US08603613B2
A system and method for decorative elements having multiple visual appearances. The decorative elements may present different colors and/or other visual appearance characteristics and yet function as a durable construction material, like a traditional brick, tile or shingle. The decorative elements may receive a mechanical operation that permanently physically alters the decorative element, such as a cutting, sawing, drilling or molding operation, while the decorative element is functional to provide a controllable visual appearance both before and after the physical alteration. The decorative elements may be autonomous in that power needed to change visual appearance states can be gathered by an integrated energy harvesting device, such as a solar cell. A color chip system may be used to select decorative element features.
US08603610B2
The invention relates to an edge trim for pieces of furniture, comprising a meltable film. In order to improve a generic edge trim such that the same is more versatile and can especially be mounted on a wider selection of surfaces, the molecular structure of the meltable film contains both polar and non-polar parts.
US08603606B2
A device for Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS). The device includes a plurality of nanostructures protruding from a surface of a substrate, a SERS active metal disposed on a portion of said plurality of nanostructures, and a low friction film disposed over the plurality of nanostructures and the SERS active metal. The low friction film is to prevent adhesion between the plurality of nanostructures.
US08603603B2
A corrosion inhibiting agent is provided as a finely ground powder that is dispensed into a sheath or other casing enclosing a metal bar, cable, or other tension member. The agents are produced by preparing salts of amines with benzoic acid or nitric acid, drying the salts, and grinding and screening the salts to provide a desired maximum particle size. Also disclosed is a dry fogging system through which the powder is applied to metal tension members enclosed in polymeric sheaths or other fluid tight casings.
US08603597B2
The present invention relates to a material suitable for a ply of a sack, comprising a porous sheet provided with a coating on at least one of its surfaces, wherein said coating comprises at least one polyolefin. Further, the present invention relates to a sack comprising a ply, which comprises such a material. The present invention also relates to a method of forming a coating on a porous sheet, comprising the steps of: providing a porous sheet and a dispersion comprising at least one polyolefin; applying said dispersion on at least one surface of said sheet; and optionally, heating said sheet to a temperature above the melting temperature of said at least one polyolefin. Moreover, the present invention relates to methods for manufacturing single and two ply sacks and the use of at least one polyolefin as a water vapor barrier coating on a material suitable for a ply of a sack.
US08603596B2
A liquid crystal display device includes an illuminator and a liquid crystal panel for performing displaying by using light which is emitted from the illuminator. The liquid crystal panel includes a pair of substrates and a liquid crystal layer provided therebetween. The liquid crystal layer is formed of a liquid crystal material which contains molecules having at least one of a carbon-carbon triple bond and a polycyclic group. The illuminator includes a light source causing primary generation of at least blue light, among other light which is used for displaying.
US08603595B2
A novel liquid crystalline compound and/or a liquid crystal composition including the novel liquid crystalline compound that can be used for a variety of liquid crystal devices capable of exhibiting a blue phase with a wide temperature range are/is provided. A liquid crystalline compound represented by the general formula (G1) is provided. In the general formula (G1), n is an integer of 2 to 10
US08603594B2
Provided is a liquid crystal composition satisfying at least one of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of the nematic phase, a small viscosity, a large optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, high stability to ultraviolet light and high stability to heat, or having a suitable balance regarding at least two of the characteristics. Provided is an AM device having a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life, etc. The liquid crystal composition having a nematic phase includes a specific three-ring or four-ring compound having a high maximum temperature and a large dielectric anisotropy as a first component, and a specific compound having a small viscosity or a high maximum temperature of the nematic phase as a second component, and a liquid crystal display device contains the composition.
US08603592B2
An exemplary embodiment provides coated polymeric substrates that have a polymeric substrate body with a coated surface. The surface coating includes more than one pair of coating layers. Each pair of coating layers includes a first applied coating layer and a second applied coating layer. In addition, an indicator, applied on top of or between coating layers, provides an indication of wear of the coating. The first and second applied coating layers have a thickness between about 3 to about 10 nanometers. The coating exhibits a Hall-Petch effect.
US08603587B2
Disclosed are coating compositions comprising film-forming material with at least one reactive functional group G′″, catalyst for the crosslinking of the silane groups, aprotic solvents, and at least one adduct with silane functionality which is prepared by an addition reaction of (a) at least one silane (S1) which has at least one functional group G′ which is reactive with the complementary functional groups G″ of the compound (O), and (b) at least one compound (O) which has at least one complementary functional group G″ and at least one surface-active radical. Also disclosed are multicoat paint systems in which the transparent coating has been produced from these coating compositions, methods of making and use, as well as methods of improving the hardness and/or the scratch resistance of coatings.
US08603582B2
Non-stick fixtures for selectively masking portions of a workpiece during application of a workpiece coating are described herein. These fixtures have predetermined surfaces thereon having an average surface roughness of about 25 Ra or less and a Rockwell hardness of about 65 Rc or more. The controlled average surface roughness ensures that these fixtures are non-stick with respect to the workpiece coating being applied to the workpieces disposed therein. The controlled Rockwell hardness ensures that the desired average surface roughness can be maintained throughout repeated use of the fixture in harsh coating environments. These fixtures reduce the workpiece coating bridging that occurs between the fixture and the workpiece, and also reduce the amount of overspray that occurs on the workpiece, thereby minimizing the amount of handwork and/or rework that is necessary after the workpiece is coated. This improves process cycle times and yields significantly.
US08603563B2
Methods are provided for isolating a nutrient from coffee cherries or for producing a food product that comprises a coffee cherry or portion thereof. It is particularly preferred that coffee cherries will have an extremely low concentration of mycotoxins, including various aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxins, and/or vomitoxin (DON, deoxynivalenol).
US08603560B2
The invention relates to a novel process for isolating milk proteins from milk or from whey; its subject is also a milk protein fraction obtained by this process and its use for the preparation of pharmaceutical or food compositions.
US08603558B1
The waste food recycling machine includes an elongate, vertical housing divided into three stages. In the first stage, waste food is collected and sanitized by steam. After sanitation, the sanitized waste food passes into the second stage where the sanitized waste food is cut into smaller portions and dried. In the third stage, the dried waste food is cooled and mixed. An optional supplement infuser is provided to add additional nutrients. The final mixture is then packaged and further processed.
US08603555B2
The described invention provides a method to determine a standard equivalent unit of nutrition in one serving of a weighted composition comprising a basket of fruits and vegetables representing at least 85% of all fruits and vegetables consumed in a defined geographical area; a method to fortify a base food so that the base food contains a standard equivalent unit of nutrition present in at least one serving comprising (i) at least one fruit; (ii) at least one vegetable; or (iii) at least one fruit and at least one vegetable; and a nutritional supplement or food additive comprising a set of nutrititive components wherein the set of nutritive components provides at least one standard equivalent unit of nutrition present in one serving of a composition comprising at least one fruit and at least one vegetable.
US08603551B1
The present invention includes a method for improving meat, or egg production, or improving feed efficiency in poultry. An amount of GI digestible starch component in relation to the dry matter of a feed is manipulated to within defined levels or ranges, where meat, or egg production or feed conversion are optimized.
US08603544B2
Highly compactable granulations and methods for preparing highly compactable granulations are disclosed. More particularly, highly compactable calcium carbonate granulations are disclosed. The granulations comprise powdered materials such as calcium carbonate that have small median particle sizes. The disclosed granulations are useful in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical tableting and provide smaller tablet sizes upon compression than previously available.
US08603541B2
The invention relates to a viral-safe platelet extract, to its preparation and use. The extract comprises a mixture of biologically active platelet derived factors.Advantageously, the extract comprises a balanced proportion of the factors and is non-clottable.
US08603538B2
A process for the production of an n-butyric acid compound in microencapsulated form comprises the stages of:—providing a granular material based on the n-butyric acid compound, —mixing the granular material with a matrix having a content of long-chain C14-C22 saturated fatty acids of from 40% to 95%, and an amount of between 1% and 20% of a mineral agent in which an effective amount of calcium sulphate dihydrate is present, heating the mixture to a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the lipid component of the matrix, —spraying the mixture into a cooling chamber having a temperature lower than the melting temperature of the lipid component of the matrix, so that the latter solidifies around the granular material, forming a covering thereof.
US08603537B2
Prasugrel containing quickly released stable oral pharmaceutical compositions containing micronized prasugrel base, and starch or a starch derivative, and processes for the preparation thereof, and the use thereof for treating atherothrombotic events of patients suffering from acute coronary syndrome in which patients were subjected to percutaneous coronary intervention.
US08603536B2
A drug-loaded microparticle is applied to a medical device for subsequent application to biological tissues. A method of formulating a drug-loaded microparticle and applying it to the surface of a medical device, such as a stent, is disclosed. The drug-loaded microparticle is formulated by combining a drug with various chemical solutions. Specified sizes of the microparticles and amounts of drug(s) contained within the microparticles may be varied by altering the proportions of the chemicals/solutions. In addition to various drugs, therapeutic substances and radioactive isotopes may also be loaded into the microparticles. The drug-loaded microparticle are suspended in a polymer solution forming a polymer matrix. The polymer matrix may be applied to the entire surface or only selected portions of the medical device via dipping, spraying or combinations thereof.
US08603535B2
The present disclosure generally relates to lyophilized pharmaceutical compositions comprising polymeric nanoparticles which, upon reconstitution, have low levels of greater than 10 micron size particles. Other aspects of the invention include methods of making such nanoparticles.
US08603531B2
The present invention describes nanoprodrugs of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) and nanoprodrugs of α-lipoic acid-containing and NSAIDs. These nanoprodrugs have antioxidant properties and stimuli-responsiveness, which can be used to treat various disease conditions.
US08603522B2
A daily nutritional or dietary supplement composition that strengthens and promotes retinal health through the prevention, stabilization, reversal and/or treatment of visual acuity loss by reducing the risk of developing late stage or advanced age-related macular degeneration in persons with early age-related macular degeneration. The ingredients of the daily nutritional or dietary supplement composition include vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, zinc and copper. The ingredients are preferably provided in a tablet form suitable for oral ingestion.
US08603520B2
An oral pharmaceutical composition comprises multiple populations of at least one of beads, pellets, tablets and granules provided in a capsule, the composition comprising: a first population of a pharmaceutical active comprising a pharmaceutical active substance releasable at a first rate; a population of a basic substance; and a second population of a pharmaceutical active comprising a pharmaceutical active substance releasable at a second rate. In another embodiment, the oral pharmaceutical composition comprises multiple populations of at least one of beads, pellets, tablets and granules provided in a capsule, the composition comprising: a population of a pharmaceutical active; a population of a basic substance; a population of enteric coated pharmaceutical active; and a population of enteric coated basic substance. The composition can provide multiple site specific delivery of a pharmaceutical active in a rapid, delayed and/or sustained release manner into the plasma.
US08603503B2
A biliquid foam includes from 10% to 98% by weight of a non-polar liquid other than a fuel and from 2 to 88% by weight of a continuous phase polar liquid comprising a C1-C4 alcohol, a liquid polyethylene glycol, ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, or mixtures thereof, in an amount of at least 65% by weight, relative to the weight of the continuous phase, wherein the biliquid foam is stabilized with an amount of from 0.05% to 2% by weight based on the total formulation of a surfactant which is selected from castor oil/poly(alkylene glycol) adducts containing from 20 to 50 alkoxy groups, a C8-C24 fatty acid or hydrogenated castor oil/poly(alkylene glycol) adducts containing from 20 to 60 alkoxy groups, or mixtures thereof.
US08603491B2
The invention concerns recombinant DNA's comprising cDNA of genomic RNA of a Salmonidae alphavirus preceded by a spacer sequence, under the control of a suitable promoter. Said recombinant DNA's are useful for obtaining expression vectors, producing recombinant Salmonidae alphavirus, and for obtaining vaccines.
US08603489B2
The invention refers to compositions that comprise the protein preparation, obtained from the latex of Hevea brasiliensis, in a low concentration. Additionally, the invention refers to the use of the protein preparation or the composition described herein, for the preparation of a medicine to treat chronic inflammatory diseases, and to the method of treating same that uses the aforementioned composition or the protein preparation.
US08603488B2
The invention provides methods of cultivating microalgae photoautotrophically outdoors to prepare concentrated microalgae products containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) docosahexaenoic acid, two long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish oil that are very important for human and animal health. It also provides concentrated microalgae products containing EPA and DHA and purified lipid products containing EPA and DHA purified from microalgae.
US08603486B2
Methods and compositions for modulating an immune response in a subject are provided. Methods include administering to the subject a composition comprising an effective amount of a lymphocyte differentiation factor, e.g., protein A (PA), sufficient to modulate the immune response. Compositions include a lymphocyte differentiation factor, e.g., protein A (PA), in an amount less than 1 μg.
US08603480B2
The invention relates to neutralizing antibodies, and antibody fragments thereof, having high potency in neutralizing hCMV, wherein said antibodies and antibody fragments are specific for one, or a combination of two or more, hCMV gene UL products. The invention also relates to immortalized B cells that produce, and to epitopes that bind to, such antibodies and antibody fragments. In addition, the invention relates to the use of the antibodies, antibody fragments, and epitopes in screening methods as well as in the diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of disease.
US08603478B2
Monoclonal antibodies that bind and inhibit activation of human RON (Recepteur d' Origine Nantais) are disclosed. The antibodies can be used to treat certain forms of cancer that are associated with activation of RON.
US08603469B2
Isolated human monoclonal antibodies which bind to IL-8 (e.g., human IL-8) are disclosed. The human antibodies can be produced in a hybridoma, transfectoma or in a non-human transgenic animal, e.g., a transgenic mouse, capable of producing multiple isotypes of human monoclonal antibodies by undergoing V-D-J recombination and isotype switching. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the human antibodies, non-human transgenic animals, hybridomas, and transfectomas which produce the human antibodies, and therapeutic and diagnostic methods for using the human antibodies.
US08603455B2
The present invention is to provide a removal promoter for apoptotic cells which is capable of immediately removing apoptotic cells in vivo by macrophages, or a removal inhibitor which inhibits the removal of apoptotic cells in vivo by macrophages. A removal promoter for apoptotic cells in vivo containing the milk fat globule-EGF factor 8-L (MFG-E8-L), MFG-E8-L mutant having removal promotion action for apoptotic cells in vivo by macrophages, or preferably a recombinant human or mouse MFG-E8-L, or a recombinant human or mouse MFG-E8-L mutant as an active ingredient is prepared. Such removal promoters specifically bind to apoptotic cells and promote the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages by recognizing aminophospholipids such as phosphatidylserine exposed on apoptotic cell surface. On the other hand, a point mutation (D89E) MFG-E8-L mutant is used as a removal inhibitor.
US08603452B1
The invention comprises a biological hydrogel that is chemically stabilized with non-covalent or covalent cross-links. The biological hydrogel is used to coat surfaces of materials for submersion in marine water. Molecular dissolution at the marine water-hydrogel surface prevents attachment of fouling organisms. The rate of dissolution can be controlled by both the concentration of the biopolymer in the hydrogel and the nature and concentration of cross-linker used. Additional components, either molecular or particulate, can be added to the biological hydrogel before or after cross-linking for enhanced properties.
US08603450B2
A cosmetic cleansing and shaving preparation which comprises a surfactant system of (i) one or more amphoteric surfactants and (ii) one or more anionic surfactants, the weight ratio (i):(ii) being greater than about 1:1. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US08603443B1
A highly photostable, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen composition having an SPF of greater than 50 that retains about 90% of its UV absorbance over the range of 290 nm to 400 nm after being irradiated with 15 MEDs of energy from a simulated solar radiation source calibrated in accordance with the COLIPA standard. The highly photostable sunscreen composition is comprised of at least one dibenzoylmethane derivative, preferably avobenzone, and at least four compounds that quench singlet-excited energy and/or triplet excited energy, respectively “singlet quenchers” and “triplet quenchers”.
US08603442B2
A tooth sensitivity treatment composition is disclosed. The composition includes a compound of formula I M1-A-M2-B-M1 (I) wherein: M1 is a monovalent or divalent metal; M2 is a polyvalent metal or metal oxide; and A and B are, independently, selected from the group consisting of C2-C6 diacids, triacids, and tetraacids. Methods for treating tooth sensitivity are also disclosed.
US08603434B2
A zeolitic binder-converted composition comprising (a) a zeolite X composition having at least a first zeolite X having a mean diameter not greater than 2.7 microns, and a second zeolite X, wherein the second zeolite X is obtained by converting a binder material to the second zeolite X and the binder material is in a range from 5 to 50 wt % of the zeolite X composition; and (b) an unconverted binder material content, after conversion to the second zeolite X is complete, in a range from 0 to 3 wt % of the zeolite X composition. The zeolite X composition has an average Si/Al framework mole ratio in a range from 1.0 to 1.5, and a relative LTA intensity not greater than 1.0, as determined by x-ray diffraction (XRD).
US08603432B2
A method of converting nitrogen oxides in a gas to nitrogen by contacting the nitrogen oxides with a nitrogenous reducing agent in the presence of a zeolite catalyst containing at least one transition metal, wherein the zeolite is a small pore zeolite containing a maximum ring size of eight tetrahedral atoms, wherein the at least one transition metal is selected from the group consisting of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ce, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, In, Sn, Re, Ir and Pt.
US08603429B2
Disclosed is a production system (1) for a carbon fiber thread (Z) by continuously subjecting a carbon fiber thread precursor (X) having a jointed portion (a) connecting respective ends of two carbon fiber thread precursors (X) to heat treatment, which contains an oxidization oven (10) for subjecting the carbon fiber thread precursor (X) to an oxidization treatment, a carbonization furnace (12) for subjecting a thus obtained oxidized fiber thread to a carbonization treatment, a winder (18) for winding the carbon fiber thread (Z) around a winding bobbin, a detection means (24) for detecting the jointed portion (a), a positional information-acquisition means (26) for acquiring positional information of the jointed portion (a), a control means (28) for controlling the winder (18) in such a way that a carbon fiber thread including the jointed portion (a) and a carbon fiber thread not including the jointed portion (a) are separately wound up around different winding bobbins based on the positional information. Also disclosed is a production method for a carbon fiber thread by use of the production system (1).
US08603424B2
CO2-sequestering formed building materials are provided. The building materials of the invention include a composition comprising a carbonate/bicarbonate component. Additional aspects of the invention include methods of making and using the CO2-sequestering formed building material.
US08603420B2
The invention enables processing waste sludge after galvanic treatment of metals, and particularly recycling spent pickling acids after pickling. Provided is an environmentally friendly process, which yields acids for reuse, and pure nano-sized iron pigments as a side product.
US08603418B2
Methods of preparing stannous oxide including neutralizing a solution of divalent tin ions in a mineral acid using a weak base, followed by heating the neutralized solution optionally under an inert atmosphere are provided. The stannous oxide particles produced are readily soluble in alkyl sulfonic acids.
US08603413B2
A device for addressing an electrode array of 2n lines of an electro-fluidic device, each line having N electrodes (n≦N). The device includes, on each line, n selection electrodes, all of the line selection electrodes being connected to 2n line selection conductors, 2n−1 line selection electrodes of 2n−1 lines being connected to each line selection conductor, and selection devices for selecting one or more line selection conductors.
US08603412B2
A microchannel structure is provided wherein supplied fluids are prevented from transuding via a lamination interface into channels for a mixture or reaction product. A method is further provided for producing an emulsion having a uniform particle size under a high pressure condition by using the microchannel structure. The microchannel structure comprises one or more layers having notches to constitute channels, laminated and pressed between a pair of frames having an outside communicating hole to constitute a channel, so as to form microchannels to mix/react fluids, channels to supply the fluids to the microchannels, and a channel to discharge the fluids from the microchannels, wherein a channel for discharging a transudation fluid is provided to recover a fluid having transuded at a lamination interface so as not to let it enter into the channels including the microchannels and discharge it to the outside.
US08603411B2
A seal is formed of a material including a crosslinked fluoropolymer. The seal substantially prevents leaks in a high pressure pump.
US08603407B2
A novel catalytic reactor is provided for controlling the contact of a limiting reactant with a catalyst surface. A first flow vessel defines an interior surface and an exterior surface, and the interior surface has a catalyst deposited on at least a portion thereof. A second flow vessel is positioned within the first flow vessel and the second flow vessel defines a porous surface designed to deliver a fluid uniformly to at least a portion of the interior surface of the first flow vessel.
US08603403B2
A reactor for reforming a hydrocarbon, and associated processes and systems, are described herein. In one example, a reactor is provided that is configured to use non-equilibrium gliding arc discharge plasma. In another example, the reactor uses a vortex flow pattern. Two stages of reforming are described. In a first stage, the hydrocarbon absorbs heat from the wall of the reactor and combusts to form carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and water. In a second stage, a gliding arc discharge is use to form syngas, which is a mixture of hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide. The heat generated by the combustion of the first stage transfers to the wall of the reactor and heated products of the second stage mix with incoming hydrocarbon to provide for partial recuperation of the reaction energy.
US08603396B2
Particular embodiments of the inventive technology relate to ‘off-axis detector’ technology that employs a third detector 23 exhibiting a flow orthogonal axis 43 as defined by its EMR collection angle, where such axis is from 30 degrees to 60 degrees from an intended, flow orthogonal, cell cross section long axis alignment line 13, in addition to employing a fourth detector 24 exhibiting a flow orthogonal axis 44 as defined by its collection angle, where such axis is orthogonal to the flow orthogonal, third detector axis 43. Particular embodiments of the inventive technology relate to ‘axially spaced illumination’ technology featuring more than one cell illumination site, where, other than the most upflow illumination site (e.g., 121), all illumination site(s) are downflow of at least one other illumination site. Particular embodiments of the inventive technology may feature aspects of both technologies.
US08603389B2
A Ni—Cr—Fe alloy in the form of a weld deposit, a welding electrode and flux and a method of welding utilizing the Ni—Cr—Fe alloy. The alloy comprises in % by weight: 27-31 Cr, 6-11 Fe, 0.01-0.04 C, 1.5-4 Mn, 1-3 Nb, up to 3 Ta, 1-3 (Nb+Ta), 0.01-0.50 Ti, 0.0003-0.02 Zr, 0.0005-0.004 B, <0.50 Si, 0.50 max Al, <0.50 Cu, <1.0 W, <1.0 Mo, <0.12 Co, <0.015 S, <0.015 P, 0.01 max Mg, balance Ni plus incidental additions and impurities. The welding method includes welding using a short arc wherein the distance from the electrode tip to the weld deposit is maintained at less than 0.125 inch.
US08603382B2
A molding method of a plastic molded product includes preparing at least one mold including a high-precision surface; preparing a plurality of molds having a low-precision surface; sequentially supplying molten resin to one of the plurality of molds having low-precision surface; sequentially cooling, for a predetermined length of time, the molds supplied with the molten resin while applying pressure, taking out a molded member from the cooled mold, setting the molded member which has been taken out in the mold having the high-precision surface, and melting only a surface of the molded member while pressing the high-precision surface against the surface to form a plastic molded product.
US08603379B2
A manufacture method for a bezel assembly through an injecting molding machine includes the following steps. A metal front wall is placed on a male mold of the injecting molding machine. The metal front wall is attracted to the male mold. A female mold is coupled onto the male mold. Liquid plastic material is injected onto the metal front wall through the female mold. The female mold is removed from the male mold after the liquid plastic material is substantially solidified to a plastic bezel on the metal front wall. The attraction force is removed from the metal front wall. The bezel assembly is lift from the male mold.
US08603378B2
An process for producing thin silicone by extrusion of a layer of silicone. The silicone layer may be extruded onto a substrate layer. The silicone layer and the substrate layer may be extruded together out of an extrusion die.
US08603373B2
A method for producing particles, including: bringing a compressive fluid into contact with a pressure plastic material, so as to produce a melt of the pressure plastic material; and discharging the melt of the pressure plastic material by differential pressure to a space, so as to form particles, wherein the discharging includes at least one of (A) discharging the melt of the pressure plastic material while a compressive fluid is supplied to the melt of the pressure plastic material, and (B) discharging the melt of the pressure plastic material through one or more through-holes, to which vibration is applied, so as to change the shape of the melt of the pressure plastic material from a columnar shape, through the columnar shape with constrictions, into a particle shape.
US08603371B2
A method for producing surface convexes and concaves enabling easy and highly precise formation of desired convex and concave shapes using a photomask is provided. A mask member 20 having light transmitting sections and non-light transmitting sections is disposed over one side of a photosensitive film 10 consisting of a photosensitive resin composition with a light diffusing layer 30 disposed between the mask member 20 and the photosensitive film 10. Light is irradiated from a light source disposed on the side of the mask member 20 to expose the photosensitive film 10 through the light transmitting sections of the mask member 20, and exposed portions or unexposed portions of the photosensitive film 10 are removed by development to produce convexes and concaves on the photosensitive film 10 in shapes determined by shapes of the exposed portions or unexposed portions. In the light exposure, light exposure conditions such as haze of the light diffusing layer 30 are controlled so as to control the shapes of the exposed portions or unexposed portions.
US08603369B2
[Problems to be Solved] Provided is a positive electrode material for an electrical device, which has high capacity and improved initial charge-discharge efficiency.[Means for Solving the Problem] Disclosed is a positive electrode material for an electrical device, which is represented by the formula (1): aLi[Li1/3Mn2/3]O2.(1−a)Li[NixCoyMn1-x-y]O2 (1) (wherein, 0
US08603363B1
A novel method and system for extending ion source life and improving ion source performance during carbon implantation are provided. Particularly, the carbon ion implant process involves utilizing a dopant gas mixture comprising carbon monoxide and one or more fluorine-containing gas with carbon represented by the formula CxFy wherein x≧1 and y≧1. At least one fluorine containing gases with carbon is contained in the mixture at about 3-12 volume percent (vol %) based on the volume of the dopant gas mixture. Fluoride ions, radicals or combinations thereof are released from the ionized dopant gas mixture and reacts with deposits derived substantially from carbon along at least one of the surfaces of the repeller electrodes, extraction electrodes and the chamber to reduce the overall amount of deposits. In this manner, a single dopant gas mixture provides carbon ions and removes problematic deposits typically encountered during carbon implantation.
US08603359B2
A liquid crystal compound having a high stability to heat, light or the like, a high clearing point, a low minimum temperature of a liquid crystal phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a suitable elastic constant and an excellent compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds, and a liquid crystal composition including this compound, and a liquid crystal display device containing this composition. A compound represented by formula (1): for example, R1 is alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons; ring A1, ring A2 and ring A3 are 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene or 1,4-phenylene in which at least one of hydrogen has been replaced by fluorine; Z1 is a single bond, and Z2 and Z3 are —CF2O— or —OCF2—; X1 is fluorine; and L1 and L2 are fluorine.
US08603355B2
A composition for stabilizing chlorine dioxide maintains a chlorine dioxide concentration nearly constant in the agent containing chlorine dioxide dissolved therein even when chlorine dioxide is continuously released as gas from agent, and includes a chlorite and a pH adjuster. The pH adjuster is an acid or a salt thereof having a buffering property whose pH is 2.5 to 6.8 as a 5% aqueous solution at 25° C.
US08603354B2
Provided is a lubricating oil composition for a refrigerator which uses a base oil including as the main component at least one kind of oxygen-containing compounds selected from polyoxyalkylene glycols, polyvinyl ethers, copolymers of poly(oxy)alkylene glycols or monoethers thereof and polyvinyl ethers, polyol esters, and polycarbonates. The lubricating oil composition for a refrigerator is used for a refrigerator that uses, as a refrigerant, a fluorine-containing organic compound, which is a refrigerant applicable to current car air conditioner systems or the like and has a specific polar structure, and has favorable sealing property, a low coefficient of friction factor in a sliding part, and excellent stability as well as excellent compatibility with the refrigerant.
US08603348B2
A method of removing an alumina layer around a main pole layer during perpendicular magnetic recording head fabrication is disclosed. The alumina etch sequence includes immersing a substrate in a series of aqueous solutions purged with an inert gas to remove oxygen thereby avoiding corrosion of the main pole. Initially, the substrate is soaked and heated in deionized (DI) water. Once heated, the substrate is immersed in an etching bath at about 80° C. and pH 10.5. Bath chemistry is preferably based on Na2CO3 and NaHCO3, and N2 purging improves etch uniformity and reduces residue. Thereafter, the substrate is rinsed in a second DI water bath between room temperature and 80° C., and finally subjected to a quick dump rinse before drying. Inert gas, preferably N2, may be introduced into the aqueous solutions through a purge board having a plurality of openings and positioned proximate to the bottom of a bath container.
US08603347B2
A method for forming a recess defect on a carbon nanotube is introduced. The method includes the following steps. A substrate with a surface is provided. A first carbon nanotube is deposed on the surface of the substrate. A second carbon nanotube is crossed with the first carbon nanotube. The second carbon nanotube crosses the first carbon nanotube and is in contact with the first carbon nanotube. A mask is deposited on substrate, the first carbon nanotube, and the second carbon nanotube. The substrate is etched to remove the second carbon nanotube and form a recess defect on the first carbon nanotube at a crossing position.
US08603341B2
An oil adsorbent is configured so as to include: at least one particle of an inorganic particle and a metallic particle, at least one particle constituting a core; and a polymer covering the core, wherein the polymer is a copolymer made of at least one substance selected from the group of molecular structure A consisting of styrene, butadiene, isoprene, ethylene and propylene and at least one substance selected from the group of molecular structure B consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylonitrile, vinylpyridine, vinyl alcohol, maleic anhydride and maleic acid.
US08603339B2
Excess sludge production in a bioreactor of a wastewater treatment plant in which excess sludge is being produced is reduced by adding an activated sludge material having a chitinase specific activity of at least 150 Units/g-MLSS and a pectinase specific activity of at least 120 Units/g-MLSS to the bioreactor. After the addition of the activated sludge material, the bioreactor is controlled by adding the activated sludge material when any one of the chitinase activity, the pectinase activity, and the protease specific of the sludge in the bioreactor drops below the lower limits of 50 Units/L, 40 Units/L, and 0.3 Units/L, respectively.
US08603337B1
A water heater and purifier has a membrane element and employs an exothermic and pressure-generating chemical reaction. The exothermic reaction heats water, and the gaseous reaction products pressurize an enclosure and force water through a membrane filter for purification. Disinfection of the water is achieved using heat, filtration, and optionally a chemical disinfectant.
US08603325B2
A biomass pyrolysis oil is used as a co-feed for a heavy petroleum oil coking process to improve the operation of the coking process and to utilize biomaterial for the production of transportation fuels. The coking process may be a delayed coking process or a fluidized bed coking process and in each case, the presence of the biomass pyrolysis oil will decrease the coke drying time while reducing coke handling problems in the unit besides forming a superior coke product. In the case of a fluidized bed coking process using a gasifier for the coke, the addition of an alkali metal salt improves the operation of the gasifier.
