US08432202B2

A locked loop may have an adjustable hysteresis and/or a tracking speed that can be programmed by a user of an electronic device containing the locked loop or controlled by an integrated circuit device containing the locked loop during operation of the device. The looked loop may include a phase detector having a variable hysteresis, which may be coupled to receive a reference clock signal and an output clock signal from a phase adjustment circuit through respective frequency dividers that can vary the rate at which the phase detector compares the phase of the output clock signal to the phase of the reference clock signal, thus varying the tracking speed of the loop. The hysteresis and tracking speed of the locked loop may be programmed using a variety of means, such as by a temperature sensor for the electronic device, a mode register, a memory device command decoder, etc.
US08432200B1

A phase-locked loop (PLL) generates an oscillator signal based on an input reference signal. A voltage-to-current converter converts a control voltage to a first current and a current-controlled oscillator generates the oscillator signal based on the first current. A dual charge pump circuit generates first and second charge pump currents having a predetermined ratio based on fractions of the calibration current and the first current and an error (feedback) signal. An active loop filter generates the control voltage based on the first and second charge pump currents and includes a transconductance stage having a transconductance that varies with the variation in a third current. The variation in the transconductance causes the second charge pump current to vary, which in turn adjusts the predetermined ratio between the first and second charge pump currents.
US08432199B2

Disclosed is a fractional digital phase locked loop with an analog phase error compensator. The digital phase locked loop with an analog phase error compensator can reduce excessive power consumption and power noise and transient current noise while increasing phase error detection resolution by performing fractional phase error detection and compensation through the analog phase error compensator.
US08432196B2

A method and apparatus of resetting a mobile device including a Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) with no manual reset function are provided. The apparatus includes an input unit for creating a specific input signal for a reset according to a user's input. The apparatus includes a reset unit for creating a manual reset input signal in response to the specific input signal, and for blocking battery power supplied to the PMIC by using the manual reset input signal and a signal created during operations of the mobile device. The reset apparatus includes a power unit for supplying the battery power.
US08432195B2

A latch integrated circuit has synchronous data loading and self-timed asynchronous data capture characteristics. The integrated circuit may include a latch, a pulse generator and a comparator. The latch can be responsive to a data signal and a write enable signal. The pulse generator may be configured to generate the write enable signal as a pulse. This pulse may have a leading edge synchronized with a first edge of a clock signal and a self-timed trailing edge synchronized with an edge of a comparison signal. The comparator may be configured to generate the comparison signal in response to comparing logic levels of at least two nodes within the integrated circuit.
US08432191B2

A phase-locked loop (PLL) includes PLL loop circuitry, a frequency divider, and a phase-frequency detector (PFD) that can produce both high-gain output signals to operate the PLL in a high-gain mode and normal output signals to operate the PLL in a normal (not high-gain) mode. A mode signal can be used to switch the PFD between high-gain mode and normal operational mode. When the mode signal indicates high-gain mode, the PFD output signals are extended by one or more additional clock cycles beyond their length when the mode signal indicates normal operational mode.
US08432184B2

A termination device and a system and a method terminate a peripheral device of an alarm system. The termination device connects to wiring extending from the peripheral device. The termination device may have a resistor, a diode and/or a similar component which provides electrical resistance. The termination device may have a potentiometer which may enable a user to adjust the electrical resistance. The termination device may have a blade which cuts the wiring.
US08432182B2

A USB-based isolator system conveys USB signals between a pair of galvanically isolated circuit systems and supports controlled enumeration by a downstream device on upstream USB signal lines. The isolator system provides a multi-mode voltage regulator to support multiple voltage supply configurations. The isolator system further provides control systems for each of the isolated circuit systems and provides robust control in a variety of start up conditions. Additionally, the isolator system includes refresh timers and watchdog mechanisms to support persistent operation but manage possible communication errors that can arise between the isolated circuit systems.
US08432179B2

A test device of a semiconductor integrated circuit includes: an oscillation unit including a plurality of oscillation circuits and configured to activate the respective oscillation circuits in response to a test mode signal and output a plurality of oscillation signals; a switching unit configured to extract only an activated signal among the plurality of oscillation signals; a frequency division unit configured to divide a signal outputted from the switching unit at a predetermined division ratio and generate a divided oscillation signal; and a data buffer unit configured to buffer the divided oscillation signal to output through a data pad.
US08432172B2

A measuring apparatus for capacitor is applied to a charging power source and a capacitor to be measured. The measuring apparatus for capacitor includes a microcontroller unit, an analog-digital converter unit, a charging-side switch unit, a charging-side resistor unit, a discharging-side switch unit and a discharging-side resistor unit. The capacitor to be measured is charged and discharged by the charging-side switch unit and the discharging-side switch unit controlled by the microcontroller unit. The charging and discharging voltage and time variation of the capacitor to be measured are measured by the analog-digital converter unit to calculate the capacitance value of the capacitor to be measured.
US08432168B2

There is provided an impedance measuring system which can accurately measure the impedance of a fuel cell. A motor rotation number detection unit successively detects the rotation number of a motor controlled by an inverter and outputs the detection result to a superposition signal generation unit. The superposition signal generation unit sets the frequency of an impedance measuring signal to a non-resonant frequency so that the control signal of the motor will not resonate with the impedance measuring signal. Thus, by setting the frequency of the impedance measuring signal to the non-resonant frequency, the resonance with the motor is suppressed, which can improve impedance measurement accuracy.
US08432149B2

The described embodiments may provide a chemical detection circuit with an improved signal-to-noise ration. The chemical detection circuit may include a current source, a chemical detection pixel, an amplifier and a capacitor. The chemical detection pixel may comprise a chemical-sensitive transistor that may have a first and second terminals and a row-select switch coupled between the current source and chemically-sensitive transistor. The amplifier may have a first input and a second input, with the first input coupled to an output of the chemically-sensitive transistor via a switch and the second input coupled to an offset voltage line. The capacitor may be coupled between an output of the amplifier and the first input of the amplifier. The capacitor and amplifier may form an integrator and may be shared by a column of chemical detection pixels.
US08432148B2

A circuit for providing a reference voltage can be widely used in audio applications. However, at startup an abrupt start in the reference signal can cause undesirable audible artifacts. A circuit employing feedback of a reference voltage to control the charging of a capacitor which provides the reference voltage can be used to provide a smooth startup to the reference voltage. The circuit contains a differential pair for steering a fixed current source from one path to another as the reference voltage increases. The steered current can then be mirrored into one ore more current mirrors where the newly mirrored current can be squeezed to zero when the difference between a desired reference voltage and the reference voltage approaches zero. This newly mirrored current can be used to charge a capacitor which is used to provide the reference voltage.
US08432146B2

Rather than operating in asynchronous mode during turn-on ramps, a switching power regulator system may be configured to synthesize a digital waveform, which may protect against a pre-bias condition and maintain the desired ramp-up time and rate. The desired turn-on ramp may be generated digitally by counter logic, beginning with an initial value and incrementing at a programmed rate until a digital value equivalent to the desired output voltage is reached. When a pre-bias condition is not present, the output of the digital ramp generator may control a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), which may be configured to generate the reference voltage for the power regulator. To correct for a pre-bias condition, the pre-bias output of the power regulator may be measured prior to turn-on, using an analog-to-digital converter. The digital pre-bias value may be used to control the DAC until the value of the digital waveform generated by the ramp generator reaches the pre-bias value.
US08432137B2

A method for generating and controlling power by means of at least one controlled permanent magnet machine (PMM) with a permanent magnet (PM) rotor and a stator with a magnetic flux diverter circuit for controlling the output of the PMM, comprises the steps of: rotating the PM rotor at a velocity sufficient to develop a high frequency alternating current (HFAC) power output from the stator; transforming the HFAC output to produce a desired non-HFAC power output; sensing desired power output parameters; generating a control signal responsive to the sensed parameters; and applying the control signal to the magnetic flux diverter circuit to control the desired power output.
US08432136B2

A battery pack includes: a plurality of rechargeable batteries (11a to 11n) connected in series or in parallel; a voltage detector (13) for detecting voltages of the respective batteries; a calculator (15) for calculating optimal charging current values based on the voltages of the respective batteries detected by the voltage detector so as to recharge the respective batteries; and a communicator (19) for transmitting the charging current values calculated by the calculator to a battery charger (3).
US08432135B2

An object of this invention is to simultaneously resolve a decline in capacity due to undercharging of, and degradation due to overcharging of, a lead-acid battery, which occur as a result of random charging. A method of controlling a lead-acid battery of this invention is characterized in that a first region extending until an accumulated discharged capacity D1 at which a theoretical discharged capacity is the maximum value Dmax is reached, and a subsequent second region in which the accumulated discharged capacity D1 is exceeded, are set, and in that a value R1 obtained by dividing an accumulated charged capacity C1 by the accumulated discharged capacity D1 in the first region is made to be larger than a value R2 obtained by dividing an accumulated charged capacity C2 by an accumulated discharged capacity D2 in the second region.
US08432128B2

A polygonal power pad includes an optional connector to connect to a power supply and a power network in the power pad. At least one power connector is coupled to the power network and is disposed on a periphery of the pad. The power connector is operable to receive and provide power to a provided adjacent pad. At least one power transfer coil embedded in the pad, is coupled to the power network to transfer power to a device proximate the pad.
US08432127B2

A battery charger includes a battery attachment section configured to have a rechargeable battery releasably attached thereto. The battery attachment section includes a flat attachment surface having a width corresponding to a width of a bottom surface of a case of the battery to be charged and a length greater than a length of the bottom surface of the case of the battery to be charged; a plurality of locking hooks provided on the attachment surface; a charger terminal configured to contact a terminal of the battery to be charged, the charger terminal including a plurality of plate-shaped contact pieces configured to be inserted into engaging grooves of the battery to be charged; and an attachment projection adjacent to the attachment surface and configured to secure the battery to the charger.
US08432124B2

A portable electronic device carrier supports and protects a portable electronic device while providing power to the device. The carrier is configured to house various portable electronic devices such as smart phones, cell phones, PDAs, tablets or the like. The carrier may comprise a foldable structure comprising two flaps or panels. One or more solar panels, batteries or both may provide power to a portable electronic device via a charging port that engages an interface of the portable electronic device. The carrier may include one or more retractable legs which support its panels relative to one another such that the portable electronic device may be held at various positions or angles which are well suited for different tasks. The carrier may include memory devices and various other ports to enhance the capabilities of the portable electronic device.
US08432123B2

A method is described for operating an electric motor. The electric motor has at least two phases and a rotor. In the method, a current angular position (phipos) of the rotor is ascertained and, as a function of that, in at least one of the two phases, a potential is applied in such a way that a desired angular position (phiposreq) is achieved. From the current angular position (phipos) and the desired angular position (phiposreq) a setpoint angular velocity (dphides) is ascertained, which is used for influencing the potential.
US08432120B2

A numerical controller calculates a first position command from a machining program, converts the first position command into a second position command for restricting a tangential speed of a tool, and delivers the second position command and a status signal indicative of the achievement of the conversion of the first position command into the second position command to a tool path display apparatus. The tool path display apparatus displays the path of the tool in a color corresponding to the status signal and can thereby determine the point on the tool path at which the speed restriction is performed.
US08432117B2

Automated shade systems comprise motorized window coverings, sensors, and controllers that use algorithms to control operation of the automated shade control system. These algorithms may include information such as: 3-D models of a building and surrounding structures, shadow information, reflectance information, lighting and radiation information, ASHRAE clear sky algorithms, log information related to manual overrides, occupant preference information, motion information, real-time sky conditions, solar radiation on a building, a total foot-candle load on a structure, brightness overrides, actual and/or calculated BTU load, time-of-year information, and microclimate analysis.
US08432114B2

An electric system that includes a single-phase permanent-magnet electric machine and a control system for driving the electric machine under load at speeds in excess of 60 krpm. Additionally, a product that includes the electric system.
US08432110B2

The present invention includes a laser element, a laser-element temperature measuring unit that measures a temperature of a laser element, a harmonic generation element that converts the wavelength of a laser light output by the laser element, a harmonic-generation-element temperature measuring unit that measures a temperature of the harmonic generation element, a harmonic-generation-element temperature adjusting unit that adjusts the temperature of the harmonic generation element, a storage unit that stores therein a relationship between the temperature of the laser element and a target temperature of the harmonic generation element at which a power of the laser light output by the harmonic generation element reaches a maximum, and a controlling unit that controls the harmonic-generation-element temperature adjusting unit so that the temperature of the harmonic generation element is adjusted to the target temperature obtained from the temperature of the measured laser element in accordance with the relationship.
US08432108B2

LED lighting fixtures, or luminaires, related components, driver circuit, methods, and software/firmware are described that can provide for among other things, ambient environment sensing, thermal self-monitoring, sensor-based power management, communications, and/or programmability. Driver and lighting circuits configured for electrical loads such as series arrangements of light emitting diodes are also described. Embodiments of PFC stages and driver stages can be combined for use as a power supply, and may be configured on a common circuit board. Power factor correction and driver circuits can be combined with one or more lighting elements as a lighting apparatus. Methods of hysteretic power factor correction start-up are also described.
US08432107B2

An over-temperature protection circuit is adapted to a light source driver coupled to a light-emitting device. The light source driver has a current setting terminal receiving a set current to control the magnitude of a current flowing through the light-emitting device. The over-temperature protection circuit includes a first, second, and third resistors, a thermal resistor measuring temperature of the light-emitting device, and a diode. A first terminal of the first resistor provides the set current to the current setting terminal. The second resistor is coupled between the first resistor and a ground voltage in series. A first terminal of the thermal resistor is coupled to a reference voltage. The third resistor is coupled between the thermal resistor and the ground voltage in series. An anode and a cathode of the diode are respectively coupled to a second terminal of the thermal resistor and a second terminal of the first resistor.
US08432106B2

A method for operating a controlled illumination apparatus, the illumination apparatus comprising at least one pulse-width modulation (PWM)-controlled LED, the method comprising carrying out a duty cycle sweep of the PWM signal driving the LED while sensing at least one parameter indicative of the power consumption of the LED to compute a curve reflecting the duty-cycle dependency of the power efficiency of the LED.
US08432095B2

Systems and methods for the design and fabrication of OLEDs, including high-performance large-area OLEDs, are provided. Variously described fabrication processes may be used to deposit and pattern bus lines with a smooth profile and a gradual sidewall transition. Such smooth profiles may, for example, reduce the probability of electrical shorting at the bus lines. Accordingly, in certain circumstances, an insulating layer may no longer be considered essential, and may be optionally avoided altogether. In cases where an insulating layer is not used, further enhancements in the emissive area and shelf life of the device may be achieved as well. According to aspects of the invention, bus lines such as those described herein may be deposited, and patterned, using vapor deposition such as vacuum thermal evaporation (VTE) through a shadow mask, and may avoid multiple photolithography steps. Other vapor deposition systems and methods may include, among others, sputter deposition, e-beam evaporation and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). A final profile of the bus line may substantially correspond to the profile as deposited.
US08432087B2

A resonator element includes: a base portion; and a resonating arm extending in a first direction from the base portion, wherein the resonating arm includes a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface, a first side surface extending in the first direction so as to connect the first and second surfaces, and a second side surface facing the first side surface, wherein the resonating arm includes a first width portion having a first width and a second width portion provided at a root of the resonating arm so as to have a second width larger than the first width, wherein the resonating arm includes a groove portion provided on at least one of the first and second surfaces so as to extend in the first direction, the groove portion in the second width portion having a width larger than a width of the groove portion in the first width portion, and wherein a sum of the width between the groove portion in the second width portion and the first side surface and the width between the groove portion in the second width portion and the second side surface is smaller than a sum of the width between the groove portion in the first width portion and the first side surface and the width between the groove portion in the first width portion and the second side surface.
US08432086B2

A device for generating electrical energy has a sheet of piezo material with an array of holes formed therein. At least some of the holes are filled with ferro fluid which expands in the holes upon being subjected to a change in magnetic energy. The sheet of piezo material generates an electrical potential in response to applied mechanical strain caused by the expansion of the ferro fluid in the holes of the piezo sheet.
US08432080B2

This invention provides a rotating electrical machine including a rotor that has an even number of first permanent magnets aligned in a circumferential direction of the rotor, second permanent magnets of a number equal to that of the first permanent magnets, provided respectively between the stator and circumferential ends of the first permanent magnets adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, and core pieces of a number equal to that of the first permanent magnets, provided respectively between the second permanent magnets adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction.
US08432078B2

An electric machine that includes a stator and a Hall-effect sensor. The stator includes a pair of asymmetric poles and the sensor is oriented such that the plane of the sensor is substantially parallel to armature field lines passing through the sensor.
US08432076B2

The invention provides systems and methods for cooling and lubrication of high power density electric machines with an enhanced fluid injection system. Multiple fluid flow passages may be provided within the electric machine, which may include one or more bearing fluid flow pathways and one or more rotor fluid flow pathways. The bearing fluid flow pathway may comprise one or more passages which may direct a fluid to contact one or more bearings. The rotor fluid flow pathway may comprise one or more passages which may direct a fluid along the rotatable shaft toward the rotor and stator. A method for cooling and lubricating the electric machine may include directing a fluid to flow through a bearing fluid flow pathway for lubrication and cooling of one or more bearings, and then sequentially flow through a rotor fluid flow pathway for cooling of the rotor and stator.
US08432073B2

A power generating device includes a carrier module, a stator module, a rotor module and a power generating module. The stator module is assembled to the carrier module, and has a first circuit board and a plurality of driving coils. The rotor module is located in an electromagnetic field, and has a multipolar magnetic rotor and a rotating axle. A magnetic field of the multipolar magnetic rotor interacts with the electromagnetic field to make the rotor module rotating relative to the stator module, and make the multipolar magnetic rotor producing a varying magnetic field. The power generating module is located in the varying magnetic field, and has a second circuit board and a plurality of induction coils. The induction coils induct the varying magnetic field to output an induction circuit to the second circuit board.
US08432064B2

A circuit which extends the operational life of a main power source, said circuit comprising a pair of thermoelectric generators (TEGs) for converting thermal energy from a heat source into electrical energy; a pair of capacitors arranged in parallel, each coupled to one of the TEGs for storing the electrical energy generated by said TEG; a power converter; a first switching element coupled between a first capacitor in the pair of capacitors and the power converter; a second switching element coupled between a second capacitor in the pair of capacitors and the power converter; and a monitor/controller coupled to said first and second switching elements and each of said capacitors for selectively and alternatively switching the first and second switching elements in order to selectively provide power from one of the capacitors to a load, thereby reducing the amount of power drawn from the main power source.
US08432056B2

The shrouded vertical axis dual-turbine generator is a system comprising a structure in the shape of a double airplane wings symmetrical foil, having a vertical axis turbine set into each camber at each side of the foil. The aerodynamic shape of the leading edge of the foil increases the speed of the water or air current incoming toward the generator. The trailing edge of the foil creates a slip stream which reduces turbulence. Movable shutters on each side of the foil structure control the amount of current to the turbines and sheltering them from storm and debris. The turbines have a modular design and can be made of a stacked number of blades.
US08432053B2

The present invention is a wind turbine solar control system. This system may be applied to various types of wind turbines that use a start-up motor or will be able to be turned efficiently using a sun powered motor. A rechargeable battery is used to hold enough power to start the propeller for a predetermined amount of time. Wind sensors will be included to determine if enough wind is present to turn the propeller on. A control box may be included to designate when to turn the motor on and off. It also controls how much to charge the battery and regulates when to stop charging.
US08432051B2

An electric power generator for generating a substantially constant frequency output from a varying mechanical speed input such as from a wind or water turbine, comprises a three-phase induction machine in which at least one stator winding is magnetically and electrically decoupled from at least one other stator winding which is arranged to be connected to an external load, and a power source is arranged to excite said at least one stator winding with an AC current at a desired output frequency. The power generator can be directly connected to the mains grid without requiring a power electronics rectifier and inverter stage to convert the generator output to constant frequency AC.
US08432045B2

An assembly and method of making same are provided. The assembly can include a first component including a dielectric region having an exposed surface, a conductive pad at the surface defined by a conductive element having at least a portion extending in an oscillating or spiral path along the surface, and a an electrically conductive bonding material joined to the conductive pad and bridging an exposed portion of the dielectric surface between adjacent segments. The conductive pad can permit electrical interconnection of the first component with a second component having a terminal joined to the pad through the electrically conductive bonding material. The path of the conductive element may or may not overlap or cross itself.
US08432041B2

Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises a method of forming a barrier layer. The method of forming the barrier layer includes providing a workpiece, forming a first material layer over the workpiece, the first material layer comprising a nitride-based metal compound. A second material layer is formed over the first material layer. The second material layer comprises Ta or Ti. The barrier layer comprises the first material layer and at least the second material layer.
US08432037B2

A semiconductor device includes an interlayer insulation film, an underlying line provided in the interlayer insulation film, a liner film overlying the interlayer insulation film, an interlayer insulation film overlying the liner film. The underlying line has a lower hole and the liner film and the interlayer insulation film have an upper hole communicating with the lower hole, and the lower hole is larger in diameter than the upper hole. The semiconductor device further includes a conductive film provided at an internal wall surface of the lower hole, a barrier metal provided along an internal wall surface of the upper hole, and a Cu film filling the upper and lower holes. The conductive film contains a substance identical to a substance of the barrier metal. A highly reliable semiconductor device can thus be obtained.
US08432020B2

Capacitors, systems, and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the capacitor includes a first electrode. The capacitor may also include a first insulator layer having a positive VCC adjacent to the first electrode. The capacitor may further include a second insulator layer having a negative VCC adjacent to the first insulator layer. The capacitor may also include a third insulator layer having a positive VCC adjacent to the second insulator layer. The capacitor may also include a second electrode adjacent to the third insulator layer.
US08432019B2

System and apparatus for capacitively coupling signals with an integrated circuit (IC) are described. Capacitive elements disposed with a transmitting IC effectively function as AC coupling capacitors for a PCIe, DisplayPort™ or other interconnect linking the transmitting IC with a receiver disposed remote there from. Integrating the coupling capacitors allows for a smaller and more economical design for the circuits that utilize the interconnect.
US08432017B2

A method for fabricating a inductor carrier comprises the steps of providing a substrate with a protective layer; forming a first photoresist layer on protective layer; patterning the first photoresist layer to form a first opening and first apertures; forming a first metal layer within first opening and first apertures; removing the first photoresist layer; forming a first dielectric layer on protective layer; forming a second photoresist layer on first dielectric layer; patterning the second photoresist layer to form a second aperture and a plurality of third apertures; forming a second metal layer within second aperture and third apertures; removing the second photoresist layer; forming a second dielectric layer on first dielectric layer; forming a third photoresist layer on second dielectric layer; patterning the third photoresist layer to form a fifth aperture and sixth apertures; forming a third metal layer within fifth aperture and sixth apertures.
US08432014B2

Methods of fabricating semiconductor devices and structures thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a gate material stack over a workpiece having a first region and a second region. A composition or a thickness of at least one of a plurality of material layers of the gate material stack is altered in at least the second region. The gate material stack is patterned, forming a first transistor in the first region and forming a second transistor in the second region. Altering the composition or the thickness of the at least one of the plurality of material layers of the gate material stack in at least the second region results in a first transistor having a first threshold voltage and a second transistor having a second threshold voltage, the second threshold voltage having a different magnitude than the first threshold voltage.
US08432002B2

In one embodiment a method is provided that includes providing a structure including a semiconductor substrate having at least one device region located therein, and a doped semiconductor layer located on an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate in the at least one device region. After providing the structure, a sacrificial gate region having a spacer located on sidewalls thereof is formed on an upper surface of the doped semiconductor layer. A planarizing dielectric material is then formed and the sacrificial gate region is removed to form an opening that exposes a portion of the doped semiconductor layer. The opening is extended to an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate and then an anneal is performed that causes outdiffusion of dopant from remaining portions of the doped semiconductor layer forming a source region and a drain region in portions of the semiconductor substrate that are located beneath the remaining portions of the doped semiconductor layer. A high k gate dielectric and a metal gate are then formed into the extended opening.
US08431990B2

A semiconductor device comprises a substrate and a gate which extends on the substrate in a first horizontal direction. A source region is positioned at a first side of the gate and extends in the first direction. A body region of a first conductivity type is under the source region and extends in the first direction. A drain region of a second conductivity type is at a second side of the gate and extends in the first direction. A drift region of the second conductivity type extends between the body region and the drain region in the substrate in a second horizontal direction. A first buried layer is under the drift region in the substrate, the first buried layer extending in the first and second directions. A plurality of second buried layers is between the first buried layer and the drift region in the substrate. The second buried layers extend in the second direction and are spaced apart from each other in the first direction.
US08431984B2

A charge trap nonvolatile memory device includes a gate electrode on a substrate; a charge trapping layer between the gate electrode and the substrate, the charge trapping layer having trap sites configured to trap charges; a charge tunneling layer between the trapping layer and the semiconductor substrate; and a charge blocking layer between the gate electrode and the trapping layer. The charge trapping layer comprises a deep trapping layer having a plurality of energy barriers and a high density trapping layer having a trap site density higher than a trap site density of the deep trapping layer.
US08431980B2

A memory structure has a vertically oriented access transistor with an annular gate region. A transistor is fabricated such that the channel of the transistor extends outward with respect to the surface of the substrate. An annular gate is fabricated around the vertical channel such that it partially or completely surrounds the channel. A buried annular bitline may also be implemented. After the vertically oriented transistor is fabricated with the annular gate, a storage device may be fabricated over the transistor to provide a memory cell.
US08431978B2

In connection with a semiconductor device including a capacitor element there is provided a technique capable of improving the reliability of the capacitor element. A capacitor element is formed in an element isolation region formed over a semiconductor substrate. The capacitor element includes a lower electrode and an upper electrode formed over the lower electrode through a capacitor insulating film. Basically, the lower electrode and the upper electrode are formed from polysilicon films and a cobalt silicide film formed over the surfaces of the polysilicon films. End portions of the cobalt silicide film formed over the upper electrode are spaced apart a distance from end portions of the upper electrode. Besides, end portions of the cobalt silicide film formed over the lower electrode are spaced apart a distance from boundaries between the upper electrode and the lower electrode.
US08431977B2

A semiconductor chip includes a silicon substrate, a transistor in or on a bottom side surface of the substrate, a metallization structure under a bottom side surface of the substrate, a dielectric layer under the substrate and between a first and second metal layers of the metallization structure, a passivation layer under the metallization structure and the dielectric layer, where an opening in the passivation layer may be under a contact point of the metallization structure, a polymer layer under the passivation layer, a metal post under the passivation layer and in the polymer layer, where the polymer layer may not cover a bottom surface of the metal post, a metal bump connected with the bottom surface of the metal post, a micro-lense over the top side surface of the substrate, and a glass substrate over the micro-lense and over the top side surface of the substrate.
US08431976B2

Channel stop sections formed by multiple times of impurity ion implanting processes. Four-layer impurity regions are formed across the depth of a semiconductor substrate (across the depth of the bulk) so that a P-type impurity region is formed deep in the semiconductor substrate; thus, incorrect movement of electric charges is prevented. Other four-layer impurity regions of another channel stop section are decreased in width step by step across the depth of the substrate, so that the reduction of a charge storage region of a light receiving section due to the dispersion of P-type impurity in the channel stop section is prevented in the depth of the substrate.
US08431971B2

Crisscrossing spacers formed by pitch multiplication are used to form isolated features, such as contacts vias. A first plurality of mandrels are formed on a first level and a first plurality of spacers are formed around each of the mandrels. A second plurality of mandrels is formed on a second level above the first level. The second plurality of mandrels is formed so that they cross the first plurality of mandrels, when viewed in a top down view. A second plurality of spacers is formed around each of the second plurality of mandrels. The first and the second mandrels are selectively removed to leave a pattern of voids defined by the crisscrossing first and second pluralities of spacers. These spacers can be used as a mask to transfer the pattern of voids to a substrate. The voids can be filled with conductive material to form conductive contacts.
US08431970B2

An integrated circuit has a plurality of terminals for making electrical connection to the integrated circuit. At least one device is formed adjacent an outer edge of the integrated circuit. The device includes at least one metal conductor for forming an edge seal for protecting the integrated circuit during die singulation. The device is coupled to one or more functional circuits within the integrated circuit by routing the at least one metal conductor to the one or more functional circuits, the at least one device providing a reactance value to the one or more functional circuits for non-test operational use. The device may be formed as one or more capacitors or as one or more inductors. Various structures may be used for the capacitor and the inductor.
US08431969B2

A three-dimensional semiconductor device includes stacked structures arranged two-dimensionally on a substrate, a first interconnection layer including first interconnections and disposed on the stacked structures, and a second interconnection layer including second interconnections and disposed on the first interconnection layer. Each of the stacked structures has a lower region including a plurality of stacked lower word lines, and an upper region including a plurality of stacked upper word lines disposed on the stack of lower word lines. Each of the first interconnections is connected to one of the lower word lines and each of the second interconnections is connected to one of the upper word lines.
US08431963B2

A field-effect transistor according to the present invention includes a silicon substrate that has a resistivity of not more than 0.02 Ω·cm, a channel layer that is formed on the silicon substrate and has a thickness of at least 5 μm, a barrier layer that is formed on the channel layer and supplies the channel layer with electrons, a two dimensional electron gas layer that is formed by a hetero junction between the channel layer and the barrier layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode that each form an ohmic contact with the barrier layer, and a gate electrode that is formed between the source electrode and the drain electrode, and forms a Schottky barrier junction with the barrier layer.
US08431962B2

A nitride-based FET device that provides reduced electron trapping and gate current leakage. The device includes a relatively thick passivation layer to reduce traps caused by device processing and a thin passivation layer below the gate terminal to reduce gate current leakage. The device includes semiconductor device layers deposited on a substrate. A plurality of passivation layers are deposited on the semiconductor device layers, where at least two of the layers are made of a different dielectric material to provide an etch stop. One or more of the passivation layers can be removed using the interfaces between the layers as an etch stop so that the distance between the gate terminal and the semiconductor device layers can be tightly controlled, where the distance can be made very thin to increase device performance and reduce gate current leakage.
US08431957B2

A method for controlling consumer exposure to audio dosage for a composite audio signal, the method comprising: sampling the composite audio signal; transforming the sampled audio signal, using a fast fourier transform algorithm, to produce a signal representative of the amplitude of component frequencies of the audio signal; comparing the transformed audio signal with a predefined impulse control threshold profile, representing the target maximum amplitude for each frequency component for the audio signal threshold profile to produce a configuring signal representative of the difference between the broadcast signal and the profile; using the configuring signal to automatically configure in real time a Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter so that it attenuates the amplitude of the transformed audio signal in frequency bands centered on the frequencies at which the target threshold is exceeded; and outputting the attenuated audio signal for consumer exposure.
US08431954B2

