US08507253B2

Certain embodiments of the invention involve methods and systems for preselecting, adapting, and preconditioning one or more species of photosynthetic organisms, such as algae, to specific environmental and/or operating conditions to which the photosynthetic organisms will subsequently be exposed during utilization in a photobioreactor apparatus of a gas treatment system. Also disclosed are new algal strains and cultures that can be produced by practicing the preselection, adaption, and preconditioning methods.
US08507248B2

The disclosed technology relates to a genetically engineered biological indicator, comprising: at least one test organism and at least one reporter gene suitable for producing an indicator enzyme, the reporter gene being taken up by the test organism; and at least one repressor gene that inhibits expression of the reporter gene until the reporter gene is exposed to at least one inducer. A process and an apparatus for using the biological indicator are disclosed.
US08507247B2

The invention provides an isolated attenuated recombinant influenza virus comprising a gene segment comprising a mutant NS2 protein gene, wherein the NS2 protein has at least two substitutions that do not substantially alter the in vitro replication of the virus but are associated with attenuation of the virus in vivo, wherein at least one of the substitutions is a substitution for glutamate.
US08507243B2

The present invention relates to an alpha-amylase blend, including a B. stearothermophilus alpha-amylase (AmyS) wherein the amino acid at position S242 is substituted and a B. licheniformis alpha-amylase The invention also relates to processes using the alpha-amylase blends for starch liquefaction and saccharification, ethanol production, and a sweetener production.
US08507241B2

The invention relates to a DNA sequence that encodes a polypeptide with lysophospholipase activity and was isolated from Aspergillus and sequences derived therefrom, polypeptides with lysophospholipase activity encoded by these sequences as well as the use of these polypeptides for improving the filterability of syrups consisting of wheat starch and for related applications.
US08507234B2

Methods and compositions for improving the production of ethanol by a microorganism in a fermentation medium are provided, where the method comprises adding to the fermentation medium an emulsion comprising a monoterpene and a surfactant in an amount sufficient to improve the production of ethanol.
US08507231B2

Provided herein are high throughput methods for converting starch-containing plant material to ethanol, wherein the conversion process is performed at a small scale. This high-throughput screening platform permits the evaluation of the ethanol obtained from starch-containing plant material in a rapid and efficient manner. The methods include obtaining a plurality of samples of starch-containing plant material and drying the samples to achieve a desired moisture level. The dried samples are liquefied under conditions sufficient to hydrolyze the starch-containing plant material to soluble dextrinized substrates. The liquefied samples are fermented in small volume headspace vials for a period of less than about 96 hours, and fermentation is terminated by pasteurization. Ethanol production is evaluated using headspace gas chromatography.
US08507227B2

The present invention relates to a method for the large scale in vivo synthesis of sialylated oligosaccharides, culturing a microorganism in a culture medium, optionally comprising an exogenous precursor such as lactose, wherein said microorganism comprises heterologous genes encoding a CMP-Neu5Ac synthetase, a sialic acid synthase, a GlcNAc-6-phosphate 2 epimerase and a sialyltransferase, and wherein the endogenous genes coding for sialic acid aldolase (NanA) and for ManNac kinase (NanK) have been deleted or inactivated. The invention also relates to these micoorganisms which are capable of producing internally activated sialic acid.
US08507222B2

The invention provides soluble fusion protein complexes having at least two soluble fusion proteins. The first fusion protein is a biologically active polypeptide covalently linked to an interleukin-15 (IL-15) polypeptide or a functional fragment thereof. The second fusion protein is a second biologically active polypeptide covalently linked to a soluble interleukin-15 receptor alpha (IL-15Rα) polypeptide or a functional fragment thereof. In the complexes of the invention, one or both of the first and second fusion proteins further includes an immunoglobulin Fc domain or a functional fragment thereof; and the first fusion protein binds to the soluble IL-15Rα domain of the second fusion protein to form a soluble fusion protein complex. The invention further provides methods for making and using the complexes of the invention.
US08507218B2

Provided herein are methods useful in detecting degradative enzymes in bodily fluid samples.
US08507217B2

A new approach for increase of ethanol yield during alcoholic fermentation via decrease of biomass accumulation by using ATP degrading enzymes is described. The part of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae SSB1 gene coding for cytosolic ATPase domain of ribosome associated chaperon cloned into expression cassette under control of the glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene (GPD1) promoter was introduced into the S. cerevisiae BY4742 strain. The recombinant strains were tested for their ability to grow and produce ethanol during glucose anaerobic and aerobic cultivations. Strains overexpressing ATPase domain of SSB1 possessed decreased concentration of intracellular ATP. They accumulated elevated amounts of ethanol and were characterized by decreased biomass accumulation as compared to the wild-type strain under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Similarly, the apyrase gene apy from E. coli encoding ATP/ADP hydrolyzing phosphatase and ATPase domain of SSB1 gene of S. cerevisiae were co-expressed under the control of galactose-inducible GAL1 promoter. The recombinant S. cerevisiae strains revealed slight reduction of biomass accumulation, while specific ATPase activity, ethanol accumulation and yield during alcoholic galactose fermentation under semi anaerobic conditions were increased.
US08507210B2

The field of the present invention is the diagnosis and/or prediction and/or therapy follow-up of bacterial infections in subjects suffering from dyspnea. It is a subject of the present invention to provide a method for the diagnosis and/or prediction and/or therapy follow-up of bacterial infections in subjects suffering from dyspnea.
US08507207B2

The invention provides a recombinant nucleotide sequence, including the sequence of SEQ ID No. 1, SEQ ID No. 2, SEQ ID No. 3 or SEQ ID No. 4, wherein the recombinant nucleotide sequence encodes an anti-polyethylene glycol recombinant single chain membrane antibody.
US08507206B2

Disclosed herein are antibodies that bind with high specificity to soluble oligomers of amyloid β (Abeta) and methods of employing those antibodies. The antibodies are able to distinguish between Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and control human brain extracts. The antibodies identify endogenous Abeta oligomers in AD brain slices and also bind to Abeta oligomers on cultured hippocampal cells. The antibodies neutralize endogenous Abeta oligomers and Abeta oligomers produced in solution.
US08507200B2

Methods describing the use of nanoparticles modified with binding moieties are provided.
US08507197B2

We disclose quality controls methods that allow quick and accurate verification of a test oligonucleotide deposited on a solid support. It is especially useful for the verification of oligonucleotides representing alleles of a multi-allelic locus. It employs single base extension, with labeled dideoxynucleotides, to locate and verify the identity of test oligonucleotides. This approach involves synthesizing a complement probe oligonucleotide for each oligonucleotide being tested. Probe oligonucleotides are optionally grouped. They are then hybridized to test oligonucleotides, and the hybridized pair is subject to single base extension and detection. It requires the presence of one unique base, either in the last two bases at the free hanging end of the test oligonucleotide—as opposed to the end anchored to the solid support surface, or in the last two bases at one end of the probe oligonucleotide.
US08507190B2

A method for image pattern recognition in a multi-image patterning scheme is described. The method includes forming a first feature pattern on a substrate using a lithographic process, and forming a second feature pattern on the substrate using the lithographic process. The method further includes forming an inspection alignment mark on the substrate to distinguish the first feature pattern from the second feature pattern. The inspection alignment mark comprises a negative tone pattern having a first alignment structure aligned with at least a portion of the first feature pattern and a second alignment structure aligned with at least a portion of the second feature pattern, wherein the first alignment structure is independent from the second alignment structure.
US08507188B2

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing micro/nanofluidic devices that incorporate overhanging micromechanical and metal components monolithically integrated with the fluidic circuitry.
US08507183B2

A method of manufacturing a coordinate detector having a resistive film and a common electrode for applying a voltage to the resistive film is disclosed that includes the steps of (a) applying a photoresist onto the resistive film formed on a substrate formed of an insulator; (b) forming a resist pattern on the resistive film by exposing the applied photoresist to light through a predetermined mask and subsequently developing the applied photoresist; (c) forming a resistive film removal region by removing a portion of the resistive film without the resist pattern; (d) removing the resist pattern after step (c); and (e) forming the common electrode over the resistive film removal region after step (d).
US08507171B2

The present invention provides a positive photosensitive composition containing a specific tetrafunctional silsesquioxane compound (A), a siloxane polymer (B) formed of multiple kinds of alkoxysilane compounds having different numbers of alkoxyl groups, a 1,2-quinone diazide compound (C), and a solvent (D) in order to provide a positive photosensitive composition useful for forming a film on which a pattern is formed, the film being excellent in high thermal resistance, high transparency, crack resistance, adhesiveness with a ground, and the like, and being obtained by performing development with an alkali aqueous solution.
US08507167B2

The invention provides a toner for developing an electrostatic image including toner particles having a shape factor SF1 of 110 or more and including a binder resin, and particles of an external additive that adhere to the toner particles, wherein the particles of the external additive including first particles, and second particles which are adhered to the first particles and have a primary particle size of 0.2 times to 0.5 times as large as that of the first particles, and in an image obtained by observing the particles of the external additive with a microscope, when the projection surface area of the first particle is defined as S1 and the total of the projection surface areas of the second particles which are not hidden by the first particle is defined as S2, S2 being from 0.1 times to 0.5 times as large as S1.
US08507153B2

There are provided compositions, optical data storage media and methods of using the optical data storage media. The compositions comprise a non-linear sensitizer comprising one or more subphthalocyanine reverse saturable absorbers capable of absorbing actinic radiation to cause upper triplet energy transfer to a reactant that undergoes a photochemical change upon triplet excitation.
US08507149B2

The plant (1) with high-temperature fuel cells (7) includes a clamping device for a cell stack (5) and axially aligned chambers (7) for an after-burning. Clamping bars (60) of the clamping device are disposed between the afterburning chambers. Exhaust gas passages connect the after-burning chambers to a heat exchanger (20a) acting as a heat sink. A clamping element (62) of the clamping device is in heat conducting connection with the heat exchanger. Compression springs (63) are respectively mounted on the clamping bars between an end of the clamping bar and a lug (622) of the clamping element. In this arrangement they exert a clamping force onto the clamping bars. The compression springs are shielded by the clamping element from the cell stack so that, thanks to the heat sink, the compression springs are only exposed to moderate temperature at which the clamping force is maintained.
US08507131B2

A system for adding sulfur to a reformate stream feeding a fuel cell stack, having a sulfur source for providing sulfur to the reformate stream and a metering device in fluid connection with the sulfur source and the reformate stream. The metering device injects sulfur from the sulfur source to the reformate stream at a predetermined rate, thereby providing a conditioned reformate stream to the fuel cell stack. The system provides a conditioned reformate stream having a predetermined sulfur concentration that gives an acceptable balance of minimal drop in initial power with the desired maximum stability of operation over prolonged periods for the fuel cell stack.
US08507130B2

The present invention provides a water based lithium secondary battery that can inhibit deteriorations in capacity owing to charge-and-discharge operations and maintain a high capacity even after it is charged and discharged repeatedly. The water based lithium secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator 4 sandwiched between these, and an aqueous electrolyte solution obtained by dissolving an electrolyte made of a lithium salt in a water based solvent. As the water based solvent, a pH buffer solution is employed. The buffer solution is obtained by dissolving an acid and its conjugate base's salt, a base and its conjugate acid's salt, a salt made from a weak acid and a strong base, a salt made from a weak base and a strong acid, or a salt made from a weak acid and a weak base in water.
US08507127B2

The present invention relates to a rechargeable battery, particularly a rechargeable battery having a bare cell, a protective circuit board, a lead plate, and a flat plate attached to a cap plate of the bare cell for connecting the lead plate to the cap plate. According to the invention, the lead plate is not directly combined with the cap plate, in which the cap plate is made of material differently from the lead plate, and the lead plate and cap plate are respectively welded to the metal layer made of the same material by means of the flat plate formed of metal, thereby allowing them to be easily combined with each other and the adhesive force to be enhanced.
US08507126B2

A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator located between the first electrode and the second electrode; a first collector plate electrically coupled to the first electrode, wherein the first collector plate has a first fuse hole and includes at least one first reinforcement protrusion having a first reinforcement groove and being spaced from the first fuse hole; a second collector plate electrically coupled to the second electrode; a case housing the electrode assembly, the first collector plate and the second collector plate, the case having an upper opening; and a cap assembly sealing the upper opening of the case.
US08507124B2

The invention relates to a multi-layer, microporous membrane having appropriate permeability, pin puncture strength, shutdown temperature, shutdown speed, meltdown temperature, and thickness uniformity. The invention also relates to a battery separator formed by such multi-layer, microporous membrane, and a battery comprising such a separator. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for making the multi-layer, microporous polyolefin membrane, a method for making a battery using such a membrane as a separator, and a method for using such a battery.
US08507122B2

A power supply device includes rectangular battery cells 1, resin separators 2, end spacers 17, thick metal end plates 10, and coupling members 11. The separator 2 is inserted between the cells 1 to insulate adjacent cells 1 from each other, and in thermal contact with the cells 1. The end spacers 17 cover end battery cells 1 on the opposed end surfaces of a battery block composed of the cells 1 and the separators 2 alternately arranged. The end plates 10 cover the surfaces of the end spacers 17. The coupling members 11 couple the end plates 10 to each other. The separators 2 form gaps 4 for flowing air along the surfaces of the cells 1 in contact with the separators 2. The end spacers 17 have hollow layers 18 on their surfaces in contact with the cells 1, and define closed chambers.
US08507115B2

According to one embodiment, a perpendicular magnetic recording medium includes a soft magnetic underlayer having an amorphous structure or a microcrystalline structure, a first seed layer comprised of a magnetic material having an fcc crystal structure including a CoFe alloy formed on a substrate side, and a second seed layer formed on the first seed layer, the second seed layer comprised of a nonmagnetic material having an fcc crystal structure including a NiW alloy. The medium also includes an intermediate layer comprised of Ru or an alloy thereof, a magnetic recording layer, and a protective layer, wherein the layers are sequentially stacked on a substrate in the foregoing order and the protective layer is closer to the substrate than the soft magnetic underlayer. Other embodiments of magnetic recording media, and methods of fabrication, are also described.
US08507113B2

The present invention is directed to align crystal c-axes in magnetic layers near two opposed junction wall surfaces of a magnetoresistive element so as to be almost perpendicular to the junction wall surfaces. A magnetic sensor stack body has, on sides of opposed junction wall surfaces of a magnetoresistive element, field regions for applying a bias magnetic field to the element. The field region has first and second magnetic layers having magnetic particles having crystal c-axes, the first magnetic layer is disposed adjacent to the junction wall surface in the field region, the crystal c-axes in the first magnetic layer are aligned and oriented along an ABS in a film plane, the second magnetic layer is disposed adjacent to the first magnetic layer in the field region, and the crystal c-axis directions in the second magnetic layer are distributed at random in a plane.
US08507107B2

An electronic device housing is provided. The electronic device housing includes a substrate, a first metallic coating formed on the substrate, and a second metallic coating formed on a portion of the first metallic coating. The first and second metallic coatings are formed by vacuum sputtering or vacuum vapor deposition. The first and second metallic coatings are all non-conductive. A method for making the electronic device housing is also described there.
US08507106B2

A fused aromatic ring derivative shown by the following formula (1): wherein Ra and Rb are independently a hydrogen atom or a substituent, p is an integer of 1 to 8 and q is an integer of 1 to 11, when p is 2 or more, plural Ras may be independently the same or different and adjacent Ras may form a ring, when q is 2 or more, plural Rbs may be independently the same or different, L1 is a single bond, or a substituted or unsubstituted divalent linking group, and Ar1 is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 50 ring carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl group having 5 to 50 ring atoms, provided that the substituent of L1, the substituent of Ar1, Ra and Rb contain no substituted or unsubstituted amino group.
US08507104B2

The present invention provides a metal coating formed by baking after applying a metal-nanoparticles-dispersed liquid onto a surface of a base material, the metal-nanoparticles-dispersed liquid being composed of metal nanoparticles, water, and a dispersant having a molecular weight of 2000-30000 and having a solid form at room temperature, wherein the metal coating comprises an alloy including (1) Ag and (2) at least one kind of metal selected from the group consisting of Au, Pt, Pd, Ru, Ir, Sn, Cu, Ni, Fe, Co, Ti and In, the content ratio of Ag being 80-99.9% by atomic percent in the total quantity of the alloy, and wherein the metal coating has an average grain size of 0.2-5 μm. The metal coating has small surface roughness, and superior smoothness and denseness, and has excellent properties for etching and adhesion to a base material. Also, the invention provides a method of forming such metal coating as well as a metal wiring formed by pattern formation of the metal coating.
US08507094B2

The present invention relates to a composite bead and a fabrication method thereof, and particularly, to a porous composite bead comprising superparamagnetic cluster and nanoparticles, such as light-emitting nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, metallic nanoparticles, metal oxide nanoparticles and the like, and a fabrication method thereof.
US08507085B2

An aluminum or aluminum alloy article is described. The aluminum or aluminum alloy article includes an aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate, a barrier layer formed on the substrate, a color layer formed on the barrier layer, and an insulation layer formed on the color layer. The barrier layer and the color layer are formed by vacuum sputtering. The barrier layer is a layer of silver-aluminum-oxygen-nitrogen. The insulation layer is an external layer of the aluminum or aluminum alloy article.
US08507079B2

A structural color body is film-like and comprises a front surface layer disposed on a front surface side and a back surface layer disposed on a back surface side, the front surface layer and the back surface layer contain block copolymers and have micro-phase separated structures including lamellar micro domains, each of the micro domains has a wave-like shape having amplitudes in the thickness direction of the structural color body, a maximum value of distances predetermined in the micro domains of the front surface layer is larger than the wavelength in the visible light range, and distances predetermined in the micro domains of the back surface layer are equal to or less than the wavelength in the visible light range.
US08507073B2

An exterior part (200) includes (a) a structure color generation portion (210) having a minute shape (structure color generation region (211)) formed therein, light in a visible light range being produced from the minute shape by a physical phenomenon such as interference or diffraction with the incidence of light, and (b) a resin portion (220) that is made of resin having a light transmitting property and serves as the outer surface of a product, (c) the structure color generation portion (210) and the resin portion (220) are formed by molding, and (d) the structure color generation portion (210) is made of resin different from the resin of the resin portion (220), and covered with the resin portion (220).
US08507071B1

A sheet insulator is attached to an item of wearing apparel to provide thermal insulation. The sheet insulator has a fiber reinforced aerogel composite encapsulated within a plastic sheeting. The plastic sheeting is secured to the aerogel composite, surface to surface. The plastic sheeting and the aerogel composite have surface upsets such as elongated depressions or burrows positioned and oriented at a flexing position of the wearing apparel so that the sheet insulator is able to flex with the apparel enabling a more natural movement of the apparel.
US08507070B2

The present invention is a cedar spill having defined dimensions which are optimized for lighting a cigar. In a preferred embodiment, the cedar spill is produced from a Spanish cedar sheet and has a relatively long, tapered body.
US08507065B2

A label having a region for re-application, capable of ensuring a tensile strength of a strip-shaped backing liner from which label main bodies have been separated even when a region for re-application is provided in a wide range across a width direction. This label includes: label main bodies 2 with a back surface to which an adhesive 3 is applied and with regions for re-application 21, and a strip-shaped backing liner 1 along which the plurality of label main bodies 2 are arranged and temporarily attached at intervals. The strip-shaped backing liner 1 includes a plurality of re-separation backing partial regions 12 at intervals across a width direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction so as to correspond to the region for re-application 21 defined in each label main body 2. Each re-separation backing partial region of the liner being provided over a range wider than the region for re-application 21 in a direction of the arrangement of the label main bodies 2. A region between the adjacent re-separation backing regions 12 in the width direction and not temporarily attached in the back surface of the region for re-application 21 is processed as a non-adhesive region 31.
US08507059B2

A multilayered film which is formed using a solventless adhesive, can obviate wetting deficiency even when the film is manufactured by applying the solventless adhesive to a film by coating at a high speed, exhibits the excellent laminate strength and the excellent impact resistance after a liquid content is filled into a packaging container and exhibits excellent environment friendliness, a method of manufacturing the multilayered film, and a packaging container which uses the multilayered film are provided. In the multilayered film which is formed by laminating at least an inner-layer film, an adhesive layer and an outer-layer film in order, the adhesive layer is formed of a solventless adhesive which contains a polyester-based main agent and a curing agent made of aliphatic isocyanate and alicyclic isocyanate.
US08507056B2

A corrosion inhibiting structure includes a mineral tubule having a first end, a second end, and a lumen extending from the first end to the second end. The lumen terminates in a first opening at the first end and a second opening at the second end. The corrosion inhibiting structure also includes an anticorrosion deposit disposed within the lumen, and first and second precipitate stoppers covering the first and second openings, respectively. A coating composition includes a population of corrosion inhibiting structures and a coating material. A method of inhibiting corrosion includes loading anticorrosion agent deposits into lumens, forming stoppers at first and second openings by mixing loaded mineral tubules with a solution containing a predetermined concentration of transition metal ions, mixing the loaded mineral tubules having stoppers with a coating material to form a composite material, and applying the composite material to a metal surface.
US08507054B2

An ink-jet recording medium is disclosed which comprises a paper substrate having a surface for receiving an ink-jet ink containing a pigmented colorant. The surface is treated with at least one co-crystalline salt, which become associated with the substrate surface. The co-crystalline salt is capable of crashing pigmented colorants on the paper surface, and its use may help protect paper manufacturing equipment from corrosion.
US08507052B2

Ferroelectric liquid crystal compositions including organic ion pair compounds wherein image sticking is reduced or eliminated. Use of the ferroelectric liquid crystal compositions in a ferroelectric liquid crystal display device allows for rapid image refresh rates without required a DC-balancing algorithm. The organic ion pair compounds provide electrical resistivity values for the compositions that result in reduced image sticking when the compositions are used in FLC display devices.
US08507051B2

A polycrystalline silicon producing method includes: the first process and the second process. In the first process, a surface temperature is maintained at a predetermined range by adjusting the current value to the silicon seed rod, and the raw material gas is supplied while maintaining a supply amount of chlorosilanes per square millimeter of the surface of the rod in a predetermined range until a temperature of the center portion of the rod reaches a predetermined temperature lower than the melting point of the polycrystalline silicon, and in the second process, a previously determined current value is set corresponding to a rod diameter and the supply amount of the raw material gas per square millimeter of the surface of the rod is decreased to maintain the surface temperature and the temperature of the center portion of the rod at predetermined ranges, respectively.
US08507049B2

The invention relates to a method for the coating of a surface of a ceramic basic body with a titanium compound, comprising the steps of (i) providing a preformed ceramic material; (ii) at least one step of surface activation of said ceramic material using a plasma for plasma-chemical surface preparation wherein the plasma comprises high-energy ions; (iii) at least one step of applying a titanium compound bonding layer to said ceramic material by plasma-supported coating wherein the plasma-supported coating is performed in pulsed and/or non-pulsed fashion; (iv) at least one step of applying a functional titanium compound layer by pulsed plasma-supported coating. The invention also relates to novel compositions as well as uses of the novel compositions.
US08507047B2

An approach is described for manufacturing wavelength conversion components for lighting devices which employ in-line process controls to minimize the amount of perceptible variation in the amount of photo-luminescent material that is deposited in the wavelength conversion components. Weight measurements are utilized in the manufacturing process to control and minimize the amount of the variations. In this approach, the weight of the product during manufacturing is used as a surrogate to a measure of the amount of photo-luminescent material in the component, and hence a surrogate for the expected color properties of the manufactured product. By measuring and checking for weight variations for the component, one can quickly determine with reasonable confidence whether there are any variations in the amount of photo-luminescent in the component.
US08507037B2

Printing one or more layers using toner and/or laminates to form one or more multi-channeled layers, with a particular pattern, including forming a desired image, for example, electrographically, on a receiver member. The multi layered channel printing apparatus and related method and print incorporates one or more static layers, and one or more moveable layers that allow a fluid to move through the micro channels via an opening or through a direct fill. It also incorporates particles in the channels to act as a packing material for separation of components of samples. The packing material can either be applied directly or using the electrographic printing process. An optional capping layer or substrate may then be applied.
US08507035B2

Disclosed are coating apparatus and coating methods to uniformly coat complex objects. The coating apparatus comprises first, second and/or third gimbals connected to rotational mechanisms to allow rotation of the gimbals around or about first, second and/or third axis. When three gimbals are used, an object holder is connected to the third gimbal. When an object is present in the object holder, it can be immersed in a coating solution to form a coated object. After removal from the coating solution, the coated object is then rotated around or about two or three axes which produces a multidirectional centrifugal force which causes the coating solution to spread evenly over the surface of the object to produce a uniform thin film. Coating methods based on the forgoing are also disclosed.
US08507034B2

Processes and methods are provided for applying corrosion inhibitor within a foam matrix to the top of the line of wet gas pipelines. The environment within a hydrocarbon containing pipeline may include fluids that form strong acids in the gas space at the upper portion of the pipeline and can rapidly corrode a carbon steel pipeline. The solution provides a foam matrix created by a combination of foaming agent, foaming gas and corrosion inhibitor that are each selected to be compatible with each other and with the hydrocarbon mixture to form a stable foam matrix that treats the top of the line position for the length of the pipeline. A foam breaking agent at the end of the pipeline can be injected, if needed.
US08507032B2

A magnetic storage medium is formed of magnetic nanoparticles that are encapsulated within nanotubes (e.g., carbon nanotubes), which are arranged in a substrate to facilitate the reading and writing of information by a read/write head. The substrate may be flexible or rigid. Information is stored on the magnetic nanoparticles via the read/write head of a storage device. These magnetic nanoparticles are arranged into data tracks to store information through encapsulation within the carbon nanotubes. As carbon nanotubes are bendable, the carbon nanotubes may be arranged on flexible or rigid substrates, such as a polymer tape or disk for flexible media, or a glass substrate for rigid disk. A polymer may assist holding the nano-particle filled carbon-tubes to the substrate. Magnetic fields may be applied to draw the carbon nanotubes into data tracks and orient the carbon nanotubes within the data tracks.
US08507021B2

The present invention provides a reduced fat chocolate composition comprising erythritol. In one embodiment the chocolate composition is characterized in that it has a total fat content of from 15 wt % to 24.9 wt %. In another embodiment the chocolate composition comprising erythritol is characterized in that it has a total fat content of from 15 wt % to 26 wt % and does not comprise inulin or fructo oligosaccharide (FOS). A process for the preparation of the chocolate composition is provided, said process having processing parameters similar to those for high fat chocolate.
US08507016B2

In the conventional technology, macromolecular polysaccharides, which the aloe vera gel inherently has, are broken down into small molecules for the following reasons: First, cellulose is broken down by the enzyme such as cellulose; Second, agitation in the cellulose breakdown process by the enzyme of cellulase and the like is performed in a heated state for an extended period of time; Third, nearly the same technique is employed also in the aloin absorption process by the activated charcoal; Fourth, a plurality of times of filtering causes intense oxidation to the gel juice. For the reasons described above, the molecular weight of macromolecular polysaccharides, which the aloe vera gel inherently has, is reduced to 80,000 dalton or less. Therefore, by use of the conventional technology, it is impossible to provide macromolecular polysaccharides that the aloe vera gel has in a state where aloin is removed.To solve the above-mentioned problem, we provide aloe powder which is made from aloe vera gel, characterized by that a molecular weight of polysaccharides contained in the powder is not less than 400,000 dalton and an aloin content ratio of the powder is not more than 50 ppm.
US08507014B2

Natural lycopene concentrate obtained from a plant structure after alkalinization, solid-liquid separation, acidification and a second solid-liquid separation. The concentrate obtained is highly bioavailable and water-soluble at room temperature.
US08507008B2

Osteogenic proteins are delivered via an injectable solid rod or hardenable paste. The formulation comprises a calcium phosphate material, an osteogenic protein, and optional additives and active ingredients such as a bone resorption inhibitor. Methods of making injectable pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using the osteogenic compositions to treat bone defects are also disclosed.
US08507001B2

A dosage form from which a burst release of a drug contained within a tampered dosage form is reduced or retarded by the presence in or on the dosage form of a TPTA (Tamper Prone Therapeutic Agent) trap. If the dosage form has not been tampered with, the TPTA trap does not significantly interfere with the rate of release of the drug from the dosage form. However, if the dosage form has been physically tampered with, the TPTA trap reduces or retards burst release of the drug from the dosage form.
US08506998B2

A solid, oral controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form has a water-soluble active ingredient dispersed in a matrix and releases the active ingredient at such a rate upon administration that the median tmax is 2.5 to 6 hours and the ratio of mean Cmax to mean plasma level of the active ingredient at 24 hours is in the range of 1.5 to 3.5.
US08506997B2

The present invention refers to a new compound containing Silymarin with Carbopol for the treatment of Diabetes Mellitus. This compound morphologically and structurally regenerates the damage that occurs in the pancreatic tissue in Diabetes Mellitus, and regenerates the insulin-producing pancreatic cells (β cells). It therefore regulates the serum levels of this hormone. Furthermore, it restores and maintains the normal concentrations of the blood glucose.
US08506996B2

Therapeutic delivery systems are provided which, in a first embodiment, contain a plurality of multiphase capsules in which first and second therapeutic agents are contained in separate phases within said multiphase capsules, and are disposed to deliver said first and therapeutic agents by at least two different delivery mechanisms.
US08506995B2

A formulation of Coenzyme Q10, beta-carotenes, Vitamin E, and medium chain triglycerides in rice bran oil and an optional thickener, such as bee's wax, is provided in a soft gel capsule so that a maximum of the Coenzyme Q10 is absorbed by the human body. Generally, about 60 mg of Coenzyme Q10 is the normal amount provided daily to a healthy sedentary adult.
US08506990B2

Provided are methods of treating pain, including neuropathic pain, in human and veterinary individuals. These methods employ locally administrable pharmaceutical gallium compositions, including pharmaceutical gallium compositions suitable for administration to the skin and mucous membranes. The compositions comprise pharmaceutically acceptable gallium compounds, such as gallium maltolate or gallium nitrate, together with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers suitable for local administration, including those suitable for topical administration. The administration of such compositions provides relief from pain, itching, allodynia, hyperalgesia, and related symptoms.
US08506988B2

A process for making a multicomponent microbicidal contraceptive intravaginal ringed-mesh device that includes forming a polymeric, fibrous mesh and adjoining a reinforcing yarn about the periphery of the fibrous mesh. The process further involves forming a polymeric ring matrix, that includes at least one contraceptive agent on the reinforced fibrous mesh, thereby encasing the reinforcing yarn and the mesh periphery, and applying at least one bioactive agent to the ringed-mesh.
US08506980B2

Self-dissolving needle-like or filamentous shape percutaneously absorbable preparations, by which inherently poorly absorbable drugs into the body through the skin is efficiently administered. The preparations are made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of proteins, polysaccharides, polyvinyl alcohols, carboxyvinyl polymers and sodium polyacrylic acids. An active substance contained therein is released in a sustained-release fashion (1) by forming a water-insoluble layer on its surface, (2) by holding the active substance in porous materials, or (3) by imparting a long-acting characteristic to the active substance. The present invention also provides a sheet-like carrier for holding the preparations on at least one of the sides thereof, and a piece of equipment for holding the preparations so as to facilitate the administration of them.
US08506976B2

The present invention relates to cosmetic make-up compositions, in particular mascaras, comprising carbon black encapsulated in a spherical silica matrix. These compositions are characterized by a deep and glossy black color.
US08506970B2

A novel dosing regimen for the administration of botulinum toxin based on the pattern, quantity, and location of neuromuscular junctions in the target tissue. Because the number of neuromuscular junctions in a target tissue remains generally stable throughout life and because the pharmacological effect of botulinum toxin is localized at the neuromuscular junction, dosing efficacy is unaffected by muscle mass, age of the patient, or body weight.
US08506968B2

