US08450632B2
A process for brazing flat tubes (10) deposits a layer (40) of brazing flux on one side of an edge (11) of the flat tubes (10). The flat tubes (10) are part of a heat exchanger which has particular application to heat exchange systems in automobiles.
US08450619B2
Solutions for improving current spreading in organic substrates are disclosed. In one aspect, a packaging substrate is disclosed, the packaging substrate comprising: a substrate base having a first surface and a second surface; and a controlled collapse chip connect (C4) pad over a portion of the first surface, the C4 pad including: an electrolessly plated copper (Cu) layer over the first surface; an electrolytic nickel (Ni) portion over the first electrolytic Cu portion; and a first electrolytic Cu portion over the electrolytic Ni portion; wherein the electrolessly plated Cu layer has a portion extending in one direction away from the C4 pad.
US08450616B2
A circuit board having a removing area is provided. The circuit board includes a first dielectric layer, a first laser resistant structure disposed on the first dielectric layer and located at the periphery of the removing area, a second dielectric layer disposed on the first dielectric layer, a circuit layer disposed on the second dielectric layer, a second laser resistant structure disposed on the second dielectric layer and located at the periphery of the removing area, and a third dielectric layer disposed on the second dielectric layer. The second laser resistant structure is insulated from the circuit layer. There is a gap between the second laser resistant structure and the circuit layer, and the vertical projection of the gap on a first surface overlaps the first laser resistant structure. The third dielectric layer exposes the portion of the circuit layer within the removing area.
US08450614B2
A signal line and a circuit board that can be easily bent in a U shape and prevent unwanted emission include a line portion includes a plurality of laminated line portion sheets made of a flexible material. Signal lines extend within the line portion in an x-axis direction. Ground lines are provided within the line portion on a positive direction side in a z-axis direction with respect to the signal lines and have line widths equal to or smaller than the line widths of the signal lines. Ground lines are provided within the line portion on a negative direction side in the z-axis direction with respect to the signal lines. The signal lines overlap the ground lines when seen in a planar view from the z-axis direction.
US08450612B2
A copper clad steel (CCS) wire is at least partially covered on its exterior to visibly distinguish the CCS wire from a pure/solid copper wire. A coating, such as tin, zinc or paint, covers at least portions of the CCS wire. The coating may be applied in strips, rings or a helix to identify the CCS wire as not be formed of solid copper. In the instance of a stranded CCS wire, one or more of the outer strands may be partially or entirely coated to give the overall stranded CCS wire a distinguishing outer structure.
US08450610B2
A cable for encasing one or more wires includes at least one wire, cable, or conductor, a tube surrounding the at least one wire, cable, or conductor, and a conductive or textile material surrounding the tube. The cable further includes a jacket surrounding the conductive or textile material, wherein the jacket is formed from at least one synthetic rubber.
US08450606B2
A tape can comprise a strip of dielectric material, with adhering patches of electrical conductive material. The patches can be substantially electrically isolated from one another. The strip can be disposed in a communication cable to provide a shield that is electrically discontinuous or has high resistance between opposite cable ends. Each patch can interact with electromagnetic radiation associated with electrical signals transmitting over the cable. The patches can collectively interact with the transmitting electrical signals in a cumulative or resonant manner to produce a spike in return loss at a particular frequency of the transmitting signals. The frequency location of the spike can depend upon the sizes of the patches, with size impacting manufacturability. The patches can be sized such that the spike falls within an operating frequency of the transmitting signal but is suppressed, so the cable meets return loss specifications while offering manufacturing advantage.
US08450605B2
The present disclosure relates to a method for making a conjugated polymer. In the method, polyacrylonitrile, a solvent, and a catalyst are provided. The polyacrylonitrile is dissolved in the solvent to form a polyacrylonitrile solution. The catalyst is uniformly dispersed into the polyacrylonitrile solution. The polyacrylonitrile solution with the catalyst is heated to induce a cyclizing reaction of the polyacrylonitrile, thereby forming a conjugated polymer solution with the conjugated polymer dissolved therein.
US08450599B2
A photovoltaic device is provided. It comprises at least two electrical contacts, p type dopants and n type dopants. It also comprises a bulk region and nanowires in an aligned array which contact the bulk region. All nanowires in the array have one predominant type of dopant, n or p, and at least a portion of the bulk region also comprises that predominant type of dopant. The portion of the bulk region comprising the predominant type of dopant typically contacts the nanowire array. The photovoltaic devices' p-n junction would then be found in the bulk region. The photovoltaic devices would commonly comprise silicon.
US08450580B1
A novel maize variety designated PH11YK and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH11YK with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH11YK through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH11YK or a locus conversion of PH11YK with another maize variety.
US08450574B1
A soybean cultivar designated 13350612 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 13350612, to the plants of soybean cultivar 13350612, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 13350612, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 13350612. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 13350612. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 13350612, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 13350612 with another soybean cultivar.
US08450566B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1023611. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1023611. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1023611 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1023611 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08450565B2
A soybean cultivar designated 98179010 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 98179010, to the plants of soybean 98179010, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 98179010, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 98179010 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety 98179010, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 98179010, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 98179010 with another soybean cultivar.
US08450558B2
The invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying soybean plants that are tolerant, have improved tolerance or are susceptible to Charcoal Rot Drought Complex. The methods use molecular genetic markers to identify, select and/or construct tolerant plants or identify and counter-select susceptible plants. Soybean plants that display tolerance or improved tolerance to Charcoal Rot Drought Complex that are generated by the methods of the invention are also a feature of the invention.
US08450546B2
A method for the oxidative coupling of hydrocarbons, such as the oxidative coupling of methane to toluene, includes providing an oxidative catalyst inside a reactor, and carrying out the oxidative coupling reaction under a set of reaction conditions. The oxidative catalyst includes (A) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Lanthanoid group, Mg, Ca, and the elements of Group 4 of the periodic table (Ti, Zr, and Hf); (B) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Group 1 elements of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and the elements of Group 3 (including La and Ac) and Groups 5-15 of the periodic table; (C) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Group 1 elements of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and the elements Ca, Sr, and Ba; and (D) oxygen.
US08450544B2
A method for preparing the low carbon number petrochemical products along with the high energy fuels from pyrolysis gasoline is provided. In this method, the pyrolysis gasoline is used as feedstock, and the reactive non-aromatic, unsaturated moieties, and the sulfur impurity contained in the pyrolysis gasoline are removed. Then the stabilized feedstock is used to produce C5 olefins, C6-C9 aromatic hydrocarbons as petrochemical products, and C10+ hydrocarbons as precursors of high energy fuels. Upon acid catalytic isomerization, or upon crystallization followed by acid catalytic isomerization, the C10+ hydrocarbons as precursors of high energy fuels are converted to exo-isomers as high energy fuels.
US08450543B2
Isobutene, isoprene, and butadiene are obtained from mixtures of C4 and/or C5 olefins by dehydrogenation. The C4 and/or C5 olefins can be obtained by dehydration of C4 and C5 alcohols, for example, renewable C4 and C5 alcohols prepared from biomass by thermochemical or fermentation processes. Isoprene or butadiene can be polymerized to form polymers such as polyisoprene, polybutadiene, synthetic rubbers such as butyl rubber, etc. in addition, butadiene can be converted to monomers such as methyl methacrylate, adipic acid, adiponitrile, 1,4-butadiene, etc. which can then be polymerized to form nylons, polyesters, polymethylmethacrylate etc.
US08450541B2
A method for producing products containing cyclic organic compounds from biomass oil includes adding a biomass oil to a vessel; heating the biomass oil to crack the biomass oil; removing undesired or unreacted materials, heavy ends, and light ends from the cracked biomass oil; and extracting components from the cracked biomass oil to produce a mixture of products containing between 5% and 90% cyclic organic compounds by weight. A method for producing a high-octane aviation fuel with low lead content includes cracking a biomass oil, separating a middle distillate mixture from cracked biomass oil, decarboxylating the middle distillate mixture to produce a mixture of products containing at least about 50% cyclic alkane and alkene compounds by weight, and blending the mixture of products with a fuel having an octane number below 95 to produce an aviation fuel having an octane number of at least 100.
US08450531B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for commercially manufacturing acrolein in a large flow rate by making supercritical water and an acid interact with glycerin, wherein by efficiently mixing high-concentration glycerin and supercritical water with each other, the method is made capable of making the synthesis stably proceed with a high yield while the occlusion and abrasion of the pipes and devices due to the generation of by-products are being suppressed. The method for synthesizing acrolein of the present invention is a method for synthesizing acrolein by making supercritical water and an acid interact with glycerin, the method using a reaction apparatus including: a cylindrical mixing flow path for mixing a fluid including glycerin and a fluid including supercritical water with each other; a first inlet flow path, disposed offset from the central axis of the mixing flow path, for making the fluid including glycerin flow into the mixing flow path; and a second inlet flow path, disposed offset from the central axis of the mixing flow path, for making the fluid including supercritical water flow into the mixing flow path, wherein the first inlet flow path and the second inlet flow path are each provided in a plurality of numbers in such a way that the first inlet flow paths and the second inlet flow paths are alternately arranged so as to encircle the central axis of the mixing flow path.
US08450529B2
The present disclosure provides for the synthesis of branched polyamines. In embodiments, branched polyamines may be formed by reacting a branched polyol with a nitroaryl carboxylic acid to form a nitrobenzoyl ester which, in turn, may then be subjected to a hydrogenating step to form the branched polyamine. The resulting branched polyamine may then be reacted with another hydrogel precursor to form a hydrogel.
US08450524B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing carboxylic acid anhydrides by the carbonylation reaction of a carboxylic acid ester, derived from an alcohol and a carboxylic acid, with carbon monoxide containing a small amount of hydrogen in a liquid reaction medium in the presence of a Group VIII B catalyst to produce a carboxylic acid anhydride. The liquid reaction medium comprises the Group VIII B catalyst, an organic halide, the carboxylic acid ester, an alkali metal salt, the carboxylic acid anhydride, the carboxylic acid, N-acetylimidazole as a protecting agent, and ethylidene diacetate (EDA) as an organic promoter. By making use of the protecting agent of N-acetylimidazole, metal ions in the reactor can be prevented from reacting with EDA so as to reduce the formation of hardly-soluble tars during the reaction. Also, the EDA organic promoter is kept at a certain content in the system to promote the overall carbonylation reaction rate.
US08450521B2
Process for preparing methyl acetate and/or acetic acid by contacting a carbonylatable reactant selected from dimethyl ether and methanol with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst is a H-mordenite bound with a mesoporous binder selected from silicas, aluminas, silica-aluminas, magnesium silicates and magnesium aluminum silicates.
US08450520B2
According to the present invention, there is provided a production process of a 2-fluoroacrylic ester including: a bromination step of converting a 2-fluoropropionic ester to a 2-bromo-2-fluoropropionic ester by reaction of the 2-fluoropropionic ester with a nitrogen-bromine bond-containing brominating agent in the presence of a radical initiator; and a dehydrobromination step of reacting the 2-bromo-2-fluoropropionic ester with a base. It is not necessary in this process to adopt very-low-temperature conditions and to use a stoichiometric amount of expensive reagent. The target 2-fluoroacrylic ester can be thus produced at low cost.
US08450519B2
The invention relates to a process for preparing chiral octenoic acid derivatives, which constitute important intermediates in the preparation of medicament active ingredients, and also to novel intermediates which are used in the process for preparing the octenoic acid derivatives mentioned.
US08450518B2
The present invention pertains to a novel method for preparing a carbamate, in which the method comprises reacting an aliphatic substituted urea and/or its derivatives, with a hydroxyl group containing compound to obtain a carbamate. In addition, the present invention provides a novel catalyst which is suitable for catalyzing the reaction to form a carbamate, and a method for preparing the novel catalyst. The method of the present invention for preparing a carbamate does not involve the application of carbon monoxide which is toxic, and the reaction conditions are relatively mild with high catalytic activity, high reaction selectivity of the catalyst, and a relatively short reaction time. Furthermore, the catalyst is separated from the reaction system and reused easily, which will facilitates scale up and industrial application.
US08450515B2
The present invention relates to a preparation method for a linear or cyclic trisilaalkane which is a substance useful in the preparation of polycarbosilane and silicon carbide precursors. Linear or cyclic trisilaalkane and organic trichlorosilane derivatives can be synthesized simultaneously and in high yield by reacting bis(chlorosily)methane having a Si—H bond, either alone or together with an organic chloride, using a quaternary organic phosphonium salt compound as a catalyst. Further, since the catalyst can be recovered after use, the present invention is very economical and is thus effective for mass-producing precursors for organic/inorganic hybrid substances.
US08450510B2
The present invention relates to an amine bridged metallocene catalyst, a method for producing the same, and a method for producing an ethylene-alpha olefin copolymer, which comprises polymerizing ethylene and alpha olefin in the presence of an olefin polymerization catalyst composition including a metallocene catalyst. The amine bridged metallocene catalyst may be produced by reacting one or more of substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentadiene and substituted or unsubstituted fluorene with amine to bridge them with nitrogen, and reacting them with a transition metal to coordinate them.
US08450508B2
The present invention relates to [1] a method for keeping a quality of 2-methyl-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)propanal useful as a perfume, which comprises incorporating from 50 to 3000 ppm of 1-acetyl-3,4-methylenedioxybenzene in the 2-methyl-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)propanal; [2] a process for producing 2-methyl-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)propanal having a content range from 50 to 3000 ppm of 1-acetyl-3,4-methylenedioxybenzene; and [3]2-methyl-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenylpropanal having a content range from 50 to 3000 ppm of of 1-acetyl-3,4-methylenedioxybenzene.
US08450501B2
Compounds of the formula (I), in the form of mixtures comprising predominantly one diastereomer or in the form of pure diastereomers, Z1-Q-P*R0R1 (I) in which Z1 is a C-bonded, secondary phosphine group —P(R)2; in which R is in each case independently hydrocarbon radicals or heterohydrocarbon radicals, or Z1 is the —P*R0R1 group; Q is a bivalent, achiral, aromatic base skeleton, a bivalent, achiral ferrocene base skeleton, an optionally substituted bivalent cycloalkane or heterocycloalkane skeleton, or a C1-C4-alkylene skeleton.
US08450491B2
A method for the preparation of montelukast acid sodium salt thereof in amorphous form has been described. The method comprises of following steps: (a) generating the dilithium dianion of 1-(mercaptomethyl)cyclopropane acetic acid, by reacting with alkyl lithium, (b) coupling the said dianion with wet mesylate to get montelukast acid in crude form, (c) obtaining DCHA salt in crude form by adding dicyclohexylamine (DCHA) to crude acid obtained in the above step (b), (d) purifying and converting the said DCHA salt in crude form, to montelukast acid in pure form, and (e) reacting the pure montelukast acid in a polar protic solvent with a source of sodium ion followed by evaporating the solvent and triturating of the residue with non-polar water immiscible solvent.
US08450489B2
The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of protein kinases, particularly of JAK family kinases. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders.
US08450483B2
The invention is directed to arylpyrrolidines compounds which exhibit excellent insecticidal efficacy and which may be used as in the agrochemical field or in the field of veterinary medicine. The compounds are represented by formula (I): wherein the respective substituents are defined in the specification.
US08450469B2
This invention relates to a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) oligomer which is conjugated with one or more linear-type amino acid containing a plurality of alkyleneglycols and to a synthesis method thereof. In addition, this invention related to a linear amino acid spacer in a device for detection for detecting a target gene using the PNA oligomers which is fixed on a surface of a functionalized solid support. The linear amino acid spacer contains a plurality of alkyleneglycols and maintains enough space between the solid support and PNA oligomer in the device in order to prevent the interference of the interaction between the PNA oligomer and a target gene. Furthermore, this invention relates to a PNA array, a PNA chip and a gene diagnosis kit whereof sensitivity and specificity are improved by being manufactured with the PNA conjugated with the amino acid spacer.
US08450467B2
The present invention provides iRNA agents comprising at least one subunit of the formula (I): wherein: A and B are each independently for each occurrence O, N(RN) or S; X and Y are each independently for each occurrence H, OH, a hydroxyl protecting group, a phosphate group, a phosphodiester group, an activated phosphate group, an activated phosphite group, a phosphoramidite, a solid support, —P(Z′)(Z″)O-nucleoside, —P(Z′)(Z″)O-oligonucleotide, a lipid, a PEG, a steroid, a lipophile, a polymer, —P(Z′)(Z″)O-Linker-OP(Z′″)(Z″″)O-oligonucleotide, a nucleotide, an oligonucleotide, —P(Z′)(Z″)-formula (I), —P(Z′)(Z″)— or -Linker-R; R is LG, -Linker-LG, or has the structure shown below: LG is independently for each occurrence a carbohydrate, e.g., monosaccharide, disaccharide, trisaccharide, tetrasaccharide, oligosaccharide, polysaccharide; RN is independently for each occurrence H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, or benzyl; and Z′, Z″, Z′″ and Z″″ are each independently for each occurrence O or S.
US08450466B2
One aspect of the present invention relates to compounds, compositions and methods for diagnosis and/or treatment of a subject suffering from an amyloidosis-associated pathological condition. In certain embodiments, the imaging and/or therapeutic agents of the instant invention may be administered to a subject for identification and/or treatment of amyloid deposits. A specific imaging method detects amyloid deposits by administering the imaging agent to the subject and detecting the spatial distribution of the agent. Differential accumulation of the agent is indicative of AD or an amyloidosis-associated pathological condition and can be monitored by using a PET or SPECT camera.
US08450464B2
The present disclosure provides isolated monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to CXCR4 with high affinity, particularly human monoclonal antibodies. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies of this disclosure, expression vectors, host cells and methods for expressing the antibodies of this disclosure are also provided. Immunoconjugates, bispecific molecules and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies of this disclosure are also provided. This disclosure also provides methods for detecting CXCR4, as well as methods for treating various cancers, inflammatory disorders and HIV infection using an anti-CXCR4 antibody of this disclosure.
US08450461B2
Novel conjugates and immunogens derived from risperidone and antibodies generated by these immunogens are useful in immunoassays for the quantification and monitoring of risperidone and paliperidone in biological fluids.
US08450460B2
The present invention refers to single-chain fusion proteins comprising three soluble TNF superfamily (TNFSF) cytokine domains and nucleic acid molecules encoding these fusion proteins. The fusion proteins are substantially non-aggregating and suitable for therapeutic, diagnostic and/or research applications.
US08450455B2
Various embodiments of the invention relate to a cRGD peptide derivative and an associated manufacturing method, and to an implant having a coating containing a cRGD peptide derivative. One aspect of the invention is the provision of a cRGD peptide derivative having the formula (1): wherein x=0-8, in particular 4-8, and R is a hydrophobic group.
US08450454B2
This invention provides methods, compositions and articles of manufacture for inhibiting binding between Aβ protein and ABAD in cells. Uses of this invention include, for example, treating Alzheimer's disease; reducing free radical generation, DNA fragmentation, and cytochrome C release in cells; and preserving cell viability by preventing LDH release from a cell.
US08450445B2
A method of making a light emitting diode (LED) having an optical element is provided, comprising: providing a curable liquid polysiloxane/TiO2 composite, which exhibits a refractive index of >1.61 to 1.7 and which is a liquid at room temperature and atmospheric pressure; providing a semiconductor light emitting diode die having a face, wherein the semiconductor light emitting diode die emits light through the face; contacting the semiconductor light emitting diode die with the curable liquid polysiloxane/TiO2 composite; and, curing the curable liquid polysiloxane/TiO2 composite to form an optical element; wherein at least a portion of the optical element is adjacent to the face.
US08450442B2
A borosiloxane composition comprising a borosiloxane having an average of at least two alkenyl groups per molecule, an organosilicon compound having an average of at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule, and a hydrosilylation catalyst; a borosiloxane adhesive comprising a cured product of at least one borosiloxane; and a coated substrate and a laminated substrate, each comprising the borosiloxane adhesive.
US08450440B2
Disclosed is a method for purifying a polymer in which a solution containing a cyclic olefin polymer having at least a repeating structural unit [A] represented by the general formula (1) and a metal component is brought into contact with an organic compound having a basic functional group and an acidic functional group, and then the resulting solution is brought into contact with a basic adsorbent to remove the metal component contained in the solution.
US08450437B2
The present techniques relate to catalyst compositions, methods, and polymers encompassing a Group 4 metallocene compound comprising bridging η5-cyclopentadienyl-type ligands, typically in combination with a cocatalyst, and a activator. The compositions and methods presented herein include ethylene polymers with low melt elasticity.
US08450435B2
The time between shut downs of a gas phase reactor for the polymerization of polyethylene may be significantly increased if the catalyst used is not prepared by impregnating the support with a solution of catalyst in an electron donor; the reaction is controlled using the addition of activator based on polymer production rate and the recycle stream contains a condensed liquid phase in an amount greater than 13 weight %. Operating the reactor in this manner increase the time between cleaning the cooler (heat exchanger) the bed plate, or both from about 4 to 6 months to not less than about 24 months.
US08450434B2
An epoxy and rubber microcomposite is formed by adding a carboxy-terminated or amine-terminated rubber component having a glass transition temperature less than zero degrees centigrade to a bisphenol A based epoxy resin component; heating the mixture to 150 degrees centigrade; cooling and curing with a suitable curing agent. A phase segregation occurs between the epoxy resin component and the rubber component to form discrete, spherical rubbery domains with the epoxy compound. Because the glass transition temperature of the rubbery domains is below zero degrees centigrade; the rubbery domains act as acoustic windows within the high-modulus epoxy compound.
US08450433B2
Provided are a resin composition for the manufacture of marble chips including a halogenated epoxy resin binder and showing high heat resistance, high chemical resistance, high impact resistance, high specific gravity and high transparency, a marble chip manufacturing method using the resin composition and an artificial marble made from marble chips.
US08450428B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing water-absorbent polymer particles by polymerizing droplets of a monomer solution in a surrounding heated gas phase and flowing the gas cocurrent through the polymerization chamber, which comprises thermal postcrosslinking in the presence of steam.
US08450412B2
A composition is prepared by melt blending specific amounts of a polyamide, a flame retardant that includes brominated polystyrene, a polymeric flame retardant synergist, and a compatibilizing agent. The polymeric flame retardant synergist can be a poly(arylene ether), a poly(arylene ether)-polysiloxane block copolymer, or a mixture thereof. The composition is useful for molding automotive and electrical parts.
US08450409B2
Disclosed is a method comprising: (a) mixing in a first mixing step ingredients comprising (i) first polymer, (ii) a low molecular weight polymer having a number average molecular weight of about 5,000 to about 100,000, and (iii) a filler, and (b) mixing in a second mixing step ingredients comprising (i) the mixture obtained in step (a), (ii) a second polymer that is different from said first polymer, and (iii) optionally a filler. In one embodiment, the method further comprises mixing sulfur and vulcanization accelerator(s) into the composition, forming the rubber composition into a sidewall for a tire, and vulcanizing the rubber composition.
US08450408B2
A pneumatic tire obtained by using a rubber composition containing 100 parts by mass of a rubber component comprising at least one of natural rubber and diene base synthetic rubber, 20 to 150 parts by mass of precipitated silica as a filler in which a cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-adsorbing specific surface area (CTAB) (m2/g) and the mode Aac in diameters (nm) of primary aggregates determined by acoustic measurement of particle size distribution satisfy equation (A) shown below and in which a difference between an ignition loss (mass reduction % when heated at 750° C. for 3 hours) and a heating loss (mass reduction % when heated at 105° C. for 2 hours) satisfies equation (B) shown below and 1 to 25 parts by mass of at least one specific sulfur-containing silane compound as a silane coupling agent: Aac≦−0.76×(CTAB)+274 (A) (ignition loss)−(heating loss)≦3 (B).
US08450404B2
Compositions comprising a polymer-containing matrix and a filler comprising a cage compound selected from borane cage compounds, carborane cage compounds, metal complexes thereof, residues thereof, mixtures thereof, and/or agglomerations thereof, where the cage compound is not covalently bound to the matrix polymer. Methods of making and applications for using such compositions are also disclosed.
US08450402B2
A method of reducing plate out onto metal surfaces of aqueous latexes and coating compositions, including paints such as traffic paints, the method comprising employing a composition comprising a triazole. The method produces less plate out onto process metal surfaces compared to coatings prepared from similar triazole-free compositions.
US08450401B2
Fast hardening aqueous latexes and coating compositions, including paints such as traffic paints, comprising a triazole exhibit less plate out onto process metal surfaces compared to similar triazole-free compositions.
US08450399B2
The invention relates to a polymer composition which is characterized in that it comprises a mixture (A) consisting of formula (A1) and/or formula (A2), phenolic resin (B) and a stabilizer (C) in the form of a HALS compound.
US08450388B2
The present application provides dental fillers, and methods of making and using dental fillers that include a treated surface that includes a caseinate. Dental compositions including such dental fillers can be useful for delivering ions to the oral environment. Dental compositions, and methods of using dental compositions that include a caseinate and a hardenable resin or a water-dispersible, polymeric film former are also provided.
US08450377B2
The present invention relates to the compounds of the general formula (I), a composition for and a method of treating breast cancer or other proliferative disorders in a subject using a compound of general formula [I], wherein the substituents are as defined in the specification.
US08450362B2
The invention relates to compounds of formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, where R1-3, R5, R7, a, b, Q, X, X′, X″, Y, Z, and Ar are as defined in the specification. These compounds are muscarinic receptor antagonists. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, processes for preparing such compounds and methods of using such compounds to, for example, treat pulmonary disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.
US08450361B2
Compounds having drug and bio-affecting properties are described herein, including their properties, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use. In particular, tricyclic aryl or heteroaryl piperazine diamide derivatives that possess unique antiviral activity are set forth. These compounds are useful for the treatment of HIV and AIDS. The compounds herein have the general Formula I: wherein: Y is selected from the group of indole or azaindole systems: and Z is selected from the group of:
US08450349B2
Provided are oral dosage forms that contain carbinoxamine in an immediate release format, and pseudoephedrine in a prolonged release format. The biphasic oral dosage forms may also contain other active ingredients in combination with carbinoxamine, including other decongestants, antitussives, analgesics and expectorants.
US08450348B2
The present invention provides derivatives of squaric acid, in particular derivatives of 3,4-diamino-cyclobut-3-ene-1,2-dione and tautomers and isomers thereof, as a single stereoisomer or a mixture of stereoisomers, or as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds show anti-proliferative activity, including against tumor cells, and are useful in the treatment of diseases including cancer.
US08450341B2
The present disclosure is directed to new inhibitors of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase having the general formula (I), processes for preparation thereof, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of use thereof.
US08450339B2
New stable compositions comprising the combination of a topically active vasoconstrictor and a topically active anticholinergic drug are disclosed. Preferably, the composition comprises ipratropium or a salt thereof in combination with xylometazoline hydrochloride and a salt thereof. Upon topically administering such compositions to a nasal mucosa in individuals suffering from the common cold the symptoms of rhinorrhea are significantly reduced.
US08450336B2
Compounds of Formula I are useful for the treatment of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic attack, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and social phobias. wherein: A is chosen from: aryl or heteroaryl, A being optionally substituted with up to 5 independently-selected groups R8; R1 is chosen from: alkyl or haloalkyl; R2 is chosen from: H, C(O)R6, C(O)OR6, SO2R6 or C(O)NR6R7; R3, R4 and R5 are independently chosen from: H or alkyl; R6 and R7 are independently chosen from: H or alkyl; and R8 is chosen from: OH, CN, halo, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, C(O)R6, C(O)OR6, SO2R6 or C(O)NR6R7.
US08450327B2
The present invention relates to novel CGRP antagonists of the general formula (I) in which U, V, X, Y, R1, R2, R3 are defined as described below, the tautomers, isomers, diastereomers, enantiomers, hydrates, mixtures and salts thereof, and the hydrates of the salts, particularly the physiologically compatible salts thereof having inorganic or organic acids or bases, pharmaceuticals comprising said compounds, the use thereof, and the method for the production thereof.
US08450325B2
Disclosed are methods of preventing or treating cardiac arrhythmia comprising administering to a mammal in need thereof, such as a human, an effective amount of vanoxerine (GBR 12909) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, derivative or metabolite thereof.
US08450324B2
Crystalline base of compound trans-1-((1R,3S)-6-chloro-3-phenylindan-1-yl)-3,3-dimethylpiperazine, processes for the preparation of purified free base or salts of this compound, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the base and medical use thereof, including for treatment of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
US08450322B2
Compounds of Formula (I): in which R1, R2, R3, R4, X, Y and n have the meanings given in the specification, are inhibitors of Trk kinases and are useful in the treatment of diseases which can be treated with a Trk kinase inhibitor.
US08450319B2
The present invention discloses a pyrrolopyridazinone compound represented by the formula (1): useful, for example, as an anti-inflammatory agent or an inhibitor of respiratory tract contraction.
US08450316B2
Disclosed are 6-(morpholinoalkyl)-substituted pyridines, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof, that are active against a range of mammalian therapeutic indications.
US08450311B2
Pharmaceutical compositions containing a fluoroquinolone antibiotic drug are disclosed. The compositions exhibit improved homogeneity, improved bioavailability, lower turbidity or a combination thereof. The composition can be use as otic or nasal compositions, but are particularly useful as ophthalmic compositions.
US08450308B2
The present invention is directed to a compound represented by the following structural formula: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound represented by Structural Formula (I) and method of use of these compound for inhibiting BACE activity in a subject in need of such treatment are also described.
US08450307B2
In part, the present invention is directed to antibacterial compounds.
US08450306B2
Novel compounds which are useful for treating acute pain, visceral pain, neuropathic pain, inflammatory/pain receptor-mediated pain, tumor pain and headache diseases. The following is exemplary:
US08450291B2
The invention relates to oligomeric compounds (oligomers), which target PIK3CA mRNA in a cell, leading to reduced expression of PIK3CA. Reduction of PIK3CA expression is beneficial for the treatment of certain medical disorders, such as hyperproliferative diseases (e.g., cancer). The invention provides therapeutic compositions that include the oligomers and methods for modulating the expression of PIK3CA using the oligomers, including methods of treatment.
US08450289B2
The present invention provides a composition comprising (a) a parvovirus NS1 protein and (b) a parvovirus VP1 protein. Furthermore, the present invention provides DNA sequences encoding said proteins. The composition of the invention is useful for the preparation of a toxin for treating tumoral diseases.
US08450286B2
Methods are provided for treating cancers that have high glucose requirements and that express SGLT2 at levels higher than normal cells, such as metastatic cancers, for example, metastatic lung cancers, employing an SGLT2 inhibitor alone or in combination with a cytotoxic agent and to a composition containing a combination of an SGLT2 inhibitor and a cytotoxic agent.
US08450280B2
The invention provides novel peptide prodrugs that contain cleavage sites specifically cleaved by human kallikrein 2 (hK2). These prodrugs are useful for substantially inhibiting the non-specific toxicity of a variety of therapeutic drugs. Upon cleavage of the prodrug by hK2, the therapeutic drugs are activated and exert their toxicity. Methods for treating cell proliferative disorders are also featured in the invention.
