US08436317B1

This invention provides a multi-pole type Wien filter, which acts more purely approaching its fundamentally expected performance. A 12-electrode electric device acts as an electric deflector, or acts as an electric deflector and an electric stigmator together. A cylindrical 4-coil magnetic device with a magnetic core acts as a magnetic deflector. Both can produce a dipole field while only incurring a negligibly-small 3rd order field harmonic. The magnetic core enhances the strength and more preciously regulates the distribution of the magnetic field originally generated by the coils. Then two ways to construct a Wien filter are proposed. One way is based on both of the foregoing electric and magnetic devices, and the other way is based on the foregoing electric device and a conventional magnetic deflector. The astigmatism in each of such Wien filters can be compensated by the electric stigmator of the electric device.
US08436316B2

A method of determining directionality of radiation is disclosed which comprises dividing the tensioned metastable fluid liquid volume adjacent to a radioactive source into a plurality of sectors, determining the opposing sector ratio of the respective sector and determining the direction of the radiation based on the opposing sector ratios of the plurality of sectors. The method further comprising determining directionality of incoming radiation from the tension pressure assisted elongation of bubble shapes pointing towards direction of radiation particles that interacted with nuclei of tensioned metastable fluid detector system. A device capable of carrying out these methods is also disclosed.
US08436315B1

A thermal neutron monitor includes at least one neutron scintillator sheet interposed between light guides. Scintillation light emitted in opposite transverse directions is captured by the light guides and conveyed to a common detector. The sandwiched geometry of the monitor avoids the need to provide multiple detectors and permits construction of a relatively inexpensive, compact monitor.
US08436310B2

A system for reducing effects relating to stretching of an optical fiber includes an optical control source, the optical source outputting an optical signal, a terahertz transmitter and receiver both being optically coupled to the optical source, and a means for providing the optical signal to both the terahertz transmitter and terahertz receiver such that the terahertz receiver is synchronized to the terahertz transmitter by the optical signal. The means prevents the stretching of an fiber carrying the optical signal provided to the terahertz transmitter or terahertz receiver or allows for the stretching an optical fiber such that the terahertz receiver will still be synchronized to the terahertz transmitter by the optical signal.
US08436308B2

An image sensor is provided which includes a multilayer structure having a first light receiving unit to extract a signal corresponding to color information of incident light of a visible region and a second light receiving unit to extract a signal corresponding to light of an infrared region and white light corresponding to the visible region.
US08436304B2

In conventional membrane infrared (IR) sensors, little to no attention has been paid toward transmissivity of IR near metal traces. Here, because the substrate of an integrated circuit carrying the sensor is used as a visible light filter, reflection of IR radiation back into the substrate can affect the operation and reliability of the IR sensor. As a result, an arrangement is provided that reduces the area occupied by metal lines by reducing the pitch and compacting the routing so as to reduce the effects from the reflection of IR radiation by metal traces.
US08436298B2

LC/MS data generated by an LC/MS system is analyzed to determine groupings of ions associated with originating molecules. Ions are grouped initially according to retention time, for example, using retention time or chromatographic peaks in mass chromatograms. After initial groupings are determined based on retention time, ion peak shapes are compared to determine whether ions should be excluded. Ions having peak shapes not matching other ions, or alternatively a reference peak shape, are excluded from the group.
US08436296B2

A downhole fluid analysis tool has a tool housing and a fluid analysis device. The tool housing is deployable downhole and has at least one flow passage for a fluid sample. The fluid analysis device is disposed in the tool housing relative to the flow passage. Inside the device, one or more sources generate a combined input electromagnetic signal across a spectrum of wavelengths, and a routing assembly routes generated signals into the reference and measurement signals. At least one wheel having a plurality of filters is rotated to selectively interpose one or more of the filters in the paths of the reference and measurement signals.
US08436292B2

To provide a lubricant deterioration detecting device having a high degree of freedom in arranging within the bearing assembly or the like and capable of stably detecting the status of deterioration of the lubricant without being affected by the thickness of the lubricant and a change in temperature and also to provide a detector incorporated bearing assembly equipped with such lubricant deterioration detecting device, the lubricant deterioration detecting device includes a light source, a plurality of light detecting components for detecting rays of light emitted from the light source and subsequently transmitted through a lubricant, and a determining unit. The plural light detecting components have respective light detecting faces sequentially displaced in position. The determining unit compares respective signal strengths of outputs from the plural light detecting components to detect the status of deterioration of the lubricant.
US08436283B1

Higher Order Sliding Mode (HOSM) control techniques are applied to the Guidance Control (G&C) of interceptor missile in which velocity may be steered by combination of main thrust, aerodynamic lift and lateral on-off divert thrusters, and attitude may be steered by continuous or on-off actuators. Methods include the pointing of the seeker, its associated estimation processes, a guidance law that uses concurrent divert mechanisms, and an attitude autopilot. The insensitivity of the controller to matched disturbances allows the concurrent usage of the divert mechanisms without adverse effect on the accuracy. The controller also allows the de-coupling of the control of roll, pitch and yaw channels, and usage quaternions to represent body attitude and it provides control perfect robustness. While it conceivable to design separately the components of the G&C method, it is widely accepted that designing them in an integrated fashion usually produces a better result.
US08436266B2

An electronic apparatus includes a circuit board with a changeover switch and a housing having two surfaces extending in parallel and a side surface connecting edges of the two surfaces, holding the circuit board with a space between the circuit board and the housing and having an opening for operation at a portion which faces the changeover switch. A housed part at a position between one side of the circuit board and the side surface of the housing, prevents the changeover switch from being visually recognized through the opening. An operation member includes an operation piece placed outside the side surface of the housing to receive a slide operation, and an operation arm extends inside the housing from the operation piece through the opening, bypassing the housed part to come in contact with the changeover switch. The changeover switch is switchable when the operation piece receives the slide operation.
US08436262B2

A detecting method for a touch panel includes providing a sensing matrix having a plurality of sensing units; detecting sensing data generated from the sensing unit and defining the sensing unit as a touch point or a non-touch point based on the sensing data; and grouping at least a portion of the touch points to form a touch point group, wherein projection of a touch point overlaps a projection of at least one touch point of the touch point group in one of a row direction and a column direction while adjacent to a projection in the other direction of at least one touch point of the touch point group; retrieving extreme positions of the touch point group in the row direction and the column direction; and determining a touch center position based on the extreme positions in the row direction and the column direction.
US08436257B2

An electromagnetic shielding article includes a plastic substrate, a silicon dioxide layer deposited on the plastic substrate, an electromagnetic shielding layer deposited on the plastic substrate, and a protection layer deposited on the electromagnetic shielding layer.
US08436256B2

A shield can fixing device of an electronic device is provided. The fixing device includes a base having a specific length and attached to a shield can fixing line of the printed circuit board, a pair of panels, each of which is bent upwards and formed on the base to have a slit between them for inserting a lateral portion of the shield can, at least one opening portion formed in any one or both of the panels, and an insertion protrusion formed in the lateral portion located in a corresponding position to the opening portion in a protruding manner to ensure a fixing force of the shield can. The shield can fixing device is fixed by inserting a lateral portion of a shield can between double walls.
US08436247B2

A terminal cover (A) includes an escaping portion (20) formed by cutting off a part of a peripheral wall portion forming a first accommodating portion (11) to allow an internal space of the first accommodating portion (11) to communicate with a second accommodating portion (12), thereby avoiding interference with a linking portion (53) of a terminal fitting (B). The terminal cover (A) also includes a multi-functional portion (26) which can be assembled with the first accommodating portion (11) and is arranged to close at least a part of the escaping portion (20) and capable of pressing the terminal fitting (B) to prevent a displacement of the terminal fitting (B) in an assembled state.
US08436246B1

An isolator to electrically isolate the A/C and D/C ground planes in a refrigerant network. When positioned along conductive refrigerant lines flowing with a dielectric refrigerant, the isolator is formed of a material which will prevent refrigerant permeation through its walls, and is further designed with dimensions that will prevent material breakdown and potentially damaging arcing due to triboelectric effect.
US08436244B2

A laminated bus bar is applied to a main wiring circuit of an electric power converter and connected to a semiconductor module. The laminated bus bar includes insulator plates laminated together, and conductors interposed between the insulator plates. Each conductor includes a connection terminal section led out in accordance with an arrangement of a main circuit terminal on the semiconductor module. A creepage groove is formed on an edge of each of the insulator plates in accordance with a position between the connection terminal sections. The laminated bus bar facilitates elongation of the creepage distance between the connection terminals.
US08436240B1

A quick release coupling has a first component with an axial portion terminating in a shoulder defining an abutment surface. A second component has a collar with a cavity defining an internal abutment surface and having a lateral opening to permit the collar to be laterally slid onto the axial portion such that the internal abutment surface engages the abutment surface of the shoulder to inhibit axial separation of said first and second components. An axial bolt is displaceable into a position extending between the axial portion and the collar so as to inhibit lateral movement of the collar when the collar is positioned on the axial portion. In order to release the coupling, the bolt is retracted to permit lateral displacement of the collar and thereby release of the coupling.
US08436237B1

A novel maize variety designated X80A418 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety X80A418 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X80A418 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X80A418, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X80A418. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X80A418.
US08436236B1

A novel maize variety designated X08A209 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X08A209 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08A209 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08A209, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08A209. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08A209.
US08436228B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1023868. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1023868. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1023868 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1023868 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08436224B2

Methods for treating neurological diseases and for testing Caloric Restriction (CR) mimetics or CR mimetic candidates. In one exemplary method, a CR mimetic candidate is administered to a transgenic animal and the effects of the administering are determined; the transgenic animal includes an added gene from another type of animal or a modified gene which is designed to produce a disease or ailment of another type of animal, and the method seeks to determine whether the CR mimetic candidate improves the disease or ailment. Methods relating to neurological disease and other methods relating to CR mimetic testing are also described.
US08436220B2

Process and systems for converting lower molecular weight alkanes to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons that include demethanization of brominated hydrocarbons, wherein the brominated hydrocarbons are formed by reaction of the lower molecular weight alkanes with bromine.
US08436219B2

Method for reducing loss of flow due to hydrate solids deposits and wax deposition in a pipeline without the aid of chemicals and system for transporting a flow of wellstream hydrocarbons containing water, using a main pipeline and a cold-flow reactor connected to the main pipeline or within or forming a part of the pipeline, wherein at least a portion of the wellstream is fed to the cold-flow reactor. Also provided is a method for preventing hydrate nucleation and growth in a pipeline and preventing hydrate agglomeration as well as for preventing wax deposition. The provided method eliminates the use of energized equipment for melting, grinding or scraping hydrate solids from inside of pipelines or flowlines. Generating dry hydrates to be mixed with main flow of a wellstream is also described.
US08436208B2

A process for the preparation of a substituted 2,2′-dithiophene is described, which process comprises the steps (a), (c) and optional steps (b) and (d): a reaction of a compound of the formula: with a suitable lithium organic compound, preferably Li-alkyl or Li-alkylamide; b) optional exchange of lithium against another metal selected from Mg1 Zn and Cu; c) reaction of the metallated intermediate obtained in step (a) or (b) with a suitable electrophil, which is CO2 or an aldehyde (addition reaction), or a compound Y′—R17 or Y′—R18-Z (substitution reaction), where R17 and R18 are as defined in claim 1; and optionally d) modification of the product obtained in step (c), e.g. by introducing one or more conjugating moieties Y ring closure between suitable monovalent residues R17, exchange or extension of functional groups or substituents such as addition to carbonyl or substitution of carbonyl in R17 or R18. The products, including or corresponding polymers, are excellent conducting materials
US08436206B2

Process for the industrial synthesis of the compound of formula (I) Application of such process in the synthesis of agomelatine.
US08436202B2

The present invention includes a process to dry a feed steam containing alcohol and a small quantity of water. The process includes the step of using pressure swing adsorption to produce a first alcohol stream of substantially dehydrated alcohol and a second mixed stream of water and alcohol. The second mixed stream is distilled in a distillation column to produce a relatively purified water stream and a wet alcohol stream. The wet alcohol stream is added to the feed stream. Optionally the present invention is used to recover excess methanol from a biodiesel reactor that uses one or both of the transesterification reaction and the esterification reaction. The biodiesel reactor produces a product stream comprising fatty acid esters, water and alcohol. Water and alcohol is separated from the product stream. The alcohol is dried as noted above. Dried alcohol is recycled to one or both of the transesterification reaction and the esterification reaction.
US08436195B2

The use of malachite green in the form of a tetramethyldiamino-triphenyl-carbinol anhydro-oxalate [(C23H25N2)—(C2HO4)]2—C2H2O4 of the following structural formula as a drug for treating malignant neoplasms administered in a single dose of 1 to 2 g. Malachite green can be used when dissolved in an aqueous solution or in a physiological salt solution or in spirit. In different cases, the malachite green solution is perorally administered before and after a meal or is injected per rectum, or a 1% malachite green solution is intravenously introduced, or the malachite green is applied as a rectal suppository component or as a component of 1-5% ointment. The medicinal agent exhibits an extended range of therapeutic actions with respect to different oncological diseases, is freely available, not expensive, non-toxic, does not generate side effects when used in pharmaceutically acceptable doses, and makes it possible to reduce a treating time and to increase the efficiency of treatment.
US08436190B2

The present invention provides pharmaceutical formulations of lyophilized bendamustine suitable for pharmaceutical use. The present invention further provides methods of producing lyophilized bendamustine. The pharmaceutical formulations can be used for any disease that is sensitive to treatment with bendamustine, such as neoplastic diseases.
US08436189B2

The present invention relates to novel heterocyclic alkanol derivatives, to processes for preparing these compounds, to compositions comprising these compounds and to their use as biologically active compounds, in particular for controlling harmful microorganisms in crop protection and in the protection of materials and as plant growth regulators.
US08436187B2

The present invention provides a compound having a superior acid secretion inhibitory effect and showing an antiulcer activity and the like. The present invention provides a compound represented by the formula (I) wherein R1 is a nitrogen-containing monocyclic heterocyclic group optionally condensed with a benzene ring or a heterocycle, the nitrogen-containing monocyclic heterocyclic group optionally condensed with a benzene ring or a heterocycle optionally has substituent(s), R2 is an optionally substituted C6-14 aryl group, an optionally substituted thienyl group or an optionally substituted pyridyl group, R3 and R4 are each a hydrogen atom, or one of R3 and R4 is a hydrogen atom and the other is an optionally substituted lower alkyl group, an acyl group, a halogen atom, a cyano group or a nitro group, and R5 is an alkyl group or a salt thereof.
US08436183B2

New compounds are disclosed for multimerizing immunophilins and proteins containing immunophilin or immunophilin-related domains. The compounds are of the formula M-L-Q where M is a synthetic ligand for an FKBP protein.
US08436181B2

A process is provided for efficiently producing an optically active 3-quinuclidinol derivative of high optical purity using a readily available ruthenium compound as an asymmetric reduction catalyst. This process is a process for producing an optically active 3-quinuclidinol derivative represented by the following formula (III) comprising asymmetrically hydrogenating a 3-quinuclidinone derivative represented by the following formula (I) in the presence of a ruthenium compound (II) represented by formula (II): Ru(X)(Y)(Px)n[R1R2C*(NR3R4)-A-R5R6C*(NR7R8)] (in the formulas, R represents a hydrogen atom or C7 to C18 aralkyl group and the like, X and Y represent hydrogen atoms or halogen atoms and the like, Px represents a phosphine ligand, n represents 1 or 2, R1 to R8 represent hydrogen atoms or C1 to C20 alkyl groups and the like, * represents an optically active carbon atom and A represents an ethylene group and the like).
US08436177B2

The invention relates to particular crystalline forms of 2-methyl-2-[4-(3-methyl-2-oxo-8-quinolin-3-yl-2,3-dihydro-imidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-1-yl)-phenyl]-propionitrile, its hydrates and solvates, its salts and hydrates and solvates of its salts, certain processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing these crystalline forms, and their use in diagnostic methods or, preferably, for the therapeutic treatment of warm-blooded animals, especially humans, and their use as an intermediate or for the preparation of pharmaceutical preparations for use in diagnostic methods or, preferably, for the therapeutic treatment of warm-blooded animals, especially humans.
US08436174B2

The present invention provides (+)-morphinanium quaternary salts. The invention also provides processes for producing (+)-morphinanium quaternary salts from tertiary N-substituted (+)-morphinan compounds.
US08436169B2

Process for preparing 1,4-bishydroxyethylpiperazine (BHEPIP) of the formula I wherein diethanolamine (DEOA) of the formula II is reacted in the liquid phase in a reactor at a temperature in the range from 130 to 300° C. in the presence of a copper-comprising, chromium-free heterogeneous catalyst.
US08436160B2

An isolated DNA sequence corresponding to a region of the SPARC gene human promoter from base pair −513 to base pair +35 capable of driving the expression of a heterologous gene of interest, that can be associated to any other promoter sequence, such as radiation responsive sequence, hypoxia responsive sequence and free-radical responsive sequence. The invention also provides constructs and DNA recombinant expression viral vectors, comprising the isolated sequence of the SPARC gene human promoter and at least one heterologous gene operably linked thereto, wherein the promoter sequence drives the expression of the at least one heterologous gene in tumor cells. Pharmaceutical compositions and a method for treating tumors are also provided.
US08436147B2

Anti-STEAP-1 antibodies and immunoconjugates thereof are provided. Methods of using anti-STEAP-1 antibodies and immunoconjugates thereof are provided.
US08436141B2

The invention relates to purified hemocyanins, subunits or immunogenic fragments thereof, wherein the hemocyanins are purified from a hemolymph of Fissurella latimarginata (black limpet), Fissurella cumingi (strawberry limpet), or Fissurella maxima (queen limpet). The invention also relates to compositions including the purified hemocyanins and methods of treating neoplastic diseases by administering such compositions.
US08436140B2

Tracers comprising an oligopeptide comprising a fragment of a natriuretic peptide, wherein the fragment comprises the sequence Arg-Ile-Asp-Arg-Ile (SEQ ID NO.: 1), and a signaling moiety, are disclosed. Further disclosed are methods of imaging atherosclerotic plaque by PET scanning or MRI using a tracer.
US08436138B2

Isolated polypeptides comprising one or more of SEQ ID NOs 3-18, which show a specific binding for C-reactive protein (CRP). A library of isolated polypeptides comprising the polypeptides of SEQ ID NOs 3-18 is disclosed, as are compositions comprising such polypeptides.
US08436136B2

A complex comprising at least one heat shock protein (HSP) and at least one peptide selected from the group consisting of R1-QXRAA-R2 with R1=peptide with 1-10 amino acids R2=peptide with 1-10 amino acids X=K or R GFFYTPK (insulin 23-29) SEQ ID No 1 GFFYTPKT (insulin 23-30) SEQ ID No 2 IYPPNANK (DER p1) SEQ ID No 3 GIEYIQHNGVVQESYYR (DER P1) SEQ ID No 4 ASTTTNYT (gp120 of HIV) SEQ ID No 5 DYEYLINVIHAFQYV (PLP 56-70) SEQ ID No 6 EKLIETYFSKNYQDYEYLINVI (PLP 43-64) SEQ ID No 7 KTTICGKGLSATVT (PLP 104-117) SEQ ID No 8 HSLGKWLGHPDKF (PLP 139-151 C140 ô S140) SEQ ID No 9 PRHPIRVELPCRISP (MOG 8-22) SEQ ID No 10 DEGGYTCFFRDHSYQ (MOG 92-106) SEQ ID No 11 Ac-ASQKRPSQRHG (MBP ac1-11) SEQ ID No 12 TGILDSIGRFFSG (MBP 35-47) SEQ ID No 13 VHFFKNIVTPRTP (MBP 89-101) SEQ ID No 14 HCLGKWLGHPDKF (PLP 139-151) SEQ ID No 15 MEVGWYRSPFSRVVHLYRNGK (MOG) SEQ ID No 16 QKRAAYDQYGHAAFE (E. Coli DnaJ) SEQ ID No. 17 QKRAAVDTYCRHNYG (HLA DRB1*0401) SEQ ID No. 18 QRRAAYDQYGHAAFE SEQ ID No. 19 and QRRAAVDTYCRHNYG SEQ ID No. 20.
US08436131B2

Disclosed are phosphinic acid compounds of formula I, II or III where R1 and R1′ are for instance straight or branched C1-C50alkyl, R2 is for instance straight or branched C22-C50alkyl, R3 and R3′ are for instance straight or branched C1-C50alkyl, R4 is for instance straight or branched C1-C50alkylene and m is from 2 t 100. Also disclosed are polyester compositions comprising the compounds of formula I, II and III.
US08436127B2

The present invention provides a polymer comprising a unit of formula and an electronic device comprising the polymer as semiconducting material.
US08436126B2

The present invention provides a resin composition for an adhesive sheet, comprising an acrylic copolymer containing (A) an acrylate ester, methacrylate ester, or a mixture thereof, (B) acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, or a mixture thereof, and (C) an unsaturated carboxylic acid; an epoxy resin; and a curing agent, wherein the curing agent comprises at least one selection from Lewis acid-amine complexes.
US08436119B1

It is an object of the present invention to provide an allergen suppressor exerting an effect of suppressing an allergen under humidities normally used, and an allergen-suppression processed fiber, which can suppress an allergen adhering to fibers automatically without applying an allergen-suppression process and a method of producing the same.That is, the present invention is an allergen suppressor, which contains a hydrophilic polymer and a component suppressing an allergen.
US08436115B2

The present invention discloses metallic complexes based on carbonylamino fulvene ligands; their method of preparation and their use in the oligomerisation or polymerisation of ethylene and alpha-olefins.
US08436114B2

This invention relates to a process for polymerizing olefins in which the amount of trimethylaluminum in a methylalumoxane solution is adjusted to be from 1 to 25 mol %, prior to use as an activator, where the mol % trimethylaluminum is determined by 1H NMR of the solution prior to combination with any support. This invention also relates to a process for polymerizing olefins in which the amount of an unknown species present in a methylalumoxane solution is adjusted to be from 0.10 to 0.65 integration units prior to use as an activator, where the amount of the unknown species is determined by the 1H NMR spectra of the solution performed prior to combination with any support. Preferably, the methylalumoxane solution is present in a catalyst system also comprising a metallocene transition metal compound.
US08436110B2

An olefin metathesis process for converting a reactant olefin or a mixture of reactant olefins into one or more product olefins that are different from the reactant olefin(s). The process employs a catalyst system containing a carbene-generating agent and a bimetallic ruthenium complex comprising one or more μ-hydrido bridging ligands, and optionally containing di(t-butyl)phosphine. The catalyst system is advantageously active at process temperatures greater than 90° C. Cyclization metathesis and ring-opening polymerization metathesis are preferred olefin metathesis processes.
US08436107B2

The present invention relates to mold release agents. More particularly, it relates to a two-component, high gloss, semi permanent water-based mold release agent.
US08436093B2

A metal surface treatment composition including at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a zirconium compound and a titanium compound, and an organosiloxane, which is a polycondensate of organosilane and has in a molecule thereof of at least two amino groups, in which the Degree of polycondensation of the organosiloxane is at least 40%, the content of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the zirconium compound and the titanium compound is predetermined content, the content of the organosiloxane in the metal surface treatment composition is predetermined content, and the mass ratio of at least one element selected from the group consisting of the zirconium element and the titanium element contained in the zirconium compound and the titanium compound, respectively, to the silicon element contained in the organosiloxane is a predetermined ratio.
US08436092B2

A GMR material includes a polymer matrix and a plurality of carbon nanotubes. The plurality of carbon nanotubes are dispersed in such a manner that substantially none of the plurality of carbon nanotubes are in contact with each other.
US08436077B2

A coated particulate solid composition includes a particulate inorganic solid having deposited on its surface a treatment oil comprising lipids. The particulate inorganic solid can include a base particle of titanium dioxide, zinc sulfide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, lead oxide, aluminum oxide, silicon dioxide, zirconium oxide and/or chromium oxide. The treatment oil is optionally a vegetable oil. The treatment oil containing lipids optionally contains glycerides such as triglycerides, and diglycerides, and can contain phospholipids. In one embodiment, the coated particulate solid composition includes particulate titanium dioxide, wherein the treatment oil provides increased bulk density, and enhanced dispersibility in plastic as well as improved lacing resistance.
US08436076B2

A method for preparing a polyester nanocomposite is presented. The method comprises coating nanoparticles with a dicarboxylic acid. Combining the dicarboxylic acid coated nanoparticles with a coupling agent resulting in a first mixture. Then combining the first mixture with a polyester to form a polyester nanocomposite. The resulting polyester nanocomposite has among other properties a glass transition temperature greater than the polyester itself and also a crystallization temperature less than the polyester itself.
US08436073B2

Described herein, in the preferred embodiment, is a leonardite-based polyurethane resin binder that may be used, among other applications, as a binder in combination with foundry aggregate, e.g., sand, for molding or casting metal parts. The binders described herein comprise a humic substance, preferably leonardite, combined with a polymerizable polyol, an isocyanate, and a polymerization catalyst to make a polyurethane resin binder in situ in a foundry aggregate, such as sand. The lignite is mixed with the polymerizable polyol and dispersing agents as additives to improve the suspension quality and binder performance of the lignite-containing part of the binder components.
US08436070B2

The present invention relates to a material for dental products comprising a mixture of at least one polymerizable monomer and at least one polymer based on polysulfones which is preswollen in a portion of the polymerizable monomer.
US08436053B2

A process for making an aqueous dispersion of fluorinated ionomer particles by providing dispersed particulate of fluorinated ionomer in an aqueous polymerization medium and polymerizing at least one fluorinated monomer having an ionic group in the aqueous polymerization medium in the presence of the dispersed particulate of fluorinated ionomer and initiator to form the aqueous dispersion of particles of fluorinated ionomer.
US08436052B2

Formulations useful for preparing hydrous cerium oxide gels contain a metal salt including cerium, an organic base, and a complexing agent. Methods for preparing gels containing hydrous cerium oxide include heating a formulation to a temperature sufficient to induce gel formation, where the formulation contains a metal salt including cerium, an organic base, and a complexing agent.
US08436041B2

Disclosed are compounds, compositions and methods for treating various diseases, syndromes, conditions and disorders, including pain. Such compounds are represented by Formula I as follows: wherein Y, R1, R2, R3, R4, RA, and RB are defined herein.
US08436034B2

The present invention relates to novel carboxamide compounds and their use for the manufacture of a medicament. The carboxamide compounds are inhibitors of calpain (calcium dependant cysteine proteases). The invention therefore also relates to the use of these carboxamide compounds for treating a disorder associated with an elevated calpain activity.The carboxamide compounds are compounds of the general formula I in which R1, R2, R3a, R3b, W, Y and X have the meanings mentioned in the claims and the description, the tautomers thereof and the pharmaceutically suitable salts thereof. In particular, the compounds have the general formula I-A.a′ and I-A.a″ in which m, E, R1, R3a, R3b, R2, Ry, Rw and Rw6* have the meanings mentioned in the claims, n is 0, 1 or 2, the tautomers thereof and the pharmaceutically suitable salts thereof.
US08436029B2

Crystalline salts, polymorphs, solvates, and hydrates of bicalutamide, 5-fluorouracil, donepezil, anastrozole, nelfinavir, mirtazapine, lansoprazole, and tamsulosin, or derivatives thereof are provided by the subject invention. Methods of making and using the same are also provided.
US08436025B2

The present invention provides a method of selectively inhibiting PKCθ in the presence of PKCδ, by administering to a subject in need thereof, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I. The present invention also provides a method of inhibiting cytokine synthesis in a T cell, a method of inhibiting T cell proliferation, and a method of inhibiting the replication of and cytokine production by T lymphocytes, while not stimulating or inhibiting the replication of B lymphocytes.
US08436014B2

The present invention relates to solid state forms, for example, crystalline forms of N-(4-(7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-7-yl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-4-oxo-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxamide, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods therewith.
US08436010B2

Rapamycin derivatives have interesting effects in the treatment of solid tumors, optionally in combination with a chemotherapeutic agent.
US08436007B2

The present invention relates to inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases and therapeutic applications thereof. Furthermore, the invention relates to methods of preventing and/or treating any type of pain, inflammatory disorders, immunological diseases, proliferative diseases, infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative diseases comprising the administration of an effective amount of at least one inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases.
US08435993B2

The present invention includes compositions that are useful in preventing or treating metastasis in a subject diagnosed with cancer. The present invention also includes methods of preventing or treating metastasis in a subject diagnosed with cancer, wherein the method comprises administering to the subject in need thereof an effective amount of a pharmaceutical formulation comprising at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and at least one CX3CR1 or fractalkine antagonist.
US08435986B2

Compounds of the formula (I), in which X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, R1, R2, R3, R3′, R4, R6 and R7 have the meanings indicated in Claim 1, are inhibitors of tyrosine kinases, in particular Met kinase, and can be employed, inter alia, for the treatment of tumours.
US08435982B2

The present invention relates to an improved pharmaceutical composition and in particular to a pharmaceutical formulation for oral administration comprising a therapeutically effective quantity of a lipophilic active ingredient with milk as a solubilizing/dispersing agent and methods for the preparation thereof.
US08435969B2

A compound of formula 1 and/or its salts, tautomers or solvates is used to treat hematological malignancies. In an embodiment, an organic acid salt of compound 1 is provided for general use in treatment of neoplasms, and in a further embodiment the salt is stabilized with carbohydrate.
US08435967B2

Disclosed is a formulation of policosanol with natural cyclodextrins resulting in a water dispersible form of policosanol. The disclosed process provides an economical commercial method for making the policosanol complex. The complex is suitable for incorporation into oral dosage forms and also in functional foods. One aspect of the present disclosure is a process for making a water dispersible policosanol cyclodextrin complex for animal ingestion. This method includes preparing a policosanol cyclodextrin complex and administering said complex to an animal. The preferred animal is a human with the route of administration being oral ingestion. The form of the complex for ingestion can be a hard gelatin capsule, tablet or wafers, which may contain other ingredients, both active and inactive. The complex also can be further formulated with excipients suitable for soft gelatin capsules, such as, for example, vegetable oils, waxes, lecithin, and surfactants such as Tween-80.
US08435962B2

