US08496139B2
A beverage server system for extracting a beverage from a corked beverage bottle without uncorking the bottle includes a penetration element for penetrating the cork. The penetration element includes a beverage extraction conduit for extracting the beverage from the bottle and a gas injection conduit for injecting gas into the bottle. A gas injection port disposed in the gas injection conduit is located at a level higher than a beverage extraction port disposed in the beverage extraction conduit in the bottle when extracting the beverage from the bottle through the beverage extraction conduit. The beverage server system has a simple structure, extracts beverage from the bottle without causing contact of the beverage inside the beverage bottle with air, and is easy to operate, maintain, and introduce into a household.
US08496134B2
A pet waste bag dispenser includes a housing defining an interior compartment and having at least one opening in communication with the interior compartment. A positioner is located within the interior compartment of the housing and configured to position at least one box containing rolled pet waste bags relative to the opening such that the rolled pet waste bags can be dispensed through the opening in the housing. The positioner is also configured to position a plurality of stacked pet waste bags relative to the opening such that the stacked pet waste bags can be dispensed through the opening in the housing.
US08496111B2
A clamshell package for supporting an article is provided including a covered manufacturing hinge adapted to divide the clamshell into first and second parts adapted to form a cavity. The first and second parts partially overlap to form a flange adjacent the manufacturing hinge. The second part includes an uncovered operating hinge, about which the second part is adapted to pivot away from the first part to an open position. The clamshell package includes a panel adapted to engage the manufacturing hinge and flange to retain the manufacturing hinge in a folded position, with the panel being spaced from the operating hinge.
US08496100B2
A coin processing device includes a temporary coin-withholding mechanism for driving coin withholding levers using a single driving device. The temporary coin-withholding mechanism includes a single driving mechanism, a first coin withholding lever for withholding/releasing a coin guided by a first coin sorting route, a second coin withholding lever for withholding/releasing a coin guided by a second coin sorting route, and a link mechanism including detecting whether a coin is withheld in the first coin sorting route. When the retention is detected, the first lever is shifted from the withholding position to the release position to allow the driving mechanism to drive only the first coin lever without driving the second coin lever. When the retention is not detected, the second lever is shifted from the withholding position to the release position to allow the driving mechanism to drive the second coin withholding lever.
US08496099B2
When a bill-jam occurs in a bill dispenser, the jammed bill or the subsequent bill is easily removed.An arc-shaped conveyance passage (20) that is formed in an arc shape and that includes a cylindrical drive roller (21) rotating about a rotational shaft (21a) and plural pressure rollers (22) pressurizing an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical drive roller, is provided in a conveyance passage connecting a discrimination part (3) to a reception part (1) in the bill dispenser. A switching blade (6) is disposed in a branch part (26) between the arc shape conveyance passage (20) and a branch conveyance passage (27) connected to a temporary holding part 4. A first unit (31) and a second unit (34) are rotated about respective rotational fulcrums (32), (35) in which the first unit (31) includes the reception part (1) and a pressure roller (22) of the arc-shaped conveyance passage (20) at the side of the reception part (1), and the second unit (34) includes the temporary holding part (4), a pressure roller (22) immediately near to the branch part (26), and the switching blade (6). The arc-shaped conveyance passage (20) is opened by rotating the first and second units (31), (34).
US08496097B2
A mount damper comprises electrode plates placed on a motor side and a support body side respectively, a control unit for adjusting voltage between the electrode plates, and an electrostrictive polymer member for changing a distance between the electrode plates by the voltage therebetween. The electrostrictive polymer member is also an elastic body sandwiched between the electrode plates and has a hardness changeable with a change in the interelectrode distance. A motor is mounted through this mount damper. The control unit adjusts voltage applied between the electrode plates to a value different from a value causing resonance of the motor and the electrostrictive polymer member, thereby absorbing vibration of the motor during rotation thereof, irrespective of a rotation speed. Thus, the mount damper and the image forming apparatus using it can reliably prevent resonance and absorb vibration constantly even if a device selectively uses plural levels of the rotation speed.
US08496096B2
In a front fork which is capable of adjusting a spring force of a suspension spring housed in a fork main body by driving a jack mechanism housed in the fork main body to raise and lower an upper end position of the suspension spring, the jack mechanism defines a pressure chamber by means of a cap member that closes an upper end opening of a vehicle body side tube and a piston member. By supplying and discharging a pressure oil to and from the pressure chamber, the piston member ascends and descends, thereby raising and lowering the upper end position of the suspension spring.
US08496095B2
A dynamic energy management restraint anchor device interfaces with a child seat in a vehicle, engaging common child seat attachment clip features. A device restraint anchor is operable to dynamically extract and permit distortion of load bearing deformable member(s) in order to manage the displacement of, and load transferred through, an anchor connected to a child seat. The device may be further operable to limit or prevent restraint anchor displacement and the distortion of said deformable member(s) under quasi-static load conditions in order to meet motor vehicle static load/displacement anchorage performance requirements applicable to certain anchors. Anchor retraction capability and various interlocking configurations for securing the position of an anchor, before or after having extracted, may be incorporated relative to the energy management device interfacing with both a vehicle and a child seat. An indicator may further be provided to identify the functional state of the restraint device.
