US08557839B2
The present invention provides a novel class of fused ring azadecalin compounds and methods of using the compounds as glucocorticoid receptor modulators.
US08557837B2
The invention relates to sinomenine derivatives, methods for their synthesis and their applications. The sinomenine derivatives include oxidation derivatives, and C-10 substituted sinomenine derivatives. Based on the readily oxidizable phenol group on sinomenine structure, using oxidation, oxidative dearomatization, or conjugated addition aromatization, one can introduce C-10 substitutions to synthesize the sinomenine derivatives. The sinomenine derivatives of the invention have the following structures: Using in vitro TNF-α inhibition assay, the activities of the synthetic compounds are assessed. Results from these assays shown that most compounds have anti-inflammatory effects, and some compounds have better activities than that of sinomenine. These compounds may be used in treating immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
US08557833B2
The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of Aurora protein kinases. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising those compounds and methods of using the compounds and compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, and disorders. The invention also provides processes for preparing compounds of the invention.
US08557831B2
Disclosed herein are methods of delaying the onset or treating diabetes that comprises administering a uric acid lowering agent. The inventors have made the remarkable discovery that elevated uric acid levels are not a corollary to insulin resistance, but rather a primary mediator of insulin resistance. Specifically exemplified are methods that involve administering to a patient susceptible to development of diabetes a composition comprising a uric acid lowering agent in a regimen that maintains serum uric acid levels below at least 5.2 to 5.5 mg/dl.
US08557825B2
This invention comprises the novel compounds of formula (I) wherein n, m, t, R1, R2, R3, R4, L, Q, X, Y, Z and have defined meanings, having histone deacetylase inhibiting enzymatic activity; their preparation, compositions containing them and their use as a medicine.
US08557824B2
Compounds of the formula (I), in which R1, R2, R3, R4, K, G, E and W
US08557823B2
A methods and compounds for inhibiting 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3) are described. Also described are methods of inhibiting cell proliferation, treating cancer, and screening compounds to determine their ability to inhibit PFKFB3.
US08557820B2
Disclosed is the use of an aqueous dispersion comprising (a) a micronized sparingly soluble organic benzophenone derivative of formula (1), selected from the crystal modifications (B) and (C), wherein the crystal modification (B) is characterized by a peak in the X-ray diffraction pattern at a d-spacing of about 7.70; and wherein the crystal modification (C) is characterized by a peak in the X-ray diffraction pattern at a d-spacing of about 7.06; and (b) a dispersing agent selected from anionic, non-ionic and amphoteric surfactants; for protecting the human skin from browning and skin aging. The new crystal modification (C) represents a thermodynamically stable compound of formula (1) at 25° C. This modification is therefore suitable in dispersions comprising micro-fine particles.
US08557810B2
Compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the activity of receptor kinases and for the treatment, prevention, or amelioration of one or more symptoms of disease or disorder mediated by receptor kinases.
US08557807B2
The invention, relates to compounds of formula I (or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof) as defined herein, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and their use in manufactures and methods for modulating biological processes including inhibition of kinase activity such as P1-3 kinase.
US08557806B2
The present invention provides methods of treating or preventing autoimmune diseases with 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds, as well as methods of treating, preventing or ameliorating symptoms associated with such diseases. Specific examples of autoimmune diseases that can be treated or prevented with the compounds include rheumatoid arthritis and/or its associated symptoms, systemic lups erythematosis and/or its associated symptoms and multiple sclerosis and/or its associated symptoms.
US08557802B2
Provided are a compound having an excellent hypoglycemic action, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition having an excellent therapeutic effect and/or prophylactic effect on type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and the like, which cause an increase in the blood sugar level due to abnormal sugar metabolism. A compound represented by general formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is disclosed.
US08557801B2
The invention provides a class of compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods of using such compounds to treat or prevent malaria.
US08557787B2
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and methods of using them diagnostically and therapeutically for treatment of cancer, stem cell therapy, or regenerative medicine are disclosed. In particular, the invention relates to lncRNAs that play roles in regulation of genes involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Such lncRNAs can be used as biomarkers to monitor cell proliferation and differentiation during cancer progression or tissue regeneration. One of the identified lncRNAs, referred to as PANDA (a P21-Associated NcRNA, DNA damage Activated), inhibits the expression of apoptotic genes normally activated by the transcription factor NF-YA. Inhibitors of PANDA sensitize cancerous cells to chemotherapy and can be used in combination with chemotherapeutic agents for treatment of cancer.
US08557786B2
The present invention shows that levels of certain micro RNAs (MiRNAs) are altered in NF1 cell lines and NF1 tumor cell lines as compared to non-NF1 controls. Methods are provided, e.g., to diagnose NF1 and NF1 tumors. Methods are also provided to treat NF1, NF1 related cancer, and cognitive deficits resulting from NF1.
US08557783B2
Methods of using phosphotetrahydropyran compounds for treatment of fibrotic and scarring disorders, e.g. pulmonary fibrosis, fibrosis associated with surgical procedures, wound healing disorders, scar formation, sclerotic disorders, ocular fibrotic disorders, ocular healing disorders, ocular fibrosis after surgery, glaucoma, tendon scarring disorders, joint scarring disorders, kidney interstitial fibrosis and glomerular fibrosis and tubular fibrosis of the kidney.
US08557778B2
Cell permeable peptides derived from MLL that block the interaction of MLL with menin for the treatment of acute myeloid and acute lymphoid leukemia are disclosed. Small molecules interfere with the interaction of MLL with any of its binding partners.
US08557775B2
The present invention relates to novel serine rich peptides capable of exhibiting antioxidative properties and that can be used to protect a cell, tissues, organs or a multi-cellular organism, such as animals, against oxidative stress. In aspects of the invention, the peptides may be derived from egg yolk proteins utilizing only generally recognized as safe (GRAS) compounds. The invention also relates to cosmetics, functional foods, food supplements or pharmaceutical formulations comprising the peptides of the present invention having antioxidative properties. The cosmetics, functional food or pharmaceutical products are particularly suitable for the care of the skin in protecting against oxidative stress and ageing phenomena.
US08557763B2
The present invention provides novel peptides that facilitate the opening of mammalian tight junctions. i.e. tight junction agonists. Th present invention also provides methods for the treatment of disease by administering to a subject suffereing from the disease a composition comprising a peptide tight junction agonist of the invention in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of an active agent.
US08557762B2
Compositions and Methods for the treatment of coagulation disorders using Factor V variants are provided. Preferred disorders include hemophilia A and B.
US08557760B2
A cleaning composition including a primarily C12 quaternary functionalized alkyl polyglucoside, a water conditioning agent, an acid source, a solvent, and water. In one embodiment, the cleaning composition is substantially free of alkyl phenol ethoxylates. The cleaning composition is capable of removing soils including up to 20% proteins. The cleaning compositions include a biorenewable, environmentally friendly alternative to nonyl phenol ethoxylates and exhibit superior cleaning of food soils.
US08557741B2
What is described are 3-aminocarbonyl-substituted benzoylcyclohexanediones of the formula (I) as herbicides. In this formula (I), R1 to R5 are radicals such as hydrogen, organic radicals such as alkyl, and other radicals such as halogen. X is alkylene.
US08557740B2
Penoxsulam, 2-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)-N-(5,8-dimethoxy[1,2,4]-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidin-2-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)benzenesulfonamide, is useful in controlling broadleaf weeds and sedges in orchard floors.
US08557729B2
A catalyst unit is described in the form of a cylinder having a length C and diameter D, which has two or more flutes running along its length, wherein said cylinder has domed ends of lengths A and B, such that (A+B+C)/D is in the range 0.50 to 2.00, and (A+B)/C is in the range 0.40 to 5.00. The catalyst may be used particularly in reactions where hydrogen is a reactant such as hydroprocessing, hydrogenation, water-gas shift reactions, methanation, hydrocarbon synthesis by the Fischer-Tropsch reaction, methanol synthesis and ammonia synthesis.
US08557725B2
A method for producing a regenerated Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst obtained by regenerating a spent catalyst used in a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction, comprising a steaming step of bringing the above spent catalyst into contact with a mixed gas comprising 1 to 30% by volume of steam and an inert gas at a pressure of atmospheric pressure to 5 MPa and a temperature of 150 to 350° C., the above spent catalyst being a spent catalyst in which cobalt and/or ruthenium is supported on a carrier comprising silica with an average pore diameter measured by a nitrogen adsorption method of 4 to 25 nm, and of which activity represented by an initial carbon monoxide conversion is 40 to 95%, based on the activity of a corresponding unused catalyst.
US08557722B2
A nonwoven material suitable for use as a wet wipe substrate is disclosed. The nonwoven material comprises thermoplastic fibers and is provided with a pattern of embossments that join at least a portion of the thermoplastic fibers. When the material is treated with a cleaning lotion to provide a wet wipe, the wet wipe has a wet CD modulus that is greater than about 25 N/m and less than about 80 N/m.
US08557719B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device, according to the present invention includes the steps of: preparing an SOI substrate, which comprises a semiconductor supporting layer, an oxide layer formed on the semiconductor supporting layer and an SOI layer formed on the oxide layer; forming a semiconductor device on the SOI layer; forming a passivation layer over the SOI substrate, the passivation layer allowing a UV light to pass through it; and applying a UV light to the SOI substrate after the step of forming the semiconductor device is completed.
US08557715B2
The present invention relates to a CO2 laser-transparent material having a mark on the surface thereof and the method for making the same. The method includes the following steps: providing a first substrate, which has a top surface and a bottom surface; providing a second substrate which has a top surface; putting the bottom surface of the first substrate on the top surface of the second substrate; irradiating a CO2 laser beam to the top surface of the second substrate by passing through the top surface and the bottom surface of the first substrate; and forming a mark on the bottom surface of the first substrate. The material of the mark is oxide of the second substrate or the same as the material of the second substrate. Whereby the cheap CO2 laser is utilized to form the mark on the first substrate, and the mark can be erased easily by a proper chemical for recycling the first substrate.
US08557713B2
Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the semiconductor device are provided, the semiconductor devices including a first dielectric layer on a substrate, and a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer has a carbon concentration lower than the second dielectric layer.
US08557712B1
New methods of filling gaps with dielectric material are provided. The methods involve plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) of a flowable polymerized film in a gap, followed by an in-situ treatment to convert the film to a dielectric material. According to various embodiments, the in-situ treatment may be a purely thermal or plasma treatment process. Unlike conventional PECVD processes of solid material, which deposit film in a conformal process, the deposition results in bottom-up fill of the gap. In certain embodiments, a deposition-in situ treatment-deposition-in situ treatment process is performed to form dielectric layers in the gap. The sequence is repeated as necessary for bottom up fill of the gap. Also in certain embodiments, an ex-situ post-treatment process is performed after gap fill is completed. The processes are applicable to frontend and backend gapfill.
US08557704B2
Single spacer processes for multiplying pitch by a factor greater than two are provided. In one embodiment, n, where n≧2, tiers of stacked mandrels are formed over a substrate, each of the n tiers comprising a plurality of mandrels substantially parallel to one another. Mandrels at tier n are over and parallel to mandrels at tier n−1, and the distance between adjoining mandrels at tier n is greater than the distance between adjoining mandrels at tier n−1. Spacers are simultaneously formed on sidewalls of the mandrels. Exposed portions of the mandrels are etched away and a pattern of lines defined by the spacers is transferred to the substrate.
US08557700B2
A low resistance metal is charged into holes formed in a semiconductor substrate to thereby form through electrodes. Post electrodes of a wiring-added post electrode component connected together by a support portion thereof are simultaneously fixed to and electrically connected to connection regions formed on an LSI chip. On the front face side, after resin sealing, the support portion is separated so as to expose front face wiring traces. On the back face side, the semiconductor substrate is grounded so as to expose tip ends of the through electrodes. The front face wiring traces exposed to the front face side and the tip ends of the through electrodes exposed to the back face side are used as wiring for external connection.
US08557693B2
A method of forming a low resistance contact structure in a semiconductor device includes forming a doped semiconductor region in a semiconductor substrate; forming a deep level impurity region at an upper portion of the doped semiconductor region; activating dopants in both the doped semiconductor region and the deep level impurity region by annealing; and forming a metal contact over the deep level impurity region so as to create a metal-semiconductor interface therebetween.
US08557688B2
A method for fabricating a P-type polycrystalline silicon-germanium structure comprises steps: forming an aluminum layer and an amorphous germanium layer on a P-type monocrystalline silicon substrate in sequence; annealing the P-type monocrystalline silicon substrate, the aluminum layer and the amorphous germanium layer at a temperature of 400-650° C.; and undertaking an aluminum-induced crystallization process in which germanium atoms of the amorphous germanium layer and silicon atoms of the P-type monocrystalline silicon substrate simultaneously pass through the aluminum layer and then the amorphous germanium layer being induced and converted into a P-type polycrystalline silicon-germanium layer between the P-type monocrystalline silicon substrate and the aluminum layer. The present invention is a simple, reliable and low-cost method to fabricate a P-type polycrystalline silicon-germanium layer on a P-type monocrystalline silicon substrate. In addition, the obtained P-type polycrystalline silicon-germanium layer can convert sunlight of longer wavelengths into electric energy.
US08557685B2
Memory cells, and methods of forming such memory cells, are provided that include a carbon-based reversible resistivity switching material. In particular embodiments, methods in accordance with this invention form a memory cell by (a) depositing a layer of the carbon material above a substrate; (b) doping the deposited carbon layer with a dopant; (c) depositing a layer of the carbon material over the doped carbon layer; and (d) iteratively repeating steps (b) and (c) to form a stack of doped carbon layers having a desired thickness. Other aspects are also provided.
US08557676B2
A first substrate of single-crystal silicon within which is formed an embrittled layer and over a surface of which is formed a first insulating film is provided; a second insulating film is formed over a surface of a second substrate; at least one surface of either the first insulating film or the second insulating film is exposed to a plasma atmosphere or an ion atmosphere, and that surface of the first insulating film or the second insulating film is activated; the first substrate and the second substrate are bonded together with the first insulating film and the second insulating film interposed therebetween; a single-crystal silicon film is separated from the first substrate at an interface of the embrittled layer of the first substrate, and a thin film single-crystal silicon film is formed over the second substrate with the first insulating film and the second insulating film interposed therebetween.
US08557673B1
A manufacturing method of a capacitor structure is provided, which includes the steps of: on a substrate having a first oxide layer, (a) forming a first suspension layer on the first oxide layer; (b) forming a first shallow trench into the first oxide layer above the substrate; (c) forming a second oxide layer filling the first shallow trench; (d) forming a second suspension layer on the second oxide layer; (e) forming a second shallow trench through the second suspension layer into the second oxide layer above the first suspension layer; (f) forming at least one deep trench on the bottom surface of the second shallow trench through the second and the first oxide layers, (g) forming an electrode layer on the inner surface of the deep trench; and (h) removing the first and second oxide layers through the trench openings in the first and the second suspension layers.
US08557669B2
MOSFETs having localized stressors are provided. The MOSFET has a stress-inducing layer formed in the source/drain regions, wherein the stress-inducing layer comprises a first semiconductor material and a second semiconductor material. A treatment is performed on the stress-inducing layer such that a reaction is caused with the first semiconductor material and the second semiconductor material is forced lower into the stress-inducing layer. The stress-inducing layer may be either a recessed region or non-recessed region. A first method involves forming a stress-inducing layer, such as SiGe, in the source/drain regions and performing a nitridation or oxidation process. A nitride or oxide film is formed in the top portion of the stress-inducing layer, forcing the Ge lower into the stress-inducing layer. Another method embodiment involves forming a reaction layer over the stress-inducing layer and performing a treatment process to cause the reaction layer to react with the stress-inducing layer.
US08557664B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device using a recess channel array is disclosed. A substrate is provided having a first region and a second region, including a first transistor in the first region including a first gate electrode partially filling a trench, and source and drain regions that are formed at both sides of the trench, and covered by a first insulating layer. A first conductive layer is formed on the substrate. A contact hole through which the drain region is exposed is formed by patterning the first conductive layer and the first insulating layer. A contact plug is formed that fills the contact hole. A bit line is formed that is electrically connected to the drain region through the contact plug, and simultaneously a second gate electrode is formed in the second region by patterning the first conductive layer.
US08557662B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided, the method includes forming a double trench including a first trench and a second trench formed below the first trench and having surfaces covered with insulation layers, and removing portions of the insulation layers to form a side contact exposing one sidewall of the second trench.
US08557661B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises forming memory cells on a memory cell region, alternately forming a sacrificial layer and an insulating interlayer on a connection region for providing wirings configured to electrically connect the memory cells, forming an etching mask pattern including etching mask pattern elements on a top sacrificial layer, forming blocking sidewalls on either sidewalls of each of the etching mask pattern element, forming a first photoresist pattern selectively exposing a first blocking sidewall furthermost from the memory cell region and covering the other blocking sidewalls, etching the exposed top sacrificial layer and an insulating interlayer to expose a second sacrificial layer, forming a second photoresist pattern by laterally removing the first photoresist pattern to the extent that a second blocking sidewall is exposed, and etching the exposed top and second sacrificial layers and the insulating interlayers to form a staircase shaped side edge portion.
US08557660B2
A method for forming a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method for forming the semiconductor device includes forming a pad insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate, forming a recess by etching the pad insulating layer and the semiconductor substrate, forming a buried gate buried in the recess, forming an insulating layer for defining a bit line contact hole over the buried gate and the pad insulating layer, forming a bit line over a bit line contact for filling the bit line contact hole, and forming a storage electrode contact hole by etching the insulating layer and the pad insulating layer to expose the semiconductor substrate. As a result, the method increases the size of an overlap area between a storage electrode contact and an active region without an additional mask process, resulting in a reduction in cell resistance.
US08557658B2
The present disclosure provides a multi-transistor element including a substrate, a first floating gate disposed on the substrate, a second floating gate disposed on the substrate and coupled to the first floating gate, and a first active region disposed in the substrate and coupled to the first and second floating gates.
US08557647B2
A method for forming feature on a substrate includes forming at least one layer of a feature material on a substrate, patterning a photolithographic resist material on the at least one layer of the feature material, removing portions of the feature material to define a feature, depositing a masking material layer over the resist material and exposed regions of the substrate, modifying a portion of the substrate, and removing the masking material layer and the resist material.
US08557642B2
A method for thermally processing a minimally absorbing thin film in a selective manner is disclosed. Two closely spaced absorbing traces are patterned in thermal contact with the thin film. A pulsed radiant source is used to heat the two absorbing traces, and the thin film is thermally processed via conduction between the two absorbing traces. This method can be utilized to fabricate a thin film transistor (TFT) in which the thin film is a semiconductor and the absorbers are the source and the drain of the TFT.
US08557635B2
In an embodiment, a first semiconductor wafer having plural first chip areas sectioned by first dicing grooves, and first photosensitive surface protection and adhesive layers provided at each of circuit surfaces of the plural first chip areas is prepared. A second semiconductor wafer having plural second chip areas sectioned by second dicing grooves, and second photosensitive surface protection and adhesive layers provided at each of circuit surfaces of the plural second chip areas is stacked with the first semiconductor wafer via the second photosensitive surface protection and adhesive layers to form plural chip stacked bodies of the first chip areas and the second chip areas.
US08557627B2
A phase change structure includes a first phase change material layer pattern and a second phase change material layer pattern. The first phase change material layer pattern may partially fill a minute structure, and the second phase change material layer pattern may fully fill the minute structure. The first phase change material layer pattern may include a first phase change material, and the second phase change material layer pattern may include a second phase change material having a composition substantially different from a composition of the first phase change material.
US08557622B2
Exemplary embodiments provide semiconductor nanowires and nanowire devices/applications and methods for their formation. In embodiments, in-plane nanowires can be epitaxially grown on a patterned substrate, which are more favorable than vertical ones for device processing and three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuits. In embodiments, the in-plane nanowire can be formed by selective epitaxy utilizing lateral overgrowth and faceting of an epilayer initially grown in a one-dimensional (1D) nanoscale opening. In embodiments, optical, electrical, and thermal connections can be established and controlled between the nanowire, the substrate, and additional electrical or optical components for better device and system performance.
US08557617B2
A method of manufacturing a light emitting diode package. A cup-shaped package structure with a recess formed therein and an electrode structure formed on a bottom of the recess is prepared. A light emitting diode chip is mounted on a bottom of the recess with a terminal of the chip electrically connected to the electrode structure. A liquid-state transparent resin is injected in the recess and before the liquid-state transparent resin is completely cured, a stamp with a micro rough pattern engraved thereon is applied on an upper surface of the resin. The liquid-state transparent resin is cured with the stamp applied thereon to form a resin encapsulant and the stamp is removed from the resin encapsulant.
US08557614B2
An object is to provide a method for manufacturing a lighting device, in which a problem of a short circuit between an upper electrode and a lower electrode of a light-emitting element is solved without reducing a light-emitting property of a normal portion of the light-emitting element to the utmost. In a light-emitting element including an upper electrode, an electroluminescent layer, and a lower electrode, a short-circuited portion that is undesirably formed between the upper electrode and the lower electrode is irradiated with a laser beam, whereby a region where the short-circuited portion is removed is formed, and then the region is filled with an insulating resin having a light-transmitting property. Thus, the problem of the short circuit between the upper electrode and the lower electrode is solved and yield of a lighting device is improved.
US08557607B2
Materials and methods for making small magnetic particles, e.g. clusters of metal atoms, which can be employed as a substrate for immobilizing a plurality of ligands. Also disclosed are uses of these magnetic nanoparticles as therapeutic and diagnostic reagents, and in the study of ligand-mediated interactions.
US08557598B2
The present invention relates to a method for measuring a blood sample comprising the steps of: communicating the inside of a sealed container with atmosphere by piercing a cap for sealing the sealed container; supplying a diluted solution from the base end side of the aspiration pipe to fill the aspiration pipe with the diluted solution; aspirating the blood sample in the sealed container; discharging the aspirated blood sample into a measurement sample preparing container; and measuring a measurement sample prepared in the measurement sample preparing container.
US08557596B2
The invention provides a sensor for detecting nitrogen containing high explosives. The sensor includes a substrate and a blue-photoluminescent metallofluorene copolymer to be carried on said substrate during testing for nitrogen containing high explosives. The copolymer is preferably a blue-photoluminescent metallofluorene copolymer, and preferably is a vinyl bridged silafluorene copolymer. A method for detecting nitrogen containing high explosives involves exposing a copolymer to an analyte, preferably by spraying the copolymer or otherwise coating the substrate after it has been exposed to analyte and then exciting the copolymer to luminesce. The copolymer is observed for fluorescence quenching, which can be through human or electronic observation. The invention also provides for synthesis of a vinyl bridged silafluorene polymer by providing diethynylmetallofluorene and dihydrosilafluorene as precursors and conducting catalytic hydrosilation of the precursors. In a blue emitting organic light emitting diode of the invention, an emitting layer is blue-photoluminescent metallofluorene copolymer.
US08557595B2
The invention provides a sensor for detecting nitrogen containing high explosives. The sensor includes a substrate and a blue-photoluminescent metallofluorene copolymer to be carried on said substrate during testing for nitrogen containing high explosives. The copolymer is preferably a blue-photoluminescent metallofluorene copolymer, and preferably is a vinyl bridged silafluorene copolymer. A method for detecting nitrogen containing high explosives involves exposing a copolymer to an analyte, preferably by spraying the copolymer or otherwise coating the substrate after it has been exposed to analyte and then exciting the copolymer to luminesce. The copolymer is observed for fluorescence quenching, which can be through human or electronic observation. The invention also provides for synthesis of a vinyl bridged silafluorene polymer by providing diethynylmetallofluorene and dihydrosilafluorene as precursors and conducting catalytic hydrosilation of the precursors. In a blue emitting organic light emitting diode of the invention, an emitting layer is blue-photoluminescent metallofluorene copolymer.
US08557593B2
The invention relates to the detection of DHA and EPA. In a particular aspect, the invention relates to methods for detecting DHA and EPA by mass spectrometry.
US08557585B2
The present invention relates to fusion polynucleotides for biosynthesis of beta-carotene and a method for producing beta-carotene using the same. More particularly, it relates to fusion polynucleotides encoding phytoene synthase, connective sequences of FMDV-derived 2A sequence or internal ribosome entry site (IRES) and carotene desaturase, and a method for producing beta-carotenes using the same. Fusion polynucleotides and the recombinant vector using the same of the present invention have the effect of expression both phytoene synthase gene and carotene desaturase gene stably within cell transformants. Accordingly, fusion polynucleotides of the present invention can be used to regulate the biosynthetic metabolism of plant producing beta-carotene. Furthermore, it can be applied to effectively increase the content of beta-carotene, a useful metabolite.
US08557570B2
The present invention generally relates to devices and methods for affecting the flow rate of fluid using pressure. The invention generally provides for controlled application of pressure to flowing fluids to control pressure and flow rates of those fluids, independent of location of the fluids relative to various devices. For example, in a series of devices, each connected to another via a conduit, pressure control units can be provided between devices to raise or lower pressure and/or flow rate of fluid flowing from one device to the next. In this way, a series of interconnected devices can be arranged such that inlet fluid pressure or flow rate of any individual device can be set independently of every other device.
US08557569B2
An optical instrument is provided for simultaneously illuminating two or more spaced-apart reaction regions with excitation beams generated by a light source. The light source can include an area light array of light emitting diodes, one or more solid state lasers, one or more micro-wire lasers, or a combination thereof. According to various embodiments, a Fresnel lens can be disposed along a beam bath between the light source and the reaction regions. Methods of analysis using the optical instrument are also provided.
US08557567B2
The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a nanogap and a nanogap sensor, and to a nanogap and a nanogap sensor fabricated using the method. The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a nanogap and a nanogap sensor, which can be realized by an anisotropic etching using a semiconductor manufacturing process. According to the method of present invention, the nanogap and nanogap sensor can be simply and cheaply produced in large quantities.
US08557557B2
Isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius are provided. Further provided are methods of at least partially degrading, cleaving, or removing polysaccharides, lignocellulose, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, chitin, polyhydroxybutyrate, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups using isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius.
US08557548B2
In one aspect, the invention relates to an immunogenic composition that includes a mutant Clostridium difficile toxin A and/or a mutant Clostridium difficile toxin B. Each mutant toxin includes a glucosyltransferase domain having at least one mutation and a cysteine protease domain having at least one mutation, relative to the corresponding wild-type C. difficile toxin. The mutant toxins may further include at least one amino acid that is chemically crosslinked. In another aspect, the invention relates to antibodies or binding fragments thereof that binds to said immunogenic compositions. In further aspects, the invention relates to isolated nucleotide sequences that encode any of the foregoing, and methods of use of any of the foregoing compositions.
US08557529B2
A nanopore capture system may include a material configured to pass through a nanopore device in a controlled manner based upon its interaction with the nanopore device. The system may also include a capture mechanism connected to one end of the material. The capture mechanism may be configured to catch a particular type of molecule while ignoring other types of molecules. The system may also include a controller to manipulate and/or detect the particular type of molecule.
US08557527B2
Interestingly, for prognosis, the significant biomarkers for Gefitinib-treated GBM patients (RTOG 0211) appeared to differ compared to historical, RT and non-Gefitinib-treated GBM patients. In Gefitinib-treated patients, those with higher levels of nuclear pAKT driven by PTEN loss, higher levels of nuclear pMAPK, and lower levels of nuclear pmTOR had significantly worse clinical outcomes. In contrast, in non-Gefitinib-treated patients, patients with PTEN-deficiency, and higher levels of EGFRvIII, total EGFR, IGFR1, NFkB and lower levels of nuclear Survivin appeared to have adverse clinical outcomes, highlighting the treatment-dependency of these biomarkers.
US08557525B1
The present invention relates to a composite metastasis score (“cMS”) based on expression of a 14-gene molecular signature (referred to as a metastasis score, or “MS”) in combination with progesterone receptor (PR) expression that is useful for predicting breast cancer metastasis. In preferred embodiments, the cMS is determined by applying weighted coefficients to MS and PR. The present invention provides methods and reagents for detecting and profiling the expression levels of these genes, and methods of using the expression level information for predicting risk of breast cancer metastasis, among other embodiments.
US08557524B2
The present invention relates generally to detection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in a sample. In particular, the invention provides methods, compositions and kits for detecting and analyzing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other methicillin-resistant bacteria in a sample.
US08557519B2
The present invention relates to a polypeptide termed ply_pitti26 comprising the sequence as depicted in SEQ ID NO:1 as well as variants of this polypeptide. Furthermore, the present invention relates to nucleic acids and vectors encoding for said polypeptide and variants thereof as well as host cells comprising these nucleic acids and/or vectors. Finally, the present invention relates to the uses of said polypeptide, variants thereof, nucleic acid sequences, vectors and host cells, in particular for the treatment or prophylaxis of a subject infected by or exposed to Staphylococci.
US08557510B2
A composition comprising i) a color forming component which is susceptible to changing color when irradiated; ii) an amine neutralised alkylaromatic sulphonic acid; and iii) a binder. Methods of marking a substrate comprising incorporating within or applying to a substrate the composition of this invention, and substrates coated with the composition, are also provided.
US08557509B2
There is disclosed a negative resist composition comprising at least (A) a base resin that is alkaline-soluble and is made alkaline-insoluble by action of an acid, and/or a combination of a base resin that is alkaline-soluble and is made alkaline-insoluble by reaction with a crosslinker by action of an acid, with a crosslinker, (B) an acid generator, and (C) a compound containing a nitrogen as a basic component, and forming a resist film having the film thickness X (nm) of 50 to 100 nm, wherein, in the case that the resist film is formed from the negative resist composition under the film-forming conditions for the pattern formation, a dissolution rate of the resist film into the alkaline developer used in the development treatment for the pattern formation is 0.0333X−1.0 (nm/second) or more and 0.0667X−1.6 (nm/second) or less. There can be a negative resist composition having excellent etching resistance and resolution and giving a good pattern profile even at the substrate's interface, a patterning process using the same, and a testing process and a preparation process of this negative resist composition.
US08557508B2
The present disclosure relates to a method of fabricating a capacitive touch pane where a plurality of groups of first conductive patterns are formed along a first direction, a plurality of groups of second conductive patterns are formed along a second direction, and a plurality of connection components are formed on a substrate. Each first conductive pattern is electrically connected to another adjacent first conductive pattern in the same group by each connection component and each group of the second conductive patterns is interlaced with and insulated from each group of the first conductive patterns. Next, a plurality of curved insulation mounds are formed to cover the first connection components. Then, a plurality of bridge components are formed to electrically connect each second conductive pattern with another adjacent second conductive pattern in the same group.
US08557501B2
Compositions characterized by the presence of an aqueous base-soluble polymer having aromatic moieties and aliphatic alcohol moieties have been found which are especially useful as developable bottom antireflective coatings in 193 nm lithographic processes. The compositions enable improved lithographic processes which are especially useful in the context of subsequent ion implantation or other similar processes where avoidance of aggressive antireflective coating removal techniques is desired.
US08557484B2
A Pt—Ni catalyst is provided which demonstrates an unusually high oxygen reduction mass activity. In some embodiments, the Pt—Ni catalyst is a Pt—Ni binary alloy. In some embodiments, the catalyst may be characterized as having a Pt fcc lattice parameter of less than 3.71 Angstroms or 0.371 nm. In some embodiments the catalyst has a Pt fcc lattice parameter of between 3.69 Angstroms (or 0.369 nm) and 3.73 Angstroms (or 0.373 nm). In some embodiments, the catalyst may be characterized as having a composition of close to PtxNi(1-x), where x is between 0.2 and 0.4. In some embodiments the catalyst comprises nanostructured elements comprising microstructured support whiskers bearing a thin film of nanoscopic catalyst particles comprising a catalyst material described above. The catalyst may be particularly useful as a fuel cell catalyst and more specifically as a fuel cell cathode catalyst.