US08450276B2
A method of improving the resistance of collagenous tissue to mechanical degradation in accordance with the present invention comprises the step of contacting at least a portion of a collagenous tissue with an effective amount of a crosslinking reagent. Methods and devices for enhancing the body's own efforts to stabilize discs in scoliotic spines by increasing collagen crosslinks. This stability enhancement is caused by reducing the bending hysteresis and increasing the bending stiffness of scoliotic spines, by injecting non-toxic crosslinking reagents into the convex side of discs involved in the scoliotic curve. Alternatively, contact between the tissue and the crosslinking reagent is effected by placement of a time-release delivery system directly into or onto the target tissue. Methods and devices that use crosslinking agents for increasing the permeability of an intervertebral disc, improving fluid flux to the intervertebral disc, and increasing the biological viability of cells within the intervertebral disc are provided.
US08450273B2
Fusion proteins containing active agonist or antagonist fragments of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP) coupled to a collagen-binding domain are presented. The fusion proteins can be used to promote bone growth, to promote hair growth, to prevent cancer metastasis to bone, to promote immune reconstitution with a bone marrow stem cell transplant, to promote mobilization of bone marrow stem cells for collection for autologous stem cell transplant, and to treat renal osteodystrophy. Pharmaceutical agents comprising a collagen-binding polypeptide segment linked to a non-peptidyl PTH/PTHrP receptor agonist or antagonist are also presented.
US08450267B2
Compositions and methods for conferring herbicide resistance or tolerance to bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions include polynucleotides encoding herbicide resistance or tolerance polypeptides, vectors comprising those polynucleotides, and host cells comprising the vectors. The nucleotide sequences of the invention can be used in DNA constructs or expression cassettes for transformation and expression in organisms, including microorganisms and plants. Compositions also include transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds. In particular, isolated polynucleotides encoding glyphosate resistance or tolerance polypeptides are provided. Additionally, amino acid sequences corresponding to the polynucleotides are encompassed. In particular, the present invention provides for isolated polynucleotides containing nucleotide sequences encoding the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, or 35, or the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, or 34.
US08450264B1
The present invention is directed to rinse aid compositions and methods for making and using the rinse aid compositions. The compositions of the invention include a sheeting agent, a defoaming agent, and an association disruption agent. The rinse aid compositions of the present invention result in a faster draining/drying time on most substrates compared to conventional rinse aids. The rinse aid compositions of the present invention are especially suitable for use on plastic substrates.
US08450253B2
The present invention provides a lubricating oil composition that is excellent in anti-fatigue properties for metals and load bearing properties while having improved fuel efficiency. The lubricating oil composition comprises (A) one type or a mixture of two or more types of mineral base oil having a 40° C. kinematic viscosity of from 5 to 15 mm2/s; and (B) one type or a mixture of two or more types of ester-based base oil having a 40° C. kinematic viscosity of from 3 to 25 mm2/s and a 0° C. kinematic viscosity of from 10 to 130 mm2/s, the 40° C. kinematic viscosity of the mixed base oil of (A) and (B) being 18 mm2/s or lower, the blend ratio of the ester-based base oil being from 0.58 to 80 percent by mass, and the 40° C. kinematic viscosity of the composition being from 4 to 23 mm2/s.
US08450252B2
Subterranean treatment fluids comprising: an aqueous base fluid and a reaction product of a gelling agent comprising a copolymer or salt thereof comprising N-[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]acrylamide, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid or a salt thereof, acrylamide; and a crosslinking agent. Such treatment fluids are particularly well-suited for high temperature applications. In particular, they are suited for subterranean temperatures up to about 400° F.
US08450251B2
A system for reducing pressure drop associated with the turbulent flow of asphaltenic crude oil through a conduit. The crude oil has a high asphaltene content and/or a low API gravity. Such reduction in pressure drop is achieved by treating the asphaltenic crude oil with a high molecular weight drag reducing polymer that can have a solubility parameter within about 20 percent of the solubility parameter of the heavy crude oil. The drag reducing polymer can also comprise the residues of monomers having at least one heteroatom.
US08450247B2
Eukaryotic cell display libraries for use in panning processes comprising expressed biomolecules for specific and selective binding and enrichment to solid material surfaces including, for example, metal, magnetic, and semiconducting surfaces. Display can be regulated. Peptide and protein display on yeast cells are preferred. Solid materials can be fabricated in the presence of cell display libraries which have been subjected to panning against the solid materials. Nanoparticles can be grown in the presence of the biomolecules from reactive precursors. The nanoparticles can show quantum confinement effects. Self-healing films can be prepared.
US08450241B2
A film transfer sheet including a sheet substrate provided with a layer via a resin layer and a peelable transparent sheet provided with an adhesive layer. The sheet substrate and the peelable transparent sheet are laminated together such that the layer is overlapped on the peelable transparent sheet and peeling is designed to occur between the layer and the peelable transparent sheet so as to transfer the peelable transparent sheet provided with the adhesive layer to a transfer-receiving member. The resin layer includes as an essential component a pressure-sensitive adhesive having a storage elastic modulus of 3.0 ×105 Pa to 1.2 ×106 Pa at a temperature of 130° C. to 150° C. Also provided is an intermediate transfer recording medium including a sheet substrate provided with a layer via resin layer and a peelable transparent sheet provided with a dye receptive layer, in which the sheet substrate and the peelable transparent sheet are laminated together.
US08450238B2
Methods and systems for reducing mercury emissions from fluid streams having a high concentration of sulfur oxide species are provided herein. In embodiments, mercury is removed from flue gas streams by injecting a dry admixture of a porous mercury adsorptive material and at least one dry agent into the flue gas stream.
US08450236B2
A process for making a catalyst having precious metal nanoparticles deposited on a support includes first providing an aqueous dispersion of support particles. A pre-treatment slurry is prepared by mixing the aqueous dispersion of support particles with a water-soluble precious metal precursor and a reducing agent. The pre-treatment slurry is hydrothermally treated at a temperature in the range of from about 40° C. to about 220° C. for a time sufficient to deposit precious metal nanoparticles on the surface of the support particles, the precious metal nanoparticles having an average particle size less about 50 nm.
US08450234B2
The present invention relates to a catalyst used for producing dimethylether, a method of producing the same, and a method of producing dimethylether using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a catalyst used for producing dimethylether comprising a methanol synthesis catalyst produced by adding one or more promoters to a main catalyst comprised of a Cu—Zn—Al metal component and a dehydration catalyst formed by mixing Aluminum Phosphate (AlPO4) with gamma alumina, a method of producing the same, and a method of producing dimethylether using the same, wherein a ratio of the main catalyst to the promoter in the methanol synthesis catalyst is in a range of 99/1 to 95/5, and a mixing ratio of the methanol synthesis catalyst to the dehydration catalyst is in a range of 60/40 to 70/30.
US08450230B2
A dielectric ceramic composition comprises a main component composed of at least one selected from BaTiO3, (Ba, Ca)TiO3, (Ba, Sr)TiO3 and (Ba, Ca, Sr)TiO3, an oxide of rare earth element and a composite compound including Ba. 9 to 13 mol of the composite compound in terms of composite compound is included in the dielectric composition. The dielectric ceramic composition includes surface diffusion particles having surface diffusion structure composed of non diffusion phase and diffusion phase including rare earth element. In the surface diffusion particle, when an area of the non diffusion phase is defined as S1, an area of the diffusion phase is defined as S2, S1 and S2 satisfy a relation of S1:S2=20:80 to 30:70 (Note that, except S1=30 and S2=70), when an average concentration of the rare earth element in the surface diffusion particle is defined as C, S2 and C satisfy a relation of 4.8≦S2×C≦5.8. By the present invention, dielectric ceramic composition which improves reliability with obtaining good specific permittivity and temperature characteristic and electronic component to which the dielectric ceramic composition is applied can be obtained.
US08450229B2
Mix which comprises a) one or more very finely divided silicon dioxide powders having an average particle diameter of from 2 to 100 nm and a BET surface area of at least 30 m2/g, b) one or more particulate components selected from the group consisting of oxides, carbides and nitrides, in each case having an average particle diameter of from >0.5 μm to 30 mm, c) one or more synthetic resins as binders and d) one or more metallic antioxidants having an average particle diameter of from >0.5 to 250 μm. Process for producing a shaped body, in which to the mix is introduced into a mould, pressed if appropriate and heated to a temperature at which the synthetic resin crosslinks thermally. Shaped body which can be obtained therefrom. Process for producing a refractory shaped body, in which the shaped body is carbonized. Refractory shaped body which can be obtained therefrom.
US08450228B2
In a carbon-containing refractory composed of a refractory aggregate, a carbon based raw material, and a carbon bond connecting between the refractory aggregate or the carbon based raw material, transition metal-containing nanoparticles having particle diameters of 1,000 nm or less and containing a transition metal are contained in the above-described carbon bond while being dispersed. When the carbon-containing refractory is heat-treated, flexible structures of carbon fiber-shaped textures having diameters of 50 nm or less are formed in the inside of a carbon bond and, thereby, an increase in strength, a reduction in modulus of elasticity, and a reduction in thermal expansion coefficient are facilitated. Therefore, a carbon-containing refractory exhibiting high thermal shock resistance, high abrasion resistance, and high corrosion resistance are provided.
US08450223B2
A heatproof cloth forms multiple layers of laminated fabrics for resisting the high-temperature, comprising a high-temperature shielding fiber fabric which shields external heat, a first carbon felt fabric which distributes the heat transmitted through the high-temperature shielding fiber fabric, an aluminum vapor-deposited fabric which shields the heat distributed by the first carbon felt fabric, a second carbon felt fabric which distributes the heat transmitted through the aluminum vapor-deposited fabric, an aluminum vapor-deposited heat-resistant fabric which shields and distributes the heat distributed by the second carbon felt fabric, an aramid felt fabric which distributes the heat transmitted through the aluminum vapor-deposited heat-resistant fabric, and aramid fabric which shields the heat distributed by aramid felt fabric. Since heat is shielded and distributed repeatedly through three steps, the transmission of external heat is effectively prevented. Accordingly, the heatproof clothes are durable to prevent the deformation by the heat of extremely high-temperature while f is improved.
US08450215B2
An inspection method comprises focusing a particle beam onto a sample; operating at least one detector located close to the sample; assigning detection signals generated by the at least one detector to different intensity intervals; determining, based on the detection signals assigned to the intensity intervals, at least one first signal component related to electrons incident on the detector; and determining, based on the detection signals assigned to the intensity intervals, at least one second signal component related to X-rays incident on the detector.
US08450209B2
A method of forming a non-volatile memory device includes providing a substrate having a surface and forming a first dielectric overlying the surface, forming a first wiring comprising aluminum material over the first dielectric, forming a silicon material over the aluminum material to form an intermix region consuming a portion of the silicon material and aluminum material, annealing to formation a first alloy from the intermix region, forming a p+ impurity polycrystalline silicon over the first alloy material, forming a first wiring structure from at least a portion of the first wiring, forming a resistive switching element comprising an amorphous silicon material formed over the p+ polycrystalline silicon, and forming a second wiring structure comprising at least a metal material over the resistive switching element.
US08450208B2
In a semiconductor device manufacturing method according to an exemplary embodiment, a sulfur-containing film containing sulfur is deposited on an n-type semiconductor, a first metal film containing a first metal is deposited on the sulfur-containing film, a heat treatment is performed to form a metal semiconductor compound film by reacting the n-type semiconductor and the sulfur-containing film, and to introduce sulfur to an interface between the n-type semiconductor and the metal semiconductor compound film being formed.
US08450207B2
The present invention proposes the use of a silicon nitride layer on top of a second conductive layer. After a step of etching a second conductive layer, an oxide spacer is formed to define a gap. Then, another silicon nitride layer fills up the gap. After that, the oxide spacer is removed. Later, a first conductive layer is etched to separate the digit line to cell contact line.
US08450195B2
The present invention discloses a method of reducing floating body effect of SOI MOS device via a large tilt ion implantation including a step of: (a) implanting ions in an inclined direction into an NMOS with a buried insulation layer forming a highly doped P region under a source region of the NMOS and above the buried insulation layer, wherein the angle between a longitudinal line of the NMOS and the inclined direction is ranging from 15 to 45 degrees. Through this method, the highly doped P region under the source region and a highly doped N region form a tunnel junction so as to reduce the floating body effect. Furthermore, the chip area will not be increased, manufacturing process is simple and the method is compatible with conventional CMOS process.
US08450186B2
Optical modulator utilizing wafer bonding technology. An embodiment of a method includes etching a silicon on insulator (SOI) wafer to produce a first part of a silicon waveguide structure on a first surface of the SOI wafer, and preparing a second wafer, the second wafer including a layer of crystalline silicon, the second wafer including a first surface of crystalline silicon. The method further includes bonding the first surface of the second wafer with a thin oxide to the first surface of the SOI wafer using a wafer bonding technique, wherein a second part of the silicon waveguide structure is etched in the layer of crystalline silicon.
US08450177B2
A field effect transistor includes a semiconductor region of a first conductivity type having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface of the semiconductor region extending over and abutting a substrate. A well regions of a second conductivity type is disposed within the semiconductor region. The field effect transistor also includes source regions of the first conductivity type disposed in the well regions and a gate electrode extending over each well region and overlapping a corresponding one of the source regions. Each gate electrode is insulated from the underlying well region by a gate dielectric. At least one LDD region of the first conductivity type is disposed in the semiconductor region between every two adjacent well regions such that the at least one LDD region is in contact with the two adjacent well regions between which it is disposed. A sinker region is disposed in the semiconductor region directly underneath the at least one LDD region such that the at least one LDD region and the sinker region are positioned along a vertical orientation between the upper and lower surfaces of the semiconductor region.
US08450174B2
A non-volatile storage device is disclosed that includes a set of connected non-volatile storage elements formed on a well, a bit line contact positioned in the well, a source line contact positioned in the well, a bit line that is connected to the bit line contact, and a source line that is connected to the source line contact and the well.
US08450164B2
A method of forming a plurality of capacitors includes an insulative material received over a capacitor array area and a circuitry area. The array area comprises a plurality of capacitor electrode openings within the insulative material received over individual capacitor storage node locations. The intervening area comprises a trench. Conductive material is formed within the openings and against a sidewall portion of the trench to less than completely fill the trench. Covering material is formed over an elevationally outer lateral interface of the conductive material within the trench and the insulative material of the circuitry area. The insulative material within the array area is etched with a liquid etching solution effective to expose outer sidewall portions of the conductive material within the array area and to expose the conductive material within the trench. The conductive material within the array area is incorporated into a plurality of capacitors.
US08450159B2
A thin film transistor, a method of manufacturing the same, and a display device including the same, the thin film transistor including a substrate; a polysilicon semiconductor layer on the substrate; and a metal pattern between the semiconductor layer and the substrate, the metal pattern being insulated from the semiconductor layer, wherein the polysilicon of the semiconductor layer includes a grain boundary parallel to a crystallization growing direction, and a surface roughness of the polysilicon semiconductor layer defined by a distance between a lowest peak and a highest peak in a surface thereof is less than about 15 nm.
US08450152B2
A double-side exposed semiconductor device includes an electric conductive first lead frame attached on top of a thermal conductive but electrical nonconductive second lead frame and a semiconductor chip flipped and attached on top of the first lead frame. The gate and source electrodes on top of the flipped chip form electrical connections with gate and source pins of the first lead frame respectively. The flipped chip and center portions of the first and second lead frames are then encapsulated with a molding compound, such that the heat sink formed at the center of the second lead frame and the drain electrode at bottom of the semiconductor chip are exposed on two opposite sides of the semiconductor device. Thus, heat dissipation performance of the semiconductor device is effectively improved without increasing the size of the semiconductor device.
US08450144B2
An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device provided with a thin film transistor which includes an oxide semiconductor layer and has high electric characteristics. The semiconductor device includes a gate electrode over an insulating surface, an oxide semiconductor layer including silicon oxide, an insulating layer between the gate electrode and the oxide semiconductor layer, and source and drain regions between the oxide semiconductor layer including silicon oxide and source and drain electrode layers. The source and drain regions are formed using a degenerate oxide semiconductor material or a degenerate oxynitride material.
US08450140B2
So as to improve large-scale industrial manufacturing of photovoltaic cells and of the respective converter panels at a photovoltaic cell with a microcrystalline layer of intrinsic silicon compound at least one of the adjacent layers of doped silicon material is conceived as a an amorphous layer.
US08450137B2
The present invention discloses a method for reducing the tilt of a transparent window during manufacturing of an image sensor. The method includes the following steps: providing a semimanufacture of the image sensor; carrying out a preheating process; carrying out an adhesive spreading process; carrying out a transparent window closing process; and carrying out a packaging process. By carrying out the preheating process, the environmental conditions can be stabilized during the adhesive spreading process and the transparent window closing process such that the transparent window can be kept highly flat after combining. By the implementation of the present invention, the chance of tilt and crack of the transparent window during manufacturing of the image sensor can be reduced, thereby achieving the goal for a better yield rate.
US08450133B2
Improved silicon solar cells, silicon image sensors and like photosensitive devices are made to include strained silicon at or sufficiently near the junctions or other active regions of the devices to provide increased sensitivity to longer wavelength light. Strained silicon has a lower band gap than conventional silicon. One method of making a solar cell that contains tensile strained silicon etches a set of parallel trenches into a silicon wafer and induces tensile strain in the silicon fins between the trenches. The method may induce tensile strain in the silicon fins by filling the trenches with compressively strained silicon nitride or silicon oxide. A deposited layer of compressively strained silicon nitride adheres to the walls of the trenches and generates biaxial tensile strain in the plane of adjacent silicon fins.
US08450132B2
A method for fabricating a micromirror in a wafer, including the steps of: depositing and etching layers forming two arms; etching the wafer such that in the back face only a thin portion of the wafer remains in the region of formation of the micromirror and the arms; performing an anisotropic etch, such that the thin portion remains only in the areas of the micromirror and the arms; and performing an isotropic etch to remove the thin portions under the arms, the etching step for forming the arms being performed following their shape and so as to form holes traversing the arms, the holes being positioned at edges of the region separating the micromirror and the wafer on both the side of the micromirror and the side of the portions of the wafer remaining after the anisotropic etching step. The invention also concerns the micromirror.
US08450127B2
Visible and infrared light sources on silicon that have several attractive properties with respect to integrated optics. First, the devices are operational at room temperature and strictly require no thermal processing in their synthesis (although low temperature annealing can be used to form Ohmic contacts). These devices could therefore be included at any stage of chip fabrication. The special ease of synthesis of these silicon LEDs enables simple fabrication of surface structures such as patterned emitters and photonic crystal surfaces that enhance light emission in the forward direction. The LEDs are color-switchable—by reversing the current one can switch from infrared emission to visible emission. The lifetime of the luminescence is much shorter than the standard carrier recombination time in silicon, suggesting direct modulation of the emitted light.
US08450124B2
In a sophisticated semiconductor device, FINFET elements may be provided with individually accessible semiconductor fins which may be connected to a controllable inter-connect structure for appropriately adjusting the transistor configuration, for instance with respect to current drive capability, replacing defective semiconductor fins and the like. Consequently, different transistor configurations may be obtained on the basis of a standard transistor cell architecture, which may result in increased production yield of highly complex manufacturing strategies in forming non-planar transistor devices.
US08450113B2
The invention relates to a method and a device for determining the gas permeability of barrier coatings (1) in the region of container walls (2). A quantity of gas to be analyzed emerging from the region of the wall of the container into an analysis chamber that is at least partially defined by the barrier coating is measured in said analysis chamber (8). Before entering the analysis chamber, the gas to be analyzed is located in the region of the wall. The measuring element can be integrated into a coating device for the container. To this end, a testing device provided with the measuring element is arranged in the transport direction of the container behind the coating device.
US08450110B2
The invention provides neuronal progenitor cells, populations and cultures of cells, cell compositions and methods of producing neuronal progenitor cells. Neuronal progenitor cells can be prepared from embryonic stem cells, such as human embryonic stem cells.
US08450104B2
Apparatus for detecting biological or chemical components in liquid or gas is based on measuring changes of the sensor layer thickness due to binding reactions. A plate or a gap with two surfaces of a solid optical material is used as the sensor layer. The surfaces are located at a distance of more than 10 μm, which allows pumping liquids through the gap at moderate pressure drops and investigating large biological objects (e.g., cells), or employment of affordable plates that are rigid enough without any substrate. The indicated thickness of the plate or the gap permits using of the superluminescent diodes as light sources, because it allows recording within their narrow spectrum a sufficient number of interference maxima and minima for precise registration of molecular binding reactions, which lead to much higher sensitivity of the apparatus as compared with apparatus based on thin-film sensor layers.
US08450099B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a process for conveniently and efficiently producing high purity thioredoxin from yeast.In the production of thioredoxin using yeast, thioredoxin is produced through the following steps (i) to (iii): (1) culturing the yeast; (2) stressing the yeast obtained in step (1) to cause a release of thioredoxin from a cell of the yeast; and (3) collecting the thioredoxin released from the yeast cell.
US08450093B1
Adaptive engineering of microorganisms to create mutants exhibiting high butanol tolerance and productivity. Mutant strains are obtained through the fermentation of parental strains in a fibrous bed bioreactor in the presence of butanol. Also provided are methods of producing butanol using mutant strains in ABE fermentation. Butanol production may be furthered by gas stripping and distillation. Also provided are mutant proteins for increasing butanol production in a microorganism.
US08450092B1
Present-day harvest methods for sweet sorghum are labor intensive, and/or require that large quantities of matter be removed to a central location for processing. A field harvesting process for harvesting and further processing sweet sorghum includes cutting the crop and reducing it to its separated juice and solids in the field. Separation is carried out using a roller press that is water-washed with water removed from the juices in a nanofiltration process. The juice is stored and fermented on the farm, followed by distillation by a mobile distillation process to separate the valuable alcohol from the stillage.
US08450088B2
A method by which high-purity CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid (HPLC purity, 95% or higher), which has been difficult to obtain with any technique other than chromatography, can be easily obtained in satisfactory yield by a simple operation without the need of chromatography. The process, which is for producing high-purity CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid (CMP-NeuAc), is characterized by conducting a suitable combination of the following steps (1) to (4). Step 1: a step in which divalent cations are added to a solution containing CMP-NeuAc to thereby precipitate the phosphoric acid, pyrophosphoric acid, and nucleotide which coexist; Step 2: a step in which a phosphatase is added to a solution containing CMP-NeuAc to thereby convert the coexistent nucleotide into nucleoside; Step 3: a step in which an organic solvent is added to precipitate the CMP-NeuAc; and Step 4: a step in which the CMP-NeuAc precipitated is recovered.
US08450085B2
Disclosed herein is a set of E. coli single-protein production (SPP) technologies with protein NMR (SPP-NMR) for (i) using isotope-enriched membrane proteins produced with the SPP system in screening detergent conditions suitable for purification and/or three-dimensional structure analysis without the requirement for protein purification, (ii) producing 2H, 13C, 15N enriched proteins suitable for high throughput and membrane protein NMR studies, and (iii) labeling with 13C—15N specific peptide bonds in proteins (referred to herein as SPP-PBL).
US08450079B2
The invention relates to a colorimetric method for detecting bacterial or fungal pathogens by detecting peptidoglycan or (1-3)-β-D-glucan in a sample.
US08450071B2
The present invention in one embodiment uses detection of isoforms of CAP37 as an early detection marker for a chronic inflammatory-associated disease. Chronic inflammatory-related diseases may include, for example, atherosclerosis, psoriasis, and osteoarthritis. The invention is also directed to isoforms of CAP37 protein having apparent molecular weights of about 135 kDa (±15 kDa) and about 100 kDa (±15 kDa) as assessed by SDS PAGE under reducing conditions, and their use as biomarkers for the presence of a chronic inflammatory-associated disease in a subject. The invention is also directed to monoclonal and/or polyclonal antibodies raised against such isoforms of CAP37 protein and kits and diagnostic tests comprising these antibodies.
US08450070B2
The invention provides a screening method and screening kit for a cell protecting agent. Specifically, the invention provides a method for screening a cell protecting agent showing an Hsp90-binding activity and a heat shock protein expression-inducing activity but having no Hsp90 client protein degradation-promoting activity. The method comprises the following steps (1) to (3): (1) measuring the binding property of a test compound to Hsp90; (2) measuring the activity of a test compound to induce the expression of a heat shock protein, or measuring the activity of a test compound to disrupt an Hsp90/HSF-1 complex, by using a cell capable of expressing the heat shock protein; and (3) measuring the activity of a test compound to induce the degradation of an Hsp90 client protein by using a cell capable of expressing the Hsp90 client protein. The invention further provides specifically a kit for screening a cell protecting agent, comprising (1) Hsp90; (2) a reagent for measuring the heat shock protein expression-inducing activity; (3) an imidazothiazine derivative; and (4) a reagent for quantifying an Hsp90 client protein.
US08450069B2
Cardiovascular disease, e.g., congestive heart failure, is often first diagnosed after the onset of clinical symptoms, eliminating potential for early intervention. The invention provides a multi-marker immunoassay, including cardiac pathology and vascular inflammation biomarkers, yielding a more sensitive assay for early detection of CHF in plasma. A panel consisting of cardiac pathology (cTnI, BNP) and vascular inflammation (IL-6, TNFα, IL-17a) biomarkers provided a sensitivity of 94% for association with CHF.
US08450066B2
The invention comprises compositions and methods for determining the function of proteins. It advantageously uses cotransfection of a reporter gene to remove transfection efficiency as a factor affecting the success of cell based assays. This method links the activity of the gene product of interest to the expression of the reporter gene. In addition, it also allows for the development of assays that allow for rapid screening for protein function in cells and whole animals by using cloned genes in a high throughput assay format which is simple, fast and inexpensive.
US08450064B2
Methods, compositions, and systems are provided for managing bovine subjects in order to maximize their individual potential performance and edible meat value, and to maximize profits obtained in marketing the bovine subjects. The methods and systems draw an inference of a trait of a bovine subject by determining the nucleotide occurrence of at least one bovine SNP that is identified herein as being associated with the trait. The inference is used in methods of the present invention to establish the economic value of a bovine subject, to improve profits related to selling beef from a bovine subject; to manage bovine subjects, to sort bovine subjects; to improve the genetics of a bovine population by selecting and breeding of bovine subjects, to clone a bovine subject with a specific trait, to track meat or another commercial product of a bovine subject; and to diagnose a health condition of a bovine subject. Methods are also disclosed for identifying additional SNPs associated with a trait, by using the associated SNPs identified herein.
US08450062B2
This invention provides compositions and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of cancers that exhibit decreased SOCS-3 expression.
US08450050B2
A method for manufacturing a recording head including forming a flow-channel side-wall forming layer which contains a photosensitive resin, on a substrate having ejection energy generating elements and wiring thereon; exposing the flow-channel side-wall forming layer to light, and optically determining a flow channel; forming a shape stabilizing layer which contains a photosensitive resin; forming an ejection orifice forming layer which contains a photopolymerization initiator and a negative photosensitive resin; exposing the ejection orifice forming layer to light, and optically determining an ejection orifice; and developing the ejection orifice forming layer, shape stabilizing layer, and flow-channel side-wall forming layer, in the order named. The photosensitive resin in the shape stabilizing layer is a material to be cured by a component that is produced upon the exposure of the ejection orifice forming layer and derives from the photopolymerization initiator.
US08450048B2
There is disclosed a method for forming a resist underlayer film of a multilayer resist film having at least three layers used in a lithography, comprising at least; a step of coating a composition for resist underlayer film containing a novolak resin represented by the following general formula (1) obtained by treating a compound having a bisnaphthol group on a substrate; and a step of curing the coated composition for the resist underlayer film by a heat treatment at a temperature above 300° C. and 600° C. or lower for 10 to 600 seconds. There can be provided a method for forming a resist underlayer film, and a patterning process using the method to form a resist underlayer film in a multilayer resist film having at least three layers used in a lithography, gives a resist underlayer film having a lowered reflectance, a high etching resistance, and a high heat and solvent resistances, especially without wiggling during substrate etching.
US08450042B2
A positive resist composition comprising as a base resin a polymer having carboxyl groups whose hydrogen is substituted by an acid labile group of fluorene structure exhibits a high contrast of alkaline dissolution rate before and after exposure, a high resolution, a good pattern profile and minimal LER after exposure, a significant effect of suppressing acid diffusion rate, and improved etching resistance.
US08450039B2
Provided is a binder resin for color toners which comprises at least a carboxyl group-containing vinyl resin (C), a glycidyl group-containing vinyl resin (E) and a reaction product thereof, wherein the storage modulus G′ at 160 degrees centigrade is not less than 20 and less than 800 Pa measured at a frequency of 6.28 rad/sec, the tetrahydrofuran (THF) soluble portion in the binder resin has a main peak in the molecular weight region of not less than 20,000 and less than 40,000 in the molecular weight distribution measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and the binder resin contains at least one of releasing agents having a melting point of not lower than 60 and not higher than 120 degrees centigrade in an amount of not less than 3.5 and not more than 12 mass % based on 100 mass % of the total amount of the carboxyl group-containing vinyl resin (C), the glycidyl group-containing vinyl resin (E) and a reaction product thereof.
US08450033B2
To provide a latent electrostatic image bearing member including: an outermost surface layer that comprises a compound represented by the following General Formula (1) and a crosslinked resin formed by crosslinking between an isocyanate compound and a reactive charge transporting substance having at least two hydroxyl groups. where R1 and R2 may be identical or different and each represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group; and R3 represents one of alkyl and aryl groups which have at least one hydroxyl group.
US08450032B2
The invention provides an electrophotographic photoreceptor for use in an image-forming apparatus comprising a charging unit which charges an electrophotographic photoreceptor, an exposure unit which exposes the charged electrophotographic photoreceptor to light to form an electrostatic latent image on the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and a developing unit which develops the electrostatic latent image, wherein the electrophotographic photoreceptor comprises a conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer and the photosensitive layer contains a compound represented by the following formula (1).
US08450021B2
A system for reducing oscillations on a high voltage bus. The system includes a high voltage battery electrically coupled to the high voltage bus and a DC/DC boost converter electrically coupled to the high voltage bus and a fuel cell stack. The DC/DC converter includes a current controller that selectively controls the current provided by the fuel cell stack. A system controller provides a stack current set-point to the DC/DC converter. The DC/DC converter includes a voltage device that receives a voltage signal from the bus and provides a time derivative of the voltage signal that defines voltage changes on the bus over time. The time derivative signal is provided to a summer that adjusts the current stack set-point to provide a modified current set-point to the current controller that selectively adjusts the current provided by the fuel cell stack to dampen oscillations on the high voltage bus.
US08450017B2
The present invention discloses a fuel-cell-based cogeneration system with radio frequency identification (RFID) sensors. The fuel-cell-based cogeneration system with RFID sensors includes the fuel-cell-based cogeneration system and an RFID data processing system. The RFID data processing system captures data of the temperature and flow rate from the RFID sensors, while the system data are in turn converted into RFID signals. The RFID data processing system transmits a control signal generated from the RFID signal to control the operation of the fuel-cell-based cogeneration system. Since the RFID transmission technology, the sensor error caused by wires is consequently reduced. Furthermore, overall sensitivity and accuracy of the RFID sensors are increased, which leads to an accompanying increase in the stability of the operating system.
