US08425972B2
An antimicrobial material is provided for use in forming textiles, medical devices, packaging materials, and the like, or coatings thereon. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial material may be utilized for bulk modification of an article. The antimicrobial material includes a furanone possessing vinyl and/or acrylate functional groups, optionally in combination with another monomer possessing vinyl and/or acrylate groups.
US08425970B2
One aspect of the invention relates to an aerated water-continuous oil-and-water emulsion having an overrun in the range of 10-500%, said emulsion comprising: 5-90 wt. % of an oil phase; 10-95 wt. % of an aqueous phase; 0.3-30% by weight of the aqueous phase of one or more egg yolk granule proteins selected from high density lipoprotein (HDL) and phosvitin; and from 0.05 up to 10% by weight of the aqueous phase of one or more egg yolk plasma proteins selected from low density lipoprotein (LDL) and livetin; wherein the weight ratio of egg yolk granule proteins to egg yolk plasma proteins exceeds 1:1. The aerated emulsions according to the present invention can easily be produced at a high overrun. Furthermore, the foam structure of these emulsions remains surprisingly stable during shelf life.
US08425963B2
The invention relates to a device for extracting a cap (16) having a first part (2), a second part (3) which is movable with respect to the second part (2) which is provided with a space for the cap and defines the cap extracting position in a closed position thereof, an introduction and positioning part having the cap guiding elements (6, 7) which are arranged in such a way that it is possible to insert the cap by gravity force and position it in an intermediate position and a beverage pouring system (19) in which the second movable part (3) displaces the cap from the intermediate position to the extraction position.
US08425961B2
A method for producing a confectionery product from at least two pieces with at least one interface between the two pieces and including meltable material at least in parts of the interface, comprising the step of heating the interface during or after the two pieces have been brought into contact with each other. An apparatus for producing a confectionery product from two or more pieces comprising at least one heater in or downstream of a station where at least two pieces of the confectionery product are brought into contact with each other. A mold for the production of a confectionery product having at least two pieces has at least one component or portion heatable by induction heating. A heatable component, preferably a ferromagnetic component provided in the vicinity of a confectionery product, is used for partially heating the confectionery product, preferably by induction heating.
US08425952B2
A method for treatment of a human subject with prostate cancer is disclosed. The method comprises administering an anti-prostate cancer effective amount of a composition obtained by the extraction of fresh citrus fruit peels in sake.
US08425948B2
The present invention provides for a process for isolation of carotenoids crystals comprising drying a plant part to obtain a meal and extracting the meal with alcohol at a temperature in the range of about 50° C. to 75° C. to obtain oleoresin. The oleoresin is enriched with alcohol at a temperature in the range of about 25° C. ° C. to 50° C. and hydrolyzed with alcoholic alkali at a temperature in the range of about 70° C. to 80° C. to obtain reaction mixture. The carotenoids crystals are precipitated from the reaction mixture by adding hot water followed by filtering, washing and drying the carotenoids crystals. The present invention also relates to carotenoids crystals comprising lutein and zeaxanthin in the ratios of about 10:1 or 5:1 or 1:1 obtained by a process which comprises mixing an oleoresin rich in lutein and an oleoresin rich in zeaxanthin separately in a ratios ranging from about 80:20 (w/w) to 90:10 (w/w) or about 70:30 (w/w) to 30:70 (w/w) or about 10:90 (w/w) to 20:80 (w/w) and homogenized to obtain a mixed oleoresin. The mixed oleoresin is then hydrolyzed with an alcoholic alkali at a temperature of about 70° C. to 80° C. to obtain a reaction mixture. The carotenoids crystals are precipitated by adding hot water to the reaction mixture to form a precipitate. Carotenoids crystals having lutein and zeaxanthin in a weight ratio of about 10:1 or 5:1 or 1:1 respectively are obtained by filtering, washing and drying the precipitate.
US08425947B2
The present invention provides a fibrinogen-based tissue adhesive which contains an elastase inhibitor.
US08425944B2
A kit for colonic cleansing includes a phosphate salt laxative, a flavorant, and an oral rehydration mixture. The flavorant includes aspartame and a citrate, and the oral rehydration mixture includes sodium and a glucose containing saccharide. The kit may be used for a colonic cleansing procedure by combining the phosphate salt laxative and the flavorant to provide a flavored laxative liquid, orally administering to a subject the flavored laxative liquid, and orally administering to the subject an oral rehydration liquid.
US08425943B2
The process for solubilizing proteinaceous material of the present invention includes subjecting the proteinaceous material to a sufficient amount of a basic solution to obtain a supernatant that has a basic pH and exposing the supernatant to the basic solution for a sufficient length of time and temperature for hydrolysis to occur. The process also includes cooling the mixture of the supernatant and proteinaceous material and optionally acidifying the mixture. This process may also include recovering the solubilized protein from the supernatant for use in various applications. Also provided herein is a composition of solubilized proteins from eggshell membrane obtained using processes of the present invention.
US08425914B2
Compositions and methods are provided for treatment growth hormone and/or insulin-like growth factor 1 deficiency in a patient in need of such treatment. Compositions and methods include novel vaccines that provide immunogenicity for somatostatin and result in the increased release of endogenously produced growth hormone and/or insulin-like growth factor 1.
US08425913B2
An immunogenic agent which comprises a killed strain of Burkholderia pseudomallei, or a combination of components thereof which combination produces a protective immune response in an animal to whom it is administered, and which comprises at least two members selected from the group consisting of (i) a lipopolysaccharide of Burkholderia pseudomallei, (ii) a capsular polysaccharide of Burkholderia pseudomallei and (iii) a protein of Burkholderia pseudomallei or an immunogenic variant thereof or an immunogenic fragment of either of these, or a nucleic acid which expresses said protein, immunogenic variant or immunogenic fragment thereof in a host animal; for use in the prevention or treatment of infection by Burkholderia pseudomallei and/or Burkholderia mallei.
US08425911B2
The invention provides methods of treating bone cancer, particularly metastatic bone cancer, by administering a PDGFR alpha antagonist. The invention further provides methods of treating a mammal with a neoplastic disease using the antibodies alone or in combination with other agents.
US08425910B2
Endogenous LINGO-1 is a negative regulator for neuronal survival, axon regeneration, oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination. Molecules that block endogenous LINGO-1 function, such anti-LINGO-1 antibodies can be used as therapeutics for the treatment of neuron and oligodendrocyte dysfunction. The present invention provides antibodies specific for LINGO-1, and methods of using such antibodies as antagonists of endogenous LINGO-1 function. The invention further provides specific hybridoma and phage library-derived monoclonal antibodies, nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, and vectors and host cells comprising these antibodies. The invention further provides methods of promoting oligodendrocyte survival and myelination in a vertebrate, comprising administering to a vertebrate in need of such treatment an effective amount of an anti-LINGO-1 antibody.
US08425906B2
The present invention relates to a method to inhibit cancer by targeting CD24, more precisely a method to inhibit cancer by using CD24 expressed in most cancer cells as a target of an antibody therapeutic agent or by inhibiting the interaction between CD24 and P-selectin. CD24 is over-expressed in most cancer cells and CD24 accumulated in cytoplasm accelerates metastasis. Therefore, the method to inhibit cancer of the invention by targeting CD24 can be effectively used for the treatment of cancer by inhibiting the progress of various cancers over-expressing CD24.
US08425893B2
Biological-based polyurethanes and methods of making the same. The polyurethanes are formed by reacting a biodegradable polyisocyanate (such as lysine diisocyanate) with an optionally hydroxylated biomolecule to form polyurethane. The polymers formed may be combined with ceramic and/or bone particles to form a composite, which may be used as an osteoimplant.
US08425887B2
Amide compounds, amide polymers, compositions including amide compounds and amide polymers may be used to bind target ions, such as phosphorous-containing compounds in the gastrointestinal tract of animals. In some cases, amide compounds and amide polymers may include a core derived from an amide polyol and an organic polyacid or ester.
US08425883B2
The invention relates to a cosmetic sun protection product based on W/Si emulsions, which product has improved effectiveness and, despite high content of organic sun protection filters, a very good sensory profile and, in particular, a long-lasting soft touch. The sun protection product includes 22-32 wt. % of a volatile, cyclic silicone oil, 2.0-4.0 wt. % of a non-volatile silicone elastomer, 0.9-2.8 wt. % of an emulsifier, 0.1-0.5 wt. % of an amino acid/fatty acid copolymer, 19-24 wt. % of a mixture of organic UVA and UVB filters at a ratio of from 1:1.5 to 1:1; and cosmetic adjuvants, excipients, active substances and mixtures thereof to make 100 wt. %, the Brookfield viscosity of the sun protection product ranging from 3,000 to 20,000 mPas.
US08425881B2
The invention provides an antiplaque oral composition containing an orally acceptable carrier and an antibacterial effective amount of compound (I): In the structure, R1 and R2 are independently a hydrogen atom or a lower C1-4 alkyl group and R3 and R4 are independently an alkenyl or alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, with the proviso that R3 and R4 are not both 2-propenyl or n-propyl when R1 and R2 are both hydrogen atoms. Also included are oral compositions containing the compound (I).
US08425876B2
The invention relates to an MDR family P-glycoprotein located on human chromosome 7p15-21, polynucleotide sequences encoding this P-glycoprotein and fragments thereof. This gene is utilized in methods for assessing cancer cell susceptibility to therapies directed against multidrug resistance, and for the design of diagnostic and therapeutic methods relating to cancer multidrug resistance. The invention also relates to methods for determining whether a test compound may inhibit multidrug resistance.
US08425870B2
A hot oxygen stream containing radicals is fed into a gas stream, such as a catalyst regenerator flue gas stream, that contains carbon monoxide to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide.
US08425869B2
Disclosed is a NOx purifying catalyst which is capable of removing NOx sufficiently efficiently even during operations at low temperatures such as operations in diesel cars. Specifically disclosed is a NOx purifying catalyst for processing NOx in an exhaust gas by performing lean/rich control of air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas. This NOx purifying catalyst comprises at least a first catalyst layer containing a β zeolite containing iron element and a second catalyst layer containing a noble metal, a cerium oxide material and a specific zirconium oxide material. The second catalyst layer and the first catalyst layer are sequentially arranged on a carrier in such a manner that the first catalyst layer forms the uppermost layer.
US08425868B2
An improvement in the method for preventing re-emissions of mercury from a wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) system by addition of an additive to the FGD scrubber liquor which interacts in the system scrubber with mercury present in the flue gas to curtail the mercury re-emissions; the mercury re-emissions are reduced to substantially zero by use of an additive selected from one or more members of the group consisting of a dithiol, a dithiolane, and a thiol having a single thiol group and either an oxygen or a hydroxyl group.
US08425862B2
The system has a plurality of dishes (1) for receiving at least one sample, each dish having a perforated base (2) enabling liquid reagents or solutions to pass continuously therethrough, the dishes being superposed in a confining tube (5); a circuit (50) for the continuous outflow of the solutions originating from distinct reservoirs (17); a multipath electrovalve (15); an electric pump (13); and a member for controlling and commanding the pump (13) and the multipath electrovalve (15) in a sequential and coordinated manner.
US08425858B2
An apparatus includes an article and a detector. The article includes a substrate, a faceted structure disposed on the substrate, and a sensor layer disposed on the faceted structure. The faceted structure is disposed on the substrate first surface and itself has a surface. The faceted structure surface has peripheral edge defining a diameter of the faceted structure surface. The sensor layer is disposed on the faceted structure surface. The sensor layer can react or can interact with a target species when the target species is sufficiently proximate to the sensor layer. The sensor layer responds to the reaction or to the interaction in a detectable manner. The detector detects a response to the reaction, or to the interaction, of the target species with the sensor layer.
US08425856B2
The invention relates to a device for producing starting materials, combustible substances and fuels from organic substances. Said claimed device comprises a reactor (10) that comprises an introduction device (11) for the organic substances, an evacuation device (12) for the reaction products and a device (13) for feeding reaction energy for the transformation of organic substances into reaction products. The invention is characterized in that the introduction device (11) comprises pneumatic means (24) for the supply of solid material.
US08425853B2
A plasma generation apparatus and method, which achieve both sterilization and deodorization of attached bacteria even under the condition that steam or fine droplets of water are present. A pair of electrodes is prepared, plasma discharge is carried out by applying designated voltage between the pair of electrodes, fluid passage holes are provided at corresponding parts of respective electrodes so as to communicate with each other, and steam or fine droplets of water are applied to the fluid passage holes and plasma generated around the fluid passage holes.
US08425848B2
A multi-chamber reactor (1) comprises an outer chamber (2) and at least one inner chamber (3), wherein the at least one inner chamber (3) is formed by a reactor/liner (6), which is closed by a closure (7), in particular a septum or a disk that can be penetrated with a needle, and the outer chamber is an autoclave, wherein the autoclave is composed of an autoclave body (4) and an autoclave cover (5), wherein the autoclave cover (5) has at least one first opening (8) for a needle (9), and preferably a second opening (10), which opens into the outer chamber. Said multi-chamber reactor (1) is suited for carrying out reactions with positive or negative pressure and under complete exclusion of air and/or moisture.
US08425844B2
Apparatus comprising surface site comprising substantially inorganic surface having chemical composition selected from group consisting of metals, semiconductors, insulators, and mixtures thereof, the surface positioned within polypeptide bonding region and having selective bonding affinity for polypeptide; plurality of interlayers between which surface site is interposed; distal site end on surface site and distanced from interlayers, the surface being provided on distal site end; surface site and interlayers being interposed between first and second supports; first and second conductors provided on first and second supports and having respective first and second distal conductor ends positioned within polypeptide bonding region; conductors being capable of applying external voltage potential across polypeptide bonding region. Apparatus, optionally comprising such first and second supports and conductors; and comprising third conductor in electrical communication with surface site, the third conductor positioned for electrical communication with source of an external bias voltage. Techniques for making apparatus.
US08425838B2
A filter member used in an oxygenator is constructed to provide improved contact with a hollow fiber membrane bundle and to capture bubbles contained in blood. The filter member possesses elasticity at least in the circumferential direction to allow the inner circumference of the filter member to be increased from a natural non-expanded state prior to placement on the hollow fiber membrane bundle to an expanded state in which the inner circumference of the filter member is increased when placed on the hollow fiber membrane bundle. The filter member is constructed to satisfy the condition 0.5≦L2/L1<1, wherein L1 represents the outer circumference of the hollow fiber membrane bundle and L2 represents the inner circumference of the filter member in the natural non-expanded state.
US08425837B2
A system for gas sterilization includes a sterilization chamber, a source of sterilant gas, and a sterilant gas remediation mechanism. Embodiments relate to systems and methods for delivering humidified air to a sterilization chamber, systems and methods for removing gaseous NO2 from an exhaust gas stream of a sterilization chamber, systems and methods for removing and replacing a source of sterilant gas, an exhaust gas scrubber and/or supplies for a humidification system. Some embodiments relate to hardware and software for user interface in a sterilizing device and hardware and software for control of a sterilization cycle. Some embodiments relate to chamber, chassis and door configurations of a sterilizer.
US08425836B1
A hypereutectic chromium alloy consisting of 9 to 12 at % tantalum, 4 to 15 at % silicon, 0 to 7 at % molybdenum, 0 to 7 at % aluminum, 0 to 7 at % titanium, 0 to 5 at % rhenium, 0 to 2 at % silver, 0 to 2 at % hafnium, 0 to 2 at % lanthanum, 0 to 2 at % cerium, 0 to 2 at % yttrium and the balance chromium and incidental impurities. The hypereutectic chromium alloy has good oxidation resistance and good fracture toughness. The chromium alloy may be used to make gas turbine engine turbine blades, turbine vanes, turbine seals, combustion chamber tiles, exhaust nozzle segments or steam turbine components.
US08425829B2
Use of thermoplastic molding compositions comprising A) from 10 to 89% by weight of a polyethylene terephthalate which can comprise up to 65% by weight, based on 100% by weight of A), of another polyester, B) from 0.01 to 50% by weight of B1) at least one highly branched or hyperbranched polycarbonate with an OH number of from 1 to 600 mg KOH/g of polycarbonate (to DIN 53240, part 2), or B2) at least one highly branched or hyperbranched polyester of AxBy type, where x is at least 1.1 and y is at least 2.1, or a mixture of these, C) from 10 to 60% by weight of a fibrous or particulate filler, and D) from 0 to 20% by weight of further additives, where the total of the percentages by weight of components A) to D) is 100%, for the production of moldings by means of the internal-gas-pressure process and/or the water-injection process.
US08425828B2
An apparatus includes a substrate having a top surface, a substantially regular array of raised structures located over the top surface, and a layer located on the top surface between the structures. Distal surfaces of the structures are farther from the top surface than remaining portions of the structures. The layer is able to contract such that the distal surfaces of the structures protrude through the layer. The layer is able to swell such that the distal surfaces of the structures are closer to the top surface of the substrate than one surface of the layer.
US08425823B2
A method of applying an apply piston seal is provided for a clutch assembly utilizing a balance piston. The method includes applying a rubber portion on an interior surface of an axially extending arm of the apply piston and applying a seal on an exterior surface of the axially extending arm of the apply piston.
US08425810B2
A nanofiber production device produces nanofibers by stretching, in a space, a solution. The nanofiber production device includes: an effusing body which effuses the solution into the space by centrifugal force; a driving source which rotates the effusing body; a supplying electrode which is placed at a predetermined distance from the effusing body and supplies charge to the solution via the effusing body; a charging electrode to which a potential of reverse polarity to a polarity of the effusing body is applied, with the charging electrode being placed at a predetermined distance from the effusing body; and a charging power source which applies a predetermined voltage between the supplying electrode and the charging electrode.
US08425808B2
The present application discloses, in various embodiments, semiconducting layer compositions comprising a non-amorphous semiconductor material and a molecular glass. Electronic devices, such as thin-film transistors, are also disclosed. The semiconducting layer compositions exhibit good film-forming properties and high mobility.
US08425807B2
A paste-like composition for a solar cell provided by the present invention contains a mixed aluminum powder prepared by mixing a small particle diameter aluminum powder, which has a D50 of particle size distribution based on laser diffraction of 3 μm or less and a ratio of D10 to D90 (D10/D90) of 0.2 or more, and a large particle diameter aluminum powder, which has a D50 that is 2 to 6 times the D50 of the small particle diameter aluminum powder and a ratio of D10/D90 of 0.2 or more.
US08425802B2
Disclosed is a phosphor composite material which can be fired at low temperatures and enables to obtain a phosphor composite member which is excellent in weather resistance and reduced in deterioration after long use. Also disclosed is a phosphor composite member obtained by firing such a phosphor composite material. Specifically disclosed is a phosphor composite material composed of a glass powder and a phosphor powder, which is characterized in that the glass powder is composed of SnO—P2O5—B2O3 glass.
US08425801B2
A composite organic EL material suited to flash deposition and a method for producing the same are provided. A composite organic electroluminescence material in which an organic material and an organic metal complex are combined with each other, wherein the melting point of the organic material is lower by 30° C. or more than the decomposition temperature of the organic metal complex.
US08425794B2
A method for producing a finely subdivided insulating material includes the steps of: preparing a fluid composition by mixing together an alkaline silicate, a metal hydroxide and an impermeabilizing agent, heat-treating the composition so as to produce a plurality of small cavities in the composition, and finely subdividing the composition.
US08425791B2
In a method of controlling the temperature of an in-chamber member used in a plasma processing apparatus that processes a target substrate with plasma, a plurality of power-feeding portions is provided in the in-chamber member and the in-chamber member is heated by supplying electric power thereto through the power-feeding portions. A resistance value or resistivity of the in-chamber member is measured and the electric power is controlled based on the temperature of the in-chamber member estimated from the resistance value or resistivity. The in-chamber member includes one or more annular members arranged around the target substrate. The in-chamber member is a member making contact with plasma within a chamber and existing near the target substrate.
US08425790B2
An ink composition for ink jet printing is provided which gives a cured object excellent in adhesion to metallic plates, resistance to etchants, and alkali removability and can be stably ejected with an ink jet apparatus. The ink jet composition for etching resists has a viscosity at 25° C. of 3-50 mPa s and includes monomers comprising: either a polymerizable phosphoric ester compound represented by general formula (I); a polyfunctional monomer having two or more ethylenic double-bond groups per molecule and having no phosphoric ester group, the content of the ethylenic double-bond groups being 4×10−3 to 8×10−3 mol/g; and a monofunctional monomer having one ethylenic double-bond group per molecule and having neither phosphoric ester group nor carboxy group. In the formula, X represents C1-3 alkylene, Y represents C2-3 alkylene, and R represents hydrogen or methyl.
US08425785B2
In some embodiments, an improved mechanical adhesion of copper metallization to dielectric with partially cured epoxy fillers is presented. In this regard, a substrate build-up film is introduced having epoxy material and a plurality of epoxy microspheres, wherein an interior of the microspheres is not fully cured. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
US08425781B2
Use of a Maillard reaction product as an adjuvant in a variety of applications including solid-liquid separations, corrosion inhibition, emulsification, dust suppression, slow release fertilization, viscosity modification and others and especially as a depressant or collector in separation processes, including the selective separation of solids and/or ionic species from aqueous media, such as in the process of froth flotation.
US08425776B2
A method of in situ treatment of wastewater that is contaminated with a heavy metal may include passing a flow of contaminated wastewater through a reactor vessel. The reactor vessel may contain a plurality of biofilm retaining structures. Each of the structures may at least be partially coated with a biofilm. Additionally, the biofilm may include a plurality of bacteria retained in a matrix and the matrix may include DNA, protein and carbohydrates produced by the bacteria.
US08425775B2
A method of in situ treatment of fracture fluid that is contaminated with a heavy metal may include passing a flow of contaminated fracture fluid through a reactor vessel. The reactor vessel may contain a plurality of biofilm retaining structures. Each of the structures may at least be partially coated with a biofilm. Additionally, the biofilm may include a plurality of bacteria retained in a matrix and the matrix may include DNA, protein and carbohydrates produced by the bacteria.
US08425771B2
A portable device for filtering and purifying water comprised of an outer chamber and an inner chamber that is slidable within a section of the outer chamber, and a small pore size pre-filter, whereby water is drawn through the pre-filter into the first container section of the outer chamber where it is isolated and treated with a disinfectant agent, then is drawn out of the first container section and into the second container section, and then into the inner chamber, where it is passed across another filtering material such as an activated carbon bed, removing any remaining contaminants before the potable water exits through a mouthpiece.
US08425770B2
The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for separating and isolating target molecules. In particular, the present invention comprises devices, such as CCDs, that contain particles without the need for support structures. Chromatography separation techniques, including but not limited to, ion exchange, size separation, affinity chromatography, ion exclusion, ligand exchange, reversed phase and normal phase partitioning, are used in the CCD. Methods also include low, medium and high pressure liquid chromatography. Such methods can be used for analytical, semi-preparative processes, initial clarification, preparative filtration and process scale applications.
US08425767B2
A connecting device comprises a buffer chamber (2), a first connecting line (3) between a liquid source (4) and an inlet (5) of the buffer chamber, a second connecting line (9) between an outlet (10) of the buffer chamber and the medical treatment apparatus (11), two valves (7, 8) arranged in series on the first connecting line, a pump (12) on the second connecting line, two liquid level sensors (15, 16) operating in the buffer chamber, a vent valve (18) connected to the buffer chamber. The liquid source is a centralized distribution plant of dialysate, while the medical treatment apparatus is a dialysis apparatus. The invention prevents back-contamination of the centralized plant with disinfectant sourced from the dialysis apparatus.
US08425764B2
A highly effective liquid-liquid extraction process to remove nitrogen compounds and especially basic nitrogen compounds from aromatic light petroleum oils with excellent recovery employs de-ionized water, which can be acidified, as the extractive solvent. The product is an aromatic hydrocarbon with ultra-low amounts of nitrogen poisons that can deactivate acidic catalysts. The extracted oils are suitable feedstock for the subsequent catalytic processes that are promoted with the high performance solid catalysts, which are extremely sensitive to nitrogen poison.
US08425750B2
A fluid structure control device has a liquid chamber holding a solution containing an electrolyte dissolved therein and conductive particles dispersed in the solution, and a pair of electrodes for applying an AC voltage to the conductive particles in the liquid chamber. Electro-osmotic flows are caused to occur due to electric double layers induced at the interface between the solution and the conductive particles by application of a voltage, thereby producing interaction among the conductive particles to displace the conductive particles and change reversibly the dispersion state of the conductive particles in accordance with the applied voltage.
US08425731B2
A carbonization process of rubber products, such as shredded waste tires, in a sealed carbonizing vessel whose operating pressure is below atmospheric pressure and under controlled high temperature environment while continuously being moved in a defined path at a controlled speed thus enabling the shredded tires to be fed constantly into the vessel while the by-products of the carbonization process are continually discharged.
US08425729B2
A three-dimensional hydraulically entangled nonwoven composite structure made of nonwoven fibrous web and a fibrous material integrated in the nonwoven fibrous web by hydraulic entanglement is disclosed. The nonwoven composite structure has a greater ability to maintain an embossed pattern when wet and has the ability for the structure to recover after it has been compressed, to a greater degree than previously found. Also disclosed is a method of making an embossed hydraulically entangled nonwoven composite fabric.
US08425717B2
Inorganic-organic composite articles and methods for producing them using inorganic acidic/alkaline precursor components as inorganic adhesives is provided. Articles prepared therefrom provide improved flexibility, zero flame spread, no release of volatile organic compounds, and low carbon foot print.
US08425715B2
An industrial-scale high throughput wafer bonding apparatus includes a wafer bonder chamber extending along a main axis and comprising a plurality of chamber zones, a plurality of heater/isolator plates, a guide rod system extending along the main axis, a pair of parallel track rods extending along the main axis, and first pressure means. The chamber zones are separated from each other and thermally isolated from each other by the heater/isolator plates. The heater/isolator plates are oriented perpendicular to the main axis, are movably supported and guided by the guide rod system and are configured to move along the direction of the main axis. Each of the chamber zones is dimensioned to accommodate an aligned wafer pair and the wafer pairs are configured to be supported by the parallel track rods. The first pressure means is configured to apply a first force perpendicular to a first end heater/isolator plate. The applied first force causes the heater/isolator plates to move toward each other along the main axis and thereby causes the collapse of each chamber zone volume and the application of bonding pressure onto the wafer pairs.
US08425713B2
A bonding unit (20) bonding a wafer (12) and a support plate (14) with a mediation of an adhesive agent (16) to form a bonded substance (18), and a plasma treatment unit (22) treating the bonded substance (18) with a plasma treatment are provided.
US08425711B2
To provide a glass substrate with protective glass which suppresses formation of microscopic scratches on the back surface of the glass substrate in the production process for a display device, and which prevents a strength decrease in the process or formation of etch pits after a chemical etching treatment; a process for producing a display device by using the glass substrate with protective glass; and a double-sided removable resin sheet for the glass substrate with protective glass.A glass substrate with protective glass, which comprises a glass substrate and a protective glass plate laminated on each other, and which is characterized in that the glass substrate and the protective glass plate are laminated by a double-sided removal resin sheet.
US08425710B2
Damping material is installed on a structure by moving a material placement head over the structure, and using the head to place the material on the structure.
US08425707B2
Rollers faced with silicone and having no build lines are produced by wrapping pigment/filler-containing addition-curable silicone rubber strips around a roller substrate followed by curing to an integral silicone layer, wherein build lines are prevented by selecting the strips such that physical properties at the edge regions of the strip due to orientation of pigment/filler particles is minimized.
US08425706B2
A weldable component is described. The weldable component includes a weld rivet attached by a thin portion, which is designed to break during the ultrasonic welding process. The weld rivet is driven through a complementary void pocket which extends through the part and is positioned under the weld rivet. The weld rivet is embedded in the base component to form the weld. A welded joint and a method for ultrasonic welding using the weldable component are also described.
US08425701B2
An explosive composition is provided comprising an explosive agent, a solid fuel and a polymeric adherent wherein the explosive agent, solid fuel and polymeric adherent are dispersed throughout the composition.
US08425700B2
A method for preparing a gelled liquid propane (GLP) composition comprises the introduction of liquid propane into an evacuated mixing vessel containing a gellant and mixing the liquid propane with the gellant. A bi-propellant system comprising GLP is particularly well-suited for outer planet missions greater than 3 AU from the sun and also functions in earth and near earth environments. Additives such as powders of boron, carbon, lithium, and/or aluminum can be added improve performance or enhance hypergolicity. The gelling agent can be silicon dioxide, clay, carbon, or organic or inorganic polymers. The bi-propellant system may be, but need not be, hypergolic.
US08425674B2
A sorption system is disclosed that includes a sorbent material and a fluid, in which the sorbent material and fluid in combination have a pressure index of at least 1.2.
US08425668B2
A fluid evaporation system includes a housing bounding an airflow path. A misting system is positioned within the airflow path for spraying a wastewater into the airflow path. Water in the misted wastewater is evaporated, thereby concentrating minerals in the wastewater. A pretreatment system is positioned upstream from the fluid evaporator. The pretreatment system includes a gas induced separator. Separation of hydrocarbons and water are enhanced using a polymer and/or by lowering the pH of the wastewater.
US08425662B2
Methods for releasing associated guest materials from a metal organic framework are provided. Methods for associating guest materials with a metal organic framework are also provided. Methods are provided for selectively associating or dissociating guest materials with a metal organic framework. Systems for associating or dissociating guest materials within a series of metal organic frameworks are provided. Gas separation assemblies are provided.
US08425660B2
A method by which water may be extracted from the air even without a supply of electricity from a power source or even without a supply of fuel, as well as an apparatus therefor, is disclosed. The apparatus used for the method for extracting water from the air comprises at least a rotatably mounted hygroscopic moisture-absorbing rotor having at least one region through which air can pass in the direction of thickness thereof; a passage for regeneration through which air for regeneration is circulated, of which both ends are opened at the opposing two surfaces of a regeneration region, respectively, the regeneration region being a part of the moisture-absorbing rotor, at which the moisture-absorbing rotor that absorbed moisture is regenerated; and a drain hole for taking out condensed water from the passage for regeneration.
US08425639B2
The present invention provides a method of recycling a water-based wire saw cutting slurry waste fluid comprising abrasive particles and waste solids in a water-based carrier. The method comprises the steps of (a) separating the waste fluid into a first fraction and a second fraction, the first fraction comprising recovered abrasive particles, and the second fraction comprising waste solids and a portion of the water-based carrier; (b) optionally, separating the second fraction to separate the waste solids from the water-based carrier to form a waste solids portion and a recovered water-based carrier portion; (c) optionally, drying the first fraction from step (a) and separating the resulting dried abrasive particles from smaller waste particles to produce a purified recovered abrasive fraction; and (d) suspending particles of the first fraction from step (a), the purified recovered abrasive fraction from step (c), or both, in a suspending medium comprising at least a portion of the recovered water-based carrier from step (b), to generate a recycled water-based wire saw cutting slurry.