Disclosed is a light emitting device employing non-stoichiometric tetragonal Alkaline Earth Silicate phosphors. The light emitting device comprises a light emitting diode emitting light of ultraviolet or visible light, and non-stoichiometric luminescent material disposed around the light emitting diode. The luminescent material adsorbs at least a portion of the light emitted from the light emitting diode and emits light having a different wavelength from the absorbed light. The non-stoichiometric luminescent material has tetragonal crystal structure, and contains more silicon in the crystal lattice than that in the crystal lattice of silicate phosphors having stoichiometric crystal structure. The luminescent material is represented as the formula (BauSrvCawCux)3-y(Zn,Mg,Mn)zSi1+bO5+2b:Eua. Light emitting devices having improved temperature and humidity stability can be provided by employing the non-stoichiometric tetragonal Alkaline Earth Silicate phosphors.
US08431953B2

[Object]To provide a silicone resin composition for optical semiconductor devices, which has a low gas permeability and high dependability.[Means for solution]The silicone resin composition of the present invention contains the following components (A) through (D): (A) an organopolysiloxane as shown in the following general formula (1) in which the number of alkenyl groups contained per one molecule is two or more (R1SiO3/2)x(R23SiO1/2)y(R22SiO2/2)z  (1) (wherein R1 is a cycloalkyl group, R2 is either one kind of or more than one kind of substituted or non-substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1-10 carbon atoms, x is 0.5-0.9, y is 0.1-0.5, z is 0-0.2, and x+y+z=1.0), (B) a hydrogen organopolysiloxane containing at least two SiH groups per one molecule, (C) a catalyst for addition reaction, (D) an adhesion promoter agent.
US08431941B2

An active matrix substrate includes a substrate; a plurality of data lines provided on the substrate; a plurality of scanning lines provided to cross the data lines on the substrate when seen in a plan view; a thin film transistor that is electrically connected to one of the plurality of data lines and one of the plurality of scanning lines and has an organic semiconductor layer; a pixel electrode electrically connected to the thin film transistor; and a capacitive element electrically connected in parallel with the thin film transistor between the data line and the pixel electrode.
US08431940B2

An object is to provide a light-emitting element which exhibits light emission with high luminance and can be driven at low voltage. Another object is to provide a light-emitting device or an electronic device with reduced power consumption. Between an anode and a cathode, n (n is a natural number of two or more) EL layers are provided, where between a first EL layer and a second EL layer, a first layer containing any of an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, a rare earth metal, an alkali metal compound, an alkaline earth metal compound, and a rare earth metal compound, a second layer containing a material having a high electron-transporting property in contact with the first layer, and a region containing a material having a high hole-transporting property and an acceptor material in contact with the second layer are provided in this order from the anode side.
US08431939B2

The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor light-emitting device which includes: a substrate having a first surface and a second surface; at least one semiconductor stacked body disposed on the first surface of the substrate and each including an active layer and first and second semiconductor layers disposed on both sides of the active layer, the first semiconductor layer having first conductivity, the second semiconductor layer having second conductivity different than the first conductivity, the first semiconductor layer having an exposed surface; a substrate piercing portion leading from the second surface to the first surface with a spacing from the exposed surface and opened without being covered with the at least one semiconductor stacked body; and an electrical path leading to the at least one semiconductor stacked body via the substrate piercing portion.
US08431937B2

A semiconductor chip includes a carrier and a semiconductor body, which includes a semiconductor layer sequence having an active region provided for generating radiation. The carrier has a first carrier area facing the semiconductor body and a second carrier area remote from the semiconductor body. The semiconductor body is cohesively fixed to the carrier by means of a connection layer. A plurality of reflective or scattering elements are formed between the second carrier area and the active region.
US08431935B2

A semiconductor substrate includes: a substrate having a single crystal silicon on at least one surface thereof; a buffer layer that is provided on the single crystal silicon and has at least one cobalt silicide layer primarily containing cobalt silicide; and a silicon carbide single crystal film provided on the buffer layer.
US08431932B2

A lower substrate for a liquid crystal display device and the method of making the same are disclosed. The method includes steps of: (a) providing a substrate; (b) forming a patterned transparent layer having plural recess on the substrate; (c) forming a first barrier layer on the surface of the recess; (d) coating a first metal layer on the first barrier layer and making the surfaces of the first metal layer and the transparent layer in substantially the same plane; and (e) forming a first insulated layer and a semi-conductive layer in sequence. The method further can optionally comprise the steps of: (f) forming a patterned second metal layer, wherein part of the semi-conductive layer is exposed, thus forming the source electrode and the drain electrode; and (g) forming a transparent electrode layer on part of the transparent layer and part of the second metal layer.
US08431929B2

A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a gate disposed thereon, an insulation layer disposed on the substrate and overlying the gate, a patterned semiconductor layer disposed on the insulation layer, a source and a drain disposed on the patterned semiconductor layer, a protective layer overlying the insulation layer, the source and the boundary of the drain to expose a portion of the drain, and a pixel electrode disposed on the substrate, overlying the protective layer overlying the boundary of the drain, electrically connected to the exposed drain.
US08431917B2

In one embodiment, a system includes an optical monitoring system configured to optically communicate with an interior of a rotary machine. The optical monitoring system is configured to redirect a field of view toward different regions of a component within the interior of the rotary machine while the rotary machine is in operation, and to capture an image of each region.
US08431911B2

A method and apparatus for manufacturing magnetic storage media is provided. A structural substrate is coated with a magnetically active material, and a magnetic pattern is formed in the magnetically active material by treating portions of the material with energy from a laser, e-beam, or focused ion beam. The beam may be divided into a packet of beamlets by passing the beam through a divider, which may be a diffraction grating for laser energy, a thin film single crystal for electrons, or a perforated plate for ions, or the beam may be generated by an array of emitters. The beamlets are then focused to a desired dimension and distribution by optics or electric fields. The resulting beam packet may be shaped further by passing through an aperture of any desired shape. The resulting beam may be applied sequentially to exposure zones to treat an entire substrate or plurality of substrates.
US08431900B2

A thermal infrared solid-state imaging device includes a horizontal scanning circuit for scanning a pixel area horizontally to read an infrared image, and vertical scanning circuits provided at both ends of the pixel area. The vertical scanning circuits drive a drive line by applying a driving voltage at both ends of the drive line (in two-end driving). Further a bias voltage is applied at the end of the pixel area to a bias line connected to differential integrating circuits.
US08431897B2

A scanning transmission electron microscope using optical fibers as optical guiding media. The microscope obtains a high-angle scattering image or a dark-field image from electrons transmitted through a specimen. A scintillator converts electrons transmitted through the specimen into optical signals. The optical fibers couple outputs from the scintillator to the photodetector segments. The connections of the fibers with the photodetector segments are formed into arbitrary shapes.
US08431890B1

The invention relates to a mass spectrometer comprising a laser system for mass-spectrometric analysis with ionization of analyte molecules in a sample by matrix-assisted laser desorption. A mass spectrometer with a pulsed UV laser system produces a spatially distributed spot pattern with peaks of uniform energy density on the sample, increasing thereby the degree of ionization for analyte ions as compared to conventional spot patterns. The spot pattern with peaks of uniform energy density can be produced by homogeneous illumination of a pattern generator, for example a lens array. The homogeneous illumination can be generated by a low-cost beam-shaping element, which does not act on the UV beam but on the original infrared beam, in conjunction with changes to the beam cross-section and beam profile brought about by the nonlinear conversion crystals. This beam shaping not only produces a beam profile which illuminates the pattern generator homogeneously with low losses, but at the same time increases the efficiency of the frequency multiplication and the lifetime of the conversion crystals so that cost savings are achieved because less laser energy is required and the lifetime is increased.
US08431886B2

The present invention comprises a method and system for accurate estimation of the ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) parameters in Fourier-transform mass spectrometry (FTMS/FT-ICR MS). The parameters are essential to estimating the mass to charge ratio of an ion from FT-ICR MS data, the intended purpose of the instrument. Achieving greater accuracy in the parameters assists in greater accuracy of the mass to charge ratio of an ion, and obtaining an accurate estimation of the mass to charge ratio of an ion further aides in detecting mass with sub-ppm accuracy. Estimating mass in this manner enhances identification and characterization of large molecules. The inventive method and system thereby enhances the data obtained by conventional FTMS by accurately estimating ICR parameters. Ultimately, accurate estimates of the masses of molecules and detection and characterization of molecules from FT-ICR MS data are obtained.
US08431864B2

A constant voltage (CV) welding process power supply is provided. The power supply includes a controller configured to detect a short circuit event in a CV welding process and increase a welding current based upon a periodically computed voltage error and a first gain to attempt to clear the short circuit event. The controller is further configured to detect whether the short circuit event has cleared after the first current increase. If the short circuit event has not cleared, the controller increases the welding current based upon the periodically computed voltage error and a second gain higher than the first gain.
US08431856B2

The invention relates to an inner burner (1) for electric arc wire spraying of hollow spaces, particularly cylinder bearing surfaces (9), comprising two meltable electrodes which are supplied in two feed channels (5) to a discharge nozzle (6) of the inner burner (1). The two electrodes are connected to two sliding contacts (4) for electrical energy transmission. According to the invention, the two sliding contacts (4) are displaceably mounted in the axial direction (10) and are each connected to a guide element (7) which is also displaceably mounted in the axial direction (10). The respective guide element (7) is axially pretensioned via at least one associated spring (11) and thereby presses the sliding contact (4) against the electrode, wherein the feed channels (5), the sliding contacts (4) and the guide elements (7) are arranged parallel to one another in the spraying head (2).
US08431850B2

A button structure includes an installation assembly, a slidable member, a pressable member, and a first resilient member and a second resilient member. The slidable member is slidably attached to the installation assembly. A pressable portion is formed on the slidable member. The pressable member is pivotably mounted to the installation assembly. A pressable cantilever extends from the pressable member. A guide portion protrudes from the pressable cantilever and abuts against the pressable portion. When the slidable member is pushed to deform the first resilient member, the pressable portion presses the guide portion to urge the pressable member to pivot. Thus the second resilient member is deformed, and the pressable cantilever pushes the button to power on or off the electronic device. When the slidable member is released, the first and second resilient members are restored to respectively force the slidable member and the pressable member to return.
US08431849B2

A keypad assembly including a dome configured to operatively engage a switch sensor; a dome overlay guide operatively coupled by to the dome; a key corresponding to the dome and configured to operatively engage the dome; and a light emitting source, configured to emit light. The dome overlay guide is configured to receive the light emitted by the light emitting source and direct the received light toward the keys.
US08431844B2

A switch device for implementing a power-on process for a portable electronic device includes a switch having a protrusion, a switch socket installed in the portable electronic device including a slot utilized for embedding the switch and a conducting portion for outputting a trigger signal while the protrusion is electrically connected to the conducting portion, and a trigger identification unit for starting the portable electronic device according to the trigger signal.
US08431840B2

Support element for lifting platforms, which can be arranged between a carrying element of the lifting platform and a vehicle which is to be raised, wherein the support element can be removed from the carrying element, wherein the support element rests on at least one vertically displaceable transfer element that seals a pressure chamber that is filled with hydraulic fluid and is disposed above said transfer element, with the transfer element generating in the pressure chamber a pressure that is characteristic for the weight resting on the support element, and in that the pressure chamber has an annular recess, in particular a groove, which is sealed by the equally annular transfer element.
US08431832B2

A circuit board (2) includes an insulation layer (7) where a via conductor (10) is embedded. The via conductor (10) includes: a first conductor portion (10a) having an lower portion narrower than an upper portion; and a second conductor portion (10b) which is formed immediately below the first conductor portion (10a), connected to the first conductor portion (10a), and has a maximum width greater than the upper end width of the first conductor portion (10a). The insulation layer (7) has a plurality of indentations (T1a, T1b) on the surface in contact with the via conductor (10). Convex portions (T2a, T2b) of the via conductor are arranged in the indentations (T1a, T1b).
US08431824B1

A direct bury kit having an elongated housing having a chamber for inserting a wire connector therein with the housing and the cover each having at least one jaw to clamp a portion of a wire against the jaws to thereby inhibit or prevent disruption of an electrical connection while maintaining the electrical connection in a waterproof condition.
US08431823B2

A cable management device is provided, which includes a first leg and a second leg connected by a connecting crown member. A first protrusion extends from the first leg. A second protrusion extends from the second leg. The first leg and the second leg both include an aperture. The cable management device includes passageway defined by an inner-surface of the first leg, an inner-surface of the second leg, and an inner-surface of the connecting crown member. The passageway is operable to hold a cable.
US08431811B2

A multi-media entertainment device enabling a user to control sound/audio elements of a music or sound program while video is displayed and which is correlated to the played sound elements. The user interacts with triggers such as laser beams that can be interrupted by a player's fingers to play music. The video track is displayed, and the user controls the audio play of the sound track by interrupting the beams, each beam associated with a different instrument. This allows the user to play the multimedia device along with a displayed video performance, in synchronization with one or more musicians displayed on a display. The user's play may be scored as a function of the user's accuracy of engaging the triggers. For instance, a user can strum a trigger associated with a guitar program in unison with a guitarist on the display. The music created by the user interacting with multiple triggers is sympathetic and always synchronized to the video performance. If the user misses the timing of a note, the sound is not played. In another version, the user interacts by playing the triggers controlling sound elements associated with a displayed video game.
US08431806B2

Compositions which comprise an anthracycline agent, and a cytidine analog are encapsulated in liposomal carriers. The preferred anthracycline agent is selected from the group of daunorubicin, doxorubicin, and idarubicin, while the preferred cytidine analog is selected from the group of cytarabine, gemcitabine, or 5-azacytidine. The combination of the anthracycline agent and cytidine analog encapsulated in said liposomal carriers are useful in achieving a drug retention and a sustained drug release for each therapeutic agent.
US08431804B2

An inbred sweet corn line, designated SWSL 01, the plants and seeds of inbred sweet corn line SWSL 01, methods for producing a maize plant produced by crossing the inbred sweet corn line SWSL 01 with itself or with another maize plant, and hybrid maize seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred sweet corn line SWSL 01 with another maize line or plant.
US08431801B2

A new and distinct variety of loblolly pine tree named ‘01PM0212’, particularly characterized by uniform rapid growth; good stem straightness; moderate rust resistance; and moderate to long internode.
US08431797B1

A soybean cultivar designated 00362508 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 00362508, to the plants of soybean cultivar 00362508, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 00362508, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 00362508. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 00362508. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 00362508, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 00362508 with another soybean cultivar.
US08431795B1

A soybean cultivar designated S110142 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S110142, to the plants of soybean cultivar S110142, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar S110142, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar S110142. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S110142. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S110142, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar S110142 with another soybean cultivar.
US08431791B1

A soybean cultivar designated 15172101 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 15172101, to the plants of soybean cultivar 15172101, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 15172101, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 15172101. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 15172101. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 15172101, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 15172101 with another soybean cultivar.
US08431788B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1024763. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1024763. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1024763 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1024763 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08431782B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1024747. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1024747. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1024747 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1024747 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08431772B1

Isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences encoding a diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) polypeptide are provided. Vectors and transgenic cells that include a nucleic acid sequence encoding a DGAT2 polypeptide are also described. Further provided are methods of producing an epoxy fatty acid by transforming a cell with a first isolated nucleic acid that encodes a diacylglycerol acyltransferase polypeptide and a second isolated nucleic acid that encodes an epoxygenase polypeptide, such that expression of the diacylglycerol acyltransferase polypeptide and the epoxygenase polypeptide increases an amount of epoxy fatty acid in the cell.
US08431763B2

Disclosed is a method for separating aromatic compounds using a simulated moving bed adsorptive chromatography, comprising a sulfolan process that is a non-aromatic compound removing process, a benzene/toluene fractionation process, an aromatic compound fractionation process, a selective toluene disproportionation process, a transalkylation process, a simulated moving bed para-xylene separation process and a xylene isomerization process, wherein the method is characterized by further comprising a simulated moving bed xylene mixture pre-treatment process and an additional xylene isomerization process. The separation method of aromatic compounds according to the present invention can make significant improvement in para-xylene and benzene production in the overall process, as compared to the conventional aromatic compound separation process.
US08431760B2

The present invention comprises a hydrocarbon-conversion process using an improved MgMxAPSO-31 molecular sieve which demonstrates a favorable combination of conversion and selectivity in aromatics conversion. The sieve comprises at least two divalent elements with narrow specific concentration limits in the framework structure having defined crystal characteristics. The element Mx may comprise one or more of manganese, cobalt, nickel, iron and zinc.
US08431757B2

Multiple catalytic processing stations enable a method for producing volatile gas streams from biomass decomposition at discrete increasing temperatures. These catalytic processing stations can be programmed to maximize conversion of biomass to useful renewable fuel components based on input feedstock and desired outputs.
US08431756B2

This invention relates to a method for processing oxygenated hydrocarbons to form a hydroisomerized and/or dewaxed hydrocarbon product having a reduced oxygen content, an increased iso-paraffin content, a low n-paraffin content, and good cold flow properties. Advantageously, the method can utilize a zeolitic base catalyst, optionally but preferably containing at least one activated metal component, and a hydrothermally-stable binder such as titania.
US08431755B2

A process to integrate a first biofuels process and a second generation cellulosic biofuels process is provided. The pyrolysis means which produces the char stream and a bioliquid stream. The low pressure hydrotreating component, a high pressure hydrotreating component, the low pressure hydrotreating component which produces the hydrocarbon stream, the high pressure hydrotreating component which produces the steam stream and bioliquid stream. A distillation means, which produces a green gasoline stream and a green diesel stream from the bioliquid stream. The second biofuels process may be a first generation bio-ethanol process, which produces a bio-ethanol stream. The hydrogen production unit, which produces the hydrogen stream and the steam stream. The hydrogen production unit may be a steam reformer or partial oxidation unit.
US08431749B2

In a method of recovering phenol and acetone from a feed stream containing bisphenol-A and isomers thereof, the feed stream is contacted with water and a source of hydroxyl ions under conditions effective to decompose at least part of said bisphenol-A and isomers thereof to phenol and acetone. The conditions include a temperature of about 150° C. to about 300° C., a pressure sufficient to keep the water substantially in the liquid phase at said temperature, and a molar ratio of hydroxyl ions to hydroxyphenyl groups in the residue stream from about 0.3:1 to about 0.9:1.
US08431742B2

The invention relates to a method for producing 1,2-dodeca-2,10-diene diacid and 1,12-dodecanoic acid whereby cyclooctene and acrylic acid are reacted with a ruthenium catalyst by way of a metathesis reaction at high substrate concentrations until the reaction takes place in substance, the resulting unsaturated dicarboxylic acid being precipitated and being hydrated in a second reaction step.
US08431738B2

Disclosed is the method for producing an optically active BSH amino acid, which comprises a step of reacting an optically active a-amino acid derivative having a halogen in a side chain with a cyanoethyl BSH compound represented by formula (1). An optically active BSH amino acid obtained by the method is also disclosed.
US08431737B2

One embodiment of the present invention discloses a drying agent having the formula: [Mg2(BTEC)(H2O)m].nH2O, where m denotes zero or positive integer from 1 to 10, and n denotes zero or positive integer from 1 to 6. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for forming a drying agent.
US08431735B2

A four stage inexpensive method of preparing pharmaceutical grade Melphalans of Melphalan 2-HCl, Melphalan HCl and Melphalan by: reacting N-phthaloyl-4-[bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-phenylalanine ethyl ester with phosphorous oxychloride, reacting the chlorinated product with HCl and alkali hydroxide and purifying, and lyophilizing to obtain Melphalans.
US08431729B2

The present invention discloses catalyst compositions employing silicon-bridged metallocene compounds with bulky substituents. Methods for making these silicon-bridged metallocene compounds and for using such compounds in catalyst compositions for the polymerization of olefins also are provided.
US08431725B2

A method for the purification or recovery of lactide rich streams by the combination of a suspension-based melt crystallization process with a subsequent separation of the pure lactide crystals in a wash column is disclosed.
US08431722B2

A cyclic alcohol of formula (II-1): wherein: R2, R3, and R4 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a linear alkyl group comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a branched alkyl group comprising 3 to 6 carbon atoms, or a cyclic alkyl group comprising 3 to 6 carbon atoms; or R2 and R3 or R3 and R4 combine to form an alkylene group comprising 3 to 6 carbon atoms; m is 1 or 2; R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, and R10 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a linear alkyl group comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a branched alkyl group comprising 3 to 6 carbon atoms, or a cyclic alkyl group comprising 3 to 6 carbon atoms; A is an oxygen atom; and B is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom. In addition, a process for producing the cyclic alcohol of formula (II-1).
US08431720B2

The invention relates to indolesulfonyl halogenides which are useful for the protection of organic compounds comprising at least one guanidino moiety and/or at least one amino group. The invention further relates to a process for their preparation and their use as protecting reagents. The invention also relates to the process for the protecting reaction and to the protected compounds thereof.
US08431705B2

The present invention provides an efficient process for the preparation of hexahydroisoquinolines from amides. In particular, the invention provides a good yielding, one-pot process for the synthesis of hexahydroisoquinolines.
US08431704B2

The present invention is related to novel compounds of formula (I) having P2X7 antagonistic properties, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, chemical processes for preparing these compounds and their use in the treatment or prophylaxis of diseases associated with P2X7 receptor activity in animals, in particular humans. (I).
US08431702B2

Disclosed herein are compounds represented by the structural formula: therapeutic methods, compositions, and medicaments related thereto are also disclosed.
US08431694B1

The invention provides processes of preparing, separating, and purifying PI3K inhibitor, Formula I and II compounds, and novel intermediates for preparing Formula I and II compounds.
US08431689B2

Method of producing anhydrous thorium(IV) tetrahalide complexes, utilizing Th(NO3)4(H2O)x, where x is at least 4, as a reagent; method of producing thorium-containing complexes utilizing ThCl4(DME)2 as a precursor; method of producing purified ThCl4(ligand)x compounds, where x is from 2 to 9; and novel compounds having the structures:
US08431684B2

This invention relates to a novel process for synthesizing the product ibodutant shown in the figure below, consisting of a small number of high-yield steps involving reagents and solvents with low environmental impact, characterized by the coupling of two portions, compounds (3) and (4), one of which (3) is synthesized by coupling of 6-methyl-2-benzo[b]thiophenecarboxylic acid (1) with 1-amino-alpha-alpha-cyclopentan carboxylic acid and subsequent cyclization with oxazolone, while the other, compound (4), is obtained from suitable highly selective functionalizations of 4-aminomethylpiperidine (2).
US08431682B2

The invention relates to regioregular polyselenophenes, to their use as semiconductors or charge transport materials, in optical, electro-optical or electronic devices, and to optical, electro-optical or electronic devices comprising them.
US08431681B2

A coating composition includes, with respect to (1) 100 parts by weight of epoxy-group contained polyester modified vinyl polymer (D) obtained by copolymerization of a vinyl monomer (A) containing an alicyclic epoxy group and a vinyl monomer (B) containing polyester in a side chain, (2) 0.01 to 10 parts by weight of an organic metal compound, and (3) 0.01 to 10 parts by weight of a silicon compound having a silanol group.
US08431680B2

The present invention provides a polymer comprising a unit of formula and an electronic device comprising the polymer as semiconducting material.
US08431675B2

A method for producing a silylated polyurethane including the steps: (A) converting (i) at least polyol compound having a molecular weight of 4,000-30,000 g/mol and at least one monofunctional compound relative to isocyanates and (ii) at least one diisocyanate at a stoichiometric excess of the sum of the polyol compound(s) and monofunctional compound relative to the diisocyanate compound(s), whereby a hydroxyl-terminated polyurethane prepolymer is formed; and (B) converting the polyurethane prepolymer and one or more isocyanate silane(s) of the formula (I): OCN—R—Si—(R1)m(-OR2)3-m, where m is 0, 1 or 2, each R2 is an alkyl radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, each R1 is an alkyl radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and R is a difunctional organic group. Also compounds comprising the silylated polyurethane that can be so produced, and the use thereof as an adhesive and sealant or coating composition.
US08431671B2

Devices including a polydiorganosiloxane polyamide containing material having a microstructured surface are disclosed herein. Such devices can optionally include a flex circuit attached to the microstructured surface and can be useful, for example, in fluid handling applications.
US08431665B2

Biocompatible terpolymers are manufactured to include a zwitterionic monomer, an alkoxy acrylate monomer, and a hydrophobic monomer.
US08431664B2

A copolymer is provided which is capable of providing an article surface with sufficient oil repellency against oils having low surface tensions and which places little burden on the environment. Further, a method for producing such a copolymer, an oil repellent composition containing such a copolymer as an effective component, and an article which is excellent in oil repellency against oils having low surface tensions and which contains no material having high environmental burden, are provided. A copolymer comprising the following polymerized units (a), polymerized units (b), polymerized units (c1) and polymerized units (c2), and an oil repellent composition and article containing it. (a) is polymerized units based on a monomer such as a (meth)acrylate having R1, (b) is polymerized units based on a C6-18 alkyl (meth)acrylate, (c1) is polymerized units based on a monomer having a hydroxy group, and (c2) is polymerized units based on a monomer having a functional group reactive with the hydroxy group in (c1) to form a crosslinked structure.
US08431658B2

A process for introducing a catalyst powder based on a titanium compound supported on magnesium halide into a gas-phase olefin polymerization reactor, characterized in that it comprises: (a) storing the catalyst powder under an atmosphere of a liquid C3-C12 alkane; (b) withdrawing from step (a) a measured amount of said catalyst powder by means of a rotary valve; (c) transferring said metered amount of catalyst powder to a catalyst activation section by a continuous pick-up flow of a liquid C3-C12 alkane; (d) contacting the catalyst powder with a liquid phase comprising an organo-aluminum compound and optionally an external donor compound, at a temperature ranging from −20° C. to 60° C.; (e) introducing the activated catalyst powder in one or more gas-phase olefin polymerization reactors, where a gaseous mixture comprising at least one alpha-olefin is subjected to polymerization.
US08431657B2

Catalysts are activated in a dual reactor solution process by adding substoichiometric and superstoichiometric amounts of an ionic activator to an organometallic polymerization catalyst in a first and second reactor respectively. The new activation method allows one to alter process conditions in a favorably way with minimum impact to process economics. The new activation method also provides polymers which give films having improved optical properties.
US08431656B2

Disclosed herein is a curable cyclic phosphazene compound having a low dielectric constant, a low dielectric loss index and high thermal stability, and a method of preparing the same. The curable cyclic phosphozene polymer prepared using the compound has a low dielectric constant and excellent thermal properties, compared to conventional phosphozene polymers.
US08431654B2

An epoxy resin composition containing an epoxy resin and a thermal cationic polymerization initiator not only can reduce the amount of fluorine ions generated during thermal cationic polymerization to improve electrolytic corrosion resistance but also is excellent in low-temperature rapid curability. The epoxy resin composition uses a sulfonium borate complex represented by the formula (1) as the thermal cationic polymerization initiator. In the formula (1), R1 is an aralkyl group, and R2 is a lower alkyl group, provided that when R2 is a methyl group, R1 is not a benzyl group. X is a halogen atom, and n is an integer of 1 to 3.
US08431653B2

The present invention relates to a curing agent composition for epoxy resins comprising (A) a polyamine compound which is a reaction product of a compound having at least one glycidyl group in a molecule with a diamine having a specific structure, (B) a polyether-modified polysiloxane having a surface tension in the range of 19 dyne/cm to 25 dyne/cm and (C) an amino group-modified polysiloxane having a total amine value in the range of 150 mgKOH/g to 650 mgKOH/g which can provide excellent curing performances, excellent performances of epoxy resin cured coating films and excellent physical properties of epoxy resin cured products, an epoxy resin composition comprising said curing agent composition for epoxy resins and an epoxy resin cured product obtained by curing said epoxy resin composition.
US08431652B2

The invention relates to a process for preparing (meth)acrylate-based ABA triblock copolymers with a silyl functionalization of the A blocks.
US08431651B2

The present invention is directed to an elastomer composition having at least two phases, one phase comprising a very low density polyethylene “VLDPE” component and another phase comprising a propylene polymer component wherein the propylene polymer component comprises at least one branched polypropylene and the VLDPE phase is continuous. Preferably, the VLDPE component has a melt tan delta between about 0.7 and 8 as measured by parallel plate rheometer at 0.1 radians per second, 180° C., and 10 percent strain; and the ratio of the melt tan delta of the VLDPE to the melt tan delta of the propylene component is from 0.5 to 4. The invention also provides a method of making such compositions, and to low gloss articles prepared from the same. The inventive compositions are particularly suitable for fabricating thermoformed sheeting with reduced gloss, most preferably employed as a skin in a composite interior automotive article comprising a shaped article and a negative thermoformed shaped skin or as non-carpet automotive flooring.
US08431650B2

A process is provided for preparing polymer composites from compositions comprising i) a polyolefin, ii) a polymer selected from the group consisting of polymers having hydroxyl groups and polymers having amino groups and iii) a polar ethylene copolymer having copolymerized units selected from the group consisting of C4-C8 unsaturated anhydrides, monoesters of C4-C8 unsaturated acids having at least two carboxylic acid groups, diesters of C4-C8 unsaturated acids having at least two carboxylic acid groups and mixtures thereof. The process is suitable for use with recycle streams that contain polymeric materials that are laminates or composites of dissimilar polymers.
US08431644B2

The present invention has its object to provide a rubber composition that can be used for a tread to supply a tire having both low heat build-up property and good wet grip performance. The present invention relates to a rubber composition including: silica and a rubber component that contains a modified butadiene rubber having a vinyl content of 35% by weight or less and having, in a main chain thereof, a constitutional unit derived from a specific nitrogen-containing compound, wherein an amount of the modified butadiene rubber is 5 to 45% by weight per 100% by weight of the rubber component, and wherein an amount of the silica is 10 to 150 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the rubber component.
US08431639B2

A composition, such as a pigment dispersion or coating composition, includes a pigment and a wetting additive. The wetting additive includes a first agent and a second agent. The first agent has the following formula: X(AO)mH wherein X is a C6 to C16 branched chain, A is an alkylene group selected from the group of ethylene groups, propylene groups, butylene groups, and combinations thereof, and m is from about 3 to about 20. The second agent is different from the first agent and has the following formula: Y(A′O)nH wherein Y is a C6 to C16 linear chain, A′ is an alkylene group selected from the group of ethylene groups, propylene groups, butylene groups, and combinations thereof, and n is at least about 3. The second agent has a triblock (A″O)p(EO)q(A″O)r configuration in the portion represented by (A′O)n, wherein A″ is selected from the group of propylene groups, butylene groups, and combinations thereof and wherein p, q, and r are each independently at least 1.
US08431633B2

Disclosed are silica particles having a volume average particle size of from about 100 nm to about 500 nm, an average circularity degree of from about 0.5 to about 0.85, and an average value of the ratios of circle equivalent diameters Da of the silica particles obtained by a flat image analysis to maximum heights H of the silica particles obtained by a stereoscopic image analysis of more than 1.5 and less than 1.9.
US08431632B2

The invention provides a crayon which comprises an alternative plasticizer in place of the conventional phthalate ester plasticizers and yet provides writings excellent in water resistance, the crayon comprising a colorant, a gelling agent, an organic solvent, a resin component, and a plasticizer, wherein the plasticizer is at least one selected from diisononyl adipate, acetyltributyl citrate, 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid diisononyl, and alkylsulfonic acid phenyl ester and is contained in an amount of 1 to 20% by weight based on the crayon.
US08431625B2