US08557474B2
A fluorosulfonyl group-containing monomer having a high polymerization reactivity and plural fluorosulfonyl groups, a fluorosulfonyl group-containing polymer and a sulfonic acid group-containing polymer, obtained by using the monomer.
US08557472B2
There are provided a novel proton-conducting polymer membrane that shows good workability in a fuel cell assembling process and good proton conductivity and durability even under high-temperature, non-humidified conditions, a method for production thereof, and a fuel cell therewith. The proton-conducting polymer membrane includes: a polymer membrane containing a polybenzimidazole compound having a sulfonic acid group and/or a phosphonic acid group; and vinylphosphonic acid contained in the polymer membrane. The fuel cell uses the proton-conducting polymer membrane. The polybenzimidazole compound preferably includes a sulfonic and/or phosphonic acid group-containing component represented by Structural Formula (1): wherein n represents an integer of 1 to 4, R1 represents a tetravalent aromatic linking unit capable of forming an imidazole ring, R2 represents a bivalent aromatic linking unit, and Z represents a sulfonic acid group and/or a phosphonic acid group.
US08557470B2
A membrane/electrode assembly 10 for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which comprises an anode 15 having an anode catalyst layer 11 containing an anode catalyst and an ion-exchange resin, a cathode 16 having a cathode catalyst layer 13 containing a cathode catalyst and an ion-exchange resin, and a polymer electrolyte membrane 17 disposed between the anode 15 and the cathode 16, wherein the anode catalyst is one having platinum or a platinum alloy supported on a carbon, and the amount of platinum or a platinum alloy supported in the anode catalyst is from 1 to 25 mass %; and the anode catalyst layer 11 contains fine particles made of at least one member selected from iridium oxide, iridium, ruthenium oxide and ruthenium, and the fine particles have a specific surface area of from 2 to 50 m2/g.
US08557457B2
A method of operating a fuel cell system includes the steps of detecting whether supply of a raw fuel to a fuel cell module is stopped or not, starting supply of water vapor to an electrode surface of an anode based on the temperature of a fuel cell stack when stop of the supply of the raw fuel is detected, starting supply of reverse electrical current to an electrolyte electrode assembly in a direction opposite to electrical current flowing at the time of power generation based on the temperature of the fuel cell stack, stopping the supply of the reverse electrical current at least based on any of the temperature of the fuel cell stack and the temperature of an evaporator, and stopping the supply of the water vapor at least based on any of the temperature of the fuel cell stack and the temperature of the evaporator.
US08557456B2
The fuel cell system of the present invention has: a fuel cell including an electromotive unit comprising a fuel electrode, an oxidant electrode, and an electrolyte sandwiched by these electrodes; a fuel supply unit for supplying a fuel to the fuel electrode; and an oxidant supply unit for supplying an oxidant to the oxidant electrode. A product reduction mechanism unit is provided to reduce a fuel oxidation product produced at the fuel electrode when power is generated by the fuel cell. Based on this, decline in energy density due to the fuel and the fuel oxidation product and by-product can be prevented, without having a mechanism to discharge the fuel and the fuel oxidation product and by-product to the outside of the fuel cell.
US08557454B2
A method of shutting down operation of a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack, the method comprising the sequential steps of: i) ceasing a supply of fuel to the fuel cell stack; ii) closing a shut-off valve on an exhaust line in fluid communication with a cathode system of the fuel cell system, the cathode system comprising a cathode fluid flow path passing through the fuel cell stack; iii) pressurising the cathode system with an air compressor in fluid communication with a cathode air inlet port in the fuel cell stack; and iv) ejecting water from the cathode flow path.
US08557450B2
A fuel cell system (1), especially in a motor vehicle, includes at least one fuel cell (2) for generating electricity, at least one reformer (3) for generating a reformat gas, a fuel supply means (13) for feeding fuel to the reformer (3), a recycling means (83), which has a recycling line (31) connected to the reformer (3) for feeding anode waste gas of the fuel cell (2) to the reformer (3), and an air supply means (17), which has an air line (18) connected to the reformer (3) separately from the recycling line (31) for feeding air to the reformer (3). To increase performance, the fuel supply means (13) may be designed such that fuel can be introduced with it into the recycling line (31).
US08557438B2
A positive electrode is disclosed for a non-aqueous electrolyte lithium rechargeable cell or battery. The electrode comprises a lithium containing material of the formula NayLixNizMn1-z-z′Mz′Od, wherein M is a metal cation, x+y>1, 0
US08557436B2
A mounting arrangement for a battery pack in a vehicle including the battery pack and a vehicle body, the battery pack including a housing having a hollow interior and a battery assembly disposed in the hollow interior of the housing, wherein the battery assembly includes at least one battery cell and a plurality of rails coupled thereto, and the vehicle body including support rails and a compartment formed therein to receive the battery pack therein, wherein the compartment of the vehicle body supports the housing and the support rails support the rails of the battery assembly to divide a vertical load of the battery pack.
US08557434B2
The present invention aims to provide a method for insulatively covering the side surfaces and bottom of a prismatic outer can in a simple manner. This can be realized by adopting the following configuration: a prismatic cell including a prismatic outer can having an opening at the top thereof; a sealing body for sealing the opening; and positive and negative electrode external terminals that are protruded from and insulated from the sealing body, wherein the prismatic outer can is covered on the side surfaces and entire bottom with a piece of folded insulation sheet. Preferably, the bottom of the prismatic outer can is covered with only one piece of the insulating sheet, and all edges of the insulating sheet is positioned above the bottom of the outer can.
US08557430B2
A rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly including first and second electrode plates, each of which includes an electrode uncoated portion and a separator interposed between the first and second electrode plates, and at least one current collector plate, each current collector plate contacting one of the electrode uncoated portions of the first and second electrode plates, wherein each current collector plate includes a protrusion protruding toward the electrode assembly and having a contact portion contacting one of the electrode uncoated portions, and a slit in the contact portion disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of the electrode assembly.
US08557428B2
A battery module for containing a plurality of battery units, the battery module including first and second end plates facing each other; and a side plate, the side plate being for extending across a side of the battery units, and the side plate having a first end coupled to the first end plate and a second end coupled to the second end plate, wherein a work hardening unit is disposed at the second end of the side plate, the work hardening unit being hardened in such a way that the second end of the side plate is bent.
US08557415B2
A thermal management system is provided that minimizes the effects of thermal runaway within a battery pack. The system is comprised of a sealed battery pack enclosure configured to hold a plurality of batteries, where the battery pack enclosure is divided into a plurality of sealed battery pack compartments. The system also includes a plurality of battery venting assemblies, where at least one battery venting assembly is integrated into each of the sealed battery pack compartments, and where each of the battery venting assemblies includes an exhaust port integrated into an outer wall of the battery pack compartment and a valve, the valve being configured to seal the exhaust port under normal operating conditions and to unseal the exhaust port when at least one of the batteries within the battery pack compartment enters into thermal runaway.
US08557407B2
A high performance TMR sensor is fabricated by incorporating a tunnel barrier having a Mg/MgO/Mg configuration. The 4 to 14 Angstroms thick lower Mg layer and 2 to 8 Angstroms thick upper Mg layer are deposited by a DC sputtering method while the MgO layer is formed by a NOX process involving oxygen pressure from 0.1 mTorr to 1 Torr for 15 to 300 seconds. NOX time and pressure may be varied to achieve a MR ratio of at least 34% and a RA value of 2.1 ohm-um2. The NOX process provides a more uniform MgO layer than sputtering methods. The second Mg layer is employed to prevent oxidation of an adjacent ferromagnetic layer. In a bottom spin valve configuration, a Ta/Ru seed layer, IrMn AFM layer, CoFe/Ru/CoFeB pinned layer, Mg/MgO/Mg barrier, CoFe/NiFe free layer, and a cap layer are sequentially formed on a bottom shield in a read head.
US08557401B2
To provide a novel chrysene compound and an organic light-emitting device having high emission efficiency and excellent driving durability, provided is a novel triaryl-substituted chrysene compound represented by the general formula [1]: wherein Ar1 to Ar3 each represent a substituent selected from the group consisting of a substituted or unsubstituted naphthyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted phenanthryl group, and a substituted or unsubstituted fluorenyl group.
US08557395B2
A heat insulator is provided which can ensure satisfactory rigidity without increasing plate thickness. A number of convex portions are formed in an aluminum flat plate by embossing in an aligned state so that the flat plate part does not remain linearly between the convex portions. Each one convex portion has a hexagonal shape as viewed planarly, and the longitudinal section thereof, which includes vertices formed by opposing corners of the hexagonal shape, has a circular arc shape. The optimal value of convex height/convex width is a value in an experiment example, i.e., about 16.3% which is a value just before the start of blunting of the percentage performance improvement. From the viewpoint of a satisfactory percentage performance improvement, however, the convex height/convex width value is suitably not less than 12% and not more than 20.0%.
US08557391B2
Certain example embodiments relate to a coated article including at least one infrared (IR) reflecting layer of a material such as silver or the like in a low-E coating, and methods of making the same. In certain cases, at least one layer of the coating is of or includes nickel and/or titanium (e.g., NixTiyOz). The provision of a layer including nickel titanium and/or an oxide thereof may permit a layer to be used that has good adhesion to the IR reflecting layer, and reduced absorption of visible light (resulting in a coated article with a higher visible transmission). When a layer including nickel titanium oxide is provided directly over and/or under the IR reflecting layer (e.g., as a barrier layer), this may result in improved chemical and mechanical durability. Thus, visible transmission may be improved if desired, without compromising durability; or, durability may simply be increased.
US08557386B2
Selectively strippable coating compositions comprising at least one amine-terminated polyamide are disclosed. Multi-layer coatings formed from the selectively strippable coating compositions, and methods of using coating compositions comprising at least one amine-terminated polyamide to facilitate selective removal of an adjoining coating by a stripper are also disclosed.
US08557378B2
Adhesive tapes, articles containing the adhesive tapes, methods of making the adhesive tapes, and uses of the adhesive tapes are described. The adhesive tape is stretch releasable and can be used to couple two substrates together. The adhesive tape can be removed easily to separate the two substrates for any reason. The adhesive tape includes a backing layer and at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer adjacent to the backing layer. The backing layer contains a first acrylic copolymer. Each pressure-sensitive adhesive layer contains a second acrylic copolymer plus inorganic particles that are dispersed or suspended in the second acrylic copolymer.
US08557364B2
A film material formed of thermoplastic polymer material is processed so as to have linearly extending regions (A) linked together by linearly extending webs (B), regions (A) and webs (B) each being oriented, the dominant direction of orientation in regions (A) forming an angle (V) to the direction on which (A) extends and webs (B) comprising arrays of linear furrows of thinner material or splits forming angles (U) higher than (V) to the direction in which (A) extends. The method of producing the new film involves passing an orientated film through a pair of intermeshing grooved rollers to cold-stretch the film in a direction at an angle to the predominant original orientation, at least one of the grooved rollers having crests with sharp edges to form the division between regions A and webs B and to stretch the material to form webs B while stretching the material less or not at all to form regions A. Preferably at least one of the grooved rollers has crests with a waved surface shape.
US08557355B2
A retransfer intermediate sheet for receiving an image to be printed onto an article by thermal retrasfer comprises a substrate which is preferably heat-deformable; and an image-receiving coating on one side of the substrate, comprising an image-receiving layer for receiving an image by printing, preferably inkjet printing, of dye-containing ink, the image-receiving layer comprising amorphous porous silica, a first, non-dye absorbing polymeric binder and a second, flexible polymeric binder. The sheet is particularly useful for printing on three dimensional articles, e.g. being heated and vacuum formed to conform to an article. The invention also coven a method of printing and an article bearing a printed image.
US08557350B2
Method of bonding a layer (S) of silicone to a substrate (4′) of methacrylic polymer; the method involves positioning between the methacrylate polymer and the silicone a layer (9) of an organosilane having the formula R1Si(R2)3, in which R2 is OH and R1 is a methacrylic residue.
US08557349B2
A process for forming a protective sealant and coating onto a thermoplastic elastic substrate forming an article, including applying a paint coating composition to the surface of the elastomeric formed article, to provide a permanent printed coating thereon, and the step of applying a top coat treatment onto the paint coating composition as previously applied onto the thermoplastic elastomeric substrate forming the article.
US08557344B2
The present disclosure relates to a method for making a transparent carbon nanotube composite film. The method includes: (a) providing a transparent carbon nanotube film structure; (b) fixing the transparent carbon nanotube film structure on a supporting; (c) immersing the transparent carbon nanotube film structure with the supporting into a transparent polymer solution; and (d) removing the transparent carbon nanotube film structure with the supporting from the transparent polymer solution, thereby forming the transparent carbon nanotube composite film. A light transmittance of the transparent carbon nanotube composite film structure is higher than a light transmittance of the transparent carbon nanotube film structure.
US08557343B2
A method of activating an organic coating, a coated substrate having an activated coating and an activation treatment for an organic coating. In particular, the activation method improves the adhesion of the organic coating to further coating layers and/or to other entities.
US08557340B2
A system and method for depositing a substance onto a substrate comprises continuously transporting the substrate in a transport direction while traversing a deposition arrangement across the substrate to deposit the substance in a number of swathes. During such movement the positions of the deposition arrangement and the substrate are controlled with respect to one another such that the swathes complement one another to provide substantially uniform coverage of the substrate. As a result of the defined arrangement, improved substrate speeds can be achieved since there is no need for the substrate to stop at each traverse.
US08557332B2
A method for producing an optical film is provided and includes: simultaneously coating at least two coating solutions over a transparent support, the at least two coating solutions each containing a solvent and a solute; and drying the solvent in each of the at least two coating solutions to provide at least two coating layers. When the at least two coating layers are 1, 2, . . . n−1 and n layers in sequence from the outermost surface of the at least two coating layers toward the transparent support, n being an integer of 2 or more, the main component of the solute in the n-th layer is insoluble or sparingly soluble in the main component of the solvent in the (n−1)-th layer.
US08557329B2
Provided is a method of inhibiting magnetically induced aggregation of ferrimagnetic and/or ferromagnetic nanoparticles by encapsulating the nanoparticles in a silica shell. The method entails coating magnetic nanoparticle surfaces with a polyacid polymer to form polymer-coated magnetic nanoparticles and treating the polymer-coated magnetic nanoparticles with a silica precursor to form uniform silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles. By controlling the thickness of the silica encapsulating the nanoparticles, the inherent magnetically induced aggregation of the nanoparticles can be completely inhibited.
US08557327B2
The invention is to provide a gas diffusion layer for fuel cells having excellent adaptability against load change by attaining a good balance between anti-dry-out properties and anti-flooding properties. The gas diffusion layer for fuel cells containing a substrate layer and an conductive fine particle layer is formed by coating a coating liquid for forming the conductive fine particle layer on at least one surface of a substrate for forming the substrate layer using a gravure roll and by a kiss coating. In coating of the coating liquid, a speed difference is generated between a line speed of transferring the substrate and a circumferential speed of the gravure roll, and apparent viscosity [η(Pa·s)] of the coating liquid as determined by type B viscosimeter satisfies the following relations: 1.0<η<200.0 (3 rpm) 0.2<η<10.0 (30 rpm).
US08557326B1
A method for manufacturing polycarbonate solar cells. The method is designed to adapt many techniques used in the compact disc manufacturing industry to the manufacture of polycarbonate solar cells. The method comprises: creating a polycarbonate substrate for a solar cell; depositing a low resistivity cathodic contact layer on the polycarbonate substrate; depositing a photonic energy absorbing layer with a sputter chamber comprising a quaternary CIGS sputter target; using a modulated high intensity pulsed xenon flashlamp; depositing a buffer layer; depositing a highly resistive transmissive intrinsic layer; depositing a transmissive contact oxide window layer; adding anodic contacts to one of the layers; depositing an anti-reflective coating layer; and encapsulating the solar cell to provide environmental protection.
US08557323B2
A confectionery product comprises a first side and a second side generally opposite to the first side; the second side comprising an abrasive surface that is suitable for scrubbing the top surface of a tongue within the oral cavity. in preferred embodiments the first side is smooth and domed shaped. The abrasive surface may be generally convex and be provided by 1) a formed, uneven surface, 2) by including abrasive particles in the composition making up the second surface, or 3) a combination of a formed, uneven surface and abrasive particles. The confectionery product is preferably a hard confectionery, such as a pressed tablet. Preferred pressed tablets are made from a compressible composition and have at least one abrasive surface suitable for cleaning the surface of a human tongue in an oral cavity.
US08557311B2
Gynostemma extract compositions containing gynostemma extract and at least a carrier liquid are used as cleaning agents, emulsifiers, skin care products, and foaming agents. The gynostemma extract alone or together with other herbal extracts is mixed with water, glycerin, or a mixture of water and glycerin to produce the surfactant composition. The extracts have distinctive surface tension altering functions, reducing the surface tension of aqueous solutions and allowing foam formation, micelle formation, and emulsification with oil, dirt and water insoluble substances, and may also be used as an emulsification agent with other ingredients in cosmetic or personal care products.
US08557306B2
A natural formulation of compounds that would to modulate inflammation is disclosed. The formulation would also inhibit expression of COX-2, inhibit synthesis of prostaglandins selectively in target cells, and inhibit inflammatory response selectively in target cells. The compositions containing at least one fraction isolated or derived from hops. Other embodiments relate to combinations of components, including at least one fraction isolated or derived from hops, tryptanthrin and conjugates thereof, rosemary, an extract or compound derived from rosemary, a triterpene species, or a diterpene lactone or derivatives or conjugates thereof.
US08557301B2
Disclosed are oral rehydration compositions with sucrose, sodium, chloride, and citric acid or citrate. The composition further comprises an osmolarity of below 250 mOsm/L, and sodium below 75 meq/L. Further disclosed are methods of treatment using the same.
US08557297B2
The present invention contemplates the creation of a low fluoride oil processed from a phospholipid-protein complex (PPC) formed immediately upon a crustacean (i.e., for example, krill) catch. The process comprises disintegrating the crustaceans into smaller particles, adding water, heating the result, adding enzyme(s) to hydrolyze the disintegrated material, deactivating the enzyme(s), removing solids from the enzymatically processed material to reduce fluoride content of the material, separating and drying the PPC material. Then, using extraction with supercritical CO2 and ethanol as solvents, inter alia krill oil is separated from the PPC. In the extraction the krill oil can be separated almost wholly from the feed material. The products have low fluoride content. The manufacturing costs in the extraction process are relatively low.
US08557295B2
The invention describes methods and agents for improving cosmetic appearance, for promoting, improving or restoring health of cells and tissues, preferably skin, and more preferably, for restoring aged or damaged skin to a healthy appearance. In preferred embodiments, the methods and agents comprise active extracts produced from fish eggs. The invention further provides processes for making active fish egg extracts.
US08557291B2
An abuse-deterrent pharmaceutical composition has been developed to reduce the likelihood of improper administration of drugs, especially drugs such as opioids. In a preferred embodiment, a drug is modified to increase its lipophilicity. In some embodiments the modified drug is homogeneously dispersed within spherical microparticles composed of a material that is either slowly soluble or not soluble in water. In some embodiments the drug containing microparticles or drug particles are coated with one or more coating layers, where at least one coating is water insoluble and/or organic solvent insoluble. The abuse-deterrent composition retards the release of drug, even if the physical integrity of the formulation is compromised (for example, by chopping with a blade or crushing) and the resulting material is placed in water, snorted, or swallowed. However, when administered as directed, the drug is slowly released from the composition as the composition is passes through the GI tract.
US08557290B2
The present invention relates to nanoconjugates. In particular, the present invention provides nanoconjugates for diagnostic (e.g., imaging), research, and clinical (e.g., targeted treatment) applications.
US08557289B2
A nano sized particle for in vitro or ex vivo biomolecule delivery to cell cultures through heat induced endosomal release comprising a superparamagnetic core coated in a heat sensitive coating, comprising membrane disruptive components and binding sites for attachment of biomolecules and markers to be delivered is provided. A method is provided for introducing the release effect of a plurality of said biomolecule and endosomal disrupture molecules by applying an alternating field to a cell culture harboring the particle described by the invention.
US08557288B2
The field of the disclosure relates to microparticles comprising a cross-linked water-soluble polymer or cross-linked water-soluble polymers and a process for forming thereof. Further, the field of the disclosure relates to coatings and scaffolds comprising microparticles and the processes for forming thereof.
US08557281B2
A pharmaceutical controlled release composition in solid dosage form is provided which comprises (I) a water-swell able linear polymer obtainable by reacting together: (a) a polyethylene oxide; (b) a C5 to C20 diol; and (c) a diisocyanate; and (II) a releasable pharmaceutically active agent.
US08557276B2
The hair gluing product of the invention is gel or crystallizing protective growth serum that dries down to form a film over your natural hair and scalp. The invention allows for application of hair bonding glue without damaging natural hair or scalp. It contains aloe extract, tea tree oil, chamomile extract. It is available in an assortment of colors. The purpose of the gel or serum is to protect client's natural hair/scalp from being damaged by the use of hair bonding glue, which is used for weaving styles. When hair bonding glue is applied directly to the natural hair and scalp it has a tendency to cause breakage and leads to damage hair the invention will cover the natural hair, which will allow the hair bonding glue to be applied directly to the shield that appears after the invention dries on the hair/scalp.
US08557271B2
Methods and compositions for treating a tissue within a synovial joint in a patient in need of such treatment are provided. The methods and compositions involve inserting a drug depot through the synovial joint and attaching the drug depot to the inside of the synovial joint capsule so that the drug depot does not substantially interfere with movement of the joint, wherein said depot comprises a polymer and at least one pharmaceutical agent.
US08557267B2
A method for preventing and controlling the formation of biofouling on an object that is immersed or partially immersed in a water environment in which there is one or more organic or inorganic compounds capable of releasing gas, comprising the step of applying to the surface of the object a composition comprising a polymeric resin and one or more enzymes or a paint or a coating and one or more enzymes, wherein the one or more enzymes are adapted to catalyze a reaction of the one or more compounds that leads to the formation of gas.
US08557262B2
The present invention provides divinyl ether derivatives capable of releasing in a controlled manner at least one active aldehyde and/or ketone into the surrounding environment. The invention relates to the use of these divinyl ether derivatives as perfuming or flavoring ingredients, as well as to the perfuming compositions and consumer articles containing them.
US08557248B2
Provided herein are methods, compositions, and kits for preventing, inhibiting, reducing the severity of, or treating a disease or condition. A pharmaceutical composition provided herein can comprise a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antigen fused to an immune cell product, e.g., MIP-3α, and an adjuvant. The antigen can be from a bacteria, virus, fungus, parasite, or cancer. The antigen can be an Alzheimer's disease antigen.
US08557243B2
Antibodies containing one or more modular recognition domains (MRDs) that can be used to target the antibodies to specific sites are described. The use of antibodies containing one or more modular recognition domains to treat disease, and methods of making antibodies containing one or more modular recognition domains are also described.
US08557242B2
Antibodies containing one or more modular recognition domains (MRDs) that can be used to target the antibodies to specific sites are described. The use of antibodies containing one or more modular recognition domains to treat disease, and methods of making antibodies containing one or more modular recognition domains are also described.
US08557234B1
A method of controlling foam in a manure pit. In the method, one or more Bacillus strain(s) is administered in an effective amount to animals whose manure is stored in the manure pit. Also provided is a method of controlling foam in a manure storage unit. In the method, one or more Bacillus strain(s) is administered in an effective amount to the manure storage unit.
US08557232B2
Disclosed are Fc-interferon-beta (Fc-IFN-β) fusion proteins and nucleic acid molecules encoding them. The Fc-IFN-β fusion proteins include variants of the interferon-beta (IFN-β) protein that are altered to achieve enhanced biological activity, prolonged circulating half-life and greater solubility. Also disclosed are methods of producing the fusion proteins and methods of using the fusion proteins and/or nucleic acid molecules for treating diseases and conditions alleviated by the administration of interferon-beta.
US08557222B2
Methods for simultaneously detecting dementia or cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Parkinson's Disease (PD), Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) and Vascular Dementia (VaD) in a patient using dual or multiple radiopharmaceutical probes are provided herein.
US08557213B2
A novel carbon nanotube (64) is featured in that it has the highest Raman scattering intensity in the vicinity of 1580 cm−1 in its Raman spectrum. Carbon nanotubes can be grown on and from the catalytic fine particles (63) which consist of ultra-fine particles of cobalt oxide catalyst onto a substrate comprising a conductive substrate (62) and fine particles (63) of catalyst formed on a surface thereof. An electron emission device (60) so configured as to emit electrons by applying a voltage to apical ends (64a) of such carbon nanotubes (64) can be reduced in driving voltage and can achieve a current such as to emit a fluorescent material on the market for low-velocity electron beams. The electron emission device (60) needs no gate and can thus simplify the structure and reduce the cost of a surface light-emitting device for which the element is used. The carbon material remains unoxidized even in a low vacuum and thus allows realizing a light emitting device that can be paneled more easily, and is longer in operating life than those using a conventional electron emission device.
US08557203B2
A device is described which provides thermally durable NO2 generation in conjunction with efficient heat-up performance for filter regeneration, and low temperature HC (hydrocarbon) and CO activity. Importantly, it provides both functions while minimizing PGM (platinum group metals) utilization and its associated impact on catalyst cost.
US08557202B1
A separation method of zirconium and hafnium according to an example of the present invention comprising, mixing step to prepare a crude liquid for extraction, by mixing a sulfuric acid solution including zirconium and hafnium, a catalyst, and an acidic extractant; and first extraction step to form a first extract solution layer comprising the acidic extractant in which the hafnium has been extracted and a sulfuric acid solution layer separated from the first extract solution layer, wherein the acidic extractant comprises any one selected from a group consisting of D2EHPA (Di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid), PC88A (2-Ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester), and a combination thereof. The separation method not only saves the amount of extractant used but also increases separation effect of zirconium and hafnium known to be difficult for separating each other, without using no toxic compound such as cyan.
US08557201B1
The present invention is directed to a new more environmentally friendly method for the recovery of uranium from pregnant liquor solutions that comprise high concentration of sulfate by using an amino phosphonic functionalized resin.
US08557196B2
A sample block for use in the polymerase chain reaction, DNA sequencing, and other procedures that involve the performance of simultaneous reactions in multiple samples with temperature control by heating or cooling elements contacting the bottom surface of the block is improved by the inclusion of hollows in the block that are positioned to decrease the mass of the block in the immediate vicinity of the wells.
US08557195B2
A sensor substrate includes a base and fibrous projections on an upper surface of the base. The fibrous projections have fixed ends fixed to the upper surface of the base and free ends opposite to the fixed ends, respectively. The fibrous projections provide a fixed end-side region including the fixed ends and a free end-side region including the free ends. The total surface area at which the fibrous projections in the fixed end-side region is larger than that in the free end-side region.
US08557193B2
A method and apparatus for effective pyrolysis of a biomass utilizing rapid heat transfer from a solid heat carrier or catalyst. Particularly, various embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatuses which incorporate progressive temperature quenching and rapid disengagement of the heat carrier material and reaction product.
US08557171B2
The invention relates to a method allowing cost-effective production of doped quartz glass, particularly laser-active quartz glass, that is improved with regard to the homogeneity of the doping material distribution, in that a suspension is provided comprising SiO2 particles and an initial compound for at least one doping material in an aqueous fluid, the fluid being removed under formation of a doped intermediate product comprising particles of the doping material or particles of the precursor substance or the doping material, and the doped quartz glass is formed by sintering the doped intermediate product, wherein at least part of the particles of the doping material or the particles of the precursor substance of the same is generated in the suspension as a precipitate of a pH-value-controlled precipitation reaction of the initial compound.
US08557166B2
The present invention relates to a wood composite panel having a major planar portion, at least one panel portion, and an inwardly extending contoured portion surrounding the panel portion and interconnecting the major planar portion and the panel portion. The contoured portion defines an inter-relationship between a vector angle and a deep draw depth that achieve a satisfactory stretch factor. The present invention also relates to a door having the disclosed wood composite door facings, and methods of forming the facing and door.
US08557162B2
A mechanical activation system has a first activation member, a second activation member, an activation zone, and a non-slip zone. The first activation member has a first plurality of teeth, and the second activation member has a second plurality of teeth. The first plurality of teeth is capable of intermeshing with the second plurality of teeth. The activation zone includes a first portion of the first plurality of teeth and a first portion of the second plurality of teeth. The first portion of the first plurality of teeth and the first portion of the second plurality of teeth include teeth having continuous tips. The first non-slip zone includes a second portion of the first plurality of teeth or a second portion of the second plurality of teeth. The second portion includes a tooth having a discontinuous tip.
US08557157B2
A method of manufacturing an article of footwear having a direct attach sole component includes providing an upper and a receptacle shell that defines a receptacle adapted to receive a cushion insert. A molding insert is placed into the receptacle, and the upper is joined with the receptacle shell. A mold is closed about the receptacle shell and at least a portion of the upper to form a mold cavity corresponding to the direct attach sole component. Material is introduced into the mold cavity to form the direct attach sole component. The mold insert protects the shell from deformation during the molding process. The mold insert is removed and replaced with a cushioning insert after the molding process. The footwear can optionally include a partially transparent shell that supports a sole component that receives a cushion insert, such that the cushion insert and/or sole component are visible through the shell.
US08557154B2
A process for the production of polyolefin pellets by cuffing a raw material which contains a molten polyolefin resin and which is extruded from an extrusion orifice (121) of a die (12) into predetermined lengths with an underwater cutter (14) which is set in close vicinity to the die face of the die (12) and which rotates in water, satisfying the following requirements (A) to (C): (A) the average linear velocity (u) of the raw material passing through the extrusion orifice (121) as defined by the equation (Eq-1) is 50 to 650 mm/sec, (B) the fictitious aspect ratio (r) as defined by the equation (Eq-2) is 1.6 or below, and (C) the r/u value is 0.002 or above wherein Q is extrusion rate (mm3/sec) of the raw material per extrusion orifice; R is radius (mm) of the extrusion orifice; and t is cutting time (sec) defined as an inverse number of the product of the number of revolution of the under-water cutter and the number of blades of the cutter.
US08557152B2
A method of making a flooring element. The flooring element is a tile formed of a polymer with embedded filler material. The filler material includes abrasive particles adjacent the top surface and a resilient or rubber-like material. The bottom surface of the tile includes a plurality of particles embedded in and extending from the bottom, which enables the tile to be securely adhered to a substrate. One embodiment of a method of making the tile includes adding a first layer containing a filler material to a mold, vibrating the mold to cause the heavier filler material to sink, applying a plurality of particles to the top of the polymer mixture in the mold, and polymerizing the mixture in the mold. In another embodiment, a second layer including resilient particles is added to the mold above the first layer before the mold is vibrated.
US08557149B2
A system and method are provided for implementing enhanced optics fabrication for making a concave focusing optical lens with a selected material of a crystal or an amorphous material and a support member. A cut-out is formed in the support member with a depth based upon the final, desired curvature of the concave focusing optical lens. The cut-out is partially filled with an epoxy and the selected crystal or amorphous material is placed on top thereby creating a quasi-vacuum seal. A vacuum pump is connected to the support member, providing a set vacuum level until the epoxy has hardened and the selected crystal or amorphous material has achieved its final curvature. Vacuum pressure is substantially uniformly applied to the crystal, providing substantially uniform stresses on the surface of the final concave focusing optical lens.