US08425638B2
Upon cold startup of a gasification facility, a fluidized air 10 is supplied to a combustion furnace 9 to fluidize a combustion-furnace fluidized bed 11 while a preheating fuel 22 is supplied to the combustion furnace to preheat the fluidized bed 11 up to an autoignition temperature of coal. Then, a coal 23 is charged to the combustion furnace 9 to heat the fluidized bed 11 and bed material is circulated between the combustion and gasification furnaces 9 and 1 for heating. Upon startup and shutdown of the gasification facility, steam 2 from an exhaust heat recovery boiler 20 in heat exchange with an exhaust gas 15 from the combustion furnace 9 is supplied to the gasification furnace 1 to purge the gasification furnace 1 and a lead-out passage 6 with the steam 2 utilizing the exhaust heat.
US08425634B2
A fire log includes a single fire log cut in a specific design to enable easy ignition and sustenance of a self-contained campfire. The single log is designed to stand vertically and may range from twenty-four to seventy-two inches in height depending on diameter. In most instances, four vertical, diametrical cuts are made in the log forming eight pie-slice segments. The cuts extend from the top surface of the log downward toward the base of the log. The vertical cuts stop short of the entire length of the log leaving approximately 25% of the length uncut. The uncut portion forms the base of the log. One of the segments is cut horizontally at its lower end adjacent the top of the base so that the segment can be removed from the log for air flow control.
US08425633B2
Methods, process, apparatus, equipment, and systems are disclosed for converting biomass into bio-oil fractions for chemicals, materials, feedstocks and fuels using a low-cost, integrated fast pyrolysis system. The system improves upon prior art by creating stable, bio-oil fractions which have unique properties that make them individually superior to conventional bio-oil. The invention enables water and low-molecular weight compounds to be separated into a final value-added fraction suitable for upgrading or extracting into value-added chemicals, fuels and water. Initial bio-oil fractions from the process are chemically distinct, have low-water content and acidity which reduces processing costs normally associated with conventional bio-oil post-production upgrading since fewer separation steps, milder processing conditions and lower auxiliary inputs are required. Biochar is stabilized so that it can be handled safely. The integrated fast pyrolysis process includes biomass storage, preparation, pretreatment, and conversion, product recovery and processing to create and store stable biochar and bio-oil fractions.
US08425630B2
The invention includes a method of improving the combustion efficiency of a fuel-burning device. The method includes the steps of adding a low molecular weight polymer to the fuel of the fuel-burning device and burning the fuel with the polymer in the fuel-burning device. The invention also includes fuel compositions containing such polymers.
US08425629B2
An additive composition comprises a Mannich reaction product of a) a polyisobutylene (PIB) alkylated hydroxyaromatic compound, b) an aldehyde, and c) an amine containing at least one reactive amino group where the PIB is derived from a conventional PIB and a high vinylidene PIB. A fuel additive concentrate composition, a fuel composition, and a method to reduce deposit formation in a fuel system of an internal combustion engine employ the additive composition that comprises the Mannich reaction product which is unexpectedly effective in reducing deposits. A PIB alkylated hydroxyaromatic compound, that is prepared from a mixture of high vinylidene and conventional PIBs, is both a functional additive and an intermediate to a functional additive and the process to prepare it involves running the alkylation reaction at 5 to 40° C.
US08425624B2
A method of dyeing an object comprising placing a sublimable dye and the object to face each other apart at a predetermined distance of 0.1 mm or more but 10 mm or less under pressure, heating the sublimable dye with a laser to sublimate it toward the object such that the deposition region of the dye is part of a to be dyed region of the object, applying the sublimable dye over the entire to be dyed region of the object by relatively moving the object with respect to the sublimation position of the dye using a moving unit and heating at least a part of the dyed region of the object to fix the dye to the region.
US08425623B2
Thickened oxidative preparations are provided herein. In one embodiment, a cosmetic agent for changing the color of keratinic fibers is provided. The cosmetic agent includes a preparation (M1) containing a color-changing component and an oxidizing agent preparation (M2) containing in an aqueous, cosmetic carrier at least hydrogen peroxide as a chemical oxidizing agent and an anionic, polymeric thickener selected from crosslinked or uncrosslinked polyacrylic acid polymers. The cosmetic agent has a viscosity of about 5 to about 100 Pa s. The cosmetic agent is prepared directly before use by blending preparation (M1) with oxidizing agent preparation (M2).
US08425620B2
A joint assembly for releasably securing a first and a second segment of an associated modular limb is provided. The joint assembly includes a male connector including a base and a load bearing blade secured to the base of the male connector protruding therefrom. The male connector is adapted to be secured to one of the first and second segments of the associated modular limb. A female connector is provided and includes a base and a load bearing socket secured to the base of the female connector. The socket is configured to selectively receive the blade of the male connector. The female connector is adapted to be secured to the other of the first and second segments of the associated modular limb. A locking member selectively retains the blade of the male connector in the socket of the female connector. The male connector, the female connector, and the locking member cooperate to form a resilient and selectively releasable modular limb joint.
US08425615B2
A modular prosthesis system for replacement of a head portion of a radius. The prosthesis system includes a head component having a first connection portion that connects to a second connection portion and a collar component having the second connection portion and a third connection portion. The system also includes a stem component including a fourth connection portion that connects with the third connection portion, the stem component having a stem anchoring portion that connects to the radius. The collar component provides the modular geometry to the prosthesis without having to have an increased number of head components and stem components with variable lengths and angles.
US08425613B2
An intervertebral implant assembly includes first and second support members and a retention member. The first and second support members are configured to engage first and second vertebral bodies, respectively. The first and second support members define first and second guide portions, respectively. In particular, the first and second support members are slidably movable relative to each other. The retention member includes a face plate and an arm member extending from the face plate. The arm member is disposed between the first and second support members to maintain a relative position of the first and second support members. The face plate defines an access through hole in communication with the first and second guide portions.
US08425612B2
A minimally invasive interbody device assembly that includes an interbody device that restores the disc space height between two vertebrae and an instrument detachably coupled to the interbody device for positioning the device in the disc space and delivering bone material to the disc space that is distributed on both sides of the interbody device. The device is inserted into the disc space using the instrument in a direction so that the wide dimension of the device is substantially parallel to the body of the vertebrae. The device is then rotated by the instrument so that the wide dimension of the device becomes perpendicular to the vertebral body so as to cause the disc space height to be restored. Bone graft material is then forced down the instrument so that the bone graft material is distributed on both sides of the device. The instrument is then detached from the device.
US08425610B2
An interbody spacer is provided. The spacer includes a housing having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a plurality of side portions disposed between the top portion and the bottom portion, a midline portion configured to be disposed across at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion of the housing, an opening disposed between the top portion and the bottom portion, and a grooved channel disposed in at least one of the plurality of side portions. The top and bottom portions are configured to include a plurality of projections configured to protrude away from the top and bottom portions.
US08425602B2
A curvilinear spinal access device having an expandable working portal. The device includes a slide having a channel with an open top and a movable top sized to cover the open top of the channel forming an expandable working portal with a proximal end and a distal end. The movable top can be moved between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the movable top blocks direct visualization between the proximal end and the distal end of the expandable working portal and in the open position movement of the movable top results in direct visualization from the proximal end to the distal end of the expandable working portal.
US08425595B2
An injector for inserting an intraocular lens into an eye includes a lumen. The lumen can include a terminal portion at a distal end and a proximal portion juxtaposed with the terminal portion. An injector plunger can be disposed within the lumen for generating a driving force on the intraocular lens. The injector can include a lens frictional force that has a first value when the lens is at a first location within the proximal portion and a second value when the lens is at a second location within the terminal portion. The first value can be smaller than the second value. In some embodiments, the lens frictional force increases abruptly from the first value to the second value as the lens approaches the distal end of the lumen.
US08425585B2
A stent arrangement (12) and a stent graft (2) for curved lumens of the body. The stent graft has a tubular body (4) of a graft material, at least a portion of which may be arcuate to define an inner curved side (4b) and an outer curved side (4a) at least when deployed into the curved vessel. The stent graft has a plurality of self expanding stents (10, 12, 13) affixed thereto with a greater distance (11a) between the stents on the outer curved side than on the inner curved side. The stents can be normal, tapered on one or both ends or skewed. When mounted onto a deployment device a twist (152, 154) may be provided in the graft material between adjacent stents to nest the stents.
US08425580B2
An oxygenation and temperature thermal therapy and oxygenation treatment pad with a plurality of air chambers is disclosed for treatment of skin wound tissues. The air chambers are filled and released by a valve assembly that may be separate from or integrated within the blanket. The thermal therapy and oxygenation treatment pad includes a fluid bladder for delivering hot and/or cold therapy to a patient in conjunction with oxygenation. The temperature therapy blanket may also include an air bladder for providing compression. Oxygenation is provided subsequent to initial heating in order to promote oxygen absorption by the wound tissues prior to the cooling thereof which facilitates pulling oxygen into the wound tissues. This Abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an Abstract that allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain subject matter of the technical disclosure. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
US08425577B2
A red and near infra-red light phototherapy apparatus designed to accommodate an adult user. A user support of the device may have a hingably connected canopy that contains the red, and infra-red, light source. When the canopy is open, a user may lie on the user support. When adjusted to an operational position, the upper light source may illuminate the entire user support. The apparatus may include an acrylic support with a lower red, and infra-red, light source attached beneath. The acrylic support may be transparent to the red, and infra-red, light. The lower light source may illuminate the entire acrylic support from below. The red narrow band, light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be selected to have a wavelength in a range of approximately 625 nm to 645 nm, and the infra-red LEDs to emit in a range of approximately 820 nm to 860 nm.
US08425576B2
A bone stabilization system is provided having a plate with a top and bottom surface and a hole therethrough extending along a longitudinal axis. An annular groove in the top surface encircles the axis and defines outer facing sides of a plurality of spring members integral to the plate. A plurality of slots define sides of the spring members the inward facing side of the spring members form the upper portion of the hole, which includes a first spherical portion. A fastener with a spherical portion on the fastener head extends into the hole with the spring members urged apart to allow the head to pass but restraining removal until the resistance provide by the spring members is overcome.
US08425575B2
System, including apparatus and methods, for fixing bone with a bone plate supported temporarily at a slant on bone by a leg member before the bone plate is used as a lever to reposition a region of the bone. In some embodiments, the leg member may be a post member that attaches to the bone plate by threaded engagement with an aperture of the bone plate. In some embodiments, the bone plate and the leg member may be used near the end of a long bone, such as on a distal portion of a radial bone.
US08425562B2
A dynamic stabilization system for use with a spinal motion segment includes a first bone anchor assembly, a second bone anchor assembly, a resilient element, and a sheath. The resilient element includes an end portion engageable with the first bone anchor assembly and a resilient portion engageable with the second bone anchor assembly. The resilient element provides resilient resistance when the first and second bone anchor assemblies are moved toward one another and provides no resistance and is separable from the second bone anchor assembly when the first and second bone anchor assemblies are moved away from one another. The sheath surrounds the resilient portion and articulation surface of the second bone anchor assembly.
US08425560B2
There is provided a spinal implant device for placement between adjacent spinous processes. The spinal implant device includes first and second fixation plates, a connector, and first and second lag screws. The first fixation plate includes a first and second screw holes. The second fixation plate includes third and fourth screw holes. The first lag screw extends through the first and third screw holes and threadedly engages a respective one of the first or third screw holes with the superior spinous process disposed between the first and second superior ends. The second lag screw extends through the second and fourth screw holes and threadedly engages a respective one of the second or fourth screw holes with the inferior spinous process disposed between the first and second inferior ends. A method of implanting the device is provided.
US08425556B2
An extra-discal device for intervertebral stabilization includes at least one rigid part connected to pedicle screws by an element. This rigid part comprises a cylindrical body, each end of which is firmly attached to the element which is flexible and deformable so as to be linked to a part of a corresponding pedicle screw with reduced play to obtain a limited range of multidirectional movement in the sagittal, horizontal and frontal planes, while limiting translational movement to the axis of the screw.
US08425550B2
Embolic coils, as well as related methods, devices, and compositions, are disclosed.
US08425547B2
A lancet body for a skin pricker has resiliently flexible fingers (9) with outwardly splayed tips (10). The device is fired by pressing a trigger (13) and a spring (5) urges the lancet forwards and the fingers (9) flex inwards as the tips (10) snap past barbs (11), so that the tips (10) of the arms (9) engage behind the barbs (11). If the user tries to push the lancet back into the cocked condition, the fingers (9) are trapped and will flex as the tips (10) press against the barbs (11) until the arms buckle and the tips (10) are pushed out through openings (14). Thus the lancet is arrested and immobilized before a re-cocked position is reached, and re-firing is prevented.
US08425545B2
A disposable ultrasonic surgical handle connectable to an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic waveguide, a battery, and an ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly, includes a handle body having a power supply portion defining a battery-holding compartment, the battery-holding compartment having at least two battery contacts, a waveguide attachment dock exposed to the environment and shaped to accept the waveguide therein, an ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly dock exposed to the environment and shaped to selectively removably secure the ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly to the handle body and electrically couple the ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly to the battery contacts, and a transducer attachment dock exposed to the environment and shaped to substantially simultaneously place the ultrasonic transducer in coaxial alignment with the waveguide when the waveguide is disposed within the waveguide attachment dock and electrically couple the ultrasonic transducer to the ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly when the ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly is secured to the ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly dock. The battery can be removable.
US08425539B2
A device is provided for endoscopy or endosonography- guided transluminal interventions whereby two luminal structures in the body may be drawn toward each other and a fluid conduit formed in between. The device may have a penetrating member and a hollow central member to which is coupled a distal retention member and in one embodiment a proximal retention member. The retention members may each be positioned inside one of the luminal structures and expanded from a first condition to an expanded second condition having an increased radius. The length of the central member may be shortened and its diameter expanded to approximate the two retention members and thereby the luminal structures.
US08425535B2
A single trigger system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchor devices for such purposes.
US08425529B2
A prosthetic intervertebral spacer is disclosed. The spacer preferably includes a body and an interface extending away from the body for use during implantation of the spacer. Methods of implanting the spacer and tools used during such procedure are also disclosed.
US08425527B2
A system for inserting an implant into a cavity in a periostrum region of patient's palate including a sheath and a pusher. The sheath has a substantially flat portion, a distal end, and a proximal end. The sheath has a hollow collar on the proximal end, an insertion depth mark near the distal end, and a slit on the distal end. The slit is in fluid communication with the hollow collar. The substantially rigid pusher configured to be disposed within and in slidable engagement with the sheath. The pusher has a distal end and a proximal end. The pusher has a rigid body having an outside diameter for slidably engaging with the hollow collar of the sheath, a tip on the distal end, and a lumen extending from said proximal end to said distal end of the rigid body and configured for fluid communication with a syringe and the sheath.
US08425516B2
Methods and devices for sculpting bones, particularly in preparation for implanting prosthetic devices to replace articulating bone joint surfaces. Improved bone removal devices including burr mills driven by gears and loop drives are provided. Reciprocating cutters and belt cutters are also provided. Some devices have either integral or removable expandable portions to vary the force and bone resection depth. Devices can have irrigation ports and plenums to remove bone fragments. Some cutters are dual cutters, adapted to remove bone in two or more regions, such as the knee joint, simultaneously.
US08425515B2
An instrument for positioning a bone graft relative to a bone plate includes an instrument body having a plurality of spaced apart graft chambers, a first one of the graft chambers having a first end, a second end, and a chamber length extending between the first end and the second end, the first end of the first graft chamber including a first chamber surface for receiving a first plate segment of a first bone plate, the second end of the first graft chamber including a second chamber surface for receiving a second plate segment of the first bone plate, the first graft chamber including a central chamber surface interposed between the first chamber surface and the second chamber surface for receiving a first bone graft, the central chamber surface having a first chamber length corresponding to the graft length of the first bone grafts.
US08425510B2
A treatment instrument for an endoscope includes: an operation portion; a cylindrical sheath that is connected to the operation portion and that also comprises an insertion portion; an axial electrode that is protruded from and retracted into a distal end opening portion of the sheath by an operation of the operation portion; and a distal end electrode portion that is provided at a distal end portion of the axial electrode; wherein a tapered portion is formed at a distal end portion of the sheath, the tapered portion being in a tapered shape that a distal end side of the distal end portion is narrower than a proximal end side of the distal end portion.
US08425505B2
A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument, includes an ablation device. The ablation device includes an elongate member having first and second channels. First and second probes are disposed within the respective first and second channels. The first and second probes each define a central axis. The first and second probes each have substantially straight distal ends protruding from the distal ends of the respective first and second channels. The substantially straight distal ends define an outer surface. First and second electrodes are attached to a portion of the outer surface of the substantially straight distal ends of the respective first and second probes. The first and second electrodes are positioned in juxtaposed relationship with the central axis of the first and second probes. A distance between the first and second electrodes is adjustable by rotating at least one of the first and second probes about the respective central axis of the at least one of the first and second probes.
US08425503B2
An electrical conductor, such as a wire or catheter, which is coated circumferentially with a ferromagnetic material in a selected region, is fed from a high frequency alternating current source. The ferromagnetic material has a quick response in heating and cooling to the controllable power delivery. The ferromagnetic material can be used for separating tissue, coagulation, tissue destruction or achieving other desired tissue effects in numerous surgical procedures.
US08425497B2
System and method for making incisions in eye tissue at different depths. The system and method focuses light, possibly in a pattern, at various focal points which are at various depths within the eye tissue. A segmented lens can be used to create multiple focal points simultaneously. Optimal incisions can be achieved by sequentially or simultaneously focusing lights at different depths, creating an expanded column of plasma, and creating a beam with an elongated waist.
US08425488B2
Systems and methods for treating a patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear, function by mounting a support structure to the head of the patient; aligning the support structure with a target tissue in an ear canal of the first ear; stabilizing the support structure relative to the target tissue by injecting a material into the canal and hardening the material; and actuating a device while the device is supported by the support system so that the device therapeutically remodels the target tissue of the first ear.
US08425483B2
A double gusset cloth diaper including an inner surface and an outer surface forming an hourglass shape, having a groin area proximate a center line of the reusable diaper and defining at least one recess therebetween. A fluid absorbent material is removably located in the recess through the opening. A first gusset is attached to the reusable diaper to form a first seal between the inner surface and the legs of the user. A second gusset is attached to the reusable diaper proximate the first gusset. The gussets are formed of an elastic material attached to the wrong side of the inner surface in a channel formed by stitching the inner surface to form channels.
US08425481B2
A protector for male incontinent persons includes an absorbent body (1) enclosed between an inner liquid-permeable casing sheet (3) and an outer liquid-impermeable casing sheet (2) and having a crotch end part (7) and a front end part (6) opposite to the crotch end part. The front end part is wider than the crotch end part. The lateral sides of the protector are tapering from the front part to the crotch part so that the protector has a triangular shape. The protector also includes means (8,9) affixed to the outer liquid-impermeable casing sheet for attachment to an underwear. The attachment means at least includes a string of attachment means (8,9) extending along each tapering lateral side.
US08425475B2
A sanitary apparatus for intestinal cleansing to be attached to a water faucet (R), comprises a faucet filter (2), a quick coupling (3) connectable to the faucet filter (2) and containing a pressure-relief device. A spiral hose (4) connects the pressure-relief device to a series of devices situated in a rectilinear tube section (16), the series of devices including a temperature control device (5), a flow regulator (6), a metering device (7), a check valve (13) and a rectal nozzle (14) in an end section of the sanitary apparatus. Said end section comprises a semirigid tube (9, 12) sustained by a fixing removable support (10) including a base plate (19) provided with at least a sucker (21) in its lower part, and with U bolt-shaped members (24) clamping the semirigid tube (9, 12) in its upper part.
US08425468B2
A safety needle accessory includes a hub (6) having a connector (2) for surrounding a hollow needle. The hub has a first seal (10) that engages sealingly with the connector. A slidable sleeve (8) slides over the needle in a first longitudinal direction from a first position in which the needle is fully or partially covered by the sleeve to a second position in which the needle is exposed to a third position in the second direction in which the needle is fully covered by the sleeve. A pack (9) having a closed end surrounds the hollow needle, hub and slidable sleeve. The pack has a first section which abuts the hub or the first seal to form a second seal and the pack has a second section which engages the needle tip to form a third seal (12) between the closed end of the pack and a needle tip.
US08425467B1
A catheter tube anchoring device for securing a catheter to a patient's skin, having two flexible side members and a rigid cross-member therebetween to which a retainer is mounted. The retainer holds a catheter adaptor at a 3-degree angle for patient comfort. Two rigid gripping tabs secure to each retainer side are gripped gripping while advancing a needle into the patient's vein and while attaching the catheter adaptor to a I.V. tubing, for increased patient comfort, reduction of the risk in contamination and patient infection, and to more easily and quickly start an I.V. An alternative embodiment includes prism shaped tabs containing a pressure-release polymer adhesive-containing capsules which releases the polymer adhesive through mesh openings in the tabs onto an absorbent pad on a crosslmember bottom side and onto a patient's skin to secure the device thereto either alone or in combination with a second adhesive on the patient's skin.
US08425463B2
Systems for injecting fluids and/or other materials into a targeted anatomical location, in particular, an intra-articular space, include a handpiece assembly having a proximal end and a distal end, a needle extending from the distal end of the handpiece assembly, a fluid delivery module comprising a cassette and a fluid transfer device. A conduit is generally configured to place the fluid delivery module in fluid communication with the handpiece assembly. Medications, formulations and/or other fluids or materials contained within vials that are secured to the fluid delivery module can be selectively delivered into an anatomy through a needle located at the distal end of the handpiece assembly. In some embodiments, ultrasound or other imaging technologies can be used to locate a joint or other targeted anatomical location.
US08425459B2
The invention relates to a coated medical device for rapid delivery of a therapeutic agent to a tissue in seconds to minutes. The medical device has a layer overlying the exterior surface of the medical device. The layer contains a therapeutic agent, a contrast agent, and an additive.
US08425451B2
A collapsible gastrointestinal anchor can be characterized in various embodiments by a radial force of about 0.1 Newtons (N) or greater at a compressed diameter of 25 millimeters (mm); by an average spring rate of about 13 Newtons/meter (N/m) or greater in a range of motion between a relaxed diameter and a compressive elastic deformation diameter; or by a radial force over the range of motion of about 0.1 N or greater. Typically, the anchor can be adapted to be retained within a subject's intestine, more typically in the duodenum, or particularly in the duodenal bulb just distal to the pylorus.A gastrointestinal implant device includes the collapsible gastrointestinal anchor and a floppy sleeve. The sleeve is open at both ends and adapted to extend into a subject's intestine, the anchor being coupled to a proximal portion of the sleeve.Also include are methods of implanting the gastrointestinal implant device in a subject, and methods of treating a subject for disease.The disclosed gastrointestinal invention leads to an improved ability to secure anchors and devices in the gastrointestinal tract while tending to minimize migration.
US08425450B2
An implant may be used for implantation into tissue of a body. The implant includes an elongated conduit and a loop. The elongated conduit has an interior passageway for conducting fluid. The loop has an interior circumference with a fluid conducting channel formed therein. The channel is interconnected with the interior passageway for delivery of fluid between the channel and the interior passageway.
US08425430B2
A surgical needle assembly for penetrating soft and hard tissues of a patient includes a handle assembly removably coupled to the needle assembly. The needle assembly is electrically coupled to an electrical signal source. The surgical tool includes an electrically conductive portion in communication with an un-insulated distal end of the needle assembly, and an insulated portion extending from the distal end to the handle assembly.
US08425423B2
A system and method are disclosed that facilitate generating visual representations of characterized tissue based upon ultrasound echo information obtained from a portion of an imaged body. The system includes a first filter having a first filter band that is applied to a near range portion of the ultrasound echo information to render near range filtered echo information. A second filter, having a second filter band that covers a frequency range of the first filter band, is applied to a far range portion of the ultrasound echo information to render far range filtered echo information. The system furthermore includes a set of characterization criteria that are applied to the near and far range filtered echo information. The characterized near and far range image data are thereafter combined into a single tissue-characterization image.
US08425421B2
An intracardiac catheter for ultrasound guided ablation and EP mapping. Ablation and mapping electrodes 34, 36, 38, 39 are carried on the surface of an outer catheter 30 and an ultrasound array is mounted inside an inner catheter 20. Backloading the inner catheter into the outer catheter provides the ultrasound array in position to image tissue near the surface electrodes. An acoustic coupling fluid is provided between the catheters and a number of the electrodes 34, 38 are positioned directly within the image field of the array.
US08425417B2
Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system and the simultaneous control of a flow control device are provided. In some embodiments, an integrated system includes a vascular access device, a continuous analyte sensor, system electronics and an electronic cable for communication with a third-party infusion device, the system being configured for insertion into fluid communication with a host's circulatory system.
US08425407B2
An endoscope insertion portion includes an image pick-up assembly including an image pick-up unit and an image pick-up cable provided in order from the distal end portion to the proximal end side wherein the outer diameter of the image pick-up unit is larger than the outer diameter of the image pick-up cable, and a channel assembly arranged side by side with the image pick-up assembly and including a thin outer diameter portion and a thick outer diameter portion provided in order from the distal end portion to the proximal end side wherein a distal end portion of the thick outer diameter portion is arranged on more proximal end side than a proximal end portion of the image pick-up unit.
US08425405B2
An electronic endoscope apparatus includes: an image pickup apparatus mounted at a distal end portion of an insertion portion; an operation portion provided consecutively at the insertion portion, with a frame member incorporated therein; and an electrical cable extended from the operation portion for connection with an external device. In the electronic endoscope apparatus, the frame member has a circuit board portion which establishes electrical connection between shields of the insertion portion and the electrical cable, and on which various electronic parts for exchanging signals with the image pickup apparatus are mounted. In spite of the arrangement of the image pickup apparatus that can acquire high-quality images at a distal end portion of the insertion portion, a size of the apparatus, in particular, a diameter of the insertion portion, can be prevented from being increased.
US08425403B2
Endoscope manipulator for MIS can overcome disadvantages of multiaxial endoscope manipulator including conventional robot arm and provide compact and lightweight structure to obtain maximum activity space for medical staff. According to the endoscope manipulator for MIS, multi-joint arm is configured so that movement of all of the joints from base link to tip link is manually locked and unlocked by user and not controlled by motors. Additionally, endoscope mounted on an end of multi-joint arm is manipulated using motors to enable movement of three degrees of freedom, thereby accomplishing compact and lightweight endoscope manipulator. Additionally, tube of endoscope can be press-fitted onto tip part of multi-joint arm, and triaxial movement function for vertical, horizontal and forward/backward conveyance of endoscope is implemented in the tip part of multi-joint arm. Therefore, since external manual joints are not moved during operation, Disturbance or restriction to activities of medical staff can be minimized.
US08425402B2
Medical devices, systems, and methods reduce the distance between two points in tissue, often for treatment of congestive heart failure and often in a minimally invasive manner. An anchor is inserted along an insertion path through a first wall of the heart. An arm of the anchor is deployed and rotationally positioned according to a desired alignment. Application of tension to the anchor may draw the first and second walls of the heart into contact along a desired contour so as to effect a desired change in the geometry of the heart. Additional anchors may be inserted and aligned with the first anchor to close off a portion of a ventricle such that the ventricle is geometrically remodeled and disease progression is reversed, halted, and/or slowed.
US08425395B2
The invention relates to an implantable device to be fixed to a bone and comprising an electrically conductive base body provided with at least two through holes and at least one pair of shaft-shaped contact means, wherein each contact means passes through a through hole of the base body and penetrates a section of the bone in an implanted state, wherein the surface of each contact means comprises a first and a second electrically conductive surface section as well as an electrically insulating surface section separating the electrically conductive surface sections from each other, wherein the first electrically conductive surface section electrically contacts the base body while the second electrically conductive surface section is electrically insulated with respect to the base body, wherein each contact means contains a coil arrangement in its interior by means of which the electrically conductive surface sections of each contact means are electrically coupled, and wherein the coil arrangements of a pair are wound in opposite directions.
US08425382B2
A system and method for developing an individual's physical abilities includes measuring one or more physical ability of an individual and establishing control parameters of a game such that operation of the game at a beginning level is within the individual's measured physical ability. The degree of physical ability shown by the individual over time of game play is monitored, and the control parameters are gradually modified to require a progressively greater physical ability of the individual than required at the beginning level. The system includes an input device, e.g., a joystick, that is operated by the individual to play the game. The system records aspects related to game play, such as frequency and duration of play, specific actions or motions, and changes in physical ability. A therapist is then able to review the record and modify system settings to optimize improvement by the individual.
US08425377B2
A hybrid electric vehicle powertrain having a mechanical power source and an electro-mechanical power source, including a generator, a motor and a battery. Driving torque developed by the mechanical power source is delivered through one clutch of a geared transmission to a power output shaft. The electric motor of the electro-mechanical power source delivers driving torque through a second clutch of the geared transmission. A mechanical reverse drive torque is used to improve reverse drive performance. A reduction in duration of operation in a negative power split during a driving event is achieved to improve vehicle powertrain efficiency. A series drive is available as the mechanical power source drives the generator to charge the battery, which drives the motor. The generator may act as an engine starter motor.
US08425372B2
A gearbox has a first rotative component and a second rotative component, the gearbox having a rotary input and a rotary output, a first brake for braking the first rotative component of the gearbox against rotation thereof, and a second brake for braking the second rotative component of the gearbox against rotation thereof. The rotary input drives the rotary output if the first brake brakes the first rotative component of the gearbox and the rotary output drives the first rotative component of the gearbox if the second brake brakes the second rotative component of the gearbox.
US08425370B2
In a transmission, particularly a motor vehicle transmission, having a first, a second, a third, and a fourth planetary gear unit disposed along a main axis of rotation and having six clutch units providing for nine forward gears to be engaged, a drive unit is connected for rotation with a sun gear of the second planetary gear unit and a fourth planetary carrier of the fourth planetary gear transmission and further a power output unit is rotationally fixedly connected to a third planetary carrier of the third planetary gear unit.