The invention relates to a composition which is polymerizable by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) comprising at least one monomer that is polymerizable by ROMP, at least one initiator of the Hoveyda-Grubbs type for initiating the ROMP and at least one retarder selected from the group consisting of heterocyclic a means having a ring with at least one N-atom and four or less other atoms constituting the ring bearing the at least one N-atom. The invention further relates to a process for the preparation of a composition which is polymerizable by ROMP, a dental material obtainable by polymerizing a composition according to the invention and the use of a substance selected from the group consisting of heterocyclic amines having a ring with at least one N-atom and five or less atoms constituting the ring bearing the at least one N-atom or of a mixture of two or more of such substances as a retarder in ROMP.
US08431624B2

The invention provides a class of actinically-crosslinkable silicone-containing prepolymers which comprise (1) ethylenically-unsaturated groups and (2) UV-absorbing polymeric units, latent UV-absorbing polymeric units, and/or dual photo-functional polymeric units. The prepolymer of the invention can be used to prepare silicone hydrogel contact lenses capable of absorbing UV/visible radiation. The present invention is also related to silicone hydrogel contact lenses made from a prepolymer of the invention and methods for making the contact lenses in a cost-effective way and with high consistency and high fidelity to the original lens design.
US08431618B2

Disclosed are a processed starch powder in which the amount of water soluble component is greater than 2 wt % but less than 10 wt %, the water retention amount is greater than 600% and 1500% or less, and which comprises nonbirefringent particles, and a manufacturing method thereof.
US08431616B2

The invention relates to medicine, in particular to sanitary and hygiene, more specifically to methods for producing a disinfecting agent for decontaminating different types of water, including drinking water. The inventive disinfecting agent producing method by dissolving quaternary ammonium compounds in water in the presence of an active additive in the form of guanidines, consists in preparing an aqueous 1-15% guanidine solution by permanently agitating it at a temperature ranging from 30 to 90° C., in cooling the solution accompanied with a precipitation control, when the precipitation process is over, in filtering the solution by using a filter whose cell size ranges from 10 to 1 mkm and in adding the quaternary ammonium compounds into the solution in such away that the concentration thereof in said solution is equal to 0.1-3%.
US08431602B2

Novel heterocyclic compounds of the formula I in which R1, R2, R2′, R2″, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 have the meanings indicated in Claim 1, are activators of glucokinase and can be used for the prevention and/or treatment of Diabetes Typ 1 and 2, obesity, neuropathy and/or nephropathy.
US08431599B2

Compounds of Formulas 1 and 2 where the variables have the meaning disclosed in the specification, have analgesic and in some cases immunostimulant activity.
US08431592B2

The invention relates to methods of treatment of a proliferative disease which responds to inhibition of PI3-Kinase-related protein kinases, particularly the PI3-kinase, by administration of a novel organic compound of formula (I) to a human or animal requiring such treatment; and methods of treatment of inflammatory or obstructive airway disease, such as asthma, disorders commonly occurring in connection with transplantation, or a proliferative disease, such as a tumor disease, by administration of such compound.
US08431590B2

The present invention relates to a compound of the following formula: where R1-R6, R10, Y, n, m, p, and q are as defined herein. Compounds and compositions of the present invention are useful for the treatment of diseases associated with the overexpression of CCR2.
US08431586B2

The present invention relates to novel quinazoline derivatives with less skin irritation and an excellent action of strongly suppressing scratching behavior, and pharmaceutical compositions containing a quinazoline derivative as an active ingredient. The present invention is directed to the quinazoline derivatives represented by the general formula [1] or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In the general formula [1], R1 represents hydrogen or the like; R2 represents hydrogen or the like; R3 and R4 are the same or different and represent hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy or halogen; R5 is combined with R6 to represent alkylene or represents hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl, phenyl or alkoxy; R6 represents alkyl, cycloalkyl, phenyl, a 5- to 10-membered aromatic heterocyclic group containing one to three heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom and a sulfur atom, or —N(R6-1)(R6-2).
US08431575B2

The present invention provides phenyl-heteroaryl derivatives of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof These compounds are useful in the treatment of RAGE-mediated diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease. The present invention further relates to methods for the preparation of compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and the use of such compounds and/or pharmaceutical compositions in treating RAGE-mediated diseases.
US08431574B2

Disclosed are compounds of the Formulas III and IV and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof, wherein R1, R2, R7, R8, R9, and R10 are as defined in the specification. Such compounds are MEK inhibitors and useful in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases, such as cancer and inflammation, in mammals, and inflammatory conditions. Also disclosed are methods of using such compounds in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases in mammals and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds.
US08431573B2

The invention relates to novel cyanopyrimidinones, process for their preparation, and the use thereof for producing medicaments for improving perception, concentration, learning and/or memory.
US08431572B2

Described are compounds which inhibit, regulate and/or modulate kinase signal transduction, for example of Met kinase. The compounds are of the formulae A1 to A148 and B1 described herein, including 2-oxobenzoxazol-3-ylmethyl]phenyl}carbamate and 2-oxooxazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-ylmethyl)phenyl]carbamate compounds, and pharmaceutically usable salts, tautomers and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in all ratios. Also described are compositions containing these compounds. Also described are methods for the treatment of diseases in which the inhibition, regulation and/or modulation of kinase signal transduction plays a role by administering these compounds.
US08431570B2

The present invention provides arylpiperazine derivatives having Formula I which can be advantageously used for treating schizophrenia and related psychoses such as acute manic, bipolar disorder, autistic disorder and depression.
US08431564B2

The invention relates to ring-annulated dihydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline compounds according to general Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds can be used for the treatment of infertility.
US08431560B1

In various embodiments, the present invention provides methods of treating and/or preventing cardiovascular-related disease and, in particular, a method of blood lipid therapy comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising eicosapentaenoic acid or a derivative thereof.
US08431557B2

Described are estradiol-containing pharmaceutical compositions and, and methods using the same to alleviate menopause-related symptoms, such as hot flushes, by topically administering estradiol at low effective doses.
US08431554B2

Brassinosteriods, illustrated by the following exemplary compounds, are disclosed: The compounds have anti-inflammatory and antiviral activity. In pharmaceutical compositions, the compounds are useful in ophthalmic pharmaceuticals for treatment of diseases caused by adenovirus, such as epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, and herpes simplex type 1, such as herpetic stromal keratitis.
US08431550B2

Described are skin-care compositions containing non denatured soy products and optionally other anti-cancer or anti-aging agents. The compositions can be applied topically to reduce the risk of UV-induced cutaneous tumors in skin cells that have not yet been damaged by ultraviolet radiation.
US08431548B2

A composition for placental exfoliation and a method for placental exfoliation. The composition for placental exfoliation contains an arachidonic acid derivative or the like, and the method for placental exfoliation comprises the step of administering an arachidonic acid derivative or the like to a mammal after the fetal delivery.
US08431541B2

Particular naturally occurring glycosylated acyl-flavonols are now shown to be effective mammalian α-amylase inhibitors. Such compounds can be obtained from plants of the genus Crocosmia and the compounds are useful in controlling starch digestion such as for management of glycemia in pre-diabetic or diabetic subjects, for management of obesity or for inhibiting oral caries or plaque formation.
US08431538B2

Histone deacetylases inhibitors (HDACIs) and compositions containing the same are disclosed. Methods of treating diseases and conditions wherein inhibition of HDAC provides a benefit, like a cancer, a neurodegenerative disorder, a neurological disease, traumatic brain injury, stroke, malaria, an autoimmune disease, autism, and inflammation, also are disclosed.
US08431531B2

A protein hydrolysate having a degree of hydrolysis between 1 and 40% and containing between 1 and 70 wt. % of peptides having a molecular weight of less than 500 Da and less than 55 wt. % of peptides or proteins having a molecular weight of more than 5000 Da, on the basis of the total proteinaceous material of the composition, is effective in stimulating secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). In addition, the hydrolysate may have DPP-IV inhibiting activity. The hydrolysate is suitable for the manufacture of a medicament, or food product for prophylaxis and/or treatment of a GLP-1 mediated condition, in particular obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and an immunological disorder.
US08431527B2

Disclosed is a class of compounds which inhibit the enzymatic conversion of fructose-lysine into fructose-lysine-3-phosphate in an ATP dependent reaction in a newly discovered metabolic pathway. According to the normal functioning on this pathway, fructose-lysine-3-phosphate (FL3P) is broken down to form free lysine, inorganic phosphate and 3-deoxyglucosone (3DG), the latter being a reactive protein modifying agent. 3DG can be detoxified by reduction to 3-deoxyfructose (3DF), or it can react with endogenous proteins to form advanced glycation end-product modified proteins (AGE-proteins) Also disclosed are therapeutic methods of using such inhibitors to alleviate deleterious effects of 3DG.
US08431522B2

The invention provides methods for inhibiting tumor cell proliferation by inhibiting FoxM1B activity, expression, or nuclear localization in a tumor cell. The invention also provides methods for preventing tumor progression in an animal comprising inhibiting FoxM1B activity, expression, or nuclear localization. Furthermore, the invention provides methods for inhibiting tumor cell growth in an animal comprising inhibiting FoxM1B activity, expression, or nuclear localization in tumor cells in the animal.
US08431516B2

The compositions and methods for the removal of residues and contaminants from metal or dielectric surfaces comprises at least one alkyl diphosphonic acid, at least one second acidic substance at a mole ratio of about 1:1 to about 10:1 in water, and pH is adjusted to from about 6 to about 10 with a metal ion free base, and a surfactant. Particularly, a composition and method of cleaning residues after chemical mechanical polishing of a copper or aluminum surface of the semiconductor substrates.
US08431515B2

A tape-shaped oxide superconductor includes a 15 to 100 nm-thick Ce—Gd—O-based oxide layer (Ce:Gd=40:60 to 70:30 molar ratio) and a 100 nm-thick Ce—Zr—O-based oxide layer (Ce:Zr=50:50 molar ratio) as first and second intermediate layers are formed by MOD on an Ni-base alloy substrate having a half value width (FWHM:Δφ) of 6.5 degrees. A 150 nm-thick CeO2 oxide layer as a third intermediate layer is formed on the second intermediate layer by RF sputtering. A 1 μm-thick YBCO superconducting layer is formed by TFA-MOD on the three-layer structure. In the tape-shaped oxide superconductor, the Δφ values of the first to third intermediate layers are (6.0 to 6.5) degrees, (6.0 to 6.6) degrees, and (6.0 to 6.6) degrees, respectively, and the Jc value of the YBCO superconducting layer in liquid nitrogen is 1.8 to 2.2 MA/cm2.
US08431506B2

A method of making a metal oxide nanoparticle comprising contacting an aqueous solution of a metal salt with an oxidant. The method is safe, environmentally benign, and uses readily available precursors. The size of the nanoparticles, which can be as small as 1 nm or smaller, can be controlled by selecting appropriate conditions. The method is compatible with biologically derived scaffolds, such as virus particles chosen to bind a desired material. The resulting nanoparticles can be porous and provide advantageous properties as a catalyst.
US08431493B2

A holding device adapted for holding a mask and a substrate during processing is described. The holding device includes a substrate carrier adapted for carrying the substrate; and a mask for masking the substrate, wherein the mask is releasably connected to the substrate carrier; wherein the substrate carrier or the mask has at least one recess adapted for receiving a cover for covering the substrate carrier during deposition.
US08431487B2

A method for forming a plug structure includes the following steps. A substrate is provided. The substrate includes a MOS device with a source/drain region, a dielectric layer disposed on the MOS device, an opening defined in the dielectric layer, and a first glue layer disposed on a sidewall and a bottom of the opening. A portion of the first glue layer disposed at the bottom of the opening is punched through to expose the source/drain region. A barrier layer is formed over the substrate after the first glue layer is punched through. The opening is filled with a conductive structure, wherein the barrier layer disposed at the bottom of the opening is remained when the conductive structure is filled into the opening.
US08431479B2

Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same, including forming a chip pad on a chip substrate, forming a passivation layer on the chip pad and the chip substrate, forming a first insulation layer on the passivation layer, forming a recess and a first opening in the first insulation layer, forming a second opening in the passivation layer to correspond to the first opening, forming a redistribution line in a redistribution line area of the recess, the first opening, and the second opening, forming a second insulation layer on the redistribution line and the first insulation layer, and forming an opening in the second insulation to expose a portion of the redistribution line as a redistribution pad.
US08431472B2

Methods is provided for forming a CMOS device. The method includes providing a substrate and depositing a gate stack on the substrate. The gate stack includes a gate dielectric and a dummy gate including polycrystalline silicon (polySi). The method also includes depositing a dielectric layer on the substrate after depositing the gate stack on the substrate. The method further includes substituting the dummy gate with a metal without first removing the dummy gate.
US08431467B2

An object to be processed is restrained from warping at the time of laser processing. A modified region M2 is formed within a wafer 11, and fractures a2, b2 extending in directions parallel to the thickness direction of the wafer 11 and tilted with respect to a plane including lines 5 are generated from the modified region M2. A modified region M3 is formed within the wafer 11, and a fracture a3 extending in a direction parallel to the thickness direction of the wafer 11 and tilted with respect to the plane including the lines 5 is generated from the modified region M3 so as to connect with the fracture b2. That is, the fractures a2, a3, b2 are generated so as to be connected together. Therefore, at the time of laser processing, the fractures cause both side parts holding the lines to cut 5 therebetween in the wafer 11 to mesh with each other, whereby internal stresses occurring in a direction parallel to the thickness direction of the wafer 11 and perpendicular to the surface including the lines 5 when the modified regions are formed can be reduced.
US08431466B2

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device structure, such as a FinFET device structure, is provided. The method begins by providing a substrate comprising a bulk semiconductor material, a first conductive fin structure formed from the bulk semiconductor material, and a second conductive fin structure formed from the bulk semiconductor material. The first conductive fin structure and the second conductive fin structure are separated by a gap. Next, spacers are formed in the gap and adjacent to the first conductive fin structure and the second conductive fin structure. Thereafter, an etching step etches the bulk semiconductor material, using the spacers as an etch mask, to form an isolation trench in the bulk semiconductor material. A dielectric material is formed in the isolation trench, over the spacers, over the first conductive fin structure, and over the second conductive fin structure. Thereafter, at least a portion of the dielectric material and at least a portion of the spacers are etched away to expose an upper section of the first conductive fin structure and an upper section of the second conductive fin structure, while preserving the dielectric material in the isolation trench. Following these steps, the fabrication of the devices is completed in a conventional manner.
US08431463B2

A method is disclosed for passivating and contacting a capacitor in an IC above a top level of interconnect metallization, without adding process steps. Passivation is accomplished by a dielectric layer, part of the IC protective overcoat, deposited directly on the capacitor, overlapping the electrode edges. Contact is made to the top electrode of the capacitor by etching small capacitor vias during a bond pad via etch process, followed by depositing and patterning bond pad metal in the capacitor vias to connect the top electrode to other circuit elements in the IC. The top electrode thickness is increased to accommodate the bond pad via etch process.
US08431458B2

A method of forming a nonvolatile memory cell includes forming a first electrode and a second electrode of the memory cell. Sacrificial material is provided between the first second electrodes. The sacrificial material is exchanged with programmable material. The sacrificial material may additionally be exchanged with select device material.
US08431453B2

The embodiments of methods and structures disclosed herein provide mechanisms of performing doping an inter-level dielectric film, ILD0, surrounding the gate structures with a dopant to reduce its etch rates during the processes of removing dummy gate electrode layer and/or gate dielectric layer for replacement gate technologies. The ILD0 film may be doped with a plasma doping process (PLAD) or an ion beam process. Post doping anneal is optional.
US08431452B2

A liquid crystal display (LCD) array substrate and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The manufacturing method comprises depositing a semiconductor layer, a doped semiconductor layer and a metal film for source and drain electrodes sequentially on a base substrate and then forming a data line, a source electrode, a drain electrode and a thin film transistor (TFT) channel region by a first patterning process; depositing a first insulating film and a gate metal film sequentially and then forming a gate line and a gate electrode by a second patterning process and forming an insulating layer via hole in the first insulating layer above the drain electrode; depositing a transparent conductive film and then forming a pixel electrode by a third patterning process; and forming a second insulating layer.
US08431451B2

A semiconductor substrate is formed into a regular hexagon or a shape similar to the regular hexagon. The semiconductor substrate is bonded to and separated from a large-area substrate. Moreover, layout is designed so that a boundary of bonded semiconductors is located in a region which is removed by etching when patterning is performed by photolithography or the like.
US08431446B1

Embodiments disclosed herein may relate to electrically conductive vias in cross-point memory array devices. In an embodiment, the vias may be formed using a lithographic operation also utilized to form electrically conductive lines in a first electrode layer of the cross-point memory array device.
US08431445B2

In one embodiment, a method for forming a multi-component power structure for use in electrically propelled vehicles may include constraining a parent material system between a power component and a thermal device. The parent material system may include a low temperature material having a relatively low melting point and a high temperature material having a relatively high melting point. The relatively low melting point may be less than the relatively high melting point. The parent material system can be heated to a melting temperature greater than the relatively low melting point and lower than the relatively high melting point to diffuse the low temperature material into the high temperature material. The parent material system can be solidified to form a transient liquid phase bond that is electrically and thermally conductive.
US08431441B2

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor package includes placing a semiconductor chip in a recess provided on a surface of a supporting body so that a part of the semiconductor chip projects from the recess; forming a resin part on the surface of the supporting body, the resin part encapsulating the projecting part of the semiconductor chip; removing the supporting body; and forming an interconnection structure electrically connected to the semiconductor chip by using the resin part as a part of the base body of the semiconductor package.
US08431439B2

A strip-shape flexible substrate is transported over a long horizontal distance, with its width extending in the vertical direction, the position of the substrate in the vertical direction is maintained with high precision, and the films are deposited onto its surface. When depositing the thin films to manufacture a thin film laminated body, at least one pair of gripping rollers arranged in at least one space between film deposition chambers, and which grasps an upper-side edge portion of the substrate with its width oriented in the vertical direction, are installed such that the rotation direction of the gripping rollers is diagonally upward, at an angle relative to the direction of transport of the substrate, and by changing the force with which the gripping rollers grasp the substrate, a force lifts the substrate, and the height of the substrate can be controlled.
US08431435B2

A method of making a stacked microelectronic package by forming a microelectronic assembly by stacking a first subassembly including a plurality of microelectronic elements onto a second subassembly including a plurality of microelectronic elements, at least some of the plurality of microelectronic elements of said first subassembly and said second subassembly having traces that extend to respective edges of the microelectronic elements, then forming notches in the microelectronic assembly so as to expose the traces of at least some of the plurality of microelectronic elements, then forming leads at the side walls of the notches, the leads being in electrical communication with at least some of the traces and dicing the assembly into packages. Additional embodiments include methods for creating stacked packages using substrates and having additional traces that extend to both the top and bottom of the package.
US08431431B2

A through via contains a conductor (244, 262) passing through a substrate (140). The substrate can be SOI or some other substrate containing two semiconductor layers (140.1, 140.2) on opposite sides of an insulating layer (140B). The through via includes two constituent vias (144.1, 144.2) formed from respective different sides of the substrate by processes stopping on the insulating layer (140B). Due to the insulating layer acting as a stop layer, high control over the constituent vias' depths is achieved. Each constituent via is shorter than the through via, so via formation is facilitated. The conductor is formed by separate depositions of conductive material into the constituent vias from each side of the substrate. From each side, the conductor is deposited to a shallower depth than the through-via depth, so the deposition is facilitated. Other embodiments are also provided.
US08431413B2

A fluid control and processing system for controlling fluid flow among a plurality of chambers comprises a body including a fluid processing region continuously coupled fluidicly with a fluid displacement region. The fluid displacement region is depressurizable to draw fluid into the fluid displacement region and pressurizable to expel fluid from the fluid displacement region. The body includes at least one external port. The fluid processing region is fluidicly coupled with the at least one external port. The fluid displacement region is fluidicly coupled with at least one external port of the body. The body is adjustable with respect to the plurality of chambers to place the at least one external port selectively in fluidic communication with the plurality of chambers.
US08431412B2

A microflow analytical system includes a laminate pump assembly connectable with one or more sources of fluid, one or more pneumatic control pumps, a mixer, and a sensor. The laminate pump assembly is adapted to deliver predetermined volumes of the fluid(s) through a plurality of flow paths which are formed within layers of the assembly. Each flow path can include an inlet valve, a pump valve, and an outlet valve each of which are controllable by the pneumatic control pumps. A series of manifolds can be formed within the layers of the pump assembly to provide for simultaneous activation of selected flow paths. Delivered fluid volumes can be mixed in the mixer which, in some embodiments, may be integral with the laminate pump assembly. The sensor can measure one or more characteristics of the mixed fluids to determine one or more properties of the fluids.
US08431410B2

A reagent for detecting an analyte by a redox reaction and a fluorimetric determination is disclosed. The reagent comprises a compound of formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 are each independently selected from R, (CH2CH2O)mR, COR, COOR, and OCOR; each R3 is independently selected from NO2, CN, R, OR, OCOR, COOR, SR, and halogen; R is H or C1-C4 alkyl, where alkyl is optionally substituted with one or more functional group independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, OR, SR, NR2, COOR, CONR2, SO3R and salts thereof, and PO(OR)3 and salts thereof; m is an integer from 1 to 20; and n is 1, 2, or 3. The reagent may further comprise an enzyme or a coenzyme for reducing or oxidizing an analyte.
US08431397B2

A method for treating a subject afflicted with a cardiac disorder, in vivo, comprises (i) inducing differentiation of a progenitor cell, in vitro, to a cardiogenic cell; and (ii) administering a therapeutically effective amount of the cardiogenic cell of step (i) to the subject, thereby treating the cardiac disorder in the subject. This invention further provides related articles of manufacture and methods.
US08431393B2

The present invention relates to a variant of AIMP2 lacking exon 2 gene, named as AIMP2-DX2 gene, which is specifically expressed in cancer cells. The AIMP2-DX2 gene and siRNA targeting AIMP2-DX2 can be successfully used in the development of diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
US08431385B2

An organ perfusion apparatus and method monitor, sustain and/or restore viability of organs and preserve organs for storage and/or transport. Other apparatus include an organ transporter, an organ cassette and an organ diagnostic device. The method includes perfusing the organ at hypothermic and/or normothermic temperatures, preferably after hypothermic organ flushing for organ transport and/or storage. The method can be practiced with prior or subsequent static or perfusion hypothermic exposure of the organ. Organ viability is restored by restoring high energy nucleotide (e.g., ATP) levels by perfusing the organ with a medical fluid, such as an oxygenated cross-linked hemoglobin-based bicarbonate medical fluid, at normothermic temperatures. In perfusion, organ perfusion pressure is preferably controlled in response to a sensor disposed in an end of tubing placed in the organ, by a pneumatically pressurized medical fluid reservoir, providing perfusion pressure fine tuning, overpressurization prevention and emergency flow cut-off. In the hypothermic mode, the organ is perfused with a medical fluid, preferably a simple crystalloid solution containing antioxidants, intermittently or in slow continuous flow. The medical fluid may be fed into the organ from an intermediary tank having a low pressure head to avoid organ overpressurization. Preventing overpressurization prevents or reduces damage to vascular endothelial lining and to organ tissue in general. Viability of the organ may be automatically monitored, preferably by monitoring characteristics of the medical fluid perfusate. The perfusion process can be automatically controlled using a control program.
US08431379B2

Isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and variations thereof are provided. Further provided are methods of at least partially degrading xylotriose, xylobiose, and/or arabinofuranose-substituted xylan using isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and variations thereof.
US08431370B2

Process wherein the fatty acid residues on a glyceride moiety are randomised over the terminal and middle positions, wherein the process proceeds to a conversion degree on the terminal positions, Re, ranging from 0.3 to 0.95, and wherein a conversion degree on the middle position, Ra, ranges from 0.06 to 0.75, and wherein Ra is greater than 0.32Re-0.08, the process comprises the exposure of a triglyceride fat to a catalyst comprising a lipase wherein the lipase is a Thermomyces lanuginosa lipase which has an activity of at least 250 IUN corresponding to 22 g/(g*h) at the onset of the process.
US08431366B2

Disclosed, among other things, are primers containing certain modified nucleobases in the 3′ terminal region of the primers that provide reduced formation of primer-dimers during amplification reactions, and various methods of use thereof.
US08431361B2

In some embodiments, the present invention provides isolated nucleotide sequences that encode Clostridium difficile toxin B, wherein the isolated nucleotide sequences have been optimized for improved expression of the toxin B in a bacterial cell. Other embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods of expressing recombinant Clostridium difficile toxin B in a bacterial cell from the isolated nucleotide sequences of the present invention. In other embodiments, the present invention pertains to bacterial cells that comprise the isolated nucleotide sequences of the present invention. In further embodiments, the invention pertains to isolated peptides of recombinant Clostridium difficile toxin B that were derived from the isolated nucleotide sequences of the present invention.
US08431356B2

Provided herein are methods for identifying molecules capable of modulating SERCA, the SERCA-PLB complex or the microenvironment of the complex. An exemplary assay provided herein is fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Also provided herein are FRET assays that are optimized for high-throughput screening (HTS) for identifying small molecules that modulate SERCA or the SERCA-PLB complex. Further provided are kits for carrying out said methods for identifying molecules.
US08431351B2

This invention provides a immunochromatography detection device that can detect PBP2′ produced specifically by a bacterium of multidrug-resistant staphylococcus with high sensitivity in a simple and rapid manner via immunochromatography detection to determine infection with multidrug-resistant staphylococcus, a diagnostic method using such detection device, and a diagnostic kit comprising such detection device.
US08431348B2

The invention relates to methods for pairwise sequencing of a double-stranded polynucleotide template, which methods result in the sequential determination of nucleotide sequences in two distinct and separate regions of the polynucleotide template. Using the methods of the invention it is possible to obtain two linked or paired reads of sequence information from each double-stranded template on a clustered array, rather than just a single sequencing read from one strand of the template.
US08431345B2

A method of determining the presence or the absence of a glaucoma risk, including the steps of detecting in vitro an allele and/or a genotype of a single nucleotide polymorphism which is located on a 31st base of a base sequence, in a sample from a subject, wherein the base sequence is at least one base sequence selected from the group consisting of base sequences shown in SEQ ID NOs: 203 to 752 or a complementary sequence thereto (step A), and comparing the allele and/or the genotype detected in the step A with at least one of an allele and/or a genotype, containing a high-risk allele, in the base sequences shown in SEQ ID NOs: 203 to 752 (step B). According to the method of the present invention, the level of a progressive risk of glaucoma in a sample donor can be determined by analyzing an allele or a genotype of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the present invention in the sample, so that the sample donor can take a preventive measure of glaucoma, or can receive appropriate treatments, on the basis of this risk.
US08431344B2

A method of fabrication or manufacture at micrometer and nanometer scale by spatially selective deposition of chemical substances so as to form a solid phase array on a substrate (10) which includes the steps of defining a region (15) on the substrate by forming an electrostatic charge on that region which is different from the electrostatic charge on other regions of the substrate such as by formation of a latent electrostatic image thereon, applying an emulsion to the substrate. The emulsion (16) has an electrically charged discontinuous phase and a component to be selectively deposited carried in or comprising the discontinuous phase. The discontinuous phase of the emulsion is attracted to the preselected region by attraction by the electrostatic charge on the region and deposition obtained with or without reaction. The electrostatic image may be formed by the use of photoconductor. The array formed may be for flat screen display panels, for manufacture of DNA chips, printed circuits, semiconductor chips, nanotechnology, micro-electromechanical systems, flexible printed circuits or the like.
US08431336B2

Use of dipsticks to test for the presence of target nucleic acid in a sample solution is described. The dipsticks comprise a contact end for contacting the sample solution and a capture zone, remote from the contact end, to which a capture probe is immobilized. The capture probe is capable of hybridising to the target nucleic acid. The sample solution is contacted with the contact end of the dipstick and travels by capillary action to the capture zone. If target nucleic acid is present in the sample solution it is captured and can be detected at the capture zone. The capture probe is immobilized to the capture zone by a spacer. Use of the spacer increases the stability of the interaction between the capture probe and the target nucleic acid and thus improves the sensitivity of target nucleic acid detection. Detection probes with spacers are also described.
US08431335B2

The present invention provides compositions for performing assays of enzyme activity associated with lysosomal storage diseases. The invention further provides methods for determining enzyme activity, and methods for the screening for lysosomal storage disease in an individual.
US08431332B2

The object of the invention is to provide a composition for forming an upper layer film for immersion exposure capable of forming an upper layer film effectively inhibited from developing defects through an immersion exposure process, such as a watermark defect and dissolution residue defect. Also provided are an upper layer film for immersion exposure and a method of forming a resist pattern. The composition for forming an upper layer film includes a resin ingredient and a solvent. The resin ingredient includes a resin (A) having at least one kind of repeating units selected among those represented by the formulae (1-1) to (1-3) and at least either of the two kinds of repeating units represented by the formulae (2-1) and (2-2). (1-1) (1-2) (1-3) (2-1) (2-2) [In the formulae, R1 represents hydrogen or methyl; R2 and R3 each represents methylene, linear or branched C2-6 alkylene, or alicyclic C4-12 alkylene; R4 represents hydrogen or methyl; and R5 represents a single bond, methylene, or linear or branched C2-6 alkylene.].
US08431321B2

There are provided a toner that allows prevention of environmental contamination and is nevertheless free from toner durability degradation, wherein a sufficiently wide color reproduction range can be secured even when it is applied to color toner, and variation in characteristics among toner particles can be suppressed, as well as a method of manufacturing a toner, a developing device, and an image forming apparatus. In the toner particle is formed the biomass resin-containing domain.
US08431320B2

Disclosed is a manufacturing method of toner which includes at least polyester resin and colorant, comprising the steps of: (A) dissolving, into an organic solvent, the polyester resin and ultrahigh molecular weight styrene resin in which a peak is present in a range larger than 500 thousands and smaller than 3 million in a molecular weight distribution, and preparing a binder resin solution; (B) dispersing the binder resin solution as binder resin solution droplets into an aqueous medium; (C) removing the organic solvent from the binder resin solution droplets, and preparing a resin particle dispersion; and (D) aggregating resin particles from which the organic solvent is removed and colorant particles containing the colorant with each other, and forming toner particles.
US08431313B2

Printing methods are provided. In one aspect, at least one first toner image is formed and transferred onto a receiver to form a composite toner image on a receiver having a first polarity. A second net development difference of potential of the first polarity is created between a second development station, a bias member and the first toner at each location of the receiver, to cause a second toner of the first polarity to deposit at individual locations on the receiver in amounts that increase monotonically with an increase in the net second development difference of potential at the individual locations such that total amount of first toner and any second toner deposited at each location on the receiver is within a range that is less than a range of first toner amounts on the receiver.
US08431311B2

A resin-filled carrier for an electrophotographic developer obtained by filling resin into voids of a porous ferrite core material, wherein the porous ferrite core material has a pore volume of 0.055 to 0.16 mL/g and a peak pore size of 0.20 to 0.7 μm, and an electrophotographic developer using this resin-filled carrier.
US08431304B2