US08450014B2
Lithium ion batteries having an anode comprising at least one graphene layer in electrical communication with titania to form a nanocomposite material, a cathode comprising a lithium olivine structure, and an electrolyte. The graphene layer has a carbon to oxygen ratio of between 15 to 1 and 500 to 1 and a surface area of between 400 and 2630 m2/g. The nanocomposite material has a specific capacity at least twice that of a titania material without graphene material at a charge/discharge rate greater than about 10 C. The olivine structure of the cathode of the lithium ion battery of the present invention is LiMPO4 where M is selected from the group consisting of Fe, Mn, Co, Ni and combinations thereof.
US08450012B2
Provided are electrode layers for use in rechargeable batteries, such as lithium ion batteries, and related fabrication techniques. These electrode layers have interconnected hollow nanostructures that contain high capacity electrochemically active materials, such as silicon, tin, and germanium. In certain embodiments, a fabrication technique involves forming a nanoscale coating around multiple template structures and at least partially removing and/or shrinking these structures to form hollow cavities. These cavities provide space for the active materials of the nanostructures to swell into during battery cycling. This design helps to reduce the risk of pulverization and to maintain electrical contacts among the nanostructures. It also provides a very high surface area available ionic communication with the electrolyte. The nanostructures have nanoscale shells but may be substantially larger in other dimensions. Nanostructures can be interconnected during forming the nanoscale coating, when the coating formed around two nearby template structures overlap.
US08449998B2
A battery system and a method for increasing an operational life of a battery cell are provided. The battery system includes a voltage sensor that generates a first signal indicative of a voltage level output by the battery cell, and a current sensor that generates a second signal indicative of a level of electrical current flowing through the battery cell. The battery system further includes a microprocessor that calculates a resistance level of the battery cell based on the first and second signals, and generates a control signal to induce a fluid supply system to increase a pressure level of the coolant fluid being supplied to the heat exchanger to a first pressure level, based on the resistance level.
US08449995B2
A protecting coating for a copper substrate is disclosed. The coating comprises seed layer comprising titanium ions that forms an “alloy-like” structure with the copper substrate. The coating further comprises a first layer of carbon disposed on the seed layer comprising titanium ions. A second layer comprising titanium is disposed on the first layer of carbon, and a second layer of carbon is disposed on the second layer comprising titanium.
US08449991B2
Polycrystalline diamond compacts for use in artificial joints achieve reduced corrosion and improved biocompatibility through the use of solvent metal formulations containing tin and through the control of solvent metal pore size, particularly in inner layers of the compact. Solvent metal formulations containing tin have been discovered which provide sintering ability, part strength, and grind resistance comparable to levels achieved by using CoCrMo solvent metals. It has been discovered that limiting the solvent metal pore size in the diamond layers minimizes or eliminates the occurrence of micro cracks in the solvent metal and significantly reduces the corrosion of the compact as manifested by the release of heavy metal ions from the compact. Polycrystalline diamond compacts which utilize both the solvent metal formulations containing tin and the control of pore sizes achieve significantly reduced corrosion and improved biocompatibility compared to prior art polycrystalline diamond compacts.
US08449981B2
The present invention concerns microcapsules comprising a capsule core and a capsule wall, the capsule wall being constructed from 30% to 90% by weight of one or more C1-C24-alkyl esters of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and/or maleic acid (monomers I), 10% to 70% by weight of a mixture of divinyl and polyvinyl monomers (monomers II), the fraction of polyvinyl monomers being in the range from 2% to 90% by weight based on the monomers II, and also 0% to 30% by weight of one or more miscellaneous monomers (monomer III), all based on the total weight of the monomers, a process for their production and their use in textiles, bindered building materials and heat transfer fluids.
US08449967B2
Composite elements have the following layer structure: (i) from 2 to 20 mm of metal, (ii) from 10 to 300 mm of plastic, and (iii) from 2 to 20 mm of metal, where (i) and/or (iii) have an opening which may, if desired, be sealable.
US08449966B2
A new kind of pellicle frame is proposed which is made up of a core body and a clad body; the core body consists of a composite of carbon fiber plus resin, and it is preferred that the carbon fiber exists in the form of a laminated body of carbon fiber sheets in which the resin is impregnated; and the clad body is the outer layer sealing the core body such that no carbon is exposed through the clad body.
US08449964B2
An optical recording medium includes: an inorganic recording layer; and a protective layer including a composite oxide containing an indium oxide provided on at least one surface of the inorganic recording layer, wherein the composite oxide is represented by the formula [(In2O3)1-X(A)X], wherein A is cerium oxide or gallium oxide and X satisfies a range of 0.15≦X≦0.75.
US08449961B2
The present invention relates to a pipe usable for an air intake circuit of a motor vehicle engine, and to this air intake circuit in particular for the intake of air at the outlet of a turbocompressor that comprises at least one such pipe.This pipe (1) comprises at least one inner elastomer layer (10), one outer elastomer layer (16), one intermediate elastomer layer (12) and one reinforcing structure (14) which is situated between the intermediate and outer layers and which comprises yarns based on an aliphatic polyester, such as a PET, each intermediate and outer layer being formed from a composition based on at least one acrylate copolymer (ACM).According to the invention, said composition is crosslinked by means of a system chosen from the group consisting of those based on at least one soap combined with sulfur, with a urea derivative and those based on a thiadiazole.
US08449960B2
A polymer is provided that preferably includes at least one unsaturated cycloaliphatic group. In one embodiment, the polymer is combined with an optional crosslinker and an optional carrier to form a coating composition suitable for use in coating articles such as packaging articles. In one embodiment, the polymer has at least one unsaturated cycloaliphatic group that is at least bicyclic.
US08449948B2
A method for providing a structure in a magnetic recording transducer is described. The method includes plating a first layer in a plating bath using a first plurality of plating conditions. The first layer has a first galvanic potential. The method also includes modifying the plating bath and/or the first plurality of plating conditions to provide a modified plating bath and/or a second plurality of plating conditions. The method further includes plating a second layer using the modified plating bath and/or the second plurality of plating conditions. The second layer has a second galvanic potential. The first galvanic potential is between the second galvanic potential and a third galvanic potential of a third layer if the third layer adjoins the first layer. The second galvanic potential is between the first galvanic potential and the third galvanic potential of the third layer if the third layer adjoins the second layer.
US08449946B2
A method of applying a urethane material to a vehicle substrate that includes the steps of: providing a vehicle substrate; and applying a urethane material to the vehicle substrate where the urethane material typically includes the reaction product of an A-side that includes an isocyanate and a B-side that typically includes a blown soy oil, at least one polyol at least partially derived from petroleum, and a cross-linker. A vehicle composite that typically includes the vehicle substrate and the urethane material.
US08449935B2
It is to provide a process and apparatus for producing soymilk which is obtained by completely deactivating various kinds of enzymes responsible for a grassy smell, while preventing heating unevenness, and inducing appropriate thermal denaturation of protein and a rich flavor, and which can be processed by coagulation into tofu high in water retentivity and elasticity and rich in flavor. [Solving means] The apparatus includes a submerged friction-grinding unit M having a friction-grinding portion in which soybeans are friction-ground together with soybean-grinding water to obtain a raw soybean soup, a heating unit N for heating the raw soybean soup obtained in the submerged friction-grinding unit M, a connecting pipe P2 for connecting the submerged grinding unit M and the heating unit N and a preheating unit Y1 attached to the connecting pipe P2 for preheating the raw soybean soup, whereby the raw soybean soup obtained in the submerged friction-grinding unit M is fed into the heating unit N while being preheated and is then further heated in the heating unit N The heating step by the heating unit N may be divided into multiple stages.
US08449934B2
An apparatus for easily removing excess moisture from blocks of tofu. The apparatus is constructed of a sturdy plastic material and is substantially box or rectangular shaped. It is designed to be approximately the size of a block of commercially available tofu. The container which holds the tofu has perforations on the bottom which permits the extracted moisture to drain out and away from the unit. The container with the tofu features four feet on the corners with a drain tray to capture the extracted moisture. There is a flat member that sits on the top of the tofu and an inner top lid that has a spring attached to it. The inner top lid engages a pair of arm like projections and the spring engages another tray that sits on the top of the tofu so that as the spring exerts pressure on the flat member on the tofu water is removed from the tofu.
US08449931B2
The present invention relates to a chewing gum base formulation comprising a biocompatible particulate polymer having an average particle size of from about 200 μm to about 2000 μm wherein the polymer fibrillates when subjected to a shear stress such as that encountered during chewing.
US08449929B2
The present invention relates to herbal medicinal compositions and extracts thereof for inhibiting growth of cancer cells. One of the examples described in the present invention comprises Forsythiae fructus, Menthae Herba, Gardeniae Fructus, Scutellariae Radix, Lophatheri Folium, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Rhei Rhizoma, Na2SO4, and Atractylodis Rhizoma. The residual examples are described herein.
US08449926B2
A composition obtained primarily from plant materials provides antimicrobial activity for use as an anti-fungal agent. The anti-fungal agent is effective in inhibiting the growth of Trichophyton rubrum, the fungus that is the most common cause of Tinea pedis. The composition includes selective mixtures of the origanum oil, menthol, and Atlantic cedarwood oil, thuja oil, cedarwood oil, cinnamon oil, clove oil, cumin oil, fennel oil, peppermint oil, or rosemary oil.
US08449916B1
The invention provides compositions and methods to treat microbial infections in animals, to inhibit the replication of microbes in infected cells, and to kill pathogens in infected cells. The methods can include administering to an animal in need of such treatment an effective antimicrobial amount of a composition comprising polyanhydride microparticles or nanoparticles that encapsulate a plurality of antimicrobial agents. The polyanhydride microparticles or nanoparticles can be, for example, copolymers of sebacic anhydride (SA) and 1,6-bis-(p-carboxyphenoxy)hexane (CPH) anhydride, copolymers of 1,8-bis(carboxyphenoxy)-3,6-dioxaoctane (CPTEG) anhydrides and 1,6-bis-(p-carboxyphenoxy)hexane (CPH) anhydride, or various combinations thereof. The microparticles or nanoparticles can accumulate in infected monocytes, dendritic cells, both, or on or in other infected cells, and degrade by surface erosion over a period of time to release the antimicrobial agents, thereby killing or inhibiting the microbes and treating the infection.
US08449915B1
The invention discloses a pharmaceutical composition of multifunctional core-shell nanoparticles, each nanoparticle comprising: a core portion comprised of hydrophobic poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and a detection-enhancing substance, and a shell portion comprised of positively charged chitosan adapted to cause no aggregation of nanoparticles due to electrostatic repulsion between the positively charged nanoparticles. In one embodiment, the detection-enhancing substance includes SPIO, a quantum dot, a fluorescent quantum dot, a bubble, an air bubble, and the like.
US08449912B2
The invention relates to sustained release compositions of alfuzosin or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof that include one or more functional layers. The functional layer includes alfuzosin or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic rate-controlling polymers.
US08449909B2
An abuse-deterrent pharmaceutical composition has been developed to reduce the likelihood of improper administration of drugs, especially drugs such as opiods. In the preferred embodiment, the drug is modified to increase its lipophilicity by forming a salt between the drug and one or more fatty acids wherein the concentration of the one or more fatty acids is one to 15 times the molar amount of the active agent, preferably two to ten times the molar amount of the active agent. In one embodiment the modified drug is homogeneously dispersed within microparticles composed of a material that is either slowly soluble or not soluble in water. In some embodiments the drug containing microparticles or drug particles are coated with one or more coating layers, where at least one coating is water insoluble and preferably organic solvent insoluble. The abuse-deterrent composition prevents the immediate release of a substantial portion of drug, even if the physical integrity of the formulation is compromised (for example, by chopping with a blade or crushing) and the resulting material is placed in water, snorted, or swallowed. However, when administered as directed, the drug is slowly released from the composition as the composition is broken down or dissolved gradually within the GI tract by a combination of enzymatic degradation, surfactant action of bile acids, and mechanical erosion.
US08449905B2
Stents with coatings comprising a combination of a restenosis inhibitor comprising an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor and a carrier. Also provided are methods of coating stents with a combination of an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor and a carrier. A preferred example of a restenosis inhibitor is cerivastatin. The stent coatings have been shown to release restenosis inhibitors in their active forms.
US08449894B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods in preventing and/or treating diseases caused by Aspergillus. In particular, the present invention is directed to Aspergillus vaccine preparations and methods of making and using thereof.
US08449880B2
Disclosed herein is a composition and method for sample preparation of proteins for their size separation by electrophoresis, suitable for molecular-weight determination of proteins in the range between about 14,000 and 500,000. In an embodiment, proteins, particularly those exhibiting biased migration, are modified to change their intrinsic charge, or carbohydrate component to improve accuracy of their molecular weights as determined by electrophoretic size separation via their interaction with ionic surfactants. In a preferred embodiment, the proteins are carbamylated with potassium cyanate and their carbohydrate components are oxidized with sodium periodate.
US08449876B2
A device, system and method for producing glycosylated proteins in plant culture, particularly proteins having a high mannose glycosylation, while targeting such proteins with an ER signal and/or by-passing the Golgi. The invention further relates to vectors and methods for expression and production of enzymatically active high mannose lysosomal enzymes using transgenic plant root, particularly carrot cells. More particularly, the invention relates to host cells, particularly transgenic suspended carrot cells, vectors and methods for high yield expression and production of biologically active high mannose Glucocerebrosidase (GCD). The invention further provides for compositions and methods for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases.
US08449866B2
This disclosure provides, in part, fluorocarbon imaging reagents and formulations for the ex vivo labeling of cells. Labeled cells may be detected in vivo or ex vivo by a nuclear magnetic resonance technique, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). The disclosure additionally provides methods for using the imaging reagents in a variety of clinical procedures.
US08449861B2
In a process for photochemical and thermochemical generation of hydrogen and/or oxygen, water is contacted with at least one Si-containing compound selected from silicides, silicide-like compositions, and oxides of the silicides and silicide-like compositions. The Si-containing compound is selected from metallosilicides and non-metallic silicides of the formula RSixOy wherein R represents an organic, metallic, organometallic, biochemically derived and/or inorganic residue, wherein Si is silicon. The compound is preferably a silicide moiety with X>zero.
US08449852B1
Diesel oxidation catalysts comprising a first washcoat layer including a platinum group metal impregnated on a promoted non-zeolitic support are described. The promoter is one or more of tin, manganese, indium, group VIII metals. Methods of making and using the diesel oxidation catalyst, including emissions treatment systems, are also described.
US08449850B2
A method for the extraction and purification of molybdenum, the method comprising the steps of: transferring an irradiated fuel solution to an extraction system, the irradiated fuel solution comprising iodine and molybdenum and other fission products, the extraction system comprising at least one sorbent column; passing the irradiated fuel solution upwards through the at least one sorbent-containing extraction column; directing the irradiated fuel solution towards a fuel management system by means of at least one discharge alignment valve; directing the extraction column eluate towards an iodine removal system; removing the iodine from the extraction column eluate; purifying the extraction column eluate; and collecting the purified eluate. Also disclosed is an apparatus for accomplishing the aforementioned method.
US08449848B2
Production of polycrystalline silicon in a substantially closed-loop process is disclosed. The processes generally include decomposition of trichlorosilane produced from metallurgical grade silicon.
US08449843B2
The invention is directed to fluid-containing pouches and to methods for forming fluid-containing pouches. In one embodiment, the invention is to a fluid-containing pouch, comprising first and second opposing sheets, and a fluid (e.g., a calibrant fluid, a reactant fluid or a wash fluid) disposed between the first and second opposing sheets. The first sheet and the second sheet have a substantially liquid and gas impermeable perimeter seal. The sheets may be sealed, for example, by one or more of heat crimping, pressure crimping, heat and pressure crimping, ultrasonic welding, metal-to-metal welding or laser welding. Fluid-containing pouches sealed according to the disclosed methods and apparatuses show substantially improvement in terms of reduced gas exchange, notably CO2 pressurization levels.
US08449840B2
Provided is a dispensing device capable of removing bubbles reliably. In this dispensing device, deaerated water is fed by a water feed pump to the inside of a pipeline up to the vicinity of the leading end of a dispensing nozzle. A water feed valve disposed near a dispensing pump is closed to establish a deaerated water space opened on the leading end side of the dispensing nozzle. The dispensing pump is activated on the space, thereby causing the dispensing nozzle to perform suction and exhaust actions. The dispensing device comprises a vacuum means connected to the space through the water feed valve thereby maintaining a vacuum state. In case the deaerated water space is cleared of the bubbles, the cleared water space is brought, by opening a change-over valve, into communication with a pipeline having a vacuum means connected thereto, thereby bringing the space into the vacuum state.
US08449829B2
A clean air supply apparatus is provided which has an ability of sterilizing effectively and uniformly also a secondary side surface of a filter. The apparatus has a pre-filter 23 for roughly filtering air sequentially introduced from an air inlet port 18 for introducing air to an air supply port 22 for sending clean air to a work environment, a blower 24 for sucking air to the introduced, a heater 25 for adjusting a temperature of introduced air, a chemical agent gas supply apparatus 27, a chemical agent gas eject apparatus 26 for supplying chemical agent gas into the air path, high performance filters or ultrahigh performance filters 41 and 42 for filtering air to be delivered from an air supply port 22 to generate clean air.
US08449827B2
A reaction well, intended for use in an automatic analysis appliance and including an opening at its top end and one or two flaps for partially closing said opening, the flaps being separated by a slot enabling a liquid injection or sampling needle to pass through, and preventing stirrer means contained within the well from escaping.
US08449822B2
Smear preparing apparatuses for preparing a smear of a specimen on a glass slide are described that include a memory for storing smearing conditions in connection with pertinent information required for establishing the smearing condition; and a controller for retrieving one of the stored smearing conditions corresponding to the pertinent information of the specimen from the memory and for determining it as the smearing condition of the specimen. Methods of preparing sample smears on a glass slide are also described that include receiving condition identification data; storing smear preparing conditions correlated with the condition identification data; retrieving the smear preparing conditions correlated with the condition identification data; and applying the sample smear to the glass slide based on the smear preparing conditions.
US08449817B2
The invention is directed at sputter targets including 50 atomic % or more molybdenum, a second metal element of niobium or vanadium, and a third metal element selected from the group consisting of titanium, chromium, niobium, vanadium, and tantalum, wherein the third metal element is different from the second metal element, and deposited films prepared by the sputter targets. In a preferred aspect of the invention, the sputter target includes a phase that is rich in molybdenum, a phase that is rich in the second metal element, and a phase that is rich in the third metal element.
US08449810B2
A method is provided for molding a composite part defined by using a preform comprising a shape memory polymer (SMP) binder. A bound preform comprising the SMP binder in a permanent shape and defined by a simplified geometry provided to a mold. The bound preform is heated above a transformation temperature of the SMP binder and deformed into a shaped preform defined by the temporary shape of the SMP binder. In a molding sequence, the shaped preform is constrained in its temporary shape by the mold while resin is introduced to the mold and cured to produce a final part. The shape of the cured part defines the temporary shape of the SMP binder. The bound preform may be generally configured as a mat or be defined by a substantially flat surface such that the preform may be used as a preform to mold a variety of differing part configurations.
US08449809B2
A molding, produced by a layer-by-layer process in which regions of respective polymer pulverulent layers are selectively melted via introduction of electromagnetic energy, where the process employs a powder which comprises at least one homopolyamide prepared via polycondensation of diamines and dicarboxylic acids, wherein the homopolyamide has an enthalpy of fusion of at least 125 J/g and a recrystallization temperature of at least 148° C.
US08449806B2
The present invention provides a laser processing apparatus having a laser oscillator for outputting a pulsed laser beam; deflection unit for deflecting the pulsed laser beam to irradiate a object to be processed with the deflected pulsed laser beam; a mounting base on which the object is placed and which is movable in an axial direction or two-axial directions perpendicular to each other; and local shielding unit for controlling an atmosphere around the surface of the object to be processed which is irradiated with the laser beam. When a thin semiconductor film with a thickness of 1 μm or less is formed over the surface, minute convex portions are formed, which causes a problem that characteristics of TFTs vary among elements. Minute particles generated and adhered to a main surface of a substrate through a laser processing, which is difficult to remove in general surface cleaning, become preventable by the invention.
US08449795B2
There is provided a method of producing U3O8 powder having large surface area and small particle size by oxidizing defective UO2 pellets and manufacturing nuclear fuel pellets which are stable in a pore structure and high in density through the use of a mixture comprising UO2 powder and U3O8 powder. The method includes producing an U308 powder having a surface area of at least 1 m2/g by oxidizing defective UO2 pellets at a temperature of 300 to 370° C. in such a way that a maximum weight increase rate per 1 g of the UO2 pellets is up to 0.06 wt %/min; producing a mixed powder by mixing the U3O8 powder with an UO2 powder by 2 to 15 wt %; producing a compact by compression molding the mixed powder; and sintering the compact in a reducing gas atmosphere at a temperature of 1600 to 1800° C. In addition, a small amount of an Al-compound may be added to the oxidized U3O8 powder before the U3O8 powder is mixed with the UO2 powder. The additive such as Al is mixed with the U3O8 powder and then mixed with the UO2 powder to produce the pellets by a conventional production method. This ensures a stable pore structure, high density and a considerable increase in a crystal grain size.
US08449794B2
A non-resonant two-photon absorption recording material containing at least (a) a non-resonant two-photon absorption compound, and (b) a recording component in which at least either a refractive index or fluorescence intensity changes, wherein the non-resonant two-photon absorption compound (a) is a compound having a structure represented by formula (1) as described.
US08449792B2
Provided is a cathode for lithium secondary batteries comprising a combination of one or more compounds selected from Formula 1 and one or more compounds selected from Formula 2. The cathode provides a high-power lithium secondary battery composed of a non-aqueous electrolyte which exhibits long lifespan, long-period storage properties and superior stability at ambient temperature and high temperatures.
US08449784B2
A method for bonding a sheath made of a first metallic material to an airfoil made of a second metallic material includes treating the bonding surface of the airfoil; treating the bonding surface of the sheath; placing an adhesive between the bonding surfaces of the airfoil and the sheath; and pressing the airfoil and sheath together so that the adhesive bonds the sheath to the airfoil.
US08449781B2
The present disclosure relates to a method for selectively etching-back a polymer matrix to expose tips of carbon nanotubes comprising: a. growing carbon nanotubes on a conductive substrate; b. filling the gap around the carbon nanotubes with a polymeric fill matrix comprising at least one latent photoacid generator; and c. selectively etching-back the polymeric fill matrix to expose tips of the carbon nanotubes.
US08449779B2
The present disclosure provides a collection receptacle and a method for reclaiming backflow from a wellbore. The collection receptacle, in one embodiment, includes an enclosure configured to collect solid and liquid matter, and an elevated auger extending into the enclosure and configured to remove the solid matter from the enclosure. In this embodiment, the auger includes a housing and a flighting, the housing and flighting configured in such a way as to promote separation of the solid matter from the liquid matter as the solid matter travels up the auger and out of the enclosure.
US08449776B2
Our idea is a new procedure that can be used to clean up and recover oil from spills or oil leaking from damaged ships or rigs. The reclamation is accomplished by restoring the oil's light density. This is accomplished with density control by adding light cycle oil, (LCO), with a density of 0.82 g/ml, to the oil being recovered for the purpose of reprocessing in refineries. Recovery is made possible through the application of solubility rules found in organic chemistry. LCO is a mixture of many different molecular weight hydrocarbons that have many different numbers of carbons in their chains, branches, or rings. Each of these hydrocarbons dissolves a small part of the oil preparing the mixture for collection and reprocessing as refinery feedstock. Furthermore, this idea can prevent the need for landfill storage and offset the cost of recovery.
US08449775B2
A method and adsorbent composition for removing heavy metals from contaminated water, including mixing a water having a concentration of one or more heavy metals with an adsorbent including granules of a mixture of 3.33 wt % bentonite clay and a siwak stick powder; and collecting water having a reduced concentration of the heavy metal(s).
US08449773B2
A process for converting organic waste materials into usable products and products thereof is disclosed. According to the process, organic waste materials are contacted with an oxidant to form a product and then an amount of the oxidant is removed from the product to form a reactor-ready feedstock. The oxidant is removed by various means, including washing, photolysis, catalytic means, oxidation of the oxidant, reduction of the oxidant, and heat. The reactor-ready feedstock may then be introduced into a reactor, such as a digester or incubator, and the reactor-ready feedstock is converted by microorganisms into biofuel or other products.
US08449771B2
A pump assembly to move water past a reverse osmosis membrane, the pump assembly having a first pump and a second pump each including a bore having a longitudinal axis and surrounding a chamber. First and second partition members extend longitudinally of the chamber. The second partition is moveable relative to the first partition member, and divides the chamber into a first sub chamber and a second sub chamber. A shaft is attached to the second member to cause angular movement thereof about the axis to change the volumes of the sub chambers. End caps are fitted to ends of each chamber to contain pressure, and ducting is provided to provide for the flow of water. The shaft of the first pump is coupled to the shaft of the second pump so that the first pump second partition angularly oscillates in phase with the second pump second partition.
US08449769B2
Embodiment of the present invention feature a device having a body, a separation media and a frit element. The exterior surface of the body has a first attachment means positioned radially about at least one of the media chamber and the frit section to form a compact assembly.
US08449768B2
An oil skimmer includes a frame for attaching a porous collection bag. The frame automatically tilts in response to water flow, relative to the frame, and the frame automatically returns to its original (“neutral”) position when the water flow ceases. In the tilted position, the frame orients a portion of the mouth of the bag below the surface of the water, so the bag collects floating contaminants. However, in the neutral position, the frame orients the mouth of the bag upward and such that the mouth is above the surface of the water to prevent previously captured contaminants from escaping from the bag and floating away. Optionally, the frame may be releasably locked in the neutral position to facilitate bag replacement or when no collection is desired. The skimmer may be mounted between hulls of a catamaran.
US08449764B2
In solvent-assisted bitumen extraction, a native marker, for example: sulfur, nickel, vanadium, iron copper, or manganese, is used to control the solvent to bitumen ratio in a process stream such as a stream from a froth separation unit (FSU) and/or to measure hydrocarbon loss in a tailings solvent recovery unit (TSRU).
US08449757B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus or hydrogen generating system including a galvanic or first hydrogen generator and a thermally-activated or second hydrogen generator connectable to one another.
US08449748B2
A sample separation/adsorption appliance (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a first buffer solution tank (103) equipped with a first electrode (101) and used for holding a first buffer solution; a second buffer solution tank (104) equipped with a second electrode (102) and used for holding a second buffer solution; a sample separation section (110) that holds a sample separation medium (131) for separating a sample; and a conductive section (120) that holds a conductive medium (133), wherein: the sample separation medium (131) and the conductive medium (133) are in contact with the sample adsorption member (132), respectively, on the opposite sides thereof; an end of the sample separation medium (131) opposite to an end being in contact with the sample adsorption member (132) is connected to an inside of the first buffer solution tank (103); and an end of the conductive medium (133) opposite to an end being in contact with the sample adsorption member (132) is connected to an inside of the second buffer solution tank (104). With this arrangement, a sample separation/adsorption appliance that enables efficient transfer of a sample is offered.
US08449741B2
A method is provided for influencing the properties of cast iron by adding magnesium to the cast iron melt and measuring the oxygen content of the cast iron melt. Magnesium is added to the cast iron melt until the oxygen content of the cast iron melt is approximately 0.005 to 0.2 ppm at a temperature of approximately 1,420° C. A sensor for measuring the oxygen content in cast iron melts contains an electrochemical measuring cell containing a solid electrolyte tube.
US08449740B2
Described herein are systems and methods for distinguishing between a control solution and a blood sample. In one aspect, the methods include using a test strip in which multiple current transients are measured by a meter electrically connected to an electrochemical test strip. The current transients are used to determine if a sample is a blood sample or a control solution based on at least two characteristics. Further described herein are methods for calculating a discrimination criteria based upon at least two characteristics. Still further described herein are system for distinguishing between blood samples and control solutions.
US08449732B2
The present invention provides an apparatus for automatically producing nano-gold or silver ionized water having a simplified structure. Therefore, the apparatus can be easily fabricated with low cost. Since the ionized water is continuously produced using a waterway through which raw water flows, differently from the conventional techniques in which the raw water stays in a reservoir, it is possible to solve problems such as settlement of ionized water, and thus it is possible to produce nano-gold/silver ionized water having a desired concentration of gold/silver ions within a short period of time. As a result, the antibacterial and sterilizing activity which is an intrinsic property of the nano-gold/silver ions is improved, and the thus produced ionized water having strong detergency can be used as antibacterial and sterilizing water.
US08449730B2
A process of fabricating a perpendicular magnetic recording medium. In one embodiment, the process may comprise forming a metallic buffer layer with a (002) texture on an underlayer using a deposition process performed at a temperature below 30° C. The underlayer may have a crystalline (001) texture. The process may further comprise forming a perpendicular magnetic recording layer on top of the metallic buffer layer using a deposition process performed at a temperature above 350° C. The magnetic recording layer may comprise a magnetic material with a L10 crystalline structure and with a c-axis perpendicular to a plane of the perpendicular magnetic recording layer. The process may further comprise removing metal of the metallic buffer layer from a top surface of the perpendicular magnetic recording layer that moved to the top surface of the perpendicular magnetic recording layer during the forming of the perpendicular magnetic recording layer.
US08449728B2
A system for the production of ethanol and co-products is provided. The system facilitates an overall reduction in the use of energy, for example, by reducing the mass of wet solids supplied to a distillation system. The system also reduces the amount of energy used to dry the wet solids component of a fermentation product, for example, by increasing the ethanol concentration of the wet solids. The system also facilitates the recovery of co-products including bioproducts and other biochemicals extracted from components of the fermentation product. The solids component of the fermentation product may be dried and constituted into a meal that may be used for animal feed, among other uses.
US08449726B2
A solar thermal system for the partial desalination of sea water and for generating electricity includes a mass of black top material such as asphalt or the like used in paving roadways, parking lots and the like. The system also includes a network of interconnected conductive conduits such as a serpentine array of copper tubing and a pump for pumping seawater through the copper tubing that is in contact with or surrounded by the black top or asphalt portion of a roadway. The asphalt layer acts as a black body for absorbing heat from the sun and converts solar energy to thermal energy.
US08449719B2
A security paper comprising a fibrous substrate comprising a watermark having repeating motifs, and a security structure that does not completely cover the watermark and has at least one semi-reflective area which is superposed at least partly on the watermark; which paper on the one hand allows observation, through the semi-reflective area, at least partially, of one of the motifs, and on the other hand allows observation at least partially of another of said motifs in a region of the watermark that is not covered by the security structure.
US08449715B2
An internal member of a plasma processing vessel includes a base material and a film formed by thermal spraying of ceramic on a surface of the base material. The film is formed of ceramic which includes at least one kind of element selected from the group consisting of B, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Cr, Y, Zr, Ta, Ce and Nd. In addition, at least a portion of the film is sealed by a resin.