US08557136B2
Provided are azeotrope or azeotrope-like compositions comprised of 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233zd) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane (HCFC-123).
US08557135B2
The present invention relates to azeotrope and azeotrope-like compositions comprised of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) and ammonia, and uses thereof.
US08557123B2
Disclosed herein are systems for removing particulate matter from a fluid, comprising a particle functionalized by attachment of at least one activating group or amine functional group, wherein the modified particle complexes with the particulate matter within the fluid to form a removable complex therein. The particulate matter has preferably been contacted, complexed or reacted with a tethering agent. The system is particularly advantageous to removing particulate matter from a tailing solution.
US08557121B1
A system and method for capturing ecologically harmful substances in the nature of hydrocarbons from the surface of a body of water or from the ground adjacent a landfill or waste dump or from a shoreline of a body of water into which residual waste fluids from an adjacent ground leakage is passed. The system and method including a plurality of modular traps. The traps having a side, end, top and bottom panels constructed of a material that allows fluid flow therethrough.
US08557120B2
The invention relates to a process for collectively separating all the actinides (III), (IV), (V) and (VI) present in a strongly acidic aqueous phase, from the fission products, and in particular from the lanthanides, which are also present in this phase, using two extractants that operate in unconnected chemical fields.Applications: reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuels, especially to recover plutonium, neptunium, americium, curium and, possibly, uranium present in trace amounts, in a grouped manner but selectively with respect to the lanthanides, from a solution for dissolution of an irradiated nuclear fuel, downstream of a uranium extraction cycle.
US08557112B2
A fine bubble diffusing tube that can generate fine bubbles evenly and uniformly even when the diffusing tube has a long length, a fine bubble diffusing device using such a tube and a submerged membrane separation apparatus are produced. The fine bubble diffusing tube is provided with a cylindrical supporting tube 1, and an elastic sheet 2 with fine slits formed therein, with the elastic sheet 2 being placed to cover the outer circumference of the supporting tube 1, so that, upon supplying a gas to a space between the elastic sheet 2 and the supporting tube 1, the fine slits of the elastic sheet 2 are opened to generate fine bubbles, and the supporting tube 1 has a length L of 1000 mm or more in the longitudinal direction, with gas supply units 4 serving as gas flow inlets being attached to the two ends of the supporting tube.
US08557111B2
A low concentration wastewater treatment system is provided that includes a high flux adsorbent material treatment system integrated with a low flux adsorbent material biological regeneration reactor. The high flux adsorbent material treatment system includes one or more unit operations for mixing low concentration wastewater with adsorbent material that is fresh, recycled, or a combination of both, and for decanting a liquid effluent having a reduced level of contaminants. The adsorbent material with adsorbed contaminants is regenerated in a low flux adsorbent material biological regeneration reactor in which a biological reaction occurs, such as biological oxidation, wherein organic contaminants in the wastewater are metabolized generally into carbon dioxide and water. Excess biomass is removed from the adsorbent material, and the thus-regenerated adsorbent material is recycled to the high flux adsorbent material treatment system.
US08557109B1
A drain cover having a main drainage surface with relatively larger apertures or openings therein, comprising generally 50 percent of the surface, so that larger debris is accepted into a related drain pipe when a depending skirt portion of the drain cover, having smaller perforations, becomes clogged. In this way a two-layer drainage system for a generally flat surface is provided that allows draining of water and small particulates alone when possible, but upon the clogging of the smaller openings the generally flat surface can be protected from flooding by allowing larger particulates to drain into the main drainage surface. The main drainage surface is held above the flat surface by the depending skirt, at a level of ⅜ to 1 inch above the flat surface. When the depending skirt openings are clogged the water and debris will rise until allowed to drain into the larger openings of the main drainage surface.
US08557101B2
This invention relates to a process for electrochemical conversion of dibenzothiophene type molecules of petroleum feedstreams selectively to mercaptan compounds that can then be more easily removed from the electrochemically treated product stream by either caustic extraction or thermal decomposition of the thiol functionality to hydrogen sulfide. The conversion of dibenzothiophenes to mercaptans is performed by electrochemical means in the substantial absence of hydrogen and in the substantial absence of water.
US08557093B2
A system for substrate deposition. The system includes a wafer pallet and an anode. The wafer pallet has a bottom and a top. The top of the wafer pallet is configured to hold a substrate wafer. The anode has a substantially fixed position relative to the wafer pallet and is configured to move with the wafer pallet through the deposition chamber. The anode is electrically isolated from the substrate wafer.
US08557092B2
A backing plate for use in a sputtering deposition apparatus being capable of stably holding Ga, and a sputtering deposition apparatus which is equipped with the backing plate are provided. Such a backing plate for use in a sputtering deposition apparatus is a backing plate for holding a target material which contains Ga, and at least a contact surface of which coming into contact with the target material is constituted from an easily wettable material having a contact angle to Ga in a liquid state of not more than 90°.
US08557090B2
An electrolysis installation for decomposing water into hydrogen and oxygen comprises: an electrolysis stack; a water recirculation system supplying water to the stack and comprising a circuit and a recirculation pump, first and second separators for separating from water hydrogen and oxygen respectively produced in the stack; a hydraulic supply means supplying the recirculation circuit with deionised water to compensate for water consumed by production of gaseous hydrogen and oxygen, and an extinguishing means for inertising the first and second separators when the installation is shut down, wherein the extinguishing means comprises first and second relief valves provided on the first and second separators, respectively, wherein the valves relieve pressure in the two separators simultaneously while keeping the water level inside the two separators substantially constant, and the extinguishing means controls the supply means to completely fill the two separators with water once the two separators are relieved of pressure.
US08557087B2
The present invention relates to a process for the separation by distillation of a hydrocarbon-containing feed stream containing olefin monomer, co-monomer and hydrocarbon diluent. The present invention also relates to a distillation system including a distillation column for carrying out the process according to the invention.
US08557085B1
In a papermaking machine, a dryer apparatus for drying a web. The dryer apparatus includes a drying cylinder and an upstream roll cooperating with a peripheral surface of the drying cylinder. A looped felt extends around the upstream roll and is guided by the upstream roll so that the looped felt and the peripheral surface of the drying cylinder define therebetween a nip for the passage therethrough of the web. The looped felt moves away from the peripheral surface of the drying cylinder downstream relative to the nip such that the web inherently follows and is supported by the peripheral surface of the drying cylinder downstream relative to the nip. A shoe press is disposed downstream relative to the nip, the shoe press including a looped press felt and a shoe which cooperates with the peripheral surface of the drying cylinder downstream relative to the nip.
US08557078B2
A method and apparatus for creating a design that is melded onto an underlying layer of material that is then cut out and applied onto a final surface to produce an appliqué. The design is first created using a printer to print a design onto a top layer of “puff” or other suitable cloth material. The printed design area is cut out of the top layer material and then the bottom layer, to create a two layer appliqué that resembles a traditional stitched appliqué.
US08557077B2
A method for producing disposable undergarments is disclosed. The method generally comprises combining a first layer, comprising an elastic material sandwiched between layers of nonwoven material, and a second layer, comprising a backing material and a graphically printed applied patch of material layer.
US08557075B2
The device for joining at least two plies of paper (V1, V2), in particular tissue paper, comprises a ply-bonding unit (9) and moistening means (11) to moisten at least one of said two plies before joining.
US08557071B2
The present invention relates to an ultrasound welding device for welding material webs, for example, films, having an anvil (1) with an anvil welding surface, and a sonotrode (2) with a sonotrode welding surface, wherein the anvil is movable relative to the sonotrode. In order to provide an ultrasound welding device that reacts promptly to changes in material thickness and properties of the material to be welded, the invention proposes to provide a counterforce generator, which exerts a counterforce on the anvil in the direction of the sonotrode, if the anvil is moved out of a reference position away from the sonotrode.
US08557069B2
Provided are an optical display device manufacturing system and an optical display device manufacturing method which can more preferably carry out a defect inspection. A detection condition of a defect in the inspection of an optical film before being bonded to an optical display unit carried out by a defect inspection apparatus (14, 24) is corrected based on the result of inspection of the optical display device with the optical film bonded, carried out by an inspection apparatus (30), and the optical film including the defects detected by the defect inspection apparatuses (14, 24) based on the corrected detection condition are excluded. Accordingly, since it is possible to adjust the standard of the defect inspection carried out by the defect inspection apparatus (14, 24) in conformity to the standard of the defect inspection which is later carried out by the inspection apparatus (30), it is possible to more preferably carry out the defect inspection, and it is possible to improve a yield ratio of the optical film.
US08557067B2
A substrate, an array of organic electroluminescence element groups disposed on the substrate, each organic electroluminescence element group formed of a plurality of organic electroluminescence elements, a protective layer disposed on the array of organic electroluminescence element groups, and a laminate member disposed on the protective layer were divided between the array of organic electroluminescence element groups into a plurality of organic electroluminescence panels.
US08557056B2
A tool steel, in particular a hot-work steel, has the following composition: 0.26 to 0.55% by weight C; less than 2% by weight Cr; 0 to 10% by weight Mo; 0 to 15% by weight W; wherein the W and Mo contents in total amount to 1.8 to 15% by weight; carbide-forming elements Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta forming a content of from 0 to 3% by weight individually or in total; 0 to 4% by weight V; 0 to 6% by weight Co; 0 to 1.6% by weight Si; 0 to 2% by weight Mn; 0 to 2.99% by weight Ni; 0 to 1% by weight S; remainder: iron and inevitable impurities. The hot-work steel has a significantly higher thermal conductivity than known tool steels.
US08557052B2
A method of removing a polymer material from an optical fiber assembly includes: disposing a liquid metallic material proximate to the polymer material, the polymer material being bonded to the optical fiber; heating the liquid metallic material to a temperature sufficient to burn the polymer material and de-bond the polymer material from a surface of the optical fiber; and removing the polymer material and liquid metal from the surface of the optical fiber.
US08557050B1
The system includes a wash source configured to concurrently generate a plurality of streams that are each incident on a sensor structure configured to detect a presence and/or amount of a compound on the sensor structure. The sensor structure has electrodes on a substrate. The wash source generates the streams such that each one of the streams is incident on a different one of the electrodes. Each of the streams is incident on one of the electrodes at an angle that is non-perpendicular to the sensor.
US08557043B2
The present invention discloses a new testing method of group III-nitride wafers. By utilizing the ammonothermal method, GaN or other Group III-nitride wafers can be obtained by slicing the bulk GaN ingots. Since these wafers originate from the same ingot, these wafers have similar properties/qualities. Therefore, properties of wafers sliced from an ingot can be estimated from measurement data obtained from selected number of wafers sliced from the same ingot or an ingot before slicing. These estimated properties can be used for product certificate of untested wafers. This scheme can reduce a significant amount of time, labor and cost related to quality control.
US08557042B2
A method for manufacturing a single crystal of nitride by epitaxial growth on a substrate appropriate for the growth of the crystal. The substrate includes, deposited on the edges of its growth surface, a mask appropriate to prevent growing of the single crystal on the edges of the substrate.
US08557026B2
The invention provides a process for producing purified natural gas from feed natural gas comprising water and carbon dioxide, the process comprising the steps of: (a) removing water from the feed natural gas to obtain natural gas depleted in water and comprising carbon dioxide; (b) contacting the natural gas obtained in step (a) with solid sorbent comprising a metal organic framework to remove at least part of the carbon dioxide, thereby obtaining the purified natural gas.
US08557023B2
The invention relates to a device for preparing a gas flow for introduction thereof into a mass spectrometer, wherein the gas flow contains one or more analytes and has helium as carrier gas. According to the invention, a selective separating device is provided for separating off a part of the carrier gas from the gas flow (10), to form a residual gas flow (11) and a separated carrier gas flow (12). A higher fraction of the analyte is present therein than in the gas flow and in the separated carrier gas flow there is a lower fraction of the analyte.
US08557019B2
A method for producing metal oxide from a metal salt selected from nickel hydroxide, cobalt hydroxide, mixed nickel-cobalt hydroxide, nickel carbonate, cobalt carbonate or mixed nickel-cobalt carbonate includes providing a mixture of the metal salt, mixing the metal salt with a binder selected from an inorganic binder or an organic binder, forming the mixture into agglomerates, and calcining the agglomerates to produce metal oxide. Another method for making metallic nickel or cobalt includes providing the above metal salt, mixing the metal salt with the above binder to form a mixture, optionally adding water, forming the mixture into agglomerates, drying the agglomerates, adding an effective reducing amount of coke and/or coal and directly reducing the dried agglomerates with an effective amount of heat to produce metallic nickel and/or cobalt. Coke particles may be added to the mixture prior to agglomeration.
US08557014B2
A carbonaceous-based metallizing method and apparatus wherein a metallic oxide is converted into a carbon-containing, metallized intermediate that is melted in an induction channel furnace to produce liquid metal from said metallic oxide. In the application of iron ore in the form of fines or concentrate, using low-cost coal will greatly reduce capital and operating costs by virtue of eliminating agglomeration of ore, cokemaking, and blast furnace operation. The liquid iron so produced is efficiently converted into steel in a steelmaking furnace such as a basic oxygen furnace (BOF), especially when it is physically integrated to the induction channel furnace wherein the liquid iron is directly poured into the integrated BOF by the induction channel furnace, producing low-cost steel, little heat loss, and minimum emissions.
US08557003B2
New, highly effective substantially pure Mannich detergents for use in hydrocarbon fuels reduce engine deposits in spark and compression ignition internal combustion engines. The Mannich condensation reaction products are obtainable by reacting: (i) a polyamine having primary amino groups, (ii) a hydrocarbyl-substituted hydroxyaromatic compound, and (iii) an aldehyde, wherein the reaction is conducted at in a molar ratio of (i):(ii):(iii) of approximately 1:2:3 or 1:1:2. The Mannich detergent compounds may be dispersed in a liquid carrier to provide a fuel additive concentrate for hydrocarbon engine fuels which effectively control engine deposit formation in intake valves, port fuel injectors and combustion chambers.
US08557002B2
The reaction product resulting from the chemical reaction of an alkyl phenol with an acid or an anhydride selected from the group consisting of a saturated dicarboxylic acid, an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, an anhydride of a saturated dicarboxylic acid, an anhydride of an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, and combinations thereof, has been discovered to improve the properties of various fluids. In a non-limiting example, the reaction products may have an acid number from about 0 to about 50 that may improve the lubricity and/or corrosion of fuels and lubricants, such as hydrocarbon fuels and lubricants, when added thereto.
US08557001B2
Diesel fuel formulation is provided containing (i) FAME with ≦50% w/w saturates, (ii) dialkyl carbonate (DAC) and (iii) an additional diesel fuel component. Also provided is a diesel fuel supplement containing FAME and DAC, for use in a diesel fuel formulation.
US08557000B2
A process for converting lignocellulosic materials which are field residues such as cotton stalks and corn stover, process residues such as sugarcane bagasse and sweet sorghum bagasse, woody parts of energy crops such as switchgrass and miscanthus, forest residues or byproducts of the wood processing industries such as sawdust from sawmills to a liquid biofuel by a series of processing steps wherein the feed materials are hydrolysed in three stages and withdrawn as three product streams each consisting of solubilized fragments of one of the three major components of the feed materials and a set of concurrently operating processing steps wherein each of the three product streams is transformed through chemical or biochemical processes into products, such as pure lignin and ethanol, that have a high calorific value and process wherein these products with high calorific value are combined to form a liquid biofuel.
US08556978B2
The present invention relates to methods of separating, supporting or both separating and supporting layers of tissue in the human spine. Such methods generally comprise inserting at least one member between layers of tissue in the human spine and changing the configuration of the member to define a support structure between the tissue layers.
US08556959B2
A stent to be implanted in a living body is formed substantially as a tube having a form in which plural wavy annular members are arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the stent, with the axially adjacent wavy annular members connected to each other. The stent possesses an outer diameter whose dimension is so set that the stent is insertable into a lumen inside a living body, and is expandable when a force spreading radially from the inside of the tube is applied. The wavy annular member has parallel straight-line portions extending parallel to the axis of the stent before and after the stent expands. The stent has connection portions each connecting ends of the parallel straight-line portions of the adjacent wavy annular members to each other.
US08556956B2
A removable device such as a stent-graft, intended for applications where it may be desirable to remove the device at some time following implantation. The stent-graft of the present invention includes a helically-wound stent component provided with a covering of graft material. It is removable by gripping an end of the helically-wound stent component with a retrieval device and applying tension to the stent component in the direction in which it is intended to be withdrawn from the site of implantation. The use of such a retrieval device allows the stent-graft to be removed remotely, such as via a catheter inserted into the body at a different location from the implantation site. The design of the stent-graft is such that the stent component is extended axially while the adjacent portion of the graft separates between windings of the stent component. The axial extension of the stent component, with portions of the graft still joined to the stent component, allows the device to be “unraveled” (or “unwound”) and removed through a catheter of diameter adequately small to be inserted into the body cavity that contained the stent-graft. It is removed atraumatically, without incurring significant trauma to the body conduit in which it had been deployed.
US08556954B2
Methods of using flow reducing implants for treatment of abnormal growths in the body are described. In embodiments of the claimed subject matter, a source blood vessel feeding the abnormal growth is first determined, and a flow reducing implant is then inserted into the source blood vessel to reduce the blood flow through the source blood vessel. The flow reducing implant includes at least one flared section for contacting a blood vessel wall, and at least one narrowed section defining a flow passage. Anchor tabs that lie generally in a plane of the flared section may also be employed.
US08556948B2
A sternal closure clamp device for securing and retaining longitudinally divided halves of a sternum, and its method of use, the device having a pair of body members each having engagement members adapted to abut the sides of the sternal halves, and at least one rib extension member having rib retaining members and attached to at least one of said body members, such that the rib extension member can be secured to a rib to reduce the force being applied directly to the sternal halves.
US08556943B2
The invention relates to a locking ring (20) for a threaded holding pin (18) to be screwed into a part of a bone (14), said ring including a first portion (22) having an axial bore (24) for receiving said holding pin, the periphery of said first portion being threaded so as to interact with a holding plate (12), wherein said ring in characterized in that the same further comprises, as an extension to said first portion, a second portion (28), said second portion being deformable and thus capable of blocking said ring on said pin by deformation.
US08556933B2
Surgical bolts are useful for solid visceral wound hemostasis. The devices utilize flexible, variable depth transfixing bolts that penetrate the viscera. These bolts bring the tissue into apposition and hold said tissue in apposition while the wound heals. These bolts, or soft tissue rivets, overcome the limitations of sutures that are currently used for the same purposes. The devices are flexible, bendable, and conformable in their wet or dry state. The bolts include pressure plates that are capable of exerting compressive pressure over broad areas of visceral wounds without causing tearing of the friable parenchyma. The bolts are placed and removed by open surgery or laparoscopic access. The bolts can be placed into tissue where both sides of the bolt are exposed, or they can be placed blindly into tissue where the bolt does not protrude out of the tissue at its distal end.
US08556927B2
The embolic coil includes a microcoil and an elongated wire electrically connected to the microcoil for accelerating embolization of an aneurysm into which the embolic coil is placed. The microcoil is formed of a first metallic material having a first reduction potential, and the elongated wire is formed of a second metallic material having a second reduction potential lower than the first reduction potential of the first metallic material.
US08556924B2
A natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) device is provided with a puncture needle including a puncture end, an intermediate protruding safety stud, and a positioning projection on an outer surface; dilator sheaths each including tapered first diameters, an insert member at one end, a limiting shoulder at the other end, a positioning protrusion on an outer surface, and a groove on an inner surface; working sheaths each having a plurality of tapered second diameters and including a positioning protuberance on an outer surface and a trough on an inner surface; and a tool member including a shaft having a graduation on an outer surface, and an operating head threadedly secured to the shaft.
US08556914B2
A medical device, such as a guidewire, catheter, or the like, that includes an elongated tubular member that includes a plurality of angled slots defined in at least a distal section thereof. The plurality of angled slots can form a generally spiral shaped pattern about the longitudinal axis of the tubular member, and can be useful, for example, in aiding a user of the device in crossing an occlusion in a vessel of a patient. In some embodiments, the distal section of the tubular member may have an outer diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of a proximal section of the tubular member. In some embodiments, a proximal section of the tubular member may include a plurality of slots defined therein, for example, that may be configured to increase the lateral flexibility of the tubular member.
US08556910B2
Systems and methods for delivering bone cement into a bone can include a handle body defining a flow path, a thermal emitter in the handle body to apply energy to bone cement passing through the flow path, a source of bone cement and an injection cannula. The cannula can be in communication with the flow path such that inserting the cannula into a bone can allow a flow of bone cement therethrough to an opening at a distal end of the cannula. Other systems and methods for delivering bone cement into a bone can include an injector body with a handle portion, and a cannula, a bone cement container, a low pressure drive mechanism configured to effect a flow of bone cement from said container to the injector body and a high pressure drive mechanism configured to effect a flow of bone cement through the injector body into the bone.
US08556903B2
A surgical reducing instrument is used to position an elongated implant element in a desired position relative to one or more of the bone anchors of a spinal implant system. The reducing instrument includes a mounting member that is mounted to the anchor and extends along a first longitudinal axis and an implant reducing member pivotally linked to the mounting member that extends along a second longitudinal axis that is offset from and variably positionable relative to the first longitudinal axis about a pivot axis. The reducing member contacts the implant element and includes a manipulation portion to move the implant element along the second longitudinal axis and can maintain contact to move the implant element toward the bone anchor when the reducing member is pivoted relative to the mounting member about the pivot axis.
US08556899B2
A surgical instrument, in particular a laminectomy rongeur or a conchotome, with a shaft and with a one-piece sliding part, longitudinally displaceable relative to the shaft, with which for longitudinal displacement a grip part is associated which is pivotable about a pivot axis, wherein the sliding part is able to be transferred from a working position, in which the sliding part is guided longitudinally displaceably on the shaft in a guide, into a cleaning position, in which the sliding part is freed from the guide and is pivotable relative the shaft about a rotation axis oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal extent of the shaft. The rotation axis is aligned perpendicularly to the pivot axis of the pivotable grip part.
US08556892B2
A method of applying ablation energy to achieve transmurality including applying ablation energy at a starting power to a tissue site and monitoring the impedance of the tissue site. A power applied to the tissue site can be reduced as a function of a rate of an increase in impedance according to some embodiments.
US08556883B2
An engagement system for a surgical sensor assembly, formed of a sensing component in a fixed position and a lead wire in an electrical communication therewith. The engagement system employs a jacket of heat shrink polymeric material to hold the sensing component to the lead wire and eliminates the employment of soldering and welding and crimping which can damage such sensing components. The system is employed in combination with catheters having a lumen for control wires for surgical instruments.
US08556875B2
The invention provides an absorbent laminate for absorbing a body fluid and usable for a disposable absorbent article, in which the absorbent laminate comprises an upper layer absorbent body and a lower layer absorbent body, the upper layer absorbent body has at least one opening part extended continuously or discontinuously in the longitudinal direction of the upper layer absorbent body, and the maximum width W1 of the opening part is 40% or less of the minimum width W2 of the upper layer absorbent body. The invention also provides a disposable absorbent article provided with the absorbent laminate.
US08556874B2
The absorbent article provides a signal viewable from the top surface of the absorbent article which gives a perception of depth within the absorbent article. This creation of depth perception is accomplished by the use of at least two tones within a color and/or by the use of multiple tones and multiple colors operating together to create a perception of depth within the absorbent article.
US08556867B2
Various embodiments of a “smart” drug delivery system are provided which includes an add-on module and a reusable or disposable drug pen in conjunction with a data management unit(s) DMU. Upon attachment to the pen, the add-on module may: determine dosage selected, injection of selected dosage, duration of injection, time of injection, whether the pen has been primed or shaken to thoroughly mix up insulin mixtures, transmit information relating to insulin dosage and injection to a data management unit, provide reminders, error warning or messages on improper usage or reuse of needles, track amount of drug remaining on board the pen or duration of usage of pen with respect to expiry of the drug on board, or provide an audible alarm for locating misplaced pen and module. Methods of using the drug delivery system are also described.
US08556863B2
A needle protective housing used to cover a contaminated needle after use is configured to have at least one cam positioned below the lip of the sheath attached to the base of the needle device for covering the needle prior to use. When the sheath is attached to the base of the needle device, the needle protective housing is positioned in proximity to the sheath. To remove the sheath, a user would pivotally move the needle protective housing in a direction away from the sheath so that the cam coacts against the lip of the sheath in an upward direction as the needle protective housing is pivoted downwards relative to the needle device. The cam may be an integral extension of the needle protective housing, or it may be a clip retrofittable to the needle protective housing.
US08556862B2
A medical injector is provided herein having a body and a needle mounting surface movable relative to the body, the needle mounting surface having features for mounting a needle thereto. In an initial state, the needle mounting surface is disposed within the body with no needle mounted thereto. With relative movement between the body and the needle mounting surface, the needle mounting surface is urged out of the body. Advantageously, a medical injector is provided which ensures proper sequence in preparation of the device, particularly with respect to the step of allowing mounting of a medical needle to the device subsequent to preparation of the medicament to be administered.
US08556854B2
Embodiments of a retractable syringe assembly are provided that include a dual syringe barrel configuration. One or more embodiments include reuse prevention features and features that prevent premature activation of the retraction mechanism. Methods for aspirating and expelling liquid from medical devices are also provided.
US08556851B2
A catheter system suitable for the retrieval of debris and other solid or liquid matter from body passages, and the removal of said matter from the body. More particularly, a catheter system including two or more concentrically-arranged conduits and an inflatable element connected therebetween, wherein the inflatable element is arranged such that it may entrap solid or liquid matter in an internal annular cavity.
US08556844B2
A blood treatment device provides a photopheresis treatment using a microfluidic separation channel to separate blood components into layers The layering caused by laminar flow in the microfluidic separation channel allows light to be projected through plasma onto leukocytes without hindrance by erythrocytes.
US08556836B2
Disclosed herein is a control system for an exoskeleton haptic device, having: a frame structure, to be coupled to the body of a subject; actuators, carried by the frame structure and operable to cause movement of a number of joints of the body; and sensors, coupled to the body to detect first signals indicative of an intention of movement of the subject. The control system is provided with: a feedback stage, controlling a position of the joints based on a reference position; a feedforward stage, controlling a compliance presented by the exoskeleton haptic device to the subject based on the detected first signals; and a combining block, combining outputs from the feedback stage and feedforward stage in order to generate a driving signal for the actuators, thereby imposing a controlled position to the joints. This primary control action may also be integrated with a posture equilibrium control, for controlling postural equilibrium of the subject during the movement.
US08556832B2
The present invention provides a system for enabling the sensing of changes in pressure in response to uterine muscle tone changes relating to contractions, and for enabling the evaluation of contractions based thereon. The system enables a portion thereof to effectively and efficiently project at least partially below the non-compressed abdominal surface, and provides electrical isolation of the system elements. It enables ease of use and enhanced patient comfort. It also enables maximized sensitivity and minimized system loading retention pressure.
US08556829B2
A tissue penetrating system has a housing member. A plurality of penetrating members are positioned in the housing member. A tissue stabilizing member is coupled to the housing. A penetrating member sensor is coupled to the plurality of penetrating members. The penetrating member sensor is configured to provide information relative to a depth of penetration of a penetrating member through a skin surface.
US08556818B2
The apparatus comprises a pressure sensor providing readings of a blood pressure of the patient and storage means for storing the readings as a pressure curve over time. Blood pressure is measured. The frequency difference between heart rate and breathing rate is used to separate the respiratory effect from the heart activity. In particular, the Fourier transform of the blood pressure and the spectral density are used to determine the contribution of each frequency. The respiratory and cardiac power spectra are determined. The ratio between both powers is calculated as the quotient of the integrals over the cardiac power spectrum and the respiratory power spectrum. A parameter usable to characterize volume responsiveness is determined using above ratio and a correction factor.
US08556811B2
A method of diagnosing cerebrovascular autoregulation in a patient includes measuring blood pressure of the patient, measuring, non-invasively, venous oxygen content of the patient's brain substantially simultaneously with the measuring blood pressure, correlating the blood pressure and the venous oxygen content measurements in a time domain, and determining a cerebrovascular autoregulation state of the patient based on the correlating the blood pressure and the venous oxygen content measurements.
US08556808B2
A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue refraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
US08556807B2
In one embodiment, an endoscopic camera for a robotic surgical system includes a stereo camera module mounted to a robotic arm of a patient side cart. The optical and electro-optic components of the camera module are hermetically sealed within a first housing. Signals from an electro-optic component travel through traces in a ceramic substrate forming one side of the hermetically sealed first housing. A second housing surrounds the first housing and optical fibers are dispersed between the housings to provide lighting in a body cavity. The camera module may be sterilized by an autoclave.
US08556806B2
Various embodiments for providing solid state illumination in conjunction with wavelength multiplexing imaging schemes for mono and stereo endoscopy or borescopy are provided. In one embodiment, the current disclosure provides a device configured for insertion into a body cavity. The device can include a tubular portion having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the tubular portion can be configured to be at least partially inserted into the body cavity. The device can also include a solid state electro-optic element located on the tubular portion. Furthermore, the device can include a power source electrically coupled to the solid state electro-optic element.
US08556798B2
This invention relates to devices targeted to resolving various conditions of a female patient in need thereof, the conditions being female sexual dysfunction and urinary incontinence. The present disclosure provides for a device which incorporates a variety of elements in an effort to treat certain conditions of a female individual in need thereof. Optionally, the device of the present invention may be used as prophylactic measure to prevent a condition selected from the group consisting of female sexual dysfunction and urinary incontinence.
US08556797B2
A magnetic implant for treating sleep disorders includes a first anchor, a first magnet coupled to the first anchor, a tongue anchor, a second magnet coupled to the tongue anchor, and a support for aligning the first and second magnets so that a repelling force is generated between the magnets for urging the second magnet away from the first magnet. In one embodiment, the support aligns a magnetic pole of the first magnet with a repelling magnetic pole of the second magnet, guides movement of the first and second magnets relative to one another, and maintains the first magnet at a fixed distance from the first anchor. In one embodiment, the repelling force urges the second magnet toward the first anchor. The first anchor may be connected to bone or soft tissue.
US08556780B2
A multifunctional linked fitness equipment has an elongated bottom, a seat stand, a front support frame seat pivotally mounted on a front end of the elongated bottom, a rear support frame seat pivotally mounted on a rear end of the seat stand, a link pivotally mounted between the front support frame seat and the rear support frame seat, a front support frame pivotally mounted on the elongated bottom and the front support frame seat, a rear support frame pivotally mounted on the elongated bottom and the rear support frame seat, and at least one resilient member mounted between the rear support frame seat and the elongated bottom. By combining or detaching the front support frame, the rear support frame or the seat stand with or from positioning pins, the fitness equipment can be utilized to selectively exercise the abdominal muscles and the legs based on the users' demand.
US08556778B1
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.
US08556776B2
In the method for providing assistance to the driver of a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle comprising a semi-automatic or an automatic transmission, it is recognized, during the starting process, whether the holding torque of the vehicle is greater than the engine intake torque in the current gear. In the event that a current torque is greater than the engine intake torque in the current gear or if no gear is engaged or called for, in the first forward gear, emitting a signal which indicates to the driver the need to use the holding brake of the vehicle and/or a transmitting a signal to the brake control system of the vehicle to impose a brake pressure in the service brake and/or in the holding brake.