The invention discloses triacetyl-3-hydroxyphenyladenosine represented by formula (I), the preparation, the pharmaceutical composition and the use thereof. Specially, the invention discloses a new compound of 2′,3′,5′-tri-O-acetyl-N6-(3-hydroxyphenyl)adenosine. Using hypoxanthine nucleoside as starting material, the compound is prepared by acetylating with acetic anhydride, chlorinating with thionyl chloride, and being substituted with 3-hydroxy aniline. The invention also discloses the pharmaceutical composition comprising triacetyl-3-hydroxyphenyladenosine. The dosage forms of the said pharmaceutical composition include tablet, capsule, pill, injection, sustained release preparation, controlled release preparation or particulate delivery system. The medicament for treatment or precaution of hyperlipemia prepared by the compound of the invention has the advantages of significant hypolipidemic activity, less toxicity and adverse effect as well as slow metabolism in vivo.
US08435957B2

The present invention relates to a novel use of lignan compounds, which are isolated and purified from nutmeg or the aril of nutmeg for anti-wrinkle, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a novel use for anti-wrinkle of an extract of the nutmeg or an extract of the aril of the nutmeg, fragrin A, austobailignan 7, licarin E, and macelignan. The extracts and lignan compounds of the present invention have activities in suppressing collagen degradation enzyme-1 (MMP-I, matrix metalloprotei-nase-1) and formation of new collagen (type-1 procollagen), thereby having effect on inhibitng wrinkle caused by photoaging. Accordingly, the extracts and lignan compounds of the present invention may be useful for preventing or treating wrinkle caused by photoaging.
US08435951B2

The present invention provides a method of treating a cancer using a neurotoxin, preferably Botulinum toxin (“BTX”). The application of a neurotoxin around a cancer acts to decrease the contractile forces of the muscles surrounding a neoplasm which normally squeeze cancer cells through efferent channels leaving the cancer vicinity to distant sites. Also, the application of the toxin at sites distant from the cancer enhances cellular and humoral immunologic functions which further contributes to cancer cell death and spread. Following administration of botulinum toxin around and distant to a cancer, it is noticed that local, regional, and distant spread is reduced or eliminated. Immunomodulation with botulinum toxin is also valuable in treating other disease that may or may not be associated with cancers, such as viral-induced growths, viral conditions, fungal disease, chronic wounds, graft versus host disease, autoimmune disease, and HIV.
US08435950B2

The present invention relates to peptide compounds of general formula (I) R1-X1-X2-Ser-Pro-Leu-Gln-X3-X4-R2. The present invention also relates, on the one hand, to a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one peptide of general formula (I) in a cosmetically or dermatologically acceptable medium, and on the other hand to its use in order to prevent or treat the cutaneous signs of aging and to protect the skin against the harmful effects caused by UV radiation.The invention lastly relates to a cosmetic treatment method for preventing and/or combatting cutaneous signs of aging and for protecting the skin against the harmful effects caused by UV radiation.
US08435949B2

The present invention provides a method of increasing neural stem cell numbers or neurogenesis by using a pheromone, a luteinizing hormone (LH) and/or a human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). The method can be practiced in vivo to obtain more neural stem cells in situ, which can in turn produce more neurons or glial cells to compensate for lost or dysfunctional neural cells. The method can also be practiced in vitro to produce a large number of neural stem cells in culture. The cultured stem cells can be used, for example, for transplantation treatment of patients or animals suffering from or suspected of having neurodegenerative diseases or conditions.
US08435944B2

The invention is directed to a transdermal drug delivery composition which includes at least one physiologically active agent; and at least one volatile solvent; and at least one viscosity modulating agent. The invention extends to methods of administering such a composition to a subject and treatment of subjects using the composition.
US08435941B2

Disclosed herein are peptides which exhibit hepcidin activity and methods of making and using thereof.
US08435940B2

Disclosed are compositions and methods related to improving pharmacological properties of bioactive compounds targeting nervous system.
US08435936B2

A process for preparing a spray-dried detergent powder having: (i) detersive surfactant; and (ii) other detergent ingredients; wherein the process includes the steps of: (a) forming an aqueous detergent slurry in a mixer; (b) transferring the aqueous detergent slurry from the mixer to a pipe leading through a first pump and then through a second pump to a spray nozzle; (c) contacting a detergent ingredient to the aqueous detergent slurry in the pipe after the first pump and before the second pump to form a mixture; (d) spraying the mixture through the spray nozzle into a spray-drying tower; and (e) spray-drying the mixture to form a spray-dried powder, wherein the pressure drop between (i) the pressure in the pipe at the outlet of the first pump to (ii) the pressure in the pipe at the inlet to the second pump is less than 8×105 Pa.
US08435921B2

A method for preparing oxidation catalyst comprising cerium oxide and a metal selected from the group consisting of gold, platinum palladium, tin, ruthenium, or nickel by sputtering cerium oxide and a metal from a target to a substrate wherein the cerium oxide and a metal material are sputtered to the substrate concurrently from at least one target under an argon atmosphere to form a layer of cerium oxide including dispersed atoms of the metal Specific Au—CeO2 and Pt—CeO2 catalysts are prepared by using this method.
US08435918B2

Ceria-coated aerogels can include an aerogel support material having a stabilized ceria coating thereon. The ceria coating can be formed by solution or vapor deposition of alcogels or aerogels. Additional catalytic metal species can also be incorporated into the coating to form multi-metallic compounds having improved catalytic activity. Further, the ceria coated aerogels retain high surface areas at elevated temperatures. Thus, improvements in catalytic activity and thermal stability can be achieved using these ceria-coated composite aerogels.
US08435907B2

A filler cloth includes cellulosic fibers treated with a flame retardant chemistry such that the filler cloth has a char length of less than about nine inches when tested in accordance with NFPA 701, such that thermal shrinkage of the filler cloth at 400° F. is less than about 35% in any direction, and such that the filler cloth maintains flame and heat resistant integrity when impinged with a gas flame in accordance with testing protocols set forth in Technical Bulletin 603 of the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs. The filler cloth cellulosic fibers are treated with a flame retardant chemistry such that the filler cloth has a Frazier air permeability of less than about 400 cfm and a thermal resistance rating of at least about 3 when tested according to NFPA 2112.
US08435905B2

The present invention provides a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device that has a rapid film formation rate and high productivity, and to provide a substrate processing apparatus.The method comprises the steps of loading a substrate into a processing chamber; forming a thin film having a desired thickness on the substrate by setting as one cycle the step of supplying into the processing chamber adsorption auxiliary gas for aiding an adsorption of a source gas vaporized from a liquid source on the substrate and causing this adsorption auxiliary gas to be adsorbed on the substrate, the step of supplying the source gas into the processing chamber, causing the source gas to react with the adsorption auxiliary gas on the substrate, and causing this source gas to be adsorbed on the substrate, and the step of supplying a reaction gas into the processing chamber and causing this reaction gas to react with the source gas adsorbed on the substrate, and repeating this cycle a plurality of times; and unloading the substrate provided with the thin film from the inside of the processing chamber.
US08435904B2

A method of substantially uniformly removing silicon oxide is disclosed. The silicon oxide to be removed includes at least one cavity therein or more than one density or strain therein. The silicon oxide having the at least one cavity or more than one density or strain is exposed to a gaseous mixture of NH3 and HF and heated, to substantially uniformly remove the silicon oxide. A method of removing an exposed sacrificial layer without substantially removing exposed isolation regions using the gaseous mixture of NH3 and HF and heat is also disclosed, as is an intermediate semiconductor device structure that includes a semiconductor substrate, a sacrificial layer overlying the semiconductor substrate, a diffusion barrier overlying the sacrificial layer, and exposed isolation regions.
US08435898B2

A method and apparatus are described for forming a first inter-layer dielectric (ILD0) stack having a protective gettering layer (72) with a substantially uniform thickness. After forming device components (32, 33) on a substrate (31), a gap fill dielectric layer of SATEOS (52) is deposited over an etch stop layer of PEN ESL (42) and then planarized before sequentially depositing a gettering layer of BPTEOS (72) and capping dielectric layer (82) on the planarized gap fill dielectric layer (52). Once the ILD0 stack is formed, one or more contact openings (92, 94, 96) are etched through the ILD0 stack, thereby exposing the etch stop layer (42) over the intended contact regions.
US08435882B2

The present invention may be a semiconductor device including of a fluorinated insulating film and a SiCN film deposited on the fluorinated insulating film directly, wherein a density of nitrogen in the SiCN film decreases from interface between the fluorinated insulating film and the SiCN film. In the present invention, the SiCN film that is highly fluorine-resistant near the interface with the CFx film and has a low dielectric constant as a whole can be formed as a hard mask.
US08435880B2

In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method includes the step of growing a nitride-based III-V compound semiconductor layer, which forms a device structure, directly on a substrate without growing a buffer layer, the substrate being made of a material with a hexagonal crystal structure and having a principal surface that is oriented off at an angle of not less than −0.5° and not more than 0° from an R-plane with respect to a direction of a C-axis.
US08435879B2

Group III (Al, Ga, In)N single crystals, articles and films useful for producing optoelectronic devices (such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), laser diodes (LDs) and photodetectors) and electronic devices (such as high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs)) composed of III-V nitride compounds, and methods for fabricating such crystals, articles and films.
US08435871B2

To provide a high-performance semiconductor device using an SOI substrate in which a substrate having low heat resistance is used as a base substrate, to provide a high-performance semiconductor device without performing mechanical polishing, and to provide an electronic device using the semiconductor device, planarity of a semiconductor layer is improved and defects in the semiconductor layer are reduced by laser beam irradiation. Accordingly, a high-performance semiconductor device can be provided without performing mechanical polishing. In addition, a semiconductor device is manufactured using a region having the most excellent characteristics in a region irradiated with the laser beam. Specifically, instead of the semiconductor layer in a region which is irradiated with the edge portion of the laser beam, the semiconductor layer in a region which is irradiated with portions of the laser beam except the edge portion is used as a semiconductor element. Accordingly, performance of the semiconductor device can be greatly improved. Moreover, an excellent electronic device can be provided.
US08435870B2

A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming a first and second layers not firmly adhering to each other over a substrate; forming a first semiconductor element layer and a first insulating layer over the second layer; forming a hole reaching the first layer in the first insulating layer; oxidizing the first layer exposed at a bottom of the hole; forming a wiring electrically connected to the first semiconductor element layer over the first insulating layer and in the hole; and separating the first layer and the substrate from the second layer and the first semiconductor element layer and expose the wiring. Further, another method includes providing an anisotropic conductive adhesive between a second semiconductor element layer separated through a manufacturing process similar to the above and the wiring, whereby the first and second semiconductor element layers are electrically connected through the anisotropic conductive adhesive and the wiring.
US08435869B2

A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a semiconductor laminated structure on a substrate as a wafer including semiconductor laser structures; forming a first groove between the semiconductor laser structures on a major surface of the wafer; separating the wafer to laser bars including at least two of the semiconductor laser structures arrayed in a bar shape, after forming the first groove; forming a second groove in the first groove of the laser bars, the second groove having a width no wider than the first groove; and separating one of the laser bars into respective semiconductor lasers along the second groove.
US08435865B2

A method of manufacturing a super-junction semiconductor device facilitates suppressing the shape change caused in the alignment mark in the upper epitaxial layer transferred from the alignment mark in the lower epitaxial layer to be small enough to detect the transferred alignment mark with a few additional steps, even if the epitaxial layer growth rate is high. Alignment mark groups, each formed of trenches including parallel linear planar patterns and used in any of the multiple epitaxial layer growth cycles, are formed collectively on a scribe line between semiconductor chip sections; and the mesa region width between the trenches in each alignment mark group indicated by the distance between the single-headed arrows, facing opposite to each other and drawn in alignment mark groups is set to be one fourth of the designed total epitaxial layer thickness at the end of each epitaxial layer growth cycle or longer.
US08435861B2

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes oxidizing a surface of a semiconductor substrate to form a first insulating film covering a first area, a second area, and a third area of the semiconductor substrate; removing the portions of the first insulating film lying on the first area and the second area; oxidizing the surface of the semiconductor substrate to form a second insulating film covering the first area and the second area and further oxidizing the third area covered with the first insulating film; and removing the portion of the second insulating film lying on from the second area and the portion of the first insulating film lying on the third area.
US08435854B1

A method for forming a DRAM MIM capacitor stack having low leakage current involves the use of a first electrode that serves as a template for promoting the high k phase of a subsequently deposited dielectric layer. The high k dielectric layer comprises a doped material that can be crystallized after a subsequent annealing treatment. A metal oxide second electrode layer is formed above the dielectric layer. The metal oxide second electrode layer has a crystal structure that is compatible with the crystal structure of the dielectric layer. Optionally, a second electrode bulk layer is formed above the metal oxide second electrode layer.
US08435840B2

A structure included in a semiconductor device can include a fuse box guard ring that defines an interior region of the fuse box inside the fuse box guard ring and that defines an exterior region of the fuse box outside the fuse box guard ring. The fuse box guard ring can include protruding support members that protruding from an interior sidewall or from an exterior sidewall of the fuse box guard ring.
US08435825B2

A photovoltaic device that includes a substrate and a nanowall structure disposed on the substrate surface. The device also includes at least one layer conformally deposited over the nanowall structure. The conformal layer(s) is at least a portion of a photoactive junction. A method for making a photovoltaic device includes generating a nanowall structure on a substrate surface and conformally depositing at least one layer over the nanowall structure thereby forming at least one photoactive junction. A solar panel includes at least one photovoltaic device based on a nanowall structure. The solar panel isolates such devices from its surrounding atmospheric environment and permits the generation of electrical power. Optoelectronic device may also incorporate a photovoltaic device based on a nanowall structure.
US08435820B2

A circuit structure includes a substrate and a film over the substrate and including a plurality of portions allocated as a plurality of rows. Each of the plurality of rows of the plurality of portions includes a plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions. In each of the plurality of rows, the plurality of convex portions and the plurality of concave portions are allocated in an alternating pattern.
US08435819B2

A method for making a light emitting diode, the method includes the following steps. First, a substrate having an epitaxial growth surface is provided. Second, a carbon nanotube layer is placed on the epitaxial growth surface. Third, a first semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second semiconductor layer are grown on the epitaxial growth surface. Fourth, a portion of the second semiconductor layer and the active layer is etched to expose a portion of the first semiconductor layer. Fifth, a first electrode is prepared on the first semiconductor layer and a second electrode is prepared on the second semiconductor layer. Sixth, the carbon nanotube layer is removed.
US08435817B2

A method of manufacturing an organic light emitting device that readily increases the characteristics of an intermediate layer having an organic light emitting layer, and a method of manufacturing an organic light emitting display apparatus. The method of manufacturing an organic light emitting device includes preparing a substrate having a first electrode; disposing the substrate on a base member; disposing a donor film that covers the substrate and contacts the base member exposed around the substrate; combining the base member and the donor film; forming an intermediate layer having an organic light emitting layer on the first electrode by performing a transfer process in a laser thermal transfer apparatus after placing the base member and the donor film combined with each other with the substrate interposed therebetween in the laser thermal transfer apparatus; and forming a second electrode on the intermediate layer.
US08435812B1

A method for making a solar cell includes following steps. A silicon substrate is provided, and the silicon substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. A patterned mask layer is located on the second surface, and the patterned mask layer includes a number of bar-shaped protruding structures aligned side by side. A slot is defined between each two adjacent protruding structures to expose a portion of the second surface of the silicon substrate. The exposed portion of the second surface is etched to form a protruding pair. The mask layer is removed. A doped silicon layer is located on the three-dimensional nano-structures. An upper electrode is applied on at least part of a surface of the doped silicon layer. A back electrode is placed on the first surface of the silicon substrate.
US08435806B2

A method is disclosed for the manufacture of an optoelectronic component. A substrate has a first primary face and a second primary face that lies opposite the first primary face. A semiconductor body that is capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation from a front side is attached to the first primary face of the substrate. A covering that is transparent to the radiation from the optoelectronic semiconductor body is applied to at least the front side of the semiconductor body. The covering is given the form of an optical element by using a closed cavity that is shaped with the contour of the optical element.
US08435805B2

Provided is a method of manufacturing a substrate for liquid ejection head, including: forming a groove portion by etching on one surface side of a silicon substrate, the groove portion being formed so as to surround a portion at which a liquid supply port is to be formed on an inner side of the groove portion; forming a protective layer on the one surface side of the silicon substrate, the protective layer being formed inside the groove portion and on an outer side of the groove portion; and forming the liquid supply port by subjecting the silicon substrate to crystal anisotropic etching treatment with use of the protective layer as a mask.
US08435797B2

A senor uses a transduction mechanism of attenuating electroluminescence. Luminescence from a light emitting diode is attenuated as a consequence of direct interaction of an analyte and a electroluminescent material, An electroluminescent diode sensor (EDS) is fabricated in a way that allows the electroluminescent material in the diode to be exposed to gaseous, liquid or solid sample(s) which may affect the luminescence intensity of the diode.
US08435788B2

A method of manufacturing a tissue matrix for implantation into a patient is disclosed. The method sets forth collecting embryonic stem cells from a placenta which has been treated to remove residual cord blood and seeding the collected stem cells onto or into a tissue matrix. The seeded tissue matrix is then implanted on or into a patient. The seeded tissue matrix made by the method of the present invention is also disclosed.
US08435784B2

A method of preserving haptenized tumor cells is described. The method employs a freezing medium containing an effective amount of sucrose and human serum albumin in an isotonic buffered saline solution. Cryogenically preserving haptenized cells in such a medium has been found to maintain the integrity of the tumor cells during storage. The haptenized tumor cells also retain cell-associated antigens and haptens, and are as immunogenic, i.e., capable of inducing immunotherapeutic response, as fresh vaccine in a mouse model of metastatic disease. In a specific embodiment, haptenized cells are exposed to a solution of 8% sucrose, 10% human serum albumin in Hank's buffered solution, and then frozen to −80° C. overnight and then stored in a liquid nitrogen freezer. Methods of storing haptenized tumor cells and compositions are also provided.
US08435783B2

The invention provides engineered plant minichromosomes generated by telomere mediated truncation of native chromosomes. These minichromosomes are faithfully transmitted from one generation to the next and provide an ideal platform for breeding genes into desired plant varieties with out problems, such as linkage drag, associated with standard breeding methods.
US08435782B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a cell culture chamber with which the survival rate of cells to be cultured can be increased, and a method of producing the same. A cell culture chamber according to the present invention includes a mass of projections formed of a plurality of microprojections 1 formed on a surface on which cells are cultured. The width or diameter of each of the microprojections 1 is in a range of 20 nm to 3 μm, and the aspect ratio of each of the microprojections is in a range of 0.2 to 3.0. Thus, there can be provided a cell culture chamber most suitable for the adhesion and differentiation/proliferation of cells to be cultured.
US08435779B2

The present invention relates to processes for the preparation of virus inactivated thrombin, and to the products prepared by these processes.
US08435774B2

Disclosed are methods for the enhancement of the reactivation of thermostable reversibly inactivated enzymes comprising reactivating at least one thermostable reversibly inactivated enzyme in the presence of one or more nitrogen containing compounds.
US08435768B2

The present invention provides a method for producing succinic acid using a yeast belonging to the genus Yarrowia, which has been modified to reduce activity of succinate dehydrogenase in said yeast.
US08435764B2

Disclosed is a method for the detection of virus variations. Disclosed also is a method for the treatment of virus infection in a subject based on the detection of virus variations. Additionally, a kit is provided for the detection of virus variations.
US08435761B2

The invention relates to antibody molecules having specificity for antigenic determinants of IL-17, therapeutic uses of the antibody molecules and methods of producing the antibody molecules.
US08435757B2

The activity of a selected endopeptidase in a body fluid is determined by the mass spectrometric measurement of the reaction products of reporter substrate molecules added to the body fluid. Each reporter substrate molecule includes a peptide with the cleavage motif of the endopeptidase, an anchor group A1 on one side of the cleavage site and a different anchor group A2 on the other side of the cleavage site. One anchor is used to extract the reporter substrate molecules from the body fluid and the other anchor is used to extract digest fragments of the reporter molecules from the body fluid. Mass markers allow several reporter substrates to be used simultaneously in the same body fluid sample to measure the activity of different types of endopeptidase.
US08435755B2

The present invention relates to a reliable method of prediction of sepsis in humans after a trauma, wherein the level of pancreatic stone protein/regenerating protein (PSP/reg) is determined in serum, and a high level is indicative of the development of sepsis at early stages of the disease. Furthermore a method of determination of PSP/reg levels in serum is described.
US08435752B2

The invention provides compositions and methods for determining the likelihood of successful treatment with dual therapy such as lapatinib. The methods comprise determining the genomic polymorphism or expression level of a gene present in a predetermined region of a gene of interest and correlating the polymorphism or expression level to the predictive response. Patients identified as likely responsive are then treated with the appropriate therapy.
US08435751B2

A membrane which can be used for cultivating cells, in particular adherent cells. The membrane permits the adhesion and proliferation of the cells based on its specific composition comprising polyurethane. The resulting surface characteristics further permit the membrane to be used without any pre-treatment with surface modifying substances. A method for preparing a membrane which can be used for cultivating cells, in particular adherent cells. Methods of using the membrane for cultivating cells, in particular adherent cells.
US08435744B2

The invention concerns a method of detecting a TSSE Disease or prion disease. The invention further concerns a method for amplifying oligomerization of isoforms of the cellular prion PrPSc.
US08435743B2

The present invention provides a cotton plant event MON 88913 compositions and seed. Also provided are assays for detecting the presence of the cotton plant event MON 88913 based on a DNA sequence and the use of this DNA sequence as a molecular marker in a DNA detection method.
US08435738B2

Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.
US08435737B2

Nucleic acid sequences are provided which in an embodiment provide a primer pair. The primers are capable of amplifying a nucleic acid molecule that indicates the presence of a propane-oxidizing and/or butane-oxidizing microorganism. A method is provided which employs such primers in a process that indicates the presence of such organisms. The method is useful in detecting the presence of petroleum-like products.
US08435735B2

The present invention relates to methods and compounds for detection of molecular targets, such as biological or chemical molecules, or molecular structures, in samples using a host of experimental schemes for detecting and visualizing such targets, e.g. immunohistochemistry (IHC), in situ hybridization (ISH), ELISA, Southern, Northern, and Western blotting, etc.
US08435733B2

The invention relates to the discovery that HNA-3a and HNA-3b are antigens within a polypeptide sequence that is highly similar to the CTL2 amino acid sequence. This invention provides methods and kits for screening for HNA-3a and HNA-3b specific antibodies, HNA-3a and HNA-3b polypeptides and HNA-3a and HNA-3b nucleic acids in a sample of a biological tissue intended for transplantation.
US08435716B2

A method for producing a toner, including: dispersing toner particles containing at least a binder resin in a first aqueous medium so as to produce an aqueous dispersion; and subjecting the aqueous dispersion to heat treatment, wherein the electric conductivity of the aqueous dispersion after the heat treatment is higher than the electric conductivity of the aqueous dispersion before the heat treatment by 50 μS/cm or less.
US08435708B2

A magenta toner contains a binder resin; at least one selected from a diimonium compound represented by the following general formula (1) and an aminium compound represented by the following general formula (2); and a monomethylquinacridone: where in the general formulae (1) and (2), Rl, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted or substituted and linear alkyl group, an unsubstituted or substituted and branched alkyl group, an unsubstituted or substituted and cyclic alkyl group, an unsubstituted or substituted and linear alkenyl group, an unsubstituted or substituted and branched alkenyl group, an unsubstituted or substituted and cyclic alkenyl group, or an unsubstituted or substituted aralkyl group; and X−represents an anion.
US08435707B2

The invention provides a toner composition comprising resin particles, a colorant, and a toner additive, wherein the toner additive comprises carbon-silica dual phase particles, wherein the carbon-silica dual phase particles comprise aggregates of carbon black comprising at least one silicon-containing region, and wherein the carbon-silica dual phase particles are distributed on the surface of the resin particles. The invention also provides a method of preparing the aforesaid toner composition.
US08435706B2

To provide an electrophotographic photosensitive member that can reproduce good images with less positive ghost and also has a good photosensitivity, the electrophotographic photosensitive member is incorporated in its photosensitive layer with a copolymer having a repeating structural unit represented by the formula (1) and a repeating structural unit represented by the formula (2), or a copolymer having a repeating structural unit represented by the formula (1) and a repeating structural unit represented by the formula (3). Z1-A-Z2-E1  (1) Z3-A-Z4—W2—B2—W2  (2) Z5—B3—Z6-E4  (3)
US08435705B2

A method of correcting an optical parameter in a photomask is provided. The method includes providing a photomask, exposing the photomask, detecting an aerial image to estimate the photomask, and irradiating gas cluster ion beams to the photomask based on an estimation result to correct the optical parameter in the photomask in relation to the aerial image. The gas cluster ion beams may be irradiated to a front surface of the photomask on which a mask pattern is formed or a rear surface of the photomask on which the mask pattern is not formed.
US08435702B2

Provided is a technique capable of improving the dimensional accuracy of a transfer pattern in a lithography technique in which EUV light is used and the EUV light is incident obliquely on a mask and an image of the EUV light reflected from the mask is formed on a semiconductor substrate (resist film), thereby transferring the pattern formed on the mask onto the semiconductor substrate. The present invention is based on a lithography technique in which EUV light is used and an exposure optical system in which the EUV light is obliquely incident on a mask is used. In this lithography technique, an absorber and a difference in level are formed on the mask, and a projective component projected on a mask surface out of a direction cosine component of the incident light is set to be almost orthogonal to an extending direction of the difference in level.
US08435695B2

The present invention provides a gas diffusion electrode in which flooding therein is suppressed. The gas diffusion electrode includes: a membrane formed of conductive fibers; a layer formed of conductive fine particles existing while coming into contact with one of surfaces of the membrane; and a catalyst, in which the membrane formed of the conductive fibers includes a region carrying the catalyst and a region free from carrying the catalyst, the region carrying the catalyst including a surface of the membrane formed of the conductive fibers on an opposite side of a surface of the membrane formed of the conductive fibers, which is brought into contact with the layer formed of the conductive fine particles. The catalyst can be formed by a reactive sputtering method.
US08435689B2

A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger vaporizes water which is provided to the fuel cell stack during start-up of the fuel cell system and heats a heat transfer medium which is provided to a facility associated with the fuel cell system during steady-state operation of the fuel cell system.
US08435684B2

A hydrogen generation apparatus 1 includes a raw material supply unit 4 for controlling a flow rate of a raw material to be supplied from an external element and containing hydrocarbon and an odorizing component; an odorizing component removing section 5 containing an adsorbing agent for adsorbing the odorizing component contained in the raw material; a combustor 2 for combusting the raw material; a reformer 30 for generating hydrogen-containing gas from the raw material which has passed the odorizing component removing section 5 by a reforming reaction using combustion heat supplied from the combustor 2; and a controller 16 for controlling the raw material supply unit to, during driving after the adsorbing agent or the odorizing component removing section 5 is exchanged or after the adsorbing agent is regenerated, makes the flow rate of the raw material to be supplied from the external element higher than the flow rate during the driving immediately before the exchange or regeneration.
US08435678B2

Materials useful as electrodes for lithium batteries have very good electronic and ionic conductivities. They are fabricated from a starting mixture which includes a metal, a phosphate ion, and an additive which enhances the transport of lithium ions in the resultant material. The mixture is heated in a reducing environment to produce the material. The additive may comprise a pentavalent metal or a carbon. In certain embodiments the material is a two-phase material. Also disclosed are electrodes which incorporate the materials and lithium batteries which incorporate those electrodes.
US08435677B2

A process for the synthesis of lithium metal phosphate/carbon nanocomposites as cathode active materials in rechargeable electrochemical cells comprising mixing and reacting precursors of lithium, transition metal(s) and phosphate with high surface area activated carbon, preferably phosphorylated carbon.
US08435676B2

This invention provides a mixed nano-filament composition for use as an electrochemical cell electrode. The composition comprises: (a) an aggregate of nanometer-scaled, electrically conductive filaments that are substantially interconnected, intersected, or percolated to form a porous, electrically conductive filament network, wherein the filaments have a length and a diameter or thickness with the diameter/thickness less than 500 nm (preferably <100 nm) and a length-to-diameter or length-to-thickness aspect ratio greater than 10; and (b) Multiple nanometer-scaled, electro-active filaments comprising an electro-active material capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions wherein the electro-active filaments have a diameter or thickness less than 500 nm (preferably <100 nm). The electro-active filaments (e.g., nanowires) and the electrically conductive filaments (e.g., carbon nano fibers) are mixed to form a mat-, web-, or porous paper-like structure in which at least an electro-active filament is in electrical contact with at least an electrically conductive filament. Also provided is a lithium ion battery comprising such an electrode as an anode or cathode, or both. The battery exhibits an exceptionally high specific capacity, an excellent reversible capacity, and a long cycle life.
US08435662B2

A coupling socket of a cable-type secondary battery includes a first connection unit capable of being electrically connected to a terminal of a first polarity electrode of a cable-type secondary battery, a second connection unit capable of being electrically connected to a terminal of a second polarity electrode of another cable-type secondary battery, and a body electrically connected to the first connection unit and the second connection unit, wherein at least one of the first connection unit and the second connection unit is pivotal.
US08435653B2

A spin transport element 1 has a first ferromagnet 12A, a second ferromagnet 12B, a channel 7 extending from the first ferromagnet 12A to the second ferromagnet 12B, a magnetic shield S1 covering the channel 7, and an insulating film provided between the channel 7 and the magnetic shield S1.
US08435642B2