US08449712B2
An electrode bonding method according to the present invention includes: a plasma cleaning step of irradiating an electrode surface to be cleaned of at least either one of a part, such as a semiconductor device, and a substrate with atmospheric pressure plasma for cleaning; an inert gas atmosphere maintaining step of covering the electrode surface to be cleaned and its vicinity with a first inert gas before the irradiation of the atmospheric pressure plasma is ended, and maintaining that state even thereafter; and a bonding step of bonding an electrode of the part and an electrode on the substrate before the inert gas atmosphere maintaining step is ended. The electrode surface is thereby plasma-cleaned without the possibility of damaging the part to be bonded to the substrate, and the cleaned state is maintained while bonding the electrodes to provide an electrode bonding state of high bonding force and high reliability.
US08449701B2
An uncured acoustic absorbing member for cavity sealing comprises a thermally inert carrier (8, 28) and a thermally expandable material (6, 26) applied to the carrier (8, 28). The carrier (8, 28) contains openings (3) which become covered when the thermally expandable material (6, 26) is expanded to seal the cavity. The thermally expandable material (6, 26) may be in the form of substantially discontinuous segments (25) having an area in the range of 0.25 to 400 mm2. The substantially discontinuous segments (25) provide a highly uniform expansion of the material when it is thermally expanded. The acoustic absorbing members are particularly useful for sealing automotive cavities to provide acoustical abatement and to prevent the entry of fluids into the cavity.
US08449691B2
In order to provide a liquid solvent abutment unit for accelerating the reaction of a liquid solvent against an adhesive member existing between a perforated support plate and a wafer, a liquid solvent abutment unit includes a supply part for supplying a support plate surface with a liquid solvent, a retention part for retaining the supplied liquid solvent in the hole-formed region on the support plate surface; a recovery part for recovering the liquid solvent retained in the hole-formed region, and a vibration unit for vibrating the liquid solvent.
US08449690B2
There is provided a sump assembly of a dishwasher. The sump assembly includes a sump case having coupling bosses protruded upward, a sump cover seating on an upper portion of the sump case, the sump cover having a coupling boss and a coupling hole, a self-cleaning filter assembly mounted on a top surface of the sump cover, the self-cleaning assembly having a coupling hole, a fluid passage guide mounted on a bottom of the sump cover, pump lower having a first coupling boss formed on a frame portion and a second coupling boss formed therein and a washing pump disposed between the fluid passage guide and the pump lower, and a washing pump disposed between the fluid passage guide and the pump lower.
US08449686B2
A method for cleaning a drain line of a dialysis machine downstream of a filtration unit. The method includes closing inlet and outlet valves of the filtration unit, and closing a bypass valve along a bypass line that connects a source line to a drain line. The method also includes configuring the balancing chamber such that flow is permitted only via the drain line, flowing an amount of a cleaning agent into the drain line through a cleaning agent valve, and rinsing the cleaning agent from the drain line with a rinse fluid.
US08449678B2
A combinatorial processing chamber is provided. The combinatorial processing chamber is configured to isolate a radial portion of a rotatable substrate support, which in turn is configured to support a substrate. The chamber includes a plurality of clusters process heads in one embodiment. An insert having a base plate disposed between the substrate support and the process heads defines a confinement region for a deposition process in one embodiment. The base plate has an opening to enable access of the deposition material to the substrate. Through rotation of the substrate and movement of the opening, multiple regions of the substrate are accessible for performing combinatorial processing on a single substrate.
US08449670B2
An inorganic binder having calcium silicate sites which are connected the one with the other by alumina-silica phosphate bonds, whereby at least a portion of said alumina-silica bonds are alumina-silica phosphate bonds having a weight ratio Al2O3/SiO2 ranging from 0.3:1 to 10:1, a weight ratio Al2O3/P2O5 ranging from 0.0005 to 0.04, and a weight ratio P/B ranging from 20:1 to 100:1, whereby the inorganic binder further includes a waterproof and/or water repellent silicon compound or mixture.
US08449662B2
Provided herein are compositions for coatings that repel dust. The compositions comprise colloidal silica suspended in a low molecular weight alcohol, one or more hard nanoparticles, a fluoride source, and one or more combustible organic compounds. Methods of preparing a coating from the compositions are also provided herein.
US08449656B2
A process and apparatus is provided for reduction of dissolved oxygen content in seawater from about 8 ppm in the feed seawater to about 10 ppb or less. Significant advantages are achieved by: use of a separator in horizontal alignment to provide high gas-liquid contacting area for separation and de-entrainment within the separator, thereby providing higher throughput; and heating seawater to at least 30° C. and up to 60° C., so as to enhance removal of oxygen from seawater; use of once-through fuel gas as stripping gas and its subsequent combustion for heating the seawater provides for high efficiency and reduction of fouling. The combination of these features allows the amount of residual oxygen in deoxygenated seawater to be reduced to below 10 ppb and as low as 2 ppb.
US08449651B2
Disclosed herein is a method for preparing a crosslinked hollow fiber membrane. The method involves spinning a one phase solution comprising a monoesterified polyimide polymer, acetone as a volatile solvent, a spinning solvent, a spinning non-solvent, and optionally an organic and/or inorganic additive, wherein the volatile solvent is present in an amount of greater than 25 wt. % to about 50 wt. %, based on the total weight of the solution.
US08449645B2
A ceramic honeycomb structure having a large number of flow paths defined by porous cell walls; said porous cell walls being composed of cordierite crystals, mullite crystals, corundum crystals and/or spinel crystals; the percentage of the X-ray diffraction intensity of the cordierite crystals being 72% or more and less than 85%, the percentage of the X-ray diffraction intensity of the mullite crystals being 15-25%, and the percentage of the total X-ray diffraction intensity of the corundum crystals and the spinel crystals being 5% or less, per the total X-ray diffraction intensity of these crystals; said porous cell walls having a true density of 2.55-2.70 g/cm3, a mean pore diameter of 10-20 μm, and a porosity of 50-65%; the volume of pores having diameters exceeding 50 μm being 8-25% of the total pore volume, the volume of pores having diameters of less than 10 μm being 16-25% of the total pore volume, and the pore diameter distribution deviation σ being 0.5 or less.
US08449642B2
A filter medium (100) having an inflow side (110) and an outflow side (120) defining a flow direction (190). The filter medium comprises at least n consecutive layers Lx of fiber media, x varying from 1 to n, n being more than or equal to 2. L1 (101) is the layer of the n consecutive layers closest to the inflow side of the filter medium and Ln (103) is the layer of the n consecutive layers closest to the -outflow side of the filter medium. For all layers Lx of the at least n consecutive layers, the ratio Hx/(kx*Ax) is substantially identical, wherein Hx is the average thickness of the layer Lx in flow direction, Ax is the average surface area of cross sections according to planes perpendicular to the flow direction, and kx is the permeability coefficient of this layer Lx. The fiber media of at least part of the layers of the filter medium comprises metal fibers.
US08449639B2
The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner filter bag, including an inlet opening (3), a filter bag material which has an inner layer of nonwoven material (10) at least in the region of the inlet opening, and a holding plate (2) which is arranged on the outside of the filter bag in the region of the inlet opening, can be attached to a vacuum cleaner holding means for securing the vacuum cleaner filter bag and on which a closure device (4) for closing the inlet opening is provided, wherein the nonwoven material, in the region of the inlet opening, has a surface (20) which is provided in such a manner that the formation of a filter cake on said surface is avoided.
US08449631B2
A method for torrefaction of wood which includes providing a first endless conveyor belt; heating the first endless belt; and positioning a planar wood product on the first belt to heat the wood product by conduction to achieve torrefaction. Other forms provide a second endless belt that disposed in sandwich relation to wood to be torrefied. Some embodiments of the method provide a metal chamber having opposed planar sides dimensioned and configured for receiving a wood sheet with the respective opposed sides of the wood sheet in intimate thermal contact with respective opposed sides of the metal chamber. Other embodiments include the apparatus for torrefaction of an associated wood sheet.
US08449630B2
The present invention relates to the use of amines and/or Mannich adducts as detergents and/or dispersants in fuel and lubricant compositions for direct-injection gasoline engines. The invention further relates to fuel and lubricant compositions which comprise at least one such Mannich adduct, and also a bisaminoalkylated Mannich adduct.
US08449625B2
A device for measuring an expanded internal orifice of a patient includes an orifice-expanding device, a pressure measuring device, and a size-measuring device. The size-measuring device measures a dimension of the orifice after it has been expanded by the orifice-expanding device.
US08449616B2
An apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column includes a first retaining device having an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface. A second retaining device has an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface. A resilient core has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface engages the inner surface of the first retaining device. The second surface engages the inner surface of the second retaining device. The resilient core has a tapered radially outer surface extending from adjacent the first surface to adjacent the second surface. The first retaining device may have a flange extending toward the second retaining device. A concave surface may extend between the first surface and the radially outer surface. The concave surface of the core may engage the flange when the apparatus is free of a load.
US08449612B2
A placement assembly used for positioning and holding a ligament graft within a selected bone tunnel. The assembly includes a graft pulley, a surgical suture, and a graft pulley placement instrument. The graft pulley includes a pulley portion and a bone anchoring portion. The pulley portion is adapted to receive the surgical suture and for surgical suture to be drawn through it, to act as a pulley. The bone anchoring portion comprises at least one flexible wing that is adapted to selectively fix the graft pulley within a bone tunnel. At least one wing is adapted to flex during insertion into a bone tunnel and then resist flex and thereby resist movement back out of the tunnel and hence wedge itself within the tunnel. The graft instrument may be selectively attached to the graft pulley and includes a handle and elongate body, adapted to insert the graft pulley into the selected bone tunnel. Once the graft pulley is in place, the placement instrument may then be detached and withdrawn leaving the graft pulley firmly fixed within the bone tunnel and can then be used to position a ligament graft.
US08449606B2
A heart valve implant according to one embodiment may include a shaft and an anchor disposed on one end of the shaft, the anchor configured to engage tissue. The heart valve implant may further include an expandable member disposed over at least part of the shaft, the expandable member comprising a resiliently deformable internal layer and a resiliently deformable external layer disposed over the internal layer, the expandable member defining a chamber and being configured to receive an inflation medium in the chamber to expand the expandable member, the expandable member further configured to deform upon contact with at least a portion of at least one leaflet of a heart valve to at least partially conform to the shape of the leaflet.
US08449598B2
The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implanting in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. The invention provides for a an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen.
US08449595B2
A delivery system for delivering and deploying a stent graft includes a curved guidewire catheter, an apex release catheter, an apex capture device, a relatively rigid, hollow catheter, and a distal nose. The apex capture device includes a distal capture portion fixedly connected to the distal end of the guidewire catheter and having a distal portion and a proximal stopper having an exposed side facing distally in a plane approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the curved guidewire catheter. The apex capture device also includes a proximal capture portion fixedly connected to the distal end of the apex release catheter and has fingers extending toward the distal capture portion in a distal direction that define an interior cavity to receive the proximal stopper. The proximal and distal capture portions of the apex capture device define a stent capture state.
US08449588B2
The present invention is a cooling vest which has a type of phase change heat sink that particularly lends itself to layering of the heat sinks on the body. The heat sinks are quilted and have a means for the transportation of moisture through them and the means of transportation of air through channels in the quilted heat sinks. Thus they can remove moisture from the surface of the body and remain flexible.
US08449575B2
A new Intra-spinal decompression implant is introduced that comprises of two plate attachments to a titanium metal implant that fits between the spinous processes of the vertebrae in the lower back, decompressing the neuro elements. The invention has a number of new design features including: double axis adjustable side plates, stepped conical tipped body and piercing tips on side plates, among many mentioned in this disclosure, that improves the quality of the surgery and the result for the patient. More examples are given in this application.
US08449571B2
An apparatus for applying sealant to a target tissue of a surgical site is provided. The apparatus includes a handle, conduit and an end effector. The handle has means configured and adapted for operating the end effector and dispensing biological sealant to the surgical site via the end effector. The conduit stores and/or carries sealant towards the end effector. The end effector is configured to clamp around a body organ or tissue and apply and confine biological sealant in a substantially uniform manner thereto.
US08449570B2
A forceps for endoscope includes: a pair of first and second forceps members that is supported by a forceps rotary shaft so as to be relatively rotatable; an opening and closing wire that is moved forward and backward in the direction of the axis so that the first forceps member and the second forceps member are rotated relatively; a stopper that switches an angle in which the first forceps member and the second forceps member rotate relatively at first and second positions different from each other in the direction of the axis; an adjusting wire is moved forward and backward in the direction of the axis; and a sheath through which the opening and closing wire and the adjusting wire are inserted and in which the first forceps member, the second forceps member, and the stopper protrude from the front end thereof.
US08449569B2
A surgical device for manipulation of an implantable medical device includes a surgical tool and a controller. The surgical tool may include a mechanical interface that enables a surgical instrument to hold and position the surgical tool, an electrical drive mechanism with a drive shaft, the electrical drive mechanism selectively controlling bidirectional rotation of the drive shaft, and a grasping mechanism operationally coupled to the drive shaft. The grasping mechanism for releasably grasping the implantable medical device. The controller includes a first control device. An implant activation of the first control device controls the electrical drive mechanism to rotate the grasping mechanism in a first direction. A removal activation of the first control device controls the electrical drive mechanism to rotate the grasping mechanism in an opposite direction. A method for manipulation of the implantable medical device is also provided.
US08449568B2
An instrument capable of providing large-area shielding within an isolated operating region, such as the eye, while being passable through a small incision in the region through which the instrument must be inserted. For example, an instrument capable of being passed through a typical 3 mm (or smaller) phacoemulsification incision without undue damage to ocular tissue, and which expands to provide large-area shielding, e.g. to occlude a large-diameter (e.g. approx. 6 mm) posterior capsule opening. The surgical instrument includes two or more leaves, the leaves being interconnected by at least one fastener in a manner that causes expansion of a leading or distal portion of the instrument when the following or proximal portions of each leaf are manipulated, whether by a user or through interaction with a wall of the incision.
US08449567B2
The present invention provides a tattoo needle housing, including: a substantially hollow structure configured to surround a plurality of tattoo needles, wherein the substantially hollow structure includes a bottom edge portion at one end thereof that has a shape that substantially matches a collective shape of the tips of the plurality of tattoo needles, and wherein the substantially hollow structure includes an opening manufactured into one or more of a top surface and a bottom surface thereof. Optionally, the substantially hollow structure includes a plurality of openings manufactured into one or more of the top surface and the bottom surface thereof. Preferably, the substantially hollow structure includes an end wall that, along with the bottom edge portion, forms a port by which access to the plurality of tattoo needles is had from the exterior of the substantially hollow structure.
US08449562B2
Provided is an apparatus that includes a nerve conduit, a manifold and a support structure for providing a reduced pressure. Also provided is a system that includes a source of reduced pressure, a nerve conduit, a manifold, a support structure and a conduit for providing fluid communication between the manifold support and the source of reduced pressure. Additionally provided is a method that includes implanting the above nerve conduit, manifold and support structure at a site of damaged nerve tissue and applying a reduced pressure to the manifold thereby stimulating repair or regrowth of nerve tissue.
US08449561B2
A graft fixation device combination. The device is useful for affixing a tissue graft to a bone or other body surface. The combination has a fixation device having two implantation members connected by a connecting member. The implantation members have longitudinal passageways therethrough. The combination also has an insertion member in engagement with the distal end of each implantation member.
US08449556B2
A method for detecting biometric parameters includes the steps of performing a bone graft procedure on a bone, providing a biometric sensor at the bone, and measuring a biometric parameter at the bone with the sensor. The sensor is capable of measuring parameters in an adjacent surrounding including pressure, tension, shear, relative position, and vascular flow. Data relating to the biometric parameter is transmitted to an external source and the data are analyzed to evaluate a biometric condition of the bone. A set of the sensors can be placed on the bone.
US08449551B2
A device (10,10′,20,20′) for digitizing a center of rotation of a hip joint implant component (A,F) with respect to a bone element in computer-assisted surgery. The device (10,10′,20,20′) comprises a detectable member (12,22) trackable for position and orientation by a computer-assisted surgery system (30). A body (11,21) is connected to the detectable member (12,22) in a known geometry. The body (11,21) has a coupling portion (14,14′,24,25) adapted to be coupled to the hip joint implant component (A,F) in a predetermined configuration. The center of rotation of the hip joint implant component (A,F) is calculable in the predetermined configuration as a function of the known geometry and of the position and orientation of the detectable member (12,22).
US08449549B2
A rod coercer for use in spinal fixation procedures is provided. In one embodiment, the rod coercer includes a handle having at least one rod contacting arm extending therefrom; an implant gripping assembly pivotally interconnected with the handle; and first and second implant gripping levers interconnected with the implant gripping assembly and including first and second protrusions biased to engage corresponding recesses of the implant. The protrusions can be selectively retracted from the recesses of the implant by pivoting the implant gripping levers.
US08449546B2
A cutter for spine surgery is provided, especially for use in the area of the delicate cervical spine. The cutter includes a cylindrical cutter shank with cutter teeth formed at the distal end thereof. The cutter teeth at the distal end of the cutter shank are formed by grooves in the wall of the cutter shank. The grooves become deeper and expand from the outer radius of the cutter shank towards the distal end such that teeth narrowing towards the distal end with increasing height are formed between them. This guarantees especially gentle cutting in the area of the cervical spine, without surrounding delicate tissue being additionally jeopardized.
US08449545B2
An easy-to-assemble modular reamer for medical applications includes a shaft portion, a disposable tapered hollow reamer and a modular pilot. The shaft portion has a proximal end for attachment to a drill, two or more torque transmitting tabs and a distal threaded end. The disposable tapered hollow reamer has an integrally attached cutter sleeve with externally protruding cutters, apertures through the sleeve thickness for discharging bone fragments and cement debris and inwardly protruding anchoring projections. A central molded polymeric portion attaches to the anchoring projection and is fixed to the shaft through central holes and slots in the polymeric portion, which engage torque transmitting shaft tabs. Channels in the polymeric portion collect bone fragments and bone debris. A threaded modular pilot coaxially secures the disposable tapered hollow reamer to the threaded distal end of the shaft, permitting rotation of the tapered hollow reamer without wobbliness.
US08449544B2
Treating fractures using one or both of an implant, such as an intramedullary nail, and a fastening assembly, such as a lag screw and compression screw assembly. The implant in some embodiments has a proximal section with a transverse aperture having a non-circular cross-section that may be shaped to selectively constrain the fastening assembly within the transverse aperture. Two or more components of the fastening assembly may be received to slide, in a controlled way, in the transverse aperture of the implant, and to cooperate to resist a force moment applied thereto. Without the presence of one of the components, such as the lag screw, another component, such as the compression screw may not resist a force moment applied thereto. In some implementations, an engaging member and a compression device of the fastening assembly are configured so that the compression device interacts with a portion of the implant and a portion of the engaging member to enable controlled movement between first and second bone fragments. This configuration is useful for, among other things, compressing a fracture.
US08449534B2
A device for machining the human cornea with focused laser radiation includes controllable components for setting the location of the radiation focus, a control computer for controlling these components, and also a control program for the control computer. The control program contains instructions that have been designed to bring about, upon execution by the control computer, the generation of incisions in the cornea in accordance with a predetermined incision figure, the incision figure defining a corneal bed, a flap situated on the bed and also at least one tissue strip situated in the region of the peripheral edge of the flap between the bed and the flap and extending along the edge of the flap. After the flap has been folded away, the tissue strip has to be removed and enables a creaseless post-ablative close fitting of the folded-back flap against the surface of the bed. In this manner, microstriae which may impair the visual capacity can be avoided.
US08449530B2
A medical instrument comprises a shaft whose distal end is bendable. Arranged at the proximal end of the shaft there is a handle on which a bend control mechanism for controlling the bending movement is arranged. The bend control mechanism has a pivotable control element. The pivotable control element runs over a friction element, and an actuating element is provided via which the friction element can be brought out of a locking engagement with the control element.
US08449529B2
A usage key card is adapted to be handled separate from a device tissue treatment device. The usage key card has a storage medium formatted to contain an identification code, which is unique to the usage key card. The usage key card is also adapted to be read by a reader separate from the device. The storage medium is also formatted, when inserted into the reader, to retain data generated pertaining to operation of the device.
US08449521B2
Methods for making an using convenience kits for hazardous drug (liquid) transfer from vials to syringes and target IV connectors. The following methods for making and using are disclosed: (1) Using a conventional plastic bag as a vial and vial adapter enclosing shroud. (2) Using of a flange (i.e. latch arm) free vial adapter which may, therefore, be used for a large variety of vial sizes. (3) Providing a seal about an access hole through which a vial adapter dispensing portion provides a closed fluid dispensing pathway. (4) Using the shrouding bag and an associated elastic band to provide desired stability of a spiked vial. (5) Accessing, measuring and transferring vial contents directly from a vial to a target IV container.
US08449518B2
A disposable nappy includes a disposable nappy body portion (3) and a separate belt (5) to secure the nappy body to the person. The belt includes a number of Velcro-type fastener portions that attach to a cover stock material of the nappy. The cover stock material is of a material that includes fibers that can retain the Velcro-type fasteners. Also defined are leg guards (19) formed from outer edges of a laminate cover layer.
US08449491B2
An applicator for a feminine hygiene device. The applicator includes an insertion member that can have an outer surface, an insertion end, a withdrawal end opposite the insertion end, and a barrel region adapted to house the feminine hygiene device. In addition, the insertion member can have an indentation region extending inwardly from the outer surface and disposed between the barrel region and withdrawal end, and a shoulder region disposed between the barrel region and the indentation region. In certain embodiments, the indentation region can include one or more gripping formations protruding from the indentation region, the one or more gripping formations extending from the indentation region over at least a portion of the shoulder region.
US08449472B2
Implantable systems and method for use therewith are provided that take advantage of various neuromodulation and neurosensing techniques for either preventing atrial fibrillation (AF) or terminating AF. Specific embodiments are for use with an implantable device that includes one or more atrial electrode for sensing atrial fibrillation (AF) and/or delivering Atrial Anti-Tachycardia Pacing (AATP) and one or more electrode for monitoring and/or stimulating atrial vagal fat pads.
US08449467B2
An acoustic array is helical or twisted about or around an azimuth axis. For example, one end of the array has an emitting face at 0 degrees, but the other end has an emitting face at 20 degrees. The elements in between gradually transition between the different rotations. Different apertures of the twisted array may be used to scan different generally radial diverging planes for three-dimensional imaging. The different amount of relative rotation associated with each aperture cause angular elevation spacing of the planes. For use in a catheter, a single row of elements may be used to scan electrically a volume.
US08449466B2
A system for locating a medical device in vivo includes an ultrasound scanner having a scan head and being capable of operating in a 3D Doppler mode, a medical device having a distal end configured to be inserted in vivo, and a vibratory element coupled to the medical device to induce vibrations in the first distal end. When the scan head is positioned over the distal end inserted in vivo to obtain scan data of the tissue volume, the ultrasound scanner is configured to generate 3D Doppler data in the form of a plurality of slices from the scan data and to identify a location of the distal end within the slices based upon localized data within one of the slices meeting predetermined criteria.
US08449463B2
A surgical access device including a frame, first and second supports, and first and second retractor blades releasably coupled with the first and second supports, respectively. The frame has first and second arms. The first support is releasably coupled with the first and second arms. The second support is slidably mounted on the first and second arms. The second support is movable between a first position with the retractor blades in close cooperative position and a spaced apart position with respect to the first support. The first and second retractor blades each have a distal end portion configured and adapted to engage a vertebral body. In one method of use, the retractor is inserted through an incision in first orientation with the blades in close approximation and rotated approximately 90°, before spreading the retractor blades to retract tissue.
US08449462B2
A speculum insertable into a body cavity of a person including a support member having an opening, provided with elongated arm sections each disposed in a plane including a centerline of such opening, blade members each lying in the plane of an arm section and having an intermediate section pivotally connected to the support member, a first end section displaceable into and out of engagement with the end section of another blade member and a second end section displaceable relative to one of the arm sections, means for releaseably biasing the first end sections of the blade members into engagement, permitting such end sections to be inserted into and removed from a body cavity, and means mounted on each arm member, engageable by a second end section of a blade member, for caroming such blade member to pivot about the axis thereof.
US08449461B2
Provided is a surgical retractor capable of preventing an organ of a human body from being damaged when the organ of the human body positioned over a surgical area in the human body is lifted up. The surgical retractor includes a support body including a plurality of support members that are inserted below an organ of a human body which is positioned over a surgical area in the body of a patient to lift the organ of the human body in an upward direction, the plurality of support members being fastened to a joint, and a protective film member joined to the support body to cover a region between the support members, and configured to enclose and protect a lower surface of the organ of the human body.
US08449458B2
A body-insertable apparatus that is used in a state of being introduced inside the body of a subject and that executes a predetermined function inside the body of the subject, comprises a driving controller that controls the driving condition of the predetermined function.
US08449454B2
A capsule endoscope system includes a contact detector that detects contact with an inner wall of a lumen in the subject; a magnet which is equipped in the capsule endoscope; a magnetic field generating device that is provided at a position, which is fixed with respect to the magnet, and generates a guidance magnetic field to apply to the magnet from the outside of the subject; and a magnetic field generation controller that performs control for guidance in a direction in which the capsule endoscope moves, which is the direction of the axis of the lumen, and performs guidance control for separating the capsule endoscope from the inner wall of the lumen based on a result of detection by the contact detector.
US08449451B2
A method and apparatus that enables remote operation of a pleasuring device through a communications network is disclosed. The method may include receiving one or more text strings at a first communication device from a second communication device through the communications network, recognizing one or more words or phrases from the received one or more text strings, determining if the recognized one or more words or phrases are found in a lexicon, matching the recognized one or more words or phrases with its corresponding action stored in the lexicon, and signaling the pleasuring device to perform the corresponding action.
US08449450B2
A system for providing support to an anatomical structure of the pelvis includes a surgical implant and an introducer. The surgical implant includes first and second soft tissue anchors and a support. The first soft tissue anchor has a proximal end and a distal end and an introducer channel extending through the first soft tissue anchor from the proximal end to the distal end. The support has first and second ends, where the first soft tissue anchor is connected to the first end and the second soft tissue anchor to the second end. The introducer has a shaft and a handle, the shaft having a proximal end at the handle and a distal end, the distal end configured to be inserted through the introducer aperture of the first soft tissue anchor such that the distal end of the shaft protrudes from the distal end of the first soft tissue anchor.
US08449445B2
A device for volitional swallowing with a substitute sensory system comprises a band 101 wrapped around the neck with a vibrator 102 positioned over the larynx. Upon activation by a button 103 on a spoon 104 held by an operator, such as the subject 105, the vibrator 102 moves and vibrates the larynx. The patient 105 initiates the sensory stimulation immediately prior to the patient's own initiation of a swallow by viewing on a display screen 106 a movement feedback signal 107, possibly from a piezo-electric sensor 108 also contained in the band 101 which will also be displayed on the display screen 106. The signal 109 from the switch device initiating sensory stimulation will be presented on the same display screen 106 for the patient 105 and trainer to observe when the button or switch 103 is activated for sensory stimulation in relation to the onset of the swallow.
US08449444B2
Materials and methods related to blood pump systems are described. These can be used in patients to, for example, monitor arterial pressure, measure blood flow, maintain left ventricular pressure within a particular range, avoid left ventricular collapse, prevent fusion of the aortic valve in a subject having a blood pump, and provide a means to wean a patient from a blood pump.
US08449441B2
A non-invasive method of using electromagnetic field energies to reduce or arrest the growth rate and proliferation of cancer cells, and induce apoptosis in cancer cells, relatively without significantly harming normal cells beyond their physiologic threshold of survival are provided. The methods described herein are intended to be used toward the treatment of cancer in human or animals within the context of cancer therapeutics.
US08449437B1
An exercise apparatus links rotation of a crank to generally elliptical motion of a foot supporting member. A foot supporting linkage is movably connected between a rocker and a crank in such a manner that the foot supporting member moves through paths of motion which are fixed, adjustable or variable.
US08449436B2
A wrist exerciser with a handle and multiple hold positions includes a first exercise ball body and a handle. The first exercise ball body has a first opening, a rotor, and a first hold position for driving the rotor to rotate. The first opening is disposed at a side of the first exercise ball body. The rotor is disposed inside the first exercise ball body. The handle is connected to the other side of the first exercise ball body where the first opening is disposed. The handle is coaxially corresponding to the first opening, and has a second hold position for driving the rotor to rotate, so as to provide multiple hold modes for a user to carry out wrist exercise modes of different postures, thereby increasing interests and enhancing comprehensiveness of forearm muscle exercises.
US08449429B2
A planetary gear assembly includes a ring gear configured for connection to a rotor of an electric motor when in a first position and configured for connection to a housing of the electric motor when in a second position, a sun gear configured for connection to the housing when the ring gear is in the first position and configured for connection to the rotor when the ring gear is in the second position, and a plurality of planet gears configured to mesh with the ring gear and the sun gear.
US08449428B2
A front wheel drive transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes a sun gear member, a planet carrier member, and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes arranged within a transmission housing. Each of the clutches and the brakes are located within specific areas defined by the planetary gear sets and the housing walls.
US08449420B2
Disclosed is a power train for a hybrid vehicle that allows for multiple mode driving, which is combined with a way of driving at a fixed gear ratio such as the shift stages of a common transmission, and high-efficiency driving, thereby improving fuel efficiency of the vehicle.
US08449419B2
A power transmission belt low in cost and preventing work precision from being lowered and life expectancy of a metal press working mold from being decreased and a method of producing such a power transmission belt are provided. The power transmission belt includes endless band-like rings, and a plurality of elements bonded into an annular shape by the endless band-like rings. Each of the elements has both side end surface portions pressed between pulleys in the belt width direction, a rocking edge portion serving as a fulcrum when rocked in the state that the elements are partly wound around the pulleys, and a concave-convex portion engageable in concave-convex engagement with the concave-convex portions of a pair of neighboring elements. Each of the elements is formed with a curved inclination surface between the rocking edge portion and the concave-convex portion to have an inclination angle reduced toward the concave-convex portion.
US08449416B2
A mechanical broadhead having blades movable from a retracted mode to a deployed mode is provided including a generally external retainer element which holds the blades in the retracted mode, but also selectively releases the blades so that they can transition to the deployed mode. The retainer element can include a collar and one or more tabs. A blade can include a projection and/or a recess that is engaged by one or more tabs to secure the blade in the retracted position. The tabs can be paired and can define a retainer slot therebetween. The blade can be at least partially disposed in the retainer slot in the retracted mode and/or in the deployed mode.
US08449414B2
According to one aspect, an apparatus is configured to couple to an arrow-mounted electronic device where the apparatus includes a housing, a receptacle included in the housing and at least one electrical contact configured to couple to a contact included in the arrow-mounted electronic device. According to one embodiment, the receptacle is configured to receive at least a portion of the arrow-mounted electronic device, the at least one electrical contact includes a spring-bias in a first direction and the spring bias is opposed with the arrow-mounted electronic device inserted within the receptacle.
US08449409B1
A golf green reading device capable of displaying graphical putting aid to a user. The device captures both a plurality of distance measurements between the device and a putting green, and an angular orientation of the device. Using those measurements, the device computes the topography of a putting green. With the computed topography, the device constructs and displays graphical putting aid to a user.