US08556774B2
A device for controlling an automatic start of the engine mounted on a vehicle which includes a clutch to transmit/block motive power between an output shaft of the engine and the driving wheel of the vehicle. The automatic start control device includes an automatic restart processing in which a starter is driven to crank the engine when predetermined restart conditions are met thereby restarting the engine. The automatic start control device detects a state of the clutch being either transmitting or blocking and detects whether or not a transition of the state occurs during the cranking of the engine in the automatic restart processing. The control device forcibly stops driving of the starter when the transition of the state occurs.
US08556769B1
A powertrain is provided that includes a hybrid transmission with an input member, an output member, and a stationary member, and a first and a second electric machine. Only a single planetary gear set having a first member, a second member, and a third member is operatively connected between the input member and the output member. The first, the second, and the third members include a ring gear member, a sun gear member, and a carrier member. The powertrain includes a first, a second, a third, and a fourth selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanism. Selective engagement of a different one or ones of the torque-transmitting mechanisms and selective operation of one or both electric machines establishes a series operating mode, an input-split operating mode, at least one electric-only operating mode, and at least one fixed gear operating mode between the input member and the output member.
US08556768B2
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission may include an input shaft, an output gear, a first planetary gear set always outputting a negative rotation speed from a rotation speed input from the input shaft, a second planetary gear outputting the negative rotation speed input from the first planetary gear set or converting negative rotation speed into a positive rotation speed and outputting the positive rotation speed, a compound planetary gear set formed by third and fourth planetary gear sets and changing the rotation speed selectively through two paths and into nine forward speeds and one reverse speed, eight rotational members including two rotation elements connected to each other or one rotation element among the rotation elements of the first and second planetary gear sets and the compound planetary gear set, and a six friction members, and a transmission housing.
US08556765B2
A transmission includes an input member, an output member, a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms that are selectively engageable to establish at least four forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member, and one or more latches associated with one or more of the torque-transmitting mechanisms. The one or more latches engages the respective torque-transmitting mechanisms during or prior to a start event.
US08556764B1
A generating system includes a workbench, a propeller shaft, at least two first gears, and at least one pair of swinging devices. Each of the swinging devices includes an annular gear fixed on the workbench, two rotation disks each rotatably mounted on the propeller shaft, a plurality of spindles each mounted between the rotation disks, a plurality of second gears each rotatably mounted on the respective spindle and each intermeshing with the respective first gear and the annular gear, and a plurality of weights each mounted on the respective spindle. The propeller shaft is connected with an external power and a generator. Thus, the weights of each of the swinging devices produce a successive torque by an inertia action to operate the generator so as to generate an electric power successively so that the generator outputs the electric power stably without interruption.
US08556759B2
A hydraulic pressure control apparatus includes frictional engagement elements which include a multiple use frictional engagement element applied in common when a first speed stage of the D range, the R range, the P position, and the N range are selected, a first hydraulic pressure supply source for engaging the multiple use frictional engagement element, a second hydraulic pressure supply source for engaging the multiple use frictional engagement element, and a switching mechanism switching a first state where a pressure is supplied from the first hydraulic pressure supply source when the P position or the N range is selected and a second state where the engaging hydraulic pressure is supplied from the second hydraulic pressure supply when the D range or the R range is selected. The switching mechanism switches the first state and the second state in accordance with a level of pressures outputted from a range selector valve.
US08556758B1
A transmission includes a first planetary gearset and a second planetary gearset, each having a respective first planetary member, a respective second planetary member, and a respective third planetary member. The planetary members of the first planetary gearset are coaxially disposed on, and selectively rotatable about, a first axis. The planetary members of the second planetary gearset are coaxially disposed on, and selectively rotatable about, a second axis. An axis transfer mechanism including meshing gears transmits torque between the first and second planetary gearsets.
US08556757B2
A bicycle gear assembly comprises first and second sets of cog wheels, each having at least three cog wheels of various sizes including a largest cog wheel and a smallest cog wheel. These two sets are oriented so that the largest cog wheel of the first set is aligned with the smallest cog wheel of the second set and vice versa, the first and the second sets of cog wheels define at least a first, second and third pair of substantially aligned cog wheels. Additionally, a chain is mounted about a first pair of the aligned cog wheels and a gear shift assembly is adapted to move the chain from the first pair of substantially aligned cogwheels to the second pair of substantially aligned cogwheels and from the second pair of substantially aligned cogwheels to the third pair of substantially aligned cogwheels.
US08556755B1
A sports swing trainer is provided and includes a continuous resilient cable which is attachable by means of spaced straps to a bat or other sports racquet with the straps respectively attached to a pair of pulleys by a rotatable attachment combination and with the opposite end of the resilient cable attachable to a post, fence and the like by means of a combination third pulley and strap arrangement. An athletic workout belt is also attachable to the third pulley by means of a second continuous resilient cable.
US08556746B1
A golf club (40) having a club head (42) with a face component (60), an aft body (61), and a sound modifying sole and crown design is disclosed herein. The face component, which may be composed of a metal material, (60) has a striking area portion (72) and a return portion (74). The aft-body (61), which may be composed of a non-metal material such as composite or thermoplastic material, is composed of a crown portion (62) and a sole portion (64). The sound modifying design, which may include deep pockets or pillars extending from the sole portion (64) to the crown portion (62), alters the sound of the golf club head (42) when it impacts a golf ball.
US08556732B2
A plaything having adjustable game attributes. The plaything comprises a reading unit for reading a unique machine-readable representation of game related information from a labeled game element and a memory for hosting an attribute record characterizing at least one game attribute of a game. The plaything further comprises a learning module for updating the attribute record according to the game related information and a presentation unit for expressing the game attribute according to the updated attribute record.
US08556724B2
The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A ONLINE GAME MANAGER (“OGM”) transform user social graph and online behavioral pattern data inputs via OGM components into optimized server computational load reports. In one embodiment, the OGM may process a user server migration request for a user by obtaining user social graph data identifying co-users, and social activity pattern data associated with the user and the co-users. The OGM may also obtain server load indices of servers associated with the co-users, and server load analysis rules. By analyzing the server load indices using the server load analysis rules, the OGM may identify a subset of the servers as non-overloaded transfer candidate servers. The OGM may calculate transfer candidate server scores for the non-overloaded transfer candidate servers using the user social graph data and the social activity pattern data. Also, the OGM may select one of the non-overloaded transfer candidate servers for migrating the user based on the transfer candidate server scores, and migrate data associated with the user to the selected non-overloaded transfer candidate server.
US08556722B2
Streamable content, including content such as music, video, and advertisements, is provided to a game program executing at a remote computing device or game console, wherein the streamable content is for presentation before, during, and/or after game play. The streamable content may be supplemental to core game content provided by the game program. A system for providing the streamable content may include a content accessing component configured to access content for use as streamable content, a content selection component configured to select appropriate content (which may be randomly selected, or selected based on user-specific information or game-specific information), a content assembly component configured to assemble selected content into one or more content streams, and/or a content dissemination component configured to disseminate one or more content streams to the remote computing device or game console on which game program is executing.
US08556719B1
A method of linking virtual items to real-world items is disclosed. A real-world item is associated with a virtual item of a virtual world of a computer-implemented game. A location-based action involving the real-world item is reflected in the virtual world of the computer implemented game.
US08556716B2
An image generation system includes an image information acquisition section that acquires image information from an image sensor. The image generation system further includes an information acquisition section that acquires position information about a player relative to a display section that displays an image or the image sensor based on the image information. The image generation system further includes a virtual camera control section that controls at least one of a distance between a character corresponding to the player and a virtual camera in a depth direction, a distance between the character and the virtual camera in a height direction, a distance between the character and the virtual camera in a transverse direction, and an angle of view of the virtual camera, based on the position information about the player acquired by the information acquisition section. The image generation system further includes an image generation section that generates an image viewed from the virtual camera in an object space.
US08556715B2
A method for providing customized content in a video game over a computer network to a plurality of game clients operated by different players is disclosed The method includes: storing a library of content that can be selectively delivered to the plurality of game clients during gameplay of the video game; receiving information about each of the players from the respective game client; selecting content from the library to be delivered to each of the game clients based on the received information about the respective player; and synchronously delivering the selected content to the corresponding game client.
US08556714B2
A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include presenting a wagering game on a display device of a wagering game machine. The operations can also include detecting head movements and facial gestures of a player of the wagering game via a video capture device of the wagering game machine, and generating player input data based on the head movements and facial gestures of the player. The operations can further include modifying wagering game content based on the player input data associated with the head movements and facial gestures of the player, and presenting results of the wagering game on the display device of the wagering game machine.
US08556713B2
A system for converting a single-user application into a multi-user synchronous application, in one example embodiment, comprises synchronous multi-user services to provide a Software Development Kit (SDK) including one or more function calls, which when implemented on one or more client devices allow using the single-user application as the multi-user synchronous application, to receive, upon implementation of the one or more function calls, a request to register the multi-user synchronous application and associated application parameters, register the multi-user synchronous application and the associated application parameters, and to provide a synchronous multi-user server to enable runtime operations of the multi-user synchronous application on the one or more of the client devices. The runtime operations of the multi-user synchronous application include simultaneous running of an application algorithm on the one or more client devices. The system can further comprise displaying progress of one or more users of the multi-user synchronous application on the respective one or more client devices during the simultaneous running of the multi-user synchronous application and making results associated with the multi-user synchronous application visible on the one or more users upon conclusion of the multi-user synchronous application.
US08556709B2
Various gaming-related services are provided, including but not limited to security services, harm minimization services, player identification services, bonusing/progressive services, accounting services, financial/banking services, network tunneling services, cheating detection services, etc. Such services may be provided, at least in part, by software agents that can be configured for different platforms and/or operating systems. Some software-based player tracking methods of the invention can aggregate data from multiple devices used by a player for gaming.
US08556704B2
A gaming machine that provides a wagering game, including a user interface in communication with a game controller, through the operation of which a player selects one of a plurality of wager options that determine a number of symbols to be active and inactive in the wagering game. For at least one said wager option at least one, but not all of the plurality of symbols that define a possible said winning combination are rendered inactive for forming the winning combination.
US08556699B2
A gaming machine, includes: a symbol display device capable of scrolling a plurality of symbols on the reels; an input device which enables a player operation to input an instruction; a controller programmed to execute the processes of rearranging symbols by scrolling them in the symbol display device, and stopping the scroll thereafter, running a unit game which awards a payout to the player when symbols rearranged form a winning combination, and when a predetermined condition is met, enabling in a subsequent unit game the scroll of symbols to be stopped in response to a stop operation input through the input device.
US08556697B2
A gaming device which includes a plurality of sets of interactive player-selectable symbols which are sequentially offered to a player during a game played upon the gaming device. The player may select one or more of the player-selectable symbols to be added to one or more sets of symbols which were initially provided to the player.
US08556695B2
An image generation device includes a movement information calculation section, a virtual camera control section, and a special state transition section The movement information calculation section calculates the position of the player character based on input information. The special state transition section determines the position of the player character based on the position of the player character and a position determination condition that is set corresponding to the special point in the virtual space, and determines whether or not the player character has satisfied the special state transition condition based on the determination result. The virtual camera control section causes setting of at least one of the distance between the player character and a virtual camera, the positional relationship between the player character and the virtual camera, the direction of the virtual camera relative to the player character, and the angle of view of the virtual camera when the player character is in the special state to differ from setting when the player character is not in the special state.
US08556687B2
The invention relates to a system for producing and handling sausage-like product and a method for controlling for controlling said system with the steps of filling a tubular casing with viscous or granular stuff, dividing the filled tubular casing into sausage-like products and closing the sausage-like products by closure clips in a clipping machine, feeding the sausage-like product out of the clipping machine and storing the sausage-like product on a rod-like element in a hanging line and gripping the rod-like element by a robotic device and storing the rod-like element in a storage frame. The method further comprises the steps of sensing the weight of the sausage-like product after the sausage-like product is stored on a rod-like element, deriving a control signal for the clipping machine on the basis of the weight and controlling the clipping machine by a control unit on the basis of the control signal.
US08556684B2
An improved retaining ring used for chemical mechanical polishing of substrates, such as semiconductor wafers, to hold a substrate in place during the polishing process. The retaining rings are configured with inserts through which fasteners are positioned to securely affix the retaining ring to the polishing head. The inserts assist in dissipating the force of the fasteners, thereby allowing a more uniform polishing surface. The opening through which the fastener is positioned may be configured with concave or convex side walls to assist in dissipating the force of the fasteners during installation of the retaining ring or the polishing process.
US08556668B2
In a hybrid type marine propulsion device including a main engine and a motor, low fuel consumption is realized by a compact configuration and highly efficient drive control.A marine propulsion device includes a clutch 7 provided on an input shaft 6 of a main engine, a horizontal input/output shaft 8 connected to the clutch, a vertical shaft 11 connected to the input/output shaft through an upper bevel gear 9, a horizontal propeller shaft 13 connected to a lower end of the vertical shaft through a lower bevel gear 12, and a propeller 14 at the other end side of the propeller shaft, in which the propeller is revolved around the vertical shaft to set a propulsion direction, wherein a motor generator 20 is mounted on a floor 3, and connected directly to the other end side of the input/output shaft. In a low rotation region, motor propulsion is performed, and in a high rotation region, hybrid propulsion in which the main engine is assisted by the motor is performed.
US08556666B2
An electrical contact includes a pair of prongs that extend from a base of the electrical contact spaced apart by a gap disposed therebetween. The gap is configured to receive a mating electrical contact that mechanically and electrically communicates with the pair of prongs. A plane defined along respective exterior surfaces of the pair of prongs is such that a portion of one prong of the pair of prongs is bisected by the plane. A method of making an electrical contact includes a step of stamping out a piece from a sheet of electrically-conducting material and another step of folding one or more portions of the piece to at least produce the pair of prongs of the electrical contact spaced apart by the gap. An electrical assembly includes a printed circuit board and at least one electrical contact that contains the pair of prongs.
US08556665B2
Disclosed is an arrangement for electrically contacting a component, in particular a capacitor for a power converter of a rail vehicle, wherein the component includes a protruding pin for applying and/or positioning parts in order to produce the electrical contact. The arrangement a first element which has a through-bore extending in a longitudinal direction therethrough for inserting the pin, a second element which has a through-bore extending in a longitudinal direction therethrough for inserting the pin, and a contact plate of an electrically conductive material, which comprises a contact plate end region. The contact plate end region has a slot extending from a free end into the contact plate end region and the width of the slot is sufficiently large to accommodate the pin.
US08556654B2
Axially compressible, F-connectors for conventional installation tools for interconnection with coaxial cable include grounding inserts for establishing electrical continuity despite inadequate nut tightening. The connector has a rigid nut, a post penetrating the nut, a tubular body, and an end cap. The conductive post coaxially extends through the connector, linking the nut and body. A post end penetrates the coaxial cable. Internal grounding inserts comprise a circular band coaxially engaging the post and portions on the band engaging the nut. Multiple radially spaced apart spring clips defined around the band grasp a flange portion of the post. The band is seated within a ring groove within the nut, making electrical contact. An alternative insert comprises a tubular band for contacting the post and an integral skirt abutting the nut's internal ring groove and contacting a portion of the socket to which the connector is coupled.
US08556645B2
A connector includes a body configured to latchingly connect to a complementary connector element in a latching direction and an arm projecting from the body at an angle to the axis. The arm is configured to shift from a first position with its distal end a first distance from the axis to a second position with its distal end a second distance from the axis, and the body is removable from the complementary connector element when the arm is in the second position. The connector includes a force redirection element connected to the body and an extension member in contact with the force redirection element. The force redirection element is configured such that when a force is applied to the extension member in a direction opposite the latching direction, the arm is shifted from the first position toward the second position.
US08556636B2
A swatch organizer system and method for preparing and mounting swatch samples and labels on a plurality of carriers that are secured onto a holder in a manner to allow the end user to easily evaluate the aesthetic nature of one or more swatch samples. Each carrier provides two surfaces for mounting swatches and/or labels. Mounting strips are provided to aid the end user in cutting, sizing and mounting raw materials such as fabric, paper, leather, etc. in the form of swatch samples onto carriers. Labeling is also provided to allow recording of descriptive information on the reverse of the carrier. Carriers, swatch samples and labels can be easily added, rearranged, removed or reused as desired. Supports design, organization and/or inventory needs with minimal time, effort and skill required by the end user.
US08556635B2
Conductive elastomeric circuits representing three brachial plexus nerve bundles and sheaths that surround each nerve bundle are embedded in a neck tissue portion of a simulated physiological structure for use in training and evaluating a user in performing a brachial plexus nerve block procedure. An electrically conductive probe is provided for the user to insert within a neck tissue structure and to attempt to contact a sheath, but not the nerve bundle within the sheath of a desired nerve bundle. The probe is electrically coupled to a voltage source. A simulated nerve stimulator is connected to the conductive elastomeric circuits (electrically insulated from each other) and detects when the probe contacts a nerve or sheath, producing an output signal. The output signal is input to a computer that displays a simulated ultrasound image hi-lighting a nerve and/or sheath that has been contacted by the probe, for evaluating the user's performance.
US08556634B2
A self-contained medical needle insertion training system is provided. In various embodiments, the system includes a hollow body having at least one sidewall, a closed end, an opposing open end and an interior chamber. The system additionally includes a closure device structured and operable to mate with the open end to close the interior chamber and a simulated cardiovascular vein disposed along an outer surface of the at least one sidewall, wherein the interior chamber provides a storage space for medical devices to be used in association with the training system. The system also includes a simulated cardiovascular vein having a plurality of fluid reservoirs.
US08556632B2
A rosary prayer stand may include frame, a plurality of parallel rods mounted on the frame, and a plurality of beads for counting prayers. Each bead's position on the stand and/or color may correspond to a particular rosary prayer. When each prayer is recited, the bead corresponding to that prayer is slid across the rod. The plurality of rods may have axes that intersect a transverse reference plane at locations along an arched path.
US08556629B2
A forcible entry training device for use with overhead doors includes an adjustable frame that is designed to hold a variety of overhead doors of different sizes, and also includes an adjustable support that applies support from the back of the door and thereby provides structural integrity to the door so that multiple vertical cuts can be made through the door. In one embodiment, vertical members in the frame are adjustably connected to horizontal members. Clamps are provided in the vertical members to secure the edges of the overhead door to the frame. Adjustable-length stabilizing legs can be used to hold the frame and door in an upright position, even when resting on an uneven surface.
US08556628B1
The invention is a trigger pull training device for improving trigger pull technique. The device has a frame with a trigger track opening and a trigger which goes through that opening. A proximity sensor or a plurality of proximity sensors are placed proximate the trigger track opening. The sensors are connected to an indicator whereby pulling the trigger such that the trigger is within the sensing zone causes the proximity sensor to emit a signal. A plurality of sensors can be lined along the trigger track opening to indicate the accuracy of any pull.
US08556620B2
An apparatus includes a first operating machine arranged for processing objects, a second operating machine positioned downstream of the first operating machine and arranged for further processing the objects, an accumulating arrangement interposed between the first operating machine and the second operating machine and arranged for receiving the objects, and a command and control arrangement arranged for detecting a parameter indicating the quantity of the objects contained in the accumulating arrangement and regulating the operation of the second operating machine on the basis of the parameter.A method includes dispensing synthetic plastics in a pasty state, compression-moulding the plastics to obtain a perform, blowing the perform to obtain a container, and filling the container with a product. Each step maintains its own regulated temperature so that the dispensing temperature is greater than the blowing temperature and the blowing temperature is greater than the filling temperature.
US08556618B2
A material forming apparatus and method for shaping a material to a forming tool having complex contours. The material forming apparatus may comprise a bladder sealed to a support structure, cooperatively forming a hollow space therebetween into which air or another gas may be pumped to inflate the bladder. The forming tool may comprise a protrusion of any shape to which the material may conform. The material may be placed between the bladder and the protrusion and the support structure may be actuated toward the forming tool. As the support structure progresses toward the forming tool, an area of material pressed against the protrusion by the bladder increases in an outward direction. A pressure regulator may regulate an amount of pressure applied to the material by the bladder as the bladder presses the material against the forming tool.
US08556615B2
A die for forming a honeycomb structure, comprising a platy die base member having a clay supply face on back surface thereof and including a plurality of introduction holes for introducing a mixed raw material for forming; and a clay forming face on upper surface including a plurality of slits for extrusion of the material being connected to the introduction holes and formed lattice-like partition regions; at least a part of lattice-like partition regions being provided in such a position that the extended line of at least part of a plurality of lattice-like regions overlap with the slits at edges thereof as top view, slits including inner peripheral slits formed in the inner peripheral region, and outer peripheral slits formed in the outer peripheral region surrounding the inner peripheral region and having a width-enlarged portion having a width larger than that of the inner peripheral slit, and production method thereof.
US08556614B2
A mold press for use with an injection mold, the mold press including a first press section connectable to a first portion of the injection mold, a second press section connectable to a second portion of the injection mold and a locking arm system. The locking arm system being configured to secure the first press section to the second press section. The locking arm system including at least one structural member coupled with the first press section, and at least one swing arm pivotally connected to the second press section. The swing arm encounters the structural member and interacts with the structural member to draw the first and second press sections toward each other causing the first and second portions of the mold to become proximate each other.
US08556611B2
A method and structure for forming an ink jet print head having a dielectric interstitial layer. A flexible top plate attached to a press can be used to apply pressure to an uncured dielectric interstitial layer. The uncured dielectric interstitial layer is cured while contacting the uncured dielectric interstitial layer with the flexible top plate and applying pressure using the press. Using a flexible top plate rather than a rigid top plate has been found to form a cured interstitial layer over an array of piezoelectric elements which has a more uniform or planar upper surface. An interstitial layer so formed can result in decreased processing time, reduced problems with ink communication in the ink jet print head during use, and decreased manufacturing costs.
US08556604B2
An apparatus for delivering a viscous material by means of an eccentric screw pump, includes a framework for carrying and fastening apparatus elements, a pump-housing portion for carrying a stator and a rotor in the form of a delivery screw, suction and pressure regions for introducing and discharging the delivery material, respectively, an electric drive unit for driving the rotor in the stator in a first direction of rotation for delivering the delivery material, a control mechanism for activating the drive unit, and one or more releasable retaining members for the rotationally fixed and/or positionally fixed connection of the drive unit and of the stator. A change in the direction of rotation to a second direction of rotation of the electric drive unit, with the retaining mechanism released, gives rise to automatic separation of the pump-housing portion with the stator by virtue of the rotor being unscrewed.
US08556602B2
A fuel pump for a direct injection system comprises at least one pumping chamber, a piston slidingly mounted inside the pumping chamber to cyclically vary volume thereof, an intake duct connected to the pumping chamber and regulated by an inlet valve, a delivery duct connected to the pumping chamber and regulated by a one-way valve that allows only outgoing-fuel flow from the pumping chamber, a seat arranged below the pumping chamber around a lower portion of the piston, an annular seal housed in the seat and preventing fuel leakage along a side wall of the piston, and an annular element that delimits, on an upper side thereof, the seat housing the seal such that an axial dimension of the seat is not greater than an axial dimension of the seal to prevent the seal from axially “shaking” inside the seat as a consequence of cyclic axial movement of the piston.
US08556595B2
A pump assembly for circulating water in an evaporative cooler is provided. The pump assembly may include a housing which defines a cavity. The pump assembly may also include an impeller received in the cavity of the housing. Further, the pump assembly may include a rod which may be operatively associated with the impeller and extends out of the housing. Moreover, the pump assembly may include a connecting member which is operatively associated with the rod, and may be adapted to be operatively associated with a shaft of a fan assembly incorporated into the evaporative cooler. The connecting member may be adapted to transmit rotary motion of the shaft to the impeller, thereby enabling the pump assembly to circulate water in the evaporative cooler.
US08556594B2
A vacuum pump ejector may include ejector body and a nozzle. The ejector body may have a passageway through which fluids may flow. The passageway may have an orifice. The nozzle may inject a purging gas to the orifice. The ejector may decrease a pressure between the vacuum pump and the scrubber, so that the vacuum pump may have improved efficiency. Thus, the vacuum pump may be effectively operated.
US08556582B2
A method for increasing wear resistance of a turbocharger includes exposing at least a bearing surface of a center housing of the turbocharger to a gas nitrocarburizing process or a plasma nitrocarburizing process, thereby forming a conversion coating impregnated onto the at least the bearing surface.
US08556580B2
Submersible pumps, diffuser assemblies, and related methods for pumping a fluid having a substantial sand content, are provided. A diffuser assembly for a submersible pump can include anti-swirl ribs forming sand dams positioned on an upper surface of the diffuser bowl floor at an acute angle to guide trapped between the bottom shroud of an impeller and the diffuser bowl to the inner surface of the diffuser bowl outer wall and back into the production fluid stream. The diffuser assembly can also include sand jump ramps each separately positioned adjacent the outer peripheral surface of one of the sand dams and positioned adjacent a separate portion of the inner surface of the diffuser bowl outer wall to further enhance deflection of sand back into the production fluid stream.
US08556573B2
A diffuser for a centrifugal impeller assembly of a gas turbine engine includes a diffuser case having a plurality of vanes extending therein defining a plurality of circumferentially distributed angled passages in communication with an inlet space. Each vane includes a bleed port defined in a suction surface thereof, in proximity of the leading edge. The diffuser case includes a passive fluid communication defined at least partially through each one of the vanes between each bleed port and the inlet space upstream of the leading edge, such that air bled through the bleed ports is recirculated upstream of the leading edges to the inlet space to increase a surge margin of the diffuser.
US08556556B2
A fastener with a breakaway and methods of using the same. In one embodiment the fastener is a screw having a head and elongated stem, adapted to be easily manipulated by a user when using the screw as a fastener in a hinge or joint. A means of holding a screw by providing a breakaway tab or non-threaded second portion of the elongated stem which can be used to align and insert the screw into a screw hole in the process of engaging threads in the screw hole with threads of the screw. After engaging the threads in the screw hole, such as after the screw has been essentially completely inserted into the screw hole, the breakaway tab or non-threaded second portion of the elongated stem of the screw may be broken off at a breakaway and discarded.
US08556553B2
A solid-state method of producing functionalized moieties, including placing predetermined amounts of inorganic and inorganic materials and milling media into a vessel rotatably connected to a turntable platform, an amount of an organic material into the vessel, rotating the vessel in a first direction while turning the turntable platform in a second direction counter to the first direction, milling the inorganic and organic materials into smaller respective organic and inorganic particles, and fusing portions of organic particles to inorganic parties to define functionalized moieties. The inorganic material may include calcium phosphates of varying phases, structure, and composition. The organic material may include anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, neutral surfactants, carboxylic acids, polymers, copolymers, block copolymers, and combinations thereof.
US08556547B2
An end mill body wiih a corner cutting edge forming a convex arc shape of which the rotation locus becomes convex toward the tip outer peripheral side is formed at a side ridge portion of the corner cutting edge rake face, a gash is formed on the inner peripheral side of the corner cutting edge rake face, and an end cutting edge connected to the corner cutting edge and extending toward the inner peripheral side is formed at a tip-side side ridge portion of the end cutting edge rake face. An intersection line between the corner cutting edge rake face and the end cutting edge rake face is located closer to the radial inner peripheral side with respect to the axis than the center of the convex arc that the corner cutting edge forms in the rotation locus.
US08556545B2
A cutting tool has a tool body provided with at least one insert pocket in which a cutting insert is retained. A device for adjusting a position of the cutting insert within the insert pocket is also provided. A cavity adjacent the insert pocket accommodates an adjustment wedge having a forward surface in sliding contact with a minor side surface of the cutting insert and an adjustment screw threadingly engaged with a female threaded section of the adjustment wedge. The adjustment screw is constrained to remain in its position in the cavity, although rotation of the adjustment screw about its axis results in a sliding motion of the adjustment wedge relative to the cavity and a sliding motion of the forward surface relative to the minor side surface, which translates to displacement of the cutting insert in a direction parallel to a base surface of the insert pocket.
US08556544B2
The present invention relates to an arrangement for adapting the transportation behavior of material to be conveyed, which arrangement comprises a first container, which is coupleable to a first pressure level; a second container, which is coupleable to a second pressure level; a connecting line for transporting material to be conveyed from the first container to the second container; and a pressure reduction device by means of which a pressure difference between the first container and the second container is controllably variable.
US08556541B2
A piling driver (1) to drive a high capacity and maximum continuous length of underpinning pile (61, 62) of at least equal to the clear floor height of a building. The modular piling driver (1) can be assembled on site to drive a pile into the ground within a small confined space under a limited head room comprising of; an underpinning pile (61, 62), a clamping block (2) with horizontal hydraulic clamps (25, 29), a thrust block frame structure (3) with a C-shaped horizontal beam (34) supporting a pair of vertical hydraulic jacks' (4) with corresponding rams (43) that drives the clamping block (2) along the two vertical holding frame members (5) which is supported by a pair of upper and lower locking pins (54) on to the parallel beams (7) that will bear against the soffit of the foundations (8). A method of push pull piling characterized in that apart from only using the counterweight is to utilize the pull resisting force of the adjacent underpinning piles (61a, 61b, 61c) through a system of inter-connecting at least two units of the piling driver (1) into an assembly (9).
US08556522B2
Connectors and cable assemblies having a label stored in a label storage area of a component of the connector along with methods for making the same are disclosed. The label is extendable from the label storage area with a label length that is longer than a length of the label storage area, thereby providing the craft with adequate space for marking information. Suitable components of the connector for the label storage area include housings, boots, clips and the like. Further, the label storage area protects the label from damage while also maintaining a relatively small footprint for the connector.
US08556511B2
A fluid bearing assembly provides support to stent tubing while the stent tubing is undergoing laser cutting to form a stent pattern. The fluid bearing assembly supports the stent tubing and provides a fluid barrier between the bearing and the stent tubing thereby providing nearly frictionless movement between the support bearing and the stent tubing.
US08556510B2
A disk drive device includes a base plate, a hub, and a bearing unit. The bearing unit includes an outer sleeve, an inner sleeve, a shaft, a radial dynamic pressure groove, and a lubricant agent. In the joined portion of the outer sleeve and the hub, there are formed a recessed portion, which is a binding region, where the outer sleeve and the hub are joined together with a hardening resin present between the outer sleeve and the hub and a tilt preventing portion, provided on both the sides of the recessed portion in the axial direction of the outer, which is a raised region that forms a portion narrower than a gap, between the outer sleeve and the hub, corresponding to the recessed portion.
US08556505B2
According to one embodiment, an apparatus for reading a temperature of a material includes a thermistor that is communicable in temperature sensing communication with the material. The apparatus also includes a first resistor that has a first resistance and a second resistor that has a second resistance that is lower than the first resistance. Additionally, the apparatus includes a switch that is selectively controllable to electrically couple the first resistor and second resistor to the thermistor in a low temperature mode. The switch also is selectively controllable to electrically couple the second resistor to the thermistor and electrically decouple the first resistor from the thermistor in a high temperature mode.