US08496092B2
A parking brake lever apparatus for a vehicle includes a first latchet member and a second latchet member arranged along the direction of an axis of a rotating shaft of a holder member which rotatably supports a parking brake lever. The first latchet member and the second latchet member are arranged so that respective teeth thereof come into contact with each other at end surfaces facing in the direction of the axis of the rotating shaft when the parking brake lever is in an unlocked position. The first latchet member is moved toward the second latchet member by springs so that the respective teeth of the first latchet member and the second latchet member are engaged with each other when the parking brake lever is in a locked position.
US08496087B2
A tuning tube that can be easily changed out without destroying the hydraulic hose assembly in which it is located where the tuning tube is retained on the sleeve section of a secondary fitting and the secondary fitting has a collar section that is held in a receiving bore formed in an inlet cavity. The connector is connected at an inlet end to a hydraulic system component such as a pump and is connected at an outlet end to a hydraulic hose. The tuning tube extends into the hydraulic hose from the secondary fitting and the connector.
US08496086B2
The invention relates to a composition of a speaker membrane, consisting at minimum of the following layering sequence: a first cover layer (3) made of a plastic, a first adhesive layer (2), and a first layer (4) manufactured from a non-woven material (fleece) made of fibers.
US08496085B2
An angular velocity estimate (ωe) used in motor control of an electric power steering is obtained as follows. In a first state period during which the motor substantially stops its rotation, a resistance calculation unit calculates a motor resistance value (Rc) on the basis of a detected value (Vm) of motor voltage and a detected value (Im) of motor current. An average calculation unit obtains an average value (Rav) of the calculated resistance values (Rc) in a retained period. A current-resistance characteristic that associates motor current with motor resistance is held in a characteristic holding unit, and a characteristic updating unit updates the current-resistance characteristic on the basis of the average value (Rav). An estimate calculation unit calculates the angular velocity estimate (ωe) on the basis of the detected value (Vm) of motor voltage, the detected value (Im) of motor current and a motor resistance value (Rm) obtained from the current-resistance characteristic.
US08496082B2
A two-wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The two-wheeled vehicle may include a passenger hand grip which is stowable under a straddle seat of the vehicle. The two-wheeled vehicle may include saddlebags having an open bottom.
US08496079B2
An electric vehicle and a range extender engine are shown including the controls to operate the same.
US08496061B2
A method of preventing phase separation of a viscoelastic surfactant fluid or diverting agent due to ferric ions during matrix acidizing of an oil well which involves the injection of both citric acid and acetic acid which prevents the separation of the viscoelastic diverting agent/acid with ferric ions which avoids damage to well productivity and/or injectivity.
US08496058B2
A well fishing method and system is described. In at least one example of the invention, a method of retrieval of material (e.g., a tubing string) having broken control or monitoring lines from a cased well is provided. The method comprises: isolating, from the well casing, broken lines above the material to be retrieved, thereby creating a substantially axial work passage; grasping the material to be removed through the substantially axial work passage; and pulling the material to be retrieved and the restrained lines from the well. Example shrouds, probes and other members are also described.
US08496052B2
A flow back plug, a bridge plug, a ball drop plug and plug with a disintegratable check therein are made from a common subassembly including, in some embodiments, a mandrel, a slips/seal section, a setting assembly and a mule shoe. In other embodiments, the common components are a mandrel, a slips/seal section and a mule shoe. To make the flow back plug, a ball check is placed in the mule shoe. To make the bridge plug, an obstruction is inserted in the mule shoe. To make the ball drop plug, the mule shoe is left unobstructed so any ball dropped in a well seats in a tapered inlet to the mandrel. To make a plug with a disintegratable check, a ball dropped in the well is of a type that disintegrated in frac liquids. The setting assembly includes a setting rod connected to a setting device in the mandrel passage. When the plug is expanded into sealing engagement with a production string, the setting rod pulls out of the setting device leaving a passage through the mandrel and through the setting device. Another embodiment is an improved adapter sleeve used on conventional setting tools.
US08496051B2
A stage tool apparatus is described. In several exemplary embodiments, the stage tool apparatus is part of tubular string or casing positioned within a preexisting structure such as, for example, a wellbore.
US08496048B2
A convective cooling cell is providing the vortical boiling regime of flow of coolant inside of it that allows exploiting important advantages of the vortical boiling phenomenon: highest coefficient of the heat transfer at very small increase of the hydro-resistance, unchangeable or even increasing performance (thermo-resistance) at increase of the coolant's discharge, and anti-adhesive action of stream inside the cooling cell.The cell comprises a heat intake box, inlet-diffuser channel and outlet-confuser channel with couplers on their ends for convenient connection with the external coolant supplying system.The dense triangular lattice of non-potential segmental spherical dimples on the top and bottom inner sides of the heat intake box provides self-generation of a coherent system of vortical tubes of coolant that effectively are sucking heat from the heat-generating body that is in reliable thermal contact with external surface of the attached wall of said heat intake box.Essentially, the cell allows many technologies of manufacturing: milling, stamping, melting, and/or their combinations.
US08496040B2
An adjustable cord restraining device for a blind assembly having a head rail, a bottom rail and at least one pull cord extending through a cord passage of the head rail and coupled to the bottom rail includes an annular member sufficiently sized to prevent entry of the annular member into the cord passage of the head rail and further travel of the pull cord through the head rail. A method of preventing the further extension of a pull cord includes obtaining an annular member sized larger than a pull cord passageway of a head rail pinching a mid-section of the pull cord and inserting the pinched portion of the mid-section through the annular member, forming a loop with the pull cord, inserting a free end of the pull cord through the loop to form an adjustable knot.
