressure and/or temperature changes in a fluid-channel and method thereof are disclosed. The device includes a main duct with an inlet and an outlet, a branch ductwork with a first branch end branching off the main duct downwards the inlet and with a second branch end discharging into the main duct upwards the outlet, and at least one dead-end channel with a first end that branches off the branch ductwork and a second closed end. The dead-end channel is adapted to trap a gas bubble within the dead-end channel when the device is primed or filled with a liquid fluid, wherein the gas bubble changes its size or position if a change in pressure or temperature occurs in the device.
US08394049B2
A blood processing apparatus includes a heat exchanger and a gas exchanger. At least one of the heat exchanger and the gas exchanger is configured to impart a radial component to blow flow through the heat exchanger and/or gas exchanger. In some instances, a heat exchanger is configured to cause blood flow to follow a spiral flow path.
US08394046B2
A method provides for checking the correct coupling of an adding device to a therapeutic appliance that includes an extracorporeal circuit with which the adding device is connected such that a drug can be introduced into the extracorporeal circuit by the adding device during operation of the therapeutic appliance. The adding device is coupled to the extracorporeal circuit on the suction side of a pump disposed in the extracorporeal circuit, with a portion in the region of negative pressure of the extracorporeal circuit being in connection with a portion of the adding device that is closed with respect to the other parts of the extracorporeal circuit, and with the pressure in the closed portion being varied and measured.
US08394043B2
A compression garment assembly comprises a compression garment adapted for placement on a body part in a self-retaining configuration and for removal from the body part. The compression garment has at least one inflatable bladder for applying compression to the body part. A portable controller unit is adapted for fluid connection to the inflatable bladder and is configured for cyclically inflating the bladder. The compression garment and portable controller unit are configured so that the portable controller unit must be disconnected from the compression garment before the compression garment can be removed from the body part. Loss of the portable controller unit by, for example, accidental disposal with the compression garment is thus prevented.
US08394040B2
A system for processing chest compression signals is disclosed including a processing unit, a depth signal device, and a threshold device comprising upper and lower thresholds. The system may also include a force signal device. The processing unit is adapted to output a signal depending on values of depth and force signals with respect to the thresholds.
US08394037B2
Methods, systems and devices for evaluating the integrity of a uterine cavity. A method comprises introducing transcervically a probe into a patient's uterine cavity, providing a flow of a fluid (e.g., CO2) through the probe into the uterine cavity and monitoring the rate of the flow to characterize the uterine cavity as perforated or non-perforated based on a change in the flow rate. If the flow rate drops to zero or close to zero, this indicates that the uterine cavity is intact and not perforated. If the flow rate does not drop to zero or close to zero, this indicates that a fluid flow is leaking through a perforation in the uterine cavity into the uterine cavity or escaping around an occlusion balloon that occludes the cervical canal.
US08394031B2
A system and method for use in detecting an endotracheal tube location within a body electronically detects indigenous breath sounds emanating from a region of the body and processes the detected indigenous breath sounds to generate a parameter representative of an acoustic characteristic of the body associated with the endotracheal tube location within the body. The system and method generates an output indicative of the endotracheal tube location within the body based on the parameter representative of the acoustic characteristic of the body.
US08394030B2
The present invention includes an apparatus and a method for testing exhaled breath condensate for at least one biometric marker, including a substrate for collecting exhaled breath condensate, the substrate capable of being brought to a temperature below a dew point of vapor in exhaled breath, a collector for retaining the substrate and for receiving a biometric marker reagent. The invention may further include receiving exhaled breath in a collector, the collector comprising a substrate, the substrate being at a temperature below a dew point of vapor in exhaled breath, collecting the exhaled breath condensate on the substrate, and bringing a biometric marker reagent in contact with the substrate.
US08394026B2
Described herein are a method and apparatus for determining viscoelastic parameters of a tissue. A vibration signal is applied to the tissue and displacements at a plurality of locations within the tissue are measured at a plurality of times. The viscoelastic parameters of the tissue, including elasticity and viscosity, can then be determined by fitting a finite element model of the tissue to the vibration signal and the measured displacements and by solving for the viscoelastic parameters of the model. A value for density of each element of the model is selected and the absolute values for the viscoelastic parameters of each of the elements in the model is determined. Alternatively, the difference in relaxation-times between two locations within the tissue can be determined from the difference in phases of the strains at the two locations.
US08394025B2
A method and apparatus for obtaining the absolute value of intracranial pressure in a non-invasive manner is described by using an ultrasonic Doppler measuring device which detects the intracranial and extracranial blood flow velocities of the intracranial and extracranial segments of the ophthalmic artery. The eye in which the blood flow is monitored is subjected to an external pressure, sufficient to equalize the intracranial and extracranial angle-independent blood flow factors calculated from the intracranial velocity signal and extracranial velocity signal. The absolute value of the intracranial pressure is identified as that external pressure at which such equalization occur
US08394024B2
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes a transmitting and receiving unit that transmits an ultrasound wave to a target object in sequence and receives the ultrasound wave as ultrasound data reflected from the target object including a blood vessel. A first memory unit stores the received ultrasound data. An image generation unit generates an ultrasound image as a sectional image of the blood vessel. A display unit displays the ultrasound image. A region of interest (ROI) setting unit sets a plurality of ROIs on an inner wall and an outer wall of the blood vessel at a designated time. The ROIs are generated from the ultrasound data. A tracing unit traces movement of tissue in the target object corresponding to the ROIs set from the designated time to sequentially following thereafter. A second memory unit stores information of the movement of the tissue for a predetermined duration.
US08394021B2
Systems and methods for processing sensor analyte data, including initiating calibration, updating calibration, evaluating clinical acceptability of reference and sensor analyte data, and evaluating the quality of sensor calibration. During initial calibration, the analyte sensor data is evaluated over a period of time to determine stability of the sensor. The sensor may be calibrated using a calibration set of one or more matched sensor and reference analyte data pairs. The calibration may be updated after evaluating the calibration set for best calibration based on inclusion criteria with newly received reference analyte data. Fail-safe mechanisms are provided based on clinical acceptability of reference and analyte data and quality of sensor calibration. Algorithms provide for optimized prospective and retrospective analysis of estimated blood analyte data from an analyte sensor.
US08394016B1
An illuminated airway article adapted for use in opening an airway passage, said article comprising an elongated body having a distal end, wherein the distal end is adapted for contacting tissue of said airway passage, and a proximal end, at least two light sources affixed to said article wherein at least one of said light sources is an infrared light-emitting diode transmitting infrared light in the range of about 750 nm to about 3000 nm and at least one of said light sources is a conventional light-emitting diode, at least one voltage source electrically coupled to the light sources, and at least one means for activating the light sources.
US08394011B2
The present invention relates to an expandable external penile support device (EEPSD) for use on a penis during sexual intercourse. The EEPSD includes a first support ring proximate a base of the penis, a latch pivotably coupled to the support ring, and a support member extending from the latch and defining a second support ring engageable with a distal end of the penis. The EEPSD expands and contracts to accommodate changes in penis size, usually due to the gain and loss of an erection.
US08394006B2
Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.
US08393996B2
A vehicular powertrain includes an electro-mechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine. A method for operating the powertrain includes monitoring operator inputs, monitoring a transmission output, and terminating an engine operating mode when a time-rate change in the transmission output exceeds a threshold absent a change in the monitored operator inputs.
US08393981B2
A ball travel-modifying device comprising a sail and a strikeable object modifies a travel distance and a rate of travel of a struck or thrown object and returns the strikeable object to an initial rest position after each hit or throw. Devices built in accordance with the invention are particularly suited for use with strikeable objects which are various kinds of balls. A separation distance between the strikeable object and the sail is adjustable. A separation distance between the strikeable object and a surface upon which a player stands may also be adjustable. In some embodiments, the strikeable object may be replaced with a strikeable object having a different size or weight. The shape of the sail is triangular, quadrilateral, or other shapes and may be symmetric or asymmetric. The sail may alternatively be formed with a flat or curved surface and straight or curved edges. One or more apertures may be formed in the sail to modify a speed or a direction of a moving strikeable object. Some embodiments have at least one adjustable aperture to permit adaptation to various strikeable objects having a variety of sizes and weights or to cause a strikeable object to move in a preferred direction or with a preferred rate of travel.
US08393974B2
A driving wheel bearing apparatus has an inner ring 5 secured to a wheel hub 1 by a caulked portion 13. An outer joint member 14 of a constant velocity universal joint 3 has a shoulder portion 19 and a cylindrical shaft portion. Face splines 19a and 13a are formed at the end faces of the shoulder portion 19 and the caulked portion 13. Face splines 19a and 13a are supported with pressure by a fastening bolt 21 that abuts the outer side end face of the wheel hub 1 and is threadedly connected to an internal thread 20a of the shaft portion 20. Compressive remaining stress is placed on the surfaces of the face splines 19a and 13a as a result of surface modification, by shot peening. The surface hardness is set at 300 Hv or more.
US08393973B2
A coupling element for connection between a drive member and a driven member for transmitting torque has at least two similar part-circularly arcuate coupling bodies each formed by an arcuate row of elastomeric segments alternating with and vulcanized to rigid elasticity-limiting elements. The rows terminate at end parts formed with axially or radially throughgoing holes for attachment to the drive and driven members. A hinge assembly allows movement of the part-circular coupling bodies between a closed position forming a closed circle centered on an axis and an open position.
US08393971B2
A vehicle chase game includes a first game object and a second game object. A second game object scans for a projected spot on an overhead surface. The second game object detects the projected spot on the overhead surface and gathers location information based on the detected projected spot. The second game object generates a position of a first game object based on the location information. The second game object transfers the position of the first game object to the chase game application program. The chase game application program selects a behavior based on the position of the first game object, where a goal of the behavior is to drive the second game object to intercept the first game object. The chase game application program sends instructions to the second game object's mechanical and electrical systems to execute the selected behaviors.
US08393970B2
The exemplary embodiments described herein relate to systems and/or methods for competitive simulations and, more particularly, to systems and/or methods in which users build stock portfolios that compete against each other, with the performance of each user's stock portfolio being based on one or more stock market related metrics (e.g., price per share, market capitalization, volume of trade, etc.). A user's portfolio may be formed and/or reformed so as to comply with certain predefined criteria (e.g., company traded on a particular exchange, company belonging to a particular market sector, etc.). The performance of each team/portfolio may be depicted using sports-related imagery (e.g., as teams on a football field, a basketball court, around a baseball diamond, etc.).
US08393966B2
A game system includes a plurality of game apparatuses that can carry out short-range wireless communication with one another. One of the game apparatuses functions as a parent apparatus, and at least one other game apparatus functions as a child apparatus. The parent apparatus transmits transmission verification data a predetermined number of times. Accordingly, the child apparatus receives the transmission verification data from the parent apparatus, and transmits to the parent apparatus the same number of pieces of reception verification data as those of the received transmission verification data. The parent apparatus receives the reception verification data from the child apparatus, and detects the number of the received pieces of reception verification data. Also, the parent apparatus varies a game process according to the number of the received pieces of data detected in communication with each child apparatus, and, for example, decides a communication priority rank of each child character based on the number of the received pieces of data. In addition, the child apparatus varies a game process according to the number of the received pieces of data corresponding to this apparatus itself.
US08393965B2
Provided is an operation device, including: a magnetic sensor (21); and an operation button (14) used for operation input by a user, in which the operation button (14) has a spring (14a) integrated therein, and the spring (14a) is formed of a non-magnetic material.
US08393963B2
A game system includes a game apparatus and a controller, and the controller is furnished with an acceleration sensor. For example, a player performs a boxing game according to an acceleration input by throwing a hook or straight punch while holding the controller. When it is determined that an acceleration input is started, it is assumed that the kind is a straight although the kind of the input has not been identified yet, and a drawing of a glove object moving along a path of a straight is started. When it is determined that the kind is a hook on the basis of the acceleration acquired thereafter, the glove object moving along a hook path is drawn.
US08393957B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for enabling a player to take a tour of a secondary game at a game machine. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes offering to enable entry of a player into a bonus round of a game machine in exchange for a fee, receiving the fee from the player, and enabling entry of the player into the bonus round. The method further includes receiving an indication of at least one player selection during the bonus round, and determining an outcome based on the at least one player selection. In other embodiments, the method includes providing a prize to the player based on the outcome.
US08393954B2
In various embodiments, a player may participate in a game of a top performing player.
US08393948B2
A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining that an online communal wagering game (communal game) requests additional players. The online communal wagering game can be provided by a wagering game provider. The operations can further include determining one or more social network user accounts (social network accounts) available to play in the online communal wagering game. The social network accounts can from different social network websites, servers, etc., across the Internet, or other communications networks. The operations can further include aggregating the one or more social network accounts into a communal wagering game session, controlling the communal game with bets from the aggregated social network accounts, and providing social communication content that the social network accounts can use to communicate, receive notifications, view game replays, trade items, etc. The operations can also include using jurisdictional rules to control wagering functionality.
US08393947B2
Disclosed herein is gaming utilizing a first gaming table (3010) and a predefined number of first tokens (3015), wherein said first gaming table (3010) includes a plurality of cells corresponding to said number of first tokens (3015), each cell of said first gaming table being associated with a unique identifier, and further wherein each of said first tokens has an associated value. In an embodiment, populating (1015) said first gaming table by storing each of said first tokens in one of said cells of said first gaming table; iteratively selecting (1020), by a first player, one of said cells of said first gaming table to reveal one of said first tokens stored therein, until each of said first tokens has been revealed; and utilizing said values associated with said first tokens to determine a score for said first player, based on an order in which said first tokens were revealed.
US08393931B2
A system and method is provided for selectively directing smoke in a model train or other model vehicle. In one embodiment, a directional fan is used to guide smoke to one of at least two output ports. When the fan is rotated in a first direction, air is drawn in through a first port and smoke is directed out of a second port. When the fan is reversed, the flow of air is reversed to draw air in through the second port and to direct smoke out through the first port. In another embodiment, multiple blower units are connected to a common smoke generating unit and can be selectively operated to direct smoke to plural locations within a model vehicle. The volume an speed of smoke can be variably controlled, and audio effects can be synchronized with smoke visual effects for added realism.
US08393930B2
An organic light emitting display device prevents damage to an interlayer including an emitting layer and reduces IR drop in face electrodes, and a method of manufacturing the same. The organic light emitting display device includes: a substrate; a pixel electrode disposed on the substrate; an interlayer comprising an emitting layer disposed on the pixel electrode; a face electrode on the interlayer; and a sealing member disposed on the face electrodes, wherein the sealing member and the face electrode are bent along a curve of an upper portion of a layer below the face electrode so as to prevent a gap between the sealing member and the face electrode, and between the face electrode and the layer below the face electrode.
US08393929B2
The present invention relates to a mountable safety device for a boat comprising: a canister where said canister includes as mounting lip at one end and an opening at the opposite end; a lifeline assembly, where said assembly includes a stored position and a released position, where the lifeline is stored within the canister; and a mechanism to release the lifeline assembly from the canister. The canister includes a releasable door that seals the opening and provides the mechanism to release the lifeline assembly. An eyelet is provided near the opening and provides a mechanism to attach the lifeline assembly onto the canister. The lifeline assembly includes an attachment end and a clasp end, where the attachment end attaches to the eyelet and the clasp end includes a mechanism to attach a floatation device.
US08393923B2
A marine propulsion assembly comprises or consists of a marine engine, a pair of parallel laterally spaced propeller shafts and a pair of marine propellers with one of the propeller fixed to each of the shafts for rotation. Each of the propellers includes a hub and four equally spaced blades and wherein the hub has a forward portion having the shape of a frustum of a cone with a decreasing radius from a forward edge thereof to the middle of the hub and a rear or second continuous portion having the shape of a frustum of a cone with an increasing radius from the middle of the hub to the rear of the hub. The bases or larger ends of the frustums are of equal size as are the tops of the frustums. In addition, each of the blades has a complex concave shape.
US08393921B1
A receptacle connector relates to a connector with sets of contacts arranged in at least one row, providing a solution to install supplementary terminal. As the plug connector plugging in the opening of the shell into the receiving room which is configured between the opening and the insulative housing which is enveloped at the shell, the contact zone at front end of the plug terminal connects with the contact of the principal terminal of the set of principal terminal and the tip of the supplementary terminal. A loop is so generated whereas electrically connecting the principal terminal and the supplementary terminal, wherein the tip and the contacts are all exposed in the receiving room, thereby providing a bridge between the soldering tail of the principal terminal and the soldering tail of the supplementary terminal transmitting auxiliary signal to the host board of the electric machine system.
US08393911B2
A connector 10 includes a terminal 5 having an electric connecting portion 52 connected with a mating member 9 at one end of the terminal 5 so as to be placed on the mating member 9 and fastened by a bolt 11 and a nut 12 and a wire connecting portion 55 joined with a terminal end of the electric wire 6 at the other end of the terminal 5, and a connector housing 4 having a terminal receiving section 41, and a water seal plug 1 arranged around the electric wire 6 to seal watertightly the terminal receiving section 41. The water seal plug 1 includes integrally a rubber water seal member 3 and a resin member 2 made of synthetic resin. The water seal member 3 includes a cylindrical main body 30 and an outer lip 31 abutting on an inner surface of the terminal receiving section 41, and a plurality of inner lips 32a, 32b, 32c abutting on an outer surface of the electric wire 6. A first inner lip 32a at the nearest position to the terminal 5 is formed to have a lower projecting height then that of the second inner lip 32b and the third inner lip 32c.
US08393900B2
A system for aligning a simulator arranged for firing a mounted on a weapon. The simulator has a radiation source arranged so as to emit a beam along a simulation axis, and for adjusting the simulation axis so that it is aligned with the weapon sight. The system includes a sighting mark at which the weapon sight is to be aimed during alignment, and a device arranged in connection with the sighting mark to emit beam along an axis representing an aligned simulation axis. The system further includes an aligning unit that is deployable at the simulator and in which at least a first part of the beam from the element is reflected along an axis representing the current position of the simulation axis. Position-indicator are arranged so that the beam along the axis representing the aligned beam strikes the position-indicator at a point representing a set-point value for the simulation axis, and so that the beam along the axis representing the current simulation axis strikes the position-indicator at a point representing an actual value for the simulation axis.
US08393895B2
A manufacturing oven for and a method of baking a workpiece presenting a transverse orientation relative to the oven, includes dual radiant and convection heating sources operable to uniformly heat the workpiece by focusing convection heating air towards desirous parts of the workpiece, and preferably includes a chamber, a high emissivity false floor, at least one radiant heating element beneath the floor, at least one reflector beneath each element and configured to redirect radiant heat energy towards the floor, a fresh air heater for delivering fresh heated air into the chamber, an exhaust system for removing heated air and evaporated paint solvents from the chamber, and at least one ceiling fan operable to cause lighter heated air to flow from the ceiling of the chamber and towards the workpiece.
US08393891B2
A combustion nozzle for use in a turbine. The combustion nozzle may include a center body and a cone extending from the center body. The cone may include a number of apertures positioned therein.
US08393889B2
Disclosed is a hot-runner system (101), including: an actuation plate (202) being movable; a valve stem (205) installed in the actuation plate (202), the valve stem (205) being movable responsive to movement of the actuation plate (202); and an electro-magnetic actuator (210) being coupled with the actuation plate (202), the electro-magnetic actuator (210) being configured to actuatably move the actuation plate (202).
US08393887B2
Embodiments of stents having profiles that improve gripping of the stent on a stent delivery system are provided. Additionally, embodiments of molds for fabricating the stents are provided. A radially expandable stent can comprise a proximal section tapering inward to a proximal end of the stent and a distal section tapering inward to a distal end of the stent. The tapered sections can be adapted to improve the attachment of the stent to the delivery system and to facilitate the delivery of the mounted device into and through a bodily lumen.
US08393880B2
The invention concerns an improved peristaltic pump including at least one elastically flattenable tube and at least two assemblies of two pressing elements placed opposite each other, each of said assemblies being configured to compress the tube at a different point from the pump. These two pressing elements of a single assembly are placed on either side of the tube, at least one of the pressing elements of this single assembly is mobile such that the distance separating the pressing elements of the single assembly is adjustable, to allow the pressing members to be placed in a rest position, in which the tube is not compressed by the pressing elements, or to allow the pressing elements to be placed in a position compressing the tube. Advantageously, the adjustment is made automatically when the peristaltic pump or pumping is started or stopped.
US08393873B2
A compressor system is disclosed, comprising a first pump driven by a D/C motor, a second pump driven by an A/C motor, and a switch which allows a user to manually selectively engage of one of the D/C motor or A/C motor, including a gauge having a user settable shut-off mechanism which interrupts power to at least one of D/C or A/C motors. Also disclosed is a gauge configured to display system pressure independent of the user settable shut-off mechanism. A gauge having a rotatable bezel with a needle stop comprising a first needle rotatably coupled to a gauge shaft, and a second needle fixable coupled to the gauge shaft, and a spring disposed between the first and second needles, the spring configured to bias the first needle into the second needle so changes in pressure causes rotation of both is also disclosed.
US08393872B2
An airfoil is provided and includes a pressure surface and a suction surface. Radially corresponding surface characteristics of the pressure and suction surfaces at a spanwise local portion of the airfoil are formed to cooperatively define at least one of a camber line and a thickness distribution plot of the airfoil as having a radius of curvature with at least two sign changes. The number of sign changes decreases along a radial dimension of the airfoil measured from the spanwise local portion.
US08393870B2
An airfoil comprises an external surface formed in substantial conformance with a plurality of cross sections. Each of the cross sections has an axial chord and an offset at a corresponding fractional span as set forth in Table 2. Each of the cross sections is described by a set of Cartesian coordinates defined at the corresponding fractional span as set forth in Table 4.
US08393866B2
A drive device (D) for driving first and second lift rotors (2, 3) of a twin-rotor rotorcraft, includes link elements provided with first and second transmission shafts (5, 6) for synchronizing the first and second transmission members (74, 84) of first and second main gearboxes (7, 8), the first main gearbox (7) being provided with first power combiner element (73) firstly meshing with the first transmission member (74) and secondly mechanically linked with the first transmission shaft (5) and with the second transmission shaft (6), and the second main gearbox (8) being provided with second power combiner element (83) firstly meshing with the second transmission member (84), and secondly mechanically linked with the first transmission shaft (5) and with the second transmission shaft (6).