US08556500B2
A wristwatch case includes a case body, an edge member, and a mounting ring. The case body has a circular fitting hole, an edge receiving surface, and an engaging surface. The edge member includes a cylindrical portion extending through the fitting hole, a cover portion, a male screw portion, and a receiving portion. The cover portion is provided on an outer periphery of the cylindrical portion that projects out of the case body and overlaps the edge receiving surface. The male screw portion is formed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion that is inserted into the case body. The receiving portion is formed on the cylindrical portion and receives a peripheral portion of a dial of the movement. The mounting ring is screwed onto the male screw portion and comes into contact with the engaging surface to fix the edge member to the case body.
US08556498B2
A method for determining mixing time for a variety of vessels is disclosed. This method utilizes information about the configuration, such as vessel diameter, impeller diameter and speed, fluid density and viscosity, and fluid height to determine the appropriate mixing time. In another embodiment, the parameters used to create small batches of material can be used to scale up to larger vessel sizes.
US08556488B2
Provided are a light emitting apparatus and a surface light source apparatus having the same. The light emitting apparatus comprises a package body, a first color light emitting part in a first cavity of the package body, and a second color light emitting part in a second cavity of the package body. The package body comprises a plurality of cavities.
US08556482B2
The invention relates to a method for producing a headlamp lens (2) for a vehicle headlamp, in particular for a motor-vehicle headlamp (1), wherein the headlamp lens (2) comprises a transparent body (3) with an optically effective surface (5), which is in particular substantially planar and can be turned towards a light source (10), and an optically effective surface (4), which is in particular convex and can be turned away from the light source (10), wherein the gradient of a light-dark boundary (25) projected by the headlamp lens (2) or a further headlamp lens is measured, and wherein a light diffusing structure (35) is produced in the transparent body (3) in accordance with the measured gradient.
US08556475B2
An L.E.D. light emitting assembly (20) includes an aluminum heat sink (22) presenting a mounting surface (24) with light emitting diodes (26) disposed thereon. A thermoplastic housing (28) is disposed over the heat sink (22) and presents a top surface (30) facing outwardly. An electronics enclosure (32) is disposed on the top surface (30). A solar shield (34) extends over and spaced from the electronics enclosure (32). The solar shield (34) includes a closed solar top wall (102) and solar side walls (104). The solar shield (34) defines an air inlet (114) adjacent a lower edge (112) of each of the solar side walls (104) and an air outlet (116) above the air inlet (114) at open solar ends (108) thereof for creating a chimney effect to move ambient air into the air inlet (114) and through an air flow space (111) to exit the air outlet (116).
US08556473B2
A lamp assembly, and method for making same. The lamp assembly includes first and second truncated reflector cups. The lamp assembly also includes at least one base plate disposed between the first and second truncated reflector cups, and a light engine disposed on a top surface of the at least one base plate. The light engine is configured to emit light to be reflected by one of the first and second truncated reflector cups.
US08556472B2
Light reflectors and flood lighting systems for illumination and lighting. Each light reflector may include a housing having a plurality of facets, each of the plurality of facets having a shape that is a portion of separate ellipses sharing a common focus. First and second surfaces are defined by first and second planes intersecting along a line within a volume of the body. A light source is positioned near the first surface, at the common focus, and is angularly oriented thereto such that light emitted by the light source is directed into the housing, reflected by at least one of the plurality of facets, and exits the light reflector out of either the first plane or the second plane. The body of the light reflector may include a free-form surface that is generated as the best fit to the plurality of facets.
US08556471B2
A lighting module may include a light source; a lens arranged at a distance from the light source; and a reflector; wherein the lens is configured and arranged to have a wide-angle emission characteristic and to direct a proportion of the light incident from the light source onto the reflector, wherein the proportion is at least 30%.
US08556470B2
An illuminator including a bottom member having a guide face of a polygonal configuration arranged therein, a light source mounted on the guide face, a light guide member positioned inside the guide face of the polygonal configuration and optically aligned with the light source, and a top member coupled to the bottom member to protect the light source is provided.
US08556464B2
A solid state lighting unit includes a plurality of solid state lighting tiles including a planar surface and a plurality of solid state light sources on the planar surface. The lighting unit includes a plurality of bar support members. Respective ones of the bar support members include at least two of the plurality of tiles affixed thereon to form respective bar assemblies, and respective ones of the solid state light sources on the solid state lighting tiles of a bar assembly are electrically connected in series so as to be simultaneously energized upon application of a voltage thereto. Methods of forming a solid state lighting unit are also disclosed.
US08556462B2
An LED lighting device has a cap, a circuit board assembly and a bulb envelope. The circuit board assembly is electrically mounted on the cap and has multiple circuit boards intersecting to each other to form a light frame with a crisscross section, and has multiple LEDs mounted on the circuit boards. The circuit board assembly may further have a top circuit board mounted on one end of the light frame. The top circuit board also has multiple LEDs mounted thereon. Sine the circuit boards intersect to each other to constitute the light frame, the light frame provides a large surface area for mounting a lot number of LEDs. Therefore, the LED lighting device is able to provide a wide angle illumination with enhanced lighting intensity.
US08556461B2
A lighting device may be provided that includes a light emitting module including a substrate and a light emitting device disposed on the substrate; and a case receiving the light emitting module therewithin and including an upper case disposed on the substrate and a lower case in which the substrate is disposed. The lower case includes a seating portion which is coupled to a heat sink. The seating portion is either a projection projecting outward from the outer surface of the lower case or a recess which is formed by digging inward the outer surface of the lower case.
US08556448B2
An airfield lighting device, comprising: at least one first light-emitting diode (LED) on a first base body; a first thermally conductive tube with a heat transmission medium; a first heat sink; and a housing, in which the first base body and the first thermally conductive tube are arranged. The first thermally conductive tube is thermally coupled to the first base body and to the first heat sink. The heat transmission medium can circulate in the first thermally conductive tube, such that heat which is produced by the at least one first LED during operation can be dissipated from the first base body to the first heat sink.
US08556446B2
An attention getting baton with a one-piece hollow tubular structure that is waterproof, shock resistant, and lightweight. At a rear tubular part, there is a holding compartment with a ribbed rubber grip for ease in handling the baton. A front tubular part with ribbed groves guides illumination through the baton. A tubular shaped removable rear cap forms a slip fit connection for accessibility into the holding compartment. A high intensity flashlight, inserted into the holding compartment, communicates a high intensity light beam through the baton. When pushed, a button, mounted to the rear cap, switches the flashlight into a plurality of modes such as an on/off mode, a strobe mode, and a mode to generate help or an SOS signal. Thus, the baton has applicability to fire scenes, traffic and crowd control, police operations, military procedures, search and rescue operations, event parking, or just personal use.
US08556445B2
A technology for restricting or suppressing a lift of a reflection sheet in a direct backlight device is provided. The direct backlight device according to the present invention includes an LED board 30, LEDs 28, lenses 32, legs 31a, 31b and 31c, a reflection sheet 26. The LEDs 28 are arranged on a surface of the LED board 30. The lenses 32 cover the respective LEDs 28 from the light exit side and diffuse light from the LEDs 28. The legs 31a, 31b and 31c are arranged on the surface of the LED board 30 and support the lenses 32. The reflection sheet 26 has through holes 27. The LEDs 28 and the legs 31a, 31b and 31c are passed through the respective through holes 27 of the reflection sheet 26. The reflection sheet 26 includes projections 26a, 26b and 26c projecting inward from an edge of the corresponding through hole 27. The three projections 26a, 26b and 26c are held between the three legs 31a, 31b and 31c.
US08556440B2
The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator can display state information on a storage space, direct a light to an inside of the storage space when the door is opened, requires no additional lighting enabling to utilize a storage space to the maximum and to produce a high quality appearance.
US08556435B2
An apparatus including a cap is provided for covering, protecting, removing moisture from, and cleaning a lens of a device such as a scope of a firearm. The inner portion of the apparatus contains a moisture-wicking material. The cap may be manipulated to clean and remove moisture from the lens, such that when the cap is opened, the lens is clean and moisture-free, with the scope ready for use.
US08556433B2
There is provided a projector comprising, a light source unit having a laser light emitter and a projection light producing device for converting the laser light into projection light, a display unit and a light guiding optical system which forms a projection optical path along which light from the light source unit is guided to the display device, the projector comprising a partial light separation unit which reflects or transmits part of light emitted from the projection light converting device of the light source unit so as to separate the part of the light to an optical path which is different from the projection optical path, a photosensor which is disposed on the optical path which is separated and changed by the partial light separation unit, a light intensity determination unit which detects an light intensity of the laser light which is separated by the partial light separation unit so as to determine whether or not the light intensity exceeds a threshold, and a light source control unit which stops the emission of the laser light emitter based on the result of the determination of the light intensity determination unit.
US08556431B2
An apparatus and method of reducing speckle in projection of images is provided that includes the elements or features of producing a first image and displacing the first image to produce a second image that will reduce speckle relating to the first image when the first image and the second image are displayed on a display medium.
US08556427B2
An operating microscope system (200) for ophthalmology, particularly vitrectomy, is proposed, which comprises an operating microscope (10) with a microscope illumination (15) and a wide-angle device (20) arranged on the objective side in front of the operating microscope (10), the wide-angle device (20) comprising a wide-angle lens (21) arranged on the object side of the wide-angle device (20) and a prism arrangement (22) for righting the image, arranged on the microscope side of the wide-angle lens (21), wherein the wide-angle device (20) comprises an illuminating unit (25) which is arranged so as to illuminate an object (40) arranged in front of the wide-angle lens (21) through the wide-angle lens (21) by means of an illuminating light (29).
US08556418B2
Curved lenses and methods for making curved lenses are described. One embodiment of a method of making a curved lens includes curving a lens blank made of a linear polarizer layer laminated together with a plurality of polymeric layers. The lens blank is curved by engendering rotational motion about a rotational axis of a roller having a forming surface thereon and lateral motion of a belt in contact with the forming surface. The lens blank is heated and pressed between the belt and the forming surface at a pressure, the pressure being supplied by tension on the belt. The pressure is maintained for a time sufficient to allow the lens blank to conform to the shape of the forming surface. Methods of the invention may be used to make curved lenses with different polarization properties and curvatures.
US08556413B2
An eyewear assembly comprising a hollow squeeze case and eyewear sized and configurable to be stored within the squeeze case. The squeeze case may comprise two opposing ends and may present an opening therebetween when the two opposing ends are squeezed toward each other. The eyewear may comprise two lenses and a flexible nose piece extending between the two lenses. The lenses may be actuated toward each other, placing the eyewear into a folded configuration, such that the eyewear may fit within the squeeze case. The squeeze case may also comprise a hole for attachment to a key chain or lanyard.
US08556408B2
A medium holding apparatus holds a medium to be transferred in a printer. A pair of holding members are mounted to undergo movement and are configured to continuously hold respective end sections of the medium in a width direction of the medium during transfer of the medium in the printer. A support structure supports the pair of holding members so that the pair of holding members are permitted to advance and retract in the width direction of the medium in accordance with positions of the end sections of the medium in the width direction.
US08556406B2
Coloring matter consisting of trisazo compound, ink compositions, recording method, and colored body
A coloring matter for black ink which is highly soluble in water-based media, and ink compositions containing the same. The ink compositions can produce black recorded images which exhibit excellent fastness and ozone gas fastness. The coloring matter consists of at least one trisazo compound represented by general formula (1), tautomers thereof, and salts of both. In general formula (1), R1 is unsubstituted C1-4 alkyl or the like; R2 is cyano or the like; R3 is a chlorine atom or the like; R5 to R7 are a hydrogen atom, unsubstituted C1-4 alkyl, sulfo-substituted C1-4 alkoxy, or the like; R8 to R10 are a hydrogen atom, unsubstituted C1-4 alkyl, sulfo-substituted C1-4 alkylthio, or the like; A is sulfo-substituted 2-naphthothiazolyl or the like; and a to d represent the positions at which the ring is substituted with R3 and sulfo.
US08556405B2
There is provided an ink for recording, which contains: a coloring agent; a water-dispersible resin; a wetting agent; a surfactant; and water, wherein a total solid content of the coloring agent and the water-dispersible resin is 10% by mass to 30% with respect to a total mass of the ink, a ratio B/C is 0.1 to 1.6 where B is a solid content of the coloring agent in the ink, and C is a solid content of the water-dispersible resin in the ink, a viscosity of the ink is 5 mPa·s to 20 mPa·s at 25° C., and a surface tension of the ink is 35 mN/m or less.
US08556398B2
A method for operating a printer having multiple printheads includes activating a heater that is operatively connected to a printhead that ejects ink having a single color in response to receiving a print job. The printer detects the presence of colors other than the single color in image data received in the print job, and activates heaters operatively coupled to printheads that eject ink drops that correspond to the detected colors.
US08556393B2
A coupling assembly for distributing fluid to a printhead, the coupling assembly having a housing, a seal member received in a recess of the housing, a port plate movably mounted on the housing by a washer which is press-on mounted to a shaft through the port plate and housing, and a tube retainer mounted within a groove of the housing for retaining fluid distribution tubes, the retainer having a plurality of holes aligned with respective ones of a plurality of ports in the port plate and a plurality of seals of the seal member for fluidically connecting the retained fluid distribution tubes with respective fluid spouts of the printhead, wherein mounting of each of the seal member, port plate and retainer to the housing is achieved in a non-fastened manner.
US08556392B2
Device and method for dispensing a liquid, comprising a liquid container; a plurality of dispensing openings connecting to the liquid container for controlled dispensing of the liquid to a substrate, and at least one membrane which connects onto the dispensing openings and which is displaceable between a first sealing position, in which the dispensing openings are covered by the membrane, and a second opened position in which the dispensing openings are left clear by the membrane, which device is also provided with a medium-filled control system which connects to the membrane such that the membrane is displaceable between the first and the second position by means of pressure variation on the medium.
US08556391B2
A liquid jet apparatus includes a nozzle plate having at least one nozzle for ejecting a liquid onto a recording medium, a cover plate having a liquid supply hole for supplying the liquid and a liquid discharge hole for discharging the liquid, and a piezoelectric plate having at least one elongated groove. The piezoelectric plate, cover plate and nozzle plate are stacked relative one another with the at least one elongated groove communicating with the at least one nozzle of the nozzle plate and with each of the liquid supply hole and the liquid discharge hole of the cover plate so that liquid supplied into the at least one elongated groove through the liquid supply hole circulates through the at least one elongated groove and is discharged from the liquid discharge hole.
US08556390B2
An inkjet nozzle assembly includes a nozzle chamber having a planar roof spaced apart from a floor. A heater element is suspended in the nozzle chamber and is configured as a planar beam extending longitudinally and parallel with a plane of the roof. A nozzle aperture defined in the roof has a centroid offset from a longitudinal centroid of the planar beam.
US08556387B2
An ink jet head unit including a head (2) in which a plurality of nozzle arrays (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) are formed. Each of the nozzle arrays has a number of nozzle holes, and ink can be ejected from the nozzle holes. The head (2) is mounted on the head base, and flat cables (4a, 4b) are connected at one end to mounting parts (7a, 7b), which are interposed between a first pair of the nozzle arrays (2a, 2b) and a second pair of the nozzle arrays (2c, 2d). The flat cables are flexibly formed by covering transmission wires with an insulation film. The flat cables are connected to the head to transmit ink ejection signals for driving the head.
US08556382B2
Provided are a nozzle plate and a method of fabricating the nozzle plate. In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a nozzle plate may include a body and at least one nozzle protruding from the body, wherein the at least one nozzle includes a wall having a thickness that increases the farther the wall gets away from an exit of the at least one nozzle.
US08556380B2
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a conveyer, a liquid discharge head, and a supporter. The conveyer is configured to convey a recording medium in a conveying direction parallel to a reference line. The liquid discharge head includes a discharge surface that includes discharge portions and a non-discharge portion. The non-discharge portion is disposed between two adjoining discharge portions and extends to converge on the reference line from an upstream side toward a downstream side in the conveying direction. The supporter includes a projection that includes a top portion facing the non-discharge portion and extending along the non-discharge portion. The top portion is configured to support the recording medium. The top portion is sloped, such that a distance between the top portion and the discharge surface increases from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the conveying direction.
US08556375B2
A capping unit, a waste liquid tank, a valve, and a cleaning liquid tank are provided for maintaining a printhead. The capping unit includes a drain. The waste liquid tank receives a waste liquid from the capping unit. The valve is in fluid communication with the capping unit through a first fluid passage connected to the drain. The valve is also in fluid communication with the waste liquid tank through a second fluid passage. The valve includes a first state that permits the waste liquid to flow from the capping unit through the valve to the waste liquid tank. The valve includes a second state that prevents the waste liquid from flowing from the capping unit through the valve to the waste liquid tank. The cleaning liquid tank is in fluid communication with the valve through a third fluid passage. The cleaning liquid tank is configured to provide a cleaning liquid through the valve and into the first fluid passage when the valve is in the second state. The valve is operated to cause the valve to move between the first state and the second state.
US08556366B2
Each of controllers includes an error management section that generates an error command including an error code indicating the content of an error when the controller detects the error. A host apparatus includes a host controller. If the error command from the master controller and the error command from the slave controller are identical to each other, the host controller displays a single piece of error information on a monitor. Specifically, the single piece of error information includes the error code included in the error command and an error message corresponding to the error code.
US08556358B2
The embodiments of the instant invention comprise a lightweight, robust electronic rack enclosure. The embodiments are comprised of an outer chassis, an inner chassis, bottom vibration isolators, and top vibration isolators. The outer chassis is comprised of an outer chassis door, two outer chassis side assemblies, an outer chassis top panel, an outer chassis bottom panel, and an outer chassis back panel. The inner chassis is comprised of two inner chassis side assemblies, an inner chassis top panel, and an inner chassis bottom panel. Each outer chassis side assembly is comprised of a flat outer chassis side panel, one or more diagonal reinforcing members, one or more horizontal reinforcing members, and one or more vertical reinforcing members. Each inner chassis side assembly is comprised of an inner chassis flat side panel, and one or more inner chassis side panel horizontal supports.
US08556351B1
An expandable wheel shield is provided for covering a wheel hub to prevent a product from contacting the wheel hub while applying the product to a tire. The shield includes a central member and a handle coupled to the central member. A plurality of overlapping panels is hingedly coupled to the central member. The panels are radially arranged around the central member. The panels are also coupled to the central member such that the panels are urged into a contracted position when not acted upon by an outside force such as being pressed against a wheel.
US08556344B2
A child safety seat assembly includes a child seat and a base. In one embodiment, the base can include a first portion having a bottom adapted to provide stable resting support, and a second portion extending upward from the first portion. The child seat can be installed on the base, wherein the child seat has a seat portion and a seatback, and is movable relative to adjust a distance between the seat portion and a region of the second portion in front of the seat portion. In other embodiments, a base suitable for use with a child seat is also described. The base can comprise a shell body, and an adjustable platform movably assembled on an upper guide surface of the shell body, wherein the adjustable platform is adapted to attach with the child seat.
US08556343B2
A seat liner is provided that includes a cushion within the seat liner, the cushion includes a body of memory foam and a soft, flexible, and washable material located upon said body of memory foam. In a preferred embodiment, the seat liner may be folded into a folded position, or it may be rolled into a rolled position in order to ensure maximum portability. Further, said seat liner may also includes one or more means for attaching various accessories, such as toys, bottles, blankets, and pacifiers.
US08556338B1
A protective decorative cover for the rear surface of an automobile seat designed to protect the seat surface from scuff marks and dirt that may occur when the child puts his feet on the back of the seat comprises a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheet that is fastened to the rear of the seat using a nylon strap in a loop configuration across an upper portion. The strap comprises a quick-release buckle mechanism and a strap length adjustment mechanism. The flexible PVC sheet can be positioned anywhere on the seat to fit any size car. A bottom portion of the sheet is provided with two (2) nylon straps and a hook system to secure the device to the bottom of the seat.
US08556337B1
A removable thermal cooling/heating seat/backrest cover has a generally rectangular rear panel formed of flexible water-resistant material, and a front panel including at least one large generally rectangular thermally insulated pocket having an outer side wall formed of a flexible sheet of water and mildew resistant material with an inner side wall formed of shiny reflective metalized foil laminated to closed cell polyethylene foam, the foil facing the interior of the pocket, and the foam facing the rear panel. The cover is removably mounted on the backrest and/or seat of a seating structure by mounting straps. The thermally insulated pocket holds a freezable or microwaveable gel pack for providing cooling or heating comfort to a user. The foil forms a reflective thermal barrier that radiates cold or hot temperatures toward the outer side wall and the foam facilitates maintaining the gel pack at a constant temperature.
US08556333B2
A sunroof structure for a vehicle may include a mounting frame made of plastic material, and an insert plate inserted into a front upper side of the mounting frame, forming an upper exposed surface of the vehicle.
US08556330B2
A hinge assembly may include first and second hinge portions, a pivot pin, and a retaining member. The first hinge portion may be secured to one of a vehicle body and a door, and may include a first aperture and a protrusion. The second hinge portion may be secured to another of the vehicle body and the door, and may include a second aperture and a first detent. The protrusion may engage the first detent when the door is in an open position. The pivot pin may selectively engage the first and second apertures to provide relative rotation between the first and second hinge portions. The retaining member may engage a portion of the pivot pin and may be axially movable relative to one of the first and second apertures.
US08556325B2
A sliding sun visor for use in a vehicle is disclosed. The sun visor includes a first and second visor body shell. At least one of the shells having a retaining channel for engaging and retaining a floating carrier on a visor pivot rod. It is also contemplated that the sun visor may have a snap in vanity system and rotating pin on a D-ring associated therewith. The visor body also may include a wire routing option to route a wire from the electrical system of a vehicle to a light bulb in a vanity.
US08556324B1
A utility vehicle according to the present invention includes a front seat, a rear seat, a cargo bed, a screen, and seat belt systems, the cargo bed is changeable between an expanded state and a non-expanded state, the screen has a movable mount in a lower end, the screen is movable between a first position and a second position, each of the seat belt systems has a three-point seat belt structure, a bottom anchor, a retractor, and a buckle are provided in the movable mount, and a top anchor is provided in the screen.
US08556322B2
A panel that may be raised and lowered in the rear area of a vehicle to provide added headroom. The panel may be secured to an opening defined by a roof of the vehicle. The panel may be secured to an opening defined in a tailgate of the vehicle. Side walls and a real wall may be provided that extend between the opening and the panel.
US08556319B2
The present invention relates to a process for the production of a trim cover and the cover of a trim interior itself.
US08556306B1
An anti-pick latch assembly (10) is mounted to a follower door (275) of a double door (257). The latch assembly (10) includes an actuation latch (131) normally extending beyond an end face (291) of the follower door (257) and a latch (231) movable between an unlatching position received in the follower door (275) and a latching position extending out of the follower door (275) into a groove (37) in a door frame (31). When the follower door (275) is closed while a primary door (259) of the double door (257) is closed, the actuation latch (131) is actuated to move a limiting member (90) to a locking position, moving the latch (231) of into the groove (37) of the door frame (31). The limiting member (90) in the locking position prevents the latch (231) from moving out of the groove (37) while the latch (231) is picked.
US08556299B2
This invention provides an information recording patch that allows accurate authenticity discrimination, a printed sheet, and an authenticity discrimination method therefor. An information recording patch includes a protective layer (1), intermediate layer (2), metal layer (3), and adhesive layer (4). The protective layer (1) made of a material having a predetermined dielectric constant is arranged at the uppermost layer. The intermediate layer (2) made of a material having a predetermined dielectric constant has, on its surface, a three-dimensional pattern corresponding to the design of a hologram forming layer including the intermediate layer and the metal layer. The metal layer (3) made of a material having a predetermined conductivity is arranged on the three-dimensional surface of the intermediate layer to form a conductive film. A mirror surface having a three-dimensional pattern, which is formed by the metal layer and the intermediate layer, serves as the main component of the image of the hologram forming layer. The adhesive layer (4) made of a material having a predetermined dielectric constant has the characteristic of a dielectric of itself. When this information recording patch was measured using a leakage microwave sensor, the detected voltage exhibited “medium level” in the conductive region of the metal layer and “low level” in the remaining regions.
US08556293B2
Buckle connectors and airbag assemblies for inflatable personal restraints, and associated methods of use and manufacture are described herein. In one embodiment, an inflatable personal restraint system for use in an aircraft includes a web configured to restrain an occupant in a seat, a connector attached to a distal end portion of the web, and an airbag carried by the web. The restraint system further includes an airbag cover at least partially enclosing the airbag and engaging a portion of the connector. The connector can include a tongue portion configured to be releasably engaged with a corresponding buckle to secure the web around a portion of the occupant.
US08556289B2
Described herein is a sports board for gliding over a surface. The board includes an upper structural layer having an outer surface, a lower structural layer, a core having an upper surface substantially covered by the upper structural layer and a lower surface substantially covered by the lower structural layer. The board also includes a deformable element covered by the core on an upper surface. A first portion of the deformable element protrudes a distance beneath the lower structural layer towards a horizontal plane of the surface underlying the sports board. The board also includes a base element substantially covering the lower structural layer and the deformable element and an edge component positioned at least in part around a perimeter of the base element. At least a portion of the deformable element can deform upon application of an amount of pressure against the base element.
US08556275B1
A truck assembly having a mounting plate with a first mounting bracket with a first arm, a second atm and a ridge; a cushion with a front surface that defines a concave segment, a rear surface that defines a notch that receives and seats the ridge, and a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface that each include an opening to receive a cushion locking pin; an axle assembly having a wheel shaft and a truck support with a first cushion support arm and a second cushion support arm; each of the cushion support arms having a cushion locking pin opening; a cushion locking pin that can releasably engage the cushion locking pin opening; and a swing pin releasably joining the cushion and the axle assembly to the first mounting bracket.
US08556266B2
A flexible card which allows data of the card to be changed with a simple operation is provided, thereby permitting users to sustain interest in the card and a relevant game. The card comprises a first dot pattern in which a coordinate value or a code value is patterned and which is recognizable by predetermined irradiation light at least on one surface thereof and a second dot pattern which is patterned in a predetermined algorithm in a region overlapping with a region where the first dot pattern is provided or a region different from a region where the first dot pattern is provided.
US08556253B2
The sheet feeding apparatus includes an apparatus body, a sheet cassette, a positioning member which includes a positioning pin arranged at one of the apparatus body and the sheet cassette and a positioning hole arranged at the other of the apparatus body and the sheet cassette and which performs positioning of the sheet cassette owing to fitting of the positioning pin with the positioning hole when the sheet cassette is slidingly moved to an attached position, and a restriction member which performs restriction of movement of the sheet cassette in the horizontal direction being perpendicular to a sliding direction from a drawn position to a fitting beginning position where fitting of the positioning member begins and which releases restriction of the movement of the sheet cassette in the horizontal direction from the fitting beginning position to the attached position.
US08556251B2
A paper sheet handling machine is provided, including: a paper sheet slot configured to receive and provide a paper sheet, a pair of push plates configured to hold the paper sheet inserted into and discharged from the paper sheet handling machine via the paper sheet slot and apply a pressing force to the paper sheet in a thickness direction thereof, pair of conveyor assemblies including a first conveyor assembly and a second conveyor assembly configured to hold and convey the paper sheet inserted and discharged via the paper sheet slot; and a moving mechanism configured to move the first conveyor assembly and the second conveyor assembly in mutually approaching directions or in mutually away directions, and to locate the first conveyor assembly and the second conveyor assembly at any position in between and external to the pair of push plates, as seen from the paper sheet slot.
US08556244B2
An adjustable clamp for maintaining two butting panels in an adjoining relationship. A clamping base is composed of a pair of base plates connected at each end with a scissor hinge allowing the plates to be secured at angles of from 0° to greater than 90° to one another. Clamp members are provided on each of the base plates for clamping panels in the desired butting relationship for gluing or otherwise joining the butting panels along their butting edges.
US08556239B2
A fluid filled type vibration damping device including: an obstructing rubber elastic plate disposed so as to obstruct a communication aperture that connects a pressure receiving chamber and an equilibrium chamber; contact retaining portions arranged on an outer peripheral edge of the rubber plate and held in contact against a partition member; an elastic deformation zone arranged circumferentially between the contact retaining portions of the rubber plate so as to undergo elastic deformation on a basis of pressure differential between the pressure receiving chamber and the equilibrium chamber to be spaced away from the partition member to cause the aperture to open up; and a non-linearizing member provided such that the elastic characteristics of the elastic deformation zone become more rigid in a non-linear manner in association with increase in an amount of its deformation.
US08556234B2
A single cable descent control device comprises a pair of rotors with corresponding frames of conductive material mounted on a common central axle on either side of a drive pulley. The pulley is adapted to sit above a single descent cable. An enclosure is suspended from the device. Disposed along at least one surface of each of the rotors or of the corresponding frames or both, is a series of magnets such that rotation of the rotors relative to the frames induces eddy currents that oppose the magnetic field and create a rotational braking force providing precise and controllable descent of the enclosure with little or no mechanical wear or risk of overheating. In this configuration, constraints on the size of the enclosure are dispensed with, as are corresponding limitations on the positioning and angle of descent of the cable. Further, significant labor and material savings in manufacturing the enclosure may be obtained from the resulting simplicity of design. The device may be used in numerous other applications, including without limitation, permitting controlled descent of gondolas or chairs from ski lift operations when normal lift operation is temporarily precluded.
US08556227B2
It is introduced a miniaturizable actuation device based on piezoelectric flexural transducer element, which can be fabricated easily and cost effective, for use in a fluid valve or other devices, the actuation device being suited to perform reproducible actuation deflections fast and precisely, uneffected by disturbing influences due to temperature changes and mechanical deformations of the housing. The actuation device according to the invention includes a fluid bearing 5 with a first surface 7, which is associated with the flexural transducer element 2, a second surface 8, which is associated with the housing 15, and a flowable power transmitting fluid 6 between the surfaces, to transmit the reaction forces and—moments resulting from the actuatro deflection from the flexural transducer element 2 to the housing 15.
US08556223B2
A break-away hook assembly is adapted for installation for use with a low-voltage residential communication cable. A pair of members is coupled. One of the members has a connector with a terminal portion which receives a terminus of the other member. The connector breaks to release the second member from coupled engagement with the first member so that upon application of a stress in excess of a pre-established load, the cable will sag while maintaining the communication integrity of the cable.
US08556222B2
A plurality of rolling members, which are retained by retainers between sidewall-portion inside operating surfaces formed on inside surfaces of sidewall portions of a lower rail and sidewall-portion outside operating surfaces formed on outside surfaces of sidewall portions of a first upper rail, roll in contact on the sidewall-portion inside operating surfaces and the sidewall-portion outside operating surfaces. Sidewall portions of a second upper rail are cut and raised at parts of only a predetermined length in a vehicle front-rear direction to be formed as rolling-element rolling portions having sidewall-portion outside operating surfaces. Rolling element circulation units each incorporating a plurality of rolling elements are fitted on the rolling-element rolling portions, so that the plurality of rolling elements roll and circulate in contact with the sidewall-portion inside operating surfaces and the sidewall-portion outside operating surfaces of rolling-element rolling portions.
US08556218B2
Disclosed is a stop brake for a tripod head, particularly for film or television cameras. The tripod head may include (a) a substantially cylindrical brake caliper, which has a main body for insertion into a receiving opening in a housing part of the tripod head and (b) a brake block for engaging with a brake disk, and (c) a locking device in order to engage and disengage the brake block with/from the brake disc. An expanding section is provided in the region of the outer circumference of the main body of the brake caliper. The expanding section is deflected radially outward in the direction of an inside wall of the receiving opening upon engaging the brake block with the brake disc.