Described is a composition and method for reducing the occurrence and severity of infectious diseases, especially infectious diseases such as SARS, in which lipid-containing infectious viral organisms are found in biological fluids, such as blood. The present invention employs solvents useful for extracting lipids from the lipid-containing infectious viral organism thereby creating immunogenic modified, partially delipidated viral particles with reduced infectivity. The present invention provides delipidated viral vaccine compositions, such as therapeutic vaccine compositions, comprising these modified, partially delipidated viral particles with reduced infectivity, optionally combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or an immunostimulant. The vaccine composition is administered to a patient to provide protection against the lipid-containing infectious viral organism or, in case of a therapeutic vaccine, to treat or alleviate infection against the lipid-containing infections viral organism. The vaccine compositions of the present invention include combination vaccines of modified viral particles obtained from one or more strains of a virus and/or one or more types of virus.
US08506966B2

An influenza vaccine adjuvanted with a sub-micron oil-in-water emulsion elicits significantly higher immune responses in human pediatric populations. Compared to an existing unadjuvanted pediatric influenza vaccine, the adjuvanted vaccines provided herein can induce in children a longer persistence of high serum antibody titers and also longer seroconversion and seroprotection. The improvement in immune responses is seen for both influenza A virus and influenza B virus strains, but it is particularly marked for influenza B virus. Moreover, while the existing vaccine provides poor immunity in children after a single dose, the adjuvanted vaccine provides high seroprotection rates against the influenza A virus H3N2 subtype even after a single dose. Furthermore, the adjuvanted vaccine offers significantly better seroprotection against mismatched strains of influenza A virus.
US08506964B2

A fusion protein comprising an antigenic fragment of apoB-100 and a suitable carrier and related compositions methods and systems.
US08506962B2

A biocompatible, sustained release intraocular drug delivery system comprising a protein or polynucleotide therapeutic agent, a polymeric carrier for the therapeutic agent and a long chain fatty alcohol release modifier. The biocompatible, sustained release intraocular drug delivery system can be used to treat an ocular condition.
US08506961B2

Disclosed herein are isolated humanized monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) with a binding affinity of about 1.0 nM or less. Nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, expression vectors including these nucleic acid molecules, and isolated host cells that express the nucleic acid molecules are also disclosed. Methods of treating, preventing, and/or ameliorating JEV infection in a subject with JEV also are disclosed. Additionally, the antibodies can be used to detect JEV in a sample, and methods of diagnosing JEV infection, or confirming a diagnosis of JEV infection in a subject, are disclosed herein that utilize these antibodies.
US08506960B2

Binding members for alpha chain of receptor for granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSFRα), especially antibody molecules. Use of the binding members in treating inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, allergic response, multiple sclerosis, myeloid leukaemia and atherosclerosis.
US08506943B2

The present invention pertains to a method of counteracting a malodor by introducing a malodor counteracting effective amount of an enantiomeric compound selected from the group consisting of (1R)-1-cyclohexylethyl butyrate and (1S)-1-cyclohexylethyl acetate.
US08506936B2

A nicotine chewing gum composition with improved stability.
US08506931B2

The present invention relates to compounds which are perylenequinone derivatives, their stereoisomers and atropisomers. These compounds can be particularly useful as photosensitizers or sononsensitizers in photodynamic or sonodynamic therapy. The invention also relates to various methods for using these compounds in photodynamic and/or sonodynamic therapy. The compounds also are useful as therapeutic agents for treating various hyperproliferative disorders.
US08506926B2

2′-Deoxy-2′-[18F]-labeled and 3′-deoxy-3′-[18F]-labeled purine nucleoside analogs such as [18F]-FAA and [18F]-FXA have been found to have desirable properties for use as imaging agents. The analogs are particularly useful for in vivo imaging of biological material including organ tissues (e.g., heart, liver, brain and kidneys) and tumors. Methods for the preparation of the [18F]-FAA and [18F]-FXA are also provided.
US08506925B1

Disclosed herein is an iodine-sulfur cycle for nuclear hydrogen production, which can improve thermochemical efficiency. The iodine-sulfur cycle is advantageous in that the amount of excess water and iodine supplied to a Bunsen reaction process is minimized, thus minimizing the amount of thermal energy consumed in the recovery and recirculation process thereof, in that sulfuric acid having stronger hydrophilicity than hydrogen iodide absorbs excess water in large quantities in a spontaneous liquid-liquid phase separation process, so that, after the spontaneous liquid-liquid phase separation process, the concentration of hydrogen iodide in a hydrogen iodide solution exceeds a concentration at an azeotropic point without conducting an additional concentration process, with the result that highly-concentrated hydrogen iodide gas can be obtained only through a flashing process, thereby decreasing energy consumption and simplifying the process and thus improving economical efficiency, and in that process temperature and pressure can be decreased, thus greatly deceasing the corrosivity in an operational environment. Therefore, the iodine-sulfur cycle according to the present invention can be usefully used for high-efficient and environmentally-friendly nuclear hydrogen production.
US08506921B2

A hot filament chemical vapor deposition method has been developed to grow at least one vertical single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT). In general, various embodiments of the present invention disclose novel processes for growing and/or producing enhanced nanotube carpets with decreased diameters as compared to the prior art.
US08506920B2

The present invention provides a method and formulation for the creation of a diamond-carbon bearing material of varying particle sizes. The material is a detonation by-product of explosive formulations that employ carbon dioxide as the oxidizing agent and a material, such as powdered magnesium, as the fuel for such detonation.
US08506913B2

An acidic gas absorbent having a high acidic gas absorption capacity, that is, a high acidic gas absorption amount and a high acidic gas absorption rate, an acidic gas absorption device, and a method for absorbing an acidic gas, are provided. An acidic gas absorbent containing an azabicyclo compound and a primary or secondary amine compound; an acidic gas absorbent containing a heteroaromatic ring compound and a primary or secondary amine compound; an acidic gas removal device using these acidic gas absorbents; and a method for removing an acidic gas are disclosed.
US08506911B2

Compositions are provided that include nuclear fuel. Methods for treating nuclear fuel are provided which can include exposing the fuel to a carbonate-peroxide solution. Methods can also include exposing the fuel to an ammonium solution. Methods for acquiring molybdenum from a uranium comprising material are provided.
US08506896B2

An automatic dishwashing product comprising a multi-dosing detergent delivery device comprising a housing (101, 110) for receiving therein a detergent holder (102) and a detergent holder (102) accommodating a plurality of detergent doses (104, 106) wherein the doses comprises at least two different types of detergent compositions, a first compositions comprising a halogen bleach and a second composition comprising enzymes and a bleach scavenger.
US08506893B2

According to one embodiment of the present invention a selective reduction catalyst system with a broad temperature window for lean-burn gasoline and diesel engines is disclosed. The system includes a first and second zone, wherein the first zone is composed of an iron SCR catalyst and a second zone is composed of a copper SCR catalyst, and wherein the second zone is positioned downstream of the first zone. In another embodiment, a small copper SCR catalyst is placed in front of a second zone composed of an iron SCR catalyst and a third zone composed of a copper SCR catalyst, wherein the volume of the first copper SCR catalyst is a fraction of the volume of the second copper SCR catalyst. In yet another embodiment, a diverter valve would be included in the system to eliminate any NOx penalty produced by the front Cu SCR catalyst.
US08506888B2

Embodiments disclosed herein describe a system for producing enhanced wax alternatives, the system that includes a reactor having a reactor inlet and a reactor outlet; and a high shear device having a device inlet, a device outlet, a rotor, a stator, and a catalytic surface, wherein the device outlet is in fluid communication with the reactor inlet.
US08506876B2

The present invention provides a method to control automatic pouring equipment that can pour molten metal in a desired sequence, and it also provides the system therefor. The method to control the automatic pouring equipment comprises pouring the molten metal by three servomotors that are each driven and controlled by a PLC and that act to have the ladle tilted, hoisted, and move backward and forward, characterized in that the method comprises pouring the molten metal into the mold from the ladle by a continuous driving of the servomotors by the instructions given by the PLC, at the same time measuring the weight of the automatic pouring equipment, including the weight of the three servomotors by a means to measure the weight, and calculating the change of the weight of the molten metal in the ladle by the PLC, and in that the method comprises pouring the molten metal, disregarding the results of measurements obtained by the means to measure the weight of the automatic pouring equipment, including the weight of the three servomotors, when an acceleration force works on the ladle.
US08506874B2

Methods and apparatuses for blow molding a fuel tank with multiple concentric needles to form an opening in the fuel tank, and/or for calibrating the opening in the fuel tank as it cools.
US08506871B2

A porous monocomponent nonwoven web contains a bimodal mass fraction/fiber size mixture of intermingled continuous microfibers and larger size fibers of the same polymeric composition. There are at least five times as many microfibers as larger size fibers, and a histogram of the mass fraction of fibers vs. fiber size exhibits a larger size fiber mode greater than 10 μm. The web may be made by flowing fiber-forming material through a die cavity having larger size orifices and at least five times as many smaller size orifices to form filaments, attenuating the filaments into fibers and collecting the attenuated fibers to form the nonwoven web. The web is especially well suited to the manufacture of self-supporting three dimensional articles such as molded cup-shaped respirators and pleated air filters.
US08506867B2

Provided are methods and devices for transfer printing of semiconductor elements to a receiving surface. In an aspect, the printing is by conformal contact between an elastomeric stamp inked with the semiconductor elements and a receiving surface, and during stamp removal, a shear offset is applied between the stamp and the receiving surface. The shear-offset printing process achieves high printing transfer yields with good placement accuracy. Process parameter selection during transfer printing, including time varying stamp-backing pressure application and vertical displacement, yields substantially constant delamination rates with attendant transfer printing improvement.
US08506863B1

A method for adhering two layers of materials is described. An additional layer of material deposited on one of the layers is used. The additional layer of material is perforated and undercut by etching away one of the layers thereby generating anchor shaped holes. The other layer is then deposited on the additional layer filling the anchor shaped holes therefore, providing adhesion.
US08506860B2

The present invention provides a method of manufacturing foam, including the steps of sealing a mold by providing a lower mold having an arbitrarily-shaped molding surface, and then sequentially placing a middle mold having at least one arbitrarily-shaped protrusion formed on one side thereof or both sides thereof and an upper mold having an arbitrarily-shaped molding surface on the lower mold; simultaneously forming an upper preform and a lower preform, which are prevented from foaming, by charging a foaming material in an inner molding space of each of the upper mold and the lower mold, which are divided by the middle mold; opening the mold and removing the middle mold from the mold; placing an interface material in grooves formed in the preform by the protrusion of the middle mold such that the upper preform and the lower preform are prevented from cross-linking with each other; and simultaneously cross-linking and foaming the upper preform and the lower preform by sealing the mold.
US08506852B2

The present invention concerns electrode materials capable of redox reactions by electron and alkali-ion exchange with an electrolyte. The applications are in the field of primary (batteries) or secondary electrochemical generators, supercapacitors and light modulating systems of the electrochromic type.
US08506842B2

Provided is a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one of characteristics such as high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, small viscosity, large optical anisotropy, large dielectric anisotropy, large specific resistance, high stability to ultraviolet light and high stability to heat, or that is suitably balanced between at least two of the characteristics; and provided is an AM device. The liquid crystal composition having a nematic phase includes a three-ring compound having a specific difluoromethyleneoxy bond having large dielectric anisotropy as a first component, a specific three-ring compound having large dielectric anisotropy as a second component, a specific four-ring compound having high maximum temperature as a third component, and a specific two-ring compound having high maximum temperature and small viscosity as a fourth component, and the liquid crystal display device contains this composition.
US08506841B2

A photopolymerizable liquid crystal mixture includes a first photopolymerizable monomer, a second photopolymerizable monomer, a first photoinitiator, a second photoinitiator, and a liquid crystal material. A manufacturing method of photopolymerizable liquid crystal includes the following steps. A first light source is provided to irradiate the photopolymerizable liquid crystal mixture without providing a driving voltage, for inducing photopolymerization of the first photoinitiator and the first photopolymerizable monomer. A second light source is provided to irradiate the photopolymerizable liquid crystal mixture without providing a driving voltage, for inducing photopolymerization of the second photoinitiator and the second photopolymerizable monomer and aligning the liquid crystal material along a direction.
US08506840B2

Disclosed is a flue gas absorbent composition which contains a compound and water. The compound has a ring structure and includes terminal primary amine groups and substituted α-carbon atoms neighboring the amine groups. Further, a use of a solution of a compound having a ring structure and terminal amine groups as a flue gas absorbent is disclosed. The absorbent composition includes a ring-structure compound having superior absorption ability when compared to conventional absorbents, thereby exhibiting excellent properties, i.e., flue gas absorption rate improved by 50 to 100% and flue gas absorption capacity improved by 200 to 400%, as compared with currently used absorbents such as monoethanolamine (MEA) and 2-amino-2-methyl-propanol (AMP).
US08506837B2

A field-responsive fluid which enters a semi-solid state in the presence of an energy field is improved by use of a plurality of energy field responsive particles which form chains in response to the energy field. The particles can be (a) composite particles in which at least one field-responsive member having a first density is attached to at least one member having a second density that is lower than the first density, (b) shaped particles in which at least one field-responsive member has one or more inclusions, and (c) combinations thereof. The particles improve the field-responsive fluid by reducing density without eliminating field-responsive properties which afford utility. Further, a multi-phase base fluid including a mixture of two or more substances, at least two of which are immiscible, may be used. The multi-phase base fluid improves the field-responsive fluid because surface tension between the boundaries of the immiscible substances in conjunction with chains formed by field-responsive particles tends to stop or retard creep flow, resulting an improved dynamic or static seal.
US08506835B2

A cyclic method of chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) a wafer having a surface includes placing the wafer on a platen in a CMP apparatus and then performing a multi-step CMP comprising process. The multi-step CMP process includes delivering a first chemical composition onto the wafer while on the platen for a first time duration, and without removing the wafer from the platen, delivering a second chemical composition different from the first composition onto the wafer for a second time duration after the first time duration. The multi-step CMP comprising process includes CMP removal using a slurry during one of the first and second time durations and a non-polishing process during the other of the first and second time durations. The multi-step CMP comprising process is repeated a plurality of times.
US08506832B2

Example embodiments are directed to a wafer dividing apparatus and method thereof. The wafer dividing apparatus includes a chuck unit having upper and lower chucks, a cutting wire that is provided in a space between the upper and lower chucks to cut a wafer and driven by a first driving unit, and an etchant supplying nozzle supplying etchant to a groove of the wafer, which is formed by the cutting wire.
US08506829B2

A semiconductor hollow-core waveguide using high-contrast gratings or photonic crystal claddings and a method of manufacturing the same includes providing a layered semiconductor structure; creating an etching mask pattern over the layered semiconductor structure; performing a combined cycled directional etching process on the layered semiconductor structure in one sequence and in one lithography level to create a 3-dimensional waveguide structure; and creating a hollow air core in the layered semiconductor structure by removing to define a shape of the waveguide. The etching process comprises vertically etching a series of deep trenches on the layered semiconductor structure with precise control and varying the width of the trench. Furthermore, the hollow air core is created by removing a portion of the sacrificial material located in the center of the waveguide and under the waveguide.
US08506827B2

Methods for forming a metal grating include providing a first grating including a plurality of grating lines formed from a dielectric material, each grating having a pair of sidewalls, facing sidewalls of adjacent grating lines being separated by corresponding trenches, the grating lines and trenches forming a grating surface; forming a layer of a metal on the grating surface, where the metal layer has a constant thickness and conforms to the grating surface; and removing portions of the metal layer between sidewalls of adjacent grating lines of the first grating to form a metal grating having grating lines formed from the metal, the grating lines of the metal grating corresponding to the portions of the metal layer adjacent the sidewalls of the grating lines of the first grating. The metal grating has a pitch of 200 nm or less, a depth of 50 nm or more, and the grating lines of the metal grating have an aspect ratio of 10-to-1 or more.
US08506824B1

A method for treating waste water and sewage by introducing high pressure wash water or other fluids including gas into a housing of a hydro-cyclone and creating a cyclone with an enhanced and controllable vortex for increased removal of putrescible materials. Waste water and sewage is introduced into the housing and into the cyclone vortex. By the very high centrifugal force generated, suspended inorganic grit is quickly separated from the wash water and organic matter. The water with organic matter is then discharged typically out of the top of the housing, for returning to a water treatment plant for further processing. At this time, the separated inorganic grit, as a concentrated grit liquid, is typically funneled downwardly by gravity through a bottom of the hydro-cyclone housing for waste discharge removal.
US08506813B2

This invention concerns a method, devices, instrument and program for extraction an ingredient from a liquid sample by bidirectional transfer of an aliquot of fluid between compartments, the method can be applied to a wide variety of laboratory techniques such as; solid phase extraction by filter disc, column chromatography, magnetic separation, diagnostic tests and others, the system is suitable for single or multi sample handling, manual operation or integrated into an automated system, can be used in a lab or in field.
US08506805B2

A system and method for installing a large-sized filtering membrane module to a frame structure with easiness is disclosed, wherein the system comprises a frame structure to which the filtering membrane module is to be installed; and an installing apparatus for installing the filtering membrane module to the frame structure, wherein the installing apparatus comprises a horizontal rod parallel to an inserting direction of the filtering membrane module into the frame structure; and a moving unit movable toward the frame structure along the horizontal rod while supporting the filtering membrane module.
US08506798B2

Installation for treating a biological liquid, including a circulation pump (5), a filter element (9), a container for collecting treated liquid, a first circuit section connecting a source of said biological liquid to an inlet orifice of said filter element (9), including a circuit element adapted to cooperate with said circulation pump (5); a second circuit section, connecting an outlet orifice of said filter element (9) to said treated liquid collecting container; characterized in that said treated liquid collecting container, said first circuit section and said second circuit section are disposable and said installation further includes a first cart (1) carrying said pump (5) and a second cart (2) including a housing (14) for said collecting container, separable from the first cart (1) and adapted to be at least partly nested in said first cart (1).
US08506797B2

Large-scale downstream processing of secreted recombinant proteins is provided in a single device, wherein the contents of a plurality of bioreactors are combined simultaneous to their harvesting and purification resulting in significant savings of time and the cost of manufacturing.
US08506794B2

Contact of a crude feed with two or more catalysts produces a total product that include a crude product. The crude feed has a total acid number of at least 0.1. The crude product is a liquid mixture at 25 ° C. and 0.101 MPa. The crude product has a total acid number of at most 90% of the total acid number of the crude feed. One or more other properties of the crude product may be changed by at least 10% relative to the respective properties of the crude feed.
US08506782B2

A method of electrophoretic deposition of adsorbent media onto an electrically conducting substrate. The adsorbent media may include one or more porous coordination polymers and/or one or more secondary adsorbing particles. The adsorbent media may be continuously applied from a liquid composition at a selected thickness and at a controlled rate and as a function of voltage profiles.
US08506776B2

The present invention discloses a biological test chip and a method for manufacturing the same. The biological test chip comprises a test unit and an auxiliary unit for producing capillary action. The test unit includes a baseboard, at least one pair of electrodes and wires connected to the electrodes that are provided on the baseboard by using printed-circuit-board manufacturing process, and a photoresist layer covering the baseboard. The auxiliary unit includes a double-faced adhesive gel layer and a hydrophilic layer that have at least two thin plates respectively. By utilizing the manufacturing process for a printing circuit board and the photoresist layer, body fluid to be tested can be rapidly drawn in to fill the reaction areas formed in the photoresist layer and thereby can react evenly and rapidly with the reactive enzymes used for the test.
US08506771B2

A bipolar pulsed power supply which supplies power in a bipolar pulsed mode at a predetermined frequency to a pair of electrodes that come into contact with a plasma is arranged to reduce the switching loss of the switching elements in a bridge circuit, and also to attain a high durability without using high-performance switching elements. The bipolar pulsed power supply has: a bridge circuit constituted by switching elements SW1 through SW4 connected to positive and negative DC outputs from a DC power supply source; and a control means for controlling switching ON or OFF of each of the switching elements in the bridge circuit. An output-short-circuiting switching element SW0 is disposed between the positive and the negative DC outputs from the DC power supply source such that, in a short-circuited state of the output-short-circuiting switching element, each of the switching elements in the bridge circuit is switched by the control means.
US08506756B2

The invention proposes an embossed sheet (10) comprising at least one ply (12) of tissue having an embossing pattern comprising at least one series of protuberances (18) formed projecting from one surface of the said ply (12) of tissue, and at least one ply joined to the said at least one ply (12) of tissue and located opposite the said surface of the ply (14) of water-soluble material,characterized in that the ply (14) of water-soluble material is joined to the said at least one ply (12) of tissue at the summits (18a) of at least part of the protuberances (18).The invention also proposes a method for manufacturing such a multi-ply sheet (10).
US08506752B2

Certain example embodiments relate to techniques for bonding automotive brackets for sensors, rear view mirrors, and/or other components to an interior surface of the glass. The adhesive films of certain example embodiments may be film-based adhesives that may be die-cut and pre-applied to the brackets or components. They may have a good initial adhesion or green strength immediately upon contact with the glass. In certain example instances, the films may be applied and successfully bond to the glass at near ambient temperature conditions to a strength level adequate to meet operational specifications for the component in under 72 hours.
US08506748B2

A method is provided for imaging vinyl flooring material. Images are formed on vinyl flooring material having enhanced thermomechanical properties using heat activated imaging methods. Minimum shrinkage of the flooring substrate and minimum image deformation are provided by the invention.
US08506746B2

A method of forming a joint between a first component and a second component, the first component comprising a plurality of layers of fibers impregnated with a thermosetting matrix. A welding interface element is provided with an array of pointed prongs. One or more of the layers of fibers are penetrated with the prongs, either before or after the fibers have been impregnated with the thermosetting matrix. The first component is cured by heating the thermosetting matrix after the prongs have been embedded. A thermoplastic weld is formed between the second component and the welding interface element.
US08506745B2

A modular reciprocating heat seal jaw assembly is disclosed for sealing reclosable fastener strips to a web of thermoplastic film and for sealing the web of thermoplastic film into a series of reclosable bags. The jaw assembly includes first and second sealing jaws and means for slidably mounting the sealing jaws on a pair of parallel shafts near the lateral ends of the first and second sealing jaws in a horizontal configuration. A method of performing the sealing of the fastener strips and web thermoplastic film into a series of reclosable bags is also disclosed.
US08506742B2

The invention relates to a method for laminating a plastic film with a wood-base substrate, in particular for producing a high-gloss surface on a wood-base substrate, in which a plastic film is laminated by means of a laminating agent, preferably an adhesive, with a wood-base substrate and permanently bonded to the wood-base substrate, the plastic film being formed so as to be transparent on its top, and the products obtainable in this manner and their use, in particular in the area of the wood and furniture industry, for example for the production of pieces of furniture and fitments of all kinds.
US08506732B2

Apparatus and method are provided for metallurgical heat treatment of coil springs, or similarly shaped workpieces and articles of manufacture, by electric resistance heating along the entire length of the workpiece so that the ends of the workpiece can be heat treated to the same degree and quality as the section of the workpiece between its two ends.
US08506730B2

The free-cutting copper alloy according to the present invention contains a greatly reduced amount of lead in comparison with conventional free-cutting copper alloys, but provides industrially satisfactory machinability. The free-cutting alloys comprise 69 to 79 percent, by weight, of copper, 2.0 to 4.0 percent, by weight, of silicon, 0.02 to 0.4 percent, by weight, of lead, and the remaining percent, by weight, of zinc.
US08506728B2

In a process which is before a treatment process of forming a chemical conversion, TiO2 fine particles as an electron releasing-related substance (electron releasing substance) are attached onto a surface of a vehicle body. Then, a chemical conversion treatment is applied to the vehicle body having the TiO2 fine particles attached thereto. Thereby, an energy band gap of a finally-formed chemical conversion film can be smaller than that of a chemical conversion film formed by using only a chemical conversion treatment agent. Accordingly, the number of electrons (free electrons) which can be supplied onto the surface of a chemical conversion film can be increased during a voltage application in an electrodeposition coating process, and reducing reaction at a cathode can be promoted.
US08506724B2

A system using electrochemically-activated water (ECAW) for manufacturing, processing, packaging, and dispensing beverages including: (a) using ECAW to neutralize incompatible residues when transitioning from the production of one beverage to another; (b) using ECAW to rehabilitate and disinfect granular activated charcoal beds used in the feed water purification system; (c) producing a carbonated ECAW product and using the carbonated ECAW for system cleaning or disinfecting; (d) using ECAW solutions in the beverage facility clean-in-place system to achieve improved microbial control while greatly reducing water usage and reducing or eliminating the use of chemical detergents and disinfectants; (e) further reducing biofilm growth in the processing system, and purifying ingredient water without the use of chlorine, by adding an ECAW anolyte to the water ingredient feed stream; and/or (f) washing the beverage product bottles or other packages with one or more ECAW solutions prior to packaging.
US08506714B2

Disclosed is a substrate processing system, including: a processing chamber to process a substrate; a vaporizing unit to vaporize a material of liquid; a supply system to supply the processing chamber with gas of the material vaporized by the vaporizing unit; an exhaust system to exhaust an atmosphere in the processing chamber; and a cleaning liquid supply system to supply the vaporizing unit with cleaning liquid for cleaning a product deposited in the vaporizing unit, wherein the cleaning liquid supply system supplies at least two kinds of cleaning liquids into the vaporizing unit so that the product can be removed from the vaporizing unit by action of the two kinds of cleaning liquids on the product.
US08506711B2

An flat-panel display (FPD) manufacturing apparatus is provided. The apparatus is flexibly configured so that it is capable of easily processing large-size substrates while also simplifying manufacturing, transporting, operating, and repair processes.
US08506710B2

An apparatus for fabricating a semiconductor device includes: a chamber having a sidewall; a susceptor in the chamber; a plurality of injection holes in the sidewall, the plurality of injection holes disposed along a horizontal direction; and a plurality of exhaust holes in the sidewall, the plurality of exhaust holes disposed along the horizontal direction and facing the plurality of injection holes with the susceptor therebetween.
US08506705B2

A nitride single crystal is produced on a seed crystal substrate 5 in a melt containing a flux and a raw material of the single crystal in a growing vessel 1. The melt 2 in the growing vessel 1 has temperature gradient in a horizontal direction. In growing a nitride single crystal by flux method, adhesion of inferior crystals onto the single crystal is prevented and the film thickness of the single crystal is made constant.
US08506699B2

The disclosure relates to a bituminous composition comprising at least one bitumen and at least one organogelling molecule taken alone or as a mixture, said organogelling molecule being represented by the following general formula (I): where: A represents an acyclic, cyclic or polycyclic, saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched hydrocarbon-based group having 3 to 92 carbon atoms, resulting from the polymerization of the side chains of at least one unsaturated fatty acid, X represents an NH group or an oxygen atom O, R1 represents a group chosen from: a linear or branched hydrocarbon-based group having 2 to 40 carbon atoms, optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms and optionally comprising one or more unsaturations, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, R2 represents a group chosen from: a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched hydrocarbon-based group having 1 to 40 carbon atoms, comprising one or more heteroatoms and optionally comprising one or more unsaturations, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, m and n represent, independently of one another, an integer that varies from 1 to 4, p represents an integer that varies from 0 to 4, q represents an integer that varies from 1 to 4 or a combination of these values, Y represents a group comprising a hydrogen bond donor such as the NH group and a hydrogen bond acceptor such as the C═O group.
US08506698B2

An oral composition comprising an active component and an adhesive film forming component comprising bleached shellac and shellac wax for the treatment of teeth.
US08506694B2

A phase separation ink including at least one crystallizable component that crystallizes as it cools from a first ink jetting temperature to a second lower temperature; at least one amorphous component comprising a material that remains amorphous at the second temperature; an optional colorant; wherein the at least one crystallizable component and the at least one amorphous component are in a molten, single phase state at the first ink jetting temperature; wherein at the second temperature, the phase separation ink comprises a crystalline phase comprising the at least one crystallizable component and an amorphous phase comprising the at least one amorphous component; wherein the amorphous phase of the at least one phase separation ink substantially penetrates into the final image receiving substrate and the crystalline phase of the at least one phase separation ink substantially remains on the surface of the final image receiving substrate.
US08506672B2

A system of coal gasification and direct ironmaking attains both heat recovery in a coal-based direct ironmaking process and a reduction in equipment investment in a coal gasification process. A waste heat boiler in the system recovers heat of gas exhausted from a coal gasification furnace. A heater in exhaust gas lines of a heat reduction furnace in the coal-based direct ironmaking process superheats the steam generated by and exhausted from the waste heat boiler. A superheated steam line supplies the steam superheated by the heater as an oxidant to the coal gasification furnace.
US08506667B2

Certain embodiments of the invention may include filters and methods for imparting structural support to a pleated filter material. According to an example embodiment, the method includes forming a filter structure from one or more sections of pleated filter media, wherein the filter structure comprises one or more filter pleats. The method also includes extruding a banding material to form one or more radial support regions in at least circumferential contact with at least one of an inner or an outer surface of the filter structure, and maintaining spacing between the one or more filter pleats of the filter structure with the one or more radial support regions.
US08506662B2

A proactive steam and mist removal apparatus is employed along a point of application of a rewet or steam shower system to remove excess steam and water droplets to prevent damage to machinery and products. The apparatus includes an internal chamber equipped with cooled baffles that promote condensation and a condensate collection mechanism. A vacuum source draws a stream of ambient steam and water droplets from the environment along a path into the chamber and a projected gas stream directs the stream into the chamber wherein at least a portion of the ambient steam condenses into condensate. The remaining portion of ambient steam is separated into water and cold air that is recycled as the projected gas. Steam and moisture that escape capture into the internal chamber are heated by a hot air blower that raises their relatively humidity so that the dried air dissipates harmlessly into the atmosphere.
US08506656B1

Methods for producing fuel compositions with predetermined desirable properties are disclosed. Feedback control can be employed to meter precise amounts of fuel composition components while monitoring fuel composition properties to obtain fuel compositions having specifically defined properties.
US08506648B2

This is directed to improving the gaseous exchange in a lung of an individual and particularly, this is directed to improving the gaseous exchange in individuals having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It generally includes fluidly connecting the lung to an extrapleural airway such as the trachea. In one variation, a conduit is deployed to place the lung and the trachea in fluid communication which allows trapped oxygen-reduced air to pass directly out of the lung and into the trachea. Removing nonfunctional air from the lung tends to improve the gaseous exchange of oxygen into the blood and decompress hyper-inflated lungs. Sealant and biocompatible adhesives may be provided on the exterior of the conduit to prevent side flow, leaks and to otherwise prevent air from entering spaces not intended to receive air such as the pleura space.
US08506641B2

An arthrodesis implant is for a finger joint of a hand of a patient. The arthrodesis implant may include an extramedullary proximal anchor including a first member having a fastener-receiving passageway therethrough to receive a fastener to anchor the first member to an extramedullary portion of a proximal bone of the finger joint of the hand of the patient. The arthrodesis implant may also include an intramedullary distal anchor having a second member for being anchored within an intramedullary portion of a distal bone of the finger joint of the hand of the patient, and a coupling for securing the first and second members together.
US08506634B2

In an intervertebral implant, having an upper part that has a support face for a vertebra and a lower part that has a support face for an adjacent vertebra, on each of which parts engagement elements, which are accessible from one side of the intervertebral implant, for a manipulation instrument are disposed, in order to minimize the structural height of the intervertebral implant upon insertion into an intervertebral space, it is proposed that the upper part and lower part each have protrusions and recesses aimed at the respectively other part, which are offset laterally from one another in such a way that when the upper part has been brought close to the lower part they mesh with one another; and that the engagement elements on the upper part and on the lower part are each disposed in protrusions of these parts in such a way that the engagement elements of the upper part and lower part are located side by side and at least partly overlap in the direction of the height of the intervertebral implant.
US08506625B2