US08393861B2
In one embodiment, a steam device includes a high-temperature member and a low-temperature member. One surface of the high-temperature member is exposed to high-temperature steam, and the other surface is cooled by cooling steam having a temperature lower than the high-temperature steam. The low-temperature member is disposed to face the high-temperature member with a passage for the cooling steam therebetween and is formed of a material having a heat resistance lower than that of the high-temperature member. The steam device has at least one high-reflectance film selected from a first high-reflectance film, which is formed on the surface of the high-temperature member which is exposed to the high-temperature steam and has a higher reflectance with respect to infrared rays than the high-temperature member, and a second high-reflectance film, which is formed on the surface of the low-temperature member facing the high-temperature member and has a higher reflectance with respect to infrared rays than the low-temperature member.
US08393855B2
A gas turbine engine annular turbine casing having an annular shell, axially spaced apart forward and aft flanges extending radially outwardly from the shell, forward and aft case hooks depending radially inwardly from the annular shell, and an axially curved surface at an outer diameter of the aft flange. The axially curved surface may be a semi-spherical surface. The forward and aft case hooks may be located axially near or at the forward and aft flanges respectively. A circular row of holes may be axially disposed through the aft flange circumscribing the central axis and radially located between the outer diameter of the aft flange and the annular shell. An annular manifold spaced radially outwardly of the shell forming an annular space between the manifold and the shell and having impingement holes disposed through the manifold may be used for impinging cooling air on the axially curved surface.
US08393854B2
A vacuum pump comprises a first pumping section (106), and, downstream therefrom, a second pumping section (108), The pump comprises a first pump inlet (120) through which fluid can enter the pump and pass through both the first and second pumping sections towards a pump outlet, and a second pump inlet (122) through which fluid can enter the pump and pass through only the second pumping section towards the outlet. The second pumping section (108) comprises an externally threaded rotor (109).
US08393853B2
A turbine includes a plurality of blades that rotate in a single direction when exposed to fluid flow, wherein the plurality of blades are joined to the central shaft by a plurality of radial spokes disposed substantially perpendicular to the central shaft such that the rotating plurality of blades causes the shaft to rotate. The plurality of blades has a uniform airfoil-shaped cross section, where the airfoil cross section presents a non-zero angle of attack to the current. The plurality of blades wind in a spiral trajectory, rotating around the central shaft and having a variable radius along the length of the central shaft such that a distance measured from the plurality of blades to the center shaft is greater near the center of the turbine than at either end.
US08393848B1
A bale sweep having a plate assembly mounted on a rearward side of an upright frame for attaching to a skid steer loader. The bale sweep includes a step mounted to a forward side of the upright frame for easy entry into the skid steer loader. A plurality of spaced apart parallel tines are secured to the upright frame and extend in a forward direction. A brace rod, provided for each tine, has an end secured to an upper portion of the upright frame and extends forwardly and downwardly toward a brace connector secured adjacent a forward end of each tine. The brace connector includes a faceplate facing the brace rod. The faceplate having an opening for slidably receiving a forward end of the brace rod. A tension spring is connected between the brace rod and face plate allowing each tine to move upwardly independent of one another.
US08393844B2
A system has a pipe handling apparatus with an arm between a first position and a second position, a derrick having a window through which the pipe handling system delivers a pipe to a wellhead, and a header mounted in the window of the derrick. The header receives the arm of the pipe handling system when the arm is in the second position. An outside surface of the header suitably fits within the window of the derrick. An inside surface of the derrick suitably receives the arm. The inside surface resists an upward motion and a sideways motion of the arm. The header has a body that has a head and legs.
US08393839B2
A screw connection having a screw section and a nut threaded thereon. A self-locking effect of the nut on the screw section is achieved in a simple manner in that an intermediate disk is supported non-rotatably on the screw section and is received on the nut so as to be rotatable relative to the nut. The intermediate disk includes a grid distributed around the circumference of the intermediate disk, and the nut carries at least one resiliently elastic, radially displaceable catch formed by a sheet-metal part which, after installing the nut, positively engages the grid to lock the nut against rotation relative to the screw section and intermediate disk. Upon application of a wrench to the nut, the at least one resilient, radially displaceable catch is compressed and drawn out of engagement with the grid, so that the nut can be rotated relative to the screw section.
US08393835B2
A detachable operating handle for an elongated handheld portable power tool with a nose portion having an output shaft and a slidable operating switch having an outer recess and being configured to slide between on and off positions, the handle comprising a housing configured to cooperatively mate with the power tool housing and be attached at least to the nose portion of the power tool, the housing having an elongated handle portion, a trigger located in the bottom of the handle portion positioned to be moved between depressed and rest positions by a user's finger while holding the handle portion, a linkage mechanism for interconnecting the trigger and the switch, and the linkage mechanism having a lockout mechanism for preventing the trigger from moving the switch when the lockout mechanism is in a locked position and permitting the trigger to move the switch when in a release position.
US08393829B2
A facing anchor assembly for securing a facing to a soil reinforcing element, the facing anchor assembly including first and second horizontally-disposed plates vertically-offset from each other and having at least one transverse protrusion disposed on each plate. The transverse protrusions can receive and seat at least one transverse wire of the soil reinforcing element and a coupling assembly can be configured to secure the at least one transverse wire in place, and also frictionally engage a pair of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element between the first and second horizontally-disposed plates, thereby preventing removal of the soil reinforcing element.
US08393822B2
A lightweight, portable roadway barrier is disclosed. The barrier (3) comprises a structural framework (5, 7, 9) for resisting collapse of the barrier in response to impact of a vehicle and panels (13) mounted to opposite sides of the barrier for deflecting vehicles on impact with the barrier.
US08393815B2
A condiment packet having a spreading apparatus, and a method of use thereof. The condiment packet includes a substantially flat, sealed pouch containing a condiment. The condiment packet further includes a spreading apparatus being within the sealed pouch. The spreading apparatus may be used to spread the condiment over a food substance once the condiment is squeezed onto the food substance and once a portion of the spreading apparatus is exposed.
US08393813B2
Personal care product dispenser systems include a dispenser and a base station. The dispenser comprises a casing including a personal care product and a shaft. The personal care product is disposed within the casing and comprises an antiperspirant or deodorant. The shaft extends through a portion of the casing and including a first end and a second end and is configured to advance the personal care product through the casing when rotated in a first direction. The second end has a chuck contact surface defining a first shape. The base station includes a motor and a chuck. The motor is operatively coupled to the chuck and is configured to rotate the chuck, and the chuck has a wheel contact surface to correspond to the first shape of the chuck contact surface. The base station is configured to rotate the chuck when the dispenser is mounted to the base station.
US08393812B2
Hand-held device that accommodates an instrument, preferably a writing instrument. In certain embodiments, the device is a unitary elongated member that is shaped and configured to receive an instrument such as a pen or pencil, thereby defining a holder and instrument assembly. It has a curvilinear generally central portion which is shaped and positioned to rest against the hand of the user between the index finger and thumb. A plurality of bores receive the instrument and secure it in place to create a unitary assembly that allows the user to readily and easily control the instrument. The instrument is readily removable from the device.
US08393806B2
A photo arm is proposed here. A revolving handwheel is equipped for driving a transmission mechanism to bring the photo arm to rotate, so that a camera fixed on the photo arm can shoot from different angles along a circular path. The photo arm is also equipped with a power and signal connecting box for supplying power to the camera and transmitting image information and control instructions. Furthermore, a hoist handwheel is equipped for adjusting the height of the rotation center of the photo arm.
US08393802B2
An optical connector having a body with an outer surface, a first cavity extending within the body from the outer surface and a second cavity spaced apart from the first cavity and extending within the body of the connector from the outer surface. An optical component is positioned within the first cavity and an ejector, which extents into the second cavity, is coupled to the optical component. A biasing mechanism is operatively coupled to apply a biasing force to the ejector to secure the optical component within the first cavity. When a force greater than the biasing force is applied to the ejector within the second cavity, the ejector ejects the optical component from the first cavity so that it extends beyond the outer surface.
US08393781B2
An orbital shaker which provides a shaking motion that is both stable and accurate to allow repeatability is provided, which allows for ease of cleaning of the shaking platform due to its mounting on a drive platform that keeps the entire drive system in an assembled state even if the shaking platform is removed for cleaning. A vibration sensor can also be provided that senses an unbalanced load on the orbital shaker and communicates with the orbital shaker controller to reduce the shaking speed in a pre-determined, trackable manner so that shaking of samples can be continued at a vibration level that is below a threshold value. Additionally, an incubating enclosure can also be provided in which a uniform heat is created throughout the entire incubating chamber in order to assure minimum temperature fluctuations between samples being processed regardless of their position on the shaking platform.
US08393769B2
A projector headlight for a low beam can include a light source, an ellipsoidal reflector, a projector lens and a shade. Light emitted from the light source can form a fundamental light distribution pattern from the projector lens via the ellipsoidal reflector by shielding an upward portion of the light with the shade. The shade can form a blurred part on a horizontal cut-off line using a radiused R surface between a top and front edge lines of the shade. Therefore, a contrasting difference between the upper and lower sides of the horizontal cut-off line can be reduced so as to be able to conform to a light distribution standard for a headlight. The R surface can be configured with a reflex surface or a non-reflex surface to match the light source. Thus, the projector headlight can perform a favorable light distribution pattern utilizing a simple structure.
US08393764B2
A multilayer surrounding plate type heat dissipating structure comprises: a heat dissipating base module; a heat conducting insert, with an end coupled to the heat dissipating base module, and another end having a distal head portion; at least one light emitting element, installed at the distal head portion of the heat conducting insert; and a multilayer surrounding plate, installed to a ceiling, and having a through hole formed thereon, for passing the heat conducting insert, such that a heat source produced by the light emitting element can be dissipated through the multilayer surrounding plate or an airflow passage between multilayer surrounding plate to achieve an excellent heat dissipating effect, assure the functions of the light emitting element, and extend their lifespan.
US08393763B2
A thermal insulation detector for a recessed luminaire fixture comprises a luminaire frame, a junction box connected to the frame, a mechanical switch connected to one of said frame and the junction box, the mechanical switch in electrical communication with an electrical circuit, the electrical circuit including a lamp socket, at least a portion of the circuit passing through the junction box the electrical circuit receiving multiple input voltages, an actuation device extending from the mechanical switch, the actuation device being movable responsive to thermal insulation disposed about the luminaire fixture, the actuation device having a first position and a second position deflectable from the first position, the actuation device being deflectable by the insulation to the second position and actuating a switch which opens the electrical circuit inhibiting operation of the luminaire fixture.
US08393748B2
An arrangement includes a semiconductor chip, which is designed to emit light during operation, and a cover layer, which lies across from the light-emitting surface of the semiconductor chip, such that light emitted from the semiconductor chip penetrates into the cover layer. In an area of the cover layer, overlapping with the chip, a light deflecting structure is provided by means of which light penetrating into the cover layer is deflected. The cover layer acts as an optical waveguide and is designed to emit the light such that it is distributed over the upper surface of cover layer.
US08393744B2
An escape route marking for a passenger cabin in an airplane, with a plurality of longitudinal segments which are sequentially arranged along the escape route that is to be marked, wherein each segment has a support module and a light module that is arranged on the support module, and the light module has an essentially transparent plastic material into which photo-luminescent pigments are mixed which afterglow in the dark, wherein the pigments are micro-encapsulated in a second material such that liquid and moisture do not come into contact with the pigments.
US08393739B2
A heat-dissipating device used in a projection display apparatus with an air outlet includes a fence module, at least one resilient member, and a shape memory alloy module. The fence module is disposed at the air outlet and includes at least one guiding plate with a pivot. The resilient member exerts a first force on the guiding plate to enable the guiding plate to rotate on the pivot, and the shape memory alloy module deforms when heated to exert a second force on the guiding plate to enable the guiding plate to rotate on the pivot.
US08393734B2
A method of screening a pupil of a subject to determine whether the pupil reflex resembles a canonical pupil reflex is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of stimulating the pupil with a stimulus source. The method further includes the steps of using a pupilometer to track the pupil's constriction response over a duration of time, wherein the step of tracking the pupil constriction response begins substantially simultaneously with or immediately subsequent to time 0 and lasts for a period of time y, and using the pupilometer to collect a plurality of data points in which each data point corresponds with a diameter of the pupil at a specific time within the time duration y. The method further includes the step of generating a pupil data profile by compiling the data points and determining whether one or more conditions arc met. wherein the one or more conditions comprises the following: (a) more than two data points exist representing the same pupil diameter at three or more separate times during duration y; (b) a first phase of the pupilary reflex response exists, wherein said first phase is characterized by a period of non-constriction immediately subsequent to time 0, said first phase having a duration of less than about 100 msec or greater than about 1000 msec; (c) if two data points exist representing the same pupil diameter at two separate times y1 and y2 during duration y, then the duration of time between y1 and y2 is less than about 100 msec; or during the first phase of the pupilary reflex, the diameter of the pupil increases before it decreases. Existence of one of said conditions indicates that the pupil reflex does not resemble a canonical reflex.
US08393731B2
Disclosed therein is a structure for fixing a side shield of glasses, which is installed at a temple, wherein the side shield that surrounds a connection portion between the temple and a glasses frame is fixed at the temple by a fixture, and wherein the side shield located at the temple includes through holes respectively formed at upper and lower portions thereof; and guide portions respectively formed on the inner face of the side shield, and the fixture includes hook portions respectively formed at upper and lower ends thereof and inserted and caught to the through holes of the side shield, and the side shield further includes support pieces respectively formed at upper and lower portions of the inner or outer faces of the side shield for supporting the inside or outside of the hook portions of the fixture.
US08393730B2
A continuous web printer that has an inlet for receiving a web of media from a media web roll unwinder, an outlet for delivery to a media web roll winder, a plurality of pagewidth inkjet printhead assemblies for printing on both sides of the web; and a media feed path extending from the inlet to the outlet. The media feed path has a first print zone where one side of the web is printed and a second print zone where the other side of the web is printed. The first print zone and the second print zone are flat, and the first print zone is upstream from the second print zone with respect to a media feed direction.
US08393726B2
Provided is a set of a reaction liquid that has a buffering action against pH change and exhibits a pH of 3.5 or more and 5.5 or less, and an ink that has a higher pH than the reaction liquid. The ink comprises a pigment to a surface of a pigment particle of which a basic group that forms a cation form at the pH of the reaction liquid is bonded. The pigment does not have an acidic group having a pKa equal to or less than the pH of the reaction liquid. The pigment is dispersed by a water-soluble polymer that has an acidic group having a pKa equal to or more than the pH of the reaction liquid and equal to or less than the pH of the ink.
US08393719B2
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a lead-free piezoelectric film including a lead-free ferroelectric material and having low dielectric loss and high piezoelectric performance comparable to that of PZT, and a method of manufacturing the lead-free piezoelectric film.The present invention is directed to a piezoelectric film comprising a NaxLa1-xNiO3-x layer with a (001) orientation and a (Na,Bi)TiO3—BaTiO3 layer with a (001) orientation, wherein x is not less than 0.01 and not more than 0.1, and the NaxLa1-xNiO3-x layer (0.01≦x≦0.1) and the (Na,Bi)TiO3—BaTiO3 layer are laminated.
US08393717B2
A liquid ejecting head ejects a liquid from pressure generating chambers through nozzles by varying pressure of the pressure generating chambers. The liquid ejecting head includes a nozzle plate in which the nozzles are formed. A first passage forming board is joined to the nozzle plate. A first liquid passage, including the pressure generating chambers, is formed in the first passage forming board. A second passage forming board is joined to the surface of the first liquid passage forming board and has a second liquid passage communicating with the first liquid passage. A first electrode layer electrically connected to the liquid in the first liquid passage and a second, independent, electrode layer are disposed on a vibration plate. Each of the first and second electrode layers includes a terminal drawn to the outside of a junction portion joining the first and second passage forming boards to each other.
US08393713B2
Systems and methods of ejecting ink drops from an inkjet printer are disclosed. The systems and methods can include a printhead with one or more actuators with associated nozzles and membranes. A voltage waveform can be applied to the actuators to fill the actuators with a volume of ink and eject the ink through the nozzles as ink drops. The voltage waveform can have associated pre-fill voltage to fill the actuator with ink and a firing voltage to eject the ink. The actuator membranes can have multi-height dimples to protect the membranes from contacting electrodes and reduce the electric field.
US08393711B2
An ink-jet head having a passage unit including pressure chambers each having one end coupled to a nozzle and the other end to be coupled to an ink supply source. The pressure chambers are arranged along a plane to neighbor each other. The ink-jet head further includes actuator units attached to a surface of the passage unit for changing the volume of each pressure chamber. Each actuator unit includes pressure generation portions respectively corresponding to pressure chambers, and is formed to extend over the pressure chambers. The actuator units are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the passage unit so that each neighboring actuator units partially overlap each other in the lateral direction of the passage unit. Each actuator unit has a basic region where many pressure generation portions are formed in a matrix, and an additional region neighboring the basic region in the lateral direction of the passage unit. In the additional region, pressure generation portions are formed to correspond to a gap portion between the pressure generation portions in the basic region of the actuator unit and the pressure generation portions in the basic region of another actuator unit neighboring that actuator unit.
US08393704B2
An inkjet printer has a print head with a number of ink ejecting nozzles that are driven by way of a control signal. The print head is calibrated near the time of the intended printing operation. A predefined calibration screen is printed with the inkjet printer, the value of a measurement parameter characterizing the ink application is determined on the basis of the printed calibration screen, and the ink ejection quantity per dot is calibrated. The calibration includes adapting the control signal using the determined value of the measurement parameter. A print product is printed by an inkjet printer that has been calibrated in this way.
US08393702B2
A method for causing fluid to be ejected from a fluid chamber of a jet in a printhead. An actuator is actuated with a first energy imparting pulse to push fluid away from the actuator and toward a nozzle. Following a lapse of a first interval, the actuator is actuated with second energy imparting pulse to push fluid away from the actuator and toward the nozzle. Following a lapse of a second interval as measured from the second energy imparting pulse, the actuator is actuated with a break-off pulse to cause fluid extending out of an orifice of the nozzle to break off from fluid within the nozzle, wherein the second lapse is longer than the first lapse and is an inverse of the meniscus-jet mass frequency.
US08393697B2
In one aspect, the invention features a method for operating a printing system with variable laydown, including providing the system with print job information, selecting an ink laydown based on the print job information, generating firing instructions for the printing system based on the ink laydown, and printing an image on a substrate at the ink laydown.
US08393691B2
A hinge pulley for a household appliance having a housing, a washing container in the housing, a door pivotable about a horizontal axis at the lower part of the door between an open and a closed position for accessing an interior of the washing container, and a transmission element coupled between the door and the housing. The hinge pulley includes a unitary molded body having an integral first channel having a first curved portion for guiding the transmission element, and an integral second channel having a second curved portion for guiding the transmission element, wherein a portion of one of the integral first channel and the integral second channel includes a sliding surface formed from an ultra high molecular weight material.
US08393690B2
An enclosure for containing a portable hemodialysis unit includes a housing suitable to support components for performing hemodialysis including a dialyzer, one or more pumps to circulate blood through the dialyzer, a source of dialysate, and one or more pumps to circulate the dialysate through the dialyzer. The housing may have a front panel at which blood circuit connections and dialysate fluidic connections are located, e.g., blood line connections for patient blood access, connections for a reagent supply, dialyzer connections for both blood flow and dialysate, etc. The enclosure may also include a pair of vertical, side-by-side doors hingedly mounted to the housing. With the doors in the closed position, access to the patient access and dialysate fluidic connections may be blocked, and the doors may allow for the retention of heat in the housing suitable for disinfection during a disinfection cycle.
US08393688B2
The three-way valve simulator (100) for a vehicle brake servo comprises: a control piston (106); and a reaction piston (140) remote from the control piston when the simulator is at rest.It is arranged such that the control piston, under the effect of a command transmitted from outside the simulator, can be moved over a predetermined travel in the direction of the reaction piston without transmitting stress to the latter.
US08393687B2
A rack bar haulage system including a plurality of rack bars, each having spaced apart gear teeth extending between cheek sections at opposite sides of the rack bar. The haulage system also includes a clog including two spaced apart sidewalls, and openings through the sidewalls. One cheek section has a clog wall receiving cavity adapted to receive one of the clog sidewalls, the clog wall receiving cavity being defined by spaced apart cheek section flanges. The cheek section flanges each have an opening there through, and the cheek section flange openings are aligned with the clog sidewall openings. A pin is insertable through the sidewall openings and the openings in the cheek section flanges, and the spaced apart cheek sections are positioned so that the envelope formed by the gear teeth is at the same level on the rack bar as the pin for retaining the rack bar in the clog.
US08393684B2
A mobility device including multiple levels at different heights, beginning with a first level at substantially 4 to 6 inches from a floor surface, and with every subsequent level substantially 4 to 6 inches above the last level, and including a surface on the levels for a user to pull themselves onto, one level at a time, until the user is at a height by which they may either sit on a chair or regain their footing.
US08393677B2
An automotive seat system includes a first seat having a back portion and a bottom portion, and a second seat movably attached with the first seat. The second seat moveable between an extended and folded position. One of the back portion and bottom portion of the first seat configured to receive and stow the second seat if in the folded position.
US08393676B2
A bench or seat assembly including a decorative work bonded thereto in an essentially permanent fashion is provided wherein the work includes a photoluminescent material. The assembly includes a masonry seat member having an upper surface, a masonry back member having front and back surfaces and a support having exterior surfaces for supporting the seat member at a desired height. The work may include advertising or an image of which the photoluminescent material is a part of. The photoluminescent material may be photoluminescent particulate pigment or at least one photoluminescent stone which gives off light sufficient to allow at least a portion of the work to be viewed under limited ambient light conditions. In this way, the assembly is decorative not only in the daytime but also at night. The assembly may be an interlocking precast slab bench or seat assembly.