US08449401B2
The present invention relates to a pair of golf glasses. The glasses are designed to enable the golfer to measure a distance to a golf ball precisely as taking an address position, and make the golfer looking at a ball with keeping his or her head still until a clubhead hits the ball, and thereby prevent the golfer from looking-up mistake during a golf swing. The golf glasses of the present invention are characterized in that each of the lenses of the glasses includes a see-through section formed of a vertical gap corresponding to the pupil of golfer's eye, and the other part is a view shielding.
US08449400B2
A safety guard (10) for use with a wide angle joint on an agricultural power takeoff (PTO) shaft comprises a guard housing that extends around the wide-angle joint when the guard is fitted. The guard housing comprises a first housing part (12) hingedly connected to a second housing part (14) to thereby allow the first housing part (12) and second housing part (14) to move relatively open to each other and relatively closed to each other about a hinge (19), a locking member (50, 54) to lock the first housing part (12) to the second housing part (14) in a closed condition and operable to be unlocked to allow the first housing part (12) and the second housing part (14) to be moved away from each other about the hinge. Each housing part (12, 14) includes a lip (44, 46) on one end thereof, the lip (44, 46) having a profile to match a profile of an end bellows (38) to which the guard (10) is attached. The safety guard (10) may further comprise one or more internal members (28, 30, 32, 34) to engage with a groove (25) provided in an outer surface of a guard support bearing (24). This further assists in maintaining the guard in position.
US08449398B2
In examples presented herein, a game server and a client device may perform parallel execution of scripts for a computer-implemented virtual game. In one example, in response to determining that a user of a virtual game has performed an in-game action, a first event script to execute is determined based on the in-game action. The first event script is executed to present an in-game effect to the user. After the execution of the first event script, an update notification is sent to a server computer. The update notification indicates the in-game action and client-side state information. An update response is received from the server computer based on execution of a second event script responsive to the in-game action.
US08449388B2
A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The gaming system includes at least one and preferably a plurality of progressive awards which are each associated with a supplemental fund or pool. If the gaming system determines that the progressive award is not growing at a designated incremental rate (due to a lack of wagers placed on gaming devices associated with the progressive award), the gaming system utilizes part or all of the amount in the supplemental fund to make up for this lack of wager based growth. Such a configuration provides that even if players are not actively playing gaming devices associated with the progressive award, the progressive award will still increment at a designated rate to at least a desirable value.
US08449385B2
Example systems and methods related to providing rewards for an online game in response to online purchases are presented. In an example, an identifier of a user related to a proposed online purchase at an online merchant system and an identification of the proposed online purchase are received at the online gaming system. An in-game reward is determined based at least in part on the identification of the proposed online purchase. An identity of the in-game reward is transmitted for presentation to the user. A verification of the user completing the proposed online purchase is received. The in-game reward is provided in the online gaming system for the user in response to the verification.
US08449383B2
A gaming machine is provided, which awards loyalty points to players playing the game who have identified themselves to the machine. The machine is arranged to award loyalty points to the player and to play two game means wherein, the first or base game may be provided by the slot machine game as a stand alone function with no dependence upon a supporting communications network, the second game may be linked game in which a plurality of network connected machines (50) participate with control of the game being provided by a central game controller (60), while the communications network (62) is controlled by a network controller (61). A first game mode is available to all players and a second enhanced game mode is made available to players who have reached a predetermined threshold of loyalty points.
US08449382B2
A gaming machine is provided, which awards loyalty points to players playing the game who have identified themselves to the machine. The machine is arranged to award loyalty points to the player and to play two game means wherein, the first or base game may be provided by the slot machine game as a stand alone function with no dependence upon a supporting communications network, the second game may be linked game in which a plurality of network connected machines (50) participate with control of the game being provided by a central game controller (60), while the communications network (62) is controlled by a network controller (61). A first game mode is available to all players and a second enhanced game mode is made available to players who have reached a predetermined threshold of loyalty points.
US08449378B2
The gaming system may enable a player to wager an amount of bitcoins on one or more plays of one or more primary or base games. If a player wagers an amount of bitcoins on a play of a game, the gaming system may determine and display an outcome for the play of the game. The gaming system then may determine if any award may be associated with the determined outcome. If an award having a value greater than zero is associated with the determined outcome, the gaming system may provide the determined award to the player, such as an amount of bitcoins.
US08449368B2
Gaming devices may generate outcomes to be sold in printed form. Representations of the outcomes, corresponding payouts, and other information are printed on sheets of paper. Multiple printed outcomes are assembled into books, wrapped, and sold to consumers. Consumers may purchase the books and browse through the printed outcomes at their leisure. When finished with a book, a consumer may submit a portion of the book to the casino that sold the outcomes. The casino may then pay the player based on the payouts associated with the outcomes in the book.
US08449366B2
A method for selecting a bonus game from a plurality of bonus games. Each of the plurality of bonus games have associated bonus game instructions. The method includes determining a bonus game outcome having an expected value. A set of criteria necessary to present the bonus game outcome is determined. One of the plurality of bonus games is selected and the selected bonus game meets the set of criteria.
US08449357B2
Polishing tools and their methods of manufacture and use are disclosed. In one aspect, a polishing device is provided, including a plurality of polymeric fibers longitudinally arranged and embedded in a polymeric binder, the polymeric binder having a stiffness that is less than a stiffness of the polymeric fibers, and a working end of the plurality of polymeric fibers configured such that tips of the polymeric fibers are oriented to contact a work piece.
US08449352B2
A carbon electrode grinding apparatus for shaping a front end of an arc discharge carbon electrode is provided with front end grinding blades configured to grind a front end surface of the carbon electrode, lateral surface grinding blades configured to grind a surface from the front end surface to a base end of the carbon electrode, and rotation means configured to rotate and drive the front end grinding blades and the lateral surface grinding blades around a rotation axis line coincident with an axis line of the carbon electrode.
US08449349B2
An elevator load bearing member assembly includes at least one roughened surface (46) on a polyurethane jacket (44). In one example, mechanical roughening is used to roughen the surface (46) after the jacket has been extruded onto tension members (42). In another example, the temperatures used for molding a jacket (44) are controlled to induce melt fracture and roughen the surface (46) during the forming process. Other examples include chemically roughening the jacket surface and using localized heating to roughen the surface. The roughened jacket surface improves friction characteristics of a load bearing member assembly.
US08449346B2
A toy gun includes a housing; a barrel extending forwardly of the housing; a motor in a pistol grip; a speed reduction gear in the housing and operatively connected to the motor; a bullet loading unit in a forward end of the housing; a spring biased piston in a fixed cylinder of the housing; a trigger for activating the motor for firing; and a backward momentum transferring mechanism partially disposed in a gunstock and including an intermediate weight, a forward sliding rod disposed rearward of the piston, and a rear recoil spring having a front end urging against a rear end of the weight and a rear end urging against an internal wall in the gunstock. The sliding rod is disposed in the housing and spaced apart from the weight. The backward momentum transferring mechanism can simulate recoil by generating a recoil shock.
US08449344B2
Vehicle playsets having multiple configurations. The vehicle playsets may include a track segment, a trigger adjacent to the track segment, a moving component adapted to move toward the trigger, and a launch mechanism coupled to the track segment and adapted to launch a toy vehicle along the track segment toward the moving component. Striking the moving component with the toy vehicle may prevent the moving component from reaching the trigger. The playset may include at least two configurations including a closed configuration and an open configuration that is suitable for play.
US08449339B2
A connector assembly and a method for manufacturing the connector assembly. In accordance with embodiments, the connector assembly includes an electrical connector having first and second surfaces and first and second ends. A layer of electrically insulating material is formed from or on a portion of the first surface at the first end. Optionally, a layer of electrically insulating material can be formed from or on the second surface.
US08449337B2
A plug for a tool changing system for electrically connecting a tool to a robot hand, including a plug housing to be fastened on a robot arm or on a tool. The plug housing includes a contact chamber and an accommodating chamber arranged substantially above the contact chamber. A connection module having electrically conductive elements is connected to a first peripheral device. The connection module can be arranged in the contact chamber, and a wear module having electrically conductive elements to be connected to a second peripheral device. The connection module and the wear module are arranged in the accommodating chamber. The electrically conductive elements of the connection module can be connected to the electrically conductive elements of the wear module; and the accommodating chamber is arranged in a frame element which is configured separately from the plug housing. The frame element can be connected to the plug housing.
US08449336B1
A compliant mount for use in a connector or connection adapter is disclosed. The compliant mount may be used in a connection between a portable electronic device and another electronic device, such as a docking station. A compliant mount connector adapter may include a first connector end engageable with a portable device and a second connector end engageable with another device, the first and second connector ends coupled with a compliant mount allowing movement of the first end connector engaged with the portable device relative to the second end connector when engaged within the other electronic device. The compliant mount may include any or all of: elastomers, springs, torsion bars, elastomers, rigid members or housing, ball and socket joints, resilient bendable members, and dongles to allow for controlled resistance to bending or torsional forces applied to the portable device when connected to the other electronic device with the connector adapter.
US08449334B2
A card edge connector includes an insulating body having a base body, multiple first terminals, and multiple second terminals. A first body and a second body extend from a front end of the base body sequentially from bottom to top. Multiple recessed first receiving slots are disposed at the first body. A recessed first retaining slot is disposed at the first body and a side wall of each of the first receiving slots. Each of the first terminals has a first retaining portion retained in the first retaining slot with a first connecting portion bent and extends laterally thereof. A first elastic section extends forwards from the first connecting portion and located in the first receiving slot. A first contact arm extends forwards from the rear end of the first elastic section and has a first contact portion which enters the first insertion space.
US08449331B2
A cage is provided for a receptacle assembly that includes a receptacle connector. The cage includes an electrically conductive body comprising an upper wall, a lower wall, and side walls that extend from the upper wall to the lower wall. The body has a front end and an internal compartment. The front end is open to the internal compartment of the body. The internal compartment is configured to hold the receptacle connector therein. The internal compartment is configured to receive a pluggable module therein through the front end. A connector cover is integrally formed with the lower wall of the body. The connector cover extends within the internal compartment of the body. The connector cover includes an interior chamber that is configured to hold the receptacle connector therein such that the cover extends over at least a portion of the receptacle connector.
US08449329B1
A cable header connector includes a contact module having a support body and a plurality of cable assemblies held by the support body. The cable assemblies include contact sub-assemblies configured to be terminated to corresponding cables and ground shields coupled to and providing electrical shielding for corresponding contact sub-assemblies. The support body has a metal holder having a contact plate and a cable plate extending from the contact plate. The ground shields are electrically and mechanically coupled to the contact plate of the metal holder. The cable plate is configured to support the cables extending from the cable assemblies.
US08449322B2
An electrical connector includes: (a) an electrical connection base, in which a notch is opened forwards at a rear side of the electrical connection base, at least one protruding block, at least one first receiving hole, and at least two second receiving holes are opened forwards from the notch, (b) at least one first terminal, having a vertical first connecting portion correspondingly, and (c) at least two second terminals, each having a vertical second connecting portion correspondingly disposed in the notch. The protruding block has an increased thickness, thus effectively ensuring functions of the protruding block of protecting terminals, isolating the first connecting portion from the second connecting portion and avoiding short circuit between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.
US08449317B1
A connector such as an electrical connector for a data cable assembly, preferably includes a frontshell mechanically fastened to a backshell with a gasket secured between. Mechanical fasteners apply force to the gasket and deform the gasket which forms a moisture ingress resistant seal between the frontshell and the backshell. A second moisture ingress resistant seal is formed over a strain relief that includes external grooves. An adhesive-lined heat-shrink tube mechanically grips the strain relief when heat is applied and the heat-shrink tube shrinks. The adhesive-lined heat-shrink tube also forms O-ring like seals in the grooves when heat is applied and the adhesive melts then re-solidifies in the grooves.
US08449313B2
In the process of connecting two housings (10, 30), a lock arm (36) is resiliently deformed in an unlocking direction crossing a connecting direction of the two housings (10, 30) by sliding in contact with a guiding surface (17) of a lock portion (16). The guiding surface (17) includes a first guiding surface (17A) arranged in a front area in the connecting direction to the second housing (30) and a second guiding surface (17B) arranged in an area behind the first guiding surface (17A) in the connecting direction to the second housing (30) and having a steep area (22) whose angle of inclination with respect to the connecting direction of the two housings (10, 30) is larger than that of the first guiding surface (17A).
US08449309B1
A Universal Serial Bus port protector having a top piece and a tongued planar surface, where the top piece includes a rectangular surface, a rectangular planar surface, a box having an open bottom and an open top, and a shim-like piece, and where the tongued planar surface includes a tongued portion and an untongued portion, where the tongued portion includes one dado and two rabbet cuts and two projections, where the top piece and the tongued planar surface are slideably insertable into and extractable from a Universal Serial Bus port to ensure that no electrical connection is made to the Universal Serial Bus port when the top piece and the tongued planar surface are so inserted.
US08449308B2
An adjustable ground clamp for easy positioning onto electric conduits of different diameters and grounding multiple electrical devices. A first and a second jaw are pivotally connected and have differently angled jaw surfaces. A distal end of the first jaw has an elongated hole and a distal end of the second jaw has a curved fork having a slot for receiving a bolt with a cylindrical nut. A fastener connects a ground conductor or wire to the ground clamp. A terminal block accepts ground conductors from multiple different electrical devices. The jaws may be easily separated for placement of an electrical conduit without separating or detaching any parts from the ground clamp, making attachment to an electrical conduit quick, easy, and secure. The terminal block permits different electrical devices to be grounded with a single ground clamp.
US08449306B2
The present invention relates to a contact terminal unit and a socket connector incorporated with the same contact terminal units. The contact terminal units each comprises a bottom piece and a top piece. The bottom pieces comprise a base portion and a number of clips extending upwardly from the base portion and the top piece is clamped by the clips such that upward movement of the top piece is limited by the bottom piece. The socket connector is incorporated with a plurality of the same contact terminal units.
US08449304B1
An electric connector includes an insulating housing having a base board, two side boards, a top board and a bottom board which define a receiving space thereamong. A terminal body protrudes rearward from a rear surface of the base board in the receiving space. A plurality of probe terminals is assembled in the insulating housing. A magnet unit includes a plurality of magnets stood together to show a shape matched with the receiving space of the insulating housing for being assembled in the receiving space. A metal shell is mounted to the insulating housing to enclose the insulating housing and the magnet unit. The metal shell further electrically resists against rear sides of the magnets to secure the magnet unit in the insulating housing.
US08449296B2
An appliance fabricated to improve the appearance of a patient's smile includes a plurality of simulated teeth. The interior surfaces of each of the teeth closely fits and conforms to the surface of a patient's real teeth while the outer surfaces of each of the simulated teeth has an ideal surface configuration. The dental appliance provides the patient with the appearance of a perfect set of teeth and an ideal smile without a need to alter the dental structure of the patient's teeth.
US08449275B2
A pump apparatus includes a first rotor drive mechanism configured to transfer rotation of an input shaft portion to an output shaft portion coupled to an external screw type rotor of a uniaxial eccentric screw pump, the input shaft portion being rotated with a central axis thereof kept in a certain position, and a uniaxial eccentric screw pump. The output shaft portion is rotatably provided via a bearing at a position eccentrically located with respect to the input shaft portion. The rotation of the input shaft portion is transferred through a first power transmission mechanism, including an inner gear, to the output shaft portion to cause the output shaft portion to carry out an eccentric rotational movement. The input shaft portion and the output shaft portion are arranged inside a pitch circle of the inner gear.
US08449274B1
A magnetic reciprocating pump includes a tube having ends defining intake and discharge ports, first and second magnetic plungers axially aligned within the tube of corresponding cross section for reciprocation therewithin, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced coils circumscribing the tube for driving the plungers axially when electrically energized. A gap is defined between the plungers so that the first plunger is slidable between one tube end and the second plunger and the second plunger is slidable between the other tube end and the first plunger. The first plunger closes one port when moved thereagainst and has a peripheral flow path permitting flow when moved away. The second plunger closes the other port when moved thereagainst and has an outer peripheral flow path and a communicating inner axial flow path permitting flow when moved away. The plungers when moved together close the second plunger axial flow path.
US08449273B2
A fluid transporting device is provided with a pump chamber that has a pump function for sucking and discharging a fluid, and is filled therein with the fluid, a casing unit which forms one portion of a wall surface of the pump chamber, a diaphragm which is formed by a conductive polymer film that is subjected to electrochemomechanical expansion and contraction, and forms one portion of the wall surface of the pump chamber, an electrolyte chamber that contains an electrolyte therein, with one portion of the electrolyte being made in contact with the diaphragm, a power supply that applies a voltage to the diaphragm, and a pressure maintaining unit that maintains a pressure of the diaphragm within a predetermined range by moving or deforming the one portion of the wall surface of the electrolyte chamber.
US08449259B1
Lightning protection for wind turbine blades, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes an external skin having a hub region and a tip region, at least one electrically exposed, electrically conductive element positioned at the external skin, and an electrically conductive cable positioned inwardly from the external skin and conductively coupled to the at least one electrically exposed, electrically conductive element. A covering is positioned around the cable and has a first dielectric value at a first portion of the cable positioned toward the hub region and a second dielectric value higher than the first dielectric value at a second portion of the cable positioned toward the tip region.
US08449247B1
A gas turbine engine includes a fan section, a gear arrangement configured to drive the fan section, a compressor section and a turbine section. The compressor section includes a low pressure compressor section and a high pressure compressor section. The turbine section is configured to drive compressor section and the gear arrangement. An overall pressure ratio, which is provided by a combination of a pressure ratio across said low pressure compressor section and a pressure ratio across said high pressure compressor section, is greater than about 35. The pressure ratio across the low pressure compressor section is between about 3 and about 8 whereas a pressure ratio across the fan section being less than or equal to about 1.45.
US08449241B2
A hydraulically-operated grapple attachment for the scoop bucket of a skid steer loader comprises a mounting bar running the length dimension of the bucket along a top rear edge thereof and pivotally attached to the mounting bar by tubular steel arms is a crossbar member having perpendicularly oriented tines projecting downward therefrom where at least one of the tines is hydraulically displaceable in a direction forward from the crossbar. Actuation of the hydraulically-movable tine serves to prevent the skid steer loader from becoming mired.
US08449240B2
A work vehicle includes a telescoping boom extending outwardly from the vehicle. An attachment is operably connected to the boom, the attachment including opposed forks configured to be both urgable toward each other and urgable away from each other. The attachment is configured to be positionable over and substantially laterally surround at least one pair of round bales arranged substantially side by side and having corresponding diameters in close proximity of each other. The opposed forks are urgable toward each other with sufficient compressive force applied to opposed portions of the diameters of the at least one pair of round bales, at least elastically deforming the cylindrical profile of at least one of the at least one pair of round bales, so that the at least one pair of round bales can be vertically lifted and manipulated by at least the boom to a predetermined destination.
US08449236B2
An anchor assembly (A) for hollow walls comprises an anchor body (400) and a toggle member (231) that is displaceable between a first position wherein the toggle member (231) is substantially aligned with the anchor body (400) such that the anchor assembly (A) can be inserted in the wall (W) via a cutting distal end (325) of the toggle member (231), and a second position wherein the toggle member (231) extends behind the wall (W) at an angle relative to the anchor body (400) which extends through the wall (W). The toggle member (231) is held captive in the first position but is released and then rotated to the second position by a fastener (218) introduced in the anchor body (400). The fastener (218) threadably engages the toggle member (231) thereby drawing the toggle member (231) against a hidden side of the wall (W).
US08449235B2
The invention relates to a method for producing a threaded insert having an internal and external thread which have different thread pitches or the same thread pitch, wherein the threaded insert is wound from a profile strip which, on the one side thereof, is pre-shaped with the profile of the external thread, and on the other side thereof, is pre-shaped with the profile of the internal thread, and to a threaded insert which is generated by means of said method.
US08449233B2
A clamp sleeve for an indexing device is provided, the clamp sleeve being capable of providing a desirable clamping force without greatly increasing a fluid pressure, and having a long life. A clamp sleeve 34a has a through hole 34a7 and an annular groove 34a1 continuously provided around an outer periphery of the clamp sleeve 34a and defining a part of a pressure chamber 34d. The annular groove 34a1 includes a pair of inner end surfaces 34e6, 34e6′, a groove bottom surface 34e0 extending in parallel to the through hole 34a7, and arcuate first transition surfaces 34e1, 34e1′ provided between the inner end surfaces 34e6, 34e6′ and the groove bottom surface 34e0. The annular groove 34a1 is provided such that a thickness t1 in a region provided with the groove bottom surface 34e0 is a thickness to allow the region to be deformable. A second transition surface 34e2, 34e2′ is provided between at least one of the first transition surfaces 34e1, 34e1′ and the groove bottom surface 34e0, the second transition surface 34e2, 34e2′ having a further reduced curvature than a curvature of the first transition surfaces.
US08449225B2
A metal cutting tool having an insert holder and a cutting insert releasably secured therein. The insert holder has upper and lower blocks and upper and lower jaws, each jaw projects from the front end of each respective block. The cutting tool has a cutting portion support projecting transversely from the front end of the lower clamp at an angle α. The cutting insert has a shaft and a first cutting portion projecting transversely from the shaft at the angle α. The cutting insert has non-planar abutment surfaces formed to mate with corresponding, non-planar support surfaces located on the lower and upper jaws and on the cutting portion support.
US08449220B2
A tidal barrier is provided that may be selectively deployed in response to tidal changes. The tidal barrier includes a net having a tensile, membrane with an upper edge and a lower edge. The lower edge has a plurality of anchor points for affixing the lower edge to a seabed below a body of water. The tidal barrier further includes a bladder affixed to the upper edge and having a valve for selectively inflating and deflating the bladder. The bladder has a sufficient volume to cause the upper edge of the membrane to rise to a surface of the body of water when the volume is inflated with a gas. A pump is disposed in proximity to the tensile membrane and is in fluid communication with the valve of the bladder. The pump has a controller for selectively prompting the pump to inflate and deflate the bladder with the gas.
US08449217B2
A trench paver attachment which can be used to backfill a trench to varying grade heights, the attachment being designed primarily for use on paved roads. The attachment in one configuration is able to backfill a trench with crushed rock and cement or the like to a suitable height corresponding to the base of the adjacent pavement, and in another configuration it is able to apply base, binder and top in whatever lifts are called for. The attachment may be adjusted to allow for the paving of any trench from an 18″ width up to a 96″ width, which widths may be varied by the operator during the course of paving the trench.
US08449216B2
A manhole cover assembly includes a frame that includes a central opening and a safety stop portion, and a cover hingedly attached to the frame such that the cover is pivotable between a closed position covering the central opening and an open position providing access to the central opening. A safety device is connected to the frame and the cover for locking the cover in the open position. Movement of the cover to the open position automatically moves the safety device to a locked position in which said safety device engages the safety stop portion and prevents movement of the cover to the closed position. When the cover is open, the safety device is manually movable between the locked position and an unlocked position in which the safety device is disengaged from the safety stop and permits movement of the cover to the closed position.
US08449198B2
A deep-grooved ball bearing including a rolling contact member formed of a sintered β-sialon inexpensive and capable of reliably ensuring sufficient durability includes an outer ring and an inner ring, and a plurality of balls arranged in contact with the outer ring and the inner ring on an annular raceway. The ball is configured of a sintered body that contains as a main component a β-sialon represented by a compositional formula of Si6-ZAlZOZN8-Z and satisfying 0.1≦z≦3.5 and has a remainder formed of an impurity.
US08449197B2
A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus which reduces the weight, size and number of parts and also prevents ingress of rain water or dusts and leakage of differential gear oil has an axle housing supported under a body of a vehicle. A hollow drive shaft is inserted into the axle housing. A wheel bearing is arranged between the drive shaft and an opening of the axle housing and is structured as a unit including a wheel hub and a double row rolling bearing. The wheel bearing includes an inner member with a wheel hub integrally formed with a wheel mounting flange on one end and an axially extending cylindrical portion. At least one inner ring is press-fit onto the cylindrical portion of the wheel hub. The inner ring is formed with at least one of the inner raceway surfaces on its outer circumferential surface. An outer member is arranged around the inner member and formed with double row outer raceway surfaces on its inner circumferential surface opposite to the inner raceway surfaces. Double row rolling elements are arranged between the inner and outer raceway surfaces of the inner member and the outer member. A cage freely rollably holds the rolling elements. Seals seal an annular space between the inner member and the outer member. A cap, having a metal core formed from steel, is press-fit into an end of a central bore of the wheel hub.
US08449194B2
A sensor-equipped wheel support bearing assembly capable of accurately detecting load without affected by hysteresis is provided. The assembly includes a vehicle body fitting flange having bolt holes at respective circumferential portions in the form of projecting pieces. A sensor unit including a strain generating member having contact fixing segments to be fixed to the stationary member and a cutout portion, and a sensor element for detecting strain in a periphery of the cutout portion is provided with the contact fixing segments at positions of the same size in an axial direction relative to the outer diametric surface of the stationary member. The contact fixing segments are spaced each other an angle about an axis of the stationary member, and the angle between the contact fixing segments at respective end portions of the sensor unit is smaller than half the angle between the projecting pieces.
US08449188B2
A round table bearing, which has a radial, axial roller bearing for mounting a first bearing ring part relative to a second bearing ring part, and a squeeze-film damper which is connected parallel to the radial, axial bearing. The squeeze-film damper has a basic damper component which is coaxial to the bearing ring parts and which is fastened, together with a rolling element of the bearing ring part which contacts the radial, axial roller bearing, to a rotary table base part.
US08449187B2
A fluid containing bag according to the invention includes a bag main body which is constituted by front and rear two sheets and an entire periphery of which is hermetically sealed except one portion, an inlet/outlet spout one end side of which is connected to the one portion and other end side of which is extended to outside of the bag main body, means for closing an inlet/outlet port of the inlet/outlet spout, and a reinforcing tape attached to a portion or an entire periphery of an inner peripheral face of the bag main body connecting side base portion of the inlet/outlet spout.
US08449185B1
A free-standing yard refuse collection device including a portable frame body having parallel front and rear frames attached together with braces and a detachable reusable elongated collection bag into which refuse is directly raked or into which a separate leaf collection liner bag is disposed. At least one elongated resealable opening on a top side of the collection bag permits removal of the liner bag filled with yard refuse including leaves.
US08449175B2
An automatic pipette assembly for an isothermal titration micro calorimetry system, comprising a pipette housing, a syringe with a titration needle arranged to be inserted into a sample cell for supplying titrant, and a linear activator for driving a plunger in the syringe, the titration needle is rotatable with respect to the housing and is provided with a stirring paddle arranged to stir fluid in the sample cell, wherein the automatic pipette assembly comprises a stirring motor for driving the rotation of the titration needle. There is also provided an isothermal titration micro calorimetry system.
US08449174B2
Wafer temperature is measured as a function of time following removal of a heat source to which the wafer is exposed. During the wafer temperature measurements, a gas is supplied at a substantially constant pressure at an interface between the wafer and a chuck upon which the wafer is supported. A chuck thermal characterization parameter value corresponding to the applied gas pressure is determined from the measured wafer temperature as a function of time. Wafer temperatures are measured for a number of applied gas pressures to generate a set of chuck thermal characterization parameter values as a function of gas pressure. A thermal calibration curve for the chuck is generated from the set of measured chuck thermal characterization parameter values and the corresponding gas pressures. The thermal calibration curve for the chuck can be used to tune the gas pressure to obtain a particular wafer temperature during a fabrication process.
US08449162B2
A backlight module includes a light guide plate, an optical film set, and at least one light emitting element. The light guide plate has a first light-emitting surface, a bottom surface, and a first light incident surface. The optical film set on the first light-emitting surface includes at least one optical film having a second light incident surface, a second light-emitting surface, and a side surface. The side surface of the optical film and the first light incident surface of the light guide plate are at the same side, and at least one notch is disposed on the side surface. The light emitting element is adjacent to the first light incident surface and capable of emitting a light beam. The light beam is capable of entering the light guide plate through the first light incident surface and being transmitted to the optical film set via the first light-emitting surface.
US08449159B2
A light module (1) suitable for use as a landing light for an airplane is disclosed, using an elongated array (2) of light emitting diodes (LEDs) as the light source. Light from the LEDs is directed toward a transparent cover (3). The cover (3) may include a plano-convex lens (4) at its center for nominally collimating the light from the LEDs. The cover (3) may also include a generally featureless peripheral region laterally circumferentially surrounding the lens (4). A faceted reflecting surface (6) having a generally parabolic base curvature (8) may extend circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the landing light from the LEDs to the cover (3). Light exiting the LEDs at a relatively high angle of exitance reflects off the faceted reflecting surface (6) and transmits through the generally featureless peripheral region of the cover (3).
US08449157B2
A bicycle wheel hub assembly having a number of light emitting diodes (LED's) that are powered by rotation of the wheel during use of the bicycle. The hub assembly includes a magnet and a coil that are both internal to the hub. The light emitting diodes are powered by current induced in the coil and controlled so as to preferably prevent illumination of discrete LED's when the respective LED's are directed toward a user during rotation of the hub. The LED's are supported by the hub and rotate with the hub during rotation of the wheel. In some embodiments, the LED's are attached to the hub at locations that are both laterally inboard and laterally outboard relative to a spoke flange of the hub assembly.
US08449145B1
A mounting apparatus for a light emitting diode module provides a support structure for attaching a light emitting diode module directly to a light bulb in a lighting system. A bulb bracket includes a bulb clip that can be mechanically attached to a conventional bulb such as a fluorescent, neon or incandescent light bulb. A light emitting diode module can be secured to the bulb bracket using a module clip or another attachment means disposed between the bracket and the module. Additional light emitting diode support structures include a mounting bar securable directly to a light bulb or other structure in a lighting system such as a sign box wall. An expandable support bracket is also provided for supporting one or more light emitting diode modules. A method of retrofitting a lighting system to use a light emitting diode module is also provided.
US08449138B2
A lighting device including a housing, a coupling member being coupled to an inner upper surface of the housing, having an insertion groove formed in the middle part thereof in a direction of the inner upper surface of the housing, and having a first connection terminal provided in the middle of the insertion groove, at least one reflector coupled between an inner wall surface of the housing and an outer wall surface of the coupling member; and a light source unit having an upper part thereof attachable to and removable from the coupling member by using the insertion groove, having a second connection terminal provided in the upper part thereof, the second connection terminal being electrically connected to the first connection terminal when connected to the coupling member, and having a lower part thereof emitting light toward the reflector.
US08449135B2
A tool system includes a first tool having a work area and a light source position inside the tool. The light source is adapted to illuminate the work area. A base has a first port, wherein the first tool can be mounted in the first port.
US08449133B2
The present application is directed to a method for providing reflective and/or lighted capability about the torso of a wearer, said method comprising providing it least one reflective and/or lighted strap, draping said strap about said torso, adjusting said strap via a mechanism that keeps said strap relatively taut about torso such that when said wearer is engaged in movement, said straps remain in place on said torso without substantial impediment to said wearer engaging in an activity.