A prosthetic mitral heart valve including a contoured sewing ring that better matches the mitral valve annulus. The sewing ring includes an inflow end and an outflow end, the outflow and having at least one raised portion. There may be two raised portions located approximately 120° apart from each other and designed to register with two anterior trigones of the mitral valve annulus. The sewing ring may be formed by a suture-permeable annular member surrounded by a fabric covering, the annular member desirably being molded of silicone. The raised portion(s) may gently curve upward to a height of about 2 mm above the adjacent portions of the outflow end of the sewing ring. The sewing ring may also be constructed so as to be more flexible around a posterior aspect than around an anterior aspect to accommodate calcified tissue more commonly found around the posterior annulus. The contoured sewing ring can be combined with various types of heart valve including bioprosthetic and mechanical valves. A bioprosthetic heart valve of the present invention may include a support stent having three outflow commissures alternating with three inflow cusps, with two of the commissures being located at the same place as two raised portions of the sewing ring. A method of implant includes tilting the prosthetic heart valve in the mitral annulus so that a posterior commissure angles away from the ventricular wall and reduces the chance of contact therebetween.
US08506623B2

An implant delivery system comprising a catheter including at least one lumen, an implant configured for receipt in the lumen, and a latching mechanism configured for receipt in the implant. The latching mechanism may be configured to releasably couple the implant to a delivery wire and to transmit torque through the delivery wire to cause at least a portion of the implant to rotate. The an implant may comprise a shaft, a spacer configured to interact with at least a portion of at least one cusp of a heart valve to at least partially restrict a flow of blood through the heart valve in a closed position, a garage configured to couple the spacer to a first end region of the shaft, and at least one anchor mechanism. The garage may define a cavity to receive the latching mechanism and to increase rotational and translational stability of the latching mechanism.
US08506618B2

A multi-section filamentary stent comprises a braided section, which is a cylindrical mesh of a first set of filaments, connected to at least one wound section comprising a second set of one or more filaments having a repeating configuration with a bent portion. The two sections are preferably connected by at least one continuous filament extending into both sections. The stent may comprise a first section, having a braided first stent architecture with a first flexibility and a first radial force, and a second section, having a non-braided second stent architecture with a second flexibility less than the first flexibility and a second radial force greater than the first radial force, in which at least one continuous filament is integral to both the first and second sections.
US08506617B1

A coating for an implantable device such as a stent is provided including micronized peptides. A method of making the same is also provided.
US08506615B2

Implantable medical endoprosthesis delivery systems and articles are provided.
US08506614B2

A stent delivery system is disclosed that has an outer assembly and an inner assembly that accommodates a stent. The inner assembly further has an external assembly contact area projecting from its surface that frictionally contacts an inner surface of the outer assembly. The contact area is positioned at one end of the inner assembly, proximal to the stent accommodating area. Also disclosed is a method of using the stent delivery system.
US08506609B2

A receiving part for coupling a rod to a bone anchoring element includes a receiving part body including a rod receiving portion having a channel for receiving a rod, and a head receiving portion for accommodating a head of a bone anchoring element, the head receiving portion having an open end and being flexible for inserting and clamping of the head; and a locking ring around the head receiving portion, wherein in a pre-locking position, a spring portion on one of the locking ring or the receiving part body engages a corresponding portion on the other one of the locking ring or the receiving part body, and the locking ring exerts a first force onto the head receiving portion, and wherein in a locking position, the locking ring exerts a second force greater than the first force onto the head receiving portion to lock the head therein.
US08506608B2

An orthopedic screw is used in a fixation device for treating fractures. The device has a body with holes to accept the bone screws. The bone screws have a layer of bioresorbable material on the shaft. Engagement between the bone screws and the body is initially through the bioresorbable material, which engagement rigidly fixes the relative angular orientation between the bone screws and the body when the device is applied to a bone. As the bioresrobable material is resorbed the angular relation between the bone screws and the body is no longer rigidly fixed, thereby effecting a transformation from rigid osteosynthesis to flexible osteosynthesis to allow micromotion between the bone fragments which promotes healing.
US08506604B2

A surgical implant is provided that includes first and second abutment surfaces between which are positioned a force imparting mechanism. A sheath is positioned between the first and second abutment surfaces, and surrounds the force imparting mechanism. The sheath is fabricated from a material that accommodates relative movement of the abutment members, while exhibiting substantially inert behavior relative to surrounding anatomical structures. The sheath is generally fabricated from expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, a copolymer of polycarbonate and a urethane, or a blend of a polycarbonate and a urethane. The force imparting member may include one or more springs, e.g., a pair of nested springs. The surgical implant may be a dynamic spine stabilizing member that is advantageously incorporated into a spine stabilization system to offer clinically efficacious results.
US08506602B2

Methods and devices that utilize segmental fixation between several adjacent vertebrae, thus allowing each vertebrae to be adjusted independently, are provided. In general, the device includes a spinal anchoring element that is adapted to seat at least one spinal fixation element, and a closure mechanism that is adapted to mate to the spinal anchoring element to lock the at least one spinal fixation element in a fixed position relative to the spinal anchoring element.
US08506598B1

A posted anchor and connector-based system including a splined shank headless anchor, various width adjustable connectors for use in open or minimally invasive thoracolumbar spine surgery. The connectors have a high degree of coronal, vertical, as well as sagittal adaptability. In one example, each plane of motion is individually secured for maximum versatility.
US08506592B2

A device for sealing a puncture in a patient includes a sealing component including an elongate control member configured to pass through a puncture in skin of a patient. The sealing component also includes an expandable member disposed near a distal end of the control member, and a tip releasably attached to the elongate control member distal to the expandable member. The device also includes a sealing material delivery component including a delivery tube through which the control member of the sealing component is configured to extend. The delivery tube is configured to deliver sealing material through an opening in a distal end of the delivery tube.
US08506581B2

An endoscopic stitching device includes a tool assembly having a pair of juxtaposed jaws pivotally associated with one another, each jaw defining a needle receiving recess formed in a tissue contacting surface thereof; a drive assembly including a pair of concentric, individually rotatably and translatably supported barrels, each barrel defining a central lumen therethrough; and a pair of axially translatable needle engaging blades slidably supported, one each, in a respective jaw. The stitching device further includes a center rod slidably and rotatably disposed through the lumen of the barrels, a distal end of the center rod being operatively engaged with the pair of jaws.
US08506580B2

A surgical clip applier is provided including a housing; a pair of handles; a channel assembly extending from the housing; a clip carrier disposed within said channel assembly and defining a channel and a plurality of windows; a wedge plate slidably disposed within said channel assembly and being operatively connected to said handles, said wedge plate including a plurality of apertures formed along a length thereof; a plurality of clips slidably disposed within said channel of said clip carrier; and a clip follower slidably disposed within said channel of said clip carrier at a location proximal of said plurality of clips. The clip follower is configured and adapted for selective engagement with said windows of said clip carrier and said apertures of said wedge plate to distally urge said plurality of clips relative to said clip carrier upon a distal advancement of said wedge plate.
US08506573B2

A cannulated offset drill guide and surgical methods for repairing Bankart lesions. The cannulated offset drill guide comprising a shaft which is offset from the guide center line by about 1 to 3 mm, more preferably of about 1.5 mm. The cannulated offset drill guide is provided at its proximal end with a concave clear tip which allows a surgeon to visualize the drill and the insertion of an anchoring device, for example a suture anchor. The concave clear tip has beveled, smooth edges to prevent damage to adjacent bone and tissue, and to avoid damage to the rubber dam of the cannula through which the offset drill guide is inserted. The configuration of the concave clear tip is designed to engage and match the generally convex-curve articulating face of the glenoid, and to precisely aligning the offset drill guide with the glenoid face. The clear tip may also be employed in a standard drill guide having a shaft which is not offset from the center line of the guide.
US08506569B2

Reciprocating rasps for the surgical preparation of the bone prior to the implantation of a glenoid or acetabular component with complex geometry are disclosed. Surgical methods for the use of such reciprocating rasps are also disclosed. A reciprocating rasp for use in the surgical preparation of an acetabulum includes a shaft having a first end configured to be secured in a chuck of a reciprocating tool, and a cutting head secured to a second end of the shaft. The cutting head includes a cutting surface having a plurality of cutting teeth arranged in a geometry that corresponds with a geometry of the acetabular component, and an alignment guide that is devoid of cutting teeth and configured to cooperate with a complementary alignment guide of an acetabular trial instrument when the cutting head is secured to the second end of the shaft.
US08506559B2

Systems and techniques for providing variable scanning control in delivering a laser beam of laser pulses to a surgical target are provided. The described systems and techniques can be used for laser surgery within the anterior segment of the eye and the crystalline lens via photodisruption caused by laser pulses from a femtosecond laser.
US08506555B2

A robotic surgical system for performing minimally invasive medical procedures includes a robot manipulator for robotically assisted handling of a laparoscopic instrument having a manipulator arm, a manipulator wrist supported by the arm and an effector unit supported by the wrist, wherein the manipulator arm provides three degrees-of-freedom by means of a first joint, a second joint and a third joint, each having an associated actuator, for robotically positioning the wrist, the wrist providing two degrees-of-freedom by means of a fourth joint and a fifth revolute joint having an associated actuator, for robotically setting the yaw angle and the pitch angle of the effector unit respectively; the effector unit includes a laparoscopic instrument actuator and provides one degree-of-freedom by means of a revolute sixth joint having an associated actuator for robotically setting the roll angle of the LIA which includes a seat, with an associated coupling mechanism for mounting an instrument stem adaptor to the effector unit, and an actuation mechanism cooperating with the instrument stem adaptor for actuating a laparoscopic instrument connected to the adaptor. The effector unit is configured such that the rotation axis of the revolute sixth joint coincides with the longitudinal axis of a laparoscopic instrument mounted to the effector unit and the effector unit includes a sensor assembly having a 6 degree-of-freedom (DOF) force/torque sensor and a 6 DOF accelerometer. The sensor assembly connects the LIA to the sixth revolute joint.
US08506544B2

A disposable absorbent pant having single-section side stretch panels is disclosed. The pant may have features including a seam with an overlapping configuration, and a seam with a sandwiched configuration. A seam of overlapping configuration may be formed by mechanical bonds that provide for tensile strength in a lateral direction, while providing tearability for convenient removal, and may include additional features that include indicia of a location of tearability, a tear-inducing notch, and structure to grasp for tearing. A seam of sandwiched configuration may be configured to provide a finished outward appearance and configured to provide extended lateral width of side stretch panels, providing for increased stretch, without extending overall hoop circumference of the pant, at risk of an undesirably loose fit. The pant may include other features that reduce usage of materials, including complementary cut side panels.
US08506523B2

A fluid injection system includes: a first apparatus which is attached to a human body and injects a fluid into the human body; and a second apparatus which is attached to a wrist of the human body and remotely controls the first apparatus, wherein the second apparatus includes an entry section accepting an entry of an operation command to the first apparatus and a first communicating section transmitting the operation command to the first apparatus, and the first apparatus includes a second communicating section receiving the operation command, a storing section storing the fluid, and a transporting section transporting the fluid from the storing section and injecting the fluid into the human body based on the operation command.
US08506517B2

An arterio-venous graft (16) is provided with a constriction device (20) near its arterial end. The constriction device (20) is used to reduce the flow through the AV graft under normal conditions and to relieve the constriction when high flow through the AV graft is required, such as for vascular access for hemodialysis.
US08506501B2

Lightweight wheeze detection methods and systems for portable respiratory health monitoring devices conserve computing resources in portable respiratory health monitoring devices by employing lightweight algorithm that calculates a partial STFT image of a respiratory signal that includes all data points necessary for wheeze detection but excludes many data points that are unnecessary for wheeze detection. The methods and systems provide substantial savings in computing resources while still ensuring every wheeze in a respiratory signal is detected.
US08506494B2

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling the internal body temperature of a patient. According to the present invention, a catheter is inserted through an incision into a large blood vessel of a patient. By selectively heating or cooling a portion of the catheter lying within the blood vessel, heat may be transferred to or from blood flowing within the vessel and the patient's body temperature may thereby be increased or decreased as desired. The invention will find use in treating undesirable conditions of hypothermia and hyperthermia, or for inducing a condition of artificial hypothermia when desired. The method and system further provide for the cooling of initially hypothermic patients whose blood or body temperature has been warmed above the desired target level and the warming of initially hyperthermic patients whose blood or body temperature has been cooled below the desired target temperature.
US08506490B2

An external ultrasound transducer probe assembly capable of scanning a three-dimensional volume is provided. The ultrasound transducer probe assembly contains a plurality of ultrasonic transducers disposed along a longitudinal axis of the probe assembly. The plurality of ultrasonic transducers is disposed on a mechanism operable to reciprocally pivot the plurality of ultrasonic transducers enabling the plurality of ultrasonic transducers to scan the entire three-dimensional volume. A helically disposed electrical interconnection member may be disposed about a pivot axis of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers and may electrically interconnect the plurality of ultrasonic transducers to an ultrasound imaging system. The ultrasound transducer probe assembly may be fluid filled and contain bubble position control and fluid expansion compensation features.
US08506488B2

Embodiments for providing enhanced ultrasound images without lowering a frame rate in an ultrasound system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the ultrasound system includes: an ultrasound data acquisition unit configured to transmit ultrasound beams to a target object along predetermined plural scan line groups of scan lines in an alternative and sequential manner, receive ultrasound echoes reflected from the target object, and provide a plurality of ultrasound frame data, said predetermined plural scan line groups being respectively associated with predetermined steering angles and each of the plurality of ultrasound frame data being produced in response to the transmission of the ultrasound beam along the respective scan line groups; and a processor configured to sequentially form ultrasound images based on the ultrasound frame data and compound the ultrasound images in an interleaving way to form compound images.
US08506486B2

A method and system for noninvasive face lifts and tissue tightening are disclosed. The method and treatment system are configured for thermal treatment of Superficial Muscular Aponeurosis System (SMAS) tissue, muscular fascia, or both. In one embodiment, a cosmetic system is configured for treating the SMAS and/or muscular fasica through delivery of ultrasound energy at a depth, distribution, timing, and energy level to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.
US08506479B2

Exemplary embodiments of devices and method for affecting at least one anatomical tissue can be provided. A configuration can be provided that includes a structure which is expandable (i) having and/or (ii) forming at least one opening or a working space through which the anatomical tissue(s) is placed in the structure. For example, the structure, prior to being expanding, can have at least one partially rigid portion. In addition, or as an alternative, upon a partial or complete expansion thereof, the structure can be controllable to have a plurality of shapes. Further, the structure can be controllable to provide the working space with multiple shapes and/or multiple sizes.
US08506474B2

Various methods and devices are provided for reducing the volume of the ventricles of the heart. In one embodiment, a method for reducing the ventricular volume of a heart chamber is provided including the steps of inserting an anchoring mechanism onto dysfunctional cardiac tissue, deploying one or more anchors into the dysfunctional cardiac tissue, raising the dysfunctional cardiac tissue using the anchors, and securing the anchors to hold the dysfunctional cardiac tissue in place. Further, a device for reducing the volume of the ventricles of a heart chamber is provided where the device has one or more clips for placement on dysfunctional cardiac tissue of a heart, one or more anchors for deployment and securement into the dysfunctional cardiac tissue, and a lifting mechanism for raising the one or more anchors and the dysfunctional cardiac tissue.
US08506467B2

A process is provided for treating produced water recovered from an oil recovery process. An oil-water mixture is collected from an oil bearing formation. The oil-water mixture is directed to a separator that separates the oil-water mixture to yield produced water and an oil product. The produced water includes water, dissolved organics and dissolved inorganic solids. The produced water is directed to a crystallizer. In the crystallizer, the produced water is concentrated by heating the produced water. Concentrating the produced water causes the organic and inorganic solids to precipitate from the produced water and form solid crystals, including salt crystals. Further, concentrating the produced water in the crystallizer produces an organic melt including the solid crystals. Thereafter, the method or process entails cooling the organic melt such that the organic melt solidifies into an organic solid structure, and wherein substantially no free water is present in the organic solid structure.
US08506466B2

An apparatus for transporting folded signatures is provided which includes a first roller and a second roller forming a first nip with the first roller. The first and second rollers each have a compressible outer layer, and are rotatable about respective axes. Preferably, the compressible outer later comprises a microcellular foam. The apparatus also includes a plurality of first transport tapes passing through the first nip and a plurality of second transport tapes passing through the first nip. The plurality of second transport tapes are wrapped at least partially around the second roller so that a signature transported between the first and second transport tapes between the first nip undergoes a change in transport direction as it is transported at least partially around the second roller. Preferably, the signatures enter the first nip perpendicular to a plane passing through the axes of the first and second rollers.
US08506459B2

A freestanding exercise apparatus comprises a frame, a right door, a left door, and an exercise resistance source. The frame defines a sagittal plane dividing the frame into a left half and a right half with anterior and posterior ends. The right door is pivotally attached to the right half of the frame proximate the anterior end of the frame for pivoting about a right pivot axis. The left door is pivotally attached to the left half of the frame proximate the anterior end of the frame for pivoting about a left pivot axis. The exercise resistance source is connected to the frame. The frame, right pivot axis, and left pivot axis are configured and arranged such that the angle formed at the intersection of a first plane defined by the right pivot axis and the posterior end of the right half of the frame and a second plane defined by the left pivot axis and the posterior end of the left half of the frame is less than 90°.
US08506458B2

In a first aspect, a method is provided that includes the steps of (1) providing a monitor for determining a level of exercise performance performed by an exerciser and for outputting a signal representative of the performance level; (2) using the monitor to measure a level of exercise performance performed by an exerciser; (3) outputting from the monitor a signal representative of the performance level; (4) providing a video game having a character, the video game inputting and being responsive to the performance level signal output by the monitor, the video game using the performance level signal to control a performance level of the video game character; and (5) while the exerciser is not exercising, controlling a performance level of the video game character based on a performance level signal output by the monitor.
US08506456B2

An apparatus for replicating swimming, rowing, cycling or other exercise modalities. An apparatus includes a base, a frame extending up from the base, and a support member coupled to a top portion of the frame. The apparatus further includes a forward-ascending bench. The bench includes a torso support section to support a user's torso, pivotally coupled to the support member, and configured for limited angular rotation about an axis parallel to at least a portion of the support member. The bench further includes left and right leg support sections, pivotally coupled to the torso support section, to support at least the user's thighs. The apparatus also includes a coupling member extending forward from the base, and configured to interchangeably couple with an exercise module.
US08506455B2

In an embodiment, the invention provides an exercise mat, which may be of flexible polymer foam material and which includes one or more speakers integrated thereinto. An audio interface is further integrated into the material of the mat and is configured to receive an audio signal from at least one audio source, and to output an amplified audio signal to the speakers.
US08506451B2

A vehicle drive including an input coupled to an engine, an output coupled to wheels, an intermediate member between the input and output and coupled to a rotary electric machine, a friction engagement device between the input and intermediate member, and a control device. The control device, when starting the engine with the friction engagement device disengaged, engages the friction engagement device when a rotational speed difference between the input and intermediate member is equal to or less than a predetermined value; raises a rotational speed of the input using the rotary electric machine with the friction engagement device engaged to start the engine; and, when a rotational speed of the engine is equal to or more than a predetermined value, reduces an engagement pressure of the friction engagement device and the friction engagement device is returned to the engaged state when the rotational speed difference reaches a threshold.
US08506448B2

A power split mechanism of a hybrid vehicle includes a sun gear that is coupled to a electric power generator, a ring gear that is coupled to a electric motor and a driving wheel, a pinion gear that meshes with the sun gear and the ring gear, and a carrier that supports the pinion gear and is coupled to a engine. Each of the arms of a inverter includes a first switching element that is provided on an upper arm thereof, and a second switching element that is provided on a lower arm thereof. A control device turns on one of the first switching element and the second switching element and turns off the other if an operation of stopping a vehicle system is performed during running.
US08506444B2

A vehicle multi-speed automatic transmission which comprises an input shaft (AN) and an output shaft (AB); first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets (RS1, RS2, RS3, RS4); at least third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth rotatable shafts (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8); and first, second, third, fourth and fifth shifting elements (A, B, C, D, E) whose selective engagement, in combinations of three engaged shifting elements, defines different gear ratios, between the input shaft (AN) and the output shaft (AB), for implementing eight forward gears and at least one reverse gear. When shifting from one forward gear into a successive higher or lower forward gear, only a single one of the first, the second, the third, the fourth and the fifth shift elements is disengaged and only a single one of the first, the second, the third, the fourth and the fifth shift elements is engaged.
US08506438B2

A speed reducer part includes a casing, an input shaft arranged in the casing, eccentric members eccentric with respect to an axis of the input shaft and coupled to an end of the input shaft, revolution members supported by outer circumferences of the eccentric members through a rolling bearing, to make a revolution motion around the axis together with a rotation of the input shaft, an outer circumference engagement member engaging with outer circumferential parts of the revolution members to cause the revolution members to make a rotation motion, and an output shaft engaging the revolution members to extract the rotation motion. A bearing lubricant oil hole supplies oil to a surface in rolling contact with a rolling body. The lubricant oil hole is arranged in a non-load range, where a load applied from the output shaft and the outer circumference engagement member to the revolution members is not shared.
US08506437B2

There is disclosed a mechanical two-speed drive system/gearbox for household appliances such as a blender or food processor. The gearbox comprises a motor, a motor shaft, a drive-outlet, and the installation of one-way bearings in suitable places in the gear-train. The drive-outlet can be driven at two different speeds in the same rotational direction. By operating the motor in the clockwise direction and counter-clockwise direction, a change in the drive-outlet rpm is achieved. When operating in the hi-speed mode, the drive-outlet is directly driven by the motor. When operating in the lo-speed mode, the drive-outlet is driven via the gear-train, with a resulting increase in torque. This gearbox is simple to construct, and operable without expensive control electronics. In particular applications with electronic motor speed and directional control, a much broader and useable drive-outlet speed range is achieved.
US08506432B2

A stationary pulley (66) includes a pressing pulley (68) having a stationary pulley surface (66a) and also includes a support pulley (70) having a rotating shaft (15) fixed to the center section of the support pulley. The support pulley (70) is placed so as to face a movable pulley surface (14a) across the pressing pulley (68) in the direction of the axis of the rotating shaft (15), and the support pulley (70) supports an outer peripheral section (68b) of the pressing pulley (68) so as to restrain axial movement of the outer peripheral section (68b). The pressing pulley (68) has an inner peripheral section (68c) axially movable relative to the rotating shaft (15) and can transmit torque to the rotating shaft (15).
US08506430B2

An oval ball, in particular rugby ball or football with a casing and with at least one electronic component or module with a transmitter unit, which is arranged in the casing and is held in a defined position, wherein the at least one electronic module is fastened on or in a shape part with a positive and/or material fit, in the region of the tips or in the region of a valve of the casing. In a further embodiment, the module is suspended on nets which are connected to the tip region of the casing in a large-surfaced manner.
US08506428B2

A hockey goal frame and a hockey goal frame with a mesh net assembly are disclosed. The hockey goal frame includes two vertical posts joined by a crossbar that defines a forward frame. The forward frame is supported by a lower supporting member. The forward frame and lower supporting member have attachments wires for accepting an attachment tab from a mesh net in order to attach the mesh net to the frame. The attachment tabs have two complimentary hook-and-loop fasteners that are coupled to surround the attachment tab around the attachment wires.
US08506427B2

A sports training device is worn by the trainee for developing skill and minimizing risk of injury in pitching, passing, swinging, kicking, and other such sports-related body movements. An illustrative embodiment includes an anchor member adapted for wear on the torso of a trainee, and elongate member coupled between the anchor member and a forearm or thigh of the trainee, the elongate member being resiliently bendable along its length, inelastic relative to its longitudinal axis, and freely movable relative to the anchor member upon movement of the trainee's arm or leg.
US08506425B2

A method is disclosed for matching a test golfer with a particular golf club selected from a group of golf clubs having a plurality of styles. The method utilizes data set derived in an initial procedure in which the club style preferences for each of a large number of pre-test golfers is recorded and correlated with a set of performance parameters for the golf swings of such pre-test golfers. This data enables the pre-test golfers to be classified into subgroups, in which golfers within the same subgroup generally prefer the same club style and golfers in different subgroups generally prefer different club styles. After this data set has been established, the test golfer takes a golf swing with a golf club, while performance parameters for the swing are measured. Based on the measured performance parameters and the previously established data set, the test golfer is classified according to swing type, and the optimum golf club is then selected from the plurality of styles of golf clubs.
US08506418B2

A pre-molded or moldable shaft grip includes a pre-configured or moldable section disposed within a substantially circular outer grip layer. A pre-configured or moldable section substantially conforms to a player's grip, facilitating consistent finger placement. The pre-configured section may comprise the shaft, a separate section, or multiple sections of varying durometer. The moldable section may include a layer of moldable material, or a cavity disposed between the outer grip layer and the shaft containing a moldable substance. Overall grip durometer can be adjusted by varying the pressure within the cavity.
US08506414B2

A golf club sleeve for use with various golf club structures is presented. The golf club sleeve may have an airfoil shaped cross section and may extend over at least a portion of the shaft of the golf club to reduce drag associated with the shaft during a golf swing, thereby increasing swing speed. The golf club sleeve may be rotatable relative to the shaft of the golf club to orient itself during a swing in order to improve air flow over the sleeve.
US08506409B2

A method of implementing clan wars is disclosed. An incentive reward is generated that is to be provided to at least one member of a group of users of a game networking system based on the group exercising a level of influence over a location during a time period that is greater than a level of influence of an additional group of users over the location during the time period. It is determined that the group exercised the level of influence over the location during the time period. The incentive reward is provided to the at least one member of the group based on the determining that the level of influence exercised by the group is greater than the level of influence of the additional group over the location during the time period.
US08506406B2

A network access device and method to run a gaming application on a network access device are described. The network access device comprises a communications module configured to allow the network access device to communicate with a network. The network access device is configured to transmit user identification information to a verification system and transmit security information to a verification system. When the user identification information and security information have been verified by the verification system, the network access device receives a random game output generated by a gaming system.
US08506403B2

A gaming system comprises a gaming server, a plurality of gaming machines, and a communications system connecting each of the plurality of gaming machines to the gaming server. The gaming machines each have a display, player controls, a player tracking device, and a game processor which displays sequential game images of a game being played. Each game processor plays a game initiated by the player, where the game is one of a plurality of games available on the gaming machine and selectable by the player. Each gaming machine includes game selection means which displays a selection of games available on the machine for the player to play. The games offered for selection are ordered according to a ranking determined as a function of the player's past history of playing games and a history of games played by other players.
US08506397B2

A game apparatus displays on a screen an image of a virtual space as viewed from a predetermined viewing direction. The game apparatus displays a viewing direction map in response to a predetermined condition being satisfied, such that the viewing direction is set to a predetermined direction on the screen. Furthermore, the game apparatus displays a fixed direction map in response to a predetermined condition being satisfied, such that a direction preset in the virtual space is set to a predetermined direction on the screen. Note that when map images are displayed, the fixed direction map is preferably displayed after the viewing direction map.
US08506396B1

An online game that promotes physical activity by visually representing the comparative biometric data of a group of people. The biometric data may be collected using a variety of biometric devices. Each individual in the group selects an avatar for use in representing the biometric data. The biometric data is transmitted to a server and displayed collectively on a computer screen. Each individual's avatar is displayed on the screen and animated according the biometric data. In an example embodiment in which avatars are fish that are displayed on a fish tank background and the biometric data is steps counted by a pedometer, avatars associated with individuals having a higher step count are positioned above avatars for individuals having a lower step count. Biometric data may be collected from biometric devices at various time intervals and the display updated to reflect the changes in biometric data.
US08506388B2

A gaming device incentivizes additional game play by combining payouts with conditional payouts. During game play, players are informed of the conditions, which must be satisfied so as to vest the conditional payouts. Subsequent game play is monitored to see if the player has satisfied the conditions. If the player has satisfied the conditions, then the conditional payout vests. If the condition is not met, then the conditional payout terminates.
US08506383B2

An electronic gaming console is illustrated having a console cabinet 10 including a prize display 12, a coin entry slot 13, a payout tray 14 and internally mounted game control processor circuits. A video game is provided for play on the console in which images of spinning reels spin and objects (balls) are dropped through a series of obstacles (pins) and eventually land in one or more of a set of containers. Prizes are paid according to either the state of the reels after spinning or the number of balls which are in each container at the end of the ball drop and/or the manner in which the pins are hit.
US08506382B2

Disclosed are two-player games, gaming machines, gaming systems and methods including one or more shared feature games. Each player has a respective base game, game board and a token movable on his game board in response to his base game outcomes. Certain combinations of token positions on the two game boards may trigger play of one or more feature games shared by the players.
US08506366B2

Described are animal stunning apparatus and methods for inducing rapid unconsciousness and insensibility. The apparatus includes a stunning station in which a live subject animal is located in a confined position and an applicator contacts an application point on the live subject animal's head immediately overlying a frontal portion of the animal's brain and couples microwave radiation to the head. A microwave generator generates microwave energy of a suitable power level and frequency, and a waveguide directs the microwave radiation to the applicator. A switch discontinues the application of microwave radiation effecting heating of the frontal portion of the brain after a period of time sufficient to have raised the temperature of the frontal portion of the brain of the subject animal to thereby induce the unconsciousness and insensibility. The period is sufficient only to rapidly induce insensibility, and is insufficient for the insensibility induced to be irreversible, and insufficient to cause significant heating of deeper brain tissues and including the brain stem.
US08506365B2

Method and processing line for stunning and/or killing of poultry, comprising a plurality of treatment stations to execute the stunning and/or killing of poultry contained in containers or crates, a feed-line for supplying the poultry in containers or crates to the plurality of treatment stations, and an exit line to transport the stunned and/or killed poultry contained in the containers or crates away from the treatment stations, wherein a shuttle unit is provided that is movable on the one part to and from the plurality of treatment stations and on the other part to and from the feedline and the exit line.
US08506349B2

An apparatus comprising a breast covering garment apparatus comprising a breast cup comprising (i) an inner shell having a concave shape selected from a number of available cup sizes and (ii) an outer shell having a convex shape selected from a number of available breast cup sizes. The inner shell of the breast cup and the outer shell of the breast cup may be shaped from a solid piece of flexible material. The inner shell of the breast cup may be smaller than the outer shell of the breast cup.
US08506345B2

A doll is disclosed. The doll has an outer layer that is constructed of a faux fur and that includes a number of openings. The faux fur has a pile height sufficient to at least partially conceal the openings. A number of interchangeable features can be connected to the outer layer by securing connecting members in the openings. Depending on the embodiment, the openings may be buttonholes or grommeted openings, and the connecting members may be buttons or connecting bars. Some embodiments of the doll may have a removable stuffed insert. When embodiments of the doll are not stuffed, or when the removable insert is removed, the doll may serve as a puppet, a hat, or a cover for an object.
US08506340B1

Presented is a method for retrofitting an electric lamp having an electric switch with a dimmer unit. The method includes providing a dimmer unit configured for dimming the electric lamp. The dimmer unit includes a microcontroller, and a lamp switch connector socket in electrical communication with the microcontroller. The method further includes providing a lamp switch connector, electrically disconnecting the electric switch from the electric lamp, electrically connecting the electric switch to the lamp switch connector, and electrically connecting the lamp switch connector to the lamp switch connector socket. Consequently, the electric switch is functionally isolated from the lamp and in electrical communication microcontroller.
US08506336B2

A high-reliability contact includes a termination portion configured to receive a wire. A mating portion is formed integrally with the termination portion. The mating portion has edges. The mating portion is stamped and formed so that the edges are rolled together to form a mating barrel having a longitudinal axis. The mating barrel is configured to receive a corresponding contact. At least one contact finger is formed in the mating barrel. The at least contact finger extends into the mating barrel toward the longitudinal axis to facilitate contacting the corresponding contact. A contact hood is formed at a distal end of the mating portion to facilitate protecting the at least one contact finger when the mating portion is coupled to the corresponding contact.
US08506335B2