US08393670B2
A cab stopper device 32 is provided between a bracket 23 on a machine frame of a work machine and a cab 25. The cab stopper device 32 restricts relative movement of the cab 25 with respect to the machine frame in the vertical direction. Two through holes 43, 44 are formed in a floor plate 27 of the cab 25. A stopper 48 of the cab stopper device 32 is inserted in the through holes 43, 44 from above. An engaging portion 48a is formed at the lower end of the stopper 48 that projects from the through holes 43, 44 downward of the floor plate 27. The engaging portion 48a is arranged to be engageable with a restricting groove 42 formed in the bracket 23. In this state, a securing portion 48b at the upper end of the stopper 48 is secured to the floor plate 27.
US08393668B2
A pane arrangement including a pane, for example a vehicle windscreen, and a holding section joining an attachment part to the pane, the holding section connected in a first connecting strip, which runs parallel to an edge of the pane, to a surface of the pane by a self-adhesive tape, and connected in a second connecting strip, which also runs parallel to the edge of the pane, to a surface of the pane by an adhesive applied in a flowable state and having a greater hardness than the self-adhesive tape. The second connecting strip is arranged nearer the edge of the pane than the first connecting strip, and thereby the connection between the pane and the holding section is as stiff as possible and yet the pane arrangement can be produced quickly and without a high outlay.
US08393666B1
A trailer or truck bed cargo retaining and pocket protector device for flatbed trailers, industrial trucks, and conestoga-style trucks is disclosed. The device includes a heavy duty steel channel orthogonally welded to a flat iron base plate, the finished unit dimensioned so as to fit within the interior of a trailer stake pocket. A length of ⅜ inch grade 70 steel transport chain is permanently attached to a retaining rod which is welded to the exterior of the base plate. In this manner, cargo loads may be more reliably, efficiently, and safely secured in place on the truck bed by means of connection of additional lengths of chain, strap, steel rope, etc., to opposite-sided stake pockets, wherein each such stake pocket contains a pocket protector device.
US08393664B2
A winding device is provided behind a rearmost-row seat and extends in a vehicle width direction to wind up a tonneau cover member. The tonneau cover member comprises a cover body portion and a board portion connected to a rear end of the cover body portion and has its rear end portion capable of engaging with an engaged portion of a lift gate. The lift gate further includes a pair of restraint portions at a specified position of both end portions of the inner face thereof which is located above the engaged portion, which is operative to restrain the cover body portion from moving upward when the lift gate is fully open and the tonneau cover member engages with the lift gate through a contact thereof with the board portion to stop further upward moving of the board portion.
US08393661B2
The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for lifting a single joint of pipe. The single joint elevator of the present invention comprises, in one embodiment, a pair of deployable jaws cooperating with a pair of static jaws to secure a pipe within the slot of a generally horseshoe-shaped body. The deployable jaws of the single joint elevator of the present invention may be rotatably deployable or translatably deployable, or both. In one embodiment, each jaw, including the static jaws and the deployable jaws, comprises a pipe slip movably disposed within the jaw to secure a pipe segment within the slot and to self-tighten as the weight of the pipe segment secured within the single joint elevator is transferred to the slips and the jaws.
US08393655B2
A slam catch that holds a side-load trailer gate or door in a closed position relative to the body of a trailer having a primary gate closure mechanism by which the trailer gate is fully secured in the closed position. The slam catch includes a catch hinge mounted on the body of the trailer, a latch mounted on the trailer gate, and a catch pivotally coupled to the catch hinge and configured to automatically engage the latch when the trailer gate is moved toward the closed position. The engagement of the catch with the latch holds the trailer gate in a closed position so that an operator can secure the primary gate closure mechanism without having to physically hold the gate closed.
US08393653B2
A magnetic latch for a gate has first and second units for mounting on a gate and a gate post respectively. The first unit has a displaceable latch element displaceably mounted in a support in a housing and biased to a retracted position, and a second unit with a complementary engagement structure with which a latching portion of the latch element is adapted to engage when the magnetic latch is in a latching position and the latch element is displaced to a projecting position. A magnetic attracting arrangement is provided to cause the latch element to move to the projecting position and engage in the engagement structure when the magnetic latch is in the latching position, and then the engagement structure prevents movement of the door or gate away from the closed position. A retraction element is provided in the first unit for displacing the support and increasing the bias on the latch element to exceed the force of the magnetic attracting arrangement, whereby the latch element moves towards the retracted position and the gate may be moved from the closed position.
US08393647B2
A transition coupling system for use with a dual containment pipe which includes an inner primary pipe and an outer secondary pipe with an interstitial space therebetween, the transition coupling comprising. The transition coupling includes an inner body configured to engage an inner surface of the primary pipe and an outer body configured to engage an outer surface of the secondary pipe. The outer body includes at least two releasably attachable portions, at least one of which is movable relative to the other in a radial direction thereof. The inner body and the outer body are configured to define a gap therebetween when coupled to the piping system such that the gap is generally sealed and in communication with the interstitial space.
US08393646B2
In an aspect, in general, a pipe connection with readable compression marker is provided with a fitting to which a pipe end can be connected, a pipe with an end connectable to fitting and a pressing area in which a pressing force can be applied onto fitting and/or pipe end to connect pipe end to fitting. The pressing area has a compression marker material and/or element, whose magnetic and/or electrical properties change when pressing area is subjected to the pressing force. A magnetic and/or electrical property of compression marker material and/or element is detectable in a non-contacting manner.
US08393641B1
A gas generator contains a housing containing an end closure assembly. An annular end closure is fixed within an annular igniter retainer thereby forming an annular wall for retention of an associated igniter. A first base portion of the annular end closure, and a second base portion of the annular igniter retainer are fixed together, by projection-welding for example, thereby facilitating a cost-effective seal about the igniter when assembled therewith.
US08393639B2
A disc inflator having gas cooling and mist removal functions, and reduced in weight and in size in a radial direction. An inflator case (40) has an upper case (36) at an occupant side and a lower case (38) at a side opposite an occupant. A tubular holding member (60) having a separation wall (64) at a base portion thereof is provided in the inflator case. A gas flow path (74) is formed at a periphery of the holding member (60), and communication holes (80) communicating with the gas flow path (74) are formed in the separation wall (64). At a peripheral wall portion (36B) of the upper case (36) is formed a gas ejection hole (76) at a position offset towards an occupant side only by a distance δ from a central position P of a combustion chamber (68). Accordingly, a length (L1) of a flow path from the starting end of the flow path to the gas ejection hole (76) increases, enabling effective heat exchange of a high temperature gas and removal of mist (82). Thereby, a conventionally used filter may be disposed of.
US08393629B2
The invention relates to a device for attachment to a tow hitch comprising a step including a platform and at least one step connecting portion, a base including at least one base connecting portion and a mounting portion, the mounting portion which may be removably secured to the tow hitch, wherein the step connecting portion is removably attached to the base connecting portion.
US08393628B2
An axle assembly for a vehicle is described, in which the axle assembly has a suspension arm for accommodating an axle of the vehicle and a damper. The damper is coupled to a first engagement point of the suspension arm. The first engagement point is situated on the suspension arm so that the damper may be situated outside an installation space for axle components located between the suspension arm and a chassis of the vehicle.
US08393625B2
Several preferred embodiments are disclosed for a tool-less blade clamping apparatus for a reciprocating tool of the type which has a reciprocating plunger which has a tool attachment receiving slot for receiving a tool attachment of the type that has a shank portion. The clamping apparatus has an unclamped position and a clamped position. In the unclamped position, a tool attachment can be easily inserted and when it is in its clamped position, the tool attachment is securely retained. The preferred embodiments have at least one spring biasing the apparatus toward the clamped position, a releasable retaining mechanism for holding the apparatus in its unclamped position after being placed in that position. When the blade shank portion is inserted into the slot a predetermined distance, the shoulders of the shank portion release the retaining mechanism to move it to its clamped position. When a blade is to be removed, the clamping apparatus needs only to be moved to its unclamped position by manually rotating the outer sleeve or collar, and the blade is normally ejected from the mechanism by contact with the blade shoulders as it reaches its unclamped position.
US08393620B2
A transport device for transporting printed products is provided including a first and a second tape for receiving and transporting the printed products, a first and second roller for guiding the tapes, a nip-adjusting device adjusting a nip formed by the first and second tapes at the first and second rollers and a sensor determining a thickness of the printed products, the nip adjusting device being actuated as a function of the sensor. A method is also provided.
US08393613B2
A media level indicator and a printer having some are disclosed. The printer has the media level indicator, a housing and a media container slidably contained in the housing. The media level indicator includes a media detecting assembly and a level indicating assembly, wherein the media detecting assembly includes a shaft for rotatably engaged with the housing, a detecting arm fixed to the shaft and abutting the top of the paper stack, and a driving arm. The driving arm is articulated with a lever of the level indicating assembly. When the paper amount changes, the detecting arm is moved and drives the media detecting assembly to rotate, which provides motion in an indicating end of the level indicating assembly, which extends outwardly from the media container. Therefore, a change in the paper amount is indicated.
US08393592B1
The oil and gas well pad foundation form system isolates a concrete pour from the well head and provides blockouts for piping installation. The system can be removed after concrete pour and set up and reused countless times. The system is provided in different sizes with blockouts in varying locations as desired. Multiple well heads can be prepared for within a given cellar, simultaneously.
US08393586B1
A ladder support device for securing a ladder to a vehicle is described having a hitch tube suitable for being received by a receiver hitch of a vehicle. A pair of side plates are attached to the hitch tube wherein each side plate of the side plates comprises a pivot void and an upper void wherein each pivot void is arranged to align with a first hollow ladder rung of a ladder and each upper void is arranged to align with a second hollow ladder rung of the ladder. A first rod is provided which is adapted for inserting in each pivot void and the first hollow ladder rung with the first hollow ladder rung between the side plates. A second rod is provided adapted for inserting in each upper void and the second hollow ladder rung.
US08393583B2
A system is disclosed for controlling an aircraft when the hydraulic system of the aircraft has been compromised. The system includes a digital fly-by-wire control system configured to rescale at least one gain vector. The gain(s) may then used by a digital control to modulate engine thrust. In this manner, engine thrust modulation may be used for stabilization and control of control-configured aircraft without requiring a substantial change in piloting technique.
US08393568B2
A roller clutch assembly for use in an actuator is provided that includes a roller cage and at least one roller. A lubricating medium at least partially surrounds the roller cage and the roller. The roller cage includes at least one wiper configured to move the lubricating medium toward its functional location adjacent the rollers. An aircraft actuator for controlling movement of an aircraft flight control surface is also provided that includes a ball nut and a ball screw operatively connected to the flight control surface. A one-way roller clutch is operatively connected to the ball nut and substantially prevents rotation of the ball nut in a first direction in response to a compressive force on the ball screw. A roller clutch assembly according to the present invention is positioned between the ball nut and the one-way roller clutch.
US08393564B2
A safe, quiet, easy to control, efficient, and compact aircraft configuration is enabled through the combination of multiple vertical lift rotors, tandem wings, and forward thrust propellers. The vertical lift rotors, in combination with a front and rear wing, permits a balancing of the center of lift with the center of gravity for both vertical and horizontal flight. This wing and multiple rotor system has the ability to tolerate a relatively large variation of the payload weight for hover, transition, or cruise flight while also providing vertical thrust redundancy. The propulsion system uses multiple lift rotors and forward thrust propellers of a small enough size to be shielded from potential blade strike and provide increased perceived and real safety to the passengers. Using multiple independent rotors provides redundancy and the elimination of single point failure modes that can make the vehicle non-operable in flight.
US08393562B1
A plastic shredder is provided for shredding plastic and depositing it directly into a garbage receptacle. An interior channel extends between a top and a bottom of a housing. An upper roller and a lower roller are positioned in and extend across the interior channel. The upper roller is positioned parallel to the lower roller in spaced relationship forming a gap. Upper teeth extend from an outer surface of the upper roller. Lower teeth extend from an outer surface of the lower roller. The lower teeth mesh with the upper teeth for pulling plastic through the gap where the plastic is shredded. A lip extends outwardly from a middle section of the outer wall of the housing. The lip is positionable to engage an upper edge of a container such that the interior channel empties into the container for collecting the plastic after the plastic is shredded.
US08393560B2
In one representative example, a portable containment apparatus includes a tank adapted to contain a liquid waste, an inlet through which the liquid waste is introduced into the tank, an outlet through which at least a portion of the contained liquid waste is expelled from the tank, a grinder pump operatively disposed within the tank and adapted to expel the portion of contained liquid waste from the tank, a heater affixed to the tank and adapted to transfer heat energy to the liquid waste contained within the tank, and an electrical distribution box adapted to be removably supported on an exterior surface of the tank. The electrical distribution box is adapted to be selectively stowed within the tank when removed from its supported position on the exterior surface of the tank. The apparatus also includes a receiver system adapted to receive the electrical box in its removably supported position on the exterior of the tank. The apparatus further includes a powder coating affixed to the exterior surface of the tank and to an interior surface of the tank.
US08393554B2
A pest control aerosol sprayer is provided that is free from giving rise to a fire or a burn in its storage or use.The pest control aerosol sprayer comprises a pressure-tight container (1) receiving therein a noxious insect behavioral inhibitor (A) of which an active ingredient is HFC-152a acting also as both a propellant and refrigerant, the pressure-tight container having at its top a valve (3) provided with a stem (5) and in the stem (5) with an injection hole (4) that can be opened with the stem (5) forced down; and a head cap (2) attached to a top of the pressure-tight container (1) and provided with a spray nozzle (10) and an inflow port (11) in which the stem (5) of the valve (3) in the pressure-tight container (1) is fitted, the head cap (2) being formed therein with an injection passage (12) leading from the inflow port (11) to the spray nozzle (10).
US08393553B2
The invention provides a floating ice sheet based renewable thermal energy harvesting system, that can harvest energy from naturally occurring temperature differential between liquid water below a floating ice sheet that is substantially at the freezing temperature of water (0 degrees C. or slightly lower for salt water), and colder air above the floating ice sheet. For example, this is a naturally occurring phenomenon in Arctic and Antarctic region sea ice or ice shelf regions, where the air temperature above the floating ice may range from −5 degrees C. down to winter extreme cold temperatures of around −50 degrees C. In addition to the inventive application of thermodynamic cycle engines to harvest renewable energy from this naturally occurring temperature differential, variant embodiments also combine wind energy and/or solar energy subsystems to provide synergistic further benefits and greater quantities of renewable energy harvestable from devices of this class.
US08393543B2
An optical aberration is intentionally introduced into the optical system which produces the scanning beam of an optical code scanner, in order to produce a scanning beam which has plural focal points or waists at different distances from the scanner. The operating range of the scanner can thereby be increased by taking advantage of different beam waist locations when the optical code is at different distances from the scanner. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, coma is intentionally introduced to an optical system providing a light beam for an optical code scanner. This provides a scanning beam with plural beam waists at different distances from the scanner. This may be accomplished by orienting the light source and focusing optical system so that their optical axes intersect or by introducing an optical member, such as a prism, between the original light source and the focusing optical system.
US08393534B1
An automated banking machine operates to carry out financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The machine includes a card reader that operates to read data from user cards. The card data corresponds to financial accounts. The automated banking machine further includes a cash dispenser. The machine is operative to dispense cash to an authorized user based on identifying data including card data, and to cause a financial transfer from an account corresponding to card data through communication with at least one remote computer. The machine is operative to produce an audio output including verbal information through a headphone port to a headphone.
US08393532B2
A method for improving position beacon tracking using spatial probabilities is provided. A beacon identity recognition device receives a central probability file from a remote data processing system to form a local probability file. The device receives a current position beacon identity. The device compares current position beacon identity to a previous beacon identity stored in the local probability file to form a comparison. The device determines if the current position beacon identity is valid based on the comparison. The device transmits a valid position beacon identity to the remote data processing system. The device updates the local probability file and then combines a weighted version of the local probability file with a new copy of the probability file from the remote data processing system to form a combined probability file. The combined probability file is then sent to the remote data processing system and replaces the existing probability file.
US08393529B2
The present invention provides an easily disposable pizza box that may also be used as a storage container for holding leftover pizza. In the most preferable embodiment, a pull-tab cord design is used as the primary means of weakening the box structure, which facilitates separating the first box into two portions. The resulting open end of one or both portions may be readily folded shut, thereby forming a second closed box structure. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one portion of the split first box is sized so that when the open end is folded shut, the second box is essentially half the volume of the first box.
US08393527B2
A solder apparatus includes a platform, an operating mechanism, a solder member, a heater, and a control box module. The control box module includes a temperature controller and a temperature sensor. The temperature controller defines a predetermined temperature. The temperature sensor is capable of measuring the temperature of the solder member. The temperature controller has the heater heat the solder member when the measured temperature of the solder member is lower than or equal to the predetermined temperature, and has the heater stop heating the solder member, when the measured temperature of the solder member is higher than the predetermined temperature.
US08393523B1
A method of performing ultrasonic stir welding uses a welding head assembly to include a plate and a rod passing through the plate. The rod is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof. In the method, the rod is rotated about its longitudinal axis during a welding operation. During the welding operation, a series of on-off ultrasonic pulses are applied to the rod such that they propagate parallel to the rod's longitudinal axis. At least a pulse rate associated with the on-off ultrasonic pulses is controlled.
US08393520B1
An ultrasonic stir welding system includes a welding head assembly having a plate and a rod passing through the plate. The rod is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof. During a welding operation, ultrasonic pulses are applied to the rod as it rotates about its longitudinal axis. The ultrasonic pulses are applied in such a way that they propagate parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod.
US08393516B2
A surgical instrument is designed for clamping, cutting, and/or joining tissue. This surgical instrument includes a handle portion, an elongate portion extending distally from the handle portion, first and second jaw members disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion, a shaft movable upon actuation of the handle portion, and a knife bar operatively coupled to the shaft. At least one of the jaw members is movable with respect to the other between an open position and an approximated position for engaging body tissue therebetween. The knife bar has a curved profile and moves along at least one of the jaw members upon movement of the shaft.
US08393513B2
Surgical stapling apparatus including an anvil and cartridge each having cooperating mating surfaces
Surgical stapling apparatus are disclosed including an anvil having a working surface with a shaped topography, and a staple cartridge, in juxtaposition with the anvil. The staple cartridge includes a working surface with shaped topography which is complementary to the shaped topography of the working surface of the shaped anvil. When the anvil and the staple cartridge are approximated with or toward one another, at least a portion of the working surface of the anvil cooperates with at least a portion of the working surface of the staple cartridge to enhance alignment of the staple cartridge and the anvil in at least one of a transverse and longitudinal direction.
US08393508B2
A rack for carrying cargo on top of a vehicle includes a pair of crossbars. Each crossbar spans a pair of rails. The crossbars are connected to the rails by towers. Each tower has a claw assembly which is adjustable along two axes.
US08393505B2
A device and method for carrying and protecting a child in a first arrangement, and for securing a child to a stationary object in a second arrangement, are provided. In one version, the device includes a base panel having an interior side and an exterior side, wherein a crotch panel is deployable from the exterior side. Straps are provided for securing a child between the interior side and a wearer of the device. The device further includes a waist panel that secures the child in place in when carrying the child in the first arrangement, and also for attachment of the device in the second arrangement to a stationary object, such as to a standard sized chair or a seat in a vehicle. A retractable hood is further optionally provided to protect the child's head from neck strain and environmental damage.
US08393501B2
An apparatus for dispensing material is provided having a body portion and housing for supporting cartridges filled with materials for dispensing. The housing includes a dispensing end, an attachment end, and an elongated opening for receiving the cartridges. The apparatus further comprises an attachment assembly located at an end of the body portion for attaching the housing to the body portion. The attachment assembly includes a first set of threads located about the perimeter of the attachment assembly. A second set of threads are located about the perimeter of the attachment end of the housing for engaging the first set of threads, forming a threaded connection and attaching the housing to the body portion.
US08393497B2
A powder-metering apparatus (1) for dispensing measured doses of a powder into a receiving container has a handling and positioning device (2) with a handling arm (3) designed to handle a metering device (4, 4a, 4b, 4c). The metering device has a reservoir container (31, 31a, 31b, 31c) with a metering head (32, 32a, 32b, 32c) which has a discharge orifice (5, 6) and a flow-control element (34, 35, 36). The flow-control element controls the rate at which powder leaves the discharge orifice. The powder-metering apparatus is equipped with an impact device (11, 111) adapted to shock the metering device with upward-directed force pulses of high intensity and short duration.
US08393496B2
A representative stack of sheets including sheet bodies each of which is formed by folding a sheet and has a plurality of pieces between both ends of the sheet body. The sheet bodies are stacked one on another in such a manner that one of the plurality of pieces of each of the sheet bodies on one side in a stacking direction and another piece on the other side are inserted between pieces of an adjacent sheet body on one side in the stacking direction with respect to the sheet body and between pieces of an adjacent sheet body on the other side in the stacking direction, respectively, wherein an auxiliary piece is formed by folding an end of the piece of the sheet body.
US08393494B2
The present invention concerns a large-volume storage vessel (100, 100′), comprising a closure section (200, 200′, 200″) closed by a base (210, 210′, 210″), another closure section (200, 200′, 200″) or a base (400) and/or and at least one intermediate section (300, 300′), at least two of the adjoining components being joined to each other by a joining means (500) comprising two collars (510) produced on the annular free ends of these two components while being turned facing each other, a plurality of bolts (520) passing through the two collars (510) in order to assemble them.According to the invention, the joining means comprises a plurality of washers (522) mounted on the screws of the bolts (520) while being interposed between the two collars (510) in order to form between them an annular volume (532) for receiving a sealing means (530).Through this design, the various components of the vessel are assembled in an economical and nevertheless very effective manner and a space of calibrated width is provided for receiving a sealing means.
US08393492B2
A vent pipe is disclosed for use in the vent tank of an aircraft fuel system. The vent pipe is arranged with guide vanes or corner cascades for assisting the flow of fluid around the corners.
US08393490B2
A single use packing and dispensing technique includes a filter element as part of the packaging to permit a user to drain the packing fluid while retaining the primary package contents such as pickles, olives, canned vegetables, fruit, canned meats, poultry and fish. A strainer may be incorporated into any suitable aspect of the packaging along with a removable sealing element.