A toner containing: a non-crystalline polyester resin; a crystalline polyester resin; a releasing agent; a graft-modified polymer; and a colorant, wherein the graft-modified polymer is a polymer having a glass transition temperature of higher than 40° C. but lower than 80° C., and obtained by grafting an acrylic resin onto at least one of a hydrocarbon wax and a crystalline polyester resin, and wherein a SP value of the non-crystalline polyester resin is defined as SP1, a SP value of the crystalline polyester resin is defined as SP2, a SP value of the releasing agent is defined as SP3, and a SP value of the graft-modified polymer is defined as SP4, and SP1, SP2, SP3 and SP4 satisfy relations represented by Formulas (1) to (3): SP1 > SP4 > SP2 >SP3Formula (1), 0.1 < SP1 − SP4 < 1.0Formula (2), and 0.1 < SP4 − SP2 < 1.0Formula (3).
US08431299B2

A developer has a molecular weight distribution of its tetrahydrofuran soluble portion measured by a gel permeation chromatography. In the molecular weight distribution, the main peak is in a range from 2×103 to 3×104 weight-average molecular weight (Mw), the shoulder peak is in a range from 200 to 500 Mw, and a half-value width of the main peak is equal to or less than 50000. A glass-transition temperature Tg of the developer is a range from 55° C. to 80° C.
US08431296B2

Provided are an electrophotographic toner, a process for preparing the same, image forming method and an image forming apparatus using the toner. The electrophotographic toner may include a latex, colorant, wax, Si and Fe. A molar ratio of Si/Fe may be about 0.1 to about 5.
US08431295B2

Disclosed are a toner for developing an electrostatic image, a full color toner kit and an image formation method, the toner containing at least a resin and a colorant, wherein the colorant comprises a quinacridone pigment having a number average primary particle size of from 30 to 150 nm and having a ratio of a major axis direction length to a minor axis direction length of from 1.0 to 2.0 and Pigment Red 238.
US08431278B2

A passive water drain for removal of water from a fuel cell system is disclosed, the drain including a main body having a cavity formed therein, an interior element, and a hydrophilic porous media. The passive water drain is adapted to simplify the anode reactant recycler, eliminate the need for bypass valve systems used to remove water from the cathode exhaust, and eliminate the need for condensate draining systems used for compressed air entering the cathode.
US08431274B2

The present invention comprises fuel cells 84 disposed within a fuel cell module 2; a reformer 20, a reformer temperature sensor 148 for detecting the temperature of the reformer; and a control section 110 for controlling the operation of a fuel cell module. When a restart of operation is executed in a state whereby stopping of the operation of the fuel cell module is being executed, the normal startup POX is skipped and restart by the ATR is executed, at least within a high temperature region within the POX temperature band, even if the reforming state temperature (Tr, Ts) is within the normal startup POX temperature band W2.
US08431267B2

A nonaqueous secondary battery comprising a pair of electrodes consisting of a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the pair of electrodes, wherein the separator is a laminate formed by stacking in sequence a metal layer, a first resin layer and a second resin layer having a thermal shrinkage percentage smaller than a thermal shrinkage percentage of the first resin layer, and the metal layer is opposed to one of the pair of electrodes.
US08431256B2

Provided is a magnetic anisotropy multilayer including a plurality of CoFeSiB/Pt layers used in a magnetic random access memory. The magnetic anisotropy multilayer includes a first Pt/CoFeSiB layer, and a second Pt/CoFeSiB layer formed on the first Pt/CoFeSiB layer.
US08431244B2

There is provided an organic light-emitting device having an optical output with a high efficiency, a high luminance, and a long life. The organic light-emitting device includes an anode, a cathode, and a layer including an organic compound interposed between the anode and the cathode, in which either one of the anode and the cathode is formed of a transparent or translucent electrode material, and in which the layer includes at least one indenochrysene derivative represented by the general formula (1):
US08431239B2

A article made by vacuum deposition, includes a substrate; and a color layer deposited on the substrate, wherein the color layer has an L* value between about 75 to about 80, an a* value between about −5 to about −10, and a b* value between about 15 to about 20 in the CIE LAB color space.
US08431235B2

Multilayer structures useful as a backsheet for an electronic device, e.g., a photovoltaic cell, comprise (A) a top layer comprising a polyolefin resin, e.g., ethylene vinyl acetate, and having a top facial surface and a bottom facial surface, (B) a tie layer comprising an adhesive, e.g., an ethylene glycidyl methacrylate, having a top facial surface and a bottom facial surface, the top facial surface in adhering contact with the bottom facial surface of the top layer, and (C) a bottom layer comprising a polyolefin having at least one melting peak greater than 125° C., e.g., a polypropylene, and having a top facial layer and a bottom facial surface, the top facial surface in adhering contact with the bottom facial surface of the tie layer.
US08431227B2

The ceramic product provided by the present invention is provided with at least two ceramic members bonded to each other, and the bond parts between these ceramic members bonded to each other are formed from glass having leucite crystals precipitated within the glass matrix.
US08431226B2

Biologic coatings on a surface of a prosthesis or implantable device.
US08431224B2

Disclosed is a halogen-free resin composition for printed wiring board production, which is remarkably reduced in quality deterioration due to moisture absorption of a semi-cured resin film (layer). Also disclosed is a copper film with resin or the like. The resin composition is characterized by containing a component A (one or more resins selected from the group consisting of bisphenol-A epoxy resins, bisphenol-F epoxy resins and bisphenol-AD epoxy resins, which have an epoxy equivalent of not more than 200, while being in a liquid state at 25 DEG C.), a component B (a linear polymer having a crosslinkable functional group), a component C (a crosslinking agent), a component D (an imidazole-based epoxy resin curing agent) and a component E (a phosphorus-containing epoxy resin). The resin composition is also characterized by containing 0.5-3.0% by weight of phosphorus atoms per 100% by weight of the resin composition. In the copper foil with resin, a resin layer is formed by using the resin composition.
US08431220B2

Exemplary embodiments provide materials and methods for hydrophobic coatings that can include hydrophobic core-shell nano-fillers dispersed in an elastomeric polymer matrix.
US08431211B2

The present invention relates to an article containing a base material and a low-reflection film formed on a surface of the base material, in which the low-reflection film contains a first layer, a second layer and a third layer in this order from the base material side, and the first layer, the second layer and the third layer have refractive indexes n1, n2 and n3, respectively, which meet the relationship of n1>n3>n2.
US08431210B2

In one embodiment, there is provided a master for producing a stamper. The master includes: a substrate made of a first material and comprising a first surface, wherein the first surface of the substrate is formed with a groove; a first layer made of a second material and formed in the groove, wherein the second material is different from the first material, and wherein a surface of the first layer is substantially flush with the first surface of substrate; and a projection portion formed on at least one of the first surface of the substrate and the surface of the first layer. The first material is silicon and the second material is selected from silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, and glass.
US08431206B2

A multipurpose adhesive tape with minimized curling is provided. The adhesive tape includes a base formed as a thin sheet, an adhesive attached to the reverse surface of the base, and a projection projecting along the length of the outer surface of the base within a portion of the width thereof.
US08431194B2

The invention provides a recording medium having 2 or more ink receiving layers on a substrate, wherein an upper layer of the ink receiving layers, which is a layer most distant from the substrate, and a lower layer, which is a layer located just under the upper layer, contain at least one selected from alumina hydrate and alumina, an acid and a hydrophilic binder, the acid contained in the upper layer is a carboxylic acid represented by the general formula [I], and the acid contained in the lower layer is a sulfonic acid represented by the general formula [II] R1—COOH  General formula [I] R2—SO3H.  General formula [II]
US08431193B2

An inkjet recording medium and a coating composition for forming an inkjet recording medium. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an inkjet recording medium is disclosed comprising an inkjet-receptive coating on a paper substrate. The inkjet-receptive coating contains a synergistic combination of pigments and binder such that the inkjet recording medium exhibits improved inkjet print properties, particularly when printed with a high speed inkjet printer using pigmented inks. In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, the inkjet recording medium further comprises a top coat of a multivalent metal salt which further enhances image quality of the inkjet printing.
US08431185B2

The invention relates to a surface textile structure comprising an arrangement of a plurality of conductive threads or threads exhibiting conductive properties. Insulating sections are arranged between the conductive threads or insulating threads are incorporated into the structure. The structure also comprises an inorganic electroluminescent material and electric connection elements. According to the invention, the electroluminescent material is incorporated into intermediate areas of the structure or is embodied inside the structure in the form of coated threads. The structure is also provided with a coating which is also selective made of a fluorescent material and/or optical brightening agents. The overall arrangement comprises a transparent, elastic, covering protective layer.
US08431184B2

Some embodiments include methods of forming conductive material within high aspect ratio openings and low aspect ratio openings. Initially, the high aspect ratio openings may be filled with a first conductive material while the low aspect ratio openings are only partially filled with the first conductive material. Additional material may then be selectively plated over the first conductive material within the low aspect ratio openings relative to the first conductive material within the high aspect ratio openings. In some embodiments, the additional material may be activation material that only partially fills the low aspect ratio opening, and another conductive material may be subsequently plated onto the activation material to fill the low aspect ratio openings.
US08431182B2

An object of the invention is to improve patterning accuracy while maintaining low cost, high throughput and a high degree of freedom of an optical material in a matrix type display device and a manufacturing method thereof.In order to achieve the object, a difference in height, a desired distribution of liquid repellency and affinity to liquid, or a desired potential distribution is formed by utilizing first bus lines in a passive matrix type display device or utilizing scanning lines, signal lines, common current supply lines, pixel electrodes, an interlevel insulation film, or a light shielding layer in an active matrix type display device. A liquid optical material is selectively coated at predetermined positions by utilizing the difference in height, the desired distribution of liquid repellency and affinity to liquid, or the desired potential distribution.
US08431178B2

A method for increasing the concentration of solubilized terpene compounds in liquids is disclosed, as well as liquid, beverage or microemulsion compositions containing terpenes and more polar flavor compounds. The compositions include terpene compounds, which are useful flavoring agents, and the disclosed methods and compositions allow a suitable level of terpenes for flavoring purposes while providing haze- and cloud-free final beverages that do not form an undesirable separate oil phase.
US08431177B2

Described herein are shortenings with improved properties such as increased hardness, minimal trans fat, and reduced saturated fats. Methods for preparing the shortenings involve the use of one or more structural enhancers in a vegetable oil followed by processing and tempering the admixture. The shortenings can be used to produce food products with reduced saturated fats and increased hardness as well as minimal trans fats.
US08431173B2

Disclosed are: dry tomatoes having excellent texture, flavor, and appearance, as well as being readily producible; and processed tomatoes suitable as a raw material for producing such dry tomatoes. Specifically disclosed are: a processed tomato wherein a portion of a cuticular layer, together with or without a portion of an epidermal tissue, has been removed; a dry tomato produced by drying the processed tomato; a method of producing a processed tomato comprising removing a portion of a cuticular layer, together with or without a portion of an epidermal tissue, by laser irradiation on a tomato surface; a method of producing a processed tomato comprising removing a portion of a cuticular layer of a tomato, the main body of which is not cut; a method of producing a processed tomato comprising removing a portion of an epidermal tissue together with a portion of a cuticular layer of a tomato, the main body of which is not cut, while preventing leakage of fruit juice to the surface; and a method of producing a dry tomato comprising producing a processed tomato by the preceding production method, and thereafter drying the processed tomato.
US08431170B2

A composition having antimicrobial activity is provided. The composition includes a compound mixture obtained from pulverized and/or extracted wood material that contains polyphenols (i) lignans, (ii) stilbenes and (iii) oligomers of lignans, stilbenes juvabiones or flavonoids. The cytotoxicity of the polyphenols in the compound mixture is at least ten times lower compared to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and does not irritate the skin in a so-called single patch test at 0.1 wt %. The composition further includes an antimicrobial agent such as betulin, betulonic acid, betulinic acid, betuloinic acid, resveratrol or ethylhexyl glyceryl. The composition can be used in cosmetic and hair care products.
US08431159B2

Spray dried solid dispersions comprising a sparingly soluble drug and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) provide increased aqueous solubility and/or bioavailability in a use environment.
US08431150B2

A confectionery product comprises a first side and a second side generally opposite to said first side, and a product thickness. The second side comprises an abrasive surface that is suitable for cleaning the top surface of a tongue within an oral cavity. The second side has a width and a length, the smallest of which is at least 1.6 times the product thickness. The product does not include a handle and the product does not include a combination of a soft confectionery with a hard confectionery. In some embodiments the first side is smooth, and may be domed shaped and generally fit the roof of the mouth. The abrasive surface may be provided by 1) a formed, uneven surface, 2) including abrasive particles in the composition making up the second surface, or 3) a combination of a formed, uneven surface and abrasive particles. The confectionery product may be a hard confectionery, but may also be a chewing gum product.
US08431140B2

Single phase pharmaceutical compositions for topical application, in addition to kits and methods of use and administration are provided. The compositions comprise a biologically active agent; a delivery vehicle comprising at least a non-polymeric crystallization inhibitor and a film-former; and a volatile solvent; wherein the biologically active agent is present in the composition in a subsaturated state, the biologically active agent is present in the delivery vehicle in a supersaturated state, and the crystallization inhibitor is capable of delaying crystallization of the biologically active agent in the delivery vehicle. Biologically active agents include terbinafine and acyclovir. Treatments for onychomycosis and Varicella zoster infection, HSV-I infection or HSV-2 infection are provided.
US08431134B2

Methods for enhancing opsonophagocytosis of a pathogen of interest are disclosed. The disclosed methods include administering to a subject an isolated P4 peptide, which includes the amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO: 1 and optionally an isolated opsonic antibody or a fragment thereof that specifically binds to an antigen present on the surface of the pathogen of interest. In some examples isolated complement protein or a fragment thereof (for example, a C3a, C3b, iC3b, C3d, C4b, or C5a fragment of a complement protein) is also administered. Compositions containing isolated P4 peptide and one or more isolated opsonic antibodies or a fragment thereof that specifically binds to an antigen present of the surface of a pathogen of interest are also disclosed. In some examples, the compositions also include isolated complement protein or fragment thereof, such as one or more of C3a, C3b, iC3b, C3d, C4b, or C5a.
US08431132B2

A recombinant fusion protein comprising a human erythropoietin peptide portion linked to an immunoglobulin peptide portion is described. The fusion protein has a prolonged half-life in vivo in comparison to naturally occurring or recombinant native human erythropoietin. In one embodiment of the invention, the protein has a half-life in vivo at least three fold higher than native human erythropoietin. The fusion protein also exhibits enhanced erythropoietic bioactivity in comparison to native human erythropoietin. In one embodiment, the fusion protein comprises the complete peptide sequence of a human erythropoietin (EPO) molecule and the peptide sequence of an Fc fragment of human immunoglobulin IgG1. The Fc fragment in the fusion protein includes the hinge region, CH2 and CH3 domains of human immunoglobulin IgG1. The EPO molecule may be linked directly to the Fc fragment to avoid extraneous peptide linkers and lessen the risk of an immunogenic response when administered in vivo. In one embodiment the hinge region is a human Fc fragment variant having a non-cysteine residue at amino acid 6. The invention also relates to nucleic acid and amino acid sequences encoding the fusion protein and transfected cell lines and methods for producing the fusion protein. The invention further includes pharmaceutical compositions comprising the fusion protein and methods of using the fusion protein and/or the pharmaceutical compositions, for example to stimulate erythropoiesis in subjects in need of therapy.
US08431115B1

An animal attractant composition comprising 35 weight percent to 45 weight percent of a primary mineral mixture, 35 weight percent to 45 weight percent of a cobalt iodized salt, 15 weight percent to 25 weight percent of a trace mineral and Vitamins A, B and E and a method for forming an artificial animal lick that lasts no less than 3 months.
US08431103B2

Provided are a method of manufacturing graphene, graphene manufactured by the method, a conductive thin film including the graphene, a transparent electrode comprising the graphene, and a radiating or heating device comprising the graphene. The method includes: preparing a graphene member including a base member, a hydrophilic oxide layer formed on the base member, a hydrophobic metal catalyst layer formed on the oxide layer, and graphene grown on the metal catalyst layer; applying water to the graphene member; separating the metal catalyst layer from the oxide layer; and removing the metal catalyst layer using an etching process.
US08431100B2

CO2-sequestering formed building materials are provided. The building materials of the invention include a composition comprising a carbonate/bicarbonate component. Additional aspects of the invention include methods of making and using the CO2-sequestering formed building material.
US08431098B2

Embodiments of the technology disclosed herein include exemplary gas purifiers that use cyclonic separation and photocatalytic purification to oxidize contaminants in unpurified gas. One such gas purifier includes a vessel that defines a tapered cyclonic chamber. Unpurified gas enters the chamber and induces a gas vortex. Photocatalytic particles in the chamber become suspended in the vortex and mix with contaminants in the incoming gas. A light source activates the photocatalytic particles, which oxidize the contaminants to purify the gas. The purified gas exits via the wide of end of the chamber. Cyclonic action forces the photocatalytic particles out of the chamber's narrow end to a recycling conduit, which conveys the photocatalytic particles back into the chamber.
US08431094B2

A system and process for acetylene selective hydrogenation of an ethylene rich gas stream. An ethylene rich gas supply comprising at least H2S, CO2, CO, and acetylene is directed to a first treatment unit for removing H2S and optionally CO2 from the gas stream. A CO oxidation reactor is used to convert CO to CO2 and form a CO-depleted gas stream. A second treatment unit removes the CO2 from the CO-depleted gas stream and an acetylene selective hydrogenation treats the CO-depleted gas stream.
US08431089B2

Sampling valve with which samples containing mechanically sensitive material are removed in a sterile manner from a bioreactor, and process analysis system with analysis stations, in particular chromatography systems, biosensors and cell determination devices, permitting automated, sterile removal of a sample from a bioreactor and gentle transport of the sample, containing mechanically sensitive material, in particular cells, to the analysis station.
US08431079B2

Embodiments of an analyzer for performing medical diagnostic analysis of biological samples are disclosed. In one embodiment, the analyzer may have a first and at least a second disk-shaped cuvette conveyor each having an array of cuvette holders, a first drive unit for rotating the first cuvette conveyor about a rotation axis, and a second drive unit for rotating the second cuvette conveyor about the rotation axis. The operation of the second drive unit is independent from the operation of the first drive unit. The first cuvette conveyor and the second cuvette conveyor are spaced from each other in an axial direction along the rotation axis and with an air gap between them. The cuvette holders of the first cuvette conveyor and the cuvette holders of the second cuvette conveyor are adapted for holding cuvettes having the same shape and dimensions.
US08431075B2

A mobile ultraviolet sterilization vehicle. A plurality of UV lamps are removably mounted to a wheeled vehicle. A plurality of tines and a brush are mounted to the vehicle extending across the width thereof and into the supporting surface to position the supporting surface to receive the UV light.
US08431071B2

A method of sintering by: placing a compacted metal powder inside a cylindrically-shaped susceptor and in an inert atmosphere or a vacuum, and applying microwave or millimeter-wave energy to the powder until the powder is sintered.
US08431068B2

A process for producing thermoplastic containers (13) extrudes a plastic tube into opened movable mold parts (5, 7, 9). The main mold parts (7) form the container main part (18). The bottom parts are closed to close and weld the tube bottom end. The tube (3) is widened by a pressure gradient acting on it, forcing the tube against the wall of the mold parts (7, 9) to form the container. The mold parts are then moved into the position to open the mold for removal of the formed container (13). The container bottom is made in the form of a cup-like bottom part (19) axially extending into the container main part (18) by the bottom part being everted into the interior of the container (13) to form a bottom elevation (31).
US08431066B2

The present disclosure relates to a method for making a carbon nanotube film. In the method, a bent flexible substrate having a curved surface is provided. A carbon nanotube array on the curved surface of the bent flexible substrate is fabricated. The bent flexible substrate is at least partially unbent, thereby at least partially unbending the carbon nanotube array. A drawing tool is provided to contact the unbent carbon nanotube array to select a carbon nanotube segment from the carbon nanotube array. The selected carbon nanotube segment is drawn using the drawing tool, thereby forming the carbon nanotube film.
US08431064B2

The invention relates to supports consisting of nanoscalar polymer fibers, polymer tubes or hollow fibers for the application and targeted and/or delayed release of ingredients, in particular, agricultural active ingredients. The invention also relates to a method and a device for the production of supports of this type in a charged or empty state. The method and device use electrospinning technology.
US08431061B2

A method for use in manufacturing a ceramic matrix composite article includes assembling a ceramic fiber sheet between a tool and a die, where the tool is conformable to the shape of the die and the melting point of the die is greater than the melting point of the tool. The assembly is then heated to soften the tool. At least one of the tool, the die or a separate inflatable member is then pressurized to conform the tool and the ceramic fiber sheet to the die. Next, the assembly is cooled and the pressure is vented before removal of the tool and ceramic fiber sheet from the die. A preceramic resin with a catalyst is then applied to the ceramic fiber sheet and cured at a curing temperature that is below the melting point of the tool, to form a preform. The tool is then removed from the preform.
US08431059B2

A mosaic-style art kit is provided. The art kit includes a frame, modeling material, and a guide sheet. The frame includes a peripheral surface operably configured to overlie the guide sheet, and a mosaic-style internal structure having partitions forming cavities for receiving and retaining the modeling material. A front side of the frame is placed on the guide sheet such that the mosaic-style internal structure is aligned with a design on the guide sheet. The design thereby instructs a color of modeling material to be inserted into each cavity of the internal structure. The modeling material is inserted accordingly, and the frame and guide sheet are separated to produce a mosaic-style art product.
US08431057B2

A method of manufacturing a catheter shaft includes the steps of forming an inner layer of a first polymeric material, forming a plait matrix layer including a second polymeric material about the inner layer, and forming an outer layer of a third polymeric material about the plait matrix layer. The plait matrix layer includes a braided wire mesh partially or fully embedded within the second polymeric material, which is different from at least one of the first polymeric material forming the inner layer and the third polymeric material forming the outer layer. The second polymeric material has a higher yield strain and/or a lower hardness than at least the first polymeric material, and preferably both the first and the third polymeric materials. The first polymeric material and the third polymeric material may be different or the same. The catheter shaft may be formed by stepwise extrusion, co-extrusion, and/or reflow processes.
US08431045B2

Ligand exchange of thermochromic, LETC, systems exhibiting a reversible change in absorbance of electromagnetic radiation as the temperature of the system is reversibly changed are described. The described LETC systems include one or more than one transition metal ion, which experiences thermally induced changes in the nature of the complexation or coordination around the transition metal ion(s) and, thereby, the system changes its ability to absorb electromagnetic radiation as the temperature changes. In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, thermochromic systems are disclosed comprising a transition metal ion with particularly useful ligands, such as phosphine compounds, tridentate ligands that coordinate through three nitrogen atoms, bidentate ligands, or ortho hindered pyridine monodentate ligands.
US08431044B2

The invention is relates to a method and a system for producing synthetic gas from biomass by high temperature gasification, including: feeding raw material, carbonizing, pulverizing the charcoal, and transporting charcoal powder to the gasification furnace for gasification. A heat source for the carbonizing is achieved by a direct combustion reaction between external combustible gas and external oxygen in a carbonization furnace. The heat emitted from the reaction being directly provided to the necessary heat of biomass pyrolysis, and yielding pyrolysis gas and charcoal from carbonization furnace. The temperature of carbonization furnace is controlled at between 400° C. and 600° C. by adjusting the amount of oxygen. The temperature of a burner nozzle of the carbonization furnace is controlled at between 1200° C. and 1800° C. by adjusting the input amount of the external combustible gas at between more than 1 and less than 5 times that required for a complete combustion with the external oxygen. Pulverizing the charcoal includes charcoal cooling, decompression, pulverizing, supercharging, fluidizing, and transported to the gasifier by controlling the amount of pyrolysis gas.
US08431042B2

In an embodiment, a solid state scintillator material includes a composition represented by a general formula: (Gd1-α-β-γTBαLuβCeγ)3(Al1-xGax)aOb, where α and β are numbers satisfying 0<α≦0.5, 0<β≦0.5, and α+β≦0.85, γ is a number satisfying 0.0001≦γ≦0.1, x is a number satisfying 0
US08431040B2

A composition for ink jet printing an opto-electrical device, the composition comprising: an electroluminescent or charge transporting organic material; and a high boiling point solvent having a boiling point higher than water.
US08431030B2

There is provided a crystal resonator (crystal element) in which the probability of chipping occurring in separation is small when there is one supporting section with respect to a frame section of a crystal wafer, and inclined surfaces due to the anisotropy of etching are eliminated. The present invention relates to a crystal resonator manufacturing method such that an AT-cut crystal wafer is etched, a large number of rectangular crystal elements are joined with frame sections by supporting sections, and the crystal elements are mechanically cut away from the frame sections. On both sides of the +X-axis one end section of the crystal element, at least the outer side surface has a planarly tapered projection having a triangular inclined surface with an apex in the −X-axis direction, and the tip end of the projection has processing traces of the etching in the +X-axis direction.
US08431023B2

A fuel filter comprises a bowl and a cover that form an enclosure, in which a filter element and a electrical device are concentrically arranged, a connector making it possible to connect the device to an external supply is carried by the bowl or by the cover. The electrical device is arranged in a dissipative shell and connected to the earth of the electrical device or of the connector. At least one part of the filter element is dissipative and at least one dissipative flexible contact is arranged between said dissipative part and the shell in order to provide a dissipative continuity between the filter element and the shell.
US08431019B2

A wastewater treatment system includes an outer tank, an aeration chamber partition located within the outer tank and forming an aeration chamber, and a draft tube located within the outer tank and vertically extending into the bottom of the aeration chamber to communicate the aeration chamber with an outer chamber formed. A submerged aerator is located within the draft tube. An inlet communicates influent into the aeration chamber and an outlet communicates effluent out of the outer tank. A scum baffle prevents floating solids from entering the outlet. The outer tank has an effluent weir which supports the scum baffle and the scum baffle has an upward facing flange that supports the aeration chamber partition. An air intake pipe extending to the aerator through an upper end of the draft tube has support members engaging a top of the draft tube to support the aerator within the draft tube.
US08431016B2

A hydrocracking system involves introducing a heavy oil feedstock and a colloidal or molecular catalyst, or a precursor composition capable of forming the colloidal or molecular catalyst, into a hydrocracking reactor. The colloidal or molecular catalyst is formed in situ within the heavy oil feedstock by intimately mixing a catalyst precursor composition into a heavy oil feedstock and raising the temperature of the feedstock to above the decomposition temperature of the precursor composition to form the colloidal or molecular catalyst. The colloidal or molecular catalyst catalyzes upgrading reactions between the heavy oil feedstock and hydrogen and eliminates or reduces formation of coke precursors and sediment. At least a portion of a resid fraction containing residual colloidal or molecular catalyst is recycled back into the hydrocracking reactor to further upgrade the recycled resid fraction portion and provide recycled colloidal or molecular catalyst within the hydrocracking reactor.
US08431012B2

The present invention is directed to a heavy hydrocarbon composition useful as a heavy lubricant oil base stock and to a heavy lubricant composition derived from the heavy lubricant oil base stock that remains clear and bright even after being cooled to room temperature and stored for an extended period of time.
US08431003B2

A monitoring method of the invention is for monitoring electrodeposition coating of an object to be coated in which a conveying mechanism that conveys the object to be coated while the object is immersed in an electrodeposition paint in an electrodeposition bath, and a plurality of electrodes arranged along a conveying direction in which the object to be coated is conveyed by the conveying mechanism, are used, the method including: acquiring present position data of the object in the conveying direction; when the acquired present position data has a value corresponding to a predetermined determination position, acquiring an electric current value corresponding to a predetermined one, associated with the determination position, of the electrodes; and determining the occurrence of the abnormality for the object to be coated that is positioned at the determination position, based on whether the acquired electric current value is within a predetermined range.
US08431000B2

A biosensor for determining the concentration of an analyte in a biological sample. The biosensor comprises a support, a reference electrode or a counter electrode or both disposed on the support, a working electrode disposed on the support, the working electrode spaced apart from the other electrode or electrodes on the support, a covering layer defining a sample chamber over the electrodes, an aperture in the covering layer for receiving a sample, and at least one layer of mesh in the sample chamber between the covering layer and the electrodes. The at least one layer of mesh has coated thereon a silicone surfactant. Certain silicone surfactants are as effective as fluorinated surfactants with respect to performance of biosensors. These surfactants, when coated onto the mesh layer of the biosensor, are effective in facilitating the transport of aqueous test samples, such as blood, in the sample chamber.
US08430999B2

The present invention relates to an analytical tool 1 which includes a flow path for moving a sample, and a working electrode 15 and a counter electrode 16 including active portions 15c, 16c, 16d for coming into contact with the sample supplied to the flow path and which is mounted in use to an analytical apparatus. The active portions 16c, 16d of the counter electrode 16 include a first active portion 16c and a second active portion 16d divided within the flow path. The working electrode 15 and the counter electrode 16 include contact ends 15a, 16a for coming into contact with terminals of an analytical apparatus when the analytical tool 1 is mounted to the analytical apparatus. At least one of the working electrode 15 and the counter electrode 16 includes a first electrode portion 16B which includes the contact end 16a and the first active portion 16c and a second electrode portion 16C which includes the second active portion 16d.
US08430997B2

The present invention relates to an electrode that includes an electrically conducting substrate based on a valve metal having a main proportion of titanium, tantalum or niobium, and an electrocatalytically active coating comprising up to 50 mol % of a noble metal oxide or noble metal oxide mixture and at least 50 mol % of titanium oxide. The coating includes a minimum proportion of oxides of anatase structure determined by a ratio of the signal height of the most intensive anatase reflection in an x-ray diffractogram (CuKα radiation) after subtraction of a linear background to the signal height of the most intensive rutile reflection in the same diffractogram, wherein the ratio is at least 0.6.
US08430992B1

Protective self aligned buffer (PSAB) layers are layers of material that are selectively formed at the surface of metal layers in a partially fabricated semiconductor device. In a Damascene interconnect, PSAB layer typically resides at an interface between the metal layer and a dielectric diffusion barrier layer. PSAB layers promote improved adhesion between a metal layer and an adjacent dielectric diffusion barrier layer. Further, PSAB layers can protect metal surfaces from inadvertent oxidation during fabrication process. A PSAB layer may be formed entirely within the top portion of a metal layer, by, for example, chemically converting metal surface to a thin layer of metal silicide. Thickness of PSAB layers, and, consequently resistance of interconnects can be controlled by partially passivating metal surface prior to formation of PSAB layer. Such passivation can be accomplished by controllably treating metal surface with a nitrogen-containing compound to convert metal to metal nitride.
US08430983B2

A method of manufacturing a roofing shingle includes applying an asphalt coating to a substrate to define an asphalt coated sheet, the asphalt coated sheet including a headlap portion and a tab portion. Reinforcement material is applied from a spool to the asphalt coated sheet, wherein the reinforcement material is wound in a waywind pattern on the spool. The reinforcement material is then secured to the headlap portion of the asphalt coated sheet.
US08430981B1

Ni-Ti (nickel-titanium) based alloys. and related semi-finished products and methods are described, where the nickel content is comprised between 50.7 and 52.0 atomic % .
US08430977B2