US08556217B1
A crossing panel includes a pair of intersecting rails, a pair of crossing line rails, a plurality of railroad ties supporting the crossing line rails such that the crossing line rails are angled upwardly from a base elevation toward the respective main line rail and terminating such that a tread bearing surface of each crossing line rail at its terminal end is at a height above the crown of the intersecting line rail, an external frog casting being aligned with and secured to the terminal ends of the crossing line rails and having an external frog tread bearing surface substantially above the crown of an intersecting line rail, and transitional guide castings disposed between the intersecting rails and respectively aligned with the crossing line rails. The transitional guide castings are substantially horizontal, and each has a crown maintained at a height sufficient to maintain a railcar wheel of a train wheel set above the intersecting line rails.
US08556214B2
A panel assembly for an aircraft including a panel having an upper aerodynamic surface and a leading edge, and a hinge fitting connected to an underside of the panel, defining a hinge line for the direction of rotation of the panel. The upper surface of the leading edge has an arcuate portion centered about the hinge line, and has an upturned portion forward of the arcuate portion. The panel assembly is pivotally connected to its hinge fitting to the trailing edge of the fixed wing portion and rotatable between a first position wherein the upper surfaces of the fixed wing portion and the panel are substantially flush, and a second position wherein the panel is rotated downwardly from the first position. A seal member attached to the trailing edge of the fixed wing portion, has a lower surface which seals against the upper surface of the panel during its movement.
US08556206B2
A core for winding floor covering material, the core being a hollow, wound paper tube having an integrally formed longitudinally oriented indentation configured to accommodate the starting edge of the floor covering material. The core eliminates the longitudinal crease often found on the final few square meters of floor covering wound around a conventional core.
US08556202B2
The invention relates to a roller mill having a grinding pan which is rotatable about a mill axis, on the grinding track of which grinding pan stationarily disposed grinding rollers roll and thereby define with their circumferential surfaces on the grinding track a running circle with an inner diameter and an outer diameter, and having a grinding material distributor for grinding material to be reduced, which is arranged as an elevation in the centre of the grinding pan coaxially with respect to the mill axis and rotates with the grinding pan.In order to achieve an improved inflow of the grinding material to the grinding rollers and an increased throughput performance of the roller mill a distributing plate is provided as the grinding material distributor, which is arranged at a defined distance from the grinding rollers and is thereby designed and dimensioned in such a way that there is a defined ratio between the inner diameter of the rolling circle and the diameter of the distributing plate at the level of the grinding track.
US08556194B2
A fuel injector that includes a flying armature movable relative to a pintle stop, and an electromagnetic circuit configured to move the flying armature away from the pintle stop prior to accelerating the armature toward the pintle stop as part of moving the pintle to open the fuel injector. The flying armature increases the total force applied to the pintle to open the fuel injector by supplementing the static force imparted to the armature by a magnetic field with an impact force imparted by the armature being in motion toward and impacting with the pintle stop. The arrangement of magnetic circuit devices and materials used to make the magnetic circuit devices cooperate to provide a reversing force that urges the armature away from before urging the armature toward the pintle stop, and increases the rate at which the force that urges the armature toward the pintle stop increases.
US08556192B2
A portable pressure washer that includes a base and a tank assembly formed as a one-piece structure and for engagement with the base. The tank assembly has a pair of water tanks that are disposed separately from each other and a solution tank that is disposed between the pair of water tanks. Each of the tanks is provided with a filler cap. A latch mechanism is disposed at opposite ends of the base for releasably securing the tank assembly with the base. The base houses a liquid pump and air compressor. A manual selector is mounted at the base and has separately selectable positions for coupling either with the water tanks or the solution tank. A spray hose is coupled from the pump for directing either of the water or solution when the pump is activated.
US08556189B2
A conductive rail joint comprises a left conductive rail (1), a middle rail (2), a right conductive rail (3), supporting plates (4), electric conductors (5) and conductive wires (6). The opposite end faces of the three rails are slant and parallel with each other. The supporting plates (4), the electric conductors (5) and the conductive wires (6) respectively consist of a left one and a right one. The two supporting plates are axial non-symmetrically mounted at the bottom of the corresponding conductive rails (1, 3) respectively. One end of each electric conductor (51, 52) is fixed to the corresponding supporting plate (41, 42) and the other end is suspended. Each of the two conductive wires (61, 62) is connected between the fixed end of the corresponding electric conductor (51, 52) and the suspended end of the other electric conductor (52, 51). The conductive wires (6) are loose after the connection. The conductive wires (6) and the electric conductors (5) consist of a loop so that when the conductive rails are expanded or contracted, the longitudinal displacements of the two conductive rails are not restricted.
US08556180B2
A multiwavelength barcode reader is used for reading a barcode, and transmitting the read barcode to a system composed of a pair of connected information devices. In the barcode reader, several sets of light sources having different wavelengths are disposed so as to enable the barcode reader to provide a light source having a suitable wavelength in accordance with a color of the barcode when reading or scanning the barcode, thereby improving the resolution of the read or scanned barcode.
US08556176B2
Improved methods of and apparatus for managing and redeeming bar-coded coupons that are displayed from a light emitting display surface of an information storage and display device, such as a cell-phone, a smart-phone, or a data communication device. The linear (1D) bar code symbols, associated with bar-coded store coupons, are displayed on the light emitting display surface using in a pulse code modulation (PCM) format, wherein a substantial portion of the pixels on the light emitting display surface are energized and de-energized to emit red-wavelengths of light energy, at a rate which temporally corresponds to the spatial frequency of the bars and spaces of the linear bar code symbol, so that a laser scanning bar code symbol reading device is capable of reading the PCM formatted bar code symbol displayed from the light emitting display surface.
US08556175B2
Systems and methods for reducing erroneous weighing of items such as by detecting items extending beyond a periphery of a weigh platter whereby in one configuration, the system employs a light guide for routing a light beam to a detector operative to detect interruption of the beam due to an item encroaching upon or overhanging an edge of the platter. In another configuration, the scale includes a perimeter gap between the platter outer edge and scanner housing frame or checkout counter, a light beam directed angularly upward through the gap is partially obstructed by the frame and platter whereby light exits the gap forming a light plane, wherein an object placed on the platter extending across the gap intersects the light plane thus scattering light rays, some of which are sensed by a detector. Various indicators for alerting the operator of off-scale detection are also described.
US08556174B2
A network accessible node that facilitates management of a fleet of portable communication devices (EIR terminal), including portable data terminals and/or barcode readers, by directing performance of software upgrade and/or configuration update actions by one or more members of the fleet of EIR terminals.
US08556171B2
An electronic payment terminal and method are provided for printing tickets. The method includes: carrying out payment transactions with the terminal; after each transaction, simultaneously printing several tickets concerning the transaction made. Accordingly, when several transactions are carried out successively, the time required for printing the tickets is shortened since the tickets are printed at the same time.
US08556168B1
A banking system machine is controlled responsive to data read from data bearing records. The machine includes a card reader, a keypad, a cash dispenser, a cash outlet, a deposit accepting opening, and other transaction locations that may be susceptible to the installation of fraudulent devices adjacent thereto. Such unauthorized devices may include for example, a fraudulent card reading device, a fraudulent keypad input intercepting device, a cash outlet trap device, a deposit input diversion device, or other illegitimate devices. The machine includes an anti-fraud arrangement that is operative to deter the attachment of unauthorized devices to the machine. The arrangement can sense and/or dislodge an unauthorized device attached to the machine. The arrangement also allows for the machine's card slot bezel to be frequently exchanged for a differently contoured card slot bezel.
US08556165B2
Method and System for Enabling Teller Presentation of Pre-Approved Credit Offers. Simultaneously with a teller transaction flow, pertinent customer information can be parsed and forwarded to a credit opportunity system such as may be operated by a credit bureau. If the customer qualifies, the appropriate details of the pre-approved credit offer can then returned to the teller system. The teller then has both a cue and the necessary information to sell a pre-approved product to the customer. Provisions can be made to dispose of the transaction in various ways, based on input by the teller as to the outcome of the offer to the customer. A server and other functionality disposed in a channel technology mid-tier can control the formatting and sending of offer inquiries.
US08556164B1
Codes, such as Quick Response (QR) codes, may be printed on a transaction receipt or displayed on a display unit of a workstation or self-service device (e.g., an ATM) to provide users with additional promotions or to service an error that may have occurred during the transaction. The code may be unique to the transaction and generated by the transaction device during the transaction. The code may encode information unique to the transaction, such as a unique identifier generated by the transaction device that links the code to a storage device storing additional information on the transaction. Users may scan the code to obtain additional promotion information or to contact a service agent to resolve an error.
US08556160B2
A carton for containing a plurality of containers. The carton comprises a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a bottom panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a top panel foldably connected to the first side panel, a second side panel foldably connected to the top panel, and an expansion panel foldably connected to the bottom panel. Opposite ends of the expansion panel are respectively foldably connected to expansion flaps, and the expansion flaps are at least partially in face-to-face contact with, and mounted to, the second side panel. A dispenser is positioned in at least the second side panel.
US08556158B2
A method includes providing a substrate carrier including work piece holders, and placing a first plurality of work pieces into the work piece holders. A second plurality of work pieces is picked up and placed, with each of the second plurality of work pieces being placed on one of the first plurality of work pieces. Solder bumps between the first and the second plurality of work pieces are then reflowed to simultaneously bond the first and the second plurality of work pieces together.
US08556150B2
A hand-held drive-in tool for driving in fastening elements includes a drive-in ram (13), a drive (30) for driving the drive-in ram (13) and having a driving spring member (31) for displacing the drive-in ram (13), a device (70) for preloading the driving spring member (31), a locking device (50) having a locking position (54) in which the locking device (50) retains the driving spring member (31) in its preloaded position and a release position (55) into which the locking device (50) is displaced upon actuation of an actuation switch (19) of the drive-in tool (10), and a mechanical blocking device (60) operating independently of the actuation switch (19) and having an active position (68) in which the blocking device (60) retains the locking device (50) in its locking position (54), and a passive position (69) in which the locking device (50) can be displaced in its release position (55).
US08556137B2
A closure is provided that is configured to fit over a mouth of a receptacle to form a container. The closure includes a body portion having an open bottom formed of a skirt that defines an outer periphery of the body portion and an end wall defining at least one dispensing aperture. The closure also includes a member supported at the end wall. The member has a flap configured for pivotal movement and a user interface configured for sliding movement. The sliding movement of the user interface causes the pivotal movement of the flap. The closure further includes a retaining member coupled to the body portion for securing the member to the body portion. The retaining member at least partially covers the flap and the user interface.
US08556135B2
An end piece is adapted for connection and fluid communication with a dip tube for drawing in matter through suction. The end piece includes an upper part and a lower part. The upper part is connected with the bottom end of the tube. The lower part includes an upper base, a lower base and an enclosing wall by which the lower base is joined to the upper base. The enclosing wall defines a hollow space between the upper base and the lower base. The lower base is larger in area than the upper base such that the hollow space is tapered toward the upper base. The lower base provides an opening for matter to enter.
US08556134B2
A cartridge-type single-screw pump (1) is provided. The pump (1) is adapted to volumetrically batch and deliver a certain amount of a fluid contained inside at least one storage tank and to supply it to a nozzle or delivering head. The pump (1) including an external fixed pump body (10) and a removable pumping cartridge (20), with the removable pumping cartridge (20) being adapted to be inserted in at least one insertion seat (11) of the external fixed pump body (10) in order to operatively cooperate with this latter one. A dye-meter is also provided. The dye-meter includes at least one cartridge-type single-screw pump (1).
US08556132B2
An inlet for a pump is provided herein including a first elongated component and a tubular second elongated component disposed coaxially about the first elongated component so as to define a space therebetween. Advantageously, with the subject invention, an inlet for a pump can be provided which can be modularly formed from components. In this manner, the components can be manufactured, e.g., by molding, and assembled with a pump, thereby avoiding the difficulties associated with the manufacture and assembly of dip tubes.
US08556131B2
A fluid dispenser comprising: a fluid reservoir (10) of variable working volume, in which reservoir the fluid is protected from the air, the reservoir being provided with an actuator wall (25) that is axially movable down and up between a rest position and a depressed position, the movement of the wall causing the pressure in the reservoir to vary, the wall being situated at an end of the dispenser; and a dispenser orifice (150) via which the fluid is dispensed, the orifice being provided with an outlet valve (4); the dispenser being characterized in that the orifice (150) is situated at an end of the dispenser other than the end at which the actuator wall (25) is situated.
US08556123B2
A device for storing and dispensing a substance includes a container having a body defining therein a storage chamber for receiving and storing the substance. The container includes a head located at one end of the body and a first passageway that is in fluid communication with the storage chamber of the body and defines a flow path therebetween. The container also includes a pierceable wall located on an opposite side of the passageway relative to the storage chamber, and a first connecting portion for connecting another component thereto. The device also includes a one-way valve assembly that includes a valve body including a body base defining a second passageway and at least one piercing portion engageable with the pierceable wall of the container. The valve assembly includes a second connecting portion connectable to the first connecting portion of the container for fixedly securing the valve assembly to the container.
US08556113B2
Embodiments of the invention provide an adapter suitable for use with cups and lids. In some embodiments, the adapter is designed so that a single lid with a predetermined diameter fits, by way of the adapter, with paper cups of different diameters. In some embodiments, an adapter including an inner diameter that corresponds to the upper diameter of the paper cup cooperates with the upper portion of the cup. The adapter also includes an outer diameter that corresponds to the predetermined diameter of the lid to ensure a secure fit between that particular sized cup and the plastic lid having a predetermined diameter.
US08556110B2
A fuel tank that is composed of plastic and that has installations. In order to functionally improve the fuel tank and to simplify the manufacturing, a shaped piece (15) is attached to the inside of the wall (1) of the fuel tank and connected to the fuel tank in a bonded manner. The shaped piece (15) is a flat component that has an open three-dimensional shape and forms at least one channel (17) and/or tank together with the plastic shell (1). The shaped piece (15) is welded all around to the plastic shell (1), wherein a welding flange (20) forming a closed curve follows the contour of the channel (17). The shaped piece (15) has at least one mouth part (16) that is open toward the tank interior and is integral with the shaped piece.
US08556099B2
The present invention is a collapsible vessel and also a method of reducing waste. The collapsible vessel has a mechanism that maintains its rigidity in its expanded form, yet allows it to be collapsed when desired. The vessel also has a removable lid, and the vessel, lid, or both may carry logos or other images or indicia, particularly those of restaurant or beverage chains.
US08556088B2
The present invention is aimed to fabricate nanoporous anodic oxide ceramic membrane tubes with excellent pore characteristics by anodizing metal tubes located in a cylindrical symmetry with respect to a cathode which itself has a cylindrical symmetry. The membrane tubes may have protruded portions acting as supports and joints. The present invention also deals with stacks and bundles consisted of numbers of the anodic oxide ceramic tubes for filter and dialysis applications.
US08556085B2
An anti-viral device including a body having at least one side wall defining an interior space therein. The body has opposite first and second open ends, the open ends also defined by the at least one side wall and in fluid communication with the interior space. The device further includes at least one flap operatively connected to the at least one side wall and extending into the interior space from the at least one sidewall toward the longitudinal axis of the body, the at least one flap being flexible. And, the device also includes at least one groove disposed in a surface of the at least one flap.
US08556081B2
A system for shipping and displaying a vehicle is disclosed. A display box includes a vehicle receiving area that has a display area and an enclosed area so that when the vehicle is located in the display box a prospective purchaser can sit on the seat. For shipping a vehicle is affixed to a first display box and a second vehicle is affixed to a second display box. The second display box is inverted and reversed and is located above the first display box to form a rectangularly shaped shipping combination. First and second disposable pillars are located between the first and second vehicles to support the two display boxes when combined to form the shipping combination. In a preferred embodiment, the pillars locate in foot receiving areas of the vehicles in the first and second display boxes.
US08556080B2
A shipping and display carton is provided that may be used for panel filters. The carton preferably has three display positions including horizontally flat, vertically upright, and side filter display positions to provide a retailer with display options. The box has several features such as releasable interlocked retainer flaps to retain filters in one display position, perforated removal portions including a removable card carrying a cover lid, a single glue seam with interlocking bottom panels so as to provide break down without a cut knife, and other features.
US08556072B2
A package of cigarettes having a group of cigarettes; and a sealed wrapping which encloses the group of cigarettes, has a cigarette withdrawal opening closed by a reclosable sealing panel, and is made from a sheet of multilayer packing material having at least an outer layer, and an inner layer superimposed with the outer layer and having a U-shaped first incision defining the withdrawal opening; the outer layer is larger than the sealing panel, and has a U-shaped second incision located outwards of the first incision, surrounding the first incision on three sides, and defining the edges of the sealing panel.
US08556071B2
A package for tobacco-related articles comprises a shell including a front wall, a rear wall, two lateral walls, and a top side. A lid is adapted to close the top side of the shell when in a closed state. The lid is swivelably connected to the rear wall or one of the lateral walls at a hinge line and is swivelable about the hinge line for transfer between the closed state and an opened state. The lid comprises a top wall including a front edge, a rear edge, two lateral edges, and a bottom side and is adapted to close the top side of the shell when the lid is in its closed state. A beveled edge wall extends from at least the edge of the top wall of the lid opposite to the hinge line and fits into the shell when the lid is in its closed state.
US08556059B2
An improved roller blind clutch assembly is disclosed for controlling the raising and lowering of a roller blind which permits the smooth raising and lowering of roller blinds even if the blinds are heavy. The improved roller blind clutch assembly includes a roller tube mount coaxially and rotatably mounted to a barrel. A clutch member is in turn coaxially and rotatably mounted to the barrel between the roller tube mount and the barrel. The clutch member has a window formed between a first and a second edge of the clutch member. A torsion locking spring is coaxially mounted to the barrel between the barrel and the clutch member. The torsion locking spring has opposite first and second ends which project into the window. The roller tube mount has an extension portion configured to extend into the window and dimensioned to fit between the first and second ends of the torsion locking spring. The extension has opposite first and second shoulders covered by a steel shim configured to fit between the extension and the torsion locking spring. The extension portion is also dimensioned and configured to maintain a gap between the extension and the torsion locking spring; thereby permitting the torsion locking spring from catching on the barrel as the clutch mechanism is used to raise and lower the blind. The extension portion has a concave face with a circular diameter less than the diameter of the torsion locking spring.
US08556055B2
A driving apparatus for a rear hub of a bicycle includes a hub shell, a single-directional driving component and a dual-directional driving component, wherein the single-directional driving component has a ratchet ring and a ratchet base, and a plurality of inclined helical surfaces are located around an inner perimeter of the ratchet ring, and a plurality of engaging ribs that engage with the wedging ribs of the fixed ring of the hub shell are located around an outer perimeter of the ratchet ring. A plurality of conjugating portions are located around an outer perimeter at one end of the ratchet base to form a resilient unit and a hook against the inclined helical surface. A plurality of conjugating ribs are located around one end of the dual-directional driving component, and the conjugating ribs are used to engage with the wedging ribs of the fixed ring of the hub shell.
US08556053B2
A twin-clutch for a twin-clutch variable speed transmission in motor vehicles includes two wet running multi-disk-clutches which are arranged axially in succession in a transmission housing, wherein end walls of the transmission housing are provided on respective sides of the multi disk clutches, a driving clutch housing; two transmission hubs outputting to transmission input shafts, and alternately drivingly connectable with the clutch housing via clutch disks; ring pistons shiftably supported in the end walls of the transmission housing and hydraulically pressurizeable with pressure oil via ducts arranged in the end walls to thereby cause a shifting of the ring pistons, wherein the ring pistons alternately act on the clutch disks via pressure disks, and wherein the pressure disks are actuatable from outside the clutch housing by the ring pistons; and axial rolling bearings respectively arranged between the ring pistons and the pressure disks.
US08556051B2
The invention relates to a clutch assembly, particularly for use in force transmission devices for motor vehicle, comprising a housing arrangement that is or can be filled with a fluid, and a frictional arrangement that has a first frictional surface arrangement and a second frictional surface arrangement which can be effectively interconnected by means of an actuator. Each frictional surface arrangement is provided with at least one frictional surface-supporting element. A fluid flow can be generated in the housing arrangement for cooling the frictional surface arrangements. The invention is characterized in that means are provided for creating at least one circuit which repeatedly flows through at least one frictional surface-supporting element of the frictional arrangement and conducts the fluid flow when the rotational speed differs between the effectively interconnectable frictional surface-supporting elements of the different frictional surface arrangements. Said means encompass cooling ducts which define the course of a single circuit in the direction of flow. The extension of the cooling ducts from an radially inward area to a radially outward area, or vice versa, in or on a frictional surface-supporting element in the desired direction of flow is characterized by a circumferential directional component in the direction of rotation of the individual frictional surface arrangement.
US08556041B2
An elevator includes a set of hoisting ropes supporting a counterweight and an elevator car moving on respective tracks, each hoisting rope having a substantially round cross-section, and a hoisting machine engaging the set of hoisting ropes via a traction sheave. The traction sheave has a plurality of rope grooves. Each of the plurality of rope grooves generally conforms to a substantially circular shape. Each of the plurality of rope grooves has an opening for receiving a hoisting rope from among the set of hoisting ropes. A coating is adhesively bonded to each of the plurality of rope grooves. Each hoisting rope has a diameter below 8 mm. Each hoisting rope is composed of steel wires having a strength exceeding 2000 N/mm2. A contact angle between the set of hoisting ropes and the traction sheave is greater than about 180 degrees.
US08556036B1
An adjustable tree stand assembly of the present invention is used by hunters and naturalists. The assembly presents a support frame of a generally rectangular configuration having a first support member to be connected to a tree and an arm extending in cantilevered fashion to a housing adaptable to receive a seat and seat frame assembly. The seat and seat frame assembly includes a seat portion, a back support portion and a leg or pin extending from the seat portion to be engaged in the housing. An adjustable shooting rail is connected to and extends from the seat and seat frame assembly. The housing is further connected to a platform for supporting the hunter.
US08556033B2
The present disclosure provides a swimming pool ladder with a barrier. The ladder includes two ladder sections. A top platform for supporting is connected between the upper portions of the two ladder sections and disposed above the swimming pool. The two ladder sections are respectively positioned inside and outside the swimming pool. The ladder section includes two parallel-disposed rails and a plurality of steps. The plurality of steps are mounted at intervals along the two rails from top to bottom. A barrier is provided that is perpendicular to the inner side face of the first ladder section. The barrier has a triangle shape, one edge of which is adjacent the inner side face of the first ladder section and fixed on at least two steps through at least two connectors and another edge is adjacent the inner sidewall of the swimming pool. The top end of the barrier is spaced from the top platform by a distance and the bottom end is adjacent the floor of the swimming pool.
US08556025B2
In a method for manufacturing a dishwasher having at least one component and at least one bitumen mat provided on the component for noise deadening and/or sound insulation of the component, a usable, flowable and reactively-hardenable bituminous mixture is applied upon the bitumen mat and/or component such as to form at least one adhesive bead. The adhesive bead is partly surrounded by at least one area which is free of the reactively-hardenable bituminous mixture. Before the hardening of the bituminous mixture, the component and the bitumen mat are pressed together and thereby glued to one another.
US08556023B2
In an electric power steering apparatus, an elastic member, disposed between the steering shaft and the housing, configured to be elastically deformed in accordance with rotation or displacement in a vehicle width direction, of the steering shaft. At least two bearings, disposed with a gap in an axial direction of the steering shaft, are configured to support the steering shaft. The elastic member is disposed between the bearings. A supporting member may be disposed between the steering shaft and the elastic member and configured to be displaced by a rotation of a predetermined angle or predetermined distance in accordance with the rotation or a displacement, in the width direction of the vehicle, of the steering shaft with slidable support for the steering shaft. The elastic member is fixed to the supporting member and abuts the housing.
US08556022B2
In order to provide a solenoid valve or solenoid that allows easy and accurate wire winding for an electric annular coil employed therein, a simple shape is possessed by the electric annular coil with inner and outer cylindrical surfaces that entirely extend in parallel with an axis of the electric annular coil and a sleeve for axially sliding therein an armature together with a plunger is shaped to have a larger diameter portion that is put between a smaller diameter portion of a front core and the inner cylindrical surface of the electric coil, a smaller diameter portion that is put between the armature and a rear core integral with a solenoid housing and a sloped annular intermediate portion that extends between the larger and smaller diameter portions.
US08556009B2
A “super fuel efficient”, safe, low-cost and yet high performance 4-wheeled vehicle is configured with motorcycle wheels and tires having continuous radius tires and of outside diameter (20-26 inches). A special configuration of the invention permits a 4-wheeled vehicle to naturally camber while engaging a corner, or while maneuvering on a slope. Integration of a “short-cycling”, low storage mass hybrid drivetrain into the vehicle, and further, an exhaust heat energy recovery system, secures the efficiency opportunity.
US08556007B2
A fuel cell module for a vehicle, which accommodates a stacked-cell body which is provided with electric output terminals for taking electric power from stacked power generating cells in a metallic casing which has an insulation layer on its inner surface, is disposed in a vehicle front room such that the stacked direction of the power generating cells is a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and the electric output terminals face the front of the vehicle. An insulating cover made of insulating rubber which is thicker than an insulation layer of a cover is disposed on the exterior surface of the electric output terminals to prevent short circuiting of the electric output terminals.
US08556005B2
In a forklift, power is transmitted to a traveling pump and an operating machine pump through a PTO unit provided to an output shaft of an engine along front-rear direction of a vehicle body. The traveling pump is disposed to a first face of the PTO unit facing the hydraulic motor. An input shaft of the traveling pump is offset from the output shaft of the engine. The drive shaft of the hydraulic motor is offset from the output shaft of the engine and the input shaft of the traveling pump. The hydraulic motor is side by side with the traveling pump. The operating machine pump is mounted to a second face of the PTO unit mounted with the engine. An input shaft of the operating machine pump is offset from the traveling pump. The operating machine pump is under the engine to be side by side with the engine.
US08556004B2
A conduit assembly for use in a drilling system that may include an upper section, an intermediate section and a lower section. The upper section may include a first seal. The first seal may include an opening that may be sized and configured to receive and form a seal with an inner drill string. The first seal may include one or more slits that may extend from an outer edge of the first seal to the opening of the first seal. The intermediate section may include an outlet for a flushing medium. The outlet may include a projection that may extend into a hollow interior of the intermediate section. The lower section may be sized and configured to be connected to and disconnected from a connecting portion of an outer drill string. The lower section may be sized and configured to be connected to and disconnected from the intermediate section.
US08556003B2
A substructure of a drill rig includes, among other things, a base and an intermediate section that is adapted to be raised above the base, wherein the intermediate section is further adapted to be laterally moved in a first lateral direction relative to the base and maintained substantially parallel to the base during the raising of the intermediate section above the base. The substructure further includes a rig floor section that is adapted to be raised above the intermediate section, wherein the rig floor section is further adapted to be laterally moved in a second lateral direction relative to the base and maintained substantially parallel to the base during the raising of the rig floor section above the intermediate section, the second lateral direction being opposite to the first lateral direction.
US08556000B2
Device comprising equipment for measuring parameters of a drilling or coring operation by means of a drillbit fixed to the end of a drill string, measurement equipment (7) being housed in a chamber (5) made in a coupling (1, 18) that is designed to be interposed between two drill string pipes or between the drillbit and a drill string pipe, or to constitute an adapter (18) for a cutting head (15) of the drillbit of a drill string.
US08555997B2
An improved method is provided for controlling a power tool having a rotary shaft. The method includes: disposing an inertial mass in a housing of the power tool, such that the inertial mass is freely rotatable about an axis of rotation which is axially aligned with the rotary shaft; monitoring rotational motion of the power tool in relation to the inertial mass during operation of the power tool; and activating a protective operation based on the rotational motion of the power tool in relation to the inertial mass.
US08555980B1
A blowout containment system is permanently positioned on the wellhead. The blowout containment system is relatively inexpensive, is always available and in place, it does not interfere with normal drilling operations, will capture all of the oil and gas emitted by the blowout, does not require special or unique sea surface or underwater apparatus or vessels, does not have any operational requirements that are different than those which drilling crews normally use and are already familiar, and is activated the using actions are similar to those used by drilling crews for well drilling and completion.
US08555975B2
According to an embodiment, an exit assembly comprises: a first fluid inlet; a first fluid outlet; and at least one fluid director, wherein the fluid enters the exit assembly in one direction, in another direction, or combinations thereof, and wherein the at least one fluid director induces flow of the fluid rotationally about the assembly when the fluid enters in the one direction and impedes flow of the fluid rotationally about the assembly when the fluid enters in the another direction. In another embodiment, the exit assembly includes two or more fluid inlets. According to another embodiment, a flow rate restrictor comprises: a fluid switch; and the exit assembly. According to another embodiment, the flow rate restrictor is for use in a subterranean formation.
US08555968B2
Methods and apparatuses for evaluating a fluid from a subterranean formation of a wellsite via a downhole tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation are provided. The apparatus relates to a downhole tool having a probe with at least two intakes for receiving fluid from the subterranean formation. The downhole tool is configured according to a wellsite set up. The method involves positioning the downhole tool in the wellbore of the wellsite, drawing fluid into the downhole tool via the at least two intakes, monitoring at least one wellsite parameter via at least one sensor of the wellsite and automatically adjusting the wellsite setup based on the wellsite parameters.
US08555966B2
A formation testing apparatus and method are disclosed. In one aspect, a fluid is drawn from a formation, one or more sensors measure pressure of the fluid during the during drawing of the fluid, and a processor estimates an inflection point from the pressure measurements and controls the drawing of the fluid from the inflection point until the pressure of the fluid drops to a selected level.
US08555942B2
The invention relates to a tire having a radial carcass reinforcement comprising a crown reinforcement formed of at least two working crown layers of reinforcement elements, which are crossed from one layer to the other, forming with the circumferential direction angles of between 10° and 45°, which itself is topped radially by a tread, said tread being joined to two beads by means of two sidewalls and the crown reinforcement comprising between two working crown plies at least one additional ply of reinforcement elements. According to the invention, the axial ends of the reinforcement element working ply radially closest to the carcass reinforcement are turned up to cover the axial ends of a working crown ply radially external to the additional ply.
US08555931B2
Provided is an in-tank tube excellent in pressure-resisting performance. The in-tank tube is an in-tank tube (1) for an automotive fuel of a monolayer structure, the in-tank tube (1) for an automotive fuel being installed in a fuel tank (2) and having a construction that absorbs displacement of the fuel tank (2) and vibration of a fuel pump (5). Further, the in-tank tube (1) for an automotive fuel is formed into a monolayer structure formed of a resin material using an aliphatic polyamide resin as a main component, and has the following pressure-resisting characteristic (X): (X) when silicone oil is charged as a pressurizing medium into the in-tank tube immersed in a test liquid (Fuel C:methanol=85:15 (volume basis)) at 80° C. for 168 hours, both ends of the in-tank tube are each blocked with a test pipe, and a pressure test is performed at a rate of pressure increase of 1.0 MPa/min and room temperature, a pressure (burst pressure) at which the in-tank tube bursts or the test pipe disconnects is 2.8 MPa or more.
US08555919B2
A ball valve includes a valve housing that has a main passage defined therein and a valve assembly that includes a valve body, which is movable within the main passage between open and closed positions, and a valve stem that fixedly engages the valve body. A handle is disposed on the valve housing that is connected to the valve stem and is operable to rotate the valve body between the open and closed positions via the valve stem. A switch is disposed within the housing, which operatively engages the valve assembly and is configured to transmit a signal to an operator's station regarding the position of the valve body.