US08393479B2
A method for producing tubular membranes creates a very inexpensive production method, while obtaining very high output rates for tubular membranes. A tubular member (10) is formed from several threads (12) in such a way that at least some of the threads (12) are tightly tied together along web-type connecting lines (14) that are composed of longitudinal threads. At least some of the threads (12) form a transversal connection (16) between adjacent longitudinal threads (14) in between the web-type connecting lines (14). A predefined membrane material (18) is applied to the tubular member (10).
US08393477B2
A filter medium includes at least one filter membrane (10) having a fabric ply (12) as a supporting and protective layer. At least one additional filter membrane (14) with another fabric ply (16) as a supporting and protective layer is also provided. A third fabric ply (18) extends between both adjacent filter membranes (10, 14). Both adjacent filter membranes (10, 14) are connected together by the threads (26) of the other two plies (12, 16) which reach through to the third ply (18).
US08393472B2
An apparatus for the automated processing of bulk mail in a continuous and automatic procedure includes an operative combination of processing stations including an input station for receiving incoming mail in bulk fashion and for separating the pieces of mail for individual delivery to the remainder of the apparatus; a station for detecting irregularities in the contents of the envelopes, such as metal items, folded contents, or oversized items; a station for out-sorting envelopes rejected in accordance with determinations made at the detection station; a station for opening the envelopes, preferably along multiple edges; a station for removing the contents from the opened envelopes, for subsequent processing of the contents; and a series of stations for handling, imaging and orienting the contents for subsequent delivery to a plurality of output stackers.
US08393454B2
A drive train is used at least including an input shaft and an output shaft. A clutch member is rotatable by a clutch shaft about an axis of rotation. The clutch shaft is supported for lateral movement along the axis of rotation to move the clutch member to cooperate with the drive train at a first lateral position to cause the output shaft to turn and to move the clutch member to a second lateral position to disengage the output shaft from rotation of the input shaft. A permanent magnet is supported by one end of the clutch shaft and arranged for receiving an external magnetic biasing force along the axis of rotation to selectively move the clutch member between the first and second lateral positions. A traveling shaft can be used to support a selected gear for movement by the permanent magnet to implement transmission and reversing configurations.
US08393453B2
A one-way clutch comprising an outer race having at least one pocket and a stepped portion formed on an axial one end face of the outer race; an inner race spaced apart from and radially inside of the outer race and coaxially arranged for a relative rotational movement; a roller disposed in the pocket and adapted to transmit torque between the outer race and the inner race ; a cage rotatable relative to the outer race and having a window formed in a cylindrical portion and having a circumferential width smaller than a diameter of the roller and adapted to hold the roller; and a spring disposed in the pocket and adapted to bias the roller toward an engagement direction with respect to a cam surface; wherein a cover portion for covering at least a part of the pocket is provided on the other axial end face of the outer race.
US08393449B2
A brake actuation assembly for a hydraulic brake system of a handlebar-steered vehicle, the brake actuation assembly including a housing mountable to a handlebar of the vehicle and having a chamber formed therein. A piston assembly is received and axially guided within the chamber. A linkage is pivotally attached to the housing and the piston assembly and a lever blade is connected to the linkage to effect movement of the linkage, wherein movement of the linkage produces a variable rate of travel of the piston assembly relative to the travel of the lever blade.
US08393448B2
A spring fork, in particular for bicycles, with a suspension system and a hydraulic damping system, includes a compression stage damping system (6) for a spring deflection process and a traction stage damping system (5) for a rebound process. At least one piston (3, 16, 27) is provided, which is located in the cylinder (2), and at least one connecting channel (17, 17a) is provided which connects the cylinder chambers located on both sides of the piston and is intended for the overflow of hydraulic oil (21). The compression stage damping system (6), which is activated during the spring deflection process, can be blocked by closing the connecting passage (lockout). At least with the compression stage damping system (6) blocked and, if appropriate, also with the traction stage damping system (5) also blocked, a bypass channel (11, 20, 20a) which has a reduced cross-section in comparison to the connecting channel (17, 17a) is opened. As a result, the strong damping effect is largely maintained in particular during the rocking peddling action, but on the other hand, automatic return of the fork to its initial position (sag position) is made possible.
US08393446B2
Methods and apparatus for regulating the function of a suspension system are disclosed herein. Suspension characteristics often contribute to the efficiency of a suspended system. Depending on the desired operating parameters of the suspended system, it may be desirable to alter the functional characteristics of the suspension from time to time in order to maintain or increase efficiency. The suspension hereof may be selectively locked into a substantially rigid configuration, and the damping fluid may be phase separated and/or cooled to increase damping rate during use (or offset rate degradation). The suspension hereof may generate power usable to achieve any or all of the foregoing or to be stored for use elsewhere in the suspended system or beyond.
US08393443B2
An electric drive system for a vehicle; said drive system including an electric motor at at least one wheel of said vehicle; said electric motor comprising an electric field source adapted to induce rotational torque in the brake disc associated with said wheel of said vehicle. In an alternative form there is provided a method of imparting a torque to a wheel of a vehicle; said wheel having a brake disc rotor mechanically associated with it; said method comprising utilizing said rotor as a motor rotor whereby said rotor performs a dual function of a disc brake and a motor rotor.
US08393437B2
A method of designing/making an acoustic side branch resonator structured to be coupled to a standpipe of, for example, a nuclear power plant, wherein the acoustic side branch resonator includes a plurality of wire mesh elements for damping purposes. The method includes determining a resonant frequency of the standpipe, determining an active length of the acoustic side branch resonator using the resonant frequency, and determining a particular number of the wire mesh elements to be used in the acoustic side branch resonator and a pitch of each of the wire mesh elements using momentum and continuity equations of a compressible fluid.
US08393436B2
A flexible muffler for use in an aircraft environmental system includes a flexible body having a porous inner layer and an air impervious outer layer both supported by a helically wound adhesively attached reinforcing cord. The flexible body includes a pair of connecting end caps at opposed ends thereof which are joined to the flexible body in an air tight attachment. The resulting muffler provides acoustic energy absorptive and is readily flexed and bent to accommodate space restrictions within the environmental control system of the aircraft.
US08393427B2
An improved protection system for a battery pack mounted between the passenger cabin floor panel of an electric vehicle and the driving surface is provided, the system utilizing a ballistic shield mounted under the electric vehicle and interposed between the battery pack enclosure and the driving surface, where the ballistic shield is spaced apart from the enclosure bottom panel. A layer of a compressible material is interposed between the ballistic shield and the battery pack enclosure.
US08393414B2
Specific apparatus and associated methods are described for use in establishing the positions of locating field detectors and a sonde. Two detectors can be located at positions within the region, each being operable in a transmit mode and in a receive mode such that each one of the detectors in the transmit mode is able to transmit a relative locating signal to the other detector for use in determining the relative position of one detector in relation to the other and such that both detectors receive an electromagnetic locating signal from the sonde in the receive mode for use in determining the position of the sonde and the detectors within the region.
US08393410B2
System for drilling boreholes into subsurface formations. A gyrotron injects millimeter-wave radiation energy into the borehole and pressurization apparatus is provided for pressurizing the borehole whereby a thermal melt front at the end of the borehole propagates into the subsurface formations. In another aspect, a system for fracturing a subsurface formation is disclosed.
US08393409B2
An orthopedic impacting tool comprises a motor, a linear motion converter, an air chamber, a compression piston, a striker, a detent and a broach adapter. The compression piston may cause the striker to apply controlled force on a adapter to create a precise opening for subsequently disposing a prosthesis in a patient. The detent may hold the striker in a position until a sufficient pressure is applied to release the striker. The tool allows forward or backward impacting for expanding the size or volume of the opening or for facilitating removal of the broach and tool from the opening. A force adjustment control of the tool allows a user to increase or decrease the impact force. A light source and hand grips improve ease of operation of the tool.
US08393405B2
A portable fire-extinguisher comprises a metal casing (3) with an internal chamber (4) for housing a charge (5) of a solid substance which can be transformed, at a predetermined temperature, into an aerosol with flame-extinguishing properties. A delivery opening (7) puts the chamber (4) into communication with the exterior. An explosive cartridge primer (10), associated with a striker mechanism (13), is provided for triggering the reaction of the extinguishing charge (5). The primer (10) and the striker mechanism (13) are located near a distal end (5a) of the charge (5) so as to trigger the chemical reaction of the charge (5) from that end.
US08393403B2
Drill string flow control valves and more particularly, drill string flow control valves for prevention of u-tubing of fluid flow in drill strings are provided. Drill string flow control valves may comprise a valve housing, a valve sleeve axially movable within a valve housing from a closed position to an open position, a piston axially movable within said valve housing and bearing against the valve sleeve, a biasing mechanism for biasing the valve sleeve into the closed position, a static pressure port for actuating said piston utilizing internal fluid pressure within said valve and a plurality of dynamic pressure ports for allowing a differential pressure to be exerted on the valve sleeve during dynamic flow conditions. The differential pressure exerted on the valve sleeve may be the result of an upstream pressure and a downstream pressure during fluid flow through said valve. By allowing a differential pressure resulting from a fluid flow to act on the valve sleeve, u-tubing in a drill string can be prevented or substantially reduced. Methods of use are also provided.
US08393396B2
A valve is mounted to a tubular string and has an actuation assembly that is isolated from well fluids. The valve member can be a ball that rotates on a pivot and is actuated by relative rotation of string components that straddle the ball. Rotation of one string component is linked to the closure ball by an external slanted slot with an operating ball that rides in it and connects the rotating string component to the closure ball. Travel stops limit the desired rotation of the closure ball in opposed directions. The closure ball can alternatively be rotated by relative longitudinal string component movement that is converted to relative rotation such as through the use of a j-slot mechanism. Internal seals isolate the slanted slot and operating ball from well fluids.
US08393390B2
Disclosed is a method of rapidly hydrating a hydratable polymer, which method involves irradiating with radio frequency electromagnetic radiation, a mixture of at least the polymer and an aqueous hydrotreating medium to form a viscosified mixture of at least aqueous hydrotreating medium and hydrated polymer. Related methods of treating a subterranean formation and continuously hydrotreating a subterranean formation are also revealed.
US08393388B2
A high expansion plug has multiple sealing elements and an extrusion barrier system that uses overlapping petals in a stack of rings. When setting the plug, the petals are elastically moved toward a surrounding tubular wall in an elastic deformation between a housing that surrounds the mandrel and a tapered ring on the mandrel. That sandwich controls the amount of deformation and allows a potential energy force to be stored in the petals that allows them to return toward their initial position when the set of the plug is released and the seals are allowed to relax and extend axially as they shrink radially. The plug can then be removed without milling. Expansions in the order of 25% of the initial seal dimension are contemplated.
US08393387B2
An anchor system includes an anchoring device. The anchoring device is operably connected to at least one of a restriction indicator and a load isolation device each of which include a release member that releases at a selected load in order to ensure setting of the anchor at a desired location. A method is included.
US08393383B2
A hot water generator which has a high ability to prevent the hot water temperature from rising above a preset temperature when withdrawal of hot water is stopped. A hot water withdrawal pipe 5 of a heat exchanger 1 and a cold water intake pipe 4 thereof are connected through a circulating pipe 40 having a circulating pump 39. A cold water reservoir 42 is provided in the heat exchanger 1 on its cold water intake pipe 4 side. When withdrawal of hot water is stopped, the circulating pump 39 forces hot water in the heat exchanger 1 to circulate through the cold water reservoir 42, cold water intake pipe 4, circulating pipe 40 and hot water withdrawal pipe 5 back to the heat exchanger 1 or the circulating pump 39 forces hot water in the heat exchanger 1 to circulate through the hot water withdrawal pipe 5, circulating pipe 40, cold water intake pipe 4 and cold water reservoir 42 back to the heat exchanger 1. The temperature of circulating hot water is lowered by the cold water reservoir 42 so that the ability to prevent the hot water temperature from rising above a preset temperature is enhanced.
US08393379B2
A shutter of the type having a frame, and louvres extending from side to side within the frame, the louvres being rotatable about parallel axes, the side frames having a hollow interior, and defining longitudinal slots, and having a louvre control member within the frame for operating all louvres, drive connector members connected to the louvre control member for engaging respective louvres, and each drive connector member in turn having a first gear operated by the louvre control member, a second gear supporting and driving an end of a louvre, a drive housing supporting the first and second gears in meshing engagement, and, drive surfaces on the first gear for interengaging with the louvre control member.
US08393365B2
A tread is configured to have three rows of tread elements, a center row and a pair of shoulder rows, the center row forming a circumferential rib positioned at an equatorial centerplane of the tread. Each shoulder row has a repeating circumferential array of upwardly extending elongate groove fingers, adjacent groove fingers within the repeating array of each shoulder row of groove fingers being connected by at least one laterally extending channel. An array of serrations line each longitudinal side of the channels, each serration defined by inward tapering serration sidewalls extending to a serration base surface. Each channel is submerged below an outward tread surface such that the submerged channel will emerge as the tread wears down.
US08393363B2
In one embodiment there is provided a system for recalculating a formula previously used in preparing a mixture made from adding at least two components. The system includes a control apparatus and scale. The control apparatus has a memory for storing the mixture formula. The scale, in communication with the control apparatus, allows the control apparatus to monitor a weight on the scale, such that a final weight of the mixture is stored on the memory. When an end weight of the mixture, defined to be the final weight of the mixture previously prepared minus an amount used by a user, is positioned back on the scale and when the control apparatus receives a recalculation signal, the control apparatus calculates the amount used, recalculates the mixture based on the amount used, and stores a new mixture for subsequent use.
US08393357B2
A method of making a system for transferring fluidic media may include placing a reservoir body in an aseptic environment; filling an interior volume of the reservoir body with fluidic media; placing a plunger head into the reservoir body, the plunger head adapted to be movable in an axial direction within the reservoir body; removing the reservoir body from the aseptic environment; and attaching a casing adjacent to at least a portion of the reservoir body with the reservoir body outside the aseptic environment, the casing configured to envelope at least a portion of a plunger arm operatively connected to the plunger head, the casing further configured to allow the plunger arm to move in the axial direction relative to the reservoir body and at least partially within the reservoir body.
US08393349B2
A tire air valve having the function of indicating tire pressure includes an air valve casing having an inner center post orderly installed thereon with a lower locking block, a first spring, an upper locking block and a second spring. A fixed member is secured on the upper locking block, and a cap is covered on the air valve casing and provided with an upper indicating member, a third spring, a lower indicating member and a locking ring. The upper indicating member has an outer wall formed into a low pressure region and a warning region, while the lower indicating member has an outer wall formed into a safety region. The upper and the lower locking block can completely seal up the air valve to prevent air from leaking, and a driver can judge whether tire pressure is normal by visual observation through the cap on the air valve casing.
US08393336B2
A packaging and applicator kit may comprise a receptacle containing a substance for application to nails that has a viscosity of at least approximately 0.3 Pa·s. The kit may also comprise at least one applicator configured to be loaded with the substance contained in the receptacle and to apply the substance to nails. The at least one applicator may comprise at least one flexible blade defining an application face.
US08393329B2
A device for positioning an infant patient in a clinically preferred position for conducting a lumbar puncture includes a board, a positioning member adjustably coupled to the board, and a locking device coupled to the positioning member for locking the positioning member in a position relative to one or both of the board or the patient. The positioning member may be configured to induce the patient into a clinically preferred position for performing a lumbar puncture on the patient.
US08393327B2
A headgear suitable for wearing a respiratory mask system wearing on the head of a user is provided, wherein it can be easily manufactured, the leakage of the positive pressure gas when pressurized is reduced, and a good wearing feel is achieved. The headgear is adapted to secure a respiratory mask, which contacts the face of the user to supply a positive pressure gas for respiration to the user, to the head of user. The headgear has a head mounted portion which is worn on the occipital of the user and a strap (3) connecting to this head mounted portion. The head mounted portion has at least one closed curved belt (1) which has thereon at least one junction (2). At least one junction provides the closed curved belt with a nonplanar structure adaptable to the shape of the head of the user.
US08393322B2
An inhaler which comprises a base having a plurality of consecutive sealed cavities containing medicament. Foil portions are on one side attached to the base for sealing the medicament within respective associated cavities. A plurality of separating elements are attached to the other side of the foil portions, each separating element being associated with a respective cavity for separating a foil portion from that cavity. Each separating element can be moved-away from its associated cavity so that the sealing foil portion is separated from the cavity which is thereby uncovered so that medicament contained therein is enabled to become entrained in a fluid flow, and then returned with the attached foil portion to cover its associated cavity. A method of operating an inhaler is also disclosed.
US08393319B2
An operational module for a domestic appliance door including at least one operational control received therein, wherein the operational module is configured for at least partial insertion into a recess of the domestic appliance door from the exterior. An operational module for a domestic appliance door, including at least two operational controls received therein, wherein the operational module is configured for at least partial insertion into a recess of the domestic appliance door. A domestic appliance door, especially an oven door, comprises at least one recess for at least partially accommodating at least one of the operational modules.
US08393317B2
The invention comprises a fuel package comprising a vessel, a fuel, a combustion-restricting choke plate and a sealed lidding.
US08393316B2
In an internal-combustion-engine control apparatus provided with an exhaust gas sensor control device that outputs a detection signal detected by an exhaust-gas sensor, while switching amplification factors of an amplification circuit or offset voltages of an offset circuit, it is determined whether the exhaust-gas sensor is in an activation state or not, and an electric current flowing into the exhaust-gas sensor is stopped, in the case where it is determined that the exhaust-gas sensor is in a non-activation state; the amplification factors of the amplification circuit are switched so that there is detected an air-fuel ratio signal at the time when an electric current flowing into the exhaust-gas sensor is stopped, and it is determined whether or not the offset circuit is abnormal, based on whether the respective air-fuel ratio signals at the amplification factors are within a predetermined range.
US08393310B2
A mass balancing mechanism of an internal combustion engine, in which the mechanism includes a compensation shaft (1, 1′) formed as a tubular carrier shaft (5, 5′) having a mounting point (10, 10′) for the radial mounting of the compensation shaft. The mechanism further includes an unbalanced mass (6) joined to the carrier shaft. A needle roller bearing (2) is used for a radial rolling bearing-mounting of the compensation shaft, with the needle rollers (11) of the needle roller bearing being in rolling contact with the mounting point which is configured as an inner raceway and possesses a width which is variable in peripheral direction, so that, in a region situated diametrically opposite a load zone in whose peripheral region the inner raceway is loaded by the radial load of the unbalanced mass which rotates together with the compensation shaft, a width (14) of the inner raceway is smaller than the length of the needle rollers and tapers clearly or is interrupted in peripheral direction. The tapering or interruption of the inner raceway is produced by one or more trough-shaped depressions (15, 15′) formed locally in the carrier shaft.
US08393309B1
A fuel priming device comprising: means for establishing releasable fluid communication with an interior volume of a fuel conveying system of an engine; a first conduit affixed to the releasable communication means for conveying diesel fuel from an engine; a pressurizable reservoir in fluid communication with the fuel conveying conduit, the device located external to the automotive vehicle associated and at least on pneumatic system controlling the removal of fuel from the diesel fuel filter.
US08393300B2
A pet toy includes a flexible body with rope support configurations. In one embodiment, the rope configurations include one or more loops that are exposed and one or more knots that are covered by an exterior plush component of the pet toy. In another embodiment, two or more strands of rope material are tied in a series of knots, and an additional strand of rope material may be tied to the other strands in a transverse fashion. Preferably, the exterior plush component includes fabric. One or more of the free ends of the strands of rope material may also protrude beyond the plush component. The fabric material is sewn over the exposed portions of the rope material. Enough fabric material is used such that twisting, extending and retracting the rope material does not transfer force directly to the exterior fabric, thereby preserving the exterior plush component. The knots provide internal bulk to the body of the toy eliminating the need for stuffing. The knots also provide a robust structure for biting and tugging that can aid in dental cleaning. The exposed loops or free ends of the rope material act as handles for grasping by the pet owner or animal.
US08393297B2
The invention relates to an aquaculture net (10) comprising steel wires (12) having a steel core (14) and a tuneable metal coating (16) in the form of a strip to improve anti-corrosion and anti-fouling properties. In comparison with the prior art, the metal coating can be thicker and can have a composition that is homogeneous over its thickness.
US08393296B2
In certain embodiments, a system includes a front wall, a rear wall positioned substantially parallel to the front wall, and first and second side walls each extending between the front wall and the rear wall. The first side wall includes a gate, and the second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall such that the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall define a milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The system includes an equipment portion located adjacent to the rear wall. The equipment portion houses a robotic attacher configured to extend between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within the milking box stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock.
US08393293B2
A treatment tank is used which has a non-contact type liquid sealing unit capable of controlling liquid leakage in non-contact with a web.
US08393291B2
A liquid application apparatus includes a guide roll for guiding a sheet for application, and a slit die for applying a liquid to a surface of the sheet for application from an opening. The slit die has an upper layer flow path and a lower layer flow path spaced in the rotational direction of the guide roll and joining at the opening. In a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the guide roll, an angle α formed by the center line of the upper layer flow path and the center line of the lower layer flow path is 0.5 to 25°, an angle β formed by a line connecting the intersection point of the center line of the upper layer flow path and the center line of the lower layer flow path with the axis of the guide roll and by the center line of the upper layer flow path is 0 to 70° as measured from this connecting line toward the center line of the upper layer flow path in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of the guide roll, and the distance γ between a point where the two flow paths and join and the opening is 0.05 to 2.8 mm.
US08393289B2
An apparatus and method is disclosed for forming a nano structure on a substrate with nano particles. The nano particles are deposited through a nano size pore onto the substrate. A laser beam is directed through a concentrator to focus a nano size laser beam onto the deposited nano particles on the substrate. The apparatus and method is suitable for fabricating patterned conductors, semiconductors and insulators on semiconductor wafers of a nano scale line width by direct nanoscale deposition of materials.