The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to films that serve as barriers to atmospheric oxygen. More particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter pertains to monolayer and multilayer films wherein at least one layer of the film contains a blend of a 21 to 30 mol % ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer and a 41 to 50 mol % ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer. Methods of making and using the disclosed films are also provided.
US08435640B2

In the case of a metal-ceramic substrate with a multilayered ceramic material in sheet form, and with at least one metallization that is provided on one surface side of the ceramic material and is joined to be ceramic material by direct bonding or active soldering, the ceramic material has at least one inner layer or base layer of a silicon nitride ceramic. The surface side of the ceramic material that is provided with the at least one metallization is formed by an intermediate layer of an oxidic ceramic applied to the base layer.
US08435639B2

The present invention provides elastomeric roof coatings made from emulsion copolymers having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of from −25° C. to 20° C., a weight average molecular weight of from 50,000 to 150,000, a weight average particle size of from 100 to 500 nm, and copolymerized a monomer mixture of 20 wt. % or more, preferably 25 wt. % or more, of one or more hydrophobic monomer chosen from C6 to C24 alkyl (meth)acrylates and 0.2 to 5 wt. % of one or more ethylenically unsaturated acid functional monomer and containing aminosilanes which give excellent wet adhesion to weathered substrates, especially weathered thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO).
US08435634B2

A fabric batting tape (10) that is utilized to fuse two pieces of material (24,28) together. The fabric batting tape (10) is comprised of a knitted fabric strip (12) having an upper surface (14) and a lower surface (16), and a hot-melt adhesive (22) that is located on the lower surface (16). The two pieces of material (24,28) are placed together, with a side edge (26) of one piece of the material (24) abutting a side edge (30) of the other piece (28). A length of the knitted fabric strip (12) is placed on top of the two pieces of material (24,28) with the adhesive lower surface (16) contacting the upper surfaces of the two pieces of material. When heat and pressure are applied via a heating element to the fabric strip (12), the heat activates the adhesive thereby creating a secure permanent fuse which maintains the two pieces of material (24,28) together along with the knitted fabric strip (12).
US08435633B2

To provide a laminate excellent in weather resistance, moisture-proof property, adhesion between layers and its long-term stability, and a process for its production. A laminate comprising a substrate sheet containing a fluororesin, an adhesive layer, and a moisture-proof layer containing, as the main component, at least one inorganic compound selected from the group consisting of an inorganic oxide, an inorganic nitride and an inorganic oxynitride, laminated in this order, wherein the adhesive layer contains, as the main component, at least one metal oxide selected from the group consisting of zirconium oxide, tantalum oxide and hafnium oxide.
US08435631B2

Microporous materials that include thermoplastic organic polyolefin polymer (e.g., ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin, such as polyethylene), particulate filler (e.g., precipitated silica), and a network of interconnecting pores, are described. The microporous materials of the present invention possess controlled volatile material transfer properties. The microporous materials can have a density of at least 0.8 g/cm3; and a volatile material transfer rate, from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface of the microporous material, of from 0.04 to 0.6 mg/(hour*cm2). In addition, when volatile material is transferred from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface, the vapor release surface is substantially free of volatile material in liquid form.
US08435628B2

The present invention relates to a continuous, carbon fiber with nanoscale features comprising carbon and carbon nanotubes, wherein the nanotubes are substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis of the fiber. Also provided is a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursor including about 50% to about 99.9% by weight of a melt-spinnable PAN and about 0.01% to about 10% of carbon nanotubes. Other precursor materials such as polyphenylene sulfide, pitch and solution-spinnable PAN are also provided. The precursor can also include a fugitive polymer which is dissociable from the precursor polymer.
US08435625B2

This invention concerns patterned sheets for cleansing and other applications, of porous or absorbent material, in particular of a non-woven material, such as a wipe. It further relates to such a sheet to which a composition has been applied. The invention further concerns the manufacture and use of such products.
US08435624B2

A component comprising a body including a roughened contact surface comprising peaks and valleys, and a conformal coating of a coating material at the roughened surface, wherein the roughened surface has a surface roughness which is such that the valleys define voids in which coating material is entrapped during wear of the component in exposing the body, with the entrapped coating material conferring improved wear resistance.
US08435621B2

A surface material is provided for furniture and building structures. The surface material comprises a layer of artificial stone and a layer of fiber reinforced resin. The surface material may further comprise a separator material, for example, a metal strip, a fiber strip, etc. that defines partially or wholly a boundary edge of the layer of artificial stone. The layer of fiber reinforced resin partially or fully encompasses the artificial stone and/or the separator material on all sides and surfaces except exposed decorative surfaces. The surface material may further comprise a decorative material comprising, for example, ornamental glass, semiprecious stones, metal art, colored quartz, glass, stone jewelry, etc. embedded within the layer of artificial stone. The surface material is used to cover a central core for forming the furniture and the building structures.
US08435620B2

Disclosed herein is a recording material for an optical recording medium. The recording material has a composition represented by a general formula of BixGeyO(1-x-y), in which x and y respectively are atomic ratios of bismuth and germanium, and satisfy the requirements of the following formulae: 2.8≦(x/y)≦25 and 0.55≦(1−x−y)≦0.62.
US08435618B2

An injection-molded part according to the invention has at least one thermoplastic inlay part and one thermoplastic composite element injection-molded onto the inlay part. The at least one inlay part on its boundary face with the composite element has at least one raised feature for material-locking sealing between the inlay part and the composite element. The raised feature protrudes with a height H1 into the composite element and forms a narrowed cross section in the composite element having a height H2. The at least one raised feature, on its flux leading end, has a first chamfer, and the ratio of the height of the narrowed cross section to the height of the raised feature is in the range between 0.6 and 0.9.
US08435610B2

A copolymer of (meth)acrylic ester represented by a general formula (1) including a following repeating unit A and repeating unit B. In the general formula (1), R1 and R2 each independently represent hydrogen atom or methyl group; R3 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; Y represents an atomic group forming an aromatic ring; x represents 1 to n, n represents the number of fluorine atoms which can be contained in the aromatic ring; and a and b each independently represent an integer of 1 or more.
US08435606B1

A polymer-infused carbon nanotube (CNT) composite material and method of fabricating the same. A CNT array is provided on a substrate. A capping layer is deposited on the CNT array such that the CNT array is between the capping layer and the substrate. A polymer material is infused into the CNT array. Then the substrate and the capping layer are removed. The array of carbon nanotubes included in the polymer-infused CNT composite material are substantially aligned in the same direction.
US08435591B2

The invention relates to a milk fat substitute and to a method for producing same from a vegetable oil using a fractionation method, which is suitable for use in the production of products such as ice cream, biscuits, cakes, bread-making products, reconstituted milk, milk formulas, cheeses and other products.
US08435579B2

Roasted infused seeds and a process for preparing roasted infused seeds are described. In one aspect, the roasted infused seeds may have salt, flavors, nutrients, colors, and/or functional ingredients as well as mixtures of these components infused internally into the seed. By infusing such components into the seeds, the methods described herein provide roasted seeds with unique flavors, nutrients, colors, textures, densities, and/or other functionalities.
US08435573B2

The present application discloses a process for making second run ginseng wine.
US08435563B2

Monolayer, bilayer and trilayer solid dosage forms of a combination of valsartan, amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide are made.
US08435562B2

Pharmaceutical compositions and oral dosage forms of (2R)-2-phenylcarbonyloxypropyl (2S)-2-amino-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propanoate mesylate and methods of treating diseases comprising orally administering such pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms are disclosed.
US08435557B2

The present invention relates to a novel method for producing formulations comprising a polynucleotide, block copolymer and cationic surfactant. The formulations produced by the current method are suitable for use in polynucleotide based medicaments. A suitable method of production disclosed herein additionally comprises cold filtering a mixture of a polynucleotide, block copolymer and cationic surfactant, thereby sterilizing the formulation. The method of the present invention also eliminates the need for thermal cycling of the formulation, thereby reducing the time and expense required to produce large quantities of a formulation during commercial manufacturing. The present invention also relates to novel cationic lipids.
US08435529B2

Described herein are compositions and methods of use of radionuclide-antibody conjugates (for RAIT) and drug-antibody conjugates (ADC). The combination of RAIT and ADC was more efficacious than either RAIT alone, ADC alone, or the sum of effects of RAIT and ADC. The unexpected synergy resulted in decreased tumor growth rate and increased survival, with a high incidence of tumor-free survival in Capan-1 human pancreatic cancer xenografts in nude mice.
US08435528B2

New thiol and disulfide-containing maytansinoids bearing a mono or di-alkyl substitution on the α-carbon atom bearing the sulfur atom are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for the synthesis of these new maytansinoids and methods for the linkage of these new maytansinoids to cell-binding agents. The maytansinoid-cell-binding agent conjugates are useful as therapeutic agents, which are delivered specifically to target cells and are cytotoxic. These conjugates display vastly improved therapeutic efficacy in animal tumor models compared to the previously described agents.
US08435517B2

The present invention relates to immunoglobulins that bind IgE and FcγRIIb with high affinity, said compositions being capable of inhibiting cells that express membrane-anchored IgE. Such compositions are useful for treating IgE-mediated disorders, including allergies and asthma.
US08435511B2

The invention provides hepsin antibodies, and compositions comprising and methods of using these antibodies.
US08435507B2

The present invention relates to immunogenic peptides derived from human prostate cancer antigen (PSA-derived peptides) and their use as vaccines to treat or prevent prostate cancer. The invention is also related to dendritic cells from a patient having prostate cancer, which dendritic cells have been exposed to one or more PSA-derived peptides, and their use to treat or prevent prostate cancer in the patient. The invention is also directed to T-cells from a patient which cells are specific for PSA-activated peptide(s), and their uses to treat or prevent prostate cancer.
US08435503B2

The invention relates to a trophic composition in an aqueous medium comprising a complex nutritive base. The aforementioned base comprises, as a minimum, multiple amino acids, vitamins, trace elements and metallic salts, and is free of any cell growth factors, any biological extracts of animal or cell origin and any active therapeutic agents. The inventive composition is characterised in that, in addition to the complex nutritive base, it also comprises an inhibitor of the collagenases of corneal epithelium in humans or animals. The composition is further characterised in that it is formulated with the complex nutritive base in order to establish a pH of between 7.3 and 7.5 and an osmolarity of between 300 and 350 m Osm.
US08435498B2

The invention relates to an alcohol-free cosmetic or pharmaceutical foam composition comprising water, a hydrophobic solvent, a surface-active agent, a gelling agent, an active component selected from the group of urea, hydroxy acid and a therapeutic enhancer and a propellant. The foam further comprises active agents and excipients with therapeutic properties having enhanced skin penetration.
US08435483B2

A method for producing ammonium metatungstate from ammonium paratungstate includes preparing an ammonium paratungstate mixture including solid ammonium paratungstate and water. The mixture is contacted with a cation exchange material to lower a pH of the mixture to a pH range wherein metatungstate ion is stable and an insoluble tungstic acid is not formed. The pH of the mixture may be maintained in the pH range until the ammonium paratungstate mixture is converted into an ammonium metatungstate solution.
US08435477B2

Methods are described that have the capability of producing submicron/nanoscale particles, in some embodiments dispersible, at high production rates. In some embodiments, the methods result in the production of particles with an average diameter less than about 75 nanometers that are produced at a rate of at least about 35 grams per hour. In other embodiments, the particles are highly uniform. These methods can be used to form particle collections and/or powder coatings. Powder coatings and corresponding methods are described based on the deposition of highly uniform submicron/nanoscale particles.
US08435473B2

Disclosed is a superconducting compound which has a structure obtained by partially substituting oxygen ions of a compound, which is represented by the following chemical formula; LnTMOPh [wherein Ln represents at least one element selected from Y and rare earth metal elements (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu), TM represents at least one element selected from transition metal elements (Fe, Ru, Os, Ni, Pd and Pt), and Pn represents at least one element selected from pnictide elements (N, P, As and Sb)] and has a ZrCuSiAs-type crystal structure (space group P4/nmm), with at least one kind of monovalent anion (F−, Cl− or Br−). The superconducting compound alternatively has a structure obtained by partially substituting Ln ions of the compound with at least one kind of tetravalent metal ion (Ti4+, Zr4+, Hf4+, C4+, Si4+, Ge4+, Sn4+ or Pb4+) or a structure obtained by partially substituting Ln ions of the compound with at least one kind of divalent metal ion (Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+ or Ba2+). The Tc of the superconducting compound is controlled in accordance with the ion substitution amount.
US08435467B2

A process for preparing ammonium metatungstate using ammonium paratungstate as raw material comprising: (A) leaching wet ammonium paratungstate with nitric acid to obtain a dilute solution of ammonium metatungstate; (B) concentrating the dilute solution of ammonium metatungstate to be a concentrated solution of ammonium metatungstate; and (C) spray-drying the concentrated solution of ammonium metatungstate to obtain powder of ammonium metatungstate.
US08435464B2

A system and a method for the automated pipetting of fluids are disclosed as well as a method for calibrating the system. A channel pump having at least one tip-sided port connected to a pipetting tip by a tip-sided pump conduit for generating a positive or negative pressure in the pipetting tip, and at least one reservoir-sided port connected to a system fluid reservoir by a reservoir-sided pump conduit is provided. The channel pump when operated at a nominal flow rate exhibits a fluid backflow caused by a pressure difference in the tip- and reservoir-sided pump conduits which results in an effective flow rate compared to the nominal flow rate. Such a pressure difference can be used to determine an extended pipetting period which extends a pipetting period of the channel pump operating at the nominal flow rate, and to calibrate the system.
US08435460B2

A sterilized connection apparatus 4 includes a sealing unit 9 which forms a decontamination space S1 between an isolator 2 provided with a first cover body 11 and an incubator 3 provided with a second cover body 21, a decontamination medium supplying unit 10 which supplies a decontamination medium to the decontamination space S1 via a supply pipe line 41, and a discharge pipe line 43 which discharges the decontamination medium of the decontamination space S1. Since the decontamination space is formed as a circular decontamination space of a small capacity surrounding the cover bodies, decontamination can be efficiently performed.
US08435454B2

Macro- and microfluidic devices and related technologies, and chemical processes using such devices. More specifically, the devices may be used for a fully automated synthesis of radioactive compounds for imaging, such as by positron emission tomography (PET), in an efficient, compact and safe to the operator manner. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to an automated, multi-run, microfluidic instrument for the multi-step synthesis of radiopharmaceuticals, such as PET probes, comprising a remote shielded mini-cell containing radiation-handing components.
US08435441B2

Disclosed are compositions for applying to honeycomb bodies. The compositions can be used as plugging mixtures for forming a ceramic wall flow filter. Alternatively, the compositions can be used to form skin coatings on exterior portions of a honeycomb body. The disclosed compositions include an inorganic powder batch composition, an organic binder, a liquid vehicle, and a rheology modifier. The compositions exhibit improved rheological properties, including an increased yield strength and reduced viscosity under shear, which, among various embodiments, can enable the manufacture of sintered phase end plugs having reduced levels of dimple and pinhole formations in the final dried and fired end plugs as well as end plugs having relatively uniform and desired depths. Also disclosed are methods for forming end plugged ceramic wall flow filters from the plugging mixtures disclosed herein.
US08435433B2

A method of manufacturing a handle for a personal grooming device includes forming a substrate portion of a first material. The substrate portion has first and second walls forming a channel extending along a long axis of the substrate portion. An insert member is formed separate from the substrate portion and disposed within the channel. A grip portion of a second material is formed on the substrate portion. The second material substantially encases the insert member.
US08435424B2

A solvent-free conductive paste composition including (a) a binder, (b) an initiator, (c) a glass powder and (d) a conductive powder; and a solar cell element having an electrode or wire made by coating and sintering the conductive paste composition coated on a silicon semiconductor substrate. The conductive paste composition is solvent-free so that it will not cause environmental problems with respect to the evaporation of solvents and will not be easy to spread out. The conductive paste composition facilitates the development of fine wire and high aspect ratio designs and can efficiently enhance the photoelectric conversion efficiency.
US08435423B2

The subject is to provide a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light, a high stability to heat and a large elastic constant, or that is suitably balanced regarding at least two of the characteristics. The subject is to provide an AM device that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth. The invention provides a liquid crystal composition that has a nematic phase and includes a four-ring compound containing a dioxane ring and having a high maximum temperature and a large dielectric anisotropy as a first component, a specific two-ring compound having a small viscosity as a second component, a specific three-ring compound having a large dielectric anisotropy as a third component and a specific four-ring compound having a high maximum temperature and a large dielectric anisotropy, and also provides a liquid crystal display device containing this composition.
US08435418B2

High quantum yield InP nanocrystals are used in the bio-technology, bio-medical, and photovoltaic, specifically IV, III-V and III-VI nanocrystal technological applications. InP nanocrystals typically require post-generation HF treatment. Combining microwave methodologies with the presence of a fluorinated ionic liquid allows Fluorine ion etching without the hazards accompanying HF. Growing the InP nanocrystals in the presence of the ionic liquid allows in-situ etching to be achieved. The optimization of the PL QY is achieved by balancing growth and etching rates in the reaction.
US08435413B2

A method of controlling the concentration of P of cleaning solution waste water starts by providing a waste water buffer tank capable of either sending the waste water to a waste water treatment plant or storing the waste water after the waste water is accepted. The concentration of P in the cleaning solution is set within a target concentration range, and matter to be treated is treated. The concentration of P in the waste water is measured in the waste water buffer tank. When the measured value of the concentration of P is less than a selected upper limit, the waste water is sent from the waste water buffer tank to the waste water treatment plant. When the measured value of the concentration of P is higher than the selected upper limit, sending the waste water to the waste water treatment plant is stopped, and the waste water is stored in the waste water buffer tank. The concentration of P is reduced to a value within the target concentration range, and the matter to be treated is treated.
US08435409B2

The present disclosure relates to methods of treating highly contaminated wastewater using waste activated sludge as an adsorbent.
US08435406B2

Media and devices, such as anion exchangers including such media, wherein the media is a membrane having a surface coated with a polymer such as a polyallylamine. The resulting membrane offers stronger binding of protein impurities and superior removal of host cell proteins from biological samples than conventional ligands based on quaternary ammonium salts, including trimethylammonium ligands. Also described is a chromatography scheme and method for purifying monoclonal antibodies, wherein the anion exchange sorber is placed downstream of an affinity column (such as Protein A or Protein G affinity column) and optionally one or more polishing devices such as cationic exchange columns. Little or no dilution of the cation exchanger pool (or affinity column exchange pool where no cation exchanger is used) is necessary to lower the conductivity of the sample. The sorber functions well to strongly bind host cell proteins and other impurities even at high conductivities and pH.
US08435404B2

A method for the pyrolytic extraction of hydrocarbons such as shale oil from kerogen. Oil shale containing kerogen which has been ground into particulate form, is cascaded downwardly between a plurality of rotating trays within a heated processing chamber. As the hydrocarbons are volatized within the chamber, the volatiles are collected and condensed within a condenser or other suitable recovery apparatus.
US08435402B2

A method of cracking hydrocarbon material in a nozzle reactor. The method includes a step of providing a nozzle reactor, a step of injecting a stream of cracking material into the reactor body of the nozzle reactor, and a step of injecting hydrocarbon material into the reactor body of the nozzle reactor, wherein the cracking material is methanol, ethanol, ethane, propane, biodiesel, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, or combinations thereof. The cracking material can also include steam. The hydrocarbon material can be injected into the reactor body at a direction transverse to the direction the cracking material is injected into the reactor body.
US08435401B2

A staged fluidized catalytic cracker and method for cracking a hydrocarbonaceous material includes a plurality of staged reactors that have catalyst particles flowing in series from one reactor to the next and hydrocarbon feed that is delivered in parallel to the reactors. Between each reactor the partially spent catalyst is actively stripped to partially reactivate the catalyst. Once the catalyst is fully spent in the final reactor the catalyst can be oxidatively regenerated.
US08435399B2

A method is disclosed for defining discrete magnetic and non-magnetic regions on the magnetic film layer of a storage media substrate. The method applies anodic oxidation of a cobalt-containing magnetic film layer to remove cobalt, followed by controlled deposition of a non-magnetic matrix into the regions where the cobalt has been removed. Deposition may either be electrodeposition, collimated vacuum deposition, or other methods depending upon the composition of the non-magnetic matrix being deposited. The method may be performed in a single electrochemical cell.
US08435398B2

The present invention relates to an electrolyte composition as well as a method for the deposition of zinc-nickel alloy layers on substrates, in particular cast iron or steel substrates. The electrolyte compositions according to the invention comprise aminoacetic acid. The alloy layers deposited from the electrolyte compositions according to the invention are corrosion resistant and bright and nearly have no internal tension.
US08435396B2

The invention provides methods for detecting an interaction between an analyte and a biomolecule. The method comprises separating at least one biomolecule according to its isoelectric point in the presence of a given analyte and detecting an interaction between the analyte and a biomolecule using fluorescence anisotropy. The method may further comprise collecting the analyte-biomolecule complex and analyzing the biomolecule.
US08435388B2

The invention is a method for obtaining a reactive sputtering process with a reduced or eliminated hysteresis behavior. This is achieved by employing a target made from a mixture of metal and compound materials. In the method according to the present invention, the fraction of compound material is large enough to eliminate or significantly reduce the hysteresis behavior of the reactive sputtering process and enable a stable deposition of compound films at a rate significantly higher than what is possible from a target completely made from compound material.
US08435383B2

Described herein is a new concept in air dried tissue (ADT). The wet tissue web is received from the wet end of a papermaking machine and dried by an air floatation dryer that uses an endless loop to transport and support the wet tissue web as it is dried.
US08435379B2

A substrate cleaning chamber includes a contoured ceiling electrode having an arcuate surface that faces a substrate support and has a variable cross-sectional thickness to vary the gap size between the arcuate surface and the substrate support to provide a varying plasma density across the substrate support. A dielectric ring for the cleaning chamber comprises a base, a ridge, and a radially inward ledge that covers the peripheral lip of the substrate support. A base shield comprises a circular disc having at least one perimeter wall. Cleaning and conditioning processes for the cleaning chamber are also described.
US08435370B2

The invention concerns a process for making a scrim-reinforced prepreg for use in building low-porosity lay-ups, characterized in that a conventional prepreg is formed of a fibrous reinforcement and a heat-curable resin, the prepreg having suitable viscosity and sufficient tackiness to hold a scrim which is adhered to the prepreg by applying light pressure, so that the scrim is impressed onto the prepreg to such a degree, that less than half of the circumference of the scrim strands becomes coated by the prepreg-resin.
US08435369B2

A welding tool, such as a vibration welding tool, includes one or more relief areas for material to flow into during a welding process to help prevent deformation of a substrate that a component is being attached to.
US08435366B2

A sheet peeling apparatus 10 includes: a sticking means 14 for sticking a peeling tape PT by pressing the peeling tape PT onto an adhesive sheet S; a moving means 15 for moving the peeling tape PT stuck to the adhesive sheet S and a holding means 11 for holding a wafer W relative to each other to peel the adhesive sheet S; a detecting means 17 for detecting the position of the outer periphery of the adhesive sheet S, and outputting a signal thereof; an input means 18 for inputting a correction value; a controlling means 19 for determining a pressing position of the peeling tape PT to the adhesive sheet S based on the output signal from the detecting means 17 and the correction value, and controlling the moving means 15 so as to stick the adhesive sheet S at the pressing position.
US08435365B2

A method is described for providing a substrate foil (L0) with at least a laminating foil (L1) of material. The method comprises the steps of providing the substrate foil (L0) and the laminating foil (L1). And subsequently applying weakend portions (100) in the laminating foil (L1). The weakened portions extend in a direction transverse (Dtr) to a longitudinal direction of the laminating foil, and are spaced at intervals along the longitudinal direction. The weakened portions have a width (w) substantially smaller than the length (Δ) of said intervals, providing a tension to the laminating foil (L1) in the longitudinal direction (Dlong). Thereby the laminating foil (L1) is stretched in the weakened portions, attaching the stretched laminating foil (L1) to the substrate foil (L0).
US08435363B2

A multi-phase steel sheet having microstructure having in combination ferrite, martensite of between 3% and 65% by volume, and at least one microstructure selected from the group consisting of, bainite and retained austenite, and having fine complex precipitates selected from the group of TiC, NbC, TiN, NbN, (Ti.Nb)C, (Ti.Nb)N, and (Ti.Nb)(C.N) particles having at least 50% smaller than 20 nm in size, and physical properties having tensile strength greater than about 780 megapascals and at least one of the properties of elongation greater than about 10%, yield ratio greater than about 70%, and hole expansion ratio greater than about 50%.
US08435360B2

The invention relates to a method for producing a coating layer protecting against corrosion wherein a surface which is to be treated is brought into contact with an aqueous treatment solution containing chromium(III) ions and at least one phosphate compound, wherein the ratio of the molar concentration of the chromium(III) ions to the molar concentration of the at least one phosphate compound (calculated as orthophosphate) lies between 1:1.5 and 1:3. The method improves the corrosion protection of metallic, in particular, zinc-containing, surfaces provided with conversion layers. The decorative and functional properties of the surface are maintained or improved. Furthermore, the known problems resulting from the use of chromium(VI)-containing compounds or from post-treatments with polymer dispersions are avoided.
US08435359B2

A cleaner adapted to clean particles on a plate is provided. The cleaner includes an active driver and a slave driver. The active driver includes a plurality of active cleaning wheels and a control system. Each of the active cleaning wheels includes a first magnet, and the first magnet has an even number of magnetic poles. The control system is electronically connected with the active cleaning wheels so as to control a rotation of the active cleaning wheels. The slave driver includes a plurality of slave cleaning wheels. Each of the slave cleaning wheels includes a second magnet, and the second magnet has an even number of magnetic poles. The plate is disposed between the active driver and the slave driver. The second magnets are disposed opposite to the first magnets, so that the active cleaning wheels drive the slave cleaning wheels to rotate by a magnetic force.
US08435356B2

A method for wet treatment of wafers includes a first plate and a second plate substantially parallel to the first plate, and a wafer is held between the first and the second plate substantially parallel. A first dispenser introduces fluid into a first gap between the first plate and the wafer when being treated, and a second dispenser introduces fluid into a second gap between the second plate and the wafer when being treated. At least one vibrating element is acoustically coupled to at least the second plate, and a holder and the second plate are rotated relative to each other about an axis substantially perpendicular to the second plate.
US08435354B2

Thermoplastic polymer compositions comprising starch and articles made therefrom are water stable or may be rendered so. One method of making water stable thermoplastic compositions comprises the steps of mixing destructured starch with polyhydric alcohol and triglyceride, and forming a transesterification reaction product from at least a portion of the polyhydric alcohol and triglyceride.
US08435345B2

A method of curing cementitious material comprising added a carboxylated bleached wood pulp fiber to the material during mixing. The fiber has a carboxyl content of from 10 to 70 meq/100 g cellulose fiber. The fibers are 0.1 to 5% by weight of the dry weight of the cementitious material. The structure produced by the method. The autogenous shrinkage of the cementitious material is reduced.
US08435343B2

Bone graft compositions for repairing bone defects, which are characterized by a chemical composition of cementitious, non-cementitious, highly-resorbable and poorly-resorbable particulate substances, and further characterized by a specific particle size distribution that includes two or more different ranges of particle size, are disclosed. Further disclosed are articles of manufacturing and unit dosage forms containing the bone graft compositions, methods of repairing bone defects utilizing the bone graft compositions, and processes of preparing the same. Also provided are applicators for applying flowable mixtures formed by mixing a dry composition and a liquid carrier, which are particularly useful for preparing and applying bone graft compositions, as well as methods of using same.
US08435338B2

The intake air filter (10) according to the invention is for cleaning intake air for internal combustion engines, in particular in vehicles. To this end, the intake air filter (10) includes an openable housing (11) with an inlet (16) and an outlet (17). Disposed between the inlet (16) and the outlet (17) is a filter element (18). In order to check, when the housing (11) is closed, whether a correct filter element (18) has been properly installed, a filter element identification device is provided, which, designed as a dome (28), corresponds to an additional opening (29) in the housing (11).
US08435333B2

Switchable gas permeation membranes in which a photo-switchable low-molecular-weight liquid crystalline (LC) material acts as the active element, and a method of making such membranes. Different LC eutectic mixtures were doped with mesogenic azo dyes and infused into track-etched porous membranes with regular cylindrical pores. Photo-induced isothermal phase changes in the imbibed mesogenic material afforded large, reversible changes in the permeability of the photo-switchable membrane to nitrogen. For example, membranes imbibed with a photo-switchable cyanobiphenyl LC material demonstrated low permeability in the nematic state, while the photo-generated isotropic state demonstrated a 16×-greater sorption coefficient. Both states obey a high linear sorption behavior in accordance with Henry's Law. In contrast, membranes imbibed with a photo-switchable phenyl benzoate LC material showed the opposite permeability behavior to the biphenyl-imbibed membrane, along with nonlinear sorption behavior.
US08435330B2

A system and process is provided primarily for use in hot climates, using ammonia solution to remove carbon dioxide from desulphurised water-vapor-containing flue gases of a fossil fuel power plant, while outputting useful streams of water and fertilizer.
US08435329B2

Gas fired internal combustion engines which are run on contaminated fuel suffer from the buildup of internal deposits and corrosion. This is a particular problem with engines fuelled by biogas, e.g. from waste decomposition. By filtering the fuel via a filter containing an ion-exchange resin substantial improvements can be obtained.
US08435328B2

The present invention relates to a ten bed pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system utilizing new and advanced cycles to obtain enhanced hydrogen recovery from a hydrogen containing feed gas (i.e., synthesis gas). More specifically, through the newly developed process cycles, the ten bed PSA system is capable of matching the hydrogen recovery of conventional twelve bed PSA systems designed to manufacture 100 million standard cubic feet per day of gas.
US08435321B2