An apparatus is described for burn-in and/or functional testing of microelectronic circuits of unsingulated wafers. A large number of power, ground, and signal connections can be made to a large number of contacts on a wafer. The apparatus has a cartridge that allows for fanning-in of electric paths. A distribution board has a plurality of interfaces that are strategically positioned to provide a dense configuration. The interfaces are connected through flexible attachments to an array of first connector modules. Each one of the first connector modules can be independently connected to a respective one of a plurality of second connector modules, thereby reducing stresses on a frame of the apparatus. Further features include for example a piston that allows for tight control of forces exerted by terminals onto contacts of a wafer.
US08506330B2

A male connector includes male connector modules placed in tiers and having respective first and second surfaces facing away from each other. The male connector modules each includes interconnection parts for electrical signal transmission on the first surface; a male connector ground part formed on the second surface so as to substantially cover the second surface; male connector contact parts provided at respective first ends of the interconnection parts on the first surface; male connector terminal parts joined to respective second ends of the interconnection parts on the first surface; and a male connector shield part provided on the side on which the male connector is configured to be connected to a female connector to be connected to the male connector ground and project relative to ends of the male connector contact parts in a direction in which the male connector is configured to be connected to the female connector.
US08506329B2

A method assembling a cable connector system and an alignment insert are provided. The alignment insert includes a body having a first planar surface, a second planar surface, and a thickness extending therebetween. The body includes an outer peripheral surface sized complementarily to an inner surface of a first connector portion and further including one or more slots therethrough and extending from the outer peripheral surface inwardly a first predetermined distance. A first width of each of the one or more slots and the predetermined distance based on an orientation of a connector pin positioned within the first connector portion.
US08506328B2

A connector has a female terminal (20) with stabilizers (30) that contact restricting surfaces (64) of an edge of a terminal accommodating hole (51) at a side opposite to a side where insertion paths (60) are provided, thereby preventing any further insertion of the female terminal (20) when a female terminal (20) is inserted in a posture vertically inverted from a proper posture. Posture displacing portions (65) are provided on the restricting surfaces (64) of the terminal accommodating hole (51) and engage the stabilizers (30) of the female terminal (20) inserted in the inverted posture to displace extending postures of the stabilizers (30) to increase engaging margins with the restricting surfaces (64).
US08506325B2

A coaxial cable connector for coupling a coaxial cable to a mating connector includes a connector body having a forward end and a rearward cable receiving end for receiving the cable. A nut is rotatably coupled to the forward end of the connector body. An annular post is disposed within the connector body, the post having a forward flanged base portion disposed within a rearward extent of the nut, the forward flanged base portion having a forward face. A biasing element is attached to the forward flanged base portion of the post and includes a deflectable portion extending outwardly in a forward direction beyond the forward face of the post shoulder portion.
US08506314B2

A connector having a housing and at least one spring contact for establishing releasable electrical contacts. Each spring contact has a first contact pin axially movable, and a contact-side end facing a front side of the housing. A planar sealing element is arranged at the front side of the housing, and seals against a first predetermined fluid pressure. At least one through hole is in the sealing element within which a second contact pin is arranged. The second contact pin has a first contact-side end facing the spring contacts, and a second contact side end facing away from the front side of the housing. The second contact pin is arranged within the through hole and seals the through hole against a second predetermined fluid pressure. The first contact pin with the contact-side end mechanically hits the contact-side end of the second contact pin-establishing electrical contact.
US08506312B2

A card edge connector includes an elongated housing, the housing extends along a longwise direction thereof and has a pair of opposed side walls, a central slot between the side walls, and a tower portion disposed at one end thereof. A plurality of contacts are retained in the housing. An ejector mechanism is rotatable retained in the housing and has a body portion, a flexible arm divided from the body portion and a locking protrusion located on the flexible arm. The lock protrusion is adapted to resist the tower portion during the ejector mechanism rotates with respect to the housing.
US08506310B2

A connector for installation on a grid having conductors therein and a method of installation therefore. The connector has a housing with at least one contact mounted in the housing which makes an electrical connection with the conductors of the grid when the connector is mated with the grid. At least one mounting member is movable between a first position in which a grid mounting section of the at least one mounting member is positioned in the housing and a second position in which the grid mounting section extends beyond a top surface of the housing to provide a mechanical connection between the grid and the connector.
US08506309B2

An electrical connector (100) includes a middle board (200), a first insulative housing (10) defining a first receiving room (14), a second insulative housing (20) defining a second receiving room (24), and a number of contacts (40) mounted on the first insulative housing. Each of the contacts includes a first mating portion (41) received in the first receiving room and a second mating portion (44) received in the second receiving room. The first mating portion includes a first mating surface (411). The second mating portion includes a second mating surface (421). Each of the contacts includes a twisted portion (43) between the first mating portion and the second mating portion that make the first mating surface perpendicular to the second mating surface.
US08506304B2

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the method for recommending teaching plan for literacy education includes obtaining learning patterns from a teaching plan database that includes the following steps: collecting results of a first literacy test of a first group of students, gathering teaching plan data, collecting results of a second literacy test of a first group of students, and identifying learning patterns based on the student profile data and teaching plan data, and implementing a recommendation engine. The implementation of the recommendation engine includes the following steps: collecting results of a third literacy test of a second group of students, matching a student profile of a student of the second group of students with an identified learning pattern, and recommending a teaching plan for a student of the second group of students.
US08506303B1

Systems and methods of transforming existing sets of instructions into a comprehensive user guidance experience for presentation and use by a user, and more particularly, to systems and methods of constructing a knitted garment from disparate instructional content. More particularly, the method includes receiving content from one or more instructional manuals, modifying the received content, selecting instructional content parts of interest, adding and editing additional sub-part content such as reference material or user-specific content to the parts of interest, assembling the instructional sub-parts and parts into an integrated scheme for presentation provided to a user, and tracking the users progress through the integrated instructional scheme. The instructional content may be received in text or graphical format. The integrated instructional scheme may be presented to the user via a graphical user interface.
US08506300B2

The invention is embodied in the form of a flight simulator in the conditions of vortex danger and in conditions when a pilot is informed about the possibility to penetrate into said dangerous area of vortex sheddings produced by a vortex generator. The inventive simulator is embodies in the form of modular variants and comprises a module (9) for imitating vortex conditions for determining the trajectory and intensity of the vortex sheddings of vortex generators as the population of vorticity areas, a module (10) for imitating the action of vortex disturbances on an aircraft and for determining additional forces and torques induced by the vortex sheddings of vortex generators, a module (17) for the parameters of the dangerous area of the vortex disturbances, a warning module for calculating the vortex disturbances danger on a modulated control plane located in front of the aircraft at an anticipated distance therefrom equal to a distance which is covered by the aircraft during a selected forecast time and is sufficient for carrying out a flight maneuver by the aircraft in order to move away from the dangerous trailing vortex area.
US08506294B2

The invention relates to a device for the automated production of dental workpieces. A blank is inserted in a substantially slab-shaped support of the device, said support being dimensioned such that the blank does not extend beyond it in any direction. The blank is linked with corresponding inner walls of a recess provided in the support only on two opposite faces while a gap is left between the other inner walls of the recess and the corresponding faces of the blank. The inventive design allows to avoid tensions and microcracks of the blank material thereby caused. The gaps further make the blank directly accessible for a lateral working by the milling tool.
US08506290B2

A heating apparatus can have a sealed combustion chamber. A burner and an air shutter can be within the sealed combustion chamber. An air shutter control can be outside of the sealed combustion chamber. The air shutter control can provide fine tuning adjustment of the air shutter.
US08506289B2

A candle holder apparatus for housing a candle and a method for using such a device, the candle holder apparatus comprising a body having an open top, at least one body wall, and a cavity configured to house a candle. The candle holder further comprises a heat deflecting shield and a cover having a recess configured to house the heat deflecting shield. The heat deflecting shield is seated in the cover recess such that an air gap is formed between the heat deflecting shield and an inner surface of the cover. This air gap insulates and decreases the top surface temperatures of the cover, allowing a user to touch the cover without being burned. Further, the candle holder cover is configured to fit on the open top of the candle holder body. Vent openings are disposed in the wall of the candle holder body to permit airflow between the cavity and the exterior when the cover is atop the body.
US08506286B1

A tool closing system for plastic blow molding machines comprises a drive base plate, a front mold clamping plate and a rear mold clamping plate positioned between the front clamping plate and the base plate. The base plate, front clamping plate, and rear clamping plate are shiftably arranged on guides which are mounted on a carriage. A drive device is fastened to the base plate and comprises an extensible and retractable drive rod which is articulated to the rear clamping plate for force transmission without bending moment. Two substantially C-shaped or U-shaped frame elements are arranged side by side in parallel with the guides. Each have a substantially horizontally extending central web and two substantially vertically extending webs. A respective one of the two vertical webs is articulated to the base plate and the other vertical web is articulated to the front clamping plate.
US08506285B2

An apparatus (10, 10′) and a machine (100) for reforming a portion of a plastic package (50) using induction heating. The apparatus and machine comprise a frame (20) engaging the plastic package and a workpiece support (40) having an electrically conducting workpiece (44, 48, 102). An induction workhead (62) provides an alternating current power supply to an induction element (60, 104). The induction element is positioned proximate the workpiece of the workpiece support and heats the workpiece via induction. A mechanism (22) positions the plastic package proximate the heated workpiece so that the workpiece transfers heat to the portion of the plastic package thereby softening the portion. A forming die (30) supported on the frame engages the portion to reform the portion. Also provided is a process of using the apparatus and machine to reform a portion of a plastic package using induction heating.
US08506282B2

A die body includes a die hole for punching a work. A core, including a discharge hole, which is in communication with the die hole, is provided in the die body. The core is provided with a plurality of fluid injection ports through which fluid is injected downward of the discharge hole. The die body is provided with inflow ports through which compressed fluid flows into the fluid injection ports. The core is made of resin. The discharge hole is tapered toward its upper side. An outer peripheral surface of the die body is provided with a peripheral groove which is in communication with the inflow ports.
US08506279B2

A safety device for an apparatus for compression-moulding objects that includes a moulding carousel provided with a plurality of punches and with a plurality of corresponding moulding elements, each mould element being movable between a first position in which it does not interact with the respective punch and a second position in which it interacts with the respective punch to mould an object. Each punch is associated with an extracting device suitable for extracting from the respective punch a moulded object. The extracting device is driven by a cam track obtained in a fixed frame of the moulding carousel. The cam track includes a cam track portion that is movable between an operating position in which it interacts with the extracting device and a non-operating position in which it does not interact with the extracting device.
US08506270B2

A variable displacement vane pump including a relief valve which includes a valve bore, a spherical valve element in the valve bore, a valve seat fixed onto one axial side of the valve bore and having a through hole and an annular seat surface on which the valve element is seated when the relief valve is in a closed position, a coil spring disposed on the other axial side of the valve bore, and a valve element retainer disposed between the valve element and the coil spring, wherein the seat surface is configured such that when the relief valve is in the closed position, a center of the valve element is located offset from a central axis of one winding seating portion of the coil spring which is disposed on an opposite side of the seat surface, in a radial direction of the valve bore.
US08506266B2

A process fluid handling device in an electrochemical cell system having a sealing system assembly between a process fluid compartment and a drive compartment of the fluid handling device. The sealing system includes a double seal configuration forming an interconnection compartment which is supplied with barrier fluid. The sealing system provides isolation of pressurized process fluids from the drive compartment.
US08506265B2

An electric fan includes a fan shaft driven by a fan motor supported by a motor support. An oscillating device includes a rotational shaft connected to the motor support for driving the motor support to oscillate. A transmission gear has an axle connected to the rotational shaft and a gear wheel mounted around the axle and driven by a synchronous motor. An oscillating angle limiting switch detects a rotational angle of the rotational shaft and the gear wheel and sends a signal indicative of the rotational angle. A circuit board has a processor coupled to the oscillating angle limiting switch and receives the signal. A comparing program compares the rotational angle indicated by the signal with a selected one of a plurality of preset rotational angles. The synchronous motor is driven when the rotational angle indicated by the signal is equal to the selected preset rotational angle.
US08506260B2

A compressor system includes a compressor for supplying compressed air to a commercial vehicle that has an engine with a turbocharger. Air that is pre-compressed by the turbocharger can be sucked in by the compressor via a first air supply pipe. Ambient air that is not pre-compressed can be sucked in by the compressor via a second air supply pipe. A method operates the compressor system including the compressor for supplying the compressed air to the commercial vehicle that has the engine with the turbocharger accordingly.
US08506242B2

A heat exchanger component is made by forming a wafer having a pair of opposed outer major faces with interstices between them from a stack of wire mesh screens. The outer major surfaces of the wafer are sealed by depositing a metal coating on them. The deposited metal coatings define between them a flow path for a heat exchange fluid extending through the interstices of the wafer.
US08506241B1

A turbine rotor blade with a hollow open cavity formed between the airfoil walls, and radial flow near wall cooling channels formed within the walls that open on the tip surface to discharge the cooling air for sealing of the tip. The radial channels have a converging flow area to increase the cooling air flow velocity, and the radial cooling channels on the pressure side wall are slanted toward the pressure side so that the discharged cooling air will produce a smaller vena contractor and further reduce tip leakage flow.
US08506238B2

Systems and methods for improving seal performance in a centrifugal water pump for an internal combustion engine increase static pressure at the seal by incorporating a combination of slots and ribs into a seal cavity of the pump housing that are positioned to convert dynamic fluid pressure into static pressure at the seal while reducing coolant velocity at the seal. Vent holes in the impeller having an appropriate size and location may also be used to increase the static pressure at the seal to enhance seal performance.
US08506234B2

A duct wall of a fan casing of a gas turbine engine comprises an intake section and a containment casing, which are interconnected by bolts at flanges. An acoustic flutter damper is provided between the flanges to reduce or eliminate flutter arising in blades of the fan at certain important operating conditions. The damper provides flexibility at the connection between the intake section and the containment casing so that, in the event of detachment of a blade or a bladed fragment, the resulting deflection wave in the containment casing can be accommodated by displacement and/or deformation of the acoustic flutter damper, reducing the risk that the bolts will shear to allow the intake section and the containment casing to become detached from each other. The acoustic flutter damper may comprise a circumferential array of separate segments.
US08506230B2

A distributor device including a distribution chute that extends inside the tank at an inclined angle for distributing material in the interior of the tank. A rotation frame is rotatable around a vertical central rotation axis (L) and includes a vertical inlet channel extending to the interior of the tank. A circular support frame is horizontally attached to the rotation frame, concentrically in relation to the vertical central rotation axis. A number of support rollers are connected to the tank and the axes of the support rollers are positioned radially with respect to the central rotation axis (L). At least one of the support rollers is as a support roller driving the rotation frame, which support roller the actuator is arranged to rotate. The distributor device includes a counterweight attached to the rotation frame, on the opposite side of the central rotation axis (L) in relation to the distribution chute.
US08506227B2

A thread forming screw thread fastener and a corresponding thread roll die are disclosed for fastening into a hole of a workpiece composed of low ductility material. More specifically, the thread forming screw thread has smooth radius thread flank which has a capability of deforming low ductile material such as magnesium, soft aluminum, thermoset plastics and other low ductility materials to deform the ductile material efficiently minimizing cracks, debris, low friction during installation and a maximum engagement of the screw with mating parts with the ductile material.
US08506224B2

A fastener including a bolt and a grommet assembly attached to the bolt for fastening to a work piece. The grommet assembly includes an upper grommet, a lower grommet attached to the upper grommet, a retainer ring, and a housing that houses the retainer ring within the lower grommet. The upper grommet is inserted into a hole at one side of the work piece and the lower grommet is attached to the upper grommet through the hole at an opposite side of the work piece. The retainer ring is inserted into the lower grommet and encapsulated by the housing. The bolt is inserted into the grommet assembly, and the retainer ring engages the bolt such that a plurality of pressure pads extending from a plurality of corresponding spring beam elements of the retainer ring reside in an annular groove of the bolt. The grommet assembly captivates the bolt onto the work piece, while providing a positive hold out of the bolt.
US08506214B2

The invention relates to an apparatus for machining bevel gears in an indexing method and method for machining the pitch of gears, wherein the production-related pitch error is compensated. The apparatus (20) comprises an interface (11, 12) and can be connected to a measurement system (10) by means of this interface (11, 12). The interface is designed such that the apparatus (20) can take correction values or correction factors from the measurement system (10) in a form in order to be able to adapt master data or neutral data. The data, which was originally present in a memory (51) of the apparatus (20), is corrected on the basis of these correction values or correction factors before production of one or more bevel gears (31) is initiated on the apparatus (20).
US08506210B2

A material removal tool including a housing body having an active portion, at least one seating surface for a cutting insert operatively positioned on the active portion, and a guide pad positioned in a cavity in a circumferential surface of the active portion is disclosed. The guide pad is radially adjustable between a first radial position and a second radial position by a differential pressure across the guide pad. The differential pressure is created by an actuation fluid supplied to one side of the guide pad. A method for removing material from a workpiece with the rotating material removal tool is also disclosed.
US08506204B1

A strike-off accessory device, which is configured to be mounted on a vehicle, includes a strike-off assembly for leveling the top surface of a bulk material, the strike-off assembly having a first side member, a second side member spaced apart from the first side member by a lateral distance, and at least one rear member disposed between the first side member and the second side member, the at least one rear member including a bottom edge that is configured to contact the bulk material; and a mounting assembly operatively coupled to the strike-off assembly, the mounting assembly configured to structurally support the strike-off assembly from the vehicle. In one embodiment of the invention, the lateral distance between the first member and the second member of the strike-off assembly is selectively adjustable by a user of the strike-off accessory device. In another embodiment, the vehicle is a skid-steer loader.
US08506191B2

An image forming apparatus includes a main body having a first opening; a main cover supported by the main body, having a second opening and rotatable between a first closed position and a first opening position with respect to the first opening; a feeder cover supported by the main cover and rotatable between a second closed position and a second opening position with respect to the second opening; and a link arm jointed to the main body at a first joint, jointed to the main cover at a second joint, the first joint movable relative to the main body, and the link arm rotating the feeder cover from the second opening position toward the second closed position when the main cover rotates from the first closed position with the feeder cover at the second opening position.
US08506189B2

A thermal printer includes a first thermal head, a first platen roller, first biasing means, a second thermal head, a second platen roller, and second biasing means. The first thermal head, the first platen roller, the first biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of thermal recording paper. The second thermal head, the second platen roller, and the second biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of the thermal recording paper. The second thermal head is arranged on the upstream side of the first thermal head in a paper feed direction. A paper feed speed of the first platen roller to the thermal recording paper is larger than a paper feed speed of the second platen roller. The first platen roller is in contact with the thermal recording paper while being more slippery compared with the second platen roller.
US08506187B2

A thermal printer includes a first thermal head, a first platen roller, first biasing means, a second thermal head, a second platen roller, and second biasing means. The first thermal head, the first platen roller, the first biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of thermal recording paper. The second thermal head, the second platen roller, and the second biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of the thermal recording paper. The second thermal head is arranged on the upstream side of the first thermal head in a paper feed direction. A paper feed speed of the first platen roller to the thermal recording paper is larger than a paper feed speed of the second platen roller. The first platen roller is in contact with the thermal recording paper while being more slippery compared with the second platen roller.
US08506180B2

A support system used to orient and utilize equipment remotely positioned from an operator and supported in a stabilized manner. The support system includes a balance pole with a master end and a slave end attached to a master sled and slave sled, respectively. The system includes a mechanism to replicate the motion at the master sled at the slave sled. The replication mechanism includes a series of pulleys and arced components coordinated with lines that pass through an inner ring of a central gimbal.
US08506179B2

Radially symmetric splicer joint and locking assemblies and connectors for optical fibers are provided. The assemblies use splicer joints formed from a slightly deformable plastic material. The splicer joints contain an axial bore having a diameter slightly less then the diameter of the stripped ends the optical fibers inserted into the axial bore. When a stripped fiber is inserted into the axial bore of the splicer joint, the bore expands slightly to frictionally receive the stripped end. The assemblies and connectors use radially symmetric locking to secure the fibers therein. The radially symmetric locking and the surface tension provided by the axial bore against the stripped ends of the fibers minimizes the occurrence of mis-alignment and reduces insertion and return losses.
US08506161B2

This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatuses for making a non-contact measurement of a substrate in a plasma processing chamber that accounts for stray blackbody radiation. In particular, a photocurrent is calculated that can be attributed to the stray blackbody radiation based upon a temperature of the stray blackbody radiation, a reflectance of a target substrate, and a temperature of the substrate. Knowing the photocurrent attributable to the stray blackbody radiation, a non-contact temperature measurement can be made, and the photocurrent attributable to the stray blackbody radiation can be subtracted out to arrive at a more accurate non-contact substrate temperature measurement.
US08506159B2

A defect on the surface or in the surface layer of a moving material can be detected by using a method comprising steps of: heating the surface of the material, obtaining thermal image data of the surface of the material using an infrared thermography camera while the surface of the material is being heated up at the heating step or being cooled down after heating, and detecting the defect by calculating Laplacian with respect to temperature of the surface represented by the thermal image data. When the thermal image data is obtained while the material is being heated up, a heating device and the camera is arranged so that thermal energy emitted from the heating device is reflected by the material to come into the camera.
US08506158B2

A watch having a band formed from a bistable spring is described. The band automatically wraps to or coils around a wrist, arm, or other limb of an individual wearing the watch. The band is formed from the bistable spring, which includes an extended configuration and a coiled configuration. The band forms a first portion and a second portion. An outer layer covers at least a portion of the bistable spring. The watch includes a watch module to display time data. A housing receives the watch module. The housing is integral with the outer layer. The housing is positioned between the first portion and the second portion of the band.
US08506152B2

A light guide plate includes at least one incident surface into which light is incident, an exit surface at least one end of which is connected the incident surface and through which the light is output, an opposite surface spaced apart from the exit surface and opposing the exit surface, and a plurality of reflective patterns extending from the exit surface toward the opposite surface. When a direction from the exit surface to the opposite surface is referred to as a first direction, a direction perpendicular to the incident surface is referred to as a second direction, and a direction parallel to the incident surface and perpendicular to the first direction is referred to as a third direction, a length of each reflective pattern in the first direction is smaller than a distance between the exit surface and the opposite surface, and a length of each reflective pattern in the second direction is larger than a length of each reflective pattern in the third direction.
US08506135B1

An LED light engine apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may provide a simplified, modular method of retrofitting existing luminaires with high-brightness LEDs. The physical structure and method of mounting to the luminaire may enable the light engine to direct the light output such that a wide variety of light output patterns can be achieved in many cases without the need for custom reflectors or optics. The compact size and method and use of heat pipes for heat sinking to the luminaire may enable one or more assemblies to be placed into a luminaire, achieving higher levels of illumination than could be done with LEDs in the prior art.
US08506119B2

Concepts for increasing brightness and uniformity and providing dimming for LED-illuminated signs and display are disclosed. Substantial increase in brightness is achieved via reducing the distance between LED modules and the sign or display they illuminate by placing the LEDs on a raised grid platform constructed with a plurality of intersecting plates. Whenever two plates intersect, a “grid-node” is formed, creating a plurality of intersections and grid nodes in a two-dimensional array. On each grid-node, two distinct and electrically isolated LED sub-modules are placed. By connecting all LED sub-modules parallel to one dimension (e.g., X-axis) in one series, and all LED sub-modules parallel to the other dimension (e.g., Y-axis) in another series, two electrically isolated LED series are created. Lighting up both series provide maximum brightness and good uniformity; lighting up only one series allows dimming for illuminated signs or displays without any drive current adjustment.
US08506117B2

An LED illumination device includes a polygonal reflector and a plurality of LEDs received in the reflector. The reflector includes multiple sidewalls connecting with each other. Each LED is located adjacent to at least one corresponding neighboring sidewall. The polygonal reflector can have a shape of a square, a rectangle, an octagon etc. Light generated by the LEDs has at least a part reflected by the reflector to radiate out of the LED illumination device upwardly. The LED is a top view LED. A top of an LED die of the LED is no higher than a bottom of the sidewalls of the reflector.
US08506116B2

The present invention provides various embodiments for apparatuses, systems, and methods for lighting devices used in shelving, displays, and the like. Some embodiments provide lighting device comprising elongated extrusions with a first surface and a second surface proximate the first surface. The second surface may be reflective. One or more light emitting devices may be mounted at the first surface of the extrusion. The first surface is angled with respect to the second surface such that at least a portion of the light emitted from the light emitting devices reaches the second surface. If the second surface is reflective, at least a portion of the emitted light will be reflected from the second surface. A protective and possibly light diffusive lens may be provided between the first and second surfaces. In other embodiments, lighting systems may be provided with a plurality of lighting devices as described above. One or more power transfer devices may be provided to connect the lighting devices in vertical and/or horizontal arrangements, and at least one power supply may be provided to power the power transfer devices and lighting devices. Additionally, dimmer devices with integrated sensors may be included to dim the lighting devices when reduced illumination is desired.
US08506113B2

The present invention discloses an electronic lighting device. The device comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes mounted on a thermal dissipation base and protected by a translucent cover; said device is specially designed to replace fluorescent tubes, i.e., in relation to its general construction; the electronic lighting device of the present invention has an external shape similar to the standard shapes of conventional fluorescent tubes, and an internal electronic circuit responsible for converting the electrical signal from any reactor into an electrical signal applied to light-emitting diodes. The present invention is free from a printed circuit board, and does not require the use of heat dissipation paste.
US08506109B2

A display table includes a drawer section, a main drawer, an internal light drawer, and an upper section. The drawer section includes two opposing sidewalls partially defining a drawer compartment and a main opening. The main drawer, disposed within the drawer compartment, slidably mounts to the two opposing sidewalls and includes an exposed front panel for concealing the main opening. The internal light drawer is disposed above the main drawer and slidably couples to the two opposing sidewalls. The upper section is disposed over the drawer section to receive light when the internal light drawer is illuminated. When the main drawer is in an open position, the internal light drawer is movable relative to the main drawer. When the main drawer is in a closed position, the internal light drawer is concealed by the front panel.
US08506097B2

A vehicular integrated mirror system is provided that is supported on a vehicle body that includes a door, and has an outside mirror disposed outside a vehicle compartment and an interior mirror disposed within the vehicle compartment at a position in the proximity of the outside mirror so that, in cooperation with the outside mirror, a vehicle rear field of vision is obtained, wherein a mirror holder retaining the outside mirror and the inside mirror is swingably supported on mirror support means mounted on the vehicle body in order to change the reflection angle of the two mirror relative to a vehicle driver, and the reflection angle of the outside mirror and the inside mirror is changed by remote drive means that makes the mirror holder swing by remote operation. This enables the reflection angle of the outside mirror and the inside mirror to be remotely controlled.
US08506096B2

A variable reflectance mirror reflective element includes a front substrate and a rear substrate and an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween, with no part of the rear substrate extending beyond any part of the front substrate. A mirror reflector is disposed at a third surface of the rear substrate and includes a stack of thin films having at least one metal thin film. A perimeter layer is disposed at a second surface of the front substrate proximate a perimeter edge of the front substrate and generally conceals the perimeter seal from view by a person viewing through the front substrate. Light that reflects off of the mirror reflector and passes through the electrochromic medium and the front substrate has a substantially untinted reflectant characteristic to a person viewing the mirror reflective element when no voltage is applied to the electrochromic medium.
US08506081B2

A focusing unit (11) is constituted of a prism base (11a), deflection prisms (11b and 11c), and a slit chart (11e) having a slit opening (11d), and the deflection prisms (11b and 11c) are arranged so that deflecting directions may become reverse. The slit opening (11d) is made equally to spread across the deflection prisms (11b and 11c) approximately and is impermeable except the slit opening (11d), and light incident on the deflection prisms (11b and 11c) passes only this slit opening (11d). In addition, the light which is emitted by a focus index illumination light source illuminates the slit opening (11d) through the deflection prisms (11b and 11c). As to an image of the illuminated slit opening (11d), two slit images are formed on a fundus of eye by actions of the deflection prisms 11b and 11c. Focus adjustment is made by aligning these slit images (S1 and S2) in a straight line.
US08506077B2

The invention comprises a neuropsychological test method designed to measure a test subject's variables of visual attention for stimuli believed to preferentially elicit specific visual pathways. Target visual pathways include the magnocellular on/off, parvocellular chromatic red/green, koniocellular blue/yellow, and parvocellular achromatic pathways. Furthermore, the invention computes differential measures between the different stimuli types for diagnostic value. These computations include, but are not limited to, measures believed to elicit non-linear contrast gain control, on versus off pathways, and changes in performance over time. The test displays both target and noise (non-target) stimuli with different apriori probabilities at different stages of the test. The test can capture and analyze physiological measures, isoluminant points and critical flicker fusion points. In accordance with the present invention, a novel method and system called the “Variable Contrast Continuous Performance Test (VC-CPT)” is provided.
US08506075B2

An ophthalmic lens for providing a plurality of foci includes an optic having an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and an optical axis. The ophthalmic lens has a first region and a second region. The first region has a first refractive optical power and includes a first base curvature having a finite radius of curvature and a first phase plate having at least one diffraction order with a diffractive optical power. The first region is configured for forming a first focus and a second focus. The second region has a second refractive optical power and includes a second base curvature having a finite second radius of curvature that is different from the first radius of curvature and a second phase plate having at least one diffraction order with a diffractive optical power.
US08506073B2

A multilayer image transfer sheet for non-thermally transferring an image to a receiving object includes, in the following order with respect to each other, a backing sheet; a water-releasable sacrificial layer disposed on the backing sheet; an ink-absorbing layer disposed over the water-releasable sacrificial layer; a printed image layer formed on the ink-absorbing layer; and an adhesive layer disposed over the printed image layer and configured and arranged for permanent attachment of the printed image layer to a receiving object. The printed image layer includes ink printed to form at least one image.
US08506072B2

A printing apparatus includes a first transport belt group including endless belts arranged at predetermined intervals in a direction intersecting a transport direction of a printing medium, a second transport belt group including endless belts arranged so as to oppose the first transport belt group and configured to transport the printing medium while the printing medium is clamped between the first transport belt group and the second transport belt group, and a group of liquid ejecting heads provided between the endless belts of the first transport belt group or between the endless belts of the second transport belt group and configured to eject liquid onto the printing medium being transported.
US08506068B2

There is provided an inkjet printing method of applying plural different kinds of color ink containing pigment as a coloring agent and clear ink not containing the coloring agent on a print medium to form an image thereon. An amount of the clear ink applied in a unit area of the print medium is adjusted based upon an amount of each of the plural kinds of the color ink applied in the unit area. Since the amount of the clear ink is adjusted based upon not only the amount but also the kind of the color ink applied in the unit area, the clear ink application amount to each unit area can be more appropriate to largely reduce the gloss variations.
US08506050B2

A print head configured for ejecting droplets of ink comprises a nozzle surface having arranged thereon at least one nozzle and a pattern of wetting sections and anti-wetting sections, arranged around the nozzle. The wetting sections interchange on a circular line, concentric with the nozzle, with anti-wetting sections. The pattern of wetting sections and anti-wetting sections is configured such that it provides a driving force for droplets to move away from the nozzle. The invention further relates to a printing apparatus, comprising said nozzle.
US08506041B2

An ink jet recording apparatus is configured to use ink containing volatile components. A recording head has nozzles for discharging the ink and a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the ink in the nozzles. A control portion is configured to control the recording head to perform idle drive operations which causes microvibration of an ink meniscus in each of the nozzles, to perform preliminary discharge operations to discharge the ink from the plurality of nozzles, and to change a number of times of performing the idle drive operations and a number of times of performing the preliminary discharge operations according to the temperature of the ink detected by the temperature sensor.
US08506040B2

A solid ink composition comprising an amorphous component, a crystalline material, and optionally, a colorant, which are suitable for ink jet printing, including printing on coated paper substrates. In embodiments, the solid ink formulation comprises a blend of an amorphous and crystalline components which provides a solid ink with excellent robustness when forming images or printing on coated paper substrates.
US08506036B2