US08393288B1
The improvements of the present invention provide multipurpose and multi-functional improvements that enhance the functional utility of water vehicles. The combination includes connecting means which allow adaptation of a platforms, storage, and seating. An improved motor mount permits a motor to be protectively stowed until a hinge is actuated to rotate the motor 180 degrees for operation. The improvements also provide motor controls, an anchor and motor controls attached to a seat platform. A shelter hood assembly attaches in a selectable, collapsible manner giving an operator use and appearance configuration options, allowing the assembled hood to act as a barrier against weather elements in addition to supplying functional color components including wildlife decoys, camouflage, safety markings, diving insignia, or other aesthetic designs or coloring. These improvements target utility of the water vehicle, particularly for boating, fishing, hunting, scuba or skin-diving, wildlife viewing or photographing, and general outdoor recreation.
US08393280B2
A safe having a support assembly disposed in the interior of the safe. The door of the safe is coupled to the support assembly and is easily shiftable between a closed position wherein the door is received in an opening of the safe and an open position wherein the door is removed from the opening in the safe and disposed in the interior of the safe.
US08393274B2
A generator includes a tubular casing sealed by a bottom, with a wall crossed by discharge orifices. The generator further includes an adapter sleeve retained in the tubular casing by crimping, a pyrotechnic initiator, and a tubular filter covering the discharge orifices. A pyrotechnic charge is inserted between the adapter sleeve and the bottom. A charge securing arrangement includes, on the bottom side, a transverse partition, and on the open side, an open-worked washer urged towards the bottom. A sealing member is capable of breaking during combustion of the charge, to thereby allow the gases to escape out of the casing via the filter and the discharge orifices. After failure of the sealing member, the space occupied by the pyrotechnic charge is delimited axially by the open-worked washer and the bottom.
US08393273B2
Bullets, including lead-free bullets with frangible cores, are described herein. In some embodiments, a bullet includes a jacket having an inner surface defining a cavity having an open end and a closed end. The bullet also includes a lead-free core positioned within the cavity and extending from the closed end to a first intermediate portion of the cavity. The core includes a plurality of particles that are compacted within the cavity to form the core. The bullet also includes a seal positioned within the cavity and extending from the first intermediate portion to a second intermediate portion of the cavity. The seal abuts the inner surface of the jacket, thereby substantially sealing off the core within the cavity. The bullet may also include a polymeric tip having a forward portion projecting forward from the open end and a rearward portion extending rearward into the cavity.
US08393269B2
A printing machine or press including at least one printing unit having at least one frame wall. The at least one frame wall defines a machine space of the machine unit. The at least one frame wall has a thickness and includes a narrow side. At least one passage is formed in the frame wall and is at least partially open. The at least one passage is formed on at least one surface of the frame wall and with its surface opening disposed on the narrow side of the frame wall and which extends along the surface of the frame wall. At least one of a power line and a data line can be disposed in the passage.
US08393260B2
A valve cap for sealing an aperture in a pump; a plugging assembly for a valve cap to seal at an aperture in a pump; a docking unit for use with a plugging assembly for sealing an aperture in a pump; and a method of sealing an aperture in a pump. A valve cap (10) comprises a valve plug (16) including, a first engaging means (40); a compression unit (20) including a plurality of springs (56) to apply a compressive load upon the plug and second engaging means (62, 64); a docking unit (24) for landing on the compression unit, including one or more pistons (92) to apply a compressive load upon said springs and third engaging means (74, 76, 78) to lock said plug to said compression unit and seal said plug against said aperture.
US08393255B2
The dispenser assembly is for opening a pouch or packet structure. The dispenser assembly includes a container structure having an interior cavity. The cavity has a sufficient dimension such that the packet structure may be stored therein. The dispenser assembly includes a cutter for severing the pouch or packet structure. The cutter is secured to or removably stored in the container. The cutter may be constituted by a slider structure, guillotine cutter, or U-shaped member.
US08393252B2
A wrench includes a body, a first driving head, a second driving head, a first ratcheting mechanism and a second ratcheting mechanism. The first ratcheting mechanism connects the first driving head to the body. The second ratcheting mechanism connects the second driving head to the body.
US08393251B2
A jaw assembly for a power tong or back-up tong is provided with a jaw die plate and a die seating surface that are shaped to permit radial insertion of the die plate (7) onto its seating surface (2). Both vertical (4) and horizontally (6) aligned splines, or spline segments are present on the seating surface. The vertical splines are interrupted along on at the end of their lengths by gaps (5a). Grooves (11) along with the protrusions (10) on the mating surface of the die plate interfit between the splines and/or spline segments and gaps to stabilize, or anchor the die plate on the seating surface against vertical displacement and to absorb rotational torque forces. The portion of the protrusions on the die plate that are positioned to extend into the gaps in the vertical splines support the die plate against vertical shearing forces, resisting disengagement of the die plate from its seating surface.
US08393250B2
A tool for stripping off a jacket from tubes or cables is characterized by a bend adapted to an outer diameter of the duct or cable to be stripped, and a blade protruding from the bend to the interior of the bend. The invention provides a cost-effective, accurate and easily producible tool for stripping off a jacket from tubes or cables.
US08393248B2
A baffle plate support structure supports a baffle plate inside a casing of a transmission. The baffle plate support structure includes a fixing portion and a supporting portion. The fixing portion secures a fixed end of the baffle plate to the casing by tightening bolts. The fixed end is one end of the baffle plate. The supporting portion supports a supported end of the baffle plate with respect to the casing. The supported end is another end of the baffle plate. The supporting portion has protruding ribs formed on an inner surface of the casing. The supporting portion is positioned such that the protruding ribs have a clearance of predetermined distance with respect to the supported end of the baffle plate in a vibrating direction of the supported end.
US08393239B2
A double clutch transmission with two clutches (K1, K2) having input sides connected to a drive shaft (w_an) and output side connected to one of two coaxially arranged transmission input shafts (w_k1, w_k2). At least two countershafts (w_v1, w_v2) are provided on which toothed idler gearwheels (7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15) are situated in a rotatable manner. Toothed idler gearwheels (1, 2, 3, 4) are provided in a rotationally fixed manner on the two transmission input shafts (w_k1, w_k2). At least a plurality of forward gears which are power shiftable (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) and at least one reverse gear (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8) are shiftable. A maximum of five gear planes (7-13, 8-14, 9-15, 10-4) are provided so that at least one power shiftable winding path gear (G1, G8, R4) is shiftable by at least one shift element (P).
US08393237B2
A driving device for a hatch in a motor vehicle includes a first fastening element which can be connected to a stationary structural component, a second fastening element which can be connected to a movable structural component, and a housing tube fixed to the second fastening element and extending toward the first fastening element. A spindle drive includes a threaded spindle and a nut fixed in a spindle tube connected to the first fastening element by a bolt, wherein the spindle can be driven in rotation to move the first fastening element axially relative to the housing tube. An elastomeric decoupling element between the spindle tube and the bolt decouples the spindle drive from the first fastening element in order to damp noise and vibration.
US08393232B2
A torque detector includes an output body, an input body adapted to permit a torque to be applied thereto, a torque beam unit, and a detecting unit disposed between the input and output bodies for converting a relative rotation of the input and output bodies into an electric signal. The torque beam unit includes a shaft, at least one flexible first beam extending radially and outwardly from the shaft and having a proximate end portion connected to the shaft, and a distal end portion connected to and co-rotatable with the output body, and at least one second flexible beam extending radially and outwardly from the shaft in a direction different from that of the first beam and having a proximate end portion connected to the shaft, and a distal end portion connected to and co-rotatable with the input body.
US08393229B2
A pressure sensing device includes a first conversion layer and a second conversion layer, an electrically conductive element between the first and second conversion layers, and a pair of electrically conductive yarns connected to the electrically conductive element, wherein the first and second conversion layers include at least one deformation member adapted to deform the electrically conductive element and change the resistivity of the electrically conductive element, when pressure exerts on the first and/or the second conversion layer.
US08393222B2
An absolute piezo-resistive pressure sensor system and method employing multiple pressure sensing elements operating simultaneously to detect pressure. Both pressure sensing elements being subject to a common reference pressure within a sealed cavity. The first pressure sensing element detecting an offset voltage resulting from the progressive release of mechanical stress at an assembly interface between the sensing element and a base plate on which the sensing elements are assembled. Electronic circuitry compensates the pressure measured by the second pressure sensing element based on the offset voltage detected by the first pressure sensing element.
US08393221B2
A ball pressure gauge for measuring magnitude of an air pressure in an inflatable ball includes: a probe being configured to pierce into the ball; an air-pressure indicator being configured to move according to the magnitude of the air pressure; a gauge body being provided with a set of air-pressure scale for the air-pressure indicator to point and indicate the magnitude of the air pressure as a numeral value; and at least one ball-specific recommended pressure dial being set alongside the air-pressure scale and including segments representing ranges of applicable air pressures for different types of balls. Thereby, the ball pressure gauge informs a user rapidly and directly of ball-specific appropriateness of the measured air pressure, so that the user can instantly adjust the air pressure to optimization.
US08393220B2
An optical fiber type vibration meter including a light source, an incident side optical fiber guiding light from the light source, a vibration probe to which a guided light is made incident, an optical receiver photoelectric-converting light modulated by a vibration of a weight and a movable coil arranged in the vibration probe to output the light as an electrical signal, a processor processing the electrical signal to output a state of the vibration as an output voltage value, a velocity pickup converting a velocity of the weight and the movable coil arising from the vibration of the weight and the movable coil into an electrical current, a solenoidal coil generating a magnetic field by the electrical current, and a magnetic field sensor attenuating an amount of light guided to the vibration probe according to an intensity of the magnetic field.
US08393216B2
The invention provides a fatigue exciter for wind turbine blades. Wind turbine blades require excitation at or near their natural frequency to induce bending moments that simulate in service loadings and must be easily controllable and with the minimum of unnecessary added mass or force. The invention provides a device and a method by which force controlled feedback is used for finding an optimal excitation frequency. This force could be provided e.g. by a digital signal generator.
US08393212B2
Micromachined disc resonator gyroscopes (DRGs) are disclosed designed to be virtually immune to external temperature and stress effects. The DRG is a vibratory gyroscope that measures angular rate which is designed to have reduced sensitivity to external thermal and mechanical stress. The DRG features an integrated isolator that may be fabricated on the same wafer as the electrode wafer forming a plurality of integrated isolator beams. In addition, the DRG may include a wafer level hermetical vacuum seal, flip chip ball grid array (BGA), and vertical electrical feedthrough to improve reliability and to reduce manufacturing cost. An additional carrier layer may be used with shock stops, vertical electrical feedthrough, and the flip chip BGA. A pyrex or quartz cap with embedded getter and shock stops can be employed.
US08393206B1
This invention is a ground flutter testing system without a wind tunnel, called Dry Wind Tunnel (DWT) System. The DWT system consists of a Ground Vibration Test (GVT) hardware system, a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) force controller software, and a real-time unsteady aerodynamic force generation software, that is developed from an aerodynamic reduced order model (ROM). The ground flutter test using the DWT System operates on a real structural model, therefore no scaled-down structural model, which is required by the conventional wind tunnel flutter test, is involved. Furthermore, the impact of the structural nonlinearities on the aeroelastic stability can be included automatically. Moreover, the aeroservoelastic characteristics of the aircraft can be easily measured by simply including the flight control system in-the-loop. In addition, the unsteady aerodynamics generated computationally is interference-free from the wind tunnel walls. Finally, the DWT System can be conveniently and inexpensively carried out as a post GVT test with the same hardware, only with some possible rearrangement of the shakers and the inclusion of additional sensors.
US08393204B2
A tire pressure measurement system (TPMS) includes a capacitor and an integrated circuit configured to receive a supply voltage. The integrated circuit includes a voltage regulator and a measurement unit. The voltage regulator is configured to be turned on and off for predetermined periods of time such that the capacitor is charged and discharged, respectively. The voltage regulator and the capacitor are connected to the measurement unit in order to selectively provide electric charge at a voltage between predetermined upper and lower limits.
US08393203B2
A method is disclosed that comprises severing an I/O channel between a brake system controller and an aircraft component; sending a test signal to the brake system controller; receiving, from the brake system controller, a feedback signal to the test signal; and determining an appropriateness of the feedback signal. A system is disclosed that comprises a brake system controller wrapped in a BITE region, wherein the BITE region comprises a testing module, a safety interlock region having an I/O channel between the brake system controller and another system, and a testing module capable of sending a test signal to the brake system controller.
US08393201B2
A method of sensing vehicle engine ignition status is disclosed wherein samples of only the electrical system voltage levels are used. Sampling voltages that drop sufficiently (in magnitude and quantity over a period of time) will signify an “engine off” state.
US08393197B2
Embodiments of the present invention employ measurement of argon as the means to detect the presence of an atmospheric leak in a processing chamber. Argon detected inside the process chamber is conclusive evidence of a leak. Furthermore, the amount of detected argon provides information on the rate of air entering through the leak. In one embodiment, leak detection takes place in the main plasma inside the processing chamber. In another embodiment, leak detection takes place in the self-contained plasma generated in a remote plasma sensor. Additional measurements can be performed, such as measuring the amount of oxygen, and/or the presence of moisture to help in detecting and quantifying outgassing from the processing chamber.
US08393194B2
The invention relates to a crimping tool (1) having crimp indentors and a through-opening for the introduction of a cable end which is to be crimped, introduction of the cable end being limited by an adjustable stop part (2) which is fixedly connected to the crimping tool (1), but is preferably operationally releasable, furthermore, the stop part (2) having different stop pins (3) which can be selectively activated by being pushed down and, if a different stop pin (3) is selected, the activated stop pin (3), which is biased into its non-activated position, having to be released from the stop position. In order to provide a crimping tool with a stop part for which there is advantageous adjustment from one activated stop pin to another activated stop pin, it is proposed that the activated stop pin (3) is retained by a spring latching means formed by a retaining spring (6), and the spring latching means can be deactivated by a release movement of the stop part (2).
US08393189B1
A tubular lock has a casing, a key pin seat, a driving pin seat, at least one positioning assembly, a side pin seat, at least one side positioning assembly and a fastening assembly. The positioning assembly is mounted axially in the key pin seat and is mounted through the driving pin seat. The side positioning assembly is mounted transversely through the casing and the side pin seat. With the installation of the side positioning assembly, the tubular lock can increase the permutation combinations of all the positioning assemblies. With the positioning assembly and the side positioning assembly operating in perpendicular directions to each other, the tubular lock can increase the difficulty of unlocking. With the both features, the tubular lock can enhance safety.
US08393188B2
A sanitary dispenser (1) has a housing (1) having an openable cover (20). A locking mechanism (7) locks the cover (20) laterally to the housing (1) and unlocks it by means of a key (25). The locking mechanism (7) has a push rod assembly (9, 14) having two centrally coupled rods (11, 16) which can be displaced in opposite directions and each of which ends at an insertion opening (6). The insertion of the key (25) on either of the two sides (4) of the housing in each case displaces both rods (11, 16).
US08393184B2
A drum-type washing machine is disclosed. The drum-type washing machine includes a case formed with an opening part for receiving therethrough laundry to be washed, a door opening and closing the opening part, a tub mounted in the case to receive wash water, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub, and a path compensation unit disposed at an inner lower end of the tub to facilitate flow of fluid while the drum is rotating. According to this drum-type washing machine, the dehydration efficiency can be improved.
US08393177B2
Methods and apparatus for controlling glass flow in, for example, a downdraw glass manufacturing process (e.g., the fusion downdraw process) are provided. In certain aspects, the mass, thickness, and/or the temperature distribution of molten glass (40) on the surface of forming apparatus (60) is managed by: (A) constructing a stream-tube mapping between (i) regions (510; FIG. 5A) of a cross-section of a conduit (400) that supplies molten glass (40) to the forming apparatus (60) and (ii) regions (510; FIG. 5B) on the exterior surface of the forming apparatus (60); (B) using the stream-tube mapping to select a temperature distribution for the cross-section that results in a desired mass, thickness, and/or temperature distribution of molten glass (40) on the surface of the forming apparatus (60); and (C) heating and/or insulating the conduit (400) so as to produce a temperature distribution for the cross-section which equals or at least approximates the distribution selected in step (B).
US08393174B2
A setting that includes a plurality of ribs with beveled sides that divide the setting into a plurality of contiguous compartments. Posts having a first height from a top-side of the ribs, and split at a top-ends to form prongs that are bent onto a stone that is set within an adjacent compartment, securing the stone. The first height accommodates a top-section of the stone enabling setting of various cut configurations, and the beveled sides of the ribs accommodate a lower-section of the stone.
US08393173B2
A combined refrigerating/freezing and air conditioning system is provided. The system may include an air conditioning circuit, a refrigerating circuit, a freezing circuit, a first heat exchanger, and a second heat exchanger. The air conditioning circuit may include a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an indoor heat exchanger. The refrigerating circuit may include compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. The freezing circuit may include a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. The refrigerant of the air conditioning circuit may be heat-exchanged with the refrigerant of the refrigerating circuit in the first heat exchanger, and the refrigerant of the refrigerating circuit may be heat-exchanged with the refrigerant of the freezing circuit in the second heat exchanger to improve air conditioning efficiency and refrigerating/freezing efficiency of the system.
US08393172B2
An heat pump drying machine has a normal dry mode (e.g., compression ratio is equal to or greater than 3) for operating a compressor at a predetermined dry operation frequency and an energy saving dry mode (e.g., compression ratio is equal to or greater than 2.3 and is less than 3) for operating the compressor at an energy saving operation frequency that is lower than the dry operation frequency. A control device is provided to control an operation frequency of the compressor 5so that the two dry operation modes are switched to each other. The control device can execute the control for increasing the operation frequency of the compressor to the dry operation frequency during the operation of the energy saving dry mode.
US08393155B2
A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The fuel injector includes an injector housing extending from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis. The second end of the housing is fluidly coupled to a combustor of the turbine engine and the housing includes a liquid fuel gallery annularly disposed about the longitudinal axis. The fuel injector also includes a stem extending longitudinally from the first end of the housing to a third end. The stem includes a liquid tube configured to deliver liquid fuel to the fuel injector. The fuel injector also includes an annular shell extending along the longitudinal axis from the first end to the third end and circumferentially disposed about the stem. The fuel injector further includes an insulating air shroud formed inside the shell. The air shroud includes a layer of air between the shell and the stem.
US08393146B2
An exhaust emission control device is provided which is compact in size and has favorable dispersibility of exhaust gas from a muffling structure 2 to an oxidation catalyst 3. The muffling structure 2 arranged upstream of the oxidation catalyst in a direction D of gas flow has a dispersion plate 6 for dividing the interior of the casing 5 into dispersion chambers 7a and 7b upstream and downstream in the direction D of gas flow, respectively, and an inner pipe 8 inserted from outside of and into the chamber 7a and with a tip end fixed to the dispersion plate 6 and circumferentially formed with pores 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d having diameters gradually reduced in the order in the direction D of gas flow from upstream to downstream. The dispersion plate 6 facing the dispersion chambers 7a and 7b is formed with a plurality of radially-outward-larger-diametered and radially-inward-smaller-diametered pores 14, 15 and 16.
US08393138B2
Systems and methods for exhaust gas recirculation in which at least a desired effective oxygen concentration is maintained for stable combustion at increased recirculation rates. Oxygen-enriched gas is injected into the recirculated exhaust gas to achieve the desired effective oxygen concentration.
US08393134B2
A bit includes a mouthpiece. A tongue member is arranged on the mouthpiece such that, when the mouthpiece is received in an oral cavity of an animal, the tongue member bears against a tongue of the animal, inhibiting movement of the tongue over the mouthpiece.
US08393129B2
The invention relates to a metal composite panel intended for construction, including at least two substantially parallel sheets (21) and (22) with at least three profiles (3) substantially parallel to each other arranged between and fastened to the sheets. The three profiles serve as separators, making it possible to separate the sheets and are arranged so that the average distance between two adjacent profiles is not necessarily uniform but suited to the local conditions of use of said panel. In order to obtain a panel having an optimal compromise between weight and performance, light alloys and, in particular, aluminum are advantageous. The composite panels are particularly useful as a floor of a rolling vehicle, as the floor, deck or ramp of a floating vehicle or as the floor of a flying vehicle.
US08393125B2
Deck planks with undercut side grooves can be attached to underlying joists by hidden fasteners with leading wings and trailing feet engaged into the side grooves of the deck planks. The bodies of the hidden fasteners space the deck planks so as to provide adequate drainage gaps between the top faces of the deck planks. A power driver tool can be used for rapidly positioning the hidden fasteners and for attaching the hidden fasteners to the joists.
US08393124B2
In an anchor installation in a lightweight construction panel having spaced cover plates with a support core disposed therebetween, wherein an anchor installed in a bore extending through at least one of the cover plates and the support core includes an expansion body having engagement elements spreading outwardly behind the cover plate to lock the anchor in the bore, the expansion body includes an axial bore fittingly accommodating a needle for the injection of cement into the expansion body and distribution passages for the distribution of the cement to various cavities in and around the expansion body for firmly fixing the anchor in the lightweight construction panel.
US08393122B2
A partition system generally including an adjustable work surface support bracket assembly, which attaches to a track member of the partition system for supporting a work surface. A first vertical member of the bracket assembly includes a mounting portion adapted to be received within the track member, and a first vertical plate portion downwardly extending from the mounting portion and including a plurality of vertically spaced apertures or a pair of elongated apertures. A second member includes a horizontal portion that attaches to a work surface using suitable fasteners. In a first embodiment, the second member includes a tab which is received within any one of the vertically spaced apertures in the vertical member located beneath the track member. In a second embodiment, the second member includes a second vertical plate portion including a plurality of apertures or a pair of elongated apertures for alignment with a pair of apertures in the first vertical plate portion of the first vertical member. In this manner, a work surface may be mounted to a track member of the partition system in a vertically adjustable manner and, in the second embodiment, the second member and/or work surface may aesthetically cover the track member.
US08393116B2
An elevated platform system includes a base support structure and a plurality of fiber reinforced polymer composite panels. The base support structure includes pilings secured to a ground surface and attachment cradles coupled to the pilings. The attachment cradles are in electrical continuity with the ground surface. The fiber reinforced polymer composite panels include a panel body portion, fibrous material surrounding the panel body portion, a non-conductive matrix forming at least a portion of an outer-most layer of the fiber reinforced polymer composite panel, and an electrically-conductive layer at least partially embedded in the non-conductive matrix. The fiber reinforced polymer composite panels are coupled to the attachment cradles, such that the electrically-conductive layer of the fiber reinforced polymer composite panel is in electrical continuity with the ground surface.