US08496037B2
Provided is an adhesive injection device for injecting an adhesive between the substrates of laminates which each comprise at least two substrates that face each other. The adhesive injection device is provided with: a cassette which holds multiple laminates aligned along the direction of lamination of the substrates; and an adhesive injector which injects adhesive into each inter-substrate space, as the laminates are being held in the cassette, so that the actions of injecting the adhesive into each inter-substrate space overlap chronologically. Holding multiple laminates in the cassette makes it possible to treat the multiple laminates as a unit. By injecting adhesive into each inter-substrate space, as the laminates are being held, so that the actions of injecting the adhesive into each inter-substrate space overlap chronologically, the injection of adhesive into multiple laminates is simplified, and the time required for injection can be reduced.
US08496036B2
Steering stability and drainage property are improved in good balance. A center land portion 5 is formed between crown circumferential grooves 3i, 3o which are located on inner side and outer side of a vehicle and extend in the circumferential direction on both sides of the tire equator. In the center land portion 5 are disposed a plurality of curved oblique grooves 8 each of which extends obliquely toward the inner side of the vehicle across the tire equator from its outer end 8a opening at the outer crown circumferential groove 3o, turns toward the outer side of the vehicle, and further extends obliquely up to its inner end 8b located in the center land portion 5, and the respective curved oblique grooves 8 are connected with each other through connecting groove portions 11 each extending in the circumferential direction from the inner end 8b. In the center land portion 5 is disposed a center rib 5a which is defined by the connecting groove portions 11, portions of the curved oblique grooves 8 each portion extending between the connecting groove portions 11, and the inner crown circumferential groove 3i, and which extends continuously in the circumferential direction while repeating increase and decrease of its axial width, and the ratio of maximum width to minimum width of the center rib 5a is 2.0 to 4.0.
US08496035B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a pneumatic tire excellent in running performance on a rough road. In order to achieve the object, a pneumatic tire comprises a tread surface having a plurality of lug grooves each of which opens to a sidewall, the sidewall includes a plurality of protrusions disposed thereon, wherein each of the lug grooves includes a protruding strip portion disposed on a groove bottom of the lug groove and extending along an extending direction of the lug groove, the protruding strip portion has a start point thereof at an inner side than a ground-contact point in a width direction as viewed from a front side thereof, and extends up to one of the protrusions beyond an open end of the lug groove located at the sidewall side and is connected to the protrusion.
US08496033B2
Comminution process of wood veneer to produce wood particles, by feeding wood veneer in a direction of travel substantially normal to grain through a counter rotating pair of intermeshing arrays of cutting discs arrayed axially perpendicular to the direction of veneer travel, wherein the cutting discs have a uniform thickness (Td), to produce wood particles characterized by a length dimension (L) substantially equal to the Td and aligned substantially parallel to grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) substantially equal to the veneer thickness (Tv) and aligned normal to W and L, wherein the W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces with end checking between crosscut fibers.
US08496022B2
The invention supplies a quantity Q of gas while dividing at flow rate ratio Q1/Q2 from a gas supply facility equipped with a flow controller. A total quantity Q=Q1+Q2 of gas is supplied into a chamber at flow rate Q1 and Q2 through shower plates fixed to ends of branch supply lines by providing open/close valves with a plurality of branch supply lines GL1 and GL2, respectively, to supply the specified quantity of gas from the gas supply facility, and by utilizing bypass line BL1 on the downstream side of the open/close valve OV1 and branched from GL1 ,bypass line BL2 on the downstream side of the open/close valve OV2 and branched from GL2 ,pressure type division quantity controller connected to the bypass line BL1 and the bypass line BL2 ,a sensor measuring pressure inside branch supply line GL1 ,and another sensor measuring pressure inside branch supply line GL2.
US08496021B2
An aircraft includes an overpressure valve with a sealing member which is moveable, in response to a first pressure differential across the valve, between a closed position and an open position. The overpressure valve further has a frangible portion, for example, a carbon or sheet metal disc. The frangible portion is arranged to fail in response to a second pressure differential across the valve, the second pressure differential being more than the first pressure differential. Thus the valve is still able to relieve pressure when the sealing member is jammed (due to ice, for example). The valve may be in the surge tank of a fuel tank system.
US08496014B2
The invention relates to a device for cleaning carpets, fabric and upholstery. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of pressurized aerosol containers for cleaning carpets, fabric and upholstery.
US08496010B2
A surgical instrument which can be attached to a patient is described. The instrument includes an alignment guide having a distal end and a proximal end. A brace is attached toward the proximal end of the alignment guide for attaching the instrument to a limb of a patient. The brace comprises a pair of opposed members, each member being shaped to hold a respective bony part of the patient on either side of the patient. At least a part of the brace is made of a resilient material allowing the brace to grip the patient in use.
US08496008B2
An oral device for use in radiotherapy of the head and neck includes a base member and a bite member or “mouthpiece,” which is selectively positionable relative to the base member. The device provides immobilization of the tongue for accurate reproducible administration of radiation therapy. The device fits within the oral cavity of a patient and is maintained in position by a bite member that fits over the maxillary teeth of the patient. The position of the bite member relative to the base member may be adjustable to accommodate differences in mouth cavities and bite profiles. For example, the base member may include a platform or series of members configured to be removably coupled to the bite member in multiple different positions.