US08425367B2
A transmission of the present invention has an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least ten forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US08425361B1
An assembly in a transmission of a motor vehicle for communicating lubrication oil to a bearing in a planetary gear set includes a planet carrier having a plate with an inner groove in communication with a slot of a bushing, a pinion hole, and a second passage that communicates between the inner groove and the pinion hole. The planet carrier further includes a pinion disposed within the pinion hole and a bearing disposed on the pinion for supporting a planetary gear. A groove is disposed in the pinion and is in communication with the second passage. A third passage extends from the groove into the pinion. A fourth passage extends from the third passage into the pinion along an axis of the pinion. A fifth passage extends from the fourth passage to the outer surface. Pressurized lubrication oil is communicated through the plate and pinion to the bearing.
US08425358B2
A hybrid drive is proposed for traction wheels of a vehicle, which drive comprises a mechanical power source with a shaft, a planetary mechanism having a sun and a ring gear wheels, and two reversible electrical machines connected to an electrical power source via a control system. A carrier of the planetary mechanism is coupled to the shaft. With the view to increasing the traction wheels' torque, one of the electrical machines is designed as a two-dimensional machine with two rotatable members, one of which members is coupled to the sun gear wheel, the second member is coupled to the ring gear wheel. For increasing the performance characteristics, the drive is provided with two controllable clutches, which make it possible to interconnect the rotatable members and to couple the carrier to an immovable portion of the drive or vehicle. Operation of the drive in various motion modes is also described.
US08425352B1
A hitting training aid is provided, such as a mechanical tee for batting practice. The mechanical tee may present a ball to a batter at various heights, positions, speeds, and angles to simulate real game conditions. The mechanical tee may include a vertical stand with a variable position, retractable post that supports flexible tubing with a suction cup at the end to hold a ball in a suspended manner for striking. The mechanical tee may have a motor and vacuum pump configuration to provide suction, and may automatically feed balls to a batter. The vertical stand may additionally have an air compressor and an attachment for pneumatically tossing or propelling a ball upward for striking. The mechanical tee may move, or toss, a ball to variable and/or random placements within a three dimensional strike zone. A portable stand may have several telescopic pistons for lifting a ball at various placements.
US08425350B2
Golf balls and a system for finding golf balls and methods for making golf balls and methods for using such balls. In the case of one exemplary golf ball, the ball includes a shell and a core material which is encased in the shell and a tag which is disposed within the core material and which has at least one perforation. The tag includes a diode and an antenna which are coupled together. Another exemplary golf ball includes a shell and a core material which is encased within the shell and a tag which is within the core material and which includes an electrical element which is coupled to an antenna; the tag is detectable over a range of at least 20 feet from a handheld device, and the golf ball has high durability and substantially complies with the golf ball specifications of the United States Golf Association.
US08425345B2
A variable length golf club shaft is disclosed herein. The variable length golf club shaft includes at least one upper shaft portion having a first diameter and a hollow lower shaft portion having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter, wherein the lower shaft portion has at least one notch, and wherein the at least one upper shaft portion has at least one pin that fits within the at least one notch.
US08425343B1
The golf swing and golf putting stroke alignment aid consists of a tripod stand from which a horizontal member attaches and extends outwardly therefrom. A detachable alignment member attaches onto a distal end of the horizontal member, and touches on different surfaces of a golfer to provide an alignment aid for use with a putting stroke or golf swing. The alignment aid is able to give instantaneous feedback to the golfer of proper alignment of a surface of the head, arm, or hand at a particular location along the path of the golf swing or putting stroke. The tripod enables vertical adjustment of the horizontal member, which can rotate thereon in order to provide adjustment of the height and location of the detachable alignment member with respect to the surface of the golfer.
US08425341B2
A wood type golf club head according to this invention includes a face portion and a crown portion. A center-of-gravity position mark which indicates a point where the center of gravity of the wood type golf club head is projected to the crown portion is formed on the surface of the crown portion.
US08425339B2
The disclosed systems and devices of enhancing power grip on an athletic apparatus allow for a constant pressure by the thumb and index finger to be applied to the golf club. The enhanced grip of the left thumb and index finger is sufficient to maintain proper grip during the golf swing and, most importantly, at impact. The disclosed systems and devices of enhancing power grip on an athletic apparatus comprise an index finger support, a thumb support and a locking mechanism. In an example embodiment, the index finger support comprises a slight curvature (or bevel) which allows this portion of the grip to be on the underside of the golf club. The thumb portion of the grip may be straight, exerting pressure on the top portion of the golf club.
US08425325B2
Systems and methods are provided that record data in a videogame, such as a user's character and performance in the videogame, and generate a book, e-book, or comic book based on the recorded data. A narrative data structure generated from the recorded data may include pregenerated text and images, and may provide for insertion of the recorded data into the narrative data structure. The recorded data may be converted into natural-language text for insertion into the narrative data structure. In some embodiments, the system may record screenshots of the videogame and insert the screenshots into the narrative data structure as illustrations. The narrative data structure may be provided to a location for printing as a book or other publication or may be electronically formatted and provided as an e-book.
US08425323B2
Method and system are disclosed for operating a wagering game terminal where players are allowed to transfer game assets that they may have accumulated to other players. The game assets may be transferred as part of an on-line auction won by one of the other players, as a gift to a preselected player, or as part of a trade with a preselected player. Neither the transferring player nor the receiving player is required to be present at a wagering game terminal at the time of the transfer. The transfer may be an anonymous transfer or it may be an identity-based transfer. For identity-based transfers, a predefined list of selected players may be used to facilitate the transfers.
US08425321B1
The video game device comprising a game vibrator, a three-dimensional game space generator, a game object locator, and a game object entering detector, wherein multiple game objects are located in a three-dimensional game space, wherein the game vibrator is activated when the user controlled game object is identified to be located within a certain two-dimensional area, wherein when an incoming call in detected, the game vibrator is activated and generates a specific pattern of vibration, and wherein the input device which is utilized for performing voice communication is allocated as the device to manipulate the user controlled game object when performing video game.
US08425309B2
A gaming machine has a display and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display means and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize. The gaming machine includes a determining module for determining whether or not at least one further prize, following the awarding of an initial prize, is to be awarded, the determining means using the value of that initial prize in determining the probability of the player successfully winning the at least one further prize.
US08425305B2
A primary and secondary game for a wagering gaming machine. In one embodiment, the number of lines wagered or a slot machine makes the player eligible for a bonus game, and a wager made per payline effects how many moves or positions on a meter the player advances upon achieving the bonus triggering symbol or combination of symbols. When the player advances the meter to the end, the gaming device displays a payout event. The payout event can be any type of bonus gaming event that potentially provides an award to the player.
US08425297B2
A system and method are provided for playing a game of chance. The game of chance may include, for example, a lottery-type game. A result of the game of chance is revealed to a player in another medium. In one example, the result is revealed during multiple game instances of one or more online games. In one example, the online game includes a poker game, such as, for example, a pai gow poker game. In a version of this embodiment, the poker game provides for a player to arrange a plurality of cards dealt to the player into a first hand and a second hand. In another example, the poker game is coupled with a second level game in which the result is revealed. In a specific example, the second level game is a slot machine game.
US08425295B2
A method of rating the intensity of game play of a video game based on energy expenditure of a user playing the video game including the steps of selecting the video game, determining whether the video game requires the user to expend energy in excess of resting energy rate, testing the video game by having a plurality of users play the video game, measuring energy expenditure of the plurality of users, calculating energy expenditure of each of the plurality of users, calculating an average energy expenditure of the plurality of users and categorizing the video game based on the average energy expenditure as low intensity, moderate intensity or high intensity.
US08425278B2
A structured abrasive article comprises a backing, and an abrasive layer disposed on and secured to the backing. The abrasive layer comprises shaped abrasive composites, each comprising abrasive particles dispersed in a binder. Each the shaped abrasive composites independently comprises: a base disposed on the backing; a plurality of walls extending away from the base, and a grinding surface not contacting the base. Adjacent walls share a common edge. Each wall independently forms a dihedral angle with the base of less than or equal to 90 degrees. The grinding surface has a plurality of: cusps, and facets that contact a recessed feature. At least a portion of the recessed feature is disposed closer to the base than each of the cusps. Each cusp is formed by an intersection of two of the walls and at least one of the facets. Use of the structured abrasive article to abrade a workpiece is also disclosed.
US08425274B1
A sectional bra system and accessories includes bra and related jewelry components that can be interconnected in various ways. Jewelry items, such as bra straps, back bands, bridge, and other items, may be formed at least in part from alternating flexible chain segments and rigid connector segments with fasteners configured to attach to standard bra loops. Bra cups for sectional bras include various arrangements of standard bra loops allowing attachment of one or more bra straps, one or more back bands, a bridge, and alternatively other decorative items. Such bra cups may include standard bra loops along all edges. Coordinating jewelry may be made out of the same or similar types of components.
US08425272B2
A method of producing an encapsulated module of interconnected opto-electronic devices which comprises: forming a patterned anode layer; forming a layer of opto-electronically active material over the patterned anode layer; forming a patterned cathode layer over the layer of opto-electronically active material, to provide a device array of opto-electronically active cells on the substrate; selectively removing portions of the layer of opto-electronically active material so as to expose minor portions of the anodes; forming a patterned interconnect layer on an encapsulating sheet in a pattern to define an array of interconnect pads; and laminating the patterned encapsulating sheet over the array of opto-electronically active cells whereby the exposed anode portions are interconnected with the cathodes of adjacent cells by the interconnect pads and the interconnected cells are encapsulated by the encapsulating sheet.
US08425269B2
A rudder system that uses a dual purpose thrust operated actuator. The actuator is selectively positioned for use in an up or constant down mode. While in the up mode, the actuator uses the force of the jet pump to raise the rudders out of the water at speed, and with the actuator set in the down mode, the invention uses the force of the jet pump water to hold the rudder in the water. In an alternative embodiment, the invention includes anti-oscillating veins attached to the thrust operated actuator. In another alternative embodiment, the travel of the actuator is limited by configuring it to come into contact with a rudder stabilizer bar. Another embodiment includes providing adjustable fin positions relative to the side force stabilizer.
US08425261B2
A contact sub-assembly is provided for an electrical connector. The contact sub-assembly includes a base having a base surface, and an array of contacts that extend along the base surface of the base. Each contact extends along a length from a terminating end to a tip end. Each contact has a mating interface located along the length of the contact between the terminating end and the tip end. The contact sub-assembly also includes a spacing member formed separately from the base. The spacing member engages at least some of the contacts for positioning the contacts relative to each other within the array. The spacing member includes first and second spacing segments that are discrete from each other and that are configured to move relative to each other.
US08425260B2
A communications cable for use with a communications connector having eight contacts arranged in a series. The cable has first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth wires configured to be connected to first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth contacts, respectively, of the series. The fourth and fifth wires are twisted together to form a first twisted wire pair (“twisted pair”). The first and second wires form a second twisted pair. The third and sixth wires form a third twisted pair. The seventh and eighth wires form a fourth twisted pair. The twisted pairs extend alongside one another and are arranged such that the first twisted pair is closer to the second and third twisted pairs than to the fourth twisted pair, and the second twisted pair is closer to the first and fourth twisted pairs than to the third twisted pair.
US08425259B2
An antenna mount is provided including a contact pin having first and second distal ends, a barrel encasing the contact pin, a base encasing the barrel, a terminal lug press fit within a cross-section of the base, and a set screw receptacle disposed in a portion of the base for receiving a set screw to secure an antenna to the base. The first and second distal ends of the contact pin extend past first and second distal ends of the barrel, the first distal end of the contact pin extends past a first distal end of the base, and a second distal end of the base surrounds the second distal end of the pin.
US08425253B2
A terminal assembly is provided for terminating a center conductor of a coaxial cable. The terminal assembly includes a terminal body having a pin at one end and a cavity at the other end for accommodating a center conductor therein. A contact member is supported within the cavity. The contact member includes plural inwardly directed cantilevered beams extending from a contact base for deflectable engagement with the inserted center conductor. The terminal body includes an inwardly directed shoulder for engagement with the beams at a location between the base and the distal ends of the beams. The location defines a deflection fulcrum at a location distal from the base so as to provide increased contact engagement force between the distal ends of the beams and the center conductor.
US08425251B1
An assembly for relieving cable bundle connection strain, the cable bundle being electrically connected to and extending from a multi-terminal modular plug, the assembly including a receptacle receiving the multi-terminal modular plug, the receptacle having a cable receiving nipple; clamping set screws connected operatively to the receptacle's lateral and oppositely lateral walls for securing the multi-terminal modular plug within the receptacle; a cable extension port opening the receptacle, the cable extension port receiving the cable bundle's extension; a cable sheath, the cable bundle's extension being further received by the cable sheath; and a constant force spring annularly clamping the sheath about the receptacle's nipple.
US08425243B2
A magnetically activated connector port cover or door that provides access through a connector port for a corresponding connector to mate with a receptacle connector behind the door, and closes the door when the connector is not presently proximate to or intending to mate with the receptacle connector. The connector port includes a magnetic element that works in tandem with an actuator to respond to the position of the corresponding connector and bias as well as move the door in an open or closed position accordingly.
US08425241B2
A bus bar system is provided with a base part made of an insulating material, in which the base part exhibits at least two chambers for receiving one pole rail each in which one chamber partition is disposed between two chambers respectively, in which structures are provided which arrange corresponding pole rail for the pole rails disposed on the one side of the chamber partition and for the pole rails disposed on the other side of the chamber partition, wherein these structures are a distance from the chamber partition as formed.
US08425236B2
A tall mezzanine connector which connects the substantial middle half of each of a pair of circuit cards positioned normal thereto. The mezzanine connector comprises a and a receptacle that includes wafers having electrical contact means at each end thereof for contacting contacts in the respective circuit cards, the wafers being held in place by an upper base member and a lower base member.
US08425227B2
Pre-surgical planning for cranial and facial reconstruction includes preparing a computer generated jaw or skull model for determining a locational position for a dental implant, a surgical bone implant to repair missing bone in the cranium, install ear prostheses, and/or install nose prostheses. The computer generated jaw or skull model is made from medical imagery and computer aided design. A surgical guide is prepared with oversize holes in registration with analogs for the dental or surgical bone implants to be inserted in the jaw or cranial skull model. The surgical guide is fitted atop each analog, and bonded to the jaw or skull model at a predetermined angle of the analog in the jaw or skull. The surgical guide is removed and attached to the jaw or skull of a patient for accurate drilling for insertion of the implants into the jaw or skull of the patient.
US08425224B2
A burner-based exhaust gas generation system, having a blower for providing air into the system. The blower is controlled to compensate for variations in mass air flow into the system.
US08425221B2
A mold assembly having an ejection mechanism is disclosed and has a female mold, a male mold, a lower fixing plate, an upper ejection plate, at least one upper ejection pin, a lower ejection plate, at least one lower ejection pin and at least one process control mechanism. The female and male molds are closed to commonly define a mold cavity. The lower fixing plate and the male mold commonly define a receiving space therebetween to receive the upper ejection plate and the lower ejection plate which can be shifted upward and downward therein. The upper and lower ejection pins are mounted on the upper and lower ejection plates, respectively. The process control mechanism controls the upper and lower ejection pins to eject a molded product in two steps, so that the molded product can be automatically ejected for enhancing the manufacture efficiency of the mold assembly.
US08425220B2
A molding unit for a plant for blow-molding plastic containers (2), particularly bottles, from respective parisons (3) is equipped with an interchangeable mold (16) having at least one cavity (19) for blow-molding a respective container (2), and at least two stretching rods (33) mobile along a predetermined line (24) to engage respective parisons (3) and to axially deform the parisons (3) themselves; the stretching rods (33) being selectively mobile according to the number and/or position of the molding cavities (19) of the mold (16) mounted on the molding unit at a given time.
US08425218B2
Three-dimensional fabrication resources are improved by adding networking capabilities to three-dimensional printers and providing a variety of tools for networked use of three-dimensional printers. Web-based servers or the like can provide a single point of access for remote users to manage access to distributed content on one hand, and to manage use of distributed fabrication resources on the other.
US08425212B2
Flowmeter with a pair of helical gears using an oval pitch curve as a reference rack tooth profile. The tooth height ratio of the reference rack tooth profile is π/4. The reference rack tooth profile is an oval pitch curve of two or less leaves. The moving radius of the oval pitch curve is expressed by ρ=a/(1−b cos nθ), where ρ is a moving radius which is a distance between the center of rotation and the oval pitch curve, “a” is a similarity factor, “b” is a degree of flatness, n (n≦2) is the number of leaves, and θ is an argument. The tooth height ratio is h=a/(1−b)−g0, where g0 is a distance between poles of the oval pitch curve and pitch line, wherein g0=a cos θ0/(1−b cos nθ0). Values for the similarity factor “a”, degree of flatness “b”, and distance g0 are determined so that the tooth height ratio may be πm/4.
US08425210B2
A variable-eccentricity vane pump having a rotor fitted with blades; an adjusting ring housing the rotor; elastic means for forcing the adjusting ring into a maximum-eccentricity position with respect to the rotor; a first sliding member connected to the adjusting ring and which slides in fluidtight manner inside a first chamber connected hydraulically to a delivery conduit of the pump; and a second sliding member connected to the adjusting ring and which slides in fluidtight manner inside a second chamber connected hydraulically to a delivery conduit of the pump. The first sliding member is connected to the adjusting ring on the opposite side to the elastic means and the second sliding member; and the second chamber is smaller than the first chamber, and has a drain opening formed in a lateral wall on which the second sliding member slides.
US08425209B2
A vapor recovery pump for a fuel dispensing unit, comprising a housing with two chambers each having a vapor inlet valve and a vapor outlet valve, respectively, the chambers being separated by a movable piston arranged to move a distance between a first and a second end position inside the housing for continuously decreasing and increasing the volume of the chambers. A control element is arranged to selectively vary the location of the first end position.
US08425208B2
An air operated double diaphragm pump comprises an integrated electric generator and an air efficiency device. The integrated electric generator increases the portability of the air operated double diaphragm pump. The air efficiency device varies the amount of compressed fluid entering the pump between a high volume and a low volume dependent upon the velocity and position of the pump's diaphragm assemblies to optimize the pump's efficient use of the compressed air.
US08425204B2
Pump, for example for pumping lubricating oil in an internal combustion engine, more particularly a multi-stroke vane cell pump, with a rotor and vanes which can slide at least radially in rotor slots and have vane heads that slide along a stroke contour, the stroke contour having a radial outlet that can be closed by a valve device.
US08425201B2
A control circuit is electrically connected to at least one fan device. The fan device has a motor and generates a sensing signal. The control circuit receives a power-source signal and the sensing signal and includes a power converting unit, a control unit and a switch unit. The power converting unit receives the power-source signal and thus respectively outputs a first power-source signal and a second power-source signal according to the power-source signal. The control unit receives the first power-source signal and the sensing signal and thus generates a control signal according to the sensing signal. The switch unit receives the control signal and generates at least one switch signal according to the control signal. The fan device receives the second power-source signal and the switch signal and drives the motor according to the switch signal.
US08425200B2
The present invention provides a technique using current sensing to control the pressure at constant level without the direct sensing of the pressure. This technique will help to reduce dependency solely on switch or sensor and their non linearity and other associated problems such as the non-repetitive behavior, being affected by EMI etc. The technique includes using a pump controller featuring one or more modules configured to respond to one or more input signals containing information about current provided from a pump; and configured to provide one or more output signals containing information to control the pump to operate at a substantially constant pressure without the direct sensing of pump pressure. The one or more modules control the operation of the pump based at least partly on a table of characteristics related to voltage and current that is calibrated for each pump.
US08425197B2
The invention provides an arrangement for mounting a nose cone 32 on a gas turbine engine. The nose cone 32 has an inwardly tapering flange 64 which defines an inclined contact surface 68. A nose cone support ring 36, mounted in use to a flange 38 on the front of the fan disc 34, has an outer rim 42. An inwardly extending part 50 of the support ring 36 defines an inclined contact surface 54. A plurality of spaced radial openings 44 are provided through the rim 42 each having a countersunk opening 46. A fastening arrangement 70, associated in use with each opening 44, comprises a bolt 72 with a countersunk head. A Vee block 76 locates on each bolt 72, with a mounting nut 78 below it. In use, the nose cone 32 is brought up against the support ring 36. Appropriate rotation of the bolts 72 will cause the nuts 78 and hence Vee blocks 76 to move radially outwardly. Engagement of the inclined contact surfaces 54 and 68 with the contact faces 80 on the Vee blocks 76 urges the nose cone 32 rearwardly as the bolts 72 are tightened, thereby mounting the nose cone 32 on the fan disc 34.
US08425194B2
A seal for a dovetail joint in a turbomachine is provided. The seal includes an arcuate member having a first end, a middle portion and a second end. The seal also includes sealing means, which include at least one sealing member. The sealing member can comprise a first sealing member connected to the first end and/or a second sealing member connected to the second end. The dovetail joint is the interface between a bucket dovetail and a rotor dovetail groove, and the seal reduces the amount of cooling flow leakage from the dovetail joint.
US08425192B2
An annulus filler for mounting to a rotor disc of a gas turbine engine bridges the gap between adjacent disc blades. The annulus filler has a lid defining part of an airflow surface for air drawn through the engine; a separate support connectable to the lid and to the rotor disc with an engagement portion of the support extending radially past a substantially adjacent region of the lid; and a retainer configured to interconnect the lid and the support by engaging each engagement portion of the support and adjacent regions of the lid, the retainer defining another part of the airflow surface. The annulus filler can be configured to allow mounting to the rotor disc, where the support is connected to the rotor disc without the lid, and then the lid is mounted to the support such that each engagement portion remains visible from the lid's radially outermost side.
US08425187B2
A pressure vessel including a lid, wherein the lid is fixed to a corresponding lid receptacle, wherein the lid has a first bearing surface that extends in the circumferential direction and interacts in a sealing manner with a second bearing surface on the pressure vessel, wherein fixing elements are provided for fixing the lid to the pressure vessel. The fixing elements are wedge-shaped, rest on an abutment surface of the pressure vessel and on a contact surface of the lid such that, when the fixing element is moved in a direction that causes a wider section of the wedge shape to be located between the abutment surface and the contact surface, the bearing surfaces are brought closer together or braced against each other.
US08425186B2
To provide a centrifugal compressor having a high pressure ratio, which can achieve a large flow rate while suppressing a decrease in efficiency, the centrifugal compressor being adapted to compress and discharge a gas, which has been sucked in by rotation of an impeller (10) pivotally supported in a casing (11), mainly by centrifugal force, the inlet radius/outlet radius ratio (R1/R2) of the impeller (10) is set at 0.7≦R1/R2≦0.85, and the inclination angle (74 ) of a back board portion in a hub (10a) of the impeller (10) is set at 5°≦θ≦15°.
US08425180B2
A steam turbine power plant that includes a first steam turbine, the steam turbine power plant including: a thrust piston operably connected to the first steam turbine via a shaft; and means for applying a supply of pressurized steam against the thrust piston such that the thrust piston applies a desired thrust force to the shaft. The desired thrust force may comprise a thrust force that partially balances a thrust force the first steam turbine applies to the shaft during operation.
US08425172B2
A reticle manipulating device comprising a housing capable of having a controlled environment wherein at least one processing module is connected to the housing and capable of processing a reticle. A transport apparatus is connected to the housing for transporting the reticle between the at least one module to another portion of the housing. At least one module is removably connectable to the housing and at least one module has an interface adapted for removably coupling the module to the housing. One module being selectable for connection to the housing from a number of different interchangeable module each having a different predetermined characteristic and being capable of connection to the housing.
US08425170B2
The present invention relates to a method for the bonded adhesion, or connection, of a plurality of wire-shaped individual elements into an arrangement, particularly into a wire band, wherein the adjacent individual elements have predetermined breaking points allowing for the mechanical removal of the individual elements. The bonded adhesion is brought about according to the invention utilizing a two-layer system on the basis of acrylate resins consisting of an inner coating (A) and of an outer coating (B), wherein the inner coating (A) has a lower hardness, than the outer coating. In a further aspect the invention also comprises arranging a plurality of wire-shaped individual elements through such a bonded connection, particularly a wire band.
US08425168B2
A self-locking threaded fastener that can be driven using conventional driving tools. The threaded fastener includes a fastener body and a locking band. The body includes a) a threaded portion and an unthreaded portion and b) an aperture extending radially from the unthreaded portion. The locking band includes a curved portion within the unthreaded portion of the fastener body and a tang extending into the aperture to limit angular movement of the tang with respect to the body. The curved portion terminates at an end having a range of radial movement with respect to the fastener body. When the threaded fastener is turned in a loosening direction, the locking band inhibit loosening of the threaded fastener.
US08425164B2
For balancing a tool coupling, the compensating measures (removal of material, use of other material) are carried out in two planes an axial distance apart. Tool couplings are provided with recesses for imbalance compensation in two planes an axial distance apart.
US08425162B2
A servo drill spindle includes a spindle body, an air motor slidably carried by the spindle body, a spindle extension drivingly engaged by the air motor, a cutting tool drivingly engaged by the spindle extension and a servo motor engaging the air motor and operable to advance the air motor along the spindle body.
US08425157B1
Disclosed is a two-part caisson-clamp, wherein each half of the caisson-clamp contains only one jaw face. The two half caisson-clamps together pinch the top of a pile between them. The jaw faces may have a concave curve to secure the pile between them. The pile extends up between the two caisson-clamps to contact the caisson-beam. Horizontal forces on the two caisson-clamps, which would otherwise drive the two caisson-clamps apart, are resisted by mechanical stop(s). A mandril may be inserted into the pile to reinforce the top of the pile relative to the forces applied and transferred by the half-caisson clamps.
US08425156B2
An underwater buoy for hanging a duct between a sea bed and the surface, the buoy including a frame and a plurality of modular members mounted in the frame, the modular members extending between their two opposite modular-member ends, the frame including a longitudinal body for receiving the extended tubular duct, and retainers mounted on the body for maintaining the modular members substantially parallel to the body. The retainers include two retaining structures spaced from each other along the body. The retaining structures are maintained in a fixed position relative to each other in order to hold at least one modular member.
US08425153B1
An arched culvert includes a first foundation having a top surface with a plurality of first reinforcing members upwardly projecting therefrom. A first arch includes a body having an arched interior surface and an opposing exterior surface extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the first arch being positioned on the top surface of the first foundation adjacent to the first reinforcing members. A first opening extends from the exterior surface of the first arch toward the interior surface at the first end thereof. A first locking wall is formed on the top surface of the first foundation so that at least a portion of the first reinforcing members are embedded within the first locking wall and the first locking wall extends along the exterior surface of the first arch and into the first opening of the first arch.
US08425150B1
Systems, devices, apparatus, and methods of locking and unlocking a door that is slidable by articulating wheels in tracks, over an entry port to a storm water structure. Locking the door can be accomplished by rotating bolt heads that are attached to cams. Rotating the heads causes cams to press the door against the tracks. Sealing strips can be compressed between door edges and the track to prevent water from passing around the door. A vacuum truck can remove water and debris from the vault/structure. Other versions allow doors to move downward to allow water to overflow the door. The door can slide upward so water can flow underneath. A door in door version has a secondary door slide up and down in tracks in a main door.
US08425144B2
Disclosed are pavement markers and a mobile highway marking apparatus for advancing in a forward direction along a paved surface of a highway for applying a paint stripe to the paved surface and applying pavement markers at intervals on the paint stripe. The marking apparatus includes a dispenser that is configured for moving a sequence of the pavement markers from the bottom of an upwardly extending stack of the pavement markers first in the forward direction and then down a sloped chute in a rearward direction to the paint stripe without turning the pavement markers over.
US08425137B1
A double sided spray mop is disclosed that has a cleaning head with a bottom head and a top head, at least one push fit zipper, and a nozzle protruding from an edge of the cleaning head for delivery of a cleaning solution. The double sided spray mop further has a body for receiving a bottle of cleaning solution and a manual pump housed within the body for delivering cleaning solution to the nozzle. A universal joint couples the body to the cleaning head. A pole is connected to the body and contains a pusher rod that mechanically couples a trigger and a linkage, the linkage being mechanically coupled to the pump such that movement of the trigger translates to actuation of the pump.
US08425134B2
An applicator for applying a makeup composition includes an applicator element configured to apply the makeup composition to one of nails, eyelashes, eyebrows, skin and lips, and a vibration source causing the applicator element to vibrate. The applicator is configured to be fastened onto a receptacle containing the composition to be applied, and/or further comprises a reservoir containing the composition to be applied.
US08425129B2
An optical couple connector includes a first main body and a second main body. A through hole is defined in the first main body. A blind hole and a lens are defined in the second main body. The diameter of the blind hole is less than that of the through hole. The through hole is coaxial with the blind hole and is used to hold an optical fiber. The lens couples to the optical fiber.
US08425115B2
A compact resistive thermal sensor is provided for an integrated circuit (IC), wherein different sensor components are placed on different layers of the IC. This allows the lateral area needed for the sensor resistance wire on any particular IC layer to be selectively reduced. In a useful embodiment, first linear conductive members are positioned in a first IC layer, in parallel relationship with one another. Second linear conductive members are positioned in a second IC layer in parallel relationship with one another. Conductive elements connect the first linear members into a first conductive path, and the second linear members into a second conductive path. A third conductive element extending between the first and second layers connects the first and second conductive paths into a single conductive path, wherein the path resistance varies with temperature. The path resistance is used to determine temperature.
US08425114B2
A temperature sensor including a temperature sensitive device which is disposed in a flow path through which fluid flows and whose electric characteristic changes as a function of temperature of the fluid in the flow path, signal lines connected at top end sides thereof to said temperature sensitive device through electrode wires and at base end sides thereof to lead wires for connection with an external circuit, a sheath member retaining the signal lines therein, and a holding member which holds an outer circumferential surface of said sheath member directly or indirectly through another member. The resonance (primary) frequency at a top end of the temperature sensor against acceleration in a radius direction of the temperature sensor is 480 Hz or less, thereby reducing the transmission of vibration to the top end of the temperature sensor to avoid the breakage of the temperature sensitive device and the disconnection of the electrode wires 502102 even when the temperature sensor resonates.
US08425112B2
A measuring device is provided having a protective cover and a sensor arranged in the protective cover. The protective cover has a carrier tube made of metal and closed on one end. A first coating made of an aluminum non-wettable material is arranged on an outer surface of the carrier tube, and a further coating made of aluminum-wettable material is applied on the first coating.
US08425110B2
The invention relates to a silicon-based Breguet overcoil balance spring (1, 31) that includes a hairspring (3, 33) made integral coaxially with a collet (5, 35), a terminal curve (7, 37) and an elevation device (9, 39) between the outer coil (15, 45) of the hairspring and the terminal curve. According to the invention, the balance spring has two single parts secured to each other to increase the development precision of the balance spring. The invention also relates to the method of manufacturing the balance spring. The invention concerns the field of timepiece movements.