US08393113B2
Suction Cup Surface Mounted Shelf and Planter Assembly, when temporarily affixed to any appropriate surface, can be used to simulate an indoor greenhouse and/or used as an outdoor window box planter. The Assembly can also be used as a support and containment system for any appropriate item. The Suction Cup Surface Mounted Shelf can be used independently from the planter and serve as a general purpose shelf to hold appropriate items. The Planter can be utilized as a freestanding planter and/or serve as a general purpose container to hold appropriate items.
US08393099B2
A dioramic apparatus includes a vessel having an inferior portion and a superior portion. The vessel includes a shell and defines an interior space. The interior space is partially filled by a liquid medium. At least one dioramic scene is disposed in the interior space. A reservoir is in fluid communication with the interior space. The reservoir includes a flow plate defining at least one liquid intake and at least one liquid output port. The at least one liquid intake is configured and arranged for receiving at least a portion of the liquid medium from the interior space when the dioramic apparatus is at least partially inverted. The at least one liquid output port is configured and arranged to output at least a portion of the liquid medium from the reservoir when the vessel is placed in an upright position.
US08393098B2
Three-dimensional lightweight foam greeting cards are described herein having a foam body with a perimeter wall that extends between two spaced apart parallel pieces of planar sheet material such as heavy gauge paper, cardboard, or other such material. The greeting cards have a partially hollowed foam body or one or more cavities in the foam body concealed in the front and back by the planar sheet material which may be pre-cut in the shape of the foam body are decorated consistent with the design of the foam body. The cavities in the foam body may contain various electronic components that enable the greeting card to produce sound, record and playback a personalized message, trigger light activation, trigger the movement of moveable parts, display digital video, photographs or slideshows, or a combination thereof.
US08393087B2
A dimension measuring device 100 in accordance with the present invention includes an end face following mechanism 1 that butts against an end face E of a long material, a dimension measuring mechanism 2 for measuring the dimensions of the long material, and a pushingly moving mechanism 3 for pushingly moving the end face following mechanism toward the end face of the long material. The end face following mechanism includes a plurality of contact sensors for detecting a contact state, and is turnable around two axes intersecting at right angles with each other. The pushingly moving mechanism pushingly moves the end face following mechanism into the state in which the plurality of contact sensors detect that the end face following mechanism butts against the end face of the long material. The dimension measuring mechanism is pushingly moved integrally and is turnable integrally with the end face following mechanism, and measures the dimensions of the long material when it is detected, by the plurality of contact sensors, that the end face following mechanism butts against the end face of the long material.
US08393084B2
An adjustment device for manual cutting tools is provided. The cutting tool for which the device is intended takes the form of pruning shears having two arms with the respective cutting blades thereof hinged to one another by a transverse bolt forming the main element of the device. A tightened nut for locking the bolt is provided with a transverse hole into which a lateral locking screw is screwed, thereby enabling the hinge to be adjusted. The nut and the locking screw are positioned in a recess in the cutting blade such that the nut cannot rotate when the bolt is being manipulated using a protrusion of the nut housed in a cavity in the cutting blade. The through-hole provided in the cutting blade for the bolt includes a bushing which enables the bolt to be better adjusted in the hole.
US08393083B2
A thinning scissors of the present invention includes a first blade unit, a second blade unit, an adjusting button, a nut and a screw. The first blade unit has a first pivoting bore, and the second blade unit has a second pivoting bore. The adjusting button has an axle rotatably inserted in the first pivoting bore. The axle has an offset bore whose axis is offset from that of the axle. The nut is rotatably disposed in the offset bore, and the screw is inserted in the second pivoting bore and threaded with the nut. Thereby, the rotational axis of the first blade unit and that of the second blade relatively move as the adjusting button rotates in the first pivoting bore.
US08393080B2
An apparatus and associated method for manufacturing a window covering for an architectural opening. The apparatus includes a support structure handling assembly, an operating element handling assembly, and a vane handling assembly. The handling assemblies process the respective materials to an assembly station to attach one portion of a vane to the operating elements, and another portion of the vane to the support structure, allowing movement of one portion of the vane relative to other portion of the vane.
US08393075B2
A display change device is formed by connecting and thereby integrating an installation/removal device and a card display change device together. The card installation/removal device is configured to have at a back side thereof a pressure reception wall, at a further back side of which a position adjustment mechanism part is provided. The position adjustment mechanism part is configured to include a seat member, a moving part, and a drive part. The position adjustment mechanism part is configured to strike and move the card installation/removal device by an eccentric cam. The position adjustment mechanism part moves the eccentric cam far from the pressure reception wall under the condition that a reaction force Fr received by the eccentric cam becomes larger than a force Fa for pulling the moving part toward the pressure reception wall side.
US08393069B2
A writing instrument comprising a writing utensil and associated handles interconnected to each other to allow a user to selectively position the writing utensil in either an extended position of use or a closed position of storage, as well as a variety of positions there between. In an open position, the handles may be positioned adjacent one another with the writing utensil extended longitudinally away from the adjacent handles in a position of use. In a closed position, the handles may be positioned adjacent to the longitudinal length of the writing utensil, with the writing utensil at least partially enclosed between the handles in a position of storage. The rotation of the handles about the writing utensil allows a user to manipulate the handles in a variety of ways, similar to that of a “butterfly knife” or similar device comprising balisong style openings. In one aspect of the invention, the writing instrument may be used to perform moves or tricks as a novelty device to provide entertainment and enjoyment to a user. A method of manufacturing the writing instrument by injection molding is also disclosed.
US08393065B2
A method for retrofitting a pulverized coal boiler in an air combustion boiler system is disclosed, which has a plurality of burners over a plurality of stages along the vertical direction on a wall surface of a furnace of the pulverized coal boiler and an after-air port for introducing air for two-stage combustion located above the burners to retrofit into a two-stage combustion pulverized coal boiler in an oxyfuel combustion boiler system.
US08393061B2
A seat belt safety device is configured to prevent access to a release button located on a side of a seat belt housing opposite a housing side at which a first seat belt segment is affixed and proximate a housing slot for receiving a tongue latch affixed to a second seat belt segment, which tongue latch is inserted in the housing slot to securely latch the first seat belt segment to the second seat belt segment. The seat belt safety device includes a first substantially planar member including a slot opening for receiving the tongue latch of the second seat belt segment and a limited access opening, substantially centered and proximate the slot opening so that when a tongue latch is inserted through the slot opening into the housing slot to latch and secure the first seat belt segment with the second seat belt segment, the limited access opening is located proximate the release button. A second substantially planar member attached to at least one edge of the first substantially planar member to extend at about 90° from a point of attachment so that when the tongue latch is inserted through the slot opening into the housing slot to latch, the second substantially planar member contacts to lay substantially flat against a portion of an outer horizontal surface of the seat belt housing such that the seat belt safety device is substantially immobilized.
US08393058B2
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clip including: a flange and a leg. The leg includes: a pillar portion that vertically extends from the flange; a tip portion provided at a distal end in an axial direction; a rib that outwardly extends from the pillar portion to be connected to the flange and the tip portion; and an elastic engagement piece that extends from a distal end of the rib in a circumferential direction. The elastic engagement piece includes: a rigid portion that is connected to the rib and that is connected to the flange and the tip portion; and a deformable portion that is extended from the rigid portion and that is disconnected from the flange and the tip portion.
US08393057B2
A method for mixing short staple and down cluster by a dry processing utilizes an air tool to blow the short staple over, so that the scattered short staple is mixed in the down cluster. Stirring blades are further applied for stirring. Chemical agents are needless, no pollution is generated, and processing time is preferably reduced since the mixture does not have to be soaked in the chemical agent. Both the processing time and the manufacturing cost are decreased. Preferably, a proportion of the short staple to the down cluster is adjustable for different needs and divergent warmth retaining effects.
US08393049B2
A method and apparatus for cleaning large surface areas. The method and vehicle clean large surface areas such as streets, runways, aircraft carrier decks, and the like, wherein a substantial portion of the soiled water is recaptured, processed, and reused.
US08393041B2
In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a portable golf club cleaning device, for cleaning the head of a golf club, including: a cleaning portion with one or more outwardly-facing exterior cleaning surfaces disposed about a central axis; a handle portion disposed at a top end of the cleaning portion including a gripping member whereby the portable golf club cleaning device is selectively gripped; and an elongated spike portion disposed at a bottom end of the cleaning portion substantially opposite the top end of the cleaning portion, the elongated spike portion extending from the cleaning portion and wherein central axes of the handle portion and the spike portion are vertically aligned, the elongated spike portion providing a support means for supporting the portable golf club cleaning device in an upright manner when depressed into the ground.
US08393022B2
A thin-film splash guard for use with dental cuspidors is described. The splash guard includes a thin-film sheet, a pair of slots, and an adhesive. The thin-film sheet is composed of a flexible, flaccid material with front and back surfaces which is sufficiently stiff when conformed to the shape of a dental cuspidor so as to extend above the side wall of the cuspidor. The slots are disposed from one edge of and along the thin-film sheet so as to generally define a center region and a pair of side regions. The adhesive is disposed along the front surface within each side region and or along the back surface within the center region. The thin-film splash guard is readily conformable to the shape and size of a cuspidor, easily attachable to the cuspidor in a removable fashion, and disposable.
US08393016B2
The invention relates to clothing support devices, and more particularly, discreet belts that support clothing, such as trousers, skirts, or the like, around a waist of a user. Provided is a discreet belt that includes a belt body formed from a flexible, elongated elastic strap adapted to be used in at least one fastening element and at least one adjusting element. Various embodiments, variants and method aspect are also provided.
US08397311B2
A metrology probe capable of measurements of a broad range of physical properties of individual samples of nano- or sub-nanometer dimensions is provided. The probe comprises a probe body, a substrate connected to the probe body, and a tip proximate the substrate. The probe further comprises a coarse piezoelectric actuator having an electrical input. The coarse piezo is configured to cause the tip and/or the substrate to move relative to each other when a first electrical signal is provided to the electrical input. The probe further comprises a low-pass filter in electrical communication with the electrical input of the coarse piezo. The probe further comprises a fine piezoelectric actuator having an electrical input configured to cause the tip and/or the substrate to move relative to each other when a second electrical signal is provided to the electrical input.
US08397310B2
The present invention is an apparatus and method for associating electronic devices to portable containers. A smart container is a container used for transporting items while traveling and comprising electronic devices. The smart container may comprise at least one module bay configured for receiving a module and a controller comprising a processing device associated with a memory. The controller is electrically associated with the module bay and configured for sending and/or receiving data to/from an electronic device associated with the module bay. The controller may be either an integral component of the smart container or a controller module removably received by the smart container. The smart container further comprises a power source associated with a power bus. The power bus is electrically associated with at least one of (a) a module bay, and (b) the controller.
US08397307B2
In one embodiment of a computer-implemented system, comprising a plurality of computer entities and multiple resources, one of the computer entities may request a multi-resource lock to one of the multiple resources; the one resource determines whether a resource lock is available at the one resource and, if so, the one resource communicates with all peer resources to determine whether a resource lock is available; if the peer resources indicate a resource lock is available, lock all of the resources to the requesting computer entity, and the one resource communicates the lock of the resources to the requesting computer entity; and if any the resource indicates contention for the multi-resource lock, the one resource communicates the contention to the requesting computer entity, and the requesting computer entity backs off the multi-resource lock request and, after a random time interval, repeats the request.
US08397306B1
A system, method and computer program product for an isolated security domain which is a bounded area of the VM for protected objects. The objects are software units (including executable code data), hardware units (e.g., ports) or a combination thereof. The secure units in this area are accessible using secure rules used to ensure that objects are not malware. Authentication for connections to security domain is required and certain areas of the domain are made to be read only.
US08397304B2
The invention relates to receiving data originating from multiple users, identifying data item combinations occurring within said data, determining privacy sensitivity measures to said data item combinations, and communicating privacy sensitivity measure(s) to user(s) concerned. The privacy sensitivity measures can be used to protect user privacy.
US08397303B2
In a memory controller according to the present invention, an external I/F unit receives ID information associated with data from the outside of a non-volatile memory, and a recording controller manages a recording position of the data in the non-volatile memory based on the ID information, so that an amount of time necessary for the retrieval of rights information based on the ID information is reduced.
US08397301B2
The invention is a system and method for identifying, assessing, and responding to vulnerabilities on a mobile communication device. Information about the mobile communication device, such as its operating system, firmware version, or software configuration, is transmitted to a server for assessment. The server accesses a data storage storing information about vulnerabilities. Based on the received information, the server may identify those vulnerabilities affecting the mobile communication device, and may transmit a notification to remediate those vulnerabilities. The server may also transmit result information about the vulnerabilities affecting the mobile communication device. The server may also store the received information about the device, so that in the event the server learns of new vulnerabilities, it may continue to assess whether the device is affected, and may accordingly notify or remediate the device. The server may provide an interface for an administrator to manage the system and respond to security issues.
US08397296B2
A console host and intrusion negation system (CHAINS) includes a host component and a console component. The host component monitors resources at a server. Resources that are becoming overloaded can be throttled back. Reports relating to resource usage may be transmitted to the console component. At the console component, resource reports from multiple host components may be viewed and managed.
US08397295B1
A method and apparatus for detecting a rootkit is described. In one embodiment, a method for detecting a rootkit comprises analyzing file system information associated with a plurality of files that form a volume, wherein a first portion of the file system information comprises metadata information for a master file table and a second portion comprises at least one master file table record and identifying an inconsistency within the file system information where the inconsistency indicates a modification to the file system information by a rootkit.
US08397293B2
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to distributed computing for large data sets on clusters of computers and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for detecting and correcting malicious nodes in a cloud computing environment (e.g., MapReduce computing). In one embodiment of the invention, a computer-implemented method for detecting and correcting malicious nodes in a cloud computing environment can include selecting a task to dispatch to a first worker node, setting a suspicion index threshold for the selected task, determining a suspicion index for the selected task, comparing the suspicion index to the suspicion index threshold and receiving a result from a first worker node. The method further can include applying a recovery action when the suspicion index exceeds the selected suspicion index threshold.
US08397291B2
A device that relieves a service provider of the burden of managing personal information. A group administration organization device admits a user device to an authorized group by request and sends authority permission information to the user device. The user device holds the authority permission information received from the group administration organization device and, on access, sends authority proof information created from the authority permission information using a group signature scheme to a service provider device as requested by it. The service provider device, upon being accessed, requests the authority proof information and verifies the authority proof information received from the user device in accordance with the request on the basis of the group signature scheme. When the verification result indicates validity, the service provider device provides a service. Thus, there is no need for the service provider to manage personal information of the user because the user device proves to the service provider device using the group signature scheme that it belongs to the authorized group.
US08397289B2
The present invention proposes a method for protecting and monitoring removable entities in an embedded system. In accordance with the present invention, prior to insertion of a removable entity in the embedded system, a user registers details of the removable entity in the device host. The details may be entered after entering a password or a PIN. A registration identification is calculated based on an algorithm in the device host and is then stored in the host. After the removable entity is inserted, it is registered in an unalterable area (e.g. flash memory) of the device host. Information such as the category of the removable entity, a device number, etc. may be exchanged between the device host and the removable entity. The device host then computes a registration identification based on a Removable Entity Registration Algorithm. The identifications are then compared, and the device host displays the details of the removable entity to the user.
US08397288B2
In one embodiment, a system for extending IPSec communication over a wireless mesh network is disclosed. A VPN appliance is operative to establish an end-to-end communication tunnel with at least one of a plurality of wireless mesh gateways. The VPN appliance is configured for secure communication with at least one of the mesh gateways, by establishing an outer tunnel. At least one of the wireless mesh gateways is configured to establish connection with a plurality of wireless routers, where the wireless routers are configured to establish connection with a plurality of intelligent communication devices. Multiple paths exist for routing data packets from the plurality of mesh gateways to the plurality of intelligent communication devices. The VPN appliance is also configured to establish a plurality of inner tunnels nested within the outer tunnel.
US08397285B2
Methods and apparatus for performing content inspection using multi-pattern packet content inspection mechanisms employing tagged values. Pattern data structures are employed to facilitate multi-pattern searches via corresponding string-search algorithm machines. The pattern data structures include tagged values defining search offsets and depths for corresponding search patterns. Incoming packets are classified to flows, and stored in corresponding flow queues. Flow table entries are used to identify the pattern data structure for a given flow. During content inspection, the algorithm machine employs the tagged values to effectively skip portions of a data stream up to the offset for each search pattern and to cease searching for a pattern upon reaching the depth for the pattern.
US08397284B2
A denial-of-service network attack detection system is deployable in single-homed and multi-homed stub networks. The detection system maintains state information of flows entering and leaving the stub domain to determine if exiting traffic exceeds traffic entering the system. Monitors perform simple processing tasks on sampled packets at individual routers in the network at line speed and perform more intensive processing at the routers periodically. The monitors at the routers form an overlay network and communicate pertinent traffic state information between nodes. The state information is collected and analyzed to determine the presence of an attack.
US08397265B2
The invention relates to a method for the continuous transmission of a video from a server to a number of client machines over a communication network, comprising the following steps: obtaining requests from client machines, at least some of the requests obtained each specifying at least one spatial zone of interest in one or more images of the video, a spatial zone representing a set of digital data, processing the requests obtained so as to determine one or more intersections defining common data between the spatial zones of interest of the video, creating a multipoint network session for each intersection thus determined.
US08397259B2
An interactive television program guide is provided in which advertisements may be displayed on program guide screens. Banner advertisements may be displayed above and below program listings. Panel advertisements may be provided adjacent to program listings. The advertisements may contain video. The advertisements may be used to promote television programs and conventional goods and services. When a user selects an advertisement, the program guide provides the user with an opportunity to order products or services, request information, set reminders for upcoming programs, view program descriptions, record programs, or take other such actions. Embedded advertisements may be provided within the program listings region and may be automatically displayed immediately adjacent to related program listings.
US08397255B2
A digital television recording method comprising: broadcasting a television program associated with a broadcaster set of parameters enabling access to a first set of predetermined portions of the program; operating an agent for determining whether to record the program and for associating with the program, upon recording of the program, an agent set of parameters enabling access to a second set of predetermined portions of the program; storing the program together with the broadcaster set of parameters and the agent set of parameters to generate an addressable program; retrieving at least a portion of the addressable program; displaying the at least a portion of the addressable program to a user; receiving from the user a user set of parameters enabling access to a third set of predetermined portions of the addressable program; editing the addressable program to include the user set of parameters enabling access to the third set of predetermined portions of the addressable program thereby generating an edited addressable program; and storing the edited addressable program.
US08397254B2
A broadcasting system with auto programming and viewer number feedback is provided, which includes a data gathering device, a viewer number calculating device and a program auto-scheduling device. The data gathering device is used to gather a program list and a local viewer number data. The viewer number calculating device is used to calculate a local viewer number. The program auto-scheduling device is used to automatically determine whether to adjust a program schedule of the program list according to a comparison result between the local viewer number and a determined viewer number. Therefore, the broadcasting system of the invention can detect viewer and definitely calculate viewing efficiency within a predetermined status, and can precisely quantify the viewing efficiency using the caught data. Additionally, the broadcasting system of the invention can automatically evaluate whether to reschedule of a program according to the data feedback to conform the predetermined viewer status.
US08397253B2
Described are methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for inserting personalized information into digital content. A request for digital video content is received by a computing device. The request includes authentication data associated with a user of a client device. Personalized data to be inserted into the requested video content is generated by the computing device. The personalized data and the requested video content are combined by the computing device. The combining includes replacing one or more frames of the requested video content with the personalized data to generate personalized video content.
US08397248B2
A compact disc handling apparatus comprises a frame body, a fixed board including a through hole and being fixed on the frame body, a sliding board including an inserting hole, a fixed plate being fixed in the inserting hole of the sliding board and having an area smaller than half of the area of the inserting hole, a movable plate movably installed in the inserting hole of the sliding board, a movable unit located between the fixed plate and the movable plate to enable the movement of the movable plate, a drive unit driving the sliding board to move transversely on the fixed board, and a control unit controlling the movement of the movable plate. The sliding board is movably assembled on an upper end surface of the fixed board in such a manner that the inserting hole is in alignment or staggered with the through hole.
US08397247B2
A technique to suppress a remote procedure call from a client by a server is provided. An information processing system is provided that includes a client component and a server component, wherein a program of the client component makes an RPC for a function of the server component. The client component includes a holding unit that holds return value information of the function, and a calling unit that receives an RPC request for the function from the program. The server component includes an execution unit that returns a return value of the function to set return value information. When the return value information has not been set in the holding unit, the calling unit makes an RPC for the function. When the return value information has been set in the holding unit, the calling unit returns the return value included in the return value information without making an RPC.
US08397237B2
Each of a plurality of thread boundaries comprises functionality to be performed for a given event by a single thread. A plurality of queues through which events may be routed may be coupled to the thread boundaries. A plurality of tasks may be configured in a defined relationship, each task being associated with a thread boundary and comprising a unit of code for performing a specific function. Resources may be allocated to thread boundaries based on queue depth.
US08397231B2
Hypervisors are a new technology in the industry that enable multiple Operating Systems to co-exist on a single client. The use of a hypervisor provides a novel approach to determining the operability of an Operating System. Each Operating System is a virtualized Operating System, with its own IP address. According to a preferred embodiment, the capability Operating System has an application that is a monitor program that runs and provides information that is sent to the maintenance Operating System. The monitor program sends a status packet at regular intervals, which contains system power state and is a confirmation that the system is not hung. If the maintenance Operating System does not receive a packet at a regular interval, or in response to a query, then the maintenance Operating System will be aware that the capability Operating System is hung and will take appropriate measures.
US08397229B2
System and methods for migrating independently executing program into and out of an operating system
This invention generally relates to a methods and system in the field of independent programs operating within an operating system such as Linux and more particularly to computer software embodied in a computer readable medium including: an independent program for running autonomously in a native mode within an associated computer processor; an operating system program for running autonomously within an associated computer processor; a mode switcher process for switching operation from the independent program to the operating system program whereby the independent program functions as an embedded entity of the operating system; and wherein the mode switcher program switches the independent program from the operating system program whereby the independent program runs autonomously in the native mode.