US08449132B2
A head light includes a light core, an assembling accessory and a hear gear. The light core includes a light source for generating light. The assembling accessory includes a front casing and a back casing and defines a core cavity within the front and back casings to receive the light core, wherein the front casing has a light window aligning with the light source such that when the light core is supported within the core cavity, the light source is controllably activated to generate the light through the light window, wherein the assembling accessory is a building part that the assembling accessory is adapted for not only being pieced together with the light core for creating a particular ornamental design and light effect of the head light, but also being disassembled to mix and match with an alternated light core for producing different light effects.
US08449125B2
A critically coupled optical resonator absorbs greater than 95% of incident light of the critical wavelength with an absorber layer less than 10 nm thick.
US08449121B2
An image processing system includes a determination unit that determines a distortion state of a projected image, and a correction unit. The correction unit determines a shape of the image after distortion correction according to the distortion state, moves the determined shape in a display area of an optical modulator in a first direction, performs distortion correction of the image, and moves the image after distortion correction in the display area of the optical modulator in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.
US08449120B2
An image processing device that corrects unevenness of a display image that is generated by overlapping a plurality of images, includes: a correction table storing unit that stores a plurality of types of correction tables; and an unevenness correction processing unit that performs an unevenness correcting process of an input image signal corresponding to the plurality of images based on a correction table selected from the plurality of types of correction tables stored in the correction table storing unit that corresponds to a designated display mode.
US08449116B2
An electro-oculography estimating device includes: a distance obtaining unit which obtains a right-eye corneal distance, a right-eye retinal distance, a left-eye corneal distance, and a left-eye retinal distance; and an electro-oculography theoretical value calculating unit which calculates an electro-oculography theoretical value generated at the given three-dimensional positions, based on the right-eye corneal distance, the right-eye retinal distance, the left-eye corneal distance, and the left-eye retinal distance that are obtained by the distance obtaining unit, as an input into an electro-oculography model that is a function for calculating the electro-oculography theoretical value generated in the given three-dimensional spatial position, based on the right-eye corneal distance, the right-eye retinal distance, the left-eye corneal distance, and the left-eye retinal distance.
US08449115B2
An opthalmologic apparatus changes the wavelength of index light, which is projected on an eye to be examined, by selecting the light emission of a visible LED and an infrared LED, and changes the position of a split unit along an optical axis based on the selection.
US08449111B2
In one aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a prescription lens includes obtaining information of a prescription lens and a frame to accommodate the prescription lens, the information of the prescription lens comprising a lens power, an optical zone and a spherical front base curve, and the information of the frame comprises a frame curve; calculating the maximum lens thickness of the prescription lens at the optical zone according to the information of the prescription lens; selecting a lens according to the calculated maximum lens thickness at the optical zone, the information of the prescription lens and the frame; and processing the selected lens so as to obtain the prescription lens having an intermediate zone surrounding the optical zone and an edge zone surrounding the intermediate zone such that the thickness of the edge zone is substantially thinner than the maximum lens thickness of the optical zone.
US08449110B2
A viewing glass includes a frame containing two glasses and two axial ends, two temples each having a joint seat, and two adjustment mechanisms connecting with the frame and the two temples. The joint seat includes a groove for receiving the adjustment mechanism, the adjustment mechanism includes a location post, the axial end of the frame defines a ladder shape recess corresponding to the location post for adjusting a distance between the two temples. The adjustment mechanism comprises a button and a location post extending from the button, the location post includes an opening groove to divide the location post into two parts, each part includes a hook which is away from the button. The inner surface of the joint seat along the groove includes a sliding groove to receive the button of the adjustment mechanism sliding in the sliding groove, the bottom of the sliding groove includes a location recess, the bottom of the button includes a protrusion engaged with the location recess for fixing the location post.
US08449090B2
An ink jet recording apparatus has a sub tank that supplies ink from an ink cartridge to an ink jet head carried by a reciprocating carriage. The sub tank has an ink container formed of two opposed resin films welded together around their peripheries, and resin sheet members are attached to the ink container over the weld portion for expanding the ink container and restoring it to its original shape after the ink container is deformed by ink flowing in or out of the ink container. The sheet members may be polyimide tape strips or the like that have higher resilience than the material of the ink container and prevent plastic deformation of the ink container due to expansion and compression thereof as ink flows in and out of the ink container.
US08449085B2
In order to provide a liquid ejection head which enables ejection of a droplet at a higher frequency, according to the invention, a piezoelectric vibrator 18 has a multilayer structure. In the multilayer structure, an upper piezoelectric layer 24 and a lower piezoelectric layer 25 are laminated one on another. A drive electrode 23 is formed at a boundary between the upper piezoelectric layer 24 and the lower piezoelectric layer 25 and is electrically connected to a source for supplying a drive signal. An upper common electrode 26 is formed on the surface of the upper piezoelectric layer 24. A lower common electrode 27 is formed on the surface of the lower piezoelectric layer 25. An inertance of a nozzle orifice 10 and an inertance of an ink supply port 5 are set so as to become greater than an inertance of a pressure generating portion 6, 13, 16.
US08449084B2
A liquid ejection head comprising a flow-channel-containing substrate having pressure generating chambers communicating a nozzle opening and a piezoelectric element including a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer formed above the first electrode, and a second electrode formed above the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer includes an active portion which is substantially driven, a non-active portion which is not substantially driven, and a low dielectric material layer which has a dielectric constant lower than that of a center portion of the active portion and which is in the active portion side of the boundary between the active portion and the non-active portion.
US08449080B2
A base for a liquid discharge head includes a heat element which forms an exothermic portion, an electrode wire that is electrically connected with the heat element, an insulative protective layer provided above the heat generating resistive element and the electrode wire and an upper protective layer provided on the protective layer. The upper protective layer is made from a TaSi alloy containing 22 at. % or more Si.
US08449077B2
In a droplet ejection head, each of droplet ejection units includes: a nozzle which ejects droplets of liquid, a pressure chamber which is filled with the liquid and connected to the nozzle, a drive element which applies pressure to the liquid inside the pressure chamber, and an individual supply channel and an individual recovery channel which are connected to the pressure chamber. The liquid is supplied to and recovered from the pressure chamber through the individual supply channel and the individual recovery channel. In each of the droplet ejection units, a diameter Dn (μm) of the nozzle, a flow channel resistance R1 (Ns/m5) of the individual supply channel and a flow channel resistance R2 (Ns/m5) of the individual recovery channel satisfy: 3.247×1015exp(−0.1717 Dn)≦R1≦3.278×1015exp(−0.1456 Dn); and 3.247×1015exp(−0.1717 Dn)≦R2≦3.278×1015exp(−0.1456 Dn).
US08449070B2
Among various embodiments of the present disclosure, managing substantially solid materials in fluid waste can be performed by collecting the fluid waste in an accumulator. In various embodiments, the accumulator can be configured by positioning a number of input orifices for the fluid waste in a top region of a vertically oriented cavity in the accumulator, and positioning a number of output orifices in a bottom region of the vertically oriented cavity in the accumulator. As such, a flow of the fluid waste can contribute to transport of substantially solid material in the fluid waste from the top region into the bottom region and from the bottom region into at least one output orifice.
US08449063B2
In the liquid ejecting apparatus, a potential controller that is capable of switching states between a same potential state where potentials at a predetermined portion at the side of the liquid ejecting unit and a predetermined portion at the side of the ejected medium supporting unit are the same and a potential difference generation state where a potential difference is generated between the predetermined portion at the side of the liquid ejecting unit and the predetermined portion at the side of the ejected medium supporting unit. The potential controller forms the same potential state while the ejected medium is transported by the ejected medium transportation unit, and the potential controller forms the potential difference generation state in at least appropriate period while the ejected medium is not transported by the ejected medium transportation unit.
US08449062B2
An image forming apparatus includes: a first image forming unit configured to form an image with erasable first ink; a second image forming unit configured to share a conveying path with the first image forming unit and form an image with not erasable second ink; a recording unit configured to record a level of use of a recording medium on the recording medium; a detecting unit configured to detect the level of use; and a control unit configured to control the first image forming unit or the second image forming unit according to a detection result of the detecting unit.
US08449059B2
A piezoelectric vibrator varies the pressure in a pressure chamber in accordance with a drive signal, whereby ink contained in the pressure chamber is ejected from a nozzle. The drive signal includes a slight-vibration pulse used to change the pressure in the pressure chamber to an extent that the ink is not ejected. The slight-vibration pulse includes a first changing component in which the potential changes from a reference potential in a negative direction in which the pressure in the pressure chamber is increased by the piezoelectric vibrator, a second changing component which is generated to follow the first changing component and in which the potential changes so as to cross the reference potential in a positive direction, and a third changing component which is generated to follow the second changing component and in which the potential changes to the reference potential in the negative direction.
US08449057B2
The ejection driving pulse is a voltage waveform including: a first variation section; a hold section; and a second variation section. The second variation section includes: a first variation component in which the potential is varied in the second direction from the termination potential of the first variation section; an intermediate hold component in which the termination potential of the first variation component holds for a given time; and a second variation component in which the potential is varied in the second direction from the termination potential of the first variation component. The potential of the intermediate hold component is in the range from 50% to 60% of the potential of the hold section. A potential inclination of the second variation component is steeper than a potential inclination of the first variation component.
US08449055B2
An ink cartridge includes: a casing; a pyroelectric portion; a heat conductor; and an electrical interface. The casing is configured to store ink therein. The casing has a bottom wall. The pyroelectric portion is configured to output an electrical signal. The heat conductor is configured to conduct heat to the ink and the pyroelectric portion. The heat conductor has at least a portion in contact with or disposed adjacent to the bottom wall. The electrical interface is configured to output an electrical signal outputted from the pyroelectric portion.
US08449050B2
A carrier element can be attached to a furniture body of a piece of furniture, in which a current consumer is disposed in or on a furniture part movable in the piece of furniture, particularly a drawer. At least one power supply unit for the current consumer is disposed—preferably releaseably—on the carrier element.
US08449047B2
A brake system with a master cylinder, a first piston which is coupled to a brake pedal via a push rod transmitting actuating forces, a second piston which can be actuated by the first piston and which can be brought into force-transmitting connection to a third piston, via which the master cylinder is actuated, at least one elastic element which forms a pedal travel simulator which, in the “brake-by-wire” operating mode, gives the vehicle driver a pleasant pedal sensation, an interspace capable of being acted upon with hydraulic pressure, between the second and the third piston, the action of pressure upon the interspace loading the second and the third piston in opposite directions, a pressure supply device which has a high-pressure source and which allows both a filling of the interspace with pressure medium and emptying thereof, and a valve device for varying pressure fed in the interspace.
US08449037B2
A seating structure includes a backrest member having an upper edge, opposite side edges and a lower edge. The backrest member has a forwardly facing convex shape formed along a vertical centerline thereof between the upper and lower edges. The lower edge has a forwardly facing concave shape. The lower edge has outer portions positioned forwardly of an entirety of the upper edge.
US08449036B2
The present invention generally relates to a headrest for vehicles, and more particularly to a headrest for cars which may be easily folded manually or electrically, thereby providing other passengers with a wider prospect. A headrest of the present invention comprises a pivotable housing member comprising a pair of housing halves and rotatably coupled to the horizontal portion of the stay rod, a ratchet member fixed to the horizontal portion of the stay rod adjoining the inner side wall of one of the housing halves, a return spring wound around the horizontal portion of the stay rod between the ratchet member and the other of the housing halves, a check member pivotably arranged above the ratchet member to engage with or be disengaged from the ratchet member and keep the upright position of the pivotable housing member when the ratchet member engages with the check member, a check spring for maintaining the engagement of the ratchet member with the check member, a release member for disengaging the check member from the ratchet member.
US08449034B2
A disc recliner for pivoting a seat back relative to a seat cushion includes a fixed plate mounted to the seat cushion and a movable plate mounted to the seat back. The disc recliner includes a locking mechanism operable between a locked condition coupling the fixed and movable plates and an unlocked condition uncoupling the fixed and movable plates to allow rotation of the movable plate relative to the fixed plate. The disc recliner includes a memory plate that is disengaged with the movable plate to allow pivotal adjustment of the seat back between a plurality of seating positions by actuating the locking mechanism to the unlocked condition. The memory plate engages the movable plate to identify a previously selected seating position and to maintain the locking mechanism in the unlocked condition thereby allowing pivotal movement of the seat back between the previously selected seating position and a folded position.
US08449033B2
A track release system for a vehicle seat includes a device for selectively engaging a track to prevent sliding movement of a vehicle seat, a cable coupled to the device, and a track release mechanism coupled to the cable for actuating the device. The track release mechanism includes a drive arm configured for movement between a first position and a second position. The drive arm is configured to cause the device to disengage the track when moved from the first position to the second position. The track release mechanism also includes a trigger arm configured for rotational movement and configured to cause the device to engage the track when the drive arm is in the second position. The trigger arm is configured to reset the track release system such that sliding movement of the vehicle seat is prevented when the drive arm is in the second position.
US08449027B2
A linkage that provides a fully flat reclined position is described. The linkage includes a full-flat lift link pivotally coupled to a seat support link. A backrest support link couples to the lift link through an oblong aperture to provide additional range of motion. The lift link includes a laterally extending flange, the perimeter of which acts as a cam surface for a cam pin that obstructs reclining of the backrest support link when the rocker-recliner is in an upright position. When fully reclined, the linkage configures a footrest, seat portion, and backrest portion in a generally equal plane to provide a fully flat seating surface.
US08449026B1
A seating assembly adapted to be readily converted between an inoperative storage configuration and multiple operative seating configurations, including: a frame sub-assembly, wherein the frame sub-assembly includes a back section, a seat section, and a telescoping leg support section; a ground engaging leg sub-assembly; and body support member. An adjustable headrest that releasably retains a beach towel is provided. Integrated storage pockets for retaining, personal articles, paraphernalia, music players, drink bottles, etcetera are yet further provided.
US08449023B2
A vehicle emergency egress system. In one embodiment, an emergency egress system for providing an opening for egress from a vehicle includes a frame configured to be directly attached to the vehicle, the frame having a cavity formed therein and defined on a first side by a back surface facing an exterior of the vehicle, the back surface having an opening formed therethrough; a panel removably received in the cavity for covering the opening, the back surface retaining the panel in a first direction; and at least a bracket removably attached to the frame on the exterior of the vehicle and retaining the panel in a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein the bracket is detachable from the frame by an occupant inside the vehicle for removal of the panel to the exterior of the vehicle in the second direction.
US08449018B2
A method of forming members of fiber reinforced thermoplastic members via molding, the members including at least one hollow chamber, formed by water injection into the melt in the mold, to stiffen the finished member. The thermoplastic is preferably selected from a group comprising polypropylene, Nylon, PET, ABS, TPO, and thermoplastic polyurethane, while the reinforcing fibers are preferably selected from a group comprising glass, aramid, carbon, and natural fibers. Preferably, the extruded melt is produced such that the average length of the reinforcing fibers is less than four millimeters.
US08449006B2
A technique and various door/latch structures are provided to deal efficiently and effectively with excessive appliance door closure/opening forces that can arise in the case that the door strike extension depth is not ideally matched to the relative location of the mating latch mechanism. This is particularly useful in connection with the use of a push-push style access door that must be compressed against a compressible seal gasket in order to effect both opening and closing of the door. A strike member is mounted to one of an appliance cabinet and door so as to be engagable with a latch mechanism when the door is in the closed position. The installing involves initially tentatively mounting the strike in a first of at least two provisioned ways, to thereby provide a first of at least two different strike extension depths. The door operation is then tested to determine whether an excessive operation force is required in order to open or close the door. Upon determining that an excessive operation force is required to open or close the door, the strike member is removed from its initial mount and remounted in a second of the at least two provisioned ways, to thereby provide a second of the at least two different strike extension depths. In another aspect, a limited amount of z-axis play of the strike is permitted to avoid inadvertent unlatching, e.g., of a push-push latch, upon a slam of the door shut.
US08448999B2
The invention relates to a motor-driven lock with a rotary bolt, especially for rear doors, hatches or trunks of automotive vehicles, comprising a rotary bolt and a latch, also rotary between a closed position, in which it retains the bolt in a locking position, and another releasing position, in which it releases the mentioned bolt, the lock furthermore comprising a motor-driven drive cam and transmission means, to move the latch from its locking position to its releasing position, comprising a rocker arm, which can swing back and forth between two end positions, provided with a peripheral extension loosely coupled to the end of the latch, and provided with a control slide extending in a curved shape about the axis of rotation of the drive cam.
US08448997B2
Apparatus and system comprising a release assembly configured to unlock a sliding door panel from left and right sides of the sliding door panel. The left and right sides of the sliding door panel are opposed in the sliding direction.
US08448990B2
An apparatus and method for balancing a skier comprises a Heel Mounting (“HMP”) that locks on to the heel bearing surface of a ski binding. The HMP has a specified thickness to increase the height of the heel portion a ski boot over the toe portion when mounted in the ski binding. Thus, the HMP plate alters the ramp angle at which a boot supports a skier's foot and lower leg.
US08448989B2
The present invention relates to a trailer comprising a trailer bed which is at least 5 partly made of a composite material and at least one axle which extends in cross direction of the trailer and is connected to the trailer bed for suspending the wheels. The trailer bed comprises an upper and a lower load absorbing surface, wherein the upper load absorbing surface comprises in longitudinal direction a front and a back area and a connection area between them. Between the upper 10 and lower load absorbing surface, at least one reinforcing member is mounted which is resilient and which is provided to function as a support for the upper load absorbing surface in a loaded state of the upper load absorbing surface.
US08448985B2
An active bolster for an automotive vehicle has an inflatable bladder formed by a reaction wall for mounting against a rigid structure of the vehicle and an expansion wall overlying the base wall. The base wall and expansion wall are comprised of molded plastic components. At least one of the reaction wall and the expansion wall includes a plurality of tether tabs, each tether tab having a contoured edge defining a movable flap. The contoured edge has first and second ends defining a first hinge axis and a pair of complementary undulations defining a second hinge axis substantially parallel to the first hinge axis. The movable flap has an attachment region joined to the other one of the reaction wall and the expansion wall, and the second hinge axis extends between the attachment region and the first hinge axis.
US08448982B2
Provided is an airbag device mounted to a steering wheel in which a mounting member is provided in a protruding manner. The airbag device includes an airbag, an inflator configured to inflate and deploy the airbag, a cover that covers the airbag, and a mounting plate. A locking body configured to be locked with the mounting member is held on the mounting plate via the holding member. The mounting plate includes a recess that is recessed from a portion for mounting the inflator. The locking body is provided in the recess of the mounting plate.
US08448974B2
The invention relates to a board-like sliding device in the form of a ski or snowboard. Said board-like sliding device comprises a multilayered sliding board body and at least one elongated force-transmitting element supported on the upper side of the sliding board body for influencing the bending resistance or the vibrational behavior of the sliding board body as well as a binding device for a potentially detachable connection with a sports shoe. Between the lower side of the force-transmitting element and the upper side of the sliding board body at least one engaging coupling means is formed. The force-transmitting element is designed in this case as a thin-walled shell body with a wall thickness of less than 5 mm, which at least over the main part of its longitudinal extension has a substantially U-shaped cross section. At least part sections of the side arms of the force-transmitting element run at least partly in groove-like depressions on the upper side of the sliding board body.
US08448967B2
A step assembly for a vehicle comprising an elongated main body having a substantially straight portion and two end portions; a generally U-shaped step bar having a substantially straight portion parallel to the main body and two bent portions, the bent portions welded to the main body and a step surface having a plurality of apertures that is affixed to the step bar to provide traction to the user. The main body is preferably welded to at least one support bracket. The installation of the step assembly is a two step process that comprises engagably attaching at least one mounting bracket to a vehicle and then engagably attaching the support bracket, which is preferably welded to the main body, to the mounting bracket.
US08448962B2
Systems and methods provide variable spring stiffness for weight management in a vehicle. One system includes a plurality of springs and a plurality of spring retainers configured to adjust a number of inactive coils of the plurality of springs. Additionally, a motor is provided that is connected to the plurality of spring retainers and configured to actuate the spring retainers to adjust the number of inactive coils of the plurality of springs. Further, a controller is provided that is coupled to motor to control the motor to actuate the spring retainers to adjust the number of inactive coils of the plurality of springs.
US08448954B2
A skate truck is disclosed which provides for a wide yaw angle for a hanger, minimal friction during yawing of the hanger, and a suspension that is dynamically stabilized based on a weight of a rider and a turn radius of a vehicle to which the skate truck is mounted. Additionally, a tension of the skate truck can be adjusted by preloading a spring which accommodates a wide weight ranger of riders. The truck may have a hanger supported between two bearings, namely, a sliding bearing system and a thrust bearing. The sliding bearings slide within grooves that define a pivot axis of the hanger. The grooves can also have various customized ramp profiles to provide a different feel during turning of the vehicle.
US08448953B2
Disclosed is an aesthetic and functional skating boot for roller skates, ice skates or inline skates having a lace-less cowboy boot outward appearance. From the exterior, the skate boot resembles a slip-on cowboy boot, comprising a continuous vamp region connecting to a quarter region that provides stability for the user's ankles or alternatively shrouds an internal lacing structure. A skate wheel or blade frame is affixed to the boot outsole and heel lift, connecting to at least two regions of the boot for support of the frame. Interior ankle support within the boot quarter comprises either increased ankle padding or alternatively an internal tongue and lacing structure, similar to a standard pair of laceable skates. Further disclosed is a rear brake or wheelie bar mounted to the boot in the style of a boot spur. The boot provides a fashionable exterior with adequate ankle support, preserving their functional performance.
US08448952B2
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an active suspension system having a regenerative actuator is provided for an electric or hybrid electric vehicle. The system comprises a drive system including a battery mounted to a chassis and a controller coupled to the drive system. The controller also couples to a suspension system between the chassis and at least one wheel of the vehicle. The suspension system includes an actuator having an electric motor providing energy by converting linear movement of a ball screw into rotational movement of a rotor having a hollow core permitting at least a portion of the ball screw to translate within the rotor during operation of the actuator.
US08448950B2
A split mechanical seal has split ring fitting holes into which split rings having a rectangular cross-section are fitted. The split ring fitting holes are formed over the entire length in the circumferential direction of the seal between split sealing rings and split flanges. The split rings are mounted in the split ring fitting holes with the phases of the split sealing rings and the split flanges shifted from each other such that one end of each split ring projects from a split contact surface.
US08448945B2
A method and apparatus for generating three dimensional random numbers using three separate number generators for the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis. The present invention aims to further randomize number generation making use of the human intuitive sense. The number generators for each axis are the same apparatus. The random number generator apparatus makes use of disks that rotate at different rates with digits that are evenly distributed in a radial fashion. A reading sensor scans digits at certain positioned when a user intuitively triggers for a scan.
US08448927B1
An item assembly and a shock attenuation method for protecting an item comprising providing an item internal to an assembly and encasing the item in a fluid material such that the material and the item are approximately in hydrostatic balance upon an impact event.
US08448923B1
A safety apparatus for use on an elevated surface, for providing fall protection for multiple elevated surface configurations, so as to adaptably secure a safe work environment, the safety apparatus comprising a base member, wherein the base member includes a vertical mounting surface and a horizontal mounting surface, a stanchion, a first vertical clamping surface near the base of the stanchion, an adjustable clamp arm having a second clamping surface, wherein the clamp arm is operable to be attached to the stanchion in a horizontal slab clamp configuration, and at least one bracket operable to receive a horizontal fall protection barrier.
US08448919B2
A method for rebuilding a flow control valve, may be performed by first providing a flow control valve having a rotor positioned in a chamber of a valve body. The rotor has a valve stem. A top cover plate is mounted to the valve body above the rotor and has a first bore through which the valve stem protrudes. The top cover plate is removed so the rotor can be removed from the valve body. A seal is positioned on the top cover plate along the first bore so that when the rotor and top cover plate are placed in or on the valve body, the flow control valve is sealed at the interface between the top cover plate and the valve stem.
US08448908B2
A support device for supporting at least one predetermined foldable member includes a pair of bracket members for mounting on a predetermined vertical structure a predetermined distance apart, a securing mechanism operably connected to each bracket member and engageable with such predetermined vertical structure for securing each of such bracket members to such predetermined vertical structure, and a support rod manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape and including a first end and a second end, such support rod for supporting such at least one predetermined foldable member releasably thereon and being releasably supportable in a substantially horizontal position by such bracket members.
US08448906B2
A support apparatus includes a support member having at least one thread, a collar attached to the support member that is moveable along the one or more threads of the support member and at least one arm assembly attached to or positioned on the collar. The one or more threads may include a ridge formed on the support member or a groove formed in the support member. The one or more arm assemblies are configured to hold an object such as, for example, a monitor, copy holder, liquid crystal display or light fixture.
US08448904B2
A tool mounted on a servicer satellite for fuelling an unprepared or partially prepared client satellite. The tool includes a robotic arm mounted on the servicer satellite and a valve tool configured to be releasibly gripped by the robotic arm. The valve tool includes a housing with a support frame and a wrench mechanism mounted on the support frame. The wrench mechanism is configured for removing and replacing the first access valve cap on the first fill-drain valve and coupling a first propellant fill line to the first propellant tank optionally removing and replacing the second access valve cap on the second fill-drain valve on the second propellant tank and coupling a second propellant fill line to the second propellant tank, and actuating the valve actuation nut on the first fill-drain valve, and optionally actuating the valve actuation nut on the second fill-drain valve.
US08448892B2
The invention discloses an aircraft generating a larger lift from its interior. The fluid channel inside the aircraft communicates with the engine and the ports on the upper surface of the outer shell. With the powerful suction of the engine, the fluid on the upper surface of the outer shell is quickly sucked into the fluid channel via respective ports under conditions of long path, large area, high speed and low air pressure, which results in large lift from the interior of the aircraft. In the course of generating the lift, the fluid resistances of the fluid wall and the fluid hole are sucked into the fluid channel through the ports at the front and the surrounding area of the aircraft, then high-speed fluid is emitted from the rear port. This approach contributes greatly to the transformation of the existing aircraft. The unified big wing significantly improves the lift, the speed and the carrying capacity of the existing aircraft with lowered energy consumption.
US08448891B2
A yarn storage device provided for supplying yarns to a yarn processing device has a number of yarn storage tubes (1) which are each provided with an input side (2) along which the yarn is supplied to the yarn store (4) and an output side (3) along which the yarn is delivered from the yarn store (4) to the yarn processing device. The yarn storage device also has a yarn loader which is provided for introducing the yarn into the respective yarn storage tube (1) in the form of successive windings which form the yarn store. A yarn is guided in a yarn storage tube of a yarn storage device of this type.
US08448888B2
A trunnion seal assembly for joining a stationary inlet/outlet box of a ball tube mill to a rotational interior of the ball tube mill includes an outer ring component configured to be mounted to an outer wall of the stationary inlet/outlet box. An inner ring component is joined to the outer ring component substantially concentrically with the outer ring component. A flexible pad seal is configured to be joined to the outer wall of the stationary inlet/outlet box proximate outer ring component. The pad seal includes a first annular sealing surface. A mill head extension ring configured to be joined to a rotational mill head is located proximate to and substantially concentric with the inner ring component. The mill head extension includes a second annular sealing surface sealingly engaged with the first annular sealing surface of the flexible pad seal.
US08448884B2
A system and process for separating eggshell membranes from eggshells. The system and process may utilize airflow through a venturi to pulverize the eggshell and thereby separate the eggshell from the membrane. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the process may also extract moisture from the membrane and eggshell. The system may further be configured to collect the pulverized eggshell particles separately from the membrane material.
US08448883B2
An electrostatically atomizing device includes an emitter electrode, an opposed electrode disposed in an opposed relation to the emitter electrode, liquid supply means for supplying a liquid to the emitter electrode, and high voltage generating means for applying a high voltage across the emitter electrode and the opposed electrode. The liquid supplied onto the emitter electrode is electrostatically charged through application of the high voltage, as a result of which charged minute liquid particles are discharged from a discharge end of the emitter electrode. The device includes detecting means for detecting a discharge condition developed between the emitter electrode and the opposed electrode, and a controller for controlling the high voltage generating means to regulate its voltage output so as to maintain a predetermined discharge condition, based on detection results by the detecting means. Charged minute particles can be continuously generated in an amount corresponding to the predetermined discharge condition, by adjusting the discharge voltage that is applied to the emitter electrode.
US08448866B2
An arrangement is provided for reading information from a disposable with an information carrier which comprises a code formed by graphic symbols for the machine-readable provision of information and an optical reading device for the code which has a light source and a sensor. Generally according to the embodiments of the present invention, the information carrier comprises a code applied to a transparent or translucent substrate which can be read under stationary transillumination by means of the light source as a shadow image projected onto the sensor.
US08448850B1
An automated banking machine operates to carry out financial transfers responsive to data read form data bearing records. The machine includes a card reader that operates to read data from user cards. The card data corresponds to financial accounts. The automated banking machine further includes a cash dispenser. The machine is operative to dispense cash to an authorized user based on identifying data including card data, and to cause a financial transfer from an account corresponding to card data through communication with at least one remote computer. The machine is operative to authorize the installation, use, and/or configuration of automated banking machine software applications and components.
US08448839B1
A brazing method includes the steps of providing a first part and a second part, at least a first portion of the first part is configured to fit inside a second portion of the second part, preplacing a first self-fluxing braze alloy on one or more of the first portion and second portion, preplacing a non-phosphorous braze alloy on the first self-fluxing braze alloy, preplacing another layer of the first self-fluxing braze alloy on the non-phosphorous braze alloy, thermally treating at least one of the first portion and second portion, to create a temperature differential between the first portion and second portion, inserting the first portion into the second portion, and heating at least one of the first portion and second portion to melt both layers of the first self-fluxing braze alloy and the non-phosphorous braze alloy. The first portion is joined by brazing to the second portion.
US08448829B2
A receiving member is provided on a face of a casing and includes an insertion port and first and second abutment portions. An insertion portion of each of the brackets is inserted through the insertion port. The insertion port is shaped to have at least one step varying in a width of the insertion port such that the width is narrower as the at least one step is farther away from the face of the casing. Each of the first and second abutment portions has such an inner shape that, when the insertion portion is inserted through the insertion port, the abutment portion abuts against the leading end of the insertion portion in the insertion direction to restrict a movement of the leading end in association with the corresponding one of different widths of the insertion portions.
US08448826B2
A dosage-dispensing head has a body with an end surface and an area that couples the head to a source container. The end surface has an outlet opening connected to the coupling area. The head also has a slider, constrained to a guided linear sliding movement parallel to the end surface. An aperture-setting member of the body turns about a rotary axis, orthogonal to the end surface, to actuate the slider. An orifice opening of the aperture-setting member is configured so that the outlet opening is always within the area of the orifice opening. A passage opening of the slider is between the body and the aperture-setting member. By turning the aperture-setting member, the slider moves in a linear path, linearly displacing the passage opening relative to the outlet opening and varying the aperture width of the dosage-dispensing head. This regulates the flow rate of the free-flowing dosage material.
US08448819B2
A dispenser system comprising a reservoir, a closure device for controlling the flow of liquid from the reservoir, and a housing to which the reservoir is attached is disclosed. The reservoir is movable relative to the housing from a storage position in which the closure device prevents liquid flowing from the reservoir to a dispensing position in which the closure device allows liquid to flow from the reservoir. The housing comprises an activation device which on movement of the reservoir from the storage position to the dispensing position causes the closure device to allow the liquid to flow from the reservoir.