An imaging device includes a plurality of ink jets that eject drops of substantially clear ink onto print media. One of the print media and the substantially clear ink has a fluorescent characteristic and the other of the print media and the substantially clear ink is substantially non-fluorescent. The imaging device includes a fluorescence sensor that illuminates the print media and detects a fluorescence intensity of light received from the print media alone and from the print media and the drops of substantially clear ink ejected onto the media. A controller modifies an operating parameter of the imaging device with reference to ink drop masses identified with reference to the detected fluorescent intensities.
US08506031B2

A protective layer is applied to a substrate moving relative to an ink jet nozzle array. Each nozzle responds to a piezoelectric actuator. Shapes of ink droplets deposited by the nozzles on the substrate, to form the protective layer, are controlled by shapes of electric waveforms applied to the actuators. Shapes of the waveforms respond to at least one of: droplet viscosity and temperature, temperature of the substrate, desired thickness of the layer, type of substrate surface to which the droplets are applied, and relative speed of the substrate and the ink jet nozzle array.
US08506025B2

A washing/drying machine is mounted to a pedestal via supporters. The pedestal includes a housing having a specific space therein, the plurality of supporters mounted at the housing and supporting an object placed on the housing and connection parts connecting the supporters mounted at one side of the housing to each other. The supporters are provided with coupling ribs for fixing the object at the housing. As the pedestal is mounted at the washing/drying machine, it is capable of preventing surfaces of the washing/drying machine and the pedestal from being damaged and of preventing water or other foreign materials from penetrating through a gap between the washing/drying machine and the pedestal by the connection parts mounted between the washing/drying machine and the pedestal.
US08506014B2

A recline mechanism incorporated into a rear row seat and including a latch plate fixed to an interior location of the vehicle. A body is supported in displaceable fashion along locations associated with the latch plate and exhibits an outwardly facing striker engaged by a hook component configured into an opposing side location of a pivotal seatback in order to selectively pivotally slave the seatback to the mechanism. A cable release component is supported on the body and operates to actuate a pivot element exhibiting biased fingers likewise supported on the body from a first position in engagement with the latch plate to a second position permitting the seatback to pivot an angular distance within an overall range defined by the latch plate.
US08506004B1

A gap fairing and aerodynamic drag reduction method for a tractor-trailer. A fairing body is attached to a chassis of the tractor, independently of the cab thereof and within a gap between a cab of the tractor and the trailer. The fairing body has side portions, extending rearwardly from a front portion, adjacent the cab of the tractor, toward the trailer and an upwardly sloping top portion extending to the side portions and terminating in a trailing end. The trailing end can be situated behind the side portions to lessen the inclination of the top portion. A separation space between the front of the fairing body and the cab can be sealed by a sealing element that is at least in part resilient or flexible or both so as to allow relative motion between the fairing body and the cab.
US08505997B2

A center console (20) includes a first panel (32) having a first upper surface (76) and a first padded portion (28). The first padded portion (28) includes a first outer cover (54). The first outer cover (54) is mounted to the first panel (32) such that a first cavity (56) is formed by at least a portion of the outer cover (54) and at least a portion of the upper surface (76). The first padded portion (28) also includes first padding (56) located, in the first cavity (56).
US08505993B2

A vehicle interior member that is attached to an interior side of a vehicle body, including an interior member body which is made of an unwoven fabric and exposed to the interior side; and a reinforcement band which is made of a rigid plastic and attached to a behind surface of the interior member body, the reinforcement band being provided with a locking mechanism that fixes the interior member body to the vehicle body.
US08505983B2

A flange connection for connecting e.g. two sections of a tube or pipe comprises two flanges and a sealing ring inserted into an annular sealing space defined by radial faces and axially extending peripheral walls between the flanges. The sealing ring has an annular main body and an outer periphery with a cross-sectional shape that has legs extending outwardly from the main body. These legs, in a condition prior to application of sealing pressure, are inclined away from each other and have rounded outer ends that abut both the radial faces and the peripheral walls defining the annular sealing space. The legs, in a condition where the flanges are forced against each other, are axially compressed and upset at least in a radial direction by plastic flow of material on the outer ends in sealing engagement with the axially extending peripheral walls. Preferably, the sealing ring is formed with an annular shoulder that extends radially outwardly from an outer peripheral area of the main body and that is centrally located between the legs.
US08505982B2

In a connection apparatus for a corrugated tube a sealing sleeve, a coupling part, and an insertion part that can be inserted into the coupling part and comprises outwardly protruding latching portions on its outside surface, the coupling part is provided on an outside surface with cooperating latching portions. The coupling part comprises an inner holding device through which the corrugated tube can be guided in the direction towards the insertion part and performs elastically resilient radial movements thereby securing the corrugated tube against withdrawal. The corrugated tube extends into the sealing sleeve sitting in the interior of the insertion part having an axial flow passage, and with the holding device protruding axially into the opening of the insertion part in a coupled state. The outwardly protruding latching portions exposed on the outside of the connection apparatus when in the coupled state. The holding device compressing the sealing sleeve when in the coupled state.
US08505977B2

A book of sleeve protected pages bound together to form a sleeve bundle cradled inside a receiving channel formed by a hardcover spine and longitudinal flanges extending from the spine and a method of binding thereof.
US08505974B2

A travel trailer configured to be coupled to and towed by a vehicle is provided. The travel trailer has a compartment that is attached to a chassis which includes a front end and a rear end. A plurality of wheels are attached to the chassis adjacent the rear end, and a hitch assembly is attached to the chassis adjacent the front end. The compartment at the front end of the chassis forms first and second corners. A recess, directed inwardly toward the interior of the compartment, is located at each corner of the compartment. Cavities formed by each recess may receive a portion of the vehicle while the vehicle is engaged in a turn.
US08505973B2

A forward mount is disclosed which is secured to the frame of an off-road vehicle to enable the rearward ends of a push-tube assembly to be secured thereto. The forward mount of this invention may be attached to the main frame of off-road vehicles of different manufacturers in various ways.
US08505972B2

A foldable stay device arranged on a rear portion of a motorcycle includes a foldable stay unit secured to a seat rail. The foldable stay unit includes a base, a fastener stay supported by the base for pivotal movement between a projected position, in which the fastener stay protrudes outwardly of a motorcycle body in readiness for engagement with a luggage fastening member, and a folded position in which the fastener stay is accommodated inwardly of the projected position in a motorcycle width direction, and a carrier stud for supporting the fastener stay to permit the latter to undergo the pivotal movement between the projected and folded positions about a pivotal axis vertically extending. The fastener stay, when held at the projected position, is arranged above an outer tip line depicted by an outwardly bulged side portion of a rear cowl for covering the seat rail from the side.
US08505970B2

An airbag cushion for vehicles includes a cushion body, vent holes, tubes and a tether. The vent holes are formed in the cushion body at opposite positions. The tubes are connected to the respective vent holes. The tubes are deployed out of the vent holes by deployment of the cushion body so that gas is discharged out of the cushion body through the tubes. The tether connects the tubes to each other and is severed when pressure in the cushion body reaches a predetermined degree. At the point of time at which the weight of the occupant is applied to the airbag cushion, the pressure in the airbag cushion is released, thus reducing the risk of the deployment of the airbag cushion injuring the occupant.
US08505968B2

A vehicle seat having an airbag module with an inflatable airbag cushion; a single or multi-part cover configured to cover the airbag module and an upholstered member, wherein an opening line for the airbag cushion is provided in the cover; and a reinforcing insert disposed between the cover and the airbag module for orientation of the airbag cushion when the latter inflates. In a non-triggered state of the airbag module, the reinforcing insert is folded into a multi-layer folded region that extends substantially orthogonally relative to the opening line. Upon an opening of the airbag cushion at the opening line, vertical force components can be formed in the region of the multi-layer folded region.
US08505967B2

At a time of deployment of an airbag, a rear portion of the airbag and a tension imparting member are prevented from hooking on an upper end of a quarter pillar garnish and impeding deployment of the airbag. An airbag (20) is contained along a door opening (46). An upper expansion portion (20D) is formed on an upper edge side of a rear seat expansion portion (20B), and a rear expansion portion (20E) is formed at a rear end side upper portion. The upper expansion portion is expanded and deployed at the compartment outer side of a terminal part (34A). A rear end side attachment portion (20E) is set at the rear end side of the rear expansion portion (20E), and the rear expansion portion expands inside a quarter pillar garnish (48). A rear end lower portion of the rear seat expansion portion is coupled to the vehicle body by a rear side strap (68). A border portion (72) between a roof head lining (34) and the pillar garnish is specified such that a deployment area (Q) of the upper expansion portion falls within a range where the roof head lining is arranged.
US08505963B1

Inflatable airbag assemblies having a strap and clamp system to securely hold an inflator relative to a housing. The strap may be attached to an airbag cushion to restrict the movement of the strap or strap may not be attached to the airbag cushion and may move freely while positioned within openings in the housing.
US08505961B2

A curtain airbag for a motor vehicle includes a two-layer lug for fastening to the motor vehicle formed by a first layer which is folded back upon itself to a second layer. The two-layer lug includes an opening in the area of the fold. A bracket is provided between the layers. The bracket projects through the opening with a fastening shoulder, and the curtain airbag can be fastened to the motor vehicle via the fastening shoulder.
US08505954B1

An easy to use trailer anti-theft device that forms an integral part of said trailer comprising a front exterior wall mounted locking mechanism having a rotatable lock bar extending therefrom with the lock bar having an upper arm pivotally and swivelably connected to a lower swing bar that can be unlocked and moved from a stored position to a downwardly depending blocking position. The lock bar has a partially rotative lower swing arm that under force extends under the trailer substantially in the direction of the trailer king pin.
US08505952B1

A tow bar including a towing hitch member connected to a towing vehicle; a towed hitch member connected to a vehicle to be towed; a head member having a front connector connected to the towing hitch member, and an articulated portion; leg connectors pivotally connected to the articulated portion; tow bar legs having outer and inner members constructed of composite material; locking members with biased cam elements and stop elements; rear connectors for connecting the tow bar legs to the towed hitch member; storage latches for releasably securing the tow bar legs in a stored configuration; protective boots for exposed portions of the inner members; and epoxy for securing the outer members to the leg connectors and the locking members, and the inner members to the stop elements and the rear connectors.
US08505946B2

A wheelchair comprises a hub-enclosing open ring engaging a hub disposed in a wheel rotatably, bars extending from two ends of the hub-enclosing open ring, an crescent-shaped cap member fixed to the bars above the tube portion, a power handle engaging the crescent-shaped cap member rotatably through an L-shaped end of the power handle, a wheel-holding plate fixed to the power handle with an angle and covered by the crescent-shaped cap member. The wheel-holding plate comprises a holding edge for pressing down on and holding the wheel. The hub-enclosing open ring, the bars, and the cap member are fixed to one another and configured to rotate about the hub, and the holding edge of the wheel-holding pate is configured to be pressed down on and engaged firmly to the wheel such that the wheel rotates about the hub by pushing and pulling the power handle.
US08505942B2

A suspension device having a leaf spring and a piston-cylinder unit. The leaf spring has a first end that is movably attached to a frame and a second end pivotally attached to the piston-cylinder unit. In addition, the piston-cylinder unit is pivotally attached to the frame.
US08505940B1

A bushing attachment assembly for a vehicle stabilizer bar is provided. The mounting structure includes a bushing, a bracket assembly, and a bracket mount, which may be configured to couple the bracket assembly and bushing to a vehicle frame. The bracket assembly may include an outer pre-compression component and an inner retention component. The bushing may be disposed within a cavity formed between the outer pre-compression component and the inner retention component. The bushing may also define a central bore configured to receive a vehicle stabilizer bar. Each of the respective outer pre-compression and inner retention components may include planar tabs or other similar retention features configured to engage one another to form a compression assembly, which applies and maintains a compressive load upon the bushing.
US08505938B2

A sway bar assembly includes a sway bar, a biasing member, and a winder assembly. The sway bar includes a central portion, a left end portion, and a right end portion. The central portion is configured for pivotal coupling to a frame of a vehicle. The left end portion is configured for coupling with a left support arm. The right end portion is configured for coupling with a right support arm. The biasing member is configured to be fixed to a frame of a vehicle. The winder assembly is coupled with the biasing member and configured to facilitate selective movement of the biasing member with respect to the sway bar.
US08505930B2

A skate shoe includes a shoe having a sole through which runs a horizontal bore. From both sides of the horizontal bore of the sole, a half-axle is inserted with a wheel fixed at an outer end of each half-axle. The two half-axles have at least one flattened portion on their respective inner ends, which is located within the horizontal bore. The two flattened portions overlap within the bore and, in a second half of each flattened portion that is closer to the respective wheel, there is a recess. The each recess is complementary formed to a detent lug in a first half of the respective flattened portion and with the detent being able to pivot into the recess of the other half-axle.
US08505926B2

A shaft seal assembly includes a metal case having a wall extending cylindrically about a central axis with an annular leg extending radially inwardly from the wall toward the central axis. An elastomeric material is bonded to the leg, and a PTFE seal element is attached to the elastomeric material at a bond joint. The bond joint is spaced radially inwardly from the leg and in radial alignment with the leg and inhibits the elastomeric material from flexing. As such, the elastomeric material is isolated or substantially isolated from impacting the performance of the PTFE seal element during use. Accordingly, the bond joint provides a reliable seal of the PTFE seal element against a running surface of a shaft or wear sleeve.
US08505921B2

A target stand includes a target stand base and a target holder, together with a target mounted in the holder. The base has a cross member which is adjustably rotatably mounted, and the cross member has an upright member extending therefrom. The holder has a stem portion inserted into an open end of the upright portion of the base. A hand screw is used to secure the stem portion in the upright member. In this manner, the holder can be secured at any rotational angle relative to the upright member. Further, the upright member itself can be moved to any position by rotation of the cross member, which is likewise secured by a hand screw. Further, an uppermost portion of the target stand holder includes block carrying a transverse bar and allowing pivoting of the transverse bar. The transverse bar connects a pair of upright bars.
US08505920B1

The present teachings relate to a novel game of chance for use in existing table game formats, for example, in live casinos, in video games, and in computer/animated game playing software. The method comprises playing a game with at least one player and a dealer using at least one deck of conventional playing cards, each card ranked from lowest to highest as Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King. The player is declared the winner if the player has a card lower in rank than the dealer's most recently dealt card, or if the dealer busts.
US08505912B2

A device for aligning a sheet, such as a banknote. The device includes a support area on which at least one sheet to be aligned is supported. The device further includes a first aligning element and a second aligning element. The second aligning element is movable towards and away from the first aligning element. To align the sheet, the second aligning element is moved towards the first aligning element with a drive unit. A sensor is included that detects presence of the sheet in a detection area of the sensor. The drive unit is configured to move the second aligning element based on whether the sensor detects presence of the sheet.
US08505909B2

A feeding apparatus according to the present invention includes an object feeding path, a temporary object feeding path branched from the object feeding path, an object feeding unit arranged on the object feeding path, the object feeding unit feeding an object; and a pair of rollers arranged on the temporary object feeding path. The pair of rollers pinches the object and feeds the object from the object feeding path toward the temporary object feeding path while keeping one edge of the object as a feeding head. The pair of rollers pinches the object and feeds the object from the temporary object feeding path toward the object feeding path while keeping the other edge of the object as a feeding head.
US08505908B2

Sheet deceleration apparatus and methods for decelerating a sheet of material for use in a sheet stacking or other application. The deceleration apparatus includes a rotatable cam nip, rotatable about a first axis and provided on one side of the travel path, such that the sheet of material can pass by the cam nip. The cam nip includes a lobe end, such that when the lobe end is away from the travel path, the sheet of material can pass substantially unimpeded past the cam nip, and when the lobe end is near the travel path, the sheet of material is nipped by the cam nip decelerating the sheet of material from the first speed to a second speed.
US08505907B2

A method and apparatus for determining the position of adjustable feeder tray side guides in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include detecting an amount of a continuously variable sloped shape marker, determining a position of the adjustable feeder tray side guide of a feeder tray based on the detected amount of the continuously variable sloped shape marker, and outputting the determined position of the adjustable feeder tray side guide of a feeder tray to a user interface of the image production device.
US08505903B2

A sheet folding device that performs a folding process on a bundle of sheet members includes: a folding unit that folds the bundle of the sheet members; a pushing unit that abuts on a surface of the bundle of the sheet members so as to push the bundle of the sheet members into the folding unit; pressing plates that form a pair, that have convexly curved surfaces to face each other, and that form a crease by pressing the bundle of the sheet members therebetween; a driving unit that performs a pressing operation and a press-releasing operation of the pair of the pressing plates; a moving unit that moves a pressing position of the pair of the pressing plates interposing the bundle of the sheet members; and a control unit that controls the driving unit and the moving unit. The control unit controls a moving speed of the pressing position.
US08505899B2

Sheet pressing means (59) is provided that assists the formation of a bend in a sheet (S) and that guides the bend in the sheet (S) into the nip portion between a second roller (54) and a third roller (55). The sheet pressing means (59) is formed with a cylindrical sheet member (591) and a bar-shaped member (592) that is inserted into the cylindrical sheet member (591). The top portion of the sheet member (591) is attached to a base member (593), and thus the bar-shaped member (592) is supported by the sheet member (591) such that the longitudinal direction of the bar-shaped member (592) is held substantially in a horizontal state. Thus, it is possible to perform processing for reliably folding the sheet in a predetermined position regardless of the material quality, the thickness and the like of the sheet; even if a strong force is applied to the sheet pressing means at the time of processing for handing a paper jam or the like, the sheet pressing means is unlikely to be deformed; and it is possible to stably perform the folding processing for a long period of time.
US08505893B2

The invention relates to a tool holder with a tool holding fixture, in particular a clamping chuck such as a contracting chuck, a draw-in collect chuck, a hydraulic expanding chuck and a high-precision chuck, and a shank of a tool, in particular a rotary tool, accommodated in it, wherein the tool holder contains a means for preventing the tool from being pulled out, locking it against axial displacement. This pull-out preventing unit comprises at least one locking element and at least one locking groove, which corresponds to the said locking element, receives it and interacts with it in a positively locking manner. In this case, both the locking element and the locking groove are formed at least partly in the manner of a ball head. Preferably, the tool has the locking grooves. On account of preferably spirally arranged locking grooves along the cylindrical shank of rotary tools, the direction of pitch of which grooves corresponds to the direction of the grooves of the tool, axial locking of the tool is obtained, so that the tool cannot be axially displaced from the tool holder during operation. In addition, force-exerting elements are arranged, with the effect of making the tool lie against the pull-out preventer without play after shrink-fitting.
US08505892B2

The present invention relates to bar clamp assemblies and workpiece support members configured for use with bar clamp assemblies. In one aspect, the present invention provides a workpiece support member for a bar clamp assembly. The workpiece support member include a base including an engagement feature configured for engagement with a guide rail of the bar clamp assembly. The workpiece support member also includes a first finger extending from the base and a second finger extending from the base. The first and second fingers are disposed apart with respect to one another to form a slot having a substantially continuous width. The first, second or both fingers form an abutment surface and a support surface, the abutment surface and the support surface are generally perpendicular with respect to one another.
US08505889B2

An intermediate cylinder 18 is interposed between an inner cylinder 12 and an outer cylinder 14. The inner cylinder has a first bulging portion 20 of a spherical zone shape. The intermediate cylinder has a second bulging portion 22 of a spherical zone shape enclosing the first bulging portion. The inner circumference of the second bulging portion has a first spherical recess 23 corresponding to the first bulging portion. The inner circumference portion of the outer cylinder 14 enclosing the second bulging portion has a second spherical recess 25 corresponding to the second bulging portion. A rubbery elastic member 16 has an inner elastic portion 26 connecting the inner cylinder 12 and the intermediate cylinder 18 and an outer elastic portion 28 connecting the intermediate cylinder 18 and the outer cylinder 14. The axial size D1 of the inner elastic portion is larger than the axial size D2 of the outer elastic portion.
US08505881B2

A system for mixing and mixing processes and structures are disclosed. In addition a nozzle used for mixing is disclosed.
US08505874B2

An adjusting screw structure of an oil immersed solenoid comprises a movable core provided in a first space of a main body case to be movable in an axial direction. The core is biased by an adjusting spring to be pulled by a fixed magnetic pole portion. An adjusting screw capable of adjusting biasing force of the adjusting spring is included. The adjusting screw structure includes an air-bleeding plug configured to detachably attach to and seal an opening end portion of a rear case, which communicates with the first space. The air-bleeding plug includes an internal screw portion that threadedly engages the adjustable screw. A detachable mechanism is configured to attach the air-bleeding plug to the opening end portion, locating the air-bleeding plug at a predetermined attachment position in a movement direction of the adjusting screw. Thus, air in a solenoid can be removed without causing a biasing force error.
US08505872B2

A valve control apparatus sets a certain soft landing start target position to a drive control unit for carrying out driving of a DC motor 2 as a target open position in response to a fully close command, and sets the target open position which the valve control apparatus acquires by gradually decreasing the soft landing start target position to the above-mentioned drive control unit at a time when the difference between an actual open position and the soft landing start target position becomes equal to a first threshold.
US08505867B2

A mount for mobile electronic devices such as a satellite dish antenna system. The mount includes a tripod and an elongated post member supported on it by a universal joint or pivot mechanism. The post member extends along a longitudinal axis and the pivot mechanism allows the post member to be moved about two, substantially perpendicular pivotal axes relative to the tripod to align the longitudinal axis of the post member with the vertical. Once the axis of the post member is aligned vertically, the alignment system of the attachable satellite dish will then have a proper reference from which to aim or direct the dish (e.g., azimuth and elevation) for best reception and transmission. The mount includes an arrangement of cables extending between the tripod legs and adjustable straps extending between each tripod leg and the post member to provide a very strong and stable support for the satellite dish antenna system that is attachable to the upper end of the vertically aligned post member. The tripod is designed to be foldable into a compact configuration for easy transport and storage with each tripod leg folded onto itself and positioned under a central member of the tripod. The folding and unfolding of the tripod and the alignment of the post member to the vertical on it can all be done by one person without the need for any tools.
US08505856B2

An anchor assembly structured for use in connection with ceiling or roofing structures for hanging industrial or commercial components, such as, for example, electrical conduits, heating units, water pipes for automatic water sprinkler systems, and the like. The anchor assembly is easy and quick to install, and also provides enhanced swivel capabilities or angular ranges of movement so as to accommodate various system and spatial requirements in connection with the suspension of the components. Suspension and lateral restraint systems are also disclosed.
US08505853B2

A method for controlling the attitude of a satellite in orbit around a celestial object, the satellite including an observation instrument, a solar panel, a radiator and a star sensor which are arranged on the satellite such that, in a reference frame associated with the satellite and defined by three orthogonal axes X, Y, and Z, the observation instrument has its observation axis parallel to the Z-axis, the solar panel is parallel to the Y-axis, the radiator is arranged on one of the sides −X, +Y, or −Y of the satellite, and the star sensor points to the negative X values side. The roll and pitch attitudes of the satellite are controlled during an activity period to direct the observation instrument towards areas of the celestial object to be observed, and the yaw attitude of the satellite is controlled to keep the sun on the positive X values side and ensure that a solar panel minimum insolation constraint is satisfied during observation phases of the activity period.
US08505852B2

A reversible aerospace plane includes an air intake at a first end of the aerospace plane, at least one heat exchanger disposed in the aerospace plane, and an engine at a second end of the aerospace plane, wherein the aerospace plane is configured to accelerate in a first direction and configured to glide and land in a second direction, wherein the second direction is substantially in a reverse direction from the first direction.
US08505846B1

An aircraft has a fuselage, a lifting free wing, and a nose section. The fuselage has a front end, a rear end, and a longitudinal axis. The lifting free wing is pivotally connected to the fuselage with a pivot. The nose section is pivotally mounted on the front end of the fuselage, and includes a pair of engines, and a pair of counter-rotating propellers. A canard free wing is pivotally connected to the nose section with a pivot. A pair of vertical stabilizers are mounted on the rear end of the fuselage and each includes a rudder and a pair of landing gear.
US08505833B2

A medical liquid transfer system includes a pump configured to transfer liquid between at least two containers. A detachable connector is detachably secured to the pump. The detachable connector has at least one pump passage to transmit pumping pressure from the pump to at least one of the containers. The detachable connector can include one or more liquid impermeable and gas permeable membranes to ensure the liquid is retained in the detachable connector. After the fluid is transferred the detachable connector is removed and replaced by a new one in order to prevent contamination of the pump. An interlock mechanism is used to prevent premature removal of the detachable connector and/or the container being filled.
US08505826B2

A portable consumer device is disclosed. One or more contact regions in the portable consumer device may be provided on the contactless portable consumer device. The user may be required to place a finger on the one or more contact regions while holding the portable consumer device proximate to the interrogation device to enable it to be interrogated. The user's fingers may be used to electrically bridge an open portion of a circuit so as to enable operation of the portable consumer device.
US08505821B2

The present disclosure is generally directed to maintaining sensor quality standards and/or preventing improper remanufacture of sensors, such as pulse oximetry sensors. Present embodiments may include a sensor that includes an optical machine-readable representation of data included on the sensor and/or packaged therewith, and an information element configured to store data corresponding to the data represented by the optical machine-readable representation.
US08505819B2

The present invention discloses a biological measuring device with auto coding capabilities. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the biological measuring device with auto coding capabilities includes a test strip having a substrate and at least a first contact pad and a second contact pad provided on the substrate; and a code reader having at least a first metal pin and a second metal pin to couple to the first contact pad and the second contact pad to obtain coding information associated with the test strip, wherein the code reader is capable of reading the coding information based on a movement of the test strip before the test strip is placed still in relation to the code reader for a proper reading of a sample.
US08505815B2

A prepaid card processing system is operable for processing customized expiration dates of prepaid cards. The prepaid card processing system includes a database for storing program expiration parameters associated with an issuer prepaid card program; a set of card accounts created under the issuer prepaid card program, wherein each card account has an expiration date for a prepaid card associated with the card account; and one or more customized expiration parameters for the set of card accounts. The prepaid card processing system is operable to determine the expiration date for the prepaid card associated with the card account based on the program expiration parameters and the customized expiration parameters for the set of card accounts.
US08505813B2

Apparatus and methods for providing customer benefit offer program enrollment are provided. A system for enrolling a purchasing instrument in an electronic customer benefit offer program an electromagnetic receiver module. The receiver module may be configured to receive data from the purchasing instrument and receive from a customer a customer selection of a notification channel, the channel to be used for notifying the customer about a customer benefit. The system may also include a processor module configured to associate the purchasing instrument data with an account on an electronic platform so that a customer benefit offer that is stored on the platform may be associated with the purchasing instrument.
US08505808B2

In one embodiment, a method for avoiding the misapplication of contents in one or more containers, the method comprising: providing a first smart label, the first smart label comprising first information corresponding to a first recipe for a first composition to be applied by a machine to crops in a first portion of a field, the first recipe based on geofence information for the first portion of the field; and assigning by a processor the first smart label to a first container that stores the first composition.
US08505806B2

Method for producing coated assembly parts for chemical device elements including the following series of steps: (a) the formation of an initial assembly including a steel support part, typically a plate, a zirconium or zirconium alloy coating, typically a sheet having dimensions similar to those of the steel plate, and at least one brazing material between the support part and the coating, wherein said brazing material is an alloy including silver and copper; (b) the insertion of the initial assembly into a brazing chamber with a controlled atmosphere; (c) the formation of a controlled atmosphere in said chamber; (d) the reheating of said assembly to a temperature at least equal to the melting temperature of said brazing material; wherein, prior to the formation of said initial assembly, the deposition of a titanium or titanium alloy layer on said zirconium (or zirconium alloy) coating is performed, and in that said coating is placed so that its titanium- or (titanium alloy-) coated surface is in contact with said brazing material.
US08505802B2

A surgical apparatus has a clamp and a stapling mechanism. The clamp has a first jaw and a second jaw to clamp on a body tissue at a desired location for a stapling operation. The stapling mechanism is controlled by a trigger handle or a switch assembly. The surgical apparatus has a controller for providing a delay between clamping and actuating of the firing mechanism of the stapling mechanism. The delay provides for a desired amount of time for tissue compression producing a more uniform staple formation. The surgical apparatus also has an indicator. The indicator provides feedback about the status of the stapling mechanism and also displays a time of tissue compression by the clamp.
US08505798B2

A fastener driving device includes a fastener driver, a magazine for carrying a supply of fasteners to the fastener driver, a spring that moves the fastener driver through a drive stroke, and a motor configured to move the fastener driver through a return stroke. The motor is operable upon completion of the drive stroke, to move the fastener driver partially through the return stroke a predetermined amount to partially pre-compress the spring. The motor is further operable to fully compress the spring after receiving a signal for the drive stroke.
US08505795B2

A mounting apparatus for portable electronic devices (hereinafter “PED”). More particularly, the present invention relates to a mounting bracket and PED holder that allows the user to use and store their PED in a compact disk (“CD”) player of a motor vehicle.
US08505791B2

A backpack with a self stabilizing shoulder strap system is disclosed. The backpack includes two shoulder straps, an intermediate member, and a bag. The bag is configured to pivot about a first connector associated with the intermediate member. The shoulder straps are configured to pivot about connectors associated with the intermediate member. The configuration of the shoulder strap system allows for the bag to remain substantially vertical during motions as the shoulders are raised and lowered.
US08505789B2

A fire and heat resistant rescue device designed to offer a safe and effective means to protect and remove, during an emergency, infants, toddlers, children or other persons from hazardous atmospheres which may include heat, flame, toxic gases and fumes, hazardous materials, and other dangerous exposures. This design was developed to give a firefighter/rescuer a way to safely move a potential victim through a dangerous environment found during a house or structure fire, but also has broader rescue and situational uses when protecting and moving a victim from a hazardous area. This device uses compressed air, when required, to supply slight positive air pressure inside the bag, thus excluding entry of heat, smoke, and other hazards. It is designed to function as a raising or lowering device when needed. It is also designed to allow the rescuer to perform CPR in non hazardous atmospheres, when required.
US08505783B2

A squeezable bottle is disclosed. The squeezable bottle includes a pliable bottle skin, an outlet and a spinal assembly within the pliable skin, for providing longitudinal rigidity along an elongated axis of the bottle.
US08505776B2

A soap dispensing assembly includes a soap container and a universal dispenser. The soap container is capable of having a liquid pump or a foaming pump attached to it. The universal dispenser is adapted to house and dispense soap from the soap container regardless of whether the container has a liquid pump or a foaming pump. Using this assembly, a manufacturer may sell the universal dispenser and offer to sell the consumer liquid and foamable soap for use with the same dispenser.
US08505772B2

A container for packing and shipping stud welding ferrule aligned along a spindle. The container comprises a body having a top, a bottom, opposing side walls and opposing end walls defining a storage space therein. The container further comprises a spindle retainer operatively connected to the body. The spindle retainer has a transverse portion and a longitudinal portion connected to the transverse portion. The transverse portion extends from one of the end walls and toward and into the storage space, while the longitudinal portion extends from the transverse portion and toward the bottom of the body. The transverse portion and the longitudinal portion are sized and shaped to accept and to retain ends of the spindle to contain the spindle within the body.
US08505770B2

An animal waste bag dispenser wherein a roll of waste bags with the leading waste bag protruding from the center is inserted into a holder with an aperture on one end, and the holder is inserted into a plush animal with a second aperture aligned with the first aperture so that waste bags may be dispensed therefrom.
US08505763B2