US08603320B2
A method and apparatus are provided for generating and applying a sanitizing liquid. The method includes moving a mobile floor cleaning device along a floor and electrochemically activating a liquid on the mobile floor cleaning device by passing the liquid through a functional generator having first and second electrode chambers that are separated by an ion exchange membrane such that the liquid activated in the first electrode chamber comprises O3 molecules. Substantially all of the liquid activated in the first and second electrode chambers are dispensed from the device within 5 seconds of the time at which the liquids are activated by the functional generator without an intermediate step of storing either of the liquids produced in the first or second electrode chambers. At least some of the dispensed liquid is recovered from the floor with a recovery device carried by the mobile floor cleaning device.
US08603316B2
An electroplating method that includes: a) contacting a first substrate with a first article, which includes a substrate and a conformable mask disposed in a pattern on the substrate; b) electroplating a first metal from a source of metal ions onto the first substrate in a first pattern, the first pattern corresponding to the complement of the conformable mask pattern; and c) removing the first article from the first substrate, is disclosed. Electroplating articles and electroplating apparatus are also disclosed.
US08603315B2
A method for electrochemically plating tin or tin alloy onto a workpiece to provide a tin or tin alloy deposit on said workpiece having a stress differential and workpieces characterized by a tin or tin alloy deposit having a stress differential.
US08603314B2
Semiconductors are electrochemically etched in solutions containing sources of bifluoride and nickel ions. The electrochemical etching may form pores in the surface of the semiconductor in the nanometer range. The etched semiconductor is then nickel plated.
US08603312B2
A particle transporter based on travelling-wave dielectrophoresis is provided. The particle transporter includes a plurality of turn-around electrodes. The turn-around electrodes are disposed on a substrate and arranged in a fan shape. The turn-around electrodes provide an arc channel for transporting a plurality of particles. Wherein, the turn-around electrodes are not connected to each other, and neighboring sides of any two adjacent electrodes of the turn-around electrodes are approximately parallel.
US08603303B2
Apparatus, system, and method are provided for cutting a linear charged polymer inside a nanopore. A first voltage is applied to create an electric field in a first direction. A second voltage is applied to create an electric field in a second direction, and the first direction is opposite to the second direction. When the electric field in the first direction and the electric field in the second direction are applied to a linear charged polymer inside a nanopore, the linear charged polymer is cut at a location with predetermined accuracy.
US08603298B2
A method of manufacturing coated paper which consistently performs a papermaking process, a coating process, and a flattening process and includes a coating facility formed of a combination of a roll coater coating facility and first and second coating facilities in which coating methods are different from that of the roll coater coating facility, and the roll coater coating facility is provided between the first and second coating facilities.
US08603297B2
A dispersible wet wipe constructed of at two layers is disclosed. A triggerable binder composition binds said web substrate together. The wet wipe also includes a wetting composition including at least 0.3 percent of an insolubilizing agent.
US08603294B2
Method for stripping a wafer from a carrier that is connected to the wafer by an interconnect layer. The method includes the steps of accommodating the carrier-wafer combination on a receiving means, breaking the connection provided by the interconnect layer by a connection release means, and stripping the wafer from the carrier, or stripping the carrier from the wafer by stripping means.
US08603293B2
A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing container, an exhaust unit, an exhaust plate, an RF power application unit connected to a second electrode but not connected to the first electrode and configured to apply an RF power with a single frequency, the second electrode being connected to no power supply that applies an RF power other than the RF power with the single frequency, a DC power supply connected to the first electrode but not connected to the second electrode, the first electrode being connected to no power supply that applies an RF power, and a conductive member within the process container grounded to release through plasma a current caused by the DC voltage, the conductive member supported by the first shield part and laterally protruding therefrom only at a position that is located, in a height-wise direction, between a mount face and the exhaust plate and below a bottom of a focus ring.
US08603286B2
Reliability of a mechanical part including two parts fixed to each other by an anaerobic adhesive is improved, at least one of the two parts being made of a resin material. After UV treatment is performed on an adhesive surface (10) with respect to a bracket (6) of an outer peripheral surface (7a1) of a housing (7) made of the resin material, the housing (7) is fixed to the bracket (6) by the anaerobic adhesive, whereby an adhesive strength per unit area of 8 N/mm2 or more is obtained for both parts. The UV treatment is performed by irradiating an electromagnetic wave, of an electromagnetic wave irradiated from a light source (11), transmitted through an infrared cut filter (12) having a transmittance of 50% or more and 80% or less in an electromagnetic wave having a wavelength of 254 nm, onto the adhesive surface (10) of the housing (7).
US08603279B2
The invention relates to a device for welding a stiffener to a skin. The stiffener has a stiffener foot with a bearing surface parallel to the skin surface and a stiffener flange projecting away from the plane of the bearing surface. The device includes a metallic support includes a seating surface matching the shape of the receiving side; a groove which accommodates a flange of the stiffener inserted in the groove; an insulative supporting structure for positioning a bearing surface against the receiving side; and a conformal panel for applying pressure forcing said bearing surface against said receiving side. A heater temporarily raises the temperature of bearing surface of the stiffener and the adjacent receiving side of the skin to above the melting point of the matrix when pressure is applied thereby welding the stiffener to the skin.
US08603270B2
The present invention provides a method of using a neutral ionic liquid to at least one of stabilize a peroxidic explosive and to produce a stable solution of the peroxidic explosive which includes providing the neutral ionic liquid and using the neutral ionic liquid to at least one of stabilize the peroxidic explosive and to produce the stable solution of the peroxidic explosive. The present invention further provides a stable composition which includes a solution of at least one neutral ionic liquid and a detectable amount of a peroxidic explosive, a method of production thereof, and a method of use thereof as an odor sample.
US08603266B2
Alloys and methods of preparing the same are provided. The alloys are represented by the general formula of (ZraMbNc)100-xQx, in which M is at least one transition metal except Zr; N is Be or Al; Q is selected from the group consisting of CaO, MgO, Y2O3, Nd2O3, and combinations thereof; a, b, and c are atomic percents of corresponding elements; and 45≦a≦75, 20≦b≦40, 1≦c≦25, a+b+c=100, and 1≦x≦15. A method of recycling a Zr-based amorphous alloy waste is also provided.
US08603259B2
A conveyor warewasher (1) which having at least one washing zone (6, 7, 8, 9), at least one rinsing zone (10) and at least one drying zone (26) and also a control device (36). In order to achieve an effective cleaning and drying of the washware, along with as low a consumption as possible of resources in terms of water, chemicals and, in particular, energy, there is provision for the control device (36) to be designed for selecting a previously defined or definable program sequence at least in the at least one drying zone (26) and for setting the process parameters associated with the selected program sequence automatically as a function of the conveying speed at which the washware is conveyed through the treatment zones (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 26) of the conveyor warewasher (1).
US08603258B2
A two-phase paint and ink stripper composition comprises an aqueous phase containing a basic activator in the form of an amino-alkyl-alkanol and an organic phase which contains an alkylene carbonate and organic solvents. The paint stripper composition of the present invention is free from methylene chloride and does not contain monoethanol amine.
US08603251B2
The present invention relates to a method to dispose plant cellulose materials, in particular to a method for preparing a main hydrolysate by hydrolyzing the plant cellulose materials with concentrated sulfuric acid. The plant cellulose materials are mixed with sulfuric acid in batches, and the main hydrolysate is obtained after hydrolysis. The batch mixing includes the following procedures: (1) sulfuric acid solution is used to dissolve part of the plant cellulose materials thereby forming a hydrolysate; (2) when the plant cellulose materials can not be dissolved any more, concentrated sulfuric acid with the concentration more than 80 wt % is successively added into the hydrolysate, and another part of the plant cellulose materials are added; (3) and then the procedure as step (2) is repeated until all the plant cellulose materials are completely hydrolyzed. The method utilizing concentrated sulfuric acid to prepare the main hydrolysate can hydrolyze the maximum cellulose with the least sulfuric acid, thereby decreasing the acid recovery cost proportioned by per kilogram sugar obtained by hydrolysis.
US08603239B2
This invention relates to a formulation with the addition of low density additives of volcanic ash, hollow ceramic microspheres or a combination of microspheres and volcanic ash or other low density additives into cementitious cellulose fiber reinforced building materials. This formulation is advantageously lightweight or low density compared as compared to current fiber cement products without the increased moisture expansion and freeze-thaw degradation usually associated with the addition of lightweight inorganic materials to fiber cement mixes. The low density additives also give the material improved thermal dimensional stability.
US08603238B2
A dry binder premix includes, in mass proportions: Portland clinker having a Blaine specific surface area comprised from 4500 to 9500 cm2/g, the minimum quantity of the clinker by mass percentage relative to the total mass of the premix being determined according to: [−6.10−3×BSSk]+75, in which BSSk is the Blaine specific surface area of the clinker given in cm2/g; fly ash; an alkali sulphate; one source of SO3; complementary materials having a Dv90 less than or equal to 200 μm selected from limestone powders, calcined shale, metakaolins, siliceous fillers, silica powders, pozzolans, slags, fly ash and mixtures thereof. A quantity of clinker+the quantity of fly ash is greater than or equal to 75% by mass percentage relative to the total mass of the premix and a total quantity of clinker in the premix is less than 60% by mass percentage relative to the total mass of the premix.
US08603227B2
Disclosed are a composition for the prophylaxis of influenza viral infection comprising tannic acid, an air filter coated with the same, and an air cleaner comprising the air filter. Having high inhibitory activity against influenza virus, the composition comprising tannic acid can be applied to the prevention of influenza viral infection. Also, the filter coated with the composition can remove influenza virus from the air so that it can be employed in an air cleaner for the prophylaxis of influenza viral infection.
US08603217B2
Embodiments of recirculating filtration and exhaust systems for material processing systems are disclosed herein. A material processing system configured in accordance with one embodiment includes an enclosure for processing a workpiece, the enclosure having an enclosure inlet and an enclosure outlet. The system also includes a first flow path fluidly coupled to the enclosure inlet and the enclosure outlet, and a first filtration assembly in the first flow path. The first filtration assembly draws airflow from the enclosure and returns the airflow to the enclosure. The system further includes a second flow path in fluid communication with the first flow path upstream from the enclosure inlet, and a second filtration assembly in the second flow path. The second filtration assembly draws airflow from the first flow path and returns airflow to the first flow path.
US08603216B2
Extracting gallium and/or arsenic from materials comprising gallium arsenide is generally disclosed. In some example embodiments, a material comprising gallium arsenide may be exposed to a first heating condition to form a first exhaust. The first exhaust may be directed to an arsenic collection bed including aluminum, which may form aluminum arsenide. The material including gallium arsenide may be exposed to a second heating condition and/or a vacuum may be applied, which may form a second exhaust. The second exhaust may be directed to a gallium collection bed including aluminum, which may form gallium alloys of aluminum.
US08603195B2
Methods and apparatus for forming energy storage devices are provided. In one embodiment a method of producing an energy storage device is provided. The method comprises positioning an anodic current collector into a processing region, depositing one or more three-dimensional electrodes separated by a finite distance on a surface of the anodic current collector such that portions of the surface of the anodic current collector remain exposed, depositing a conformal polymeric layer over the anodic current collector and the one or more three-dimensional electrodes using iCVD techniques comprising flowing a gaseous monomer into the processing region, flowing a gaseous initiator into the processing region through a heated filament to form a reactive gas mixture of the gaseous monomer and the gaseous initiator, wherein the heated filament is heated to a temperature between about 300° C. and about 600° C., and depositing a conformal layer of cathodic material over the conformal polymeric layer.
US08603192B2
A process is provided for recovering sodium chloride crystals and sodium carbonate decahydrate crystals from a concentrated brine that results from a gas mining operation where gas and produced water is recovered and the produced water constitutes a brine. An initial pre-concentration process is carried out where the brine is concentrated and in the process carbon dioxide is removed from the brine and at least some sodium bicarbonate is converted to sodium carbonate. In one process, the concentrated brine is directed to a sodium chloride crystallizer where the brine is heated and further concentrated to form sodium chloride crystals which are separated from the brine to yield a product and wherein the resulting brine is termed a first mother liquor. The first mother liquor is then directed to a sodium carbonate decahydrate crystallizer where the first mother liquor is cooled and concentrated resulting in the formation of sodium carbonate decahydrate crystals and a second mother liquor. The second mother liquor is split into two streams where one stream is directed back to the sodium chloride crystallizer while the other stream is wasted or further treated.
US08603190B2
A momentum free bearing assembly for use in orthotic and prosthetic devices and a prosthetic knee incorporating the same are disclosed. The bearing assembly includes an engaging ring having a swivel portion received within the engaging ring. The engaging ring is received within a bore in a mount. Retainer rings may be placed on either side of the engaging ring within the bore to retain the engaging ring within the mount. Seals having sealing members may be provided on either side of the engaging ring to seal the engaging ring within the mount. A cylindrical rod engages the swivel portion and the seal through bores provided in each of the seal and the swivel portion. The ends of the cylindrical rod can be press-fit within bores on a mount and a frame of a prosthetic knee.
US08603188B2
A medical treatment device (200), for treating reflux from a stomach (201) to an esophagus (202) and for delivering a therapeutic agent to an inner surface of the esophagus (202), comprises a valve member (203), a lining member (204), and a support member (205). The valve member (203) is movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, in which the valve member (203) facilitates passage of material between the esophagus (202) and the stomach (201). The valve member (203) is biased towards the closed configuration and gradually moves over a period of 4 to 10 secs from the open configuration to the closed configuration. The support member (205) supports the device (200) relative to the esophagus (202) and the stomach (201). The lining member (204) lines part of the inner surface of the esophagus (202) for delivery of a therapeutic agent to the esophagus (202).
US08603182B2
Bipolar prostheses which include various structures and other techniques for optimizing material wear and mechanical strength properties. Such prostheses feature, for example, improved resistance to polyethylene wear while also reducing potential for dislocation of the femoral stem from the prosthesis. Such techniques and structures include varying wear resistance and mechanical strength treatment in various components of the prostheses or portions of those components as desired to improve, accentuate or optimize wear performance and dislocation reduction, locking ring structural features, structures for retaining locking rings in the bipolar prosthesis shell, and structures for limiting or reducing movement or rotation of locking rings and liners in bipolar prosthesis shells.
US08603180B2
An acetabular device includes a patient-specific acetabular alignment guide including a bone engagement surface. The bone engagement surface has a first portion configured and shaped to be conforming and complementary to an acetabular rim surface and a second portion configured and shaped to be conforming and complementary to a periacetabular area of an acetabulum of a patient. The acetabular alignment guide includes a plurality of guiding formations extending through the second portion for guiding a plurality of alignment pins therethrough. The bone engagement surface and the plurality of guiding formations are prepared from a three-dimensional model of the acetabulum of the specific patient reconstructed pre-operatively from a scan of the patient.
US08603167B2
An intra-ocular artificial lens with variable optical strength, having at least two optical elements, at least two of which are movable relative to each other in a direction extending transversely of the optical axis, wherein the optical elements have a form such that in different positions of the movable optical elements the artificial lens has a different optical strength, wherein the artificial lens has a fixed, positive optical basic strength wherein the variable optical strength caused by the relative movement of the movable elements is added to obtain the total optical strength of the artificial lens. Providing a different form results in the possibility of incorporating the greatest optical power in one of the optical elements. This optical element can then be optimized for the desired optical properties. The remaining optical element or the remaining optical elements can then be dimensioned for variation of the optical strength.
US08603164B2
A fluidic telescope includes a first lens configured to be arranged in the eye of a patient, and a second lens having a chamber with fluid disposed therein, the second lens being a variable focus fluidic lens capable of varying the shape thereof so as to selectively form an additive plus lens, an additive minus lens, and a Galilean telescope when positioned so as to be along the same optical axis as the first lens, wherein the second lens is configured to be capable of moving the focal point thereof forward or backward by increasing or decreasing the fluid in the chamber.
US08603163B2
An IOL injector body including an injector body segment defining a portion of a lumen, and a first loading chamber component coupled to the injector body segments and a second loading chamber component hingedly coupled to the first loading chamber component. The second loading chamber component is capable of rotating about an axis that is parallel to the lumen. An IOL vial including a vial base and an injector guide rotatably mounted in said base, whereby an injector can be inserted along the injector guide and rotated such that a folded IOL can be obtained in the injector. A method of loading an IOL injector with an IOL the method that comprises inserting the IOL injector body into a vial and rotating the IOL injector body relative to the vial to obtain the IOL in the IOL injector body.
US08603153B2
A system and method employs collar stents to implant an endoluminal device, such as a stent-graft, in a lumen. The system comprises at least one collar stent adapted to precondition a portion of the lumen for anchoring an endoluminal device having at least a portion adapted to be deployed radially within the collar stent. The method comprises first deploying one or more collar stents, and then deploying the endoluminal device radially within the one or more collar stents. In various embodiments, the collar stent may be radiopaque, may have inwardly protruding barbs for engaging the endoluminal device, and may have a region having a relatively low percentage of open area for bridging a portion of the main lumen having an intersecting lumen. The preconditioning step of implanting the collar stent may change the morphology of the lumen to more favorable morphology, such as from a non-circumferential geometry to a circumferential geometry.
US08603126B2
A skin pricking lancet (101) comprising a needle (104), a body (102) for holding the needle (104) and a cap (103) for shielding at least the tip of the needle (104). At least one cap engagement formation (106) is formed on the body (102), and at least one body engagement formation (108) is formed on the cap (103). The body engagement formation (106) is configured to form a releasable mechanical interlock with the cap engagement formation (108), thereby securing the cap (103) to the body (102) in the shielded position.
US08603118B2
A tissue repair system is disclosed. The tissue repair system can include a prosthesis with a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion disposed therebetween. The first end portion can engage the second end portion when installed to retain tissue in a desired configuration. The tissue repair system can also include a delivery device configured to implant and fasten the prosthesis to repair imperfections in tissue or retain tissue in a desired configuration. The delivery device may be configured to fasten the first end portion and second end portion of the prosthesis on a distal portion of the tissue.
US08603111B2
A ligating apparatus including a thread receiving portion movably disposed at a distal end of an inserting part body. An outer circumference of the thread receiving portion forms the loop holding portion around which a knot forming loop formed from a ligature is disposed. When a first end of the ligature is pulled into the thread receiving portion, the knot forming loop is pushed out of the loop holding portion by a delivery portion of the knot pusher. The knot forming loop is further pushed by the delivery portion along the ligature toward tissue and ligated. Such ligating apparatus is capable of reducing a load on the tissue to be ligated during a ligating operation.
US08603094B2
Devices and methods are provided for assisting in spinal stabilization. An access device is provided that includes an outer sleeve, inner sleeve, spring latch and lock nut. The inner sleeve includes compressible grasping elements. The access device can be coupled to a screw head by sliding the outer sleeve relative to the inner sleeve and compressing the grasping elements. The coupled access device and screw can then be delivered to a target location in a patient. After providing two or more access devices, a rod member can be delivered using a rod insertion device. The rod member can serve as a connection between the two screws, and can provide spinal stabilization. An anti-torque device and a persuading device can be used to help ensure that the rod member is placed and secured in a proper location within a patient.
US08603093B2
An apparatus and method is disclosed for aligning the anteversion and the inclination of an acetabular prosthetic cup within an acetabulum of a patient. The apparatus and method comprises calculating the orientation of acetabulum center axis. The acetabular prosthetic cup is aligned relative to the calculated acetabulum center axis. The acetabulum center axis is calculated from selecting rim points located about the acetabulum of the patient.
US08603092B2
A bone repairing kit including a drilling device, a pushing device, a clamping member and a hole saw is provided. An end of a tube body of the drilling device is a knife portion. When the tube body rotates with respect to a femur, a bone column is cut by the knife portion and located in the tube body. The pushing device includes a hollow tube and a push bar. The hollow tube is for receiving the tube body. The push bar is for touching and pushing the bone column in the tube body. The clamping member is for clamping the bone column. The hole saw includes a receiving body and cutting knives. The receiving body has a recess for receiving an end of the bone column. The cutting knives surrounding on an inner wall of the recess are for cutting an edge of the end of the bone column.
US08603085B2
The present invention is directed to a system, a method and a catheter that provide improved ablation capabilities and improved energy efficiency by selectively energizing catheter electrodes on the basis of impedance measurements. In particular, the invention is directed to the selective energization of catheter radial electrodes that together with a tip electrode form a generally continuous tissue contact surface, wherein the selection is made on the basis of impedance measurement as an indication of the amount of tissue contact of each radial electrode.
US08603073B2
Systems for removing heat from a subject's subcutaneous lipid-rich regions, such as tissue, organs, cells, and so forth, are described herein. In various embodiments, the system includes a treatment device and a controller for controlling a treatment process. The controller is configured to detect and compensate for an interruption in the treatment process.
US08603068B2
A drive mechanism for use with an elongated medical implement comprises a motor, a first pulley mechanically coupled to the motor, and a second pulley. The drive mechanism further comprises a connector mechanically coupled to the second pulley. The connector is configured for laterally receiving the medical implement. The drive mechanism further comprises a belt wrapped around the first and second pulleys to transmit force from the motor to the connector. A robotic medical system comprises a user interface configured for receiving at least one command, a drive mechanism including a motor and a connector configured for laterally receiving the medical implement, and an electrical controller configured for directing the motor to cause the drive mechanism to move the medical implement within at least one degree-of-freedom.
US08603062B1
A feminine hygienic pad assembly includes a panel that is configured to absorb and retain fluids. The panel includes a first end section, a second end section and a central section extending between the first and second end sections. The first and second end sections have a circular shape, and the first and second lateral edges of the central section are concavely arcuate. A base member is flexible and has an inner surface and an outer surface. The panel is attached to the inner surface. The base member has a first edge and a second edge positioned opposite of each other. First and second straps each extend between the first and second edges of the base member. The first and second straps are positioned on opposite sides of the base member.
US08603059B2
A stretch laminate includes a first layer including an elastomer film, the first layer having a surface, and a second layer including a nonwoven material, the second layer having a basis weight of less than about 25 gsm and a surface that is attached to the surface of the first layer. The elastomer film has a strength of an engineering tensile strength, at an engineering strain rate of about 600/s, of at least one of about greater than about 14 MPa for a plain specimen or about greater than about 7 MPa for a notched specimen. A method of making the stretch laminate and an absorbent article having at least one region defined by the stretch laminate are also provided.
US08603058B2
An absorbent article generally has a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region extending longitudinally between and interconnecting said front and back waist regions. The article comprises an outer cover stretchable in at least the lateral direction and a liner in opposed relationship with the outer cover and stretchable in at least the lateral direction. An absorbent structure is disposed between the liner and the outer cover and extends from the crotch region to at least one of the front waist region and the back waist region of the article. The article has an attachment zone and at least one non-attachment zone laterally adjacent the attachment zone. The absorbent structure is configured for improved lateral stretch distribution of the article.
US08603054B2
A delivery product is used to deliver a skin composition to the skin of a user. The delivery product includes a thermo-responsive polymer film. The polymer film is solid at room temperature but, once contacted with the skin, increases in temperature and degrades. A skin composition is associated with the polymer film. The skin composition can be applied to a surface of the film or can be incorporated into the film. The skin composition is released by the polymer film for treating the skin of the user.
US08603051B2
The invention relates generally to implantable drug delivery devices. Devices having a single drug chamber configuration, a divided drug chamber configuration and a compact dual-drug configuration are described. The devices have features to prevent clogging of the dispensing catheter and the creation of a local vacuum caused by the dispensing of the drug fluid. Also provided are features of a failsafe refilling process, automatic refill notification, and performance verification process. The divided drug chamber configuration enables frequent or continuous minute doses. A dual-drug chamber configuration uses self-locking refill containers to prevent mismatching between refill containers and drug chambers.
US08603045B2
An injection device having parts, the relative movement of which causes the active substance to be injected. For this purpose, a receptacle, into and in which a carpule/syringe can be inserted and mounted, is retained in a housing, the receptacle can be moved by means of a carriage, and a plunger that applies a force to the piston/s of the carpule/syringe is movably retained in the receptacle. A traction rope which is deflected by means of a roll mounted on the carriage is provided for performing the pricking stroke, injection stroke, and retracting stroke. One end of the traction rope is connected to the receptacle while the other end thereof is connected to a tension spring that is retained on the housing. Mechanisms between the housing, the receptacle, the plunger, and the carriage control the reciprocal coupling thereof to the traction rope.
US08603044B2
A housing for a dispensing apparatus. The housing comprising a main housing and a dose dial sleeve. The dose dial sleeve comprising a helical groove configured to engage a threading provided by the housing. A dose knob is disposed near a proximal end of the dose dial sleeve and a piston rod is provided within the housing. The piston rod is non-rotatable during a dose setting step. A driver comprises an internal threading near a distal portion of the driver and is adapted to engage an external thread of the piston rod. A tubular clutch is located adjacent a distal end of the dose knob and operatively coupled to the dose knob. The dose dial sleeve may extend circumferentially around at least a portion of the tubular clutch.
US08603035B2
A catheter (100, 200) for insertion into a human and/or animal hollow organ, comprising a catheter shaft (110, 210) with a lumen (120, 220), which opens into a front opening at a distal end (112, 212) of the catheter shaft (110, 210), wherein the catheter shaft (110, 210) has at least a first lateral opening (130, 230a) that is at a distance from the distal end (112, 212) and opens into the lumen (120, 220), is distinguished by virtue of the fact that there is at least a first insertion device (140, 240a), arranged on an external side (114, 214) of the catheter shaft (110, 210) in a region of the first lateral opening (130, 230a), for a wire-like element (300, 400, 500) that should be inserted into the first lateral opening (130, 230a) from the outside.
US08603034B2
A novel one-piece fluid reservoir assembly for use in conjunction with an insulin infusion pump. The single piece fluid reservoir assembly includes a barrel body, a male luer fitting integral with the barrel body, a sealing surface integral with the barrel body, the sealing surface for sealing against the pump housing when the fluid reservoir assembly is inserted into the pump housing. Further, the barrel includes, as part of the one-piece fluid reservoir assembly, threads for engagement with threads on an opening in the fluid pump so that the fluid assembly can be inserted into the fluid pump, engage the threads and rotation therewith will locate the fluid reservoir assembly within the pump. Thereafter, a piston in the pump may be incrementally advanced to act upon a plunger in the barrel assembly to force a fluid within the barrel assembly through the male luer fitting and through a conduit engaged therewith to a remote infusion set.
US08603033B2
A device for delivering fluid to a user includes a housing, a drive motor assembly in the housing, other internal components in the housing, and a keypad external to the housing. The device includes a number of features and elements that enhance its operation, manufacturability, reliability, and user-friendliness. These features and elements include a shock absorbing element for a battery of the device, a keypad actuator layer that overlies a keypad assembly and forms a water resistant seal with the housing, and an offset element for a piezoelectric speaker that is located inside the housing.
US08603029B2
Apparatuses and methods for medication administration via a body cavity. In one aspect, a medication administration device includes: a tip portion having a plurality of holes and a balloon defining a balloon cavity. When the balloon is deflated the tip portion can be inserted into a body cavity, such as the rectum, to allow medication delivery through the holes in the tip portion. When inflated, the balloon can prevent the tip portion from being withdrawn from the body cavity and/or hold dispersed medication within the body cavity. The device further includes a port portion that has a first port and a second port, and an elongated tubular portion that is coupled between the tip portion and the port portion. The tubular portion has a first lumen connecting the first port to the plurality of holes in the tip portion, and a second lumen connecting the second port to the balloon cavity.
US08603027B2
Apparatus are provided for motor control systems and related medical devices. In one embodiment, a control system includes a motor having a rotor, a modulation module coupled to the motor, and a control module coupled to the modulation module. The modulation module generates a modulated voltage that is applied to the motor and rotates the rotor to deliver fluid via a fluid path. The control module adjusts a duty cycle of the modulated voltage to achieve a commanded rotation of the rotor and detects an occlusion condition in the fluid path based on the duty cycle.
US08603025B2
A gas-assisted fluid-dispensing device (10) for delivering an aerosol. The gas-assisted fluid-dispensing device (10) includes a syringe (14) that contains a fluid and includes a distal end (18), a proximal end (20), and a plunger (24) extending proximally from the proximal end (20). A spray nozzle tip (26) is configured to generate the aerosol and is coupled to the distal end (18) of the syringe (14). The gas-assisted fluid-dispensing device (10) further includes a housing (44) having first and second housing portions (52, 54). The first housing portion (52) includes a docking port (42) for receiving the syringe (14); the second housing portion (54) is configured as a handle. A trigger (50), coupled to the housing (44), is operably coupled to an actuating member (58) that is configured to apply a force onto the plunger (24) of the syringe (14) and discharge the fluid from the syringe (14) and into the spray nozzle tip (26). A self-contained pressurized gas source (72) is coupled to the housing (44) such that it moves with the housing (44) and is also coupled to the spray nozzle tip (26). Delivery of a pressurized gas to the spray nozzle tip (26) is controlled by a control mechanism (76) and atomizes the fluid to generate the aerosol.
US08603016B2
In a walking assistance device configured to apply a walking assistance force to a femoral part of a user, a walking assistance force provided by a power generator mounted on a pelvic support assembly is transmitted to a femoral part of the user via a femoral support assembly. The femoral support assembly includes a swing arm (60, 62) having a base end connected to an output end of the power generator and a free end opposing a front part of the femoral part of the user, a femoral support member (68, 70) pivotally connected to the free end of the swing arm and having a support surface engaging the front part of the femoral part of the user, and a femoral belt (73, 74) passed around the femoral part of the user and having two ends attached to corresponding lateral ends of the femoral support member. Thereby, the femoral support member is enabled to accommodate changes and/or variations in the contour of the femoral part of the user. Ensure a comfortable fit and a reliable power transmission, the femoral belt may include a main belt portion (83, 85) having a base end connected to one of the lateral ends of the femoral support member and a free end releasably connected to the other lateral end of the femoral support member, and an auxiliary belt portion (84, 86) bifurcated from an intermediate part of the main belt portion and having a free end connected to the swing arm.
US08603011B2
A guide wire placement and removal tool is provided that includes a handle mounted to a shaft connected to a wire engagement mechanism disposed opposite the handle. The mechanism includes a housing aligned with the shaft to enable the wire to pass therethrough, and a moveable engagement member biased into a locking position within the housing to engage a wire positioned therein. The mechanism also includes a release member that can be selectively engaged with the engagement member to disengage the engagement member from the wire to allow the wire to move with regard to the tool. Once the release member is released, the engagement member is biased back into a locking engagement with the wire to securely hold the wire within the tool.
US08603003B2
According to various embodiments, methods and systems for determining pressure in the lungs may employ intracuff pressure measurements. The intracuff pressure measurements may calibrated or adjusted based on a set of calibration coefficients or a set of calibration curves, which may reflect patient parameters and cuff/tube geometry factors. The resulting calibration may be used to determine a more accurate estimate of lung pressure, which in turn may be used to control a ventilator and provide breathing assistance to a patient. Also provided are tracheal tubes with couplers or other memory devices for storing calibration information. Such tubes may allow calibration at the level of an individual tracheal tube to account for changes in tube geometry and individual patient factors.
US08602983B2
An assembly for accessing a body cavity is provided. The access assembly includes a flexible outer sleeve configured to be received through an opening in tissue. The outer sleeve defines a passageway therethrough and a notch formed about an inner surface thereof. The access assembly further includes a support plate configured for selective reception through the passageway of the outer sleeve and within the notch formed in the inner surface. The support plate defines at least a first opening configured to receive a surgical instrument therethrough.