The present invention relates to a hollow drilling steel rod including a stem portion and a thread portion positioned at an end portion in an axial direction with respect to the stem portion, the hollow drilling steel rod being constituted of a steel having a specific composition described in the present specification, in which the thread portion includes a thread having been subjected to a high frequency quenching, and the thread portion and the stem portion separate from each other have been joined by a friction welding.
US08430975B2

A high-strength galvanized steel sheet has a TS of at least 590 MPa and excellent ductility and stretch flangeability and a method for manufacturing the high-strength galvanized steel sheet. The galvanized steel sheet contains, on the basis of mass percent, C: 0.05% to 0.3%, Si: 0.01% to 2.5%, Mn: 0.5% to 3.5%, P: 0.003% to 0.100% or less, S: 0.02% or less, and Al: 0.010% to 1.5%. The total of Si and Al is 0.5% to 2.5%. The remainder are iron and incidental impurities, contain 20% or more of ferrite phase, 10% or less of martensite phase, and 10% to 60% of tempered martensite, on the basis of area percent, and 3% to 10% of retained austenite phase on the basis of volume fraction. The retained austenite has an average grain size of 2.0 μm or less.
US08430971B1

A composition is provided for lowering a pH of a drilling fluid. The composition includes HCl, urea, complex substituted keto-amine-hydrochloride, an alcohol, an ethoxylate, and a ketone. A method of using the composition includes adding the composition to a drilling fluid for a well to assist in lowering a pH thereof. Methods are also provided for performing hydraulic fracturing of an oil or a gas well, for adjusting a pH of a drilling fluid, for adjusting and maintaining a pH of a process fluid, for solubilizing calcium carbonate in an aqueous suspension or dispersion of calcium carbonate, for removing a foulant in a fluid-handling element, and for adjusting a pH and lowering a salt level of turf.
US08430961B2

The present invention generally comprises a method and an apparatus for guiding the flow of processing gases away from chamber walls and slit valve opening. By controlling the flow path of the process gases within a processing chamber, undesirable deposition upon chamber walls and within slit valve openings may be reduced. By reducing deposition in slit valve openings, flaking may be reduced. By reducing deposition on chamber walls, the time between chamber cleaning may be increased. Thus, guiding the flow of processing gases within the processing chamber may increase substrate throughput.
US08430958B2

An apparatus and associated method for large-scale manufacturing of gallium nitride. The apparatus comprises a large diameter autoclave or internally-heated high pressure vessel, a seed rack, and a raw material basket. Methods include effective means for utilization of seed crystals. The apparatus and methods are scalable up to very large volumes and are cost effective.
US08430957B2

Hydroxyethylcellulose with a low molar substitution and which is uniformly substituted is useful in cement-based systems, including mortars. The cement-based system exhibits long pot life, as well as very high water retention capability at hot temperature, as well as better paste stability and optimized setting behavior for hot as well as cold temperature compared to typical, cement-based systems with commercial cellulose ether compounds. Less hydrophilic cellulose ethers such as methylhydroxyethylcellulose can be added as a second cellulose ether.
US08430943B2

Multiple-component fertilizer materials and methods of use are provided, wherein the fertilizer materials include first and second fertilizer products respectively including an ammoniacal fertilizer (e.g., urea) in combination with a partial calcium salt of a selected copolymer, and a phosphorous fertilizer (e.g., DAP) in combination with a partial sodium salt of a selected copolymer. The copolymer fractions of the first and second fertilizer products are most preferably copolymers of itaconic acid and maleic anhydride. The fertilizer materials give synergistically enhanced crop yields when applied to soil or growing plants.
US08430940B2

A system for ridding the working area of a nail salon work station of fumes and nail dust. The system is self-contained within the particular work station and has a vacuum system that draws air in from the area surrounding and proximate the working area to remove the fumes and dust. A fan draws that air into a chamber containing a bag-type, particulate filter that filters out the nail dust. Downstream of the bag-type filter is a fume filter that receives the air from the bag-type filter, having been pressurized by the fan, and provides a filter of the fumes. The air, now having passed through a particulate filter and a fume filter is exhausted into the room at a location remote from the working area. The bag-type filter is inexpensive and readily replaced.
US08430932B2

A system for use in a total knee arthroplasty procedure can include a first cutting guide, an alignment guide and a femoral prosthetic implant. The first cutting guide can include at least one planar guide surface adapted to guide a cutting tool to cut femur. The alignment guide can contact the femur and provide for markings to be made in the femur that dictate a location and orientation of the first cutting guide. The implant is adapted to be implanted on the resected femur. The implant can have an inwardly protruding structure to provide medial-lateral fixation stability, and can have an anterior fixation path that diverges proximally away from a long axis of the femur and a posterior fixation path that converges proximally towards the long axis such that the posterior fixation path and anterior fixation path converge toward one another proximally of a distal contact surface.
US08430929B2

A spine stabilization device is placed between adjacent vertebral bodies of the vertebrae of a spine to effect a reduction and to support the adjacent vertebral bodies for fusion at the desired alignment and spacing. The stabilization device includes a first plate adapted for fixation to one of the adjacent vertebral bodies, a second plate adapted for fixation to the other, or both, of the adjacent vertebral bodies, an adjustable connector connecting the first and second plates and an intervertebral body attached to the second plate and having an intervertebral extension adapted for insertion between the adjacent vertebral bodies.
US08430927B2

A surgically implantable multiple orifice heart valve having a valve frame with at least two orifices, each of which can accommodate a tissue valve. The multiple orifice heart valve includes a stent frame having a first side, an opposite second side, and multiple orifices or openings, each of which extends from the first side to the second side of the stent frame and is adjacent to at least one of the other multiple orifices or openings.
US08430904B2

The embolic protection device (10) has an expandable tubular structure supporting a filter mesh material (12). The embolic protection device is compressed to a small diameter for insertion into a patient's aorta, then expanded within the aorta with the filter mesh material positioned to allow blood to enter sidebranch vessels connected to the aorta and to prevent embolic material from entering the sidebranch vessels. The filter mesh material may be configured with waves or undulations (26) for increased surface area and/or with two layers of mesh material to provide additional protection against embolization and to prevent inadvertent occlusion of the sidebranch vessels.
US08430893B2

Devices, systems, and methods for suturing of body lumens allow the suturing of vascular puncture sites located at the distal end of a percutaneous tissue tract. An elongated articulated foot of the device can be inserted through the penetration and actuated so that the foot extends along the lumenal axis. The foot can carry suturing attachment cuffs with one end of the cuff adapted to receive a needle, while the other end receives suture. A portion of the foot and/or lumen of the shaft can receive a portion of the suture and can include friction reducing structure that aid with movement of the sutured during removal of the cuffs from within the penetration.
US08430892B2

An apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue is provided and includes a housing, at least one handle a channel assembly, a clip carrier disposed within the channel assembly and a counter mechanism supported in at least one of the housing and the channel assembly. The counter mechanism is configured to transmit a change in status of the apparatus upon each actuation of the at least one handle. The counter mechanism includes a switch configured to output a signal upon actuation of the trigger, an encoder configured to output a bit sequence upon actuation of the switch, a radio frequency transmitter operable to convert the bit sequence into a radio frequency signal, and a transmitting antenna configured to transmit the radio frequency signal.
US08430891B2

A gastric reduction system and method provides for transesophageal formation of a gastric reduction pouch of the stomach. The system includes an expandable structure, which may be placed in a stomach and expanded to occupy a fractional volume of the stomach. An evacuator is then fed through the expandable structure and utilized to deflate the stomach and draw the stomach to and around the expandable structure to form the gastric reduction pouch. A self-deploying fastener is then deployed to maintain the gastric reduction pouch.
US08430889B2

A puncture needle holder comprising a base frame, a link bar, a first seat part, a second seat part, and a positioning mechanism is disclosed.
US08430878B2

An orthopedic fixation system having two rings or other base/frame elements separated by a plurality of struts. The struts are attached to the rings by a combination of a attachment mechanism having at least two degrees of movement each, and at least one connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanisms may be moveably or non-moveably connected to one or more tracks located on either or both rings of base elements. A combination of these elements provides a fixation device that allows for six degrees of freedom of movement between the rings or other base elements.
US08430873B2

A system for determining probability of tissue damage is disclosed. The system includes an electrosurgical generator adapted to generate an electrosurgical current and a plurality of return electrodes adhered to a patient and adapted to couple to the electrosurgical generator. Each of the return electrodes includes an impedance sensor attached thereto. The system also includes a current monitor connected in series with each of the plurality of the return electrodes to measure the electrosurgical current passing therethrough and a processor coupled to each of the current monitors. The processor is configured to calculate a cooling factor and a heating factor for each of the plurality of the return electrodes. The processor further configured to determine probability of tissue damage for each of the plurality of the return electrodes as a function of the cooling factor and the heating factor.
US08430863B2

A catheter for use in a patient's body lumen, having a shaft section configured to minimize ultrasonic image artifacts and the direct ultrasonic image brightness of the shaft surface and its internal components, and to produce its image at a wide range of imaging angles, preferably with an intensity not substantially different than surrounding tissue of the body lumen under ultrasound visualization. The shaft section is operative for the desired use of the catheter, yet is also configured to facilitate accurately imaging the shape and location of the shaft section, and easily differentiate it from the surrounding anatomy without unduly obscuring the images of the adjacent anatomy using an ultrasound imaging system.
US08430858B2

An absorbent article having a waistband which is attached to first and second body portions of the article. The first body portion is attached to the waistband by at least a fastening means wherein the article assumes a pant diaper form. The waistband has a reception surface and a perforation. The perforation allows the reception surface to be separated into first and second belt portions. At least a part of the reception surface is located on each belt portion, thereby allowing the article to assume a belt diaper form. The first belt portion comprises at least one fastening means. The second fastening means is arranged so that the absorbent article can be readily converted from a pant diaper form to a belt diaper form.
US08430855B2

According to one aspect, a fluid collection bag comprises an inlet opening adapted to receive an inlet tube located on a first side of the fluid collection bag. The fluid collection bag has a length greater than the height. The first side of the fluid collection bag is generally parallel with a length of the fluid collection bag. The fluid collection bag further comprises an outlet opening located on a second side of the fluid collection bag. The fluid collection bag may be reversible such that a first surface or a second opposing surface of the fluid collection bag may face a support element.
US08430852B2

A therapeutic sleeve is disposable about a therapy delivery element. The sleeve has a first opening, a second opening, and a radially elastic body member disposed between the first and second opening. The body member forms a lumen extending from the first opening to the second opening and is configured to be disposed about the therapy delivery element. The sleeve further includes a therapeutic agent releasable from the body member when implanted in a patient.
US08430842B2

A manual breastpump has a pump mechanism for use in one mode of operation to produce an ejection (letdown) reflex in a nursing mother and in a separate mode of operation for the general expression of breastmilk. The breastpump further provides a pump mechanism having an expansible chamber device carried by the handle, which is operated by moving the handle relative to a handle mount. A double-pivot for the handle yields letdown mode as well as the general pumping mode.
US08430840B2

An improved method of controlling intraocular pressure with a microsurgical system using measured flow rate.
US08430835B2

A renal therapy blood cleaning system includes: a blood filtering device in communication with an extracorporeal circuit; a first pump configured to pump fluid to the blood filtering device; a second pump configured to pump fluid from the blood filtering device; a balance chamber in fluid communication with first and second lines, the first and second lines in fluid communication with the first and second pumps, respectively, the balance chamber configured to exchange like volumes of fresh and spent fluid; a plurality of valves; and a control scheme programmed to operate the plurality of valves to enable spent fluid taken from the balancing chamber through one of the first and second lines to be recirculated to the balance chamber through the other of the first and second lines to compensate for a volume of fresh fluid delivered to the blood filtering device.
US08430834B2

The present invention relates to a method and to a device for detecting the entry of air in a fluid system, in particular in an extracorporeal blood circuit of a blood treatment device comprising an arterial branch leading to the blood treatment unit and a venous branch leading from said blood treatment unit. Periodic fluctuations in the fluid system, in particular in the arterial tube, are measured upstream of the blood pump arranged in said arterial tube. The measured periodic pressure signal is analyzed spectrally in a system of functions, in particular a system of orthogonal functions, for example sine and cosine functions and the entry of air is deduced if at least one of the coefficients of the functions exceeds or falls below predefined threshold values.
US08430823B2

An apparatus to reduce the sensitivity of the vestibular system to stimulation. The apparatus comprises a plugging device configured to constrain the movement of endolymph fluid within a semicircular canal, and a control module coupled to the plugging device that causes the plugging device to maintain a set actuated position.
US08430821B2

A blood pressure measuring apparatus includes a cuff member (2) which can be attached to and detached from a blood pressure measurement portion, and a cuff main body (1) including a compression air bladder (8) for pressing the blood pressure measurement portion, a sub air bladder (7), and a pulse wave detection air bladder (5). After pressurization is performed by compression air bladder pressurizing/depressurizing means (22, 23) and sub air bladder pressurizing/depressurizing means (27, 26), depressurization is controlled at the same depressurization rate, thereby reducing the cuff-edge effect and obtaining a pulse wave signal.
US08430818B2

The capsule medical apparatus of the present invention is disposed in a test subject and acquires information on the inside of the test subject. The capsule medical apparatus comprises a plurality of communication electrodes that are disposed on the surface of the capsule medical apparatus and capable of communication for outputting the information acquired by the capsule medical apparatus to the outside of the test subject, a judgment section that judges whether or not the plurality of communication electrodes can perform the communication based on the state of the plurality of communication electrodes, and a control section that suspends, based on the judgment result obtained in the judgment section, the operations of at least part of various sections of the capsule medical apparatus when the plurality of communication electrodes cannot perform the communication.
US08430813B2

A surgical access system for providing access to a surgical site in a patient includes a surgical access device defining a working channel for accessing a surgical site and an integrated light emitter for illuminating the surgical site. The light emitter is integrated in proximity to a distal end of the surgical access device. In some embodiments, the light emitter is offset from the distal end. In certain embodiments, the integrated light emitter includes a light transmission medium for transmitting light from a proximal end of the access device to the distal end.
US08430800B2

The invention is directed to be a hand portable exercise and training machine to improve the user's initial linear quickness and speed from a stationary or set position. The machine consists of a horizontal beam mounted above the floor with a movable foot sled, a stationary spring retainer bracket and a removable handle bar post and assembly mounted on it. Springs are attached to the front of the foot sled and the opposite end of the springs are attached to the stationary retainer bracket adjacent to the vertical handle bar post. The invention is an exercise device that applies spring resistance to the full range of motion in the user's leg as it pertains to the initial drive phase (first 3-6 steps) of a sprint. The machine can be collapsed for transport and re-assembled without the use of tools.
US08430797B2

A support for a bicycle includes a front unit, a rear adjust unit, a front roller unit, a rear roller unit and a connection unit. Different sizes of bicycles can be connected to the support. The rear adjust unit, the front roller unit and the rear roller unit are adjustable to obtain different operation modes. The support is equipped with sensing system to be cooperated with software and hardware so as to perform as a video game.
US08430785B2

A multi-stage transmission (1) comprising a housing (9), a drive shaft (AN), an output shaft (AB), four planetary gear sets (RS1, RS2, RS3, RS4) which each have first, second and third elements, at least eight rotatable shafts (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8), six shift elements which comprise three clutches (K1, K2, K3) and three brakes (B1, B2, B3). Selective engagement of the clutches and brakes results in different transmission ratios between the drive shaft (AN) and output shaft (AB) so that up to nine forward gears can be implemented. In the multi-stage transmission, the connections of the individual elements to each other are such that exactly three of the six shift elements transmit torque during each gear step.
US08430781B2

A differential gear set including a gear housing and a first planet gear rotatably mounted to the gear housing and includes a first end portion having a plurality of planet gear teeth. A second planet gear is rotatably mounted to the gear housing and includes a first end portion having a plurality of planet gear teeth. A side gear is rotatably mounted in the gear housing and includes a plurality of side gear teeth that mechanically engage with the plurality of planet gear teeth of the first planet gear and the plurality of planet gear teeth of the second planet gear. A gear lash control member is interposed between the first and second planet gears and the side gear. The gear lash control member maintains a desired gear lash of the plurality of planet gear teeth and to the plurality of side gear teeth.
US08430773B2

A guide or tensioning rail (1) for a traction drive is provided, with the guide or tensioning rail (1) having at least one bearing lug (4a, 4b) with a sleeve (5). In order to simplify the assembly of the rail (1) during installation of the traction drive, the sleeve (5) on one end has a radially protruding flange (10) having two opposing detent recesses (9), and two corresponding detent protrusions (13) are formed on the bearing lug (4).
US08430772B1

A game table (12) includes a table top (14) constructed from four truncated triangular sections (24) and a center section (26). The table top is supported by an underlying frame (26) and table legs (18). A central landing zone (20) is defined on the table top by a perimeter boundary (80). The perimeter boundary is formed by netting, extending between corner posts (84).
US08430758B2

A constant velocity fixed joint. The center line (M22) of the outer ball tracks (22) towards a first side (S1) departs, radially inwardly, a reference radius centered in the point of intersection between a perpendicular line on tangents (T22) at the center line (M22), and the longitudinal axis (L12). The center line (M23) of the inner ball tracks (23) towards a second side (S2) departs, radially inwardly, a reference radius centered in the point of intersection of a perpendicular line on the tangent at the center line (M23), and the longitudinal axis (L13). In the outer joint part, from the joint center plane (EM) to the second side (S2), the center line (M22) moves beyond the reference radius radially outwardly. In the inner joint part (13), from the joint center plane (EM) to the first side (S1), the center line (M23) moves beyond the reference radius, radially outwardly.
US08430746B2

A mystery jackpot system having an restricted payout scheme allows a mystery jackpot to be incremented by player wagers in a rapid fashion while providing incentives to players to make larger wagers. The mystery jackpot system may have a primary jackpot pool and a secondary jackpot pool. The primary jackpot pool may be funded by eligible wagers, while the secondary jackpot pool may be funded by smaller ineligible wagers. The amount or value of the primary jackpot pool may be used to determine whether the mystery jackpot is active. For example, the mystery jackpot may be active and awardable only if the primary jackpot pool is to above a particular amount and below a maximum amount. A player winning the mystery jackpot may be awarded both the primary and secondary jackpot pools. Only players making eligible wagers may win the mystery jackpot.
US08430732B1

A crop guide comprising one or more generally wedge-shaped guides configured to interact with a crop discharge stream as it is discharged from an agricultural mower having a counter-rotating disc cutterbar. The guides are positioned rearward from the cutterbar, with one guide being generally positioned on an axis centered between each pair of converging-rotation disc cutterheads where crop material flow is concentrated. Each guide is generally pyramidal in shape, having a pair of surfaces angled with respect to one another and forming a triangular pyramid form with respect to a third generally planar surface, typically the mower swathboard. The vertex of the pyramid is oriented upstream in the crop flow so that a portion of the crop flow is split by the angled surfaces and laterally dispersed. This dispersion of crop material produces a crop mat on the ground behind the mower having a more uniform thickness compared to that produced by a traditional mower using a counter-rotating rotary cutterbar.
US08430731B2

A device for controlling an airflow in a ventilation duct, comprising a pivotable air flap, which prevents an airflow in the duct when in the closed position. A housing of an actuator for the air flap, which may pivot freely about the relevant longitudinal mid plane, is mounted in the inner duct wall. The air flap, symmetrically or approximately symmetrically curved about the longitudinal mid plane of the ventilation duct and supported under load in a stable position on the duct wall, is rigidly fixed to the driveshaft of the actuator, by an angled lever arm, with a separation, in the region of the apex line thereof. The air flap rests roughly centrally, permanently on the points of contact with the inner duct wall, which move with the position of the flap, in a self-centering manner and, in the closed position, contacts the inner duct wall along a sealed, endless peripheral sealing surface.
US08430724B2

A surface cleaning system includes a retainer having a non-absorbing retaining surface and a surface cleaning compound retained at the retaining surface of the retainer and formed a cleaning surface overlapped thereat. The surface cleaning compound is a polymer having high density and high adhesive ability for removing imbedded contaminants from a working surface and grabbing the contaminants therefrom. The retainer is made of non-absorbing material that prevents lubricant and the surface cleaning compound being absorbed through the retainer.
US08430721B2

The present disclosure relates to a polishing pad. The polishing pad may include a polymer layer having a three-dimensional network therein and a composite layer having the ability to equalize pressure across the pad surface, including a first adhesive wherein the composite exhibits a hydrostatic modulus of 1 to 500 psi when compressed at a pressure of 1 to 50 psi.
US08430714B2

A plastic modular beehive construction including cover plates to enhance insulation from cold temperatures. The construction comprises opposing side and end walls. Outwardly protruding ribs are provided across areas of the outer face of each wall for reinforcement. Pin receivers are also included in selected locations on each outer face. An outwardly facing recess is preferably included in each wall, to define a hand grip. Pronged connectors are provided on the end walls. Recesses are provided on the side walls for receiving the pronged connectors of the end walls. The walls are snapped together, providing a rigid four-sided hive, having an open top and an open bottom. The cover plates, including pins on an inner wall that correspond with the locations of the pin receivers on the walls, are installed over each wall. The plates include a cutout corresponding with the size, configuration, and location of the hand grip recess.
US08430709B1

A flying toy has a propeller rotated by the first motor mounted on the body. A propeller holder mounts the propeller. An end cap is located to the front of the propeller holder, and there is a snap joint between the holder and the end cap. The end cap is removable by disengagement of holder and end cap at the snap joint, and the propeller is releasable from the holder by a human hand and without a tool. When the toy crashes, the propeller is forced relatively free from the drive force rotating the holder and back towards the body and is trapped against separation from the toy.
US08430697B2

The plug-type connector with an insulating housing, with conductor insertion openings for inserting electrical conductors, which are aligned next to one another in a connection plane, extend in a plug-in direction and lead from a connection side into the interior of the insulating housing, with mating contact receiving openings for receiving mating contacts of a mating plug-type connector, which are aligned next to one another in a plug-in plane and extending from a plug-in side into the interior of the insulating housing, and with grooves in the insulating housing which extend in the plug-in direction. The grooves are arranged offset to the conductor insertion openings and the mating contact receiving openings and partially enter an interspace between adjacent conductor insertion openings. The grooves extend from the connection side to the plug-in side over the entire length of the plug-type connector.
US08430694B2

An electrical card connector (100) for receiving a card (7) with conductive traces (711) formed on a top side thereof includes a first insulative housing (1) having a base portion (11) and a tongue portion (12) extending forwardly from the base portion; a contact module (4) having an insulator (42) and a plurality of contacts (41) combined with an insulator; and a card receiving space (10) formed between the insulator and the tongue portion, with contacting portions (411) of the contacts extending into the card receiving space from an upper direction for mating with the conductive traces.
US08430692B2

A cable assembly (100) includes an insulative cover (11, 12) defining at least one groove with a front opening; a connector (20) accommodated in the groove, the connector (20) having a terminal module (21) and a metallic shell (22) enclosing the terminal module; a cable (5) electrically coupled to the terminal module of the connector; a printed circuit board (3) received in the insulative cover and electrically connected to the metallic shell of the connector; and a conductive member (4) having a main body (41) fixed to the insulative cover, a connecting portion (42) extending forwardly from the main body and a griping portion (43) formed on a front segment of the connecting portion and griping the printed circuit board to electrically connected with the metallic shell of the connector.
US08430691B2

A header assembly includes a header housing configured for mating with a receptacle assembly. The header housing has a base wall. Header signal contacts are coupled to the base wall. The header signal contacts are configured to be terminated to a circuit board. The header signal contacts are configured to be terminated to corresponding receptacle signal contacts of the receptacle assembly. Header shields are coupled to the base wall. The header shields at least partially surround, and provide electrical shielding for, corresponding header signal contacts. The header shields have walls and mating tabs that extend from corresponding walls. The mating tabs are configured to engage corresponding ground shields of the receptacle assembly.
US08430689B2

An electrical connector has a housing that includes a carrier and a shield matable to define the housing. The carrier has terminal channels and terminal latches extending into the terminal channels. The shield having lead-in channels through a face of the shield. Terminals are received in corresponding terminal channels. The terminals are held in the terminal channels by the terminal latches. The carrier and the shield are molded as a single piece with a bridge connecting the carrier and the shield. The bridge is broken during assembly to allow coupling of the shield to the carrier. The lead-in channels are aligned with, and positioned forward of, the terminal channels when the shield is mated with the carrier. The lead-in channels guide mating contacts for mating with the terminals held in the terminal channels.
US08430683B2

An electronic apparatus includes a connector provided to a surface of a housing; and a guide part configured to guide a connection connector, which is to be connected to the connector, to a connecting position. The guide part includes a pair of width direction guide surfaces and a height direction guide surface. The width direction guide surfaces guide the connection connector to the connecting position with respect to a direction of width of the connector by sandwiching the connection connector therebetween in the direction of width. The height direction guide surface guides the connection connector to the connecting position with respect to a direction of height of the connector in a state where the connection connector is in contact with the height direction guide surface.
US08430681B2

A multi-function clamp for veterinarian, mainly includes upper clip and lower clip; the clamp body is composed by upper clip, lower clip, bolt and torsional spring, wherein the foresaid clamp body installed with connection assembly that has connecting lead wires, and the connection assembly has several installation sections coordinates with the lead wire plug. By adopting the compatibility design, the multi-function clamp for veterinarian could apply to wider areas, a pet clinic equipped with the multi-function clamp for veterinarian is applicable even using the probe-type lead wires, the banana plug lead wires, the snap-type lead wires and the clip-type lead wires simultaneously, which greatly decreases the procurement cost for equipment and accessories, and easier to be operated. Furthermore, by adopting the anti-slip design, the multi-function clamp for veterinarian will improve remarkably for the matter the clamp drops off from the operators or the animal skins, which saves time in operation.
US08430679B1

A rotatable power strip includes a base, a cover, a fixing member fixed to the base, and a socket. Two opposite first conductive pieces and a second conductive piece between the first conductive pieces are mounted to the base. The socket is rotatably mounted to the base. A top of the socket is exposed out of the cover. Two first conductive pins and a second conductive pin are mounted to a bottom of the socket. The second conductive pin is arranged between the first conductive pins and engages with the second conductive piece. The socket is rotated around the second conductive pin. The fixing member is capable of locking the socket to a conductive position where the first conductive pins respectively engage with the first conductive pieces, and a non-conductive position where the first conductive pins respectively disengage from the first conductive pieces.
US08430678B2

A socket (100) comprises a base (1), a plurality of contacts (4, 3) respectively disposed therein and a plurality of solder balls (5) each connecting to the corresponding contacts (4, 3), the base comprises a central slot (1041) for receiving a module and a plurality of passageways (1031, 1022) at two sides of the central slot (4041) to receive the contacts (4, 3), respectively, the contact (4, 3) comprises a body portion (41, 31) positioned in the base (1), a contact portion (431, 331) extending from the body portion (41, 31) into the central slot (1041) and a tail (42, 32) extending from the body portion (41, 31), the solder balls (5) are positioned by the tails (421, 321) of the contacts (4, 3).
US08430662B2

A mold for forming a housing having a lance includes a first mold and a second mold. The lance has a first projection for engaging a terminal and a second projection provided at a position nearer with an end of the lance than the first projection. The first mold includes a first member having a third projection. The second mold includes a second member and a third member. The second member has a first concave portion into which the third projection is inserted. The third member is configured to be moved with respect to the second member. The second member defines, with the first member, a first space where the housing is adapted to be formed. The third member defines, with the first member, a second space where the first projection and the second projection are adapted to be formed.
US08430647B2

A compressor safety valve releases an abnormal pressure to the outside through a discharge port when the pressure in a compressor has increased abnormally. The valve comprises a cap having an anchoring part integrally formed therewith and mounted on a head portion of a valve main body in an attachable and detachable manner. The valve further comprising an elastic body interposingly mounted between the cap and the head portion of the valve main body in a compressed state and in close contact with the head portion of the valve main body. The elastic body is interposed so as to cover the entirety of a peripheral surface of the discharge port and the cap is anchored to the head portion of the valve main body by the elastic repulsive force of the elastic body, so that the discharge port is closed by the elastic body and the cap.
US08430646B2

A controllable variable volume clearance pocket for reciprocating compressor cylinders is disclosed. The invention includes a device for varying the clearance volume of a variable volume clearance pocket in a controlled manner. The device can be used repeatedly to change the compressor cylinder clearance volume as required to control compressor capacity and power required from the compressor driver. The device is typically mounted on the outer or head end of a reciprocating compressor cylinder, but can also be scaled and configured for use either in conjunction with a variable clearance volume unloader operating over a reciprocating compressor valve pocket or a special port in a reciprocating compressor body.
US08430643B2

A pump for moving a fluid through a fluidics system includes a surface and channel disposed along at least a portion of the surface. The pump also includes a driving mechanism having a rotatable shaft and a plurality of haptics operably coupled to the shaft. A closed portion is formed in the channel as the channel is compressed between the surface and at least one of the haptics, the closed portion having a thickness between the surface and the haptic. The pump additionally has a circular path and a shaft path. The surface has a radius of curvature in the vicinity of the closed portion that is greater than the sum of a radius of the circular path and the thickness of the closed portion.
US08430640B2

A powder feed apparatus for a powder spraycoating equipment includes a dense phase powder pump fitted with at least two feed chambers, alternatingly discharging coating powder. Each feed chamber includes a powder intake valve to aspirate coating powder during a suction stage and one powder outlet valve to discharge coating powder during a discharge stage. Each feed chamber further includes control valves to operate the dense phase powder pump and a control unit controlling the dense phase powder pump by the control valves. A dependence mode of the total open time (ttotal) of the powder intake valves defines the dependence of the total open time (ttotal) on an adjustable nominal value (mp) adjusted by a powder adjusting element and relating to the rate of powder to be conveyed by the dense phase powder pump, and defining a response delay time (tdelay) and an apparatus constant (C).
US08430638B2

A noise reducer for a rotor blade of a wind turbine and a rotor blade assembly are disclosed. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having exterior surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge and a trailing edge each extending between a tip and a root. The rotor blade further defines a span and a chord. The rotor blade assembly further includes a noise reducer configured on the rotor blade. The noise reducer includes a plurality of rods each having a body extending between a first end and a second end. The body of each of the plurality of rods contacts and extends parallel to the body of a neighboring rod of the plurality of rods when the noise reducer is in a stable position.
US08430636B2

A rotor assembly for a wind turbine including at least one blade adapted to automatically adjust its shape as a function of rotational speed to create an efficient fluid dynamic profile over a wide range of wind conditions and rotational speeds. The rotor assembly includes at least one blade configured to respond to rotation induced forces to automatically bend in a manner to optimize its wind profile.
US08430635B2

A mounting apparatus for mounting a system fan and an exterior fan to a chassis includes a mounting bracket and a plurality of connecting members. The mounting bracket includes a rectangular hollow frame and x-shaped spoke fixed in the rectangular hollow frame. Each of the connecting members includes a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion extending from an end of the first connecting portion. The system fan is secured to the chassis by the first connecting portion each running through the mounting bracket, the chassis, and the system fan. The exterior fan is secured to the chassis by fastening means each running through the exterior fan and one second connecting portion of the connecting members.
US08430634B2