A water-dispersible particle for delivery of fertilizer to a plant is disclosed. After delivery wetting of the particles causes particle dispersion so as to prevent secondary pick up to the particles. Methods for making and using the water-dispersible particle are described.
US08435316B2

A method of forming an abrasive article includes forming a mixture comprising a liquid carrier and a glass precursor material, wherein the glass precursor material comprises a material selected from the group of materials consisting of a hydrated metal compound, an organic silicate compound, or a combination thereof. The method further includes providing abrasive grains within the mixture, forming the mixture into a green ceramic body, and heating the green ceramic body to form a bonded abrasive article comprising the abrasive grains contained within a bond matrix, wherein the bond matrix comprises an amorphous phase formed from the glass precursor material.
US08435314B2

The present application relates to a method for the preparation, by torrefaction, of a solid fuel wherein a starting composition is heated indirectly. The present invention also relates to a solid fuel to be obtained by such method. The present application further relates to a method for the removal of one or more metals from or the reduction of the “total chlorine content”, the sulphur content and the trace element content of a solid fuel thus obtained. In addition to that, the present invention relates to a solid fuel, which can be obtained by the carrying out of such a method. Finally, the present invention relates to the uses of such solid fuels.
US08435302B2

An apparatus for distracting a disc space having an annulus. The apparatus includes a spinal implant having a pre-determined size sufficient to balance frictional fit in the disc space and elongation of the annulus. The implant has a top surface, a bottom surface, opposing lateral sides, and opposing anterior and posterior portions defining a substantially hollow center and a single vertical aperture. At least one of the opposing anterior and posterior portions presents a substantially flat impact face including an opening with an instrument retention feature. The apparatus also includes a rasp, a plurality of distractors, and an instrument able to engage and manipulate the spinal implant, the rasp, and the plurality of distractors. The size-specific rasp is adapted to clear the disc space of all soft tissue and cartilage. The plurality of distractors have progressively increasing heights adapted to distract the disc space before use of the spinal implant.
US08435288B2

A shipping system for a medical device, such as implantable lens for an eye, is provided that may be reconfigured from a shipping mode into an injection mode without manually handling the contained lens or other device. Upon manufacture, a lens may be placed within the system assembly in the shipping configuration. While in the shipping configuration, the lens is kept in its desired shape and within a selected environment. Upon arrival at the destination, the user may attach fittings for injection of the device into a body. The process of changing from the shipping to the injection mode deforms the device into a shape suitable for injection.
US08435287B2

A stent includes a tubular stent body 11, a diamond-like carbon film 12 formed on the surface of the stent body 11 and having an activated surface, and a polymer layer 13 immobilized on the surface of the diamond-like carbon film. The polymer layer 13 contains a drug 14 having an effect to prevent restenosis, and the drug 14 is gradually released from the polymer layer 13.
US08435281B2

A bioerodible, implantable medical device that includes a supersaturated magnesium alloy. The magnesium alloy includes magnesium and at least one alloying element present in a concentration in excess of the equilibrium solid solubility concentration of the alloying element in hexagonal close-packed magnesium [at 25° C.].
US08435272B2

A device for reducing migration of a pin of an intramedullary fixation device, especially to reduce migration of a clavicle pin introduced in the medullary canal of the clavicle to fix a fractured clavicle bone. A clavicle nail with a curved tip is inserted within the medullary canal of the clavicle. The back end of the nail that extends out of the clavicle is provided with indentations or grooves. The back end of the nail is received in a hollow cavity of a cap, which locks onto the indentations or grooves of the nail. A screw is placed through an eyelet of the cap and turned into the clavicle to secure the cap to the clavicle. As a result, the nail is fixed within the medullary canal and undesirable migration of the pin within the medullary canal is reduced.
US08435271B2

A device for fixing soft tissue. A sleeve is detachably connected to a self-drilling tapping screw, moving and rotating the self-drilling tapping screw. A guide bar is detachably connected to the self-drilling tapping screw and fit in the sleeve. A fixing pin is fit in a washer and connected to the self-drilling tapping screw. The guide bar is detachably fit in the fixing pin. The fixing pin abuts the washer and the self-drilling tapping screw.
US08435266B2

A polyaxial screw assembly includes an internal load dampening mechanism for sharing and dampening loads between at least one screw member and at least one rod member interconnected by the assembly. A method of interconnecting the orthopedic screw with the rod includes dampening with a body member interconnecting the screw to the rod.
US08435264B2

A suture anchor has a tubular body having an axial bore therethrough and having one or more purchase enhancements on an exterior surface of the body adapted to enhance purchase of the body within a bone hole, such as threads. A lateral port passes through the body from the bore to the exterior surface. A length of suture for attaching soft tissue to bone passes down along the exterior surface over the one or more purchase enhancements, over a distal end of the body, up into the bore through and then back out of the bore and up along the exterior surface over the one or more purchase enhancements.
US08435262B2

Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for tensioning suture. The methods and devices are particularly useful in surgical suturing applications in which it is desirable to maintain tension on suture being delivered, yet to allow the tension to be released as desired without retracting the suture. Thus, when tension is released, a length of suture extended from the device can remain extended without any tension being applied thereto. Tension is only applied to any additional length of suture that is extended from the device. The tension applied to the suture is proportional to the length of the suture extended from the device until the tension is released and reset.
US08435259B2

A surgical tool arrangement for performing endoscopic surgical procedures which includes a powered handpiece and a cutting accessory which detachably connects to the handpiece and incorporates multiple blade configurations or styles into one accessory. The accessory includes a cutting element which rotates within an outer housing element, wherein each element has a cutting window at its distal end, and one of the cutting windows has two sides which have differently configured cutting geometries. One of the cutting windows has a first side with a cutting edge that is toothed and a second side with a cutting edge that is generally straight.
US08435256B2

An intravascular medical device including an elongated member configured to be advanced along a vascular path of a patient, the elongated member having opposite first and second ends, the first end and second ends both being adapted for intravascular insertion, and the first end having a different structure than the second end. The elongated member has sufficient flexibility to be advanced through a human vasculature. Preferably, the first and second ends are adapted to have different operating characteristics. Depending on the operating characteristics needed for a particular procedure, a physician can insert either the first end portion or the second end portion of the elongated member into the patient's vasculature.
US08435255B2

An apparatus and method an apparatus and method for suturing, wherein said apparatus is a surgical instrument comprising a pair a cross members having securing means for pivotally securing the cross members to one another creating a first end, wherein the cross members second end comprises a locking device for locking the cross member and the first end comprises a clamping surface at a distal ends having at least two opposed curves forming a S-shaped sections having a outer smooth surface and a serrated inner surface assisting the suture process avoiding proximal slippage of suture material while tying a clamped structure.
US08435252B2

A suturing device includes a housing having an elongated tubular member extending from a distal end thereof. A head assembly is disposed at a distal end of the elongated tubular member and is configured to retain a portion of a suture therein. At least one arm member is positioned about the elongated tubular member. Each arm members includes a ferrule assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. Each ferrule assembly is positioned within a recess defined within the elongated tubular member and is configured to releasably retain a ferrule therein. Each ferrule is configured to retain a portion of the suture therein. Each arm member is rotatable to thereby rotate the ferrule assembly disposed thereon between a first position and a second position. The ferrule assembly extends at least partially radially outwardly from the recess in one of the first and second positions.
US08435251B2

A docking station for a skin treatment device has a cooling member including an evacuator for lowering a pressure inside the cooling member, and a connector for connecting an interior of the cooling member to a sorbent. The sorbent may include a zeolite. Further, a skin treatment device such as an epilator includes a cooling member for containing the cooling agent.
US08435236B2

An apparatus for treating varicose veins includes a catheter (20) where the distal end is placed within a varicose vein and the proximal portion remains outside the body of the subject. A heating element (22) heats the vein. A cooling element (62) can be applied to an external surface of the skin above the vicinity of the heating element. A control unit (26) can drive the heating element to apply heat to the vein simultaneously. Alternatively, the control unit can apply a current to the heating element to resistively heat a resistive element. A method for treating a varicose vein includes inserting the elongated heating element into the vein, and driving the heating element to apply heat to the segment of vein simultaneously from the entire active heating portion.
US08435231B2

A positioning device for deploying at least one locking portion (20) of an anastomotic device (10) for drawing together a first tissue portion (12) and a second tissue portion (14) to be connected by means of anastomosis is suitable for sliding along a guide means comprising at least one guide wire (A, B) and comprises an elongated structure (50). A head (52) of the positioning device is suitable to be interference-inserted on a distal end of the elongated structure (50). The head (52) comprises elastic tabs (54) extending from a proximal end of the head and at least one channel (56) suitable for receiving a guide wire. The head (52) comprises a distal end defining a thrust surface (58) for a locking portion (20) of the anastomotic device (10).
US08435223B2

An absorbent article having a reusable outer cover and, optionally, an absorbent insert. The reusable outer cover has zones of varying properties. The properties of the different zones are varied to provide different performance features in different parts of the outer cover. The outer cover with zones of varying properties may provide competing or contradictory functionalities for improved comfort, fit, leakage protection, and aesthetic appeal.
US08435220B2

An emergency eyewash station is disclosed. The emergency eyewash station includes a reservoir containing an eyewash fluid and a mechanism for dispensing the eyewash fluid from the reservoir to wash an injured person's eyes. An expandable container is configured and arranged to collect used eyewash fluid after the eyewash fluid has been dispensed to wash the injured person's eyes. The station can be further enhanced by equipping the expandable container with a pair of straps configured to compress the reservoir thereby providing a gravity assist to dispensing eyewash fluid.
US08435213B2

A reduced pressure delivery system is provided and includes a primary manifold, a blockage prevention member, and first and second conduits in fluid communication with the primary manifold. The primary manifold includes a wall surrounding a primary flow passage and is adapted to be placed in proximity to a tissue site. The blockage prevention member is positioned within the primary flow passage. A plurality of apertures is disposed in the wall to communicate with the primary flow passage. The first conduit is fluidly connected to the primary flow passage to deliver reduced pressure through the primary flow passage and the plurality of apertures. The second conduit includes an outlet proximate the primary flow passage or an outlet of the first conduit to purge the primary flow passage or first conduit to prevent blockages.
US08435209B2

A medical device includes a first housing portion (FHP) and a second housing portion (SHP) configured to be to be movable relative to each other from a first position to operatively engage at a second position to couple at least one of a drive device and a needle-inserting device supported by one of the FHP and the SHP to a reservoir supported by the other of the FHP and the SHP. Electronic circuitry configured to detect at least one of a first magnetic interaction between a magnet and at least one of a first magnetically attractive material and a first magnet-responsive device and a second magnetic interaction between the magnet and at least one of a second magnetically attractive material and a second magnet-responsive device, and to provide a signal or a change in state in response to detecting at least one of the interactions.
US08435207B2

Irrigation and/or aspiration devices and methods may be configured to aspirate and irrigate alone, sequentially, or concurrently. The devices and methods may provide a base with a removable head, and adapted for partial or complete separation of the irrigation and aspiration functions. The devices and methods can be configured to aspirate and/or irrigate the nasal and sinus cavities. The devices and methods may be manually and/or automatically controlled. The devices and methods may include removable, and/or replaceable, and/or refillable, and easily cleanable reservoirs for aspirant and irrigant. The device head and/or aspirant reservoir may comprise a diagnostic device, i.e., test device and/or container after use of the devices and methods.
US08435204B2

The present invention provides methods and systems for conditioning cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by removing target compounds from CSF. A multilumen flow path allows exchange of a majority volume portion of CSF in the CSF space. The removal and/or delivery of specific compounds can be tailored to the pathology of the specific disease. The removal is targeted and specific, for example, through the use of specific size-exclusion thresholds, antibodies against specific toxins, and other chromatographic techniques, as well as delivery and/or removal of targeted therapeutic agents.
US08435196B2

Described herein is a closure system and methods for adjusting an orthotic device. The closure system can include a handle element, a take-up element configured to be removably received by the handle element, and a cord having a length and secured at one end to the take-up element and at an opposite end to the orthotic device to facilitate adjustment of the orthotic device. The take-up element is configured to adjust the usable length of the cord. Also described herein is a back brace apparatus having a take-up element.
US08435192B2

An exercise device is disclosed. The exercise device includes an ankle rest structure and a housing. Within the housing, a drive mechanism is provided that is connected to the ankle rest structure. The drive mechanism moves the ankle rest in a reciprocating motion along a generally horizontal plane. The exercise device also includes a knee rest structure spaced away from the ankle rest and connected to the housing. In one embodiment, the knee rest is movable in a horizontal and vertical direction with respect to the housing.
US08435190B2

A tissue penetrating system includes a plurality of cartridges each with a distal port and a proximal port. A plurality of penetrating members are provided, each coupled to a cartridge and having a sharpened distal tip and a shaft portion slidably disposed within the cartridge. A seal is formed by a fracturable material between the penetrating member and the cartridge. The seal is positioned at one or both of a distal port or a proximal port of the cartridge.
US08435184B2

A method of determining ageing effect and cardiovascular risk in a human patient comprising: - (i) measuring the arterial pulse waveform of the patient when the heart is beating regularly, (ii) extracting the frequency dependent components of the pulse waveform, (iii) determining the ratio of the amplitude based value of the first harmonic (H1) to the amplitude based value of a selected higher harmonic to provide an index of arterial ageing, and (iv) Comparing the index to normative values of index of arterial ageing to determine ageing effect and cardiovascular risk. Other methods of calculating the index based on harmonic amplitudes and the phase angle are also disclosed and claimed.
US08435183B2

The present invention relates to a hand held ultrasound system having a balance body, a transducer assembly connected to said balance body via a communication means and a plurality of control elements arranged in an ergonomic fashion on said balance body, such that a user may hold said system and operate at least one of said control elements with the same hand. In particular a medical ultrasound system comprising a balance body incorporating system electronics, a power supply and a user interface wherein the user interface comprises a D-controller and a touch screen and a transducer assembly attached to the balanced body by a cable.
US08435175B2

A vaginal speculum apparatus includes a portable illumination assembly that is releasably attached to one of the upper blade and lower blade of a disposable vaginal speculum. The portable illumination assembly is defined by a housing that retains at least one LED and a portable power supply. The portable illumination assembly can be energized by an externally accessible member after the illuminator has been attached to the speculum.
US08435172B2

The present invention is an integrated and automated irrigation and aspiration system for use in an endoscopic imaging system. The system provides for the automated cleaning of poorly prepared patients during a colonoscopy procedure as well as automated cleaning of an imaging system of an endoscope. The invention analyzes images obtained from an image sensor to detect the presence of an obstructed field of view, whereupon a wash routine is initiated to remove the obstruction. The wash routine may be adjusted in accordance with environmental conditions within the patient that are sensed by one or more sensors within the endoscope. In another embodiment, insufflation is automatically controlled to inflate a patient's colon as a function of one or more sensor readings obtained from one or more environmental sensor(s) on the endoscope.
US08435167B2

A space is set substantially in a tropical rain forest type environment to activate a human's essential brain region and realize an environment suitable for the human's brain by arranging a device for setting the tropical rain forest type environment based on characteristics of activating human's essential brain region responsive to tropical rain forest type environment information, in a space such as an urban space, a housing space or other living space. The tropical rain forest type environmental information has higher density and higher complexity than those of urban space type environmental information, and includes at least one of auditory information, visual information, and super perceptual information of aerial vibration. The tropical rain forest type environmental information is comfortable for the human with no excessive stress, and is environmental information for effecting prevention and treatment of diseases due to stress by realizing the environment comfortable for the human's brain.
US08435164B2

Disclosed is a portable, manually manipulated perturbation device and methods for proprioceptive and reactive balance training and therapy. The perturbation device is manipulated by a person other than the user to impart linear, rotational or tilting movement, or a combination thereof. The device generally comprises a base, a movable assembly positioned on the base and configured to be stood upon by a user. The movable assembly is movable with respect to the base by a manually manipulated assembly connected to the movable assembly. The method generally comprises the steps of providing a perturbation device, positioning a user on the perturbation device and manipulating the perturbation device by a person other than the user to create the linear, rotational, or tilting movement, or a combination thereof.
US08435163B2

An exercise apparatus includes a frame, first and second free pulleys, first and second handle portions, first and second frame pulleys attached to the frame, a central pulley, a pull cord, and a resistance member. The first free pulley includes a first pulley wheel and a first hub with the first pulley wheel configured to rotate in relation to the first hub. The second free pulley includes a second pulley wheel and a second hub with the second pulley wheel configured to rotate in relation to the second hub. The first and second handle portions are in mechanical communication with the first and second hubs with the pulley wheels configured to rotate relative to the handle portions. The pull cord is looped about the pulleys with the resistance member configured to resist movement of the pull cord.
US08435159B2

A hydraulic circuit for supplying hydraulic pressure to frictional engagement elements in an automatic transmission including an oil passage connecting an output port through which a drive pressure is output, and a second signal pressure port, of a second clutch application relay valve, and an oil passage connecting an output port through which a modulator pressure is output and the second signal pressure port, are formed in a valve body and arranged such that it is possible to open the oil passage, as well as close the oil passage, with an oil passage closing member. With the hydraulic circuit it is possible to change a formed speed in response to a shift operation when a shift, after being operated from a travel position to a non-travel position, is returned again from the non-travel position, at a time of failure.
US08435155B2

An operating mechanism by which the linear movement of a gearshift cable is converted into a rotational movement of an operating sleeve and transmitted to the interior of a bicycle multispeed gear hub.
US08435152B2

An eight speed automatic transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets and five torque transmitting devices. Three of the planetary gear sets are simple and one planetary gear set is compound. Each of the plurality of planetary gear sets has first, second and third members: a sun gear, a ring gear and a planet carrier having a plurality of planet gears rotatably disposed thereon. Three of the torque transmitting devices are clutches and two of the devices are brakes. Eight embodiments of the transmission having different arrangements of the planetary gear sets, clutches and brakes are disclosed.
US08435151B2

A gear train of an automatic transmission for vehicles which achieving at least ten forward speeds and one reverse speed, may include an input shaft receiving torque of an engine which may be driving source, an output gear outputting a changed torque, first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets respectively having first, second, third, and fourth sun gears, first, second, third, and fourth planet carriers, and first, second, third, and fourth ring gears as rotation elements thereof, eight rotation shafts formed by connecting one rotation element to other rotation element, the input shaft, or the output gear, or being the rotation element, and friction members provided with first, second, third, and fourth clutches disposed between selected rotation shafts and controls delivery of the torque therebetween and first and second brakes selectively connecting selected rotation shaft to a transmission housing.
US08435139B2

According to various embodiments, the present teachings comprise a golf tee. The golf tee can comprise a point section, a shaft section, and a head section. The shaft section can comprise four opposing arms configured to allow for improved ground penetration. The head section can comprise a circular dish having a rim with a number of raised points disposed on the rim. The head section can comprise opposing arms, each having a raised point.
US08435138B2

The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core of at least one layer, a cover of at least two layers which includes an inner cover layer and an outermost cover layer, and a plurality of dimples formed on a surface of the ball. The thickness and Shore D hardness of the outermost cover layer are set in specific ranges, the thickness and Shore D hardness of the inner cover layer are set in specific ranges, and the ball surface has, as expressed in the Lab color system defined by JIS Z-8730, a lightness L value of at least 89, an a value of at least 2 but not more than 10, and a b value of −20 or above. The multi-piece solid golf ball of the invention increases the reddish coloring of a white golf ball, thereby enhancing the stylishness of the ball and improving the way the ball looks and feels to the golfer when it is played.
US08435136B2

A golf club head is disclosed that includes a weight integral to a bridge member extending across a cavity back golf club head. The weight modifies a position of a center of gravity of the golf club head. The weight is independently movable in multiple directions to further vary the center of gravity of a golf club head.
US08435131B1

A portable putting practice system for users of all ages and skill levels, whereby the system enables a user to increase putting accuracy, improve range of motion for a putting swing, and develop consistent putting backswings of varying extensions corresponding to desired target distances.
US08435125B2

A power transmission shaft includes a torque-transmission teeth portion formed on an outer peripheral surface on an end portion side, and a smooth portion formed on the outer peripheral surface adjacent to the torque-transmission teeth portion so as to have a stepwise reduced diameter. A ratio of a minimum diameter of the smooth portion to a minimum diameter of the torque-transmission teeth portion is set to 0.9 or more and 1.02 or less. Further, the torque-transmission teeth portion and the smooth portion undergo heat treatment so as to form a heat-treated hardened layer. The heat-treated hardened layer is formed to increase in depth from a side of the torque transmission teeth portion to a side of the smooth portion. At least a minimum diameter portion of the smooth portion undergoes full hardening.
US08435108B2

A lottery game apparatus includes a set of lottery tickets each printed with an instant win game and information defining a number of points awarded to the player in addition to or as an alternative to a prize for the game together with a programmed computer providing access to a web site associated with the set of tickets. The computer program provides communication through the internet for the player, and program components for registration of details of the player entering the web site and for storing data identifying each player for entry by the registered player of a points entry number from a played ticket so as to define for each player an account of a points total held by that player and a plurality of games to be played by the player using the points.
US08435104B2

An articulated harvester is composed of a forward bogey having an operator's cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, a grain transfer assembly, but being devoid of an on-board grain bin. A rearward bogey is attached by a joint to the forward bogey and has a powered wheel assembly, an on-board grain bin for receiving grain from the forward bogey grain transfer assembly, and a grain off-loading assembly. The grain separating and cleaning assembly including a grain cleaning fan are located in front of the forward bogey axle and offset from the forward bogey centerline. The forward bogey transmission may be located ahead of or behind the forward bogey axle and offset opposite of the grain fan.
US08435100B2

A device for processing a carcass part of slaughtered poultry in a processing line is provided. The carcass part is supported on a carrier that moves in the processing line. The carcass part includes wing-joints, coracoids, a wishbone embodied with two legs that merge into each other at an acute angle, a keelbone, a membrane and/or ligament that connects at least to the wishbone and the keel-bone, and naturally present meat including inner and outer fillets. The device includes apparatus for cutting and/or removing of the wishbone from the carcass part. The device is arranged such that the apparatus for cutting and/or removing of the wishbone can be a knife equipped to cut the wishbone and disconnect it from the membrane and/or ligament with an increased yield of meat that is retained on the carcass part. In one embodiment, the knife is arranged with cutting side-edges and is further shaped with an S-shaped contour to arrange that when same is introduced between the legs of the wishbone up to its eventual position wherein the arrow's point of the knife approaches the part where the legs of the wishbone merge into each other, the cutting side-edges of the knife cut the legs of the wishbone at a position immediately adjacent to the wing-joints to which the wishbone connects.
US08435096B2

A dust proof structure for a machine tool includes a flow guiding element located therein. The machine tool includes a housing chamber to hold a spindle and the flow guiding element. The housing chamber has an air intake section and an air discharge section communicating with the air intake section. The machine tool further has an air inlet communicating with the air intake section and an air outlet communicating with the air discharge section. The spindle is coupled with an action member outside the air outlet. When the spindle drives the action member to operate, the flow guiding element introduces external air through the air inlet to the air intake section, and directs the air to the air discharge section to be discharged towards the action member. Hence dust generated by the action member during operation of the machine tool does not enter the machine tool through the air outlet.
US08435095B1

A building block system includes building blocks which have elongated grooves on opposite faces. An elongated connector is received by the grooves of two adjacent building blocks and serves to hold the building blocks together. The connector is slightly wider than the grooves so it can be press fit into the grooves to ensure a tight fit. The connector is flexible so that it can be received by curved grooves, and the connector also has chamfered ends to facilitate insertion into the grooves. The system can be used to build structures containing a plurality of building blocks.
US08435083B2

The invention relates to a plug-in connector (1), comprising a housing, a printed circuit board (2) and RF contacts (K1-K8), the RF contacts (K1-K8) being electrically connected to the printed circuit board (2), the RF contacts (K1-K8) being formed by an integral, flexible printed circuit board (4), from which the individual contacts (K1-K8) are cut free, the flexible printed circuit board (4) being prestressed by a spring-elastic element (6).
US08435080B2

A jack socket to produce a electrical plug connection with a jack plug includes housing (10) with a space, in which the plug shaft can be inserted; a sleeve contact (20) to contact the contact sleeve of the jack plug; a tip contact (30) with a contact section (32) which, in the inserted state of the jack plug, can be contacted from the contact tip and a tip switching contact (40) with a contact section (42), which, without the inserted jack plug, lies against a tip switching contact contact point of the contact section (32) of the tip contact (30) and is lifted off the contact section of the tip contact (30) during the insertion of the jack plug. The connecting sections (21, 31, 41 51, 61) of the contacts (20, 30, 40, 50, 60) project from an attachment end (14) of the plug housing (10) and have a longitudinal extension.
US08435073B2

A connector comprising a connector body comprising a first end, a second end, and an inner bore defined between the first and second ends of the body, a compression member comprising a first end, a second end, and an inner bore defined between the first and second ends of the cap, the first end of the compression member being structured to engage the second end of the connector body, a clamp comprising a first end, a second end, an inner bore defined between the first and second ends of the clamp, wherein the clamp facilitates threadable insertion of a coaxial cable, and a compression surface disposed within the connector body, wherein axial advancement of the compression member facilitates the clamp being axially advanced into proximity with the compression surface such that the clamp and the compression surface transmit force between one another is provided. An associated method is also provided.
US08435059B2

A holding member is configured to hold a sheet-like or board-like connecting object. The connecting object held by the holding member is able to be inserted into and connected to a connector which includes an actuator having an actuator-side engaged portion. The holding member comprises a holder-side engaged portion. The holder-side engaged portion is engaged with the actuator-side engaged portion when the actuator is turned over under a state where the connecting object held by the holding member is inserted in the connector. The turning over of the actuator connects the connector to the connecting object. The engagement of the holder-side engaged portion with the actuator-side engaged portion keeps a predetermined relative position of the connecting object relative to the connector.
US08435055B1

A platform and slider assembly for use in a tamper resistant receptacle is provided. The tamper resistant receptacle includes a cover having first and second non-grounding apertures formed therein. In use, when a set of blades of a plug is inserted simultaneously through the first and second apertures formed in the cover, the blades make contact with the at least one angled surface on the slider urging the at least one angled surface of the slider to move with respect to the angled surface of the platform such that the slider is urged from the first position to the second position. The first and second apertures formed in the platform define an axis extending from the first aperture to the second aperture; and the slider moves relative to the platform in a direction orthogonal to the axis extending from the first aperture to the second aperture.
US08435054B2

An electronic device includes an enclosure, a connector, a connector cover, and a resisting member. The enclosure defines at least one opening. The connector is disposed in the enclosure and corresponding to the at least one opening of the enclosure. The connector cover covers the opening to protect the connector and includes pivot shaft. The pivot shaft is rotatably connected to the enclosure. The resisting member elastically resists against the connector cover. The resisting member may be formed by a spring biased block that presses in an end of the pivot shaft to maintain the cover in open or closed position. A restricting member may be located in the opening to limit cover rotation in both open and closed positions.
US08435051B2

A housing (10) has inserting portions (63) with projections (17) formed with slits (19). An alignment plate (60) is mounted movably on the housing (10) and has inserting portions (63) that enter the slits (19) of the projections (17). The alignment plate (60) is displaced relative to the housing (10) in the process of mounting a housing (10) on a board (90) due to interference with the board (90) and the inserting portions (63) move deeper into the slits (19). The projections (17) widen the slits (19) as the inserting portions (63) move deeper into the slits (19) and hence leading ends of the projections (17) engage opening edges of the mounting holes (92) of the board (90) to fix the housing (10) to the board (90).
US08435047B2

Modular connectors are provided that have a modular receptacle connector assembly matable with a modular plug connector assembly for connecting AC or DC power connectors and electrical signals including board-to-board and wire-to-board connection. Provided is a “pass through” modular component to facilitate connection and disconnection of only the power supply for service without disconnecting the entire system. The wire connector also may load to the main housing thus obviating the need for a panel mount. Also provided is a one-unit modular connector system with either a coplanar or a right-angle design. Furthermore, multiple AC and/or DC power supplies can be provided that utilize minimum board space.
US08435044B2

An embodiment of an elastic contact device for electrically contacting electronic components is proposed. The contact device includes at least one basic module with a longitudinal axis, each one including an elastic core for defining an elasticity of the basic module (undergoing an axial elastic deformation in response to an axial compression), a first contact terminal element and a second contact terminal element coupled with the elastic core in axially opposed positions, and at least one elongated contact element extending axially between the first and second terminal elements, wherein each elongated element is configured to have a buckling axial critical load higher than zero for self-sustaining in absence of external forces during a production of the basic module and lower than a threshold compression (ranging approximately between 0.1% and 50%) for buckling thereby not contributing to the elasticity of the basic module during operation thereof.
US08435042B2

An electrical plug and receptacle relying on magnetic force from an electromagnet to maintain contact are disclosed. The plug and receptacle can be used as part of a power adapter for connecting an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a power supply. The plug includes electrical contacts, which are preferably biased toward corresponding contacts on the receptacle. The plug and receptacle each have a magnetic element. The magnetic element on one of the plug or receptacle can be a magnet or ferromagnetic material. The magnetic element on the other of the plug or receptacle is an electromagnet. When the plug and receptacle are brought into proximity, the magnetic attraction between the electromagnet magnet and its complement, whether another magnet or a ferromagnetic material, maintains the contacts in an electrically conductive relationship.
US08435041B2

An electrical socket comprising an electrical receptacle, a cover for the receptacle, a hinge coupling the cover to the receptacle so that the cover can pivot toward and away from an opening in the receptacle to allow insertion of an electrical plug into the receptacle. A paired combination is provided comprising a magnet and a magnet attractive region on ones of the cover and receptacle causing the cover to be attracted to the receptacle when the cover gets to a predetermined distance from the receptacle thereby causing the cover to be closed on the receptacle by magnetic attraction when the plug is not inserted.
US08435033B2