Disclosed is a synthetic resin container provided with an inverting, foldback bottom wall that can maintain a stable, self-supporting position while being able to minimize the amount of residual contents, and that can be formed by blow-molding, etc., and maintain the favorable producibility or low cost of the past. The synthetic resin container is provided with a bottom wall that forms the bottom of the container, and a drum section that is united to the perimeter of the bottom wall and forms a filling space M for contents on the inside, and is a synthetic resin container wherein a raised bottom is formed by inverting and folding back said bottom wall toward said drum section. Said drum section has a lower peripheral wall that touches or approaches the outer wall part of said bottom wall and forms a self-supporting base by the inversion and folding back of said bottom wall.
US08505752B2

An assembly shelf includes a post that includes two main post sections and a connection section that connects the main post sections, a plurality of through-holes being formed in the connection section along a longitudinal direction, a pair of connection members, each of the pair of connection members including a first engagement section that engages the post, and a second engagement section that engages a shelf board member, and a shelf board member that includes a third engagement section that is formed approximately at each corner and engages the second engagement section, the pair of connection members and the shelf board member being positioned within the range that corresponds to half of the post in the lateral direction.
US08505743B2

The present invention relates to surface modification of reverse osmosis membranes to introduce antifouling properties without compromising the separation properties of the original membranes. This approach utilizes: providing a coated membrane surface having enhanced hydrophilic characteristics that prevents the biofoulants from settling; have a surface that consists of hydrophilic brushes that unsettle any biofoulants that get through; and having antimicrobial ions present in the membrane coatings and able to remove or minimize any remaining biofoulants without leaching into the permeate. These coatings are made using dendritic polymers such as hyperbranched polymers or dendrimers.
US08505739B2

A device for discarding trims formed by cutting machines during the cutting of paper logs, including an advancing plane on which paper rolls (R) and trims (RT, RC) advance along a given direction (A), wherein the trims can fall through a discontinuity provided on the advancing plane. The advancing plane is formed by a first extendible conveyor (1) and a second extendible conveyor (2). Each of the conveyors (1, 2) is connected with an extension and retraction device. The discontinuity on the advancing plane is realized or eliminated depending on the extended or not extended configuration of the conveyors (1, 2).
US08505737B2

A vibrating screen device includes a support structure, which supports apertured screening elements. The support structure includes a plurality of support carriers, each having a straight portion and a spacer part fixed to at least one end of the straight portion. The spacer part of each support carrier engages a spacer part of an adjacent support carrier to space the straight portions apart by a predetermined distance.
US08505734B1

Disclosed herein are various inventive methods and apparatus related to removing magnetic materials from a liquid solution utilizing an apparatus employing a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt may have a forward run moving in a forward direction from a first pulley to a second pulley and a rearward run moving in a rearward direction from the second pulley to the first pulley. The apparatus may include a longitudinally extending magnet housing interposed between the forward run of the conveyor belt and the rearward run of the conveyor belt and interposed between the first pulley and the second pulley. At least one longitudinally extending magnet may be substantially sealingly enclosed in the magnet housing.
US08505728B2

A portable tool storing device includes first and second modular shelves configured to be brought into fitting engagement with each other in an upright direction by a back-to-back engagement manner so as to permit crosspieces to be juxtaposed to and combined with each other to form a handle for carrying. Each shelf includes a plurality of flank segments, each having an indented region. A modular container has a clip lug disposed to be clipped on the indented region to detachably hold the container on the flank segment so as to provide easy access to a tool in the container body.
US08505721B2

A support base for transport and storage containers for liquids includes an inner container of plastics material and an outer jacket of a metal grid or of sheet metal which is adapted to be manipulated by a forklift, a shelf operating system or a similar transport medium, and with a bottom of metal resting on support legs of metal, a middle runner and two outer runners for supporting the inner container which is equipped with a closable filler connection and a drain connection for connection to a drain fitting. The middle runner and the two outer runners of the support base are constructed as wooden runners.
US08505719B2

A base for packaging for a household appliance comprises: a tray with a first surface and a second surface substantially perpendicular to the first surface and four corners; first and second laminates, each laminate comprising a first part with an inclination; a second part with an inverse inclination to the first part; a center between the first and the second part which is substantially plane; a brace in an opposite extreme to said center; the referred to laminates are placed transversally to each other on the tray, overlapped in the center and supported on the corners of the referred to tray by means of braces; and a support over each brace of the referred to first and second laminate.
US08505708B2

A bill validating apparatus includes a housing having an elongated opening therein. At one end of the elongated opening there is an article receiving slot. A first sensor is on one long side of the elongated slot and a second sensor is on the other long side. The bill validating system includes a transport mechanism for moving the article of tender past the sensors. The bill validating apparatus also includes an orientation determination device communicatively coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor. In response to a determined orientation of the bill validating apparatus, the orientation determination device enables one of the first sensor or the second sensor.
US08505704B2

An apparatus for operating a clutch which may be mounted at a vehicle structure and controls an operation of the clutch may include a motor provided with a motor shaft and receiving electrical energy so as to selectively rotate the motor shaft, a cam mounted at the motor shaft and rotating together with the motor shaft, and a push rod assembly coupled to a clutch fork of the clutch, wherein the push rod assembly may be elastically biased toward and slidably contacted to the cam such that the push rod assembly moves forward or rearward according to a rotating angle of the cam so as to operate the clutch fork.
US08505700B2

The device includes a loading and non-compression locking mechanism for a master cylinder hydraulically connected to a hydraulic fuel tank and to braking members. The mechanism is dependent upon a control member capable of unlocking the mechanism in order to concomitantly urge the master cylinder to apply a predetermined hydraulic pressure for acting on the braking members.
US08505693B2

In an elevator system, an elevator-hall-call/destination-floor-call registration device provided at an elevator hall includes, besides a destination floor registration button such as a numeric keypad, etc. formed by buttons having respective numbers of 0 to 9 for registering a destination floor, a disabled person button declaring that a customer is a disabled person. For example, in the elevator-hall-call/destination-floor-call registration device, when the disabled person button is pressed and the destination floor call is inputted, a group management control device registers the destination floor call, and determines a car to be assigned for the destination floor call, rings a chime and further turns on a hall lantern corresponding to the determined assigned car. Like the above, the group management control device rings the chime and turns on the hall lantern only when the disabled person button is pressed.
US08505690B2

The present invention relates to a collapsible seat base. When operatively interconnected, and in its raised resting position, the device forms what is substantially a forward leaning parallelogram bisected by the consolidated length of a slide and slide-guide, which forms two substantially congruent triangles sharing a common side. In its lowered resting position, the device collapses to form an elongated rectangle bisected by the fully extended slide and slide-guide and rests substantially atop its support surface at a height defined by the cumulative thickness of each component. Generally the support mechanism comprises: a base and support member, a first and second side member, a slide and a slide-guide.
US08505687B2

Many family homes, school and municipal parks have play structures for children. Typically these playground play structures have ladders. In the case of family homes in particular, toddlers typically enjoy climbing the ladders but then are stuck at the top and in danger of falling off the ladder. In order to prevent toddlers from climbing the ladder of the play structures when unattended by an adult, and ultimately preventing injury, an invention that prevents the ladder from being climbed by a toddler is presented here.
US08505682B2

Disclosed is a muffler assembly including: a) polymeric housing having an interior surface and at least one opening for at least one inlet and one outlet exhaust pipe; b) at least one metal inlet exhaust pipe and at least one metal outlet exhaust pipe positioned within the openings to provide housing-exhaust pipe interfaces; c) a thermal insulating material coating the interior surface of the polymeric housing and extending through the housing-exhaust pipe interfaces; wherein the thermal insulating material seals the muffler assembly at the housing-exhaust pipe interfaces; and wherein the muffler assembly has a leak rate of 105 Liters/minute or less at 4.5 psig pressure. An optional muffler assembly has body mounting adapters attached to the inlet and outlet exhaust pipes and positioned within the openings to provide housing-body mounting adapter interfaces. Also disclosed are processes for manufacturing the muffler assemblies.
US08505676B2

An electric power steering apparatus includes a gear housing that has a pulley space in which a driven pulley, a driving pulley and a timing belt that are placed so as to be operatable and which communicates with the outside of the gear housing. The gear housing also has a motor-side hole into which a drive shaft of an electric motor is inserted, and a pulley-side hole into which the drive pulley is inserted and which is formed at a position opposite the motor-side hole across the pulley space.
US08505675B2

A power steering apparatus including a joint including a first boss disposed on an axial end portion of a motor output shaft, first projections disposed on the first boss in the circumferential direction, a second boss disposed on an axial end portion of a worm shaft and opposed to the first boss, second projections disposed on the second boss in the circumferential direction and arranged between the adjacent first projections, a first elastic member made of metal and a second elastic member made of at least one of resin and rubber, the first and second elastic members being disposed between an axial end surface of the first boss and an opposed axial end surface of the second boss and cooperating with each other to generate an elastic force in such a direction as to move the worm shaft away from the motor output shaft.
US08505673B2

A control system for a saddle-type vehicle is provided. The control system includes a reverse lever, a hand brake lever, a throttle lever and at least one mount bracket. Each of the reverse lever, the hand brake lever and the throttle lever are pivotably coupled to the at least one mount bracket and the at least one mount bracket is configured to be connected to a first one of a right handlebar and a left handlebar of a saddle-type vehicle.
US08505668B2

An electric two/three-wheeled vehicle includes: a battery case which houses a battery supplying electric power to an electric motor; a leg shield which covers, from a front, legs of a rider sitting on a riding seat; a cooling air inlet duct which has a downstream end portion thereof connected to the battery case; and a cooling fan which introduces cooling air into the battery case through the cooling air inlet duct. In the electric two/three-wheeled vehicle, an opening (90) open toward a rear of the vehicle is provided in the leg shield (43), and an upstream end of the cooling air inlet duct (88) is connected to the leg shield (43) in such a manner as to continue to the opening (90). Accordingly, it is possible to cool a battery while preventing entry of dust into a battery case as much as possible.
US08505659B2

An embodiment of a road vehicle with hybrid propulsion including: at least one pair of driving wheels; a thermal internal combustion engine; a double clutch gearbox provided with two primary shafts, two clutches interposed between the thermal internal combustion engine and the primary shafts, at least a secondary shaft constantly meshing with the driving wheels, and a plurality of pairs of gears, each of them defining a respective speed and comprising a primary gear mounted to a primary shaft and a secondary gear which is mounted to the secondary shaft and constantly meshes with the primary gear; a first reversible electric machine having a shaft, which is connected to a first primary shaft of the gearbox; and a second reversible electric machine having a shaft, which is mechanically connected to a second primary shaft of the gearbox different from the first primary shaft.
US08505654B2

A PCD composite compact comprising a PCD structure bonded at an interface to a substrate comprising cemented carbide material; the PCD structure comprising a mass of directly inter-bonded diamond grains having a mean size of at most about 4 microns, and the PCD structure comprising at least about 0.05 weight percent refractory metal or carbide of a refractory metal selected from the group comprising W, Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf and Ta; and at least the cemented carbide material proximate the interface having a content of metallic binder material of at most about 6 weight percent.
US08505644B2

A vertical tilling implement to be pulled behind and agricultural vehicle having a number of gangs of fluted-concave disc blades, rolling baskets, and wheels connected to a main frame. As the vertical tilling implement is pulled, the fluted-concave disc blades move the soil in a direction lateral to the side of the blades as well as up. Meanwhile, the rolling bars aid in leveling the seedbed and crushing the remaining large pieces of soil. The vertical tilling implement reduces the amount of subsoil compaction and cuts through heavy residue making it ideal for use in the fall or in the spring.
US08505638B2

A tubular locking system comprises a first wellbore tubular, an internal locking feature disposed on an inner surface of the first wellbore tubular, a second wellbore tubular, where at least a portion of the second wellbore tubular is disposed within the first wellbore tubular, a compression sleeve coupled to the second wellbore tubular, a collet coupled to the second wellbore tubular below the compression sleeve, and a shifting sleeve disposed within the collet.
US08505631B2

A monomer compound that contains at least one polymerizable functional group per molecule, and at least one bicycloheptyl-, bicycloheptenyl-, or branched (C5-C42)alkyl-polyether radical per molecule, wherein the bicycloheptyl- or bicycloheptenyl-polyether radical may optionally be substituted on one or more of the ring carbon atoms by one or two (C1-C6)alkyl groups per ring carbon atom is useful in making polymers, particularly pH responsive polymers.
US08505627B2

A technique enhances hydrocarbon fluid production. The technique utilizes a well with a plurality of lateral wellbores positioned to facilitate removal of well fluid from a hydrocarbon reservoir. A separator is disposed in the well to receive well fluid that flows from a lateral production leg. Operation of the separator separates well fluid into an oil component and a water component to enable production of the oil component. The water component is injected into the reservoir in a manner that drives well fluid trapped in the reservoir into the lateral production leg.
US08505624B2

A centralizer comprises a first body portion, a second body portion, a plurality of bow springs connecting the first body portion to the second body portion, and a window disposed in the first body portion. The centralizer may also have a wellbore tubular disposed longitudinally within the first body portion, the second body portion, and the plurality of bow springs, and an upset disposed on the surface of the wellbore tubular and within the window.
US08505621B2

Assemblies can be disposed in a subterranean bore. An assembly can include a recessed portion in an inner wall and another recessed portion in an outer wall. The recessed portions can each be configured to have a cross-sectional thickness that is less than at least another part of the assembly. The assembly can provide a seal between an inner region defined by the assembly and an environment exterior to the assembly prior to a window being created in the recessed portion in the outer wall through which a branch wellbore can be formed. The recessed portion in the inner wall can guide a cutting tool toward the recessed portion in the outer wall.
US08505616B2

An exemplary cold plate housing defines an inlet port and an outlet port. A plurality of foam strip assemblies are disposed in the housing. The foam strip assemblies are arranged within the housing so coolant is flowable through a width of the foam strips. Each foam strip assembly includes at least first and second foam strip members each suitably having pore size of no more than around 50 micrometers and porosity of at least around 80 percent, and a first spacer member is interposed between the first and second foam strip members. Each of the foam strip assemblies may include a second spacer member interposed between the first spacer member and one of the first and second foam strip members. The spacer member may include a high thermal conductivity material, such as a metal like copper or aluminum, or a low thermal conductivity material such as a polymer or plastic.
US08505613B2

A structure including a die with at least one via within a semiconductor portion of the die, the via being proximate to a hot spot. The via is at least partially filled with a heat-dissipating material and is also capable of absorbing heat from the hot spot.
US08505605B2

A transfer ring for supporting a belt and tread package about a tire carcass for inflation of the carcass within the package during a tire-making process includes a plurality of shoes which are movable inwardly and outwardly for purposes of grasping or releasing a package positioned between the shoes. Components are provided for moving the shoes inwardly to a radial position about a package; and at this radial position, the shoes apply to the package a biasing force for maintaining a substantial uniform pressure about the package if it were to contract in size after the shoes are moved to the radial position. A braking arrangement is provided which prevents the shoes from moving outwardly of the radial position when a tire carcass is thereafter inflated within the package to thereby limit the diameter of the package during the carcass-inflating process.
US08505604B2

The invention relates to a laser head (11) for connecting tubular parts (1, 3, 12, 13) by the laser transmission method and to a method of connecting the tubular parts (1, 3, 12, 13) by means of the laser head (11). The laser head (11) and the method that can be performed by the laser head (11) are suitable in particular for connecting a connecting element or branching element (1) to one end of a plastic pipe (3). The laser head (11) makes simultaneous welding possible and has at least two shell parts (16) that can be radially separated from each other so that the laser head (11) can be placed around a connecting section (4) or a connecting region (15) of the tubular parts (1, 3, 12, 13). A number of laser sources (17) are arranged in the shell parts (16) in such a way that the laser beams (7) emerging from the laser sources (17) overlap at the connecting section (4) or at the connecting region (15) of the parts (1, 3, 12, 13).
US08505600B2

A rotary union is integrated into the interior of a heavy-duty vehicle hub cap. The hub cap includes a cylindrical sidewall, and an outboard wall that is integrally formed with an outboard end of the sidewall, and which extends generally perpendicular to the sidewall. The hub cap also includes a radially-extending flange that is formed on an inboard end of the sidewall, which receives fasteners to mount the hub cap on a wheel hub. The sidewall and the outboard wall form an interior compartment in the hub cap, and a rotary union is mounted to the hub cap in the interior compartment. The rotary union is mounted on the inboard surface of the outboard wall of the hub cap and is in general axial alignment with an axial centerline of a wheel end assembly, providing fluid communication from a tire inflation system to the tires of the vehicle.
US08505597B2

A multi-position cabinet for use with machine tools which provides a solution to the problem of limited shop space in which to install bench type power tools is provided. The invention comprises a rotating rectangular cabinet which contains workstations from which bench type power tools can be deployed from a stowed position to a working position. The invention includes means for raising the cabinet off its base so that the cabinet can be rotated to bring each workstation to the topmost position from which the power tool associated with that work station can be deployed. In one exemplary embodiment, the workstations include a drill press, table saw, miter saw and belt sander. The invention is not limited to use with power tools, but rather is suitable for use in any application where it is desirable to provide multiple workstations in a comparatively compact package.
US08505594B2

A container filling element for filling containers with a liquid. The filling element has two liquid ducts and two separate discharge openings in a housing, as well as separate valves which control the flow of liquid for each liquid duct and discharge opening. A gas shutoff element is disposed in one of the liquid ducts and is positioned adjacent to each of the discharge openings.
US08505592B2

A fuel spill tray according to one embodiment includes a body and an arm extending outwardly away from the body. The body defines an annular channel and a generally central aperture configured to receive a neck of a fuel tank. The arm includes a proximal end integral with the body. The arm also includes a distal end, a first flange, a second flange laterally spaced from the first flange, and a first web integral with each of the first and second flanges. The arm also includes a first upper seal integral with the first flange and a second upper seal laterally spaced from the first upper seal and integral with the first flange. Each of the first and second flanges, the first web and the first and second upper seals extends longitudinally from the proximal end to the distal end of the arm. Vehicles are also provided.
US08505574B2

A lid for a distribution manifold is described where the manifold has an inlet opening defining an axis, access opening opposite the inlet and a plurality of radially extending outlet ports. The lid for the access opening includes a mounting member adapted to couple the lid to the manifold to close the access opening, a cone coupled to the mounting member and extending axially toward the inlet opening of the manifold when the lid is coupled to the manifold, and a single piece retainer adapted to secure the cone to the mounting member without additional fasteners.
US08505565B2

Treating, sensing, diverting, measuring, and collecting devices for fluid such as water are described. When designed for use as chlorinators, the devices may divert water flowing in conduits into the devices for treatment and subsequent return to the flow stream. A return tube of the device may be designed to create vortex action, using a pressure differential to evacuate treated water from the device back into the conduit. When designed for use as feeders for supplying acid or other material to flowing water, the devices may include one or more channels communicating between the material and the flowing water. When designed for use as flow sensors or otherwise, the devices may include objects acted upon by flowing water to indicate that water indeed is flowing. Yet other sensors may be utilized to determine characteristics of water passing through the conduits.
US08505564B2

An automatic folding/unfolding umbrella includes a main rod, umbrella ribs for supporting a canopy, a slide element, and a handle. The umbrella ribs are pivotally installed at the tip of the main rod, and primary link rods are pivotally installed under the tip of the main rod. A secondary link rod is pivotally coupled between each corresponding umbrella rib and each primary link rod. The slide element is installed on the main rod. A handle installed at a bottom end of the main rod includes a link mechanism. The main rod includes a link element and a link mechanism coupled to the slide element. Elastically stretchable elements couple the slide element with the primary link rod. The link mechanism is driven by the link element to slide the slide element. The elastically stretchable elements are pulled to drive the primary link rods to unfold or fold the umbrella ribs.
US08505562B2

A hands-free cleaning apparatus enabling a user to clean various roller pads and/or paintbrushes using a single apparatus. The apparatus includes a main housing and a lid. The housing has a bottom drain hole and legs. An attachment mechanism is provided to receive and retain a roller pad or paintbrush in a desired position within the apparatus. A spraying mechanism is provided within the housing having one or more spray nozzles arranged to spray water (or other cleaning solution) on the pad or brush in a desired spray pattern for spinning and cleaning the pad or brush. In one configuration, each spray nozzle has a spray direction that is slightly offset from other nozzles in relation to the surface of the roller pad or brush being cleaned, helping to force rotation. The spraying mechanism receives water from a hose through a hose attachment.
US08505557B1

An embodiment of a dental flosser (10) includes a power driver (12) drivingly connectable to a flossing attachment (11). The flossing attachment includes a movably supported floss span (24) coming from a floss supply (26). A take-up spool (64) is positioned proximate to a floss-supporting tine (16) for winding used floss while fresh floss continually replaces the floss span. A cam (68) on the spool engages the tine to reciprocate the floss span for interdental cleaning. A brushing attachment (72) includes a resilient disk-shaped lingual brush (75) on a shaft (74). Opposite the lingual brush on the shaft is a resilient cup-shaped buccal brush (84). A spring (83) is positioned to urge the buccal brush to slide toward the lingual brush to engage and clean user teeth between the brushes. A brush lock (77) enables the brushes to be held apart for rinsing and air drying.
US08505555B1

A hidden foundation for forming hair into a ponytail or elaboration of a ponytail hair style includes a bulbous member connected to a flared member by a waist. The flared member is placed adjacent the back of the user's head and hair is gathered around the hidden foundation. An elastic band is then placed around the hair at the waist to hold the hair in place. A storage cavity for storing articles is disposed within the hidden foundation. In another embodiment, the hidden foundation comprises a cage structure which is open and can receive hair fasteners.
US08505550B2

A hair grooming tool that is comprised of a housing having a pick extending therefrom and a light source cartridge housed therein. The housing is attached to a finger hair stabilizer. A user inserts one of his or her fingers in the finger hair stabilizer when the hair grooming tool is used.
US08505549B2

The present invention is a holder and method for using a holder that works with a hand rolled cigarette. A hollow tubular member is utilized having a first end that the user breathes from, and a second end that holds the hand-rolled cigarette. The cigarette is tightly rolled about an elongate steel rod or other stiff member having a diameter that can pass through the hollow tubular member, such that the rod protrudes from the cigarette far enough to be easily grasped by the user. The user inserts the rod through the holder until it passes out the first end, thereby wedging the attached cigarette into the second end of the holder. The second end of the holder preferably has internal threads, and the rod is twisted by the user to further engage the threads by the cigarette end to reliably affix the cigarette to the holder. The rod is then removed, leaving the cigarette firmly in the holder.
US08505546B2

A method of separating tobacco from cigarette waste using an apparatus comprising a revolving screen, in which the cigarette waste is fed onto the screen in order to be screened by gravity. The method includes relocating the cigarette waste over the surface of the screen, the relocation being aided by a scraper unit cooperating with the screen and the angular position of the screen in the apparatus relative to the horizontal plane being adjustable. An apparatus is also provided for separating tobacco from cigarette waste comprising a revolving screen which is adjustably mounted in such a way that the angular position of the screen in the apparatus relative to the horizontal plane is adjustable, provided with a scraper unit for aiding relocation of the cigarette waste on the surface of the screen during its rotational movement.
US08505538B2

A headgear for securing and positioning a mask suitable for the treatment of sleep disordered breathing is constructed from a composite including polyurethane foam. It includes a back portion with upper and lower straps connected to the back portion. The straps have relatively narrow strap ends the lower straps are displaced downward with respect to the back portion. A quick release mechanism near the front of the face attaches the headgear to the mask. Additional components can be attached to the straps to alter their elasticity and stiffness.
US08505528B2

A combined type of barbecue oven comprises a barbecue oven and a coil base frame provided with rollers, the barbecue oven is mounted on the coil base frame, wherein the two ends of the supporting structure of the barbecue oven are provided with a foldable object placement plate. The object placement plate of the barbecue oven is foldable; therefore the occupying space is small. Moreover, the volume of the whole oven body is small, which is convenient for moving. When being moved in a short distance, the barbecue oven does not need to be moved, it only requires to mount the coil base frame with an inclined side and provided with the rollers and the barbecue oven on the coil base frame, so that the whole combined type of barbecue oven can be dragged to move; the barbecue oven is conveniently used, healthful, and suitable for being popularized.
US08505527B2

A quiver for holding arrows is one-hand releasably attachable to an archery bow. A quiver attachment bracket having opposing grooves is mountable to the bow. The quiver has two parallel elongated struts supporting an arrowhead hood and at least one arrow shaft holder. A clamp is mounted to and between the struts having biased first and second jaws extending transversely of the quiver with each jaw having an adjacent one-hand grippable handle extending transversely of the quiver opposite of the jaws. The biased jaws each have a tongue that is lockable into one of the grooves.
US08505526B1

In at least one embodiment, an archery bow comprises a riser supporting a first limb and a second limb. The first limb supports a first rotatable member that defines a first axis of rotation. The second limb supports a second rotatable member that defines a second axis of rotation. The first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation move with respect to one another as the bow is drawn from a brace condition to a drawn condition. The bow defines a reference plane that includes the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation, wherein a distance between a predetermined location on the riser and the reference plane is greater in the brace condition than in the drawn condition.
US08505524B2

A bow apparatus comprising a bow having first and second tips, a string which is attached between the first and second tips, and a shaft having a first shaft end and a second shaft end. The first shaft end is secured proximate the midpoint of the string. The shaft passes through a shaft stabilizer. The second shaft end has a golf ball holder. The bow apparatus is used to play a new modified version of archery golf by holding a golf ball with the golf ball holder. The user pulls the shaft to tension the string, aims the shaft towards the cup target, and then releases the shaft to project the golf ball towards the cup target. The bow apparatus further comprises a putter block for hitting the golf ball into the cup target once the golf ball is close to the cup target and on the green.
US08505518B2

In a method for operating an internal combustion engine, a crankcase of the internal combustion engine has a vent into the intake section of the internal combustion engine, and upon outgassing of fuel out of engine oil present in the crankcase, the operating point of the internal combustion engine is modified so that the air-fuel ratio does not fall below a definable value.
US08505497B2

A heat transfer system includes a steam chamber that communicates in an open-loop arrangement with a first steam source for supplying steam to the steam chamber, the steam chamber including a steam exit for supplying steam to air at atmospheric pressure. A heat transfer tube communicates in a closed-loop arrangement with a second steam source for supplying steam to an interior surface of the heat transfer tube, the heat transfer tube vaporizing condensate forming within the heat transfer system back to steam that is supplied to the air via the steam exit. The outer surface of the heat transfer tube is configured to contact the condensate and vaporize the condensate back into steam, wherein the heat transfer tube includes a plurality of pockets formed on the outer surface of the tube, each pocket including a pocket exit/entry portion having a smaller cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the pocket at a root portion thereof adjacent the outer surface of the tube.
US08505488B2

Embodiments of a method and system are described for tracking and managing animals and/or food products. Identification data and location data for animals is entered into a computer system. A data service provider may collect this data and transmit it to a data trustee. The data trustee may filter the data into official and non-official data, and send official data to an official database. When a public health issue arises, the government may use an identifier for a diseased animal or a location identifier to request a trace report. The data trustee may then use the official data to provide a report showing, for example, which animals have commingled with the diseased animal. Based on this report, other animals can be treated, quarantined, or slaughtered. The disclosed embodiments also may be used to facilitate commercial transactions by providing data that validates an animal's health and food quality.
US08505480B2

System and technique for plasma enhanced chemical deposition (PECVD) wherein selective surfaces of tubular substrates may be treated to deposit thin films of a desired matter, wherein one of the electrodes employed in the plasma system is conformed by the substrate or workpiece without the need of bulky plasma reactors.
US08505479B2

A resist coating apparatus supplies a resist solution to substantially the center of a target substrate to be processed while rotating the target substrate at a first rotational speed, then decelerates the rotation of the substrate to a second rotational speed lower than the first rotational speed, or until rotational halt, makes the deceleration smaller in the deceleration step as the rotational speed becomes closer to the second rotational speed or the rotational halt, and accelerates the rotation of the substrate to a third rotational speed higher than the second rotational speed to spin off a residue of the resist solution.
US08505469B2

A collapsible, reusable and repairable pallet is composed of a plate(s) with penetrative holes and various of grooves. The pallet is composed of a numbers of supporting legs, at least two joint shifts, a plurality of nuts, a number of belts, different types of RFID tags and renewable batteries. The collapsible pallet results the zero space waste in pallet collection, storage and transportation for further application. Any damaged part of the pallet can be replaced with a new part, including the plate(s), the supporting legs, the belts, the joint shifts, the nuts, the RFID tags and the batteries.
US08505466B2

A rail vehicle having an equipment housing is provided. A housing lid is detachably attached to a housing base body of the equipment housing. The housing lid is respectively fastened to two opposite sides of the housing by fasteners on the housing base body. The fasteners are each fastened to the housing base body by hinges which are secured at an end by one of their limbs to the housing base body and the fasteners are rotatably mounted at the end on their other limb. A hinge axis and a bearing axis for the fasteners are oriented essentially parallel to one another.
US08505464B2

A trolley capable mining truck includes a pantograph supported on a machine frame for electrically connecting the truck with an overhead trolley line. A power system includes an onboard electrical power source providing electrical power to electric drive propulsion motors along a first electrical path in a first configuration of the power system. The pantograph provides electrical power from the overhead trolley line to the electric drive propulsion motors along a second electrical path, which includes a transient damping reactor, in a second configuration of the power system. The power system also includes a third configuration in which, during a braking mode of the trolley capable mining truck, the electric drive propulsion motors provide regenerative electrical power to the overhead trolley line through the pantograph along a third electrical path including a regenerative power converter, wherein the regenerative power converter includes the transient damping reactor.
US08505459B2

An exemplary apparatus and method for applying a force to rails of a track is disclosed. The apparatus has a device with at least one first weight and at least one second weight rotatably mounted about a horizontal shaft which has an axis which is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rails. A power source is provided to drive the rotation of the at least one first weight and the at least one second weight at different revolutions per second. The rotation of the at least one first weight and the at least one second weight creates a vertical force which has a larger downward component as compared to an upward component of the vertical force.
US08505455B2

A missile head has a shroud which forms its tip and which can be detached in its totality during flight from the fuselage of the missile. The missile head further has a rear part, which is connected to the fuselage, and a front nose, which can be disconnected from the rear part and forms the tip. A separating device separates the rear part from the fuselage and the nose from the rear part during flight. A physically small shroud can be achieved, and damage to the fuselage of the missile by separation of the shroud can be prevented, if the nose is split into at least two parts and the separating device is prepared to split the nose into these two parts during flight.
US08505434B2

A fire guidance device for a hand fired weapon is suitable for day and night deployment for large caliber and slow flying ammunition or missiles, such as, for example, 40 mm grenade throwers and anti tank weapons. The fire guidance device also serves to determine and automatically adjust a set-up angle for adjustment of ballistics, and a lateral angle for spin correction. The fire guidance device is attached to the weapon so it can be tilted automatically or manually and twisting is thereby dependent upon a required set-up angle of the weapon so that direct view, by the operator, to the target is preserved. For spin correction, a defined angle in horizontal orientation is adjusted between axes of the fire guidance device and the weapon. Alternatively, the fire guidance device is mounted vertically and a required cant (tilt) is then indicated in a display, followed by tilt adjustment.
US08505424B2

Table saws and table saws designed to implement safety systems that detect contact between a person and a dangerous portion of the saw are disclosed. Table saw components, mounting systems for table saws, and table saw attachments are also disclosed. One embodiment may include a first clamp surface, a second clamp surface spaced apart from the first clamp surface so that a base portion of a riving knife or splitter can be placed between the clamp surfaces with the opposing sides of the base portion generally parallel to the first and second clamp surfaces.
US08505418B1

A tool extension includes a positioning ring engaged with a housing, a detent extendible into a bore of the housing, a shank attached to the housing for supporting a tool element, a shaft engaged in the housing and having two or more outer peripheral grooves for engaging with the detent, and a control device having a sleeve and a control ferrule secured together and engaged onto the housing, and two spring biasing members engaged with the positioning ring and the sleeve and the control ferrule, and the control ferrule includes two troughs for engaging with the detent and for defining an inner peripheral actuator between the troughs and for easily operating the sleeve and the control ferrule of the control device.
US08505417B2