A wind turbine for generating electrical power, the turbine having a rotor assembly comprising a hub, a rim and a plurality of blade members extending between the hub and rim, and at least two anemometers mounted at stationary locations relative to the rotor assembly or on the rotor assembly itself, wherein the pitch of individual blade members is adjustable in response to differences in wind speed detected by the anemometers as the rotor assembly rotates.
US08430630B2

A rotary coupling having a first element and a coaxial second element, the first and second elements being rotatable relative to each other and defining an annular passage between radially facing walls thereof. The coupling has a sealing ring at an end of the annular passage, the sealing ring being mounted to the wall of the first element and rotating relative to the second element, and having an active configuration in which the sealing ring is urged against the wall of the second element to seal the end of the annular passage, and a return configuration in which the sealing ring does not seal the end of the annular passage. A control system is used to apply a variable load to the sealing ring, wherein the sealing ring moves between the active and return configurations in response to variation in the applied load.
US08430629B2

An assembly for a stator stage of a turbomachine is disclosed. The assembly includes: an outer shroud presenting a series of openings for mounting each stationary vane by welding between the edge of an opening and the outline of the platform of the vane, the outline of the outer segment of an opening surrounding, in radial projection, the outline of the inner segment thereof, the shroud not having any other holes; and at least one stationary vane with its top including a non-pierced platform received in one of the openings prior to the welding step, such that an inside face of the platform bears against a bearing face of the shroud, the outline of the platform presenting a shape that is identical to the shape of the outline of the opening.
US08430623B2

A fan blade for a gas turbine engine has an aerofoil part and a root part. The root part includes a root former; the root former 18 includes a zone of weakness, which reduces the ability of the root part to withstand an impact force. Thus, in an impact situation in which the fan blade has separated from the fan rotor and the fan blade has itself separated into fragments, the root part will fracture or buckle more easily than would be the case with conventional arrangements. This will lower the impact force of the root part upon the fan casing, thus permitting the fan casing to be designed to withstand lower impact forces. The fan casing can therefore be made lighter, and cheaper, than in conventional arrangements.
US08430621B2

A method for controlling a boom construction and a tool articulated thereto, the boom construction comprising a first boom and a first actuator controlling the same, a second boom articulated to the first boom, and a second actuator controlling the same, as well as a third actuator controlling the position of the tool, wherein in the method: the first actuator is controlled manually; and/or the second actuator is controlled manually and the third actuator is also controlled at the same time automatically to control the position of the tool. For example, the first actuator is controlled by use of a first set point; and/or the second actuator is controlled by use of a second set point; and in addition, the third actuator is controlled simultaneously by using for the control a variable dependent on at least one of said set points. For example, the control system of the boom construction and the tool articulated thereto comprises a control algorithm, which has been configured to determine the variable which is dependent on at least one of the set points.
US08430620B1

Methods, systems and apparatuses for high throughput substrate transfer are provided. According to various embodiments, the methods and systems described use robots having dedicated end effectors for hot and cold wafers or other substrates). Throughput is increased by optimizing the transfer of both the hot and the cold wafers. Also described are wafer transfer apparatuses having end effectors configured for supporting either hot or cold wafers. In certain embodiments, dual arm robots having dedicated hot and cold wafer arms are provided. Also provided are methods of transferring substrates that to improve overall throughput. The methods involve transferring hot and cold substrates at different accelerations.
US08430616B2

A press-set threaded screw assembly includes a first member having an aperture. A second member abutting the first member includes a threaded bore co-axially aligned with the aperture. A screw body includes a body flange, a neck portion, and a threaded member. The threaded member in a non-installed condition has first and second displacement portions separated by a tapered slot, each having a main thread portion. A pin is frictionally received in a bore created through the body flange and neck portion in a screw non-installed condition. The threaded member is inserted through the aperture and received in the threaded bore in an initial installation condition. The pin is axially aligned to slide into the tapered slot, whereby the pin oppositely displaces the first and second displacement portions away from each other to contact a plurality of female threads of the threaded bore, defining an installed condition.
US08430602B2

The disclosure provides a tension leg platform (“TLP”) with a plurality of buoyant pontoons suitable for highly disturbed seas that can expand the stability of the tension leg platform by extending at least one buoyant pontoon beyond an intersection of two pontoons. In at least one embodiment, the location of the column can be decoupled from the customary end of the pontoon. The tendons can be located at the ends of the pontoons extending beyond the intersection. In some embodiments, such as four-column TLPs, the pontoons can be extended orthogonally relative to an adjacent pontoon. The extending pontoon increases a buoyancy of the pontoon, increases a pitch stability of the TLP, and increases quayside stability. The extended pontoon can be structurally intersected with the adjacent pontoon to strengthen the extended pontoon and reduce the failure mode of such structure.
US08430601B1

A system for burying fabric cloth in marine sediment includes a sled having first and second ends and a partially open bottom surface proximate to the second end. A fabric deployer is coupled to and extended from the sled adjacent to the second end. A sediment disruption device resides opposite the fabric deployer and faces the first end. The fabric deployer is a tubular structure having a slot therein extending lengthwise along the tubular structure facing away from the first end. A fabric cloth is disposed on an axle within the tubular structure so a distal end of the cloth protrudes from the slot. An electronics package is releaseably secured adjacent to the second end by a release mechanism and to the end of the cloth by a tether. A cathode may be connected to the electronics package, forming, with a buried fabric cloth anode, a microbial fuel cell.
US08430598B2

Provided is a method of remediating cyanide-contaminated soil. The method is provided to remediate soil contaminated with cyanide and treat the cyanide, which includes collecting the soil contaminated with first cyanide in a solid state and second cyanide in a gaseous or dissolved state, dissociating cyanide by mixing the soil with an alkali washing solution, dissolving the first cyanide in a solid state in the washing solution, and transferring the second cyanide in a dissolved state dissociated from the soil to the washing solution, dissociating the soil from the washing solution, precipitating the first cyanide in a solid state by acidifying the washing solution containing the cyanide, and performing post-treatment on the first cyanide after the first cyanide precipitated in a solid state is dissociated from the washing solution.
US08430578B1

The 6-axis position and attitude of an imaging vehicle's detector assembly is measured by mounting the detector assembly on a compliant isolator and separating the main 6-axis IMU on the vehicle from secondary inertial rate sensors on the detector assembly. The compliant isolator couples low-frequency rigid body motion of the vehicle below a resonant frequency to the isolated detector assembly while isolating the detector assembly from high-frequency attitude noise above the resonant frequency. The secondary inertial rate sensors measure the angular rate of change in yaw and pitch of the isolated detector assembly. A computer processes measurements of the 6-axis rigid body motion and the angular rate of change in yaw and pitch of the isolated detector assembly to estimate the 6-axis position and attitude of the detector assembly.
US08430572B2

A fiber optic connector assembly includes a connector and a carrier. The connector has a first mating end and a second end and an optical fiber terminated thereto. The fiber defines a first end adjacent the mating end and a second end protruding out of the second end of the fiber optic connector. A carrier having a connector end and an oppositely disposed cable end is engaged with the connector. An alignment structure is disposed on the carrier that includes a first end and a second end and a throughhole extending therebetween, the alignment structure including a cutaway portion extending perpendicularly to and communicating with the throughhole. The optical fiber terminated to the fiber optic connector is positioned within at least a portion of the throughhole with the second end of the optical fiber located within the cutaway portion. A window is disposed within the cutaway portion over the second end of the optic fiber, the window for visually inspecting the alignment of the second end of the fiber with an end of a second fiber entering the cable end of the carrier. A heat activated element that is configured to melt when exposed to a predetermined amount of heat and resolidify when the heat is removed bonds the second optical fiber to the alignment structure.
US08430567B2

A load adaptive roller carriage assembly for use with a slide assembly where the roller carriage assembly is configured to provide auxiliary load support. The load adaptive roller carriage assembly includes a carriage, at least two rollers rotatably connected to the carriage, and the carriage is configured to permit each roller to move independently relative to each other roller.
US08430544B2

A headlight of motorcycle includes a dashboard, a connection member, a headlight, a bracket, and front support racks. The dashboard is coupled to the headlight by the connection member in a modularized manner. The headlight forms coupling holes for mounting to the front support racks. The bracket carries signal lights thereon. By coupling the headlight and the dashboard together in a modularized manner and mounting the bracket that carries the signal lights to the opposite sides of the headlight, and further fixing the front support racks to the opposite sides of the headlight, a headlight module is formed. The headlight module can be easily attached between upper and lower beams of a steering handlebar by using the front support racks so as to simplify the assembling operation and to conceal the front support racks between the bracket and the steering handlebar for improving the outside appearance of the headlight.
US08430535B2

There is provided a lighting fixture capable of efficiently radiating heat of a lamp device attached to a socket device.By attaching the lamp device to the socket device, a cap portion of the lamp device is brought into contact with a fixture body, and pressed against and brought into close contact with the fixture body by an elastic body. Heat generated by lighting of LEDs of the lamp device is conducted from the cap portion to the fixture body and efficiently radiated.
US08430526B2

An apparatus and method for producing a spatially uniform irradiance in an image plane are provided. The apparatus includes an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) which generate light (i.e., an image). The apparatus combines the outputs of an array of the LEDs in such a way as to produce a spatially uniform irradiance in an image plane some distance away. The apparatus includes an array of lenslets to form images of the emitting areas of the individual LEDs. The lenslets have a magnification, size and spacing such that the images produced by the respective LEDs are adjacent to one another and not overlapping. The irradiance distribution in the image plane is equivalent to an image of an LED whose emitting area is equal to the total area of the LED array, and whose total power is equal to the total power of the LEDs in the LED array.
US08430524B2

An LED lamp includes a base, a first LED module attached to a bottom surface of the base, a second LED module attached to a top surface of the base, and a reflector engaged on the top surface of the base. The reflector has an outer surface facing and angled with the second LED module. Light generated by the first LED module radiates to a bottom side of the LED lamp, and light generated by the second LED module is reflected by the outer surface of the reflector to radiate out and toward a lateral side of the LED lamp.
US08430518B2

A lighting control desk includes a housing with a cavity provided within the housing and a control surface. The control surface includes digital displays, encoders, faders, pushbutton switches and a keyboard to assist in controlling different aspects of the light fixtures that are communicably coupled to the lighting control desk. A multitude of light-emitting visual indicators are positioned around one or more of the encoders. The visual indicators provide a visual indication of the color, hue, color saturation, or color intensity of the light fixtures being controlled by that particular encoder as well as the changes that will be effected to the color, hue, color saturation, or color intensity based on how the user may adjust the encoder. One or more light emitting diodes positioned in the cavity are optically coupled to each visual indicator to generate the color of light to be emitted through that particular visual indicator.
US08430502B2

A printing device configured to operate selectively in one of a single-sided printing mode and a double-sided printing mode comprises a printing unit configured to eject ink, and a controller. When the printing device operates in the double-sided printing mode, the controller is configured to calculate a drying time for a front-side image printed by the printing unit on a front side of a sheet, and to determine whether the calculated drying time exceeds a predetermined threshold value. When the controller determines that the drying time dose not exceed the predetermined threshold value, the controller is configured to control the printing unit to print a back-side image on a back side of the sheet. When the controller determines that the drying time exceeds the predetermined threshold value, the controller is configured to control the printing unit not to print the back-side image on the back side of the sheet, and to print the back-side image on a front side of a next sheet.
US08430501B2

A liquid ejection device includes a liquid ejection head that ejects a liquid to a printing object, a plate-shaped member having an open portion corresponding to a printing region of the printing object with the plate-shaped member being disposed between the printing object and the liquid ejection head, and a printing object retaining unit that maintains a constant distance between the liquid ejection head and the printing region by pushing the printing object toward the plate-shaped member. The liquid ejection head ejects the liquid to the printing region of the printing object pushed toward the plate-shaped member by the printing object retaining unit.
US08430500B2

A recording apparatus includes: a guide that includes a convex portion formed along a transport direction and guides a recording medium in the transport direction by allowing the convex portion to come in contact with a lenticular lens of the recording medium having the lenticular lens; and a pressing member that presses the recording medium against the guide.
US08430491B2

A method of dynamically controlling a perceived ink color printed on a substrate can include mixing selected amounts of each of a polystyrene nano-sphere dopant component and a nano-particle dopant component with a clear fluid carrier component, the mixed components configured in real time to define an ink structure having a predetermined wavelength. The method can further include imaging the substrate by ejecting the mixed components onto the substrate, the perceived color of the imaged substrate corresponding to a reflected wavelength of the ink structure. In embodiments, each of the carrier and dopant components can be in a powder form suitable for fuser type imaging devices.
US08430487B2

An inkjet recording apparatus includes a joint portion movable to a first position at which communication is established between a flexible tube connected to an ink tank and a recording head and a second position at which such communication is interrupted, a manipulating member rotatably provided on a carriage to take a first posture and a second posture with respect to the carriage, and a link mechanism that causes the manipulating member and the joint portion to operate in conjunction with each other such that the joint portion moves to either of the first position and the second position along with rotation of the manipulating member. The manipulating member is urged to be maintained in either of the first posture and the second posture by a restoration force of the tube.
US08430481B2

A plurality of liquid ejection heads is attached to a head attachment member with respect to a support drum for supporting an ejection-receiving medium and rotating about a rotation shaft. The head attachment member includes a plurality of attachment surfaces to which a plurality of head groups each including a plurality of liquid ejection heads is attached. Each of the attachment surfaces is arranged so as to be parallel to a tangent line which is tangent to a peripheral surface of the support drum at an intersection point of a line segment which connects the center of the support drum and the center on the first attachment surface between the head groups attached to the first attachment surface. The attachment surfaces are integrally and continuously formed.
US08430475B2

An ink composition comprising a solvent system, a pigment dispersed in the solvent system; and a surfactant present in an amount sufficient to impart to the ink composition a dynamic viscosity greater than 100 centipoise at a shear rate of 1 s−1 and a dynamic viscosity from 1 to 10 centipoise at a shear rate of 10,000 s−1.
US08430473B2

A liquid ejection device includes first and second heads. A first color conversion table is for converting a tone value of a first color space of a pixel, for which the liquid is ejected from the first head, to a tone value of a second color space corresponding with a color of the liquid, and a second color conversion table is for converting a tone value of the first color space of a pixel, for which the liquid is ejected from the second head, to a tone value of the second color space. For a pixel of an overlapping portion for which the liquid is ejected from the first and second heads, a tone value of the first color space is converted to a tone value of the second color space according to a third color conversion table created based on the first and second color conversion tables.
US08430469B2

There is provided a liquid discharging apparatus including: a liquid discharging head; a cartridge attaching section in which a liquid cartridge is loaded detachably; a liquid channel; a filter provided in the middle of the liquid channel to capture a foreign substance in the liquid; a parameter deciding mechanism which, based on a cumulative use number of the liquid cartridge, decides a value of a predetermined parameter whose value becomes larger as the cumulative use number becomes larger; and a controller controlling the liquid discharging head so as to decrease an amount of the liquid discharged from the liquid discharging head per unit time as the value of the parameter becomes larger. This structure prevents the occurrence of a failure of the discharge of the liquid from nozzles.
US08430467B2

An ejection pulse DP sequentially and continuously includes an expansion phase p1 where a voltage changes so as to cause a pressure chamber to expand, an expansion hold phase p2 where a potential at an end edge of the expansion phase is maintained for a predetermined time, a contraction phase where the voltage changes so as to cause the pressure chamber to contract, and a time t1 between a start edge and the end edge of the expansion phase and a time t2 between a start edge and an end edge of the contraction phase are specified in the following range, respectively: Tc/3≦t1≦Tc   (A) Tc/3≦t2≦Tc   (B).
US08430460B2

A merchandiser includes a case defining a product display area, and a lid disposed over the product display area and substantially enclosing at least a portion of the product display area. The lid is movable between an open position providing access to the product display area and a closed position limiting access to the product display area. The merchandiser also includes a handle assembly that has a handle coupled to and rotatable relative to the lid as the lid moves between the open position and the closed position.
US08430459B2

Disclosed is a hydraulic brake system capable of reducing periodic pressure pulsation caused by operation of a piston. The hydraulic brake system includes a master cylinder generating braking hydraulic pressure by operation of a brake pedal, a wheel brake provided to each of front right and left wheels and rear right and left wheels of a vehicle to receive the braking hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder to generate braking force, a solenoid valve provided to each of an inlet and an outlet of each of the wheel brakes to control flow of the braking hydraulic pressure, a low pressure accumulator temporarily storing oil, which is ejected from the wheel brakes during operation of the solenoid valves, a pump compressing the oil stored in the low pressure accumulator such that the oil is ejected towards the wheel brakes or the master cylinder as needed, and an orifice disposed near an outlet port of the pump. Further, a damper unit is disposed between the outlet port of the pump and the orifice to reduce pressure pulsation caused by operation of the piston, thereby improving product reliability through noise reduction during brake control.
US08430458B2

An auxiliary braking system and method of controlling the braking a towed vehicle is provided that includes a remote control that is in selective communication with an auxiliary braking unit positioned in a towing vehicle. More specifically, it is often desirable for the operator of the towing vehicle to assess the performance of the auxiliary braking apparatus positioned in a towed vehicle. In addition, it is often advantageous for the operator to perform real time adjustments to the performance parameters of the auxiliary braking apparatus positioned in the towing vehicle without having to cease driving and physically access the auxiliary braking device.
US08430447B2

A motor vehicle front spoiler has a spoiler lip (11) extending in the region of a front part of the motor vehicle over the entire width or part of the width of the front part. An actuating element (12) enables the spoiler lip (11) to be shifted between an extended operating position, in which the spoiler lip (11) forms a downwardly directed extension of the front part and acts as an aerodynamic air-guiding device, and a retracted inoperative position, in which the spoiler lip (11) is directed to the rear and essentially has no aerodynamic air-guiding effect. A portion (13) of the spoiler lip (11) that is at the bottom in the operating position of the spoiler lip (11) and is in the vicinity of the roadway can be replaced.
US08430439B2

An exemplary surface mount machine nozzle includes a mounting element, a pneumatic suction nozzle and a fixing pin. The mounting element defines one of a pivot hole and an elongated perforation in a sidewall thereof. The pneumatic suction nozzle defines another one of the pivot hole and the elongated perforation therein. The fixing pin horizontally extends through the pivot hole and the perforation for connecting the mounting element and the pneumatic suction nozzle together. The fixing pin is slidable along the elongated perforation such that the pneumatic suction nozzle is telescopically slidable relative to the mounting element.
US08430437B2

A crash can is made of aluminum-alloy casting and provided between a side frame extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction at a side portion of a vehicle and an end portion of a bumper reinforcement extending in a vehicle width direction. The crash can comprises a hollow tube portion extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and having a cross-shaped section. At least one of an outwardly-projecting corner portion and an inwardly-projecting corner portion of the tube portion is formed by a groove such that a thickness thereof is thinner than that of the other portion of the tube portion. Accordingly, an impact which a vehicle body or a passenger may receive in a vehicle collision can be reduced by the crash can.
US08430432B2

A pipe coupling with an anchoring arrangement for locking the pipes together axially. The anchoring arrangement comprises a tubular casing, a frusto-conical gripping ring with inwardly projecting gripping teeth and tensioning bolts for tightening the casing about the frusto-conical gripping ring. The frusto-conical gripping ring is formed of a plurality of arcuate segments which overlap to form a complete ring. By forming the gripping ring of segments, the gripping ring is able to adapt to pipes that are not truly circular in cross section and a better grip on the pipe may be achieved than with a single-piece gripping ring.
US08430426B2

A cab suspension device for an agricultural tractor comprising a pair of concentrically aligned tubes co-axially arranged around a conventional cab suspension spring apparatus. One of the pair of tubes is connected to the tractor frame while the second is attached to the cab frame. The lengths of the tubes are shorter than the static length of the spring apparatus to allow limited telescoping movement of the tubes during dynamic compression of the spring apparatus without causing contact between the tube ends and the opposing tractor and cab frames. The dynamic extension during telescoping movement of the spring apparatus is controlled by a spring retainer. An annular space between the tubes allows for limited lateral displacement of the spring apparatus without causing contact between the tubes. The limits are configured to permit normal operational movement of the spring apparatus without contact of the tubes. During vehicle roll over events, the normal operational loads of the spring apparatus are exceeded and the tubes will come in contact with one another and/or the opposing frame. The tubes and the spring retainer provide a rigid load transfer path for ROPS loads from the cab to the vehicle frame.
US08430421B2

A fastener clip includes a body having an opening extending therethrough, a pair of detents formed in an exterior surface of the body, and a rigid retaining pin inserted through the opening, the rigid retaining pin having a pair of flexible fingers configured to engage the pair of detents, the flexible fingers configured to disengage from the pair of detents when an airbag is deployed. The fastener clip also includes a plurality of molding gates formed at an intersection between the body and the rigid retaining pin, the rigid retaining pin being subsequently movable with respect to the body after the molding gates are broken. The fastener clip further includes a pair of flexible retention legs adapted to secure the fastener clip to a vehicle chassis. An airbag retention system including the fastener clip is also described herein.
US08430419B2

A vehicle coupling device 10 for coupling a vehicle to another vehicle. The coupling device 10 comprises a mount 12 for mounting the coupling device 10 to the vehicle. The device 10 also comprises a first coupling 14 and a second coupling 16. Each of the first and second couplings 14, 16 is connected to a support 18 and movable relative to the mount 12 between an operative position and an inoperative position.
US08430416B2

A movement damping apparatus has magnetorheological fluid that is pressed through a flow path forming a bottleneck in order to dampen a movement. The flow path is divided into at least two flow tracks by a partition that forms an additional friction surface.
US08430410B2

A piston ring, with a main body, which exhibits a contact surface, an upper and a lower side surface, and an inner circumferential surface, in which at least one of the side surfaces is provided at least with one PVD coating layer, to the effect that the layer thickness of the PVD coating layer tapers radially from the outside inward.
US08430403B1

A chip member and method of constructing a chip member including an outer portion surrounding an inner portion. The outer portion has a first outer side. The inner portion forms a first cavity opening to the first outer side. The first outer side has a first lip overlying the first cavity. A first flexible tab is secured within the first cavity by the first lip.
US08430398B2

A sheet positioning device includes a platen on which to place a sheet of recording media, a first and second regulation members disposed on the platen and movable along the platen, a drive source, a drive transmitter to transmit a drive force generated by the drive source to the first and second regulation members, and a sheet sensor unit. The sheet sensor unit includes a plurality of sheet detection levers, a biasing member, and a connecting member that connects the plurality of sheet detection levers so that the entire sheet sensor unit moves as a single unit between first and second positions reciprocally to detect the sheet on the platen according to the position of the sheet detection levers moving from the first position being biased by the biasing member to the second position in contact with the sheet placed on the platen.
US08430396B2

A value note cassette comprising a fixed first storage compartment for receiving notes of value and at least a fixed second storage compartment for receiving notes of value. Further, the value note cassette comprises a supply unit for supplying the notes of value to the storage compartments. The storage compartments are designed such that notes of value are stackable therein.
US08430392B2

In order to provide a sheet conveying apparatus and an image forming apparatus capable of alleviating a bumping noise generated between a sheet and an inner guide member when the sheet passes through a curved sheet conveying path, a pair of intermediate conveying rollers is arranged in positions corresponding to both lateral sides in a width direction of the feeding roller and subsidiary feeding roller in a sheet conveyance direction. In addition, the subsidiary intermediate conveying roller abuts on the intermediate conveying roller with an inclination such that the sheet conveyance force is directed to the center of the sheet conveying path in a width direction. As a result, the sheet makes contact with the inner guide member of the facing guide member of the sheet conveying path by undulating the sheet in a width direction when the sheet is extracted and conveyed by the pair of intermediate conveying rollers.
US08430390B2

Apparatus for gathering postal items having a postal item feeding path for feeding postal items at a speed of transport and a postal item gripper for gripping and subsequently releasing postal items. The gripper is circulatable in a sense of circulation along a circulation path downstream of the feeding path. Each time prior to gripping of one of the postal items by the gripper, at least the speed of transport of the gripper is temporarily reduced to a reduced speed of transport or the speed of transport of the postal item along the feeding path is temporarily increased to an increased speed of transport. A method for gathering postal items is also described.
US08430385B2

In a wedge drive comprising a slider element receiving component, a movable slider element and a driver element, wherein sliding surfaces are provided between the slider element and the driver element, a dovetail-like or prism guide is provided between the slider element and the slider element receiving component. The slider element has a portion having a dovetail-like configuration.
US08430384B2

A device capable of picking up optical elements includes a first suction member, a second suction member, a vacuum pump unit and a liquid spraying unit. The first suction member defines a chamber. The second suction member is arranged around the first suction member to form an annular space. The vacuum pump unit pumps the air out of the chamber and the annular space to create a vacuum therein, which generates a suction force to suck the optical elements respectively. The liquid spraying unit communicates with the chamber and the annular space, and pours the liquids into the chamber and the annular space. When the liquid volatilizes in the chamber and the annular space to fill the vacuum, the optical elements disengage from the first suction member and the second suction member respectively.
US08430383B2

A clamp comprising a bar supporting a movable jaw having a first support surface. The bar is slidably received in a jaw body and the jaw body supports a fixed jaw. A support is slidably disposed on the bar and has a second support surface that is coplanar with the first support surface such that the clamp can be supported on the first support surface and the second support surface on a surface. In one method of operating the clamp a work piece is positioned directly on the bar. In another method of operating the clamp the movable jaw is moved relative to the fixed jaw and is stopped by the engagement of the support with the body.
US08430376B1

A valve module for removable installation inside the outer case of a sprinkler after removal of a riser with a nozzle turret normally mounted for reciprocation within the case. The module includes an upper valve support housing and a lower support basket removably connected to the valve support housing. A valve member is vertically reciprocable within the valve support housing to engage and disengage a valve seat in the support basket. The support basket is loosely connected to the valve support housing so that the valve seat can reciprocate relative to the valve support housing.
US08430366B2

A clamping structure comprising an elongated rod having a plurality of bends for attaching to a horizontal beam. The clamping structure includes back portions adjacent the back of the beam, lower portions adjacent to the bottom of the beam, one or more top portions adjacent to the top of the beam and extending forward of the beam, and front portions which are angled away from the front of the beam. The clamping structure may be used to temporarily attach a holding element such as a cup holder or hook to the horizontal beam, and the holding element may be attached to the clamping structure or may be made from the same elongated rod as the holding element.
US08430363B2

A system (10) for sensing a condition of a rail vehicle undercarriage component (e.g., 18) includes a sensor (e.g., 12) comprising an array of infrared sensing elements (29). Each of the elements may be aimed at a different region of a target area (e.g., 32) of a rail vehicle undercarriage component to generate respective scanning waveform signature data corresponding to each different region. The sensor may be oriented so that at least one of the elements receives unobstructed infrared emissions (e.g., 33) from the undercarriage component of a rail vehicle passing the sensor. The system also includes a memory (42) for storing characteristic waveform signature data corresponding to known undercarriage components. In addition, the system includes a processor (40) for processing the scanning waveform signature data with respect to the characteristic waveform signature data stored in memory to identify a type of the rail vehicle undercarriage component being scanned and to extract information indicative of a health condition of the rail vehicle undercarriage component being identified.
US08430355B2

Described are aircraft with at least one fuselage, a wing, a power plant coupled to the at least one fuselage, a shroud surrounding a propeller, and at least two floats coupled to the wing. As examples, each float may include a step that is forward of the location at which the bottom surface of the float intersects a line that passes through a center of gravity of the aircraft and is oriented at an angle of six degrees rearward from vertical. As further examples, each float may include a forward portion located forward of the step, the forward portion including a ski surface that is planar in a left to right horizontal direction, and an aft portion that is located rearward of the step.
US08430337B2

A portable, light-activated, mist sprayer system comprising direct current power supply, an ambient light sensor, electronic circuitry that evaluates an electrical signal received from the light sensor to determine whether a “dusk” or “dawn” light condition exists; a container of treating fluid at a desired concentration; a motor and pump that are activated at the appropriate time as determined by the sensed light condition; at least one sprayer nozzle that will dispense a mist containing the treating fluid whenever the pump is operating; and a timer that turns off the pump after a preset interval to terminate the spraying cycle. A preferred utility for the system of the invention is spraying dilute solutions of insecticide or insect repellent during the periods of significant insect activity that typically occur around dusk and dawn. An RF receiving unit is also disclosed for optional activation using a remote transmitter.
US08430336B2

A wick which comprises a network matrix ceramic that is contacted either directly or indirectly with a liquid composition such as a fragrance-containing composition. The wick absorbs and transports the liquid composition through capillary action, and the composition is subsequently diffused into the surrounding ambient atmosphere.
US08430334B1

The disclosure provides a railroad tie including a core, a first sleeve encapsulating the core and a second sleeve encapsulating the first sleeve. The first sleeve includes fingers running parallel to a long axis of the core along a top surface and fingers running perpendicular to a long axis of the tie along elongated sides of the first sleeve.
US08430332B2

According to the invention, the thermostatic valve (10) includes, on the one hand, a mobile sleeve (30) for adjusting the flow of fluid through the valve body (20), said sleeve comprising a tubular body (31) provided with peripheral sealing fittings (32, 33, 34) adapted for interaction by sealed contact with the fixed seats (25A, 26A, 27A) in order to stop the fluid flows between the openings (21, 22, 23) defined by the valve body and, on the other hand, a thermostatic member (40) including a fixed portion (42) rigidly connected to the valve body and a fixed portion (41) movable in translation in the direction of the axis (X-X) of the sleeve under the action of a volume variation of a thermo-expansible material, the sleeve being kinematically connected to the mobile portion so that the movement of the mobile portion relative to the fixed portion controls the movement of the sleeve relative to the seats. In order to easily and economically improve the tightness of the contact between the sleeve and the seats, the body and the sealing fittings are respectively made of a thermoplastic material and an elastomer that are selected to be successively injection-molded so that, at the release of the mold after the elastomer injection, the thermoplastic material and the elastomer adhere together due to a chemical, physical and/or physico-chemical effect.
US08430331B2

A storage apparatus for a measurement probe for use with a coordinate positioning machine. The storage apparatus including a storage unit having at least one receptacle for a measurement probe; and at least one temperature source for controlling the temperature of a measurement probe located in the at least one receptacle.
US08430323B2

An electronic device that includes a first and second interfaces adapted to establish communication with an external electronic entity, an element for processing a secret value, that is adapted to react to reception of a message via either interface, and a control element adapted to update an indicator of use of the element for using a secret value via either interface, to apply a first inhibition to communication using the first interface as a function of the indicator, and to apply a second inhibition to communication using the second interface as a function of the indicator, wherein for at least one value of the indicator the second inhibition is different from the first.
US08430322B2

A smart card is constituted by a card body made of a first material that is integral with a support made of a second material. The body is overmoulded on the surface of the support such that the card is made integral therewith by local bonding of the first and second materials.
US08430316B2