US08602982B2
A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue retraction 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.
US08602978B2
A temperature control apparatus for an endoscope includes: a temperature detection section that detects a temperature of an object to be heated, the object to be heated being heated by a heater; a semiconductor switch that performs switching between supply and shut off of the power to the heater; a control section that controls the semiconductor switch to perform temperature control for the object to be heated, and performs heating stopping control to turn the semiconductor switch off; a mechanical switch that performs switching between continuity and shut off of a power line; and a heating stopping circuit that if an abnormality occurs in temperature control for the heater, performs heating stopping control to turn the mechanical switch off.
US08602976B2
An endoscope comprising a pulley, an insertion portion having a steerable section and a control wire connecting the pulley to the steerable section for controlling movement of the steerable section.A portion of the control wire extends around the pulley, and the endoscope further comprises a cover for controlling slack in the wire. The cover is mounted on the pulley such that it is able to rotate with the pulley.
US08602973B2
A catheter introducer system for endoscopy includes a steering section and a propulsion section located near the end of the catheter that is introduced in a body cavity. The propulsion section is designed to pull the rest of the catheter inside the body cavity, so there is no need to push the catheter along. The propulsion section includes a distal and proximal gripper portion, each of which includes a suction ring extending circumferentially around the catheter. Each suction ring can include a plurality of suction holes disposed either on a recessed portion of the suction ring or on a portion surrounded by a peripheral ridge extending above the outer surface of the suction ring. The suction ring can also include an inflatable member for urging tissue against the perimeter of the suction holes.
US08602968B2
When an operation instruction is input by a first (second) control output instruction input device, locus calculation means calculates a locus of movement of a first (second) therapeutic device on the basis of any one of joint sections, which is instructed to operate. On the basis of a calculation result by the locus calculation means, therapeutic device operation control means controls an operation of the first (second) therapeutic device by a first (second) active mechanism. Thereby, there is provided an endoscope apparatus which can improve the operational efficiency and positional precision of the therapeutic device.
US08602961B2
An apparatus configured to provide a beneficial biological effect for a subject, and/or a method of treating the subject using the apparatus. The apparatus may be configured to trigger and maintain the elevation of Glutathione levels within the subject. The apparatus may rely on a non-invasive mechanism to elevate Glutathione levels in the subject. The apparatus may not require a traditional power source such as a battery or wall plug in order to be effective in elevating Glutathione levels in the subject. To trigger and maintain the elevation of Glutathione levels within the subject, the apparatus may transmit communication to the body of the subject that results in increased levels of Glutathione within the subject.
US08602955B2
A furnace roller assembly is provided with a helically shaped shaft-offset and metal product contact surface assembly wound around a furnace roller shaft. A corebuster may be provided within the furnace roller shaft to direct the flow of a coolant within the axial length of the furnace roller shaft and through a cooling element forming a part of the shaft-offset and metal contact surface assembly.
US08602949B2
A system and method are provided for translating gross human movement into electronic signals and therapeutic, training, or educational uses for the system. An exercising or video gaming system, comprising: a floor pad controller, and a striking controller. The floor pad controller having force sensor(s) and/or placement sensor(s) arranged in a pattern in the plane of a ground or floor. The striking controller having force sensor(s) and contact sensor(s) arranged in an curved grid between the outer layer of the striking controller and an inner core. Applying force to any sensor(s) in the floor pad controller or striking controller executes an action in response to an instruction from the exercising or video gaming system; and an inner core returnably coupled to a ground or floor of a room, so that the striking controller returns to an upright position after being struck by the user.
US08602947B2
Methods and systems for use in connection with a fitness routine and/or an exercise apparatus. In one such method, fitness information is stored in a fitness analysis system and operative communication is established with an exercise apparatus and/or a wireless communication device. A fitness information request is received at the fitness analysis system, and the system sends a setting associated with the exercise apparatus to facilitate a workout using an exercise apparatus. The system receives exercise information corresponding to the workout, and updates fitness information during the workout. The updated fitness information is analyzed to generate associated with the exercise apparatus to facilitate a subsequent workout.
US08602945B1
The laser light weightlifting training appliance and guidance system will apply visible horizontal and vertical line or lines to a wall or chart during weight training exercises. A laser light housing holds the light source and attaches it to a weight or weightlifting bar. The housing is preferably provided with three laser light conveyance windows which may be used by the lifter or his coaches to receive immediate feedback as to the quality of his weight training technique and work out. The laser light housing is affixed to the weight training apparatus in any number of known manners. A built-in bubble-type level ensures the level mounting of the appliance housing onto the weight system. The combination of the laser and a landing position of the manipulated laser's light line or cross-shape on a wall or a chart permits a lifter to guide, improve, or correct his weight training technique.
US08602943B2
There is provided a continuous motion exercise apparatus for exercising a limb of a patient comprising a housing (1) with an interior compartment communicating with the surroundings through one or more apertures (2), preferably slits in said housing, mechanical activation means (4) for being activated by a limb portion of a person, for instance a foot, a hand, a knee or an elbow of said person, said activation means extending from the interior of said compartment to the surroundings through said one or more apertures, first braking or resistance means (8) for exerting a first resistance against a first force applied to said activation means by said limb portion and arranged in said compartment and connected to said activation means, and at least one second braking or resistance means (9) for exerting at least one second resistance against at least one second force applied to said activation means by said limb portion and arranged in said compartment and connected to said activation means.
US08602941B2
Systems and methods for controlling a throttle plate to adjust airflow to the engine are provided. A transmission having an input speed and an output speed and including a clutch and a driver-selectable transmission lever is controlled to adjust engine speed to a synchronous speed in a future gear ratio in response to driver foot pedal positions and driver-selectable transmission lever positions.
US08602934B2
A multiple speed transmission for a motor vehicle includes an input member connected to an electric motor, an output member, four planetary gear assemblies, each with first, second, and third members, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices, such as, brakes and clutches. The electric motor can be employed for regenerative braking. Further, the electric motor can be employed to launch and drive the motor vehicle with each of the gear ratios of the multi-speed transmission.
US08602933B2
A power transmission device includes a planetary gear set and a first and a second connecting mechanism. The planetary gear set receives power from a power source and outputs it to a power-driven member. The first connecting mechanism connects a first and a second rotor of the planetary gear set through a separate path. The second connecting mechanism connects the second rotor and a third rotor of the planetary gear set through a separate path. The controller is operable selectively in a first operation mode in which the second connecting mechanism is engaged, while the first connecting mechanism is disengaged and a second operation mode in which the second connecting mechanism is engaged, while the first connecting mechanism is disengaged. This ensures suitable mechanical connections among the power source, the power-driven member, and the power split mechanism which match with an operating condition of the power transmission device.
US08602925B1
A grip teaching device for encouraging an individual to maintain a proper grip of sporting equipment. The grip teaching device has a body member for placement onto the sporting equipment and can be secured by a securing device, such as a strap. The grip teaching device also includes an index finger receiving area which receives the individual's index finger to promote an appropriate placement of the index finger, and in turn forces the remaining fingers into proper alignment.
US08602924B2
A baseball or softball bat improved in repulsiveness while maintaining sufficient durability is obtained. The bat is a baseball or softball bat including a hitting portion, a tapered portion and a grip portion, and the hitting portion offers a hitting portion core as a core, an elastic body and an outer shell member. The elastic body is arranged on the outer periphery of the hitting portion core. The outer shell member is arranged on the outer periphery of the elastic body. The outer shell member includes outer shell member portions which are a plurality of portions elastically deformable independently of each other.
US08602921B2
Low cost, durable, reusable, lightweight, inexpensive, simple, easy to assemble/disassemble, transportable goal posts. Each goal posts may be composed of single piece T reinforcements and a single piece cross bar reinforcement, as well as readily available construction materials, such as PVC pipe. The bodies of the single piece reinforcements are sized so that the pipes forming the upright posts and crossbar have the same length. Assembly, disassembly, and transportation are simplified. The disassembled components can be carried in vans and SUVs. Internal reinforcements allow flexible, low cost materials such as PVC pipe to be used while maintaining a professional, aesthetic appearance.
US08602920B2
An apparatus for training a batter the proper swing of a bat at a pitched ball. The apparatus has an elongate stem and an arm connected to the stem. The arm has a first, longer run connected to the stem and a second, shorter run interconnected to the first run, the first and second runs forming a swing window in at least one position for use.
US08602916B2
A golf ball having a plurality of dimples formed on its outer surface, the outer surface of the golf ball being divided into plural areas comprising dimples such that the golf ball is spherically symmetrical as defined by the United States Golf Association (USGA) Symmetry Rules, the plural areas configured such that the golf ball exhibits a lift coefficient (CL) of less than about 0.195 over a range of Reynolds Number (Re) from about 135,000 to about 180,000 and at a spin rate of about 3000 rpm.
US08602910B2
Embodiments of golf club heads with an edge configuration and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. Other embodiments of golf club heads with an edge configuration may be described and claimed.
US08602895B2
By rotating a lever, the upper limit of the angle of inclination and the lower limit of the angle of inclination of a movable range are detected by an inclination detection mechanism, and the upper limit of the angle of inclination and the lower limit of the angle of inclination are stored in a storage unit as the upper limit and the lower limit of the movable range. While a game is being run, the angle of inclination of the lever is detected when the lever is rotated. Whether the angle of inclination falls within the movable range is determined. When the angle is larger than the movable range, the upper limit of the angle of inclination is updated with the angle of inclination. When the angle is smaller than the movable range, the lower limit of the angle of inclination is updated with the angle of inclination.
US08602881B2
Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention operate a sponsored hybrid game that includes: a gambling game; an entertainment game; a game world engine constructed to communicate gameplay gambling event occurrences based upon a player's skillful execution of the entertainment game that trigger at least one wager in the gambling game; and a sponsorship module integrated with the game world engine constructed to: receive sponsorship terms involving allocation of gameplay resources during sponsored gameplay of the sponsored hybrid game between at least one player profile and at least one sponsor profile; allocate gameplay resources associated with at least one sponsor profile to at least one player profile based on the sponsorship terms for use in sponsored gameplay; and allocate gameplay resources resulting from a payout of gameplay resources during the sponsored gameplay using the sponsorship terms.
US08602875B2
A system, apparatus, and method for preserving game state data for an asynchronous persistent group bonus game may have a plurality of gaming machines associated with the asynchronous persistent group bonus game and at least one network server having at least one processor and at least one non-volatile memory. The processor may be configured to determine whether a bonus game session is triggered on any of the plurality of gaming machines; and if the bonus game session is triggered, display live game monitor activities, and periodically save the persistent bonus game state and other data on the at least one non-volatile memory.
US08602873B2
Gaming machines, methods, and programs are provided for displaying gaming results through a player interaction process that provides multiple prize progressions for a player and varies the prize progressions during the course of play. One preferred game includes conducting multiple instances of a first game to obtain a number of first game outcomes. These first game outcomes will include a number of prize enhancer activating outcomes. Each respective prize enhancer activating outcome prompts persistent display of a respective prize enhancer symbol. In some versions, one or more of the prize enhancer symbols are multiplier values. The symbols move in graphic sequence to a bonus round where they occupy spaces in a multiplier wheel, which is spun along with a prize wheel to determine a total prize.
US08602872B2
In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method for outputting an outcome for a game of a gaming device is presented, wherein the method comprises first outputting an apparent outcome for the game and then outputting an actual outcome for the game. In one or more embodiments, a benefit corresponding to the apparent outcome may not be provided to the player playing the gaming device. For example, a hopper may be prevented from dispensing a payout associated with the apparent outcome. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a character (e.g., an animated character) may be displayed as changing the apparent outcome into the actual outcome.
US08602868B2
Systems, methods, and program products are taught which provide a slot machine game that increases the size of the symbol array as a mystery feature. As the player spins the reels, the number of positions available on each reel grows randomly to allow more paylines. Other embodiments may include free spin bonuses, as well as bonus features that further increase the number of positions on each reel, and adjust the probability of reel expansions based on the current array size.
US08602864B1
At least one game matrix is generated. Number indicia are selected and any matches between the selected number indicia and the game matrix are identified. The numbers game component is resolved based on the identified matches. One or more game hands are formed by assigning a prize indicium and/or game indicium to each match. Optionally, game indicia are randomly assigned to game matrix locations lacking a match. In an embodiment based on Bingo, a game hand may be formed based on the pattern of matches. The game hand component of a game is resolved based on a comparison of the game hand to a standard, such as a pay table, dealer hand, and/or other game hands of other players. A prize component is resolved based on whether a predetermined collection of prize indicia is obtained.
US08602857B2
A board game system comprises one or more game objects, a processing device, a memory device and one or more cameras. Each of the game objects comprise a unique visual marker positioned on a top surface of the game object, wherein the unique visual marker comprises a series of concentric rings that represent data that uniquely identifies the game object. As a result, during the course of game play, the location and identification of the game objects are able to be determined by the processing device by analyzing images captured by the one or more cameras of the visual markers of the game objects on the game board. The processing device is able to compare the data of the visual markers to a table stored in the memory device that associates the data with a specific game object.
US08602844B2
In a method for producing a water jet (45) that contains abrasive and emerges under high pressure from a nozzle (44), uninterrupted operation with, at the same time, greater working performance and lower costs is made possible in that, in a first step, an abrasive suspension (34) containing abrasive and water is provided at normal pressure, in a second step the provided abrasive suspension (34) is brought to a working pressure that is greatly above normal pressure, and in a third step a water jet (45) containing abrasive is produced, with a nozzle (44), from the abrasive suspension (34) that is under the working pressure.
US08602841B2
A form tap includes a shank having a shank length and a thread portion that extends along at least a portion of the shank length. The thread portion includes a finishing portion and a chamfer portion. Each of the finishing portion and the chamfer portion include a plurality of threads and each thread has a crest and a root. The plurality of threads of both the finishing portion and the chamfer portion are spaced apart at a constant pitch, such that a crest-to-crest distance between adjacent threads remains constant along the entire thread portion.
US08602835B1
A toy in the form of a house with removable and interchangeable hair components. The mane hair component can be easily slid into and out of a channel defined along the length of the neck of the horse toy. A tail component is secured within a complementary receptacle in the body of the horse.
US08602829B2
A lug having an integrated shoe for fastening the lug to a conductor and a terminal of a circuit breaker. The lug includes a housing and a cavity in the housing configured to receive the electrical conductor. The shoe has a hinge connecting the shoe to an inner wall of the housing. A slot is located adjacent to the shoe such that the shoe is positioned between the cavity and the slot, which receives the terminal. A hole in the housing receives a fastener that extends into the cavity. A force applied to the fastener urges the conductor to clamp against the shoe to cause it to deflect about the hinge and to press against the terminal to hold the lug in a secure relationship relative to the terminal and to hold the conductor in a secure relationship relative to the lug.
US08602827B2
An IS-4 terminal connector assembly includes three terminal electrodes positioned over an inner tubular member such that they are radially offset from one another. Each of the terminal ring electrodes are configured such that they can withstand both tensile and cyclical bending loads with minimal compromise in their outer geometry. Additionally, each of the terminal electrodes is configured such that they have both an inner and outer geometry that facilitates adequate insulation between a select terminal electrode and an adjacent conductor. Additionally, each of the terminal ring electrodes is configured such that they facilitate an external approach to staking a cable conductor.
US08602825B2
An electrical connector includes an electrically insulative holder member, a signal module formed of a circuit board with longitudinal terminal holes, circuit lines, electrical contacts and via-holes, metal contact terminals and metal mounting terminals, and a metal shield. The metal contact terminals have rear soldering end portions thereof soldered to respective circuit lines, an extension arm forwardly extended from the rear soldering end portion along one longitudinal terminal hole, a turn portion extended from the extension arm and curved into the associating longitudinal terminal hole to enhance vertical deformation stroke of the respective metal contact terminal, a front contact portion suspending below the associating longitudinal terminal hole, and an oblique spring arm connected between the turn portion and the front contact portion to flexibly support the front contact portion.
US08602821B2
A connector (10) has a capacitor (20) connected to a ground-side terminal (32) formed by press-working a metal base material in the form of a flat plate and is accommodated in a housing (50) made of synthetic resin. A connecting head (38) is provided on the ground-side terminal (32) and is thinner than the base material. The connecting head (38) is connected to a ground-side electrode (21B) provided on the capacitor (20) by soldering. A resiliently deformable neck (39) on the ground-side terminal (32) is narrower than the connecting head (38) and extends from the connecting head (38). A molded portion (53) is provided in the housing (50) to integrally cover the ground-side electrode (21B) of the capacitor (20) and the connecting head (38) of the ground-side terminal (32).
US08602820B2
An electrical apparatus according to the present disclosure comprises a molded device having a molded portion and being formed via an overmolding process. The electrical apparatus includes a wire set at least partially overmolded within the device, the wire set having an outer sheath surrounding a plurality of wires. The molded portion surrounds a portion of the wire set. The electrical apparatus further includes polyurethane bonding material occurring between the outer sheath and the molded portion. The polyurethane bonding material bonds at least a portion of the wire set to the molded portion during the overmolding process.
US08602818B1
A connector for cables has a plurality of connector members including a first connector member, a second connector member, and a conductive pin. The connector members cooperate to engage an end of a cable.
US08602817B2
A connector assembly includes a first connector connected to a first main line, a second connector connected to a second main line, a first bracket, and a second bracket. The first bracket defines a first receiving opening, a second receiving opening, and a plurality of cutouts. A plurality of hooks is located on the first bracket. The second bracket includes a plurality of second cutouts and a plurality of engaging portions. The first connector is located in the first receiving opening. The second connector is located in the second receiving opening. The plurality of hooks engages on the plurality of engaging portions. The plurality of first cutouts is aligned to the plurality of second cutouts. The first main line and the second main line are placed in the plurality of first cutouts and second cutouts.
US08602815B2
A horizontally mounted connector deckplate for swimming pools to connect swim timing devices and other devices with electrical contacts with potential difference mounted on slopes integrated into the body of the deckplate. These integrated slopes cause corrosive pool water that is splashed on the deckplate, which creates water bridges between electrical contacts, to flow off through gravity, overcoming the water surface tension. Therefore electrolytic currents through the water bridges are greatly reduced, reducing corrosion of the electrical contacts of the deckplate. In addition corrosion resistant materials such as titanium are used for the electrical contacts.
US08602811B2
A first connector has a first holding member holding first male and female terminals. Each first male terminal has a horizontally extending first male contact. Each first female terminal has a first female contact. A second connector has a second holding member holding second male and female terminals. Each second male terminal has a horizontally extending second male contact receivable in the first female contact. Each second female terminal has a second female contact which receives the first male contact. The first and second connectors are positioned at a predetermined position in a vertical direction whereas the first male contact is apart from the second female contact while the second male contact is apart from the first female contact. A guiding mechanism guides the first connector to a position where the first and second male contacts are respectively connected to the second and first female contacts.
US08602805B2
A socket (100) of the present invention includes a base member (20), a cover member (30), a plurality of contacts (40), a latch member (60A) that is rotatably supported by the base member (20) and rotates in response to movement of the cover member (30), an adaptor (50) providing a mounting surface for an IC package and attached with the base member (20) so as to move in an up and down direction in response to the movement of the cover member (30), and a latch plate (200) rotatably attached with the adaptor (50A) and urged by an elastic member. The adaptor (50A) is formed with a latch guide (58) that moves the latch plate (200) in the vertical direction when the latch plate (200) presses the IC package.
US08602799B2
In at least one embodiment, there is an electrical device comprising a functional module comprising a housing having a front face and a back face, and at least three arcuate blades extending out from the housing. At least one of the arcuate blades has a locking section. The functional module can be used in a wiring system comprising at least one wiring module. The wiring module can include a housing having a front face and a back face and at least one opening for receiving at least one of the at least three arcuate blades. The disclosure can also include a wiring module which can be used separately from the functional module wherein the wiring module includes a housing having at least one movable arm. Inside the wiring module is a plurality of contacts disposed in the housing, wherein these contacts are configured to couple to electrical wiring.
US08602796B2
In an electrical plug and socket connector assembly, each conducting terminal of each of the electrical plug connector and electrical socket connector defines two side panels spaced by a gap, a connection portion connected between one end of each of the two side panels, and two contact end portions respectively forwardly extended from respective opposite ends of the two side panels. Subject to the design of the connection portion, the contact end portions of each conducting terminal of the electrical plug connector can be kept in positive contact with the inner surfaces of the contact end portions and side panels of the mating conducting terminal of the mating electrical socket connector, lowering the impedance and temperature, smoothing conduction of power supply and assuring a high level of safety.
US08602795B2
An electrical connector includes a first connector, and a second connector detachably coupled to the first connector. The first connector has a first magnetic body and at least one first conductive body. The second connector has a second magnetic body and at least one second conductive body. The first magnetic body is capable of magnetically attracting the second magnetic body to form a sealed enclosure to receive the at least one first conductive body and the at least one second conductive body. The at least one first conductive body electrically connects to the at least one second conductive body when the first magnetic body is magnetically bound to the second magnetic body.
US08602785B2
A smart magazine adapted to be releasably engaged with a simulated weapon is provided, the magazine comprising a housing, a valving mechanism disposed within the housing and a data module including an electronic storage medium for storing information concerning an amount of simulated ammunition “shots” present in the magazine, and a connection member operably connected to the data module and adapted to be operably connected to a control module in the weapon to transmit and receive signals in response to the firing of the weapon to adjust the number of “shots” stored in the storage medium. The magazine utilizes a compressed gas cartridge that releases gas to produce an audible “pop” when the weapon is fired and to reset the “shot” count for the magazine when the canister is replaced.
US08602781B2
A dental implant device for insertion into bone includes an implant anchor having an interlocking thread helically defined around a longitudinal axis, the thread being adapted to couple to a female threaded portion in a bone. The interlocking thread has a first superior contact surface having a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis, a second superior contact surface extending radially outward from the first contact surface and having a second angle relative to the axis, and an inferior flank surface having a third angle relative to the axis. The first angle is larger than the second angle such that the first contact surface and the second contact surface form an approximate “V” or chevron shape in a cross-sectional view. The first angle is larger than the third angle.
US08602775B2
A device for dispensing a dental composition is provided. The device has a plunger for extruding dental composition from a container, an energy accumulator for advancing the plunger, and an actuator for charging the energy accumulator. The force for actuating the actuator is lower than the force at which the plunger can be advanced. The device preferably provides convenient dispensation of dental compositions.
US08602769B2
A mold assembly includes a first mold, a second mold, a first locking member, a second locking member and a pushing member. The first locking member is fixed in the first mold. The first locking member includes an engaging slot. The second locking member is pivotably mounted in the second mold. The second locking member includes an engaging portion. The engaging portion is engaged in the engaging slot to latch the first mold to the second mold, and the pushing member is adapted to push the second locking member to disengage the engaging portion from the engaging slot.
US08602760B2
A vane compressor according to the present invention, including a cylinder which is approximately cylindrical and whose both ends located in an axial direction are open, a cylinder head and a frame which close both the ends of the cylinder, a rotor shaft which includes a rotor part being cylindrical and rotating in the cylinder and a shaft part transmitting torque to the rotor part, and a vane which is installed in the rotor part and whose tip portion has the R-shape facing outward, performs the compression operation in the state where the normal to the R-shape of the tip portion of the vane and the normal to the inner surface of the cylinder are always approximately coincident with each other.
US08602759B2
A screw vacuum pump, in particular for compression against atmospheric pressure, comprises a pump housing defining a suction chamber. Two meshing screw rotors are arranged in the suction chamber. Further, an overpressure outlet provided, which comprises an overpressure opening in a side wall of the suction chamber. Further, an overpressure valve is arranged in the overpressure outlet. The width (b) of the overpressure opening in the longitudinal direction of the screw rotors is smaller than or equal to a tooth width (B) of the screw rotors.
US08602746B2
In at least some embodiments, an electrical system for a pump includes a power supply and a controller coupled to the power supply, the controller supporting a plurality of pump cycle levels. If a voltage of the power supply drops below a first threshold, the controller automatically causes the pump to operate at a lower pump cycle level.
US08602744B2
A condensate pump for an HVAC system includes a reservoir for collecting condensate water, a pump motor connected to an impeller pump for pumping the condensate water out of the reservoir, and a floatless pump controller. The floatless pump controller detects the water level in the reservoir and, based on the water level in the reservoir, controls the operation of the pump motor, and if necessary, sounds an alarm and shuts down the HVAC system. The floatless pump controller may employ an ultrasonic transducer or capacitance sensors to detect the level of condensate water in the reservoir.
US08602735B1
A turbine blade with small diffusers in the cooling channels and trip strips on the channel walls to produce a very high internal convection. A trailing edge cooling channel includes a diffuser on a lower end of the channel formed by ribs with decreasing width. A forward flowing serpentine flow cooling circuit includes a tip turn and a root turn with a small diffuser formed by the tip turn and a small diffuser formed on a lower end of the third leg of the serpentine formed by ribs with decreasing width.
US08602729B2
A stage of a steam turbine, having a rotor extending along a longitudinal axis, has a fixed stage and a movable stage arranged successively along a flow channel for feeding steam in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; the fixed stage has an inner ring coaxial with the longitudinal axis, and a number of stator blades arranged radially about the inner ring; each stator blade is fixed to an annular top portion of the inner ring, which has a top surface facing the flow channel and crosswise to the longitudinal axis; and the movable stage has a number of rotor blades arranged radially about the rotor and fixed to the rotor.
US08602728B2
A system, in certain embodiments, includes a centrifugal compressor diffuser including a flow path having a first surface and a second surface defining opposite axial sides of the flow path. The centrifugal compressor diffuser also includes multiple vanes extending from the first surface to the second surface of the flow path. A first profile of each vane varies along an axial direction. The centrifugal compressor diffuser further includes multiple vanelets extending from the first surface toward the second surface in the axial direction. A first axial extent of each vanelet is less than a second axial extent of the flow path. In addition, a second profile of each vanelet varies along the axial direction and/or the vanelets form a non-periodic pattern around a circumference of the flow path.
US08602726B2
The invention relates to a sectored distributor (112) for a turbomachine, including two coaxial platforms mutually connected by radial blades, the inner platform (130) being connected to an annular partition (138) for suspending an annular mounting (140) carrying elements (136) made of material subject to abrasion, this mounting sliding circumferentially on the partition and comprising a means engaging with means corresponding to the inner periphery of the partition to ensure radial restraint of the mounting on this partition.
US08602723B2
A heat dissipating blower includes a main body and a cover. The main body includes a shell and a fan. An outlet and a first gap are defined in the shell. A connecting portion is set at one end of the first gap away from the outlet. Two sliding grooves are formed on inner surfaces of a first wall and a second wall and a plurality of locating holes is set on the two sliding grooves. The cover includes two parallel side plates and a middle plate. A plurality of positioning pins is set on outer surfaces of the two side plates. Some of the positioning pins are located in corresponding ones of the locating holes to change an area of the outlet.
US08602722B2
Embodiments of the invention include an inspection system to inspect internal components of a compressor of a gas turbine engine. The inspection system includes an image recording assembly having one or more image recording devices, light sources, storage devices, and power supplies. The image recording assembly may be inserted into a compressor without removal of the compressor housing or disassembly of the compressor. The image recording assembly may be removably coupled to a rotary component of the compressor, e.g., a rotor blade, and used to record images of stationary components, e.g., stator vanes, of the compressor. The images may be inspected to identify wear and/or defects in the stationary components, e.g., stator vanes.
US08602720B2
A compressor section includes a rotor platform; a rotor blade extending radially outwardly from the rotor platform, the rotor blade including a pressure sidewall and a circumferentially opposing suction sidewall extending in a radial direction between a root and a tip and in an axial direction between a leading edge and a trailing edge; a casing having an inner surface surrounding the tip and spaced radially outwardly thereform to define a gap therebetween; a plurality of grooves disposed in the inner surface of the casing and extending in a generally circumferential direction, the plurality of grooves including a first groove and a second groove; and a channel system comprising at least a first channel positioned within the casing and configured to provide fluid communication between the first groove and the second groove.
US08602719B2
A vertical axis wind turbine having a plurality of upright airfoils pivotally engaged. A continuous adjustment of the angle of attack of the airfoils to oncoming wind is provided by rotation of a control plate connected to the vanes which are mounted upon a rotating drive plate. A vane can be employed to rotate the control plate to affect the continuous adjustment of the airfoils.
US08602715B2
A device for loading, storing and providing objects having standardized dimensions includes a storage unit with a carrier plate and four stackers. Each stacker includes a bottom surface disposed on top of the carrier plate. The stackers are configured to store objects stacked perpendicular to the carrier plate. The stackers are disposed symmetrically centered around a rotation axis that is perpendicular to the carrier plate and offset with respect to each other by an angle of 90°. A substructure is disposed underneath the carrier plate. An unloading device is configured to unload a selected object from a first of the stackers that is disposed in a transfer position. The storage unit is rotatable around the rotation axis so as to enable movement of each of the stackers into the transfer position.
US08602710B2
An apparatus for unloading bulk material form a silage bag, the apparatus collecting and lifting the grain while moving in a direction against the bag and cutting the bag in an upper part thereof, the apparatus dividing the bag in two side strips that are rolled up in rotary side spools, wherein once the strips are rolled up in the spools the spools are removed from the apparatus to collect the bag strips.
US08602705B2
A screw assembly includes a screw member, a rotating member, and an installation member. The screw member includes a cap portion and a body connected to the cap portion. The installation member defines an installation slot and includes an elastically deformable latching portion. The rotating member includes a mounting portion. The installation member is secured to the body, the mounting portion is received in the installation slot, and the elastically deformable latching portion engages the mounting portion between the cap portion and the latching portion, to prevent the rotating member from rotating relative to the screw member and the installation member.
US08602692B2
A bag for retaining structures, includes a plurality of cells aligned side-by-side in a continuous manner and configured to be filled with a filling material. Each cell of the bag includes a bottom wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a back wall, and a front wall, the front wall being longer than the back wall. Furthermore, the first and second side walls each include a) a first corner located where the back wall connects with the bottom wall, said first corner being substantially 90 degrees; and b) a second corner located where a respective top edge of each side wall connects with the rear wall, said second corner being substantially 90 degrees.
US08602690B2
A cable bolt has a multi-strand cable, and a sleeve having at least one open end. The sleeve has an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface of the sleeve is at least partially threaded. An end portion of the multi-strand cable is disposed inside the sleeve. A bonding material is disposed between the inner surface of the sleeve and an outer surface of the end portion of the multi-strand cable. The bonding material bonds the sleeve to the multi-strand cable.
US08602689B1
A reusable nose cone device (and related retrieval apparatus) in a hollow helical piling system having a terminal helical anchor are described. The method and system include placing or installing either (i) reinforced concrete piles in situ and/or (ii) grounding systems into the ground—without utilizing a pile driver or an auger, without deconsolidating the surrounding earth and creating spoils (as with an auger), and without unnecessary sacrifice of materials. A terminal helical anchor may be installed through the hollow center of the helical piling system into the ground. The helical anchor may be installed after the removal of the nose cone device. With the system and method, independent and accurate measurement of the anchor's torque may be made and hence complementary “load” bearing, or compression, (or “pull” resisting, or tensioning) capacity may be determined prior to filling the entire pile with reinforced wet concrete.