Apparatus and methods are described, including at least one tool configured to be placed inside a subject's mouth. A first optically-visible marker is coupled to the tool. A second optically-visible marker is coupled to a structure inside the subject's mouth. A plurality of optical cameras are coupled to the tool, and are placed inside the subject's mouth by the tool being placed inside the subject's mouth. The cameras acquire respective images of the inside of the subject's mouth, in which the second optically-visible marker is identifiable. A plurality of optical cameras that are disposed outside the subject's mouth acquire respective images of the tool, while the tool is inside the subject's mouth, in which images the first optically-visible marker is identifiable. Other embodiments are also described.
US08435024B2

Device (1) for blowing and stretching a plastic parison (3) for obtaining a container, comprising: a blowing nozzle (4) having a first end (4a) to be applied to an inlet (3a) of said parison (3), said first end (4a) emerging in a controlled-contamination environment (5) wherein said parison (3) is blown; a stretching rod (2); means for injecting mid and high pressure air in said parison (3); a non-magnetic tube (7) secured to a second end (4b) of the blowing nozzle (4) and defining a chamber (8) for housing, at least partially, the stretching rod (2), said chamber (8) being tight-sealed relative to a contaminated area (22) from which said controlled-contamination environment (5) is isolated; a first magnet arrangement (9) and a second magnet arrangement (10) coupled together, said first magnet arrangement (9) being located outside said chamber (8) and said second magnet arrangement (10) being integral to said stretching rod (2) and located within said chamber (8).
US08435019B2

An object is to provide a highly reliable vehicle-air-conditioner electric compressor of an inverter-integrated type that minimizes vibration and deformation of a board and a bus bar caused by vibration of a vehicle so as to prevent devices from becoming detached, to prevent soldered sections and welded sections from rupturing, and to prevent short circuits from occurring. In a vehicle-air-conditioner electric compressor (1) in which an inverter accommodating section (11) is provided at a periphery of a housing (2) and an inverter (20) is accommodated inside the inverter accommodating section (11), a control board (26) constituting the inverter (20) is screwed to fixing-screw base surfaces (29) provided at a plurality of locations of the inverter accommodating section (11), and a base (40) that has the same height as the fixing-screw base surfaces (29) and supports the control board (26) near substantially a midpoint of a fixing-screw pitch on the control board (26) and/or near a position where a large component is disposed on the control board (26) is provided at one or more locations of the inverter accommodating section (11).
US08435014B2

In the hermetically sealed scroll compressor, an injection pipe for injecting a fluid to a compression chamber is connected to an injecting port of a fixed scroll. The injecting port includes a first injecting port which is provided in the vicinity of a fixed scroll inner curve and injects the fluid to an orbiting outer compression chamber, and a second injecting port 22b which is provided in the vicinity of a fixed scroll outer curve and injects the fluid to a orbiting inner compression chamber 8b. The second injecting port is placed in parallel in a radius direction with respect to the first injecting port and is placed so that an orbiting scroll wrap does not practically communicate with the orbiting outer compression chamber in the state in which the orbiting scroll wrap is in contact with the outer side of a fixed scroll wrap.
US08435009B2

A flood control system for use in a structure having a basement floor below ground level is provided. The flood control system comprises a sump, a main pump positioned in the sump, and a secondary pump positioned in the sum. The secondary pump is raised relative to the main pump to a predetermined elevation. The main pump is energized when a height of water within the sump is at a first level. The secondary pump is energized when a height of water within the sump reaches a second, higher level and is de-energized when a height of water within the sump drops to a third level. A cover is releasably mounted to the sump. The cover includes a first section for covering the main pump and a separate second section for covering the secondary pump. At least one of the first and second sections is hingedly mounted to the sump. A controller is operatively connected to the main pump and the secondary pump. The controller is responsive to water level within the sump to selectively energize at least one of the main pump and the secondary pump.
US08435001B2

Plasma generators (48, 49, 70, 71) in an endwall (25) of an airfoil (22) induce aerodynamic flows in directions (50) that modify streamlines (47) of the endwall boundary layer toward a streamline geometry (46) of a midspan region of the airfoil. This reduces vortices (42) generated by the momentum deficit of the boundary layer, increasing aerodynamic efficiency. The plasma generators may be arrayed around the leading edge as well as between two airfoils (22) in a gas turbine nozzle structure, and may be positioned at correction points (68) in streamlines caused by surface contouring (66) of the endwall. The plasma generators may be oriented to generate flow vectors (74) that combine with boundary layer flow vectors (72) to produce resultant flow vectors (76) in directions that reduce turbulence.
US08434997B2

A gas turbine engine includes an active clearance control (ACC) system within the engine casing. The case includes a wall structure with a cast-in cooling configuration through Refractory Metal Core technology which is tailored to address traditional hot spots and improve discrete control of case growth.
US08434996B2

A system for detecting loads in a wind turbine is disclosed. In one aspect, the system may generally include a shaft and first and second pillow blocks receiving portions of the shaft. The second pillow block may be spaced axially apart from the first pillow block. Additionally, the system may include at least one sensor configured to indirectly detect loads transmitted through at least one of the first pillow block and the second pillow block.
US08434994B2

A gas turbine includes a compressor, a turbine downstream of the compressor having stators, and a rotor connecting the compressor to the turbine. The rotor includes rotor cavities. A supply plenum containing a process by-product gas and a control valve is connected to at least one of the rotor cavities to supply the process by-product gas to at least one of the rotor cavities. A process for operating a gas turbine having a compressor and a turbine includes connecting the compressor to the turbine by a rotor, creating cavities in the rotor, and injecting a process by-product gas into at least one of the cavities. The process further includes regulating the flow of the process by-product gas into at least one of the cavities according to a pre-programmed parameter.
US08434993B2

A robot apparatus according to the invention is configured to hand over a workpiece by rotating by a prescribed angle a finger including a holding means for holding the workpiece. The robot apparatus includes: a drive shaft including a first finger and a second finger spaced from each other. The first finger includes a first arm portion and a second arm portion extending from its rotation center with a prescribed angle therebetween so as to be distanced from each other. The second finger includes a third arm portion and a fourth arm portion extending from its rotation center with a prescribed angle therebetween so as to be distanced from each other. The second arm portion and the fourth arm portion are distanced from each other when the first arm portion and the third arm portion overlap in the axial direction of the drive shaft. The robot apparatus can further improve productivity without incurring size increase and high cost.
US08434988B2

A rotary seamer (1) is provided with a carousel (2) and with at least one seaming station (3) associated with the carousel (2) and comprising a rod-like element (6) rotating around its own longitudinal axis, a seaming tool (4) rotatably connected to a lever (5) integral with the rod-like element (6) and means for rotating the rod-like element (6) around its own longitudinal axis, in such a way as to displace the seaming tool (4) from an operative position, in which it interacts with an object seaming it, to a deactivated position, of non interference with the object; said means comprising an electric motor (7) associated with the carousel and kinetically to the rod-like element (6) and control means operatively active on the electric motor (7) to rotate the rod-like element (6) according to a predefined logic. In known seamers the actuation of the seaming tool is achieved by means of a cam, this entailing limitations and drawbacks in the adaptation of the seamer to the treatment of different objects.
US08434980B2

An expansible anchor assembly includes an expansion sleeve and an anchor bolt plugging and expanding the expansion sleeve. The expansion sleeve includes a first end, a second end, an expansible member adjacent to the second end that is divided into expansible segments by slits, and a bore defined in the expansion sleeve for communicating the first end with the second end. A groove is annularly formed on the expansion sleeve, and a distance from the groove to the second end equals to ¼˜⅖ times a length of the expansion sleeve for preventing an over length of the slits, which is beneficial to the manufacture. During expansion, the expansible segments are completely expanded when the expansible member is subjected to a thrust from the anchor bolt to promote the anchoring force and avoid damaging a working wall.
US08434979B1

An apparatus to assist tightening of cargo straps used on flat-bed vehicles comprises a gearbox having a worm gear and matching wheel gear to tighten the strap. The output of the gearbox is coupled to a tie-down strap. The apparatus enables a user to quickly and properly tighten a tie-down strap regardless of the user's physical size and strength. The apparatus can be provided at each tie-down strap or be moved from strap location to strap location as desired.
US08434977B2

A vehicle wheel chock for a vehicle restraint system for an auto-rack railroad car which secures a vehicle in the auto-rack railroad car. The vehicle wheel chock is configured to be positioned on a grating adjacent to a tire of the vehicle.
US08434976B2

A holesaw mandrel assembly has a mandrel with a first shanking end, a body, and a second extending end that includes a threaded spud to receive a holesaw. A first member is secured on the second end. The first member is axially slidable on the second end. The first member also includes a friction surface to contact the holesaw. The friction surface moves between a first engaging position and a second disengaging position. A mechanism on the mandrel moves the friction surface between its engaged and disengaged positions. The mechanism includes a biased collar and a bearing race. A mating connection enables rotation of the collar which, in turn, enables the friction surface to move between its engaged and disengaged positions.
US08434970B2

A rock bolt is disclosed, which includes first and second ends, a shaft extending between the ends, the shaft incorporating a hollow metal rod including at least one breaking zone and wherein the shaft is arranged to preferentially break in the breaking zone when impact loading is applied to the shaft.
US08434963B2

A connector for rigidly engaging elongate structural members in a display structure includes a beam connection portion defined on a body and having a cavity. A semi-cylindrical guide surface of the cavity is adjacent to an opening. The opening has an elliptical shape in which the difference between a major and a minor axis is an offset distance. An eccentric fastener is rotatably disposed in the cavity and includes a head portion that protrudes from the opening and engages a hole of the elongate structural member, and a cam portion that is eccentrically disposed relative to the head portion and configured to engage the semi-cylindrical surface when the eccentric fastener is rotated relative to the connector.
US08434962B2

The invention relates to a friction welding joint of a plurality of two-dimensional components positioned on top of each other, which are held together by means of a connecting body, which rests on an upper component by means of a collar. The connecting body is configured as a pipe piece, and the upper component is penetrated by the connecting body having a front annular cutting edge by means of rotation and pressure, wherein the connecting body, after cutting through the upper component with the front thereof and receiving the cut-out material of the upper component in the hollow space thereof, together with the lower component forms a friction welding zone created by means of rotation and pressure of the connecting body.
US08434949B2

An optical fiber connector includes a pair of optical fibers and a seat defining a pair of lenses at a front edge thereof and passageways aligned with the lenses respectively and receiving the optical fibers. The seat defines a pair of first apertures at a first surface thereof communicating with the passageways, and a pair of second aperture at a second surface thereof opposite to the first surface communicating with the passageways. Rear insides of the first apertures are aligned with front insides of the second apertures.
US08434942B2

A lighting apparatus for a C-arm X-ray apparatus is disclosed. The lighting apparatus comprises a housing that surrounds an X-ray receiving element of the X-ray fluoroscope and does not cover a receiving face of the X-ray receiving element. The lighting apparatus further comprises at least one light-emitting element positioned within the housing so as to surround the X-ray receiving element, the at least one light-emitting element being configured for emitting visible light downwards towards an X-ray emitting element of the X-ray fluoroscope. The lighting apparatus further comprises a focusing mechanism that allows for focusing of the light emitted, a fastener for coupling the housing to the X-ray receiving element and a power supply unit for providing an electrical current to the at least one light-emitting element.
US08434941B2

A method of producing a temperature measuring sensor including an insulating substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface including a first area and a second area, and a first contact and a second contact being formed in the first area, the above contacts having a structured measuring film located therebetween: creating a conductive connection between the first contact on the top surface of the insulating substrate and the bottom surface of the insulating substrate, and a first conductive layer as a first terminal area of the temperature measuring sensor on the bottom surface such that the first conductive layer is electrically connected to the conductive connection, as well as a second conductive layer on the second area of the top surface as a second terminal area of the temperature measuring sensor such that the second conductive layer is in contact with the second contact.
US08434931B2

This invention is a stirrer, impeller or stirrer paddle used for mixing small volumes of liquid in a vessel having a small capacity for liquid, said impeller being characterized by an impeller blade connected to the bottom portion of a support, where the blade has an opening extending through the blade from the front to the back surface of the blade said opening extending across the rotational axis of the impeller. The invention is also an apparatus comprising that blade, a method of mixing components using the apparatus and an array of two or more of the apparatuses.
US08434929B2

A solder paste mixer includes a housing, a vibration mechanism, a rotating mechanism, and a fixture for fixing a solder paste jar. The housing defines a receiving space, and the vibration mechanism and the rotating mechanism are retained within the receiving space. The fixture can be vibrated by the vibration mechanism and rotated by the rotating mechanism.
US08434925B2

A light source device comprising: a point light source for emitting light; a light source substrate directly mounting the point light source; a light source substrate cover having a through hole or a notch in a position to which the point light source corresponds, the light source substrate cover arranged opposite to a surface of the light source substrate on which the point light source is mounted; and a support member for supporting the light source substrate, the support member arranged to be opposed to the reverse side of the mounting surface of the light source substrate, the support member has a substantially same size with the light source substrate; wherein the light source substrate cover and the support member sandwich the light source substrate to support the light source substrate.
US08434921B2

Microprocessor-controlled light emitting diode (LED) arrays are built into an extruded tubular lens within a mast that is connected to a base assembly. A means of mounting, which may be an adjustable clamp, permits the base assembly to be connected to a seat post or other mounting point on a bicycle or other vehicle. The tubular lens allows for substantial dispersion of light, and various light patterns produced by the arrays may be selected and those patterns alternated automatically to achieve greater visibility of the vehicle to surrounding motorists. A handle within the base assembly allows a rider to lower the mast from its vertical operating position easily and pivotally up to 90 degrees parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame to facilitate mounting and dismounting the vehicle.
US08434920B2

An aerially deployed illumination system is provided which may be remotely operated or preprogrammed to illuminate a designated target, such as a geographic area, vehicle, or personnel. In particular, a remotely controlled UAV having an illumination system disposed thereon is provided, the illumination system comprised of a concentrated light source and light movement apparatus operable to rapidly scan the target with the light source, thereby providing an illusion of a large area of illumination. Preferably, a line is created from the light source, the line being rapidly moved over the target in specific patterns and at specific frequencies. The system may further include a plurality of UAV's capable of ad hoc networking, so as to illuminate both large areas, as well as stationary and moving targets. In addition, the UAV's having an illumination system disposed thereon may be disposed within a projectile, the projectile tube or gun launched, and the UAV ejected from the projectile over a designated target, thereby enabling quick delivery of the UAV to an area of interest.
US08434916B2

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a combination lighting and ventilating apparatus for installation in a structure. The apparatus can include a main housing having a first aperture that defines a ventilating inlet and a lighting outlet, a lamp housing recessed within the main housing, having first and second apertures spaced a distance from one another, and having a portion that extends outside of the main housing, and a lamp recessed within the lamp housing and the main housing. In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a fan positioned to draw air into and through the first aperture of the lamp housing, around the lamp, and through the second aperture of the lamp housing. In another aspect of the invention, a method of lighting and ventilating a room using a combination lighting and ventilating apparatus is provided.
US08434915B2

An LED lamp includes a housing and a light source located outside the housing. An electric module is received in the housing. The housing defines a receiving recess in an outer surface thereof. The light source is connected to the electric module electrically. The light source is pivotally mounted to the housing and pivotable between a rest state and a working state to adjust an illumination angle of the light source. When the light source is located at the rest state, the light source is received in the receiving recess. When the light source is located at the working state, the light source is pivoted up from the receiving recess. The LED lamp can be used for normal illumination, emergency illumination or mobile illumination.
US08434909B2

In one embodiment, a light emitting device comprises an array of legs extending from a body of film with the bounding edges of the legs stacked, a first light source emitting light of a first color and a second light source emitting light of a second color into the stacked bounding edges where the light emitting region defined within the body is configured to extract light of a third color. In another embodiment, a light emitting device comprises three light sources positioned to direct light into a stacked array of bounding edges. In one embodiment, a method of generating light of adjustable color exiting a surface of a film is disclosed.
US08434900B2

A ring-shaped illuminating apparatus with variable projection angle includes a fixing ring, a plurality of swing plates and a plurality of light elements. The fixing ring is connected to the camera. The swing plates each have a fixing end pivotally connected to the fixing ring and a free end away from the fixing end. The swing plates can change their status from an opened status to a closed status. While in the closed status, the free ends of the swing plates are close to each other. While in the opened status, the free ends of the swing plates are away from each other. Each of the swing plates has an inner face and an outer face opposite to the inner face. The inner faces of the swing plates face to each other in the closed status. The light elements are respectively arranged on the inner faces of the swing plates.
US08434895B2

A luminary for exteriors and public carriageways includes a plate of fixed LEDs, the plate has aluminum in a superior section; a dielectric adhesive is located on an interior face, which isolates the plate electrically from a layer which forms electrical copper tracks that serve to make electrical connections between the LEDs, the tracks are connected in series with a power supply; and resting on these tracks and the dielectric adhesive is a final layer of isolating “white” dielectric film.
US08434894B2

A lighting apparatus includes a body portion, a conduit coupled to the body portion, and one or more illumination components coupled to the body portion, where the one or more illumination components are in electrical communication with the conduit. A lighting apparatus kit is also disclosed. A daisy-chained lighting apparatus assembly is also disclosed.
US08434892B2

A flat refractive collimator assembly including a light guide and a light source, for example, an LED. The sides of the light guide defines a collimating reflective surface having a paraboloidal shape with a collimating focal point placed on the axis of the light guide. The central portion of the light guide defines a main reflective surface having a virtual focal point, which is substantially similar to the collimating focal point. The collimating reflective surface is a paraboloidal surface or is formed as a plurality of paraboloidal segments having various focal lengths and having a common collimating focal point. The collimating reflective surface can also include spread optics.
US08434890B2

An electronic apparatus such as a notebook PC or mobile telephone is provided with a badge comprising a multi-layer panel and a light source mounted within the body to illuminate the badge panel from behind. A control circuit senses the orientation of the part of the casing body controls the light source so as to activate it when body part is in a predetermined range of orientations. The multi-layer panel is designed to present a logo in a first orientation (relative to said body part) when illuminated by ambient light and in a second orientation when illuminated from behind by light source. By this means, the orientation of the graphic elements as viewed by an observer can be correct more of the time than by a conventional badge.
US08434883B2

A LLB bulb includes a base, a LED light source configured to emit electromagnetic radiation, and a lens/cover having a light extracting rough surface pattern (LERSP) configured to reduce glare and reflection in the LLB bulb without light loss. A method for fabricating the LLB bulb includes the steps of providing the lens/cover, and forming the light extracting rough surface pattern (LERSP) on the lens/cover. The lens/cover can be fabricated with the light extracting rough surface pattern (LERSP) using a process such as bead blasting, sand blasting, etching (chemical or plasma), or molding.
US08434882B2

An LED lamp includes an optical part, a heat dissipation member and an electric part. The optical part includes a hollow light penetrable tube and an LED module received in the tube. The heat dissipation member is received in the tube to mount the LED module thereon. The electric part include a circuit board and a rechargeable battery arranged in the tube, and two end covers arranged at two opposite ends of the tube. The LED module is provided with at least one first LED and at least one second LED. The at least one first LED and the at least one second LED cooperatively function as a main light source to provide normal illumination when an external AC power source is supplied normally. The at least one second LED independently function as an auxiliary light source to provide emergency illumination when the external AC power source is interrupted.
US08434880B2

A damper is provided for a rear view mirror with motorized actuation. A damper is provided between the mirror and its frame assembly for the purpose of shock absorption or vibration reduction. Each damper comprises a bracket and a boss. A polymer contact material such as an O-ring 24 is mounted onto the free end of the bracket and contacts the boss. The frictional and elastic properties etc. of the contact material determine the damping and frictional characteristics of the movement of the mirror with respect to the boss.
US08434879B2

A focus evaluation value calculation unit acquires a captured image captured by an image capturing unit and then analyzes the image so as to calculate, as a focus evaluation value, a characteristic value that changes in accordance with the focus state of a video image adjusted by a focus adjustment unit. A focus evaluation value storage unit stores the focus evaluation value and a target value of a focus evaluation value. A focus state determination unit determines a display color of focus state information, which is shown as a graph with a color indicating the degree of focus. The focus state determination unit includes: a unit for calculating a change of the focus evaluation value; and a unit for determining the focus state information to be displayed by referring to a table that associates a combination of the change of the focus evaluation value, the focus evaluation value, and the target value with the display color of the focus state information.
US08434878B2

A projector includes: a projection unit that projects projection light toward an illuminated surface; a housing that houses the projection unit and has an opening that allows the projection light to exit outward; and a cover portion that blocks the opening and transmits the projection light, wherein a plurality of areas is set in the cover portion relative to the projection unit, and a process of changing the reflectance of the light-incident surface of the cover portion at which the projection light is reflected is performed on each of the areas.
US08434871B2

Projection screens for projection of binocular stereoscopic images include a metallic projection surface that includes a plurality of depressions configured to produce left and right viewable light fluxes in response to received left and right modulated light fluxes. The metallic projection surface can be formed by beadblasting, and multiple panels can be secured together by welding or other process. Projection surfaces can also be formed by molding or otherwise forming a conductive surface on a dielectric or other substrate.
US08434865B2

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a multifocal lens having a mostly spherical power region and a progressive optical power region. Embodiments of the present invention provide for the proper alignment and positioning of each of these regions, the amount of optical power provided by each of the regions, the optical design of the progressive optical power region, and the size and shape of each of the regions. The combination of these design parameters allows for an optical design having less unwanted astigmatism and distortion as well as both a wider channel width and a shorter channel length compared to conventional PALs. Embodiments of the present invention may also provide a new, inventive far-intermediate distance zone and may further provide for increased vertical stability of vision within a zone of the lens.
US08434863B2

In one embodiment, an eyeglass frame includes a lens holder, a first temple with a first end close to the lens holder and a second end, a second temple, an electrical connector and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board with at least one electrical component can be in the first temple. The connector can be close to the first end of the first temple, facing downward, and electrically connected to the at least one electrical component. In another embodiment, an eyeglass frame includes a first printed circuit board, with at least one electrical component. The first printed circuit board can be connected to an electrical component at the frame via a second printed circuit board.
US08434861B2

Printed images exhibiting a color medium are applied to the printing substrate by a printing device, the printing substrate having been provided beforehand with a viscous fluid film by an application unit arranged in front of the printing device. The color medium of the printed images migrates to a surface of the viscous fluid film and adheres there. After the drying of the fluid film the printed images are firmly fixed on the printing substrate.
US08434859B2

A cartridge includes a casing, a printing material containing portion, a printing material flow path and first and second insertion holes formed in a front face of the casing. A rod used for detection of the out-of-printing material state is inserted into the first insertion hole, and a printing material supply tube is inserted into the second insertion hole. The first insertion hole is located on the front face at a middle position between a first side face and a second side face of the casing.
US08434852B2

Provided is a liquid ejecting head unit including: a liquid ejecting head which includes a nozzle ejecting a liquid; and a head fixing member to which a plurality of the liquid ejecting heads is positioned and fixed, wherein the head fixing member includes a head holding unit to which the liquid ejecting head is fixed and a body to which the head holding unit is fixed, and wherein the rigidity of the body is lower than that of the head holding unit and the specific weight of the body is smaller than that of the head holding unit.
US08434851B2

A mounting detection circuit of a printing apparatus outputs a first mounting inspection signal to one of first terminals and outputs a second mounting inspection signal to one of second terminals thereby performing a mounting inspection for determining whether or not printing materials are mounted depending on whether or not second mounting response signal is received, and examines at least one of whether or not the second mounting response signal is influenced by the first mounting inspection signal and whether or not a first mounting response signal is influenced by the second mounting inspection signal thereby performing a leakage inspection for determining whether or not there is a leakage between the first and second terminals.
US08434850B2

A liquid discharge head having a liquid discharge head substrate including an element row in which a plurality of energy generating elements for generating thermal energy for use in discharging liquid are arranged, and a discharge port member corresponding to each of the plurality of energy generating elements, the discharge port members including a plurality of walls in contact with the liquid discharge head substrate to form a plurality of liquid chambers for storing liquid and a plurality of discharge ports which communicate with each of the plurality of the liquid chambers to discharge liquid with the thermal energy generated by the energy generating element. The liquid discharge head further includes a plurality of heat dissipating members corresponding to each of the plurality of the liquid chambers and having a first portion exposed to the liquid chamber and a second portion exposed to the atmosphere.
US08434847B2

A method of adjusting the operation of printheads in a printing system with a moving sheet carrying device has been developed. The method includes identifying a first amount of sheet carrying device displacement and second amount of sheet carrying device displacement as the sheet carrying device carries a media sheet past first and second printheads, respectively, for imaging of a predetermined location of the media sheet. A time for operating the second printhead is adjusted based on a difference between the first sheet carrying device offset and the second sheet carrying device offset to provide color registration between ink drops of the first printhead and second printhead on the media sheet.
US08434844B2

A stationary pagewidth inkjet printhead has one or more nozzle rows extending along a longitudinal axis of the printhead. Each nozzle is configurable to fire a droplet of ink at a plurality of predetermined different dot positions along the longitudinal axis, and each nozzle has an associated primary dot position. The printhead is configured to compensate for a dead nozzle by printing from a selected functioning nozzle positioned in a same nozzle row as the dead nozzle. The selected functioning nozzle is configured to fire some ink droplets at the primary dot position associated with the dead nozzle and to fire some ink droplets at its own primary dot position.
US08434836B2

A slide assembly includes a catch assembly secured to a first rail member, and a second rail member in sliding engagement with the first rail member. The second rail member includes a post extending laterally towards the first rail member. The catch assembly includes a catch member pivotable between a post retaining position and a post releasing position. When the catch member is in the post releasing position, movement of the second rail member from an extended position to a retracted position causes the post to engage a bearing surface of the catch member to pivot the catch member from the post releasing position to the post retaining position. The bearing surface of the catch member is contoured to provide substantially continuous and uniform engagement between the bearing surface and the post as the post pivots the catch member from the post releasing position to the post retaining position.
US08434833B2

A mounting assembly is configured in a case having an opening and a door panel. The door panel is pivoted to the case so as to cover the opening or uncover the opening by removing the door panel. The mounting assembly includes at least one fixing rod, a stopper member, at least one elastic member and an actuator. The fixing rod is disposed on one inner side of the case adjacent to the opening. The stopper member and the elastic member are movably disposed on the fixing rod. The actuator is disposed on the door panel. When the door panel covers the opening, the actuator is incorporated with the stopper member, such that the stopper member shields the opening, so as to avoid an object moving around or away from the case through the opening.
US08434819B2

An occupant safety system for protecting the occupant of a vehicle seat, the system comprising a movable seat supporting member located under the vehicle seat, the supporting member being operatively connected to the vehicle seat so that the seat moves with the supporting member; and a driving member connected to the supporting member by an elongated linking member; wherein the driving member includes a movable actuator connected to the linking member; wherein the driving member is configured to drive the actuator in a rearward direction causing a corresponding rearward movement of the linking member, wherein movement of the linking member in the rearward direction pulls the supporting member and the vehicle seat in the rearward direction.
US08434807B2

The invention relates to a single or multiple-layer plastic skin as the surface covering of coated objects. Regions are disposed in the plastic skin which are made up of a mixture of the plastic material of the plastic skin and a conducting material.
US08434791B2

Described are a number of mechanisms that can reduce transaction costs and increase the economic viability of a number of products. Included is a combination instant lottery ticket and debit card that makes it possible to issue prepaid debit cards having a relatively low monetary value. Also included is a combination on-line ticket/receipt and debit card that can automate the prize paying process, simplifying the retailer's responsibilities while reducing the potential for fraud. Various cash flow and authentication techniques such as age and location verification, nano payment methods and spam filters based on these mechanisms are also described. In addition, instant lottery tickets, and in particular, losing tickets can be provided with a small residual value by placing account information on the ticket. In another version, a lottery ticket can be combined with a payment card that operates as a closed payment system whereby the payment card can only be used with a specified vendor.
US08434772B2

A strut assembly includes an upper mount assembly, a shock absorber and a knuckle. The upper mount assembly is attached to a piston rod which is a part of the shock absorber. The knuckle is attached to an outer tube of the shock absorber which can be a reserve tube of a dual-tube shock absorber or a pressure tube of a single tube shock absorber. A reinforcement member increases the strength of the outer tube in the area that interfaces with the knuckle and the area that is directly above the knuckle.
US08434771B2

A vehicular fluid damper system comprises a piston-type actuator, a static fluid damper, first and second flow passages, a first flow control valve, and a controller. The piston-type actuator comprises a cylinder and a piston that cooperate with one another to define first and second chambers. The static fluid damper defines first, second, and third dampening chambers. The first and second dampening chambers are in fluid communication with one another. The second and third dampening chambers are in fluid communication with each other. The first flow passage is in fluid communication with the first dampening chamber and the first chamber. The second flow passage is in fluid communication with the second dampening chamber and the second chamber. The controller is configured to facilitate operation of the first flow control valve to change a flow rate of fluid through the first flow passage.
US08434767B2

A sealing unit with a mounting error preventing construction, includes a cylindrical member and an annular sealing member mounted in a circumferential groove formed on an outer circumference of the cylindrical member. At least two projections having different sizes are provided on the sealing member asymmetrically with respect to an axis of the sealing member and are projected in a direction in which the axis extends. Cutout portions for receiving the projections are provided on the cylindrical member.
US08434759B2

A sheet transport device includes an abutment member that moves downstream in a sheet transport direction and against which a leading end of a sheet that has been transported from upstream in the sheet transport direction abuts; and a transport unit that transports the sheet whose leading end has abutted against the abutment member further downstream. The abutment member moves at least to the transport unit in a state in which the leading end of the sheet abuts against the abutment member, and the abutment member is separated from the leading end of the sheet after the transport unit has started to transport the sheet.
US08434758B2