US08425108B2
A mixing paddle for use in a conventional ice cream maker includes two vertical arms that have outer contact edges that exceed the inner diameter of the freezer bowl in which they are positioned during use. This enables the contact edges to effectively scrape ice cream ingredients from the inner wall of the bowl during use and direct the ingredients toward the center of the bowl. The mixing paddle also comprises two cross-members that have pin-wheel style shapes that move ice cream ingredients vertically during use. The combined effect of the vertical arms and the cross-members optimally and uniformly mixes the ice cream ingredients during use and ensures efficient cooling.
US08425107B2
A blender has a base, an axle assembly mounted on the base, a container securely attached to an axle housing of the axle assembly, and a stirring disk securely mounted on an axle of the axle assembly. A user puts foodstuffs, such as powder material, syrup, liquid material, ice cubes and so on, or tea leaves and water, into the container, and then drives the axle assembly and the stirring disk to rotate. Thus, stirring ribs of the stirring disk stir and mix the foodstuffs without crushing the foodstuffs, or the tealeaves and the water are brewed into tea. The blender is simple, easy and safe, especially for a person or a household to use.
US08425106B2
A reaction system and a reactor which comprises of two or more reaction cells wherein said cells are separated by inter cell conduits and having a means of causing agitation within the cells which does not require a mechanical connection of the agitating mechanism within the cell to a drive mechanism which is outside the cell.
US08425104B2
A display apparatus includes; a plurality of light sources which emit a light, a display panel which displaying an image using the light, a light guide plate which guides the light emitted from the light sources to the display panel, and a plurality of reflection members that are spaced apart from each other and coupled with a first side of the light guide plate and a second side of the light guide plate facing the first side to reflect light traveling inside the light guide plate to the first and second sides, wherein the plurality of light sources include; a plurality of first light sources, each of the plurality of first light sources being arranged corresponding to an area between two adjacent reflection members of the plurality of reflection members on the first side and a plurality of second light sources each being arranged corresponding to an area between two reflection members on the second side.
US08425100B2
A luminous button device includes: a button base which is integrally formed of a transmissive material; and a button cap which is integrally formed of a non-transmissive material and is fitted to the button base, wherein the button cap includes a cap body; a pair of arm portions which extends from the rear surface of the cap body with a gap interposed therebetween; and a pair of locking claws which is formed at the front ends of the pair of arm portions, and wherein the button base includes a movable portion which is movable in the direction of pressing a switch disposed on the rear surface side of the button base in accordance with a pressing force from the front button surface side; and a support portion which supports the movable portion so as to be movable in the direction.
US08425094B2
A vehicle sun visor is provided that includes a visor body having a first side and a second side, and a vanity and lighting assembly located on the visor body. The assembly includes a lighting device located on the visor body. The lighting device is configured to provide a vanity light for a vanity mirror and is further configured to provide a dome light.
US08425093B2
In a lighting device provided on a ceiling of an interior of a vehicle, the lighting device has: a map lamp including: a case; a first light guide plate accommodated in the case, and having a light incident area on an end face and a light radiation area on a flat plate surface of the interior side of the vehicle; a first light source part having a plurality of LED lamps, the LED lamps being opposed to the light incident area and arranged in an array; and a prism lens provided in the light radiation area side of the first light guide plate. The map lamp allows the light of the first light source part to be incident on the first light guide plate from the light incident area, radiates the light from the light radiation area to convert the light into a planar light, and then converts the light into a light advancing in a prescribed direction to light a prescribed area in the interior of the vehicle.
US08425089B2
A lighted stanchion cover for use with a stanchion for the purpose of providing illumination in dark conditions. The cover assembly comprising an elongated tubular body and a lighting assembly. The lighting assembly further comprising a light source and a power source. The elongated tubular body has an open end, a closed end, and an interior cavity. The interior cavity of the tubular body is dimensioned to receive a stanchion through its open end. A lighting assembly is disposed within the tubular body in a manner that does not interfere with the reception of the stanchion into the interior cavity of the tubular body. The lighted stanchion cover can be adapted to receive power from an integrated or external source. The tubular body can be customized to display messages or advertisements that can be easily seen in dark conditions.
US08425088B2
An illuminating lens includes: a light entrance surface through which light emitted from a light source enters the lens; and a light exit surface through which the light that has entered the lens exits the lens. The light exit surface has: a concave portion intersecting the optical axis; and a convex portion provided around the concave portion to extend continuously from the concave portion. The light exit surface is formed in a shape such that a curvature C of micro-segments of the light exit surface in a cross section including the optical axis has a maximum value at a position outward from the midpoint of the convex portion.
US08425083B2
A LED directional illumination energy-saving luminaire and a manufacturing method thereof. The luminaire comprises: a circuit board with an X direction and a Y direction defined; and illumination units including a first illumination unit arranged at the center of the circuit board, and two second illumination units arranged at both sides of the first illumination unit. Each illumination unit includes LEDs mounted to said circuit board in a tilted state with said LED bodies positioned at a predetermined height from the circuit board, and said LEDs are arranged at intervals in an array along said X direction and Y direction and distributed with respect to the center of said array. Each LED deviates from both X and Y directions at a predeterminative angle, so that the illumination units can form predeterminative project angles in the X direction and the Y direction respectively.
US08425072B2
An interchangeable attachment for an article (such as a head band, hand bag or pocketbook) capable of modifying the look and feel of said article. The article comprises a proximal end, distal end and a central section and is capable of receiving said interchangeable attachment. The interchangeable attachment includes a top wall having a show surface and a back wall having a securing member adapted to engage with the article for removably attaching the interchangeable attachment to the article. The interchangeable attachments have a plethora of designs and may include LED, fiber optic and/or reflective properties. Advantageously, the interchangeable attachments provide aesthetic appeal and allow the ability to design one's own accessory. They also afford enhanced visibility and/or increased safety during dusk or nighttime hours.
US08425062B2
A display unit illuminated from in front of a display area, the display unit including a display area for presenting visual information to a user of the unit, a lens element spaced apart from and extending across the display area, and a source of illumination at a peripheral edge of the lens element for providing front illumination of the display area.
US08425060B2
Mirrors and other optical elements are disclosed that include a body defining an optical surface (typically a reflective surface) and an opposing second surface. The body has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). The optical element includes a correcting portion (e.g., a layer) attached to the second surface and having a CTE that, during heating of the optical element, imparts a bending moment to the body that at least partially offsets a change in curvature of the optical surface caused by heating. The body can be internally cooled. The body and correcting portion desirably are made of respective thermally conductive materials that can vary only slightly in CTE. The body desirably has a lower CTE than the correcting portion, and the correcting portion can be tuned according a variable property of the body and/or reflective surface. The body and correcting portion desirably function cooperatively in a thermally bimetallic-like manner.
US08425054B2
According to the present invention, a projection type image display apparatus enables control of a large amount of light masking through a light-masking unit while maintaining a uniform illumination distribution in an area to be illuminated by the illumination light. The apparatus uses two array lenses on which lens cells are arranged in matrix form, where light-masking unit masks the array lens installed on the light source side in their particular area. The light-masking unit adjusts the amount of light emitted from the light source. The light-masking area of lens cells adjacent to lens cells closest to an optical axis is made smaller than the light-masking area of other cells.
US08425048B1
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to circuits, systems and methods that can be used to detect light beam misalignment, so that compensation for such misalignment can be performed. In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes a photo-detector (PD) having a plurality of electrically isolated PD segments. Additionally, the circuit has circuitry, including switches, configured to control how currents indicative of light detected by the plurality of electrically isolated PD segments are arithmetically combined. When the switches are in a first configuration, a signal produced by the circuitry is indicative of vertical light beam alignment. When the switches are in a second configuration, the signal produced by the circuitry is indicative of horizontal light beam alignment. The signals indicative of vertical light beam alignment and horizontal light beam alignment can be used detect light beam misalignment, so that compensation for such misalignment can be performed.
US08425042B2
A multi-segment optical retarder that can be used with or within a single projector for creating 3D images. The multi-segment optical retarder is coupled to an actuator used to effect some predetermined linear, rotary, or oscillating movement of the multi-segment optical retarder such that a fast axis orientation of each segment is substantially constant relative to itself over time and for a given area of incidence.
US08425041B2
Proposed are various embodiments of projection systems that generally provide stereoscopic images. The projection systems act to split a spatially separated image in a stereoscopic image frame and superimpose the left- and right-eye images on a projection screen with orthogonal polarization states. The embodiments are generally well suited to liquid crystal polarization based projection systems and may use advanced polarization control.
US08425038B2
In an ophthalmologic apparatus in which a head part is moved at a speed according to a rotation speed of a rotational part of a joystick, in order to enable a moving amount of the head part to correspond to a rotation amount even when the rotation speed becomes higher, the rotation speed of the joystick is detected at predetermined intervals, and when a current rotation speed (count of an encoder during a predetermined period) is lower than a previous rotation speed, a speed obtained by subtracting a predetermined value from the previous rotation speed is compared to the current rotation speed. Then, a higher speed is set as the current rotation speed, and the head part is moved at the speed corresponding to the current rotation speed.
US08425034B2
A lens element for progressive spectacles. The lens element has at least one near viewing zone and a distance viewing zone which have different focusing powers. Further, the lens element has a predetermined prismatic power. Furthermore, a vertical component of the predetermined prismatic power is realized at a first point of the lens element, and a horizontal component of the predetermined prismatic power is realized at a second point of the lens element. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a lens element.
US08425032B2
This invention provides a spectacle lens excellent in hue, and provides a spectacle lens formed from a resin composition containing (1) 100 parts by weight of a polycarbonate resin, (2) 0.05 to 0.5 part by weight of a fatty acid ester mold release agent that is at least one member selected from the group consisting of (i) an ester of a monohydric alcohol having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid having 10 to 30 carbon atoms and (ii) a full ester of glycerin and a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid having 10 to 30 carbon atoms, and that has a metal potassium content of 15 ppm or less and a metal sodium content of 30 ppm or less, (3) 0.1 to 0.25 part by weight of a benzotriazole ultraviolet absorbent, (4) 0.1 to 0.3 part by weight of a hindered phenol antioxidant, and (5) 0.005 to 0.1 part by weight of a phosphorus heat stabilizer, and a process for the production thereof.
US08425005B2
The present invention provides an image forming method and an ink composition used in the method by which deterioration of a head plate which is formed of silicon is suppressed and more precise images are stably formed, where ink containing an inorganic silicate compound is ejected to form an image from an inkjet head having a nozzle plate where SiO2 film is provided on a surface thereof at a side toward the ink ejection direction of the nozzle.
US08425000B2
An image recording apparatus includes heads arranged so that their ejection faces make a first row and a second row each extending in a first direction, caps to cover respective ejection faces of the heads, and a moving mechanism to move the caps. When the caps are at their withdrawal positions, the caps corresponding to the respective heads constituting the first row are disposed so as to overlap the heads of the first row with respect to a second direction parallel to the ejection faces, and overlap the heads of the second row with respect to the first direction, and the caps corresponding to the respective heads constituting the second row are disposed so as to overlap the heads of the second row with respect to the second direction, and overlap the heads of the first row with respect to the first direction.
US08424993B2
In accordance with an embodiment, an inkjet recording apparatus is presented. The inkjet apparatus includes a recording head configured to eject an ink on a recording medium, an ink curing device configured to cure the ink ejected on the recording medium, a moving device configured to move the recording medium in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, a control device configured to control the recording head, the ink curing device, and the moving device.
US08424989B2
In a printing device for discharging ink from a plurality of print heads and printing on a print medium, the print heads are arrayed in a direction orthogonal to a movement direction relative to the print medium so that overlapping areas are created which overlap in the movement direction. A change rate of the apportionment ratio between a first nozzle row of an upstream print head in the relative movement direction of the print medium and of a second nozzle row and a downstream print head in the ends in the overlapping areas is greater than the change rate of the apportionment ratio in the middle in the overlapping areas. Concentration irregularity occurring in the overlapping areas of the printed article can thereby be made inconspicuous.
US08424988B2
An apparatus records a first pattern used for correcting a shift in positions recorded by a plurality of nozzle arrays and a second pattern used for detecting a conveyance error that occurs when the first pattern is recorded, and changes a correction value according to the detected conveyance error.
US08424987B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a head that ejects liquid on a medium; a head-moving unit that moves the head in a moving direction; a timer that measures a hold period in which the head does not eject the liquid; and a controller that controls ejection of the liquid from the head in accordance with the hold period, the controller controlling the head to eject the liquid in one of modes including first and second modes. In the first mode, the head ejects the liquid during one of forward scanning and backward scanning in the moving direction, and then ejects the liquid during the forward scanning and the backward scanning in the moving direction. In the second mode, the head ejects the liquid during the forward scanning and the backward scanning in the moving direction.
US08424984B2
An apparatus is provided for releasably coupling a drawer to a rail, which can be pulled out in a longitudinal direction, of a drawer pull-out guide. The apparatus has a holding part which interacts with a mating holding part in the coupled state in order to establish the releasable connection. At least that region of the holding part which comes into contact with the mating holding part is made flexible, preferably by attaching a flexible piece of material, so that any longitudinal play of the drawer which may occur in relation to the rail can be compensated.
US08424982B1
A cabinet body has a front face in a picture frame configuration with interior and exterior peripheries. The front face has front and rear surfaces. A door frame assembly in a picture frame configuration has interior and exterior peripheries. The exterior periphery is formed with a recess and interior hinges pivotably coupling the door frame assembly to the cabinet body. A mirror is received within the recess and exterior hinges mounted in the recess pivotably coupling the mirror to the door frame assembly.
US08424979B2
A reduction in size, weight and cost of a brake system of a motorcycle provided with a circulating-type ABS is achieved by a brake system provided with a circulating-type ABS and a by-wire-type brake system. In the brake system, solenoid valves, hydraulic pressure sensors, accumulators and pumps are integrated into a unit, and concurrently stroke simulators are attached to the unit as separate bodies.
US08424977B2
A towing arrangement on a vehicle includes a pair of glad hands for receiving pressurized air and a plurality of double check valves connecting the glad hands to valves associated with a braking system of the vehicle. Air from a first glad hand is supplied through a first of the double check valves to a spring brake modulating relay valve associated with spring brakes of the vehicle. Air from a second glad hand is supplied through a second of the double check valves to a first release valve associated with service brakes of a front axle of the vehicle and through a third of the double check valves to a second release valve associated with service brakes of a rear axle of the vehicle.
US08424976B2
A brake system includes a main brake cylinder and a pedal decoupling unit provided with a holding piston, the first ring surface thereof together with a first primary brake cylinder piston defining a first hydraulic chamber that is hydraulically pressurized with an electrically controllable pressure supply device. In order to improve the pedal characteristics of the brake system, in particular in a brake-by-wire brake system, the holding piston is embodied as a differential piston, the second ring surface thereof defining a second, blockable hydraulic chamber, and a piston effect in the second chamber corresponds to a force that acts counter to the direction of actuation on the holding piston.
US08424968B2
A tubular spring having a longitudinal slot that is attached between a movable member and a fixed attachment device. A recliner hinge assembly for a vehicle seat that includes an inboard recliner and an outboard recliner connected by a connecting rod. A split tube having a longitudinally extending slot is assembled over the connecting rod. The split tube biases the seat back toward a neutral position when the seat back is shifted to a position that is angularly offset from the neutral position.
US08424962B2
A sunroof device which includes a roof panel that is openable/closable, a front slider that is connected to the roof panel via a pin engaging unit that is comprised of the first lift guide groove and the first lift guide pin, a rear slider that is connected to the roof panel via a pin engaging unit that is comprised of a second lift guide groove and a second lift guide pin, and a driving motor that drives the front slider and the rear slider, wherein the first lift guide pin is positioned in the second horizontal stroke which is a horizontal groove and the second lift guide pin is positioned in the second horizontal stroke that is a horizontal groove when the roof panel is completely tilted up.
US08424961B2
The substitution of aluminum alloy roof panels for the low carbon steel roof panels most commonly used in motor vehicles is an attractive option for vehicle mass reduction. Often, however, the remainder of the vehicle body structure continues to be fabricated of steel. The combination of the aluminum alloy roof attached to the steel body may create compressive stresses in the aluminum roof when the body is subjected to elevated temperatures such as those required to cure or bake the paint applied to the body. These stresses may lead to unacceptable appearance features in the visible segment of the roof. By modifying the roof stamping to introduce a tabbed flange for attachment to the body and/or modifying the generally-vertical wall joining the flange to the roof interior, the stresses may be minimized and relocated to segments of the roof not normally visible.
US08424960B2
A front structure for a vehicle is provided that includes a pair of front rails (i.e., front left hand rail and front right hand rail) spaced apart in a widthwise direction with each rail extending lengthwise and mechanically coupled to the vehicle's bumper and a torque box. Each front rail is comprised of a polygonal-shaped upper hollow channel and a polygonal-shaped lower hollow channel, where the upper and lower channels share a common wall.
US08424959B2
The present invention relates to an assembly of a mold (14) and a motor vehicle cross-member (12), the cross-member including a portion for overmolding (20) that is designed to be placed in the mold, a portion that is designed to be situated outside the mold, and at least one reception zone (22, 24) for receiving a wall portion of the mold (26, 28), the reception zone being interposed between said two portions of the cross-member. The wall portion of the mold and the reception zone are essentially complementary in shape and the cross-member presents, in the reception zone, at least one offset (34, 36) relative to a reference surface following the general outline of the cross-member. The invention also provides a motor vehicle front panel that forms an overmolded part made using the above-defined assembly.
US08424958B2
A butt joint assembles side panels of a trailer to the base rail of the trailer to form a side wall. The butt joint positions the side panels over the base rail and vertically aligns the outer surfaces of the side panels and the base rail, which provides for an improved trailer side wall.
US08424952B2
A folding-top compartment lid is held on a mounting support which can be moved into an open and a closed position by opening levers. To lock the folding-top compartment lid, locking hooks are provided, and these can be activated along with the opening levers in accordance with the control of the latter.
US08424951B1
A mounting slide clamp for a bow of a cover assembly, which permits the bow to be easily removed or replaced, the cover assembly including a cable drawing system to cover or uncover the open trailer with a tarpaulin, the tarpaulin being supported on the cable drawing system with at least one bow, and the mounting slide facilitating the repair thereof.
US08424947B2
A covering element for covering an air duct on a dashboard in a motor vehicle is of one-piece design and has two lateral air outflow areas and a loudspeaker area arranged therebetween. Each lateral air outflow area is subdivided into a central area that can be connected to communicate with the air duct, and at least one further air outlet area, via which waste heat from electronic assemblies can be discharged.
US08424936B2
The invention concerns an outer door grip, in particular for vehicles. The outer door grip exhibits a handle (10), which can operate a lock disposed in the door upon actuation. The outer door grip exhibits a pivotal blocking member (20), which is normally placed in its ineffective release position (21) and therewith enables actuation of the handle (10). The blocking member (20) passes into an effective blocking position (22.1, 22.2) based on the inertia of the mass of the blocking member (20) in case of a crash, whereby the handle (10) becomes blocked. The blocking member (20) has available two blocking positions (22.1, 22.2), wherein the blocking member (20) moves into the first blocking position (22.1) upon a crash out of a first direction (30.1) and wherein the blocking member (20) moves into the second blocking position (22.2) upon a crash out of a second direction (30.2) located opposite to the first direction (30.1). A blocking lever (40) is furnished which is intermediately switched in the blocking position (22.1, 22.2) of the blocking member (20). The blocking lever (40) is thereby guided in a kind of connecting link guide (41).
US08424933B2
A locking enclosure includes a base, a cover mounted on the base, and two locking members assembled on the cover. A plurality of supporting recesses and two supporting portions are defined in the base. A plurality of barbs are formed on the cover to match with the supporting recesses, and two elastic arms are assembled on the cover to engage with the supporting portions, whereby the cover is restricted to move relative to the base, and is secured on the base. The locking members each comprise a resisting portion abutting a corresponding elastic arm. The resisting portion can be operated to make the elastic arm disengage from the supporting portion, to remove the cover from the base.
US08424921B2
A coupling made of composite material including a polymer matrix reinforced by a fiber structure is disclosed. The coupling includes a structural portion reinforced by a main fiber structure, and a first machining portion reinforced by a first fiber structure that is distinct from the main fiber structure. The matrices of the structural portion and of the first machining portion are identical. The first machining portion is situated on at least a fraction of the main face of the structural portion and is machined in a first machining surface, and there is no intersection between the first machining surface and the fibers of the main fiber structure.
US08424917B2
A moulded electrofusion fitting for connection to a plastics pipeline comprises a hollow body formed with a tubular opening that has a longitudinal axis and is adapted to receive and end of the pipeline as a close sliding fit. An electrofusion element is formed in the internal surface in the opening, spaced from its end. Fingers are on the end of the opening, circumferentially spaced around the opening and separated by slots between them. Cam surfaces in the form of ribs are defined on the fingers, and a grip ring is received on the fingers and includes wedge elements in the form of grooves. These are adapted to fit the ribs so that, when a pipeline is inserted in the opening and the grip ring is rotated about said axis, the ribs and grooves engage to press the fingers radially inwardly against the reaction of the grip ring, whereby said pipe is gripped by said grip ring and centralized in the opening. The grip ring may be integrated with a terminal pin, a bayonet slot of the grip ring accommodating the terminal pin, a shroud boss formed on the grip ring around the base of the bayonet slot.
US08424912B2
A composite bar for the chassis of a vehicle; the composite bar consists of at least two extruded elements which are internally hollow and are butt jointed at a junction area; each extruded element has a trapezoidal cross section having a major base, a minor base parallel and opposite to the major base, and two side walls; a first end of a first extruded element arranged in the junction area has no major base; and a second end of a second extruded element arranged in the junction area is interference fitted into the first end through the missing major base.
US08424902B2
A saddle-type vehicle equipped with an airbag apparatus in which an increase in the number of component parts can be restrained. A motorcycle is a vehicle in which seat rails are included in a rear portion of a body frame with a rider seat having a front end portion upwardly inclined towards the front side of the vehicle that is mounted on the seat rails. An airbag module accommodating an airbag therein and fixed by an airbag mounting stay extending upwardly from the body frame and is disposed on the front side of the rider seat. A seat hook for holding the front end portion of the rider seat extends from the airbag module or from the airbag mounting stay.
US08424889B2
In a vehicle-body stiffening device, a wind-receiving plate that receives traveling wind is fixed to a main bar portion of a lower bar that connects brackets formed at left and right lower sections of a suspension cross member to each other and supporting suspension lower arms. The wind-receiving plate receiving a traveling-wind pressure biases the main bar portion so as to generate bending stress. Due to this bending stress, a preload is generated between the left and right brackets. Since the preload is generated by the traveling-wind pressure, the preload is 0 (kg/mm) when the vehicle speed is 0 (km/h), but increases as the vehicle speed increases.
US08424886B2
A handle assembly for a carrier including a primary bracket, an upper engagement piece adjustably connected to the primary bracket, and a lower engagement piece pivotally connected to the primary bracket, the lower engagement piece including an actuation mechanism, such as a kick plate, for pivoting the lower engagement piece relative to the upper engagement piece. A biasing mechanism, such as a coil spring, is linked to the lower engagement piece to urge the lower engagement piece upward. The handle assembly is easily connectable and removable from a carrier such as a dolly.
US08424857B2
A fixture (10) for supporting a workpiece (18) during a machining operation. The fixture comprising a base (12) provided with a channel (14) for receiving part (16) of the workpiece (18), the channel having a first wall (20) facing an opposing second wall (22). An inflatable diaphragm (24) is located on the first wall (20), and configured to engage with an engagement surface (36) on the workpiece and bias the workpiece against the second wall. The diaphragm comprises a deformable portion (26) spaced apart from the first wall of the channel, the deformable portion having ends (28,30) which provide a seal with the first wall to define a chamber (32) enclosed by the first wall and diaphragm.
US08424853B2
In order to provide an actuating device for a choke valve of a carburetor for motorized equipment, in particular a cut-off grinder, wherein the choke valve is movable between at least a closed position and an open position by an operating element via a mechanical coupling from the operating element to the choke valve, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art, it is proposed that the mechanical coupling has a separating arrangement which is in operative connection with the motorized equipment such that the mechanical coupling between the operating element and the choke valve can be interrupted or respectively closed as a function of different operating states of the motorized equipment.
US08424846B1
An overload warning system for a winch hoist of the type that includes a drum that rotates about a drum shaft, a handle that is received in a socket, wherein the handle can be used to turn the drum, and a movable frame that is located between the socket and the housing. The socket is coupled to the drum shaft. There is a shear pin with one end embedded in the frame and the other end embedded in the socket, the shear pin defining a relatively weak shear zone located between the frame and the socket. There is an elongated opening defined in the socket and a projection projecting from the frame and into or through the elongated opening. If the shear pin fails under rotational load applied through the handle, the socket will rotate relative to the frame until the edge of the elongated opening contacts the projection. The socket movement provides tactile feedback that the shear pin has failed, while maintaining control over the hoist operation via the handle.
US08424843B2
The invention relates to a shuttle valve for interrupting a flow path (F), comprising a valve housing (1) having a valve seat (4) surrounding an opening (3) for the flow path (F). A valve disc (5) is arranged on a rotatably mounted shaft (6). By means of a drive unit (7), the valve disc (5) can be swiveled along a defined displacement curve (K1; K2; K3) from an opened position and leaving the flow path (F) unobstructed over the cross-section of the first opening (3) by a rotational movement about the pivot axis (8) of the shaft (6) and can be moved by a linear movement parallel to the pivot axis (8) in the direction of the valve seat (4) into a closed position so that the flow path (F) is sealed gas-tight by a sealing contact between the valve disc (5) and the valve seat (4). According to the invention, the drive unit (7) has a first drive (9a) for carrying out the rotational movement about the pivot axis (8) and a second drive (10a) for carrying out the linear movement parallel to the pivot axis (8). By means of a control unit (11), the first drive (9a) and the second drive (10a) can be actuated so that a variable displacement curve (K1; K2; K3) can be produced.
US08424841B2
A floating ball valve has a metal multiple component seat installed in the seat pocket. The multiple component seat further includes a support ring and at least one seal element. The support ring and the seal element are juxtaposed and both are adjacent to the ball when the floating ball valve is in a closed position. The support ring is in a overlapping complimentary position with respect to the seal element, the seal element having greater elasticity than the support ring and the support ring having a greater load bearing strength than the seal element.
US08424834B2
A composite appliance base used for manufacture and assembly of various appliances such as a clothes washing machine, clothes dryer, or the like. The composite appliance base includes a heater box, an electric motor mount, a fan shroud, and at least one duct. There are also various inlets which are used for water hoses (in the case where the composite appliance base is used for a washing machine or the like) as well as exhaust ducts and integrated cable clips. In one embodiment, the composite appliance base includes a base portion and a fan shroud, as well as a first duct in fluid communication with the fan shroud. The composite appliance base also includes a second duct which functions as the heater box; the heater box is operable with a heater device to heat air flowing through the heater box, the duct, and the fan shroud.
US08424829B2
A holder is for supporting a portable electronic device, including a foldable layer, a supporting assembly attached to the layer. When the holder is unfolded, the supporting assembly can be maintained in a two-dimensional structure. When the holder is folded, the supporting assembly forms a three-dimensional structure that will not collapse under a weight of the portable electronic device.
US08424823B2
A stand, especially a floor stand, with a movable arm with an attachment section provided at the end of the arm for an object to be held by means of the stand, especially an imaging device in the form of an ultrasound head, with the attachment section being supported movably on the arm via a ball-and-socket joint comprising a ball head carrying the attachment section and a head holder supporting the ball head on the arm side, with a locking device being provided for releasable locking of the ball head (32) in its adopted position in the head holder.
US08424822B2
An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus having a display supported by an arm mechanism is provided. The arm mechanism has a first arm member and a second arm member. A turning mechanism is provided at a base end portion of the first arm member and a turning mechanism is provided at a working end portion of the second arm member. An upper end portion of the first arm member and a lower end portion of the second arm member form a connection section, and an intermediate turning mechanism is provided inside the connection section. Because the arm mechanism is gently curved over its entire structure, no excessive load is applied to the cable passing inside the arm mechanism. The cable extends in the connection section along an outer route having a gentle radius of curvature.
US08424821B2
Disclosed is an apparatus for mounting equipment, such as solar panels, fans, air conditioning units, walkways, signage, facade, or ladders, on corrugated or ribbed metal roofs where the mounting apparatus attempts to provide a leak resistant and stable mounting structure for such equipment. The corrugated or ribbed metal roof includes one or more peak portions and one or more corresponding valley portions. The equipment-mounting apparatus engages the roof with one or more fasteners at least one peak portion and engages by valley portion through a transfer of force from the fastener at the peak portion without requiring additional fasteners to engage the valley portion.
US08424817B1
An article holder includes a base having a chamber and two opposite grooves, and having two ears, a follower having two projections slidably engaged with the grooves of the base and having a latching tongue, a carrier member having a pivot shaft extended from a protrusion and pivotally engaged with the ears of the base and having an engaging cavity, a spring member biases the latching tongue to engage with the engaging cavity of the carrier member at a working position, the carrier member is pivotal relative to the base to a storing position when the latching tongue of the follower is disengaged from the engaging cavity of the carrier member, a gripping block is pivotally attached to the carrier member and biased to engage with an article.
US08424814B2
The present invention is directed to a cable routing system with a drop down cable routing device that routes cables from the cable routing system. The drop down cable routing device is attached to a cable tray of the cable routing system. The drop down cable routing device includes an outer shell and an inner core. The outer shell has downwardly extending sides. A bottom of each side of the outer shell includes a mating flange extending therefrom. The inner core is positioned within the outer shell. The inner core has a base with sides and mating flanges extending downwardly from the sides. The mating flanges of the outer shell engage the mating flanges of the inner core to secure the outer shell and the inner core together.
US08424812B1
The invention is a frog panel assembly for a railway turn-out switch, as well as a rail intersection design and a frog casting therefor.
US08424811B2
A barbed-type mesh is primarily intended to be used to protect young trees from livestock or other animals. The mesh is made from wires or electrowelded bars having sharp points on the surface thereof. The sharp points are electrowelded at intersections of the mesh.