US08555918B2
Flow rate control valve includes: a target probe formed of a magnetically-responsive substance and mounted to one end of a spool; a sensor housing mounted to the one end of the sleeve and having a cylinder section defining an inner space to permit entry therein of the target probe; and first and second coils provided around the cylinder section and axially spaced from each other by a predetermined distance. The probe is constructed so that magnetic response of the coils gradually varies in one direction in response to a linear position of the target probe. The first coil responds to the target probe, while the second coil does not respond to the target probe. Impedance of the first coil varies with a linear position of the probe (31), and the linear position of the probe is detected through differential synthesis performed between outputs of the first and second coils.
US08555912B2
An organic rankine cycle system includes a sensor for sensing a condition indicative of pressure within the system and a control which responsively provides heat to said system when the pressure within the system is sensed to be at a predetermined threshold, near ambient pressure, during periods in which the system is shut down or preparing to operate. Provision is also made to remove the heat from the system when the pressure therein rises to a predetermined higher pressure threshold.
US08555911B2
A method and apparatus protecting a water distribution system from main breaks caused by sudden pressure spikes in the distribution system. A surge suppressor apparatus may include a surge suppressor tank. The surge suppressor tank may be a hollow, cylindrical container adapted to retain liquid. The surge suppressor apparatus may also include a tee pipe integrally formed to the suppressor tank. The tee pipe is sized so that it connects to an underground supply pipe. End caps may be integrally formed to the suppressor tank. The end caps create an airtight seal in the surge suppressor tank.
US08555910B2
Shelter structures having an upper shelter portion supported (internally or externally) at an apex and one or more peripheral support elements supported by an external suspension web provided externally of a base region of the upper shelter portion are provided. The upper shelter portion provides a roof-like structure, while a lower enclosure portion may be connected, directly or indirectly, to the upper shelter portion and may provide wall-like structures that may include doors, vents, windows, and the like, or that may comprise an open network of lines, straps, wires, or bands. In tent embodiments, the upper shelter portion and the lower enclosure portion may be provided as fabric structures that, when erected, form tensioned fabric structures. Support systems, kits for assembling structures, reinforcement features and methods for assembling structures are also disclosed.
US08555907B2
A retractable, non-slip tip system for support devices such as canes and crutches is provided. The system includes a hollow body having openings on each of a proximal end and a distal end. The body is configured to slide over the shaft of a support device and affix to the support device in either an extended position, wherein the distal end of the body extends beyond a terminal end of the support device, or a retracted position, wherein the terminal end of the support device extends beyond the distal end of the body. Suitably placed apertures in each of the body and the support device facilitate the attachment of the body to the support device in the extended and retracted positions. When the body is in the extended position, gripping protrusions on the distal end of the body are exposed and provide extra traction for the support device on soft slippery surfaces.
US08555903B2
A cleaning material is disposed over a substrate. The cleaning material includes solid components dispersed within a liquid medium. A force is applied to the solid components within the liquid medium to bring the solid components within proximity to contaminants present on the substrate. The force applied to the solid components can be exerted by an immiscible component within the liquid medium. When the solid components are brought within sufficient proximity to the contaminants, an interaction is established between the solid components and the contaminants. Then, the solid components are moved away from the substrate such that the contaminants having interacted with the solid components are removed from the substrate.
US08555901B2
An oral care device having a handle, a neck, and a pair of curved arms. The handle includes an enlarged distal end and a reduced proximal end, and a pair of downwardly-extending handle walls. The handle walls are spaced at their upper ends and converge with and join one another at their lower ends to define a substantially V-shaped cross-section and an upwardly-opening blind cavity. A neck extends distally from the handle and defines a tongue portion that is recessed relative to a top surface. A pair of curved arms extend distally and downwardly from the neck. When substantially identical oral care devices are stacked one upon the other, the upwardly-opening blind cavity of one oral care device nestingly receives the downwardly-extending handle walls of another oral care device.
US08555897B2
A tobacco smoking mixture including an ammonia-release compound adapted to be formed into a lit-end cigarette is provided. The ammonia-release compound is incorporated in or on tobacco cut filler in an amount effective to reduce the cytotoxicity, and/or selective smoke constituents of cigarette smoke. Exemplary ammonia-release compounds include ammonium acetate, ammonium hydroxide, hexammine cobalt (III) chloride, hexammine cobalt (III) acetate, and combinations thereof. The ammonia-release compounds can release ammonia at temperatures between about 60° C. and about 400° C. Ammonia-release compounds can be combined with additives, such as glycerine, cobalt acetate, copper (II) acetate, zinc acetate, other metal salts or combinations thereof, to further reduce the cytotoxicity of cigarette smoke.
US08555893B2
A tapered sleeve is provided that includes a lubricating coating on an inner surface. An implant (e.g., a pre-filled silicon breast implant) is introduced into a large end of the sleeve and extruded into a surgical pocket of minimal access incision size through a small-sized end of the apparatus.
US08555891B2
Techniques for operating a subcutaneous implant device are disclosed. The implant device can be formed of a non-magnetic material that is compatible with diagnostics such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and can include a rotor element that rotates under the influence of an external magnetic field. The implant device includes a tension relief mechanism for relieving excessive force applied between the implant device and a portion of a patient's tongue. A non-implanted device can include a stator and drive circuitry for generating the external magnetic field. The non-implanted device can receive a user command and can vary the external magnetic field based on the command. When activated by the magnetic field, the implant device can change its operating state to interact with the patient's body.
US08555876B2
The invention provides a fail-safe module (FSM) integral with a sedation and analgesia system that meets the high-reliability needs of sedation and/or analgesia delivered by non-anesthetist practitioners. The FSM may operate in “real-time” in order to ensure optimal patient safety. The FSM may deactivate specific patient interfaces, user interfaces, and/or sedation and analgesia delivery in order to ensure patient safety and has redundant safety systems in order to provide the fail-safe module with an accurate assessment of controller functionality.
US08555874B2
An aerosol transfer device for medical aerosol generators includes a body, fluidically coupled to a nebulizer and to a patient interface. An ambient air intake is formed into a lower body. The body is shaped and configured to optimize mixing of ambient air from the ambient air intake and the aerosol generated by the nebulizer, resulting in the formation of an aerosol plume having optimum characteristics for delivery of the aerosol to the patient's pulmonary system, such as the central or deep lung regions. The shape and dimensions of the body are further designed to minimize aerosol deposition, thus improving delivery efficiency.
US08555871B2
The radiation-selective absorber coating for absorber tubes of parabolic trough collectors includes two or more barrier layers (24a, 24b); an infrared reflective layer (21) on the barrier layers (24a, 24b); at least one cermet absorption layer (22) above the infrared reflective layer (21) and an antireflection layer (23) above the at least one cermet absorption layer (22). The two or more barrier layers (24a, 24b) include a first barrier layer (24a) of thermally produced oxide and a second barrier layer (24b) arranged above it. The second barrier layer (24b) is a cermet material including at least one oxide compound and at least one metal. The oxide compound is aluminium oxide, silicon oxide, nickel oxide and/or chromium oxide. The metal is molybdenum, nickel, tungsten and/or vanadium. The invention also includes an absorber tube with the absorber coating on it.
US08555870B2
A heating device comprises a heating chamber defining an interior space for receiving and storing a substance to be heated, a heater for use as a source of heat which includes a reaction chamber, a solid state reaction composition disposed within the reaction chamber such that it is physically isolated from and in thermal communication with the interior space of the heating chamber, an activation mechanism in communication with the composition disposed within the reaction chamber, and wherein the reaction composition is inert until the activation mechanism is actuated. Activation mechanism comprises an actuator having a user interface portion and an actuation portion, and the actuation portion carries a reaction initiation material that, when assembled with the heater, is capable of initiating a chemical reaction in the chemical composition when the actuation portion is actuated by a user.
US08555866B2
An injection gate (44,144,244,344) for high pressure, high velocity secondary fluid for admixture of an atomized spray (80,180) thereof with another or primary fluid that atomizes the other fluid. The secondary fluid may be an accelerant and the primary fluid may be a low pressure fuel/air mixture in a fuel injection arrangement for an internal combustion engine. An injection billet (10,110,210,310) for an engine is interposed between the carburetor (12) and the manifold (14), with an array of such injection gates (44,244,344) paired with an array of fuel/air gates (34,234,334) about an aperture coinciding with a throttle bore (60,160,260,360) and evenly balancing the spray about the throttle bore, creating a halo effect of atomized admixture of accelerant/fuel. The injection of accelerant is directed sharply downwardly toward the center of the bore and through the injected fuel stream, atomizing the fuel thereof for a high efficiency boost of horsepower.
US08555859B2
A circuit arrangement controls at least one injection valve, in particular a solenoid injection valve, for an internal combustion engine. The circuit includes a supply potential connection, a reference potential connection; one or more solenoids; a controllable voltage boosting circuit for generating from the first voltage a second voltage that is higher than the first voltage. The voltage boosting circuit is connected at a first input to the supply potential connection and at a first output to the solenoids by means of a respective first controllable semiconductor switching element. A control circuit is connected at least to a respective first semiconductor switching element and the voltage boosting circuit. The control circuit applies the first or the second voltage to the first coil connection of exactly one solenoid depending on an actuation state of one of the injection valves.
US08555858B2
A high pressure fuel pipe construction for an internal combustion engine, such as a direct injection engine. A conduit for the fuel is open at each end and a ball having a throughbore is slidably positioned over one end of the conduit. A reinforcing sleeve is positioned inside the end of the conduit so that the sleeve extends entirely through the ball. The sleeve, ball and the end of the conduit are then brazed together to attach the ball and conduit together. A double chamfer is provided at one end of the ball throughbore to facilitate inspection of the brazing quality. Additionally, a loop is formed in the conduit and a dampener is attached to the loop.
US08555853B2
An internal combustion engine includes a pair of adjacent cylinders, each one of the pair of adjacent cylinders includes a piston, a first intake valve, a second intake valve, a primary port associated with the first intake valve, and a secondary port associated with the second intake valve. Each of the ports is configured to provide a predominant direction of airflow therethrough during engine operation when viewed from above the cylinders and effectively oriented to provide respective in-cylinder air-swirl of opposite direction in each one of the pair of adjacent cylinders during an intake stroke of a respective piston.
US08555847B2
A intake manifold or splitter for an internal combustion engine and a process for production of same wherein a functional unit, comprised of a shaft with valves attached thereto, is assembled with bearing parts comprising clothespin-like clamps that clamp onto the shaft to form a sub-assembly which is mounted as a unit into receiving housing of the manifold or splitter, wherein a molding or over-molding at is provided at a level of the contact surface of a connection plate to lock the assembly of valves, shaft and bearings into the receiving housings and form sealing formations that seal against gases between the intake manifold or splitter and the internal combustion engine.
US08555845B2
An idle stop controller includes an idle stop mechanism 2 controlling the stop and the restart of an engine 1; a vehicle location detecting section 5 detecting a vehicle location; and a controller 4, when an ETC gate is retrieved within a predetermined region from a vehicle location detected by the vehicle location detecting section, prohibiting the idle stop mechanism from stopping the engine, and when no ETC gate has been detected within the predetermined region, releasing the prohibition.
US08555844B2
A drive mechanism 1 comprises a combustion engine 3 and a start system 5 which has an output 7 that is connected to a camshaft 9 of the combustion engine. The start system further includes a flywheel 11 and connecting means connecting the flywheel to the output. The connecting means comprise a clutch 13 and a gear reduction 15. The start system 5 further includes a drive source 17 formed by an electromotor which is directly connected to the flywheel 11 or which is connected to the connecting means between the clutch 13 and the flywheel 11. The maximum power that can be delivered by the drive source 17 is just sufficient to maintain the flywheel at the proper r.p.m. If the drive source 17 is turned on, it thus delivers just sufficient power to maintain the flywheel at the proper r.p.m. The maximum power of the drive source is in this case 50 W.
US08555838B2
In one aspect, a machine includes an engine supported on a machine body. The engine includes a housing and a gear train that includes a crank gear meshed with a cam gear that is meshed with at least one powered gear. The cam gear is attached to a cam shaft by a drive coupler. The cam shaft is rotationally supported in the housing on a plurality of bearings, and the cam gear is rotationally supported on a stub shaft with an inner surface that is out of contact with the cam shaft. The stub shaft is attached to the housing of the engine.
US08555835B2
A switchable finger lever for a valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided, with the finger lever having an inner lever which cooperates at a valve-side end region with a gas exchange valve of the internal combustion engine and is connected at a support-side end region turned away from the valve-side end region pivotally to a support. Outer levers (1a, 1b) connected pivotally to the inner lever are arranged on both sides of the inner lever while being urged against the inner lever in a pivoting direction through a spring and being capable of being coupled to the inner lever through a coupling element. The outer levers (1a, 1b) are configured with an identical structure and each outer lever (1a, 1b) is configured symmetrically to the longitudinal lever axis (2).
US08555831B2
A two-stroke engine (1) has a cylinder (2) defining a combustion chamber (3) delimited by a piston (5). The piston (5) drives a crankshaft (7) which is rotatably journalled in a crankcase (4). The crankcase (4) is connected to the combustion chamber (3) via a transfer channel (17) at at least one position of the piston. The two-stroke engine has an inlet (11) into the crankcase (4) and an outlet (19) from the combustion chamber. There is an arrangement to supply fuel, a control, and a device to determine the crankcase pressure (pKGH). A method to operate the two-stroke engine (1) includes determining the crankcase pressure (pKGH) during every engine cycle. The fluctuation in the crankcase pressure (pKGH) is determined and the fluctuation is compared to a limit value (Δplimit) to determine whether a combustion occurs during every engine cycle. In this way, a determination can be reliably made as to whether the two-stroke engine is running in a four-stroke mode.
US08555828B2
The invention provides a piston which allows pressure generated downstream from the piston to be used to ventilate a combustion chamber of a cylinder in which the piston is slidingly mounted. The crank assembly to which the piston is connected is operable outside of the cylinder which is sealed at both ends. The crank assembly uses eccentric motion to allow a connecting rod which extends between the piston and the crank assembly to move linearly into and out of the cylinder in sealed manner. The piston includes a valve which allows pressurized gas to flow through the piston.
US08555819B1
A pet bathing brush with a hose attachment to aid in bathing pets comprises a massaging brush and a control valve. The brush comprises a gripping handle and is preferably constructed of a pliable hard rubber compound and further comprises a plurality of conical scrubbing protrusions along a bottom surface. The bottom surface further includes a plurality of water apertures which enable water to pass through the bottom surface onto the pet. Water is provided to an interior space of the brush by an attachable hose. Additionally, the brush provides storage and dispensing of a cleanser via an internal reservoir. As a pet is washed, the user can massage the pet with the protrusions while allowing a flow of water to pass through the bottom surface while simultaneously dispensing the cleanser from a nozzle also located along the bottom surface to effectively bathe the pet.
US08555807B2
The liquid droplet discharging apparatus includes a first workpiece stage and a second workpiece stage, an inspection stage arranged between the first workpiece stage and the second workpiece stage, an image recognizing section configured to execute image recognition with respect to a result of an inspection discharge of a liquid from a liquid droplet discharging head onto the inspection stage, and a stage moving mechanism configured to selectively move the first workpiece stage between the image formation area and a first workpiece exchange area, to selectively move the second workpiece stage between the image formation area and a second workpiece exchange area, and to selectively move the inspection stage between an inspection area and the image formation area. The inspection area is disposed between the image formation area and the first workpiece exchange area.
US08555806B2
An apparatus for making an electrode of a dye-sensitized solar cell, includes a dye container, a number of nozzles, a roller and a number of holders. The dye container has a chamber for receiving a dye material, and the chamber has a top wall and a number of through holes formed through the top wall. The nozzles each have an opening facing toward a substrate to be formed into the electrode and configured for jetting a working material to the substrate. The roller rolls the working material on the substrate. The holders are rotatably mounted on the top wall and each hold a corresponding substrate to first receive the working material and then to be submerged into the dye material through one of the through holes of the dye container by rotation, thereby obtaining the electrode of a dye-sensitized solar cell.
US08555801B1
A watercraft has a hull and a deck disposed above the hull. A helm assembly disposed above the deck has a steering column and a handlebar. A pedestal is disposed on the deck at least in part rearwardly of the handlebar. A support structure bears the helm assembly. The support structure surrounds at least in part the steering column. The support structure has at least one rear connection portion connected to the pedestal. The support structure has at least one front connection arm connected to at least one of the deck and the hull forwardly from the at least one rear connection portion. A watercraft with a deck having at least two portions is also presented.
US08555796B2
An oxy/fuel combustion system having a furnace arranged and disposed to combust a fuel to form a combustion fluid. The system further includes a convective section having at least one heat exchanger arranged and disposed to exchange heat between the combustion fluid and steam for use in a steam turbine. A flue gas recycle is arranged and disposed to recycle at least a portion of the combustion fluid as a recycled flue gas, the flue gas recycle having at least two expellant locations downstream of a primary combustion zone. The system includes a flow control mechanism that provides controlled amounts of the recycled flue gas to the at least two expellant locations to control temperature of the steam.
US08555793B2
A safe or other secure containment having a body, a door for entry into the body, a moveable latch system effective for latching and unlatching the door to the body, a lock attached to the door for locking the safe is made more secure by an active hardplate and an independent lockout means effective for preventing the unlatching of the safe door upon the displacement of the active hardplate caused by an unauthorized and unlawful attempted entry into the safe. Existing safes also can be modified.
US08555776B2
An oven may include a cooking chamber, a user interface, and a cooking controller. The cooking chamber may be configured to receive a food product. The user interface may be configured to display information associated with processes employed for cooking the food product. The cooking controller may be operably coupled to the user interface to direct presentation of cooking parameter entry pages to enable an operator to define cooking parameters for cooking the food product in the cooking chamber. The cooking controller may include processing circuitry configured to enable an operator to make cooking parameter entries in a series of entry pages rendered at the user interface. Each of the entry pages presented may include a selection indicator ribbon displaying graphical elements corresponding to each cooking parameter entered via previous entry pages.
US08555770B2
A vehicle-mounted personnel access platform assembly is designed for mounting on a tactical vehicle. The platform assembly includes at least one mounting brace, and at least one access platform carried by the mounting brace. The access platform defines a raised horizontal surface for supporting personnel at an elevated location adjacent a body of the tactical vehicle. A protective wall adjacent the access platform is adapted for residing a spaced distance from the body of the tactical vehicle to protect personnel staged on the access platform.
US08555768B1
A shock wave barrier comprises a periodic structure having the proper symmetry and local contrast modulation of the acoustic index to divert an incident shock wave by using constructive/destructive interference phenomena that produce a “band gap” in the transmission spectrum of the periodic structure. In general, shock wave energy within the band gap is reflected from the structure. Defect cavities may be formed in the periodic structure to create transmission resonances or “windows” in the band gap. A portion of the incident energy passes through the window and is concentrated in the defect cavities where it is dissipated by other means. The band gap can be quite wide, at least 50% of the center wavelength, and thus can provide an effective barrier from a wide variety of threats with varying blast pressure and range. The structure may be periodic in two or three dimensions providing a band gap barrier in two or three dimensions, respectively.
US08555765B2
The invention relates to devices for attaching or removing a sound suppressor or other auxiliary device to a firearm. The device has a mount body threadedly attachable to a muzzle attachment device attached to the muzzle of a gun. A locking spring extends around a portion of the mount body, and has serrated pawls for engaging a portion of the muzzle attachment device. An annular, rotatable locking collar attaches to the mount body and extends over the locking spring. As the locking collar is rotated, a reduction in diameter of the inner surface of the locking collar can urge the pawl into secured contact with the muzzle attachment device.
US08555762B1
A saw stop assembly is provided with a fence and a stop assembly. The fence may be provided with a first array of teeth. The stop assembly may also be provided with a second array of teeth. The first and second arrays of teeth are designed such to meshingly engage with one another. A clip may be provided to affix the stop to the fence.
US08555757B2
A tool for the machining of workpiece surfaces includes at least one adjustable, geometrically defined cutting edge. The tool additionally includes an adjusting device for the adjusting of the distance of the cutting edge to the central axis of tool. The adjusting device has a drive shaft that acts on an adjusting slide via a gearbox, which determines the distance of cutting edge from the central axis of tool. The adjusting slide may be a round slide arranged eccentrically to the central axis of tool. The gearbox may have a high reduction and may directly act on the adjusting slide.
US08555756B2
Machine and method for machining large crankshafts, which allows simple and reliable synchronization of the rotation of said crankshafts (14) at all points, where said machine has a machining tool (1) configured to move along at least one guide (2) between a first end supporting element (3) and a second end supporting element (4), comprising a first electronic angular position sensor (6) situated on a first rotation shaft (7) of said first end supporting element (3), also comprising a second electronic angular position sensor (8) located on a second rotation shaft (9) of said second end supporting element (4), so that the rotational movement of said first end supporting element (3) is electronically synchronized with the rotational movement of said second end supporting element (4) at all times during the machining of the crankshaft (14).
US08555753B2
A strap wrench includes a strap that is a continuous loop and has notches. No portion of the strap is affixed to any portion of the wrench. The strap is placed around an object that needs to be turned such as an oil filter on an engine. A tension mechanism is then used to tighten the strap into place around the object to be turned. A ratchet mechanism engages one or more notches on the strap to prevent movement of the strap in one direction while allowing movement of the strap in the opposite direction. The combination of the notched continuous loop strap and ratchet mechanism allow the strap wrench to have a ratcheting action after the strap is tightened into place around the object to be turned.
US08555738B2
A device for reducing rattling noises in a variable-speed transmission having a main shaft, two countershafts and gear wheels that are mounted, with some radial play relative to the main shaft, for rotation around the main shaft. To engage a gear, a respective loose gearwheel can be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the main shaft. In a first embodiment, at least one loose gearwheel is mounted on the main shaft by at least one roller bearing, and the roller bearing is axially fixed relative to the main shaft by at least one flexibly resilient element. In a second embodiment, the loose gearwheel is supported, by a roller bearing on a component that is fixed to the housing and has radial play. The roller bearing is axially fixed relative to the component fixed to the housing by at least one flexibly resilient element.
US08555737B2
A cylinder device is capable of heightening the feed accuracy of a screw shaft and stably controlling the feed speed of a conveying unit in a wide speed range. A ball screw shaft is inserted through a hollow shaft motor having an end fixed to a housing, and a decelerator that is a planetary reduction gear unit connected to the hollow shaft motor. Each of a pair of ball screw nuts, which are disposed to face each other and between which the hollow shaft motor and the decelerator are placed, meshes with the ball screw shaft. An internal gear is connected to a spacer disposed at an end of an output gear of the decelerator. An external gear connected to the ball screw nut meshes with the internal gear. The output gear of the decelerator meshes with a connection shaft by splines.
US08555734B2
A vehicle stabilizing means comprising a cradle (23) supported from a mounting (17) to lie to one side of the mounting, a rotor (19) supported from the cradle between a pair of spaced supports (25) to be rotatably supported by the supports, a drive coupled to the rotor enabling the rotor to rotate at a substantially constant angular velocity, the rotor being rotatable about a first axis, the supports located to the side of the cradle remote from the mounting, the cradle further comprises a base (31) which is rotatably supported from the mounting to be rotatable around a second axis which is perpendicular to the first axis of rotation of the rotor and which intersects the first axis of the rotor, the mounting intended in use to be fixed to the vehicle such that in operation the mean orientation of the first and second axes are substantially perpendicular to the direction of the axis of stabilization.
US08555718B2
An inertial sensor includes driving piezoelectric transducers for enabling an oscillation of a resonator, sensing piezoelectric transducers for enabling a detection of a movement of the inertial sensor, and piezoelectric compensating elements substantially equidistantly among the driving and the sensing piezoelectric transducers, wherein the compensating elements and the resonator form corresponding capacitors having capacitive gaps, and wherein, during the oscillation of the resonator, changes in electrostatic charges stored in the capacitors are measured with the compensating elements and are modified so as to modify the oscillation of the resonator.
US08555709B2
A liquid chromatographic system includes columns, column mounting fixtures to which the columns are mounted, a detector, a collector, a controller and a plurality of RFIDs. A first RFID communicates with the controller and cooperating RFIDs mounted to other components provide information such as the history of components, parameters and the like. They also receive information from sensors relating to the operation of the liquid chromatograph, store the information and transmit it. Moreover, the RFIDs may substitute for hard wiring in many applications and may enable a central computer to control several liquid chromatographic system.
US08555701B1
A metal oxide sensor employing a method of heating that reduces the power required to heat the sensor to an optimal operating temperature and a method to automatically regulate and maintain the temperature of the sensors in the presence of air currents and other ambient conditions. The ultra miniature metal oxide sensors used have a thermal time constant short enough to allow for heating of the ultra miniature metal oxide sensors to occur with very narrow pulses of electricity. Such narrow pulses used to heat the sensor and to maintain the temperature such that the methods for reducing the power requirement apply throughout sensor's operation.
US08555700B2
A particulate filter particularly suited for analytical gravimetric weighing applications is disclosed. The particulate filter includes a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) media supported by a ring and yields stable microgram and submicrogram weighing results. The support ring may be PTFE, metal foil, or another non-hygroscopic polymer such that the mass of the filter does not vary with changes in atmospheric moisture. The filter simplifies the discharge of electrostatic charge buildup such that when a conductive filter media is combined with a conductive ring device, the discharge may be accomplished by placing the filter on a grounded weighing pan or other surface. The particulate filter can simplify filter identification by including identification symbols imprinted on each side of the filter media. Due to the chemically inert qualities of its components, the particulate filter is particularly suited for extraction techniques used during the detection of polycyclic hydrocarbons as is conducted in emissions and ambient air testing.
US08555699B2
A detector for detecting sulfur components having a storage portion for storing SOX and NOX in the exhaust gas passing through an exhaust passage and a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the storage portion. The detector includes a heater for heating the storage portion and determines the current heat capacity (C) of the storage portion on the basis of an increase in (T2−T1) the temperature of the storage portion measured by the temperature sensor and a quantity of heat (QH) generated by the heater when the heater heats the storage portion.
US08555698B2
A method of fabricating a substantially rigid hardened wear surface for a tire tread wear testing apparatus is provided, the method comprising making a cast of a road surface on which tread wear of the tire is to be tested, providing a layer of adhesive mixed with at least one aggregate and configured for hardening to create the substantially rigid hardened wear surface, while the layer of adhesive is unhardened: (a) coating the layer of adhesive onto a road wheel of the tire tread wear testing apparatus, and (b) stamping an impression of the cast into the layer of epoxy adhesive for producing the wear surface adapted for emulating one or more surface roughness characteristics of the road surface.
US08555696B2
Methods of calibrating a fluid analyzer for use in a wellbore are described. An example method of generating calibration data for a fluid analyzer for use in a downhole tool involves lowering a downhole tool including a fluid analyzer to a location in a wellbore, measuring, via the fluid analyzer, a characteristic value of a calibration fluid or a vacuum while the fluid analyzer is at the location, obtaining an expected characteristic value for the calibration fluid or the vacuum at the location, and comparing the measured characteristic value to the expected characteristic value to generate a calibration value for the fluid.
US08555693B2
A method for forming hollow profiles is disclosed. In one exemplary method, a hollow profile is guided through a die in a processing direction and fixed by a mandrel such that at the die, the hollow profile has a material flow velocity in this processing direction (2), in which the method the mandrel has a drawing velocity in the processing direction that is greater than the material flow velocity.
US08555690B2
Plant (10) for bending metallic flat elements (11) including a bending machine (13) provided with a support plane (21) on which the metallic flat element (11) to be bent is positioned, a bending group (19) which bends, upwardly or downwards, a section of the metallic flat element (11), and a sucker feeding group (22) associated with the support plane (21) for selectively feeding the metallic flat element (11) to the bending group (19). The feeding group includes one or more sucker organs (22) aligned in a direction substantially transverse to the metallic flat element (11) to be bent and placed, in the rest position, below the support plane (21), to lift the metallic flat element (11) of a given height (D) from the edge of the support plane (21), after the bending has been carried out.
US08555688B2
The invention relates to a method for changing rolls, in particular, working rolls and/or intermediate rolls in a roll stand, such as a roughing down stand or finishing stand for rolling thick sheet iron. Said rolls comprise back up roller sets and working roller sets. One individual locomotive mechanism is used for changing the working rolls and/or for changing the back up rolls and/or for inserting or withdrawing a roll changing seat by supporting the rolls on each other and subsequently withdrawing in the axial direction of the rolls on the operational side of the roll stand, from a roll hall in a roll workshop and back and for installing novel roll sets. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method.
US08555683B1
The present invention relates to a combination and keyed bag lock with a pop-up hood. In one embodiment, a lock having a post and a rigid seat with a fixed rim is provided. A hood with a cylinder received within the post and an arm extending from the post is further provided. A key hole is within the cylinder. The arm of the hood houses a combination lock. A knob is rotatable relative the cylinder, and the hood pops up under actuation of the knob when the combination is accurately entered. The hood also pops up when the key is used to unlock the lock. The arm separates vertically from the seat when the hood pops up thereby allowing the body of a slide fastener to exit the lock.
US08555677B2
A treatment aid dispensing apparatus for an automatic treatment appliance includes a bulk treatment aid dispenser, a sensor coupled with the bulk treatment aid dispenser, and a controller coupled with the sensor and the bulk treatment aid dispenser. A quantity of an undiluted treatment aid can be determined by the controller prior to dispensing from the bulk treatment aid dispenser based upon information from the sensor indicative of a sensed concentration of the undiluted treatment aid. The controller can process the information from the sensor and control the operation of the bulk treatment aid dispenser.
US08555676B2
A fabric treatment appliance comprising a receptacle defining a fabric treatment chamber for receiving laundry; a steam generator having an inlet for receiving water and an outlet for supplying steam to the fabric treatment chamber; a water supply conduit with an outlet located below the steam generator inlet; and a reservoir coupling the water supply conduit outlet with the steam generator inlet.
US08555672B2
A method and apparatus are described to provide complete gas utilization in the liquefaction operation from a source of gas without return of natural gas to the source thereof from the process and apparatus. The mass flow rate of gas input into the system and apparatus may be substantially equal to the mass flow rate of liquefied product output from the system, such as for storage or use.
US08555669B1
An improved air conditioner condensing unit for use in corrosive environments. The condensing unit comprises a compressor, a condenser coil containing cooling fins having a spacing of about 0.080 to about 0.050 inches, and a motorized corrosive resistant shrouded fan assembly, all of which are mounted on a substantially flat corrosive resistant baseplate.
US08555667B2
A portion of a draft duct in an air conditioning unit upstream from a heater core is divided into three passages. Each of the divided passages is provided with air mix doors 9a, 9b, and 9c that distribute air into a warm air passage and a cool air passage at a predetermined ratio. The air mix doors 9a and 9b are driven by first slide systems 34a and 34b having drive gears 21a and 21b that mesh with racks 20a and 20b of the air mix doors 9a and 9b, and support shafts 22a and 22b that support the drive gears 21a and 21b. The air mix door 9c is driven by a second slide system 35c having a drive gear 21c that meshes with a rack 20c of the air mix door 9c and that is supported by a support shaft 22c, and a second auxiliary gear 24a that meshes with a first auxiliary gear 24b supported by the support shaft 22c and that is supported by an auxiliary support shaft 25.