US08496002B2
An improved inhalation device is provided for facilitating inhalation by a patient of powder medicaments contained in a receptacle. The inhalation device includes a staple assembly comprising a plunger and staple that are securely and robustly coupled to one another. Embodiments of the inhalation device have a cap that prevents or reduces the amount of dust and grime entering into the device. The cap is additionally configured to prevent or reduce inadvertent and unintentional operation of the device. The body portion and first casing portion of certain embodiments of the inhalation device are sealably coupled, restricting or reducing undesirable flow pathways that have an adverse effect on the operation of the device.
US08495997B1
An apparatus, system, and method for attaching a solar panel to a purlin is disclosed, the solar panel further including a frame having a set of frame holes. The apparatus includes a solar panel clip including a solar panel clip bearing surface, a key formed on the solar panel clip bearing surface, a perpendicular locking surface coupled to the solar panel clip bearing surface, and an upper solar panel spacing section configured to provide an expansion joint. The apparatus also may include a solar panel clip washer mount. A solar panel is positioned on the solar panel clip bearing surface and is secured to the purlin.
US08495996B2
Various systems and methods are described for an exhaust gas sensor coupled to an exhaust system of an engine. One example method comprises, during selected engine fueling conditions, alternating between applying different voltages to the sensor; and identifying an amount of alcohol in fuel injected to the engine based on sensor outputs at the different voltages.
US08495995B2
An internal combustion engine includes a muffler configured to reduce exhaust gas noise, a choke valve configured to control a flow of air in a carburetor, a thermally responsive element coupled with the choke valve and configured to move the choke valve in response to a temperature change in the thermally responsive element, and a thermally conductive member. The muffler has a housing defining an interior and an exterior. The thermally conductive member has a first portion positioned in the interior of the muffler in direct contact with the exhaust gases and extends through the muffler housing to the exterior of the muffler. The thermally conductive member also has a second portion positioned exteriorly of the muffler and coupled to the thermally responsive element, the thermally conductive member configured to conduct heat from exhaust gases within the muffler to the thermally responsive element.
US08495994B2
The invention relates to a separator for crank housing ventilation of an internal combustion engine. The separator comprises at least one vortex chamber (2) extending along a longitudinal axis (3), wherein the vortex chamber (2) comprises an inlet for a ventilation stream (6), in particular a tangential inlet, relative to the longitudinal axis (3) at an end (4) on the inlet side. The vortex chamber (2) further comprises a common outlet (8) for the ventilation stream (6) and for oil entrained along with the ventilation stream (6), said common outlet being located at the end on the outlet side of the vortex chamber opposite the end (4) on the inlet side, relative to the longitudinal axis (3). The vortex chamber (2) is enclosed in the outlet (8) area thereof by an impact absorber (9) comprising an impact base (10) and a peripheral wall (11), wherein the impact base (10) covers the outlet (8) at a distance therefrom.
US08495992B2
A method of controlling exhaust gas flow in an internal combustion engine system, and products and systems using same.
US08495991B2
A method for operating an internal combustion engine in which combustion air is supplied to a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, which air is compressed with the aid of a pulse supercharger, the pulse supercharger being controlled in such a way that optionally, in a first operating mode, the combustion air is compressed in order to support a compressor of a turbocharger, or in a second operating mode, the combustion air compressed with the aid of the compressor is cooled.
US08495987B2
Pump piston seizures caused by excessive side loads produced by the uneven loading of a large piston return spring are prevented by separating the tappet return function from the piston return function, thereby minimizing the spring force acting on the piston. Preferably, a stronger, heavier load outer spring is mounted between the pump body and the tappet, such that it imparts no load and therefore no side loads to the pumping piston. A weaker, lighter load inner spring imparts less side load to the pumping piston than a conventional piston return spring, because the inner spring need not carry any tappet load. During both the pumping and charging strokes of the piston, the piston return spring can assist the tappet return spring, but the tappet return spring does not assist the piston return spring.
US08495986B2
An injector mount clamp for coupling an injector of an exhaust gas treatment system to an exhaust conduit of an engine while the conduit is in an installed position includes a resilient monolithic clamp body having an aperture extending therethrough and being shaped as a split collar having a first end spaced apart from a second end a distance allowing the clamp body to be transversely moved relative to an exhaust flow direction to a position circumferentially surrounding the exhaust conduit. An injector mounting boss is disposed on the clamp body and defines a passage that fluidly communicates with the aperture of the clamp body. The mounting boss has a mounting face configured to oppose the injector.
US08495983B2
An engine system for a vehicle, comprising of a combustion chamber, a first in-cylinder direct injector configured to deliver a first substance including at least gasoline directly to the combustion chamber at a first pressure; and a second in-cylinder direct injector configured to deliver a second substance including at least an alcohol directly to the combustion chamber at a second pressure less than the first pressure.
US08495970B2
An improved animal feed dispenser is provided having a slow speed paddle wheel and a high speed distributor wheel. The high speed distributor wheel transports feed out of an opening in the device to spread it on the ground. The slow speed paddle wheel moves feed at a measured rate from a storage hopper and feeds it to the distributor wheel. A detachable mounting plate is used to attach the dispenser to a storage hopper, and is releasable therefrom without emptying the hopper of feed. The slow speed paddle wheel is formed from a material flexible enough to prevent feed jams caused by water absorption of the feed and other events.