US08424805B2
An airfoil structure including a plurality of molded monolithic members that extend in a side-by-side manner along the spanwise direction of the airfoil structure. Each molded monolithic member is realized from continuous material that is molded to form a corrugated portion with top and bottom flange portions extending from the corrugated portion. As a result of the molding operation, the corrugated portion is integrally formed with and structurally joined to the top and bottom flange portions. The top flange portions of the side-by-side arrangement of molded monolithic members define a portion of the top surface of the airfoil structure. The bottom flange portions of the side-by-side arrangement of molded monolithic members define a portion of the bottom surface of the airfoil section. The corrugated portions of the side-by-side arrangement of monolithic members define internal support structures (preferably closed-cell cores) extending along the spanwise direction of the airfoil structure. The side-by-side arrangement of monolithic members structurally integrates portions of the top skin and bottom skin to support structures that extend between such top and bottom surface portions. Such structural integration provides enhanced structural resistance to torsional loading of the airfoil section due to the fact that such loads are resisted by the continuous material that makes up the both top and bottom surfaces as well as the support structures extending therebetween.
US08424800B2
A disclosed emergency power system includes multiple emergency power devices that are each sized to provide partial power during emergency operation and/or full power for a portion of emergency operation.
US08424794B2
A magnetic fixing device for fixing a magnetic coil to a rotor of an autowinder includes a first clip element and a second element. The first clip element is disposed on the rotor of the autowinder, and the second clip element corresponds to the first clip element for cooperatively clipping the magnetic coil by magnetic force.
US08424788B1
A food chopping device including a removable handle and a guard member that threadingly engages a frustoconical body to prevent splattering while chopping a food item while cooking the food item and further having interchangeable chopping attachment members that threadingly engage the body to accommodate coarse and fine chopping.
US08424787B2
A shredder includes a housing having a throat for receiving at least one article to be shredded, and a shredder mechanism received in the housing and including an electrically powered motor and cutter elements. The shredder also includes a detector that is configured to detect a thickness of the at least one article being received by the throat, and a controller that is configured to operate the motor to drive the cutter elements to shred the at least one article and to set a flutter threshold higher than the predetermined maximum thickness threshold, if the detected thickness is less than a predetermined maximum thickness threshold. The controller is also configured to thereafter continuously detect the thickness of the at least one article being inserted into a throat of the shredder; and to perform a predetermined operation responsive to the thickness detector detecting that the thickness of the at least one article is greater than the flutter threshold.
US08424785B2
A device is disclosed for removing slag from a coal gasification reactor and to a slag water bath enclosed by the reaction vessel. The slag is discharged by a lock-type transfer vessel arranged downstream of the slag bath. The lock-type transfer vessel comprises one upper and one lower cylindrical section, the upper cylindrical section having a diameter larger than that of the lower cylindrical section and both sections being connected with each other via a tapered section which preferably is conical and the angle of the cone being similar to that of the angle of repose of the slag. A process for removing slag from a coal gasification reactor and a slag water bath housed by the reaction vessel is also disclosed. The device permits a discharge of slag in a lock-type transfer vessel and precludes formation of slag incrustations in the lock-type transfer vessel.
US08424772B1
A transactional card system comprising a carrier having at least one removable die cut card having a unique identifier and wherein the at least one card is removably attached to the carrier and further including at least one removable die cut data component removably attached to the carrier.
US08424769B2
In an antenna for an RFID device, a feed coil is coupled to a first booster coil and a second booster coil through an electromagnetic field. In the feed coil, a first region and a second region are disposed so as to overlap with the first booster coil and the second booster coil, respectively. The first region of the feed coil is coupled to the first booster coil through an electromagnetic field, and the second region of the feed coil is coupled to the second booster coil through an electromagnetic field. Accordingly, the antenna has a high degree of coupling between the feed coil and a booster antenna and superior transmission efficiency of an RF signal, and prevents the occurrence of a null point.
US08424764B2
Disclosed herein is a photoelectric conversion device having unit pixels arranged in a matrix, each of the unit pixels including: a photoelectric conversion element; a source follower readout transistor configured to receive a signal charge arising from photoelectric conversion by the photoelectric conversion element by a gate, and read out an electrical signal dependent on the signal charge; and a correction circuit configured to reset gate potential of the readout transistor to Vref+Vth prior to signal readout by the readout transistor, if a reference potential given to the gate of the readout transistor is defined as Vref and threshold voltage of the readout transistor is defined as Vth.
US08424762B2
A wireless IC device includes a cutout portion having no aluminum-deposited film that is provided at an end of an article package made of an aluminum-deposited laminated film, and an electromagnetic coupling module is provided at the cutout portion. The electromagnetic coupling module and the aluminum-deposited film of the package define a wireless IC device. A loop electrode, which is a magnetic field transmission auxiliary radiator of the electromagnetic coupling module, is coupled to the aluminum-deposited film of the package. Thus, the article package functions as a radiator of an antenna.
US08424758B2
A gift card processing system which includes a database storing interval information representing a required interval between transactions using the gift card. The database also stores data representing the maximum amount of each transaction. The gift card processing system is part of a network that includes POS terminals at merchant locations, where the gift card may be presented. A card ID is read from the card at a POS terminal and used to access the interval data and the maximum transaction amount data.
US08424756B2
A calling card includes a gift code that can be used to redeem a gift online (e.g., songs, ring tones, coupons, physical merchandise) using an electronic communications device (e.g., a personal computer, mobile phone, electronic tablet). When a user attempts to redeem the gift online, the user can be provided with a web page, email, text message or other electronic document that provides the user with information about the card provider and allows the user to perform certain actions for the benefit of the card provider or a third party. The card provider can be electronically notified during or after an attempt by the user to redeem the gift online. The identity or other personal information of the user is not shared with the card provider unless the user volunteers to share such information.
US08424752B2
Systems and methods are provided for enabling a portable electronic device to retrieve information about an object when the object's symbology, e.g., a barcode, is detected. According to one embodiment a method is providing in which symbology associated with an object is detected and decoded to obtain a decode string. The decode string is sent to one or more visual detection applications for processing, wherein the one or more visual detection applications reside on the portable electronic device, and receiving a first amount of information about the object from the one or more visual detection applications. The method also includes sending the decode string to a remote server for processing and receiving a second amount of information about the object from the remote server. The first amount of information is combined with the second amount of information to obtain cumulative information which is displayed on the portable electronic device.
US08424749B2
A one-piece container includes a single sheet of corrugated material, including: four walls, a bottom, and a lid, the lid being hingedly and integrally connected to one of the four walls. The bottom and the four walls define a storage area for housing articles therein. The lid is configured to transition between an open position, an intermediate position, and a closed position. The one-piece container includes a mechanism for maintaining the lid in a closed position. In some embodiments, the mechanism biases the lid toward a closed position when in the closed position, an open position when in the open position, and an intermediate position when in the intermediate position. In other embodiments, the mechanism includes tabs and slots for retaining the lid in the closed position. Other embodiments include a combination of these features. The container may be a cardboard box.
US08424746B2
To easily bond substrates even made of materials whose linear expansion coefficients are different from each other when manufacturing an optical component used by transmitting light through an inside thereof.Buffer layers made of an amorphous inorganic substance causing a brittle fracture are formed on bonding surfaces of a plurality of substrates having linear expansion coefficients different from one another, and the substrates to be bonded are stacked so that the buffer layers are faced to each other. Then, a heat treatment is performed for a stack, and thereby direct bonding via an atom is formed between the buffer layers.
US08424745B1
A method of forming a composite sheet includes disposing an untextured metal or alloy first sheet in contact with a second sheet in an aligned opposing position; bonding the first sheet to the second sheet by applying an oscillating ultrasonic force to at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet to form an untextured intermediate composite sheet; and annealing the untextured intermediate composite sheet at a temperature lower than a primary re-crystallization temperature of the second sheet and higher than a primary re-crystallization temperature of the first sheet to convert the untextured first sheet into a cube textured sheet, wherein the cube texture is characterized by a φ-scan having a FWHM of no more than 15° in all directions, the second sheet remaining untextured, to form a composite sheet.
US08424741B2
A system for stapling tissue comprises a flexible endoscope and an operative head including a pair of opposed, curved tissue clamping jaws sized to pass through an esophagus, the jaws being moveable with respect to one another between an open tissue receiving configuration and a closed tissue clamping configuration, a first one of the curved jaws including a stapling mechanism and a second one of the jaws including a staple forming anvil surface, the stapling mechanism including staple slots through which staples are fired arranged in a row extending from a proximal end of the first jaw to a distal end thereof in combination with a control handle which, when the operative head is in an operative position within one of a patient's stomach and esophagus, remains outside the patient, the control handle including a first actuator for moving the jaws relative to one another and a second actuator for operating the stapling mechanism.
US08424740B2
A surgical instrument including a switching mechanism which allows a surgeon to selectively advance or retract a staple driver, cutting member, and/or other movable member within a staple cartridge. In various embodiments, the surgical instrument can include a handle, a trigger operatively coupled to the handle, a firing drive, and an end effector. In at least one embodiment, the trigger can be configured to slide between a first position in which an operation of the trigger can advance the movable member at a first rate and a second position in which an operation of the trigger can retract the movable member at a second rate.
US08424735B2
A surgical fastener applying apparatus having a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw includes a cartridge body having plurality of surgical fasteners disposed therein. The plurality of surgical fasteners include a plurality of first surgical fasteners having a first backspan with a first configuration, and a plurality of second surgical fasteners having a second backspan with a second, different configuration such that the plurality of first surgical fasteners apply a first compressive force to tissue upon formation and the plurality of second surgical fasteners apply a second, different compressive force to tissue upon formation.
US08424734B2
An auto hammer having housing, a handle and a striking device, the striking device including a striking rod for striking nails or other components in a linear reciprocating manner and a clamping mechanism for clamping nails or other components. The clamping mechanism includes clamping elements and a sleeve and the sleeve is provided with slots along which the driving portions of the clamping elements may slide so that the clamping elements are movable between a closed position and an opened position. This clamping mechanism can reliably clamp nails or other components to facilitate the operation of the user.
US08424725B2
A semi-frozen beverage dispenser with an improved flow proportioning mechanism is provided. In a filling cycle, a first valve regulating the syrup flow opens first to deliver a predetermined volume before it closes and a second valve regulating the water flow opens to deliver a volume according to the desired water to syrup ratio. A common flow sensor measures the liquid flow volume for both the syrup and water and provides the information to the control system. If it takes too long to deliver the expected volume, the system gives out a liquid-low warning.
US08424719B2
A beverage dispenser provides numerous inventive features in its refrigeration system, diluent delivery system, concentrate delivery system, mixing and dispensing system, and control system. The refrigeration system employs a plate heat exchanger to provide on demand refrigeration of an intermittent water flow. The diluent delivery system includes a flowmeter/solenoid/check-valve assembly. The concentrate delivery system employs a positive displacement pump. The mixing and dispensing system includes a mixing nozzle that has a locking feature such that an elevated blocking surface directly faces the inlet of pressurized diluent to create turbulence. The control system receives package-specific information from a scanner and diluent flow rate information from the flowmeter, and then determines the pump speed in order to set a desired mix ratio.
US08424714B2
An example cart includes a body establishing an opening for loading and unloading items from the body and a skirt extending downwardly from a portion of the body. A plurality of support ribs span between the body and the skirt. The support ribs establish a lifter receiving area together with an outwardly facing surface of the body and an inwardly facing surface of the skirt. A feature is disposed on an outwardly facing surface of the skirt. The feature indicates the location of the lifter receiving area.
US08424712B2
A container sleeve includes a sheet of material that defines a first edge member and a second edge member. The container sleeve defines an upper cross member with a first end connected to the first edge member and a second end connected to the second edge member, and a lower cross member with a first end connected to the first edge member and a second end connected to the second edge member. The container sleeve further defines a center cross member positioned between the upper cross member and the lower cross member. The center cross member includes a first end connected to the first edge member and a second end connected to the second edge member. A center region of the cross member is configured to be positioned away from a center region of the upper cross member and a center region of the lower cross member to enable the insertion of a container into an opening defined between the upper cross member, the lower cross member, and the center cross member.
US08424704B2
A self-cleaning lid for use with a paint container is disclosed.
US08424703B2
A system of moving magnets for sealing a container may include a plurality of moveable magnets disposed near a perimeter of a container door and a rotatable linkage hub positioned within the perimeter of the container door. In addition, the system may include a plurality of control linkages connecting each of the plurality of moveable magnets to the linkage hub so that rotating the linkage hub causes the control linkages to move the moveable magnets between a sealed position and an open position. Alternatively, the moveable magnets may be connected to each other by a magnet positioning mechanism to physically move the magnets along a path near the perimeter. A plurality of static magnets may be disposed near an opening sized to receive the container door and positioned to form a magnetic seal with the moveable magnets when the moveable magnets are positioned at the sealed position.
US08424698B2
The case includes a case main body, a cove mounted at the case main body, and lock members fixing the case main body and the cover by supporting one end of the lock member rotatably at the cover and hooking the other end of the lock member at a lock portion provided at the case main body. The lock members are arranged between one ends of the case main body and the cover and between the other ends of the case main body and the cover. A fat surface portion, on which an edge of the cover is overlapped, and a recess formed by cutting a part from the flat surface portion so as to make a gap between the edge and the case main body when the case main body and the cover are fixed by the lock members are provided at the case main body.
US08424695B2
An improved closure for a container. The container includes a lip having a plurality of downwardly extending angled surfaces, each terminating in a recess, and a shoulder which defines an open top of the container. The closure includes a plurality of lugs which are configured to engage the angled surfaces when the closure is rotated and mate with the recesses to secure the closure in place. To secure the tabs in the recesses, the closure includes one or more springs which extend downwardly from the top of the closure and contact the shoulder of the container to urge the closure upwardly with respect to the container. To separate the closure and the container, the closure is pressed toward the open top of the container, thereby disengaging the lugs from the recesses and allowing the rotation of the closure to disengage the closure from the container.
US08424688B2
A multipolymeric mixture is provided that includes a hydrophobic polymer, two different grades of a water-soluble polymer, water as non-solvent and a solvent suitable for all polymers involved. The dissolved hydrophobic polymer has the affinity to enmesh the water-soluble polymers to form a clear and viscous dope. Water-soluble polymers contribute to the pore formation process and hydrophilicity of the finally coagulated membrane according to the makeup of their molecular weight distribution.Water as a non-solvent takes the dope very near towards unstable zone, which helps in speeding up the membrane formation process in a diffusion induced phase inversion technique. The dope is then spun through a concentric orifice spinneret and solidified by passing it through a coagulation bath to form hollow fiber asymmetric membranes of ultra filtration grade with superior water permeability and separation characters even at higher feed turbidity.
US08424685B2
A manifold assembly for use in a medical waste collection device to direct fluid into the medical waste collection device while filtering material from the fluid. The assembly includes a manifold housing having a bottom and a wall extending upwardly from the bottom about a first axis, with an outlet port disposed on the manifold housing. A support structure disposed on the bottom has a filter support surface and defines a plurality of open spaces between the filter support surface and the bottom. A manifold cap having a unitary skirt is connected to the manifold housing to define a chamber therebetween, and has an intake port disposed thereon to direct the fluid into the chamber. A filter is supported by the filter support surface to filter the material from the fluid, the periphery of the filter positioned between the skirt and the support structure to prevent fluid received in the chamber from bypassing the filter as the fluid moves from the chamber to the outlet port.
US08424679B2
A golf ball storage system is provided herein. The system may be configured on an exterior of a golf bag and generally includes an upper aperture and a lower aperture that may be substantially vertically aligned. The first and second apertures are connected by an internal sleeve. The sleeve may have a generally tubular configuration to contain golf balls within the storage system in a single file, stacked arrangement. The sleeve may be substantially vertical when the golf bag is in an upright position such that gravity will force balls inserted into the upper aperture to fall to a bottom portion of the sleeve, adjacent the lower aperture, for ease of removal.
US08424675B2
A conveyor belt having multiple roller sets, each roller set including a first roller and a second roller, the first roller being movable into contact with the second roller so that driving of one of the rollers in a first angular direction causes rotation of the other roller in a second, opposite angular direction.
US08424669B2
A work transport apparatus includes a carriage to carry a work along a guide lane; a work loading mechanism to load the work on the carriage at a work loading position; and a work unloading mechanism to unload the work from the carriage at a work unloading position. Each of the work loading mechanism, the carriage and the work unloading mechanism includes a work sliding incline sloping down to move the work held on a holder from the work loading mechanism through the carriage to the work unloading mechanism. Each of the work unloading mechanism, the carriage and the work loading mechanism includes a holder sliding incline sloping down to move the holder from the work unloading mechanism through the carriage to the work loading mechanism.
US08424661B2
A power transmitting apparatus can comprise a plurality of gear stage clutches arranged on the way of a power transmitting path between an engine and the wheels. Each of the gear stage clutches include alternately arranged driving clutch discs and driven clutch discs, hydraulic pistons actuated by hydraulic oil to selectively engage or disengage the driving clutch discs and driven clutch discs, hydraulic chambers for actuating the hydraulic pistons, and supplying ports communicating with oil passages formed within the input shaft and opening on the side surface of the input shaft for supplying the hydraulic chambers with hydraulic oil from the oil passages to actuate the hydraulic pistons. A plurality of the supplying ports can be formed on a same plane of a radial cross-section of the input shaft.
US08424654B2
A wheelchair safety system for a wheelchair which has a seat and two main wheels, the safety system comprising a first member fixedly secured to one of the wheels and a second member movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the disengaged position being one wherein said one of said wheels is free to rotate, an activating assembly which is linked between the seat and the second member, the activating assembly being arranged such that when there is more than a predetermined weight in the seat, the second member is maintained in a disengaged position and when there is less than a predetermined weight in the seat, the second member moves to an engaged position to prevent movement of the wheelchair. The device is useful in preventing accidents when an occupant attempts to rise out of the wheelchair.
US08424652B2
An electromagnetic coupling device includes a vane member and an electromagnet. The electromagnet includes a core having a plurality of poles comprising at least four poles. An electrically conductive winding has a first portion surrounding a first one of the poles and a second portion surrounding a second one of the poles. The winding is selectively energized for selectively magnetically coupling the electromagnet and the vane member such that the vane member and the electromagnet are movable together in a desired direction.
US08424640B2
A spa or hot tub stair assembly or apparatus having at least one step which is convertible by repositioning to provide different shaped sides. The different shaped sides can be used to better fit the outer shape of the associated spa. The individual step or steps are removable and have connection features which detachably connect with connection features upon one or more pieces forming a base. The base may be provided in the form of a pair of upright supports upon which one or more steps are supported. The assembly may advantageously be provided with one or more storage drawers or other bins which are preferably slidable for easy access.
US08424639B1
A combination tree stand and hand truck are herein disclosed, comprising a seat mounted on the bottom of a conventional wheeled hand truck. The rear of the hand truck comprises a plurality of cross members and is attached via a pair of hinges to an additional section of a ladder like structure that is capable of being foldable extended to form a ladder. In use, the wheeled hand truck may be used to transport items to and from a hunting location. Once at a hunting location, the hand truck may be converted into a tree stand by deploying the folding ladder section and placing the deployed stand upside down against a tree or other structure therewith a securing means. The apparatus is particularly useful in game lands and other restricted hunting areas where an all-terrain vehicle or other motorized vehicle is not permitted.
US08424631B2
A motor vehicle front structure is provided that has at least one first longitudinal girder and at least one first crash box. The first crash box has a deformation section and a fastening section, the fastening section connected to the first longitudinal girder. Moreover, the motor vehicle front structure has an engine mount, the engine mount having a first fastening section, which is connected to the first longitudinal girder. The fastening section of the first crash box and the first fastening section of the engine mount have a common overlap area.
US08424627B2
A wheelchair including a seat body and at least one wheel module disposed at a bottom of the seat body is provided. The wheel module includes a motor, at least one wheel, and a transmission unit coupled between the motor and the wheel. The transmission unit has at least one one-way bearing. The motor outputs a first rotating moment and a second rotating moment with opposite directions to the transmission unit. The one-way bearing transmits one of the first rotating moment and the second rotating moment to the wheel to drive the wheel to roll, such that the seat body is in linear motion, or so the wheel module rotates relative to the seat body in the directions of the first or the second rotating moments. The shafts of the first and the second rotating moments are perpendicular to the rotating shaft of the wheel.
US08424623B2
A hybrid power system includes an engine, a clutch, a transmission, a motor and an energy storage device. The motor is connected to the energy storage device and the engine is connected to the input shaft of the transmission by the clutch. The output shaft of the transmission is operatively coupled with the output shaft of the motor to provide a coupled power output.
US08424619B2
This invention is based upon the finding that certain chlorosulfonated α-olefin copolymers can be beneficially utilized in drilling fluids that are utilized in drilling subterreanean wells. For instance, it has been unexpectedly found that certain chlorosulfonated α-olefin copolymers can be beneficially used as total or partial replacements for organoclays in oil based drilling fluids. The subject invention more specifically reveals a process for drilling a well into a subterranean formation which comprises boring a hole into the earth by rotary drilling, wherein a drilling fluid is circulated down a drilling pipe and returned to the surface of the earth through a pipe hole annulus, wherein the oil-based drilling fluid is comprised of (a) an organic liquid; (b) water; (c) an emulsifier; (d) a weighing material; (e) a fluid loss reducing agent; and (f) a chlorosulfonated α-olefin copolymer which is comprised of repeat units that are derived from ethylene and an α-olefin that contains from 4 to about 20 carbon atoms.
US08424616B2
A track guiding system includes a track comprising a linear beam and a linear plate operatively coupled to the linear beam. The linear plate has opposing first and second surfaces separated by a first distance and opposing first and second edges separated by a second distance. A first compound edge roller and a second compound edge roller are disposed adjacent to the first and second edges of the linear plate, respectively, for travel along the first and second edges of the linear plate. Each of the first and second compound edge rollers include a first roller element adjacent to the first surface of the linear plate and a second roller element adjacent to the second surface of the linear plate. A carriage is coupled to the first and second compound edge rollers.
US08424612B2
A method for extinguishing a full surface liquid tank fire including addressing plunge zone issues, the attack including throwing at least one primary stream over a tank wall, the stream landing with a force of impact in, and defining, a plunge zone; the method including achieving flame collapse leaving a plunge zone flame and subsequently, at least for a period of time, diminishing force of impact per unit area of a primary stream upon said plunge zone flame; alternately the method includes achieving a partial flame collapse including collapse against back tank wall portions and subsequently diminishing stream impact force upon a plunge zone including moving a plunge zone forward in the tank; the method also includes extinguishing a full surface heavy liquid tank fire by teasing the fire prior to employing a non-feathered stream to create a foam blanket.
US08424606B2
A perforating system having a perforating gun with a tubular gun housing defining an inner volume and extending in an axial direction. A shaped charge is held in a loading tube. The loading tube is located in the gun housing. The loading tube extends along the axial direction. The shaped charge faces in a firing direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction. A portion of the gun housing adjacent to the shaped charge in the firing direction is a perforating portion for removal upon firing of the shaped charge. An eccentralizer member extends from the perforating gun in a second direction that is substantially opposite and parallel with the firing direction. A first retainer part extends from an outer surface of the gun housing adjacent to the perforating portion. A second retainer part extends from the outside of the gun housing adjacent to the perforating portion.
US08424601B2
A method and system for the use of low quality fuel and solids-rich water, like fine tailings or lime sludge, for extracting bitumen from shallow and deep underground oil sand formations. The method includes the steps of combustion fuel and oxidizing gas, mixing hot combustion gas with solids-rich water under controlled pressure, gasifying the liquid water to steam and solids, removing the solids from the gas phase to generate a solid lean gas, recovering the heat and condensing the steam to generate hot water, mixing the hot water with oilsands ore for extracting bitumen. The solid lean gas is mixed with saturated water to scrub the remaining solids and acid gases and produce saturated steam. The solids-rich saturated water is recycled and gasified by being mixed with the combustion gases, and the saturated steam is condensed to generate heat and condensate for steam generation for use in enhanced oil recovery.
US08424578B2
A pneumatic tire that can be manufactured according to the conventional method without requiring special tire manufacturing steps and without needing addition of material members and production steps, and having excellent rolling resistance and wet properties, and having conductivity is to be provided. A pneumatic tire 10 comprises a carcass 14 having a ply which is turned back and locked around a bead core 12, a rim strip 19 provided in a bead part 11, and a wing 24 in which one edge thereof is contacted with the carcass 14 and the other edge is exposed to the surface of a ground contact edge region of a tread part 13, wherein a covering rubber of a carcass ply 25, the rim strip 19 and the wing 24 are formed into a continuous conductive path by a conductive rubber material, only the conductive path is used as a conducting path of the tire 10, and members other than the conducting path are selected and used from a conductive rubber material or a nonconductive rubber material.
US08424552B2
An inflation nozzle for inflating an inflatable structure. The inflation nozzle includes a nozzle body, a probe, and a connection portion. The nozzle body defines a nozzle channel therethrough, and the channel has a channel outlet for expelling a fluid therefrom. The probe extends from the nozzle body adjacent and beyond the channel outlet, and is configured and dimensioned to facilitate positioning an inflation aperture of the flexible structure onto the nozzle body for directing fluid into the inflation aperture. The connection portion associates with the nozzle body for fluidly connecting the channel to a fluid source for delivering fluid through the channel to inflate the flexible structure.
US08424550B2
A method for operating a fluid drainage control system to drain a fluid from a fluid dispensation system is provided. The method includes determining a first ambient air temperature, determining if the first ambient air temperature is less than a predetermined drain set point temperature, isolating the fluid dispensation system from a fluid supply source by closing a supply valve located inside a temperature controlled area in response to the first ambient air temperature being less than the predetermined drain set point temperature, and draining the fluid from the fluid dispensation system by opening a drain valve subsequent to closing the supply valve. The method further includes determining a second ambient air temperature, determining if the second ambient air temperature is greater than a predetermined operation set point temperature, closing the drain valve in response to the second ambient air temperature being greater than the predetermined operation set point temperature, and opening the supply valve subsequent to closing the drain valve.
US08424546B2
A sump assembly for a dishwasher and associated method are provided. The sump assembly comprises an integrally-formed sump member defining a circulation pump volute receptacle and a drain pump volute receptacle. The circulation pump volute receptacle and the drain pump volute receptacle are adapted to receive respective pump and motor assemblies. Each of the volute receptacles is configured to receive the respective pump and motor assembly along a respective horizontal axis defined thereby. The drain pump volute receptacle includes a washing fluid input in direct communication with the circulation pump volute receptacle for receiving the washing fluid therefrom.
US08424543B2
A red light emitting device for use with a hair product and a blow dryer. The device with composition is suitable for permanently reshaping human hair by non-chemical means.
US08424515B1
Closed system breathable gas regeneration systems comprising temperature swing adsorption (“TSA”) using metabolic regeneration, such systems being useful for EVA in extraterrestrial environments having hostile atmospheres.
US08424512B2
A modular range system and method utilizes a plurality of base units and a plurality of top units that may be assembled in numerous configurations to achieve a variety of range unit configurations. The top units may be preassembled with specific cooking system types prior to mounting onto the base units. Preassembled top units may each include a laterally extending gas manifold that can be coupled together upon range assembly to form a common, laterally extending gas manifold for the overall range unit. Range unit configurations are also described.
US08424510B2
A fuel economizer includes a housing, at least two magnetic members having sides of the same polarity facing each other, and at least one covering member. The housing forms a primary receiving compartment and has at least one end forming an opening. The two magnetic members are positioned closed to each other with the sides thereof having the same polarity facing each other and are deposited in the primary receiving compartment. The open end of the housing is closed by the covering member to thereby form the economizer. The covering member forms apertures to allow liquid to flow through the primary receiving compartment. The housing may further forms secondary receiving compartments on opposite sides of the primary receiving compartments for receiving therein far infrared particles. When liquid flows through the housing, the liquid is acted upon by both the magnetic members and the far infrared particles.
US08424506B2
A plurality of convex portions are radially fanned and spaced apart from each other by a constant angle in a planar view on a tapered surface of a land portion formed on a bottom surface of a cavity formed in a top portion of a piston. Each convex portion is positioned such that the extending direction of the convex portion aligns with an axis X of a corresponding fuel spray. Thereby, each fuel spray moves forward through a space (convex portion space) between the corresponding convex portion and an inner wall of a cylinder head portion along the extending direction of the corresponding convex portion. When a fuel injection is performed during the latter half of a compression stroke, a pressure in a convex portion space is increased, compared with a pressure in a space of the other portion by the decrease of a ratio of the volume of the convex portion space relative to the volume of the space of the other portion by the proceeding of the compression by the piston. Each fuel spray is circumferentially expanded by the pressure difference.
US08424504B2
A rotary piston internal combustion engine of the Wankel type has a housing (1) with a two lobed epitrochoidal inner peripheral surface (14) a shaft (8) journalled in end casings (3, 4), a rotor (9) eccentrically mounted on the shaft (8) and geared to rotate at one third speed of the shaft (8) whereby working chambers (34, 35, 36) are formed between flanks of the rotor (9) and the end casings (3, 4), which chambers vary in volume as the rotor (9) rotates, the rotor (9) being cooled by a cooling medium in a generally closed cooling circuit, the medium being circulated by a circulating pump (27), via connecting passageways (20, 18) in the end casings (3, 4) and an internal passageway (21) of the rotor (9), and through an external cooling heat exchanger (24), the cooling medium being blow-by gasses from the high pressure working chambers, which gasses have leaked past the rotor side seals (26) into the rotor cooling passages.
US08424498B2
A blower system for an engine includes a base of a blower scroll coupled to an engine crankcase. The base has a bottom wall with an opening sized to accommodate an end of a crankshaft. The base also has a sidewall extending away from the crankcase. The blower system further includes a blower housing fastened to the base, without the use of threaded fasteners. Together the blower housing and the base form a chamber having an inlet and an outlet. Also, the blower system includes a fan within the chamber. The fan is driven by the crankshaft and is designed to direct a flow of air through the outlet of the chamber.
US08424493B2
The present invention relates to compositions including peroxyacetic acid and peroxyoctanoic acid and methods for reducing microbial contamination on poultry. The methods include the step of applying a mixed peroxycarboxylic acid composition to poultry.
US08424491B2
A containment pen for finfish aquaculture, comprising a supporting structure, a net attached to the supporting structure and defining a containment volume for containing finfish, wherein the net comprises a plurality of removable net panels, wherein each of the removable net panels comprises a discrete piece of flexible netting attached along its perimeter to one or more substantially rigid members, and wherein the removable net panels are configured to be removable from the containment pen with the piece of flexible netting remaining attached to the substantially rigid members.