US08555663B2
A refrigerating apparatus includes first and second refrigerant circuits including respective first and second compressors, condensers, pressure reducers, and evaporators, connected circularly with first and second refrigerant pipes, respectively, refrigerants discharged from the first and second compressors being respectively condensed at the first and second condensers and thereafter respectively evaporated at the first and second evaporators to acquire a cooling effect; a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of an internal portion of a cold storage cabinet, the first and second evaporators being disposed to cool the internal portion simultaneously; and a first control device that controls the first and second compressors such that both of them are operated each time a temperature detected by the temperature sensor reaches a first temperature, and the first and second compressors are alternately operated each time a temperature detected by the temperature sensor reaches a second temperature lower than the first temperature.
US08555659B2
A method for limiting the adverse effects of temperature on the electrical energy storage system (ESS) of an electric vehicle after the vehicle has been turned off is provided. In general, whether or not coolant is circulated through a coolant loop coupled to the ESS depends on the difference between the ambient temperature and a preset temperature, the preset temperature typically corresponding to the temperature of the ESS.
US08555653B2
Embodiments of the present invention employ a closed loop controls philosophy, which actively controls the starting means of a powerplant machine, throughout the start-up process. Here, the present invention may provide a method for adjusting a nominal operating schedule of the starting means, which may have the form of a Load Commutated Inverter (LCI). Embodiments of the method may adjust the nominal operating schedule based, in part, on an operating parameter, which is associated with the gas turbine 100. The operating parameter may include, but is not limited to: a rotor speed, a desired start-up time, or the like. Here, the control system may receive data on the operating parameter associated with the gas turbine.
US08555651B2
A temperature measuring device is provided. The temperature measuring device measures the temperature in a combustion system, in particular for that of a combustion system of a gas turbine. The temperature measuring device is equipped with a heat absorbing element disposed in or on the combustion system, a measurement end disposed remotely from the combustion system having, disposed thereon, a temperature sensor measuring the temperature of the measurement end, a heat conducting element which connects the heat absorbing element to the measurement end in a thermally conductive manner, and a cooling device acting on the heat conducting element in a quantifiable manner for heat removal. A gas turbine having a temperature measuring device and method for directly determining the temperature in a combustion chamber are also provided.
US08555646B2
Disclosed is a premixer for a combustor including an annular outer shell and an annular inner shell. The inner shell defines an inner flow channel inside of the inner shell and is located to define an outer flow channel between the outer shell and the inner shell. A fuel discharge annulus is located between the outer flow channel and the inner flow channel and is configured to inject a fuel flow into a mixing area in a direction substantially parallel to an outer airflow through the outer flow channel and an inner flow through the inner flow channel. Further disclosed are a combustor including a plurality of premixers and a method of premixing air and fuel in a combustor.
US08555645B2
A fuel nozzle centerbody is provided that includes a cylindrical cross-sectional area, and a baffle co-axially aligned within the centerbody. The baffle includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced apertures configured to channel an airflow radially outward such that the channeled airflow impinges a centerbody inner surface.
US08555644B2
A full steam-driven internal combustion engine includes a mechanical power system, a combustion system and an air supply system. The mechanical power system includes a turbine and a turbine shaft. The combustion system includes a left main cylinder and a left auxiliary cylinder, and a right main cylinder and a right auxiliary cylinder which are arranged at the left or the right side of the turbine shaft respectively. The air supply system includes a high pressure air bottle connected by a high pressure air pipe and an air compressor. A left high pressure air valve and a right high pressure air valve are arranged on the both sides of the high pressure air bottle respectively and these high pressure air valves are communicated with the left or the right main cylinder by the high pressure air pipe and intake valves respectively.
US08555641B2
A cooling device for Stirling circulated dry storage container, which is mainly to make an accommodation space with opening within an external shield, and at the peripherals of the accommodation space, it is installed with a plurality of air flow inlets and air flow outlets that are connected to the external side. In addition, a shield cover is used to cover the opening of the accommodation space, and a nuclear waste storage container is installed within the accommodation space of the external shield, and the peripheral of the accommodation space and the nuclear waste storage container forms an air flow channel.
US08555639B2
An on-off switch is provided between a first battery acting to supply an electric power to on-vehicle electrical equipment and a second battery acting to supply an electric power to an electric supercharger. In the case that charge voltage of the first battery is smaller than a predetermined value and operating power of an electric supercharger 3 is larger than a predetermined value, the on-off switch is opened to suppress electrical effects on the on-vehicle electrical equipment. In other cases, the on-off switch is closed and the second battery is charged by a generator and the first battery. As a result, it is possible to suppress adverse effects on the on-vehicle electrical equipment due to voltage drop or voltage fluctuation of a power source occurring by driving the electric supercharger and thus to make a stable power supply.
US08555618B2
In a method for adapting the reducing agent feed in an exhaust gas aftertreatment system having an SCR catalyst for removing nitrogen oxides from the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine and at least one reducing agent feed device, the minimum opening time of the reducing agent feed device is determined during operation and while suspending nitrogen emission, carrying out the following steps: a) the opening time of the reducing agent feed device is gradually prolonged until b) a reducing agent-sensitive sensor in the exhaust gas aftertreatment system detects a reducing agent signal. An exhaust gas aftertreatment system is designed accordingly for carrying out the method and a device is designed for controlling an exhaust gas aftertreatment system.
US08555617B2
The present invention is directed towards methods and systems for treatment of exhaust gas from an engine. In one embodiment, an exhaust gas treatment system for a diesel engine includes a four-way catalyst in fluid communication with a diesel engine to receive an exhaust gas flow therefrom, the four-way catalyst comprising a lean nitrogen oxides (NOX) trap and a diesel particulate filter (DPF). The system also includes a urea selective catalytic reduction (U-SCR) catalyst in fluid communication with the four-way catalyst to receive the exhaust gas flow therefrom.
US08555615B2
In a control method of an internal combustion engine exhaust gas control system which is applied to a hybrid vehicle that is powered by an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, an exhaust throttle valve, provided downstream of an exhaust gas control catalyst, is controlled to reduce its opening amount to a target opening amount when it is determined that warm-up control of the internal combustion engine needs to be executed. Next, a target injection quantity of fuel necessary to increase the temperature of exhaust gas flowing into the internal combustion engine to a target exhaust gas temperature is calculated. Then, assist torque from the electric motor is adjusted so that the sum of torque from the internal combustion engine when the fuel injection quantity has been set to the target injection quantity and the assist torque substantially equals a required torque.
US08555614B2
When it is estimated that an amount of oxygen stored in the catalyst is a maximum amount, an electronic control unit executes forced rich control and estimates a maximum oxygen release amount during a period between the start of this control and a rich reversal of an output of the oxygen sensor, based on this period of time. When it is estimated that the amount of oxygen stored in the catalyst is a minimum amount, the electronic control unit executes forced lean control and estimates a maximum oxygen storage amount during a period between the start of this control and a lean reversal of the output of the oxygen sensor, based on this period of time. If the absolute value of a difference between the maximum oxygen release amount and the maximum oxygen storage amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, an exhaust gas control apparatus and a method for determining an abnormality thereof determine that there is a response delay.
US08555612B2
A constant volume combustor device includes, in one form, a detonative combustion. The apparatus includes inlet and outlet ports that interface with a plurality of fluid flow passageways on a rotor. A buffer gas is routed through some of the inlet and outlet ports and into and out of the plurality of fluid flow passageways. One of the inlet ports is a buffer gas inlet port that when placed in registry with a fluid flow passageway allows the flow of buffer gas into the respective passageway. Fuel is delivered into the buffer gas proximate the buffer gas inlet port so that only a portion of the buffer gas inlet port receives any fuel. In one form the wave rotor of the constant volume combustor is supported by magnetic bearings.
US08555610B2
Provided is a method of protecting a drag chain for a lumber mill and a drag chain having a chain guard and a lug guard. The chain guard and lug guard each only require use of a single weld washer for mounting.
US08555608B2
Disclosed is a rear discharge lawn mower assembly having a rearwardly-directing mower deck, a plurality of cutting blades, and rear housing and clippings pathway adapted to direct clippings through the rear of the mower assembly while shrouding the rear drive elements and tires of the mower from flying debris. The rear housing comprises an enclosed volume that shrouds the axle and rear drive elements of the mower, while further providing a pair of downwardly suspended tire shields and a rear access panel for allowing access into the housing for mower maintenance purposes. The mower deck routes clippings through a rear discharge, wherein clippings and debris are then directed into a space defined by the rear housing lower surface shield and the tire shields. In this way, grass, wood chips, glass and other hardened debris is exited from the mower without damaging the tires or drive elements of the mower.
US08555604B2
A wrapper for wrapping bales, in particular round bales of crop material, includes a frame, a wrapping table to support the bale during wrapping, a wrapping device to wrap wrapping material about the bale. In particular, the wrapper has at least two lateral guiding elements arranged to enclose a bale supported on the wrapping table to limit lateral movement of the bale. At least one of the lateral guiding elements is movable between an open position and a closed position, so that the distance between top ends of the lateral guiding elements is larger in the open position than in the closed position.
US08555596B2
An anchoring system for cavity walls is disclosed. The system includes a stud-type wall anchor and a wire formative veneer tie. The stud has a driver head, a dual-diameter barrel, and a driven tip. A flange at the juncture of the two barrels houses an interior seal; and a flange under the driver head, an exterior seal. The smaller diameter barrel is coextensive with the drywall installation; and the length of the larger diameter barrel, with the rigid insulation. The interior seal seals the insertion point into the drywall installation; and the exterior seal, the opening of the anchor-receiving channel. The interior seal and the larger barrel of the anchor fill the anchor-receiving channel and stabilize the wall anchor. Also, the wall anchor is clamped in place by the seals. The stud-type anchor operates with a variety of veneer ties for different applications.
US08555595B2
A tie system is provided for use with a wall form for a cementitious backup wall and for use with a wall tie to connect between the cementitious backup wall and a veneer. The tie system includes a backup wall connector and a form connector. The form connector is connectable to the form and secures the backup wall connector in position as the wall form is filled.
US08555594B2
A multipurpose beam for side-by-side panel false ceiling constructions includes a bearing profile with a pair of side was joined together by a substantially horizontal wall and having a bottom opening, at least one functional element with an anchoring portion designed to be received in the compartment, coupling means for connecting together the profile and the anchoring portion, and support means associated with the profile for supporting at least one panel of a false ceiling construction. The anchoring portion of the functional element is designed to hold the functional element integrated in the profile and entirely contained in the compartment. The support means extend from the side walls to hold the panels substantially flush with the longitudinal edges of the opening. A false ceiling structure and a modular system for customized design of a false ceiling that includes the beam are also provided.
US08555587B2
A restoration anchoring system for use in cavity wall structures having an inner wythe and an outer wythe that requires remediation or re-anchoring is disclosed. The anchoring system employs a three-part system that is installed within the existing bed joints of the outer wythe to reattach and re-anchor the outer wythe to the structural inner wythe. The three-part system includes a helical dowel, a seismic T-clip and a reinforcement member. The helical dowel is self-threading and self-drilling. When the three-part system is installed within the outer wythe and attached to the inner wythe, the system is captively embedded in the outer wythe thereby providing a seismic construct.
US08555573B2
A window system for installing windows which enables easy cleaning and substantially eliminates the need for window frames. The window system comprises at least one pane of glass having each of a predetermined width, height and thickness for at least partially covering an opening formed in a wall of a structure. There are at least two hinges disposed along the predetermined height of the pane of glass on a predetermined side thereof. The first one of the at least two hinges being secured to the predetermined side adjacent one end thereof and a second one of the at least two hinges being secured to the predetermined side adjacent a radially opposed end thereof. There is at least one magnet secured to the pane of glass or to such opening formed in such building and at least one metallic member disposed on an opposite one of the pane of glass and such opening formed in such building for maintaining the pane of glass in a closed position.
US08555568B2
A drain inlet vault comprises a plurality of pre-cast concrete vault sections stacked one upon the other to form the vault. Each vault section has essentially the same cross-sectional configuration and at least one perimeter edge that upon stacking the vault sections one on top of the other the perimeter edges of adjacent vault sections engage. A sealant material along the perimeter edges forms a seal as the weight of an upper section bears against a lower section. At least one support element for water treatment equipment, or a component thereof, is mounted between the perimeter edges, and this support element has a portion extending into an interior of the vault for holding the water treatment equipment, or component thereof.
US08555538B2
A holster for a firearm magazine is provided. The holster includes a base configured for being secured to a proximally positioned article and a shield carried by the base and defining a void therein for receiving a magazine. The shield has a first position in which the shield encases the magazine and a second position in which the shield does not encase the magazine thereby allowing for ease of access to the magazine for firearm reloading.
US08555533B2
A steam brush of the present invention, it relates to a household appliance equipped with an electric heater. The steam brush of the present invention, the inside of its housing is disposed with a water tank, a water pump and an electric heating plate, a switch disposed on said housing is respectively connected to the external power line and the electric heating plate; wherein said housing is cylinder-shaped, a steam outlet surface is disposed on the top surface of said housing; a base seat detachably supports said housing. The steam outlet surface of the steam brush can be far away from the desktop, so it is relatively safe. Said steam brush can expand its functions, which can be applied as indoor humidifier, electric iron or cosmetic tool for facial steaming, it is multi-use.
US08555531B2
A system for optimizing the dredging of an area by a vessel (25) equipped with a cutter head (4), including an apparatus to measure local seismic velocity in front of the vessel (25), said apparatus including a set of seismic receivers (11, 11′, 11″, 11′″) supported by a frame (10) configured for attachment to and projection from the bow end of the vessel, which frame aligns the seismic receivers (11, 11′, 11″, 11′″) above and in front of the cutter head (4). A method for optimizing dredging.
US08555528B2
An article of footwear is disclosed. The article of footwear includes an outsole with a circular tread pattern. The circular tread pattern provides sufficient traction in all directions but also allows the wearer to pivot about a pivot portion. The circular tread pattern is generally large, and in some cases, the first and smallest circular tread extends less than 360 degrees. The pivot portion can include a slot that aids in flexibility. The outsole can also include a different tread pattern for the heel portion, or the circular tread pattern may also extend into the heel portion.
US08555527B2
Graphical element laminate for use in forming a skate boot including: a base layer having inner and outer sides; a first thermoplastic layer laminated on the base layer outer side, the first thermoplastic layer having inner and outer sides; a graphical element printed on the inner side of the first thermoplastic layer, at least a portion of the first thermoplastic layer overlying the graphical element being transparent or translucent such that when the laminate forms part of the skate boot, the graphical element is visible through the first thermoplastic layer from an exterior of the skate boot. Optionally, the base layer includes a design element also visible from the exterior of the skate boot. Optionally, a second thermoplastic layer is interposed between the first thermoplastic layer and the base layer. In such cases, the graphical element may be, or may also be, printed on the second thermoplastic layer.
US08555525B2
A footwear article includes an upper assembly attached to a sole. The upper assembly includes an enclosure defining a foot receiving void and a flex feature disposed on a medial portion of the upper assembly. The flex feature connects a medial forefoot portion of the enclosure to a medial heel portion of the enclosure, thus allowing the medial forefoot and medial heel portions of the enclosure to move relative to each other. The sole assembly includes a midsole disposed on an outsole. The midsole defines voids of different depths. The voids are arranged to provide relatively greater cushioning and bendability within at least one of a metatarsus portion and a calcaneus portion of the midsole.
US08555515B2
An affixing pin for penetrating a dry wall includes a pusher handle and a penetrating pin. The penetrating pin has a sharp penetrating end portion, a tail end portion connected with the pusher handle, and an elongated pin body integrally extend portioned between the penetrating end portion and the tail end portion, wherein the penetrating pin has a non-circular cross section defining at least one penetrating corner having a predetermined inclination angle between two corresponding outer surfaces of the penetrating pin; such that when the penetrating pin is rotatably pressed towards the dry wall by the pusher handle, the sharp penetrating end portion is arranged to rotatably penetrate the dry wall, in which the penetrating corner substantially assists optimally breaking the dry wall so as to maintain an optimal performance of the affixing pin in penetrating the dry wall while maintaining secure engagement between the penetrating pin and the dry wall after penetration thereof.
US08555505B2
In a flat wave gear device, there is determined a rack-approximated movement locus Lc1 of a flexible externally toothed gear with respect to an S-side rigid internally toothed gear accompanying rotation of a wave generator. ρOPT is a minimum value of the radius of curvature of the movement locus Lc1, and is determined from an evolute e of the movement locus Lc1. A convex arc having a radius ρ (ρ≦ρOPT) is used in a main part of a tooth profile of the flexible externally toothed gear. A parallel curve c that is set apart from a movement locus Lc2 by the arc radius ρ is used on a main part of a tooth profile to be generated on the S-side rigid internally toothed gear. The movement locus Lc2 accounts for the actual number of teeth, and is obtained from a center A of a convex arc of the flexible externally toothed gear being drawn with respect to the rigid internally toothed gear. In a flat wave gear device that is provided with a flexible externally toothed gear having a non-positive deflection (κ≦1) tooth profile, a tooth depth of the flexible externally toothed gear can be increased, whereby ratcheting torque is increased and meshing can occur continuously over an entire range of a movement locus; and a load capacity of the flat wave gear device is increased.
US08555499B2
A method of splicing first and second cables may include providing an elastic tubular sleeve, supported by at least one supporting element, in a radially expanded condition; arranging the sleeve in the radially expanded condition around one cable; connecting the cables to obtain a splicing region; positioning the sleeve in the radially expanded condition around the splicing region; axially moving the at least one supporting element relative to the sleeve to cause radial elastic shrinkage of the sleeve capable of inducing axial ejection thrust on the at least one supporting element; counteracting the axial ejection thrust; and adjusting axial movement speed of the at least one supporting element to adapt the axial movement speed to a speed of the elastic shrinkage. Counteracting the axial ejection thrust may include applying axial reaction force to one end of the at least one supporting element axially projecting from the sleeve.
US08555497B2
To form a conductive region in a prepreg without opening a through hole in a fibrous body. A wiring substrate is provided, including: an organic resin layer and a fibrous body, wherein the fibrous body is impregnated with the organic resin layer; and a wiring with which the fibrous body is impregnated and which is formed by dissolving the organic resin layer. The wiring is exposed on both surfaces of the organic resin layer and penetrates the fibrous body so that the fibrous body is positioned in the through wiring. Further, a semiconductor device is provided by adhering an integrated circuit chip having a bump to the wiring substrate so that the bump is in contact with the wiring.
US08555493B2
Described herein is a method of manufacturing a molded printed circuit board. The printed circuit board may be placed inside of a mold and a material is injected therein. The material hardens in the mold around the printed circuit board thereby forming an overmolded printed circuit board. The overmolded material may have apertures in it to allow access to the leads on the printed circuit board so that components to be connected to it. The overmolded printed circuit boards may allow a plurality of electrical components to selectively and removably attach to it. Further, the printed circuit board may be molded with components or a dock attached to it.
US08555491B2
Methods for attachment of a die to a substrate are disclosed. In certain examples, the method comprises disposing a capped nanomaterial on a substrate, disposing a die on the disposed capped nanomaterial, drying the disposed capped nanomaterial and the disposed die, and sintering the dried disposed die and the dried capped nanomaterial at a temperature of 300° C. or less to attach the die to the substrate.
US08555478B2
A method for fitting a vehicle body component to a body shell of a vehicle having at least one side wall includes the steps of gauging an actual position of a partial area of the side wall relative to a first coordinate axis of the vehicle, plotting a first reference point relative to the first coordinate axis on the basis of the gauged actual position, and mounting the vehicle body component at a designated position relative to the first reference point. The partial area may advantageously be a vehicle A-pillar, B-pillar, or C-pillar. The method affords a simpler and more cost-effective fitting of the vehicle body components. The method is also feasible in less mechanized production facilities.
US08555477B2
A method and system for adjusting the clearance between a stator member and the tip of a rotor member in a rotor apparatus. The system comprises a position adjustment mechanism for adjusting the radial position of the stator member to any one of at least two and preferably three different radial positions. The system further comprises a variable pressure chamber having a first pressure state and a second pressure state. The system is arranged for applying a force for maintaining the stator member in either one of said at least two radial positions when said chamber is in said first pressure state and for allowing the position adjustment mechanism to adjust the radial position of the stator member between said at least two positions when the chamber is in said second pressure state.
US08555473B2
Systems are provided for a blade installation tool. The blade installation tool may include a vertical guide having a vertical ram path. A ram may be disposed along the vertical guide. The ram can move along the vertical ram path between a lower position and an upper position at a height above the lower position. Gravity may drive the ram from the upper position toward the lower position to provide an impact force of the ram against a blade segment of a turbine or a compressor. The height of the upper position is variable so as to control the impact force.
US08555472B2
Crimp-imbalanced protective fabric is accomplished by varying the levels of yarn crimp within and across a layer or layers of a multi-layer fabric armor system. The method includes developing a crimp in the yarn (utilized for producing a fiber layer) by pulling the yarn through a solution that substantially coats the yarn. The removable coating has a thickness that ensures a proper amount of crimp in the yarn. The tension in the yarn is controlled; the yarn is weaved; and a crimp is applied in the yarn. Once the crimp is applied, families of the crimped yarn are utilized as a layer or layered to produce a soft armor form.
US08555461B2
The device for cleaning grooved surfaces of a moving transport, such as escalators and moving walkways, includes a frame supporting at least one vacuum pump and a plurality of vacuum heads and a plurality of brush heads. A carriage is attached relative to the frame to which at least one of the plurality of vacuum heads and brush heads are slidably attached. The carriage can be attached to the frame in a multitude of ways, including utilizing a four-bar linkage. The carriage is positionable between a stored position and a deployed position. Additionally, the carriage can be angularly adjustable to align with a horizontal plane of the grooved surface. A handle can be pivotably attached to the frame wherein pivotable movement of the handle is mechanically coupled to movement of the carriage between the stored and deployable positions.
US08555459B2
An apparatus and methods for collecting swept waste material are described herein. The apparatus includes a dustpan having a base and a wall, a handle, and a plurality of protrusions. The base is configured to be placed in contact with a surface to be cleaned and includes a front lip over which debris can be swept. The wall extends upwardly from at least a portion of the base other than the front lip and is configured to contain debris in the dustpan. The handle is coupled to a top edge of the wall opposite the front lip and extends away from the wall and downwardly from the top edge so that an end of the handle is disposed approximately even with the base. The plurality of protrusions extend inwardly from the wall and are configured to remove debris from bristles of a broom when the broom is swept across the plurality of protrusions.
US08555455B2
A windscreen wiper device includes an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped. the wiper blade includes at least one groove, in which groove at least one longitudinal strip of the carrier element is disposed. The windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device for an oscillating wiper arm, with the special feature that the connecting device comprises an internal reinforcement element.
US08555454B2
A windshield wiper having a unitary structure including: a blade with a spine; at least one drain including a plurality of inlets, integrated with the blade such that the at least one drain is aligned with a flow path of precipitation guided up the blade sidewall. A coupler for connects the at least one drain via tubing to a pump. A system incorporating the windshield wiper and vehicles having the system installed are disclosed.
US08555450B1
A residential wood floor cleaning machine provides an easily attachable and removable cleaning cloth to a rotating orbiting head mounted in a lightweight structure for use in cleaning wood floors in residences. The cleaning machine includes LED's for illuminating an area of the wood floor adjacent to the head. A mechanical spray pump with a removable reservoir controllably sprays a controlled amount of cleaning solution on the illuminated area. An electrical control requires that the light is on whenever the power is on. A mechanical sprayer operating means is mounted within a tubular structure which supports the sprayer. The tubular structure is preferably interconnected with a pivoting handle with a truss like structure which reduces the overall weight of the machine. The handle bracket is provided with a stop to prevent pivoting by more than 90 degrees.
US08555446B2
Disclosed is a brush assembly suitable for use in a wet floor cleaning device. The brush assembly comprises a brush that includes a hollow core. An inner surface of the core is compartmentalized into a number of compartments. An outer surface of the core is furnished with brush material, and the core is pierced with a number of outflow openings. The brush assembly further comprises a first fluid injector for injecting a fluid into the core, and a drive mechanism configured for rotating the brush around an axis. Also disclosed is a method for operating the brush assembly.
US08555440B2
An air mattress has a top chamber and a bottom chamber separated by a barrier. The patient rests on the top surface of the top chamber, which has a plurality of apertures discharging air through apertures that are not blocked by the patient. The top chamber is provided with temperature-controlled heated or cooled air at a regulated pressure. Heated or cooled air from the top chamber is delivered to an area substantially surrounding the patient. The bottom chamber has a bottom surface containing a plurality of apertures that remain closed due to the weight of the mattress and the patient when the pressure-regulated air is beneath a pre-selected value. When the air pressure is increased, the apertures at the bottom surface of the bottom chamber emit air, creating an air cushion underneath the air mattress that facilitates lateral movement of the mattress over a flat or irregular surface, such as from a hospital bed to a stretcher, or from a stretcher to an operating table.
US08555436B2
A horizontally expandable bed rail having a guard rail frame that confronts a first side of a bed to prevent a child from falling out of the bed. The guard rail frame includes a pair of vertical support members interconnected by upper, lower and intermediate horizontal support members that slide horizontally in and out such that the vertical support members have an extended position where the vertical support members are spaced apart by a first distance and a drawn in position where the vertical support members are spaced apart by a second distance that is less than the first distance.
US08555435B1
A box spring (9) having a rigid perimeter wall (16) to provide a firm foundation to support an edge of a mattress (1) where individuals normally sit. A layer of coil springs (20) rests on a center portion (2) of the box spring and extends above the rigid perimeter wall to provide active support to a center portion of the mattress where individuals normally lie.
US08555432B2
A lift strap device and method of use for a human patient. The device and method are configured for single-use applications with disposable materials. The device comprises: a main support member consisting of a Velcro® (or the like) compatible fabric and adapted for positioning above a person's knee or below the person's knee; one or more Velcro® (or the like) surfaces secured to the bottom of the main support member; nylon webbing (or the like) secured to the bottom of the main support member; and one or more eye member(s) secured to the top of the main support member and the nylon webbing (or the like), wherein the eye member(s) has a plurality of eyelets enabling device attachment at a plurality of patient leg lift settings.
US08555427B2
The present invention is an automated seat and/or lid assembly for a toilet. The invention includes switch automation, wherein movement of a bowl attachment is initiated via a switch, and manual-urging automation, wherein movement of a bowl attachment is initiated via manual urging by a user. An automated attachment assembly may be configured to provide both switch and manual-urging automation concomitantly based upon predetermined logic. Furthermore, the invention includes a method of identifying manual movement and of assisting the movement of a bowl attachment. The invention further includes an object sensor incorporated within the seat or lid to detect the presence or absence of an object near the bowl attachment.
US08555425B2
Aquatic goggles may incorporate a pair of eyepieces, a nosebridge extending between the eyepieces, and a headstrap. In some configurations, at least one of the eyepieces includes a lens, a gasket extending around the lens, and an extension member extending outward from the lens. The extension member defines a strap connection point, with a distance along the extension member and between the lens and the strap connection point being at least three centimeters, and the headstrap is secured to the strap connection point. In other configurations, a fairing extends outward from the lens, and a majority of the fairing may be located within an outer area of the lens. In further configurations, the gasket defines an indentation with varying depth.
US08555424B2
A helmet comprises a shell, a visor, a face seal, a biasing means and two guiding mechanisms. The two guiding mechanisms, each located on a different side of the shell, connect the visor to the shell. Under a bias of the biasing means, the guiding mechanisms are operative to guide the visor along a pre-determined trajectory defined by the geometry of the guiding mechanisms. Each one of the two guiding mechanisms is further provided with a guiding track arrangement which comprises a first track portion and a second track portion. The first slider slidingly engages the first track portion while the second slider slidingly engages the second track portion. The pre-determined trajectory extends from a retracted position where the visor is substantially proximate a front portion of the shell and substantially outside a field of view of the wearer to a deployed position where the visor is substantially below the frontal lower edge and within the field of view of the wearer, and further towards a rear portion of the helmet to a resting position aft of the deployed position. In use, the face seal, which is located at a lower portion of the visor, is operative to substantially perpendicularly contact a face of the wearer at a position between the deployed position and the resting position.
US08561210B2
The invention relates to a method of allowing access to an authorized domain (100), the authorized domain (100) being managed by a domain manager (210), comprising a step in which a user authentication device (220), which user authentication device is linked to a foreign device (201), asserts to the domain manager that a local link (205) between the user authentication device and the foreign device is limited in distance, and a step in which the domain manager allows the foreign device to operate as a member of the authorized domain if the assertion is accepted as accurate.
US08561208B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for handling secure user interface content. In one aspect, a method includes receiving, at a data processing apparatus, content over a communication network from a computing system separate from the data processing apparatus; determining that the received content is authentic secure content; retrieving information stored at the data processing apparatus and previously selected by a user for purposes of securing user interface content; rendering the received content, to a display of the data processing apparatus, as a user interface with a visual wrapper, where the visual wrapper includes the retrieved information, visually separates the user interface from other visual elements on the display, and includes an indication that the user interface is secure; and processing input received through the user interface.
US08561203B2
A method for supporting simultaneous mixed protection modes for a write operation. The method includes receiving a write request that includes write data, and is received from one of a plurality of requestors. At least one of the requestors does not support data integrity protection. It is determined if data integrity protection is required for the write operation. It is additionally determined if the data integrity protection is supported by the requestor. Once the determination is made, the data integrity protection value is calculated if data integrity protection is required and is not supported by the requestor. The write data is encoded with the data integrity protection value prior to being written. If the requestor supports data integrity protection, then data integrity protection values are applied to the write data prior to writing the data to the external storage.
US08561198B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting malicious system calls. In one aspect, a method includes monitoring a function vulnerable to a buffer overflow attack; receiving a call to the function, the call associated with a call stack, the call stack including one or more base pointers, and a destination buffer associated with the function; identifying a first critical memory address vulnerable to the buffer overflow attack comprising: determining the first critical memory address based on a base pointer of the one or more base pointers, wherein the base pointer address is greater than an address of the destination buffer; identifying a first address based on the base pointer of the one or more base pointers; and determining that the first address is a critical memory address in response to the first memory address is greater than the address of the destination buffer.
US08561195B1
Malware is identified based on its use of a folder shortcut. Files are analyzed, in order to indentify files used to implement folder shortcuts. This can take the form of monitoring the creation of new files, or searching for existing files used to implement folder shortcuts. In response to detecting such a file, it can be determined that a folder shortcut exists. The contents of the file can also be analyzed, and the determination can be made in response to finding specific content indicative of a folder shortcut. The file analysis can also involve monitoring edits made to existing files indicative of folder shortcuts. In response to detecting such edits, the content being written can be analyzed, and in response to specific content being written, it can be determined that a folder shortcut exists.
US08561192B2
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for automatically protecting computers against harmful programs. The method comprises: restricting an object program from accessing some resources in a computer system based on predetermined resource access rules; scanning computer resources accessed by the object program to determine whether the accessed computer resources are infected by the object program; and analyzing malicious behaviors based on behavior characteristics of the object program to determine whether the object program is a harmful program.
US08561191B1
A naming system, method and computer program product are provided. In use, unwanted code including at least one attribute is identified. In addition, an encoded name is generated for the unwanted code, where at least a portion of the encoded name represents the at least one attribute of the unwanted code.
US08561176B1
A system, method and computer program product are provided. In use, execution of a portion of internal code of an interface is identified. Further, in response to the execution of the portion of internal code, at least one aspect of an invocation of the interface is monitored and/or analyzed.