US08602688B2
A method for sealing a conduit in a spoolable wellbore intervention rod includes exposing an interior of the conduit at a location proximate the earth's surface while the spoolable rod is deployed in a wellbore. A curable sealing compound is introduced into the exposed interior of the conduit and the compound is allowed to cure.
US08602686B2
The invention provides an undershot sluice gate (17) to control flow of liquid through an open channel (10). The gate (17) includes a gate leaf (18) adapted to be raised and lowered by a control means (22) to allow flow of liquid along open channel (10). Gate leaf (18) has at least a pair of opposing liquid level sensors (44, 46) on, or in, gate leaf (18) to provide measurement of liquid level upstream and downstream of gate leaf (18). The sensors (44, 46) are located at a predetermined distance from the lowermost edge of gate leaf (18) to allow said measurements without disturbance from the fluid flow profile resulting from movement of liquid beneath the lowermost edge of gate leaf (18).
US08602685B1
A wave forming apparatus has a channel for containing a flow of water with an inlet end connected to a water supply, a floor, and spaced side walls, a first bed form or weir at the inlet end of the channel, and a second bed form in the channel downstream of the first bed form. Also disclosed is a wave forming apparatus has a channel for containing a flow of water, the channel having an inlet end connected to a water supply for supplying a flowing stream of water, a floor, and spaced side walls, and at least one oblique foil member adjustably mounted in the floor of the channel. The foils, weirs or bed form, form a standing wave.
US08602683B2
A storage device for retaining an extended length of floating oil boom therein and a method of using the same. The storage device is made from a sheet of material that is foldable to define and surround an interior cavity in which the oil boom is received. A closure mechanism is engaged to secure the folded storage device about the oil boom. A lifting mechanism on the storage device is engaged with a cable extending from a suspension assembly mounted on a vessel for use on a large body of water. The suspension assembly maintains the storage boom adjacent a side wall of the vessel and a distance above the surface of the water until the oil boom retained therein is needed in an emergency.
US08602679B2
The present invention relates to a construction machine having a machine frame and an operator platform structure which is vibration-decoupled in relation to the machine frame via at least one damping element. A hitch device is arranged on the operator platform structure, which is designed for lifting the construction machine. The present invention is characterized in that a limiting device is also provided which limits the maximum load of the at least one damping element upon lifting of the construction machine via the operator platform structure and allows a direct force relay between the operator platform structure and the machine frame while bypassing the damping element. The construction machine is preferably a tandem roller.
US08602666B2
A device may comprise an upper module cover, a lower module cover, an outer frame, and an actuator having a movable frame. The movable frame may be at least partially disposed intermediate the upper module cover and the lower module cover. A hinge flexure may interconnect the outer frame and the movable frame such that the movable frame is rotatable with respect to the outer frame. The upper module cover and/or the lower module cover may be adapted to limit a movement of the movable frame.
US08602664B2
A lens barrel that is capable of reducing a size and cost by omitting an actuator only for diaphragm blades, and of preventing a change of a diaphragm aperture due to a variation in a part accuracy of a mechanism that drives diaphragm blades. Diaphragm blades have cam engagement parts, respectively. A holding member holds the diaphragm blades so as to be rotatable in directions to open and close an aperture. An energizing member energizes the diaphragm blades in a direction to open or close the aperture. A moving member has cam surfaces that engage with the cam engagement parts, and moves in an optical axis direction to operate the diaphragm blades by cam actions between the cam engagement parts and the cam surfaces against energizing force of the energizing member. Regulation parts regulate the operations of the diaphragm blades by the energizing force of the energizing member.
US08602663B2
A light amount adjustment device capable of operating shutter blades and a light amount adjustment member by a common drive source, while preventing light incident through an aperture from being momentarily interrupted by the shutter blades when the light amount adjustment member advances to and retreats from the aperture. After a drive member's cam shaft is moved by an energized actuator to a position where an ND filter advances to the aperture, the actuator is deenergized and the cam shaft is moved by a spring force to a position where the ND filter advances to the aperture. After the cam shaft is moved to a final position by the energized actuator, the actuator is deenergized and the cam shaft is moved by the spring force to a position where the ND filter retreats from the aperture. During this time, the shutter blades open and close on outside of the aperture.
US08602662B1
A camera and accessories clamping mount that includes an assembly of ball and socket members rotatably and moveably interconnectable having an anterior end and a posterior end, a top connector disposed atop the anterior end and a bottom connector disposed on the posterior end, wherein the bottom connector is releasably attachable to a clamp, said clamp attachable to an extant surface, and an extant camera, or other accessory device having a ¼-20″ female thread mount, is releasably attachable to the top connector, whereby said camera or other accessory device is supportable and positionable through a range of positions by means of the assembly of ball and socket members.
US08602655B2
Disclosed is a bearing unit for a turbocharger including a rotary shaft at one end of which and the other end of which a turbine wheel and an impeller respectively are provided, and of which on the turbine-wheel side is formed a large-diameter turbine-side step, the rotary shaft being supported between the turbine-side step and the impeller such that the rotary shaft is freely rotatable, the bearing unit comprises a turbine-side ball bearing in which balls are located on the turbine-wheel side, an impeller-side ball bearing positioned such that balls are located on the impeller side, and a positioning step configured to restrict movement of the inner race of the turbine-side ball bearing toward the turbine wheel and to position the turbine-side ball bearing such that the end of the inner race is separated from the turbine side step.
US08602647B2
A radiation beam analyzer for measuring the distribution and intensity of radiation produced by a radiation producing device. The analyzer employs a relative small tank of water into which a sensor is placed to maintain a constant SAD (source to axis distance). A first method maintains a fixed position of the sensor, and raises or lowers the small tank of water. A second method moves the sensor up, down or rotationally synchronously in opposite directions with respect to the small tank of water to keep the SAD constant. These methods position the sensor relative to the radiation source to simulate the location of a malady within a patient's body. The present invention enables measurements of substantially larger fields. This is accomplished by rotating a tank of water 90 degrees from a first position to a second position.
US08602642B2
The present invention is related to a contact detection device (100) for detecting a contact between the contact detection device (100) and an object (800), a method (400), a diagnostic device and further to a computer program. The invention seeks to improve the reliability of contact sensors. The contact detection device (100) comprises a heater (110) for providing a modulated heat flow (112). A modulated heat signal (122) is generated in dependence of the modulated heat flow (112). A physical contact with an object (800) causes a change in the modulated heat flow (112) that effects the modulated heat signal (122). As the heat flow is modulated, a change in the modulated heat signal (122) is quasi assured. A contact determination unit (130) of the contact detection device (100) derives a contact indication signal (132) indicating at least either the presence or the absence of the physical contact in from the modulated heat (122), preferentially by means of a demodulator (134).
US08602641B2
An environmental chamber system and a method for testing a device under test (DUT) include an environmental chamber in which the DUT can be tested. A temperature sensor senses temperature of the DUT, the temperature sensor generating a signal indicative of temperature of the DUT. A controller receives at least one input signal related to at least one of temperature and humidity in the chamber and the signal indicative of temperature of the DUT and provides at least one control signal for adjusting at least one of temperature and humidity in the chamber, such that the temperature of the DUT is not below a dew point of an environment in the chamber in a region of the chamber near the DUT, such that condensation in the environment in the chamber in the region near the DUT does not occur.
US08602626B2
An LED light source module is provided. The LED light source module includes a circuit board having a first circuit pattern and a second circuit pattern; and a plurality of rectangular LED packages mounted on the circuit board so as to be connected to each of the first and second circuit patterns, and arranged in a row such that each of the LED packages is tilted in a predetermined direction, while long sides of adjacent LED packages facing each other. In addition, a display device having the LED light source module is provided.
US08602621B2
The present invention relates to an optical element including a light guide, into which light from one or more light-emitting diodes in a light unit arranged at one end of the light guide is injected, and a reflector arranged at the other end of the light guide capable of reflecting light incident on the reflector. The light guide further includes a prismatic surface comprising a plurality of prisms, each prism being arranged at an angle to an axial direction of the light guide, for guiding the light emitted from the light unit towards the output end of the light guide. The present invention also relates to a light source including an optical element according to the present invention, the light source being arranged for retrofitting into a luminaire employing an incandescent light source.
US08602619B2
A light source module includes: a light emitting diode; a circuit board configured to be mounted on a base plate, the circuit board having a top face on which a circuit pattern is formed; and a power feeding attachment including a resin member and a conductive member, wherein the circuit pattern includes: a pair of power feeding portions; and a light source connecting portion on which the light emitting diode is placed and electrically connecting the pair of power feeding portions and the light emitting diode, and wherein the conductive member includes: a pair of connecting terminals being exposed from the resin member and respectively connected to the pair of power feeding portions; and a pressing piece being exposed from the resin member and configured to press the circuit board against the base plate at an outer peripheral portion of the circuit board.
US08602614B2
The lighting apparatus, especially a reading lamp, has a light source (48), a movable cover (24) to which the light source (48) is fastened, an adjusting element (21) that cooperates with the cover (24), a bearing unit (26) for supporting the cover (24) and an adjusting ring (21). The cover (24) and light source (48) are movable around a longitudinal axis (L) of the lighting apparatus (10) by actuating the adjusting element (21) and the cover (24) and light source (48) are moveable around a transverse axis (Q) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) by actuating the cover (24). The lighting apparatus in the form of the reading lamp is particularly useful aboard aircraft, ships, trains, automobiles, or other vehicles.
US08602610B1
An artificial candle has a delicate glowing shroud or sock that can flutter like a candle flame, and the shroud may surround a “wick” that can be seen through the shroud to glow. Such a diaphanous shroud can be actuated by a fan, air pump, solenoid or conductor, which can be provided adjacent to the shroud or distanced from the shroud, for example in a central body of a chandelier. The wick may be lighted by a light emitting diode (LED), and the shroud can include fluorescent material that absorbs and reradiates some of the light from the wick. The wick and the shroud can be coupled to a shaft that simulates a wax candle body. A standard threaded fitting can be provided so that the artificial candle can thread into a socket to replace a light bulb.
US08602605B2
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to an aspherical light emitting diode (LED) lens and a light emitting device including the same. The aspherical LED lens includes a light exit plane concavely depressed near a central axis, a light entrance plane including a conical plane having a vertex located on the central axis, and a plurality of protrusions arranged on a portion of a side surface of the light exit plane. The aspherical LED lens has a radially symmetrical structure with respect to the central axis.
US08602604B2
This is directed to a lens for use with a LED light source. The lens can be placed on a top surface of a light fixture to direct light emitted by a LED module at a wide angle relative to the top surface of the fixture. The lens can include an elongated trench in which several LED light sources can be placed in a line such that light emitted within the trench is re-directed by the lens. The lens can include one or more knobs extending over the trench to facilitate diverting emitted light in a more lateral direction, as opposed to vertical direction. In some cases, the lens can be constructed using an extrusion process by which a lens having a constant cross-section allowing for a wide angle radiation pattern is provided.
US08602602B2
An LED downlight provides a more evenly distributed light output. The LED downlight includes an LED light source, such as one or more LEDs, LED die packages, or LED chip on board modules, an upper reflector, a lower reflector disposed below the upper reflector, and a lens disposed between the upper reflector and the lower reflector. The lens includes several features that help disperse light emitted by the LED light source. The lens includes a diffusion element, such as a pigment, bulk scattering, prismatic, inlays, or another method for diffusing light through a lens. The lens is curved in a concave manner when viewed from the light source. The curve of the lens can be tangent to the physical cutoff of the lower reflector to more evenly distribute light emitted by the LED light source and to improve the visual effect of an evenly luminous lens.
US08602596B2
A two-dimensional wedge shaped UV and IR filter is formed by or substantially same size pieces of glass forming a two-dimensional wedge. The wedge reflects radiation in four different directions.
US08602591B2
A light fixture, such as for an overhead street light, is disclosed. A light redirection device (1) may have a central axis (CA), a front-back plane (FB) through the central axis (CA) that separates a front volume (FV) from a back volume (BV), and a left-right plane (LR) through the central axis (CA) and perpendicular to the front-back plane (FB). The light redirection device (1) may include a lens (10) for producing output light (9) skewed toward the front volume (FV). The lens (10) may have a recessed inner face (11) facing the hemisphere (3) that is generally symmetric with respect to the left-right plane (LR) and is asymmetric with respect to the front-back plane (FB). The inner face (11) may have a concave central region (CR), a convex peripheral region (PR) and an inflection zone (IZ) between the central region (CR) and the peripheral region (PR). The lens (10) may have an outer face (12) facing away from the hemisphere (3) that is generally symmetric with respect to the left-right plane (LR) and is asymmetric with respect to the front-back plane (FB). The outer face (12) may be convex or flat along the outer face (12) and may have a maximum protrusion at a location (L) laterally displaced from the central axis (CA) along the left-right plane (LR) in the front volume (FV).
US08602582B2
The present invention is an articulating hand power tool which in one embodiment includes a main housing extending along a longitudinal axis, a head portion including a head housing configured to articulate with a main housing along a plane in which the longitudinal axis lies, a motor positioned within the main housing, and a lighting assembly including (i) an elongated housing portion operably connected to the head portion, and (ii) an elongated lens enclosing the elongated housing.
US08602577B2
A lighting module has a base, a top, a longitudinal axis from the base's center to the top's center, and a lateral edge surrounding the axis. Solid state light sources at the base emit excitation light, having an excitation wavelength and an angular distribution centered about the axis, toward the top. A lens defines a lateral edge of the module, which extends from the base to the top and reflects the excitation light. A phosphor surface of the module, shaped as a funnel having a wide end proximate the top and a narrow end proximate the base, receives and absorbs the excitation light, producing phosphor light that exits the module through the lateral edge. The phosphor light's wavelength is greater than the excitation wavelength, and has an angular distribution at each point on the phosphor surface centered about a local surface normal with respect to the phosphor surface.
US08602574B1
A self-inspection apparatus comprising a mirror support member having a hinge proximate an end thereof and configured to couple to a toilet bowl rim or a toilet seat, and a mirror coupled to the mirror support member at the hinge and configured to be positionable for self-inspection. A method of manufacturing a self-inspection apparatus is also provided.
US08602565B2
A reprojection system which allows a projection to be displayed onto a display screen, and reprojected by that display screen. The display is received on the surface that itself displays, and it is then redisplayed on the surface. The redisplay can be at the same size or at a different size as the original projection. Preferably the redisplay is at the same relative intensity but a brighter actual intensity than the original display. The information is can be received and redisplayed in a number of different ways.
US08602562B2
A projector includes: a first solid-state light source device which includes a first solid-state light source emitting excitation light, and a fluorescent layer converting excitation light emitted from the first solid-state light source to light including a first color light component and a second color light component different from the first color light component, and emitting converted light; a second solid-state light source device which includes a second solid-state light source emitting a third color light component different from the first color light component and the second color light component; a light modulation device modulating the first color light component, the second color light component, and the third color light component in accordance with image information; and a projection optical system projecting the modulated light components from the light modulation device as a projection image.
US08602561B2
An image projection system having a laser projector that projects two differently polarized images on a display region is disclosed. The laser projector enables viewing the two differently polarized images as a three-dimensional image. The image projection system includes a planar lightwave circuit-based beam combiner that enables multiple colors of laser light having different polarization modes to be combined in a single output beam that is scanned over the display region at video rates to produce the two polarized images.
US08602560B2
A method implemented by computer means for optimizing the design of a spectacle ophthalmic lens comprising: a) providing the residual astigmatism value and orientation data of a spectacle ophthalmic lens design for at least one gaze direction; b) providing the astigmatism and coma values and orientations data of an eye of a wearer; c) providing an optimized spectacle ophthalmic lens comprising adapting the management of astigmatism and coma of an lens-eye system based on a combination of the astigmatism and coma of the lens-eye system so as to improve the acuity versus distortion for the wearer's eye and where the lens-eye system consists of the spectacle ophthalmic lens design and the wearer's eye, with the proviso that the RMS value of the astigmatism of the lens-eye system is equal or greater to 0.025 μm and that the RMS value of the coma of the lens-eye system is equal or greater to 0.025 μm. A computer program product carrying out at least one of the steps.
US08602559B2
In a perimeter having means for measuring a visual field of an eye to be examined, means for monitoring fixation state and means for lighting the eye to be examined with a brightness necessary for monitoring the fixation state of the eye to be examined and means for correcting visibility, means for correcting visibility is provided so as to be freely moved between a set position corresponding to a measurement position of the eye to be examined and a stored position retracted to an outer periphery of a projection member. Such a perimeter further has means for detecting whether means for correcting visibility is at the set position or the stored position and an illustration controller for changing brightness of the illumination onto the eye to be examined through the means for lighting according to the detected position of means for correcting visibility.
US08602555B2
A system for treating binocular anomalies. The system includes one or more imaging devices, one or more visual displays, and a computing device. The imaging devices may include right and left imaging devices that capture images of a patient's right and left eyes, respectively. The displays may include right and left displays that provide right and left visual stimulation, respectively. The computing device identifies right and left locations on the right and left retinas, respectively, based at least in part on images of right and left eyes, respectively. The brain fuses images positioned at the right and left locations on the retinas into a single image. The computing device transmits right and left positioning signals to the right and left displays, respectively, that indicate that the right and left visual stimulation, respectively, are to be displayed so they are positioned at the right and left locations, respectively, on the retinas.
US08602551B2
An eyewear article having a flexing portion including first and second longitudinally disposed ribs is disclosed. In another exemplary embodiment, the flexing portion has a maximum height (H), in a direction parallel to a mid-sagittal plane bisecting the eyewear into imaginary left and right halves, that is greater than 20 mm. The eyewear article of the present invention provides a balance of fit and comfort suitable for a range of user head sizes.
US08602550B2
A coated printing paper has a favorable offset printability, which can achieve good ink fixing and ink absorption properties even in ink jet printing, which has suitable dot diffusion even when printed by an ink jet printer using pigment ink, and can prevent the occurrence of white lines. The coated printing paper comprises a base paper and a coating layer which is applied to at least one surface of the base paper and contains a pigment and a binder as major components, wherein the base paper comprises a cationic compound, the coating layer contains, as a pigment, 50 parts by mass or more of ground calcium carbonate based on 100 parts by mass of total pigments in the coating layer, and the applied amount of the coating layer is 2.0 g/m2 to 7.0 g/m2, both inclusive, per surface.
US08602547B2
Provided are an ink suitable for ink jet recording with which a color image excellent in both color developability and glossiness can be recorded, and an ink cartridge and an ink jet recording method in each of which the ink is utilized. Specifically, provided are an ink including: an organic pigment; a resin for dispersing the organic pigment; and a resin fine particle, in which an average particle diameter of the resin fine particle is 0.60 time or more and 1.2 times or less as large as an average particle diameter of the organic pigment, and an ink cartridge and an ink jet recording method in each of which the ink is utilized.
US08602544B2
An ink set having a cyan ink, a magenta ink and a yellow ink. A combination of a cyan, magenta and yellow dye respectively contained in the cyan, magenta and yellow ink is selected so as to satisfy the condition that optical density retentions of images formed by a cyan ink for evaluation containing the cyan dye, a magenta ink for evaluation containing the magenta dye and a yellow ink for evaluation containing the yellow dye, as determined before and after an ozone resistance test with an integral ozone concentration of 800 ppm·hr and before and after a xenon light resistance test with an integral irradiance of 43,800 klx·hr, are 70% or more for each of the inks for evaluation and are such that a maximum value of differences of the optical density retentions among the images formed by the respective inks for evaluation is 15 or less.
US08602539B2
A color print cartridge comprises an ink housing 100 having a single interior compartment 250. A print head 160 mounted at the base of the housing in fluid communication with the interior of the compartment via a plurality of passageways 174, 180 in the base each having an entrance in the compartment. A single compressed block 252 of hydrophobic foam material is inserted under compression into the compartment immediately above the passageway entrances. A plurality of differently colored inks are injected into the block via respective needles 192, each ink filling a respective passageway 174, 180 and a respective region 194, 196 of the foam block above the passageway. The differently colored inks occupying non-contiguous regions within the block.
US08602528B2
A pressure damper includes a main body portion and a flexible film mounted on the main body portion. The main body portion has upper end portion, a recessed portion having an opening portion opened in the upper end portion, and a communication port opened in an inner surface of the recessed portion to communicate with an outer region of the pressure damper. The upper end portion forms at least one bank that surrounds the opening portion. The at least one bank has a height larger than a height of an upper surface of the main body portion and a width smaller than a width of a side wall of the main body portion. The flexible film is bonded to an upper surface of the bank to close the opening portion.
US08602526B2
An inkjet printer that has a print zone, a media path extending through the print zone along a paper axis, a printhead carriage with a plurality of printhead mounting sites for mounting a plurality of printhead modules adjacent the print zone such that the printhead modules collectively span the media path and a plurality of interfaces for supplying ink to, and receiving ink from each of the printhead modules respectively.
US08602522B2
In a waste liquid container which is detachably mounted on a waste liquid container mounting portion including a device side connection terminal and a plate spring, the waste liquid container includes a waste liquid storing chamber which stores waste liquid, a first wall portion and a second wall portion which are disposed so as to face each other with the waste liquid storing chamber interposed therebetween, a container side connection terminal which is provided on an outer surface of the second wall portion and contacts the device side connection terminal at the time of being mounted on the waste liquid container mounting portion, and a positioning protrusion of the plate spring which is provided on the first wall portion so as to receive a biasing force which is applied from the first wall portion side toward the second wall portion side.
US08602517B2
A printer is disclosed. The printer includes one or more sub-systems having a capability of a different magnitude of operation based on print job properties and a controller. The controller includes a monitor to track a first operation time for each of the sub-systems during printing of a first print job and track a second operation time for each of the sub-systems during printing of a second print job.
US08602513B2
A printing apparatus configured to perform printing by supplying an ink from a main tank to a sub tank and ejecting the ink in the sub tank from a printing head is allowed to execute an agitating operation to appropriately eliminate sedimentation of a pigment component without being complicated in structure and increased in cost. The printing apparatus includes a diaphragm provided in an ink supply path, and a driving mechanism for driving the diaphragm to thereby change an internal volume thereof. In the ink supply path, a resistance value of a flow path from the diaphragm to the printing head is set greater than that of a flow path from the diaphragm to the sub tank. The diaphragm is driven to generate bidirectional ink flow between the diaphragm and the sub tank to eliminate pigment component sedimentation at a bottom of the sub tank.
US08602510B2
An attachment system for attaching a household appliance to a cabinet. The system includes a base having a main body for attaching to the cabinet, front and rear lugs that project substantially horizontally from and are elevated relative to a support area of the cabinet, and a rail catch projecting from the positioning base; and a rail adapted to be attached to a side of the appliance. The rail has a lip that engages the rail catch and limits movement of the rail in a vertical direction, a rear engagement area that engages the rear lug in the installed position, and a front engagement area that engages the front lug in an installing position and in the installed position. The front engagement area has a notch in which the front lug rests in the installed position, and a ramp sloping downward from the notch toward the rear engagement area.
US08602505B2
The invention relates to an architecture for powering aircraft brakes for an aircraft having at least two undercarriages, each having a certain number of wheels, each of the wheels being fitted with brakes, each having a certain number of electromechanical braking actuators, the architecture including controllers for delivering power signals to the actuators in response to a braking order, the wheels on each of the undercarriages being grouped together in first and second complementary groups such that for each group of wheels, a first group of actuators is controlled by one controller that controls those actuators only, and a complementary second group of actuators is controlled by another controller that controls only those actuators.
US08602504B2
The present invention relates to cast polyurethane elastomers of high resilience, clarity, and attractive abrasion resistance derived from polyurethane systems comprising a customized selection of polycaprolactone polyol incorporated into the isocyanate and/or isocyanate-reactive composition.
US08602501B2
A backrest includes a shell having a first, forwardly facing support surface being more pronounced along upper and lower portions of a central, spine region relative to a middle portion of the central spine region and relative to side regions adjacent the central, spine region. A cushion is disposed over the first support surface. In one aspect, the cushion has a second, forwardly facing support surface being free of any corresponding pronounced portions overlying the pronounced upper and lower portions of the central, spine region of the underlying shell. In another aspect, a chair includes a backrest as disclosed. Methods of use and assembly also are provided.
US08602494B2
A task chair with a chair base, a pivoting mechanism housing supported by the chair base, a non-pivoting seat bottom, and a pivoting seat back coupled to the pivoting mechanism housing. The seat bottom can have a rigid seat pan that underlies a flexible seat insert and a seat cushion. The seat pan, the seat insert, and the seat cushion can be matingly engaged. A seat back frame can retain a panel of elastomeric material, and lumbar supports can be slidably retained by the seat back frame. The lumbar supports can be flexible to adjust to contoured support rails and can be fixed at selected locations along the rails. The lumbar supports can have non-symmetrical, contoured surfaces and shapes and can be nondestructively removable and exchangeable. Adjustable arm structures with upper and lower arm members can be raised and lowered by operation of an actuation trigger.
US08602493B1
A chair with a hip-shaping seat is provided with a base, a seat and two elastic members. The seat is formed by two seat members, and on the top of each of the seat members is formed an arc-shaped surface. The two seat members are pivoted connected at one end, and are capable of opening and closing at another end, so that the width of the seat space can also be adjusted to fit different sized hips, through pivoting of the seat members. Hence, the chair of the present invention is capable of effectively holding the hip and preventing the hip from sagging.
US08602487B2
A vehicle front structure in which a hinge cover is disposed at a lateral end of a cowl top provided between an engine hood for covering an engine compartment of a vehicle and a windshield glass. The hinge cover is configured to cover a lower end corner of the windshield glass and to prevent a hood hinge from being seen through a space between the engine hood and the cowl top. The hinge cover includes a rear fixing portion which extends from the lateral end of the cowl top rearward with respect to the vehicle, and is supported by a sealing member which extends in fore-and-aft vehicle direction at a lateral lower surface and a lateral end surface of the windshield glass.
US08602485B2
The invention is a drag reducer for use in commercial semitrailers, trucks, cargo containers, rail cars, and the like. The drag reducer takes the form of a hollow fluid conduit that collects fast moving air from under the trailer while the truck is moving at speed and forces it through vertical hollow fluid conduit up and around the sides of the trailer's rear door. Small holes facing outward from the vertical hollow fluid conduit eject the air in a direction perpendicular to the direction of motion, thereby reducing overall drag on the trailer. At least two hollow fluid conduits are contemplated, with at least one hollow fluid conduit being vertically placed, and at least one hollow fluid conduit being placed horizontally in each system.
US08602474B2
A robot claw includes a base seat, more than one elastic assemblies, and at least two first clamping assemblies. The base seat includes a first fastening surface and a second fastening surface opposite to the first fastening surface. Each first clamping assembly includes a sliding unit fastened to the first fastening surface of the base seat and a clamping member fastened to the sliding unit. The sliding unit includes a guide rail. Two elastic assemblies are loaded at two opposite ends of each guide rail; when each of the clamping member slides to one end thereof, one elastic assembly elastically resists with an air cylinder to drive the air cylinder with the clamping member to slide towards the other end of the guide rail of the sliding unit.
US08602473B2
A product gripper for picking up a product is provided. The gripper may include two shovels and a cylinder for moving the shovels between a first position, in which the shovels can be placed onto a support for the product to be picked up, on opposite sides of the product to be picked up, and a second position, in which the shovels may be located at least partially under the product to be picked up. The product gripper may further have a holder for fixing the product to be picked up while the shovels are moved thereunder. The holder may include a belt disposed on the underside thereof, facing the product to be picked up, and a mechanism for arching the belt outwards in the direction of the product to be picked up.
US08602470B2
A gripper claw has replaceable gripper fingers and two gripper jaws each with a first jaw flange. The jaws are fastened to respective jaw flanges and are movable on linear guides, toward and away from one another. Each jaw has a holding mandrel, with holding cone. Each finger is reversibly insertable into one gripper jaw and has a finger base with depression complementary to a respective cone. The cone has a length that is at least one-third of its largest diameter, and its smallest diameter is at most 90% of the largest cone diameter. The jaws and the bases form a holding mechanism which holds the fingers in a stop position on a respective gripper jaw and they form a stabilizing mechanism that, with the holding cone, prevent tilting of the fingers.
US08602466B2
A safety guard for a vehicle, such as a school or transit bus, tractor trailer or the like-type vehicle, includes a front guard positioned at an angle in front of a wheel of the vehicle that will function to push individuals and other animate objects lying in the path of the vehicle out of the path of the wheels for safety purposes, while being mounted for telescoping movement to protect the safety guard from damage upon abutting an inanimate object during operation of the vehicle.
US08602459B2
A disclosed connector assembly for a refrigerant system mounted within an aircraft includes a metal seal disposed within a seal bore of a connector and compressed against a seal face of a nipple secured to the connector by a threaded member. The connector includes a seal bore that receives the metal seal with the inner portion of the seal bore open to the bore. In one example, the connector and nut are formed from aluminum and the nipple is formed from stainless steel and includes an aluminum coating applied to surfaces in contact with the metal seal and the connector.
US08602457B2
Quick connect apparatuses and methods of operating a quick connect apparatus are provided. Embodiments include a first tubular element to house a portion of a second tubular element inserted into the first tubular element; a quick connect coupling to lock the first tubular element to the second tubular element, the quick connect coupling including: a locking collar; a semicircular wedge; a rocker arm, the rocker arm to change a radial distance of the semicircular wedge relative to center of the first tubular element in response to a movement of the locking collar in a direction parallel to direction of insertion of the second tubular element into the first tubular element; a beveled washer surrounding the first tubular element; and a spring to apply a preload force to the beveled washer, the parallel movement of the beveled washer changing an amount of the preload force applied by the spring.
US08602456B2
A ball joint (1) is provided having a ball housing (10) that defines a socket (11), and a ball pivot (20) with a ball head (22) and ball pin (24), where the ball head (22) is disposed in the socket (11). A ball housing passageway (14) passes through the ball housing (10); a ball pin passageway (25) passes through the ball pin (24), and a ball head passageway (23) passes through the ball head (22). The ball pin passageway (25), ball head passageway (23) and ball housing passageway (14) are in communication with each other for routing a cable (2) through the ball joint (1). A limiter (50) may extend from an internal surface (12) of the socket (11) having a passageway (52) connected to the ball housing passageway (14). The limiter (50) prevents unlimited spinning of the ball head (22) within the socket (11).
US08602443B2
A dolly for moving objects having a rectangular platform with casters mounted underneath, having four posts which may be raised from the base and locked into an upright position. The posts further have crossbars pivotally mounted thereon, which are releasably connectable to the crossbars of adjacent posts, to form a supportive railing around the tops of the posts. The posts may further be connected by means of telescopic arms, which are pivotally connected to one crossbar, and extendible to another crossbar, wherein they may be releasably connected by means of a knob at the end of the telescopic arm being pressed into an inverted teardrop-shaped receptacle.