US08397227B2
A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer program product for Java class automatic deployment using byte code instrumentation technology. One or more classloaders are instrumented with byte code instrumentation code such that a class loading event is received when a class is loaded. If a determination is made that new byte code instrumentation code needs to be loaded with the loaded class, candidate classloaders that load import classes of the new byte code instrumentation code are determined. A correct classloader from the candidate classloaders to load the new byte code instrumentation code is calculated. The correct classloader is instrumented to have an extended classpath, wherein the new byte code instrumentation code is inserted into the extended classpath of the correct classloader. The class is loaded from the extended classpath and original classpath of the correct classloader.
US08397223B2
A method, system and apparatus for providing a web application generator to generate the basis for a complete web application source code. Based on graphical user interface input files provided by graphic designers, the web application generator generates application framework code, an event handler skeleton and business logic foundation code. Web developers then prepare additional source code using an object-oriented programming language based on the event handler skeleton and business logic foundation code to create web application business logic objects and event handler methods. Ultimately the graphical user interface input files prepared by the graphic designers and web application source code prepared by the web developers are dynamically bound at runtime.
US08397221B2
Bounding resource consumption of code that processes recursive data structures and collections includes making use of quantitative functions (based on user input) that are associated with a tuple of data-structures and whose semantics is specified by describing the effect of various data-structure methods on the relevant quantitative functions. Counter variables are incorporated into source code to count loop iterations (and number of recursive procedure call invocations). Relevant quantitative functions are incorporated into the source code to allow computation of invariants (and hence bounds) on the incorporated counter variables in terms of the quantitative functions.
US08397220B1
Simulation control techniques include shutting down peer processes and user code modules, storing an image of a simulation as a checkpoint after the peer processes and user code modules are shutdown, and re-starting user code modules and peer processes after storing an image of the simulation. The resulting checkpoint and processes can be used for restoring from a checkpoint or restarting a new simulation environments having peer processes such as debuggers coupled to the simulation.
US08397214B2
Generating a hardware description for a programmable hardware element based on a graphical program including multiple physical domains. A graphical program may be received which includes a first portion of a first physical domain for simulating a first portion of a physical system. The graphical program may include a second portion of a second physical domain for simulating a second portion of the physical system. A hardware description may be generated based on the graphical program. The hardware description may describe a hardware implementation of the graphical program. The hardware description may be configured to configure a programmable hardware element to simulate the physical system.
US08397213B2
The invention relates to programming hardware for useful data processing also used in the form of a suitable graphical editor. The inventive method consists in providing a plurality of modules, wherein each module can carry out at least one function for useful data processing, in defining the module connecting interfaces, in establishing, by a user, an additional connection of modules (topology) corresponding to a sequence of functions suitable for useful data processing, in classifying the modules into a plurality of module types according to predefined properties, in defining connection rules indicating admissible connections for different module types according to said types of modules in programming the hardware according to said topology.
US08397212B2
A module hosting and content generation platform in a social network site. In particular embodiments, a method includes receiving, from a network application, one or more module requests for module output data, wherein each module request includes a module identifier, an instance identifier, and user identifier, a module identifier; retrieving configuration information from the user configuration data store based on each of the one or more module requests; retrieving a module view definition from the module data store; generating the module output data by merging user configuration data with the retrieved module view definition; and performing additional processing operations based on the view type associated with the module; and transmitting the module output data to the network application.
US08397203B2
The present invention aims to improve accuracy of a planar manufacturing drawing used to instruct manufacture of a three-dimensional structure in a planar form. According to path plan information is acquired by a path plan information acquisition unit 11a and manufacturing requirement information is acquired by a manufacturing requirement information acquisition unit, a layout configuration production unit 11c produces a layout configuration model in which the three-dimensional structure is laid out in a planar manner based on a manufacture layout and distortion of the wire harness. Then, a simulation unit 11d simulates a transformation from the layout configuration model to the mounting configuration model with which the three-dimensional structure is mounted to a mount object. Then, an evaluation item evaluating unit 11e evaluates a predetermined evaluation item by comparing the simulation result and the three-dimensional structure indicated by the path plan information. Then, an evaluation result information output unit 11f outputs the evaluation result to support path designing of the three-dimensional structure and/or production of the planar manufacturing drawing.
US08397194B2
According to various embodiments of the invention, systems and methods for presenting Layout Versus Schematic (LVS) errors within a layout using a visual circuit representation of the design and highlighting is provided. One embodiment includes overlaying the layout circuit representation on the schematic circuit representation with highlighting that indicates the LVS errors. The method of such an embodiment compares a layout netlist against a schematic netlist in order to identify the layout-versus-schematic errors, generates a graphical representation of the layout netlist and a graphical representation of the schematic netlist, displays an overlay of the graphical representation of the layout netlist with the graphical representation of the schematic netlist and then, highlights the identified layout-versus-schematic errors that are present.
US08397189B2
A method, system, and computer program product for improved model checking for verification of a state transition machine (STM) are provided. A hardware design under test and a property to be verified are received. A level (k) of induction proof needed for the verification is determined. A circuit representation of the property using the hardware design under test for k base cases is configured for checking that the circuit representation holds true for the property for each of the k base cases, and for testing an induction without hypothesis by testing whether the property holds true after k clock cycles starting from a randomized state, where induction without hypothesis is performed by omitting a test whether the property holds true for the next cycle after the property holds for k successive cycles. The induction proof of the property using the hardware design under test by induction without hypothesis is produced.
US08397186B2
A technique for reliably replaying operations in electronic-design-automation (EDA) software is described. In this technique, the EDA software stores operations performed by a user during a design session, as well as any replay look-ahead instructions, in a log file. When repeating the first operation, the replay look-ahead instruction ensures that the same state is obtained in the EDA environment as was previously obtained. For example, if an interrupt occurred when the first operation was previously performed, the replay look-ahead instruction may specify when the interrupt occurred during the performance of the operation so that the effect of the interrupt may be simulated when replaying the first operation. Alternatively, if a blocking user-interface request occurred when the first operation was previously performed (such as a mandatory query), the replay look-ahead instruction may include one or more events associated with the user answer to the blocking user-interface request so that the same user answer may be provided when replaying the first operation.
US08397182B2
An overlapping margin of a second pattern for a first pattern is corrected for at least one of the first pattern and the second pattern (S50). Next, a relative distance between the first pattern and the second pattern after the overlapping margin is corrected is calculated (S60). Next, it is determined whether or not the relative distance satisfies a criterion (S70). Thus, the pattern can be verified under the consideration of the overlapping margin.
US08397178B2
An order receiving apparatus includes: a display unit configured to display an order input screen including an order list in which order information indicating ordered menu items is list-displayed; a receiving unit configured to receive the order information indicating a menu item, an order of which is to be cancelled, among the pieces of order information list-displayed in the order list; a canceling unit configured to cancel the order of the menu item indicated by the received order information; and a changing unit configured to change display of the order information indicating the menu item, the order of which is cancelled, among the pieces of order information list-displayed in the order list to special display.
US08397172B2
A system and method for creating and using configuration diagrams for configuring distributed systems. The methods described herein may be used for various types of operations in configuring distributed systems, including creating programs, managing programs in the distributed system, deploying programs to various distributed devices, configuring remote execution or inter-operation of distributed programs, and executing distributed applications. Embodiments of the invention utilize graphical iconic-based techniques for performing the above operations. The configuration diagram may include device icons which represent devices and program icons which represent programs. Device icons and program icons may be associated with each other to accomplish various program creation and deployment operations. Device icons and program icons may also interact with graphical program nodes or icons. Context sensitive device connections and/or program connections are displayed. An asynchronous data flow node may be used to facilitate asynchronous data flow between two graphical programs. The distributed system may also support distributed graphical debugging.
US08397162B2
In a method or system to generate a document data stream of a first format that is serially structured per page, document data of a second format that comprise multiple pages of a document are linked with the document data stream. In the document data stream of the first format a separate characteristic type mapping is provided that indicates that contiguous document data that comprise multiple pages are linked with the document data stream. In the first format a first page of the multipage document is completely and successfully run through a parsing process before document data of subsequent pages are run though the parsing process.
US08397155B1
A computer-implemented method for formatting electronic documents involves obtaining, at a computer system, an electronic document in a source format. The process also involves processing the electronic document by optimizing sizes of one or more images embedded in the electronic document, optimizing sizes of one or more Type 1 fonts in the electronic document, and removing object duplicates in the electronic document. In addition, the process involves generating the document in a target format based on the processing.
US08397154B2
A method for remotely controlling a browser program is executed on a source computer from a target computer. A browser program generates a browser window in which objects are displayed in a structurally coordinated manner, and simultaneously transmitted to the target computer. The objects are individually transmitted to the target computer and displayed on the target computer by a second browser program that is executed on the target computer. The second browser program generates a second browser window in which the objects are displayed. The objects are displayed in a structurally coordinated manner on both the source computer and the target computer, and can thus be efficiently controlled. There is no dependency between the display views of the objects on the source computer and the target computer with respect to the size and/or resolution of the browser window.
US08397152B2
Method of detecting an attack by fault injection on a memory device, and corresponding memory device
A memory device may include a memory plane including a group of memory cells configured to store a block of bits including data bits and parity bits, and a detector for detecting a fault injection including a reader to read each bit, and a first checker to perform, when reading a block, a parity check based on the read value of each data and parity bit. The memory plane may include reference memory cells arranged between some of the memory cells to create packets of m memory cells. Each reference memory cell may store a reference bit and each packet of m memory cells may store m bits of the associated block, when m is greater than 1, with different parities. The detector may further include a second checker to perform, when reading the block, a check on the value of each reference bit.
US08397146B1
A device and method of determining candidates to decode by receiving a message, selecting m, identifying m voltages in message near zero volts, generating binary version of message, generating candidates that are variations of the binary message by varying the m positions, multiplying a modified binary message by the parity check matrix of the message, generating a matrix of the rows of the parity check matrix corresponding to the m positions, determining a rank v of the matrix, eliminating rows that are not linearly independent, determining if the sixth step result is in a span of the ninth step result, if so then there are 2m-1-2m-v(m−1) candidates, where the candidates can multiply the seventh step result to get the sixth step result and candidates with odd weights more than one Hamming distance from the candidates, otherwise there are 2m-1 candidates having odd weight.
US08397144B1
In various embodiments, a data correction system has a data path including search modules. Each of the search modules has a respective bit error capacity for locating a number of data bit errors in a data unit based on a locator polynomial. The data correction system generates a syndrome based on an input data unit, generates a locator polynomial based on the syndrome, and determines a number of data bit errors in the input data unit based on the locator polynomial. Additionally, the data correction system selects one of the search modules having a bit error capacity of at least the number of data bit errors in the input data unit. The selected search module generates an error indicator based on the locator polynomial. The data correction system corrects each data bit error in the input data unit based on the error indicator.
US08397142B2
There is disclosed a system for identifying falsified secret information shares included in k secret information shares used to recover secret information according to a (k,n)-threshold secret sharing scheme, and producing falsified secret information shares of reduced size. A shared information generating apparatus generates cheater identifying information Ai(i=1, 2, . . . , n) using n secret information shares Vi generated according to the (k,n)-threshold secret sharing scheme and random polynomials. A recovering apparatus detects cheated secret information shares using the arbitrary k secret information shares and k cheater identifying information, and recovers the secret information from the k secret information shares if it detects no cheated secret information shares.
US08397140B2
Coded video data may be transmitted between an encoder and a decoder using multiple FEC codes and/or packets for error detection and correction. Only a subset of the FEC packets need be transmitted between the encoder and decoder. The FEC packets of each FEC group may take, as inputs, data packets of a current FEC group and also an untransmitted FEC packet of a preceding FEC group. Due to relationships among the FEC packets, when transmission errors arise and data packets are lost, there remain opportunities for a decoder to recover lost data packets from earlier-received FEC groups when later-received FEC groups are decoded. This opportunity to recover data packets from earlier FEC groups may be useful in video coding and other systems, in which later-received data often cannot be decoded unless earlier-received data is decoded properly.
US08397137B2
When decoding a set of symbols to be decoded, several data blocks representative of the set of symbols to be decoded are received by a decoding node of a communications network. The data blocks are encoded using an error correction code enabling a decoding by erasure. The decoding node performs the following steps: first selecting at least one of the data blocks, first determining first erasures, and checking whether the number of the first erasures is below a given threshold. In a case the check is positive, the decoding node performs first decoding by erasure of the set of symbols to be decoded. In a case the check is negative, the decoding node performs second selecting of at least one of the data blocks, second determining second erasures, and second decoding by erasure of the set of symbols to be decoded from the second erasures.
US08397134B2
A memory system including a primary memory storage partition, a secondary memory storage partition, and a memory controller that is connected to read and write to the primary memory storage partition and detect a permanent bit error at an address associated with the primary memory storage partition. In response to a detected permanent bit error, the memory controller stores data from the address associated with the permanent bit error to an address associated with the secondary memory storage partition.
US08397120B2
A method of error correction for a multicast message sent over a wireless network includes encoding a message into N data packets using a forward error correction code and multicasting at least L data packets of the N data packets over a wireless network to recipients. Recipients not receiving the at least L data packets send a reply to the sender. The sender then selects a second subset of X data packets from the N data packets, and multicasts the X data packets over the wireless network to the recipients.
US08397119B2
An apparatus and a method for generating an Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ) feedback message in a wireless communication system are provided. A method for generating an ARQ feedback message at a receiving end in a wireless communication system includes, generating first ARQ feedback information of a first scheme, the first ARQ feedback information comprising information of a first erroneous ARQ block of one or more ARQ blocks for which the ARQ feedback is not performed, generating second ARQ feedback information of a second scheme indicative of error of at least one ARQ block not represented in the first ARQ feedback information, generating an ARQ feedback message comprising the first ARQ feedback information and the second ARQ feedback information, and transmitting the ARQ feedback message to a transmitting end.
US08397118B2
An automatic repeat request (ARQ) method for use in a communication system is disclosed. The ARQ method constructs a first data block set including a plurality of data blocks using data received from an upper layer, and transmits the data blocks contained in the first data block set to a reception end. If a predetermined time elapses without receiving any acknowledgement (ACK) signal after transmitting a last data block among the plurality of data blocks, the ARQ method transmits at least one data block reconstructed by the data received from the upper layer to the reception end until receiving the acknowledgment (ACK) signal from the reception end.
US08397117B2
A method of frame error concealment in encoded audio data comprises receiving encoded audio data in a plurality of frames; and using saved one or more parameter values from one or more previous frames to reconstruct a frame with frame error. Using the saved one or more parameter values comprises deriving parameter values based at least part on the saved one or more parameter values and applying the derived values to the frame with frame error.
US08397108B1
Apparatus and methods for monitoring a self-service device network. The network may include an electronic payment platform and self-service devices that electronically exchange payment information and are in electronic communication with a transaction authorization channel. The apparatus and methods may involve a receiver module and a web server module. The receiver module may receive fault-related event information from the electronic self-service devices. The receiver module may receive a transaction authorization channel error notification corresponding to the transaction authorization channel. The web server module may provide reporting information based on the fault-related events and the transaction authorization channel error notification to a user.
US08397107B1
A data storage device is disclosed comprising a non-volatile memory including a plurality of memory segments. A write command is received comprising a logical block address (LBA) and user data. The LBA is mapped to a physical block address (PBA) for addressing one of the memory segments. First error code redundancy is generated in response to the LBA, and second error code redundancy in response to the PBA. User data and the first and second error code redundancy are written to the memory segment addressed by the PBA.
US08397087B1
A computer-implemented method for individually managing the power usage of software applications may include: 1) identifying at least one software application installed on a computing device, 2) determining the power usage of the software application, 3) identifying a power-management policy for managing the power usage of the software application independent of the overall power usage of the computing device, and then 4) managing the power usage of the software application independent of the overall power usage of the computing device in accordance with the power-management policy. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08397083B1
A system and method efficiently deletes a file from secure storage, i.e., a cryptainer, served by a storage system. The cryptainer is configured to store a plurality of files, each of which stores an associated file key within a special metadata portion of the file. Notably, special metadata is created by a security appliance coupled to the storage system and attached to each file to thereby create two portions of the file: the special metadata portion and the main, “file data” portion. The security appliance then stores the file key within the specially-created metadata portion of the file. A cryptainer key is associated with the cryptainer. Each file key is used to encrypt the file data portion within its associated file and the cryptainer key is used to encrypt the part of the special metadata portion of each file. To delete the file from the cryptainer, the file key of the file is deleted and the special metadata portions of all other files stored in the cryptainer are re-keyed using a new cryptainer key. Thereafter, the “old” cryptainer key is deleted.
US08397077B2
A device, method and system for authentication by a user are disclosed herein. The exemplary method may authenticate a user password entered by a user. User specific attributes may be accessed and used to produce a generated password. The generated password may be produced using an algorithm and the user attributes. The generated password may be used to log onto a resource for the user.
US08397066B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for managing an entitled data cache. A data server may generate and send entitled data to a data cache server. The data cache server, a server that may be located nearer to the user within a data provider's computer network, may receive and cache the entitled data. A permission server may store user's permissions and transmit the user's permissions to the data server and the data cache server. Upon receiving a request for data, the data cache server may retrieve the requested data from the cache and send a subset of the cached data which matches the user's permissions to the user, without the need to request the data from the data server.
US08397063B2
A system, and method related thereto, for providing a vehicular communications network public-key infrastructure. The system comprises a plurality of communications infrastructure nodes and a plurality of vehicles each having a communications component. The communications component provides vehicle to vehicle (V2V) communications, and communications via infrastructure nodes. A communications security component in each of the plurality of vehicles provides security for the communications between the plurality of vehicles using a plurality of security modules. The security modules include a certificate management module. A public key interface module may include a public key, a private key, an anonymous key and a management key. The system further includes a detection and response module for attack detection and attack mitigation. The communications security component assigns and installs at least one security key, a certificate of operation, and a current certificate revocation list. The communications component provides secure communications between the plurality of vehicles.
US08397061B2
Various embodiments for providing an update to at least one storage facility in a computing storage environment are provided. In one embodiment, a security verification is performed on the update via a certificate authentication mechanism to confirm a validity of the update. Subsequent to confirming the validity of the update, a safety verification on the update is performed to confirm a suitability of the update to the at least one storage facility. If the security and safety verifications are validated, the update is provided and installed in the at least one storage facility.
US08397060B2
A method for requesting a certificate from a certificate issuer for a public key that is associated with a corresponding private key stored by a storing entity, the method comprising: generating by means of a generating entity a certificate request message indicative of a request for a certificate; and transmitting the certificate request message to the certificate issuer; the certificate request message including an indication of the relationship between the storing entity and the generating entity.
US08397055B2
A firmware data processing system may be operable to allocate a configuration area in the firmware binary image file for customizable settings. During the firmware build process for the firmware binary image file, default configuration information may be inserted into this configuration area. This default configuration information may be either actual default setting values or indicator to use the default setting values. During post-build modification process, a separately created utility application may be operable to read in the original firmware binary image file, select new settings, and insert new configuration information into the configuration area. The utility application may also be operable to create a new firmware binary image file with reproduced checksums or other error detection mechanisms required for the original firmware binary image file, based on the new configuration information in the configuration area.
US08397053B2
A multi-motherboard server system, having a management board and a plurality of motherboards, is disclosed. The multi-motherboard server system is applicable to a sever system. The management board has a BMC, and the motherboards are respectively connected to the management board. The BMC can transmit data to a far-end control system through sideband communication.
US08397052B2
Mechanisms are provided for controlling version pressure on a speculative versioning cache. Raw version pressure data is collected based on one or more threads accessing cache lines of the speculative versioning cache. One or more statistical measures of version pressure are generated based on the collected raw version pressure data. A determination is made as to whether one or more modifications to an operation of a data processing system are to be performed based on the one or more statistical measures of version pressure, the one or more modifications affecting version pressure exerted on the speculative versioning cache. An operation of the data processing system is modified based on the one or more determined modifications, in response to a determination that one or more modifications to the operation of the data processing system are to be performed, to affect the version pressure exerted on the speculative versioning cache.
US08397051B2
A hash table system having a first hash table and a second hash table is provided. The first hash table may be in-memory and the second hash table may be on-disk. Inserting an entry to the hash table system comprises inserting the entry into the first hash table, and, when the first hash table reaches a threshold load factor, flushing entries into the second hash table. Flushing the first hash table into the second hash table may comprise sequentially flushing the first hash table segments into corresponding second hash table segments. When looking up a key/value pair corresponding to a selected key in the hash table system, the system checks both the first and second hash tables for values corresponding to the selected key. The first and second hash tables may be divided into hash table segments and collision policies may be implemented within the hash table segments.
US08397043B2
A memory mapping system is connectable to a multi-processing arrangement. The multi-processing arrangement includes a first processing unit and a second processing unit. The memory mapping system includes a main memory to which the second processing unit does not have write access, the main memory including a first memory section and a second memory section. An associated memory is associated with the second memory section. The associated memory includes a memory section to which the second processing unit has write access. A consistency control unit can maintaining consistency between data stored in the associated memory and data stored in the second memory section.
US08397041B2
Even when a host does not give a write time to write data, consistency can be kept among data stored in secondary storage systems. The present system has plural primary storage systems each having a source volume and plural secondary storage systems each having a target volume. Once data is received from a host, each of the plural storage systems creates write-data management information having sequential numbers and reference information and sends, to one of the primary storage systems, the data, sequential number and reference information. Each of the secondary storage systems records reference information corresponding to the larges sequential number among serial sequential numbers and stores, in a target volume in an order of sequential numbers, data corresponding to reference information having a value smaller than the reference information based on the smallest value reference information among reference information recorded in each of the plural secondary storage systems.
US08397035B2
A semiconductor storage device includes a first nonvolatile memory to store user data of a file, a second nonvolatile memory to store management data of the file, the second nonvolatile memory being different in type from the first nonvolatile memory, and a controller to control read/write of data with respect to the first and second nonvolatile memories.