A method and an apparatus for detecting a folded corner of a sheet in a sheet-fed printing press automatically select which of a pair of folded corner detectors provided integrally with right and left side lay devices should be used, in accordance with a setting of which of the side lay devices is to be used, thereby making it possible to raise the rate of operation and lightening the burden on an operator. When the left-hand side lay device is used, a first left-hand end detector supported in the left-hand side lay device and a second right-hand end detector supported in the right-hand side lay device are actuated. When the right-hand side lay device is used, a first right-hand end detector supported in the right-hand side lay device and a second left-hand end detector supported in the left-hand side lay device are actuated.
US08434756B2

This is a stacking tray especially useful in a paper marking system. When papers containing an ID or credit card attached are stacked, an uneven stack results where the card portion is thicker than the paper without the card. This presents a difficult situation for moving the stack onto a transport to a printer or other stations. To correct this uneven or thicker stack from hindering paper feed, two paper plate supports are provided, one a vertically movable plate and the other a fixed plate support. The ID card or credit card portion of the paper is always loaded onto the vertically movable plate thereby providing a substantially flat top stack for easy movement of the sheets from the stack.
US08434754B2

A method for job separation in a high volume document scanning is provided. The method includes monitoring a document receiver with a monitor device to determine when a batch of documents has been received by the document receiver and in response to the monitor device determining the batch of documents has been received by the document receiver, automatically inserting a job separation document with a separation document inserter at an end of the batch to separate the batch of documents from a successive batch of documents.
US08434743B2

An air cleaning humidifier having a disc assembly performing a purifying function and a humidifying function of indoor air, and a disc assembly thereof. The air cleaning humidifier includes a main body, a tub provided in the main body, an air blower fan to generate an air current in the tub, and a disc assembly rotated under the condition that a part of the disc assembly is disposed in the tub. The disc assembly includes a disc member provided with assembly parts formed by cutting parts of the disc member, at least one plate member disposed at one side of the disc member, and at least one fixing member formed on at least one plate member to fix the assembly parts, and each of the at least one fixing member includes a protrusion part respectively inserted into the assembly parts, and a water storage part.
US08434732B1

A portable anchoring apparatus and kit is provided which allows large animals to be safely hitched a safe distance from an anchoring object (e.g., a motor vehicle). Other embodiments of the portable anchoring apparatus and kit include a portable anchored table, a portable anchored large sign, and a portable anchored combination table and large sign.
US08434728B2

A dual sided extrusion, where one side has a different shape than the other side, and the extrusion is intended to be used in different orientations depending on the application.
US08434722B2

A skydiving equipment with a drogue parachute to capture the deployment bag until the opening, and to suspend the parachutist(s) in a horizontal position during the free fall, while distributing the tension forces of the drogue parachute such that the ripcord operation is effortless, includes a first fastening strap bearing a lower tab and a second fastening strap bearing an upper tab to fasten the drogue parachute drogue bridle to the parachute pack at the desired level of the main container. A three-ring system connects the upper tab and the lower tab to the drogue parachute drogue bridle and is operational to effortlessly cause the release of the upper tab and the lower tab out of the drogue bridle simultaneously or successively, while the main container opens at a different time.
US08434718B2

A reusable bumper (10) for a rotorcraft (1) suitable for protecting a rear end (3) of said rotorcraft (1). The bumper (10) comprises a resilient outer shell (20) forming a first chamber (11) having a resilient inner shell (30) placed therein and forming a second chamber (12), said outer shell (20) having at least one main orifice (21), said inner shell (30) being provided with management means (50) for managing the pressure that exists inside said second chamber (12) and suitable for enabling said pressure to increase up to a predetermined threshold in order to inform the pilot that the bumper (10) has made contact with the ground (S), and then to enable said pressure to drop in order to absorb energy resulting from said contact.
US08434716B2

An aircraft forward pressure bulkhead and an aircraft crown panel are described herein. The forward pressure bulkhead includes a malleable and deformable dome that is configured to “catch” foreign objects, such as birds. The dome is intentionally designed to deform in response to a foreign object strike that imparts at least a threshold amount of impact energy to the bulkhead. The dome is free of rigid stiffeners and non-deformable reinforcement members that would otherwise hinder the flexible characteristic of the dome. Practical embodiments of the bulkhead utilize fewer parts, are less heavy, and are less expensive than traditional bulkheads that utilize rigid stiffeners. The crown panel has similar compliant characteristics. The crown panel is designed to simultaneously deform and deflect in response to foreign object impacts such as birds and hail. The crown panel is formed from a monolithic one-piece material, such as aluminum, and various reinforcing features are integrally formed in the material.
US08434712B1

Methods and apparatus for driving rotational elements of a vehicle are provided. The apparatus includes a first driving member configured to rotate a first rotational element of the vehicle relative to a body of the vehicle. The apparatus also includes a second driving member. The second driving member includes a drive structure rotatably coupled to the body. The second driving member also includes a gimbal element coupled to the drive structure via a first joint pin. The gimbal element is configured to couple to a second rotational element of the vehicle such that when the drive structure is rotated relative to the body, the second rotational element rotates relative to the first rotational element. The gimbal element is configured to pivot about the first joint pin relative to the drive structure based on the rotation of the first rotational element and the rotation of the second rotational element.
US08434710B2

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the form of a “tail sitter” flying wing adapted for vertical take off and landing and transitions between flight as a helicopter and wing-borne flight. The vehicle is electrically powered from onboard batteries and equipped with rotors on miniature helicopter rotor heads at the tips of the wing for both lift, during take off and landing, and forward thrust. In planform the wing comprises, to each side of its longitudinal axis, an inner section with swept back leading and trailing edges, and an outer section with a leading edge more perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, being only mildly swept back or substantially unswept, and a swept forward trailing edge.
US08434703B2

An apparatus and method for comminution of ore material includes a radio frequency multi-input, multimode processing resonant cavity arranged for radio frequency electromagnetic irradiation of a stream of ore material passing therethrough. A multi-input measurement resonant cavity, located upstream of the processing resonant cavity may be provided to determine an impedance of ore material to be irradiated in the processing resonant cavity. The radio frequency electrical field generated in the processing resonant cavity is matched to the determined impedance.
US08434698B1

An underground sprinkler system including a tank having an inner cavity adapted to hold chemicals, a distribution pipe fluidly connected to the inner cavity of the tank allowing chemicals to be added to the tank; a mixer connector pipe fluidly connected to the inner cavity of the tank and to a water source hose; a pump disposed in the tank for pumping the chemicals out of the inner cavity of the tank and into the water source hose via the mixer connector pipe; and a secondary connector pipe fluidly connected to the inner cavity of the tank and to the water source hose, the secondary connector pipe allows water from the water source hose to enter into the inner cavity of the tank.
US08434688B2

An RFID tag prevents reduction of communication characteristics due to mutual interference of RFID tags and enables to collectively read plural densely arranged RFID tags by a reader apparatus even when the plural RFID tags are in a densely arranged state. The RFID tag of the present invention is an RFID tag having an IC chip and a first antenna connected to the IC chip, provided with an impedance matching circuit for performing impedance matching between the IC chip and the first antenna, and arranged by stacking a conductor to cover the impedance matching circuit via an insulator base material.
US08434687B2

A stored-value card includes a housing, a light circuit and an account identifier. The housing includes a cover and a base. The cover and the base each define a respective primary panel and a plurality of side walls extending from the respective primary panel. The plurality of side walls defined by the base abut the plurality of side walls defined by the cover. The light circuit includes a light and a switch. The light circuit is substantially enclosed between the base and the cover, and the light is configured to emit illumination upon user interaction with the switch. The account identifier links the stored-value card to an account or record such that value from the account or record can be used as payment toward a purchase of one or more of goods and services. Stored-value card assemblies and methods of using a stored-value card are also disclosed.
US08434685B1

Described herein are accessory devices that are configured to both perform accessory functions for electronic devices, as well as output content that is supplemental or complementary to content being output by the electronic devices. The accessory functionality of the accessory devices may be far-ranging and may include reading lights, covers, projectors, universal serial bus (USB) drives, cameras, page-turn buttons, audio jacks, expansion headers, Bluetooth devices, biometric sensors, ambient light sensors, and more. These accessory devices may complement the operation of any number of electronic devices. For instance, an accessory device may both comprise a reading light to illuminate a display of an electronic book (eBook) reader device, as well as a display to display content that has been deemed supplemental to the content being displayed by the eBook reader device.
US08434675B2

A portable consumer device having a substrate layer, a protective layer and a diamond-based brittle material layer having an intentionally created unique fissure or cracked patterns or crystal zone boundaries and systems and methods for making and using same are disclosed. The diamond-based brittle material layer includes a diamond material. The unique random fissure or cracked pattern and crystal zone boundaries, or the electromagnetic signature based thereon, of the brittle material layer are detected and used to authenticate the portable consumer device.
US08434672B2

A carton for packaging articles includes a plurality of panels arranged to form walls of the carton and at least one handle structure that comprises a pair of inner and outer handle panels hingedly connected together along a fold line. The inner and outer handle panels are in an overlapping relationship. Each of the inner and outer handle panels has a transverse edge at a position opposite to the fold line. The inner handle panel is disposed in an overlapping relationship with a first one of the plurality of panels. The outer handle panel is disposed adjacent to a second one of the plurality of panels. One of the transverse edges is connected to one of the first and second panels. The fold line is interrupted by an aperture defined at least in part by a first edge of the aperture. The first edge defines a carrying edge of the at least one handle structure.
US08434670B2

A repair apparatus includes a heating head device configured to heat a soldering member, which is soldered to a circuit board. The heating head device includes a heating head and a contact member heated by the heating head. The contact member is formed of a material having a spring characteristic and a thermal conductivity higher than a thermal conductivity of the heating head. The contact member is configured to be brought into contact with a soldered surface of the soldering member with an elastic force so as to melt a solder joining the soldering member to the circuit board.
US08434669B1

A wedge wire bonder comprises a wedge that is operative to oscillate along a transducer axis for bonding a wire onto a surface and a wire clamp comprising a pair of parallel clamping plates for clamping the wire. The clamping plates having clamping surfaces that are oriented substantially perpendicularly to the transducer axis. Lateral guides are arranged on opposite sides of the wire, such that the lateral guides and the wire are generally aligned parallel to the clamping surfaces of the clamping plates for guiding the wire towards the wedge.
US08434668B2

The present disclosure relates to the field of fabricating microelectronic packages, wherein components of the microelectronic packages may have magnetic attachment structures comprising a magnetic component and a metal component. The magnetic attachment structure may be exposed to a magnetic field, which, through the vibration of the magnetic component, can heat the magnetic attachment structure, and which when placed in contact with a solder material can reflow the solder material and attach microelectronic components of the microelectronic package.
US08434658B2

A joining method includes melting a hot melt joining material provided between a board and a component to be joined to the board; and reducing the pressure of the ambient atmosphere of the hot melt joining material and tilting the board while the hot melt joining material is in a molten state.
US08434657B2

A multi-station, gantry-based automated welding system includes a gantry mounting robotic arc welders or other equipment. The gantry has a range of travel over multiple workstations, each workstation being adapted for rotatably mounting a respective workpiece on a headstock assembly and a tailstock assembly, which define a workpiece or weldment rotational axis extending therebetween. The tailstock assembly can be located at different positions within a workstation for accommodating different lengths of workpieces. Encoders are installed at the moving elements of the system for precisely tracking and providing output to the computer controller. Primary and secondary power/data distribution systems include cable and hose carriers for providing mobile power/data connections to the gantry and also to the robotic arc welders mounted thereon. The power/data distribution systems are elevated above a facility floor to avoid interfering with equipment, personnel and activities at floor level.
US08434656B2

An ultrasonic horn used in, for instance, a wire bonding apparatus and formed with mounting flanges, including a slit and a cross-sectional shape varying portion; the slit being on the central axis in the horn's longitudinal direction and extending fore and aft relative to the center of the mounting flanges, the length of the slit(s) being equal to or greater than the width direction of a flange region that is between the opposing flanges, and at least a part of the cross-sectional shape varying portion being on the outer surface of the horn at a slit region in which the slit is formed. The stress center point in the cross-section of the ultrasonic horn at the flange region is positioned more to the inside than a straight line joining the stress center points in the cross-sections of the ultrasonic horn at the front and rear end portions of the slit.
US08434655B2

Disclosed is a bicycle carrier having a support mast, an elongate support member extending from the support mast, and a cradle disposed along the elongate support member. The cradle is for receiving a fork crown of a bicycle. The cradle includes first and second tines which form at least part of a substantially U-shaped structure, and a third tine extending angularly away from the U-shaped structure so as to allow the fork crown to be received between the U-shaped structure and the third tine. A head tube of the bicycle is disposed between the first and second tines. The third tine is disposed between fork tubes of the bicycle.
US08434649B2

A dispenser for a paint container having an access opening. The dispenser includes a main lid which is attachable to the paint can access opening and includes a threaded stem. A flow restrictor is threadably mounted to the threaded stem so that rotation of the flow restrictor relative to the stem axially displaces the flow restrictor along the stem. A turret is rotatably mounted to the main lid and includes a dispensing opening. The turret is mounted to the main lid so that the turret is locked against axial movement but freely rotatable relative to the main lid. The turret includes at least one axially extending slot which slidably receives an outwardly extending tab from the flow restrictor so that rotation of the turret axially displaces the flow restrictor along the stem.
US08434648B2

A ring (10) for disposing around a valve body (21) of an aerosol dispenser valve (20) that is mounted by a fastener element (50), such as a crimpable capsule, on a reservoir (1) containing fluid to be dispensed. The ring (10) includes at least an outer portion (15) and an inner portion (11, 11′) that co-operates with the valve body (21). The ring (10) is made as a single piece that is substantially rigid, the outer portion (15) being adapted to co-operate in leaktight manner, by deformation of its material, with a portion of the reservoir (1) while the fastener element (50) is being assembled on the reservoir (1).
US08434646B2

A mixed beverage dispense system and method for pumping a first liquid and a second liquid using a controlled gas source. The dispense system can include a first pump that pumps the first liquid and a second pump that pumps the second liquid. The first pump and the second pump can each include a gas inlet, an inlet gas connection, and an outlet gas connection. The dispense system can also include connector tubing connecting the controlled gas source to the first pump and the second pump in series. The dispense system can include a bag-in-box package with chambers that hold the liquid bags and a fitment with fitment openings open to each one of the chambers for receiving the liquids from the liquid bags. The dispense system can also include an outlet connector coupled to the fitment for receiving the liquids from the fitment.
US08434622B2

[Object] To protect a large-sized article or a large number of articles from impacts and vibrations applied thereto during transportation.[Solution Means] An article packaging unit includes a combination of an outer box 1 and a packaging mat 2. The outer box 1 is an openable and closable container for storing articles, and has a cushion 4 for supporting an article P inside. The packaging mat 2 is formed by filling cushioning bodies in an airtight bag, and attached to an inner lid 3 attached to the outer box 1. When the inside of the packaging mat 2 is deaerated, the cushioning bodies increase the filling density, solidify the packaging mat 2, and come into close contact with the surface of an article P stored in the outer box 1 and hold the article P at a fixed position.
US08434620B2

A bottle packaging for shipment includes a bottom tray, and a top tray made of molded pulp fiber, such as newspaper pulp, and a cardboard partition support structure disposed between the trays. Cavities formed in the bottom and top trays are arranged to engage both ends of a bottle and include crushable elements that can axially engage each bottle. The support partition may be made of corrugated cardboard material and be arranged such that the cardboard flutes provide support for loads imparted to the sides of the carton when the carton is laying on its side. The partition forms a void surrounding each bottle in the area of its labels. In this way, structural support and cushioning can be provided to the packaged bottles from all directions.
US08434619B2

A botanical presentation assembly including a botanical gift box folded from a foldable sheet-like material configured to receive flowers. The flowers have a hidden portion configured to be placed in the botanical gift box. At least one sheet of decorative wrapping material is placed partially within the botanical gift box and interposed between the flowers and the botanical gift box.
US08434609B2

A method is provided for alignment of flat products along a side guide of a conveying device. The products are conveyed successively while resting on their flat base area. Each product is positioned at an angle relative to the conveying direction while in an essentially horizontal plane. Subsequently each product is straightened. The straightened products are pushed against a side guide to align the products along the side guide. A conveying device is also provided to carry out the method.
US08434606B2

A clutch having a pressure plate (1) and a counter plate (16) is provided, with the pressure plate being displaceable by a clutch actuating mechanism such that a clutch disk can be clamped between the pressure plate and counter plate. The pressure plate is a multi-piece pressure plate having a central body (1) which includes a friction surface and on which at least one connecting element (5) is located, which protrudes beyond the friction surface and is connected to the clutch actuating mechanism for burst optimization and cost savings purposes.
US08434603B2

A hydraulic control system for a dual clutch transmission includes a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, first and second actuator control devices in downstream fluid communication with the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, and first and second clutch control devices in downstream fluid communication with the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid. A first valve is in downstream fluid communication with the first and second actuator control devices. A second valve is in downstream fluid communication with the first valve, the first clutch control device and the second clutch control device, and the second valve is moveable between two positions by the first and second clutch control devices. Selective activation of combinations of the control devices allows for a pressurized fluid to engage the dual clutch and an actuator in order to shift the transmission into a desired gear ratio.
US08434599B2

A separation distance is maintained between a leading elevator car (14) and a trailing elevator car (12) traveling in the same direction in an elevator hoistway (16). A shortest stopping distance (dssl) of the leading elevator car (14) and a normal stopping distance (dnst) of the trailing elevator car (12) are determined. The separation distance (dsep) is controlled such that a difference between the normal stopping distance (dnst) of the trailing elevator car (12) and the shortest stopping distance (dssl) of the leading elevator car (14) is greater than or equal to a threshold distance (dthresh).
US08434594B2

A highly stable rotating platform with a base, a roller deck assembly on top of the base, and a shooting deck coupled to the roller deck via leg assemblies. The leg assemblies contain two vertical members with an angled cross member between the vertical members providing strength and stability. Bi-directional, unrestricted rotation of the roller deck assembly and shooting deck (in an unlimited number of degrees—e.g. multiple rotations) is accomplished by wheels in the roller deck which rotate around, and to the outside of, a safety guide attached to the base. The wheels may protrude through the top of the roller deck permitting the operator to precisely, easily, and smoothly rotate the roller deck and shooting deck by only moving his/her foot on the protruding wheel thereby not substantially changing their position relative to the shooting deck. The wheels may also be cambered and/or crowned to add lateral stiffness.
US08434593B2

A stack-fold implement having a central bulk fill hopper assembly is provided. The bulk fill hopper assembly is mounted to the center frame section of the stack-fold implement and does not affect the narrowness of the stack-fold implement when it's in a stacked, transport position. The hopper assembly includes a pair of bulk fill hoppers or tanks supported by cradle that is in turn supported by a pair of wheels. The cradle is removably coupled to the center frame section by a plurality of rigid frame members. A retractable ladder may be stowed beneath the hopper assembly.
US08434585B2

Provided are an electric power steering system and a vehicle steering system each including rack-and-pinion mechanisms (14A, 14B). A rack shaft (3) has a first rack (7A) and a second rack (7B) that are formed on the axially opposite sides of the axial center of the rack shaft (3). The first rack (7A) has a regular pitch p between rack teeth, the second rack (7B) has a regular pitch p between rack teeth, and these pitches p are equal to each other. A predetermined difference is set between the phase of gear teeth engagement between a first pinion shaft (8A) and the first rack (7A), which constitute the first rack-and-pinion mechanism (14A), and the phase of gear teeth engagement between a second pinion shaft (8B) and the second rack (7B), which constitute the second rack-and-pinion mechanism (14B).
US08434581B2

A suspension device for suspending a mass relative to a substructure. The suspension device comprises a spring/damper arrangement which is disposed between the mass and the substructure and dampens vibrations, and comprises at least one Watt's linkage. At least one of the pivot points of the Watt's linkage is movably connected to the mass and the substructure. The relative position between the pivot point, the mass and the substructure can be adjusted by at least one substantially linearly acting actuator. The suspension device is robust and suitable for determining the vertical degree of freedom of movement of a truck driver's cab, and for damping or preventing undesired movement of the driver's cab. At the same time, undesired rolling or tilting motion of the driver's cab can be actively controlled or prevented by using the actuators.
US08434580B2

A utility vehicle with an air-intake apparatus for an engine. The air-intake apparatus includes an air-intake duct connected to the engine, the air-intake duct extending in a bonnet chamber, and an air cleaner case connected to an air-intake upstream portion of the air-intake duct. The air cleaner case accommodates a tubular filter element. The air cleaner case is arranged so as to be inclined in the bonnet chamber so that a central axis of the filter element is inclined forward.
US08434579B2

An assembly is provided for maximizing cooling and fuel economy. A grille opening in the vehicle allows air to flow toward the engine compartment along a first path and a bottom breather opening allows air to flow toward the engine compartment along a distinct, second path. An air separator extends between the first and second paths to prevent mixing of airflow along these paths. The air separator may be a thin dividing wall of a deformable material that extends toward a condenser/radiator assembly at low vehicle speeds. At increased vehicle speeds, the deformable portion deflects to enhance airflow along the second path. An associated method of controlling airflow includes terminating the air separator closely adjacent a condenser/radiator assembly to limit mixing of airflow along separate paths, and deflecting in response to increased air flow to alter airflow through at least one of the first and second paths.
US08434576B1

A mobile apparatus has a first articulating section comprising a leading traction control assembly including multiple points of contact inclined at a forward angle, and a second articulating section comprising an intermediate traction control assembly. A propulsion system is configured to coordinate movement of the leading traction control assembly and the intermediate traction control assembly. A connector operatively couples the first articulating section to the second articulating section, and the first articulating section is configured to articulate relative to the second articulating section in response to one or more of the multiple points of contact of the leading traction control assembly coming into contact with an obstacle. A bias assembly is configured to exert a continuous compression force against one or both of the first articulating section and the second articulating section to maximize the number of points of contact between the mobile apparatus and the obstacle.
US08434565B2

The invention relates to a hand-held power tool, especially a rotary hammer and/or chisel hammer. The hand-held power tool is provided with a vibration dampening unit having a first absorber mass unit with a first vibration dampening direction and at least one second absorber mass unit with a second vibration dampening direction. The hand-held power tool in particular has the first vibration dampening direction of the first absorber mass unit disposed as substantially parallel to the second vibration dampening direction of the second absorber mass unit.
US08434558B2

A device for containing fluid flow from a borehole includes: a containment assembly including a body having a cavity configured to receive a leaking portion of a borehole termination structure extending from the borehole and surround the leaking portion, the cavity configured to be adapted to at least partially conform to a shape of at least one of the leaking portion and the borehole termination structure; and a flow control assembly configured to connect a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the containment assembly and direct downhole fluid into the fluid conduit.
US08434556B2

An apparatus and related methods for removing hazardous trace elements from hydrocarbon reservoir effluent is implemented by placing an adsorbing volume of material designed to adsorb the hazardous trace elements into the vicinity of a producing formation face at a downhole location; and letting the reservoir effluent flow through the volume of adsorbing material.
US08434552B2

Compositions containing an alkali swelling polymer and a pH buffer with a pH between 3 and 7 may be used to treat a wellbore. The pH buffer prevents the swelling of the alkali swellable polymer. The compositions may be placed in the wellbore, whereupon they contact another material with pH increasing properties. The pH of the compositions increases, causing the compositions to swell and form a seal. The alkali swelling polymer may be an alkali swelling latex.
US08434549B2

A ball catcher for recovering balls from wellbore fluids containing sand during flow back operations. The ball catcher has a receiving chamber for receiving the wellbore fluids containing sand, a first flow outlet for discharging a portion of the wellbore fluids and sand contained therein, and a diverter for redirecting balls entrained within the wellbore fluids. The redirected balls and a balance of the wellbore fluids also containing sand are received in a ball-retaining chamber. A blocker fit to the ball-retaining chamber retains the recovered balls therein while the balance of the wellbore fluids and sand contained therein is discharged from a second flow outlet and directed to downstream equipment through an auxiliary flow line. The retaining chamber can be isolated allowing the balls to be removed from the ball catcher without disrupting the flow back operation.
US08434535B2

A pneumatic tire 10 in which a plurality of circumferential main grooves 11 that extend in the tire circumferential direction are formed in a tread surface portion, and a plurality of land portion rows 14 are partitioned by the circumferential main grooves 11, in which in at least one of the plurality of the land portion rows 14 a circumferential auxiliary groove 15 extending in the tire circumferential direction and having a narrower width and shallower depth than those of the circumferential main grooves 11 is formed in a position avoiding the tire centerline CL, and among both side faces 15a and 15b defining the circumferential auxiliary groove 15, one side face on the tire centerline side extends along the normal direction of the tread surface portion or is inclined to the tire centerline side by 5° or less with respect to the normal direction, and the other side face on the side opposite to the tire centerline side is inclined to the side opposite to the tire centerline side by 10° to 30° with respect to the normal direction. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to improve the turning performance on snowy roads without decreasing the steering stability or quietness during travel on a dry road surface.
US08434528B2

Systems and methods allow for limiting a presence of air bubbles in a fluidic medium filled into a reservoir. A fluidic medium may be forced from a vial into a reservoir. A vial may be degassed prior to being used to fill a reservoir. A filling process may be automated and a membrane may be located in a fluid flow path to trap air bubbles in a fluidic medium being filled into a reservoir.
US08434524B2

The invention is a combination accumulator and reservoir which stores energy when the accumulator deforms from its original shape in response to the flow of a pressurized fluid from the reservoir. The stored energy is returned when the fluid flow is reversed and the accumulator discharges the fluid and returns to its original shape. At least one part of the novelty of the invention is that the accumulator and the fluid reservoir reside in the same housing such that the volume of each varies inversely. Accordingly, the invention is more compact and weighs less than conventional accumulators. Another feature of the invention is that fluid is located around the bladder accumulator to lubricate contact between the bladder and sides of the reservoir.
US08434510B2

A valve assembly for a water circulation system includes a valve body defining a bypass passage between a hot water side and a cold water side of the valve body. The bypass passage has a valve seat therein. A bypass valve is received within the bypass passage. The bypass valve restricts the flow of water through the bypass passage based on a temperature of the water in the bypass passage. The bypass valve is variably positionable with respect to the valve seat to control a bypass shut-off temperature of the water.
US08434508B2

A relief valve includes a valve body having a first port through which fluid flows in and a second port through which the fluid is discharged, a sleeve arranged so as to be slidable within the valve body and formed with an inlet being communicatable with the first port and an outlet being communicatable with the second port, a valve being slidable within the sleeve by receiving a fluid pressure of the first port flowing through the inlet in order to establish a closing state at which the outlet is closed by the valve and an opening state at which the outlet is opened, a biasing member applying a biasing force to the valve and a valve position adjusting mechanism actuated for operating the fluid pressure of the first port so as to act on the sleeve in a direction of the biasing force of the biasing member and changing the position of the sleeve relative to the valve body by turning on or off the operation of the fluid pressure of the first port so as to act on the sleeve.
US08434506B2

A flow control valve in which corrosion is less likely to occur in the vicinity of a radial step portion in a gas passage of a housing and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. A flow control valve includes: a housing formed with a gas passage including a first cylinder member accommodating portion, a second cylinder member accommodating portion, and a radial step portion; a first cylinder member accommodated in the first cylinder member accommodating portion; a second cylinder member accommodated in the second cylinder member accommodating portion; and a valve body that is rotatably arranged inside the first cylinder member and the second cylinder member in the radial direction. The housing is formed of cast iron. At least surfaces of the first cylinder member and the second cylinder member are formed of a highly corrosion resistant material. At least one of a first axial end surface and a second axial end surface includes an opposing portion that opposes the radial step portion in the axial direction. A gas seal structure is arranged between the opposing portion and the radial step portion.
US08434501B2

A cleaning system which includes an enclosure and having a door with a transparent window. The door is opened and closed to load and unload products to be cleaned. An operator puck on the outside of the enclosure couples magnetically to another actuator puck on the inside of the enclosure. This coupling allows an operator to move and direct the inside puck to actuate spray or air blast functions, without opening the enclosure. The outside operator puck includes one or more switches which turn on the various electronic components such as the liquid pump, light, or air blast valve. The cleaning system enables a user to efficiently direct cleaning action to parts inside to minimize the cleaning time, and to prevent exposure of chemicals. The cleaning fluid is cycled out of the enclosure continuously, and into a “trap” box, through a pump and back into the cleaner box in a closed loop cycle. This system reduces exposure of users to cleaning chemicals and their vapors prevent the chemicals from being deposited into the environment.
US08434490B2

Devices and method for occluding a fallopian tube. The devices, in one embodiment, may include a plurality of expandable occluding members coupled by respective dissolvable connecting members.
US08434486B2

According to various embodiments, an endotracheal tube ventilating device with a sealing cuff includes an anchoring device. The anchoring device may be secured to the tube above the sealing cuff and extend outwardly from the tubular body. In addition, the anchoring device may be configured to be positioned completely within the hypopharynx of a patient, in contact with the piriform fossa and a laryngeal surface of the epiglottis without creating an airtight seal of the hypopharynx or the esophagus.
US08434481B2

This disclosure describes systems and methods for ventilating a patient with a system that includes an accumulator for storing a gas mixture. The disclosure describes systems and methods for ventilating a patient with a system that includes an accumulator located away from the flow path that reduces or eliminates pockets or burps of an undesirable gas mixture from entering the gas flow path and reaching the patient after a gas mixture change. The disclosure also describes a novel approach for reducing or eliminating these air pockets of undesirable gas by utilizing a dip-tube.
US08434477B2

An assembly of a tube-shaped body and a tube-shaped cap, which are open at one distal side, is provided to manufacture a capsule for enclosing a medicine. At least one recess is arranged in an outer surface of the body, wherein at least one fixating bulge is arranged in an inner surface of the cap, which is destined to be snugly received in the recess in the outer surface of the body in order to realize a fixed snap connection between the body and the cap. A smallest inner diameter of the fixating bulge of the cap is equal to or smaller than a smallest outer diameter of the recess in the body, which contributes to realizing a fixed snap connection which is firm to such an extent that the capsule is suitable for application in an inhalation apparatus comprising provisions for piercing the capsule at least one place.
US08434476B2