A method and imaging assembly (10) are disclosed adapted for reading a target object comprising a scan engine (48) having a sensor (46), focusing optics (44), and an imager (48). The scan engine includes a field-of-view defining an area to be imaged by the imaging assembly (10). A housing (80) internally lodges the scan engine (48) and an illumination source (36). The illumination source (36) is adapted to project illumination from the housing (80). A boot (30) extends from the housing (80) for shaping the illumination as it passes through the boot to form an illumination pattern from the illumination. The illumination pattern substantially conforms to a geometrical shape of the boot (30) and is adapted to envelope the scan engine field-of-view.
US08430309B2

An automated banking machine operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The automated banking machine includes a card reader operative to read card data from user cards corresponding to financial accounts. The automated banking machine also includes a display and a printer to produce records of financial transactions carried out with the machine. The card reader is operative to read and return card information read from the user card responsive. The automated banking machine may also include a check acceptor that is usable to determine a probability associated with the check being fraudulent.
US08430306B1

An automated banking machine can operate to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The machine includes a card reader that can read a user identifier from a magnetic stripe of the user's card. Financial transfers are carried out responsive to machine communication with a transaction host computer. The machine also sends the read user identifier to a remote marketing computer. The marketing computer uses the user identifier to determine the next marketing presentation in a marketing campaign that is to be presented to the user. Responsive to a message received from the marketing computer, the machine operates to display the determined next marketing presentation to the user. The marketing campaign includes a sequence of presentations to be output in a predetermined order to the user.
US08430305B2

A banking system machine is controlled responsive to data read from data bearing records. The machine includes a card reader, a keypad, a cash dispenser, a cash outlet, a deposit accepting opening, and other transaction locations that may be susceptible to the installation of fraud devices. An anti-fraud sensing system is operative in the machine to sense the probable installation of unauthorized devices on the machine. Such unauthorized devices may include fraudulent card reading devices, fraudulent keypad input intercepting devices, cash outlet trap devices, and deposit input diversion devices.
US08430301B2

A method of generating a self-authenticating printed document and authenticating the printed document. The back side of the printed document contains 2d barcode which encode extracted features of the document content. The features are hashed into a hash code, converted to a barcode stamp element, and transformed into a hierarchical barcode stamp by repeating the stamp element. The hierarchical barcode stamp is printed as a gray background pattern on the front side of the same sheet of printed document. To authenticate the printed document, the barcodes on the back side are read to extract the document features. The features are hashed into a hash code and compared to the hash code extracted from the hierarchical barcode stamp on the front side of the document to detect any alterations of the back side barcodes. Further, the document features extracted from the front and back sides of the document are compared.
US08430300B2

Technique for ensuring that a device that contains coupons with barcodes will not output a barcode belonging to an invalid coupon to a barcode reading system. The technique avoids validation of the coupon at the time the barcode is provided to the barcode reading system. In the technique, the mobile device responds to a validity event that may affect the validity of a given coupon by inhibiting the provision of the given coupon's barcode to the barcode reading system until the coupon has been validated on the basis of validity information available in the device that is outputting the barcode, and then again permitting the given coupon's barcode to be output to the barcode reading system. In applications of the technique, the coupon may be used n times, the coupon may be shared, or the coupon may become valid after a set of actions have occurred.
US08430297B2

A shipping and display carton convertible into a cover portion and display tray is described comprised of a cover portion formed from a cover blank and a tray portion formed from a tray blank. The blanks are preferably glued together at only three glue points when the tray blank is laid flat on top of the cover blank in order to form a two-layered blank that may be erected into the present carton. The fully erected carton may be easily broken apart into an attractive display tray and a disposable/recyclable cover by gripping the cover within a grasping aperture and lifting the cover portion up to break the carton apart at the two side tabs and along the rear of the carton.
US08430295B2

A curable flux composition is provided, comprising, as initial components: a resin component having at least two oxirane groups per molecule; a carboxylic acid; a fluxing agent represented by formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from a hydrogen, a substituted C1-80 alkyl group, an unsubstituted C1-80 alkyl group, a substituted C7-80 arylalkyl group and an unsubstituted C7-80 arylalkyl group; and wherein zero to three of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is(are) a hydrogen; and, optionally, a curing agent. Also provided is a method of soldering an electrical contact using the curable flux composition.
US08430281B2

A high-heat-retention ladle for carrying molten aluminum includes a ladle body defining therein a storage space, which contains molten aluminum therein, the ladle body including a molten metal inlet and a molten metal outlet, which allow the storage space to communicate with outside, a cover opening and closing the inlet of the ladle body, and a stopper opening and closing the outlet of the ladle body. Each of the ladle body and the cover has an outer shell, which defines a contour thereof, and a multi-layer insulation structure inside the outer shell. The multi-layer insulation structure includes two or more refractory layers. The molten aluminum contained inside the storage space has a temperature drop rate of 5° C./min or less. It is possible to carry the molten aluminum for a long time in a heat-insulated state and cast a product by directly pouring the molten aluminum into a mold.
US08430275B2

A device for dispensing and receiving a liquid or semi-liquid product via a dosage chamber of a pump body. The device includes a piston which is fixably mounted in the pump body and is provided with an end sealingly engaged into the chamber. The piston end is provided with a membrane forming an intake valve allowing the introduction of the product in the dosage chamber and including at least one sealing peripheral lip in sliding contact with an inner wall of the dosage chamber. The device includes a connection element wholly within the pump body for connecting the piston to the pump body. The connection element is an independent part from the membrane and the pump body and is connected to a bottom part of the pump body over a conduit extending up from the bottom part of the pump body.
US08430265B2

A cooler includes a base defining a bottom portion of the cooler; an upper rim defining an upper portion of the cooler; a collapsible cooler wall, extending between and attached to said base and said upper rim and surrounding an interior storage space of the cooler, and including a membrane having a plurality of hinge lines at which the membrane is configured to bend such that the membrane is transitional between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the cooler is transitional between an expanded configuration for use of the cooler, and a collapsed configuration during nonuse of the cooler, by bending along the hinge lines, each of the configurations corresponding to a stable configuration of the cooler; and a handle for lifting of the cooler, wherein the handle is attached to the base and is configured for rotational movement relative to the base about a pivot axis.
US08430263B2

Embodiments of the invention relate to support arrangements for semi-membrane tank walls and, more particularly, to a universal support assembly for tanks that experience thermal expansion and contraction. One embodiment of the invention may include a tank assembly having at least one tank wall, a support structure at least partially adjacent to the wall, and a link member coupling the tank to the support structure. The link member may be configured to accommodate relative movement between the tank and the support structure through rotation. The link member may be coupled to the tank wall by a ball and socket joint and coupled to the support structure with another ball and socket joint, allowing substantially unlimited in-plane movement of the tank wall relative to the support structure.
US08430255B2

A method of forming a device with a controlled electrode gap width includes providing a substrate, forming a functional layer on top of a surface of the substrate, forming a sacrificial layer above the functional layer, exposing a first portion of the functional layer through the sacrificial layer, forming a first spacer layer on the exposed first portion of the functional layer, forming an encapsulation layer above the first spacer layer, and vapor etching the encapsulated first spacer layer to form a first gap between the functional layer and the encapsulation layer.
US08430254B2

A closet insert structured to fit in a closet enclosure in its entirety—includes at least one insert module including back, top and floor panels, and two end panels. Mounting structure is provided on at least one of the panels to which a coupling device is mountable for coupling another insert module to the at least one insert module.
US08430252B2

A wall mounted shelving system is provided. The system includes a support rail mountable on a wall and having a notch on a wall-facing surface thereof. At least one support member is mountable on the rail and defines an end portion for abutting the wall and further defines a recess having a rail receiving portion and a bracket receiving portion. The bracket receiving portion includes a slot with a notch formed at an end thereof. A bracket is configured to extend from the rail through the slot of the bracket receiving portion and has a first flange on a first end thereof for engaging the notch of the bracket receiving portion and a second flange on a second end thereof for engaging the notch of the support rail.
US08430247B2

Method for handling microparticles in such a manner, that at least two treatment steps are performed for microparticles in the same vessel without moving the particles to another vessel. There are organs in the device for changing the solution without having to move the microparticles to another vessel.
US08430243B2

A cable organization system for storing one or more cables may include a case or housing, with one or more loops formed on an inner surface thereof. A middle portion of a removable tab is resiliently retained within each loop, with end portions of the tab protruding outside the loop. A first cable end is tucked within the loop, and the length of the cable is repeatedly wound around the loop and tucked behind end portions of the tab until the length of cable is spent. The second end of the cable may also then be tucked within the loop, or between windings of the coiled cable, to secure the cable for storage. When it is desired to remove the cable from the cable organization system, the tab may simply be removed to quickly release the cable or the cable may be unwound leaving the tab in place.
US08430237B2

The present invention relates to a tank device for storing hydrogen for an aircraft. The tank device comprises an outer tank and an inner tank. The inner tank is held in the outer tank. The outer tank is arranged such that the hydrogen with first physical characteristics can be stored. The inner tank is designed such that the hydrogen with second physical characteristics can be stored. The outer tank is connected to the inner tank such that the hydrogen can be fed to the inner tank from the outer tank. The inner tank is designed such that the hydrogen with the first physical characteristics can be converted to the hydrogen with second physical characteristics. The inner tank is arranged such that the hydrogen comprising the second physical characteristics can be fed to a consumer.
US08430232B2

A conveyor device, in particular for an automatic packaging machine for paper rolls, having a horizontal plane of advance, at least one pair of motorized flexible transmission members extending along a closed loop and bearing a plurality of transverse bars fastened to said flexible transmission members, a plurality of thruster elements borne by said bars, and a stationary adjustment station provided with at least one adjustment assembly having a grip organ movable in transverse direction and arranged in such a way as to displace in the transverse direction along the respective bar a thruster element positioned at the grip organ.
US08430231B2

A multi-operating-mode reciprocating slat conveyor having a plurality of operating modes (each operating mode having a predetermined number of steps) and means for switching between operating modes responsive to at least one operating mode changing event. A method implemented using the multi-operating-mode reciprocating slat conveyor.
US08430229B2

Lifting device (1) for a conveyer system, comprising a housing (2) and a lift head (14), where the lift head (14) is adapted to hold a pallet (5). The lifting device (1) comprises a linear actuator (10) attached to a lift (14), said linear actuator (109) is adapted to lift a pallet (5) from a first, low position at the conveyor track to a second, raised position that is substantially vertical above the first position. The application also refers to a conveyer system and a method for lifting objects.
US08430224B2

A compact recycling coin changer device for simultaneously serving a plurality of users includes a housing with a plurality of coin inlet and outlet slots. Individual coin lift units deliver coins for sorting and distributing to common coin denomination hoppers are arranged in parallel rows. A common duct, centrally located in the housing, can receive released coins from the hoppers and deposit them on a common coin-distributing device that operatively interconnects with the respective coin outlets, for example on opposite exterior housing walls. The coin changer device can be operatively associated with the dispensing of products, for example at a gas station or other retail outlets.
US08430222B2

A friction clutch system mechanically couples a power source to a driven system of a vehicle while reducing the rotational inertia of the clutch system and yet still providing torsional damping within the system. In one embodiment, the friction clutch system includes a first friction disc assembly directly engaged with a second friction disc assembly. The first disc assembly may include protuberances that extend axially from a hub assembly, which in turn may include damping springs and an internal splined region for coupling to a splined, driven shaft. The second friction disc assembly includes openings, which may take the form of radial slots, configured to engageably receive the protuberances. The first disc assembly may be positioned adjacent to a pressure plate assembly or a flywheel. A floater plate may be located between the first and second friction disc assemblies.
US08430219B2

A power acquisition equipment, including at least: a power supplying portion, including at least: a pair of first posts, multiple second posts, multiple upper brackets, multiple lower brackets, multiple tightening devices, a cathode slide line, and an anode slide line, a power acquisition portion, including at least: a slide plate, a driving device, an adjusting device, a first base, and a linkage mechanism, and a control portion, including at least: a pair of front laser range sensors, a pair of back laser range sensors, multiple photoelectric detecting plates, a PLC controller, and an inverter driving system. The equipment features simple operation and high efficiency, and is retractable, stable, safe, cost-effective, and environmental friendly.
US08430217B2

The invention relates to a damper having a damper cylinder, in which a piston plunger is guided via a piston rod. For the adjustment of characteristic damper values, the flow of a damper fluid can be controlled via control mechanism disposed inside the damper cylinder, which controls the flow of the damper fluid in a first flow direction using a first adjusting element and in a second flow direction using a second adjusting element. According to the invention, the first and second adjusting elements are provided with at least one spring element. The spring rate of at least one of the spring elements can be adjusted for defining a damping behavior using corresponding defining or predetermining elements.
US08430213B2

Provided is an electric brake capable of accurately estimating the brake pad temperature and securing a sufficient braking force and response. An electric brake has a disc rotor rotating with a wheel, an actuator for rectilinearly actuating a piston in the axial direction of the disc rotor by using an electric motor, a drive controller for controlling the drive of the actuator, a brake pad pressed by the piston to give a frictional resistance to the disc rotor in the direction of rotation, and a braking start position detector for detecting a braking start position of the piston where the disc rotor is brought into contact with the brake pad. The drive controller stores the braking start position detected by the braking start position detector as the maximum braking start position. When the braking start position shifts in the pressing force-increasing direction, the drive controller updates the value stored as the maximum braking-start position.
US08430201B1

The present invention relates to speaker enclosures utilizing the golden ratio geometrically throughout the design to reduce reflections, resonance and phase shifting, and to improve the transient response. Enclosures can be box-shaped, trapezoidal, suspended or otherwise configured. The enclosure has a driver wall, a baffle and a rear wall. The driver wall and baffle define a front chamber, and the baffle and rear wall define a rear chamber. The volumetric ratio between the rear chamber and front chamber can be approximately 0.6. The rear chamber also can have braces or dividers that segment the chamber into a central portion and two side portions. The volumetric ratio between the side portions and the central portion can be approximately 0.6. Ports of various configurations are provided. Braces can be used in conjunction with the ports to diffuse the incoming air. The baffle can have a plurality of radiused holes there through.
US08430200B2

A speaker apparatus according to the present invention includes a phase inversion-type enclosure in which a speaker unit and a bass reflex port are installed, the bass reflex port having a tubular body whose hollow cross-sectional area gradually becomes smaller from one opening side toward an inside of the bass reflex port in an axial direction of the bass reflex port, and a length in one direction of the hollow cross section of the tubular body not changing and constant along the axial direction.
US08430194B2

A structure for cooling a heat element includes a heat element box containing a heat element and forms an air passageway therebetween, an intake duct connecting a passenger compartment and the air passageway, a discharge duct connecting the air passageway and a vehicle exterior, and a wall on a vehicle body. The intake duct has a water reserving portion for accumulating a liquid entering from the passenger compartment. The intake duct has an expansion portion and has a discharge hole of the liquid. The wall is provided to face the discharge hole so that the liquid discharged through the discharge hole moves downward along a surface of the wall.
US08430193B2

A side diffuser for a vehicle front surface structure, the vehicle front surface structure, and a method for assembling such a structure. The side diffuser guides air entering through air inlets from bumpers of the vehicle to heat exchangers located in front of the engine. The diffuser includes a plate, the back edge of which supports the heat exchangers and the front edge of which supports the bumpers and includes a recess capable of receiving the front crosspiece end of the vehicle. The back side of the diffuser includes: a pivoting axis capable of engaging with a corresponding receiving part provided on the heat exchangers, and an attaching part capable of engaging with a corresponding attaching part provided on the heat exchangers after one rotation of the side diffuser around pivoting axis.
US08430186B2

An apparatus comprising a sidewall coring tool configured to obtain a plurality of sidewall formation cores from a sidewall of a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation, wherein the sidewall coring tool comprises a core catching tube configured to store the plurality of sidewall formation cores therein, wherein the core catching tube comprises a fluid port configured to allow evacuation of fluid from the core catching tube as each of the plurality of sidewall formation cores is introduced therein, and wherein the core catching tube, including the fluid port, is configured to be sealed downhole without removing the sidewall coring tool from the wellbore.
US08430183B2

An auxiliary handle for a motor-driven hand tool has a mounting device which forms an upper region and provides a force-transmitting and/or form-locking connection to a hand tool; a handle forming a lower region, a damping element forming an intermediate region and located at least locally between the mounting device and the handle, the damping element having a damping material with which, during an operation of a hand tool, it dampens vibration transmitted through the mounting device to the handle, the damping element in its damping region acting for damping having at least one reinforcing region that has a lower deformability than a remaining part of the damping region and during deviations of the handle in at least two different directions relative to the mounting device causes differently great elastic counter forces.
US08430181B2

A hammer drill having an outer housing defining a handle is disclosed. The tool includes transmission housing including a drive mechanism and a motor, wherein the transmission housing is moveably mounted in the outer housing by arms for movement relative to the outer housing along a non-linear path between a first position, corresponding to no force being applied by a user to the outer housing of the tool, and a second position, corresponding to the user applying a force to the outer housing when the working member of the tool engages a workpiece. Springs bias the transmission housing towards the first position. The direction of travel of the drive mechanism relative to the outer housing at a particular point on the non-linear path is arranged to coincide with the direction of the dominant vibration occurring in the drive mechanism relative to the outer housing when a particular force is applied to the outer housing to move the drive mechanism relative to the outer housing to that point on the non-linear path against the biasing force of the biasing member.
US08430175B2

Equipment for intercepting and diverting liquid circulation flow includes three chambers and a series of valves. The chambers are equipped with a connection device with arrival or supply lines, communicating with each other, of which only a first chamber communicates with second and third chambers. Communication between the first and second chambers and between the first and third chambers each is obtained by at least two valves, one is a flow-rate valve and at least one is an equalizer valve. An upstream or downstream of each equalizer valve is coupled with a fixed or adjustable flow-blocking device. The second and third chambers do not communicate and include a three-way valve in common with each other, or include two one-way valves in counterposition. One one-way valve is open when the other is closed and vice versa, and the three-way valve or the two one-way valves are coupled with a discharge valve.
US08430168B2

Apparatus and methods are described for subsea control system testing including one or more of electrical, optical and fluidic conduit testing, wherein the testing is conducted subsea using a subsea testing skid. In one embodiment of the invention a subsea pipeline service skid is provided that includes at least one skid mounted pump dimensioned to deliver from about 3000 to about 20000 p.s.i. of pressure for pressure testing the fluidic conduits to desired pressures. Modular construction of the skid permits customization for testing service of unique subsea control equipment.
US08430163B2

An acoustic sensing tool for use with a carrier disposed in a wellbore may include a base and a resilient clamp disposed around the base. The clamp may move between a retracted position, in which the clamp interior surface engages the carrier, and an expanded position, in which the clamp exterior surface engages the wellbore. A sensor is coupled to the clamp. An actuator is movable along the base and operably coupled to the clamp. The actuator is operable to move the clamp between the retracted and expanded positions and configured to maintain contact with the clamp in both the retracted and expanded positions so that movement of the actuator in a first direction causes the housing to move to the expanded position, and movement of the actuator in a second, opposite direction causes the housing to move to the retracted position.
US08430160B2

Apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons comprising a joint assembly comprising a main body portion having primary and secondary fluid flow paths, wherein the main body portion is attached to a load sleeve assembly at one end and a torque sleeve assembly at the opposite end. The load sleeve may include at least one transport conduit and at least one packing conduit. The main body portion may include a sand control device, a packer, or other well tool for use in a downhole environment. Included is a coupling assembly having a manifold region in fluid flow communication with the second fluid flow path of the main body portion and facilitating the make-up of first and second joint assemblies with a single connection.
US08430157B1

A thermal control system and method of using same are disclosed. Preferably, the thermal control system includes at least a combination data logger and control module interacting with a heat transfer medium circulation device, a heat transfer medium distribution system communicating with a heat transfer medium circulation device, and a service object interacting with a heat transfer distribution system, wherein the heat transfer medium distribution system facilitates heat transfer between the service object and a heat transfer medium confined within the heat transfer medium distribution system. Preferably, the thermal control system further includes a pair of motors each configured for driving the heat transfer medium circulation device, and a motor control and switching circuit responsive to a predetermined signal provided by the data logger and control module for selecting one of the pair of motors for use in driving the heat transfer medium circulation device.
US08430156B2

A pump assembly includes inlet and outlet interfaces capable of coupling to a liquid cooling loop tubing, a plurality of pump connectors coupled to the inlet and outlet interfaces enabling pluggable connection of a plurality of pumps to the inlet and outlet interfaces, and a controller. The controller is coupled to the plurality of pumps and controls power levels of the individual pumps, enabling control of fluid flow rate in the liquid cooling loop.
US08430148B2

A roller blind device, in particular for a sliding roof system, having a roller blind web that, at least one end, can be wound by a winding device to form a roller blind winding, with the winding device comprising self-winding spiral springs that are connected to the roller blind web, with a winding shaping device being provided for shaping and/or guiding the roller blind winding, with the winding shaping device interacting with the roller blind web only in web regions of the roller blind web between the spiral springs.
US08430144B2

An edge banding machine includes a machine body unit having a mounting plate, a glue-applying unit, a glue-scratching unit and a transmission unit. The glue-applying unit includes a glue container mounted fixedly on the mounting plate, a supporting member disposed fixedly and directly above the glue container and a glue-applying roller rotatably extending into the glue container. The glue-scratching unit includes a rotating shaft disposed rotatably on the supporting member, a glue-scratching plate disposed fixedly on the rotating shaft and extending toward the glue-applying roller, an adjustment rod disposed adjustably on the cover, and a connecting member connected between the adjustment rod and the rotating shaft such that movement of the adjustment rod results in rotation of the rotating shaft.
US08430140B2

A capless fuel filling system for a vehicle including a closure assembly that forms an iris arrangement that is rotatable to form a seal for a fuel filling tube or provide access to the fuel filling tube.
US08430135B2

A dispensing apparatus is provided having a platform for receipt of a container such as a wine glass. The platform is connected to a transducer which is sensitive to weight on the platform and which produces an electrical signal dependant on the magnitude of that weight. Electrical outputs from the transducer are connected to a control unit over connections. The control unit includes a keypad and a display. Control signals from control unit are supplied over electrical connections to a solenoid valve. The control unit controls the flow of material by opening and closing solenoid valve.
US08430131B2

A stackable noise attenuating disk includes an inner perimeter edge and an outer perimeter edge. A plurality of inlet passages is disposed along the inner perimeter edge and a plurality of outlet passages is disposed along the outer perimeter edge. The plurality of outlet passages includes a plurality of first outlet passages and a plurality of second outlet passages. Each of the plurality of first outlet passages have a first width and each of the plurality of second outlet passages have a second width that is greater than the first width. Fluid entering the inlet passages passes through a plenum section of adjacent disks to exit through the first and second outlet passages. The first outlet passages and second outlet passages cooperate to disperse the noise peak frequencies of fluid exiting the plurality of outlet passages, thereby reducing the overall noise level of fluid exiting the plurality of outlet passages.
US08430116B1

A component for connection to a substantially identical component wherein the connected components form an alignment device for a gate valve assembly. The component includes a generally semi-circular body that has a peripheral portion. The peripheral portion is adjacent to the interior surface of the valve bonnet when the valve bonnet is positioned over the gate valve assembly. The generally semi-circular body has a diametrical edge wherein the diametrical edge contains an opening that receives a part of the gate valve assembly when the components are connected together. The peripheral wall has an exterior surface. The exterior surface has a pair of acutely disposed surfaces that intersect at an apex and the apex defines a flat surface, and at least a portion of the apex is in contact with the interior surface of the valve bonnet.
US08430110B2

A double-seat valve having a seat-cleaning function, wherein the double-seat valve opens downward, and the two closing elements can be moved independently of each other by a partial lift in each case gap-wide into a seat cleaning position for the purpose of cleaning their seat such that the dependently driven second closing element is pushed into its respective seat cleaning position by a second partial lift in the same direction of the opening movement, and the independently driven first closing element is pushed into its respective seat cleaning position by a first partial lift in the direction counter to the opening lift.
US08430107B2

A foam output device easy to produce foam is composed of a nozzle seat, a one-way air intake valve, a nozzle and a filter. When conducting assembly, the filter is firstly set into the housing aperture of the nozzle seat. In turn, an through hole of the one-way air intake valve is engaged with sleeve of the nozzle seat, then the nozzle is assembled on the nozzle seat in such a manner that a clamping pieces of the nozzle clamp the coupling tabs on the nozzle seat, and that a hook on the clamping piece is in hooking engagement with a hook on the coupling tabs so as to fix together. The assembly of the present invention is thus completed in simple manner. In this way, a foam output device having simple element constitution, easy assembly and low manufacturing cost is thus provided.
US08430103B2

The present invention provides a base for placement of a medical apparatus, comprising: a base body provided with a platform for carrying said medical apparatus, and a fixing/releasing mechanism for fixing and releasing said medical apparatus, the fixing/releasing mechanism comprising a lock hook for fixing/releasing the medical apparatus; the fixing/releasing mechanism further comprising: a press-fit button including an operation key exposed above the base body; the operation key is protrudably and retractably received in a key through hole in the base body, the operation key moving in the direction of the force when being subjected to a pressure to be received in the key through hole; when the applied force disappears, the operation key automatically returns to the original position and protrudes out of the key through hole; a snap catch mechanism comprising said lock hook protrudably and retractably received in a lock hook receiving portion in the base body; a transmission mechanism connected to said press-fit button and transmitting the pressure applied to the press-fit button to said snap catch mechanism so that the lock hook of the snap catch mechanism generates a protrudable and retractable movement and protrudes out of the lock hook receiving portion to lock said medical apparatus or retract in the lock hook receiving portion and release said medical apparatus.
US08430093B1

A solar collector includes a collecting mirror defining a radiation-transparent window. A collimating mirror re-reflects the collected radiation through the window to a black-body absorber located behind the collecting mirror. A working fluid flows through the black-body absorber to absorb the resulting power and to transfer the power to a utilization apparatus. The collecting and collimating mirrors may be elongated (cylindrical), or they may be axially symmetric. The working fluid may flow through a separate tube, or simply be contained by an aperture in a block of insulation.
US08430085B2

A less-than-lethal pellet gun is provided. The gun includes a plurality of links each holding a pellet. A feed cylinder is configured to advance the links to a firing position and eject each link after its pellet has been fired. The feed cylinder includes a slot portion and a gear portion. The slot portion includes a first slot region, a second slot region, a first angled slot region, and a second angled slot region. A linkage arm is configured to engage the slot portion of the feed cylinder such that linear movement of the linkage arm rotates the feed cylinder to move the pellet to a firing position.
US08430063B1

An animal deterrent device and methods for installing and producing an animal deterrent device for delivering an electric shock to an animal, pest, or bird to be deterred, having the typical components of a non-conductive base to which the electrically conductive elements are attached. The bottom layer unfolds outward to allow sewing of the conductive elements to the top layer of the elongated base, while preventing the stitching from penetrating the bottom layer of the elongated base. The bottom layer is then folded back into place after sewing is completed, thereby insulating any hole, fastener, or conductive element that pushed through the top layer of the elongated base from water or other material that may congregate at the bottom exterior, preventing unwanted arcing to the exterior surface below.
US08430057B2

A collet shaped to minimize the contact area of a stent end with a surface of the collet. The collet has an end surface for contacting a stent end that includes a raised or projecting portion and a flat or relatively flat portion. The projecting, portion has at least three segments radiating from a center to the edge of the surface.
US08430051B1

A telescopic pedestal for electronics, such as fish-finders, that advantageously elevates the fish-finder to a convenient height above the deck level and gives the fisherman the ability to view and operate the device while fishing in a standing position, yet lower it so as conveniently position the fish-finder to be out of the way for travel or when not in use.
US08430045B2

An onboard lift leg construction for a pontoon boat has a plurality of movable support legs including rear telescoping tube support legs that are fixed to a frame of a pontoon boat. The telescoping tube support legs each include an outer tube fixed to the frame, and an inner tube slidably mounted within the outer tube. A linear hydraulic actuator is secured to a head member that is supported on the outer tube. The actuator has an extendable and retractable rod that is attached or secured to the lower end of the inner tube such that when the actuator is extended, the inner tube is also extended to effectively lift the pontoon boat to which the outer tube is attached. The forward portions of the pontoon boat frame can be provided with pivoting lift legs for lifting the pontoon boat.
US08430043B2

The invention relates to a control system for a tufting machine configured for forming tufted carpet. The tufting machine can have a system controller in communication with the tufting machine and with a plurality of yarn feed controllers for controlling operation of yarn feed motors that are configured to supply yarn from a source of yarn to the tufting machine. The system controller is programmable to enable input of a plurality of predetermined yarn feed profiles for selected stitches of a programmed pattern to be tufted such that, although at least two of the predetermined yarn feed profiles can be different, substantially the same feed length of yarn is used from each of the plurality of yarns.
US08430024B2

A frying-and-baking oven includes a baking outer pot, a heating cover assembly covering the outer pot, and a frying inner pot disposed between the outer pot and the heat cover assembly. The heating cover assembly includes a cover, an actuator, a hot-air supplying module, and a speed-reducing mechanism. The actuator has a driving shaft. The hot-air supplying module has an air-blowing impeller and a heating element. The driving shaft drives the air-blowing impeller to blow the hot airflow generated by the heating element. The driving shaft also drives a transmission shaft of the speed-reducing mechanism and in turn a stirring member to rotate at a low speed, thereby stirring food materials in the inner pot. With this arrangement, the food materials received in the inner pot can be stirred automatically and cooked sufficiently. Further, the oven can cook the food materials by baking or frying, which increases the functionality and convenience thereof.
US08430013B1

A braiding machine is provided comprising a support member, a series of drivers carried by the support member arranged in a circle around a braiding point, a mechanism to rotate adjacent of the drivers in opposite directions, a series of strand supply carrier spindles, and a plurality of cars for mounting of an associated spindle to be driven by the drivers for travel in serpentine intersecting paths in opposite directions around the braiding point. Each of the plurality of cars comprises a unitary central post, a mounting base, and a foot. The post extends from a bottom plane surface of the foot through the foot and the mounting base. The foot and the mounting base are spaced from one another and both provide support to the post.
US08430012B1

A device and method for forming a tubular braid comprising a plurality of filaments. The braiding machine comprises a disc with a mandrel extending from the center in a perpendicular direction and a plurality of catch mechanisms arranged circumferentially around the edge of the disc. A plurality of filaments are temporarily affixed to the mandrel, each filament extending from the mandrel toward the edge of the disc and engaging the edge of the disc at a discrete point of engagement. The plurality of catch mechanisms are attached to actuators adapted to move the catch mechanisms in a generally radial direction relative to the edge of the disc to allow the catch mechanism to engage a subset of the filaments and move the engaged filaments beyond the circumferential edge of the disc.
US08430011B1

A system for disabling or degrading electrically initiated explosive devices includes an apparatus for inducing waveforms of varying power and duration into the leads of a bridgewire based blasting cap, thus raising the resistance to render the blasting cap inoperable without requiring detonation, and for polling or confirming electrical performance and operational status of the blasting cap. An operational methodology for neutralizing an explosive device is included.
US08430007B2

An envelope opener is that includes a table for routing documents along a longitudinal document guide wall and a cutting device for cutting off an edge of an envelope is described. The guide wall is movable laterally relative to the cutting device into a plurality of lateral or cutting positions in order to obtain a plurality of cutting widths. The machine also includes a bypass control to enable driving a document in the downstream direction when the cutter device is in the non-cutting position to enable counting envelopes without opening them.
US08430005B2