US08602440B2
A system and method for a hitch is presented. A center member is configured to mount to a receiver of a vehicle. A first arm is coupled to center member and configured to mount to the receiver of the vehicle. The first arm includes first and second receiver mount channels for mounting the first arm to the receiver in first and second mounting positions. A second arm is coupled to the center member. The second arm includes an accessory mount configured to provide a step when the first arm is mounted to the receiver in a first position and support an accessory when the first arm is mounted to the receiver in a second position.
US08602438B2
A fifth wheel hitch may include a skid plate having a plurality of recesses, and a skid plate cover secured to the skid plate. The skid plate cover may also include a plurality of projections, where the projections engage with the recesses of the skid plate.
US08602437B1
A motorcycle dolly hitch assembly couples to a vehicle to tow a motorcycle. The assembly includes a hitch arm having a first end configured for coupling to a vehicle. A support sleeve is coupled to a second end of the hitch arm. A support member has a first arm and a second arm. The second arm is slidably inserted into the support sleeve. A cradle, configured for supporting a wheel of a motorcycle, is coupled to the first arm of the support member. A locking mechanism is mechanically coupled to the second arm of the support member and the support sleeve wherein a position of the support member is lockable into a static position relative to the support sleeve.
US08602434B2
A double chainring drivetrain system for bicycles that allows riders to apply force directly to a pair of chainrings, one on either side of the bottom bracket. The double chainring drivetrain system has two crank arms, each connected to a peripheral rim portion of the chainrings, and two drive chains. A hub on the rear wheel has two sprockets such that the two drive chains extend between the chainrings and the rear sprockets for transfer of applied rotational forces from the pedals on either side of the bicycle through the two chainrings to the rear sprockets on hub of the rear wheel.
US08602433B2
Alternating drive primarily for bicycles and similar driven vehicles, in which the rotation of driven pedals are converted into reciprocating swinging motion of swinging arms, and the swinging arms have respective driving arms (16, 16′) coupled to a head portion (14, 14′) surrounding the swinging shaft (11) of the pedals from which a traction arm (17, 17′) is extending out that closes an angle with the driving arm and the remote ends of the driving and traction arms (16, 17) are interconnected by a connection arm (20, 20′) A substantially triangular opening is formed between these arms, and the shaft of a driving wheel (15, 15′) is positioned in this opening, the traction arm defines a traction path (19, 19′), and a flexible pulling rope (28) that rotates the driven wheel of the vehicle is led around at least one rope wheel (26) that has a shaft (35) guided and led along the traction path for adjusting the transmission ratio.
US08602429B2
A solid state cup device that assists a coil over arrangement of an air suspension system for at least one motor vehicle wheel is disclosed. The device comprises at least one outer cup having a plurality of o-rings placed on the coil over arrangement. The system further includes at least one inner cup having a plurality of smaller o-rings, and which inner cup is placed on top of at least one spring. The at least one outer cup further includes at least one c-ring designed to prevent the at least one inner cup from sliding out of the at least one outer cup. With air injected into the at least one outer cup, the at least one inner cup may press down the at least one spring to provide tension on the at least one spring resulting in a smoother lift and lowering of the at least one motor vehicle.
US08602426B2
A small cart, having a cart body and handle bar, the cart body has an open space with an open rear end. The handle bar is positioned on the back of the cart body, the lower portion of the handle bar is connected to both sides of the cart body through pivots. A top loading plate with surrounding boards is on the top of cart body. A bottom tray with attached wheels is in the bottom space of the cart body. Each lower portion of both sides of the cart body has a pin which extends to the back to the bottom tray. The top loading plate and bottom tray improve the transportation capacity. The top loading plate has a slope for delivering cylindrical shaped materials, its front board can be placed flat for unloading. The handle bar can be used either for pushing or pulling the small car.
US08602425B1
A compact portable safety compliance station includes a frame having a base which is supported at one end above the ground with a wheel assembly and the other end by a pair of foot portions to support a waste receptacle in a holder mounted on the frame. A beverage dispenser holder is mounted on an upright portion of the frame for holding the beverage dispenser in a forward tilting position when the station is stationary on the ground with the base being disposed in a generally horizontal disposition. In its stationary upright position, the center of gravity of the dispenser is positioned above the base between the wheel assembly and the foot portions to stabilize the station.
US08602424B2
There is provided, in combination, a collapsible walker and a collapsible basket. The walker includes a pair of spaced-apart, operatively interconnected frame members. The frame members each have an upper end for placing one's hand and a lower end spaced-apart from the upper end. Ground-engaging wheels are rotatably mounted to the lower ends of the frame members. A folding mechanism allows the frame members to be brought together for folding the walker. The collapsible basket includes a pair of spaced-apart, rigid end members, each being connectable with a respective one of said frame members. A flexible basket member extends substantially about, extends between and is supported by the rigid end members. The end members are moveable towards each other and the basket member thereby folds to collapse the basket when folding the walker.
US08602422B2
A scooter is disclosed which positions a center of gravity of a rider toward the front the scooter so that the rider can more easily perform a 180 degree turn trick. Since the rider is positioned closer to the front wheel, it becomes easier for the rider to flip over the handlebars. Fortunately, the scooter reduces a moment arm that defines a deceleration moment to reduce the likelihood that the rider will flip over the front handlebars.
US08602416B2
A card shuffling device is described where the device is configured to be mountable below a table top and accessible by an aperture formed in the table top. Cards are inserted into an aperture on the top of the card shuffling device with the face of the cards being in a horizontal plane. The cards are transported to a shuffling compartment where the cards are shuffled by ejection of the cards in a vertical direction. The shuffled cards are returned to the region of the aperture by an elevator mechanism for dispensing. A card counting device may also be included, where the counting is performed by ejecting the cards from a deck of cards in a vertical direction such that the cards pass individually through a sensing region.
US08602415B1
The present invention is a poker-based dice game in the tradition of Yacht, but involving simultaneous play by all competitors and the use of a joker to increase the odds of achieving desired combinations, thereby speeding play. All game variations involve rapid inspections of roll results, rapid calculations of probabilities, and quick decision making. The game includes first through sixth sets of six-sided dice, each die of said first through sixth sets of dice having five faces identically marked and bearing numerical indicia, and a sixth side, also identically marked throughout said first through sixth sets of dice and bearing a symbol denoting a wild card value; a set of scoring tiles, each tile in said set of tiles bearing a unique point value; and a scoring sheet.
US08602410B2
A sheet stackable device including a first tray having a first placement plane, a second tray having a second placement plane and a slider groove, the second tray being swingable about a swing axis between a first position and a second position, a first guide arranged on the first placement plane, a second guide arranged on the second placement plane, a first projection provided in the second guide and formed to project from the first guide or the second guide, and a joint allowing relative swing movement between the first guide and the second guide about the swing axis, is provided. A height of the joint is smaller than a height of the first projection. The first tray and the second tray form an opening in a position between edges of the first tray and the second tray when the second tray is in the first position.
US08602402B2
Disclosed herein is a trash collection and removal system that includes a flexible, foldable heavy-duty dumpster bag configured to engage with specially designed clamps secured onto tines of a front loader truck and engage with the dumpster bag by connecting and receiving pipes.
US08602394B2
A winching apparatus includes a fairlead mounted to a vehicle and a fifth roller mounted below the fairlead that is positioned and sized such that the cable does not contact any portion of the vehicle between the fairlead and the fifth roller when the cable passes from the winch and under the vehicle.
US08602388B2
The present invention discloses a manual force reduction device for reducing a force required to initiate movement of a load by a separate mechanism. The device can have an energy storage mechanism that has a compressed position and a released position, and the energy storage mechanism can be operable to store a predetermined amount of energy when it is in the compressed position. A latch can be included and be used to hold the energy storage mechanism in the compressed position. At a desired time, a latch release can release the energy storage mechanism from the compressed position such that the predetermined amount of energy is released and transferred to the load.
US08602385B2
A device is described for mechanically coupling an actuator to a valve which is adjustable by a plunger that is displaceable along a z-axis. The device has (a) a retaining element which can be mounted on a connecting chassis of the actuator and which is embodied for engaging on two opposite sides of a connection piece of a valve body in a recess incorporated in the connection piece, and (b) a clamping device which is disposed on a section of the retaining element and which is embodied in such a way that when the clamping device is actuated the section of the retaining element is displaced parallel to the z-axis relative to the connecting chassis such that the connecting chassis bears against the connection piece. An actuator having a coupling device of said kind and a method for mechanically coupling an actuator to a valve are also described.
US08602377B2
A telescopic stand includes an outer tube, an inner tube, a chain, a housing, a driven member, a driving member, and a safety latch. The chain is secured on the inner tube. The housing is secured on the outer tube. The driven member is rotatably mounted in the housing and has a chainwheel and a worm gear. The chainwheel has engaging teeth meshing with the chain. The driving member is rotatably mounted in the housing and has a worm meshing with the worm gear. The safety latch is mounted on the housing and is movable to lock the driven member. Thus, when the inner tube bears a heavy load, the chainwheel co-operates with the chain to withstand the larger force applied by the inner tube and will not be worn or broken due to a larger rotation force.
US08602376B2
A stand assembly for holding handheld electronic devices in a multitude of positions or locations having a first section with a curved end magnetically attached to second section having and indented surface. The first section also attaches to a surface, the second section either is contiguous with a portable electronic device, a carrying case, or other item; or has a means to attach to another surface. A high-friction elastomeric material, or similar friction producing material, helps to secure the first and second sections together, or the second section against another flat magnetic surface.
US08602374B2
A floor-mounted household appliance including at least one balance weight suitable for preventing the floor-mounted household appliance from tipping over, in particular, by a shift in the center of gravity of the household appliance. In an exemplary embodiment, the balance weight may be provided with two opposing surfaces for force absorption that may occur when the appliance is clamped by a gripper when transported or moved.
US08602365B2
A hanger is described for hanging an object from a generally vertical support rod. In one embodiment, the hanger comprises a hanger body, at least two hooks on the hanger body for receiving the support rod, and a gap between the at least two hooks for receiving a nut threaded on the support rod when the support rod is received in the at least two hooks. In another embodiment, the hanger comprises a hanger body, a first set of one or more hooks on the hanger body for receiving the support rod, and a second set of one or more hooks on the hanger body for receiving a portion of the object. In another embodiment, the hanger comprises a hanger body, a first set of one or more hooks on the hanger body defining a first hook-defined recess, and a second set of one or more hooks on the hanger body defining a second hook-defined recess. The first and second hook-defined recesses have different transverse dimensions for receiving support rods having respective first and second different diameters. Various embodiments are disclosed.
US08602362B2
A system for reducing reactive components in ullage of a fuel tank, typically the fuel tank of an airplane. The system includes an air driven unit for creating a fluidic motive force to remove ullage from the fuel tank, and a main catalytic unit for receiving the ullage and reducing the reactive components to yield processed ullage for return to the fuel tank.
US08602360B2
An aircraft nacelle includes a pipe, a peripheral wall, a lip connecting the pipe and peripheral wall and delimiting an air intake. A frost treatment system treats a zone extending along a longitudinal section of a point A at the peripheral wall at a point B at the pipe and includes a front frame delimiting with the lip a pipe circulating de-icing hot air. An acoustic pipe coating includes a reflective layer, at least one alveolar structure, and at least one acoustically resistive structure. The front frame includes a junction zone with the lip and/or the pipe offset toward the nacelle front relative to B. Pipes inside the lip and the pipe convey hot air from the pipe to circularly arranged discharges corresponding to B. The pipes extend beyond the junction between the front frame and the lip and/or the pipe and are delimited by at least one isolating partition.
US08602355B2
The invention relates to an aircraft wing panel, for example, a trailing edge upper panel'1 which is joined to the wing skin (20) by means of spigots (19) which project and engage with slots (13). Preferably, the slots are provided in lips (10, 11, 12) which extend from the leading edge (5) of the panel and the spigots (19) are fastened to and extend from the wing skin (20).
US08602353B2
An autonomous water module is provided for aircraft, preferably a water module embodied as a water trolley, and to a monument for aircraft, which includes, but is not limited to a device for receiving said type of water module, and finally, an aircraft equipped with said type of autonomous water module and/or said type of monument. The autonomous water module includes, but is not limited to a container having the standard dimensions of a trolley, and the container includes, but is not limited to a fresh-water tank, a device for dispensing fresh water, and a device for discharging gray water.
US08602348B2
A vertical take-off and landing flying-wing aircraft has a pair of thrust-vectoring propulsion units mounted fore and aft of the aircraft pitch axis on strakes at opposite extremities of the wing-structure, with the fore unit below, and the aft unit above, the wing-structure. The propulsion units are pivoted to the strakes, either directly or via arms, for individual angular displacement for thrust-vectored maneuvering of the aircraft in yaw, pitch and roll and for hover and forward and backward flight. When arms are employed, the arms of fore and aft propulsion units are intercoupled via chain drives or linkages. The wing-structure may have fins, slats and flaps and other aerodynamic control-surfaces, and enlarged strakes may incorporate rudder surfaces. Only one propulsion unit may be mounted at each extremity and additional fan units may be used.
US08602343B2
A drag/free spool controller incorporated into a fishing reel that has a signal generator mechanically attached to the reel. When the spool spins the signal generator produces a voltage signal, and after a pre-determined number of rotations, the generated signal is compared to a pre-determined value to determine if the spooling corresponds to a fish strike. When the generated voltage signal exceeds the pre-determined value, indicating a fish strike, a solenoid attached to the reel is actuated to disengage the drag mechanism, placing the reel into a free spool position. This action allows the fish to run with the bait while the angler repositions himself to manually engage the drag to set the hook. If after a pre-determined interval the angler fails to manually engage the drag, the solenoid will do so automatically.
US08602341B2
An adapter for simultaneously winding multiple spools and a method for using the same. The adapter includes a body portion having a pair of opposed faces and an outer wall or perimeter. Each of the opposed faces may include a plurality of recesses configured to receive a plurality of pins for interconnecting multiple spools. The plurality of pins may be offset such that it provides for the entry hubs of the multiple spools to align with one another. The adapter further includes at least one depression or indentation on the perimeter for providing access to at least a portion of the spool flange. The depression provides an operator with easy access to insert or apply the finishing end of the welding wire or similar, to the finishing hub of the spools.
US08602339B2
In a vertical mill, a pulverization table is supported with a vertical rotation axis core in a housing so as to be capable of being driven and rotated, and a pulverization roller rotatable in conjunction with rotation of the pulverization table is disposed above the pulverization table so as to be opposed to the pulverization table, and a roller swing mechanism is provided so as to make the pulverization roller parallel to a surface of the pulverization table and swingable in a direction different from a direction of rotation of the pulverization table. Accordingly, a solid matter such as biomass can be efficiently pulverized, thereby achieving improvement in pulverization efficiency.
US08602323B2
A mobile pressure washing system is provided. The system comprises a frame with hinged elements for transitioning the frame between an upright position of use and a compact position for secure transport and storage of the system. System features further include a removable and replaceable tank adapted to fit on a portion of the frame, removable storage features, and pressure washing features such as a motor and pump.
US08602307B2
A seat for passengers comprising a seat body and at least one seat portion, wherein the seat comprises identification devices able to receive and verify the correctness of an identification code of the seat and activation devices, operatively connected to the identification devices, so as to be enabled and/or disabled depending on the result of verification of the identification code.
US08602299B2
A mobile terminal device having a structure suitable for insertion and removal of a card from the device with a battery held in a battery holding part. A mobile phone 1 has a housing body 21 having a battery holding part 19 holding a battery 17 and has a cover member 23 covering the battery holding part 19. In the battery holding part 19, a second card insertion part 27 is provided in a region not concealed by the battery 17 when the battery 17 is held in the battery holding part 19 and covered by the cover member 23. The second card insertion part 27 in which a second card C2 inserted is covered together with the battery 17 by the cover member 23.
US08602291B2
The invention relates to a packaging for a food product comprising a container with a receptacle closed by a lid and a jacket that surrounds the container and in contact with which the latter is mounted, and its method of manufacture.According to the invention, this lid (4) is covered with at least one element (6) for identifying the product which is pressed thereon by removal of at least one zone of the jacket of predetermined geometry and forming this element.The packaging according to the invention is manufactured by: a) filling the container by means of the said product, b) closure of the container, thus filled, by its lid, c) positioning of the jacket around the container so that this zone to be removed is located facing a predetermined location of the lid, then d) stamping (A) the jacket in this zone in order to press this element onto the lid, this element preferably being pre-spread with adhesive in order to adhere to the lid after this stamping.
US08602282B2
A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.
US08602281B2
The present invention provides two counter-rotating rollers having substantially parallel axes of rotation which are provided to grip the web(s) between them and to cause the web(s) to move along as a result of their rotation, each roller having two spaced cylindrical support surfaces each defining a zone for gripping the web(s) with a corresponding, opposing, support surface of the other roller. The rollers are displaceable relative to each other in the direction of the axes of rotation and a displacement of one of the rollers relative to the other in the direction of the axes of rotation modifies a distance between the gripping zones. A rotary press is also provided.
US08602279B2
A bicycle rack is configured for mounting to a hitch behind a vehicle. The bike rack may include a mast and a mechanism for locking the mast in an upright position, or alternatively, permitting downward rotation of the mast away from the vehicle for access purposes. The rack includes arms and mounting devices for supporting various tubular components for the bicycle frame.
US08602270B2
A fluid tank connector enables reliable separation of a plug and a socket by opposing the coupling force of a fluid sealing portion. The fluid tank connector is provided with a plug that is fit with play in the inner periphery of a fluid port of the fluid tank that stores a fluid, and a socket that is detachably connectable to the plug. The socket includes a sleeve that connects and disconnects the socket and the plug by being threadable on an external thread that is formed on the outer periphery of the fluid port. A pressing device is provided in the socket, and the pressing device applies a pressing force that separates the plug from the socket by opposing the coupling force of an O-ring that seals the fluid path between the plug and the socket.
US08602263B2
An improved coupling is disclosed for connecting a pump to a container. A first embodiment of the improved coupling incorporates a slidable coupling sleeve for piercing a frangible seal for providing liquid communication from the container to the pump. A first embodiment of the improved coupling incorporates coupling for providing liquid communication from the container to the pump. The invention is suitable for use with an aseptic container, a refrigerated container or a non-refrigerated container with or without preservatives.
US08602262B2
An interlocking mechanism for a fluid dispenser includes a container body and a top portion. The container body includes a first sidewall having a first slot therein and a second sidewall having a second slot therein. The top portion includes a first lock channel, a first magnet adjacent to the first lock channel, a second lock channel, and a second magnet adjacent to the second lock channel. A first sliding lock member is positioned within and slidable along the first lock channel. The first sliding lock member has a tip portion configured to engage and disengage with the first slot, and a base portion having a third magnet disposed therein.
US08602260B2
Disclosed herein is a device suitable for the delivery of dental materials, such as impression material. The device disclosed herein includes a cartridge that has at least two separate pouches and a spout.
US08602255B2
A socket connector packaging includes a main body and a cover. The main body includes a first sidewall and a pivot positioned on the first sidewall. The cover includes a second sidewall, a coupling portion and a stop portion. The coupling portion and the stop portion are positioned on the second sidewall and opposite to each other. The pivot is placed over the coupling portion, thereby making the cover to be rotatable relative to the main body through the pivot. The stop portion is configured for preventing the cover from further rotating when the pivot contacts with the stop portion.
US08602252B2
A liquid dispensing cover for a container has a dispensing recess extending into a cover top thereof. The dispensing recess is resiliently openable and closable to enable placement of cover into a closed configuration, in which the dispensing recess is closed, and an open configuration in which the dispensing recess is open to allow flow of liquid through the dispensing recess for drinking.
US08602249B2
A pressure vessel for transporting compressed gas at very high pressure without failing includes an inverted neck at the head so that pressure from compressed gas is applied to the neck in a converging manner. A plug valve is inserted into the opening defined by the neck to seal the pressure vessel. As pressure from the compressed gas enclosed in the pressure vessel increases, engagement between the neck and the plug also increases. Therefore, the pressure vessel can withstand higher levels of pressure from compressed gas before failing during hydro and burst testing.
US08602248B2
A cooking utensil for use with an induction cooktop having a cooktop surface and an induction heating coil. The cooking utensil has an inner wall made from an electrically conductive material, an outer wall made from an electrically non-conductive material, and a gap between the inner and outer walls. There is an intermediate wall in the gap. The intermediate wall divides the gap into an inner chamber between the inner wall and the intermediate wall and an outer chamber between the outer wall and the intermediate wall.
US08602231B2
A draft sill with special rear draft lug for a railcar is disclosed. In some embodiments, a rear draft lug comprises a metallic body. The rear draft lug further comprises a boss extending along a transverse portion of the metallic body. The boss is configured to be coupled to a first vertical reinforcement plate. The rear draft lug also comprises an overhang portion extending from the boss along the transverse portion. The overhang portion configured to be coupled to the first vertical reinforcement plate. In some embodiments, the boss and the overhang portion are configured to be coupled to the first vertical reinforcement plate with a weld.
US08602229B2
A portable clothesline assembly is provided for facilitating hanging of clothes at a selectable location. The assembly includes a first stand, a second stand, and a scissor arm having a first end coupled to the first stand and a second end coupled to the second stand. A first boom arm coupled to the first stand and a second boom arm coupled to the second stand. A line is coupled to and extends between the first boom arm and the second boom arm.
US08602223B2
The invention relates to a micro-porous membrane comprising a porous membrane carrier made of a first polymeric material (A) and comprising a second polymeric material (B) intimately divided throughout the porous membrane carrier, wherein the porous membrane carrier comprises a plurality of interconnected polymeric fibers, fibrils, filaments and/or lamellae having a thickness of less than 1 μm, the porous membrane carrier has an interconnected open porous structure formed by the plurality of interconnected polymeric fibers, fibrils, filaments and/or lamellae and a porosity of at least 50%; and the polymeric material (B) comprises a thermoplastic polycondensation polymer and is present in an amount of at most 30 wt. %, relative to the total weight of (A) and (B). The invention also relates to a process for preparing such a micro-porous membrane comprising steps wherein (i) a porous membrane carrier made of a first polymeric material (A) is impregnated with a polymer solution comprising a second polymeric material (B) in a solvent system (X), and (ii) the resulting impregnated membrane carrier is quenched in a non-solvent system (Y), thereby precipitating at least part of the second polymeric material (B).
US08602221B2
[Problems] To provide a novel hydrophilized separation membrane for use in the treatment of a liquid, which comprises an aromatic ether polymer, is less likely to be degraded by sterilization with a high energy ray and has a controlled pore size and a high water permeability.[Means for Solving Problems] A porous separation membrane for use in the treatment of a liquid which is produced by a wet film formation process using an aromatic ether polymer and a hydrophilizing agent. The separation membrane can be used for medical purposes or in a pharmaceutical of food.
US08602216B1
A packing box structure for a cell phone protection case includes a main body, a pair of transparent lids and a seal rib. The main body has a pair of grooves and a pair of positioning portions at two sides thereof for engagement of a pair of cell phone protection cases. The pair of transparent lids is adapted to cover the two sides of the main body. The seal rib is adapted to clip the pair of transparent lids, so that the transparent lids and the main body are sealed to prevent dust from entering the packing box. The packing box can be assembled and disassembled repeatedly for a consumer to check the cell phone protection cases. The packing box has a better seal effect and can be used conveniently.
US08602212B2
A display container is provided herein which includes a box portion having a base portion, spaced-apart upstanding first and second end panels, and spaced-apart upstanding first and second edge panels extending from the base portion. The first and second edge panels are located between the first and second end panels, and the first edge panel extends a lesser distance from the base portion than the first end panel and the second end panel. The display container also includes a reinforcing layer having a first panel disposed to overlap at least portions of the base portion, a second panel disposed adjacent to the first end panel in face-to-face engagement, and a third panel disposed adjacent to the second end panel in face-to-face engagement. The reinforcing layer is formed of a material stronger in shear than the material of the box portion. Advantageously, with the subject invention, a display container may be formed which has greater strength both for product containment and stacking as compared to the prior art.
US08602209B2
A carrier that is at least partially holding a plurality of containers. The carrier can include a plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a second side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a first top panel foldably connected to the first side panel, and a second top panel foldably connected to the second side panel. At least one container-receiving feature extends in at least the bottom panel. The at least one container-receiving feature can at least partially receive at least one container of the plurality of containers. At least one retention flap is foldably connected to the first top panel or the second top panel. The at least one retention flap engages at least a portion of a flange of at least one container.
US08602200B2
In one aspect, a method for optimizing a usable volume of a coin receptacle associated with a coin-processing device is provided. This method includes the steps of obtaining data from at least one sensor and adjusting, responsive to such data, an upper limit of coins which may be input into the receptacle or an available number of coins which may be input into the receptacle.
US08602197B2
A support roller assembly comprises a support roller formed at least in part as a hollow cylinder. At least two bearings are spaced from each other in the axial direction of the support roller and rotatably support the support roller. At least one cushioning element is disposed within the support roller in the axial spacing between the two bearings. The cushioning element includes at least one ring made of cushioning material that extends adjacent the inner surface of the support roller.
US08602194B2
A sub-assembly for a brake transmission shift interlock system. The sub-assembly includes an inhibitor for preventing shifting of a vehicle transmission from a park position in the absence of application of a brake by a vehicle occupant, and a solenoid having a movable armature. A linkage couples the inhibitor to the armature such that movement of the armature produces a movement of the inhibitor. The linkage also couples the inhibitor to the armature so as to permit movement of at least a portion of the inhibitor independent of the armature. A brake transmission shift interlock assembly and a switch assembly incorporating the sub-assembly are also provided.
US08602191B2
The clutch assembly includes a controlling lever, a push bar, a locking shaft, a guiding sleeve, a driving sleeve, and a restoring spring member. The locking shaft has several locking protrusions and several guiding protrusions formed thereon. The push bar is driven by the control lever to push the locking shaft axially move along a rotation axis, and the guiding protrusions therefore engage with the driving sleeve. The driving sleeve is driven to rotate for making the locking protrusions aligned with the locking grooves. The restoring spring member bounds and pushes the locking shaft to an engaging position while the locking protrusions are received in the locking grooves. Thus, the clutch assembly is easily switched from a disengagement status to an engagement status.
US08602190B2
A viscous shear fan drive mechanism for a cooling fan. A moveable valve disk is provided which controls the quantity of fluid in the operating chamber. An electronic actuation system activates piston and shaft members which move the valve disk against the bias of a return spring to open the fill holes, allow fluid communication between the reservoir and working chambers, and allow rotation of the cooling fan. Without activation of the electronic actuation system, the flow of fluid to the working chamber is prevented. A non-magnetic or insulating bushing member adjacent the piston and shaft members prevents the system from sticking in the actuation condition when power is eliminated.
US08602172B2
A car-based running power computing mechanism computes running power values of each car in both cases including cases before and after a newly generated hall call is assigned. A car-based regenerative power computing mechanism computes regenerative power values of each car in the both cases. A car-based future running power computing mechanism computes future running power values of each car in the both cases. A car-based future regenerative power computing mechanism computes future regenerative power values of each car in the both cases. A car-based assigned total evaluation index computing mechanism obtains an in-travel power consumption value and an in-future-travel power consumption value based on the running power values, regenerative power values, future running power values, future regenerative power values and the like, to thereby compute assigned total evaluation indices of each car in the both cases. An assigned car deciding mechanism decides an assigned car based on the assigned total evaluation indices.
US08602164B2
A dual-use ladder and bridge modular system preferably includes tubes, gussets, flanges, and/or joints. In a preferred embodiment, the tubes, gussets, flanges, and/or joints are made of carbon fiber. A method connects and disconnects modular carbon fiber ladder segments. Another method creates a lightweight carbon-fiber beam with exceptionally high stiffness and strength using a combination of carbon-fiber braid material, uni-directional cloth, and pultruded carbon-fiber strips. A carbon fiber ladder segment and tube connectors are also disclosed.
US08602159B2
A muffler providing a compact and low-profile form factor for small two-stroke engines is described, particularly useful for aerodynamic radio controlled aircraft. The muffler comprises a tuned internal header eliminating the need for an external header to mount the inventive muffler to the exhaust port of a two-stroke engine while maintaining enhanced engine performance, obviating the need for a conventional tuned-pipe exhaust.
US08602157B2
A system for improved exhaust evacuation from an internal combustion engine made up of a core which is surrounded by an outer casing, an elongated tube, and a perforated chamber made up of two cup shaped portions. The first cup shaped portion is connected to an outlet tube and the second cup shaped portion is connected to the elongated tube. The second cup shaped portion has holes around the connection and the first cup shape portion does not.
US08602154B2
An electric power steering device includes a power transmission joint (21) which coaxially couples an output shaft of a steering assist electric motor to an input shaft of a speed reduction mechanism for power transmission. The power transmission joint (21) includes first and second engagement members (41, 42) and an elastic member (43) disposed between the first and second engagement members (41, 42). The elastic member (43) includes an annular main body (44) and a plurality of engagement arms (45) provided at a predetermined interval circumferentially of the main body (44). The engagement arms (45) are engaged with engagement projections (55, 56) of the first and second engagement members (41, 42) circumferentially (X1) of the main body (44). Power transmission faces (46, 460) of the engagement arms (45) include power transmission faces (460) each having a relatively great interference (d1) and power transmission faces (46) each having a relatively small interference (d2).
US08602153B2
An extendable frame work vehicle offering enhanced versatility, safety and effectiveness. The vehicle includes an adjustable frame with front and rear portions that extend or retract with respect to each other. The front portion is supported by a first pair of wheels and said rear portion is supported by a second pair of wheels. Each wheel is independently driven and steered. The vehicle also includes an engine mounted on the rear portion of the frame. Incorporated into the vehicle is an electro-hydraulic assembly which enables extension and retraction of the adjustable frame. The assembly includes a sensor-responsive microprocessor controller, at least one hydraulic pump, at least one hydraulic drive motor, and at least one valve network.
US08602148B2
A portable removable apparatus for powering a bicycle driven by a chain is disclosed. The apparatus includes a portable and removable drive unit for propelling the bicycle. The drive unit includes an electric motor and a shaft rotatable by the motor, with a sprocket coaxially affixed to the shaft and adapted to engage to a portion of the chain. The apparatus also includes a bracket adapted to be fixed to a frame of the bicycle and to be in bearing contact with the shaft for supporting the shaft. The apparatus further includes at least one additional support for supporting the drive unit on the bicycle frame so that lateral torque on the drive unit when engaged with the chain and operating is substantially eliminated. Another embodiment is disclosed in which the drive unit includes a flexible belt looped around a drive pulley connected to the motor and an idler pulley.
US08602144B2
A system for a hybrid vehicle includes an engine; a first inverter coupled to a second inverter; a first electrical machine coupled to the engine and the first inverter; a second electrical machine coupled to the second inverter and a wheel axle of the vehicle; a high voltage battery coupled to both the first inverter and the second inverter; and a switch box disposed between the first electrical machine and the second electrical machine. The switch box includes switches adapted to switch open and closed to allow direct electrical connection from the first electrical machine to the second electrical machine.