US08495969B2
Apparatus and method for producing electrically conducting nanostructures by means of electrospinning, the apparatus having at least a substrate holder (1), a spinning capillary (2), connected to a reservoir (3) for a spinning liquid (4) and to an electrical voltage supply (5), an adjustable movement unit (6, 6′) for moving the spinning capillary (2) and/or the substrate holder (1) relative to one another, an optical measuring device (7) for monitoring the spinning procedure at the outlet of the spinning capillary (2), and a computer unit (8) for controlling the drive of the spinning capillary (2) relative to the substrate holder (1) in accordance with the spinning procedure.
US08495962B2
A cutting mechanism for cutting off a leading sequin from a continuous sequin strip in response to sewing operation is constructed to cut off the sequin at substantially the same time as a sewing needle pierces a sewing workpiece. For example, the cutting mechanism includes a movable cutter blade, and an abutting member that, in response to sewing operation, abuts against the movable cutter blade to move the movable cutter blade in a predetermined direction so that the sequin is cut off by the movable cutter blade. The abutting member is provided in a presser foot that presses down the sewing workpiece in interlocked relation to the sewing needle during the sewing operation.
US08495957B2
An object of the present invention is, in an image-forming machine equipped with plural paper feeders that feed paper to a drum unit at different paper feed speeds due to the difference in the shapes of paper traveling routes, to control the image-forming machine so as to select a paper feeder suitable for the condition of printing-speed-priority. A stencil printing machine has three paper feeders; a paper feed table, a first tray, and a second tray. The maximum allowable printing speeds to a drum unit of the three paper feeders: differ from each other in accordance with the difference in the shapes of traveling routes; increase in the order of the paper feed table, the first tray, and then the second tray; and are stored as data. When a user carries out printing at the setting of speed-priority, a control unit of the machine and a paper feeder selection device select the paper feeder of the highest maximum allowable image-forming speed and carry out the printing.
US08495947B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a hydraulic cylinder enabling a reduction in a stress generated by the pressure of hydraulic fluid at a welded portion of a case containing a damping valve. A piston (5) coupled with a piston rod (6) is slidably inserted in a cylinder (2, 3) sealingly containing hydraulic fluid. A joint (17) is attached to the side wall of an outer cylinder (3) of the cylinder. A damping force is generated by controlling a flow of the hydraulic fluid caused by a sliding movement of the piston in the cylinder by a damping force generating mechanism (19) contained in the joint (17). A valve case (18) of the joint (17) has a reduced diameter at a connection portion (23) welded to the outer cylinder (3). The reduced diameter is smaller than the diameter of the damping force generating mechanism (19) contained in the valve case (18). The reduction in the diameter of the connection portion (23) which is a welded portion results in a reduction in a stress generated at the connection portion (23) by the pressure of the hydraulic fluid, whereby the strength against the pressure applied to the welded portion can be increased.
US08495945B1
A system that provides wireless power transfer between a weapon and a platform. A method for loading, testing, targeting, and launching a weapon.
US08495942B2
The invention relates to a sawing tool comprising a substantially disk-shaped support (1) from which a plurality of tooth inserts (4) project which are juxtaposed along a supporting edge (3) and have at least one sawtooth (12) each with at least one tooth rear (12) and at least one blade (9). The tooth inserts (4) are connected to the support (1) in a position-stable manner even when the sawing tool is operated. The supporting edge (3), in its cross-section perpendicular to the plane of the disk, has a rooflike shape and the tooth inserts (4) have a mounting (8) configured as a rooflike recess mating the roof shape of the supporting edge (3). Recesses (13) and/or bulges are arranged along the supporting edge (3) and are associated with corresponding bulges (14) and/or recesses on the interior of the mounting (8) of a tooth insert (4) and the bulges (14) fit into the corresponding recesses (13) in a form-fit manner.
US08495941B2
A sectioning device for sectioning food and non-food items includes a frame, a cutter removably positioned on the frame and press means positioned on the frame for pushing an item against and through the cutter. The sectioning device also includes means for moving, in a single continuous motion, at least one of the cutter and the press means between a neutral position and a sectioning position. The press means and the cutter are configured such that an item to be sectioned, positioned between the cutter and the press means is sectioned in its entirety upon movement from the neutral position to the sectioning position.
US08495931B2
A ratchet wrench is provided comprising a wrench handle with a head. A ratchet member has a plurality of ratchet teeth and is seated in the head for rotation about an axis. A pawl disposed within the head is adapted to pivot relative to the ratchet member. The pawl is provided with first and second pluralities of pawl teeth disposed for movement into and out of engagement with the ratchet teeth. A selector mechanism selectively pivots the pawl to move a selected one of the first and second pluralities of pawl teeth into engagement with the ratchet teeth. In one example, the selector mechanism can selectively permit the ratchet member to perform at least three functions.
US08495924B2
In an electric actuator, a connector is coupled to one end of a screw shaft that makes up a displacement mechanism, the screw shaft being rotatably supported by first and second bearings. Further, on the other end of the screw shaft, a support ring is disposed through a holder, wherein the support ring is slidable along an inner circumferential surface of a piston rod. On the outer circumferential surface of a piston, a rotation-stopping member is provided, which includes projections thereon that project in a radial direction from the outer circumferential surface, the projections being inserted into grooves of said body.