A socket includes a plurality of protrusions circumferentially disposed around a circular top opening in a top portion of the socket, whereby upon insertion of a driving (or coupling) shaft of a spanner with square head portion into the square hole in the socket, the square head portion of the driving shaft will be respectively biased or thrusted by the protrusions and then smoothly guided or slid through a sloping surface tapered downwardly radially from the circular opening into the square hole for quickly coupling the driving shaft of the spanner with the square hole in the socket.A socket further includes plural bottom protrusions disposed around a circular bottom opening in a bottom portion of the socket, and eighteen faces formed in a hexagonal bottom hole of the socket for helping a quick coupling of a nut or bolt into the bottom hole of the socket.
US08505416B1

A valve wrench safety system used to prevent a valve wrench from slipping off a valve, having a housing with an opening in the top side where a lock slide bar is sized to fit and slide in and out of a chamber through the opening using a sliding slot on a lever-control-side, wherein the housing is attached to a rod region of a valve wrench using arms attaching to and extending from the housing to a plate by sandwiching the wrench rod region between the front surface of the housing and the plate.
US08505415B2

A power wrench including a housing, a rotation motor, a reduction gearing connecting the motor to an output shaft, and a separate gearing casing which is rotatively and detachably mounted on the housing and supporting the output shaft. The reduction gearing is divided into a first gearing stage located in the housing and a second gearing stage located in the separate gearing casing. The first gearing stage and the second gearing stage are interconnected via an intermediate spindle, and the motor is connected to the first gearing stage via a hollow drive shaft surrounding the intermediate spindle and an angle gear. A torque sensor is associated with the first gearing stage in the form of strain gauges mounted on an elastically deformable sleeve connecting a ring gear of the first gearing stage to the housing.
US08505411B2

An active balancing system for rotating machinery is provided which is light weight, solid state and powered by radiant energy. One or more balance rings coupled to the rotating machinery each have balancing elements which are moved to a selected position by actuators whose operation is controlled according to measured vibration resulting from imbalance of the machinery. The actuators are powered by an electrical energy generating device, such as a photo cell or a photovoltaic element, which is coupled to the machinery and located across an air gap from a source of radiant energy such as an array of light emitting diodes.
US08505404B2

A switching device includes input and output gears 14, 15, and a rotational direction switching mechanism 10 disposed between the input and output gears. The switching mechanism includes intermediate bevel gears 22 supported on an intermediate shaft 12 and meshing with input and output bevel gears 16, 17, a control gear 39 having a release arm portion 41 and a stopper arm portion 42, and a one-way clutch fitted in a radially inner surface of a clutch receiving portion integral with the input bevel gear 16. When a spring clutch 25 is used as the one-way clutch, an adaptor portion 30 is provided on a coupling member 28 of the spring clutch 25, which is fitted on the intermediate shaft 12. When a roller clutch 55 is used as the one-way clutch, an adaptor portion 57 of the same structure is provided on its inner ring 56.
US08505399B2

An object of the present invention is to provide an electric actuator having a structure capable of reducing an external force or impact acting on a screw shaft when a piston rod is at a stretched position. An electric actuator includes a nut, a piston rod, recesses, keys, holes, and a tapered portion. Into the nut, a screw shaft is screwed. The piston rod moves linearly via the nut. The recesses are formed on an outer circumferential surface of the nut. The keys are each provided to a recess. The tapered portion is formed on an inner wall of the cylinder body. The piston rod advances to move the keys outward to cause the keys to fit to the tapered portion to block retraction of the piston rod.
US08505397B2

Methods of characterizing aluminum oxide defects are described. The oxide defect type, as well as the time when the oxide defects are formed during the aluminum melting and casting processes can be identified quickly.
US08505390B2

System and method for measuring shear strength and viscosity of sediments that extends both the maximum rotational rate attainable and the maximum torque sustainable, and includes a high data acquisition rate and data storage. Also a method of making an apparatus, and method of using the apparatus for accurately measuring, peak, evolution, and residual values of the undrained shear strength, yield, and viscous and plastic flow characteristics of cohesive sediments at various pre-set and variable values of the rotational velocity of a vane sensor.
US08505389B2

A mask defect test apparatus, including a tension jig unit having a supporter on which a metal mask to be tested is located, a clamp part disposed at both sides of the supporter to fix opposite edges of the metal mask, and a tension part to apply a tension force to the metal mask fixed by the clamp part; and a test unit to test the metal mask fixed by the tension jig unit. A vertical distance between the metal mask located on the supporter and the test unit is less than or equal to a vertical distance between the tension jig unit and the test unit.
US08505386B2

A pressure sensor device comprises a casing (2a, 3 a) defining a chamber (20) and an inlet passage (14a, 14b) of the chamber. Accommodated in the chamber (20) is a pressure sensor (17) having a sensor body with a cavity and a membrane capable of deformation under pressure action of a fluid present in the inlet passage (14a, 14b). The device further comprises a circuit arrangement (26, 27, 30) to which the pressure sensor (17) is electrically connected, the circuit arrangement including a circuit support at least partially accommodated in the chamber (20). The sensor body is not rigidly associated to the casing (2a, 3 a) and/or to other parts of the device (26, 27, 30, 35), i.e. it is mounted elastically or in a moveable manner with respect to the casing (2a, 3 a) and/or to said other parts (26, 27, 30, 35) inside the chamber (20).
US08505379B2

The invention relates to a method for producing a sensor system for monitoring elements (1), in particular supporting-structure elements, by measurement with at least one sensor (5) in thick-film technology, and with a line (8) for connection to a measurement system, wherein the at least one sensor (5) is comprised of at least one film of an electrically conductive paste (2), and wherein the paste (2) is baked. To create such a method, and such a sensor system, by means of which elements (1) that would not fit into a continuous furnace can be provided with sensors (5) using thick-film technology, it is provided that the at least one sensor (5) is arranged directly on the surface of the element (1) to be monitored by applying the at least one film of paste (2) directly to the surface of the element (1) to be monitored so as to form the at least one sensor (5), and optionally connection lines (8) and a field bus (6), and by baking the same directly on the element (1).
US08505368B2

The present invention provides an improved fuel efficiency measuring system for a fuel cell vehicle which simplifies various valves and hydrogen lines and modulizes its individual elements. More specifically, the present invention provides an improved fuel efficiency measuring system for a fuel cell vehicle that eliminates a purging hydrogen tank previously used for removing residual air in a hydrogen supply line and instead removes residual air in a hydrogen supply line by using a vehicle side hydrogen tank. Additionally, the present invention simplifies couplers installed in a hydrogen supply line, and considerably reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating a high-cost break-away coupler adapted to couple a fuel efficiency measuring unit and the vehicle side.
US08505363B2

This invention relates to a cyclonic sensor chamber and a multiphase composition meter employing a sensor array compatible with such a sensor chamber. The sensor geometry imparts centripetal force to radially stratify a multiphase composition, and permits radial measurement of the entire flow composition in a linearly independent manner at different regions within the sensor. An appropriate array of sensors may be chosen to measure the properties of the composition from the group of testable composition properties consisting of speed of propagation of ultrasonic waves; amplitude modulation or attenuation of ultrasonic waves, X-rays, gamma rays, microwaves, infrared, visible and ultraviolet light; phase modulation or standing wave resonance of ultrasonic waves and microwaves; spin states of nuclei of nuclear magnetic resonance; and complex impedance, capacitance, inductance, mutual inductance, conductance, frequency response and phase delay. The sensor may be used to measure the water cut in an oil-well flow.
US08505361B2

Air leaks in a vacuum bag are detected using a leak detection film covering the inside face of the bag. The film includes a gas permeable binder carrying oxygen sensitive material that changes in physical appearance at the location of an air leak. The film may be adhered to the inside face of the bag or may form a separate membrane that is placed over a layup being molded in the bag. The film may be illuminated with light having a wavelength selected to cause the film to luminesce.
US08505358B2

The present invention relates to a method for adjusting the resonant frequencies of a vibrating microelectromechanical (MEMS) device. In one embodiment, the present invention is a method for adjusting the resonant frequencies of a vibrating mass including the steps of patterning a surface of a device layer of the vibrating mass with a mask, etching the vibrating mass to define a structure of the vibrating mass, determining a first set of resonant frequencies of the vibrating mass, determining a mass removal amount of the vibrating mass and a mass removal location of the vibrating mass to obtain a second set of resonant frequencies of the vibrating mass, removing the mask at the mass removal location, and etching the vibrating mass to remove the mass removal amount of the vibrating mass at the mass removal location of the vibrating mass.
US08505357B2

The present invention relates to a method for adjusting the resonant frequencies of a vibrating microelectromechanical (MEMS) device. In one embodiment, the present invention is a method for adjusting the resonant frequencies of a vibrating mass including the steps of patterning a surface of a device layer of the vibrating mass with a mask, etching the vibrating mass to define a structure of the vibrating mass, determining a first set of resonant frequencies of the vibrating mass, determining a mass removal amount of the vibrating mass and a mass removal location of the vibrating mass to obtain a second set of resonant frequencies of the vibrating mass, removing the mask at the mass removal location, and etching the vibrating mass to remove the mass removal amount of the vibrating mass at the mass removal location of the vibrating mass.
US08505349B2

A method of hydro-forming an elongated tubular member that has areas of predicted high strain and areas of predicted low strain. The tubular member is initially deformed into a preliminary preform shape by compression in a preform die. Metal in the areas of predicted low strain is stretched during the preforming process by radially deforming the tube between two halves of the preform die. The preliminary preform is then expanded with internal hydro-forming pressure to form a preformed tube. The preformed tube is then hydro-formed into a final die to form the final shape for the part. The extra metal in the areas of low strain is stretched into the areas of high strain in the final hydro-forming operation.
US08505346B2

An electric steering lock device includes a worm wheel (8) that is rotated, in an unlock direction and a lock direction by the drive of a motor (6), a first cam member (9) and a second cam member (10) that are disposed in the worm wheel (8), a lock member (11) that follows the first cam member (9) and shifts between a lock position and an unlock position, and a holding lever (12) that follows the second cam member (10) and shifts between a standby position and a holding position. A detected part (24) is disposed in the first cam member (9), and first and second position sensors (S1, S2) that regard the detected part (24) as a detection target are disposed. The detection outputs of the first position sensor (S1) and the second position sensor (S2) detect the lock position and the unlock position of the lock member (11).
US08505345B2

A door lock assembly includes a press button disposed within an inner drive tube and an inner handle. A cam mechanism is provided to associate with the press button and the inner drive tube to rotate the press button when the press button is pressed axially. The cam mechanism includes an inclined cam groove/slot which is formed in one of the inner drive tube and the press button and which extends substantially in a helical direction, and a cam protrusion formed on the other one of the inner drive tube and the press button and extending into the cam groove/slot. A press button rod is connected to the press button for simultaneous rotation with the press button.
US08505343B2

A padlock can be unlocked by an owner dialing an unlocking number or security personnel using a general key. The padlock includes a housing, a block, a shackle, a general locking device and a private locking device. The housing includes a first channel and a second channel therein. The block is inserted in the second channel. The block includes a receptacle therein. The shackle includes a long arm movably disposed in the first channel and a short arm for engagement with the receptacle of the block. The general locking device is disposed in the housing for locking and unlocking the long arm of the shackle. The private locking mechanism is disposed in the housing for controlling the block so that the block can be engaged with and disengaged from the short arm of the shackle.
US08505339B2

A knit sleeve and method of construction thereof is provided. The knit sleeve is constructed including a knit tubular wall and at least one knit tubular extension attached to the wall. Further, a barrier member is disposed in the at least one knit tubular extension. The at least one knit tubular extension and the barrier member are foldable at least partially about the knit tubular wall.
US08505334B2

In the context of a personal ornament, e.g., a finger ring, in which decorative member(s) is/are attached to cord loop(s), making size(s) of loop(s) variable creates the impression of a lighter grip and improves fit. A finger ring has cord made of transparent silicone rubber, support member, and decorative member. Cord is coiled in spiral fashion for two revolutions, forming two loops. One end of cord is secured to through-hole of support member. A portion near the middle of cord is inserted through through-hole of support member, and is capable of moving within through-hole. The other end of cord is secured within through-hole of support member. The two loops of the cord are inserted through decorative member, and cord is capable of moving within decorative member. Absolute and relative sizes of the two loops of cord change automatically in correspondence to changes in finger thickness.
US08505333B2

An LNG facility employing an optimized heavies removal system. The optimized heavies removal system can comprise at least one distillation column and at least two separate heat exchangers. The heat exchangers can be operable to heat a liquid stream withdrawn from a distillation column to thereby provide predominantly vapor and/or liquid streams that can be reintroduced into the column.
US08505332B1

A method comprising receiving a hydrocarbon feed stream, separating the hydrocarbon feed stream into a heavy hydrocarbon rich stream and a carbon dioxide recycle stream, separating the carbon dioxide recycle stream into a natural gas liquids (NGL) rich stream and a purified carbon dioxide recycle stream, and injecting the purified carbon dioxide recycle stream into a subterranean formation. Included is a method comprising selecting a first recovery rate for a NGL recovery process, estimating the economics of the NGL recovery process based on the first recovery rate, selecting a second recovery rate that is different from the first recovery rate, estimating the economics of the NGL recovery process based on the second recovery rate, and selecting the first recovery rate for the NGL recovery process when the estimate based on the first recovery rate is more desirable than the estimate based on the second recovery rate.
US08505327B2

An indoor unit for an air conditioner includes a front frame, a main chassis coupled on a rear portion of the front frame, an air discharge vane provided on a lower end of the front frame to control a discharge direction of cooled air, and an connecting frame provided in rear of the air discharge vane to allow an assembling or maintenance of the air discharge vane to be easily performed.
US08505321B2

For cooling operation, a refrigeration apparatus includes a heat-source-side valve opening controller for controlling a degree of opening of a heat-source-side expansion valve so that pressure of a refrigerant flowing into the utilization-side expansion valve in the cooling operation becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined reference pressure value. For heating operation, the refrigeration apparatus includes a utilization-side valve opening controller for performing, when a low-quantity utilization unit in which a quantity of the refrigerant falls below a quantity of the refrigerant required for delivering capacity of the utilization unit is found among a plurality of the utilization units in the heating operation, valve opening reducing operation of reducing a degree of opening of the utilization-side expansion valve of the utilization unit except for the low-quantity utilization unit.
US08505319B2

The invention relates to an absorption air conditioner that comprises a desorber (100), a condenser, an evaporator and an absorber, wherein the absorbing fluid may consist of lithium bromide. The method comprises the following steps: calculating the concentration of the absorbing fluid solution at the outlet of the desorber (100); and comparing the calculated concentration with a predetermined critical value and, if the calculated concentration gets closer to the predetermined critical value, increasing the charge loss in the duct (20) connecting the desorber (100) to the condenser, which interrupts the condensation in the condenser and results in a pressure increase in the desorber that stops the desorption and in a concentration increase, the charge loss being on the other hand reduced for resuming the desorption when the calculated concentration deviates from the predetermined critical value. The invention can be used in automobiles and absorption air-conditioners.
US08505315B2

A method and device are provided for the preparation of sterile medical ice slurry, for example having ice loadings of greater than approximately 50%. An integrated-operation ice slurry blender-based production and delivery system methods for monitoring cooling capacity of the produced and delivered slurry. All individual medical ice slurry production and delivery steps are integrated into one tightly coupled precisely sequenced and timed system. The novel procedure and equipment is simple to use and makes sterile slurry, which is ready to deliver to patients, for example, in less than 2 minutes after adding predetermined thermally preconditioned ingredient modules to a blender.
US08505314B1

The present invention is an apparatus, method and system to thermally package an item having at least one container (100) substantially filled with an alcohol, wherein said alcohol undergoes a phase change.
US08505295B2

A reservoir device is provided, which prevents water from flooding in an accumulation tank and improves on-vehicle installation capability. The reservoir device 10 includes a catch tank 13 connected to an airspace “A” formed above an oil surface of working oil accumulated in an accumulation tank 12, which has a bottom surface formed with an external-air communication aperture 32. Liquid entering from the external-air communication aperture 32 is allowed, to be accumulated in the catch tank 13 once, and then is suitably discharged through the external-air communication aperture 32. This precludes the accumulation tank 12 from flooding with water and improves on-vehicle installation capability. The reservoir device 10 can be obtained, in which the accumulation tank 12 is prevented from flooding with water, even if the reservoir tank 10 is placed in a place or the like relatively closer to for instance a road surface with an ease of suffering water splashing during a traveling in a rainy weather or a traveling on a submerged road surface or the like.
US08505287B1

Micro-hydraulic supply and storage units capable of recovering waste energy and storing energy for later use, such as for operating hydraulic valve actuation and high pressure fuel injection systems. The system includes a sump, a pump motor, an accumulator and a supply rail. Valving is provided to couple the outlet of the pump motor to the accumulator to fill the accumulator with what otherwise would be waste energy, such as when a vehicle is using its engine for braking, directing the output of the pump motor to a supply rail to maintain the pressure in the supply rail, and directing the output of the pump to a sump. The valving also allows directing an outlet of the accumulator to an inlet of the pump motor for recover of the energy in the accumulator. Other aspects of the invention are disclosed.
US08505282B2

An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine is provided, including an exhaust gas conduit, an oxidation catalyst (“OC”) device, an electrically heated catalyst (“EHC”) device, a selective catalytic reduction (“SCR”) device, and a control module. The OC device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit. The OC device adsorbs hydrocarbons and is selectively activated to induce oxidation of the hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas. The EHC device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit and is configured to receive the exhaust gas. The EHC device is located within the OC device and is selectively activated to produce heat and induce further oxidation of the exhaust gas. The EHC device has an oxidation catalyst compound disposed thereon for converting nitrogen oxide (“NO”) to nitrogen dioxide (“NO2”).
US08505281B2

A system is provided for enhancing aftertreatment regeneration capability. The system includes an internal combustion engine producing an exhaust gas stream and an aftertreatment component that treats the exhaust gas stream, where the aftertreatment component includes a desired inlet exhaust gas temperature. The system includes an exhaust gas pressure device that modulates an exhaust pressure value, and a fuel injection system that provides a post-injection event. The system includes a controller that provides an exhaust pressure command and a fuel injection command in response to determining that a temperature of the exhaust gas stream is lower than the desired inlet exhaust gas temperature. The exhaust gas pressure device is responsive to the exhaust pressure command and the fuel injection system is responsive to the fuel injection command.
US08505277B2

An engine system includes an aging factor generation module, a temperature comparison module, and a mode control module. The aging factor generation module generates an aging factor that indicates deterioration of a catalyst in a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system. The temperature comparison module compares inlet and outlet temperatures of the SCR system to predetermined effective inlet and outlet temperatures of the SCR system, respectively, wherein the predetermined effective inlet and outlet temperatures are based on the aging factor. The mode control module controls at least one of a throttle and a plurality of fuel injectors based on a first predetermined air/fuel (A/F) ratio when the inlet and outlet temperatures of the SCR system are greater than the predetermined effective inlet and outlet temperatures of the SCR system, respectively.
US08505267B2

A holder to be placed in floating floor slabs and the installation system thereof, the holder comprising a cubic holder having a pair of tubes on each side thereof, parallel with the supporting base, with facing sides in identical position; within said sides a section designed for placing rods on which the different layers of the rebar mesh are supported and a system for fitting the mesh on the rods, and also the securing of the corners of the different levels of the rebar mesh by means of linking of the holder s using the rods.
US08505261B2

A sliding bracket assembly permits adjacent metal roof panels to move relative to one another to accommodate differential thermal expansion. The assembly includes a center element which is bolted across a purlin, and a pair of wing elements, one on either side of the center element. Roof panels are attached to the wing elements on either side. The wing elements can side lengthwise on the center element; thus the wing elements and their attached roof panels can move lengthwise relative to one another as the roof panels differentially expand and contract.
US08505260B1

A laterally restrained joint structure including a structural member, a gusset plate and at least one restraining member is disclosed. The gusset plate is connected to the structural member, and a two-force member is disposed opposite to the structural member and connected to the gusset plate. The restraining member is disposed over side or at edges of the gusset plate and connected to the structure member, so that the lateral deformation of the gusset plate can be controlled and the buckling strength of the gusset plate can be enhanced by the restraining member, and the laterally restrained joint structure is capable of reinforcing a building.
US08505250B2

Finishing for a staircase or step that includes at least a decorative strip and a floor panel, wherein the floor panel is provided with a profiled edge region in the form of a coupling arrangement. The finishing also includes an adapting profile that cooperates with the body of the decorative strip and the adapting profile has a surface, which, at the location of the coupling arrangement, extends transversely relative to the decorative side of the floor panel. The surface has a profile offering room for at least a portion of the coupling arrangement.
US08505241B2

An opening and closing control apparatus includes an automatic sliding door controller that controls a drive of an opening and closing driving mechanism. The automatic sliding door controller determines whether a request is a manual operating request or an automatic operating request on the basis of a signal from a press switch that is switched on by a press-on operation. In the case of the automatic operating request, the automatic sliding door controller is configured so that an automatic opening and closing determination process determines whether a request is an opening operating request or a closing operating request based on the detection of door state detection section, and an opening and closing process is then executed by operating the opening and closing driving mechanism based on the determination.
US08505239B2

A device for holding objects that are attractive to the senses of animals, including a device for protecting a live catnip plant for use by a cat, the device in one form having a protective enclosure defining an interior to receive the object, such as the plant and plant supporting medium, the cage including a plurality of bars spaced apart to prevent or restrict access to the interior and direct contact with the object while allowing liquid, air, and light to pass through the bars to sustain the plant life and allowing the plant to grow through the bars to the exterior of the device for access by the cat. A watering cap in a top of the cage distributes water to the plant inside the enclosure. A cat toy, scratching surface, or platform or combination thereof may be incorporated into or associated with the enclosure.
US08505229B2

A rail extension device for a belt fed machine gun includes a first and a second section of rail for mounting auxiliary devices, the second section being rotatable relative to the first section to prevent a collision between an auxiliary device mounted on the second section of rail and the weapon when a feed tray cover is opened to reload.
US08505226B2

A recoil-reducing stock assembly for an autoloading shotgun or rifle that includes a receiver with a rear face and a spring tube extending rearwardly from the receiver rear face is described. The assembly includes a pistol grip against the receiver rear face having a spring tube bore; a stock having a spring tube recess and a connector tube cavity; a connector tube with a bore attachable at selected positions to the stock within the connector tube cavity; a tubular conduit slidably inserted over the spring tube and slidable and non-rotatable within the connector tube bore, the tubular conduit having a front end non-rotatably attached to the pistol grip; and a compressible spring inserted over the front tubular conduit and between the connector tube and the pistol grip to buffer recoil.
US08505222B2

A skate includes a boot for receiving a wearer's foot and ankle therein, boot having a boot upper fixed to an outsole. The boot upper includes a vamp for covering a front portion of the foot, first and second quarters connected to the vamp for covering sides of the foot, an instep portion connected to the vamp and quarters for at least partly covering a top portion of the foot, and a rear portion connected to the quarters for covering a rear portion of the foot and ankle. At least the instep portion and part of the rear portion are made of a first material, and the first and second quarters are made of a different, second material. The second material is more rigid than the first material.
US08505211B2

A measuring device is adapted for determining a safety thread length LS of a fastener required for fastening a wheel onto a wheel hub unit. The measuring device includes an elongated measuring rod, a positioning member secured to a front end of the measuring rod and configured to abut against a circumferential abutment seat of the wheel, and a plurality of modular sleeves, each configured to be sleevably positioned on and matched up with the measuring rod. Subsequent to bringing the positioning member to abut against the circumferential abutment seat, the modular sleeve is dragged forwardly until a front sleeve end reaches an inner major surface of the wheel, and LS is determined to be equal to the distance between the front end and a rear sleeve end of the modular sleeve.
US08505210B2

This invention relates to a method of operating an absolute encoder apparatus comprising a scale having features defining absolute position information in at least one measuring dimension, and a readhead configured to read the features. The method comprises: obtaining at least one representation of at least some of the features defining absolute position information; analyzing the at least one representation to determine at least one parameter indicative of the quality of the representation; and providing an output indicative of the relative setup of the scale and readhead based at least in part on the at least one parameter.
US08505205B2

A personal care system includes an electrical shaver and a cleaning device for cleaning a shaving head. The cleaning device further includes a displacing system for displacing its supporting member relative to a cleaning fluid container from a first position in which the shaving head, when the shaver is supported by the supporting member, is not in contact with the cleaning liquid in the container, to a second position in which the shaving head is at least partially immersed in the cleaning liquid in the container. The cleaning device does not need any pump for displacing the cleaning liquid. Rather, activation of the shaving head that causes, e.g., rotation of a cutting unit, provides a sufficient pumping effect for the cleaning liquid when the shaving head is immersed in the cleaning liquid.
US08505203B2

A method is provided for installing a multi-layer mat (24) in an exhaust gas aftertreatment or acoustic device. The method includes the steps of wrapping the mat (24) around an inner surface of the device along the same plane for at least a complete wrap around the inner surface; subsequently wrapping the mat (24) around the already completed wrap such that each of the successive wraps of the mat (24) are offset a constant distance from the plane of the previous wrap; a final wrap of the mat (24) wherein the mat is wrapped along a final plane for at least a complete wrap around the catalyst; and installing the mat (24) in the device (18) after the wrapping steps.
US08505190B2

Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing an inertial sensor. The method of manufacturing an inertial sensor 100 includes (A) applying a polymer 120 to a base substrate 110, (B) patterning the polymer 120 so as to form an opening part 125 in the polymer 120, (C) completing a cap 130 by forming a cavity 115 on the base substrate 110 exposed fro the opening part 125 through an etching process in a thickness direction, and (D) bonding the cap 130 to a device substrate 140 by using a polymer 120, whereby the polymer 120 is applied to the base substrate 110 in a constant thickness D3, such that the cap 130 may be easily bonded to the device substrate 140 by using the polymer 120.
US08505185B2

A circular sheet metal duct having a sealant applied across the longitudinal seam. The sealant will improve the efficiency and will reduce or eliminate air leakage from the longitudinal seam. The sealant is applied during the manufacturing processes so that an installer does not have to seal the duct work. The method of manufacturing the sealant is provided.
US08505181B1

A process for redesigning a distressed component in which the distressed component is under thermal and structural loads, for improving the life of the component. The process includes obtaining the operating conditions of the machine in which the distressed component is used, finding the boundary conditions under which the distressed component operates, producing a 3-dimensional model of the distressed component with such detail that the distress levels are accurately represented on the model, subjecting the model to a series of technical analysis to predict a life for the component, reiterating the technical analysis until the levels of distress on the model accurately represent the distress that appears on the actual component, and then predicting a remaining life of the component based on the analysis, or redesigning the model and reanalyzing the model until a maximum life for the component has been found.
US08505180B2

A method of rebuilding used cores comprising the steps of; cutting a used core substantially down the center at a midway cut thereby creating a left core and a right core. Further installing an extension unit in between the left core and right core, thereby forming a lengthened rebuilt core. Further, cutting the damaged ends off the rebuilt core to a selected finished length. The rebuilt core includes a left core obtained from a donor core; a right core obtained from a donor core; an extension unit sandwiched between the left core and the right core for rigidly joining together the left and right cores by connecting to one end of each of the cores.
US08505179B2

One embodiment of a method for refurbishing a web cartridge includes separating a web extending between first and second spools from the first spool and winding the separated web onto the second spool. The first and second spools are removed from a housing. A replacement first spool having a replacement web is obtained, and an end of the replacement is fed web through a web guide. A portion of the replacement web is then affixed to a replacement second spool.
US08505178B2

A system and method for manufacturing that provides for adjustable support of work pieces such as printed circuit boards includes an edge rail system having first and second edge rails, with at least one of the edge rails being adjustable, allowing the width of the system to be adjusted to accommodate various widths of work pieces. It also includes a set of support strips for supporting a lower side of the work pieces and a means for dynamically adjusting spacing of support strips to adjust to the width of the edge rail system.
US08505175B2

Assemblies and methods for processing a workpiece in a ram-driven press employ an active tool contained by a housing that is interchangeable with a passive forming tool assembly in a mounting assembly of the press. The active tool includes a microprocessor and a functional head coupled to the microprocessor. Some assemblies including the active tool include a switch for activating the functional head; the switch may be mounted to the housing such that, when the housing is mounted in the mounting assembly of the press, the switch is triggered by movement of the housing in response to the ram stroke of the press.
US08505170B1

Clips, devices, apparatus and methods of holding and supporting different diameter lines and conduits, such as medical oxygen air lines, earphone or headset wire lines, other types of wires, and power cords, and the like in a clip that can attach to clothing such as to pants, belts and pockets. The clip can include a rear U-shaped base and downwardly and upwardly protruding elongated members having different sets of upper and lower bends. The clip can be formed from a single vinyl coated wire line, that forms three sets of bends, each set having a different diameter. The lines and conduits can be securely held in different diameter sets of bends.
US08505164B2

A vehicle door hinge that is positioned between a vehicle main body and a vehicle door and connects the same to each other in order to connect the vehicle door to the vehicle main body so as to be openable and closable may include a female bracket that is securely attached to one of the vehicle main body and the vehicle door, a male bracket that is securely attached to the other of the vehicle main body and the vehicle door, a rotation shaft member that is secured to the female bracket and supports the male bracket to be rotatable relative to the female bracket. A coating film capable of restricting an electric current from flowing from the rotation shaft member to each of the slide bushes is formed in a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the rotation shaft member, which portion includes a part of a contact portion thereof that slidably contacts each of the slide bushes in a rotational axis direction and at least a proximity range thereof that is positioned in proximity to an exposed end periphery of each of the slide bushes.
US08505159B2

A floor care cleaning apparatus includes a nozzle assembly including a housing defining an agitator cavity. A canister assembly is connected to the nozzle assembly. A suction generator is carried by either the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly. A dirt collection vessel is also carried by one of these assemblies. In addition, an agitator cavity fitting is carried by the nozzle assembly. The agitator cavity fitting includes a cooperating air guide and conduit. The conduit defines an intake port of the floor cleaning apparatus.
US08505151B2

A connecting device for the articulated connection of a wiper blade to a wiper arm, wherein the connecting device comprises an adapter with a button on the end of the drive side thereof above a spring clip, wherein the button is connected via a spring tongue to the adapter and protrudes beyond the upper edges of the lateral walls. The lateral walls at the lower edges thereof have a protruding guide rail on which a stop is provided.
US08505135B2

A bedridden patient transfer gurney is provided, which includes a gurney body, and further includes several support feet installed with a swivel caster at the bottom. A top end of each support foot is connected to the gurney body. An elevation device is disposed on the support foot. Two curved panels opposite to each other having a shape of a grab bucket are disposed at a lower portion of the gurney body. When being closed, the two curved panels are capable of accommodating a human body. An opening and closing device is disposed between the gurney body and the two curved panels. The opening and closing device is respectively connected to the gurney body and the two curved panels. The bedridden patient transfer gurney is used for transferring a bedridden patient, has a simple structure and an advantage of convenient use, and ensures good stability when the patient is being transferred, thereby preventing the patient from experiencing more pain.
US08505132B2

An overflow system in the bathtub has an overflow port and has a drain pipe in connection with the overflow port. A threaded flange has a stub shoulder on one end which is fitted into a circular sleeve on the overflow port. The threaded flange has exterior threads on its outer surface and a thin diaphragm secured to the end thereof opposite to the stub shoulder. A large internally threaded nut is threadably mounted on the outer end of the threaded flange. A decorative cap is frictionally snapped into engagement with protrusions on the outer surface of the nut. The cap can be removed when needed to permit the plumber to gain access to the diaphragm to cut it open for fluid flow after the system has been tested for leaks, or put in place after the cut takes place.
US08505131B2