Miter saws are disclosed having a base, a blade supported by the base, a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and the blade, and a reaction system associated with the detection system to cause a predetermined action to take place upon detection of the dangerous condition. The blade is rotatable, and moves into a cutting zone to cut a workpiece. The predetermined action may be to stop the blade from rotating, to create an impulse against movement of the blade into the cutting zone, or to cause the blade to move away from the cutting zone. The reaction system may include a brake member coupled to a housing.
US08429997B2

A feeder for a machine tool adapted to move a table relative to a saddle by rotation of a motor includes a ball thread nut fixed to the saddle and a ball thread shaft that engages with the ball thread nut in a rotatable manner but is immovable in an axial direction of the ball thread shaft relative to the table. The motor is fixed to the table and the ball thread shaft is coupled to the motor. A sum of a movable distance of the table relative to the saddle and a length of the saddle in the axial direction is shorter than a length of the table in the axial direction. The feeder further includes rails fixed to the table on its surface where the motor is fixed and bearings that are fixed to the saddle and bear the rails.
US08429994B2

Hydraulic control systems for a dual clutch transmission include a regulated source of pressurized hydraulic fluid including an electric pump, a filter and an accumulator, a pair of pressure control valves and a branching hydraulic circuit including pressure or flow control valves, spool or logic valves and two position valves which collectively supply and exhaust hydraulic fluid from a plurality of shift actuators. The actuators are connected to shift rails which include shift forks and are slidable to engage synchronizers and positive clutches associated with the various gear ratios.
US08429992B2

A transmission mechanism with a pair of selectively engageable clutch systems has an upstream gear ratio and a downstream gear ratio that combine to provide an effective gear ratio. A different clutch drive member is associated with an input side of each of the pair of clutch systems. The clutch drive members are driven for rotation by an engine input member. The upstream gear ratio is determined by the gear ratio between the engine input member and one of the clutch drive members. Output sides of each of the clutch systems drive an associated one of a pair of non-coaxial layshafts. Pinions are located on and selectively driven by the layshafts. A countershaft is spaced from both of the layshafts, and has a plurality of gears. Each of the gears is driven for rotation by one of the pinions of the layshafts. The downstream gear ratio is determined by the gear ratio between the selected pinion and the intermeshed gear.
US08429986B2

There are provided an apparatus and method for groundwater sampling, using a hydraulic coupler according to the present invention. In more particular, in the groundwater sampler which is positioned at multiple depths within a groundwater borehole to simultaneously take groundwater samples at the multiple depths, couplers are each connected to both ends of a water sampling pipe made of a metal pipe material. In case of positioning the sampler at a targeted depth, a socket and a plug forming each coupler are connected to each other, so that the both ends of the water sampling pipe—to lead groundwater to freely flow in/out. Thereafter, at the targeted depth, the sockets or plugs are permitted to be separated in the couplers at the both ends of the water sampling pipe by using a lift device, so that the both ends of the water sampling pipe are sealed to simultaneously taking groundwater samples at multiple depths.
US08429985B2

An apparatus for use in determining a plurality of characteristics of a multiphase flow within a pipe is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises first and second constrictions, a sheltered zone between the first and second constrictions, a sensing device coupled to an interior wall of the pipe, and a sheltered device coupled to the interior wall of the pipe and located within the sheltered zone. A first characteristic of the plurality of characteristics is determinable from data generated by the sensing device. A second characteristic of the plurality of characteristics is determinable from data generated by the sheltered device. In one exemplary embodiment, the first characteristic is a gas fraction, and the sensing device is a plurality of pressure sensors. In another exemplary embodiment, the second characteristic is a phase fraction, and the sheltered device is a plurality of electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) electrodes.
US08429978B2

A pressure sensor for sensing a pressure of a process fluid includes a sensor body exposed to the pressure of the process fluid. The sensor body deforms in response to the pressure. A diaphragm suspended from the sensor body has a tension which changes in response to deformation of the sensor body. A resonate frequency of the diaphragm is measured. The measured resonant frequency is indicative of the line pressure of the process fluid and integrity of the isolation fill fluid system. In addition to measuring the resonant frequency, the oscillation mode itself can be used as a diagnostic tool to assess sensor health.
US08429974B2

Methods and systems for detecting features in thin-wall structures are provided. A plurality of ultrasonic waves are generated within a thin-wall structure. At least one echo from the plurality of ultrasonic waves within the thin-wall structure is detected. The at least one echo is processed to determine a position of at least one feature in the thin-wall structure based on Embedded Ultrasonic Structure Radar (EUSR) beamforming performed in the frequency domain.
US08429969B2

An inertial sensor capable of making pressure of a space in which an inertial sensor such as an acceleration sensor is placed to be higher than that during a sealing step and improving reliability is provided. The inertial sensor can be achieved by means of making an inertial sensor including a substrate, a movable portion on the substrate, a cap member which seals the movable portion so as to cover the movable portion, wherein a gas-generating material is applied to the movable portion side of the cap.
US08429954B2

A scanning probe microscope includes a plate moveable in an x-axis direction, a y-axis direction, and a z-axis direction, and a probe tip coupled to the plate. A plurality of actuators cooperate to move the probe tip with three degrees of freedom of movement.
US08429947B2

An electric wire shaping apparatus includes a pair of male and female shaping dies and a pressing mechanism. Each of the male and female shaping dies has a shaping surface that includes a plurality of straight parts and a plurality of bent parts. The pressing mechanism moves one of the male and female shaping dies toward the other, thereby pressing a turn portion of an electric wire between the shaping surfaces of the male and female shaping dies in a width-wise direction of the turn portion. Furthermore, the male and female shaping dies are so configured that when they are located closest to each other, a gap W2 between a corresponding pair of the bent parts of the shaping surfaces of the male and female shaping dies is different in size from a gap W1 between a corresponding pair of the straight parts of the shaping surfaces.
US08429945B2

A longitudinal, multi-stand rolling mill of the continuous, restrained type for rolling hollow bodies is described, which comprises a main rolling mill (2) and an extracting rolling mill (4) in line and downstream of the main rolling mill, at a distance from the main rolling mill larger than the maximum length of the hollow body and of the spindle, and in which the spindle is extracted at the outlet of the main rolling mill in the gap between said main rolling mill and extracting rolling mill, and is laterally unloaded.
US08429942B2

A vehicle starter switch device including a cylinder, a rotor rotatable in the cylinder to a plurality of rotational positions including a first position and a second position, an ignition switch connected to the rotor, and a restriction mechanism that restricts and permits the rotation of the rotor. The restriction mechanism includes a single solenoid that restricts rotation of the rotor from the first position to the second position when de-energized. The solenoid also permits rotation of the rotor from the second position to the first position when de-energized.
US08429940B2

An armored cable assembly (10) includes a flexible cable (12), a plurality of first armor elements (14), and a plurality of second armor elements (20). The flexible cable (12) is received within a bore (16, 28) in each of the armor elements (14, 20), which are threaded in alternate manner on the flexible cable (12). A ball and socket joint is established between adjacent armor elements (14, 20). Each of the second armor elements (20) includes a cylindrical portion (22) between first and second arcuate or hemispherical ends (24), each end (24) being adapted to provide the ball of the ball and socket joint. A locking assembly (50) is further provided for use with an armored cable assembly. The locking assembly (50) includes a lock body (52), a lock housing (54), a rotatable locking mechanism (56) operable by a key, a disk (60) rotatable to a first locked position, a second unlocked position and a third position in which the lock housing (54) is removable from the lock body (52), and a movable retainer (84) to control rotation of the disk (60) to the third position. An anchor (170) having a housing (172) having a base (174) for securing to a substrate by a fastener (178) is also provided. An aperture (180) passing through the housing (172) is generally parallel to the base (174). A cover (192) is adapted to restrict access to the fastener (178) when the aperture (180) is occupied by a cable, chain, shackle or the like.
US08429933B2

A method of producing a liquid product stream, for example, a liquid nitrogen product stream, at a production rate that is selectively varied. This variation is produced in either a waste expansion or air expansion process by increasing the pressure and flow rate of the feed stream during periods in which a high rate of liquid production is desired without substantially increasing the pressure of the exhaust stream produced by a variable speed turboexpander. This increases the expansion ratio across the turboexpander and therefore the refrigeration supplied to increase liquid production. At the same time, the increase in flow rate prevents a decrease in the performance of the variable speed turboexpander.
US08429931B2

An ejector refrigerant cycle device includes a radiator for radiating heat of high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from a compressor, a branch portion for branching a flow of refrigerant on a downstream side of the radiator into a first stream and a second stream, an ejector that includes a nozzle portion for decompressing and expending refrigerant of the first stream from the branch portion, a decompression portion for decompressing and expanding refrigerant of the second stream from the branch portion, and an evaporator for evaporating refrigerant on a downstream side of the decompression portion. The evaporator has a refrigerant outlet coupled to the refrigerant suction port of the ejector. Furthermore, a refrigerant radiating portion is provided for radiating heat of refrigerant while the decompression portion decompresses and expands refrigerant. For example, the refrigerant radiating portion is provided in an inner heat exchanger.
US08429928B2

The invention relates to a refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit comprising an assembly carrier on which one or more components of the unit serving cold production are arranged, with the assembly carrier being made such that it can be received in different installation positions in the unit, preferably in the unit base.
US08429923B2

An object is to provide a low temperature showcase in which waste heat from a condenser and the like can be utilized by a simple constitution to effectively eliminate dew condensation on a middle pillar, particularly on gasket of upper part of a door. The low temperature showcase includes a middle pillar whose front surface abuts on the gasket of the door; a machine chamber disposed outside a main body under a display chamber and including the condenser, a fan for the condenser and the like, and the showcase further includes a middle pillar duct member which is vertically attached to the middle pillar and in which a middle pillar duct is defined, a leading portion which leads air from the machine chamber into the middle pillar duct, and exhaust holes which discharge the air flowing upwards through the duct to the outside of the gasket between the upper part of the door and the main body.
US08429919B2

The present invention provides a hula seal for use with a combustor. The hula seal includes a number of legs that define a number of slots. The slots may include a number of expansion slots.
US08429914B2

A fuel injection system is provided for a gas turbine, comprising a mains airblast fuel injector having an annular shape, and inner and outer mains swirlers for swirling air past the mains airblast fuel injector. The inner and outer mains swirlers are concentric with the mains airblast fuel injector and are located radially inwardly and radially outwardly of the mains airblast fuel injector, respectively. The mains airblast fuel injector and the inner and outer mains swirlers are so arranged as to produce a fuel spray stream which expands from the mains airblast fuel injector and has a double flame front. The double flame front comprises flame fronts on both the radially inner and radially outer surfaces of the fuel spray stream.
US08429910B2

A wave energy converter includes a flexible pipe and an inlet. The flexible pipe floats on the water surface, following the wave form. Slugs of water and air enter, one after the other, through the inlet. Because the flexible pipe follows the shape of the wave, water is transported through a manifold to a pressure chamber connected to a generator. The inlet consists of a hollow, inflexible pipe attached to the throat of the flexible pipe. The inflexible pipe is fixedly attached to a buoyancy tank or plurality thereof. The buoyancy tanks are arranged in a vertical plane or in tandem, with the inflexible pipe passing along the plane vertical to the fore and aft axis of the buoyancy tank and the frontward portion projecting sufficiently ahead of the buoyancy tank with the flexible pipe terminating at a singular outlet. The entire apparatus is facing towards the oncoming waves.
US08429908B2

A hydraulic system includes an engine driven variable displacement hydraulic pump which supplies fluid to a hydraulic consumer and an electronic control unit. A flow rate adjusting unit includes a stop that can be brought into engagement with an adjusting piston. In order conform the power output of the pump to the operating conditions of the vehicle, the stop of the flow rate adjusting unit includes adjusting devices that can be controlled by the control unit, so that the maximum flow rate of the pump can be varied by the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit generates a control signal for the adjusting device as a function of a sensed engine speed.
US08429905B2

A vehicle engine exhaust gas treatment system (10) for use on a tractor comprising storage means (11) for storing urea, injector means (13) for injecting urea into a catalytic converter (21) located in an exhaust (22) of an engine (23), an air duct (29;30) via which air is drawn into the engine, and cooling means for cooling the urea on its passage from the storage means to the injector means, the cooling means comprising a heat exchanger which includes an inner pipe (15; 17) through which the urea flows on its way to the injector means, the inner pipe extending within the air duct (29;30) to cool the urea.
US08429903B2

An exhaust treatment system for machine is disclosed that includes a burner body having an inlet for receiving a flow of exhaust, an outlet for the exhaust flow to exit, an opening and a receiving mount disposed around the opening. A fuel injector head is mounted over the opening in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to the body. The burner body includes a plurality of mounting pads extending at least partially and circumferentially around the burner body for coupling a support bracket to the burner body in any one of a plurality of positions relative to the burner body. The support bracket may be used to couple the burner to a fixture device such as a cradle for supporting other exhaust treatment system components.
US08429890B2

A retractable deflector to deflect birds and debris from an air intake duct of an aircraft jet engine. The duct has a central longitudinal axis and a forward opening for air receipt. The deflector includes a plurality of elongate first support members disposed on the duct having leading ends which extend from a perimeter of the opening, mounted for movement to extend and retract the leading ends. A second support member is coupled to these leading ends to retain them in spaced relation. The second support member is extendible in length and configured to hold the leading ends of the first support members sufficiently close together to cause the first support members to deflect at least one of a bird and debris when deployed, and to allow the leading ends to maintain a spaced-apart relation along a line which approximately corresponds to the perimeter of the duct when retracted.
US08429884B2

An equine training apparatus used in conjunction with: 1) a bridle supporting a bit, 2) a noseband, 3) riding reins connected to the bit, and 4) a breastplate, the apparatus comprising a head communication assembly comprising a cord member having a first end attached to a first O-ring, a second end attached to a second O-ring and noseband connection means between said first end and said second end and dividing said cord member into a first fork and a second fork; a sliding member in slidable engagement with said first fork and said second fork; and fork-body connection means for anchoring said sliding member to any of a breast plate, neckstrap, girth, cinch or the like. The sliding member acts as a pulley about which at least one fork is disposed and, when anchored to body tack via fork-body connection means provides a pivot point about which each fork may act; the sliding member effectively divides force applied through the reins into a mouth force component and a nose force component.
US08429873B2

Modular construction panels, systems, and methods of installation are set forth for use in creating buildings. A modular construction panel includes a panel having a height, opposed faces, and opposed generally vertical ends. In one embodiment, a keyway receiver is integral with the panel adjacent one of the ends, and a keyway spline is integral with the panel adjacent the other end. In another embodiment, a keyway receiver is integral with the panel adjacent one of the ends. In still another embodiment, a keyway receiver is integral with the panel adjacent one of the ends. One modular construction system includes first and second panels, each having: a height, opposed faces, opposed generally vertical first and second ends, a keyway receiver at the first end or one of the faces adjacent the first end, and a keyway spline at the second end or one of the faces adjacent the second end.
US08429872B2

Floorboards comprising a core and a surface layer with curved edge portions, which are formed by a compression of the core.
US08429871B2

An affordable, sustainable building, comprising substantially entirely mass-produced, prefabricated constituent parts manufactured off-site, the prefabricated constituent parts comprising a foundation, a frame module comprising a plurality of frames, wherein the frame module is secured to the foundation, a reversible connector to connect the plurality of frames to form the frame module, a wall panel configured to be mounted onto the frame module, a floor panel configured to be mounted onto the frame module, and a ceiling panel configured to be mounted on to the frame module. Each constituent part forms part of a library of parts from which the constituent parts are selected. The constituent parts are preferably made in standardized sizes to facilitate efficient mass production. The constituent parts are predominantly made of recyclable material so as to be environmentally friendly. Computer software may be developed to facilitate design and construction of the affordable, sustainable building and to calculate proper attachment points for lifting and moving frame modules.
US08429868B2

A lateral displacement preventing member is provided with a back-side locking piece that extends from a lower end of an upper fixing plate of the lateral displacement preventing member downward and parallel to a lower fixing plate. Thus, during disposition of the lateral displacement preventing member in a horizontal joint portion of exterior wall boards, the lateral displacement preventing member can be attached in a state in which an upper end portion of an upper horizontal portion of a first fastening member disposed in a vertical joint portion of the exterior wall boards is inserted in an inverted U-shaped groove formed by the back-side locking piece, an extended portion, and the lower fixing plate of the lateral displacement preventing member.
US08429861B2

Systems and methods for disposing and supporting a solar panel array are disclosed. The embodiments comprise various combinations of cables, support columns, and pod constructions in which to support solar panels. The solar panels can incorporate single or dual tracking capabilities to enhance sunlight capture. The embodiments encourage dual land use in which installation of the systems minimizes disruption of the underlying ground. Supplemental power may be provided by vertical axis windmills integrated with the columns. Special installations of the system can include systems mounted over structures such as parking lots, roads and aqueducts.
US08429859B2

A headstone support system includes a pole having a first auger attached to the pole proximate a first end thereof, the first auger configured to drill through soil upon rotation of the pole, and a headstone support attached to a second end of the pole.
US08429852B1

The present invention relates to a foldable planter. The planter of the present invention includes one or more foldable compartments defined by an array of panels. Each compartment includes one or more upright panels to form an upright core; one or more movable panels to form a trough used for planting; and one or more fold lines, wherein at least one fold line between the one or more upright panels and the one or more movable panels. In an embodiment, each panel is attached to at least one adjacent panel along a fold line. When the planter is not in use, the movable panel pair folds at a fold line between the upright panel and the movable panel.
US08429825B2

A cutting apparatus is provided having a resilient handle, a guide on one end of the handle and a cutter body on the opposite end. The guide includes two spaced members forming an outwardly facing slot with a stop formed therein. The handle is flexed into an assembled position to form a close loop, with the cutter body positioned within the guide slot and in contact with the stop. A cutting edge is movable along with cutter body to an activated position, with the cutting edge extending outwardly of the slot and the guide. The movement of the cutter body is caused by an activation force applied to the closed loop of the resilient handle member.
US08429819B2

Systems and methods for improving heat exchangers by implementing self-energizing seals. In one embodiment, a U-tube heat exchanger includes a shell enclosure, a tube sheet, a closure and a set of tubes welded to the tube sheet. The tube sheet separates first and second chambers from a third chamber in the shell enclosure. The closure seals the first and second chambers. Each tube extends from the first chamber, through the third chamber to the second chamber. The improvement comprises a seal between the shell enclosure and either the closure or the tube sheet. The seal includes conically tapered sealing surfaces on the shell enclosure and closure or tube sheet which form a wedge-shaped gap. A seal ring having surfaces complementary to the sealing surfaces of the shell enclosure and closure or tube sheet is positioned between the sealing surfaces to form a self-energized seal.
US08429817B2

A process for manufacturing a single-piece blisk, including: using an abrasive water jet to cut a block of material, so as to create blade preforms extending radially outwards from a disk, while keeping material forming a connecting mechanism between at least two directly consecutive blade preforms; then milling on the blade preforms so as to obtain profiled blade blanks; then a finishing by milling of the blade blanks, so as to obtain blades with a final profile; then removing the connecting mechanism.
US08429812B2

A manufacturing method of an ultrafine wire including a conductor formed from a plurality of wire, the method comprising: twisting three wires into a twisted wires; and forming the conductor by compressing the twisted wires through a compressing hole of a compressing die after the twisting. A ratio of a cross section of the conductor after compressing to an area of the compressing hole is 80% to 83%.
US08429797B2

A buckling device for fastening a belt is provided. The buckling device comprises a first portion, a second portion and an elastic portion. The elastic portion is made of a material with a shore hardness substantially between A10 and A95. The elastic portion contacts the first portion and the second portion, so that the second portion engages with the belt and the belt is fastened.
US08429796B2

A plate 5 fastened to a D-cut section 3c of a rotation shaft 3 by caulking has an engaging hole 5b provided therethrough. Further, a positioning protrusion 4c for engaging the engaging hole 5b is provided in a leaf spring 4 sandwiched between the rotation shaft 3 and the plate 5. The inclination θ1 of the leaf spring 4 made by the amount of a clearance B between the engaging hole 5b and the positioning protrusion 4c that are distant from the rotation central axis X is smaller than the inclination θ2 made by the amount of a clearance A between the D-cut section 3c and the straight portion 4d that are close to the rotation central axis X. Thus, the backlash in the rotation direction of the leaf spring 4 can be reduced by providing the positioning protrusion 4c and the engaging hole 5b.
US08429795B2

A triple-tooth weld-on hinge includes a cradle plate, connector spinal plate, crowfoot wrench, riveting pin, connector plate, and spring. The cradle plate, connector spinal plate, and crowfoot wrench are connected through the connector plate and secured with the riveting pin. The bottom is joined by the spring. The range of movement between the cradle plate and the connector spinal plate is between σ1-σ2, or between 105° and 125°. The hinge can be used for securing furniture, particularly steel-framed sofas, as it allows for three angled adjustments between the seats and backs of the sofas. With the various insertion slots on the spinal plate, riveting piece, and cradle plate, the steel-framed sofas can be adjusted to different dimensions.
US08429792B2

A cleaning appliance includes a motor arranged to drive a fan for generating suction air flow and a cleaner head having a drivable agitator with a dedicated motor. The agitator drive motor has a selectively-operable switch and a resettable circuit breaker arranged such that, when the switch is activated, the circuit breaker is reset. A button actuates the switch and simultaneously resets the circuit breaker. When there is a blockage so that the circuit breaker trips out the motor, the user can reset the circuit breaker and restart the agitator motor by the simple act of depressing one button, thereby obviating the need for a separate control.
US08429785B1

The erectably operable hand trowel is composed of an elongated handle that extends from a trowel head up to a handle that is engaged upon by an end user. The elongated handle includes an actuator handle that is pivotally engaged about the elongated handle and of which includes at least one pivot rod, which extends from the actuator handle down to the trowel head. The actuator handle provides for articulation of the trowel head about the bottom of the elongated handle, which enables the end user to adjust the angle of the trowel head when pulled across a surface being flattened or smoothed via the trowel head. The erectably operable hand trowel enables an end user to trowel a surface from an upright position.
US08429779B2

Disclosed herein is a bedding or seating product (10) having a spring core (12) comprising coil springs (26) having unknotted end turns (72, 74) made from high tensile strength wire. In each embodiment, the end turns (72, 74) of the coil springs (26) are generally U-shaped having one arcuate leg (76) longer than the other (78), the legs (76, 78) being joined by a connector (80) having an arcuate bump (81) therein. The springs (26) are oriented in the spring core (12) such that a long leg (76) of one end turn (72) abuts a short leg (78) of the adjacent end turn (72) prior to be wrapped in helical lacing wire (32). The high tensile wire enables the coil springs (26) to be manufactured using less wire than heretofore possible.
US08429778B2

A patient-support apparatus includes an inflatable support structure, a variable output pump, a power supply and a controller. The pump includes a driver that is responsive to variations in the power signal applied to the driver to vary the output from the pump. The pump output is varied depending on the amount of flow needed as determined by a sensor that senses the pressure in the inflatable support structure.
US08429771B2

An easy-access over-the-bed bassinet especially useful in hospitals for new mothers and babies. The bassinet has a barrier to prevent the infant from rolling off a sleeping platform, and one portion or wall of the barrier is convertible to permit a mother to reach in and cradle the infant, for breast-feeding for example. The convertible portion has a restoring mechanism such as a spring force or weighted arm to transform it back to its original barrier position upon removal of the weight of the mother's arms. The convertible portion may be a wall surrounding the sleeping platform that translates vertically into a frame, or pivot about a bottom edge, or pivot underneath the sleeping platform. The entire sleeping platform may tilt about a horizontal axis, and may rotate about a vertical axis for ease of positioning relative to the mother. The bassinets are mounted on sturdy frames that permit over-the-bed positioning of the sleeping platform, which can be raised or lowered to accommodate varying bed heights, and to assist nurses caring for the baby.
US08429767B2

A release device, such as a toilet freshener that releases at least one preparation into the interior of a toilet bowl, comprises a dispenser, at least one container connected to the dispenser for storing at least one preparation, a release element for releasing preparation, a line connecting the release element and the container in communicating manner, a sensor unit capable of detecting vibrations, and a fastening means for detachably fixing the dispenser to the rim of a toilet bowl. In a preferred embodiment, the fastening means rests at least in part on the toilet bowl and is configured to pick up vibrations, such as structure-borne noise, from the toilet bowl and transmit them to the sensor unit.
US08429766B2

A sound attenuating device for standard helmets worn by riders of recreational vehicles is provided. The sound attenuating device includes low profile ear cups and compressible members mounted between the shell of the helmet and ear cups. The compressible members permit the ear cups to be moved away from the rider's face when doffing or donning the helmet and otherwise push the ear cups against the rider's face forming a tight seal between the rider's face and the ear cups around each ear. The means for attaching the compressible members to the helmet shell are non-penetrating so as to maintain the structural integrity and sound suppression characteristics of the shell.
US08434149B1

A method and apparatus for identifying web attacks is described. In one embodiment, a method of securing a computer comprises generating origin information for a portion of a web page and identifying a modification in the origin information. The identified modification is used to determine an indicia of suspicious behavior at a computer.
US08434142B2

In one aspect of the invention, a mobile node (MN) participates in a first return routability procedure with a home agent (HA) and a correspondent node (CN), including generating a first binding management key (Kbm). A first proof of knowledge (PoK) is generated by hashing the first Kbm. The MN participates in a second return routability procedure, including generating a second Kbm. A first binding update and binding acknowledgement (BU/BA) key is generated by hashing the second Kbm and the first PoK. A first binding update (BU) message is transmitted to the CN, where the second BU message is transmitted with the first BU/BA key. In response to a first binding acknowledgement (BA) message received from the CN, the MN authenticates the first BA message using the first BU/BA key.
US08434139B1

A server protected by a firewall uses an obfuscation algorithm to periodically generate a source port number and a destination port number. The server periodically sends an outbound packet from the source port to the destination port of an arbitrary destination network address. The outbound packet passes through the firewall and configures the state table of the firewall to temporarily pass inbound packets from the destination port of the arbitrary network address to the source port of the server. A client uses the obfuscation algorithm to send a packet from the destination port of the client to the source port of the server. The packet from the client indicates that it was sent from the arbitrary destination network address and includes the real port and network address of the client within it. The server communicates with the client at the real port and network address.
US08434136B1

A full spectrum cyber identification determination process for accurately and reliably determining and reporting any identification determination from a full spectrum of possible cyber identification determinations.Utilizing cyber resources and predetermined criteria for providing cyber identification determinations for at least one unidentified subject of an observation, the process: provides identification determinations for any possible subject of an observation; provides for the utilization of any selected attainable level of accuracy, up to, and including 100% accuracy; provides for single, intermittent, and constant identification determinations; utilizes any available cyber resources; interacts with utilized cyber resources to provide any possible function and/or observation; recognizes characteristics from observations and then utilizes recognized characteristics for comparing and/or determining; provides and utilizes a standard set of designations for representing all aspects of the process; utilizes useful information and/or outcomes from comparing for making identification determinations; and, reports on any aspect of the process at any time.
US08434131B2

Described in detail herein are systems and methods for managing connections in a data storage system. For example, the systems and methods may be used to manage connections between two or more computing devices for purposes of performing storage operations on the data of one of the computing devices. The data storage system includes at least two computing devices. A first computing device includes an unauthorized connection data structure and a connection manager component. The connection manager component receives a connection request from a second computing device. If the second computing device is not identified on the unauthorized connection data structure, the connection manager component can request that an authentication manager authenticate the second computing device and/or determine whether the second computing device is properly authorized. If so, the connection manager component can allow the second computing device to connect to the first computing device.
US08434127B2

Provided is the access control system for controlling an access on a task basis without modifying a device side to be accessed and without applying a task ID at each access to a device.The access filter system for controlling an access between devices mounted on an electronic device, which comprises the access control unit for applying a unique device key set for each device as a right to access the device on a basis of a task operable on the electronic device and determining whether to allow an access to the device according to whether an access request task which requests an access to the device has the device key.
US08434114B2

An electronic device comprising: a content acquiring means capable of acquiring content acquired via a network or from inside of the electronic device, or generated inside of the electronic device; a first displaying means capable of displaying the acquired first content; a second displaying means arranged as a touch panel which is capable of accepting an input operation of a user, and capable of displaying the acquired second content; a display controlling means which, based on a predetermined condition, when the content acquiring means acquired third content in a state where the first and second content are displayed in the first and second displaying means, respectively, performs one of: (1) displaying in the second displaying means the third content clearing the second content, (2) presenting a split view by splitting the screen of the first display means into parts for the first and second content, and displaying in the second displaying means the third content, and (3) presenting a split view by splitting the screen of the second displaying means into parts for the second and third content.
US08434107B2

Provided is a method for providing electronic program guide of an image display device. A system for displaying an electronic program guide includes a management server and an image display device. The management server collects recommended program-related information from at least one image display device connected through a network, and compiles the same. The image display device receives the compiled recommended program-related information from the management server, and reflects the received recommended program-related information to the electronic program guide to reconstruct the electronic program guide.
US08434099B2

A method of producing an executable image from an object file without shared library support from the operating system, wherein the executable image requires a shared library file in order to resolve at least one of the symbols called for in the object file. A method of optimizing the loading of a previously linked file into working memory in a computer for executing in a single address space of the working memory, the file containing an instruction to make an indirect jump to a location in a shared library through an import section of the file. A method for optimizing the loading of a previously linked file into working memory in a computer for executing in a single address space of the working memory, the file containing plural sections with number-filled padding between the end of each section and a succeeding page boundary. A method of optimizing the loading of a previously linked file into working memory in a computer for executing in a memory sharable with other executables. This method includes selecting a portion of code in the previously linked file, removing the portion of code from the previously linked file, and constructing a dynamically linked library file containing the portion of the code, the dynamically linked library file being available to plural files including the previously linked-file. A method of converting an image which has been previously linked for executing in an unshared memory into an image optimized for use with virtual memory.
US08434098B2

A device driver includes a kernel mode and a user-mode module. The device driver may access device registers while operating in user-mode to promote system stability while providing a low-latency software response from the system upon interrupts. The device driver may include kernel stubs that are loaded into the operating system, and may be device specific code written. The stubs may be called by a reflector to handle exceptions caught by the stubs. A reset stub may be invoked by the reflector when the user-mode module or host terminates abruptly or detects an interrupt storm. The reset stub may also be invoked if errant direct memory access DMA operations are being performed by a hardware device. The reset stub may ensure that hardware immediately stops unfinished DMA from further transfer, and may be called by the user-mode driver module.
US08434084B2

An automated resource allocation technique for scheduling a batch computer job in a multi-computer system environment. According to example embodiments, resource allocation processing may be performed when receiving a batch computer job that needs to be run by a software application executable on more than one computing system in the multi-computer system environment. The job may be submitted for pre-processing analysis by the software application. A pre-processing analysis result comprising job evaluation information may be received from the software application and the result may be evaluated to select a computing system in the multi-computer system environment that is capable of executing the application to run the job. The job may be submitted to the selected computing system to have the software application run the job to completion.
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