US08495911B2
A computer-implemented method for determining a site for a wind turbine within a confined geographical target region on the basis of an estimate of a maintenance parameter comprises determining a wind climate at the target region, the wind climate including e.g. average wind speed, pre-dominant wind directions, or turbulence intensities. A function expressing the maintenance parameter of the wind turbine as a function of the flow characteristics is defined, and the function is applied to the geographical position to compute an estimated value of the maintenance parameter at that position. Meteorological measurements may be used to obtain the flow characteristics. Wind measurements performed at one location may be numerically extrapolated by numerical methods, e.g. by CFD, to other locations. The maintenance parameter may be expressed as a maintenance risk, number of component replacements, or as a maintenance cost per energy unit. Three-dimensional visualization of wind turbines, e.g. in GoogleEarth™ is further provided by the invention.
US08495909B2
A cylinder pressure estimation device calculates a plurality of candidate values of a possible cylinder pressure at an intake-valve-closing time, calculates a plurality of candidates of a possible movement of the cylinder pressure from the intake-valve-closing time to a post-intake-valve-closing time on the basis of the candidate values of the intake-valve-closing-time cylinder pressure, calculates a movement of the cylinder pressure detected by the cylinder pressure sensor from the intake-valve-closing time to the post-intake-valve-closing time; and calculates the candidates of the cylinder pressure movement with the detected cylinder pressure movement, determining the candidate of the cylinder pressure movement to be deemed to correspond to the detected cylinder pressure movement and determining the candidate value of the intake-valve-closing-time cylinder pressure used for calculating the determined candidate of the cylinder pressure movement.
US08495902B2
A crimping device including a first jaw having, across its width and extending at least partially along its length, spaced multiple crimp members. A second jaw also includes, across its width and extending at least partially along its length, spaced multiple crimp members. Multiple crimps are created in a crimp tube when the first and second jaws are brought together about the crimp tube using a first handle for the first jaw and a second handle for the second jaw.
US08495897B1
Disclosed is an overhead door lock with a mounting plate which mounts to a door header and has a locking aperture therein; a barricade with a bracket which fastens to a top of an overhead door and a faceplate affixed thereto, the faceplate having an aperture and a flange extending generally perpendicularly to the faceplate, the flange having an aperture; and a coupling sized to pass through the faceplate aperture and having a first end which affixes into the mounting plate locking aperture and a second end with an aperture positioned such that when the first end of the coupling is inserted through the faceplate aperture and affixed into the mounting plate locking aperture, the coupling aperture and the faceplate flange aperture are coaligned for inserting a locking device which prevents the overhead sliding door from being opened, either from the outside or inside.
US08495896B2
A process and apparatus for making silicon or silicon/germanium core fiber is described, which uses a plasma process with reducing agent to make preform. The process also makes the recommendations in selecting the adequate cladding tube for better fiber properties. An improved fiber drawing apparatus is also disclosed in order to draw this new type of preforms.
US08495891B2
Disclosed is a refrigerator including a refrigerator main body having a cooling chamber. The refrigerator also includes a refrigerating chamber door positioned at the refrigerator main body and configured to open and close at least a portion of a refrigerating chamber. The refrigerator further includes an ice chamber disposed at an inner surface of the refrigerating chamber door containing ice. In addition, the refrigerator includes a door basket configured to be attached to an outer surface of the ice chamber and having a non-contact portion positioned at a surface facing the ice chamber.
US08495875B2
A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine, in which a mechanical energy flow can be generated from an exhaust gas flow of the internal combustion engine for providing engine intake airfow under pressure. The turbocharger includes a mechanical energy converter connected between the exhaust gas flow and the intake airflow, by which converter the mechanical energy flow can be transferred and transmitted. The turbocharger also includes an electrical energy converter associated with the mechanical energy flow for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, or vice versa, to enable improved intake airflow charging of an internal combustion engine. By means of the electrical energy converter, an electrical energy flow can be selectively branched off to a battery or fed into the mechanical energy flow.
US08495873B2
The present invention provides a Stirling engine employing a segmented, rotary displacer for producing mechanical energy from a heat source. The engine includes a rotor shaft rotatably positioned in the interior toroidal cavity with a segmented displacer mounted to the rotor shaft within the interior toroidal cavity.
US08495861B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a technology that enables detection of a fault of a PM trapper with improved accuracy. In the present invention, a pressure sensor 20 that measures a differential pressure across a PM trapper 11 is provided, and a fault of a PM trapper is determined based on an amount of change in the differential pressure across the PM trapper 11 between two different operation states of an internal combustion engine 1 in which the ambient temperature around the pressure sensor 20 falls within a specific temperature range. Since variations in the offset error of the differential pressure sensor 20 caused by changes in the ambient temperature around the differential pressure sensor 20 is made small, the amount of change in the differential pressure across the PM trapper 11 can be measured more accurately, and a fault of the PM trapper 11 can be detected with improved accuracy.
US08495858B2
A method of operating a gas turbine power plant including an auxiliary power output for reducing power plant emissions. A heat recovery steam generator receives an expanded working medium from a gas turbine and removes heat from the expanded working medium to form a reduced temperature exhaust gas and to generate steam from the heat removed from the expanded working medium. A steam turbine and generator assembly operates on the steam to produce an auxiliary plant output. A selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system is provided for receiving the reduced temperature exhaust gas; and an auxiliary fan is powered by the auxiliary plant output to supply dilution air for further reducing the temperature of the exhaust gas to prior to passing the exhaust gas through the SCR system.