US08424481B2
A gluing mechanism incorporating a notched glue scraper and a method thereof are disclosed. A glue dispensing roller is provided adjacent to a web material traveling path where a web material is conveyed to get past, and operated to touch glue contained in a glue tank, and accordingly, a glue carrying roller surface of the glue dispensing roller is coated with the glue. A notched scraper blade, which faces the glue carrying roller surface of the glue dispensing roller, scrapes the glue stayed on the portion of the glue carrying roller surface, which corresponds with the non-notched area of the scraper edge. Comparatively, the glue stayed on the rest of the glue carrying roller surface is formed a glue layer for subsequently applying to a gluing side of the web material, wherein the rest of the glue carrying roller surface corresponds with notched area of the scraper edge.
US08424458B2
An embodiment of the present invention is a rotating structure. An outer ring is placed on a first surface of a trench in a foundation having a ground surface. An inner ring is positioned inside the outer ring on the first surface. A bar assembly is positioned between the outer ring and the inner ring. A plurality of rollers supports the bar assembly. A plurality of motors engages to the bar assembly to cause the bar assembly to rotate when activated.
US08424454B2
A printing unit for printing a web of paper is provided. The printing unit includes a frame and an upper printing group and a lower printing group. The printing unit has at least one throw-on configuration and a blanket-changing throw-off configuration. The blanket cylinders are capable of each receiving at least one tubular blanket. The frame has, in at least one lateral wall, at least one opening to allow the passage of the tubular blankets. In the blanket-changing throw-off configuration, the blanket cylinder of the upper printing group has been moved upwards relative to the position which it occupies in the throw-on configuration and the blanket cylinder of the lower printing group has been moved downwards relative to the position which it occupies in the throw-on configuration, so that an adequate space is provided between the blanket cylinders to allow a web of paper printed by another printing unit to pass between them.
US08424445B2
A linking arm conveying generally linear movement from a piston into generally radial movement of a crankshaft is disclosed. The linking arm includes a shaft extending between a piston pin end and a crankshaft pin end. The piston pin end defines a piston pin bore. A piston pin bore surface is defined by the piston pin bore, where the piston pin bore includes a non-circular transverse profile having at least two curved surfaces that each include a distinct radius, where the at least two curved surfaces are positioned in different locations around a periphery of the transverse profile.
US08424438B2
A deployable raceway harness assembly for use with a multi-stage rocket includes a first cable bundle configured to extend across a second stage of a multi-stage rocket from a guidance unit to a first stage of the rocket. The deployable raceway harness assembly includes a deployable raceway cover configured for detachable coupling with the multi-stage rocket. The deployable raceway cover extends over at least the first cable bundle and a second cable bundle. The first cable bundle is fastened to the deployable raceway cover. The second cable bundle is configured to extend from the guidance unit to the second stage and is shorter than the first cable bundle. An in-flight deployment mechanism is configured to detach the deployable raceway cover and the first cable bundle extending across the second stage from the multi-stage rocket in-flight leaving the second cable bundle extending to the second stage in place.
US08424432B2
A waste roll web product processing system includes a first roller conveyor, a push bar conveyor, a second roller conveyor, a guide device and a cutter. The push bar conveyor pushes waste roll web products from the first roller conveyor to the second roller conveyor for enabling the second roller conveyor to deliver the waste roll web products to the guide device so that the waste roll web products fall downwards along the guide device one after another and the cutter cuts off each falling waste roll web product for enabling the web material and shaft of each waste roll web product to be separately recycled.
US08424424B1
A shaft has a driving end and a driven end. A plurality of driving adaptors with various handles are releasably connected to the shaft driving end. A plurality of driven adaptors with various tools for performing operations within a limited space work area, such as an inaccessible space, a confined space, or keyhole excavation, are releasably connected to the shaft driven end. The driving adaptors are positioned outside of the limited space work area. The driven adaptors are positioned within the limited space work area. The handle is manipulated at the shaft driving end to transmit selected rotational and translational movements through the shaft to the tool to perform operations in the limited space work area.
US08424419B2
A breakout wrench for use with a rock drill string includes a frame adapted for mounting to a rock drill feed guide structure, and a sub-frame rotatably connected to the frame about a drill string longitudinal axis. The sub-frame supports a pair of jaw members adapted for radial movement towards and away from one another and to releasably engage a first section of a drill string. The breakout wrench also includes a clamping member supported by the rock drill feed guide structure. The clamping member is adapted to releasably engage a second section of the drill string spaced axially from the first section.
US08424413B2
An adjustment mechanism for adjustable pieces of furniture is provided with a coupling including a transmission and sub-coupling structure, where the transmission and sub-coupling structure is constructed in such a way that at least one secondary transmission is always adjusted whether one primary transmission is actuated or whether the another primary transmission is actuated. At least two catch decouplers are provided in such a way that when the at least one primary transmission is adjusted, and disengaged by an adjustment of an associated actuator, the transmission and sub-coupling structure is always also entrained and adjusted, while one of the catch decouplers cooperates with the transmission and sub-coupling structure in such a way that the adjusting or pivoting transmission and sub-coupling structure leaves a second secondary transmission and/or the second actuator unchanged in position.
US08424412B2
A steering column for a motor vehicle includes a bracket unit bearing a steering spindle, and the unit is secured by means of securement bolts on a vehicle-stationary part. The securement bolts penetrate through elongated holes in the bracket unit or in the vehicle-stationary part, and the bracket unit in the event of a crash, is displaceable, starting from a starting position, with the displacement of the securement bolts in the elongated holes with respect to the vehicle-stationary part. Each elongated hole is disposed at least over a portion of its longitudinal extent in a retaining strip which, in the starting position of the bracket unit, includes a curvature, which, during a displacement of the bracket unit with respect to the vehicle-stationary part occurring in the event of a crash, is at least decreased through the cooperation with the securement bolt or a part disposed thereon.
US08424410B2
A first link member 4 is swingably connected to the base member 2 on a forward side, and a second link member 5 is swingably connected to the base member 2 on a backward side. A third link member 6 is swingably connected to the output member 3 on the forward side, and a fourth link member 7 is swingably connected to the output member 3 on the backward side. A swinging end of the third link member 6 is swingably connected to the first link member 4 on a first connecting axis J5, and a swinging end of the fourth link member 7 on the backward side is swingably connected to the first link member 4 on a second connecting axis J6. A swinging end of the second link member 5 is swingably connected to the fourth link member 7 on a third connecting axis J7.
US08424409B2
A shifter assembly includes a post-like shift lever, a knob with a bore configured to receive the top section, and a retainer spring extending longitudinally within the bore. The spring includes retainer barbs shaped to frictionally grip the knob and further has a leg(s) configured to frictionally engage the top section and also take up clearance between the top section and the bore for frictionally engaging the post-like shift lever. The spring can be alternative shapes, such as U-shaped or L-shaped. A method of assembly includes pressing the knob onto a shift lever with a single one-touch motion.
US08424402B2
The outer diameter of a spline nut and the inner diameter of a nut body holding portion of a housing gradually decrease in the downward direction. A ball screw protection unit includes a nut body taper face that is formed in the outer peripheral face of the spline nut, a holding portion taper face that is formed in the nut body holding portion, and a disc spring that is provided at the upper end of the spline nut and that biases the spline nut in such a direction that a friction force between the nut body taper face and the holding portion taper face increases (downward direction).
US08424398B2
A tight package sensor seal includes a first seal portion engaging an outer surface of a sensor body and including a stop surface floatingly engaging a peripheral face surrounding a bore in a cover member. The first seal portion includes a reinforcing insert disposed therein. A second seal portion is axially spaced from the first seal portion and a flexible membrane extends axially between the first and second seal portions. The second seal portion engages an inner diameter of a bore in a cover member and includes a reinforcing insert therein. The sensor seal takes up a small radial space yet allows for radial offset of the sensor body relative to the bore of the cover member.
US08424395B2
In a method of monitoring deposition of a noble metal in an intergranular stress corrosion crack (IGSCC) in a metal reactor shroud wall of a nuclear reactor, a metal sample may be placed at a location within near an inner surface of the metal reactor shroud wall. The sample may be submerged below a water line in the reactor and includes at least one thermal fatigue crack. The sample is maintained at the location for a given duration, and a given amount of the noble metal is added into the reactor water while the sample is maintained at the location. The sample is then removed. In an example, a surface crevice deposition monitor for a reactor includes a flow conditioner arranged between a securing mechanism and an anchor, and at least one sample holder connected between the securing mechanism and flow conditioner.
US08424392B2
The present invention relates to a housing arrangement for an ultrasound flow meter, comprising a unipartite or multipartite housing (2) provided to be connected to a fluid line, comprising an ultrasonic transducer having an ultrasonic transducer body and a housing or covering which at least partially surrounds the ultrasonic transducer body, comprising a housing opening provided in the housing (2) for positioning the ultrasonic transducer at the housing arrangement, comprising a sealing element arranged between the housing (2) and the ultrasonic transducer, wherein a housing insert (5) can be inserted in the housing opening (16) as a module, the housing insert (5) is adapted to receive at least two ultrasonic transducer bodies (4, 7) which are positioned separately, without the ultrasonic transducer body (4, 7) coming into contact with the fluid, and the housing insert (5) is connected to the housing (2) via a sealing element (13) which is common to the ultrasonic transducer bodies (4, 7) which are positioned in the housing insert (5). The present invention furthermore relates to an ultrasound flow meter with a corresponding housing arrangement.
US08424391B2
The present invention relates to a method of adjusting a flow rate sensor 52 for measuring a travel time of a sample passing through a resistive body. The flow rate sensor 52 includes a straight tube 56, and plural photo sensors 52A to 52E for detecting interfaces 82A, 82B between a gas 80 and a liquid 81 traveling in the straight tube 56. Respective positions of the plural photo sensors 52A to 52E are adjusted by detecting the interfaces 82A, 82B by using such photo sensors 52A to 52E.
US08424389B2
An annular bourdon tube gauge assembly comprises a bourdon tube member, a first flange element, a second flange element and a pressure level indicator, and is adapted to be mounted externally circumferentially of a portion of a body member that is adapted to confining a pressurized fluid, such as a pressure regulator. The bourdon tube is axially disposed between the first and second flange elements, and has a spiral shape, a radially inner end and a radially outer end. The radially inner end is fixed with respect to the portion of the body member. The radially outer end is free to move circumferentially responsive to changes in the fluid pressure entering a pressure receiving port at the radially inner end. The pressure level indicator is mounted to and moveable with the radially outer end, and is viewable from a position located laterally outward of the first and second flange elements.
US08424387B2
An apparatus for detecting defects in a railway rail includes a search unit and preferably a roller search unit (“RSU”) mounted on a test vehicle and in rolling contact with the running surface of the rails to inspect each rail. The RSU includes a tire filled with a liquid and a transducer assembly mounted within the tire. The transducer assembly includes one or more arrays of ultrasonic transducers directed toward the running surface of the rail. A laser profiler mounted on the test vehicle in combination with a linear encoder provide profile data which is communicated to a system controller to dynamically adjust the focal laws for the one or more arrays of transducers to dynamically steer the transmitted beams to produce the ideal inspection beam sets while the test vehicle is in motion.
US08424384B2
A measurement system for capturing a transit time, phase, or frequency of energy waves propagating through a propagation medium is disclosed. The measurement system comprises two different closed-loop feedback paths. The first path includes a driver circuit (628), a transducer (604), a propagation medium (602), a transducer (606), and a zero-crossing receiver (640). The zero-crossing receiver (640) detects transition states of propagated energy waves in the propagation medium including the transition of each energy wave through a mid-point of a symmetrical or cyclical waveform. A second path includes the driver circuit (1228), a transducer (1204), a propagation medium (1202), a reflecting surface (1206), and an edge-detect receiver (1240). Energy waves in the propagating medium (1202) are reflected at least once. The edge-detect receiver (1240) detects a wave front of an energy wave. Each positive closed-loop path maintains the emission, propagation, and detection of energy waves in the propagation medium.
US08424377B2
An apparatus and method for monitoring the water tables in boreholes, such as boreholes used as sampling wells for sampling contaminants in ground water. Fluctuations in one or more ground water levels can be monitored and recorded using transducers, and the changes in the water levels evaluated and considered, particularly in the context of sampling for contaminants where subsurface pollution remediation is contemplated or ongoing. The changes in ground water levels can be tracked in time and correlated, as desired, with the water sampling regime. The transducers used for monitoring pressure changes attributable to water table changes are located advantageously above the surface of the ground, where they are accessible for re-use, replacement, or repair. Apparatus and method for providing an air-coupling between the transducers and subsurface sampling points is disclosed.
US08424369B2
A surface tension measuring device and a method thereof are revealed. The surface tension measuring device includes a container and a hole. A liquid analyte is filled into the container and the hole is disposed on a wall surface of the container while the liquid analyte forms a drop on the hole. The surface tension of the liquid analyte is correlated with an internal gas pressure inside the container, an external gas pressure outside the container and a level of the liquid analyte. Thus the surface tension of the liquid analyte is obtained by control of the increasing of the liquid analyte level or pressure difference inside and outside the container. Therefore, the reduction of measuring time, less space occupied, lower equipment cost and reduced operation complexity are achieved.
US08424368B2
A method of determining one or more minimum rheological properties of a particle laden fluid is disclosed. The method includes determining one or more rheological properties of the fluid at a first shear rate, determining the settling velocity of the particles at the first shear rate, and obtaining a transport index for the fluid, the transport index indicating a relationship between the settling velocity and the one or more rheological properties.
US08424367B2
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for determining the rate of gas permeation through a film is described. The system comprises a continuous flow permeation cell, a mass spectrometer, a test gas source, and a carrier gas source. The continuous flow permeation cell comprises a supply chamber in communication with the test gas source and a receiving chamber in communication with the carrier gas source and the mass spectrometer. The supply chamber is configured to be separated from the receiving chamber by a test film such that when a test gas stream is fed to the supply chamber from the test gas source and a carrier gas stream is fed to the receiving chamber from the carrier gas source. At least a portion of the test gas stream permeates from the supply chamber through the test film to the receiving chamber and mixes with the carrier gas stream and the mixture flows to the mass spectrometer. The mass spectrometer is utilized to determine the rate of permeation of the test gas stream through the film.
US08424365B2
A method of operating a screening system includes applying an electromagnetic field to a subject in a region at least partially enclosed by electromagnetic shielding, and measuring an output from a sensor. The output is representative of an interaction of the electromagnetic field and the subject. A trace vapor is collected from the subject within the region, and the trace vapor is identified. Based on the measured sensor output and the identified trace vapor, whether a target material is associated with the subject is determined.
US08424361B1
A hand held Pittsburgh lock opening device is designed to open a longitudinal seam that is used in the fabrication of sheet metal ductwork. The tool has a unitary, longitudinal base having a major plane, an upper surface, and a lower surface. The base tapers from a proximal end to a distal end thereof. A plurality of parallel, longitudinal channels is oriented along the major plane on both upper and lower surfaces of the base. A protrusion is provided at the distal end of the base from its upper surface and extends from the upper surface of the base perpendicularly to the major plane thereof. The protrusion is tapered upwardly to an uppermost end and away from the base. An inverted U-shaped terminus is disposed at the uppermost end of the protrusion and forms a sharp taper for penetrating between coacting duct components.
US08424360B2
A hydraulic cylinder is provided which allows for a mount plate, or the like, to be moved between three positions. The mount plate can be positively positioned in any one of three different positions by appropriately supplying or removing pressurized hydraulic fluid to hydraulic fluid ports on the cylinder. The provision of appropriate positive stops corresponding to each desired position avoids the necessity for complex and/or expensive hydraulic control mechanisms. The cylinder is believed to be particularly suited for performing piercing operations, involving a negative pierce, in hydro-forming operations.
US08424358B2
The corrugated fin production equipment is capable of easily separating a corrugated fin having high ribs from a die after forming the ribs. The corrugated fin production equipment comprises: a lower block; an upper block being moved to and away from the lower block; the die being provided to the lower block and having a concave section; a punch being inserted into the concave section so as to form the rib when the lower block and the upper block are closed; and a movable die constituting a part of the die including the concave section, the movable die being upwardly moved above other parts of the die so as to lift a part of the corrugated fin, in which the rib has been formed, from the underside after the lower die and the upper die are closed to form the corrugated fin.
US08424355B2
A pre-rounding element (14) is used in a rounding apparatus (4) for rounding can body blanks from sheet metal blanks. The lower element part (22) of the pre-rounding element (14) is displaceable by an actuation element (23). This allows the adjustment of the pre-rounding element even during operation of the rounding apparatus. Preferably a measurement of sheet metal blank properties takes place. The measurement may include a thickness measurement and/or a strength measurement of blanks. The pre-rounding element is controlled in dependency of the measurement result. This allows a constant rounding result even with varying sheet metal properties.
US08424326B2
A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a flash tank economizer defining a separation chamber is disposed in the refrigerant circuit intermediate a refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger and a refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger. A primary expansion valve is interdisposed in the refrigerant circuit in operative association with and upstream of the refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger and a secondary expansion valve is interdisposed in the refrigerant circuit in operative association and upstream of the flash tank economizer. A refrigerant vapor injection line establishes refrigerant flow communication between an upper portion of the separation chamber and an intermediate pressure stage of the system's compression device and a suction pressure portion of the refrigerant circuit. A refrigerant liquid injection line establishes refrigerant flow communication between a lower portion of said separation chamber and an intermediate pressure stage of the compression device and a suction pressure portion of the refrigerant circuit.
US08424314B2
The present invention relates to new intermetallic compounds having a crystalline structure of Ni3Sn2 type for the magnetic refrigeration, their use and a process for preparing the same. The present invention further relates to new magnetocaloric compositions for the magnetic refrigeration and their use.
US08424310B2
A mixing chamber with a wall and at least one vortex generating element arranged on the wall is provided. The vortex generating element has at least three surfaces, at least one of the surfaces forming a top surface and the other surfaces forming at least first and second side surfaces, the first and second side surfaces arranged not in parallel, the top surface being in contact with the wall via a front edge of the top surface, the front edge extending traverse to a flow direction, the top surface further abutting the first and second side faces forming first and second edges, the first side surface extending in parallel to the flow direction so that the first edge does not contribute to generating a vortex, and the second side surface extending not in parallel to the flow direction so that the second edge contributes to generating the vortex.
US08424303B2
An arrangement for a supercharged combustion engine (2) including a first cooling system with a circulating coolant, a second cooling system with a circulating coolant which is at a lower temperature than the coolant in the first cooling system, and a cooler (10, 15) in which a gaseous medium which contains water vapor is to be cooled by the coolant in the second cooling system. A first valve (32) which can be placed in a first position whereby it prevents coolant from the first cooling system from being led to the second cooling system via a first connecting line (30), and a second position whereby it allows warm coolant from the first cooling system to be led to the second cooling system via the first connecting line (30). The warm coolant from the first cooling system is intended to circulate at least a certain distance (26b, c) in the second cooling system so that it passes through the cooler (10, 15).
US08424298B2
A pump torque control system is capable of preventing hunting due to interference between speed sensing control and control of an engine speed of a prime mover when the temperature of a hydraulic fluid is low.A maximum absorption torque is set in a regulator 31 that controls displacement volumes of hydraulic pumps 2 and 3 based on a deviation between target and actual engine speeds of a prime mover 1. A second modification factor calculating section 45 and a control gain modifying section 49, which are included in a controller 23 that performs speed sensing control to ensure that the maximum absorption torque of the hydraulic pumps 2 and 3 is reduced, change a control gain of the speed sensing control based on a value detected by the hydraulic temperature sensor 34 to ensure that the control gain is reduced as the temperature of the hydraulic fluid is reduced.
US08424290B2
A method and control system for controlling an engine during diesel particulate filter regeneration includes a diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration request module that generates a DPF regeneration request signal and an idle condition module that generates an idle condition signal when the engine is at an idle condition. A DPF regeneration control module initiates a timer in response to the DPF regeneration request signal and the idle condition signal. The DPF regeneration control module controls the engine oxygen level to a second level less than a first level corresponding to a non-idle speed level, and after a time period, controls the engine to generate oxygen at a third level greater than the second level.
US08424288B2
A method is described for operating an internal combustion engine in motor vehicles, in which air is supplied to a combustion chamber via a throttle valve and an air supply channel, and in which exhaust gas is conducted through a particulate filter and is returned at least intermittently and at least partially through an exhaust gas recirculation valve into the air supply channel, and in which an oxygen proportion in the exhaust gas is detected using at least one lambda probe. In this context, in an overrun operation, the throttle valve is controlled to close and the exhaust gas recirculation valve is controlled to open, a variable characterizing the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas is compared to a boundary value, and as a function of the result of the comparison, it is concluded that there is a leakage in the air supply channel.
US08424283B2
A portion of the exhaust generated by a turbomachine is recirculated through an inlet portion by an exhaust gas recirculation system. The system reduces the level of harmful constituents within the exhaust before the exhaust is recirculated.
US08424281B2
A method of operating a power plant is provided. The method includes channeling saturated steam at a first pressure to a pressure control device, superheating the steam by decreasing the pressure of the saturated steam from the first pressure to a second pressure using the pressure control valve, and channeling the superheated steam towards a steam turbine component to facilitate cooling the component.
US08424280B2
A gas turbine engine arrangement comprises a first gas turbine engine, a second gas turbine engine, a differential gearbox and an electrical generator. The differential gearbox has a first input drive, a second input drive and an output drive. The output drive of the differential gearbox is arranged to drive the electrical generator via an external, accessory, gearbox. The external, accessory, gearbox drives other accessories. The first gas turbine is arranged to drive the first input drive of the differential gearbox and the second gas turbine engine is arranged to drive the second input drive of the differential gearbox. The electrical generator and accessories are driven at a constant frequency speed/frequency.
US08424279B2
A gas turbine engine system includes an air inlet, an inlet particle separator located at the air inlet and having a blower selectively driven by a variable output motor, and a controller for dynamically controlling the variable output motor that selectively drives the blower of the inlet particle separator.
US08424273B2
Sealable, thermoformable, heat-shrinkable multi-layer film having a symmetrical construction around a two-ply inner layer, and having a heat shrinkability in machine direction and in cross direction of in each case at least 20% at 93° C., the heat-shrinkability being substantially unaffected by thermoforming, and use thereof with specially equipped packaging machines.
US08424271B2
The process for wrapping loads, in particular palletised loads, comprises the following phases: providing a rotating platform that is suitable for receiving a load to be wrapped and which has advancement means for advancing the load in an advancing direction, and a movement machine for moving a wrapping head along a substantially vertical direction for co-operating with the rotating platform to wrap the load with a covering sheet, the wrapping head having cutting means for cutting the covering sheet to form a cut end, and joining means for connecting the cut end to the load; placing the load to be wrapped on the rotating platform; wrapping the load on the rotating platform with the covering sheet to define a stabilizing wrap; turning the rotating platform so the advancing direction is towards the wrapping head; advancing the wrapped load on the rotating platform in the direction approaching the wrapping head until located in proximity to the head itself; and then cutting the covering sheet to form a cut end; joining the cut end to the wrapped load.
US08424255B2
A method for mounting PV modules to a deck includes selecting PV module layout pattern so that adjacent PV module edges are spaced apart. PV mounting and support assemblies are secured to the deck according to the layout pattern using fasteners extending into the deck. The PV modules are placed on the PV mounting and support assemblies. Retaining elements are located over and secured against the upper peripheral edge surfaces of the PV modules so to secure them to the deck with the peripheral edges of the PV modules spaced apart from the deck. In some examples a PV module mounting assembly, for use on a shingled deck, comprises flashing, a base mountable on the flashing, a deck-penetrating fastener engageable with the base and securable to the deck so to secure the flashing and the base to the shingled deck, and PV module mounting hardware securable to the base.
US08424253B2
Systems mitigate structural damage by selectively engaging energy-absorbing structures only during impact events, including aircraft impacts. Systems include lateral dampening devices and/or seismic bearings between a structure and its foundation. Lateral dampening devices include a restorative member and/or reactive member configured to rigidly join the structure and the foundation and dampen reactive movement after the structure moves toward the foundation during an impact event. Seismic bearings include a top plate connected to the structure, a bottom plate connected to the foundation, and a resistive core between the top plate that dampens relative movement between the structure and the foundation. Seismic bearings may include a capture assembly that rigidly joins and dampens reactive movement between the structure and the foundation during an impact event. The structure may further include a ledge into which the top plate seats and dampens reactive movement between the structure and the foundation during an impact event.
US08424248B2
A snap lock balance shoe and system to be incorporated in pivotable double hung windows. In one embodiment, the snap lock balance shoe includes a pair of retractable tabs that partially extend through openings within an inverted window balance. Embodiments of methods for installing the system include inserting a frame of the balance shoe within a jamb track of the window jamb, rotating the frame 90 degrees about a first axis, and rotating the frame 90 degrees about a second axis such that the frame is substantially fully disposed within the jamb track.
US08424245B1
A window sash installed into a window frame, wherein the window sash assumes an operable position where the vertical sides of the window sash are aligned with the side jambs of the window frame. A gap space exists between each of the vertical sides of the window sash and the side jambs of the window frame. This gap space is utilized by a counterbalance system. Spacer assemblies are attached to the window sash. Each spacer assembly has a base that mounts to the window sash and a slide that selectively extends from the base. The slides are extended across the gap spaces between the sash and the side jambs. The slides are brought into close proximity with the side jambs. The presence of the slides prevents the window sash from being able to cock out of the intended operational orientation of the window sash.
US08424241B2
A trellis support system comprises a vertical post comprising a front portion and first and second opposing side wall portions, the front portion comprising an aperture, the aperture comprising a first portion and a second portion adjacent the first portion, and a horizontal cross arm perpendicular to the vertical post comprising a front portion and first and second opposing side wall portions dimensioned to match the front and side wall portions of the post, the front portion comprising a tab member dimensioned to engage the first portion of the aperture and a lock member positioned adjacent the tab member and dimensioned to engage the second portion of the aperture.
US08424240B2
An apparatus and method for tarpless fumigation of containerized cargo within a shipping container is disclosed. A portable fumigation containment door is installed in covering relation with main rear opening of a standard cargo container. Pneumatic cylinders are actuated to secure the door in place, and an inflatable gasket extending around the perimeter of the containment door and is inflated to create an airtight seal between the cargo container and the containment door. The door is provided with a series of connection ports for receiving fumigant injection and sampling lines necessary for performing the fumigation process.
US08424238B2
Electric pest deterrents device having knitted conductors are presented. An elongated conductor comprising at least a single conducting strand knitted with itself or with other conducting strands can be attached to a based of the device. The conducting strands can be knitted according to one or more patterns to form textured surfaces having raise protrusions.
US08424231B2
Systems and methods for tracking clothing usage are disclosed. A representative method in accordance with a particular embodiment includes selecting an item of clothing and, before or after the item of clothing is worn a first time, removably attaching a first tag to the item of clothing. The first tag has a first fixedly integrated identifier having a characteristic attribute with a first value. After the item of clothing is worn at least one time with the first tag, the first tag can be removed and a second tag is removably attached to the item of clothing, with the second tag having a second fixedly integrated identifier with a second value of the characteristic attribute that is different than the first value. After the item is worn at least one time with the second tag, the item of clothing is designated for cleaning, and the second tag is removed.
US08424230B2
A channel sign assembly is provided having a rear surface for mounting against a raceway, wall, or a structure for supporting the signage, and sheet metal sides which define the figuration of the sign assembly or shape to be depicted. A lighting element is positioned against the rear surface of the enclosure, and a lens is retained to the open front of the enclosure. The lens is retained by a screw-less retainer cap secured to the sign assembly.
US08424229B2
A slide for attaching to a display item such as a calendar, a poster, document, banner, wall hanging, or workpiece, has a longitudinal channel with a first end and second end and a longitudinal bend extending from the first end to the second end, a first bend portion and a second bend portion joined by the longitudinal bend, the first and second bend portions each having respective interior confronting surfaces adapted to receive an edge of the display item therebetween and respective exterior surfaces, a pair of bulges projecting from the first bend portion, a first bulge being close to the first end and a second bulge being close to the second end; and a hanger generally centrally fast with the second bend portion. The slides are paired in sets, the bulges of a first slide being spaced a different extent from its edges to those of the second set, so that the bulges of the paired slides do not coincide if one is nested in the other. The bulges may be symmetrically or asymmetrically arranged. A number of the sets provide a magazine.
US08424221B2
An article of footwear includes a sole having a forefoot portion, a heel portion and an outsole having a bottom surface including a primary ground contacting surface. The bottom surface of the outsole includes a forefoot bulge and a heel bulge which provide the footwear with controlled instability for providing dynamic conditioning of the wearer's muscles during the gait cycle.
US08424217B2
A tool assembly that includes a suction cup that is configured to be removably coupled to a vertical wall and a device for temporarily mounting an article to the suction cup at a desired mounting position and for indicating a position of a hanger on the vertical wall. The hanger is configured to be secured to the vertical wall to mount the article to the vertical wall.
US08424216B2
An engraving system operable to engrave user-loaded items is provided. The engraving system may have a housing, an engraver located within the housing, and a carrier configured to receive from a user a cartridge holding then item to be engraved and to position the cartridge relative to the engraver. The carrier may be configured to engrave the item via windows in the cartridge, and to flip the cartridge relative to the engraver for engraving on multiple sides of the item.
US08424207B2
A method of making a composite component and the composite component is disclosed. The composite component can comprise multiple portions with different materials. By configuring the composite component with different materials, the weight of the composite component can be reduced while maintaining the strength and support of the composite component for a cockpit assembly. Furthermore, the method provides for an increase in the efficiency of the die casting process used to create the composite component.
US08424202B2
A process for fabricating a circuit board is provided. A circuit substrate having a first surface and a first circuit layer is provided. A first dielectric layer having a second surface is formed on the circuit substrate and covers the first surface and the first circuit layer. An antagonistic activation layer is formed on the second surface. The antagonistic activation layer is irradiated by a laser beam to form at least a blind via extended from the antagonistic activation layer to the first circuit layer and an intaglio pattern. A first conductive layer is formed inside the blind via. A second conductive layer is formed in the intaglio pattern and the blind via. The second conductive layer covers the first conductive layer and is electrically connected with the first circuit layer through the first conductive layer. The antagonistic activation layer is removed to expose the second surface.
US08424201B2
Disclosed are an electronic component, an assembly of an electronic component and an electronic carrier substrate, and a method of connecting the electronic component to the carrier substrate. The carrier substrate has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and the electronic component has a second CTE. The assembly further comprises a conductive material on the carrier substrate for connecting the electronic component to the carrier substrate, and the electrical component is connected to the carrier substrate by heating and then cooling this conductive material. The electronic component includes an expansion joint to allow the electronic component to expand and contract relative to the carrier substrate during the heating and cooling of the conductive material.