US08448816B2
The invention relates to a container haying a nozzle or opening (11), containing a roll of wipes, for dispensation in a direction parallel to the axis of the roll through the nozzle or opening of the container. The wipes (1) are formed from a continuous length of material (2) with parallel side edges (2A,2B) having a leading end (3A) and a ‘trailing end (3B). The rupturable lines (4) extend from a point (5A) on one first side edge (2A) to a point (5B) on the second side edge (2B). Each rupturable line is more easily ruptured adjacent the second side edge than the first side edge. The wipes are arranged such that said point on the first side edge of the rupturable line emerges from the nozzle or opening before said point on the second side edge.
US08448810B2
A double walled container is provided for insulating a beverage. An outer insulating shell or container is secured to the inner container that holds the beverage. A gap exists between the outer container and inner container and the air in the gap acts as an insulating barrier. The inner container is preferably a standard aluminum container. The outer container is preferably made from aluminum or a plastic polymer. The outer container may have annular or longitudinal grooves that assist in securing the outer container to the inner container, and the grooves may also provide an enhanced gripping surface as well as a visually pleasing aesthetic design. The outer container may include a base, or the base may be eliminated in favor of a sleeve configuration for the outer container.
US08448809B2
A thermal barrier liner maintains a beverage within a container at a desired temperature. The liner may include a closed cell substrate, a base layer having gas or liquid filled microcapsules, a base layer having microencapsulated solid-liquid phase change material, or combinations thereof. In other embodiments, an integral cooling element incorporates solid/liquid phase change material. The cooling element can either be attached to the exterior of the container, the interior of the container, or free-floating within the container. Other embodiments include container holders or direct beverage holders incorporating phase change materials to control temperature of the beverages. The embodiments may further include thermochromatic ink to provide a visible color indication of temperature changes for the beverage.
US08448803B2
A foot actuated door opener for a waste receptacle includes a foot pedal, a door position adjustment device, and a force transfer device. The foot pedal is coupled to the waste receptacle. The door position adjustment device is coupled to a pivoting door of the waste receptacle to move the door between a closed position and an open position. The force transfer device is connected to an exterior of the waste receptacle to transfer a force applied to the foot pedal to the door position adjustment device to move the door from the closed position to the open position. A foot actuated door opener kit, a waste receptacle, and methods of installing and using the same are also disclosed.
US08448800B2
The invention relates to a method of assembling a cap (20) of a closure device (9) with an open end (6, 7) of a housing container (5) for forming a container system (1) for body fluids, tissue parts or tissue cultures, whereby a relative rotating or pivoting movement is effected between the cap (20) and the housing container (5) about a common longitudinal axis (14). In order to generate the relative movement, a pressing force (F) is applied to at least one of the components to be assembled directed more or less in the direction of the longitudinal axis (14). The invention further relates to a cap (20) for forming the closure device (9), a housing container (5) and a container system (1) obtained as a result, comprising at least the cap (20), a sealing device (21) device retained in it and the housing container (5).
US08448796B2
The invention is directed to an improved feeding nipple, including a substantially solid nipple portion. The nipple includes one or more ducts formed therethrough for conveying fluids through the nipple. The nipple is radially compressible and a reinforcing member is disposed in the nipple adjacent the one or more ducts.
US08448778B2
A device for dividing a flow of lumpy material into two sub-flows comprises a dividing mechanism which comprises a dividing edge for splitting the material flow into two sub-flows, an apparatus for directing the material to the dividing mechanism and an apparatus for diverting the two sub-flows away from the dividing mechanism. The dividing edge can be moved back and forth in its longitudinal direction following its own track. Embodiments of the device can permit the wear on the dividing edge to be more evenly distributed and the service life of the device may thereby be increased.
US08448776B2
A product handling system includes a product conveyor capable of transporting a plurality of products. An overhead diverter assembly includes a flighted conveyor situated substantially orthogonal to the product conveyor that includes a flight. A transport containment device is located at least partially below the flighted conveyor. A control system operates the overhead diverter such that the flighted conveyor has a diverting mode and a cassette filling mode. When the flighted conveyor is in the diverting mode, the flight moves in a profiled motion to acquire the product from the product conveyor at a location beneath the overhead diverter and transports the product along the transport containment device.
US08448763B2
A housing-piston assembly for a coupling device, especially a wet-running, multi-plate clutch or a bridging clutch of a hydrodynamic coupling device, wherein the piston (4) is attached to a housing (2) by means of connecting elements (8) in such a way that it has a certain freedom of movement, and rivets (10, 12) are provided as fastening elements between the piston (4) and the connecting elements (8) and/or between the connecting elements (8) and the housing (2), and wherein at least one support element (20, 36, 70, 86) can be positioned in a riveting position between the piston (4) and the connecting elements (8) and/or between the connecting elements (8) and the housing (2) in such a way that anvil sections (18, 44, 74, 92) of the support element (20, 36, 70, 86) lie behind the set heads (14) of their associated rivets (10, 12). A method of assembling a housing-piston assembly is also provided.
US08448759B2
A single cylinder type hydraulic shock absorber for a vehicle (100) includes a cylinder (1), a free piston (2) that is inserted slidably into the cylinder (1) and delimits a fluid chamber (7) and a gas chamber (8) in the cylinder (1), a piston (3) that is inserted slidably into the cylinder (1) and delimits the fluid chamber (7) into two pressure chambers (7a, 7b), a rod (4), one end of which is connected to the piston (3), and an elastic member (9) that is accommodated in the gas chamber (8) and biases the free piston (2) in the direction of the fluid chamber (7). The elastic member (9) is set such that a spring constant thereof increases during contraction.
US08448754B2
Disc brake comprising an hydraulic actuator for clamping shoes guided by a caliper (14) and an annular seal (10) lodged with axial clearance (J) in a groove (28) of the actuator for ensuring fluid-tightness between the piston (16) and the cylinder of the actuator, characterized in that the groove (28) comprises a rib (40) for the axial locking of the seal (10).
US08448751B2
An elevator door system includes an elevator car having a front face defining a door opening. At least one elevator door is coupled to the front face of the elevator car for movement between an open position exposing the door opening and a closed position covering the door opening. At least one drive motor is mounted on the front face of the elevator car and is disposed between a lower edge and an upper edge of the elevator car. The drive motor is drivingly coupled to the elevator door for moving the elevator door between the open and the closed positions.
US08448747B2
A scaffolding system in which a platform or wall may be secured to a crosspiece supported by cables near an angled structure or in another difficult location. A platform is secured to the crosspiece horizontally, while a wall is secured vertically. The crosspiece may be an angle iron or pipe, for example. Also disclosed are clamps and clamping arrangements for securing the platform or wall to the crosspiece.
US08448745B2
A roof safety anchor assembly for securing a safety lanyard to a roof truss. The assembly includes an anchor plate secured to the roof truss, an edge protector secured to an edge of a sheet of sheathing attached to the roof truss; and a choke cable secured to the anchor plate at a first end and to the lanyard and passing over the protector therebetween. The protector includes a cylindrical member having a bore therethrough and a longitudinal slot extending between the first and second ends of the protector. The slot is expandable to receive the edge of the sheathing therein. The protector includes a recess configured to receive a truss member therein when the sheathing is engaged to the truss member. In the event of a fall, the forces applied to the lanyard are redirected by the protector vertically into the anchor plate.
US08448740B2
A transmission driving mechanism of a transmission in an internal combustion engine is provided in which where a separate transmission driving mechanism for manual operation is not required in addition to an automatic transmission driving mechanism, whereby the number of parts is reduced, the structure is simple, no maintenance is required and the cost is reduced. The transmission transmits the rotation of a crankshaft to an output shaft at a modified speed, and includes a transmission driving mechanism which rotates a shift spindle using a shift actuator in order to automatically shift gears within the transmission and change the outputted speed of the engine. One end of the shift spindle extends through an engine case cover, and protrudes outside, and a turning tool is fitted onto a fitting portion formed at the protruding end of the shift spindle, whereby manual shifting of the transmission gears can also be achieved.
US08448738B2
In a motorcycle in which an electrical component including an engine control unit is mounted, a bridge bent to protrude upward is bridged between each of coupling portions in which a right and left pair of main frames and a right and left pair of body frames are coupled, and the engine control unit is disposed in an inner space of the bridge thereby to cover right and left sides of the engine control unit.
US08448734B2
A canister mounting structure for a motorcycle includes an engagement member and a lock tab. The engagement member is provided to a canister. The lock tab protrudes from an upper surface of a rear fender supported by a rear portion of a vehicle body frame to cover a rear wheel. The lock tab is engaged with the engagement member so as to hold the canister on the rear fender.
US08448730B2
A multi-axle hybrid drive system for a vehicle which comprises a first unit (4) with an internal combustion engine (5), a separator clutch and a semi-automatic gearshift transmission (6) that is associated with a first, mechanically driven axle (7) of the vehicle. At least one further unit (10), with either wheel-hub motors (8) or with a conventional electric axle drive in combination with an electric machine, such that, in each case, a unit (10) is associated with a respective electrically driven axle (9) of the vehicle. During a gearshift, the vehicle (1) can be driven by the unit (10) associated with the electrically driven axle (9) such that the traction force interruption, occurring in the semi-automatic gearshift transmission (6) during a gearshift, is compensated.
US08448721B2
A directional drilling system comprises a main drill bit 24 rotatable about a main bit axis 26, a pilot drill bit 34 rotatable about a pilot bit axis 36 substantially parallel to the main bit axis 26, and adjustment means 28 for adjusting the position of the pilot bit axis 36 relative to the main bit axis 26.
US08448713B2
An inflatable packer contains a reactive metal in an annular space between the mandrel and the element. A fluid is admitted into the annular space to start a reaction that gives off gas. The generated gas fills the annular space and inflates the element in the process. The actuating fluid can be water and the off gas can be hydrogen. The volume of the reactants can also increase as they swell in the reaction that generates the gas. A valve arrangement associated with the mandrel retains the gas pressure and prevents over-pressurization. The packer can be set in a surrounding tubular or in open hole.
US08448711B2
A well drilling system including: an annular valve; a well casing in fluid communication with the annular valve; a first check valve in fluid communication with the annular valve; a hydraulic cylinder including a first chamber having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet of the first chamber is in fluid communication with an outlet of the first check valve; and a transfer unit including an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet of the transfer unit is in fluid communication with the outlet of the first chamber, the outlet of the transfer unit is in fluid communication with an inlet of a second check valve, and an outlet of the second check valve is in fluid communication with the annular valve.
US08448707B2
A system for heating a subsurface formation includes a heater wellbore located in a subsurface formation. A single conducting heater element includes a heated portion located in a part of the subsurface formation configured to be heated and a lead-in portion located in an overburden of the subsurface formation. The heated part is located below the overburden. A heater casing is located substantially in an overburden portion of the heater wellbore. The heater casing includes an electrically non-conducting portion and an electrically conducting portion. The non-conducting portion begins at the surface of the formation. The conducting portion is located between the non-conducting portion and the heated portion of the heater. The non-conducting portion extends to a depth that is at least about 30 m above the heated portion of the heater.
US08448706B2
A wellbore fluid comprises an aqueous carrier liquid, hydrophobic fibers suspended therein, hydrophobic particulate material also suspended in the carrier liquid, and a gas to wet the surfaces of the particles and fibers and bind them together as agglomerates. The wellbore fluid may be a slickwater fracturing fluid and may be used for fracturing a tight gas reservoir. Using a combination of hydrophobic particulate material, hydrophobic fibers and gas inhibits settling out of the particulate material from an aqueous liquid. Because the gas acts to wet the surfaces of both materials and agglomerates them, the particulate material is made to adhere to the fibers; the fibers form a network which hinders settling of the particulate material adhering to them, and the agglomerates contain gas and so have a bulk density which is less than the specific gravity of the solids contained in the agglomerates.
US08448705B2
A method of completing at least a portion of an open-hole wellbore comprises: positioning a sand control assembly in the portion of the open-hole wellbore, wherein the sand control assembly comprises a screen; positioning at least one conduit adjacent to the sand control assembly; positioning a sheath in the portion of the open-hole wellbore, wherein the sheath is a non-porous tubular, and wherein the sheath is positioned such that a sheath annulus exists between the inside wall of the sheath and the outside wall of at least a portion of both, the sand control assembly and the at least one conduit; and introducing a treatment fluid into the portion of the open-hole wellbore.
US08448703B2
A method according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure comprises disposing a tool in a wellbore, the tool comprising a displacement unit for pumping a fluid at least partially through the tool, a first flowline hydraulically connected to the displacement unit through a valve network, and a second flowline hydraulically connected to the displacement unit; pumping a fluid from the first flowline to the second flowline; monitoring a pressure at a chamber of the displacement unit; and monitoring flowing pressure in the first flowline across the valve network from the displacement unit.
US08448700B2
An abrasive perforator tool with a bypass flow channel. The tool comprises a tubular body or housing with perforating nozzles in the sidewall. A sleeve assembly inside the central bore of the tool provides for sequential deployment of first and second sleeves. Prior to deployment of the sleeve assembly, pressurized fluid can be passed through the tool to operate other tools beneath the perforator in the bottom hole assembly. Deployment of the first sleeve diverts pressurized fluid through the nozzles for perforating. Deployment of the second sleeve redirects the pressurized flow through the outlet of the tool to resume operation of other tools below the perforator.
US08448689B2
A roll-up door has a plurality of panels and a plurality of roller assemblies mounted to ends of the panels for mounting the panels in channels. At least some of the panels are formed of blow-molded thermoplastic material and have a relatively flat outside face and an inside face including ribs that extend longitudinally and transversely on the panel. A reinforced panel of thermoplastic material is made by blow molding a panel with a thermoplastic material to form a relatively flat outside face and a ribbed inside face, and with elongated channels along upper and lower walls thereof. The panel is trimmed while it is still warm to open the channels at one end. While the panel is still warm, reinforcing members are inserted into the elongated channels. The panels are cooled to shrink the channels onto the reinforcing members.
US08448685B2
An apparatus for bonding a first carbon composite to a second carbon composite through a reactant layer includes a housing, and a pair of conductive press plates electrically isolated from the housing. The press plates are adapted to position the two parts to be bonded with a reactant layer therebetween. The press plates are subjected to an electrical potential and a clamping force, sufficient to initiate a combustion reaction that creates a molten ceramic to bond together the carbon-carbon composites.
US08448673B2
A method and system for transporting fluid is described. The method includes coupling a transit vessel to a terminal vessel associated with at least one terminal. The transit vessel and the terminal vessel are coupled at an open sea or lightering location, which may be selected based upon operational conditions. Then, cryogenic fluid is transferred between the transit vessel and the terminal vessel, while the transit vessel and terminal vessel are moving in substantially the same direction. Once the transfer is complete, the terminal vessel decouples from the transit vessel and moves a terminal to provide the cryogenic fluid to the terminal. The cryogenic fluid may include liquefied natural gas (LNG) and/or liquefied carbon dioxide (CO2).
US08448670B2
A hose for use in bio-pharmaceutical applications includes an innermost tubular layer made from a fluoropolymer material. The tubular layer has an inner, relatively smooth and pure surface that defines an opening for transfer of various media. A layer of silicone is disposed next to an outer surface of the innermost tubular layer through use of, for example, an extrusion method. The outer surface of the tubular layer may first be modified by various treatments or chemicals to facilitate the adhesion of the silicone layer thereto. The silicone material may be solid or foamed. A reinforcement layer may be disposed adjacent to an outer surface of the silicone layer. The reinforcement layer may be formed of a wire braid having gaps. An outer jacket of silicone may be attached to the reinforcement layer and to the inner silicone layer through the gaps in the reinforcement layer.
US08448669B2
The present invention is to provide a tube for cable sheath and the cable sheath using the same. The front end of each tube is connected to the rear end of another one. Two side plates are connected to another tube. A cable is received in the cable sheath. Thereby, when a brake cable is received in the cable sheath, the side plates are connected to another tube so as to restrict one of the bending direction degree of the cable that can avoid the cable sheath being bended in all direction. It is important that the side plates can protect the connecting point of each tube quite well and enhance the structure intensity of the whole cable sheath. After standardizing the specification of the present invention, it can be connected to many kinds of products. The present invention has abundant variability and achieves the best efficacy.
US08448658B2
A rescue device for treating leakage of dangerous chemical includes a first container having a closed negative pressure chamber and an intake which allows outside dangerous chemicals to enter the first container and a second container installed and fixed in the first container. The second container contains a substantially harmless liquefied gas and has an opening which controllably communicates with the external environment. When the dangerous chemicals are leaking, the rescue device can be used to reduce the loss of dangerous chemical, alleviate the harm to the environment and human, and avoid the possible disastrous consequences.
US08448652B2
Solar system cleaning apparatuses and methods of cleaning solar systems are described. A solar system cleaning apparatus includes a vehicle. A first basin is mounted on the vehicle, the first basin to supply a cleaning medium to a solar module. A second basin is mounted on the vehicle, the second basin to collect the cleaning medium from the solar module. A filter is coupled to the first basin and the second basin, the filter to transfer the cleaning medium from the second basin to the first basin.
US08448648B2
An injection molded artificial nail is formed by forming a first section using a runner system method, forming a second section using a runner system method and forming a third section by a hot tip gate process. The second and third sections are disposed under the first section. The second section has a second section end and the third section has a third section end adjoining the second section end. The first section forms a top surface of the artificial nail extending from a front distal tip of the artificial nail to a back proximal end of the artificial nail and completely covers the second section and the third section.
US08448647B2
A feeder system and associated method are provided for feeding rod components of a tobacco product, particularly a rod-shaped, cylindrical, or stick-type tobacco product, wherein such a tobacco product may be intended to be used in a smokeless manner. A hopper is configured to receive a plurality of rod components therein. A separator device is operably engaged with the hopper and is configured to receive one of the plurality of rod components at a time therefrom. An orienting device is operably engaged with the separator device. The orienting device is configured to receive the one of the plurality of rod components in a first orientation and to direct the one of the plurality of rod components into a second orientation, different from the first orientation, and toward a subsequent process.
US08448646B2
A novel cigar is provided with an elongated cigar puller device which extends into the interior of the cigar. By removing the cigar puller from the cigar, the tobacco fill material of the cigar is disrupted so as to improve the draw of the cigar. Once the cigar puller is removed from the tobacco fill material, a flavorant and/or aromatic can be infused into the less dense tobacco fill material which is provided upon the removal of the cigar puller.
US08448641B2
This disclosure describes systems and methods for compensating for leakage when during delivery of gas from a medical ventilator in a proportional assist mode to a patient. The technology described herein includes systems and methods to compensate the delivery of PA ventilation for leakage in the patient circuit by using leak-compensated lung flows as well as leak-compensated respiratory mechanics parameters (lung compliance and lung resistance) estimated in a manner that compensates for elastic and inelastic leaks from the ventilation system.
US08448640B2
A ventilator device delivers ventilatory support to a patient in a back up timed mode when patient respiration is not detected or a spontaneous mode when patient respiration is detected. The timing threshold governing the back-up mode is chosen to deviate from normal expected respiration time for the patient to promote patient initiated ventilation in the spontaneous mode but permit back-up ventilation in the event of apnea. Automated adjustments to the timing threshold during the timed mode are made from the less vigilant timing threshold to a more vigilant threshold at or near a timing of normal expected breathing of the patient. Such adjustments may be made from a minimum to a maximum vigilance timing settings or incrementally there between as a function of time in the timed mode which is preferably the number of delivered machine breaths.
US08448636B2
Intubation is a potentially dangerous invasive procedure with many plausible errors, such as over-inflation of a cuff and insertion of an intubation tube in the wrong lumen, potentially resulting in a patient's internal bleeding, suffocation, or even death. An intubation aide according to example embodiments of the present invention allows intubation of a patient, while eliminating potential injury to the patient, increasing accuracy and reliability of the placement of the intubation tube, and drastically decreasing procedural time. Within moments of insertion of the device into a patient, the medical caregiver knows, with complete certainty, the location of the intubation device without applying traditional time-consuming tasks. Embodiments also provide patient safety, if intubated for a prolonged periods, by regulating an inflation pressure of the cuff. The intubation aide can also be used for training purposes and is ideal for intubation in hospital and field settings.
US08448635B2
A discharge head 10 (in illustrated embodiments) for discharging droplets from discharge ports can withstand high water pressure and is provided with a first orifice plate 3 having first discharge ports 3a and a second orifice plate 6 having second discharge ports. The first orifice plate 3 and the second orifice plate 6 are separated from each other in the liquid discharge direction of the discharge head 10 and disposed opposite to each other. The diameter of the discharge ports of the second orifice plate 6 is smaller than the diameter of the discharge ports 3a of the first orifice plate 3 so that very fine droplets 9 are discharged from the discharge head 10 as the liquid discharged from the discharge ports 3a of the first orifice plate 3 is split by the second discharge ports.
US08448631B2
A wireless projectile loader system is provided. The system includes at least one sensor for detecting a firing operation of a compressed gas gun and sending a signal to a wireless transmitter. The system further includes a wireless transmitter in communication with the at least one sensor, the wireless transmitter adapted to send a wireless signal in response to the sensor detecting a firing operation. The system further includes at least one wireless receiver for receiving the wireless signal in communication with a motor of a projectile loader and adapted to operate the motor in response to the signal transmitted by the transmitter.
US08448621B2
An engine start control system is provided that includes a controller configured to perform an idle stop control to stop an engine based on an establishment of a condition. The system further includes a motor configured to reverse-rotationally drive a crankshaft to a predetermined position for normal-rotational or reverse-rotational driving, after engine stop. The controller includes a reverse-rotational drive controller configured to reverse-rotationally drive the motor at a rewinding control duty ratio immediately after the engine is stopped. The controller further includes a reverse-rotation stop condition processor configured to detect whether the crankshaft is rewound to the predetermined position by the reverse-rotational drive controller. Further, the controller includes a motor brake controller configured to apply a brake to the crankshaft by reverse-rotationally driving the motor when it is detected that the crankshaft is rewound to the predetermined position. The motor brake controller is configured to apply the brake stepwise.
US08448616B2
An internal combustion engine including an air intake pressurization device having an outlet from which air at a pressure substantially greater than ambient air pressure is expelled, an expansible combustion chamber into which air is received from the device outlet and from which exhaust gases are expelled, first and second intake valves and one or more exhaust valves, each valve having open and closed states. The combustion chamber is in periodic fluid communication with the device outlet through at least one of the first and second intake valves, and exhaust gases are expelled from the combustion chamber via the exhaust valve(s). A control valve disposed between the first intake valve and the device outlet has an open position in which the device outlet and the combustion chamber are in fluid communication via the first intake valve in its open state, and a closed position in which fluid communication between the device outlet and the combustion chamber via the first intake valve is comparatively restricted. The exhaust valve(s) is in its open state when the first and second intake valves are both in their closed states, the first and second intake valves are both in their open states when the exhaust valve(s) is in its closed state, and the second intake valve is moved from its open state into its closed state substantially prior to movement of the first intake valve from its open state into its closed state.
US08448612B2
A propane fueled combustor for providing a controlled heat flux environment of twenty to two hundred kilowatts per square meter. The combustor has the capability of generating a repeatable and quantifiable environment in which to evaluate a response of an energetic material to a fast cook off hazard, such as a liquid fuel fire.
US08448607B2
A wireless fencing system comprises a tetherless leash, a programming fixture, and, optionally, a terminal. The tetherless leash, which is attached to a monitored animal, establishes a “virtual” (i.e., barrier-free) perimeter based on geo-coordinates. The tetherless leash also monitors the position and movement of an animal relative to the virtual perimeter, and delivers warnings, corrections, and praise to the animal in accordance with its programming. The programming fixture serves as a user interface during programming operations, since there are no exposed buttons by which a user can directly program the device. The wireless fencing system does not expand the perimeter in response to perimeter breach of a monitored animal. Rather, a protocol that monitors the animal's speed and location direction of movement relative to the perimeter and/or outbound way points is used.
US08448603B2
Pet waterers and feeders are provided that have a spill-resistant rim. In particular, in one embodiment, a device for dispensing at least one of food and liquid to an animal is provided. The device includes a bowl and a coupler positioned over a first opening of the bowl. The coupler is configured to receive a bottle. Additionally, the device includes a spill-resistant rim positioned over a second opening of the bowl. The spill-resistant rim extends inwardly into the second opening to prevent spilling of the bowl's contents.
US08448601B2
A cat bed resembling a decorative table designed to encourage both the cat and the family from adopting practices that lead to the cat's destructive scratching of regularly used sofas, chairs, and/or similar pieces of furniture. The table comprises a concealable cat bed supported of the ground by leg and a concealable scratching surface. The decorative appearance of the table encourages placement within the living area of the home and in close proximity to regularly used pieces of furniture. The cat bed atop the furniture provides a comfortable place for the cat to rest and receive affection form a family member occupying an adjacent sofa, chair, or similar piece of furniture. Thus, the design of the furniture encourages behavior by both family and the cat that prevents the cat's scent from becoming embedded within a piece of furniture regularly used by the family.
US08448597B2
A liquid application apparatus includes a rotatable coating cylinder having a circumferential surface onto which an application liquid is supplied; a base member which is conveyed continuously while making contact with the rotatable coating cylinder; a blade which scrapes off excess liquid of the application liquid in such a manner that a prescribed amount of the application liquid remains on the rotatable coating cylinder, before the rotatable coating cylinder transfers, onto the base member, the application liquid; a blade holding body which holds the blade, which is supported on a supporting shaft and is rotatable in a rotation direction; and a plurality of biasing devices which are disposed in an axial direction of the rotatable coating cylinder and bias the blade holding body in the rotation direction of the blade holding body in such a manner that the blade makes contact with the circumferential surface of the rotatable coating cylinder.
US08448596B2
A sensing device includes a cover having a window; a seat comprising a bottom first opening, a peripheral wall, a recess on the wall, and a bottom channel; a spring biased sliding unit comprising a bottom projection fitted in the first opening, a probe extending from the projection, a hollow cylinder, and two opposite cavities on a periphery; a cylindrical rotational unit comprising a rim extending inward from an inner surface, a second opening on the rim, a display plate on the rim, and two opposite guide protrusions on an inner surface opposing the display plate wherein indications are printed on the display plate, and the rotational unit is rotatably put on the sliding unit with the cylinder passing through the rim, the display plate being rested on the recess, and the guide protrusions being engaged with the cavities; and a biasing member retained on the cylinder.
US08448593B2
A folding boat with at least two foldable horizontal frames each comprising at least two foldably connected sections a frame. Said sections comprise two longitudinal rails connected by a plurality of transverse members and at least one swivelly foldable guard rail with releasable locking means. Said longitudinal rails comprise internal and external longitudinal groves, where said internal longitudinal grooves hold a plurality of removable and stackable floats. Said floats can be equipped with at least two fins attached to the bottom of said floats for attachment of boat launching wheels. One of said horizontal transverse has two front guard rails equipped with a guiding channels supporting a slideable frame of climbing step, where said frame is slideably movable between an upper retracted position acting as a guide rail and said frame being moved to lower position provides convenient position of the climbing step.
US08448574B1
An ultra-miniature, electro-mechanical, MEMS type safe and arming (S&A) device for medium- or large-artillery rounds, including, three sequenced S&A interlocks: a setback slider which provides a 1st interlock with respect to an arming slider which moves due to the round's spin; a stop and release mechanism that holds the arming slider until a release command signal is initiated by the fuze circuit, triggering a spot charge which generates an expanding gas wave that flexes the latch arm from contact with the safety catch, unlocking the 2nd interlock, thereby freeing the arming slider to continue its motion into an arming position, unlocking the 3rd interlock, and aligning the parts of the firetrain within the device, such that upon signal from the fuze circuit to an output charge, the device will ignite the acceptor charge within the round.
US08448572B2
A method and apparatus herein supply one or more media characteristics of a continuous media material (such as printing media) being supplied to rollers of an apparatus (such as a printing apparatus). The method and apparatus adjust the position of at least one of the rollers/shafts, relative to other rollers/shafts, based on the media characteristics to cause the media material to exhibit a target resonance frequency when being processed through the rollers. The method and apparatus can also identify excitation frequencies of vibrations produced by the apparatus as the apparatus feeds the continuous media material along the rollers and set the target resonance frequency at a value that is different from the excitation frequencies to prevent the apparatus from exciting the continuous media material at or near a resonant frequency of the processing system transporting the continuous media material.
US08448567B2
Hot or Cold soup made fresh from scratch, can or concentrate is prepared in a suitable container and after its preparation is kept cool, blended and re-circulated for long term shelf life until a serving is requested. This serving volume of soup is automatically pumped and heated to serving temperature (hot soup) and served in a suitable container like a cup or a bowl. The entire system where the soup resides is always kept refrigerated. The only portion of the soup that is heated after its preparation is the one dispensed. If it is a soup that is served cold the heating prior to dispensing is by-passed.
US08448566B2
The present invention relates to a beverage dispenser that comprises a hot water tank; a brew basket; a sprayhead for spraying hot water from said water tank to said brew basket in order to brew said brewable substance; a container for storing said freshly brewed liquid concentrate drips from said brew basket; a heat exchanger immersed in hot water inside said water tank for reheating said freshly brewed liquid concentrate when pumped from said container; a source of flavor ingredients preferably packed in disposable bag-in-box; a mixer and whipper for mixing and whipping simultaneously all of the following items: said reheated freshly brewed concentrate discharged from said heat exchanger, said flavor ingredients and hot water from said hot water tank to form a hot freshly brewed beverage mixed with flavored ingredients, filled with air bubbles and with a foamy topping; and a control system for activating said beverage dispenser.
US08448564B2
A server (20) for retaining and dispensing a heated beverage. The server includes an insulated server body (23) for reducing heat transfer of heat from the liquid beverage retained therein. A sump (60) is provided in the server body at a lower portion thereof for draining beverage from the server. The sump has a minimal cross sectional area to further reduce heat transfer from a volume of liquid beverage retained in the server to the sump. A faucet (42) is attached to the server and communicates with the sump through a port (76). An interface hub (52) is positioned between the faucet and the server for reducing heat transfer from the liquid beverage to the faucet.
US08448554B2
Provided is a blast treatment method that can be implemented simply and efficiently blast a treatment subject while preventing fragments of the subject from scattering outward. The blast treatment method is used to blast a treatment subject 10 having a bursting charge 12 and a shell 11, and includes: an inside explosive disposing step of arranging an inside explosive 20 to be used to blast the treatment subject 10 around the treatment subject 10; an outside explosive disposing step of arranging an outside explosive 34 having a greater detonation velocity than the inside explosive 20 at positions on an outer side of the inside explosive 20; and a blast step of simultaneously initiating detonation of the outside explosive 34 at a plurality of positions spaced from each other at predetermined intervals along a particular direction to thereby simultaneously initiate detonations of the inside explosive 20 at a plurality of positions along the particular direction by the detonation of the outside explosive 34, and thereby blasting the treatment subject in such a manner that the detonations of the inside explosive 20 are completed before the detonation of the bursting charge 12 initiated by the detonations of the inside explosive 20 is completed.