The invention relates to a dispenser (1) for pulverulent substances (30), in particular medicaments, from a blister pack (25), dome-shaped cavities (26) of which that are disposed on a base layer (28) can, by movement in a dispenser housing (4), be brought step by step into an emptying position, in which they can be opened by means of a needle (31) and can be emptied by a suction air stream (a) leading to a mouthpiece (6). To achieve optimum emptying of the cavities, it is proposed that the needle (31) passes crosswise through both lateral walls of the dome (29) of the cavities (preferably parallel to the base layer 28) in order to form a through path to the mouthpiece for suction air.
US08434473B2

Ultrasonic nozzle devices without a central channel but employing a design of cascaded multiple Fourier horns in resonance produce micrometer-sized monodisperse or narrowly-sized droplets with greatly reduced electrical drive power requirements. The liquid to be atomized is brought externally to or adjacent to the endface of the nozzle tip. The above liquid transport method is equally applicable to the ultrasonic nozzle-array devices that are comprised of a plurality of ultrasonic single-nozzle devices configured in parallel. The longitudinal length, transverse width, shape, and area of the nozzle endface of single-nozzle and nozzle-array devices may be tailored or designed (e.g. enlarged) to obtain optimum or large quantities of product droplets to achieve high throughput. By increasing the drive frequency to 8 MHz or higher, sub-micrometer-sized monodisperse or narrowly-sized droplets can be produced using the ultrasonic single-nozzle and nozzle-array devices or any solid endface.
US08434472B2

An apparatus is provided for the collection and conversion of light energy. The apparatus includes, a sandwich core structure, a collector element and a concentrator including one or more reflector elements and positioned at an exterior surface of the sandwich core structure.
US08434462B2

A method for operating a four-stroke internal combustion engine and a four-stroke combustion engine configured to be operated by the same are disclosed. The method comprises injecting compressed gas into a cylinder during the exhaust stroke of the combustion cycle. In another aspect of the invention, the injection occurs at a time in the combustion cycle near the end of the exhaust stroke, the cylinder approaching Top Dead Center. In a still further aspect of the invention, the gas comprises air.
US08434459B2

A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine includes an engine management system (EMS), a return line connected to a low-pressure fuel system, a common rail for storing and supplying a relatively high-pressure fuel to an injector, and an automatic isolating valve installed between the common rail and the injector. The injector has a nozzle for injecting fuel into the engine. A valve is operated by the EMS and installed between the common rail and the nozzle. A spill valve is operated by the EMS and connected by its inlet to the outlet of the valve and by its outlet to the return line. A check valve is installed between the nozzle and the return line, the inlet of the check valve being connected to the inlet of the nozzle.
US08434457B2

Various fuel injection systems and fuel injectors are disclosed that provide varying cooling rates for fuel injectors connected in series to fuel supply and drain rail. The local cooling rate for each injector is manipulated to balance the heat flux or heat transfer across the injectors disposed along the rail. The cooling rates may be manipulated by varying sizes of openings or slots in the nozzle case, by varying annular spaces disposed between the nozzle case and the portion of the injector body that houses the actuator and solenoid assembly, and by varying the size of annular spaces disposed between the nozzle case and the cylinder head. Strategic placement of slots in the nozzle case that direct more flow at the portion of the injector body that houses the actuator and solenoid assembly may also be employed. As a result, the operating temperatures of fuel injectors connected in series to a fuel rail can be manipulated and moderated so the downstream injectors are not prone to overheating.
US08434455B2

A control system for an internal combustion engine performs output control so that an engine output coincides with demand output by changing intake air flow rate or ignition timing of the engine. Output reduction control, wherein engine output is reduced, is performed when the demand output decreases. A retard limit output is calculated, and a retard limit intake air flow rate is calculated when the demand output is less than the retard limit output. The engine output is made to coincide with the demand output by retarding the ignition timing when the demand output is equal or greater than the retard limit output. When the demand output is less than the retard limit output, the ignition timing is retard to the limit and the intake air flow rate is controlled so as to coincide with the retard limit intake air flow rate.
US08434450B2

A compression-ignition internal combustion engine includes a plurality of combustion chambers operating in a four-stroke combustion cycle and is configured to operate at a geometric compression ratio greater than 10:1. A method for operating a the engine includes forming a fuel/air charge by injecting fuel into each combustion chamber during a compression stroke, wherein the injection is completed prior to any combustion within the combustion chamber. The method further includes operating the engine to manage temperature of the fuel/air charge in the combustion chamber below an auto-ignition point of the fuel/air charge, and providing a spark discharge in the combustion chamber subsequent to injecting the fuel and in advance of the fuel/air charge achieving an auto-ignition temperature.
US08434449B2

Axially protruding, centrally cooled pistons rotate around a stationary primary rotation axis within a cylindrical piston chamber. The pistons are held on both of their axial ends by concentrically rotating crank disks as intertwined rotary assemblies. On the outside of each crank disk is hinged a driving piston that slides in a radial guide of two flywheels oppositely axially adjacent the piston chamber and crank disks. The flywheels rotate around an offset secondary rotation axis. As a result. The pistons are individually and oppositely alternately accelerated and decelerated. Volumes between them angularly expand and contract. Inlets and outlets are positioned along the piston chamber circumference in correspondence with expansion and contraction phases of the rotating volumes. A low number of moving parts, area sealed volumes, no valves, no dead volume, balanced mass forces, vibration free rotation and short force transmission paths provide for lightweight construction and high rotational speeds.
US08434448B2

The lubricant-return holes are provided in the intermediate portion of the ring gear. Thus, the lubricant stagnating above the first oil sealing member can be easily discharged to the oil pan side via the lubricant-return holes even when the ring gear has stopped rotating in response to the starter motor being turned off after completion of the start of the internal combustion engine. As such, the level of the surface of lubricant stagnating between the ring gear and the outer race member does not rise, and therefore the lubricant surface virtually does not reach the outer race and the one-way clutch that are rotating while the internal combustion engine is running. Thus, bubbling of lubricant and production of sludge, which may otherwise be caused by agitation of the lubricant surface, can be prevented.
US08434446B2

An air intake device 40 comprises: a surge tank 44 having an upper tank chamber 50, a lower tank chamber 52, and a communication portion 56; a first intake pipe 46 having communication with the upper tank chamber 50; a second intake pipe 48 having communication with the lower tank chamber 52; and a valve 58 disposed in the lower tank chamber 52, the valve 58 being displaced between a closed position, in which an internal space of the lower tank chamber 52 is divided into a main space 60 having communication with the second intake pipe 48 and a sub-space 62 facing the communication portion 56, and an open position, in which the main space 60 and the sub-space 62 are integrated with each other.
US08434439B2

A clutch or brake with an electrically actuated switching coil and an armature that axially moves toward the switching coil and forms a connection with the switching coil and can rotate relative to the switching coil, in an adjustment system for camshafts of a combustion engine. A superposition transmission has an input driven by a crankshaft of the engine, a drive output element that drives a camshaft of the engine and a control element, by which relative rotation between the input and the output can be produced by applying a braking torque. The armature is rotationally fixed and axially slidable, and centered on or at a transmission component, and the switching coil is rotationally fixed and centered coaxially with the armature by a membrane spring on a further transmission component, relative to which the armature is braked or to which the armature is coupled.
US08434438B2

A camshaft adjuster for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, including a stator which can be driven by a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and is located radially on the outside, a rotor which is non-rotatably connected to a camshaft and located radially on the inside, working chambers which are disposed between the rotor and stator and can be subjected to a pressure such that the rotational position of the rotor relative to the stator can be varied, and at least one sealing cover which laterally delimits the working chambers and rests against the stator and/or rotor. The sealing cover, stator and/or rotor have a convex, concave or conical contact surface, and the sealing cover can be elastically deformed by the attachment via the contact surface such that it rests against the stator and/or rotor with an increased sealing force as a result of elastic deformation.
US08434432B2

A cooling system is provided for an internal combustion engine that includes, but is not limited to an engine coolant circuit having a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet, a radiator having an inlet and an outlet, a first pipeline for hydraulically connecting the radiator outlet and the engine coolant inlet, a second pipeline for hydraulically connecting the engine coolant outlet to the radiator inlet, a coolant pump located in the first pipeline for moving a coolant towards the engine coolant inlet, a thermostatic valve located in the first pipeline between the primary pump and the radiator outlet, for closing or at least partially opening the passageway, a bypass pipeline for hydraulically connecting an intermediate point of the second pipeline to an intermediate point of the first pipeline, the latter being located between the thermostatic valve and the radiator outlet, an exhaust gas recirculation cooler located in the bypass pipeline, an auxiliary coolant pump located in the bypass pipeline, and a controlling for controlling the auxiliary coolant pump.
US08434419B2

The invention relates to a roller reefing boom (1 in FIG. 1) for a boom sail set with sail battens, preferably a mainsail (6), of a ship (2) with a partially enclosing sail stowage space (27) of aluminum or Faserplast, in which a largely planar sail (6) can be reefed or stowed by rolling it up, wherein the trimming of the sail (6) in all reefing states is achieved by the roll reefing boom (1) comprising a number of segments (11, 12, 14) which can be swung away horizontally in relation to one another, making the sail (6) that is guided by them adjustable variably according to the strength of the wind by means of internal control devices (37 and 76) with fixed profile characteristics (23 a and 23 b) in the depth of the profile (24).
US08434416B2

An agricultural metering device with a variable geometry meter roller is provided. The agricultural metering device includes a meter roller having a plurality of flutes. An aggregate cross sectional area of the flutes increases along a longitudinal axis of the meter roller.
US08434413B2

The present invention provides a gas generator including: an igniter, a collar for holding the igniter, and a cup-shaped case fixed to the collar and charged inside with gas generating agent, the collar formed by a combination of a metallic portion and a resin portion which is integrated with the metallic portion, the collar being provided with an annular groove formed in an outer peripheral surface thereof, the cup-shaped case and the collar being fixed by fitting a bent portion, which is obtained by bending inward an end portion in an opening side of the cup-shaped case, to the annular groove, an annular space being formed by an inner wall surface of the bent portion and the collar, and being in communication with an inside of the cup-shaped case.
US08434408B2

A multi-stage inertial switch including: a housing having a first electrical contact; two or more members disposed in the housing, at least one end of each of the two or more members being sequentially movable upon a different level of acceleration of the housing; and a movable member movable within the housing by the sequential movement of the two or more members, the movable member having a second electrical contact capable of engagement with the first electrical contact to one of open or close an electrical circuit between the first and second electrical contacts upon an occurrence of a predetermined magnitude and/or duration acceleration event.
US08434407B2

A rotary printing press is disclosed. The press includes at least one plate-free printing unit for printing a substrate web with a static print image for print copies of a print job and at least one plate-free printing unit, in particular an inkjet printing unit for printing the substrate web with a dynamic print image. The/each plate-free printing unit can be shifted from a printing position in which the substrate web can be printed by the same printing unit, into a service position in which no substrate web can be printed by the same printing unit. A device which is assigned to the service position is printable by at least one plate-free printing unit that is shifted into the service position, such that the printing parameters of the same can be verified and adapted to subsequent printing of the substrate web in the printing position.
US08434400B2

A piston for an internal combustion engine has a lower piston part and an upper piston part that are connected with one another by friction welding and form an outer circumferential cooling channel. The upper piston part has a circumferential ring belt provided with ring grooves, the inner wall of which delimits the circumferential outer cooling channel. An outer circumferential friction-weld seam is provided below the ring belt, the width of which seam is less than or equal to the wall thickness between the groove root of the ring grooves and the inner wall of the ring belt.
US08434398B2

A control method for controlling a hydraulic actuator to impart oscillatory excitation to a load, the actuator comprising at least one hydraulic chamber and a movable member capable of moving in said chamber between two extreme positions under the action of a liquid under pressure, wherein the method comprises the steps consisting in: determining an operating point for said actuator, which operating point corresponds to a rest position of said movable member; applying a hydraulic command to bring said movable member into correspondence with said rest position; and applying a hydraulic command to cause said movable member to perform reciprocating movement about said rest position, said reciprocating movement being adapted to apply a desired excitation to said load; the rest position of said movable member being selected to be significantly off-center relative to said extreme positions. Advantageously, said rest position is selected to be as close as possible to one of said extreme positions of the movable member, taking account of the movement amplitude required of the piston to impart a desired excitation to said load.
US08434397B1

A weapon mounting system for a vehicle, such as a helicopter. The weapon mounting system illustratively includes a weapon cradle supporting a machine gun for pivoting movement about a generally horizontal elevational axis. A carriage supports the weapon cradle and is supported by a pintle for rotation about a generally vertical azimuth axis. An ejection collection device is supported by the carriage and collects spent shell casings and links ejected from the machine gun for discharge through the pintle. A trigger assembly illustratively provides for manual operation by a gunner and for remote electrical operation by a pilot.
US08434396B1

A ballistic tile for use in an imbricated pattern of like ballistic tiles to achieve coverage of a protected area by the imbricated pattern, while having rounded corners to limit the potential for spalling on ballistic impact. The ballistic tile may include a strike face that is generally undulating to laterally deflect at least a portion of the impact force, and to induce turning of the ballistic projectile on impact to further distribute the impact force. The ballistic tile may also include one or more features on an obverse and reverse side thereof that, when arranged in an imbricated pattern, limit lateral motion of the tiles on ballistic impact, and/or laterally transmit the energy of the projectile for deflection and absorption thereof.
US08434383B2

A transmission shifting apparatus of a vehicle, may include a shifter movably installed along at least two straight paths which meet each other at one point, respectively, wherein at least two fixed points are arranged adjacent each other in at least one of straight paths, in which the shifter maintains a position thereof unless an external force is applied thereto, wherein the straight path having the at least two fixed points has a structure extending outwardly to both sides of the at least two fixed points, and wherein one of the at least two fixed points in the straight path is formed to meet the other straight path of the at least two straight paths.
US08434380B2

A transmission includes an input member, an output transfer gear, first and second shaft members, a countershaft, a reverse shaft member, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of synchronizer assemblies and a dual clutch assembly. The transmission is operable to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and a plurality of forward speed ratios between the input member and the output gear.
US08434379B2

An apparatus for developing inertial forces, the resultant of which is a unidirectional force, includes at least two masses (M) or pairs thereof, each rotating on a generic plane along a closed path, the path included between minimum and maximum paths, both included in an outer circumference (C1) having a radius (R1) and a diameter (D1) perpendicular to the symmetry axis of the path of (M), as well as a center (O) coinciding with the rotational center of (M). The minimum path is defined by a circumference (C3) having a radius (R3) equal to 1/10 of (R1), and a center (O′), set on the axis of symmetry of the path of the masses and tangential to the center of (C1). The maximum path is defined by two minor circumferences of radius (RK)≦¾ (R1), each having its own center on the diameter (D1) of (C1) and being tangential thereto.
US08434376B2

A keyboard testing system includes a chassis; a retaining board; a plurality of guiding rods mounted between the chassis and the retaining board; a platform; a lifting device mounted on the chassis to drive the platform to move toward and away from the chassis; a motor mounted in the control box; a transmission device mounted in the control box; a key testing device movably mounted on the guiding rod. The motor drives the key testing device to move toward and away from the platform along the guiding rods by the transmission device.
US08434368B2

An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a physical and/or chemical, measured variable of a medium, including a housing, especially an elongated housing, and a sensor arranged in the housing. The sensor serves for registering the measured variable, wherein the housing has at least one opening, through which the sensor comes in contact with the medium. The housing has a first housing section, in which the sensor and a sensor electronics are arranged. The sensor electronics is arranged on a first carrier element. The sensor electronics serves for changing the measured variable into an analog electrical signal. An insert is applied in the first housing section, in which the sensor electronics is arranged. The insert is tubular.
US08434366B2

Traditional photoacoustic sensors generally operate in a passive mode, which can degrade the performance. Here, however, a photoacoustic sensor has been disclosed that operates an acoustic resonance chamber and a transducer in an active mode so as to avoid the problems associated with traditional photoacoustic sensors; in particular, because the acoustic resonance chamber operates at near atmospheric pressure such as 100's Torr as opposed to 1 m Torr type of pressure for radio spectroscopy, the sensor is allowed to be scaled to operate on an integrated circuit or IC.
US08434337B2

An apparatus and method for bending a guide post used in forming a template for locating dental implant hole. The guide post includes at least one face on a distal end for registering the orientation of the guide post. The apparatus includes a base plate having protractor-like indicia, a supporting block attached to the base plate, the supporting block having an aperture for receiving a distal end of the guide post, and a stylus received by a proximal end of the guide post, the stylus extending towards the protractor-like indicia.
US08434325B2

A process for the recovery of heavier hydrocarbons from a liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream and a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The LNG feed stream is heated to vaporize at least part of it, then expanded and supplied to a fractionation column at a first mid-column feed position. The gas stream is expanded and cooled, then supplied to the column at a second mid-column feed position. A distillation vapor stream is withdrawn from the fractionation column below the mid-column feed positions and directed in heat exchange relation with the LNG feed stream, cooling the distillation vapor stream as it supplies at least part of the heating of the LNG feed stream. The distillation vapor stream is cooled sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, forming a condensed stream. At least a portion of the condensed stream is directed to the fractionation column as its top feed. A portion of the column overhead stream is also directed in heat exchange relation with the LNG feed stream, so that it also supplies at least part of the heating of the LNG feed stream as it is condensed to form a “lean” LNG stream. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the column are effective to maintain the column overhead temperature at a temperature whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered in the bottom liquid product from the column.
US08434324B2

An integrated unit is formed by integrally assembling an ejector, a first evaporator that evaporates refrigerant discharged from the ejector, a second evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant drawn into the ejector, a refrigerant dividing portion that adjusts a flow amount of refrigerant flowing in and divided to the nozzle portion and the second evaporator, and a joint in which a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet are formed. In the joint, there is formed a gas-liquid separation portion that causes refrigerant flowing therein to swirl to separate it into gas and liquid. The ejector, refrigerant dividing portion and joint are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the ejector.
US08434317B2

A refrigerated appliance such as a refrigerator receives a demand response signal indicating a peak demand period and operates the refrigerator in an energy savings mode by disabling an anti-sweat heater. Sensors monitor ambient temperature and humidity, and the dry bulb temperature of a preselected region where incipient moisture would likely form. Data from the sensors is sent to a controller which calculates ambient dew point and compares the dry bulb temperature of the preselected region with the calculated dew point to enable the anti-sweat heater during the peak demand period and prevent incipient formation of moisture.
US08434314B2

A method for thermally conditioning a space adjacent a seat assembly includes activating a heating element positioned within the seat assembly beneath a seat covering. A fluid module that includes a fluid supply device and a thermoelectric element is activated to direct heated air from the fluid module to a space adjacent the seat assembly through a distribution system formed at least partially in the seat cushion. After a period of time, the heating element is deactivated.
US08434304B2

A cup seal 21 includes a base portion 21a disposed on a cylinder bore opening portion side of a seal groove, and an inner lip portion 21b extended from an inner circumferential side of the base portion toward a cylinder bore bottom portion and having an inner circumferential surface slidably abutting against an outer circumferential surface of a piston. In a state where the cup seal 21 is fitted into the seal groove and a plunger 19 is inserted into a cylinder bore 12, an abutting force maximum portion 21m where an abutting force against the plunger 19 becomes maximum within an inner circumferential surface of the cup seal 21 is provided on an end portion on the cylinder bore opening portion side of an inner circumferential surface part of the base portion 21a.
US08434300B2

A blade for a torque converter including a body having an outer edge, at least two shell tabs integral to the outer edge and extending therefrom and at least one flexible sealing flange adjacent to at least one of the at least two shell tabs, the at least one flexible sealing flange is integral to the outer edge and extending therefrom, wherein the outer edge is arranged to conform to an inner surface of a shell in a torque converter, the shell having at least two slots arranged therethrough, the at least one flexible sealing flange is arranged to conform to the inner surface of the shell to provide a fluid seal, the at least two shell tabs are disposed through the at least two slots and at least one of the at least two shell tabs is arranged to engage an outer surface of the shell.
US08434291B2

A system may detect a flame about a fuel nozzle of a gas turbine. The gas turbine may have a compressor and a combustor. The system may include a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, and a transducer. The first pressure sensor may detect a first pressure upstream of the fuel nozzle. The second pressure sensor may detect a second pressure downstream of the fuel nozzle. The transducer may be operable to detect a pressure difference between the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor.
US08434290B2

A crop header has generally horizontal flail disks mounted for driven rotation about generally upright axes. A pair of conditioner rolls is mounted in a discharge opening. A crop converging system includes two over-shot auger elements defined by a common auger shaft with an auger flight carried thereon arranged generally longitudinal of the cutter bar so as to carry the cut crop longitudinally of the cutter bar to the entrance opening. Each auger element is arranged with a forwardmost tangent to the auger flight located behind the axes of the rotary disks and with an outer end thereof spaced outwardly of the respective end of the entrance mouth. The common auger shaft is driven by a common rotary drive with the bottom roll of the conditioner rolls. The augers terminate inwardly of the outer end of the cutter bar to locate the drive inboard of the end plates.
US08434285B2

The present disclosure includes various brackets and systems for forming tiled transitions between surfaces. One bracket embodiment for forming a tiled transition between a first surface and a second surface forming an inside corner includes a first base portion securable to the first surface, a second base portion securable to the second surface, a receiving slot angled with respect to the first and second surfaces for receiving a tile strip to form the tiled transition, and a channel for receiving a filler material adjacent to the receiving slot.
US08434284B1

Methods for installing a glass panel, including an insulated glass panel, a security glass panel, or a decorative leaded glass panel, to an opening in a door or a window without creating holes in the door or glass panel using a dual support connector with connector body, connector hole extending through the connector body, a glass flange integral with the connector body for overlaying an edge portion of the glass panel; an structural panel flange integral with the connector body, extending at a right angle to the connector hole away from the connector body parallel to while opposite the glass panel flange for overlaying an edge portion of the structural panel while in a plane apart from a plane of the glass flange.
US08434281B2

Presented herein is a system for stiffening and strengthening a door, said system comprising a plurality of stoppers each having a channel, wherein said stoppers are affixed to the door; and at least one stiffening rod seated within the channels of said stoppers; and means for shortening the span of said stiffening rod disposed between said stoppers; whereby shortening the span results in straightening the door.
US08434279B2

A steel composite beam is manufactured by T-shaped steel, inverse T-shaped steels installed at opposite ends of the T-shaped steel, and vertical stiffeners installed on the inverse T-shaped steels. A method for manufacturing a composite beam using T-shaped steel and a method of constructing a structure using the same are capable of using less steel and minimizing dead weight of the composite beam compared to a steel composite beam having the same cross section and depth, and designing a cross section of the composite beam in an efficient and economical manner due to the pre-stress caused by tendons, providing easy connection with column members on the basis of length, providing efficient construction, easy management, and convenient construction for ceilings and finishing equipment due to light dead weight.
US08434269B1

An eavestrough cover comprising a first side structure and a second side structure with a central planar portion intermediate the side structures, the central portion having a plurality of longitudinally extending sections with each being separated from each other by a rollback member, the rollback members extending longitudinally and having one face thereof of a C-shaped configuration, all of the rollbacks facing in the same direction, each of the longitudinally extending sections having a plurality of apertures formed therein. The rollback structure helps prevent overflow of the eavestrough.
US08434268B2

A method for installing a retrofit conversion kit for converting a door operating apparatus from overhead use to underground use and for operating a swinging door while protecting the door apparatus against moisture and dust encroachment within its underground location. A seal arrangement provides this contamination encroachment protection.
US08434258B2

A lure skirt which comprises a two piece central unit of a first component of a first collar and a raised male hub where the raised male hub has an orifice at its center and a second component of a second collar and a raised female hub where the raised female hub has an orifice at its center and is sized to accept the male hub. Multiple individual strands or multiple block strands are secured to either the first collar or the second collar or both the first and second collars by an adhesive. The male hub is affixed inside said female hub and multiple strands radiate out from the central unit.
US08434257B2

An apparatus to fish having a body with exterior and interior faces extending from a first edge to a first end. At least one shaped channel is defined at the interior face, each shaped channel has a first channel extending from the first edge, and a second channel extending from the first channel. The body further has a first wall that extends from the interior face at a first predetermined distance from the first edge. A housing assembly is removably mounted into the body. The housing assembly has a second wall with a second edge, a first base wall with a third edge, and a housing. A first outside diameter of the second wall is smaller than a first interior diameter of the interior face. Protrusions protrude from the second edge; and a handle fixed to the interior face.
US08434255B2

Breech block for a drop-down barrel weapon, having at least one firing pin, which is guided such that it can move axially therein, has an impact head at its rear end for a firing piece to strike, and has a firing tip at its front end in order to fire a cartridge, with a safety slide being guided such that it can move laterally in a recess on the firing piece side of the breech block between a first position in which a portion thereof in the form of a spacer head projects beyond the impact head of the firing pin in the impact area of the firing piece and a second position in which it is withdrawn from the impact area of the firing piece, which recess is at least partially closed by a cover plate with the cover plate having recesses for the impact head and the spacer head to pass through.
US08434252B2

A recoil absorption system for a long gun is provided that includes at least one fluid-filled piston shock attached between the body of the rifle and the stock to provide a damped connection between the two. When large caliber rounds are fired, the shocks are permitted to compress, so that the buffer tube is correspondingly permitted to travel rearward within the buffer tube bore of the stock. The stocks detent pin is normally captured within a slot on the buffer tube, such that the long gun recoil causes the buffer tube slot to move relative to the pin, the pin restricts the buffer tube movement and compression of the shocks to the length of the slot. In this way, the recoil energy of large caliber rounds is effectively absorbed, providing a more comfortable and accurate shooting experience.
US08434250B2

A system for presenting color and design combinations is provided. The system includes first substrate having at least two sections. Each section of the first substrate includes visual representations of physical items representative of a particular style category such that the style category of one section is different from the style category of another section. Each section of the first substrate includes at least one transparent area. The system also includes second substrate having at least two sections. Each section of the second substrate includes at least two colors representative of a particular color category such that the color category of one second substrate section is different from the color category of another second substrate section. The first substrate overlays the second substrate such that colors of one of the second substrate sections can be viewed through the transparent area of one of the first substrate sections.
US08434248B2

An excavation retention assembly is provided for mounting a tooth to an excavating apparatus. The assembly in one embodiment includes a tooth and an adaptor end of a working member of an excavating apparatus. The tooth includes a cavity for mating with an end of the adaptor, an opening for receiving a fastening member and a fastening receptacle in the cavity opposite the opening in the tooth for receiving the fastening member. The adaptor includes a passage which aligns with the opening in the tooth and the fastening member. The fastening member passes through the aligned opening of the tooth, the passage of the adaptor and into the fastening receptacle for securing the tooth to the adaptor.
US08434245B2

An article of footwear with an integral upper and sole and a method of assembling the article of footwear are disclosed. The method includes folding the article of footwear from a flat configuration and attaching top and bottom lateral edges to form the article of footwear. A kit of parts containing an article of footwear with an integral upper and sole and a set of instructions is also disclosed.
US08434235B2

A cutting assembly is slidably mounted on a T-Square. The T-Square may include a scale having multiple indicia for measured cutting based on the size of the wallboard sheet being cut. The cutting assembly is mounted on a slider which may be clamped at measured positions along the arm of the T-Square. The cutting assembly includes oppositely disposed knife blades which are slidably mounted in a housing and spring loaded on opposite sides of a pivot mount such that when not in use the cutting assembly is urged to level and rests with the two knife blades retracted. As the housing is rotated so as to lower one end, the corresponding knife blade extends from the housing to engage with and score or cut the surface of the wallboard material. The cutting tool may be rotated in the opposite direction to thereby extend from the housing the other blade of the pair of oppositely disposed knife blades.
US08434232B2

A method for constructing a truss includes selecting three or more chord elements (two or more upper chord elements and one or more lower chord elements) and one or more web elements. The selecting of the components includes estimating a first change in length for each of the two or more upper chord elements and estimating a second change in length of each of the one or more lower chord elements, the first change in length and the second change in length in response to changes in conditions to which the truss is exposed. The one or more web elements are selected from the plurality of wood members to compensate for the deformation caused by the first change in length and the second change in length.
US08434230B2

A vehicle door is manufactured by producing a supportive frame (10) and a waist rail (14) and a side impact guard beam (22) which are formed integrally with the supportive frame. The door is produced by hot stamping a steel sheet blank into the shape of a supportive door frame that includes an integral waist rail (14) and a side impact guard beam (22), and hardening the shaped door frame while the frame remains in the shaping tools, and fastening an outer panel (31) to the finished door such that the side collision guard beam (22) of the frame will lie close to the outer panel (31).
US08434229B2

A liquid ejection head manufacturing method includes, in the following order, preparing a substrate having a flow path mold; arranging a first layer serving as a flow path wall member so as to cover the flow path mold; curing a portion of the first layer serving as a flow path sidewall; arranging a second layer so as to cover the cured portion of the first layer and the flow path mold; planarizing the second layer by pressing the second layer toward the substrate; arranging the ejection port in the first layer and the second layer; and forming the flow path by removing the flow path mold.
US08434218B2

A tool for engaging a telecommunications connector within a slot so that a releasable latch of the connector is released by the tool. The tool may be used to remove a telecommunications connector from a mating opening of a receptacle or may be used to insert a connector within a receptacle.
US08434208B2

A method for manufacturing a complex structure from a two-dimensional layout, the method comprising: (a) obtaining a support plate having a pre-determined, patterned recess formed in a surface thereof; (b) depositing a first series of individual flexible interconnects into the recess, the flexible interconnects being aligned parallel to one another in a common plane and supported by the support plate; (c) adhering, with adhering means, at least one rigid member to each of the flexible interconnects of the first series; (d) adhering, with adhering means, a second series of individual flexible interconnects to the rigid members to form a plurality of stations, wherein each of the second series of flexible interconnects is adhered to two rigid members of adjacent flexible interconnects of the first series, the flexible interconnects of the second series being formed perpendicular to the flexible interconnects of the first series; (e) curing the adhering means to form an assembled, layered structure; (f) removing the layered structure from the support plate; and (g) folding, systematically, the layered structure on itself and causing at least some of the stations to be supported about a central spine in a segmented manner.
US08434206B2