US08602143B2
A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a first motor disposed within the vehicle body, a second motor disposed within the vehicle body, and an engine removably disposed on the vehicle body and configured to selectively provide torque to the first motor when disposed on the vehicle body. A climate control compressor is disposed within the vehicle body and is selectively coupled to the first motor. A controller is configured to control the coupling of the climate control compressor to the first motor and to control the coupling of the engine to the first motor. The first motor is configured to generate electrical energy to operate the second motor when coupled to the engine. The controller is further configured to control operation of the engine.
US08602142B2
A method, apparatus, and system are disclosed for hybrid power system braking. In one embodiment, a vehicle weight input is received by a brake controller. In response to receiving the vehicle weight input, a maximum negative braking torque is determined. Regulation of negative braking torque according to vehicle weight is accomplished by one or both of a regenerative braking device and mechanical braking device.
US08602140B2
Circuits, systems, and methods are disclosed to eliminate the requirement for an external electromechanical contactor. Integrating contactor circuits with a motor controller reduces cost. Additionally, the cost of the contactor circuit may be reduced by providing transistors designed to block current in only one direction in the event of an electrical fault corresponding to an electrical drive direction.
US08602139B2
A battery mounting structure for use on saddle-type electric vehicles which contributes to an increase in the rigidity of a vehicle body frame and attempts to achieve an increased battery carrying capability. Each of battery modules is in the form of a quadrangular prism having long sides and short sides as viewed in plan and vertical sides longer than the long sides. A vehicle frame includes a bulging region in which each of main frames bulges outwardly from a head pipe as viewed in plan and a narrow region in which the distance between the main frames is reduced behind the bulging region. The battery modules include battery modules whose long sides extend along transverse directions of the vehicle in the bulging region and battery modules whose long sides extend along longitudinal directions of the vehicle in the narrow region.
US08602137B2
A self-propelled implement may include a suspension arrangement with a suspension spring, an elevation toggling linkage, and a wheel. The suspension spring may support a main frame of the self-propelled implement at a sprung end. The elevation toggling linkage may be mounted at an unsprung end of the suspension spring. The elevation toggling linkage may be used to configure the self-propelled implement at a raised elevation or a lowered elevation.
US08602134B2
A modular mobile robot with a chassis including a power source housed therein. Right and left hand track modules are each removeably coupled to the robot chassis. Each track module includes a side plate, at least one drive wheel rotatable with respect to the side plate, a motor for driving the drive wheel, at least one idler rotatable with respect to the side plate, and a track extending around the drive wheel, the side plate, and the idler. A turret assembly with its own turret drive subsystem is removeably coupled to the robot chassis via a quick release mechanism.
US08602127B2
A bottom hole assembly has a drill bit that is driven by a downhole turbine. The turbine speed is reduced by cycloidal gearing that requires no temperature sensitive seals when operating temperatures in some applications exceed 350 degrees F. The output shaft of the cycloidal gear reducer goes through a bearing before connection to the drill bit or associated reamer. The motive fluid can be the drilling mud. The bit can be driven at desired speeds such as 50-300 RPM while the speed reduction ratio can be in the order of 10 to 1 or more. This drive assembly can replace Moineau type downhole motor drivers that have temperature limitations due to use of rubber in the stators.
US08602121B2
The haymaking device has a frame having a main beam which extends in a longitudinal direction and defines a longitudinal centre line, and two side arms extending on both sides of the main beam, wherein the side arms each carry at least one crop processing tool and are at an inner end hingeably connected to a slide connection which is slidable there along the main beam, wherein the side arms are movable between a transport position, in which they substantially extend along the main beam, at a first angle to the main beam, and an operative position, in which the side arms extend at a second angle, larger than the first angle, from the main beam, wherein the side arms are movable between the transport position and the operative position by a sliding movement of the slide connection along the main beam.
US08602119B2
The invention relates to a preventing and extinguishing fires in enclosed spaces in which the internal air atmosphere is not permitted to exceed a predefined temperature value. In order not to have to increase the cooling capacity of an air conditioning system when inert gas is added to the internal air atmosphere to set or maintain a specific inertization level within an enclosed space, a system for the regulated discharging of inert gas into same is provided. The system includes a container for the provision and storage of the inert gas in liquified form, and a vaporizer connected to the container for vaporizing at least a portion of the inert gas and discharging same into the internal air atmosphere of the enclosed space. The vaporizer thereby directly or indirectly extracts the heat energy needed to vaporize the liquid inert gas from the internal air atmosphere of the enclosed space.
US08602118B2
A fire sprinkler of the preferred embodiments includes a frame, a trigger, and a deflector. The frame defines a duct to exhaust the flow of a fire suppressing or extinguishing substance, and includes a fastener to fasten the frame to a supply line. The trigger blocks the flow of the fire suppressing or extinguishing substance through the duct during a first mode, and permits the flow of the fire suppressing or extinguishing substance during a second mode. The deflector redirects the flow of the fire suppressing or extinguishing substance into a coverage area. The deflector also at least partially shields the trigger from the dispersal of a fire suppressing or extinguishing substance from an adjacent fire sprinkler and prevents a failure of the trigger.
US08602115B2
A tractor configured for grip locking during advancement to avoid slippage, particularly in open-hole wells. The tractor is equipped with a grip lock mechanism for independently locking an anchor grip in a radially outward direction. This locking occurs sequentially in advance of the power stroke of a reciprocating drive piston associated with the anchor. Thus, radial outward expansion and gripping are ensured at the time pulling of a load in an axial downhole direction is pursued. Such grip locking may be employed throughout tractoring or intermittently, depending upon well characteristics such as formation hardness and well diameter.
US08602113B2
Provided are coated oil and gas well production devices and methods of making and using such coated devices. In one form, the coated device includes one or more cylindrical bodies, hardbanding on at least a portion of the exposed outer surface, exposed inner surface, or a combination of both exposed outer or inner surface of the one or more cylindrical bodies, and a coating on at least a portion of the inner surface, the outer surface, or a combination thereof of the one or more cylindrical bodies. The coating includes one or more ultra-low friction layers, and one or more buttering layers interposed between the hardbanding and the ultra-low friction coating. The coated oil and gas well production devices may provide for reduced friction, wear, erosion, corrosion, and deposits for well construction, completion and production of oil and gas.
US08602101B2
A downhole pipe cutting tool includes a tool body having a piston assembly disposed in a central bore thereof, wherein the piston assembly is configured to translate longitudinally along the central axis of the tool body, and a plurality of cutter knife sets. Each of the plurality of cutter knife sets includes at least two individual cutter knives circumferentially spaced about a central axis of the tool body and is configured to selectively engage with the piston assembly to extend outward to perform pipe cutting operation.
US08602100B2
A downhole heated fluid generation system includes: a plurality of subsystems, including an air subsystem having an air compressor or an air flow control valve, a fuel subsystem having a fuel compressor or a fuel flow control valve, a treatment fluid subsystem having a fluid pump; a combustor coupled to at least one of the plurality of subsystems to provide a heated fluid into at least one of a wellbore or a subterranean zone; and a controller operable to: receiving an input indicative of a desired flow rate of the heated fluid; receiving an input indicative of a desired quality of the heated fluid; determining a virtual flow rate of the heated fluid based, at least in part, on the input indicative of the desired flow rate; and controlling the plurality of subsystems with the virtual flow rate of the heated fluid.
US08602093B2
A composite heat exchanger system includes an air cooled condenser, a sub-radiator and a main radiator, and it is formed in a state where a tank of the sub-radiator is communicated with a tank of the main radiator. A water cooled condenser is contained in a tank of the sub-radiator. A part of a flowing medium that is cooled down by the main radiator is introduced in the sub-radiator to cool the flowing medium of the water cooled condenser. The flowing medium that is cooled down by the water cooled condenser is introduced in the air cooled condenser to be cooled.
US08602088B2
A cooling air supply system for an aircraft is configured to supply cooling air from the surroundings of the aircraft to at least two devices requiring cooling air (38, 44, 56) within the aircraft. The cooling air supply system includes an air inlet, an air channel communicating with the air inlet, and an air distribution device for the distribution of air from the air channel to the at least two devices requiring cooling air. The air inlet is sized to provide sufficient air flow to accommodate a maximum cooling air requirement of the at least two devices requiring cooling air.
US08602078B2
Tire-making apparatus (20) defining an outer or inner circumference (18) to serve as a forming surface or as a circumference-engaging surface, respectively, utilizes a frame (16) having a central axis (52) and a plurality of multi-sectional segments (28) which are moveable radially with respect to the central axis and include arcuate surfaces which collectively define the apparatus circumference. Each segment includes a primary section (60) and a secondary section (62) which flanks the primary section. The primary and secondary sections are connected so that as the segments are moved radially of the central axis, the primary and secondary sections move relative to one another along the circumference of the apparatus to help maintain the uniformity, or roundness, of the surface of the circumference collectively defined by the segments.
US08602071B1
A bag filling assembly is provided for facilitating clean and efficient filling of a flexible resealable storage bag. The assembly includes a frame and a pole coupled to and extending from the frame. The pole has a top and a bottom with the bottom being coupled to the frame. A funnel is coupled to the top of the pole and includes an open bottom, an open top, and a perimeter wall extending between the open bottom and the open top. A bag support is coupled to the frame and positioned under the funnel for supporting a bag under the funnel to receive matter passing through the funnel.
US08602069B2
A solid chemical product is dispensed to prepare a requested amount of a use solution having a requested concentration of the chemical product. In some examples, a target amount of a diluent and a target amount of the chemical product required to prepare the requested use solution are determined. The target amount of the diluent is dispensed into a container. At least some of the diluent in the container is applied to the solid chemical product to create a resultant use solution, which is directed back into the container. The diluent from the container is applied to the chemical product until the amount of the use solution in the container satisfies the requested amount. In some examples, the target amount of the diluent and the target amount of the chemical product are measured by weight.
US08602067B2
A device for filling a flexible container and a method thereof are disclosed. The device may include a pressurizing chamber and an evacuation chamber. A first displacement piston is sealingly and slideably arranged within the pressurizing chamber to define an inner volume within the pressurizing chamber that is fluidly connected to a pressurizing conduit. A second displacement piston is sealingly and slideably arranged within the evacuation chamber to define an inner volume within the evacuation chamber that is fluidly connected to an evacuation conduit. A reservoir adapter is fluidly connected to the pressurizing conduit and connects to a liquid reservoir. A container adapter is fluidly connected to the evacuation conduit and connects with a flexible container. A transfer conduit is fluidly connected to the reservoir adapter and the container adapter. A valve fluidly connects the container adapter to the evacuation conduit or the transfer conduit.
US08602061B2
A flow control valve includes a first passage portion having a seal portion formed at the rim of the opening of an outlet port of a first passage, a second passage portion having a second passage inflected from the first passage, and a valve plate. The valve plate has a valve body for opening and closing the outlet port, and a mounted portion formed at the outside peripheral end of the valve body and adapted for mounting to the mounting portion, and is adapted to open and close with mounted portion as the fulcrum point. The valve body includes a seat portion adapted to seat onto the seal portion, and an extension portion integrally formed with the seat portion and protruding towards the outflow side of the second passage from the seal portion.
US08602052B2
A diaphragm sealed flow cavity comprises a first body comprising a support surface, a diaphragm comprising an outer portion that is joined by a weld to the first body, a clamped portion, and an inner portion that is movable along an axis, with the clamped portion of the diaphragm being compressed between the bearing surface and the support surface. The diaphragm sealed flow cavity may include a cylindrical body having a crimped portion for joining the cylindrical body to the first body. The diaphragm sealed flow cavity may also include a member that applies a live load to the clamped portion of the diaphragm. In the exemplary embodiments, the diaphragm sealed flow cavity may be realized as part of a diaphragm flow control valve having a valve body, diaphragm and a housing.
US08602050B2
A self-cleaning varnish supply machine and method of using the same. The machine has a plurality of at least two cylindrical storage containers, a supply line, a return line, a pump, a compressed air supply source, a plurality of at least two outlet valves, a plurality of two inlet valves, and a compressed air supply source valve. The machine can be operated in three different modes. In the first mode, the machine can be used to supply varnish to a varnish application device. Next, the machine can be operated in an automated self-cleaning mode. Finally, the machine can be operated in a manual self-cleaning mode.
US08602049B2
A method and apparatus for filling superconductive magnets is disclosed by using gaseous helium to control the flow of liquefied helium from a container to a magnet. By measuring the pressure of the gaseous helium in the container of liquefied helium, it can be determined when to stop the flow of liquefied helium. This can reduce quenches and helium losses which can occur during the transfer of liquid helium from the dewar to the superconductive magnet.
US08602047B2
A gas regulator fitting is to be devised that prevents distortions of the temperature value to be regulated caused by ambient temperature fluctuations. Retrofitting without intervention into the gas-conducting space is also to be made possible. To that end, one or more bimetal discs (17) are arranged outside the gas-conducting space of the gas regulator fitting, between an operating element (18) for setting the required temperature and a longitudinally movable ram (8) whose position can be altered by means of metal bellows (9) which are connected to a temperature sensor (11) by a capillary line (10). The ram (8) protruding into the gas-conducting space activates a switch which controls a valve for regulating the gas stream to the main burner. The bimetal discs (17) are arranged in such a manner that their overall height, which is altered in the direction of movement of the ram (8) depending on the ambient temperature, can influence the position of the metal bellows (9).
US08602045B2
A valve assembly for a clean-in-place operation includes a valve body with a valve seat and inner cavity. A shaft extends through the valve body and a stopper is connected to the shaft for movement between a normally closed position and an open position to permit cleaning fluid to enter and exit the inner cavity only through the valve. An actuator contacts the shaft for moving the stopper toward the open position. An air inlet extends into the inner cavity. A stop valve associated with the inlet prevents fluid from exiting through the inlet such that cleaning fluid only enters and exits the inner cavity through the valve seat A source of pressurized air opens the stop valve and causes drying air to enter the cavity and move the stopper toward the open position and supply the air to the processing system.
US08602036B2
A large variety of electrospun fibers can be produced to encapsulate a large variety of additives within the subcompartments or substructures of the manufactured electrospun fiber. Furthermore, the manufactured electrospun fibers can be electrostatically arranged within a filter component of a smoking article during the manufacturing process. By modifying the various parameters that control the electrospinning process, a diverse set of electrospun fibers can be manufactured that vary in composition, in substructural organization, and in dimension. The electrospun fiber produced by electrospinning comprises at least one type of polymeric material that encapsulates or supports the retention of at least one type of a flavorant or a non-flavorant within the electrospun fiber. A polymeric material provides a supporting structure for encapsulating at least one type of a flavorant or a non-flavorant. The electrospun fibers that can be produced by various electrospinning processes described below include microfibers in a micro-scaled range, nanofibers in a nano-scaled range, and various mixtures of microfibers and nanofibers.
US08602023B2
The invention provides improved devices for treating tracheobronchitis, bronchiectasis and pneumonia in intubated patients, with aerosolized anti gram-positive and anti-gram negative antibiotics administered in combination or in seriatim. In one aspect, the invention assures this result when aerosol is delivered into the ventilator circuit. In one embodiment, the result is achieved mechanically. In another embodiment, the result is achieved by aerosol formulation. In another aspect, the invention assures the result when aerosol is delivered directly to the airways distal of the ventilator circuit. The devices eliminate the dosage variability that ventilator systems engender when aerosols are introduced via the ventilator circuit. The treatment also concentrates the therapeutic agent at affected sites in the lung such that therapeutic levels of administrated drug are achieved without systemic exposure of the patient to the drug. The invention further provides a dose control device to govern this regimen.
US08602021B2
A solar collector comprises a solar absorbing tube 3 containing elongate tube 11 that extends out of one end of the solar absorbing tube 3 and into an end fitting 15 wherein an annular outer passageway 13 of the elongate tube 11 communicates with a cold fluid inlet conduit 16 within the end fitting 15 and the inner passageway 14 of the elongate tube 11 communicates with a hot water outlet conduit 17 within the end fitting 15. Each end fitting 15 is provided with a receiving portion 22 extending orthogonally to the tubular passage 18 for receiving an end of the concentric elongated tube 11. The end fittings 15 are interconnected to provide fluid flow paths without the need for a manifold. Any number of solar collector tubes can be interconnected in this way. The invention also applies solar collectors of the heat pipe type.
US08602015B2
A cutting chain for cutting concrete and other similar materials having wear and stretch resistant features. In one embodiment, the cutting chain can include chain links having a debris trap for hindering the entry of debris onto bearing surfaces. In one embodiment, side links and a center link can have cooperating members forming a maze-like debris trap and can include a lubricant and/or other barrier material. In a particular arrangement, side links can have annular ribs which can be partially received in annular grooves on a center link to create the maze-like debris trap. In another embodiment, the cutting chain can include chain links having anti-rotation structures to hinder rotation of the fastener relative to the side links. In a particular arrangement, side links can have a protrusion or slot for cooperating with a complementary mating slot or protrusion on the fastener. In another particular arrangement, the side links can have ridges in the fastener receive hole for penetrating the shaft of the fastener to resist rotation thereof.
US08602008B2
An engine assembly includes an engine defining a combustion chamber and a crankcase volume, and an intake assembly having an air cleaner assembly, a throttle, and an intake manifold in a series arrangement and fluidly coupled with the combustion chamber. A first and second air-oil separator may define respective first and second separator volumes, each respectively configured to extract oil from air flowing through the volume. A first conduit may fluidly couple the crankcase with the first separator volume, a second conduit may fluidly couple the intake manifold with the first separator volume; a third conduit may fluidly couple the crankcase with the second separator volume; a fourth conduit may fluidly couple the air cleaner assembly with the second separator volume; and a fifth conduit may fluidly couple the air cleaner assembly with the first separator volume.
US08602002B2
A control system for an engine includes a knock control module and a valve control module. The knock control module adjusts a period that one or more of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of a cylinder are open based on engine knock corresponding to the cylinder. The valve control module, based on the adjusted period, controls the one or more of the intake valve and the exhaust valve using one or more hydraulic actuators.
US08601995B2
A cylinder liner sealing arrangement for an internal combustion engine including a cylinder block having cylinder bores, a cylinder head, a cylinder liner within each cylinder bore and a circumferential cut-out formed in the upper and outer surfaces of the cylinder liner. A circular sealing ring is positioned in the circumferential cut-out with the sealing ring contacting at least the cylinder block and the cylinder liner to form a coolant seal therebetween. The sealing ring includes a seal enhancing configuration formed on at least an outer circumferential surface of the sealing ring with the seal enhancing configuration including at least one of an arcuate portion of a “D” ring seal or a plurality of circumferentially extending ribs. Replacing the cylinder liner seal includes removing the cylinder head while maintaining the position of the cylinder liner within the respective cylinder bore, removing an upper liner seal from within the circumferential cut-out while maintaining the position of the cylinder liner within the cylinder bore, positioning a replacement sealing ring in the circumferential cut-out while maintaining the position of the cylinder liner within the cylinder bore and replacing the cylinder head on the cylinder block of the engine.
US08601992B2
Embodiments relate to valves comprising a member such as a plate or poppet, that is moveable relative to a stationary seat. The state of the member may be maintained against opposing forces with relatively little expenditure of energy. According to one embodiment, a poppet displaced from seating in the valve seat, may be held in position against opposing forces tending to close the valve, until a desired flow of gas through the valve has taken place. The poppet may then be released as desired, such that those opposing forces serve to passively close the valve. The valve may be secured in position utilizing mechanical, magnetic, electromagnetic, pneumatic, electrostatic, or hydraulic approaches. Valve embodiments may be particularly suited to controlling gas flows for compression and/or expansion in an energy storage system.
US08601988B2
Free piston assembly, comprising at least one piston accommodating device, at least one piston device having a first piston surface and a second piston surface facing away from the first piston surface, which is moveable in a linear manner in the corresponding piston accommodating device, and an expansion space which is arranged in the piston accommodating device and delimited by the first piston surface, wherein the piston device is arranged to be driven by the action of a medium which expands in the expansion space, wherein a resilience space arranged in the at least one piston accommodating device is delimited by the second piston surface, and wherein the resilience space is connected to at least one pre-compression chamber in fluidic manner.
US08601982B2
A pet environment is disclosed that may have a platform having an outer edge and a platform aperture, the platform sloping downward from adjacent the outer edge to the platform aperture; a housing structure positioned above the platform aperture having at least one pathway in the housing structure, the pathway having at least one opening adapted to receive pet waste; and a gap between the platform and the housing structure extending along at least a portion of the platform aperture to receive pet waste from the platform. The pet environment may also have a container for collecting pet waste positioned below the aperture, and a support structure beneath the platform adapted to support the platform and the housing structure. The support structure may be flexible and may produce a vibratory effect in response to movement of an animal.
US08601980B2
A portable drinking device for pets being suitable for use when travelling includes a rigid wall structure, a water outlet passage, a water outlet valve and a removable closure element.
US08601977B2
An electronic spraycoating control device for implementing spraycoating methods includes at least one manually driven program selecting element for selecting programs from two different groups of programs. The electronic spraycoating control device further includes a plurality of manually driven parameter setting elements and display units to automatically display the adjusted parameter references values.
US08601974B2
A conveying device for a deposition device includes a transport device and a carrier. The transport device includes a main body, two wheels, a connection shaft, and a first bevel gear. The connection shaft is mounted on the main body. The two wheels are mounted on two opposite ends of the connection shaft. The first bevel gear is sleeved on the connection shaft. The carrier includes a revolving frame, a rotating shaft, a second bevel gear, and at least one carrying bar. The rotating shaft is mounted on the revolving frame. The second bevel gear is sleeved on one end of the rotating shaft and meshed with the first bevel gear. The revolving frame rotates relative to the rotating shaft. The at least one carrying bar is mounted on the revolving frame and driven by the rotating shaft to rotate. Each carrying bar includes supporting elements for carrying workpieces.
US08601972B2
A tire dressing applicator assembly comprises a linearly arranged series of toroidally-shaped plastic rollers having one or more beveled edges and reinforced for shape retaining purposes by pins which extend axially through the bodies of the elements outboard of a center opening which is adapted to receive a support shaft.
US08601971B2
A boat cover for a suspended cover system that is configured to fit a boat in a manner that prevents relative movement therebetween minimizing wear. The cover has at least one fitting seam that follows part of the top of the boat. An integral cover cinching arrangement enables tightening the bottom of the cover against the hull hugging it. Vents overlying a passenger section minimize wind force by reducing cover pressure differential. The cover can be equipped with a second fitting seam that extends along the gunwale of the boat and can have a downwardly extending fitting seam section that extends below the gunwale toward the bow to help fit the cover to the front portion of the hull of the boat. Stretchable straps used to hang the cover from a track of the boat cover system can be used to minimize force on the cover caused by wave action.
US08601967B2
A pontoon boat including a plurality of pontoons and a deck secured to the pontoons. A wall assembly is anchored to and extends upwardly from the deck to provide an interior space of the deck for accommodating passengers. The pontoon boat includes a substantially enclosed storage space defined at least in part by a portion of the deck and a portion of the wall assembly. The wall assembly has a bottom edge that is spaced off of the deck to provide a first air access opening into the storage space from beneath the wall. At least one vent is provided in the wall portion at a location spaced above the bottom edge and in open communication with the storage space. The vent enhances air flow and venting of the storage space.
US08601966B2
A set of rigid sails that have an aerodynamic profile and that may be secured to a boat.
US08601957B2
A device and method for controlling fuel-air ratio during combustion of ground in a coal power plant, including pneumatic delivery of ground coal to the burners and feeding combustion air to burners while controlling the combustion air and the amount of carrier air. A high reliability of control combined with low maintenance of the air mass measurement devices is achieved. This is achieved by a measurement device for measuring the amount of combustion air which, according to correlation measurement, evaluates the triboelectric effects on sensors. Between 0.1 mg and 10 mg of fine-grained particles of a diameter between 20 μm and 200 μm are introduced per m3 air into suctioned fresh air, which is carried out during the starting of the firing system. This is done by correlation measurement that evaluates triboelectric effects on sensors, arranged in series in carrier air stream in direction of flow of the carrier air.
US08601948B2
An radio frequency (RF) safe, high standoff voltage, ESD protected primary explosive detonator is described. The primary explosive detonator includes an isolated spark gap (SG) circuit and one or more shunt capacitors to insulate the electric match from ignition when exposure to high stray voltage or RF occurs in oilfield applications.
US08601946B2
A method and an apparatus for automatically feeding printing plates to a rotary printing press include conveying devices spaced apart from each other transversely to a conveying direction for feeding the printing plate to a clamping device having register pins. One of the conveying devices is lifted briefly off the printing plate in the event of a lack of in-register contact while the other conveying device remains in contact with the printing plate and thus ensures a forward drive of the printing plate, while the lifting of one conveying device promotes stress relief in the printing plate. A sheetfed rotary printing press having the apparatus, is also provided.
US08601943B2
A press fixture for pressing a housing and a battery together includes an air cylinder, a motor to control a motion of the air cylinder, a controller, a base, and a support mounted on the base. The support is used to receive the battery. The housing is placed on the battery. The controller controls the motor to drive the air cylinder to press the housing and the battery together in response user input.
US08601938B2
The baby formula preparation device includes a powder hopper and a distributor operably associated with the powder hopper for dispensing powdered baby formula into a baby bottle. The device also includes a water dispensing system having a water storage tank and a water heater that dispenses heated water into the baby bottle. A load cell measures the weight of the bottle and a controller coupled to the load cell regulates the quantity by weight of heated water and powdered baby formula dispensed into the baby bottle.
US08601937B2
Apparatus for brewing coffee comprising a brewing chamber for receiving programmable quantities of ground coffee and combining the ground coffee with quantities of hot, pressurized water, a piston for compressing the ground coffee in the brewing chamber, and an o-ring fitted to the outside of the piston so as to maintain a pressure-tight seal against the wall of the brewing chamber.
US08601934B1
A two piston cylinder providing asymmetrical expansion and retraction capabilities is disclosed having two linked expansion chambers and a single chamber for retraction. The refraction chamber is situated between the two expansion chambers, and the expansion chambers are linked together by a tube passing through the piston that provides hydraulic fluid to both the retraction chamber and one of the expansion chambers.
US08601929B2
An incendiary dispensing system (10) comprises a casing (12), a supply (16) of incendiary capsules (18), an apparatus (14) for initiating and dispensing the incendiary capsules (18), and a loading mechanism (20). The casing (12) can be opened and closed to enable loading of the supply (16) of incendiary capsules (18). The casing (12) is provided with an aperture (22) to allow the dispensing of initiated capsules (18). The capsules (18) are formed as series connected belts (24). The loading mechanism (20) sequentially feeds the belts (24) to the apparatus (14) which initiates each incendiary and dispense the incendiary from the opening (22). The casing (12) is arranged for external mounting on an aircraft and may be ejected in the event of a malfunction.
US08601922B2
An emergency brake system for abrupt braking of a revolving shaft of a machine tool includes at least one brake drum and at least one brake shoe that are brought into engagement with one another in order to brake the shaft. The braking engagement between the brake drum and brake shoe occurs under the influence of a centrifugal force resulting from rotation of a shaft, the brake system being self-reinforcing, in particular self-locking.
US08601916B2
A multifunctional hand tool includes a first vertical handle and a second handle transversely connected with an upper end of the first handle. A sleeve extends from a lower end of the first handle for inserting various screwdriver bits therein. The second handle has a long grip section and a short grip section at two ends. A hammering body is disposed on an end face of the long grip section. A fitting member is disposed on an end face of the short grip section for inserting various tool accessories therein. The multifunctional hand tool can be conveniently used as various tools with different functions.
US08601906B2
A machine tool capable of eliminating a laborious attachment/detachment work of a cover member is provided. The machine tool includes a door device 5 having a first door 6 to cover a machining-area opening 3e when machining a workpiece and a second door 7 to cover the machining-area opening 3e when not machining the workpiece and formed to be visible an inside thereof, in which the first door 6 and the second door 7 are arranged in a movable manner between a position-in-use covering the machining-area opening 3e and a position when opened opening the machining-area opening 3e.
US08601905B2
A driving force transmitting apparatus has a first division casing member having a first coupling surface, a second division casing member having a second coupling surface, wherein a casing is formed by matching the first and second casing members at the first and second coupling surfaces, a first rotational shaft rotatably supported by the first and the second division casing members, wherein a center of rotation of the first rotational shaft is located in a common plane of the first and second coupling surfaces, a first gear provided on the first rotational shaft, a second rotational shaft rotatably supported with respect to the first division casing member, a second gear provided on the second rotational shaft and being in mesh with the first gear, and a partition wall integrally formed on the second division casing member and extending in a direction intersecting with said common plane.
US08601898B2
A deceleration mechanism comprises a driving wheel, a driven wheel of a diameter exceeding that of the driving wheel, a transmission member coiling around the driving wheel and the driven wheel; and a tension assembly fixed to the driven wheel. The transmission member coils around the driving wheel, criss-crosses, and coils around the driven wheel. The tension assembly is arranged between the transmission member and the driven wheel and elastically resists the transmission member and the driven wheel.
US08601896B2
A gearshift assembly for a motor vehicle includes a gearshift lever configured to engage a detent unit to select one of a plurality of gearshift positions in an operative position. The gearshift lever can be folded into a non-operative position by disengaging a locking mechanism from the detent unit, when the gearshift lever is in the neutral position. The non-operative position is selected by pressing a fold button, which causes a fold rod to engage the detent unit, and prevents accidental shifting of gears in the folded non-operative position.
US08601881B2
Described is a material sample for testing material properties under biaxial load as well as a method therefor. The material sample has a circular disk shape and, for rotation about the center line thereof, is provided with an integrally formed hub. The edge of the material sample and the hub are thicker than the ring section of the material sample located in between. In one embodiment, the ring section is designed with an annular concave fillet concentric to the hub and the concave fillet may extend from the edge to the hub and have a continuous curvature over its width. In the method, it is rotated about its center line at least at 100,000 rpm, preferably at 150,000 rpm±10,000 rpm.
US08601877B2
An ultrasonic measurement device and method in which an ultrasonic transducer is acoustically coupled to an object to be measured by a resilient material contact layer. The transducer transmits a plurality of consecutive ultrasonic transmit signals into the object being measured, the transmit frequency of each of the plurality of transmit signals being distinct from the frequency of the other transmit signals of the plurality of transmit signals. Signal echoes of the transmitted signals are received, and based on the received signal echoes, at least one transmit frequency to be used for ultrasonic measurement of the object is selected.
US08601870B2
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is an improved measuring cup comprising a straight transfer edge for facilitating transfer of dry materials from a flat surface into the cup as well as a rounded segment and spout for pouring wet materials out of the cup. The cup further includes one or more sets of volume indicia which may permit measurement of solids or liquids or both.
US08601866B2
A sensing device (10) is provided for sensing whether an electrically-conductive fluid (14) has reached a predetermined level within a container (12). In this device (10), a first electrode (22) is electrically connected to a source (20) and a second electrode (24) is electrically connected to ground. When the electrode gap (26) is filled with the fluid (14), the sensing circuitry causes the electrodes (22, 24) to switch roles as the anode depending upon whether a positive voltage pulse or negative voltage pulse is being received from the source (20).
US08601855B1
A vise apparatus with a bending fixture is disclosed in which the bending fixture includes a collection of projections on an operative and substantially vertical front face of a holding arrangement of the vise apparatus. The bending fixture supports and enables gravity assisted bending of a workpiece. The vise apparatus promotes bending workpieces with reduced effort and minimizes manufacturing costs.