US08397030B2
A system and method of a region coherence protocol for use in Region Coherence Arrays (RCAs) deployed in clustered shared-memory multiprocessor systems which optimize cache-to-cache transfers by allowing broadcast memory requests to be provided to only a portion of a clustered shared-memory multiprocessor system. Interconnect hierarchy levels can be devised for logical groups of processors, processors on the same chip, processors on chips aggregated into a multichip module, multichip modules on the same printed circuit board, and for processors on other printed circuit boards or in other cabinets. The present region coherence protocol includes, for example, one bit per level of interconnect hierarchy, such that the one bit has a value of “1” to indicate that there may be processors caching copies of lines from the region at that level of the interconnect hierarchy, and the one bit has a value of “0” to indicate that there are no cached copies of any lines from the region at that respective level of the interconnect hierarchy.
US08397018B2
Systems and methods for sequentially writing data to a memory device such as a universal serial bus (USB) memory device are disclosed. A system controller of a memory device including a first die and a second die, each of the first die and the second die including a plurality of pages, writes a first portion of a set of data to a lower page of a second die. The system controller then writes a second portion of the set of data to an upper page of the second die after writing the first portion of the set of data to the lower page of the second die.
US08397016B2
A multi-tiered cache manager and methods for managing multi-tiered cache are described. Multi-tiered cache manager causes cached data to be initially stored in the RAM elements and selects portions of the cached data stored in the RAM elements to be moved to the flash elements. Each flash element is organized as a plurality of write blocks having a block size and wherein a predefined maximum number of writes is permitted to each write block. The portions of the cached data may be selected based on a maximum write rate calculated from the maximum number of writes allowed for the flash device and a specified lifetime of the cache system.
US08397014B2
Memory mapping techniques for non-volatile memory are disclosed where logical sectors are mapped into physical pages using data structures in volatile and non-volatile memory. In some implementations, a first lookup table in non-volatile memory maps logical sectors directly into physical pages. A second lookup table in volatile memory holds the physical address of the first lookup table in non-volatile memory. In some implementations, a cache in volatile memory holds the physical addresses of the most recently written logical sectors. Also disclosed is a block TOC describing block content which can be used for garbage collection and restore operations.
US08397013B1
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a hybrid memory module that combines memory devices of different types while presenting a single technology interface. The hybrid memory module includes a number of super-stacks and a first interface configured to transmit data between the super-stacks and a memory controller. Each super-stack includes a number of sub-stacks, a super-controller configured to control the sub-stacks, and a second interface configured to transmit data between the sub-stacks and the first interface. Combining memory devices of different types allows utilizing the favorable properties of each type of the memory devices, while hiding their unfavorable properties from the memory controller.
US08397010B1
A device may receive a request to read data from or write data to a memory that includes a number of memory banks. The request may include an address. The device may perform a mapping operation on the address to map the address from a first address space to a second address space, identify one of the memory banks based on the address in the second address space, and send the request to the identified memory bank.
US08397009B2
An interconnection network with m first electronic circuits and n second electronic circuits, comprising m interconnection sub-networks, each interconnection sub-network including: at least one addressing bus and one information transfer bus connecting one of the m first circuits to all the n second circuits, the information transfer bus comprising a plurality of portions of signal transmission lines connected to each other through signal repeater devices, and a controller device that controls the signal repeater devices, at least one of the signal repeater devices is controlled to be active depending on a value of an addressing signal to be sent to the addressing bus by said one of the m first circuits to the controller device, where m and n are integer numbers greater than 1.
US08397007B2
A technique for interrupt moderation allows coalescing interrupts from a device into groups to be processed as a batch by a host processor. Receive and send completions may be processed differently. When the host is interrupted for receive completions, it may check for send completions, reducing the need for interrupts related to send completions. Timers and a counter allow coalescing interrupts into a single interrupt that can be used to signal the host to process multiple completions. The technique is suitable for both dedicated interrupt line and message-signaled interrupts.
US08396994B1
In an embodiment, a peripheral component configured to control an external interface of an integrated circuit. For example, the peripheral component may be a memory interface unit such as a flash memory interface unit. The internal interface to the peripheral component may be shared between data transfers to/from the external interface and control communications to the peripheral component. The peripheral component may include a command queue configured to store a set of commands to perform a transfer on the interface. A control circuit may be coupled to the command queue and may read the commands and communicate with an interface controller to cause a transfer on the interface responsive to the commands. In an embodiment, a macro memory may store command sequences to be performed in response to a macro command in the command queue. In an embodiment, an operand queue may store operand data for use by the commands.
US08396987B2
A method and system of operating a utility node to communicate in a wireless utility network are provided. A utility node in the wireless utility network discovers at least two access points each respectively constituting an interface between a wide area network and the wireless utility network. The node discovers at least two access points constituting an interface between the two networks, registers with the discovered access points, and obtains at least two unique network addresses each respectively associated with a corresponding one of the access points with which the node has registered. The node provides the at least two addresses to a back office server which is communication with the wide area network to provide the back office server with at least two routes to reach the node. The at least two routes are respectively associated with a corresponding one of the access points with which the node registered.
US08396983B1
A method and corresponding apparatus for controlling streaming of media content from a server to a client. A computing device predicts the bit rate of an upcoming portion of the media content for each of a plurality of variable bit-rate versions of the media content, and uses the predicted bit rates, as well as a measure of network bandwidth, as a basis to select one of the variable bit-rate versions to be streamed to the client. By repeating this prediction and selection function on a sliding window basis over the course of the media content, the selection of variable bit-rate version can dynamically change, to help accommodate variations in bit rate throughout the media content as well as variations in network bandwidth.
US08396982B2
Information processor, method for processing information, computer program, and semiconductor device
To provide a device for downloading a digital content file, an information processor stores, in an external storage device, a digital content file obtained from a server through a network through packet communication, where the information processor includes a download control section for keeping a recording area having a size which is equal to the data size of the digital content file in the external storage device and storing the packets in order from the earliest to the latest obtained, in this recording area; and a resume data generation section for generating a resume data indicating the progress of obtaining the digital content file, and the download control section stores the resume data in the subject recording area and removes the resume data from the recording area when the last packet is obtained.
US08396974B2
A method for controlling sessions between an IP Multimedia Subsystem network, IMS network, and at least two communication terminals (202, 204, 206, 208 302, 304, 306), and a communication system connectable to an IP Multimedia Subsystem network, IMS network, and at least two communication terminals (202, 204, 206, 208 302, 304, 306) each associated with a user, the users of the communication terminals sharing a common IP Multimedia Public Identity, IMPU. A control device (210, 310) for controlling sessions between the IMS network and the communication terminals (202, 204, 206, 208 302, 304, 306), and an identity database (212, 312) containing information about the identities of the users and/or the communication terminals (202, 204, 206, 208 302, 304, 306) sharing the common IMPU are provided. Data provision means for providing data, when one of the users/communication terminals (202, 204, 206, 208 302, 304, 306) accepts the session invitation, about which users/communication terminals (202, 204, 206, 208 302, 304, 306) are alerted based on said session invitation are provided. Notification means (222, 322) for sending a notification containing information about the identity of the user/communication terminal (202, 204, 206, 208 302, 304, 306) accepting the session invitation to the other alerted users/communication terminals (202, 204, 206, 208 302, 304, 306) is provided.
US08396966B2
The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for creating visual representations of farms that enables connecting farms securely. In one embodiment, a visual representation of a first farm and a visual representation of a second farm are created. A visual representation of a secure connection is created. The visual representation of the first farm is associated with a first end of the visual representation of the secure connection. The visual representation of the second farm is associated with the second end of the visual representation of the secure connection.
US08396964B2
A method, system, and computer program product for computer application analysis are provided. The method for computer application analysis includes monitoring a computer system on which an application to be analyzed is executed and interacted with by a user of the computer system. The monitoring includes: capturing screen data of the application as displayed on a display screen of the computer system including interpreting the screen data using optical character recognition (OCR); and capturing user inputs to the application to input devices of the computer system. The method further includes analyzing the captured screen data and user inputs to generate a summary of the usage of the application.
US08396956B2
Described in an example embodiment herein is a Mobility Service Engine (MSE) cluster comprising an MSE Cluster Master and at least one MSE Cluster Slave. The MSE Master is configured to define Network Service Segments. The MSE Master of the cluster distributes the Network Service Segments to slaves within the cluster. The network is configured to forward data to the correct Network Service Segment.
US08396954B2
Disclosed are a system, a method and an apparatus of reduction of routing and service performance management in an application acceleration environment. In one embodiment, a system includes a branch site that includes a branch client. In addition, the system includes a headquarters site that includes a headquarters server. The headquarters site including a headquarters server includes the branch site. The headquarters site is communicatively coupled over a link via transmission media. The link is identified through a link identifier. The headquarters site including a headquarters server also includes the branch client and the headquarters server being communicatively coupled over a network connection via the transmission media. The network connection is identified through a connection identifier. The system also includes a first point of presence (POP) communicatively coupled with the branch site over a first segment of the link.
US08396953B2
In a method for processing packets among at least a first computing device and a second computing device, in which the first computing device is configured to transmit and receive packets through a Network Interface Card (NIC), in the second computing device, descriptors of packets to be one of transmitted and received by the first computing device through a device descriptor queue are received and placed in a virtualized descriptor queue accessible by the second computing device. In addition, the packets associated with the descriptors placed in the virtualized descriptor queue are processed prior to one of transmission and receipt of the packets by the first computing device.
US08396951B2
A computer-implemented method and system are provided for populating the content repository of the media service based on real-time media recommendation network comprising a plurality of peer devices. Aspects of the method and system include receiving by a server a recommendation from one of the plurality of peer devices for a media item that is intended for a recipient; determining if the media item is present in the content repository; in response to determining that the media item is not present in the content repository, requesting that the peer device upload the media item; and in response to the media item being uploaded, storing the media item in the content repository.
US08396946B1
Techniques are described for managing communications for a managed virtual computer network overlaid on a distinct substrate computer network, including for communications between computing nodes of the managed virtual computer network connected to the substrate network and other network nodes external to the substrate network. The managed virtual computer network may have multiple associated virtual network addresses, with each of the computing nodes being associated with at least one of the virtual network addresses, and with one or more external network nodes being integrated into the managed virtual computer network based at least in part by associating one or more other of the virtual network addresses with the external network nodes. The managing of the communications may further include using one or more translation manager modules that interconnect the substrate network with one or more external networks or other external connections via which the external network nodes are accessible.
US08396939B2
A content distribution system includes a content distribution management device and a communication terminal. A storage unit stores one or a plurality of addresses. A receiving unit receives content data addressed to a communication terminal. A determination unit determines whether or not the address of the origin of the received content data is an address that is stored in the storage unit. A sending unit where the determination unit has determined that the address of the origin of the received content data is stored in the storage unit, sends the content data and parameters specifying the format in which content is to be displayed to a communication terminal. The communication terminal includes a receiving unit that receives parameters and content data from the content distribution management device; and a content display control that controls the display format in accordance with received parameters.
US08396924B2
Content management using a website is described. In an implementation, one or more computer readable media include instructions that are executable to provide an option, via a website, that is selectable by a first user though interaction with a website to specify that a second user is permitted, through interaction with the website, to cause content to be recorded locally at a client of the first user.
US08396920B1
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for using clean URLs in web applications. A URL having a base path and a subpath is received on a server device from a web browser. The server device sends a rendered webpage and associated JavaScript instructions to the web browser. The JavaScript instructions direct the web browser to determine whether the web browser is compliant based upon whether the web browser supports a URL modification mechanism. If the web browser is noncompliant, the URL is redirected to the base path.
US08396913B2
A last fourier transform architecture has parallel data processing paths. Input data is applied to the parallel data processing paths in a repeating sequence, and processed in those paths. Data sequencers are used to combine the outputs from the data processing paths into the required sequence.
US08396911B2
In a determination as to similarity on parts of a piece of data, high-speed processing is performed without the need for a database. Division signal lines (L1 to Lk) that transmit signals corresponding to division data are used. The following components each of which is composed of a logical circuit are provided: a correlation matrix generation circuit (12) which calculates an average value on the signals of each of the division signal lines (L1 to Lk) and generates a correlation matrix signal forming a correlation matrix on each division; a characteristic value/characteristic vector calculation circuit (14) which calculates signals corresponding to a characteristic value and a characteristic vector of the correlation matrix; a second product-sum operation circuit (15) which calculates a signal corresponding to a feature vector of each division; distance calculation circuits (16-1 to 16-k) which calculate distances between individual elements of the feature vector; a threshold setting circuit (17) for setting a signal of a threshold that is compared with the distances between the individual elements; and result output circuits (18-1 to 18-k) which compare, based on the threshold signal, distance signals between the individual elements calculated by the distance calculation circuits (16-1 to 16-k) and output a signal.
US08396904B2
A method for serializing cyclic or shared data structures using information from the garbage collector to determine that some objects in the data structure being serialized cannot have more than one reference.
US08396903B2
A method and a system for organizing and retrieving energy related information for a plurality of real world objects, wherein a number of information types are defined, each information type representing different kind of energy related information. The method includes providing one or more predefined interfaces adapted for retrieval of information of the information types, providing software objects, representing the real world objects, having at least one interface for retrieval of information of at least one of the types, based on the one or more predefined interfaces, arranging the software objects in a hierarchal structure including more than one level, so that the software objects obtain a parent-child relation, receiving and storing information about where to find the source of the information to be retrieved via the interfaces of the software objects.
US08396899B2
Mechanisms are provided for efficiently detecting segments for deduplication. Data is analyzed to determine file types and file components. File types such as images may have optimal data segment boundaries set at the file boundaries. Other file types such as container files are delayered to extract objects to set optimal data segment boundaries based on file type or based on the boundaries of the individual objects. Storage of unnecessary information is minimized in a deduplication dictionary while allowing for effective deduplication.
US08396893B2
Various embodiments herein provide systems, methods, and software for unified configuration of multiple computer applications. Some embodiments include receiving input configuring a set of distinct computer applications in an application configuration environment. The application configuration environment may include a configuration repository that stores the settings of each distinct computer application. Such embodiments may further deploy the configuration settings from the configuration repository of the application configuration environment to at least one application execution environment including an instance of at least one of the set of distinct computer applications.
US08396890B2
Activity data is analyzed or evaluated to detect behavioral patterns and anomalies. When a particular pattern or anomaly is detected, a system may send a notification or perform a particular task. This activity data may be collected in an information management system, which may be policy based. Notification may be by way e-mail, report, pop-up message, or system message. Some tasks to perform upon detection may include implementing a policy in the information management system, disallowing a user from connecting to the system, and restricting a user from being allowed to perform certain actions. To detect a pattern, activity data may be compared to a previously defined or generated activity profile.
US08396869B2
A method and system for analyzing capabilities of an entity includes inputting data regarding an entity's capabilities, and using a capability model to detect a capability pattern among the capabilities and generate an action plan based on the capability pattern.
US08396864B1
Categorizing documents is disclosed. A hierarchy of topics is received. A seed for each topic is determined. One or more documents is received. The seed is used to evaluate the relevance of each document to one or more of the received topics. One or more topics is associated with each document.
US08396861B2
A method, apparatus and program product that determine a density of a key value referenced in a database query over at least one range of rows, and utilize the determined density to optimize the database query. By doing so, the density of various key values may be determined and compared, and a bit map may be generated over the range of rows of the key value that is denser, resulting in a reduction of resources to build and use the bit map. Moreover, from the bit map over the range of rows to be selected after using the determined density, dense regions may be identified that can be used to optimize block I/O's according to the number of rows to be selected based on the query.
US08396856B2
A data acquisition and perusal system and method including a database selection module, a database index generator module and a search module. The database selection module enables selection of a plurality of files for inclusion into at least one selectable database. The database index generator module enables generation of a searchable index of the data contained in the selectable database. The search module enables a search to be performed of the searchable index according to search criteria. The system allows for the capture of HTML data which is automatically indexed without human intervention and has the ability to automatically and accurately locate or “pinpoint,” and highlight specific text or groups of text designated by the user within the resulting database.
US08396852B2
In an embodiment an execution plan for a query is created. A wakeup threshold is set proportional to an amount of time taken by the creation of the execution plan. In various embodiments, the wakeup threshold is increased by a percentage equal to one minus a percentage of free resources at a computer system, is increased inversely proportional to an amount of execution time of a previous execution of the execution plan, or is decreased proportional to a number of times the execution plan was executed. A portion of the execution plan is executed to produce a portion of rows in a result set until the wakeup threshold expires. After the wakeup threshold expires, changes to the execution plan are evaluated.
US08396848B2
A customized form is provided for entering parameters associated with a query. A user may desire to modify a report resulting from a query to a database. To enter the parameters for modification, a customized form is displayed to the user. The customized form allows for entry of the parameters according to prompts that are related by their presentation to the form being generated.
US08396845B2
Data-tier application components (DACs) and methods for managing database applications are disclosed. According to one particular embodiment, a DAC includes a single unit of management that packages metadata related to a database object. The metadata related to the database object includes an identifier of the database object, a database runtime resource identifier of a database runtime resource operable to manipulate the database object, and a policy related to execution of the database runtime resource.
US08396837B2
When accepting a write request including a data, an apparatus 100A acquires a first hash value based on a first hash function and, meanwhile, acquires a second hash value based on a second hash function. When a storage device 110A has not stored the acquired first hash value and second hash value in correlation with each other, the apparatus correlates the data, the first hash value, the second hash value, and information of referenced times, and then stores the correlated items into the storage device. On the other hand, when the storage device has stored the acquired first hash value and second hash value in correlation with each other, the apparatus changes the information of referenced times stored in correlation with the first hash value and the second hash value so as to add one to the number of times denoted by the information of referenced times.
US08396830B2
An application processing system including a database server and a storage device which is connected with a standby application processing system including a secondary database server and a secondary storage device to continue to carry out application processing in the case of a fault, disaster, etc. or for maintenance. The storage device of the application processing system issues a log disk update request to the secondary database server of the standby system to update a log disk of the standby system and thereby create a duplicate of the log disk for the DBMS of the application processing system. This allows the DBMS of the standby system to roll forward the log data in the duplicated log to update duplicated data on the secondary storage device.
US08396826B2
Systems and methods for optimization of real time production operations. In one embodiment, a moving time horizon based parametric model provides fast predictions for production optimization in a short-term framework. In another embodiment, multiple technologies are selected in connection with asset performance workflows that are uniquely implemented in a multi-phase approach.
US08396807B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for managing resources in virtualization systems, including multi-cloud systems. The use of supply chain economics alone and in combination with other techniques offers a unified platform to integrate, optimize or improve, and automate resource management in a virtualization system. These techniques may be used to monitor and control the delivery of service level agreements and software licenses. They may also be used to monitor and control contention of computing resources in a virtualization system, and to suspend or terminate computing resources.
US08396798B2
According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and a system for facilitating settlement processing within a network of financial institutions may include receiving one or more payment items from a plurality of payment entities, at a centralized agent; aggregating the payment items into one or more categories; identifying a payee financial institution and a payor financial institution for each payment items, wherein the payee financial institution and the payor financial institution are different; determining whether the payee financial institution and the payor financial institution are within the network of financial institutions; for the payee and payor within the network, determining at the centralized agent a settlement path within the network of financial institutions for each payment item; and for the payee and payor that are not within the network, forwarding the payment items to a third party settlement entity.
US08396797B2
An electronic bill presentment and payment system including an extensible, customizable, data source independent data layer for accessing a business data repository for processing billing information. The business data repositories use one or more data source formats. A business logic module generating business data requests for data from the business data repository in order to carry out processing of billing information. The business data requests are independent of the one or more data source formats of the business data repository. A data layer descriptor repository stores customizable data source descriptions for generating the data layer. The data layer is generated from the customizable descriptors in the data layer descriptor repository. The data layer module receives the data source independent business data requests and based on the request, the data layer implements a data source specific method for fulfilling the request by accessing data in the business data repository.
US08396795B2
Methods and systems are provided for processing one or more bills of a biller.Methods and systems may present a request to pay one or more of a set of one or more bills in total or in part on a site of a computer network,A selection of the one or more bills from a customer may be received, said selection responding to said request via said site.Method and system may generate an electronic advice of settlement of the selected bills comprising an ID, and present the electronic advice of settlement and/or the ID to the customer or to a payment service provider.
US08396794B1
A method for performing a financial transaction that includes identifying a plurality of payment options associated with a payer executing the financial transaction, wherein each of the plurality of payment options is linked to a financial account of the payer, obtaining cost data and benefit data for each of the plurality of payment options, wherein the cost data includes a cost of using the payment option for the financial transaction and the benefit data includes a benefit of using the payment option for the financial transaction, selecting a preferred payment option from the plurality of payment options for the financial transaction based on the cost data and the benefit data, and processing the financial transaction using the preferred payment option to obtain a transaction confirmation.
US08396783B2
Transactional costs associated with providing professional services are reduced by allowing prospective patients/clients (bidders) and professional service providers to negotiate competitively for desired fees for proffered services through an interactive on-line communications network such as the Internet. In an exemplary arrangement, a transaction system includes a communications network server that interfaces and communicates online with client computer systems belonging to various prospective bidders and personal medical service providers using, for example, an exchange of HTML documents and/or JAVA script applets. A service feedback interface and database are provided for handling online feedback information and comments from patients/clients and providers regarding the complexity and quality of services received or provided. A procedure complexity rating value based on concurrent personal medical problems/pre-existing conditions known to the prospective patient is defined and posted online.
US08396781B2
A system to disseminate attributable interest information includes an internal interface that receives attributable interest messages concerning a specific security that is traded on a computerized trading system. Each attributable interest message includes a lot size, a per unit value, and a market participant identifier. An interest grouping process groups the attributable interest messages according to their per unit values, forming a plurality of price level groups. An external interface publishes, over an information bus, the attributable interest messages included in one or more selected price level groups that are chosen from the plurality of price level groups.
US08396772B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for social networking services integrated with gift card services. In general, a profile of a member of a social networking service may be presented with one or more merchant credit services for prepaid merchant account credit, data characterizing a request to provide a credit service from the merchant credit services and a mobile phone number associated with an intended recipient of the first credit service may be received, and a message may be caused to be sent to the mobile phone number, where the message characterizes provision of the first credit service to the intended recipient. Interest in the credit service may be tracked and associated with a loyalty indicator associated with the member.