US08495857B2
A thermal management system for a gas turbine engine includes a first heat exchanger that provides a first conditioned fluid, a second heat exchanger in series flow communication with the first heat exchanger and that exchanges heat with the first conditioned fluid to provide a second conditioned fluid, and a third heat exchanger in parallel flow communication with the second heat exchanger and that selectively exchanges heat with the first conditioned fluid to provide a third conditioned fluid. The second conditioned fluid and the third conditioned fluid combine to provide a mixed conditioned fluid. A first portion of the mixed conditioned fluid including a first temperature is communicated to a first engine system. A second portion of the mixed conditioned fluid including a second temperature is communicated to a second engine system. The second temperature includes a greater temperature than the first temperature.
US08495853B2
An inserting apparatus is equipped with a circulatable member arranged downstream of an envelope feeding path and rotatable about an axis transverse to the envelope feeding path. The circulatable member has envelope flap catcher members, each having a free edge arranged for entering between a flap and a body of an envelope fed along the envelope feeding path for engaging the flap and for holding the flap while the circulatable member is circulated so as to turn the flap to an opened position. An envelope support is provided for holding an envelope of which the opened flap is held by one of the catcher members of the circulatable member in an inserting position.
US08495850B1
A two-piece building block assembly includes a hollow block and an inner piece. The hollow block has a plurality of studs extending from a top thereof, an opening defined in an underside thereof and a plurality of ribs extends from side walls thereof. The inner piece is corresponding to and received in the opening of the hollow block. A plurality of recesses is defined in the periphery of the inner piece and located corresponding to the studs. The inner piece includes support boards. Each support board is defined between the adjacent recesses and disposed between the two adjacent ribs that are located on the same side wall of the hollow block. The inner piece reinforces the opening of the hollow block to prevent the opening from being deformed. Thus, the building block assembly does not have to be made of high-stiffness or high-density materials.
US08495838B2
Side seal member for a loading dock seal are disclosed. An example dock seal includes a backer to couple the dock seal to a wall and a resiliently compressible member supported by the backer. A pliable cover encases the compressible member. The pliable cover has a first end overlapping a second end to define a separable joint that is to be disposed between the backer and the wall when the dock seal is coupled to the wall.
US08495831B1
A small, lightweight multi-shot pistol, preferably includes a readily field removable receiver having two barrels in an over/under configuration. The butt of the pistol includes a storage chamber holding two spare cartridges. The single trigger is a double action trigger. The configuration of the pistol is such that two shots may be rapidly fired in a “double tap” manner, and the receiver can then be released using a thumb latch, whereby the receiver will be tilted upward and an auto-ejector will eject the spent cartridges. The spare cartridges are held together using a speed loader device which holds them so that they are properly aligned for speedy insertion into the breach of the tilted receiver.
US08495829B2
A printable wristband form includes a plurality of wristbands cut into a multi-layer sheet of the form. Each wristband includes a release tab formed at an end thereof. A release liner is disposed between layers of the sheet in a single region defined by the release tabs. The form preferably includes adult sized wristbands and infant sized wristbands arranged on the same sheet for use in hospital maternity settings.
US08495821B2
The present invention relates to a sheet stack thickness estimating device including a driving device, a first connecting rod, a second connecting rod, a pressing part and a sensor. The driving device provides a motive force to the sheet stack thickness estimating device so as to drive the first connecting rod moved horizontally for rotating the second connecting rod, so that the pressing part presses the sheets on the paper tray. By detecting if the signal generated by the sensor is blocked by the first connecting rod, the thickness estimating device can judge if the thickness of the sheets exceeds a predetermined value.
US08495816B2
Method for adjusting the throttling action of a valve comprising a valve body with at least one through-channel for a working medium, where the working medium is throttled by at least one valve disk which covers the throttle channel. By making use of the effect of the heat of a laser beam to change the elastic pretension of the disk, deviations from a predetermined throttling action are minimized. The laser beam is used to cause partial local melting in the minimum of one valve disk, the heat thus introduced having the effect of working at least one defined bending axis into the disk.
US08495806B2
An expander for concentrically expanding a cylindrical member, the expander with a tapered block, a plurality of segments, each having an inner surface at least partially in contact with the tapered surface of the tapered block and the segments arranged to move in concert with each other relative to the block, and a pair of engaging features being provided for each segment, each pair comprising a first engagement feature on one of the segments and a second engagement feature on the block, the pairs of engaging features being arranged to maintain equal circumferential spacing of the segments around the block and to constrain movement of the segments in a direction that is coaxial with the block, each pair of engaging features being located away from the circumferential edges of their respective segment.
US08495803B2
A mechanical-magnetic connecting structure for releasably connecting a first element with a second element is provided. The connecting structure consists of a module A which is firmly connected with the first element or is rotatably arranged in the first element, and a module B which is firmly connected with the second element or is rotatably arranged in the second element. The module A is rotatably guided in module B. In module A at least one magnet and in module B at least one armature or second magnet is arranged and the shape, location and polarity of the magnets or of the magnet and the armature are designed such that when rotating module A relative to module B, the magnets or magnet and armature move from a closed position with maximum magnetic attraction into an open position with weakened magnetic attraction or a magnetic repulsion of module A and module B is obtained.
US08495800B2
A device for controlling movement of a rope has a main part and a bar part. The main part has first and second side members and first and second end members. The bar part defines an opening, and the first side member extends through the opening. The bar part is displaced to allow a portion of the rope to be arranged within the central opening and at least partly around the bar part. The bar part is displaced such that the main part and the bar part define first and second opening portions of the central opening and the portion of the rope extends through the first and second opening portions and at least partly around the bar part.