US08424200B2
An electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding material includes a matrix of a dielectric or partially conducting polymer, such as foamed polystyrene, with carbon nanotubes or other nanostructures dispersed therein in sufficient concentration to make the material electrically conducting. The composite is formed by dispersing the nanotube material in a solvent in which the dielectric or partially conducting polymer is soluble and mixing the resulting suspension with the dielectric or partially conducting polymer. A foaming agent can be added to produce a lightweight foamed material. An organometallic compound can be added to enhance the conductivity further by decomposition into a metal phase.
US08424195B2
An apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor package includes an index rail transferring a lead frame in forward and backward directions, the lead frame having a first surface and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface, a loader portion connected to an end portion of the index rail and supplying the lead frame to the index rail, a frame driving portion connected to the opposite end portion of the end portion of the index rail and rotating the lead frame around a normal to the first surface, and a die attach portion attaching a semiconductor chip on the lead frame supplied to the index rail.
US08424185B2
A method for riveting two structural component parts arranged with their inner sides facing one another and with their outer sides facing away from one another at a distance from one another by at least one spacer rivet element. Positioning the at least one spacer rivet element at the two structural component parts such that rivet element end areas extend through rivet openings provided in the structural component parts to be associated with the rivet element end areas. Supporting a rivet element end area at the outer side of one of the structural component parts. Supporting the other of the structural component parts at its inner side. Applying a riveting force to the other rivet element end area to deform at least one rivet element end area and to form a rivet head.
US08424181B2
A cost effective method for revamping a low pressure distillate hydrotreating process unit to a high pressure distillate hydrotreating process unit. A high pressure hot-feed pump is added, the furnace is retubed for higher pressures, the low pressure reactor is replaced with a high pressure reactor, a high pressure let-down valve is added at the reactor outlet, and the low pressure recycle compressor is replaced with a high pressure recycle compressor.
US08424174B2
A fastener for ornaments includes a housing 12 having a pin passing hole 16 and an opening portion 19. A guide 22 has a small diameter portion 23a at the pin passing hole 16 side. A movable operating body 32 has a grip member 34 protruded to an exterior from the opening portion 19 at one end 33a of a column portion 33 and having, at another end 33b, a small ball holder portion 35, with which in a latched state, a surface at a small ball 46 side of its outer peripheral surface 37 closely contacts an inner peripheral surface 24 of the guide 22. A coil spring 52 pressingly urges the movable operating body 35 in a pin clamping direction. A plurality of small balls 46 disposed in the movable operating body clamp an inserted pin (P).
US08424165B1
A handle extension for increasing the effective length of a luggage handle includes an elongated tubular shaft having an upper end and a lower end. At the lower end are a pair of oppositely extending hooks that surround and engage opposing portions of the luggage handle. A pivotal lever is positioned on an intermediate portion of the shaft that engages the luggage handle handgrip to prevent the shaft from slipping through the handle assembly in the event that the shaft is released.
US08424163B2
A snap hinge device for a folding-type portable terminal is provided with a gap between an outer face of a hinge shaft and an inner face of a second cam so that the outer face of the hinge shaft and the inner face of the second cam are compelled to strike into each other an generate and aural snap by an urging of an elastic member at the time of opening/closing the folder of the portable terminal. As a result of the aural snap, users experience a feeling of use at the time of opening/closing the folder, and a sense of comfort therefrom.
US08424156B2
A double suction type sterilizing vacuum cleaner includes a base seat and an upper cover mounted on an upper side of the base seat. A main suction port is provided in the base seat. A hitting device is mounted on the base seat and adapted to hit a cleaning object under the base seat. A sterilizing lamp is mounted in the base seat for sterilizing purposes. A dust collecting box is detachably mounted to the upper cover and defines an air channel in communication with the main suction port. A secondary suction port is provided in the dust collecting box and in communication with the air channel. When the main suction port is blocked, an ambient air can be supplied to the air channel through the secondary suction port, facilitating the release of the blocking situation in the main suction port.
US08424153B2
An upright vacuum cleaner has a compact, cylindrical exhaust filter assembly that is easily accessible by a user. The filter is removably mounted in a housing between an exhaust outlet aperture and a suction source outlet. A filter locking lug is associated with the filter element and the housing for removably securing the filter element to the housing to the filter frame. An upright vacuum cleaner has a pre-motor filter assembly that is highly visible to a user and accessible thereby.
US08424151B2
A vacuum cleaner having a safety apparatus of an auxiliary brush assembly is provided. The vacuum cleaner includes a main body having an extension pipe mounting portion, a main brush assembly connected to the main body, an extension pipe attached and detached to the main body, and an auxiliary brush assembly connected to an end of the extension pipe. The auxiliary brush assembly may have a brush and a driving means for rotating the brush, wherein the rotation of the brush may be automatically stopped when the extension pipe is mounted in the extension pipe mounting portion.
US08424141B2
The present disclosure generally relates to cloth treating machines and methods for operating a cloth treating machine. The controls can supply an appropriate amount of water initially and subsequently based on one or more selected courses or modes of operating the cloth treating machine. For example, the cloth treating machine can supply an appropriate amount of water to a steam generator initially based on a selected course. The steam generator can use the water to generate steam to sanitize and de-wrinkle clothes placed inside a cabinet of the cloth treating machine. During operation, a sensor can sense the level of the water inside the steam generator. An appropriate amount of water can then be re-supplied subsequently based on the selected course or sensed water level, repeatedly. The operation of the cloth treating machine can improve efficiency by reducing the time taken to supply water and generate steam.
US08424124B2
A multifunctional toilet comprises a water storage device having a guide rail, a toilet seat and an arm assembly. The water storage device is provided with a water tank having a water inlet and a water outlet. At the water inlet is provided an inlet valve having a float ball, and at the water outlet is provided an outlet valve. The opening and closing of the inlet valve is controlled by a controller. The opening and closing of the outlet valve is controlled by a rope. When the water tank moves to its lowest position, the controller will close the inlet valve, and the rope will open the outlet valve. At the water outlet outside the water tank is provided an expansion discharge pipe. Such a multifunctional toilet is simple in structure and has the advantage of automatically flushing the toilet without the use of electricity.
US08424120B2
A cooling device for a safety suit, including an air delivery device (2) and a cooling source (3), has a substance that reacts endothermically with water as the cooling medium.
US08424118B2
An undergarment includes a lower body portion having a waist opening and a crotch portion. The crotch portion has a skin contact surface and an outer surface and includes a weft knit fabric portion with at least a first predominately cotton yarn and a second predominately cotton yarn. At least one of the first and second yarns have a moisture wicking treatment applied prior to knitting and comprises at least about 40% of the weight of the weft knit fabric. The weft knit fabric includes an antimicrobial treatment. The undergarment has improved moisture management and comfort properties.
US08424116B2
A sock having a toe portion, a heel and ankle portion, and a body portion disposed between the heel and ankle portion is disclosed. The body portion may comprise one or more elastic panels, which are incorporated in a manner to allow the sock to fit a wider range of standard foot sizes than a similar sock lacking the elastic panels disclosed herein.
US08429758B2
A risk assessment system and method includes an information system configured to disclose information to a third party. A risk determination model is configured to compute identifiability risk for on one or more records in storage. The identifiability risk is compared to a threshold prior to being disclosed wherein the information system is informed of the identifiability risk exceeding the threshold prior to disclosure to the third party.
US08429749B2
A network system by the present invention can quickly detect viruses and does not easily become a new cause of vulnerability. A packet data comparator branches inputted packet data into three branches, and includes an additional pattern matching unit which compares the branched data with the stored data and performs matching with collation patterns stored in a rewritable storage area, a fixed pattern matching unit which compares the branched data with the stored data and performs the matching with a logical operation configured with known collation patterns, a notification packet matching unit which compares the branched data with the stored data and finds a notification packet, and an identity detection aggregation unit which aggregates results from the respective matching units. Moreover, a virus filter, a virus checker, and a secure network system are realized by using the present invention.
US08429745B1
A computer-implemented method for data loss prevention on mobile computing systems may include (1) identifying a mobile computing system configured to execute only one application at a time as a foreground application, (2) determining that the mobile computing system has begun executing a sensitive application as the foreground application, (3) identifying a first enumeration of screenshots stored on the mobile computing system when the mobile computing system began executing the sensitive application as the foreground application, (4) identifying a second enumeration of screenshots stored on the mobile computing system, (5) determining that at least one new screenshot was taken on the mobile computing system while the sensitive application was the foreground application by detecting a difference between the first enumeration and the second enumeration, and (6) performing a security action upon detecting the difference. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08429736B2
A proxy device such as a firewall uses an internal socket namespace such as a text string such that connection requests must be explicitly redirected to a listening socket in the alternate namespace in order to connect to a service. Because external connections cannot directly address the listening socket or service, greater security is provided than with traditional firewall or proxy devices. To receive a redirected proxy connection, a service process creates a listening socket and binds a name in an alternate namespace to the socket before listening for connections.
US08429733B2
To provide an authentication system allowing stable determination as to whether a user is a registered user while saving user's trouble, an information processing device capable of data communication with a plurality of image forming apparatuses extracts an image forming apparatus connected to an IC card reader from the plurality of image forming apparatuses, based on reply signals transmitted from the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and transmits user account information of registered users to the extracted image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus connectable to the IC card reader performs, if it is determined that the IC card reader is connected to the image forming apparatus, the authentication process based on the user account information of registered users received from the information processing device and on the information read by the IC card reader.
US08429712B2
An identification module receives a password request for a specified user and communicates an encrypted password field in response thereto, wherein the encrypted password field references a directory object corresponding to the specified user. The present invention also teaches an authentication module that communicates the password request to the identification module and receives the encrypted password field therefrom. Upon receiving the encrypted password field, the authentication module authenticates the specified user against the referenced directory object. In some embodiments, the encrypted password field is stored in an identification data store of an identification server and the directory object is stored in an authentication data store of an authentication server.
US08429711B2
A mechanism for running interactive applications with a minimal set of privileges is disclosed. The privileges form a subset of the privileges afforded to the user requesting the application and are allocated consistent with the principle of least privilege. The application runs with the minimal amount of permissions necessary to accomplish its assigned tasks. A new user account is created and provisioned or identified for each application to which a user requests access. The accounts have a subset or superset of the access rights and operating system privileges that the user who is logged on to the system and requesting access to the application ordinarily enjoys. The subset/superset of the user's privileges is determined by a policy-based decision system. The policy-based decision system makes its determination based on an analysis of the application requirements, an analysis of the data security and privacy concerns associated with the execution of the application, the identity of the user and user's role and any other policy considerations previously specified by an administrator. Once the determination as to the appropriate set of privileges to be afforded in the execution environment has been made, the execution environment is created and provisioned or a pre-existing execution environment possessing the requisite privileges is identified and the remote user is logged into the server-side account. The application-specific accounts may be audited by audit trail tools that provide evidence of policy enforcement.
US08429707B2
An approach is provided for controlling a set-top box based on sensor triggered events on a user device. A set-top box receives a control message from a user device, wherein the control message specifies an event corresponding to one or more sensors of the user device. The set-top box maps the event to an activity associated with an application that is executed by the set-top box. Also, the set-top box presents media content provided by the application according to the mapped activity.
US08429704B2
The present invention contemplates providing an experience platform within a CDN, as well as sentio or experience codecs, and experience agents for supporting the experience platform. The experience platform may be provided by a service provider to enable an experience provider to compose and direct a participant experience. The service provider monetizes the experience by charging the experience provider and/or the participants for services. Alternatively, the experience platform may be provided by the CDN, either as an integrated component of the CDN, or a supplemental complimentary aspect. The participant experience can involve one or more experience participants. The experience provider can create an experience with a variety of dimensions and features. As will be appreciated, the following description provides one paradigm for understanding the multi-dimensional experience available to the participants. There are many suitable ways of describing, characterizing and implementing the experience platform contemplated herein.
US08429691B2
A computational recommendation engine is described. In embodiment(s), identifiers of ranked programs can be distributed to television client devices, and then a viewing vector from each of the television client devices can be received where the viewing vectors indicate which of the ranked programs have been displayed for viewing at different ones of the television client devices. A client devices group can be created that includes a subset of the television client devices based on the viewing vectors that are received from respective ones of the television client devices. A ranked program can be determined that has not been displayed for viewing by some of the television client devices in the client devices group, and a recommendation of the ranked program can be communicated to the television client devices in the client devices group that have not had the ranked program displayed for viewing.
US08429684B2
A broadcast system, method and apparatus providing content on demand. Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatuses for rating content to be broadcast or to be broadcast potentially from a server. Additional aspects of particular embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatuses for automatically managing storage resources of client systems. For one embodiment of the present invention, a user consumes a number of data files each having an associated temporal metadata table (TMDT). Each TMDT contains a plurality of time-indexed entries, each entry containing metadata describing a segment of the corresponding data file. The TMDT and user interaction during consumption of a one or more data files are used to create a preference profile table (PPT) for the user. The PPT is stored at the client system and is used to evaluate subsequent content. Such evaluation is used to determine broadcast schedules or automatically manage storage resources.
US08429683B2
A method may include tracking program viewing information via a set-top box and storing the tracked program viewing information.
US08429681B2
An optical member driving apparatus comprising: a holding member configured to have an optical member mounted thereon; a driving unit assembly configured to be capable of driving the holding member; a connecting member configured to connect the holding member and the driving unit assembly; and a jointing member configured to joint the connecting member and either or both of the holding member and the driving unit assembly.
US08429675B1
Two or more virtual machines may be co-located on a same physical machine, and the virtual machines may communicate with each other. To establish efficient communication, memory mapping information for respective virtual machines can be exchanged between the respective virtual machines. An instance of a virtualized network interface can be established, and a direct communications channel can be mapped between respective virtualized network interfaces. Data packet routing information can be updated, such that data packets transferred between two of more co-located virtual machines can be transferred using the virtualized network interface communications channel.
US08429673B2
In one embodiment the present invention includes a systems and methods of accessing information across distributed computing components. In one embodiment, a first software component has associated information and references to information associated with other software components that provide inputs to the first software component. Information about downstream software components may be accessed through the references. In one embodiment, a first software service such as a web service may include metadata that describes the service and pointers to other services consumed by the first software service. Embodiments of the invention provide automated auditing and searching across related software components.
US08429672B2
For implementation of a transfer of data between two program elements, a buffer object is provided between and linking the program elements. One of the program elements writes data into the buffer and the other program element reads data from the buffer, thus driving data transfer. The program element writing the data causes the buffer to call the reading program element. The program element reading the data causes the buffer object to call the writing program element.
US08429666B2
Various techniques are described for resource management on a computing platform. A computing platform can receive a query message that specifies an amount of a resource proposed for allocation. The computing platform can select a selected recommendation level from a plurality of recommendation levels, based on an evaluation of a request for the amount of the resource proposed for allocation. The computing platform can generate a resource allocation recommendation that includes the selected recommendation level with respect to the amount of the resource proposed for allocation. The computing platform can send the resource allocation recommendation.
US08429661B1
Systems and methods storing data for multi-threaded processing permit multiple execution threads to store data in a single first-in first-out (FIFO) memory. Threads are assigned to classes, with each class including one or more threads. Each class may be allocated dedicated entries in the FIFO memory. A class may also be allocated shared entries in the FIFO memory. The shared entries may be used by any thread. Data for a first thread may be stored in the FIFO memory while data for a second thread is read from the FIFO memory, even when the first thread and the second thread are not in the same class. The FIFO memory is shared between the threads to conserve die area, however each thread may be executed independently, as if each thread has a dedicated FIFO memory.
US08429654B2
A controller controls one or more process elements in a process control system. The controller also generates and buffers multiple events associated with operation of the controller. Each event is associated with a unique identifier, such as a numerical identifier. A supervisory device receives at least some of the events from the controller. The supervisory device determines if any of the events have not been received from the controller based on the unique identifiers. The supervisory device also initiates an event recovery if at least one of the events has not been received from the controller. During the event recovery, the controller recovers at least one event, such as any event having a numerical identifier greater than a numerical identifier identified by the supervisory device. The controller communicates the at least one recovered event to the supervisory device during the event recovery.
US08429653B2
Activations of a plurality of incoming branches may be detected at a synchronization point having a plurality of outgoing branches. A first synchronization may be executed after a first number of activations is detected, and at least one of a plurality of outgoing branches from the synchronization point may be activated, based on the first synchronization. A second synchronization may be executed after a second number of activations is detected, and at least a second one of the plurality of outgoing branches from the synchronization point may be activated, based on the second synchronization.
US08429644B2
A web application processing method, the web application processing method including: receiving web application information regarding a web application; accessing a web page for the web application using the web application information; reading contents from the web page; generating a virtual application corresponding to the web application using the read contents; and installing the generated virtual application in an image forming apparatus. Therefore, it is possible for a user to easily install a web application using uniform resource locator (URL) information, thereby increasing user convenience.
US08429642B1
A computer-implemented method for virally updating software in a networked computer including performing neighbor computer discovery using the networked computer to ascertain neighbor computers and ascertaining, using the networked computer, whether any of the neighbor computers possesses an update package configured for updating the software. If a neighbor computer of the neighbor computers possesses the update package, the method includes retrieving the update package to the networked computer and updating the software in the networked computer using the update package.
US08429629B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide an architecture for efficiently loading and executing byte code generated from a general programming language. In particular, a byte code interpreter implements a virtual machine that executes the byte code and is divided into a kernel component and one or more user components. The kernel component of the virtual machine is integrated into the operating system kernel. The user component runs in the same virtual address space as the applet, provides support for executing an applet and couples the applet to the operating system. In addition, the kernel component of the virtual machine may share code with multiple user components.
US08429624B2
An application programming interface (API) implementation that can interface between an application and a programming library. The implementation includes a Function Router Wrapper that receives a formatted string from the application. The formatted string includes a function name element filled with a function name, an input element filled with function input parameters, and an unfilled output element. The Function Router Wrapper converts the formatted string and passes it to a Function Router, which parses the converted formatted string to access the function name and the function input parameters. The Function Router calls a library function based on the accessed information. When the called library function is completed, the Function Router collects generated function outputs and embeds them into the formatted string output element. The Function Router passes the formatted string back up to the Function Router Wrapper, which converts the formatted string and passes it back up to the application.
US08429623B2
A mechanism is disclosed for enabling a set of code intended to be executed on a first platform (intended platform) to be executed on another platform (target platform). In one implementation, this mechanism takes a significantly different approach than that taken by current techniques. Rather than duplicating, augmenting, or changing a platform to accommodate the set of code, this mechanism alters the set of code to accommodate the platform. By altering the set of code, the mechanism causes the set of code to compensate for the difference(s) between the intended platform and the target platform. By compensating for the difference(s) in the two platforms, the set of code, when executed on the target platform, is able to produce the same result or results as it would have produced had it been executed on the intended platform. Thus, the set of code is able to execute properly on the target platform.
US08429618B2
A system and method for creating abstract descriptions of general applications includes creating a library of code primitives and expressing skeletal code structures in terms of parametric regular tree types including parameterized declarations of the code primitives. Parametric values are generated using set comprehensions. The set comprehensions are applied to the skeletal code structures to generate a working application such that a parametric, regular object type system is combined with a comprehension syntax for creating abstract descriptions of a general application.
US08429611B2
A method for the generation of a source code for a computer program for the execution or simulation of a complex process in which a multiplicity of subjects communicate with one another. In this method, the processes are described, the description of the processes is stored in a process file, and with the aid of the process file a source code for a computer program is generated, with a separate source code file being generated for each subject. Through the provision of a source code file for each subject, a complex process may be easily and therefore automatically split into several sub-programs, the source code files, which may be generated automatically. In this way it is possible to generate automatically a computer program for a very complex process. A further benefit of the method according to the invention is that it may be executed after automatic generation, i.e. it may be validated by an execution immediately after generation.
US08429606B2
A computing device receives an object at runtime of a compiled application, wherein the object is a component of the application. The computing device generates a transactional proxy for the object, the transactional proxy including transactional logic, a transactional marker and a pointer to the object. The transactional proxy is passed to the application, wherein the application to make calls on the transactional proxy instead of on the object.
US08429604B1
Systems and methods for extracting behavioral code from a software code file are disclosed. A behavioral code extractor logic accesses an existing software code file that comprises structural code and behavioral code. The behavioral code extractor logic extracts, from the software code file, at least a portion of the behavioral code into a separate file. And, the behavioral code extractor logic generates binding code for referencing the extracted behavioral code to maintain run-time behavior of the software code file consistent with its run-time behavior before the extracting. In certain embodiments, the software code file is a source file for a web page, and the structural code comprises markup language code. The behavioral code may comprise scripting language code and/or event attributes code defined by markup language.
US08429600B2
A system and method for generating a reusable virtual environment item to be integrated into a visual computer simulation using data gathered from a plurality of developers, comprising a centralized knowledge management module, a plurality of distributed workspaces, a content repository, and a content production tool.
US08429599B2
A computer method and system preserves derived union constraints and enforces the same in generated target code. The method includes (a) providing a model element having one or more derived union properties, (b) tracking derived union constraints from the derived union properties of the model element, and (c) interpreting the tracked derived union constraints and generating therefrom an implementation that enforces the derived union constraint. Tracking may be by annotating the model element accordingly.
US08429597B2
This disclosure provides various embodiments of software for providing a user interface (UI) model. In one aspect, the software identifies one or more components associated with a particular work center. The software then collects modeling information from the one or more components identified as being associated with the particular work center, and integrates the collected modeling information into a UI model associated with the particular work center. In some instances, the particular work center may be associated with or defined by a corresponding work center model illustrating the particular work center's UI layout, including at least a portion of components associated with the particular work center.
US08429593B1
A method is provided to evaluate whether one or more test patterns is power safe for use during manufacturing testing of an integrated circuit that includes a nonuniform power grid and that includes a scan chain, the method comprising: assigning respective toggle count thresholds for respective power grid regions of the non-uniform power grid; and determining whether respective numbers of toggles by scan elements of the scan chain within one or more respective power grid regions meet respective toggle count thresholds for the one or more respective regions during at least one scan-shift cycle in the course of scan-in of a test pattern to the scan chain.
US08429584B2
A method for creating a layout for design representation of an electronic circuit with at least one port. The method includes segmenting the at least one port in the design representation into different regions, classifying the different regions of the at least one port according to timing and/or electronic and/or layout characteristics, assigning a priority for each classified region of the at least one port according to rules based on the timing and/or electronic and/or layout characteristics, and routing the design representation by accessing at least one of the classified regions of the port according to an order of the assigned priorities.
US08429583B2
Methods and apparatuses to hierarchically retime a circuit. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a module of a circuit is designed with a plurality of different latencies to have a plurality of different minimum clock periods (e.g., through retiming at the module level). In one example, the minimum clock periods are determined from detailed timing analyses after the placement and routing for the module; and, in retiming the circuit that contains the module, a data flow graph representation of the module is constructed based on the target clock period of the circuit and the correlation between the latencies and the minimum clock periods. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, hierarchical retiming is performed in which portions of the circuit is retimed to generate results (e.g., for different latencies), which are selectively used for the retiming of the entire circuit based on the target clock period.
US08429574B2
A hierarchical schematic design editor displays mask layers for each shape as mask specific colors and alerts a user to mask layer conflicts during the design and editing process. According to an embodiment, mask colors may be assigned at the time the shapes or geometries and cells are placed in a circuit design layout, or when a mask layer condition indicating that two or more shapes should be set to different mask layers is detected. In an embodiment, if the distance between two shapes is less than a predetermined threshold, those shapes may cause a mask layer condition. Shapes may be grouped to facilitate mask layer condition detection and mask layer assignment.
US08429571B2
Provided is an etch proximity correction method in which an accurate etch bias value is calculated. The etch proximity correction method includes creating an etch bias value from a project area corresponding to an area blocked by a pattern region within a linear distance projected from a target position selected in a target layout to an outermost portion of the proximity region and a non-project area corresponding to an area projected into an edge linear distance from an edge of the pattern region blocked in the linear distance to the outermost portion of the proximity region and correcting the target position in the layout using the etch bias value. Since an etch bias model includes the project area and the non-project area, the accurate etch bias value may be calculated.
US08429563B2
It is difficult appropriately to select only a favorite image in a list display screen of small images such as a thumbnail image. An image processing apparatus is provided that has, in various embodiments, one or more of the features of an indicator for indicating a reduced image to be subjected to a specific image processing among displayed reduced images; a display controller for displaying an image in a size larger than the size of the reduced image indicated by the indicator; and an executor for executing the specific image processing on the stored image after the mentioned display controller displays the image in the size larger than the size of the reduced image.
US08429562B2
A computer user interface is provided which allows a user to adjust the size of icons based upon a user's preference or based upon a characteristic of the objects that the icons represent. When the icon sizing is performed according to a user preference, a relative sizing scheme or an arbitrary icon sizing scheme can be employed to variably size icons. Providing the ability to size icons in such a manner allows users to represent a user's categorization of object importance, for example.
US08429546B2
Various embodiments provide a mechanism to allow end users to install web applications and websites onto their desktop. In accordance with one or more embodiments, client-side code can be utilized to allow developers associated with a website to define boundaries associated with user interaction, and have those boundaries enforced by a run-time engine. In at least some embodiments, developers can provide, through JavaScript code and/or HTML markup, various configurations for the creation of a start menu shortcut, navigation, and so-called jumplist integration.
US08429543B2
An interface enables perception of information regarding e-mail communications. The interface includes an e-mail application user interface that enables perception of e-mail message information for one or more e-mails received by an e-mail participant and that enables active display of one or more of the received e-mails selected by the e-mail participant, The interface also includes a mechanism that determines a request for e-mail message information for one of the e-mails from within a desired e-mail message that is not actively displayed. The interface further includes an informational tool tip that provides a temporary perceivable indication to the e-mail participant of at least a portion of the requested information for the desired e-mail message while maintaining active display of the one or more selected e-mails.
US08429538B2
An automated method for generating Graphical User Interfaces (GUI's) is illustrated in the context of a system for processing financial applications. In one embodiment, the GUI generator converts domain data representing over one thousand application types into an equal number of corresponding user screens. The interface may also be bi-directional, operating on user inputs to validate data or check for double keying.
US08429536B2
A method and corresponding apparatus provide a tiled map and display object layer over a network. The method includes receiving at an application server a request for a map and a request for display objects from at least one data stream available over the network, the display objects to be displayed on the map on a user computerized device, sending a request for the requested map from the application server over the network to a mapping server, receiving at the application server the requested map as a tiled map layer, sending over the network a request to the one or more data streams for the requested display objects, receiving at the application server locations of the requested display objects, combining the tiled map layer and the requested display objects into a tiled map and display object layer, and sending the tiled map and display object layer to the user computerized device.
US08429531B2
In an object selecting apparatus for allowing a user to select an object in a video image: when the object sought to be selected by the user moves, the user selects the desired object intuitively and without feeling uncomfortable; an input operation from the user is received and anticipated paths of the respective objects are estimated based on path information occurring during the certain period of time prior to a point in time which is the start of a predetermined period of time before a time of receipt; and an appropriate object is determined as the object selected by the user when the anticipated position on the anticipated path, which corresponds to the time of receipt, is close to an inputted position.
US08429527B1
Merging data for use in a workflow application may include providing a user interface that facilitates collecting information from a user such as an indication of a first document and a second document that each include multiple records, a selection of a key indicator field common to both documents, and some indication of which of the two documents is a controlling document. Without the need for the user providing programming instructions, the workflow application joins information from both documents by identifying whether any of the records from the non-controlling document has a key indicator value that matches the key value of a select record from the controlling document. Based on this identifying, the workflow application dynamically generates a merged document which it can then use to perform one or more actions.
US08429521B2
A computer-implemented method of presenting an electronic document via a web browser includes maintaining on a computing device a client data model of the electronic document, the client data model comprising data that defines content of the electronic document and formatting of the content of the electronic document, and rendering a first sub-portion of content of the electronic document from the client data model to a document object model (DOM) for the web browser. The method also includes providing the DOM to the web browser, for the web browser to display a view of the electronic document from the DOM.
US08429520B2
A citation record extraction system is provided for extracting citation records from publication list pages having different layouts and contents. An HTML rendering engine receives a publication list web page, parses the publication list web page to obtain layout information of the web page. A web page sequence builder generates a web page characteristic sequence for the web page according to the layout information. A web page repeated pattern analyzer analyzes repeated patterns presented in the web page characteristic sequence, screens out non-citation records therefrom, and obtains a citation record of the publication list web page.
US08429514B1
A parity pattern defines a repeated distribution of parity blocks within a distributed parity disk array (“DPDA”). The parity pattern identifies on which disks the parity block or blocks for a stripe are located. When a new disk is added to the DPDA, the parity pattern is modified so that the distribution of parity blocks within the parity pattern is even. Parity blocks within the DPDA are then redistributed to conform with the modified parity pattern.
US08429510B2
An apparatus including a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit may be configured to store a block of data values arranged in a first order. The first circuit may be further configured to present a plurality of the data values in parallel in response to a plurality of address signals, where the data values are presented in a second order. The second circuit may be configured to generate the plurality of address signals in response to a first signal, a second signal and a third signal. The second circuit generally includes an even number of address generators configured to generate the plurality of address signals in parallel.
US08429508B2
According to one embodiment, an encoder/decoder apparatus includes an encoder module, a decoder module, and a transposing module. The encoder module is configured to generate a Hamming code from the input data, in accordance with a check matrix having a specific regularity. The decoder module is configured to detect an error position in the output data composed of the Hamming code, in accordance with the check matrix. The transposing module is configured to perform a transposing process of transposing some of the columns of the check matrix, while maintaining the regularity of the check matrix, and to change the error position in accordance with the transposing process, during the decoding process.
US08429507B1
A device for detecting and correcting errors in a data stream. For example, a device for detecting and correcting errors in a data stream including identifiers for a track address or identifiers for encoded words in a wireless transmission. The devices employ a class of error correction codes to, for instance, encode track addresses on a surface of a data storage medium. The encoding modifies natural track addresses so that the difference between bit sequences in adjacent track addresses is constant while simultaneously enabling both error detection and error correction, thereby enabling more accurate head positioning in a data storage device, in one embodiment.
US08429501B2
A memory storage device, a memory controller, and a log likelihood ratio (LLR) generation method are provided. A read data corresponding to a first storage state is obtained from memory cells of a flash memory chip in the memory storage device by using bit data read voltages. An error checking and correcting procedure is performed on the read data to obtain a second storage state corresponding to the read data when the read data is written. An amount of storage error is obtained in storage states satisfying a statistic number, and a storage error means that data is in the second storage state when being written and is in the first storage state when being read. A logarithmic operation is executed according to the statistic number, an amount of the storage states, and the amount of storage error to generate a first LLR of the read data.