US08601852B2
It is a problem of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing the seamless pipes having better mechanical properties, by means of a pipe manufacturing method with large energy-saving effect to continuously carry out processes from pierce-rolling to heat treatment.A method of manufacturing a seamless pipe comprising the steps of a pierce-rolling process, elongation rolling process, sizing process, reheating process, quenching process and tempering process, wherein the sizing process is completed with a temperature of the seamless pipe not less than 600° C. but less than 800° C., the seamless pipe is charged into a reheating furnace with a temperature not less than 400° C. and is reheated with a temperature not less than Ac3 transformation temperature but not greater than 1000° C. in the reheating process.
US08601851B2
The invention relates to a method and a finishing train for hot-rolling starting material. Starting material is finished in several successive roll stands (110 n) in the finishing train, the material cooling off because of heat loss. The material has to be reheated in order for the temperature of the material not to drop below the predefined lower threshold temperature value at low speeds within and at the discharge end of the finishing train. In order to use as little energy as possible for said reheating process, the reheating process within the finishing train is carried out for the first time only when the temperature of the material risks falling below the lower threshold temperature value for the first time relative to the direction of flow of the material because of heat loss. Furthermore, the temperature of the material during the reheating process is increased only to the point where the temperature of the material will not drop below the lower threshold temperature value (TU) while the material is conveyed onto a next heating device that is mounted downstream in the direction of flow of the material and until the material is discharged from the mill train.
US08601848B2
A bending device that bends a workpiece is provided with a bending mechanism that bends the workpiece, a fixing table on which a chuck mechanism that grips the workpiece is mounted, an articulated robot to which the bending mechanism is attached, and a control unit that controls operations of the bending mechanism, the chuck mechanism, and the articulated robot. The control unit includes a first control unit that twists the bending mechanism around a longitudinal axis of the workpiece, and a second control unit that controls the articulated robot to twist the bending mechanism holding the workpiece around the longitudinal axis of the workpiece within a twisting angle range and then causes the first control unit to perform the twisting.
US08601847B2
A chuck mechanism that grips a workpiece is configured to be able to twist and rotate the gripped workpiece around a longitudinal axis of the workpiece. A control unit is provided with a first control unit and a second control unit. The first control unit drives an articulated robot to which a bending mechanism for bending the workpiece is attached, and twists the workpiece clamped by the bending mechanism around the longitudinal axis of the workpiece within a preset twisting angle range. When the angle of twisting by the first control unit exceeds the twisting angle range, the second control unit controls the chuck mechanism to twist the workpiece around the longitudinal axis of the workpiece.
US08601846B2
A fixed support for a metal sheet drawing machine. In one implementation the fixed support includes a window through which metal sheet to be drawn passes, and a holder which holds the metal sheet within the window as the metal sheet is drawn. The fixed support is stationary in relation to the drawing machine and includes a suspending structure that maintains a base of the fixed support a distance from any other surfaces during the sheet drawing process.
US08601840B2
A vehicle lock for substantially immobilizing the wheels of a vehicle includes an extensible bar with a pair of shafts affixed at either end thereof. Each shaft is configured to pass through an orifice on a wheel of a vehicle. A portion of the shaft extends through the associated orifice, and a locking mechanism is affixed to the exposed end of the shaft. In an embodiment the shaft is rigidly affixed to the extensible bar, and in other embodiments the shafts are connected to the bar by means a flexible connection that allows the user to change the orientation of the shafts relative to the bar.
US08601835B2
The method for making a lens with a first convex lens surface (32) and a second lens surface (33) includes feeding a glass melt drop into a concave mold (2, 10), precise pressing both sides of the glass melt drop in the concave mold (2, 10) together with a press die (20) and immersing the press die (20) in the glass melt drop so that a supporting rim (34) with predetermined dimensions, which protrudes beyond a highest point of the second lens surface (33), is formed on the lens by glass material displaced by the precise pressing. The apparatus for precise pressing includes an upper mold part (10) a lower mold part (2) and the press die (20).
US08601821B2
An apparatus for supplying water to a misting system for an inlet of a gas turbine, includes a diversion of heated feedwater from a loop and to a pump, the pump providing high-pressure feedwater to the misting system. A combined cycle power plant is provided.
US08601818B2
The burner (1) of a gas turbine includes a swirl generator (2) and, downstream of it, a mixing tube (3). The swirl generator (2) is defined by at least two walls facing one another to define a conical swirl chamber (5) and is provided with nozzles (6) arranged to inject a fuel and apertures (7) arranged to feed an oxidizer into the swirl chamber (5). The burner (1) includes a lance (9) which extends along a longitudinal axis of the swirl generator (2) and is provided with side nozzles (11) for ejecting a fuel within the burner (1). The side nozzles (11) have their axes (12) inclined with respect to the axis of the lance (9) and can be positioned along the axis of the burner.
US08601817B2
A hydrogen production apparatus which includes: a humidifier (2), which is supplied with a process fluid containing carbon monoxide and mixes the process fluid with steam; a reactor (3), which reacts the humidified process fluid output from the humidifier in the presence of a catalyst, thereby converting the carbon monoxide within the process fluid into carbon dioxide; a first pipe (A) through which high-temperature process fluid flows following reaction in the reactor; a second pipe (B) that supplies makeup water; at least one first heat exchanger (51a, 51b) disposed at one of one or more locations where the first pipe and the second pipe cross each other; and a third pipe (C) that supplies steam generated by heat exchange in the first heat exchanger to other apparatus.
US08601811B2
A method for adjusting an exhaust heat recovery valve is presented. In one embodiment, the method may control an amount of boost provided by a turbocharger to an engine.
US08601804B2
A power generating apparatus includes a rotating shaft, a hydraulic pump driven by the rotating shaft, a hydraulic motor driven by operating oil supplied from the hydraulic pump; and a generator coupled to the hydraulic motor. The apparatus further includes an oil line connected to the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor for circulating the operating oil between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor, an oil cooler connected to the oil line for cooling the operating oil by heat exchange with a cooling medium, a cooling-medium line supplying the cooling medium to the oil cooler; a bypass line diverging from at least one of the oil line and the cooling-medium line and merging into at least one of the oil line and the cooling-medium line to bypass the oil cooler; and a flow regulating valve in at least one of the oil line and the cooling-medium line.
US08601791B2
Setting in place of one or several coolers in the wall of a secondary flow of a bypass turbomachine. The wall extends from an intermediate casing toward a leading edge of a separator nose between a primary flow and the secondary flow. The wall includes a series of support arms attached to an intermediate casing, distributed over the perimeter of the wall and directed upstream. A series of surface air-oil heat exchangers forming wall segments are arranged end-to-end on the support arms, so as to form an annular wall. A shroud having a leading edge is arranged and fixed in the area of the upstream edges of the heat exchangers, so as to complete the wall. The support arms include hydraulic connectors connected to one another on each arm, adapted to cooperate with corresponding connectors in the area of the heat exchangers and in the area of the intermediate casing.
US08601786B2
A turbofan engine control system is provided for managing a low pressure compressor operating line. The engine includes a low spool having a low pressure compressor housed in a core nacelle. A turbofan is coupled to the low spool. A fan nacelle surrounds the turbofan and core nacelle and provides a bypass flow path having a nozzle exit area. A controller is programmed to effectively change the nozzle exit area in response to an undesired low pressure compressor stability margin which can result in a stall or surge condition. In one example, the physical nozzle exit area is decreased at the undesired stability condition occurring during engine deceleration. A low pressure compressor pressure ratio, low spool speed and throttle position are monitored to determine the undesired stability margin.
US08601785B2
An oil supply system for a gas turbine engine with a centrifugal air/oil separator in fluid communication with the scavenge system to receive the used oil mixture and extract oil and air therefrom, a supply pump in serial connection with the main oil outlet of the separator and in fluid communication with the bearing cavities to deliver the oil thereto, an oil tank in fluid communication with the overflow oil outlet of the separator, and at least one make-up pump having an inlet in fluid communication with the tank and having an outlet in fluid communication with the scavenge system.
US08601774B2
A tissue product, which includes a carton and a stack of tissues, is provided with a flattened arched-shaped sheet that supports the stack of tissues. As the tissues are withdrawn from the carton and the weight of the tissue stack is reduced, the flattened arch-shaped sheet gradually assumes its normal arched shape, thereby raising the stack of tissues within the carton. Raising the stack substantially reduces or eliminates “fall-back”, which is a common dispensing problem, as the stack height is reduced.
US08601771B2
A cash recycler or other currency handling device includes modules for automatically strapping a plurality of bills together and bagging the strapped bills for transport. A user may determine a number of bills to be bundled in a stack or unit. Once the predetermined threshold is met, the bills will be automatically transferred to a strapping area where the bills will be strapped together for storage or transport. Additionally or alternatively, the bills may be strapped together as they enter a cartridge, such as an overflow cartridge. The strapped bills may be transferred to a bagging module where the stacks of bills will be automatically bagged, each bag including a predetermined number of stacks of bills. The bags will then be transferred to storage for transport.
US08601770B2
A web wrap apparatus is provided in conjunction with a round baler. The web wrap apparatus has a feeder, a separator for the web, and a motion means. An actuator is provided at the motion means, which assists the separator in cutting the web, when the separator gets close to a cutting position.
US08601758B2
Interlocking construction blocks are provided, having a tongue and groove configuration, attachable together by pressing the tongue of one block into a groove of another block. Multiple blocks may be adapted to be interlocked together forming a structure, such as a wall. Blocks comprise first and second opposing sidewalls integrally connected together by first and second pairs of opposing connecting walls. The first and second sidewalls comprise a lower portion integrally connected to an upper portion. The lower portion comprises a pair of opposing lower portion sidewalls integrally connected to a pair of opposing lower end walls. The upper portion comprises a planar top surface, a pair of opposing upper portion sidewalls and a pair of opposing upper portion end walls integrally connected via upper portion angular walls. The upper portion sidewalls, upper portion end walls and upper angular walls may have a beveled or tapered surface.
US08601755B2
A system for supporting a plurality of solar panels includes elongated support members each having a first portion, a coextensive second portion, and a longitudinally extending mid portion between the first and second portions. The first and second portions each have a base for contacting a surface and an edge receiving area configured to receive an edge of a solar panel at a height above the base, with the heights placing one edge higher than the other. When installed, support members are disposed generally parallel to each other and spaced apart on a surface, with the edge receiving portions facing each other. The upper edge of a solar panel is received in the edge receiving area of the first portion of one of the support members and a lower edge of the solar panel is received in the edge receiving area of the second portion of the other support members.
US08601750B1
A method and system for ground installation is disclosed. In one aspect, a method to secure a fixture on a ground includes steps of securing one or more anchors on a base plate; placing the base plate on the ground; applying force to one or more ground stakes into the ground through the base plate to secure the base plate on the ground; disposing the fixture on the base plate; and securing the fixture on the base plate. The entire ground installation system merely includes a base plate and a few ground stakes, and it is fairly easy to assemble and disassemble the installation system without special training and skills. Also, the ground installation system provides a stable and secure base for the fixtures thereon.
US08601745B2
A window operator mountable on the frame of window having a hinged movable sash including a drive assembly for positioning the movable sash and a separately installable drive shaft for operating the drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a drive chain coupled to the movable sash of the window that extends and retracts to position the movable sash. The drive assembly can be mounted to the frame first without the drive shaft. After the window is installed, the drive shaft can be then inserted into the drive assembly and used to extend and retract the drive chain and move the movable sash. The window operator includes a drive shaft retention assembly for receiving and retaining the drive shaft once the drive shaft is inserted into the drive assembly.
US08601739B2
A gate arm saver is provided. The gate arm saver includes a cam and cam follower arrangement. A biasing element biases the cam follower into engagement with a detent formed in the cam upon rotation of the cam from a rest position due a loading placed upon a gate arm extending from the gate arm saver.
US08601736B2
A method for stabilizing a weapon, eg a rifle or a handgun, barrel movements when aiming by attenuating the influence of, primarily, unintentional barrel movements on the barrel orientation. The method is especially characterized in the steps of providing a hinge (3) between the barrel front part (1), which comprises the barrel (1′), and the weapon rear part (2), which comprises the weapon butt end (2′), for mutual movability between said parts; continuously detecting the barrel longitudinal direction movement in at least two planes; and controlling at least one angle between the butt end and the barrel longitudinal direction orientation, respectively, by means of a control system (4h, 4v, 5h, 5v, 6h,6v) so that changes in the barrel orientation are counteracted. The invention also relates to a device and a fire arm.
US08601734B1
A pivoting firearm handgrip allows a user to pivot the handgrip relative to the firearm into various locked positions. The pivoting handgrip includes a grip base and a grip body that are selectively locked together by a spring biased shaft having key formations. The key formations on the shaft engage keyway formations on finger structures of the grip body. The key structures of the shaft also selectively engage locking formations on supporting structures on the grip base. A spring is captured between the head portion of the shaft and the grip body so that the key formations of the shaft are spring biased to engage the locking formations of the grip base. In use, a user depresses one end of the shaft to disengage the key formations of the shaft from the locking formations of the grip base, and then freely pivots the grip body about the base.
US08601729B2
A modular panel display unit assembly, comprising: an elongated upper plate and an elongated lower plate, both arranged parallel to one another and supported by a first side rail and a second side rail secured therebetween, wherein a backer board is capturably received between the upper plate and the lower plate, and wherein one or more modular display panel units may be connected end to end together, and wherein a display panel is removably attached to a backer board secured between the upper plate and the lower plate thereof.
US08601725B1
A removable cleat includes a plurality of projections, dividing into sets, with each set of projections made of different materials. The cleat includes a coupling element, for attachment to a shoe, and a ground contacting element. The ground contacting element contains a plurality of projections, with the projections divided into at least two sets. The projections may be disposed about the perimeter of the ground contacting element, such that each set of projections does not extend more than half the perimeter. Additionally, some of the plurality of projections may be located interior to the perimeter. Further, each set of projections may be oriented in a particular direction with respect to a plane formed by the perimeter. Each interspersed set of projections may be made of a different material, or each projection may itself be made of a different material.
US08601719B2
A duct for a dryer includes an intake duct provided with a discharge part formed with a discharge hole for discharging air therethrough and a coupling hole formed around the discharge part; and a contact prevention part seated in the coupling hole and spaced apart from the discharge part.
US08601717B2
An apparatus includes a mechanical refrigeration cycle arrangement having a working fluid and an evaporator, a condenser of adjustable surface area, a compressor, and an expansion device, cooperatively interconnected and containing the working fluid. The apparatus also includes a drum to receive clothes to be dried, a duct and fan arrangement configured to pass air over the condenser and through the drum, a sensor located to sense at least one parameter, and a controller coupled to the sensor, condenser and/or the compressor. The controller is operative to adjust the condenser to increase surface area during a steady state drying rate period of the cycle, and adjust the condenser to decrease surface area during a start transient period of the cycle, wherein adjusting the condenser to decrease surface area during a start transient period of the cycle accelerates the start transient period of the cycle.
US08601709B2
A measurement device includes a first connector unit, a measurement wire, and a second connector unit. The first connector unit includes a first dummy connector and a wire part. The wire part includes an inserting portion. A number of insert holes is defined in the first connector. The inserting portion of the wire part is selectively inserted in one of the insert holes of the connector. The measurement wire is graduated. A first end of the measurement wire is connected to the first connector body, and a second end of the measurement wire is movably connected to the second connector unit, with the measurement wire stretched out straight between the first and second connector units.
US08601708B2
In order to be able to deflect a free end of a measuring band of a measuring band sensor not only in a direction transversal to an inlet plane according to the invention the free end of the measuring band 3 arranged outside of the housing is twisted about its longitudinal axis by 90° at the most. This facilitates deflections of a total of 180°. When a deflection within the remaining 180° shall be facilitated, a torsion of the free end of the measuring band also has to be provided by 90°, but in the other direction with respect to the inlet plane.
US08601702B2
A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine is provided having a base. A cover is rotatably coupled to the base to move between a closed position and an open position. A display is arranged within the cover. The display includes a screen surface, such as a touch sensitive screen surface, disposed on one side of the housing. The screen surface being adjacent the base in the closed position and disposed on an angle to the base in the open position.
US08601699B2
A utility knife includes a handle having a blade track system with a pivot point and a blade mounted in the blade track system. The blade includes a cutting/scraping edge extending along a side of the blade. In an implementation, the blade is shiftable between a closed configuration, where the cutting/scraping edge is enclosed within the handle, to a first open configuration, where the blade extends longitudinally outward from an end of the handle. The shift between the closed and first open configurations can occur by rotating the blade about the pivot point and in the blade track system. Also, the blade is shiftable along the blade track system between the first open configuration and a second open configuration, where the blade is located towards another end of the handle such that the cutting/scraping edge extends downwards from a bottom of the handle.
US08601697B2
A cutting tool for a pipe of specific diameter comprises a generally cylindrical body 1 defining a central bore 10 extending along an axis. The body is divided into two axially spaced half portions 2A and 2B which together clamp a cutting blade 8 projecting into the bore 10. The body has a progressively narrowing slot 12 extending from its outer circumference to the bore. At the bore 10 the width of the slot 12 is narrower than the diameter of the bore. One side of the slot 12 is flexibly resilient to flex away when a pipe of diameter equal to the bore is pushed along the slot into the bore and to resile when the pipe has entered the bore, urging the pipe against the blade so that subsequent relative rotation between the tool and pipe will cause the pipe to be severed.
US08601696B2
A motorized shaving apparatus head and motorized shaving apparatus incorporating the same. In one embodiment, the invention is a shaving apparatus including: an elongated handle having a longitudinal axis; a power source; a head coupled to a distal end of the elongated handle, the head having a working surface with a longitudinal width of 40-44 mm and a transverse width of 14-16 mm; the working surface comprising a fixed blade having a cutting edge; a rotary cutter having cutting edges disposed within the head, the cutting edges of the rotary cutter positioned adjacent the cutting edge of the fixed blade so that a user's hairs are sheared between the cutting edge of the fixed blade and the cutting edges of the rotary cutter when the rotary cutter is rotating; and a motor operably coupled to the rotary cutter to rotate the rotary cutter about an axis.
US08601694B2
A hands-free method and related apparatus are used to shape, place and compact a composite stringer on a composite skin of an aircraft. A composite charge is placed on a tool assembly that used to shape the charge into a preformed stringer. With the stringer held on the tool assembly, the tool assembly is used to move the preformed stringer into proximity with the skin and both place and compact the stringer against the skin. Following compaction of the stringer, the tool assembly is removed and the skin and the stringer are co-cured.
US08601690B2
A manufacturing method for a variable capacity exhaust gas turbine whereby, a gap in a tongue section allowing exhaust gas to flow into an inner circumferential scroll section can be formed at a minimum, and a cover section near a ring can be mounted with high precision. In the method: exhaust gas turbine component members comprise a cover section and a reduced-diameter plate section extending the inner diameter side towards the shaft following the gap between a bearing housing and the turbine rotor; the cover section and the reduced-diameter plate section are integrally formed; a molded surface of the cover section is protruded to form a protrusion corresponding to the tongue section and formed in an intake equivalent portion of the inner circumferential scroll section of the cover section; and the protrusion undergoes cutting, and a cut surface and the tongue section are assembled maintaining the gap.
US08601684B2
A manufacturing method for a vehicle capable of reducing man-hours, improving worker posture, and increasing worker efficiency in a step for mounting components on a frame as part of vehicle assembly steps. Some or all components such as tanks, pipes and wires are mounted on a frame 3 before assembling the frame 3. Namely, some or all components are first mounted on side rails, which are elements of the frame 3, and cross members 2 are then assembled to the side rails 1. Side rail holding stands are disposed on a working surface plate to hold a pair of side rails 1 in parallel and at a prescribed height, and in accordance with advancement of work, rotate each of the side rails 1 about a longitudinal axis thereof. Each side rail is rotated hydraulically by a prescribed angle (approximately 90 degrees) about a longitudinal axis thereof.
US08601680B2
Provided is a method of roll-to-roll processing of semiconductor parts, the method including: supplying to a processing unit a first material uncoiled from a first roll for processing at the processing unit; connecting a leading board to a leading portion of the first material before the processing so that the first material led by the leading board is processed during transfer in the processing unit along a path; cutting the leading board from the leading portion of the first material after the processing; and if a terminal edge of the first material begins to be processed at the processing unit, connecting another leading board to a leading portion of a second material uncoiled from a second roll and supplying the second material to the processing unit for processing.
US08601676B2
The insertion of electrically insulating paper from a continuous roll into slots of a stator created by outwardly projecting teeth is described herein. The insertion of the insulating paper is done by the insertion of prewound coils in the stator slots. The electrically insulating paper is not cut prior to its insertion in the slots, thereby completely covering the outer surface of the stator. The insertion systems and methods described herein are also optionally concerned with the insertion of interphase insulation paper between the different coils inserted in the stator slots and with the insertion of slot closing wedges.
US08601672B2
In one embodiment, a stimulation lead comprises: a lead body of insulative material surrounding a plurality of conductors; a plurality of electrodes; and a plurality of terminals, the plurality of terminals electrically coupled to the plurality of electrodes through the plurality of conductors; wherein each conductor of the plurality of conductors is helically wound about an axis within the lead body in at least an outer portion and an inner portion relative to the axis, the outer portion comprises a first winding pitch and the inner portion comprises a second winding pitch, the second winding pitch is less than the first winding pitch, the inner portion of each respective conductor being disposed interior to the outer portions of other conductors of the plurality of conductors; wherein an impedance of each conductor of the plurality of conductors substantially reduces MRI-induced current when the stimulation lead is present in an MRI system.
US08601671B2
In a combination of, for example, a rotor having eight magnetic poles and a stator having twelve slots and pulsating components of permeance, which generate a sinusoidal cogging torque having maxima of the same number as the number of poles of the rotor, pressurizing parts arranged in predetermined positions, applying a force at an outer periphery of the stator and directed inwardly cancels the pulsating components of the cogging torque.
US08601670B2
A device used to secure a section of cable while one or more fiber is broken out from the cable. The device includes spaced apart clamp assemblies that hold a cable during the splicing process to protect the fairly delicate fibers within the sheathing. The disclosure also relates to a method of splicing using a clamp assembly.
US08601660B2
An apparatus for removing rail tie clips comprises an elongated handle end section and a grasping end section extending from the outboard end of the elongated handle end section. The grasping end section terminates in a tooth oriented generally perpendicularly to the handle end section.
US08601650B2
An attachment structure for a clip including a mounting member, a retaining hole formed in the mounting member, and a rib. An elastic retaining piece of the clip, while elastically deformed, is inserted into the retaining hole from an outer side of the mounting member toward an inner side to be retained therein. The rib is disposed around the retaining hole and is formed integrally with the mounting member. The rib includes a first rib formed on the inner side of the mounting member and a second rib formed outside, and concentric to, the first rib. The first rib has a thickness such that a clip press-contacting piece abuts the outer side of the mounting member when the elastic retaining piece is inserted in the retaining hole and retained on the rib, and the second rib has a thickness larger than the thickness of the first rib.
US08601636B2
A windshield wiper combining assembly assembles a driven wiper arm having a through shaft on a windshield wiper fixing stage. The windshield wiper combining assembly includes an assembling stage and a retaining stage. The assembling stage engages on the windshield wiper fixing stage. The assembling stage has a first fastening arm, a containing groove formed at one side edge of the assembling stage to contain the through shaft, and an engaging groove arranged at one side edge of the containing groove. The retaining stage has a cover cap and a block which projects on an end surface of the cover cap. The retaining stage is combined on the assembling stage by fastening the first fastening arm. The block is plunged into the engaging groove and the cover cap is pressed on the containing groove to prevent loose attachment of the through shaft.
US08601633B2
Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for the cleaning of an endotracheal tube while a patient is being supported by a ventilator connected to the endotracheal tube for the purpose of increasing the available space for airflow or to prevent the build up of materials that may constrict airflow or be a potential nidus for infection. In one embodiment, a method for cleaning endotracheal tubes comprises inserting a cleaning device within an endotracheal tube while a cleaning member is in a compressed position, radially expanding the cleaning member to an expanded position within the endotracheal tube, and withdrawing the cleaning device from the endotracheal tube with the cleaning member in the expanded position.
US08601631B1
A cleaning brush assembly is provided for facilitating cleaning of curved surfaces such as the interior of bathtub. The assembly includes a handle and a central housing coupled to a lower end of the handle. A first side housing is pivotally coupled to the central housing. A central brush head is rotatably coupled to and extends downwardly from the central housing. A first side brush head is rotatably coupled to and extends downwardly from the first side housing.
US08601630B2
The linear bearing is useful in a personal care appliance and includes an elongated center member (14) having end elements (20, 22) at each end thereof, the center member having an arm (16) with a workpiece (18) at the free end thereof. Two sets of orthogonal leaf springs (24, 38) are positioned in the vicinity of the ends of the center assembly, one end of each leaf spring in each set connected to an associated end member, the other end of each leaf spring in each set connected to a fixed-position member (26, 40), such as the housing (37) of the appliance.
US08601624B2
This invention relates to mattresses such as a pressure relieving mattress and in particular ones for profiling beds. The mattress comprises a base portion 11, a carriage portion 12, an upper portion 13 and an inflatable pressure relieving underlay 14 disposed between the carriage 12 and the upper portion 13. The facing surfaces 15 and 16 of the base portion 11 and the carriage portion 12, respectively, are coated with a low friction material so that the two slide easily relative to one another. This sliding movement is restricted to longitudinal relative movement by the engagement of co-operating formations 17, 18. The combination provides particularly flexible mattress arrangement which also avoids the problem of the leg section of the mattress kicking upwardly when a profiling bed is articulated.
US08601613B2
Various articles of apparel having a cylindrical portion, such as an arm region or a leg region, for extending around a joint (such as an elbow or a knee) of a wearer are disclosed. The cylindrical portion includes a textile material, for example, and a pattern located on a surface of the textile material or knitted into the textile material. The pattern has a first density in at least one area of the cylindrical portion oriented substantially parallel to a plane of bending of the joint, and the pattern has a second density in at least one area of the cylindrical portion oriented substantially perpendicular to the plane of bending of the joint. A purpose of the pattern may be to decrease the probability of an overuse syndrome or other injury occurring as a result of use of the joint.
US08607354B2
Methods and apparatuses are provided for determining a first fingerprint of audio or video data. The first fingerprint is stored in a database or record including information pertaining to a first user or first account. The audio or video content is altered to yield a different version of the audio or video content, and a second fingerprint is determined from the different version of the audio or video content. The second fingerprint is stored in a database or recording including information pertaining to a second user or second account.
US08607352B2
A code construct in a computer-based software application is classified by seeding an analysis of an instruction code set of a computer-based software application with a seed for a seeding variable within the instruction code set, wherein the seed is an abstract value representation, performing the analysis to a fixed point, thereby producing a fixed point solution, selecting an invariant from the fixed point solution, wherein the invariant represents at least one value pointed to by a classification variable in a code construct within the instruction code set, and classifying the code construct with a classification that is applicable to the invariant in accordance with an application criterion.
US08607346B1
This document describes techniques for continuing execution of intrusion detection software when a process exception caused by a protocol decoder is thrown during processing. In one example, a method includes receiving a packet, and processing the packet using intrusion detection software that includes a processing engine and a plurality of protocol decoders. The method also includes detecting an exception that occurs during processing of the packet, identifying a memory location associated with the exception, and determining whether the exception was caused by one of the protocol decoders based on the memory location associated with the exception. The method further includes handling the exception and continuing execution of the intrusion detection software after determining that the exception was caused by one of the protocol decoders. In some implementations, handling the exception may include determining which one of the protocol decoders caused the exception, and disabling the decoder.
US08607345B1
One embodiment relates to a computer-implemented method of detecting a malware downloader running on a computer system. An indication is received that a process running on the computer system is attempting to execute an executable file. A timestamp of the executable file is obtained. The timestamp indicates a time at which the executable file was downloaded. A current time is also obtained from the computer system. A determination is made as to whether the current time is approximately equal to the time indicated by the timestamp. An indication is made that said process is not a malware downloader if the current time is not approximately equal to the time indicated by the timestamp. Another embodiment relates to a computer apparatus configured to detect a malware downloader. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed.
US08607337B2
The present invention relates to a data scanning circuit and method. According to the present invention, a memory circuit stores a plurality of codes. Each of the code corresponds to a sub-rule. The memory circuit outputs at least first bit and at least second bit of each code, respectively, according to a first and a second data items. An operational circuit performs logic operations on the first and second bits, and produces an operated result. A decision circuit decides whether the input data satisfies the scanning rule according to the operated result.
US08607333B2
Radio frequency identification (RFID) security apparatus having security function and method thereof
Disclosed are a radio frequency identification (RFID) security apparatus and a method thereof. According to the RFID security method, a secure tag reader performs determining an AES key using security information received from a secure tag and generating an output key using the determined AES key, decrypting AES data received from the secure tag using the output key, and encrypting data to be transmitted to the secure tag using the output key and transmitting the data, and a secure tag performs generating an output key using an AES key and security information, and transmitting the security information to a secure tag reader, encrypting data to be transmitted to the secure tag reader using the output key, and transmitting the encrypted data to the secure tag reader, and decrypting data received from the secure tag reader using the output key.
US08607332B2
System and method for the anonymisation of sensitive personal data and method of obtaining such data
A system for managing sensitive personal data includes a first data processing subsystem and a second data processing subsystem. The first data processing subsystem includes a generating unit and a private database. The generating unit generates a common key from data identifying a person. The private database associates the common key with the identification data. The second data processing subsystem includes an obtaining unit, a generating unit, a receiving unit and a storing unit. The obtaining unit obtains the common key. The generating unit generates a random number from the common key. The receiving unit receives a registration message including sensitive personal data of the person and the random number. The storing unit stores the personal data in a second database in association with the random number and the common key.
US08607328B1
Systems, methods, and machine readable media for repairing data processing systems. In one exemplary embodiment, a computer software utility has the ability to repair a personal computer (PC) using a bootable storage medium (e.g. CD). This utility can connect to the Internet and create an encrypted virtual private network (VPN) tunnel to an automated support server network and to other PCs running a similar version of the utility. This utility, in conjunction with the automated support server network, checks the system files (e.g. DLL and system configuration files, etc.) on a PC being repaired and obtains information to perform the checking from the automated support server network and may obtain replacement system files from the automated support server network or the other PCs.
US08607327B2
An apparatus and a method for synchronizing a Security Association (SA) state as SA information of a mobile communication terminal is lost are provided. In the method, an IPSec tunnel is established by performing an SA procedure with a server, and a secure port is obtained. A service request message is transmitted to the server via the obtained secure port, and an unsecure port is opened. When a service response message is received from the server, it is determined whether the service response message is received via the unsecure port. When the service response message is received via the unsecure port, the SA procedure is re-performed. Therefore, the terminal may use a service through a secure network without interruption, and reduce a waste of resources by avoiding unnecessary retransmission of a message for requesting a service.