US08448544B2
A method of manufacturing a blade including heating and quenching a coil of strip steel material to harden the material, heating the strip steel material to temper the material, grinding a first angle along an edge of the material, and subsequent to the grinding, re-hardening, for example by induction heating, the edge of the material.
US08448539B2
A spring operation device and a method for assembling the same are disclosed. A switching device including the spring operation device is also disclosed. In the spring operation device disclosed in at least one embodiment of the present invention, by way of a smooth corrugated protuberance, the protuberance can push the operation mechanism of the spring operation device to rotate accurately and efficiently under the effect of a spring at the moment when the spring's energy storing process is completed, so as to accomplish the release of energy.
US08448535B2
A multiple-angle transmission tool includes a first shell, a transmission stick, a first gear, a second shell, a connecting unit, a second gear, a transmission unit and a screw bolt, wherein each the first shell and the second shell has a connecting surface that has a number of recessed portions arranged in a circular manner, and each recessed portion is spaced with a protruding portion to form a restricted position to engage. Also, the first gear, the second gear and the transmission unit are located in a receiving space formed within the first shell and the second shell. When the first shell and the second shell move along the entire circumference, the momentum can be transmitted and changed when the first shell, the second shell and the transmission unit are engaged.
US08448534B2
An apparatus for dispersing a sample of particulate material, includes a carrier (31;35;37;38;39) having a sample-bearing surface on which to place the sample, and a housing (10;44;48) for forming a dispersion chamber (17), at least when closed off at a base (46;51). The carrier is arranged such that the sample-bearing surface is removed from contact with the sample upon application of a sufficient pressure differential across the carrier between the sample-bearing surface and an opposite side of the carrier. The housing (10;44;48) has an inlet (26) at least partially facing the base (46;51). The apparatus includes an apparatus (15;16) for passing a volume of fluid past the carrier (31;35;37;38;39) through the inlet (26) by subjecting the carrier (31;35;37;38;39) to a pulsed positive pressure differential relative to the dispersion chamber (17).
US08448531B2
A compressive force measurement device with a pressure-/voltage converter in chip technology features a spherical segment-shaped sensor area. The pressure-/voltage converter is disposed between one base disc and one cover disc, wherein the base disc and the cover disc are tensioned against one another by means of springs with essentially identical pulling force. Forces acting on the cover disc have the effect that the cover disc always positions itself perpendicularly to the direction of force, whereby some of the springs are additionally loaded and others are relieved and thereby a compensation of forces takes place that act obliquely on the compressive force measurement device.
US08448529B2
An apparatus for determining a seat occupancy includes a load detecting portion provided between one of a front portion and a rear portion of a seating portion of a seat for a vehicle that includes a lifting function for changing a height position of the seating portion relative to a floor for the vehicle, the seat including a seat back at the rear portion of the seating portion of the seat, the load detecting portion detecting a seating load applied to the seating portion, and a seat occupancy determining portion comparing the seating load detected by the load detecting portion with a predetermined threshold value and determining a seat occupancy state of the seat, the seat occupancy determining portion changing the threshold value based on the height position of the seating portion.
US08448527B2
A method for utilizing site specific data to determine whether to install a tip feature on a rotor blade of a wind turbine is disclosed. The method generally includes monitoring with a sensor at least one wind condition at a wind turbine site, determining an actual tip deflection threshold for a rotor blade of a wind turbine located at the wind turbine site based on the least one wind condition, comparing the actual tip deflection threshold to a predetermined tip deflection threshold for the rotor blade and determining whether to install a tip feature on the rotor blade based on the comparison between the actual tip deflection threshold and the predetermined tip deflection threshold.
US08448526B1
A paddlewheel flow sensor has two independently rotating paddlewheels in a flow passage. The spacing between the wheels can be selected to respond to most of the flow while simultaneously tolerating trash carried by the flowing fluid. Each wheel has its own rotation sensor, and an average of the two rotation sensor outputs can be used to determine flow rate.
US08448520B1
The bolt tension monitoring system provides remote monitoring of the tension of a bolt, thus allowing for remote monitoring of general structural health and integrity of the fastener. The bolt tension monitoring system includes a housing adapted for being retained on a head of a bolt to be monitored. The system further includes a force transducer positioned between the head of the bolt and a workpiece surface in which the bolt is fastened and measures tension between the head of the bolt and the surface. A controller circuit disposed within the housing calculates a difference between a currently measured tension between the head of the bolt and the workpiece surface and an initially measured tension. A wireless transponder mounted in the housing transmits an alert signal if the calculated difference exceeds a pre-defined threshold value. Actuation and power are provided through radio frequency power harvesting.
US08448517B2
According to one embodiment, there is provided with sheet processing device including an ultrasonic wave generator, a detecting array and a judging unit. The ultrasonic wave generator irradiates ultrasonic waves to a sheet being conveyed, from one side of the sheet. The detecting array is arranged in the other side of the sheet and detects sound pressure of the ultrasonic waves passing through the sheet. The judging unit judges a state of the sheet by comparing a predetermined standard value with the sound pressure.
US08448515B2
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining the point at which the distal end of the bluff body sensor of an averaging pitot tube makes anchoring contact with the inside wall of a fluid conducting conduit during insertion of the bluff body into the conduit, which method includes monitoring the amplitude of vibrations generated in the bluff body in response to the fluid flowing in the conduit by the use of an accelerometer carried by the bluff body and an associated readout instrument connected to the output of the accelerometer for displaying data responsive to the output of the accelerometer and specifically indicating a change in the sensed amplitude values which change advises that the support mode of a bluff body inserted into the conduit has altered.
US08448511B2
A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, particulate sensor degradation is indicated in response to an output of said particulate matter sensor staying below a threshold as engine temperature increases past the dewpoint temperature.
US08448507B2
A method and apparatus in connection with a hydrometeor measuring device. According to the method, the amount of precipitation is determined with the aid of the number and size of the hydrometeors. The determining of the size of the hydrometeors is altered as a function of the prevailing atmospheric pressure, in such a way that, the higher the atmospheric pressure, the larger a hydrometeor with the same speed will be estimated to be.
US08448504B2
A exhaust catalyst temperature estimating apparatus is provided for estimating a exhaust catalyst temperature of a exhaust catalyst in which a catalyst is loaded on a support and arranged in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. The exhaust catalyst temperature estimating apparatus estimates the exhaust catalyst temperature using a first model formula to calculate a current exhaust catalyst temperature of the exhaust catalyst based on a parameter corresponding to a current exhaust gas status. The first model formula is empirically determined such that a exhaust catalyst temperature that excludes heat generated by a chemical reaction is calculated for the parameter by using the support prior to being loaded with the catalyst, or is a physical formula of the support prior to being loaded with the catalyst such that a exhaust catalyst temperature excludes heat generated by a chemical reaction is calculated for the parameter.
US08448502B2
Methods and apparatus are described for scanning probe microscopy. A method includes generating a band excitation (BE) signal having finite and predefined amplitude and phase spectrum in at least a first predefined frequency band; exciting a probe using the band excitation signal; obtaining data by measuring a response of the probe in at least a second predefined frequency band; and extracting at least one relevant dynamic parameter of the response of the probe in a predefined range including analyzing the obtained data. The BE signal can be synthesized prior to imaging (static band excitation), or adjusted at each pixel or spectroscopy step to accommodate changes in sample properties (adaptive band excitation). An apparatus includes a band excitation signal generator; a probe coupled to the band excitation signal generator; a detector coupled to the probe; and a relevant dynamic parameter extractor component coupled to the detector, the relevant dynamic parameter extractor including a processor that performs a mathematical transform selected from the group consisting of an integral transform and a discrete transform.
US08448500B2
A system for testing a drilling fluid including a vessel having a fluid inlet, a filtrate outlet, a fluid outlet, and at least one permeable media disposed within the vessel. The system further including a base fluid container in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, a test fluid container in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, a filtrate container in fluid communication with the filtrate outlet, and a collection container in fluid communication with the fluid outlet. Additionally, the system includes a data acquisition device configured to receive data from at least one of the vessel, the fluid container, the filtrate container, and the collection container. Also, a method for determining sealing characteristics of a drilling fluid including injecting a test fluid having a fluid loss control material from at least fluid container to a vessel, the vessel having a permeable media having two plates disposed to create a variable gap. The methods further including measuring a fracture tip fluid loss through the variable gap and measuring a matrix fluid loss through the permeable media.
US08448495B2
This device includes a stage for forming a gaseous flow from the sample, and a column for separation by selective retention of each gaseous constituent. It includes an oven for combustion of the gaseous flow in order to form a gaseous residue from each constituent, and a quantification unit for quantifying the content of each constituent to be analyzed in the gaseous flow. The quantification unit includes an optical measurement cell connected to an oven, and a mirror for introducing a laser incident optical signal into the cell. The quantification unit also measures a transmitted optical signal resulting from an interaction between the optical signal and each gaseous residue in the cell, and calculates the content on the basis of the transmitted optical signal.
US08448494B2
An electronic microbalance made in a semiconductor body accommodating an oscillating circuit adjacent to a diaphragm. A stack formed by a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric region arranged between the first and the second electrode extends above the diaphragm. Any substance that deposits on the stack causes a change in the mass of the microbalance and thus in the resonance frequency of a resonator formed by the microbalance and by the oscillating circuit and can thus be detected electronically. A chemical sensor is obtained by forming a sensitive layer of a material suitable for binding to target chemicals on the stack. The sensitivity of the microbalance can be increased by making the first electrode of molybdenum so as to increase the piezoelectric characteristics of the piezoelectric region.
US08448491B2
A vibratory flow meter (100) for correcting for an entrained phase in a two-phase flow of a flow material is provided. The vibratory flow meter (100) includes a flow meter assembly (10) including a driver (104) and with the vibratory flow meter (100) being configured to generate a vibrational response for the flow material. The vibratory flow meter (100) further includes and meter electronics (20) coupled to the flow meter assembly (10) and receiving the vibrational response. The meter electronics (20) is configured to generate a measured two-phase density of the two-phase flow using the vibrational response, determine the computed drive power needed by a driver (104) of the flow meter assembly (10), and calculate a density compensation factor using a liquid density of a liquid component of the two-phase flow, an entrained phase density of an entrained phase component, the measured two-phase density, and the computed drive power.
US08448489B2
An device for crimping together adjacent edge portions of two building panels including a frame supporting a rotatable shaft protruding therethrough, a first crimping member attached to the frame, a gear train supported by the frame coupled to the rotatable shaft such that a rotation of the rotatable shaft imparts rotary motion to the gear train, a drive mechanism supported by the frame and rotatably coupled to the gear train, and a second crimping member supported by the frame and coupled to the drive mechanism, wherein the second crimping member is configured to move toward and then away from the first crimping member in a repeating, reciprocating motion under influence of the drive mechanism while rotation of the rotatable shaft is maintained, such that the second crimping member is configured to bend an edge portion of a first building panel over an edge portion of a second building panel.
US08448480B2
An automatically controlled washing machine having a detergent dispensing facility in an upper machine space of the washing machine, wherein the detergent dispensing facility has at least one chamber for hand-dosed addition of a portion of a powder detergent or a liquid detergent and a supply channel that supplies fresh water to the at least one chamber. At least one storage container in the upper machine space stores a liquid or gel-type detergent aid, which is automatically dosed by an automatic dosing facility assigned to the at least one storage container. The automatic dosing facility has a transfer line to supply a dose of the liquid or gel-type detergent aid to the washing machine tub. The supply channel has a bypass with an inlet side that is fluidly connected to the supply channel and an outlet side that is fluidly connected to the transfer line.
US08448476B2
Provided are warp knitting fabrics having a ground organization expressing various design patterns. The warp knitting fabrics comprise: a ground organization formed with warps knitted into a loop shape; and a pattern organization knitted on the ground organization, wherein the ground organization includes two or more unit designs continuously arranged in a transverse direction of the ground organization, each of the unit designs comprises two or more unit organizations arranged in a longitudinal direction of the ground organization, each of the unit organizations comprising a specific loop shape of a network structure formed by a chain of a specific chain number group comprising an array of a plurality of chain numbers, and each of the unit organizations has a different loop shape of a network structure from each other.
US08448473B2
Glass melting furnace comprised by several sections which are built entirely with refractory concrete of diverse refractory materials according to operation conditions, chemical environment, temperature, and mechanical load to which its several sections are exposed, as well as to the material thickness required, to assure an structural integrity and durability similar to the ones of furnaces of conventional design as well as a lower investment cost.
US08448469B2
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a float glass by floating the glass on a molten tin that is contained in a molten tin bath, which includes the steps of a) discharging a portion of the molten tin in the molten tin bath to the outside of the molten tin bath; b) removing oxygen dissolved in the molten tin that is discharged from the molten tin bath by injecting an oxygen stripping gas that contains hydrogen into the molten tin; and c) returning the molten tin from which oxygen is removed to the molten tin bath, and an apparatus for manufacturing the same.
US08448458B2
A solar air conditioning system and method of superheating working fluid is provided. The solar air conditioning system superheats the working fluid using radiant energy from the sun, and then delivers the working fluid as a superheated and higher-pressured gas to a condenser within the solar air conditioning system. The solar air conditioning system includes a solar collector within which the working fluid is superheated.
US08448452B2
The present invention relates to a shuttle type magnetic refrigerator wherein a cold-side heat exchanger 160 is thermally coupled between a far-side inlet/outlet of a first AMR bed and a far-side inlet/outlet of a second AMR bed.
US08448442B2
The present application provides a flexible combustor fuel nozzle. The flexible combustor fuel nozzle may include a main passage in communication with a source of natural gas and a source of low BTU fuel, a secondary passage surrounding the main passage and in communication with the source of low BTU fuel and a source of purge air, and a tertiary passage surrounding the secondary passage and in communication with the source of low BTU fuel, the source of purge air, and a source of diluent.
US08448441B2
A method of fabricating a fuel nozzle is provided. The method includes providing a unitary portion of material including a first end face, a second end face, and a body extending therebetween. A passageway is fabricated to extend from the first end face to the second end face along a centerline of the portion of material. The method further includes fabricating a plurality of concentrically-aligned channels within the first end face, and fabricating a plurality of inlets that extend through at least one of the second end face and an outer surface of the body to at least one of the passageway and one of the plurality of channels.
US08448425B2
The invention involves an engine system and a method for an engine system comprising an internal combustion engine comprising at least one cylinder, and an exhaust system comprising an exhaust gas treatment device, in which engine system the admittance of air and fuel is controllable by means of air flow control means and fuel control means, the method comprising performing an exhaust gas treatment device regeneration. The method comprises controlling, during the exhaust gas treatment device regeneration, the air flow control means and the fuel control means so as to provide a mixture to the exhaust gas treatment device with a lambda value of at least 1.0.
US08448422B2
Systems, methods, and computer readable storage media are described in which exhaust gas is routed to a hydrocarbon retaining device during starting, and purged to the engine intake manifold. Various alternative approaches are described for controlling operation and diagnosing degradation. Further, various interrelated configurations are described.
US08448419B2
An electrospray source useful for a variety of applications and including an emitter with a porous media flow distributor having a surface forming multiple Taylor cones. A casing about the porous media flow distributor controls the direction of a working fluid through the porous media. An extractor is at a potential different than the emitter for forming the Taylor cones. A guard electrode is disposed between the emitter and the extractor and is at or above the potential of the emitter for shaping the electric field formed between the emitter and the extractor.
US08448409B2
A plurality of decorative pieces, such as chips, stones, or tiles, are temporarily attached to a rigid film by a releasable adhesive. First and second tile sections are fixed to a floor or subfloor surface to create a gap between the first and second tile sections. A tool is provided having a plurality of teeth which are configured so that they can be inserted in the gap between the first and second tile sections. The tool may also include two shoulder or wing portions which engage and overlap portions of the first and second tile sections and which thereby prevent the plurality of teeth from penetrating farther than a certain distance into the gap. The gap may be formed by gluing the first tile section and the second tile section to the floor or subfloor surface with a first glue. The method may further include gluing the plurality of decorative pieces, with a second glue, inside the gap, and then peeling off the rigid film from the plurality of decorative pieces.
US08448399B2
A thin decorative thermosetting laminate of postforming quality is glued to a longitudinal carrier to form a floor strip. The laminate has a thermosetting resin as well as hard particles impregnated therein to increase the abrasion resistance of the laminate. The carrier generally has a cross section of a dilatation, transition or a finishing profile, depending on the intended use of the floor strip. The floor strip has a tab portion on a surface that engages a channel on a floor tile or a reducer. The tab portion locks the floor strip into place and prevents movement of the floor tile or the reducer with respect to the floor strip.
US08448394B2
A window includes a window frame adapted to be secured to a building, a window sash, and a plurality of sash clips disposed around the sash and fixedly securing the sash to the frame. Each of the sash clips preferably includes a base secured in fixed position to the window frame and a head received in the window sash. The window frame and the sash preferably have peripheral rails of extruded aluminum, plastic or fiber-reinforced resin construction, and the base and head of the sash clips are received in corresponding channels on the window frame and the window sash. The base and/or the head of the sash of each sash clip may include opposed flexible resilient spring legs received in a channel in the corresponding rail. The sash clips may be of plastic construction.
US08448387B2
The disclosure provides a system and method for constructing support structures in buildings or other projects, which can support molds for use when pouring reinforced concrete slabs. The disclosed structures can accommodate more than one molds stacked vertically one over the other, and can remain in place to define walls or other separators in the completed structure. In one embodiment, the disclosed structure is a wall panel including a frame and vertical support members. The wall panel includes features allowing the vertical stacking of multiple wall panels. A temporary bracing system is further disclosed for use when stabilizing multiple stacked panels until construction of the surrounding floor or ceiling slabs has been completed.
US08448381B2
A gate within a gate within a barrier. A first, relatively small gate is engaged within a second, relatively large gate, which is engaged in the barrier for extending across a passageway of a residence. The relatively large gate can be closed to, for example, minimize access of toddlers to the passageway, while the relatively small gate can be opened to, for example, maximize access of small dogs to the passageway. One example of a passageway is the head or bottom of a stairway. The relatively large gate, when closed, minimizes toddlers from falling down or climbing up stairs. The relatively small gate, when open, permits small dogs to walk down or climb up the stairs.
US08448369B2
A bipod device attachable to the Picatinny rail on the underside of the barrel of a military-style gun. The housing of the bipod device includes two parallel channels formed therein to store bipod legs. The housing also includes an external longitudinal groove dimensioned and shaped to receive a Picatinny rail and a locking mechanism to secure the housing to the rail. The housing doubly functions as a grip for the user to support the barrel of the rifle. The two legs can be deployed by pulling them free of their channels in the housing and then pivoting them down and apart in one motion to their deployed position.
US08448367B2
A modular fore-end rail assembly for mounting onto a firearm includes a hand guard and a bushing element that combines with an end portion of the hand guard to encircle the standard barrel nut, thereby supporting the entire assembly without requiring modification to the standard barrel nut. The thermal transfer characteristics of the material from which the bushing element is manufactured may be selected to either increase or decrease the rate at which heat is transferred from the barrel nut to the hand guard allowing for rapid changes of bushing elements and, therefore, rapid and selective changes in the heating rate of the hand guard.
US08448366B2
A pistol converter including a body defining a forward pistol barrel engaging portion, a stock coupled to the body, and a rear engagement member for firmly engaging an external portion of a rear of a frame of the pistol.
US08448363B2
A system allowing either right or left-side (ambidextrous) ejection of a shell from a weapon is provided. The system may comprise a bolt receiver having left and right-side ejection ports; a firing bolt assembly having left and right-side alignment slots and an extractor claw; and a relocatable ejection port cover assembly disposed alternatively in either the right or left-side ejection port to eject a shell from the opposite open ejection port. The ejection ports and the cover assembly may be formed having bilateral symmetry to facilitate relocation of the cover assembly from one side to the other. The cover assembly comprises a mounting flange, an ejection port plug disposed within either of the ejection ports, and a rail configured for being disposed within the alignment slots and including an extended portion and a contact face that engages the shell so that it is ejected from the open ejection port.
US08448356B2
An article of footwear for riding is disclosed. The article includes a second portion of an upper having a second coefficient of friction that is greater than a first coefficient of friction associated with a first portion of an upper. The article further includes a detachable spur member configured to attach to a heel counter of the article.
US08448343B2
An eyeglass lens processing apparatus includes lens chuck shafts, processing tools for processing a lens and processing tool rotating shafts to which the processing tools are attached. A calibration sensor unit for calibrating the eyeglass lens processing apparatus includes: an attachment portion attached to the lens chuck shafts; a contact member contacting the processing tools; a support mechanism configured to movably support the contact member and has an urging member that urges the contact member in a direction separating from the attachment portion; and a sensor that detects the contact of the contact member with the processing tools. The urging member has an urging force by which the processing tool rotating shafts and the lens chuck shafts are not bent to a predetermined tolerance or more when the contact member contacts the processing tools and is moved toward the attachment portion.
US08448338B2
A wet shaving razor comprising a handle having a proximate and distal end, a razor cartridge mounted at the proximate end of the handle. The cartridge further includes 1) a housing having a front wall, a rear wall, and opposing side walls joining said front and rear walls; 2) a plurality of razor blades, each blade having a sharpened cutting edge and wherein said blades are disposed in a parallel arrangement extending between said side walls; and 3) an abrasion material comprising a plurality of geometric, three-dimensional, microstructures wherein said material is disposed adjacent to said front wall and forward of said blades.
US08448329B2
An integrated lead head suspension flexure including a plurality of integrated leads each including at least one lead portion unbacked by the flexure spring metal layer and configured to be substantially inline with the general plane of the spring metal layer. The leads are disposed on a dielectric layer including an unbacked dielectric layer portion having a surface positioned between the major surfaces of the spring metal layer.
US08448319B2
A method for performing operations on a workpiece. The method comprises the steps of: contacting the workpiece with a tool; moving the tool along any of multiple axes; moving a clamp along at least a first axis independent of the movement of the tool; and, clamping the workpiece using the clamp. Contacting the workpiece with the tool may comprise plunging a friction stir welding pin tool into the workpiece while the workpiece is being clamped. The tool may be moved by moving a spindle housing over the workpiece, and the clamp may be moved by rotating the clamp around the first axis as the spindle housing moves over the workpiece. The method may further comprise the step of coordinating the movement of the clamp with the movement of the tool.
US08448318B2
A tool and a method for removing a cord plate or junction box from a surface of a photovoltaic laminated module, that is to be refitted, scrapped or recycled includes a first and a second arm of a clamp mechanism, that can operate like a claw, positioned on opposing sides of the cord plate, at the interface between the cord plate and the module surface. The arms can be pinched together to bring the moving arm closer towards the fixed arm, to apply an upward pressure that breaks the bond between the cord plate and the module surface.
US08448312B2
A method of manufacturing packages includes a welding step for welding a base substrate wafer to a rivet member by heating the base substrate wafer while pressing the same by a forming die from both sides in the thickness direction is provided, wherein a rivet member receiving portion which can receive a distal end of a core member is formed in a receiving die of the forming die, and an inner surface of the rivet member receiving portion is formed into a tapered shape widening from the bottom side toward the opening side.
US08448302B2
In one embodiment, a system for removing a plastic wrap from a cylindrical module includes a conveyor transporting the cylindrical module toward a disperser with the cylindrical axis of the module parallel to the direction of conveyor movement. In another embodiment, the disperser is a travelling head disperser thereby providing relative movement between the modules and the disperser. The direction of the wrap around the module is determined and the cover is removed during rotation of the module, either by unwrapping the plastic or by slitting the plastic and then rotating the module. The equipment used to handle a cylindrical module is moved out of the path of movement of a conventional rectangular module so an installation can handle both rectangular and wrapped cylindrical modules.
US08448301B2
A toolset for marine applications that includes improved handle for buckets that provides an improved flexible gripping strap, and further provides a method of securely attaching the flexible gripping strap to specially formed spiked hooks that attach to a bucket. The spiked hook is inserted into a central channel of the flexible gripping strap. The hook has a distal end with angled spikes that allow the hook to be inserted into the central channel, but are angled such that they cannot be withdrawn. The hook further has a proximal end with an open hook that can be easily attached or detached from a bucket. The tool set further has specially formed wrenches that allow a user to adjust stopcocks that are located in hard to reach locations. The wrenches have open ends and slotted sides to allow them to adjust the stopcocks in multiple ways. That alternative use for the spiked hook is shown which allows it to be used to clean lobsters.
US08448299B1
A handlebar grip for a bicycle or a motorcycle contains a sleeve member including a first segment, a second first segment, and a through hole, a holding face formed on the first segment, at least one limiting projection extending outward from the second segment, and a recessed pressing zone; a retaining housing including two hard engaging covers, at least one restricting groove to extend the limiting projection outward; a wall face formed around each of the at least one restricting groove and on each of the two engaging covers; the each of the two engaging covers including a C-shaped locking face; a locking device applied to lock the two engaging covers together so that the two engaging covers are locked on the handle outside the second segment by using two C-shaped locking faces respectively, and the two limiting projections of being axially limited by the two restricting grooves respectively.
US08448298B2
A device for providing a lever attachment to round doorknobs having a flexible cylindrical part that adapts to the majority of doorknobs of different diameters, thicknesses and profiles. During the screw tightening the compressible elastomeric material sandwiched between doorknob and cylindrical part of the attachment increases the interface contact surface to take the shape of the doorknob profile. The elastomeric insert has a high coefficient of friction. It prevents slipping of the attachment after tightening.
US08448297B2
A hinge includes a pivot shaft, and a knuckle member unit formed of a stack of knuckle members and pivotally coupled to the pivot shaft. Each knuckle member has a flat mounting base and a shackle that has its one end extended from the flat mounting base and pivotally coupled to the pivot shaft and its other end spaced from the flat mounting base by a gap. The knuckle members are arranged in a stack in such a manner that one of each two adjacent knuckle members has the gap thereof disposed at one lateral side and the other of each two adjacent knuckle members has the gap thereof disposed at an opposing lateral side.
US08448289B2
The invention relates to a windscreen wiper drive arrangement (1) having a drive shaft (4), extending out of a gear mechanism housing (3), for a windscreen wiper, in which the drive shaft (4) is guided axially through a protective sleeve (15) which is sealed with respect to the drive shaft (4) by means of at least one inner sealing element (18) and with respect to a vehicle component (11) by means of at least one outer sealing element. The invention provides for the protective sleeve (15) to be secured to the gear mechanism housing in order to protect said protective sleeve against axial movement in the direction of the vehicle component (11) and/or against rotational movement relative to the gear mechanism housing (3) by frictional engagement and/or by means of at least one separate securing element (25).
US08448278B1
A ramp system for a C-130 cargo airplane preferably includes a lead ramp, a ramp pad, a plurality of ramps and a plurality of ramp stands. A second embodiment of a ramp system for a C-130 cargo airplane preferably includes a plurality of wedges, a plurality of ramp pads, the plurality of ramps and the plurality of ramp stands. A ramp system for a C-5 or C-17 cargo airplane preferably includes the plurality of wedges, the plurality of ramp pads, the plurality of ramps and one ramp stand.
US08448273B2
A cover for a pillow including a hollow body for receiving the pillow, an opening for allowing insertion of the pillow into the hollow body, and a closure spanning the opening for closing the pillow within the hollow body. The hollow body includes a breathable inner liner made of a non-woven material, a breathable outer shell surrounding the inner liner, and a silk floss lining retained between the inner liner and the outer shell. A pillow including the inner liner, outer shell and silk floss lining.
US08448271B2
The faucet has a fitting body, which has a base (2) that is securable to a wash-stand or a building wall and a housing (3) that is detachably mounted on said base. The housing (3) has a housing (3) that has an outlet member (4) and a water outlet opening (5). An electrically operated valve (6) and a presence detector (7) are mounted on the base (2). The presence detector (7) is mounted in a receiving space (18) of the housing (3) on a holder (8) that has electric contacts (30, 31). The holder (8) is positioned so as to be mechanically and electrically detachable on a contact carrier (58) that is secured to the base (2) and has electric contacts (34, 35).
US08448267B2
The present disclosure pertains to an aquatic goggle for swimming, diving, or the like having a first eyepiece and a second eyepiece where the first eyepiece has a first strap hole and a second eyepiece has a second strap hole, a strap having a first side strap, a second side strap, and a loop having an upper strap with a first end and a second end, a lower strap with a first end and a second end, and at least one support member for preventing the loop from adjusting position.
US08448264B2
A jacket for tactical use by police, for example, has a side opening just below the arm to the bottom of the jacket, with a quick-opening feature for fast access to a weapon secured under the jacket. The side opening is closed by a zipper pulled downwardly, concealed by a flap when closed. A small gripping tab extends out at the exterior of the jacket near the bottom edge, at the end of a rip cord secured to a buckle or clip positioned along the inside surface of the jacket. The clip snaps together to hold the jacket opening secured at bottom. When the rip cord is pulled, this has the effect of releasing the buckle and opening the zipper to separate the jacket along the opening line. The wearer can thus quickly reach a weapon or other implement by a rapid one-handed pull of the rip cord.
US08453259B2
In order to enable multiple logins by a same user, the authentication server includes a registration portion to store a user record including a fingerprint image for authentication of identity of a user and owner authentication information stored in a IC card issued to the user; an identity authentication portion to compare a fingerprint image received from one of MFPs with the one included in the user record for authentication; a first permission portion to transmit a permission signal permitting login based on the authenticated fingerprint image to the MFP that transmitted the fingerprint image; an owner authentication portion to compare owner authentication information received from one of the MFPs with the one included in the user record for authentication; and a second permission portion to transmit a permission signal permitting login based on the authenticated owner authentication information to the MFP that transmitted the owner authentication information.
US08453247B2
Provided are apparatuses, systems and methods for providing security services. The apparatus includes a network interface unit for transceiving data between a control device and a management device, a controller for controlling provision of services requested from the control device through the network interface unit when a permit time, during which a target of security service is allowed to be given services, is longer than a used time, during which predetermined services are provided to the target of security service, and a used time processing unit for updating the used time by reflecting time during which the services are provided. When security services are performed, services of a controlled device can be provided during the permitted time according to a user or a control device.
US08453245B2
Various embodiments detect security vulnerabilities and, responsively, can modify an affected program so that even if an exploit runs, the program's integrity can be maintained. In at least some embodiments, a local automatic vulnerability detection and response (AVD/R) component executes on a user's local machine to detect and mitigate potential vulnerabilities through the use of a shield; and, a remote automatic vulnerability detection and response (AVD/R) component executes to report perceived vulnerabilities so that one or more shields can be delivered and applied locally to mitigate perceived vulnerabilities.
US08453239B2
An illustrative embodiment of a computer-implemented method for securing a third party scripting environment receives a document to form a source input, defines a schema with functionality of an underlying target script language, applies the schema to the source input to generate clean language definitions and translates the clean language definitions into a translated script of the target script language.
US08453234B2
A centralized security management system (CSMS) is provided to monitor a network to detect and mitigate attacks in or to the network. The CSMS includes a variety of devices located throughout the network to collect and synthesize data collected or obtained from devices operating in the network. The collected data is analyzed using behavioral engines or other software algorithms to develop trends for a normal and abnormal operating condition. The abnormal operating conditions are analyzed further to determine attacks to the devices or the network. Based on the attacks, a mitigation scheme is implemented to remove or reduce the attacks.