A clutching jig includes a pair of clutching bars, a pair of clutching pieces and a protecting means. Each of the clutching bars includes a top end portion and a bottom end portion. The top end portions are connected to each other and the bottom end portion are separated from each other. Each of the clutching pieces is fixed to the bottom end portion of each of the clutching bars. The clutching pieces are covered by the protecting means and exposed from the protecting means via the protecting means moved relative to the clutching pieces. The protecting blocks will cover the clutching pieces if the clutching jig is unused. The protecting blocks will slide upwardly relative to the clutching bars to urge the clutching pieces to be exposed if the clutching jig is used. Hence, the protecting blocks can protect the clutching pieces to prevent the clutching pieces from damage.
US08434203B2

A web buckle 30 with a pivot pawl 40 to receive non-interlocking tongues insertable into the buckle. Push button 41 is biased upwardly by spring 39 within housing 44. Button 41 may be moved downward forcing pawl 40 to disengage the tongues. Pawl 40 is rockable to disengage the tongues one at a time.
US08434185B1

A pipe cleaner assembly is provided for facilitating removal of burrs and debris from an interior surface of a pipe. The pipe cleaner assembly includes an elongated core having a first end and a second end. The first end is configured for attachment to a power tool to selectively rotate the core. A plurality of bristles is provided. Each bristle has a base coupled to the core between the first and second ends. The base of each bristle is coupled to the core so that a free end of the bristle extends from the core. The bristles are aligned along a length of the core.
US08434179B2

The breathable bedding described here serves to protect an infant from suffocating due to close contact with bedding. The breathable bedding includes one or more breathable bedding elements, which are made of a material that allows air to pass through it freely, is flexible, yet has sufficient stiffness to hold a three-dimensional shape. The three-dimensional shape ensures a cushioning effect. The breathable bedding elements are covered with a breathable fabric, such as a light woven or open-weave fabric, to form a breathable bedding panel that may serve as a crib bumper or mattress.
US08434172B2

A flush valve utilizes a sensor to determine how close a user is to a toilet to determine whether to utilize a longer flush with more water to remove, typically, solid waste or a shorter flush with less water to remove, typically, liquid waste. If a user is in a zone that is closer to the toilet, a longer flush is deemed necessary and if a user is in a zone farther from the toilet, a shorter flush is deemed necessary. Users sometimes move between one zone or the other and the flush valve determines whether a user spends more or less time in the zones to determine whether to provide a shorter or a longer flush.
US08434169B2

A shielding or protective garment in the form of women's clothing includes an outer fashionable portion or component and an inner protective portion or component having electromagnetic radiation defeating material distributed throughout the inner component. The inner component is affixed within the outer component as a liner so as to extend around and over a portion of a wearer's torso and lower abdomen. The electromagnetic radiation defeating material of the inner component shields or protects the wearer from electromagnetic fields coming from any or all directions.
US08438660B2

The stress due to contact between a probe and a measurement sample is improved when using a microcontact prober having a conductive nanotube, nanowire, or nanopillar probe, the insulating layer at the contact interface is removed, thereby the contact resistance is reduced, and the performance of semiconductor device examination is improved. The microcontact prober comprises a cantilever probe in which each cantilever is provided with a nanowire, nanopillar, or a metal-coated carbon nanotube probe projecting by 50 to 100 nm from a holder provided at the fore end and a vibrating mechanism for vibrating the cantilever horizontally with respect to the subject. The fore end of the holder may project from the free end of the cantilever, and the fore end of the holder can be checked from above the cantilever.
US08438658B2

Mechanisms that provide a sealed storage in a data processing device are provided. Processors of the data processing device may operate in a hardware isolation mode which allows a process to execute in an isolated environment on a processor and associated memory thereby being protected from access by other elements of the data processing device. In addition, a hardware controlled authentication and decryption mechanism is provided that is based on a hardware core key. These two features are tied together such that authentication occurs every time the isolation mode is entered. Based on the core key, which is only accessible from the hardware when in isolation mode, a chain of trust is generated by providing authentication keys for authenticating a next piece of software in the chain, in each piece of software that must be loaded, starting with the core key.
US08438654B1

The present invention is related to associating a machine or virtual machine instance with an access control right in a cloud-based computing environment. In one aspect, the present invention relates to an apparatus for or a method of associating a machine or virtual machine instance with an access control right in a cloud-based computing environment. In various embodiments, the apparatus is capable of, and the method includes, the following: receiving, in a cloud-based computing environment, a request to perform an action; using an identifier for the machine or virtual machine instance to determine that the received request was sent by, or on behalf of, the machine or virtual machine instance; and identifying an access control right associated with the machine or virtual machine instance making the request, to determine whether to perform the action on behalf of, or grant access by, the machine or virtual machine instance.
US08438652B2

A data storage device in which access to user data is restricted. The data storage device includes a data memory having memory locations that store user data. The device also has a program memory. The program memory includes first program code that enables a user to create a first device security ID and thereby restrict access to the stored data. Second program code, also included in the program memory, is capable of receiving a security command and comparing a second device security ID associated with the received security command to a stored security key. If the second device security ID and the stored security key correspond, then authentication with the first device security ID is bypassed and access is provided to the stored data.
US08438645B2

A system of controlling playback of digital media. A system of controlling playback of digital media comprising a CE device having a secure clock and a license having a specified grace period disposed upon the CE device in which a digital media file governed by the license may be played for the grace period upon failure of the secure clock.
US08438643B2

Information system service-level security risk analysis systems, methods, and Graphical User Interfaces are disclosed. Assets of an information system that have relationships with a service provided by the information system are identified, and at least one security risk to the service is determined by analyzing security vulnerabilities associated with the identified assets. A consolidated representation of the service is provided, and includes an indication of the determined security risk(s) and an indication of a relationship between the service and at least one of the identified assets. The security risk indication may include indications of multiple security parameters. Security risks may be represented differently depending on whether they arise from a security vulnerability of an asset that has a relationship with the service or a security vulnerability of an asset that has a relationship with the service only through a relationship with an asset that has a relationship with the service.
US08438640B1

A computer implemented method comprising: identifying an API function call directed to a broker process, wherein a plurality of information requested by an originator is directly relevant to a sandbox process; trapping an API function call directed to a broker process using a computer, wherein the API function call references the broker process, wherein the broker process is a process that executes one or more operations on the behalf of a sandbox process, and wherein the sandbox process has an insufficient permission level to execute the one or more operations; passing the trapped API function call to the sandbox process using the computer; executing the trapped API function call within the sandbox process to generate a result in reference to the sandbox process using the computer; passing the result from the sandbox process to the broker process using the computer; and passing the result from the broker process to an originator using the computer.
US08438615B2

A system and method for setting up security of a controlled device by a control point in a home network are provided, in which authority to perform a function intended by a user is acquired through authentication between the control point and the controlled device, a security channel is created for performing the function, and a credential setting used by the user is synchronized among controlled devices in the home network.
US08438611B2

Queries regarding access permissions of users and rights to directories in a complex enterprise are executed in near real-time, using lookups to tables that form a condensed database maintained for each file server. User information is condensed by arranging users in user groups having common data access rights. Directory permissions storage is condensed by showing only distinctive permissions to a directory in a table entry, and referencing inherited permissions of parent directories. The tables indicate recursive and ancestral relationships among the user groups and directories. They are developed and updated in advance of any queries. A consolidated view of the query results is presented on a single display screen. Using the tables results can be obtained without exhaustive searches of large file system tables.
US08438610B2

In various embodiments, techniques for identity-based address normalization are provided. A principal attempts to access a resource via a principal-supplied address. A principal identity for the principal is used to acquire one or more address patterns. The principal-supplied address is compared against the one or more address patterns and when a match is detected, the principal-supplied address is normalized according to policy associated with the matched pattern. Additional access limitations and security restrictions are then enforced in response to the normalized address.
US08438607B2

Apparatus and methods for premises gateway functions that integrate or unify functions typically distributed across multiple devices within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the out-of-band (OOB) signaling functionality normally provided in each of a set-top-box (STB) and digital video recorder (DVR) are unified into a common OOB (e.g., DOCSIS) capable premises gateway device, thereby obviating OOB tuners and related components from each device. In another variant, the premises gateway is adapted for all-IP operation, such as for use with IP-based computers and IP set-top boxes, etc. Fully unified variants are also disclosed, wherein the DVR and/or STB functions are physically integrated within the premises gateway.
US08438604B2

A method of indicating quality of service includes determining values of a plurality of video quality parameters at a set-top box device. The method also includes selecting a color from a plurality of colors based on at least one of the values. The method also includes activating a video quality indicator, wherein the video quality indicator includes the selected color.
US08438602B2

Systems and methods are described for presenting a plurality of media clips to a viewer using a media player device. A first media clip is displayed on the media player, and an indicator corresponding to a second media clip is provided during playback of the first media clip. In response to the viewer selecting the indicator, playback of the first media clip is suspended, and information is stored about the first media clip on the media player device. The second media clip can then be subsequently displaying on the media player device. After displaying the second media clip, the stored information can be retrieved, and playback of the first media clip can resume from the point that playback was previously interrupted.
US08438601B2

A networked personal video recording (“PVR”) system couples a plurality of clients to one or more PVR media servers over a network. One or more PVR media servers include television tuners to tune television signals. A storage medium buffers the television signals to implement PVR functionality. For example, the PVR media server records television programs for clients. Clients are assigned to television tuners, and the clients display television programs received at the assigned tuner. The network transfers the buffered television signals to the clients.
US08438599B2

Guide information is provided relating to playing/viewing of content retrieved through various modalities such as television broadcasting and a computer network. A unified program list is created that comprehensively handles program content. For a self-recorded program, program metadata retrieved during a recording operation is additionally registered. For a network program, a network program list is periodically retrieved from a service site, modified and recorded. To play the content, a guide screen is created and supplied based on a unified program list. When a self-recorded program is selected, the program is read and played from an HDD. When a network program is selected, the program is played in a streaming manner via the Internet.
US08438596B2

According to one aspect, a DVR sends a user's contact information over a network to an interested party. The DVR prompts the user to enter contact information. After the user has supplied the requested contact information to the DVR, the DVR stores the contact information on the DVR's hard disk drive. Upon determining that a television program or advertisement contains a special tag that is associated with an interested party, the DVR displays, to the user, a prompt that invites the DVR user to allow the DVR to send the user's contact information to the interested party. If the user gives permission for the DVR to send the contact information to the interested party, then the DVR sends the contact information to the interested party (e.g., over the Internet).
US08438594B1

A method and system for 3-D enhanced advertising for TV broadcast of 2-D video is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for providing enhanced advertising of a 2-D video broadcast, comprises receiving the 2-D video broadcast containing a 2-D advertisement having an image. The image is identified within the advertisement. A matching 3-D object in an image library is used; wherein the library comprises one or more 3-D objects. The matching 3-D object is used to generate an advertisement, wherein the advertisement has a 3-D highlighted rendering of the image.
US08438593B2

In a particular embodiment, a method of authorizing use of a set top box is disclosed. The set top box is operatively coupled to a network device that has an internet protocol (IP) address associated with an account of a subscriber. The method includes blocking a service to the set top box when capabilities of the set top box do not match a pending order associated with the account.
US08438591B2

Reporting data related to content processing devices, e.g., television devices, are processed to identify channel tunes and corresponding tune times of the content processing devices. Automatically generated channel tunes based on the corresponding tune times are identified. Content items that are aired during a time period defined by the corresponding tune times can be adjusted.
US08438584B2

A holding mechanism is operable to hold a top medium from a plurality of plate-shaped media accommodated in a stacker in a stacked manner. A transport arm supports the holding mechanism. The transport arm is provided with a separation mechanism operable to separate a second medium positioned just below the top medium which is held by the holding mechanism.
US08438578B2

Data processing on a network on chip (‘NOC’) that includes IP blocks, routers, memory communications controllers, and network interface controllers; each IP block adapted to a router through a memory communications controller and a network interface controller; each memory communications controller controlling communication between an IP block and memory; each network interface controller controlling inter-IP block communications through routers; each IP block adapted to the network by a low latency, high bandwidth application messaging interconnect comprising an inbox and an outbox; a computer software application segmented into stages, each stage comprising a flexibly configurable module of computer program instructions identified by a stage ID with each stage executing on a thread of execution on an IP block; and at least one of the IP blocks comprising an input/output (‘I/O’) accelerator that administers at least some data communications traffic to and from the at least one IP block.
US08438576B2

A computer implemented method and apparatus is provided for generating and using constraints that are associated with software programs or other software entities intended for use in a specified data processing system or environment. One embodiment is directed to a method that includes the step of extracting metadata pertaining to the one or more software programs from at least one database. The extracted metadata is selectively processed to generate a set of constraints that affect the use of the one or more programs in a specified environment, wherein such processing includes transforming the extracted metadata to provide the set of constraints in a prespecified constraint language. The method further comprises detecting a proposed action of a user that is associated with the one or more software programs, and determining whether the proposed action violates any constraint in the set.
US08438568B2

In an embodiment, if a self thread has more than one conflict, a transaction of the self thread is aborted and restarted. If the self thread has only one conflict and an enemy thread of the self thread has more than one conflict, the transaction of the self thread is committed. If the self thread only conflicts with the enemy thread and the enemy thread only conflicts with the self thread and the self thread has a key that has a higher priority than a key of the enemy thread, the transaction of the self thread is committed. If the self thread only conflicts with the enemy thread, the enemy thread only conflicts with the self thread, and the self thread has a key that has a lower priority than the key of the enemy thread, the transaction of the self thread is aborted.
US08438555B1

A system and method for opening a file in a virtualization workspace of a host computer system. The host computer system includes a virtualization workspace including a virtualization agent and virtual software layers. The virtualization agent detects a request to open a file in the virtualization workspace. In response to detecting the request, the virtualization agent determines that the file includes embedded metadata. The virtualization agent uses the embedded metadata to identify a virtual software layer in which to open the file, activates the virtual software layer, and opens the file using an application that is included in the identified virtual software layer. The virtual software layer includes one or more applications and the embedded metadata includes a signature corresponding to one of the applications with which to open the file. The identified virtual software layer is installed on the host computer system subsequent to being identified.
US08438554B1

A system, method, and computer program product are provided for removing a synchronization statement. In use, synchronization statements are identified. Additionally, the synchronization statements are analyzed. Furthermore, the synchronization statements are removed based on the analysis.
US08438548B2

In one embodiment, after translating a plurality of target instructions from a target memory location into a plurality of host instructions, a write operation to a target memory portion which includes said target memory location is detected. In response to the detecting, a copy of the target instructions is stored in a host memory. In response to an attempt to execute the host instructions, the copy is compared with a plurality of current target instructions presently stored in the target memory location. Further, in response to a mismatch based on the comparison, the host instructions are disabled.
US08438547B2

A data processing system and method generates debug messages by permitting an external debug tool to have real-time trace functionality. A data processor executes a plurality of data processing instructions and uses a memory for information storage. Debug module generates debug messages including address translation trace messages. A memory management unit has address translation logic for implementing address translation to translate addresses between virtual and physical forms. The debug module includes message generation module that is coupled to the memory management unit for receiving notice when one or more address translation mappings are modified. The message generation module generates an address translation trace message in response to a detection of a modification of an address translation mapping occurs and provides the address translation trace message external to the debug module.
US08438542B2

Technologies are described herein for generating a management pack at program build time. Data is received that defines one or more events generated by the application program. Data is also received that defines one or more management classes for the application program. When a request to build the program is received, the data defining the events generated by the program and the data defining the management classes is utilized to generate a management pack for the program in an automated fashion. Once the management pack has been generated, it may be provided to an operations manager application program for use in monitoring the operation of the application program.
US08438541B2

Software change management (SCM) systems can be extended to uniformly handle artifacts which lack constraints typically imposed on managed items. In the solution, a data type associated with a SCM system can enable management of unmanaged artifacts. Unmanaged artifacts can include, but is not limited to, artifacts which lack can traditional change management constraints, managed artifacts not directly associated with the SCM, artifacts with different constraints than the SCM imposed constraints, and the like. In one embodiment, an unmanaged artifact can have different lifecycles, policies, and the like which can make it unsuitable for traditional management approaches by the SCM. The SCM can utilize the data type to manage unmanaged artifacts without requiring significant change in functionality of the SCM by permitting change management processes to be applied to the unmanaged artifacts.
US08438538B2

A SimpleBinding extension in Window Presentation Foundation (WPF) is established using a compact binding syntax in which all binding components are specified in a string. The simple binding string is parsed to derive a native WPF binding class. A typecast may be used to determine how the binding result will be translated from one Common Language Runtime (CLR) type to another. The typecast may be provided with the binding components or derived from properties of the target WPF dependency property.
US08438521B1

Methods and apparatus are provided for efficiently implementing an application specific processor. An application specific processor includes a data path and a control path. A control path is implemented using processor components to increase resource efficiency. Both the data path and the control path can be implemented using function units that are selected, parameterized, and interconnected. A tool uses the selected function units and interconnection information to provide data for implementing the application specific processor. Missing function units or interconnections can be identified and corrected.
US08438509B2

A method of automated generation of oxide pillar (PX) slot shapes of a PX layer within silicon-on-insulator (SOI) structures that includes generating a placement grid on recess oxide (RX) shapes, creating PX placement markers on the placement grid along a perimeter of the RX shapes, filtering the PX placement markers, generating a PX slot shape corresponding to each filtered PX placement marker on the RX shapes, correcting location errors associated with the generated PX slot shapes, generating PX slot shapes on RX shapes of a predetermined size for which PX slot shapes were not generated, performing a verification operation of the PX slot shapes, and outputting the PX layer including the verified PX slot shapes.
US08438507B2

A system and methods are provide for modeling the behavior of a lithographic scanner and, more particularly, a system and methods are provide using thresholds of an image profile to characterize through-pitch printing behavior of a lithographic scanner. The method includes running a lithographic model for a target tool and running a lithographic model on the matching tool for a plurality of different settings using lens numerical aperture, numerical aperture of the illuminator and annular ratio of a pattern which is produced by an illuminator. The method then selects the setting that most closely matches the output of the target tool.
US08438506B2

Disclosed is a method, system, and computer program product for implementing controlled breaks using sub-resolution assist features. Sub-resolution bridging features are added to implement controlled breaks between features on the layout. The bridging features may also be used to facilitate or optimize multiple mask/exposure techniques that split a layout or features on a layout to address pitch problems.
US08438504B2

A method includes: displaying a first viewing area, the first viewing area including a first plurality of selectable objects; in response to detecting activation of an object in the first plurality of selectable objects, overlaying a second viewing area on a portion of the first viewing area while maintaining display of a remaining portion of the first viewing area. The second viewing area includes a second plurality of selectable objects. The method also includes, in response to detecting activation of an object in the second plurality of selectable objects, overlaying a third viewing area on a portion of the first viewing area. The third viewing area includes a third plurality of selectable objects. The method also includes displaying a portion of the second viewing area overlaid on a portion of the first viewing area; and maintaining display of a remaining portion of the first viewing area.
US08438503B2

A portable electronic device having an input device for receiving a gesture based input from a user is used to control a navigation operation of an appliance. The portable electronic device receives via the input device the gesture based input and uses one or more parameters stored in a memory of the portable electronic device and one or more characteristics associated with the gesture based input to cause the portable electronic device to transmit a navigation step command to thereby control the navigation operation of the appliance.
US08438496B1

Tailoring automatic document scrolling to content and properties of the content increases readability of the document for a user. Instead of a user being forced to adjust to variations in content of a document while automatic scrolling proceeds at a constant rate or being forced to interrupt the automatic scrolling, the automatic scrolling shifts scroll speed for content variations. An application that presents a document and allows for automatic scrolling through the document, computes various scroll values for different document content and/or different properties of the same document content.
US08438493B2

An activation arrangement may be included in one or more record selection interfaces of an enterprise computing system to activate a preset navigator interface pane for limited the quantity of records displayed in the record selection interface. The preset navigator interface pane may include filters to identify records satisfying predetermined criteria. The preset navigator interface pane may also include a tree structure depicting a hierarchical classification of the records based on certain field values in each record. The records displayed for subsequent selection in the record selection interface may be limited according to the activated filters and activated nodes in the structure.
US08438492B2

An apparatus and method are provided for providing a User Interface (UI) service in a multimedia system. The method includes receiving UI data from a UI server; abstracting UI data that is structuralized on an object-by-object basis, and corresponds to an input from a UI client; creating adaptive UI data by reflecting a UI environment of a device for displaying, in the abstracted UI data; and displaying the created adaptive UI data.
US08438490B2

A system for providing a local computer user with detailed activity information regarding remote users, in order to assist the local user in determining whether to initiate a communication session with a remote user. The system provides activity information describing the number of instant messaging sessions one or more remote users are currently involved in, the identities of participants in those sessions, activity levels, time period information, and other information. The system further provides detailed activity information describing recent instant messaging sessions of one or more remote users.
US08438472B2

Some embodiments provide a method that parses an unstructured document that includes a number of primitive elements. The method stores the primitive elements in a random order in a first storage. The method stores references to the primitive elements in a second storage in an order based on locations of the primitive elements in the unstructured document. The method receives instructions to perform a document reconstruction operation. The method performs the received instructions without storing any new references to the primitive elements.
US08438469B1

A method of embedding evaluations in a document is described. An identifier tag is embedded in the document in response to a first user action. The document may include a web page. The identifier tag includes a review and an identifier associated with an entity that is a subject of the review. A rating tag is embedded in the document in response to a second user action. The rating tag includes a rating value corresponding to a user-selected rating of the entity that is the subject of the review. The rating value may be selected from a set of pre-determined rating values.
US08438464B2

A digital television (DTV) transmitter/receiver and a method of processing data in the DTV transmitter/receiver are disclosed. In the DTV transmitter, a pre-processor pre-processes the enhanced data by coding the enhanced data for forward error correction (FEC) and expanding the FEC-coded enhanced data. A data formatter generates enhanced data packets including the pre-processed enhanced data and inserts known data to at least one of the enhanced data packets. A first multiplexer multiplexes the enhanced data packets with main data packets including the main data. And, an RS encoder RS-codes the multiplexed main and enhanced data packets, the RS encoder adding systematic parity data to each main data packet and adding RS parity place holders to each enhanced data packet. Herein, the RS encoder may insert non-systematic RS parity data or null data into the RS parity place holders included in each enhanced data packet.
US08438459B2

An encoding and decoding method and apparatus. is disclosed. The method and apparatus improves encoding and decoding performance without using a large memory capacity and also reduces the complexity of hardware for implementation. According to the method, an encoded signal is received from a transmitting side, and the received signal is decoded using the parity check matrix. The parity check matrix includes layers where nonzero elements of a specific number or layers do not overlap in column direction.
US08438454B2

According to an embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a nonvolatile memory; an input/output control unit to control input/output of data to/from the nonvolatile memory; an address translation table that associates first address information specifying a logical recording position of user data stored in the nonvolatile memory with second address information indicating a physical recording position in the nonvolatile memory; a translating unit to translate the first address information to the second address information according to the table; and a generating unit to generate redundant data for checking whether there is error in the user data and the first address information used as one data piece. The input/output control unit records, as data set, the user data, the first address information, and the redundant data, which are used as one data set, in the physical recording position in the nonvolatile memory indicated by the second address information.
US08438451B2

A DTV transmitting system includes a first pre-processor for coding first enhanced data having a high priority for forward error correction (FEC) at a first coding rate and expanding the first enhanced data at a first expansion rate, and a second pre-processor for coding second enhanced data having a low priority for FEC at a second coding rate and expanding the second enhanced data at a second expansion rate. The receiving system further includes a data formatter for generating enhanced data packets, a multiplexer for multiplexing the enhanced data packets with main data packets, an RS encoder for RS-coding the multiplexed data packets, and a data interleaver for interleaving the RS-coded data packets and outputting a group of interleaved data packets having a head, a body, and a tail.
US08438449B2

A transmitting system, a receiving system, and a method of processing broadcast signals are disclosed. The method for transmitting a broadcast signal includes encoding mobile data for forward error correction (FEC) to build Reed-Solomon (RS) frames, dividing the built RS frames into a number of RS frame portions, dividing one of the RS frame portions into Serially Concatenated Convolutional Code (SCCC) blocks, mapping the SCCC blocks including the convolution-coded data to mobile data blocks according to a SCCC block mode which identifies relationship between the mobile data blocks and the SCCC blocks, forming a data group including the mobile data blocks, forming mobile data packets including data in the data group and, multiplexing a specified number of the mobile data packets, a first scalable number of the mobile data packets, and a second scalable number of main data packets.
US08438446B2

A method for receiving a multimedia broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) is provided. The method for receiving a broadcast or multicast service includes: attempting receiving of data via a channel for the broadcast or multicast service; transmitting a negative acknowledgement to a base station if the data is not received via the channel; and receiving the data.
US08438444B2

A method of associating ARQ with HARQ is disclosed. The method includes constructing a plurality of coding blocks using an MPDU received from an ARQ entity of a transmitter, transmitting each of the coding blocks to a receiver according to an HARQ operation, discontinuing the coding block transmission, when transmission of a coding block is failed, transmitting an error message indicating a number of the failed coding block to the ARQ entity of the transmitter, receiving ARQ blocks corresponding to the failed coding block from the ARQ entity of the transmitter, constructing at least one coding block using the received ARQ blocks, and retransmitting the at least one coding block to the receiver according to the HARQ operation.
US08438442B2

A method of testing a processing includes performing a test of at least one logic block of a processor of a data processing system; receiving an interrupt; stopping the performing the test for the processor to respond to the interrupt, wherein the stopping the performing the test includes storing test data of the test to a memory prior to the processor responding to the interrupt; and after the processor responds to the interrupt, resuming performing the test, wherein the resuming performing the test includes retrieving the test data from the memory and using the retrieved test data for the resuming performing the test.
US08438439B2

An IC having a scan chain and a testing method for a chip, comprising a first interface group, a second interface group and a scan data selector. The first interface group and the second interface group each comprise at least two input/output (I/O) interfaces which can be packaged as external pins of the IC. The I/O interfaces of the first interface group are connected to input terminals of the scan data selector in one-to-one correspondence, and an output terminal of the scan data selector is connected to a scan data input terminal of the scan chain. A scan data output terminal of the scan chain is connected to the I/O interfaces of the second interface group.
US08438438B2

Chain or logic diagnosis resolution can be enhanced in the presence of limited failure cycles using embodiments of the various methods, systems, and apparatus described herein. For example, pattern sets can be ordered according to a diagnosis coverage figure, which can be used to measure chain or logic diagnosability of the pattern set. Per-pin based diagnosis techniques can also be used to analyze limited failure data.
US08438433B2

A scan test of a first latch and a second latch couples a given scan value to the input of the first latch, to switch the first latch to a state corresponding to the scan value, uncouples the scan value from the first latch to latch the first latch at that state, couples the output of the first latch while latched at that state to the input of the second latch to switch the second latch to that state, and uncoupling the output of the first latch from the input of the second latch to latch the second latch at that state.
US08438426B2

A method for diagnosing a control system for a stacked battery. The control system comprises a plurality of processors, a plurality of controllers, and a monitoring unit (control unit). The method comprises sending a diagnostic information from the central unit to a top processor of the plurality of processors, transmitting a return information from the top processor of the plurality of processors to the central unit, comparing the diagnostic information sent from the central unit with the return information received by the central unit, and indicating a communication problem if the diagnostic information sent from the central unit is different from the return information received by the central unit. The steps are repeated by eliminating the top processor from a previous cycle and assigning a new top processor if there is no problem with the reconfigurable communication system.
US08438420B1

A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for preserving changes made to data during a recovery process. In some embodiments, this includes recovering a backup data to a remote location, using an I/O intercept to access the recovered data, modifying the recovered data a first time, completing the modification of the recovered data, preserving the I/O intercept, and storing the modified data in the remote location.
US08438412B1

A system, method, and computer program product are provided for enabling an amount of multitasking for use by an operating system. In use, an amount of power being delivered to a device is identified. Additionally, it is determined whether the amount of power is sufficient to charge a power store of the device. Further, an amount of multitasking for use by an operating system of the device may be enabled based on the determination. Still yet, the amount of multitasking enabled for use by the operating system of the device is based on the determination such that a first amount of multitasking is enabled for use by the operating system of the device if it is determined that the amount of power is sufficient to charge the power store of the device, and a second amount of multitasking less than the first amount is enabled for use by the operating system of the device if it is determined that the amount of power is insufficient to charge the power store of the device.
US08438408B2

A portable computing device (PCD) can control the operating state of a component within an accessory. For example, an accessory can have some components (e.g., a video processor) that are used for some operations but not for others. A PCD can determine whether a particular component will be used and can instruct the accessory to set the component to a desired state, e.g., powered up when in use and powered down when not in use. In some embodiments, the PCD can use status information provided by the accessory in determining a desired state for the accessory component. For example, in the case of a video converter accessory, if no display device or other video receiver is connected to the accessory, a video processor within the accessory can be powered down.
US08438406B2

A semiconductor integrated circuit includes first and second external terminals receiving an external power supply voltage, an internal power supply line coupling to the first and second external terminals, a first transistor coupling between the first external terminal and the internal power supply line, a second transistor that is coupled between the second external terminal and the internal power supply line, a first monitor line coupling to a first node of the internal power supply line, a second monitor line coupling to a second node of the internal power supply line, the second node being different from the first node, and a controller coupling to the first and second monitor lines, the controller outputs a control signal corresponding to potentials of the first and second monitor lines to the first and second transistors.