A trench drain system and method of installation thereof on a level floor surface. An elongate channel member is placed on the floor surface. A preformed elongate sloping member having a thick end tapering to a thin end in inserted into the channel with its thin end closest to the channel drain opening, thereby forming an inclined sloping surface. A grate extends over the channel inlet. The area adjacent the channel is filled to the height of the channel, whereby water thereon flows through the grate into the channel, along the inclined surface and out through the drain opening. The channel can be placed adjacent a vertical wall whereby wall tile may be installed over a channel top edge. The floor area adjacent the channel is filled with preformed sloping sheet members or with plastically formable material positioned at an incline using a floor height setting post.
US08505128B2

A closure for a bathtub is disclosed. The bathtub has a walk-through bound by a generally U-shaped structure having a central sill portion and jamb portions projecting upwardly and from opposite ends of said sill portion. The closure comprises an exterior insert and an interior insert. The exterior insert, in use, is disposed exteriorly of the U-shaped structure. The interior insert, in use, is disposed interiorly of the U-shaped structure and releasably secured to the exterior insert to seal against the U-shaped structure to permit the bathtub to be filled to a height above the sill portion.
US08505122B1

The invention provides a sports impact protection system adaptable for use with ordinary sports apparel such shirts, pants and shorts. The system includes one or more impact absorbing pads and means for reversibly attaching the pads to sports apparel.
US08505121B2

A head suspension includes a headband portion having a length and two transition arms. Each transition arm is coupled to the headband portion and extends away from the headband portion length at an angle greater than zero degrees. Each transition arm has a distal end and a pivot at the distal end. The pivot characterized by a pivot point and a rear support portion is pivotally connected to each pivot.
US08505119B2

A garment belt features an elongated strap and a V-shaped closure member having first and second legs interconnected at joined ends thereof and diverging from one another away from the joined ends. The closure member is connected between effective ends of the strap to close the belt and form a waist loop being defined by the elongated strap, the V-shaped closure member and the connections therebetween. A garment to be worn about a wearer's waist features an open triangular notch depending into a waist portion of the garment from an upper boundary thereof on the front side of the garment. The belt, or a V-shaped accessory of similar appearance to its closure member, is wearable with the garment to provide a unique appearance, revealing an exposed triangular section of skin. The V-shaped closure or accessory may carry an ornamental jewelry piece suspended between the legs of the member.
US08505118B2

An expandable pocket is described. In one or more implementations, a pocket is comprised of a front panel attached to a back panel. The front panel is configured to expand. Additionally, the front panel is configured to substantially maintain alignment of a portion of a stripe disposed on the front panel with a portion of the stripe disposed on the back panel. The front panel is configured to maintain this alignment when the front panel is expanded and when the front panel is not expanded.
US08505117B2

A hood and scarf combination is disclosed. A hood portion includes fasteners. A scarf portion includes one or more sets of fasteners disposed on the scarf portion to receive the hood fasteners along various positions along the scarf portion.
US08505115B2

A sewn glove is provided which can be put on a hand and used without providing an uncomfortable feeling and in which fingers can be greatly (deeply) bent. The sewn glove includes a finger pocket formed by sewing a finger-back member for covering a back surface of a finger and a finger-palm member having a width wide enough to cover a palm surface and right and left sides of the finger. The finger pocket is bent toward a palm side. A finger-palm member (12) is divided into divided finger-palm members (12X, 12Y, 12Z) at positions corresponding to interphalangeal joints of the finger. Each divided portion edge of each of the divided finger-palm members (12X, 12Y, 12Z) is a cut edge (15a, 15b) extending to cover from the left side of the finger through the palm surface of the finger to the right side of the finger. In the cut edge (15a, 15b), inclined straight edges (15a1, 15a3, 15b1, 15b3) extend continuously from the right and left ends of a finger-palm straight edge (15a2, 15b2) for an interphalangeal joint of the finger. The divided finger-palm members (12X, 12Y, 12Z) are sewn together along the cut edges (15a, 15b) to bend the entire finger pocket including the finger-back member toward the palm side.
US08505113B2

A ballistic armored component attaches to the existing retention straps of common combat helmets and provides protection to the otherwise exposed lower skull and upper neck region. A fabric covering contains a soft armor or hard armor insert, and is mounted by straps or other fasteners to existing straps found in conventional helmets. The armored component adds additional protection from ground-level or subterranean munitions, by placing a ballistic shape on the lower skull region (occipital region), providing significant additional ballistic coverage with minimal weight and bulk. The fabric shell may also be connected directly to the helmet shell, to allow the component to withdraw within the helmet when the wearer's neck is flexed rearwardly.
US08510852B2

To provide an apparatus, a recording medium and a method for effectively preventing unauthorized use of a content. A content containing broken data different from correct content member data is recorded on an information recording medium. Furthermore, transform data, as the correct member data, to be substituted for the broken data, and a fix-up table storing setting position information of the content are recorded on the information recording medium. During the content playback process, the transform data is substituted for the content member data in accordance with the fix-up table recorded on the information recording medium. With this arrangement, even if the encryption key corresponding to the encrypted content recorded on the information recording medium is leaked, an apparatus unable to acquire the transform data cannot play back the content. Unauthorized use of the content is thus controlled.
US08510851B2

A method and apparatus for recovering a content signal from media stream protected by a digital rights management (DRM) system. A content access device includes a network interface configured to receive the protected media stream from a remote content provider via a network and a plurality of distinct DRM components corresponding to DRM systems supported by the content access device. A content extraction unit is operable to select a DRM component of the plurality of DRM components and execute the selected DRM component to recover a content signal from the protected media stream. When a search engine is used to discover available content, a list of references to available content is presented to the user, the presentation being dependent upon whether or not the content is protected by a DRM system supported by the content access device.
US08510846B1

A method of storing data for a computer application in a shared data store is disclosed. The method includes receiving a data submission from the computer application, receiving an encryption key from the computer application, encrypting the submitted data using the encryption key, and storing the data in encrypted form in a data store that is accessible to the computer application and other independent applications, and indexing the stored data in a shared index.
US08510836B1

A computer generates a reputation score for a file based at least in part on the lineage of the file. A security module on a client monitors file creations on the client and identifies a parent file creating a child file. The security module provides a lineage report describing the lineage relationship to a security server. The security server uses lineage reports from the client to generate one or more lineage scores for the files identified by the reports. The security server aggregates the lineage scores for files reported by multiple clients. The aggregated lineage scores are used by the security server to generate reputation scores for files. The reputation score for a file indicates a likelihood that the file is malicious. The security server reports the reputation scores to the clients, and the clients use the reputation scores to determine whether files detected at the clients are malicious.
US08510835B1

A client computer runs a communicator employed to connect to a server computer in a cloud. The communicator is updated on a regular basis to update its algorithms for processing raw data into secured data. The server computer receives and validates the secured data, and attempts to update the communicator if the secured data is invalid. The server computer may deem the client computer as being infected when the update is reinitiated a predetermined number of times. The raw data may be restructured, or encrypted using an encryption scheme where the key used for the encryption is not provided to the receiver of the data. The algorithm for data restructuring and encryption may be included in the update to the communicator. Communication between the client computer and the server computer may be on a dynamically selected channel indicated in a previous communication.
US08510834B2

A distributed security system wherein intelligent security agents (i.e., agent devices) share security incident information between themselves via a controller. An adaptive security decision making involving network worms (non-SMTP worms) and DoS floods attacks is also described; wherein the Worms and DoS flood digital signatures are generated to assist in intrusion prevention process.
US08510821B1

The effects on networking systems of attacks on vulnerabilities, such as vulnerable modules in a webserver, SYN flooding, etc, can be devastating to a network environment. In various embodiments, a first, quick, or inexpensive analysis is performed on incoming network flows. If an intrusion issue or other problem is suspected based on the first, rapid, or an inexpensive analysis, then the flow can be flagged for redirection to another process, virtual machine, or physical computer module that will perform a deeper, more expensive analysis on the network flow. If there are no issues detected in the second, deeper analysis, then the network flow can be forwarded to its intended recipient. If an issue is detected in the second, deeper analysis, then the network flow can be throttled, quarantined, ignored, sent to an un-trusted portion of the system, sent for more analysis, or otherwise handled or flagged.
US08510818B2

A selective cross-realm authenticator associates an identifier with a request from an entity authenticated in one realm to access a resource associated with a second realm. The identifier indicates that the entity was authenticated in a realm other than the realm associated with the requested resource. A domain controller associated with the resource performs an access check to verify that the authenticated user is authorized to authenticate to the requested resource. Permissions associated with the resource can be used to specify levels of access to be granted to entities authenticated by a domain controller associated with another realm.
US08510815B2

In a plural computer system executing a virtual computer, an exterior storage volume may receive unjustly multiple access, and contents of the volume may be destroyed. Provided are: a switch coupling a virtual computer and I/O, a virtual computer managing unit coupled to a computer and the switch, and a determination unit determining a login acceptance/rejection of a virtual computer and I/O. The virtual computer possesses a virtual HBA, and upon receiving a login inquiry to the I/O from a certain virtual computer, a determination unit compares an identifier allocated to the certain virtual computer with an identifier allocated to another virtual computer to be executed on a physical computer different from the physical computer on which the certain virtual computer is executed, and determines login acceptance/rejection. Accordingly, an access control to the I/O is performed.
US08510808B2

Method and computer storage media for sharing resources between a plurality of computing devices associated with a common non-enterprise network. A common set of credentials is stored on at least two or more of a plurality of computing devices that reside behind a routing device and are associated through a common non-enterprise network. Upon storing the common set of credentials, each of the two or more of a plurality of computing devices create a local account that contains, at least, the common set of credentials. The common set of credentials allow for the sharing, among the two or more of the plurality of computing devices, of resource that reside on or are associated with the computing devices.
US08510807B1

Some embodiments provide a reporting system for improved granular real-time performance statistics reporting in a distributed platform. The reporting system includes a statistic server and a portal. The statistics server is communicably coupled to servers of the distributed platform that produce statistical data related to the distribution of content and execution of services for different customers. The statistics server aggregates the statistical data from the plurality of servers in an optimized staggered manner during a recurring interval. This reduces the amount of statistical data that is passed at any particular instance in time from the servers the statistics servers. The statistics server incrementally updates a real-time performance report for a particular customer as the statistical data is aggregated for the particular customer so that the computational and memory overhead for deriving the performance report in real-time is reduce. The portal then presents the performance report to the particular customer.
US08510804B1

A method of operating a communication system comprises receiving an authorization request from a location determination system that includes a device identifier and a port identifier and that is generated in response to receiving a location request from a communication device generated in response to a request for the location of the communication device made by an application running on the communication device. The location request includes the port identifier and the device identifier, and the device identifier identifies the communication device. The method further comprises processing the authorization request to determine an application identifier associated with the application based on the port identifier, processing the application identifier and the device identifier to determine if the application is authorized to run on the communication device, and transferring an authorization response from the authorization system that indicates if the application is authorized for the communication device.
US08510803B2

A method of network access control identifies, in response to a request by an end node to access a network, attributes of the end node and of a device receiving the request. Based on the attributes, a network access control implementation is selected from a plurality of network access control implementations to apply to the request.
US08510797B2

A user establishes a verified online identity, for example by providing an identity token and biometric information, and an assurance level is established for that identity for use in an authentication service. Different assurance levels may be provided based on the degree of verification of the user's identity, for example by social network scoring, credit references, or by means of the identity token and biometric information.
US08510782B2

A community access or cable television (CATV) entry adapter interfaces to a CATV network and serves as a hub in a Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) network. MoCA signals communicated between active ports of the entry adapter are rejected by MoCA frequency rejection filters to avoid interfering with the functionality of an eMTA subscriber device connected to a passive port of the entry adapter, without interfering with the passage of CATV upstream and downstream active and passive signals.
US08510778B2

Systems and methods are provided for ranking assets relative to a group of viewers. A group is formed by a user by selecting a number of different viewer preference profiles or automatically by the system as a function of analyzing similarities among viewer preference profiles. Individual preference values are computed for each viewer in the group relative to an asset. A group preference value is then computed by performing a function on the individual preference values. A display is generated that represents the individual preference values and the group preference value relative to an asset. Based on the information provided in the display, the asset most relevant to the group may be selected.
US08510777B2

According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor; a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.
US08510767B2

A technique for determining whether a program transmitted in a programming signal by a signal source was perceived by audience members within a specified time period. The programming signal is combined with a code signal to form a broadcast signal, wherein occurrence of the code signal corresponds to an occurrence of the program, and wherein the code identifies the program. The broadcast signal is monitored at a central processing facility and each received code is stored with an adjacent segment of the programming signal to create a master data base. Using a device located in the vicinity of an audience member, code signals corresponding to a program as it is being performed by program reproduction equipment and perceived by the audience member are monitored, and each code signal is stored with its said adjacent segment of the programming signal to create audience monitoring data. Based on the master data base and the audience monitoring data, determining whether the audience member perceived the program within a specified time period.
US08510766B2

Various embodiments herein include utilities that facilitate the substantially flat and aligned mounting of optical tape segments on testing drums to increase testing accuracy of the tape segments. In this regard, a drum for testing optical tape media is disclosed having a substantially planar portion onto which first and second ends of an optical tape segment may be mounted to thereby secure the entire tape segment around an outer testing surface of the drum. Also disclosed is fixture that may be used to precisely mount and secure the tape segment over the outer mounting surface of a drum in a manner that reduces axial run-out and wrinkling of the optical tape.
US08510763B2

Streaming media is received from a source system. A current overall resource usage of a resource of the device (such as a CPU or memory of the device) is obtained. A check is made as to whether the current overall resource usage exceeds a resource threshold value. If the current overall resource usage exceeds the resource threshold value, then an indication is provided to the source system to reduce a quality level of the streaming media. The streaming media is received from the source system at the reduced quality level until there is sufficient resource capacity at the device to increase the quality level.
US08510757B2

Provided are a method, system, and program for gathering pages allocated to an application to include in checkpoint information. A call from an application is intercepted to allocate memory pages to cause indication of pages allocated to the application that have modified data. An operation is initiated to create checkpoint information for the application. Pages allocated to the application that have modified data are determined in response to the operation to create the checkpoint information. The determined pages are saved in the checkpoint information.
US08510748B2

A portable communication device operating method includes the following steps: receiving a first software opening command to open a first software. Then, a portable communication device opens the first software. The portable communication device stores several pre-load relations, wherein each of the pre-load relations records at least one pre-load software to be pre-loaded after a preset software is opened. At least one second software to be pre-loaded after the first software is opened is obtained by inquiring the pre-load relations according to the first software. The portable communication device pre-loads the second software. A second software opening command to open the second software is received. The portable communication device opens the pre-loaded second software.
US08510741B2

The present invention describes a system and method for scheduling jobs on a multiprocessor system. The invention includes schedulers for use in both work-sharing and work-stealing environments. Each system utilizes a task scheduler using historical usage information, in conjunction with a job scheduler to achieve its results. In one embodiment, the task scheduler measures the time spent on various activities, in conjunction with its previous processor allocation or previous desire, to determine an indication of its current processor desire. In another embodiment of the present invention, the task scheduler measures the resources used by the job on various activities. Based on these measurements, the task scheduler determines the efficiency of the job and an indication of its current processor desire. In another embodiment, the task scheduler measures the resources consumed executing the job and determines its efficiency and an indication of its current processor desire.
US08510738B2

A method of avoiding unnecessary context switching in a multithreaded environment. A thread of execution of a process waiting on a lock protecting access to a shared resource may wait for the lock to be released by executing in a loop, or “spin”. The waiting thread may continuously check, in a user mode of an operating system, an indicator of whether the lock has been released. After a certain time period, the thread may stop spinning and enter a kernel mode of the operating system. Subsequently, before going to sleep which entails costly context switching, the thread may perform an additional check of the indicator to determine whether the lock has been released. If this is the case, the thread returns to user mode and the unnecessary context switching is avoided.
US08510736B2

According to one embodiment, a computer system includes a server and a client computer. The client computer is connected to the server via a network. The server includes a takeout management module configured to issue a permit to the client computer when a takeout request is received from the client computer. The permit permits the client computer to store data. The takeout request requests using of data acquired via the network under a condition of being disconnected from the network. The client computer includes a disk device, a takeout request transmitter and a security protector. The takeout request transmitter is configured to transmit the takeout request to the server. The security protector is configured to enable the disk device to store data when the permit is received from the server.
US08510731B2

An information processing apparatus has a storage device that stores a device driver which incorporates access information regarding access to the server apparatus and a property display screen with instruction items for instructing a device driver request; a notification unit that, based on an instruction to the instruction items on the property display screen, refers to the access information and notifies the access information to an application that is capable of processing page information, in order to obtain driver update page information from the server apparatus; and an updating control unit that, based on an instruction to an update instruction section to request automatic update that is provided on a driver update page created based on the driver update page information obtained, controls a process to obtain device driver update information sent from the server apparatus and update the device driver stored in the storage device.
US08510727B2

Duplicative code found in modules of high level computer code can be eliminated at link-time. A compiler forms a plurality of object files from a software program in which each object file includes one or more functions associated with the software program. An analyzer examines each function to ascertain whether any of the plurality of object files include functional duplicates. In addition, call and caller routing references are determined for each of the object files and functions contained therein. Responsive to determining that a functional equivalence exists, the routing of duplicative functions is altered to reference a golden copy of the same function. Once the call and caller information has been re-routed, the duplicative function(s) is(are) deleted.
US08510726B2

A development suite for generating files, such as DRM-protected files, using white-box cryptography. The suite consists of a code generation tool, a data transformation engine, and a white-box data generation tool, and a white-box library. In the white-box cryptography context, the data transformation engine is used to protect the boundary between the cryptographic operation and the surrounding code. In particular, the data transformation engine is used to apply data transformations to the inputs to and outputs from the cryptographic operations. If the user specifies that transformations are required via a white-box parameterization file, the code generation tool puts the information specified by the user into a form the data transformation engine understands, namely as qualifiers on data variables and function prototypes. The data transformation engine then applies the specified transformations, and passes information to the data generation tool regarding which transformations were chosen.
US08510712B1

Various techniques for testing in-container software objects are disclosed. For example, one method involves invoking a proxy method of a proxy object within a testing process. In response to the proxy method of the proxy object being invoked, a request is sent to a container, which is separate from the testing process. The request includes a request to invoke a method of an object within the container. The proxy object represents the object within the container. The proxy object can be used to test the corresponding object, which is represented by the proxy object, within the container.
US08510708B2

Method for optimizing a control program for actuators, wherein by means of the control program, at least one first function comprising the allocated program lines is executed to control a first actuator, the control program being in the form of an executable model in a first step, and, based on the model, an instrumented program code being generated by a code generator for a test control program, and a first parameter being allocated to the first function, and wherein by means of a test unit, the test control program is processed repeatedly with predefined input values and, based on the result of this processing, a value is allocated to the first parameter, and the value allocated to the first parameter is stored in a memory area allocated to the model, and in a second step, the optimized control program is generated by the code generator, the value allocated to the first parameter being read out of the allocated memory area by an optimization unit of the code generator and compared with a predefined threshold value, and then a decision is made by the optimization unit on the basis of the result of the comparison as to whether the allocated program lines are to be tied directly into the control program or tied in by means of a subprogram retrieval.
US08510701B2

Some aspects of this disclosure provide for electronic design automation (EDA) techniques that check whether individual blocks, such as transistors or other semiconductor devices, are connected to their correct power domains during design. In this way, the disclosed EDA techniques can limit or prevent overstress conditions applied to blocks and help to improve reliability of integrated circuits, when manufactured.
US08510688B1

A method for designing a system on a target device includes entering the system. The system is synthesized. The system is mapped. The system is placed on the target device. The system is routed. Physical synthesis is performed on the system immediately after more than one of the entering, synthesizing, mapping, placing and routing procedures.
US08510682B2

Systems and techniques to provide a unifying navigation model with a navigation service that provides an interface to information sources. In general, in one implementation, the technique includes: uniting navigation hierarchies from different application sources, and providing a unified navigation area based on the united navigation hierarchy. Uniting the navigation hierarchies can involve supplying a navigation service with a navigation object model that provides, to a presentation layer, a homogeneous view of navigation information from the different application sources. Providing the unified navigation area can involve displaying a navigation window in a portal presentation, the navigation window including navigation links to resources of the different application sources, and the navigation links being organized according to the united navigation hierarchy.
US08510679B2

In an object development environment, source objects in a structured hierarchy are mapped to one or more target objects, also in a structured hierarchy. Dual view user interfaces with connection mapping tools may be provided to facilitate creation, deletion and maintenance of these mappings. The invention includes an improvement by providing a context menu as a fly-out menu from a particular object. The context menu may include global functions and a list of connected objects, each with supplemental object-specific functions.
US08510672B2

A software application can capture product parameters and attributes in order to allow a non-expert user to create an accurate and complete furniture system layout in a design space. To enable accurate layouts, the software application can automatically apply all applicable components, connectors, rules, attributes, codes, and behaviors to each component/design element in the design space. The intelligent, object-oriented software can automatically recognize required changes effected by a user-driven change, and automatically resolve the layout design by constraining vertical placement of components or automatically generating interconnections between components.
US08510658B2

Segments used to select content to be targeted to a user are recursively refined based on continuously derived user characteristics. Based on information gathered from new requests for targeted content and/or user interaction with previously delivered content the user is assigned to one or additional targeted segments. The targeted segments can be used to select content to be delivered to the user based on the user's assignment to the targeted segments. Accordingly, each user is grouped into one or more targeted segments and based on the user's inclusion in those segments, requests for targeted content can be served to the user.
US08510649B2

A method performed within a content editing device provides advanced editing functionality for use within user applications having editable content on a user interface. The method provides automatic paste/insertion functionality following a selection of a destination/end location within the document and a subsequent selection of content for insertion at the selected end location. An editor moves content around within the document by tagging the end location and simply selection the content that is to be moved/copied to that end location. The method further enables efficient re-arrangement of multiple individual content blocks within a single document or across multiple documents by tagging each content with a sequence number indicative of the relative location of that content within the desired re-arranged sequence of content. Once the content has been tagged, a selectable option automatically orders the content in correct sequence relative to each other and/or to existing content in the resulting document.
US08510647B2

The present invention creates visual depiction of implied delineation within the source code of programming and markup languages for the purpose of simplifying visual and manual navigation. The present invention can easily identify where commands start and stop, making the writing and debugging process much easier. It clearly defines nested containers in an intuitive way, which allows for quick, clear and easy analysis of source code. The user who employs source charting can easily identify structure and hierarchy and thereby efficiently debug source code and/or make any changes or modifications that are necessary. Those new to the containment concept will with one glance at a source chart be over the learning curve. Intermediate and advanced developers can more efficiently track down bugs and/or make modifications in even complex documents. These drawn containers are collapsible and expandable, further making the data easy to understand and navigate.
US08510644B2

A system and method for optimizing content of a web page is disclosed. The system comprises a configuration analysis module, a request analysis module, an analytics module and an optimization module that are communicatively coupled to each other. The configuration analysis module receives first and second sets of web interaction data associated with a web page and determines first and second content configurations for the first and second sets of web interaction data, respectively. The request analysis module receives first and second requests for the first and second content configurations, respectively, and extracts a first set of event data from the first request and a second set of event data from the second request. The analytics module generates a first set and a second set of video-aware analytics data. The optimization module optimizes the content of the web page based at least in part on video-aware analytics data.
US08510643B2

A method of RAID migration comprising reading first and second blocks from a first RAID array. Said first blocks are written to a second RAID array within a first write cycle. Said second blocks are read simultaneously with a portion of said first write cycle in a pipelined fashion. In a first embodiment, pipelining increases the speed of RAID migration from a one-disk stripe array to a two-disk mirror array. In a second embodiment, pipelining and the use of duplicate blocks increases the speed of RAID migration from a two-disk mirror array to a three-disk RAID 5 array. In a third embodiment, pipelining and the use of duplicate blocks increases the speed of RAID migration from a three-disk RAID 5 array to a four-disk RAID 5 array.
US08510639B2

A system and method for decoding multi-dimensional encoded data. A set of multi-dimensional encoded data may be received encoding each input bit in a set of input bits by multiple different component codes in multiple different encoding dimensions. The multi-dimensional data may potentially have errors. A map may be used to locate each set of intersection bits that encode the same input bit by multiple unsolved component codes. The unsolved component codes may be decoded using one or a plurality of tested error correction hypotheses that yields a decoding success, where each hypothesis correcting a different set of intersection bits for a different input bit. The successful hypothesis may be applied for correcting the multi-dimensional encoded data.
US08510637B2

A data reading method for a writable non-volatile memory module having physical pages is provided. The method includes grouping the physical pages into a plurality of physical page groups. The method also includes reading first data from a physical page of a first physical page group by applying a first threshold voltage set. The method still includes, when the first data can be corrected by an error checking and correcting circuit and an error bit number corresponding to the first data is not smaller than an error bit number threshold, calculating compensation voltages for the first threshold voltage set. The method further includes adjusting the first threshold voltage set by the compensation voltages and applying the adjusted first threshold voltage set to read data from the physical pages of the first physical page group. Accordingly, data stored in the rewritable non-volatile memory module can be correctly read.
US08510636B2

Embodiments of the invention describe a dynamic read reference voltage for use in reading data from non-volatile memory cells. In embodiments of the invention, the read reference voltage is calibrated as the non-volatile memory device is used. Embodiments of the invention may comprise of logic and or modules to read data from a plurality of non-volatile memory cells using a first read reference voltage level (e.g., an initial read reference voltage level whose value is determined by the non-volatile device manufacturer). An Error Checking and Correction (ECC) algorithm is performed to identify whether errors exist in the data as read using the first read reference voltage level. If errors in the data as read are identified, a pre-determined value is retrieved to adjust the first read reference voltage level to a second read reference voltage level.
US08510635B2

A method for evaluating failure rate, which is applied to a plurality of semiconductor chips with error checking and correcting function includes the following steps. A first read-write test operation is applied to the semiconductor chips, thereby obtaining a plurality of first failure bit counting values. The error checking and correcting function of each of the semiconductor chips is off. An aging test is applied to the semiconductor chips. A second read-write test operation as the first read-write test operation is applied to the semiconductor chips, thereby obtaining a plurality of second failure bit counting values. The number of the semiconductor chips, the first failure bit counting values, the second failure bit counting values and an error checking and correcting coefficient are calculated to obtain a failure rate of the semiconductor chips.
US08510633B2

Provided is an operation method which can be applied to a PRAM, an ReRAM, and a solid electrolyte memory which stores error correction codes, each of which comprises of symbols, each of which comprises bits, and which codes allow error correction in units of symbols. In the operation method, the respective symbols are read by using different reference cells 12. When a correctable error is detected in read data from data cells forming the error correction codes and corresponding to an input address, a data in a data cell corresponding to the error bit is corrected for a first error symbol of an one bit error pattern, and data in a reference cell that is used to read the second error symbol are corrected for a second error symbol related to a multi-bit error pattern.
US08510621B2

A method of providing resource unit based data block partitioning may include determining, for a bit stream to be encoded in a coding scheme including an upper layer coding and a physical layer coding, whether upper layer coding is enabled. The method may further include, in response to the upper layer coding being enabled, partitioning the bit stream into one or more blocks for forward error correction coding. The one or more blocks may have a block size determined based on a size of a resource unit. The resource unit size may correspond to one or more units predefined in the physical layer for the resource allocation. A corresponding apparatus is also provided.
US08510605B2

A computer system having a plurality of devices including a data storage part which includes a plurality of cells to store data, and a controller to inspect whether there is a defective cell in the data storage part if a condition to execute a cell inspection function is met, and sets the defective cell to be assigned to one of the devices if a defective cell is found.
US08510601B1

Disclosed are various embodiments for generating a service call pattern for a system. A monitor is installed on a first and a second service call channel. Each service call channel is used by a first and second system under test, respectively. Through the monitor, service calls are received from the respective system under test. The service calls are issued to at least one service. A first service call pattern is generated based at least in part on the plurality of service calls issued by the first system under test. A second service call pattern is generated based at least in part on the plurality of service calls issued by the second under test. The first service call pattern report and the second service call pattern report are compared. An error condition if the comparison indicates a difference greater than a predefined threshold.
US08510597B2

In general, techniques are described for enabling a restartable file system. A computing device comprising a processor that executes an operating system may implement the techniques. The processor executes kernel and file system functions of the operating system to perform an operation, where both types of functions call each other to perform the operation. The operating system stores data identifying those of the kernel functions that called the file system functions. In response to determining that one of the file system functions that was called has failed, the operating system accesses the data to identify one of the kernel functions that most recently called one of the file system functions, and returns control to the identified one of the kernel functions without executing any of the file system functions called after the identified one of the kernel functions and prior to the one of the file system functions that failed.
US08510595B2

A controller configures a plurality of solid state disks as a redundant array of independent disks (RAID), wherein the plurality of solid state disks store a plurality of blocks, and wherein storage areas of the plurality of solid state disks corresponding to at least some blocks of the plurality of blocks have different amounts of estimated life expectancies. The controller includes in data structures associated with a block that is to be stored in the storage areas of the plurality of solid state disks an indication that the block includes parity information corresponding to the RAID, wherein parity information comprises information corresponding to an error correction mechanism to protect against a disk failure. The controller sends the data structures to the plurality of solid state disks, wherein the plurality of solid state disks allocate a storage area that is estimated to have a relatively greater life expectancy in comparison to other storage areas to store the block that includes the parity information.
US08510589B2

Receiving an indication of a frequency ratio of first and second clocks; generating an indication of a number of clock pulses of the second clock occurring between first and second clock pulses of the first clock; and generating an indication of a time offset between (1) a clock pulse of the second clock occurring between the second clock pulse and a third clock pulse of the first clock, and (2) the second clock pulse of the first clock. Also, receiving an input data word representing a fractional number, a first part of the input data word comprising an integer portion of the fractional number and a second part comprising a decimal portion of the fractional number; providing a first output data word that is either the first part of the input data word or an increment by one of the first part; and providing a second output data word that is an integer multiple of the second part.
US08510586B2

A mobile terminal includes: a tamper-detection circuit (17), an information processor (13) that is capable of executing a suspend function, a first battery (23) supplying power to the information processor (13) and the tamper-detection circuit (17), and a switch (27) that is provided on a power-source supply line (431) that connects the first battery (23) and the information processor (13) and the switch that is capable of switching between a state in which information processor (13) is connected to first battery (23) and a state in which information processor (13) is not connected to first battery (23).
US08510583B2

Embodiments of the invention utilize a universal serial bus (USB) host controller to traverse an asynchronous data transfer list to identify data transfers to execute. The asynchronous data transfer list may include a plurality of header nodes, each header node to identify data transfers to one of a plurality of devices operatively coupled to an electronic device. The USB host controller may execute an extended sleep mode in response to identifying no data transfers to execute and receiving an indication that the system processor is in a sleep state. The USB host controller may exit the extended sleep mode in response to receiving an indication that the processor is in non-sleep state.
US08510574B2

Disclosed is a network apparatuses, which makes it possible to effectively re-establish the cryptographic communication without increasing its processing burden and deteriorating the security aspects of them. The network apparatus that communicates with another network apparatus through a network to exchange cryptographic communication information including a key of cryptograph transmits, when a power off sequence is detected, a request for deleting the cryptographic communication information to the other network apparatus through a communication interface section, before a power source section is turned OFF so as to actually deactivate the network apparatus.
US08510564B2

Embodiments are directed to establishing the integrity of a portion of data on at least one level of a plurality of network stack levels and automatically continuing an established federation relationship between at least two federation computer systems. In an embodiment, a first federation computer system receives a digital signature corresponding to a computer system signed by a digital signature which includes the computer system's identity and other federation relationship information configured to establish a trusted federation relationship between a first federation computer system and a second federation computer system. The first federation computer system attempts to validate the received digital signature at a first level of a network stack and determines that the validation at the first network stack layer was unsuccessful. The first federation computer system then validates the received digital signature at a second, different level of the network stack.
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