US08429484B2
The present invention relates to a real time radar data transmission system and process for transmitting forward error correctable data to a plurality of parallel communication channels.
US08429481B2
A base station receives an uplink data packet from a user equipment based on a synchronous hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) protocol, and transmits a first information element and a second information element in parallel to the user equipment. The first information element indicates whether to perform a retransmission of the uplink data packet, and the second information element indicates modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for the retransmission. The base station receives the retransmission from the user equipment according to the modulation and coding scheme. The first information element is for example an ACK/NACK feedback message.
US08429480B2
In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention there is a method and apparatus to detect with a hybrid automatic repeat request function a collision between an uplink packet re-transmission and a new uplink packet transmission within a hybrid automatic repeat request process, and in response, to dynamically allocating resources for transmitting the new uplink packet transmission in a different hybrid automatic repeat request process that does not collide with the uplink packet re-transmission. In accordance with other exemplary embodiments of the invention, there is a method and apparatus to transmit a packet re-transmission in a hybrid automatic repeat request process using a semi-persistently scheduled uplink resource, and responsive to receiving a dynamic allocation of a different hybrid automatic repeat request process, to transmit a new packet using the dynamically allocated different hybrid automatic repeat request process.
US08429471B2
An apparatus for precluding the use of extended JTAG operations, including a JTAG control chain, a feature fuse, a level sensor, an access controller, and a blow controller. The JTAG control chain enables/disables the extended JTAG operations. The feature fuse indicates whether the extended JTAG features are to be disabled. The level sensor monitors an external voltage signal, and indicates that the external voltage signal is at a legal level. The access controller determines if the feature fuse is blown, and directs the JTAG control chain to disable the extended JTAG operations if the feature fuse is blown, and directs the JTAG control chain to disable the extended JTAG operations if the external voltage signal is at an illegal level regardless of whether the feature fuse is blown. The blow controller receives a voltage, and blows a selected fuse within a fuse array responsive to a valve of the voltage.
US08429467B2
An infrastructure is provided for gathering diagnostic data that is relevant to an error or other conditions detected in a monitored system. A diagnosability framework is provided that automates the gathering of relevant diagnostic data upon occurrence of the condition in the monitored system. In one embodiment, context data is determined for the condition detected in the monitored system. A rule-based engine is provided that is configured to automatically determine one or more actions to be performed for the condition detected in the monitored system based on the determined context data. The actions may include performing tasks that gather diagnostic data that is relevant to the detected condition, store the gathered diagnostic data in a repository, recommend one or more diagnostic actions to a user, and other diagnostic related actions.
US08429466B2
The testing of services techniques include a method, a system, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. In some embodiments of these techniques, the method includes receiving a first payload generated by a first service. The first service transmits the first payload to a system. The method further includes receiving a second payload from a second service. The second payload is generated based on data received from the first service. The method further includes receiving a schema associated with the second payload. The schema is configured to define the structure of the second payload. The method further includes determining one or more discrepancies between the second payload and the first payload using the schema associated with the second payload. The method further includes determining a testing result based on the one or more discrepancies.This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
US08429464B2
Various embodiments are directed to a gaming device including a background memory validation system. The background memory validation system includes a background kernel thread that validates read-only pages on the gaming device. Additionally, the background kernel thread also minimizes potential timing problems because this process only validates page content in memory that is fully-loaded and functional.
US08429460B2
An embodiment relates generally to an apparatus for debugging. The apparatus includes a memory configured to store data and an arithmetic logic unit configured to perform logical and arithmetic operations. The apparatus also includes a control unit configured to interface with the memory and arithmetic logic unit and to decode instructions. The control unit is configured to write a data state designated to be overwritten by a currently executing instruction to a buffer allocated in the memory in response to a trace debug flag being set.
US08429455B2
There is provided a failure analysis function capable of reducing the time required to resolve a failure in a piece of equipment to be monitored. When the failure analysis function senses that the status of a piece of equipment which had been abnormal has returned to normal, it displays, of failure analysis results, one based on an equipment abnormality which has been resolved in a GUI separately from the other analysis results. If a failure analysis result is derived based on a plurality of failure events, the failure analysis function displays the failure analysis result in the GUI separately from the other failure analysis results when all of the failure events are confirmed to be resolved (see FIG. 16).
US08429453B2
A management server includes a meta rule for identifying an event to be a root cause and a failure recovery method that corresponds to the meta rule for an event capable of occurring in a plurality of node apparatuses, and also displays a cause event to be a root cause of an event detected by the management server, and a method for recovering from this cause event.
US08429450B2
Hyperclusters are a cluster of clusters. Each cluster has associated with it one or more resource groups, and independent node failures within the clusters are handled by platform specific clustering software. The management of coordinated failovers across dependent or independent resources running on heterogeneous platforms is contemplated. A hypercluster manager running on all of the nodes in a cluster communicates with platform specific clustering software regarding any failure conditions, and utilizing a rule-based decision making system, determines actions to take on the node. A plug-in extends exit points definable in non-hypercluster clustering technologies. The failure notification is passed to other affected resource groups in the hypercluster.
US08429446B2
A storage system is configured to create and manage virtual ports on physical ports. The storage system can transfer associations between virtual ports and physical ports when a failure occurs in a physical port or a link connected to the physical port so that a host can access volumes under the virtual ports through another physical port. The storage system can also change associations between virtual ports and physical ports by taking into account the relative loads on the physical ports. When a virtual machine is migrated from one host computer to another, the loads on the physical ports in the storage system can be used to determine whether load balancing should take place. Additionally, the storage system can transfer virtual ports to a remote storage system that will take over the virtual ports, so that a virtual machine can be migrated to remote location.
US08429435B1
Automation devices, systems, architectures, and methods for energy management and other applications
An automation system including a plurality of peripheral devices, each configured to perform at least one function relating to energy consumption in a facility and an automation controller in communication with the plurality of peripheral devices and providing for the control of the performance of the function by each device, wherein the automation controller includes a compiler configured to take high level rules and information about the peripheral devices and produce at least one program that will respond to data from the peripheral devices and to timer, calendar, clock, and preprogrammed events and a server component that provides the data as input to the at least one program and takes actions based on the output of the program.
US08429434B2
Arrangements reducing power consumption of an air conditioner and a storage device. A control method with a management server apparatus for a plurality of storage devices and an air conditioner includes calculating plural combinations of allocating the work amount to the plurality of storage devices, calculating the heating value of each storage device included in the plurality of storage devices for each of the plural combinations, calculating the quantity of heat conducted to the air conditioner, based on the heating value and positional information of the plurality of storage devices and the air conditioner, calculating the power consumption to cool the quantity of heat conducted to the air conditioner, selecting a combination included in the plural combinations based on the power consumption of the air conditioner, and issuing a move of the data stored in a first storage device to a second storage device, based on the selected combination.
US08429431B2
A system and method of increasing the efficiency of overall power utilization in data centers by integrating a power management approach based on a comprehensive, dynamic model of the data center created with integrated environmental and computational power monitoring to correlate power usage with different configurations of business services utilization, with the techniques of CPU level power management.
US08429415B1
Computer login may comprise any user-determined submission. A user may select among different devices for input, select the signal content, and as well select the types of signals used for a login signature. Account identification may be inferred by signature rather than explicitly stated. A plurality of discontiguous data blocks in a plurality of files may be employed for validation. The paths to data used in validation may be multifarious, regardless of the prospects for successful authorization.
US08429402B2
In a method and arrangement for authenticating a data processing system, first information is generated by a first data processing system and delivered to a second data processing system for a control unit. First data are transmitted from the second data processing system to the first data processing system over a data line, the first data being generated by the second data processing system with aid of the first information and additional information contained in the second data processing system. Second data are generated by the first data processing system depending on the first data and transmitted from the first data processing system to the second data processing system. Authentication information for authenticating the second data processing system is generated by the second data processing system with aid of the second data.
US08429401B2
A storage device capable of selectively rendering certain data irretrievable is disclosed. The storage device includes Write Once Read Many (WORM) storage medium, a key generator, an encrypted write component, an erasable storage medium and a key deleter. The WORM storage medium is capable of storing data, and the data stored in the WORM data storage medium are unerasable and unrewritable. The key generator provides a generated key that can be stored in the erasable storage medium. The encrypted write component writes a set of sensitive data encrypted by using the generated key to the WORM storage medium. In response to a request for deleting the set of sensitive data from the WORM storage medium, the key deleter deletes the generated key from the erasable storage medium.
US08429400B2
In one embodiment, a method can include: (i) sending a request to join a group to a service broker; (ii) receiving from the service broker a list of key servers servicing the group; and (iii) sending registration information to a selected one of the key servers in the list.
US08429389B2
There is disclosed a device, system, and method for a ROM BIOS based trusted encrypted operating system for use in a gaming environment. The gaming device includes a ROM storing a BIOS, a secure loader, an encrypted operating system, and a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted operating system. The decryption key is partitioned and scattered about the secure loader. The method includes initializing the BIOS, locating the decryption key, decrypting the encrypted operating system with the encryption key, verifying a plurality of check codes, and transferring control to the operating system. The check codes are verified responsive to decrypting the encrypted operating system. The check codes are dispersed about the operating system and are unrelated to the operating system. Control is transferred to the operating system responsive to verifying the check codes.
US08429369B2
In a computer executing processes based on a storage management program, an attribute collection unit collects attributes of storage nodes. A group creation unit creates at least two groups that include the storage nodes, in accordance with the attributes of the storage nodes collected by the attribute collection unit. A data allocation unit allocates distributed data and redundant distributed data to the groups created by the group creation unit in such a manner that the distributed data and the redundant distributed data having the same content as the distributed data are placed in different groups.
US08429364B1
A computer-implemented method for identifying the presence of sensitive data in a backup may comprise identifying a backup, identifying sensitive data in the backup, creating metadata that identifies the presence of the sensitive data in the backup, and associating the metadata with the backup. In addition, a method for preventing sensitive data from being placed in a backup may comprise identifying a file, identifying sensitive data in the file, and preventing the file from being placed in a backup. Corresponding systems and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08429359B1
A method and apparatus for backing up a storage system, e.g., one or more disk drives. In one embodiment, an apparatus utilizes a volume snapshot service (VSS) to create a snapshot image file of a computer's storage system and then subsequently reads the data blocks contained in the snapshot image file. A determination of the number of modified data blocks, i.e., the data blocks that have changed since a last backup operation, is made. The apparatus estimates a backup size from the number of modified data blocks and subsequently determines if the estimated backup size exceeds a predetermined threshold. In the event the predetermined threshold is exceeded, a backup operation is conducted.
US08429353B2
A method and a system for processor nodes configurable to operate in various distributed shared memory topologies. The processor node may be coupled to a first local memory. The first processor node may include a first local arbiter, which may be configured to perform one or more of a memory node decode or a coherency check on the first local memory. The processor node may also include a switch coupled to the first local arbiter for enabling and/or disabling the first local arbiter. Thus one or more processor nodes may be coupled together in various distributed shared memory configurations, depending on the configuration of their respective switches.
US08429352B2
A method and system for flushing physical memory blocks in a memory device is disclosed. The method includes detecting a quantity of available memory, background flushing partially obsolete memory blocks if the quantity decreases to a background activation threshold, disabling the background flushing if the quantity increases to a background deactivation threshold, foreground flushing the partially obsolete memory blocks if the quantity decreases to a foreground activation threshold, and disabling the foreground flushing if the quantity increases to a foreground deactivation threshold. The thresholds may be adaptively defined. The background flushing may occur when the host interface is idle. The foreground flushing may interleave writing operations with flushing operations while a write command is unfinished. The system includes a memory for receiving data with a host write command, and a controller for detecting a quantity of available memory and enabling and disabling background and foreground flushing depending on adaptive thresholds.
US08429351B1
Described are techniques for processing a data operation in a data storage system. A front-end component receives the data operation to read a data portion. In response to receiving the data operation, the front-end component performs first processing. The first processing includes determining whether the data operation is a read operation resulting in a cache hit to a prefetched data portion of a sequential stream, and if said determining determines that said data operation results in a cache hit to a prefetched data portion, performing processing in connection with prefetching additional data for said sequential stream. The processing includes determining whether to prefetch additional data for said sequential stream and, if so, an amount of additional data to prefetch. The processing uses one or more criteria to determine one or more of an amount of data to prefetch in a single prefetch request and a track ahead parameter.
US08429341B2
A system and method for responding to file system requests having file IDs comprising V, a volume identifier specifying the file system being accessed, and R, an integer, specifying the file within the file system being accessed. The system and method also include D disk elements, where D is greater than or equal to 1 and is an integer, a switching fabric connected to the D disk elements to route requests to a corresponding disk element, and N network elements connected to the switching fabric. Each network element has a mapping function that for every value of V, specifies one or more elements from the set D that store the data specified by volume V, where N is greater than or equal to 1 and is an integer and N+D is greater than or equal to 3.
US08429326B2
A method and system for identifying a NAND-Flash without reading a device ID. The method includes: executing an identification flow for setting a first page of a block as a target block, utilizing a combinations table to query a target block, evaluating a result by comparing a identifying information in the target block with the combinations table, trying all combinations in the combinations table until correctly identifying the NAND-Flash by having a positive match result or returning an error if none of the combinations match.
US08429318B1
In one embodiment of the invention, a memory apparatus for improved write performance is disclosed. The memory apparatus includes a base printed circuit board (PCB) having an edge connector for plugging into a host server system; a card level power source to provide card level power during a power failure; a memory controller coupled to the card level power source and having one or more memory channels; and one or more non-volatile memory devices (NVMDs) coupled to the card level power source and organized to respectively couple to the memory channels controlled by the memory controller. Each memory controller provides queuing and scheduling of memory operations on a channel for each NVMD in the memory channels. Responsive to power failure, the memory controller receives card level power and changes the scheduling of memory operations to the NVMDs in each memory channel.
US08429315B1
In a system-on-chip (SoC) including a processor, a method is provided for stashing packet information that prevents cache thrashing. In operation, an Ethernet subsystem accepts a plurality of packets and sends the packets to an external memory for storage. A packet descriptor is derived for each accepted packet and is added to an ingress queue. Packet descriptors are transferred from the ingress queue to an egress queue supplying the packet descriptors to a processor. A context manager monitors the fill level of packet descriptors in the egress queue. In response to monitoring the fill level, the context manager stashes packets from the external memory into a cache, where each stashed packet is associated with a packet descriptor in the egress queue. Packet descriptors are transferred from the ingress queue to the egress queue in response to a number of packet descriptors in the egress queue falling below the fill level.
US08429308B2
According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for migrating data from a storage device includes accessing data on a storage device. The method also includes providing at least one interface that allows for selecting a first operating system stored on the storage device. The interface further allows for selecting one or more settings stored on the storage device. The method further includes initiating a migration of the one or more settings from the storage device. The method further includes storing the one or more settings.
US08429303B2
A first database implemented on a remote device such as a handheld computer may be reconciled with a corresponding second database implemented on a host computer during execution of an application program on the handheld device. In addition, the application program may be executed according to program instructions stored in an application program file located in the remote device. The databases may be reconciled by first commencing execution of the application program. Then, during the course of program execution, a synchronization instruction located in said application program file is retrieved. The synchronization instruction is executed by establishing a communications link between the handheld computer and the host computer. Subsequently, any differences between the first database and the second database are reconciled. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention contemplate that in addition to reconciling all of the databases located on the handheld and host computers, less than all of the databases may be reconciled to reduce the amount of time required to execute the reconciliation process. In addition, after reconciliation control may be returned to the calling application program, or to another application, as determined by the application designer.
US08429299B2
A method of distributing audio and video processing tasks among devices interconnected to a display device via a local network is disclosed. In one embodiment, the display device offloads some processing tasks to a computing device on the local network to achieve improved processing performance. The computing device receives audiovisual data, decodes, processes, encodes and transmits the encoded data to the display device in a suitable data format. The processing in the computing device is complementary to any processing to be performed in the display device. In another embodiment, the display device utilizes a plurality of devices on the local network to perform particular signal processing tasks. The other devices in network perform the processing tasks indicated by the display, and send processed data back to the display device for presentation, which helps improve the overall audiovisual data processing performance.
US08429291B2
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a processor for mapping packets associated with network flows to policy profiles independent of congestion level at the apparatus, and enforcing the policy profiles for the packets based on a congestion state. Packets associated with the same network flow are mapped to the same policy profile and at least some of the network flows are protected during network congestion. The apparatus further includes memory for storing the policy profiles. A method for protecting network flows during network congestion is also disclosed.
US08429288B2
The present invention relates to IPTV technical field, and discloses a method and system for implementing access of a large number of terminals to a streaming media server to solve the technical problems of the streaming media server having low processing efficiency and not supporting the access of a large number of terminals by TCP short connections when there are a large number of terminals accessing to the streaming media server in the prior art. The present invention uses EPOLL/POLL event polling interface to poll the events in the established link, thereby improving the capability of the system to accept the access of a large number of terminals. A socket file descriptor is used as an index entry of the polling list in the present invention such that the link retrieval efficiency is improved when there are a large number of terminals accessing.
US08429287B2
Audio content distribution from audio sources to client terminals through a network. An audio source interface receives raw audio from an audio source, and converts it into a digital audio clip in a digital audio packet, containing a timestamp and a channel identity corresponding to the audio source. A network audio server formats the digital audio packet into a network compliant digital audio file, which is stored at a network address. The network audio server generates a directory packet including the address of the digital audio file, the channel identity, and the timestamp, and, couples the directory packet to a directory server located on the network. The directory server outputs a directory stream to a client terminal on the network, which selects a directory packet and sends an audio file request through the network for the digital audio file. The audio file is then sent to the client terminal.
US08429275B2
A method, apparatus and computer readable medium for creating a social network map using non-voice communications are disclosed. For example, the method registers employment data of an employee, monitors non-voice communications of the employee, generates a social network map of the non-voice communications of the employee and analyzes the social network map to provide at least one correlation.
US08429272B2
An indicator for a device may provide an indication that a threshold associated with a budget for a network resource has or will be reached. When a user requests a network operation that will consume the network resource, an amount of the network resource to be consumed by the operation is predicted, if possible. If the prior use of the network resource and the amount to be used to complete the network operation exceeds a threshold the user may be warned and given an opportunity to cancel the operation or adjust the way in which the operation will be performed. If the amount of network resource a network operation will consume is unknown, a rate of use of the network resource is determined and a time until the budget is reached is estimated.
US08429264B2
Methods, systems and apparatuses for managing computer processes in a computing environment may be described. An exemplary method may include the defining of a plurality of computer processes; the defining of a sequence that dictates the starting and stopping of the plurality of computer processes; the Defining of any process dependencies for the plurality of computer processes; the defining of a first networked environment where the plurality of computer processes run; the determining of an action to take following a system event; and the executing of the action.
US08429250B2
Systems and methods for enabling dynamic advertisement insertion into media files without transcoding are disclosed. The techniques disclosed involve retrieving files of the media and advertisement(s) and converting the files to an MPEG-2 transport stream (MPEG-2 TS) format. The MPEG-2 TS streams are then joined to insert the advertisement at a desired point in the media file. The resulting MPEG-2 TS stream is then converted back to a media file, which can be provided for downloading, or optionally reindexed. Because it does not require transcoding, this process can be performed on-the-fly to provide dynamic insertion of advertisements into media files. Other media file manipulation, including the insertion of non-advertisement media, is contemplated.
US08429244B2
Disseminating to a participant an indication that an item accessible by the participant via a network is of current interest is disclosed. An indication that the item is of current interest is received in real time. The indication is processed. The participant is informed that the item is of current interest.
US08429242B1
One embodiment of the invention relates to the transfer of content between a host computer that issues OAS access requests and a block I/O storage system. Specifically, a host computer may issue an access request for a content unit that identifies the content unit is an object identifier. The request may be received by a second server, which may determine the block address(es) on the block I/O storage system at which the content unit is stored. A request may then be sent to the block I/O storage system to retrieve the content stored at the requested block address(es) and the block I/O storage system may return the content.
US08429230B2
A method for transmitting an invitation to a communication relating to a medical image in a DICOM data record from a person who has access to the image to a partner is proposed. The invitation is stored as information in the DICOM data record of the image. The DICOM data record is transmitted to a server. With reference to the invitation, the server determines a message channel which leads to the partner. The server transmits the invitation to the partner via the message channel.
US08429227B2
In an image display device, a method of communicating over a network an invitation to use the image display device to at least one image source connected to the network is provided. The method may include forming an invitation message, wherein the invitation message contains an invitation for an image source to connect to the image display device to use a service on the image display device, and sending the invitation message to a multicasting address on the network.
US08429214B2
A programmable system is disclosed having multiple configurable floating point units (“FPU”) that are coupled to multiple programmable logic and routing blocks and multiple memories. Each floating point unit has static configuration blocks and dynamic configuration blocks, where the dynamic configuration blocks can be reconfigured to perform a different floating point unit function. A floating point unit includes a pre-normalization for shifting an exponent calculation as well as shifting and aligning a mantissa, and a post-normalization for normalizing and rounding a received input. The post-normalization receives an input Z and realigns the input, normalizes the input and rounds the input Z.
US08429205B2
A reference to auxiliary data is steganographically encoded within a media signal. The auxiliary data is stored in a metadata database that maps the reference encoded in the media signal to its corresponding metadata. Various application programs and devices can access the metadata by extracting the reference from the media signal, and querying the database for metadata corresponding to the reference. The metadata database may be implemented in a network server to make metadata readily available to devices and applications distributed throughout a network. This steganographic link to metadata may be used to retrieve metadata across media management systems. In one configuration, for example, media management systems have metadata servers that maintain metadata for a collection of media signals. The metadata server is responsible for responding to requests for metadata associated with media titles in its collection. In the event that a metadata server does not have metadata associated with a particular media title, it forwards the reference extracted from the media signal to a metadata router, which in turn, re-directs the request to the appropriate metadata server.
US08429199B2
Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with load on demand network analysis are described. One method embodiment includes accessing a network analysis request and data associated with a set of network partitions associated with a network. The request describes a function to be performed on the network. A set of partitions subdivides the network and a data model stores data describing the network and its partitions. Thus, the example method may include identifying a member of the set of network partitions associated with the network analysis request and selectively loading data associated that member. The method may then perform the network analysis function on the data associated with the member rather than on data describing the entire network.
US08429197B1
A method for maintaining group membership records includes 1) maintaining a record of group memberships for a membership hierarchy, the membership record identifying a direct relationship between a first object and a second object in the membership hierarchy, 2) receiving a membership update indicating that, as of a first point in time, a direct relationship between the second object and a third object changed, 3) updating the record of group memberships to reflect the change in the relationship between the second object and the third object, 4) deducing, based on the membership update and the record of group memberships, a change in an indirect relationship between the first object and the third object as of the first point in time, and 5) providing a view of object relationships within the membership hierarchy as the object relationships exist at the first point in time and a historical record of object relationships.
US08429194B2
A workflow application allows users to store, manage, and perform tasks related to workflows comprised of ordered sets of documents. The application provides an interface for creating and managing a workflow. Each document added to the workflow is assigned to a particular position in the workflow. Via the interface, the user saves data defining the workflow. In this manner, the workflow may be shared or preserved for subsequent re-use. The application allows a user to perform various tasks with respect to the workflow. Via an interface control presented by the application, the user instigates such tasks. In response, the application causes the task to be performed for each document in the workflow in an order corresponding to the arrangement of the documents within the workflow. For example, the application may render and print each document in the workflow. Or, the application may generate a combined workflow report.
US08429188B2
Methods and systems for selecting and presenting content based on context sensitive user preferences
A method of selecting and presenting content based on context-sensitive learned user preferences is provided. The method includes providing a set of content items having descriptive terms. The method includes receiving user input for identifying items and, in response thereto, presenting a subset of items. The method includes receiving user selections of said items and analyzing the descriptive terms of those items to learn the user's content preferences. The method includes determining the context in which the user performed the selections and associating those contexts with the user content preferences learned from the corresponding user selections. The method includes, in response to subsequent user input, determining a context of said subsequent input and selecting and ordering a collection of items based on comparing those items' descriptive terms with the user's learned content preferences associated with the determined context in which the user entered the subsequent input.
US08429185B2
Various embodiments utilize structured data contained within a resource, such as a web page, to enable a user to define collections of data. Individual constituent parts of a collection or “links” are collected within a collection. In one or more embodiments, a full page viewing experience can be provided which enables users to not only view more details for a given link, but to view multiple different links at a time. Other viewing options and collection interactions are provided.
US08429180B1
A computer, computer program product, and method identify potentially malicious remote objects using client cooperation. A remote object access module detects client device access of a remote object instance, and an object analysis system identifies an associated location, creates a content identification value for the instance, compares it to stored content identification values for previous instances, and if anomalous, analyzes the stored content identification values to determine whether malicious. The remote object access module monitors actual traffic received by the client, and stores the information across multiple clients for comparison, allowing more accurate detection of malicious remote objects than traditional web crawling.
US08429176B2
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for extending media annotations using collective knowledge. The method according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises receiving a plurality of content items and associated annotations. The method further normalizes the plurality of associated annotations and calculates pair frequencies for the plurality of associated annotations. The method then retrieves a plurality of alternative annotations and provides the plurality of alternative annotations.
US08429174B2
Techniques are provided for searching on three dimensional (3D) objects across large, distributed repositories of 3D models. 3D shapes are created for input to a search system; optionally user-defined similarity criterion is used, and search results are interactively navigated and feedback received for modifying the accuracy of the search results. Search input can also be given by picking 3D models from a cluster map or by providing the orthographic views for the 3D model. Feedback can be given by a searcher as to which models are similar and which are not. Various techniques adjust the search results according to the feedback given by the searcher and present the new search results to the searcher.
US08429163B1
A method of presenting a plurality of content includes receiving measurements of similarity distances between content of the plurality of content; mapping the content to a two-dimensional surface based on the similarity distances; and partitioning the content of the two-dimensional surface into k levels of a similarity pyramid, wherein each of the k levels includes 4^k−1 cells, and wherein each content of the plurality of content is separately mapped to one of the cells on one of the k levels of the similarity pyramid.
US08429155B2
A method of selecting and presenting content based on detecting an increased level of activity associated with the content is presented. The method includes providing a set of content items with associated descriptive terms. The method includes receiving user search input for identifying desired content items and, in response to the incremental input entered by the user, presenting a subset of content items to the user. The method further includes receiving actions from the user selecting content items from the subset and analyzing the descriptive terms associated with the selected content items to detect an increased level of activity for descriptive terms associated with the content items selected by the users. The method includes, in response to receiving subsequent user search input, selecting and ordering a collection of content items based on promoting the ranking of content items associated with descriptive terms that have an increased level of recent activity.
US08429149B2
Systems, methods and computer program products include job bots that are configured to periodically visit network sites that have stored therein one or more job postings. During each visit, the one or more job postings are analyzed and a searchable job post database is updated to add new job postings, modify changed job postings and delete any removed job postings. A search engine is provided for job seekers to search the searchable job post database where a consolidate list of job postings from the network sites is stored.
US08429147B1
A search engine can be configured to improve search times by implementing a parallel computing architecture. The index is split across a plurality of independent search nodes. A query is communicated to each of the parallel nodes and the query is searched in each independent node. The results from each node are routed to a federator that is configured to aggregate the results to a result set. The federator is configured to determine a subset of intermediate results to retrieve and aggregate from each of the independent nodes. The federator determines a number of results to retrieve from each of the nodes based at least in part on the number of nodes and the number of search results desired in the results set.
US08429146B2
A system, media, and method for selecting future queries are provided. The selected future queries are used to transmit appropriate online advertising to a user that issues queries to a search engine. The search engine is coupled to a prediction component that predicts what subject the user is going to be interested in and when the user will be interested in the subject. The prediction component returns a future query using statistical language models representing a query history of the user and aggregate query histories for a community of users.
US08429142B2
Mechanisms to support object-oriented version control operations are provided. A user manipulates and views a project from an object viewpoint and within an object module. The user performs version control operations using object handles. The object handles are resolved to specific file references and the specific file references are used to process legacy version control commands utilizing a legacy version control system in a manner that is transparent to the user.
US08429123B2
Synchronization architectures, methods, systems, and computer readable media are described. In one embodiment, a synchronization session is initiated between a first data processing system and a second data processing system. First data, representing changes to a first data class, is transmitted from the first data processing system to the second data processing system. Second data, representing changes to a second data class, is transmitted from the first data processing system to the second data processing system. Transmission of the second data begins before transmission of the first data is complete. The first data may comprise structured data such as contacts information, to do information, calendar information, or web browsing bookmarks.
US08429114B2
An apparatus for providing pattern recognition may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least receive an indication of sensor data descriptive of movement of a user terminal, provide for expansion of the sensor data in a predetermined manner to define outcome values, apply a logical mask to the outcome values to generate selected outcome values for provision to a finite state machine, and utilize a pattern recognition algorithm associated with the finite state machine to determine whether the sensor data corresponds to a pattern identified by proceeding through defined transitions to a final state of the finite state machine. A corresponding computer program product and method are also provided.
US08429113B2
The invention is a method and a system for discovering collusion among a network of interacting entities. Collusion is defined as a conspiracy among two or more interacting entities to use deception or an unfair advantage for private gain above their peers or other stakeholders in their network. The invention comprises a mathematical framework for measuring the collusion propensity of two or more entities in a network.
US08429108B2
Two methods and systems for fast construction of poset isomorphism certificates are provided. Posets (partially-ordered sets) generalize graphs. The invented certificates are number sequences such that two posets are isomorphic if and only if their corresponding certificates coincide. The first method yields the (Omicron,Iota) poset isomorphism certificate. The minimal Phi-isomorphism certificate can be constructed by partitioning vertices of the graphs into Phi-ranked symmetry clusters and constructing a topological Phi-vertex ranking. Thus, symmetries in posets are detectable at low cost. In addition, the Phi-vertex ranking and a poset isomorphism certificate provide a pair of separate one-dimensional keys for poset encoding. Data objects representable as posets, which are commonly used in automated design, safety and security applications, biocomputing, management of semi-structured data, and other fields, can be stored, analyzed, indexed, and accessed using the isomorphism certificates requiring much less storage and computation time.
US08429103B1
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for providing machine-learning services. A machine-learning service executing on a mobile platform can receive data related to a plurality of features. In some cases, the received data can include data related to features received from an application and data related to features received from the mobile platform. The machine-learning service can determine at least one feature based on the received data. The machine-learning service can generate an output by performing a machine-learning operation on the at least one feature. The machine-learning operation can be selected from among an operation of ranking the at least one feature, an operation of classifying the at least one feature, an operation of predicting the at least one feature, and an operation of clustering the at least one feature. The machine-learning service can send the output.