US08607326B2
A secure message that includes an attachment is received at a server. The secure message may have a secure layer that indicates that the secure message is at least digitally signed. The secure message may be provided without the attachment to the mobile device over a wireless network. A request may be received from the mobile device to access the attachment. The request may include an attachment identifier (ID) that identifies the attachment in accordance with a message-attachment indexing system. In response to the request to access the attachment, the server may perform an index lookup to find the attachment based upon the attachment ID, may look through the secure layer of the secure message in order to locate the attachment within the secure message, and may render at least an initial portion of the attachment by the server in a format for viewing by the mobile device.
US08607325B2
A system and method are provided to monitor and prevent potential enterprise policy and/or rule violations by subscribers. A node filters requests to send a selected communication and/or content and/or provide a nonsubscriber with access to the selected communication and/or content against plurality trusted groupings to determine if the nonsubscriber is a member of a trusted group. The nonsubscriber is provided with the selected communication and/or content when he or she is a trusted group member and restricted from receiving and/or accessing the at least a portion of the selected communication and/or content when he or she is not in a trusted group or is in a trusted group not privileged to receive the information. The nonsubscriber can be a member of multiple trusted groups, based on the nature of the relationship of the nonsubscriber with the enterprise.
US08607319B2
A method for determining biometric data for use in conducting authentication transactions is provided that includes capturing biometric data from a user during an authentication transaction and capturing conditions of the authentication transaction with a device. The captured biometric data corresponds to desired biometric data. The method also includes transmitting the captured biometric data and conditions to an authentication system that stores biometric data and conditions therein. Moreover, the method includes determining that stored biometric data corresponding to the desired biometric data, associated with conditions that best match the captured conditions, is to be used for authenticating the user.
US08607315B2
Systems and methods for authentication using paired dynamic secrets in secured wireless networks are provided. Each authenticated user is assigned a random secret generated so as to be unique to the user. The secret is associated with a wireless interface belonging to the user, so that no other wireless interface may use the same secret to access the network. The secret may be updated either periodically or at the request of a network administrator, and reauthentication of the wireless network may be required.
US08607309B2
There are provided measures for trustworthiness decision making for access authentication, for example relating to the trustworthiness of non-3GPP access networks within a 3GPP-compliant packet data system, exemplary comprising receiving an indication about a provisional trustworthiness of an access network, which provides packet data access for a roaming user, with respect to a visited network of said user from a network element of said visited network, determining the applicability of local breakout or home routing for each subscribed access point name of said user, and deciding about a final trustworthiness of said access network based upon the received provisional trustworthiness indication and the determined routing applicability for each subscribed access point name of said user.
US08607307B2
A security system that relates to industrial automation security comprises a component that receives a request to modify security relating to a zone of a factory floor, the zone being less than an entirety of the factory floor. A zonal security component generates security procedures for the zone, the security procedures differ from security procedures implemented on the factory floor outside the zone.
US08607299B2
A method and system for enforcing a security policy encoded in an instruction set of a security virtual machine is provided. A security system provides a security virtual machine that executes security programs expressed in the instruction set of the security virtual machine. The security system stores the security program in an instruction store of the security virtual machine. When a security enforcement event occurs, the security virtual machine executes the instructions of its instruction store using data of the security enforcement event to enforce the security policy.
US08607291B2
Provided are a method, an audio/video (AV) control point (CP) device, and a home network system for executing AV content in segment units defined using a protocol enabling interoperability between various devices existing in a home network. The method includes a control point extracting segment-related information about audio/video (AV) content stored in a first AV device, and the control point controlling a second AV device to execute the AV content using the segment-related information in segment units.
US08607287B2
When selecting a television program for recording, a user may configure the delivery of the selected television program and associated data and interactive applications to different user equipment devices in a home network, which may have different capabilities. Because the user equipment devices in the home network may have different capabilities, the user may wish to deliver different types and amount of content, different amounts of data, and different versions of interactive applications to the user equipment devices in the home network.
US08607283B2
Techniques for delivery and presentation/display of audio-visual signals over electronic communications network channels are disclosed herein. In an exemplary embodiment, a video server for an IPTV system is disclosed. The system includes a video extractor/transporter (shortly referred to as video extractor) for extracting encoded audio-visual signals from at least one video source, and distributing the signals over the electronic communications network channels. The system also includes control logic which can receive control messages from receivers and invoke the video extractor to extract audio-visual signals therefrom.
US08607281B2
A method of presenting program data in a multiple zones of a home entertainment system using a wireless home entertainment hub includes obtaining a registration of a plurality of source device and sink devices at the wireless home entertainment hub. An assignment of a zone corresponding to each sink device of the plurality of sink devices is stored. A first selection of a first source device and a first zone for presentation of a first set of program data from the first source device is received. A first instruction to the first source device to transmit the first set of program data is transmitted, and a second instruction to a first subset of sink devices in the first zone to receive program data from the first source device is transmitted.
US08607279B2
Embodiments enable multimedia broadcast systems to temporarily suspend broadcast of data in an active content flow when insufficient data is available for efficient use of the broadcast bandwidth, while signaling receiver devices so they may deactivate receiver circuits to conserve power while data broadcasts are suspended. Flow content received in the broadcaster during the temporary suspension of data broadcasts may be stored in flow buffers for broadcast at the end of the temporary suspension. An indication of the duration of suspended data broadcasts may be included in the overhead information symbols (OIS) within the broadcast signal. Receiver devices receiving the indication of suspended data broadcasts may deactivate their receiver circuits for the indicated duration. The broadcast suspensions may be coordinated across multiple content flows so that receiver devices can periodically wake up at induced sleep intervals to monitor any data flow of the broadcast system.
US08607271B2
Provided are apparatuses and methods for transmitting and receiving ESG fragments associated with an event or program. The event or program may have an interaction service component in which a subscriber can interact with the program in real-time. The program content information, such as audio and video data associated with the program may be transmitted to a subscriber in an ESG fragment. The ESG fragment may have associated metadata in which information pertaining to the interaction service component of the event or program may be mapped. The subscriber terminal or receiver can parse the ESG fragment data to determine attributes for displaying a message template associated with the interaction service component of the event or program. Subscriber interaction with the program can be provided through the message template.
US08607262B2
A method of providing popularity ratings to users includes monitoring experiences of users with programs, generating popularity ratings associated with the programs in response to the monitoring, and communicating at least one of the popularity ratings as at least one of the users experiences at least one of the programs.
US08607257B2
Disclosed is a spindle motor, the spindle motor including a turntable coupled to a rotating shaft and supporting the rotating shaft and a disc, a centering unit fitted over the rotating shaft and supporting an inner circumference of the disc, and a coil spring interposed between the turntable and the centering unit to elastically support the centering unit, wherein a first end of the coil spring is brought into contact with a spring hanging portion protruding from a side surface of the centering unit, and a second end opposite to the first end of the coil spring is supported by a spring support portion formed in the turntable.
US08607256B2
Disclosed is a spindle motor, the spindle motor including a rotating shaft, a turntable including a body into which a through hole is formed for coupling with the rotating shaft and which supports an optical disk and rotates along with the rotating shaft, and a centering unit which is fitted over the rotating shall, moves in an axial direction of the rotating shaft, and aligns a rotating center of the optical disk with a rotating center of the rotating shaft, wherein the turntable includes a reinforcing part that protrudes from the body along a periphery of the rotating shaft.
US08607255B2
The present invention provides an optical disc drive and a damper positioning structure thereof. The optical disc drive includes a top cover, a traverse, and a chassis, and the damper positioning structure comprising: a bent element provided on the top cover and having an extension portion and a fixing portion, wherein the fixing portion has a through hole; a positioning pillar provided on the chassis; and a damper for supporting and securing the traverse on the chassis, wherein the damper has a positioning hole through which the positioning pillar is insertable; wherein, when the top cover is assembled to the chassis, the positioning pillar passes through the through hole of the fixing portion, and the fixing portion presses against the damper.
US08607253B2
Various aspects are disclosed for building a device driver stack in a virtual machine partition that does not physically control the device represented by the stack. In an embodiment, a secondary interface and driver for an I/O device may be instantiated. Information from an I/O virtualization layer describing the devices that the associated driver may control may be requested. A multi-path redirection layer may provide a handle to an existing stack that includes a driver for the I/O device. This existing stack may then be used to communicate with the device and allow the creation of a new stack including an object representing the device and a new driver for the device. The multi-path redirection layer may then open a handle to the new stack and inform the device virtualization layer, which may then ask the existing device interface to relinquish control of the device to the newly created interface.
US08607252B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for automated LAMP stack data migration. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for automated LAMP stack data migration can be provided. The method can include retrieving a profile for a LAMP stack executing in a source operating platform, selecting a LAMP stack for deployment onto a target operating platform and deploying the selected LAMP stack onto the target operating platform. The method further can include translating the retrieved profile for compatibility with the selected LAMP stack, directing a reboot of the target operating platform, and applying the translated profile to the target operating platform.
US08607238B2
Aspects of the present invention reduce a lock wait time in a distributed processing environment. A plurality of wait-for dependencies between a first plurality of transactions and a second plurality of transactions in a distributed processing environment is identified. The first plurality of transactions waits for the second plurality of transactions to release a plurality of locks on a plurality of shared resources. An amount of time the first plurality of transactions will wait for the second plurality of transactions in the distributed processing environment is determined based on the plurality of wait-for dependencies between the first plurality of transactions and the second plurality of transactions. Historical transaction data related to the plurality of wait-for dependencies between the first plurality of transactions and the second plurality of transactions is analyzed. The amount of time the first plurality of transactions will wait for the second plurality of transactions is reduced based on the historical transaction data.
US08607232B2
A method, computer system, and computer program product for identifying a transient thread. A thread of a process is placed in a run queue associated with a processor. Data is added to the thread indicating a time that the thread was placed into the run queue.
US08607226B2
A method, information processing system, and computer program storage product, are provided for creating a Removable Installation Kit (“RIK”) for locally staged electronic software distribution on a user system. The method includes selecting at least one software package from a list of software packages on a software distribution server. A set of data elements is created that is associated with an RIK to be created using the at least one software package. The set of data elements is stored at the software distribution server. A temporary copy of the at least one software package that has been selected is stored. The RIK is created by placing at least the software package that has been selected and a unique identifier associated with the RIK on at least one removable storage medium.
US08607222B2
The present invention relates to a communication method for upgrading software in a wireless network. The communication method according to one aspect of the present invention relates to a communication method for upgrading software on a specific device on a wireless network, and comprises a step wherein a first message that includes information indicating versions of one or more pieces of software being used by said device is transmitted to a controller of said wireless network and a step wherein said device receives from said controller a second message that includes indication information indicating whether it is necessary to perform a software upgrade.
US08607221B1
A method and system for delivering product updates is provided. An example system comprises an update monitor and an update delivery manager. The update monitor may be configured to detect that a version of a product installed on a host computer is different from a latest version of the product. The an update delivery manager to obtain a manifest-specific URL template, collect product-specific information for the product installed on the host computer system, populate the manifest-specific URL template with product-specific information for the product installed on the host computer to generate a manifest-specific URL, and download, using the manifest-specific URL, a manifest that describes a sequence of steps for updating a version of the product to the latest version of the product.
US08607215B2
In an ECU, a flash ROM has a main storage area for storing a current version of an application program and a sub-storage area for storing update version program that includes updated points from the current version program. A rewriting tool executes program rewrite processing including: store processing of storing the update version program in the sub-storage area; and memory changeover processing in which, when the writing of the update version program in the sub-storage area has been done successfully, the sub-storage area where the storing of the update version program has ended is changed over to a new main storage area instead of a memory area currently being used as the main storage area. When the writing in the sub-storage area has failed, the changeover is not conducted.
US08607213B2
A method, system and computer-program product for deploying a package of objects in a learning management system. The method includes the steps of transmitting a Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) package to a SCORM Learning Management System (LMS); parsing out from the SCORM package a copy of a list of resources needed to deploy the SCORM package from the LMS; comparing names of all resources needed to deploy the SCORM package with an inventory of resources available to the LMS; in response to a name of one of the resources needed to deploy the SCORM package not matching any name in the inventory of resources available to the LMS, updating the name of the non-matching named resource to match a name of a resource in the inventory of resources available to the LMS; and deploying the SCORM package by launching the SCORM package with the corrected list of resources.
US08607212B2
A library of jobs is created, with the jobs performing predetermined functions. The jobs include a termination indication, which is success or failure. Input file formats of known file types are determined and a job stream to process the input files is constructed of the jobs linked according to the termination success or failure of the preceding job.
US08607209B2
A processor framework includes a compiler to add control information to an instruction sequence at compile time. The control information is added in the instruction sequence prior to a control-flow changing instruction. Microarchitecture is configured to use the control information at runtime to predict an outcome of the control-flow changing instruction prior to fetching the control-flow changing instruction.
US08607205B2
A computer-implemented method, system, and computer-readable medium for emulating web service operations are presented. In a preferred embodiment, the computer-implemented method includes the steps of: collecting Web Services Description Language (WSDL) based descriptors of selected web service operations; receiving range and diversity descriptors for the selected web service operations; and inputting the WSDL based descriptors, range and diversity descriptors into an Automatic Web Service Emulator Generator (AWSEG) to generate a web service emulation of the selected web service operations.
US08607199B2
A technique for debugging code during runtime includes providing, from an outside process, a trigger to a daemon. In this case, the trigger is associated with a registered callback function. The trigger is then provided, from the daemon, to one or more designated tasks of a job. The registered callback function (that is associated with the trigger) is then executed by the one or more designated tasks. Execution results of the executed registered callback function are then returned (from the one or more designated tasks) to the daemon.
US08607197B2
A monitoring tool continuously monitors for insertion, call or deletion of objects from a session. Display of this information shows any get object, set object or remove object operations in the session and shows the entry and exit points for each such object, thus assisting the user whenever objects inserted or called remain in the session and are not removed, thus allowing the user to prevent any data buildup in the session.
US08607196B2
A computer-implemented method of controlling version branching within a software configuration management system (SCMS) can include, responsive to a user initiating a check-out operation of a file within the SCMS, identifying the file and a workspace of the user and searching nodes of the repositories of the SCMS for a successor version of the file. When a successor version of the file is located within a node that is within a predetermined distance of the workspace of the user, a notification that the successor version of the file is within the predetermined distance of the workspace of the user can be output. When a successor version of the file is not located within a node within a predetermined distance of the workspace of the user, the file can be checked-out to the workspace of the user.
US08607177B2
In an integrated circuit device, a power circuit for maintaining asserted values on an input output pin of the device when a functional block of the device is placed in a sleep mode. The device includes a power circuit disposed along the periphery of the device, the power circuit configured to maintain power when the device is placed in a low-power mode. A plurality of input output blocks are included in the device and are for receiving external inputs for the integrated circuit device and for providing outputs from the integrated circuit device. The power circuit is coupled to provide power to at least one of the input output blocks to maintain state when the integrated circuit device is in the low-power mode.
US08607166B2
User interfaces for browsing and/or searching are described. In some embodiments, an icon representing a file is displayed in a graphical user interface (GUI), where the icon includes one or more predefined decorations. The decorations may be chosen based on the file type, such as slide decorations for presentations, a foldover for documents, etc. This may also be referred to as type conformance. A preview of the content of the file is presented within the icon without launching an application which has created the file (also referred to as the creator application). The pre-defined decorations on the icon may be maintained on the icon while the preview of the content of the file is presented. The format of the icon (e.g., shape of the icon, size of the icon, etc.) may be maintained as well during presentation of the preview. Other embodiments are also described, and computer readable media and apparatuses are also described.
US08607160B2
Optical storage media often contain data structures for a menu suitable for selection of a title, a chapter, a parameter or others. Such menus usually comprise a number of buttons to be displayed, with each button having a state. Possible states of buttons are; e.g., “unselected”, “selected” or “activated”. According to the invention, the menu may contain buttons that can be selected through the keys on the remote control, but that don't have any images or text associated. This allows creating “invisible buttons” that automatically execute commands upon selection. Further, a sound or sound sequence; e.g., melody or click, may be associated to a buttons state, and may be played back when the button enters this state. Such menu data may be stored; e.g., on a Blu-ray disc.
US08607159B2
A graphical user interface (GUI) on an audio video display device (AVDD) can be operated in at least first and second input modes. When the first input mode is active the GUI has a first behavior and/or appearance whereas when the second input mode is active the GUI has a second behavior and/or appearance.
US08607156B1
A system and method for indicating overscrolling in a mobile device is provided. The method may include outputting, at a display operatively coupled to a computing device, a graphical representation of at least one content item. The method may further include receiving, at the computing device, a user input and in response to the user input, scrolling the graphical representation of the at least one content item in a direction on the display. The method may further include determining, by the computing device, that the graphical representation of the at least one content item has reached a bound associated with a visible portion of the display. In response to the determining, updating, by the computing device, a visual aspect of a scrollbar slider output at the display.
US08607153B2
Systems and methods for rendering a graphic that describes multiple dimensions of performance for a subject intensive care unit (ICU) over a predefined period of time are provided. One method involves measuring the performance of the subject ICU against various metrics and displaying the measured performance as a graphic constructed of data strips placed adjacent to a 2-dimensional plot. The lengths of the data strips visually represent a percentage of patients that did not receive active treatment in the subject ICU, a rate of readmission to an ICU, and a median of the acute physiological scores (APS's) extracted from patients admitted to the subject ICU, respectively. The 2-dimensional plot includes an X-axis that represents a ratio of a hospital predicted mortality rate value over the measured mortality rate, while a Y-axis represents a difference between a predicted mean length of stay value and the measured mean length of stay value.
US08607149B2
An apparatus and method is described for highlighting related user interface controls to selected items in order to improve the ease of use and the intuitiveness of a graphical user interface. In preferred embodiments, user interface controls that are related to a selected object in the display are uniquely highlighted when an object is selected to show the user what user interface options are related to or available to perform some action on the selected object. The preferred embodiments of related highlighted controls can be used in conjunction with prior art highlighted controls that show what actions are available to the user for the current environment or cursor location.
US08607148B2
A method and system for performing drag and drop operation on a graphical user interface is disclosed herein. The method comprises: enlarging a drop region in a graphical user interface upon focusing on a part of the drop region, the drop region being enlarged in a direction based on the location of the focused part of drop region. In an embodiment the direction of enlargement is in the mirror direction of focused part of the drop region.
US08607147B2
A system (102) for previewing changes to a structured flow diagram is provided. The system includes a user interface (110) that displays a structured flow diagram according to a predetermined visual format. The system (100) further includes a preview module (112) for generating a modified display of a portion of the structured flow diagram displayable with the user interface (110). The modified display shows a user-directed modification to the structured flow diagram by displaying the user-directed modification in a different visual format juxtaposed with portions of the structured flow diagram that remain unchanged by the user-directed modification. The modification to the structured flow diagram can thus be previewed prior to determining whether to incorporate the modification into the structured flow diagram if the system user elects to do so.
US08607142B2
There is provided an apparatus for aligning document actions specified in a documented procedure with demonstrated user actions. The apparatus includes an alignment device for computing an alignment between the document actions and the demonstrated user actions based on at least one similarity metric.
US08607140B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for classifying changes to resources. In one aspect, a method includes obtaining a first version of a resource. The method includes obtaining a second version of the resource, the second version representing a change to the first version of the resource. The method includes determining feature data that describes changes from the first version to the second version. The method includes creating a feature vector from the feature data. The method includes providing the feature vector to a support vector machine, the support vector machine trained to classify the second version of the resource as having one of changes requiring a change notification or changes not requiring a change notification. The method includes classifying the second version as requiring a change notification or not requiring a change notification based on output from the support vector machine.
US08607138B2
A system and method for enabling users of a multi-user network-based OLAP system to present reports generated by the OLAP system using a spreadsheet application within a network user interface. A client-side network user interface is presented to a user over the network so that the user may submit a request for a report. The server-side system receives the request and processes the report. When the server-side system completes the report processing, the report is communicated to the client-side network user interface. The report may then be presented to the user(s) that submitted requests for that report. The client-side network user interface comprises a spreadsheet application that may be used to display the report to the user.
US08607133B2
A data processing device acquires a first parameter value of a hardware component, and calculates a first prediction value of the first parameter using a prediction algorithm. If a difference of the first prediction value and the first parameter falls within a deviation range, the first parameter value is determined as a real value and is stored. Otherwise, the device acquires a second parameter value of the hardware component that follows the first parameter value, and calculates a second prediction value of the second parameter value. If a difference between the second prediction value and the second parameter value falls with a second deviation range, the first parameter value is determined as a real value and is stored. Otherwise, the first parameter value is determined as a false value and is abandoned.
US08607132B1
A method for reducing a number of bits for representing a value is disclosed. A first value represented with a first number of bits is transformed to a second value represented with a second number of bits, wherein the first number of bits is greater than the second number of bits. The transformed second value is scaled by a scale factor to a third value. Transforming includes selecting a target window with a width of a third number of bits, wherein the third number of bits is smaller than the first number of bits. Transforming further includes saturating the first value to a most significant bit (MSB) within the selected target window and extracting bits within the selected target window from the saturated value.
US08607123B2
A flash memory control circuit including a microprocessor unit, a first interface unit for connecting a flash memory, a second interface unit for connecting a computer host, an error correcting unit, a memory management unit, and a marking unit is provided. The memory management unit divides each page in the flash memory into a plurality of data bit areas, and a plurality of redundancy bit areas and a plurality of error correcting bit areas corresponding to the data bit areas, wherein each of the data bit areas has a plurality of sectors for respectively storing a sector data. The marking unit stores a data accuracy mark corresponding to each sector data in the corresponding redundancy bit area to record the status of the sector data. Thereby, the flash memory controller can effectively identify error data in the flash memory by using the error correcting codes and the data accuracy marks.
US08607111B2
An integrated circuit tester is described that utilizes methods of programming parallel coupled Algorithmic Pattern Generators (APGs) to generate test vector sequences and part commands with sub-instruction repeats. This enables simpler test programming and ease of test conversion to new part speed grades, steppings, or part designs. In one embodiment, a sub-instruction repeat is utilized to enable adjustment of the timing of test vector sequences and part commands sent to an integrated circuit device under test (DUT) so that the test can be adjusted for new part speed grades and/or steppings. In another embodiment, a sub-instruction repeats are utilized to enable adjustment of the timing of a memory device inputs, memory commands and test vector sequences so that the test can be adjusted for new memory device speed grades.
US08607108B2
An electronic system is configured for scan testing, with a clock distribution network going to a plurality of blocks of the system, and a test capture clock being generated locally at each block. Capture clock pulses are optionally generated at different times for different blocks, and are optionally suppressed for some blocks.
US08607105B1
Techniques and circuits for testing a memory are provided. The techniques include disabling a plurality of interrupts to an integrated circuit (IC). Contents of a first memory region to be tested are copied to a second memory region. The second memory region where the contents are copied to is a safe memory region that will not be affected by the memory test. Memory accesses are mapped to the second memory region so that memory accesses that are associated with the first memory region are mapped to the second memory region. The plurality of interrupts is re-enabled after the memory contents in the first memory region are copied and remapped to the second memory region. Memory accesses due to the interrupts are redirected from the first memory region to the second memory region according to the memory mapping. The first memory region is tested with a test circuit of the IC.
US08607104B2
A memory loopback system and method including an address/command transmit source configured to transmit a command and associated address through an address/command path. A transmit data source is configured to transmit write data associated with the command through a write path. Test control logic is configured to generate gaps between successive commands. A loopback connection is configured to route the write data from the write path to a read path. A data comparator is configured to compare the data received via the read path to a receive data source and generate a data loopback status output. Pattern generation logic can be configured to generate a loopback strobe, the loopback strobe being coupled to the read path. The pattern generation logic may be configured to synthesize a read strobe based on the test control logic and to use the synthesized read strobe as the loopback strobe. The loopback connection may be configured to route the address/command data from the address/command path to an address/command comparator, the address/command comparator being configured to compare the address/command data to an address/command receive source and generate an address/command loopback status output.
US08607099B2
Data structure errors, or corruptions, identified during, e.g., normal computing device system processing, file system processing or user access processing, are verified prior to the file system identifying the error for offline correction or notifying the user or system administrator a data structure error exists. Identified data structure corruptions are verified while the file system volumes are maintained online and otherwise accessible to other processing tasks and user access. Verified data structure corruptions are logged for further corrective processing. Data structure corruptions that cannot be verified, i.e., false positives, are not further processed and are not identified to file system administrators or users as corruptions, freeing the file system to concentrate on normal processing and true, verifiable errors.
US08607097B2
An apparatus and method for determining an abnormal ROM update in a portable terminal. The apparatus includes a ROM update unit for increasing a value of an update start counter when a ROM update process is performed, and increasing a value of an update finish counter when the ROM update process is finished. The ROM update unit loads the values of the update start counter and the update finish counter, and compares the values of the two counters to determine that the ROM update process has been normally performed before the portable terminal abnormally operates.
US08607095B2
A server testing system is used for testing servers of a server system and includes a power source, switches, a connection device, a controlling device, and a display device. Each switch is connected to the power source and the controlling device. The controlling device is connected to the connection device and the display device. The controlling device controls each switch to connect a corresponding server to the power source. When receiving a feedback signal from a server, the connection device sends a status signal to the controlling device. The status signal triggers the controlling device to control a corresponding switch to disconnect and then connect the server to the power source. The controlling module controls the switches to turn each server on and off for a predetermined number of times and controls the display device to display a warning when a server is not working normally.
US08607093B2
Embodiments relate systems and methods for detecting machine faults in a network using acoustic monitoring. In embodiments, one or more servers, clients, or other machines in a managed network can have a microphone or other acoustic sensor integrated into motherboard or other hardware. The sensor can sample acoustic signals from inside or near the machine, and can digitize that data. The resulting set of acoustic data can be transmitted to a management server or other destination for analysis of the operating sounds related to that machine. For instance, the acoustic data can be analyzed to detect indications of a failed or failing hard drive, for instance by detecting spindle whine or head movement noises, or a failed or failing power supply based on other sounds. The management server can respond to potential fault events for instance by issuing configuration commands, such as instructions to power down the malfunctioning component.
US08607089B2
A nonvolatile storage or memory device is accessed over a memory bus. The memory bus has an electrical interface typically used for volatile memory devices. A controller coupled to the bus sends synchronous data access commands to the nonvolatile memory device, and reads the response from the device bus based on an expected timing of a reply from the nonvolatile memory device. The controller determines the expected timing based on when the command was sent, and characteristics of the nonvolatile memory device. The controller may not need all the electrical signal lines available on the memory bus, and could issue data access commands to different groups of nonvolatile memory devices over different groups of electrical signal lines. The memory bus may be available and configured for either use with a memory controller and volatile memory devices, or a storage controller and nonvolatile memory devices.
US08607088B2
A method comprises a system comprising a host device coupled to a first remote device actively operating according to a state diagram that the host device and all remote devices follow during operation of the system. The method further comprises powering up a second remote device while the host device and first remote device are actively operating according to the state diagram. The second remote device determines whether to initialize to a standard protocol or to an advanced protocol. Upon determining to initialize to the advanced protocol, the second remote device then waits for a synchronization point sequence.
US08607071B2
Replay attacks in an encrypted file system are prevented by generating a session key and providing the session key to one or more drive managers and an encrypted file system process. When a drive request is received by the encrypted file system process the drive request is encrypted using the generated session key. The encrypted drive request is sent to a drive manager. The drive manager attempts to decrypt the drive request using the session key. If the encrypted drive request is successfully decrypted, then the drive manager performs the requested operation. On the other hand, if the request is not decrypted successfully, then the request is not performed by the drive manager. Drive managers can include both disk device drivers and a logical volume managers.
US08607064B2
A biometric authentication device performs authentication of a user based on biometric information. In the biometric authentication device, a registry information storage stores pre-registered biometric information as registry information. An acceptance value determiner determines a verification acceptance value used for authentication, based on quality of the registry information with regard to reliability of characterizing an individual. An authentication information acquirer obtains biometric information of a user as authentication information. A similarity calculator compares the authentication information of the user with the registry information and calculates similarity between the authentication information and the registry information. An authenticator identifies whether the user is a registrant corresponding to the registry information, based on the similarity and the verification acceptance value.
US08607062B2
A lock system includes a locker device and a USB key. The locker device includes a first USB connector, a password input unit and a control unit. The USB key includes a second USB connector for connection to the first USB connector, a memory unit, and a decrypting unit. The memory unit is configured for storing a password. The decrypting unit includes a password identification unit configured for determining whether a password inputted into the password input unit matches the password stored in the memory unit and producing a decrypting instruction if the inputted password matches the stored password. The locker device is configured for transmitting the inputted password to the USB key. The USB key is configured for transmitting the decrypted instruction to the locker device through the connected first and second USB connectors to enable the control unit to unlock the locker device.
US08607061B2
Methods of operating memory systems and memory systems are disclosed, such as a memory system having a memory array storing a code generating program to instruct a processor to generate a code, and a register to store a code generated by the processor, where the register is configured to allow a write operation to the memory array in response to a match of a code stored in the register and where the match is controlled in response to a request from a utility program being executed by the processor.
US08607055B2
A scanned document management system for managing a paper document in a state in which the paper document is scanned and transformed into electronic data, registers an attribute of the document by a manager; when printing out the document, registers identification information of the document with correspondence to the attribute, issues a document authentication representing certificate including the identification information, coding the document authentication representing certificate and prints out the same with including the same in a document image; and, when scanning the document, extracts the coded document authentication representing certificate from the document, obtains the attribute from the identification information included in the document authentication representing certificate to determine whether or not authentication is possible therewith, and allows transfer of the document image thus scanned, when the authentication is possible.
US08607049B1
In one embodiment, a wireless bridge for wireless to TCP/IP based communication is provided. The wireless bridge can be with reduced functional devices (RFDs) in a star topology network acting as a network access device (NAD). Another embodiment can be with fully functional devices (FFDs) in a peer-to-peer topology network also capable of operating as a NAD. The network address device includes a processor with memory; a radio frequency transceiver front end communicating with the processor; an antenna coupled to the front end; and a power source providing power to the processor and front end wherein the processor with memory contains computer instructions for executing IEEE 802.15.4 standard compliant operations; transmitting a network access device announcement (NADA) message representative of the initiation of passive network discovery to multiple end devices; determining whether a receiving/designated end device is network compliant; establishing communication with the compliant designated end device; and forwarding the NADA message to the designated end device.
US08607048B2
A wireless communication system may acquire specific information including identification information from each of access points. The wireless communication system may select particular identification information corresponding to a particular access point among the one or more of access points. The wireless communication system may determine, by using the specific information acquired from the particular access point, whether the particular access point operates in accordance with a first or a second type of authentication protocol. The wireless communication system may cause a displaying unit to display a first type of setting screen if the particular access point operates in accordance with the first type of authentication protocol. The wireless communication system may cause the displaying unit to display a second type of setting screen, which is different from the first type of setting screen, if the particular access point operates in accordance with the second type of authentication protocol.
US08607047B2
A mobile system, a service system, and a service providing method for securely transmitting private information for use in a service are provided. The mobile system maintains at least one user data and identification data with respect to the user data used for processing at least one service, sets a session key for the service system, and encrypts service data identified based on the identification data to transmit to the service system.