US08495798B1
The present invention relates to a door fixture with decorative panels. More particularly, the present invention relates to a door fixture comprising a handle attached to a door plate, a handle panel attached to the handle and a door plate panel attached to the door plate, the door plate being affixed to a door.
US08495797B2
A casement window hinge protects against sash sag by providing a guide arm that substantially fills the space between the sash and the window frame when the window is closed. This space-filling guide arm may be produced with lightweight thermoplastic material whose pivoting connection to the sash arm may be strengthened through a wood screw providing an axis for the pivot that may be stabilized within the sash into which the screw is driven.
US08495796B2
Provided is an opening-and-closing mechanism that can be latched at a predetermined opening angle, wherein the latching can be disengaged with a small force in the opening direction whereas the latching is gradually disengaged in the closing direction. An opening-and-closing mechanism includes first and second supporting members disposed relatively rotatable around a rotary axis; a plurality of protruding portions provided on the first supporting member; and a plurality of depressed portions provided on the second supporting member and engaged with the plurality of protruding portions, wherein, when the first and second supporting members are in a plurality of predetermined relative alignments, some of the plurality of protruding portions and some of the plurality of depressed portions are engaged, and wherein forces required for disengaging the protruding portions and the depressed portions by rotating at least one of the first and second supporting members differ first and second rotation directions.
US08495794B2
A rotating module includes a fixing member, a rotating member rotatably mounted on the fixing member, a swinging arm and a first elastic member. The swinging arm includes a first end and a second end. The first end is hinged to the rotating member, the second end is slidably and rotatably mounted to the fixing member. The first elastic member is fastened between the fixing member and the second end, the rotating member is rotated relative to the fixing member to drive the second end to slide on the fixing member to compress or release the first elastic member.
US08495784B2
Device having dual renewable blades for treating a target surface and replaceable cartridge therefor
A device for treating a target surface, such as occurs when cleaning a window. The device has a squeegee blade or other member to apply pressure to the target surface. A sheet movably covers the blade, to present a fresh covering to the target surface with each use. The fresh surface provides for improved removal of the liquid from, or improved treatment of the liquid on, the target surface. Additionally a sheet may comprise a prewetted substrate to apply the liquid to the target surface. One or both of the sheets may be disposed in a cartridge insertable to and removable from the device.
US08495779B2
The present invention is directed to a ramp insert for insertion between rails and/or rungs of a ramp. An embodiment of the present invention includes a body that may have an adjustable length. The body may include a first section that may include a track portion and a second section that may include a groove portion. The groove portion may be capable of fitting together with the track portion. The first or second section may be capable of slidably moving with respect to the other section via the track portion and the groove portion. The ramp insert may be placed between the rails and/or rungs of the ramp whereby the ramp insert may be adjusted to various lengths. Since the ramp insert may be adjusted to various lengths, the ramp insert may fit many different kinds of ramps having various widths.
US08495774B2
A hospital bed includes a base, a lifting mechanism, a rotating frame configured to rotate horizontally relative to the base, and a patient support surface pivotally secured to the rotating frame. The patient support surface includes a back section, a seat section, and foot section that articulate relative to each other. The patient support surface translates from a bed configuration to a side-egress chair configuration. The foot section includes a plurality of panels that translate relative to each other from a substantially co-planar relationship when the patient support surface is in a bed configuration to a relationship where one of the foot section panels is substantially orthogonal to another foot section panel when the patient support surface is in a chair configuration. A mattress supported by the patient support surface has a retractable foot portion that adjusts its length in response to translation of the foot section panels.
US08495771B1
The present invention relates to a child's potty seat that utilizes a combination waste collection bowl with an integral backrest and handle to isolate the handle away from the bowl contaminated with bodily wastes. The potty seat is made up of a seat portion and a removable bowl portion that is sanitary easy to clean and can be used as a handle.
US08495769B1
The present invention discloses urinal that introduces a water use reduction method for flushing which supplies an accommodating solution for men and women as well. The water conserving urinal comprising an open-top funnel with a flexible hose thereon terminating in a rigid tube with a U-shaped gas trap section. In one of the embodiments of the present invention the apparatus is stored in the inside of a vanity cabinet. The instant application also discloses a completely new way to install the portable urinal in residential, and even commercial locations with the objective to conserve up to 12½ gallons of water per day per person.
US08495763B2
Safety helmet of the type comprising a chin guard rotatably pivoted to the shell between a pulled down position, at the lower end of the front opening of the shell, and at least one raised position over said front opening, and at least one reversible locking device of the chin guard in such at least one raised position, the reversible locking device comprising at least one follower, integrally rotatable with the chin guard, and at least one corresponding countering element, constrained with at least one degree of freedom to the shell, or vice versa, such countering element being intended for its engagement with the aforesaid at least one follower at least in proximity of said raised position of the chin guard, as well as means for manually regulating the position and/or the motion of said at least one countering element. Such at least one countering element is movable between at least one locking position, by contrast of rigid parts, of the aforesaid at least one follower, when the chin guard is at or in proximity of its raised position, and at least one disengagement position of such follower from the countering element, the means for regulating the position and/or the motion of the aforesaid at least one countering element allowing or preventing the same countering element to stably maintain the aforesaid at least one locking position by contrast of rigid parts for said at least one follower.
US08495762B2
An apparatus is configured with one or more sensors arranged to detect a first shape-related parameter, one or more control elements arranged to provide a force, and circuitry operably connected to the one or more sensors and the one or more control elements to determine the force provided to the one or more control elements.
